Binder1

AMCON tackles banks over bailout sinking fund JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T Chike-Obi

Vol. 4 N0. 871

he Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, has berated some banks over their reluc-

tance to continue meeting their payment obligations to a sinking fund established to recover the cost of the massive bailouts and purchase of non-performing loans following

countdown Algeria aims to cross group stage –Slimani

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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Bomb scare in Abuja ...police seal Wuse, Garki markets FCT minister wants tight security in public places

OMEIZA AJAYI AND MARCUS FATUNMOLE

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anic again gripped the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday as police cordoned off the perimeter of the popular Wuse and Garki ultramodern markets in Abuja as rumours spread of possible bombing by terrorists.

Shop owners and passersby got to the markets only to see that armed policemen had already taken over the markets.

FCT police spokesperson, Altine Daniel, was quoted CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Crowd of supporters at the campaign rally of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at Ila-Orangun, yesterday.

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FG tips AlisonMadueke as OPEC Sec-Gen P.4

Fleeing Borno villagers now live in caves ...Boko Haram retaliates, takes over Biita village Brothers arrested for manufacturing guns

P.5 P.9

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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AMCON tackles banks over bailout sinking fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the 2009 crisis.

The banks are required to contribute 0.5 per cent of the value of their total assets on a yearly basis for 10 years to cover the resolution costs while the Central Bank of Nigeria contributes N50bn.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the banks had in 2011 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the fund, having realised that funds from AMCON management and eligible bank assets will likely not be enough to meet the resolution cost of restoring financial stability.

However, the contribution fixed at 0.3 per cent of total asset was reviewed upwards to 0.5 per cent last year in order to meet the 10 year pay down target. The money is debited directly from banks holdings with the CBN and some bank chief executives and shareholders have recently complained that the levy was hurting their profits.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, however, the Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi, berated the banks for complaining, saying that if not because of AMCON, many of the banks may not declare profits.

He said, “Banks are declaring profits today because of existence of AMCON. Without AMCON, no dividend will be declared or how much did they declare as profits in 2009, 2010 and 2011?”

According to him, it was embarrassing that they are not grateful, particularly the shareholders who were abusing the banks’ managing directors two years ago for mismanaging their investments.

On the bridged banks for instance, he said, “AMCON did not forcefully take over the management of bridged banks until when the defunct directors of the banks wrote to us that they could no longer control the banks because of internal crisis.”

Under the MoU arrangement, the CBN contributes N50bn and each

participating bank contributes an amount equivalent to 0.5 per cent of its total assets, as at the date of approval its audited financial statements, annually for a period of 10 years.

The whole intention of the fund, according to Chike-Obi is to ensure that banking system is safe and there is no incident to fall back on taxpayers’ money.

On the possibility of buying more bad loans from banks, he said,” I will cease to be MD of the corporation when it’s buying up more bad loans from banks. Sinking fund is growing and the losses are reducing, by 2022, AMCON will close shop. The sinking fund will swap the loss.”

In 2013, AMCON redeemed N1trn bonds held by institutions outside the Central Bank of Nigeria.

AMCON issued N5.7trn worth of bonds to recapitalise the three banks and soak up bad-debts from other lenders that had unserviceable loan profiles.

Chike-Obi said the corporation has retired N1trn worth of bonds in December 2013 and it will retire N800bn this year with N3.8trn held by the CBN. However, the AMCON Act is being amended to give legislative backing to the 0.5 per cent contribution to prevent banks from challenging it in court.

The corporation was set up in 2010 to help resolve a banking crisis in Nigeria, triggered by reckless lending and a stock market collapse in 2008.

Going by the financial statements submitted by banks for the year ended December 2013, which put the banks’ total assets at N25.1trn, the AMCON levy cost the industry about N120bn a year.

In 2013, First Bank paid the highest with N19.4bn of its N3.87trn total assets; Ecobank Transnational Incorporation paid N18bn from N3.6trn total assets; Zenith Bank paid N15.7bn from N3.14trn; United Bank for Africa paid N13.2bn from N2.64trn total assets while Guaranty Trust Bank paid N10.5bn from N2.10trn total assets.

Also, Access Bank, which has N1.84trn as total assets in 2013 con-

tributed N9.18bn, Diamond Bank paid N7.59bn from its total assets of N1.52trn, Skye Bank paid N5.59bn from N1.12trn, FCMB paid N5.04bn from N1.008trn and Union Bank N5.02bn from N1.003trn.

Others are Fidelity Bank, StanbicIBTC, Sterling Bank, Unity Bank and Wema Bank with payments of N4.57bn, N3.81bn, N2.02bn and 1.65bn respectively.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of Diamond Bank recently, the Group Managing

Director, Mr Alex Otti, expressed his displeasure over the fund, saying that he was the only person that voted against the implementation of such policy when it was presented to them at the Bankers’ Committee meeting last year.

Also, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the AMCON levy was part of the key pressure points in financial year 2013.

According to him, the increase in AMCON levy

from 0.3 per cent to 0.5 per cent of total assets increased operating expenses of the banks.

Shareholders of banks have also condemned banks’ contribution to the sinking fund.

The National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sunny Nwosu had described the contribution has a waste of shareholders money.

He said, “The question here is of what benefit is AMCON ? AMCON is robbing shareholders of

benefits that ought to have come to the seed providers.

So I want to know what benefit we are getting. Is it the benefit of the cheap assets they have taken from us or is it the continuous waste on that side”.

Similarly, the President of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, had argued that AMCON is not a friend of shareholders, and if it cannot survive without collecting money from banks, it’s better winding up.

Traders locked out of Wuse market following a bomb scare, yesterday. INSET: Policemen and other traders at the scene.

PHOTOS: ROTIMI OSASONA

Bomb scare in Abuja as police seal off Wuse, Garki markets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

as saying the temporary closure was as a result of intelligence report received by the police.

Many residents, whose relatives work within the areas where the markets are located, called them on the phone to confirm their wellbeing.

While the closure lasted, no one was allowed into the markets as anti-bomb police officers carried out thorough searches on them.

Many people, including shop owners and buyers, lamented the closure as some of them returned home to avert further eventualities.

One of the shop owners at Wuse Market, Janet Agbim, said: “There has been this type of rumour here.

But since this is where we work, we cannot stop coming to do our business. We know it could be false.”

Agbim, who lamented that the exercise would neg-

atively impact on the traders’ daily sale, advised that the best way government could guarantee security at the market was to ensure that individuals and vehicles coming in were properly screened.

Some banks around the markets closed down fully for the day with only their automated teller machines, ATMs, rendering services.

Shortly after the markets were reopened by the police, private security guards at the Wuse Market were seen screening everyone coming through a small gate leading into the market.

All roads around the two markets witnessed a heavy gridlock as vehicles were diverted to other routes.

Abuja has been under great fear of bombing since April when bombing returned on the city.

Repeated terrorists’ attack on Nyanya motor park on April 14 and May 1, this

year broke two year’s respite from bombings in the capital.

The two incidents claimed over 150 lives and rendered many others injured.

But security consciousness among residents is growing as there has been fear among residents in traffic logjams and those driving at night over possible attack.

Until the last two attacks, the last time Abuja witnessed bombing was on April 26, 2012, when Thisday newspapers office was hit by the terrorists.

The Police Force Headquarters and the United Nations House had earlier been bombed with Boko Haram insurgents claiming responsibilities for all the attacks on the city.

Operations of the group are mostly carried out in the North-East with thousands of people killed by

the group, which is also currently in custody of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, two months ago.

The schoolgirls were abducted while writing their West African School Certificate Examination.

While many Nigerians are impatiently waiting for international military and technical aids to release the girls, the sect on Monday abducted another 20 women near Chibok.

Peeved by yesterday’s bomb scare, the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, has directed the management of all institutions and places of large public gathering within the territory to immediately develop their own comprehensive security plans of action to forestall any attack by insurgents.

Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Nosike CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wedneesday, June 11, 2014

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Managing Director, Chrisland Schools Ltd, Mrs. Ibironke Adeyemi; Director of Administration, Mrs. Anike Oye; Deputy Managing Director, National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Bankole Makinde and Daily Editor, Mr. Seyi Fasugba, during the inauguration of National Mirror/Chrisland Schools Press Club at the school premises in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle) with winners of the 2014 Be Road Friendly Competition organised by the Lagos State Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar and representative of the Chief Justice of Ghana, Akamba Bawah, during the 13th Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Hon. Essien Ayi; Director, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Mrs. Jemirigbe Meg; Permanent Secretary, Dr. Clement Illoh and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, during the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News

Police dismiss four officers, promote two AIGs OMEIZA AJAYI AND SEYI ANJORIN

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he Police Service Commission, PSC, has dismissed four police officers. Two others were promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIG. The dismissed officers are two Superintendents of Police, Nyong Enefiok and Offu Ukereke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Eteng Bassey and an Assistant Superintendent, Police, ASP, Mohammed Usman Kashim.

They were dismissed after the commission’s 5th plenary meeting held in Abuja.

The Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations in the PSC, Ferdinand Ekpe, who announced this yesterday in Abuja said another ASP was compulsorily retired for offences against police discipline, six officers were reduced in rank, while 10 others were severely reprimanded.

He said the commission considered and approved 32 disciplinary cases involving Senior Police Officers, SPOs.

“Furthermore, the Commission equally approved the promotion of some deserving senior police officers, who had satisfied all the criteria enunciated for the elevation of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Two commissioners of Police, namely: Chris Olakpe and Grace Chita Okudo were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. Both promotions are with effect from 04/06/2014 and 09/06/2014 respectively.

“Similarly, seven Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police. They include Victor N. Ojo, Elias Okafor Wayemeru, Paul E. Okafor Henry Adebayo Fadairo, Stella P. Udosen Felicia O. Noelle, Ovie Votenisky Oyokomino.

“The Commission also elevated 12 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners of Police, while 21 Chief Superintendents of Police were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police.

“Equally, 27 Superin-

tendents were promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police. In continuation of the elevation of deserving officers, 15 Deputy Superintendents were promoted to Superintendents, 129 Assistant Superintendents of Police were elevated to the rank of Deputy Superintendents while 20 inspectors

who were omitted during the last Inspectors promotion were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police,” Ekpe added.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned a 1,000 mixed housing unit of the Nigeria Police Force at Dakwa, in the Federal Capital

Territory, Abuja.

The housing estate named after a former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Adewusi was constructed by the Mohammed Abubakar-led administration as part of its efforts to alleviate the plight of the men and women of the security outfit.

Presenting his remarks on behalf of the President, the Vice President, Namadi Sambo noted that the occasion was a significant one as it shows the continuous commitment of the Police force towards its staff welfare, by providing the project at low cost through a public private partnership.

FG tips Alison-Madueke as OPEC secretary-general

T

he Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been put forward by the Federal Government as the next secretary general of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. Nigeria is proposing to put her nomination as secretary general on the agenda of OPEC’s semi-annual meeting slated for Vienna, Austra, today (Wednesday).

An online agency reported yesterday that the country’s delegation at OPEC in Vienna put the name of Alison-Madueke forward as a contender for the group’s top job.

If approved by the cartel’s other members, she would

be the first woman to lead the group.

OPEC’s current secretary-general, Abdalla Salem el-Badri of Libya, was due to retire at the end of 2012.

However, OPEC delegates have so far failed to agree on a replacement, and he continues to serve in the post.

While the job is largely ceremonial, it provides a platform on the global economic stage for the country that holds it, and it is highly coveted.

The online agancy quoted Rushdie Alcan of the world petroleum body as saying that Nigeria is proposing to put her nomination as secretary-general on the agenda of OPEC’s semiannual meeting slated for today in Vienna.

It was gathered that some delegations has agreed to support her candidacy.

Countries like Iran, Libya and the United Arab Emirates are believed to be ready to support the minister.

She was due to meet Iraq’s oil minister, Abdul Kareem Luaiby yesterday, after having breakfast with the Libyan delegation earlier in the day.

Unlike Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Nigeria is not involved in Persian Gulf politics, giving it a key advantage in fostering a consensus.

Though not a decision maker, OPEC’s secretarygeneral plays a key role in voicing the organisation’s public message and helping

to build a consensus during meetings on oil output.

Nigeria’s delegation is believed to have arranged to meet with the Saudi Arabian delegation.

In the past, the group’s Arab members have sparred with Iran over the leadership role.

This has often favoured a member from outside the Middle East for the top job.

“She will be the first female secretary general of OPEC, an OPEC official said over the phone.

Officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, could not confirm or deny the report when contacted last night.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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Fleeing Borno villagers now live in caves INUSA NDAHI AND JAMES ABRAHAM

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esidents of the six border villages of Attagara, Amuda, Agapalawa, Ashgashiya, Ngoshe and Chikedeh in Borno State, who on Monday fled their homes, now live in caves and the Mandara Mountains.

The traumatised villagers are said to be surviving on wild fruits and roots and drinking water from

streams.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area, Dr. Hamman Ahmadu, yesterday sounded the alarm that the villagers were now living in a precarious situation.

The council boss also disclosed that about 1,300 villagers fled to Maiduguri for safety to avoid attacks and forced recruitment by Boko Haram insurgents.

The people fled their homes after constant attacks by marauding Boko Haram

terrorists, who kill and forcibly recruit young men into their fold.

Ahmadu said the fleeing villagers were waiting for the deployment of troops to the area to protect them and their property.

“More than 50 per cent of the council area has been taken over by the insurgents.

They have torched almost all the houses in the six affected border villages and towns, including Ashgashiya, the district headquarters, 10 kilometres from Cameroonian

territory.

“But my fear and concern about the destroyed villages in this council is that these boys (Boko Haram) are forcefully recruiting youths into the sect since they succeeded in taking over Gwoza East last month,” he added.

The LG boss appealed to the military to deploy more personnel to secure the border villages and towns, noting that only Pulka and Kirawa had troops to protect lives and property.

The immediate past vice-

L-R: President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Mamnoon Hussain; President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, during the Nigeria-Pakistan Business forum in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Bomb scare in Abuja as police seal off Wuse, Garki markets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Ogbuenyi, who stated this after an emergency security meeting in Abuja, said the ministerial directive stressed the need for proactive measures by stakeholders to avert further terror attacks.

He listed the public gathering places affected by the ministerial directive to include motor parks, restaurants, markets, supermarkets, shopping malls and centres, drinking joints, parks and gardens, banks, churches, mosques, hotels, viewing centres and hospitals.

“Apart from installing separate close circuit televisions, CCTVs, they are required to liaise with appropriate security agencies and engage well-trained uniformed security personnel who shall be equipped with bomb detectors.

The minister also directed that all entry and exit routes to such places must be adequately captured by the CCTV cameras and be manned by well- equipped security personnel,” Ogbuenyi added.

The minister advised

residents to shun public viewing centres, especially during the World Cup as such places are among soft targets of terrorists.

The managements of the places of gathering are also expected to strictly comply with the security requirements.

They should also liaise with the Security Department of the Office of the Hon. Minister of FCT. According to the minister, those who fail to comply with the directive will face severe sanctions, which may include sealing off of the affected institutions or places.

The minister has also set up an ad hoc committee to formulate comprehensive security requirements for all public places in the FCT. The committee, headed by the Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, Reuben Okoya, has as members the Special Adviser to the Minister on Security, the Director of Security, the General Counsel, the Managing Director of Abuja Markets Management Limited, the Director of Engineering of

the FCDA, the Secretaries of Transportation, Area Council and Social Development Secretariats as well one representative each from the offices of the Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary of FCT. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sued for more understanding of Nigerians as the Federal Government battles to stamp out insurgency from the country.

He said although the war might be taking long to win, government had evolved new measures to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

Jonathan gave the assurances yesterday when he received the 2014 National Fire Safety Award from the Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria.

The President added that he would not spare any effort towards ensuring the stability of the country.

Receiving the award on behalf of the President, Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said that the Federal Government would continue to develop modern fire

service stations to mitigate fire disasters and safeguard critical national assets and human lives.

“It is against this backdrop that government has continued to partner with the private sector and NGOs to lessen or ameliorate the consequences of such disasters on the people,” he said.

President Jonathan added that government would also ensure synergy between the federal fire service and their states counterparts.

Grand Patron of the association and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur, lamented that many Nigerians had not accorded the right importance to fire safety issues, hence the increasing wave of fire disasters in some areas.

“Severally, we were caught unawares by fire outbreaks and many people never prepared for it.

“During the September 11, 2001 attack on the US, it was the gallant fire fighters that saved many of the lives at Ground Zero on that day,” he said.

chairman of the council, Mr. Francis Nduka, said the people could only return to their homes when they were sure of their security as the area was under siege.

“Our people have been gripped with fear and trauma for over two weeks and had no any other place to flee than the caves of Gathahure, Gjigga, Kunde, Hwa’a, Hrazah and Hembe.

“As they cannot come down to the plains for food and water, they resorted to eating wild fruits and roots to survive since the villages had been attacked and taken siege of by insurgents,” Nduka said.

According to him, other villagers have fled to Maiduguri for safety and get relief materials from the Gwoza Resettlement Committee.

In a related development, suspected Boko Haram sect members have invaded two villages in the state, killing at least five people and carting away food items as well as livestock.

Residents said some armed men believed to be Boko Haram stormed Tohya and Wurojene villages near Chibok, where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted almost two months ago.

The attackers opened fire on the villagers as soon as they arrived about 7pm on Monday, killing five people, a resident of Chibok who did not want his name mentioned told our correspondent on the phone.

“The attackers fired at the people and many residents fled into the bush. There was confusion everywhere as the attackers set fire on houses.

They continue the attack for about two hours. They carted away foodstuffs, bags of grains and chicken belonging to our poor people,” he said.

The villages are about 14 kilometres from Chibok.

Our correspondent gathered that residents of Tohya and Wurojene are predominantly farmers who rely on their farm produce for feeding and economic survival.

“Most of them slept in the bush throughout the night and the insurgents left after the killing and destruction,” another resident, Mr. James Pona, said.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram fighters on Monday launched a daring reprisal attack in Biita village where nearly 100 of their members were killed by the troops be-

tween Saturday and Sunday.

Residents said the insurgents were now in control of the town after troops withdrew from the area.

It is not clear how many people were killed, even though the attackers have destroyed many buildings in the village, witnesses said.

Security sources said over 350 insurgents, armed with rocket propelled grenades stormed out of the bushes and attacked the military formation in Biita.

A top security source said: “Yes, the terrorists remobilised and attacked Biita after the heavy casualty they recorded at the weekend.

“Our troops withdrew for strategic reasons only and not out of fear. Remember that we recorded a huge success on Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

Salomi Ema, a local in Bita said: “The insurgents were well-kitted in military fatigue. They drove in about 35 vehicles and dozens of motorcycles. They also had armoured personnel carriers, APCs.” Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday urged the Federal Government to investigate some sitting governors over the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani mercenaries in the country.

“The Federal Government should investigate some sitting governors who speak in favour of the insurgents as they may be sponsors of the Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen,” CAN said in a communiqué.

The communiqué was issued in Jos, the Plateau State capital, after a meeting of the North Central Zone of the association, which comprises seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The Christian body, while decrying the loss of innocent lives and property as a result of the sect’s activities, said the ‘wickedness’ should not be allowed to continue under any guise.

Expressing regrets that the issue of compensation for affected victims and churches from post-election violence, bomb blasts and ethnic crises has not been handled with probity, CAN urged the government to probe allocations and disbursement as well as look into the cases of those who had not been compensated at all.

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Wednesday June 11, 2014

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APC moves against Akande, Mohammed, others OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande, the Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, and dozens of other interim executives of the party may be disqualified from seeking nomination for any elective post at the party’s forthcoming convention.

The party appeared also not to have resolved issues concerning the zoning arrangement for the substantive national officers.

The issue of the disqualification of members of the interim national executive of APC from contesting for substantive positions was raised during the meeting, by a top member of the party and

the Deputy Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla.

Obono-Obla quoted schedule 213 of the revised Constitution of APC which, according to him, demands that serving members of the party executives, who wish to re-contest for their offices must first resign 30 days before the convention date.

He pointed out that the issue was already generating tension among party members and contestants, adding that there is need to address it, so as not to give some aggrieved members the opportunity to challenge the holding of the convention in court.

Quoting the relevant section of the party’s constitution, Obono-Obla said, “Any party’s office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall

resign and leave office, 30 days before the date of elections into the office he or she is seeking to contest”.

Also, while addressing a meeting of the convention sub-committees in Abuja yesterday; the Secretary of the National Convention Committee, Senator Chris Ngige, said the party is yet to endorse zoning of any particular position to any region.

He, however, said this does not rule out any later

agreement on zoning format based on gentlemen agreement.

“No, we have not zoned anything to anywhere and you know that zoning is a conceptual arrangement, so even if we agree it will be a sort of gentlemen agreement, it will not deny anybody of its right as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution,” he said.

Ngige who tried to clarify issues also read out schedule 22, saying, “sub-

ject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may in special circumstances grant waver to person or persons not otherwise qualified. If in his own opinion such a waver is in the best interest of the party.”

He said the issue of disqualification of interim party executives was discussed at the last meeting of the party’s leadership and was agreed that it shall

be at the discretion of the party’s leadership.

He said one of the reasons adduced for the decision was that the present constitution has not become operational.

According to him, the meeting of the leadership which was also attended by the Convention Committee will attempt to resolve all outstanding issues connected to the smooth conduct of Friday’s convention.

Kano palace still locked up as Sanusi gets coronation regalia GBENGA OGUNBUFUNMI

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he palace of the Emir of Kano is still under lock and key, following the protest that followed the announcement of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi as the new monarch of the ancient city.

The continued closure of the palace, however, was to keep trouble makers away, while security operatives are on ground to maintain law and order.

A source in the Government House told our correspondent yesterday that the police were within the vicinity of the palace to maintain order.

The source said that the presence of the police in around the palace was to keep peace and secure the palace from any damage from aggrieved supporters of one of the contenders to the stool.

Commenting on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, said: “Yes, we have some security challenges at hand, but we have adopted coun-

ter measures to address the problem.”

The new Emir, since his announcement, has been operating temporarily from the Kano State Government House, where he has been receiving visitors, the latest being the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako.

Our correspondent learnt that despite the protest, which led to the shutdown of the palace, the coronation ceremony would still be held there.

The source debunked insinuation that the coronation had already been held at Government House.

Meanwhile, the new Emir was yesterday presented with the traditional regalia and instrument of office for the coronation ceremony by the Madakin Kano and Chairman of the four-man kingmakers Council, Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani Cigari Ibrahim at the Government House.

The ancestral traditional regalia, among others, comprise, the Holy Qur’an, the twin spear, Lagwayen masu (sword), Emir’s Dabo hat and an Ostrich plumage shoe, which he would adorn on the day of his coronation.

L-R: Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan; Chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, during the inauguration of Sunday Adewusi Housing Estate at Dakwa in Niger State on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Electricity tariff: NERC is taking Nigerians for a ride - NLC CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday condemned the increase in energy charges by the distribution companies, Discos, which took effect from June 1, saying Nigerians are not stupid to welcome such increases, despite prevailing poor supply of electricity.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Umar, criticised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Com-

mission, NERC, for authorising such increase, saying the regulatory body failed to conduct adequate consultations before announcing the decision.

“It is not very good to have this kind of arrangement for interaction, after the deed has been done. It is better you do all the consultations so that people are better informed about what they expect and why you are doing what you are doing. Nigerians are not stupid, and they are not people who don’t understand,” he warned.

He further stated that

“The rate of tariff increase is quite worrisome, and there is no proportionate increase in electricity supply. The amount of consumption should determine the rate paid by consumers, what Nigerian consumers expect is an improvement in power supply, but what they have gotten in return is a hike on electricity tariff.”

Umar said Nigerians are tired of excuses from the regulatory body, which he said has being obtainable since the 70’s, he added that the regulatory body must match

accessibility with affordability.

He also urged NERC to properly investigate the activities of the distribution companies (Discos) which according to him, bill customers based on estimation and not on adequate metering system made available by the regulatory body.

“It is one thing to announce tariff rate without the capacity to enforce it, the social service component of electricity must not be laid down for profit maximisation because the consumers are always at the receiving end,” he added.

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT

Congratulations our Chairman!

Alhaji Adamu Muazu As you clock 59 years today, I wish to on behalf of my family, Government and people of Plateau State heartily felicitate with you on this memorable day.

We pray God keeps you in good health and grant you more wisdom as you continue to contribute your quota to national development.

JONAH DAVID JANG Governor

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Wednesday June 11, 2014

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N20bn libel: Obj seeks to testify by proxy ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday requested an FCT High Court, sitting in Abuja, to allow him testify by proxy in a case brought against him by a chieftain of the Peo-

ple’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West geopolitical zone, Buruji Kashamu.

He is pushing for the consent of the high court allowing PDP’s former National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha, to give evidence for him when trial opens in the suit.

Kashamu had sued the former President before an Abuja high court for N20 billion over alleged defamatory statements he made against him in the widely publicised letter, which Obasanjo wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan and the immediate past PDP Na-

tional Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The said letter, titled ‘Before it is too late’, labeled him ‘a fugitive’, who is wanted in the United States of America.

According to Kashamu, the language used against him in the

Managing Director, National Mirror Newspapers, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara (middle) with students of Kingdom Heritage Model School, Iyana Ipaja, during a tour of National Mirror Newspapers in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED

Nigeria, Pakistan to cooperate against terrorism …Target $1bn trade volume in five years ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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igeria and Pakistan are to cooperate in the area of training of security personnel to tackle security issues in both countries.

The two countries also agreed to boost bilateral trade volume from $100 million to at least $1 billion within five years.

They reached the agree-

ment at a bilateral talk between President Goodluck Jonathan and his Pakistani counterpart, Mamnoon Hussain, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Briefing State House correspondents after the bilateral meeting, Jonathan said he would soon go to Pakistan for exchange visit.

“I will soon go to Pakistan for exchange visit;

we will also encourage our Trade and Investment ministers and our Foreign Affairs ministers, our Defence ministers to exchange visits,” Jonathan said.

“I am sure that they will discuss how to get over the security issues, and they have been training a lot of our security personnel and will continue to do that. And I know that Pakistan has

developed significantly in terms of defence; we are also developing. These are areas where we can cooperate.”

Jonathan noted that the visit by his Pakistani counterpart was important considering that both countries are experiencing terror attacks, stressing that Nigeria was still battling to deal with how to rescue about 276 Chibok schoolgirls abducted by terrorists.

Reps move to enforce waste recycling by industries TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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ndustrial waste must be recycled to protect the Nigerian environment, the House of Representatives has said.

Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, in a keynote address at a oneday Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility Programme in Abuja, called for stakeholder collaboration to tackle the menace of industrial waste littering the country.

He reminded stakeholders of provisions in the law

compelling industries to adhere to the rule of recycling industrial waste.

“Specifically, section 8 of the National Environmental (Food, Beverages, Tobacco sector) Regulations 2009, states that all manufacturers of various brands of products shall establish a Buy-Back Programme for bottles and other packaging for products, and subscribe to an extended products stewardship programme,” he said.

Chairman of the committee, Uche Lilian Ekwunife (APGA-Anambra), in her opening address, stressed the need for manufacturers

to adhere strictly to recycling rules.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Rabi S. Jimeta and the Director-General of National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo and several manufacturers, commissioners and other stakeholders.

According to the committee, the lawmakers and other stakeholders were worried by the seeming neglect of corporate social responsibility of manufacturers in the waste recycling regard.

“This meeting is essentially convened to address our collective concerns regarding the filthy and deplorable condition of our city centres due to poor waste prevention and management.

“The meeting will provide us with adequate opportunity to address one of the biggest problems of our time, which is the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste materials, such as glass products, plastic bottles and other packaging materials, as well as allay our fears on the hazards of growing waste management challenges.

letter by Obasanjo was false. He also contended that the letter contained other “words which he knew to be false.”

Kashamu in his writ of summons alleged that the criminal imputation made against him

by Obasanjo in his letter, has injured his reputation and, therefore, prayed the court to award in his favour, and against the ex-President N20 billion for the damage he had suffered as a result of the allegation.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Obasanjo said he was ready to defend the case.

His counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, told Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory that his client, though not physically present in

court, had however opted not to testify in person, but “instead has picked Chief Bode Mustapha,” who was also seated in the court to testify on his behalf.

Oyewole told the court that Obasanjo had filed all the necessary court processes in accordance with the trial judge’s earlier order, just as he withdrew the applications he filed, challenging some averments contained in Kashamu’s affidavits.

He applied for a date for hearing of all applications, including the substantive suit even as Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon, SAN, did not object to the withdrawal of his application.

Hearing was adjourned to July 28 for the commencement of hearing.

National Mirror inaugurates Press Club for schools ...Chrisland chapter takes off FRANKA OSAKWE

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hrisland Schools, Lagos, yesterday, made history as the first group of secondary schools to inaugurate the National Mirror Press Club, established by the newspaper to stimulate the interest of young students in journalism and the reading culture.

The inauguration ceremony, which was performed by senior management staff of the newspaper, led by the Deputy Managing Director, Bankole Makinde, was attended by a large number of students who were inducted into the club in three of the school’s branches - Ikeja, Idimu and Victoria Garden City.

The students will act as the paper’s correspondents, reporting events in their schools and surroundings.

Makinde said the establishment of the National Mirror Press Club was in line with the newspaper’s goal of catering for the needs of young Nigerians and also reviving the reading culture, which has continued to fall, as students spend more time surfing the internet.

He disclosed that the Press Club, the first ever to be introduced by a national newspaper for secondary schools nationwide, is another landmark innovation designed to set agenda on critical issues of national development, a major policy which has set National Mirror apart from other newspapers.

Chrisland Schools managing director, Mrs Ibironke Adeyemi, admonished students to develop the habit of reading and writing as this would take them to a prominent height in future.

She extolled the virtue of reading and writing, describing it as a veritable tool for every student, irrespective of his or her professional pursuit. According to her, developing the habit of writing and reading could see the students becoming Nobel laureates or publishing directors in future.

“When the news got to me that National Mirror was coming to partner with us, I was very delighted. I think it’s a very laudable programme; it’s innovative and shows that you are really thinking about the youths of today, not just in journalism but even in education,” she enthused.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Again, police teargas LASU students FRANCIS SUBERU

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ierce-looking policemen, yesterday, chased away hundreds of Lagos State University, LASU, students who came to protest hike in school fees at the Lagos Governor’s Office with teargas and guns.

The students had come to the governor’s office, yesterday afternoon, with three BRT buses and occupied the entrance leading to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office, despite that the entrance was being barricaded by policemen attached to the Rapid Respond Squad, RRS. They had been singing and chanting anti-Fashola songs for several minutes when the police swooped on them on the order of the RRS Commander, Hakeem Odumosu, who ordered his men to arrest and disperse the protesting students.

The policemen shot sporadically into the air and released teargas right in front of the governor’s office, an action that left the

students scampering in different directions. Some of them were injured and rushed to the hospital.

The policemen chased the students towards the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, until they hurriedly crossed the expressway and pitched their tent at the Magodo gate. Others who took flight in different directions later came to join their colleagues at the gate.

Two students and the driver of one of the BRT buses were arrested by the police and the bus impounded.

Police officers with guns were seen searching for LASU students to arrest.

The road leading to the governor’s office from the Lagos State House of Assembly was barricaded by police vans.

When contacted, the President of LASU Students’ Union, Yusuf Nurudeen, told National Mirror that they came to the governor’s office to know why the state government had not announced reduction in fees being paid by

the students after the committee set up by Fashola submitted its report on Monday.

“We also learnt that the government will be meeting with the governing council of the school today, and that is why we came. We beat the barricade set up by the police, and we were singing peacefully at the entrance of the governor’s office when we saw policemen.

“They shot at us, teargassed us, shot live bullets at us right in front of the governor’s office.

It is sad that they shot at us. We came to hear the announcement of the reduction in school fees.

The police cannot do this without the order of the governor,” he said.

According to him, about three students were injured and had been rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, while two others were arrested.

The students’ union leader said that “they pursued us from the governor’s office to Magodo gate. We will continue to protest.”

Brothers nabbed for manufacturing guns BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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etectives from the Osun State Police Command have arrested two brothers, Musbau and Kamal Raji, for allegedly manufacturing guns in Osogbo.

The two suspects currently being detained at the Zone 11 Police Headquarters in Osogbo, were said to be specialists in gun manufacturing and had sold several guns before they were caught.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 11,

which comprises of Osun, Oyo and Ondo states, Mr. David Omojola, said in a statement issued by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sola Babalola, that the suspects were arrested along Osogbo/Ilesa road.

He said they were arrested by men of the zonal anti-robbery squad, led by one Bolaji Alao Mutiu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP. Also, the AIG informed that one Adeyemi Wasiu, who was allegedly in possession of a locallymade gun, was arrested at Oloke Estate, Osogbo.

Omojola added that information at police disposal indicated that the suspect, a security guard, was fond of shooting into the air every night at his residence.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to him, include nine newly-manufactured single-barrel guns, two locally-made singlebarrel guns, six damaged single-barrel guns, ten live cartridges and 82 expended cartridges.

The AIG maintained that the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigations on the matter were completed.

Ogun declares June 12 public holiday

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gun State Government has declared tomorrow workfree. It said the annual holiday was in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief M.K.O.

Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and also in commemoration of ‘Democracy Day’.

“Government enjoins

residents to spend the holiday in sober reflections and continue to pray for the state and Nigeria as a whole,” a statement said.

South West

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nobody can change UNILAG’s name -Gowon SAIDAT ALAUSA

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ormer Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), on Tuesday said it would not be rational and practicable to rename the University of Lagos, UNILAG, given its hard earned reputation built up over the years.

According to him, the pedigree of the world renowned institution is such that needs every encouraging hand so it

can “continue to grow from strength to strength.” He called on the school management to keep the flag flying.

Gowon spoke at the institution’s premises during its 2012/2013 convocation ceremony.

Gowon, who was special guest of honour at the event, also advised the graduating students to live up to the promise that they would improve themselves to the glory of God, their country, Nigeria, and the university, adding that they should fol-

low in the traditions and goodwill the university has built through decades.

“Be rest assured that nobody can change the name of the university from what it is today. You have continued to progress and have gone from strength to strength; keep it up,” he enthused.

He further advised the graduating students to set up businesses and not wait for the unavailable white collar jobs.

“Build your own businesses and do not wait for any white collar job. I also want to admonish you young men here to brace up because women have

taken over. As we can see here majority of the prizes were won by ladies so I want to urge you to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them so that you won’t be left behind,” he advised.

Earlier in his address, the varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, said the institution

has continued to relate well with other top universities around the world, adding that in the last three years, the school has hosted three top universities from South Africa, namely University of Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town and University of Johannesburg.

Drama over missing N4.8m theft case file MATTHEW IRINOYE

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ustice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday expressed dismay when she was informed by the registrar that a case file in a criminal trial before her, involving a property developer, could not be found.

The property developer, Mrs Funmi Joseph, is standing trial for allegedly defrauding one Dr. Dennis Oyakhire, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, to the tune of N4.8 million.

The defendant was alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to have collected the money from the victim under the pretext of

selling a property, located at the Redeemed Camp, to him.

Arraigned alongside the defendant is her company, Rockdays Synergy Limited, through which the claimant made payment for the property.

It would be recalled that the matter was adjourned till yesterday for further trial after the victim had given evidence of how he was duped by the property developer.

When the matter was called up, the court registrar informed the court that the case file was nowhere to be found.

The judge expressed shock and queried the registrar on why a case file in a trial that no appeal was filed could be missing.

BRESSON, AGGREKO to increase Nigeria’s power supply

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resson AS Nigerian Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneer Independent Power Producers, has concluded plans with Emergency Power conglomerate, Aggreko, to bolster Nigeria’s electricity market by 250mw within the next nine months.

The chairman of Bresson, Gbenga Olawepo, and the Regional Director of Aggreko, Christopher Jacquin, signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Paris on behalf of their two companies.

The project will be sited in industrial clusters.

According to sources close to Bresson, the company has plans to add a total of 500mw within

the next 12 months to its daily generation capacity through emergency power generation, particularly in strategic centres in order to arrest acute power shortages.

Bresson, the owner of the Magboro 90mw power project in Magboro, Ogun State, also hopes to commission in 2015 its Magboro plant configured on 2GE LM 6000.

The plant is designed for supply of power to the national grid while an additional 20mw project, a joint project between Bresson and Aggreko, is designed to serve the immediate neighbourhood of Magboro as an embedded generation option.

Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie (2nd left) praying on the body of the late Rt. Rev. Msgr. Pedro Ayodele Martins, the first Nigerian Catholic Chaplain of the Nigerian Army, at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Chidoka to deliver paper in S’Africa OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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hief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, has been selected among the resource persons around the world to make presentations at this year’s edition of Saphilla 2014, in South Africa.

An on-line media statement signed by the Deputy Corps Commander, Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said the event is a biennial conference for system application

and products, SAP, in data processing, which enables users to connect, create and collaborate, through sharing knowledge about innovations, implementations and service delivery.

He stated that during the three-day conference, which should commence during the week, Chidoka would make a presentation on ‘SAP Business Intelligence in Road Management- Real Time Incident Reporting and Dashboards’, which seeks to undertake a holistic overview of the inherent

benefits and colouration of business intelligence techniques in system application and products as part of measures for improved service delivery in the public and private sector.

He emphasised that the conference would further review the underlying benefits of real time collation, storage, retrieval, analysis and reportage of data on road traffic crashes towards effective road safety management.

The statement added, “The Corps Marshal’s presentation will further

seek to accentuate the relevance of business intelligence on information technology applications to provide access to data to help enterprise users make better decisions through on-line analytical process, statistical analysis, query and reporting, forecasting and data mining.

“It also provides the capability to manage financial, asset, and cost accounting, production operations and materials, personnel, plants, and archived documents.”

FMC boss seeks increased investment in healthcare ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Ido-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, has called on the Federal Government to invest in health institutions in Nigeria, particularly on medical tourism.

Ayodele said that such

would enhance diversification of the country’s economy as the country could make huge resources from the health sector of countries like India.

The CMD told journalists at FMC Ido-Ekiti yesterday that it was necessary for public health institutions to look inwards for revenue, rather than depend totally on the lean resources from government.

He said that the institution under him in the last one and half year had been adventurous in the area of investment to ensure it ups the ante in service delivery.

According to him, the health institution is eyeing investment in agriculture through investing in commercial poultry and fish farming to shore up its revenue base.

This, he said, would be in addition to the block in-

dustry which the health institution had established, adding that the proceeds from the industry were being used to create incentives for workers and provision of facilities.

Ayodele said the business ventures were geared towards complementing the monthly N4.8 million being released by the Federal Ministry of Health as overhead cost.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abia APC inaugurates exco GEORGE OPARA UMUAHIA

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he executive committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abia State, has been inaugurated, with the state chairman, Mr. Fabian Okonkwo, calling on all aggrieved members to close ranks and work for the progress of the party.

Okonkwo said the party’s congress that elected the executives was a ‘no victor, no vanquished’ contest, adding that all hands should now be on deck to move the party forward in the state.

“Our doors are open to welcome anybody. The party does not belong to any one person, so anybody that has a desire to work for the growth of APC in the state is welcome,” the chairman stated.

The inauguration of the 31-member state executive council was done at the party’s Azikiwe Road state

office, Umuahia.

The chairman said the exercise had put paid to all speculations that there was a parallel executive of the party in the state.

According to him, after their inauguration in Abuja last Thursday by the National Executive Council, NEC, of the party, he was mandated to swear in the other members of the state executive that emerged with him at the April state congress in Umuahia.

“Today, I am here to carry out one of the duties assigned to me by the National Chairman of our party in Abuja; to go home and swear in other members of the executive that were elected along with me,” Okonkwo said.

He also swore in the party’s chairmen in the 17 local government areas of the state and directed them to inaugurate their council executives, as well as those of the 184 wards in the state.

Prophetess predicts ‘God-chosen’ president in 2015 CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he founder of Jesus Reigns Women of Praise International, JRWP, Pastor Ify Felicia Chidike, yesterday in Owerri, Imo State, predicted that the winner of 2015 presidential election would be a ‘God-chosen’ president.

Addressing journalists, she said she got the revelation while interceding for the nation’s election.

God, she stated, told her that in 2015, a ‘God-chosen’ president would emerge.

Chidike urged Nigerians to think more of the lessprivileged and the poor in the society.

She stressed that the present situation in the country compelled her ministry to kick-start structures for the elderly in Owerri and Dikenafai in Ideato South local government area of the state.

She added that during the tenure of the said president, “one British pound sterling will equal N6 in Nigeria currency.”

The cleric stated that her ministry would pray fervently for God to do a new thing in the country, stressing that the organisation was setting up offices and

South East

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

intercessory groups in all the states to facilitate the project.

Chidike said her ministry would train members and empower them through job creation, business ventures; give scholarships to deserving students and send people abroad to acquire skills.

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Customs intercepts 240 military camouflage, 24 boots at Onne DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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he Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said that it has intercepted military uniforms and boots at the Onne Sea Port in Rivers State.

Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday on the seizure of the contrabands, the Comptroller of Customs, Area II Command, Onne, Muhammed Magaji, said the impounded items include 240 sets of army camouflage and 24 pairs of military boots.

The interception, he said, followed intelligence reports and vigilance of

the Customs officers at the Onne port.

Magaji disclosed that the military uniforms and boots were concealed in other goods, in a group-paid container with registration number 8228311.

He added that the contrabands were discovered during routine checks by officers and men of the command.

According to the comptroller, “During our routine examinations and checks, we discovered that a container owned by 24 people has all these stuff inside it.”

Magaji warned importers of prohibited goods to

keep away from the Onne Port, saying the eagle-eyed security officers would always intercept such contrabands.

He added: “We always tell them that they should not come to Onne here. We have issued series of warnings that any illegal trader should not come to Onne because we have wherewithal and intelligence readily available to discover these type of things.

“You can see that this thing is illegally imported.

It is against the Federal Government laws, for somebody to import this kind of stuff. What we are trying to do is to hand over these

items to the State Security Services, SSS, for them to carry out investigations and get to the root of the matter,” he said.

He said the Customs was handling the 40-foot container of the goods imported from the United Arab Emirates by Kenan Investment Company Nigeria Limited, Aba, Abia State.

The customs boss gave the name of the consignee as Nwizu Ken Bizman, from Onitsha, Anmabra State.

The comptroller said the suspects, including the impounded items would be handed over to the SSS for further investigation.

Physically-challenged seek employment to end begging GEORGE OPARA UMUAHIA

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ersons With Disability, PWDs, in the South-East have called on the respective governments in the zone to allocate some elective and appointive employment quota to them to end street begging.

And ahead 2015, they have also called on all persons affected and their wards in the zone to “mandatorily register with INEC for the forthcoming and subsequent elections, as

our number can make a big difference.”

They said that participating actively in the electoral process would help to better their lot and integrate them into the larger society.

Speaking under the ae-

gis of Ohanaeze Disability Forum, ODF, the South-East physically-challenged also condemned the Boko Haram insurgence in parts of the country, and the abduction of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls.

In a communiqué issued after the inauguration of the Forum, the group called on South-East states to “facilitate the passage of the disability bill that protects the rights of PWDs, as has been done in some states.”

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP lawmakers fail in bid to hijack Edo Assembly …APC lawmakers allege threat to life SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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he political crisis in Edo State deepened on Tuesday as lawmakers of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) attempted unsuccessfully to hijack leadership of the state House of Assembly.

The bid involved nine lawmakers, who sat as early as 10 am after they allegedly broke with a fire extinguisher, the lock on the door that leads into the Assembly Chamber under the protection of alleged strange security agents.

The opposition lawmakers sat without the mace, the symbol of legislative authority, and without the presence of legislative staff such as the Clerk and Sergeant-atArms, to pronounce suspension on the Speaker, Uyigue Igbe; the Majority Leader, Phillip Shaibu; Kabiru Adjoto and five other unnamed lawmakers.

It was learnt that lawmakers involved in the sitting that lasted 10 minutes included the suspended Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea of Esan South East Constituency, and three other defected

lawmakers that were suspended along with him, Friday Ogierhiakhi of Orhionmwon South Constituency, Jude Ise-Idehen of Ikpoba-Okha Constituency and Patrick Osayinmwen of Oredo East Constituency.

The others were the four PDP-elected lawmakers, Emmanuel Okoduwa of Esan North East II Constituency, Monday Ehighalua of Esan West Constituency, Patrick Iluobe of Esan North East I Constituency and Kingsley Ehigiamusoe of Igueben Constituency, as well as Abdulrazak Momoh of Etsako West Constituency, whose suspension was deferred, as a result of his litigation.

Events soon degenerated in the legislative chamber, spilling over to the sprawling King’s Square, also known as Ring Road.

The breakdown of law and order saw police firing several canisters of teargas to disperse political thugs, street urchins and passers-by.

In the ensuing pandemonium that split the 24-member Assembly into two camps of 15 legislators loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and nine other legislators loyal to the PDP,

INEC ordered to recognise Rivers PDP loyal to Wike ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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federal high court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognise the Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, led by Chief Obuah Amaechi Felix.

The Obuah-led executive is loyal to the incumbent Education Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The high court, in a judgment yesterday, said the Obuah Committee is the authentic executive.

It was the second time the Obuah Committee would receive judicial endorsement as the au-

thentic state exco of the ruling PDP in Rivers State.

National Mirror reports that an Abuja high court had, in 2013, endorsed the same committee.

The federal high court, which declared Obuah Committee as the authentic Exco, yesterday barred the National Secretariat of the PDP from holding or conducting any congress for the purpose of selecting or recognizing new leaders, until the expiration of the four-year tenure of the Obuah leadership.

The court also barred the party from accepting candidates for elections from any other group other than those produced by the current PDP leadership in the state.

a lawmaker, Patrick Osayinmwen, was roundly beaten before security officials intervened.

The crisis also resulted in a bloody clash between political thugs loyal to the two parties at Ring Road. Only the timely intervention of personnel detached by Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, saved the situation from further degenerating.

According to the police boss, who spoke on phone to National Mirror, several of the political thugs and street urchins that clashed have been ar-

rested. He added that they would be prosecuted for breach of public peace.

We also gathered that as the nine opposition lawmakers hurriedly left the chamber, the ruling party lawmakers met and confronted them on the way, resulting in the ensuing fracas where some of them sustained injuries.

After the melee, the Speaker led 13 lawmakers into the chamber to formally sit for the day.

While two absentees, who reportedly travelled out of the state with permission were observed, the Assembly passed a motion af-

firming confidence in the House leadership.

It, however, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to call the PDP in Edo State to order to prevent total breakdown of law and order, even as it further urged the Inspector-General of Police to provide the security necessary for smooth sitting.

At a question-and-answer session with journalists inside the Speaker’s office later that evening, the 13 lawmakers reiterated their allegiance to the leadership provided

by Igbe, reaffirmed the suspension of the four

legislators and denied as wicked, malicious and unfounded, the rumour that Governor Adams Oshiomhole led a group of political thugs to the premises of the Assembly.

In a related development, Shaibu and Adjoto of Akoko Edo I Constituency have raised an alarm that their lives were no longer safe, as they were being marked for assassination along with two other lawmakers, owing to their consistent defence of democracy in the state. They, therefore, called on the police to guarantee the security of their lives and property.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter Carter, during the latter’s visit to the governor’s office in Benin City, yesterday.

NDDC threatens to sanction erring contractors, banks …Reassigns Eliozu-Elimgbu Road contract

DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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anks and contractors doing business with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, may need to brace up, as the agency has threatened to sanction those contributing to delays in the completion of its projects in the Niger Delta.

The NDDC Executive Director (Projects), Tuoyo Omatsuli, while inspecting some of its major projects in Rivers State, warned that all offending parties, including banks and contractors, would be blacklisted.

The inspection covered the two prototype hostel projects at the Rivers State University of Science and

Technology, RSUST; the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT; the Niger Delta Regional Specialist Hospital, the 15-floor new NDDC headquarters, the permanent site of the Rivers State office, and the Eliozu-Oroigwe-Elimgbu Road, all in the Port Harcourt metropolis.

Omatsuli frowned on the slow pace of work at the UNIPORT hostel, which he blamed on the non-release of funds by a particular bank to the contractor. “We paid in the money for work to continue on the project three months ago and the bank failed to make it available to the contractor.”

He warned that the banks working with the commission stood the risk of being blacklisted

if they hinder the work of contractors, noting that it was wrong for some of the banks to set up different conditions for the contractors outside the guidelines by the commission for Advanced Payment Guaranty (APG) disbursement.

Omatsuli said further, “The situation at the RSUST hostel was also not impressive, as the NDDC Executive Director charged the contractor to correct a number of flaws that were detected during the inspection. To ensure that standards were not compromised, he said that a special monitoring team would be set up by the commission to supervise the contractor to effect all the necessary corrections.”

At the Specialist Hospital, comprising the or-

thopaedic complex and the four-storey cardiovascular centre, he said that apart from putting up the structures, the NDDC was already partnering with professionals in medical administration for the running of the two specialist hospitals.

He said that the orthopaedic unit would deal with the correction of injuries to the skeletal system, associated muscles, joints and ligaments, while the cardiovascular section would treat heartrelated problems. He further said that the NDDC was building similar hospitals in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta states to discourage increasing cases of medical tourism among Nigerians.

Wednesday June 11, 2014

Jonathan meets Fayose, Omisore over Ekiti, Osun polls ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with gubernatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti and Osun states, Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, it was gathered that the forthcoming governorship elections in both states were discussed.

The governorship election in Ekiti State is

to hold on June 21, while that of Osun is scheduled for August 9.

Jonathan was in Ekiti last Saturday for the PDP rally where Fayose was presented as the PDP flagbearer in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Fayose, in a chat with State House correspondents yesterday after the meeting with the President, said the incident in Ekiti was part of the discussions at the meeting.

According to Fayose, “what happened on

Sunday was that All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters went about sweeping the feet of the President who on Saturday led PDP bigwigs to a mega rally in AdoEkiti. I don’t even have any objection to that because that is part of politics.

“There are some of my supporters who always sleep over in my campaign office. These people wearing my branded green T-shirts were returning home and the APC people accosted them.

“They macheted some of my supporters and even killed one of them.

They were at the point of removing the deceased’s branded T-shirt and replacing it with APC shirt when the OC MOPOL arrived the scene.

“As he was trying to stop them, Fayemi drove in to block him. It was when they wanted to mob the police officer that he shot teargas into the air.”

Fayose, however, assured that he would record overwhelming votes and emerge victorious in the election.

Delegates seeking recognition to speak during a heated debate at the National Conference in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Beware of failed APC politicians, PDP warns PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State has called on the people of the state to be wary of failed All Progressives Congress, APC, politicians who have nothing to offer them, except the desperate desire to grab power at all cost.

In a press statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed-Saba, the PDP said the failed opposition politicians, who have lost virtually all the election they contested at all

levels, are only versatile in cheap propaganda for cheap political gains.

Mohammed-Saba said: “The incompetence of the APC leadership can be seen in its inability to hold a conclusive congress which has brought about division among its members. How can a political party that cannot hold a conclusive congress want to rule a complex state like Niger State?”

Saying that the APC in the state is already on the verge of collapse due to the crisis generated by its poor and haphazard attempt to organise congresses from ward to lo-

cal government and state levels, the PDP urged the people of Niger State to distance themselves from these pack of incompetent people and their party.

It said: “We therefore urged Nigerlites to disregard all concocted lies being peddled by this group of self seeking opportunistic politicians against the PDP-led state government in a vain attempt to hide their failure through propaganda.

“The party like it’s so legacy predecessors – the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC

and All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, will continue to fail at the polls and will soon fade to oblivion as Nigerlites are conscious of the developmental strides of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s government.”

Noting that the achievements of the current administration speaks volume, the PDP said it will not resort to gutter language or mudslinging but, would continue to presents issues as they are, unlike the APC, whose stock in trade is character assassination and twisting of facts to mislead the public.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Civil Society Coalition rates Fayemi high AYO ESAN

C

ivil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, CSCMAP, has scored the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State and the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate in the forthcoming governorship election, Dr Kayode Fayemi, very high, saying that he has a better chance of winning the election .

CSC-MAP, a coalition of 35 non-governmental organisations, NGOs, at a media presentation of the report of its 60-day survey, yesterday in Lagos, said many respondents to the survey rate Fayemi high.

Director of Project of the CSC-MAP, Mr. Kehinde Adegbuyi and the group’s Secretary for Research, Mr Popoola Ajayi, said many respondents want to see the continuity of the programmes of the governor built around his eight-point agenda It said: “Many people in Ekiti irrespective of gender, religion or creed are fascinated by the N5,000 allowance given to old people; the Youth For Commercial Agriculture, YCAD, which has suddenly shot Ekiti into limelight

as the leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and also the agrarian programme aimed at reviving agriculture in the state. Many respondents are happy about the human right records of the government; the free health services for vulnerable population and verifiable infrastructure that is transforming Ekiti State from its backwater status.”

Saying that Fayemi’s high rating was hinged on a deep sense of trust, confidence in character, public satisfaction about his strategy for resource allocation, strategy of public participation in budget planning, strong fiscal discipline, public attitude of his aides, his commitment to human rights and the public perception that he has a strong family value.

It also appealed to candidates in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti and the entire Ekiti people to shun violence, saying they need not kill the people that they want to govern and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to use of e-card reader in the election to prevent rigging.

Ex-Police Affairs minister joins Bauchi guber race EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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ormer Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, has declared that he is making arrangement to declare his intention to contest for Bauchi State governorship in 2015.

Dr Lame, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said: “I will very soon declare my interest to contest for Bauchi State governorship; we have a committee of experts working to bring out laudable programmes that will bring changes that will better the lives of Bauchi people.”

He said that part of

the things he would focus upon is improving the state economy, exploit its solid minerals, develop the state through sports and tourism and focus more in providing required adequate security of lives and properties.

Asked about Bauchi South senatorial district, where he came from, monopolising power in the last 16 years of the present democratic experiment and that it is now the turn of either the North or Central senatorial district, Lame said: “I will contest as a citizen of Bauchi State under APC not the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and I will ensure fairness and justice to all parts of the state.

14

Politics

Wednesday June 11, 2014

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Echoes of Fayose’s mega rally ABIODUN NEJO chronicles last Saturday’s mega rally by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the ensuing violence the following day when the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, took to town in Ado Ekiti.

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he memories of the flag-off rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose, last Saturday will linger for long in the minds of many in Ekiti State, particularly political watchers and stakeholders.

This is not only for the unprecedented crowd witnessed at the event, but for the calibre and quality of the dignitaries and the unbelievable spectacles at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, venue of the rally.

Among dignitaries at the rally led by President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, were Senate President David Mark, Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio; PDP Board of Trustees, BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, and House Leader, Hon Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

Others include, governors Idris Wada (Kogi); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Theodore Orji (Abia); former governors Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa), Alao Akala (Oyo) and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano); Senators Iyiola Omisore, Hosea Ehinlanwo and Bode Olajumoke; Chief Olusola Oke and the Alafao of Afao Ekiti, Oba Joseph Ademilua.

Also in attendance were: PDP South West zonal chairman, Chief Isola Filani; Minister designate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; former Ekiti State deputy governor, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Ambassador Dare Bejide.

Fayose, a former governor aspiring for the office which he left eight years ago for a second time, was the toast of all eyes as every move he made attracted chants of Oshoko from the tumultuous crowd who had gathered in the stadium and on the hills and storey-buildings around the place to catch a glimpse and to witness the event.

President Jonathan and other dignitaries at the rally could not hide their pleasant surprises at the kind of support and admiration that the people had for Fayose as shown in their actions.

Fayose, who showed a red card to the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led All progressives Congress, APC government, stole the show when, on his order, the teeming PDP supporters flaunted their voter cards with which they said they would vote the incumbent government out of office on June 21.

An elated President Jonathan said: “I am

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) presenting former governor of Ekiti State and PDP governorship candidate Mr Ayo Fayose, with PDP National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Senate President David Mark right at Fayose’s campaign rally in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

not in Ekiti today to convert you because by this crowd, you have shown that you are for the PDP. “You have really shown clearly that you want change in Ekiti. You have shown that you want leadership that will improve on your well-being, on the level of education in Ekiti because education is key in this state.

We will bring back the lost glory in the education sector.”

Cautioning that whoever relied on thuggery during the poll would be disappointed, Jonathan urged Ekiti electorate to vote for Fayose, promising that he would join hands with him to develop the state.

Fayose and the deputy governorship candidate, Dr Olusola Eleka, expressed confidence that the party would be returned by popular votes in the election.

Muazu said: “When Ekiti people vote for PDP, they will be better for it. We are going to embark on people-oriented programmes that will touch positively on your lives.”

Fayose assured the people: “I am making an oath before you today that if you elect me,

WHEN EKITI PEOPLE VOTE FOR PDP, THEY WILL BE BETTER FOR IT. WE ARE GOING TO EMBARK ON

PEOPLE-ORIENTED PROGRAMMES THAT WILL TOUCH POSITIVELY ON YOUR LIVES

I shall look after you.”

Criticising the APC government for reversing the trend of education in Nigeria by charging outrageous fees in the state-owned higher institutions, he assured: “When I return, I promise to slash them so that the children of the common man can go to schools. The contracts of the state will no longer go to foreigners because I will consider the local contents.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo expressed confidence that Fayose’s election would mean end to problems with salaries, teachers and transportation in the state, Mark and Akpabio, respectively expressed the support and solidarity of the PDP National Assembly members and PDP governors to Fayose.

However, less than 18 hours after the President’s departure, the ruling APC embarked on a symbolic sweeping of the footprints of the PDP leaders from the state, a peaceful exercise which later turned violent and fatal.

Governor Fayemi who later arrived the scene of the violence was not spared by the police who allegedly fired tear gas canisters at his convoy.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Uyanna, said the APC “held a grand rally to sweep off the footpring of PDP members. In the process, they had an encounter with rival PDP members at Ijigbo Roundabout, during which cudgels, axes, machetes and other dangerous weapons were used.”

Uyanna, in a statement by police spokesperson, Mr Victor Babayemi, said the police and other sister security agencies swiftly moved in to curtail the situation among the feuding politicians.

But the APC state chairman, Chief Jide Awe, who blamed the disruption of the party’s sensitisation walk with tear gas and gun shots on the police, who he accused of being compromised, sought the transfer of the police boss and the Mopol Commander in the state, Mr Gabriel Serenkele.

Awe said: “Information at our disposal is that the election would be between Ekiti people and security agencies – army and police. What happened today is an attestation to that. Are they telling us that we can no longer campaign or hold rallies again?”

But the PDP, which said APC’s action on Sunday was because it was intimated by the unprecedented crowd at Fayose’s mega rally on Saturday, accused Governor Fayemi of allegedly leading the APC members to unleash terror on the people of the state.

PDP state chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, who said “the provocation by members of the APC” was because they were jittery on seeing the crowd at Fayose’s rally attended by Jonathan and other PDP chieftains, said: “I sympathise with the governor.

He saw the crowd and he is jittery”.

But Fayemi, who spoke on the need for the protection of democracy, said: “The only way you can protect this democracy is to ensure that the security agencies, the electoral body and all state agencies must ensure that there is level playing field for all players. We don’t want a situation in which unprovoked attacks are levelled against innocent citizens.

Expressing confidence that Sunday’s violence and attack on the APC and his convoy would not deter Ekiti people who he described as resilient and determined, he said: “We have the mandate and we shall protect the mandate with everything we have.

“If their (PDP and police) plan is to ensure that our people are intimated and make sure they stay at home on the day of election, then it has failed because our campaign will go on. We shall not be intimated by this.”

Fayemi described the attack on his convoy by the police as “an assassination attempt” on him and an “assault on the government and the people of Ekiti State,” calling on appropriate authorities to look into it and take necessary action.

Ekiti State caucus of National Assembly also called on President Jonathan and the Inspector General of Police to immediately redeploy the Mopol Commander out of Ekiti over his insult on Governor Fayemi.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who spoke on behalf of the caucus lamented: “It is so sad that we are dealing with people who are not ready for democracy, those who are not ready for free, fair and credible election. But we want to sound a warning that the APC is ready to accept the verdict of a free and fair poll, but for anyone to impose his will on us, we will not accept that.

“We are sending a petition to Mr President; Senate President, David Mark ; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal and the IGP on the plan to humiliate our governor and the people of the state.”

Reacting to the violence, Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, condemned the killing that accompanied it, saying it was uncalled for, barbaric and tragic.

He called for urgent steps by stakeholders in the state and the security agencies to stop ongoing theatre of war in the state with few days to the June 21 governorship election.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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From The Civil Service Effort to boost sanitation in Africa still inadequate –Ochekpe 16

Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel (right), meeting with Local Government Pensioners protesting alleged non-payment of their gratuity and other allowances at the gate of the Government House in Uyo on Monday

Abuja Municipal Council continues demolition of structures in Nyanya area

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he Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC) and other agencies in the Federal Capital Territory Administration have continued the demolition of illegal structures and shanties in Nyaya.

Officials of the agencies

said that the exercise was a continuation of efforts to rid the area of miscreants and illegal business operators and to maintain security in the area.

The exercise saw the demolition of an illegal settlement in Kugbo called,

``Better Life Village’’, and the Kugbo Mechanic Village where vehicles were removed by officials of the Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS).

The exercise is a joint effort by AMMC, Abuja Environmental Protection Board

(AEPB), Development Control Department, Parks and Recreation, and DRTS. Malam Yahaya Yusuf, Director of the Development Control Department, AMMC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was strategic for shanties and illegal

NAFDAC moves against unregistered sachet water VICTOR ADEOTI

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

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he production of sachet water, popularly called “pure water”, has been a major source of income for many people across the country.

Economists note that the production, marketing and consumption of sachet water have recently increased tremendously, as the moneyspinning business several brands on sale.

Attesting to this, Dr Paul Orhii, Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said that a lot of money was realised daily from the sales of sachet water across the country.

Due to the lucrative nature of the business, Orhii, during a visit to Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, the Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja, said that a lot of

86 communities benefit from N12.5bn Cross River water P.16 project

people had ventured into sachet water production.

He, nonetheless, expressed regret that in spite of the prospects of the business, some sachet water producers had wilfully decided not to follow the regulations prescribed for sachet water production by NAFDAC. He lamented that the environment in which some of the sachet water producers operated was not hygienic, while some of them had not registered with the

agency.

In view of this, Mr Olatunbosun Adeoye, an environmentalist, argued that NAFDAC should be more proactive in determining the prerequisites for sachet water production so as to ensure the safety of the public.

He alleged that some sachet water producers packaged untreated water from various sources and labelled it as “pure water” with fake NAFDAC registration number on the sachets.

Nigerians mourn Dora Akunyili P.41

structures to be demolished because they served as hideouts for criminals.

He said that less than one week after the area was cleaned up, the illegal structures had resurfaced and added that the exercise would be sustained. ``We came here just last week to remove illegal structures but I am amazed that the structures have resurfaced. ``These shanties serve as hideouts for criminals and we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that they are removed from Abuja and we would ensure that this exercise is sustained. ``There are plans to develop a land site for residents who are genuinely engaged in cottage industries but criminally-minded individuals would not

be accommodated,’’ the director said.

Some residents of the area, however, complained that the demolition could further increase insecurity in the territory.

Michael Dang, a resident of Kugbo, said that the continuous demolition of property in the area was not fair to residents. ``They keep talking about insecurity but what they are doing will not solve the problem ``What we want is protection by the authorities and not for them to further compound our problems,’’ he said.

Steve Martins, a resident of Nyanya , also expressed sadness over the exercise and advised the government to consider the low income residents in their policies.

FCT to spend N334bn on Jabi Lake Resort

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Civil Service

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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86 communities benefit from N12.5bn Cross River water project

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ome 86 communities in Cross River have benefitted from the N12.5 billion water supply project sponsored by the state government in collaboration with the World Bank and First Bank (Ni-

geria) Plc. Mr Godwin Akwagiobe, the state Water Project Engineer, stated this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Ikom.

Akwagiobe said the ben-

Petroleum Ministry partners NNPC on capacity building CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

A

s part of efforts to boost indigenous capacity in the Oil and Gas Sector, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have commenced a seven week intensive training for thirty four (34) technical officers in the Ministry.

Delivering his keynote address during the opening ceremony of the second batch of Foundation Skills Training Programme (FSTP) organized by the NNPC for the Technical Officers in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, noted that the programme would equip the trainees technically for the task ahead.

Represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Isang Iwara, the Permanent Secretary said the capacity development programme was in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration to take the Oil and Gas Industry to the next level.

He commended the NNPC for facilitating the training programme, stressing that the partnership is geared towards improving the competence and policy direction of the present administration.

In his opening address, the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Dan Efebo, observed that the programme was aimed at developing young professionals for the entire Oil and Gas value chain considering the critical role it plays across the entire spectrum of the Nigeri-

an economy.

“To date, a total of thirty (30) officers were trained in the first batch.

At the end of this programme, sixty (64) officers from various disciplines of Geosciences, Petroleum Engineering, Well Engineering and Field Engineering would have been trained,” the GED said.

Represented by the Group General Manager, Group Human Resources, Mr. Ishaya Timothy, the GED implored the trainees to remain focused and work hard in order to justify the enormous resources committed to organizing the programme.

In his welcome address, the GGM, GHR of NNPC, represented by Mrs. Mariam Sani, assured the trainees that the training provider was capable of delivering the training as majority of their resource persons were experienced players in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

He commended the Group Learning Department for working tirelessly to ensure the successful takeoff and smooth running of the programme and urged them to remain focused on ensuring the successful completion of the programme.

Other speakers at the event included former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr.

Funsho Kukpolukun, and former Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals of the Corporation, Engr.

Chris Ogiewonyi, who called on the Ministry and the NNPC to sustain the culture of training and retraining their work force in order to ensure excellence in the Petroleum Sector

eficiaries included 16 communities in Okpoma, Yala; 20 in Obubra, 14 in Itigidi Phase II; 12 in Obubra, 13 in Ogoja, nine in Ikom, two in Ikom Phase II, and one in Itigidi Phase I. He said that the First Bank funded the Ikom phase I and the Itigidi Emergency Rehabilitation with N900 million, adding that water production and distribution systems for Ikom and Itigidi Phase I cost N5.4 billion.

He also said that the

World Bank-sponsored Obudu and Ikom Phase II water projects at a cost of $15.3 million (about N2.5 billion), while the Ikom Phase II gulped $23.4 million (about N3.7 billion).

He said that most of the projects were already serving residents of the affected communities, adding that the few ongoing ones would soon be completed.

Akwagiobe said that most of the benefiting communities had no potable

water for several years, noting that the intervention had alleviated their suffering. ``Before now, the people were drinking unsafe water from ponds, rivers, lakes and wells,’’ he said.

He appealed to the affected communities to own, maintain and protect the various water schemes which the state government had spent so much to attract.

According to reports some of the communities

which had already taken delivery of the completed projects included Itigidi, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu.

Mrs Martina Odey, a civil servant in Ogoja said, ``This is a wonderful project for us. For years we have stayed without water and our people fetched from bore holes and other sources. ``We thank Gov. Liyel Imoke for this gesture. This will help us a lot. Water was our main problem,’’ she said.

L-R: Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Richard Oteri; Assistant Comptroller (Operation), Mr. Akindele Akinwande; Commandant, Oyo State Command, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Omolade Faboyede and Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Bumba Usman, during the handover of seized cannabis to NDLEA in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Minister hands over N170m to 37 antiquities vendors

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he Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke has paid N170 million to 37 antiquities vendors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the money was the balance owed the vendors by government.

The government agency had bought some items and other artefacts from the group.

Duke handed over the cheques during the hosting of the antiquities vendors by the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) in Abuja. ``Government is undoubtedly mindful of the values of artefacts and has not spared any effort at ensuring that this collective patrimony and

symbol of our identity are protected.”

According to him, the swiftness and magnitude of the fund released for the payment of vendors is another effort of trying to check illegal trafficking of our artefacts.

He called on vendors and all stakeholders in the culture industry to collaborate with government in ensuring that the cultural sectors enjoyed its pride of place in the country.

Duke said that President Good luck Jonathan had outlined the culture sectors as one to be developed with the aim of grooming the economy.

He added that the culture sector would also create employment for the teeming population in accordance with the

transformation agenda of the administration.

He stressed that the Federal Government was determined to partner with the vendors and encourage their patronage.

He said that this was the basis for the payment of the artefacts being purchased from them.

The minister also lauded the NCMM sports contingents who participated at the Federal Public Service Games held in December 2013 at Makurdi.

Duke offered salary increment for the NCMM contingents who won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the Public Service Games competition.

Reports said that three incremental salary steps were given to all

gold medalists.

The silver medalists got two incremental salary steps and one incremental salary step to bronze medalists.

Malam Yusuf Usman, the Director-General, NCMM, said that the commission was committed to encouraging antiquities vendor through prompt payment of their money.

He said that there were negative comments from different quarters as to whether the vendors would be paid or not.

He added that the handing over of the cheques had shamed critics.

“We want to thank the vendors for their understanding and also request that they continue to keep faith with NCMM,” he said.

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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A wahala man on the throne?

SEGUN OLANREWAJU

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oung, debonair and heady Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has apparently gotten to the top of his allegedly life-long kingly ambition on a platter last Sunday. As a dashing man, respected economist taking tutorial classes in his two-year sojourn at the mighty ABU then, many felt he was too ‘waywardly’ for an academic life.

Rarely seen around, it was much longer that those of us from the ‘south’ who never believed that flowers grew in the North, that he was from a hotbed, having studied at the legendary King’s College and a ‘unity’ one in Lagos.

The more probing would wonder whether despite all the exposure, like the legendary Ikemba Nnewi, whose ghosts is still hunting the land, Sanusi speaks good Yoruba. And so, when he boarded his platform to the corporate world through banking, many sighed a relief. They felt that he could have easily found his way to a more engaging undertaking. And he did prove himself on the beat, some would argue.

Subsequent events, though many are saying, have been proving things probably wrong. When we all heard he went for a postgraduate course in the Sudan, of all endeavours, Sharia law, it was felt that he could be taking his royal exuberance too far.

The sight of a Sanusi walking into a banking hall dressed in a princely attire, shortly before and after a presidential alter-

cation, some say, is enough to send some signals down the spines of those still pondering the hows and whys.

But the rest is now history. The ‘West’ has hijacked a conspiracy theory. Kano is an emirate in the similar mould of the Ottomans. Western news agencies are darting several tendencies that make the new emir a flaming fire on the stool. As a strident enemy of the Federal Government, Sanusi is now considered to be one of the influential leaders in a ‘largely’ Muslim North.

Was the appointment part of a larger ‘Boko Haram’ stuff ? Given the haste of the appointment and subsequent events, things, they say, might suggest so. Sanusi, it was argued, regularly railed against the FG’s record on corruption. He was suspended from his post at the apex bank in February by President Goodluck Jonathan, a decision that alarmed international investors, the agency reports said.

According to Reuters, Sanusi’s move into such a revered position, after the death of his great-uncle on Friday, June 6, could unsettle some in Jonathan administration, which reportedly rule over a religiously divided country and is facing national elections in 2015. Sanusi is said to be the secondhighest Muslim authority in Nigeria.

Underlining local politics also raging behind the decision, several hundred supporters of another hopeful candidate - the late emir’s oldest son - massed outside the state government building, destroying street signs until police fired in the air to disperse them, witnesses said.

AS A STRIDENT ENEMY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SANUSI IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE INFLUENTIAL LEADERS IN A ‘LARGELY’

MUSLIM NORTH Can Sanusi’s switch from the offices of Abuja to the palace in Kano make him a central player in confronting a mounting insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram militants in the northeast of the country? The fighters have set their sights on toppling the traditional Muslim hierarchy, accusing it of failing to enforce what they see as their true interpretation of the Koran.

“Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is the new Emir of Kano,” the state government said, using a fuller version of his name.

Sanusi took the throne, which has few constitutional powers, amid tight security.

Soldiers manned major road junctions in the north’s main city that has suffered a string of bomb attacks blamed on Boko Haram. He had been shortlisted by four “kingmakers” - part of ancient succession rules set up by an emirate known for its sumptuous displays of royal regalia and ritual.

There is no automatic father-to-son succession, but candidates have to come from

Boko Haram, Muslims and northerners YUSHAU SHUAIB

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fter the Chief Imam ended the prayer in the mosque, his deputy collected the microphone and delivered strong worded condemnation on insurgents for the killing of innocent people in the name of Islam. The deputy ended by saying “terrorists will roast in hell-fire!”

Surprisingly, the Chief Imam retrieved the microphone from his deputy and declared to the bewildered congregation: “Salam Alaikum. I am the Chief Imam of the mosque. The man who just condemned Boko Haram ‘citizens’ is the deputy Imam and his house is the one painted in white and blue behind the Emir’s palace by the right-hand corner...”

Sometimes the silence of northerners and Muslims over monumental atrocities being committed in some parts of the North, is being viewed either as a sign of complicity or endorsement of atrocities being perpetrated by insurgents. The reality, however, is that most of the victims of the attacks are actually northerners and many are even notable traditional rulers and Islamic clerics who dared to condemn such activities just like the killing of Emir of Gwoza.

On the contrary, challenges against complacency should rather be directed at the political class who has the resources and network to address the insecurity even during its infancy. It became clearly evident that there was trouble earlier on when there was proliferation of some

WE SHOULD QUESTION OUR LEADERS WHAT

THEY HAVE DONE WITH ALL THE RESOURCES MEANT TO ADDRESS THE STARK BACKWARDNESS OF THE REGION groups that are now challenging our corporate existence.

In a widely publicised article penned by this writer in March 2006 during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era titled “Killing in the name of the Devil”, which coincidentally was a reaction to an ethno-religious crisis in Maiduguri, Borno State following a controversial Danish cartoon, I pointed out that: “Probably out of fear and to sustain loyalty of followers, some leaders adopt subtle approach to comment on the mayhem instead of condemning it in the strongest possible terms. The holy scriptures have several verses that denounce those horrendous anomalies. Even our cherished cultures are rich in expressions that could be deployed at this moment of tribulation and vengeance.”

Few years later, precisely in June 2011, in an article entitled “Asari Dokubo: Another view on Boko Haram”, this writer also joined the maverick Niger Delta militant, in total condemnation of the extra-judicial killing of Mohammed

Yusuf, his father-in-law and a former commissioner for Water Resources in Borno, Buji Fai, while in police custody.

There is no doubt that leaders from the North have failed to tame excesses and recklessness of religious bigots and extremists, which have led to insecurity in the region. Rather than wake up from their slumber and tackle the raging poverty, ignorance and insecurity in the region, some northern political elites deliberately cover their failures by spinning conspiracy theory that some groups and individuals outside of the region are instigating the atrocities. It will be difficult for an outsider to manipulate a household whose members are disciplined and in the right frame of mind.

There are various conspiracy theories being parroted about the crises being engineered by outsiders against the North and northerners. This is a cheap argument that someone will use northerners to fight northerners in the North where ringleaders and arrested suspects are mostly northerners without a trace of the so-called outsiders or southern collaborators. It is also doubtful if top northern security officers at the national level and commanders on the battlefields will be willing tools in the plan to destroy their own region. Could the so-called northern conspirators intend to relocate to the South after the total destruction of the North? Some conspiracy theories don’t just make sense.

As northerners we should be wary of those playing politics with the life of our

leading families.

Sanusi, whose policies are credited with stabilising the naira currency and bringing inflation in Africa’s second biggest economy (as at then) to single digits, told Reuters in February his position in one of Kano’s leading families had given him a psychological boost.

“If you’re a prince you don’t have fear of power. You are not intimidated by authority because you’ve grown up around it,” he had said.

Government figures and analysts will be looking for any change in tone from his great-uncle Ado Abdullahi Bayero, who ruled as emir for half a century before dying in his palace at the age of 83 plus.

Ado Abdullahi Bayero steered clear of overtly political statements and won praise for his efforts to ease tensions between Kano’s majority Muslim population and minority Christians.

The new emir was suspended from the CBN after presenting parliament with evidence that the state oil firm, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had failed to pay $20 billion into federal coffers. Though this was repeatedly denied by NNPC, the development brought him into conflict with the Jonathan administration.

The Emirate of Kano was one of the great Islamic empires that dotted the Sahara from medieval times, profiting from caravan routes connecting Africa’s interior with its Mediterranean coast.

Olanrewaju is an editorial staff of this newspaper.

people and face the real challenges of good governance. We should realise that only very few states in Nigeria can survive without revenue from the Federal Government in the name of the federal revenue.

We should question our leaders what they have done with all the resources meant to address the stark backwardness of the region. We should also urge them to diversify their resource bases and invest in the productive sectors that could improve their states’ economic bases so as to make our people self-reliant.

Our leaders should also stop flaunting ill-gotten wealth through accumulation of mansions and ostentatious marriage ceremonies to the envy of the uneducated and poor in the society, acts that could provoke militancy.

As a Muslim, I believe Islamic leaders need to do more to promote and protect the faith from activities of some followers that give a contrary image to the ‘religion of peace’. Common sense dictates that Daawah or preaching for good conduct and morality should start within by advocating religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence so that our great nation will not disintegrate by 2015.

Shuaib wrote from Abuja via yashuaib@yahoo.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be

18

Editorial

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

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SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

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ISE-OLUWA IGE

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FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

On Nigeria’s one-way economy

D

espite fifteen years of democratic governance (1999 to 2014), the Nigerian economy is still monoproduct driven. The country’s central, state and local governments, all depend on petrodollars for survival. A very vocal and well-informed organized private sector group, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) observed recently, for example, that “oil dependence has created serious vulnerability risks in the economy due to the lack of political will to reform the oil and gas sectors and also diversify the economy, a development which has become a major shortcoming of democratic governance over the past fifteen years”.

The LCC also took cognizance of the ‘progress’ being made in the agricultural sector, but stressed that “it is important to observe that the sector cannot be transformed in isolation of infrastructure development and industrialization”.

In truth, the Nigerian economy, as far as ordinary Nigerians are concerned, reflects a clear case of disconnect between one administration and the other, all amounting to motion without movement. The Olusegun Obasanjo civilian

DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY IS A NATIONAL IMPERATIVE DESERVING OF

URGENT ATTENTION.

ANY LEADER THAT

NEGLECTS IT IS DOING SO AT HIS OR HER PERIL administration dismantled all the bureaucratic bottlenecks surrounding fertilizer distribution and agricultural production, for instance, while the Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan administrations that followed have not been able to sustain the tempo of agricultural, civil service and anti-corruption reforms initiated during the Obasanjo era. It has all been politics and crude politics at that. Yet what is needed is a comprehensive repositioning of agriculture, an area Nigeria has enormous comparative advantage, in terms of the provision of modern implement, input and manpower, in a country weighed down by millions

of unemployed youths.

The country is in dire need of urban and rural infrastructural development as well as rapid industrialization to break her embarrassing dependence on oil money. According to LCCI, “… there are concerns about the weak impact of the growth performance on private sector productivity and the welfare of the people. Weak infrastructure and institutions have adverse effects on efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of enterprises in the economy. These conditions pose a major risk to inclusiveness and job creation”.

In other words, in practice, the diversification of the economy will also necessarily involve the provision of efficient infrastructural facilities. With particular reference to the modernization of agriculture, massive rural electrification is also imperative, for example.

Poor electricity generation and distribution makes the growth of small, medium and large scale enterprises very difficult.

But small and medium scale enterprises, which mostly constitute the real sector, provide jobs for roughly 70 of Nigerians. Taken further, poor power supply has killed countless big

ON THIS DAY

businesses in the country.

Almost two years after Jonathan government’s power sector reforms started, the power generation companies (GENCOS) and power distribution companies (DISCOS) are yet to stabilize. Pre-paid meters, which are supposed to be the basis of measuring efficient power supply, are yet to be made available to millions of power consumers nationwide.

The problem of corruption is still hydra-headed as well. Transparency International recently rated Nigeria as the 27th most corrupt country in the world.

Corruption has remained a canker worm in the public sector, especially. Nigeria is ranked as the 37th largest economy in the world as at 2012. But she is the 25th poorest country in the world.

About 80 million people out of her total population of over 150 million live below $2 per day. The cost of food is also rising on daily basis, despite what agricultural transformation stories say. The country has about three public federal universities of agriculture and one private one. There are also several research institutes on various aspects of agriculture.

Yet they have made no significant impact on making cheaper food available to Nigerians.

June 11, 2002

June 11, 2008

June 11, 2012

Antonio Meucci was acknowledged as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States of America’s Congress. Antonio Santi Giuseppe Meucci (1808–1889) was an Italian inventor. He was also a friend and associate of the Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi. Meucci is best known for developing a voice-communication apparatus which several sources credit as the first telephone.

Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, made a historic official apology to Canada’s ‘First Nations’ in regard to a residential school abuse in which children were isolated from their homes, families and cultures for a century. The residential schools for Native Canadians (First Nations or ‘Indians’) was funded by the Canadian government’s Indian Affairs and Northern Department and administered by Christian churches.

Two earthquakes struck northern Afghanistan, causing a large landslide which buried the town of Sayi Hazara and trapped 71 people. After four days of digging, only five bodies were recovered and the search was called off. Overall, 75 people were killed and 13 others injured. The first earthquake struck at 9:32am local.

A second quake struck 25 minutes later, measuring 5.7 magnitude.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing ‘Chibok girls may develop host of diseases in future’ 22

LUTH: Health workers join striking doctors 21

Experts advise doctors, patients on hypertension

To doctors: To patients: SAM EFERARO

Just relax!

AND FRANKA OSAKWE

E

xperts have advised Nigerian doctors and physicians managing patients with high blood pressure to follow the latest guidelines on hypertension management to help their patients achieve normal blood pressure.

The Panel of Experts assembled by the American National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) had, last year released new guidelines for the management of high blood pressure which has now been backed by 2014 Evidence-Based Guideline released last week by another panel of experts in America’s Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) According to experts, hypertension is the most common condition seen in primary care and leads to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and death if not detected early and treated appropriately.

In Nigeria, it is estimated that no fewer than 30 to 40 million Nigerians suffer from elevated hypertension. Not only that, experts estimates that only about 30% of this number (9 – 12 million people) are aware they suffer from the deadly condition. Also, only about 30% of the patients are currently on any of a y form o o treatment, t eat e t, while only one out of ten patients in the country has their condition well controlled.

A Nigerian cardiologist who pleaded anonymity told National Mirror that doctors in the country need to pay attention to the guidelines as strict adherent would result in a

Relaxation reduces blood pressure

BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES Normal(optimal) Prehypertension Hypertension

Systolic lessthan120 and 120-139 or 140orhigher or

Diastolic lessthan80 80-89 90orhigher

Source:HavardMedicalSchool

good management of the condition.

The current guideline is a rigorous, evidence-based approach to recommend treatment thresholds, goals, and medications in the management of hypertension in adults.

Key highlight include the following: • Doctors should aim for a target blood pressure under 150/90 among adults age 60 and older with high blood pressure, • Among adults age 30 to 59 with high blood pressure, the target blood pressure should be under 140/90 • Among adults with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, doctors should aim for a target blood pressure under 140/90.

The panel also gave some tips on how best to achieve these targets. It recommended that everyone with high blood pressure, as well as those in the gray zone between normal and high blood pressure should adopt healthy lifestyle changes known to control blood pressure. These include losing weight if necessary, limiting salt intake, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and keeping physically active.

The report further recommends that when drug therapy is needed, this should be started with consideration for the patient’s race.

“Among blacks, including those with diabetes, a calcium-channel block or thiazide-type diuretic is the best initial medication. Among individuals with declining kidney function, it’s best to start with a low dose of an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker, since these types of medications help protect the kidneys from further damage.”

Blood pressure is the force exerted on the arteries by a wave of blood propelled from the heart. It is given as two numbers, each measurement recorded in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), like

Doctors should adopt measures thatb keep blood pressure under 140/90

122/78. Systolic pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading) gauges the pressure in the arteries at systole, that is, the instant when the heart contracts and pushes a wave of blood along the arterial tree.

Diastolic pressure (the bottom number of a blood pressure reading) is the pressure during diastole that is, the brief period of relaxation between beats.

• Normal (meaning healthy) blood pressure: a systolic pressure under 120 and a diastolic pressure under 80.

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure: a systolic pressure of 140 or higher

and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher.

Meanwhile a new repost has indicated that patients need not depend on drugs alone for a proper management of their blood pressure.

Researchers with the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital say fully relaxing the body and mind for a few minutes a day could lower an individual’s systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading) by 10 points or more—at no cost, and with no side effects.

20

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

C

raving for sugar can be alleviated by ensuring that you have some of the good fats in your diet. People have these erroneous beliefs that all fats are dangerous. This is not true!

Your body needs healthy fats because they help to strengthen the brain, heart, skin, lungs eyes, and virtually all parts of the body.

The bad fats are called killer fats because they are toxic to the body.

They are saturated fats and trans fats such as hydrogenated fats and partially hydrogenated fats are produced when plant-based oils are hydrogenated to produce solid spreads. This process permanently alters the structure of the fat and forms an un-natural configuration. Examples are: margarine, confectionaries like cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts and most salad dressings. Bad fats also include polyunsaturated fats and vegetable oils found in products such as vegetable oils salad dressings, etc.

The “OK” fats (saturated fats) are fats that can kill when in excess. They are primarily found in

needs should aim to consume no more than 70g/day of fat and less than 20g/day of saturated fat.

Healthy fats are basically found in living foods. They include Omega-6 fats such as those found in extra-virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, almonds, natural organic peanut-butter, avocados and walnuts And Omega-3 fats such as those found in cold water fish, marine mammals, etc.

Healthy fats can actually make us more metabolically active, which means we will burn more calories if we eat

What can I do about my mouth odour?

Dear dentist, I am happy to read your column regularly and it is actually a welcome development, as dentists are more difficult to find and teeth problem very severe.

What people pay a lot of money for is what you give every week in your column. My problem is that I have mouth odour, I brush my teeth regularly twice as advised by dentist everyday with salt solution. There is still no solution. My saliva is also slimy; kindly assist me to solve the problem.

Oby Emma Abuja.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

You need to consume heart-healthy fats!

animal fats and raise (bad) cholesterol in the body.

Examples are fats found in cured meat such as sausage, bacon, ham, hot dogs, etc; red meats, duck and goose meat; confectionaries such as hamburgers, chicken strips, commercial fried foods and processes foods, such as cakes, cookies, etc; salad dressings and some vegetable oil such as palm oil, coconut oil, corn oil and sun flower oil.

Limited intake of this kind of fat is required. Saturated fat enhance our immune system, protects the liver from toxic substances, helps promote weight loss, prevents breast and colon cancer and allows calcium to be incorporated into our bones when moderate quantity is taken. There is a strong link between high blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.

Reducing the proportion of saturated fat in the diet, can help to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

For those who do not have cardiovascular disease or are not considered to be at high risk of cardiovascular diseases, normal blood cholesterol levels are below 5mmol/litre.

People with average energy

Chizoba Nwobu chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08065651922 (sms only)

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Dear Emma, Firstly thanks for the kind words and the prayers and we all say amen. It is however not the intention of the column to replace the need for dental treatment, attention and regular visits, neither is the desire that of canvassing or publicity.

Late Reverend Idahosa once remarked “If you are not informed, you become deformed” May we not be deformed in any way, Amen. The column is designed to be advisory, educative in nature.

Mouth odour is not a peculiar problem , it can be said to be universal early in the morn-

ing after a good night’s rest as saliva would have stagnated in the mouth , together with the action of the normal bacteria in the mouth and the attendant food debris and remnants.

There is a degree of mouth odour until we re-freshen our mouth just as the body produces odour from stagnant sweat.

The good thing is that once the mouth is refreshed and cleaned this tends to ameliorate. It is essential to clean the teeth and tongue regularly, keeping the mouth free from food debris. The tongue may have fissures and slight grooves where food debris may aggregate, this will cause bad breath if not removed.

Diets can play a role as some foodstuffs may produce more smell than the others for example garlic, onions , spices , suya , fermented milk , yoghurt, some fish etc. These food substances adsorb to the surface of the oral cavity and produce some odours. Sulphur containing foods can also produce

them. They heal the body by strengthening and nourishing the cell membranes, protects the brain, reversing signs of brain aging, prevents Alzheimer’s disease and dementia development, protects the heart from inflammation, prevents colon and breast cancers, reduces the risk of stroke and it has anti- hypertensive effects.

It is therefore important to cut down saturated fats to improve heart health, especially in children and the aged.

Studies have shown that: dietary surveys of older people contained much saturated fat.

It is vital to understand that the nutritional value of any edible oil can be destroyed and turned into toxins depending on the processing and cooking techniques used. If you enjoy

fried foods, lightly stir-fry on low heat using healthy oils as mentioned above. Avoid deep-frying your food because the oils used in deep frying are usually heated at high temperatures converting these oils to dangerous lipid peroxides, which creates a huge amount of free radicals that can damage the liver and cause chromosomal damages as well.

Remember that moderation is key. Moderate amounts of saturated fats would help combat some health challenges. Thankfully, many manufacturers have now modified processing techniques to keep these fats to a minimum.

When reducing total fat, it’s important not to cut out the heart healthy fats from the diet including mono and poly-unsaturated fats and omega-3, mostly found in plant and fish oils.

Use butter and other spreads sparingly; choosing lean cuts of meat or trim fat off; grilling, baking or steaming food rather than frying; swapping saturated fats such as butter for unsaturated oils such as olive oil, etc; consuming two to three portions of oily fish each week (e.g. sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna, salmon) is vital.

ORAL HEALTH CARE Dr. Samuel Awosolu Samawosolu@yahoo.co.

08108155239 some smells.

Infections of the throat and other cavities connected in the head and neck can produce smells, mouth odour, also referred to as halitosis.

The mouth can be refreshed by regular rinsing after meals.

The dentist can also have the mouth re-freshed and cleaned at least once or twice a year; the procedure is referred to as scaling and polishing. The procedure entails removing hardened plaque known as calculus from the tooth surface to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Scaling and polishing also removes some stains but not all stains.

The start point will be to have the mouth checked by a dentist who may refer you to a specialist oral medicine practitioner or ear nose and throat surgeon. The head and neck contains spaces in the bones called sinuses and the membranes or linings of these sinuses may become inflamed and infected, this can cause mouth odour.

The use of aids like minty

mouthwashes and regular chewing of sugar free gum can stimulate saliva to cleanse the mouth.

Whilst salt is good and antibacterial in nature and a sort of preservative , it is much advisable to clean the mouth with a toothbrush of the soft to medium texture with a toothpaste containing fluoride except in areas of the country where fluoride in the water is excessive, in this case a non fluoridated toothpaste should suffice. Fluoride has a benefit of making the mouth more resistant to dental caries, tooth decay. The excess consumption of salt should however be discouraged as there are detrimental effects that can result from doing so.

You have not mentioned your location as one could have directed you to the nearest dentist in your locality.

However, if you are in Lagos or Abuja there are a few dentists at the government hospitals and private practices.

I hope I have been of help See you next week

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

21

LUTH: Health workers join striking doctors FRANKA OSAKWE

A

s the striking resident doctors at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) continue their sit down protest, other health workers under the aegis of The Joint House Unions and Association (JHUA) have joined the fray, paralyzing activities in the hospital.

The Associations which include the medical and health workers union (MWHUN), Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutes (SSAUTHRAI), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifes (NANNM) and the Non Academic Staff Union of the hospital’s chapters LUTH said they were embarking on their indefinite strike over long pending issues such as lack of working tools and materials to staff welfare.

Addressing pressmen in LUTH Monday, JHUA President Mr. Kehinde Adegoke explained that the strike is not a joint action between the JHUA and the resident doctors. He said the strike was a coincidence although the issues being agitated by both parties are similar. One of such issues, according to him, is that of staff welfare which he said had been neglected by LUTH management.

“Workers in most offices, units and department are still using old and dilapidated furniture’s, members are denied access to health care services even in emergencies, both patients and staff go through their nose to pay

for some of the medical services. We don’t have enough consumables and medical equipment to work with, staff welfare are not considered and there’s price hike of medical items,” he further said, adding that there’s a dearth of equipment, stationeries, consumables such as blood, lotion, drug and shortage of manpower.

Also speaking at the press brief, the chairman of Nigeria Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANM) LUTH chapter, Comrade Olugbenga Ajala lamented the epileptic electricity supply and water in the hospital saying, “a number of times we use satchet water to wash our hands because there is no water. Electricity is so bad that sometimes all through the night we may not have light and the nurses have to use their phone touch for light”.

The hospital was no longer admitting new patients

by Monday when National Mirror visited. Also, patients on admission complained of neglect as only few consultants were on hand to attend to them.

However, Dr. Habeeb, a resident doctor told the reporter that some skeletal activities were still ongoing at the hospital. He explained that consultants and house doctors still carry on with consulting though at a minimal pace. According to him, patients who could afford it are also being attended to at the hospital’s private ward.

Meanwhile LUTH resident doctors have resolved to continue with their strike until management ascend to their demands.

Their demands include; the implementation of the

rectified CONMESS, issuing of letters of skipping of CONMESS 2, reduction of hike in hospital fees and price of medical equipment, issuing of circular on relativity, employment of new resident doctors and letter of tenure on residency training.

The association’s president Dr Olubunmi Omojowolo, told National Mirror that the association was still negotiating with management about their demands. According to him, the management still insists that price of medical items would remain unchanged.

“So far, management has employed new resident doctors. They have also started

H

ealth workers in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, have given the Federal Government a fresh one month notice to meet its demands or face strike.

JOHESU stated this in a statementjointlysignedbyPresident of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Com Ayuba Wabba, and Chairman, Assembly of Health Professionals, Godswill Okara, a copy of which was made available to National Mirror, at the weekend.

Unmet demands by the workers from government have pitched the parties against each other for months and have destabilized the sector through incessant workers strike. The group had issued similar notice about two months ago which it later suspended as a result of dialogue between it and government.

The fresh notice came at the end of a two-day meeting of JOHESU, Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) at the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Abuja, according to the statement, where all health workers in

the issues of guideline for training of resident is being addressed by the ministry of health and shortly a circular will come from the honourable minister on the standard guideline to be adopted by all teaching hospital and this will address all the issues they are raising.

“Consultants and house doctors are not on strike, it is the resident doctors that are on strike and we are hoping that good reason will prevail”.

On the issue of lack of medical items such as consumable, water and electricity, the CMD debunked the allegation that the hospital was in bad shape

saying, “yes there are challenges but you know the nature of electricity supply that PHCN is generating.

However, the government has supported us with generator so all our critical services are covered.”.

Prof. Osibogun also denied the claim by health workers that the cost of service in LUTH is expensive.

“The cost of service in LUTH is reasonable and subsidized. For instance, for the intensive care we charge two hundred and fifty thousand Naira while LASUTH charges three fifty thousand. Other private hospitals that offer such services charge as much as two million”.

Empty out patient unit of LUTH last weekend.

‘Lassa Virus deadlier than HIV’ SAIDAT ALAUSA

A

cting Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Dr. Lawrence Okoror has described the Lassa Virus as deadlier than HIV. He made the assertion at

... as National JOHESU gives fresh 4-week strike notice MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

issuing letter of skipping of salary although it is slow”, he said.

He added that there were deadlock on other issues such as the issuance of letter of tenure on resident training saying, “management has agreed to issue letter of tenure on training but we want the letters issued individually while management wants to implement it their way”.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, Prof.

Akin Osibogun, in his reaction, stated that some of the issues were already being addressed. “Many of the issues raised are being addressed at the national level. For instance,

the country were urged to offer uninterrupted services at their facilities pending the expiration of the deadline.

The association, the statement said, expressed satisfaction with government’s willingness to address issues with include: Issuance of appropriate circular on Consultancy for other Health Professionals; Abolition of the Post of Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC); Circularization of Proper Placement of Intern Medical Laboratory Scientists on CONHESS 8; Promotion of Officers from CONHESS 14 to 15 as Directors.

the first Annual Prof. Odutuga College lecture Series organised by the College recently.

Dr. Okoror highlighted the major cause of the virus saying its emergence was due to the destruction of microbes in the habitat of man.

“The main cause of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the Multimammate Rat of

the genus Mastomys. Mastomys rodents breed very frequently, produce large numbers of children, and are frequent in the savannas and forests of West, Central, and East Africa,” she said.

The Mastomys rodents, according to her, drop the virus in urine and compost and the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with these materials.

Okoror also disclosed that victims get contaminated through touching objects or eating contaminated food through cuts or sores.

He also said the virus could spread through person-to-person contact when a person comes into contact with virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus.

Pay attention to oral health –Expert SEKINAH L AWAL

D

r. Amy TraoreShumbusho, Initiator, Project Smile, has advised Nigerians to pay special attention to oral health care as the mouth remains the window to the body. She gave the advice at the launch of the CSR-based complimentary smile makeover initiative, “Project Smile” sponsored by an oral healthcare brand, Oral-B, during the final screening of nominees to adjudge

the winners of the three categories of awards.

In a release signed by the Media Relations Manager, Project Smile, Emmanuel Udoro, three nominees emerged winners of the complimentary smile makeover program following an intense screening and selection process by a panel of judges composed of Nigerian Music Celebrity, Dr. Sid who served as Celebrity Judge; a UK-based Periodontist, Dr. Bola Soyombo, a Dental Expert, Dr. Fola-Alade, and Dr. Osaze Ugbo, Se-

nior Dentist, Smile360 Dental Specialists. Prior to the final screening by the judges, each of the winners was among five nominees in a category of dental case.

The three categories of dental cases are rated in a descending order of severity of the case file namely Severe, Moderate, and Mild. The winners are Tosin Adekoya, in the Severe Category; Tayo Adelekan, in the Moderate Category; and Jaiye Johnson, in the Mild Category.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

‘Chibok girls may develop host of diseases in future’

Fifty-eight days after the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram sect.

President, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Dr. Steven Oluwole, in this interview with Health reporter MARCUS FATUNMOLE, speaks about the girls’ health and how the abduction is likely to affect their future well-being. Excerpts: May I know your views on the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls?

The situation with the girls is part of a larger problem that the country is going through. I think to discuss the plight of the girls in isolation might be similar to the proverbial elephant when the narrow part of a larger problem is focused on, while the larger context is ignored. We have a situation created by a sect that has its objectives clearly stated; to overthrow the government and impose its religious values on the populace. They have stated very clearly that those who disagree with them, that is, those who hold other faiths, should leave their domain. This sect started by burning churches and attacking worshippers. The attack on schools is in line with its vision that education of children should be subsumed within its creed. So the abduction of the girls is just another tactic in its abhorrent arsenal that is consistent with its name that translates to western education is forbidden.

The sect is not anti-education, but against education that will not advance its anachronistic ideology. The hideous act of forceful conversion of Christian girls to Islamic faith demonstrates the intolerance and perfidy of a sect that has no respect for modern values.

Did you agree with initial belief in some parts of our society that Boko Haram was borne out of poverty and prevalent social injustice? While Nigeria is the target of Boko Haram, its philosophy can be put in global context. It shares values and goals with the

Taliban, Al Shabaab, Jemaah Islamiah, and Al Qaeda. Politically correct views of Boko Haram, that seeks to explain its existence as products of poverty, lack of education, or poor governance is misplaced, outright attempt to mislead, or concealed sympathy for a group that should have no allies in the civilized world. Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri, leaders of Al Qaeda, were not only highly educated, but from wealth backgrounds. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian who attempted to detonate underwear explosives, had the best education in West African and Europe, and also from wealth backgrounds.

The handling of the abduction by government is anything but close to what is witnessed in other countries during disasters.

The news that the military had rescued the girls turned out to be false. The claim that the military was misled to issue its claim to have rescued the girls defies logic. There was no coherent flow of information from government, if they had or had sought any. Information gleaned from foreign media interviews of the parents of abducted girls suggests very little coordinated efforts had been made to salvage the situation. Foreign media reported little if any meaningful security presence in the affected area. The fear and scare on the faces of girls that escaped was painful to watch. They now dread going back to school.

The leader of the sect ranted and rambled like an individual high on substances. He was going to sell the girls because it is allowed in his creed of faith to do so. To claim there is no

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sleep impairment, nightmares, palpitation, elevation of blood pressure, muscle aches, gastrointestinal complaints, chest pain and several others. Long term effects include tension type headaches, migraines, hypertension, myocardial infarctions, asthma, peptic ulcers, skin lesions, diabetes mellitus, depression, arthritis, accelerated aging, memory failure, infections, poor sleep, and depression.

What programmes could the Federal Government put in place to prevent the girls from falling sick on their return from captivity?

The period of capitivity has exceeded every rational. The recent efforts and contributions by a former Head of State, and several African leaders indicate that government has failed to apply much needed subterranean approaches to solving the problem. If the leaders of Boko Haram, its supporters, benefactors and sympathisers are known why will Government not know where the girls are and what to do? Why will medical access by Red Cross or Red Crescent not be provided even if negotiations are difficult. The world has shouted itself hoarse, and the news has faded into the background, while the calamity of the girls continues. The American drones have not stung like bees! Protesters have been chased off the streets! If Government shows little care for the state health of the girls whilst in captivity, it is difficult to see how it will be enthusiastic about post captivity health management. I will rather suggest that non-governmental health agencies be called upon to attend to them.

What can government do at the moment to attend to the health needs of their parents, especially those who may not be able to afford the needed health care?

The issue of providing support for the families were discussed very early. If local, state, and federal government have not done much so far, alternatives must be sought rather than attempting to squeeze water from their rock.

The girls are vulnerable to suffering mental health challenges such as depression, religious basis to this is like playing ostrich. anxiety etc. These are conditions often This spectacle was followed by parading misdiagnosed in many of our hospitals. the girls in a video like spoils of battle, to be Are there no possibilities that some of traded for prisoners of the hateful sect. From these ailments may be missed in the girls health point of view, these girls are going at the initial stage of their return, only through difficult times that they are going to to become serious health issues in later pay for in future, not just in terms of physi- years? cal diseases, but also emotionally. Children Nigerian doctors are distinguished in the exposed to toxic stress are field of mental known to develop a host health.

Former ARENTS IN CONSTANT of diseases later in life.

Deputy Director There has been no effort General of the AGONY HAVE NOT to provide physical and WHO, Professor psychological therapies BEEN CARED FOR A. Lambo, several for the girls that escaped leading experts in HOSE WITH SLEEPING and no assurances have Neuro-psychiatric been given to rebuild Hospital Aro, their PROBLEMS AND THOSE their school or guarantee protégées, and their education. Parents WHO GO TO THE FORES FOREST countless others in constant agony have have showcased TO SLEEP WERE LEFT not been cared for. Those mental health with sleeping problems, management to TO THEIR FATE and those who go to the the world. I am not forest to sleep were left to sure where you got their fate. the data of misdiagnosis of elementary mental health problems from.

As a medical expert, what are the immediate health implications of the abducted In what ways do you think the girls can schoolgirls who are still in captivity, two best be protected from stigmatisation months after they were abducted? and discrimination when they are eventuThe immediate effects (of their long stay ally released by the sect? in Boko Haram’s den) include severe anxiThe girls have committed no criminal or ety, intense fear, hypervigilance, exaggerated morally deprave act. Stigmatisation will be startle response, restlessness, headaches, most absurd.

Oluwole

P

T

.

,

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Radio stations won’t play my song because it’s traditional – Wura Samba

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25

FG moves to recover stolen art works

Nollywood and burden of re-branding Nigeria

The role of arts in changing perceptions cannot be overemphasized, which is why, Nigerians believe the blossoming motion-picture industry can do a lot in this regard. But how effective has Nollywood been in this regard?

Adetutu Wande-K ayode

I

t was May 17 2009, the day for the launch of the rebranding project by former Information Minister, Late Prof Dora Akunyili. Everything seemed to be going fine until someone on the team, Isawa Eliagwu, came to announce that his phone was gone minutes before he was due to address the event. “As I was entering the gates of the conference centre, I noticed I had been pick-pocketed,” he said. It was such an irony that the story reinforced stereotypes about Nigeria rather than rebranding it.

This action was criticised in some quarters and there were several opinions.

Some said Nigeria must be deliberately strategic in what information is shared by officials in front of a microphone. Others opined that doing the latter is tantamount to brainwashing both Nigerians and the international world that Nigeria had suddenly become better when it actually had not.

So, when late Akunyili some weeks later, interacted with the Nollywood stars at the Banquet Hall of the Ikeja Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on their role in the search for better image perception for Nigeria, it was a tough assignment. Her argument was that it was Nigeria’s inability to tell its story properly that had affected it negatively.

“Why talk only about failures?” she asked.

“Fortunately, Nigeria has many unique selling points; it has scored many firsts.

We should bring these to the notice of Nigerians and foreigners alike”, she added.

But script-writing, even when they are fiction, are often a re-telling of obtainable experiences. If the average Nigerian views a kidnap scene in a Nollywood movie and a battalion of Nigerian policemen come to the rescue with armoured tanks, power bikes and AK47 riffles in hand, chasing the life out of the kidnappers, using CCTV camera analysis to investigate the crime and national population statistics to get the names of the criminals, plus their fingerprints, ”hmnnn….na lie….!” would come his natural response. To start with, we know nothing of functional CCTVs and we have not even been able to successfully count ourselves as shown by several population census crises, not to talk of

Nollywood film set

keeping records of fingerprints. To write any movie script otherwise in the name of re-branding, would be to circumvent the truth. What then is the role of Nollywood in re-branding Nigeria?

Nigerian entertainer cum politician, Tony Muonagor popularly known as Tony One Week has this to say: “Objectively speaking, there is no point lying...when we want to borrow Police uniforms, for instance, we borrow them from Policemen; their uniforms are averagely not in good shape and their vans are usually rickety. It would be criminal to sew police uniforms ourselves and so, what we get is what will appear in the movies”. He suggests that there should be good relationship between Public Relations Offices of public service organisations and the Nollywood so that costumes and vehicles that are used will be their best and portray them in a good light. He also suggests that if the Nigeria Police itself is re-branded, our mentality concerning them will also be re-branded and what Nollywood presentations will be accurate.

There is no doubt that Nigeria has some success stories and has come first on several occasions. International media, especially, has been blamed for hammering on the negative and de-emphasising the positive. The onus therefore lies on Nollywood

as the biggest media exporter in Nigeria to create the balance in the international media stands by providing good imagery sufficient enough to compete with the bad ones.

Perhaps making the biopic of great Nigerians in history will not be a bad idea?

Biopics depict the lives (or segments thereof) of past and present, famous and infamous people. Award-winning movies such as the ‘King’s Speech’ (of British King George VI), ‘Brave Heart’ (of legendary Scottish warrior, William Wallace), ‘Downfall’ (of Germany’s Adolf Hitler), ‘The Pianist’ (of Jewish-Polish pianist, Wladyslaw Szpilman, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (of British Thomas Edward Lawrence) and ‘Schindler’s List’ (of Oscar Schindler, a German businessman who saved Jewish lives during the Nazi war) come to mind.

Many of these movies were not just public imagery tactics but true-life representations of how determined men were able to rise against the tides and change the course of their nations’ history, even when they were not supported by their immediate environment. Others were depictions of how good triumphs over evil and how the mighty are fallen.

Tunde Kelani’s ‘Efunsetan Aniwura’ was an apt depiction of the strengths and weaknesses of a powerful Nigerian woman

If we told our bad stories ourselves and provided solutions to them through

Nollywood, we would appear to the

world as a bunch of intellectuals who have the mental capacity for problemsolving

in history, portraying the richness of the Nigerian heritage. But that was a very long time ago, dating as far back as pre-colonial Nigeria. We are yet to see a Nollywood movie on the downfall of General Sani Abacha, the successes of Chinua Achebe or the trial of M.K.O Abiola, of the murder of Chief Bola Ige, the exploits of Ken Saro Wiwa or sacrifices of Gani Fawehinmi. According to Kelani, “the movie industry should look into producing socially relevant content”. He however produces a ray of hope that there are producers who are working on these aspects already. “In a matter of years, we should be looking at seeing those movies in fruition”, the award-winning movie producer said. “To expect Nigerians to heartily chant the rebranding slogan “Good People, Great Nation”, in the middle of political crisis is unrealistic. But to encourage us through stories of great Nigerians who have stood out to be the change we want to see is mind-lifting. It leaves in us, the ray of hope that “if we have done it before, then we can do it again”. To show us examples of people who are making a change even in present circumstances is challenging. It leaves us with the question, “why not me?” And to show the rest of the world the array of these great and unrelenting Nigerians is to convince them that there are still good people in Nigeria; they seem to have forgotten”.

This will require authentic research into biographies, journals, diaries, paintings, architecture and so on. Of course, the entire process will be more time consuming but many Nollywood producers are always in a hurry. It is here that we begin to analyze the true worth of that Nollywood title, “most prolific media industry in the world”. What is the use of being prolific if what is being churned out is below average? If the world perceives Nigerians as “disorganised and impatient people”, then Nollywood will have to lead by example by slowing down on its prolificacy and concentrating on excellence, hence rebranding Nigeria.

It is rare to see a Nollywood movie with a strong political, educational or social theme. Indian film, ‘Three Idiots’ was a deviation from the normal love story-line that Bollywood is known for. Even though it also inculcated the love theme, it majorly addressed an issue that faced many developing countries’ educational sectorhow it validates the reading system of “la cramme, la pour and la forget” thereby jeopardising creativity and intuition. The film used real inventions by little-known people in India’s backyards. At the end, the award-winning movie was a plus for India, but no lie had been told of what was obtainable in the country. The brilliance of the movie-scripting was a direct reflection of the quality of talents in Bollywood and their ability to suggest solutions to societal ills.

But we are yet to see a Nollywood movie that addresses the scourge of Boko Haram or what could be done to eliminate them, in a fictional way. We are yet to see a story of national despondence, of hope, of determination, of national cooperation, of intelligence systems and eventual success. Or does it mean that we re-brand ourselves by Continues on page 25

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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VOICES

Our perception of womanhood Regina Askia

I

just read on the social media about a fight between two people I know and I chuckled to myself because my friend was blowing some hot words there - she was really vexed. Reading through the literary missiles, a few questions came to mind. Why is it that, generally when Nigerians fight their profanity centres around a woman’s marital status, her age and to top off the insults, her private parts?

Are these the yardsticks that we measure our women by? The marital status thing…. Does it mean when a woman is not married she has no identity; she is less of a person or what? For a Nigerian woman to get any type of respect there has to be a man in the picture in whatever capacity? So it does not matter if you are wife number 6, at least you are a wife? There is a vulgar saying that goes “Toto wey nobody get, na everybody get am”. For real? That pretty much means that a woman unattached is nothing but a mobile body part that anyone can do anything to or with.....chaaii!!

And so begins the race where mothers groom and condition their daughters to believe that their ultimate duty on Gods earth is to “find a man and born for am”.

I have often listened to educated folks down so much on women with comments like “They should have no say, after all they are going to get married off ”, Women think with their butts not their heads and my respect meter for them swings all the way dooownnn!! When we have more respect for our women we will begin to do better as a society. If you want to know the quality of men in any society look at how the women of that society are being treated. Of course, it’s not all Nigerians but there are too many with this notion and something must be said.

The age factor. Another sexist point of view. With notion of the one goal she must accomplish, the female now believes young and juicy is preference especially if you are at the other side of the biological clock and still have not

found a man. So some of my soul sisters have designed a calibration where at 30, birthdays are celebrated every 3 years and at 40 every 4 years. Meaning if you are 30 you will turn 31 after 3 years ...... so instead of kicking the other side of 40s with me my friends are mostly still 38. Where we could have fabulous and very accomplished women, celebrating milestones, sharing wisdom of lessons learned over the years, we have, we see strong women ‘dumbing’ down, hiding behind numbers, and an arsenal of paraphernalia that will ensure they don’t get old. Look at any photographs of big chicks at any event, we all look bothered.

Why? Shoes are biting, wigs are squeezing, body magic trying to snuff out the last breath. Sometimes, we are dropping body parts, nails dropping, eye lashes hanging........Lord have mercy. Check out the Louboutins, Louis Vuittons, and Michael Kors, name them, all in competition with the other as we live out social constructs designed to forever keep us mentally emotionally and even physically impoverished. We need to love and accept ourselves.

Finally, the woman’s private parts; the immediate way to gauge a person’s mental quality is how he talks about a woman. It has nothing to with swag, bravado or just being a bad boy, a man who refers to a woman as a body part is quite simply an IDIOT no if, ands, or buts, just keep it moving. I find it very disturbing that of the myriad of problems in Nigeria, there recently was a move to put in the constitution the legality of underage marriage as opposed to making laws against peadophiles. It’s disturbing that what individuals decide to do with their private parts became a matter of national debate and outcry but HIV, malaria, food shortage and Ebola (currently knocking on our doors) are decimating the populace. These attitudes and perceptions of put out or shut up, money for

Askia

hand back for ground are slowly turning our princess daughters into sex slaves, our turning our sisters and mothers into glorified prostitutes. If you have ever watched a pack of animals - you notice that they eat, fight, mate and sleep. The more highly evolved the animal in question the more organised their activities and interactions with group members.

If this is our national psyche, then the

FINALLY, THE WOMAN’S PRIVATE PARTS; THE IMMEDIATE WAY TO GAUGE A PERSON’S MENTAL QUALITY IS HOW HE TALKS ABOUT A WOMAN

Memorable Reads How did you get introduced to reading?

I started interacting with books at a very tender age, between the age of seven and eight.

But I interacted with books written in my own indigenous language which is Yoruba. The author that first of all attracted me was the late D. O. Fagunwa, a Yoruba writer. He wrote about five or six very important novels. Beginning with the one most widely known; it is titled: Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmale. That has been translated by Prof Wole Soyinka and the English translation is The Forest of a Thousand Demons. He followed this up with Igbo Olodumare, which Soyinka has also translated into The Forest of Olodumare.

What makes D.O. Fagunwa’s books unique?

I was in primary school when I encountered

D.O. Fagunwa’s books. The books teach moral lessons, are also very easy to read, teach moral lessons and are even entertaining. We were used to listening to folktales and Fagunwa’s novels contained so many folktales.

What about English authors?

I moved from Fagunwa’s novels to books written in English. The next was the one written by James Ene Henshaw, This is Our Chance. The second one I came across, I think at that time I had gotten to secondary school, I read Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel.

After that I read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. From there I became very interested in reading what we call the African Writers Series.

Prof. Tunde Babawale Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC

women of Nigeria have a long road to walk because we must declare this consciousness unacceptable. This is not who we are and we can do better. We must point our daughters towards higher ideals and goals. We need a mind re-orientation and perception which must begin with an honest look at the person in the mirror. Our men must once again learn to respect womanhood. Merit ought to take its place once again. Let us as a people rise again. Where do we start?

Regina Askia, a former beauty queen and Nollywood actress is a paramedic based in United States.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Radio stations won’t play my song because it’s traditional –Wura Samba

A prophet may not be appreciated at home, but drummer, Wura Samba is making Nigeria proud as music lovers all over the world appreciate what he is doing

Oke

wale

Oluwafadahunsi

Ola-

F

rom the popular saying that ‘a book cannot be judged by its cover’, one can convincingly explain that the content of anything, including music is what matters. If listening to good music from wonderful artistes is anything to go by, unknown heroes like the pianists, and drummers who contribute to the rich rhythms behind should also be credited.

Recently, more attention is shifted to producers of a song, not just the musicians alone. With a producer like Don Jazzy being one of the richest musicians in Nigeria due to endorsement deals with Loya Milk and MTN, it sounds like more recognition is up the sleeves for those ‘behind the camera.’

His music is a wonderful confluence of Jazz, African folk, afro beat and Juju music. With Abiodun Oke, also known as Wura Samba, on any band, either as a drummer or a percussionist, the audience can be rest assured of entertainment at its peak. He was caught up with at his monthly gig at Bogobiri he where he performs with his own band.

“I was actually influenced by my father, who was told by our church pastor then to buy a drum for me. He bought a small samba drum and I beat it to the admiration of people in the church. When I finally decided to play music, I thought of the name to use, I first chose Wura, which means Gold in Yoruba and later added Samba to it because I started with the samba drum”.

“I learnt how to drum when I was eight in the church choir. I was used to the samba drum and later on tried my hands on other drums. Then, churches hire me for their functions as a drummer and I grew

up with this. When I saw that I couldn’t further my education to the university, I decided to take music, and drumming in particular more seriously. I joined Zaaki Azzay as his full time drummer in 2000 and I stayed with him for seven years as a band captain”.

He also worked with Kayode Olajide, Orlando Julius and Dede Mabiaku as a part time drummer. This afforded him the opportunity to travel to most of the states in Nigeria and to countries like Ghana, Jordan, and Togo. In 2007, he joined Ayo Balogun’s (President of Juju Musicians association of Nigeria) band, and was with her too for about four years. After all the trainings he had due to working with several musicians who are into several genres like hip hop, jazz, afro beat, and juju music, he decided to start his own band in 2005 His collaboration with Goethe institut is also very appealing. “The most interesting experience of my career as a percussionist and drummer was when I was chosen

by Goethe institute with DJ Afrologic from Nigeria to with other African artistes to the ‘Ten Cities Project’ which took place in Berlin, Bristol, Kyiv, Lisbon and Naples and the African cities of Johannesburg,

Cairo, Luanda, Lagos and Nairobi, last year. It a music research project in a tour to about ten cities. I played in a concert with Friedman in his sub-Saharan Africa tour initiated by the Goethe-Institut in Lagos, Nigeria on October 4, last year. He is one of Germany’s most highly-rated electronic musicians with a career spanning almost 40 years. I have also had tours with international artistes like Bantu, Keziah Jones and Nneka. I have also played with Carlos Santana on the same stage as a percussionist”.

He has played in FELABRATION concerts and the Lagos international Jazz festival. He also will go on musical tour with Davido to African countries.

On acknowledgement as a solo drummer and percussionist, he is internationally known and recognised. However, he is still on the road to making outstanding success with his band. He produced an album with his band in 2009; however, it was not a commercial success. He said the album didn’t do well in the market because of many radio stations refused to play his songs. “Most of them said it is traditional music and they can’t play it”. He is currently working with international artistes on his second album, and believes it will be ‘the bomb’ when it is released. “The fact that radio stations refused to play my songs on air will not stop me from playing African traditional folklore; I will continue playing it until they won’t have choice because I believe there are many people out there who love traditional music.”

When I saw that I couldn’t further my education to

the university,

decided to take

music, drumming in particular more seriously

Continued from page 23

Nollywood and burden of re-branding Nigeria refusing to tell our bad stories? If we told our bad stories ourselves and provided solutions to them through Nollywood, we would appear to the world as a bunch of intellectuals who have the mental capacity for problem solving. But if we wait for international media to tell our bad stories to the world, we can guess what the bad publicity will be- “a violent and chaotic place, full of people who use e-mail scams to cheat money out of unwitting victims” , as BBC once reported. Where are the Nollywood movies of the sacrifices of Nigerians in order to put an end to Apartheid in South Africa or end civil wars in several African countries?

Making a good movie requires a great deal of money, which many Nigerian filmmakers do not have. This is where the fed-

eral government’s N30 billion Naira grant comes in. President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) in Nigeria, Zik Zulu was quoted in an interview as saying that “Directors have already gone for training. About 28 of them have been to America for their training and they are back.

Producers are planning to go now, actors are also planning”. There are also plans to use the money for film-making grants and Nigerians can only hope for the best.

Kelani on set It becomes obvious that Nollywood’s portrayal of Nigeria through movies the “re-branding of our mentality”. Then, ought to be accurate and optimistic but not the pungent question will not be on how counterfeit. However, if the bad every-day to produce good imagery movies that will stories outweigh the good Nollywood mov- compete with the bad news on the media ies, then what can Nollywood do? A con- stands; it will be on how to prevent the bad certed re-building process will be a better news from happening, talk less of being on starting point- what Tony One Week calls the stands!

I

Hon. Muonagor

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

FG moves to recover stolen art works Joel Ajayi

M

inister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke has appealed to Nigerians not to sell the country’s heritage because of economic inducement.

Duke, who made the appeal during the occasion of the International Museum Day, in Abuja, said the Federal Government was also making progress in its struggle to recover all artifacts trafficked away from the country.

He said: “I want to appeal to all Nigerians, please, do not put away the country’s heritages regardless of the level of economic inducement, government is working seriously to see that all artifacts taken away from the country are returned, ” he pleaded.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Heritage of Commemoration and Museums Collec-

tions Makes Connections’, the Minister said museum’s collections could be used to solve insecurity problems in the country.

“Museum collections are geared toward solving peculiar societal problems such as insecurity, while the monuments are to serve as reminders of the great achievements of our fore bearers and their peaceful co-existence,” he said.

Duke categorically said that the high level of social vices was not unconnected with the loss of family values, which stresses the need for cooperation of everybody “to preserve our cultural values.”

According to him, “the level of crime and terrorist activities in our country, Nigeria, which is very much connected to loss of family values, the museum management must contribute immensely to the restoration of family values, using the available collections, connections and heritage resources.”

In his remarks, the Director General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Yusuf Usman, noted that monuments in Nigeria did not enjoy proper protection and recognition, in spite of their historic, educational and social values.

Usman revealed that NCMM had identified 100 monuments and sites to be declared by the Federal Government in commemoration of the Centenary celebration. He said “the Commission has evolved strategic plans with communities, states and local governments for their continuous restoration and conservation of the old monument and sites and the new one.”

While describing monuments and sites as veritable tools for the development of cultural tourism, the NCMM boss called for the cooperation of people at the local level and other relevant stakeholders for the preservation of the country’s heritage.

Duke

MAMA night in Durban, South Africa

D

avido’s double win was remarkable at this year’s edition of the MTV Africa Musk Award, MAMA, for the fact that his only album, Omo Baba Olowo, was released over a year ago.

But with his strong showing, he led a successful Nigerian contingent at the awards, with Tiwa Savage, winning Best Female Act. Tiwa clinched her award in a category having Gabon’s Arielle T, Ghana’s Efya and others.

The MAVIN’s crew, Don Jazzy and Dr Sid, produced a thrilling performance of the latter’s Surulere, with host Marlon Wayans commenting on the ubiquity of doctors in music but reassuring the audience that Dr Sid is a real doctor.

American R&B artistes Trey Songs and Miguel, Ghana’s Sarkodie, Nigeria’s D’banj, and rapper French Montana also gave performances on the night.

Flavour winning the ‘Best Live Act’ award and Clarence Peters winning Best Video for his work on Burna Boy’s

‘Run My Race’ wrapped the Nigerian domination at the event which held last weekend at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa.

Host country, South Africa was not without winners: The country’s duo, Mafikizolo, who collaborated with Davido this year, received the award for ‘Best Group’, beating among others, Nigeria’s P-Square. The group’s international hit ‘Khona’ also won for them the ‘Song of the Year’ award.

Other countries represented in the winner’s list include, Ghana, Cameroun and Togo.

Nigeria’s Toyosi Akerele missed out on the inaugural MTV Base Leadership Award, losing to Tanzania’s Ashish J. Thakkar, who is reputed to have started his first company at age 15.

Full list of winners Artist of the Year: Davido (Nigeria) Song of the Year: “Khona” – Mafikizolo ft Uhuru (South Africa)

At MAMA 2014 event

Best Male: Davido (Nigeria) Best Female: Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) Best Group: Mafikizolo (South Africa) Best New Act: Stanley Enow (Cameroon) Best Live Act: Flavour (Nigeria) Best Collaboration: “Y-tjukutja” – Uhuru Ft. Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da Cunha (South Africa/Angola) Best Hip Hop: Sarkodie (Ghana) Best Alternative: Gangs of Ballet (South Africa)

Best Francophone: Toofan (Togo) Best Lusophone: Anselmo Ralph (Angola) Best Video: Clarence Peters (Nigeria) Best Pop: Goldfish (South Africa) Best International: Pharrell Personality of the Year: Lupita Nyong’o (Kenya) MTV Base Leadership Award: Ashish J. Thakkar (Tanzania) Transform Today Award by Absolut: Clarence Peters (Nigeria)

AFRIMA lands in Kenya

K

enya has played host to the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, a continental showpiece to celebrate the creativity and cultural heritage of Africans. During the fourday stay in Nairobi, which lasted from May 25 to May 28, a three-man team consisting of AFRIMA Co-Producer/ Regional Director East Africa, Mike Strano; AFRIMA Co-Producer/Country Director Nigeria, Kingsley James and AFRIMA Project Director, Adenrele Niyi visited Nairobi’s top media houses.

As part of their activities, the team also showcased AFRIMA’s unique edge at the two-day Broadcast, Film and Music Africa Conference, BFMA, May 26- 27 at the AFRIMA exhibition booth.

On Tuesday, May 27, some of the media houses to host the team included One FM 97.1, where the AFRIMA team fea-

tured on the afternoon Drive Time show with One FM OAPs Chito and Naomi.

Later that evening, urban Nairobi station, Kiss TV celebrated AFRIMA featuring Mike, Kingsley and Adenrele on AfterBurn, a contemporary two-hour music show hosted by OAPs Kwame Bonsu and Yvonne Chege.

The evening of Wednesday, May 28 saw AFRIMA sampling the cuisine of Nairobi by feasting at Carnivore, one of the city’s culinary outfits and a Mecca for lovers of all things meaty. The entertainment continued with AFRIMA enjoying the night life the city had to offer by hanging out with Kenya’s celebrities at IMAX Cinemas in downtown Nairobi and later, attending an album listening party at the upbeat Tribeka Restaurant and Lounge.

The 2014 AFRIMA calendar contains an exciting line up of events such as

AFRIMA crew in Kenya

AFRIMA Village, an open, festival-style four day concert to take place in Lagos, Nigeria on October 21 – 24, 2014 with performances from Africa’s well known music stars, music bands and some international music stars. Another is the “On the Road to AFRIMA Stakeholders En-

gagement Conference”, a programme tailored to happen in specific African cities where the awards project will be interacting with the entertainment industry, media, government officials, locals and sampling the lifestyle of those cities.

Business Wednesday, June 11, 2014

PIB is a key part of our business growth –Bristow MD 28

NIMASA’s new surveillance satellite rescues Ghanaian ship

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OPEC, oil importers disagree over green tax initiative

TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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attract foreign direct investment through the provision of critical infrastructure, legal and regulatory frameworks and tax incenti ves.

He stressed that the Commission through its economic diversification programme had been at the forefront of forging synergy by bringing all stakeholders together on the quest to create the necessary enabling environment for sustainable investment climate that would in the long run turn around Nigeria’s economy, boost its revenue base, create employment op-

portunities for the teeming unemployed youths and generally improve the socio-economic living conditions of the populace.

Mbam told the delegation that the Commission had also met with the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service, NNPC and its subsidiaries and the Central Bank of Nigeria to strategise on how to reduce revenue loss through indiscriminate granting of waivers and tax holidays.

He, therefore, urged the NIPC to exercise caution and observe due diligence in the granting of

Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) to corporate entities with a view to minimizing abuse and reducing consequent revenue loss.

Earlier, the NIPC Executive Secretary and head of the delegation, Mrs. Saratu Altine Umar, told members of the Commission that NIPC had since inception granted PSI to 410 companies comprising, 175 Manufacturing companies, 42 Agriculture/Agro – Allied companies, 40 Oil & Gas companies, 35 ICT/Telecommunications companies, 8 Chemicals companies, and four Transportation Companies.

he Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, has called for multi-stakeholder collaboration in promoting investment in all critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

This, the Commission, believed would fast track the attainment of national development objectives such as Vision 20-2020 and the Transformation Agenda of the present administration.

Making the call on Monday when a delegation of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, NIPC, visited in his Office in Abuja, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Elias Mbam, pointed out that such a collaboration could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria remained a haven for investments in diverse fields of socio-economic endeavours.

Noting that, “Nigeria remains an investor’s haven with numerous opportunities in Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Telecommunications, Chemicals, Transportation and power sectors waiting to be tapped”, Mbam explained that in order to harness these resources for national development, there was the for L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Wale Raji; Special Adviser to concerted efforts to be made by Governor Fashola on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo and Director of Commerce, Mr. Hakeem Adeniji, all relevant stakeholders so as to at a press conference on the unveiling of 2014 Eko Expo trade fair, in Lagos at the weekend.

FG tasks China over dumping of substandard products

T

he Federal Government has urged the Chinese authorities to take proactive measures to curb production and export of substandard products into the Nigerian market.

Making the plea during a courtesy call to his office by the new Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, the Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, said measures by the Chinese authorities would go a long way in strengthening the bilateral relations.

Yuguda, who praised the Chino-Nigeria diplomatic relations, stressed that both nations were

enjoying mutually beneficial cultural and economic ties.

He further noted that Chinese companies and entrepreneurs were actively engaged in different sectors of the economy, especially in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure such as power, railways and road construction, noting that, there is room for greater collaboration.

Yuguda also recalled that both countries recently signed many agreements toward. On the need to control the influx of substandard goods from China, the Minister urged the government of China to focus on areas of mutual interests between the two coun-

33

31

RMAFC seeks multi-stakeholder collaboration on investment drive : TORIES: S ABUJA

tries, especially by ensuring that goods produced for Nigerian market meet global quality standards.

“As I welcome you to the country, I want you to also focus on these areas of interest to both nations, including the need to improve the quality of imports from China.

“On our own part, we have been striving to ensure that Nigerian businessmen do not go to China to demand for substandard products. We also try to discourage them by ensuring that, as much as possible, such products do not cross our borders”, he said.

“But we want China to also be able to control things from

27

their end because we believe that there should be minimum standard for all countries. There is no doubt that fake products have a potential of hurting both economies”, Yuguda added.

In his response, Ambassador Xiaojie said that the Chinese Government was already taking action against sub-standard products, pointing out ,however, that there is a need for a bilateral mechanism to put a stop to the ugly trend.

The envoy also underscored the need for more co-operations between the two nations, describing Nigeria and China as big economic power houses.

FLIGHT

SCHEDULE Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) BeninAbj:09.55,13.30

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

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. AbujaYola: 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

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PIB is a key part of our busin

Managing Director, Bristow Helicopters, Capt. Akin Oni is one of the leading professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry. In this interview with OLUSEGUN KOIKI, he speaks on the business environment, the PIB, Bristow’s investment in training of personnel, acquisition of modern helicopters for flight operations and construction of modern maintenance hangar facilities among others.

Excerpts:

A lot has been said concerning 2013 to business in Nigeria, how was it in Bristow Helicopters?

The year 2013 was flat for our business; but we didn’t lose a market share, which is good for us. If you look at the operating environment, our business is largely driven by the oil industry and in the last year, because of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, there has been a great deal of reluctance by the oil majors to spend money.

That is investments in new fields.

So, we have retained our shares of the market and we have not increased or decreased the business in the past year. We are very happy with that. We say that because there is a lot of competition in the market and the only opportunity we see going forward is the passage of the PIB. That is what we are looking forward to.

We hope that the PIB is passed or the oil companies decide to go to field even for more exploration business. That essentially defined the business at the market level.

If you look at the rest of our business today, I can say that we have built probably the biggest heliport in West Africa in Port Harcourt with the facilities that we have there. In the last year, we have built a new hangar and equally extended it, which is probably the most sophisticated and the best facility that I’ve seen in this part of the world and it has one of the best infrastructure available in the globe.

Unfortunately, we had an event there, which I will discuss later.

In Port Harcourt today, in addition to the hangar, we have extended our passenger terminal, we have also extended several parts of the facility to make it safe and comfortable for aviation business. Apart from Port Harcourt, we now operate large aircraft, which is restricted to Lagos. At the moment, we have about three or four of such aircraft that are the latest and the best in the helicopter market in terms of offshore operations. For instance, we now have X92 helicopter in our fleet, which is a big aircraft and one of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world.

Unfortunately, we lost one of the helicopters in a fire incident in Port Harcourt. When I say lost, the aircraft is still there, but it received extensive damage that it would have to go back to the manufacturer for the repair work to be done.

We have seen business move out of Lagos and return to Port Harcourt and that says a lot about the confidence of the oil and gas company in the changes that have

In the event that the bill is passed, that will open up

our market. If that opens the market,

it means they will need helicopters to go further and deeper and that is where we make our money. It is not

by flying around

Lagos

taken place in the Niger Delta Area.

You may remember a few years back due to the crises in the Niger Delta, a lot of business moved out of the area to Lagos, but we have seen a shift in that now as they move back to Port Harcourt. We have continued to run our business in Eket, Akwa Ibom State and unfortunately, our business in Calabar was closed as some of our businesses have moved to Port Harcourt, which talks a lot of expansion of our business in the state and the amount of money we spent there.

The regional hangar we just put up in Port Harcourt was about $3m while the extension cost well over $2m. it’s an investment in the region of about $6m in the hangar in Port Harcourt, but with a lot of pains as a result of the fire we had there. We lost a substantial part of that hangar and it’s going to cost at least $2m to bring back it back to shape. We also lost a huge amount of money as a result of that fire.

The aircraft in Calabar have been moved to Port Harcourt and to Lagos and we have continued to operate three X92, which are used by oil companies.

We have had to suspend the building of our facilities in Lagos, which we hope to recommence in the later part of the year.

We also want to extend our terminal here in Lagos and provide a more improved facilities.

In the year under review, we are able to retain our business and improved our services because we are more interested

Oni

in developing Nigerians. As I speak today, we have a partnership the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria.

Currently, we have about 40 Nigerians going through aircraft engineering training in Zaria. The partnership with Zaria

also means we support them with several things; one is training. In 2013, we put six instructors from Zaria into a training programme in the US with a view to helping to develop aviation training. Also, we are also on the verge of sending another

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Executive Discourse

ness growth –Bristow MD facilities. We will also continue the training programme that we arrange for them in the US for a long time to come.

We have done something for over 30 years, which is the identification of Nigerians provide them with helicopter pilot training, which is not available in Nigeria. The Air Force has set up a school in the country and we are looking at them.

We will continue to provide that training as we have been doing in the last three decades.

At the moment, we have 15 Nigerians in the Bristow Academy in Florida, we are also in the selection process for another 20 in the next year. That is not a cheap process; it take a huge chunk of our revenue. We are doing the necessary things to make sure we give Nigerians the opportunity not just in the aircraft engineering area, but we are also changing and removing expatriates in our management structure an they are being generally replaced

by Nigerians.

Today, we have the highest number of Nigerians in management level in the industry. As we speak, there are two Chief Nigerian Engineers in our operations, which has never happened before. We are very proud of that and we feel like going forward.

Can you be more specific on the impact of PIB on a service provider like you?

I will say pre-PIB and post-PIB. At the beginning of this interview, I said our business had been flat and there is nothing wrong with that. We are happy that we came out flat because in our environment, it means we are able to retain what we have. It’s like the oil majors are not deliberately investing in the deep water project because of the tax regime in the PIB. In the event that the bill is passed, that will open up our market. If that opens the market, it means they will need helicopters to go further and deeper and that is where we make our money. It is not by flying around Lagos. That is the growth opportunity.

Some stakeholders say there are about $109bn trapped of the investment opportunities because of the PIB. The oil companies will not invest much in the sector because of the PIB. $109bn is not a small amount of money, I want to have some of that.

So, the PIB is a key part of growth for us and our competitors. That’s the area we are looking at and hoping to win.

four of their instructors to Florida for the same training.

We are trying to develop capacity in Zaria and secondly, we are benefitting from it as well. We will continue to engage Zaria in the support of its training

Taking about your investment in the country, what have you done in the last two years to improve the infrastructure in the industry?

In the last two years, we have built a hangar in Lagos and in the past six years or so, we have been carrying out the regular maintenance of our hangar in Nigeria. At the moment, there are two aircraft undergoing D-Checks. The most sophisticated aircraft, X92, its maintenance is done here in our hangar and it is done by a lot of Nigerians.

In the construction of the hangar alone, we ended up spending over $5m.

By far, the biggest investment we have put

29

We have built a hangar in Lagos and in the past six years or so, we have been

carrying out the regular maintenance of our hangar in

Nigeria. At the moment,

there are two aircraft undergoing

D-Checks. The most sophisticated aircraft, X92, its maintenance is done here in our hangar and it is done by a lot of

Nigerians

into Nigeria in the last year has been in Port Harcourt.

How much have you been able to save when you carry out the maintenance of your helicopters in Nigeria?

It is a little more difficult to give an assessment of this, but I can tell you that the D-Check on one of the small helicopters would cost in the region of $2m and if you take out the parts that you change, I will say we have effectively save the sum of $1.5m by not moving our aircraft outside Nigeria.

It is a competitive advantage for us that have 31 helicopters in our fleet.

How long does it take to carry out a DCheck for instance on X92 helicopter?

It probably takes six weeks, but I want to tell you here that we have the capacity and the people to do the job here and that was why we built those hangars in the country.

Earlier, you talked about sending Nigerians abroad for aircraft pilot training, how much do you expend on this project annually?

Each person that we train in the US has cost us at least $250,000. At that amount, we are training 20; that is a large amount of money. That’s even an abinitio training. The cost of recurrent training for pilot is cumbersome.

Are you now worried that your competitors may poach your trained technical personnel after some years?

Truly, the amount of money we spend on training of our technical personnel is indeed high, but it doesn’t scare us that we are going to lose our staff to other competitors in the industry. We train and we consistently train. If you look at our competitors today, a substantial members of pilots who fly for them were trained by Bristow or went through this organization. Painful as it is, I’ve come to accept the fact that as long as they don’t leave Nigeria, they are not lost. In the past, the approach we took was to sue them among other things. I don’t think it worked. It was just a deterrent, but I can happily say that in the last two to three years, if we lost anybody at all, it’s probably one person. This says a lot about change and stability in this place.

These guys are very smart guys, our selection process is not easy and I will keep saying I’m lucky because I know a

number of people that were selected. If you look at the guys who go through the process and their degrees, they are either first class or something close to it. They are extremely smart guys and that says a lot about this country despite what people say.

We have a responsibility to create an environment where they see a carrier and future. I will say this to you, I went through the same thing and they can one day rise to become the Managing Director of this company. I’m very happy that in the last few years, I’ve seen a lot of Nigerians becoming commanders. These were people who came in some four or five years ago. So, we have made progress there.

What are the major challenges confronting your business in the industry?

I want to say something here. In my country, we intend to focus more in negative. Two years ago, I was here in the aviation meeting where we said the government must do something about taxes, customs and others. The government removed that for airlines. That’s a substantial difference, otherwise, each time we bring a part in, between 12 and 14 per cent of that money went out. If we get that, that’s some positives. Whosoever made that decision must be commended.

The main challenges we face today are infrastructure, we don’t have power anywhere. In a place like Port Harcourt, our facilities there, we run them on generators for 24 hours daily, which somebody has to pay for, same thing in Lagos. The other day, we had an aircraft damage on the runway here in Lagos because of a pothole on the taxiway.

Also, in the training aspect, we got to send people outside Nigeria, we haven’t developed the capacity to do that in Nigeria, but I don’t want to dwell much on the challenges because there has been change even outside the helicopter environment, I’ve seen a change.

It’s not where we want to be, but there has been some major improvements in our infrastructure in Nigeria What is your market share in the helicopter sub-sector?

Our market share I believe has been between 30 to 35 per cent. The difference there is the ad hoc market; people who come in and go out. That’s the five per cent. We are the major player in the industry.

30

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAAN boss advocates re-establishment of national carrier OLUSEUN KOIKI

T

he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Dunoma Saleh has advocated for the reestablishment of a national carrier for the country for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos to eventually become a hub in the continent.

He also said that it is when a national carrier is restructured for the country that the agency would be able to improve its annual revenue generation.

Speaking with aviation cor-

respondents over the weekend in the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, Saleh insisted that inasmuch as the country does not have a national carrier like Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt and even South Africa, development would be for the agency in particular and the country as a whole would be very difficult.

He said, “This is a tall order and can only be achieved through a national carrier, which we don’t have here. Development will be very difficult for us without a national carrier, which is key, but we as an agency are trying to provide infrastructure in our airports.”

Speaking on the 2013 revenue generation and the budget for that year, Saleh emphasised that the budget was over-estimated as the management thought it would be able to achieve all its set goals in the past year.

He however assured that the 2014 budget was a realistic one, which the management was already in line to achieve. On the aerotropolis concept developed by the former Minister of Aviation, Princes Stella Oduah, Saleh insisted that the programme was still ongoing despite some teething challenges.

He informed that the agency had secured a land for that

purpose in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja and that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Minister of FCT. Also, he emphasised that the agency had equally secured a land in Port Harcourt, which is close to the Port Harcourt Airport environment, stressing that it has equally secured lands in Kano and Enugu airports for that purpose.

He however decried that it could not secure a land for the programme in Lagos, which led to the discontinuation of the exercise in the state.

On concession procedures, he said, “This depends on the

kind of concession that we have. We look at the size and rate of the concession among many others before we give offer to the applicants, which is later sent to the Commercial, Land and Engineering Departments depending on the type of the concession.

“In the past, we had concessions skewed against our organization and Maevis Nigeria Limited was one of them. Also, concession of Terminal Zero was another bad case for FAAN and it has been terminated now. At present, we are looking at many other options available to us.”

Insurers urge FG to amend insurance taxation laws MESHACK IDEHEN

T

he Deputy Commissioner for Insurance of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, Mr. George Onekhena, has said the statutory laws guiding insurance taxation can be amended through appropriate legislative process in order to help the underwriting business.

Speaking in Lagos during the insurance and pension’s committee programme at the Business Law section of the Nigerian Bar Association yearly conference, Onakhena said what the insurance companies should do is to submit their complaints to Federal Inland Revenue service and ministry of finance for consideration.

He explained that the Companies Income Tax 2007 placed a heavy tax burden on insurance business with the result that insurance reserves are taxed and claims, capped.

Speaking in the same vein, a Partner of Pac Solicitors, Mr. Dominic Ichaba, said that the avenue was provided for credible resource personali-

ties to tackle cogent subjects of discussion at the conference.

On her part, Managing Director, Avon Health Maintenance Organisation, Mrs. Olasimbo Ukiri, said that there were proposed amendments to the National Health Insurance Scheme Act on mandatory health insurance for employers, adding the political will to do so is the reason a 12-member technical working committee was inaugurated to draft a detailed road map towards achieving universal health coverage for Nigeria in a sustainable manner at the presidential summit on universal health coverage.

According to her, a major desire for the universal health coverage was to ensure that all people have needed access to healthcare services, saying this ensures prevention of healthcare challenges while promoting good treatment without facing financial ruin because of the need to pay for them.

She said that health insurance ensures the pool of funds and that critical mass of contribution in the pool is needed for its success.

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer First City Monument Bank Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Chairman, FCMB Group, Dr Jonathan Long; Company Secretary, Mrs. Funmi Adedibu; Founder, Otunba Subomi Balogun and Managing Director, Mr. Peter Obaseki at the 1st Annual General Meeting of First City Monument Bank Group in Lagos, recently.

FG to establish new aviation college in Anambra OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Federal Government is set to establish another aviation college in Anambra State thereby bringing to two the number of such colleges owned by the government.

The first of such colleges was the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria established by the government in 1964 in Kaduna State. The new aviation college Federal Government

said would be established at Ogbaru, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state and on completion would be affiliated to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in the same state.

The foundation laying ceremony for the new college was performed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETF, Dr. Musa Babayo. He, said that on completion, the college would provide the critical facilities needed for training of first class aviation profession-

World loses $2.3trn annually to land degradation –IFPRI official

T

he International Food Policy Research Institute said on Monday in Abuja that land degradation costs the world 2.3 trillion dollars annually.

Dr Ephraim Nkonya, a Senior Researcher in the institute, stated this in a paper he presented at a workshop on ‘’Global Assessment of Economic of Land Degradation and Policy Implications’’.

He said that estimates of global cost of land degradation widely differed depending on methods used, adding that the Total Economic Value, TEV, method showed that it costs $ 2.3 trillion annually.

According to him, land degradation poses grievous threat to people’s food security across the world, attributing it to human activities and natural hazards.

Nkonya noted that land deg-

radation had become a common phenomenon in both rich and poor countries in temperate and tropical regions of the world.

He suggested collaboration between the local and international communities to effectively tackle the menace.

According to him, Africa accounts for 25 per cent of land degradation in the world and contributes only two per cent to global Gross Domestic Product.

He said that the continent ought to be the future food basket of the world, given Africa’s rich agricultural potential.

The senior researcher called for more incentives for farmers to plant forest trees so as to discourage the use of fertiliser to protect land.

Nkoya stated that the world must evolve means of increasing food production without necessarily clearing forest lands.

als that would be used by the aviation industry not only in Nigeria, but the whole of West Africa.

He said, “This is the idea of President Goodluck Jonathan in his desire to comprehensively transform aviation, rehabilitate, consolidate and reconstruct educational infrastructure in all tertiary education institutions in the country.

“Polytechnic Oko, is one of the beneficiaries of Mr. President’s intervention. ‘‘He has intervened in so many areas in the polytechnic in capacity building, in provision of critical infrastructure, in programme upgrades, library development, in conference attendance.

Today, over 100 teaching staff of Oko polytechnic are on masters and PhD degree Programmes both in Nigeria and abroad, thanks to Mr. President, through the instrumentality of Trust Fund.”

He commended the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah for the initiative, adding that she was a professional to the core.

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Business News

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

NIMASA’s new surveillance satellite rescues Ghanaian ship FRANCIS EZEM

T

he new Satellite Surveillance System installed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has made its first breakthrough less than one week after its installation, as it led to the successful rescue of a Ghanaian flagged Fishing Vessel Marine 711 from the claws of suspected hijackers.

The satellite surveillance system, which was launched in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, is a 24-hour msurveillance centre that has the capability to detect boats, ships and objects of predefined cross-section floating on the waters.

These objects include any aircraft that ditches and remains on the surface during the satellite over-flight. The surveillance satellite system also has the ability to set range rings and restricted areas for which when penetrated by an intruder, the system gives an

alarm thereby alerting the operator of watch keeper. T he rescue of Ghanaian registered vessel but owned by a Korean, which was reportedly hijacked off the coast of Ghana and sailed across Togo and Republic of Benin to Nigerian waters, follows an alarm raised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in which it contacted the NIMASA to help rescue the embattled vessel.

The Ghanaian Fisheries Authority and the operators of the fishing vessel had also contacted the agency, which prompted it to bring the hijack incident to a logical conclusion. D eputy Director in charge of Public Relations, Mr. Isichei Osambgi, who spoke on the incident, disclosed that in a swift six-hour operation coordinated

by Captain Warredi Enisuoh, the agency’s Director of Shipping Development, the satellite surveillance system, which is also equipped with Cloud Penetrating Radar capabilities was deployed in dislodging the hijackers. Ac-

cording to him, the NIMASA team, which worked with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, combined both air and sea patrols and quickly put up a response and reception plan which led to the hijackers abandoning the vessel and fled.

Meanwhile, Director General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who spoke on the development, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation shown by all the security agencies in the operation that dislodged the criminals.

He also pledged that the agency would continue to utilise cutting edge technologies and partnership with the military to secure Nigerian waters for enhanced international trade activities. It was gathered that this is the first regional cooperation between NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and the Ghanaian Authorities in the anti-piracy war in the Gulf of Guinea, which is hinged on the provisions of the Bilateral Agreement on Regional cooperation on anti-piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

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Informal sector, key to promotion of social economic development –NECA

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he Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Segun Osinowo, on Monday said the informal sector was key to the promotion of social economic development of Nigeria.

Osinowo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, at the sidelines of the ongoing 103rd International Labour Organisation Conference, ILO, in Geneva.

He said that 90 per cent of the workforce in Nigeria operated in the informal sector.

According to him, if the country desires to reduce poverty, it is important for it to address the basic policy option available to tackle the problem.

“As you well know, over 90 per cent of Nigeria operates in the informal sector.

“If we are to reduce poverty in Nigeria, it is extremely important that we address the basic policy option by encouraging transition of enterprises and workers from the informal to formal sector,’’ he said.

He said women, migrants and other vulnerable groups of workers who were excluded from opportunities, resigned to take informal low quality jobs.

Osinowo said that NECA would step up its promotion and support of entrepreneurship, particularly those being operated by women in need of support.

“We are not talking of financial support, but areas where they could embrace the basic process of principle and system that would enable their businesses to be competitive.

“Before the end of the year, we hope that they will be able to introduce their own micro finance bank which will address their basic financial challenges.

“I must say that micro and small enterprise businesses will be able to attract our quest into promoting women entrepreneurship,’’ Osinowo said.

The D-G decried the challenge of building up institution and evolving policies that would promote the formalisation of the informal sector in the country.

IFC partners First Bank on mobile money

I

nternational Financial Corporation, IFC, on Monday in Lagos signed an advisory services agreement with First Bank on mobile money worth N90.75m.

In a statement, the IFC said that the agreement with First Bank Plc for Firstmonie, a subsidiary of bank, was to advance mobile financial services and agent banking.

It said that the agreement, funded by Bill & Melinda & Gates Foundation, was to strengthen the supply of affordable financial services to low-income earners and small-scale entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Firstmonie Mobile Money Service is an innovative product that enables customers to access financial and other value added services through mobile phones.

According to IFC, the agreement will also allow it to provide Firstmonie technical assistance in financial modeling, agent management and customer activation, Managing Director of Pridar Systems, owned by FirstBank and the owners of Firstmonie, Mr Mike Ogbalu, said the agreement would boost financial inclusion and mobile banking across the nation.

Ogbalu said, “At Firstmonie,

we are committed to expanding mobile financial services to the under banked and low income communities.

“With the advisory support from IFC, we hope to achieve our goal of boosting financial inclusion through our product offerings and decrease the population of the unbanked and under-banked in Nigeria “Nigeria has a low rate of financial inclusion with only 43 per cent of the adult population having access to formal financial services.”

The corporation said that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, issued licences for mobile money operators in 2010, but adoption and usage had been slow.

IFC attributed the slow pace to high costs, poor agent network management and low awareness amongst the population.

IFC Access to Finance, SubSaharan Africa, said, Mr David Crush, Manager “Firstmonie and IFC aim to develop a best practice mobile money operation.

“It will demonstrate the sustainable business case for affordable financial services in one of Africa’s most important economies.

“This is a step towards reaching full financial inclusion in Nigeria.”

Beneficiaries of the second edition of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development Award at the presentation ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

L

andover Company Limited has announced it’s appointed as the International Air Transport Association’s, IATA, Publications Sales Agent, PSA, in Nigeria.

The company said that the partnership between it and IATA became a reality recently after it signed an agreement with IATA. IATA, the trade association representing and serving the world’s airlines, offers the air transport industry a comprehensive suite of information products

IATA appoints Landover Company as sales agent in Nigeria on a multitude of subjects that touch on all aspects of aviation.

Landover Company has now been appointed to distribute these manuals/publications in the country to assist customers locally.

Commenting on the new partnership, the Managing Director of Landover Company, Capt.

Edward Boyo, said that it was another landmark achievement in the company’s efforts and commitment to providing intel-

ligent products and services to the Nigerian aviation industry.

He added, “Purchase of IATA manuals such as Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Airport Handling Manual (AHM), Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), Live Animal Regulations (LAR), and hundreds of other manuals in Nigeria are now easier and more convenient because users can now place orders for them locally in naira through Landover.”

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Business News

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

CPN targets increased IT role in national devt KUNLE AZEEZ

I

nformation technology professionals under the auspices of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, are set to discuss better ways to harness IT in engendering national development in the country.

The discussion will form the crux of the 8th edition of the Council’s annual IT Professionals’ Assembly holding between June 18 and 19, this month in Abuja.

With the theme: ‘Harnessing the Potential of IT Professionals for National Development’ the conference is an exclusive networking event for senior and up-coming IT decision makers, consultants, entrepreneurs, practitioners among others.

Speaking on the rationale for the conference at a pre-event media interaction in Lagos, President

and Chairman, Board of Council, CPN, Alhaja Sekinah Yusuf, said the development of any nation is usually measured by the degree and extent of the socio-cultural, economic and political improvements that are brought to bear through the enterprises of IT. She noted that there is no gainsaying that the present world order is one strictly ruled by the power of information technology.

“There is a direct link between a nation’s material posterity and that of its information-wealth.

There is no doubt, therefore, that IT is vital resource which provides impetus for a national technological advancement.

“According to her, the impact of Information Technology has continued to manifest in the homes, education and training, health, defence and security, finance and commerce, the industry and in the office, the impact of information technology is inescapably

manifest.

It is for this reason that this year’s IT Professionals’ Assembly would be examining the roles of IT professionals in national development, the impediments in the way, as well as how the potential of IT professionals could be harnessed maximally for national envelopment.”

She explained that the 2014 IT Assembly was unique in many ways, as it is issue-based and topic-focused as she noted that CPN was doing so many things different this year.

She said: “There will be no parallel sessions this year. This is to enable all attendees participate fully in all the plenary sessions.

During the various plenary sessions, we have decided to take on frontally some of our recurring national challenges with a view to preferring solution to them using IT.’’

L-R: Community Investment Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Ogboruche Nkiruka; Chief Nursing Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Oyinade Ajiboye; Representative, Ministry of Transportation/ Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Service, Mr. Adebayo Olusoji; Head, Public Education and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Mr. Adeolu Joan at a health and safety programme in Lagos recently.

Minister urges tour operators to ensure international best practice

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he Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, on Monday urged participants in the Professional Tour Guiding Course to ensure international best practice in the sector.

Duke spoke at the end of the Professional Tour Guiding Course training, organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, in Abuja.

He said the training had offered participants the opportunity to learn some core ethics on tour operation.

Duke urged them to put into practice services that depicted international best practice.

“This training has exposed you

to global knowledge that will help you to adopt strategies that will increase tourism inflow and better ways of handling tourist arrivals in the country.

“As tour guides and operators, what you have acquired through this intervention should assist you in offering effective and efficient services to tourists.

“You have the responsibility to ensure that tourists derive maximum satisfaction from their visit to the country through proper handling with professional touch.

“Recent facts and figures on tourism growth forecasts by the World Tourism and Travel Council put Nigeria in the second position among the 184 countries ranked for this purpose.

“This confirms our belief that

the tourism sector is one area of our economy that has huge potential for employment generation and wealth creation,’’ he said.

Duke, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, said that tourism was a sector that accommodated both skilled and unskilled workers.

He said that the training programme was an affirmation of the bold steps the Federal Government was taking toward revitalising the sector.

Earlier, the Director-General of the institute, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, said the training was designed to equip participants with the right skills, knowledge and attitudes to carry out their professional responsibilities.

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Skye Bank supports Railways on modern trains UDO ONYEKA

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kye Bank Plc has lent its support to the effort to transform the operations of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, by providing funding support for the acquisition of two new sets of diesel multiple units passenger coaches for narrow guage track.

Skye Bank financed the project for its client, Kintech Nigeria Limited, which executed the job for the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Kintech Nigeria Limited Is in the business of engineering design, manufacture, supply and commissioning of engineering objects.

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Architect Namadi Sambo, who

commissioned the two diesel passenger trains on Tuesday, said the event marked another watershed in the annals of the NRC as the government makes efforts to reposition it.

The Vice President said other on-going railway projects in the country would be fast-tracked so that cheap means of transportation would be made available to members of the public.

He commended the bank for financing developmental projects and programmes and described it as a partner in national development.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kintech Nigeria Limited, Chief Fola Kuforiji, described the project as a laudable and transformational development in the Nigerian rail system and transport infrastructure.

Kwara govt warns residents against deforestation

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he Kwara Government on Monday warned residents of the state against engaging in activities that could lead to deforestation.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Tunji Moronfoye gave the warning when he addressed newsmen in llorin.

He said government was making efforts to sustain the natural environment in the state and would not allow any body or group to impede this.

The commissioner said a seven-man committee on environment set up by the state government would continue to monitor activities in the forests to ensure

compliance.

Moronfoye, however, appealed to primary school teachers and local government staff to be patient with government in its bid to pay the N3,000 added to the salaries of civil servants.

He attributed the delay in the payment of the increment to shortage of funds.

The commissioner also assured the staff of parastatal agencies of government’s commitment to effecting the payment.

He advised the people of the state continue to support the state government in its effort to ensure delivery of the dividends of democracy.

Digital inclusion: Samsung begins roadshow on Galaxy 11 KUNLE AZEEZ

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s part of measures to deepen digital inclusion in Nigeria, a leading mobile device manufacturer, Samsung, has concluded arrangement to begin a campaign around its Galaxy 11, a mobile device with modern features that allow people to access the internet and to be used a great work tool.

As such, Samsung Electronics West Africa said it has kicked off its Galaxy 11 campaign in Nigeria with a series of consumer engagement activities holding at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos between Thursday, May 29 and Thursday, June 5, 2014.

This, the company said, was in furtherance of its commitment to rewarding and inspiring consumers in communities in which it

operates.

Samsung said consumers participating in the activation stand the chance of winning fantastic gifts, freebies and prizes, including the new Galaxy S5.

Samsung’s brand ambassadors, Banky W and Kate Henshaw as well as other celebrity star attractions are also to visit the activation site on select days to engage attendees at the week-long event.

Designed to deepen consumer engagement and help customers utilise the newest Samsung Galaxy devices in unlocking useful and entertaining experiences, Galaxy 11 is a multi-platform global marketing campaign that deploys elements of fantasy in telling the story of attempts by 13 international football players to save the planet from alien domination in a virtual “winner takes Earth” match.

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EnergyWeek Wednesday, June 11, 2014

OPEC basket price drops to $104.73 35 per barrel

‘Nigerian banks committed to local oil firms’

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NEITI signs contract for 2012 oil, gas industry audit 37

OPEC, oil importers disagree over green tax initiative

Gas flaring

Members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Counties, OPEC, will like to witness increased consumption of oil and gas as well as refined petroleum products in different nations. But the importing nations are bent on the introduction of energy tax to partly control carbon emissions because of environmental implications.

UDEME AKPAN, reports that the stage is set for battle.

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ith their commercial reserves of crude oil and natural gas, many oil and gas exploration and production nations will like witness an unrestrained production and export of their different commodities to the global market. The reasons are not farfetched. First, it enables them to generate more foreign exchange for the execution of their yearly

budgets. Second, it also enables them to diversify their economic bases which hang on the fortune and misfortune of petroleum.

More so, the nations perceive petroleum as a depleting resource which income should be utilised to stimulate the sustainable development of other sectors.

But the importing nations do not think completely so. The countries that are not comfortable with the costs of energy resources, feel the excesses of energy, especially petroleum need to be seriously checked through the adoption of many measures, particularly green tax. The International Energy Agency, IEA director of Sustainable Energy Policy and Technology, Mr. Didier Houssin stated, “Ever since taking on my role as the IEA Director of Sustainable

Energy Policy and Technology, I have been concerned about the pessimistic nature of climate change discourses.

He stated, “While leaders worldwide have repeatedly acknowledged the importance of limiting global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, most discussions on the means to do so have centred on the difficulty of overcoming the large inertial market forces that keep us on a path towards unpredictable climate instability.

“Additionally, while the number of recent extreme weather events such as hurricanes, storms or serious droughts has increased public concern about climate change impacts, there is growing scepticism about governments’ capacity to agree on measures that would avoid dramatic global warming.”

The countries that are not comfortable with the costs of energy resources, feel the excesses of energy, especially petroleum need to be seriously checked

through the adoption of many measures, particularly green tax

He said.

He remarked that, “But demonstrating that climate change can be managed has been and remains a centrepiece of the IEA work on identifying options for energy sector decision makers. The findings of our Tracking Clean Energy Progress reports presented at the annual Clean Energy Ministerial meetings help energy ministers and CEOs alike gauge progress and see where additional efforts are most needed.

Houssin stated that redrawing the Energy-Climate Map, the World Energy Outlook (WEO) special report last year showed that existing, cost-effective solutions can have immediate impacts while keeping longerterm options open.

He stated that the scenarios published in the WEO and the IEA flagship technology book, Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP), keep highlighting the need to think about long-term objectives. The director stated, “All of our repeated urging to keep climate change at the centre of the global energy policy dialogue was rewarded late last year when IEA energy ministers issued the IEA member countries’ Statement on Climate Change, welcoming and encouraging our “work on developing cutting-edge CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Jonathan

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 analyses on markets and technologies that offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Director stressed that to better capitalise on the opportunity provided by the 2015 climate negotiations in Paris, IEA members need to move climate discussions away from focusing on the size of the challenge to both recognising the cost of inaction and realising the opportunities for action.

He stated, “The IEA is uniquely positioned to address these issues. Our ongoing work on the Climate-Energy Nexus Forum keeps at the forefront the energy system’s vulnerability to climate impacts, demonstrating that the status quo comes with its own costs. The focus of ETP 2014 on the increased role of electricity in the future set-up explains how proper planning for a higher share of electrification could unlock opportunities to enhance the energy system’s efficiency, security and reliability as well as reduce the cost of required infrastructure and decarbonise the overall energy supply.

The Director remarked that wide participation by multiple stakeholders in the consultative process for their Technology Roadmaps to a low-carbon energy system shows the large momentum towards action for change. He stated, “Focusing attention on the means to achieve success rather than on the hurdles to be overcome can stimulate a broader consensus. The 2015 edition of ETP will provide even better visibility on how energy technology innovation – encompassing all stages of the research, development, demonstration and deployment processes – can enable an economically viable lowcarbon energy system.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has not been mute. It pointed out that, “The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has long advocated responsible stewardship of the environment. With the long-term outlook suggesting fossil fuels will continue to provide the bulk of global energy needs, OPEC recognises the need to protect the environment and support sustainable development.

The cartel maintained that all OPEC Member Countries are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and regard environmental protection as a high priority. The cartel has it that it is not unmindful of the environment. For instance, the cartel maintained that it recognizes the realities of global climate change and supports compre-

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Laurencia

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alison-Madueke

Yakubu

included either reinjecting associated gas into oil reservoirs or ‘monetising’ associated gas through liquefaction. The net result has been a 50 per cent reduction of the amount of gas flared from each barrel produced since the early 1970s. And OPEC has continued to seek opportunities to form partnerships with other stakeholders — most recently becoming an active participant in the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) sponsored by the World Bank.

The organisation remarked that it OPEC supports the development of stricter product quality standards as part of overall efforts to reduce atmospheric fossil fuel emissions. It stated that making improvements to the quality of products like gasoline and automotive diesel, by limiting their sulphur content, for example, will substantially improve air quality.

It pointed out that, “A number of Gulf countries have already introduced improved product quality specifications. However, significant additional investments — an estimated $30 billion over the next 10 years — are still needed in the region’s refining sector to expand such quality standards. In addition, the organisation urges developed countries to shoulder the historic responsibility for the environmental impacts of industrialisation. To this end, OPEC urges such countries to take the lead in providing cleaner oil products.

The cartel also stated that: “OPEC urges a broad reconsideration of the scope and use of “green taxes” in developed countries.

Too often, these taxes are levied solely on oil products and account for around 70 per cent of the final price of products such as gasoline and diesel.

Instead, OPEC believes that a more equitable and useful approach would be to adopt a pro rata tax system that levies taxes on all forms of energy — not just oil — according to their carbon content. In addition, the revenues generated by such taxes do not specifically help the environment. Some governments use revenues to subsidise domestic coal production (which produces even more CO2 than oil).

It disclosed that it is committed to making funds available to support ongoing efforts to achieve cleaner and more efficient technologies in the energy field is also supported by

OPEC. The Organisation explained that, “At the Third OPEC Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2007, member countries highlighted the importance of financing and promoting R&D collaboration in the petroleum industry. Collaboration with international science and technology centres, and other industry actors, was also sought. To support these goals, several OPEC member countries announced the creation of a special $750 million fund to invest in clean technology ventures. Saudi Arabia pledged $300 million while Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates pledged $150 million each.

Before now, the OPEC Secretary General, Dr. Abdalla Salem El-Badri stated at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland that the body is committed to the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Secretary General who believed that it is imperative to meet agreed commitments remarked that, “And it is crucial that Parties that have agreed to Kyoto’s second commitment period proceed quickly with ratification, while other developed country Parties should make comparable commitments too.

Another key building block towards success is raising the level of ambitions for all Parties for the period up to 2020 — in mitigation and adaptation, as well as in the means of implementation.

He stated that during the last two years, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (or ADP) contributed to a fruitful exchange of views on the scope, structure and design of the 2015 agreement. El-Badri stated, “As it now enters a crucial phase leading to a negotiating draft, it is important to recall that the ADP’s work and its outcome should both be “under the Convention”.

The Secretary General said, “It means it should be consistent with — and adheres to — all the principles and provisions of the Convention, including the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.

And it should be comprehensive, in particular, with regard to mitigation, adaptation, financial resources, technology transfer and capacity-building.

OPEC, oil importers disagree over green tax initiative OPEC actively supports the expanded use of the existing technology of carbon, capture

and storage

(CCS),

which has the potential to reduce emissions by

40 per

cent by the middle of the century hensive, fair and realistic efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of global energy use. It stated that the Organisation and its member countries have been active participants in the long-standing UN-sponsored negotiations on climate change since they began formally in 1992.

Specifically, the Organisation made it known that, “In addition, OPEC actively supports the expanded use of the existing technology of carbon, capture and storage (CCS), which has the potential to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by the middle of the century. While several commercial CCS projects are currently underway using existing technology, there is a need to learn more about the CCS process and the different technologies that may be used. The organisation thus advocates further development of CCS technologies and where possible, in conjunction with CO2-enhanced oil recovery.

OPEC which noted that the realities of living in a carbon-constrained world have also led to changes in policy priorities in industrialised countries remarked that it supports the use of resources and technology to reduce gas flaring that has long been recognized as an environmentally damaging activity. The cartel stated that: “OPEC member countries have already invested billions of dollars over the last few decades to pursue flared-gas recovery projects. These have

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Energy Week

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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OPEC basket price drops to $104.73 per barrel American tight oil. This is a welcome addition. Tight oil adds depth and diversity to the market. But questions remain over its sustainability in the long-term.

El-Badri stated that many tight oil wells are experiencing sharp decline rates, which means that operators need to ‘drill, drill, drill’ just to maintain production.

He stated, “In the long-term, non-OPEC supply expansion will slow. And after 2018, it is OPEC that is expected to supply much of the additional liquids capacity. OPEC is expected to supply around 11 million barrels a day of additional liquids between 2018 and 2035. In contrast, the figure for non-OPEC additions is 3 million barrels a day.

The Secretary General stated, “While we can expect to see an increase in the importance of non-crude supplies, in general, the long-term oil supply picture could be deemed to be ‘business-as-usual’.

Investments from OPEC and non-OPEC will be required – not only to add new production, but also to maintain existing capacity.

He said, “Let me stress that OPEC Member Countries continue to make investments. However, future investments will be influenced by various factors – such as policies, the price of oil and overall economic conditions.

El-Badri stated that the upshot of all this is that the MENA region will continue to be the main hub for global oil supply.

He stated, “And it will be ideally positioned to meet ever-expanding demand from Asia. In many respects it is the demand side that will bring about most change. Global demand is expected to increase by around 20 million barrels a day between 2012 and 2035, with over 88 per cent of this expansion in the developing Asia region.

Udeme Akpan

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he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has fallen from $104.73 to $105.56 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

The Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri stated, “There is steady demand growth and enough supply to meet demand, with both stocks and spare capacity at comfortable levels.

OPEC crude production is currently close to 30 million barrels a day. This is what is required by the market. OPEC is making sure its consumer’s needs are being met.

He stated in terms of prices, they have held fairly steady for the past two years or so, at a level that has been acceptable to both producers and consumers.

El-Badri stated that there has been talk that the supply side is undergoing something of a ‘revolution’ as new sources, particularly from outside of OPEC, enter the market.

He stated, “These are developments that some have suggested will transform the oil market forever. But we need to be careful about what these changes really mean. It is essential that we put things into some context, and examine the market over all timeframes.

El-Badri stated that over the past few years we have seen an upswing in non-

El-Badri

OPEC liquid supplies.

He stated, “However, I should highlight that between 2009 and 2013, OPEC and non-OPEC each provided about 3 million barrels a day of additional production. In the medium-term, the non-OPEC supply expansion will continue. We see it increasing by over 4 million barrels a day between 2013 and 2018. Over the same period it means the call on OPEC liquids remains fairly stable.

The Secretary General stated that nonOPEC supply will play an important role in the coming few years. However, this should be viewed as a periodic shift.

He stated, “This is apparent when looking at the developments of one of the main medium-term drivers for non-OPEC liquids. Here, I am talking about North

Transparency: NEITI seeks accord with states

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he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI has started to seek partnerships with different state governments in order to set objectives, including transparency and accountability in the nation.

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mrs. Zainab Ahmed stated, “I wish to call on the State Governments to cooperate with NEITI with regards to the issues of sub-national reporting and domestication of NEITI process and principles at the state levels.

He stated that NEITI’s participation in the Trade Fair is based on the recognition of the huge business and investment potentials in extractive in-

dustries, particularly the solid minerals sector in the Northern states of Nigeria.

Ahmed urged state governments to domesticate NEITI process in order to establish the right investment climate required for attracting the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the solid mineral sector and halt the dominance of the oil and gas sector in the Nigerian economy.

The Executive Secretary said NEITI has been working closely with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to develop a legal frame work similar to the Petroleum Industry Bill for the solid minerals sector.

She said the proposed legislation for the Solid Minerals sector is designed to

provide clear policy and legal road-map required to drive the reforms and boost investment opportunities in the sector.

She stated that the benefits of NEITI process to governments, companies, investors and citizens are enormous.

Ahmed stated that they range from improved investment climate, to strengthening accountability and good governance in the sector, emphasizing that NEITI process promotes stability and prevents resource-based conflicts.

She stated, “In addition, the information and data generated by NEITI audits enable the civil society, media, and parliament to hold government and companies to account.

Meanwhile, the Governor Ramallan Yero of Kaduna State has called for the

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

103.90

+1.24

+1.21%

10:22:31

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

109.87

+1.26

+1.16%

10:22:47

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

66,420.00

+580.00

+0.88%

10:21:43

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.66

-0.05

-1.00%

10:43:02

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

investment of pension funds as a deliberate policy targeted at developing the country’s solid minerals sector.

The Governor explained that the policy has become necessary in view of the need to channel dormant funds into long term investment in any sector that could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil and gas.

He expressed concern that Pension funds deposited in most commercial banks were largely dormant due to the inability to channel them to sectors where such funds could help diversify the economy towards industrial production and jobs creation.

The Governor identified the solid minerals sector as one area where Pension funds would serve as the engine of investment and tool for long term economic growth.

He pledged to share the knowledge and information on how pension funds could become the pillar of investments drive for the solid minerals industry with strategic stakeholders.

Yero called on NEITI to give the same attention that it has shown in the oil and gas sector to the solid minerals industry and embark on similar advocacy and enlightenment towards the development of the sector.

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‘Nigerian banks committed to local oil firms’ Chief Executive Officer Seven Energy, Mr. Phillip Ihenacho in this interview with UDEME AKPAN says Nigerian oil companies need to adopt international best practices to access cheap funding for projects.

Can you tell us about your career and how it has led to your present position as the Chief Executive of Seven Energy?

As a Nigerian, the Nigerian oil and gas industry has always interested me and the long-term under-utilisation of the country’s vast gas resources felt to me like a lost opportunity. As a co-founder of Amaya Capital Partners, an African-focused principal investing firm, we became a founding investor of what is now known as Seven Energy, upon its establishment as an independent company in 2007.

After serving as Seven Energy’s Chairman for a number of years, I became the Chief Executive Officer in 2013, which allowed me to focus on delivering performance, executing our business plan and developing our growth strategy.

As the leading independent supplier of gas to the domestic Nigerian market for power generation and industrial use, our principal aim is to ensure increased utilisation of Nigeria’s gas resources to drive economic growth and to generate benefits for all stakeholders. We achieved a major milestone in January this year, with our first commercial gas deliveries to the 190 mega watt Ibom Power station in Akwa Ibom State. This stable supply of gas from Seven Energy helps to ensure a more reliable supply of electricity is available in the south east Niger Delta, which will boost economic growth and local employment. Prior to my involvement in Amaya Capital and Seven Energy, I established and ran Afrinvest for over 10 years, before overseeing the sale of the company in 2007 to United Bank for Africa. Previously, I have also acted as chairman of the Aureos West Africa Fund having started my career with McKinsey & Co after graduating in law from Harvard and Yale.

What potential do you see for the emerging Nigerian gas market and what impact do you think gas consumption, as opposed to other fuels, will have on the local economy?

With the combination of limited power capacity, strong economic growth and initiatives by the Nigerian Government to liberalise the Nigerian power sector to encourage private investment, the demand for gas is expected to grow strongly over the next five to ten years. Despite its vast gas resources of 182 Tcf, the largest in Africa, the production levels of gas is low and some 24 per cent of production is flared and 38 per cent is exported as LNG. As a result, there is a reliance on expensive, imported petroleum products, at a cost of $17.5 billion for power generation alone. In addition, Nigeria has a limited amount of processing and distribution capacity, particularly relative to its reserves, production and potential demand.

The deficit of domestic gas supply in Nigeria has a restrictive effect on the broader Nigerian economy, especially with regard to power generation. The pace of economic development, although strong, has been constrained due to a lack of investment in Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the absence of a reliable and affordable electricity supply. The lack of appropriate power infrastructure has also resulted in country-wide fuel substitution, largely in the form of highly expensive diesel, and self-generation of power. The development of gas supply for the domestic market is therefore a priority for the Nigerian Government, and a number of reforms and initiatives have been implemented. In particular, there is a strong drive to increase the power generation capacity in Nigeria from the current six giga watts to 40 GW by 2020, the majority of which to come from new gas fired power stations. With improved access to a more reliable supply of electricity, at lower cost, Nigeria and its economy will see enhanced growth and development. In addition, Nigeria’s gas resources will be produced for domestic use whilst benefiting the environment through significantly reduced levels of flaring and lower carbon emissions.

How important is the role of partnerships, both international and domestic, in growing the capacity of Nigerian exploration and production?

Based on our own experience, partnerships are an im-

Energy broadly supports its objectives. In particular, we support legislation that promotes openness and transparency, produces a framework for efficient and effective regulation, and creates an environment that facilitates development and growth of independent profitable gas suppliers to the power generation sector. Over the last few years, we have pressed ahead with a significant development programme, covering both our upstream and midstream operations. We remain committed to our continued expansion in Nigeria and continuously monitor the progress of the Petroleum Industry Bill and any other legislative or regulatory changes that may impact our business.

Would you say that these two pieces of legislation could act as a blue print to other African countries, or is each scenario different?

Each country in Africa is different in terms of local opportunities and challenges. Therefore, each nation needs to create its own framework from which to create growth that would benefit stakeholders as a whole.

Ihenacho

DESPITE ITS VAST GAS RESOURCES OF 182 TCF, THE LARGEST IN AFRICA, THE PRODUCTION LEVELS OF GAS IS LOW AND SOME 24PER CENT OF PRODUCTION IS FLARED AND 38 PER CENT IS EXPORTED AS LNG portant element in developing the Nigerian oil and gas industry. We actively engage and maintain constructive relationships with all stakeholders including the Nigerian Government, regulators, local host communities and interest groups. Over the years, we have developed a successful track record of fostering successful partnerships with strategic partners, such as NPDC and Petrofac, joint venture partners, such as Frontier Oil and Sinopec, anchor customers, such as Ibom Power and Calabar NIPP, regional governments, such as Akwa Ibom State and our local host communities. The combination of these partnerships and our own industry and geographic experience and expertise allows us to navigate the challenges that face oil and gas companies operating in this region and deliver value to stakeholders.

How will the Local Content Act and the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill impact the growth of the Nigerian market?

The introduction of the Local Act in 2010 was a result of efforts by the Nigerian Government to use the oil and gas industry as a means of creating jobs, enhancing transfer of technology, and increasing Nigeria’s gross domestic product. Seven Energy is committed to complying with this legislation and we monitor industry practices, regulatory changes and other developments that have arisen as a result of this legislation. We also work pro-actively with our contractors and service providers to meet their local content requirements and plans.

We are focused on the development of the skills of our local workforce and employ locally as much as possible.

Approximately 95per cent of our in-country employees are of Nigerian nationality, well in excess of the 70% requirement. We also provide training to external people as part of our projects, including opportunities to graduate engineers. We feel that the Local Content Act will encourage all upstream companies to take local sourcing more seriously.

It will take time for local companies to build their capability with a transition period being inevitable, but the upstream sector will increasingly source from local and indigenous companies.

In terms of the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, Seven

How easy or difficult are operators able to source capital for investment?

Availability of finance for development and growth is always a challenge, particularly for oil and gas companies operating in Africa and Nigeria. Seven Energy is pleased to have the support of a strong local and international investor base. The recent addition of $255 million of equity from three investors - the Singaporean investment group, Temasek, the International Finance Corporation and the IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund - is a strong endorsement of our business plan and the leading role that we are playing in the fast developing Nigerian domestic gas market. These investments illustrate the importance of operating to international standards, with strong corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and operational and financial controls. Our long-term view has always been, and remains, to operate in a transparent manner that benefits all stakeholders.

How do you rate local banks’ ability to fund projects compared to their foreign counterparts?

This facility is actually the third project finance style financing that we have arranged with syndicates of Nigerian banks and demonstrates the commitment of Nigerian banks to indigenous players, such as Seven Energy. Our initial project finance facility of $60 million entered into 2010 allowed us to commence the Greenfield developments, which now four years later are producing gas to Nigeria’s power sector. Our next milestone is deliveries to the Calabar NIPP power station. With the combination of supply to the Ibom Power station and the Calabar NIPP power station, Seven Energy will be supplying gas to more than 10per cent of Nigeria’s power generation capacity. The extension of the existing $60 million facility to a $225 million facility, as completed in 2013, has allowed for the construction of necessary infrastructure to support this gas sales agreement to supply Calabar NIPP power station. This construction work is now substantially complete.

The strong local participation in each of these financing arrangements have for us had clear benefits over international structures. We have valued the strong and experienced teams by each bank in our syndicate structure, and the ability of these teams to provide local input and insight. In addition, they have a real appreciation of the market environment and the opportunity that Seven Energy represents in the domestic gas sector in Nigeria. With our convertible bond and equity structure, we have also the support of an international investor base. These investors bring international experience, insight and exposure. The balance of both Nigerian and international sources of capital has been important to us, and allows us to pursue a combination of organic and non-organic growth opportunities.

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Energy Week

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

NEITI signs contract for 2012 oil, gas industry audit CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has signed the contract for the audit of the oil and gas industry for the year 2012.

The Director of communications Dr. Orji Ogbonaya Orji said the signing ceremony which took place at the NEITI Secretariat had in attendance NEITI Management and representatives of the Consortium of TajuAuduEffectivo who won the contract.

TajuAuduEffectivo Consortium is made up of four firms: Two Nigerian firms; TajuAudu&Co. and Effectivo Capital Limited, and two international firms of Baker Tilly International and Resource Consulting Services Limited.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI Mrs. Zainab Ahmed in her remarks noted that the Audit is critical for NEITI to maintain its high ranking at the global EITI and to meet the

requirements of the NEITI Act and the expectations of Nigerians.

She stated, “This is very important cycle of NEITI oil and gas audit, the audit we are starting today is the audit for 2012. The audit of the oil and gas industry that NEITI conducts has become very important for a number of reasons, the main reason being that there is great expectations from Nigerians for increased transparency and accountability of the management of revenues of the oil and gas sector of our country.

Ahmed stated, “You have come to us as a consortium of three, four firms with strong personnel.

We expect that you will be able to deliver this assignment effectively and on time.

She said, “On our part, we are fully committed to giving you all the support needed so that you succeed in this assignment so that this report is submitted on time to meet the EITI deadline of 31st December, 2014” she said.

The Executive Secretary said the

consultants to put in their best to ensure that the assignment is completed by November, 2014.

Ahmed noted that 85 per cent of the data required for the audit has been collated by NEITI and that the consortium is expected to ensure speedy reconciliation, verification and validation of the data The Executive Secretary enjoined the auditors to be diligent and to display high level of professionalism, integrity and objectivity in the discharge of this important assignment.

Mr. Taju Audu who spoke on behalf of the Consortium thanked the NEITI management for the confidence reposed on them, noting that they fully understood the import of the assignment and will give it their best to ensure they meet the November 30th, 2014 deadline for the conclusion of the audit.

“We appreciate and understand the sensitivity of this assignment and we know this particular one is much more challenging because of the short time and we appreciate

GE Energy invests in renewable energy UDEME AKPAN

G

E Energy Financial Services has invested in a 32-megawatt solar photovoltaic power project in order to expand its international and renewable energy footprint in Japan.

GE stated in a statement that this transaction, with project developer Pacifico Energy, contributes to GE Energy Financial Services’ plan to invest over USD $1 billion annually in renewable energy projects worldwide.

It stated, “Financing for the solar project, known as Kumenan, was done on a non-recourse project finance basis and was supported by a JPY ¥11 billion loan from The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and The Chugoku Bank Ltd. Additional financial details were not disclosed.

The firm stated, “Located in the prefecture of Okayama, Kumenan has started construction and is expected to reach commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016.

“With approval by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, it will sell power to a regional utility through a 20-year power purchase agreement at a fixed tariff rate.” He stated.

It stated that Pacifico Energy -- a utility-scale solar project developer based in Tokyo, and a subsidiary of Virginia Solar Group -- is manag-

ing construction and operations.

The firm stated, “Toyo Engineering Corporation is the construction company on the project, and photovoltaic modules are supplied by Yingli Green Energy.

It stated that with Japan looking to diversify its power generation mix, it has set a goal of producing about 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 and implemented a feed-in tariff which attracts investments.

David Nason, president and chief executive officer of GE Energy Financial Services, noted that Kumenan helps Japan meet its renewable energy targets and sets the stage for future investments by the GE unit.

“Our investment in Kumenan advances our global growth into new markets with a strong riskreturn profile,” said Nason.

GE Energy Financial Services has made project investment commitments of USD $1.8 billion in equity and debt in more than one gigawatt of solar power projects worldwide. The business unit also intends to finance Japan’s largest solar project, in Setouchi, expanding its foothold in the region.

The president of Pacifico Energy, Kazuomi Kaneto, noted that the company seeks financial partners to support its project operations and management capabilities.

“To maximise our project development expertise and free up capital,” he said, “we partner with

experienced investors like GE Energy Financial Services, which can offer flexible financial structures, strong bank relationships and technical know-how to help enable certainty of execution.”

Pacifico Energy intends to start construction on 200 megawatts of solar power projects this year across four advanced projects.

Pacifico Energy was founded in 2012 to help meet Japan’s domestic energy needs, Pacifico Energy is a Japanese power plant development company focused on solar photovoltaic projects.

Solar panel

Ahmed

the fact that a lot of job has been done in terms of gathering data.

We want to assure NEITI that the job will be updated at the right time and of utmost quality” he assured.

The 2012 oil and gas industry audit is the fifth in NEITI’s cycle of audits in the oil and gas sector since the agency commenced operations in 2004 as a member of the global EITI. The previous audits covered the periods 1999-2004, 2005, 2006-2008 and 2009-2011.

Pacifico Energy covers all aspects of solar power plant development, including permitting, design, financing, construction, and asset management. Based in Tokyo, Pacifico Energy’s strength is in its team and investment partners consisting of professionals with deep solar industry and energy experience.

The company is backed by the Jamieson Group, a California based oil & gas/real estate enterprise with annual revenues of over $800 million.

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World needs Saudi oil supply as OPEC meets

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PEC ministers say they will almost certainly leave their oil-production ceiling unchanged when the group meets this week. What really matters for global markets is whether Saudi Arabia will respond to global supply shortfalls by pumping a record amount of crude.

Just six months ago, energy analysts predicted output from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries would climb too high and Saudi Arabia needed to cut to make room for other suppliers.

They changed their minds after production from Libya, Iran and Iraq failed to rebound as anticipated and industrialised nations’ stockpiles fell to the lowest for the time of year since 2008.

Bloomberg stated that Saudi Arabia may need to pump a record 11 million barrels a day by December to cover the other member nations, says Energy Aspects Ltd., a consulting firm.

“Now it’s not whether the Saudis will make room, but whether they’ll keep it going and maintain enough spare capacity,” said Jamie Webster, a Washington-based analyst at IHS Inc., an industry researcher. “OPEC is increasingly having a hard time just doing its job of bringing all the barrels needed.”

Even as the North American shale revolution propels U.S. production to a three-decade peak, supply in other parts of the world is faltering.

A battle for political control in Libya, pipeline attacks in Iraq and prolonged sanctions against Iran are preventing those nations from reviving output.

While U.S. crude inventories rose to a record in April, restrictions on exports are keeping those supplies in the country, tempering forecasts that global oil prices will decline this year.

Deutsche Bank AG, Morgan Stanley, Barclays Plc and Citigroup Inc. raised their 2014 Brent price forecasts over the past three months, citing supply risks.

The median estimate of the four banks climbed to $107.75 a barrel, from $100.25 as of Dec. 31. The grade has averaged $108.24 a barrel this year.

OPEC, which produces about 40 percent of the world’s oil, will meet in Vienna on June 11 to discuss its 30 million barrel daily production target. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Angola and Kuwait said they expect no change, as did 22 of 23 analysts and traders surveyed by Bloomberg News.

OPEC’s Economic Commission Board, a panel that reviews supply and demand levels before the meeting, concluded on June 5 that the current production level is adequate, according to two OPEC delegates.

38

Energy Week

NDDC to complete projects in oil communities

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has restated its commitment to completing projects in oil and gas producing communities on the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Barr.

Bassey Dan-Abia, re-stated the resolve of the interventionist agency to pay attention to details and ensure that all projects in the Niger Delta are of high quality.

He said that much as the new board of the commission was eager to complete many on-going projects as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan, it would not compromise on quality.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer was speaking while inspecting on-going projects being executed by the commission in the 3 Senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State at the weekend.

The inspection took him and his team, which included the Representative of Akwa Ibom State on the board of the NDDC, Engr.

Etim Inyang Jnr, to the hostel project at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Uyo, as well as road projects in Essien Udim, Ika, Iboino Ibom and Esit Eket local government areas.

Inspecting the 30-kilometre Nsasak Junction-Oron Road, Dan-Abia expressed satisfaction with the quality of job and noted that there can be no better demonstration of the fact that the new NDDC was working.

“The high quality performance which I have seen from our contractors typifies what is happening in the new NDDC. Our quality mantra is not a slogan or propaganda. It is real,” the MD said.

He said that he was particularly pleased by the fact that the inter-state road was being constructed by an indigenous contractor, who had shown sufficient capacity and deserved to be encouraged. “Certainly, this road, which links Akwa Ibom with Abia, will be among the next set of projects to be commissioned by the NDDC board,” he said.

The Managing Director of Seyang Construction, the company handling the project, Engr. Sam Inyang, said that the road would be the shortest route from Akwa Ibom to Rivers state through Aba. He described the road as having huge potentials for economic benefits to the people of several communities and local governments in the area.

At the Ididep-Ekpenyong Ika Etim-Afaha Itiat Road in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Senator Ita Enang, who represents Uyo, North East, Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, said he was very impressed with what the NDDC was doing for his people.

He said: “This is as good as it comes. It is a very well done project and I commend the NDDC for this high quality performance.”

Senator Enang, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, gave kudos to the NDDC for engaging capable contractors, who according to him, were doing very well even by the “uncommon transformation” standards of Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Inom State representative, Engr. Etim Inyang Jnr., said that the commission would continue to provide the needed infrastructure to open up communities in the Niger Delta for sustainable development.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expro records 32% revenue growth for fiscal year 2014

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nternational oilfield services company, Expro, which has strong presence in Nigeria and other parts of Africa has posted strong business growth and enhanced safety performance, for its first quarter operations.

Revenue increased 15.3 per cent to $1.4bn, headline EBITDA grew 32.4 per cent to $384.9m compared to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, while safety performance closed well ahead of industry benchmarks.

Growth for the fiscal year 2014, compared to 2013, was fuelled by robust activity across all geographies: Europe CIS revenue increased 15.2 per cent, driven by its core markets in the UK and Norway, benefiting from higher levels of well testing and subsea activity. This was complemented by sustained growth in Kazakhstan.

The firm stated in a statement that Sub-Saharan Africa achieved a 21.7 per cent growth in revenue over the prior year.

It stated that activity was robust across Angola, Nigeria, Gabon and Congo, with additional expansion in a number of more recent territories, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Chad.

The firm stated that the highest growth came from the Asia, Middle East and North Africa, AMENA, region, with a 27 per cent rise in revenue. Performance was lifted by strong results in our production system services, following several major contracts to deliver early production facilities, EPF. It stated, “Continued deepwater activity in Asia led growth, with the booking of a substantial contract for subsea in India and an increase in equipment sales in China. Performance was further enhanced by higher rev-

Oil rig

enue from land-based activity across Middle East and North Africa.

The firm stated that North and Latin America revenue was up 3.2 per cent, with strong activity in the Gulf of Mexico, primarily in well testing and tubing conveyed perforating, TCP, services.

It stated, “In addition, Brazil’s revenue was bolstered by robust well intervention activity and wireless well solutions sales.

Expro’s robust business growth combined with a continuous focus on working capital management.

The company’s heightened focus on safety and service quality, supported by a fully engaged workforce, has continued to foster responsiveness to customer needs – this has resulted in sustained high performance amidst a thriving international oil and gas environment.

The Chief Executive officer of the firm,

Mr. Charles Woodburn stated, “I am delighted to announce Expro’s strong annual results this year, which is testimony to the hard work undertaken across our global operations.

He stated, “Our investment in equipment, technology and people has demonstrated clear returns across the business.

I am also pleased to see the impact of our WWS and drill stem testing, DST/TCP product lines, as we continue to see them expand successfully.

“Deepwater drilling and development activity within the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and Angola continues to drive demand for our subsea and well testing expertise,” he said.

He stated, “Sustained exploration and appraisal activity is driving operators to replace reserves, which in turn, bolster our well testing, DST/TCP, subsea and well intervention business.

Ministerial dialogue at the just concluded first SE4ALL forum in New York.

According to the statement, the minister of state had declared that “Nigeria has since embraced the UN Sustainable Energy for All initiative, with the formal launching of the SE4ALL initiative by President Goodluck Jonathan on 23rd of August 2012 in Abuja, just few months after it was launched by Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

The Minister said “the objectives of the SE4ALL initiative is in tandem with the goals of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda, which gave high priority to

providing access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our citizens in both urban and rural areas.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is no doubt committed to developing our Renewable Energy resources and his government will always promote Energy Efficiency measures, which are the hallmark of the SE4ALL initiative”, He told the audience that “Nigeria is also playing key role at regional and continental levels through collaboration with sub-regional body- ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, ECREEE”.

The agency the Minister said is working with ECOWAS member states “to develop and coordinate the National and Regional Action Plans for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, as well as SE4ALL National Action Agenda in the ECOWAS Region” Flaunting Nigeria’s records in the field of sustainable energy development, the Minister said “Nigeria’s recent accomplishment in this regard includes the development of National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, NREEEP; National Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan, NRESIP, and Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria, OLRN, Initiative launched by President Jonathan in January this year, it is aimed at increasing electricity access to rural areas which are far-flung from the national grid.

FG, UN partner on sustainable energy initiative

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Minister of State Power, Hon Mohammed Wakil has reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria to sustainable energy development saying that the country is working with the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, SE4ALL, in ensuring the full realization of the project.

Special Adviser Media to the Minister of State, Mr. Olawale Rasheed, in a statement said Hon Wakil stated this while addressing

Transformer

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Seaports play a major role in promoting international trade by generating commercial activities, which clearly assists the economic progress of the country; however, stakeholders bemoan the challenges of persistent shipping gridlock on their activities.

ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Shipping gridlock impacts negatively on economy, say stakeholders

T

he Nigerian Port System is expected to serve the economy and meet the needs of port users in a manner, which is economically and environmentally sustainable through the establishment of an appropriate operational process, efficient ports procedure and effective legislative framework.

However this appears not to be the case as port users say the gross inefficiencies and high costs associated with the nation’s ports have continued to impact negatively on industrial and commercial activities.

In recent times, ports users have been faced with numerous challenges, ranging from the payment of huge demurrage by shipping companies, unnecessary delay in Pre Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, issuance/wrong computation of duty and levies and the perennial traffic congestion that is evident in and around the Ports, amongst others.

Finding solutions to the perennial problems was the focus at a stakeholders’ roundtable with the theme: “Unlocking shipping gridlock at the ports: stakeholders initiative” organised by the National Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, NACCIMA in Lagos.

The National President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said stakeholders have

39

Cargo service

to provide answers to a number of burning issues on the shipping gridlock at the ports through a dialogue, with a view to coming up with suggestions that would assist the Government in achieving her on-going onerous task of transformation of the ports for the overall benefit of the Nigerian society.

High cost in the clearance of goods, cumbersome and lengthy port procedure, delay in scanning and physical examination, block staking containers, infrastructure problems, unethical conduct of shipping companies and terminal operators are some of the obstacles identified as having negative impact on the clearance of goods in Nigerian ports.

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello linked the port gridlock challenges to geographical and logistic factors.

He said, “The growth and expansion of Lagos city over the years, in very close proximity to the ports; enclosure of the ports leaving no opportunities for inland expansion; the large volume of traffic in the city of Lagos posing great challenge to the movement of cargo and empty containers in and out of the ports; poor

THE GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF LAGOS CITY OVER THE YEARS, IN

VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE PORTS; ENCLOSURE OF THE PORTS LEAVING NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR INLAND EXPANSION connectivity to the hinterland arising from inadequate road and rail network links between the ports and the hinterland as well as location of tank farms close to the ports causing fuel tankers to compete with cargo trucks on the same limited space of roads constitute some of the problems we have at ports.”

He also levied major complaints against shipping companies and agents relating to delays in the delivery of cargo by carriers, cumbersome documentation procedures, misinforming shippers of the date of arrival of their goods so that they can charge demurrage for longer periods, outrageous and unilateral local shipping charges.

National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Lucky Eyis Amiwero, said commercial regulator’s intervention in the activities of the shipping company

and terminal operators, gridlock on port access road, unavailability of holding bays for trucks, trailer parks as well as use of old and rickety trucks also constitute the problems faced by the port users business merchants.

According to him, “Gridlock on port access roads an impediment and a national embarrassment.

The access roads to the major port in Lagos cannot be accessed especially Tin Can, Apapa , Brawal and PTML are most affected. It is now national embarrassment and serious security implication to the nation and its economy.”

He added, “The high cost and cumbersome clearance processing in the Nigeria ports encourage the patronage of Nigeria importers to other West African ports as a result of unwholesome practices of illegal sales of containers.

For the removal of the gridlock on port access road, Amiwero said

the concern ministries and organisations must take to their responsible to tackle the gridlock, at the port access roads.

“The Ministry of Finance, Transport, Petroleum, Works, various union and association belonging to truck owners, oil tanker drivers, terminal operators, shipping companies and tank farm owners should establish a consultative meeting headed by the Ministry of Finance. The consultation/ meeting will address the issue to open up the port access roads through consultation with various identified stake holders.”

He said the introduction of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, and the assessments of the impact to import clearance procedure are veritable security tools, which should be strictly adhered to. He added that the setting up of an arbitral body independent of Customs administration for prompt review and correction associated with the issuance of PAAR should also be encouraged to reduce the cost, delay and outright loss of goods by importers due to decisions solely taken by Customs officers.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders called for better reform in the port operation in order to enhance and encourage foreign investment.

They said the objective of the reform should be aimed at improving efficiency of operations and management of the ports, reduction in cost of cargo clearance, improving service quality, making the ports more client’s friendly, facilitating further development of the nation’s transport infrastructure, eliminating congestion and facilitating the emergence of Nigeria as a hub for west and Central African sub-region.

The reform, according to them, should also be targeted at generating wealth and creating employment, reducing bureaucracy, as well as attracting foreign investment.

SMEDAN sets to partner banks on MSMEs development

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mall and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, has expressed its willing to partner the banking sector towards the development of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, sub-sector of the economy.

Director General of the agency, Bature Umar Masari, stated this while receiving the management of JAIZ Bank led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Muhammad Nurul Islam, in his office in Abuja.

Masari commended the bank’s

policy of non-interest banking, noting that “non-interest banking stimulates the growth of MSMEs,” as MSMEs were critical to the economic development of any society as such the role of banking in actualising this for the nation cannot be overemphasised.

The Director General said the National Enterprises Development Programme, NEDEP, launched by President Goodluck Jonathan was aimed at generating 3.5 million to 5 million direct and indirect jobs before 2015.

According to him, the programme focuses on Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship Training and Business Development Service, BDS and access to finance, which SMEDAN and other two agencies - Industrial Training Fund, ITF, and the Bank of Industry, BoI, are jointly implementing.

He added that the entrepreneurship training component of NEDEP was being executed under the One Local Government One Product (OLOP) platform.

He said the agency is also discussing with some banks

on the way of enhancing counterpart funding of its training programmes in 2014, adding that SMEDAN was ready to collaborate and partner with SMEs friendly institutions as it was poised to leverage on the JAIZ bank non interest banking policy to empower MSMEs in the country.

Earlier, Nurul-Islam had noted the giant strides recorded by SMEDAN in the development of the MSMEs sub sector in the country.

The JAIZ Bank boss said the

bank has enough facility to assist MSMEs in Nigeria, saying “Our non interest banking facility to MSMEs would boost sustainable job and wealth creation.”

He assured SMEDAN of the bank’s credibility and restated that JAIZ bank is a veritable outfit for MSMEs in Nigeria to realise their potentials in business development and job creation thereby reducing poverty and dependency syndrome, and listed five major critical focus of the bank, as clothing, shelter, medical, food and employment.

40

Cocktail

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Man attacks brother with marijuana plants

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nited States Polk County sheriff ’s deputies said two brothers definitely were not sharing peaceful, mellow vibes as they got into an argument last weekend.

In response, deputies say, one brother grabbed several marijuana plants growing in the yard and began hitting his sibling.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s office, the department received a domestic-disturbance call at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday.

Deputies said Jackie Brown, 33, reported that he and his brother — Rodney J. Brown, 31 — had been involved in a verbal altercation which then turned physical.

Jackie Brown told depu-

ties his brother hit him with plants “from the yard” of the residence where both brothers reside, according to the Sheriff’s Office report, which also stated that Rodney Brown uprooted several cannabis plants of various lengths to use in alleged assault.

Rodney Brown then used the hemp in a harsh manner by hitting his brother in the face, deputies said.

Deputies searched the home and found 10 marijuana plants, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Rodney Brown was arrested and charged with domestic battery, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Man files $10million lawsuit against woman for ruining his Pink cover

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New York man has filed a $10 million lawsuit against an NYC singer for allegedly ruining his idea to start Long Island’s first Pink cover band with her bad looks and poor singing.

According to Charles Bonfante’s lawsuit, Collette

McLafferty and the other band members are “subpar” musicians and their lack of talent and sex appeal ruined his idea for the group.

Bonfante’s collaborator, Rik Nevone, played a gig with McLafferty under the name Funhouse and Bonfante filed the suit.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Male guinea pig gets into female enclosure, fathers 400

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guinea pig in England has been nicknamed “Randy” after he broke into the female enclosure at an animal park in Warwickshire and impregnated 100 females.

Staff at Hatton Country World couldn’t figure out how the females had gotten pregnant -- until they discovered the male rodent.

“One of our male guinea pigs managed to find his way into the female enclosure and had a very good time by the looks of it,” said park manager Richard Craddock. “We suspect a child may have placed him back in the wrong pen by accident after stroking him or Randy may have somehow broken out of his enclosure to get to the females.”

The park is now prepping for about 400 new guinea pigs. The babies will join a population that

already includes 300 male and female guinea pigs, ITV reported.

“We believe that the newly-named Randy could have impregnated up to 100 female guinea pigs, which have litters of about four,

so if you do the math we could be expecting quite a baby boom,” Craddock said.

In order to account for the expected population increase, the park is going to expand its guinea pig

farm.

“Staff did comment he looked a little thinner than before. He has now re-joined his male friends, clearly he’s got a lot of bragging to do,” Craddock said.

Manager Richard Craddock said: ‘We don’t know how long Randy was in the female enclosure but it could have been several weeks which would have given him time to go round the entire female population’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

41

L-R: Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of State, Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda and Defence Minister, Gen Mohammadu Gusau at the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO:STATE HOUSE

Nigerians mourn Dora Akunyili

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igerians on Saturday paid tributes to Prof. Dora Akunyili, a former Minister of Information, who died in an Indian hospital early in the day.

Akunyili, a former Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administration and Control, died at the age of 59 in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India.

In a statement announcing the death on behalf of the Akunyili family, a former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, said Akunyili worked for a better Nigeria ``In spite of her illness, she was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria. ``The last time I visited her in India, even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of concern for Chibok girls, security and other challenges facing the country...,’’ Obi wrote.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to India , Amb. Ndubuisi Amaku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja by telephone that the former Information Minister died at 10 a.m. ``Dora Akunyili made a remarkable impact in the fight against fake and

counterfeit drugs. ``I am pained like any other Nigerian that we lost a woman who was so dedicated to Nigeria. ``She was an uncommon woman who did everything to uphold the dignity of Nigeria in the health sector. ``She was a remarkable woman and figure and we will miss her so much,’’ Amaku said.

The high commissioner said he had already spoken with Dora’s husband, Chike, to express the Federal Government’s sympathy. ``I assured him that the Nigeria High Commission would render all necessary assistance to repatriate her remains home,’’ he said.

Dr Paul Orhii, the Director General of NAFDAC, in a statement, said: ``It was with shock but with total submission to the will of God that I received the sad news of the death of Prof. Dora Akunyili. ``She was a highly patriotic woman who deeply loved Nigeria and dedicated her entire life to the service of this great nation. ``May God the most merciful and most beneficent grant her eternal rest in perfect peace.’’

Orhii said Akunyili’s legacy would forever be remembered.

Sen. Chris Ngige described the death of Akunyili as a great shock. ``I received with great shock and sadness the news of the passing on of my sister, friend and schoolmate, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili. ``Her death is a tremendous blow and loss to her

family as well as to Anambra, Nigeria, Africa and all humanity. ``Although Dora and I had a very spirited contest in 2011 for the Anambra Central Senatorial Seat into the 7th Senate of the National Assembly, she and I had been friends and very close. ``We were schoolmates at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

``She was studying Pharmacy and I, Medicine. Thus, our parts crossed often. Even back then, Dora competed fiercely with her pharmacy contemporaries and even more with those of us in the Faculty of Medicine. ``Her husband, Dr Chike Akunyili, was my senior in Medical School and a respected profes-

sional colleague. ``I had tried to help Dora secure an employment opportunity with the National Drug Enforcement Agency as an Executive. ``She was very good friends with my sisters, such that they vacationed together and spent nights at each other’s house and did female things together,’’ Ngige wrote.

Effort to boost sanitation in Africa still inadequate –Ochekpe

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he Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, recently in Dakar said efforts and measures being put in place to enhance access to basic sanitation were not enough.

Ochekpe, who is the President of African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), made the statement during the 9th General Assembly on the 5th Africa Water Week.

She said this was part of the findings of the inaugural AMCOW report at the AU summit in January.

The minister urged AMCOW members to pay more attention to issues of sanitation as it was a major problem to health and productivity of Afri-

can nations. ``Efforts on improving basic sanitation in Africa are inadequate as poor sanitary conditions remain a major hurdle to the health and productivity of the African population. ``Due to low national budget allocation to water sanitation and hygiene, increased public and private investment in the water sector has become necessary to improve performance,’’ she said.

Ochekpe said investment was necessary, ``particularly in water resources management, which would further increase productivity in agriculture, energy, fishery and promote African

development’’.

According to her, it is imperative to prioritise issues on water security to ensure food, energy and socioeconomic development.

Mr Bai-Mass Taal, Executive Secretary, African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), said there were increasing challenges to be tackled.

Taal said issues of depleting fresh water sources, flood and drought would continue to escalate water conflicts, as it relates to provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation.

He told member countries to intensify efforts and focus attention on issues of effective

water resources management to ensure food and energy security. .The Prime Minister of Senegal, Mrs Aminatu Toure, emphasised the need for water management as it had an ambivalent dimension that could cause internal and external conflicts.

Toure said that water had become gold for production and therefore it was the responsibility of both government and individuals to ensure adequate management.

She said that waterborne diseases constituted a public health menace but that growth in modern technologies could proffer solutions to sustainable development.

42

Civil Service

Niger Delta Ministry engages 100 youths in Agric training CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

F

ederal Government on Monday disclosed that about 100 youths from the oil rich Niger Delta region have been sent to Israel for a month long training in agriculture.

The youths who were sponsored by Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs were drawn from the nine states of region.

Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku who just returned from visiting the youths to assess their performance, said in Abuja that he was satisfied with the facilities andcontent of the training programme.

The 100 youths comprising men and women, are being trained in a Kibbuzt (an agricultural cooperative farm), in an agricultural belt outside Tel Aviv.

The Ministry said Ishaku who was conducted around the huge farm settlement, was informed that most of the youths chose to specialize in Aquaculture and Fish farming, a tradi-

tion common in the Niger Delta area where fishing has been a way of life for centuries.

Other areas of agricultural specialization popular with the trainees include horticulture, dairy farming, poultry, oil seed processing, grape farming and winery.

Addressing the youths during the visit, the minister praised them for their dedication to learning and assured them that they would be assisted to set up agricultural enterprises in their areas of specialization.

He explained that the training programme was part of the mandates of his ministry reminding them that each of them was expected to train at least 20 other youths in the various fields they studied in Israel.

“By the time each of you trained 20 of your peers back home, we will have 2,000 skilled farmers in various fields. That would generate jobs and wealth for the youths and contribute in our national food security,” he said.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Doctors blame strikes in health sector on government policies MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

M

edical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, has blamed incessant strikes in public hospitals in Nigeria on government policies.

President of the group, Steve Oluwole, stated this in an interview with journalists recently on the causes and effects of the just concluded 3-day warning strike embarked upon by National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, in Nigerian public hospitals.

Oluwole said: “Strike actions by the resident doctors often provoke emotions and spontaneous reactions, which pre-

vent in-depth analysis of the underlying problems and issues. Most resident doctors are individuals in their late twenties and early thirties, who are entitled to show sensitivities to monetary issues.

They work very loaded schedules, undergo strenuous training, and prepare for rigorous postgraduate examinations in hospital environments where non-clinical staff also work.

“It is difficult to argue that resident doctors should look away from the remunerations of support staff, when and if such staff have better deal than them. While issues of relativity of remunerations provoke negative emotions outside of the hospital, it

is central to equity and justice to ensure that those who discharge the primary functions of the hospital are not paid less than support staff.

The Federal Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity should avoid political decisions, agreements, or memoranda that are designed just to make a striking group suspend its strike, when it is obvious such agreements are not implementable, or will conflict with previous agreement with other groups. The two Ministries should harmonize to put an end to the cycles of strikes over the same issues,” he added.

Asked if consultant doctors who are left to

attend to patients while a strike lasts could cope, Oluwole said: “The Teaching Hospitals and many tertiary medical centers are designed to function with resident doctors working with their consultants. Any expectation that it will be business as usual without them attending to their duties is deceptive.

This is not to glamorize the roles of resident doctors, but simply to acknowledge that they must be around; they are expected to be available.”

He pledged MDCAN’s commitment to uninterrupted services in the hospitals, stressing that the confidence of patients in health care delivery could not be sustained by industrial actions.

Aide urges students to live in clean environment

S

tudents in Lagos State have been urged to ensure that the environment they live in was always kept clean.

Mrs Adetokunbo Agbesanwa, Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Schools Environmental Advocacy Programme (SEAP), made the call in Lagos at an annual painting competition among Secondary Schools in Lagos state to mark the World Environment Day. The theme of the celebration was `Small Islands and Climate Change: The Lagos State Experience.’

She said the event was to recognise the use of art as a means of expression and to help the children of Lagos State to develop their psyche towards good environmental practice.

“Due to the growing population, a lot of adults are not conscious of good environmental practices, so it is better to attack the problem from the young ones.

“The annual painting competition is to entrench

in the minds of the participants the essence of the theme.”

Mr Marc-Andre Schmachtel, Director of Goethe Institute Nigeria – German Culture Center and one of the judges, called for continuous encouragement of school children to partake in environmental issues. “ It is wise to involve school children in educative issues such as environmental and health programmes.

L-R: Honourable Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji ; Representative of the DG/ Director Admin/Human Resources, National Orientation Agency, Dr. Solomon Ado and Director Planning, Research and Strategy, Barrister Bonat Job Tagwai during a peace parley with the Speaker in Gusau, Zamfara State yesterday.

FCT to spend N334bn on Jabi Lake Resort OMEIZA AJAYI

F

ederal Capital Territory FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has announced the decision of his administration to spend over N334 billion in developing the abandoned Jabi Lake Resort in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City.

Senator Mohammed who announced this when he received members of

the Nigeria Young Professionals Forum, explained that when the resort is completed it would take Abuja to the next level in promoting tourism and by extension generating the required revenue to augment budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.

Senator Mohammed remarked that the Federal Government has made a lot of investment in the Federal Capital Territory

by providing seed money and now the time has come for the FCT Administration to create institutions, structures in terms of legal framework to leverage on private funding by way of competition to take Abuja to the next level.

The Minister assured that this crop of leadership in the FCT Administration is determined to set standards and benchmark on how things ought to be done and driven

for the betterment of all residents of the Territory without recourse necessarily to government funding.

He said that the FCT Administration has received marching order from President Goodluck Jonathan to build human capital and institution as well as partnership in accordance with the global best practice.

Senator Mohammed urged the Forum to use its

contacts across the globe to woo investors to come and invest in Abuja; saying that Abuja is a haven for genuine investors.

“Conscious of the need to promote tourism, the FCT Administration gave priority to the ongoing construction of the Abuja Millennium Towers at the Central Business District where work at the site has reached an appreciable stage of completion”, he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday June 11, 2014

43

Emergency rule and insurgencies: Extension not a solution

T

he security situation of Nigeria since her return to democratic rule in 1999 has at different times and under different governments threatened the continuous peaceful existence of the country as a state.

Consequently, leaders have been forced to invoke section 305 of the constitution which empowers a sitting president to declare emergency rule in any region or state of the country that threatens the country’s peace.

On May 18, 2004, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State as a result of a crisis that claimed hundreds of lives and rendered many homeless.

This led to the takeover of governance

by Major General Chris Alli for a period of six months with a mandate to end the strife and restore order. The elected governor of the state, Joshua Dariye was sent packing.

Ekiti was the next state to experience emergency rule. On Thursday, October 19, 2006, President Obasanjo, in an address to the nation, said he was declaring a state of emergency in Ekiti State in order to ensure that peace and orderliness return to the state and retired Major General Tunji Olurin was appointed the administrator of Ekiti State.

President Goodluck Jonathan first declared emergency rule in some troubled parts of the country in 2012. Today, as parts of measures to curb the raging terrorism activities of the Islamic sect Boko Haram, the Jonathan-led Federal Government declared state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

President Jonathan on May 14, 2013, but maintained that democratic structures in the three states would remain intact.

All hopes were high as Nigerians thought a remedy has come to seemingly unending activities of Boko Haram.

Their expectations were however shortlived as the group gathered more momentum, devised new strategies and became more sophisticated in its modes of operations. It also enlarged its tentacles as well as membership. All these made the Federal Government to call for an extension of the emergency rule for six months in November, 2013.

Between the time of declaration of emergency rule in these three states and now, Boko Haram insurgencies had grown worse than when there was no state of emergency. According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram related insurgencies have claimed not less than 2,000 lives since the declaration of state of emergency in the states. Some Boko Haram attacks in concerned states in recent times are: *January 26, 2014 – At least 78 people were killed in two separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria; one on a busy market in Borno State and the other in nearby Adamawa State. * February 15, 2014 – Boko Haram attacked a Christian community of Izghe in Borno State, killing at least 106 people.

EMMANUEL EGHAGHE writes on the seeming increase in terrorists activities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states despite the declaration of state of emergency in the affected states.

BETWEEN THE TIME OF DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY RULE IN THESE THREE

STATES AND NOW,

BOKO HARAM

INSURGENCIES HAD GROWN WORSE THAN WHEN THERE WAS NO STATE OF EMERGENCY

Jonathan

Nyako

Shettima

Geidam

* February 19, 2014 – Attack on NorthEastern town of Bama, killing 60 people and damaging public buildings. *February 25, 2014 – Suspected Boko Haram attacked sleeping students in a secondary school in the town of Buni Yadi in Yobe State, killing not fewer than 59 people. *March 1, 2014 – Attack on both Maiduguri and Mainok both in Borno State; killing 51 and 59 people respectively. *April 10, 2014 – Boko Haram kllled at least 60 people in Kala Balge, Borno State and six people in Dikwa, same day. *April 14, 2014 – Boko Haram attack on Nyanya, Abuja claiming over 90 lives with hundreds injured. *April 15, 2014 – Boko Haram invaded Government Girls College, Chibok, abducting over 270 teenage girls preparing for their SSCE examination and razed the school. The girls are still in their custody till date. *May 1, 2014 – Another attack on Nyanya, Abuja leaving scores dead and several maimed. *May 5, 2014 – Attack on Gamboru Ngala community in Borno; killing about

200 people and bombing the market place, houses and a boarder bridge.

With all these deficiencies despite the declaration and extension of emergency rule in these states and beyond, several questions, fears and doubts have arisen on its efficiency since inception President Jonathan wrote to the National Assembly, requesting for further extension of the lapsing emergency rule in the three states by another six month from the day of expiration. A further extension will ensure it continues till November 2014, three months to the general elections in Nigeria.

The House of Representatives approved the extension of the emergency rule after a three hour closed-door session with the service chiefs, who said that no election could hold in the three troubled states as Nigeria was at war.

The extension has raised different reactions from Nigerians who kick against the act of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

The question now is of what essence is the President Jonathan’s request for another six month extension of the fading one which has failed to checkmate the

reason for which it was introduced and earlier extended in the first place?

Reacting on what he describes as “the ineffectiveness of the already existing emergency rule and needless request for further extension in relation to the state of the nation,” Mr. Gabriel Nkiruka, expressed his disagreement to the decision of the president, arguing that since the declaration and earlier extension of emergency rules in the troubled states, more harms have been done than good.

He said: “Rather than seek extension of an ineffective measure which will make the President be doing the same thing the same way and expecting a different result, the government should restrategise, re-equip and update our obsolete arsenal, train and retrain the soldiers as well as motivate them.”

He also pointed out that for the Air Force base and the military barracks to become routine target of insurgents explains the fact of how incapable and vulnerable the nation is.

His words: “If the supposed defenders of the nation’s territory can be easily attacked in their base and killed, what then is the fate of ordinary Nigerians who are not battle ready or trained in arms?”

Also, Saliu Adesanya sees no need for a further extension of the state of emergency in the three states. According to him, “extending the state of emergency will not solve the problem, rather it would only prolong the consequences of the looming dangers to a future date and with more damages.”

So far, the Federal Government has had to seek for a hand of support in the fight against insurgencies from top world countries like United States of America, Britain and France. While some quarters see the move as a welcomed development and a right step to savage the situation, others however show scepticism on the genuineness of the foreign support being offered by these countries.

So far, the state of emergency has not achieved the desired aim. Will the government adopt another option to combat the scourge of insurgency?

44

Politics

Wednesday June 11, 2014

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Osun Central monarchs endorse Aregbesola STORIES: BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

T

raditional rulers from Osun Central senatorial district comprising ten local government areas have

pledged their support for the re-election bid of Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

At an event held at GMT hotel, Osogbo, the traditional rulers, led by their chairman, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun,

said their decision was borne out of their believe in the ability of Governor Aregbesola to further transform the state, if given another chance.

Oba Adedotun said that the endorsement was sequel to the massive infra-

structural development the state has witnessed under the Aregbesola administration and the demand of their subjects to give the incumbent governor the needed support to break the second term jinx.

Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Adedeji, said the monarchs organised the event to express gratitude to the governor on behalf of their subjects for the people-oriented programmes the administration has executed, especially in Osogbo, the state capital.

He urged people of the state to re-elect Aregbesola because of the positive transformation the state is witnessing since he became governor.

The Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Samuel Oyebode, said the monarchs unanimously endorsed Aregbesola for another term to keep the pace of development being enjoyed in the state.

In separate addresses, the Onigbajo of Igbajo and Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, said Aregbesola has proven that government could be run in a peaceful atmosphere, adding that under his adminis-

tration, there has been even distribution of projects among towns in the state.

In his remarks, Osun State governor, Aregbesola, described the occasion as an acceptance of his administration’s programmes, saying that the presence of the royal fathers was an indication that his government has reignited people’s passion in government.

59 DAYS TO GO

Adejare Bello has sunk himself politically -Adeleke’s aide

Crowd welcoming Governor Rauf Aregbesola governor of the state of Osun at Ila-Orangun for his reelection campaign.

Delegates disagree over new procedure •Worry about timing

WOLE OLADIMEJI AND OMEZA AJAYI ABUJA

D

elegates at the ongoing National Conference yesterday disagreed to adopt a new procedure introduced by the leadership for members to debate the various reports submitted by the 20 committees.

For over two hours, there were heated debates on whether to adopt the new procedure or not, and the situation almost became rowdy as delegates refused to shift ground on their stands.

Worried about the time constraint, the chairman, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, had on Monday lamented the debate pattern, which if care was not taken would affect the conclusion of the conference.

He had expressed the need for members to adopt a new procedure in order to fast track the sessions so as to meet up with the

scheduled deadline for the conclusion of the parley.

The conference is expected to round up and submit its final report to the President on July 17 July.

The rowdy session forced Justice Kutigi to suspend debates and called for a ten-minute adjournment to enable the leadership confer and reconcile the various views expressed on the methodology to adopt.

When the ‘House’ returned, the chairman announced a reversal of the new procedure. While reverting to the old rule where every delegate willing to speak on a report would be called to do so, he decried the attitude of members who, he lamented, would always insist on speaking on every subject introduced on the floor.

He said: “Even if it is only four reports we are able to conclude, we will submit the rest to government. It is my ruling that we go back to the old pro-

cedure.”

This decision did not go down well with some members who also expressed displeasure at the turn of events which, according to them, would affect the timely submission of the conference report.

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani said: “If time is short and outcome was rushed, the confab would not have done a good job for the country.

Just voting on recommendations may not be the true reflection of the delegates’ wish.”

Bashir Dalhatu insisted that the earlier decision that votes should henceforth be taken without debates should stand, say-

ing: “There must be an end to discussion and it’s through vote. Reopening concluded issues would put the conference leadership in a negative situation if, as the conference progresses, a delegate that wants to reopen an already closed issue should be disallowed.”

Bode George advised the leadership to give all those willing to speak a chance but should be firm in stopping those fond of repetition. He said debate and decisions must be allowed to be robust.

Senator Nnamdi Eriobuna argued that going by the seriousness of the confab, delegates should be allowed to discuss all reports.

F

ormer governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke, has said former Speaker of the state House of Assembly Hon. Adejare Bello, has sunk himself politically.

Speaking through one of his aides, Alhaji Debo Badru, in Oluponna in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state, Adeleke said for Adejare to allege that he took money from the All Progressive Congress, APC, to destabilise the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was a most fraudulent political claim.

Badru had led other loyalists of the former governor to cross over to the APC in Iwo federal constituency where he told a gathering that he and his supporters decided to leave PDP for a better party that has people at the centre of governance.

Alhaji Badru, a former PDP chairman, compared PDP with darkness, which he said cannot stand the test of APC light, adding that since he and his supporters left the PDP, emissaries have been sent to them to return to the PDP fold.

Describing as outright lies, the insinuation that Senator Adeleke and oth-

er party members, who left PDP, were given money to do so, Badru said: “They said we collected money to decamp to APC. I say this lie is too cheap.

Is it Senator Adeleke that will collect money from APC to decamp.

“August 9 election victory for Aregbesola is a reality. No one can stop his second term ambition.”

At the rally were the member representing Iwo/Ayedire and Olaoluwa federal constituency, Hon. Ghafar Amere; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Folake Adegboyega; the Director Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon; Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr. Rafiu Izamot, Assistant Chief of Staff, Hon. Mudasiru Toogun and members of the House of Assembly from the area among others.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, saluted the people’s courage to dump a party that has no interest of the people at heart, saying that people come in droves to the APC because they have seen that the party has people at the centre of it government.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday June 11, 2014

45

Sambo ignorant of development in Ekiti –Fayemi STORIES: ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

K

ayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, KFCO, has faulted Vice President Namadi Sambo’s statement that Ekiti had problems of non-payment of salary, transportation and teachers, saying that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has merely demonstrated ignorance of development in Ekiti State.

Spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Dimeji Daniels, said: “The Vice President again goofed on Saturday in Ado Ekiti as his outburst showed that he has no information about the giant strides of the Dr Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Daniels added: “This is total fallacy. Ekiti workers’ salaries have always been paid as at when due since the advent of the Fayemi administration.

There is no problem of transportation in

Ekiti State. The Fayemi administration has distributed cars and buses to commercial vehicle operators which have eased transportation tremendously.

“This is apart from the fact that about 958 kilometres of state, federal and local government roads have been constructed. It is also a fact that the Federal Government, in spite of several pleas, is yet to reimburse the state government for the federal roads it constructed or rehabilitated.”

He said that Ekiti teachers are one of the best catered for in the country with regular training, improved environment for learning, rural allowance, core subject allowance and the recently approved teachers’ pecuniary allowance.

He said: “Obviously, Vice President Sambo was not properly briefed.

The same lies that their rejected candidate has been bandying about are the same that were transferred to Sambo.

Ekiti is known for

Monarchs seek transfer of Mopol commander

E

kiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to effect the immediate removal of the Commander of Mobile Police Force in Ekiti, Mr Gabriel Serenkele.

Chairman of the coucil, Oba Adamo Babalola, expressed displeasure over the disruption by the police of the peaceful rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, which culminated in the killing of one Taiwo Akinola.

Oba Babalola said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that “in all civilised nations, police are meant to maintain peace and protect the citizens.

The barbaric act exhibited on Sunday by a member of the Nigeria Police Force gunning down an innocent citizen is totally unwarranted and unacceptable to the Council of Obas in Ekiti State. It is condemnable entirely.”

Oba Babalola said: “We

want such a policeman to be removed from Ekiti State and incarcerated. He is not fit to participate in the coming election. Ekiti people will react if such ugly occurrence rears its ugly head again.

“The commissioner of police should desist from giving life ammunition to some classes of police officers while checking peaceful demonstrations.

He should not allow the security of the state to get out of hands.”

Saying that Ekiti monarchs do not want “Ekiti to be turned into a theatre of war as being preached in Abuja,” Obabalola said it is necessary for all politicians in the state to embrace peace for the coming election to be peaceful and acceptable to all parties.

A

ccord gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti State, Barr Kole Ajayi, has said the essence of the industrialisation goal of his government, if elected, is to grow the state economy and as well create massive job opportunities.

integrity and honesty and not lying as if it is going out of fashion.

“Sambo’s reference to Fayose as ‘newly improved Fayose’ confirmed that he was actually a bad product. Ekiti people reject any bad product that may have been packaged in any form by marketers who are themselves worse.

“The disconnected crowd and the theatrical show of questionable voters’ cards is as fake

as their candidate.

Nothing is as laughable as the imaginary defection of unseen APC councillorship aspirants and the re-enactment of the defection of an unseen former senator which took place a long time ago.”

Daniels, who said that it was glaring that the PDP and its candidate had no plans for Ekiti State hence they did not have any agenda, said: “With the show of

shame at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium that evening, Nigerians should not be surprised that the country has been run aground.”

Describing the crowd at the PDP mega rally was rented, Daniels said: “Ekiti people have seen the unseriousness that PDP represents and have made up their minds never to allow the affliction that Fayose is to happen twice.”

10 DAYS TO GO

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right), with a cheering mother, Mrs. Ajoke Daniels and little daughter, Oluwatoyin, during another campaign tour of Ado-Ekiti communities, yesterday.

Violence confirms APC’s plot against opposition –PDP

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has said that the killing and molestation of opposition members and other innocent citizens by All Progressives Congress, APC, hoodlums in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, was a validation of earlier allegations against APC in the state.

PDP state Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, said the fact that the crimes were committed under the watchful eyes of the leadership of the ruling party confirmed that it was a pre-planned plot.

Alleging in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the APC leadership had instructed the party’s thugs and members across the 16 council areas of the

state to commence burning of houses and properties of PDP members and other perceived enemies of the Kayode Fayemi government, Oluwawole said: “The decision of the leadership of APC was informed by the negative effect that the Saturday rally of the PDP attended by President Goodluck Jonathan has placed on the second term bid of the incumbent Governor Fayemi.”

He said that immediately after the departure of the President, APC thugs waylaid and attacked members of PDP who had come to Ado Ekiti for the event at Otun Ekiti with dangerous weapons and charms, saying that many PDP members sustained various degree of injury

in the attack.

He said the purpose of the orders and attacks “is to target all the leaders of other parties for elimination before the election or during the election proper so as to give them free hand to rig the June 21 gubernatorial election.”

But spokesperson to the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, KFCO, Dimeji Daniels, who said the PDP was only accusing APC of the evil that it was planning to unleash, said Ekiti State remained one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria until the entrance of Fayose into the governorship race, describing the allegation as a ploy aimed at diverting attention and shifting blame for the chaos and heinous crimes PDP plans

to perpetrate in the state.

Saying that the culture of violence was only reintroduced with the emergence of Fayose as the PDP candidate, Daniels said: “We have had our peace in this important and historic state. There was no violence. Freedom, justice and peaceful coexistence remain our companion until Mr Fayose came into the scene when he emerged as the PDP gubernatorial candidate.”

He said Fayose would be held responsible for any violence or killings that might take place in the state, even as he also accused the PDP of plots to re-enact imprints of blood-letting and murder, days preceding the June 21 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

Accord restates commitment to industrialisation Ajayi, speaking at a campaign rally in Irepodun/ Ifelodun council area said: “We will ensure that we establish an industry in each local government area within four years and these

industries will be drawing their raw materials from local contents, especially from our abundant agricultural products.”

He assured the teeming youth of the state of sustain-

able employments, saying that the industries would provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs for them.

Paying homage to the Elesure of Esure, Eleyio of Eyio and Oniropora of Iro-

pora Ekiti in their respective domains, the Accord governorship candidate impressed on the people to vote for him in the election in the interest of the development of the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

46

Index slides 0.2% as industrial stocks take losses JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he benchmark index of equities dropped marginally on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as gains recorded mostly in the consumers goods sector could not contain the value of losses, particularly in the industrial sector.

The Consumer Goods sector rallied 1.06 per cent to close at 443.82 points, but the industrial sector lost 1.09 per cent to close at 2,576.29 points.

The NSE 30-Index

A

worldwide measure of stocks was little changed yesterday, while US Treasury yields touched one-month highs and the euro slipped as the prospect of higher US interest rates begins to take hold in markets.

After the European Central Bank last week adopted a more accommodative monetary policy stance, focus is shifting to the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week. Analysts said there could be a reassessment of the timing of the first US rate increase.

Stocks were slightly lower on Wall Street a day after the S&P 500 hit a record close for a fourth straight session

dropped 0.06 per cent to close at 1,906.29 points, while the Banking Index dipped 0.62 per cent to close at 443.82 points.

The Insurance Index added 0.98 per cent to close at 145.68 points, while the Oil and Gas Index rose 0.04 per cent to close at 430.09 points.

The Lotus Islamic Index shed 0.15 per cent to close at 2,773.85 points. The Alternative Securities Market remained valid at 950.94 points.

Collectively, the All Share Index depreciated 0.21 per cent to close at 41,521.42 points, as against the rise of

0.19 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 41,608.50 points.

Honeywell Flour Mills Plc led the gainers’ table with 25 kobo or 6.25 per cent to close at N4.25 per share, followed by Fidson Healthcare Plc with 13 kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at N2.89 per share.

Unilever Plc rose N2.23 or 4.61 per cent to close at N50.65 per share, while Conoil Plc added N2.50 or 4.59 per cent to close at N57.00 per share.

Eterna Oil Plc gained 16 kobo or 4.57 per cent to close at N3.66 per share.

Conversely, NASCON Plc dropped five kobo or 4.27 per cent to close at N1.12 per share, while Caverton Plc shed 22 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N4.19 per share.

Ikeja Hotel Plc fell four kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at 82 kobo per share, while Costain Plc declined five kobo or 4.27 per cent to close at N1.12 per share.

Cutix Plc depreciated seven kobo or 3.68 per cent to close at N1.83 per share.

A total of 1.41 bilion shares valued at N8.47bn were exchanged in 5,686 deals.

Treasury yields up, euro slips as US plans higher rates

and world shares hovered near their lifetime high set in November 2007.

“Most valuation metrics suggest that equities are no longer cheap, though they’re not exactly overpriced where they are now,” said David Carter, chief investment officer at Lenox Wealth Advisors in New York. “People are looking for reasons to really buy, but we’re optimistic that equities can continue to push higher.”

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 15.59 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 16,927.51,

the S&P 500 lost 3.77 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,947.5, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 11.06 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 4,325.18.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index edged up 0.3 per cent to its highest close since January 2008. MSCI’s 45-country stock gauge dipped marginally; at 426.87 points it was less than two points away from a record.

Chinese inflation data remained well within the government’s comfort zone, giving China room to eventually launch fresh stimulus mea-

sures to support the economy. Chinese, Indonesian and Korean shares all rose more than one per cent.

The euro fell near last week’s four-month low against the US dollar at $1.3532.

The greenback drew support both from the ECB’s decision last week to cut interest rates and to start charging banks for keeping their spare cash on deposit and by fresh bets that the Fed could begin to raise rates earlier than expected.

China IPO market resumes after four months

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he reopening of mainland China’s IPO market with seven new listings announced yesterday is good news for investors, although analysts said brokerages could be forced to slash their earnings forecasts after a four-month hiatus in activity.The new offerings come after the China Securities Regulatory Commission, CSRC, said late on Monday it had given final approval to 10 firms seeking to list on the Shanghai or Shenzhen stock exchanges, giving an official green light to the IPO market which had been dormant since February.

While the new activity will be a relief for investors eager to put their money to work, it underlines concerns that mainland initial public offerings will fail to live up to expectations this year and brokers could be left to rue

upbeat revenue forecasts.

The seven companies which include Guangdong Ellington Electronics Technology, Shanghai Beite Technology and Shanghai Lianming Machinery, aim to raise a total of about 16 billion yuan (£1.53 billion), according to their prospectuses published yesterday.

Three will list in Shanghai and four on the smaller Shenzhen exchange.

The CSRC last month said it was planning about 100 new listings this year, which would take the expected 2014 tally to 150 or only half the number forecast by consultants including PwC. “Lower-than-expected IPO volumes definitely will drag down revenue and earnings for brokers this year, versus previous forecasts,” Jian Li, an analyst with Macquarie Capital Se-

curities in Hong Kong, said.

He said the revised IPO forecasts could wipe out three per cent to six per cent of brokerages’ predicted earnings this year.

Brokerages that focus on mainland China deals include CITIC Securities, Haitong Securities and Guosen Securities.

The CSRC let around 50 companies list in January and February, marking the end of a suspension of IPO approvals that began in late 2012 but was never officially confirmed.

However, there had been no listings since then and the CSRC had not clarified the situation until it announced the 10 approvals late on Monday.

Prior to the resumption, the CSRC had said it was aiming to transform the IPO market to a registration-

based system similar to that deployed in the United States, where market reception dictates how offerings are priced, when companies list and how their shares perform.

The biggest challenge for regulators will be to manage investors’ expectations and pent-up demand. In a country like China, where nearly three-quarters of trading comes from retail investors, secondary market performance is also a concern.

“The market has been soft since they announced the reopening of the IPO markets.

Given the softness, you want to make sure it goes well and it doesn’t destabilize the index,” said a Hong Kongbased investment banker, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 41,521.42 points Market capitalisation 14.01trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

HONYFLOUR

4.00

4.25

0.25

6.25

FIDSON

2.76

2.89

0.13

4.71

UNILEVER

48.42

50.65

2.23

4.61

CONOIL

54.50

57.00

2.50

4.59

ETERNA

3.50

3.66

0.16

4.57

NNFM

19.88

20.78

0.90

4.53

MAYBAKER

1.68

1.75

0.07

4.17

NEIMETH

1.20

1.25

0.05

4.17

WAPIC

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

PRESTIGE

0.52

0.54

0.02

3.85

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

NASCON

13.23

12.30

-0.93

-7.03

CAVERTON

4.41

4.19

-0.22

-4.99

IKEJAHOTEL

0.86

0.82

-0.04

-4.65

COSTAIN

1.17

1.12

-0.05

-4.27

CUTIX

1.90

1.83

-0.07

-3.68

COURTVILLE

0.62

0.60

-0.02

-3.23

UBCAP

2.48

2.40

-0.08

-3.23

PORTPAINT

4.97

4.81

-0.16

-3.22

GUARANTY

31.50

30.50

-1.00

-3.17

WEMABANK

0.99

0.96

-0.03

-3.03

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

2.18

103.10

11.39

103.25

11.31

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.88

108.45

11.55

108.60

11.49

16.00 29-JUN-2019

5.05

116.20

11.66

116.50

11.59

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.63

120.05

12.26

120.35

12.21

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.76

110.20

12.36

110.50

12.31

10.00 23-JUL-2030

16.12 80.00

12.99

80.30

12.93

Closing Market Prices of June 10, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

11-Sep-14

10.65

10.40

4-Dec-14

10.50

10.25

7-May-15

10.45

10.20

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

10.7500

1M

11.6556

3M

13.1083

6M

14.0403 The Fixings - NIBOR, NITTY and NIFEX of June 10, 2014

47

Community Mirror

Wednesday June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

King Ado School holds 4th Uniform Society Day

T

he 4th School Uniform Society day was held at King Ado Junior and Secondary School, Lagos recently.

Principal of the junior section of the school, Mrs. T.A Pereira described the event laudable, as she harped on the needs for the students to put in more efforts and commitment, even as the parents were advised to also encourage their wards.

“The student should try

and imbibe ethics of the society by putting on the uniform provided by the government and each one of you should strive to belong to one of the societies in the school.

“Though some parents complained of the rigours and stress associated with participating in school clubs, but the membership of the societies is compulsory and the students need to be encouraged”, she said.

She called on the various NGO’s to assist the government in the procurement of uniforms and in organising training for the societies.

The school uniform and non uniform society coordinator, Mr.R.B Ibrahim who teaches Business Studies also suggested that all public secondary schools have at least a teacher coordinating school societies in order to encourage active participation among students.

Presentation of gift to the 2nd position by Alhaji Mojeed Azeez to Girls Guide unit leader Ajara

King Ado Junior Senior School Red Cross members

Mrs. T.A Perreira, Principal Junior Secondary School, King Ado.

Mr. T.T Alabi, Principal King Ado Senior Secondary School

School coordinator R. D Ibrahim

Boys Scouts performing at the event

Recitation F the National Anthem by the Boys and Girls Scout

Presentation of gift to the first position by Mrs. Opeloyeru (forum chair person) to Salaudeen Musa the boys and girls scout leader.

Presentation of gift to 3rd position by Mrs. T.T Oni to Fowowke Kuti, the Red Cross Unit leader.

The King Ado boys and girls brigade

Members of the Girls Guide at the event

48

North

Wednesday June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fulani allege attack by Berom youths …say 30 injured, 60 cows killed JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

F

ulani herdsmen yesterday alleged that gunmen suspected to be Berom youths in Plateau State attacked their grazing

cattle, killing 60 and injuring 30 persons.

The Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Mohammad Adamu, told journalists that the incident, which he said occurred at Jol and Rim villages in Riyom local gov-

ernment area, had already been reported to the Special Task Force, STF in charge of the area.

According to him, the incident took place at about 1.00pm on Monday when some of their boys took out

cattle for grazing.

Adamu said: “From nowhere, the gunmen appeared and started firing, forcing our boys to take cover. The attackers threw tear gas at the cows to cause confusion among them, and

Students of General Hassan Usman Unity College in Bauchi writing their National Examination Council (NECO) examination, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Ex-police affairs minister slams crackdown on the press EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

F

ormer Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, has described as dangerous and act of dictatorship, last week’s crackdown on the press by the military.

According to him, “it is the most dangerous thing to have in a democracy. Once you do that,

you are showing some tendency of dictatorship and you can’t have dictatorship in a democracy.”

Lame also described the ransacking of newspaper houses and their wares as a tendency of gagging the people, adding that dictatorship in a democracy was more dangerous than military dictatorship.

The former minister, while fielding journal-

ists’ questions shortly after the inauguration of the Bauchi State All Progressives Congress, APC executives on Monday, said that such an action by the military must be stopped by Nigerians.

“It must be stopped by patriotic Nigerians, and I believe Nigerians have the capacity to do something about it,” Lame, an APC gubernatorial aspirant, told journalists.

He also tagged the action of the military as condemnable, which each and every Nigerian, including the journalists, must stand up against.

According to him, it is not just enough for people to think that only politicians can solve problems, hence the need for all Nigerians to condemn that act perpetrated by the military.

No more godfatherism in Kwara -PDP WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Kwara State, Chief Iyiola Akogun, has declared that the party would no longer encourage godfatherism, just as he announced the disbandment of factions within the party.

Oyedepo, who was addressing a state stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin said, over the years, the politi-

cal affairs of the state had been that of one man playing the godfather, deciding the fate of the state in general, and individuals in particular.

Describing the trend as unfortunate, the chairman said: “Kwara’s political contribution to political history has had a negative value in the country.

“It might also be, however, that if this virus will be expunged from our politics in Nigeria, Kwara may have to take a lead now.

“The whole phenomenon of godfatherism is not based on knowledge, wisdom and skill, but on the wrong deployment of money to dominate and control.”

Oyedepo disclosed at the meeting that his newlyelected executive inherited only N18,000 from the previous leadership.

He added, however, that on the May 27, at a fund-raising organised for the chapter in Abuja, his leadership had raised

over N126m for the party, through a policy of making party faithful financially committed.

The chairman said: “The developing scenario in our party today is that we are trying to jointly contribute to the cooking of the soup so that we can eat it together with pride.”

He stressed that the goal of PDP in Kwara was to dislodge the government of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state through a 26 committees.

thereafter came out and started shooting at them, one after the other.”

According to him, efforts by the Fulani men to go to the scene after the incident to rescue the wounded cows were also repelled by the Berom youths, who hid in bush, firing shots at anybody, including the securitymen who wanted to rescue the cows.

The Ardo said the attack was made easy for the Beroms “because of the false alarm they had earlier raised that the Fulani were planning to attack Shonon village.

“In response, the securitymen around the villages had moved their men and equipment to the area to repel any attack by the Fulani.

“This now gave the Beroms easy access to scare away the boys grazing the cattle and eliminate the cows one after the other.”

Contacted, the spokes-

man of the STF on Jos crisis, Capt. Iweha Ikedichi, said he did not have the details of the attack.

He stated that he was on his way to the affected villages to confirm the attack.

“I shall get back to you as soon as I am able to get anything,” he said.

Adamu, however, said that they had appealed to the Fulani to remain calm and not take laws into their hands.

He added that they were awaiting the action of the STF ‘which is fully aware of what has taken place.”

Meanwhile the Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) of Riyom local government area has denied rumours making rounds, as well as report in some national dailies that the Fulani have a camp in Rim, where insurgents were being trained for possible attack on Berom villages.

Abdulsalami lauds Kwara remodeled general hospitals WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

F

ormer military head of state, General Abubakar Abdulsalami, yesterday in Ilorin commended the Kwara State Government for remodeling five general hospitals to standard.

Abdulsalami, who was invited to commission the remodeled Ilorin hospital, said with the standard of the hospitals, the state had been turned into an economic hub with qualitative healthcare for an increasing population.

He also expressed concern about the present security challenges in the country, but stressed that with the present steps being taken by the government, the situation would soon be overcome.

While commending the Kwara State government for carrying out developmental projects in the state, the former head of state said: “Acts of good governance such as demonstrated by your government’s people-oriented programmes and new de-

velopment efforts, as well as the entrenchment of equality and justice, can strengthen our preparedness to work together to build the Nigeria we all desire and deserve.”

He charged governments at all levels to continue to implement programmes and projects that would elevate Nigerians and provide them sustainable standard of living.

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, observed that the rehabilitated general hospitals located at Offa, Share, Kaiama and OmuAran, were the evidences of his administration’s resolve to bring functioning healthcare to the people.

Ahmed said the state government’s dream of functional health system had become a reality with the rehabilitation of the general hospitals, establishment of world-class medical diagnostic centre, expansion of Community Health Insurance Scheme and the continuous enhancement of primary health system.

Wednesday June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Two dead in US high school gun shootout 50

Russia not waging war on Internet freedoms, restrictions imposed were meant mainly to protect children from indecent content.

–Russian President, Vladimir Putin

Kenyan top cleric shot dead in Mombasa PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

moderate Muslim cleric has been shot dead in Mombasa, the latest killing of a preacher in the Kenyan city.

Sheikh Mohammed Idris, chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, was killed close to a mosque near his home by a group of gunmen.

Reports say he had previously been threatened by radical Muslim youths and had said he feared for his life.

He is the fourth prominent Muslim cleric to be shot dead in the city since 2012.

The others were accused of links to the al-Qaeda linked Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab and their supporters accused the government of being behind their killings - charges the authorities denied.

Mr Idris had apparently urged the police to deal with militant elements at his mosque, leading some to brand

him a traitor.

“There was a power struggle at Sakina mosque - where he was supposed to be installed as a sheikh - between his supporters and another radical group opposed to him,” Mombasa’s police chief Robert Kitur told a news agency.

According to Kenya’s Daily

Nation newspaper, those opposed to him wanted to change the mosque’s name from Sakina Jamia to Masjid Mujahedeen, meaning “mosque of Islamist fighters”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to “bring the killers to book”.

“Sheikh Idris was at the fore-

front in the fight against the radicalization of the youth, and therefore his death is a big blow to the country’s efforts to stop religious extremism,” he said in a statement.

The British High Commission in Kenya has also issued a statement, condemning the killing.

O

Togo intensifies crackdown on ivory smuggling

T

ogo has gone hi-tech in its crackdown on ivory smugglers, employing DNA testing to determine the origin and age of contraband tusks and expose those at the heart of the illegal trade.

Some 4.5 tonnes of ivory was confiscated in the tiny West African nation between August 2013 and January this year, leading to the arrest of 18 people, according to the government.

The biggest seizures were on January 23 and 29 at the port in the capital, Lome, where police discovered some 3.8 tonnes of ivory in containers bound for Vietnam.

Zuma misses South Africa’s cabinet meeting to rest

Sheikh Mohammed Idris had apparently urged the police to deal with militant elements at his mosque

‘Ebola death toll keeps rising in West Africa’

ne preacher advocated fasting and prayer to spare people from a virus that usually leads to a horrible death. Some people pray that the Ebola outbreaks, which are hitting three countries in West Africa, stay away from their home areas. Others seem unruffled and say it will blow over.

But more than a month after Guinea President Alpha Conde told reporters the Ebola outbreak that originated in his country was under control, the death toll continues to climb in his country as well as in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

At least 231 people have died since the outbreak of the fearsome disease, which causes bleeding internally and externally and for which there is no known cure. Guinea has recorded just over 200 deaths, along with about a dozen each in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

WORLD BULLETIN

Experts say the outbreak may have begun as far back as January in southeast Guinea. Ebola typically begins in remote places and it can take several infections before the disease is identified, making a precise start date virtually impossible to pin down.

It’s one of the worst outbreaks since the disease was first recorded in 1976 in simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and Congo, said Dr. Armand Sprecher of Doctors Without Borders.

The West Africa Ebola situation is especially challenging because of the number of “satellite outbreaks” that have cropped up, said Sprecher, who has worked on the emergency responses in Guinea as well as in Uganda in 2000 and in Congo in 2007. There have been at least six satellite outbreaks elsewhere in Guinea — including the sprawling seaside capital of Conakry — and in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Spre-

South African President Jacob Zuma will miss a cabinet meeting yesterday as he continues to rest after being admitted to hospital for health checks over the weekend, the presidency said.

“President Jacob Zuma continues to rest at home this week and will not attend the Cabinet Lekgotla,” a presidency statement said, adding that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would chair the June 10-12 meeting.

The hospital stay followed an announcement from his office on Friday that the 72-year-old would take a few days off from public appearances after a tiring campaign for a May 7 election in which he was elected for a second term.

Sisi vows to end sexual assaults in Egypt

Healthcare workers from the organization, prepare isolation and treatment areas for their Ebola, hemorrhagic fever operations, in Gueckedou, Guinea, recently.

cher said.

In each outbreak, health workers must identify patients, trace and monitor everyone they’ve been in contact with and teach people how to avoid the disease.

“Family members and traditional leaders are strongly advised to work with health teams to avoid dead bodies and their body fluids and prevent spread-

ing of Ebola and deaths of member of communities. The public is also urged to wash their hands with soap and water or use sanitizer, ashes, avoid eating bush meat (monkeys, fruit bats), and to chlorinate their water before drinking,” Bernice Dahn, Deputy Minister for Health Services in Liberia, said in a June 7 news release.

Egypt’s new president has ordered the police to launch a crackdown on sexual assaults amid growing public anger.

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi also called for citizens to “reinstate moral values in society” after a graphic video of sexual assault victim went viral.

Sisi’s inauguration as president on Sunday was marred by a string of sexual assaults on women in Cairo.

Several men have been arrested over the attacks in Tahrir Square, where his supporters were celebrating.

A statement from President Sisi’s office said he had told the Interior Minister to ensure there is full implementation of a new law that has for the first time made sexual harassment a crime.

World News

50

Wednesday June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Two dead in US high school gun shootout

A

gunman walked into an Oregon high school and fatally shot a student on Tuesday before authorities found him dead a short time later.

Reynolds High School in the northern Oregon city of Troutdale was on lockdown after the shooting and students were being evacuated from the school room by room, police said.

“A gunman entered the high school this morning, CHANGE OF NAME

AJAYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Omolola Mojirade,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedeji Victoria Mojirade. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Nigeria Immigration Services and public please take note

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shot one student. Unfortunately, that student has died,” Troutdale Police Chief Scott Anderson said at a news conference.

He said the gunman was also found dead.

Anderson gave no further details and did not say whether the gunman was killed by police or took his own life.

CNN said earlier that some injuries had been sustained in the shooting, but neither of two fire departments that reCHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME We formerly known as Nwaozoh Jerome Okechukwu,Nwaozoh Bernard Ndubisi,Nwaozoh Herbert Iloegbunem,Nwaozoh Luke Chibueze,And Nwaozoh Alexander Ifeanyi now wish to be known as Chiagozie Jerome Okechukwu,Chiagozie Bernard Ndubisi,Chiagozie Herbert Iloegbunem,Chiagozie Luke Chibueze,and Chiagozie Alexander Ifeanyi. The surname is now Chiagozie not Nwaozoh.All former documents remain valid.The general public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to notify the general public that the original Certificate of Incorporation of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) with certificate No. 082240 and CAC/IT/No.8332 was lost and missing from our records. That all efforts to recover the missing certificate proved abortive. If found, contact the undersigned or the nearest police station.

Monday.O.Ifoghere 08123544023 State Secretary (APSON)

Scene outside the Reynolds High School compound where the attack took place, yesterday.

sponded to the scene nor a private ambulance service, American Medical Response, reported taking any patients from the school.

Police said 30 to 40 Troutdale officers were CHANGE OF NAME

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Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission and general public take note.

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on the scene. Multnomah County Sheriff ’s deputies also responded, police said.

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Generel public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICE PARDNERS CLUB - NO. 10635

This is to inform the general public that the General Secretary of the above Club has resigned and new General Secretary has been duly elected while the number of trustees has been increased from three to five. Section 8.4.1 of the Constitution has also been amended to reflect the new change.

CHANGE AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES/ AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chum Tunji Adio 2. Chum Kehinde Olamolu 3. Chum Tunde Kelani NEW TRUSTEES ARE:

- President - Gen. Secretary (Resigned) - Treasurer

1.Chum 2.Chum 3.Chum 4.Chum 5.Chum

- President - Gen.Secr.(Newly Appointed) - Treasurer - Member (Newly Elected) - Member (Newly Elected)

Tunji Adio Timothy Oladipo Tunde Kelani Yomi Bolarinwa Tunde Abiola

Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198 Maitama District, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: OLUGBEMIGA LADANU ESQ.(SOLICITOR)

cles and running near the school’s perimeter with long rifles. Students were seen streaming out of the school with their hands raised.

“I do know that the students are being evacuated room by room by the police. The shooter is confirmed dead. They’re evacuating students that were on lockdown one room at a time,” TroutCHANGE OF NAME

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All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

dale Mayor Doug Daoust told CNN. “We do have a huge police presence in front of the school.”

The violence in Oregon was the latest in a string of U.S. shootings in recent weeks, including one at a Christian college in neighbouring Washington state last week, that have renewed a protracted debate over gun regulations.

CHANGE OF NAME

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that Alozie Chinenyenwa Ifeoma with (NECO 2008 EXAM NO:80301523AJ) and Alozie Mercy Chinenyenwa Ifeoma is the same and one person, but now wish to be known as Alozie Mercy Chinenyenwa Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

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OKOH: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Okoh Agbi Chukwuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Okoh Chukwuma Ezekiel . All former documents remain valid. (Fed Polynek, Owerri Imo State) and the general public take note.

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OGUNLEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunleye Hannah Olukemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aderonmu Hannah Olukemi. All former documents remain valid. ICAN and general public should please take note .

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Formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Chilaka Chinonso, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Chilaka Kenneth Chinonso Yvonne (Mrs). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ORIABURE: Formerly known and addressed as Oriabure Reachel Sylvester, now wish to be known and addressed as Sylvester Ibareosihelen. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NIHMOTALAI IDERA MOSQUE

Notice is herby given to the general public that the above named association has applied for Registration by the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Odewamide Musediq Ajibola 2. Hassen Adewole Waheed 3. Oguntoye Rasaki Kayode 4. Adams Abdulganiyy Adekunle 5. Ayinde Mufutau Akangbe THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To propagate the progress of the Islamic religion 2. To settle disputes between members and board members and between a members and other members 3. To advance education and training of members 4. To see smooth running of the mosque and proper financing Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEE

Wednesday June 11, 2014

Salami open to Sharks, Gombe switch 53

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51

Sport

I think the Black Stars have their job cut out. It is just for them to rise up to the occasion –Former Ghana defender, Sammy Kuffour United States striker, Altidore (left) getting the better of Joseph Yobo during their World Cup warm up match last Saturday

Japanese ref for opener

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apan’s Yuichi Nishimura has been assigned as the referee for the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Croatia tomorrow.

Nishimura will be assisted by compatriots Toru Sagara and Toshiyuki Nagi, with Alireza Faghani of Iran designated as the fourth official.

Nishimura, 42, is set to become the third Japanese referee to have officiated at two World Cup finals after Shizuo Takada (1986 and 1990) and Toru Kamikawa (2002 and 2006). At South Africa 2010 he handled four matches, including the quarterfinal encounter between the Netherlands and Brazil.

In 2012, Yuichi Nishimura was named AFC Men’s Referee of the Year.

We’re ready for World Cup –Yobo

...says bonus won’t distract Eagles Adeolu Johnson

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uper Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, says players of the national team are satisfied with the proposal of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for bonuses for the 2014 FIFA World Cup that kicks-off in Brazil tomorrow.

Yobo also added that the team is ready for the tournament despite demanding for

World Cup appearance fee.

The Eagles skipper and midfielder Obi Mikel had earlier met with the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, and his top members to demand a share of the World Cup participation largesse.

This is aside the match bonus, which starts at $10,000-aman for a first round match win, announced for the players.

Yobo said the meeting to demand an appearance fee for the players was “peaceful and nor-

mal” as players need to demand for their rights.

“That’s very true. I haven’t been around for a while. When I came, I heard about several issues that were going on.

“I have to make sure my players are happy. I am the captain of the national team and if the players are not happy, there is no way I can be happy,” he said.

The Nigeria captain said the meeting was important to ensure that the Super Eagles put

up a creditable outing in Brazil.

Yobo, however, expressed unhappiness that the development was reported by the media.

“This was a very peaceful and quiet meeting. I am very disappointed that it came out in the media because it was very peaceful and everybody was very happy about it,” he said.

“You can’t deprive players from asking for their rights.

This is normal. We play for our country and there are certain

things that the players are entitled to.

“Like I said, there was a meeting and the meeting will still continue. There’s no problem. We just need to agree on what we want to do. We are ready to play for Nigeria and we don’t represent our country because of money,” he said.

Nigeria is already entitled to earn $9.5 million for qualification and participation in the first round of the competition.

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Wednesday June 11, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rio 2016:

Ndanusa, P Onyali chase sponsors

PAUL EREWUBA

NFF unfolds age-grade policy PAUL EREWUBA

T

echnical Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green, says the committee has evolved a policy barring recycling of players in the national age-group teams.

Green explained that the measure was aimed at ensuring the discovery of talent at the grassroots.

“We challenge age-group coaches to be more hard working and discover a fresh set of players every two years,” Green said.

“Even if the player is four years below the age bracket, such is ineligible having played in that age-group before.

“This country is blessed with talent and we want to have a large pool so as to secure the future of Nigeria football.

“All the last set of players that won the tournament last year graduated to

Musa Yahaya

the U-20 team and current U-17 coaches have to groom an entirely new set of players. The aim of the age-group teams is not to win but to discover fresh talents”, Green said.

Mark leads FG delegation GEORGE OJI ABUJA

S

enate President, David Mark, yesterday led a high-powered Federal Government of Nigeria delegation to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Mark is leading the delegation at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a letter mandating Senator Mark to lead the delegation, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba, and his House of Representatives’ counterpart, Hon. Geodfrey Gaiya, were also asked to be part of the team.

Also on the entourage are governors of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; his Katsina State counterpart, Shehu Shema; Federal Capital Territory Minister, Bala Mohammed; Culture and Tourism Minister, Edem Duke, as well as Youth Development Minister, Boni Haruna.

Others on the delegation include the Sports Minister, Tammy Danago-

go; Minister of State Foreign Affairs 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, and a Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, explained that Mark is expected to deliver President Jonathan’s goodwill message to the players and officials and hold pep talks with them ahead of their opening game.

The delegation will attend the opening ceremony of the Mundial tomorrow and watch Super Eagles’ match with Bosnia before returning to Nigeria.

resident of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Sani Ndanussa, has pleaded with corporate bodies to aid the committee as b the body prepares for the 2016 th Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, O Brazil.

B “The NOC and NSC are working to bring about a synergy in aimed at taking Nigeria a ssports to the next level,” Ndanusa said in Lagos.

N “We have mapped out ways of recruiting our best talents, especially with the creation of the High Performance Department by the National Sports Commission.

“We learnt our lessons after the failure at London 2012 Olympics and we hope to redress this at Rio,” he added.

For Nigerian sprinter, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi ,who is now Special Assistant to the Director General, National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, also enjoined the corporate bodies to give the new executive the chance to prove itself.

“We need fund to execute the numerous projects we have now to move sports forward,” the ex-athlete said.

“We promise that the corporate bodies will get the mileage for their efforts,” she added.

Blessing Okagbare is one of Nigeria’s hopes for medals in Rio Olympics

Union Bank boss hails team IFEANYI EDUZOR

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roup Managing Director of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, has commended players and officials of the bank’s men Basketball Team for qualifying for the final 8 play-offs of the NBBF/DSTV Basketball League.

According to him, the team’s qualification indicated that the bank would soon be a force to be in Nigeria’s sports in the coun-

try.

Meanwhile, Head of the Sports Unit of the bank, Tunde Popoola, has applauded the Ayinla Johnson-coached basketball team for doing the bank proud, tasking them to win the title.

Popoola, who is also the Secretary General of Nigeria Olympic Committee, commended the Taiwo Enegwa-coached team for its exploits in the Lagos Metro League while tasking the players and officials not to relent in their target to become champions.

Amosun makes sports pledge

O

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has assured that his administration would restore the state’s lost glory in sporting activities.

Amosun gave the assurance during the Golf Tournament organised by Abeokuta Golf Club to mark the third anniversary of his government at the Golf Course, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta over the weekend.

“With our resolve to zero-in on sports, especially now that the world has become a global village, we are sure we can rekindle that glorious era in all sporting activities,” the governor said.

“We will do more enlightenment and encourage our young ones to play golf and other games,” he added.

On plans being put in place for the host-

ing of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Games by the state next year, Amosun assured that necessary infrastructure would be put in place to make the event world class.

“The welfare of participants who will be representing our state will also be taken more seriously to motivate them,” the governor further said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday June 11, 2014

53

Salami open to Sharks,

Gbolahan Salami

Gombe switch STORIES: ADEOLU JOHNSON

J

oint Nigeria league leading scorer, Gbolahan Salami, has told AfricanFootball.com he is open to quit Warri Wolves for either Sharks or Gombe United who have approached him.

The former Shooting Stars striker said several clubs hadcontacted him for the second round of the league after the 2014 World Cup and could move if the money was right.

“The Executive Chairman of

Gombe State Sports Commission, Umar Farouk Yarma, has been asking me to come and join the club. He’s willing to pay me more than what I’m presently earned in Warri Wolves,” Salami disclosed.

He also revealed that he has spoken with Sharks Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote.

“Ogunbote wants me to play for him again in Sharks but I will like to choose the best offer for me.

“So, anything can happen before the second round. I will join any club who can pay me good money.”

Nasarawa top, Sharks slip

N Abia Warriors get theme song

G

lo Premier League side, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, has developed a theme song as one of the efforts aimed at further improving the club’s profile.

Packaged by fledging public relations outfit, SS&B media, the production has the instrumental, chorus and other versions which have been fashioned to ease the mind with danceable rhythm.

Fans had a fill of the song for the first time during Warriors’ home game against Akwa Utd in Umuahia with most of them acknowledging the rhythm by dancing away.

Chairman of the club, Chief Emeka Inyama, said the song was produced with international standard in line with the club’s new image.

Inyama said the Warriors were run like a professional outfit compared to what obtained abroad, pointing out that the club will lead the way with the club’s ultra-modern secretariat that is ICT-compliant.

He commended the team for making the government and people of Abia State as well as their fans all over the world proud with their scintillating performances and urged them not to relent.

Abia Warriors Chairman, Emeka Inyama (2nd right) addressing the players

Babangida

Babangida laments road trips

C

hairman of FC Taraba, Tijani Babangida, has blamed his team’s unimpressive performance on the long distances they have to cover to honour away games in the Nigeria Premier League.

The former Ajax of Holland star said in most cases his team cover over 1400 kilometres to play away matches which makes it difficult for his players to be at their best.

“I do not want to give excuses for our not too impressive performance, but I must say that the long distances we cover to attend away matches are not helping us,” he said.

“Most of the clubs in the league are from the south so the clubs in the South East and South South have advantage over us. They are close to one another and that makes it easier for them to travel for away matches.”

asarawa United are the new leaders of the Nigeria league after they defeated Abia Warriors 3-1 and Sharks fell 2-1 at home to Akwa United on Sunday.

Nasarawa, who last season battled against relegation, now have 31 points from 19 matches while Sharks remain on 28 points after their third loss on the trot.

Abia Warriors Coach, Ladan Bosso, had boasted before the match at Nasarawa that he would win it, saying, “I have their password.”

He seemed to be living up to the boast when Ifeanyi Onyeali gave the visitors the lead after 40 minutes. However, Nasarawa

turned on the style thereafter.

Esosa Iginoba drew the home team level just before the interval for his fifth goal of the Title-chasing Enyimba were surprisingly held to a goalless draw at home by Giwa FC, who were led by former Enyimba coach Kadiri Ikhana.

Crown FC and Bayelsa United drew 2-2 in Ibadan in a game Bayelsa threw away several begging chances.

Kaduna United eased their relegation worries with a hardfought 1-0 win at home against Warri Wolves while Nembe played out a 2-2 draw with Sunshine, as there were home wins for Heartland and Gombe United.

Bayelsa keeper bemoans draw

B

ayelsa United goalkeeper, Kazeem Yekeen, has blamed his defenders for a 2-2 draw with Crown FC in Ibadan.

The former Kwara United keeper this Week 19 game was one they could have won easily but for defensive blunders that resulted in the two Crown goals.

“Draw at away game is always seen as a good result, but to me it wasn’t good when we have all the chances to get the three points,” Yekeen said.

“I am not happy because the two goals I conceded were too cheap. They came about as a result of errors in my defence.

That’s football, we win together and lose together.”

Yekeen pulled off several big saves to ensure Bayelsa returned home with a share of the spoils.

Yekeen

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Sports

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday June 11, 2014

w

orld cup countdown

Algeria aims to cross group stage –Slimani

GROUP STAGE FIXTURES Nigeria Time

Thursday 12 June BRAZIL vs CROATIA 9pm Friday 13 June MEXICO vs CAMEROON 5pm SPAIN vs NETHERLANDS 8pm CHILE vs AUSTRALIA 11pm Saturday 14 June COLOMBIA vs GREECE 5pm URUGUAY vs COSTA RICA 8pm ENGLAND vs ITALY 11pm CÔTE D’IVOIRE vs JAPAN 2am

Friday 20 June ITALY vs COSTA RICA 5pm SWITZERLAND vs FRANCE 8pm HONDURAS vs ECUADOR 11pm Saturday 21 June ARGENTINA vs IRAN 5pm GERMANY vs GHANA 8pm NIGERIA vs BOSNIA 11pm Sunday 22 June BELGIUM vs RUSSIA 5pm KOREA REP vs ALGERIA 8pm USA vs PORTUGAL 11pm

Sunday 15 June SWITZERLAND vs ECUADOR 5pm

FRANCE vs HONDURAS 8pm ARGENTINA vs BOSNIA 11pm Monday 16 June GERMANY vs PORTUGAL 5pm IRAN vs NIGERIA 8pm GHANA vs USA 11pm

Slimani

Tuesday 17 June BELGIUM vs ALGERIA 5pm BRAZIL vs oMEXICO 8pm RUSSIA vs KOREA REP 11pm

A

rising name in European club football, Algeria’s Islam Slimani could be a stand-out figure upfront for his national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Sporting Lisbon star says that he and his teammates are looking to leave a mark in Brazil.

“Algeria has never got past the first round, so that’s our goal,” he told FIFA.com. “We are flying to Brazil with ambitions.

It will be our fourth appearance at the finals. We all know about the victory against (West) Germany in 1982 with the likes of (Rabah) Madjer, (Salah) Assad or (Lakhdar) Belloumi. We all want to leave a trace in the history of Algerian football and follow in their footsteps.”

Slimani, who will turn 26 during this tournament, can look back at his first season in European football with some pride. Having signed for Sporting Lisbon last August from Algerian club, CR Belouizdad, Slimani took a few weeks to break into the Sporting line-up, but once he managed to do that, there was no stopping him.

After being used mainly as a substitute and scoring a num-

Wednesday 18 June ber of goals from the bench, Slimani made the most of an opportunity that presented itself earlier this year as he was given a starting role in the team.

He scored in four consecutive games in March, including a winner against Porto that helped Lisbon finish above the reigning champions.

Slimani ended the season tied for the second most goals on the team, finding the net eight times in 26 appearances - 16 of which were from the bench.

Sporting ended the season in second place behind Benfica, and the club’s success has meant that many eyes have been focused on the talented attacking player.

“This season, I discovered European football. I am happy with my first season during which I scored decisive goals.

Sporting is a great team, and we managed to qualify for the next (UEFA) Champions League.”

But Slimani has put any thought of participating in that tournament aside for the moment as he is concentrating solely on his contribution to the show-piece event of world football: the FIFA World Cup.

The north Africans have been paired into Group H with Russia, South Korea and Belgium, whom many have earmarked as a dark horse in the competition. The 25-year-old said that Les Fennecs would not be scared of their opponents.

“We do not want to have any regrets. We will play our game.

We know that the group is difficult,” Slimani said. “Belgium has greatt players like Eden Hazard zard and Vincent Kompany. mpany. They are the favourites avourites in our group.. I also know that South th Korea is a very tough ough team, who has made it to the second nd round of the World Cup. Finally, ally, Russia iss a major nation. Fabio bio Capello knows uss well ass he played d against the Algeerian team in 2010 with England.”

AUSTRALIA vs NETHERLANDS 5pm

SPAIN vs CHILE 8pm

Monday 23 June NETHERLAND vs CHILE 5pm AUSTRALIA vs SPAIN 5pm CAMEROON vs BRAZIL 9pm CROATIA vs MEXICO 9pm Tuesday 24 June ITALY vs URUGUAY 5pm COSTA RICA vs ENGLAND 5pm JAPAN vs COLOMBIA 11pm GREECE vs CÔTE D’IVOIRE 11pm Wednesday 25 June NIGERIA vs ARGENTINA 5pm BOSNIA vs IRAN 5pm HONDURAS vs SWITZERLAND 11pm ECUADOR vs FRANCE 11pm

CAMEROON vs CROATIA 11pm

Thursday 19 June COLOMBIA vs CÔTE D’IVOIRE 5pm

URUGUAY vs ENGLAND 8pm JAPAN vs GREECE 11pm

Thursday 26 June PORTUGAL vs GHANA 5pm USA vs GERMANY 5pm KOREA REP vs BELGIUM 11pm ALGERIA vs RUSSIA 11pm

Argentina in for Nigeria, others

T

Messi

wo-time champions, Argentina, touched have down in Belo HoriBe zonte.

The 1978 and 1986 winners, who are w great rivals of hosts with Brazil, arrived arriv fellow South AmeriUrucan team, team guay.

Both dele gation drove to dro the metth ropolitan area of Belo H o r i zonte, in zo the state o of Minas Gerais.

Argentina A will practice at pra

the Cidade do Galo, in Vespasiano, and Uruguay will prepare for the competition at the Estadio Joaquim Henrique Nogueira (better known as Arena do Jacare), in Sete Lagoas.

“We prepared for the tournament at home. It’s a major privilege to be able to feel the warmth and the care coming from the public in our everyday routine,” explained La Celeste’s centre back, Diego Lugano.

Argentina have their first match on June 15 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to FIFA, as at Monday night, a total of 25 national teams (in addition to the Brazilian delegation) were already in the country ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup that kicks-off tomorrow.

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The above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE:

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SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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This is to inform the general public that the above named Fellowship has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

1. Barr. Awoibim Gloria Karibo-Amachree 2. Mrs. Onengiye Marjorie Esemowei 3. (Mrs) Faith Indiana Nwaogu THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To encourage women to achieve their potentials.

2. Harnessing all available resources for the training and retraining of women in various fields of endeavours, through sharing of best practices and success stories.

3. Providing professional and technical training for women and access to finance for their enterprise through creation of partnerships with stakeholders, international financing bodies and loan guarantee systems.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

CHANGE OF NAME

Mr. Kelechi Kevin Irogbori Barr.(Mrs.) Nnenna Eronini Mr. Nnamdi Jeff Chiemeka Mrs. Oluchi K. Irogbori

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

- Chairman - Sec. General - Member - Treasurer

1. To promote peace, unity, safety, security, diversity, development and good governance in Nigeria.

2. To promote the rights of youth, women and children fight against all forms of discrimination and violence.

3. To promote Equity and justice; work to ensure equal opportunity to everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, HIV status, class, colour, ethnicity, disability, location and greed.

4. To contribute to greater recognition, realisation and protection of women and children during conflicts and disasters and assist women’s groups and civil society to be active in conflict resolution and peace building.

5. To provide medical and humanitarian supplies to accident, man-made and natural disasters victims etc.

Any objection thereto, should be addressed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: KELECHI .K. IROGBORI (CHAIRMAN)

CHANGE OF NAME

MESHACK: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Meshack Martha Seri, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Kassam Martha Richard. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADETOYINBO:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adetoyinbo Adedolapo Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odetola Adedolapo Esther. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBANOBI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rose Bernaditta Obanobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rose Bernaditta Onalo. All former documents remain valid. Police Children School Akure and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UWANDU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwandu Loveline Chinomnso, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeji Loveline Chinomnso. All former documents remain valid. Imo State University, NYSC and general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of loss of land document Non-European occupation lease belonging to A-G Home Ltd Block 5 Plot 2 Eastern Native Location Ogui- Enugu Reg as 77/77/601 at land Registry loss on transit. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Dev. Enugu.

CHANGE OF NAME

OWODEYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owodeyi Tunrayo Teleola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayegbusi Tunrayo Teleola. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeoye Funke Olubunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladimeji Funke Olubunmi.

All former documents remain valid. The office of Establishments and training, Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBIORA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Uzoejinwa Obiora, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Florence Uzoejinwa Okike-Osisiogu. All former documents remain valid. Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria and general public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSEGHALE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oseghale Rita Ehikilen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akande Rita Ehikilen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEWUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewusi Adeteju Oluwaseun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Irantiola Adeteju Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADUNJOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladunjoye Olayinka Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ayeni Olayinka Veronica. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EJIOGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejiogu Obiageri Francisca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyenwe Obiageri Francisca. All former documents remain valid. Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri (AIFCE) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEAGBO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeagbo Victoria Folasade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oludunmoye Victoria Folasade.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Adebayo Tawakalitu Adebukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Alade Tawakalitu Adebukola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OMOKEHINDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omokehinde Tolulope Opeyemi, now which to be addressed as Mrs Adeniyi Tolulope Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWUEMEKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwuemeka Gloria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akawusim Gloria. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please note.

LOSS OF DEED OF LEASE

Deed Of lease Covering No 5, Omoloore Street. Off Shasha Road, Shasha Akowonjo, Lagos. State. Dated Jan. 19 1980 registered as No 45 Page 45 Volume 1810 of the Lagos State Lands Registry Office Ikeja.

The original Deed of Lease dated and referenced above between Madam Sifau Jimoh, Mr Gbadamosi Paiko Jimoh and Mr Gbadebo Jaiyeola is lost and all efforts to recover same have proved abortive.

For further Enquiry contact: Barrister. Joseph Okobiemen Esq Oseghale_king@yahoo.com Signed: MR. GBADEBO JAIYEOLA NO 5, OMOLOORE STREET. OFF SHASHA ROAD, SHASHA AKOWONJO, LAGOS STATE.

LOSS OF DEED OF ASSIGNMENT Deed Of Assignment over No 35 Atiba Osborne Street, Mende Maryland, Lagos State, dated January 24th 2007 registered as No 47 of Page 47 Volume 2160 of the Lagos State Lands Registry Office Ikeja between Alhaja Muyinat Olabisi Jinadu and Mrs.Olayinka Lediju is lost and all efforts to recover same have proved abortive.

For further Enquiry contact: Barrister. Joseph Okobiemen Esq Oseghale_king@yahoo.com Signed: MRS. OLAYINKA LEDIJU NO 35 ATIBA OSBORNE STREET, MENDE MARYLAND LAGOS STATE

WORLD RECORD

Longest time restraining two aircraft Vol. 04 No. 871

N150

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The longest time to prevent the take-off of two Cessna aeroplanes pulling in opposite directions is 1 min 0.6 sec achieved by Chad Netherland (USA) at Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior, Wisconsin, USA, on 7 July 2007.

Terrorism and challenges of nation building

W

ho are terrorists? Someone once asked me, and humorously I posited that terrorists are simply dealers and wheelers of terrors.

They specialize in creating chaos where there is order in a bid to instilling fear in the victims or recipients of such heinous actions as a means of getting through the back door what they are too timid, ignorant or downright incapable of getting through logical, legal, and socially acceptable ways.

It is in this light that it becomes germane for us to spawn a home grown theory of the present terrorist acts that have become like the proverbial bad coin that keeps recurring where it is least expected. Let’s state clearly that violence even though it is the vehicle on which terrorists propagate their atrocious campaign is not

F

IFA President, Sepp Blatter, was yesterday urged to stand down next year by European football chiefs because of the damage to the football body’s reputation from recent corruption allegations.

Guest Columnist really the end in itself. Rather it is a means to an end. The attendant expectation of terrorism is to strike mortal fear into the victims and by so doing get what it is not legally entitled to.

The echoes of 9/11 resonate clearly in this respect. The hijackers themselves were not the real actors in that carnage, they were at best expendable pawns too naïve to see beyond their noses. They sheepishly lent themselves to the heinous crime for the benefits so grand the ones who sent them did not want the same.

The real actors are often times far from the scene of attack. They are often cocooned in comfortable abode where they enjoy abundant patronage as ‘King Kong’, which enables them to give vent to their numerous whims. Capturing and even mercilessly killing the pawns will not significantly affect the operation of a terrorist group. In actual fact, part of the grand plan is the expectation that the pawns will ultimately be captured and perhaps eliminated, which is why they hardly have any serious contact with the commanding post of the group.

Tracing the path of the hijackers of 9/11 did not directly lead to where Osama Bin Laden holed up, what eventually led to his capture was the sum total of the dragnets and web woven across the globe to gather intelligence on terror and al-Qaeda operations and masterminds.

Terrorists are like crabs, they make foray into the open when least expected and dart

Segun

Omidiora TERRORISTS ARE LIKE CRABS, THEY MAKE FORAYS INTO THE OPEN WHEN LEAST EXPECTED AND DART BACK INTO THEIR HOLES ALMOST IMMEDIATELY back into their holes almost immediately.

The unpredictability of their operational principles makes it difficult for any one method to clip or break their resolve. It is therefore a multi-frontal approach that can at least stun and then slow down their operation in the first instant before we can think of a more lasting solution of making it difficult if not impossible for them to strike again.

Terrorists will not really take the whole but they can confiscate a part to embarrass the whole. This is often borne out of their intellectual laziness to creatively engage in socially accepted discourse. Scientifically, it is the nature of an ailment that will produce the antidote to conquer it. Vaccines are produced from the stock of the microbes that cause the sickness. It is therefore important for us not to create a larger than life picture for the present insurgent group on our soil so as not to play into their hands and by so doing hand them the leadership of this time. At this

Sport Extra Step down nextgations year, UEFA chiefs tell Blatter about corruption,” ceptable.

The world governing body is investigating allegations around Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

“The allegations being made are nothing to do with racism; they are alle-

England FA Chairman, Greg Dyke, who argued that claims that the allegations were racially motivated, described Blatter’s remarks as totally unac-

“These allegations need to be properly investigated and properly answered.

“Many of us are deeply troubled by your reaction to these allegations. It’s

juncture, everyone – civil society organisations, professionals and especially the media must cooperate with the government and all governmental agencies to truly cut the insurgent to size. One critical credential that the group has been working towards all along is to be painted in the same colour as the notorious al-Qaeda terrorist group. The achievement of this notoriety toga will in the first place increase Boko Haram’s ranking among the black sheep of the world and ultimately give access to the common fund available for their global network and the associated influence among their likes.

However, Boko Haram does not strike me as sophisticated as it has been painted.

It does not have the finesse and intellectual capability to undertake the type of maneuverings that al-Qaeda is known for. A number of reasons support this line of thinking. Firstly, till date their explosives are still within the range of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). If truly the group has the capability that we have collectively attributed to it, by now, they would have become more hi-tech in their operations.

Secondly, the fact that the group can endanger itself by coming out to beg for alms under the guise of doing the ‘work of God’ shows this group as consisting of a poverty stricken and hungry set of people.

Al-Qaeda on the other hand operates a well coordinated system that includes a membership sprinkled in vital sectors of global economy, attachment to governments that are sympathetic to its cause and a coordination that gives major global security operatives the jitters.

Clearly, our Boko Haram is a local group that is as poor and disorganized as the people they terrorize. Their operation can only thrive within the context of the overall endemic corruption within our polity. To be continued Omidiora, a communication expert, is a faculty member in Languages Department of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

time for Blatter to stop attacking the messenger, and consider and understand the message.”

Blatter is said to have told delegates in Rio, Brazil that he still wished to stand for a fifth term in next year’s election Blatter

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