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Reps seek crack team on rescue of Chibok girls

Police foil bank robbery in Lagos

...say Boko Haram kidnapped 45,000 OMEIZA AJAYI AND TORDUE SALEM Dogara

Vol. 5 N0. 1221

ouse of Representatives yesterday disclosed that about 45,000 Nigerians have so far been kidnapped by Boko Ha-

Wednesday, October 14 , 2015

ram since 2012. In considering a motion on the kidnap of 219 girls in Chibok, Borno State, the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Nigeria may slide into recession, experts warn CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

xperts yesterday warned that if urgent and strategic steps are not taken to revive the current economic slowdown, Nigeria may slide into recession. Speakers painted a gloomy picture of the economy at the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, warning that if the country is allowed to slide into recession, it might be very difficult to come out of the situation as a developing nation. In his country scenario

Advise FG to concession railways, highways, airports, refineries Health facilities: Govs to access $500m World Bank fund P.4

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Court remands 17 over Lekki free zone bossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; death P.8 NNPC advises against panic buying of fuel P.6

L-R: CEO/DG, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Laoye Jayeola; Secretary, National Planning Commission, Mr. Bassey Akpanyung; Chairman, NESG, Mr. Kyari Bukar; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; CEO, The-Chair Centre Group, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Publisher, BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun; Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade, during the Presidential Policy Dialogue on Tackling Corruption, Insecurity and Economic Competitiveness, at the 21st Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Senate grills 10 ministers for 6 hours Ogbeh, Fayemi shine as Adeosun, Fashola take turn today

10 die as soldiers engage Islamic sect in Kogi

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Wednesday, October 14 , 2015

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Nigeria may slide into recession, experts warn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

presentation at the summit with the theme: ‘Tough Choices: Achieving Competitive, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability’, Partner/Head, Advisory Services, KPMG, Kunle Elebute, stated that if not careful, Nigeria might slide into recession, a position he said would be difficult to come out of, especially for developing countries. He stressed the need for government to, as a matter of urgency, begin to make inputs that drive revenue such as providing credit guarantee on long term to investors on infrastructure, increase power generation

as well as education and investing in research. He also emphasised on the need to reform the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and other revenue collecting agencies, improve collection administration and expand the tax base, total reform of petroleum subsidy scheme, reduction of Joint Venture, JV, funding by 50 per cent and seek alternative financing. On infrastructure, he said government could privatise or concession the railways, major highways, major airports, refineries, pipelines and depots or adopt alternative financing options both directly

and in partnership with the private sector as well as privatise power transmission network and increase power generation to achieve 20,000mw by 2020. Elebute further expressed an optimistic scenario where tax to GDP ratio by 2016 to 2020 will be 6.72 per cent to 13.93 per cent, petroleum subsidy and JV cash call will be zero, while recurrent to capital expenditure ratio will be 40 to 60. Also in his presentation, Chairman, NESG Faculty of Economics, Temitope Oshikoya, said with 90 million people without access to grid electricity and industry losing in excess of 50

per cent, infrastructure constraints cut 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent from GDP growth. He explained that a massive $40bn is required for new generation capacities, $11.4bn for upgrade of the transmission grid and $1.73bn for distribution lines to connect 11.5 million new households as well as $2.07bn for off-grid access. The expert also expressed concern about the country’s fuel consumption rate. He said: “The country does not consume 47 million litres of gasoline daily contrary to NNPC records. Distribution is not equal to consumption, in our estimation, based on gen-

erator and automobile consumption, “Nigeria consumes between 20 to 24 million litres daily, while over 20 million litres find its way into our neighbouring countries.” He added that subsidy removal would not stop diversion but could cut it significantly. In his opening remark, President Muhammadu Buhari called on private and public organisations to work closely toward the country’s economic development. Buahari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said that the task of nation-building was

L-R: Glo Brand Specialist, Mutiat Balogun; Glo Retail and Consumer Sales Chief, David Maji; Brand Specialist, Chineye Ojukwu and Glo Brand Ambassador Di’ja Yakubu, at the launch of Free Tomorrow and Glo CAF Award promo, Find Your Place Among the Stars at Mike Adenuga Towers, Lagos, yesterday.

Reps seek crack team on rescue of Chibok girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

House sought a crack team comprising all security agencies to rescue the girls and 45,000 kidnapped Nigerians. A motion, which called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok girls, sponsored by Hon. Asabe Vilita Bashir, who represents Chibok/Damboa/ Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State, was debated by the lawmakers. In amending the motion, Hon. Nasir Ali Ahmad (Kano-APC), informed the House that about 45,000 Nigerians were at the moment being held hostage by the sect. His amendment was adopted and passed along. While presenting her mo-

tion, Bashir regretted that the parents and guardians of the abducted girls are not being briefed on developments in the efforts to rescue them. “Families of the missing Chibok girls and Nigerians are not being informed of any rescue plan and are consequently living in unimaginable agony, not being sure if any efforts are being made to rescue the girls,” she said. She urged the Federal Government to set up a control/situation room to be manned by highly skilled and specialised crack team drawn from the security forces (SSS, police, army and air force), with the sole responsibility to search for the abducted girls, and pres-

ent periodic feedback to Nigerians. The sponsor of the motion also sought the publicisation of the search of the lost girls through the print and electronic media. She called on the Federal Government to give financial assistance to families of the missing school girls and keep to the promise of rescuing other victims of Boko Haram. Hon. Bashir, also commended the Bringbackourgirls group, the government of the United States and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for the rehabilitation of the earlier rescued 67 Chibok girls. The motion was considered and passed by the House with dispatch, after a

few amendments. Meanwhile, days after the recent twin explosions in Abuja, the police p has announced the arrest of two suspects, 27-year old Abdulazeez Muhazab and 25-year old Isiaka Salihu. Both suspects, from Okene in Kogi State, allegedly masterminded the October 2 bomb blasts in Nyanya and Kuje parts of the city, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores. Speaking at a conference with strategic police managers in Abuja yesterday, Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, said the arrest of the suspects foiled attempt by the terrorists to undertake another attack in the federal capital territory. According to Arase,

items recovered from the suspects were 12 already prepared and primed homemade explosives concealed in 12 soft drink cans; 28 pieces of electric detonators and huge quantities of materials for making improvised explosive devices. “The suspects are aiding detail police investigations into their broad terror network and will be brought to deserved justice in earnest,” he stated. The IGP, who expressed preparedness for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states also spoke on the recent kidnap of elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae. His position however differed from that of the DeCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

a shared responsibility. “The task of nation building is a shared responsibility. “The more substantial requirements for development today is in terms of knowledge, human resources, and capital and all of these actually lie outside of formal government structures. “No meaningful economic or social change is possible without the active partnership of the private sector, which actively includes civil society,” he said. Buhari said it was gratifying that since1993, the annual summit had been organised by NESG in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, NPC, as a public-private partnership initiative. He said that the summit remained the foremost Nigerian forum, “which brings together the public and private sectors to interact, share thoughts, and build consensus on policy options and implementation frameworks for our country.” According to the President, the summit theme – ‘Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainability’ is as apt as “adulthood always comes with huge and complex responsibilities.” He said that the theme highlighted the challenges and paradoxes that defined the nation’s economic and social circumstances today. “We are at a time of monumental challenges and tough choices but also a time of incredible opportunities for achieving competitiveness, inclusive growth and sustainability. “We, as a government, are called upon to make tough choices in exchange control restrictions, altering the absurd recurrent to capital expenditure ratio, reducing the deficit and reducing the overall size of governance. “We are called upon to clean up the mess and rebuild the institutions that corruption has ravaged over the years,” he added. The President observed that terrorism in the North East in the past six years had given rise to huge socioeconomic problems, thus stalling the local economy and the education of millions of children in many

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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L-R: Vice Chairman, Nigerian, Economic Summit Group and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holding, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Senior Partner, Banwo and Ighadalo, Mr. Asue Ighodalo and Chief Executive Officer, Kainos Edge Consulting, Mrs. Wonu Adetayo, during opening of the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Director, Quality and Assurance, Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Emmanuel Amhai; Director, Consumer Education, Alhaji Aminu Kawu; Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, during a courtesy visit to the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

L-R: ACP Okoro Alawari; Admin Manager, Guinea Insurance Plc, Mr. Mudasir Olayiwola; Managing Director, Kresta Laurel Ltd, Engr. Dideolu Falobi; Area Manager for Africa, Kone Elevators, Ehab Farag and Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone Rs 2HQ, Lagos, ACM Nseobong Akpabio, during the 2015 Safety Day in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: Former Chairman, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa; CEO, Purple Pictures Productions, Sam Boye; President, ITPAN, Osezua Imobhio and CEO, Nollywood Global Media Group, Charles Igwe, during the Seminar on Content Management for Digital Broadcasting in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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Health Facilities: Governors to access $500m World Bank fund Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

overnors of the 36 states of the Federation are to access $500 million World Bank loan for health facilities in their states. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari, while speaking with State House correspondents after an extra-ordinary meeting of forum said governors were briefed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Linus Awute, on how to access the fund. Yari disclosed after the meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa that the briefing was important because there are funds from the World Bank which states could not access as a result of lack of expertise. According to him, the governors were briefed by local and international agencies on how to ensure rapid development

in many sectors of their states. “This meeting is with heads of so many agencies which made presentations to us. Some of them were ordered by Mr. President to do the presentation to enable us understand where they are and what they up to,” Yari said. According to him, some agencies including Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; United Nations Population Fund, UNPF, and the

World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health had briefed the governors on their activities. Speaking on the briefing by the group managing director of the NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, the NGF chairman said: “There were presentations on the issue of bunkering; pipeline vandalism and the issue of gas pipelines and how to make the company profitable as a mono-product company servicing the

economy through oil export.” Yari stated that the National Mathematical Centre and the National Communications Commission would brief the forum next month. Others governors, including Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative that ensured the governors interacted with

various local and international agencies to encourage development in the various states. Oshiomhole said: “It is our usual governors’ forum. We have heard different presentations. We spent some time looking at the issues of infant mortality, early marriages in many parts of the country and the role of government in re-emphasising the need to spare some resources to address those issues.

“The GMD of the NNPC gave us an interesting presentation on the reforms that are going on in the NNPC. “We now have a renewed confidence that we now have a corporation that is run like a business outfit, with good corporate governance and transparency,” he added. Speaking on the meeting, Ajimobi said: “We now discover that many states can partner with the NNPC.

NUPENG urges oil firms to protect workers at flow stations

igeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG, Workers on Tuesday advised oil companies to ensure the protection of flow stations for safety of workers. The union made the call in a statement by Mr. Igwe Achese, the president of NUPENG, which was made available to the News

Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. The statement said that flow stations should be adequately protected by the military Joint Task Force, JTF, so that oil workers would feel safe to work both day and night. The statement condemned the killing of one of the workers, Mr. Austin Igwe, at a flow station in

Bayelsa State, due to security lapses. It said the union was worried because over 100 workers always perform functions at a flow stations at any point in time. According to the statement, the workers need adequate security to make the work place safe. It urged law enforcement agencies to spread

their dragnets and bring the culprits to book. It described Igwe’s death as unfortunate, in spite of the presence of the JTF Operation Pulo Shield at the flow station. The statement called for investigation into how the gunmen gained access to the flow station and killed the oil worker. It said the nation’s oil

installations should be equipped with modern gadgets that would keep the military guards at alert, instead of being taken unawares. The union told the management of Shell to give adequate compensation to the family of the dead worker and also provide insurance cover for other workers at oil installations.

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Wednesday, October 14 , 2015

Senate grills 10 ministers for 6 hours GEORGE OJI ABUJA

enate yesterday screened ten of the 36 ministerial nominees sent to it by President Muhammed Buhari for confirmation. The lawmakers, however, postponed the confirmation of those screened yesterday until the rest nominees were screened. Those successfully screened during the exercise, which lasted for about six hours were Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Dr. Osagie Ehanire. Others are, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed, Mr. Suleiman Hussaini Adamu and Ibrahim Usman Jibril. The exercise came short of the thoroughness, excitement and rigor expected by the public, as the senators failed to raise grilling issues, (except for the former governor of Ekiti State) that brought out the best and make for proper assessment of the candidates. Briefing newsmen after the plenary, which ended by 5.15 pm, Senate ad hoc Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye said another batch of 10 nominees would be screened today. He expressed optimism that the screening would be completed by Thursday. Melaye also explained that screening former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi was not possible yesterday because the report of the committee on petitions, ethics and privileges, which investigated the petition against him, was not ready. He assured that the report would be ready and deliberated upon today to enable Amaechi’s screening take place alongside others. Melaye reiterated that all former National Assembly members would be accorded the privilege of early attention in line with the decision of the senate. He also restated that only the Senate President or his Deputy will enjoy the liberty of questioning any of their former colleagues, as a sign of esprit de corp as is done by other professions like lawyers. Just before the com-

mencement of the screening exercise, the senators retired to an executive session, which lasted for about 45 minutes. Senate President, Bukola Saraki who reported the progress that took place during the closed door session disclosed that the senators discussed matters of national importance while the session lasted. Before the commencement of the screening proper, Saraki read out the final list of the ministerial nominees, which was sent by the President on Monday. The latest nominees were Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, Geoffrey Onyeama, Brig. Gen. M. M. Dan-Ali (rtd), James Ocholi and Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. The rest are Okechukwu Enelamah, Muhammed Bello, Mustapher Baba Sheburi, Ms. Aisha Abubakar, Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamu Adamu, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Abubakar Bwari Bawa. The first nominee to be screened yesterday was Senator Udoma Udo Udoma. After an initial introduction and in line with the new procedure for the screening of the nominees, it was the Senate President that posed the first question to Udoma, who was a two term senator. Saraki wanted to know what policies Udoma would put in place if confirmed a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Udoma noted that revenue from the public sector has been on the decline recently, particularly from the oil and gas sector and stressed the new to drive investment into the country through private sector. He expressed the need to create enabling environment for private investments to thrive. Efforts by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu to follow up with other questions for the nominee was rejected as the senators continued shouting, “bow and go, bow and go.” Dr. Fayemi who took the hot seat after Udoma answered questions bordering on his stewardship as governor of Ekiti State as well as on education and foreign Affairs. Responding to questions posed by Senator Olushola

Adeyeye (Senate Whip) regarding the debt burden he left as well as the new Government House he built while in office, Fayemi explained that he met a debt burden of N30bn when he assumed office but was able to reduce it to N18bn by the time he left. He stated that he inherited a monthly income status of N3bn, with a monthly bill of N2.4bn. He disclosed that he used his contacts to get the World Bank, USAID, DFID, etc to raise some funds for infrastructural development of the state, including a N25bn bond. Commenting on the Government House project, Fayemi explained that by the time he assumed office, he operated from a two bed-

room office, which was very unbefitting for the state. According to him, with N2.5bn, he prudently built a legacy Government House for the state, which remains a project of envy till date. Fayemi also underscored the need for Nigeria to close the gap between the rich and the poor. He said it was unfortunate that no fewer than 110 million Nigerians lived below the poverty line on two dollars per day. Audu Ogbeh, who mounted the saddle after Fayemi, while responding to question on the frequent cross carpeting by Nigerian politicians, explained that party movement happen everywhere, especially in emerging democracies.

He attributed the development to lack of democratic principles, which he said drives anger and frustrations among politicians. Ogbeh condemned the hijacking of party leadership by the president and governors. Commenting on how to grow agriculture in the country, the former PDP National Chairman blamed the high interest rate as a factor that affects borrowing by farmers to improve production. He suggested the deployment of extension officers to every locality for the education of farmer on ways of growing the right plants, fish production as a critical measure for growing the agric sec-

tor. Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio cut Ogbeh short when he rose to announce that the nominee should be made to bow and go because he was the contribution of PDP to APC. Dambazau, former Chief of Army Staff, who is expected to be posted to the defence ministry to serve as minister in a passing response to the issue of Boko Haram, described the group as a conflict, in the sense, according to him that, “they want something we do not want.” He stated that Boko Haram “is an issue that has the face of religion.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right), Group Managing Director, UBA, Phillip Oduoza (right), Business Manager, UBA, Anita Ekeada and others, at the UBA stand, during opening of the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria may slide into recession, experts warn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

parts of the country. He said that the tragedy of thousands of orphaned children posed huge social challenges while the cost of rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and homes was huge. “To effectively compete

for international and even local investment we need to improve our position on the ease of doing business indexes. “This calls for both radical improvements in bureaucratic delays in obtaining pre-investment processes and also substantial

investment in infrastructure, especially power, roads and technology. “But as we take the tough macro and micro decisions for accelerated growth, we are compelled to redress the paradox of high growth figures and widening inequality, rising unemployment

and poverty. “It is evident that any economic model that leaves nearly half of the citizenry behind requires rethinking. “This is why our economic model would involve substantial social investments over the next three

Reps seek crack team on rescue of Chibok girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

partment of State Services, DSS, which had earlier paraded two suspects in connection with the kidnap. Arase confirmed that the police has arrested five of the eight-man gang of kidnappers, giving their names as Abubakar Auta, Idris Lawan, Umar Ibrahim, Masa-

hudu Muhammed and Bello Tanu. He said the suspects were rounded up in their hide-outs in Niger, Ekiti and Ondo states, with several items, including a motorcycle and part of the ransom paid to them, about N823, 000 recovered from them. While he said the sus-

pects have confessed to the crime, Arase added that they had already been charged to court in Ondo State as at yesterday. The DSS had on Monday paraded two suspects, Abdullahi Usman (aka Kadiri) and Babawuro Kato, saying the third person who masterminded the kidnap was at large.

However, the IGP said the suspects arrested by the DSS were part of the syndicate, adding that he has been in close contact with the DSS to ensure that both agencies harmonise their positions and when necessary amend their charges when Usman and Kato are to be arraigned in court.

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Wednessday, October 14, 2015

Fuel: NNPC advises Nigerians against panic buying Chidi Ugwu Abuja

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has called on members of the public to avoid panic buying of petroleum products, especially premium motor spirit (petrol), as there is enough to last the entire country for 23 days. The corporation gave the assurance against the back-

drop of emerging queues at some filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, arising from rumour of impending scarcity. It explained that besides the recent meeting of the corporation’s management with members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA, to rally them for uninterrupted

fuel supply policy of the administration, it has set up a monitoring team at the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, to check sharp practices that could breach distribution and supply system. It put the quantity of petrol stock in its depots across the country at 927,461,000 litres, which is enough to serve the country for the next 23 days if no drop of the product is imported

NECAN flays plot to increase tariff, scolds Abuja Disco Chidi Ugwu Abuja

within the period. It warned marketers not to engage in product hoarding and diversion as the PPMC monitoring team is empowered to sanction any defaulter. The NNPC also reiterated its call on the public to discountenance the rumour of reduction of petrol pump price to N57 per litre, adding that the price of the product remains N87 per litre.

NIS recruitment: Reps carpet Bagaji

...order deployment of employees

nent Secretary, who said that he directed the issuance of the employment letters, said he could not implement it over suspicion on the legality of the Presidential Committee that directed their employment. Consequently, the committee, which informed him that the President’s directives in the terms of reference given to the Presidential Committee that was headed by Chairman, Civil Service Commission, were very unambiguous and should be obeyed to the letter. The Interior Permanent Secretary was therefore advised to go ahead and ensure that all those duly employed by NIS and the Board of Fire Service, Civil Defence, Prisons and Immigration, were called and deployed, as well as every other beneficiary in this category. Following the embar-

ouse of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment stampede yesterday knocked Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Bagaji, for saying the employment letters wielded by next of kin of those who died in the NIS stampede in 2014, were ceremonial letters. The committee went further to recommend that those involved be deployed with immediate effect by the NIS, having lawfully secured their employment into the service. Hearing by the committee followed a protest and petition to the National Assembly by the affected persons, which led to setting up of the ad-hoc committee by the House to

probe the matter with a view to letting it rest. Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, had informed the team from ministry of Interior led by the Permanent Secretary that the petitioners, who were young Nigerians that lost their loved ones in that failed exercise, were duly issued employment letters, but were disregarded by the ministry. The Committee chairman and House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, had expressed deep annoyance at the flagrant disrespect and disobedience to the order by President of the Federal Republic, who directed that at least three persons each, including a female, from the families of those who lost their lives, as well as all those injured during the exercise be given immediate and automatic employment into the NIS. However, the Perma-

Nigeria must drop toga of ‘selling nation’ —Odumodu

Ubong Ukpong Abuja

irector-General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, has said the country must strive to sell more manufactured and processed agricultural products. Odumodu made the call in Abuja on Tuesday against the background of World Standards Day scheduled for Wednesday. World Standards Day is celebrated internationally on October 14 to honour the effort of thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organisations.

“The message for this World Standard Day is that we must begin to convert ourselves as sellers of manufactured and processed agricultural products. “Once we begin to do that we begin to gainfully employ our huge population and Nigeria will give a relive as one of the biggest economic in the world,’’ he said during a meeting with a delegation of Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria. Odumodu said the coun-

try had opportunity to embrace and do quality works that would promote its image. He said Nigeria was seen by the world today more as a buyer than seller of products, noting that “we sell only petroleum products and few agricultural products. “It is so bad that Nigeria buys particularly every other thing. So, in the world people see us more as buyers than as sellers,” he said.

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rassment from that failed recruitment, former President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that these categories of applicants be compensated with employment to cushion the effect of the stampede on their families, but this was sabotaged along the way leading to series of protests.

ko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, will free its customers of paying Fixed Charge (FC) component of the tariff by January 2016 in the new 10-year Tariff Plan submitted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on Monday. Earlier reports indicated plans to convert it to payment at kilowatt per hour (kwhr) where customers can only pay when they consume power alongside the Energy Charge (EC), but NERC officials at a public consultation on the tariff submissions by the 11 Discos yesterday said Eko was leading the frontline to abolish FC completely. However, at the consultation, the National Electricity Consumers Advocacy Network, NECAN, rejected any planned increase even as it scolded the Discos for not metering consumers and low networks investments. Its Assistant National Secretary, Mr Obong Eko said, “NECAN clearly opposes any increase in tariff. There

is an outcry from Nigerians that any increase in electricity tariff will amount to very serious consequences to the economy of micro, small and medium businesses.” The network also rated Abuja Disco as ‘inefficient’ allowing heavy collection losses while seeking increased tariff. “We notice that privatisation will lead to efficiency but we are here in Abuja and we conducted a survey where we discovered that Abuja electricity distribution company (AEDC) is not doing enough. “Because of inefficiency in the Disco, they have NEPA 2 that are engaged to work even when they are not on their payroll and these people invade communities in the Disco to collect monies,” Eko said. Reacting, NERC Chairman Dr. Sam Amadi, said it will look into NECAN’s survey as it is evidence-based. He maintained that the consultation does not amount to approving any tariff yet for the Discos but said, “It is to ensure scrutiny of the proposed costs that we are conveying this public hearing.

TENDER NOTICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON BEHALF OF DMO NIGERIAN TREASURY BILLS Notice is hereby given by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of DMO that the Federal Government of Nigeria Treasury Bills of 91, 182 and 364-day tenors amounting to N36,786,994,000 N35,000,000,000 and N66,385,900,000, respectively would be issued by Dutch auction on Thursday, October 22, 2015. All Money Market Dealers should submit bids through CBN S4 WEB INTERFACE between 9.00a.m and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Each bid must be in multiple of N1, 000 subject to a minimum of N10, 000. Authorized Money Market Dealers are allowed to submit multiple bids. A bid may be for authorized Money Market Dealers own account, Non – Money Market Dealers or interested members of the public. The result of the auction would be announced by 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to reject any bid Allotment letters would be issued for successful bids on Thursday, October 22, 2015, while payment for the successful bids should be made to your account with Central Bank of Nigeria not later than 11.00am on Thursday, October 22, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to vary the amount on offer in line with market realities prevailing as at the period of auction of the Nigerian Treasury Bills.

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES OFFICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ABUJA.

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News

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Police foil bank robbery in Lagos

…recovers N27m, ammunition

olice in Lagos on Tuesday foiled a robbery attempt at Access and Diamond banks in Lagos. The unsuccessful robbery, which lasted several hours, was abandoned due to engagement of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies. Area Commander, Area E, Festac division, Mr Frank Mba, who briefed newsmen on the incident, said the command received information about the robbery at 8:25am. “Today, October 13,

2015, at about 8:25am, the command received information on sporadic shooting at 4th Avenue, Festac Town. “A joint team of policemen from Area ‘E’ Command and Festac Division promptly responded to the incident. “On arrival at the scene, the policemen engaged a gang of armed robbers numbering well over 40, all dressed in military camouflage and armed to the teeth. “The police engaged them in a fierce gun battle

that lasted several minutes, notwithstanding the clear numerical disadvantage of the police at the beginning of the operation. “The hot exchange of fire between policemen and the robbers, who incidentally had shared themselves into two groups to simultaneously rob two banks, forced the robbers to end their operations

abruptly. “They consequently abandoned the operation and were also forced to abandon the sum of N27 million already snatched, but as they were fleeing, they were equally forced to abandon 240 live ammunition and an AK-47 rifle. “The money was later recovered by the police and escorted to another

branch of Diamond Bank located along 2nd Avenue, where the money was deposited. “The scene of crime was later cordoned off while support teams from command headquarters, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, and also Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Panti, as well as men of the Nigeri-

an Army from Ojo Cantonment joined us,” he said. Mba added that the Commissioner of Police has commenced investigations so that the suspects would be rounded up. He, however, added that the Marine Police had been actively involved in curtailing activities of the hoodlums and pointed out the challenges.

Traffic laws: Pandemonium as soldiers attack LASTMA officials Adejuwon Osunnuyi

ome personnel of the Nigerian Army yesterday descended on an official of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, Peter Owolabi, for taking photographs of their black Honda Accord car, which violated the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, laws at Obanikoro bus stop, Ikorodu Road. The unruly behaviour of the army personnel attracted the attention of members of the public, who jeered and admonished them to respect civil authority. The officers were stopped during a routine exercise to prohibit the illegal use of BRT bus corridor by other motorists. The violators were presented with fine ticket in accordance with the new approach of the agency of booking offenders on the spot and allowing them to continue their journey without impounding their vehicles. However, unlike their civilian counterparts, the military officers refused to collect the ticket and opted to obstruct movement of other vehicles from exiting the corridor and in the process caused pandemonium and created ugly

scenes. They rained avalanche of blows and kicked anybody holding recording device or watching the show of shame. In the process, the agency`s cameraman was manhandled and his camera smashed to prevent the recording of their conduct. In his reaction, LASTMA General Manager, Bashir Braimah, who led the officials out in the joint enforcement of the BRT violation, lamented the act of indiscipline of the military as they violated the BRT laws with impunity. Braimah said security personnel should be the custodian of law. He added that law is no respecter of any body and the road traffic law must be obeyed to ensure the safety of lives and properties. Braimah hinted that over 15 vehicles belonging to the military violated the BRT corridor during the exercise that took place twice on Monday. He further disclosed that while some were civil and remorse, others were aggressive and unruly. Amongst the latter were silver Toyota Matrix 103 AT fully loaded with top military personnel.

L-R: Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Yahaya Malgwi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Mogaji and Director/Secretary, CDFIPB, Ministry of Interior, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, during public hearing on Nigeria Immigration stampede at the National Stadium, Abuja, yesterday.

FG lures investors to power sector

ermanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Godknows Igali, on Tuesday said Nigeria had abundant untapped opportunities in the power sector. This is contained in a statement signed by Etore Thomas, Assistant Director (Press) in the Ministry of Power, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. The statement said Igali made the remark at a meeting he held with a delegation from the Corporate Council on Africa, CCA, led by its Vice Presi-

dent, Ambassador Robert Perry. The statement said the sector had a lot of investment opportunities in power generation, transmission and distribution value chain. The permanent secretary urged CCA to tap into the windows of opportunities by making huge investment in the fledgling sector. It stated that the Federal Government called on CCA, an America-based support group, to bring in its wealth of technological expertise by making in-

vestments in the Nigerian power sector. The statement added that the CCA was an American organisation established to promote business investment between the United States and Africa. Igali, in the statement, said that power transmission was still controlled by government in Nigeria. The statement quoted Igali as saying: “Government held transmission, but now wants to open it for people to build up transmission systems on

the basis of a Public Private Partnership.’’ It stated that Nigeria had vast solar energy potentials which needed to be fully harnessed. It stated that three communities in the Federal Capital Territory were currently running on solar and they had stable power supply than those living in the heart of the FCT. It pledged that governors would be encouraged to facilitate access to land as building of solar plant required large expanse of land.

Hijrah: Osun declares Oct 14 public holiday Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

sun State government yesterday declared Wednesday, October 14, a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year (Hijrah 1437).

Governor Aregbesola in a statement by Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the declaration was in line with the usual practice of the state government

to declare holiday for Muslims to observe the important Islamic calendar date. The statement states: “The public holiday is to allow Muslim faithful to fully observe the celebration of the Islamic New

Year. “The public holiday is in line with the policy thrust of the present administration which provides equal platforms for all religions to promote communal peace and progress.”

South West

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court remands 17 over Lekki free zone boss’ death

•Lagos Assembly, APC condemn killing

n Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, leave to remand in custody 17 suspects held in connection with the killing of Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment

Limited, Mr. Tajudeen Disu. Disu died from injuries he sustained from gunmen attack during a peace mission to one of the communities in the Free Trade Zone area in Ibeju Lekki. Delivering ruling on an

application by prosecuting counsel seeking leave of the court to remand the suspects in custody of the police pending further investigation, the magistrate, Mrs. Folashade Botoku said: “Having listened to arguments of both the prosecuting and defence counsels, I quite agree with the defence on the issue of jurisdiction

of this court to hear a case of murder against the suspects brought before this court.” The magistrate, however, said what was brought before her was not a charge but an application to remand the suspects in custody to enable the police conduct a thorough investigation. According to her, Sec-

L-R: British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka; British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles and President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Dapo Adelegan, during the re-launch of British Airways on Business Programme, in Lagos, on Monday.

Ekiti urges FG to pay N1.2bn MDGs counterpart fund ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

kiti State government has appealed to the Federal Government for prompt release of its N1.2 billion counterpart funding for 2014 edition of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, for the state. Chairman, State Imple-

mentation Committee on MDGs, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, assured that the state government would pay its N1.2 billion counterpart contribution as soon as it receives the Federal Government share for commencement of the 2014 MDGs projects. Anisulowo told journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday while reviewing activities

of the agency in the last one year that the state government had paid N225 million to 2,250 females engaged under the first phase of the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. He said 9,000 units of antenatal kits valued at N40 million have been distributed free to pregnant women. Also, the state govern-

ment said it has paid N150 million as compensation to people whose properties would be affected by the construction of a new Oja Oba Market in AdoEkiti. The demolition of the old market and the construction of a new one would start on November 8 with a 14-month completion deadline.

Aregbesola tasks varsities, polys on telecom products BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday charged tertiary institutions in the country to encourage local manufacture of telephony and general communication infrastructure. Aregbesola said his government saw opportunities in the massive population of technology devices users in Nigeria, leading to establishment of the RLG Adulawo Tech-

nology Centre and innovative tablet of knowledge called ‘Opon Imo’. Speaking in his capacity as chief host at the annual general meeting and 11th International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunication of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, NIEEE, titled ‘Power and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s : New frontier for investment,’ in Osogbo, the governor called on tertiary institutions and engineers in the country to allow

their teachings and understanding of electrical and electronic engineering to affect the production of knowledge needed by the sector for growth. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Aregbesola held that there must be a revolution in the sector in the country in which a synergy must be formed between knowledge and entrepreneurship. According to him, the challenge for engineers in Nigeria is that they should first take posses-

sion of knowledge and then find ways to attract investors, adding that, that is the only way the country could develop a truly indigenous industry that would create wealth and provide jobs for Nigerians. Aregbesola held that the state has introduced e-learning tablets, ‘Opon Imo,’ which contains all the recommended textbooks for WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations with their past questions for secondary schools.

tion 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2011 (Sections 1 and 2) empowers the court to entertain such application. On the application for bail as requested by the counsel to the accused, the magistrate said that while Section 264 empowers the court to grant leave to remand the suspects in custody, the same section does not empower the court to grant the suspects bail since it lacks jurisdiction to hear murder case and could not therefore consider the application for bail. The prosecution further argued that Section 27 of the Magistrate Court Law 2009 empowers the police to present before a magistrate court within a reasonable time person(s) arrested for murder. He further argued that the court in its wisdom has the jurisdiction to grant the police an order to remand such suspects in custody for a minimum of 30 days. The court thereby ordered that the 17 suspects: Dele Ajayi, Alhaji Tajudeen Jegede, Saidi Akanni, Oyelade Taiwo, Sunday Bulus, Abiola Ogunsanwo, Okunaya Stephen, Taiwo Gafar, Agunrege Banji, Gafaru Ahmed, Moses Okoro, Talabi Quadri, Ipaye Oriyomi, Quadri Yusuf and Tunde Yusuf to be remanded in police custody for a period of 30 days pending further investigation by the police. Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly yesterday condemned the killing of Mr. Disu. The lawmakers, while condemning the act, resolved that activities of land grabbers in the state must be stemmed. Speaking on the killing, Mr. Rotimi Olowo, described the incident as “terrible and saddening.” Mr. Segun Olulade, in his contribution, said the issue of land grabbers is becoming a terrible menace in the state. He urged the Assembly to revisit the Land Grabber bill. Mr. Abiodun Tobun, on his part, condemned the killing of Disu at a place where he was called to make peace and do his job. Mr. Lanre Ogunyemi urged the House to look into the proliferation of il-

legal arms in the state. Speaker of the House, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, said the culprits should be brought to book to serve as deterrent to other land grabbers. Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru, to send a condolence letter to the family of the deceased, to commiserate with them. He also directed the clerk to write a letter to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to do what is needful to stem the menace of land grabbers in the state. The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in its reaction, described the cold-blooded murder as inhuman, beastly and barbaric. The party urged security agencies to ensure that no stone is left unturned in apprehending and punishing the perpetrators and their sponsors. In a statement in Lagos, signed by its state publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said the killing of Disu portends grave danger to efforts to develop the state and country as the sordid act was perpetrated by those intent on constituting cogs in the wheel of progress in Lagos and Nigeria. It said all efforts must be made to fish out those remotely and actively involved in the murder and bring them to justice so as to send the message that such criminal acts are not parts of the new Nigeria that is evolving. “We wonder what could make the perpetrators of the gruesome killing of Alhaji Disu resort to such extreme display of bestiality if not for pristine interests that are not in consonance with the progress and well being of Nigerians and Lagosians. “We believe that the perpetrators of such heinous crime were sworn enemies of progress who were bent on daring the law to execute their deadly interests. “We believe that the law must exert maximum pressure to send the message that such extreme cases of bestiality are not tolerable under the new order that is evolving in Nigeria today,” the party said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

FRSC boss warns staff against undermining integrity OLUSEGUN KOIKI

L-R: Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs. Folasade Ogunnaike and team leader, Brig.-Gen. Mahe Bashir, during an interactive session with participants from the National Defence College Course 24 on a geo-strategic study tour of Lagos, at the Secretariat, Alausa, yesterday.

Monarch, 2 others arraigned over armed robbery, rape WALE IGBINATDE

traditional ruler in Odo- Onosa village in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Chief Jimoh Balogun, and two others were yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court at Igbosere over allegations of armed robbery and rape. Other defendants arraigned before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi are Morufu Adekoya and Adefowope Kazeem, respectively. The three accused are standing trial on a fourcount charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and rape preferred against them by the Lagos State government. The defendants and others still at large were alleged to have conspired to commit the alleged offences on March 26, 2014,

at about 10:30am at OdoOnosa in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. The state prosecuting counsel, Babatunde Oguntemowo, told the court that the defendants while armed with a gun and other offensive and dangerous weapons robbed one Adeomi Ayomide of her wristwatches, three laptops and a cash sum of N272, 000. He added that the defendants also robbed one Korede Fayibo of a television set, one DVD player, unspecified amount of money and other valuables. Oguntemowo, also alleged that the defendants raped one Adeomi Ayomide after robbing her of all her valuables on the said date. According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary and punishable under sections 297, 295 (2) (a) and 258 of

the criminal law of Lagos State 2011. The prosecutor further urged the court to adjourn the matter and remand the defendants in prisons custody in view of their plea of not guilty. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them, when the charge was read. Counsel to the defendants, Mr. A. O. Omodele, told the court that the defendants have a bail application dated on September 23. He urged the court to grant bail to Adekoya and Kazeem, who are already at Ikoyi prisons custody pending the final determination of the matter. He also asked the court to grant bail to the traditional ruler Baale (Balogun) on self recognition adding that he was at the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, on the day of the incident. Counsel to the accused told the court that the case brought to court was purely about land dispute and not armed robbery as alleged. “There has been dispute over ownership and control of the entire land at Odo-Onosa village, via Agbowa- Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area via Ikorodu for the past five years,adding that the defendants are residents and indigenes of Odo-Onosa “ he said Omodele also stated that on the day of the incident, the Baale and Adekoya were at EFCC’s office in respect of a petition they wrote against Chief Jibowu Faibo on the fraud he allegedly perpetrated on the sale of the family land at Odo-Onosa village.

Ambode tasks Defence College participants on good governance

agos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has charged participants from the National Defence College Course 24 on a Geo-Strategic Study to proffer suggestions to the state on how governance can be made more beneficial to the people. Speaking while receiving the participants made up of senior military and para-military officers, Ambode said the present administration is also very

receptive to new ideas and would also welcome suggestions on how to further improve Internally Generated Revenue in the state. The governor, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Mrs Folasade Ogunnaike, expressed hope that at the end of the various presentations and working visits by the team to some local governments and agencies, they would have been welleducated on the subject matter of their tour.

Speaking earlier, leader of the team, Brigadier General Mahe Bashir, said the programme was ongoing in nine other states, adding that it also aims at discovering socio-political and economic life of the people and how best to improve their internally generated revenue. He said the theme for this year’s tour was “Internally Generated Revenue as catalyst for Development in the State: Challenges and Prospects” and commended the state gov-

ernment for the warm hospitality accorded the team since it arrived in Lagos. Paper presentations were made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Mrs Funmilayo Balogun, on the geography, history and culture of the people while Dr Olusegun Vincent who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget presented a paper on the economy of Lagos State.

orps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has warned staff of the commission against any act of indiscipline in both private and official capacity. He said any staff caught in the web of indiscipline would be dealt with according to the law of the land. Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, in a statement said Oyeyemi gave the warning while addressing staff of Zone 6 Headquarters and Rivers State sector command, Port Harcourt, during his official visit to the state. Oyeyemi emphasised that as a leading agency for road safety management and administration in the country, FRSC had attained both local and international recognition for which every staff must work hard to sustain, stressing that any conduct that undermines the integrity and core values of the corps must be eschewed by every staff. He further challenged the agency’s personnel to sustain efficient service delivery for which the FRSC was known for and

appealed to patrolmen to show civility and humaneness in enforcement of traffic laws. He also urged them to be fair and firm in dealing with violators of traffic offences, noting that their response to distress calls must be prompt, while showing dedication whenever they are carrying out rescue operations. He declared that the 2015 ember months’ campaign had been flagged off and enjoined every staff to prepare to work hard so as to make the roads safer and obstruction-free for all users during the yuletide period. He assured of staff ’s welfare within the limits of available resources, noting that staff capacity development was being given priority by the management through regular training and retraining programmes, review of the educational policy, regular promotion exercise and provision of basic needs. He however, warned staff to desist from anonymous petition writing, sending of fake text messages and spreading rumours that could not be substantiated and could damage the internal cohesion of the corps.

My victory is God’s doing – Senatorial candidate

andidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified the election of Mr. Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as “God’s doing”. In a statement in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, yesterday, Abiodun also described the success of his petition as a victory for the people of his senatorial district: “Our people knew the social, political, economic, cultural and even religious position and marks of our senatorial district in Nigeria, they knew the right and befitting candidate they voted for. My victory at the tribunal is therefore, the victory of the people of Ogun East Senatorial

district, our party members and coordinators who worked tirelessly,” he said. The APC candidate remarked further that his victory not only came at the right time, but also saved Ogun East people from ridicule. “My victory, though delayed, came at God’s time, which is the best. It was to serve a purpose. God delayed the victory of Joseph in the Bible for the right time, just as He delayed President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory for the right time. “Our victory came at the right time, as it was eagerly expected all over the world. It also removed the tag of ridicule and stain, which our opponent’s false emergence placed on the good, morally upright and hard working people of Ogun East Senatorial District,” he added.

South East

Wednessday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anambra produces best Nigerian teacher Tunbosun Ogundare

37-year-old teacher at Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, is now Nigeria’s best secondary school teacher. Rose Nkemdilim Obi, who has been teaching Chemistry and Mathematics for the past 12 years when she had her first degree, became the best following her emergence as overall winner of this year’s Maltina Teacher of the Year. She emerged winner from among 10 state finalists at the award ceremony in Lagos on Monday. Unfortunately, only 19 of the 36 states of the federation had entries found worthy of recognition by the panel of judges constituted for the purpose and led by Professor Pat Utomi. Maltina Teacher of the Year Award is an initiative of Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund on the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, as its corporate social responsibility to recognise, celebrate and motivate hard-

working and committed Nigerian teachers. This year’s edition is the first in the series with the hope to make it a yearly affair. However, Obi was given N1 million and a trophy as reward for her effort and would be given additional N1 million yearly for the next five years while her school would be provided with a block of six classrooms worth N25 million. The first and second runners-up, Binta Muhammed from Borno and Daniel Udiong from Akwa Ibom State respectively, were also given N750,000 and N500,000 for their effort, while all the 10 finalists including the top three also went home with N500,000 each. Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Nicolas Vervelde, at the ceremony congratulated the winner and urged those who could not make it to the final this year to work harder in future editions. He promised that the company would continue to invest in Nigeria’s education sector to develop the economy.

Imo govt chides Agip for neglecting host communities Chris Njoku Owerri

mo State government has berated Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, over the management’s intentional neglect of its host communities in the state. Deputy Governor Eze Madumere made the remark yesterday during the 19th Farmers Day celebration at Green River Project Plant Propagation Centre, a facility of NAOC in OgbaEgbema, Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Madumere, who said it was the first time Imo State would be attending such event, described the initiative as commendable, believing it will create a window for a more mutually rewarding future relationship between the state and Agip. He said Imo might not vouch for Agip as a socially responsible company in its dealings with her host communities in the state. He further described as surprising the knowledge that Agip, in its effort to

increase food sufficiency and security, teaching latest farming techniques, offering extension services and micro credit with human capacity building, has covered over 120 rural communities and empowered over 35,000 farmers without Imo State benefitting. He reminded the multinational company of its poor management of the pollution crises occasioned by the explosion from its two crude oil storage facilities, which he said polluted the water of about 13 communities in Egbema. Madumere also frowned on the refusal of NAOC to agree terms with its host communities on working relationship, regretting that where such exists, the company is alleged to have always kept them in breach. He therefore called on the company to review its mode of operation and relationship with Imo people. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sunny Echono, commended the effort of NAOC.

L-R: Executive Director, South, Aku Odinkemelu; Executive Director, Shared Services, Chijioke Ugochukwu; President, Aba Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Lotenna Obasi; Managing Director/CEO, E.O Zubis Nigeria Ltd, Chief Azubuike Okoye and Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, during the Aba Customer Forum organised by Fidelity Bank in Aba, recently.

TSA: ASUU to resist disruptive policies …raises the alarm over activities in LASU, MOUA

Chris Njoku Owerri

resident of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Comrade Nasir Isa, has said the union would resist any policy measure that emasculates university operations or robs the system of its autonomy. Speaking at the end of the National Executive Council meeting at Imo State University, Owerri, Isa said the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy was capable of disrupting the university system. He said while the union appreciates measures by President Muhammadu

Buhari’s administration to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions, including Nigerian universities, it would resist retrogressive policies capable of robbing the university system of its autonomy. The ASUU president said all over the world, universities control their finances for the purposes of short, medium and long-term planning. Worse still, he disclosed that many vice chancellors have informed the union that owner- governments have also been making moves to “mop-up” some funds meant to address the shortfall in overhead.

Isa therefore called on government to engage representatives of the university system to look at the immediate and remote implications of the TSA policy on the system before the implementation in the universities. He called on states with variants of TSA to take heed lest the policy becomes an insurmountable hurdle for smooth running of their universities. He also urged Buhari to look into the happenings in some universities in the country in order to check the impunity and disregard for rules by their vice chancellors, citing Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,

Umudike, Abia State and Lagos State University, LASU. At MOUA, he alleged that the vice chancellor appoints assistant lecturers and lecturers1 as directors and runs unapproved programmes that have graduated students up to the postgraduate level as in the case of the human resources management programme “where his wife took an accelerated M.Sc. degree.” He also lampooned the VC of LASU, Prof. John Obafunwa, saying: “The VC has been entangled in a war of attrition with all the staff union over his dictatorial tactics and desperation from undeserved second term in office.”

Enugu lawmakers seek tax waiver for pregnant women Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

embers of Enugu State House of Assembly yesterday urged the state government to abolish tax payment as a precondition for accessing the state’s Free Maternal and Child Healthcare in all the stateowned health facilities. The Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Programme was introduced in the state in 2007 to enable expectant mothers and children under the ages of one to five to access free medicare. Moving a motion on notice on the floor of the House, member representing Isi-Uzo Constituency, Daniel Ogbuabor, support-

ed by 12 others, submitted that the programme should be made free without attaching any condition such as evidence of tax payment. Ogbuabor, who is Chairman, Committee on Health, argued that the precondition had made the laudable programme a nullity. “My Speaker sir, my distinguished colleagues, the greatest impediment to the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare programme is the provision of tax payment as condition for benefiting from the free care programme. “This requirement was introduced in 2011 as proof of residency in the state. The 2014 State Council on Health observed

that since introduction of this requirement, the free care programme has been progressively collapsing. Truly, in my constituency, the programme has collapsed,” Ogbuabor said. After a robust debate on the motion, the House resolved as follows: “That this Honourable House do urge His Excellency, the governor to abolish forthwith evidence of tax payment as condition precedent for benefiting from Enugu State Free Maternal and Child Healthcare programme in all the stateowned health facilities. “The governor should direct the Commissioner for Health to adopt forthwith alternative contrivance or combination of

contrivances other than ‘evidence of tax payment’ to establish residency status of clients seeking to benefit from Enugu State Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Programme.” Objection to the motion by Hons Chinedu Nwamba of Nsukka East and Chuka Ene of Udi South on the grounds that payment of tax was important because of paucity of revenue accruing to the state, could not be sustained. The Speaker, Edward Ubosi, thanked the movers of the motion, maintaining that because of the importance of the programme, “there is no way this kind of motion will die in the House.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Rivers election: PDP closes defence

…wants APC’s petition dismissed

eoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday closed its defence for the support of Governor Nyesom Wike as the legitimate winner of the April 11 governorship election in Rivers. The party also called on the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to dismiss the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress,

APC and its candidate for the election, Dr Dakuku Peterside. It tendered some documents like result sheets, INEC Form EC 8A, particularly in the polling units where the state APC had alleged that elections did not hold. The PDP also tendered Form EC 40A, to signify the distribution of ballot papers to six local govern-

ment areas, part of the areas where the APC also alleged there was no election. The local government areas where it tendered documents before the tribunal are Onelga, Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Degema and Onyigbo. The party also tendered a Thisday newspaper clipping of April 22, where the former INEC National

Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, declared Governor Wike’s election as credible and peaceful. The PDP further submitted voter registers for specific polling units where APC is also challenging the victory of the state governor. Other documents PDP submitted to the tribunal included INEC Forms EC 25A, EC 25A1, EC 25B and

EC 25B1, and public announcement of INEC on March 28, which the party said INEC promoted its case. The party also affirmed before the tribunal the documents tendered in the section where APC polling agents signed on the result sheets. Addressing newsmen outside the tribunal, PDP counsel, Goddy Uche (SAN), noted that the documents tendered are critical to the determination of the petition. According to Uche, his client has been able to expose the falsehood promoted by the state APC. In his reaction, counsel to APC, Adeniyi Akintola,

said the party would respond in its final written address. Meanwhile, the tribunal chairman, Justice Suleiman Ambursa, adjourned sitting to October 22 for the adoption of written addresses and for the petitioner and respondent to prepare for the delivery of the judgment. According to the chairman, the tribunal registry will remain open all day for both counsel prior to the adoption of written addresses on October 22. Justice Ambursa stated that the life span of the petition expires on October 29, when it will clock 180 days, hence the decision to hasten the adoption of written addresses.

NESREA seals 9 C’River quarry sites Richard Ndoma CALABAR

N L-R: First Deputy President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCI), Mr. Adetokunbo Kayode; Head of Delegation, German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Dr. Michael Blank and President, ABUCI, Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, during the visit of the German delegation in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Dickson shifts campaign flag-off over Alamieyeseigha Osahon Julius YENAGOA

ayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday announced the postponement of the official flag-off of his governorship campaign earlier scheduled for this Saturday in Yenagoa in honour of the first civilian governor of the state, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, who died last Saturday at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. This is as the people of Amasoma, home town of the late former governor in the early hours of yesterday trooped out in large numbers in a procession around the university town, to honour their illustrious son. Clad in an all-black outfit, men and women, and youths walked around the town mourning the demise of the man they regarded as their own ‘tin god’, while business and commer-

cial activities were briefly closed down from morning till around noon. When National Mirror visited the town yesterday morning, most of the shops, markets and other business houses including commercial banks were locked until 12 noon, while the town vigilante group also clad in black went about to make sure the order for business closure was carried out. At the Niger Delta University, NDU, some students were seen also donning black outfit, while some examinations scheduled to hold in the morning were postponed till later in the day. Some of the indigenes who spoke to our correspondent extolled the good work done by the former governor, which include the establishment of the university which has brought commercial activities to the community, The state governor in announcing the postpone-

ment of his campaign flag-off, condemned the controversies surrounding Alamieyeseigha’s death, calling on the peace-loving people of Ijaw nation at home and in the diaspora to maintain law and order. Dickson, who made the announcement during a special media broadcast yesterday morning in Yenagoa, noted that though the country and particularly the Ijaw nation, have lost a foremost statesman and leader, the state government was determined to give the deceased a befitting state burial. His words, “The state government is determined to accord him a befitting state burial. In this regard, a high powered burial committee led by the deputy governor has been constituted. This committee will work out details of the programme with the family and other relevant stakeholders.” Eulogising the former civilian governor, Dickson

said Alamieyeseigha in his life time, apart from serving our nation as a military officer, also dedicated himself to passionate and committed service to Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation, as governor and in other capacities. Apart from declaring a seven-day mourning during which all flags in public buildings and places would fly at half-mast, he said condolence registers have been opened in Government House, the state secretariat complex, Ijaw House in Yenagoa and the state liaison offices in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt in honour of the deceased. The governor, who condemned the propaganda and orchestrated harrassment that led to the untimely death of the Ijaw nation’s Governor-General, called on the people of the state and Ijaw people to maintain the peace, as they mourn the departed leader whom he described as a man of peace.

ational Environmental Standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency, NESREA, yesterday shut down nine quarry sites in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State. Coordinator for NESREA in Cross River, Mrs Angela Iwobi, who lead the team stated that the enforcement exercise was in line with the law establishing the agency and the International Treaty on Environmental Law. Some of the quarry companies sealed include Prodeco, CCECC, Saturn and Blazzer while the construction sites in Calabar were ITB Construction and Axari ventures. The enforcement agency said the sites would remain closed until the companies pay their fees. “What we have done is in-line with the law setting up NESRA and in compliance with the international treaty on environmental law, of which Nigeria is signatory,” Iwobi said. She lamented the failure of quarry companies and other construction firms in the state to pay their Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, and Environmental Im-

pact Statement, EIS fees after receiving several letters from the agency. “We have written several letters to them to come forward and pay their mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement. “The problem with them is that, they will refuse to pay until NESREA decides to seal their sites before you see them rushing to come and pay,” she said. According to her, the agency decided to enforce the law in order to stop the impunity by the quarry and construction firms who ignore all environmental standards in their operations. The NESERA boss threatened that the agency was fully prepared to sue any of the quarry companies that remove the agency’s seal on its property without paying the requisite penalty fee. Iwobi charged prospective investors in the state to always comply with Nigeria’s environmental laws through NESREA before embarking on their ventures, to avoid the law catching up with them. “Before you start up any firm, you must take cognisance of the environmental laws of the land, so you do not fall foul of the law,” she added.

North

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Tribunal affirms Saraki’s election WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

ational Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin yesterday affirmed the election of Senator Bukola Saraki in the March 28 National Assembly Election. It dismissed the petition filed against him by his opponent, Alhaji Abdulrahamn Abdulrazaq, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Delivering ruling on the petition, the threeman panel led by Hon

Justice Josiah Majebi, held that the petitioner failed to prove his case of multiple voting for Saraki and that he, Abdulrazaq, scored the highest votes in the election among other prayers sought by him. Saraki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is running his second term in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly representing Kwara Central District and is currently president of the red chamber. Justice Majebi, who delivered the major-

ity judgment, agreed with Saraki’s counsel, Alhaji Yusuf Ali (SAN), that the petition was incompetent because it was filed outside the stipulated 21 days allowed by the Electoral Act 2010, adding that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to hear such petition filed out of time. The tribunal noted that the oral evidences of four witnesses called by the petitioner failed to prove the case beyond doubts, pointing out that the evidences of PW1 and PW2 were mere hearsay because both of them failed

to identify the polling units where over voting took place. Also, the PW III which was a forensic expert called and tendered documents for the petitioner, failed to demonstrate any academic qualification on Forensic Science, neither did the forensic person demonstrate any knowledge relating to election expertise, according to the judge. The tribunal also upheld the election of Senator Rafiu Ibrahim as duly elected to represent Kwara South Senatorial

District in the Senate. Architect Lola Ashiru of the PDP had filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the victory of Ibrahim of the APC on March 28 Justice Majebi held that the petitioner failed to prove the reliefs sought pointing out that he agreed with the first respondent’s counsel that the petition was filed out of time. According to the tribunal chairman, the evidence before the tribunal,

10 die as soldiers engage Islamic sect in Kogi WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

L-R: Governors Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Muhammad Abdullahi (Bauchi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Patrick Okowa (Delta), during the meeting of governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja , yesterday.

N29m fraud: Appeal Court president writes CJN, Kebbi CJ …seeks prosecution of erring Registrar SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

resident of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, has waded into alleged criminal attempt by a chief registrar to fraudulently obtain N29 million through a concocted judgement. Justice Bulkachuwa formally wrote to Hon Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, and Chairman of National Judicial Council, NJC, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Chief Judge of Kebbi State High Court of Justice, Hon Justice Ibrahim Bala Mairiga, on an allegation of fake judgment and theft of N29m against the Chief Registrar of Kebbi

State High Court, Abubakar Siddiq Bello, requesting the state’s judiciary to immediately investigate and punish all erring officials. A copy of the letter that was signed personally by Justice Bulkachuwa as a rejoinder under the title: ‘Urgent need to investigate this clandestine scheming and appropriately sanction all those involved, especially the said Chief Registrar who is the principal actor’ with Reference number: PCA/Sokoto/Vol.II, dated 15th September, 2015, was made available to National Mirror in Benin City. Justice Bulkachuwa copied the letter to the Honourable CJN and

Chairman of NJC, Justice Mahmud Mohammed as well as the petitioner and counsel, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi, in the case that Afolabi initiated from Edo State over teachers’ check-off dues. In her letter, Bulkachuwa wrote, “I wish to draw your attention to the attached petition written by Olayiwola Afolabi Esq. of Olayiwola Afolabi & Co. against the Chief Registrar of the Kebbi State High Court, Abubakar Siddiq Bello with respect to an order issued and signed by him in the case of Faluyi O. Charles & ors. V NUT Kebbi State (Suit No. KB/HC/ M86/2006) after the matter had been heard in the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal (Appeal No. CA/S/48/2010) and judge-

ment entered on 19/5/15 allowing the appeal and setting aside the decision of the Kebbi State High Court.” “I urge your Lordship to use your good office in ensuring that the matter is fully investigated and proper steps taken to forestall future occurrence.” “Please, find attached copies of the petition, the judgment of Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division as well as the said order. Do accept my warmest regards,” Justice Bulkachuwa concluded in her letter. In the copy of letter sent to the CJN and Chairman of NJC, Justice Bulkachuwa added a footnote thus: “My Lord, This is to alert your Lordship to what has been happening. We await their response and your further directives.”

particularly form EC8A1 showed that election results were signed on March 28 and not March 29, 2015, while the petition was filed on April 19, 2015. Justice Majebi declared that the claims of irregularities, ballot stuffing and over voting, ballot snatching were based on hearsay through telephone calls and radio reports. The petition was therefore dismissed describing it as incompetent.

t least, 10 people were feared dead and two soldiers critically injured in a gun duel between soldiers from Maigumeri Barracks in Kogi State and some Islamic sect. National Mirror gathered that soldiers in large number on tip off stormed the sect’s haven at Inike area of Okene town, Kogi State, at about 1am yesterday. It was further learnt that the soldiers traced some suspects, who allegedly carried out attack on the office of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, in Lokoja some few weeks ago to the area and later engaged them in

gun duel. A source stated that several members of the sect were felled by the firepower of the soldiers during the fighting. National Mirror also gathered that a mosque in the area was razed, while a Hilux van belonging to the soldiers was burnt. The entire area was said to have been deserted as residents ran for cover in the course of fighting. When contacted on phone, Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, stated that it was purely a military operation, stressing that it is only the military that can speak on the incident. All efforts to get the military hierarchy in state to comment on the issue were not successful.

Corruption will destroy Nigeria, if not checked now –UK A ZA MSUE KADUNA

nited Kingdom Minister for Africa, Grant Shapps, yesterday said the massive corruption in Nigeria, if not checked, will destroy the country. Speaking during the launch of Nigeria Public Sector Accountability and Governance Programme at Government House, Kaduna, Shapps said UK will assist Nigeria to recover stolen funds stashed abroad, adding that corruption and insecurity remained Nigeria’s major threat to transformation. Shapps, while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the menace of corruption head-long to improve living condition of

Nigerians, said Britain will assist the Federal Government to curb insecurity and vices facing the country. On his part, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir elRufai, said his administration was working round the clock to generate enough internal revenue to stop relying on Federal Government monthly allocations: He said his administration will provide decent hospitals, schools and would take agriculture serious, adding that security of lives and properties was the top priority of the administration. El-Rufai explained that state of emergency declared on education would reposition the sector for better, as dilapidated infrastructures would be fixed for quality and standard education in the state.

Wednesday October 14, 2015

War against B’Haram: Elites, politicians as saboteurs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Buhari hasn’t added value to current power situation –Nebo

CJ orders stay of proceeding on Suswam’s probe Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

hief Judge of Benue state, Justice Iorhemen Hwande yesterday granted the request for stay of proceedings on the Commission of Inquiry probing the administration of former Governor of the state, Mr Gabriel Suswam pending the hearing and determination of a case filed

against the Commission by Suswam. Justice Hwande gave the order in an exparte application filed on behalf of Suswam by his counsel, Mr Tawo Tawo (SAN) seeking the leave of court to apply for judicial review of the transactions made during the administration of Governor Samuel Ortom and six others in setting up the commission. Former Governor Ga-

briel Suswam had dragged Governor Ortom and the commission to court by way of exparte application asking the court to disband and set aside the Administrative Commission of Inquiry. He insisted that the commission was incapable of exercising judicial powers and lacked constitutional powers to investigate or adjudicate upon the issues submitted to it for inquiry.

It could be recalled that the commission was expected to make findings about those responsible for lease or allocation and sale of real property belonging to Benue government. Suswam in his application however, said that the commission was set up to witch-hunt and smear his public name and destroy his legacy. He deposed in the application that he ran a trans-

parent administration and rendered periodic account of his stewardship to the state throughout his eight years in office. The former governor argued that the resources of the state were judiciously used and the impact was visible all over the state. He therefore, sought the court to grant his application of quashing the commission and equally asked the court to stay further

proceedings of the commission pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The state chief Judge in his ruling, ordered that the proceedings of the commission be stayed pending the determination of the substantive case. Justice Hwande also assigned the case to Justice Adam Onum and ordered that hearing should commence on Oct 22, 2015.

Tribunal dismisses Abe’s petition Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, signing the condolence register of first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, at the Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

KWHA to screen commissionership nominees Wole Adedeji ILORIN

he Kwara State House of Assembly will next week Tuesday conduct a screening exercise for all the ten commissionership nominees sent to it by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. A statement from the office of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ahmad Ali yesterday said the nominees would appear by 10 o’clock in the morning. The nominees whose names were made public by the Speaker include; Engineer Musa Yeketi, Asa Local Government;,

Engr Idris Garba, Baruteen; Mr. Taiwo Joseph, Ekiti; Mr. Aro Yahaya, Ifelodun; Barrister Rasaq Sheu Akorede, Ilorin East and Bolakale Ayo from Ilorin West Local Government Area. Others are Demola Banu, the immediate past Finance Commissioner, Irepodun; Hajia Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa. Moro Local Government Area and Mahmud Babatunde Ajeigbe from Offa Local Government Area. The Speaker said the list of the would be commissioners was in conformity with the Constitutional provisions and

thereafter constituted a five-man Ad-Hoc Committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Mathew Okedare to carry out interactive pre-screening exercise for all the ten nominees. He added that the House would carry out its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour and gave an assurance that members of the public would have the opportunity of participating in the screening exercise by forwarding their issues, queries, questions and petitions, if any, to the Clerk of the House Mr. Simon Ayodele Okedare

on or before Sunday, the 18th of this month. The nominees according to the Speaker must complete necessary documentation latest 4pm, this Thursaday, The Speaker also mandated the nominees to provide 35 copies of their originals credentials, birth certificate, medical certificate of fitness, sworn affidavit of non membership of secret society or cult, certification by the Code of Conduct Bureau, Citizenship certificate, tax clearance covering the last three years and evidence of party membership.

he Rivers State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday dismissed the petition filed before it by Senator Magnus Abe challenging the election of Senator Olaka Johnson Nwogo . Justice Mohammed Sifawa who delivered the judgment in the petition, held that Magnus Abe and the All Progressives Congress, APC failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt their allegations that no election was conducted in the Rivers South East senatorial district in the March 28 National Assembly election. The judge also held that rather than proving the allegation, the petitioner was putting before the tribunal things that were unconnected to the conduct of the election. According to the tribunal chairman, in one breath, the petitioner claimed that there was no election in the senatorial district and in another breath, the same petitioner tendered documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on how election materials were shared on the Election Day. Justice Sifawa said that it was wrong in law for the petitioner to be speaking from both sides of his mouth as he tendered doc-

uments from election he claimed never held. The tribunal said the petitioner failed to call at least one witness from the over 1,400 polling units in his senatorial district to substantiate his allegation that there was no election. The tribunal also noted that the few witnesses called by the petitioner to prove his allegation missed the target in their evidence by emphasising on non relevant issues. “From the totality of evidence before this tribunal, we are convinced that the petitioner did not do the needful as he failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt his soul allegation that election did not hold in his constituency in the March 28 National Assembly election. “It must also be stated here that the petitioner knows that the onus to prove his allegation rested on his shoulder but for unknown reasons refused to discharge the onus as required by law. “By his failure to establish a prima facie case that there was no election in his constituency, this tribunal has no option than to disregard his allegation in his entirety. “We therefore hold that there was election and uphold the election of the 2nd respondent (Senator Nwogo) as declared by the 1st respondent while announcing the election result.

Politics

fter several years of blames-trading over allegations of sabotage in the ongoing war against Boko Haram, the Nigerian military under President Muhammadu Buhari, has finally summoned the courage to directly accuse some prominent politicians and elders of the North East, especially, Borno state, of being the ones that have continued to sabotage the war against Boko Haram, to satisfy their inordinate ambitions and material gains. The Nigerian Army, issued a strong-worded press statement to this effect, through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman and accused these unnamed personalities over this evil act against themselves, even though it attempted to dress the wound the statement caused Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought in a later statement, but the message was clear and properly conveyed. The bitter-truth was simple that the South was not responsible for the insurgency in the north and the nation, neither was the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, or the Service Chiefs under him, liable as the north claimed. The message was even more meaningful and credible, coming at this time and from a regime that has people from the north and Borno especially, at the helms of affairs both at the federal government and the military, specifically, Army and Air Force that are prosecuting the war. It is now public knowledge that the North East are employing the services of marabouts to perpetuate Boko Haram insurgency and trouble the soul of the country. The Army Headquarters, AHQ, had said that the military knew all those involved and their meeting arrangements, even as it frowned that these people were working hard to scuttle the anticipated victory that was just by the corner. The Army in a very unmistaken term warned that it was going after all of the perpetrators, no matter their ranks and would not hesitate to publicly embarrass and disgrace them apart from dealing mercilessly with them. This is coming from the AHQ: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hailed from Borno State in particular and North East generally, that there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country. “The unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts were determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months. “They are enlisting the services of some Non-Governmental Organizations in this grand design. “It has come to our knowledge that they were employing every means to see that the operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits. “It has been revealed that they are employing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to campaign of calumny. “We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims. “This would not be tolerated. Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found would be dealt with accordingly.” It is important and the Army insisted that people should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition. We are now made to believe that, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Lt-Generals Azubuike Ihejirika and Kenneth Minimah, who were his Chiefs of Army Staff, knew about these people but perhaps, lacked this courage to have pointed direct accusing finger at them or, were exercising restrain in the interest of the country, to avoid the inherent north and south conflict. Repeatedly, former President Jonathan, had shouted that Boko Haram members had infiltrated his government and cabinet, but those opposed to his administra-

Wednesday October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

War against B’Haram: Elites, politicians as saboteurs Recently, the Nigerian Army accused prominent politicians and elites in the North East of using diabolic means to sabotage the ongoing war against Boko Haram to sustain their benefits from the insurgency. Our Defence Correspondent, UBONG UKPONG, in Abuja, examines issues of sabotage since the war began and its implication on the war.

Olonisakin

It is clear that Boko Haram started in Borno state by some Borno people and allegedly sustained by them using marabouts to serve their selfish ambitions and interests tion and the then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, would dismiss him as pretending. Erstwhile and impeached Governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako, who himself, was a former Air Vice Marshal, in the Nigerian Air Force, who ought to know that the Boko Haram war was an unconventional and guerrilla warfare, was the one accusing Jonathan of carrying out genocide against the north. His action as then Governor, was very seriously considered by his followers and thus, went ahead to demoralise troops and worked against government’s efforts to save the north. Troops could not fire a shot at insurgents for fear of being accused of war crimes, and the CommanderIn-Chief, could not give certain directive in the war, in view of the uproar it could generate. Of course, Jonathan never had any support or prayers from the opposition and those saboteurs and so, he was fighting the war without support from those who needed the peace.

One could remember those newspaper headlines during his days as COAS, Ihejirika shouted very loud that there were saboteurs in the Army, who were working for Boko Haram, but again, one is made to believe that he was exercising restrain from touching them, as this could cause a bigger conflict. In the face of this sabotage, they fought gallantly to save the North, but again, it was these same northerners who shouted that Jonathan was the one that perpetuated Boko Haram to sustain his regime. This allegation became very tough as the general election approached from February 2015. The campaign was that a vote for Jonathan was a vote for insurgency to continue, as the opposition claimed that they had the antidote for Boko Haram. Nigerians and the northerners especially, were asked to massively vote for the then General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, and that he alone could save Nigeria from Boko Haram. Consequently, in spite of the great achievement in the war, within six weeks to the election, some people disbelieved Jonathan. The allegation was that what he could not achieve in six years, how comes he was achieving it in six weeks? They never considered the international sabotage in refusing to sell arms, joint regional forces and local sabotage, as it is said that the enemy within is worse than the enemy outside. Those who were busy sabotaging Jonathan’s efforts, stepped up their campaign against him when it became clear that he was beginning to win the war and recovered all territories that were hitherto seized by Boko Haram. They accused him and the army chiefs of war crimes, forgetting that the military is fighting an unconventional war and that in any case, when soldiers go to war, it is not peacekeeping operation but they go to kill and take captives to save the nation and innocent citizens. It was people among these Borno elders, whom the army has now accused of sabotaging the war, that want Jonathan and the former service Chiefs tried for genocide. In August 2015, the Borno elders led by Gaji Galtimari, a retired ambassador, accused the administration of former Jonathan of deliberately allowing Boko Haram to massacre the people of Northeast Nigeria. Whereas the elders based their allegation on the confession by the immediate Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, a retired Air Chief Marshall, that he presided over an ill-equipped military during his tenure, they failed to also note the allegation by the former Service Chief that this military was destroyed and sold out to the western countries by all the former military Heads of state, to protect and sustain their regimes. They failed to note too, that it was the comments and actions of these Borno and North East elders that the military under Jonathan was engaging in war crimes and abuse of human rights that made America, South Africa and all their allies to refuse to sell weapons, thereby rendering the military weak, while Boko Haram wielded superior firepower. Going by the revelation by the Nigerian Army, it is clear that Boko Haram started in Borno state by some Borno people and allegedly sustained by them using marabouts to serve their selfish ambitions and interests, which the army said that, “the continued lost of lives and property in this country through terrorists activities does no one any good.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

From The Civil Service

PAN urges FG, agencies to give children eggs per day P.16

FG unveils new NYSC certificate Joel Ajayi ABUJA

ederal government Tuesday, unveiled newly improved National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates for its corps members after the mandatory one year service to their fatherland. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Director General of the NYSC, BrigGen. Johnson Olawumi said the scheme took the step to wage war against forgery and impersonation. The DG, represented by the The Acting Director of Certification, Alhaji Aliyu Taura, explained that the new certificate would be embossed with the carrier’s photograph in line with the global best practices. According to the Director General, the issuance of the new NYSC certificate would take effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014, who will be passing out on 15 October. “In our concerted effort to make the operation of the NYSC conform with global best practices, the scheme engaged in the holistic e-NYSC solution with effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014 where prospective members register online before proceeding to the orientation camp. “This resulted in the enhancement of issuance of NYSC certificates namely; Certificate of National Service, Certificate of Exemption

Members of the Governing Board of Tertiary Institutions taking oath of office at their swearing-in yesterday, in Lagos.

and Letter of Exclusion. “With effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014, all certificates of National Service bear passport photograph of the corps

members at the upper right hand corner of the certificate. “This is to guarantee the security of our certificates from forgery

and to block all chances of impersonation. Therefore batch ‘C’ 2014 corps members, who are due to pass-out on 15 October, 2015 will have

their certificates embossed with their photograph,” he clarified. On her own NYSC Director of Press, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe,

Joel Ajayi,

nent disability in the course of the national service. The NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, revealed this in his office recently in Abuja when he presented the letter of appointment to BabaAhmed. Olawumi said the Board of Trustees had as members other distinguished Nigerians drawn

from different sectors, adding that its inauguration would be performed by the incoming Minister of Youth Development after the constitution of a federal cabinet. He praised BabaAhmed for his contribution to the development of education through the establishment of Baze University, and went on to describe the standard of facilities in the insti-

tution as congenial for effective teaching and learning. Responding, the chairman-designate of the Board of Trustees, NYSC Hope Alive Foundation, Senator Yusuf Baba-Ahmed expressed his acceptance of the opportunity given to him to serve in that capacity, and called it a great honour to him and the university.

while shedding more light on the categories of the improved certificates, explained that Certificate of Exemption is issued to a fulltime graduate, who is above the age of 30 at the time of graduation or such corps member is a staff of security agencies like Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and recipients of National Presidential Honours Award. For Letter of Exclusion, Aderibigbe further said that it was designed to take care of corps population, who are graduates of Part-time, Distance Learning and Sandwich programmes, adding that issuance of letter of exclusion commenced in 2001, and that, they would be able to register and print their letters on line. She noted that the scheme had gone digital, therefore verification of NYSC certificate could now be done electronically.

…Baba-Ahmed named chair of Hope Alive Foundation ABUJA

ro-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has been appointed as chairman Board of Trustees of the National Youth Service Corps Hope Alive Foundation on post-service economic survival of Corps members who suffer perma-

NESREA seals nine quarry sites in C’River P.16

ASEAN film festival’ll aid development –FG P.41

Commenting on the institution, Baba-Ahmed said he ventured into the education sector out of determination to contribute towards fixing the system, adding that for Nigeria to realise its potentials and address its various challenges, including those bordering on security, the country had to make sufficient investment in education.

Abundant opportunities abound in power sector –FG P.42

Civil Service

Richard Ndoma, CALABAR

he National Environmental Standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) yesterday shut down nine quarry sites in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River. Coordinator for NESREA in Cross River State, Mrs. Angela Iwobi, who lead the team stated that the enforcement exercise was in line with the law establishing the agency and the International Treaty on Environmen-

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NESREA seals nine quarry sites in C’River tal Law. Some of the quarry companies sealed includes Prodeco, CCECC, Saturn and Blazzer while the construction sites situated in Calabar were ITB Construction and Axari ventures. NESREA said that the sites would remain closed until the companies paid their fees. “What we have done is in-line with the law setting up NESRA and

in compliance with the international treaty on environmental law, for which Nigeria is a signatory to,‘’ Iwobi said. She lamented the failure of quarry companies and other construction firms in the state to pay their EIA or EIS fees after several letters had been written to them by the agency. ``We have written several letters to them to come forward and

pay their mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ``The problem with them is that they will refuse to pay until NESREA decides to seal their sites before you see them rushing to come and pay, ‘’ she said. According to her, the agency decided to enforce the law in order to stop the impunity by

the quarry companies and construction firms who ignore all environmental standards in their operations,” the coordinator said. The NESERA boss threatened that the agency was fully prepared to drag to court any of the quarry companies that removes the agency’s seal on its property without payment of the requisite penalty fee. Iwobi charged pro-

spective investors in the state to always ensure compliance with the environmental laws of Nigeria through NESREA before embarking on their ventures to avoid the law catching up with them. ``Before you start up any firm, you must take cognisance of the environmental laws of the land so that you will not fall foul of the law, ‘’ she added.

Igali, Uhomoibhi named as Fellows of Historical Society Chidi Ugwu,

ABUJA

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Hajia Binta Bello; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission [ ICPC], Mr Ene Ekpo; Deputy Human Resource Manager, Ministry of Aviation, Capt Muktar Usman; Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA], Alhaji Abubakar Tsafe, during the opening of the Corruption Risk Assessment forum between the Ministry and ICPC, in Lagos.

Omeri urges herdsmen to embrace peace Joel Ajayi ABUJA

irector General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has appealed to herdsmen and farmers in the country to sheath their swords and embrace peace to contribute to the economy as the federal government is doing everything possible to resolve the lingering misunderstanding between them. Reacting to the extreme positions being suggested by various socio-cultural groups relating to the herdsmen and farmers clash-

es in Abuja, Omeri said the Strategic Action Plan committee set up by the federal government would bring lasting solutions to the crisis especially if both parties heed to the move by government. According to Omeri, the committee has a holistic approach which includes both short and long term strategies to end the lingering clashes. “With such a committee, it is only complementary that farmers, herdsmen and Nigerians irrespective of origin or occupation contribute to this peace production effort,”

Omeri stated. While sympathising with victims, Omeri assured all that government was studying the various recommendations of the committee with a view to streamlining it to meet the realities of the time. “Herdsmen and farmers need each other and Nigeria needs them both. It is therefore a collective responsibility for all of us to advocate peace amongst the two sets of agriculturalists,” he said while specifically calling on community leaders and heads of associations to appeal to farmers and herds-

men to embrace peace. The NOA boss recalled the contributions of farmers and herdsmen to the economy of the country, saying such contribution was needed now more than ever before with the dwindling global oil price. “Our farmers and herdsmen should cash into this fall in oil price. This is the time to contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings and create more jobs locally; this is not time for clashes or hate speeches, it is time for inward looking and growth,” Omeri canvassed.

s part of activities to mark the 60th annual conference of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), the body of eminent Historians has bestowed on Ambassador (Dr.) Godknow Igali, its highest honour of Fellowship. Also honoured alongside the Permanent Secretary, Power, is Amb. Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the group gathered at the main campus of the University of Abuja for a 3-day annual conference, Igali on the side line of the event said that he was glad that the body had found him worthy of being honoured as a Fellow. He described the honour as inspirational, to the younger generations of historians as the discipline would continue to be relevant in the nation’s quest for a better society. He urged the new and up-coming historians to take up the challenge to reverse the ugly trend of History being an endangered discipline. “As historians we are relevant in the contemporary world because we provided the missing link between yesterday, today and tomorrow. “We must bring to bear

the lessons to be learnt from past events in charting the course for today and the future,” he said. He described as timely the theme of this year’s conference – The national experience - insisting that History would always be “relevant to our national reality”. He urged the leadership of the society to use the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary to reflect on how History, as a discipline, could contribute positively to service with integrity. Another awardee, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, described history as a holistic discipline that provides solutions to myriad of human challenges. He decried the lessemphasis placed in the teaching of history at primary and secondary levels of education, which, according to him, had led to mind bugging dearth of intellectual activities in the study of the subject. Earlier, the chairman of the conference, Professor Emeritus Obaro Ikime, had proposed the ingenious style of short writings on History of Nigeria that could be easily read by even semiilliterates, as a way of rejuvenating interest in the subject, just as he observed that intellectual writings by history scholars are not attractive to Nigerian readers.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Ogun education: The gods are not asleep SOYOMBO OPEYEMI

hursday, October 8, 2015 was another red letter day in the annals of Ogun State. The state won the “Best practice in Education Award; the state with the highest percentage budgetary allocation to education; 1st Position.” This wreath of honour was presented to the state by Fafunwa Educational Foundation. Prof Babs Fafunwa was a renowned educationist and former Minister of Education in Nigeria. His name readily jogs your memory on his study on the use of indigenous language as a means of instruction in schools. That important memory to the general public, I must admit, is now receding. It suffices to say, however, that you cannot graduate from the college or any faculty of education in Nigeria without being exposed to the works of Fafunwa. So the man lives on! This award comes on the heels of the comprehensive vitriol launched by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, against the Governor Ibikunle Amosun during the 2015 World Teachers’ Day. Isiaka had said: “The entire education policy in Ogun State is sick and gravitating towards precipice, if not reviewed.

The government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun has not only relegated education to the background, but has failed to accord teachers’ welfare the priority it deserved for better performance. “ He went further to describe the model school initiative of the Amosun administration as a “misplaced priority... “We have at various times criticised the model schools being built in forests at heartbreaking costs...” It is always difficult in Nigeria to know when the period of electioneering actually ends. Otherwise, one would have expected that those sentiments, which formed the fulcrum of his campaign against Amosun in the months leading to the April 11, 2015 governorship poll, should now have been jettisioned by Isiaka having failed to impress the electorate, who overwhelmingly endorsed Amosun for a second term. Has Amosun relegated education to the background as Isiaka claimed? Well, the gods are not asleep. The verdict of a credible organisation like the Fafunwa Educational Foundation has provided an answer. If education sector consistently gets the lion’s share from the yearly budget of Ogun State under the watch of Amosun, how is the sector then relegated to the background? If the primary school teachers get paid before all other workers and the workforce in Ogun receives the highest

THINK WE SHOULD GIVE HONOUR TO

WHOM IT IS DUE IN SPITE OF POLITICS AND POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE monthly salary in Nigeria, how is education relegated in any way? If Ogun children continue to perform well in external examinations and win garlands to justify the investment of the Amosun government in the sector, which education then is sick and gravitating towards precipice, as alleged by Isiaka? If the only state owned university, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) that was not even qualified for ranking by the National Universities Commission before Amosun came to power suddenly emerged the best state university within a space of three years of the Amosun administration, how is the sector then relegated to the background as Isiaka claimed? Therefore, the arguments of Isiaka stand logic on its head. How will construction of model schools be a “misplaced priority” when enrolment figures in Ogun schools keep on increasing every year? Why should Amosun erect 17th century buildings for

students of the 21st century? Has the PDP candidate ever visited the model school at Ogijo? Perhaps some opposition elements assume such state-of-the-art structures, which make private schools green with envy, can never be for the children of public schools. But the model structures are public schools. And when you see these facilities, then you understand the meaning of ‘value for money’. When most of the “legacy schools” (to choose Isiaka’s words) were built, they were not situated within residential areas or built near motor parks, churches, mosques and markets. But what do we have today as a result of ‘development’? The voices of market women, bus conductors, etc. drowning those of teachers in the classrooms. Does it then make sense for Amosun to build model schools in the hub of business activities and noisy areas? This is simply about logic. But if there are model schools built in the forests, as Isiaka alleged, then those are not Amosun’s schools. I think we should give honour to whom it is due in spite of politics and political atmosphere. This is what the Fafunwa Educational Foundation has done. Congratulations to Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the good people of Ogun State for a well-deserved honour. Opeyemi wrote from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

Nigeria, sports and youth development MICHAEL OPUTEH

n all societies of the world, a virile youth is the bedrock on which national integration and development is predicated. The youth are the backbone and the building blocks of any nation. It is a fact that the stronger the youth, the more developed a nation is. The energy and brightness of the minds of youths act as torch-bearer for a nation. There is a confirmed connection between the prosperity of a nation and its youth development system. The late British politician and writer, Benjamin Disraeli, had rightly described the ‘youth of a nation as the trustees of posterity’ It is in the reality of the above that many nations have made concerted efforts in galvanizing integrated approach in putting in place youth development structures that have a very high propensity to be a catalyst for their national growth. On the contrary, the countries which fail to realize the importance of the youth lag behind in every department of life. Unfortunately, in this clime, this tested principle of utilization of the youth as agents for national development is grossly taken for granted. The Nigerian youth is rather neglected and abused. Despite constituting more than 50 percent of the country’s population of over 160 million people, all most all levels of governments have fallen short of systematizing policies, programmes and projects that can bring about an appreciative level of development in our youth. The end result of this neglect is a demoralized and frustrated youth that easily takes to crimes, prostitution and drug abuse!

THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT CAN LEAD THE WAY IN THIS REGARD BY REHABILITATING THE NEGLECTED NATIONAL

STADIUM IN LAGOS…

Some of them have been turned into thugs by members of the political class. Many social commentators have attributed the insurgency crisis in the North to the unacceptable level of unemployment among the youth. An idle mind, it is said, is the devil’s workshop! What do we have with the extreme impoverishment of our youths due to unavailable employment opportunities? Disenchanted youths, who are angry with the system, will not hesitate in taking to anything illegal and illegitimate just to survive. Today, teenagers are among the major perpetrators of advanced fee fraud, popularly called ‘419’. Developed countries are totally aware of the worth of their youths, hence they are regarded as an asset. Most importantly, these countries cater to the needs of their youths and provide them education, employment, and recreational activities, such as a healthy and competitive environment to prepare the youth to lead the country through thick and thin. If youths are unconcerned about the future of the nation, it will become a burden for the nation. We can still, as a nation, make a uturn by putting in place policies and programmes that can put our youths on the right path. Amongst many approaches

that can be utilised in developing them is sports. We can harness the potential of sports as a veritable tool for youth development. The nexus between youths and sports is development. Sports and development refers to the use of sport as a tool for development and peace. Actors in sport, academia, private sector, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, government agencies, UN agencies and international organizations, the media, the general public as well as young people are increasingly interested in the potential of sports as a tool to reach personal, community, national and international development objectives. They are also interested in how sports can be used as a tool for addressing some of the challenges that arise from humanitarian crises and in conflict and post-conflict settings. Absolutely, sports are an indisputable tool that can be used to develop and take our youths out of the streets. They are supposed to be a means of attaining physical fitness while providing entertainment and pleasure. But in today’s Nigeria, sport is anything but that. Sports have become a very big and serious business all around the world. Unbelievably, huge investments are now made into sports business that it has become a lucrative venture with enormous turnover. It has become an international entertainment industry with global revenues of more than $38 billion in television rights and ticketing alone. Millions of people around the world earn their living from sports related interests. The sports industry’s core sources of revenue are broadcast rights; sponsorships (including licensing and merchandising); and ticketing and hospitality, such as entertainment and catering in sports venues.

Now is the time that we must also key into the approach of using sports for development. All levels of government must start with aggressive refurbishing and building of more sports facilities all around the country. The Federal Government can lead the way in this regard by rehabilitating the neglected National Stadium in Lagos and all others across the country. The National Stadium in Lagos used to be a hub for sporting activities in the country and the home ground for our national teams. The lost glory of this stadium must be restored now! All other derelict and abandoned sporting facilities all over Nigeria must be resuscitated and put into good use. The newly commissioned 30,000 capacity Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo is a pointer that all is not lost in the renewal of efforts at sports development in Nigeria. Other state government can also emulate Lagos State in collaborating with the private sector to ensure investment in sport and youth’s development. Lagos State has through sports made Lagos a destination for sports fair and fun. The Office of Sports in the state has continued to encourage private sector partnership to make it the hub for international tournaments in Africa. The time for the rebirth of sports for youth development in Nigeria is now. Oputeh is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be

Editorial

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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

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

Nigerians’ perilous search for greener pastures

ooking at the photograph of those migrants, which media reports said comprised of Nigerians, Ghanaians, Sierra Leoneans and Senegalese nationals about a fortnight ago was a grisly reminder of the era of slave trade. The caption under the picture was equally apt - “A risky trip” - with the rider: “Over 140 migrants and refugees, mainly from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Sierra Leone, who were transported by the German navy frigate, Werra, as part of the European external action service, EU Navfor Med, wait to disembark at the Augusta harbour in eastern Italy...” It was a photo piece that buttressed a people wearied by their grouchiness concerning the situation in their home countries. All of them, vibrant males and females, reflected extreme unpleasantness, hopelessness and decay. They, without saying so, willingly surrendered their lives to fate and foreigners. The only difference was that they were not in chains. In their tens of thousands, they rush to Europe. Their destination: Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Hungary or Turkey, et cetera. And their mission? Searching for the good life. They also defy all manner of restrictions erected on their paths by the host countries; and in thousands the unfortunate

LEADERS… HAVE NEVER LACKED FLOWERY WORDS CONCERNING GOOD

GOVERNANCE, CATERING FOR THE PEOPLE’S

WELFARE, STEMMING

POVERTY, AND THE LIKE ones perish, yet they are undeterred. Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwermadu, at the 2015 First Ordinary Session of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) in Abuja last May, shortly before the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, graphically captured the debilitating spectacle when he said: “It is sad that while the Trans-Atlantic slave trade saw Africans chained and forcefully taken to foreign lands, the harsh economic realities at home today, force our people to embark on suicidal journeys into Europe and other parts of the world. This is very scandalous. We must initiate urgent and concerted efforts to end the suicidal voyages. Accepted that greed, ignorance, and false expectations contribute to the endless fatal journeys, we must as regional and national parliaments step up

our legislative efforts to entrench good governance that provides jobs, equal opportunities, and, indeed, caters for the welfare and security of our peoples”. Harsh economic realities economic realities, indeed, foisted on the fleeing citizens by no other group but mostly their heartless leaders bewitched by kleptomania. But it is not economic hardship alone that is scourging the African continent. The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, who visited Nigeria recently, did say that growing global terrorism, war and restiveness were mainly the fallouts of bad governance, mismanagement and injustice by political leaders. Leaders, like Ekweremadu, for example, have never lacked flowery words concerning good governance, catering for the people’s welfare, stemming poverty, and the like. But have those words rubbed off on the reality on ground? For African nations as a whole; and Nigeria in particular, their readiness to provide quality and purposeful leadership that will engender peace, development and prosperity on the continent are inevitable. We insist it is the bounden responsibility of African leaders to inspire hope of a better and greater future for their peoples, not desperation to flee from

ON THIS DAY

the shores of Africa. For the international community, especially European Union member-countries now running from pillar to post in search of how best to control the influx of migrants, President Muhammadu Buhari’s remark at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, United States, concerning the safe havens some countries provide for the proceeds of corruption, is very instructive. Buhari, we recall, urged his colleagues at the meeting to “urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption; and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin”. Buhari stated, in addition: “Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross-border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth and the realization of the well-being of citizens across the globe. Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption”. This truth is impeccable. It should be taken due cognizance of and worked on.

October 14, 1982

October 14, 1994

October 14, 2014

United States’ President Ronald Reagan proclaimed a War on Drugs. ‘War on Drugs’ is a term commonly applied to a campaign of prohibition, military aid and military intervention, with the stated aim being to define and reduce illegal drugs’ trade. This initiative includes a set of drug policies that are intended to discourage the production, distribution and consumption illegal, psychoactive drugs.

Palestinian leader, the late Yasser Arafat; Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin; and the Foreign Minister of Israel, Shimon Peres; received the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in the establishment of the Oslo Accords and the framing of the future Palestinian Self Government. It was an attempt in 1993 to set up a framework that would lead to the resolution of the festering Israeli– Palestinian conflict.

A snowstorm and avalanche in the Nepalese Himalayas triggered by the remnants of Cyclone Hudhud killed 43 people. The disaster occurred in central Nepal during the month of October and resulted in the deaths of at least 43 people of various nationalities, including at least 21 trekkers. Injuries and fatalities resulted from unusually severe snowstorms and avalanches on and around the mountains of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Health & Wellbeing Facts you should know about diabetes 22

Number of people aged over 60 set to double by 21 2050 –WHO

Global vision crisis SAM EFERARO AND CHRIS NJOKU

he 2015 World Sight Day was marked globally last week just as a new study revealed that no fewer than 1.1 billion people around the world who need glasses to see clearly do not have access to such vision care. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised the alarm that approximately 285 million people worldwide live with low vision and blindness with 39 million people already blind while 246 million have moderate or severe visual impairment. The Nigerian Optometrists Association (NOA) however announced that 80 per cent of vision impairment causes in the world were preventable, if detected early. Announcing the findings of its study released on October 8, the World sight day, OneSight, a global vision care organization that provides free eyewear revealed that out of the 2.5 billion people in the world that need glasses, 1.1 billion people lack access to glasses. That means 1 in 7 people around the world can’t see clearly because they do not have access to a simple pair of glasses. According to the organization, the crisis is most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. In certain countries up to 44% of the population needs glasses but lacks the access to get them. There are 239 million children globally who need glasses, but lack access. “Clear vision can fundamentally change someone’s world and help unlock their full potential. Yet, for 1 in 7 people around the world, clear vision is not accessible. We can begin to solve this issue by bringing awareness to the global vision care crisis,” Jason Singh, O.D., OneSight Executive Director, said in a release. “We know the difference a simple pair of glasses can make in a person’s life. A child may be able to see the blackboard clearly for the first time. A parent may be better able to support their family by producing more at work, all thanks to clear vision. The immediate and long term impact is powerful.” As part of the events to mark the World Sight Day in Nigeria, NOA organized a commemorative walk and public awareness on the need for routine eye check. Echendu said the essence of the celebration was to drum support from stakeholders on eye care. “ Today, World Sight Day is marked to drum support from stakeholders on eye care to ensure that causes of blindness are identified, detected and also efforts made to ensure that members of the public receive comprehensive eye care. “We want to ensure that all those that have one problem or the other with their

One billion people can’t see clearly

Members of Nigeria Optometric Association, Abuja chapter, on a road walk to mark the 2015 World Sight Day in Abuja.

CLEAR VISION CAN FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE SOMEONE’S WORLD AND HELP UNLOCK THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. YET, FO FOR ONE NE IN SEVEN PEOPLE AROUND THE WORL WORLD, CLEAR VISION IS NOT ACCESSIBLE vision or their eye have access to eye care. “So, we are trying to ensure that access to eye care is readily available to the poor, the needy, the disabled, those that are in the rural areas, those that cannot be easily accessed either by way of road or good means of transport. Also, the Chairman of the Nigerian optometric Association, Imo State Chapter, Dr. Martin Ohiri , at a news briefing presented WHO statistics showing that an estimated 19 million children are visually impaired, just as 90 per cent of blind peo-

ple live in low income countries. To remedy the ugly situation, Dr. Ohiri said that the International Agency For Prevention of Blindness has called for serious focus on everybody who needs eye care services. Quoting the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual impairment Survey conducted from 2009 to 2007, Ohiri stated that it is estimated that 1.130,000 individuals aged 40 and above are currently blind in Nigeria. “This is why a more proactive and inten-

PHOTO: NAN

sive intervention approach should be used by governments, governmental and international agencies in tackling this scurvy situation,” he stressed. He said that the only way to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) Global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness was for multinationals and individuals to key into the call of action in eliminating avoidable causes of blindness. Ohiri further insisted that the Federal, state governments and other related agencies should take bold steps to set up at least one primary eye care centre in each local government area across the nation as to provide basic eye care services on a permanent basis in villages and the rural areas. Ohiri lamented that the high cost of eye care services and its availability only in the urban areas had caused an alarming increase in the prevalence of the visually impaired and blind in the rural areas. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Eye Care for All”

Health & Wellbeing

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

ypertension or high blood pressure may be described as an elevated blood pressure. Hypertension is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. It impairs the pumping function of the heart and if untreated, it can damage arteries and organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes which can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, and blindness if uncontrolled. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers—systolic pressure (when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes between beats). According to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, blood pressure can be unhealthy even if it stays only slightly above the normal level of less than 120/80 mmHg. The more your blood pressure rises above normal, the greater the health risks. High blood pressure often has no warning signs. Once it occurs,

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Preventing hypertension: A dietary approach

it usually lasts a lifetime. Headache, unexplained tiredness, dizziness, impaired vision, failing memory, shortness of breath, pain over the heart and gastrointestinal disturbance are some of the symptoms. There are however, different causes of hypertension. They are: cardiovascular disease, renal disease, brain tumors, diseases of the ovaries, etc. Other predisposing factors include: stress, heredity, obesity, smoking, narrowing of the main blood vessels due to hormone secretions, etc. Studies have shown that blood pressure can be lowered by having the right eating plan and a reduced sodium intake. This gives the biggest benefits and may help prevent the development of high blood pressure. It is therefore necessary to maintain a normal body weight of Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9 and this could be achieved by being moderately physically active on most days of the week. Activities such as jogging, walking, swimming, etc, will help you shed pounds and stay trim for the long term. You can do an activity for 30 minutes at one time, or choose shorter periods

Chizoba Benson

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

of at least 10 minutes each. To avoid weight gain. Try to total about 60 minutes per day. Secondly, consume the right diet and observe the right food portions consumed. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) recommends 7-8 daily servings of whole grains such as bread, brown rice, etc; 4-5 daily servings of vegetables such as broccoli, potatoes, green peas, etc; 4-5 daily servings of fruits such as bananas, apples, mangoes, etc; 2-3 daily servings low-fat or fat-free dairy products, 2 or fewer servings a day of lean meat, poultry, and fish; 4-5 servings per week of nuts, seeds, and legumes; 2-3 daily servings of fats and oils such as vegetable oil or soft margarine, low-fat mayonnaise, etc and less than 5 servings per week of sweets such as jam, etc. It is also vital to follow a healthy eating plan, which includes foods low in sodium or salt. Processed foods make up most of the salt and sodium. They include baked goods (biscuits, cakes, breads, pastries), certain cereals, soy sauce, seasoned salts, monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda, and some antacids. It is however, necessary to always read food labels to choose products lower in sodium.

Look for the sodium content in milligrams and the Percent Daily Value. Aim for foods that are less than 5 percent of the Daily Value of sodium. Foods with 20 percent or more Daily Value of sodium are considered high. Consume minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassiumrich foods. Potassium’s role in hypertension or high blood pressure is actually a result of a complex interplay with sodium, calcium and magnesium found in the blood of all living organisms. Research suggests that the risk of stroke, a common consequence

of high blood pressure, relates inversely with the amount of potassium in the diet. But be sure to get your potassium from food sources, not from supplements. Many fruits and vegetables, some milk products, and fish are rich sources of potassium. And if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Limit to no more than 2 drinks per day. Bear in mind that if you are overweight or obese, even a small weight loss will help to lower your risks of developing high blood pressure and other serious health conditions.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

ear Uche, I am 54 years old, married with kids but I do not have any sex life again. For about five years now, I have not gone more than one round with my wife and I am so ashamed of myself. I am gradually pushing my wife to have extra marital affairs. For years now I have not had a full erection as well. My semen is also very scanty and watery. Currently I am on high blood pressure medication and I am also treating for typhoid and other infections. Twenty years ago I contracted Herpes Simplex virus and I understand it has no cure. Could this be the cause of my problems? Is there hope for me? I also have a small penis which is embarrassing and I am thinking of going for enlargement as well – Femi Dear Femi everything you are going through is quite common among adults and there are various ways of handling them. But first off all, I want to assure you that your performance problems have nothing to do with the fact that you have herpes. Herpes infection is very common. It will not kill you and it has no cure. With protection, you can have a normal sex life even with Herpes. It is just that once the outbreaks come, they can be very irritating because of the itchiness of the blisters. Herpes has no cure because the virus bonds with your spinal cord and becomes a part of you. But you can still live a normal life. Now regarding your sexual problems, from what I can understand, you cannot go more than one round during sex. Also, your erection is not strong, your sperm is watery and your penis is small. The good

news is that thanks to breakthroughs in the world of pharmaceuticals, one drug alone is all you need to solve these problems. There are a few drugs out there that can handle all of these problems but the one I will recommend for you is Prosolution. Prosolution is a well-known and doctor designed performance enhancer for men that thickens the semen, gives you the stamina to have sex for long periods of time, shortens your recovery time so that you can have several rounds of intercourse back to back within minutes, gives firm erection, enlarges the penis and stops premature ejaculation. It is taken daily and it will change your life. So go for Prosolution. Power Zen Gold and VigRx Plus are also alternative medicines that can handle all these problems at once, just in case you do not find Prosolution but we have it at www.zeevirtualmedia.com – Uche I want to buy a gift for my wife that can help her enjoy life particularly her sex life. The woman has really suffered because it took us five years to have our first child and this affected her libido and prevented her from really enjoying intercourse for years. What is the best adult gift that I can give to her? James The first thing we have to do is to restore her sexual desire. Nothing does this better than the right aphrodisiac. For this I recommend the G Female Tablets. It will balance her hormones, increase her desire for intercourse and help her lubricate better as well. And then to ensure she actually enjoys sex when she gets to have it, you need two things. The first is an arousal gel and the other is a vibrator. For the gel, I recommend the Sex Accelerator Gel. For the vibrator, we have so many new ones now but if you

want the best, you can either get her the Luxe G Thrusting Plush Rabbit or the Pirate Katsunis Revenge of the Sea Rabbit. Get any of these toys for your wife and you will change her sex life forever – Uche Please is Prosolution like Viagra that you take before sex to get erection or is it a capsule you take over time for permanent results. The issue I need to treat is weak erection, quick ejaculation and I want a larger rock hard solid penis – Afam Prosolution is not like Viagra. It is made of natural herbs and substances and yes it works over a period of time to give you permanent results in penis enlargement. Within the period of taking it, Prosolution will also improve your erections, prolong your action, thicken your semen and give you stamina and quick recovery ability so yes it will help you in

the ways you want it to – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.comUche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Number of people aged over 60 set to double by 2050 –WHO SAM EFERARO

ith advances in medicine helping more people to live longer lives, the number of people over the age of 60 is

expected to double by 2050 and will require radical societal change, according to a new report released by the WHO for the International Day of Older Persons. “Today, most people, even in the poorest countries, are

living longer lives,” says Dr Margaret Chan, DirectorGeneral of WHO. “But this is not enough. We need to ensure these extra years are healthy, meaningful and dignified. Achieving this will not just be good for older peo-

ple, it will be good for society as a whole.” Contrary to widespread assumptions, the “World report on ageing and health 2015” finds that there is very little evidence that the added years of life are being ex-

(L-R): Head Reforms Unit, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr Ikenna Ozo-Onyali; representative of NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh and Head of Corruption Monitoring Unit, ICPC, Mr Akeem Lawal, during the communiqué reading session of NAFDAC/ICPC sensitization workshop on Anti-Corruption, Gender and Servicom for NAFDAC staff in Enugu, recently.

Private-public partnership crucial for healthcare development – GMD FRANKA OSAKWE

rivate practitioners take care of 70 per cent of health care burden in Nigeria which makes it vital for government to partner with them, the President, Guild of Medical Directors (GMD), Dr. Tony Philips has said. Speaking during the 23rd national annual meeting of the GMD in Lagos recently, Dr. Philips explained that the GMD plays a very important role in healthcare by assisting government in medical data gathering for planning purposes as well as other health care issues. According to him, the guild is made up of experienced

medical directors with over 10 year’s medical practice. “for you to be a member of the Guild, you must have practiced for years, you must own a hospital, be an employer of labour, be a registered doctor with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and with the State”, he said. While stressing the contribution of the GMD to health sector, he said their members are making great impact in the sector, and have played an important role in enactment of the National Health Act; from the writing of the bill to the functioning of the Act. “although government have now recognized the importance of Private Public Partnership (PPP), they still need to support the Guild by giving loans and removing import

duties on medical necessities.”, he added. Another speaker, Consultant Epidemiologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Akin Osibogun, emphasized the theme of the conference ‘combating the burden of non-communicable disease through lifestyle change’. According to him, non-communicables diseases such as coronary heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are now the leading cause of death in the world. “Younger people are now dying of coronary heart disease due to wrong choices made in diets and lifestyle. Most people consume more salt and vegetable oil rich in cholesterol. Others consume harmful drugs and tobacco. People tend to over

work, sleep less and live inactive lifestyle. And these are all risk factors for cardiovascular diseases”, he said. In her remark, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi, noted that ignorance and lack of regular checkup are largely the reason why the diseases are killing so many people. However, she said the silent killer diseases can be prevented through adoption of healthy lifestyle such as maintaining normal body weight for adults, reduction of dietary sodium intake, engagement in regular physical aerobic activities, limitation of alcohol consumption, consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetable as well as regular health screening.

pants who also siezed the opportunity to have free medical check-ups, was preceded by an aerobics session after which participants walked from the National Stadium Surulere, through Costain and back to the National Stadium. To add excitement and fun to the event, popular comedian, Akpororo was also on ground to entertain the crowd with rib-cracking jokes. It is estimated that over 60% of Nigerians are at risk of heart related diseases

which is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Majority of Nigerians are unaware of the risk associated with heart related diseases. To this end, the walk became necessary to sensitize Nigerians on the need to maintain a healthy heart as well as encourage them to engage in physical exercises regularly. Speaking at the event, Brand Manager, Disha Argawal stated that the brand is focused on promoting healthier lifestyles among

its valued consumers and the society at large. She said, “As a brand, Power Oil’s total focus and commitment is the well-being of consumers. The Power-Oil-Walk-heart-on is a reflection of our commitment to our consumers. With the rate of increasing health complications in the society, we see it as our responsibility to sensitize and educate Nigerians on the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercises as well as eating healthy”.

Power oil organizes walk for healthy heart SAIDAT ALAUSA

s part of efforts geared towards enlightening and encouraging Nigerians on the need to maintain a healthy heart as well as adopt a healthy lifestyle, Power Oil, Nigeria’s heart friendly family cooking oil brand, recently organised a walk event tagged Power-Oilwalk-Heart-On. The walk which attracted a large number of partici-

perienced in better health than was the case for previous generations at the same age. “Unfortunately, 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60,” says Dr John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course at WHO. “But it could be. And it should be”. While some older people may indeed be experiencing both longer and healthier lives, these people are likely to have come from more advantaged segments of society. “People from disadvantaged backgrounds, those in poorer countries, those with the fewest opportunities and the fewest resources to call on in older age, are also likely to have the poorest health and the greatest need,” says Dr Beard. The Report stresses that governments must ensure policies that enable older people to continue participating in society and that avoid reinforcing the inequities that often underpin poor health in older age. The Report rejects the stereotype of older people as frail and dependent and says the many contributions that older people make are often overlooked, while the demands that population ageing will place on society are frequently overemphasised

or exaggerated. The Report emphasises that while some older people will require care and support, older populations in general are very diverse and make multiple contributions to families, communities and society more broadly. It cites research that suggests these contributions far outweigh any investments that might be needed to provide the health services, long- term care and social security that older populations require. And it says policy needs to shift from an emphasis on controlling costs, to a greater focus on enabling older people to do the things that matter to them. This will be particularly important for women, who comprise the majority of older people and who provide much of the family care for those who can no longer care for themselves. “As we look to the future, we need to appreciate the importance of ageing in the lives of women, particularly in poorer countries,” says Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant DirectorGeneral for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health. “And we need to think much more about how we can ensure the health of women right across the life course”.

Exercise, smoking cessation improve depression after heart attack

...new study reveals

new study has revealed that exercise and stopping smoking may improve depression after heart attack. The study by researchers at the Prevention Centre, Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, found that at one year, 27% of heart attack patients had persistent or new depression and 11% had improved depression. Patients with depression were less frequently married, had more diabetes, and were more frequently smokers than those without depression. “Depression is almost three times more common in people who have had a heart attack than in those who haven’t,” said Dr Manuela Abreu, a psychiatrist at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. “Cardiac rehabilitation with aerobic exercise can reduce depressive symptoms and improve cardiovascular fitness.” “Patients who are depressed after a heart attack have a two-fold risk of having

another heart attack or dying compared to those who are not depressed,” added Dr David Nanchen, head of the Prevention Centre, Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. He studied 1,164 patients who were part of the Swiss Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) cohort, a large prospective multicentre study of patients with ACS in Switzerland. Patients were enrolled between 2009 and 2013 and followed up for one year. Depression was assessed at enrolment and at one year. The researchers investigated the impact of a number of factors on improvement of depression after heart attack. These included blood cholesterol management, blood pressure control, smoking cessation for smokers, reduction of alcohol for those consuming more than 14 drinks per week, intensification of physical activity, and guideline recommended medications.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Facts you should know about diabetes

iabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. In 2012 diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths. More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge. Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly.

Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from

the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world (5), and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Symptoms may be similar to those of Type 1 diabetes, but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children.

Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia with blood glucose values above normal but below those diagnostic of diabetes, occurring during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery. They are also at increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than reported symptoms. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) are intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to

type 2 diabetes, although this is not inevitable.

What are common consequences of diabetes? Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke) (6). • Combined with reduced blood flow, neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers, infection and eventual need for limb amputation. • Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. One percent of global blindness can be attributed to diabetes (7). • Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure (4). • The overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double the risk of their peers without diabetes (8). How can the burden of diabetes be reduced?

Prevention Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people

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Key facts

•347 million people worldwide have diabetes •In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. •More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. •WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030. •Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

should: • achieve and maintain healthy body weight; • be physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control; • eat a healthy diet of between 3 and 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce sugar and saturated fats intake; • avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Diagnosis and treatment Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive blood testing. Treatment of diabetes involves lowering blood glucose and the levels of other known risk factors that damage blood vessels. Tobacco use cessation is also important to avoid complications.

Interventions that are both cost saving and feasible in developing countries include: • moderate blood glucose control. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin; people with type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin; • blood pressure control; • foot care. Other cost saving interventions include: • screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness);

• blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels); • screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease. These measures should be supported by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use.

WHO response WHO aims to stimulate and support the adoption of effective measures for the surveillance, prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, particularly in low and middle-income countries. To this end, WHO: • provides scientific guidelines for diabetes prevention; • develops norms and standards for diabetes diagnosis and care; • builds awareness on the global epidemic of diabetes; celebration of World Diabetes Day (14 November); • conducts surveillance of diabetes and its risk factors. The WHO Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health complements WHO’s diabetes work by focusing on population-wide approaches to promote healthy diet and regular physical activity, thereby reducing the growing global problem of overweight and obesity.

–Source WHO

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge What I search for in actors –Udoka Oyeka

Slide ‘n’ Bounce excites Surulere fans

Role of Disc Jockeys in nation-building While the musicians are responsible for making the songs, the Disc Jockeys play a major role in making the songs favourites at parties and in the air waves. How can the DJs effect positive change in the country? DJ Nana

Regina Otokpa

usicians play a big role in influencing change in society by the messages they pass across through their music either positively or negatively, but the disc jockeys wield a much bigger influence on society. No matter how good the music, no matter how relevant the message, whether your song gets played or not falls on the Dee Jays who decide which song graces his wheel of steel either at parties, clubs, formal or nonformal events. However, quite a number of DJ’s at various listening parties organised by musicians have always argued that they could only play high tempo songs on the basis that Nigerians do not appreciate or dance to slow music. Armed with this revelation, every musician at the studio wants to produce a fast song that would capture the attention and hearts of the society, relegating the importance of passing out positive messages. The country is going through a difficult phase, we do not need these meaningless songs without moral values, what we need are quality songs with high moral content to propagate the ideals of good governance, peace, love and unity among the people. With the age long silent war between disc jockeys and musicians, especially in Abuja, only recently, an anti-corruption group under the auspices, New Nigeria Agenda made a call on the DJ Association of FCT, in an attempt to harmonize relationship between both groups. According to the coordinator cum musician, Phil Roberts, artistes and DJs barely flow together due to one reason or the other, which has given rise to the belief that the dearth of Abuja artistes on the national music map was as a result of the lack of support they get from their counterparts, the DJs. He had stressed that there was so much work to do within the Abuja entertainment scene in terms of promotion, production of quality, moral content but the first and most important step was bridging the gap between musicians and the DJs in ensuring the music of artistes, especially the upcoming ones, go viral. “If the artistes are in consonance with

DJ Jimmy Jatt

DJ Cuppy

the DJ, they won’t have to be traveling to Lagos. Relationship building is very important and any artiste who has not met with the DJ association is not ready to do music.” Placing the onus on the DJs to cleanse the society and redefine the orientation of artistes, Roberts charged them to overlook financial benefits but only promote good music. “If the DJ’s association can decide to only support the right kind of artistes not because they have been paid, you will be shocked at the outcome. People will begin to do songs that will promote Nigeria, people will begin to shoot videos without nudity because right now, they are only writing songs that the DJs can play. “We have youths that have done songs that talked about saying no to corruption, why tribalism is bad but the DJs don’t play these songs. They will tell you that these are not the kind of songs Nigerians dance to, Nigerians dance to high tempo songs so if you don’t do a song that suits what the DJs are playing they will not play it. They need to start playing the kind of music that will pass out the right messages, encourage Nigerians to eschew and say no to corruption.” In his opinion, the national publicity secretary, New Nigeria Agenda, Tony Ayodele, noted the need for artistes and the DJs to work synonymously in propagating the

Nigerian cultural music. Citing examples of the impact legendary singers like Onyeka Onwenu and Sunny Okosun had on society years back with their songs, he maintained that the group would support any artiste with passion to produce songs targeting unity, good governance and love for country regardless of its diversity. The president Actors Guild of Nigeria Abuja Chapter, Agility Onwurah, also emphasised the important role DJs play in placing society on the right track. “If you look at what has been happening, politicians come and mess up the country but it still takes us the actors, musicians and DJs to clean it up. The DJs are the ones that play the music and their message goes a long way in helping to reposition this country.” Contrary to what most people think, DJs do recognise their importance in shaping society, unfortunately lack of sufficient funds and disregard of the profession by members of society are few of the reasons behind the attitude we see some of them portray. Accepted, we could blame them, call them corrupt for playing songs without content once they are paid for, but who isn’t? Like everyone out there, they have a life to live, a family to cater for, needs to sort out. Just like Phil Roberts noted, major artistes who capitalize on established fame to

We have youths that have done songs that talked about saying ‘no to corruption’, why tribalism is bad… but the DJs don’t play these songs. They will tell you that these are not the kind of songs Nigerians dance to

capture all shows to themselves rather than support upcoming artistes for fear of getting thrown out of business, all fall under the wings of corruption. There is no justification for any corrupt practice within or outside the entertainment industry but giving the necessary support to sectors starved of funds to carry out their activities would be a stepping stone to rejuvenating lost ethics in the industry and society at large. Defending his association and members, the president DJ Association FCT, Tade Adeyemi a.k.a DJ Kaool, had maintained that DJs regardless their poor remuneration in the entertainment sphere, were not bad people. According to him, just like every other profession or vocation, the work of a DJ also entails both a positive and negative side to the job only that in this part of the world, people tend to rush to judgment. “Every job has its good and bad aspect, in Nigeria we sometimes rush to judgment. We want to project the image of DJs that they are not bad people. We want to make sure that DJs are well paid and respected in the society.” Once, the association had a platform from whence artistes within and outside Abuja were supported massively, but for the last two years, they have struggled with the crippling effect of insufficient funds, sidelining their various promotional activities. All hope however is not lost, as all hands are on deck in ensuring that soon, a radio programme aimed at promoting Abuja artistes and protecting the interest of DJs, would hit the airwaves with a big bang. Who knows, they might also reconsider the songs they play to further promote good governance, peace, love, unity and above all, encourage good content.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Mother tongue and the Nigerian child Barth Anulunkor

hen asked about the reason for excluding their children from conversation with them in their mother tongue, most parents replied that the children understand but cannot speak the language. This indeed raises a question as to the appropriateness of a Nigerian being unable to speak the language of his/her parents, the mother tongue. Mother tongue is a language original to a human community usually bequeathed to future generations by parents as a heritage. Speaking such a language goes a long way to show that an individual is a true descendant of the grandparents. Paradoxically, many Nigerians have been seen to abandon the use of these indigenous languages. It is important to state that speaking native languages is in line with God’s plan for man, as shown in the Holy Bible during the events of the Pentecost day (Acts 2:1-11), as believers gathered in Jerusalem praising God in their various native languages. According to the same Holy Book, it was God that gave man the different languages during the Tower of Babel episode (Genesis 11:1-9), and so, using them will simply demonstrate man’s obedience to Him. There are indeed great values in use of the mother tongue. The indigenous language of any society in the world contains all the ingredients for understanding, interpreting, and harnessing the resources of that environment, and mastering it is fundamental for effective harnessing of those resources. This language potential is in fact what the technologically advanced and rich nations of the world benefited from when they maintained the use of their native languages for both official and private communications. In a message to the global community to mark the 2012 International Mother Tongue Day, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Ms Irina Bokova, emphasized the need for the global com-

Mazi Erodichukwu B. Anulunkor

munity to promote the use of mother tongues because they carry unique knowledge on biodiversity and management of ecosystem that can benefit the world community. The mother tongue confers cultural identity to the speakers, with messages about tradition and customs which cannot easily be transferred through another language. Some of these messages are culturally packaged in form of proverbs, idioms, songs and music, dances, rhymes, myths, poetry etc. Mother tongue equips the child better to master new concepts in the classroom. It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem, qualities required for better academic achievement.Italso enables people to interact and adjust well into their native communities.By speaking the mother tongue, children come to share the wisdom of their forefathers. In all cultures, parents and guardians occupy a critical place in the transfer of

traditional and cultural values to children especially during pre-school years. They are a priceless resource team for children. They are in the best position to teach young ones the native language, just as they teach them other things like choice of food, dressing, respect for elders, how to pray etc. But some parents and guardians tend to believe that since English is used as medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, it will be better to teach children the language early, to enable them achieve better results in school. This is quite erroneous because there is nothing to show that monolingual English speakers perform better than their counterparts in exams like SSCE, UME, degree exams and others. Others still see the use of English as accepted fashion and simply join the trend. But whatever the motive, parents should realize that teaching children to speak their mother tongue first is more beneficial since they will still learn English, which is supposed to be a second language for Nigerians.

The corporate world is not to be left out in this effort. Measures can be introduced by the corporate world to stimulate interest in native languages as their own corporate social responsibility

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? I will pick Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who created theSherlock Holmes character. What book is your favourite? My favourite book is Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R Tolkien. What fascinates you about the book, Lord of the Rings? It is a total package. The weaving of the fantasy took the imagination of a little child away and took me into mystical worlds. That perception, I would say, changed my life forever. In what way did Lord of the Rings change your life? lt expanded my imagination and showed me the world of fantasy. What character in the book do you

Reginald Ebere

Writer/Film Director

fancy most? All the characters. The author was lucid in his characterization. What books appealed to you as a younger person? I read everything I could find. I read the original, complete works of Shakespeare before I finished primary six. I read most of the classics. I used to pick up pieces of papers I could find. I also read all the African Writers’ Series and the Fontana books. What is the highest amount you have ever spent on a book? I think it was something like N35,000. It is a book called TAO, and it is based on one of EASTERN religions. I also paid a whole lot for the book, Sex and Religion.

Religious bodies in Nigeria and elsewhere play vital role in establishing families, who in turn strive to preserve both religious and societal values. The religious leaders should therefore play a major role in promoting the native languages which are valuable assets of the society. They can do this through their sermon, as well as celebrating religious activities in native languages where possible. The corporate world is not to be left out in this effort. Measures can be introduced by the corporate world to stimulate interest in native languages as their own corporate social responsibility. One of the ways to create self-drive in young people about native languages might be to design job interviews to accommodate questions to be answered in applicant’s native language. Similarly, Nollywood actors should package their films in Nigerian indigenous languages to promote the country’s culture. Musicians should do likewise and so on. Although section 55 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria recognizes English, Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba as national languages, effort should be made to promote the use and development of other indigenous languages because therein lies the opportunity to achieve technological growth and sustainable development for the country. It is, of course, an uphill task for an individual to master his or her physical, biological and socio-cultural environments with a foreign language, yet it is the proper understanding of these that can open the door of technological advancement and sustainable development. Several African scholars such as Professor Ali Mazrui of Kenya, Gilbert Tarugarira of Zimbabwe and Bodomo Adams of Ghana have expressed the position that Africa’s own languages are central to African development and ought to occupy an important place in development discussions. As a nation, therefore, we need not ignore this opportunity of using our mother tongues to raise the science and technological status of our dear country. If we continue to neglect the mother tongues, we might be doing so at our own peril.

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ARTISTE UNCENSORED Brilliant, creative and professional are the attributes that fit this young Nigerian film director. OGAH OCHECHE He is an actor, and director whose works in the Nigerian film industry though just three in number, have made interesting, eye-catching progress and steady rise in prominence. The accounting graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington owns a movie production outfit, Applegazer and Karmacause productions. His first film was directed in 2011, The Red House Seven, ZR7, which centres around the typical life of a boarding school. His second film, Down and Out is amazing short film whose influence was quite more impactful than his first as it clinched three nominations at the Amstel Malta Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2013 including nominations for best actress; in person of Kemi ‘lala’Akindeju and best short film. The flick is the story of a young banker who was raped caught up in destiny with a young man whose situation in life was ‘Down and Out’. And here comes the big one, ‘Living Funeral’ which has been making waves because of its ingenuity, professionalism and unarguably, its wonderful touch of class in all aspects of production. It is coproduced by Orode Ryn Okpu ( PinkPearl Foundation). It scores a very high rating in the use of costume, sound track, picture, storyline, dialogue, screenplay, directing and more importantly, the use of astounding casts that made the film more interesting to watch. The film, produced in Delta state, is a touching story that sheds more light about breast cancer awareness. In the eighteen minute flick, a young girl in her teens, Stephanie Wilson (who plays a twin role; she and her sister), who was diagnosed of a terminal breast cancer, was advised by her sister to hold a ‘Living Funeral’ to ease the stress or shock which will definitely accompany her death when she passes on. It is an oxymoron, not the everyday kind of story encountered in Nollywood. The film for its emotional storyline and unusual creativity bagged eight nominations at the Amstel Malta Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2014, making it

What I search for in actors –Udoka Oyeka

one of the five most nominated movies, in categories like best actress (Stephanie Wilson), best supporting actress, a super-comeback for veteran actress, Liz Amenye Benson, Best Editing, Best use of Make-up, and Best Film; the only short film to be nominated for such a category. The film, though didn’t win any of the awards, but has made UdokaOyeka’s magnitude of contention very strong in no small measure in the movie industry. When also asked about how he got the wonderful cast for the movie, he said “Well to be honest, before this movie, Stephanie had never acted before but she was perfect for the role, particularly her look. I wanted someone who was willing to cut their hair and she was just perfect. We auditioned a lot of people- even great actresses but when we saw Stephanie, everything clicked. She was great to work with. She took direction very easily and she was very perceptive to emotions. For someone who is just acting for the first time to be nominated with people like Nse Ikpe-Etim is incredible” In furtherance, Living Funeral was nominated for Best Short Film at the 10th edition of African Academy Movie Awards (AMAA).

Well to be honest, before this movie,

Stephanie had never acted before but she was perfect for the role, particularly her look

MIDWEEK JUMP

JS Tarka Memorial Lecture holds at UNILAG

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

ormer Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume is billed to deliver this year’s JS Tarka memorial lecture. The annual event is organised by students of the University of Lagos who are of Benue State origin. The theme for this year’s edition of the lecture is “The Change Phenomenon and the Lessons of JS Tarka’s Populist ideology”. The event is slated for October 16, 2015 at the main campus of the University of Lagos. Last year’s edition of the lecture was delivered by the Head, Department of European Languages, University of Lagos, Prof. Jide Timothy Asobele who is one of the most ardent followers of JS Tarka’s political history and ideologies. Interestingly, Senator George Akume is a relative of the late Middle Belt champion and happens to be the only kinsman of Tarka to occupy the senatorial seat after the demise of the late icon, who died thirty-five years ago.

In the vein of its wide acceptance, various international film festivals has found ‘Living Funeral’ a film to be celebrated as they have chosen for screening along with other international movies. Notable among them include the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and Durban International Film Festival, South Africa. It was also premiered at the Pan-African Film Festival, Los Angeles, U.S.A. When the director, UdokaOyeka was asked of how he came about the film, he said “I had done the film “Down and Out”, which had three nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. I had known the owner of The Pink Pearl foundation (Orode Ryan Okpu) for a year or so and through the buzz of “Down and Out”, we decided that it would be interesting to work together.

She has been running The Pink Pearl foundation for six years. She was interested in trying to raise breast cancer awareness in a more creative way and that’s how the project was born. Well, to be honest, before this film came along I hadn’t thought too much about breast cancer. Through the experience of making the film, and understanding more about The Pink Pearl Foundation, I’ve realised how important breast cancer awareness is in Nigeria. I needed this for myself as well- I have a mother, I have two sisters, aunts, it could happen to anybody, it could happen to literally anybody that’s close to you. So I think it’s a message that everybody, both men and women, everybody, needs to hear about. I think it’s a film everyone should watch, I think it’s a great awareness campaign.”

Abuja Film Festival announced

nternational Film Festival today announces the list of nominees for the 12th edition of the Festival, which comes up from October 27th to 30th, 2015. The nominees were selected after a painstaking 2 weeks of screening of over 700 films from 39 countries, the screeners made up of industry stakeholders including filmmakers and film critics expressed appreciation with the improved quality of films especially from Nigeria. Films were received in all genres – features, shorts, documentary, animation and experimental films. According to Gbenga Andipe, spokesman for the college of screeners, winners will be announced at the festival”s glamorous award ceremony scheduled for the Silverbird Cinema Abuja on the 30th of October. Fidelis Duker

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

FAR AND NEAR

Slide ‘n’ Bounce excites Surulere fans Isiguzo Destiny

Di’ja

Okey Bakassi

had this much fun in a long time. It was really a wonderful show and I enjoyed myself. I wish free quality shows like this will come up more often.’ Another student, Michael Longe of Bowen University, also praised Glo’s efforts at putting a smile on the faces of its subscribers. He said, “As far as I’m concerned, Glo is the best company that takes care of and encourages youths the most in Nigeria. Check out their brand ambassadors and the events and reality

shows they organise in various cities. They are really unlimited.” The Surulere Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert was anchored by the very resourceful comedian, Okey Bakassi, who did a spectacular job of keeping the audience entertained with his spicy and welltimed jokes. There were musical performances by Glo ambassadors, Sammy Okposo, Di’ja, Bez, and P Square, with DJ Tops complementing their shows with hit tunes.

Abuja Film Festival holds October 30

BON attracts Nollywood stars to Akure

he Surulere area of Lagos witnessed an unprecedented level of fun and excitement on Saturday when the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert train came to town at the Eagles Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street. It was tribute galore for Globacom as several subscribers from all walks of life who attended the event eulogized Globacom for bringing the initiative to their neighbourhood. Mr. Yusuf Adebayo, a Lagos resident who works as an instructor at Nigerian Civil Defence College of Security Management in Abeokuta commended the company for introducing Slide ‘n’ Bounce music show. ”The concept appeals to all and sundry and it generally helps Nigerians to unwind and create time for entertainment”, he said. Mr. Adebayo who said he had been with Glo since the company rolled out services in 2003 also advised it to take the show to other parts of the country. ”Every part of the country deserves to experience this unique entertainment package from the proudly Nigerian Company, Globacom,” he advised. In the same vein, Mr. Christopher Adebiyi, Chief Operating Officer of Water Trade Consultants, Lagos, praised Globacom for coming up with the entertainment package which he said, “will soon bring more Nigerians out of their homes as it gets more interesting and highly entertaining every week.” Ronke Agbaje, a student of the University of Lagos, gushed, “I don’t think I’ve

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the screeners made up of industry stakeholders including filmmakers and film critics expressed appreciation with the improved quality of films especially from Nigeria. Films were received in all genres – features, shorts, documentary, anima-

tion and experimental films. According to Gbenga Andipe, spokesman for the college of screeners, winners will be announced at the festival”s glamorous award ceremony scheduled for the Silverbird Cinema Abuja on the 30th of October.

or Nollywood stars like Muyiwa Ademola, Tope Tedela, Chelsea Eze, Jibola Daboh and Mimi Orjiekwe among others, their visit to Akure, the Ondo State capital, October 4, was an eye-opening and heartwarming experience. That was the day they stormed the state capital to read and inspire students from secondary schools around the state as part of the Best of Nollywood Awards Celebrity Reading, a precursor to the BON Awards holding in December. This year’s BON Awards is sponsored by the Ondo State government. Held inside the expansive hall of the St. James Caring Heart Mega School, Akure, students, teachers and parents filled the hall to catch a glimpse of the Nollywood stars. And they were not disappointed. Neither were the students for whom the event held. Equally exciting for the students was the presence of the First Lady, Mrs Kemi Mimiko who partook in the reading session with the stars and select students. The book of choice was the bestselling Half of A Yellow Sun authored by Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie. During the mentoring session, the avuncular Jibola Daboh, a star of many home videos, advised the students to make their education top priority, saying, “Without education, you cannot be anything. You must learn and learn and just keep learning. Many of us are successful today because we chose education.” The First Lady lauded the organisers of the awards for the initiative, saying it would go a long way in shaping the perception of the students about life. The executive producer, BON awards, Seun Oloketuyi, said, “The celebrity reading session with secondary school students is the first of a variety of activities preceding the BON awards proper in December.”

As Peace Awards holds in Port Harcourt Jennifer Onwurah

residential Hotel Port Harcourt, wore an awesome look recently as some distinguished personalities were honoured for their contributions to the development of humanity. The wellattended event tagged, UN-POLAC International Peace Award saw an illustrious son of Bolou-Orua, in Bayelsa, Stephen Opuene Keku, clinching the trophy for his numerous activities in areas such as culture, arts and especially security. Describing the honour, Keku said he was elated that such could come to him, vowing that it was merely a call to do more in the area of culture and security. “I am

thankful and see it as a call to do more. I feel great because all what we talk is peace in our nation going by what is happening in our country today, we don’t like it, and that is why we are preaching peace. Well, the war has started, Jonathan did his best and present President is also trying his best too but one thing in this war is that you don’t overcome it one day; I believe hopefully that Nigerian will overcome the insurgency. Like I said, we have been preaching and promoting peace through our security and safety magazine which is the first and award-winning security and safety magazine in Nigeria and our Centre for Security. Most of us in Niger Delta don’t like ourselves because we are not much enlightened so the best thing is love.”

Keku

Jibola Dabo

Business

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

World Bank puts unemployed youths globally at 1.8bn 31

Oil sector reforms ‘ll not lead to retrenchment of workers –Kachikwu 28

Experts link digitalization to Africa’s economic growth 30

Apapa Customs loses N7bn revenue in 30 days FRANCIS EZEM

he current lull in Nigeria’s shipping industry partly occasioned by the Federal Government’s new policy on foreign exchange restrictions is currently taking its toll on revenue generation by the Nigeria Customs Service, as Apapa command of the service loses a whopping N7billion for the month of September. The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN had issued a new foreign exchange policy, which barred a total of 41 import items including par boiled rice from sourcing foreign exchange at the official market, as part of measures to curtail the high demand of foreign currencies, especially the dollar, leading to the fall of the naira. Meanwhile, revenue figures released by the command show that it generated a total of N23.3b revenue from Imports for both Federation and nonFederation accounts as against the N30.1billion generated in the previous month of August 2015, representing about N7billion decline. A breakdown of the revenue statistics signed by the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, which ac-

counts for over 55 per cent of total revenue collection by the service, Comptroller Charles Edike show that while N12.6 billion was paid into the Federation Account covering import duty, fees and Common Eternal Tariff CET, N10.7 billion was paid into non Federation Account for government agencies. Further details show that import duty accounted for

N11.8billion, fees N32.7 million while the CET collections stood at N733 million. For non- Federation Account, out of a total of N10.7 billion, the five per cent Value Added Tax VAT accounted for N4.6 billion while the seven per cent Port Levy accounted for N830 million even as the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme CISS was responsible for the

collection of N1.4 billion. Similarly, the 0.5 per cent ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme ETLS, accounted for the collection of N798 million was while N382 million was collected from the five per cent Sugar Levy even as the Rice Levy, which used to be the single highest source of revenue collection to the command accounted for only N1.3 billion.

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

Dana Air

L-R: Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc., Nkolika Okoli; Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Benin Zonal Office, Mrs Maureen Apata; Executive Director, Retail Banking, Skye Bank; Mrs Ibiye Ekong; and, Regional Manager, Skye Bank, Edo State, Mrs Chinyere Emeribe, and Chairman Edo State Plastic Union, Comrade Keshi Saint Lawrence; at the fourth draw of the Skye Bank Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward which took place at Oba Market, Benin City, Edo State recently.

Aviation collaboration with ICPC yielding positive results –Perm Sec he Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello has expressed delight at the positive results from the collaboration between the aviation sector and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). The Permanent Secretary disclosed this in Lagos recently, while delivering the keynote address at the stakeholders’ inception meeting on Anti-Corruption measures in the aviation sector organized by the ICPC. Hajia Binta Bello, who was accompanied by the Directors of Human Resources Abubakar Tsafe and Director Audit jibrin

Manigi, of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Chief Executives of Parastatals under the Ministry, stated that the huge potential of the Nigerian aviation industry could only be actualized in an environment that is corrupt-free, upholds high ethical standards and complies fully with international best practices. She said that as part of efforts to sustain growth, confidence and transparency in the aviation industry, the Ministry signed an M.O.U with the ICPC in December 2014. According to her, this culminated into the deployment of ICPC staff for surveillance activi-

ties at the major airports, undercover operations for detection of infractions, and mandatory training of selected staff of the Ministry’s agencies and other stakeholders on ethics, professional standards and moral values at the ICPC Anti-Corruption Academy (ACAN). The Permanent Secretary stated further that in practical terms, the collaboration with ICPC has contributed immensely to the drastic reduction in the activities of touts and unscrupulous elements at the nation’s airports. Hajia Bello, while advising the ICPC to sustain the tempo of its surveillance activities at the air-

ports, assured the Commission of the Ministry’s total support and also implored sister agencies at the airports to do same. Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, said that the Corruption Risk Assessment in the Aviation

sector inception meeting for stakeholders was rallying key drivers to deliberate and implement strategies developed to fight the menace. The Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma expressed confidence that this collaboration will yield the needed results.

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

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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil sector reforms â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ll not lead to The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has begun what analysts see as gradual but promising reforms in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil and gas industry. In a recent interview with journalists, he speaks on the thrusts of the current efforts to entrench transparency in the industry and crucial roles the Corporation is expected to play in the agenda. UDEME AKPAN was there and captures his views.

ere you prepared for your present position before taking the offer?

I have been in the private sector for decades. Things work in that sector because you cannot afford to fail. The operators in the sector usually put in place efficient systems and processes to enable them drive operations. Consequently, it is possible to predict the outcome of efforts they make. But it is not always so in the public sector because of many considerations, including politics. I thought about this and other issues when President Muhammadu Buhari asked me to come and serve in the present capacity. I am determined to confront critical issues and succeed. The President has given me a free hand. So, Kachikwu everyday, I look at what needs to be done and go ahead to do them in the crude oil to the global market gives best interest of the nation. impression that we have over-supply. How do you assess the NNPC in the past few weeks? Many people have different impressions about the NNPC. Agreed, there may be a few bad people in NNPC who might have been influenced by politicians. But, I can tell you that there are many good professionals in the NNPC. These professionals are competent and willing to make sacrifices. I have just completed my tour of the four refineries. The tour enabled me to have a proper assessment of the companies. It also enabled me to meet many personnel, learn from them as well as understand the challenges. We are currently reviewing the problems in order to adopt suitable options toward tackling them. There is no meeting point between right and wrong. When something is wrong, it is wrong. We are determined to leave the wrong in order to do the right things. We will always seek to make the right decisions all the time. If some of our decisions turn out to be wrong, Nigerians will know that such decisions were not deliberately made. But one will ensure we make the right decisions all the time because of their importance to the nation and other stakeholders. For instance, our right decisions can culminate in assisting the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Companies, OPEC, to achieve stability in the volatile oil market. The frequency in which we push our

The vessels stay out there for much longer than necessary, thus causing buyers to offer lower prices. But if we can manage the movement of oil vessels properly, we can assist to bring about stability. By this time next year, we should be able to influence oil prices to rise to $50 per barrel. In doing these and other responsibilities, we will strive to be open, transparent and accountable. We will continue to keep all stakeholders, including the mass media wellinformed of our activities. But they should be constructive in criticising us. This is because journalists owe the society a duty. They need to have the facts to be able to carry out that responsibility. In what ways will your strategies to reposition the NNPC differ from those adopted by past managements of the organisation?

We have put in place adequate measures to operate a more accountable NNPC. Auditors will be engaged to audit the account of the Corporation from 2010 to 2015 before December this year. We have also cancelled contracts awarded by the previous administration. It is not that the contractors that won them were bad. But the contracts had to be cancelled because of allegations that due process were not taken in awarding them. There is need for us to create an equal platform for all to participate so that the corporation; and by extension the nation may have maximum value for funds utilised. The contracts will be opened to the whole world because it is when we keep it open that the best contractors will emerge. Laying off of workers is usually one of the features of corporate reforms in most entities. Will your reforms come without this bitter experience for workers?

The cost of producing oil is still high in Nigeria. We need to review and get it done at about $20 per barrel. Also, we need to focus on abandoned projects. So, we will look at projects that can deliver high yields at low cost

It will not because we will not directly set out to retrench. We intend to find new creative ways and means of growing our businesses. These will create bigger platforms for our qualified personnel to work. We need to work toward becoming more credible so that we can attract adequate funds and other resources to grow our businesses. We need to tackle the various problems, especially insecurity in order to stabilise operations, reduce cost and protect personnel. It should be noted that at $100 per barrel, many operators, including the NNPC expanded their investments in Nigeria and other parts of the world. At the present $40 per barrel, operators have very limited funds at their disposal, thus leading to low investment. The contributions of everyone, especially staff are required to get the industry out of the present poor state. We are going to be very concerned about the contributions of our personnel. They should be ready to work and make immense contributions or leave others to step into their shoes. What major conditions will lifters of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crude oil be expected to meet? In the past, all kinds of vessels were involved in crude oil lifting. Indeed, there was speculation that some of them were involved in illegal activities. We did not directly go out to confront them. We have asked the oil companies that use them to guarantee that they will operate in line with global best practices. Already,

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

retrenchment of workers â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Kachikwu many oil companies have guaranteed for them. In other words, the oil companies have taken responsibility through their letters of comfort sent to us. We have no problem with that because the oil companies have taken responsibility. The lifting of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crude oil is a serious duty. This explains why we have gone this far towards ensuring that only credible owners are allowed to take part. In what ways can the NNPC assist to ensure the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB is passed without further delay? We will take part in the process of getting the PIB passed. But it should be understood that getting the PIB passed is the responsibility of the National Assembly. We intend to play a supportive role. But we will not wait for the PIB before doing what we are supposed to do. We will continue to do our best in many areas, including the upstream sector with the cooperation and support of stakeholders. We need the support of stakeholders, especially the International Oil Companies, IOCs, to invest, explore and produce more crude oil and natural gas. We intend to go and sit with them at their foreign headquarters to discuss. If we can reach agreements in major areas, including costing, it will be possible for us to increase investments in oil and gas with or without the PIB. We will look at alternative funding. The NNPC/Chevron alternative funding model shows that this is possible. We are sure that by December, this year, we will get more visible and viable projects through alternative funding arrangements. These will include foreign funds, and bonds among others. But we need to produce in a very cost effective manner. The cost of producing oil is still high in Nigeria. We need to review and get it done at about $20 per barrel. Also, we need to focus on abandoned projects. So, we will look at projects that can deliver high yields at low cost. We should market our potentials to the world because capital goes to those who desire it. We are ready to move around the world to attract the huge capital that we need. Indeed, the nation needs huge funds to stimulate and sustain operations in the coming years. Will the private companies currently managing some NPDC fields be allowed to continue? The NPDC is our only subsidiary involved in oil and gas exploration and production. The company is currently producing over 200,000 bpd. We are determined to assist the company to do better. With adequate planning, NPDC should be able to produce 300,000 bpd in the next few years. It should be noted NPDC is involved in the management of some fields. There are others that are

We are also considering the use of relevant technologies to monitor the pipelines.

The host communities will be involved. We have actually build packages of incentives to encourage stakeholders,

especially the youth to make immense contributions jointly managed by the NPDC and its indigenous counterparts. We will encourage such joint management model to exist because it enables decisions and actions to be taken much faster than before. As a state owned company, NPDC has good professionals. But it lacks the speed of tackling issues as they occur because of government bureaucracy. In other words, if we want to build a bigger, efficient, proactive and profitable organisation, then we must get the private sector involved for a reason. We have the field but they have the speed. Which resource will you promote for domestic use? For years, the nation has depended on increased consumption of kerosene. This is illustrated in the government decision to subsidise the price of the product. But we intend to promote increased utilisation of cooking gas for some reasons. First, the nation has huge reserves of gas. Second, it is cleaner than other resources. Consequently, one needs to shift to gas. Already, NNPC gas supply has increased by 200 percent. We will also encourage increased use of other resources because of availability. For instance, solar energy is abundant in the North and should be properly harnessed for use. Coal is abundant in the East and should also be harnessed for use. Can you comment on pipeline vandalism that has become too frequent in recent times? It is unfortunate that we are still experiencing pipeline vandalism in the industry despite efforts made to eliminate or reduce it. The use of the armed forces, especially the military and Nigerian Security Service as well as the police will continue. We are also considering the use of relevant technologies to monitor the pipelines. The host communities will be involved. We have actually build packages of incentives to encourage stakeholders, especially the youth to make immense contributions. The NNPC personnel will also be deployed to assist in one way or another. Others such as opinion and com-

munity leaders will play different roles because the task of securing the pipelines cannot be placed on the shoulders of a few persons and institutions. It is the collective responsibility of everyone to ensure the pipelines are protected nationwide. What is your assessment of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four refineries? We have four refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna with 445,000 barrels per day, bpd capacity. These refineries were built many years ago. So, we must appreciate the efforts of engineers in keeping them operational. We need to give them independence and support to do more. We also need to move from providing social services to business. We must ensure we maintain the plants to enable them refine crude oil allocated. This is very important because the average operational capacity of the refineries is only 30 percent now. We need them to attain at least 60 percent operational capacity. It is at that level that they can break even and make profit. We will even want them to do more than 60 percent on a sustainable basis in the next three months. Any refinery that cannot meet that target will be shut. It is better for us to sell the crude and generate reve-

nue for the government than breed corruption in the process of allocating crude oil to plants that do not have the capacities to refine it. If the refineries were my personal assets, I will sell them. But they are not mine. They are still important national assets and will not be sold now. We intend to ensure they are well-maintained. But I will seek the approval of Mr. President to sell shut should they become unprofitable to run. But Nigerians should know that the problem is not limited to the refineries. We must also get the pipelines to work in order to enable us deliver crude oil to refineries as well as distribute petroleum products nationwide. At present, our pipelines are frequently vandalised. This affects the supply of crude oil and distribution of products nationwide. It is very uneconomic and unprofitable to use other options. Also, the PPMC has to be unbundled to perform more efficiently in meeting the expectations of the government and the general public. This is important, particularly because President Muhammad Buhari is way concerned about the welfare of Nigerians, especially the poor. What will you do to promote local content? We in NNPC have always supported the development of local content in the industry. We will continue to ensure that indigenous personnel and companies

with adequate capacities are engaged to execute various projects. But we will not compromise safety. Local content is key but we will definitely not compromise safety. This means that we will consider safety and related issues in deciding who works for the Corporation.

Kachikwu

Business News

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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GTB, AFD launch N3bn SME growth initiative fund ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in partnership with Agence Française de Développement, AFD, is set to launch N3 billion Ariz Portfolio Guarantee Scheme, aninitiative designed to boost financing for business start-ups and development projects in Nigeria. The partnership with GTBank, which is the first in Anglophone Africa, is to support the growth of SMEs by providing a risk sharing mechanism on loan advances. The Ariz Portfolio Guarantee Scheme, which is to provide banks, private equity investors and other financial institutions a safer platform to increase participation in SME financing would provide foreign guaran-

tees to local credit facilities advanced to SMEs. Since its inception in 2008, The Ariz Portfolio Guarantee Scheme has expanded to over 20 francophone countries in Africa, and has teamed up with more than 40 partner banks worldwide. The scheme has seen a steady rise in the number and volume of guarantees allocated (up 80 per cent annually over the past 3 years) and an increasing number of companies have been able to develop each year, with thousands of jobs created. According to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Denys Gauer, Small and Medium enterprises have a key role as drivers of economic growth and employment. He said however, despite the widespread presence of SMEs

in Nigeria, the sector faced major obstacles such as the limited access to bank financing, mostly because of the risk factor associated with SMEs. “The objective of this scheme is to facilitate SMEs’ access to finance by supporting the development of the GTBank portfolio of SME loans.”, the Envoy said The Managing Director/CEO

of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said that empowering small and medium scale enterprises remained pivotal to the sustenance of growth and development in emerging economies across the world. According to him, the sector remained crucial to the economic make-up of Nigeria but contributed little to the national GDP.

He declared: “Our partnership with AFD is the first for any Anglophone speaking country and reaffirms the bank’s commitment to building a strong SME sector buoyed by easy access to long term financing. As a bank, we will continue to provide solutions to help smaller businesses build capacity and improve their knowledge of managing businesses.

EU auto industry to toughen pollution tests

he European Union auto industry sounded a warning in the push to toughen pollution tests after Volkswagen AG’s diesel-engine deception, saying future EU checks need to be “realistic” so they don’t drive up car prices, weaken sales and cause job losses. The salvo by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association comes as EU governments prepare their verdict on the details of an inspection regime penciled in for September 2017 that will gauge emissions of smog-causing nitrogen oxides under real driving conditions as well as in laboratories. The EU, where most cars are powered by diesel, wants new models to be tested on the road because of evidence that real-driving emissions are 400 percent to 500 percent higher than in labs. As part of the plan to test actual driving emissions, the European Commission intends to phase in over two further years enforcement of the current legal limit on NOx of 80 milligrams a kilometer, an EU official familiar with the matter said last week. Between

September 2017 and September 2019, real-driving emissions would be allowed under the commission proposal to exceed permissible discharges in laboratories by as much as 60 percent, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Without realistic time frames and conditions, some diesel models could effectively become unaffordable, forcing manufacturers to withdraw them from sale,” the European automakers’ association, also known as ACEA, said in a statement on Monday in Brussels. “This could have repercussions upon consumer choice as well as employment in the wider automotive sector.” The revelation last month of Volkswagen’s deception, which involved fitting diesel engines with software to cheat U.S. checks on NOx emissions, has left Europe rushing to address weaknesses in its regulatory system. The commission, the 28-nation EU’s executive arm, aims for the bloc’s governments to vote on its proposal for tougher tests by the end of October.

L-R: Monday Ani, RSM North West, Mr Christian Okoye, Promasidor distributor in Kano receiving award plaque from Mr Kunle Ayeni, DSM West, during Promasidor Distributors Forum held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates…recently

Experts link digitalization to Africa’s economic growth Johnson Okanlawon

ransforming Africamade solutions to meet its developmental aspirations has become imperative if the continent hopes to actualize its economic potential, experts have said. At the Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series, the participants expressed their support to build a new cadre of business and entrepreneurship leadership to trigger the continent’s renaissance. Speaking on the topic, “Dig-

E-PPAN tasks PoS operators on awareness creation Tola Akinmutimi

he Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has called on Point of Sales (POS) terminal operators and regulators to create more awareness about the functions and benefits of the financial transaction tools to the economy with a view to improving their use nationwide. The association’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Onajite Regha, who made the call on Monday in Lagos during an interview with

NAN, pointed out that increased awareness would help increase acceptance of e-payment options in the country. While noting that many Nigerians were still not conversant with the mode of operation of epayment platforms, she explained that sustained sensitization about the benefits to users and the economy would help allay fears of people who still had doubts about the transparency of the epayment system. Regha, who said that lack of proper enlightenment on the part

of the operators was a reason why majority of people were still ignorant of the service, believes that there is need to increase the capacity to accommodate the number of banked and even unbanked in Nigeria under the epayment scope. She hinted that the association observed from previous campaigns on the cashless policy that the masses were excited about the payment system and ready to adopt it as channel for their financial transactions if encouraged.

italization and Business Sustainability in the new World, the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, said the bank was willing to help individuals and businesses gain insight on how they can leverage digitalization and technology to develop their businesses and the Nigerian economy. She described digitalization as the way of the future, while the development of a vast entrepreneurship class will be crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty. “The benefits of digitalization are obviously huge for any business or economy. In looking at today’s global economic landscape, businesses of every size need to overhaul their processes and applications if they hope to compete and succeed,” Daivid-Borha stated. An internationally acclaimed rocket scientist, motivational speaker and innovator, Siyabulela Xusa, who expressed delight to be visiting Nigeria for the first time, said that with science and technology being the bedrock of any nation’s productive capacity, Africa must focus on developing local capacity, part of which includes to

‘be ruthlessly curious.’ Xusa, who won global acclaim for developing a cheaper and safer rocket fuel, said Africa needs ‘a revolution in innovations’ in order to put the continent on the path of growth and greatness. According to him, Nigeria must lead the quest and others will follow. “Instead of buying technology and innovation, we should develop the African capacity to create innovations,” Xusa said. He noted that with Africa’s huge and young population, the abundance of talents and natural resources, vast consumer market and cheap labour are opportunities that can propel strong growth, if well harnessed. The Chief Executive Officer and founder of Interswitch Limited, Mr. Mitchel Elegbe, used the story of Interswitch, which he has nurtured into a leading pan-African integrated payment giant, to illustrate the transformational power of digital technology. He reiterated that there are huge opportunities for African companies in the digital and innovation space, and only requires the ability to recognize such opportunities for growth and development.

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Business News

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

World Bank puts unemployed youths globally at 1.8bn …says economies must create 600m jobs yearly to tackle menace

he World Bank has reported that young people currently neither in employment, education or training at 1.8 billion, representing about one third of the world’s population. According to the multilateral institution, of the one billion more youth that will enter the job market in the next decade, only 40 per cent are expected to be able to get jobs that currently exist. The global economy will need to create 600 million jobs

over the next 10 years - five million jobs each month - simply to keep pace with projected youth employment rates. The Bank in its latest report released on Monday stated that reversing the youth employment crisis is a pressing global priority and the socioeconomic cost of inaction is high. The inaugural report, entitled Toward Solutions for Youth Employment: A 2015 Baseline Report, was released today by Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) - a multistakeholder global coalition established to improve youth

access to work opportunities. It stated further that the coalition emerged froma partnership started by the World Bank Group, Plan International, the International Youth Foundation (IYF), Youth Business International (YBI), RAND, Accenture, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The S4YE Coalition Manager, Mr. Matt Hobson said: “Young people account for 40 percent of the world’s population - the largest youth generation in human history - but

Olusegun Koiki

the opportunity granted for them to serve in the organization. Commissioning the Signpost, Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki commended the Corps members for their sacrifice and foresight.

productive work. This contributes to inequality, spurs social tension, and poses a risk to present and future national and global prosperity and security. The report provides a baseline of trends, identifies constraints, and provides potential solutions to the youth employment crisis based on knowledge of successful and promising programs. It also highlights specific population - young women, youth in conflict-affected and fragile states, as well as rural and urban youth - that requires dedicated attention.

NATCA boss urges FG to probe aviation sector

Corps members recount benefits of service year at BPE T embers of the 2014 Batch C and 2015 Batch A of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for their mandatory oneyear national service have pledged to be good ambassadors of the privatization agency. Speaking at the presentation/ unveiling of a BPE Signpost erected by the Corps members at the Bureau’s office in Abuja on Monday, leader of the Corps members, Mr. Ngbede Daniel Oloche said the experience they gained during their service with the Bureau had adequately equipped them for any challenge in their future endeavours. He said as a reform agency, the Bureau had taught them to live by the rules and to do things transparently which they have imbibed and would replicate the virtues in whatever capacity they found themselves. Oloche said the decision to erect the Signpost was borne out of their desire to contribute to national service and in particular, to show appreciation to the BPE for

they are disproportionately affected by unemployment. This is a persistent problem. “Approximately 30 percent of young people are not in employment, training or education, and around the world, young women are worse off. We need to act now, and we need to act together if we are going to realize the significant opportunities presented by this many young people today,” he added. The report noted that while circumstances differ in various regions, the issues remain the same - the world’s youth are unable to find sustainable

he President of the Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, NATCA, Mr. Victor Eyaru, has urged the Federal to immediately extend the ongoing probe in the oil and gas sector into Nigeria’s aviation industry in view of the high level of corruption in the sector.

This is just as he canvassed the extension of most of the airports aprons, completion of abandoned terminal buildings and creation of more jobs in view of the planned new national carrier, amongst other infrastructure development initiatives. Speaking at the 44th Annual General Meeting, AGM, and conference of the the President of the association, Eyaru la-

L-R: Chairman Ferretti Holding, Alberto Ferretti; Celebrity Designer, Agatha Moreno; Managing Director, Ferretti Construction Services Nigeria Limited, Andrea Cortinovis and Consul General, Consulate General of Italy, Andrea Pompermaier during the launch of Regents Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday

mented that the sector was unable to perform its functions as a result of myriads of corruption in the system. He also called for restructuring exercise in the industry, stressing that this would lead to drastic reduction in corruption in the system while duplication of departments, directorates and functions by agencies would be adequately addressed. According to him, Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, formed only 12 per cent of the total staff strength of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, as against 45 and 70 per cent for other sister organisations outside the country. He insisted that the shortage of professionals in the agency was responsible for paucity of funds, adding that this has led to the slowdown of timely renewal of facilities and training of core aviation professionals in statutory areas to ensure proficiency in air safety.

He said, “It is ripe here to call on the Federal government to urgently address issues bothering on the construction of a new control tower for Kaduna airport to replace the one that got burnt in April last year.”

PwC journal appraises Nigeria’s money laundering, tax, other issues

he challenges facing financial institutions around strategic cost management, regulatory issues in relation to anti money laundering compliance and the need for robust recovery planning by Nigerian banks especially in the face of an uncertain global economic environment are among key issues examined in the latest edition of PwC Nigeria’s Financial Services in Nigeria Journal. The Journal, which is in its second edition and was released recently in Lagos, featured insights from subject matter specialists from Nigeria and beyond and is a

product of the firm’s rich knowledge base gathered from many years of operating in this market and supporting some of the biggest financial institutions in the country. The journal explored in detail the current tax regime for Nigerian insurance companies which is believed to unduly put the companies at a tax disadvantage when compared with other companies in the financial services sector. The Transfer Pricing issues within the financial services industry was also discussed with clarification provided

for rules in the various Tax Acts around transactions between related parties and with emphasis on the need for taxable entities to observe the arm’s length principle. In addition, the publication also featured an analysis of Nigeria’s real estate market, highlighting the trends, opportunities and risks for investors while also examining the new auditor reporting standard issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), with a focus on what will be changing in the auditor’s report going forward.

It listed some of the opportunities in the real estate sector to include Africa’s significant higher investment returns, the entry of more specialist investors, and a demand that outstrips the supply for highquality retail, office and industrial space. On money laundering, the journal noted that the anti-money laundering (AML) regulators in advanced country were shifting from a documentation-compliance based approach to a collaborative risk-based approach as advocated by the global inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force.

Business News

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brazil seeks review of rice importation policy Commonwealth countries Olufemi Adeosun

razilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Elvado Silva Junior, has made a strong case to Federal Government on the need to remove the barriers on rice importation, adding that doing so would boost Nigeria’s food security for its teeming population. Junior, who led a delegation of 20 companies to Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in Abuja, said that Brazil was keen on exporting its quality rice to Nigeria. The Envoy said: “The main target of Brazilian investors is on rice importation. We wish to bring our high quality rice to Nigeria and we will appreciate if the Nigerian Government can relax its barriers on rice importation. Brazil is desirous of offering its rice to Nigeria as a continental proportions and the cutting-edge technology employed in industrial processes.”

“Brazil has a highly qualified and innovative rice industry that boasts a high technological standard, with a focus on exclusive and efficient service to the most demanding requirements of international food supply. Brazilian companies offer expressive flexibility in meeting specific needs sought by consumers from different countries, based on logistical and consumption characteristics”, he added. In her remarks, the NIPC’s Executive-Secretary, Mrs Uju Hassan-Baba noted that Brazil had a lot to offer Nigeria in terms of technological transfer and innovation, adding that Nigeria is a major market itself. “We want to borrow a leaf from Brazil to be a major producer, consumer and be the net exporter in the areas where we have comparative advantage. “The NIPC has remained in the vanguard for enhancing Nigeria’s business climate having reestablished its role as the pivot and flagship of investment pro-

motion and facilitation in Nigeria, the Commission now enjoys tremendous goodwill, recognition and respect from various stakeholders”, Baba added. The Vice President of Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce &Industry, Mr Ladan Jubril expressed optimism that the partnership would see Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in agricultural production with the application of technology, to improve its economy. Jubril said the Federal Government was making serious efforts aimed at liberalizing investors’ entry and at strengthening protections for foreign investment, promote openness and generally made investment environments more favourable for inward Foreign Direct Investment. The trade volume between Nigeria and Brazil was $12million in 2014, with Nigeria’s export value to Brazil totalling $8million compared to Brazil’s exports valued at $4 million to Nigeria.

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Executive Director, Credit and Risk Management, Zenith Bank International Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and Head, Main Board, Listings, Sales & Retention, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Tony Ibeziako when Fidelity Bank sounded the gong to mark the close of business on the floor of the Exchange at the weekend.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s contribution to mobile tech market hits $100bn–Report Isaiah Erhiawarien

ountries in sub-Sahara Africa have contributed $100 billion to the growth of the global mobile technology market, a report by the GSMA has revealed. The GSMA in its Mobile Economy Report for sub-Saharan Africa 2015 launched in South Africa indicated that the mobile industry in sub-Saharan Africa contribution report for 2014 represented an equivalent to 5.7 percent of the region’s GDP. The report also found that mobile technology is playing a central role in sub-Saharan Africa by addressing a range of socioeconomic challenges, particularly digital and financial inclu-

sion, and enabling access to vital services such as education and healthcare. According to the research group, mobile operators directly contributed US $31bn, representing 1.7 percent of GDP noting that this economic contribution is set to increase over the coming years, as mobile operators continue to extend connectivity to unconnected populations across the region and roll out new mobile broadband networks and services. The report stated further that the industry was forecast to contribute US $166bn in value to the region by 2020, equivalent to eight percent of expected GDP by this point. Acting Director General and Chief Technology Officer at the GSMA Alex Sinclair, commenting

on the report said that the mobile industry remains a key driver of economic growth and employment in sub-Saharan Africa, making a vital contribution given the population growth and high unemployment levels seen in many countries in the region. He said that despite revenue and margin pressures, local mobile operators continue to invest heavily to extend network coverage to serve unconnected communities and accelerate the migration to high-speed 3G/4G mobile broadband networks. “Mobile technology is also playing a central role in sub-Saharan Africa by addressing a range of socio-economic challenges, particularly digital and financial inclusion, and enabling access to vital services such as education

adopt action plan ahead of global event

ommonwealth countries taking part in the group of nations’ preparatory meeting last week in London ahead of the forthcoming 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) have adopted an action plan towards achieving consensus at the international conference next month. The conference, which will allocate new spectrum for radio communications, including for international mobile telecommunication (IMT) services will take place from 2 to 27 November 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). A statement by the World Telecommuniction Organisation, WTO, on Monday indicated that all regional groups– whose positions guide the WRC process–include Commonwealth countries among their members. It stated that the three-day London meeting which ended last Friday was an opportunity for members of these regional groups to better appreciate the views and positions of other regions and help achieve greater consensus. The meeting elected a Bureau to coordinate the views of Commonwealth countries

during the Conference next month. The Bureau includes Dr Edmund Katiti (Uganda) as the WRC Commonwealth Coordinator; representatives from Canada, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, UK and the Caribbean as Vice-Coordinators; and Edmund Fianko (Ghana) as the WRC Commonwealth Rapporteur. Agenda Item Coordinators were also appointed. Sharing his satisfaction at the end of the three-day meeting, the CTO’s Secretary-General, Mr. Shola Taylor, said he was satisfied that “this meeting has helped to better understand the various positions by different regions, and has also highlighted areas where clarity was still required, and we are grateful to the ITU for its contributions throughout our discussions”. The initiative of the London pre-WRC-15 meeting by the CTO is part of a wider programme of activities to implement a specific mandate of Commonwealth ICT ministers at their meeting held in London in March 2014 to coordinate all ICT matters in the Commonwealth. Earlier this week, less than a month after assuming office, Taylor had met with Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of the ITU in Geneva to discuss wider collaboration between the two organisations.

Akwa Ibom Governor decries tax evasion rate

kwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has decried the high rate of tax evasion in country, describing it as inimical for national development. Emmanuel said this at the opening of the Mandatory Professional Training Programme of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Uyo on Monday. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Mr Akan Okon, restated that revenue from tax was a major source of funding for governments in most countries. He also called for effective tax education in Nigeria with a view to motivating a high degree of compliance by the people. The governor urged tax administrators to create public awareness, to enable Nigerians to understand tax-related legislation and procedures. According to him, such en-

lightenment will re-awaken in people a consciousness to be patriotic and see it as their civic responsibility. “Tax is a major source of government’s revenue in many countries. People see tax as their civic duty and pay it willingly. But here, there is a high degree of tax evasion and avoidance. The little money government gets through taxes is through civil servants as their taxes are deducted from source,’’ he said. The governor gave an assurance that his administration would partner CITN to build the confidence and trust of the people. He also said that the state would ensure judicious application of tax payers’ money to meet the people’s needs. Earlier, the Vice-President of CITN, Mr Cyril Ede, said the institute placed high premium on capacity building and training of its members to achieve efficiency in service.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Global rig count shows drop in oil, gas exploration 37

OPEC raises hope on demand for oil

Kachikwu intensifies transperancy campaign in NNPC 36

Consumers anxiety mounts as electricity supply slumps

Power plant

The supply of electricity had hovered at over 4,600 megawatts, in the third quarter of this year, raising consumers hopes that things may soon be better after decades of unstable electricity in the country for decades. But then, the hopes appear to have been dashed or gradually fizzling as the past few weeks have continued to record shortfalls with total generated power ebbing to 3,600mw. UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report on the uncertainties over the dwindling quantum of generated power in the country and issues involved.

he hearts of many consumers of electricity had leapt for joy in the third quarter of 2015 when supply rose to over 64,000 megawatts, mw. The increase was mainly as a result of increased gas supply to power plants. Consequently, no fewer than 64 per cent of Nigerian households experienced significant improvement in power supply over the third quarter Q3 2015 (July-September 2015).

This value represents a huge increase by 37 points in this category of Nigerian households from second quarter of 2015 which only 27per cent of households saw improvement. The NOIPolls Limited confirmed in its latest findings that 69 per cent recorded an all time high improvement in power supply to households over 33 months of power tracking by NOI Polls. It noted that the opinion poll was conducted from Q1 2013 to Q3 2015. It involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample. According to

the poll, a total of 33,000 phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country were interviewed within a 33-month period. The increase in available generation from 4,517 megawatts (mw) to 4,545mw within two weeks as announced by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), may have further confirmed that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is developing. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali maintained that the reason for the noticeable relative stability in supply is attributable to improvements across the electricity supply value chain, including gas supply, reduced vandalism and upgrade of generation facilities by the new investors. Pipeline vandalism, which has been a major challenge to increased output from the power plants, it was gathered, has reduced

drastically since The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Joint Venture companies also confirmed that there have not been any incidents of vandalism of pipelines in the past one month. This has resulted in increased and sustainable gas supply to the power sector. Besides, the result of investments made by the privatised successor companies, which unbundled the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has started to manifest after one and half years the companies were handed over to them. For instance, Egbin Power Plc and Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited added more than 1000 megawatts (mw) to the capacities they inherited at the time of handover. As at the beginning of this week, generation from Egbin power plant rose from 1000mw two weeks ago to 1016MW as against a max-

imum output of 500MW at handover. Sahara Power Group and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), owners of Egbin power plant and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company indicated that gas supply to the plant increased considerably. They said the improvement in generation was also due to continued investment and upgrade activities on the plant. They assured that the improvement in supply will not only be sustained, but improved upon adding of the six turbines of the power plant that are currently operational. Egbinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Peavey said about N50 billion has been invested in the power company post-privatisation with continuing investment in new technology, innovativeness, professionalism and human capital development. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Consumers anxiety mounts as electricity supply slumps CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

owners of Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited also maintained that it has increased output from the asset from 160MW on takeover on November 1, 2013 to 635MW and plans to expand it to 2,200MW in the next three years. Investigations showed that the Corporation made progress in the EastWest gas pipelines. As at the end of May, the Corporation was supplying over one billion standard cubic feet per day (I bscf/d) of gas to the power sector, adding that by now the production could have risen significantly. The expectation is that it will make significant increase in supply by the end of the year, adding that cumulative production for domestic use is about two bscf/d. “Over the next couple of months, Nigerians will see increase in gas supply and power. For example, we have gas at Gbarain-Ubie power plant; we have gas at Omoku, which is awaiting the power plant and we have gas at Egbema power plant. When you bring all these gas volumes together, we have close to 2bcf/d, but not all of these are in active generation today. It is either the power plant is not ready or the power evacuation is not ready.” “On the western side of Nigeria, the Lagos pipeline is almost completed. We have completed and commissioned Lagos to Oben; completed Emure to Itoki and the line from the Benin end to Emure is progressing very well. The expectation is that before the end of August, the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline would have been completed. With all these on stream power supply will improve considerably,” NNPC added. But it is doubtful whether this would be as supply has started to fall because of increased vandalism of pipeline, leading low reduced gas supplies to power plants. Consequently, the electricity supply has dropped significantly in Nigeria because of low gas and poor states of some power stations. The power generation which had surged to over 4,600 megawatts, mw in the past few weeks dropped 3, 682.78 mw last Wednesday. The Presidential Task Force on Power, PTFP which indicated this in its latest report puts the nation’s electricity supply at 3,630.25mw. The report maintained that about 200mw was conserved to maintain system stability in the nation. A top official in the ministry of power who confirmed the development maintained: “We are aware that some of them are having challenges. But they have also said efforts were being made to tackle them. We hope that very soon, the challenges will be solved to enable them increase generation and supply of electricity to consumers.” Already, the chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi has inaugurated a 9-man committee on how to make electricity available to the real sector. Amadi said that the idea to improve

Buhari Kachikwu

power supply to the manufacturing sector came up last year. ‘’We have a written policy on how to support industrialisation by increasing electricity supply quantitatively. The whole idea is on having a dedicated power to the industries’’. According to him, ‘’The next stage is thinking about micro-grid; NERC will like to be the champion for this innovation and we are happy to have MAN as our partner’’ he enthused. MAN’s President, Dr. Frank Jacob, who read the terms of reference to the committee, noted that electricity challenge to industries can be surmounted if a legal framework can be provided to help the association reduce cost of production. He urged the committee to complete its assignment within a week so as to fast track further processing of engagement with the Federal Government. The terms of reference for the embedded power generation and micro-grid for industrial clusters include; development of policy and regulatory framework models for viable and feasible micro-grid, development of business models for prioritising the financial viability of micro-grid technologies within existing framework and identifying relevant stakeholders and key interest groups and describe what they will likely contribute to the micro-grid industrial cluster initiative.

It also includes development of a framework for grid interface, evacuation agreement, purchase obligation as well as encouragement of renewable energy sources based projects. This is in addition to identifying eligible existing incentives and to design special concession for innovative micro-grid projects that converts waste to energy. Amadi, had recently approved a new tariff from October 2015, for the Distribution Companies, DISCOS, for retail consumers. He also said the Commission is considering the review of the ‘transmission use of the network charge’, saying that the present tariff structure is very low and had served as a disincentive for investments in the sector over the years. According to him, electricity transmission should be able to pay for itself, irrespective of whatever model the Federal Government adopts in its management going forward. Amadi also made it clear to governments of Benin and Togo that they would pay stipulated commercial rates for the power from Nigeria, adding that the ongoing reform in the Nigeria electricity industry will not jeopardise international relations and strategic interests of Nigeria.” However, several consultations embarked upon by stakeholders within the sector including the DISCOs, con-

Most of our equipment like transformers, cables, lines and so on, are being imported, and the cost effect of rising dollars had affected the cost of these materials.

Gas

supply is also another issue, gas suppliers have drastically increased the price and they now feel reluctant to sell gas to industrialists due to price differential

sumers associations, and National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for tariff adjustment have yielded little results as parties are yet to agree on meeting point with regard to appropriate tariff. Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) was the first to give notice on tariff increase, other DISCOs soon followed, with consultations and debates urging consumers for understanding of the huge sums required to fund capital projects in the sector. “There is huge under investment for the past years and decades. In our case, we need about 300 million dollars over the next five years of our capital programme. We also need to borrow money because in the early years we will be under-recovering even with the tariff increase that we are putting forward. The tariff being put forward is a regulated tariff; there is no opportunity for us to make exorbitant profits out it. Tariffs will come down as the level of generation increases’’ explained the managing director of Abuja Disco, Mr. Neil Croucher. On his part, Chief Executive Officer, of Eko DISCO, Oladele Amoda, during the last consultation with customers on the matter said, “there is no way we can have stable power supply without adjusting our tariffs, because currently, we are running at a loss. The company is being run at a loss since its inception, because our investors had invested lots of money into the system, which has not reflected on the supply distribution chain to the customers.” “Most of our equipment like transformers, cables, lines and so on, are being imported, and the cost effect of rising dollars had affected the cost of these materials. Gas supply is also another issue, gas suppliers have drastically increased the price and they now feel reluctant to sell gas to industrialists due to price differential.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

OPEC raises hope on demand for oil UDEME AKPAN

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has expressed optimism for increased oil demand in the coming years. The Secretary General of the organisation, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri maintained in his presentation in Kuwait that there is no doubt that the world will need more energy in the decades to come – as the global population expands, economies grow, and countries seek to provide the energy poor with access to modern energy services. “We need to remember that many billions of people still rely on biomass for their basic needs and more than a billion still have no access to electricity. To 2040, global energy demand is expected to expand by around 50 per cent. In this regard, all forms of energy will be needed – wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and of course fossil fuels, which will continue to play the major role in meeting demand. This growth will require some major investments.” “In terms of oil, with demand projected to grow to 110 million barrels a day by 2040, oilrelated investment requirements are estimated to be around $10 trillion between now and then. With all this in mind, let me stress that there is no doubt that the world has enough oil and energy resources to meet these expected future needs.” “The most recent analysis for the remaining ultimately recoverable oil resources puts the figure at 2.8 trillion barrels. And for natural gas, it is over 420 trillion standard cubic metres. It should be underscored that despite the continuing cumulative production, these numbers have increased over the past five decades. Moreover, these numbers do not take into account the large amounts of available unconventional oil and gas resources,” he maintained. He said the industry’s past successes are a

Oil vessel

reminder that innovation and new technologies are key to unlocking the abundant sources of oil and energy in an ever more sound, secure and responsible manner. El-Badri indicated that in the coming years and decades, the industry can expect to see additional new technologies shift perceptions and prospects once more. He remarked that this will be achieved through such developments as carbon capture and storage, advancements in enhanced oil recovery and the development of new oil-based materials for various industry sectors. The scribe indicated that it all points to the simple facts that the industry’s future will require more R&D; it will need more investment; and it will need more people. He maintained that all the innovation, technology and opportunities that are created in the industry depend to a great extent on the

availability of talented and skilled people. “Unfortunately, even before the recent cuts in manpower, the industry was experiencing critical shortages. The reasons for this are varied. For one, there is a sizeable section of the industry’s workforce now rapidly approaching retirement. At the same time, the dramatic expansion in the services industry and ‘emerging knowledge’ economies has led to a fierce competition for talent.” “And the enrollment of students in energyrelated programmes continues to be a challenge. Globally there is a shortage of young people entering the industry. It is vital that this is rectified. It is the sustained support for the industry’s scientists, engineers and visionaries – the people who create new ventures, new technologies and new techniques – that will drive our industry forward and expand supplies,” he added.

U.S oil supply drops by 500,000 bpd CHIDI UGWU

with agency report

he United States oil supply has dropped by about 500,000 barrels per day, thus increasing hope for increased prices in the coming months. The U.S. Energy Information Administration report has it that the U.S. consumption has been on the rise in 2015 as more SUVs hit the road. It indicated that,” We know that oil markets are vastly oversupplied today, which is why prices are low -- but what happens when supply drops and demand jumps in 2016?” The OPEC Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla Salem El-Badri said that low oil prices would soon come to an end as demand comes more in line with supply. It was learnt that OPEC countries could plan their budgets, and consumers of oil could make

educated decisions on how much to consume and whether or not to buy a gas-guzzling car. But market forces often push oil prices sharply higher or lower depending on short term supply and demand. If big oil players aren’t careful, they could swing prices sharply higher as production in the U.S. falls. It’s been easy for industry observers to predict that rising oil prices would lead to sharply higher production in the U.S., as drillers can quickly deploy workers in oil fields as prices rise. But debt markets may not provide the financing they once did for oil producers, and OPEC probably wouldn’t allow prices to rise fast enough to cause a flood in shale investment. I’m afraid that no matter how you look at it, OPEC is winning its battle against shale oil. The only question now is: when and how fast will oil prices rise?

OPEC had predicted higher demand for its crude oil next year, sticking to its view that a strategy of letting prices fall will tame the U.S. shale boom and cut a global surplus. The monthly report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries also maintained that a weaker outlook for China would contribute to slower global oil demand growth next year. “U.S. oil production has shown signs of slowing,” OPEC indicated in the report. “This could contribute to a reduction in the imbalance of oil market fundamentals, however, it remains to be seen to what extent this can be achieved in the months to come.” OPEC said it expected demand for its crude next year to average 30.31 million barrels per day (bpd), up 190,000 bpd from last month, despite the slower demand growth overall due to a weaker outlook for Latin America and China.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

44.60

-1.10

-2.41%

11:38:24

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

47.46

-1.14

-2.35%

11:38:24

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

35,900.00

-530.00

-1.45%

11:38:30

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.60

+0.04

+1.56%

11:38:11

Source: Bloomberg as at October 7, 2015

Oil output from non-Opec countries will shrink by its largest margin since the collapse of the Soviet Union next year, marking a victory for the Saudi-led squeeze on US shale oil producers. The International Energy Agency (IEA), the Paris-based energy policy group, said producers outside the 12-member bloc will be forced to slash output by 500,000 barrels a day in 2016 to 57.7 million barrels – the biggest cut in 24 years. Opec members, led by Saudi Arabia, have resisted calls to cut production despite a glut of supply in the market as they bid to defend their market share. Saudi Arabia’s oil ministry, led by the influential Ali al-Naimi, has ramped up flows to more than 10 million barrels a day over the past six months, losing billions of dollars a month due to lower prices but strangling less efficient US competitors. “Oil’s price collapse is closing down high-cost production from Eagle Ford in Texas to Russia and the North Sea,” the IEA said. “The Saudi-led Opec strategy to defend market share regardless of price appears to be having the intended effect of driving out costly, ‘inefficient’ production.” The US shale oil industry will bear the brunt of the output cut, the agency said, slashing production by 400,000 barrels a day next year.

Energy Week

NCDMB intensifies training of Nigerians in pipe manufacturing

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has intensified efforts to train 22 young Nigerians in steel pipe mill manufacturing. Investigations showed that all the trainees were doing well in China where the training is currently taking place. The trainees, who left Nigeria on Sunday 6th September 2015, arrived China safely the next day to commence their training at the premises of Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe Company (BSG) Limited, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The training is advance preparation by the Board to ensure that there are Nigerians with requisite skills to operate a Steel Pipe Mill company currently under construction at Polaku community near Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by Mainland Pipe Nigeria Limited in collaboration of the Board. The Coordinator, Legal Services Directorate of the Board, Mrs. Rose Chukwuonwe who represented the Executive Secretary, Mr. Denzil Kentebe noted that the ceremony was a milestone event. She said that , a great stride toward realizing the aspiration of inculcating in the 22 young Nigerians the critical skills needed to operate and maintain the machines, which would be installed for the manufacture of steel pipes in-country when the Polaku Steel Pipe Mill becomes fully operational. She expressed optimism that the trainees would take the training seriously and ensure that they master the skills required for the technology transfer.

Energy stocks index slides 1.3%

nergy stocks pared some of their earlier losses this afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index falling 1.3% while shares of energy companies in the S&P 500 were down almost 1.4% as a group. In company news, Amyris shares were higher in late trade after the maker of petroleumbased consumer products today said its cost of manufacturing farnesene fell to a record low of $1.75 per liter during September. Amyris also said it has accelerated sales efforts for the perfume ingredient used to emphamize sweet, floral odors as well as for its Myralene solvent as a replacement for higherpriced limonene. AMRS shares were up almost 9% at $2.49 apiece, matching its session high.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kachikwu intensifies transparency campaign in NNPC UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has started the disclosure of statistics aimed at enhancing transparency in the oil and gas industry. The Corporation at the weekend commenced the monthly publication of its provisional financial and operational reports. The publication which is available on the Corporation’s official website provides an overview of NNPC’s operations across the oil and gas value chain (Upstream, Midstream & Downstream) as well as NNPC’s agency function on behalf of Government of the Federation from the period January to August 2015. Specifically, the report provides detailed and unprecedented statistical insight into crucial aspects of the

Corporation’s activities ranging from National Crude Oil & Natural Gas Production, Lifting and Utilization; Refineries Plants Operations; and Petroleum Product Supply & Distribution to NNPC Budget Performance Report and Federation Crude Oil & Gas Revenue. Illustrated with tables, graphs and charts, the report vividly throws light into aspects of NNPC’s operations that were once described as‘opaque’. Issues like the status of the once misunderstand JP Morgan Foreign account, management and custody of revenue from crude oil sales, actual production capacity of the refineries, dollar accrualsto NNPC/FGN from export crude oil and gas, as well as receipts & payments are laid bare. The report indicates that a total of $607.8 million has been paid so far to the Fed-

eration Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC in the year 2015 from sales of export Oil and Gas as dollar proceeds. A further breakdown indicates that the total export crude Oil & Gas receipt for the period of January – August 2015 is $3.420billion. Of the total receipts, the sum of $0.61billion was remitted to Federation Account as dollar proceeds while the balance of $2.815billion was used to fund the JV Cash Call for the period. The report notes that the receipts witnessed a sharp de- Kachikwu cline of more than 67% from To mitigate this effect, NNPC September, 2014, when the re- was compelled to sweep all the exceipt was at its peak, to July, port receipt to JV Cash Call fund2015 with dire consequences ing implying a zero dollar proceed to the Federation. remittance to the Federation AcThe NNPC informed that count since the month of April the continued decline in oil 2015. price led to insufficient cash The sum of N723.82billion for available to meet monthly Domestic Crude Oil and Gas Sales JV Cash Calls obligations of proceeds has been paid to the Fedabout $615.8m as appropriated eration Account from January to by the National Assembly. August 2015 as Naira proceeds.

OPEC predicts 3.1% economic growth rate UDEME AKPAN

he world economic growth, a major index for measuring oil demand has been forecasted at 3.4 per cent in 2016. Key emerging economies are increasingly facing challenges and while the growth forecast for China and India remains unchanged, both Brazil’s and Russia’s growth have been revised down by 0.2 percentage points for 2015 and 2016. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC maintained in its October, 2015 report that world oil demand growth in 2015 is foreseen to rise by 1.50 mb/d, following an

Oil men at work

upward revision of around 40 tb/d, mostly due to better-thanexpected data in 3Q15. It indicated that total oil demand is now forecast at 92.86 mb/d. In 2016, world oil demand is anticipated to rise by 1.25 mb/d, following a downward revision of 40 tb/d, mainly to reflect the high base-line effect. The cartel disclosed that Non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2015 now stands at 0.72 mb/d, following a downward revision of 0.16 mb/d from the previous report, attributed mainly to a downward adjustment in the US. It maintained that for 2016, non-OPEC oil supply is expect-

ed to show a clear contraction of 0.13 mb/d, following a downward revision of 0.29 mb/d compared to the previous assessment. The cartel disclosed that OPEC NGLs are expected to grow by 0.17 mb/d in 2016, following growth of 0.19 mb/d this year. It disclosed that in September, OPEC crude production increased by 109 tb/d to average 31.57 mb/d, according to secondary sources. The organisation maintained that product markets in the Atlantic Basin weakened during September due to a sharp drop in the gasoline crack spread following the end of the US driving season. Combined with increasing inventories, this caused the refinery margins to fall in the region. The cartel indicated that Asian margins strengthened on the back of tightening sentiment, fuelled by the onset of regional refinery maintenance and a downward correction in Dubai crude prices. “Dirty vessel spot freight rates saw mixed movements in September, with VLCCs showing the strongest growth. Compared to the previous month, VLCC and Suezmax spot freight rates increased by 27% and 5%, respectively, while Aframax

rates declined. Chartering activities in the Middle East and West Africa, along with port delays, supported the gains.” “In the clean tanker market, West of Suez activities were behind the marginal increase in spot freight rates, while East of Suez rates remained weak. At this level, inventories were around 194 mb higher than the five-year average. Crude and products showed a surplus of around 167 mb and 27 mb, respectively. In terms of days of forward cover, OECD commercial stocks stood at 63.3 days in August, some 4.5 days higher than the five-year average.’ “Demand for OPEC crude in 2015 is estimated to stand at 29.6 mb/d, 0.3 mb/d higher than the previous report and 0.6 mb/d above the previous year’s level. In 2016, demand for OPEC crude is forecast at 30.8 mb/d, an increase of 0.5 mb/d over the previous report and around 1.2 mb/d higher than the current year. Last year, non-OPEC oil supply witnessed a record-high growth of 2.24 mb/d. OECD Americas saw the highest output of all regions with an increase of 1.92 mb/d, much of which came from non-conventional sources,’ it added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Global rig count shows drop in oil, gas exploration STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he international offshore rig count for September 2015 was 1,140, up 3 from the 1,137 counted in August 2015, and down 183 from the 1,323 counted in September 2014. The average U.S. rig count for September 2015 was 848, down 35 from the 883 counted in August 2015, and down 1,082 from the 1,930 counted in September 2014. The average Canadian rig count for September 2015 was 183, down 23 from the 206 counted in August 2015, and down 223 from the 406 counted in September 2014. The worldwide rig count for September 2015 was 2,171, down 55 from the 2,226 counted in August 2015, and down 1,488 from the 3,659 counted in September 2014. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets. The company maintained that it has issued the rotary rig

counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. Baker Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. It disclosed that North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. The company maintained that it is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. “Collaboration is the foundation on which we build our business. We listen to our clients to understand their unique challenges and then develop solutions designed to help manage operating expenses, maximize reserve recovery, and boost overall return on investment throughout the life of an oil or gas asset.” “With 49,000-plus employees in more than 80 countries, our local geomarket teams work side by side with

Oil rig

customers to engineer reliable application-specific products and services that create more value from the reservoir whether the application is deepwater, unconventional hydrocarbons or production and water management.” “Our history of technology innovation is a cornerstone of our success. Local teams are supported by global centers of excellence where scientists push the boundaries of

value-adding technology to find solutions for progressively more complex technical challenges. At dedicated innovation centers, scientists conduct applied and game-changing critical research. We collaborate with customers to jointly develop technology for specific industry needs at regional technology centers. Engineers and scientists at our product centers work on next-generation products and services for drilling and evaluation, completions and production, and fluids and chemicals.” It added.

Oil market still battling with supply glut

roceeds from the nation’s oil receipts fell by twothirds between September 2014 and July this year, the state oil company in Africa’s top crude producer said on Sunday as it unveiled statistics aimed at improving transparency. Africa’s biggest economy, which relies on crude sales for around 70 percent of government revenues, has been hit hard by the fall in global oil prices over the last year. “The dwindling oil price has negatively affected the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) dollar contribution to the federation account,”

Oil pipeline

Oil slides on profit taking, as OPEC boosts output

the report said. “The receipts witnessed a sharp decline of more than 67 percent from September 2014, when the receipt was at its peak, to July 2015 with dire consequences to the federation,” it said. The report showed that total receipts for crude oil and gas exports between January and August 2015 were $3.4 billion. NNPC has begun the monthly publication of provisional financial and operational reports after new chief Emmanuel Kachikwu pledged to introduce the ap-

proach as part of a drive to crackdown on corruption in the oil sector. “Illustrated with tables, graphs and charts, the report vividly throws light into aspects of NNPC’s operations that were once described as ‘opaque’,” said NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe. Under Nigeria’s constitution, NNPC is supposed to hand over its oil revenue to the federal government, which then pays back what the firm needs based on a budget approved by parliament. Of the total receipts, $608 million was remitted to the federation account as dollar proceeds while the balance of $2.8 billion was used to fund joint venture cash calls for that period. Kachikwu, a former Exxon executive who was appointed NNPC chief by President Muhammadu Buhari in July with a brief to root out corruption was asked to be in the cabinet last week. Although a specific role has not yet been assigned to him, Kachikwu is expected to become state minister of petroleum to oversee daily operations under Buhari. Meanwhile, the West African crude price differentials

were expected on Monday, this week to come under downward pressure from ample remaining November-loading cargoes and high shipping costs. While lower offers helped some Angolan cargoes find buyers at the end of last week, there are about 15 November cargoes available of 55 originally offered, days before the December loading schedule is issued. “Considering new programmes are coming out soon, the market is pretty long,” said a trader. “Freight is expensive and that has put the brakes on.” The December loading programme for Angolan crude is expected to be issued on Thursday or Friday. State oil company Sonangol was heard to have sold its Nov. 26-27 Nemba cargo late last week. The grade was last on offer at dated Brent minus $1.20. Girassol was last on offer at about dated Brent minus 10 cents. Nigerian cargoes have sold relatively slowly and around 35 of the 63 November cargoes are still available, a trader said. Qua Iboe was offered at about dated Brent plus $1.50, a trader said, in line with an offer on Friday. Sold prices are likely to be closer to dated Brent plus $1.

il prices tumbled on Monday, as traders took profits after last week’s surge to an 11-week high, and on a report that OPEC continued to boost crude production despite a persistent glut. Benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 was down $1.05 or, almost 2 percent at $51.60 by 11:28 am EDT after reaching a session high of $53.31. U.S. light crude CLc1 was down $1.22 or, about 2.5 percent, at $48.41. On Friday, WTI settled at an 11-week high. “After an 8 percent rally last week and a move up to the 200 day moving average at $51, crude oil has just gone too far too fast and a pull back today was to be expected,” said Phillip Streible, senior market strategist at Chicago-based RJO Futures. Last week, the U.S. frontmonth crude contract breached the 100-day moving average and almost came within a cent of the 200-day moving average on Friday. Crude prices were pressured on Monday when secondary sources cited in OPEC’s monthly report said the group pumped 31.57 million bpd in September, up 110,000 bpd from August and almost 2 million bpd more than its demand prediction for this year. OPEC forecast that demand for its oil in 2016 would be much higher than previously thought as its strategy of letting prices fall hits U.S. shale oil supplies. [OPEC/M] Kuwait Oil Minister Ali alOmair said there were no calls within OPEC to change the production policy and that lower output from high-cost producers could support prices in 2016, adding to signs OPEC will keep its strategy of defending market share. Oil has been on a roller-coaster ride over the last few weeks, recovering from six-year lows in turbulent trade. North Sea Brent crude dropped to almost $42 a barrel in August, from a peak above $115 in June 2014, but then rallied back to an intraday high of $54.05 on Friday. Evidence that oil producers are reducing output in response to low prices has helped make sentiment more positive and many traders and analysts now expect prices to be higher next year as global fuel demand recovers. Data from oil services company Baker Hughes on Friday showed U.S. energy firms cut oil rigs for a sixth week in a row last week in a sign low prices are keeping drillers away from the well pad.

Energy Week

Saipem seals $680.87m engineering, construction deal

audi Aramco has awarded Saipem an engineering, procurement, construction, installation (EPIC) project for offshore structures including an observation platform, wellhead production deck module, auxiliary platforms, 20-in. internally cladded flowline, and composite power cable, all for offshore Saudi Arabia. Saipem also has an EPIC contract from Eni for the offshore Angola East Hub development in block 15/06. The project includes five flexible risers and 20 km (12 mi) of rigid flowlines, as well as installing SURF facilities which include umbilical sections, rigid spools, well jumpers, and 14 PLETs to be fabricated in Angola. “The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. Saipem has been awarded new E&C offshore contracts cumulatively valued at more than 600 million euro.” It pointed out that the initiatives included, Saudi Aramco Karan, an EPCI contract awarded by Saudi Aramco, which involves the engineering, procurement, transportation and installation of offshore structures including observation platform, wellhead production deck module, auxiliary platforms, 20” internally cladded flowline and composite power cable. It explained that offshore installation activities will be performed offshore Saudi Arabia. They also included Eni Angola East Hub, an EPCI contract awarded by Eni for Block 15/06 - East Hub Development Project, located approximately 350km north-west of Luanda, Angola. “The scope of works includes the provision of 5 flexible risers and 20 km of rigid flowlines, as well as installing SURF facilities which include umbilical sections, rigid spools, well jumpers and 14 PLETs to be fabricated in Angola. The project will be completed by the end of 2016.” “Saipem operates in the Engineering & Construction and Drilling businesses, with a strong bias towards oil & gas-related activities in remote areas and deep waters.” “Saipem is a leader in the provision of engineering, procurement, project management and construction services with distinctive capabilities in the design and execution of large-scale offshore and onshore projects, and technological competences such as gas monetization and heavy oil exploitation,” it added. Meanwhile, the World bank has cautioned against transition from fossil fuels must be carefully managed to avoid an economically disastrous bursting of the “carbon bubble,” the World Bank’s top climate official has cautioned.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

No plans to cut oil output – Kuwait UDEME AKPAN

he Organsation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC may not cut the output of its member states in order to achieve high prices. Kuwait maintained that there is currently no calls within OPEC to change the oil group’s production policy and that lower output from highcost producers could support prices in 2016, adding to signs OPEC will keep its strategy of defending market share. OPEC forecast in a monthly report that demand for its oil in 2016 would be much higher than previously thought as lower prices curb U.S. shale oil and other rival supply sources, reducing a global surplus. OPEC last November decided against propping up prices by cutting output, seeking to recover market share taken by higher-cost rival production. While oil is hurting OPEC revenues by trading below $53 a barrel, half its price of June 2014, there are signs lower prices are taming non-OPEC sup-

ply. “Today there are no ideas or demands from the member states to make any big change in OPEC’s decision,” Kuwait Oil Minister Ali al-Omair told reporters, referring to OPEC’s move of November 2014. “Today there are indications that a lot of high-cost oil production is starting to get out of the market and this will help improve prices.” The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets to review its output policy on Dec. 4 and the comments add to signs the group is unlikely to be diverted from its strategy. OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri, also speaking in Kuwait City, was similarly upbeat on the market outlook. “I see a decline in non-OPEC production and I see an increase in the call on OPEC,” he said. “So the situation is positive as we see it at the end of this year and next year.” The Kuwaiti minister also saw support for prices coming from a stronger global econo-

Oil production platform

my. “There are signs that world economic growth could improve by the start of 2016 and this would also add to the improvement in oil prices,” he said. In its report, OPEC pointed to a supply glut easing in 2016 and to a “more balanced” market. OPEC expects the world will need 510,000 barrels per day (bpd) more crude from its current 12 members next year than previously thought, as supplies fall from outside the group.

Non-OPEC supply is expected to decline by 130,000 bpd in 2016, the report said, as output falls in the United States, the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Middle East and much of Europe. Last month, OPEC predicted it would grow. Before the December meeting, OPEC has asked several non-OPEC countries - which OPEC has tried but so far failed to persuade to cut supply - to attend technical-level talks at its Vienna headquarters on Oct. 21.

DISCOs need 6,000 power fitters, jointers by 2020 – Okeke CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he 11 electricity Distribution companies (Discos) would require 6,069 trained power fitters, jointers and linesmen by 2020 to match the ongoing investments in the nation’s privatised power sector. Director General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN),

Transformer

Engr. Reuben Okeke said this yesterday while unveiling a with TE Connectivity of France in Abuja to train 20 installers and jointers. Okeke said with more investments in the 10 National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs) and from other investors in the sectors, there is a huge need to have commensurate power installers. He said the Discos alone would need 685 cable jointers,

741 electrical fitters and 4,643 linesmen by 2020 when power generation is expected to have hit 20,000megawatts (mw). The trainer said NAPTIN partnered with the firm, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to train 20 installers and jointers from various power firms next week. “From there, we will quickly expand the training to our other facilities where we can reach a broader audience. There has already been strong response and we are excited to see this programme expand,” he said. NAPTIN said the programme which would be replicated to train more hands in the industry will help to reduce the significant technical losses experience across the electricity transmission and distribution value chain. Okeke who noted that government is targeting having 5,000mw by early 2016 said, “All installations joints that are not properly fitted constitute technical losses. So expertise training is important to ensure that joints are well fitted and they do not over heat. This

will help to reduce the energy losses to the barest minimum. “NAPTIN is dedicated to training workers who can provide turn-around training. We will also continue to explore solutions to address the challenges in the power sector. We boldly say that with this partnership, we are looking forward to a warm relationship that would enhance the dynamism of Nigeria’s power sector,” Engr. Okeke said. TE Connectivity’s head of Energy Project in Nigeria, Ronnie Fotheringham said “As the government of Nigeria invests in upgrading and expanding the power network, it also needs to invest in its people – developing skills and expertise required to develop and maintain that network.” Its Sales Manager for West Africa, Sulaimon Lawal said the training is aimed at bridging the existing skill gap in the Nigerian power sector through continuous training and retraining of engineers and technicians for the effective running of the nation’s power sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Industry & SMEs

Experts identify hurdles to Nigerian products’ global market ratings Many Nigerian produced goods are rejected at the international market as developed nations complain about the poor standards of such products. Apart from the sub-standard quality, experts are also linking the nation’s global image or reputation to the low ratings of the commodities. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

very developed economy is rated on manufacturing capacity and standard of products in the global markets. Economies world over survive on the basis of consistency in improving productivity, better performance, and shrinking prices. Indeed, to continue to remain relevant among world economies, it is important for a country to keep investing in capacity building of local manufacturing and set standards for the locally produced goods. Although Nigeria is below average in term of manufacturing, the few goods it produces are not accepted at the international market. This being the reason many economic stakeholders are against the country’s involvement in the Economic Partnership Agreement, believing that such agreement would compound the country’s problem. Experts believed that the standards of Nigerian goods are not the real challenge but the bad image projected of the country at the global level is a major obstacle to the acceptability of the goods. For instance, the President, Oyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Adegoke Oguniyi noted that the Nigerian wire and cable was the best world over to the extent that the wire and cables were being copied in some countries. To him, image stood as obstacle to the acceptability of Nigerian goods. Although he also agreed that lack of value addition affected the country in the global competitiveness when he said that country stood behind small African countries like Ghana, Cameroun and Kenya in global competitiveness. Referring to the Global Competitiveness Report Index by World Economic Forum, WEF, which indicated that Nigeria ranked 115th out of 144 countries assessed – behind Ghana, Kenya and Cameroun, he said improving on locally produced goods through value addition must not

Cocoa processing machine

Buhari

Edem

TO POSITION EFFECTIVELY IN THE GLOBAL MARKET, EXPORT PRODUCTS MUST ADDRESS THE COMPETITIVENESS FACTORS SUCH AS QUALITY, PACKAGING, PRICING AND PROMOTION, VALUE ADDITION, SANITARY ISSUES, STANDARDISATION, COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION be jettisoned. The President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Chief Bassey Edem also agreed that Nigeria would jeopardise its development opportunity when it indulges in exporting its raw products to another country where the products are processed into finished goods. He added that by further exporting the processed products into Nigeria the benefitting countries also earn foreign exchange for their countries while Nige-

ria losses. He said: “What we have in Nigeria is low profile processing, which cannot be compared with the imported ones. We need, as a nation, to build a very advanced product processing facilities because we have the capacity, we have the raw materials. “We can take advantage of these raw materials by adding value to them. It can create local jobs for our people and we can sell the processed ones locally and also export them, the value is higher. That is where the wealth is, that is where the job is, and that is where the economic potential of our products is, which we need to harness and develop.” He categorically opposed the country’s embrace of EPA, saying that Nigeria has no capability to produce the standard of goods required by the developed nations yet. He added that would only become dumping ground for foreign products while would continue to be rejected. The Federal Government, in its determination to reform the Investment Climate, improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness ranking, and revitalise the Nigerian economy, inaugurated the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, NCCN, last year. The Council was charged with the mandate of increasing productivity and sales for local businesses that will lead to expansion and creation of more markets for made-in- Nigeria products.

However, since its inauguration last year, the Council has not made any significant impact on the economy of the country. An economic analyst, Mr. Afolabi Thomson said the council has not been up and doing in its saddled responsibility. He also alleged the Council of groping in the dark since many stakeholders were not aware of its existence. At a forum recently, experts said that the significant, long-term problems Nigeria is facing in the new Century require major shifts in mindset and consistent adaptation to new societal shifts that will serve as panacea to boost nonoil export growth. According to them, government and stakeholders have critical roles to play to drive the economy of the country to a vantage position at which it can achieve the status of global competitiveness, which could be achieved if only value and standard quality could be added to the exporting products. They also urged all Nigerians abroad to project positive image of the country overseas. Some of the areas that need improvement, according to them, as a matter of urgency, include value addition to non-oil products before exportation, development of manufacturing capacity through agriculture, as well as redeeming the image of the country among other nations. The Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, said although there was steady growth in non-oil export, Nigeria’s export is dominated by raw material including crude oil. He said that non-oil export potentials are not fully exploited. Awolowo said the major challenges to Nigerian economic competitiveness included infrastructural deficiency and weak logistics to supply chain, exportation of primary products, poor standardisation of products, inability to meet export orders, high cost of production, restricted access to credit, trade mark encroachments, and counterfeiting among others. He said: “To position effectively in the global market, export products must address the competitiveness factors such as quality, packaging, pricing and promotion, value addition, sanitary issues, standardisation, compliance with best practices, research and development, as well as technology and innovation.” He then urged the government to enhance synergy amongst relevant Ministries and Agencies, embrace best approach to quality assurance through the creation of appropriate quality infrastructure and research and development, as well as product adaptation to meet the international requirements.

Cocktail

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Woman stops intruder with medieval combat skills, sword

n Indiana woman says her training in medieval combat helped her corner a home intruder. 43-year-old Karen Dolley of Indianapolis threw punches until she had the man cornered during the Thursday night break-in. She then kept him subdued with a Japanese sword she keeps near her bed. Dolley says she learned to fight as a teenager in the Society for Creative Anach-

ronism, a group that recreates skills of the Middle Ages. She also skates with roller derby team Naptown Roller Girls. Police responding to Dolley’s 911 call arrested 30-year-old Jacob Wessel of Greenwood, charging him with residential entry. Police say he forced open the home’s back door. Police reports say he was taken to a hospital because he was high on an unknown substance.

Running couple says ‘I do’ at mile 8 of Chicago Marathon

ne couple ran away to get married ... at the Chicago Marathon. Stephanie Reinhart says she just wanted a “short and sweet ceremony.” Mark Jockel wanted a big wedding surrounded by friends and family. The 35-year-old Reinhart and 46-year-old Jockel compromised, marrying at the 8-mile mark of Sunday’s Chicago Marathon in the Boystown neighborhood. Reinhart wore a white running outfit and held flowers, while Jockel wore a tux-

edo T-shirt. They exchanged vows under a garden arch decorated with race medals. The ceremony took less than four minutes. Reinhart says she got her simple wedding and Jockel got “several thousand guests.” Chicago Marathon organizers gave the couple customized bride and groom bibs. They toasted with Gatorade. The couple met two years ago through the Chicago Area Runners Association.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

New England man offers to ship autumn foliage for $19.99 P eople who want to see New England’s colorful fall foliage no longer need to travel for the experience. A Boston-area man is offering to ship bundles of the dried up, multi-colored vegetation straight to your door for $19.99. Kyle Waring, of Somerville, Massachusetts, set up the website shipfoliage.com earlier this year and began sending his first packages of hand-picked leaves to U.S. customers this week. “I’ve hit over 200 sales so far,” he said. Waring came up with the idea while contemplating “seasonal monetization opportunities” with his wife. They settled on leaves, he said, because “fall in New England is especially gorgeous and really strikes an emotional chord.” It is not Waring’s first

foray into seasonal offerings. Last winter, he shipped snow from Boston’s record snowfall for $89, using the website ShipSnowYo.com. He said he received requests for 718 pounds (326 kg) of snow from around the

United States. According to shipfoliage.com, Kyle offers bundles of three leaves of red, yellow and green, ranging from 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) in size. The leaves are preserved in a mixture of

glycerin and water and shipped. New England states bring in an estimated $3 million in tourism revenue during the autumn foliage season, which typically lasts for a couple of weeks in October.

Fall foliage is reflected in the water at Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts in this October 14, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/Files

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 41

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

ASEAN film festival’ll aid development –FG …As Asian films premier in Nigeria Joel Ajayi ABUJA

he federal government has disclosed that the birth of the 2015 ASEAN Film Festival in Nigeria will go a long way to boost the cultural integration for growth and development in the country. Speaking during the 2015 ASEAN Film Festival at the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, said event of this nature would strengthen relationship between Nigeria and the Asian nations, going by the similarities in their cultural heritages. According to her, it is an acceptable norm that culture is globally acclaimed as the bedrock of development and a dynamic instrument for social cohesion

and cultural diplomacy that affects humanity in every stratum of life. She said: “An event of this nature and magnitude will no doubt go a long way in projecting the important aspect of a nation’s heritage, its likes and dislikes, its strength, unity and continuity amongst others. “I am persuaded that the films are designed to foster a sense of belonging of a people united by history and geographical bonds. It is also to promote creativity, develop cultural tourism, encourage free movement of cultural products, and enable artists to have greater access to the international film market. “Just like Nigeria is endowed with a long history of rich cultural heritage and made up of people of unique creative origins which is evident in our visual, literary and artistic works of music, arts and

crafts, cinematography, theatre, literature, fashion design amongst other. “ASEAN is similarly a region of enormous and colourful cultural diversity which has been translated into rich cultural wealth for your region.” However, Nigerian authority and its counterparts from not less than six countries from Asian continent have unanimously concurred that culture is a dynamic instrument of social cohesion, therefore, there is need for cultural integration among them to foster even development. To this end, embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in Nigeria under the aegis of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) premiered films to promote cross cultural integration between them and Nigeria from 7TH to 14th October

2015. In his remarks, the Republic of Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, Noh KyuDuk, described the festival as “a reunion of old friends far away from home.” He maintained that “films are particularly compelling, their beautiful story lines and images

Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

ustralian High Commission in partnership with a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)- African Rural Community Development Initiative (ARCDI), has constructed and furnished a block of library for pupils of LEA Primary

PAN urges FG, agencies to give children eggs per day ABUJA

he Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has employed the federal government to include an egg a day per Nigerian child in the school feeding programme of the ruling All Progressives Congress. PAN disclosed that an egg a day for 50 per cent of the Nigerian population would produce a daily economic value of N1.7 billion. Speaking at the just con-

cluded World Egg Day with the theme “Benefits of an egg a day for the Nigerian child,” the National President of PAN, Dr. Ayoola Odunta, noted that PAN is determined to celebrate eggs believing it would help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition as it is believed to be God’s natural pill, filled with the best proteins, vitamins and minerals. The president noted that aside breast milk, eggs have the highest protein biological value, adding that eggs were the best

follow up to breast milk in children as it contains the richest mix of essential amino acids. This, he added, is apart from the fact that it contains the perfect combination of protein, 12 vitamins and 12 minerals. According to him, annual revenue from egg sales will be N620 billion. Listing some benefits of eggs, he said, eggs prevent ageing of the skin, help in increasing the Red Blood Cell (RBC) count in infants as well as in their brain development.

the event, the chairman of ASEAN committee in Abuja, Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Harry Purwanto, noted that 2015 ASEAN film festival had provided an opportunity for prominent people and dignitaries from Asia to come to Nigeria from every part of the world.

ARCDI, Australian commission construct library for pupils in FCT

L-R: Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Gbemudu Victor; Deputy Comptroller-General, Musa Tahir; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, retired Col. Ibrahim Ali, and Deputy Comptroller-General, Adewuyi Akinade, at Customs Stakeholders Forum, in Lagos.

Adeola Tukuru,

captivate the hearts and minds of people, leaving them deeply moved.” Kyu-Duk noted that before the end of this year, his country would promote closer economic cooperation and more active human exchanges with the 10 ASEAN countries. While commenting on

He added that eggs also help to keep eyes, skin, hair, bone and brain healthy, improve a child’s concentration level, attention span and scholarly performance for “eggcellent” grades. “Eggs may prevent breast cancer, as women who consume at least six eggplant per week reduce their risk of breast cancer by 44 per cent, according to some scientific studies. Eggs for breakfast assist dieters to lose weight because of the feeling of fullness etc”, he noted.

School, Paikon Kore located in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT. This is in an effort to correct the already dwindling reading culture among school pupils, especially in the rural areas. Responding to questions from journalists, the founder of ARCDI, Ngozi Agwu, regretted that since the establishment of the school in 1955, it had never had a library. According to her, the lack of a library had partly hindered the academic participation of both previous and current students. The aim of the project, she explained, was to improve reading culture among primary schools pupils. Speaking on the efforts, she explained: “On arrival, we found a dilapidated block of classrooms and with the assistance of the Australian High Commission, we renovated the building and transformed it into this beautiful library that you can see. The library is stocked with reading tables and chairs, shelves and books racks, text books on various subjects, reference materials, computers and a section for younger children.” She further stressed that: “We don’t just build libraries and stock them up with books, we also intend to teach and support at least once a month to ensure our library club is effective and beneficial to the student’s educational development. “During the long vacation next year, we shall organise a summer education programme here with students from other LEA Primary Schools within Gwagwalada and its environs. “We have qualified volunteers who are willing to

tutor the students in Mathematics, English Language and Science, since these are the areas that most students find difficult. “We will also organise other activities like spelling bees and reading competition as part of our summer programme.” Also speaking, the Second Secretary, Australian High Commission to Nigeria, Mathew Mechan, noted that the project was a result of cordial bilateral relationship Australia had enjoyed with Nigeria over the years. “Today marks the culmination of one of the many projects that the High Commission has supported in Nigeria over the last several years through this Direct Aid Programme. “Last year alone, we were proud to support projects worth approximately N100 million to support organisations working to build a better future for Nigeria. “We have been able to sponsor projects across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones and are pleased that we have had an opportunity to support important projects, like this one in the FCT too. “I know for a fact that both Australia and Nigeria share the desire to see a better future for our children. “The right to education is one we hold dear, it is enshrined in a number of international treaties and agreements that both Australia and Nigeria have signed up to.” On his part, the headmaster of the school, Gana Zakari, disclosed that the school management would come out with a programme on how the library would put to maximum use for the benefit of all the students.

Civil Service

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group carpets critics of Amina Mohammed’s ministerial nomination

coalition of civil society organisations has condemned petitions against the appointment of Mrs. Amina Mohammed as a Minister by President Muhammadu Buhari. The condemnation is contained in a statement issued and made available to our correspondent. The statement reads in part: “We have observed some disgraceful efforts by some pocketserving sycophants against the appointment of Mrs. Mohammed, who is a well-known woman with sterling credentials, credibility, experience, integrity and track records suitable for the ministerial appointment. “We have no hesitation to clearly state that in terms of experience, Mrs. Mohammed has distinguished herself in the field of human development for over 30 years both in the public and private sectors. Her passion and commitment towards improving the quality of lives of citizens of the world including poverty eradication is universally recognised and commended. “Mrs. Mohammed’s vast experience and credibility both at national and international levels spurred her recognition and subsequent appointment as the Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning in 2012 by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. She worked tirelessly, delicately and successfully to manage the process of adoption of the Social Development Goals. Nigerians are proud of her accomplishment when the United Nations General Assembly adapted the SDGs in September 2015. “Between 2002 and 2005, she worked in the United Nations Millennium Project as a Coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and

Education. In 1991, Mrs. Mohammed founded Afri-Projects Consortium, a multidisciplinary firm of Engineers and Quantity Surveyors, where she was Executive Director. Between 1981 and 1991, she worked with Archcon Nigeria in association with Norman and Dawbarn United Kingdom. “It is worthy of note that Mrs. Mohammed has served on many international advisory boards and panels such as Gates Foundation and the UN Secretary General’s Global Sustainability Panel. In 2005 she was charged with the onerous responsibility of coordination of the debt relief funds ($1 billion per annum) towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria. She served credible as Senior Special Assistant on MDGs. “We find it worrisome that despite the commendable contributions by women to the nation’s socio-political development since democratic rule in 1999, they are under-represented in all key political decision making bodies in Nigeria including National and State Houses of Assembly. Although women constitute the greater number of voters in any of the elections held so far in the country, they are yet to be recogniSed appropriately.”

L-R: Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Alhaji Ahmed Gumel; Acting Post Master-General of the Federation, Mr Enoch Ogun and Winner of International Letter Writing Competition organised by the Universal Postal Union and UNESCO, Miss Ogechi Providence, at the World Post Day, in Abuja, recently.

Abundant opportunities abound in power sector –FG

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Godknows Igali, said on Tuesday that Nigeria had abundant untapped opportunities in the power sector. This is contained in a statement signed by Etore Thomas, Assistant Director (Press) in the Ministry of Power. The statement said Igali made the remark at a meeting he held with a delegation from the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) led by its Vice President, Amb. Robert Perry. The statement stated that the sector had a lot

of investment opportunities in power generation, transmission and distribution value chain. The permanent secretary, in the statement, urged CCA to tap into the windows of opportunities by making huge investment in the fledging sector. It stated that the federal government called on CCA, an American based support group, to bring in its wealth of technological expertise by making investments in the Nigerian power sector. The statement stated that the CCA was an American organisation established to promote

NiMet predicts cloudy, rainy weather conditions for today

he Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy and rainy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Wednesday. The predictions are contained in the Weather Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Tuesday in Abuja. It added that there would be localised rains over Jalingo,

Ogoja, Abuja, Lokoja, Makurdi in the morning and thunderstorms over Gombe, Ibi, Bauch, Jos, Abuja during the afternoon and evening hours. NiMet predicted that the coastal areas would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with localised rains over the entire region in the afternoon and evening hours. It also predicted that inland areas would

experience cloudy conditions over the South-West and rains over South-East in the morning with localised thunderstorms over the entire region in the afternoon and evening hours. NiMet predicted that Northern states would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with localised thunderstorms over the entire region in the afternoon and evening hours.

business investment between the United States and Africa. Igali, in the statement, said that power transmission was still controlled by government in Nigeria. The statement quoted Igali as saying: ``Government held transmission but now wants to open it for people to build up transmission systems on the basis of a Public Private Partnership.’’ It stated that Nigeria had vast solar energy potentials which needed to be fully harnessed. It stated that three communities in the Federal Capital Territory were currently running on solar and they had stable power supply than those living in the heart of the FCT. It stated that governors would be encouraged to facilitate access to land as building of solar plant required large expanse of land. The statement promised to facilitate easy access to governor of any state where the CCA deemed fit to invest. It stated that an understanding had been reached with the governors to provide free land

to any interested investor. The statement stated that the Managing Director, ND Western Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, expressed willingness of the CCA to invest in the power sector. It stated that the CCA’s concern was about the debts owed by the companies government sold out and the issue of commercial bottleneck in the supply of gas. The Vice President, CCA, Amb. Robert Perry, in the statement, stated that the meeting was informed by the need to meet with principal officers in the power sector. It stated that CCA came to see opportunities available in the sector and to increase trade and investment with the USA. It stated that CCA was the premier American organisation devoted to USAfrica business relations with more than 180 companies as members, half of which were owned by Nigerians. The companies represent a diverse pool of industries from Africa’s most promising sectors, including agri-business, capacity building, energy, finance, health, ICT, infrastructure and security.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday October 14, 2015

Buhari hasn’t added value to current power situation –Nebo Former Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, in this interview with ABIODUN NEJO takes a look at Nigeria’s ethnicity issue, the politics of power supply and the need to focus on areas of comparative advantage, among others. Excerpts: Some people have identified diversity as one of the country’s major problems, what is your take? I do think that diversity is crucial to survival and striving. If you become monotonous in anything, it is so easy to burn out and run out of line, but if there is diversity: intellectual diversity, cultural diversity, bio diversity, orientational diversity as the case may be, and even religious diversity, you will see that people are stronger and better formed out. I think one of the best things that have happened to this country is in those days when people could be transferred to any part of the country. There weren’t such barriers in those days as they are now. State of origin didn’t come into it. I do hope that one day, people would be allowed to be the real indigenes of where they were born, not necessarily of where their father or mother or grandfather was born. So, I see the diversity that we have in Nigeria as a very strong point. But why is it difficult for Nigeria to take advantage of that diversity for development? Because we are too ethnic, everybody wants it to be my kin, my brother, my sister and my cousin. Let me take it from my angle, when I was vice chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State (FUOYE), It was not easy to be vice chancellor in Yoruba land. This is because the people thought that it was the wrong person that had come and that it should have been a Yoruba man. But if you think about it, it was very wise for the Federal Government to have chosen me as VC of FUOYE. I didn’t have any relative here, so I had nobody to bother me. I just had to work. I didn’t have any communal clashes to wade in, I didn’t have any distractions, all I did was work. And because I was here, I was able to reach out to people of other tribes of the country. You know if a Yoruba man has been here, it is possible he would have been able to get his own people around him. I had people from all tribes - Yoruba, Igbo, and also from the North. I believe that the university, because it comes from the word universe, must be universal. It is not a local thing, it is a university and so it should be for everybody. We don’t cultivate the habit of nationalism because we are too ethnic and that is the reason why we don’t do very well in research, and in production because we are always looking for people who speak our language and then this whole thing about federal character, that everything must be balanced. Sometimes, it is good, sometimes it is bad. I also heard somebody complaining the other day that the North is heavily marginalised in the Super Eagles, so why don’t you put more people there? As if football or soccer or whatever depends on where you come from. No. We should put our best forward. That clanishness is what keeps us behind. But having been here, many people don’t realise it, you know that FUOYE is rated webometrically number 16 in the whole country, above most of the federal and state universities, that is the trajectory upon which we put it. I have that commitment even that I am away, I still have to raise funds for the Faculty of Engineering and I will continue to work to mentor this university because it is my baby and nobody can take that fact from me. Some people say Igbos are sidelined in Buhari’s appointments, how true is this? There is humour in everything! If you want to calm tensions, I use to describe three or four types of caps: The type my Yoruba brother here is wearing is what I call the OPC solidarity cap; the type I used to wear, I call it the marginalization; and the type that our Hausa brothers use to wear, we call it the power shift cap. So I use to describe the various caps to depict the place where you are coming from. You see, the Igbos are essentially marginalised,

there is no doubt about that. But President Muhammadu Buhari hasn’t finished his appointments. I believe that by and large, he is going to accommodate the Igbos in his appointments. So, I don’t think there is any reason for anybody to worry over Buhari. Of course, he might be slow in doing, but the Igbos should also realise that the government jobs is not the best. My thoughts, my ideas about my Igbo people is that we should rather be the Taiwan or Japan of Africa by looking to the President for such thing because we need to be in areas of our best capacity, and I believe industrialisation is that area. So, I believe that Buhari would eventually open the door for the Ndigbos. Of course you know that the Igbos did not vote for him during the elections, so slowing down in appointing them would be humanly understandable, but because he is the father of the whole nation now,we expect that he would open the doors for all. We are all Nigerians, whether you voted for me or not, come let us work together and that is the way to build a formidable country. Guess you will like to serve again if invited by Buhari? Well, I’m not God. The body language that many are talking about does not indicate that they are looking for any of us, I mean the ministers under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. But the good news is that many of us are getting jobs internationally, but I am not really interested. I think I have paid my dues. I have been Vice Chancellor twice in two federal universities, and the universities I headed are among the top 16 in this country. I have paid my dues. I have been Minister of Power and by the grace of God, I helped to midwife the privatisation exercise that is improving the power sector now. I think I have done well. So, if I’m invited and I pray about it and the Lord gives me the leading, I would be happy to serve my country. I must be frank with you, I think I really deserve to be given time to do my own things now that I still have a lot of blood in my body and strong enough to continue for several years. I should be allowed to set up my own company, you know, do things that I know would be better for the country, would help create jobs for the young people because I will never stop mentoring the young people. I will always mentor the young people, whether in engineering, the power sector or especially the academia. It is believed in many quarters that Buhari’s body language is responsible for the improved power situation at present, as former power minister, do you agree? I don’t know the kind of body language that would turn around the system that took many years to be put in place and change it. Nobody’s language did that. The fact is, those who were sabotaging the power sector decided to stop. Only God knows who was doing it before, because as we talk today, not a single bursting of the gas pipeline

A lot of things we will do would have to do with

the Nigeria power sector

because I think one of the greatest ways to leapfrog in industrial revolution is to get better power supply

Nebo

has occurred since President Buhari’s inception. So, if it is the body language that is making the haters and traitors of Nigeria to stop, glory be to God. But I don’t think so, I think it is sabotage. Some people were orchestrating the sabotage because they didn’t like the previous government. Now that the previous government is no more, they feel that they have achieved their aim. But everything you are seeing today is a labour of the past administration. The current administration has not added any value to the current power situation in the country. What should Buhari focus on to effect total transformation of the power sector? President Buhari would do wonders in the sector if he promotes embedded generation and also strengthens the transmission infrastructure. Each power plant takes years of gestation, three years, four years , five year, six years to build a 4000 Megwatts station, if you decide to do 20 mega watts each, you can do like 50 of them in one year, that is 1000 megawatts in a year. You can as well do a hundred of them, 2000 megawatts in a year. So, Nigeria can leapfrog by doing embedded generation. One advice that I wish to also give is to change the requirement for licensing from one Megawatts to five megawatts so that nobody should ask to get a license if he is generating only five or less mega watts. Today, it is one megawatts and that doesn’t give a lot of incentives. Some industries need two to three megawatts and they go through the process of licensing and that takes time, so if you fix it at five mega watts, it would make the country leapfrog. So, I believe in embedded generation and the strengthening of the transmission infrastructure so that the power that is generated is easily transmitted. But embedded generation is something that is wonderful because you don’t need the transmission, it goes straight to distribution or it can be active power where you just give to manufacturing clusters, agricultural clusters, free trade zone clusters and things like that and you just give them power without any encumbrances. These are ways it can work. That means that the President should very strongly support the privatisation exercise. After VC, ministerial, what next? What I’m doing now is to set up an engineering consulting firm and I have been talking with international partners who are interested. A lot of things we will do would have to do with the Nigeria power sector because I think one of the greatest ways to leapfrog in industrial revolution is to get better power supply. At the same time, because of my deep concern about the marginalisation of the poor Nigerian-child whether in the village or rural areas or those who didn’t go to school where they are supposed to, I also want to be involved in developing the educational curricular and developing technical and digital devices that would help young people be able to pass their school certificate well, be able to pass their JAMB well and be able to go to the university.

Politics

Wednesday October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court upheld Egwu, Ogba elections, dismisses Elechi, Ogeali petitions Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (right) acknowledging cheers from some beneficiaries of 2015 Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Exercise in Ota, yesterday.

Steer clear of Saraki’s trial, group warns Kwara monarchs

Wole Adedeji ILORIN

raditional rulers in Kwara State have been asked to stay clear of the trial of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The Senate President is currently answering a 13-count charge for alleged false declaration of his assets before the tribunal in Abuja and had since been granted bail. A socio-cultural group made up of elites in the state, the Kwara Freedom

Movement, KFM who made the call on the monarchs in a statement said its members were not happy with a section of high class traditional rulers across the state who recently condemned publicly, the trial of Senator Saraki before the tribunal. The Statement, signed by KFM Chairman; Dr Tijani Babalola said the action of the monarchs were “encouraging contempt” which obviously negates the interests of their subjects and also, was an embarrassment and an abuse of the rule of law”.

KFM said; “the Kwara State traditional rulers are strongly admonished to face the traditional roles of maintaining peace, laws and order in their various domains instead of parading themselves in corridors of powers against the wishes of their subjects” “For traditional rulers that are expected to be harbingers of integrity and epitome of wisdom to be seen as encouraging contempt is not only unfortunate but also ridiculous. “The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is a citizen of Kwara and like any

other citizen, we will always frown at injustice meted on him but the present situation has not only passed charges against him but also provided him the platform to prove his innocence. We should therefore allow this process to terminate accordingly and not just whipping up unnecessary sentiments for the sake of it”, the group further said. They implored the monarchs that as “highly revered traditional fathers, they should always represent the true feelings and views of their subjects in all circumstances”

NOA, INEC partner for peaceful elections in Kogi, Bayelsa Joel Ajayi ABUJA

ational Orientation Agency, NOA and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC have sought for stronger collaboration to build on the peace initiatives that will guarantee a peaceful gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. The Director General of NOA, Mike Omeri made

Michael Ogbonna

enue Coalition for Justice, Equity and Fairness, BCJEF, has condemned the on-going probe of the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam by the Samuel Ortom- led administration. Reacting to the probe panel set up by the state governor to probe Suswam’s administration, the

this disclosure yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit on the INEC Acting Chairman, Amina Zakari in Abuja. According to him, at present, Nigeria democracy is indeed undergoing a trying period and the two organizations need to improve on their long existing relationship to sensitize citizens on their civic responsibilities and mobilize them to contribute to the democratic process of our

country. He said the agency is committed to mobilize Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of peaceful co-existence among all citizens irrespective of political difference and that, these conditions are necessary for Nigerians to discharge their civic responsibilities toward a peaceful electoral process in the country.” In her remarks, the INEC Acting Chairman, Zakari commended NOA for its

tremendous support and mobilization of citizens on civic responsibility which made the 2015 election a success story. Zakari said: “the partnership between NOA and INEC is defined in the sense that the commission is to do the voters education while the agency has the mobilization and the civic education to do based on its platforms at the grassroot level and knowledge of the democratic process.”

group said it is disheartening that pressing issues of governance have been jettisoned in the state in preference for a witch-hunt. A statement signed by the National President of BCJEF, Peter Hwande and Secretary, Ogbole Alechenu, said the desperation of those behind the probe was such that they could

not wait for the outcome of the panel before hurriedly dragging Suswam to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The statement issued in Abuja yesterday said: “Governor Ortom would have settled down to the serious business of governance if he had genuinely secured the mandate of Benue people

and not on the strength of the card reader machine that allocated him and his associates votes in the last elections. “It is clear from the onset that the probe is inconsequential and inconsistent with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and hence the need for Suswam to challenge the action in court.

he Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state yesterday upheld the victory of Senator Obinna Ogba, representing Ebonyi Central senatorial zone and Dr Sam Egwu of Ebonyi North . The Tribunal declared their elections as credible and violence-free. Delivering the judgment, the chairman of the tribunal, Mr John Agua dismissed the petition filed by Nnana Elechi challenging the victory of Ogba for lack of merit. Agua said what the petitioner should have done is to bring all evidences to prove that all his allegations are factual, adding that the document he submitted was not enough to substantiate his clams that the election was full of corrupt practices. He said that all forensic materials that were submitted were rejected for not dully submitted on or before 21 days as stipulated by electoral law. The chairman noted that the issue as to whether the first respondent is duly elected as the winner of the Ebonyi central zone is indeed proved. He stated that the allegation by the counsel to the petitioner that the election was marred by corrupt practices, illegal thumb printing, ballot paper snatching, parading of fake electoral materials, falsification of result, and other criminal offences lack merit as the petitioner did not provide convincing facts to substantiate his claims. He noted that the claim that the election was marred by irregularities

Group condemns Suswam’s probe

“The fact that the probe cannot withstand judicial scrutiny and the foreknowledge of the impending moral defeat of efforts to persecute Suswam through that ill-conceived agenda was what forced these characters to resort to using the EFCC in the hope of massaging their ego. “We see both the probe

is still an allegation as the petitioner did not convince the tribunal with facts that the election is actually marred by irregularities. The chairman of the tribunal also said that the petitioner was unable to prove the allegation that there is non - compliance with the electoral act in the conduct of the election, just as he added that the petitioner alleged that there was electoral fraud in four local government areas that made up Ebonyi central zone of the state. According to him, the evidence provided by the petitioner is insufficient to substantiate his claims of irregularity and as such dismissed the petition of Nnana Elechi for lack of merit. The petitioner, Elechi Nnana had prayed the court to cancel the election and fresh election be conducted in Ebonyi central zone on the ground that the election through which Obinna Ogba emerged winner was marred by irregularities. Also, another petition filled by Peter Ogeali challenging the victory of Senator Sam Egwu, was equally dismissed for failure of the petitioner to bring a witness that has first class information to testified on irregularities claimed to have marred the election rather he based his allegations on hear say. Ogeali who was challenging the victory of the former governor alleged that the election that produced Egwu as the senator representing Ebonyi North senatorial zone was marred by irregularities, snatching of ballot papers, multiple thumb printing among other criminal activities.

and the contrived EFCC invitation as related actions that expose the desperate attempts by the selfish godfathers in Benue State, who see the state treasury as their cash cow, as they struggle to keep attention away from their recent expenditures that have outraged even their own fan base”, the group stressed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

DMO to raise N80bn bonds today Johnson Okanlawon

ebt Management Office, DMO, said it would raise N80 billion worth of bonds in two categories today. Data obtained from the DMO website yesterday said the two categories of bonds will include a 10year and five-year bonds. Specifically, it would issue N40 billion worth of the 10-year bonds and N40 billion in five-year bonds respectively. The Office stated that the two categories of bonds, which will open with different coupon rates, would mature in March 2024 and February 2020. The 10-year and five-year bonds would have coupon rates of 14.20 per cent and

15.54 per cent respectively. It also hinted that while the bonds would be auctioned today, the settlement date would be October 16, adding that all the bonds had been reopened. However, the Federal Government had expressed plans to reissue its five – and 10-year bonds in the last quarter of the year to raise up to N270 billion after JP Morgan’s index delisted half of the maturities belonging to the country. The DMO stated further that it will sell between N60 billion and N90 billion each in five- and 10-year bonds in each of the remaining three months of the year as reopenings of outstanding

maturities. JP Morgan removed half of Nigerian bonds listed on its emerging markets bond index (GBIEM), as part of its monthend index rebalancing, cutting the West African country’s weight to 0.79 per cent. The United States bank had warned Nigeria this month that it would drop it from its index, citing a lack of liquidity and currency restrictions. The 2024 bond to be issued from October would pay a coupon of 14.20 per cent while the 2020 paper would pay 15.54 per cent. Nigeria in 2012 became the second African country after South Africa to be listed in the index with a weight of 1.8 per

cent. The estimated yield for Nigeria bonds on the index was quoted at 14.83 per cent as at September 25, marking the second highest yield after Brazil at 15.75 per cent, the bank said. Analysts said they expected bond yields to trade flat after the delisting because domestic buyers had stepped in since foreigners left the market. Yields on government bonds spiked this month on the news of the delisting with the 10-year benchmark debt rising to as much as 16.68 per cent, prompting the bond market regulator to widen spreads to calm volatility.

Index slides 0.57% on profit taking Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded in the last three days. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.57 per cent to close at 30,058.40 points, as against the increase of 0.22 per cent recorded the preceding day to

close at 30,231.16 points. Market capitalisation shed N59 billion to close at N10.33 trillion, in contrast to the decrease of N6 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.38 trillion. Eterna Oil Plc led the gainers’ table with nine kobo or five per cent to close at N1.89 per share, followed by Okomu Oil Plc with N1.40 or five per cent to close at N29.40 per share. Berger Paints Plc rose

51 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N10.90 per share, while Mansard Insuarnce added 12 kobo or 4.86 per cent to close at N2.59 per share. Evans Medicals Plc was up three kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at 66 kobo per share. On the flip side, Transnational Express Plc depreciated 10 kobo or 8.85 per cent to close at N1.03 per share, while UACN Plc dropped N1.44 or 4.98 per cent to close at

N27.46 per share. UBA Capital Plc lost seven kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N1.34 per share, while Honeywell Plc depreciated 13 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N2.49 per share. Fidson Healthcare Plc fell 16 kobo or 4.92 per cent to close at N3.09 per share. A total of 124.2 million shares valued at N1.38 billion were exchanged in 2,930 deals.

Shares fall as Chinese data dims economic outlook

orld share prices fell yesterday, snapping their longest winning streak since February after Chinese trade data gave a further sign the world’s economic growth engine is sputtering. A big fall in oil prices also weighed. Chinese imports plunged 20 per cent in September, casting doubt on the strength of domestic demand in the economy, while oil fell more than 5 percent overnight after a report that OPEC continued to boost production. Those factors overshadowed a bumper merger deal, which saw the world’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev take over number two producer SABMiller in a cash and share package worth $104.4 billion. Bond yields and emerging market currencies fell

too, while dimming prospects of a US interest rate hike this year pushed the dollar lower and lifted the euro above $1.14 for the first time in a month. Weaker-than-expected UK inflation and German investor sentiment reports also pushed bond yields lower. “The specter of slowing growth in the world’s second biggest economy is now again presented in sharp relief – this in spite of the myriad of stimulus measures undertaken by the PBOC over the past number of months,” said Brenda Kelly, head analyst at London Capital Group. The MSCI world share index fell 0.5 per cent, US, its first fall in 10 sessions, ending the longest winning streak since February. In Europe, the FTSEuro-

First 300 index of leading European shares was down 1.1 per cent at 1,414 points, while Germany’s DAX was down one per cent . France’s CAC 40 was down 1.2 per cent and Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 0.8 per cent . In Asia earlier, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan. US fell one per cent from a two-month high touched on Monday, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.1 per cent. Futures markets pointed to a fall of around 0.4 percent at the open on Wall Street ESc1, where investors will also focus on third quarter earnings from Intel and JPMorgan. China’s trade data for September showed a 3.7 per cent fall in exports from the same period last year, less than the 6.3 per cent drop forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. Imports, how-

ever, tumbled 20.4 per cent. The weakening economy prompted China’s central bank on Monday to expand a scheme that increases banks’ ability to lend, lifting mainland Chinese shares to seven-week highs. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,058.40points Market capitalisation 10.33trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ETERNA

1.80

1.89

0.09

5.00

OKOMUOIL

28.00

29.40

1.40

5.00

BERGER

10.39

10.90

0.51

4.91

MANSARD

2.47

2.59

0.12

4.86

EVANSMED

0.63

0.66

0.03

4.76

LIVESTOCK

1.72

1.80

0.08

4.65

COSTAIN

0.56

0.58

0.02

3.57

RTBRISCOE

0.58

0.60

0.02

3.45

REDSTAREX

3.98

4.11

0.13

3.27

FLOURMILL

21.37

22.00

0.63

2.95

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

TRANSEXPR

1.13

1.03

-0.10

-8.85

UACN

28.90

27.46

-1.44

-4.98

UBCAP

1.41

1.34

-0.07

-4.96

HONYFLOUR

2.62

2.49

-0.13

-4.96

FIDSON

3.25

3.09

-0.16

-4.92

LEARNAFRCA

0.88

0.84

-0.04

-4.55

26.00

25.00

-1.00

-3.85

NEM

0.67

0.65

-0.02

-2.99

TRANSCORP

2.22

2.17

-0.05

-2.25

FCMB

2.22

2.18

-0.04

-1.80

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.58

100.42

14.77

100.57

14.66

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.75

103.04

14.89

103.34

14.78

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.37

101.74

14.97

102.04

14.87

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.33

105.75

14.94

106.05

14.87

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.46

96.25

14.99

96.55

14.93

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.81 68.00

15.58

68.30

15.51

Closing Market Prices of September 29, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

24-Dec-15

10.54

10.81

WAUA

270

31-Mar-16

12.66

13.52

USD

196.96

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

12.55

14.19

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

5.7333

14.5852

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.8238

SDR

273

17.0819

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 29, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015

Equities as at October 13, 2015

Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021

Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 15 3 18

Current Price 29.40 30.50

Quantity Traded 362,469 142,000 504,469

Value Traded 10,528,480.34 4,331,000.00 14,859,480.34

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.80

Quantity Traded 135,101 135,101

Value Traded 242,283.80 242,283.80

AGRICULTURE Totals Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Totals Daily Summary asIndustries of 13/10/2015

Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP Daily Summary UACN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Activity Summary on Board EQTY JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Building Structure/Completion/Other Real Estate Development COSTAIN (W A) PLC. UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Real Estate Development Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts Real Estate Development DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Real Estate Development Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CHAMPION BREW. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS GUINNESS NIG PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 DN TYRE &BREW. RUBBER PLC NIGERIAN PLC. Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 Automobiles/Auto Parts TotalsTotals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Published by The Nigerian NIG Stock Exchange © GUINNESS PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CONSUMER GOODS

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

No. of Deals 1 89 (Equities) 98 188

Current Price 1.03 2.17 27.46

188 Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.58

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JBERGER Symbol Symbol COSTAIN UAC-PROP Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 11 11 No. of Deals No. of Deals9 89 8 No. of Deals 28 11 11

Current Price 39.99 Current Price Current Price 0.58 8.17 Current Price 39.99

639,570

15,101,764.14

Quantity Traded 112 3,463,285 1,513,963 4,977,360

Value Traded 109.76 7,597,563.72 42,278,561.84 49,876,235.32

4,977,360

49,876,235.32

Quantity Traded 955,949 955,949 Page

Value Traded 543,639.98 543,639.98 11 1 of

Quantity Traded 137,860 137,860 Quantity Traded Quantity 955,949 Traded 37,500 955,949 37,500 Quantity Traded 1,131,309 137,860 137,860

Value Traded 5,510,486.20 5,510,486.20 Value Traded Value Traded 543,639.98 314,021.52 543,639.98 314,021.52 Value Traded 6,368,147.70 5,510,486.20 5,510,486.20

Symbol Symbol DUNLOP UAC-PROP

No. No. of of Deals Deals 38 38

Current Current Price Price 0.50 8.17

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 10,000 37,500 10,000 37,500

Value Value Traded Traded 5,000.00 314,021.52 5,000.00 314,021.52

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS Symbol INTBREW DUNLOP NB

No. of Deals 28 1 47 No. of Deals 24 763 1483

Current Price 4.60 151.20 Current 17.00 Price 0.50 136.50

Quantity Traded 1,131,309 42,222 239,115 Quantity805,239 Traded 10,000 1,776,860 10,000 2,863,436

Value Traded 6,368,147.70 194,221.20 36,158,764.84 Value Traded 13,706,746.50 5,000.00 245,050,142.97 5,000.00 295,109,875.51

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 47 24 76 148

Current Price 4.60 151.20 17.00 136.50

Quantity Traded 42,222 Page 239,115

Value Traded 194,221.20 11 236,158,764.84 of 13,706,746.50 245,050,142.97 295,109,875.51

CHAMPION Daily Summary (Equities) GUINNESS INTBREW NB

805,239 1,776,860 2,863,436

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 196.01

Quantity Traded 17,320 17,320Page

Value Traded 3,394,867.80 23,394,867.80 of 11

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM

No. of Deals 18 27 88 16 25 1 175

Current Price 2.68 6.60 22.00 2.49 7.30 9.46

Quantity Traded 106,050 431,066 325,015 230,250 4,209,923 3,591 5,305,895

Value Traded 288,173.00 2,832,627.88 7,093,419.51 581,089.50 28,577,526.39 33,037.20 39,405,873.48

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 26 22 48

Current Price 22.10 830.67

Quantity Traded 175,681 63,131 238,812

Value Traded 3,910,561.10 52,455,422.65 56,365,983.75

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 5.54

Quantity Traded 211,880 211,880

Value Traded 1,156,582.80 1,156,582.80

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

Quantity Traded 228,251 74,847 303,098

Value Traded 5,715,091.65 3,600,901.07 9,315,992.72

Totals Published Beverages--Non-Alcoholic by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015

Household Durables Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Personal/Household Products Totals

PZ UNILEVER

24 33 57

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 SKYE14:32:21.021 BANK PLC Printed 13/10/2015 STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals on Board EQTY Activity Summary InsuranceGOODS Carriers, Brokers and Services CONSUMER AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Totals CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Published by SKYE The Nigerian Stock Exchange © BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

25.00 46.50

8,950,441Page

468

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 145 DIAMONDBNK 45 ETI 25 FIDELITYBK 53 GUARANTY 323 SKYEBANK 46 STERLNBANK 39 UBA 102 UBN 40 Daily Summary (Equities) UNITYBNK 50 WEMABANK 37 905 Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE LINKASSURE Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

Current Price 5.06 2.98 18.50 1.52 24.00 2.16 2.13 4.40 5.99 1.67 1.00

Quantity Traded 15,530,760 1,376,800 2,860,940 14,194,815 7,180,470 1,078,417 3,518,931 12,980,633 703,876 2,791,894 2,518,709 64,736,245

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 15 0.89 1,206,372 468 8,950,441 16 1.00 2,227,800 1 0.50 240,000 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 145 5.06 15,530,760 45 2.98 1,376,800 25 18.50 2,860,940 53 1.52 14,194,815 323 24.00 7,180,470 46 2.16 1,078,417Page 39 2.13 3,518,931 102 4.40 12,980,633 40 5.99 703,876 50 1.67 2,791,894 37 1.00 2,518,709 905 64,736,245

Daily Summary (Equities)

11 3 of 404,754,176.06

Current Price 0.89 1.00 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,206,372 2,227,800 240,000

Value Traded 1,080,707.36 2,229,175.00 120,000.00

Symbol MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS SOVRENINS UNITYKAP WAPIC

No. of Deals 12 2 27 1 2 1 2 79

Current Price 2.59 0.50 0.65 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 725,000 120,000 2,282,108 20,000 2,000 Page 1,021,051 3,321 7,847,652

Value Traded 1,817,520.04 60,000.00 1,498,560.13 10,000.00 1,000.00 11 4 of 510,525.50 1,660.50 7,329,148.53

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 1.08

Quantity Traded 94,050 94,050

Value Traded 96,871.50 96,871.50

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 28 4 39 18 57 146

Current Price 2.62 4.09 2.18 23.10 1.34

Quantity Traded 731,256 15,489 711,572 1,176,070 2,436,319 5,070,706

Value Traded 1,922,922.79 63,497.40 1,550,627.11 27,164,072.80 3,392,542.03 34,093,662.13

77,748,653

448,223,402.75

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

1,135

Page

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 19 12 10 16 5 62

Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Published by The Stock Exchange © CAPNigerian PLC

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 Totals Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.67

Quantity Traded 300 300

Value Traded 801.00 801.00

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

Quantity Traded 400 400

Value Traded 1,140.00 1,140.00

ETRANZACT

1 1

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN PAINTCOM WAPCO

No. of Deals 11 6 12 19 2 34 84

Current Price 23.00 10.90 38.00 7.91 1.20 98.27

Quantity Traded 69,347 71,500 Page 24,822 72,500 15,000 351,566 604,735

581,573.00 17,100.00 34,567,476.10 38,420,239.25

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.71

Quantity Traded 3,500 3,500

Value Traded 6,070.00 6,070.00

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 44.00

Quantity Traded 1,200 1,200

Value Traded 50,160.00 50,160.00

609,435

38,476,469.25

Quantity Traded 3,707,880 3,707,880

Value Traded 36,587,023.95 36,587,023.95

Symbol CONOIL Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Daily Summary

Exploration andon Production Activity Summary Board EQTY SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD OILExploration AND GAS and Production Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors OIL AND GAS PLC. Totals ETERNA FORTE OIL PLC. SERVICES MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. R T BRISCOE PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Exploration and Production RED STAR EXPRESS PLC SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Exploration and Production Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Printing/Publishing Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 LEARN AFRICA PLC Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 Printing/Publishing Totals Daily Summary of 13/10/2015 RoadasTransportation Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services Activity Summary on Board EQTY

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC SERVICES Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics Activity Summary on Board EQTY Support and Logistics Support and Logistics Totals CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC SERVICES SERVICES Totals Support and Logistics Support and Logistics Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking GOODS INDUSTRIAL Other Financial Institutions ZENITHGOODS INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC INDUSTRIAL Totals FBN HOLDINGS PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions Totals

PREMIUM Board Totals Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals FBN HOLDINGS PLC

EquityOther Activity TotalsInstitutions Totals Financial INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODSTotals

Exchange Traded Fund Building Materials Name DANGOTE PLC © Published by The NigerianCEMENT Stock Exchange LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF Building Materials Totals NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Published by The Nigerian © Exchange Traded Stock Fund Exchange Totals

No. of Deals 262 262

3.00

6,700

Current Price 10.00

4,941.00 Value Traded 1,535,772.22 773,550.00 6 944,767.93 of 11

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 8 27.41 23,700 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 8 1.89 413,700 Page 67 263.99 183,622 18 151.50 139,206 1 49.66 1,000 11 154.90 11,114 (Equities) 113 772,342

Symbol SEPLAT Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL Symbol MRS RTBRISCOE TOTAL Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX SEPLAT TRANSEXPR

Symbol Symbol RTBRISCOE

Value Traded 617,148.00 Value Traded 768,628.52 7 of 11 48,229,918.29 21,022,868.72 47,180.00 1,676,786.79 72,362,530.32

No. of Deals Current Price 9 235.00 9 No. of Deals Current Price 384 8 1.89 67 263.99 18 151.50 No. of Deals Current Price 1 49.66 5 0.60 11 154.90 5 113

Quantity Traded 82,446 82,446 Quantity Traded 4,562,668 413,700 183,622 139,206 Quantity Traded 1,000 435,802 11,114 435,802 772,342

Value Traded 19,377,099.46 19,377,099.46 Value Traded 128,326,653.73 768,628.52 48,229,918.29 21,022,868.72 Value Traded 47,180.00 261,308.68 1,676,786.79 261,308.68 72,362,530.32

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 12 4.11 9 235.00 10 1.03 9 22

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 368,620 82,446 121,500 82,446 490,120

Value Traded Value Traded 1,530,635.40 19,377,099.46 130,920.00 19,377,099.46 1,661,555.40

384 No. of Deals

4,562,668 Quantity Traded

128,326,653.73 Value Traded

Current Price

Quantity Traded 435,802 Page 435,802

Value Traded 11 8 261,308.68 of 261,308.68

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.60

No. of Deals Current Price 12 4.11 10 1.03 22 No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals 3 Current Price 0.50 3

Quantity Traded 368,620 121,500 490,120 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 80,130 80,130

Value Traded 1,530,635.40 130,920.00 1,661,555.40 Value Traded Value Traded 40,065.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 3.44

Quantity Traded Page 140,100 140,100

Value Traded 11 8 of 484,959.00 484,959.00

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 76,000 76,000

Value Traded 38,000.00 38,000.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 1,669,777 1,669,777

Value Traded 1,424,727.86 1,424,727.86

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.55

Quantity Traded 7,500 7,500

Value Traded 4,125.00 4,125.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR Symbol Symbol CILEASING

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

40,065.00

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 15 4.52 137,099 15 137,099 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 3,000 3 3.21 3,000 65 3,039,528 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 3,000 Page

Daily Summary (Equities) NAHCO Symbol Symbol CAVERTON Symbol

EQTY Board Totals

SERVICES Totals Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021

3,776,855.75

Value Traded 3,000.00 3,000.00

Symbol

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors OIL AND GAS PLC CONOIL Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 ETERNA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 FORTE OIL PLC.

1,872,540

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

DailyOANDO Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 740,199.16 1,370,250.00 1,357,727.00 202,752.47 105,927.12 3,776,855.75

Current Price 0.50

OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Quantity Traded 1,137,200 434,000 37,200 161,786 102,354 1,872,540

No. of Deals 1 1

CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Current Price 0.66 3.09 36.96 1.21 1.03

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol COURTVILLE

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

OIL AND GAS Totals Employment Solutions Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 Printed 13/10/2015 SERVICES14:32:21.021

Quantity Traded

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Daily Summary as of 13/10/2015 IT Services Printed 13/10/2015 14:32:21.021 COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals

EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

No. of Deals 15 16 1

Quotation(N)

HEALTHCARE Totals

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE LINKASSURE

No Of Deals

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

Value Traded 1,080,707.36 404,754,176.06 2,229,175.00 120,000.00 Value Traded 79,054,341.80 4,104,707.88 52,955,940.00 20,835,942.78 171,924,814.92 11 42,333,180.45 of 7,330,890.60 56,794,243.69 4,152,011.52 4,724,380.40 2,493,266.55 406,703,720.59

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Sector Activity Company name Summary on Board EQTY

TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Value Traded 79,054,341.80 4,104,707.88 52,955,940.00 20,835,942.78 171,924,814.92 2,333,180.45 7,330,890.60 56,794,243.69 4,152,011.52 4,724,380.40 2,493,266.55 406,703,720.59

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

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 627,547.56 627,547.56 Value Traded Value Traded 9,150.00 9,150.00 4,551,438.50 Value Traded 9,150.00 11 9 of

2,450

103,538,204

1,099,460,084.20

2,450

103,538,204

1,099,460,084.20

3,039,528

4,551,438.50

Daily Summary (Equities) Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 188 188

Current Price 16.80

Quantity Traded 13,108,098 13,108,098

Value Traded 220,243,203.25 220,243,203.25

Symbol Symbol ZENITHBANK FBNH

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 188 16.80 27 265 6.07 188 265

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 13,108,098 71,053 7,525,255 13,108,098 7,525,255

Value Traded Value Traded 220,243,203.25 11,768,279.84 46,151,463.24 220,243,203.25 46,151,463.24

Symbol FBNH

No. of Deals 480 453 265 2,930 265

Current Price 6.07

20,704,406 Quantity Traded 20,633,353 7,525,255 124,242,610 7,525,255

1,377,623,030.53 46,151,463.24

Symbol DANGCEM

No. of Deals Current Price 453 27 164.00 27

Quantity Traded 20,633,353 71,053 71,053

Value Traded 266,394,666.49 11,768,279.84 11,768,279.84

Symbol Symbol DANGCEM LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded No. of Deals Current Price Quantity71,053 Traded 27 164.00 Page 9.69 27 2 71,05320 1 2,184.00 195 1 13.83 10 Page 4 225

Daily Summary (ETP)

Value Traded 278,162,946.33 266,394,666.49 46,151,463.24

Value Traded Value Traded 1011,768,279.84 of 11 193.50 11,768,279.84 425,880.00 138.30 11 10 of 426,211.80

ETF Board Totals

225

426,211.80

ETP Activity Totals

225

426,211.80

Page

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Community Mirror Minister Onolememen should Nigerians howJonathan he expended LetFormer me again repeat what I have beenexplain saying to that Goodluck hasthe no billions of naira thatpersonal were budgetted for the Ministry of Works because what we agenda in convening this national conference. have on ground as a product of such expenditure cannot score for any pass mark.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN –GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE, ADAMS OSHIOMOLE

Abada Traders Association: Police, DSS avert bloodbath Gloria Anaeze ONITSHA

rompt intervention of Anambra State Police Command and the Directorate of State Security Services, DSS, weekend, averted what would have been a bloodbath among traders of Abada Market, Bridgehead, Onitsha, Anambra State. As the traders prepared for election to be held inside the Abada market, one of the candidates to the post of chairmanship seat, Chief Nicholas Omeife, with his supporters insisted that the election be held at the normal venue, former Fegge Local Government Area Field. According to them, “the opposition had perfected plan to rig the election because the market does not have water tight security.”

“Non-members, who are supporting my opponents can come through the river and join the real members, so we say no to the election they plan to conduct inside the market,” Chief Omeife said. Chief Omeife, who earlier accused the data capturing team led by one Arinze of being bias, stated that the team earlier was accused of registering non members for the election. He expressed dismay that officials of State Government would be bias in carrying out their functions. He recalled that most of the traders were really set for a show down if the venue was not changed by the security operatives. According to him, “the police, DSS, leader of traders in Anambra State and other security operatives immediately had a closed door meeting and re-

solved that the election be held in a neutral ground instead of Fegge field which saved the situation”. The election venue was them transferred to Hotel Resort along Onitsha/Benin Express way. However, it ended up in fiasco as most of the traders insisted that non members who infiltrated the genuine traders

must be flushed out before the conduct of the election which caused chaos and forced the conduct of the election to be postponed indefinitely. Commending the security operatives for their prompt intervention on change of venue, Chief Omeife said, “I remain grateful to them because the opposition and my arch rival,

Henry AniAkaze wanted to use the Abada market venue which is unsafe for the conduct of the election. In his defence, the outgoing chairman, Chief Paul Ibeneme said that he was not bothered with the venue of the election but interested in having a smooth transmission to a new government in the market.

Govt charged to monitor water channels in communities Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ollowing the certification of the country as polio free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Association of Water Drillers and Rig- Owners Practitioners (AWDROP), has tasked government at all levels on proper monitoring of water drinking channels in our communities in order to save Nigerians from water borne diseases. The association made the call in a communique issued after its National Executive Water Resources Council meeting presided over by its National President, Mr. Michael Ale, and made available to journalists yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He said the certification by the WHO is the first time in the history of the country, thus bringing Nigeria and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free. According to him, the failure to coordinate the activities of borehole drilling companies in the country through non-implementation of regulatory instrument, has led to uncoordinated pricing and use of substandard materials, warning that this is a big threat to the declaration of the WHO. Ale then disclosed the resolve of the association to monitor government projects in the country so as to raise the quality of water

being produced for consumption. He said, “Many boreholes drilled in Nigeria by non professionals have contaminated our most precious underground resources, thus resulting in illness for many innocent Nigerians. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources with the assistance of many stakeholders including the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) put up code of practice for borehole drilling and this document remains the valid guiding code for any operator of drilling companies in Nigeria. “AWDROP accepted the adoption of the implementation of this code for drilling companies’ thus setting standard for their operation. “Several of the government borehole projects have failed because of weak supervision and non implementation of the code of practice by the contracting agent. Hence, the need to partner with all stakeholders involved in drilling practices to imbibe the culture and practice of good design and safety during operation.” While emphasising that with the implementation of the code of practice document, borehole projects are set to come alive again, he said the association has donated two brand new buses to strengthen the national task force towards monitoring the activities of borehole drilling companies.

LASTMA Officials on routine exercise to prohibit the illegal use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes by other motorists on Ikorodu road, on Monday.

Ifelodun council suspends chairman

ouncillors in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State suspended its executive Chairman, Babatunde Salami for three months, for his failure to honour the invitation of the house to defend allegation of executing substandard projects levelled against him. The suspension was unanimously endorsed by 16 out of 18 lawmakers of the council sitting at the Council Secretariat, Share. The suspension is coming on the hills of the report submitted by the house committee on works investigating allegation levelled against the chairman accusing him of executing substandard projects at Babanloma and Ora community respectively. According to the speaker of the House Hon. Segun Oluwaponle, in lieu of the petition submitted to the house on 6th October 2015, wherein the chairman was alleged to have constructed substandard borehole and blocks of classrooms at Babanloma and Ora communities respectively. The chairman was accused of

constructing a handheld borehole as against the motorised bore-hole approved by the house, while pupils in Ora live in fear as the 2 blocks of class rooms constructed is substandard and on the verge of collapse. Oluwaponle reminded the house that upon receipt of the petitions, the house mandated its committee on works to investigate the said petition by visiting the site of the project, to authenticate the veracity of the petitions. The speaker therefore called on the acting chairman of the house committee on works Hon. Taofeeq Oriyomi representing Oke- Ode ward 111 to brief the house on the findings of the committee, where he expressed sadness at the discoveries at the site of the bore-hole and blocks of classrooms at Babanloma and Ora communities respectively. Moving the motion for suspension Hon. Dare Idowu representing Share ward 111, accused the chairman of consistent breach of the constitution citing instances

of his refusal to submit financial report of the council to the legislative, adding that he also refused to submit the proceedings of the executive committee as may be required by the legislature. Idowu said “It would be recalled that the chairman has always held the councillors in contempt, in view of this flagrant disregard of this honourable house by the chairman, I hereby move that he be placed on 6 moth suspension” he added. Hon. Olakunle micheal however pleaded for the suspension to be reduced to 3 months on compassionate ground, while adding that the council’s vice-chairman Hon. Lateef Lawal Leto be made to act in acting capacity. The Speaker thereby put it to a voice vote and all the 17 councillors in attendance affirmed the chairman should proceed on 3months suspension, the house also directed him to hand over all council’s properties in his possession, while also directing that his office should remain under lock and key.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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World News

Some people think Donald Trump is entertaining, but it is certainly not entertaining to insult immigrants and women.

–US DEMOCRATS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT, HILARY CLINTON

Mixed reactions greet Guinea poll Afolabi Gambari

Election officials working through the night on Tuesday

way. The EU observers have asked that any grievances are directed at the courts, not aired on the streets. Several people were killed in clashes during the election campaign.

President Alpha Conde, who was standing for a second term after becoming president in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election, had spent the previous decades fighting authoritarian regimes, during which time he was both exiled and imprisoned.

Hajj 2015: Malian seeks solution to missing pilgrims

Malian woman, Nabou Traore, has set up a Facebook page to help find some 200 people from Mali who are still missing after last month’s Hajj pilgrimage crush. Traore said very little had been done to find the missing Malians in Saudi Arabia. People have been sharing their pictures of relatives on the social media page that they have not heard from, as well as unidentified people in hospital. Officials have confirmed that 60 Malian pilgrims died in the stampede. The Saudi authorities said 769 people died in the crush, although officials from the nations whose citizens died said the true figure was 1, 480. Traore, who is a Malian based in France, decided to set up the page Les Maliens de La Bousculade de Mina (Malians of the Mina crush) after noticing several posts on her own Facebook page about the stampede. She tried to search online

about Malians caught up in the tragedy, but there were no results. “I thought then there is a need to do something, for if I had a family member missing in that stampede, to find them would have been very complicated,” she said yesterday. “So I gathered all the photos on my Facebook account, and I have asked all my contacts that

President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

lost people to centralise photos in the group. “And I said to the other people do not hesitate to send me pictures of your missing members and I will post the photo.” The page now has more than 2, 800 members. Some of the pictures are of unidentified unconscious patients, other posts announce the confirmation of a relative’s death. Traore said that some people who had joined the Facebook page had also set up a a small crisis group in Mali’s capital, Bamako, to comfort families looking for their relatives. The stampede took place during the last major rite of the pilgrimage in Mina, when stones are thrown at pillars called Jamarat, where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham. It is the deadliest incident to occur during the pilgrimage in 25 years.

Human traffickers face UN sanctions The U.N. Security Council has voted to approve a new resolution authorizing European military action against migrant smugglers in the high seas off Libya’s coast. The measure authorizes European naval forces to board ships for inspection, seize and even dispose of vessels suspected of being used by migrant smugglers for a period of one year. The resolution allows countries to inspect vessels on the high seas off Libya which they “have reasonable grounds to suspect are being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking from Libya,” provided that “good faith efforts” are made to obtain the consent of the vessel’s flag state. Nations were empowered to act individually or as part of a regional grouping during the course of the operation. The resolution also called for migrants to be treated “with humanity and dignity.” The U.N. has been spurred into action by a string of disasters on the Mediterranean.

WITH AGENCY REPORT

uropean Union officials yesterday said Guinea’s presidential election on Sunday was valid, although there were severe logistical difficulties. This comes after opposition called the vote fraudulent and demanded a re-run. They also threatened to protest, something the observers urged against. The final result is expected in the next few days. It was the country’s second democratic presidential election since it gained independence from France in 1958. The EU’s Chief Observer, Frank Engel, said he hoped Guineans remember this as a “milestone” in their “young democratic institutions”. But he also said there were many shortcomings, including problems with voter registration. Engel added that the lack of transparency had led him to lose confidence in the electoral commission, and that he would be watching to see the results were announced in a suitable

AFRICAN BULLETIN

Tanzanians protest ‘forced shop closures’

ngry staff and suppliers from one of East Africa’s leading retailers, Uchumi Supermarkets, have forced the closure of one of its stores in Tanzania. More than 300 people barricaded the store in Dar es Salaam amid fears they would not get paid. There have been reports that the chain, which is based in neighbouring Kenya, is closing some of its shops. Financial woes have already forced Uchumi to recently shut some of its outlets in Uganda. The struggling retailer said talks were under way to resolve the dispute. Tanzania officials said the protesters were told to go home and return today, when it is hoped a resolution will be found. Uchumi has several stores in Tanzania but it is not clear how many will be affected. Ugandan media reported on Monday that court bailiffs, acting on behalf of some suppliers, raided some of Uchumi’s stores in the capital, Kampala, and seized property over the failure to settle its bills.

Ivory Queen nabbed A Chinese woman nicknamed the “Queen of Ivory” has been arrested in Tanzania and charged with smuggling at least 706 elephant tusks that authorities say are worth about $2.5 million. Yang Feng Glan, 66, is thought to be the most notorious ivory trafficker arrested in East Africa in the last decade. She ran a sophisticated supply chain between East Africa and China for about 10 years, Tanzanian authorities say. Many of her suppliers were also arrested. “Across Africa, they keep arresting small fish here and there,” a spokesman for the Elephant Action League, a nonprofit group that fights crime against wildlife, Andrea Costa, said, stressing, “They have finally caught a big fish.”

Man Booker 2015 winner set to emerge The winner of the Man Booker Prize was set to be announced at press time last night with Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life the bookies’ favourite to take the £50, 000 prize. Yanagihara’s novel, the story of four college friends seeking fame and fortune in New York, is tipped to win by bookmakers William Hill and Coral. It is the second year the prize is open to all authors writing in English, regardless of nationality. The winner was expected to be announced at London’s Guildhall late last night. This year’s shortlist features two authors from the UK, two from the US and one each from Jamaica and Nigeria.

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WORLD BULLETIN

Syria crisis: Shells hit Russian Embassy Two shells have struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes. No-one was killed but reports said some people were injured. The explosions triggered widespread panic and smoke was seen coming from the embassy compound. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as a terrorist attack. “This is most likely intended to intimidate supporters of the fight against terror and prevent them from prevailing in the struggle against extremists,” Lavrov said. “Together with the Syrian authorities, we are now trying to establish those responsible,” her added. In another development yesterday, a report by Amnesty International accused Kurdish forces in northern Syria of carrying out a wave of forced displacements and mass house demolitions that amounted to war crimes. It said the Popular Protection Units (YPG) had razed entire villages after capturing them from IS. The YPG has consistently denied accusations of forced displacements. Activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the shells fired at the embassy had come from an eastern area of the capital.

Israelis killed in Jerusalem Three Israelis have been killed and more than 20 injured in shooting and stabbing attacks in Jerusalem and central Israel, Israeli police said yesterday. Two were killed when two assailants, who were identified as Arabs, shot and stabbed passengers on a bus in Jerusalem before being shot by police. Another Israeli died after being run down and stabbed elsewhere in the city. Near-daily stabbings by Palestinians have left dozens of Israelis dead and wounded over the past fortnight. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency session of the security cabinet to discuss how to prevent further attacks. Officials said Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan was considering whether to seal off Arab areas in East Jerusalem from the rest of the city and ease gun-control regulations. The militant Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which dominates the Gaza Strip, praised what it called heroic operations in Jerusalem. Much of the violence bubbled up around Jerusalem, the scene of ongoing tension over a disputed holy site in the Old City. A 60-year-old man and another passenger were killed and at least 10 people were taken to the hospital for treatment as a pair of attackers lashed out with a gun and a knife. Police said the attackers were neutralized, one was killed and the other was taken to the hospital.

World News 49

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

he drumbeat for Joe Biden to jump into the 2016 presidential race is growing louder. Almost half of the nation’s Democrats want the vice president to enter the field and challenge front-runner Hillary Clinton, according to a poll released yesterday. The results come as speculation surrounding Biden’s intentions has intensified, with reports having him close to a decision. The declared Democratic presidential candidates, including Clinton and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, her closest rival, took the stage last night in Las Vegas for the first party debate. Biden will not be there, but 48 per cent of Democrats surveyed in the poll wish he were a candidate, compared with 30 per cent who said he should stay out. Independents were split on the question, with 36 per cent saying Biden should stay in and an equal share believing otherwise. But support for Biden’s entry into the race does not translate into equal passion for his candidacy. Just 17 percent of those surveyed said Biden would be their first choice, while 46 percent would back Clinton. Biden would also run behind Sanders, who remains the favorite of one fourth of Democrats surveyed. A Democratic strategist in Florida with Draft Biden, a political action committee established to lay the groundwork for a Biden run, Steve Schale, said more voters would be likely to support Biden once he has officially launched a campaign.

US elections: Biden gets massive ‘go ahead’ support

US Vice President Joe Biden

“There’s an element of people - they know they like him, but they’re not willing to give him their vote yet,” Schale said. Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, ex-Senator Jim Webb of Virginia and Lincoln Chaffee, a former governor of Rhode Island, comprise the rest of the Democratic presidential field. Clinton has been perceived as increasingly politically vulner-

able as questions persist over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state in the Obama administration. That controversy has helped stoke the fires for a late-in-the-game Biden shot. Even so, Clinton continues to command large organizational and financial advantages, as well as the lion’s share of the Democratic electorate, as the poll confirmed. Those close to Biden said that

the vice president, still griefstricken over the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in May, had not yet settled upon a course of action and is determined to stay true to his personal timetable. Media reports last week had aides to Biden consulting with the Democratic National Committee about upcoming deadlines for qualifying for state primary ballots.

the Syrian regime, saying Moscow’s task was to “stabilise the legitimate authorities and create conditions for the search of

political compromise.” “We are not striving for some sort of leadership on Syria,” he said at yesterday’s forum.

Putin flays US stand on Syria

resident Vladimir Putin yesterday slammed Washington for refusing to share intelligence with Russia on Syria, accusing it of muddled thinking. “I believe some of our partners simply have mush for brains,” Putin said, expressing some of his strongest criticism yet of Washington’s handling of the Syrian crisis. Late last month Moscow launched a bombing campaign in Syria, saying it needed to target Islamic State jihadists before they cross into Russia, which has a large Muslim population. But Washington and its allies slammed Russia’s intervention in the conflict, saying Moscow was also targeting Westernbacked moderate rebels and sought to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad. “Now, we often hear that our pilots are striking the wrong targets, not IS,” Putin said at an investment forum in Moscow explaining that Russia had asked Washington to provide a list of targets. “’No, we are not ready for this’ was the answer,” Putin quoted them as saying. “Then we thought again and asked another question: then tell us where we should not strike. No answer too.

“That is not a joke. I did not make this up. “How is it possible to work together?” “I think some of our partners simply have mush for brains, they do not have a clear understanding of what really happens in the country and what goals they are seeking to achieve.” He also took issue with a decision by a US-led coalition to parachute in ammunition to rebels in Syria, saying the weapons could end up in the wrong hands. In televised comments at the weekend, Putin acknowledged that Russia wanted to buttress

Putin

Iran parliament okays nuke deal

he Iranian parliament has given its approval to the deal Tehran reached with world powers over its nuclear program, state media reported yesterday. Lawmakers passed a bill allowing the Iranian government to implement the agreement, with 161 voting in favor, 56 against and 13 abstentions. Under the deal, international sanctions on Iran will be lifted in return for restrictions on its nuclear program aimed at preventing it from being able to develop an atomic bomb. The agreement, reached in July by top negotiators from Iran, the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom, has faced opposition from some quarters, notably the Israeli government and U.S. Republicans. The Republican efforts to obstruct the deal in Congress have failed, and the congressional review period for it ended last month. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed the

historic agreement won’t change his government’s stance toward the United States after decades of hostility and distrust. In an indication of the ongoing tensions between the two countries, an Obama administration official said on Monday that Iran’s test over the weekend of a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile was likely to have violated a U.N. resolution.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

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Snakes invade Plateau communities, bite 50 in 2 weeks

nakes washed by flood into Kanke, Kanam and other communities in Plateau have bitten more than 50 people in the last two weeks, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports. Rep. Timothy Golu, representative of the area at the National Assembly, confirmed the development to NAN in Jos after visiting the victims. Golu said that some had died while others in critical conditions were on admission in various hospitals and traditional snake treating homes. He said that 13 victims were at Zamko clinic in Langtang, 20 in traditional healers’ treatment homes, seven in herbalists’ centres, while some visit the centres for daily treatment owing to lack of bed space. ``Some have even been CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ogunbayo Olawale Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Atoyebi Olawale Samuel. All documents with previous name remain valid. General public should take note CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as UZOETO CHIBUZO ANN in 2008 and 2009 Waec Certificate and UZOETO CHIBUZO ANASTASIA in Esut my real name are UZOETO CHIBUZO MARYDONALD. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, Jamb Esut and general public should please take note.

treated and discharged, but a woman at my place, who has been treated and discharged, still has pus gushing from the bitten spot and we have advised her to return to the hospital for fresh checks. ``We fear that something worse may result from the wound if not properly treated because she is already limping,’’ he said. Describing the situation as ``very scary and pathetic’’, Golu said that the snakes, who move openly and always in pairs, were washed into the communities by flood. ``As the flood pushed them from the over flown tributaries of Rivers Benue and Niger, some snakes climbed trees, others entered holes while some just held unto any available straw.

FAMILY CHANGE OF SURNAME Formerly OKEKE’s family now NWACHUKWU’S family. (1)MRS. IJEOMA PRISCILLA NWACHUKWU (2) NONSO MMERI NWACHUKWU (3)PRINCE CHIMERE NWACHUKWU (4)AKACHUKWU CHARLES NWACHUKWU (5)CHIJIOKE NWACHUKWU (6)JACHIMMA AMARA NWACHUKWU

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONANUGA: formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolanle Afusat Onanuga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. BOLANLE AFUSAT ONANUGA SHIRO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBOLA: formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeola Oluwaseyi Adebola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeola Oluwaseyi Aladesanmi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Alidu-Mariam-Ajoke, now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Abubakar-MariamAjoke. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Ayinla Ganiyat Abiola, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Abdullateef Ganiyat Ayinla. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

AUCTION This is to inform the general public that the following Vehicles SCRAP VOLVO WAGON XD 881 AKL, VOLVO BH 96 MUS, SIENNA FST 300AJ and other Assorted items arrested and impound at OBEHIE Police divisions, Aba, shall be sold by Public Auction after 14 days of this Publication. The police shall not be held liable for any item sold by Public Auction after the 14 days notice. SIGNED: MR. SUNDAY OCHI Auctioneer

PUBLIC NOTICE IZUNWANNE LANDLORDS’ ASSOCIATION, ASAMATOR OF ABIA STATE. This is to inform the general public that the above named association as applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under ‘PART C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Nwanuforo Oliver Oguzuruonu 2. Nnadozie Ikechukwu 3. Ezeonye Michael Ngozi 4. Nwosu Dara Hyacienth 5. Ikwu Jude Anayochukwu 6. Akunne Francis Uchenna 7. Obianuka Augustine Uche 8. Egbom Eugene Ibenyenwa 9. Onyebuchi Dike 10. Awazie Peter Samuel. Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguisi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, ABUJA, within 28 days of this publication.

‘ Signed: TRUSTEES

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Kogi trains 4,000 women, youths on cassava processing Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

ogi State government has disclosed that it had trained over 4, 000 women and youths on cassava products processing to meet international standards. The Special Adviser to the state governor on Women and Youth development, Dr (Mrs) Temitope Sinkaiye who made this known while speaking in a chat journalists in Lokoja at weekend, stated that 1, 500 of the trainees had successfully keyed into the government cassava value chain development programme. Shinkaye explained that government on its part had released N375 million LOSS OF DOCUMENT (RECERTIFIED C OF O) This is to inform the general public of the loss of recertified C of O of a property situated at Amagu Owojo along Agbani Road, Enugu, registered as 27/27/1582 on 19th March, 2007 at the Enugu Lands Registry, belonging to Mr. Bonaventure C. Akabike of House 10, Close B, Federal Housing Estate, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt. All efforts to trace the said documents proved abortive. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Basiru Zaynab Oyegbemi, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Sikiru Zaynab Oyegbemi. All former documents remain valid, Ladoke Akintola University (Lautech) Ogbomoso and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Sule Olusegun is the same one person as Omoleke Emmanuel Olusegun, that henceforth, wishes to be called and addressed as Omoleke Emmanuel Olusegun. All former documents remain valid, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Osogbo and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKWUNDU:I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Okwundu Chidimma Ben-Ann, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Efobi Chidimma Ben-Ann. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGAR: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Ebiala Ogar, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odey Veronica Ebiala. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKOH: I, formerly known as MISS. OKOH JOY OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UGWU JOY OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

to them as start up capital with each of them receiving N250’000. Sinkaiye who spoke at a one-day mini exhibition of the products of the beneficiaries said that the beneficiaries were selected from the agro- entrepreneurial component of the Women and Youth Advancement and Development Programme ( YAD4KOGI) initiated by the government in 2012. She pointed out that the training carried out in conjunction with a private firm, FLO-MULVINA Nig. Ltd. had moved the state to becoming a major exporter of cassava products, especially gari. She noted that the efforts of the government had also recently received a major

MISSING DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public and LBIC that the Original Allocation paper with the Original receipt of payment and other important document on Plot 103, Block 235 Flat 4, Zone D2, Iba Housing Estate belonging to Mr. Samuel A. Olasanya are missing and all effort to trace said proved abortive. If seen please contact 08124680288. CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that OKPA FRANK OZOEMENA, OKPA FRANK MONDAY and BONIFACE EBUBECHUKWU FRANK refer to one person now wish to be known and addressed as BONIFACE EBUBECHUKWU FRANK. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as miss Adewale Abosede Idowu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edubi Abayomi Idowu all former documents remain valid Ijebu ode local government Education Authority and general public take note .

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Jagun Tajudeen Olatubosun now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Jagun Olawale Cole Oluseun all former documents remain valid and general public take note

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Formerly called and addressed as Miss Eyinfunjowo Olajumoke Olubusola, now wish to be called and known as Mrs Ojofidipe Olajumoke Olubusola. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Joseph Emmanuel Uziel is the same one person as Ochigbo Emmanuel Joseph, that henceforth wishes to be known and called as Ochigbo Emmanuel Joseph. All former documents remain valid, Garanty Trust Bank (GTBank) ilesa branch and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IKE JOSEPHINE CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OMETA JOSEPHINE CHINENYE All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME ONWUD: I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUDE OKECHUKWU HENRY now wish to be known and addressed as ENUGA OKECHUKWU HENRY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF VILLAGE NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

boost from the Nigeria Standards Organisation ( SON) which recently conferred a certificate of quality on garri products being produced by the trainees said that government had concluded arrangements to introduce some of the trainees to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency ( SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry for more financial assistance to scale up their businesses. The Special Adviser said that her department was encouraged to stage the mini exhibition by the success recorded by the women and youths at the Arise and Shine Africa Trade Exhibition organized by the SON and the

Formerly known and addressed as OBODO INYI UMUAGA in Udi Local Govt. Area, now wish to be known and addressed as OBODO IFE UMUAGA in Udi Local Govt. Area. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as MISS AINA OLUWAKEMI OLATUNDUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAWOYE OLUWAKEMI OLATUNDUN. All former document remain valid. General public take note

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CHANGE OF NAME OKAFOR: I, formerly known as MISS. NWAMAKA STEPHANIE OKAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NWAMAKA STEPHANIE CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME IBEAFU: I, formerly known as MRS. IBEAFU FLORENCE OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS. ONYEWELU FLORENCE OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

just concluded Abuja International Trade Fair. The state governor, Capt Idris Wada expressed his delight that the programme had achieved its set objectives of being a platform to reduce unemployment and create jobs for women and youth. He promised to empower more women and youths in the state but asked the private sector and well meaning individuals in the state to complement the efforts of the government. Wada who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi congratulated the exhibitors and commended them for not disappointing him, urging them to join government in creating jobs. The wife of the governor, Hajia Halima Wada who was the special guest of honor said that the programme had helped in consolidating the state’s position as the number one producer of cassava in the country. She urged the exhibitors to show more courage and perseverance so that they can continue to excel in all their areas of endeavour. CHANGE OF NAME LAMIDI: Formerly known and addressed as MR. LAMIDI AFEEZ, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. ABDUHAMMED ABDUAFEEZ OLUWASINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME EGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as AGBO ABRAHAM CHIDIEBELE now wish to be known and addressed as EGBO ABRAHAM CHUKWUDI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AKABA:I, formerly known as MISS. AKABA ANULIKA VIVIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODINYE ANULIKA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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TUC lauds FG’s directive on payment of workers’ outstanding arrears Justin Tyopuusu, JALINGO

rade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday commended the Federal Government’s directives that all outstanding arrears of salaries and other entitlements owe workers in the country be paid. President general of the union Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, made the commendation during an interview with journalists in Jalingo. Federal Government had in a recent circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danlandi Kifasi, directed that all entitlements owe federal civil servants be calculated and paid with immediate effect. Kaigama said the move

North

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

to clear unpaid entitlements which include salary arrears, promotion arrears, first 28 days allowances, repatriation allowance, burial expenses and death benefits among others, would boost the morale of workers and enhance productivity. The TUC boss commended President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing hope to thousands of public employees owed arrears of salaries and allowances, even as he pledged the union’s support to the President’s anticorruption war. He expressed confidence that the ongoing review of salaries and allowances of public office holders and civil servants would take into consideration current economic realities as well as be in the interest of Nigerian workers.

Insurgency: JUTH, Plateau hospital get N30m James Abraham, JOS

os University Teaching Hospital, JUTH and Plateau State Specialist Hospital have taken delivery of N30m to cater for victims of insurgency in the state. The fund which came through Victims Support Fund, VSF, an initiative of the Federal Government headed by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), was set up to address the plight of victims of insurgency in different parts of the country. Executive director of the fund, Prof. Sunday Ochoche, while presenting cheques for N20m to JUTH, and N10m to the specialist hospital, Jos, said the donation was as a result of the fund raised by the victims

support group to provide succour for victims of insurgency and attacks in villages in the state for whom the hospitals provide free services and food. According to the chairman, before coming to the state which is one of the states affected by insurgency and attacks, the fund had also given support to about seven hospitals in the North East that were shortlisted for the exercise. He said the gesture was a mandate that covers the whole nation as affected by terrorism and insurgency. He advised public hospitals that have received financial support from the fund to make judicious use of it in providing quality care for the numerous victims of insurgency in their areas.

“We may not have supported private organisations, probably because the emphasis is to help build capacity and provide resources for public institutions to be able to provide free medical care for the victims,” he explained. The director said the money is expected to be used in providing treatment for gun-shot and bomb-blast victims as well as those undergoing trauma rehabilitation. Ochoche acknowledged that the amount is “insignificant, considering the magnitude of daily attacks” on individuals by the insurgents, but declared that it is “just the beginning of a partnership.” He pledged that the fund would continue to support the hospitals within

the scope of its resources, adding that other states affected by insurgency would also be assisted in due course. Chief medical director, Dr. Edmond Banwat, thanked the fund for the gesture and promised judicious use of the money. He said the support had come at the right time to help hospitals which have served the North Central zone. Also speaking, the chief medical director of the state specialist hospital, Dr. Joseph Golwa, said the hospital has been strategic to the state since the 2001 crisis that engulfed the state. Appreciating the donation, he said the hospital is receiving such gesture for the first time.

Wanted: Policy for aged persons –Maitama Sule Regina Otokpa, ABUJA

lder statesman, Maitama Sule, has called on the Federal Government to institute a policy that would take care of aged persons in the country. He made the call yesterday during the inaugural ceremony and international conference of the African Society for Ageing Research and Development, ASARD, in Abuja. According to him, it is the responsibility of government to ensure that all aged persons are adequately taken care of instead of being dumped in homes designed for the old, if the nation’s objectives are to be achieved. He disclosed that the vast experience of older persons in every society is needed in drafting policies and giving positive direction to current leaders, to enhance a vibrant political and socioeconomic nation. Sule, a member of the board of trustees of ASARD, stressed that the most effective way of getting positive results in the running of any establishment or a nation, is by combining young people with older ones who are still mentally alert. He further lamented the lost culture of regard for el-

ders by government and the citizenry. Earlier, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, had stressed the need for a data revolution that would champion the drafting of creative policies that capture the needs of the aged and also aid in their effective implementation process. This was even as he disclosed that proactive steps are being taken to develop a Master of Science programme in Geriatrics, in addition to the development of Gerontology programmes in 12 universities in the country, Giving an analysis of Africa, he noted that the population of aged persons in the continent is increasing rapidly and is expected to increase from 59.8 million in 2012 to about 64.5 million in 2015. According to him, ASARD was initiated to provide a platform to develop inter-university networks as well as encourage strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders towards addressing the challenges and opportunities in population ageing and improving the quality of life and wellbeing of older persons.

L-R: Governors, Kashim Shettima (Borno), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), during the meeting of state governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Federal high court to appoint 20 additional judges Igbawase Ukumba, LAFIA

federal high court yesterday said it has almost completed the rigorous process of appointment over 20 additional judges to boost its activities across the federation. Accordingly, it added that the additional judges would make it possible for every state of the federation, including Nasarawa State, to have at least two judges on the bench of the court. Chief judge of the high court, Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta, disclosed this in his opening speech at the 31st annual federal high court judges’ conference

held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. He recalled that the court which started as a small court in 1973, when it was operating just from one division in Lagos with only five judges, now has 36 operational divisions with 53 serving judges. Shedding light on the conference, Justice Auta said: “It has been the practice of the federal high court to meet annually to appraise the activities of the previous year with a view to finding a solution to identified problems. “In the process of finding solution to the indentified problems, the judges freely correct and apportion blames to their erring

brother-judges before finally urging them to improve on their performances in the previous year,” he explained. Justice Auta concluded that the objective of the conference was to identify ways of moving the court forward by discussing problems as well as acquainting themselves with current developments in their chosen profession. When declaring the conference open, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State drew attention of the participants to the need to address the excesses of the social media. According to the governor, “it is sad that the

social media, which has become an obsession in today’s society, is threatening individual liberty and due process in the dispensation of justice. Miscreants have found the social media a cheap platform for blackmail, mischief and falsehood.” He stated that even the justice system is not safe from the snare of campaigns of calumny perpetrated under this genre of mass communication. Al-Makura therefore want the judiciary, an institution anchored on integrity, to intervene in the unwholesome dissemination of falsehood so as to restore sanity in the society.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as YEJIDE BALOGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as YEJIDE AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiwo Omolara Ijale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Taiwo omolara Coker. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF YORUBA MEDIA PRESENTERS

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Yinusa Aremu Salimonu - President 2. Olaitan Oladele Abdullahi - Secretary 3. Lawal Solagbade Isola 4. Hamzat Hakeem Babatunde 5. Bakare Rasheed Kolawole 6. Onifade Olaniyi Oluwasegun 7. Akinsola Taiwo Tunji 8. Adetokun Soji Julius Any objection to the registration should be forwaded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Area 11, Garki, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: Olasupo Osewa $Co Plot 1, Olajuwon Street Yaba-Lagos

Solicitors

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PUBLIC NOTICE

THERESA WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOUNDATION.

GOOD MEASURE MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The General Public is hereby informed that the above-named Ministry has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act CAP C20 LFN 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Rev. Fr Felix Mary Ndubuisi - 2. Mr. Nathan Esebonu - 3. Barr. Nnenne Chinwe Ezissi - 4. Comrade Kelechi Ndubuisi

President Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To care for the less privilege in the society. 2. To care for the elderly and aged women and men 3. To care for the orphan and homeless children and provide for their education and health. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar – General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maltam, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Mr. Nathan Esebonu Secretary

1. Rev. I. D. Lawon -Chairman 2. Rev. Emmanuel Aladiran -Member 3. Rev. Emiko Amotsuka -Member 4. Pastor Adebisi Ilori -Member 5. Mrs. Olabisi Ajayi -Member 6. Mrs. Modupe Badaru -Member 7. Pastor Olusegun Ajayi -Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MINISTRY 1.To preach, teach and propagate the total and unadulterated gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ both within and outside Nigeria.

2. To bring back man to his lost firstestate in God through the preaching and teaching of the Word of Truth. 3. To create an avenue for Christian fellowship in love and compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. To provide an atmosphere of worship that will enable men to and healing of God’s Holy Spirit.

find the help

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: TRUSTEES

Wednesday October 14, 2015

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Sport

I have had downturn to be sure. But I have not allowed the situation to kill my spirit to bounce back

I don’t like Wenger, says Allardyce

– Swansea striker, Michu

Seized kits:

NFF admits Nike made shipment mistake Everest Onyewuchi

he controversy over the alleged seizure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) kits consignment by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was yesterday resolved, with the NFF admitting that its kits sponsor, Nike, made mistake by shipping the goods through Apapa Port. Media reports had it last week that the NCS, Apapa Area 1 Command, allegedly seized the national teams’ kits. But the NCS yesterday said the NFF never declared any consignment at the port until October 13 when its delegation visited the command. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the NFF delegation that visited the Customs comprised Mr. Buba Danjuma, an official of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Tajudeen Tiamiyu, Head of Store of the NFF and Dr. Christian Emeruwa, the Senior Assistant to the NFF General Secretary. Emeruwa told the Command’s Controller, Mr. Eporwei Edike, that the NFF was not aware that the consignment arrived at the Apapa port because it had never received

consignments through sea shipment. He said it was only after it confirmed from the management of Nike that it knew the cargo was sent to Apapa. Emeruwa, however, said the NFF did not know how to go about processing the clearance of the goods, adding that as at the time of the meeting, the Glass House did not have an agent to help with the clearance of the consignment. Edike said that since the position had been clarified that customs did not seize NFF’s football teams’ kits consignment, the command would assist to fast-track the release of the goods. “We will assist the NFF with the conditional release so that the teams can have their kits quickly. But that will require the NFF to immediately raise a form `M’ and submit it with an evidence of the Bill of Lading from the shipping company. “With this, a conditional release will be granted after payment at the bank pending when they come and perfect the process,” the customs commander said. He explained that the customs procedure for clearing cargo is on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) which required processing before arrival of the cargo and not after its arrival.

Amuneke

Eaglets land in Chile for U-17 W/Cup

Pinnick

igeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets led by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke departed Argentina yesterday for Chile, where the FIFA World Cup will kick-off on Saturday in Santiago. A squad of 21 players and 10 officials including NFF Assistant Director (Technical), Siji Lagunju for Santiago for the defense of the FIFA U-17 World Cup won for a record fourth time by Nigeria two years ago in the UAE. The Eaglets rounded off their tour of Argentina on Monday with a convincing 3-1 win over the U-20 side of

Racing Club of Buenos Aires. Amuneke described the impressive performance of Eaglets as very encouraging, adding that the pre-World Cup camping in Buenos Aires has added value to the team’s preparation ahead of Chile 2015 that will hold from October 17 through November 8. “The most important thing is to see the players grow from strength to strength and I’m particularly pleased with their performance against Racing today,” Amuneke told thenff.com. Nigeria has been drawn against USA, Croatia and hosts Chile in Group A.

Sports

Wednesday October 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Allardyce

I’m not satisfied with Real honours

–Ronaldo R

eal Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo, admitted yesterday that he felt no satisfaction despite winning a record fourth Golden Boot as the top scorer in Europe’s domestic leagues last season. “It’s a special moment,” said the 30-year-old Portuguese striker during a ceremony in the Spanish capital. “But I’m not satisfied, I always want more.” The former Manchester United

striker added, “I know I’m the only one to have won four Boots but I want more, I want the fifth and sixth if possible.” Ronaldo scored 48 goals in 35 Spanish league games last season to claim his third Golden Boot with Real Madrid after 2011 and 2014. He also won one with Manchester United in 2008. No other player has won four. His Argentinian rival, Lionel Messi, who scored 43 goals with Bar-

Ronaldo

celona to finish second top scorer last season, has won the award three times in 2010, 2012, 2013. Messi however is the only player to win European football’s top individual award, the Ballon d’Or, four times, with Ronaldo winning three times. Two weeks ago Ronaldo scored his 500th career goal and then equalled Raul’s club record tally of 323 goals for Real Madrid.

Stars launch Aussie Open 2016 in Shanghai, Melbourne Everest Onyewuchi

wo of the greatest lefthanders in the history of tennis and a fast-rising Aussie star officially kicked off Australian Open 2016 on two continents yesterday. The legendary Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal, both ‘Friends of the Australian Open’ posed with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup against the spectacular Shanghai skyline at an Australian Open business breakfast. Meanwhile in Melbourne, rising Aussie star, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Tennis Australia president, Steve Healy, CEO and Australian Open tourna-

ment director, Craig Tiley, led a parade of 101 ballkids through Birrarung Marr, home of the first ever Australian Open Festival, a free fan and family-friendly initiative designed to bring the city even closer to the event. Speaking at the official launch event in Shanghai, 2009 Australian Open champion, Nadal, in fine form after reaching the final of the China Open in Beijing, is excited about the first Grand Slam of 2016. “Every year I look forward to play in Melbourne, I have great memories of not only winning the title but each year is a great experience for me as a player,” Nadal said. Tiley, announced a range of initiatives guaranteed to make

the 2016 event bigger and better than ever for both fans and players. “Continual innovation and always pushing the boundaries to present the best possible experience for our players and

our fans is what the Australian Open is all about,” Tiley said in Melbourne yesterday. Australian Open 2016 will have a 10 per cent increase in prize money, increasing the total pool to AU$44 million.

I don’t like Wenger, says Allardyce

rsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is arrogant and a bad loser who tries to influence referees through the media, says newly appointed Sunderland couch, Sam Allardyce. Allardyce, who makes the comments in his new autobiography, serialised in The Sun, reveals the depth of loathing between himself and Wenger, who have been at odds ever since the Englishman was in charge of Bolton Wanderers. “I enjoyed beating Arsenal more than anyone when I was in charge at Bolton,” Allardyce said. “We’d really got to them and Arsene Wenger hated us. There was one time he wouldn’t shake hands with me at Highbury because we got a draw there. I saw him ripping his tie off and throwing it on the floor in anger. “He takes it all very personally and has an air of arrogance. He’s not one for inviting you into his office for a drink after the game. “The more I wound him up, the more I liked it. He tried to influence refs through the media and create a perception that we were bullies committing all the fouls, while his team just wanted to play,” Big Sam said.

Russia 2018: Madagascar ousts CAR

adagascar held the Central African Republic to a 2-2 draw yesterday to complete a 5-2 aggregate win in their preliminary round qualifier for the Russia 2018 World Cup. BBC Sport reports that Junior Gourrier put visitors CAR ahead after only seven minutes but Madagascar recovered from

the shaky start to turn things around before half-time. Falimery Ramanamahefa and Charles Andriamahitsinoro scored a goal apiece to give Madagascar a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes of the opening period remaining. They were pegged back by a Demba Malick goal just before the break and neither side were

able to break through again after the interval. Madagascar will face Senegal in the next round. Swaziland looks particularly strong, with a 6-0 advantage over Djibouti but will have to wait to confirm their place in the next round - where Nigeria awaits - after the second leg was postponed for logistical reasons.

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Sports

Wednesday October 14, 2015

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

IfeanyiUbah players

Boycott saga: IfeanyiUbah, El-Kanemi get Oct. 28 replay date ... IfeanyiUbah insist on 3 points rule T he FC Ifeanyiubah versus El-Kanemi Warriors match in the Glo Premier League has now been rescheduled to take place on October 28 by the League Management Company (LMC). “The Match Day 33 fixture: FC Ifeanyiubah vs. El-Kanemi Warriors is hereby rescheduled to be played on Wednesday, 28 October, 2015 at the same time and venue (i.e 4pm at the FC Ifeanyiubah International Stadium, Nnewi),” a statement

from the LMC on Monday night informed. The game was earlier scheduled to take place on Sunday but the away team, El-Kanemi Warriors, failed to show up for the game at the FC Ifeanyiubah Stadium in Nnewi and it was reported that FC Ifeanyiubah had claimed the three points and three goals. Players of El-Kanemi have been on a week-long strike lead-

ing to their boycott of the game but the LMC in a statement on Monday said the game has been rescheduled for October 28. The LMC revealed that it received a letter from El-Kanemi on match day (October 11). “In a letter dated 10-10-2015, albeit received via e-mail at 2:40pm on 11-10-2015 (the day of the match), El-Kanemi Warriors FC notified the LMC that its players had embarked on a

strike action over unpaid wages, as a result of which the players refused to attend training sessions and eventually decided to boycott the match in question, which led to the failure of the club to honour the match. The Club then requested that the match be postponed,” the LMC stated.

El-Kanemi players insist on ‘no pay no play’ decision

layers of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri have vowed not to go back to the pitch unless their accumulated entitlements are settled. The Glo Premier League side shocked domestic league watchers on Sunday when they boycotted their match day 33 trip to Ifeanyiubah FC and were subsequently walked over. It was gathered that the bone of contention was the enhanced salary which the players are yet to collect since last season. “Last season, we were paid only the old salary of N70,000 to some and N50,000 to some others,” one of the players said. Continuing, he said, “They told us

they would pay the balance later but they did not. “This season again, we’ve been collecting same old salaries and nobody is talking about the balance of last season’s and the balance of the enhanced salary for this season. “So if we are not paid with just five matches to end the season, when will they pay us the balance for the two seasons? “Last season we went home at the end of the season without money and we foresee a repeat this time around, hence our collective decision to press home for our money.” Despite a meeting to resolve the issue,

the players are insisting they will not sit down with anybody on the issue except, perhaps, the governor of Borno State, Alhaji Shetima Kashim. It would be recalled that the LMC had given the management of the club until October 27 to settle all outstanding contractual obligations to the players or risk six-points deduction. Zana Mohammed, chairman of the club, said he was attending a burial ceremony when he was contacted on phone. But spokesman of the club, Anthony Obaseki, confirmed that the players were agitating for the payment of their ‘enhanced’ salary dating back to last season.

Ikorodu Utd will stun opponents –Cooreman Ifeanyi Eduzor

elgian manager of newly promoted Premiership side, Ikorodu United Fc of Lagos, Maurice Cooreman has expressed op-

timism that his team will surprise other premier league sides when hostilities begin in the elite league next season. Cooreman, who trained with 26 players yesterday after conclusion of screening exercise last weekend, told National

Mirror that his team has nothing to fear as he has a mixture of young and experienced talented footballers. The former technical adviser of Lobi Stars, Warri Wolves, Bendel Insurance, Enyimba Fc, Kaduna United

and Gombe United respectively noted that he is not afraid of such big names as Kano Pillars, Dolphins, Enyimba, Rangers, Heartland and Nasarawa United having won Group A 1 promotion ticket of the Nigeria National League.

Teams

Enyimba

Wolves

Wikki

Giwa

Sunshine

Nasarawa

Pillars

Heartland

Abia

3SC

Rangers

IfeanyiUbah

El-Kanemi

Lobi

Akwa

Sharks

Dolphins

Kwara

Taraba

Bayelsa

Rangers on tricky away game against Sunshine

angers will face Sunshine Stars this weekend in Akure and and the Flying Antelopes must strive to pick at least a point from the tough tie to show their fans and supporters that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Rangers are 12th on the table with 45 points from 33 games. Rangers yesterday expressed regrets over their inability to record a famous double victory over Warri Wolves after they could only draw 1-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu last Sunday in a Glo Premier League Week 33 tie. The Enugu side defeated Warri Wolves when the corresponding fixture was played in June this year in a Week 13 duel 1-0 but couldn’t replicate that feat y after they fought harder before gaining a draw before their fans. Gbolahan Salami scored the curtain raiser in the 10th minute after an assist from Kufre Ebong but the Seasiders lost other chances that came their way before Rangers raised the bar in the second half to get the equaliser in the 50th minute through Osas Okoro. The Director of Media and Publicity of Rangers, Foster Chime said they were pained by their inability to secure a double win over Warri Wolves and that they must approach their next away tie against Sunshine with victory on their minds.

WORLD RECORD

First canine film star Vol. 05 No. 1221

N150

Wednesday, October14, 2015

Rollie Rover was the undisputed star of the film Rescued by Rover released in 1907. It was produced by Cecil He pwor th and cost £7 13s 9d to make.

Africa’s decisive moment for democracy

ast May, I shared in an extraordinary moment. I had the privilege, together with many leaders from across Africa, of bearing witness to the first peaceful, democratic transition of power between two parties in Nigeria. I traveled to Lagos earlier this year to emphasize that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner with a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of the region. I also said that it was imperative that these elections set a new standard for democracy across the continent. There is no question that this is a decisive moment for democracy in Africa. Later this month, four countries – Guinea, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Central African Republic – are scheduled to hold presidential elections, and soon af-

Guest Columnist

John Kerry

ter we hope to see elections in Burkina Faso. People across Africa must seize this opportunity to make their voices heard; and leaders across the continent must listen. The challenges are real. For decades, poverty, famine, war, and authoritarian leadership have held back an era of African prosperity and stability. These and other challenges should not be underestimated, but neither should we ignore the gains that are being made. In Africa, as elsewhere, there is a deep hunger for governments that are legitimate, honest, and effective. We should have no doubt that progress in democratic governance will lead to gains in every other field about which we are concerned. In Burkina Faso, brave and determined citizens twice asserted their will in successfully opposing efforts to curtail the democratic process. First, last year, when Former President Blaise Campaore sought to alter term limits and extend his 27 years in office; and again last month, when Burkinabes rallied against a failed attempt to seize power by elements of the Presidential Security Regiment. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have seen citizens speak out, sometimes at great personal risk, to push for transparent, timely, and credible elections. And we have seen that same hunger for democracy outside of Africa.

IN AFRICA, AS ELSEWHERE, THERE IS A DEEP HUNGER FOR GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE LEGITIMATE, HONEST, AND EFFECTIVE Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Panama all recently held inclusive, well-organized elections that brought new leaders to power and strengthened democratic institutions. The challenge in Africa’s upcoming elections is to meet this demand for democracy and live up to the standards that Africans expect and deserve. The countries scheduled to go to the polls vary widely in their history and circumstances, but each has an opportunity to enhance its democratic credentials and advance economic growth and shared prosperity. Côte d’Ivoire can put a difficult and violent election in 2010 firmly in its past and resume its position as a regional leader. Tanzania is preparing for its fourth transition of power between elected Presidents since independence. By respecting the Tanzanian constitution’s two-term limit and stepping down from office, President Jakaya Kikwete

is creating a dynamic and healthy competition among potential successors. Guinea is emerging from the scourge of Ebola, but its citizens are also calling for an electoral process that allows their voices to be heard. Meanwhile, the transitional government in Burkina Faso is working towards cementing its commitment to democracy through timely and transparent elections. Elections are vitally important, but make no mistake: elections cannot be the only moment for citizens to shape their future. People must be able to engage with their government and with their fellow citizens in political discussion and debate not just on Election Day, but every day. Just as important is respect for term limits. No democracy is served when its leaders alter national constitutions for personal or political gain. Furthermore, a losing candidate owes it to his or her country to accept the outcome and play a constructive role in finding and implementing solutions to shared challenges. A free, fair and peaceful presidential election does not guarantee a successful democracy, but it is one of the most important measuring sticks for progress in any developing nation. The countries soon holding elections have an opportunity to bolster their democratic credentials and to bring an entire continent closer to realizing the firmly held – and eminently justifiable – aspirations of its people to have their voices heard. The United States remains committed to helping make those aspirations a reality. Kerry, a former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has been the U.S. Secretary of State since 2013, wrote from Washington DC, USA

Sport Extra

Cisse arrested over alleged sex video blackmail

rench police arrested former Liverpool striker, Djibril Cisse, and three other people yesterday over a suspected attempt to blackmail France soccer international, Mathieu Valbuena, using sex

video footage, officials said. All four were taken into custody west of Paris and in Marseille as part of an investigation into alleged extortion and offences punishable by at least five years in jail, the public prosecutor’s

office said. Cisse, 34, a former teammate of Valbuena’s at Marseille, was apprehended because he knew the others involved, but is not suspected of being an instigator, a police official said.

The attempted extortion involved video footage of sex recorded on a mobile phone, said the official, who declined to be identified, a common practice in France for official police spokespeople.

Cisse, who retired earlier this year, was taken into custody at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT), the prosecutor’s office added. Valbuena, 31, plays for Ligue 1 club, Olympique Lyonnais, and the French national team.

Cisse

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