Dec 18th 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Afe Rivers rerun: We’ll not participate Aare Babalola Foundation in IGP’S panel –Wike

P.4

Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

Wike

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the government and people of the state

will not be party to the Police ‘phoney’ probe panel, saying the security agency cannot murder people in cwold blood and turn around to investigate. He further said the probe on the rerun elections, has a pre-

determined goal, which is to indict PDP members and commence their politically motivated prosecution. Recalled that the Inspector General of Police had ordered

to give N50,000 -N100,000 to underprivileged Aare Babalola

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

18 farmers hacked to A death in Taraba Vol. 6 N0. 1493

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror

N150

t least 18 farmers are believed to have been hacked to death by unknown assailants at Dan-anacha in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba in the early hours of Sunday. The killings are one of the series of bloody attacks in the state. It was reported that most of the farmers were killed on their farms. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr David Misal, who confirmed the incident, said that the police would soon release the casualty figure. “Actually, I cannot lie to you, there are casualties, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: President John Mahama of Ghana; President Foure Gnassingbe of Togo; President Ernest Bai-Coroma of Sierra-leone; Chairman ECOWAS Commission, Marcel de Souza; ECOWAS Chairman / Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ; President Muhammadu Buhari; President Alfa Konde of Guinea; President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, and President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, at the Fiftieth Ordinary Session of the EOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja at the weekend. PHOTO: CALLISTUS EWELIKE/JAU/NAN

P.2 FG commences payment of N30,000 to engaged graduates this month

News

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

18 farmers hacked to death in Taraba CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

but we will release the figures later after we might have finish combing the area. “It was an undercover attack by some unidentified people in the area,” Misal said.

He said the police would soon conduct a thorough search for the perpetrators of the wicked act through intelligence gathering. The acting Chairman of Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier, Mr Dooior Torkula, said a total of 18

persons were killed in the separate attacks. Torkula said the frontier recovered 12 corpses in Dan-Anacha shortly after the attacks. According to him, four bodies were recovered

from the Borno- Kruku road on the outskirts of Dan-Anacha, while two other corpses were recovered in their farms. He alleged that the attackers broke into most of the victims’ houses while

they were asleep and killed them. He further said that 18 other persons were left badly injured. The acting chairman said the bodies were recovered at about 3am on

Sunday. Torkula said calm had returned to the area following the arrival of armed mobile policemen. The policemen are currently patrolling the area to ensure law and order.

NIMASA to enforce full implementation of stevedoring regulations

he Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, said that agency was set to enforce full implementation of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014. The Head, Corporate Communications Team, Hajia Lami Tumaka, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said that the director-general disclosed this at a one-day Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Seminar on NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation, 2014. The director-general said that the enforcement of NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014 would strengthen stevedoring operations in all dock labour operational areas. Peterside said that the regulation prescribed standards for the appointment and operations of stevedoring services at the ports, terminals, jetties, onshore or off shore oil and gas or bonded terminal, Inland Containers Depots (ICDs) or dry ports, off dock terminals

and platforms within the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Represented by the agency’s Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Gambo Ahmed, the director-general said that NIMASA would continue to ensure a conducive working environment for employers of maritime labour in line with international best practices. “Let me assure you that the agency under my watch will strive to create the enabling environment for maritime labour employers to operate in line with International best practices. “As a competent authority for the implementation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and regulations, the agency will also conduct its maritime related affairs in the spirit of tripartism and consultation with all relevant stakeholders aimed at promoting a decent work agenda and moving the industry forward,’’ Peterside said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

Students jostling for a space in a free bus at Iju Station as Lagos State Schools closed for Christmas and New Year holidays in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Rivers rerun: We’ll not participate in IGP’S panel –Wike CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a probe into an audio tape where Wike was allegedly threatening to kill an INEC staff. Also, the IG said the panel will investigate the report of INEC on the just concluded rerun legislative poll in Rivers State.

FG commences payment of N30,000 to engaged graduates this month Rotimi Fadeyi

ABUJA

he Federal Government has said that payment of N30,000 monthly stipend to the 200,000 graduates engaged under the N-Power job creation would commence this month. According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the payment would commence once verification and deployment had taken place.

He explained that while the graduates had been deployed to their primary places of assignment in some states, about 13 states of the federation have submitted verified lists of the graduates adding that more are expected later later this week. Under the N-Power Volunteer Scheme, the Federal Government announced the selection and engagement of 200,000 unemployed graduates as the first batch of the half a million the Buhari administration plans to hire for the 2-year paid volunteer

job programme. He further explained that while the Federal Government was responsible for their monthly stipends, it was also in partnership with state governments to verify the selected unemployed graduates and deploy them to their primary places of assignment since each of the volunteer graduates would be serving in communities where they reside. He disclosed that the states that have completed the verification are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

Wike spoke on Sunday at the Victory Thanksgiving Mass of the PDP at Our Lady Chaplaincy of the Catholic Institute of West Africa for successful rerun/supplementary elections. He said: “We are not party to their so-called panel. We have passed that stage and we cannot fall into the trap of a panel of inquiry. “After killing our people, you want us to assist you unravel what? It is the police that killed our people,” the governor said. He wondered why the police would claim it wants to investigate issues surrounding the Rivers rerun elections, when it is one of the interested parties involved in the attempt to subvert the will of the people. Wike pointed out that it was the Police High Command that refused to prosecute the APC chieftains caught on camera printing fake result sheets ahead of the elections.

He added that petitions to the Police High Command on the negative activities of one ACP Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr Akin Fakorede were disregarded. He noted that even when Akin Fakorede was videoed beating up electoral officers at the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation centre, the police swept it under the carpet. “If it is a country that believes in its image, so many people would have lost their jobs. They cannot ask themselves why 28,000 policemen, yet to be ascertained number of soldiers, Police dogs and horses, gunboats and helicopters could not police ordinary legislative elections. “It is because the police were the ones committing the fraud, violence and election materials snatching. We are accusing the police of mass murder and they turn around to

set up a panel of inquiry. “After killing our people, you fraudulently set a panel of inquiry. Up till now they don’t know that we are far ahead. This panel is a mere booby trap to indict PDP members. “If they cared about lives, they wouldn’t do what they did “. The governor said that Rivers State survived the onslaught of the Federal Might because of God’s grace and intervention. “We are here to thank God for the victory he has given Rivers State. We came out from a battle and God was our leader during the fight. We owe God a lot”, he said. In his sermon, Rev Mosgnr Pius Kii, prophesied that the coalition of forces will never defeat Rivers State. The thanksgiving service was attended by PDP Leaders, Senators, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members and Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 19, 2016

News

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Germany to give Nigeria €3m for military equipment

ermany is to provide Nigeria with three million Euros for the procurement of surveillance equipment, mobile medical care unit and other support services for the country’s armed forces. The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, announced this on Sunday at joint news conference with the German Defence Minister, Ursala Von dar Leyen, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Air port, Abuja. The Germany defence minister was in Abuja to hand over some military equipment donated by her country to Nigeria. Dan-Ali said that the money would be provided through the extension of the German Technical Advisory Group Agreement for three years, 2017 to 2020. The minister said that under the existing agreement between the two countries under the group, 2012 to 2016, Germany had donated two mobile care units with extensive care unit facilities to the country. Also donated to the

country by Germany, according to Dan-Ali are Vallon metal detector/Improvised Explosive Device and Explosive Ordnance Disposal equipment, as well training of personnel and maintenance of the device. He said Nigeria had also received three Mobile Tactical Ground Surveillance Radar systems from Germany for border security in the North East. The minister thanked Germany for the assistance it had extended to the Nigerian armed forces so far to enhance their capacity to fight the Boko Haram terrorists. “As we are all aware, terrorism is a threat to the existence of humanity and its development. We must, therefore, continue to stand resolute and united in our fight to stamp terrorism out of the planet,’’ Dan-Ali said. In her remark, the German defence minister, who handed over the equipment to Dan-Ali, noted that combating terrorism was both “difficult and dangerious.’’ “Everywhere, the terrorists live bloody trail of destruction and death and

NIMASA to enforce full implementation of stevedoring regulations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2>>

The director-general reminded stakeholders of the need to adhere to high safety standards in their operations in order to stem the tide of industrial accidents in the ports, jetties and terminals. He also implored operators and dock labour employers to ensure that their workers are adequately remunerated, adding that it would go a long way in enhancing productivity in all aspects of the industry. Peterside also solicited the cooperation of stakeholders in the industry and reiterated the agency’s commitment toward moving the maritime industry to greater heights by emphasising best internationally acceptable operational practices. According to him, this is with a view to ensuring that the relevant provisions of the Law and International Conventions and Instruments are implemented to the letter. Stakeholders at the event include: the Presi-

dent of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), Mr Bolaji Sunmola and Otunba Kunle Folarin of the Ports Consultative Council (PCC). The stakeholders welcomed the sensitisation programme and called for effective implementation and enforcement of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulation 2014.

time and again, they single out the most vulnerable of their targets like children just like the Boko Haram does in Nigeria. “This is why it is in our common interest that the population at home in my country, as well as here in Nigeria is safe so that the economy can grow again. “Because that is the ba-

sis for jobs and prosperity so people can believe in the future in their homeland,’’ Leyen said. According to her, terrorists abuse religion for their own evil purposes. Terrorists spread terror and violence all over the world, in France, Belgium, Aghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, Germany and here in Ni-

geria. Leyen said the objective of the cooperation between her country and Nigeria was to assist the country to “conduct crisis prevention, crisis management and peace building operations.’’ “To compliment this, Germany is focusing on practical, very concrete

issues, the capability and equipment the Nigerian servicemen need most urgently such as the protection against the many IEDs place by the Boko Haram.’’ She noted that Nigeria was fighting a hard, but most important fight, assuring the support of her country.

L-R: Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo; Senior Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) Ministries North Central Region 1, Pastor Felix Adedeji Peters; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN and Assembly Pastor (MFM) Utako, Pastor David Bolaji, at the Sunday Worship Service of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church Utako Abuja, yesterday.

FG commences payment of N30,000 to engaged graduates this month CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2>>

Cross Rivers, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina and Kogi states. Others are Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara States, while verification and deployment have already been completed in Benue, Cross

Rivers and Kogi. According to Akande, in virtually all the states of the federation, the verification has commenced and there are indications that much progress would be made in order to enable the Federal Government process the monthly

payments of the already verified graduates before Christmas. He said the government was keen on ensuring that the selected 200,000 graduates are able to draw their stipends since plans have been concluded to release the funds once verifica-

tion was completed. Akande stated that states have been very cooperative in working with the Federal Government so much that even in states that have not completed verification, much activities are going on towards attaining that goal.

Aare Afe Babalola Foundation to give N50,000-N100,000 to under-privileged

are Afe Babalola Foundation, a charity established by Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, LL.D (Lond.) a renowned philanthropist, will give various sums of money varying from N50,000 to N100,000 to two hundred under-privileged Nigerians. A statement from the management of the Foundation stated that those who qualify to apply are indigent students, men and women (young and old) who need financial assistance. However, those who are gainfully employed are excluded. To qualify, interested mem-

bers of the public should obtain free Application Forms immediately by visiting Afe Babalola University website on www.abuad.edu.ng, download the form, fill the downloaded forms and send to abpovertyalleviation@abuad. edu.ng In the alternative, they should visit AB Foundation Civic Centre, Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti, between 10:00am and 4:00pm daily to obtain a hard copy of the form. The completed form should be submitted to abpovertyalleviation@abuad.edu.ng or to AB foundation Civic Centre, Ado - Ekiti.

The statement added that all duly filled application forms must be submitted either online through abpovertyalleviation@abuad.edu.ng or to the AB foundation Civic Centre, Ado - Ekiti latest by 12:00noon on Thursday, December 29, 2016. A committee set up by the Foundation will on the 30th of December, 2016 sift applications and select 1,000 qualified applicants from all applications received after which the names of 1,000 successful applicants will be sent by SMS and will also be pasted on the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) website www. abuad.edu.ng or AB founda-

tion Civic Centre, Ado - Ekiti on the 31st of December, 2016/ 1st January, 2017. On the 3rd of January, 2017 the qualified 1,000 applicants shall participate in a ballot exercise by 10:00 am on Tuesday, 3rd January, 2017 out of which 200 winners will emerge. The 200 winners will receive between N50,000 and N100,000 each at AB Foundation Civic Centre, Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the 3rd of January, 2016. The exercise will be presided over by His Royal Highness, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The Guests of Honour are Chief Segun Oni, former Execu-

tive Governor of Ekiti State, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, the Host Governor, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose. Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. The Foundation will also be witnessed by numerous highly placed Nigerians who are well wishers of the underprivileged. The statement enjoined interested members of the public to contact Tunde on 08037877802, Olu on 08030527261, Bayo on 08034402771 and Taiwo on 08036209927 for further details.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, December 19, 2016

Magu: SERAP petitions UN, alleges political vendetta

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has petitioned the UN over alleged intimidation and harassment of Mr Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the Senate. In the petition, addressed to Mr Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, SERAP alleged that the Senate was working against Magu in concert with other government agencies. The petition was dated December 16 and signed by the Executive Director of SERAP, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni. It would be recalled that Senate on Thursday rejected Magu’s nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive chairman of the EFCC, citing security report as an alibi. In the said report allegedly prepared by the Department of State Services (DSS) details of which have emerged in a section of the media, Magu is accused of corruptionrelated offences. The SERAP questioned the veracity of the “purported report”, noting that the Senate should have known that the report was

“baseless and politically motivated to reject Mr Magu’s confirmation. “By relying on a report they knew or ought to know is baseless and politically-motivated to reject Magu’s appointment

as EFCC chairman, the Senate has flagrantly violated his right to a fair hearing. “The upper legislative chamber is implicitly working to weaken, intimidate, harass and

ultimately undermine the independence and freedom of action of the EFCC in its efforts to combat high-profile official corruption,’’ it said. The group urged Forst

to “urgently intervene in the matter to stop further intimidation and harassment of a prominent anti-corruption campaigner and human rights defender.’’ The rights group stated

that the action of the Senate and its allies were working to undermine Nigeria’s international obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of the citizens.

Crashes: Ban on petrol tankers effective from today —FRSC

ederal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, on Sunday reiterated its total ban of petroleum tanker drivers from embarking on night journeys across the country from Monday, December 19. Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that efforts had been put in place to impound any truck found contravening the order. According to him, the ban is to promote safe petroleum haulage in the country. “No tanker should be seen on the road at night, we need to find solutions to incessant crashes of tankers on the road. “Beneficial as petroleum sector is to the nation, safe haulage remains FRSC concern. “There is a problem and we have solutions to them, no more night journeys for petroleum products as from Monday, Dec. 19, enough is enough.

“The effects of crashes are quite unquantifiable on human life, the environment and to the economy,” Oyeyemi said. The FRSC boss also said that a crash involving a tanker laden with petrol would lose about

N50million being the cost of its contents and the vehicle. Oyeyemi said that many crashes that happened at night had also caused severe damage to people and the community. He said that apart from

the lives lost, number of houses, shops, farm and other investment were usually engulfed in flames during a crash involving fuel tankers. The Corps Marshal added that such incident had portrayed the nation in

bad light in the comity of civilised nations. Oyeyemi said that the dimension and scale of devastation caused by crashes involving petroleum tankers was evident in its multipliereffects on the society.

NCAA says airlines can’t fly without adequate cover Olusegun Koiki

igerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has declared that all the airlines operating in the country’s civil aviation industry must have adequate insurance cover for their aircraft. The agency also warned some stakeholders against anti-competitive practises, saying that any de-marketing strategy would be dealt with accordingly.

General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, in a statement disclosed that the regulatory authority was expressing concern over recent cases of disinformation prevalent in the industry. Adurogboye noted that some questionable sources had been posting and circulating some cruelly fictitious stories about some airlines, insinuating a crash or claiming a particular carrier does not possess aircraft spares to sustain a safe operation using the

online platform. Adurogboye said NCAA recently carried out a safety audit on the airlines in the sector and there were no issues of safety concerns found among any of the airlines. He urged the public to discard any fictitious story against any of the operating carriers in the sector. He added: “All those involved in this nefarious activity should promptly desist from this course of action as the consequences is seriously detrimental to

the industry, particularly the confidence of the passengers. “NCAA is well aware of the high volume of passenger movement within the country and from the diaspora during the yuletide season. NCAA’s Aviation Safety Inspectors, ASI, have therefore embarked on increased surveillance on airline operations in addition to our daily ramp inspection diligently carried out so as not to leave room for anyone to cut corners.”

Photo

Monday, December 19, 2016

NEWS

L-R: Representative, Partnership for Advocacy in Child and family Health, Mrs. Nita Byack Iruobe; Director, PACFAH, Mr. George Monyei and Director , Logistics and Health Care Commodities, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mohammed Mahmud, during a Meeting between Partnership for Advocacy in Child and family Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency in Abuja, recently. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Third Secretary, Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, Mr. Lionel Rochat; representative of Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Mahammed Musa; Chairman, Abaji Area Council, Mr. Abdulrahman Ajiya; Country Business Manager, Nestle Waters Nigeria Plc, Mr. Jason Lambe and Marketing Manager, Water Division, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Gloria Nwabuike, during the inauguration of community water facility in Abaji, Abuja, at the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay; Chief Risk Officer, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. M’fon Akpan; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni; Founder and Executive Chairman, Zinox Technologies Ltd, Mr. Leo Stan-Eke and Deputy Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle; during the commissioning of Stanbic IBTC Bank’s first digital branch located at Maryland Mall, Lagos.

L-R: Divisional Head, SME (South) ,Bank of Industry , Abdul-Ganiyu Mohammed; Acting Managing Director/ CEO, Bank of Industry ( BOI ) Mr Waheed Olagunju; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi and CEO ,Haggaiphem Nigeria Enterprises , Mr Agboola Olufemi a beneficiary, during the 1st Coronation anniversary of Ooni and presentation of Cheques to beneficiaries of the BOI - House of Oduduwa Foundation MSME Development Fund in Ile - Ife, Osun State,.

National News

130 power transmission projects abandoned since 2002 —TCN official

r Atiku Abubakar, Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Sunday said that about 130 power transmission projects have been abandoned across the country since 2002 due to inadequate funds to execute them. Abubakar disclosed this at the electricity customers’ forum organised by the Eko Electricity Distribution Plc., in Lagos. He said that the incumbent administration would ensure the execution of the projects with a view to enabling the power sector add value to the lives of Nigerians. He said the Omotosho/ Egbin 330/11 KVA line, which is one of the projects, would be given priority attention in the 2017 budget. “We have the capacity to generate 7, 500 megawatts of electricity but we are faced with issues of gas challenge. “The country power generation hovers between 3,000 megawatts and 3,300 megawatts due to challenge

caused by inadequate gas supply,’’ he said. Abubakar, however, regretted that the development could not be attained now causing generation to shrink to about 300 megawatts due to gas constraint in the country. According to him, the incumbent government is determined to turn the challenges to opportunities which would spur the growth of the sector. In his remarks, the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Mr Daniel Asuquo, empha-

sised that the lower chamber was cooperating with the Federal Government to ensure the growth of the nation’s power sector. Asuquo commended the new owners of Eko Electricity Distribution Company on the initiatives taken to improve the quantity, quality and reliability of power supply to its customers within its network despite the shortfall in power allocation from the national grid. He said the initiative by the company to source supplementary power through embedded generation op-

tions would guarantee greater stability of supply. Asuquo said it would also reduce the DISCO’s Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collections Loss, ATC&C; he said and urged the company to improve on its metering system. He said that Eko Electricity Distribution had mopped up excess power from existing captive generation within its licence area and entered into bilateral agreements with Independent Power Providers for power generation. This, he said, had en-

hanced quality service delivery to its customers, adding that the firm should improve on its metering of customers. He said that the embedded generation options being explored by the DISCO would not only improve revenue collection efficiency, it would improve its distribution network and overall performance through the initiative. The Head, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr Hardley BlueJack, assured the agency’s

customers of its desire to make the power sector works through appropriate regulations which should be strictly adhered to by both service providers in the sector and the consumers. Also speaking, the Managing Director of Eko Electricity Plc, Mr Oladele Amoda, said that there was no visible investment in the power sector 30 years before selling the assets of the successor companies of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private sector.

NIS to commence computer-based promotion examination

omptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Bayelsa Command, Mr William Oche, said on Sunday that promotion examination in the service would be computerbased starting from 2017. Oche, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in Yenagoa said that NIS headquarters in Abuja had given directive to all the commands across the federation to this effect. He said that the computer-based test would enhance the promotion process as candidates would get their results immediately after the examination as well as

reduce human errors and interAccording to him, the mode of examination would compel the officials to constantly update their skills on the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) application. The comptroller urged the officials of the command that were eligible for next

year’s promotion examination to start preparing for the exercise. Oche told NAN that the command had set aside a day every week for a seminar to enable the officials to update their professional knowledge in the service. “The immigration service had been employing

ICT in its daily services including processing payment for the passports. Therefore, we do not envisage any challenge during the examination. “The Nigerian passport is an e-passport. All the processes from payment to data capture and production are computer-based,” Oche said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, December 19, 2016

Call for removal: SGF refuses to join issues with Senate Livinus Menedi Yola Embattled Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has shied from joining issues with the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly, which has called on the presidency to remove him from office. Babachir at an Interdenominational Christmas Carol Service in Yola on Saturday broached the issue of loyalty, applauding lower legislature for its unflinching support towards the programmes and policies of the administration. While applauding the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the inclusion of four major

road projects, namely the construction of NumanGombe roads; MayoBelwaGanye roads; Yola-Jalingo road as well Yola-Mubi roads, the SGF did not fail to recognise the support the administration had enjoyed from the lower legislature. The roads, which Babachir said procurement contracts on them were near 70 per cent completion, would be due for execution by January 2017. Also, while no mention was made of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Lawal however lavished praises on the Speaker whom he touted as a “champion of the administration.” With calls for his removal and an altercation over allegations that a company linked to him

benefitted from a controversial N200 million contract for clearing of weed, a dumbfounded Babachir only managed a wry laughter when asked by journalists how he felt about calls by the senate for him to be removed from office. Here’s how the conversation went: Reporter: “You have

applauded the lower legislature and even touted Dogara as a champion for this government. But you have also been quiet about the Senate. May we know why this is so? Babachir: “You didn’t listen to me, I said we are 12, Eight members of the House of Representatives and three Senators. There are only three senators

per state.” Reporter: “But I am talking about the Senate?” Babachir: “I didn’t talk about the House of Representatives; I talked of Dogara as the champion of the people of Adamawa State. Because he’s our brother. Anytime we have had to make presentations on behalf of

Adamawa that requires legislative inputs, Dogara has been our champion. Once we lay it at his feet, he takes it up and fights the cause for us.” Reporter: “Any message for the Senate; we know they have asked the Presidency to remove you?” Babachir: (Grinning) manages only to laugh off, choking in it.

PTAD verifies 4,370 pensioners in 4 N’Eastern states

ension Transition Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, on Sunday said it recorded a “huge milestone’’ following the verification of 4,370 pensioners in four states of the North East zone of the country. This is contained in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Department of the agency in Abuja. The four states covered by the directorate are Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe. The statement added that the 4,370 civil service pensioners, whose biometrics were captured, represent nearly 75 per cent of the projected number of pensioners in the four states. The agency said the pensioners, who did not have their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) during the exercise, were given on-the-spot assistance to go to the banks and obtain the BVN in line with the transparency initiative of the Executive Secretary of the directorate, Ms Sharon Ikeazor. The statement said the directorate visited hospitals in the four states to capture pensioners that were indisposed. The directorate in the statement said that earlier,

9,000 pensioners who did not have their BVN details were weeded out of the records of PTAD across board. “We are not only determined to clean up the books in line with the zerotolerance initiative of the President, we are poised to remove the negative perception which the directorate has suffered before this new administration. “We will continue to insist that the right things are done in a manner that will enhance the operations of the Directorate to meet its core mandate to pensioners,” it stated. The directorate stated that plans were ongoing to carry out verification of pensioners in Borno and Yobe states. The directorate also said it would carry out the exercise in the South-South, South-East and South-West zones in the first quarter of 2017 in order to have a comprehensive database of pensioners nationwide. “The agency’s intention primarily is to ensure that no one pensioner is left out in the exercise. “We try as much as possible to go the extra mile to ensure that every eligible pensioner is captured in our database. “That is the only way to ensure equity and all-inclusiveness.

L-R: Registrar, Kwara State Polytechnic, Pastor Moses Salami; Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN); Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Chief Executive Officer, Kam Wire Industries Ltd, Alhaji Kamoru Yusuf and Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, during the 23rd Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Polytechnic in Ilorin, Saturday.

President’ll assent to Counterfeit, Fake Drugs Amendment Act - AGF Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

inister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), over the weekend assured that the presidency would give assent to the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Misc. Provision) Act Cap C34 LFN 2004, currently undergoing amendment at the National Assembly. Malami, who gave the assurance while welcoming the acting DirectorGeneral of National Agency for Food Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Yetunde Oni, at the ministry, said the bill would be given assent when eventually passed to the presidency for acceptance. The AGF, while describing the legislation before the National Assembly as important and timely, declared his commitment to working in harmony with

the National Assembly to do whatever it takes to ensure the passage of the bill. Responding to the request for payment of lawyers who have worked with the agency on its cases, he informed the NAFDAC acting DG that a lot of abuses were responsible for the bureaucratic demands that sought into the issues that had to do with the payment of vocational fees for the lawyers. He, however, acknowledged that the government has noted with displeasure the abuses that relate to compromise of judgment in the matter, adding that the issue of the payments would be looked into. On her part, the Acting NAFDAC boss said drugs worth over N12b have so far been seized, while about 52 cases have been filed against the fake drugs traffickers out of which eight ‎convictions have been secured. Oni, while addressing

the minister, revealed that NAFDAC has, in the last one year, seized counterfeit drugs and unwholesome regulated products worth more than N12 billion, while N2.3 billion worth of counterfeit regulated products have been destroyed. The acting DG also said NAFDAC has instituted 52 cases and secured eight convictions from February 2016 till date. Oni explained that seizure of counterfeit medicine from a single suspect, worth N10 billion, remains the biggest heist NAFDAC has recorded in recent time. A charge has been filed against the suspect before a Federal High Court in Lagos. The drugs seized from the warehouse of the suspect included Tarivid 200mg tablet, Augmentin 625mg tablet, Proviron tablet, Novasc tablet, Glucophase 500mg tablet, GSK Hologram for Loparex, Ciprotab, Lexotan, Septrin packaging materials, Ampiclox packaging materi-

als, Cytotec 200mcg, Misoprostol, among others. While majority of the cases are handled by the in-house lawyer of NAFDAC, Oni informed the minister that some high profile cases are farmed out in order to maintain an objective presentation on it. “Some external solicitors have concluded a number of cases for us but are yet to be paid. While NAFDAC desires to pay the professional fees of gentlemen of the bar who have used their resources to handle these cases, we are however bound to comply with your directives and approval before making any such payment,” Oni told the AGF. She said the agency has forwarded applications to the office of the Minister of Justice between April and November 2016 and used the opportunity to request a special approval to pay the external solicitors.

Editorial

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR n PUBLISHER SUNDAY OLAJIDE – MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO •AG. EDITOR, DAILY BEN MEMULETIWON

•EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS LANRE OYETADE

•CO-EDITOR, DAILY DELE FASHOMI

•EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING PATRICK ASONYE

•SATURDAY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI •SUNDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN •CO-ORDINATOR EDITORIAL BOARD DOZIE OKEBALAMA

•AG. MANAGER, ADVERT BODE EHINMISAN •MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS AMUDA AKANBI

•HEAD, GRAPHICS FRANCIS IYONMANA

•MANAGER, SALES & DISTRIBUTION FEMI SHOBOWALE

•BUREAU CHIEF (ABUJA/NORTH) OPERATIONS AKINDELE ORIMOLADE

•AG. HEAD, ACCOUNTS OKOCHA MADUEKWE

A nation and its resource curse

he 2016 Convocation Lecture of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ile Ife, Osun State delivered by Lagos activist lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, was a sobering reflection on a nation with bountiful oil resources; but whose citizens in their millions are caught in the web of destitution because of the activities of prodigal, rudderless and pilfering leaders. It was all about ‘Resources Curse’ or ‘Paradox of Plenty’. Falana says the economy should be weaned from oil; that Nigeria’s dependence on petro-dollars for too long yielded nothing but poverty, misery on the streets and underdevelopment; and that the socio-economic haemorrhage called looting should be seriously tackled by the Nigerian people. The lawyer’s exact words: “Up till 1980, final year students in the tertiary institutions attended job interviews on campuses and in their places of engagement during the national youth service year. Thus, upon the completion of the service, every graduate would have been gainfully employed and armed with conditions of service which included the provision of car and housing loans. But due to the gross mismanagement of the economy and the lack of vision on the part of the ruling

class, youth unemployment has assumed a dangerous dimension… “The situation is getting worse as thousands of employees are losing their jobs due to economic recession. Having lost the opportunity to channel the enormous revenue realised from the sale of oil, the ruling class has turned the natural resource into a curse. Apart from wasting about $500 billion realised from the sale of crude oil, the ruling class has engaged in borrowing billions of dollars for development, but which were largely diverted to enrich a few public officers with the connivance of the lenders… ”. Scholars say ‘Resource Curse’ was first used as a thesis by Richard Auty in 1993 to describe how countries rich in natural resources failed woefully to use the wealth to boost their economies; and how such countries had lower economic growth than countries with scant natural resources. Listed as one of the negative consequences of ‘Resource Curse’ is ‘Dutch Disease’, an economic condition in which revenues from natural resource exports strips a country’s economy of industrialisation, making the nation’s economy appear big because of revenue from natural resource, whereas the manufacturing sector is non-competitive or irrelevant

The government should be insistent on making corrupt people pay for their economic crimes

in the world market. Such an economy is also at the mercy of changes in the price of its natural resource in the international market, which is one of the reasons Nigeria is now gnashing her teeth because of the sharp fall in oil price. An economy scourged by ‘Resource Curse’ also has the penchant to borrow heavily, despite huge earnings from natural resource, with the hope of paying back. But paying back becomes more expensive once the price of the resource falls, leading to debt trap. Other negative effects include corruption, as those in power become desperate to cling to office through bribery and state repression instead of economic policies that are growth-oriented. Economic diversification is neglected because of the reliance on natural resource. Neglected, too, is the development of human capital. Indeed, experts say countries like Nigeria that rely on natural resource exports tend to neglect education because they see no immediate need for it, but countries not endowed invest heavily on education which, in turn, contributes to their rapid economic

ON THIS DAY December 19, 1983 The original FIFA World Cup trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was stolen from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jules Rimet (October 14, 1873 – October 16, 1956) was FIFA’s 3rd and longest serving president, having served for 33 years. He also founded the French football club - Red Star Saint-Ouen. The Jules Rimet Trophy was named in his honour.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

December 19, 2001 Argentine economic crisis: The Argentine economic crisis (1999–2002) was a major downturn in Argentina’s economy. It began in 1999 with a decrease of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The crisis caused the fall of the government, default on the country’s foreign debt, widespread unemployment, riots, the rise of alternative currencies and the end of the peso’s fixed exchange rate to the US dollar.

breakthrough; among others. All these sad consequences of ‘Resource Curse’ have been the lot of Nigeria as nation and her citizens since the discovery of crude oil between the 1950s and 1960s till date. The only hope presently is that the nation’s leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is lamenting the mistakes of the past and has repeatedly voiced his commitment to reversing the trend. We, nonetheless, disagree with Falana’s call for the establishment of “a loot recovery agency that could generate more money than what the government is struggling to borrow under humiliating terms”. Our thinking is that loot-recovery need not be a reason for another bureaucratic agency. The country has enough anti-graft agencies, including the police. All the government should do is strengthen and sufficiently kit them to function effectively. The elite conspiracy that all along has been hindering the prosecution of corrupt persons, especially since 1999, should be radically looked into; while the public should be educated enough through public enlightenment to jettison the hoodwink by indicted corrupt persons that the battle against corruption is one-sided. The government should be insistent on making corrupt people pay for their economic crimes against the country and its citizens.

x December 19, 2012 Park Geun-hye became the first female elected President of South Korea. Geun-hye (born February 2, 1952) is the eleventh and current President of South Korea. She is the first woman to be so elected in the country. She is also the first woman head of state in the modern history of Northeast Asia. Prior to her presidency, she was the chairwoman of the conservative Grand National Party (GNP).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Monday, December 19, 2016

to distribute 1,000 N13bn Alade Mall ready in Ogun C-of-Os to beneficiaries 24 months O Francis Suberu

hief Executive of Masters Reality International Concept Limited, Mr. Lai Omotola, has assured that the new Alade Mall valued at N13 billion will be ready in 24 months. According to him, by December 2018, the mall would have been ready for users and shoppers, adding that although Masters Reality is yet to unveil the mall, it has received over 60 percent subscription. It would be recalled that the Lagos State government and Ikeja local government had in 2010 entered into a 30-year concession agreement with Masters Reality on the redevelopment of the old

Alade Market into a firstclass mall. In a chat with journalists in Lagos Sunday, Omotola said the record-breaking mall would be the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that upon completion, the mall will operate on 24 hours basis, everyday of the week. According to him, in last six years since the agreement was signed, the mall, an architectural masterpiece, had been redesigned three times to imbue some unique characteristics into the design. Omotola said Alade Mall will be the foremost mall in Nigeria as it would record five firsts in the history of malls development in the country. He said: “The first one is that it will be the biggest mall in Nigeria in terms

of letting space which is about 24,000 square meters. It will be the first mall that will operate 24 hours, seven days a week. It will not shut down, but will be fully operational 24/7. “It will be the first mall to have two basement car parks. It will be the first mall with a giant aquarium that will occupy two levels of floors and lastly, it will be the first mall to have in-house metro hotel within the mall.” The Masters Reality top executive further said Alade Mall will be the first LWSEE mall; (LWSEE stands for a mall where one can Live, Work, Shop, Eat and Entertain). He said Alade Mall is an architectural masterpiece with combination of features that will make it a reference point in Africa,

saying “we are happy to be sighting it in Lagos as the first point of reference.” Omotola said: “The mall’s architectural masterpiece will draw world’s attention to itself as time was consciously taken “not just to build a mall but to build a signature edifice, that everyone, far and wide, would want to come for a visit.” On the plan to ensure seamless traffic along the axis when the mall is fully operational, Omotola said: “We deliberately shifted the mall backwards to create a service lane for the people coming into the mall. We also have three exits for the people. All these and many more, we are discussing with the Ministry of Physical Planning to perfect traffic arrangement in the area.”

L-R: Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Ola Makinde; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence and Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Alake Adeyemo, at the 2016 Christmas Carol and Thanksgiving Service of the state, at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, yesterday.

Stop politicising agric incentives, group urges govt

Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

overnment at all levels have been urged to stop diverting incentives meant to encourage farmers to politicians, especially now that the country is facing hard time feeding her people. This was disclosed by members of group of women farmers, Small Holders Women Farmers, when they presented a 10-point demand before the leadership of Osun State House of Assembly.

Presenting the demands, the country director of United States Agency for International Development, USAID, and National Coordinator of the group, Dr. Abiola Afolabi, said findings have revealed that more women than men engage in agriculture. She however said many of the female farmers were being discouraged because of the many challenges, ranging from inability to own farmland, to lack of gender-sensitive policies that can protect the special needs of the women. Corroborating the

views, Osun Woman Leader, Small Holders Women Farmers, Chief Janet Olaleye, stated that government at all levels has not accorded women farmers necessary attention. She subsequently demanded for policies specially designed to protect women farmers to enable them realise their full potential. Presenting their demands chief among which is government investment in the group, Olaleye also called for gender responsible agricultural policies, gender-responsive agric budget, farm inputs and

machinery, employment of female extension workers, among others to assist women farmers in their task of providing food for the country. Responding, the chairman, Osun Assembly committee on Agriculture, Ibrahim Abdullahi, charged members of the group to do more to achieve their goals. He said most of the demands of the group had been met by the Osun government, adding that members of the group gear efforts towards adding value to their produce to make them exportable.

gun State government will be presenting 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy, and other titled documents to another batch of beneficiaries under the Homeowners’ Charter Programme conceived by the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration. Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Biyi Ismail, in his of-

fice said the beneficiaries would collect their documents from Monday, December 19 by 9am at the Arcade Ground, Governors’ office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He urged all contacted beneficiaries to come with valid means of identification and photocopies of same. He said they are expected to be at the venue by 8am for accreditation.

Efficient power sector’ll save Nigeria from recession — Legislator

hairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Mr Daniel Asuquo, says a viable and purpose-driven power sector is capable of salvaging Nigeria from economic recession. Asuquo stated this on Sunday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria after a Public Forum with customers of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC. He explained that if the country gets the power sector right, there will be inflow of investment and the creation of more job opportunities. The lawmaker expressed his committee’s commitment to ensuring that the power sector is well-run through the application of relevant legislation and interventions for the benefit of Nigerians. He said the government has given a renewed commitment to the power sector through appreciable expenditure provided in the 2017 budget proposal. Asuquo said that the lawmakers would partner with the executive arm of government to ensure that things improved in the sector next year. He charged power distribution companies in the country to play by the rules of the Power Privatisation Act of 2005, even as he implored customers to cooperate with service providers to improve the nation’s power sector. Also speaking, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Oladele Amoda, said EKEDC was desirous of giving its best to the customers with a view to providing them with value added services. Amoda said the company had acquired and begun the installation of more

than 138 transformers worth N700 million to replace the faulty ones within its network. He said move was aimed at boosting power supply during the festive period. He said the company’s directors sourced for funds to acquire the needed equipment to improve electricity supply to customers during the Christmas period. “The purchase of the new transformers is to ensure that our customers enjoy the yuletide season with quality supply. “We have embarked on massive replacement of faulty transformers within the network, we expected customers to reciprocate this gesture by paying their bills. “We also except communities who will benefit from the transformers not to see them as public property but as their own so that they can help us safeguard the transformers against vandalism by unscrupulous elements,’’ Amoda said. The EKEDC boss said that the company had loss over N1 billion to various forms of energy theft and equipments vandalism in the last three years. He said that issue of bye-passing of meter by customers was rampant within the network to avoid payment. Amoda said that EKEDC cannot continue to invest huge sum of money into network improvement and some people will be allowed to vandalised such equipments. He warned customers who are in habit of byepassing meter or involving in any various energy thefts to desist, adding that the company would not hesitate to prosecute and publish names of culprits in the dailies.

South West

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders laud Oyo govt over Amala fiesta

Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

articipants, partners and exhibitors at the weekend lauded the three-day Amala Fiesta organised by the Oyo State government for promoting the state’s food culture, especially amala and related agricultural produce. They described the programme with the theme, ‘From the farm to the table’ as a fascinating event which the state government used to add value to the agricultural chain. The stakeholders equally stated that the government through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism should be applauded for the food tourism initiative with attendant multiple beneficiaries including farmers, food vendors, research institutes,

corporate organisations, artisans, traders and the general public. The participants, partners and exhibitors were representatives from OVH Energy (O-Gas), Canteen Workers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), Tourist Care and Hospitality Association of Nigeria (TCHAN), Slow Food Limited, Alliance Motion Global, All Women Farmers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Farmers, Nigeria Bottling Company, Airtel Nigeria, Wema Bank, representatives from Iseyin, Akinyele, Ibadan North, Ibadan South East local governments and Oyo State Cocoa Development Unit. They encouraged members of the public to take less of chemically produced

foods and more of natural foods that are more nutritious. Director-General of IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, at the closing ceremony of the fiesta said the state government through the fiesta has helped to showcase and promote IITA research works, and ought to be commended for the opportunity given to the exhibitors and farmers to showcase their products. The official, who was represented by the Head, Food and Nutrition Laboratory of the institute, Mr.

Nwaoline Gregory, said: “In IITA, we want food security for the country. The programme has helped to bring out what we have been researching on in IITA. People were surprised that we can make biscuit, chin-chin and other snacks from cassava. If not for the Amala fiesta, we might not have had the opportunity to reach so many people at this particular period.” According to him, the IITA is ready for capacity building for women and youths, assuring that it will

continue to give support to farmers not only in the state but the country as a whole. The President, Canteen Workers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Mrs. Amdalat Lawal, said the government should be praised for helping them to promote their trade by espousing the benefits of Amala through the event. She added, “When we were approached, we were not keen about the programme. But during the unveiling of the logo, we became convinced about the commit-

ment of the state government when we saw people on tie eating amala with relish.” While thanking the state government for its support to women in agriculture, the President, All Women Farmers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Mrs. Arinola Aderibigbe, called for more support and empowerment for farmers in order to have massive production of agricultural produce by women who are actively involved in agriculture.

Aregbesola tasks govt on role for ex-service men Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

sun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has appealed to government at all levels to always engage the services of Nigerian Legion cadets and accord them necessary recognition. Aregbesola made the appeal during the official decoration of the Batch “A” Cadets of the corps of Nigerian Commissionaires, Nigerian Legion, Osun State Command and Widow’s Empowerment Ceremony, at Government Technical College, Osogbo. Aregbesola, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, emphasised that the corps, if supported by government, would complement efforts of Nigeria police in providing adequate security for the people. The governor also frowned at how Nigerian Legion are being treated by the government, noting that “the ex service men deserve better treatment because of the price they have paid for the country during many of her wars. “Some of them lost their lives, while some were paralysed in the course of protecting the country. It is very clear that government at all levels has not met the

expectations of members of Legion,” the governor said. Also, the National Publicity Director, Corps of Nigerian Commissionaire, Corps Commander Israel Alonge, who represented the National Coordinating Commandant, Ernest Kumapayi Akoteyon, appealed to Nigerians to help the corps with necessary information that would help them to nip crime in the bud. While presenting gifts to widows of the ex-service men, Alonge called on wellmeaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the corps in helping widows of the fallen heroes. Osun State Commandant of the Commissionaires, Corps Commander Bola Eludire, noted that the relevance of involving his men in combating criminal activities in the society cannot be over-emphasised. Earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman Nigerian Legion, Col. Alimi Samotu (rtd), congratulated the newlytrained officers and called on the philanthropists, community leaders and government to make use of the services being offered by the cadets to improve the security apparatus of the state.

L-R: FRSC Chief Route Commander, Ijebu-Ode Unit Command, Mrs Bola-Idowu Babasanya; Unit Commander, Ijebu-Ode, Austin Ekele; member National Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Mr Femi Adetona; Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Mr Gbolade Oduwole; Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), Ijebu-Ode; Mr Akin Olaposi, Oru of Imoru Kingdom, Oba Nurudeen Adeposi; Head of Operations, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ijebu-Ode Command Mr Lanre Balogun; Police Area Commander, Ijebu-Ode, Funso Olarinoye and FRSC Head of Operations, Ogun, Mr. Davies Ogiamien during the 2016 FRSC ‘Ember Months Road safety campaign in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday. PHOTO: TOPE SALAMI /ICE/NAN

ABUAD applauded for breeding top-notch students Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

n alumnus of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and official of Huawei Technologies Limited, Miss Oghenetejiri Odjighoro, has lauded ABUAD founder, Aare Afe Babalola, for his vision of breeding top-tier students. Odjighoro, a first class Electrical and Electronics graduate of ABUAD, praised the university for the quality and excellence that has been its hallmark since inception. The alumnus, in a commendation letter to the institution dated December 12, was particularly appreciative of “introduction of Chinese language into ABUAD curriculum, a compulsory subject for all students, which stands the university out in its desire to sharpen the skills of its students and make them employable in

the global marketplace.” According to 2015 graduate, the all-round education she received at ABUAD assisted her in securing a job with Huawei, a leading multinational Networking and Telecommunications Equipment and Services company. She stated: “I would like to start by thanking the founder of my Alma Mata, Aare Afe Babalola, the management and staff of ABUAD for empowering me with the knowledge and skills that have enabled me not only to stand, but also to thrive above my peers in the work force. “Today, I am a staff of Huawei Technologies, an appointment which would not have been possible without the practical and noteworthy skills bestowed upon me especially through the Afe Language programme. In Huawei, the skill of speaking or understanding Chinese, albeit not necessarily

important, proved an added advantage to me. This was made possible through the Afe Language Programme which I undertook in 2012 where I learned Chinese from seasoned lecturers. “During my interview, I wowed the panel which consisted of three Chinese men with my knowledge of basic Chinese. One of these three men later became my Supervisor. For them, it was not about the depth of understanding or the fluency of speaking, it was simply the availability of the skill and the confidence to deploy it effortlessly. This, I believe swayed the appointment in my favour.” Odjighoro stressed that with just one year after graduation, she has fully appreciated Babalola’s vision of breeding top tier students who embody numerous and varied skills as well as proficiency that will enable them stand out in all fields of human endeavour.

A statement from ABUAD Corporate Affairs Head, Tunde Olofintuyi, said Odjighoro’s mettle showed very early in her life as a student in ABUAD with her expertise in Valued Added Programme in her College which exposed her to Basic Programming skills in C++, C#, MATLAB and LabView in addition to Microsoft packages of Office, Excel, Power-Point and Outlook. As a student, Odjighoro won the 2015 Lady of the Year Award by the Nigerian University Engineering Students Association (NUESA); SPDC Joint Venture University Scholarship Award (2010-2015), ABUAD Founder’s Merit Award (2010-2015) and Pan Ocean University Internship Programme and Scholarship Award (2014), as well as Professional Certification in General and Advanced (Level 3) Health Safety and Environment (HSE) by Deslog Energy Services.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Monday, December 19, 2016

Abia LG polls: APGA national chairman urges ABSIEC to be fair to all

he Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) has been advised to provide a level-playing field for all the political parties and candidates in Wednesday’s local government elections in the state. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ike Oye, made this appeal while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Umuahia on the forthcoming polls. Oye said the commission should also keep strictly to the rules of the game and not engage in any acts that could undermine the prevailing peace and tranquillity in Abia. He described the commission’s chairman, Justice Igbozurike Akomas (rtd.), as “a man of principle and integrity.’’ “Let me tell you, I am not bothered about who is going to conduct the elections.

What I am bothered about is due process. “Do what is proper and write your name in gold and leave posterity to judge you positively. “Justice Akomas is my friend, everybody knows him. He is a man of integrity. “If he chooses to use this election to rubbish his integrity that is his own business,’’ Oye said. He expressed the confidence that the elections would be free and fair, saying that Abia people would vote according to their consciences. He said that APGA was fully prepared for the elections and expressed optimism that the party would sweep the polls. The national chairman described APGA as the ruling party in the South-East, saying, “South-East is our traditional home and APGA’s catchment area. “Naturally, the Igbo man loves APGA. If you ask Ndig-

bo to vote for political parties, they will vote for APGA,’’ he said. The national chairman said that it had become imperative for Ndigbo to identify fully with APGA, if they hoped to become a relevant force in the nation’s politics. He said that the North and South-West geopolitical zones had used the All Progressives Congress (APC) to find a political direction for themselves. Oye said that Ndigbo should likewise use APGA as a bargaining chip for its selfdetermination and the development of the zone. He said: “This is what

we are trying to make our people to understand. There must be unity, cooperation and integration of Ndigbo in APGA. “What the Igbo have done is to marginalise themselves by belonging to three political parties. “Five states, three political parties. It does not work like that. “Ndigbo should belong to one party to be able to negotiate their liberty from Nigeria’s complex political life. “For as long as we continue to run from pillar to post, we will not develop, we shall be like the rolling stone that gathers no moss.’’

Meanwhile, the APGA national chairman had identified rigging, thug, ballot-paper mutilation, falsification of results and violence, as the major impediments to the nation’s political development. He said: “If elections were to be held the way it should, then Nigeria would be a wonderful country. “Without fighting corruption in any election, every other thing we are doing will not work.’’ Oye said that corruption in the nation’s politics could be curbed, if political offices were made less attractive. He said that the mouthwatering salaries and allow-

ances of political office holders in Nigeria made politics a do-or-die affair, adding that elective offices should be made part-time. Oye also spoke on the recent crisis that rocked the party’s national leadership, saying that the party had no leadership issues either at the national level or in Abia. He said that five out of 29 members of the party’s National Working Committee attempted to undermine his position as the national chairman. Oye said that he had continued to discharge his functions as the national chairman of the party.

2019: PDP won’t die —Umahi Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor, David Umahi, at the weekend stated that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not die ahead of the 2019 general election no matter the challenges confronting the party. Umahi made this known during a Christmas dinner he organised for the state Working Committee of the PDP as well as the local and zonal committee members at the Government House, Abakaliki. Umahi, who challenged the leadership of the PDP in the state to be transparent and accountable to the party members and the public, said anybody believing he(Umahi) would leave the PDP for the All Progressives Congress was sleeping. “If anybody tells you that this man (Umahi) is going to APC, tell the person that he should wake up from sleep,” “APC does not win election in this state,” he added that since his PDP-led administration had “done very well in the state”, it cannot be arm- twisted. ‘’There is no local government area that you will not beat your chest and say

there is a road project going on. We are not building ordinary roads. We are not doing any road without asphalt and stone base,” he pointed out. The governor told the party chiefs that for them to succeed, they must avoid taking bribes and embezzling party’s funds. “If they give you money and say is for 10 people, tell them it is for 10 people. The worst thing in life is to eat the money that is supposed to go to three or four people alone. No man ever has enough. What is important is contentment and Godliness. “ Earlier in a remark, the state chairman of party, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, assured of their unflinching support to the governor adding that this will justifying the mandate given to him by the people.

L-R: Dr. Ifeanyi Didiugwu; Chancellor, Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT/ Wakili Adamawa, Dr. Hassan Adamu and one of the graduating students, Dr. Sam Loco Smith, during the University’s 7th convocation in Agbani, Enugu State, at the weekend.

Ugwuanyi bemoans huge pension burden

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Sunday expressed worry over the huge pension and gratuity burden successive administrations had been battling with since the state’s creation. Ugwuanyi spoke at a forum of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Enugu.

The governor said the state had the highest pension burden in the SouthEast Zone. He said that the status of Enugu as the headquarters of former Eastern region and old Anambra as well as other financial challenges contributed to the pension burden. “The effects of pension and gratuities on us are so

Buhari to declare open South-East Economic, Security Summit

resident Muhammadu Buhari is to declare open the SouthEast Economic and Security Summit (SEESS), scheduled to hold in Enugu on December22. Mr Tony Usidamen, the media consultant, via a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said other eminent Nigerians would attend the event.

He said that the president’s desire to attend the summit was in demonstration of his interest in maintaining peace and fostering economic growth and development in the South-East and other regions. Usidamen said that the summit was aimed at addressing the real development issues in the region as well as proffer lasting solutions to them.

“President Muhammadu Buhari will lead other eminent personalities and delegates to attend the maiden summit holding at the Enugu State Government House. “Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and all governors in the region as well as several eminent personalities and delegates will be in attendance to discuss issues of common interest.”

high and more than any other state in the region and this arises from the status of the Coal City as the headquarters of the former eastern region. “Today, there is no money to meet some of these obligations and many more, but the masses do not want to hear that,” Ugwuanyi said. The governor said that the state had some of the worst rural road networks, adding that more than 47 communities are largely inaccessible due to absence of link roads, culverts and bridges. Ugwuanyi said that the landscape of most of the rural communities was so bad that the people in the affected areas do not bury their dead during the rainy season. “There are several communities in the state that

have not seen earth moving equipment for road construction in the past 40 years. “Most local government areas are finding it difficult to pay salaries not to talk of construction of roads, but in all of these challenges, we are grateful to God,” he said. Ugwuanyi said that his administration was ready to face the challenges and provide good link roads across the state. He described the media as a major development partner since the inception of his administration. Ugwuanyi said that his administration was not unmindful of the expectations from the masses, adding that payment of salaries was now the major indicator of governance in the face of the current hardship.

South South

Monday, December 19, 2016

FRSC arrests 9,056 traffic offenders in Cross River F ederal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in Cross River has so far arrested 9,056 traffic offenders this year, it has been revealed. The State Sector Commander, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, disclosed this on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar. Igwe said the offenders were arrested for overloading, seat belt violation, fake driver’s licence, making phone calls while driving, over speeding, as well as dangerous driving among others. According to him, the

state command, which has its head office in Calabar and other units in Ogoja, Ikom, Abi and Yala local government areas of the state, often carried out sensitisation programmes. “We have embarked on several rallies and sensitisation programmes with a view to enlightening motorists on the dangers of over loading, over speeding, worn-out tires among others. “We will continue to grapple with the challenges. “So, between January and December, we have arrested 9,056 traffic offend-

ers in the state. “Their offences range from overloading, seat belt violation, fake drivers’ license, making phone calls while driving to over speeding and dangerous driving among others. “A majority of them were made to pay some fine, while those with fake driver’s licence were compelled to acquire the valid one,’’ he said. Igwe also said 1,983 people were prosecuted by the mobile court mounted by personnel of the commission in the year under review. Of the figure, he said a

total of 1,769 were convicted, with four jailed and 210 discharged. “The mobile court has been helpful as the court serves as veritable way to stem the tide of misconduct on the roads,’’ he said. He further said 49 persons died from road crashes this year, adding that the figure was an improvement on the 113 recorded in 2015. The sector commander said the reduction in the number of deaths might not be unconnected with the aggressive campaign carried out by the command.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Otuoke residents urge govt to repair road

esidents of Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have appealed to the state government to repair the OtuokeOnuebum road which has been in a deplorable condition. The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Otuoke on Sunday. Mr Ologi Damiete told newsmen that the condition of the road had become worse since the last rainy season as vehicles now found it difficult to pass through. Damiete, a staff of the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the residents by fixing the road. “The condition of this road has become worse since the flood that submerged the whole community and there has not been any preventive measure to forestall future occurrence. “We are expecting the government to put necessary measures in place to guard against future occurrence. “Students of FUO have resumed for the new semester and they have been finding it difficult moving in and out of the community.

“I am calling on all the relevant authorities to look into the matter because it has become unbearable. Our vehicles have been damaged because of the road,” he said. Another resident, Mr Oweifa Debekeme, urged the state government to make more efforts toward checking flooding in the state, pointing out that flood had destroyed many roads in the state. He said that the people were suffering and government had the responsibility to alleviate their agony by providing roads and other infrastructure for them. A taxi driver plying the road, Mr Babatunde Adeola, said the road was already in a bad shape before the flood destroyed it completely. Adeola called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to also help repair the road to alleviate the plight of the people. He implored the Bayelsa Government to come to the aid of the people of Otuoke and Onuebum communities as well as students and staff of the university. He said the youths in the communities now help by sand-filling the bad portions on regular basis, adding that “commercial drivers now pay them for that”

Ensure peace in your domains, Okowa tells traditional rulers

L-R: Bayelsa State Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Serena Dokubo Spiff; Hon. Peter Akpe of the State House of Assembly; Governor Seriake Dickson; Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Pastor Samuel John Peters and Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria Arch. Bishop Jacob Akpiri (Bayelsa State Chapter, during a dinner party organised in honour of Clergymen in Yenagoa, at the weekend.

Bakassi IDPs seek empowerment from UN body

nternally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the Bakasi camp in Maiduguri, Borno State have called for empowerment from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR. The displaced persons made the call on Sunday when the UNHCR High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, visited the camp. Chairman of the camp, Mr Buba Gamashi, who spoke on behalf of the IDPs, commended the commission and other donor agencies for providing them shelter. Gamashi said the government had been meeting their feeding need, calling on the agencies to introduce skill acquisition programme to help them to be self reliant and take them out of idleness.

He explained that about 90 per cent of the IDPs were farmers that had been displaced from their communities as well as dispossessed of their means of livelihood. According to him, such programme like carpentry, tailoring, shoe-making and other skills will not only reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance but also help them overcome trauma and psychological imbalance. “We are also asking for provision of drugs and other consumables in our clinics and ambulance in case of emergency. “We also need more toilets because what we have at the moment is not enough and many of us are still sleeping on the bare floor because there are no enough mattresses,” he said.

Gamashi, however, commended the federal and state governments for providing food and other necessities at the camp. Also, Mr Said Alkali, Relief and Transportation Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the major challenge of the IDPs was idleness. Alkali, who is the Camp Coordinator, said idleness could cause another crisis in future if something was not done to empower them while the plans to resettle them were on. He disclosed that the camp currently had a population of 21,194 from five local governments of Monguno, Gwoza, Guzambala, Marte and Nganzai comprising 3,987 men, 6,116, 5,093 boys and 5,989 girls.

The coordinator also disclosed that the school in the camp currently had about 3,000 pupils, adding that more children needed to be encouraged to get enrolled. According to him, feeding is good but nutritional food is important to enhance their health. “UNHCR has been able to provide shelter for the IDPs in this camp and we are really grateful to the agency and other donor groups,” he said. Responding, the UNHCR boss pledged to continue to give humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and collaborate with the government in its reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement programme. Grandi called for enhanced security of the camp while commending the level of sanitation in the camp

elta governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Sunday in Warri urged traditional rulers in the state to ensure peace in their respective domains. Okowa gave the advice at a Thanksgiving Service organised to commemorate the 1st coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli. The service was held at the Church of God Mission International at the Olu palace. The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Ikenwoli ascended that royal stool of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality on December 12, 2015. The governor, who expressed concern over the spate of killings in some communities over land matters, said the traditional rulers had a critical role to play in halting the menace. ”I am saying this because we are in a very difficult time where we are facing problems from the traditional institutions. ”We are creating problems amongst communities. “Somebody can now take a gun and shoot a human being, cut off his head, take it and be proud that he is holding the head of a human being. “I am glad that our tra-

ditional rulers are here in large numbers; this is something we must look into. ”If what had happened several years ago when people do not know God is happening now, then there is cause for alarm. “Our traditional rulers must rise up and condemn this in its entirety,” he said. Okowa who congratulated Ikenwoli for showing appreciation to God in his one year of reign as the Itsekiri monarch, wished him more fulfilled years on the throne. He urged the people of Delta to accept Christ and be ready to forgive one another in order to have enduring peace. ”A heart that is always forgiving must be at peace with itself and I believe that if we can as a state and as people imbibe this, we will have peace in our communities,” he said. Earlier, Bishop Mike Laju, the guest preacher, urged Christians to imbibe the culture of thanksgiving. According to the cleric that is the only way to receive more from God. The high point of the thanksgiving service was the 1st coronation anniversary process of the Olu which started on Nov. 28, 2016.

Call for SGF removal, diversionary —AYCF

Monday, December 19, 2016

PAGE 14

2017 budget: KWHA to adopt zero budgeting system A s the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Ahmed presents 2017 budget estimate to the State House of Assembly for passage into law in few days time, the legislature says it will adopt zero budgeting template to ensure value for all funds appro-

priated. The Chairman House Committee on Information, Social Development, Tourism, Youth , Sports and Culture, Hon. Saheed Popoola gave this indication, during the Weekly Media Interactive Session in Ilorin. Hon. Popoola who represents Ojomu/ Balogun

Constituency, in the State House of Assembly, said zero budgeting template would be adopted by the legislature, to ensure that all funds appropriated were judiciously spent to improve on the well-being of the People who elected them into office. The Legislator, who disclosed that the template

was the new trend in budgeting system the State was adopting, said the leadership of the House had resolved to reinvigorate the House Special and Standing Committees to intensify their oversight to enable the state government deliver on its electoral promises as well as make democracy more meaningful to the

People of the State. Speaking on the bill for a law to Protect People With Disabilities before the house, a member of the Committee, Hon. Adebayo Mohammed said the private member bill was at the verge of final passage into law by the House, and assured that the legislature would continue to be responsive to the yearn-

ings of all segments of the Society. In her contribution, a member representing Oke - Ero Constituency, Hon. Victoria Bunmi Afolayan, said the House would continue to ensure that all resolutions passed were implemented by the executive to improve on the lots of teeming Kwarans who voted them into office.

Use N5bn FG’s refund to clear salary arrears, KWHA urges govt

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at a meeting held at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently.

Ekiti stomach infrastructure, ruse, conduit pipe —PDP Chief Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

eoples’ Democratic Party, PDP chieftain in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, has berated the state governor , Dr Ayodele Fayose over his stomach infrastructure policy, describing it as a ruse and conduit pipe to siphon the state resources. Falegan also criticised the governor for allegedly playing to the gallery and in the process subjecting the state to ridicule. The United Kingdombased PDP chieftain, in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti yesterday, stated: “It is worrisome and disturbing, the level of bad image the current leadership in Ekiti State is giving it on daily basis as a result of seeking cheap publicity and public sympathy as a way of covering up financial mess on the corridor of power”. He said people in and outside the state needed to ask questions on the actual amount being expended on “stomach infrastructure” by the gov-

ernor. According to him, “It will amaze the people that available information shows that the governor is claiming more than N50 million every month from government coffers as fund to finance the scheme, which has not reached two per cent of the state population since the governor started it. “The governor claimed to have spent over N1.5 billion on the scheme but despite that, the level of abject poverty and hungry in the State cannot be compared to any other State in the Country. “With at least, an investment of N500 million in each of the three senatorial districts in the State on agriculture, there will be abundant food on the table of nearly all the people in the state, especially the common people, the governor is claiming to associate with. “Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State had announced a 40 per cent discount on rice during the yuletide season for the people of the State without unnecessary and unending publicity like

what is obtainable in Ekiti State. Governor Fayose should rather borrow a leaf from Prof. Ayade on real governance and especially the plights of the electorate as against his deceptive nature of a-oneman-show of his administration in the State. “Ekiti People are not hungry and lazy people as they are being portrayed by the governor. Give an average Ekiti man the wherewithal no matter how small it is, he ever ready to maximise it and work to feed himself and family members.

”Hardwork, honesty and sincerity are some of the traits Ekiti people are known and appreciated for world over, so it will be unacceptable for us to be seen as otherwise because of the activities of some of our leaders on the corridor of power,” he stated. Falegan, however, called on the Ekiti people not to be deterred by the activities of anybody, but rather continue to live above board and defend the good name of our fore-fathers in and outside the State.

he Kwara State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to use N5b refund from the Federal Government to settle backlog of salaries of staff of Local Government Councils, Tertiary Institutions, State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, state owned Parastatals and Pensioners to make life meaningful for them, especially during yuletide period. This was part of the resolutions of the House, following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the leader of the House, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke at the floor of the House. Reading the resolutions of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Elder Matthew Okedare said the payment of the backlog of the salaries by the state government was imperative in view of the current hardship bedevilling the affected staff, pensioners and their immediate families. The House equally unanimously directed its Joint Committee on Public Accounts as well as Finance and Appropriations to ensure that the state government comply with the House resolution in respect of the N5b refund

from the federal Government. The Leader of the House had while raising the matter narrated the ordeal of the affected Civil Servants and Pensioners and urged government to see citizens of the state as the centre of any infrastructural development by using the N5b to settle their salary arrears to alleviate their sufferings. Other members who spoke on the matter were unanimous in their views that the category of workers were currently facing hard time and appealed to the state government to use the money to wipe out the tears of the affected workers in the state . The House equally directed its Committee on Education and Human Capital Development to meet with the authorities of the University of Ilorin on the status of the unregistered new students of the Ivory Tower and report to the House tomorrow . This followed a motion raised by a member representing Irepodun Constituency, Hon. Matthew Babaoye titled “Passionate Appeal to the Authority of University of Ilorin on the Unregistered New Students”.

Attempt to victimise Atiku ‘ll not augur well for democracy —Bakare Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

n ex - member of the national executive of the Peoples Democratic Movement ,PDM, Alhaji Lasisi Ogunsola Bakare, yesterday warned against any form of political victimization targeted at former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, saying such will not augur well for the

nation’s political climate. Bakare, who served as Deputy National Secretary in the immediate past executive of the PDM in a statement issued in Osogbo, also described as “a good move,” the recent dissolution of the national leadership of the party, saying the move will aid PDM’s re-organisation. According to him, the newly constituted caretaker committee members

put in place should immediately set to work and unite all conflicting interests, and expressed belief that members would cooperate with them to move the party forward. Commenting on the perceived plans to clampdown on former vice president, Bakare said though, “the former vice president might not be in our party member but if it will be possible,

we want him to use our party platform to contest for the presidency in the next political dispensation. “In fact, we have concluded plan to go and meet him at Adamawa to persuade him to contest for the position under the platform of PDM. Nobody should plan political victimisation against him because the impact on the polity will be negative.

Politics

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Akeredolu set to revamp Ondo economy

Ojo O yewamide AKURE

ndo state Governor-elect, Rotimi Akeredolu, is set to evolve strategies to revamp economy of the state when he assumes

office in February, 2017. The State Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Steve Otaloro, stated this yesterday in Akure, the state capital. Otaloro disclosed that

Call for SGF removal, diversionary —AYCF Ayo Esan

he pan - northern group, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF has described the recent call by the federal lawmakers for the removal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Babachir David Lawal as a decoy designed to divert attention from the criminal cases hanging on their necks. In a release issued by the Group and signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shetima, it cautioned the lawmakers in the upper and lower chambers to tread carefully because according to the group those in glass houses should learn not to throw stones. AYCF said the Senate and House of Representatives leaders calling on

Babachir to resign should show good example by stepping aside pending the outcome of the Court cases against them that are ongoing. “We demand a demonstration of their honesty and sincerity in calling for the resignation of Babachir by making the first move. “We are aware that Babachir’s case just like the CCT against Saraki and the criminal padding against Dogara are all allegations. So there is not harm in asking them to step aside in the interest of fairness and justice . Anyone can be innocent until found guilty by a competent court of law. It is as simple as that and we hope the Senate and House of Reps would follow the path of honour and not indulge in diversionary tactics”, AYCF said.

an economic team to be headed by Akeredolu would soon be constituted to work out the economic revamping strategies. He said part of the strategies would be diversification of the state economy to reduce reliance on allocations from the federation account. “The economic strategies being mapped out by the economic team being constituted and

headed by the governorelect would be expected to rescue the state from the precipice of outright collapse. “Akeredolu would not be relying solely on funds accruing to the state from the Federation Account, as there are plans to truly diversify the state economy with agriculture as one of the targeted sectors to be explored and exploited,” he said.

Otaloro also said the governor-elect would strengthen the state chapter of the APC and ensure the party’s ideologies were considered while designing and implementing the peopleoriented programmers of his government. He said: “It would be recalled that the party’s leadership was divided during the governorship primaries of the party which almost stalled the

chances of the party at the governorship election but for the popularity of Akeredolu among the electorate. “To make the party effective and trusted by the members, there would definitely be an expected relative reorganization in the leadership formation of the party for synergy, commitment and loyalty to the in-coming government.”

L-R: Members, House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Timothy Golu, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr Sani Sidi and Member of the Committee, Darlington Nwokocha during NEMA Retreat for Members of House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Jos, yesterday.

Lawmaker charges Nigerians to be patriotic Kemi Olaitan

IBADAN

awmaker representing Iseyin / Itesiwaju State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Afeez Adeleke at the weekend, called on the people of his constituency and Nigerians in general to see the present economic situation as a trying time that needs utmost patriotic sacrifice for the country to move on. He made the call during a town hall meeting held in Iseyin by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Germany with the theme, “Promoting Endurance Democratic Culture through stewardship by Elected officials”. The lawmaker in a paper titled, “The Journey so far as a legislator”, said there are three principal functions of any legislature according to the Nigerian Constitu-

tion which are law making, over sight function and constituency responsibilities which he said he has performed to his people. He said, “ I am standing here today to render my stewardship, for you to see that I do not just sit down in the hallow chambers and watch, I will begin to highlights few of what I have done since I was sworn in as a legislator. “I will put all that I have done into two, the legislative role and what I have done personally for my constituency, ranging from sponsoring of bills and motion to the provision of needful amenities in my constituency.” Afeez said the first motion he sponsored at the floor of the House was on the need for federal tertiary institution in Oyo State which is going to be cited in Iseyin, stating that he will see to the realization of this. “Other motions that I co-sponsored are, a bill

to bring succour to the victims of fire explosion in Iseyin town, need to regulate the amount payable by candidates of WAEC/NECO in the public and private schools in Oyo State and reviewing the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbo-

moso, so that Oyo State could be the sole owner of the school. He stated further that he co-sponsored the motion to strengthen and encourage placement of professional staff in the Teaching Service Commission and the need to make passionate appeal

to the executive arm to reconsider the stoppage of subvention to the state owned tertiary institutions. The lawmaker who said that he desires to do more whenever fund is available and assured the people of his readiness to continue in his

quality representation at all times. He also expressed appreciation to the people of Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency for giving him their mandate to and support despite the economic challenges the country and the state are facing.

Rep tasks elected officials over service to the people Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ember of House of Representatives representing Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency, Hon. Temitope Olatoye has charged elected public officials to always endeavour to use their position to better the lots of the electorate. He gave the admonition at the weekend during his conferment as the Aare Fiwajoye and his wife, Olubunmi as Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Iseyinland by the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba

Ganiyu Adekunle Salawu. He said it is important for the elected officials to let Nigerians know what they are doing to make life easy for the less privileged in the society, stating that it is by doing this that they can come back to the people to ask for their votes. According to him, Nigerians are the best people in the world to govern as they are largely concerned only with the basic needs of life, noting that they will certainly celebrate those that make their welfare their necessity.

Olatoye maintained that as a legislator he will continue to use all that the Lord endowed him with to serve the people of not only his constituency but the people of Oyo State, stating that he always derive pleasure whenever opportunities arise for him to give back to the people. He said, “As a politician I have discovered that the most important thing for me is to diligently serve the electorate that use their votes to put me in the position that I found myself. I thus believe more than ever that this

is what elected public officials owe the people that elected them.” Olatoye then used the event to empower the people of Iseyin with items that include generators, motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, bags of rice and cash. Oba Salawu while lauding the lawmaker for always lending helping hands to the people especially the downtrodden, said he had no hesitation in confering the chieftaincy titles on him and his wife because he more than deserved the honour.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Monday, December 19, 2016

What lessons can Buhari teach Yahya Jammeh? Bolanle Bolawole

resident Muhammadu Buhari was one of four West African leaders who led a peace meeting to The Gambia last Tuesday to try and talk President Yahya Jammeh out of the suicidal attempt to go back on his acceptance of the result of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in his country, which he lost. The others were Ellen JohnsonSirleaf of Liberia; Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra-Leone; and out-going President John Mahama of Ghana. A week after Jammeh’s defeat, Mahama lost his own bid for a second term in office but unlike Jammeh, he has accepted the defeat in good faith. Jammeh is a bloody dictator who ousted the elected government of Sir Dauda Jawara and had ruled for 22 unbroken years with iron fists. His reign is blighted by corruption, abuses of fundamental human rights, and extra-judicial killings of opponents - real and imagined. Jammeh’s term as president expires on January 18, 2017. He must be reminded Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe and Charles Taylor, both of Liberia, engaged in more tyrannical rule but, eventually, both succumbed. Doe died a disgraceful death and Taylor right now is cooling his heels in prison for crimes committed against humanity. How true that if history teaches any lesson at all, it is that humans do not learn from history! And those who fail to learn from history, says George Santayana, are doomed to repeating or reliving its mistakes. Jammeh was here when Laurent Gbagbo tried to sit tight in Cote d’Ivoire after losing election but where is Gbagbo today? He is standing trial at the International Criminal Court.

“The butcher” of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, is today a fugitive, toppled by “People Power” Jammeh should expect no less! Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, who accompanied the African leaders to see Jammeh, was emphatic when he said: “For Mr. Jammeh, the end is here and under no circumstances can he continue to be president. By (the) time his mandate is up, he will be required to hand over to Mr. (Adama) Barrow” The international community to walk the talk. As the African Union sends its own delegation to Jammeh; it is important that everyone is on same page. Reuben Abati of The Guardian newspapers has chided the opposition leaders in The Gambia for opening their mouths too wide, describing how they would skin Jammeh alive when they were yet to get into power. They were stupid! Yoruba wisdom says until you have your hand on the handle of the sword, you dare not ask questions about the death that killed your father. If you do, you may likely go down the same path! The Gambia opposition should be circumspect. Nevertheless, my Grandma’s admonition is that we should all be united in condemning the thief; instead of some fellows breaking rank and chiding the owner for not properly keeping his missing item. Jammeh has got to go – and go he must, on January 18, 2017. While we count down for him, the alarm sounded by The Gambian Bar Association that Jammeh was plotting to leverage on the connivance of his country’s Supreme Court, purportedly headed by a Nigerian, to upturn the wish of the Gambian people, should not go unnoticed. Some top Nigerian lawyers are said to be willing tools that would peremptorily be recruited into The Gambian Supreme Court to “hear” Jammeh’s election petition and award him his prayers. Nigerian judges have had an il-

But what was Buhari doing in The Gambia?

lustrious career outside the shores of this country. I remember that the late Justice Akinola Aguda served meritoriously as the Chief Justice of Botswana with concurrent accreditation as judge of the Court of Appeal of Swaziland, Botswana, and Lesotho; former ICPC boss, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, also distinguished himself as the Chief Justice of The Gambia (1983 – 1992); he also served as judge of the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra-Leone (20042005). Let no one rubbish these achievements. But what was Buhari doing in The Gambia? He sat pensive and listless. I do not think it was the seriousness of the occasion. He must have been asking himself as he listened to a fawning Jammeh: What am I doing here? Where am I different from this boy? It is good that the international community thought it fit to include Nigeria in the group that visited Jammeh. It is in recognition of our country’s stature and influence. We are the giant of Africa and also a regional power. But our president was clearly a misfit in that group. He had no lessons to teach Jammeh. He has no record to flaunt. Indeed, Jammeh would be stupid not to have mocked Buhari. It is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. Thrice in succession, Buhari lost presidential election and failed to concede defeat. He kicked up to the Supreme Court. How can he now tell Jammeh not to approach the courts? In 2011 Buhari made incendiary statements that set this country ablaze. Had other leaders behaved like Buhari, retaliatory measures against the bestial killings in the

North would have drowned this country in the bloodbath that Buhari, in characteristic cold-blood, invited upon his Fatherland. He made retroactive decrees in 1985 as military dictator and sent three Nigerian youths to their grave. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat and spared his country bloodbath, was a worthier representative of Nigeria than Buhari. If that was not politically-correct at this point in time, then, ex-military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar or ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo were worthier options. Pointing at their own examples, they can tell Jammeh that there is life after the State House. Buhari has no such credentials. Remember: This same Buhari spurned the Oputa panel set up by Obasanjo. He dared Jonathan to arrest him after his incendiary statement of 2011. All the achievements of free and fair elections, starting with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and carried forward by Jonathan, even at great personal cost, have evaporated into thin air under this same man. When Obasanjo was president, he appointed his INEC boss, Maurice Iwu, from the East. Jonathan appointed Attahiru Jega from the North. Buhari from the North appointed a Northerner, Mahmoud Yahaya. He had initially even put his own relative in the post until public outcry made him pull back a little. As we speak, that madam reportedly wields an overbearing influence in INEC. Going by sensible geo-politics and sensitive ethnic balancing, the current INEC boss should have come from the South-west. Are we surprised, then, that our elections are back to the days of the jackals? Tell me, what lessons can Buhari teach Yahya Jammeh, seeing that the election conducted in Jammeh’s own country was more credible than any of those conducted under Buhari’s watch?

Dasuki long grain rice and Diezani tomatoes Emma Adoghe

n the interest of full disclosure, I do not know anyone, I repeat ANYONE who is currently standing trial or is under criminal investigation for corruption in Nigeria or elsewhere. I’ve not received compensation of any kind to put forward these suggestions. My sole motivation is to expand the narrative by advancing thoughtprovoking suggestions that, I hope, our leaders may consider in their guidance of Nigeria through these taxing times. President Muhammadu Buhari is the luckiest person alive in present day Nigeria. And history beckons. No leader in Nigeria’s checkered history has stumbled upon a more fortuitous time to write their name in gold. And leave a lasting legacy in the sands of time.All the pieces of Nigeria’s jigsaw puzzle are as transparent as can be. No visionary leader could ask for a better canvas.What! With an economy in shambles, no electricity, pervasive insecurity, unemployment at the highest levels not seen since the civil war, healthcare facilities a joke, or public and private sectors in the doldrums with months of unpaid salaries. What ominous state of affairs can a leader ask for to prove his/her mettle? However, his change mantra appears to be faltering, even with a widening archeological dig of corruption in spheres of Nigeria’s public and private sectors, hailed in many quarters as unprecedented. For most Nigerians, the callousness of treasury looters deserves no less than gazillions of

What lessons have we learned, or are we going (a)round in circles?

jail time, or even the death penalty – though no such provision exists in the nation’s laws. As more transgressions of the past administration’s wanton greed and thievery are unearthed, and proclaimed as direct causative factors in the deprivation of Nigerians of the most elemental of human needs, including avoidable fatalities from lack of, or poorly executed infrastructure, military equipment to fight insurgency, medical or otherwise, the outcry for justice against these unconscionable criminals, grow louder by the day. Such outrage is understandable, and on the surface, justifiably so, given the extent to which corruption has systemically ravaged the very essence of institutions in Nigeria. Yet, such ‘Gra-Gra’ reasoning - a distillate of anger and frustration at judicial gerrymandering to render “summary justice”, serve only as a distraction for thought leaders looking to find a workable alternative to crime and punishment for looters of the common patrimony. Historically, sending powerful personalities/politicians to lengthy jail terms has always produced mixed results. Napoléon Bonaparte is a good reference point in history. Tellingly, President Buhari has more recent experience; hauling politicians and their cohorts to jail for corruption in 1984. Yet, three decades after, back in power as a civilian

president, the multitudes of alleged looters – with far more noxious criminal allegations, available to haul off to jail, appears to have metastasized. What lessons have we learned, or are we going (a) round in circles? Or is it déjà vu all over again? Methinks the time is come to do things differently In coxswaining Nigeria into the “Change” lane, of away from the old corrupt ways, and towards prosperity, President Buhari must recognize the criticality of change leadership - think, act, and implement things differently. In Change Management, the seamlessness with which a leader introduce and implements “change”, attests not so much to ability, but the quality of delivery framework. Even more importantly, “Change of any sort succeeds or fails on the basis of whether the people affected do things differently” Sending corrupt politicians and white collar thieves to jail for enhanced ‘extended stay’ jail times, is awesome in many climes with strong institutions but hardly workable in emerging economies like Nigeria. In the history of Nigeria, no politician or politically connected “big man/woman” has ever served a full jail sentence. Even with the change narrative, there’s no guarantee that a few years down the road, a new government, sympathetic, or perhaps, with a “weak leader”, will not commute, pardon and release jailed looters from prison. Former President Obasanjo benefited from such a change in government as well as Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), who later resurfaced as National Security Adviser after decades of hibernation that trailed the ignominy over his coup saga. Nigerians are still scratching their heads on the enormity of

alleged looting spree of the aforementioned duo in their return to power, although only the latter is currently on trial. Again, what lessons have we learned, or are we going (a)round in circles? Like a cat with nine lives, Nigerian politicians have perfected the resurrection act and will reemerge in the political arena when a new administration come into power, and blame their travails and incarceration on their “detractors”. What if - Convicted corrupt politicians, public officials, and other white-collar criminals are offered a plea bargain whereas the stringent conditions attached can guarantee government that; More importantly, as part of the plea, convicted looters are voluntarily entered into a community service farm program which allows them to serve a significant portion of their sentence and probation, engaged on their own but government supervised, largescale commercial farming with mandated produce yield per year. Agree to strictly engage in commercial farming throughout the prescribed probation period. Any violation of the terms of probation automatically restores serving of the suspended jail time. Continued on Page 36

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

It is well settled that wherever a right is infringed there is a remedy

-Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, retired Justice of The Supreme Court

Death penalty may not curb kidnapping – Lawyers

NASS wrong on CCT, CCB Acts’ amendment –Adesokan 17

Cele leadership crisis: How Owodunni dethroned Bada 20

Lagos State House of Assembly last Monday approved death sentence for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody. However, some lawyers have argued that resolving the menace of kidnapping is beyond the law, writes WALE IGBINTADE.

he Lagos State House of Assembly last Monday approved death sentence for kidnappers, whose victims died in their custody. The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The bill sponsored by Speaker of the House, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, prescribed life sentence to kidnappers whose victims did not die in their custody. The bill states that anyone who kidnaps, captures, detains or takes another person by any means or trick, with intent to demand ransom or do anything against his/her will, commits an offence and is liable for conviction on death sentence. The bill, which criminalises attempt to kidnap, also stipulates life imprisonment for anyone who attempts to abduct another person. Besides, the lawmakers also approved 25 years imprisonment for whosoever threatens to kidnap another person through phone call, email, text message or any other means of communication. The bill provides that any person, who knowingly or wilfully allows or permits his premises, building or place or belonging to which he has control, to be used for the purpose of keeping a person kidnapped is guilty of an offence under the law and liable to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Obasa

Saraki

The solution to kidnapping is more than just the law. There are socio-economic issues that must be addressed. From experience, armed robbery has

been attracting death penalty from the ‘70s, yet we still have armed robbers It would be recalled that the Senate had also resolved to enact a bill that would make provision for death penalty as the punishment for anyone caught in the act of kidnapping. The resolution followed the adoption of a report by the Joint Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence presented by its Chairman, Senator Abu Ibrahim. The Senate had on November 19, 2015 asked the commit-

tee to engage the InspectorGeneral of Police, Solomon Arase, and Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Mamman Daura, on recurrent cases of kidnapping and hostage-taking, and recommend its findings to the chamber. In his contribution, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, noted that kidnapping became popular after former Anambra State governor and incumbent Minister of Labour

and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, was kidnapped in 2002. The pertinent question on the minds of many Nigerians is whether death penalty will curb persistent cases of kidnapping in the country. Commenting on the issue, Yusuf Ali (SAN) said: ‘‘the solution to kidnapping is more than just the law. There are socio-economic issues that must be addressed. From experience, armed robbery has been attracting death penalty from the ‘70s, yet we still have armed robbers. ‘’So, we need to address our socio-economic problems such as unemployment, inequity, gap between the rich and poor. These are serious issues we need to address.’’ But Chief Yemi Okulaja (SAN) advised: ‘‘In America, they still kill and in China CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, December 19, 2016

NASS wrong on CCT, CCB Acts’ amendment –Adesokan

Wale Adesokan SAN graduated from the University of Lagos in 1986 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1987. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, United Kingdom. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on November 19, 2016. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, he speaks on alleged corruption in the judiciary, amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act among others. Excerpts.

ow independent is the Nigeria judiciary? Well, the Nigerian judiciary is substantially independent. However, we still have issues in the area of control of its fund, appointment of judicial officers and so on. I think the powers of the president in this regard needs to be whittled down. It is important for us to have more participation and stronger force of Nigerian lawyers as to who replaces Justices at any level of our superior courts. What is your take on the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Act by the National Assembly? I have not seen the amendment but the fact is that it is ill-timed because it is coming at a time when the Senate President is facing trial. This is a wrong time to do the amendment, no matter how good their intentions. Legislators are supposed to make laws while the enforcement is the work of the executive and the judiciary. So, any attempt by the legislature to put the implementation of the law within their purview is wrong. You see, this is the first time that we are having a major engagement of the Code of Conduct law. So we should allow it a little time to run and watch it for some years. This is not the time to carry out any amendment. I think it’s a bit premature for the National Assembly to amend the CCT and CCB Acts now. The engagement of the law under this regime is not up to a year, so what is the haste in amending it? How best do you think lawyers can help in the fight against corruption? First, lawyers must adhere strictly to the ethics of the legal profession. The Nigerian Bar Association has a lot of work to do by ensuring that all lawyers abide by all professional ethics. We have been hearing of so many cases of breach of professional ethics of late, and something urgent has to be done. The NBA will only wait for somebody to report or write a petition against a lawyer before it investigates and charges the erring lawyer before the disciplinary committee. That is far too little. The NBA must have a mechanism for the continuous monitoring of the practices of lawyers on a regular basis. It’s just like the National Judicial Council monitoring the activities of judges. The NBA must move beyond waiting till the time a petition is written before taking action. It must be pro-active. I have people who have closed their offices in London owing to the strict monitoring of activities of lawyers

Adesokan

over there. They expect lawyers to abide by their rules, policies and guidelines. There is no mechanism in place by which NBA monitors the conducts of lawyers. A lot needs to be done in this regard. Structures that will ensure periodic monitoring of lawyers’ conducts and books of accounts should be put in place. All these things should be done on a continuous and systematic basis. Do you agree with the statement made by the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmoud Mohammed, that the Federal Government and state gover-

nors are to blame for corruption in the judiciary? Well, if the former CJN’s assertion was due to inadequate funding of the judiciary, I doubt whether we will have a time when the arm of government will be well funded. Sadly at the moment, we are in a recession. But, I agree with the former CJN that a lot more could have been done for the judiciary. A situation in which the judiciary has to please either the executive or legislature before it can get its entitlements leaves very much to be desired. We all know that an institution in which the rank and file are underfunded

If an overwhelming populace of Nigeria are corrupt, it would not be strange that we find cases of corruption here and there in the

judiciary.

When you are in the devil’s

country, you are not likely to see too many angels

will surely be exposed to corrupt practices. But I don’t think underfunding is solely responsible for corruption in the judiciary. Besides underfunding, what other factors would you say are responsible for corruption in the judiciary? It is unfortunate that all eyes are now on the judiciary and the legal profession. Perhaps, and rightly so, because we are supposed to be the watchdog. But the judiciary is operating within the context of a nation. The people in the judiciary are Nigerians. May be, we are expecting a bit of a higher standard, but by and large, the judiciary will surely reflect the Nigerians in it. So, the impact of the society is bound to rub off on the judiciary. Regardless, I can say that the judiciary is not as bad as it is being portrayed in recent times. If you place the executive, legislature and judiciary side by side, the judiciary is still the best in terms of integrity. Judiciary is still the best of the three arms of government. There are more cases of corruption in other arms of government than in the judiciary. Comparatively, the corruption cases involving the judiciary are so few when you

Continued on Page 18

Law & Justice

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASS wrong on CCT, CCB Acts’ amendment –Adesokan

ment for kidnapping offence? Well, it is not the seriousness of the punishment that will deter people from committing crime. It is the likelihood that an offender will be caught and punished that will reduce crime. Even if it is a jail term of one year, no decent person will want the tag of an ex-convict. So, what we should do is not to be talking so much about increasing the punishment for an offence but the mechanism for improving on crime prevention, investigation and prosecution process should be put in place. People keep on committing crimes despite the tough punishment put in place simply because they know they will never be caught.

Continued from Page 17

compare it with what we see in the executive and legislature. How do you feel when you hear of corruption at the apex level of the judiciary? These are still allegations yet unproven. If and when it is proved, it would be a sad day for the judiciary. At this stage, it is still an allegation. The training I had is that I should never condemn anyone until I hear his or her own side of the story. No one can be found guilty of a crime until he has been tried in the court of law. Allegation can come from anywhere and inasmuch as it has not been proven, it still remains an allegation and the person still remains innocent. These judges are still innocent. Let them have their day in an impartial and properly constituted court. It is only when they are found guilty that we can be saying other things. What do you make of the allegation by some of these judges that their travails are sequel to their refusal to do the bidding of some serving ministers? For me, I don’t like commenting on newspaper reports. I depend so much on court records. Four journalists enter a court room to cover proceedings in a matter, but when they are writing their reports, it will be from different angles. So, I am not usually carried away by newspaper reports about court cases. But copies of the letters written by these judges to the former CJN are already in public domain. Are you saying these judges are not the authors of these letters? Allegations, counter allegations, accusations and counter accusations. Let the court decide the matter and come up with a position on the whole issue. What is your take on a new policy by the National Judicial Council barred media reportage of allegations of misconduct levelled against judges and employees of the judiciary? It is not fair to be having media reports about an issue under investigation; it puts the whole process in jeopardy. At the time when a matter is being investigated, you need much secrecy and privacy. You can imagine an allegation against a lawyer or even a judge. Allegations can be raised at anytime. You see, all these things have a way of affecting those concerned, particularly, when it has been reported in the media. So, to avoid situations in which people are unjustly accused, there should be a time when the investigating authorities can quietly do their work. In this clime, people are only interested in knowing allegations; most of the time, they are not interested in knowing the outcome and hardly do we get as much publicity when it is finally resolved as it was reported when it broke. So, I will not like a situation in which matters being investigated are leaked to the public by the press. It is not good even for the system. In situations like these, vital witnesses may disappear while data evidences may be compromised. So, I think the policy has a good foundation. The policy has a good reason because I see it more from the angle of protecting a process. But we must all play our part. I appreciate the reason behind the policy. But if there is a petition against somebody who has allegedly committed a crime and it gets leaked despite the best of intentions, the investigative agencies cannot be stopped from performing their jobs. How best can the NJC be reformed?

Adesokan

If you place the executive, legislature and judiciary side by side, the judiciary is still the best in terms of integrity The NJC is doing very well regardless of recent events. But it can do better. How many times have you found legislators sanctioning themselves? Is it because they don’t commit crimes? Are they not Nigerians? Are they not our leaders? Is there a special law for them? Look, like I said earlier, judiciary is far less corrupt than other arms of government. The NJC is a standing mechanism of the judiciary. Can you please tell me the equivalent of the NJC in both the executive and the legislature? On the contrary, they have been defending themselves. The other day we had allegations from the American Embassy concerning some House of Representative members, we all know how it was treated. But for the judiciary, the NJC is a standing mechanism and it is doing well. Of course, it can be improved upon and one of the improvements we are clamouring for is that lawyers should have greater voice in the decisions of the NJC. Lawyers should have more numbers and responsibilities in the NJC. Beyond this, we should not lose track that on a continuous basis; NJC monitors judges all over Nigeria. Happily, the Acting CJN, Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, has promised to even cooperate with Mr President in this war against corruption. So, NJC can only get better. In recent times, negative attention is focused in that direction and this seemed to have rubbished all the gains recorded so far. Do you think it is proper for the CJN to head the National Judicial Council? Well, my opinion is that since the CJN is the leader of the judiciary, there is nothing wrong in having him as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC). Many Nigerians are amazed that Justice Onnoghen should still be an Acting CJN despite being the most senior judge at the Supreme Court. This is not the first time someone will be functioning in acting capacity. We have had cases of somebody acting as Chief Judge or Court of Appeal president. Some of these things need time and processes to complete.

This is because when a judge is sworn-in, everybody knows when he or she will retire. Though, one would have expected a seamless transition, but it is not unheard of to have someone functioning in acting capacity. I don’t want us to see it as if the president is not disposed to having the man as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. There are procedures to be followed. Don’t also forget that the president is presiding over the whole country and in making decisions; he has people who advise him. I don’t want to give excuses for Mr President, but what has happened is not unheard of. Are you in support of capital punish-

Do you agree with the view that the Supreme Court is overburdened? Definitely, the Supreme Court is overburdened and we need to restrict the right of appeal to the Supreme Court as it is. It is too wide. I personally felt that after the Court of Appeal, all other grounds apart from constitutional issues should be by leave of court. There should be no automatic right of appeal, except it is on constitutional issues. Political cases are now given priority above regular cases and that is why we are having 10, 15, and 20-year old cases still pending at the apex court. So, I agree with the view that the Supreme Court is overburdened and that the right of appeal to the apex court should be curtailed. What is your agenda for the Acting CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen? I was pleased by what I considered to be his major response when he was sworn-in, that he is ready to cooperate with the president in his fight against corruption. I will be glad if we are able to see positive actions from him about his commitment to join in the war against corruption. I want him to focus on this war because it is threatening the institution which I am identified with. People are beginning to ask questions about the legal profession. So, I will be glad to see him tackle corruption in the judiciary headlong.

Lawyer wants court to declare MTN’s unsolicited SMS harmful Wale Igbintade

uman rights lawyer Waive Benjamin has asked the Lagos High Court to declare the sending of unsolicited subscription text messages to his phone by MTN Nigeria Communications as harmful and a form of trickery. Benjamin made the prayer among I’m a suit he instituted before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. In a 12-paragraph statement of claim dated September 20, at the commencement of Suit No: LD/ADR/492/2016. The plaintiff averred that the defendant, MTN, sent “a plethora of such text messages popping up on his phone,” from one of which a financial deduction was made on his airtime. He said shortly after recharging his line with N1000 on September 6, the defendant, without his knowledge, registered him for a gaming service and deducted N100 from his airtime, which was never reverted despite several complaints to the defendant.

Benjamin said he was “irked and feels that there are many unsuspecting Nigerians from whose account the defendant is making such unsuspecting and unsolicited deductions on a daily basis.” He asked the court for a declaration that “the acts of popping up unsolicited SMSs on the plaintiff ’s phone is trickery, calculated to hoodwink unsuspecting subscribers including the plaintiff and thereby making them subscribe to unwanted advertisement” He also sought a declaration that the defendant’s act “is annoying, disturbing, frustrating and wrong, as well as an order of the court restraining the defendant from further registering its customers for such products without their knowledge. MTN’s counsel Mrs. Ayo Obe made an oral application for time to file her defense following which Waive prayed the court for an adjournment to amend the suit and join the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a party. Granting the requests, Justice Onigbanjo adjourned till January 31 for hearing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, December 19, 2016

Death penalty may not curb kidnapping – Lawyers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

they still kill. All our laws are taken from the Holy Books, you can always trace the origin of all the laws we have from the Bible. So, if you kill you should be able to pay the penalty. You have deprived a man of his life; so why should your own life be spared? However, over time, we have had human rights activists and they have been the ones coming out with all these modifications. In America, it is on state-by-state basis. If you go to a state like Texas, once you commit a crime and are sentenced and on the death row, you will eventually be killed. I believe death penalty should be allowed to stay because this punishment is to serve as a deterrent so that when you know that you stand the risk of losing your life, you will sit-up. Especially in our country where impunity has been institutionalised, I believe death penalty should still be part of our law. Justice is not a one-way traffic. If a man kills and human rights activists are saying he should not be killed, we should look at justice to the victims too.’’ In the opinion of Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), said ‘‘we should go beyond kidnapping and include official corruption and criminal breach of trust, as well as incorporate politically-exposed persons who plunder our common wealth and inheritance by virtue of their political offices. The irony of our situation is that some of the legislators are former chief executive officers of states. Can these persons enact a law that will prejudice their interest?’’ According to Mr. Wale Adesokan (SAN), ‘‘It is not the severity of the penalty to an offence that curbs the offence, but the mere certainty of being caught. ‘‘So, it is more important for us to look at our criminal justice system, equip our law enforcement agencies adequately and with the right orientation. This is so that when someone commits an offence he knows the pos-

Okulaja

Ogunye

sibility of his being caught is very high. When the Criminal Justice procedure is set in motion, it is possible to quickly conclude criminal matters. The delay in concluding criminal matters is a major clog in discouraging criminal activities. If it is such that would reform our criminal justice system and ensure that criminal matters are concluded between nine months and one year, things would improve drastically. ‘‘So it is a combination of improving the law enforcement capacity so that criminals are caught when they commit criminal acts and also when they are taken to court, the laws are

reformed such that can be concluded within one year. These are ways that will curb any criminal activity, including kidnapping, and not the severity of the punishment. No matter the severity of the punishment if people think they can get away with an offence, they will continue.’’ For Chairman, League of Human Rights Lawyers (LHRL), Jiti Ogunye, it is erroneous to assume that severity of punishment would deter crimes. He said, ‘‘Has capital punishment stopped armed robbery? It has not. It is wrong to assume that severity of punishment, including the ultimate penalty, will act as deterrent to commission

It is wrong to assume that severity of punishment including the ultimate penalty, will act as deterrent to commission of crimes. It has no

historical foundation, it has no

jurisprudential foundation, it has no foundation in real life

of crimes. It has no historical foundation, it has no jurisprudential foundation, and it has no foundation in real life. So, in our jurisdiction, since the end of the Civil War and the promulgation of the Robbery and Firearms Decree as well as the establishment of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, all these have not stopped armed robbery. Throughout the entire military era before tribunals were abolished and civil rule returned to Nigeria, and the execution of armed robbers at Bar Beach in various places all over the country, still armed robbery has not stopped. The toughening of the law against kidnapping alone will not dissuade prospective kidnappers from the act. Those who commit crime believe they can do so and yet escape uncaught and unpunished. So, curtailing crimes is not just about the crime and enacting a tough punishment; it is more than a law and order issue, it involves capturing socio-economic justice. If you want to check kidnapping, you need to check the rate of unemployment and equip the law enforcement agencies.

EVENTS

L-R: Dr. Adeola Ayorinde, (mother,) Temitayo Ayorinde, with his sister, Mosunmayo and father, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN OFR at Temitayo’s call to the Nigerian Bar, recently

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN; his daughter, Amaka Agbakoba Onyejianya with her husband Tochukwu Onyejianya at Amaka’s call to bar in Abuja.

Law & Justice

FAMOUS CASES

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cele leadership crisis: How Owodunni dethroned Bada Josiah Kayode Owodunni, a Chartered Accountant and President, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Ijeshatedo, Oluwaseyi Parish 1 in Lagos was one of the trustees of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) during the lifetime of the late founder and Pastor of the church worldwide, Rev. Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa. As an Evangelist in CCC, he challenged at a Lagos High Court, the appointment of Rev. Alexander Abiodun Bada as Oshoffa’s successor and succeeded in dethroning him as the leader of Celestial Church. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary, who covered the case about 25 years ago, highlights the interesting moments of the proceedings and the resultant leadership crisis in the Church.

vangelist Owodunni served as a trustee of the Church and the President of CCC Oluwaseyi Parish in Ijeshatedo, Lagos. Shortly after Oshoffa’s demise in 1985, Bada assumed the mantle of leadership of the church. But his appointment seemed not to have received the blessing of Owodunni, who embarked on legal steps at the Lagos High Court and sought Bada’s removal from office. This is typical of the leadership crises that often afflict some churches when their founding leaders passed on without expressly putting in place succession plans. Owodunni had instituted an action challenging the registered trustees of the Church, Nigeria diocese (excluding himself) over the appointment and subsequent enthronement of Bada on December 24, 1985. He claimed that “since CCC is a body incorporated under the (Land Perpetual Succession) Act Cap 98 Laws of the Federation, its written constitution” which expressly stated the mode of appointment or selection of a successor to the post of pastor and spiritual head of the Church must be binding on all its members. He asked for a perpetual injunction restraining Bada from parading himself as the pastor and spiritual head of the Church worldwide. But Bada had contended that the whole body of the CCC at Imeko, Ogun State, on December 17, 1985 by general acclamation accepted and proclaimed him as the pastor and successor to the late pastor and founder. Indeed, section 111 of the Church’s constitution at the time expressly stated that Oshoffa’s successor “shall at a time chosen by God be named by the Holy Spirit.” At the hearing of the case, late Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Onafowokan, appeared for Owodunni while Chief G.O.K Ajayi (SAN) represented Bada and the registered trustees of the Church. During his evidence-in-chief, Owodunni stunned Bada and other trustees of the CCC when he told the court that Section 111 of the Church’s constitution had stated that the successor to the office of the pastor could be from any rank in the hierarchy of the Church and needed not be the person next to the late pastor/ founder. In addition, such person would be someone to be named by “divine inspiration.” He therefore claimed that the late Oshoffa had actually through divine inspiration appointed him as his successor. Lending credence to his claim, Owodunni told the trial Judge, Justice Victor Famakinwa, that sometimes before Oshoffa passed away, he invited all the trustees to a closed-door meeting at the CCC Headquarters in Ketu, Lagos. He testified that at that meeting, “Papa called for a bowl of Dodo (Plantain), which was placed on a table before the trustees and he instructed us to be eating the meal.” “After we have finished eating Dodo, Papa asked for a bowl of water that was also placed on a table. Papa carried the bowl of water, he drank a little and gave it to Ajanlekoko to drink; he drank a little and returned it to Papa; Papa then gave the bowl of water to Agbaosi; he drank a little and gave it to Papa; Papa passed the bowl of water to Ajose, he drank a little and gave it to Papa. “Papa then gave the bowl of water to Bada; he drank a little and gave it to Papa, who gave the bowl to Banjo to drink, he drank a little and gave it Papa. Papa then crossed over and gave the bowl of water to me. I drank a little and as I was returning it to Papa; Papa said mu tan, meaning “drink everything”. I drank everything and as I was handling over the emptied bowl to Papa, he said “ Iwo ni eni na , Iwo ni Joseph , Iwo ni alagaga, eni ti aga re to ga julo” , meaning “You are the chosen one, you are Joseph, the one whose chair is higher than that of others, the chairman of all chairmen.” “Right from that day Papa started calling me “alagaga”, the chairman of all of chairmen.” Owodunni said Papa asked me not to kneel down before him again and said he was the anointed person to succeed him. In his testimony, he maintained that he had therefore been chosen as Oshoffa’s successor by divine inspiration during the late

The late Rev. Abiodun Bada

The language of Section 111 of the CCC’s constitution is clear and unambiguous because it did not empower the name

Church to

Oshoffa’s successor

by visionary messages founder’s lifetime. Although the defence of Bada was that he became the pastor through visionary messages revealed by some members of the Church, Owodunni urged the court to reject the evidence and declare him as the actual person to occupy the office of pastor of the CCC. Owodunni also described as concocted story the evidence led by Bada and other trustees of CCC that while late Oshoffa was yet to be buried, he appeared to a church member in a bush with cowries, with a message to install Bada as his successor. But Bada and other trustees told the court that Owodunni‘s evidence was unreliable and was figment of his imagination, adding that “Papa did not at any time during his lifetime name Owodunni his anointed successor. In a judgment delivered on Friday, January 10, 1992, Justice Famakinwa declared that Bada’s appointment was unlawful and not in accordance with the Church’s constitution. The judge therefore restrained Bada from further wearing the regalia of the CCC’s leader and parading himself as successor to the late Oshoffa. The court said the language of Section 111 of the CCC’s constitution was clear and unambiguous because it did not empower the Church to name Oshoffa’s successor by visionary messages. He rejected the arguments of Bada’s lawyers that it was because the provision of section 111 became incapable of fulfilment that the CCC resorted to the appointment of Oshoffa’s successor through revealed visionary messages. His words” Although the CCC constitution failed to fill the gap in the event of not fulfilling the requirements of for the appoint-

The late Rev. Oshoffa ment of late Pa Oshoffa’s successor, the logical action the board of trustees ought of have taken is to set a machinery in motion to amend the constitution and fill the vacuum.” “Therefore, I declare that the naming and proclamation of the second defendant (Bada) as the Supreme Evangelist Alexander Abiodun Bada is unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect. “the court said. The judge also turned down the requests sought by Owoduni to be named the pastor of the Church and also compel Bada to account for the proceeds realised during the anointment conferred by him as pastor since his enthronement. He said” the trustees of the church have not complained of embezzlement therefore the prayer fails.’’ According to the judge, if the claim that the plaintiff (Owodunni ) was the rightful person to be appointed pastor and successor to the late founder, he (Oshoffa) would have remarked it in his interview programme on the OGTV, when he said his successor shall be named by “the Holy Spirit”. Justice Famakinwa made a passionate plea to members of the church to sink their differences so that peace might reign in their midst. After the verdict, the victorious Owodunni and his supporters went into wild jubilation. In a press conference addressed at his CCC Ijeshatedo parish, he told journalists that the testimonies of the trustees that Papa emerged from the bush with cowries and gave visionary messages were cock and bull stories. He said “The court did not believe that stories because at a time Papa’s dead body was lying cold in the mortuary, how will he appeared in the bush?. In any event, Papa who died a holy man will never have anything to do with cowries or any fetish objects.” Bada and the other trustees of the CCC in a similar press conference at Ketu however vowed to appeal against the judgment. The verdict shook the church and its leadership, which appealed to members of the CCC to be calm. The trustees of the Church eventually took the battle to the Court of Appeal. At the Appellate Court, the verdict was a split 2-1 decision in favour of Owodunni. The matter ended in the Supreme Court, which affirmed the decision of the trial court, urging the church to amend its constitution. The apex court noted that there was a lacuna in the CCC’s constitution regarding the mode of naming of the late founder’s successor. Today, Owodunni appeared to be toeing a lonely path as his CCC parish had been named St. Mary’s CCC Cathedral, Ijeshatedo.

FM 21

Every Monday

Monday, December 19, 2016

Assessing 2016 capital budget performance from set targetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perspectives

inside

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

NSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Share Index records 3.44% appreciation 25

Money

Experts harp on risk management roles in financial system

Aviation

Lagos launches Rent-To-Own, Rental Housing policies 26

Air safety: NCAA charges airlines on weather minima for airports 29

FM 22

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Assessing 2016 capital budget performance When the 2016 “Budget of Change” was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said his administration would focus on capital project implementation. However, with just few weeks to the end of the fiscal year, Nigerians are beginning to wonder if the President’s promises are not just mere political projections with little to show in concrete terms as far as the state of the nation’s critical infrastructure is concerned. In this analysis, BEN UMUTEME takes a critical look at the level of implementation of the capital budget.

ing

national competitiveness. Its

International

insufficiency is also a major cause of loss of quality of life. Infrastructure comprises basic services and facilities required for businesses to compete and grow. In other words, investment in infrastructure is linked to economic development, job creation, productivity and quality of life. It is also important to note that the multiplier effect of infrastructural development, in terms of aggregate spinoffs, could change the unappetizing matrix of the country. President Muhammadu Buhari was emphatic when he presented the 2016 budget before the National Assembly saying that the “Budget proposal, the first by our Government, seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.” Indisputably, the present administration has seemingly shown from its 2016 budget that it places emphasis on infrastructural development. It enlarged the capital vote for the 2016 budget by almost 300 percent to N1.8 trillion. It also allocated almost 24 percent of it principally to infrastructure, a whopping N433.4 billion, reflecting the realities and desired spending priorities for national development and growth. Over the years, budget passage and assent has always been a tedious process. From the unnecessary showmanship involved in the budget process to the haggling between the Executive and the Legislative arm of government, Nigeria has been treated to the most absurd of performances by both arms of government. Despite various accusations and counter accusation by both arms of government, President Buhari finally assented to the budget of N6.01 trillion in May.

Mon-

etary Fund, IMF, meet-

Washington,

United

States last September, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said in an interview that the Federal Government had so far released N750 billion, which is more than half of the budgeted N1.3 trillion of this year’s capital expenditure. A week later while hosting a delegation of the Fund, she reiterated that the government was committed to infrastructure development since without doing so, it would be difficult for the government to achieve the objectives of its current economic diversification agenda. With

structural

enormous gap

infra-

restraining

activities of many industrial firms while increasing the cost of doing business in the country, informed Nigerians had severally canvassed increase in budgetary allocations for infrastructural projects to make the country diversify from its non-sustainable oil economy. “The allocation for capital projects in 2015 budget was just 10 per cent while the recurrent was 90 per cent which had been the case in the past six to seven years.” The rise in the capital vote in the 2916 budget to N1.3 trillion is seen by analysts as desirable, even though the figure is believed to be grossly inadequate in the light of the huge infrastructure deficit in the country and the urgent need to build a robust and sustainable non-oil sector-driven economy. The budget, as the Minister of Finance rightly pointed out, was not solely targeted at developing Nigeria’s infrastructure but also aimed at stimulating the economy through diversification from oil. Poor infrastructure, has unarguably

impeded

Nigeria’s

economic growth and inter-

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma Christened the ‘Budget of Change’, it was expected that it

‘

Government has adopted a targeted approach with respect to capital expenditure to ensure that budgetary releases are consistently made to those

sectors whose activities have the capacity of driving economic growth and fostering

job creation. Particular attention was focused on infrastructure,

agricultural and other areas with high job creation potentials

‘

t the last World Bank/

would mark a departure from the past by giving priority to infrastructure development. At the budget signing ceremony, President Buhari reechoed government’s sentiments when he said that “the signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects. To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget. Speaking at the KMMG’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Breakfast seminar in Lagos recently, Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma, reiterated that the Federal Government has spent 79 per cent, that is

N3.577 trillion as at September 2016 out of the full year budget of N6.06 trillion in the first three quarters of 2016. Udoma added that the government has released a total amount of N753.6 billion for capital expenditure in 2016. According to him, the capital releases to date exceed the aggregate capital expenditure budget for 2015 of about N700 billion, inclusive of capital expenditure in statutory transfers, despite fiscal challenges. Udoma explained: “Government is committed to meeting its debt obligations while funding critical sectors to enable government to function smoothly, as we continue to work out lasting solutions to the issue of revenue shortfalls. “Government has adopted a targeted approach with respect to capital expenditure to ensure that budgetary releases are consistently made to those sectors whose activities have the capacity of driving

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

FM 23

from set targets’ perspectives economic growth and fostering job creation. Particular attention was focused on infrastructure, agricultural and other areas with high job creation potentials,” the Minister added. Whether the executive has matched action with words is indeed another issue entirely. But one thing is obvious: the government has been consistent in the release of funds as it aims to fulfil its promise of giving priority to capital project implementation. Curiously,

implementation

of the capital aspect of the budget did suffer last year with the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration unable to meet its obligation as all the political gladiators were business with the 2015 general elections that they forgot about the affairs of state. Worse still, rather than pay contractors, monies allocated for various projects were channelled to prosecute the general elections. The result: many contractors had to abandon the various projects thereby stalling work on key infrastructures. In

spite

government’s

commitment to give fillip to capital projects implementation through accelerated releases of funds to Ministries, Departments

and

Agencies,

MDAs, there are still reservations in many quarter as to the process of such releases. The official website of the budget and National Planning Ministry on the 2016 capital budget of key MDAs showed that the Transport Ministry is expected to get N188.68 billion. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Water Resources and Solid Minerals will get N46.17 billion, N46.08 billion and N7.33 billion respectively. On the other hand, Health,

ment running into hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 10 years, they are, however, sceptical because apart from the government, nobody seem to know the projects for which such monies were released. Research Lead with Budgit, Mr. Atiku Samuel, told Financial Mirror, in response to an email that failure of the government to make public budget implementation report is an indication that it is failing in that regard. According to him, the projects government is spending on are not known to anybody. For instance, he alleged that even when one goes to the website of the Budget and National Planning Ministry, all one sees is the amount release without a backup information of the projects the funds are allotted to. He said: “The Budget Implementation report for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2016 is yet to be made public- against the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.” Early this month, he recalled that the Senate was on the verge of returning the MTEF 2017-2019 back to the Presi-

‘

If you look at the budget expenditure you can get from

the Medium Term

Expenditure Framework, MTEF, 2017-2019, it is clear that expected revenue performed very poorly, it

underperformed by 51

per cent. And so instead

Education and Power, Works

of about N1.927

and Housing Ministries also

trillion which it was

got N28.65 billion, N36.43 billion and 422 billion respectively as allocation for capital projects for the year. While many have hailed the government’s effort at acceler-

expecting at the end of

the second quarter, what came in was only N976 billion. So it is the

ating development of the na-

capital component of the

tion’s infrastructure which it

budget that has suffered

admits would need huge invest-

very tremendously

dency over what they termed “an empty document.” Atiku pointed out that information gathered from the document showed that the government was failing in capital budget implementation To the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, CENSOJ, Eze Onyekpere, the 76 per cent budget implementation figure been bandied around by the government is misleading. He explained: “If you look at the budget expenditure you can get from the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, 2017-2019, it is clear that expected revenue performed very poorly, it underperformed by 51 per cent. And so instead of about N1.927 trillion which it was expecting at the end of the second quarter, what came in was only N976 billion. “So it is the capital component of the budget that has suffered very tremendously. The capital expenditure was N1.587 and if you go to the website of the budget office as at October, they indicated that they have released about N635 billion. That is still less than 50 per cent of the N1.587 trillion,” Onyekpere added. In his remarks, the Senior Programme Officer with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Kolawole Banwo, projected that the implementation of the 2016 budget might not exceed 30 per cent by the end of the fiscal year, noting further that monies released for capital projects were being used to pay contractors for old debts. “That is why you see that art from the LagosIbadan road where fresh work is going on, most of

Minister Power, Raji Fashola

the other projects are old projects”, Banwo said. He noted that with depleted revenues due to the crash in the global prices of crude oil coupled with the activities of militants in the Niger Delta, it is not unexpected that the government will lag behind in capital project implementation. While pointing that “the casualty of any shortfall in revenue has always been capital project, Banwo said “it is not surprising that government is lagging behind in capital budget implementation, he added. Monitoring and Evaluation expert with Connected Development, Mr. Oludotun Babayemi, was even more critical when he observed that the 750 billion the government claims to have disbursed for capital expenditure is not reflective with what is on ground. “For instance, the primary health care construction and rehabilitation included in the budget has not yet been initiated in communities where implementation should have commenced. “In Education, the construction of teaching aid and schools had been marred by the inflation of goods and services, thus affecting the procurement processes during tender evaluation. For ex-

ample, the budget was formulated a year ago with estimated figures, bidding processes for the implementation of

such projects in

the Education sector started two months ago when cost of goods had doubled in the market, as such bidders are submitting higher bids,” he explained. As a way forward, Babayemi asserted that decision-making for capital projects by the Nigerian government should be data driven, and not politically driven. “For example, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning through of

the

National

Bureau

Statistics should have rou-

tine monitoring data, with present states of all infrastructures (Health, Road, Education, Water Supply etc) in the country, in order to make proper decisions on where the urgent and priority needs are. These can also support the National Assembly decisions for their various constituencies.” With few weeks to the end of the year, Babayemi opined that achieving full capital budget implementation would be difficult. A development expert, Mr. Friday Efih, was even more critical when he said that without publishing the projects for which monies were released, the figure being thrown around would be just another “propaganda of government”.

‘

FM 24

Financial Mirror

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 19, 2016

Taxation

Kano, Lagos, Plateau top new taxpayers’ chart Stories: Tola Akinmutimi

ano, Lagos and Plateau have been rated as the three topmost states in terms of latest taxpayer roll just published by the Joint Tax Board, JTB. The Chairman of the Board, Mr Tunde Fowler, who disclosed this during the recently concluded 136th meeting of the Board in Abuja, reported that the 36 states improved State the nation’s taxpayers’ base by 3, 414, 496 million in the six months ended November this year. He puts the total number of individual taxpayers in the country at 13.4 million. According to the report, Kano State led the new taxpayer roll with 944, 376 taxpayers followed by Lagos with 320,000 new taxpayers while Plateau State ranked 3rd with 296,910. Kaduna increased its taxpayers by 235,812 during the period under review to come 4th while Zamfara State ranked 5th with 136,773 additional taxpayers. Fowler, who noted that though

the new 3.4 million roll of new taxpayers was commendable, lamented however that the number was still a far cry of tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 30 per cent, which is the average in most developed countries. The meeting availed the FIRS Chairman; the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali, (Rtd); the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; and Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) Mr. Mohammed Babandede, who was represented by Mr. N. E Graham, the opportunity to discuss on how inter-agency cooperation could enhance tax compliance and optimize revenue collection nationwide. This is even as the Chief Executive Officers of the four agencies as well as the chairmen of the State Boards of Internal Revenue, also discussed ways on how real-time data sharing, automation of processes and inter-operability of the agencies and other revenue stakeholders’ databases, could boost revenue

generation at all tiers of government nationwide. Fowler noted that about 10 states were already sharing Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) data with the FIRS under the VAT data automation project, adding that this is made possible by deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT), equipment and installation of requisite software across the states. In order to enhance the efficiency of the tax system, the JTB Chairman hinted that the Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) cards would soon be upgraded to create robust taxpayer data which all SBIRs, FIRS and authorised stakeholders could query for taxpayer data status. He said: “I wish to strongly advise that we intensify and renew our focus towards achieving efficient tax system ramifications. Specially, I would like us to increase the level of our engagement with taxpayers of all categories and double our efforts in interaction and exchange of information as tax authorities’’. The FIRS Chairman, who urged the JTB to renew its tax registra-

Kano State KanoGov, State El-Rufai Gov, El-Rufai tion drive, explained that “if citizens benefit from the goods or dividends of democracy: health, good roads, security, environment to do business; they must be encouraged to contribute to the commonwealth by paying their taxes. “States cannot be said to have succeeded or to be working, if the FIRS is not succeeding or is not working. In the same vein, FIRS

cannot be said to be succeeding, or working, if the state revenue authorities have not succeeded or are not working. We need to continue the drive for more taxpayers at the state and federal levels”, Fowler added. The target of the JTB is to increase the number of individual taxpayers to 20 million, by December 2016.

... as Rivers, others target improved IGR accruals

orried by the negative implications of dwindling revenues from the Federation Account to their coffers, some states are already discussing options opened to them to increasing their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in order to meet their growing socio-economic obligations to their indigenes. Four states namely, Enugu, Rivers, Delta and Lagos as well as the FCT’s representatives gathered in Enugu penultimate week to explore ways to boost their IGR profiles. The representatives of the states at a training organised by Oxfam in

Lagos State Gov, Ambode

conjunction with the Enugu State Government were enlightened on critical fiscal issues, including resources mobilisation, responsive fiscal governance and participatory budget process for effective service delivery. In order to generate more revenues from taxation and stem tax avoidance, the participating states agreed to put systems and strategies in place to ensure that their taxes work for the people, especially

the poor. At the end of the training, the participants issued a resolution which “seeks tax reforms that promote an ICT database system, fair representation, transparency and progressive tax laws, policies and practices (e.g. tax to service agreements) capable of addressing poverty and inequality.” While commending Lagos State for its innovative revenue generation reforms over the past few years, the participating states also recommend-

ed the Lagos model to other states for adoption. Similarly, they also agreed to, as a matter of urgency, work out strategies for improving service delivery by transforming their internal processes and providing exemplary leadership to the people and to develop smart strategies for formalising the informal sector, particularly the non-oil sector. The participants also canvassed

the need for the various tiers of governments to provide active support to both Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large industries, especially in the area of value chain development, in order to improve revenue mobilisation and fiscal independence. In all, about 106 participants from Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) from the four states and the FCT attended the training.

Lagos may clampdown on tax defaulters from today

ollowing the expiration of the deadline given to taxpayers in the state to pay tax dues at the weekend, there are strong indications that defaulters may be in for big trouble as the State Government is set to go tough on them with a view to ensuring that they fulfil their fiscal obligations to the state. A source close to the tax authorities in the state, who pleaded not to be identified in print, told Financial Mirror yesterday that machineries had been put in place by them to ensure major raids of defaulting individual and enterprises from today. According to her, the government could still rake in over N2 billion in the remaining days of the year if the plan to crack down on tax defaulters is pursued.

“I know that the agency in charge of revenue collection that is, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service is set to enforce the provisions of the tax laws to ensure improved compliance by taxpayers. “Barring any unforeseen situation, the defaulters may be raided as from today because the state government is determined to ensure payment of taxes and levies in its sustained drive to provide social and economic services to people in the state”, she clarified. It would be recalled that the LSIRS’ authorities had given taxpayers within the state that were yet to comply with their due payments up to December 16, to remit such taxes and levies to avoid sanctions. The Executive Chairman of the Service, Mr. Ayodele Subair, said that

the tax administration agency had embarked on advocacy and enlightenment programmes over the past few months with a view to educating taxpayers on tax laws and benefits of paying their taxes when due. Subair said: “In spite of the significant decline in the allocation from the federation account, the Lagos State Government is still embarking on massive infrastructural development and renewal. These projects cannot be achieved if taxpayers refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the state. “Taxpayers are hereby advised to clear all outstanding payments on or before December 16, 2016, failing which the state government

will commence criminal prosecution of offenders in line with relevant provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2004 (As amended).”, he added. He listed the taxes and levies expected to be remitted to the government on or before the December 16 deadline as comprising, tax audit liability of past years, the Personal Income Tax (PAYE, Direct Assessment, Self-Assessment), Withholding Tax, Hotel Occupancy and Restaurants Consumption Tax and Land Use Charge and Ground Rent. The tax administrator hinted that the Service “has put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax law with effect from December 17, 2016, when the grace period lapses. “We advise all taxpayers to com-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

FM 25

Capital Money Market Market

NSE’s All Share Index records 3.44% appreciation

Tola Akinmutimi

he All Share Index, ASI, of the Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded a cumulative gain of 3.44 per cent at the end of the trading week last Friday. The market capitalization also rose to N9.189 trillion during the week in review compared with N8.883 trillion recorded in the preceding week. According to the NSE’s weekly market report, the index rose to 26,707.10 points during the week under review from 25,817.69 points recorded in the previous week. However, on a year-to-date basis, the report indicated that the index lost 6.76 per cent of its value when compared with the market’s performance as at the correspond-

ing period of 2015. The report further showed that Honeywell Flour Mill, which rose 24.53 per cent to close at N1.32; Ecobank Transnational Incorporated appreciated by 21.13 per cent to N12.04; Seplat Petroleum Development Company rose 20.59 per cent to close at N410; United Capital’s stock appreciated by 11.92 per cent to N2.91; and Livestock Feeds closed at 87 kobo, having appreciated by 11.54 per cent were the most appreciated stocks last week. They led the gainers’ chart in the order of their gains. On the other hand, the NSE reported that the most depreciated stocks last week were: Portland Paints and Products, which fell 13.54 per cent to close at N1.98; Unilever Nigeria declined by 12.07 per cent to N39.57; Fidson Health-

care fell by 8.63 per cent to close at N1.27; Caverton Offshore Support Group depreciated by 8.51 per cent to 86 kobo; while Mobil Oil Nigeria fell 8.20 per cent to close at N305. A further ananlysis of the report indicated that the Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 1.504 billion shares valued at N6.183 billion traded in 7,311 deals. The sector contributed 90.82 per cent and 49.15 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively. Similarly, the Consumer Goods Industry came second with 51.395 million shares worth N4.753 billion traded in 2,027 deals. The Conglomerates Industry followed with a turnover of 46.282 million shares that traded in 553 deals at a value of N52.408 million.

Onyema, NSE boss

Nikkei reaches 1-year high as Asian markets rebound

SEC to colaborate with A EFCC on market infraction

Johnson Okanlawon

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide an efficient and effective policing of the capital market. The Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo said when the management of the commission paid a visit to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, weekend in Abuja. He disclosed that there had been a close relationship between the SEC and the EFCC adding that the Commission cannot discharge its responsibility effectively without collaborating with the anti graft agency.

Gwazo

He said: “We are by provision of our law mandated to protect investors on developing the market but the way our law is structured we have limitations over criminal cases and that is why in the last 10 years there has been a very great collaboration between both agencies. “We hope that when his MoU becomes fully operational it will assist in reducing market infractions to the barest minimum.” Gwarzo remarked that the collaboration with the EFCC has been of tremendous benefit to the SEC especially in areas of investigation and enforcement adding that effective policing of the market is one of the ways of retiring investor confidence.

“One of our agenda is to bring back the retail investors to the market and there is no way they will agree to return if they are not sure of the safety of their investments” the DG stated. Responding, the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu expressed delight that the collaboration between both agencies has yielded enormous benefit for the growth of the capital market adding that his agency will continue to provide assistance where required. He said the EFCC has been instrumental in investigating several cases of fraud in the capital market and recovered funds which were returned to investors and assured the SEC of the agency’s continued support.

sian shares steadied Friday, tracking U.S. gains, with financials leading the Japan stock market to a fresh high for the year. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average closed up 0.7%, having reached its highest level since last December at 19,439.97 points earlier in the session. Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 , ended 0.1% lower, Korea’s Kospi finished up 0.3%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index,closed down 0.2%. “The equity market is fast digesting the hawkish tone from the federal Reserve … and they are looking ahead,” said Margaret Yang, a market analyst at CMC Markets. The market is anticipating a

brighter outlook in the U.S. economy and the changes President-elect Donald Trump’s administration could bring, she said. On Thursday, stocks across the region declined sharply after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the second time in a decade. Rising U.S. rates typically increase funding costs for Asian companies in dollars, and trigger capital flight by regional investors back to the States in search of higher yields. However, the “kneejerk” reaction yesterday to the Fed decision was overdone, said Andrew Sullivan, managing director of sales trading at Haitong International Securities. In Japan, the Topix

Hurdles emerge for stocks after rally

enchmark U.S. stock index rallies, in anticipation of fiscal stimulus measures by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, could also be laying the seeds for equity market troubles from a stronger dollar and rising bond yields. The S&P 500 stock index has surged over 8 percent since the Nov. 8 election, due in large part to sectors that are expected to benefit from an inflationary policy. The S&P financial sector .SPSY has led the charge, with a gain of more than 17 percent. “We are putting fuel on the fire here potentially, because nothing

has actually happened, everybody is acting like it is already happening,” said Richard Bernstein, chief executive officer of Richard Bernstein Advisors in New York. Those expectations, along with improving economic data and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s recent decision to raise interest rates while signaling a quicker pace of hikes next year, have also served to strengthen the dollar and push bond yields higher. It is the rising dollar that risks undercutting the earnings of large multinational firms, just when the overall earnings from S&P 500 companies were ending an earnings recession in the latest quarter.

And while rising bond yields may be beneficial to banks, they lift the overall cost of capital for companies and shrink the relative valuation advantage stocks have had over fixed income investments since the financial crisis. “The thought is that earnings will be better and the economy is strong enough to be able to withstand higher interest rates, and that is why we’re not seeing a decline in stocks,” said Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Asset Management in Chicago. “That being said, the stronger dollar and higher interest rates will at some point filter through to earnings. It’s just a matter of when and

bank subindex ended up 1.7% at a threeday high, as investors flocked to financial stocks after the Fed decision. Japan financials are benefiting from rising yields for global government bonds, in which they invest heavily. The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds rose to 0.100% on Friday for the first time since Jan. 29, the day when the Bank of Japan announced its negative interest rate policy. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note settled at 2.58% Thursday in U.S. trade, compared with 2.523% Wednesday. This marked the yield’s highest close since September 2014.

how.” The dollar .DXY hit a 14-year high of 103.56 against a basket of major currencies following the Fed’s announcement on Wednesday. Stocks also appear to be getting pricey, with the current priceto-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 at 20.8, well above its long-term average of 16.6, according to Thomson Reuters data. Higher bond yields is also increasing bonds’ attractiveness over equities. The S&P 500 dividend yield is 2.07 percent versus a yield of almost 2.6 percent for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury US10YT=RR after its sixth straight week of gains.

FM 26

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate

FG launches workers’ N13bn Mortgage Mortgage Refinancing Scheme Capsule with Fasanya-Osilaja

Tola Akinmutimi

n furtherance of its sustained efforts to offset housing deficit in the country, the Federal Government has launched a N13 billion Federal Civil Servants Mortgage Refinancing Scheme by the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc (NMRC). Speaking at the launch event, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said that the initiative was informed by the increasing need to address the housing challenges being faced by ordinary Nigerians by the present administration. According to her, this is why the government earmarked N40 billion in the 2016 budget for the implementation of a comprehensive housing scheme, improve the living conditions and welfare of workers and people, and generate gainful employment for teeming unemployed youths. She explained: “In line with our overall objective of providing the necessary stimulus to kick-start

Housing as an intimate subject

growth in the current challenging economic environment”. “Today, we are proud to announce the scheme for the refinancing of mortgages for 5,635 beneficiaries of Federal Civil Service by the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc”, the minister added. She explained further that the scheme was a collaboration steered by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH), and the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc (NMRC). According to her, the N13 billion mortgage refinance investment commitment by the NMRC, is coming on the heels of its N8 billion initial bond issuance, the proceeds of which have been fully utilised in refinancing, Adeosun expressed the hope that the sundry housing development initiatives of the government should send signals to investors at local and international environ-

Fashola ments that significant opportunities abound in the Nigerian housing sector for investment. She also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance had concluded arrangements to provide a complementary and sustainable Housing Market Finance ecosystem to address the challenges of affordable housing.

Experts appraise mortgage predictions SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

s 2016 fiscal year is rolling to an end, some experts in the nation’s housing sector have assessed certain predictions by industry stakeholders made at the beginning of this fiscal year and achievements recorded in the sector. According to the analysts, the appraisal would help be relevant to plans by governments and investors to design policy programmes and investments for the sector in the 2017 fiscal year.

Emefiele

Within the period, rents increased nationwide, following the growing recession, as mortgage payments remained relatively stable, thus changing the choice of people on whether to rent or not. At the beginning of this year, lenders as well as experts had predicted that mortgage rates would remain high and that credit availability would be tightened. Rates were high all through. Looking ahead to 2017, what would happen in the housing sector remains a guess. Mortgage rates will remain mostly unchanged in 2017. A mortgage expert, Joe Usim said next year the trend of the sector would remain uncertain as neither China, Japan nor Russia has shown any sign of breakout, even as Eurozone growth is still short of expectations. These uncertainties, he said, would boost safe-haven which would benefit the mortgagebacked security markets. He said mortgage rates may not rise, if government could begin rolling back loan-level pricing adjustments, which would reduce consumer mortgage rates,s depending on the borrower.

Despite the above reasons, a “shock to the system” would nullify these points, saying it may come in form of an unexpected policy change or rapid deterioration in the nation’s economy According to experts, mortgage interest rates will rise in 2017 on the long-expected efforts to increase the short-term federal funds rates. However, it is important to keep in mind that increases for short-term rates will be larger than the ultimate effect on mortgage rates. In general, the typical 30year fixed rate mortgage tracks the 10-year Treasury rate, which can be influenced by a number of economic factors. While this will have some negative impacts on home buyers, the most significant constraint for prospective home buyers in recent years has been the challenge of accumulating a down payment. Reflecting on the challenges, Funso Oloke, a mortgage analyst, said one of the key reasons why the first-time home buyer share of new and existing home sales remained low for several years, saying construction growth has led the way in the last few years.

s most of you know, I am a Mortgage Broker by profession, though my education is as an Attorney-at-Law. Over the last twenty years in the mortgage industry, I have fought and (almost) tamed my instinctive reaction to issues from the viewpoint of an Attorney, and have learnt to think as a Financial Adviser to homebuyers. The interesting thing though, is that I have found some fulfilment in the thought that I am still doing what comes naturally – advocating for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. This is why I am so drawn to the emerging mortgage markets in Africa and especially in Nigeria, which apart from being my Motherland, also happens to be about the most significant society in which housing is a major problem. It is quite clear to me that if a solution is found to the Nigerian housing conundrum, it will jumpstart a housing trend in the rest of Africa, the likes of which we have never seen. This to me is the quest for the Golden Fleece, and my passion over the last few years. It is this “quest” that has taken me on multiple trips to Nigeria, Canada, the UK, and several paces in the US, where like minds are gathered to discuss the problem, and think of ways to start to address it. What I have found to be a constant, no matter where I go, is that EVERYBODY has a dream, and everybody has an opinion. I know these sounds trite, but I promise you it is almost mind-boggling discovering the vastness of the myriad ideas and solutions in the consciousness of the people I have met, each one just as passionate in their belief as the other. It is this same vastness, I believe, that is the root cause of the total lack of synergy in the Nigerian market, and that will stop any tangible progress from taking place, unless the ideas are corralled and aligned into a productive singular stream of thought, with tangible action solution points. It is imperative for the government to take a look at this problem, not just from a macro-economic stance, but also from a micro-economic stance. Housing is, and always will be an intimate subject. It encompasses the lifelong dream of each homeowner, as well as encloses his most cherished possessions. It is no mistake therefore, that human nature is to seek out the highest possible accommodation for one’s status, and to fight tooth and nail for it. Owning a home has always been the crowning achievement of human progress, and the concept is so treasured, that in countries like Malaysia, students come out of University ready, willing and able to purchase their first home. In their opinion, the sooner you own, the more of a success you are. Their government shares this opinion, and has actively facilitated the home-buying process to enable such intending buyers complete their transactions with relative ease. In Nigeria, home ownership has also always been an indicator of success, and its attainment continues to be the goal of the entire housing industry, whether builder, mortgage company, realtor or seller. While this is obviously a highly laudable goal, the fact that there are vacant properties in significant numbers on the market, while there are home-buyer prospects that have not been able (or willing) to purchase them, is a clear indicator that while everybody has a dream, our solutions are not aligned. We are not seeing the same path to the solution, even though we see the solution itself. Which comes first? The chicken or the egg? Which is the cart and which is the horse”? EVERYBODY has an opinion, and everybody has a solution (or so they think). As a neutral third party, I have been privy to examples of such solutions from industry partners from one end of the spectrum to the other. The Developer sees the problem as a lack of government incentives and lack of quality conforming product financing, the Finance industry sees the problem as excessive government regulations and outdated systems, the Government sees the problem (apparently) as a lack of discipline in the industry… and the prospective consumer/off-taker sees every one of the other parties I just mentioned, as crooks and charlatans, who are out to cheat buyers and line their own pockets. One of my strongest beliefs is that one should not be a Naysayer. Don’t start knocking other peoples’ efforts to solve a problem without suggesting any solutions yourself. Everybody thinks they know what the problem is. Everybody thinks they have the solution. Everybody thinks the only solution that can work is theirs. I see this as THE problem. I wish to proffer MY solution. The government should really consider having a KNOWN focal point, one through which every dream every opinion and every proposed solution can be filtered for alignment without fear or favour. This focal point will be non-threatening to any of the categories of thoughts I listed earlier, and will be an advocate for the system, with the singular mandate of fostering growth and co-operation therein. Is this impossible? Is this feasible? Or is this merely… a “dream”? As always, please seek me out on LinkedIn (Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja) and follow me on Twitter (@NikeFinancePro). I look forward to your comments and/ or question on this this post, and ask you to make it a wonderful week. All comments/questions on the above article are very welcome. Please follow me on Twitter @NikeFinancePro and connect with me on LinkedIn. Thank you for letting me has an opinion in this BC matter, and I urge you all to go out and make it a greatBCweek.

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FM 27

Insurance

Underwriters, others battle lawmakers over alleged N200bn fraud Stories: Saka Olalekan

nsurance companies and brokers have lambasted the Federal House of Representatives over its accusation that about N200 billion insurance fraud was allegedly committed in the process of insuring government assets, noting that the Ad Hoc Committee set up to investigate the matter gets most of its facts wrong. The underwriters, who spoke under the auspices of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) at a press briefing in Lagos, noted that the association would have waited for the Committee to conclude its investigation before making its comments but that to date, so much damage was being done to the image of insurance industry by some of the statements credited to the Chairman of the committee. Speaking on behalf of insurers, the Chairman, NIA, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, said

some of the statement made by the committee, which are in their material facts, are inconsistent with known insurance market practice. Efekoha, who is also the Managing Director, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, appealed to the Committee to conclude its investigation and where necessary, request for clarification from the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and market associations before making public statements that are capable of damaging the image of insurance industry. According to him, the position of the association is that; there is no N200bn fraud anywhere and the Committee may not have been properly briefed about insurance  operations and its workings. The Committee should please desist henceforth from making statements that are capable of creating further damage to the

Lagos pays N941m to 228 retirees in November

he Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has paid N941 million retirement benefits to 228 retirees from the Mainstream Civil Service, Local Governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) and other parastatals of Government, for the month of November. The Governor Ambode-led administration has from August, 2015 to date paid the total sum of N21,929 billion as accrued pension rights to 5,027 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS). Speaking at the 33rd Retirement Benefit Bond Presentation ceremony, in Ikeja, Lagos, the Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, reiterated the fact that the retirees needed to take good care of their health by going for comprehensive check-ups, desist from frivolous spending and advised them not to enter into ventures that would not afford them peace. She advised the retirees not to desire quick gains as fraudsters would make offers to defraud them of their benefits. Onanuga reiterated the fact that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is interested in the welfare of the employees both in and out of office and hence, salary and pension issues are given a place

of priority. She explained to the beneficiaries understand that only Programmed Withdrawal benefit option is tenable presently, pending the time, that Life Insurance Companies open Operational Account jointly with a Pension Fund Custodian (PFC) to secure the funds for the provider of annuity services. The retirees in their responses commended the good human relations exhibited by the staff of the agency responsible for the elderly with well cultured, humble staff with good disposition.

insurance industry.  He said that the association insisted that the committee should engage thoroughly to have a full understanding of insurance transactions before going to the press, adding that the association is ready to engage with the leadership of the committee with a view to shedding more lights on the operation of insurance business, he pointed out. Also, speaking in an interview with

Financial Mirror, the President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers(NCRIB), Mr. Kayode Okunoren, wondered why the committee would say a fraud of N200 billion insurance fraud was committed, when the total premium income is around N300 billion, saying that the committee’s pronouncement has further drenched the image of insurance industry.

Ambode

Gbadebo

Insurance agents seek inclusion in rebranding project

nsurance agents are calling on the insurance operators and stakeholders to include them in the proposed insurance rebranding project, expected to commence next year. The rebranding project has been estimated to be a multi-million Naira

Royal Bank of Canada unit, Rochdale launches ILS interval fund

mutual fund investment management unit subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Canada has launched a prospectus for the City National Rochdale Reinsurance Premium Fund, a new ILS and reinsurance interval investment fund. The interval ILS and reinsurance linked mutual investment fund is being offered to investors by investment advisor City National Rochdale, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of City National Bank, which is in turn a whol-

ly-owned subsidiary of an entity named RBC USA Holdco Corporation, which is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. Royal Bank of Canada and Los Angeles-based City National Bank merged in November 2015, bringing investment manager City National Rochdale into its fold, as an asset manager focused on creating and managing personalised portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundations. (Source – artemis.bm)

project, expected to increase insurance sensitisation and education, in a bid to correct the negative perceptions of Nigerians about insurance products and services. The President, Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN), Mr. Olamerun Gbadebo, while speaking in Lagos, stressed that efforts made by the drivers of the rebranding project would amount to futility, if issues like the internal structure of the agency system; remuneration of agents and review of brand strategy of agency marketing are not properly addressed. Gbadebo, who was unhappy that the agents were excluded from the project, urged insurance rebranding stakeholders to first rebrand internal mechanism of insurance practice before embarking on the proposed project. According to him, the allegation that conduct of agents in the past contributed to poor image of the industry, should prop drivers of the project to engage agents in remaking the image presently.

FM 28

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Nigeria’s economy now mortgaged by foreigners —Umar BEN UMUTEME, Abuja

he Director Research, Policy and International Relations Department, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Mr. Yayangida Umar, has described the current state of Nigeria’s economy which its critical sectors are dominated by foreigners as unhealthy for the country. Umar explained that no country can experience real growth when its economy had been “mortgaged” by foreigners whose primary interest is far from developing domestic capacity required to create jobs and position the economy on the path of sustain-

able growth The deposit insurance expert gave this position at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria, FICAN, yearly workshop organised by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, in Kaduna, is that the economy is controlled by multinational business. He explained: “All the biggest businesses are in the hands of foreigners. The biggest retail business in the country is owed by South Africans. The biggest telecommunications companies is owed by South Africa, MultiChoice is a South African company even in construction it is the same thing.”

Experts task entrepreneurs on business model adoption A bolaji A debayo

s the economic downturn continues to take a toll on many business owners in the country, business experts have urged entrepreneurs in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to build exit strategies - from the grip of the recession - into their business models which will prevent withdrawal from their businesses. They said exit plans encourage entrepreneurs to run their businesses according to best practices including tax and other regulatory policies which, among other things, will help them to properly value and sell it for the best price. They spoke in Lagos at the Compex Africa Business Exit Forum which brought together business buyers, sellers and other stakeholders to discuss the exit options

available for SMEs in the country. The speakers included Ukachukwu Obinna, Head SME Banking Stanbic IBTC; Damilola Aloba, Associate Director, Ernst & Young; Collins Onuegbu, Director Lagos Angel Network and Founder Signal Alliance and Ikechukwu Ubahakwe, Partner, Astute & Young. Business exit plans, they added, provide incentives for people to engage in entrepreneurship knowing that they could some day cash out big and eventually, they channel part of their newly acquired wealth, time and experience into other ventures with economic benefits. Explaining the basis of the forum, Onuegbu said: “Compex Africa has been campaigning to create an asset class of people who start businesses, exit them successfully and maybe start another line of business.”

NUP bemoans non-payment of pensions, gratuities to retirees

FIDELIS UGBOMEH

he Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has lamented over the non-payment of pensions and gratuities to ex-workers of Nigerian Railway Corporation who retired from service in November last year. The complaint over the non-payment of pensions and gratuities is coming against the backdrop of unpaid severance packages to retiress of the Corporationwho left service in September 2005. According to a communique issued at the end of National Executive Council meeting of the Union held recently in Ilorin, the Union called for the replacement of the names of 100 retirees in 2005, resident in Enugu whose names were removed from pension payroll by management of the Corporation because they seeked redress in Court over the non-payment of their severance packages. The communiqué, which was signed by President and Secretary

General of the Union, Comrade S. Ojo and Comrade Rafiu Balogun respectively, harped on the need for the Executive Secretary of Pensio Transistion Administration Directorate (PTAD) to look into the harmonization of pensions paid retirees of the Corporation who are the least paid exservice Civil Servants. The Union also called on PTAD to pay the Next of Kin of thousands of deseased pensioners of NRC from 2010 till date. The delegates to the Conference also endorsed the take-off of a Cooperative Society which will serve as a self help scheme for the pensioners. The Union resolved to increase the check off dues from 1% to 2 % from next year. The Former Deputy Director Public Relations of the Corporation Mr. Akinwoye Abdulrauf said that it is regretable that one year after retirement in November last year the Pension Fund Administrator have not have not paid NRC retirees their pensions and gratuities.

In his paper titled “Implications of Economic Recession To DIS In Nigeria”, Umar noted that the current economic crisis in the country had gradually eroded the purchasing power of many Nigerians, adding that decline in aggregate demand of an economy really influences the DIS and development of that particular economy which led to recession. While listing the effect of the present economic situation to include; less government resources for socioeconomic and infrastructural investments, rising interest rates, fall in export due to decrease in demand, decline in lending and investments opportunities; increased poverty, hunger and disease, amongst others, Mr. He explained that the Deposit In-

surance System, DIS, as a safety net not only prevents disruption to the payment system, it also maintains and reinforce public confidence in the financial sector. Umar, who is the Head of the Research, Policy and International Relations Department of the Corporation, pointed out that failure to address the country’s recession would affect the DIS on the long run. According to him, when people don’t pay their premium then it becomes difficult for NDIC to carry out its mandate. “In times of crisis, the very purpose of the insurance system to instill confidence could be undermined if there is a perception among depositors that adequate coverage is not available’” he

said. “The economic downturn and reduced investments can lead to a decline in output. Generally this translates into individuals and businesses being less likely to have reasonable bank balances. This could have a negative implication for DIS considering the fact that collectable premiums are calculated based on the deposit balances at year end”, he added. As a way forward, he said, the fiscal authorities should strengthen the law guarding the DIS operations in the country to enable it fulfill the aim why it was set up and also urged the government to seek ways to empower the local industries to enable them compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.

L-R: Executive Director, Lagos Commercial Banking Directorate, Skye Bank, Mrs. Markie Idowu, receiving Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) award for ‘The Most Consistent Watch listing Bank’ from Chairman of NeFF and Central Bank’s Director of Banking & Payments System, Mr. Dipo Fatokun. With them is the Chief Internal Auditor, Skye Bank, Mr. Rotimi Omotayo.

Expert cautions against de-marketing antics in aviation industry Olusegun Koiki

n aviation professional, Capt. John Okakpu has frowned at detractors for damaging public support and confidence in the aviation sector with the intention of not only de-marketing airlines, but also the industry at large. Okakpu who was reacting to public outcry over alleged negligence of Arik Air’s aircraft maintenance, said that such destructive and baseless allegations were counter-productive, particularly now the industry is hugely impacted by the nation’s economic disequilibrium. It could be recalled that barely 24 hours Arik Air disclosed the increasing of its flight frequencies to key domestic destinations ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities to cope with passenger demands, the social media was inundated with the most disturbing

allegations that the airline does not place priority on the safety of its aircraft. Okakpu said that safety was the first obligation of any airline, adding that in the present circumstances in Nigeria, Arik was the only structured airline in West Africa with state-of-the-art maintenance facility. He said, “I am neither a management nor staff of Arik Air, but as a stakeholder in this industry, it beats my imagination for some people to believe wholeheartedly that Arik would play down on safety knowing very well that any slightest mistake leads to catastrophic end. “Though the airline has refuted the allegation, appealing to its esteemed guests to ignore any message alleging that the airline’s aircraft are not well maintained, it is still quite instructive to plead with Nigerians not to kill this ‘baby’

through rumour mongering. “As a stakeholder in the aviation industry, I can’t feign ignorance of the fact flights are delayed or cancelled, leaving bad impressions on the minds of the passengers. But that is totally different from ignoring safety measures or better put, the need to totally adhere to safety measures could lead to flight delays. “This could have informed the airline’s decision to “increase flight frequencies on the domestic routes as predicated on the need to ensure that many Nigerians are able to travel home to share the joy of the season with family and friends.” To also cope with the demands of its international passengers on the London Heathrow and New York JFK routes, the airline leased a wide-body A340-300 from Portugal to supplement its wide-body fleet of two A330-200 aircraft.

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

Aviation Air safety: NCAA charges airlines on weather minima for airports

shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Why FAAN, BASL should reconcile

ast week, the Senate Committee on Privatisation toured the facilities of the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos and the members expressed their displeasure about the crisis trailing the first Public Private Partnership, PPP, scheme in the country’s aviation industry. In fact, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Ben MurrayBruce emphatically threatened that he would personally frustrate the nitty-gritty in the concession are resolved. The committee also said the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika would be invited to appear before it for the government’s side of the story. Airside says that the crisis between Federal Airports Authority

Commercial Director, East and West Africa, Delta Air Lines, Bobby Bryan, (middle) flanked by the Station Manager, Salami Omeiza (left) and General Manager, Skylogistics Limited, Sefia Emuejevoke during the Delta Air Lines media lunch recently in Lagos.

with the forecast earlier made by NIMET, which has indicated the occurrence of moderate to severe outbreaks of dust during the period of November 2016 – March 2017 in the country, predicting that it will on many occasions reduce horizontal visibility significantly. He declared that the effect of the harmattan was comparable to that of heavy fog, which may considerably reduce air – to – ground visibility.

The NCAA’s spokesman cautioned operators further that the weather may make aerodrome visibility to fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions dust haze could blot out runway, markers and airfield lighting over wide areas making visual navigation extremely difficult or impossible. He clarified: “Where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled, the circular further indicated.

duce its capacity on the route because of the recent recession in Nigeria, the airline is expanding its operations. He said that the arrival of the aircraft was one step taken by the airline to consolidate on the Nigerian route with attractive packages that would make the carrier the preferred choice by passengers. Ehimiaghe assured that the airline would continue to operate into Nigeria from South Africa, stressing that its two operations in the country; Lagos and Abuja had been improving regularly. He explained that the acquisition of the aircraft took the management a lot of plan-

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos

of Nigeria, FAAN, and BASL has been left to linger on for too long. It is unfortunate that BASL has spent about 10 years in operating the facilities and yet, litigations and counter-litigations have enveloped the whole scheme. Airside insists that the success or otherwise of this PPP would determine the heights of this industry as intending private investors would use it to rate the seriousness of the government. Rather than war-war, Airside says that both parties should jawjaw and find a lasting solution to the persistent problem that is already taking its tows on the industry. However, a government that cannot keep to agreements is doing more injuries to the country as serious investors will not take it seriously.

One stowaway too many

South African Airways deploys A330-300 to Nigerian route

ne of the leading airlines in Africa, South African Airways, SAA, has deployed its newly acquired Airbus 330-300 on the Lagos route from its base in Johannesburg, South Africa. The aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos recently. Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the Regional Manager, North, West and Central Africa, South African Airways, Mr. Ohis Ehimiaghe said that the newly acquired aircraft would enable it to capture the Nigerian market, stressing that rather than re-

FM 29

Airside

Stories: Olusegun Koiki he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has issued advisory circular to advice pilots about the hazards associated with current harmattan dust haze prevalent in some parts of the country. NCAA stated in the circular was part of the efforts to ensure safe flight operations in Nigeria airspace and its neighbouring countries. The agency’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Sam Adurogboye, hinted that the circular, which had gone out to the industry, also offered guidance to help prevent incidents or accidents caused by such weather related occurrences. He explained that with the issuance of this circular, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Advisory Circular AC: NCAA – AEROMET 21 dated April 1, 2016 is accordingly cancelled. Adurogboye emphasised that the current circular was in line

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ning, finance, insurance and retrofitting of the aircraft into its desire and taste, adding that generally, the year 2016 had been a tough one for all airline operators into the country.

ast Wednesday, news filtered out again that a dead stowaway was once again found in the wheel belly of Arik Air aircraft’s Airbus A330-200 in faraway OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa. The flight had departed the airport on Tuesday at 3:55pm and arrived the airport at 11pm the same day, but the stowaway was discovered the following day by the engineers of South African Airways technical facility at the airport where the aircraft was scheduled for a routine maintenance check during inspection phase. It was not the first time such ugly incident would be happening at the Nigerian airports. In

fact, it is gradually becoming Nigeria’s culture and no airline is immune from the disgraceful act.It would be recalled that in October 2012, a deceased stowaway got on the undercarriage of Arik Air aircraft to New York from MMIA with the alleged aides of some security personnel and ground handling companies at the airport. Again, on the same airline on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Benin Airport, a 13-year stowaway boy identified as Daniel Oikhena hid under the undercarriage of the aircraft from Benin to Lagos. In 2013 alone, no fewer than five stowaway incidents were recorded in the nation’s airports with another few ones recorded in 2014.

Former FAAN’s boss seeks stronger carriers for Nigeria

former Managing Director of the Federal Airports of Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, has called on indigenous airline operators to build carriers that would stand the test of time. Aisuebeogun charged operators to seek strong financial partnership and open themselves up for investors even outside the country. Speaking with aviation correspondents in Lagos yesterday, Aisuebeogun recalled that a report of survey carried out in May, 2016 revealed that over the past 12 years nearly 37 airlines were launched in Africa, and almost all of them had failed, 25 of which were from Nigeria. He hinted that currently, only about 12 Africa airlines have intercontinental operations, stressing that the more, “we realise that air-

lines are not a luxury but a necessity in our remote villages and hub cities, the more we can change our thinking and make sustained efforts to ensure that airlines are supported and developed for the accelerated development of our economies and improvement of our livelihoods.” Aisuebeogun further pointed out that the potential of aviation in Africa was under-utilised, which meant that there are huge opportunities for the sustainable airlines to thrive, but for the region to realise these latent possibilities, aviation – particularly, commercial air transport – must be prioritised by government. He disclosed that currently, air transport was recognised as an important element in the achievement of the United Nation’s Vision 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to improve individual livelihoods in all corners of the globe, adding that

air transport is also vital to achieving the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, which seeks to transform Africa’s economy from its current largely underdeveloped state to hugely develop economies. According to him, Africa has the potential to be a significant force in aviation on the back of robust economic growth forecasts, with Africa having among the fastest growing economies worldwide, but lamented that African airlines carry only l.3 per cent of global air cargo. “These small proportions contributed by Africa to global air cargo indicate that Africa has a huge potential to grow,” he said. He also observed that the performance of the African aviation industry is lagging behind those of the rest of the world at less than 3 per cent of global revenue passenger miles (RPKs).

FM 30

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Consumers’ Court

Consumer Rights Issues

CPC orders N2.5bn payback to consumers in 2016 David Audu

he Consumer Protection Council, CPC, disclosed it had ordered redress up to the tune of N2.5 billion for consumers in 2016 as refunds and compensation in the resolution of their complaints on unsatisfactory services and products. The Council made this known in Lagos last week during the public presentation of the agency’s 2016 Annual Report by the Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki. She said that the N2.5 billion included foreign currencies of $31,948.87 and 1,406 euro recovered for aggrieved consumers, who complained to the Council. According to her, financial

CPC Director General, Mrs Dupe Atoki

services recorded the highest value of the total amount, while insurance and pensions had the least value. She explained further that out of the 5,000 total numbers of complaints received in various sectors, 4,000 were resolved, adding that electricity and chemical and allied products sectors had highest and least number of complaints respectively. Atoki disclosed that under enforcement, the total value of substandard products removed from Nigerian markets was over N242.3 million with food and beverages taking the lion share of over N200 million and tobacco with the least value of about N300,000. Further breakdown of the value of seized products showed that substandard products worth over N202 million were seized from malls, super and open markets, shops and warehouses, while the value of electrical and electronic products seized during the period is N40 million. Shedding more light on the activities of the Council, the director general attributed the positive strides made by the Council during her administration, particularly in the year 2016, to the adoption of sectoral

intervention and other initiatives. She emphasized that “the sectoral intervention adopted in the strategic plan enabled such result and provided speed and spread to consumer redress”. She pointed out that the achievements highlighted in the annual report “is a reflection of the work we have done to promote and protect the interest of Nigerian consumers”, pointing out that when she assumed office in May 2013, “consumer abuse in virtually all sectors was pervasive”. The CPC boss said further that due to the huge consumer abuse in virtually all sectors of the economy, the council, in developing its 2013-2017 strategic plan, identified a tripod stand for a fast track delivery of its mandate via sectoral intervention, enhanced consumer awareness and collaborations with other sector regulators. Atoki, who said the Annual Report highlighted most significant achievements and interventions of the Council for the year, disclosed that the organization deployed the sectoral intervention strategy in the satellite television service, food and beverage with par-

Suspension of data tariff hike informed by consumers’ complaints –NCC Isaiah Erhiawarien ticular reference to the beer industry, banking, hospitality, aviation and electricity sectors. She explained that the intervention of the Council in satellite television service, focused on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, out of which consumers have been enjoying improved services, while its action in the hospitality sector focused on the VIP Express Tourism Limited with its Order for the refund of over N25 million to over 60 of the company’s subscribers because of exploitative service. This is even as she pointed out that the Council’s intervention in “telecommunication and food & beverage is to safeguard advert/promo/information that are deceptive or misleading”, stating that “in this wise, the foremost provider of telecommunication service in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd came under investigation for deceptive promo” that led to the Council’s Order for balance payment of N 1.85 million to a consumer who was earlier paid N 150,000 as against the N2 million winning prize.

Skye Bank customers relieve product’s experiences with excitement Isaac Asabor

kye Bank customers have expressed delight over their experiences as customers of the bank’s priority accounts named Skye Select Account. Okechukwu Okafor, a Lagos based business man who operates a Skye Select account expressed his appreciation to the bank, saying “I was travelling with some of my friends I didn’t know that being a holder of the priority pass card would give us a privileged advantage”. “We were full of excitement because for starters, the card gave us access to the lovely lounge at Murtala Mohammad International airport where we were given priority treatment.

I also had the opportunity to watch the live football match of my soccer team in comfort”. Another customer who simply identified herself as Christine also explained that “at Amsterdam, we had an eight hour stopover before our next trip and the card gained us access to two of their executive lounges where we relaxed.” “Imagine just waiting at the general waiting area/airport gate for eight hours with thousands of other travelers, the wait would have made our stop at Amsterdam uninteresting.” Speaking on the accounts, the bank’s Group Head of Retail Banking, Mr. Ndubisi Osakwe, noted that Skye Select Account is an individual Current Account designed for the dis-

cerning Priority client to deliver fast and convenient value added services - which includes a wide range of loans products in an exclusive package that matches one’s lifestyle. The account requires an opening and operating balance of N200,000 along with other product features. Customers who open and operate the account enjoy lots of benefits including, Higher Spend limit on the Platinum debit card, Free Priority Pass yearly membership card with access to over 1000 airport lounges in Nigeria and abroad along with Two (2) free airport lounge usages per year. Discounted retail loans by 2% compared to standard rates, and Zero current account maintenance fee when you maintain the

minimum operating balance. In addition to all these, the customers will also have access to Credit cards, Internet, and Mobile banking services, fast track services and dedicated relationship managers.

Skye Bank MD, Oguntayo

ollowing the concerns that visited the directive to introduce price floor for data segment of the telecommunications sector beginning from December 1, 2016, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was compelled to suspend any further action on the proposed tariff hike unitl the pesky issues are resolved. The industry regulatory agency stated that decision to suspend this directive was taken after due consultation with industry stakeholders and the general complaints by consumers across the country. The Commission hinted further that it weighed all of this and consequently asked all operators to maintain the status quo until the conclusion of study to determine retail prices for broadband and data services in Nigeria. The Commission recalled that it had earlier written to the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on November 1, 2016 on the determination of an interim price floor for data services after the stakeholder’s consultative meeting of October 19, 2016. The decision to have a price floor was primarily to promote a level playing field for all operators in the industry, encourage small operators and new entrants. The price floor in 2014 was N3.11k/MB but was removed in 2015. The price floor that was supposed to flag off on December 1, 2016 was N0.90k/MB. In taking that decision, the smaller operators were exempted from the new price regime, by virtue of their small market share. The decision on the price floor was taken in order to protect the consumers who are at the receiving end and save the smaller operators from predatory services that are likely to suffocate them and push them into extinction. The price floor is not an increase in price but a regulatory safeguard put in place by the telecommunications regulator to check anti-competitive practices by dominant operators.

This page welcomes genuine complaints from aggrieved consumers of products and services who feel unsatisfied with the quality of services, goods from their producers or providers. It will also accommodate product producers and service providers’ reactions to such complaints on weekly basis. The aim is to ensure value for money in economic relationships. Do you have any complaint to lodge over poor quality of goods or ser-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 14, 2014

Monday, December 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Foundation fetes orphans, physically challenged

Robert Awokuse

unday December 11, 2016 was a remarkable day in the lives of the orphans, motherless babies and the physically challenged people in and around Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State as they were treated to good meal and showered with gifts by the Care People Foundation. The occasion was this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of the annual carnival for the motherless and physically challenged individuals organised by the Care Peoples Foundation at its Home along Ibadan- Lagos Expressway Ibadan. Special schools all over Oyo State gathered together for this highly referred carnival and their pupils rendered different songs, dances, recitation of Bible verses and drama. The crowd at the event were spellbound as they watched a para soccer between two different teams made up of people with disCHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MRS. SANDRA HENRY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SANDRA NNENNA U. UBONG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEYI OLAWALE ISAIAH now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL OLAWALE ISAIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MS OLAYEMI ABOSEDE OLADAPO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAYEMI ABOSEDE ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NKWONE EBUKA MAXWELL now wish to be known and addressed as NKWONWE CHUKWUEBUKA. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as MISS ALABI OLUWAFISAYO OMOLADE, now wants to be addressed as MRS.AKANBI OLUWAFISAYO OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SALAM AYINDE ABDULRAHMON, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULRAHMON AYINDE SALAM. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OMISORE: formerly known and addressed as MISS OMISORE MARGARET FOLASAYO SIKEOYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SULE MARGARET FOLASAYO SIKEOYE. All former documents remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MARY MOSHE, now wish to be known and addressed as ROSELINE ONUORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

abilities. The para soccer pitch at the Care Peoples Foundation Home in Ibadan is one of the few of such in the whole of West Africa and the special people displayed good soccer artistry to the admiration of all. Other features of the carnival was the lucky deep where items were won by lucky individuals with the first prize winner given pepper grinding machine. Other items won include bed mattresses and cash . The chairman of the occasion who also represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Ben Ikhani commended Care Peoples Foundation for the laudable programme for the people with disabililty saying his experience at the occasion has shown that being physically challenged does not mean the end of the world. He said he would inform the president about the laudable programme urging the Foundation CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ODUNSI OLANBIWONNINU OYENEKAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ODUNSI OLAYEMI YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ISIAKA LOOKMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as WASIU ISHOLA AGBOOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as ELIJAH MANASSEH MARTINS instead of ILIYAH MANASSEH MARTINS.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AUDU SALIU BABA-ILA now wish to be known and addressed as SALIU AUDU. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, hereby declare that my correct name is MOHAMMED AYANDA and not MUHAMMED AYANDA as mistakenly written on my BVN. Henceforth, I want to be known as MOHAMMED AYANDA. All former documents remain valid.General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PRISCILLIA TANBA, now wish to be known and addressed as PRISCILLIA MORGA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

IDONGESIT: Formerly known and addressed as IDONGESIT MATTHEW UDOHEYOP now wish to be known and addressed as IDONGESIT DANIEL ABIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as AKAM PRINCESS ISIONG, now wish to be known and addressed as ISONG DAVID AKAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

management to continue the good work. Speaking at the occasion, the President Care Peoples Foundation, Rev. Paul Tunde Tioluwani said the Foundation has started a Primary school at its Home in Ibadan and that this year it will start a secondary school all in a way to promote the educational development of the less privileged in the society . He called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the physically challenged by removing import duties on wheel chairs and other liviing aids being used by people of special needs. He described import duties as a clog in the wheel to the philanthropists who were interested in supporting the disabled persons in the country, adding that the development had left many of the disabled in suffering. Also speaking, the Care People Foundation Project Committee Chairman, Dr Habeeb Olamitoye called on the well to do in the society to help in providing money for CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as BASSEY ENO UKPONK, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ENO BENJAMIN EGHAREVBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ANUOLUWAPO OLUWATOSIN AJAYI, now wish to be known and addressed as ANUOLUWAPO OLUWATOSIN AINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAOYE SEKINAT AYOMIDe now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SONEYE SEKINA AYOMIDE.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that KAYODE IBIKUNLE RICHARDS is the same person as KAYODE TEMITOPE ABAYOMI.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as YUSUF SHAIUB YUSUF, now wish to be known, called and addressed as JIBA SHUAIBU YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA DAVID ANUOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA DAVID WEAILTH. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OWHORABA: Formerly known and addressed as OWHORABA ILORO SILAS now wish to be known and addressed as OWHORABA SILAS OKEGHENE. My correct date of birth is 15th April,1962. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as BADMUS ABEEB LEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as BADMUS ABEEB AKANNI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Cross section of beneficiaries of wheel chairs at the carnival. the upbringing of the less privileged in the society. High point of the carnival was the presentation of CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as PRECIOUS OGBEBO OGEZI now wish to be known and addressed as PRECIOUS OGEZI-ALOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public and banks take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as NKAHERE CHRISANTUS NNANNA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKAHEREONYE CHRISANTUS NNANNA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SULE ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SULE ONUCHE SULEIMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

I, formerly known and addressed as USMAN FOLASHADE ABEBI, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNMONU FOLASHADE ABEBI. Date of marriage is 18/02/2016. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKISIKPO JULIET ONOME now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPO JULIET ONOME. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that KAYODE FOLASHADE is the same person bearing KAYODE FOLASHADE ALABA.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL EDIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JAMIU ALAYANDE JIMOH, now wish to be known and addressed as JAMIU ALAYANDE ISHOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ANYAMA: Formerly known and addressed as ANYAMA IFEOMA ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as AKU IFEOMA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

graduates of Care Peoples Foundation Homes who are now graduates and undergraduates in various uniCHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ALAO ABOSEDE NIFEMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLOWOLAFE ABOSEDE NIFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public and banks take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as RAFIU SHERIFAT BOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as GANIU SHERIFAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS JUMOKE RONKE OGUNDELE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. YUSUF RONKE JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDIMU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNDIMU FOLUKE ADEWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BAMIDURO FOLUKE ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH FRANCIS now wish to be known and addressed as QUEEN UDOH FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my correct/full names are ODOGBO SIMEON OLATUYI. Authority concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ABOLANLE SAHEED OLASHILE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BOLANLE SAHEED OLASHILE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS OLUWAFEMI MODUPE OLUSEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNBAJO MODUPE OLUSEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NURADDIN: Formerly known and addressed as NURADDIN DAUDA now wish to be known and addressed as NURA DAUDA ABDULHAMID. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

versities in the country. One of them is an Engineering graduate working with Nigeria Army. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLANREWAJU OLUWATOYIN IYABO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWATOYIN GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NAFISAT OLAJUMOKE KOSAMOT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NAFISAT OLAJUMOKE GAMBARI. All former documents remain valid. SKYE BANK, ILORIN and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUKOYA ADERONKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADENEKAN ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AWOYEMI FUNMILAYO HANNAH now wish to be known and addressed as OWOLABI FUNMILAYO HANNAH. All former documents remain valid, General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Joy NNENA IFEDORO now wish to be known and addressed as JOY NNENA OZOR. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as ADEYEMI OPEYEMI CHRISTIANAH now wish to be known, called and addressed as SMITH OPEYEMI CHRISTIANAH. First Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as FASHORO TOPE DARE, now wish to be addressed, known and called as FASHORO TEMITOPE DARE. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, Banks and general public should please take note. RE-ARRANGEMENT OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that I wish to rearrange my name as PRISCILLA INYANG VINCENT. PRISCILLA is my first name, INYANG is my surname, while VINCENT is my middle name. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN OYE STEPHEN, now wish to be known and addressed as OYELEYE STEPHEN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Monday, Decemner 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

Investments

Money Market Experts harp on risk management roles in financial system Analysts and operators say effective risk management is capable of tackling current and emerging risk issues and help maintain resilient and well- functioning financial system. UDO ONYEKA reports.

he reform in the banking industry and entire financial sector aimed at ensuring adequate supervision by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for the purposes of instilling good corporate governance culture in the industry is seen by analysts as desirable. However, for banks and other financial institutions to play by the rule of the game experts are univocal that there is the need to develop internal control that tests every action to be taken in the organisation and that is risk management. As the world is changing so do business environment, therefore risk management stake should be very high considering new channels and high sophisticated ICT facilities available for electronic banking. Experts and operators agree that as the industry continues to evolve so do risks, hence the need for effective risk management. Many analysts believe that weak management practices and corporate governance lapses on the part of both financial institutions and regulators is responsible to near collapse of the financial sector in 2008 and therefore urged for a continues self assessment by the operators themselves on their adherence to good corporate governance. According to the analysts, financial markets in the world over have undergone far reaching changes in the last decade, spurred by deregulation and liberalisation as well as rapid developments in communication and internet technologies. They said banks operating in the country before the ongoing reforms have however not paid enough attention to the potential risks and to evolve mechanisms and systems to control and manage them in line with the global standards and procedures. For instance, the President of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, and former Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig- Imoukhede, who spoke at an investors’ forum recently in Lagos said that if the global 2008-2009 crisis that impacted

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc MD, Segun Nigeria Stock Exchange President, Agbaje Aigboje Aig- Imoukhede

Leadership will espouse a culture of responsible risk management through its behaviour and through the systems and programmes it puts into place. In the run up to the financial crisis, organisations talked about good risk

management; however, not all in leadership positions espoused effective risk management,

which is evident in the dismal failures in the financial sector during the economic recession negatively on foreign and domestic banks with primary focus on oil and gas business reoccur again, that only very few banks would be willing to respond. Imoukhede, who said banks had learnt their lessons, pointed out that banks now paid more attention to risk management. “Some lessons are learned through pains and I believe we have all learned that sound risk management is the secret of sustainable banking business,” he said. Senior Resident Representative, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Mr. Scott Rogers, said that the core business of a bank was to manage risk and

provide a return to shareholders in line with the accepted risk profile, “ adding that the credit crisis and ensuing global recession seem to indicate that the banking sector has failed to tend to its core business. “If the banks had attended to risk management, then there would not have been the flood on the U.S. market of cheap shortterm interest rate mortgages that led to the so-called housing bubble and the ultimate wave of personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures”. Rogers also said that the framework for risk management in a bank is fundamenContinued on pg 34

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FM 33

Dr Ayo Taylor

Energy Market –Part 2

he Role And Impact Of The OPEC Cartel The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) accounts for around 40% of current world supply. This gives OPEC a significant influence in shaping the direction of oil prices, but only when the cartel acts together to control production and balance supply and demand in the international market. Non-OPEC countries account for the largest portion of total supply. Oil is produced in nearly every corner of the world, and nearly every region has been expanding oil production in the last decade. This includes Europe, where Norwegian oil companies are achieving a rapid increase in oil extraction, and also Russia is now one of the world’s largest oil suppliers. Politics has always played a key role in both OPEC’s role as well as other producers’ level of oil supplies. The Arab Spring had an impact on the price of oil, since one of the major producers, Libya, was involved and is now subject to trade restrictions. But for the most part, these are usually short-term in effect, since other OPEC members have agreed to increase their oil production, to limit any price rises. The Electricity Market The electricity market was once made up of only large corporations providing power from the source to the consumer. However, recent deregulation of the electricity markets has meant that today generators and suppliers operate in a competitive market to sell their electricity to customers. Electricity is, by its nature, a commodity that is difficult to store and has to be available as demanded. Today’s electricity market is a system for effecting purchases, through bids to buy, sales, through offers to sell, and short-term trades, generally in the form of financial or obligation swaps. Bids and offers use supply and demand principles to set the price. Long-term trades are contracts similar to power purchase agreements and are generally treated as private bilateral transactions between counterparties. Wholesale transactions (bids and offers) in electricity are typically cleared and settled by the market operator or a special-purpose independent entity charged exclusively with that function. The commodities within an electric market generally consist of two types: power and energy. Power is the metered net electrical transfer rate at any given moment and is measured in megawatts (MW). Energy is electricity that flows through a metered point for a given period and is measured in megawatt hours (MWh). Markets for power-related commodities are net generation output for a number of intervals, usually in increments of minutes. Markets for energy-related commodities are required by, managed by and paid for by market operators to ensure reliability. In addition, for most major operators, there are markets for transmission congestion and electricity derivatives, such as electricity futures and options, which are actively traded. These markets developed as a result of the restructuring of electric power systems around the world. Electricity futures in different forms are traded on a number of exchanges worldwide, from NYMEX and ICE, to Hong Kong and Australia. The delivery and settlement for most exchange-traded contracts are financial-based or certificate-based, rather than the actual delivery of power. Increasing electricity consumption and demand in many different regions of the world is changing the electricity landscape. Transmission and distribution are separate business functions and thousands of new businesses have entered the market. A relatively recent event that is expected to have a longer-term effect on the electricity market is the political and environmental reaction to the Japanese disaster of March 2011 and the nuclear energy market. Before the earthquake and tsunami many considered nuclear power to be a safe and ‘green’ alternative, which at the time supplied about 20% of global electricity. Now many governments have announced plans to close many existing nuclear plants, and very few are looking to build any new ones. The Gas and Coal Market Gas is the fastest growing source of energy in today’s world. It is relatively cheap to build and operate gas power plants and they have high efficiency levels. A growing number of power plants are using gas, but coal remains a key energy source for some of the most important economies in the world, notably China and India and its level of pollution is considered to be relatively low. Dr Taylor, CEO-Analytics Secure Associates and forensic audit expert can be reached for reactions and comments on issues covered in this column through Mobile -08098210000 (SMS only) or ayotaylor@yahoo.com

FM 34

Financial Mirror

Monday, December 19, 2016

Experts harp on risk management roles in financial system

Money Market Regulators mull private sector-driven bank for industry risks Johnson Okanlawon

s the lifespan of the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) draws closer to its end, financial industry regulators are putting heads together to introduce a new private sector driven bad bank which will replace it. According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Ibrahim Umaru, the rising level of non-performing loans in the Nigerian banking sphere had brought about the need for a private sector driven bad bank. Average non performing loans in the Nigerian banking sector had risen to 11 per cent way above the regulatory threshold of five per cent. Umaru speaking during an oversight function visit of National Assembly members to the corporation raised con-

cerns over the rising NPLs. Umaru explained that a joint committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the NDIC is considering the establishment of the band bank which he said will “pave way for the gradual transition and folding up of AMCON.” He however noted that bad loans can no longer be bought with taxpayers’ fund as was done with AMCON, saying the proposed bad bank will be driven by both operators in the private and public sector but will be privately managed. He also said the joint committee is looking into the emergence of unconventional financial products such as digital monies. Citing Bitcoin as an example, he said the regulatory authorities are looking into how the unregulated digital products could affect policies. The NDIC chief said the emergence of block chain platform such as Bitcoin was set to radically transform the banking industry noting that some banks

Umaru

in Europe have already adopted and introduced their own block hair products, compelling regulatory Amorites to wake up to the changing trend. The chairman of the House Committee on insurance, Femi Fakeye, raised concerns on the rising NPLs in the industry saying regulators should ensure that the trend does not go beyond the capacity of the industry.

BoI shortlists 976 candidates for N2bn GEF scheme Olufemi Adeosun Abuja

he Bank of Industry (BoI) has begun training programme for the 976 corps members selected to benefit from the second phase of its N2bn Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund(GEF) scheme. The 976 candidates were shortlisted across the six get-political zones of the country after a careful appraisal of applications submitted to the bank. After undergoing intensive capacity development programme and upon submission of bankable projects, successful applicants will have the opportunity to get a maximum of N2million at 9 per cent interest rate, payable

BoI Acting MD, Waheed Olagunju

over three to four years period. BoI, in collaboration with the directorate of the National Youth Service Corps, came up with the initiative in order to encourage graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to become employers of labour rather than job seekers. Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 4-day in-class capacity building in Katsina, the acting Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said the initiative was designed to empower the Nigerian youth, knowing full well that government alone could not sufficiently address the unemployment situation in the country. Olagunju, who was represented by the Divisional Head, SME North, Mr. Omar Shekarau, explained that the second edition of the scheme was embarked upon based on the success of the first edition which saw 140 projects fully implemented with a total sum of N194.4 million disbursed. He added that the programme ensured the creation of 560 direct and over 2,000 indirect jobs. Commenting on the impacts of the first phase of the scheme, he said,”The first phase of the scheme recorded a total of 896

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

participants at the 3-day capacity building programme which was held from 18th to 21st November 2015 at seven (7) designated training centres across the country. “At the end of the training and by the deadline of February 15, 2016 for the submission of loan applications, a total of 361 candidates had submitted requests for an aggregate sum of N695.16 million spanning across 27 out of the 40 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) product clusters identified by BOI.

Continued from pg 33 tally no different today than it was prior to the credit crunch and recession. He also believes a return to managing risks not ignoring them or believing they can be passed off is the cure for the ailment that has hit the economy so hard. Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said if a bank was serious about risk management, then it will be serious from the top to down. “Leadership will espouse a culture of responsible risk management through its behaviour and through the systems and programmes it puts into place. In the run up to the financial crisis, organisations talked about good risk management; however, not all in leadership positions espoused effective risk management, which is evident in the dismal failures in the financial sector during the economic recession. A risk-management culture can be embedded in an organisation through training, communications and incentives”, Agbaje said. A Lagos based financial analyst, Dr Eric Ekeh, said risk was inherent in all business and financial activities. He disclosed that banks more than ever before were paying attention to risk management, adding that this “ is easily seen in the way financial institutions do their businesses these days”. Ekeh noted that the greater the risk associated with an activity the greater potential to generate a high return and attributed high interest rate especially at the retail subsector to the high risk involved. Even though taking risks can almost be said to be the business of banks and that a bank that is run on the principle of avoiding all risks or as many of them as possible will be a stagnant institution , analysts say banks that take them without recognising their extent or their existence will surely run into difficulty. According to analysts, credit risk is the major category of risk of banks. It occurs whenever there is a possibility that the customer cannot meet contractual obligations to the bank in terms of delivery of documents or commodities where the bank bears the whole risk or the payment of principal, interest fees or commissions. The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, FDC, Limited, Bismarck Rewane, described risk management as the process of identifying, measuring, monitoring and evaluating business activities in an organisation such as a bank, adding that it should be the bedrock of internal control in banks. CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele said that risk managers had the responsibility to put in place measures to forestall a reoccurrence of issues that led to the crisis in the financial sector. He maintained that the objective of the CBN was to build a stable financial system. Emefiele noted further that a sound financial system could only be achieved when substantial and fundamental economic reforms are implemented and sustained. He explained the apex bank would continue to enhance the quality of banks, establishing financial stability and ensuring that the financial sector contributes to the growth of the real sector. “We have learned from the past and would avert the dangers of the past by doing the right and insisting that all do what is right. We should also try to be vigilant risk managers ahead of any situation, so as to guide our institutions, our financial sector and economy as a whole,” he said.

ICA Honours Sekibo, other executives of Heritage Bank

he Institute of Credit Administration (ICA) has awarded the Managing Director of Heritage Bank Limited, Dr. Ifie Sekibo, and other senior officials of the bank outstanding awards at the Nigeria Credit Industry Awards held recently in Lagos. Sekibo was conferred with Corporate Credit Provider of the Year while Mrs. Adaeze Udensi, an Executive Director of the Bank was awarded with Credit Management Director of the Year. Other officials of the bank

that were recognised at the 2016 awards ceremony of the ICA are Prince Akamadu, a Chief Internal Audit Executive of the Bank and Damian Orizu, Head, Special Recovery Tax Force, Heritage Bank while, Ms. Olatomi Oyesola and Ms. Uwalaka Nneka were inducted into ICA as new Fellow and Associates, respectively. Sekibo who delivered the ICA Award lecture titled ‘Corporate Credit in Nigeria’ said that the bank “ looks forward to a future of possibilities with a firm belief in

the economy of Nigeria,” adding that one of our corporate goals of the bank is to ensure that at least one (if not more) of the start-ups it has financed is listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange within 10 years of inception. Represented by the Executive Director of the Bank, Mr. Jude Monye, Sekibo noted that the Nigerian economy had experienced major contractions within the last 15months due to various internal and external factors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North 35

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 19, 2016

EFCC, Katsina sue Shema, others James Danjuma KATSINA

ormer Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, has been dragged to court for allegedly embezzling N11 billion belonging to the state’s 34 council areas. Shema, along with three others, was taken

before the state High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Katsina State government. The monies were reported to have been diverted during his tenure as governor, a period that lasted from 2007 to 2015. The development was disclosed in a statement

issued to newsmen by the senior special adviser to the governor on media, Abdu Labaran. Joined in the suit are ex-chairman of Kaita council area and chairman of state chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Ibrahim Dankaba. The statement said ex-

commissioner, ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sani Makana and Permanent Secretary of same ministry, Lawal Safana, were also joined in the suit. It said the suit: FRN vs Ibrahim Shema, Makana, Safana and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba; would have the four arraigned

on a 22-count charge. It said count 1 was on conspiracy; counts 2 to 8, breach of trust and conversion of sum of N11,255,043,920; and counts 9 and 10 forgery of

Women group gives free medicare, water to FCT community Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umar Atiku (left) with Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar, during the turbaning ceremony of Governor Abubakar as Sarkin Yakin Akko at Akko–Kumo LGA, Gombe State on Saturday.

‘Why Nigerian leadership cannot fend for citizens’ Livinus Menedi YOLA

ishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Dr. Stephen Mamza, has urged the citizenry to join President Muhammadu Buhari to root out corruption in the country. Mamza, who made the call in his Christmas message at the annual Adamawa interdenominational Christmas Carol service on Saturday, also called on religious leaders to desist from taking donations from politicians. The bishop said corruption was the only reason the country, despite its enormous resources, has failed to provide for its citizens, and urged Nigerians not to leave the fight alone for the president. Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, sponsored the annual interdenominational carol held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Yola. While stating that accusing fingers have always been pointed at corrupt civil servants and elected officials for the absence of essential and basic amenities, Mamza stressed that the demands by an overwhelming majority in the public including religious leaders was encouraging them to

“steal and embezzle public funds to satisfy our needs.” He lamented the situation whereby, “Power supply is erratic; public potable water supply is not available; health and education are poorly funded; roads and other means of transportation are far from adequate,” when the country has an abundance of resources to provide these things. According to him, “If I should ask you to give answers, most of us will attribute this to corruption. The word corruption is the most popular word in Nigeria today.

“But who are the corrupt ones? Most of the times we always point accusing finger on public servants especially the politicians when it comes to corruption. Even if some of our politicians and public servants are corrupt, don’t we the ordinary people push some of them into dipping their hands into public resources because of our unnecessary demands?” The cleric, who also did not spare religious leaders of blame, said one of the ways to help public servants is by not making unnecessary demands on

them but rather demand good governance and accountability from our public servants. “Even we church leaders are not exempt. When we make unnecessary demands on our members who hold public offices promising them abundant blessings from heaven when they make huge donations from stolen monies in our churches, we are equally pushing them into embezzlement of public funds. And when such happens, we lack the moral authority to reprimand them.

Insecurity: Katsina needs 2,931 police officers James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina is faced with a shortfall of 2,931 police officers and would need additional hands to effectively police the state’s over six million population strength, it has been revealed. Police Commissioner, Umar Abdullahi, who disclosed this over the weekend, said Katsina needs 8,431 police personnel against the current number of 5,500 officers and men, for effective policing of the state. Abdullahi disclosed this when he received the Assistant-Inspector General of Police in charge

of Zone 1, AIG Adamu Ibrahim, at the state police command. He said due to the shortfall, the command was not be able to effectively provide the needed security to the state’s large population. He also said the command was faced with the problem of inadequate anti-riot equipment and dearth of Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC. The police commissioner identified other problems facing the command to include insufficient communication system and lack of vehicles for operational use. He however said that despite the challenges, the command had succeeded in

arresting 1,720 criminals out of 1,027 reported cases. He said 721 suspects were being prosecuted in various courts of law while properties worth N20.5 million were recovered. On cattle rustling, the commissioner said 9,555 animals have been recovered by police. Responding, AIG Ibrahim called on officers and men of the command to shun all forms of corruption, warning that any officer caught receiving gratification would be sacked. Ibrahim promised to embark on training and retraining of officers to learn modern technology in handling crime.

minutes of meetings. The statement added that count 11 is on abatement of forgery, while counts 12 to 22 are on using forged documents.

woman organisation, Arise Women, has administered free medical services to more than 2,000 residents of Dafara community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The group also donated borehole, renovated and furnished classroom blocks in the community’s primary school and another borehole for the community under its ‘Adopt A Community Project’ for 2016. Convener of the group, Mrs Siju Iluyomade, a pastor, said the community outreach was aimed at giving hope to the needy and the underprivileged members of the society just like the Biblical church which shared their belongings for among themselves. She identified greed in the country as a major hindrance to equitable distribution of development in the society, while maintaining that women empowerment leads to overall social development. “The early church lacked nothing because they shared

everything for the common good. The problem is that there is a bit of selfishness in our nation and we need to get rid of it,” she said. Chief medical director of the team, Dr Edache Okoh, listed malaria, diabetes and hypertension, as common cases found among the residents. He explained that drugs were being given to the residents with minor cases while serious cases were referred for specialist care. He promised that the group would return in three months for follow-up and evaluation of the residents to ascertain the efficacy of the intervention. Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight over the medical treatment received and facilities donated to the community. Musa Adamu, who was treated of malaria, said: “It is God that has delivered us through this programme. So we thank God and the team.” The village head of Dafara, Chief Joseph Makeri, thanked the Arise Women for supporting the community on the most critical areas of health and potable water.

Insurgency: FG reconstructs 25 police stations, schools in Adamawa

he Federal Government on Sunday said it has rebuilt and renovated no fewer than 25 police stations and 25 schools destroyed by the Boko Haram sect in Adamawa. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, disclosed this at the Christmas Carol Service held at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Jimeta, Yola. Lawal said one of the cardinal priorities of the present administration was ensuring security of lives and property in order to promote economic development. ” So far, the Federal Government has renovated and rebuilt not less than 25 schools destroyed by Boko Haram in seven local government areas of Adamawa. ”Similarly, we were able to rebuild the same number of police stations in the affected areas,” Lawal said. On the 2017 budget, the SGF said the core objective of the fiscal proposal was economic and human

development. He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had also approved reconstruction of four federal roads in the budget. Lawal listed them as Yola-Mubi, Mararaba MubiGwoza, Numan- Cham (Gombe) and NumanJalingo. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, advocated synergy between all arms of government in order to move the country forward. Dogara also urged Nigerians to support government irrespective of political and regional affiliation. Bishop Dami Mamza of St Theresa Cathedral, Jimeta, advised clergy to always preach peace and tolerance among the diverse people of the country. Among the dignitaries at the service were representatives of the governors of Taraba and Plateau, senators and members of the House of Representatives.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WorldNews Monday, December 19, 2016 -

Page 36

Syria crisis: Rebels torch civilian-evacuating Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

everal buses sent to transport the sick and injured from two government-held villages in Syria’s Idlib province were burned by rebels yesterday, according to various reports. It has thrown the latest efforts to evacuate besieged areas into doubt. Pro-government forces said people must be allowed to leave the mainly Shia villages of Foah and Kefraya for the evacuation of east Aleppo to restart. But state media said convoys had begun to leave Aleppo yesterday, although other reports said they had turned back. The initial plan to evacuate the last rebel-held enclaves in the city collapsed on Friday, leaving civilians stranded at various points along the route

A motor cyclist riding past charred buses evacuating civilians from Aleppo yesterday

out without access to food or shelter. Russia, which backs the government of President Bashar al-Assad, says it will veto a French-drafted resolution to send UN officials to monitor

the evacuations in Aleppo and a vote was due at the UN Security Council late yesterday. Despite delays over the new operation, buses were preparing to evacuate people from both eastern Aleppo and the

government-held villages in Idlib province yesterday. A number of buses have succeeded in entering Foah and Kefraya, according to the UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). It earlier reported that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, had been holding them up. However, six buses were attacked and torched on the way, the SOHR said. Several reports from opposition sources said Jabhat Fatah al-Sham was responsible. But Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV and Beirut-based pro-Syrian government al-Mayadin TV said clashes between jihadist Jabhat Fath al-Sham and the rebel Islamist Ahrar al-Sham had resulted in the blaze.

Party okays Mugabe for 2018 poll

imbabwe’s governing ZANU-PF party over the weekend confirmed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2018 elections. Mugabe, who is 92, has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980. At the party’s conference, the ZANU-PF Youth Wing even proposed that Mugabe should be declared president for life. However, there have been unprecedented protests this year against Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil and Mugabe’s leadership. The ZANU-PF has also suffered serious in-fighting as factions battle it out to succeed Mugabe once he eventually leaves. His supporters broke into thunderous applause and chanted “tongai, tongai baba” (rule, rule father) as the ZANU-PF annual conference in the southeastern town of Masvingo nominated Mugabe. In his acceptance speech, Mugabe called for an end to party infighting.

US President-elect Donald Trump

“We agreed that conflicts should end. Infighting should end. The party ideology should be followed,” he said.

“Let us be one. We are one family, the family of ZANU-PF bound together by the fact of understanding between its members.”

Mugabe has blamed the country’s economic problems on sabotage by Western critics of his policies.

Dasuki long grain rice and Diezani tomatoes Continued from page 15 Loot recovery. Crime and punishment, and restorative justice; debt is paid back to the society wronged from their looting indiscretions. There is little to gain by incarcerating productive human assets in jail for gazillion of years other than increased pressure on the little resources of the Nigerian Prisons. There is little evidence that Nigerian politicians or public looters are able to serve any lengthy prison time anyhow before they kick the bucket or are released by a sympathetic new government via pardon. Taking out the bad eggs from the system improves the productivity of institutions, and keep these convicts from exerting negative influence as well as further degrade their networks, and discourage protégées from treading in their corrupt paths or celebrating criminality. Government can expect an increase in commercial agricultural investment and output while creating employment for local farm hands with little investment (land and supervision). Reorientation of the youth and larger society to rediscover dignity in labor, and to shun get rich schemes, can only be hastened when commercial farmers redefine affluence in Nigerian society Viability public looters have the brains and financial capacity

to manage and sustain large-scale commercial farming. If Nigerian government provides land - a minimal cost, the needed incentives (stay-out-of-jail card, an avenue to earn money, redemption, and a path to regained social status) is more than enough to ensure the viability of the program. A federal agricultural community program may not need a bill to support it. Because it is voluntary, no participant can challenge the legal impetus or claim coercion to participate. But if necessary, a bill can be pushed through the house and signed into law to give the program a legal backbone. Most white collar criminals in Nigeria, whether private or public, when disgraced, convicted, and imprisoned, are usually reluctant to return to the public limelight. A case in point; former Inspector General of police, Tafa Balogun, or former Managing Director of now defunct Oceanic Bank, Cecelia Ibru. A government program that encourages immersion into productive commercial farming, and dignifies their contribution to society can go a long way in helping to educate the youth to find dignity in labor and to shun corrupt practices for rich schemes. I doubt the average Nigerian will worry much about Dasuki branded long grain rice or Diezani’s branded tomatoes paste, if

the low cost of food that it brings to their table allows them to live more abundantly. Emma writes from, Miami, USA Having said this, however, the FG truly needs to do more than the 500,000 jobs approach if we are really serious about curtailing chronic unemployment in the country. The FG must come up with inventive strategies that would enhance the thriving and expansion of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the country. In an economy like ours, the growth and development of SMEs remain a major catalyst for economic resurgence and wealth creation. Also, all tiers of governments must give adequate attention to development of infrastructure. Weak infrastructure is inimical to job creation and economic growth. The FG, especially, needs to do more in ensuring stable power supply. Small businesses will, no doubt, flourish with un-hindered power supply. Equally, multinational firms that have closed down due to unstable power supply could come back if the power situation improves. This would not only bring up new jobs, but will certainly restore lost ones. God bless Nigeria! Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

“We tried our utmost to give the world a new vista wherever we can do our best. We are pleased with our efforts” –Outgoing US President, Barack Obama

US poll fallout: McCain flays ‘Russian hackings’ Former US presidential candidate for the Republican Party, Senator John McCain, yesterday said Russian election-related hacks threaten to destroy democracy, even as he and faulted the American response as totally paralyzed. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, again called for a select committee to investigate the CIA’s finding that Russia hacked Democrats’ emails in a bid to help President-elect Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. “This is the sign of a possible unraveling of the world order that was established after World War II, which has made one of the most peaceful periods in the history of the world. “We are starting to see the strains and the unraveling of it, and that is because of the absolute failure of American leadership. When America doesn’t lead, a lot of other bad people do.” McCain’s calls so far have been rejected by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan, who have backed investigations but said they want to see them conducted through already-existing Senate and House committees. “This is serious business. If they’re able to harm the electoral process, they may destroy democracy, which is based on free and fair elections,” he added. But McCain said responsibility for cyber-security is spread too broadly today. “The responsibilities for cyber is spread over about four different committees in the Senate, and each doing their own thing, frankly, is not going to be the most efficient way of arriving at a conclusion.” McCain also spoke about the China’s seizure of a US underwater drone and the Syrian government’s slaughter of the citizens of Aleppo in dire terms. In making another call for a select committee to investigate Russian hacking, he mocked President Barack Obama’s statement on Friday that he had personally told Russian President Vladimir Putin to “cut it out.”

Former US presidential candidate John McCain

Monday, November 19, 2016

Ronaldo hat-trick wins Club World Cup for Real 38

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

They told me it was 30 years since Watford beat Manchester United, so this win brings a lot of satisfaction –Mazzarri

NFF corrupt, stinks, says Sports Minister, Dalung

igeria’s Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung lambasted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its leadership on Sunday declaring that the footballruling body stinks with corruption. The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister made the remark at the 72nd General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation held in Lagos.In his opening remark, Barrister Dalung castigated the NFF for holding the AGA few days after Super Falcons saga that got President Muhammadu Buhari thoroughly embarrassed. “Let me express my concern that could this General Assembly come at this period considering the recent unwholesome developments in our football life? How can Nigerians reconcile the claims by the NFF that it could not pay the Super Fal-

cons for paucity of funds yet on another breath it is holding an Annual General Meeting which the resources if deployed would have mitigated the situation of the players,” the angry minister said. “I hope this meeting will address the immediate and remote causes of all the issues surrounding football in Nigeria which have generated negative publicity in recent time.” Minister also said that his office has been inundated with reports suggesting that the board of the NFF is divided over the issue of Mr Pinnick Amaju contesting for a seat in the Confederation of African Football CAF. “It is a policy of government to support and encourage Nigerians to vie and aspire for positions in international organizations,” he said. “However, such persons must possess the requisite qualification and the wherewithal to succeed.

“So it was heartwarming when I received a letter from the president of NFF Mr Amaju Pinnick declaring his interest to vie for a position in CAF. The NFF is hereby directed to avail the ministry with the minutes of the meeting where Mr Pinnick’s nomination for a CAF seat was discussed and approved so as to put the records straight. If our quest for a CAF seat is to materialize, then the NFF President will need the support of everybody.” Barrister Dalung also spoke on a report he received from the NFF raising queries on FIFA’s audit report of $1.1m FIFA development grant to the NFF. “According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000 out of the funds released to NFF. “This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent atten-

tion to avoid another international embarrassment moreso that the present administration under the leadership of Mr President Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.” He directed the NFF to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with detailed information of receipt, disbursement and application of the FIFA development grant accordingly. “In addition, a reputable audit firm should be appointed urgently to check the account books of the federation to ensure that funds are judiciously expended. The audit report must be made public to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value,” Dalung said. Dalung expressed shock over the deluge of insults from the

NFF insisting that his ministry deserves some modicum of respect from the glass house. He said: “May I express my gratitude to the Nigerian Football Federation for inviting me to its 2016 Annual General Assembly, even though I received the notice of invitation on Thursday December 15, 2016 vide a letter signed by the Secretary General, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed on the 14th of December 2016. “That I am only given four days’ notice suggest to me that my invitation may be an afterthought because this is not an extra ordinary congress but Annual General Meeting. By convention, all the delegates to this meeting must have gotten their notices at least 21 days ago. Permit me to also observe that the office of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic deserves some respect.”

Sports

Thursday, March 5, Monday, November 19,2015 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anichebe gets Moyes praise

avid Moyes has hailed Victor Anichebe’s impact in Sunderland’s 1-0 victory in their English Premier League fixture against Watford on Saturday. A second half strike by Patrick Van Aanholt helped the Stadium of Light outfit secure maximum points against Odion Ighalo and Isaac Success’ team. The former Everton striker returned to the starting lineup after missing out on the Black Cats’ last outing against table-topping Chelsea which ended in a loss but was available for selection against Walter Mazzari’s men and, eventually helped propel the Black Cats to a place adrift of safety. “I thought Victor, in the second half, was immense,” Moyes said at post match. “He probably turned the game for us in the second half. Against someone who looked bigger and stronger than him, he showed that pound-for-pound. Victor is as good as anyone”, he concluded.

Ronaldo hat-trick wins Club World Cup for Real

ristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid survived a scare to beat Japanese side Kashima Antlers in extra time and win the Club World Cup. Real took the lead in the ninth minute through Karim Benzema,

but Gaku Shibasaki scored either side of half-time to put Kashima in front. Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Lucas Vazquez was fouled by Shuto

Yamamoto. The Ballon d’Or winner put his side ahead in extra time after being played through by Benzema, and completed his hat-trick seven minutes later.

Victory gave Real their second Club World Cup and extended their unbeaten run to 37 games in all competitions. It also means nine of the past 10 winners of the competition have come from Europe.

Montage back-to-school basketball tourney ends in Lagos Ifeanyi Eduzor

T Anichebe

he 2nd edition of the annual Montage back-to-school basketball clinic has ended with the kids expressing happiness at the opportunity given to

Mourinho happy with Man Utd fans

ose Mourinho has praised the support of the Manchester United fans at West Brom on Saturday, reserving a special thanks for the reception afforded to Marouane Fellaini. Fellaini has failed to start a game since the beginning of November and when introduced with six minutes to go against Everton recently at Goodison Park, he gave away a crucial penalty for which he received wide criticism. The Belgium midfielder was then jeered at Old Trafford in the

1-0 victory over Spurs when warming up on the touchline and as such, Mourinho was appreciative of the welcome reception Fellaini received by United fans when brought on in the 83rd minute of the 2-0 win at The Hawthorns on Saturday. “The fans are fantastic,” Mourinho said. “They had just an impulsive reaction because of Marouane’s naive reaction against Everton, but they know that Marouane is a guy that gives absolutely everything.

them to learn the basic principles of the slam and dunk game. Organiser of the tournament, Adams Joe Igeh told National Mirror at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, venue of the clinic that the championship put in place for students of public schools in Surulere Local Government Area of the state was aimed at discovering more Hakeem Olajuwon as well as popularize the game in public schools in the country. According to him, the month long championship which commenced on November 2 has exposed the students to the basic principles of basketball even as he assured that the best players of the tournament will have an opportunity of travelling to Canada next year for an invitational tournament. “I’m happy that the championship ended in a good note and fu-

ture talents were discovered who will be the next Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria”, he stated In her remarks at the event, Head of Department School Support Services, Surulere Local Government Area, Ajani Theresa Olufumi commended the organizers for putting together the competition just as she

charged the students t put what they learn into practice. Trophies and medals were presented to the winners just as Damilare Alabi of Aje Comprehensive Junior High School, Sabo, Yaba; Lagos emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament

Group photograph of children that participated in the championship

Kennedy eyes Flying Eagles Ifeanyi Eduzor

F Kennedy

rance based Nigerian player, Minna Kennedy has spoken about his readiness to play for any of the country’s junior national teams. Kennedy, a product of Pepsi Football Academy, who is now toast of many club sides in the European country noted that he has turned

down offers to play for his adopted country because he wanted to adorn the green- white- green of Nigeria. “When I first came to France in 2013, I was signed on by Entente Sportive Coutance from September of that year till May. After the expiration of my contract, I joined Union Sportive Lessay in August this year and later got an offer from another club, Saint Pairaise last October”, noted the utility player.

“Since I came to France, there has been a lot of pressure from that country’s football administrators for me to play for any of the French junior national teams but I turned down the offer because I want to lace booth for my country. According to the Abraka, Ethiope, Delta State born player who plays from the defence, attack and midfield with some goals to his credit, kudos must go to the Nigerian League Man-

agement Committee led by Shehu Dikko for the innovations brought to the Nigerian league. “I’m very happy with the improvement witnessed in Nigerian league which was made possible by the Shehu Diko’s led management team. They deserve commendation and I wish I can get a good club in Nigeria where I can play and then go back to my base in France”, the 20 year old player concluded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lokoja Referees Society honors Imam, Fresh, Azeez, others

eferees society in Lokoja have concluded arrangements to celebrate some outstanding individuals for their impressive support towards development of football and refereeing in Kogi State and Nigeria. Among those to be honored includes the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Alfa Ahmed Imam, President, Nigeria (Football) Referees Association, Tad Azeez, an executive member of Nigeria Football Federation and chairman, Referees appointment committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmad Fresh, Chairman, Kogi United and Confluence Queens, Mallam Abdul Sule among others. The award presentation was part of programs lined by the society to mark the end of 2015/2016 football season and award ceremony. According to chairman of Lokoja Referees Society, Elder Columbus Anichukwu, the ceremony is slated for today at Engee Hotel and Resorts, Lokongoma Area, Lokoja by 10am. Elder Anichukwu said the society decided to honor their award recipient as they have collectively assisted the society to grow as a family and brings about sanity to refereeing in the Nigeria.

Okocha rates Bundesliga higher than Premier League

L-R, Israel Bolaji, Head Public Relations Communications, Star Times, Jay Jay Okocha and Tobias Ross at the event.

igerian football legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha says that German Bundesliga is better than the English Premier League. He stated this when foremost digital television company, StarTimes and Deutsche Fussball Liga held an exciting interactive session with the media during the Bundesliga Legend Tour.

Uba denies rift in NFF Ifeanyi Eduzor

roprietor of Ifeanyi Uba FC and Chairman of Anambra State Football Chief Ifeanyi Uba has commended the cordial relationship existing among members of the Nigeria Football Federation saying that the board is poised to move Nigerian football forward. He told National Mirror yesterday at the end of the 72nd annual general assembly of the football house that he is satisfied with efforts put in place by the leadership of the football house advising that instead of Nigerians criticizing the board, they should encourage them to con-

Sports

Thursday September 2014 Monday, November4,19, 2016

tinue the good work they are doing. “I’m happy that the football house had a successful AGM where all members took decisions as members of one united family. “People should stop talking about crack in the board because none exists. We are all poised to take decisions that will move Nigerian football to the next level and that was why we passed a vote of confidence on the Amaju Pinnick led board because we are satisfied with his leadership style. According to him, the present board of NFF is the best in recent times which has led to many successes and as such must be encouraged to succeed.

It is on record that the Bundesliga’s current average attendance of about 42,000 fans per match is the highest in a professional football league worldwide and only second after the American National Football League compared to all professional sports leagues and Okocha corroborated the statement by stating that, “Bundesliga is better than Premier League in terms of tactical and technical approach, discipline, stadium attendance and number of goals scored per week noting that Bundesliga usually attracts more than 18 million spectators in total to the stadiums. Okocha concluded by stating that Bundesliga has the best youth development program which he described as one of the reasons for the successful development of German football in recent years. The company’s Marketing Director, Dare Kafar explained that ‘The Bundesliga Legends Tour’ is a continuation of the journey that was started more than twelve months ago when Star Times signed the exclusive broadcast right of the Bundesliga for five years in Nigeria

GOtv Boxing Night 10: I’ll beat ‘Joe Boy’ like a child boasts Prince Fatai

Pepsi-Man-of-the-match: Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu presenting the Pepsi Man-of-the match to Nigeria Super sand Eagles player, Emeka Ogbonna at the just concluded CAF Beach Soccer Nations Cup in Lagos.

noting that the company is also using the platform to allow subscribers and fans to interact with their Bundesliga legends. According to him, Jay Jay Okocha while in Lagos and Accra will share his experience on the Bundesliga during live studio shows and serve as co-commentator for Bundesliga matches. Moreover he will take part in various activities like football clinics and autograph sessions for African football fans. Another Bundesliga legend, Sunday Oliseh will visit Kenya between 20th and 22nd December, where he will appear as an analyst and guest with media partners, holding training sessions with local football managers and meeting with football fans in Nairobi. Managing Director of the company who was represented by DFL Sports Enterprises, Daubitzer, Tobias Ross stated that, ‘Bundesliga is very proud to partner with StarTimes and Jay-JayOkocha. He underlined that it is very important to take the Bundesliga experience out of Germany with activities such as the Legends Tour.

ormer national lightweight boxing champion, Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, has dismissed the chances of Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, defeating him again when they clash at GOtv Boxing Night 10 holding on 26 December at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. Fatai, who had lost a title fight and a challenge contest to Joe Boy, said he will beat the reigning champion like a child. He blamed his first loss, via a knockout, on a hand injury, before losing his title to Joe Boy. Since their first fight, streams of bad blood had flowed between the two boxers, marked by two nearphysical clashes at radio stations. “This time, he is finished. I will

beat him like a baby. He won the first fight because I was injured, got lucky in the second one, but he will be badly beaten in the coming one. He is my boy. His name, Joe Boy, even says it. After beating him at GOtv Boxing Night 10, I will now challenge him to a title fight, so I can regain my title,” concluded Fatai.

Action recorded at GOtv boxing

Communiqué of the 72nd Annual General Assembly of NFF held yesterday in Lagos

1) Congress commended President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government as a whole for the prompt action taken to pay players and officials of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons their entitlements for winning the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations Finals in Cameroun. 2) The General Assembly endorsed the new Boards of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) as constituted by a Selection Committee. The Boards of the two Leagues were immediately sworn in. 3) In order for Nigeria Football to align itself with the FIFA Integrity Initiative, Congress adopted the NFF National Integrity Initiative Strategy, as proposed by the NFF Integrity Unit. 4) General Assembly also adopted the Disciplinary and Ethics Code of the Nigeria Football Federation as proposed by the Executive Committee. 5) The Congress expressed satisfaction with the explanation provided by the Executive Committee on a number of issues raised by the Minister of Youth & Sports (Barr. Solomon Dalung) at the opening ceremony (division within the Board, FIFA Audit Query and late submission of memos), and submitted that the Minister was misinformed about the activities of the Board. 6) Congress noted the submission of the Executive Committee that at no time previously (official or unofficially) did the Minister raise these issues with the NFF leadership to obtain clarification, which the Federation would have gladly provided, just as it did to the House Committee on Sports during a recent sitting on its budget performance and budget proposal. Indeed, the audited account of the Federation for the year, as audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, an internationally reputable audit firm, was presented and adopted at the General Assembly. 7) General Assembly empowered the NFF Executive Committee to provide detailed explanation to the Office of the Honourable Minister on all the issues raised and to publish them as a matter of public records, for the avoidance of doubt and for information of the general public, NFF partners and sponsors. 8) The Chairman, House Committee on Sports praised the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation for various achievements recorded during the period and urged them to remain focused to ensure Super Eagles qualification for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. 9) The Congress expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and the Local Organizing Committee for the successful hosting of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations staged by Nigeria – 13th – 18th December, 2016. The body also thanked the Secretary General of FIFA, Mrs Fatma Samoura for attending the championship. 10) Congress elected Alh. Musa Duhu, Chairman of Adamawa State Football Association, to join the NFF Executive Committee from the North East geo-political zone, following the demise of Alh Hussaini Modibbo, Member from that Zone. Duhu was the only candidate for the seat and was declared “worthy and credible” by the NFF Electoral Committee. 11) The General Assembly passed a Vote of Confidence on the NFF Executive Committee, and also endorsed the candidature of NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick for election into the CAF Executive Committee at the CAF Congress in Addis Ababa in March 2017. Congress called on all Nigerians to give him total support as it is not an NFF venture, but a Nigerian Project.

WORLD RECORD

Largest Peruvian folk Vol. 06 No. 1492

The largest Peruvian folk dance consisted of 1, 247 couples and was achieved by the Municipality of Arequipa (Peru) in celebration of the city’s 474th anniversary on August 24 2014.

N150

Monday, December 19, 2016

Tinubu and the Okanga Agila illiteracy

y friends all, ordinarily I don’t respond to the tendency of some hired word-for-penny political writers to turn logic on its head for clear pecuniary reasons. But, sincerely, when political chicanery, masquerading as intellectual discourse is carried to the point of stupid absurdity, one must for the sake of decent minds set the record straight. My grouse this time around is with one political jobber, Okanga Agila, who on November 20, 2016 wrote his innuendo-laden article titled, “Tinubu and ambushed political ambitions”. Please refer to http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/ tinubu-and-ambushed-political-ambitions/. From his near two thousand word elevation of absurd journalistic ranting, one thing was obvious: Agila is a warped, money-conditioned mind whose sense of analytical reasoning is squelched by the straitjacket of blind sniveling to the dictates of his pay masters. From the onset, it was obvious that Agila had nothing ob-

laudio Ranieri has been named Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality awards after steering Leicester City to their incredible Premier League title success. Ranieri, who took over from the sacked Nigel Pearson, was seen as an uninspired choice by some

Guest Columnist

Sola

Ojewusi

jective to offer as far as his money-conditioned Tinubu-bashing was concerned. Even his introduction of his subject smacked of the odious matrix from which his anti-Tinubu theories originated. Let me state categorically here that I have personally never met Tinubu. But I have as a matter of principle admired the man for his political resilience, sagacity ad courage. I have for long been a student of the Tinubu school. Only a man of no mean timbre in politics would stand up against the Federal might as he did in the Obasanjo and Jonathan eras and emerge unscathed, even almost single-handedly dealing the deadly blow on the former ruling party. But even more endearing is his unflinching stand for equity, egalitarianism and human freedom. Tinubu is surely no saint, but, on balance, he has emerged over the years as a man of impeccable character and dignity. It is thus utterly disgusting to see some political nonentities and jobbers casting aspersions with the clear mission of serving the ulterior motives of their pay masters. In his too obvious mission of malignign Asiwaju Tinubu, Agila ranted about the former Lagos Governor’s alleged efforts to over-assert himself in the APC. To Agila, Tinubu is one over-ambitious godfather who would want to be deferred to and his wishes acquiesced to always. In Agila’s myopic view, Jagaba’s sole purpose in politics is nothing but avarice and self aggrandisement. The question for Agila then is: where were you when Tinubu staked his personal security and also political future to ensuring that though he was the last man standing in the old AD, he stoutly defended the independence of Lagos as a state governed by a party different from the one at the Centre? Against the almighty Federal

Nothing destroys more than self delusion and power drunkenness forces, he stood his ground and ensured that democracy was not trampled upon. Now, coming to your main grouse. You, Agila, do not measure up to the kind of mind capable of intelligent analysis and understanding of the Ondo debacle which Tinubu, in his usual circumspect mind tried to prevent. By your myopia, you may see the eventual victory of the President’s loyalists as a possible vindication of Tinubu’s detractors. Contrarywise, if care is not taken and perceived injuries are not assuaged properly, the Ondo victory may soon turn out pyrrhic and the euphoria of victory transmorgrifies into ashes in the mouth of the “victors”. The injustice of Ondo, being glossed over by those who should know better, may be the beginning of the end for the party. Already, the cracks are becoming obvious. There are really weighty stories of new mega alliances and before you know it, the APC superstructure may yet prove to be the proverbial clay-legged bronze statue. Ask the PDP and its minders would tell you, that is the same kind of illusory mindset and myopia, including tendencies to injustice that crumbled a once invincible behemoth. In your toddler’s opinion, and to quote you, “Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu is in the political wilderness,” and he is also a politician “whose passion for power is unsurpassed”. How wrong! You surely do not know Tinubu. This is a man who had all the opportunity in

the world to insist on being Buhari’s VP but decided to sacrifice personal interest for national balance and equity. You ranted about the so-called “kingmaker syndrome” only because of the limited scope of your understanding of the concept in world politics. Every politician is a kingmaker and one example for you is the recent Ondo election where even the President was clearly unequivocal about who he would prefer as Governor. Where Tinubu is different is his more circumspect, democratic and fairto-all-concerned approach to a normal game in politics. Integrity and fairness was murdered during the Ondo APC Governorship Primaries and that is Tinubu’s grouse as a democrat who believes in fairness. Also, you certainly committed a blasphemy of thought when you so brazenly accused Tinubu of having “gleefully forgotten all about “change” and the betterment of Nigeria.” Suddenly, the man upon whose back your “infallible” hero rose to power after years of incessant failures has become over ambitious. As the Yoruba would say, how can the plantain tree that nurtured the cocoa tree to maturity suddenly be condemned as a bad tree? “Ogede to wo koko (Cocoa) ye se wa di igi buruku?” If you had been clear minded enough and your understanding has not been whittled in the spittle of blind partisanship you would have seen the gist of Tinubu’s ever-present abhorrence of injustice. How can anyone gloss over the brazen disregards of party statutes that was the hallmark of the flawed primaries that produced Akeredolu? What Tinubu was up against was not any loss of political patronage but the uncouth attempt by the Abuja powers-that-be to install a puppet in their quest to whittle down Tinubu’s influence in Yorubaland. In appalling disregard of all known democratic norms, the level playing ground principles was thrown to the dogs and the power of money, the might of Abuja overwhelmed the rule of law and fairness. I only hope the wise men of APC, unlike clowns like Agila, would see reason and rectify the huge dent already inflicted on the soul of their party. Only a foolish party will celebrate the brazen resort to the suicidal tactics that not too long ago destroyed the PDP. Nothing destroys more than self delusion and power drunkenness. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Ranieri wins BBC Coach of the Year award after his predecessor had helped Leicester escape relegation in 2014-15. However, the Italian and his side confounded the experts to go from 5,000-1 no-hopers to the best team in England. They lost just three league

games in 2015-16 and have gone on to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League this season. Ranieri’s previous job ended abruptly when his Greece side lost to European minnows Faroe Islands in Euro 2016 qual-

ifying. Yet the charismatic 64-yearold’s Foxes team assembled for less than £30m and playing pacy, direct, counter-attacking football - became one of modern-day football’s greatest underdog success stories.

Ranieri

NICON LUXURY ABUJA ...its about giving you the very best

reservations@niconluxury.com (09)4619000, 08095556005 Printed and published by Global Media Mirror Limited: Head Office, Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street Lagos; Abuja Office: NICON House, Central Business District Area, Abuja. Email:mail@ nationalmirroronline.net. MD/CEO: Sunday Olajide: 08060852080; Acting Editor Daily: Ben Memuletiwon 08050498541; Adverts Hotline: 07066178740. ISSN 0794-232X.