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Nigeria’s external debt stock now $9.4bn –DMO TOLA AKINMUTIMI

Nkwankwo

Vol. 5 N0. 1145

ebt Management Office, DMO, yesterday disclosed that the country’s external debt

stock profile stood at $9.4bn as at the end of first quarter this year. The disclosure, which was contained in a release posted on the agency’s website, indicated that the debt

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Ondo police parade ex-FUTA VC’s suspected killers

decreased by about $300m from $9.7bn at the end of last year. A breakdown of the figures showed that the highest amount in the debt totaling CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Olayemi Bamitale and Daniel Ita

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FG probes NNPC over N3.8trn unaccounted fund ...Oshiomhole, el-Rufai in probe panel

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

Buhari asks governors to pay workers

ederal Government yesterday constituted a four-member committee to probe account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which it said could not account for N3.8trn out of N8.1trn earned between 2012 and May 2015. Members of the committee include Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Mallam NaCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle), Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (7th left), with governors and other members of the National Economic Council after inauguration by President Buhari, at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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Ban on Ogogoro’ll lead to unemployment –Dealers P.52

Chibok girls ‘forced’ to join Boko Haram

UNESCO, NAN partner to educate 60,000 Nigerian women

PDP accuses President of blackmail

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OOU students barricade Sagamu-Ore Expressway over colleagues’ P.9 death Senior doctors order striking colleagues back to work P.4

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Chibok girls ‘forced’ to join Boko Haram

ome of the students kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State have allegedly been forced to join Boko Haram as fighters. The British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, yesterday quoted witnesses as saying some of the girls are now being used to terrorise other captives, and are even carrying out killings themselves. The testimony cannot be verified but Amnesty International says other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been forced to fight. Boko Haram has killed some 5,500 civilians in the country since 2014. Some 219 schoolgirls are still missing, more than a year after they were kidnapped. Three women who claim they were held in the same camps as some of the Chibok girls told the BBC’s Panorama programme that some of them have been brainwashed and are now carrying out punishments on behalf of the militants. Miriam (not her real name), who is 17, fled Boko Haram after being held for six months. She was forced to marry a militant, and is now pregnant with his child. Recounting her first days in the camp she said: “They told us to get ready, that they were going to marry us off.” She and four others refused.

“They came back with four men; they slit their throats in front of us. They then said that this will happen to any girl that refuses to get married,” she said. Faced with that choice, she agreed to marry, and was then repeatedly raped. “There was so much pain. I was only there in body… I couldn’t do anything about it,” she said. While in captivity, Miriam described meeting some of the Chibok schoolgirls. She said they were kept in a separate house to the other captives “They told us: ‘You women should learn from your husbands because they are giving their blood for the cause. We must also go to war for Allah.’” She said the girls had been “brainwashed” and that she had witnessed some of them kill several men in her village. “They were Christian men. They (the Boko Haram fighters) forced the Christians to lie down. Then the girls cut their throats.” It is not possible to independently verify Miriam’s claims. But human rights group Amnesty International said their research also shows that some girls abducted by Boko Haram have been trained to fight. “The abduction and brutalisation of young women and girls seems to be part of the modus operandi of Boko Haram,” said Netsanet Belay, Africa director, research

and advocacy at Amnesty International. Amnesty International estimates more than 2,000 girls have been taken since the start of 2014. But it was the attack on the school in Chibok that sparked international outrage. Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic Caliphate in the north, but has recently suffered crushing defeat by a military force from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Hundreds of women and girls have managed to escape during these raids. Anna, aged 60, is one of them. She fled a camp in the Sambisa forest in December

where she was held for five months. She now sits beneath a tree close to the cathedral in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. Her only possessions are the clothes she ran away in. She said she saw some of the Chibok schoolgirls just before she fled the forest. “They had guns,” she said. When pressed on how she could be sure that it is was the Chibok schoolgirls that she’d seen, Anna said: “They (Boko Haram) didn’t hide them. They told us: ‘These are your teachers from Chibok.’ “They shared the girls

out as teachers to teach different groups of women and girls to recite the Koran,” Anna recalled. “Young girls who couldn’t recite were being flogged by the Chibok girls,” she added. Like Miriam, Anna also said she had seen some of the Chibok schoolgirls commit murder. “People were tied and laid down and the girls took it from there… The Chibok girls slit their throats,” said Anna. Anna said she felt no malice towards the girls she had seen taking part in the violence, only pity. “It’s not their fault they were forced to do it. Anyone

who sees the Chibok girls has to feel sorry for them,” she added. Faith (not her real name) aged 16, who is Christian, described how Boko Haram fighters tried to force her to convert to their version of Islam. “Every day at dawn they would come and throw water over us and order us to wake up and start praying. “Then one day, they brought in a man wearing uniform. They made us all line up and then said to me: ‘because you are always crying, you must kill this man.’ “I was given the knife and ordered to cut his neck. I CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Governors, Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Aminu Tanbuwal (Sokoto) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), during the inauguration of National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

FG probes NNPC over N3.8trn unaccounted fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

sir el-Rufai (Kaduna) Speaking at a press briefing at the end of the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa, Governor Oshiomhole said it was also discovered that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan spent $2.1bn from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, without approval. According to him, the amount NNPC paid into the Federation Account for distribution to the three tiers of government was N4.3trn, while it spent N3.8trn alone. Oshiomhole said what the record revealed was that the cost of running NNPC was much more than the cost of running the Federal

Government. The governor said this was the first time NEC, under the instruction of the President, would compel NNPC and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to provide information on issues relating to the total sales of Nigeria’s crude from 2012 to May 2015. “We are talking about transparency, we are talking about change and what we saw from those numbers I believe that Nigerians are entitled to know, is that whereas NNPC claimed to have earned N8.1trn, what was paid into the Federation Account from 2012 to May 2015 was N4.3trn. “What it means is that NNPC withheld and spent

N3.8trn. The major revelation here is that the amount NNPC paid into the federation account for distribution to the three tiers of government came to N4.3trn and the corporation alone took and spent N3.8trn. “This means the cost of running NNPC is much more than the cost of running the Federal Government. That tells you how much is missing; what is mismanaged; what is stolen. These are huge figures,” Oshiomhole said. He explained that the appropriate thing to do before NNPC spend money realised from the sale of crude was to prepare its budget for which the amount would be

appropriated by the National Assembly “There is no enterprise manager who goes to the market and sells and just begin to spend, otherwise nobody needs to budget,” he said Oshiomhole explained that if the Federal Government cannot spend without appropriation, agencies of government should not spend money without appropriation He explained that Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for example was supposed to pay into the Federation Account and present its budget according to the provisions of the constitution “This is what the con-

stitution provided for. And this is what President Buhari has promised to do that henceforth all monies must go to the Federation Account. “What do you need budget for; Nigeria cannot continue with you earn the money and spend it. Where is transparency? Where is the role of the National Assembly? So if you were doing that you won’t have a situation where the NNPC alone will spend N3.8trn and remit to the federal, states and local governments N4.3trn which means NNPC is taking about 47 per cent and that explains all the leakages you are talking about,” Oshiomhole said. The governor also regret-

ted that the ECA account was depleted by the former administration without approval by the appropriate authority. He said: “We looked at the numbers for the Excess Crude Account. The last time the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reported to the Council and it is in the minute, she reported that by November 2014, we had $4.1bn but today the Accountant General Office reported we have $2bn, which means the Honourable Minister spent $2.1bn without authority of the NEC.” Also speaking at the briefing, El-Rufai said the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Photo News

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

L-R: Account Manager, SME and Specialized Channels, South South, Etisalat Nigeria, Christian Kanu; CEO, Kevicomms Nigeria Ltd, Port Harcourt/winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra in the Etisalat 2014 SME Acquisition Promo, Emmanuel Joshua Okoronkwo; Head, Enterprise Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Eric Uwaoma; Account Manager, SME and Specialized Channels, South East, Okehelem Umendu; Regional Enterprise Sales Manager, South South/South East, Nneka Owolabi, during Etisalat Strategic Partner car presentation in Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

L-R: Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd [SIPML], Mrs. Nike Bajomo; Executive Director, SIPML, Mr. Steve Elusope; Zonal Head, South-South, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Mr. Kehinde Awotunde and Head, Compliance, SIPML, Mrs. Idu Okwuosa, during an Employers’ Forum organized by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers in Port Harcourt, recently.

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L-R: Product Manager, Astymin, Mr. Femi Ajala; Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Friday Enaholo; winner of MyAstymin UCL Predict and Win Contest, Mr. Fijabi Adebayo and Corporate Services manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, during the prize presentation of Samsung LED TV in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Member of Advisory Committee, Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Niger State, Pastor Peter Okere; State Chairman, Rev. Eberechukwu Ejezie and National Executive Director, Mr. Benson Iwuagwu, during the inauguration of the state chapter of PFN in Suleja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

enior doctors in Nigeria under the auspices of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, yesterday directed all resident doctors currently on strike in the country to go back to work. Addressing journalists in Abuja, president of the association, Steven Oluwole, said several tertiary hospitals “are currently not functioning optimally or not rendering services due to industrial action initiated by resident doctors” in the country. Oluwole said the strike was premised on non-payment of skipping adjustment to the salary of doctors in all hospitals where “support staff ” were paid such salary adjustment. He said government has agreed with the Nigerian Medical Association that such adjustment to salaries in the health services was absurd, and issued directives to stop its payment.

Senior doctors order striking colleagues back to work

…raise concern over Buhari’s ‘slowness’ in forming cabinet “The affected staff sought and obtained legal relief, which premised its argument on the principle that negotiated salaries should not be stopped in the manner the government did. “While we were informed that government had appealed the court judgment, the status of the appeal, or the will of government to provide lasting solution is unknown. “The cycle of strikes and counter-strikes that have bedeviled the tertiary hospitals over sundry issues have weakened health services, shown maximum disrespect for human lives and jettisoned the established order of humanity to care for the sick. Such

abandon in hospital services was unheard of in Europe, North America, other African countries or anywhere else. Training of doctors and other health services workers have been partially or completely paralysed, impaired, or weak for more than a year in several tertiary institutions. “The basis for the existence of health services have been replaced with unprecedented and unbridled activism that ignores and disrespects the ethics and established norms of unionism,” Oluwole stated. MDCAN blamed the non-release of the white paper on the report of presidential committee of experts on inter-professional relationships

in the public health sector, otherwise known as Yayale-Ahmed Committee Report, on most industrial actions in the sector. Oluwole therefore directed all senior doctors in the affected hospitals to ensure that consultants restore services in all specialties with the full complement of staff assigned to them to discharge their duties. Meanwhile, the association has raised concern over the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to form his cabinet, one month after inauguration. He said: “We took consideration of some of the dynamics in our political system. If we look at the United Kingdom, for instance, things move

smoothly within hours. So, we can’t say it is because it is a new party coming in, that is why it is slow. That is why I use this forum to appeal to our President to expedite action, because it becomes indefensible in our democracy when it looks like we can just leave that vacuum. “We should have a functional government. We had elections; we have constituted the National Assembly. That is not sufficient to get things done. So, we have to appeal; I think our patient should run out very soon as a nation, so we have to call on our President. We voted for him and we have the voice to say President, look, don’t lay this kind of precedence of slowness to

form government. “The health ministry as we have it at the moment - I think the best person should be there - not just that he is a doctor, he must have basic medical qualification, post-graduate qualification; be a trained administrator; and know public health, because he is serving multiple purposes. Not one who is just to administer the Ministry of Health, but such must be a chief public health officer. “There is no way of replicating that. This does not provide for any other profession there. Once you establish the structure, anybody who wants to occupy the structure must have the requisite qualification to be there.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

FG probes NNPC over N3.8trn unaccounted fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

committee is expected to submit its report at the next meeting of the Council on July 23. Zamfara State Governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari, disclosed at the briefing that NEC also decided that the Federal Government in conjunction with the CBN would look inwards to see how to support states especially on the issue of outstanding salaries. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged state governors to explore efficient means of gradually offsetting all unpaid salaries of staff, which have brought untold hardship to thousands of families.

Buhari spoke while inaugurating the National Economic Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa. The President said it was evident that the task of ensuring growth, job creation and equity was enormous, stressing that the process must start by cultivating a culture of prudent management of resources at all levels of government. According to him, the process would entail looking inwards to secure sustainable ways of increasing Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and harnessing growth potentials of each state to supplement the Federation Account allocation. Buhari also urged the states to embark on projects that

would meet immediate needs of the people, taking into account, available resources. He also spoke on the need for neighbouring states to cooperate closely on projects such as interstate and feeder roads, soil erosion, desertification and other developmental programmes, stressing that the country is one. The President noted that those in position of authority, who have the responsibility to run the affairs of the country, must lead by example, saying that there should be distance between politics and good governance. Buhari stated that there were high expectations from NEC as a veritable source of articulating policies and programmes that

are people centred and capable of driving further the expected growth and development of the country as well as providing environment required for progress. He stated that his administration was fully committed to embarking on sustainable visionary initiatives and programmes that would restructure and transform the national economy. The President added that his government was also committed to ensuring collaboration and facilitation of the international efforts to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, financial and cyber crimes, climate change; the spread of communicable diseases

Bank customers making last minute rush for bank verification number (BVN) at a bank in Ibadan, to beat CBN’s directive of June 30 deadline for registration, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria’s external debt stock now $9.4bn –DMO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

$5.6trn was owed the World Bank Group’s International Development Association, IDA, while indebtedness to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, stood at $89.4m. Nigeria owes African Development Bank (AfDB) $200m and $513.7m owed African Development Fund (ADF), a debt incurred through AfDB Group. The country also owes Arab Bank Economic Development for Africa $4.4m, while its debts to European Development Fund and Islamic Development Bank are $75.1m and $19.6m respectively. In addition, the DMO reported that the country’s debts, through bilateral agreements to Exim Bank

of China and French Development Agency, FDA, were $1.2trn and $140.2m respectively. It clarified further that Nigeria’s external debt stock through government’s issuance of Eurobond stood at a balance of $1.5bn. It would be recalled that despite global institutions’ decision which set Nigeria’s borrowing threshold at 40 per cent of the nation’s GDP about 18 months ago, the DMO has consistently maintained its intention to maintain a 25 per cent threshold with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the debt profile. The Director General of the Office, Dr Abraham Nwankwo, pointed out that it remained in the best interest of the nation to keep the

debt ratio to GDP at such a relatively moderate level in view of the history and the structure of the economy but more importantly, to ensure macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth in the years ahead. He said: “If the economy grows so well and we generate more revenue from taxes more than the government is getting now, because people are more tax compliant, then there will be less need for government to borrow; the amount government has to borrow will become less. “So debt is a residual item, therefore the Debt Management Office is not just interested in mechanical management of the debt, it is interested in influencing the environment

in such a way so that those factors that put more pressure on borrowing will be moderated.”. The DMO is currently implementing the Federal Executive Council, FEC,approved Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDs 2012-2015), which is designed to help in improving the efficiency of the nation’s debt market and promote its sustainable growth given its implications for attracting private sector investments. Nwankwo explained that the adoption of the strategy placed the country in better position to meet financial obligations at minimum cost, maintain risk at prudent level and contribute to improved macroeconomic stability.

and other challenges of the 21st century. He said the Federal Government, on its part, would abide by the provisions of Sections 80 and 162 of the Constitution and ensures more accountability, transparency and integrity in the distribution of the Federation Account. According to him, all revenue generating agencies such as NNPC, Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, CBN, NIMASA and Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, amongst others shall comply with stipulated financial regulations and administrative instructions in their remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He noted that the Council meetings over the years had been constructive and productive, while the key outcomes as well as recommendations translated into government policies at the federal and state levels. This, he noted, has not only facilitated national economic planning, but also lead to overall political harmony. “It is also reassuring to note that steps have been taken in the past to

strengthen the effectiveness of the Council in its role as prime adviser on developments in the economy. “This process must be geared up substantially, especially in the difficult times that we have now found ourselves. “The National Planning Commission must continue to work to arrive at workable consensus on policies among the various tiers of government, which is a prerequisite for sustained growth and development,” Buhari said. On the issue of insurgency, the President said the Nigerian Armed Forces have shown renewed commitment and made steady progress in the fight against Boko Haram. He said he had also directed the frontline states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to articulate realistic assessments, costs, locations on local government by-local-government of affected facilities for submission to the President of the G7 for further verification He stated that the requirements of the military have been prepared by the Service Chiefs for the consideration of the G7 Nations.

Chibok girls ‘forced’ to join Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

said I couldn’t do it. “They cut his throat in front of me. That’s when I passed out,” she said. Faith said she had seen at least one Chibok schoolgirl who had been married off to a Boko Haram militant during her four months in captivity. “She was just like any of the Boko Haram wives. We are more scared of the wives than the husbands,” she noted. With hundreds of women and children recently rescued from the Sambisa forest, the Federal Government has set up a programme to help escapees. Many fled captivity, only to discover that some or all of their family members had been killed by Boko Haram. Others have been cast out from their communities, who now consider them

“Boko Haram wives.” Dr Fatima Akilu who is in charge of the country’s counter-violence and extremism programme is currently looking after around 300 of the recently rescued women and children. “We have not seen signs of radicalisation. But if it did occur we would not be surprised.” “In situations where people have been held, there have been lots of stories where they have identified with their captors,” she said. Dr Akilu said beatings, torture, rape, forced marriages and pregnancies were common in Boko Haram camps. “We have a team of imams… that are trained to look out for radical ideas and ideology. “Recovery is going to be slow; it’s going to be long… It’s going to be bumpy,” she added.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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‘FG can realise N7trn annually from maritime sector’ TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

o generate a minimum of N7 trillion annually from the maritime sector, stakeholders have advised the Federal Government to impose stiffer regulation on the industry. Maritime stakeholders made the recommendation in Abuja yesterday at a workshop on Economic Regulation in the Maritime Sector. Speaking at the workshop, a former Director, Ministry of Transport and a member of the Nigerian Shippers' Council, Mr. Collins Okoroafor, noted that maritime trade alone accounted for 85 per cent of the country's trade and therefore, a properly regulated maritime sector would yield about N7trn yearly for

government. “Nigerian Ports have (a total cargo-handling capacity of) over 35 million tonnes, and Nigeria is very active in international trade. It is also a major crude oil exporter, it's import-dependent and this trade is about 85% by sea. This means the maritime industry has the potential of contributing up to N7 trillion annually to the Nigerian economy," he stated. Okoroafor regretted that though Nigeria has over 850 kilometres of coastline, eight major seaports, 11 oil terminals and 128 private jetties with a total cargo handling capacity of 35 million tonnes in Nigerian ports, poor regulation by government and stakeholders has remained the bane of the sector. He lamented that shipment problems, shipping space, safety of cargo on

board, freight rates, documentation, port-related problems, port charges, congestion, security, shore handling and tracking of containers/parcels, customs issues, remain some of the problems hampering the maritime sector. He also enumerated the problems of the sector to include "Inland/transportation problems, availability/

efficiency of rail/road networks, security/tracking of cargoes, haulage costs, transit arrangements, documentation, legal, banking and insurance issues." He regretted the "deterioration of the quality of shipping services and the demand side challenges, arbitrary and large increases in ocean freight rates by cartelised foreign cargo

liner operators." In his presentation, maritime sector expert, Mr. Chima Nwana, urged the National Assembly to pass a "Bill to Establish a National Transport Commission as an Independent Multi-modal Economic Regulator for the Transport Industry and for Other Related Matters." The maritime lawyer said the passage of the

Bill to law will increase private-sector participation in the maritime sector, and stressed the need to allow stakeholder collaboration with government to improve regulation. Nwana also suggested that alternatively, the National Assembly could amend the Nigeria Shippers' Council Act to enforce regulation in the sector.

Stray bullets kill nursing mothers at funeral

trigger-happy policeman allegedly gunned down two nursing mothers at a funeral in Ivhiokhile quarters in Fugar, administrative headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. The tragedy occurred when one of the two policemen attached to a traditional ruler from Uzaire clan, HRH Imonike Omogbai, who was himself a guest at the ceremony, allegedly began shooting sporadically for no apparent reason. It was gathered that the policeman’s gun dispersed bullets as he held his rifle with one hand and tried opening the car door for the traditional ruler to enter his vehicle to leave the ceremony. The stray bullets allegedly killed the two nursing mothers, who were seated under a canopy with other guests. It was reliably learnt that one of the dead women, whose name was given as Mrs. Sandra Imhaku, was a widow. She reportedly lost her husband last year while pregnant, which she cared for along with three other children before she was killed at the funeral on Saturday.

The stray bullet narrowly missed Sandra’s two-month-old baby that was strapped to her back before hitting the victim on her neck. Although Imhaku was rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Irrua, she later died on Sunday morning. According to eyewitnesses, the other victim, Mrs. Saliu, also an indigene of Fugar, came from Warri, Delta State with her husband to attend the funeral of the late Mr. Itu Joseph, her in-law. She collapsed and died immediately the bullet hit her. The incident triggered outrage as angry youths sought to descend on the policemen, who escaped with the traditional ruler before a melee could ensue. A cousin of one of the deceased, Barrister Mike Imhaku, said the incident has thrown the family into confusion, adding that the matter had been reported at Auchi Police Division for investigation. Edo State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, in his reaction confirmed the deaths as a case of “accidental discharge,” adding that “The officer has been arrested and investigation has commenced.”

L-R: Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun State, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi; Police Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu and Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, during the presentation of commendation letter to Adejobi, at a workshop for police public relations officers in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Akande's allegation against me unfortunate, false –Dogara "these were the selling points among memberselect that made him to be peaker, House of elected Speaker. Re p r e s e n t a t iv e s , "Therefore, the allegaYakubu Dogara, tion by Chief Akande is has described allegation unbecoming of a wellby former interim chair- respected elder-statesman man of the All Progres- and former Interim Nasives Congress, APC, Bisi tional Chairman of APC. Akande, that his election It is baseless and lacking in as Speaker was sponsored substance and merit, and by oil barons, as baseless, can best be described as a unfortunate and false. figment of Chief Akande’s Akande had on Sunday imagination." issued a statement allegHe challenged "Chief ing that oil barons working Akande to name the soagainst President Muham- called oil barons, who he madu Buhari’s govern- alleged, sponsored his elecment, sponsored Dogara’s tion as Speaker." election as Speaker. Dogara wondered why But in a statement he would have mustered signed by Dogara's Special the courage to probe the oil Adviser on Media, Tura- sector if his election was ki Hassan, the Speaker bankrolled by oil barons. stated that contrary to "In case Chief Akande Akande's allegation, his does not know, the first in"antecedents, capacity, vestigative motion adopted experience, being a team by the 8th House of Repreplayer, his incorruptibil- sentatives under the leaderity and progressive-mind- ship of the Speaker was to edness were the qualities investigate the allegation that endeared him to his of fraud in the oil-swap colleagues." contract awarded by the NiAccording to him, gerian National Petroleum

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

Corporation, NNPC. "A resolution instituting investigation into the allegation was passed with a resolve to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the NNPC, as well as its subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, over the swap contracts. "How then can the House under the leadership of Mr. Speaker order investigation into activities of those who allegedly sponsored his election?” He queried. He stressed that "Akande`s allegation is both unfortunate and uncharitable. What we expect the chief to do at this critical time in the life of our nation and APC as a party, is to play the role of an elder-statesman and help to bring warring party members to the table; not to ignite crisis that will further divide the party that he helped to build.” He said, "Since assuming duty as Speaker, Dogara has not left anyone in

doubt as to his stance on corruption which is the bane of Nigeria’s development. "Thus, he presented the draft legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly to the House last week which among other things proposed legislations that will help fight corruption." According to the statement, "Mr. Speaker has on different occasions reiterated his resolve to complement President Buhari’s anti-corruption stance and insists that the present crop of leaders don’t have any excuse not to give Nigerians the change promised them before and during the election that brought APC into power. “We call on all Nigerians and the general public to disregard such allegation as they are meant to distract the new leadership of the legislature from concentrating on passing legislations that will help to fight poverty, insecurity, infrastructural decay and to revive our economy."

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

PDP accuses Buhari of blackmail OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ronies of President Muhammadu Buhari have in the last 30 days been siphoning the nation’s resources, claims the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The party also said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and propaganda by the presidency would stop it from standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nigerians in demanding that President Buhari kick-starts government and commences implementation of his campaign promises for which he was voted into office. It said the presidency’s excuse of clearing the so-called augean stables was lame and diversionary. The PDP said it stood by its statement that the delay in appointing ministers was creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness to the president had infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to siphon the nation’s resources in the last 30 days. National Publicity

Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said the party would not in any way be cowed by threats and wild allegations by the presidency into abdicating its responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the system is derailing. “The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians were appalled by the response from the presidency regarding our call for prayers to enable President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration locate its bearing, compose a government and halt the prevailing stagnation with its huge negative impact on the system. “Instead of addressing the issues raised, the presidency descended to insults, abuses and innuendos, a stance which not only bears out the case made by PDP but also raises questions about the capacity of this administration to shoulder the enormous responsibility of governance. “While we expect the present administration to be serious about the fight against corruption, probe and persecute each and everyone involved in

FG appoints Ladan to oversee DPR

ederal Government has appointed Mordecai Danteni Ladan to oversee the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, a statement posted on the agency’s website stated yesterday. According to the statement, Ladan will take over from former DPR Director, George Osahon, whose tenure elapsed on June 19. It said a memorandum dated June 19 stated that the appointment was with immediate effect. Ladan, according to the statement, is a petrochemist by profession, who joined DPR in November 23, 1987, as a Senior Analytical Chemist. The statement said Ladan was deployed in the Safety and Environment branch under the then Technical Services Division. It said Ladan rose

through the ranks to occupy various key positions within the organisation, including Zonal Operations Controller, DPR Kaduna. According to the statement, Ladan having attained the rank of Deputy Director, was appointed Head, Downstream Monitoring and Regulation Division in October 2005 to June 2013. He was appointed Head, Gas Monitoring and Regulation Division in June 2013 to May 2014. He later became the Head, Safety, Health and Environment Division in May 2014 until his recent appointment. However, Ms Dorothy Bassey, Head Public Affairs Unit, DPR, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday said Ladan was appointed on acting capacity.

…claims President’s cronies siphoning nation’s resources such, irrespective of their party leaning, we restate that these must be done within the ambits of the law and must not be used as a witch-hunt ostensibly to discredit and under-

mine the opposition. We therefore caution against the current drama of politicising the issue of corruption in the country. “Furthermore, the analogy of the Augean stable

is completely baffling to us at this level as it goes to a great length to question the capacity and the sincerity of those around the president. “In Greek mythology,

Hercules in his ingenuity took the task and efficiently cleared the Augean stable in a day for which he demanded a reward of a tenth of fine cattle belonging to the king.

Grieving students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, on prayer session at the scene of crash for dead colleagues on Sagamu - Ore - Benin Expressway, yesterday. FEMI OYEWESO

UNESCO, NAN partner to educate 60,000 Nigerian women

ews Agency of Nigeria, NAN, is partnering the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, to educate 60,000 Nigerian women through e-learning. UNESCO Programme Specialist on Education, Rokhaya Diawara, said this when a delegation from the organisation visited the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Ima Niboro. Diawara said UNESCO was set to reach these

women through television broadcast because of its impact on the society. She said NAN was most appropriate to work with because of its wide reach. Subject areas to be covered are Basic Science, Mathematics and Computer. According to her, the organisation has employed the services of experts from Dakar, Senegal, to help implement the programme. She also said the pro-

gramme had been implemented in Senegal where it recorded huge success. Niboro, in his response, commended UNESCO for its giant strides in ensuring education for women in Nigeria and the entire Africa. Represented by the Executive Director of Marketing, NAN, Mr Isaac Ighure, Niboro said an uneducated person was a liability to the entire world. The managing director said the three subjects

were good because Nigeria was in a hurry to develop technologically and that the partnership would help Nigeria reach a stage of self reliance. He commended UNESCO for choosing to partner with NAN, saying it had a wider outreach, especially with the introduction of the NAN Television that kicked off recently. He appealed to the organisation to look for a means of reaching the male child in the future.

Ghanaian jailed 17 years over drug

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced a 29-yearold Ghanaian, Patrick Mensah, to 17 years imprisonment for dealing in marijuana. Mensah's imprisonment followed his conviction by Justice Okon Abang. The judge, who pronounced the Ghanaian guilty on the strength of his confessional statement and the evidence tendered by the prosecution, said he was "convinced that the accused committed the offence and is hereby convicted as charged." National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,

had on April 2 arraigned Mensah on a one count charge of dealing in 27.6kg of "vegetable leaves" which tested to be Cannabis Sativa (marijuana). The prosecutor, Orji Kalu, had told the court that the offence contravened Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap No. 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Mensah pleaded guilty. While reviewing the facts of the case, Kalu told the court that the convict was caught by NDLEA operatives in 2014 at EbuleEgba, Lagos, in possession of the outlawed substance. The prosecution supported its case by tendering

various exhibits before the court including the bulk of the marijuana seized from Mensah and the confessional statement that the convict was said to have freely made to the anti-narcotic agency. Following the admission of the exhibits in evidence against the convict, Kalu urged the court to convict Mensah as charged. "My Lord, in view of the guilty plea of the accused and all the evidence tendered by the prosecution in this matter, we pray Your Lordship to convict the accused person as charged, in line with Sections 218 and 285(2) of the Criminal

Procedure Act," Kalu said. Abang, accordingly, convicted Mensah and subsequently entertained plea of leniency from the convict’s counsel, Mr G.U. Okaka. Okaka asked the court to show leniency in sentencing Mensah as he was a first time offender with no previous record of conviction and for having pleaded guilty to the offence at the first instance. The defence counsel also urged the court to consider the fact that his client had been in prison custody for almost a year and had lost touch with his family in Ghana.

South West

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Robberies: Lagos Assembly seeks secured waterways, state police Francis suberu

ollowing incessant armed robbery attacks in Lagos in recent time, the House of Assembly yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen security on Lagos waterways, just as the lawmakers called for state police. The Lagos Assembly wants President Buhari to direct the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to provide adequate security on waterways in the state, saying robbers who operated in Ikorodu area of Lagos last week escaped via waterways. House Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, who moved the motion yesterday

during the House plenary, also called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to strengthen the Waterways Guard Corps to ensure adequate security on Lagos waterways. According to him, the corps should be supported to properly carry out their functions as enshrined in the Lagos State Waterways Agency 2008, and that the two helicopters purchased for LASWA be made functional. He stated further: "Rapid Response Squad, RRS, should extend its operations from the roads to waterways. The Federal Government through the National Assembly should approve the formation of state police by the 36 states in the country."

Before passing resolution in favour of the motion, other members of the House made tangible contributions. In his submission, Olumuyiwa Jimoh from Apapa Constituency 2 said the resolution should cover international boundaries and that the Nigerian Maritime Police should be involved in securing the state's waterways. Also, Lanre Ogunyemi of Ojo Constituency 2, observed that armed robbers were trying to put Lagos State under siege. He stressed similarity between the robbery at Ikorodu and Lekki area about two months ago, and urged the government to strengthen security on waterways. Sikiru Oshinowo of Ko-

sofe Constituency 1 on his part suggested the licensing of all boats on the state waterways to provide the government with number and details of boats operating in the state. He said this would make it easy to recognise any of them being used for robbery operation. Also, Rotimi Olowo from Shomolu Constituency 1 accused the Nigerian Navy of focusing on activities of dredgers and miners rather than tackling robbery on the waterways, stressing they were given incentives to do so. He advised banks and other financial institutions in the state to invest in information technology to help security men perform their duties better.

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Ondo police parade ex-FUTA VC’s suspected killers OjO Oyewamide AKURE

ndo State Police Command yesterday paraded two suspects over the murder of former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Prof. Albert Ilemobade. The suspects are Ilemobade's night security guard, Daniel Ita, and his former driver, Olayemi Bamitale. Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke, disclosed at a press briefing in Akure that the suspects were arrested by Ogun State Command with the deceased's vehicle, a red Toyota Rav 4 Jeep marked GCE 589 CF. Eke said detectives from Ondo Police Command later discovered that the night guard and former driver strangled the 79-year-old man and dumped his body in an isolated store in his compound. The commissioner added that the suspects thereafter locked the entrance gate

from outside and went away with their victim's vehicle, mobile phone and other valuables. According to Eke, the suspects confessed to having sold the laptop and mobile phone in Lagos. He said after the corpse had been identified by the children, detectives assisted by medical practitioners had deposited the remains of the late professor in the morgue. Eke, who assured the public that the two suspects would be brought to book together with their accomplices, reiterated the willingness of his command to work with anyone that can volunteer useful information that would assist in combating crime in the state. The police boss urged members of the public to be alert and security conscious, especially when it comes to recruiting domestic staff, saying security agencies were always willing to assist in the profiling of potential domestic staff.

Ambode inaugurates panel on LG reform domain for development of their communities.” The HoS said in a bid to address the challenge, past agos State governadministration attempted ment yesterday inthe Community Developaugurated a 19-man ment Association, CDAs apcommittee comprising seaproach but the impact had soned public administrators to reform local government been minimal. According to Jaji, with the administration in the state. committee the government Inaugurating the commitaims to “produce a strontee, Head of Service, HoS, ger and more efficient local Mrs. Folashade Jaji, said the government administrative committee's main responsibility was to reposition pub- system with greater ability lic service, especially local to deliver the quantum and government administration quality of services required so as to boost socio-economic in an emerging megacity like development and entrench- Lagos. "The committee would ment of corporate goverexamine the structure and nance at the grassroots level current practice of local in the state. government administration The committee will be chaired by Otunba Nuru- in Lagos State. Examine the factors militating against deen Ojora-Adejiyan. Jaji, while stressing the optimum performance and importance of local govern- quality service delivery by ment as third tier of govern- local governments in Lagos ment closest to the people, as well as modalities for instisaid the committee has two tuting inter-service exchange of staff, knowledge and skills weeks to submit its report. She said: “There is no between the state and Local gainsaying that for quite Government Services. Responding, chairman some time now, citizens of the committee, Ojorahave not felt much impact Adejiyan, said the commitfrom their local governments. This is in spite of the tee would work effectively to huge human and material ensure the report is delivered resources available in their within the stipulated date.

Francis suberu

L L-R: Mrs. Adejoke Babatunde; Publisher, Supreme Court Judgment since 2010, Mr. Layi Babatunde and former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during a dinner organised by the NBA Lagos branch to honour Fashola for excellent performance while in office as part of activities to commemorate the 2015 Law Week in Lagos, recently.

DPO's murder: 26 suspects discharged, five remanded

yanganku Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday discharged 26 suspects in connection with the murder of CSP Ike Nworgu following the advice of Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution. Nworgu was Divisional Police Officer in Agugu Police Station in Oyo State Police Command before his death on April 1. Magistrate A. Adebisi said the accused persons should not be charged with any criminal offence, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The accused persons,

including Aminu Idowu, Adebayo Hammed, Rilwan Kazeem and Oguniran Olalekan were arraigned on April 10 on a five-count charge of conspiracy, murder and unlawful possession of firearms. Also arraigned alongside the defendants were Tiri Oladele, Lateef Sulaiman, Taofeek Ajibola, Ajibade Oloyede, Jelili Rafiu, Adebayo Kudus, Kudus Dauda, Olusegun Onaolapo, Dare Rasak and Abiodun Olarenwaju. Others are Alimotu Oriyomi, Obisesan Tobi, Lanre Ajekigbe, Ogundele Kazeem,

Fantôme Dele, Olajire Mutiu, Dayo Oriade, Yeni Morenikeji and Taye Johnson. However, Adebisi said two of the defendants, Okikiola and Jelili should be retained as prosecution witness. “Consequent upon legal advice therefore, the two defendants should be preserved, protected and be prepared to be used as prosecution witness in this case. “Police authorities are hereby advised to collect their particulars with a view to tracking them when trial commences," he said. The DPP's advice, which was dated June 23, directed

that five other defendants should be charged with offences of conspiracy and murder. According to the advice, the allegations of conspiracy and murder were contrary to and punishable under Sections 321, 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38. Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The magistrate said that the defendants including Sakiru Bello, Abdullahi Dabiri, Yemi Onifade, Isamail Alli and Rilwan Mulli should be remanded in prison custody. The matter was adjourned till July 28 for mention.

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South West

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

19-year-old docked for impersonating Tinubu

19-year-old student, who allegedly defrauded several individuals by impersonating former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was arraigned on Monday. The accused, Emmanuel Eto, is a resident of No. 2, Abasomor Street, Alegbo Road, PTI, Delta State. He is standing trial be-

fore Magistrate Margaret Dan-Oni on a three countcharge of impersonation, conspiracy and cyber fraud at an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. Okoi said the accused between April and May cre-

ated a Facebook account in the name of former Governor Tinubu with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting individuals. He said Eto impersonated the former governor and lured the public to apply for job opportunities on the page. “He fraudulently obtained the sum of N26, 850 as processing fees from each

of the individuals that subscribed, “Eto lured the public to believe that he had the powers to get employment for all who subscribed,” Okoi said. In her ruling, Dan-Oni granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till July 7 for mention.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Doctor Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust (DRASA Trust)/son of the late Dr. Adadevoh, Bankole Cardoso, with students of Green Springs School, during” It Starts With Me” campaign in Lagos, recently.

Oloyede’s petition: Osun PDP tackles APC bolAdAle bAmigbolA OSOGBO

sun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday dismissed claims by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, that Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, in her petition rehearsed PDP's allegations against Governor Rauf Aregbesola's govern-

ment. PDP chairman in Osun State, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, while speaking with newsmen, noted that Oloyede, who wrote a petition to the House of Assembly, is from Osun State and has rights as a citizen of the state. It added; "PDP cannot connive with her or anyone to destroy Aregbesola’s crumbling administration,

because we have always informed Osun people about the governor’s real nature and the impending economic doom his actions would bring on the state. “But if the APC views the few courageous ones like the PDP and Justice Oloyede’s as conniving to destroy a government that is not sensitive to the plight of workers by owing nine months’ salaries; a

government that has not recorded a single achievement in five years despite having borrowed billions of naira, then such connivance is positive and would be adjudged so by posterity." He called on members of the House of Assembly to redeem their image by investigating alleged "financial recklessness of the governor.”

Ado Poly crisis: Panel assures of lasting peace Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

act-Finding Committee set up by Federal Ministry of Education to probe the crisis that rocked the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, has assured of restoration of lasting peace in the institution. One of the committee members, Mr Olu Nipede, said the committee was in the institution to right the wrongs by looking at the is-

sues in contention and arriving at reports that would restore peace to the institution. Nipede, who represented the committee chairman, during a courtesy call on the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and other stakeholders in the state yesterday, said the primary objective of the committee, as set up by the immediate past Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, was geared towards resolv-

ing the crisis between the Rector and the unions and rescue the polytechnic from destruction. It would be recalled that the labour unions, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics and Non-Academic Staff Union had during the crisis raised sundry allegations against the institution's Rector, Dr Theresa Akande. These included alleged diversion of workers’ co-

operative deductions, highhandeness and corruption and demanded her immediate sack. The committee leader said: “Efforts to find solution to this crisis in the past through interventions from various groups did not yield results. The terms of reference will require interfacing with the Rector and the unions and we shall file our reports to the Ministry of Education for necessary actions”.

OOU students barricade Sagamu-Ore road over colleagues’ death …vandalise plastic factory Femi oyeweso ABEOKUTA

tudents of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, yesterday barricaded the ever-busy Sagamu-OreBenin Expressway, where they converged and held a three hours prayer session for the souls of 12 of their colleagues, who were crushed to death last Friday by a container-laden truck. All clad in black attires, a substantial number of the mourning OOU students betrayed their emotions as they wept and yelled bitterly during the one-minute silence observed to honour their dead colleagues at the scene of the fatal accident. The students, who arrived at the scene of the crash in a convoy of luxury and smaller buses in company of some of their lecturers, also carried placards bearing various inscriptions deploring the unfortunate development. Some of the placards read, "We Demand Justice for the lost souls," OOU mourns, OOU weeps, OOU cries, "Police, FRSC, TRACE Must Be Probed," among others. The development also brought vehicular movements on both stretches of the expressway to a complete halt, thereby forcing many of the motorists plying the expressway to make quick detour and found alternative routes to escape the wrath of the angry students. The prayer session conducted in both Christian and Islamic ways of worship had barely ended when the aggrieved students forced the container opened and discovered that it contained chemicals and other raw materials suspected to have belonged to a plastic manufacturing company which was a stone-throw away from the scene of the accident. The discovery of the content of the container said to be the raw materials allegedly being conveyed by the trailer to the nearby plastic manufacturing company however, sparked off the anger of the grieving students

who later staged a protest march to the premise of the plastic manufacturing company where they shattered office glasses and also vandalised windscreen of 13 trailer trucks parked within the premises of the company. The angry students hauled curses and abuses at the trailer driver and management of the plastic manufacturing company said to own the consignment of raw materials in the container which fell and caused the death of their colleagues. Not even the presence of the combined teams of policemen, personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, as well as operatives of the Ogun State's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement agency, TRACE, who made frantic efforts to prevent them from getting out of hands, would deter the grieving students from vetting out their anger against the plastic manufacturing company. The protesting students later completely took over a long stretch of the expressway, attacked drivers of two container-bearing trailers and another laden with cement. While the two container-bearing trailers escaped amid the missiles being thrown at them by the students, the cement - laden trailer was not that lucky as it had its windscreen and side glasses vandalised and the driver attacked after bringing the vehicle to a halt. Earlier, chairman of the OOU branch of Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, Dr. Deji Agboola had told journalists in an interview that ASUU members and other personnel of the institution were on ground to solidarise with grieving students and also ensure that they behave well in the course of their prayer session at the scene of the crash on the expressway. Agboola said that management of the institution had constituted a 5-man committee which comprised of students and lecturers to ensure that families of the crash victims are adequately compensated.

South East

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Royal father lauds Buhari on looted funds G eorGe o para ABIA

raditional ruler of Eziama community in Aba North Local Government of Abia State, HRM (Eze) Isaac Ikonne, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to recover looted funds from officials of past administration. Eze Ikonne, who gave the commendation in his palace, stated this in an interview with National Mirror. He said such stashed away funds when recovered would enable the present administration to meet its contractual obligation to the people. The monarch, who gave President Buhari the chieftaincy title of Ogbuagu 1 of Aba (the lion killer) during electioneering, said going by past antecedents of the former Head of State,

he had no doubt that the president would turn the country around for good. He expressed appreciation over the invitation extended to him for the president’s inauguration; an honour he said had vitiated what he passed through in the hands of officials of the former administration in the state after Buhari visited his palace. He expressed his desire to pay a thank you visit to President Buhari in no distant time with members of his cabinet, stressing that Ndigbo are proud of the president. Eze Ikonne used the opportunity to plead with the president to consider the South East when appointing Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, emphasising that Ndigbo need to be fully accommodated in this administration.

Enugu judge disqualifies self in treason trial

Federal High Court judge sitting in Enugu, Justice V. Agishi, on Monday disqualified herself from adjudicating in an alleged case of treason against 11 accused persons. At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Justice Agishi said she could not continue to preside over the case as she had been accused of bias. The judge therefore, said she had sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting for transfer of the case to another judge. “In view of the fact that the accused persons have accused me of bias in this matter, this case file has been transferred to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to be reassigned to another judge,” Agishi said. The accused persons, who claimed to be `Biafrans', are facing trial over a four-count charge bordering on alleged treason. They are: Bejamin Onwuka and Ndubishi Nnamshi, who hailed from Enugu North Local Government Area; Kelvin Ekeh from Enugu

East Local Government, Japhet Nwodo and Fidelis Nwonu; both of Idemili Local Government area of Anambra. Also facing trial are: Paulinus Uzoegbu, Sunday Chukwuma, Uduma Uduma, Betrand Obiekwe, Abraham Ugwu and Ijaga Samson; also from Anambra. Counsel to the accused, Mr Olu Omotayo, the told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that his clients had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for a transfer of the matter to another judge because of what transpired in court at the last hearing. He said the accused persons had expressed fears that they might not get justice if Agishi continued to preside over the case. Prosecuting counsel, Mr David Kaswe had earlier on, said the matter had been reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Enugu on June 5. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges when first arraigned.

L-R: Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, after inauguration of the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Cultists, Imo police in gun duel …one killed, several injured

Chris Njoku OWERRI

t was a bloody weekend for 15 cult members terrorising Egbu community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, as they engaged a police team in gun duel, which left a cult member dead with several others injured. The shoot-out, which took place on Sunday near Egbu Community Girls Secondary School, followed a tip-off that the notorious cult members were terrorising members of Egbu community.

On sighting police team from the state’s command, the cultists engaged the team in an exchange of gun fire, which left their ring leader, Chimaobi Iheme (aka Saka), dead in the process. Briefing newsmen on the incident yesterday at the command headquarters, Owerri, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Dave Akinremi, disclosed that operatives of the command met stiff resistance from the cultists, but were later overpowered by the police. He said two of the cultists received gunshot

wounds and were arrested, while others escaped. “One Chimaobi Iheme (aka Saka), died while receiving treatment. The DCP, who represented Police Commissioner, Austin Evbakhavbokun, gave names of other suspects arrested as Opara Chinwekene, 25, and Amarikwa Tochukwu Franklyn, 24, both of Mpsma village, Egbu, in Owerri North LGA of the state. Items recovered from the cultists, he said, included three locally made pistols, seven live cartridges, four expended cartridges, two

cutlasses, one hand cult axe, six GSM phones, one Keke Napep and one motorcycle. According to him, the suspects have made useful statements that “they are members of a cult known as NEO Black Movement (aka Black Axe). While soliciting for the support of the members of the public in the fight against criminality in the state, he warned parents to warn their children and wards to desist from criminal activities, adding that any person involved in cultism is equally an armed robber.

IPMAN seeks new oil pipelines for South East GeorGe opara ABIA

ndependent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Aba depot members, have tasked the Federal Government on the need to lay new pipes on the 54-kilometre Port Harcourt–Aba pipelines route to ensure constant supply of petroleum products to the South East and parts of North Central of the country. This, they said, had become necessary due to old age of pipes on the route with its attendant leakages when products are pumped to Aba depot from Port Harcourt refinery. Giving reasons why it had not been possible for

marketers to sell fuel at government approved price in the South East, Chairman of IPMAN, Aba depot, Prince Bobby Eberechi Dick, said the major problem was old age of the pipes, which he said, had leakages whenever products were pumped from Port Harcourt. “The major problem we have in Aba depot is that the pipeline is old. This is a pipeline that was laid as far back as 1976. So, there are leakages here and there because the pipes are weak. We have been appealing to the Federal Government to lay another pipeline on the route to enable us have constant supply of fuel,” he said. He attributed another

major problem to activities of hoodlums, who he said have been vandalising the pipeline despite efforts by security agents to curtail them. “Since two weeks, PPMC has been making efforts to pump products to us, but it has not been easy, the vandals have been disturbing the pipelines despite efforts by security agents,” he lamented. The IPMAN chairman said due to unavailability of products, marketers in Aba go as far as Calabar, Port Harcourt and Lagos to buy products, stressing that when products are bought from these areas and the landing cost exceeds government approved price, there was no way they would sale below what they

bought. On the other hand, Prince Eberechi Dick stated that if products were available at the Aba depot at government approved price, they would have no other option than to sell at the approved price too. He denied the allegation that IPMAN leadership in Aba depot collect money before allotting products to members, wondering what they would collect money for since the depot had no products. He said at present IPMAN, Aba depot is working out a synergy between it, NUPENG and PTD –NUPENG to establish cordial relationship with PPMC for the smooth running of the depot.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Installation of nuclear plants suicidal —Group regina OtOkpa ABUJA

ealth of Mother Earth Foundation, HoMEF, a group advocating environmental justice, has warned that the installation of uranium and nuclear power plants in the country would be suicidal. Director of HoMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, who sounded the warning during an interactive session with policy

makers and students yesterday in Abuja, said such an establishment would be dangerous for the safety and health of the people, especially those living within the Niger Delta region. He noted that the greatest challenge associated with the plant was the unavailability of a safe means of disposing the waste emanating from nuclear, a situation which could pose high level of danger to the environment and citizenry.

He said: “Nigeria has found it difficult to run simple hydro-electric and thermal power plants. It would be suicidal to install nuclear power plants here; and to think of locating one in Akwa Ibom State is nothing but adding salt to injury in an already highly populated and agitated Niger Delta. It will also be a time bomb against the workers. “The biggest problem with nuclear power is how to dispose of the waste and

there is no safe way to dispose of nuclear waste; you are going to be looking at burying them underground or in the ocean, but these things have a way of reappearing in a few years because they have a very long life cycle. “In the case of an accident what happens; how is our emergency agency coping with the very few emergencies we experience presently: how do we tackle flood? In 2012, over 200 per-

sons died in a simple incidence of flood; six million others were displaced. What will happen if there is a nuclear accident? “We don’t need to impose harm on ourselves; we have a safe renewable power source that we can use. Many countries are investing more on safe renewable energy sources,” Bassey added. Highlighting the dangers workers are already exposed to in the extrac-

tive industry, labour activist, Baba Aye, stressed that the fatality rate resulting from occupational accidents is high with over a thousand affected out of a hundred thousand workers. According to him, there is need to adopt holistic approaches, including the passage of the Occupational Safety and Environment Bill to make certain the occupational well-being of workers in the country.

Stop writing rejoinders, be proactive, IGP charges PPROs Omeiza ajayi ABUJA

Scene of a bomb attack targeted at Egypt's prosecutor-general at Heliopolis district of Cairo, Egypt, yesterday.

MASSOB rejects Boko Haram prisoners in Igboland Charles Okeke AWKA

ovement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday rejected alleged transfer of some detained Boko Haram members to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State. MASSOB said Boko Haram activities are a taboo to Igbo culture and that Biafraland is not a dump site for Islamic religious fundamentalists, who always engage in bloodletting. National Director of information, MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, who issued a press release on the contentious issue of alleged decision to transfer Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra State, yesterday, stated that it had discovered that this latest move by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to relocate what he described as the satanic-minded Boko Haram

to Igboland, has full backing of some foreign Islamic religious leaders. MASSOB had in the press release, which was made available to journalists, maintained that its position is to the effect that Boko Haram, under any guise shall not be welcomed in Igboland. The group stressed that the whole thing was ignited by the fact that Islamic countries are not all comfortable with the speed at which Biafra’s actualisation is now moving and gaining ground. MASSOB, which spoke against the backdrop of demonstrations staged by traders in Awka, Onitsha, and other cities in Anambra State, against the purported plan to transfer Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra last Saturday, vowed that the organisation would defend Igboland from any form of external aggression, intimidation or suppression even

from the Nigerian government. Rejecting everything about Boko Haram and its prisoners, MASSOB said: "Boko Haram activities are a taboo to Igbo culture. We are not Muslims and can never be associated with it." The Igbo group had in the press release condemned the decision of the Nigerian government to relocate

some detained Boko Haram members to Ekwulobia. Comrade Madu, who spoke on behalf of MASSOB, also lauded the courageous diplomatic and eloquent steps taken by Indigenous People of Biafra and their Supreme Council of Biafra Elders over what it said was the milestone diplomatic achievement for Biafra’s actualisation.

ather than rely solely on writing rejoinders all the time, Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has charged police public relations officers across the states and zonal commands to step up their games and be more proactive. He said as image-makers, they must engage in "social content" policing in order to halt any disconnect between the force and the public. The IGP gave the charge yesterday in Abuja while declaring open a two-day workshop for police public relations officers drawn from 36 state commands, FCT and 12 zonal commands across the country. According to him, there is a social content to policing. "I will expect that as public relations officers, once in a month, you should be able to meet with journalists and communities in your areas to discuss what your command is doing. "You must connect with the community; no police in the world can perform

without the community. You must be able to reach out and talk to them about things like the disadvantages of drug addiction, cultism, kidnapping or criminal gangs and other vices,’’ he said. The IGP said it has become necessary to adopt other methods of policing so as to avoid being reactive and issuing rejoinders on police actions and inactions always Arase who stressed the need to carry along all nonstate actors like students, youth and market women, advised the officers to refrain from being allergic to criticisms. His words: "I do not want you to be averse to criticisms; criticisms are good for you. They make you to take a look at yourselves and aspire for higher standards. If people criticise you, it is not that they hate you; they want you to take a look at yourselves and improve your performances. "It is not necessary to write rejoinders all the time once you are proactive; once you know what to do and articulate the views of the force and your command.”

USAID to spend N15bn on malaria prevention in Nigeria

nited States Agency for International Development, USAID, said it would spend about N15 billion ($75 million) on the prevention of malaria in selected states of the country this year. Ms. Josephine Kamara, USAID’s Senior Development Outreach and Communications Specialist, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos, yesterday that the project was

being funded under the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI. Kamara said since inception of the project in Nigeria in 2011, government has committed about $345 million to malaria control. “The U.S. PMI provides funding annually for malaria control in Nigeria. The current budget for 2015 is $75 million. “Since the inception of PMI in Nigeria in 2011, the total fund the U.S. govern-

ment has committed to malaria control is about $345 million. “The budget includes the cost of procurement of nets, diagnostics test kits and medicines,’’ she said. Kamara said Sokoto, Bauchi, Kebbi and Nasarawa states had in 2013 and 2014 benefited from the nets, while Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River and Zamfara states benefited from the fund in 2015. According to her, plans

are on to also send nets to Kogi and Oyo states in 2016. The USAID communication specialist said PMI's support to Nigeria is being guided by the PMI Strategy as well as the National Malaria Strategic Plan. Kamara listed the key support areas as malaria prevention through the use of nets, indoor spraying, diagnosis of suspected fever cases and effective treatment with recommended anti-malarial.

North

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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El-Rufai appoints Chief of Staff, more aides A ZA MSUE KADUNA

aduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, has appointed a new Chief of Staff, Hadiza Bala Usman. A statement signed by el-Rufai’s special assis-

tant, Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said Usman was a well-known figure in the All Progressives Congress, APC, where she served as administrative secretary of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation; member/secretary, APC

Elections Planning Committee as well as member, APC strategy committee. The statement added that the new chief of staff was also director of finance in Nasir elRufai’s 2011 Campaign Organisation, and later worked with Kaduna

State APC Campaign Council. The statement said Usman was born in Zaria where her father, the famous radical historian, Yusufu Bala Usman, lectured. Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman later became secretary to

the Kaduna State government during former Governor Balarabe Musa’s administration. Hadiza worked with the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, from 2000 until 2004 when she was hired by the UNDP for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, from October 2004 - January 2008 as a special assistant to the FCT Minister on project implementation. Since 2011, she has been director of strategy for the Good Governance Group, 3G.

In April 2014, she cofounded the global movement #BringBackOurGirls, which has been demanding the rescue of the 219 young girls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok Secondary School in Borno State. According to the statement, the government has also announced the appointments of Bashir Dabo as special assistant, New Media, and Mrs. Saude Amina Mohammed as personal secretary to the governor.

AfDB to spend N3bn on infrastructure in Kano

Senator representing Kaduna Central, Sen. Shehu Sani (left) with State’s Chief Librarian, National Library of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammad Ndagi, during the senator’s courtesy visit to the library in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria can only make progress as united, indivisible nation–Etsu Nupe PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

tsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has said the key to unlocking the success, growth and development of Nigeria is enthronement of the spirit of unity, peace and indivisibility in the heart of the people. He also urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic background to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders to fight poverty and unemployment so as to improve the standard of living of the people. Abubakar, who stated this during special breaking of fast (Iftar) and prayers at his Wadata Palace Bida in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, as part of activities to mark the 8th Nupe Day celebration, also called for prayers for leaders to succeed.

Leading the people to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the nation, the monarch enjoined the Nupes to pray for the success of President Buhari and other elected leaders. The royal father observed that no nation or society achieves meaningful progress without peace and unity, hence the need for diverse ethnic, religious and political groups to unite and embrace peace for the development of the nation. He said: “I want to call on all of us to unite and see ourselves as one united force that will come together to fight for a common goal in order to fight poverty, unemployment and improve the standard of living of our people. We can only achieve unity and peace if we continue to forge ahead as a united and indivisible nation.” The monarch urged the Muslims to use the period of Ramadan to pray

for peaceful co-existence among the people of the diverse ethnic, religious and political groups for the benefit of all. In a sermon during the prayers and special Inftar

(breaking fast), the Chief Imam of Bida, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, commended the Etsu Nupe for initiating the annual Nupe Day, while calling for its sustenance.

frican Development Bank, AfDB, yesterday said it would spend N3.3 billion on the provision of rural infrastructure in Kano State. Country Director of the bank, Dr. Usman Dori, disclosed this during a visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, in Kano. Dori, who said the projects would focus on water and agricultural sectors, added that the intervention in agriculture would be carried out through the bank’s programme on Agricultural Transformation Agenda. He also said the programmes initiated by the bank would be carried out in five states. The director said 200 kilometres of feeder roads, 330 kilometres of irriga-

tion and water conveyance channel, nine boreholes and two healthcare centres would be provided in the state. He said the projects would create thousands of job opportunities for unemployed youths in the state, adding that more than 300,000 farmers were expected to benefit from the initiative under the irrigation programme. He said the bank’s intervention on the water sector would consume 2.6 million Euros, expressing the readiness of the institution to partner with the Emirate Council to execute the projects. Responding, Sanusi commended the bank for the initiatives and assured that the council would support them to ensure their success.

Borno saves N540m monthly on IDPs –SEMA chairman INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

orno State government has been able to reduce its monthly spending on internally displaced persons, IDPs’ camps, to N40 million, former chairman of the state’s Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Grema Terab, revealed yesterday. He recalled that at a stage it cost the state government N600m monthly to take care of the IDPs. Terab, who handed over affairs of the agency to its secretary, Alhaji Bulama

Daud Kyari, after weekend dissolution of the board of SEMA by Governor Kashim Shettima, said the feat was achieved as a result of financial prudence embarked upon and the contribution of both the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the International Committee of Red Cross, ICRC. He said contrary to a rumour that he was superintending over the monthly N600 million for the IDPs in the state, the fund was all given to various ministries and agencies that have something to do with management of the

camps. Terab said: “I have never had the prestige of managing N600 million since appointed seven months ago. It has been work, work and work, even without the formal inauguration of our agency. I was motivated by the need of our people to find succour in the eye of insurgency and outmost suffering.” He said when he realised that there was virtually nothing for the youths of the state, he initiated a programme where 3,000 youths were paid N10,000 during the food distribution exercise tagged, ‘The Food for All Initiative.’

He added that over 100,000 households across the troubled state benefitted from the exercise. Meanwhile, the former chairman has revealed that IDPs from four of the 20 local governments captured by insurgents at the peak of the crisis would soon return back to their homelands. He said “plans have been concluded for the building of transit camps in Bama, Kukawa, Monguno and Konduga local government areas in readiness for the resettlement of those who fled the councils at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.”

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

SUPER TUESDAY

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Politics

Why we sacked 324 Poly lecturers –Wike

14, 43

or a nation bogged down by dwindling revenue and huge debts, which had led to a situation where workers at the federal and state levels are being owed salaries for many months, a quick resolution of the matter was urgently needed to prevent government activities from grinding to a halt. Although the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is just a month old, the realisation of the poor financial situation of the country as well as the task of providing responsible and responsive government gingered him to summon a crucial meeting with the 36 state governors to brainstorm on how to get out of the quagmire and fire up the economy of the nation. Since his inauguration on May 29 as President of the most populous nation in Africa, the expectations of Nigerians are very high as they are eager to experience the change promised by Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, before they took over power from former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In fact, the change mantra adopted by the APC during its electioneering campaigns across the country was one of the factors that prepared victory for the party to emerge as the ruling political party and Buhari as President. On his relocation to the Presidential Villa after three weeks of conducting affairs of government from the Defence House at Maitama area of Abuja in order to allow for completion of renovation work, one of the issues on the front burners was how to revamp the economy and address the biting effect of unpaid workers’ salaries. Buhari on the eve of the meeting with the governors had lamented the poor state of the nation’s economy, saying that he inherited virtually an empty treasury and heavy debt running into millions of dollars. He also described as total disgrace to a nation like Nigeria that both the federal and state governments could not pay workers’ salaries, stressing that bad management of resources before he took over government was responsible for the situation. At the maiden meeting with the governors held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Buhari did not mince words when he ruled out the option of bail out for states but implored the governors to look inwards and generate funds to meet up financial demands for the proper administration of the states. The President, however, promised the governors that states that had executed projects on behalf of the Federal Government would be refunded after due process had been followed. In the case of the three North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe that had been badly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, the President promised special assistance from the Federal Government for them to be able to cope with the challenges of governance. There was also a lifeline coming the way of the states that owe salaries running into many months as Buhari said that a committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, would look at the Excess Crude Account and see what can be shared immediately. But beyond the assistance to states, the President gave an insight into what to expect from his government, as he issued a stern warning that days of impunity, lack of accountability, and fiscal recklessness in the management of national resources are over in the country. The President assured that funds stolen by government officials who abused their offices in the recent past would be recovered and systemic leakages

FG, states and politics of bailout President Muhammadu Buhari last week held his maiden meeting with state governors over matters relating to unpaid workers’ salaries, possible bailout and the financial status of the nation. ROTIMI FADEYI examines the issues and the need to revamp the nation’s economy to bring about the desired change.

Buhari

Yari

stopped. He also said that his administration received firm assurances of cooperation from the United States and other countries on the recovery and repatriation of funds stolen from the country. At the meeting with the governors, Buhari said: “There are financial and administrative instructions in every government parastatal and agency. But all these were thrown to the dogs in the past. Honestly, our problems are great, but we will do our best to surmount them. “The next three months may be hard, but billions of dollars can be recovered, and we will do our best.” Buhari particularly expressed surprise that governors during the administration of President Jonathan had tolerated the atrocities allegedly committed with

the Excess Crude Account since 2011 and promised to tackle the issue decisively. The President also made it clear that the payment of national revenue into any account other than the Federation Account was an abuse of the constitution, adding that what he had heard that was going on in many agencies and corporations, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was clearly illegal. He also said that a comprehensive statement on the economic and financial situation inherited by his administration would be made to the nation within the next four weeks. His words: “We will try and put the system back into the right position. What happened in the Second Republic has apparently happened again, and even worse, but we will restore sanity to the system.” Earlier before the parley at the President Villa, the governors had earlier convened a meeting under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, to review the precarious financial situation in the states and ways to resolve the problem and particularly the nonpayment of workers’ salaries for many months. One of the governors, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, had on June 12 declared during an interview with State House Correspondents in Abuja that the inability of his government to pay salaries of workers in the state was beyond his control. While expressing his frustration and saying he was unhappy over the matter, he explained that the state

Buhari did not mince words when he ruled out the option of Bail out for states But implored the governors to look inwards and generate funds to meet up financial demands for the proper administration of the states.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

ivers State has negatively been in the news. Recently, there was this report of recovery of vehicle from a former commissioner, seen by some people as witch-hunt. Did you ask former public holders to return vehicles?

If you can recollect, after we were sworn in, we told the whole world there was no handover notes. We were not briefed at all. We had no information as to if anything was given to anybody as parting gift. Like you all know, we noticed that Government House was looted. They said it was not correct; that I was just looking for a way to award contract and I said I don’t need this before I award contract. If you notice, as somebody coming in, take for instance in the Presidential Villa, the former President relocated some weeks before handover. He packed out of the place so that the place could be renovated. Renovation did start before he handed over. If I come in, I could say these chairs are old, I need to have new chairs; it is not a witch-hunt. The issue of removing old furniture so that I can award fresh contract is neither here nor there; which is not correct. We got information that some of the vehicles were scattered here and there. We got information that some of these vehicles are at Trans Amadi, we sent security men, discovered vehicles were parked there and they helped us to recover those vehicles. We also got information that a Lexus Bullet Proof 570, a Government House vehicle, is parked on the premises of a former commissioner. We reported to the Police, that one of the Government House vehicles, not vehicle she was using in her office then as a commissioner because she cannot use bullet proof Lexus Nnamada that costs N60 to N70 million as official vehicle. So, we sent security men to recover the vehicle. Initially she said on phone that it was given to her as parting gift. I have no problem with that, but there should be record to show that it was given to her as parting gift. We asked where the records are because they didn’t handover anything to anybody. Later, she said it was bought for her by her husband and we asked her to bring the proof, the particulars. When I came here last week, I went to the Bank of Industry building, the former Liaison Officer, not knowing we were here, was with one of the vehicles we were looking for. The security recovered it and I asked them to bring the man and he came and I asked him, why he was using government vehicle and claimed it was his vehicle and I said, bring the particulars. Up till now, more than two weeks, he has not brought it. So, it is very easy to go to the media and make false claims; dish out propaganda. All those things were not correct. Monetisation policy is such that when I was a minister, for instance, no vehicle was bought for me in the ministry. Everything, including housing, had to be built into your salary. So, when did they buy the vehicle? I worked there, so, they can’t deceive me. If he did not handover anything to me and I got information that some people had taken out vehicles, is it not incumbent on me to see how I can recover the vehicles? That is as it relates to the vehicle. You said the former governor said it is a witchhunt and I say, witch-hunt for what? Is this the first time a commission of inquiry was set up in Rivers state? When he set up judicial commissions of inquiry, were they on witch-hunt that he is now saying it is witch-hunt? When he came in, he set up Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Was that a witch-hunt? He set up commission of inquiry, headed by Justice Georgewill who is now in the Court of Appeal, after the crisis in the House of Assembly; two weeks before he left office, he set up the Odinkalu Commission of Inquiry on Political Killings and gave them two, three weeks to make recommendations. Was he witch-hunting people? Now, the question is, those panels were not witch-hunt? At what time did it become a witch-hunt? Why was this one now dubbed a witch-hunt? When we came into office on May 29, he didn’t hand over anything to us; nobody handed over anything to us. Should we now simply continue to

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Why we sacked 32 Nyesom Wike is the Rivers State governor. He explains to ISEOLUWA IGE that contrary to claims by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi that he was being witchhunted; his government is not embarking on any witch-hunt. Excerpts:

lament that I have nothing to work with? I called Permanent Secretaries and they said they were not even aware of these transactions. What then do we do? These are Rivers State funds and assets; let us see how they were sold or purchased, he said it is a witch-hunt. According to him, he ran a transparent system. Why should anybody witch-hunt him? I am saying it loud and clear that nobody is going to witch-hunt anybody. The commission is not illegal, unconstitutional. Nobody indicted anybody. You have a right to ask one or two questions. The essence of the commission is not to witch-hunt anybody but to unravel anything we may not have understood. Nobody was there to explain anything to us. If he had worked with our transition committee, there would have been an interface, but, he did not set up a transition committee; nobody explained anything to us. You are aware that in our state, there was no transition committee set up by the government. We wrote letters, nobody agreed to listen or explain anything to us. He refused to set up a transition committee to interface with our own transition committee. He sent back the letter. We went through email; we wrote the Permanent Secretary, but he instructed them not to interface with us. We were working based on information made available to me to find out things. It was when we took over that we summoned all the Permanent Secretaries and they gave out information to the transition committee. We asked them questions and they denied they are not aware of it. Even Permanent Secretary Joseph said he was not aware; some of these things were done without our knowledge. What do you want me to do? We are working from nowhere. In every system, you should bring a document, even if it is not much but it is a guide. Who is the person that handed over to me? He even said he handed over to me. He couldn’t have done that after I was inaugurated? Tell me. For whatever it is, on the day of inauguration, was there anybody who came and handed over anything to me. After my inauguration, I went to office; then on Monday, I went to office where I swore in the acting Chief Judge and acting Chairman of the Customary Court of Appeal, I never saw anybody. In fact, when I called the Permanent secretary, he said sir, there was no diesel. I was the one buying diesel in Government House. It looked bizarre, but it is true! It is a reality. It is unfortunate and he is now diverting attention. He sold our assets. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power didn’t know. I called to ask him and he said: ‘Sir, that was what I heard also.’ He said he was not a signatory, a Permanent Secretary. Our Power assets, 70 per cent of it were sold at $302,400,000. The money was paid in December as at March this year, there was no single dollar. The Permanent Secretary denied knowledge of this transaction. From the briefs you received from these Permanent Secretaries, is it possible for you to know the state of the finances of the state?

The Permanent Secretaries didn’t give me a brief. They had to meet the transition committee which submitted its final report last week Friday. From what they gave me, the FAC account is different from the main account. The other ones are ministries’ account. I can tell you that two days to the hand over date, they were collecting several N10, N10 million to the tune of N200 million to paint kerbs on the roads.

Wike

I called the Permanent Secretary then and asked him, why they gave contract and paid N200 million cash and he said he was helpless. Was this not funny? You may not appreciate what I am saying, but when you sit down, you will appreciate what we are doing. He said he kept N7 billion. How can that be and you were owing salary for several months? What is the N7 billion doing? For April and May, they have not paid salaries. Sharks, Rivers Angel, Dolphins, were not paid for seven, eight months. Refuse littered the streets and contractors were not paid. Pensioners were not paid and you said you were saving money. What are you saving money for? In Ministry of Works alone, not the other ministries, the debt profile is not less than N150 billion. The loan he said he took from Zenith Bank was about N15 billion. The bank was deducting N1.5 billion and we said it was too much, what is the allocation that you are taking N1.5 billion. I have set up another committee for them to study the three volumes of the transition committee report. He said he will use the courts to stop us and I said fine and good. He did not set up any Transition Committee to interface with our own Transition Committee. Even vehicle, Police ceremonial vehicle, we had to go to Ondo State to

He said He kept N7 billioN. How c salary for several moNtHs? wH april aNd may, tHey Have Not pa aNy traNsitioN committee to iNt committee. eveN veHicle, police go to oNdo state to borrow polic NotHiNg about witcH-

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A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Nembe elders, traditional rulers write Buhari over illegal oil sales OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

pparently not happy with alleged sales of oil and gas reserves in their domain by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, without the involvement of the indigenes, elders and traditional rulers from Nembe Kingdom, Nembe Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State has sent a protest letter to President Muhammad Buhari . They said though the Nembe kingdom is one of the biggest on-shore oil producing communities in the Niger – Delta Region with the oil mining lease (OML) 29 producing over 150, 000 barrels of crude oil per day and oil block covers an area of 983 square kilometers, the decision of the SPDC these reserves without the equal participation of the Nembe communities in the processes was provocative and capable of disrupting the peace of the Niger Delta. The communities in a Petition to President Muhammad Buhari and titled “Shell’s Clandestine Sale Of Our Oil and Gas Reserves” ,claimed that the action of the SPDC to exclude the Communities is an insult and a provocative stance that could disrupt oil exploration in the area.

The petition, made available to Niger Delta Mirror in Yenagoa and signed by the Chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, Chief (Amb.) Nengi James - Eriworio and the Secretary, Chief Austin Aye MartinsGboro, “ said this became “imperative in the light of the fact that, we as a community was never consulted or informed of the outright sale of our God given natural resources as regards our reserves of oil and gas.” “ We just woke up one morning and started reading in the newspapers and the electronic media that our oil fields have been sold by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) and acquired by an unknown company, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and production company limited involving the acquisition of SPDC’S thirty percent (30%) stake in our oil mining lease (OML) 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk line (NCTL) under the latest shell’s divestment policy of empowering indigenous oil companies as enunciated in the lurch to suffer for all the ‘sins’ committed by Shell in our environment. This smacks of impunity as it is not done in line with global best practices.” “The problem of this clandestine sale without prior consent and or consultation of the cus-

Buhari

todians of the oil fields to Aiteo to boost indigenous companies in the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry, have produced a lacuna that the sale had not taken care of. During the time of shell’s operations in the Nembe environment over the years, our land had been totally devastated and degraded which was occasioned by incessant oil spills that called for clean-ups and remediation of the environment.

Dickson

Shell was responsible for these anomalies and as a result of their negligent behavior. That is why it beats our imaginations that nothing was made known to us, as a community that had shouldered these hazards of oil exploration and exploitation. “ “Apart from the devastated and degraded environment that has been unwittingly left behind to our detriment, there were also the issues of mutual agreements entered

into between the company and the community. These were memoranda of understanding that ensured the provision of amenities to the community and contracts to local contractors. These were things done to mitigate the effects of their oil exploration and exploitation activities; and to give the people a sense of belonging and to create harmonious company/community relations.” “The above outstand-

ing and unresolved problems have since remained, and no explanations have been given as to how they would be resolved. That is why our people have been seriously aggrieved of the sale without our knowledge: express our misgivings over certain aspects of the sale; and even make a protest on certain areas that we may have found repugnant to our collective aspirations as a CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Niger Delta youths want Johnny as Amnesty Board chair THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

undreds of youths from oil bearing communities in Niger Delta have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Mr. Michael Johnny as head of

the presidential amnesty programme for repentant armed youths in the region. Comrade Clement Umukoro, who spoke on behalf of the youths yesterday in Warri said the board needs a chairman that would reorganize and correct the mismanagement recorded during the previous administration. It maintained

that Johnny has been tested and found trustworthy, very reliable to manage the Amnesty programme effectively devoid of mismanagement and corrupt practices. According to them, “we are also supporting the recent endorsement of Chief Micheal Johnny by all former militant leaders and

generals in Niger Delta to be appointed as Chairman of the Amnesty programme. “Even though we may not have personal relationship with Johnny, but from his track records we are convinced and have total confidence in him as we strongly believe that Buhari would appoint him as

chairman of the Amnesty programme, he ( Johnny) being the choice of the people and oil producing communities in Niger Delta.” They said “ President Buhari should be mindful of those ex-militants who benefited immensely from the immediate past administration in the pipeline surveillance contracts and

the Amnesty programme, which funds they allegedly used to worked against Buhari at the March 28 presidential election. “Buhari has good plans for the country, especially the Niger Delta region, therefore, we must give him all the necessary support to deliver amnesty programme”.

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Nembe elders, traditional rulers write Buhari over illegal oil sales CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

people. Rather our voices were suppressed, sidelined, and now, we simply standby to watch the complete devastation and annihilation of our age-long economic, social and cultural heritage.” “Indeed what is the meaning of Nigerian Content development without taking cognizance of the feelings of the people that are in custody of the oil and gas reserves? So in all these, where did the people stand to gain? In fact what are the supposed benefits of the goose that lays the golden eggs? In the circumstance we find ourselves, it is our onerous resolve and demand that SHELL and AITEO must consult us to tie all loose ends of this unfortunate sale, with a view to including the Nembe Community as stakeholders and as partners in progress.” “ This is the only fair thing to do. We should be given a room to participate as stakeholders in the indigenous companies’ participation in the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry. We must be given equity shares as the original local indigenous owners of the oil and gas reserves: otherwise, the local content development policy will not have any meaning. It is a fact that, it is only when we are given a room to participate that we are going to give our total support and our community’s good will, to the sale that is skewed against us. What we are saying is that, there ought to be openness, fairness, justice and equity. A role must be carved out for our people in the value chain of activities compressing acquisition, exploration and product in the oil and gas industry. This is the end of our sad story.”

out to other state. “To achieve a greater Delta, we all have a role to play, the oil price has gone down but with God on our side, we will overcome.” He warned that present administration would develop policies that will be in the collective interest of Deltans and its development. Adding, he stressed that the state shall witness growth in all facets . While soliciting efforts towards delivering his electioneering promises, Okowa maintained that “If we begin to think and live as one people and allow God to be the foundation of our communi-

ties, it will be well with us.” Speaking earlier at the occasion which attracted serving and former public office holders in the state, the state deputy governor, Otuaro despite the stunning debt left behind by previous administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Okowa government would deliver on its promises to the people of the state. The deputy governor said: “We are not just going to pay all the financial debt, but deliver on our prosperity mandate. We have promised ``Prosperity for all Deltans’’ during our electioneering campaign and will abide by it.”

L-R: Vice Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Richard Enarede; Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Felix, and Secretary of the Council, Mr. Famous Ofurubiri, during 2015 Budget presentation to the Legislative Arm of the LGA.

FRSC, NDLEA educate drivers, road users on drug abuse OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

he Bayelsa state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Vincent Jack, has described alcohol and drug abuse as a death sentence, warning drivers and riders of tricycles and motorcycles against abuse of alcohol and narcotics in order to live fulfilled lives. He equally reminded drivers and riders that “the road is very patient but does not forgive anyone that makes a mistake.” The Sector Commander, stated this during a joint public education campaign with officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday in Sagbama, Sagbama Local Government of Bayelsa State. He warned them against abusing drugs and alcohol, saying indulging in them was a recipe for avoidable accident, diseases, and in some cases, death. Jack said, “Drivers and riders should desist from the use of every type of drugs because it causes early ageing that could have been avoided with eating good food. During the course of their daily activities they come in contact with people and they ooze of alcohol, making their passengers uncomfortable. “ Some people are addicted to the smell of toilets, some others cannot function in the morning without alcohol. The message brought to them is that they can

live a better life without these unnecessary drugs and substance abuse. Some people who ride okada, train their kids up to university level. “People won’t fail to patronise decent and responsible bike riders. When riders take these drugs, they lose sense of direction and discernment of speed. They do not realise the speed with which they are moving, putting them in danger or loss of lives. “In order to avoid these accidents, may I urge the NDLEA, who are marking their week, to reach out to villages, to speak to okada riders. What are you leaving behind for your kids if every morning they watch you abuse these drugs and substances, some even give to their young children to ‘develop the child’. “The

road is very patient but it does not forgive one who makes mistake. “When it happens, three things are involved: death, serious body injuries that can lead to amputation or police case. Drugs don’t help, it is better to live a normal life than rely on the use of drugs and illicit substances.” In her lecture, State Commander, NDLEA, Mrs. Josephine Obi, told drivers and operators of tricycles and motorcycles to stop indulging in abusing alcohol and hard drugs for their interest and those of the other road users. She said,”The dangers associated with the use of these hard drugs alie leglegionne of the things that drivers and okada riders are known for, is mixing drugs, alcohol and work. So, it is our duty and respon-

sibility to enlighten them on why this is not right. “So we are here to partner with you on how to make our lives better. Everyday, we wake up with the objective to have a good time and leaving a good legacy too, so that whenever you pass on, people will remember you for good. It is not the hope of anybody that when he leaves home he will not get back in the night. “Accidents, over the years have led to people’s dream being cut short. One of the causes of accidents is the use of alcohol and other drugs and driving while under the influence. Apart from accidents, there are also other negative effects of these drugs in the body and society.” She said there were several cat-

Okowa tasks youths on peace THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

elta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has charged host communities to the multi billion dollars Export Processing Zone, EPZ (now Gas City project) in Ogidigben-Ugborodo, Warr i . Okowa made the appeal yesterday while speaking during the thanksgiving service held in honour of his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro at the Christ Embassy Church in Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state. He said: “The project

is for the collective good of the people of the state. It will create employment and improve our standard of living so we must fight for our common goal and not personal interest.” The governor told aggrieved youths and community leaders in the area to ensure that the project sees the light of the state, noting that his administration would do everything humanly possible for the project to thrive. In his words: “The youth should allow an enabling environment that will encourage investors in our state instead of engaging in activities that will drive them

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Senate leadership: APC should wield the big stick JOE IGBOKWE

ew days ago Professor Pat Utomi lamented that interlopers and agents of darkness have hijacked our CHANGE PROJECT again. In that piece, Utomi reflected on the June 12, 1993 saga and the formation of the Concerned Professionals. Prof Utomi lamented that June 12 1993 struggle was lost as a result of the kind of complacency and political idiocy that is playing itself out today in Abuja. In our very own eyes, we saw how Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftains started romancing with IBB and Abacha junta until Chief MKO Abiola’s vice, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, SDP national chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Ojo Maduekwe and others joined Abacha to destroy and bury Abiola’s mandate. Human rights activists, pro-democracy activists, concerned professionals, Trans Africa, lawyers, etc spoke out against the annulment, but their voices were swallowed by the vicious and dangerous voices of Abacha’s men. The rest is now history but we lost hundreds of Nigerians including Abiola, the winner of that election, his wife Kudirat, Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kaltho, Suliat Adedeji, Dr Omatshola, Admiral Elegbe, Admiral Olu Omotehinwa, etc. Had Nigerians stood up in great numbers to defend Abiola and June 12,

APC MUST SEIZE THE MOMENT NOW…AND GIVE WHATEVER IS

LEFT OF PDP A RUN FOR ITS MONEY 1993 mandate, Nigeria would have been a better place today. In 1999 when the June 12 war ended, the same group of never-do-wells seized the centre stage again to continue to decimate Nigeria and for 16 years, they tormented us, humiliated us, maimed us, killed us, pillaged our common patrimony and destroyed all things we hold dear. Everything they touched turned to ashes. Every sector just refused to work. They abused and told us they wouldl rule Nigeria for 60 years. They beat us, divided us with guns and money, they killed Chief Bola Ige, Harry Marshal, Funsho Williams, General Azazi, Aminosari Dikibo, Ogbonnaya Uche, Ayo Daramola, Bayo Ohu, Godwin Agbroko, Dipo Dina, Chief Layi Balogun, Odunayo Olagbaju etc. Now, from just one state (Lagos) in 2003, the progressives led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Buhari and others began to work, from AD to AC to ACN. ACN then teamed up with other legacy parties like CPC, ANPP and part of APGA and the new PDP

led by Rotimi Amaechi and others to form APC. APC hit ground running and last March 28 2015, the expected change came with General Buhari. The party won majority votes in the Senate, House of Reps and even controlled majority of the states. Now after the elections APC leaders met severally and agreed on candidates for the Senate leadership and that of House. But something bizarre took place in the Senate and House of Reps on June 9, 2015. As 51 APC Senators were having a meeting at the International Conference Centre Abuja, 57 Senators met to elect Senator BUKOLA Saraki as Senate President against the wishes of the party, which agreed to settle for Senator Ahmed Lawan. In the House of Reps, Yakubu Dogara emerged Speaker against the wishes of the party which initially settled for Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. Since then there has been trouble in the big House of APC as leaders questioned the process that led to the emergence of not only Saraki and Dogara but Senator Ekweremmadu of PDP as the Deputy Senate President. Party leaders see this as an act of colossal betrayal and sabotage, and vowed to reverse the anomalies. There has been series of arguments and counter arguments going on among those who want the sleeping dog to lie and those who want the situation to be reversed. Some felt that it may cause implosions

in APC and consequently limit the capacity of the party to deliver what it promised Nigerians. Some argued that a crack in APC may lead to the re-emergence of PDP in 2019. They may be good arguments, but I believe in the supremacy of the party. I believe that APC is bigger than anybody. I know what APC leaders went through to get to where they are today and I believe that APC should stamp its feet down to defend the integrity of the party no matter whose ox is gored. If anything, the celebration and exchange of banters on the floor of the Senate by PDP leaders after the so-called elections suggest that they are up to something sinister in years to come. I am also aware that the rules of the house allows one third members to form a quorum, but I frown at using one third quorum to elect the principals officers of the Senate at a time like this. Matters were not helped when Senator Ekweremmadu went to Enugu to beat his chest that PDP will bounce back in 2019 after stealing the Deputy Senate President seat. This is why APC must seize the moment now, put its feet down, play the real politics and give whatever is left of PDP a run for its money in Nigeria. We must reverse the dangerous development we saw in the Senate in order to send the signal out there that we mean business. Joe Igbokwe is Lagos State Publicity Secretary of APC

APC: The crumbling of the cookies DESTINY ISIGUZO

am not sur prised at the crisis cur rently rocking APC. In fact, it has taken a momentum of its own and may not be spent an implosion that could lead to a big crash. I am not anti-APC; it’s just that any house built on quicksand can never stand. APC is a party of power mongers, politicians from dif ferent ideological persuasions bonded together by a common enemy, Goodluck Jonathan, who they wanted out of power at all cost. Therefore, the ideolog y APC parades today is a charade. The politicians in the APC forged an alliance based on the shared philosophy of “if my enemy is your enemy, then we are best of friends”. The truth is that the dif ference between the PDP and APC is President Buhari, and he is the only one that Nigerians built their hope on. The APC victory in the last general elections occur red because the other constituents of the party tapped into the political anointing of Buhari. Now that Jonathan is gone, APC will be forced to take a critical look at the foundation of the party and reinvent itself if it wishes to escape imminent collapse. APC was for med majorly by the merger of ACN, CPC, ANPP, a fraction of APGA and the New PDP. Of all the dif ferent political blocs that

coalesced, the New PDP will most likely wreaked havoc on it. This is because the New PDP faction of the party is people mainly by me galomaniacs, who will spare nothing to get what they want by hook and by crook. The outcome of the 8th National Assemble elections exposed the g reat political divide within APC. There is a g reat tussle for power between the majorly norther n New PDP politicians led by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Souther n Wester n politicians under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The struggle is for the control of the soul of the party. Well, politics is about competition for power, confers on the winners the authority for the allocation of resources. As far as I am concer ned central to the two war ring factions is which will control the sharing of spoils of war available to the party. The APC crisis might be further escalated by the politics of the impending election of the party’s BOT chair man. For now, the New PDP faction of APC has been strengthened by the outcome of the last National Assembly election, where two of its members, Yakubu Dogara and Saraki, emerged the Speaker of the House and Senate President respectively with Atiku at the back g round as coordinator. The stage is, therefore, now set for another bout of contest be-

THE VARIOUS COALITIONS HAVE TO BLEND AND THEY MUST SUBSUME THEIR VARIOUS AGENDA FOR A BIGGER PARTY AGENDA TO EMERGE tween the two power blocs by the coming fact of the election to pick the party’s BOT Chair man. We are likely to witness the scenario where Chief Bisi Akande, a long ter m ally of Tinubu and immediate past National Chair man of the party will slug it out with Atiku, a for mal Vice President of Nigeria, who is never tired of scheming to become the future president of the country. With the way the scheming is going on both camps, foresee a geopolitical war between the South West re gion and the North. The New-PDP faction of APC is a political virus that could decimate the APC, which has become like a benevolent foster mother who adopted PDP’s political prodigal sons and these adopted sons have come to displace the real le gitimates sons of APC. Cur rently, there is intense power play and infighting among the dif ferent coalitions within the party. I fear the prospect of a pull out of one of the power blocs in the party when the political war gets rougher. The emerging scenario shows

APC may not by better than PDP. There are few people-oriented politicians in PDP as well as in APC. The change mantra with which they seduced Nigerian would soon become ashes in the mouth unless President Buhari exerts considerable restraining power on all. Buhari cabinet in the making is one power tonic that could reinvigorate the party. If only he can get it right by putting round pe gs in round holes. There is no hiding the fact that the House of APC has a str uctural crisis, the par ty chieftains have a yeoman job to do to pull it from the brink. They need to resolve very per tinent str uctural issues concer ning the for mation of the par ty. The various coalitions have to blend and they must subsume their various ag enda for a big g er par ty ag enda to emerg e. Should this fail, it will not be a big surprise that the par ty leaders will wake up one mor ning to discover that the APC has collapsed. Did somebody say, ‘God forbid?’ Time shall tell. Isiguzo is of the Art Desk of this newspaper Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Saving the nation’s textile industry

n what may rightly be termed a veiled reference to further deterioration of the predicament of the Nigerian textile sector, the Sunday Ajaero-led wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said lately that 44 textile mills totally or partially shut down business last year. It was reported that the Federal Government was now contemplating the recreation of a national task force on smuggled textiles, counterfeiting and faking of textile raw materials and finished products, all aimed at revamping the sector. There is voluble literature on the plight of the Nigerian textile industry in recent decades, all lamenting the industry’s freefall from grace to grass since the 1990s. In the 1960s and 1970s, when the government backed it with firm interventionist policies, the sector thrived lucratively. Measures often cited as having driven the success included the firm ban placed on the importation of textiles during and after the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), up to 1978 through 1984. Technological sophistication and advancement in the sector were also said to be highest in sub-Saharan Africa during the period. The cumulative result was that by the late 1980s, the Nigerian textile market had emerged as the third largest in Africa, with over 160 vibrant textile mills

BY THE LATE 1980S, THE NIGERIAN TEXTILE MARKET HAD EMERGED AS THE THIRD LARGEST IN AFRICA… WITH OVER

500,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS

and about 500,000 direct and indirect jobs created by textile companies. As at 1985, there were about 180 textile mills in the country, employing about one million Nigerians. Companies like United Nigerian Textile Limited (UNTL), Aswani Textile, Afprint, Asaba Textile Mills, Edo Textile Mills, among others, were making waves as the country’s textile capacity accounted for 60 percent in West Africa. However, the fortunes of the sector began to dwindle in the early 1990s. With the decline of textile firms from124 to 45 between 1994 and 2005, which reflected in a drop in employment by 87 percent from 150,000 to about 20,000 during the period; and the few surviving firms operating at less than 40 percent installed capacity; total collapse of the industry became imminent. Pressure to liberalize international trade via poorly restrained bilateral and multilateral engagements and inhospitable local economic

infrastructure (epileptic power supply is a good example), among others, were likewise fingered as responsible for the economic crash. Textile manufacturers began to feel the pinch of unstable political situation, massive smuggling and high production costs occasioned by generally poor infrastructure provisioning, excessive taxes and levies, and unstable government policies, among others. The situation worsened in 1997, when ban on the importation of textiles was officially lifted. Inferior imported products flooded the market, sending many big players in the industry packing. The following couple of years witnessed the closure of about 50 more companies, with 80,000 jobs lost. Capacity utilization in the sector in 1996 was put at 60 percent. By 2002, however, it had slipped down to about 28 percent. Indeed, as at the end of 2009, only about 34 textile companies with a workforce of less than 25,000 were said to be in operation. The vicissitudes, most probably, informed the ban former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration placed on all imported textile products effective from January 1, 2004. Still the sector failed to pick up. Reports early last year also indicated that the effort of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua government to revamp the sector through the

establishment of a N100 billion Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) Revival Fund, managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) was equally a huge failure. National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) President, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, was credited as saying the intervention fund failed because the issues of raw materials, particularly cotton and modern technology/ machinery needed by the industry were not taken into considzeration before the FG dished out the CTG fund. “If you give loan on an existing factory to develop; when the raw material is not being supplied competitively; when the loan is not enough to change the machineries completely to be competitive to world standard, you are not going to make it”, Abubakar stated. He also complained about training and the urgent need train personnel that would work competitively. We consider addressing these critical issues alongside problems posed by persisting infrastructure deficit; policy somersaults and generally inhospitable business climate that discourage fair competition, very critical. They must be streamlined and factored into any further moves sincerely meant to return textile mills back to business, considering the sector’s heavy job creation potentials, among other benefits.

ON THIS DAY June 30, 1991 Roughly 32 miners were killed when a coal mine caught fire in the Donbass region of Ukraine and released toxic gas. Donbas is a historical, economic and cultural region of eastern Ukraine and southwest Russia. A coal mining area since late 19th century, it has become a heavily industrialized territory suffering from urban decay and industrial pollution. Donbas is currently the most densely populated of all the regions of Ukraine.

June 30, 1997 The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong was acquired from three separate treaties: The Treaty of Nanking in 1842; The Treaty of Beijing in 1860; and The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory in 1898, which gave the UK control of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories (area north of Boundary Street and south of the Shenzhen River, etc.).

June 30, 2013 The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong was acquired from three separate treaties: The Treaty of Nanking in 1842; The Treaty of Beijing in 1860; and The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory in 1898, which gave the UK control of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories (area north of Boundary Street and south of the Shenzhen River, etc.).

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Litigation spurs abandoned projects trend, as experts lament syndrome

Paucity of equipment hampering NAHCO’s performance –Stakeholders

Pension assets can bridge infrastucture gap –Expert

Reviving the refineries: Options, challenges and prospects

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Dana Air 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

Despite assurances by government and investors in the nation’s downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry, perennial shortages of refined products have hampered the economy with the attendant negative implications for national development. The experiences of fuel scarcity over the past six months with prospects for future re-occurrence have now shifted stakeholders’ attention to the urgent need to revitalize the nation’s ailing refineries. In this analysis, UDEME AKPAN, takes a critical look at how the agenda could be achieved.

ith four refineries having more than installed capacity to meet domestic markets’ demand for refined products, Nigeria should not be involved in importation of petroleum products for any reasons. First, the plants located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Warri, Delta State and Kaduna, Kaduna State are have installed capacity to refine 450,000 barrels per day. Second, the nation is a leading producer and exporter of crude oil in Africa, meaning that it should be able to meet its domestic consumption needs. Ironically, these were not to be

as the nation of about 170 million people remains a major importer of petroleum products in the world mainly because of its failure to put the refineries in operations as well as corruption related issues that have characterized the downstream products management by the NNPC, oil marketers and their political and civil service collaborators over the decades. There is no other sector of the economy that appeared to have been bastardised or abused as the petroleum sector which, if transparently run, should have been a blessing than ‘a curse’ as some analysts have described the sector

to the country. The picture of the rot in the petroleum sector, especially the downstream sub-sector had been painted over the last few years by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, audit reports covering the 20042009 operating period which reflected the magnitude of sleaze in the operations. For instance, the NEITI said that it recovered about $2.4 billion from oil and gas companies being part of their liabilities to the government during the period. Only recently, the NEITI urged President Muhammadu Buhari

to immediately initiate processes that will enable the country recover over $7.5 billion unremitted revenues from oil and gas companies to the Federation Account. The amount is apart from the $11.6 billion total dividend loans and interest repayment from LNG investments payable to the Federal Government but was yet to be recovered. A statement issued by the organization’s Director of Communications, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, but attributed to the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, indicated that the amount repCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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

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

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Reviving the refineries: Options, challenges and prospects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 resented cases of underpayments, underassessments of taxes, royalties, and rents, amongst others. The amount was discovered as unremitted by the companies through several independent audit reports carried out by NEITI in respect of fiscal and other transactions in the oil and gas sector for some years. These and several other discoveries by Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, independent experts and other stakeholders indicating deep-rooted corruption have demonstrated clearly that petroleum products management in the country has been so inefficient that meeting domestic needs of products became practically impossible for government and other investors. In what appears a belated move to end fuel scarcity in the market after years of lamentation by Nigerians, the Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, NNPC imports 50 percent of petroleum products into the country. He maintained that when the ongoing Rehabilitation and Turn Around Maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited is completed in July, 2015, the plant would run at 80 percent installed capacity and produce five million litres of petrol daily. In a related remarks, former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha hinted that the phased turnaround maintenance, TAM, of the refinery had reached advanced stage, with the facility expected to commence production at the end of the month. He said: “We are carrying out phased implementation of rehabilitation of the refineries; what that means is that we are taking the refineries unit by unit and carrying out turnaround maintenance. In other words, the maintenance is being carried out on the run and we started this a couple of months ago. “Most of the refineries have advanced to a certain stage whereby they would be operating very soon. For example, the Port Harcourt Refinery which has reached an advanced stage will start receiving crude by the end of this month and they will start contributing to the availability of products in the country. “What we did was to draw up a programme whereby people outside will not notice what is happening in the refineries but we are carrying out turnaround maintenance on the run. And it is simultaneously taking place in all the refineries. At the end of 18 months most of the refineries would have been rehabilitated to a certain level whereby they can actually process crude optimally to make contributions to the availability of products in the country”, Dahwa added. However, the questions agitating the minds of stakeholders are that will these promises ever come to fruition given the experiences of the past when similar assurances were just mere statements lacking serious intent and purposes. Recent Studies by stakeholders in the industry have revealed that a new refining capacity of at least 420 KBPD would be required to meet the existing refining gap. If

Buhari

Haruna

WE ARE CARRYING OUT PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF REHABILITATION

OF THE REFINERIES; WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE ARE TAKING THE REFINERIES UNIT BY UNIT AND CARRYING OUT TURNAROUND MAINTENANCE Musa

this gap is projected to 2016 at the growth rates of between 3per cent and 5per cent per annum, the estimated refining gap in Nigeria by 2016 would be 500-560 KBPD Speaking on the way out of the product supply-logjam which has been witnessed for the most part of this year, a Port Harcourt-based energy expert, Mr. Bala Zaka remarked that the NNPC should make use of the companies involved in building the plants, adding that the options would impact positively on the refineries and the nation as the companies have deeper knowledge of the plants. “There were times in the past when the services of companies that did not know much about the plants were used. The present leadership should ensure that only companies that demonstrate adequate knowledge of the plants should be utilised for the maintenance. This approach is required to ensure that the rehabilitation is completed on record time and that the plants become more useful to the nation.” “This hope becomes apparent as such contractors already have adequate knowledge of the facilities. They would likely know the materials, especially spare parts to use in carrying out the rehabilitation. But the nation would not likely achieve that feat if the maintenance is awarded to others,” he said. The Executive Secretary of DAPPMA,

Mr. Olufemi Adewole remarked that the rehabilitation of the plants would culminate in increased refining and supply of products. But he emphasised that the nation should look beyond existing refineries if the nation’s fuel demand is to be met. Consequently, he made a strong case for deregulation in order to encourage investors and other stakeholders. “It is not that marketers are not willing to construct new refineries in the nation. The truth is that the environment does not encourage investment in the sector. The Federal Government had in the past issued licenses to investors to build refineries. But none of them did so. That shows that there is something wrong with the sector that affects the construction of the refineries.” “For instance, it is wrong for the government to peg the prices of some petroleum products, including petrol and expect investors to stake resources in the sector. They would not invest because they believe that the forces of demand and supply should be allowed to determine prices in order to enable them recover their investments. This is imperative because they should be able to break even after about five – seven years. Even the banks would not fund the investments because they expect to get their monies back.” The Executive Secretary also called for the construction of Greenfield refineries which NNPC proposed in late 2005 as a stra-

tegic response to a lack of visible progress on the 18 Licenses issued by Government for Private Refineries in 2002 and also, the negative consequences of massive importation of petroleum products”. The National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mr. Obasi Lawson, expressed the hope that the rehabilitation of the plants would likely be feasible and beneficial to the nation. He said that his association was in support of the initiative, especially as the rehabilitation of the plants would culminate in increased refining and supply of products to marketers who currently depend on much importation, adding that it would also lead to the conservation of scarce foreign exchange. Lawson projected that Nigeria may also be in a position to export to other nations, thus generating additional foreign exchange for its national development and boosting local content and create multiplier effects, especially employment opportunities and capacity building. In his remarks, a civil society activist, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said that the planned revitalization of the refineries was a welcomed development for the nation in view of its implications for the macroeconomy. Musa, who is the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC , argued that since the country had adequate crude to meet local market demand and export market, there is no sense in importation of refined products He said: “We have adequate crude oil in this nation. Why should we import petroleum products to meet domestic demand? It is a good thing to look inwards. Looking inwards through improved maintenance is the best thing to do at this time that a new administration has taken over government in the country. “President Muhammadu Buhari is wellinformed about issues in the oil and gas industry. This explains why I we are optimistic that he would put in place a new board to implement this and other projects. “With his advent, we are very hopeful that the era of poor states of refineries, massive fuel importation and enrichment of a few Nigerians would be over”, the CISLAC boss added. With just a few days to the commencement of full operations by the refineries, Nigerians are looking up to the time when the harrowing experiences that they have gone through in fueling their vehicles and other machinery and equipment will be over. As it were, many ordinary Nigerians still don’t believe that transparency, which the revitalized refineries will entrench in the downstream sub sector, is possible in a country that has elevated corruption to the level of state craft. For instance, a motorcycle operator, who simply identified himself as Audu, quipped: “I don’t think that can happen in Nigeria because of the people that are stealing our money. Even if Buhari tried, they will frustrate him” Whether or not President Buhari will restore sanity to the terribly abused downstream sub sector in the months ahead or be defeated by economic saboteurs as Audu predicted, it is only time that can tell.

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Business News

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Banks under pressure as customers rush for BVN registration DAVID AUDU

anks across Lagos area have been pushed to major operational pressure as customers who are desperate to beat the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, deadline for bank verification numbers, BVN, besieged their banking halls over the past

few days. The CBN had set June 2015 as deadline for customers to do the BVN registration. National Mirror investigations showed that banks, especially those on the out skirts of the Lagos Island, were struggling to cope with customers who thrunged the banks to effect compliance with the CBN directive.

Tecno introduces WinPad 10 to Nigerian market ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

ecno Mobile with support from software company, Microsoft and chip marker, Intel, at the weekend introduced a mobile device that offers 16 hours battery life into the Nigeria market. Known as WinPad 10, the mobile device runs on one of Intel’s Atom Processor for tablet, which is a cross between the tablet and laptop and would be available for sale across the country. The device comes with a 10.1 inch HD screen device and it is expected to offer consumers an entirely unique watching video and browsing experience. It also has a 5.0 MP Back Camera and 2.0 MP Front Camera that give a captivating interface, virtual quality and a smooth operating experience on its preloaded Windows 8.1, while running on Intel Atom Processor Z3735F, amongst other capacities. Vice General Manager of Tecno Mobile Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, who spoke on the new device with journalists explained that it was more mobile than a laptop, more productive than a tablet and more affordable than an Ultrabook. According to him, it also has dual “Boom” speakers which offers high quality sound and brings a new experience of sound perception to its users, thus offering more than a triple

package. Okonkwo who was represented by the Activation and Event Manager, Mr. Attai Oguche said that it will help to expand the company’s market and provide new opportunities to those who desire to work on the Windows Operating System. Okonkwo said: “We are offering those whose lives are mobile a smart bouquet of efficiency. With a full charge, the user can surf the web, run different applications, watch movies and even play games at the same time. The Tecno WinPad offer users six hours of video playback time and 150hours of standby time.’’ Consumer Manager, Intel Corporation Nigeria, Mr. Womiloju Olabanji described WinPad as an efficient device, adding that its Intel processor offer users a brilliant and faster experience. Olabanji spoke on the features, saying that ‘’the Atom Processor Z3735F, Quad Core 1.83GHz is a fast and an efficient quad-core. Actually, the 4 cores it operates on, is why the WinPad would be very efficient for multitasking in comparison to dual core processors” The Consumer Channel Group Director of Microsoft Nigeria, Mark Ihimoyan, said that “for full PC power and total tablet fun, there’s nothing like a Windows 2 in 1. Touch, click or type you choose what fits your style and activity. All the great apps you need are in the Windows Store”.

An official in one of the old generation banks in Ikorodu area and Ikotu-Igando areas of Lagos who did not want their names in print confided in this reporter that they have been struggling to cope with the number of customers coming to register to beat the deadline. “Before, we use to beg them to register but they have not been complying; now they are coming in droves to beat the deadline. We are doing our best but many of them are getting impatient, hence the rowdiness you are seeing today. A customer, Laide Ogunmorin,

to National Mirror, that she and some others came to the bank as early as 9 am Friday morning to affect the registration, “but as you can see, this is after 12 noon, they are yet to attend to us. How long are we going to wait? We have businesses we want to attend to, but here we are”. She advised that the “banks should let their staff come to work on Saturdays so that some of us would be free to come and do it”. Defaulters of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration will not be able to make transactions in and outside Nige-

ria as from the end of this month. As part of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy, it aims to capture data and check fraud in the banking system by giving every bank customer a unique identification number that can be verified across all banks in the country. Analyst believe all this confusion will triggers panic that make people to withdraw their funds and keep them somewhere safer, thus, defeating the drive to entrench cashless policy in Nigeria. There is yet no official statement if the deadline will be extended.

L-R: Executive Director Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Captain. Bala Agaba, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Secretary General, International Maritime Organisation IMO, Mr. Koji Sekimizu, Director of Legal IMO, Mr Friedrick Kenny during Nigeria’s handing over of the instruments of Accession at the IMO headquarters in London recently.

Institute commends FAAN, honours agency’s chief OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Nigerian Institute of Business Development has commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for its cooperation and collaboration in advancing the course of the institute over the years. This is also as the Institute unveils plans to honour the Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma with the award of Honourary Fellowship of the institute in recognition of his ef-

fort to uplift the standards of the organisation. The General Manager, Corporate Communication, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated that the award would be bestowed on Dunoma during the Institute’s International Business Development Week/Summit in July. Dati stated that the Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mr. Paul Ikele, disclosed this when he led council members of the institute on a courtesy visit to Dunoma recently in his office at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.

He also expressed the institute’s readiness to continue to collaborate with the authority in an effort to establish best business ethics in the country. He added that Dunoma while accepting the award, thanked the institute for the kind gesture and promised to sustain the good relationship FAAN had established with the institute. Dati emphasized that Dunoma expressed the hope that this partnership between the two bodies would enshrine international business best practices in the aviation industry.

that regulatory and statutory requirements are met and even surpassed.” Ashiwaju explained that the re-certification was a giant stride in Dufil’s pursuit of excellence in manufacturing geared towards providing not only quality food to the teeming consumers but food that is equally absolutely safe for consumption. He noted: “For us, this recertification would serve as a drive

to steer the company towards providing more quality products and services to our customers.” With the certificate of conformity to the requirements of NIS ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System Standards in noodles manufacturing, Dufil Prima Foods Plc has now joined the league of the Food Safety Management System certified companies in the country.

Dufil gets SON’s ISO re-certification SAIDAT ALAUSA

ufil Prima Foods Plc, manufacturer of Indomie Instant Noodles, has secured the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s ISO22000:2005 re- certification. The re-certification, which was done of a successful audit carried out by SON to certify the company’s conformity of

the food management system, attested to the company’s strict adherence to global best food safety practices. In a statement, the Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, confirmed that the successful audit of the company’s plant by SON and its re-certification was an attestation of the company’s commitment to continually adhere to global best

practices and standards in all of its operations and processes. He said that all Dufil products realisation processes are planned to meet customers’ needs and regulatory requirements in all aspects of safety, quality and cost performance stating that “adequate resources including human and world class infrastructure are provided, to support the production of our products in order to ensure

Business News

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

DHL plans facilities upgrade in Nigeria, others

…targets multi-million Euros investment in Africa in 2015 TOLA AKINMUTIMI

HL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has unveiled plans to upgrade its facilities and shipment handling systems in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, amongst other countries in Sub-Saharan Afica as part of its multi-million Euros investment in the continent in the current year. Giving this hint at the weekend, the company’s Managing Director, Charles Brewer, noted that although the number of foreign direct investments (FDI) fell by 8.4 per cent in 2014, capital investment into Africa surged to US$128 billion, a year-on-year increase of 136 per cent, during the period Brewer who quoted the the recently released EY 2015 Africa Attractiveness Survey which reported the average investment increased to US$174.5m per project, up from US$67.8m in 2013, said that this was healthy for the continent’s outlook, highlighting that FDI in the region is being stimulated by a number of

mega deals, instead of numerous smaller deals. He said: “The perception of investing in Africa has traditionally been rather negative, coupled with the fear of the unknown. However, in 2014, traditional investors refocused their attention on the continent, attracted by its strong macroeconomic growth and outlook, improving business environment, a rising consumer class, abundant natural resources and infrastructure development. “These factors have resulted in global capital investment and job creation hitting an all-time high during 2014 on the continent. Brewer who lamented that underdeveloped infrastructure continued to drive up logistics costs in Africa with the estimated supply chain costs rising up to nine times more expensive in Africa in comparison to other regions in the world, expressed the hope that with the increased FDI and continued macro-economic growth Africa will be an economic powerhouse in the future.

According to him, it is for this reason that DHL Express continues to see SSA as one of the most prominent areas of growth for the business globally, and therefore continue to invest significantly in the region. He said: “DHL Express continues to invest significantly in SSA in order to ‘Lift The Platform’, to expand our capabilities and cater for continued growth across all markets, with planned investment of millions of Euros across SSA in 2015. “Major projects underway include, upgrades to facilities and shipment handling systems in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, DRC, Rwanda, Angola, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Later this year, we will begin planned upgrades in Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea Republic, Gabon, Tanzania, Mauritius and Cote D’Ivoire.” “In addition to facility upgrades, we have a number of vehicle and technology upgrades taking place this year, along with ongoing employee and SME development programs.”, Brewer added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MTN establishes 17 digital libraries in schools nationwide ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

igeria MTN has established 17 digital libraries in primary and secondary schools in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Chief Executive Officer of the telecommunications company, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, disclosed this at the end of event to mark its annual staff volunteerism programme known as 21 Days of Y’ello Care, which focused on education. Ikpoki said that the last 21 days were quite eventful and fostered conducive environment for learning in schools adding that training and empowerment seminars were conducted for one hundred teachers of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and a book reading session was organised for students to imbibe the reading habit in them. A major highlight of the closing ceremony was a quiz competi-

tion among seven schools, which was eventually won by Gbaja Girls Secondary School and New Era Girls Secondary School, both located in Surulere, Lagos. Each school received Laptops loaded with MTN’s educational bundle. He said that other activities included visit to nine orphanages and motherless babies home in the six geopolitical zones of the country donating household and food items such as nutritional drinks, foodstuff, and mosquito nets among other things saying that MTNers also provided the children with basic amenities to not only sustain them in the homes, but to keep them happy and catered for. Ipoki said that other educational materials were donated while the senior management staff of the centres also encouraged and mentored the students on their desired career paths.

China to let NSSF manage $322bn in local pension funds

hina’s cabinet has approved plans for the manager of the country’s biggest pension fund to manage pension funds worth about 2 trillion yuan ($322 billion) for local authorities, two industry sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. China is trying to strengthen its pension system to meet the huge demographic challenge of an already-shrinking workingage population as it looks to turn the economy into one driven by consumption and services rather than investment and exports. The move for the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to manage and invest more pension funds on behalf of provincial authorities could benefit the stock

market, which has fallen 20 percent over the last two weeks. “The plan has been approved by the State Council (cabinet), the size could be around 2 trillion yuan,” said one source, adding that the stock slide might have hastened the approval decision. The sources declined to be identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Officials at the NSSF did not respond to repeated telephone calls seeking comment. The NSSF has been managing pension funds worth about 100 billon yuan for the southern province of Guangdong since 2012, with a cumulative investment return of 17.3 billion yuan, according to the fund’s annual report.

CDC-backed businesses in Africa, Asia create 1.3m jobs

L-R: General Manager, Sales and Marketing, VDT Communications Limited, Bimbo Ikumariegbe; Director, Tunji Gafaar; Director, Chairman M.A.K Smith, TokunboTalabi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, VDT Communications Limited, Biodun Omoniyi, and Assistant General Manager, Service Management, Omolola Abolarinwa, during the company’s AGM in Lagos, recently.

Industrial Court President urges NLC leaders to end feud OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, Babatunde Adejumo, has called on the factional leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to settle amicably the crisis currently rocking the congress following the controversial elections of its princi-

pal officers last March. Adejumo gave this advice at the weekend when the two factional leaders appeared before him in a legal suit between Ayuba Wabba’s faction and Joe Ajaero-led faction. An online by statement on behalf of Secretary General, Comrade Segun Esan, stated that Adejumo appealed to the lawyers representing each of the factions to join in proffering amicable set-

tlement of the lingering disputes between them. He pointed out that a divided labour body as the NLC would not augur well for the Nigerian workers being ‘the engine room of the economy’. Adejumo however adjourned the case to October 8, 2015 for further hearing, but advised the parties involved in the whole crisis to toe the line of peace.

he UK’s governmentowned development finance institution, has today announced its 2014 annual results. The organisation, which invests to support the growth of businesses and create jobs in developing countries in Africa and South Asia, made 19 new investment commitments totalling £296.5m and reported a total return after tax of £420.2m (2013: £117.3m). New analysis also showed that CDC-backed businesses contributed to the creation of nearly 1.3 million new direct and indirect jobs in 2014. The new findings show that businesses in CDC’s Africa and South Asia portfolio directly

employed 533,000 workers and were responsible for a further 10.8 million people when indirect employment effects, such as their supply chains, wages and increased access to power and financial services were taken into account. 2014 saw the value of the businesses in CDC’s portfolio grow, with total assets rising from £2,948m in 2013 to £3,369m in 2014. This growth allows CDC to continue to support and make new investments in new businesses. Diana Noble, CDC’s Chief Executive said: “CDC’s mandate is to deliver development impact in poor countries while being financially sustainable.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Corporate stakeholders should understand businesses and human rights’ relationship’ Mr Eustace Onuegbu is a seasoned corporate governance expert, specialising in human rights advocacy. Over the years, he has practised in Europe and other parts of the world championing the cause of people around the world. In this interview with ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, he speaks about why he is committed to human rights programmes, including the maiden International conference on Business and Human Rights in Africa scheduled to hold in Nigeria this year. Could you tell us the brains behind the much talked about Institute of Human Rights and Business, (IHRB) Africa? My name is Eustace Onuegbu and I am the founder / Managing Consultant of Institute of Human Rights and Business, (IHRB) Africa. I worked for over a decade in Europe as a Human Rights advocate representing minority groups and communities on matters regarding welfare and human rights. During this time, I also had the privilege of working in partnership with members of the parliament (MPs) and Diplomatic Missions in Europe on Human Rights and Sustained Development within the Ethnic Minority communities. Having formed and managed a couple of international companies and served in past as the Vice Chair of the Black Business Alliance - an independent representative group for Afro-Caribbean Business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals in the United Kingdom, I realised that there was need to educate and sensitise African businesses on corporate respect for Human Rights, hence the reason for establishing this Institute which has a board chaired by Dr. Fred Igbinedion and other very distinguished members and experts in different fields including Mr Benjamin Madu - a seasoned international Business Consultant and founding partner of Kulabech Associates Ltd; and Barrister Nelson Ogbuanya, a Senior Lecturer, Law School Lagos and the 1st Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch; amongst others

be - Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Lagos and Research Fellow, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The theme of the conference is the relationship between large businesses/investments and economic development in Africa. We are sure that there will be thought provoking discussions. In attendance as panellist are Members of the parliament, experts from the civil society organisations including independent representatives at the United Nations, senior executives of large businesses and industry leaders, diplomats, etc. Sir, this looks like a big project, how is the event going to be funded? The initial start up funding was provided by our sister company De Bernards Ltd, an overseas travel consultancy firm. At this stage that all arrangements are almost concluded, we are hoping to involve corporate and individual sponsors for the event. It is a win-win project for all but I strongly believe that businesses will gain more in terms of reputation, networking and investment opportunities. For this reason, we have different sponsorship packages ranging from the Diamond sponsor which costs just N5m to the Silver sponsor which costs only N1m. There are other options as well. The Conference is a great opportunity for anyone to present their company, organisation or research and to find like-minded entrepreneurs, pioneers and business leaders. Participating fees are also charged.

Onuegbu

Please could you say a little about this organisation? The Institute for Human Rights and Business Africa (IHRBA) is an African initiative registered in the Republic of Gambia as a Global Company to research, monitor and influence business practices within sub Saharan Africa in line with the UN three-pillar framework. We work to shape public policy in Africa, create awareness and strengthen ethical business practice to reduce the activities of some large companies that contributes to human rights abuses in the continent You have a conference planned for later this year which is expected to attract participants from all around the world. Could you throw some light on this event? Yes, that’s correct! We have an international conference on Business and Human Rights in Africa initially scheduled for late August but due to the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, the conference will now be held in September at the University of Lagos. The keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Herbert M’cleod, Board Member Shiftproject (Shiftproject is an international organisation made up of the United Nations team that drafted the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights). Mr M’cleod is also the Human Rights Advisor to the Government of Sierra Leone with over 35 years experience in developmental work for the United Nations Development Program. The conference is endorsed by the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos. Who is the conference designed for? It is designed for everyone - Enterprises and Business leaders looking to share their experiences and gain valuable new insight into the relationship between businesses and human rights in Africa; HR, sustainability and compliance managers seeking solutions and advice; strategic planners identifying the importance of HR for their internal opera-

The InsTITuTe for human rIghTs and BusIness afrIca (IhrBa) Is an afrIcan InITIaTIve regIsTered In

repuBlIc of gamBIa as a gloBal company To research, monITor

The

and Influence BusIness pracTIces wIThIn suB

saharan afrIca In lIne wITh The un Three-pIllar framework tions and external partnerships; Members of the CSO/NGO community seeking to explore partnerships with the private sector; Policymakers, investors, donor organisations, others looking to share their perspectives with leading businesses; and students and trainees in the all sectors, including those starting a career in law, banking, personnel management, teaching, international business, banking, international relations, amongst others. You are also going to hold some discussions sessions during the conference, Is that correct? Yes it is! The discussion fora will be moderated by a seasoned financial journalist, Mr. Ray Echebiri, former Editor-inChief, Businessworld Newspapers and Dr. Sope Williams-Eleg-

What would be the advantage of sponsoring the conference? In attendance are participants from all over the world and with young people, our future leaders well represented, we’ll have a highly interested and interesting audience. We aim at an audience of about 700 - 900 participants per day. Students and businesses will have access to the workshops at reduced fees. Sponsors will definitely have great exposure to their services. I am also of the belief that all major media groups in Nigeria and a few from overseas will be in attendance. Specifically a Diamond sponsor will have the following benefits: Title Sponsorship alongside the title wherever the Conference 2015 is presented (including all correspondences with the international organisations such as the UN, AU and ECOWAS); Speaker Slot at the inaugural ceremony of the Conference (Max 2; Additional fees may apply); Speaker Slot at Conference (All Diamond Sponsors); Logo presence on all publicity material (Backdrop, Badges, flyers, posters, hoardings); our TV adverts; Exclusive Advertisement Banner at the venue of the conference; Stand at the Exhibition area for info distribution and publicity and sale of products; Interview slot with our partner news media group. How can other companies and private individuals become part of this conference? Anyone can use the Conference as platform to share knowledge and experience just like our colleagues coming from DC Congo or to co-create new ways of co-operation, empowerment and communication. They can connect with likeminded people at the conference and find long-term partnerships and projects on corporate responsibility. The sponsor advantages are already mentioned. We will develop, train and monitor all of our partner’s corporate responsibility issues even after the conference.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youth unemployment rate close to crisis peak – ILO Meshack Idehen

he International Labour Organisation (ILO) has raise the alarm that global youth unemployment

rates in many countries, especially developing ones, was close to its crisis peak. This challenge, the organization noted demanded urgent need to highlights the need for policy makers to devote more re-

How to choose a job, career

hoosing a job or career is a decision that must be made with utmost care for the right decision to be made. These tips from www.yahoojobs.com will be useful in that aspect. Focus on what really matters- You are more likely to be happy with your career and job if you focus less on its prestige or coolness and more on finding a career and job that uses your natural strengths and doesn’t tax your weaknesses; is appropriately challenging, with a good boss and co-workers, reasonable pay, commute and job security. Career passion comes after you have chosen it- Most people came to love their career only after they chose it and took the time to become a go-to guy or gal at it. So take a month or three to explore career options and then pick what feels best, even if it doesn’t make you want to do handsprings. Landing a Job- One job-search method does not fit all. For example, networking works only for some people. If it hasn’t worked for you in the past, more networking will more likely burn you out than land you a job. Based on your past performance and current preferences, decide the proportion of job search time you should spend on in-person networking, online networking, cold-contact of employers, answering ads and head hunters. Use a point-by-point cover letter- In answering a job ad, the best cover letter explains, point-by-point, how you meet the main job requirements. Negotiation- Get a second offer. When you think an offer is coming, let your other prospects know and ask if they’re willing to fasttrack the decision to hire you. Having two or more employers competing for you boosts your negotiating position. Succeeding on the Job- Find out the truth. Most people think they’re above average. It’s a phenomenon known as illusory superiority. Getting the truth might help you before it’s too late. And if you are above average, feedback helps you be even better.Get feedback from your boss and respected co-workers. You must stop procrastinating- Procrastination is a career killer. Please remember that

n job vacancies for this week, various positions are available, including that for the vice chancellor of Wellspring University based in Benin City, Edo state. As the senior administrative and academic officer, the incoming vice chancellor is expected to provide strategic direction and leadership for the university, through a coherent vision and clear goal, while ensuring efficient resource husbanding. Amongst other requirement, he/she should be a respected academic with considerable experience within the tertiary education system, and must demonstratescholarly excellence in terms of publications, teaching, re-

the short-term relief of deferring tasks is far exceeded by the long-term pain. Procrastination may have worked in school but, except in low-level jobs, there’s much less grade inflation in the workplace. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. That too shall pass. Think time-effectiveness- Ask of yourself, is this worth doing?” And if so, how perfectionistically? Just as we drive faster or slower depending on the situation, we should choose the right speed for tackling a task. If you’re smart, avoid teams-Notwithstanding the ubiquitous public extolling of teamwork, the following rule of thumb is generally wiser: Try to work solo if you’re brighter and more motivated than most of your co-workers. If you’re not, get on teams. Tell quest stories- Everyone knows that most people are persuaded more by story than by statistics but less well-known is that a most powerful form of story is the quest story: Describe a serious problem and the travails of trying to solve it, ideally a problem you tackled. Hire slow; fire fast- Hiring may be the manager’s most important task. Rather than rely on responses to job ads, tap your extended network - they’re more likely to refer good candidates. Then evaluate applicants mainly by having them do simulations of tough tasks they’ll encounter on the job. If an employee is doing poorly, after a brief attempt at remediation, it’s usually wiser to cut your losses and try someone else. Extra time is usually not only wasted and stressful but increases the employee’s enmity and, in turn, likelihood of filing a wrongful termination claim. Self-Employment,don’t innovate; replicate- The leading edge too often turns out to be the bleeding edge. You lower your risk in starting a business by taking a proven business idea and cloning it in a new location or giving it a minor tweak. For example, you’re more likely to succeed by incorporating the best features of five busy laundromats into yours than by trying to invent some new product. Keep it simple- The more complicated the business, the bigger the risk. Do one simple thing well. For example, sell amazing grilled cheese sandwiches.

sources to tackling the problem According to the ILO, massive unemployment has made youths in many countries to become ready elements of destabilisation and threat to socio-economic peace as more of them are now used by unscrupulous politicians to cause mayhem in the country. In a recent report released by the organisation, 73.4 million young people are expected to be out of work in 2013, an increase of 3.5 million between 2007 and now, and that 90 per cent of the global youth population was from developing countries, with Nigeria being one of them. “Developing regions face major challenges regarding the quality of available work for young people. This report confirms that in developing economies, where labour market institutions, including social protection, are weak, large numbers of young people continue to face a future of irregular employment and informality. “Young workers often receive below average wages and are engaged in work for which they are either overqualified or under qualified. As much as twothirds of the young population is underutilised in some developing economies, meaning they are unemployed; in irreg-

Youths queuing for interview

Job vacancies

search and community service. Interested applicants can send resumes and applications to info@wellspringsuniversity.edu.ng,and attach a pdf statement of their vision for the university in the next five years in not more than 1000 words. From a structured architectural firm based in Ikoyi, Lagos are vacancies for architects, civil and structural engineers, quantity suveyors, project managers and front desk officers that are required to fill current openings. Interested applicants can forward their detailed resumes to the recruitment coordinator on post office box 50808 within two weeks.

ular employment, most likely in the informal sector; or neither in the labour force nor in education or training,”ILO noted. The global youth unemployment rate, which had decreased from 12.7 per cent in 2009 to 12.3 per cent in 2011, according to the organisation, increased again to 12.4 per cent in 2012, and has grown to 12.6 per cent already this year. This is 1.1 percentage points above the pre-crisis level in 2007 (11.5 per cent). By 2018, the global youth unemployment rate is projected to rise to 12.8 per cent, with growing regional disparities as expected improvements in advanced economies will be offset by increases in youth unemployment in other regions, mainly in Asia. In 2012, the youth unemployment rates were highest in the Middle East and North Africa at 28.3 per cent and 23.7 per cent, respectively, and lowest in East Asia (9.5 per cent) and South Asia (9.3 per cent). Between 2011 and 2012, regional youth unemployment rates increased in all regions except in Central and SouthEastern Europe (non-European Union), Commonwealth of Independent States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South-East Asia and the Pacific.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said it requires malaria implementation officers in some states, including Cross Rivers, Nasarawa and Zamfara. Some of the responsibilities of the incoming are to coordinate the implementation of the states based activities on malaria prevention, provide support for malaria cases management, providetechnical therapy for pregnant women and support monitoring and evaluation of project activities as well as states monitoring and evaluation programmes. Interested candidates must have a medical degree and post graduate qualifications in public health, epidemiolo-

gy or related discipline, and must have a minimum of five years’ work experience in public health amongst other requirements. To apply, applicants can submit applications and a copy of their recent curriculum vitea to www.gridconsulting.net A pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of consumer goods said the positions for two national sales managers, a senior brand manager, a product development manager, aproductionmanager, pharmaceutical and medical representatives and drivers are all available.All applications are to be forwarded to stephanieconsults@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Litigation spurs abandoned projects trend, as experts lament syndrome Stakeholders in the construction industry have decried the growing costs of litigation, leading to abandoned projects in the country, urging professionals to seek alternative dispute resolution mechanism, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN reports.

xperts have noted that the implementation of infrastructure development master-plan has triggered-off flurry of economic activities in the nation’s construction industry. According to them, the upsurge in the construction activities has made it very difficult for various construction companies to cope with. The construction industry experts noted that apart from corruption, the lingering disputes among professionals handling construction projects were responsible for the high rate of abandoned projects across the

country. Speaking on the worrisome trend of litigation in the sector and the need to tackle it during the 5th Building and Construction Economic Round Table, organised by the Quantity Surveying Registration Board of Nigeria, OSRBN BCERT, the President of the Board, Mallam Husaini Dikko bemoaned the huge resources and time-consuming associated with litigations in settling disputes among parties involved in the construction projects. According to him, the forum is an annual event conceived by the board to draw the at-

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Tips for cleaning bathroom

Property sales to foreigners drop in US

AfDB approves $50m for urban sanitation

tention of policy makers to building and construction sector as well as bring its activities to the fore in national development agenda. Tagged, “Construction Industry Arbitration for Quantity Surveyors and Other Professionals.”, Dikko said the forum would identified other challenges of the sector, noting that corruption has become the bane of the industry, decrying resorting to litigations in settling disputes as one of the reasons for abandoned projects, especially in the public sector.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Litigation spurs abandoned projects trend, as experts lament syndrome CONTINUED FROM 25 He also noted that the quantity surveying board organised the two-day forum to underline the wastages arising from litigations and also to promote the concept of alternative disputes resolution, using the instrumentality of arbitration. He said: “We organised this forum because we view the issue of the resort of our members to endless litigation as something that is needed to be addressed. Construction contracts like most human endeavour inevitably produce dispute and dispute is needed to be resolved. He said, “We organised this forum because we view the issue of the resort of our members to endless litigation as something that is needed to be addressed. Construction contracts like most human endeavour inevitably produce dispute and dispute is needed to be resolved. “Experiences in the past showed that the most common path is through litigation which is inefficient, time wasting and has impact on the completion time line of projects. Even government itself, is promoting alternative dispute resolution which arbitration is path of. We want to encourage our professionals to go into this area, so that most construction disputes can be resolved through that mechanism. It is cheaper, more efficient and the Nigerian economy and construction industry will benefit.” On those qualified to adjudicate arbitration cases, the QSRBN boss explained that although, there was no law limiting members of arbitration panel to the professionals in the construction industry alone, it would be better handled by those who have the needed technical expertise. “If you are to resolve a dispute, you will be helped tremendously if you understand the technicalities of the contract that led to the dispute and the professionals have that advantage because of their trainings. But it is not totally a legal issue. Other professionals like lawyers, accountant can also go into it too; we are not making it a close matter. But we are encouraging our members to explore the area’’, he stated. On the negative impact of prolonged litigation on projects, Dikko noted that a running situation commenced the very day a

Buhari

Ambode

Former Minister of Lands housing and urban development, Akon Eyakenyi

contract was signed, adding that the time related element, which he termed the “running cost”, would continue to pile up, the moment a project is abandoned due to prolong litigation. ‘’In this process, the issue of inflation also rise and when it arises, the cost of project will also rise. That is one of the major reasons why we have abandoned projects around the country, particularly those that are public sector linked. The difficulty we are having in public sector project is that it is owned by nobody”, he added. He however explained that once ‘‘you have signed a contract, you have a running situation to the extent that if nothing is being done and the site is closed, there is something called running cost. This is what we call in our profession, time related element. Those time-related elements will continue to run irrespective of what, and by definition, the longer it takes, the more we have in accumulated cost. Elongation also leads to claim, which is also expensive. It also adds to the bottom line cost of the project.” Contributing to this, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir E-Rufai argued that although, settling construction dispute through the instrumentality of arbitration was much better than litigation, urging the professionals to embrace the concept of dis-

pute avoidance. According to him, if all parties conduct their businesses with almost integrity, professionalism and honesty, there would not be any cause for disagreement. “I urge my colleagues to move from dispute resolution to dispute avoidance by providing quality leadership. I am proud that our profession is taking the lead in this important area. Our court system is broken; it takes 7 to 8 years to settle a dispute in court. And people explore these loopholes. This has encouraged bad behaviour, not only in the construction sector, but in all strata of the national economy. I think, the move towards amicable dispute resolution will reduce the time it takes to settle dispute”, he stated. E-Rufai, who is also a quantity surveyor, however warned that retired judges and lawyers must not be made arbitrators because, according to him,” they will still behave as if they are in a court room. I think that construction professionals, particularly quantity surveyors, architects, builders and engineers with technical and sound knowledge of contract laws should be made construction arbitrators. If lawyers and judges want to arbitrate construction issues, my advice is that they should go back to school to get quantity surveying or architecture degree. “

Director of Building and Quantity Surveying, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Salma Mohammed in her own submission, urged all professionals to accept arbitration mechanism as a means of conflict resolution, stressing that some classified issues in the construction sector would be better tackled through the process. Highlighting some of the steps already taken by the Ministry to provide the right environment for the growth of construction industry, Mohammed said apart from ensuring that land is available for developmental programmes, the Ministry has also embarked on radical reforms. “The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is leading the drive on lands and housing reforms to make land readily accessible to Nigerians for the provision of shelter for themselves and their families. Already the ministry has produced the revised and update National Housing Policy and the Urban Development Policy’’, she further explained. According to her statement, “we are also providing the enabling environment for investors to invest in the housing sector of the nation’s economy and we are willing to partner with genuine investors to radically increase the housing stock to bridge the country’s yawning housing deficit of 17million units. As the supervising Ministry of the QSRBN, she assured of the Ministry’s continued support to the activities and programmes of the board, including promoting the culture of alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

WE ORGANISED THIS FORUM BECAUSE WE VIEW THE ISSUE OF THE RESORT OF OUR MEMBERS TO ENDLESS LITIGATION AS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

AfDB approves $50m for urban sanitation

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com Fasanya-Osilaja https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Mortgage Practitioners; please raise your hands…

ello all. This week I would like to return to some of the basics of the mortgage industry, in an effort to discuss some of the reasons for the challenges in the mortgage industry as verbalized to me by industry professionals and stake holders. As I stated in my last article, I was able to attend the recent NMRC awareness workshop recently held in Lagos. It is always very interesting to be on the outside looking in, and I took full advantage of this position in trying to understand the challenges faced by the professionals who actually operate in this field on a daily basis. I was really rather shell shocked to realize that the industry is as uninterested as I found it to be. It seemed that no two entities actually maintain relationships with each other. In fact, there almost seemed to be an air of uncertainty between company representatives, about how to interact. The danger with this situation in my opinion is that it leaves room for unscrupulous borrowers to misrepresent their situations from one bank to the other. It must be understood that there is a time to be competitors and a time to be collaborators. The industry owes it to its operators as well as the general public, to learn how to come together and speak with one voice for the good of the industry and/or its clients. One of the most disturbing trends I seemed to decipher is the appearance that, as a result of the industry’s seeming inability to address new developments in a timely manner and as a single unit, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seems to be doing the work of developing products, guides and reforms and then simply presenting it to the industry as a finished product, to be implemented without question. One of the most glaring examples of this is the debt ratio section of the NMRC guidelines. In an environment where level 15

civil servants cannot afford the monthly payments on a 20 million naira home with their full monthly salary, it is a mystery to me that the NMRC guidelines limit a borrower to maximum payments of less than 40% of their salary on a mortgage. I am not sure if this happened due to the guidelines not being subject to industry comments prior to issue, or if the industry players just never bothered to fight it. The problem is of course that if a guideline is not debated while it is still a proposal, it becomes much more difficult to reform it once it has taken effect. I was also concerned about what some of the attendees admitted to as a ‘lack of ingenuity’ in the industry. According to this attendee, the mortgage practitioners almost seem lacklustre in the performance of their duties. As a result, there is not much excitement about seeking out new markets, establishing new territories, or attracting new clients with exciting and innovative products. One of the questions I asked the attendees was where their main target markets were. The overwhelming majority of the answers pointed to the dangerous trend for all (or most) companies to all be in the habit of marketing the same market – oil companies and big banks etc. I was met with almost a stare of incomprehension when I asked why no one was exploring any of the less visible markets in the business system (e. g Teachers Unions etc), and someone explained that there were no products available for them. I instantly asked the person why she, as the Head of the Department, had not worked on creating new products to tap into the market, and I got a very blank stare from her too. I encourage the mortgage industry players to join hands together as colleagues, carefully

review the NMRC guidelines, and probably set up a group to identify problem areas, and submit them to the CBN as feedback. Since the NMRC program, is still relatively new, I believe that there is room for discourse and slight adjustments to make the guidelines to encourage its widespread use by the members of the industry. I would dare to go as far as to suggest a quarterly review of the guidelines as feedback from the industry to the regulators, with visible efforts to employ as many of the guideline clauses as possible in day to day activities. The industry must not allow itself to be spoon-fed by its regulators, but must be a present, active and vibrant participant in the whole process. One of my favourite sayings is that when an eligible person is passive throughout a voting period, they cannot turn around and complain if they get the wrong person elected. So it is with politics, so it should be with the mortgage industry. I also encourage the Marketing Department of each mortgage entity to get into the habit xxxxx of new product development and special pricing opportunities from time to time, to attract new customers, and to open up new markets. Marketing staff must be incentivized, not just by monetary target bonuses, but also for ingenuity and creativity in the development of new products to serve their public. As usual, your questions and comments on this piece are very welcome, and I hope to hear from as many of your readers as possible. I will continue my conference observations next time, and until then, I hope you will choose to make it a great week. Sincerely, Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja.

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

oard of Directors of the African Development Bank, AfDB Group has approved a loan of $50 million to finance Lusaka’s sanitation programme targeted at the capital city of Zambia. In approving the loan, the Executive Directors expressed satisfaction with the innovative approach in addressing the challenges of sanitation, particularly among the poor in informal settlements. They however urged the African Development Bank’s Water and Sanitation Department to capture the lessons and share them with other regional member countries. Director for the Bank’s Water and Sanitation Department, Mohamed El Azizi said, “The economic burden of inadequate sanitation falls most heavily on the poor, who are most likely to have inadequate sanitation facilities. Therefore, the Bank’s intervention will result in residents gaining better health from improved environmental and sanitary conditions, especially those in semiurban areas, where most of the urban poor are residing”. He added that special focus would be given to vulnerable

households within the project areas. The programme brings together key stakeholders and actors in the implementation of activities, including the Lusaka City Council, Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government, development partners as well as various non-governmental organizations, already involved in sanitation provision in the project areas. The programme, according to him, would deliver improved public health by improving access to climate-resilient sanitation and hygiene services to the semi-urban areas, where majority of the urban poor reside and also strengthen Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company’s management, institutional capacity, sustainability of sanitation services and the agency to implement the programme. With over 600,000 beneficiaries in the capital city, of whom 52 percent are women, the programme will address a crisis in sanitation that is costing Zambia 1.3 percent of its Gross Domestic Products per year. Lusaka, with its high urbanisation rate, is the region hardest hit by poor sanitation with annual outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

Board orders audit of FHA mortgage bank’s operations ….suspends Managing Director OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Board of Directors of FHA Mortgage Bank Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Federal Housing Authority, has appointed an independent company to conduct a forensic audit of the operations of the bank. A statement by the FHA spokesman, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, disclosed that the boardalso ordered the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Roland Igbinoba, to proceed on suspension pending the outcome of the audit. He stated that the decisions were taken during the board’s emergency meeting held early this month in Abuja, adding that audit has since commenced and is expected to be completed soon. Ipinmisho clarified that the emergency meeting was called to deliberate on the report of a committee set up by the FHA Management to look into the operations of the bank. According to him, the report

revealed cases of abuse of office in the bank, erosion of shareholders’ funds as well as several operational and administrative malpractices which posed a threat to the bank’s licence. Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its 2014 supervisory report on the bank gave the current composite risk rating of the bank as high and directed that an emergency board meeting be called within four weeks of the report to discuss the issues raised. The CBN report also noted that loan disbursements by the bank were without the proper approvals while there are no approval limits for the various grades of the bank’s services in spite of the board’s credit recommendations as at September 2014. The regulatory body in the report also highlighted the granting of loans to staff of the bank without proper documentation as well as non-implementation of effective internal control procedures to safeguard its assets and prevent fraud.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Tips W

hether it’s a marbl suite or more aki ‘family wash’, the sanctuary of cleanliness and Given the demands place easier said than done. Howev thinking you can keep you fresh with minimal effort. With the amount of soap s ing around an average family a minimum of a weekly cle does not become overwhelm up of muck. A light weekly 20-30 minutes if you follow o

Start with the walls & tiles.

You don’t need us to tell y get kinda steamy, which caus build up on walls and tiled su This can easily be remov mould cleaner or bleach to ta generally very strong produ test a small area before getti your hands and make sure gloves like the Ansell Supe a neoprene coating for ext chemicals and tears. A combination of two sp vinegar, the other dusted wi gentler alternative. Use your te Kid, and with a sponge in e on then wipe off. Constant mould is gene ventilation. Check the vent i cause if it’s clogged with dus be greatly reduced. Source: itsdefense.com

Nigeria, SA top continent’s real estate investments SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

new Africa’s Report 2015 released by an international real estate firm, Knight Frank, has disclosed that Africa’s population would quadruple to over four billion by the year 2100, with about one billion of the people coming from Nigeria alone. This expectation had already spurred international investors, who are investigating the opportunities in the continent’s real estate markets. The report noted that the single most important demographic trend that would shape the world would be that by the year 2100; about 40 percent of the world’s population will live in Africa, with large majority of them, being in the continent’s fast growing cities. Nigeria is currently the largest economy in Africa with the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, estimated at $594.3 billion, followed by South Africa at $341.2 billion. The overall Sub-Saharan Af-

rica is one of the world’s most rapidly developing economic regions, and it is projected that 13 of 20 fastest growing global economies over the next five years would be in Africa. According to the report, Luanda in Angola has one of the highest prime office rents in the world at $150 per square meter per month, driven by demand from the oil and gas sector, and an extreme lack of availability. Luanda’s population is forecast to increase by more than 70 percent from 2010 to 2025 period while Dares Salaam, Kampala and Lusaka are expected to double. ‘Allied to strong economic growth, this is creating increased demand for good quality real estate of all types,’ the report says. It also pointed out that the retail sector has seen a huge increase in activity as a result of the rise of the urban middle class and the expansion of South African retailers such as Shoprite and Pick n Pay into the rest of Africa. Modern shopping malls are a relatively new concept in much of Africa, but a spate of new

malls has been developed in key cities such as Accra and Nairobi. ‘The growth of Africa’s cities and economies will do much to define the global socio-economic landscape over the coming decades,’ said Matthew Colbourne, Knight Frank international research associate. ‘These major long term trends are driving the construction of high quality real estate across the continent. The most visible demonstration of this is the rise of the modern shopping centre concept in cities such as Nairobi, Lagos and Accra, but there are development opportunities in all property sectors,’ he explained. ‘Large volumes of good qual-ity commercial and residentiall property are needed to supportt the continuing African growth h story, presenting excellent oppor-tunities for global funds looking g to diversify or enter into African n markets,’ he added. The report also points out thatt Africa’s growth potential has led d to a notable increase in activity y involving overseas investors and d South African funds over the lastt

two years. For example, Chinese investors’ involvement in large scale development and infrastructure projects across Africa has been particularly eye-catching. However, the Knight Frank report also identifies nine South African based funds that have raised significant volumes of capital to invest in real estate projects across the Sub-Saharan region. These investors will develop a wave of modern investable assets that will do much to improve the size and maturity of African property investment markets over the next few years.

SEFA scales up green mini-grid m

ustainable Energy Fund for Africa, SEFA, has approved a million grants to launch the first phase of a Green Mini-Grids, GMG. SEFA said the Market Development Programme, MDP, would be implemented by SE4ALL Africa Hub in coordination with SE4ALL’s Clean Energy Mini-Grid High Impact Opportunity stakeholder

group. The programme, he said, aims to reduce market barriers at regional scale while strengthening the ecosystem for the emergence of a thriving GMG sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme will support efforts of relevant stakeholders, such as governments and project devel-

op vi in ex se

di ti of ec

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

for cleaning bathroom

le palace, a simple enin to a drive-through bathroom should be a d hygiene. ed on it, this is often ver with a bit of smart ur bathroom sparkling

scum, dust and hair flyy bathroom, most need ean to ensure the task ming with an over-build clean should only take our guide.

you that bathrooms can ses damp and mould to urfaces. ved using a dedicated ackle the job. These are ucts though, so always ing stuck in. Be kind to you wear some strong er Gloves, which have tra resistance against

ponges, one soaked in ith bicarb of soda, is a r sponges like the Karaeach hand simply wipe

erally caused by poor in your exhaust fan best, its effectiveness will

To clean an exhaust fan, gently remove the vent cover and either vacuum it or brush it clean outdoors. It’s also worth giving it a quick wash in soapy water before refitting it.

Bicarb also makes for a highly effective cleaning alternative. Try mixing this with a gentle shampoo or detergent if the chemical mix in your bathroom is getting a bit too much.

Attack the basin and vanity

Microfibre the mirrors

A mild cleaner and soft cloth is best when tackling the basin and vanity. Bicarb and vinegar can also be used if you wish. Any build up of soap scum or mould d around the tap fittings can be easily removed using ing the same cleaning product and an old toothbrush.

For a streak-free mirror you can’t go past a good drop of methylated spirits or a glass cleaning spray. Just remember to use a microfibre cloth for best results, as paper towel will leave lint behind. Microfibre is

lint-free and achieves a truly streak-free result – the Vileda all purpose cloth is a great option.

Touch up the taps Don’t laugh, but the best thing for cleaning taps is an old pair of stockings. Simply give your taps a once over with a mild cleanser, then give them a polish using the stocking pulled taut.

Book in the bath There’s nothing better than a hot bath to wash away the stress of the day, so it pays to keep your bath sparkling clean. Getting it to sparkle is easier than you think. Whatever product you use, make e sure it’s not too abrasive. Baths aren’tt cheap and you don’t want to go and d damage the surface. The bath magic c system has been designed specifically y for all bathroom surfaces and comes es with a detachable scouring sponge ge which is perfect for the bath. Spray, sprinkle or drizzle your housesehold cleaner of choice (we find that hat Gumption is good for removing more ore stubborn rings and rust stains), then hen methodically wipe each and every inch nch of the bath. And don’t forget to rinse well afterwards if bathing in cleaning residue due is not what you had in mind.

How MDAs aid corruption, subvert engineering profession –COREN OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

P On-going lightrail project in Lagos

resident of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Engr. Kashim Abdul Ali, has accused government and its agencies of complicity in the odious level of corruption permeating the nation’s construction sector. He also alleged that by contracting consultancy engineering services to non-engineering firms, MDAs were contributing to the perversion of engineering profession. The COREN boss, who revealed

market

pers in creating a favourable enironment for scaling-up mini-grid nvestment on the continent and xpanding energy access to undererved communities through GMGs. Green mini-grids are village or istrict level electrical distribuion networks that serve the needs f communities too distant to be conomically connected to the grid

in the near to medium term, but densely populated enough to offer economies of scale in power delivery, compared with individual home systems. The International Energy Agency has estimated that 40 percent of investment required to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 can most economically be achieved

through mini-grids. The MDP is a multi-phased programme, which includes generating market intelligence on the GMG opportunity in Sub-Saharan Africa, promotion of linkages between relevant stakeholders and strengthening the capacity of developers to business models.

these sharp practices during an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Abuja, stated that the infiltration of the construction sector by non-engineers was responsible for the increasing wave of building collapse in the country. He said: “We have had cases where government, ministries and departments awarded consultancy and construction contracts to people who were not registered to practice.” On the role of COREN in checking the menace of building collapse, Abdul Ali noted, “We don’t regulate buildings; we regulate human beings and infrastructure for training them and infrastructure for practice. In every state, we have the Department of Development Control, who approves building and ensures that the right people are engaged to handle the job. “The engineer is involved in the production of a building to the extent that it is a high-rise or it will be constructed in a difficult terrain. For instance, if you want to build a house in swam; you need the services of a geo-technical engineer

to help design suitable foundation. Where you need a high-rise, you need a structural engineer to help you design the frames, the beams and the slabs to make it stand. “Where you engage any of the qualified professionals to do these and something happen, we as a body can take responsibility and hold such individual or group liable for the collapse. The situation in our country is that everybody seems to think that engineering can be practised even without training”, Ali added. He, however, expressed the commitment of the Council to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession, insisting it has an internal mechanism to punish any of its members that engages in any sharp practice, adding that the focus of the body is to maintain the essence of professional practice ethics. To achieve this, he disclosed that Council considered the issue of discipline and compliance with our ethics very seriously, saying that as a matter of fact, the punishment for any deviation is intense and we have a mechanism for doing that.

Real Estate & Environment

Property sales to foreigners drop in US

otal property sales in the United States to international home buyers have decreased from last year, but in terms of price the sales dollar volume increased 13%, the latest data from estate agents shows. From April 2014 through March 2015 total international sales were estimated at $104 billion, compared to the previous year’s estimate of $92.2 billion, according to the figures from the National Association of Realtors. In 2014 sales transaction to buyers outside of the US dropped 10%, possibly due to the strengthening of the US dollar in relation to international currencies and weakening foreign economies, according to NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. ‘However, the amount of money spent has increased; this means international purchasers in the US have become an upscale group of buyers, spending more money on fewer homes,’ he explained. In 2014 five countries accounted

for 51% of all purchases by international buyers. These were led by China, followed by Canada, Mexico, India and the United Kingdom, the data also shows. For the first time, buyers from China exceeded all other countries in terms of units purchased and dollar volume, purchasing an estimated $28.6 billion worth of property. Buyers from Canada followed with $11.2 billion in purchases, followed by India with $7.9 billion, Mexico with $4.9 billion and the UK with $3.8 billion. International buyers tend to purchase more expensive properties with the average purchase price being $499,600, compared to the overall US average house price of $255,600. Chinese buyers typically purchased the most expensive properties, at an average price of $831,800. Some 35% of real estate agents reported working with an international client in 2014, up from 28% in 2013 and 46% said international buyers were seeking main homes,

20% wanted buy to let and 26% was for investment rentals. Global buyers also purchased properties for commercial rentals and as residences for children studying in US educational institutions. Indian buyers were the most likely to purchase a primary residence with 79% doing so, while Canadian buyers were most likely to purchase property as a vacation home with 47% doing so. While international buyer clients purchased property across the nation, four states accounted for half of all international sales: Florida, California, Texas and Arizona. Florida remains the top destination for international buyers with 21% of all foreign purchases, followed by California at 16%, Texas at 8% and Arizona 5%. Chinese buyers tended to gravitate towards the West Coast, which provides ample education, business and trade opportunities, while Canadians seeking winter vacation opportunities focused on the Southwest and Florida.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Political stability boosts Cairo’s property markets

ll sectors of the Cairo real estate market have witnessed a positive performance and improved sentiment during the first three months of 2015 due to stronger confidence and investment appetite created by increased economic and political stability. A new analysis from international real estate firm JLL says that this confidence is most clearly illustrated by the recent announcement of the mega real estate project Cairo Capital which will serve as an extension for New Cairo and will draw the centre of gravity further to the East of the existing city. The report shows that residential sale prices have continued to increase across Cairo in the first quarter of the year with office rents increasing in New Cairo and retail rents edging further upwards over the past quarter. The hotel sector has also recorded improved performance with tourist numbers and hotel occupancy rates improving. The performance of both the tourism sector and other parts of the real estate market are expected to continue to benefit from increased levels of foreign

investment into Egypt, committed at the recent Economic Summit in Sharma El Sheikh in March 2015. The report points out that Cairo’s residential market continues to recover with improved sales figures as a result of the recovering economic and political sentiment. Apartment and villa sale prices increased during 2015 across all the areas monitored by JLL as many residential developments have few units left and have increased prices accordingly. Performance in the rental sector remains more mixed, with some properties experiencing an increase while others are experiencing a reduction due to the unstructured nature of the rentals market in Egypt. An extra 31,000 units are planned to be delivered during 2015 of which 11,000 are in New Cairo and 19,000 are in the 6th of October. ‘The positive economic outlook arising from the Economic Summit is expected to result in additional investment in the residential sector, strengthening the market further in 2015,’ the report says.

New Zealand introduces new property tax

A Dubai property

Property prices in Dubai still low

esidential real estate prices in Dubai continued to fall in the first six weeks of the second quarter of this year compared to the first three months of 2015, according to the latest data. However it is not necessarily bad news, according to the mid quarter research report from Phidar Advisory. ‘The ongoing erosion of sale prices is a healthy correction. The more significant concern is the scale and nature of the upcoming launched and announced projects,’ said Jesse Downs, the firm’s managing director. The report shows that apartment lease rates decreased a nominal 2.4%, while sale prices decreased 1.5%, marginally tightening yields. Lease rates for villas

decreased 0.6% and sale prices decreased 2.9%, which pushed up yields slightly. In the first five months of 2015, apartment transaction volumes were down a modest 1.5%, compared to the same period in 2014. SFH volumes contracted almost 25%, over the same period. This is based on initial transaction data from the Dubai Land Department, which is subject to revision. The report references income specific supply-demand imbalances. The most vulnerable segment is housing supply with current annual rents of AED100,000 to AED160,000 per annum, which could be oversupplied by up to 40% in five years. ‘If we consider only under construction and launched projects, the majority of the development

pipeline is justified due to sufficient total demand,’ said Downs, who added that over building in the middle high income segment is likely to increase competition and lead to supply reordering. The potential for total market disequilibrium increases significantly when adding announced projects into the supply pipeline, the report points out. Total market vacancy could reach 11% by 2020. Factor in a healthy frictional vacancy and the total vacancy rate converts to a 7% oversupply. ‘There is an opportunity to reposition upcoming products to meet the city’s anticipated housing needs. If current announcements convert into launches, the probability for instability by 2020 will increase significantly,’ concluded Downs.

new Bill to strengthen property tax for buyers and sellers in New Zealand has been introduced. The Taxation (Land Information and Offshore Persons Information) Bill contains proposed amendments to the Land Transfer Act and the Tax Administration Act. Buyers and sellers of property will be required to provide their IRD numbers at the time of property transfer. Those who are tax residents in another country will also have to provide their Tax Identification Number from their home jurisdiction. However, there will be an exemption for New Zealand residents’ main home. And to ensure our anti-money laundering rules apply, there will be a requirement for overseas people to have a New Zealand bank account to get a New Zealand IRD number. This will also apply to New Zealanders who have been out of the country for three or more years. ‘These measures provide extra information which will help Inland Revenue detect people seeking to avoid their tax obligations. When people try to get out of paying tax, it’s unfair to all those

people who do pay,’ said Revenue Minister Todd McClay. According to Land Information Minister Louise Upston the proposals will see Land Information New Zealand and Inland Revenue collaborating to ensure fairer taxation of people buying and selling residential property for profit. The bill is expected to be reported back to the Parliament House in time to be passed in late September and it will take effect from 01 October 2015. McClay intends to release a public consultation document later this month seeking views on the introduction of a ‘bright line’ test which would make gains from the sale of certain residential properties sold within two years of purchase taxable. ‘Under this test an exemption will apply when the property is the seller’s main home, is inherited from a deceased estate or is transferred as part of a relationship property settlement,’ he explained. ‘Most people in New Zealand do the right thing and pay their tax. Inland Revenue will help you get it right, but for those who try to avoid paying, we’re making it harder to get away with it,’ he added.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Aviation

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Paucity of equipment hampering NAHCO’s performance – Stakeholders The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, NAHCO, is a key agency in the nation’s aviation sector. In spite of its strategic position in air travels, the ground handling company with about 1,900 employees is, like other agencies in the sector, facing some challenges, including inability to acquire state-of-the-art equipment for its operations due to high cost of such assets. Olusegun Koiki writes.

igerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc was incorporated on December 6th, 1979 as an aviation servicing company. The Federal Government, through Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, initially held 60 per cent equity interest in the company while four foreign airlines - Air France, British Airways, Sabena and Lufthansa - shared the remaining 40 per cent in various ratios. But, in 2005, due to the change in policy of the government on its assets, NAHCO was privatised and subsequently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in 2006, which enabled Nigerians and other institutional investors; foreign and local to buy into the shares of the ground handling company. The company is now owned by over 80, 000 shareholders, including two international airlines – Air France and Lufthansa; as well as local investors; Sycor Private Investment Limited and Rosehill Group Nigeria Limited. Today, NAHCO is the only ground handling company listed on floor of the stock exchange. NAHCO in its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, earlier in the year, reported flat revenue with N8.133 billion against N8.092 billion in 2013. Its pre-tax profits dropped by 22 per cent to N769.4million compared to the N988million reported a year earlier. Profit after tax for the year ended December 2014 was N568.553 million and 30 per cent down from the N817.22million posted in 2013. The company put earnings per share for the period at 39kobo representing a 39 per cent drop from the 64 kobo reported a year earlier. The ground handling company in the past nine years has had three Chief Executive Officers, CEOs; Mr. Sule Bates, Mr. Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo and the incumbent in Acting capacity, Mr. Norbert Bielderman. This is apart from the consistent “right sizing” of its junior and management staff.

Norbert Bielderman

One of the ground handlng equipment of NAHCO

If the aIrlInes could be gIven zero

tarIff on theIr equIpment and aIrcraft, such should be extended to the ground handlers, whIch

I have always been emphasIsIng that after the aIrport,

It Is the aIrlInes and then the ground handlers About two years ago, the Federal Government granted the Nigeria Customs Service duty waivers to airline operators in the country on acquisition of aircraft and imported equipment for their operations, but the ground handling companies were left out in the new fiscal regime. The exemption of the ground handlers in the new policy by the government, industry analysts claimed, had further affected the operations of the handlers. However, NAHCO, a leading ground handling company in the Nigerian aviation industry has multifaceted challenges, which included high cost of ground support equipment, high operational cost, dearth of skilled manpower, inadequate security at its warehouse, massive debts on services rendered by airlines and the tough general operating economic environment. The relationship between NAHCO and the clearing agents; Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, have been inconsistently rosy with accusation of insufficient personnel from the clearing agents, which they claimed leads to delay in the clearing of cargo at its warehouse and the recent review upward of

its cargo tariff. Just few months ago, NAHCO, revised the cargo tariff by additional 30 per cent, which angered the clearing agents and led to the closure of its warehouse for almost a week. Speaking on the issue, the President, ANLCA, Mr. Aloysius Igwe told our correspondent that the association was not carried along in the whole exercise. He maintained that until the ground handler reverted to the old tariff; its members were not carried along with the plan. He said, “We just got wind of it like a rumour and as it is now, we are kicking against it severely as an association. We have told them to revert it and we are meeting with NAHCO’s Managing Director on the issue. “We pay several charges to lots of bodies on each kilo we clear and so, it would be difficult for us to specify how much we pay per kilo, but, we have told them that we would not accept the new rate.” However, after almost a week of protest by the ground handlers, the new tariff was finally reduced by 10 per cent, which upped the tariff by 20 per cent. The Ag. Managing Director of NAHCO, Mr. Norbert Bielderman said that the new rate was

in consensus with ANLCA, saying that both parties reached an agreement in the interest of the overall development of the industry and in realisation of the fact that both sides were in this tough economic situation together. He insisted that the upward review of the tariff was in the best spirit of give and take and commended everyone involved in the negotiations for their maturity. Besides, the clearing agents at different stakeholders’ meetings decried that there is inadequate security personnel in the warehouses of the two main ground handling companies in the sector, which they said added to the high costs of transacting business in the sector. The President, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu insisted that all players in the nation’s aviation industry especially the ground handlers should cut down on the cost of doing business in the sector in order to encourage exportation. He further charged the NAHCO to carry out effective crowd control at its warehouse in a bid to improve safety in the area. Shittu decried that the high cost of doing business in the sector had led to most business organisations to fold up abruptly, stressing that with reduced cost of business, it would create more room for diversification in the system. He further challenged NAHCO to embrace diversification in its business, maintaining that this would lead to more profit. While faulting the high human traffic within the vicinity of the NAHCO warehouse, the ANCLA boss noted that this contradicted safety norms in the industry and advised the management to invest in the acquisition of more modern equipment, which would reduce crowds at its warehouse and accelerate cargo clearance. He said, “It is necessary for cost of doing business in the industry to come down in order to encourage more exportation and this will also enhance diversification in the industry. It is also necessary for NAHCO to embrace diversification in their business and reduce the mass of people always seen around its shed. “The mass of people we have at the airports especially at the Lagos Airport does not make the company work to international best standards. We however assure NAHCO of our unalloyed cooperation.” But the Acting Managing Director, NAHCO, Mr. Nobert Bielderman said that the company had invested about N700 million on state-of-theart ground handling equipment in recent time, adding that the company has taken delivery of about 30 per cent of these orders and distributed the equipment to its various locations at the nation’s airports. Some of the equipment listed by him as already acquired include, tractors, dollies, forklifts, high loaders, transporters and security vehicles among others.

Aviation

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside PPE’s provision ‘ll help prevent communicable diseases –NAHCO boss Much ado about airports’

shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

re-modelling project

StorieS: oluSegun KoiKi

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc , NAHCO, has said that adequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, by organisations would help in reducing the spread of communicable diseases. The company’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, expressed this view recently in his presentation, ‘The role of ground handlers in managing communicable diseases,’ during the two-day visit of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation, CAPSCA, in Lagos. According to Bielderman, it is the responsibility of organisations to protect their staff through the adequate provision of disposable latex hand gloves, heavy duty hand gloves and face mask among other protective equipment. Speaking on the experience of the company during the importation of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into the country in 2014 by Patrick Sawyer, Bielderman recalled that on 20th July, 2014, the victim had flew via ASKY Airline from James Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia, Liberia to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. On arrival of the ASKY Aircraft, nahco aviance staff he said were on ground to handle the aircraft

W L-R: Media consultant to Lufthansa Airlines, Mr. Hakeem Jimo, the Vice President, Sales and Services Southeast Europe, Africa & Middle East, Tamur Gourdarzi-Pour and the Managing Director, West Africa Lufthansa German Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines, Mr. Claus Becker during the announcement of Lagos, Nigeria as the centre and regional headquarters of its Sub-Saharan Africa recently in Lagos.

through cabin cleaning, which involved the cleaning of Sawyer’s vomitus, passenger handling, which included some staff wheeling him (Sawyer) to the arrival section of MMIA. He emphasised that it was the following day that it was announced that an ASKY aircraft handled by the ground handling company had come in with an Ebola patient, which he said took the company by surprise. He added, “On hearing the news, we immediately called all those that were roistered to work on the airline and referred them to Port Health. These staff were identified and taken to Federal Ministry of Health who later quarantined them for 22 days before they were released back to resume at work. “At nahco aviance, we are glad to say none of our staff got infected

with Ebola despite having direct contact with the index case. It is the duty of the organisation to protect its staff; thus we ensure adequate provision of PPE.” He noted that after providing the required PPE to the staff, the company went ahead to train them on how to use the equipment. The training he said included putting on and removal of these PPE after use, stressing that the importance of using these PPE and the consequences of non-compliance was clearly stated to staff. To ensure non-violation of the protective equipment, Bielderman emphasised the company consistently monitored and enforced the use of the provided PPE during operations, declaring that this would eliminate the possibility of unsafe acts and nonuse due to human factors.

Osun CAN lauds Dana Group for supporting Osun workers

he President of the Osun state Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, has commended Dana Group and other well-meaning Nigerians for supporting the state’s workers during their time of distress. A statement by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro, stated that Ogundiya gave the commendation following Dana Group of Companies’ donation of some bags of rice, drugs and potable water to support civil servants in the state even as they expected the payment of accumulated salaries. The statement emphasized that the Reverend expressed gratitude

Dana Air aircraft

to the group, other individuals and corporate organisations for responding swiftly to its call. He was quoted as saying that the gesture “is indeed a clear indication that Nigerians feel the plight of the Osun workers and further reinforces our unity as a nation and our collective resolve to always render a hand of fellowship to one another.” Ogundiya assured further that CAN would work closely with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to ensure that all items were distributed in an equitable manner and called on the government at all tiers to come together to quickly resolve the is-

sues that had overburdened the workers. It will be recalled that Rev. Ogundiya had recently called on corporate bodies and other wellmeaning Nigerians to rally round to offer succour to the civil servants.

hen the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah in 2012 embarked on the massive remodelling of 22 airports in the first and second phases, opinions were divided about the quality of jobs that were being done. Apart from the fact that most of the contractors were not known, the contractual sums too were shrouded in secrecy. Today, the nation is still grappling with the massive N174 billion debts left behind by Oduah. Besides, more than 65 per cent of the re-modelled airports are failing barely two years after completion. For instance, just some few months ago, one of the ceilings at the arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, fell off from the roof and that portion of the building was opened for days without remedy until the contractor was called upon to effect repairs. The remodelling of the terminal was completed barely a year ago!

Also, about three conveyor belts were installed at the airport under the same project by the ministry, but virtually all the newly installed conveyor belts are developing problems one after the other, apart from increasing the turnaround time for airlines and extending the manhour loss for passengers. In fact, some of the users are calling for the reinstallation of the old ones. These and more have been the result of the shoddy job done by unknown contractors that were supervised by Oduah with several billions of the country’s funds wasted without proper accountability. Thank God, President Mohammadu Buhari has said all officials of past government would be called to render accounts of their stewardship to the entire country. Airside advises President Buhari to also beam his searchlight on the activities in the sector especially from 2012 till date. Time for a real change is now

Need to beef up security at Lagos Airport

ometime in April this year, some intruders gained entrance into the tarmac of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos through the tarmac fence, but the intrusion alarm system triggered off and alerted the security operatives within the complex. The intruder eventually escaped through the same illegal entry point. Within the same period, aircraft pilots flying into or out of the airport complaint of seeing persons on the runway when flights are about to land or take off at the airport. These

are more are the state of the country’s airports especially the MMA. Airside says that the security network at the Lagos Airport especially from the Shasha end of the airport is poor and there is a need for the government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to look critically into the situation. Also, the poor access control at the Palace Gate around the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc is unsympathetically poor despite the array of security measures put in place recently by the government to improve the situation.

South African Airways wins Skytrax awards

he South African Airways Group has won at least three awards from Skytrax, which further confirmed the group as being on the right strategic path that is showing in customer satisfaction results. An online media statement from the media consultant of South African Airways, SAA, in Nigeria stated that SAA, Ag. Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nico Bezuidenhout received the awards on behalf of the group. According to the statement SAA was named the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ for the 13 consecutive year, emerged ‘Best Airline Staff ’ in Africa for the fourth time and also emerged the ‘Best Airline Staff ’ in the continent.

Mango, SAA’s low-cost carrier, received the award for ‘Best LowCost Airline in Africa.’ Commenting on the award, Bezuidenhout stated that receiving three customer satisfaction awards on behalf of the Group, in front of an audience of peers in the aviation industry at an auspicious event such as the Paris air show, was a most satisfying experience. He dedicated the awards to airline’s staff and that of Mango who he said had shown detractors that the SAA Group was going from strength to strength. “Excellent Customer Service is one of the five strategic objectives of the Group’s Long-Term Turnaround Strategy, these awards confirm our efforts are paying

off,” Bezuidenhout stated. The Skytrax awards, the brainchild of an independent aviation research organisation, have become an institution on the annual events calendar. Awards for 2015 were presented at the 51th International Paris Air Show, the world’s leading aviation and space industry event. Skytrax awards are directly based on customer survey makes them the benchmarks of airline excellence and based on a consumer satisfaction survey conducted each year by Skytrax This auspicious event on the aviation calendar follows soon after IATA’s annual general meeting held earlier this month in Miami, North America, where the world’s top airlines gathered.

Insurance

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Pension assets can bridge infrastructure gap – Expert K StorieS: MeShack idehen

he Managing Director of ARM Pensions Limited, Mr Wale Odutola, said that administering standard pension regime in Nigeria while ignoring obvious opportunities in the nation’s infrastructure gap that the assets could be used to bridge remained a strange development, considering the quantum of pension assets amassed in the last 10 years. Odutola told journalists at the end of a meeting with Pension Department Officers (PDO) of his company that the amount of assets in the pool of the pension scheme should be able to contribute immensely to closing up Nigeria’s infrastructure gap, saying that infrastructure is only one of the key areas the pension contributions could be deployed in the economy. He said: “Clearly, as we all know, there is a major lack when it comes to infrastructure in Nigeria and it is odd that you should have an industry aggregate so much capital and will

not be able to contribute to the alleviation of that lack. The pension fund regulator is doing quite a lot in that area and as we know, PenCom’s primary constituency is the contributors and whatever they do, they must ensure that there is safety in the contributions. “I believe what they (PenCom) are doing now is to ensure that the right framework is available for pension funds to make investments in infrastructure. Clearly, anything that improve infrastructure will improve the economy and make sure that more jobs are created. We are very much in support of the initiatives around allowing pension funds to help alleviate the infrastructure deficit within the country”, Odutola added. Speaking on the recent amendments to the Pension Fund Act (PFA), the industry expert pointed out that when the initial Act that was promulgated in the early 2000, it was ground breaking and never

PenCom DG, Anohu Amazu

had the industry accumulated as much capital as with the pension contributions over 10 years and so clearly, there is something that is right that is being done. He, however, noted that as circumstances changed, changes are being done to cater for things that were not captured in the former Act and hopefully secure pensions as we go along into the next 10 years.

Staco Insurance records N5.96bn premium

taco Insurance Plc said its gross written premium rose to N5.96 billion in its 2014 account recently approved by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) from N5.91 billion in 2013. According to a statement by the company’s Managing Director, Mr Sakiru Oyefeso, confirmed that the company was one of the those that submitted their 2014 accounts

Oyefeso

prepared in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards to NAICOM and got approval before the deadline of June 30 given to insurance companies as stipulated in the Insurance Act 2003. “As Section 26(1) of the Insurance Act 2003 stipulates, every insurer shall not later than 30th June of each year submit to NAICOM, a balance sheet duly audited showing the financial position of the insurer and its subsidiaries at the close of the preceding year together with a copy of the relevant profit and loss account, which the insurer is to present to its shareholders at its annual general meeting,” it stated. Oyefeso said that the company would always comply with the provisions of the law and that it achieved impressive results, adding that the company successfully overcame the challenge of

solvency margin during the year as this stood at N4. 57bn in 2014, compared to the previous year 2013 when the solvency margin was N1. 03bn.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tips for buying life insurance

now what you needPrepare beforehand to have a better idea of the coverage that you and your family will require. By knowing what you need, you could save your family a lot of money and trouble down the road. Know what you want- Do you want term life, or whole life? To add any benefits in case of accidental death or dismemberment?To cover any possible long-term care? Knowing the type of policy you want can help greatly as well. If you only need to cover certain things for a specific period of time, term life is best, but if you want to have coverage your full life, as well as some savings built up, consider whole life. This way you will know how to budget your money and what you can afford. Shop around- Don’t buy the first policy from the first agent you talk to- There may be a company elsewhere that can provide you with better benefits at a better cost. Insurance is a competitive market, so there is a great variation as far as rates go. Many insurance brokers usually offer a comparison of rates from several life insurance carriers. Know who you’re buying from- Always check to make sure the company you’re considering or buying from has a

good reputation. Check to see if there have been any customer complaints filed, and what the complaints refer to. It is a good idea to check the state of their finances as well, just to safeguard yourself against loss. Understand your policyNever buy anything you don’t understand. Have your agent go over every aspect of the policy with you, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. It is better to ask questions and make sure the policy is best for you than to pay premiums on something that isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on, so to speak. Know if you are able to change your policy- There may come a time when you wish to convert your policy from term life to whole life, or any other number of changes. Know that these options are available should the need arise. Understand any changes- If your agent wants you to change your policy, make sure you understand why. Will these changes actually benefit you, or will they benefit the insurance company? Will you suffer any losses in the process of changing your policy? Make sure you understand and do what is best for you. Always wait until your new policy is paid for and in effect before you cancel your old policy as well, as there may be a gap between coverage.

IEI partners brokers, restructures operations

he interim board and management of International Energy Insurance Plc said it had embarked on restructuring of the company’s operations and was strengthening its relationship with brokers. Chairman of the board, Mr. Muhammad Ahmad, in a statement indicated that the board which assumed management of the company about three weeks ago, had embarked on restructuring of the company’s operations, relationship with brokers as well as investment amortization. According to the statement, the

firm also hinted of plans to unveil terest does not destroy the institution, online marine cargo product, meant particularly that there were squabbles to assist importers to do business amongst board members,” he stated. without hassles. It said its focus was to bring stability to the organisation and strengthen its capacity to be able to compete effectively and meet its obligations. Ahmad stated further that the company was healthy and had the capacity to meet all its obligations and that the intervention of NAICOM was to protect policyholders, investors and other stakeholders’ interests. “The regulator’s intervention was to ensure that individual’s in- Ahmad

Insurance

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Enforcement of motor insurance remains a challenge —Orimolade The insurance sector is riddled with many challenges with fake motor insurance being only one of them. In this interview with MESHACK IDEHEN, the Managing Director, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc, Mr Jide Orimolade, speaks on these challenges amongst other sector issues. in the next couple of years.

Many people still have fake motor insurance; what is responsible for this? The awareness is very low among members of the general public. Also, the enforcement is still a challenge but it is improving.

What is the way forward for Nigerian insurance sector? We need to invest more in awareness, human capital development, research and development as well as technology. It is also important for genuine claims to be settled promptly. This can be done through micro insurance initiatives and products. We also need to direct marketing communication about insurance products appropriately to the grass roots.

What are the risks of having fake insurance? Anyone with fake insurance papers risks going to jail. This is a criminal offence punishable by law. It is also dangerous for victims of road traffic accidents as they may not be able to get adequate compensation.

What innovation has been introduced by Law Union & Rock? We have improved on our ICT systems with upgrades and unique e-solutions that aim to deliver value promptly to our customers. With this in place, our customers can buy and pay for their insurance online. We also have developed new-to-market products that will see many people at all income levels taking into insurance. This will drive insurance penetration which is still at the lowest level in Africa.

How can a person get genuine motor insurance? By making sure you buy your insurance policy directly from insurance companies or their approved agents. In our company, you can buy your motor insurance through our website and print out your motor insurance certificate. If an accident occurs, what should an individual who has a genuine insurance cover do? The first thing to do if accident occurs is to ensure everyone is safe and those who need medical attention are taken promptly to the hospital. We have mobile phones that can take pictures everywhere. You should try and take pictures of the accident to reveal the extent of damage caused. After that, you contact your insurance company either by phone, email or any another means. Where you have a valid claim, you will be required to give the full details of the accident and the parties involved. The insurance company will assess the claim and settle appropriately. Is the insurance claim process difficult? It is not difficult. It is very simple. Just complete a claim form, attach all necessary supporting documents as stated in your policy and submit to the insurance company. Where necessary, the company may inspect the vehicles and visit the injured persons and then settle the claim as appropriate. What are the types of motor insurance a motorist can have? Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc has several products under its motor class insurance ranging from comprehensive cover, which is the highest level of cover, to third party cover, which is the lowest cover. What can be done to ensure more compliance with the compulsory insurance policies? The industry players need to step up the level of awareness campaign while the regulators need to improve on the enforcement. We also need to take insurance awareness to the younger generation in the schools through teaching of insurance subjects in primary and secondary schools. This way, we can build the next generation of insurance consumers.

Orimolade

Anyone with fAke insurAnce pApers risks going to jAil.

this is

A criminAl offence

punishAble by lAw. it is Also dAngerous for victims of roAd trAffic Accidents As they mAy not be Able to get AdequAte compensAtion whole. The ‘No premium, no cover’ regime has impacted positively on the cash flow of insurance companies and has almost eliminated the issue of outstanding premiums which many used to write off as bad debts. The downside of this policy however is that most clients now resort to short-term cover as they cannot afford to pay the total annual premium once. This, in a way, reduces the amount of funds available for investments during an accounting year and thus negatively affects the investment income.

How can homeowners benefit from the builders liability insurance? Homeowners who suffer any loss or damage arising from negligence, error or omission of the building contractor can obtain compensation from insurance company.

There have been frequent market fire incidents in the country, what are the major causes? Market congestion and over population, the nature of materials used for construction or partitioning, the nature of goods stored and the use of fuel generators have been identified as chief causes of market fire. You know how our markets are constructed with materials that are not fire resistant and also the nature of some goods stored. If there is a little spark of fire, it spreads easily. Also, due to congestion, the fire service finds access difficult.

Two years after the National Insurance Commission commenced the implementation of ‘No premium no cover’, how has it affected insurance business and clients? It is a very positive development for the industry as a

What is responsible for low insurance development in the country? Basically, this is caused by low awareness of the importance of insurance. We are confident that this will change

What means have you introduced to make insurance more accessible to the public? We have set up a robust sales agency headed by an experienced expatriate manager. Our agency network is expanding fast and we hope to recruit and train up to 1,000 agents nationwide in 12 months. Our products are distributed through our agency network. Our mobile platforms will also get our unique insurance products to millions of Nigerians. How active is Law Union in the oil and gas business? We are playing very actively in the oil and gas insurance. Our oil and gas portfolio is big and constitutes a significant proportion of all our product portfolio. We have very robust reinsurance arrangement with both local and foreign reinsurance companies to ensure we settle our customers’ claims promptly. I must say that oil and gas underwriting requires substantial capacity in terms of capital and expertise. We are confident that we will soon be a company to beat in oil and gas insurance underwriting. What are the major insurance products you have for the public? Our products cover all areas of risk exposure of individuals, families, groups, schools, companies and the government. We have unique motor insurance products that fit everybody’s pocket. We have fire and special peril insurance to cover homes and companies. Our accident policies provide cover against injury, disability or death that may result from an accident. Some of the compulsory insurance policies we offer are the professional indemnity for healthcare practitioners, builders liability, occupier liability and motor third party insurance. Members of the public should expect the best quality service delivered promptly through our innovative channels. They should expect prompt payment of their claims. What advice do you have for the public on insurance matters? My advice to the general public is that they should embrace insurance. They should not go with the notion than insurance companies do not pay claims. I tell you those who have insured with us have good testimonies in this regard. Most people still erroneously think that motor insurance is to allow them avoid police arrest. There are many benefits that they can gain from insurance and I want them to key into this and they will never regret it.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Money Customers’ expectations high as BVN registration ends

As Bank Verifications Numbers, BVN, registration ends today stakeholders would want to see the initiative combat financial crimes and boost the economy UDO ONYEKA reports.

he zeal with which bank customers came out in their numbers to be part of the Bank Verifications Numbers, BVN registration in the last three weeks has shown that many crave for a safer and fraud free financial institutions and services. Therefore the support which the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and financial institutions, initiative received was to key into the project haven been told of the inherent benefits in enrolling in the exercise. Even many who did not register or were reluctant to do so, since the exercise began 18 months ago were seen in banking halls across the nation making frantic efforts to enroll. As the exercise ends today, National Mirror gathered that the exercise may have achieved over 90 per cent, with some persons who were expecting an extension of the programme left out. According to investigations many were unwilling to be part of the project at the initial stage due to many reasons. Also as days rolled by, leaving few days to the deadline of the BVN exercise fear not to lose money caught upon those that have not registered making banks to witness long queues of customers submitting their biometric information following the today’s ,June 31, deadline for customers to register for the BVN. Some banks coupled with enlightenment messages being sent out have since June 1, began to restrict their unregistered customers from using their accounts. National Mirror gathered that some banks had placed restrictions on transfers from accounts without the BVN, some others had restricted the use of e-channels, Automated Teller Machines, ATMs and over the counter withdrawals on accounts without the BVN. One of the banks, in an email to customers, stated that “Effective June 1, 2015, please note that you will not be able to transact with your card internationally at the ATM, POS or online without your Bank Verification Number.” Another bank had stated that “In line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to ensure that all bank accounts are BVN compliant with effect from Monday, June 1, 2015, we are constrained to inform you that Third Party transfers, including Instant Payments, RTGS and Foreign Currency Transfers, can no longer be conducted on your accounts with us ,via any of our channels, until your BVN registration is concluded.” The Central Bank of Nigeria had, in October, given a December 31, 2014, deadline for all customers seeking for credit to have the BVNs. Also banks were expected to have enrolled 40 per cent of their customers before

CBN Gov. Godwin Emefiele

Lamido Sanusi

It wIll also promote a safe and sound fInancIal system In the country, especIally as It wIll keep records of suspected fraudulent IndIvIduals In the bankIng system the end of 2014, 70 per cent on or before March 31, 2015, and have all customers on board by the end of June 31, 2015. The CBN had earlier directed banks to only honour transactions over N100m from customers with the BVN from March 2015. Such transactions, according to the apex bank, include but not limited to money transfers, loans, and contingencies, among others. The CBN, which also urged all bank customers to register for their BVN by June 2015, had warned that any bank customer without a BVN would be deemed to have inadequate know-your-customers, KYC, by that date. Investigations reveal that it was when the CBN and Banks began serious campaign which highlighted the reasons and indicating how simple and easy the process of registrations where, was when many started showing interest. Biometric Project Manager at Nigeria Interbank-Settlement System, NIBSS, Oluseyi Adenmosun said BVN gives a unique identity that can be verified across the banking industry making it easier for customers’ bank accounts to be protected from unauthorised access. According to experts the BVN is expected to address issues of identity theft, and reduce exposure to fraud in the banking sector. Adenmosun had said at forum in Lagos last year that the purpose of the project was to use biometric information as a means of first identifying and verifying all individuals that have account (s) in any Nigerian bank and consequently, as a means of authenticat-

ing customer’s identity at point of transactions. Experts said the BVN became imperative following the increasing incidence of compromise on conventional security systems such as password and Personal Identification Number, PIN, of customers. “The BVN involves identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioural attributes, such as fingerprint, signature and others and would also provide a uniform industrially accepted unique identity for customers and authenticate transactions without the use of cards using only biometric features and PIN.” Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi also explained that the BVN enables each individual to have one identification within the financial system and gives each customer maximum protection and security of transactions. “In many advanced countries, biometric technologies have been used to analyse human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for real-time security processes. Biometric refers to identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioural attributes – fingerprint, signature among others. The customers unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks,” he had said. Also Director Corporate Communications, CBN, Ibrahim Mu ‘azu, who led a very effective enlightenment campaign told bank customers who easy it was to enrol, explaining that the process was simple and easy.

NIBSS MD, Ade Shonubi

He explained that bank customers are expected to walk into any branch of their bank, fill and submit the BVN enrolment form and also do data capturing, such as Fingerprint, facial Image etc. It was this sort of explanations that encouraged many to enrol. Mu’ azu also during the enlightenment period explained that the BVN will be linked to all his bank accounts across Nigeria banks. “The BVN solution is to ensure accountability, protect bank customers’ account from unauthorised access, reduce exposure to fraud, check identity theft, enhance credit advancement to bank customers, and also encourage financial inclusion,” he said. According to him the initiative addresses issues of identity theft and ensures that your customers bank accounts is protected from unauthorised access, thus reducing your exposure to fraud. “It will also promote a safe and sound financial system in the country, especially as it will keep records of suspected fraudulent individuals in the banking system. The initiative will make life and banking operations easy for bank customers as BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks in Nigeria. This will improve speed of service and reduce queues in banking halls”, he said. The CBN, through the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and NIBSS, launched the centralised biometric identification system, re-christened as BVN, Lagos in February 2014, under the leadership of the former CBN Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido. However as the exercise comes to an end today, many banks customers who spoke to National Mirror said it remains to be seen whether the introduction of the BVN scheme will combat financial crime and boost the economy as the CBN, NIBSS and banks have outlined.

Global Business

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Greece considering capital controls, Rising interest rates pose new risk for banks –BIS closing banks on Monday

reece said it may impose capital controls and keep its banks shut on Monday after creditors refused to extend the country’s bailout and savers queued to withdraw cash, taking Athens’ standoff with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to a dangerous new level. Greece’s banks, kept afloat by emergency central bank funding, are on the front line as Athens moves towards defaulting on a 1.6 billion euros payment due to the IMF on Tuesday. The European Central Bank said it would not raise the level of emergency funding, adding to the pressure on Greece’s banks which have been surviving for the past few weeks on frequent incremental increases to the funding lifeline Amid political drama in Greece, where a clear majority wants to remain inside the euro, the next few days present a major challenge to the integrity of a 16-year-old currency bloc. “This is a matter that we’ll have to work overnight on with the appropriate authorities both here in Greece and in Frankfurt,” Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said of bank closures and capital controls. He was speaking to BBC radio. The finance ministry later issued a statement saying capital controls were not the government’s preference and were not consistent with mon-

etary union. Greece’s left-wing Syriza government had been negotiating a deal to release funding in time for its IMF payment. Then suddenly, in the early hours of Saturday, Prime Minster Alexis Tspiras asked for extra time to enable Greeks to vote in a referendum on the terms of the deal. Creditors flatly turned down this request, leaving little option for Greece but to default, piling further pressure on the banking system. Long lines formed outside many ATMs on Sunday, including some of 40 to 50 people outside some in central Athens. The German foreign ministry issued a travel warning advising tourists heading to Greece to take plenty of cash to avoid possible problems with local banks. The Bank of Greece said it was making “huge efforts” to ensure the machines remained stocked. The ECB said in a statement on Sunday it was keeping its emergency liquidity at current levels but was monitoring the situation and stood ready “to reconsider its decision.” There is growing opposition in some European countries to extending the ECB’s funding line. In economic powerhouse Ger-

Tspiras

many, other southern states that have suffered austerity in return for EU cash and poor eastern countries with living standards much lower than Greece’s, many voters and politicians have run out of patience. If Greece were to leave the euro zone, the ECB’s funding line, which is a form of overdraft with euro zone’s central bank system, would fall to the bloc’s other members to pay. The head of Germany’s Bundesbank has attacked the use of the ECB’s funding line and speaking on German television on Saturday, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble put a question mark over the solvency of Greek banks - a key condition to qualify to receive such finance.

Big business on winning side in U.S. top court’s major rulings

ig business was on the winning side in the U.S. Supreme Court’s two major cases of the year, with hundreds of employers pushing hard in favor of gay marriage and the healthcare industry backing the insurance subsidies available under Obamacare. The court on Thursday rejected a conservative challenge to President Barack Obama’s healthcare law on a 6-3 vote and, a day later, ruled 5-4 that gay marriage should be legal nationwide. Both cases were largely seen

Obama

through the lens of national ideological wars, with liberals backing gay marriage and Obamacare and conservatives opposing them. But the cases could also be seen as probusiness rulings by a court with a reputation as friendly to corporate interests under Chief Justice John Roberts. Unlike in other contexts, such as a series of cases in which the court cut back on class-action lawsuits, business interests aligned themselves with liberal activists for these cases. “This Supreme Court is unquestionably responsive to the views of corporate America. Here, in both the healthcare and marriage cases, those views aligned with a progressive outcome,” said Doug Kendall, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, a left-leaning legal activist group. The two major rulings mask the fact that the business-related rulings this year, with one major environmental case due to come on the court’s last day on Monday, have been a mixed bag for corporate interests.

In one of the biggest business cases, the court on Thursday dealt a blow to lenders and insurers by upholding a legal theory that allows for lawsuits under the Fair Housing Act based on discriminatory impact even when there is no evidence of intentional discrimination. The court did hand wins to business interests in a series of lower-profile rulings, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s biggest business lobby, on the winning side in 12 of 20 cases in which it filed friend-of-the-court briefs. The Chamber has a policy not to get involved in social issues and did not file briefs on the gay marriage and Obamacare cases. That did not stop business interests from weighing in. A total of 379 businesses and groups representing employers across various sectors signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief backing gay marriage. In the healthcare case, trade groups representing hospitals and health insurance companies filed court papers backing the Obama administration over the healthcare law.

ising interest rates after years of loose monetary policy will pose a fresh risk to banks’ ability to absorb losses using capital buffers, the Bank for International Settlements said in its annual report on Sunday. A prolonged period of ultra-low rates would further weaken the financial sector and squeeze banks’ profitability, but a “normalization” of borrowing costs would reverse the debt-fueled inflation of asset prices and hit banks’ own lossabsorbing equity capital, the BIS said. “Just as falling yields have supported asset valuation gains in recent years, an eventual normalization would generate losses ... Banks’ equity capital would shrink.” The banking sector has made progress in building up capital buffers since the 2008 crisis, which sounded alarm bells over leverage in the financial industry. Big international banks’ core capital levels have risen over the past three

years while assets adjusted for riskiness have fallen, the BIS said. But the report said an impending turn in monetary policy underscored the need for extra regulatory safeguards. Global banking regulators earlier this month set out two such possible measures to force banks to set aside more money to cover interestrate risk. The BIS also warned that banks might have an “incentive” to opt for more lax risk adjustments to flatter capital ratios. “Supervisors need to be in a position to regularly, transparently and convincingly validate risk estimates,” it said. Some investors and analysts see strong retail banks as better able to pass on the cost of rising rates to clients than investment banks or trading houses more exposed to a potential squeeze on credit trading. Insurers and pension funds are however seen as clearer beneficiaries of rising rates as investment yields rise too. Ultra-low rates have spurred a search for yield that the BIS described as “aggressive”.

BIS Building

Volkswagen to launch budget car family in 2018 – CEO in paper

ermany’s Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) plans to launch a family of low cost budget cars in China and possibly elsewhere starting in 2018, its chief executive said in a newspaper interview on Sunday. “We will bring a budget-car family to market in 2018, with an SUV, saloon and hatchback,” Martin Winterkorn told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. Europe’s largest automaker had for years been pondering a budget car but difficulties in hitting inter-

Volkswagen car

nal cost targets had thwarted approval of the project. The vehicles - to be built in China - will cost between 8,000 euros ($8,932.00) and 11,000 euros, Winterkorn said. Previously, the company targeted a price of between about 6,000 and 8,000 euros for its budget car. “We will see if this is something of interest for other markets as well,” Winterkorn said. The budget car is seen as important for VW’s future plans, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expert lists steps to Nigerian stockbrokers’ global competitiveness Tola a kinmuTimi

United States- based stockbroker, Mr. Tayo Shebanjo, has identified the critical success factors for stockbrokers in Nigeria who desire to operate at global level. Shebanjo, who had traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange before leaving for the United States where he obtained certification and continued operation as a stockbroker, identified investment in knowledge, staying in touch with the market, ensuring value proposition for clients, and operating at the highest level of integrity as among the key attributes Nigerian stockbrokers should exhibit to succeed anywhere in practice. He made this known as the guest speaker at an Interactive session organised by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Capital Bancorp Plc at the weekend. Shenbanjo spoke passionately about his formative years as a Dealing Clerk here in Nigeria during which learned about stock broking and its professional intricacies which can only be understood by well trained professional.

NSE DG, Oscar Onyema

SEC DG, Gwazo

According to him, the Nigerian stock market is currently not doing badly and that the future outlook remains bright. Shebanjo, who has worked for big like JP Morgan Chase and his current firm, Nationwide Investment Services Corp, harped on the need for continuous professional education as crucial to ensuring the growth of the market, citing the example of the United States

that has taken human capital development in the capital market seriously. “In the US, a broker has to start the certification process all over if he is out of the market for two years. Also, in addition to the House, a broker will be held personally liable if he gives wrong advice to his client. The broker’s supervisor will equally not be spared” Shebanjo said. While lamenting the harm that

BIS warns of risk of liquidity trap in bond markets

lobal bond markets face the risk of a “liquidity illusion” because holdings are becoming concentrated in the hands of fund managers, according to the Bank for International Settlements. The top 20 managers account for 40 percent of all assets as dealers reduce inventories, BIS economists wrote in their annual report. Assets under management more than doubled in about a decade to $75 trillion in 2013. Investors are becoming more influential in credit markets as banks reduce bond holdings to meet regulations introduced since the financial crisis. That shift is making markets more homogeneous, increasing the risk that liquidity will vanish in a selloff.

“The growing size of the asset management industry may have increased the risk of liquidity illusion,” the BIS economists wrote. “Market liquidity seems to be ample in normal times, but vanishes quickly during market stress.” The BIS comprises 60 central banks as members and defines itself as a bank for central banks. It’s the world’s oldest international financial organization and promotes monetary and financial stability. In the U.S., banks cut trading securities to less than 15 percent of total earning assets last year, from more than 20 percent in 2008, according to the BIS report. The proportion fell to less than 12 percent at European lenders.

Bond funds, including mutual funds, which are forced to sell when investors redeem cash, have received $3 trillion of inflows globally since 2009, and their total net assets reached $7.4 trillion in April, according to the BIS report. Asset managers “have little incentive to increase their liquidity buffers during good times to better reflect the liquidity risks of their bond holdings,” said the BIS. “Precisely when order imbalances develop, asset managers may face redemptions.” Investors are also looking to exchange-traded funds as sources of liquidity, even though regulators have questioned how easily the products could honor obligations during large withdrawals. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

‘margin trading’ did to the domestic market in the past, he expressed satisfaction with the current efforts to further professionalise the practice in the market. He however warned that due care should be taken when creating and handling derivatives. Commenting on the efforts of the CIS to ensure standard, one of the institute’s senior staff, Mr Chukwudi Nga, explained that the Institute had been making serious efforts to attract young people into the securities and investment profession. He mentioned that the institute has introduced a Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment for secondary school leavers and the successful acquisition of this diploma qualifies the holder to write the final part of the institute’s professional examination. The examinations are fully computer – based. According to him, the Institute is a member of the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA), and CIS graduates are qualified to write the final examination of the globally recognised institute.

Bond Yields Will Show Whether Firewalls Can Resist Greek Fallout

o judge how well equipped the euro area is to survive a Greek exit from the currency bloc, look no further than the bond market. The reaction of Italian, Portuguese and Spanish bonds to a referendum that may decide Greece’s future in the region will gauge investors’ faith in firewalls designed to contain such an event. In five months of brinkmanship on Greek debt, losses outside of Greece have been relatively muted, as crisis backstops combined with bond purchases under the European Central Bank’s quantitative-easing plan to limit contagion. Earlier in the decade, the government debt of all but the safest euro-zone nations sold off as economic turmoil that started in Greece raised concern the euro area would splinter.

“Peripherals will be under pressure as markets open on Monday as investors anticipate the worst-case scenario for Greece,” said Nick Stamenkovic, a fixed-income strategist at broker RIA Capital Markets Ltd. in Edinburgh. Even so, “the ECB has the firepower to limit damage on other peripheral countries. Indeed the adoption of sovereign QE by the ECB is a game changer, limiting potential upside on peripheral yields.” Although Spanish and Italian bond yields have climbed from record lows as tension in Greece rose, there have been few signs of panic among investors. The biggest daily increase in Spanish 10-year yields in the past two weeks was a 16 basis-point jump on June 15. In 2012, that wouldn’t have been in the top 25 worst days. (Source – Bloomberg.com)

Features

Tuesday, February 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate on the rise in Taraba Tyopuusu JALINGO

t a time HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is slowing down to a manageable level in other states of the federation, the rate is on the rise in Taraba state. With a prevalence rate of 10.5 percent since 2012, the state ranks top in the north east and second highest in the country. Our Correspondent, Justin Tyopuusu takes a look at the factors aiding the spread in the state and government’s efforts in fighting the scourge. After the identification of the Human immune Virus, HIV by scientists in the United States of America and France in 1983, the first two cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed in Nigeria in 1985, few years after Taraba state was carved out of the defunct Gongola state in 1991. The documented national prevalence rate of HIV then in the state was 1.8 percent in 1991. Perhaps with little or no attention given to the disease, the rate catapulted to 5.8 percent in 2001. The figure was arrived at based on the National Sentinel Survey report of pregnant women attending antenatal care in the state only, excluding perhaps other women, young men and adults who were not captured in the survey. While the state government did not consider the figure as alarming enough to take more decisive action in curbing the scourge, the rate doubled 11 years after, placing the state prevalence rate at 10.5 percent in 2012 after a survey by NASRHS, an independent body made up of highly technical scientists with representation from World Bank and WHO. The report as obtained by National Mirror indicates that, the rate is not only above the national average, but is also the highest in the entire north east region and second highest in the entire country since 2012. Between January and June this year alone, out of 42,716 people who were tested 5,867 people tested positive to the virus. This figure means that the prevalence rate may be far above the projected figure in 2012. According to the report, 150,000 persons are living with the virus in the state, out of which only about 30,000 are currently on anti retroviral drugs. In every four persons, one is HIV positive in the state. Chairman, Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Taraba Mr. Johnson Abraham blamed the state government for not doing enough to close up the gap of HIV/AIDS treatment to reduce its current high prevalence rate of 10.5 percent in the state. According to him, people living with HIV/AIDS in the state have been depending on the treatment support offered by international donors such as the fhi360 and World Bank, amongst others. “The rate would have been drastically

President Buhari

Former health minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

reduced if the state government on its part was committed in the fight against the scourge. Out of over 150,000 people living with the virus why only 30,000 accessing drugs. Government need to step up her efforts in the fight against the spread of the virus; create more awareness and open counseling and testing centres in rural areas of the state,” he queried. Checks by our correspondent revealed that the main modes of transmission of the virus in the state and else where are through unprotected sex, mother to child transmission, as well as use of unsterilised syringes on multiple patients in village hospitals. Further checks also revealed that stigmatization and other cultural practices are also killing many in the state. A medical attendant in one of the village hospitals in Takum where the prevalence rate is very high confided in our correspondent that,” we do attend to at least 20 patients daily, but at many occasions when we are out of stuck of syringes and needles, we do sterilized some of them and use them on other patients. The practice here generally is nothing to write home about. We can’t boast of any standard because our primary

concern is to save life, so we do everything including the unimaginable to save lives.” On whether they are aware of dangers inherent in their practice, the source said, even though he worked with a primary health care centre, he can’t boast of laying a hand on HIV/ AIDS testing kit not to talk of using it. “We are aware of the dangers but there is little we can do. We lack basic equipment to work with, so we manage what we have to save lives where we can.” It is shocking that of the more than 71.7 percent founding of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, some primary health care centres in the state can not boast of having testing kits to fight the scourge. For instance, according to a document obtained from Taraba State AIDS Control Agency, TACA, in 2012 alone, Nigeria received US$ 808,641,384 from donor agencies to fight the virus, yet the virus is still rearing it’s ugly head claiming lives on a daily basis. On whether the state government is aware of the dangers posed by the disease, Project Manager, Taraba AIDS Control Agency, TACA, Dr. Garba Danjuma during the recent world AIDS day told the public that government was

The people need To adopT besT healTh pracTices and close The gap of discriminaTion againsT people living wiTh

hiv/aids and show Them care and supporT

complimenting the provision of Antiretroviral treatment of people living with the virus and establishing more HIV counseling and testing centres in the state. He assured that efforts were on to reverse the trajectory of the epidemic and urge the people to adopt best health practices. “The people need to adopt best health practices and close the gap of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and show them care and support. “Pregnant women should always go for HIV/AIDS testing to prevent mother to child transmission. Our Counseling and Testing centres have been opened across the state for people to access free HIV services. So, we are seriously working to reduce the rate. But an official in the agency who pleaded anonymity as he was not authorize to speak on the issue disagree with the project manager. He told National Mirror that contrary to claim by the project manager the rate may even be higher. “You see, this figure is not something that can change over night. It’s a highly technical survey conducted by experts every two years. So you can not lay claim that because of your efforts it has come down or not. “The scientists are drawn from WHO, UN, World Bank and other international bodies. The survey is conducted in each state of the federation for 30 days, after which the report is send to the United Nations and back to the President of the country for his approval before the federal ministry of health announces it. So, until that is done, we can’t say we have made

Continue on page 39

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, February 30, 2015

Amazing story of Eyebiokin Prayer Mountain •Discovered by hunters, hosts 200, 000 worshippers monthly.

Boladale BamigBola OSOGBO

ike many other prayer mountains of note, Eyebiokin prayer mountain, Dagbolu near Osogbo, Osun state capital, has been a place of refuge for many seeking spiritual succour from all forms of challenges. However, since its establishment about 34 years ago, the story of how the prayer mountain was discovered has been told and retold owing to its uniqueness. The mountain was discovered by seven powerful hunters, who might not have been Christians. Eyebiokin, which can be literally translated as “No bird like Pea Cork”, derived its name from the lineage appraisal of the man God gave the vision to establish it, an Iloko-Ijesa-born Prince, who was trained as a bicycle repairer before venturing into pastoral work. Situated on a relatively high mountain of about 120 feet, Eyebiokin plays host to average of 5,000 people daily and about 200,000 worshippers from all parts of the world and denominations on monthly basis, who are either on spiritual pilgrimage or sight - seeing. This number, it was learnt, usually increase during Sunday service and during end of the month programmes various churches hold on the mountain. This number makes the mountain unarguably, one of the most visited sites in Osun state. The prayer mountain established by far-famed late Prophet Timothy Otolorin Abiola Eyebiokin, who hailed from Iloko Ijesa, a town from the axis of Osun with rich history of churning out fire brand prophets few of whom are, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, Prophet Samuel Abiara, Pastor Williams Kumuyi and late Prophet Timothy Obadare, Eyebiokin Mountain was “a child of necessity”. The founder, Prophet Abiola, who was

Prophet Titus Alo

Entrance to the prophet mountain

at the time lead pastor at Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Ajewole Estate built by the late foremost Osogbo businessman, Chief Ajewole Ifaloye, was just settling down in his new base after relocating from Ile-Ife where he was working, when he received vision to establish the prayer mountain. He, however initially was not forthcoming about God’s command to establish the prayer mountain because of several challenges he faced when he was looking for the location and was eventually punished. Speaking with National Mirror during a visit to Eyebiokin Mountain, one of the first set of worshippers to pray on the mountain, a septuagenarian, Pa Paul Ogunjinmi, said late Prophet Timothy Otolorin Abiola Eiyebiokin, was initially reluctant in reacting to the vision to establish a prayer mountain because, short-

We are also planning to build training schools for intending pastors. chalets to accommodate visitors are also needed on the mountain and several other facilities that can make our operations here smoother are being planned too

ly upon arriving Osogbo, he had joined other worshippers at a prayer mountain along Osogbo/Ilesa road. But the Holy Spirit had insisted that the clergy should look for another prayer mountain. He added that Prophet Eyebiokin was not making head way in the search because he was not an indigene of Osogbo and at a point, he became disinterested in continuing the search. “For not searching for the mountain as commanded, Baba (Prophet Eyebiokin) suddenly took ill and for seven days, he was down with strange illness. On the seventh day of his illness, Holy Spirit ministered to him again and directed that the prayer mountain he wanted was behind then newly established Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill. “Prophet Eyebiokin immediately contacted his friend that brought him to Osogbo, Chief Ifaloye, who in conjunction with the manager of Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, arranged seven powerful hunters, who embarked on the voyage and found the mountain. At the time, no ordinary man could reach this place because it was in the middle of tick forest,” he said. Ogunjinmi said during the lifetime of

Prophet Eyebiokin, numerous signs and wonders were wrought through him by God. He said many seeking fruit of the womb were blessed with babies and many others with generational or family challenges got breakthroughs. The late Eyebiokin, he said usually harboured many people in buildings near his house at Ajewole District when the mountain has not had buildings that people can stay in and he would create time to pray for them each hour of the day. Ogunjinmi shared the testimony of how a woman, whose womb was removed eventually got pregnant after visiting the mountain on the invitation of one of members of the church that was working in Lagos. When asked what his experience had been since taken charge of the prayer mountain, Pastor Titus Oluwaseyi Alo, who is the pastor in-charge, said only one building was on the mountain at the time its founder passed on, adding that more building, including chalets and administrative buildings have been constructed. Prophet Alo disclosed that since the death of the founder, over 250 sufferers of mental related sickness have been cured through spiritual means. The clergy however added that several other people with one form of challenge or the other have also been visiting the mountain to seek spiritual help with beautiful testimonies to share.

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate on the rise in Taraba Continue from page 38 progress or not.” In spite of this high rate, commercial sex workers in Taraba are having a good business as they enjoy high patronage in the state. A drive in Jalingo town at night and a visit to clubs in town will convince you as even married men patronage them not to talk of young singles. Hassan Adamu and Umar Kazim told this reporter that commercial sex work-

ers are cheaper compare to other ladies. Hassan noted that, “I patronize them because they will not demand for money more than their rates. But some of these girls who claim not to be commercial sex workers are too demanding. “They pose no dangers at all because, they are always armed with condoms. Some will not even allow you to use them without condom no matter how much you pay. But some of these girls out there are ignorant of this.” The prevalence rate may even be on a dangerous increase as some people liv-

ing with the virus are no longer accessing the ART drugs. This is because, most of them are now displaced and are living in camps with no hope of getting the drugs. Mrs. Comfort Ivase, an IDP in Bali camp narrates her experience with this reporter when he visited some of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Bali local government area of the state. According to her, “I am HIV/AIDS positive. I lost my card in the crisis as my house was burnt down in the ongoing crisis. I can’t even go back to the cen-

tre I was receiving drugs as the attackers are still hunting people in the area. “You know the danger about HIV is when you are receiving drugs and suddenly you abandoned it. This scenario has killed a lot of people. Few days ago we heard that three women who were on drugs died in one of the camps in Benue state because they could not access their drugs again.” Like Mrs. Comfort Ivase, many IDPs in Taraba and elsewhere are at the risk of losing their lives if proactive steps are not taken to save their lives in camps

Global Business

China regulators juggle IPOs with growth and a market plunge

20 per cent fall in Chinese stocks over the past two weeks, mainly blamed on a flood of initial public offerings, highlights the risks that regulators face as they try to use the stock market to support the slowing economy. The central bank cut interest rates and bank reserve requirements on Saturday, which analysts say is mainly aimed at restoring investor confidence in the market after key indexes fall over seven per cent on Friday, the biggest one-day fall since the global financial crisis. “The government appears eager to maintain a bull market to expand the capital market and reduce reliance on bank lending,” analysts at Standard Chartered said in a note to clients on Saturday. The stock market, which has seen indexes gain as much as 150 per cent since November, has been one of China’s few bright spots as economic growth has flagged and property prices have slid, and regulators have tried to take advantage of it to support the wider economy. By allowing companies to raise fresh funds with high valuations, either via IPOs or secondary issuances, China can attack two goals at once, supporting growth and drain-

ing excess speculative liquidity flowing into the market through a surge in margin financing. “Regulators have tried to guide the market, encouraging investment at the levels they believe are low and pouring cold water at the high levels,” said a domestic fund manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to media. However, the balancing act is tricky because the latest slew of IPOs temporarily locked up over $1 trillion in funds, one of the causes of the market freefall. In China, investors apply to buy into IPOs via a lottery system, and while the lottery is run, the funds they apply with are put in escrow. That can suck huge amounts of money out of the monetary system for short periods of time. In the week starting June 14, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) allowed 24 IPOs to raise around $6.5 billion from the markets, which temporarily locked up $1.13 trillion during the escrow period. Figures for last week were not immediately available, but brokerage Guotai Junan Securities Co

Chinese Prime Minister, Li Keqiang

(601211.SS) listed in Shanghai on Friday after raising $4.9 billion in the country’s biggest IPO since 2010. At the close on Friday, the key CSI300 index .CSI300 was down 7.9 per cent, its biggest one-day percentage fall since June 2008, while the Shanghai Composite Index .SSECtumbled 7.4 per cent. Overall, Chinese stocks are down 20 per cent from their peak earlier in June, well into technical correction territory. The CSRC said on Friday the fall was a normal correction to overvaluations in the market, a day after it approved another 28 IPOs to hit the market in the next two weeks.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Goldman Sachs eyes tilt to EU if UK backs ‘Brexit’– Paper

oldman Sachs (GS.N) would shift resources toward locations in continental Europe and away from Britain should the country’s voters choose to end the country’s membership of the EU, a senior executive told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “We would not completely leave Britain but we would certainly strengthen our presence in other locations within the EU,” Richard Gnodde, co-chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs International and co-head of the Investment Banking Division was quoted as saying in an interview. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who won an unexpectedly decisive victory in a general election last month, has promised to renegotiate Britain’s membership of the EU and hold a referendum on membership by the end of 2017. Some investors, chief executives and allies have warned that a “Brexit,” or vote not to stay in the bloc, would be politically and economically costly for Britain, whose economy is the world’s fifth largest. Gnodde said it was in everyone’s interest - and particularly the UK’s -

Merkel

like hers. “The proposals are being negotiated behind closed doors with the help of 50 or 60 big corporates,” said Roemmelt-Fella, whose firm is one of the thousands of small and medium-sized companies known as the ‘Mittelstand’ that account for 89 percent of Germany’s exporters and form the backbone of the economy. “TTIP may bring significant benefits for big multinationals, but I don’t think there are big advantages for the Mittelstand,” she added. Her opposition underscores the depth of scepticism towards TTIP in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, where media coverage has focused largely on protests from anti-globalisation groups and labour unions. It also highlights the challenge facing German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she tries to overturn entrenched suspicion of the pact. While Merkel and big businesses, such as industrial group Siemens and car parts supplier Robert Bosch [ROBG.UL], remain

strongly in favour of a deal, public support has fallen sharply over the past year, according to a recent opinion poll. Such widespread German mistrust could mean a deal has to be diluted or is even blocked. Hurdles are also growing in Brussels, where as negotiators prepare for their 10th meeting next month, the European Parliament is so split on the subject that it cannot even agree to debate it. Earlier this month, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel declared that the talks might fail. “I am far from certain that there will be an agreement in the end,” Gabriel told a meeting of German booksellers. They fret that TTIP will sound the death knell for a German law that fixes the price of books, despite repeated government reassurances. Gabriel came out in favour of TTIP last year, but faces opposition from others in his party, the centre Social Democrats (SPD). Several local SPD associations have called for an immediate suspension of the trade negotiations.

that the country stay in the Union. “Britain must remain part of a larger economic bloc. Anything else would damage the broader economy as well as the financial sector,” he said in an excerpt of the interview released on Saturday, ahead of publication on Sunday. However, should the vote unexpectedly turn against the EU, Frankfurt - home of the European Central Bank - could benefit. “I’m not revealing any secret when I say that in the unlikely event of a Brexit we would certainly put more resources into Frankfurt,” Gnodde said.

Cameron

GE to defend Alstom power unit buy at EU hearing

‘Nein Danke’ - smaller German firms G see U.S. trade deal as threat artina RoemmeltFella, who owns a small, family-run turbine manufacturer in Bavaria, should be a cheerleader for a trade deal between Europe and the United States that promises to ease the flow of goods and services across the Atlantic. But instead she fears the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) being hammered out between Brussels and Washington will give too much power to big multinationals at the expense of small companies

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

eneral Electric (GE.N) will seek to convince doubtful EU antitrust regulators of the merits of its 12.4 billion euro (US$13.9 billion) bid for Alstom’s (ALSO.PA) power unit at a hearing, the U.S. conglomerate said on Saturday. The move came after the European Commission warned the company earlier this month that the deal, its biggest ever and a key element of its expansion into industrial products and away from finance, would harm competition. Senior officials from the EU competition authority, their counterparts from EU agencies and rivals are expected to attend the closed-door hearing. “We have requested an oral hearing,” GE spokesman Jim

GE facilities

Healy said. He said the hearing would be on July 2. French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron has said the deal should be viewed in a global perspective and take into account Chinese rivals following the EU regulator’s decision to exclude the Chinese market from its scrutiny of GE’s market power. The Commission is concerned the takeover would leave just two gas turbine companies in Europe, with GE competing only with Germany’s Siemens (SIEGn.DE). GE is seeking to avoid a repetition of one of its biggest setbacks, when the EU enforcer vetoed its planned $42 billion takeover of Honeywell International (HON.N) in 2001 despite the green light from U.S. authorities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Striking judiciary workers plead with Ayade RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

ross River State Judiciary workers at the weekend appealed to Gov, Benedict Ayade to wade into the many issues that made them to remained perpetually on strike stressing that it is only the governor who can solve their numerous problems. Cross River State chapter of aggrieved Court staff under the aegis of Judiciary Workers Association of Nigeria,said they

had been on strike for over eight months following the many grievances which trail the judiciary workers, including their demand for financial autonomy and independence from judiciary branch of government. Mr. Asanya Ebong who is the Chairman for the association in the state, stated that they believe that the new governor is an humane and pragmatic leader who would see reason for judicial administration, including staff welfare in the state to function freely. Ebong lauded Sen. Ayade for

composing a committee to look into their demands but that it was important to stress that having conceded much already the workers would no longer shift grounds and were prepared to further elongate their strike if their demands were not met. “We appeal to Governor Ayade to look into the communique released by the committee he composed to meet with us over the strike, and implement the recommendation, although the document which was earlier prepared by the state attorney general has so far been doctored.

It is sad that his predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke left without looking into our demands leaving him with this burden”, he said. The Chairman for the state Judiciary Workers Association maintained it was regrettable that it was only Cross River State that was yet to implement what has generally been in practise in other states in the country. Ebong averred that” even during the meeting the government committee, refused to talk about issues which bothered on our demands”.Ebong maintained.

But the Chief press secretary to Gov. Ayade, Mr Christian Ita said the governor has placed the issue as a topmost priority. But a prominent lawyer and human rights activist,who reacted on the issue, Chief Okoi Obon-Obla said: “One would have expected Governor Ayade to tackle this knotty matter as soon as he assumed office, yet there is no glimmer of hope that he intends to accede to the demands of these judiciary workers, so that our courts can now open for business after eight months.”

FRSC, NDLEA educate drivers, road users on drug abuse CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 egories of drugs that were harmful, not only to the users, but to other members of the society. Obi said Cannabis Sativa, cocaine and other psychotropic substances had many consequences which comprised addiction, making a person slave to it and inability to control one’s plan as well as one not being able to leave a good legacy. She said, “Drugs make you to lose trust. There are also stimulants like cocaine that make you work long stretches without rest, putting the lives of others in danger. It affects the organs in the body. It can confuse sight too. Other types of drugs are sedatives, depressants and valium. After you have forced yourself to work long stretches, you have to force yourself to go to bed because your body system is now on edge. “Before you sleep you must take tablets. Cannabis, locally called monkey tail, is mixed with illicit alcohol (ogogoro) which very recently killed some people in some states. This is because there is no control over the dosage. It is dangerous. It is good not to take the risk at all. “No matter how you feel these drugs help you, what is the benefit if you use it today and you work extra hours and lose your senses tomorrow and won’t work again. You end up gaining nothing. Advice your colleagues too to stay clear of these drugs. She said there were other regulated drugs with restricted dosage that people could take, insisting that people should keep off those ones that were yet to be regulated by the government such as ogogoro. She advised that even when taking regulated drugs, people should know their limits, stressing that apart from marijuana, there were people that were addicted to alcohol and that is dangerous too.

A cross section of Delta State traditional rulers during a special thanksgiving service by the family of Deputy Governor Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, at Effurun, Warri.

Implement key recommendations of National Confab, elder statesman urges Buhari OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

lder statesman and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Cote D’Ivoire, Lawrence Ekpebu, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement some key recommendations of the final report of last year’s National Conference in the interest of Nigeria. Ekpebu, who was the country’s ambassador to Cote D’Ivoire during the military regime of Buhari as head of state and served as deputy chairman of

the conference Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters, spoke in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa. He said it was imperative for Buhari to look at the final report of the conference objectively with a view to implementing necessary sections for the good of the people. He said the delegates to the conferences were made up of some of the best minds in the country and expressed the confidence that the President would not allow the final report to gather dust on the shelve. Ekpebu, who attributed for-

mer President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat by Buhari in the last general elections to “a divine mandate, said the recommendations were arrived at after quality debates and decisions on issues bordering on the nation’s socio-economic and political existence. Ekpebu, who is Jonathan’s kinsman from Okoloba, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, noted that he also became the President of Nigeria from the minorities through divine intervention. He called on the people of the country to support the Buhari

administration to enable it build on the achievements of the Jonathan government. “Even Jonathan’s defeat was also a divine mandate and we must accept and support the present administration (of President Buhari) to succeed by consolidating on the gains of the various transformations of the Jonathan administration”, he said. He, however, commended Jonathan for conceding defeat to preserve national unity, stressing that he refused the temptation of manipulating the presidential election to secure a second term in office.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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Olumba Obu predicts return of C’River oil wells RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

he Sole Spiritual Head of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness,Leader Olumba Olumba Obu on Sunday evening predicted that very soon the oil wells taken away from Cross River State to her sister state Akwa Ibom State would be returned back to Cross River.

The Cleric said that there was a signal that Cross River would soon witness a breakthrough which Obu described as a golden era of prosperity to the people of the state. It would be recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had ruled in 2011 in the case between the state and Akwa Ibom State over ownership of 76 oil wells submitting that they all belong to Akwa Ibom since Cross River had become a littoral state fol-

lowing a territorial demarcation done by National Boundary Commission. This also meant that as a result of the apex court judgment, much of the oil revenues would be tumbling into the coffers of Akwa Ibom State, having become the number one oil producing state in the country. The clergy made the prediction in Akpabuyo local government area of the state when he paid a working visit to partici-

pate in the ‘Cross River State Unity cum Peace Feast’ celebrated by faithful of the spiritual organisation in Cross River. Obu also predicted that Cross River State which is presently regarded as a poor state will soon emerge as a frontline and dependable economic leader in the country stressing that when the state retrieved the oil wells it would boost the fortunes of the state adding that the return of the oil wells would come to

pass as a result of lavish love which God has for the state. Leader Olumba Obu empowered the traditional rulers with the sum of one million Naira to support their welfare. The occasion was rounded off with donation of 10 plots of land to each of the ten ‘Ambassadors’ of the fold alongside their Certificates of Occupancy by the leadership of the organisation in the state, led by Deaconess Millioneth Okon .

GEMS3 Partners Akamkpa Local Government Council on revenue collection RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

he Council Boss for Akamkpa Local Government Area in Cross River State, Hon. Joseph Itotup, has launched the Point of Sale (PoS) approach for revenue collection. Itotup stated that the (POS) would assist in curbing leakages associated with revenue collection, boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and provide the necessary funding for projects within the Area in the state. Hon. Itotup, launched the PoS collection after previously signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with Smartgov.CRSG to deploy this improved approach which automates revenue collection in the business environment of the Local Government. The reform which is executed in collaboration with the Growth, Employment in States (GEMS3) programme, funded by the Department for International Development, is an outcome of a series of engagements, facilitated by GEMS3 with the private sector in the LGAs. Itotup pointed out that the programme is aimed at harmonizing taxes and sensitizing tax payers to reduce issues such as double and illegal taxation so as to strengthen socio-economic growth in the region. The council boss maintained that the GEMS 3 programme would aid revenue collectors/ information officers of councils to get training prior to the official launch, on the new harmonized levies and charges and how to operate the PoS machine and information/complaint resolution to enable them perform their duty. Speaking at the official launch of the PoS, the Akamkpa Council boss, re-stated his commitment to providing tax for service projects in the LG and lauded the support provided them by GEMS3 and Smartgov.CRSG, noting that, this would help in providing the much needed funds for the development of public service.

Officials of Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and host communities during their visit to a site of oil spillage on Agip’s Ossiama-Ogboinbiri Pipeline in Okpotuwari Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, in Bayelsa, yesterday.

NGO to honour IGP for tackling cultism SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN EDO STATE

he Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, might have spent a very short time yet in the leadership of Nigeria Police Force, honours and recognitions seemed destined for him in appreciation of the sincere and genuine effort he is making to safeguard lives and properties in the country. Arase, the police boss ex-President Goodluck Jonathan appointed during his last days in power, would get an award for tackling the hitherto untouchable cultists that made Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and other states unsafe for social, political and economic activities. The award of excellence would

be conferred on the police boss during a courtesy and solidarity visitation to his office at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja by the leadership of the Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR). Speaking on the event on Sunday in Benin City, the President of IYAMIDR Mr Solomon Okoduwa, said his organization was recognizing the national police boss for his leadership style, giant strides in a short time and an impactful contribution that has brought a safer and an egalitarian society to the people of Edo State. Noting, how Arase’s leadership has impacted in no time on the safety and security of lives and properties in Edo State, a state where cult leaders and mem-

bers had become noted for a total disregard for the law, brigandage and impunity as well as openly spearheading deadly criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, rape and assaults without fear of the security agencies, Okoduwa said Arase’s order that created a crack team of about 1, 000 special, armed police taskforce tackle cultism and other dangerous crimes in the country. Okoduwa said, “As soon as he assumed office, Arase came out with a creative and workable template, which is yielding overwhelming results in the war against cultism, crimes and criminality in Edo State and the entire Niger Delta region.” “Seeing the determination and courage he has also demonstrated so far against corrupt police officers, most of who are working

in collaboration with criminals in Edo State to bring the name of the police institution into disrepute, we will like to believe that God brought him to serve our country at a time like this for a purpose.” “So, while we will be appreciating his effort with an award of excellence, we will like to call on all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, culture, religion and political affiliation to join hands with this impeccable and professional IGP and other security agencies in the country to tackle criminals and win the fight against crime and other anti-social activities in our society. Arase is a courageous, efficient and transparent leader and role model, who believes and abides by the principles that define the police force,” Solomon concluded

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

24 Poly lecturers –Wike

borrow Police Ceremonial Vehicle. There is nothing about witch-hunting; it is not so.

Port Harcourt city. We said, let us drop politics. Let us bring in reputable construction companies and so, we met Julius Berger, CCECC, etc and we discussed with them. You know Julius Berger has been out of Rivers State since 2009. We sat down and discussed. We said where do we get money from? I called the Accountant-General and say, what is the minimum you get monthly from VAT and they told me and they said it is N900 million. And I said we will use VAT as collateral. We met the banks and they said they will give loan and we use VAT as collateral. They said they will give us N10 billion and for 20 months, they will collect N500 million. There were some roads that the previous administration awarded that were not completed, but which are very important to the state. Iroabuchi road is there. There was a bridge that would take N152 million to complete; Iroabuchi-Eagle Island, N120 million and these were roads that would decongest the roads. We signed an agreement with the contractors. Law Faculty of the RSUST was stagnated for 15 months. At the end of the day, we came to a little over N400 million and they said they would need two months to complete the job and we signed and they went to work. The judiciary, in very bad state, they said they need N300 million to do the job including the destroyed courts. House of Assembly, they have not sat for two years, even the houses where they live are in shambles, they have no contractors, they are an arm of government and we gave then N300 million. The roads in town with potholes everywhere were divided into two: Julius Berget takes the whole of town; CCECC take the whole of Diobu with the traffic lights and we attached the N10 billion to these projects for 20 months at 16 per cent. I am saying these things, tying them to specifics. There were roads they awarded, one from Ignatius University of Education, awarded at over N9 billion; they paid over N4 billion. We called the contractor; Abolema to Woji, Woji to Akpajo, this will decongest the entire slaughter, they awarded and paid them part of it, and we said we shall continue the roads, even though I didn’t award the contracts. These roads will improve economic activities in the state.

Given what you met, would you throw your hands up in the air or how do you want to resolve this issue? Will you write antigraft agencies?

What of the local governments, where they conducted election. What level of cooperation are you getting from them?

We have set up a judicial commission of inquiry; let them finish and then we know what to do. Why should we be writing anti graft agencies when we set up a commission of inquiry? Let us see what they will come up with first. Let them make recommendations. That’s why I said, why should I write anti-graft agencies when we set up a judicial commission of inquiry? Let You presented a disturbing scenario but the people that voted you in will not wait to listen to all these. What would you do?

We know there were problems. We sought people’s mandate to come and solve problems and the people have given us the mandate. We can’t keep complaining, but we must let the people know this is what we met on ground. What did we do? That was why I said there was nothing to witchhunt. We sat down with Permanent Secretaries and I said, what do we do? There are no roads in Port Harcourt, I mean

caN tHat be aNd you were owiNg

N7 billioN doiNg? for paid salaries...He did Not set up terface witH our owN traNsitioN e ceremoNial veHicle, we Had to ce ceremoNial veHicle. tHere is -HuNtiNg; it is Not so.

Hat is tHe

For now, there are council chairmen. The matter is in court before the election. The courts gave judgment, INEC said they won’t give them voters register because it is in court and because of the level of impunity, he went ahead to inaugurate them. We don’t want to operate with impunity as he did. The matter is still in court. The day we were inaugurated, we would have dissolved the councils, but I said no, we must allow due process to take place. We are waiting for the outcome of the court. What of the monorail project and your alleged pact with former First Lady?

We will look at the cost benefit analysis of the mono rail. The gains to the people vis a vis the revenue from dwindling oil revenue. We need to critically find out what it would require to finish it; the people will make their input before we know what to do about it. We won’t continue or abandon the project like that. It is a technical issue. On the allegation of pact with the former First Lady, I want to say that this country is queer. We don’t have respect for leadership. For somebody to say I am the First Lady, you have to give me something, it is ridiculous. What can I give her? She is from Rivers State and she was looking for the party that will help her husband win election. Her husband ran an election and she analysed, who can help my husband win and she discovered somebody and they call it a pact? It is ridiculous. Can anyone say

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that about any other presidents? It is disrespectful. No pact was signed anywhere at any time at all.

What worries some of us is your modus operandi. Don’t think you could have handled the matter differently, by due process rather than use task force?

How? Judicial commission is not due process? Which task force? I told you we reported to the security. Are not a formal report due process procedure? They were the ones that recovered the vehicles, not any so called task force. But do some of these assets really belong to government?

The bullet proof vehicle was government’s black Lexus Jeep (tinted). It is not enough to just protect your colleague, it is your right. Part of the problems we have is you. Who determines what is quiet. Would it be fair to report to EFCC first? If the husband owns it, she should sue us or bring the particulars. The vehicle you saw was not an ordinary jeep. It is black Lexus Jeep. She is your colleague, you have the right to protect her, but we want you to help us and be objective. Look at the vehicle there. If the husband owns it, she should sue us. But you sacked 324 polytechnic staff. Why? It is not right. That is why it is good to get this information right. Do you know why All Progressives Congress, APC, lost election in Rivers State? They are always on media propaganda; we went to the grassroots campaigning house to house and we knew we will win because they didn’t campaign. They went to the media doing propaganda. How many villagers read newspapers? Their votes are on their mind. The moment we won election, I started hearing about retrenchment. I heard about UST and the Polytechnic sacking workers and I invited the VC and the Rector to ask when they started recruiting and they explained to me that they got approval in 2012, started the process in 2013 and started employing in April, 2015 but unfortunately, his chairman denied him, saying he told him he had completed employment when he was appointed. I asked again, those you want to employ, have you issued letters of employment and he said no and I said don’t issue letters. When you talk about sack, it connotes that people were employed, they have started working and you stopped them from working. When you can’t pay salary for two months, you were employing more people, how do you pay them? He started employing April 20. The mere fact that somebody was given letters of employment does not make one a staff. The person must have fulfilled other conditions, but they have not. So, the issue of sacking lecturers is not true. You can only sack when somebody has started working, properly so. When I was minister, I pleaded with the President to intervene in Rivers State institutions. He approved N500 million for each of these state institution’s as grant from the Federal Government. When I was being interview on View Point, they asked the question, what has the Federal Government done in Rivers State and I mentioned this among several other things. As I am here, not even one kobo has been released to any of these institutions. Immediately I finished, Amaechi asked the Rector to go on air to announce that he didn’t receive any money and the Rector said so. We were at a meeting with TETFUND and the Rector came and I challenged him and he said it was pressure, this man lied again. I never sacked any lecturer. When you employ somebody, there are rules; you can’t sack civil servants anyhow. TUC has not said anything, national has taken over, Keyamo has been briefed. Look at the politics. Let them show me where they have taken salary for even a day and they said I sacked them. That was why I sent him on compulsory leave. I never sacked any lecturer. What they do is propaganda and politics. People in the state have not said anything, it is Abuja and Lagos that are complaining.

Politics

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 found itself in the situation following the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account. He said: “No head of the family will be happy that he cannot feed members of the family. Extend that to state, it is heart-rending that I am in this quagmire. “But no matter how sad (I don’t want to use the word ‘depressed), no matter how unhappy I am, the truth is that I will not fail to say that it is a situation absolutely beyond my control. “I led an administration in receipt of regular allocation in which I do my budget. Unfortunately, this allocation started falling in rapid form that totally disorganised my budget and any other arrangement.” He stated that those who want to be objective would know that under his leadership, Osun State witnessed transformation through proper application of resources “For those who want to be objective, Osun of November 2010 when I assumed office and Osun of today is not the same. People must give credit to the changes that we have brought about in Osun. The changes were not miracles, they were changes occasioned by application of resources. “But with the unexpected and sharp decline in our revenue, we had dislocation. The result of that dislocation is this quite sad experience. “Were it to be Osun alone, probably I would not have an excuse. I pray it does not continue. I am not sure if there will be any state that will actually escape from the biting effect of the absolute sharp drop which I call economic disaster that we are grappling with.” Shortly after the meeting with Buhari on the nation’s economic situation, chairman of the NGF and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, disclosed that the President before his inauguration was aware that some states were in critical situation regarding payment of workers’ salaries, dwindling resources, drop in oil prices and other critical areas of the economy. Yari noted that debts owed by states were not bad, saying that the total debts of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was N658 billion while the domestic debts of the Federal Gov-

Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

he Benue Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital has fixed today, June 30, for ruling in the suit brought by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Prince Terhemen Tazoora challenging the election of Governor Samuel Ortom. Tarzoor has approached the tribunal challenging the eligibility of Ortom to contest the April 11 gubernatorial polls in the state, praying the tribunal to declare Ortom’s votes in-

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FG, states and politics of bailout No head of the family will be happy that he caNNot feed members of the family.

exteNd that to state, it is heart-reNdiNg that i am iN this quagmire. Aregbesola

Ikpeazu

Ortom

Ambode

ernment was N5.53 trillion. He said: “We met the President and we shared knowledge from what was gathered from the Transition Management Committee, the findings and what is on ground. We also briefed him on the condition of our states, and we all appreciated that something has to be done and going forward, we are going to ensure that most of the states and the Federal Government that have not paid salaries, that something will be on ground in the next couple days.” Yari further said the governors pro-

posed to the President that instead of being given bail out, funds for jobs, projects that were done by the states should be refunded by the Federal Government. His words: “If the affected states are able to get the money owed them released, they can start paying salaries without bail out. Secondly, we also brought to his notice that most of the loans owed by the state, some between four and seven years, if it (repayment) can be stretched to 20 years, the states will be relieved and would be able to continue other businesses including paying salaries.”

Yari further said that the governors also requested that the first line charge of about $1.6 billion by Liquefied Natural Gas be paid into the Federation Account so that it could be shared amongst the three tiers of government. He added: “We urged the President to follow the constitution when it comes to money sharing, Section 80 is very clear. That all monies should go to the Consolidated Revenue Account for the purpose, no account should be kept anywhere because this is what the constitution says. “Section 162 also is explanatory, that whatever is going to happen to the money will be after sharing to the three tiers of government; that the NNPC or any other revenue generating agency should not have the first line charges.” Yari further said that governors kicked against Sovereign Wealth Fund because of the way it was being managed, explaining that before the split within the NGF, a total of $10.3 billion was left in the Excess Crude Account but that it has plummeted to $2.6 billion even though no money was shared to states since May 2013. With the commitment of the Federal Government and state governors to tackle the issue of unpaid workers’ salaries and other financial commitments, it is expected that the workforce would galvanise the much needed development and progress for the desired change in the country.

Ortom’s eligibility suit: Tribunal fixes ruling for today valid and return him as winner of the polls. The tribunal will however be ruling to determine whether or not the question of jurisdiction raised by Ortom, All Progressives Congress, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the substantive petition will be resolved together. At the pre-trial session conducted yesterday, counsel to Tarzoor, Joy Adesino, SAN, submitted that the defendants, Ortom, APC, INEC, should not be allowed to move their motion which is challenging the jurisdic-

tion of the tribunal separately from the substantive petition. She argued that Section 12(5) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) was constructed so that cases of preliminary objection should be taken alongside the substantive motion to correct cases of mischief which she said were inherent before the 2010 amendment. She said the Supreme Court held that the provision of Section 12(5) is clear and unambiguous and cited the case of Aregbosola vs Onyilola, 2011 NWLR Part 1253, P. 458 and the decision of

Belgore and Ahmed 2013, 8 NWLR Part 1355 P.60 at Pages 92-93 and the case of PDP vs INEC, 2012 7NWLR Part 1300 P.538 at P.558-559. She in the alternative however, prayed tribunal to defer ruling on the question of jurisdiction and take the decision alongside the substantive motion. But Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Ortom’s counsel said issues of jurisdiction must first of all be determined whenever they are raised, arguing that the objection has nothing to do with Section 12(5) of the Electoral Act

2010 (as amended). According to Akintola, Paragraph 1,2,3, and 7 of the Election Tribunal and Parties Direction Procedure gives the tribunal the discretion on the issue in question submitting that it is not correct to say that because of Paragraph 12(5) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act, the court is barred from hearing his preliminary objection. He argued that cases cited by Adesino are not applicable to the issue in contention because they were decided before the parties direction procedure came into existence,

adding that therefore, the preliminary objection must first of all be taken because it goes to the root of the matter and cited the case of Senator Anyawu vs Ogwunewo, 2014 1-2 Supreme Court Part 2 P. 66 at 100-102 which he said is in all force. Sebastine Hon, SAN, based his argument on Paragraph 18(7)(d), saying that his application relies on Les Juris Carter. He said the issue of infringement has not been pleaded by the petitioner hence, the question of Paragraph 12(5) does not arise.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

fter been sworn-in as Rivers State governor by the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri in Port Harcourt on May 29, Chief Nyesom Wike made two key appointments which signaled the beginning of the end of the political crisis in the state. They are: Justice Daisy Okocha, as the acting Chief Judge of the state and Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo, as the acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal. Before now the state judiciary was brought to its knees with the closure of courts for over one year, while the state House of Assembly was under lock and key, with majority of the lawmakers loyal to the former governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, holding plenary at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Although Justice Daisy Okocha was recommended in accordance to Section 270 (1) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended), Amaechi, refused to swear her into office; preferring to appoint the then President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Peter Agumagu, as Chief Judge, sparking off the crisis that engulfed the state judiciary. Consequently, the National Judicial Council, NJC, suspended Justice Agumagu for accepting the appointment without its recommendation, as stipulated by the constitution. The development resulted in the closure of courts in the state for almost a year, until Wike came on board. In a belated move, the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in a meeting presided over by its chairman, Dennis Okwamkpan, on Thursday, May 28, declared the former Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms, a persona nongrata and consequently suspended him for his alleged role in the closure of the courts and his indifference to the plight of his colleagues.. On the same May 29, Wike recalled about 76 lecturers of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, RSUST, who were sacked by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barimene Fakae, for insisting that his appointment did not follow due process. Fakae, who was then Rector of the River State Polytechnic Bori, in Khana Local Government Area was appointed Vice Chancellor of RSUST by Amaechi in 2007. Wike also instructed that the sacked lecturers’ outstanding salaries and benefits which they have been denied for over three years should be paid to them, saying his governorship was a victory for all River people. Responding to the re-instatement, RSUT Public Relations Officer, Desmond Wosu, said: “He (Wike) is the state governor and visitor to the university. We will comply fully with the directive.” Wike had said at his inauguration: “This is the time to rescue and reclaim Rivers State. We are inheriting a Rivers State that is bedevilled by pervasive insecurity; decadent public administration; poor public education and a crippled economy. “Our administration will ensure that the independence of the legislature and the judiciary is restored. We will ensure that in Rivers State legislature no longer sits outside its officially designated official complex. “Today is historic; we have resolved that our judiciary will no longer be trampled upon by the executive. We will run a government that will respect the separation of powers. We will run a government that will reflect a government for the people by the people for the people.” Wike was immediately confronted with heaps of refuse that littered major streets of Port Harcourt and its environments, with many residents crying out to the new government for help in order to prevent a possible outbreak of epidemic. Responding swiftly, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Mr. Ade Adeogun, was sacked and immediately replaced with Felix Obuah, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with a mandate to rid the state of the refuse heaps and restore the state capital to its garden city status. Obuah swung into action and immediately convened a meeting with the contractors where assurance was given to them that their four months arrears of salary will be paid by the governor. With an understanding reached, a 48-hour ultimatum was issued for them to return to work and clear the city and its suburbs of the refuse dumps that has become not only an eye sore, but a nose sore also. At the expiration of the deadline, 10 refuse contractors

Wike’s commission of inquiry and governance challenge in Rivers DENNIS NAKU examines the aim behind the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to prodbe the administration of immediate governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the challenges of governance in Rivers State.

Wike

had their contracts revoked for failing to comply with the government directive. A week later another set had their contracts cancelled for the same reason. A situation the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, described witch-hunt, accusing Wike of axing Amaechi’s men to pave the way for him to bring in his own people. Like the issue of non-payment of salaries put forward by the refuse contractors which made them down tools, the state civil service, pensioners, staff of the Rivers State Traffic Management Agency, TIma’Riv and sports agencies, including Sharks and Dolphins Football Clubs are also being owed, with the governor insisting that he met an empty treasury. In a recent interaction with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Wike said salaries of Sharks, Dolphins and the Rivers Angels Football Clubs have been paid, while others would follow, saying: “It is embarrassing for a state like Rivers to be owing salaries of its workers.” At a meeting with civil servants on Monday, June 22, Wike promised to pay all salary arrears owed by the immediate past administration, saying he will be workerfriendly, adding that never in the history of Rivers was civil servants salaries been owed, pointing out that he will take proactive measures to ensure that the state never descends to such unacceptable level. In what appeared to be a lifeline, the state House of Assembly recently approved a loan request of N10 billion made by Wike, to execute some projects, saying the request was expedient because the immediate past administration left an empty treasury. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani, while jus-

This is The Time To rescue and reclaim rivers sTaTe. We are inheriTing a rivers sTaTe ThaT is bedevilled by pervasive

insecuriTy; decadenT public

adminisTraTion; poor public educaTion and a crippled economy.

tifying the loan said: “He (Wike) cannot do that without cash backing. No government runs without financial base. We must provide succour for our people, so that they can begin to see changes between yesterday and today.” Meanwhile, the setting up and inauguration of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate Amaechi’s administration in respect of the sale of the state’s valued assets leaves no one in doubt that Wike is set for a probe. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice George Omereji, has 23 terms of reference. Inaugurating the commission, Wike charged the panel to investigate the sale of Omoku 150 MW Gas Turbine, Adam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 MW Gas Turbine and Eleme 75 MW Gas Turbine respectfully. The panel is also expected to investigate the mono rail project and the alleged sale of the Olympia Hotel by the Amaechi administration, as well as the non execution of the contract for the construction of the Justice Karibi White Hospital after the Amaechi administration paid $250 million to the contractor. Also, the governor charged the panel to investigate the withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96 billion from the Rivers State Reserve Fund without compliance with the extant law. He urged the commission to make appropriate recommendations that would assist the state government recover proceeds from the gas turbines sold by the immediate past administration. With a month to submit its report, the commission also has the mandate to recover funds wrongfully disbursed on the failed Justice Karibi White Hospital, illegally withdrawn from the Reserve Fund and the N2 billion illegally disbursed under the Agriculture Credit Scheme. But Amaechi, in a statement, described the so-called probe of his administration by Wike, as “a sham, a fraudulent witch-hunt meant to deceive the public.” The statement called Wike a sick man who is sickly fixated on rubbing Amaechi with his mud of corruption and then grabbing media headlines with his concocted bogus stories of “Amaechi’s alleged corrupt activities.” The statement reads: “This so called Wike’s probe of Amaechi is dead on arrival. All the noise Wike is making is to grab media headlines with his lies of monumental corruption against Amaechi. It’s all drama made for the media. What is playing out is a script written and directed by Wike. He should move to Nollywood where his devious skills would probably be useful.” Saying that while inaugurating his yeoman commission of inquiry, Wike could not conceal his vendetta agenda, the statement said he was clear to the panel members that their job is to indict Amaechi. It said: “While it’s no longer in doubt what would be the report of Wike’s sham probe commission, what may shock Nigerians is the extent Wike has gone and is ready to go to manufacture stories of corrupt practices, and the kind of bogus tales of corruption against Amaechi that he would soon be feeding the nation.” Meanwhile, the governor is still trying to settle down to business with just few appointments, including those of Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Kenneth Kobani, and four commissioners to form his government. The commissioners include: Mr. Emma Okah, Housing; Dr. Fred Kpakol, Finance; Mr Emmanuel Aguma, Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner and Mrs Onimim Jack, Agriculture. He has also appointed Mr. Emeka Woke as Chief of Staff, Government House and Sir. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. This is just as the governor stated that his cabinet will be built on capacity, merit and track record of performance, saying he will not appoint anyone based on mere political patronage.

Politics

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Lawmaker demands implementation of confab’s revenue sharing formula bOladale bamigbOla OSOGBO

member of Osun State House of Assembly, representing Obokun state constituency, Hon Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, yesterday demanded “systemic implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report” in the area of revenue sharing. Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, against the current hardship witnessed in the country which has resulted in many states’ inability to pay workers’ salaries, Oyintiloye posited that the implementation of the formula was necessary to give states and local governments more funds to stabilise the economy. The present sharing formula, where the Federal Government alone takes 52.68 per cent, leaving the 36 states with 26.72 per cent and 774 local governments with 20.60 per cent would continue to affect the economy negatively, if not addressed. He said the reality of

the present situation facing many states requires that more money be given to states and local governments, stressing that the “conference recommendations of 42.5 per cent, 35 per cent and 22.5 per cent for federal, states and local governments respectively would help to ease the present financial crises. He said: “Presently, Nigeria is in economic crisis, and that is why states find it difficult to pay salaries for months and we must explore long term and sustainable means to resolve the crisis. “The truth is that states and local governments need more funds to be made available to them and in my view, we must ensure the systemic implementation of 2014 national conference report on the revenue allocation formula to achieve this” “The President can exercise his discretion to implement this portion, as a matter of urgent national importance aimed at solving the economic problem.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

30 days in office: APC chieftain lauds Ambode francis suberu

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos and publisher of ‘Fash Magazine,’ Mr Seyi Bamigbade yesterday lauded Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for hitting the ground running and establishing his government on sound footing in his first 30 days in office. Bamigbade, who spoke with National Mirror in a telephone interview, said the new governor of the state has shown mastery and competence in few days he has spent at the helms of affairs; adding that the new governor has

not given Lagosians any cause to regret his election. According to him, Ambode, though yet to have his commissioners in place, has made moves to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and had already made additional path to success by creating the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment as well as cut down on the cost of governance by merging some ministries, departments and agencies. He said: “Ambode’s style of governance is significantly different from his predecessor’s because unlike Babatunde Raji Fashola, Ambode allows

heads of agencies to take initiatives and react to issues as professionals. He is also engaging the civil service more than what we saw in the administration of the former governor. “He has said enforcement of various laws of the state during his time would have human face. If you see him in public functions, he is approachable, not discriminating, not arrogant in approach and he identifies with people just as people identify with him. That is why people continue to love him more by the day.” Bamigbade however challenged Ambode never to go back on his promises to the people; saying he

should take care to select people who are hardworking and share his vision for the state as commissioners. He added: “My prayer for him is for God to guide him when the time comes for him to appoint his commissioners. A governor does not function alone and his success or failure depends to a large extent on those he appoints to work with him.” The Lagos based politicians expressed optimism that by the time Ambode clocks 100 days in office, his government would have taken full shape, saying by then, more commendation would come from Lagosians on his achievements.

APC dep publicity scribe, Frank, faults letters to Saraki, Dogara ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

eputy National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has faulted the letters addressed to the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representative, by the leadership of his party, dictating for them the choice of principal officers for the National Assembly. Frank said it was unfair for the National Working Council, NWC, of his party to do that, saying should that happen, the party executives in the states should also appoint commissioners for the governors and as well their special aides. Speaking on AIT programme “Focus on Nigeria,” anchored by Gbenga Aleroba, yesterday, Frank said, until that is done, it would be unfair to ask the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint principal officers nominated by APC NWC. He said: “Agreed that the party should exercise supremacy, but the party should not impose that only

on the National Assembly, it should as well give directives on nominees for ministers and their portfolios and give to the President. “For the states too, the state party chairmen should compile the list of commissioners and aides and give to the governors since we have agreed now that party supremacy comes first. If they cannot do so then there is no justification for the party to dictate to the National Assembly on appointments.” He also denied the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’’s involvement in the crisis rocking National Assembly, adding that the process of electing Saraki and Dogara were as transparent like the presidential primary of APC where Muhammadu Buhari emerged. His words: “Those accusing Saraki and Dogara of defying APC in the selection of their principal officers have no point, bearing in mind that Buhari had earlier said that governors should not nominate ministers for him as he is not nominating commissioners for the governors.”

L-R: Consulate General, People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Mr. Yao Wenjun; Executive Secretary, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Deaconess Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu and Council Manager, Mr. Segun Ajayi, during Wenjun’s working visit to the local government secretariat in Lagos, at the weekend.

APC insists on forensic examination of electoral materials in Gombe Williams attah GOMBE

ombe State All Progressives Congress, APC, has insisted on the conduct of forensic examination of electoral materials used for the 2015 gubernatorial election after the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Gombe had earlier denied the motion during its first sitting. Counsel to the APC, Ayola Ajayi, who sought to be given access to the data base of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, and recount of votes cast during the gubernatorial election also told the tribunal that the respon-

dents did not comply with certain provision of the Electoral Act in filing their different replies. But countering the motion, counsel to the PDP and winner of the election, Barrister Ibrahim Isiyaku, SAN, stated that, the complaints filed by the petitioners were only limited to 677 polling units out of the 2168 polling units where votes were cast, and for such, seeking for recount of all the votes cast by the petitioner would only amount to a useless exercise. He argued that, carrying out forensic examination of electoral materials as the petitioners demanded would amount to waste of time since there were

no allegations of multiple voting, impersonations, or forgery contained in the petition submitted by the APC and asked the tribunal not to grant the applications. Counsel to INEC, Barr Hassan Liman, SAN, also kicked against the request by the petitioner, stating that, the tribunal had already received similar application by the petitioner which was not granted, and that it was wrong for the petitioner to repeat the same application. He argued that conducting forensic examination of electoral materials, and recount of votes would mean going into the INEC data base, and taking biometrics of the voters which accord-

ing to him, could bridge the constitutional rights of the voters in respect to their secrecy and privacy. However, the tribunal, headed by Justice Mathew Adewara, having heard all submissions from both parties, adjourned to today, June 30, with a view to allowing more time for counsels prepare documents that would be tendered during the hearing of the petition. The tribunal would also be adjucating in the petition filed by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, also challenging the declaration of Ibrahim Dankwambo as winner of the April 11 election.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Market opens on bullish trend, value up N135bn

rading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday opened the week on a positive note as market value grew by N135 billion. The Market capitalisation appreciated by 1.20 per cent to close at N11.350 trillion as against N11.215 trillion posted on Friday while the All-Share Index, improved by 604.3 points or 1.20 per cent to close at 33,249.19 from 32,853.49 last week. Forte Oil Plc led the

price gainers’ table, growing by N9.10 to close at N191.10 per share.Guinness Nigeria Plc garnered N7.67 to close at N161.17, while May & Baker appreciated by seven kobo to close at N1.49 per share. RedStar Express Plc rose by 23 kobo to close at N5.3, while Continental Insurance Plc was up by four kobo to close at N1.01 per share. However, the losers’ chart was topped by Neimeth International Plc whose share price dropped

seven kobo to close at N1.36 per share, followed by Etransact Plc which lost 16 kobo to close at N3.18 per share, while Constain Plc’s share dropped by four kobo to close at 84 kobo per share. Livestock and Evans Medical Plc lost nine kobo and five kobo to close at N2.06 and N1.27 respectively At the closing of trading for the day, Access Bank Plc emerged the most active in volume terms, exchanging 94.64 million shares worth N543.69 mil-

lion. Oando Plc followed with 54.73 million shares valued at N899.69, while FBN Holdings Plc sold 24.94 million shares worth N238.58 million. Fidelity Bank accounted for 21.79 million shares valued at N37.74 million, while Sterling Bank Plc traded 18.38 million shares worth N36.70 million. In all, investors’ traded 352.51 million shares worth N5.23 billion exchanged in 3,982 deals.

CWG business model now yielding fruits –CEO JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ounder and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere, has said the company’s subscription business has begun to yield fruits. Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, he explained that the subscription business model was conceived five years ago as the company needed to reinvent and transit herself to become a company that could predictably grow revenue and profit. He said, “from a small startup some 23years ago with seed capital of barely N160,000, CWG has grown to become one of Africa’s largest system integrators with revenues of more than $100m, 650 staff and operations across

Nigeria and three other African countries, CWG had always been at the forefront of innovative information technology solutions that enables growth.” He noted that the opportunities that the company has successfully pursued under her subscription business include providing a cloud solution for micro finance institutions in partnership with MTN (a solution dubbed MTN XaaS), building a cloud based solution for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to manage their businesses, partner with openshopen.com to build an ecommerce platform for increased visibility and sales. According to him, the company’s investment in building technology addresses power theft, which is a major concern of most Power

Distribution Companies. This, he said, has gained significant traction with the first commercial order, and four other proof of concepts completing and progressing into commercial sales. Okere stressed that the company has also partnered with SES Astra to operate a digital satellite television teleport service. He noted that being certified by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a payment terminal service provider will enable the company to deepen her offering in the point of sale and payment systems. Recognizing the need for automation and effective management of internally generated revenue, he said the company has recently launched technology solutions that help state governments to increase their internally generated revenue in the area of third party Insur-

ance management system. “Not unexpectedly, this has been a slow and difficult journey into innovative and uncharted territory that is beginning to show green shoots in sales, that will be consolidated in the second half of 2015. “ For instance, adapting the FinEdge technology platform to power the backend of the Diamond Yello Account product, has generated platform subscriber base exceeding expectation to 4 million in less than a year after launch, and with potential to grow to 10 million by the end of 2015. “Also, the first order for the power theft detection and prevention system has been secured with one of the electricity distributors opening the way for a foray into a market with estimated potential in excess of $200m within the next two years” Okere added.

Chinese regulator urges investors on rationality as stocks slump

hina’s securities regulator urged investors to be rational and not to believe “shorting China rumors” after the plunging benchmark index entered into a bear market yesterday. The slump is a result of previous rapid gains and the market’s own “rules,” China Securities Regulatory Commission spokesman Zhang Xiaojun said in a statement on its official microblog on Monday. Still, a sharp fall isn’t good for market stability or healthy development, Zhang said. “We will continue to support domestic and foreign capital to invest in the stock market,” Zhang said. “We expect investors to have confidence

and independent judgment of the market, and not to believe irresponsible rumors.” Zhang’s comments are the latest attempt by Chinese regulators to boost sentiment. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 3.3 per cent to 4,053.03 at the close on Monday, taking declines from its June 12 peak to more than 20 per cent. The gauge swung between a loss of 7.6 percent and a gain of 2.5 per cent in Monday trading, recording the biggest intraday point move since 1992. China will introduce a Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Link at an “appropriate time,” and will also improve the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII), Renminbi QFII,

and Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock (Source – Bloomberg.com) Link programs, according to Zhang. Rate (%) Earlier in the day, the Minis8.2 try of Finance announced that Inflation 13 it will allow the basic endow- MPR ment pension fund to invest in Crude oil price $58.96 stock markets. Regulators are also considering suspending Exchange Rates (N) initial public offerings to aug- WAUA 270 ment stability, people familiar USD 197 with the matter said on Monday. 214 China’s liquidity is in gen- EURO eral sufficient, and the direc- CFA 0.32 tion of the country’s improving YEN 1.64 economy remains unchanged, SWISS 202 Zhang said. The regulator will FRANC continue to “forcefully” punPOUNDS 293 ish insider trading, violations STERLING by major company shareholdSDR 273 ers and market manipulation.

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 33,384.59 points Market capitalisation 11.40trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DIAMONDBNK

4.21

4.44

0.23

5.46

PRESCO

32.00

33.60

1.60

5.00

INTBREW

18.52

19.44

0.92

4.97

AIICO

0.92

0.96

0.04

4.35

TRANSEXPR

1.22

1.27

0.05

4.10

DANGFLOUR

3.87

3.99

0.12

3.10

CCNN

11.68

12.00

0.32

2.74

UBN

9.65

9.91

0.26

2.69

AFRIPRUD

2.74

2.79

0.05

1.82

148.02

150.57

2.55

1.72

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

REDSTAREX

5.00

4.75

-0.25

-5.00

OKOMUOIL

31.55

29.98

-1.57

-4.98

VONO

1.45

1.38

-0.07

-4.83

RTBRISCOE

0.84

0.80

-0.04

-4.76

NASCON

8.50

8.12

-0.38

-4.47

CILEASING

0.56

0.54

-0.02

-3.57

ETERNA

2.60

2.53

-0.07

-2.69

NEM

0.76

0.74

-0.02

-2.63

FCMB

3.08

3.00

-0.08

-2.60

SKYEBANK

2.50

2.44

-0.06

-2.40

FGN Bonds

Bid

Description

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.13

98.71

14.28

98.86

14.13

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.83

100.91

14.48

101.06

14.38

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.00

104.18

14.58

104.48

14.49

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.63

102.29

14.82

102.59

14.73

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.58

107.23

14.63

107.53

14.56

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.71

99.24

14.34

99.54

14.28

Closing Market Prices of June 29, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

01-Oct-15

13.26

13.73

24-Dec-15

13.77

14.76

02-Jun-16

12.59

14.26

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

8.6667

14.9334

15.7678

16.7023 The Fixings of June 29, 2015

Features

ith a population of about 160 million, according to the last census figures released by the National Population Commission (NPC), Nigeria has the potential to produce about 1.2 billion meters of cloth per year at six meters per capital. This claim, exclusively made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the leadership of Comrade Sunday Ajaero as President and Comrade Issa Aremu as Deputy President, does not factor the multiple benefits of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) subregional markets for which Nigeria is already a natural textile destination point. Speaking to our chief correspondent on the vast opportunities and benefits of a revived textile sector, Comrade Aremu, who is fondly called the “engine block” of the NLC leadership, said that the industry can employ about three million direct jobs, excluding the indirect jobs. How? You may ask. “Twenty-six out of the 36 states in Nigeria grow cotton of both long and short stable length,” Aremu, who doubles as the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), claims. “Sadly, in spite of the huge benefits, Nigeria has become a dumping ground for mostly smuggled fabrics and even second, banned, unhealthy cloths. In the 1970s and up to early 80s, Nigeria was the largest producer of different range of textile, garment and carpet products surpassed in production only by Egypt and South Africa,” he adds, before identifying Kaduna as Nigeria’s textile city of the good old days.

Death of Nigerian textile industry Indeed, the first textile mill in sub-Sahara Africa opened in Kaduna in 1957. Known and registered as the Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL), it was opened by the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. But by 1980s, Kaduna City was boasting of 10 textile mills that had inexplicably reduced to just two by 1990s, however. The case is not different in any way from the situations that was seen in other places, especially Lagos and other states. In Lagos State, for example, over 24 textile mill companies had closed doors by the tail end of the century. A few that was operational in other states such as Kano, Plateau, Rivers, Ekiti, Oyo and Delta was not spared from the bad business that killed the others.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How Buhari can revive Nigeria used to be the haven of quality textile materials in Africa in the 1970s and 80s until almost all the mills closed operation, forcing many workers into joblessness and families into poverty, penury, pain and inevitably, death. This feature by Chief Correspondent SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN explains how President Muhammadu Buhari could revive Nigeria’s dead textile industry and give jobs to jobless Nigerians where past governments failed, based on a Nigeria Labour Congress blueprint.

A view of inner premises & ruins of Arewa Textile- Industries Limited in Kaduna

How can Nigeria bring itself out of the present comatose state of the textile industry? Aremu listed the challenges confronting textile companies in Nigeria. They include: infrastructural inadequacy, lack of electricity supply, smuggling, counterfeiting and faking, as well as inadequate raw materials; problems that call for strong governmental interventions. Thereafter, Comrade Aremu suggested how President Buhari could tackle the challenges and revive the textile mill industry, calling, first and foremost, for the improvement of electricity supply and immediate inauguration of a presidential taskforce to curb smuggling, counterfeiting and faking. He further called for the reopening of all closed and dead textile mills in the country, in order to create jobs for the jobless citizens. Improved electricity supply As a measure to revive the textile mill industry, experts claim that between 30 per cent and 35 per cent of textile and garment manufacturing costs are energy related expenses. Closely connected to the problem of poor electricity supply is the comatose condi-

tion of Nigerian refineries. In other words, the poor supply of energy and gas in the country is having a negative effect on the textile mill industry. It may interest you to know that textile plants in southern Nigeria have access to and make use of natural gas. Those in the north use diesel or low-pour fuel oil (LPFO), which is presently not available because of the closure of refineries. Industry operators therefore hope that a quick expansion of gas supply network from Ajaokuta to Abuja, Kaduna and Kano should deliver gas to northern Nigeria. Ditto for other parts of the country such as Lagos, where the textile mill industry was also flourishing with many functional industries. Supporting this viewpoint, Chairman of NUTGTWN, Comrade Oladele Hunsu suggested that textile and garment companies must on their own work out smooth procedure to procure natural gas from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the same cost that apply to power generating companies in Nigeria for a stabilization period of three years.

Tackling smuggling, counterfeiting, faking The NUTGTWN believes that the Federal Government can successfully revive the textile mills if it genuinely tackles the hydra-headed problem of smuggling, counterfeiting and faking. Industry captains claimed that one of the reasons many Nigerian textile mills died in the late 1980s and 90s until now is the overwhelming level of smuggling, counterfeiting and faking that local industries could not deal with. According to the labour union, the major threat to the realization of the great potential of Nigeria in textile production is high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods. Over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s huge market size is dominated by smuggled and counterfeited goods, that killed local companies in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Gusau, Aba and Port Harcourt and took away millions of direct and indirect associated local jobs, it added. One major way the Federal Government can help to tackle and reduce the activities of smugglers is through an efficient and effective policing of the country’s borders by

paramilitary security agents saddled with the onerous task. “Smuggling denies the government the much needed revenue, especially in unpaid custom duties. We are happy with the reported seizure of large quantity of smuggled textile materials by the Nigeria Customs Service recently in Kano State. As commendable as this action by the Nigeria Custom Service is, it is coming too late and too token,” Aremu laments. Need for presidential taskforce Operators of textile industries, their workers and union leaders and members are united with one voice in the call for a presidential taskforce to sanitize the almost dead sector. Before making the call, they recalled with nostalgia the positive results that were achieved by the Mallam Nasir el-Rufai-chaired Presidential Taskforce of the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Explaining the need for such a taskforce, Aremu states, “To protect and strengthen our domestic textile industries and save Nigerians’ jobs, we hereby call on President Muham-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features 49

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

textile industry madu Buhari to bring back the old Presidential Task Force on the destruction of seized textile materials of which the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, was the Chairman under the Obasanjo administration.” Perhaps, to convey this allimportant message to President Buhari unambiguously, the labour leadership recently paid a courtesy visit to Governor el-Rufai, who the members urged to leave no stone unturned to ensure the revival of textile mills in Nigeria. They further challenged Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, to assist Mr President to breathe life into textile industries, since he is a product of textile industry and labour movement. Local textile patronage Governments at all levels can help in no little ways to push revival of Nigerian textile industries with local patronage of their products. Operators believe that government at all levels at one time or the other spends money on cloths. Indeed, one of the beauty of the political season is the common cloths that adorn party members and supporters at campaigns, rallies etc. They therefore argue that since public procurement can stimulate demand for textile materials, the government must take the lead by pushing for local textile materials patronage. For example, all military and paramilitary agencies and government schools could be made to purchase only Nigerian made textile and garments for their uniforms once requisite standards are met. In addition, the private sector, schools in particular, can be encouraged to source their materials locally with each industry pushing ‘The Change’ with sales discounts. “In Zaria, we have the Zaria Industries Limited (ZIL), which produces world class tarpaulin. The company can be encouraged to do better,” Aremu states. Legal experts maintain however that such a move can even be better if governments at all levels go the extra-mile of backing up their local patronage resolve with laws that mandate their agencies to patronize only locally made textile materials for certain occasions with government funded purchase. Human resource develop-

administration to create an implementation team comprising critical stakeholders. The union therefore called for the involvement of authorities of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, the Textile Manufacturers Association; the Ministries of Industry, Finance, Agriculture; the Standards Organization of Nigeria, the Industrial Training Fund, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the Nigeria Customs Service among others for the sound implementation of this suggestion.

Comrade Issa Aremu

Buhari

Oshiomhole

El-Rufai

ment One issue that could challenge and endanger a revival of the textile industry is the lack of human resource or readily available, trained workforce for direct employment. This is so because about 75 and 80 per cent of the people who work in the textile and garment sector of the economy are medium skilled workers. To overcome any danger the challenges may pose, the NUTGTWN proposed skill trainings that can be conducted by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the international agencies such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with the mandate of specifically training youths for employment in medium and large scale textile plants. The union further called for trainings that can be conducted by existing textile and garment training centres such as the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) garment processing centre and the Federal Ministry of Industry’s garment training centre in Ikorodu as well as a review

of the curriculum of institutions where textile and fashion courses are studied such as the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, the Kaduna Polytechnic and the Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State. Security and protection of textile It is not a mere statement that no business can thrive in a country that has no security. In the light of the above fact, while operators, workers and unions of textile sector in Nigeria have demanded for adequate security to protect the properties of textile companies, especially with regard to the criminal vandalism of the Arewa Textile Mills in Kaduna, kaduna Textile Limited and other similarly vandalized and looted companies, they have also asked the Federal Government to tackle and reduce the insecurity posed by Boko Haram and other menacing, insurgent terrorist and militia groups terrorizing different parts of the country. They have further called on the Federal Government, particularly, to engender policies

to protect the textile industry. In his response to the demand, Aremu insisted that Nigeria must follow the lead of other nations to secure jobs for its teeming jobless youths. He says, “All nations want to employ their youths, produce goods and services, and overcome poverty and underdevelopment. To this extent, every nation protects its own industry, whether the industry is in ‘infancy’ or ‘adulthood’. Nigeria cannot be different under this administration that has commendably raised expectations to fight unemployment and grow the economy.” Textile policy implementation team One of the noticeable problems of governance in Nigeria is the inability to transform a good policy into reality with the desired results. Poor implementation of government policies is responsible for the widespread failure of government policies in Nigeria, according to experts. In order to go beyond the limitations and failures of past governments, the NUTGTWN has urged the Buhari

Reclaiming NLC’s dead voice Under the leadership of Ajaero and Aremu, the breakaway NLC has gone beyond merely mouthing a resolve to revive the labour movement and reclaim its dead voice, action and respect. To achieve this primary goal, Aremu urged President Buhari to maintain neutrality in the crisis that split NLC into factions two months ago. With a clear majority of about 23 labour unions that broke away in alignment with his leadership after the contested NLC elections in February and March, the group said it is not only ready to confront anti-people policies but also ready to assist the Federal Government to achieve good governance. For example, the labour union openly confronted the South Africa Government recently when Nigerians and other African citizens were targeted, beaten, robbed, maimed and killed during the xenophobic attacks in the country. The NLC particularly led a protest to the South African High Commission in Nigeria to condemn the unwarranted attacks on fellow Africans in South Africa. The NLC leadership followed with a well-attended national programme on the 2015 African Liberation Day, a yearly celebration of African oneness and unity in diversity, held inside Adams Oshiomhole Hall of Labour House, No 12, ACME Road in Ikeja, Lagos. In his lecture at the occasion organized under the theme: Africa Union and the Challenges of Economic Development and Integration, Professor Anthony Asiwaju Buhari urged Buhari to discard petroleum fuel subsidy owing to the systemic corruption that stupendously enriched a few citizens and made them overnight billionaires to the detriment of the masses.

AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, yesterday said he feels betrayed by what he calls egotism shown by Greece in failed debt talks. Juncker said Greek proposals were delayed or deliberately altered but added the door was still open to talks. Along with several other European leaders, the EU chief has urged a yes vote in the snap referendum called for Sunday. Juncker said the talks had been broken unilaterally by the announcement from the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that he was calling a referendum. The Greek government however responded to Juncker’s comments, saying, “An essential element in indicating good faith and reliability in negotiations is sincerity.” Despite the public war of words a Greek official said Tsipras had spoken to Juncker on Friday and asked the latter to extend Greece’s bailout until the referendum. With the critical deadline ending today as Greece is due to pay back 1.6bn to the International Monetary Fund, there are fears of a default and a pos-

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

World News Greece debt latest: EU chief, Juncker, alleges debtor’s betrayal

European Commission chief, Jean-Claude Juncker

sible exit from euro. But Juncker said that he still believed a Greek exit from the euro was not an option and insisted that the creditors’ latest proposal meant more social fairness. Germany’s Economy Minis-

ter, Sigmar Gabriel, said Greek voters would effectively be deciding whether or not they wanted to stay in the eurozone, a view echoed by French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Tunisia arrests group over gun attack

unisia has arrested a group of people over the massacre of 38 people, mainly tourists, by a gunman at the beach resort of Sousse on Friday, the country’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Gharsalli, has said.

President Essebsi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gharsalli said 1,000 troops would now be deployed to protect the country’s beach resorts. “We have started by arresting a first group, a significant number of people, from the network that was behind this terrorist criminal,” Gharsalli said in ref-

erence to gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, the Tunisian student who carried out Friday’s attack. Tunisian authorities however said he was the only attacker, but he had accomplices who provided him with weapons and logistical support. Friday’s attack was the deadliest in Tunisia’s recent history. In March, militants killed 22 people, mainly foreigners, at the Bardo museum in the capital Tunis. Tunisian authorities say army reservists will be deployed to tourist sites and that about 80 mosques accused of inciting violence will be closed within a week. The North African country’s economy is largely reliant on the tourism industry and officials are keen to show that they are taking the necessary measures to prevent deadly attacks in the future.

‘Defiant’ Burundi goes to poll

espite worldwide cry for a postponement, Burundians went to the polls yesterday with President Pierre Nkurunziza defiant in his controversial bid for a third term in power after weeks of unrest that forced thousands to flee. On the eve of the election, top party official and Parliament Head Pie Ntavyohanyuma said on Sunday he had joined some 127, 000 other Burundians who have fled the country, denouncing President Nkurunziza’s “illegal” bid to stay in power. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has heeded the calls for the elections to be delayed after the opposition said they would not take part, as Burundi faces its worst crisis since its civil war ended nine years ago. “I would like to say to Nkurunziza that the mandate he wants to have is illegal. I would like to say to him that forcing through the election is senseless,” Ntavyohanyuma said. More than 70 have been killed in weeks of violence and a failed coup sparked by Nkurunziza’s bid to stay in power, with a string of grenade attacks in recent days.

AFRICA BULLETIN

Egypt’s prosecutor dies in car bomb Egypt’s Public Prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was yesterday killed in a bomb attack on his car in Cairo, according to officials. Barakat died of his wounds in hospital after the bombing in the suburb of Heliopolis, a government spokesman said. State media said that at least eight others were also hurt in the attack. Barakat has referred thousands of Islamists to trial since the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013 and hundreds of Islamists have been sentenced to death or life imprisonment, as part of a crackdown on supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Meanwhile, jihadist militants have stepped up their attacks on Egypt’s security forces. Barakat is the most senior figure to have been targeted for assassination since a 2013 attempt on the life of the then interior minister. British jitters over attack toll The news coming from the murderous beach attack in Tunisia is likely to get worse as Britain prepares for influx of increase in death toll. A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday that 18 British nationals were known to have been killed during the attack Friday. But she said the grim toll could increase to about 30.

Mozambique unbans homosexuality Mozambique authorities have decriminalised homosexuality as a new penal code came into force that swept away old Portuguese colonial laws, in a victory for campaigners for gay rights in Africa. The old code, dating back to 1886, targeted anyone “who habitually engages in vices against nature”-but no known prosecutions took place after Mozambique became independent in 1975. Breaking the law was theoretically punishable by up to three years of hard labour. “It’s a symbolic victory, as social inclusion remains the main challenge,” Frank, a student gay rights activist who declined to give his full name, said yesterday. The new penal code, which was announced last December by then president Armando Guebuza, also decriminalises abortion after lobbying by civil rights organisations. The code came into force yesterday, though no official events or celebrations were scheduled to mark the occasion. The majority of African countries outlaw homosexuality, but Mozambique has seen little anti-gay violence or social friction over the issue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

hirty days, after the change agent, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, took over the mantle of leadership in Niger State, not really much has been witnessed in terms of government activities in the state. Nigerlites are still eagerly waiting to see the new government in action, especially in fulfilling preelection promises made to them that would turn their fortunes and that of the state around. Few days, after the May 29 inauaguration, the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, inaugurated the 8th Assembly and soon after, he appointed, Alhaji Shehu Umar Danyaya, a retired civil servant, as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG. Others appointed were Hon. Mikhail Al-Amin Bmitosahi, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the Chief of Staff, CoS; while Dr. Ibraheem Dooba, a teacher and a columnist with the Daily Trust, was appointed the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the governor. Haruna Mamman Vatsa was also appointed the Director of Protocol and Yusuf Waili as Senior Special Assistant, Timekeeping and Schedule. Aside that, no other political appointment has been made so far. The governor had summoned Permanent Secretaries and accountants in the state Ministries to explain financial records and held meetings with various committees from Ministries of Investment, Cooperatives, Transports, among others to be kept abreast of the situation in the state. He also received various groups who paid him courtesy visits from various parts of the state to congratulate him. Alhaji Bello had in his inaugural address at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna said his government will not spare efforts to institutionalise transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, to ensure better scrutiny of the past government, especially with the dwindling resources and heavy debt burden of over N56 billion he inherited. He described as unfortunate the level of irregularities and corruption in the past government led by Babangida Aliyu, saying: “All areas of wastages and leakages will be stopped.” Therefore, it was not a surprise to many in the state, when his administration publicly accused his predecessor, Dr Aliyu and his top government officials of looting the state to the tune of N2.9 billion on the eve of their departure, in a press statement, signed by his CPS, Dr. Dooba. Urging them to return the money to government treasury, he said: “You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list. The office of the SSG for example, was given N600 million. What he would do with the money, the records did not say. Well, we want our money back. The money belongs to the people; the governor took an oath to protect the people and by the grace of God, that is what he’s going to do.” Bello, however, said he didn’t come to office to witch-hunt or to focus on probing the activities of the previous administrations, but he can’t, in good conscience, accept the brazen theft of the people’s wealth. He said: “The new state government has itemised programmes based on the needs of the people. Abraham Maslow gave the world the Hierarchy of Needs, although some may fault some aspects of his thinking, we find that the situation in Niger State is as Maslow described at the bottom of his hierarchy. Our people need food, shelter, se-

Niger: So far, so good PRISCILLA DENNIS takes a holistic view of government activities in Niger state, 30 days after the inauguration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

Bello

curity, roads, water and so forth.” But, when officials of the past administration went to the press to debunk the allegation of stealing from the state, Bello, in another statement, signed by his CPS, Dr. Dooba vowed to allow the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, quiz them on the alleged fraud. This, according to Governor Bello, is against the back drop of discovery on a daily basis of the heinous scandals of the previous administration, and the continued denial, in the media, by the officials that they obtained the N2.9billion loan. The statement stated that although government has said it would allow EFCC do its job, it was also important to ask some significant questions from the past administration. It noted that for instance, why would the then SSG deny collecting any N600 million only for him to later admit that he collected the sum of N612 million for “general” security during the last senatorial bye-election in the state? Secondly, it asked if the money was actually budgeted for, and used for the purpose intended and thirdly, “why was the said funds given to the SSG, was he the Chief Security officer or INEC?”

why would the then

SSG deny collectinG any n600 million only for him to later admit that he collected the Sum of million for

n612

“General”

Security durinG the

laSt Senatorial bye-

election in the State?

Dooba stated that it was regrettable that instead of answering questions and making clarifications, the affected officials of the past administration have engaged in rhetorics, thereby diverting attention from the major issue. Else, he asked: “Why are they focusing on the definition of the phrase: ‘eve of departure’? “It is obvious that these government officials have chosen the hard way rather than the easy one, and the hard way they will get.” Besides, various allegations of decay in the system by the over three weeks old government of APC, and corruption, not only at state level, but across the 25 local councils, Governor Bello inspected various projects executed in locations, such as the Three Arms Zone at the Eastern-byepass, the building materials market, the Maikunkele Airport City housing project, which, he declared that he has no money to complete it in the face of many challenges left behind for him by former Governor Aliyu and would prefer a private investor to take over its completion. The governor also visited various water works in the state, where he also saw serious decay, and was forced to declare an emergency in the water sector in order to end several years of lack of potable in the state, among other projects he inspected so far. He immediately explained that his administration will examine all the issues that are hindering the smooth operation of the sector by finding immediate, medium and long term solutions to the challenge. Dooba said: “The governor wants to start with the provision of potable water in Niger State; and in that light, has visited our water board in Minna and a dam in Kontagora. “In the coming weeks, we’ll provide water at predictable intervals to Nigerlites.” Furthermore, Governor Bello had declared zero pot-holes in Minna, saying the Minna-Kataeregi road, Kontagora-Tegina, Minna-Suleja, BakekoKatcha, Kaffin-koro, Kuta-Sabon Gari and Maitumbi-Maikunkele roads among others, are receiving urgent attention, even as he vowed that contractors who abandoned some of the projects will be dragged back to complete what they started. To this end, all fingers are kept crossed awaiting the appointment of commissioners and other political officers to head the various ministries, agencies, parastatals in the state and how events would unfold in the next few days or weeks for the smooth operation of government activities to move the state towards the path of sustainable economicgrowth and development. However, what is paramount in the minds of Nigerlites is how they would be provided with qualitative dividends of democracy, in the face of the present hardship being experienced, among which are poverty, hunger, epileptic electricity supply and infrastructural decay in the system, as they eagerly wait for the much desired ‘change’. As the government gradually take off to find its feet, the words of Woodrow Wilson come to mind: “The task now is not to fix the blame for the past, but to fix the course for the future.”

North

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Ignore calls for subsidy removal, Aremu tells Buhari

eneral Secretary, Textile Workers Union, Mr Issa Aremu, on Monday cautioned the Federal Government against fuel subsidy removal and further devaluation of the naira. Aremu in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kaduna, said recent calls for subsidy removal and naira devaluation would set the new administration against the people. “This administration must resist the new emergency discordant voices pushing for twin-evil policies of so-called oil subsidy removal and further devaluation of the naira. “The two amount to policy dictatorship and policy ambush that has nothing to do with the ruling party's electoral promises, which the masses overwhelmingly voted for.'' He particularly dismissed the call by Managing Director of First Bank, Mr Bisi Onasanya, for further devaluation of the Naira, saying doing so would be unhelpful to the economy. The labour leader expressed support for the new measures adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria

restricting access to foreign exchange and said the bank should resist pressure to further devalue the nation's currency. “The existing currency devaluation has further eroded wage income of millions of workers, many with unpaid monthly salaries. “Devaluation has also increased the cost of domestic production, fueled price inflation and undermined the competitiveness of locally surviving industries leading to loss of existing jobs. “The CBN ban on importers from using the foreign exchange market for some 40 items ranging from private jets to rice, wheelbarrows and Indian incense, Geisha (canned fish) and toothpicks, to even eggs, is welcome and commendable.'' Aremu stressed that what Nigeria needed amidst current huge capital inadequacy, was strict capital application and control in order to enhance domestic production in place of unhelpful luxury imports.'' “It will also save the nation the current capital flight averaging some 1.3 trillion naira ($6.5 billion) a year, almost half of national budget, on avoidable unnecessary job-killing imports.''

Bauchi recovers 64 vehicles from Yuguda’s officials

committee set up by Bauchi State government to recover property illegally allocated to individuals by former administration in the state, says it has recovered 64 vehicles out of over 100 vehicles listed for recovery. Air Commodore Ahmed Tijjani-Baba, (rtd), chairman of the committee, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday that the vehicles were recovered from highly placed individuals, politicians, former commissioners, special advisers and top civil servants. He said the vehicles were allocated to the beneficiaries by the last administration on May 28, 2015, a day to the swearing-in of the incumbent, Mohammed Abubakar. He said the committee discovered that the vehicles were purchased by the last administration between January and May 2015, and were auctioned to the beneficiaries without following the

due process. Tijjani-Baba quoted a regulation which states that "any vehicle that is not used for over three years has to be reverted to the service pool when the officer is leaving office." He said the regulation was illegally amended by the last administration in 2010, granting the state governor waiver powers to auction vehicles used below three years. "The amendment gives him right to auction the vehicles upon an application by an allottee, but it has to be referred to the board of survey that will determine the price to be paid. "A highly placed government official wrote on behalf of 10 other beneficiaries on May 28, 2015, without referring it to board of survey, the body vested with the responsibility of auctioning such vehicles that were bought five months ago." he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ban on Ogogoro’ll lead to unemployment –Dealers igbAWAse UkUmbA LAFIA

gogoro (local gin) Dealers Association of Nigeria yesterday said any ban on production and consumption of the product by government will create unemployment mostly in the Niger Delta region of the country.

National President of the association, Mr. Adams Dio, stated this in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, while speaking with journalists. He appealed to government at all levels in the country to consider the plight of the Niger Delta people. He added that the ban will also pave the way for vices in the region because many families depend on

this locally made gin to feed and sponsor their children to schools and other economic activities that better the lots of people of the region. The dealers’ president said: “The local gin does not kill, as its production and consumption had been in existence as far back as 100 years ago. Therefore, banning the commodity is

like banning the tradition of those who produce it, because it is a tradition that no marriage activity can take place without presentation of some quantities of Ogogoro.” Dio therefore, appealed to the appropriate authorities to caution some security agencies who are already intimidating members of the association.

Commercial bus drivers protesting alleged negative attitude of officers and men of Vehicles Inspection Office (VIO) to drivers in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Police corporal sues IGP, PSC over dismissal Wole Adedeji ILORIN

Police Corporal, Gbenga Abolarin, has sued the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and two others to court to challenge his 'verbal' dismissal from the force. In a suit filed by his counsel, Deji Gbadeyan, at the National Industrial Court, Ilorin Registry, the plaintiff joined the Nigeria Police Service Commission, PSC, and Attorney General of the Federation as co-defendants. The police corporal was before the dismissal attached to Osun State Police Command until June 2008 following an orderly room trial where he was found guilty of murder with one other officer. In his statement of claim, he said his trouble started on December 5, 2007, while

on duty at Ilesha, Osun State, adding that on that day, an incident happened that led to the death of three men with two others having bullet wounds on them. According to him, the incident led to his arrest and that of one Bankole Abel with whom he was made to face an orderly room trial in January 2008. While he was still in detention for alleged murder, he said he was verbally informed of his dismissal from the Nigeria Police based on the report of the orderly room trial. "After the verbal notice of dismissal, I was arraigned in court with Bankole Abel for murder and an attempt to commit murder; and the trial lasted five years in court while I was in prison detention," the corporal further explained. He said on June 28, 2012, however, Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkareem delivered judgment in and he was dis-

charged and acquitted of all the charges pressed against him. Abolarin added that from June, 2008 when his ordeal began, till date, his salaries and other emoluments had been stopped and inaccessible by him, notwithstanding the fact that his police ID card and kits were not withdrawn from him till date. He added that consequent upon his discharge and acquittal, he instructed his lawyer, Oluwole Eludoyin to write a letter to the IGP dated July 7, 2012 for his reinstatement which up till now, the IGP who is the 1st defendant in the suit has not responded to. Abolarin said this prompted him to also instruct Mr Deji Gbadeyan to write another letter dated September 17, 2014 to the 1st and 2nd defendants for his reinstatement, but no response from them either. In the suit, counsel to the

plaintiff, Gbadeyan is praying the court to declare that the purported orderly room trial was unlawful, invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever. The lawyer also wanted the court to order the reinstatement of the claimant into the service of the Nigeria Police based on the judgment of Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkareem of Osogbo High Court that discharged and acquitted him. He said that since the Nigeria Police did not appeal against the judgment, his dismissal was of no effect because the High Court judgment had nullified the purported orderly room trial upon which the claimant was verbally dismissed. The counsel wanted a declaration that upon reinstatement, his client is entitled to his unpaid salaries, emoluments and promotions as at when due from June 2008 till the date of judgment.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

NFF fires Falcons’ coach, Manu Garba is next

… Mercy Akide-Udoh attends seminar Mercy Jacob and Joel aJayi

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday sacked the Super Falcons Coach, Edwin Okon, because of the team’s poor performance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup that ends in Vancouver, Canada on Sunday. National Mirror learnt that Flying Eagles Coach, Manu Garba, would be the next to be fired for his team’s disappointing failure in the last FIFA U-20 World Cup held in New Zealand. Okon has been replaced with his former assistant, Christopher Danjuma, who will take over the team on interim basis until a substantive coach is appointed. The Bayelsa Queens coach job had come under intense scrutiny with the Falcons shaky start at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup as his team was down before clawing back to a 3-3 draw against Sweden. A further 2-0 defeat to Australia and 1-0 loss to USA made his tenure to end ingloriously after a fairy tale year when he led the Falcons to victory at the 2014 African Women’s Championship (AWC) in Namibia. It was gathered that Coach Garba would be the next victim when the Flying Eagles regroup for international competition, following the pre-tournament favourite disappointment in New Zealand, largely caused by lack of technical depth in the bench. NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, had last week in a radio programme monitored

Sport

Murray revels in ‘great form’

There is no better way to start the AFCON qualifiers than we have started. We look forward to greater results –Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan

Falcons’ striker, Desire Oparanozie, bewildered after scoring own-goal against her team in the match agaisnt Sweden. Their Coach, Edwin Okon, was sacked yesterday

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

in Abuja said the contract of any national coach terminates after a world championship except it is renewed, citing the case of Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, that took the federation almost one year before his contract was renewed. Also speaking on Edwin Okon’s sacking in Abuja at the weekend, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said, “The contract given to the crew has elapsed with the Women’s World Cup in Canada. Mr. Christopher Danjuma will now take over the team in acting capacity, pending the appointment of a substantive coaching crew, which process is ongoing.” Danjuma’s first assignment will be to see the Falcons past Equatorial Guinea in an All Africa Games (AAG) two-legged qualifier,with the first leg in Port Harcourt on July18 and the return leg in Bata on August 2. Meanwhile, FIFA has invited Nigeria legend, Mercy Akide-Udoh, to the 6th FIFA Women’s Football Symposium taking place in Vancouver, Canada between July 3 and July 5, 2015. Akide-Udoh, who played for Nigeria at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, is one of FIFA’s 15 Ambassadors for women’s football. Among the topics for discussion at the symposium are: “Women in Football,” “Powerplay: Giving African women and girls a voice through the sport of football,” and “The business side of the game.”

Shuaibu Amodu

Amodu resumes duty as TD Joel aJayi ABUJA

ormer Super Eagles Coach, Shuaibu Amodu, yesterday, formally resumed duty as the NFF Technical Director. Amodu finally received his letter of appointment which had been on hold since the last board presided over by Aminu Maigari announced his engagement in its twilight days. Amodu, who confirmed that his appointment letter was dated April 1st 2015, said he is not after the $5,OOO (about N1.1million) initially proposed to him as monthly salary, but on how to take the game to the next level in the country. “My target will be to work for the progress of Nigeria football vis a vis all the national teams, from under 17 to Super Eagles. Whatever input we can give directly or indirectly to the technical support experts, we will do it,” Amodu said. The ex-Orlando Pirates of South Africa manager explained that he would start work by listening to both the administrators and coaches at various levels before making any input. He said that he would reduce the huge bills usually incured in prosecuting international matches by bridging the gap between the foreign-based players and their homebased colleagues. “I think we should go back to (Clemens) Westerhof days when majority of the boys are picked from the local teams with an addition of few foreign-based pros. “I will advise that the homebased players are kept together in camp in order to realise our ambition,” Amodu said.

Sports

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger makes Bayern U-turn

Andy Murray

Wimbledon Open 2015:

Murray revels in ‘great form’ B

ritish star, Andy Murray, says he is happy with his form heading into the opening week of Wimbledon, but is refusing to get carried away by his fancied chances. Murray, who is the British number one, is seeking a second title at the All England Club and the in-form Scot has a Tuesday start against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin. The lanky player seems to be at the peak of his career, with three titles and 41 wins from 47 matches

for the year so far demonstrating, making many tip him to repeat his 2013 Wimbledon triumph. Only Novak Djokovic has a better overall record on tour in 2015, and the Serbian could await Murray in the final on July 12. “I think in any sport, winning gives you confidence,” Murray said yesterday. “This year I’ve won a lot of matches, more than I ever have in my career to this point in a season. It’s been a good start this year. I hope I can keep it up.”

However, 10 years on from his Wimbledon debut, Murray will not allow himself to be caught up in the frenzy of expectation which surrounds his presence at the centre court. But even with his recent playing record, the 28-year-old knows to start thinking about another Wimbledon final would be dangerous. “I’m certainly not getting carried away. I know how difficult these events are to win. I just concentrate on the first match and try my best to get through that one,” he further said.

Cech unveiled at Emirates C

helsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has completed his move to London rival Arsenal on a long-term contract what about 10million pounds. The 33-year-old goalkeeper, who joined Chelsea in 2004, made over 400 appearances during 11 years at Stamford Bridge, winning multiple club and personal honours. He also won the Premier

League Golden Glove award on three occasions. A seven-time Czech Footballer of the Year, Cech made his international debut in 2002 and currently has 114 caps for his country, four short of countryman Karel Poborsky’s all-time record. “Petr is a player that I have admired for a long time and I am very pleased that

anchester United target, Bastian Schweinsteiger, says he wants to win a fourth straight German league title with Bayern Munich. Reports revealed last week that the World Cup 2014 winner was on United Manager Louis van Gaal’s summer wish list, but the 30-yearold is keen to make history with the Bundesliga champion as no club has ever won four titles in a row. “We’ve won the Bundesliga for three consecutive times, no team ever has managed to win it four times and that’s a motivation for me to stay on,” Schweinsteiger said yesterday. “I feel good and I’m ready to play the next three years at the top level. That’s my goal,” he added. Schweinsteiger also insists the hunger has not left his game after winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and World Cup in the past three seasons. “I would love to win and win big trophies,” he further said. United has been linked with a number of midfielders who include Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin.

Cech

he has decided to join us,” Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, said. “He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world and he will add great strength to our squad,” the Frenchman added. Cech also said: “I’m really excited about joining Arsenal Football Club

and can’t wait to join up for pre-season. When Arsene Wenger spoke to me about his ambitions for this club, and how he saw me as part of this team, the decision was clear.” Meanwhile, Cech’s Arsenal squad number will be revealed soon through Arsenal’s official Instagram account.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Lifting Nigerian boxing to Olympic height is Gen. Kenneth Minimah’s priority

NBF official hails ‘Minimah Revolution’ ifeAnyi eduzOr

ice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, NBF, Ibrahim Zango, has commended the NBF President, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, for his genuine interest in boxing developing in Nigeria. Zango, who spoke to National Mirror in Lagos, said he was overwhelmed by the large turnout of boxers at the maiden Kenneth Minimah National Men and

Women Open Boxing Championship and 2015 All Africa Games trials which began in Lagos on Sunday. “We have always prayed to have somebody with the interest to develop boxing as the helmsman at the federation,” Zango said. “In just two years in office as NBF president, Minimah has raised the standard of Nigeria boxing to enviable heights and using his personal fund to sponsor Team Nigeria to Cameroon where the country won 2 gold and 1 bronze medal,”

the vice president added. “We are all aware that in 2010, Nigerian boxing team went to 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India without winning a single medal. But things changed under Minimah at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where Nigeria won 3 medals, a great improvement when compared with their 2010 outing in India.” Zango also disclosed that officials for the Minimah championship had been given free accommodation for one week

by the sponsor whose ultimate aim, he said, was to establish three standing Nigerian boxing teams for international competitions from the ongoing trials. “Three seasoned coaches have been given the task to select the boxers who may not necessarily emerge tops in their various weight categories, but must have shown promises of a better future,” the NFB official further said, stressing, “They will also serve as independent assessors at the so that their job will not clash with the employed national coach-

NPL: Pillars’ fans hold Emordi hostage AbdulgAfAr OlAdimeji KANO

undreds of irate fans of Pillars FC of Kano on Sunday evening held the team’s Technical Adviser, Okey Emordi, hostage after the home side was forced to a 2-2 draw by Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt. Pillars had led 2-0 before the visitors rallied to equalise as the hosts looked clueless afterwards. It was not long before the fans expressed their displeasure over the score line and could have poured into the playing pitch were it not for the eagle-eyed security personnel at the venue. It also took the security watch to help Emordi escape the mob. Meanwhile, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Sports Without Borders, has condemned the barring of journalists from conducting a post match conference on the match day. The group said in a statement that the Secretary of Kano State

Football Association, Shehu Buhari, had barred the journalists from doing their duty, describing the development as uncharitable. “We wish to state that the act is highly reprehensible, retrogressive and totally unacceptable to press freedom and the development of football,” the statement said, adding, “We call on the Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company to call management of Pillars FC and the Kano State FA secretary and members of his staff to order.”

NNL boss, Inyama

AfOlAbi gAmbAri

romotion-seeking J. Atete literally went goal-wire against Gateway FC of Abeokuta as the host beat the visiting team 4-1 in what could be described as a one-sided encounter as the Nigeria National League goes on two-week recess from this week. MFM also beat Atiba United

NNL: First stanza ends in flourish

3-0 at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos. But it was not a good weekend for Kogi United FC of Lokoja which lost 1-0 at Kaduna United in a tie which the Match Commissioner, Lurwanu Idris, described as peaceful and exciting. Chairman of Kogi United, Abdul Sule, has however expressed disappointment at his defeat in Kaduna but still sees the sunny

side of the outcome “It is unfortunate we lost and I’m very proud of the boys,” Sule said. “I’m very optimistic about our chances to end the season well. We will correct the lapses noticed in the first round and try to get things right when we resume,” he added. Kogi United has garnered only six points from the seven matches in the first round of the NNL.

NBBF’s Media Officer, Patrick Omorodion, said Daudu’s experience had informed the federation’s decision to appoint him. “Coach Daudu will be assisted by the First Deepwater interim coach and veteran ex-national captain Shola Shomala to select a roster from a list of 20 young players who have been through pre-camp

preparation but are now camped in Abuja,” Omorodion explained. “The federation has charged Daudu to see the task at hand not as a “must-win” challenge, but rather as the beginning of a rulebased development plan to benefit the country’s basketball future and ensure long term success when it comes.”

Daudu bags NBBF coaching job jOel AjAyi ABUJA

N Emordi

igeria Basketball Federation has recalled veteran youth coach, Adeka Dauda to guide the national U-16 team ahead of the final round of the FIBA Africa Championship in Madagascar.

WORLD RECORD

pogo Fastest Shortest marathonuseable dribbling twostick basketballs

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1145 Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The shortest usable pogo stick measures 46.15 cm (18.16 in) in height and was created by Udar Robinson (Canada) and Homagni Baptista (Australia).

Restoring Nigeria’s culture of development plan

ational Development Plan (NDP) is a culture of nations that are resolved to economic growth and development with social change. This public management culture is well entrenched in East Timor, Kenya, Zambia, etc. For example, there was the Republic of Zambia’s Fifth National Development Plan (2006-2010). NDP is not alien to Nigeria as history dating back to 1946 shows that the colonial government introduced a “10 year plan of development and welfare for Nigeria” under the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund. This was later abridged to five years after independence to foster development. NDP has served as a veritable tool for ac-

Guest Columnist

Olusola

Akinyemi

celerated economic growth and sustainable social and political equilibrium. Nigeria’s first NDP (1962-68) stated that the basic objective of planning in Nigeria is not merely to accelerate the rate of economic growth and the rate at which the level of the population can be raised; it is also to give her an increasing measure of control over her own destiny. The second NDP also mentioned that national planning should be aimed at the transformation of the whole society. Succinctly, NDP is a panacea for social change. The practice of NDP in Nigeria, as mentioned above, started in 1946. The focus was building a transport and communication system. Little provision was made for industrial development. It was also selective in its focus on agriculture as attention was concentrated on a limited range of cash crops which include cocoa, palm products, cotton, groundnut and timber. It is obvious the plan template was meant to serve the interest of colonial masters. However, since independence in 1960, Nigeria has formulated and launched other development plans, which were more comprehensive. The First NDP launched in 1962 cover a period of six years (1962-68). It was extended to 1970 because of interruption by the military putsch of January 15, 1966 and the 1967-70 civil war. The achievements recorded by this plan include, the oil refinery in Port Harcourt, sugar mill in Bacita, Niger Dam in Jebba, the Niger Bridge in Onitsha, port extension, construction of a number of trunk ‘A’ roads. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka was built by the Eastern Nigeria government and University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) by the Western Nigeria government.

NDP HAS SERVED AS A VERITABLE TOOL FOR ACCELERATED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL EQUILIBRIUM The Second NDP was launched in 1970 by General Yakubu Gowon on behalf of the federal and state governments. The exigencies of the civil war made it to focus on the reconstruction of the war-battered economy and promotion of economic and social development in the new Nigeria. Its philosophy thus was building a united, strong and self-reliant nation, a great and dynamic economy, a just egalitarian society, a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens, and a free and democratic society. The achievements of the Second NDP include but not limited to several federal roads, successful take-off of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme for Nigerian students. General Gowon further launched the third version of NDP (1975-80) in 1975. The uniqueness of the plan was the fact that it had extensive consultation with the private sector of the economy in its preparation. Its focus included increase in per-capita income, even distribution of income, reduction in the level of unemployment, diversification of the economy, balanced

development, and indigenisation of economic activities. The implementation was adversely affected by the change in government in July 1975, three months after launch. The change in government led to the re-appraisal of some of the cardinal objectives of the plan. Sectors that were given priority included agriculture, water supply, housing and health. The administration of President Shehu Shagari launched the Fourth NDP (1981-85) in 1981. The plan was designed to further the process of establishing a solid base for the long term economic and social development in Nigeria. This plan incorporated the local governments at the level of preparation and allowed them to have their separate programmes under the plan. The Fourth NDP was again affected by the change in government in 1983. The succeeding General Ibrahim Babangida regime substituted NDP with the imported Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). One of the benefits of the NDP was that it served as an instrument of control and allocation of resources. There were specific projects to engage in and the available resources properly channeled towards the achievement of same. There was a national coordination of development projects such that The Federal Government and governments of the constituent units were focused on such investments as would drive national development. This is unlike the current haphazard trends in governance. Little wonder how Nigeria got to the state of over 70 percent of her population living in poverty, sporadic decline in the standard of education, neglect and/or poor maintenance of public properties and poor administration of public investments. Albeit some states are recently advancing due to dynamic leadership, such advancement is still not having enough impact on the nation’s index of development. This may not be unconnected to the fact that a national approach to integrated development (national development plan) is missing. To be continued Olusola Akinyemi is President, Joseph Initiative Ltd/Gte, Lagos.

Sport Extra

ritish boxer, Amir Khan, yesterday said that American super star Floyd Mayweather is in danger of blowing up his legacy if he refuses to fight him. The unbeaten Mayweather, who out-punched Manny

Boxing: Why Mayweather needs my challenge–Khan Pacquiao in May, claims he will fight for the final time on September 12, naming Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as the leading candidates for his ring farewell and shunning Khan.

“We’ve been talking to Al Haymon and hopefully we’ll find out in a week what’s going to happen,” Khan said. “Mayweather thinks he needs an easy fight now because he’s proved himself

by beating Pacquiao. “I think he’s messing his own legacy up. He needs to finish on a high. What he’s probably going to do is leave the game on a low and I think that’s the worst thing

to do by fighting Andre and Karim. “I spoke to Mayweather Snr and he says it would be an easy fight if his son fought me. So, why not do it?”

Khan

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