E mirror nov 29

Nigerians to pay VAT on passports – Fowler

E Fowler

Vol. 6 N0. 1489

xecutive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, yesterday said Nigerians will soon pay Value Added Tax, VAT, before obtaining their passports.

Fowler said this at the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board which had the

theme: “Increased InterAgency Co-operation to Enhance Tax Compliance and Optimise Revenue Collection’’ in Abuja.

He also announced that Nigerians, who either want a new passport or renew an old one, must show evidence of being a tax payer.

“We did take a position

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Ondo election

and I believe it would be implemented in the very near future that before you get any services from the immigration department: renewal of passports etc, you’d have to show that you are a tax payer.

“These things are norCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Impunity in PDP led to our loss –Sheriff George Opara ABUJA

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U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington (left) presenting a grant to the founder of Good Samaritans International, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Abel Akinwande, during presentation of small grants at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO:ANTHONY ALABI/BJO/NAN

actional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff said the party lost Ondo State governorship election to All Progressives Congress, APC, because of impunity and lack of respect for the party’s Constitution.

This reaction came at a time the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee rejected the outcome of the election and, called for its cancellation, accusing Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of complicity in rigging the poll.

While addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Sheriff ’s deputy, Cairo Ojougboh traced the crisis in the PDP to highhanded-

How I deposited $788,000 for Justice Ajumogobia – Witness

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2017 budget: Senate threatens zero allocation to aviation

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ness by governors elected on its platform, through imposition of candidates.

He said the genesis of impunity in PDP came in the 2011 general elections, when the then Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, defeated the party in Nasarawa State even when it had a sitting governor.

“This was the first warning against impunity. It was ignored. Then in 2015, we had governors in Benue, Kogi, Niger, Jigawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi

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Lagos Assembly approves death penalty for kidnappers P.10 We are restrategising to eliminate Boko P.4 Haram –Buratai

Legislative aide dies at National Assembly complex

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Impunity in PDP led to our loss –Sheriff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and Adamawa. We lost in all these states for a common reason, the governors were not unpopular but they imposed their surrogates and the people voted them out. We paid for impunity.

“An analysis of the 2015 general election shows that the entire 10 states above are in the North.

The south-south would not have survived if President (Goodluck) Jonathan did not hail from the region. Of course the figures that emanated from the south-east were abysmal,” he said.

As for the crisis in Ondo, which was said to be the main incident that led to the party’s defeat, Ojougboh narrated that when Mimiko returned to the party in 2014, it resulted in mass defection of members from the party.

He said: “All the PDP members led by Olusola Oke left the party for him.

In choosing a candidate to succeed him, he did not

allow the PDP members to buy forms. He mainly anointed Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, who was returned unopposed.

“Party members cried to the high heavens that Jegede is from the Central zone where Mimiko hails from. Their cries fell on deaf ears.

“On the other hand, the authentic primary was conducted where six participants were involved and Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim emerged. Jimoh hails from the South. He campaigned vigorously and convinced the people to vote for him.

But alas, Mimiko will not allow him carry the party flag. “Mimiko used the instrumentality of state government to overwhelm Jimoh but could not overwhelm the masses and voters. Of course the result is out there for all to see,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party said it has resolved to challenge

the outcome of the Saturday governorship election at the tribunal.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, said this in Abuja yesterday.

Adeyeye said that the faction had instructed its candidate in the election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, to be joined by the state chapter of the party for the legal battle.

The faction which called for the total cancellation of the election results said: “We vehemently reject the results of the November 26 gubernatorial election in

Ondo State.

“The election and all actions leading to it fall short of laid down principles guiding conduct of elections in Nigeria.’’

Adeyeye recalled that PDP persistently called for the postponement of the election for at least two weeks to enable it campaign and prepare properly for the exercise.

He said that the refusal of INEC to grant the postponement of the election, among others, left PDP with no time to campaign and sell its candidate as well as the party’s manifesto to the electorate.

“Our persistent call for the postponement of the election, backed and supported by more than 20 other political parties, were all rejected by INEC,” he added.

INEC had declared Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of APC winner of the governorship election.

Akeredolu polled 244, 842 votes to beat his closest rival, Jegede of the PDP, who scored 150, 380 votes.

Chief Olusola Oke of Alliance for Democracy, AD, came third with 126, 889 votes.

Adeyeye said that the

outcome of the election, declared by Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, the INEC Chief Returning Officer, was not the true reflection of the will of Ondo people.

He, however, commended Jegede and the party for the “gallant performance at the poll, in spite the severe injuries inflicted on us before, during and after the election.”

The faction called on PDP members and its teeming supporters nationwide and Ondo State in particular to remain calm and continue to work with the leadership of the party to move it forward.

Nigerians to pay VAT on passports –Fowler CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

mal all over the world, in an effort to serve Nigerians and Nigeria better.

“People believe that payment of tax is a burden and I’ll repeat that you only pay tax on income and profits.

“So if you reside in Nigeria and you are benefiting from being a Nigerian resident, it is only fair that you contribute to the system that makes you enjoy that standard of living,” he said.

He said FIRS set a target to increase the individual taxpayer data base by 10 million by December 31.

“I’m glad with our cooperation; we’ve been able to attain 30 per cent of that.

We’ve been able to get three million individual taxpayers across the nation.

“I’d like to congratulate Kano State for leading the pack by increasing the database by 944,000 followed by Lagos with 306,000, then Kaduna and Plateau,’’ he said.

When asked by newsmen what he meant by citizens paying VAT on international passport, Fowler said “every good and service except from items that are not vatable has to be charged VAT. “What I can tell you is

that as we move forward, as you obtain services from government, they will ask you to show evidence of tax payment”.

Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, lamented that the FRSC was being owed N700m for number plates production.

He also decried the high rate of fake documentation at ports, saying “if we can strengthen inter-agency collaboration, we’ll get more results now that the focus is on IGR.” Chairman of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Udochukwu Ogbonna, urged revenue generating agencies to co-operate digitally to ensure success and curb corruption.

Also, Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Oseni Elamah, said “the FIRS should have a digital one-stop-shop accessible to all partners’’.

The event brought together all internal revenue service chairmen of the 36 states and the bosses of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

L-R: Vice President , Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Samuel Kolawole; President, ICSAN , Mr. Nat Ofo and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, during a courtesy call on the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Legislative aide dies at National Assembly complex

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Senior Legislative Assistant with the National Assembly, Mr. Abubakar Doki on Monday collapsed and died in the National Assembly premises.

The deceased who was said to be in his early 50, was until his death, a Senior Legislative Aide, SLA, attached to the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuf Lasun.

The deceased was said to have taken ill at the early hours of yesterday and was brought to the National Assembly clinic.

However, on getting to

the Assembly clinic, he was told his condition was beyond what the clinic facilities could handle and was referred to seek treatment outside.

The deceased, brought to the clinic by his son whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, collapsed on his way out of the National Assembly complex.

This prompted security operatives including the National Assembly Sergeant-At-Arm personnel and bystanders to rush to the scene.

However, their effort at alerting medical personnel from the clinic in an attempt to resuscitate

him proved abortive as he immediately gave up.

A senior Medical Staff with the Assembly clinic who did not want his name mentioned said “the deceased came to the clinic for treatment but had to be referred since his condition was already critical.’’

Asked what the nature of the ailment was, the source said it could not be ascertained since there was no diagnosis done on him to verify the nature of his condition.

According to her, sick members of staff who cannot access treatment at the clinic due to the complexity of their cases usually come for referral

notes to government hospitals outside.

The late Doki, a native of Bungudu in Zamfara State, was according to National Assembly records employed under the office of the Deputy Speaker as a Senior Legislative Aide.

It was also disclosed that he was a childhood friend of a ranking member of the House and Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rep. Babangida Ibrahim, (APC-Katsina).

Attempts to get Rep. Ibrahim to comment on the development were unsuccessful as his mobile lines were switched off.

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How I deposited $788,000 for Justice Ajumogobia –Witness Ayodele Olalere

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he Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday heard a witness described how foreign currency was moved from Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia’s chambers and deposited into her account in Diamond Bank.

Mr. Ademola Oshodi was testifying at the ongoing trial of Ofili-Ajumogobia, a serving Justice of the Federal High Court, alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Godwin Obla.

The duo, who are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged corruption, have been jointly charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Obla, was charged with additional two-counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5m to OfiliAjumogobia, a public official while carrying out her duties as a judge.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, however, faces a 26-count charge of unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC. The accused persons both denied all the charges.

EFCC alleged that between 2012 and 2015 Ajumogobia received a total of $788,000 from various sources into her Diamond Bank Account with number 0032091183.

While being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Oshodi told the court that he met Ofili-Ajumogobia at her chambers at the Federal High Court when he opened an account for her with the bank.

Oshodi, a Branch Manager with Diamond Bank Plc, is the account officer for Ofili-Ajumogobia.

The banker alleged that he often visited the justice’s chambers and also her home whenever she needed his services to make such deposits which were mostly in dollars.

“I used to meet the judge in her chambers and sometimes in her home, where I’d receive the foreign currency, which was U.S. dollars to deposit into her bank account.

“I introduced one Abba Said, a Bureau de Change operative to her when there was a need to change the dollars to naira.

“This mostly happens when she was not comfortable with a particular

...judge, Obla arraign by EFCC for alleged corruption, bribery

transaction.

“There were instances where the deposits exceeded the maximum amount for an individual account, when such instances occur, I pay the maximum amount into her account.

“I then deposit the remaining cash into my account which is paid into her account in subsequent days,” Oshodi told the packed courtroom.

In the other charge designated LD/367/C/16, EFCC alleged that both Ajumogobia and Obla, on May 21, 2015, conspired to pervert the course of justice with the sum of N5m.

The money, according to EFCC was said to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd, in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10.

The commission alleged that Justice Ajumogobia is the sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Ltd, adding that both defendants conspired to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

In counts one to four, Obla, who is the 2nd defendant was accused of offering gratification in the said sum, by transferring the money from his company’s account Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive.

The transfer, according to the charge, was made ‘so as to restrain a public officer from acting in exercise of her official duties.

Count five of the charge stated that Justice Ajumogobia unlawfully enriched herself by receiving a transfer or the sum of N18m from one Arkleem Oil and Gas Ltd, to her Diamond Bank account.

In count 29, she was accused of forging a deed of assignment between a company, County City Bricks Dev. Co. Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd. Count 30 stated that Justice Ajumogobia allegedly made a false statement to EFCC, when she told an officer of the anti-graft agency that she was on admission at one Gold Cross Hospital, located at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, which statement was found to be false.

The anti-graft agency insisted that the offences are contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 as well as the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004 The charges read in part: “That you, Hon. Justice Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia,

and Godwin Obla, SAN, on or about May 21, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired with each other to pervert the course of justice in charge number FHC/L/C/482C/10 with the sum of N5,000,000.

“That you, Godwin Obla, SAN, on or about May 21, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, intentionally gave the sum of N5,000,000 to Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court directly from your Obla and Company account (1015319084) domiciled in the United Bank for Africa Plc in order that the said judge acts in the exercise of her official duties.

“That you Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia on or about the 5th day of June, 2012 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable

Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of N18,000,000.00 from Arkleen Oil and Gas Ltd through your No. 0002112967 domiciled in Access Bank Plc so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.

“That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia between the 10th and 30th day of May, 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $130,000.00 through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your

lawful income.

“That you Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia on or about the 11th June, 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $20,000.00, through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”

Counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr. Olawole Akoni, SAN, however, raised objections when EFCC attempted to tender his client’s account statements as evidence on the grounds that he had not reviewed the bank statements.

“The first defendant has been in incarceration since November 10. She needs

adequate time and facility to defend herself. I humbly seek an adjournment,” Akoni said.

Supporting his request for adjournment, lawyer to Obla, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, also said the second defendant had been in incarceration since November 8.

“Given the circumstances in which we had our meetings, it was not even possible to prepare adequately for trial.

“I will like to request for an adjournment so that we can make judicious use of the time to prepare adequately for trial,” Adedipe said.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi in granting an adjournment said; “for the purpose of fair hearing, the court will accede to the request for adjournment of this trial. “The case is adjourned to Jan. 9, 2017 for continuation of trial,’’ Oshodi said.

Bauchi State NYSC Cultural Troupe during the swearing-in ceremony of 2016 NYSC, Batch B Stream 1, Corps members posted to the state in Wailo Camp Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi State, yesterday.

PHOTO: DEJI YAKE/ICE/NAN

We are restrategising to eliminate Boko Haram –Buratai

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hief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Monday, said the army was restrategising to track and eliminate the remaining Boko Haram elements from the battle field.

Buratai said this while speaking with journalists at the media workshop, organised by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, NASPRI, at 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Lagos.

Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of CivilMilitary Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Peter Boje, assured that the elements would finally be eliminated from the battlefield in no time.

Buratai, as the special guest of honour and speaker, delivered a lecture entitled, “The Utilisation of New Generation Warfare Tactics: Gains and Successes in the North-East Operations.”

“We are degrading their activities. Most of the areas

that were initially occupied by the insurgents have been captured and a lot of them have dispersed.

“But again, there are elements of this Boko Haram that are scattered all over the North- East and if you know their characteristics, you will know they operate in small cells.

“So they come out and carry out small attacks and disappear. So, we are making efforts to restrategise, track and finally eliminate them from the battlefield,” he said.

He expressed delight that the military and the media had excellent working relationship, adding that the military at all times would continue to collaborate and exchange information with the media, as required.

“We have been very open with the media. We do not make any negative statement about the Nigerian media and the media are doing very well to the best of my

knowledge,” he said.

Buratai, whose lecture talked about the concept of new generation warfare, challenges and way forward, identified information, psychological and cyber operation as some of the new generation warfare tactics.

He said the way forward was for every Nigerian to cooperate with the military in providing it with timely information on suspicious activities of individuals or groups in his or her community or locality.

Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adeshina, urged the military to ensure constant training and retraining of journalists aimed at ensuring better reportage of the military.

Adeshina, whose lecture was entitled: “The Challenges and Expectations of the Media in Military Operations”, called on the military to facilitate scoops for the

media.

While speaking with journalists, Adeshina reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment in tackling the insurgency, by going after the sponsors of Boko Haram.

“This government is tackling the issue of insurgency and if it knows the sponsors and it is double sure they are the sponsors, those sponsors will be treated like Boko Haram,” he said.

On the released Chibok girls, Adeshina said the girls were being rehabilitated physically and psychologically.

Earlier, Col. Sanni Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, in his address of welcome said the workshop was a platform where the military and journalists would rub minds and exchange ideas.

“We have some commanding officers of units located in the North-East and other parts of the country as participants.

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Reps query NIGCOMSAT’s $500m insurance contracts H ouse of Representatives yesterday said the management of Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, violated the Public Procurement Act in awarding insurance contracts worth over $500m.

The House, therefore, invited the former Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Alhaji Ahmed Rufai and all former directors of finance to appear before it on Monday next week.

The Ad hoc Committee probing insurance companies’ pay out to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), made the allegation when the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Bimbo

Alale appeared before its members.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Adekunle Akinlade, said the contracts were not advertised as prescribed by the public procurement act.

According to Akinlade, the contracts were awarded to unlicensed insurance brokers.

In her defense, Alale said until 2016, NIGCOMSAT selected insurance companies based on a list provided by the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria, NAICOM, and also relied on approval from the Presidency.

She said she was unaware that the firms were unlicensed but explained that most indigenous firms refused to give

cover due to the high risk involved in insuring a satellite.

“Until 2016, we never advertised. We just call for a meeting of firms given to us by NAICON and organise a workshop for them.

“It is after the workshop we choose which participating firm to award the contracts to.

“Most of the local companies refused to take the cover because the risk is high but we have been able to split it into two.

“Before now, it was 80

per cent that goes to foreign underwriters but as of now, we have split the cover to 30 per cent and 70 per cent.

“Seventy per cent is taken by foreign underwriters, while 30 per cent is taken by local insurance underwriters,” Alale added.

A member of the committee, Onyewife Gabriel cited sections 34, 35 and 37 of the Insurance Act, which prohibits the engagement of unlicensed companies and the penalties for contravening the

Act. “The penalty for violating the Act compels you to pay back all the money paid to that unlicensed company and you risk a two year jail term if you are convicted with no option of fine,” he said.

Another member of the committee, Prestige Ossy frowned at the failure to advertise the contract before it was awarded.

He said: “If you did not advertise the jobs, it means you brought in people of your choice

with your own interest thereby shortchanging the government.”

Alale, who is expected to appear before members of the ad hoc committee on Monday, is to provide all documents covering every transaction from 2013 to date.

The breakdown of the $500m showed that in 2013, NIGCOMSAT expended $188,883,845m, $168,135,252m in 2014 and $143,775,084m in 2015 on insurance without advertising the jobs.

Senate never confirmed Obla’s nomination —Sabi

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enate yesterday said that it never cleared Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla as a nominee of President Muhammadu Buhari to be a non-executive commissioner of the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi, denied media reports, claiming the Senate had made a U-turn on the confirmation of Obono-Obla.

On the contrary, Sabi said the nominee was not confirmed as the votes and proceedings of the day of his confirmation were not adopted.

He said the senate wrongly stated that Obla was confirmed in its votes and proceedings but that the error was pointed out and corrected before the votes were adopted.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the nomination of Mr. Obla was never confirmed or voted for since no decision of the Senate is said to be approved if not adopted during the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate at the next legislative day. “The Senate also wishes to note that the business of the Senate

can only be binding when the votes and proceedings have been adopted and approved without any objection.

“The implication of the directive by the Senate President to the Secretariat is that Senator Garbai’s observation or correction was correct and therefore the votes and proceedings should be amended to reflect the true situation.

“On that fateful day, November 22, 2016, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, objected to the alleged confirmation of the nominee.”

Mr Obono-Obla had incurred the wrath of the Senate earlier in 2016 when he told a Senate Committee on Judiciary that it had no right to invite the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF. The Senate had then invited the AGF over the case of alleged forgery of the Senate rules book.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on National Assembly matters (Senate) had intervened and apologised to the lawmakers for Obla’s ‘unruly behaviour’.

L-R: Vice President, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), Prof. Richard Mkandawire; Programm Manager Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Garron Hansen and Chief of Party, Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in Nigeria, Dr. Kofi Debrah, during the 2016 Nigeria Fertilizer Stakeholders Forum, in Abuja yesterday, yesterday.

Court remands 4 over possession of firearms, ammunition Wale Igbintade

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ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand in custody of four accused persons, who were arraigned over alleged possession of firearms and ammunition.

They will remain in prison, pending the perfection of bail conditions granted them by the court.

The accused are: Ganiyu Alabi, David Murphy, Folarin Isiaka and Kehinde Isiaka.

The court ordered their remand after they pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge leveled against them.

The accused had earlier been arraigned before the court, last Friday, on six counts charge of conspiracy, possession of firearms, breach of public peace, stealing, willful damage, and unlawful assault.

In the amended charge, filed by the FIICD’ prosecutor, Mr. Dennis Abi, the four accused persons and others at large, were alleged to have on October 15, 2016, at about 10a.m., invaded Oko-Olomi community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, while armed with three pump action guns with numbers 2856, 8976, and 2598, a double barrel gun and two live cartridges.

The offences, according

to the prosecutor, are contrary to and punishable under section 516,27(1)(a) (I) and 27(1)(B)(ii) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

When the accused pleaded not guilty, the prosecutor applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand them in prison custody.

However, lawyers to the accused, Mr. Adewale Adegoke and B. S. Ajayi, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

The two lawyers informed the court that they had filed their clients’ summon for bail, and such have been served on the prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Buba, granted bail to each accused persons in the sum of N5m with one surety in the like sum.

Other conditions of the bail include, the surety must be a bonafide resident of Lagos, evidence of up-to-date three years tax payment, the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, two passport photograph of accused persons.

Justice Buba however, ordered that all the four be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned till December 7, for commencement of trial.

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L-R: Director, Environmental Quality Control, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Simon Joshua; Country Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, Mr Andrew Dunn; South Zonal Director of NESREA, Mr Raph Nnam; and Director-General of SESREA, Dr Lawrence Anwkamo, at the 7th National Regulatory Dialogue on Implementation of Environmental Regulations forum in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Customer Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria, Ugonma Nwoye; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Group CEO, iSON BPO International Limited, Mr. Pravin Kumar; Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and Head of Operation Abeokuta, iSON BPO International Limited, Mr. Shobhit Saxena, at the switch on and commissioning of iSON BPO’S call center and youth skill development facility, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

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L-R: Special Adviser on Civic Engagement to Lagos State Governor, Hon. Kehinde Joseph; his counterparts on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan; Sole Administrator, Alimosho Local Government Area, Hon. Adetunji Quadri and his counterparts from Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, Hon. Abiodun Agbaje, during the inauguration of the Lagos State Community Business Assembly, in Alimosho, Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: HR Manager, P&G Ibadan Plant, Segun Olujimi; HR Department Manager, P&G Ibadan Plant, Oyeyemi Roseline; Brand Manager Oral B, P&G, Iphie Chuks-Adizue and Oral B Dentist, Dr. Remi Aliu, at the Oral B Community Outreach in Ibadan, yesterday.

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2017 budget: Senate threatens zero allocation to aviation Olusegun Koiki

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he Senate has threatened not to approve any budget to the Nigerian aviation industry in 2017 over several of its imbroglios with private investors in the sector, most especially the one with the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, who led other committee members on guarded tour of MMA2 facilities yesterday, declared that he would lobby other Senators to ensure that aviation industry got zero allocation in 2017 budget.

Murray-Bruce also said that the Senate would with immediate effect summon the Minister of State for Aviation; Senator Hadi Sirika, to explain his own side on why the private agreement

reached with BASL since 2006 was not fully complied with by the government, saying that government is continum.

He also emphasised that the Senate would frustrate any attempt to concession any airport in the country until the crisis with BASL was amicably settled.

Besides, he vowed that the Senate would not hesitate to

sanction any government official including lawyers found wanting in any agreement with private investors.

Murray-Bruce condemned the government for not honouring several of its agreements with private investors, saying that such would have negative effect on the image of the country at large.

He said: “If you sign an

agreement that you do not intend to honour, you are then frightening the people who want to get involved in concession or privatisation game. If you have a bad reputation as a government, then, it translates to your successor.

“Agreements sign with private investors by the government must be honoured.

If you don’t want to honour

it because you feel it is bad, then, all those who participated in such agreements including lawyers must be tried for sabotaging the government.

“We are all aware that the Ministry of Transport wants to concession multiple airports, which is fantastic. This means billions of naira, which would be spent on the aviation indus-

try, would now be diverted into other sectors of the economy. For all I know, the minister may not be aware of what the problems are in the sector.”

Earlier, the Managing Director, BASL, Captain Jari Williams, accused the Federal Airports of Nigeria, FAAN, of breaching the concession agreement it had with it.

Tinubu is a priceless asset —Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

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resident Buhari Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed rumours that he and the All Peoples Congress, APC, leadership are at odds with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, describing such rumours as unfounded and mischievous.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement yester-

…says no rift between him and the APC National Leader day said the President was highly embarrassed by such “suggestions” and that Buhari was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the Ondo gubernatorial election.

He said any suggestions that the president and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility, explaining that

the president was impressed

by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words.

Shehu also explained that Buhari regarded Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party are known to all.

He advised rumour mon-

gers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the president is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party and the movement.

Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected Governor.

The President also noted that at a time his administration was preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC. He appealed to APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity.

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News

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

7

N15bn fraud: Court orders ex-NBC boss to report at EFCC office Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

A

Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the immediate past Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba, to report at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission, EFCC, in Abuja for an amended criminal charge sheet to be served on him and his co-defendants.

The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, gave the order on Monday following complaints by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Salisu Majidadi, over difficul-

ties he experienced in effecting service of the amended charge sheet on the defendants.

Emeka Mba, Patrick Are, Basil Udotai and Babatunji Amu, are 1st to 4th defendants respectively are being prosecuted in a 15 count amended charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds.

Monday’s sitting was meant for the arraignment of the defendants, but was stalled due to the inability of the prosecuting counsel to serve the amended charge sheet dated and filed on October 14 and 21, 2016 on the defendants.

Prosecuting counsel, Salisu Majidadi, had on Monday informed the

L-R: Executive Secretary, Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mr Mohammed Abubakar; Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Col. Ahmed Ali and Chairman, FIRS, Mr Tunde Ali, during the 136th meeting of JTB in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Child marriage: Islamic laws prevent govt from challenging parents–FG Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

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xcept Islamic laws are reviewed to accommodate increase in the age of girls before they are given out in marriage, the menace will persist in the country, Federal Government said, Monday.

With the recognition of Islamic laws by the nation’s constitution, perpetrators of forced and under-age marriage could not be challenged or prosecuted, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, said in Abuja at a press conference preceding the launch of “End to Child Marriage Campaign,” today by the Federal Government.

The campaign will be launched by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Many girls, especially in northern part of the

country where Islamic laws are practised, are married out at around 10 years old, and such marriages stand despite condemnations by a section of the nation and the international community.

The girls are soon abandoned by their husbands, after developing fistula and other diseases associated with women during pregnancy and childbirth, as confirmed at yesterday’s briefing,

by Dr Habib Sadauki, Country Manager for Engender Health – an organisation that deals in fistula repair and rehabilitation. According to her, up to 200,000 women live with the condition in the country, majority of them younger than 18, and abandoned by their husbands.

Speaking with journalists, Alhassan (Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development) said

Islamic laws approves that a girl child could be given out in marriage at puberty, meaning that a ten-yearold girl who has begun her puberty experiences could be given out in marriage by her parents.

“We are saying the age of maturity should be 18 years, when she’s mentally and physically responsible,” she said.

She said government’s efforts to change the trend is not a confrontation with the laws, but a movement “to show people the ills of child marriage and its negative effect on the health of girls, premature pregnancy, fistula, loss of opportunity to be educated.”

Today’s launch is a follow up to the African Union Continental launch of Campaign to End Child Marriage on 29th May, 2014. It is in line with the commitment made at the 24th Ordinary Session of

the Assembly of African Heads of States and Government, including the Common African Position on Ending Child Marriage in Africa, which was adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government in June, 2015 to take practical steps in addressing the issue.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is launching the End Child marriage logo.

Today’s launch of National Strategy Document on Ending Child Marriage in Nigeria, being carried out in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, is aimed at raising awareness on issues around child marriage and providing a road map to end the practice, recognising the serious threats it poses on the lives of the nation’s girls.

court of the difficulty he had been having in serving the defendants with the amended charge, and consequently requested for five days within which the defendants will be served with the amended charge.

However, the defendant lawyers led by Mr. Sunday Ameh (SAN), in their contribution said the issue of service or nonservice of the amended charge should not be an issue for the court’s consideration because, each of the defendants for instance, the 1st and 4th defendant had been served, while the 2nd and 3rd defendants had obtained copies of the amended charge from the third defendant’s counsel.

All the defendants’ counsel had respectively informed the court that their respective clients had waved the issue of service because they were already in possession of the amended charge, and they were ready for the arraignment of the defendants who had all filed applications for bail pending the determination of the criminal charge against the defendants.

Delivering ruling on the application for an adjournment by the prosecuting counsel, Justice

Kolawole held, “The defendants shall report in the complaint’s office on Wednesday 30 November 2016 at 10 am and shall be served each with the amended charge.

“Let it be clearly stated that if the complainant was unable to get the amended charge served on 30 November, 2016 within the regular working hours of 10 am and 4pm, the defendants shall be released on administrative bail which the EFCC had previously granted them and shall advise them as to a date within five days from today when the amended charge which the prosecution has informed the court of been available but that the copies are not with him in court.

“This case is hereby adjourned to December 13, 2016 at 10 am for the arraignment of the defendants on a 15 count of the amended charge dated 14 October, 2016 and filed on October 21, 2016.

“The defendants shall return to court for their arraignment and the hearing of their bail applications,” Justice Kolawole said.

It would be recalled that the anti-graft body had recently arrested the ex-NBC DG over an alleged N15 billion fraud.

Ministry finalises draft bill on Science Innovation Fund Regina Otokpa ABUJA

T

he Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said the draft bill to set up a National Research and Science Innovation Fund was ready to begin due process for its passage Making the disclosure yesterday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of his two weeks trip to Portugal and Argentina, he disclosed that the fund would help finance science, innovation and technology based startups.

The minister noted that the draft bill on Science and Innovation was ready to be presented to the National Council on Science and Innovation, which was headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, for approval and onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council.

According to him, the establishment of a Science Development Bank could only be possible through the proposed National Research and Innovation Fund, to assist Nigerians and inventors bring their innovations to the market.

Onu stressed that diversification without science and technology would not make such process sustainable, as the economy will not be competitive.

The minister explained that the bank would help solve the problem of lack of access to finance in the system for innovators and inventors without the capacity to bring the product of their researches to the market.

He further noted that the Research and Innovation Fund was to ensure that research institutes are well funded outside budgetary provisions.

Editorial

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Tuesday November 29, 2016

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Governors’ demand for Ecological Fund

T

he Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) is currently agitating for the disbursement of Ecological Fund to them purportedly to enable them tackle environmental challenges in their states. Chairman of the Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, tabled the demand a couple of days ago when he led the governors of six other states to a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, among others, according to reports.

Governor Yari said most states across geopolitical divides in the country were presently facing environmental challenges that demanded immediate attention. He claimed, in addition, that states were not asking for additional bailout fund, but just wanted the disbursement of Ecological Fund to address environmental degradation.

Most states are still steeped in financial quagmire, no doubt. It is not unlikely that the NGF did not dress the Ecological Fund demand as yet another bail-out quest for the obvious reason that some states either diverted or misapplied the bail-out lifeline.

Telling the world that this latest demand for Ecological fund is no bail-out in disguise is therefore mere rhetoric.

In any case, we are not against the Federal Government coming to the assistance of states whenever it can, particularly in view of the lingering economic downturn. By the same stream, we cannot object to the sharing of funds statutorily established to cushion the effects of ecological challenges. But we vehemently condemn the penchant of governors for the sharing of public funds especially when such sharing yields no value for money in return for the citizenry. It is the culture of ‘sharing all shareable’ that hindered the FG from saving for the rainy day through the Excess Crude Account (ECA) when the price of crude was over $100 per barrel, for example.

Perhaps more importantly, the Ecological Fund has been found to be another source public officials corruptly enrich themselves both at state and federal levels since its establishment in 1981. Still trending, for example, are reports of how Ecological Fund running into billions of naira went down the drain in some states. In Benue State, a commission of inquiry that looked into the execution of Ecological Fund contracts and projects between 1994 and 1999 uncovered that N1.05 billion from the Fund was allegedly misappropriated. Thereafter, the same state received N2.2 billion,

If the FG must disburse Ecological Fund, care must be taken to ensure the involvement of the

World Bank for

proper monitoring

awarded a contract at the cost of N1.4 billion out of the N2.2 billion, and paid about 50 percent of the contract sum, whereas the contractor allegedly carried out 10 percent of the work and abandoned the project.

In Anambra State, one newspaper report (not by National Mirror) last year quoted the Chairman of Nanka Erosion Control Committee, Chief Damian Ogene, as saying that the Ecological Fund had lost its value as it was being used to ‘settle’ politicians. “There is a lot of politics and power-play in the Ecological Fund and we are not yet prepared to manage it until the World Bank gets involved. If the money being disbursed for ecological problems in the state was judiciously managed, the problem would have been treated and reduced to the barest minimum”, Ogene said.

At the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) itself, the report also hinted of how officials indulge in

sharp practices with contractors and consultants. “For instance, when the Federal Government embarked on the National Aforestation Programme, many contractors were engaged to plant millions of trees, especially in some northern states. Consultants were engaged to monitor these contractors… in several cases, the number of trees planted fell short of what the FG approved on the contract agreement, yet payments were made in full due to connivance between the contractors, consultants and officials of the EFO”, the report stated. These are some of the worrisome reports that rendered NGF’s salivation for Ecological Fund suspect.

Instead of always looking for handouts from the FG, states should cut down on profligacy and wasteful spending, address their ghost-worker syndrome and intensify efforts to invest and shore up internally generated revenue. Indeed, if the FG must disburse Ecological Fund, care must be taken to ensure the involvement of the World Bank for proper monitoring, since reports are pointing to the fact that the cost of governance has remained outrageous in most states despite public outcry and official sermons on the need for the populace to endure in making sacrifices.

ON THIS DAY November 29, 1987 Korean Air Flight 858 exploded over the Thai-Burmese border, killing 155 people. Korean Air Flight 858 was a scheduled international passenger flight between Baghdad, Iraq and Seoul, South Korea. On November 29, 1987, the aircraft flying that route exploded in mid-air upon the detonation of a bomb planted by North Korean agents inside an overhead storage bin in the airplane’s passenger cabin.

November 29, 2007 The Armed Forces of the Philippines laid siege to ‘The Peninsula Manila’ after soldiers led by Senator Antonio Trillanes staged a mutiny. The Peninsula Manila is a Five-Star hotel in the Philippines. Detained Trillanes and others walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, called for the ousting of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and seized the second floor of the popular hotel.

November 29, 2012 The United Nations General Assembly voted to accord non-member observer-state to Palestine. In addition to its 193 member-states, the United Nations General Assembly may grant observer status to an international organization, entity or non-member state, which entitles the entity to participate in the work of the United Nations General Assembly, though with limitations. Palestine is a de jure sovereign state in the Middle East.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

9

Atiku: A national bridge builder @ 70 Terhemen Chieshe

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verything I need in life, this country has given me. I’m the one who needs to give back.” - Atiku Abubakar Atiku Abubakar is an outstanding Nigerian.

As a politician he has built bridges of national unity across regional and religious lines, contributed to the evolution of our democracy and advanced the cause of the less privileged. As a businessman he has set up and managed successful businesses that provide a source of livelihood for thousands of Nigerians. As an educationist and philanthropist, Atiku has blazed the trail in bringing international standards of education to Nigeria and helped thousands of underprivileged persons with access to a better life.

His success stories in public life, business, politics and philanthropy speak to the core values of hard work, determination, courage, industry, patriotism, tolerance and a generous commitment to giving back to society.

Though far from perfect - like most human beings - his life in very many ways provides good lessons that his peers, aspiring politicians or businessmen and the youth can emulate.

And it is for these reasons that his birthday is well deserving of this analysis.

Last Friday, November 25, the former Vice President under the Obasanjo administration, very well preserved for his age, hit the 70th birthday mark. The goodwill messages were many and they cut way across party lines. They

ranged from President Muhammadu Buhari who acknowledged his contributions to education and philanthropy to party leaders across the major political parties in Nigeria.

For instance, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan called him a patriot and a leader whose service to humanity is noteworthy; the All Progressives Congress (APC) called him a detribalized leader, political icon and philanthropist. Former Governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described him as a dear brother, a man of faith and a leader of substance.

It is a shared consensus by many analysts that Atiku Abubakar is one of the very few leading Nigerian politicians with an appeal that is truly national. As the vice president under Obasanjo, Atiku cultivated a very good relationship with the state governors. His capacity for accommodation and understanding endeared the governors to him. Because of the powerful hold that governors had on the political structures of their home state, the relationship gave him very strong clout. It is widely rumoured that had he decided and insisted on contesting the 2003 elections against his principal, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, he would have easily secured the party nomination. Most of the governors were in his hands and would have chosen him over Obasanjo. But he did not succumb to the pressure because the TurakinAdamawa did not want to breach the unwritten rule of power

On the call for re-structuring by sections of the country

Atiku is

among the first of politicians shift between the South and North, which he had helped to fashion at the formative days of the PDP. The former Vice President has within the past three decades of being in the public spotlight shown that his brand of politics is not defined by any regional imperial agenda and that he is not a religious bigot. Though a devout Muslim, there is no tinge of fanaticism in his actions. Those who know him attest to his ability to work very well with Christians and the premium he places on merit over religious and other sentimental considerations.

Atiku is as much at home in the south as he is in the north where he comes from.

His fourth wife - Jemila Atiku Abubakar (Jennifer Iwenjora) - is an Igbo lady from the South East. This makes him an in-law to the Igbos. INTELS, a logistics company which he co-founded in the 1980s is based in Lagos, Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt in the South West and South-South.

Between rest room and economic development Bilkis Ogunnubi

C

all it loo, convenience or rest room; toilet remains a basic necessity at homes. Without it, the health of the inhabitants will surely be in jeopardy. In the olden days, it was the practice of the early men to defecate or urinate wherever they deem most convenient. With civilization, however, man adopted a more progressive and healthy means of performing this basic bodily functions. In Africa, simple pots were used to collect these wastes in order to dispose of them away from living areas. At night, some paid agents usually come to dispose of this waste.

Gradually, man began to set aside specific places to perform these functions so that privacy and a better sanitary environment could be attained. It is, however, sad to note that people are now reverting to the old habit of easing themselves indiscriminately, particularly in urban areas. In Lagos, for instance, it is common to see people on the highways disembarking from their cars to defecate openly along the road. On the streets, behind bushes, in groves of trees, in rivers or streams, inside gutters, dump sites, in motor parks, markets and what have you, people use faeces to litter the environment with impunity. Even some of the fanciest areas are not exempted This has, in no small way, contributed immensely to the desecration of the Lagos environment through careless urinating and open defecation. No space is spared! It is quite disheartening that this atrocious act is being passed down to the younger generations mostly by mothers. Women, chiefly market women or traders are fond of instructing their wards to urinate or defecate in open places or polythene bags with the contents either ending in

It is whatever

we throw at the environment that it throws back at us the drains or sidewalks.

According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, 2.5 billion of the world’s seven billion people, do not have proper sanitation and 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open, a ratio of one in ten persons. Basic sanitation, which has been a concern from the earliest stages of human settlements, is described as having access to facilities for the safe disposal of human waste (faeces and urine) as well as having the ability to maintain hygienic conditions are critical to health, survival, and development. Therefore, it is not surprising that many countries and cities, and in particular those with high population like Lagos, are challenged in providing adequate sanitation for their entire populations because the growth rate has overburden the existing urban management system.

This puts many people at risk of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. Serious waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea occur when open defecation or poor sanitation permits human waste to pollute water supplies. According to a 2016 statistics by WASH watch, diarrhea caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water kills 315,000 children every year. Similarly, a 2003 International Labour Organisation (ILO) data reveals that disease transmission at work mostly caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices causes 17% of all workplace deaths while loss of productivity due to illnesses caused by lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices is estimated to cost many countries up to 5% of Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Also, the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, posited that at least 1.8 billion people world-wide are estimated to drink water that is contaminated through poor sanitary habit. An even greater number drink water which is delivered through a system without adequate protection against sanitary hazards. Furthermore, studies have shown that the countries where open defecation is most widely practiced are the same countries with the highest mortality rate of children under five, high levels of under nutrition and poverty, and large wealth disparities.

Toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy, as well as improving health and protecting people’s safety and dignity, particularly women’s and girls’. Therefore, aside from the health risks inherent in lack of proper human waste disposal, it also has significant impacts on dignity and security, the environment, and social and economic development.

In a bid to raise awareness of sanitation issues and sewerage and make a case for sanitation for all that the World Toilet Day is celebrated on 19th November of every year. The day is intended to encourage UN Member States and relevant stakeholders, including civil society and non-governmental organizations, to promote behavioural change and the implementation of policies in order to increase access to sanitation among the poor and end the practice of open defecation.

The theme for this year’s celebration “toilets and jobs” is aimed at sending signals out that toilets save lives, increase productivity, create jobs and grow economies.

And that if the sanitary situation in an office or business environment is bad it could

He has a huge network of friends in politics and business. These power networks span all shades, regions and religions.

In a highly polarized political system such as ours, it is difficult to find such a high profile politician who has successfully maintained without contradiction a wholly national outlook like Atiku. He remains a model for appropriate political positioning for Nigerian politicians. Especially those who desire to lead at the national level.

He has stood out and championed national views that not only acknowledge and reflect the growing tensions in parts of the country but also proffered practical solutions on the basis of commonsense rather than regional political correctness borne out of fear of a possible loss of advantage.

On the call for re-structuring by sections of the country Atiku is among the first of politicians from the north to speak in support of the call. He said that re-structuring is inevitable and has advised that the government should acknowledge the call and fashion out ways to engage those that are clamouring for it on a roundtable.

As his friends, well-wishers, business and political associates mark his 70th birthday it is important to note that his national appeal is relevant and significant within the context of our current socio-political discourse today.

Terhemen Chieshe, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos

be just as when fish are endangered in poisoned water. Therefore, the people cannot live truly productive and fulfilled lives, because to persist in living in an unsanitary environment is to die prematurely by installment. Similarly, provision of toilets in business environment creates employment for the personnel that will man the facilities, the soap and brush manufacturers as well as the artisans that will construct and maintain them.

Consequently, employers of labour and owners of businesses should endevour to provide good toilets for their employers, not leaving out motor parks and markets. The aforementioned should also be provided with good and hygienic rest rooms for travelers and customers respectively. This would by no means contribute to healthy living in the society but also add to the economic development of the country.

In all, as the global community celebrate the World Toilet Day 2016, government at all levels as well as all major stakeholders should not relent in carrying out public enlightenment activities to promote attitudinal changes towards eradicating open defecation and other such unhygienic habits. The citizens too should handle issues of the environment with zest because the environment is the super structure on which the survival of other sectors rest. It is whatever we throw at the environment that it throws back at us.

Ogunnubi is of Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

South West

10

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos Assembly approves death penalty for kidnappers

L

agos State House

Tejuosho had present-

sentence to kidnappers,

stipulated also life impris-

call, e-mail, text message

on

ed the report of a Stake-

whose victims did not die

onment for anyone who

or any other means of

Monday approved

holders meeting on a bill

in their custody.

make attempt to kidnap

communication.

death sentence for kid-

entitled; “A Bill for a Law

The bill states that any

nappers, whose victims

to Provide for the Prohibi-

person, who kidnaps, ab-

died in their custody.

tion of the Act of Kidnap-

ducts, detains, captures or

false

to

ingly or willfully allows

ping and for Other Con-

takes another person by

release a kidnapped or

or permits his premises,

nected Purposes”.

any means or tricks with

abducted person. This at-

building or a place or be-

intent to demand ransom

tracts seven years impris-

longing to which he has

reports

or do anything against

onment.

control of, to be used for

Chairman of the House

that the bill was spon-

his/her will, commits an

The lawmakers also ap-

the purposes of keeping

Committee on Judiciary,

sored by the Speaker of

offence, and liable on con-

proved 25 years imprison-

a person kidnapped is

Petitions, Human Rights

the House, Mr Mudashiru

viction to death sentence.

ment to whoever threat-

guilty of an offence under

and Lagos State Indepen-

Obasa.

ens to kidnap another

the law and liable to 14

person

years imprisonment with-

of

Assembly

The approval followed the adoption of a report presented

by

efunmilayo

Mrs

Ad-

Tejuosho,

dent Electoral Commis-

The News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN)

The bill prescribed life

The bill, which criminalised attempt to kidnap,

another person.

The bill provides that

Also, the bill is against representation

through

phone

any person, who know-

out an option of fine.

NAN reports that the lawmakers

amended

some sections of the bill during the debate on the committee report before adoption.

The bill, aimed at ensuring zero tolerance for kidnapping,

however,

awaits third reading before it will be sent to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.

sion (LASIEC).

Professor Johnbull episode 5 exposes sharp practices in oil sector

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s Season 2 of the TV Drama Series, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by the fully integrated telecommunications service provider, Globacom, enters its fifth episode this Tuesday, the sitcom focuses on some sharp practices in the nation’s oil sector.

The episode, aptly entitled Oil Windfall, dramatises the negative effects of over-dependence on the black gold as the nation’s economic mainstay.

Oil Windfall also highlights the way of life among youths in oil producing areas as one of the attendant effects of overdependence on the natural resource.

According to the programme, “the discovery of oil in the country in the early 1960s was no doubt a good development which has led to the growth of the nation’s economy. But over the years, events and situations have come to show that over-dependence on oil also has its own attendant effects.”

Producers of the programme further said that, “the essence of Oil Windfall, the 5th episode of Season 2 of Professor Johnbull, is to educate the public on the negative effects of over-dependence on oil by any economy. We hope it will help in educat-

ing our viewers that there are other potential natural resources other than oil that we can tap into for our existence.”

Slated for airing on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes at 8.30 pm on Tuesday, the episode will feature the villain, Samson (Oguns Baba), who delivered his lines perfectly with his unadulterated “Waffi” accent.

Viewers will also watch the regular characters in the TV drama series including Olaniyi (Yomi Fash-Lanso); Etuk (Imeh Bishop); Flash (Stephen Odimgbe); Ufoma (Bimbo Akintola); Caro (Mercy Johnson Okojie); Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye); Mai Doya (Funky Mallam); Abednego (MC 4 God) and erudite Professor Johnbull acted by Kanayo O. Kanayo.

The new episode puts viewers in suspense as it dissects the real essence of oil windfall. Is Samson genuinely fraudulent or just over-ambitious? What is Professor Johnbull’s response to the agitation of the victims?

The repeat broadcasts of the episode will come up on Friday at the same time on the same TV channels.

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari (middle) with wives of Southern State Governors after their meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO:AHMED/ICE/NAN

Business woman, 3 others docked for hawking fake drugs Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

A

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till 5th of December, 2016, criminal charge of hawking fake drugs filed against a Lagos based business woman, Sandra Nwadinpa Aniakor, and three others.

Other accused persons in the charge marked FHC/L/176C/16,are Oga Odaleje Joseph, Stanley Ogbuji(at large) and a company, De-Katoka (W.A) Limited.

In the said three count criminal charge signed

by Okoli Chinyere(Mrs)

on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, it was alleged that Sandra Nwadinkpa Aniakor, Oga Odaleye Joseph, Stanley Ogbuji (at large) and De-Katoka (WA),all of Km 24,Badagry Expressway, Celenaica Bus-stop, Mebamu, Lagos, on or about November 3 ,2015 along Alaba International Market Road, Ojo, were found hawking drugs to wit: Katoka Mixtures in a vehicle with registration number KTU 559 XC and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(1) (a) of the counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome Processed Foods (miscellaneous Pro-

vision) Act Cap C 34 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under section 3 (b) of the same Act. All the accused persons same time and place, were also alleged to have displayed for the purpose of sale the Katoka Mixtures in the aforementioned vehicle.

In the third count, Sandra Nwadinpa Aniakor, Oga Odaleye Joseph, Stanley Ogbuji (at large) and De-Katoka (WA) limited all of km 24,Badagry Expressway, Celenaica BusStop Mebamu, Lagos on or about November 3, 2015 along Alaba International Market Road, Ojo, Lagos, were alleged to have ad-

vertised to the general public that Katoka Mixtures can cure infertility, Gonorrhea, Syphillis, other transmitted diseases and feverish condition and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(a) and (b) of the food and drugs Act, Cap F 33 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under section 17 (1) and (2) of the same Act. Meanwhile Barrister Onyebuchi Aniakor, has filed an application before the court, urging the court to quash the criminal charge filed against the accused persons and discharge all of them.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

11

I won’t leave uncompleted projects, says Aregbesola Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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sun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has assured that none of his ongoing projects would be left uncompleted by the time he is handing over to the next governor.

Aregbesola spoke both at a special edition of live interview broadcast organised by the state-owned radio and television station, OSBC and the Colloquium organised to mark the second anniversary of the second term of his admin-

istration held in Osogbo.

Aregbesola said before assuming mantle of leadership, he had done his homework well, knowing that youth engagement was of immediate necessity, adding that in less than 100 days of his inauguration, he engaged 20,000 youths in public works through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).

He said the O’YES initiative has gone a long way in taking a lot of idle youths off the streets, redefining their lives and as well giving them hope capable of sustaining them through-

out their lives.

He said his government had also impacted positively in the lives of over 40,000 youths through O’YES scheme as the good gestures had helped in turning Osun to a state with the lowest crime rate in Nigeria.

He added the N200 million monthly allowance being given to O’YES volunteers had tremendously reflated the economy of the state.

The governor further averred that the stipends being received by the

O’YES cadets goes directly into the economy of the state, adding that in less than two years, Osun GDP shot to the seventh largest in Nigeria.

In the education sector, Aregbesola said his administration has expended billions in the provision of free meals for 252,000 pupils every school day, noting that the innovation was aimed at revamping agriculture, empowering farmers, cooks and food vendors in a value chain of wealth creation that cascades to at least one million homes in

Osun.

He said the state under his watch has built several state-of-the-art model schools across the nooks and crannies of the state having taken seriously the importance of education to development.

Considering the adverse effect of the present economic challenges, Aregbesola said his government has been working hard to rescue the state from the pangs of economic recession.

He pledged to continuously position the state on

the path of economic stability, progress and prosperity, saying “we have made it a point that no one is left behind by our administration”.

Speaking on the topic titled “Democracy, Good Governance and Sustainable Economic Development: Value Added Approach”, the Guest Speaker, Professor Akin Oyebode, commended Governor Aregbesola for being consistent in threading the path of economic greatness since assumption of power.

NLC urges FG to reinstate 23 SSANU members sacked by FUNAA

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igeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the ‘victimisation’ of workers reporting cases of corruption to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, called for the immediate reinstatement of 23 members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) sacked by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) The NLC President made this known in a letter to the Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu and a copy was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

In the letter, Wabba said: “Between November 8 and November11, 23 members of SSANU have been relieved of their appointments maliciously and vindictively.

“They were victimised for reporting cases of corruption to the EFCC. “SSANU, one of our affiliate, has informed us that its members at the FUNAAB have been victimised.

“Do permit us to observe that the actions of the Council and Management of FUNAAB do not only constitute impunity and lawlessness, but a violation of the fundamental human rights of these workers.

“This is as enshrined in Section 39 of the 2009 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

According to Wabba, in order for the war on corruption to succeed, whistle blowers should be protected by all means and not victimised as is presently the case at FUNAAB. “We request you to cause an investigation into what is going on at FUNAAB as well as ensure that the affected workers are recalled unconditionally.

L-R: Superintendent James Akinadewo; Evangelist Kayode Ajala; Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II) and Evangelist Ayo Akinnugba at the Adult Harvest of Motailatu Church of God, Restoration Parish, Akute, Ogun State, recently.

WYO President empowers youths in Oyo Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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resident-General, World Youth Organisation (WYO-UN), Ambassador Adeyemi Adeniyi, has called on youths

NASS tasked on speedy passage of Consumer Protection Bill Isiguzo Destiny

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he Private Sector Coalition on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill has called for the speedy passage of the bill.

In a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of a one-day meeting in Lagos, the group noted the Competition Bill is awaiting its 3rd

reading in the House of Representatives and has passed its 2nd reading in the Senate.

It noted the consensus involving the public and private sector stakeholders on changes to the bill and admitted that the amendments are consistent with the position of the private sector coalition (PSC).

The communiqué observed that the Private Sector Coalition needs to update its position paper and renew its wider advocacy offensive

in support of the bill and that “as private sector stakeholders, we realise the bill is not perfect, but this is the time to rally around and improve the quality”.

While assuring that the bill will enhance productivity, improve job creation and foster innovation, the PSC agreed that sector regulators need to be engaged and consulted for their input and agreement before the public hearing on the bill by the Senate.

in the country to be self-reliant in outlook as it is no longer fashionable to wait on government for job.

He made the call in Ogbomoso at the presentation of empowerment and scholarship to youths in Oyo State.

Adeniyi said the present economic reality in the world has made government at all levels incapable of providing jobs for the youth, stating that he would do his bits to end their lacks and sufferings as he has packaged lots of empowerment programmes that would better their lots all over the world.

He said the programmes would create opportunities that would empower them and make

them self-reliant, adding that this would relieve the burden of focusing on government and public office holders for one assistance or the other.

While distributing the application forms for the empowerment programmes to youths from across the five local governments in Ogbomosoland, he, however, enjoined them to return the forms to the point of collection so that the data provided on the forms by the applicants would be used to plan and ascertain the needs and quantity of the empowerment materials to prepare for them.

He said as a youth himself in the welfarist department of the UN, he would use every opportu-

nity at his disposal to set a new lease of life for the youths, stating that his office is open to advice and suggestions that would improve the welfare of the youths.

Adeniyi then enjoined the youths to shun social vices such as stealing and robbery as opportunities presented by the instrument of his office would bring an end to myriads of lacks and problems facing youths across the globe.

A release by his Media Consultant, Mr, Marufh Bello, said the programme would be initiated in other five geopolitical zones of Oyo State before moving to other parts of the country, Africa and other countries of the world.

12

News

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Edo sets to engage women mechanics, drivers

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Edo Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Benito Eze with members of Fulani herdsmen in Edo, after the Sensitization Programme on Prevention of Clash between the herdsmen and farmers in Edo, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Militants invade Lagos community, kidnap 7 …it’s not true, say police

Dare Akogun

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nknown gunmen suspected to be militants on Sunday attacked a poultry farm located in Epe area of Lagos and abducted five workers.

Two other people were reportedly kidnapped by the militants when they blocked a transit road in a second operation.

It was equally gathered that the kidnappers had attempted to abduct students of Molajoye Community High School on the assembly ground earlier, but policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Area N Police Command, Navy and the Army foiled the abduction.

Eye witnesses claimed that the men stormed the poultry at about 8am, shooting sporadically.

They were said to have whisked away their victims in a waiting boat.

The kidnappers, armed with sophisticated guns, allegedly blocked a road along Igbodu, where they engaged law enforcement officers in a gun duel.

People were said to have scampered for safety into the nearby bush in different directions. Many of them were also alleged to have spent the night in the bush.

The Epe axis became a preferred target of kidnappers, after the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprised the Navy, Air Force, and the Army, alongside operatives of the Depart-

ment of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police, carried out aerial bombardment in August.

It will be recalled that in September, militants struck at Epe and abducted three female farmers and a six-month-old baby. The victims were kidnapped on Igbodu Isiwo Road area of Epe, Lagos State.

On November 15, armed gunmen, allegedly numbering over 40, invaded a farm settlement in Epe, also located on Igbodu-Isiwo Road, Lagos.

They abducted four farmers. The men, dressed in military uniform, came through the river about 10a.m.

Joseph said the management of the poultry

had assured them that they would make efforts to secure his release soonest.

Mobile Policemen from Mopol 22 and RRS were sighted yesterday patroling the community, while over five RRS vans were also on ground.

Reacting to the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dollapo Badmos, insisted the story wasn’t true, especially stories being circulated on social media.

According to her, “The command wishes to state that this publication is not only false and misleading, but a figment of imagination of the writer. EPE axis and Lagos State, is totally safe. There is no invasion by militants or any other criminal elements on any part of Lagos.

CPC to move against fake insurance policies

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s consumers of insurance products and services complain over sale of fake policies and delay in payment of claims, among others, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has taken steps towards addressing their complaints.

The CPC is collaborating with key stakeholders in the insurance sector in order to proffer solutions to the various challenges confronting insurance consumers in Nigeria.

The council together with Pastures Consult Limited and Congress International Limited-publishers of DIVIDEND- the magazine for lo-

cal government- as well as some stakeholders in the insurance sector, has concluded plans for the convocation of a consumers’ colloquium.

The colloquium, which is scheduled to hold from December 8 and 9, 2016 at the Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, has as its theme: “100 Years After: Can Insurance Work in Nigeria?”

Coordinator of the project, Mr Johnson Adedapo, said in a statement that the objective of the consumer colloquium was to proffer solutions to issues confronting consumers in the nation’s insurance sector.

Adedapo said: “The colloquium seeks to bring to-

gether stakeholders from the insurance industry, regulatory environment, and policy making institutions, including consumers and the media, to identify the challenges facing consumers in the industry, proffer the way forward and inspire commitment from all stakeholders.

“These issues or challenges some of which stare us glaringly in the face include the sale of fake insurance policies, delay in payments of insurance claims and reputation of claims, among others.

“The colloquium promises to foster close interaction with various insurance products and allied solutions

as well as a highly informative capacity building to raise the standard of insurance practice in Nigeria.”

Adedapo added that the project would ensure the creation of a synergy and common inspiration in the insurance sector for actions to deal with identified challenges.

He said that the two-day colloquium (December 8 and 9, 2016) would be the first of its kind in the country, pointing out that the CPC and its collaborators were hopeful that the event would facilitate in-depth discussions on the strategies for repositioning the industry.

do State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has offered to engage female mechanics for the maintenance of government vehicles, it emerged yesterday.

Besides, Governor Obaseki said as part of his administration’s strategic plans for competitive advantage, female drivers and mechanics would be encouraged to study at the Benin Technical College after a complete retooling and rehabilitation.

The governor, who made this disclosure during the graduation ceremony of twenty five female mechanics in Benin City, Monday, said, “I want to throw an offer to you today, in Government House, we have a workshop. We would like you to come and take a look at it and also see if you can take over maintenance of the vehicles in Government House”.

The governor said government will partner with the Lady Mechanic Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organization, to promote youth employment in line with his electioneering campaign promises.

While lauding the initiative, Obaseki said, “It’s in line with my agenda for job creation and youth empowerment”.

According to Obaseki, “the challenge we face today; the challenge of

unemployment, the challenge of rebuilding our communities and society is not the challenge that rests on one arm of government or one set of institution alone. It is a challenge that all of us must combine together to deal with, whether you are government, whether you are civil society, whether you are private sector.

“That is the reason why as governor of Edo State, once I realised that this initiative had taken root, I said the least that we could do is to come here and help to participate in the graduation ceremony of the last twenty five of the hundred students this programme started with. I hope that as sponsor, Coca Cola will not terminate this programme with this set. I am going to make a passionate appeal, and if you need me to come to your headquarters, I will come so that this programme can be extended.”

The governor, who assured that government will rebuild and develop the Benin Technical College said, “My first official assignment when I resumed on Monday, the 14th of November was to visit the Benin Technical College. First, to send certain signals that I campaigned on the fact that we will create a minimum of two hundred thousand jobs, I meant it.

DPR uncovers 87 illegal filling stations

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epartment of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday said it has discovered 87 filling stations operating without its approval in the last six months.

Its director, Mr Modecai Ladan, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the ongoing 17th biennial conference on Health, Safety and Environment organised by DPR. He said the agency had already clamped down on the illegal filling stations.

The DPR boss said that the agency was collaborating with other agencies and relevant stakeholders in nipping the problem in the bud.

He urged potential filling stations owners to be law abiding and adhere strictly to rules governing registration of filling stations.

Ladan also said it was untrue that the agency had no record of crude oil produced by the country, saying the new DPR was on top of the situation.

He said the theme of the conference reflected the agency’s commitment to harmonising valuable recommendations to the government.

“It is noteworthy that DPR has leveraged on the principles and suggestions presented by delegates in previous editions of this conference,’’ he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

13

Senate committee on agric backs ban on sale of foreign rice in Ebonyi

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hairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, has drummed support for Ebonyi State government over the ban on the sale of foreign rice.

Adamu disclosed this in an interview at the end of the Nigeria’s Zero Hunger Initiative meeting in Abuja yesterday.

The chairman was re-

acting to the ban by Governor David Umahi of the sale of foreign rice in markets and other outlets of Ebonyi State.

Adamu described the campaign against local production and consumption of rice as a conspiracy between rice importers and some elite in the country.

He also called for prompt arrest of rice

smugglers.

“I believe that the campaign against local production of rice is a campaign spear headed by rice importers.

“I do not believe we cannot produce enough rice for ourselves. We may not at this point in time be having enough for

everybody but the campaign on rice is an elitist campaign.

“There is collaboration between importers and elites in the country.

“We have rice. We should eat our rice. There is no where our local rice has harmed anybody and the more we eat our rice,

the more we put our farmers on business.

“I support the ban on sale of foreign rice in Ebonyi. We have to start somewhere. What we know is that local production is not enough but we should consume it and that is not an excuse for importing rice.

“We cannot afford the luxury of importation particularly in this period of recession,” he said.

It would be recalled that Ebonyi State government had on November 21 announced the ban on the sale of foreign rice in markets and other outlets in the state.

UNN inducts 96 medical doctors

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ollege of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, yesterday inducted and swore in 96 medical students into the medical profession.

Performing the ceremony at Ituku-Ozalla, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, said the graduating students passed through a lot of training and experiences before emerging victorious in their chosen career.

The vice chancellor said that more than 200 students were admitted into the college but only 96 scaled through.

Ozumba said that the management was committed to restructuring the fallen standard of the college of medicine as it was made financially autonomous.

He urged the doctors to always approach the institution for assistance whenever they encountered challenges in the course of their profession.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Prof. Hygienus Ezegwui, commended the graduating students for their perseverance and hard work which saw them through.

“This is not the end, you have enormous responsibilities and the remarkable experiences you had and shared have shaped your ideas and choices in life.

“Your responses to the opportunities and challenges you faced have affected your sense of value, discipline, focus and pas-

sion.

“As from today, your life is embedded in certain ethical standards which you must follow and as you are celebrating with your families and friends, you have enormous responsibilities ahead of you in the coming year as a doctor,” the dean said.

Ezegwui thanked the parents for the financial support and encouraged the young doctors to take the opportunity that might come their way seriously as well as be good ambassadors of the university.

Guest speaker and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, urged the youth to take back their country as their leaders had failed them.

Obi said corruption and wastes were the major problems facing the country, saying that they were unacceptable.

He urged the students to create a future for themselves, saying that working for the government in future would not give them the desired satisfaction.

“You do not need to depend on the government for jobs because the society we abuse today will take revenge on us in the near future,” he said.

Some of the inducted doctors who spoke with the newsmen, including Nnenna Oji and Chimdi Nnamani, expressed joy at the event and pledged to practice the profession without fear or favour.

A parent, Dr Ejike Oji, urged parents to always support their children in their academic pursuit.

L-R: Globacom’s Head of Operations, South-South, Mr. Enekwachi Aja; winner, “Glo Campus Data Dude”, Njoku Raymond; winner, “Glo Campus Data Diva”, Onukwufor Chiamaka and Glo Business Director, Enugu, Mr. Ajagbe Bidemi, at the Glo Campus Storm held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, recently.

Okorocha directs councils to allocate land to 1,545 corps members

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overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has directed caretaker committee chairmen in the 27 Local Government Areas to allocate land to 1,545 corps members deployed to the state to enhance agricultural production.

Okorocha gave the directive at the opening of orientation for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ corps members posted to the state at Eziama Obaire in Nkwerre council yesterday.

He stressed the state`s determination to identify with the laudable agricultural policy of the Federal Government to tackle the

nation`s problem of food insufficiency.

Represented by Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Okorocha advised the corps members to pay serious attention to all programmes lined up for them during the orientation.

While congratulating them for their achievements, he urged them to discharge their duties diligently in their various places of assignment.

“I welcome you to Imo hospitality.

Pay attention to the programmes lined up for the orientation. Interact with one another and people of the

community which is the beauty and essence of the NYSC“, he said.

State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Isaac Fasanu said 1,545 corps members comprising 855 males and 690 females were posted to the state.

He expressed appreciation to the state government for the numerous supports given to the scheme and for approving the construction of two additional hostels in the camp to accommodate more corps members.

He also thanked the governor for the donation of a vehicle and asked that he continues

to support the scheme by complementing their efforts in feeding and other logistics.

Fasanu urged the corps members to be law-abiding.

He said the programme would instill discipline, positive

attitude,

skills

and broad world view in them and reposition them to stand on their own.

The NYSC state coordinator said the scheme would

also

equip

the

corps members with leadership qualities and prepare them mentally and physically to face future challenges.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Politics joke

- Page 14

Prayer point: Every Mimiko who does not want you to reach your goal, may God raise a Jimoh Ibrahim to frustrate him. Can’t hear your loud AMEN

Ekiti 2018: Ex-Speaker declares guber ambition, unfolds agenda Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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ormer Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Olufemi Bamisile has declared intention to run for the governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bamisile who spoke yesterday at a rally in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to round off his 18-month tour of the 177 wards in 124 towns and villages in the state, contended that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP admin-

istration has failed to live up to expectation.

He advised Governor Ayo Fayose to start packing his personal effects from the Ado Ekiti Government House, saying “a movement to enthrone a people-oriented APCled government has commenced.”

Bamisile, who accused the governor of unleashing more hardship on the people through harsh policies, misplacement of priorities, poverty of ideas and government by impulse”, predicted that a “political hurricane” would soon blow Fayose

and his “government of deceit” away.

Speaking later at the APC State Secretariat during a meeting with the state party executive led by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, the governorship hopeful said his tour revealed that people in the grassroots had been made poorer by the PDP regime which he said failed to address their standard of living.

Bamisile on the occasion unfolded his Octopus Agenda for Human Capital Development which he described as his treaty with the good people of

the state.

According to him, the Octopus Agenda, has eight legs which include agriculture, infrastructure development, economic and industrial development, education, health sector development, security, social security and governance.

He urged the leadership of the APC in the state to organize a transparent, free and fair primary for all aspirants aiming to run for the office, expressing confidence that he would clinch the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2018 poll.

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) receives the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Barrister Sharon Ikeazor, at the State House Abuja, yesterday.

Varsity don advocates scrapping of joint accounts in councils Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

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he Head of Department of Local Government and Development Studies (LGDS) and Deputy Dean Students Affairs of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Bashir Jumare has called for an immediate scrapping of States and Local Governments Joint Account to guarantee financial autonomy of 774 councils in the country.

He said that the outright denials of granting financial autonomy for the third tier of Government; under Section 162(6) of the 1999 constitution has hindered the rapid socio-economic development at the grassroots level.

“This denial of financial autonomy, clogged by the States and Councils Joint Accounts is retrogressive and full of frauds,” Prof.

Jumare said.

Jumare disclosed this Monday at the Borno State

Hotels in Maiduguri, while presenting a lead Paper on: “Evolution of Local Government; The Role of Local Governments in Post-Insurgency Reconstruction, Reintegration, Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development,” at a 3-Day workshop organized by the Borno State Local Government Service Commission in collaboration with Adamu Consulting firm Ltd. He told participants who are Local Government

staff drawn from across the 27 council areas of Borno that, before Nigeria attained its independence in 1960, local governments played major roles not only in maintaining law and order, but in the provision and maintenance of basic social services to the people at the grassroots.

He listed the services to include, basic education, health and environmental services, roads, water supply among other necessities of life.

Responding, Mrs Olaleye, described Bamisile as a loyal party man who is passionate about the development of the state.

She said the APC was

poised to reclaim power in Ekiti judging by the number of key political actors joining the party on daily basis.

Kosoko lauds Ambode’s transformation efforts Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

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agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has received applause for the giant strides so far achieved in the in the administration of the state.

The commendation was given by a key member of the governing party, All Progressive Congress, APC in the state, Honourable Kosoko Dele.

Kosoko said Ambode has indeed raised the leadership bar of the state, by taking all sectors of development in the state as a priority.

He also commended the governor for the new position he gave Akinyemi Ashade as the new Commissioner for Finance.

Ashade is from Badagry Federal Constituency where Kosoko represented as a federal lawmaker.

“Ambode was recently granted the permission by the presidency to transform the Presidential Lodge in

Marina to a foremost hub of arts, entertainment and culture. The move is seen as a means of generating income for the state underlining the governor’s efforts toward expanding the state’s revenue base”, Kosoko said. .

The former House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Science and Technology in the Third Republic said that the governor’s plan to open a 10 lanes expressway from Orile-Okokomaiko-Badagry would be another milestone considering its necessity as a “gateway to the nation.”

“The deep sea port will also create job opportunity for the teeming youths as business men would have cause to smile,” he said.

“I want to commend Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for all his tireless efforts at taking Lagos state to the next level. Indeed he has raised the bar of leadership and we are proud of his achievements so far.

Rerun: We’ll release video of rivers CP plotting to rig poll —Wike Dennis Naku

PORT- HARCOURT

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the state government will soon release the audio -visual footages of the Rivers State Police Commissioner plotting with politicians on the methods to be adopted in rigging the December 10 rerun legislative elections in the state.

Wike gave the revelation while flagging off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on Monday.

He noted that the audio-

visual footages will be made public through different media platforms to expose the extreme rigging desires of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC with the backing of the police and other security agencies .

The governor noted that the 600 policemen working with the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in the state , the police commissioner has already distributed them to prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC on a local government basis for the indiscriminate arrests of PDP supporters few days to the election .

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Friday, January 17, 2014

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15 15

Oke accepts outcome of Ondo guberCommunity poll, congratulatesMirror Akeredolu

Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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lliance for Democracy, AD, candidate in Ondo state, Olusola Oke, yesterday accepted the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election and congratulated winner of the poll, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu, who contested the election on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared winner having scored 244, 457 votes.

Oke, who spoke in Akure, the state capital, commended both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agents for being fair in the handling of their du-

ties.

The AD standard bearer, however, alleged that the electoral process that produced the governor-elect was heavily monetized.

He said the open and free use of money to purchase votes during the election by the ruling parties remained a sad commentary on the nation’s electoral process.

Oke noted that the development required urgent intervention by government if the much publicized anti-corruption agenda of the federal government must have meaning to Nigerians.

He said: “In the last seven years, the policy direction of the government of the day in Ondo state has resulted in the growth and circulation of poverty to

our people. intervention by govern- our electoral process will was time.

“The resultant effect is ment if the much pub- be restored.”

“But we were deterthat the people of the state licized anti-corruption Recalling the event lead- mined in the pursuit of thedefection come , come to come are now vulnerable. There- agenda of the federal gov- ingWhen to his and our dream. We know how fore, trading away dignity ernment must have mean-everybody that of hiswill followers to AD, bad the situation is and we sit up in this Ministry.

Rev. Chris Okotie, speaking in the face of excruciating ing to Nigerians.

Oke said their decision was are aware that the art of on theduring stateelectioneerof the nation“Offer of money for necessitated by the need governance is difficult and hunger HON MINISTER FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES,ALIISON MADUEKE ing process requires little votes is worse than looting for “us as democrats and complex, especially during or no consideration for the government treasury. conscience of the people trying times. morals and values that de- Apart from compromising to shun the in-built perfidy “The reduction in global fine us as a people. the dignity of the people, it and organized deception in oil prices from over 120 dol“The open and free use provides a fertile training APC as revealed during its lars per barrel to roughly of money to purchase votes ground for future looters of primary election.”

30 dollars and the huge debt during the election by the government treasury.

“We moved to AD less profile of Ondo state presruling parties remains a “We hope the incoming than six weeks before the ent a hard challenge that sad commentary on our administration will ad- gubernatorial election. We requires a prepared mind electoral process. dress the problem of pov- knew it was a big challenge and experienced hands in “This requires urgent erty so that the integrity of and the greatest challenge the saddle.

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Daramola congratulates Akeredolu

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he Minister of state, Niger Delta Affairs, Prof.

Claudius Omoleye Daramola has congratulated the Ondo State Governorelect, Mr. Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, on his victory at the last Saturday’s governorship election.

The Minister described the victory of the All Progressive Congress , APC Candidate in the November 26 governorship election as the best decision taken by the good people of Ondo state at this time.

In his statement, Dar-

amola said Akeredolu’s doggedness and determination have really proved that God is the only one that installs and removes.

He congratulates himself and all APC members across the state.

He also congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari for his support during the election Daramola also thanked all APC National Leaders for their support and prayed the Almighty God to grant Akeredolu the wisdom to paddle the canoe of the state to the promised land.

… Omoworare too Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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he Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Babajide Omoworare has joined other APC leaders in congratulating Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ,SAN, on his victory at the last Ondo state governorship poll.

The lawmaker, in a statement signed by Tunde Dairo, his media aide, copies of which were obtained in Osogbo, enjoined him to see his victory as call to service.

“I congratulate my brother and learned friend, Rotimi Akeredolu, on his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial poll in Ondo State,” Omo-

worare said.

He said people of Ondo State, who have indicated their quest for progressive politics, developmental change and good governance will get the best from the new helmsman.

He commended voters in Ondo state for the relative peace and orderliness before, during and after the election and for returning the state to the progressive fold where it originally belong.

The lawmaker also applauded Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for a doing a good job adding that, “INEC, security agencies and all stakeholders must be commended for giving their best to uplift democratic values and image of Nigeria.”

L-R: National Missioner, Ansaru-deen Society of Nigeria ASN), Sheik Muyideen Ajani Bello; Chairman, ASN, Northern State Council, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and National Vice President, ASN, Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Akeredolu’s victory, big plus for progressives —Lagos APC

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agos APC has joined the progressives in Nigeria to rejoice with Ondo State Governor –elect, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu for winning the November 26, 2016 governorship elections in Ondo State against all permutations, against all calculations and against all odds.

In a release signed in Lagos by the State Publicity Secretary , Mr. Joe Ig-

bokwe , the Party says Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu’s victory is a big plus for the good people of Ondo State, the progressives, the South West Region and Nigeria “Various attempts have been made in the past sixteen years to bring this very important state into the progressive camp for both regional and economic integration but those attempts were rendered ineffective as a result of

actions of reactionary forces, low thinkers and men of yesterday” “Today the story is complete with this historic and unprecedented victory recorded by Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and the great and committed people of Ondo State” “It has been a long struggle for the man destined for greatness, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and his dedicated supporters

laced with courage, determination and strong will.

The road to success is not always a smooth ride” “We are asking the people of Ekiti State to learn from the courage and resilience of Ondo people in order to throw out the interloper and pretender, Mr Ayo Fayose from the fountain of knowledge and the State of the wise.

Ekiti State must return to the progressive camp.”

Atiku felicitates with Akeredolu, APC

F

ormer Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has felicitated with the governorelect of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the good people of Ondo State and the ruling APC for winning the gubernatorial polls, at the week-

end.

In a congratulatory statement issued in Abuja by the Atiku Media Office yesterday, the Turakin Adamawa calls the peaceful conduct of the election in Ondo State, devoid of violence and fratricidal rancour, as the path to chart for future elections in the country nationwide.

Atiku urges Akeredolu to use the opportunity of his victory in the election to usher in good governance and development in Ondo State.

The APC chieftain congratulates Nigerians, particularly the people of Ondo State for having faith in the tenets of de-

mocracy as the best form of government.

According to the statement, the former Vice President welcomes Ondo State back on the track of Progressives in Nigeria, adding “together we shall work to bring prosperity and development to our fatherland.”

16

Politics

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASS, Presidency and the unending battle for supremacy

THE HOUSE OF REPS

Ubong UKPONG

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ore than one year into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and the presidency have continued to be at dagger drawn as the legislature continued to indirectly resist all attempts by the presidency to exclude it from the scheme of things, and exercise supremacy over it, being an integral part of the federal government.

The rift has continued to pose severe danger and do damage to the policies and legislative activities which has ended up bringing untold hardship and pains to the citizenry.

The most regrettable aspect of this is that the disagreements are there and are quite pronounced both in the actions of the presidency and National Assembly but the various leaderships continue to give the impression that there is no quarrel.

The presidency and indeed the executive is seen to have put itself in the position of being the federal government and has often been referred to as such by all, but this is not going down well with the National Assembly, which is an arm of that federal government, but is often judged as if it were not part of the government.

Perhaps this is from the constitutional powers of the executive to implement all laws and policies, and manage state power and resources for the government, making it to be too powerful.

The presidency has realised this enormous powers and is effectively using it to make the unsuspecting public think that the legislature was playing a nuisance value in governance, as if it was the problem in the system.

In its anti-corruption war, the presidency targets National Assembly and lawmakers, while the ministers accused of corruption are overlooked, making lawmakers look like mere criminals.

This explains why recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo went to Aso Rock Villa and declared that National Assembly was a den of robbers, as if the Villa was the temple of saints.

This shows the mindset of the executive, which all believe that being in position to spend the money and execute projects, they are not corrupt but the legislature that has oversight function over the execution are corrupt.

The greatest displeasure of the National Assembly has been the brickwalls erected by the executive to hinder it from carrying out its constitutional legislative oversight function over the executive.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Sulaimon Lasun, had once had cause to say that this is one critical function of the legislature that has not been allowed to be effectively carried out.

This has continued to create problems in recent times, as the lawmakers also wait to pay the executive back whenever such occasions arise.

Shortly after the 2016 budget processes, the presidency had begun to contend the appropriation powers of the National Assembly, seeking to give that function to itself and make the National Assembly a mere observer in the process, with no powers to tamper with the figures and allocations as proposed by the executive.

This obviously gave rise to the budget padding saga, which the National Assembly has made good efforts to correct that there was nothing like budget padding, insisting that it has the powers to correct, insert projects, move projects and figures and make new allocations in its bid to pass the budget for the executive to implement.

This equally did not go down well with President Buhari and his team, who refused to release funds to implement the projects proposed or inserted by the lawmakers, especially under the constituency projects.

Before taking up his new job as Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who was a member of the House of Representatives had lamented zero allocation to constituency projects in the budget.

This made it impossible to supervise his constituency

Buhari

Dogara projects in over one year, which has remained his regret as he exits as lawmaker in eighth Assembly.

For him, this was a high powered politics by the presidency and not necessarily the problems of no funds due to the ongoing economic recession. , The effect of this has been that both chambers of the National Assembly refused to attend to requests and communications from the presidency, which has aggravated the sufferings of the people.

Since October, Buhari had brought his request for supplement on the 2016 budge, but it was only referred to Appropriation and Finance Committees penultimate week by the House of Representatives, which has tactically refused to consider his foreign loan request.

Only last week, the presidency held series of meeting with the leadership of both chambers and was alleged to have acceded to their demands, which led to their resolve to give his requests a thought.

However, House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas, at a press briefing few weeks ago gave the impression that they were not fighting and did not refuse to treat the loan requests.

He said there was no need wasting time to treat the loan request that has already been rejected by Senate, and which many believe is a conspiracy to hold the executive to ransom for the hostile treatment and contempt that the legislature is suffering from the executive.

Sources have revealed that deliberation between the

Saraki presidency and the National Assembly leaderships was geared towards granting NASS its demands for implementation of constituency projects as a criterion to approve the loan requested by the presidency.

What is shocking is that with this signal, a group of protesters with heavy security support, carrying placards with inscriptions, “Open NASS”, occupied the National Assembly Complex, shutting it down since Tuesday last week protesting against constituency projects.

This constitutes the annoyance of the human rights fighter and legal luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who believes that the Buhari-led executive is misusing the state power which only it has control over, to oppress other arms of the federal government, especially the legislature.

For Ozekhome, this is an abuse of democracy as it is against the principles of separation of powers.

He was in the House of Representatives last week, where he appeared for his clients at the Public Petition Committee.

Ozekhome flayed the manner the presidency was consistently breaching the independence of the legislature, even the judiciary, under the toga of fighting corruption.

He was particularly very bitter and accused the executive of terrorizing the legislature and the judiciary especially in the recent cases regarding the raid on judges and their subsequent arrests by the Department of State Services, DSS, at the instance of the presidency, without recourse to the National Judicial Council, NJC, vested with the powers to sanction in the judiciary.

His position is also predicated on the recent trials that the Senate leadership has been subjected to, which many have viewed as political war.

“The executive always believe it represents the entire government of this country and that is wrong.

“They always forget that we operate a system of government that is broken into three arms called the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, and that, that is predicated on the hallowed doctrine of separation of powers, which was espoused by great philosophers of old, the Socrates, Plato, and mostly popularised by the great French philosopher, Aaron Montesco in the 1748.

“This propounds that the three arms of government must be independent of each other, and that no one arm of government should terrorise the other.

“But what we have always in the Nigerian scenario is that the executive believes that because it controls the arms and ammunitions, the instrument of coercion, the apparatus of state, they have always suppressed, repressed and oppressed the other two arms of government particularly the legislature and the judiciary.

with

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

17

Buhari should adopt dialogue to solve Niger Delta crisis —George Chief Olabode George is the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this chat with journalists on the occasion of his 71st birthday, he speaks on his life and issues as they affect the country. Excerpts:

A

t 71, can you briefly tell us the journey so far?

Most times of recent I get emotional, wither Nigeria? I remember my youthful days we were very hopeful I had a very wonderful upbringing as a young man growing up in Lagos with my parents . There was hope, though we haven’t got our independence at that time, the British were still managing this nation, all we wanted to do was just go and get our education and we knew for real that the future is bright .

When you are outside the box, I mean outside the country , you will be able to look at your nation without biases and you can easily come to certain conclusion.

When I came back from overseas trip , I have been a little depressed. I remember in 1952 during the first election, I was with my father marking the little papers of the elections in those days . Then Papa Awolowo came, my great grandmother, Mrs. Aganga Williams came from Herbert Macauley stock. So back home my mother side has been very heavily involved in politics. I never knew I would end up myself in politics but the old man was traversing the whole length and breadth of Nigeria trying to fight the colonial masters , he was imprisoned on so many trivial issues just to break him but he was unbroken. So that kind of picture, that kind of drive was in us. Of course Lagos was not as heavily populated as it is now and you know Western region extended to Fadeyi and Idi Oro in Mushin. So Lagos Island, Mainland, Surulere came up later when they were building the Eko Bridge . So it was closely knit, everybody knew everybody’s else.

What about the ‘Area boys’ in Lagos then?

The concept of Area boys came from Omo Adugbo, you know we used to enjoy ourselves playing football , Isale Igangan was our local stadium and that little Campos Square was also our local stadium .

Rascality was an odd thing out.

What is it that is driving our youths today and I have been thinking and wondering that if in another 20 years from now, I am 71 now what would this country look like ? I want to bear my minds because at this age, the Bible said three scores and ten that is our official years. Anything after 70 is the grace of the Almighty. If you can’t say your mind or your view on issue now when will you give it. You can be called anytime, is it my knowledge that is keeping me, no, it is His grace. Like I have said to a lot of people, you know the more you grow older the more you are religious .There was a passage in the Bible which was read in the Church on Sunday , Amos 5 verses

George 22-24, it was striking to me, very relevant for this country. It says let justice roll like a stream and let righteousness flow like a river that will never dry up. These are two very salient statements. With these two, I started thinking , even the neighbourhood communal living that we grew into had stopped .

You know you have area fathers and area boys but it has all been twisted now. You know the connotation ‘area boys’ now is a terrible thing. The policing then came natural, if your neighbour sees your child somewhere else they will take him home and say we don’t know what your son was doing there and we bring him back to you. You don’t know them but they are your neighbours, so everybody takes care of everybody. But what do you find these days now , if you are lucky, you are not kidnapped, you are not picked for rituals, then you thank God, so where are we going?

Nigeria is endowed and nothing happens without the blessing of the Almighty God . As a Christian, nothing happens without God’s knowledge. So having done that for us , are we still really uniting ourselves as a country. This is what has been agitating my mind and I believe that this my birthday today I said let me come out of submarine mood.

You know as a Naval Officer, when a submarine especially a nuclear submarine dives , there are certain levels because of the echoes, it is not a vacuum but because of the configuration of the underwater they know the best place they can hide and be there hours un-end and surface ship would be moving round and round trying to locate them.

So I said let me be in that submarine mood and watch. So many topical issues nowadays have come to the fore. You know Abraham Lincoln said that it is not when everything is rosy that you know who are leaders, it is when there is tribulation and

those that stand up then are the real genuine human beings. That was what Abraham Lincoln said at that time , it is as still relevant today as it was then. So where are we going as a nation? And this is not political now.

Yes I belong to the PDP but at the same time, General Muhammadu Buhari and I belong to a very important profession in this country and that is the military. I also retired as a General and when I sit back, I keep thinking, what is happening ? This is not politics now.

I looked at the issue of Boko Haram, the issue of corruption, I have listened to the issue of the judiciary and watched the movements, the comments of generality of Nigerians regarding our own brothers and sisters from the South- South especially the oil producing areas. My advice to President Buhari who is my senior in the military is softly, softly.

What is your position on the crisis in the Niger Delta?

Those people who live in that area are also Nigerians, they are not enemies. The degradation in the place is disturbing. Late President Yar’Adua went into a dialogue and came up with a solution to improve the lives of the youths. Many of them are abroad studying various things, Jonathan continued but now most of them are now stranded in some of the universities.

Now, thinking as an economist, that area is the source of our treasury, our oil production has dropped massively and that is affecting the income of this country.

If you now look at how much it will take to sustain those youths in the universities now versus how much we are losing in our treasury, there is need for dialogue.

I will plead with the president, as a staff officer, as his junior and as a naval officer, the area will not augur well for any warfare, he should please reconsider his stance.

As a political leader, he loses nothing by

encouraging all citizens for better life. If we don’t have an income, how would they do all the social services required for the majority of Nigerians.

I have seen both military and democratic government, but the beauty of a democratic government is that you must dialogue, you must reach out, you must listen, otherwise it becomes a monotony. Democracy is not a monotony, it is a creation of dialogue. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. That is one major concern for me as a Nigerian at this age.

What is the future of PDP? It is very bright. Let us go into the establishment of this party. You know the founding fathers of the party, Chief Bola Ige, Dr Alex Ekwueme under the same political roof. If you check well, since 1952, all political parties were based purely on tribe. We had the Action Group in the Western region, Northern Peoples Congress in the north, the NCNC dominated Lagos and Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe went back home and formed his party. All these parties then were all tribal parties.

Somehow, when Abacha was military head of state and he wanted to become life president, some group of people came together and rejected the idea of him transforming himself from being head of state to president. That was the beginning of the discussion. How could you imagine Alhaji Abubakar Rimi from Kano with Malam Adamu Ciroma being in the same party. But they all came together and when Abacha passed on, they felt it would be nice to form a political party. I have campaigned round this country, there is no village you won’t hear of PDP, the party has a very deep tap root otherwise, we would have gone under. There is a little tribulation, which to me, should serve as a lesson.

Would you abandon your house because it is leaking and build another one? I am using this metaphorically so that you can understand the problems of running away.

The best thing we can do is strengthen the PDP and we are now in the process. You must accommodate everybody because democracy is all about debates.

Those who ran out of the PDP and headed out to the APC due to one issue or the other, a committee had been set up to go round and talk to them. Remember I described the APC as a congregation of strange bed fellows. They are in government alright but is the government in them? Where are they now?

Are you saying it is not viable to start a new party?

I wish them the best of luck. Let them start it. Do you know how long it takes to start something to become a colossus? It takes time; even we have not fully developed yet. We are now knowing the effect of being in the opposition, that is a different process of learning.

What if it comes in form of alignment, will you be part of it?

Aligning to where? In politics, a political party is a like a police station, you don’t shut your doors. If you go to a police station, it is always open, you do not shut the doors. We have set up two committees to go round and talk to those who left the party but which party has that tap root that is national like the PDP?

18

News Politics

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 Sunday, December 17, 2010

Sunday Mirror National www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos Assembly calls for intense security against kidnapping Robert Awokuse

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embers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to beef up security in the state as a result of the rampant kidnapping espe-

cially in Maya in Ikorodu and Epe axis.

The call was made by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu Constituency I. He stated that security issue has become a serious challenge in the state.

Hon. Agunbiade further noted in his motion that despite the commitment

Senate committee backs ban of foreign rice in Ebonyi

S

en. Abdullahi Adamu, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, has drummed support for Ebonyi State government over the ban on the sale of foreign rice.

Adamu disclosed this in an interview at the end of the Nigeria’s Zero Hunger Initiative meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Adamu was reacting to the ban by Governor David Umahi of the sale of foreign rice in markets and other outlets of Ebonyi State.

He described the campaign against the local production and consumption of rice as a conspiracy between rice importers and some elite in the country.

He also called for prompt arrest of rice smugglers saying . ‘`I believe that the campaign against local production of rice is a campaign spear headed by rice importers.“I do not believe we cannot produce enough

rice for ourselves. We may not at this point in time be having enough for everybody but the campaign on rice is an elitist campaign.

“There is collaboration between importers and elites in the country. We have rice. We should eat our rice. There is no where our local rice has harmed anybody and the more we eat our rice, the more we put our farmers on business.

“I support the ban on sale of foreign rice in Ebonyi. We have to start somewhere. What we know is that local production is not enough but we should consume it and that is not an excuse for importing rice.We cannot afford the luxury of importation particularly in this period of recession. The Ebonyi government had on Nov. 21 announced the ban on the sale of foreign rice in markets and other outlets in the state.

KWHA urges govt to equip Fire Service

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he Kwara State government has been urged to equip the State Fire Service to make it respond promptly and effectively to fire outbreak in any part of the state .

This was part of the resolutions of the State House of Assembly after considering a motion on the “Need for lncreased Awareness on Fire Prevention and Control” raised by a member representing Kaiama/Kamanji/Wajibe Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Ibn Mohammed.

Reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad said the need become necessary to make the state fire service respon-

sive to fire incidence and other emergency situation promptly.

The House equally directed the State Ministry of Information and Communication through its Media establishments to embark on aggressive sensitization and awareness campaigns on preventive and control of fire outbreak in major languages in the State.

The Lawmakers further directed the 16 Local Government Councils to hold sensitization meetings with Chief Hunters and Maiyati - Allah Association and other stakeholders in the Local Government Areas on the inherent danger in bush burning during hunting expedition.

of the successive administration of Lagos State government to the issues and challenges of security over the years in the state and with the huge investment in security equipment and logistics, there is renewed efforts by men of underworld in kidnapping activities particularly around Epe axis and through the waterways in the state.

He therefore submit-

ted that if more intensive security measures are employed by the security agencies, peace will return to the affected communities and the socio-economic lives of the people of the areas will bounce back.

In his contribution, Hon, Yishawu emphasized that the renewed security issue is an apt one that needs appropriate equipment to combat the menace.

Hon. Tunde Braimoh stated that security challenge is not peculiar to Lagos State alone and as such requires a continuous battle.

He also decried the tremendous decline in the recruitment of police officers and urges the Assembly to swing into action by having a close discussion with Commissioner of Police and, if possibly be the In-

spector General for necessary assistance.

The House resolved to call on the governor to take all steps by involving the authorities of the Nigeria Air Force, the Nigeria Army, and the Navy in the renewed fight to checkmate kidnapping activities and encourage the prosecution of those arrested in connection with gang-war in the state.

Representative of the Governor of Plateau, Prof. Soni Tyoden (L) and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, at the presentation of State Sports equipment to selected Pubic Primary Schools in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY

There is an orchestrated plan to cause crisis, implicate Yuguda —Kundak Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

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he. former adviser on political matters to former Bauchi State governor, Malam Isah Yuguda, Abdulmumini Kundak has alleged that there was a plan to use the visit by Mallam Isah Yuguda to cause crisis and blame the former governor.

Kundak made this known while speaking with our reporter on telephone over what transpired in Bauchi last Saturday when police barricaded the road leading to Yuguda’s house and prevented people from having access to the house.

He said that all security agencies have been notified about the governor’s coming back to the state last Thursday after his 18 months absence on medical trip outside the country.

He said that a detachment of 10 mobile policemen were provided to escort the for-

mer governor to Bauchi where he came to meet his family, friends and associates.

Kundak however alleged that to their surprise, the state police commissioner informed their team that they should not come as there was security threat.

He however said that the former governor arrived the state and went straight to his house amidst his supporters without an incidence, but police were sent to barricade the road to the house overnight allegedly on the orders of the state police commissioner.

“Does the police commissioner because of his selfish interest and to serve other people’s interest placed the former governor and the police team sent to protect him by the Inspector General of Police under house arrest?

Or did he do what he did to rubbish the IG who sent the team to escort the former

governor,” he queried .

He added that the phantom security threat was concocted to prevent the former governor from coming to the state which he said was viewed as threat by some people in the present administration.

The former governor’s aide maintained that the house belonging to the former governor was also not sealed by the EFCC as it is being reported by the media as there are people living in the house including the former governor’s wife.

He added that the former governor was initially billed to travel to Katagum to condole the families of late state PDP chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro-Yaro who died some months ago.

Yuguda has also planned to visit Misau and other places to condole families who lost their loved ones and felicitate with others.

Kundak however said

that the former governor decided to leave for Abuja in order to avert anything that may jeopardise the peace being enjoyed in the State.

It could be recalled that prior to the coming of the former governor, Mallam Isah Yuguda to Bauchi last Thursday, the state government issued a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government , Alhaji Bello Shehu Illelah banning political rallies and processions.

The state police command in a separate statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Haruna Mohammed reiterated the ban placed by the state government.

However, in a reaction earlier, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Comrade Sabo Mohammed denied the involvement of the state government over what transpired during the planned return of the former governor.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Page

19 SON boss seeks improved collaboration of border agencies 20

Our reforms ‘ll ease pensioners’ hardship –Buhari

24

MAN lists policy imperatives for economic recovery

Telecoms sector contributes N1.399trn to GDP in Q3 Ben Umuteme ABUJA

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he telecommunications sector contributed N 1,399 billion or 8.0 per cent to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, in the third quarter of 2016. This is, however a 1.8 per cent decrease relative to the second quarter.

The National Bureau of Statistics in its Nigeria Telecommunications (services) third quarter report noted that after the 2010 to 2014 decline, growth had since picked up.

Although growth in the telecommunications sector remained positive, in contrast with the economy as a whole, year on year growth nevertheless dropped in real terms from 1.5% in the previous quarter to 0.9%, the lowest rate since 2011 Q3 subscribers as of September 2016 The total number of subscribers was 153,271,581 with MTN accounting for the highest number of subscribers with 60,558,569 followed by Globacom with 36,967,712 subscribers and Airtel and Etisalat having 32,775,916 and 22,534,800 subscribers respectively.

The yearly increase in total subscriber numbers was 1.73%; this was an increase compared to the yearly growth rate of 0.69% at the end of the previous quarter.

However, from the end of the second quarter of 2015, until the same period in 2016, the year on year growth rate had declined consistently, from 12.05% to 0.69%.

The report noted that Mobile subscribers using GSM dominate, and accounted for 99.72% of the total in September 2016, followed by CDMA with 0.18% of the total, whist fixed wired and wireless make up 0.08% and

0.02% respectively.

CDMA used accounted for subscribers in the telecoms sector. Out of a total of 276.304 users, Visafone and Multilinks accounted for 271,844 and 4,460 subscribers respectively. This accounted for a year-on-year fall of 86.47%; a larger decline than in the previous quarter.

The number of fixed wireless subscribers also recorded a large decline, of 31.87% compared to the previous quarter and 53.68% year on year.

Since September 2015, the number of fixed wireless subscribers has fallen in every month, from 66,319 to 30,716 in September 2016, which represents a year on year fall of 53.68%.

Compared to subscribers

with other technology types, the number of fixed wired line subscribers remained stable.

There were 127,564 subscribers in September 2016, 1.68% more than the 125,452 subscribers recorded at the end of the previous quarter, and 1.84% more than the 125,254 subscribers recorded in September 2015.

There was significant variation in the movement of number of subscribers with each of the four providers of this technology type. 21st Century accounted for the highest number of subscribers of 103,883 in September 2016, MTN had 8,591 subscribers while Globacom had 12,503 subscribers on it Fixed wired network with IpNX accounting for 2,587 subscribers.

According to the report, a total of 93,554,076 or 61.21 per cent had an internet subscription with one of the four carriers of Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and MTN in September 2016.

This proportion had been increasing throughout 2014 and 2015, but this trend has reversed, and throughout 2016 the proportion has declined fairly consistently.

In spite of a decline in MTN internet subscription, it still accounted for the highest number of internet subscribers. Data from the report showed that of the 93,554,076, MTN accounted for 33,771.259 while Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom accounted for 18,832238, 15,062650 and 26,887929 respectively.

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

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

From left: Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, retired Col. Hameed Ali; Chairman, Joint Tax Board/Chief Executive of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Tunde Fowler; and Secretary of the Board, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, at the 136th Meeting of the Joint Tax Board in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: JONES BAMIDELE/NAN

FG, IFC partners on $40m automated truck terminals Udo Onyeka

A

22

S part of measures to facilitate unhindered movements of goods from the nation’s seaports to various destinations nationwide, the Federal Government has sealed $40 million partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank, to build automated truck terminals.Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, who made this known at the weekend, ex-

plained that the project would be through the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and NSC. According to the NSC boss, the project would be delivered through the National Freight Information and Transportation Hub (NAFITH), which is a Jordanian Logistics Service Consultant to IFC. He also dislcosed that the Lagos State Government and other interested stakeholders are also part of the project expected to take about 18 months be completed.

Bello said that the project which will address the Apapa gridlock will be operated

electronically, adding that “IFC, through NAFITH, did the study on behalf of NSC for the government, but also has contribution from Lagos State Government” “It will take 18 months to complete the projects, and they will come in stages, getting the land took four months, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC),” he said.

He also disclosed that the project which is on the basis of Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) would be carried out through expression of interest.

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

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

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Business News

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SON boss seeks improved collaboration among border agencies Abolaji Adebayo

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he Director General and Chief executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Osita Aboloma, has called on all agencies in charge of borders to strengthen their collaboration in their fight against importation and smuggling of substandard goods into the country.

Addressing the agencies including Customs, NAFDAC, NDLEA, and others at both Idiroko and Seme borders yesterday, Aboloma said the synergy would safeguard the nation’s economy as well as the wellbeing of the Nigerian citizens.

He reminded the agencies that they were all working for the government and the Nigerians helping the economy to grow by flushing out fake and substandard products out the country.

While appreciating the NCS for collaborating with the SON and other agencies at the bor-

ders and allowing them to do their jobs, the DG said the agencies needed to do away with inter-agency rivalry and work as a team to achieve the common goal of building the nation.

Aboloma charged them to be more dutiful as the economy of the country is now at its recucle stage, moving from one product to many products through diversification.

He said: “The goal and focus of all of us remain the same.

We are all working for government and our aim is to protect economy and wellbeing of Nigerians. Our responsibility must be higher now, we must always checkmate whatever comes into Nigeria now. If we allow any substandard products into our country, they will ruin our economy without remedy.”

Meanwhile, Aboloma noted that all the agencies concerned together with the NCS have been trying to keep the country and the economy safe by working together to prevent influx of

FG rues concessionaires’ monopolistic tendencies at ports Francis Ezem

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ore than 10 years after the port reforms, the Nigerian Shippers Council, economic regulator for the seaports, has warned that government cannot afford to replace public monopoly with private monopoly.

Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, who spoke against the background of the monopolistic tendencies of some of the concessionaires, noted that the true essence of the port reform, which was to eliminate public monopoly as represented by NPA in line with measures to engender competition would have been lost.

According to him, if the concessionaires are truly competiting among themselves, there would not have been any need for them to come under the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria STOAN. He noted that Nigeria’s port terminals must improve on their level of efficiency, which would partly be brought about by competition among them and their peers within the West and Central African sub region.

He said: “It is good for them to be in competition because when there is competition, we will have a perfect market. Competition will increase efficiency, reduce cost of obtaining port services just like what we have in the telecommunications sector”.

“One of the quarrels I have with terminal operators in Ni-

geria is the lack of competition among them. Nigeria’s ports must improve on their efficiency, they must be competitive.

We cannot dispense with public monopoly and now have private monopoly. So that is a very serious area we would have to look at”, Bello added.

He disclosed that in most meetings he held with the terminal operators, he always posed it to them that he was looking forward to the day he would see them advertise their products and services, which will bring about a perfect market.

fake products.

He said other sister agencies of SON were also ambassador of quality and must not compromise quality in all products.

He admonished them to always do the right thing to make the

synergy a worthwhile, charging them to let the change mantra start from them.

However, the Deputy Comptroller at Idiroko Border, DC Muhammed Gaginyo, lamented that the deplorable road net-

Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, Captain Jari Olubunmi Williams (left), presenting a free flight ticket to the first winner of MMA2 mobile application promo, Ms. Anuoluwapo Olopade, in Lagos recently.

Business journalists seek improved funding for NBS Ben Umuteme ABUJA

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usiness journalists have called on the Federal Government to improve funding to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. This was the position of journalists at the end of a two-day sensitization workshop by the NBS held in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

In a communique made available to National Mirror, participants noted that in order to build a fully integrated national statistical data up through the 2017-2020 National data statistics nervous system, there was need for the Bureau to establish well computerized statistics departments in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, at all levels of govern-

Filipino entrepreneurs to empower 10, 000 Anambra indigenes Gloria Anaeze ONITSHA

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he Royal Business Club International, an industry leading Filipino entrepreneurs, said it was poised to empower over ten thousand people of the state in a month through its spectrum of Federal, Department, Agency (FDA)-approved health, wellness and beauty products.

The company, which says it has food supplements that could cure cancer, diabetes, among other chronic diseases, added that it was determined to mitigate poverty and joblessness in Anambra State.

Disclosing this while open-

works that linked Idiroko border to Ogun State had been discouraging importers and exporters from trading through Idiroko border and as such affecting their work and revenue generation.

ing a branch of the enterprise in the state, the Vice President-Marketing, Royal Business Club, Michael Tan, enumerated some of their brands to include, food supplements, body detoxifiers, beauty, beverages, iron, sugar/blood lowering condiments, etc.

Tan, who called on people to join the network, avowed that they were ready to train, retrain and empower everyone wishing to join the team to reach out to the nooks and crannies of the country with their products and message.

The Nigerian Representative of the company, Emmanuel Omebili, while maintaining that their products could cure all internal and

external diseases when used as specified, said it would equally enrich the marketer/ distributor financially and otherwise with little or no efforts.

Earlier, the Managing Director, Ocheigbo Global Resources Nig. Ltd., Kenneth Okonkwo, who introduced the company into Anambra State, said the business was of immense financial beneficial for both the jobless and the employed.

Okonkwo, who is also, MD/ Suprintendent General of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) disclosed that their body nourishers, detoxifiers, and others were affordable and marketable even from sellers’ homes.

ment.

“Specifically, participants believe that in furtherance of the technology driven processes of the bureau’s activities adequate funding should be committed to ICT and manpower development including sponsorship of relevant officers for overseas training and exposures where necessary,” they said.

Participants also canvassed the need for MDAs at all tiers of government to support the NBS by making available vital data that could help achieve the sustainable development goals.

Meanwhile, media practitioners have advised the Statistics agency that as it seeks to broaden the scope of its surveys, it should make the media a strong ally in its quest to enhance Nigeria’s statistical system.

According to the participants, “In order to empower journalists better in understanding the technicalities involved in data gathering, processing, interpretation and reporting, the workshop should be sustained yearly.”

This is even as they urged the “the media should, in recognition of its critical roles in national development strengthen its existing relationship with the NBS through effective, timely and fact based reportage of the agency’s activities and programmes.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bank stocks gain $300bn in 25 days of post-Trump election

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ptimism is higher than ever on a group of stocks that have specialized in disappointment.

Already in November, the value of American financial firms has been inflated by more than $300 billion, the most ever for the group as it benefits from optimism over Donald Trump’s presidential plans. Dealers are charging next to nothing for protective options and short sales are being covered in droves -- all for stocks that have punished bulls every time comparable bouts of euphoria took hold since 1990.

The catalyst is Trump, whose election, according to Macquarie Group Ltd. analyst David Konrad, will usher in a “new world order” for the industry, raising trading, dismantling regulation and boosting rates.

With investors gripped by what Evercore ISI’s Glenn Schorr called a return of “animal spirits,” skeptics wonder who’s left to buy.

“You have to become more cautious,” said Daniel Genter, who oversees about $4.2 billion as chief executive officer at Los Angeles-based RNC Genter Capital Management. “Don’t buy into excess strength.”

Before Monday, that’s advice few investors have been heeding. In options, the price of puts for the biggest financial ETF has collapsed relative to calls this month, with a spread known

Trump

as skew reaching a one-year low, three-month contracts compiled

by Bloomberg show. Short interest on the ETF slumped to about 1 percent from almost 5 percent.

Banks fell Monday amid speculation Trump’s meetings with John Allison, former BB&T Corp. chief executive officer, and Paul Atkins, former SEC commissioner, suggest lenders may be subject to higher capital requirements.

The S&P 500 financials index slid 0.8 percent at 1:42 p.m. in New York after rising on all but one day since the election.

While Atkins and Allison may not be job candidates and may simply be advising Trump, both are libertarians who would push for “dramatic” changes in financial regulation, according to Brian Gardner, an analyst at Keefe

Bruyette & Woods. Jaret Seiberg at Cowen & Co. said the meetings signal the “rise” of conservative think tanks.

Trump “seems to continue to seriously entertain individuals who see big banks as undercapitalized,” Seiberg wrote in a Monday note to clients. “And to us, that represents a threat to the biggest banks.”

In the past, returns in bank shares have been poor when demand was this elevated. Three times since 1990 when the market cap of the S&P 500 Financials Index increased by more than $200 billion, the result was pain, with the gauge down about 8 percent three months later, data compiled

by Bloomberg show.

The latest reversal was in January. After embracing financial stocks in the last months of 2015 with bets that higher interest rates would stoke an earnings renaissance, bank bulls found themselves saddled with losses as the Federal Reserve’s first hike in almost a decade sparked concern over an economic recession. The financial gauge jumped 5.4 percent in the fourth quarter, only to slide a similar amount three months later.

Banks and insurers had jumped 12 percent since Trump’s victory through Friday, almost double the next best performer in the S&P 500. At 1.3 times book value, the group was valued at a multiple that’s 60 percent above its five-year average.

Maersk, DONG Energy in talks over $10bn oil merger

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enmark’s A.P. MollerMaersk and DONG Energy are in talks to merge their oil and gas operations in a deal that would create a business worth more than $10 billion including debt, sources familiar with the matter said.

Maersk is working with Bank of America on the potential deal, while JP Morgan is assisting Dong Energy, said the people, who cautioned there is

Thorning-Schmidt

Global Business

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

no certainty the parties would come to terms. Maersk said in September it planned to merge or spin-off its energy assets as part of a major restructuring and instead focus on its core transport and logistics businesses.

DONG Energy said this month it was putting its oil and gas assets up for sale, as it wants to shift away from fossil fuels toward offshore wind.

Some analysts have said, however, that it could be hard to find buyers, with many other energy companies also putting assets up for sale due to low oil prices.

“The only thing that would make sense is a complete merger of their businesses,”, said one of the sources, who asked not to be names because the deliberations are private.

A spokesman for DONG said: “We are in the very early stages of the sales process. There will be no sale before the end of the year and it is far too early to speculate over timing and indeed potential buyers.”

Maersk, Bank of America, JP

Morgan declined to comment.

Maersk held talks last year on possibly buying DONG Energy’s oil and gas business, but the companies failed to agree on a price, Bloomberg reported in September.

Maersk Oil has suffered a series of setbacks, first and foremost when Qatar chose not to extend its 25-year license to operate the giant Al Shaheen field.

DONG Energy Chief Executive Henrik Poulsen said this month the company was “still in a very early stage of exploring market interest, but it is our impression that there is interest in an asset of this kind.”

DONG has said cash flow at its oil and gas business breaks even at $35 per barrel. It has been producing 89,000 barrels of oil and gas per day this year, down from 115,000 barrels of oil and gas daily last year.

Maersk has previously held talks about buying a large part of the North Sea portfolio that Shell is looking to sell as part of a divestment plan.

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Consumer, finance stocks weigh down U.S indices

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.S. stocks were lower in early afternoon trading on Monday, weighed down by financial and consumer discretionary stocks, as some investors cashed in following a record-setting week.

The three major U.S. indexes closed higher for the third week in a row on Friday, with the S&P 500 notching its seventh record close since Nov. 8.

Oil prices gained more than 2 percent in volatile trading, recouping early losses, as the market reacted to the shaky prospect of major OPEC producers being able to agree output cuts at a meeting on Wednesday.

[O/R] U.S. stocks have soared since Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election as investors expect his plans to boost infrastructure spending, cut corporate taxes and reduce regulation to benefit the economy.

Up to Friday’s close, the S&P 500 had jumped 3.4 percent since Nov. 8, while the small-cap Russell 2000 soared 11.9 percent.

“U.S. stocks have soared since the election. At this point, it would be perfectly normal to see the market pull back a bit to digest the very strong move,” said Adam Sarhan, chief executive at 50 Park Investments.

ANNE

“Technically, the market is very overbought and just about everyone out there, including the strongest bulls, want to see a nice orderly consolidation.”

At 12:42 p.m. ET (1742 GMT) the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 28.02 points, or 0.15 percent, at 19,124.12.

The S&P 500 .SPX was down 4.82 points, or 0.22 percent, at 2,208.53 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC was down 11.14 points, or 0.21 percent, at 5,387.78.

Six of the 11 major S&P sectors were lower, with the financial index .SPSY leading the decliners with a 0.94 percent fall.

Wells Fargo and Bank of America were down about 1.5 percent and were among the biggest drags on the S&P.

Turkmenistan launches railway to Afghanistan to boost exports

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urkmenistan opened a railway link to Afghanistan on Monday to boost exports of fuel as the gas-rich but cash-strapped nation seeks to ease its dependence on China and Russia.

The former Soviet republic mostly exports natural gas and its revenues have dwindled after Moscow, once the main buyer, halted purchases this year, leading to a shortage of foreign currency in the isolated desert nation.

The volume of gas sales to China, the current main buyer,

Qasimi

is limited by pipeline capacity.

The Turkmen part of the 88-kilometre link ends at the Ymamnazar customs control point where Turkmenistan has built an oil product terminal with an annual capacity of 540,000 tonnes.

It was unclear by what percentage the rail link and the terminal could increase Turkmen fuel exports, because Ashgabat does not publish any data on physical volumes of such sales.

Turkmenistan produces about 10 million tonnes of oil a year, most of which it refines domestically, and oil products account for about 10 percent of total Turkmen exports. That share could increase as the country, unable to sell large quantities of natural gas, processes it into liquid fuels.

On the Afghan side, the link goes to the Aqina dry port in the Faryab province, but there are plans to extend it further. The Turkmen government said in a statement the railway would become part of longer link that would eventually connect landlocked Central Asia to China and Southeast Asia.

22 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Commerce & Industry

MAN lists policy imperatives for economic recovery nomic recession, stating that there are ways out the situation if the government would yield the solutions.

Highlighting the strategic solutions to he Manufacturers Association of the challenges, the President of the AsNigeria, MAN, has reiterated its concern over the lingering eco- sociation, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who regretted that despite attempts made to prevent

Stories: Abolaji Adebayo

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L-R: Head, Publications and Conferences, FirstBank, Oze K.Oze; Marketing Services Manager, FBN Holdings Plc, Tunde Lawanson; 2nd place Winner and student of Sacred Heart College, Apapa, Udeaja Nneoma; 1st place winner and student of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Abiodun Ifeoluwa; 3rd place winner and student of Good Shepherd Comprehensive High School, Lagos, Gbenjo Olasubomi; and Head, Media and External Relations, FirstBank, Babatunde Lasaki at the prize presentation ceremony of the 16th Nigerian Stock Exchange Essay Competition in Lagos.

SON, NAF partner to set standards for military equipment

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he Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has concluded its plan to enter into agreement with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, on quality assurance of all products deployed for the use of the army force, which hence forth has to be checkmated by the agency.

Speaking at the meeting of both parties to deliberate on the proposed partnership at the SON Head Office in Lagos over the weekend, the Director, Provisioning, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Patrick Eze, who led the Army delegate to the SON’s office, said the NAF was trying to comply with the Federal Government’s policy on internal sourcing of materials, and had to be sure that all items used by Nigeria Army meet standards both nationally and internationally.

He maintained that it was pertinent for NAF to partner with SON to ascertain the standards of all items including the uniform, shoes and weapons, saying for instance, if the weapons used by the armed forces are of low quality, it would affect them and the security of the whole nation.

He said: “As the Federal Government continues to emphasise on the patronage of local industries, Nigerian Army is also set to comply with that policy. And as Nigerian Army Ordinance corps, we are in charge of all items received into the Nigerian Army Descentary and we must ensure that all the items received meet up with not only Army standard but also international and local standard.

“That is why we have come to collaborate with SON being the expert to ensure that all items used by the army forces are of high quality so that they do not pose unnecessary danger if they lack the required quality.”

The Armed Forces Delegate disclosed that the partnership with SON, NAFDAC and others was highly necessary since the NAF does not have technology to determine the quality of the items include weapons received, saying that the contractors would only bring them sample and the items would be supplied.

It urged the agency to, as a matter of urgency, set up laboratories within the army environment for update test of such items.

However, the Director General of SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma, said the agency had standards for the military already, only they were not directed to army, adding that there are established standards for all military items including their uniforms, shoes, socks and their weapons, which needed to be reviewed.

Aboloma, who said standards were life and life document which was not supposed to be static, informed that the two parties would set up a committee that would look into what could be produced locally and set standards for the locally produced items and those imported especially meant for the army.

He explained further that the committee would review the established standards for the military to be abreast of modern innovations.

it the Nigerian economy unfortunately ended in recession, said all efforts should be geared toward reviving the economy at this critical time.

While noting that government was doing a lot to improve the situation, the industrialist however, pointed out that there were lots to be done from the angle of the manufacturing sector to reverse the recessionary trend of the economy.

Specifically, he explained that efforts to increase non-oil revenue should be pursued vigorously through the underlisted strategies as key among other measures being pursued by the government to improve the performance of the nation’s economy.

According to him, the industrial sector, especially the manufacturing sub-sector, should be strengthened by removing all obstacles restraining the growth and competitiveness of the sector such as the indiscriminate changes in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) which changed as many as four times between 2014 and July 2016, with its distorting effects on the economy; the exclusion of 41 items, some of which are essential raw materials, from the official forex market as well as failure to synchronize monetary and fiscal policy actions.

Jacobs explained that this would enable the sector to be optimally productive and play its expected role of employment

generation, capital mobilisation, wealth creation and technology acquisition.

He noted further that reduction of the MPR, and by implication, other rates such as refinancing and bank lending rates, as the inflationary situation in the economy may not be purely a monetary phenomenon, but could also be a result of output gap created in the real sector; creation of special funding windows for the manufacturing sector, in view of its longterm gestation period, should be given serious consideration. This is in addition to the existing Bank of Industry which, at any rate, is under-funded.

Jacobs urged the government to encourage export of manufactured and other non-oil products as a way of boosting foreign exchange earnings for the country as well as activate automatic stabilizers especially for the industrial/ manufacturing sector.

He canvassed the need for urgent review of the Export Expansion Grant, EEG, which has been going on since 2014 in order to make the incentive available to exporters as a way of encouraging export; allowing the payment of import duties and Company Income Tax, CIT, with the existing Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate, NDCC. He pointed out that development of support infrastructure was urgently needed so as to facilitate the country’s industrialisation efforts.

Northern States, GE sign MoU on 500mw solar power projects

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he Northern States Governors’ Forum and the General Electric International have signed a Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, for the construction of five solar plants targeting at generating 500 megawatts of electricity in some parts of Northern Nigeria to boost economy.

Borno State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima on Monday signed the agreement on behalf of the Governors while General Electric’s Senior Executive, Western Europe and Africa, Mr. Armand Pineda and the President/Chief Executive Officer, General Electric, Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo signed on behalf of their company.

Based on the MoU, the General Electric, which has 120 years experience in power generation, is to build five solar power plants to be located in Borno, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger and Taraba States with each of the plants expected to generate 100 megawatts of electricity totaling 500 megawatts across the five states.

The project is to stimulate economic activities and social services in the states through boosting agricultural food processing, small scale businesses in addition to supplying electricity to schools and hospitals.

The pilot project is being coordinated

by the Northern Nigeria Global Economic Re-integration Programme, newly created by the Northern Governors to serve as vehicle for the economic recovery of northern states through international relations on infrastructure, manufacturing, stimulate agricultural value chain and trade and make the region a global payer agricultural export in line with the vision of late Premier of the Region.

The forum led by Governor Kashim Shettima, engaged the services of Malam Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi as Chief Executive Officer of the Programme. Kurfi was Chief Economic Adviser to late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua with wide contact with leading development companies and financial institutions across the world.

“The 19 Governors of the north jointly created this approach. We want to go beyond lamentation to provide solutions and we all know that power is key to industrial development. With power, we can create jobs, stimulate our economies and make life better for our people. The General Electric has over 120 years experience in energy solutions and they have been operating in Nigeria for over 50 years, we cannot have a better partner than GE. We shall do our part as Governors, this I will assure you. We are deeply committed to this agreement”, Shetima said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Commerce & Industry

23

Ogun reads riot act to economic saboteurs Stories: Abolaji Adebayo

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he Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal, has disclosed that the State Government would not hesitate to sanction saboteurs jeopardising the efforts of gov-

ernment at boosting Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from its forest reserves.

Lawal gave the warning while interacting with sand evacuators at Alakala Communal Zone of Ipake Forest Reserve in Yewa South Local Government Area of the State.

He warned the sand evacuators to

desist from encroaching into the forest reserve, adding that they should keep to the terms of their contract with government and avoid going beyond the demarcated areas.

“We do not intend to melt down our action on anybody except the economic saboteurs who deliberately encroach on government reserves to make their money, we are urging them to immediately desist from that action before government clamp down on them,” he warned.

The Commissioner also cautioned cocoa farmers at Area J4 to desist from destroying state’s economic trees planted

in the reserves and if tampered should replace them with cocoa trees with immediate effect.

He explained that the State government had been magnanimous enough to allow Taungya farming in its forest reserves, saying that farmers should not abuse the privilege given to them through wanton destruction of economic trees and illegal activities in the State reserves.

He said the State government was striving to revamp the depleted reserves and would not hesitate to deal decisively

Customers get N50m prize in Indomie “You Like No Other” promo Saidat Alausa

I L-R Company Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Odusola; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage; Vice-Chairman, Mr John O’Keffe and Non Executive Director, Mr. Bismark Rewane all of Guinness Nigeria Plc at the 66th Annual General Meeting of the company which held at the Flamingo Hall of the Best Western Hotel, Benin, Edo state, recently.

Dangote to establish 250,000tpa rice mill in Kano

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angote Group of Companies has finalized plans to establish a 250,000 tonnes per annum capacity rice mill in Kano to process all the rice harvested from the three states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Kano.

The Executive Director of the Dangote Group, Hajiya Halima Dangote, who dropped the hint at the Dangote Day at the 37th Kano Trade Fair, said the group’s fertilizer project, the largest in Sub-Sahara Africa, with a capacity of 2.8 million tonnes per annum would be commissioned by the end of next year.

She informed that the company has already commenced rice production through an extensive out grower programme in Jigawa State, which would be replicated in Zamfara, Sokoto and some other states, making it expedient for the Group to establish a large scale rice mill in Kano.

She said the Dangote Group was deeply committed to partner with both the Federal and the Kano State Government to explore the tremendous opportunities in agriculture, mining and infrastructure, which were clearly open for the group to enhance.

She said, ‘’You are already aware of the recent reopening of our Flour Mill here in Kano, as well as the ongoing tomato processing project, which would have been fully operational by now, but for the tomato disease, which affected the production last season, couple with some technical problems at the factory, as we are currently working very hard to resolve these problems and resume operation.’’

On the current economic recession, she pointed out that Dangote Group was not in any way discouraged by the present difficulties, rather, it viewed them as challenges that the country would overcome, “as such, Dangote Group will not only remain a permanent participant at the Kano Trade Fair, but a participant, whose footprint at the fair would continue to expand.”

ndomie Instant Noodles has announced that its “You Like No Other” promo which kicked-off in October had led to the reward of 500 lucky customers with a cash prize of N50 million even as it promised that more customers will continue to win gift prizes in the on-going promo.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said the promo, which was organised to celebrate and reward consumers for their loyalty, had enjoyed an unprecedented participation from consumers across the country with hundreds of gift prize winners emerging since the promo commenced.

He explained: “We planned to give out prizes worth over N600m in the “You Like No Other” promo, amongst whom 500 consumers are expected to walk home with a cash prize of N50m

(N100,000 each). As I speak to you, I am delighted to announce that in less than 2 months into the promo the sum of N50m has already been disbursed to these lucky winners.

“The promo will run till the end of the year and we look forward to seeing more winners walk home with other gift items” Ashiwaju added.

Explaining the modality of the promo, he said onsumers were required to simply cut out the unique character in front of any Indomie special pack and once they collect any 20 different characters they win an instant indomitable carton.

According to him, those being rewarded with cash prizes are those who collected up to 50 different unique characters.

The company’s spokesperson urged consumers not to relent, as the promo which is ongoing till December seeks to celebrate the uniqueness in everyone, and promises to reward many more consumers with gift prizes such as delicious Indomitable cartons.

AfDB approves $939.4m country strategy paper for Rwanda

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he African Development Bank, AfDB, will support Rwanda’s economic transformation by boosting inclusive private sector-led growth and creating higher value-added formal employment with an indicative financing package estimated at $939.4 million over a five-year period.

This support package is contained in the Bank’s 2017-2021 Country Strategy Paper, CSP, for Rwanda, which will guide the Bank’s operations in the country during the next five years, approved by its Board of Directors on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

While commending Rwanda’s remarkable socio-economic progress over the last 16 years during which period real GDP growth has averaged 7.9 per cent, the Board noted that economic transformation has been slow as growth continues to be generated mainly by low value added and low productivity. As a result, there is a need to adjust Rwanda’s current economic model and implement policies and measures to accelerate the economic transformation process.

Thus, to adequately address Rwanda’s overarching development challenge, the CSP focuses on improving the enabling environment for private sector development, with a focus on the agriculture sector. The CSP is articulated around two complementary pillars: Investing in energy and water infrastructure to enable inclusive and green growth; and Developing skills to promote high value added economic activities and economic transformation.

Under the first pillar, the Bank’s assistance would focus on reducing the cost of doing business to further enhance the enabling environment for private investment and economic transformation through improved access to affordable and reliable energy and water supply and sanitation.

The Bank’s assistance under the second pillar would support Rwanda in accelerating economic transformation through the development of skills that promote high value added economic activities. Support under both pillars is consistent with the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (2013-2018) and

the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy 2013-2022; the High 5 priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The Bank’s assistance from the private sector window will be complementary to its support from the public sector window,” the CSP sated, adding that the Bank would also give priority to increasing private investments through intensifying its efforts as a convener, connector and catalyst and use of innovative financing instruments.

Its non-lending support, including policy advice, would continue to be demandled, ensure complementarity with the lending program and remain selective to effectively inform country policy dialogue, the Government’s investment choices and the Bank Group and other development partners programming options.

To maximize the development impact of the strategy, the Bank would introduce several innovations and scale-up its support to accelerate Rwanda’s economic transformation process through private sector-led, spatially balanced inclusive economic growth.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Our reforms ‘ll ease pensioners’ hardship –Buhari Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration’s reforms would ensure that Nigerians who spent the productive years of their lives serving the nation would not experience difficulties in getting their pensions.

Buhari spoke at a meeting with the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor at the Presidential Villa, Monday.

According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari directed a speedy completion of the ongoing nationwide verification of pensioners.

NSITF, NECA seal pact on injured workers’ compensation Olufemi Adeosun ABUJA

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he Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) have entered into pact on items that constitute payroll of enrollees into the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).

Director-General of NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, said the need for a revision of payment of workers’ one percent of payroll by employers informed the setting up of a joint committee whose work culminated into an agreed term for the definition of the payroll and mode of deduction.

Oshinowo said the products of the committee’s work formed the basis for the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the two organizations.

According to him that the MoU clearly spells out the items that constitute payroll with pension, special allowances

exempted from the list.

The NECA boss noted that the new MoU that was signed by NECA and NSITF in Lagos last week, provided clarity of definition as far as items that constitute what a payroll is within an organization.

He added: “It is difficult to run a scheme where controversies would dogged the implementation because the stakeholders are not on the same page on the terms and references that are contained in the law.

“We believe that the MoU would benefit the workers that the scheme is meant for at the end of the day and as employers we have to support that. We appreciate the fact that payroll is a generic concept because the context of payroll will differ from company to company.”

The NECA boss hinted that the signed document would be sent to all employers in the country before the end of the year to enable them plan for 2017 expenditure.

The NECA chief cautioned employers against flouting the newly agreed definition of payroll in the payment of the one percent required by the ECA. The Acting Managing Director of NSITF, Ismail Agaka, lauded NECA for playing a supportive role since the commencement of the ECA. Speaking in Lagos at the NSITF-NECA Safe Workplace Intervention Project (SWIP) 2016 and problem solving clinic on the ECA 2010, Agaka said over 51, 000 employers had registered with the scheme and about 6,004,015 employees had been covered.

He explained that if those registered were matched with the number of employers and employees in the country, the coverage is still considered very low with a lot more work is required to be done in order to extend the coverage.

The President stressed that the exercise was necessary because the success of the administration’s goal of putting in place an efficient pension scheme hinged on the availability of a reliable database.

In a presentation to the President, Ikeazor said the PTAD management was determined to restore dignity to pensioners by protecting their funds and paying their entitlements promptly.

The Executive Secretary also said that in line with the anti-corruption posture of the current administration, the PTAD has put measures in place to ensure accountability, compliance with regulations and zero-tolerance for corruption.

Buhari

UBA Deputy GMD bags Alma Mata association’s award

A

s a mark of recognition for outstanding performance and hard work, the Deputy Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), and Chairman of UBA Pensions Custodians Limited, Mr. Victor Osadolor, was at the weekend given an award by the Edo College Old Boys Association, ECOBA, Lagos Chapter for distinguishing himself in the banking profession.

The recognition of Osadolor’s excellent performance as a reputable banker who has worked very hard in the banking profession for over 27 years, was conferred on him by ECOBA, Lagos Chapter during the 2016 annual dinner organised by the association last Saturday in Lagos.

Receiving the award, Osadolor commended the association for the recognition and promised to work harder than before in ensuring a more robust banking sector and effective service for the development of UBA Plc. On the other hand, he stated that his status in life and his profession was made possible through the discipline he had as a student in his alma mater.

Osadolor attended Edo College, Benin City between 1977 and 1982, and holds a second class (Upper Division) BSc (Hons.) degree in Accounting from the University of Benin. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme, and an honorary life member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Agaka

Until his appointment as the deputy group managing director, Osadolor served as group director, Heirs Holdings Limited between 2013 and 2015. Prior to this, he was at different times between 2012 and 2014, the chief operating officer for corporate and investment banking as well as the chief strategist for Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lome, Togo.

The chairman of the ceremony who is also a member of ECOBA, Ambassador Vincent Okobi, expressed his satisfaction that the institution hadproduced many notable Nigerians, who have excelled in various professions, and have contributed in no small measure to the development of the country.

He noted further that the exemplary conduct of Osadolor was worthy of emulation, and therefore charged students of the school to work hard like him and other old students who have distinguished themselves in various professions.

Similarly, the association’s Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Godwin Ize Iyamu, said the body’s annual dinner was used as a platform where old boys are brought together with their families to share ideas on how to work with the national association, to give back to the school in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and to reward brilliant students through ECOBA’s education fund.

Other recipients of the awards include Rev. (Dr.) John U. Aire, who received a life achievement award and Mr. Obichukwu Olloh, who received the old boy of the year award.

FirstBank advocates entrepreneurial training in schools Udo Onyeka

C

onsistent with its commitment to drive sustainable economic growth in the country and in tandem with the trend shift to bud more young entrepreneurs globally, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has called for the inclusion of entrepreneurial training in school curriculum.

The Bank, which joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2016 Global Entre-

preneurship Week (GEW) - an initiative that celebrates the contribution and passion of entrepreneurs who bring ideas to life, drive growth and contribute significantly to expand human welfare, has made several initiatives and interventions to celebrate the pivotal role played by entrepreneurs in driving economic growth in the country.

The bank’s Group Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the bank as a respon-

sible corporate citizen would continue to foster partnerships that build sustainable businesses.

“Recognising that entrepreneurs are at the heart of national development, contributing greatly to the gross domestic product of our country, we remain focused on empowering entrepreneurs towards capacity building and development to contribute to the growth of our economy in providing employment to people, adding to our GDP and repositioning the national economy

for sustained growth.

“That’s why we serve as enablers providing the relevant platforms for entrepreneurs particularly in the MSME/SME space to exchange ideas and acquire knowledge to thrive through all seasons and we are imploring government at all levels to start the introduction of entrepreneurial training in Schools curriculum as this has the capacity to build more employers of labour and reduce the unemployment gap among the your graduates”, she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Johnson Okanlawon

T

he Nigerian equities market began the week on a negative trend as bourse shed 0.06 per cent of its main index and value.

The index and market capitalization closed at 25,318.41 basis points and N8.716 trillion respectively.

The NSE All Share Index and all sector indices closed in red save for NSE Banking Index, NSE Islamic Lotus Index and NSE Main Board which trended up while NSE Alternative Securities Market remained flat.

Shares of Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, FCMB Plc

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Equities open week negative, index dips 0.06% and FBN Holdings Plc were the toast of investors as they traded 69.80 per cent of entire market volume an 26.42 per cent of the value. Volume of traded stood at 202.432 million while value recorded N1.616 billion.

The Oil and Gas sector closed the day lower with a 0.3 per cent daily return, driven by bearish trading in counters such as Forte Oil and Oando, while the Consumer, Industrial Goods, as well as the Financial Services sectors traded flat.

Analysts at United Capital noted that following an extended period of bearish trading patterns, there may be mixed trading today.

“We expect sentiment to be mixed in tomorrow’s trading session, albeit with a bullish undertone as investors are likely to begin the hunt for bargains in badly beaten counter,” the firm said.

The market breadth closed in favour of decliners as eight stocks appreciated lower than 15 of Friday, while 22 stocks

declined higher than 19 of previous trading day.

Mobil Nigeria Plc top the gainers table with N5.00 kobo to close at N219.41 kobo. It was followed by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc with N0.38 kobo to close at N21.89 kobo and Ecoban Transnational Incorporated Plc with a gain of N0.30 kobo to close at N9.80 kobo. While National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) Plc and Eterna Plc gain of N0.16 kobo and N0.13 kobo per share respectively to close at N7.00 kobo and N2.98

MTN opens share listing discussions with SEC Udo Onyeka

WITH AGENCY REPORT

S

outh Africa’s telecom group, MTN, is currently discussing with Nigeria’s capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, on a possible initial public offering and how to structure the share sale.

SEC Director General, Mounir Gwarzo, was quoted by Reuters as saying that the telecommunications company has discussed the possibility of issuing various classes of shares to targeted investor groups, adding that the telecom firm was looking at three different classes, which would be new in Nigeria.

According to him, the commission was willing

to support the share sale as long as it was within local laws.

Gwarzo, however, said the company was yet to submit a formal application for the share sale, advised the telecom firm to ensure retail investors were protected.

MTN is the largest mobile phone operator in Nigeria with 57 million subscribers, and the country accounts for about a third of its revenue.

Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator MTN Group has said it aims to listing its Nigerian unit during 2017, subject to market conditions, part of an agreement with the Nigerian government.

In June the telecom company said it would list its local unit on the Nige-

rian Stock Exchange after agreeing to pay a reduced fine of $1.7 billion in a settlement with the Nigerian government over unregistered SIM cards.

MTN Nigeria has appointed Stanbic IBTC Capital, Standard Bank of South Africa and Standard Advisory London, and Citigroup Global Markets, as joint transaction advisors and global coordinators, with Stanbic acting as lead issuer.

Meanwhile, the group is planning to expand in Iran, from where it has only just managed to begin repatriating profits.

The move is part of MTN’s 10-year plan to cement its leading position in risky but lucrative frontier markets in the Middle East and Africa, where it

aggressively expanded a decade ago.

But setbacks in Nigeria have knocked MTN’s share price and drawn sharper scrutiny of its hunt for returns in politically unstable and economically fragile markets.

“We’re very excited about Iran and the possibilities there,” MTN’s newly appointed head of strategy, mergers and acquisitions, Stephen van Coller, said in an interview with Reuters. “That digital economy in Iran is going to move fast.”

The company had been unable to repatriate its accumulated dividends until recently. It said in October it had started receiving the cash and this process would take at least six months.

Asian stocks mixed ahead of OPEC meeting

A

sian stock markets were mixed Monday after oil prices slid on unease about this week’s meeting of OPEC member to discuss possible output cuts.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced 0.9 percent to 22,926.19 and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.5 percent to 3,280.77. Seoul’s Kospi added 0.4 percent to 1,982.73 and benchmarks in New Zealand, Singapore and Bangkok also rose. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.1 percent to 18,356.89 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 sank 0.8 percent to 5,464.40. Manila and Jakarta also fell.

Stocks hit fresh records in a shortened trading session Friday as investors bet on a pickup in economic growth

25

and rising corporate profits.

Utilities rose the most, up 1.4 percent and small-company stocks outpaced the market.

Investors anticipate Presidentelect Donald Trump will taxes, reduce regulations and spend more on infrastructure, helping economic growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 68.96 points, or 0.4 percent, to 19,152.14. The S&P 500 climbed 8.63 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,213.35. The Nasdaq composite added 18.24 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,398.92. The Russell 2000 index, which has surged 16 percent since Nov. 3, increased for the 15th day in a row, its longest winning streak since early 1996.

Major oil producers meet Wednesday to discuss production cuts to shore up prices,

but Iran and Iraq have failed to agree to a reduction, raising jitters about the Vienna meeting’s outcome. OPEC’s top producer, Saudi Arabia, has suggested it might be open to no output cut, departing from previous statements in a move analysts suggested made an agreement this week less likely.

The Saudis also pulled out of a meeting with Russia and other large non-OPEC producers, leaving all decisions to the Vienna meeting.

The latest developments suggest “cartel members may fail to agree on production cuts,” said Nicholas Teo of KGI in a report. “This game of brinkmanship will continue to the very end.” Teo said Trump’s win of the presidency could change market condi-

tions due to his support for U.S. shale oil, which would add to global supply, exerting more downward pressure on prices.

“Still, it is one thing to believe in any cuts that may be announced, and another to expect the cartel members to actually conform to their quotas.”

Benchmark U.S. crude gained fell 9 cents to $45.95 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract plunged $1.90 on Friday to close at $46.06.

Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 6 cents to $48.18 per barrel in London. It dropped $1.78 the previous session to $48.24.

The dollar declined to 112.15 yen from Friday’s 113.25. The euro gained to $1.0648 from $1.0593. (Source – wtop.com)

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 39,007.40 points Market capitalisation 13.04 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

IKEJAHOTEL

0.63

0.69

0.06

9.52

REDSTAREX

4.40

4.62

0.22

5.00

CUSTODYINS

2.55

2.67

0.12

4.71

CONTINSURE

1.02

1.06

0.04

3.92

VITAFOAM

4.00

4.12

0.12

3.00

LIVESTOCK

3.13

3.20

0.07

2.24

UTC

0.50

0.51

0.01

2.00

ASHAKACEM

19.70

20.00

0.30

1.52

BERGER

10.00

10.15

0.15

1.50

FLOURMILL

68.00

69.00

1.00

1.47

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NAHCO

5.24

4.86

-0.38

-7.25

FCMB

4.30

3.99

-0.31

-7.21

13.30

12.65

-0.65

-4.89

COURTVILLE

0.63

0.60

-0.03

-4.76

WAPIC

0.84

0.80

-0.04

-4.76

ABCTRANS

0.88

0.84

-0.04

-4.55

MAYBAKER

1.82

1.74

-0.08

-4.40

SKYEBANK

3.46

3.32

-0.14

-4.05

ROYALEX

0.57

0.55

-0.02

-3.51

STERLNBANK

2.30

2.24

-0.06

-2.61

NASCON

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

32,888.90

11.60

24-Oct-13

182-Day

30,000.00

12.09

24-Oct-13

364-Day

31,385.00

13.27

24-Oct-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

164-Day

47,176.65

12.30

24-Oct-13

161-Day

47,662.59

12.30

24-Oct-13

136-Day

13,500.00

12.10

24-Oct-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$296m

23-Oct-13

$300m

N/A

$299m

21-Oct-13

26

Features

Tuesday, November 29 , 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Curbing desertification in Nigeria

Johnson Eyiangho

E

nvironmentalists opine that the revised national report of the United Nations, which estimates that the country is currently losing about 351,000 hectares of its landmass to desert conditions annually, is worrisome.

According to the report, desert conditions are also estimated to be advancing southwards of the country at the rate of about 0.6 kilometre per year.

A former Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, had previously expressed worry about a report in 2014 which indicated that 43.3 per cent of the total land area in the country was prone to desertification.

She said the frontline states were facing greatest hazards with attendant destruction of farmlands and livelihood in affected communities.

The most affected states Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe.

Similarly, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, recently expressed concern about what she described as ``unprecedented rate of deforestation and forest degradation.’’

The minister said this arose from intensive logging of timber for export and fuel wood extraction for domestic energy use purposes.

She explained that apart from wood extraction, there were other non-environmental human activities, including indiscriminate bush burning, mass land clearing for agriculture and urban expansion among others. ``Many states now see the forest as the main source of revenue generation and yet, little or nothing is being ploughed back for the forestry development,’’ she said.

The minister noted that the activities of timber merchants, including foreigners, who engaged in some illegal deals, were not also helping matters. ``The forestry sector is also challenged by outdated policies and regulations, inadequate manpower and low capacity for enforcement at the various levels of governments,’’ she said.

In the light of this challenge, governments at the federal and state levels in the country have taken a number of measures to protect the forest and its biodiversity.

For instance, the Kogi Government recently banned illegal felling of economic trees and

An affected area

It is worrisome to see plants cultivated ‘to arrest desertification left to wither; these plants eventually dry up for lack of proper maintenance and result in desertification trading in sand in the state.

The government insisted that the increasing rate of deforestation and degradation of forest and soil reserve in the state could no longer be tolerated as government places high priority on the issue of environment.

Similarly, the Ogun State Government has cautioned against illegal felling of trees to checkmate the excesses and illegal activities of some loggers.

Observers, therefore, urge other states to follow suit in banning illegal felling of tress to protect the forest and environment.

In addition to this, both the federal and states governments have set up a number of national parks and forest reserves across the country.

The parks and reserves are protected areas meant to conserve the environment, plants and animals.

Some of the national parks are in the Chad Basin in Borno and Yobe, Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, Sambisa Game Reserve, Kainji Lake, Borgu Game Reserve and Zugurma Game Reserve.

Others are Kamuku in Kaduna State, Okomu in Edo and part of the Okomu Forest Reserve, Old Oyo in Oyo State and Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, among others.

Apart from these measures, Nigeria has keyed into the Great

Green Wall (GGW) programme initiated by the African Union to create a greenbelt at the southern edge of the Sahara desert.

The implementation of the programme began in the 11 frontline states in 2014 with the objective of improving resilience of human and natural systems in areas faced with climate change.

The programme has so far produced five million assorted forest and fruit tree seedlings, established 415km shelterbelt, 135 hectares of community woodlots, 235 community orchards and 138 hectares vegetable gardens in the affected states.

It has provided 157 solar and wind powered boreholes to ameliorate the impact of drought in the areas while it also engages and trains 400 youths as forest guards.

To ensure the effectiveness of GGW programme, the Federal Government has announced plan to move its operational office to Kano State.

The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, announced the movement recently at an event to mark the 2016 World Desertification Day at Jansa Village in Babura Local Government of Jigawa.

Mohammed said the measure was aimed at repositioning and strengthening the programme to achieve its objectives.

She also said that the move-

’

ment was to facilitate easy contact with its operational environment and maximise its impact on the eleven affected states.

These initiatives notwithstanding, concerned Nigerians insist that consistent influx of migrants from neighbouring countries has resulted in over grazing and continuous exploitation of marginal lands.

According to them, this development has in turn aggravated the twin problems of drought and desertification and it should be checked.

They noted that some villages and major access roads in Borno, Jigawa, Katsina State, Sokoto State and Yobe have been taken over by sand dunes.

In the light of this, Mr. Feyisetan Okunola, an environmentalist in Osogbo, Osun, suggested that the GGW project should be a major focus of all stakeholders.

He urged the Minister of Environment to convince the federal government to adequately meet up with its counterpart funding of the project. ``Another option is for the ministry to utilise the area of supplementary budget to fund major projects that have direct bearing with the lives of Nigerians as far the environment is concerned. ``It is worrisome to see plants

cultivated to arrest desertification left to wither; these plants eventually dry up for lack of proper maintenance and result in desertification,’’ he noted.

He also advised the ministry to embark on adequate sensitisation programme for host communities who should also be involved in tree planting by providing enough tree seedlings to support the government’s drive to ameliorate their plight. ``Now that the rainy season has come, the ministry should make deliberate effort to identify with communities ravaged by desert encroachment by planting trees to keep the GGW project alive. ``If the ministry can plant at least 1, 000 kilometre trees out of the estimated 1,500 kilometre trees to be covered by the project, it will be a major achievement in fighting desertification,’’ he observed.

However, a non-governmental organisation - Fighting Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) has been working to bring public attention to the problem of desertification in Nigeria.

Dr. Newton Jibunoh, a retired soil engineer who started this group in 2000, observes that desert encroachment could cause widespread hunger.

To prevent this, he said he had led a delegation to some African countries, including Nigeria, to discuss the dangers of losing farmlands.

Analysts, therefore, call on Nigerians to support the implementation of the GGW, observing that it has the potential of reducing poverty and stopping desertification.

•Culled from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

27

Fostering support for anti-graft war

Philip Yatai

T

ransparency International categorised Nigeria as the 136th among Corruption Perception Index in 2015 out of 168 countries it investigated.

Analysts note that the rating calls for urgent need to deploy all necessary measures to stem the tide of corruption in the country by making public institutions more accountable and transparent.

They observe the time to do that is now when the country has an administration that is interested in the fight against corruption.

They observed that the current trials of highly placed suspected corrupt public officials in various courts of law have given credence to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration doggedness in the war against corruption.

They, nonetheless, call on Nigerians to view the anti-graft war as a national crusade and join the war to effectively wipe out corruption.

At a recent Town Hall Meeting in Kaduna to engender citizen participation in the anti-graft war, stakeholders also admitted that the current anti-corruption war would achieve little unless without the support of the public.

Organised by Cleen Foundation, a non-governmental organsation, the meeting noted that Nigerians’ support remained cardinal spectators to the success of anti-graft war.

Mr. Oluwole Ojewale, Senior Programme Officer, Research and Strategy Development of the foundation, advised that the war should also be extended to the states and local government authorities.

According to him, corruption thrives in the operation of joint account between states and local government councils.

He noted further that lack of transparency in procurement and award of contracts aided corruption at the state and local government levels. ``Lack of monitoring in budgeting process and implementation, absence of data due to poor record keeping culture in ministries, departments and agencies are also strong factors that have aided corruption at the lower levels of governments. ``Thus citizens’ engagement becomes pivotal for an open and transparent system of governance,’’ the official said.

He, therefore, said that citizens must be enlightened and encouraged to claim a space in the fight against corruption at the states and local governments by demanding accountability.

He explained that the town hall meeting was organised to build the capacity of community members and key stakeholders at the state and local government levels to fully participate

Ibrahim Magu and EFCC officials

in the anti-graft war. ``Such meeting provides a platform for information sharing on the negative effects of corruption on the nation’s socio-economic and political space and the necessary steps that must be adopted to win the war. ``Similar meeting would be held in Rivers, Benue and Lagos State to make Nigerians more aware of corruption and its negative effects,’’ Ojewale said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mrs. Mary Cole of the Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, noted that the fight against corruption required the collective determination of the citizenry.

He said that the failure of many governments to draw the community, civil society and the private sector actively into anti-corruption campaigns was among other factors responsible for the failures of national initiatives to tackle corruption.

According to her, citizens engagement will empower local voices, increase institutional responsiveness, build a new democratic space for citizens engagement and ensure better budget utilisation and service delivery.

In his view, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, the North West Zonal Coordinator of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, attributed the impediment on the fight against corruption to lack of support

‘

by Nigerians.

He said that Nigerians must view the ongoing fight against corruption as a national war that must be supported by all to succeed.

He attributed the impediment to the fight against corruption to lack of will and commitment by Nigerians.

Adigun observed that Nigerians had yet to see the fight against corruption as a national issue, adding that until it is seen as such, not much would be achieved. ``People are expected to report corrupt cases to prosecuting agencies to investigate and brought corrupt persons to book, but we don’t get much from the public. ``They only report cases that affect them directly, but if it does not affect them, they pay a blind eye and keep mute. ``People do not write petitions on corrupt issues, they are not ready to volunteer information and are not ready to testify. How do we win the war with this kind of attitude?’’, he said.

Adigun also frowned at complaints by some Nigerians that the current administration’s fight against corruption was politically motivated and selective. ``The question we should ask is whether or not the people facing trials for corrupt cases actually committed the crime they were held for; corruption is corruption and it must

The government must

improve the capacity of our various law enforcement agencies in the area of investigation of corrupt cases

’

be dealt with,’’ he noted.

However, the Kaduna Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Sherif Ndasule, said that government must provide adequate machinery to strengthen justice delivery system to ensure maximum result in the war against corruption.

He observed that the trials of highly placed politicians and public office holders had changed the perception of Nigerians that Nigerian law only applied to low class citizens.

He called on the public to support the government in the fight to project better future for the country.

He also called on government to consider establishing a special crime court to handle cases of corruption and other related crimes.

According to him, such step will go a long way in ensuring speedy trial of corrupt cases and squarely tackle corruption.

Describing corruption as endemic, he solicited the review of the appropriate law to include compulsory forfeiture of illicit wealth of convicted corrupt persons. ``The government must improve the capacity of our various law enforcement agencies in the area of investigation of corrupt cases. ``On our part, if the association is committed to the war against corruption it will ensure that lawyers adhere to the code of ethics of the profession in the discharge of their duties,’’ he added.

All in all, participants at the meeting insist that the citizenry and civil society organisations must work closely with anti-graft agencies to ensure the success of anti-corruption war.

•Culled from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

28

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Biometric has reduced crime in Calabar–Effiom Richard Ndoma CALABAR

T

he chairman of the association of tricycle operators in Cross River State, Dr. Joesph Ewa Effiom, has said

that the biometric registration exercise which was conducted by the state’s Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, this year has drastically reduced the level of crime in the state.

Effiom made the remark while

We’ll make law for the teaching of French, Spanish, others –CRHA Speaker Richard Ndoma CALABAR

T

he Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly has reiterated the state House of Assembly`s commitment to make legislation that will create room for the teaching or learning of one international languages in public schools.

The legislation, when it becomes fully operational, would make it possible for primary school pupils to learn one major international language.

Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, John Gaul Lebo, made the remark while fielding questions from journalists shortly after listening to the presentation made before the state House of Assembly by a Nigerian US-based developmental economist, Mr. Princewill Odidi, titled “How to legislate in times of recession”.

Gaul stated that the inclusion of an international languague in the school curriculum would place young graduates who para-adventure decides to go outside Nigeria to seek greener pasture advantage.

“One of the priorities that the legislature will do is to first of all introduce compulsorily one international language like French or Spanish to be taught at least at the primary school level, so that smart people can make exploit”.

The Speaker stated that even though French is already being taught at the University of Calabar and the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH, the House of Assembly had made a move

for the conduct of integrity test on private schools in the state to ascertain if what they were teaching the pupil in school were in tandem with the state primary school education`s curriculum.

The lawmaker maintained that he was aghast when the House of Assembly committee failed to participate in an international conferences held outside the country because they could not find an interpreter who could translate deliberations of the meeting from French to English.

“We had a conference there and members were asked to talk on economic cooperation, and it was written in French; we had no option than to look for an interpreter, by the time the interpreter came, the date of the conference had passed,” he said.

He said that some participants at the conference came with all their documents written in French.

“They even had the media free trade zone who came with them; all the people and facilitators that came for the conference were all French and they came with interpreters to get thing done”.

The Speaker advocated for the teaching of French to make Nigeria integrate with the economy of French-speaking countries which share common boundaries with it.

“You cannot force people from Equitorial Guinea to speak English but it is easier for our people to speak French and go right there,” the Speaker maintained.

On the reason why French should be introduced in schools, he said the countries had trade agreements with Nigeria, hence the need for economic integration.

fielding questions from journalists after receiving an award of excellence from the South South zone Institute of Human and Natural Resources in Calabar.

Effiom stated that the biometric registration which captured the images of all operators of the industry had curbed the incidence of theft, kidnapping and abduction of criminals linked with tricycle operators.

Effiom who spoke on the topic reducing criminality among operators of tricycle in Nigeria lauded the VIO for the exercise and advocated the replication of the bio-data image capturing exercise in all the states of the federation.

Speaking while using Cross River State as a case study, he said, “When the biometric image capturing was being introduced by the State Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, in Cross River, we thought it was an av-

enue by the VIO to witch-hunt the operators and extort money from us, little did we know that the exercise was going to yield better fruits.”

He said that what the VIO did in Cross River State was genuine, adding that it was a lofty exercise worthy of emulation by other states of the nation.

He stressed that with the operators’ image capturing exercise conducted by the VIO and kept in a data bank, reported cases and complaints of theft perpetrated by operators of the industry had drastically reduced.

“Even the bad eggs intending to commit havoc are now aware of the fact that any attempt to steal from a commuter, can easily be detected via the aid of the biometric registration code number kept at the data bank,” he said.

Effiom maintained that with the biometric registration, inci-

dences of dubious keke riders running away with commuters’ luggage were no longer on the increase as compared to those days when there was nothing like biometric image capturing.

“With the data, operators can no longer transfer their tricycle ownership to another person or give it out to their friends to go and steal. If they do so, such a person will stand the risk of being apprehended for prosecution because of the biometric registration code numbers issued to all operators in the city”.

He said that the biometric registration had made it impossible for operators of the industry to transfer even their driving license to another rider to operate.

He added that any operator who gives out his tricycle to an unauthorized rider to operate is taking a risk.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd) (R), presents a special souvenir to the visiting Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I.E. Ibas, during a courtesy call, at the Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

Group urges NDDC to encourage entrepreneurship, infrastructure dev Elo Edremoda WARRI

Y

outh entrepreneurship, infrastructural development, as well as tackling abandoned projects, are part of the agenda set for the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, the South South Reawakening Group (SSRG) charged the board to, in line with the federal government’s anti-corruption war, put an end to the various infractions such as, “contract splitting, processing fees, point and kill/facilitation

fees,” embedded in the system.

Describing the board as “a good omen for the region going by the pedigree of persons whom are round pegs in round holes,” the statement which was signed by the group’s Convener, Joseph Ambakederimo, stressed the need for confidence in the NDDC. Citing several anomalies experienced during the period of previous boards, the group expressed hope for better negotiation and transaction tables.

“We are looking towards the days of old when NDDC contract award letters are equivalent to “cash” at

hand. Presently, it is seen that many people are cut off or denied access to projects as a result of scrapping of APG. The commission is now seen as in existence for only the elite and those who can secure bank loans.

Even for those who can secure loans to execute these projects it has become a nightmare getting payments to repay these loans and at the end of the day they are defaulting in loan repayment because of delay in payments for interim payment certificates,” the statement reads in part.

The group also appealed to the federal government to release an

estimated N900 billion owed the commission, as such an amount, if judiciously used, would foster development and urged international oil companies to “ensure the statutory 3% of their operating budget is released as at when due.”

The statement further reads: “The NDDC should benefit from the ecological fund and the contributions from the states should all be brought under the revenue template of the NDDC. The board should scrape all the money they could find and put in the region. It is our opinion that the board should revisit the commissioned master plan and do

an appraisal and adopt the master plan as the working document for the region. The issue of abandoned projects is another nightmare that is hanging over the commission and it is high time the commission tackles it frontally to ensure all abandoned projects are completed.

“In all of these, the issue of human capital development and youth entrepreneurship should be the cardinal focus of the commission and should seriously be considered a format developed to be used to grow a pool of manpower in various fields of endeavour.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

29

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

C’River begins recruitment for own security Richard Ndoma CALABAR

C

ross River State government has began massive recruitment of personnel into its security outfit, Homeland Security, to help in fighting of crime in the state.

According to a press statement issued yesterday in Calabar by Mr. Christian Ita, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Pro-

fessor Ben Ayade, made available to National Mirror in Calabar, said the recruitment exercise was being done in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force.

The Homeland Security was recently set up after Governor Ayade signed into law, a bill passed by the State House of Assembly for its establishment.

The recruitment into the security outfit is coming at a time preparations for the 2016 Carnival Calabar

are in top gear.

“To be eligible for enlistment into the outfit, an applicant must be at least 6ft tall and a holder of a university degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND),” the statement reads in part.

It is expected that at least 3000 young persons will be enlisted.

A non-arm bearing organisation, the key function of the Cross River State Homeland Security is informa-

tion gathering, which is expected to ensure a more effective policing of the state by Nigerian Police Force.

Speaking on the outfit recently, Ayade said: “The Cross River State Homeland Security is a complete departure from what is the tradition.

“It will, however, include but not limited to issues like providing intelligence, profiling of visitors coming in and out, doing neighborhood

check, neighborhood watch. It will also assist in furnishing Police and other security agencies with information on who comes in and out of the state by providing intelligence data to Police. It will be no-arm bearing.”

Already, the state has purchased hundreds of cars fitted with state-ofthe art communication gadgets in preparation for its official inauguration.

Delta moves to recover N1bn FGCBN loan –Commissioner

T

he Delta State Government on Monday said it had engaged a consultant to recover the N1 billion loan issued to farmers under the Federal Government/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) in 2012.

Chief Austin Chikezie, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources disclosed this at the 2016 ministerial briefing in Asaba.

He said that the consultant who was engaged barely two months ago, had so far recovered about N20 million.

According to him, the state benefited from the 2012 FG-CBN commercial agriculture loan of N1billion.

“The state government has two months ago engaged a consultant to ensure full recovery of the loan.

“So, the state government has resolved that all loan beneficiaries must pay back their loans for sustainability,’’ the commissioner said.

Chikezie said that the ministry had in the last one year and half made vital contributions in the areas of food productions and jobs creation.

He said that government had also given directives for the ministry to boost production of cane rat (grass cutter) and goat in the state.

Chikezie announced that 250 farmers would benefit from 220,000 improved oil palm seedlings being raised for distribution.

“Government has approved the sum of N51 million to boost all season rice farming and to address all the phases of rice value chain; production, processing and marketing.

“In line with government intervention, 5,000 youths have been engaged in fish farming and consequently, annual fish production in the state has rising from 15,273 metric tonnes in 2008 to 24,413 meretricious tonnes in 2016,’’ the commissioner said.

On the CBN anchored borrowers scheme, Chikezie said that about 30,000 farmers were registered across the selected enterprises of cassava, oil palm, rice and fisheries.

“However, only about 4,000 farmers have been fully accredited and approved by the CBN to participate in the first phase of the programme,’’ he said.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd; Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr. Timipre Seipulo; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Capt. (NN) Suona-Obiate Offor and SSA to the Deputy Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dressman Same, at the press conference of Monthly Transparency Initiative Press Briefing at the Government House Yenagoa, recently.

Why I marked my birthday with prisoners–Olumba Richard Ndoma CALABAR

T

he Sole Spiritual Head, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Olumba Olumba Obu, yesterday gave reasons why he chose to mark his birthday with prison inmates.

Obu who spoke through the spokesman for the Olumba Obu`s Organisation, Archbishop Princely

Ugwa Ibeabuchi, said his initiative to mark his birthday with the underprivileged was to let the less-privileged have a sense of belonging so that they would know that they were still an integral part of the society.

In a post birthday interview with newsmen, Obu said that he decided to celebrate his birthday with the downtrodden given the fact that all men on earth were human beings who were created in God`s image.

He said that the marking of his birthday, particularly with the prison inmates, was to give hope to the under-privileged whose hope had been lost.

He said that even though the prison inmates might have been incarcerated for committing grevious offences they still needed to be given some care and concern, adding that the orphans were the ones who needed concern most.

NSCDC moves to enhance peace between farmers/herdsmen in Edo

T

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has commenced sensitisation of Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Edo, as part of proactive measures to prevent conflict.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Benito Eze, said during the event on Monday that they must adopt dialogue to settle any misunderstanding.

Eze told the herdsmen to report to the appropriate authorities any issue that arose in the course of carrying out their legitimate businesses, rather than resorting to violence.

According to him, the NSCDC had established a special unit to promptly intervene in cases involving farmers and herdsmen.

The commandant expressed happiness that there had been no report of any clash between herdsmen and farmers in the

state.

He assured that the corps would also engage farmers to promote peaceful coexistence in the state.

Eze blamed reports of clashes in some parts of country to communication breakdown, and advised all stakeholders to meet regularly to engender mutual trust and understanding.

“To prevent this, we have established the Agro-Allied unit in the 18 Local Government Areas o the state, just like we have same unit in the state command.

“The reason for this, is to provide a platform for anyone who has any reason to be aggrieved to complain, and this complaint will be attended to with dispatch.

“Like the farmers, the herdsmen are hardworking and law abiding citizens, which account for the reason why they spend so much time raising their cattle to maturity.

“We are all one, we have lived together and can still live together.

“Before the discovery of oil, we had always lived together.

Our problem is that of communication barriers, and we will smoothen that out,” he stated.

Speaking at the occasion, the

Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Mohammed Susam, commeded the NSCDC for the initiative.

“There is no problem that is insurmountable, only if the people resolve to work things out,” he said.

Similarly, state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breed-

ers Association, Alhaji Sa’adus Abubakar, said they were ready to ensure the sustenance of existing peace with farmers in the state.

Abubakar said the Fulanis would continue to push for peace, progress and development of Edo.

Auchi: FRSC prosecutes 30 traffic offenders in November

T

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it prosecuted no fewer than 30 traffic offenders in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo in November.

Mr. Moses Bature, the FRSC Auchi Unit Commander, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi on Monday.

Bature said that the prosecutions were carried out in different locations through the mobile court.

“In the month of November, the

command apprehended 30 traffic offenders with 27 convicted while three were discharged.

“We will continue to go to the roads for daily patrol to ensure enforcement so that when we arrest one, it will serve as deterrent to others,” he said.

The Auchi Unit Commander said that motorists were still overloading their vehicles and violating traffic rules.

He said that the unit had intensified enforcement on overloading and speeding, especially in these ember

months.

“Nobody should overload his vehicle, if you are loading your vehicle, you ensure you load the number of passengers your vehicle is supposed to carry.

“Because overloading can impose danger on the lives of people on the road, when you overload it is difficult for the drivers to control their steering,” he said.

He, however, urged the commercial drivers to obey traffic rules, avoid overloading and ensure that their tyres were in good condition before embarking on any trip.

30

Features

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Facebook, fake news and the meaning of truth

W

hat is the most important source of news and therefore the most powerful media organisation in the world today?

Well, there is a good argument that the answer is not a newspaper or broadcasting organisation but a social network, Facebook.

After all, it has 1.6 billion users and is becoming an ever more important place for them to share news. More than 40% of the population of the United States say they get news on Facebook - and for many it is where they go to share and comment on stories.

Stories like this - “Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President”, “Barack Obama Admits He Was Born in Kenya”, or “Trump said in 1998 ‘If I were to run, I’d run as a Republican. They’re the dumbest group of voters in the country’.”

What all of those stories had in common was that they were completely made up. That did not stop them being shared by millions of Facebook users.

Whoever created this torrent of untruth probably had two motives - to cause mischief and to make a large amount of cash through the adverts that are the lifeblood of Facebook and the businesses which live off what it describes as its ecosystem.

But they also succeeded in unleashing a debate about fake news and whether the internet, far from spreading enlightenment as its creators once hoped, was leaving us worse informed.

At first Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg appeared unwilling to engage with that debate, dismissing the idea that fake news could have swung the presidential election as “crazy”.

But it soon became clear that this position was untenable and that even inside Facebook there was plenty of agonising going on over its role in fakery.

Some days later Mr Zuckerberg took to - you’ve guessed it - Facebook to share some good news. “We’ve been working on this problem a long time and take this responsibility seriously,” he wrote.

Mr Zuckerberg detailed plans to identify untrue stories and, in his words, disrupt the economics of fake news by making sure that it did not benefit from advertising.

Of course Facebook is trying to apply a new technology solution to an age-old problem, hoping it can come up with an algorithm which will sift truth from falsehood.

We used to think that was a job for editors, so maybe journalists need to take a long hard look at their own profession before being too sniffy about the ethics of social media firms. “ about China But Mr Zuckerberg’s change of heart seemed to show that he now realises he is an extremely powerful editor - and that with this

Zuckerberg

erhaps the social network could take ‘ Pinspiration from Google News, which in October started attaching a “fact check” label to dubious stories and linking to trusted sites that debunked them - all achieved by algorithm comes weighty responsibilities as well as huge power.

But earlier this week up popped a story in my Facebook feed. “Facebook worked on special software so it could potentially accommodate censorship demands in China,” it said.

Surely fake, I thought - would a company dedicated to truth really be developing a tool which would allow the Chinese authorities to suppress it? But then I saw the report was from the venerable New York Times and Facebook was not denying it, merely saying that it was “spending time understanding and learning more” about China.

We know that Mr Zuckerberg does have a deep interest in China - he has been learning Mandarin after all.

And Facebook is not alone among Western technology firms in wrestling with the dilemma of wanting access to this lucrative market while holding on to some of their values of free expression.

The same can be said of a few media organisations - 20 years ago Rupert Murdoch opted not to publish a book critical of China at a time when his satellite TV empire was trying to expand there.

I am not entirely sure that Mark Zuckerberg would like the comparison, but in many ways he is shaping up to be the Murdoch of the next 20 years. A global media tycoon, with great sway over

how we understand our world.

And one with commercial incentives to shape the news to suit all sorts of different views of what is truth and what is fake.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has promised the social network will take action over fake news appearing in its feeds, following complaints that the social network is deluged with fabricated posts.

In a post on his personal profile, he said he was “cautious” not to make Facebook an “arbiter of truth” but said the company was testing new tools to flag hoax content.

“Facebook’s algorithm prioritises the popular, it doesn’t know how to distinguish between real and not real,” said Kate Bevan, a technology writer and broadcaster.

“It doesn’t care about the quality of a page - if something looks convincing and people are sharing it, that gets prioritised.”

And many articles do look legitimate. Once stripped down into a basic headline and photograph for Facebook’s news feed, madeup articles look just as reputable as real ones.

Articles can appear in your feed if shared by friends, but posts from pages your friends have “liked” also appear and Facebook’s algorithm makes some of its own recommendations.

Those recommendations in-

’

clude false headlines such as “Shocker: Donald Trump President-Elect Was Born In Pakistan!” and “Yoko Ono: I Had An Affair With Hillary Clinton”.

Fake news runs deeper than the news feed. Facebook’s algorithm has failed to prevent fabricated stories appearing in its “trending stories” section, while its live video tool has also been used for bogus broadcasts.

“Social media is still pretty new, but we’re really seeing the impact it’s having,” said Ms Bevan.

“People trust authority, and these things masquerade as authoritative. It looks legitimate and people trust what they read.

It clearly can have an impact on how people think.”

Mr Zuckerberg says only a “small amount” of content on Facebook is hoax news and puts the figure at less than 1% “across the whole system”.

Whether that figure includes misleading memes - such as made-up quotes from politicians, shared as a photo - is not clear.

But he accepts people may see more fake material in their news feed “depending on which pages you personally follow and who your friends are”.

Perhaps the social network could take inspiration from Google News, which in October started attaching a “fact check”

label to dubious stories and linking to trusted sites that debunked them - all achieved by algorithm.

Facebook has already experimented with human editors for its trending stories section, although its human moderators were accused of favouring liberal-leaning stories over pro-Trump material.

The site eventually sacked its human editors, instead relying solely on an algorithm to determine which stories were shown to be “trending”.

Mr Zuckerberg says the company has “launched work enabling our community to flag hoaxes and fake news”, but warns that such tools could be abused by people wishing to discredit opposing political views.

“Facebook has handed over responsibility to an algorithm, but it requires a lot of work,” said Ms Bevan.

“It could prioritise authoritative sources such as the Financial Times or Washington Post, but then you have the question of how to define authority. It would be a huge project for Facebook and hard for them to do it in a way that they won’t be accused of bias.”

Should Facebook take control?

Some argue that Facebook’s problem with fake news cannot be solved until the company is prepared to accept it is - in part a modern day publisher of news.

“Not sure you can keep up the denial here,” Matt Navarra of The Next Web wrote on Mark Zuckerberg’s post. “You need to accept the power and influence Facebook has and use independent editors to deal with the issues here.”

Mr Zuckerberg replied saying news and media were “not the primary things people do on Facebook”.

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Formerly known and addressed as DAVID JULIANAH CHRISTYTI, DAVID JULIANAH CHRISTIANAH, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID JULIANAH CHRISTITINE. All former documents remain valid.

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ASANGA: I, formerly known as MICHEAL UDOFIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ASANGA MICHEAL UDOFIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

31

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

ISREAL: I, formerly known as ISREAL NDUKA ISAKPA OGELENYA, now wish to be known and addressed as OGELENYA JOHN NDUKA All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OYEKAN: I, formerly known as MISS OYEKAN ADEJOKE TINUADE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BADERO ADEJOKE TINUADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Known And Addressed As Bagbansoro Temitope Omolola, Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As Ojugbele Halimat Omolola. All Former Documents Remain Valid. The General Public Should Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KALU GRACE AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as GRACE KALU ORJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OLAREWAJU OLABISI SIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED ROFIAT OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. The public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UDOCHUKWU PEACE AMAEFULA, now wish to be known and addressed as GOODIE PAJOEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I ,Formerly known and addressed as OKO JOSEPH CHUKWU and OKO IDAM CHUKWU, Now wish to be known and addressed as. OKO JOSEPH IDAM all former documents remain valid, general public to please take note.

Formerly Miss Feyibumi Elizabeth Mayowa Now Mrs Salami Elizabeth Mayowa.

All Former Documents Remain Valid, General Public Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Christianah Oluwafunmilayo now to be addressed as Mrs. Akolawole Olufunmilayo Ajayi.

All former documents remain valid, Ekiti state government and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Christianah Oluwafunmilayo now to be addressed as Mrs. Akolawole Olufunmilayo Ajayi.

All former documents remain valid, Ekiti state government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS.OMOJOLA WOSILAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS.OBALASE WOSILAT.All former documents remain valid.

Stanbic Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Known and addressed as Daniel Pamotel, now wish to be known and addressed as Daniel Paghamotei. All former documents remain valid.

GTBank and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Known and addressed as Oyekan Malili Adewale, now wish to be known and addressed as AJALA MALILI ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BELLO EKUNDAYO NURUDEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as BELLO OLATUNJI NURUDEEN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IDIAMOR : I, formerly known as IDIAMOH EVELYN, now wish to be known and addressed as OTEVWOGBIKU EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYEMI I, formerly known as MISS ADEYEMI ADEWUNMI GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MRS ADELAKUN ADEWUNMI GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR. OLAIYA TOSIN BOLUWATIFE now wish to be known and addressed as MR.OLAITAN TOYIN BOLUWATIFE. All former documents remain valid. general public take note. xxxxxxx CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Known and addressed as FERGUSON MERCY NKEDIUWANMA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKEOMA MERCY. All documents remain valid. FED. INLAND REVENUE SERVICE and PENSIONS TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT DIRECTORATE TAKE NOTE.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, Dahunsi Abiola Olawale is the same as Dahunsi Abiola mathew, now known and addressed as DAHUNSI ABIOLA OLAWALE. All former documents bearing any of the above names are mine and remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CHRITIANAH PETERS, now wish to be known and addressed as PETERS CHRISTIANA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

HAUWA: I, formerly known as HAUWA SAMSON ENWERE, now wish to be known and addressed asMRS HAUWA SUNKANMI BAMGBOYE All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BECKLEY I, formerly known as MRS BECKLEY OLANREWAJU ADUKE JUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUNWABECKLEY. OLAREWAJU ADEKE All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

32

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHINELO: I, formerly known as CHINELO PRINCESS OJADI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINELO TONIA OJADI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EJIWUNMI: I, formerly known as EJIWUNMI LAWAL KAMARDEEN OLAYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as QAMARDEEN LAWAL EJIWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AFOYONDE: Formerly known and addressed as AFOYONDE GBESEMAHAN ASOGBA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS.AFOYONDE GBESEMAHAN REBECCA All former documents remain valid. General public take note

TEMITOPE: I, formerly known as MISS TEMITOPE OMOTOSHO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. TAIWO TEMITOPE All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME My name was mistakenly written as EHIEDU GODWIN ANNA, instead of EHIEDU GODWIN CHUKWUEMEKE MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 16TH AUGUST 1984 NOT 6TH FEBRUARY 1983 now wish to be known and addressed as EHIEDU GODWIN CHUKWUEMEKE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IBIDUNNI: formerly known as IBIDUNNI OLAJUMOKE AJAYI and also addressed as IBIDUNNI OLAJUMOKE IGHODALO, now wish to be known and addressed as IBIDUNE ITUAH IGHODALO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLUSANYA: Formerly known and addressed as Titilope Abiodun OLUSANYA now wish to be known and addressed as Titilope Abiodun AKINOLA All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

EMEHELU: I, formerly known as MISS ONYINYE JANE EMEHELU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONYINYE JANE ONUMADUABUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ODU: I, formerly known as ODU ALBERT NDUM, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY ALBERT NDUM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SHUDUNKE: I, formerly known as SHUDUNKE ABIODUN GEORGE, now wish to be known and addressed as YINUSA GANIYU AFEEZ. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

MARIAM : Formerly known and addressed as Mariam Paula Nwanze now wish to be known and addressed as Maraim Ifechukwude Adigwe . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABUEH: Formerly known and addressed as Barilee Blessing Abueh now wish to be known and addressed as Barilee Blessing Idemudia . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME This to confirm that BALOGUN OLUBUNMI and RICHARD BALOGUN OLUBUNMI BOSEDE refer to one and same person. . All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This to confirm that AJAYI OLAPEJU and AJAYI OLAPEJU GIFT. refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person.

Banks and the general public take note

IBRAHEEM : I, formerly known as IBRAHEEM FATIMOH ABOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADAMO FATIMOH ABOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

MARIAM: Formerly known and addressed as Mariam Paula Nwanze now wish to be known and addressed as Maraim Ifechukwude Adigwe .

All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEAGBO: I, formerly known as OLUSEGUN ADEAGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI OLUSEGUN ADESINA ADEAGBO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AZEEZ: I, formerly known as AZEEZ MUKAILA OLALEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as IKUDAISI OLALEKAN MUKAILA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IMOH: I, formerly known as IMOH CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKECHUKWU CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NWAHIRI : I, formerly known as NWAHIRI ENYINNA BENEDICT , now wish to be known and addressed as NWAHIRI CHIEBUKA All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

EDET: I, formerly known as EDET EKPO JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as IMAOBONG EDEM JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RAJI: I, formerly known as RAJI LASISI ENESI, now wish to be known and addressed as RAJI ENESI DANIMOA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

RINLAYE: I, formerly known as RINLAYE ABIKE LIZZY , now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWARINLAYEMI ABIKE LIZZY 11, OLUWADARE STREET ALAGBADO LAGOS All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ALAUSA SAIDATI formerly known and addressed as Idowu Olawunmi Abosede Now wish to be called and addressed as Adeniran Olawunmi Abosede.

All former documents remain valid. General Public Take Note.

I, formerly known and addressed as YANLE ARNAUD MERCY now wish to be known and addressed as YANLE ARNAUD BLANCHARD. all former documents remain valid, financial institutions and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, KOLAWOLE OLUWAFEMI DADA MOSES and BENSON FEMI DADA MOSES is the same person as KOLAWOLE OLUWAFEMI DADA MOSES now wish to be known and addressed as KOLAWOLE OLUWAFEMI DADA MOSES. All former documents remain valid. Heritage Bank plc and general public take note.

BELLO: Formerly known as ALHAJI BELLO ISIAKA ADEMOLA now wish to be known and addressed as BELO ISIAQ ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

OGIDAN: I, formerly known as OGIDAN AKANNI AFEEZ , now wish to be known and addressed as OGIDAN ABDULAZEEZ. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNADE BOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as AYODELE ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly Known And Addressed As Miss Oduloye Adejoke Adedayo, Henceforth Wish To Be Known And Addressed As Mrs. Simbiat Adejoke Yahaya. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public, Please Take Note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as GODFIRST SEGUN SODIQ but my correct names are ADETUNJI SEGUN SODIQ. Union Bank and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OFFOR: I, formerly known as OFFOR GODWIN, now wish to be known and addressed as OBICHUKWU GODWIN JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY known as MISS OJO OLANIKE ABIOLA NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWAFEMI ABIOLA OLANIKE,ALSO MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 17TH JULY 1970.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as IFEOLUWA BABATUNDE OJO. Now wish to be known and addressed as OJO IFETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OWEIFE ANN WAREFINI-EREnow wish to be known and addressed as FOGHI WAREFINI-ERE ANN. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as HADIZA IDRISU now wish to be known and addressed as HADIZA SOWEMIMO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKPAN ANTHONY EDOM now wish to be known and addressed as ABUA ANTHONY EDOM. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ESTHER DICKSON now wish to be known and addressed as OWIE-ESTHER-IMADE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OMOLARA RASHIDAT RAHEEMnow wish to be known and addressed as OMOLARA TITILAYO AKINYEMI. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ESU GRACE IBOR now wish to be known and addressed as MBANG AGNES USANG. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EMEKA SIMEON now wish to be known and addressed as EMEKA PRINCE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

My correct names are Olorunshola Toluwalope Abosede not Babalola Abosede Tolulope. Date of birth is 10th October, 1992 not 20th September, 1992. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLAOYE OMOLOLA KEHINDE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBAYO OMOLOLA KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Odeleye Funmilola Dorcas is the same person bearing Alli Funmi. All documents bearing the names remain valid. First Bank, concern authorities and general public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/AGE DECLARATION

CHANGE OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as AWOLO SULEMAN. instead ofAWWAL SULAIMAN and age declaration 4-8-1972.

All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as WISDOM EVANS now wish to be known and addressed as WISDOM CHARLES ASUQUO. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

TRUSTEES: 1. OGWU CHARLES UCHE - PRESIDENT. 2: ADILIKE FESTUS

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: To promote Peace and unity among members.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED

OGWU CHARLES UCHE – PRESIDENT

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUSANYA : I Formerly known an d addressed as Titilope Abiodun OLUSANYA now wish to be known and addressed as Titilope Abiodun AKINOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUWASEUN : Formerly known and addressed as OLUWASEUN FLORENCE AGBEBIYI now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWASEUN FLORENCE WILSON - UMOREN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

AFOYONDE: Formerly known and addressed as AFOYONDE GBESEMAHAN ASOGBA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS.AFOYONDE GBESEMAHAN REBECCA All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

AGALA: I, formerly known as AGALA EJIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGALA EJIKE SUCCESS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BALOGUN: I, formerly known as BALOGUN TAWAKALIYU OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as BUSARI TAWAKALITU OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as FREEMAN ADAH ONOJA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONOJA SUNDAY. My correct date of birth is 16th May, 1983. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED MUFTAU HANNAFI, now wish to be known and addressed as HANNAFI MUFTAU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Aluko: Formerly known as Miss Aluko Blessing Olakiitan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abeleje Blessing Olakiitan, All former documents remain valid, NYSC and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known as Miss ALABI OLUWABUSAYO GRACE now wishes to be addressed as MRS ABORISADE OLUWABUSAYO GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YEKIN ROFIAT TUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWUYEKINI ROFIAT OLASHILE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KINTUM: I, formerly known as KINTUM LIZZY, now wish to be known and addressed as KINTUM LIZZY ABU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABUEH: I Formerly known and addressed as Barilee Blessing Abueh now wish to be known and addressed as Barilee Blessing Idemudia . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OLUWASEUN : Formerly known and addressed as OLUWASEUN FLORENCE AGBEBIYI now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWASEUN FLORENCE WILSON - UMOREN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

IDONGESIT: I, formerly known as IDONGESIT IBANGA MKPOUNAM, now wish to be known and addressed as COMFORT PATRICK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that GBOLAHAN OGUNTOLA AKINMADE, is the same person bearing OGUNTOLA GBOLAHAN AKINMADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to confirm that my name was mistakenly written as ALATISE BAYO JIMOH instead as ALAGBE RAJI JAMIU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as OGUNLE BOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKOYA BOLANLE MEDEYINLO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Oladipupo Falana Now wish to be known and addressed as Falana Tayo Sunday. All former documents remains valid, banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Ajifowobaje Modupe Funke now wants to be addressed as Kayode Modupe Funke. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YEKINI AKEEM TUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWU-YEKINI AKEEM TUNDE. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE GOD THE HEALER AND LIFE CHANGER ASSEMBLY.

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

TRUSTEE 1. Ofomah Chinwe - General Overseer.

2: Ofomah Elochukwu AIMS To Preach The Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ To All Nation.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, wthin 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED OFOMAH. CHINWE - GENERAL OVERSEER.

WorldNews

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 -

Page 33

US poll fallout: Trump makes ‘illegal voting’ claims Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

U

S President-elect Donald Trump yesterday asserted he won the popular vote on November 8, even without millions of people who he said voted illegally.

The Republican, who won the all-important Electoral College count, offered no evidence to back his claim.

It comes after the camp of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton said it would support a vote recount in Wisconsin initiated by a Green Party candidate.

Clinton won about two million votes more than Mr Trump in the popular vote.

However, Trump surpassed the required 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. This was based on the state-by-state contests.

In a tweet, Trump wrote: “In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”

“It would have been much easier for me to win the socalled popular vote than in the

US President-elect Donald Trump

Electoral College in that I would only campaign in 3 or 4 states instead of the 15 states that I visited.

“I would have won even more easily and convincingly (but smaller states are forgotten)!”

He also alleged serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California, states won

by Clinton, accusing US media of not reporting on that issue.

The president-elect’s tweets came as his transition team faced infighting over Mitt Rom-

ney’s candidacy for Secretary of State.

In TV appearances on Sunday, senior adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke out against Romney’s potential appointment, saying Trump’s supporters felt betrayed he would consider the former governor for the prominent role.

She said Romney, who was one of Trump’s fiercest critics during the campaign, went so far out of his way to hurt the president-elect.

Meanwhile, Trump has reminded Clinton that she had already admitted defeat, and published remarks from the presidential debates in which she had urged an acceptance of the poll results.

At the time, his Democratic rival was reacting to Trump’s refusal to respect the outcome.

Trump narrowly beat the Democratic candidate in Wisconsin, where a recount of the votes was initiated last week by Green Party candidate, Dr. Jill Stein, who wants recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, citing statistical anomalies.

Concerns over possible Russian interference had been expressed in the run-up to the vote.

The US government has said Russian state actors were behind hacks on the Democratic National Committee, a claim denied by Moscow.

Results would need to be overturned in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania to alter the outcome of the November presidential election, something analysts say is highly unlikely.

Church massacre accused, Roof, to defend self

A

white man accused of killing nine black people at a South Carolina church, Dylann Roof, will be allowed to represent himself at trial, a federal judge has said.

US District Judge Richard Gergel said 22-year-old Roof ’s wish to be his own lawyer was unwise, but nevertheless granted his request.

The surprise development came just as jury selection was set to begin.

Last week Roof was deemed competent to stand trial in the shooting of nine Charleston parishioners in June 2015.

Wearing a grey jail-issue jumpsuit, he was sitting yesterday morning at his defence table after his lawyers moved

Dylann Roof

to the side.

Judge Gergel told the court: “I do find defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation.”

Addressing Roof, he said: “I continue to believe it is strategically unwise (to represent yourself), but it is a decision you have the right to make.”

Roof smiled slightly and replied quietly: “Yes, sir.”

As the judge began questioning potential jurors, the first 10 of whom were white, Roof, who faces 33 federal charges, including a hate crime count, did not ask questions or make any objections.

He has already been found

competent in a state court, where he faces nine counts of murder, and prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.

One juror was struck from the final panel by the judge after expressing reluctance to enforce the death penalty.

Zimbabwe note launch sparks fears

Z

imbabwe launched its own money for the first time yesterday since the country’s dollar was abandoned seven years ago amid rampant inflation.

The bond note, which is worth one US dollar, the country’s main currency since 2009, is raising fears of a return to the ill-fated local dollar.

The move, first announced in May, has fuelled some of the biggest protests in a decade against President Robert Mugabe.

The government has issued the bond note to tackle a worsening cash shortage.

It hopes the cash substitute, which is legal tender in Zimbabwe but is not valid outside the

country, will halt the flow of US dollars going overseas.

Initially, an amount worth $10m is being introduced into circulation in two and five dollar denominations.

Business groups have welcomed the move as a way of boosting economic growth.

However, major opposition parties, workers and civil society groups are planning further protests this week.

In the run-up to the notes’ release, Zimbabweans queued for hours to withdraw their US dollars amid fears the bond notes would not be able to keep parity.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has always steered clear of referring to the new bond notes as currency.

For ordinary Zimbabweans, mem-

ories of the collapse and demise of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009, and the hyperinflation that caused its destruction, still rankle.

Zimbabwe’s central bank has assured people the notes’ release will be controlled, including weekly withdrawal limits of $150 worth.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

“I have argued for the use of force. I stood up and announced that we are going to attack Assad for the use of weapons” –US Secretary of State, John Kerry

WORLD BULLETIN

Blast rips Mogadishu, kills 11 A car bomb has killed at least 11 people and injured 16 others in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

The blast hit a market in the Waberi area, while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was visiting a nearby university.

No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on the Islamist militant group alShabab.

“There was chaos and severed dead bodies strewn around the street,” a witness, Abdulahi Osman, said.

More than 22, 000 peacekeepers are currently deployed in Somalia in the multi-national African Union force.

But Al-Shabab, which wants Somalia to follow a strict version of Shariah law, opposes their presence.

Uganda police arrest king Police in western Uganda have arrested the King of Rwenzururu, Charles Wesley Mumbere, over clashes between officers and militia which have left at least 55 people dead.

Mumbere is accused of inciting violence after militiamen reportedly attacked a police post in his hometown of Kasese.

Security forces stormed his palace amid claims he was harbouring fighters. The king has denied any involvement.

At least 14 police officers and 41 militants have died in the clashes.

A Ugandan government spokesman, Shaban Bantariza, accused the militia of seeking to break away from Uganda.

“These militiamen have set up camps in the Rwenzori mountains from where they train and come to attack government installations,” Bantariza said.

Police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi also said the attackers were fighting to create a new republic on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

‘Thunderstorm asthma’ toll hits 6 The number of people dying in the Australian city of Melbourne from a rare phenomenon called thunderstorm asthma rose to six yesterday.

Three others were in a critical condition.

Heavy rains and winds on Monday triggered thousands of pollen allergy asthma attacks in the state of Victoria.

Paramedics and hospitals were stretched to their limits as thousands phoned to report breathing problems.

Thunderstorm asthma occurs in the spring when rye grass pollen gets wet, breaks into smaller pieces and enters people’s lungs, causing them breathing problems.

More than 8,000 people were treated in hospital.

34

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

35

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Northern governors, General Electric sign MoU for 5 power plants

N

orthern States Governors’ Forum and General Electric International, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of five solar power plants that aim at generating 500 megawatts of electricity in some parts of northern Nigeria.

Borno State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors ‘ Forum, Kashim Shettima, signed the agreement on behalf of the ‎governors while General Electric’s Senior Executive, Western Europe and Africa, Mr Armand Pineda and the President/Chief Executive Officer, General Electric, Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo, signed on behalf of their company in a brief

ceremony which was held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

Based on the MoU, General Electric which has 120 years experience in power generation, is to build five solar power plants to be located in Borno, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger and Taraba states with each of the plants expected to generate 100 megawatts of electricity totaling 500 megawatts across the 5 states. The electricity is meant to stimulate economic activities and social services in the affected states through boosting agricultural food processing, small scale businesses in addition to supplying electricity to schools and hospitals.

The project which is a pilot phase, is being coor-

dinated by the Northern Nigeria Global Economic Re-integration Programme, newly created by the northern governors to serve as vehicle for the economic recovery of northern states through international relations on infrastructure, manufacturing, stimulate agricultural value chain, trade and make the region a global player in agricultural export in line with the vision of late premier of the region.

The Governors Forum led by Governor Kashim Shettima, engaged the services of Malam Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi as Cheif Executive Officer of the Programme. Kurfi was Chief Economic Adviser to late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua and he has wide

1,387 Borno Batch B Corps members sworn-in Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

B

atch B National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Borno State have been mobilized for their three weeks orientation in Bauchi State.

The NYSC members comprising of 770 males and 617 females graduates of various universities and polytechnics were sworn in yesterday at their Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College camp in Bauchi.

In his opening remak, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, commended the corps members for their patriotic response to serve the nation and CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as IMOH OKON now wish to be known and addressed as IMOH SAMPSON. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GODWIN JAMES ADAMS now wish to be known and addressed as EKIRI INIBIRA NYEKEDOU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ADESANYA ADENIKE ADUNNI, Now wish to be known and addressed as OWOEYE OYENIKE ADUNNI. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ihekwaba Chioma Mbecakpo Anita now wish to be known and addressed as Igwenwa-Ihekwaba Chioma Mbecakpo Anita.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

their commitment to adapt to a new environment.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, assured the corps members that despite the security challenges being faced in the North East, Bauchi remains peaceful hoping that they will enjoy the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the state.

Governor Shettima urge the corps members to use the opportunity provided by the NYSC scheme to prepare mentally, physically and otherwise for the challenges ahead.

The governor also commended the Borno State NYSC for its prompt moCHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLAJIDE MATHEW OLAJIDEnow wish to be known and addressed as OLAJIDE MATHEW ADEMOLA. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that BOMA TAMUNOEMI BRIGGS is the same person as BOMA EMI BRIGGS. refer to as one and the same person. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MUIBAT ABIODUN LAMIDI, Now wish to be known and addressed as SHITTA-BEY MUIBAT ABIODUN. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Igbalaye Rasaq now wish to be known and addressed as Rasaq Igbalaye Ayinla.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

bilisation of its staff to prepare for the corps members to feel comfortable at the camp in Bauchi State before their deployment to various places where they will serve.

In his welcome address, the Borno State NYSC coordinator, Alhaji Lawal Turawa, congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of their academic programmes which qualifies them to be mobilised for the scheme.

He reminded them about the challenges that lies ahead after their three weeks orientation programme which he said was designed to prepare and instil in them leadership qualities for future challenges.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YEKINI SULAMON MAITO now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWUYEKINI SULAIMON MAITO. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as KESSEY NELSON KOFFI, Now wish to be known and addressed as KENNETH NELSON FRIDAY. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHAN GE OF NAME

Formerly OLOLADE FAUSAT SHOLARIN now wish to be known and addressed as LOLADE OLUWAFEYISAYO ALLIBALOGUN, all other documents remains valid, public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Osuji Ifeoma Ethelrose now wish to be known and addressed as Ibeh Ifeoma Ethelrose.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

contact with leading development companies and financial institutions across the world.

The Northern State Governors’ Forum Chairman enumerated challenges of poverty, unemployment, poor access to education, poor healthcare amongst other underdevelopment indications threatening the north while concluding that the power can provide a vehicle for the north to

reposition itself for a better future.

The CEO, Northern Nigeria Global Economic ReIntegration Programme, Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, said he took up the challenge put forward by the northern governors as a result of strong passion and commitment to aggressive development of the north as so far shown by the Northern Governors since Governor Shettima became the fo-

rum’s chairman in 2015.

Reaffirming their commitment to the MoU, General Electric’s Senior Executive, Western Europe and Africa, Mr Armand Pineda and the President/Chief Executive Officer, General Electric, Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo, both pledged that they would work round the clock to realise the project for the benefits of citizens of the five states.

FG reinstates 4,137 pensioners into payroll Livinus Menedi YOLA

T

he Federal Government has reinstated 4,137 pensioners, whose names were removed from the government payroll, following a re-verification audit carried out by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD. The affected pensioners are mostly those from the North West and South East zone, whom Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, the Executive Secretary PTAD disclosed were unjustly removed from the government payroll.

The executive secretary,who made the disclosure in Yola on Monday, at the start of pensioner verification exercise for retired federal civil servants in the North East zone.

She also said the verification exercise which is a continuing has facilitated the restoration of payment of monthly pensions to genuine pensioners who have not been paid pension or gratuity in the last 10 years CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YEKINI WAHAB OLANSHILE now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWUYEKINI WAHAB OLANSHILE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

post retirement.

According to her, efforts to clean up the pension payroll has remarkably trimmed the bogus pension budget earmarked for retired federal pensioners, in addition to identifying ghost pensioners and putting a stop to fraudulent payments.

“Apart from identifying ghost pensioners and putting a stop to fraudulent payments, the exercise has facilitated the restoration of monthly pension pay-

ments to genuine pensioners previously removed from the payroll, including those who had never been paid any pension or gratuity, some for over 10 years post retirement.

Complaints received from the verification in the North West and South East are being resolved. We will be reinstating 4,137 pensioners who were unjustly removed from the payroll even as we continue the civil service verification,” she assured.

Dangote, Indorama invest $4bn to boost Nigeria’s fertiliser sector

D

angote Petrochemicals and Fertilisers and Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals, have invested 4.5 billion dollars to improve and boost the country’s fertiliser industry, the African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), has said.

Mr Scott Wallace, a fertiliser consultant with AFAP disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of a four-day Nigeria Fertiliser Roadmap Stakeholders Consultative meeting in Abuja on CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YEKINI YUNUS ABIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWU-YEKINI YUNUS ABIOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Monday.

Wallace said that Dangote fertiliser plant would begin operation by 2017, and would produce no fewer than 2.8 million tonnes of fertilizer, while Indorama would be on board with 1.4 million tonnes.

He said the investments which would be basically from the private sector were to boost agricultural productivity and reduce the country’s over dependence on oil.

Similarly, Professor Richard Mkandawire, the VicePresident of AFAP, called on the Federal Government to equip its fertiliser regulatory agencies to avoid invasion of fake fertilisers into Nigerian markets.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as SAIDU SALEH, Now wish to be known and addressed as SALEH KAMSULUM MOHAMMED. All former documents remains valid. General public take note

I formerly known and addressed as ALIU SULEMANI, Now wish to be known and addressed as ALIU SULEMANI SALAMATU. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as NYENGKA YVETTE DZENDZEInow wish to be known and addressed as OBIROMANUS YVETTE CHIOMA. All documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I. RASHEED FATAI MAKANJUOLA is the same person bearing. FATAI MAKANJUOLA. Henceforrth, I wish to be called as Rasheed. Fatai makanjuola. I am the same person bearing the two names.

All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OKEOMA KOSISO MICHELLE, Now wish to be known and addressed as OKEOMA KOSISOCHUKWU MARYCOLLETTE. All former documents remains valid. General public take note

I was formerly known called ABOLARIN KUDIRAT ANIKE. Now wish to be known called ABOLARIN KUDIRAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Koudjodji Benjamin now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Koudjodji Coffi.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as OFFORCHEBE IFEANYI, now wish to add ‘DICKSON’to my existing name. That I now wish to be known, called and addressed as OFFORCHEBE IFEANYI DICKSON to be reflected on my BVN account. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME/DECLARATION OF AGE

FORMERLY: SALAHU FATAI KEHINDE. NOW: SALAUDEEN FATAI KEHINDE. CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH: 12TH OF AUGUST,1969. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

36

World News

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ibrahim Agboola Gambari: Reflections on the culture of a scholar-diplomat

T

he generous words of the Greek sage, Socrates that “men of substance are not dressed in gold, it is only when you scratch them that you would know they are made of gold” were spoken in honor of few people whose lives are emeralds that adorn the very stock of humanity. It is to the person of Professor Ibrahim Gambari and few of his kind sparsely standing as beacons across nations of the world that Socrates addressed his praise. This patriotic Nigerian has done things worth writing about, and really written things worth reading.

He is selfless, compassionate, faithfilled, highly focused and detribalized.

It is not for nothing that a philosopher of great repute, G.W.F Hegel came out with the proposition that the world revolves around the figure of great men. Gambari absolutely belongs to this category of personages.

I am proud to be associated with this rare gem whom his inexhaustible wisdom which he has in abundance is robbing off on so many people who have had the privilege of learning directly from the foot of the master, which I am a privileged beneficiary. He has shown and severally exhibited the Socratic dictum: ‘an unexamined life is not worth living’. He lived and still living an examined life, and probably that is part of the reason why he continues to be a gift to humanity. His humble mien shields a granite interior and quiet determination that may give the first impression of a soft-spoken and selfeffacing man. A man of many parts, who chooses to remain simple and accessible despite being decorated with many accolades, would simply wish to be introduced as teacher by training and diplomat by accident. His simplicity is as challenging as his towering academic profile.

In Professor Gambari we behold the embodiment of a philosopher whose actions are directed by reason and with virtuous mind that concurs to moral principles not as a part-time concord but as a consistent way of life.

An encounter with Professor Gambari leaves you with no doubt, that he is a man of substance, a perfect gentleman, a sage, a rare gem, an enigmatic hero and icon of the highest repute who cares much about the welfare and interest of this nation Nigeria and the African continent at large.

This can been seen in his philosophy of the Concentric Circle wherein the history of Nigeria’s foreign policy will not be complete without mentioning the impact of Ambassador Gambari’s unprecedented contribution towards redefining it.

This concentric circles as Gambari explains, is a concept that clearly puts the interest of Nigeria first. The centre of the circles involves Nigeria’s security, territorial integrity and political independence. The second circle embraces the West African sub-region that embraces the ECOWAS countries, and finally the world. At his finger tips is the apt temperament for the player of the intricate game of diplomacy. No wonder Dele Giwa once opined that

Prof. Ibrahim A. Gambari “Emotions have no place in diplomacy.

It is the stuff of the cunning and the amoral and even the intensely intellectual. The timid don’t get involved in diplomacy. When they do, their countries suffer” The game of diplomacy is for the initiated, the hard, and the cunning. The game of diplomacy is played for the broke. You don’t mess around with morality. You strike out for national interest first even if that means that your neighbor will not get food on his table. You sit down and plan your strategy and take your risk. You win, if you plan well. You lose, if you are a fool. Professor Gambari’s understanding and personal commitment clearly put his stamp of authority on Nigeria’s foreign policy. A rare combination of dynamism and realism vigorously pursued in the light of new global realities and power configuration.

A little retrospect into Professor Gambari’s life demonstrates a life of service, both in Nigeria and the international arena and his reasoned interventions that seek to end conflict in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

His exemplary lifestyle, scholarship, integrity, diplomacy and knowledgebased efforts to groom youths who represent the future are worthy of

emulation. He is a teacher, diplomat and scholar of highest standing. Leveraging on these triple strengths he has touched humanity and helped to demonstrate that faced with challenges, leaders could deploy with certainty the power of thought to solve the problems of mankind.

This magister magnus, who turned 72 years on November 24 2016, attended King’s College, Lagos. He subsequently attended the London School of Economics where he obtained his BSc. (Econs) degree in 1968, with specialization in International Relations.

He later obtained his M.A (1970) and Ph.D (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, USA, in Political Science/International Relations. Gambari began his teaching career in 1969, at City University of New York, before working at University of Albany. Later, he taught at Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria. From 1986 to 1989, he was visiting Professor at three universities in Washington, D.C.: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University and Howard University. He has authored several books and published widely in both local and international journals.

He has also been a Research Fellow

at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and a Resident Scholar at the Bellagio Study and Conference Center, the Rockefeller Foundationrun center in Italy. Professor Gambari has received several academic and national honours, including the “Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” (CFR), and the “Order of the Companion of Oliver R. Tambo” (OCORT) of South Africa. He was accorded, honoris causa, the title of Doctor of Humane Letters (D.Hum. Litt.) from the University of Bridgeport. He is a deserving member of the Johns Hopkins University’s Society of Scholars.

Gambari has served Nigeria in different capacities. First as Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985 under the then Military Head of state General Muhammadu Buhari, and subsequently Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. He was also a delegate at the 2014 National Conference on restructuring and promotion of national unity in Nigeria. At the International level, Gambari held numerous UN positions including Chairman of UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the UNSG’s Under Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa.

Gambari also served as joint AU/ UN Special Representative in Darfur and Head of UNAMID, then the largest international peacekeeping operation in the world and the first hybrid mission. He was the Special Adviser on the International Compact with IraqandotherIssuesfortheSecretaryGeneral of the United Nations. He co-chaired with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright the Commission on Global Security, Justice and Governance. Currently, Professor Gambari is the Chairman and Founder of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Develop-

ment, a non-governmental think-tank on research and policy studies on challenges of conflict prevention and resolution as well as democratization and development in Africa. Through this NGO, he has been able to use his experience over the years to make positive intervention in peace and security in Nigeria especially during the last General elections. On March 4, 2013, he was named by the Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed, as the pioneer Chancellor of the Kwara State University, making him the ceremonial head of the University who presides over convocations to award degrees and diplomas and also supports the vision and mission of the university in all respects, including fundraising, social, economic and academic goals. As such, has given additional international boost and recognition to the university as it continues to gain credence as a community development institution with world class standards.

His impact on Nigerian foreign Affairs can scarcely be contained in a piece as short as this. His deep religious background, good interpersonal relationship, administrative sagacity and intellectual fecundity gelled together to produce an Institution in his person. This personality continues to be an enigma that attracts both friends and detractors alike who cannot outsmarts him even with their wealth. He will often say; one thousand friends are not enough but one enemy is one too many. His teams of friends are experts in their chosen professions and cuts across boundary hence results came naturally on any course he embarks on. We must continue to use our very best if we are to make any progress in the new world order especially in the light of new global realities and power configuration.

Moses Ohaegbuchi, who wrote this piece, is of the Savannah Centre, Abuja

Thoughts on a second Buhari term

Continued from Back Page Sustain and streamline the human capital development in the Niger Delta, especially focusing on youth and women.

Continually acknowledge our diversity and consciously promote equality and equity in all government businesses and activities.

Unveil a health sector review policy to ensure efficient and effective management of our health systems with focus on prevention.

Ensure that no Nigerian will have any reason to go outside the country for medical treatment.

Embark on a program of mass mobilisation to ensure that all children of school age, no matter where they may reside in our country, and no matter the social conditions of their parents, are

in school. Work with other levels of government and through relevant government agencies to allocate resources to schools while strengthening community participation in school management. Implement a comprehensive review of the goal and content of our secondary education to ensure that it also serves the purpose of skills acquisition and fits purpose.

Make agriculture a major focus of the government and lay the institutional foundation to attract large-scale investments and capital to the sector. Actively promote a well-coordinated and innovatively funded Youth in Commercial Agribusiness Programme. Revamp the agricultural cooperative system to drive rural agriculture and improve

stakes for smallholder farmers.

Develop a system of small-scale irrigation systems to ensure allyear round farming.

Address the gaps in power sector privatization to ensure it serves the needs of our people.

Explore and develop alternative sources of power such as small, medium and large hydro plants, wind, coal and solar and other forms of renewable energy to ensure efficient and affordable power supply.”

These excerpts from the President’s voluntary covenant are not the past, but the future. It is why I have previously argued that he needs not more than one term to make the fundamental change of uprooting business as usual.

The problem is that just as some leaders often think that a

four-year tenure is a very long time, eight years is unfortunately but grudgingly considered the basic minimum—ask one Olusegun Obasanjo—required to do anything. And then it is too late.

The Buhari challenge is neither long nor complicated. It is a robust anti-corruption response. Anti-corruption is the key to change; change is not the key to anti-corruption. But if the fundamentals cannot be done in four years, they cannot be done in eight, either.

In other words, it is not preposterous that Nigerians may be unaccepting of justifications and excuses. And they know that if we are already talking about 2019, time is running out. sonala.olumhense@gmail. com

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Mourinho facing another ban, charged with improper conduct

by FA 39

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

Sport

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

Amaju

FIFA, CAF, CAS law not superior to Nigeria’s constitution –lawyers E

minent lawyers have added their voices to the current discuss over the fate of Nigeria football in the aftermath of the expected Supreme Court judgement in the leadership tussle between Ambassador Chris Giwa and Amaju Pinnick.

Some of the lawyers said those flying the FIFA kite have something to hide because the laws of the continental football bodies cannot be superior to the laws of any country.

They said Nigeria cannot surrender her sovereignty to borrowed laws.

According to Kaodichukwu Emezue, the head chambers of Emepu Chambers, FIFA. and CAF laws if domesticated in Nigeria, which is not the case here, it could be referred to an act of the parliament and as such cannot be superior to the constitution of the country.

“Those hiding under FIFA or whatever law that is unknown to the

constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are mischievous and as such cannot be trusted. They hide under these laws to cheat and humiliate others and I am sure they are afraid of something.”

While another lawyer, Fred Iworia in his submission said there is nothing wrong in associations making to guide the conduct of her members, such laws are subject to the laws of the land and queried the rationale behind several attacks

on individuals who are fighting for their fundamental human rights. “ I have this matter with keen interest and I must submit that those who question the decisions of a competent court of jurisdiction as an aberration. I am mostly pained because the same people that are doing all this must have in one way and another benefited from the judicial system”. “ Remember that Giwa has pursued this case from the Jos Federal

High Court to the Appeal Court and now the Supreme Court, which shows that he respects the rule of law. He won at the Federal Court, lost at Appeal Court and he never complained, so the other group should also emulate him.

Finally, the resort to name calling and making disparaging comments on the judiciary is not a healthy situation because someday they would have to answer questions over their utterances.

s part of its effort to finally repeal the NFA Act 2004 and enact NFF Bill 2016, the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports on Monday held a public hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, noted that “the positive energy that resonates among Nigerians from everywhere when a Nigerian team is in action is testament to the special attachment that our people have for the game”,

and that “the Bill seeks to make the NFF an autonomous agency with less government interference”, while praising the efforts of Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, on the new Bill.

Senator Ogba, alongside Committee members Senators Eyinnaya Abaribe and Samuel Anyanwu, listened to submissions from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, NFF President Amaju Pinnick, NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, former FIFA Executive Committee member Dr. Amos Adamu, Vice President of

CAF Appeal Board Amanze Uchegbulam and Shuaibu Gara Gombe.

In his opening remark, Senator Ogba, a former NFF Vice President, stated that the objective of repealing the Act and enacting the Bill is “to see Nigeria return to its rightful place among the 10 best football –playing nations in the world and number one in Africa”, while Minister Dalung revealed that the Government is determined to make football a national asset. Dalung also disclosed that the commitment of the Government presently is to fund grassroots sports, while elite athletes should fund them-

selves from what they generate at the station they have reached, thus allowing scarce resources to go into discovering new talents.

Mazi Uchegbulam, also a former NFF Vice President, traced the history of NFF Statutes and efforts to repeal the Act, and submitted that it was pertinent to give the NFF Congress the power to be able to amend the regulatory instrument without recourse to the National Assembly.

Dr. Adamu, chief organizer of the 8th All-Africa Games Abuja 2003 and a former Director General of the National Sports Commission, support-

ed the enactment of the new Bill, and was of the opinion that Government could decide to also give the NFF grant time and again before the Federation attains real financial independence.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick praised the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports for its firm commitment to the Bill, while assuring that the sentiments of Government, private sector, FIFA, CAF and the Nigerian ball fan were all taken into consideration in the document submitted by the Federation.

Senate holds public hearing on NFF Bill A

A Per Fed Spo NFF Moh mem men

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Sports

Thursday, March 5, Tuesday, November 29,2015 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Outrage over NFF’s Suwon tourney scandal

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igerians are miffed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the leadership of Pinnick Amaju continues to drag the name of the game into the mud after a revelation that the football house was paid $110,000 as appearance fee for the Suwon International U-19 Tournament in South Korea but threw the Nigerian players on the streets with a paltry N5,000 each after return ..

Nigeria was represented at the tournament by the U-17 players that failed to qualify for next year’s U-17 African Cup of Nations in Madagascar as the team lost all their three matches at the competition 8-1 to England, 1-0 to Iran and 3-0 to hosts Korea – to finish rock bottom of the competition Tough the NFF have debunked receipt of such huge money; they have however failed to deny giving the players N5,000 to travel home include those who live in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

“This is criminal,” an angry football analysts Bola Ikudeinbo snapped. “Amaju will never allow his own children to travel by road so why will he give the players N5,000? It is callous, wicked and can discourage parents from allowing their children to play for the country as long as these wicked lots are still calling the shot at the glass House.”

Hear another wailing voice: “I don’t really understand what is going on at the federation, because what they used the money for I don’t know,” the source said.

“With such amount of money, even if it was $1,000 each, I am sure the boys will be happy going back home but so unfortunate that these people are so insensitive to the plight of these small boys.

“When you asked them to go home with N5,000 from Abuja, the money might not even be enough for some of them to get to their base.”

Africa Women Cup of Nations: South Africa declare war on Nigeria B

anyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has revealed that their semi-final clash against Nigeria on Today is way more than a football match it is going to be war.

South Africa progressed to the last four following their convincing 5-0 win over Egypt in their last Group A encounter to finish second and book a date with Group B table leaders Nigeria, who reg-

istered seven points from three games.

The Super Falcons have been dubbed tournament favourites courtesy of their pedigree at this tournament, which they have won a record seven times. Van Wyk, whose side has peaked at the right time, is keen to finally end their jinx at this level but Nigeria stands in their way.

“The competition starts now

and from here on it is war. It is going to be war, war, war… If we want it badly enough, then we have to show it. We have overcome them before and we can do it again,” she told supersport.com.

At the 2012 edition, South Africa stunned Nigeria in an historic 1-0 semi-final win to set up a final against hosts Equatorial Guinea, but Banyana Banyana failed to complete the last hurdle as they

succumbed to a 4-0 defeat.

Banyana Banyana are yet to win the continental crown and Van Wyk, who is the most capped player on the current squad with 140 appearances, feels this is the time to finally bag the African title.

The South Africa v Nigeria semi-final will be live on SuperSport channel SS9 at 7.45pm CAT.

We won’t discriminate against Falcons –Dalung

A

head of the Nigeria’s semi final clash against South Africa at the ongoing Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has tipped the Super Falcons to do the nation proud and lift the trophy.

While addressing journalists in Abuja, the Minister praised the unrelenting effort of the team under Florence Omagbemi after their 4-0 trouncing of Kenya in their last group game last week.

“I commend their spirit in the face of daunting challenges which is enough to distract any team in their quest to retain the title they won in 2014. The Super Falcons should be praised for sustaining their tempo in the championship. I am confident that they will definitely come back to Nigeria with the trophy.”

On why he has not intervened in ensuring payment to the senior women’s national team, Barrister Dalung said the current recession in the country had contributed to the

team’s situation.

“We should appreciate governance in our football administration. We have a pending memo on their funds which we are also pursuing diligently so that we can get the money across to them. It has to do with the situation in the country. The processes of sourcing these funds

are not quite easy but we don’t discriminate against any of our teams. The constraints have to do with the paucity of funds which we are working round the clock to ensure that what is meant for them gets across to them.”

Barrister Dalung concluded by promising to ensure that the memo gets presidential inter-

vention as soon as possible and has urged the players not to lose hope as all their entitlements will be given to them as soon as it is available. He pleaded with them not to relent in their quest for a successive victory against Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the semi final on Tuesday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool forward could be out until mid-January

L

iverpool forward Philippe Coutinho had a scan on his ankle injury on Monday amid fears he could be sidelined until the middle of January.

Coutinho, 24, was taken off on a stretcher after colliding with Didier Ndong of Sunderland during the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Anfield.

Though the full results of the scan are yet to be revealed, the likelihood is the Brazilian has ligament damage.

That usually means a player is sidelined for five or six weeks.

It means Coutinho, one of Jurgen Klopp’s most influential players as the Reds have moved into second place in the Premier League, looks certain to miss key games.

Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on 19 December, and meet Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve. Coutinho would miss both games if ligament damage is confirmed.

He was at Liverpool’s Melwood training headquarters on Sunday, leaving on crutches with his right ankle in a protective boot before having his scan 24 hours later.

Klopp will also be without £34m summer signing Sadio Mane in January as the striker will be on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

The German is unlikely to risk Coutinho’s countryman Roberto Firmino in Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final against Leeds United at Anfield after he took a kick on the calf against Sunderland.

Daniel Sturridge, who missed that game after reporting tightness in his calf, will be sidelined again.

Adam Lallana, who has missed Liverpool’s past two Premier League games after injuring his draw during England’s 2-2 draw with Spain at Wembley, continues to make good progress. He is in training again under the guidance of Liverpool’s fitness coaches but will not be considered for the match Leeds.

Coutinho

Sports

Tuesday, November4,29, 2016 Thursday September 2014

39

Mourinho facing another ban, charged with improper conduct by FA …as Pogba says Man United is cursed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association for kicking a bottle in frustration during the 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Mourinho, 53, who was sent to the stands by referee Jon Moss, was charged with improper conduct on Monday.

He has until 18:00 GMT on 1 December to respond.

It is the second charge for the Portuguese in two months after he was sent off against Burnley on 29 October.

Mourinho received a onematch ban and an £8,000 fine for that incident.

Because Mourinho has already been sent off this season, the punishment for Sunday’s offence will be determined by a commission, whether he accepts or denies the charge.

The former Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid boss was also fined £50,000 for comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor before the Liverpool match at An-

field on 17 October.

In Sunday’s game, Mourinho reacted after Paul Pogba was booked for diving following an apparent incident with West Ham captain Mark Noble.

Replays showed Noble did not make contact with the 23-year-old France midfielder. “Our luck will change at one time or another, and it’s then that we’ll have to take it.

“I’m still confident because we create chances. It’ll come. I’m confident in my team. We just have to pay attention to the small details.

“We conceded a daft goal [against West Ham], against Arsenal it was also the small details. I’m still confident, it’ll come right. We are dropping silly points, but it’ll come right.”

United will host West Ham again in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, France international midfielder Paul Pogba admits the Red Devils need a lucky break as they bid to break a home

Bonucci blow for Juventus

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uventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has been ruled out for up to two months, leaving the injury-ravaged Serie A champions without their formidable three-man defence.

Bonucci, a reported target for Premier League giants Chelsea, has suffered several injury knocks this season and on Monday was diagnosed with a hamstring injury after being forced off during a shock 3-1 defeat at Genoa a day earlier.

A statement from Juventus said Bonucci suffered a “a hamstring injury in his left thigh, with his recov-

ery time expected to be around 45/60 days.”

Bonucci is set to undergo further tests that will determine his potential return date more precisely, but his absence is a further significant blow to Massimiliano Allegri’s side as they chase glory at home and Europe.

Juve could be without any of their ‘BBC’ defence - composed of Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini - when they host high-flying Atalanta in Turin next Saturday.

Barzagli was ruled out for two months two weeks ago after suffering a dislocated shoulder during a hard-

hoodoo which now stretches to four stalemates Pogba has joked Manchester United’s players will soon believe they are under a curse if they do not arrest their run of home draws.

United have been held by Stoke City, Burnley, Arsenal and West Ham in their last four topflight matches at Old Trafford, contributing to the club’s worst

start to a Premier League season.

Pogba provided the assist for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s leveller in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the Hammers and hopes a hoodoo-quelling victory is not far away.

“We’re going to start to think we’re cursed,” Pogba told SFR Sport. “It doesn’t matter which team comes here, we dominate them, be it Arsenal or West Ham.

Moses destined for greatness, says Kalou

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alomon Kalou believes that Victor Moses was always going to make it at Stamford Bridge and sympathised with the in-form wing-back after a difficult first few years under Chelsea’s management.

Moses was signed as the Blues’ replacement for the departing Kalou in 2012, but is only now showing his true talent after a series of good performances in a new role under Antonio Conte.

Kalou, 31, now plays at Hertha Berlin, though still counts himself a Chelsea fan, and believes that Moses is showing his best due togreater backing than he has had before.

“I’m not surprised by Moses’s form,” Kalou told Goal . “He never had a big chance like this before. He never really had this chance to show off. A big player has to have the chance to play.

“It is difficult to show your skills when you don’t play, and this season he has shown the quality that you need at this level; I am not surprised. He is a fast

and technical player with great stamina to go forward and then to come back.

“Chelsea have supported him very well [this season] and that is why I am not surprised that we are seeing the best of him. He will have a great season in a blue shirt.”

Moses

WORLD RECORD

Fastest time to burst three balloons with the back

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Vol. 06 No.1489 Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The fastest time to burst three balloons with the back is 12 seconds, set by Julia Gunthel, aka ‘Zlata’ (Germany), on 23 November 2007.

Thoughts on a second Buhari term

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arely three weeks after the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, said party leaders would prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second term in 2019, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu confirmed last week his principal will indeed run. Every Nigerian is entitled to seek public office, and to serve as many terms as the constitution allows. To that end, President Buhari is qualified to seek a second term, but 18 months into the current term, amidst mounting doubts, is an awkward time to be thinking about another four years.

That is because Buhari is unlike any Nigerian ruler since independence, including Buhari 1.0. Unlike anyone else, President Buhari 2.0 came to office with

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reat Britain’s 2008 women’s 4x400m relay team are set to be upgraded to Olympic bronze medallists as a result of retrospective drug tests.

Belarus’ Sviatlana Usovich tested positive when her samples were reanalysed and, as a result, the whole of her team will be disqualified.

Guest Columnist

Sonala Olumhense

the clearest of mandates: purge the Augean stables.

As he took his oath of office in May 2015, it was clear that if he made appreciable progress on this mission, Nigerians would camp out on the streets in 2019 to beg him to continue.

The problem is that, contrary to what the President now seems to think, Nigerians fear that his fangs may really be made of wool; his teeth too soft for the akara.

Shehu was responding to Buba Galadima, a politician who had said that should Buhari seek re-election in 2019, he would lack popular support, an assessment the spokesman dismissed as “unfounded and utterly ridiculous.”

In the words of Shehu, ‘’President’s enormous goodwill remains ever strong because the people are convinced the President is acting in their best interest, despite the temporary unintended consequences of reforms.”

As one of those who strongly advocated Buhari for President, believing that of the principal candidates on the ballot in 2015 he was the answer to Nigeria’s prayer, it is obvious that if this is what the Buhari administration really thinks of the 18 months it has served, it is reading the wrong tea leaves.

But part of it is true: no baby is delivered without pain. True change, or reform, travels on the back of pain. But the presidency must avoid the temptation to

Ensure that no Nigerian will have any reason to go outside the country for medical treatment explain injury in the language of an insult. It must avoid the kind of cleverness which advises the voter that if he weren’t so stupid, he’d be able to see.

How to do that? One approach that committed leaders have always adopted is to change those who read its tea leaves.

Put differently, the leader must find the courage to put in office people who are not afraid to tell him the truth. The government can ask the people directly to point to what aches, and how much.

Best of all, in the face of rising criticism, the leader is best advised to choose not self-righteousness, but a new understanding and commitment, because many a bad journey is salvageable when it is discovered early that pride comes before a fall.

To help Buhari to understand why there is such restlessness in the land, here are a few excerpts from his famous Covenant With The Nigerian People, which he published just before his election.

“No matter how vast our resources, if

they are not efficiently utilized, they will only benefit a privileged few, leaving the majority in poverty,” he wrote. “I believe if Nigeria does not kill corruption; corruption will kill Nigeria.”

And then, among others: “I pledge to: Publicly declare my assets and liabilities and encourage my political appointees to also publicly declare their assets and liabilities. Affirm that our strategy for tackling corruption will not only focus on punishment. Rather, it will also provide incentives for disclosure and transparency. Show personal leadership in the war against corruption and also hold all the people who work with me to account. Work with the leadership of the National Assembly to cut down the cost of governance. Present a national anti-corruption Strategy.

Lead a government founded on values that promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms. I will promote the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, affirm separation of the powers of government and support an independent judiciary. Present a detailed strategy for protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms provided for [all] in our Constitution.

I will give all it takes to ensure that our girls kidnapped from Chibok are rescued and reunited with their families. Deliver a Marshal Plan on insurgency, terrorism, ethnic and religious violence, kidnapping, rural banditry and ensure that never again will Nigerian children be slaughtered or kidnapped at will. Boost the morale of our fighting forces and the generality of Nigerians by leading from the front as the Commander-in-Chief and not hide in the comfort and security of Aso Rock.

Commit myself and my administration to the protection and regeneration of the environment in the Niger Delta and to ensure that oil companies comply with global best pratices on environmental protection.

Continued on Page 36

Sport Extra Great Britain’s 2008 4x400m women’s relay to get Olympic bronze The GB quartet - Christine Ohuruogu, Kelly Sotherton, Marilyn Okoro and Nicola Sanders - finished fifth.

They were promoted to fourth in August, when Russia were disqualified.

That followed Anastasiya Ka-

pachinskaya testing positive for banned steroids when her samples were reanalysed.

Sotherton, who won heptathlon bronze in Athens in 2004, told BBC Sport she was experiencing “lots of different emotions”.

“Ultimately, I’m happy, but I just

wish at the time I had an opportunity to be on the podium,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve lost eight years of calling myself a double Olympic medallist. There could have been more sponsorship deals going into London 2012 for all of us, more bonuses, a lot more adulation.

Marilyn Okoro (left) was part of the Great Britain team at the 2008 Olympics

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