Friday, february 19 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

No going back on sacked VCs –Minister

DOOsuur iwambe anD regina OtOkpa

Adamu

Vol. 6 N0. 1311

inister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, yesterday, disclosed that the

Federal Government has no intention to rescind its decision over sack of 13 universities vice chancellors. Protests had trailed the sack of the 13 vice chan-

Friday, February 19, 2016

cellors. Speaking in Abuja after flagging off the 2015/2016 annual school census exercise, the minister disclosed that the ministry has Continued on Page 2>>

FG now collects N8 per litre on imported PMS

...saves N2.6bn through petrol price modulation –PPPRA

P.5

Kachikwu

N150

Modu Sheriff will work for us in APC –Ganduje National Mirror Online

@NationalMirror

•PDP govs canvass support for new national chairman

ObiOra ifOh AbujA

ano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said the emergence of Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is Continued on Page 2>>

EFCC seeks order to seize Tompolo’s assetsP.4 L-R: National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Mongunu; I-GP, Solomon Arase and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, after National Security Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Health workers suspend planned strike

P. 6

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Friday, February 19, 2016

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Modu Sheriff will work for us in APC –Ganduje CONTINUED FROM PagE 1

a development the All Progressives Congress, APC, is comfortable with. Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, the governor said: “We are happy because we believe in the long run he would work for us. Find out his history you will believe me.” The governor said he was amused with Senator Sheriff ’s statement that he will lead PDP to victory come 2019 general election. He said: “I do not wish to engage in cross fire. But I will like to tell you that it is the normal utterances of those who want to impress his followers. But I believe it is an empty threat. “Looking at the antecedents, the history of the chairman himself, we all know he is a cross carpeter. He is always on the move in changing from one party to the other. Even when he was in All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, for eight years, he was working for the PDP. “Even APC started with him, and then he went back to PDP and we were happy. I am sure in the long run he would work for us. That is what I believe.” Ganduje also said the time has come for Nigeria to embrace state police. “The situation we find ourselves, I think there is no better time we need the state police than now because the security at the moment requires intelligence information, it involves people who are conversant about the society, who are conversant with the tradition, who are conversant with the culture. “They are in a better position to assist in terms of surveillance, in terms of collecting information and in terms of being effective. So I think the idea of a state police is something that we need to pursue.” The governor appraised the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the government has not done badly. He said: “We in Kano State gave the president the highest votes in the federation and we make it a point of duty to work closely with him on his policies that would put Nigeria on the right track, especially pertaining to the three issues that he mentioned during the campaign. We are aligned to that. “First the security issue of the country. We are committed to the protection of lives and properties of the citizenry in Kano State.

Secondly is the issue of stamping out corruption. That is vital if we must move forward. Thirdly is the economy and that is why we are diversifying our economy. And we urge Nigerians to give Mr. President a helping hand in order to achieve these three objectives which are beneficial to Nigerians.” Similarly, APC national secretary, Mai Mala Buni, while reacting to Sheriff ’s comment said: “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” He said APC is reluctant to join issues with Modu Sheriff ’s idle 2019 postulations and would rather join issues that will bring about all-inclusive development in the country. “However, APC and indeed Nigerians seriously hope the touted ‘master plan’ includes how the PDP and its cronies will return public funds stolen under the party’s watch for 16 years. “Nigerians are aware that the current economic hardship and institutional rot was caused by PDP’s 16year misrule and pillage. “President Muhammadu Buhari has been working assiduously to correct the PDP’s years of damage and bring about people-centric governance. “It is baffling how the PDP expects Nigerians to abandon APC’s smooth sailing ship for a sinking and

rudderless PDP ship, come 2019. “The 2015 elections has been won and lost. The priority of the present APC administration is to deliver on election promises made by the party to Nigerians who long-desired change of political leadership at the federal level and in many states,” he said. Meanwhile, PDP governors have called on members to support Modu Sheriff. The governors said the choice of Modu Sheriff was

in the best interest of the PDP, stressing that he is to complete the tenure of the north east as specified by the party’s constitution and organise a national convention for the election of substantive officers. In a statement signed by Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, coordinator of the PDP Governors’ Forum, they argued that while it was normal for dissent in a large and national party, members should not lose sight of the bigger picture which is to re-strategise ahead of 2019

and other coming elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2016. “It has come to our notice that some members of our great party have expressed their reservations on the emergence of the new National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. “As is expected, not everybody can be on the same page in such matters even though of the same party. We wish to appeal to our members to keep the bigger picture in mind, which is to reposition ahead of 2019

received some complaints from aggrieved Nigerians over the sack, but noted that the complaints were currently being looked into. He said: “Do you reverse government decisions simply because somebody has criticised them? I don’t think that it is all government decisions that go down well with everyone in the country. “The ministry has received some representation from people who feel aggrieved because their tenure has not expired and we are looking at it.” Adamu further wrote off threats by some civil society organisations to challenge the recent sack in the law courts, especially the sack of five out of the 13 VCs, whose tenures were yet to elapse When asked specifically on the expected court cases that would arise from their sack, he simply said: “They have already written to us

Continued on Page 5>>

L-R: ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, amb. Carlos Trejo Sosa; President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Foreign affairs, geoffrey Onyeama, at the Presidential Cocktail for members of the Diplomatic Corps in abuja, yesterday.

No going back on sacked VCs –Minister CONTINUED FROM PagE 1

with individuals that have the track record in power play. “It is in this regard that our esteemed members should think carefully before joining the crowd of those baying ‘death to the PDP.’ “As a national party, it is important that every matter is looked at from all sides and not just the negative narrative of the opposition party. “None of our leaders have been arraigned for

and we are looking at their complaints and we will reply in due course.” Affected VCs yet to serve out their tenures before their unceremonious sack include Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (Kebbi), Prof. Ben-Chuks Okeke, Federal University, Gusau, (Zamfara) and Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, Federal University, Gashua (Yobe). Others include Prof, Isaac Asuzu of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (Ekiti) and Prof. Vincent Tenebe of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. Adamu also used the occasion to say that Federal Government has rolled out strategic plan for the recruitment of the 500,000 teachers pledged by President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2016 budget presentation to the National Assembly. Adamu said government would first recruit graduates with education

background from the universities as well as National Certificate in Education, NCE, holders before considering those from other disciplines. He, however, noted that the delay in the immediate take off of the recruitment exercise was to enable the ministry fine tune the process to make sure things does not go awry. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello, who also spoke at the occasion, bemoaned the daily influx of people into the FCT, saying the development was taking unnecessary toll on the facilities and educational institutions. According to him, sanctions would soon be meted out on private school owners in the FCT who were taking advantage of the situation to fleece parents while offering sub standard educational services. Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, Lawyers Alliance for the Defence of

Democracy has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami over the sack of NOUN VC. In the petition dated February 16, 2016, the lawyers call for the reversal of the sack. National Coordinator of the group, Yusuf Zakari, also threatened court action, if the Federal Government fails to rescind its decision on the removal of the VC. The lawyers in the petition, which was also written to the Minister of Education and the Pro-Chancellor of NOUN, frowned at the appointment of one Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano to replace Prof. Tenebe as VC. “Surprisingly, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who signed the aforesaid publication on behalf of Mr. President is from the academia and

ought to appreciate the fact that each federal university is established by an Act of the National Assembly. “In the instant case, two major statutes provide the legal framework for the existence and governance of National Open University of Nigeria to wit; the establishing Act being the National Open University of Nigeria Act No. 6 of 1983 (now Cap N63, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) and Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act No. 11 of 1993, applicable to all federal universities in Nigeria, as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 25 of 1996 and further amended in 2003 and 2012, respectively. “Section 3 (d) & (e) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 25 of 1996 prescribes a 5 (five) year single tenure for vice-chancellors of all federal universities on such terms and condiContinued on Page 5>>

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NEWS

Friday, February 19, 2016

Arms deal: Metuh gets nod to respond to amended charges dOOsuur iwamBe AbujA

ustice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted leave to the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, to file a no-case submission in the seven-count amended charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are standing trial for allegedly receiving N400 million, part of the money meant for the procurement of arms from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in November 2014. Abang in his ruling on Metuh’s application for the no-case submission, filed through his counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN) held that, “I have considered the

application by the defendant that he wants to argue a nocase application. “It is my view that counsel to the defendant is in control of his brief. He is at liberty to make any decision in the interest of his client. He is also at liberty to argue the no-case application,” the judge held. He ordered the defence counsel to file and exchange his no-case application before close of work yesterday and directed parties in the matter

to file and exchange their written addresses for and against the no-case application. Upon receipt of the prosecution’s address, the judge gave the defendant 24 hours to reply on point of law and adjourned the matter till February 25, by 12 noon for the adoption of written addresses for and against the no-case application of the defendant. Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, said the amended charge is

harmless as it was to only take care of some elements of the offences for which Metuh was charged. The EFCC, in its charge against Metuh, who was ar-

raigned alongside his firm, alleged that he received N400 million, part of the money meant for procurement of arms, from the Office of the NSA in November 2014.

Buhari appoints Ogunlesi as SA new media rOtimi Fadeyi AbujA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Tolu Ogunlesi as his Special Assistant on Digital/New Media. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Ogunlesi, who is a renowned blogger and journalist, graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2004 and obtained MA in Creative Writing from University of East Anglia, UK, in 2011. Before his appointment, Ogunlesi had

worked as Features Editor and Editorial Board member of NEXT Newspaper. He also worked as a West Africa Editor for The Africa Report magazine from 2014 to 2015. Ogunlesi is a two-time winner of the CNN Multichoice African Journalism Awards, and a 2015 New Media Fellow of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). The statement further said Ogunlesi would be assisted by Bashir Ahmad, who is a Personal Assistant to the President on New Media.

Ife lauds Buhari as Ooni is appointed UNN chancellor Kemi Olaitan and BOladale BamigBOla L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal, Motor Vehicle and Administration, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Theophilus Charles; Chief Marketing Officer, Nicon Insurance Limited, Mr. Samson Davies; Director, Road Traffic Service, Vehicle Inspection Office, Federal Capital Territory, Mr Danjuma Garba and Corps Marshal FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, during a one day capacity building workshop for chief vehicle inspection officers in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

‘Like 2015, 2016 budget is envelope-driven’ geOrge Oji AbujA

uditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, yesterday said contrary to the presidency’s impression that the 2016 budget appropriate bill is based on zero budgeting, it rather took after the 2015 enveloping approach. Ukura made this clarification when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, SPAC, at the budget defence session of his office. He stated that the earlier intention by the present government was to adopt zero based budgeting as a template, the realities on ground later forced it to adopt the enveloped-based budgeting. Ukura disclosed that even the N2.9 billion budget estimates for his office for this year was not arrived at by through zero budgeting but handed over to them as an envelope by the Ministry of

Finance. “Budgets of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government this year are all enveloped-based and not zerobased as has been the case over the years, including that of my office, which is even largely done for us by the supervising ministry,” he said. When reminded by Senators Akpan Bassey (PDP Akwa Ibom North East) and Foster Ogola (PDP - Bayelsa West), that his submission on the 2016 budget template ran contrary to the earlier one made before the joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year when he presented the budget, he said: “This year’s budget is enveloped, and not zero-based in anyway. “It is envelope. The zerobased budgeting they wanted to introduce was not adhered to at the end of the day. In zero-based budgeting, it is assumed that such expenditure does not exist, you start

from zero and justify why that expenditure must be used. At the end of it, the result you are going to get out of it. So, it is a system which is good and which would have also helped to set targets, but that wasn’t applied at the end of the day, perhaps because it was hurriedly being introduced.” He added: “Budget proposal and by extension, Defence, is not about fighting but discussing on what is made available for one to work it, because what they want , they give.” Ukura was also taken up by the committee members on why his office has not deemed it fit to audit the account of Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, for always budgeting N32billion for recurrent expenditure covering staff strength of about 1,400, the same staff strength of the AGF’s office with N1.8 billion votes for recurrent expenditure. The committee members said they were not impressed with his presentation and per-

formance in office so far. Specifically, they said it amazed them that there wasn’t even a single audit alarm raised from his office in the face of series of grafts being carried out in various government offices through budget paddings under recurrent and overhead votes, to outright stealing. The committee through its chairman, Senator Andy Uba (PDP - Anambra South), however sympathised with his office for being underfunded. According to him, it is unacceptable for a very important audit office of the federation to be allocated paltry sum of N654 million for auditing of N6.08trillion budget profile, vowing to work towards increasing the office votes in the budget on operational template. “If you are not adequately funded, you are exposed to corruption and this committee will not allow that to happen,” he said.

oni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has been appointed the Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Director of Media, Ooni’s palace, Mr. Yera Moses Olafare, in a statement issued yesterday and made available to journalists, commended Buhari for recognising the Ooni’s efforts to promote unity among Nigerians. The statement said: “Ile Oodua is thankful to the people’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, of Federal Republic of Nigeria for the appointment of Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi, as the chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.” He stated that the development would further enable the monarch to build more bridges of friendship especially across the Niger. The statement further noted that the monarch is ready to bring to bear his influence and connections to promote unity

and harmonious working relationships in the university. The palace also admonished Nigerians to promote only issues that can foster unity to ensure speedy development rather than playing up their differences. “It is incontrovertible today that Ooni Ogunwusi is a bridge builder and being the youngest chancellor appointed for the only university bearing ‘Nigeria’ is worth the celebration. “His appointment as chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka is considered a positive sign that can further enhance peaceful coexistence of our dear nation as it was clearly stated in the letter of appointment written and signed by Hon. Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu on behalf of Mr. President that Kabiyesi’ appointment is based on his wealth of experience and capacity to manage men and resources which he has demonstrated in the administration of his kingdom in the last three months,” the statement added.

Photo News

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

African Youth Global Network Country Representative, Mr. Kouassi Akin (left) presenting Nelson Mandela pan-African Exemplary Leadership award to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu in Abuja, yesterday. with them is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Jamila Shuara.

L-R: Secretary General, Nigerian School Sports Federation, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph; Category Manager, Beverages, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Akintola; Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria PLC, Mr. Dharnesh Gordon and Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education, Delta State, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, during a Press Conference on the 18th Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: CEO, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited, Dr. Aderonke Bello; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Modupe Mojota; Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Efe Obioma and Branch Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Ikeja Branch, Segun Ogunsememowo, during the launch of 22 MultiChoice Resource Centre in Abeokuta Ogun State, yesterday.

L-R: Author of the Book, Mr Dare Babarinsa; his wife, Modupe; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Executive Director, Transcorp Hilton Hotel Ms Okaima Ohizua; Deputy Chairman, South, All Progressives Congress, Chief Segun Oni and former Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Obong Victor Attah, during the presentation of the The Nigerian Century, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News

EFCC seeks order to seize Tompolo’s assets

•Fears mount in Delta communities over planned arrest GeorGe opara and Wale IGbIntade

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos for an order authorising it to seize properties belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo). It would be recalled that Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, had ordered the immediate arrest of Tompolo, following his refusal to appear in court over allegation of money laundering and stealing of over N34bn belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Tompolo is charged along with a former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu, Gregory Mbonu, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Rex Elem

as well as Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited. EFCC had in the 40-count charge accused them of money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds. The suspects allegedly diverted N34bn, which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use. EFCC, in a motion exparte brought pursuant to section 80 and 81 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and under inherent jurisdiction of the court, filed by its lawyer, Festus Keyamo, prayed for an order authorising it to attach the following assets belonging to Tompolo; Property at No. 1 Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State

among others. An affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to by one Adah John Adah, a litigation officer in the law firm of Festus Keyamo stated that Tompolo was invited by EFCC on several occasions to come and answer to the allegations of fraudulent activities leveled against him which was uncovered during investigation. He stated that Tompolo was charged before the court to answer to charges leveled against him when he persistently refused and failed to honour the several invitations extended to him. He added that the court had on January 12, 2016 issued warrant of arrest against Tompolo, who absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest. The deponent added that rather than present himself

to the court, Tompolo engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, who filed a motion dated 27th day of January, 2016 to set aside the warrant of arrest. He added that the said motion was dismissed by the court on February 8, 2016. He stated that since the order for the arrest was issued against Tompolo, the combined team of the Nigerian police and the military has been combing the creeks and the entire nation for his arrest, but he continued to abscond and conceal himself. He stated that EFCC operatives have carried out investigation and received intelligence report to the effect that the following properties belong to Tompolo. *All properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd situated at No. 77, Lioth Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State. *All properties of Global

West Vessel Specialist Ltd. *All properties of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd. *A River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15 *The property, known as Tompolo Dockyard, by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri. The property, known as Tompolo Yard, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri. *The Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River. *The property known as Tompolo House at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace and any other property discovered EFCC, moveable and immoveable. Meanwhile, some Niger Delta communities are expressing fear over the imminent arrest of Tompolo, with heavy military presence in the region. However, Human Rights Commission, HRC, in order to forestall the repeat of the Odi tragedy, has decided to meet with Service Chiefs to

prevent human rights abuses in the affected communities. Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe made the disclosure during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights. Hon. Julius Pond, representing Burutu Federal Constituency in Delta State, had raised serious concern over the safety of the people of the affected communities in his constituency, even as he solicited the intervention of HRC. In his reaction, Angwe said: “In respect of that, first of all, we are not even going to wait and see what will happen against your people under this regime. We are going to intervene immediately. “Let me give you my word, now that the magnitude of that issue has been brought to our attention, I’m going to meet with the heads of the military in Nigeria to prevent what happened in Odi and other places.”

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News 5

Friday, February 19, 2016

FG now collects N8 per litre on imported PMS Chidi UgwU AbujA

etroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, said yesterday that Federal Government was collecting N8 per litre as subsidy on imported petrol by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and other marketers. Giving this hint when handing over the affairs of the agency to Mr. Moses Mbaba, General Manager Administration, and Human Resources, outgoing Executive Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed, said the collection was based on the price modulation regime on imported petrol. According to him, subsidy as at yesterday had dropped to minus N8 per litre for PMS, which means that government now collects N8 for every litre imported by NNPC and marketers as against payment to them before. Ahmed explained that the subsidy on petrol was N13.81k on Tuesday, which implied that the landing cost was lower than the selling price by N13.81k. The PPPRA boss disclosed further that based on over recovery pricing regime, the Federal Government had opened an Over Recovery Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, since February 3 to be managed by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. He explained that already about N2.6bn had been lodged into the account being the over recovery payments by NNPC and marketers for December 2015 importation. Ahmed said: “As at the 12th February, 2016, because we verify base on what was imported, about N2.6bn has accrued to that account. The fund is still low because most of the cargoes arrived in December last year. PPPRA has already communicated to the appropriate authorities that we are in the regime of over-recovery. “This is just the beginning because some of the products just arrived in December; that’s why the subsidy over recovery is low. But for those cargo that are loaded in January for example, we want the over recovery to start manifesting; then by calculation, we will begin to know what the price will be for marketers and NNPC respectively.” Commenting on review of template for price modulation in the first quarter, he

L-R: Chairman and Founder, Savannah Centre, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Guest Lecturer, Baroness Patricia-Scotland; Minister for Environment, Hajia Amina Mohammed and Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bulus Lolo, at a public lecture on Fighting Against Corruption, Finacial Crimes and Recovery of Stolen Monies in Foreign Banks, in Abuja, yesterday. said the agency was building data, which would look at the trend and analyse how the market had fared in the last two and half months. He explained that the agency would also check what the over recovery accumulated into before advising the minister, and that stakeholders in the sector would meet next week to deliberate on the development which would form part of the decisions on the price going forward. Ahmed said a committee that was initially planned to take charge of the template had to be jettisoned because the minister believed that rather than having a committee, it was better to bring every stakeholders together in a roundtable discussion to look at the trend, do a forecast and then take a decision on the prevailing facts. He noted that the price modulation review had some challenges but that these had led to the over recovery witnessed in the sector. He said: “There are a lot of things and that’s why we are into over recovery because first of all, we looked at the pricing after we reviewed the template. “The review instilled some efficiency and cost savings and that cost savings translated into reduction of pump price even though it is 50k and N1 but it is an indication that something is working. “That is the whole essence of modulation; cut cost; be more efficient and let Nigeria enjoy the benefit

of that efficiency.” Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachickwu yesterday said the novel price modulation mechanism currently in place will ensure that the Federal Government records zero expenses on fuel subsidy in 2016 Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, in a statement said the minister made the forecast while delivering the 45th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigerian, UNN, Nsukka under the theme: “The Petroleum Industry and the Future of the Nigerian National-Oil Resource Management and the Implication for National Security & Economic Survival.” Kachikwu noted that the zero fuel subsidy regime is already in place and would be sustained based on the prevailing modified pricing template for petroleum products which has eliminated extraneous cost elements.

“Without necessarily removing subsidy the government will spend zero amounts in subsidy in 2016. “This may sound unbelievable to some people but that is part of the change agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said. The minister noted that large chunks of vandalised pipelines are being recovered which will supply more crude to refineries. The minister said despite the difficulties of yester-years, the oil and gas industry is primed for greater achievements in the months and years ahead as a result of the landmark reforms being engendered and activated by the present administration. Dr. Kachikwu outlined

the central objective of the ongoing oil and gas reform agenda to include; increasing revenue for the country through sales of petroleum and petroleum products and taxes on profitable enterprises; maximising value added on crude oil and gas to establish linkages with other sectors through local processing and establishment of gas based industries thereby stimulating economic growth and development as well as providing employment opportunities for Nigerians. “Significant improvement in governance macroeconomic and fiscal policies are key to harnessing oil and gas resources for the sustainable development of Nigeria through enshrining transparency and accountability, empowering good

governance and transparency in expenditure and revenue management,” he added. The GMD also noted that the ongoing reform is designed to create competitive framework for public private partnerships anchored on durable financial investments. In his remarks, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba said the 45th convocation lecture was unique because the lecture was delivered by a guru in the petroleum industry, who had within a record time transformed the oil sector. Describing Kachikwu as the pride and beacon of UNN, the vice-chancellor noted that the university is glad to welcome a super lion and one of the profound thinkers in Nigeria.

No going back on sacked VCs –Minister CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

tions as may be specified in the letter of appointment. “It follows that the tenure system in federal universities is clearly distinguishable from that of the

civil service. “We are aware that the tenure of Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe is still subsisting as at the time he was purportedly removed on February 13, 2016. “Moreover, Prof. Vin-

cent Ado Tenebe as vicechancellor, unlike the Pro-Chancellor and Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, does not hold office at the pleasure of Mr. President,” the petition said.

Modu Sheriff will work for us in APC –Ganduje CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

terrorism related charges unlike some leaders of the ruling party; it is this we should take clear cognisance of. “There is no way the international community will not, at least, have an idea of those who have aided and

funded Boko Haram. “For our party to make the expected headway, we must remain united, discuss our disagreements as a family and refrain from joining those whose desire is to see that the party’s resurgence never happens,” Onaiwu said. The party has also clari-

fied that Modu Sheriff is the substantive and not acting national chairman as being erroneously rendered by a section of the media. In a statement, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said Sheriff ’s appointment by the National Executive Commit-

tee, NEC, was to replace Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, who resigned as national chairman, is in line with section 47(6) of the party’s constitution, which empowers NEC to fill a vacant position with a person from the zone where the officer originated from.

Friday February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I prefer to die fighting corruption –Magu

Wale IgbIntade

he acting chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, has vowed not to relent in the fight against corruption, saying: “I prefer to die fighting corruption.” Magu who stated this yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Association of Democratic Lawyers, led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), added that it would be a great honour for him to die while fighting corrupt people in the country. According to him, what happened recently when about 33 Senior Advocates of Nigeria stormed a Lagos High Court in defence of Rickey Tarfa (SAN) was an indication that corruption is fighting back. He however warned that nothing would prevent the EFCC under his

…says battle against sleaze is fight-to-finish …vows to charge more SANs to court

leadership from carrying out its statutory duties. “We know that corruption is fighting back and we are prepared to fight them; it is a fight to the finish,” he declared. According to Magu, some senior lawyers have constituted themselves into a block to fight the commission because they are beneficiaries of stolen money. Magu reiterated his earlier statement that some senior lawyers, rather than help the commission to recover looted money, have decided to thwart the efforts of government in that direction. The EFCC boss also disclosed that aside from the widely publicised case against Tarfa, the commission has taken several lawyers to court, adding that some of them have even been convicted. “Apart from those, we

have been quietly investigating many senior lawyers across the country, in relation to some to the proceeds of certain heinous crimes against the Nigerian people. When we reach a comfortable stage in our investigation, we would take them to court and make the outcome of our enquiries known to the Nigerian people,” he stated. Magu added that those investigations were what informed his statement that some lawyers are not fit to be in the legal profession. He urged senior lawyers to imitate the late

Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and allow the ethics of their profession, the interest of Nigeria and their good conscience guide them “when they accept briefs and are called upon to use their skills to pervert the cause of justice as many of them do today.” Magu who said Nigerians are among the most talented and industrious persons on earth also said few Nigerians have chosen to use their talents negatively, while other unpatriotic Nigerians have created an industry to provide expertise and technical know-now to crooks. Magu however admit-

ted that the war against corruption could not be fought and won alone by the EFCC without the courts, where lawyers and judges make up that indispensable branch of democratic governance. He assured lawyers that the EFCC would continue to operate under the ambit of the law, saying “no agency of government respects the rule of law better than the EFCC.” Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the group, Mr. Falana said majority of Nigerian lawyer are people of integrity and are willing to work with the EFCC in its fight against

corrupt individuals. He urged the EFCC boss not to make general statement that all Nigerian lawyers are corrupt, adding that the commission could not survive in its duty without the inputs of lawyers. He however said he and his colleagues are embarrassed when senior lawyers turn to judges in order to pervert the course of justice. He assured the EFCC boss that majority of Nigerian lawyers are solidly behind it should anybody or group decide to harass or intimidate the commission.

Health workers suspend planned strike, gives FG 21 days ultimatum

…NMA warns workers against revisiting the past

Marcus FatunMole AbujA

oint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, AHPA, yesterday said they have reached an agreement with the Federal Government to suspend its planned industrial action by three weeks. Briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, JOHESU chairman, Biobelemoye Josiah, said the decision was taken at a meeting between the unions and Federal Government representatives, namely the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Minister of State for Health, and representatives of other government agencies working on workers welfare in the country. The meeting, where he said government pleaded for time to enable it look into the grievances of

the worker, took place in Abuja, last Wednesday. Biobelemoye noted that the workers decided to give government the benefit of doubt because government is new, and that the associations are conscious of the negative consequences a strike would have on Nigerians. According to him, government had requested to be given 30 days to consider the demands, but, the unions only approved 21 days, noting that the demands of the workers are non-negotiable. He particularly faulted the appointment of a doctor by President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Health, Minister of State for Health, and permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health. He claimed doctors are less than five per cent of the workforce in the sector, and was pessimistic if the sector would not remain turbulent with the development.

L-R: Chief (Mrs) Omobola Oyediran; Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during a courtesy call by the Remo Royal fathers and elders on Vice President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:STATE HOUSE.

How Rickey Tarfa gave N225,000 to judge –EFCC alleges Wale IgbIntade

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed how embattled lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), allegedly paid N225,000 into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa on January 7, 2014, which the commission claimed was a bribe. This was contained in a counter affidavit filed by the EFCC against a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Tarfa. Tarfa had in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos, demanded N2.5 billion from the EFCC over alleged violation of his right. But the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit to the suit, said Tarfa was arrested for allegedly obstructing the arrest of two suspects of financial crimes by hiding them in his car. In trying to convince the court to dismiss Tarfa’s case, one of the EFCC operatives who arrested Tarfa, Moses Awolusi, stated in the counter-affidavit that a check carried out in the Access Bank ac-

count of Tarfa’s law firm, revealed that N225,000 was sent to Justice Yunusa of the Federal High Court on January 7, 2014, which the EFCC claimed was a bribe. Awolusi said: “I know from the facts revealed during investigation that the said bribe of N225,000 was accepted and acknowledged by Justice Yunusa in a text message to the applicant, wherein he said: ‘Thank you, my senior advocate.’ “I also know that investigations have revealed that the applicant’s law firm was in the habit of asking the

chief registrar of the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to assign his cases before His Lordship, Hon. Justice M.N. Yunusa in furtherance of the understanding between the applicant and the particular judge. “I know that investigations have revealed that even the junior counsel in the law firm of the applicant also engage in corrupt practices of their boss by manipulating the Federal High Court Registry to fix and assign cases filed by them to particular judges.”

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Friday February 19, 2016

South West

Friday, February 19 2016

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Ekiti monarch, supporters storm Assembly, seek recognition for stool A BIODUN N EJO ADO EKITI

s part of moves to ensure that Ekiti State gover nment recognises the Olukere stool in Ikere Ekiti, a section of residents of the ancient town besieged the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday to drum home their demand. Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, who led his subjects to the legislative house in company of his lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, also an indigene of the town, appeared before House Committees on Public Petitions and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The committees chaired by Hons. Titilayo Owolabi-Akerele (Public Petitions) and Badejo Anifowose (LG and Chieftaincy), had invited the monarch to present his case to ensure lasting peace in the town. Obasoyin is pressing for the recognition for his stool. The Olukere and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, who enjoys recognition by the state government, have been engaged in tussle over each other’s status in the community. The Ogoga has always described the Olukere as the chief priest of the community but the Olukere retorted: “The fact that I am the chief priest of lkere did not in any way diminish the recognition of my throne as an Oba. The Ooni of Ife himself controls over 200 out of the 400 deities in Yorubaland. “I perform political, cultural and traditional roles in Ikere, being the king and landlord. Let the whole world ask the Ogoga to state his role in history in our town,” the monarch said. Oba Obasoyin handed over to the Assembly committees the lkere

Ekiti Intelligence Report of 1933, compiled by a British administrator under the colonial governor, Mr. C.O. Weir, where his throne was recognised and also recognised as occupying an aboriginal position. He also presented a document indicating the payment of his stipend by the Ikere Local Government as a monarch, before it was allegedly stopped, hinging the action on alleged plan to spite his throne and obliterate his lineage through interference and influences of the then Ogoga. The monarch who demanded that his throne be recognised and that government should present him with the staff of office to complement his throne, with full paraphernalia of an Oba, said: “My throne is from the source, Ile Ife, where Oduduwa, the father of Yoruba race reigned; that was where I inherited my crown.” Responding, Hon. Owolabi-Akerele promised that the matter would be given fair hearing, adding that his invitation to the Assembly was because “we want peace in Ikere Ekiti. Nothing can happen under an atmosphere of crisis. I want you to support the peace move and also tell your people not to do anything that can create an atmosphere of chaos.”

L-R: General Manager/Group Zonal Head, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Tope Fasoranti; Group Head, Public Sector – Lagos and West, First Bank Plc, Mr Jide Adeola and Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode, at the 5th Lagos Corporate Assembly, tagged ‘A+ Meets the Business’ in Lagos, yesterday.

LCC, residents parley on Lekki access road

fter series of meetings, contractors are to resume the construction of more road arteries in the Lekki axis of Lagos State to decongest traffic on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway. The development came on the heels of the resolution of the misunderstanding between Lekki Concession Company, LCC, the firm franchised by the Lagos State government to upgrade Still Water Gardens Estate. It was part of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that the LCC will open up an access road to create an alternative to the tolled highway as it will be useful to residents when completed. But, the construction of the network of roads was stalled halfway following the uncooperative posture of residents of the estate who believed a road through their estate would worsen traffic.

The agreement between the parties was reached after a parley by LCC officials, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and representatives of the residents’ association. It was agreed at the parley that work should resume so that the road can be completed. According to LCC chief executive officer, Mrs. Shakirat Babatunde, residents of the Still Water Gardens Estate have realised that building the road would decongest traffic in Lekki. She said the construction of the road has been part of the original master plan for Lekki since 2008, adding that it would pass through the Oando Filling Station in Lekki. The residents had pleaded with the LCC not to build the road, insisting that it would worsen traffic situation within the Lekki axis. According to them, opening up the access

would worsen the security situation in the area. They had suggested to the LCC that instead of extending the road to the Jankande end of Lekki, it should stop at the estate gate. But, Mrs. Babatunde argued that the proposed project would create multiple access for road users with no danger posed to the Still Waters Gardens Estate. Her words: “The proposed road will create multiple points of entry and exit for the estate’s residents and other road users. By that singular road construction, over 80 per cent of the pressure on the Lekki axis will be taken away from road users. “It currently takes people about three to four hours to move through the roads but on completion of this access road, such a challenge is going to be resolved.” Speaking further, the LCC chief assured resi-

dents of the company’s support for the estate. She said the LCC suspended work to allow for dialogue with the residents in the spirit of fair play. “After our dialogue, we have found better ways to go about the road. We will ensure that the end result will be of greater benefits to Lagosians. We do not believe in imposing our ideas on others and that prompted us to push for this dialogue,” Mrs. Babatunde said. LASTMA’s general manager Mr. Braimah Bashiru, urged the LCC management to avail his agency the traffic management and impact assessment plans of the project. He said such documents would equip the authority with a better understand of the traffic flow to further decongestion traffic in the course of construction.

We’re not inferior to others, Ondo monarchs cry out OJO O YEWAMIDE AKURE

ome monarchs in Ondo State yesterday said they are not inferior to their colleagues regarded as first class traditional rulers in the state. The low-grade monarchs under the auspices of De 130 Krowns Club, said designating some of their colleagues as ‘first class’ is political. Speaking yesterday

at a press conference in Akure, president of the group, Oba Olusegun Akinbola, the Aladeokun of Alade Idanre, noted that out of 150 traditional rulers in the state, only 22 parade themselves as paramount rulers. Numbering about 100, the traditional rulers who are on grade ‘B’ and ‘C’ described as archaic the push for ‘paramountcy’ by some monarchs in the state. The monarchs re-

minded the state government that past administrations steered cleared of the matter because they did not want to tamper with the history of the people. They explained that the composition of the State Council of Obas is faulty and outdated, adding that it could no longer represent the interest of majority of them. They said: “The matter of ‘paramountcy’ has remained a contentious and

inflammable issue such that more than three past governments have steered clear of the matter. “It is not that they were not bold enough, not they do not possess the instruments to force their wish on the state, but it was because they saw that it was not wise to tamper with the history of the people. “They were not willing to assist a few self-seeking people to rewrite the natural history of the people of

Ondo State. Since it is a subjective matter, it should not be institutionalised through the force of law as is being canvassed by a few. “It is often stated that the wise person learns from the mistakes of others instead of learning from his own mistakes. “Our strong advice to the government is that it should not allow the desire of a group of few Obas to plunge the state of over 3,000,000 people into confusion.”

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South West

Friday, February 19, 2016

Barber jailed 2 years for drug dealing WALE IGBINTADE

Lagos Federal High Court yesterday sentenced a barber, Akeem Owolabi, 26, to two years imprisonment for dealing in illicit drug. Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia convicted and sentenced Owolabi after finding him guilty of a one-count charge levelled against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. During the arraignment of the Kogi Stateborn convict, NDLEA prosecutor Jerry Earnan informed the court that the convict was arrested at 17, Emmanuel Street, Maryland, Lagos, on April 25, 2015. The prosecutor informed the court that when arrested, Owolabi unlawfully possessed 550 grammes of cannabis popularly called mari-

juana. He said the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004. The convict had pleaded guilty to the charge on his arraignment on June 5, 2015, and was ordered to be remanded in prison custody. Upon the convict’s plea, the prosecutor tendered nine exhibits which included his statement, drug analysis report, drug form and others. Before sentencing the convict, his lawyer, Godwin Okaka, pleaded with the court to be lenient in sentencing his client. He said the convict was a first offender, with two children. Pronouncing judgment on the convict, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia sentenced him to two years imprisonment starting from the date of his arraignment.

CP applauded over peace in Oyo K EMI O LAITAN IBADAN

yo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, has been commended for ensuring that an atmosphere of peace prevails in the nooks and crannies of the state since his assumption of office. A community leader, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, who gave the commendation in a statement issued yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the state in the past was known more for lack of peace with residents living in fear for their lives and property. He however said it was not because the police boss’ predecessors did not do their best towards realising peace during their tenures. While insisting that Oyebade’s professionalism to security problem of the state stood him in good stead among his peers, he also lauded the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, for ensuring

peace reigns in the state. Adeyemo also urged all and sundry, no matter the political affiliation, to forget what has happened during and after the last elections, saying what matters most is progress of the state. According to the aide of former governor Rasheed Ladoja, the security of the state cannot be left for the police alone but needs the cooperation of every residents to reach optimum level of performance, stating that people must be ready to volunteer information to the police at all times not only about kidnapping but also other categories of crime. He also urged members of the public to disregard the insinuation that some powerful individuals in the state were using his name to encroach on peoples’ land, stressing that he is not a land seller. He therefore warned those he said were trying to spoil his name to desist as he had reported the matter to the police.

Matriculating students of the Polytechnic Ibadan taking oath during their matriculation in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Lagos vows to streamline tax payment FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said his administration will streamline payment of tax and levies to encourage fresh investment from Organised Private Sector, OPS, and facilitate growth of existing businesses in the state. Ambode, who made the assurance at the 5th edition of Lagos Corporate Assembly tagged, ‘A+ Meets Business’ organised by the state’s Ministry of Commerce Industry and Cooperatives, said the state is open for greater business and ready to give incentives to entrepreneurs and investors. He said, “On the challenge of delivery of vans the Organised Private Sector spoke about due to many permits, truly we need to streamline the permits and put it in one single payment. So once

you pay this single levy nobody will disturb you. We need to be civil with our taxpayers because it is the money we get from taxes we are using to do all we do.” Ambode, who said the corporate assembly will henceforth be held twice yearly, added that relocation of tank farms in the state is not negotiable. According to him, greater strategies abound than to reduce the number of tankers coming into Lagos on daily basis. He said: “If the Atlas Cove is pumping to Mosinmi, we will have lesser tankers coming to Lagos and traffic on Lagos road will reduce. And the issue of tank farms will be a thing of the past. I believe if we complete the construction of the Ishawo-Arepo road, we are likely to address traffic in the state.” On the gridlock in Oshodi-Apapa expressway that has paralysed busi-

nesses in the axis, he said the issue has to do more with the Federal Government than the state. He said, “It is about residents of Lagos and I think that collaboration will continue. And if I have N1.5 billion to give to the contractor, I will do it because it will make life easier for residents of Lagos. I have tried to look at the budget of the Federal Government; I didn’t see that money in it. “That creates more social impact for us if we are able to solve it. We are doing a lot about federal government projects in Lagos. I am not borthered about getting the money back. It is about the comfort of the residents of Lagos. And that is what is most important to my administration.” The governor further revealed plans by the state government to create business clusters in Lagos and provide 24-hour power supply to them before

the end of 2017. Earlier, President of Lagos State Chamber for Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande, said movement of delivery vans and trucks within the metropolis has become a nightmare. She said, “There are too many permits and licenses to be obtained. The situation could be so bad that some of these vehicles carry as much as 15 stickers on their windscreens. “Your Excellency, these copious permits and licenses will certainly create compliance problems. This has therefore created a problem of logistics for companies operating in the state, most of which are SMEs. The result of this scenario is that many of the delivery vans would not go out of the factory gates until very late in the day when they would be sure the VIOs, Road Safety and the Local Council officials have closed for the day.”

Pro-chancellors seek CBN, BoI intervention fund for education ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

ro-chancellors of private universities have urged federal agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Bank of Industry, BoI, to create special intervention fund for education sector. The pro-chancellors said the fund was necessary in view of the critical role of higher education in driving knowledgebased development of countries.

In a communiqué at the end of their second meeting in Abuja made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the pro-chancellors’ chairman, Ambassador Iyorwuese Hagher and secretary, Prof Dogara Gwamma, also called on the Federal Government to constitute the board of Education Bank “so that it can play strategic interventionist role in the education sector.” The pro-chancellors, who expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against

corruption, urged the president to invest the money recovered in the process in the education sector “which has suffered greatly due to malfeasances of corrupt public office holders and politicians.” They lamented the poor state of education in general and primary education in particular, saying the situation has driven nearly 10 million children of school age out of school, a situation they described as “inimical to the long-term development of the country.” They also called on

stakeholders from the federal, state, local government and non-state actors to forge a common front to tackle challenges in the education sector. The communiqué added that the pro-chancellors rose with a commitment towards continuous provision of quality world-class university education and pledged to explore and collaborate with agencies and institutions such as World Bank, CBN and non-governmental organisations among others.

South East

Friday, February 19, 2016

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Court restrains INEC, NASS from removing Uba, Oduah, others obiora iFoh ABUJA

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted an injunction restraining the INEC, Senate President, House of Representatives speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly from withdrawing senators Andy Uba and Stella Oduah, as well as other mem-

bers of the House or there Certificates of Return and/ or issuing same to any person other than the plaintiffs. This is as well as restraining them from swearing in any other persons as winners of the 2015 general election into the National Assembly. The order was granted by Justice Gabriel Kolawole after listening to the motion exparte of the plaintiffs’

IG warns IPOB members against firearm possession GeorGe opara ABUJA

ollowing the recent comments credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, “to carry guns in self defence,” the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has warned the irate members to reconsider their stand or prepare to face the wrath of the extant laws on illicit bearing of firearms. The IGP in his reaction, reiterated, “Anybody who dares security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, and makes life difficult for lawabiding citizens, will face dire consequences of their actions.” He, however, advised

Francis ekpone ONITSHA

ederal High Court sitting in Awka yesterday granted the application of the Aguata branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, seeking extension of time to file a further affidavit and application for substantive service of Form 48 against the respondent, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia, Mr. Usman Gwari and Anambra State police commissioner, Mr. Hassan Karma, for alleged intimidation and kidnap of one of their members, Mr. Ndubuisi Onyeagba. The lead prosecuting counsel, Aniazoka Zokas, who appeared in court with over 20 NBA members from Aguata zone for the applicant, told the court that about five applications were pending in the court wherein they obtained an order of injunction restraining the police from intimidating their client, Onyeagba

IPOB members to follow appropriate avenue in ventilating their grievances. “Members of the group should therefore note that it is an offence punishable under the criminal law of the Federation of Nigeria for a person to have in his possession or under his control, any prohibited firearm without licence or permit.” The police boss therefore directed all Zonal AIGs and State Commands CPs to strictly enforce the laws against use of illegal firearms across the length and breadth of the country. He assured the people that the Nigeria Police would work in synergy with other security agencies in the country to eliminate any threat to internal security and social disorder.

counsels, Mr Arthur Obi Okafor SAN, and Vincent Ottaokpukpu. Attempt by Mr Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to Chief Ejike Oguebego, who the apex court recognised as the genuine PDP-led executive in Anambra State, to stop the court failed as he urged the judge not to grant the order because INEC had written to the Supreme Court for clarification on the judgement. Justice Kolawole ordered

that the order will last as well as the pending applications pending the interpretation of the judgement by the apex court. The plaintiffs in the suit are Uba, Oduah, Hons. Anayo Nnebo, Ukeria Azodo, Chris Azubogu, Lynda Ikpeazu, Tony Nwoye, Obinna Chidoka and Chukwuma Onyema. The trial judge also ordered that the status quo be maintained and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

The Oguebego-led committee was on March 7, 2012 elected into office in an election monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The party’s National Working Committee however later that month dissolved the election for alleged factionalisation. Following legal action instituted by the Oguebego committee to challenge the dissolution, a Federal High Court on September 12,

2013 ordered PDP National Secretariat to recognise the plaintiff in the suit pending completion of the case. But, in flagrant disobedience to the court order, the PDP national body reportedly set up a caretaker committee to run the party’s affairs in the state. The Court of Appeal, Abuja division had in its judgment upheld the constitution of the caretaker committee by the PDP National Secretariat.

L-R: Adviser on Budget to Enugu State Government, Mr Uchenna Ogbodo; winner, Mr Zeowa Stonislaus; First City MonumentBank (fcmb) South-South Regional Head, Mr Okey Ezeala and Zonal HeadEnugu, Mr Chijioke Mbagwu, during FCMB Millionaire Promo Draws in Enugu on Wednesday. PHOTO:NAN

Hearing adjourned on NBA suit against police for discharging his constitutional duties as a lawyer. The police were alleged to have harassed, intimidated and attacked Onyeagba, after scaling his wall, for handling a land matter for his Umuncheke community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. This is despite a persisting court order restraining them from harassing or attacking Onyeagba until after judgement. Onyeagba, it was also learnt, has been in hiding for over a month now for safety reason. Counsel to the 3rd and 4th respondent, Mr. A.N. Oboh also asked for more time to study the applications, which he said he received on Thursday morning. The Judge handling the matter, Justice I.N. Oweido granted the motion. Zokas told journalists that Aniazoka condemned

the attitude of the police in flouting court order which he described as court contempt. “We got the court order and the police filed a motion to discharge that order, yet they are not obeying the

order. They are still haunting our client and member, Onyeagba. They sent him out of circulation and sent him out of his profession. He is no longer practicing now. I don’t know where he is, I don’t know if On-

yeagba has been kidnapped and I can’t even reach him. The police should explain where he is. Obviously, the young man is running for his dear life or has been kidnapped. “Since the police are

aware of the order but want to disobey it with impunity, we filed another application, form 48, which is a form of notice to a person who is disobeying court order that if he continues, he risks going to jail,” he said.

Insecurity: Media practitioners told to brace up chris njoku OWERRI

irector of Directorate of State Service, DSS, Imo State, Jibril Danmallal, has charged media professionals in the country to play effective role in disseminating accurate information to the public to sustain peace in the country. “The media must brace up to the challenges of protecting the country through accurate reportage,” he charged. Addressing executive members of Nigerian

Union of Journalists, Imo State council during a courtesy visit in his office yesterday, the director called for synergy between the security agencies and the media for sustenance of peace in the state in particular, and the country in general. He said the aim of the security agency is to provide adequate security for the people. He said the media in ensuring sustenance of peace in the state and in the country at large must play effective role in disseminating accurate information to

the public. Danmallal therefore called for sustenance of existing cordial relationship between the security agency and the media. He assured that the security outfit in the state would continue to do her constitutional duties in protecting lives and properties in the state. On the issue of quacks in the profession, the director promised to assist the union to tackle the problem. Earlier in his address, the NUJ chairman, Imo State council, Innocent Igwe, who was represented by his Vice

chairman, Chris Akaraonye, stated that the union has resolved to partner the agency to ensure peace in the state. He said one of the challenges facing the union, which had almost eaten deep into the fabric of the profession, is the issue of quacks among members and pleaded with the security chief to assist the union in tackling the anomalies in the union. According to him, efforts have been made to reposition the union particularly in the area of image management.

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South South

Friday, February 19, 2016

Rivers moves against ghost workers Dennis naku,

Port Harcourt

n a bid to fish out ghost workers in the civil service, Rivers State Government declared yesterday that only staff with proven Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, will receive salaries from this month.

This is even as Governor Nyesom Wike has approved the setting up

of the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, RSUST. Wike, who spoke when the Governing Council of RSUST paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Port Harcourt said his administration was determined to know the actual number of staff in the state employ.

The governor said the state’s monthly wage bill is N7bn, while pension bill stands at N1.4bn. Wike said: “This month, if you do not submit your BVN and physically identify yourself, you will not be paid. If only 20 staff have their BVN verified physically, they will be the only staff to be paid. “With a wage and

pension bill of N8.4bn monthly, the state government is determined to stop all wastages.” The governor also announced that the state government will no longer pay the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers of Demonstration Schools of RSUST and other designated tertiary institutions where pupils and students pay school fees.

He added that the state government has completed the payment of salary arrears of recalled lecturers sacked by the immediate past administration in the state. He said government will support the establishment of the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital for RSUST as part of the pledge he made to the people of

the state. Earlier, Pro-Chancellor of RSUST, Justice Iche Ndu commended Wike for investing in the development of the university. He said the setting up of the College of Medicine and the approval of five hospitals for the take off of the Teaching Hospital for would advance access to quality healthcare in the state.

‘A’Ibom creates 1,200 jobs in 2 months’

Julius Onwuma, uyo

S People living with disability protest over non employment of their people in Calabar-Ikom road, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Army, surveillance contractors partner to end pipeline attacks Dennis naku,

Port Harcourt

igerian Army and surveillance contractors yesterday met to discuss modalities to check the rising attacks on petroleum pipelines and facilities by suspected militants in the Niger Delta. The meeting came on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the military and security task forces to mobilise operatives to curb attack on pipelines in the region. Addressing participants at the meeting, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said urgent steps should be taken in view of global fall in price of crude oil. He said the Federal Government was concerned about the current happenings in the Niger Delta, especially as the nation’s economy largely depended on resources from the region.

“The Federal Government has been battling several challenges, among which is militancy and agitation for resource control, especially in the Niger Delta region. “The region, no doubt has been the nerve centre of the nation’s economy because oil produced in the region has been the major source of funding for the economy. “Recently, oil production has been affected as restive youths vandalised pipelines, leading to cut in output by oil companies and with adverse effect on the nation’s economy. “In view of this challenge, we feel it is important to meet and brainstorm with surveillance contractors who are responsible to protect oil pipelines within the 2 Brigade army area of responsibility,” he said. Olabanji said collaboration with the contractors would focus mainly on ways to end the attacks, while evolving new strategies to stop the recurrence.

The commander also said the army was currently exploiting “kinetic and nonkinetic” operation strategy with focus to ending oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region. He said the strategy was geared towards ensuring that oil production continued unhindered. According to him, further reduction in output coupled with dwindling oil prices will reduce national income; thus affecting government’s ability to provide essential services to the citizenry. Also speaking, SouthSouth Zonal Head of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, said immediate action must be taken to stem corruption and sabotage of national assets. He said the current challenges confronting the nation in areas like insurgency, militancy, kidnapping and vandalism of pipelines, had given the nation a bad image.

Salihu said collaboration and conspiracy between communities and oil thieves, frequent transfer of judges and officers handling corruption cases had affected the prosecution of culprits.

pecial Assistant to the governor of Akwa Ibom State on Youth Matters, Mr. Aniefiok IwaUdofia has disclosed that the current administration has created over 1,200 jobs in the last two months through Akwa Ibom Enterprises and Employment Scheme, AKEES. IwaUdofia who made the revelation yesterday, in Uyo, said that AKEES which took off in December, 2015 is intended to help business owners grow their businesses and create employment through government’s financial support. He explained that the introduction of AKEES is in consonance with

the recognition that Governor Emmanuel Udom accords youths of the state and his resolve to make them major partners in his developmental strides. He further stressed that the governor’s emphasis on youth empowerment and capacity building is what accounts for the massive training in data management, agro-allied and electric generation and distribution overseas. Iwudofia said the trainings, apart from the direct gains it offers the beneficiaries, will help build a high intellectual base and an efficient manpower pool that will drive the leading industries of the state and the country at large in the nearest future.

A’Ibom Assembly passes 2016 Appropriation Bill of N426bn

kwa Ibom House of Assembly yesterday passed the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill of N426bn. The budget is against the N484bn figure for last year. The budget, as passed by the House, is the same as submitted by Governor Udom Emmanuel on December 22, 2015. It is made up of N94.96bn for recurrent expenditure, N243bn for capital expenditure and N88.04bn as consolidated revenue. In his presentation, Mr. Usoroh Akpanusoh, (PDPEsit Eket/Ibeno) State

Constituency and House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, urged the executive to implement the budget as passed. Akpanusoh appealed to government to ensure that amount appropriated was released accordingly and to ensure judicious use of funds as budgeted. He directed all ministries, departments and agencies to submit quarterly reports to the House through the various committees on the level of implementation and on releases of funds. He commended the gov-

ernor for his political will to adopt a transparent and detailed accounting system in preparing the budget. House Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke, commended the Committee on Finance and Appropriation for a job well done. Luke applauded the state government for adopting International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS, for this year’s budget. He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to forward the appropriation law to the governor for assent.

North

Ubong Ukpong AbujA

roops of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday, rescued 195 persons after pulling down Boko Haram terrorists’ camps in Northern Borno, Borno State. An update yesterday by the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said the operations were executed by troops of 7 Division Garrison comprising 112 Battalion and Armed Forces Special Forces. He said they were on a joint clearance patrol on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ locations at Kwaptara, Mijigete, Garin Boka, Mosole, Ngubdori, Ma’asa, Dukje and Gulumba in Dikwa and Bama local government areas of the state. “The troops discovered Boko Haram terrorists’ camp, a patent medicine outfit and a major market at Gulumba. “Quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and several items recovered. “These include two logistic trucks, 180 motorcycles, 750 bicycles and various perishable and non-perishable items such as a 100 KVA Mikano generator and grinding machine. “In addition, they also rescued 195 persons held hostage, recovered 300 cows, 200 sheep and 130

Friday February 19, 2016

Troops rescue 195 persons, destroy camps in Borno North

Army to investigate human rights abuse cases goats rustled by the insurgents,” he said. Usman added that the troops also recovered military items such as camouflage uniforms as well as rifle magazines and grenades. He said the unprecedented feat was achieved through the renewed cooperation and support of the public who provide timely information to the troops. “Consequently, we would like to thank all those good citizens who provided the timely information and enjoin all to see the fight against Boko Haram terrorists as a collective responsibility to enable us clear the remnants of the insurgents in the North East and other parts of the country,” he said. Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, LtGen. Tukur Buratai, has assured that the Nigerian Army under his leadership would investigate all cases of human rights complaints brought before it. Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, CCMA, Maj-Gen. Rogers Nicholas,

Buhari off to Egypt for Africa Business Forum Rotimi Fadeyi AbujA

resident Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja today for Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the Business for Africa, Egypt and World Forum. According to a statement issued yesterday by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the forum, which opens in the Egyptian resort town on Saturday, is being organised by the Egyptian government under the auspices of the African Union Commission. The forum’s objective is to accelerate private sector engagement and investment within Africa and promote the development of African ties and

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partnership. Buhari, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and the Presidents of Togo, Sudan, Kenya, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia are among confirmed speakers at the forum. Other confirmed speakers include the president of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the President/CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote. The President would be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama. He would return to Abuja at the conclusion of the forum.

gave assurance at the commissioning of the Army Human Rights Desk. He noted that the establishment of the desk office was borne out of the increasing interest of local and international human right bodies on what we are doing in the North East and other parts of the country. The army chief also noted that the army is try-

ing to open up the system to close the gap among the civil populace, human rights bodies and civil society organisations. Buratai listed the functions of the newly established human rights desk under the supervision of the CCMA as well as inputs from the provost marshal’s office as receiving documents and investigating complaints from

individuals, organisations and institution on rights violation involving army personnel. “They are also to make their findings known to the COAS on human rights complaints in the country; produce annual reports; review, update existing training manual; and facilitate participation of army officers in local/international training

programmes,” he said. Buratai listed other functions of the desk as liaising and facilitating interaction with human rights organisations; strategising and strengthening capacity of the army in promoting human rights, as well as developing a network of contacts of human rights offices in Nigeria.

L-R: Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Ayankpele; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Deputy, Elder Peter Kisra, during the Official Flag-off of Helicopter Training at Ilorin Aviation College on Wednesday.

PDP crisis: Court to hear appeal March 22 doosUUR iwambe AbujA

buja Division of the Court of Appeal will on Monday, February 22, 2016 hear the application for stay of execution in the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chief Uche Secondus. A statement signed by counsel to the PDP, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and made available to journalists yesterday, debunked allegations making the round that no stay of execution is pending before the Court of Appeal. “My attention has been drawn to claims made by

Alhaji Ali Gulak who is the respondent in Appeal No. CA/A/24/2016, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and Chief Uche Secondus. “Motion No. CA/A/24/ MI/2016. This Motion came up on 11/02/2016 whereupon the court ordered parties to file their written addresses. “I seize this opportunity to debunk the lie that the judgment of the lower court by any stretch of imagination declared Alhaji Ali Gulak the national chairman of the party. “The court only ordered that a member of the party from the North East, including Alhaji Gulak, be appointed national

chairman to complete the tenure of former national chairman, Alhaji Muazu who resigned. “This appointment was to be made by the party’s NEC and NEC went ahead to elect Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and not Alhaji Gulak,” the statement read. On the argument that Chief Secondus who, as the deputy national chairman could not preside over the NEC meeting that elected Senator Sheriff by virtue of the judgment of the FCT High Court, the PDP’s lawyer stated that it is an issue only a court of competent jurisdiction could resolve. It would be recalled

that the appellants in the appeal are praying the appellate to set aside the ruling of the FCT High Court that ordered that a member of the party from the North East, including Alhaji Gulak be appointed national chairman to complete the tenure of former national chairman, Alhaji Muazu. The court was presided over by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf. Delivering ruling in a suit filed by the former political adviser to the exPresident Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, Justice Baba-Yusuf ordered any other party member worthy of that position should be elected.

Friday, February 19, 2016

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Politics

Taraba rerun elections: PDP, APC in battle of wits

14,15

Ambode assures stable power in Lagos ....to tackle gridlock

RobeRt Awokuse

agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has hinted that his government would by 2017 ensure a constant power supply in the state. Ambode who disclosed this at the 5th Lagos Corporate Assembly tagged “Ambode Meets Business” organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, said the government is working with

relevant agencies to achieve the feat. He noted that moves are on the way by the Ministry of Energy, Mineral Resources through a thoroughly bred cluster of plans to ensure that the mission is accomplished. Similarly, the governor promised that the Mile 2, Apapa rail project would be completed before December this year as part of measures to facilitate quick business services by checkmating perennial traffic congestions in the state.

This followed torrents of complaints lodged by stakeholders in business transactions within Apapa-Mile 2 axis who are constantly subjected to traffic gridlock in the area. Reacting to the issues raised concerning traffic congestion , Ambode assured that all traffic prone areas would receive adequate attention to curtail the problem. He however sought the support of the federal gov-

ernment to achieve the aim, noting that most of the roads in focus are under federal jurisdiction. Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye said the occasion was worthwhile as it has been a useful public–private engagement vehicle, through which the state government and the business community interact and discuss issues that are germane to the

state’s industrial growth. “The promotion of commercial and industrial growth of the State has been the focus of this Assembly. As the engine room and hub of industrial development, Lagos State recognises that a wholesome operating environment is the key to job creation, poverty eradication and overall economic development of the State. Therefore, the State Government will continue to ensure collaboration be-

tween it and the organised private sector (O.P.S), not only to sustain the existing level of industrialization but also to accelerate the momentum of its development. “The Corporate Assembly is a veritable platform that enables Government to feel the pulse of the business community. This allimportant parley has so far resolved a number of issues affecting businesses in the State.”

DPC warns over free fall of naira

he Democratic People’s Congress, DPC has called for the immediate resignation of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele over what it termed his awkward monetary policies which contributed to the free fall of the naira that exchanged to N 375, 00 for one United States dollar on 17th February, 2015. According to the party, the Central Bank of Nigeria under Emefiele’s watch is confused and overwhelmed by the country’s economic downturn. “His trial and error policies in recent times are classical example of voodoo economics, if not economic terrorism”, DPC said. In a statement signed by the National Chairman of the party, Olusegun Peters, said “We demand his immediate resignation and re-organization of the apex bank for effective policy formation and implementation that will stimulate the national economy and steer it on the path of growth, development, advancement and prosperity. “The present crop of top CBN officers are suffering from leadership fatigue and ignorant of effective strategies to revamp the economy and restore the

value and dignity of the nation’s currency, naira. “It is time for all patriotic Nigerians to stand up and be counted in the efforts to overhaul the economy and save the naira from further depreciation. “It is time for the federal government to formulate financial/monetary policies that will strengthen the naira, yield foreign currencies, promote export and accelerate small and medium scale enterprises”, the party said. DPC said it is alarmed by the cash crunch, inflation, unemployment, poverty and crime in the country as a result of the flawed and clueless fiscal policies of the CBN in particular and the nation’s economic managers in general. “Today, the naira does not worth the paper it is printed. Nigerians are suffering and groaning under heavy financial burden as their purchasing power is daily eroded by the free fall of the naira”, the party further said. DPC calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of economic emergency immediately to revive, revamp and overhaul the economy with a view to strengthening the naira.

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam signing the 2016 Budget after it was passed by the State Assembly. Standing right is the State Assembly Speaker, Adamu Dala Dogo and other government officials, in Damaturu yesterday

Soyinka urges Buhari to call emergency economic confab RobeRt Awokuse

obel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has blamed the current economic situation in the country on years of bad governance, and urged the federal government to call an emergency economic conference to address the situation. Prof. Soyinka, who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja yesterday, also reiterated his earlier support for the administration’s fight against corruption.

‘’The economic condition of a nation, of a people does not deteriorate overnight. Something came before that deterioration,’’ he said, while answering a question on the current state of the nation’s economy. He blamed the deterioration of the economy on ‘’a certain prolonged and unchecked process of attrition’’, adding that Nigerians should not expect a quick turnaround of the economy. ‘’Recovery is going to take quite a while. The President should call an emergency economic conference, with experts to be invited; consumers, producers, labour

unions, university experts, professors, among others. ‘’I think we really need an emergency economic conference, a rescue operation bringing as many heads as possible together to plot the way forward,’’ the Nobel Laureate said. Prof. Soyinka said the government must remain resolute in its ongoing fight against corruption, while also expressing satisfaction with ‘’both the target and tempo of motion’’ as far as the government’s efforts are concerned. He urged the government to pursue the anti-corruption battle within the con-

fines of the law, saying that if that goal (of fighting corruption) is attained by positive means, if nothing else, the government would have moved the nation forward by many years. According to him, the government must recover stolen funds and punish those who are responsible ‘’for the impoverishment of the nation, of the people and those who robbed the nation with contempt’’. Earlier, while welcoming Soyinka, the Minister said it was a great pleasure to host the Nobel Laureate whom he said had come on a private visit.

Politics

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 19, 2016

Taraba rerun elections: PDP, APC in battle of wits Justin tyopuusu JALINGO

ll is now set for supplementary elections into Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna federal constituency as well as Mbamga and Ardo Kola state constituencies in Taraba state tomorrow, Saturday February 20. Independent National Election Commission, INEC had a fortnight ago announced February 20 as date for supplementary elections in one federal constituency and two state constituencies in the state. INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Umar at a stakeholders meeting in Jalingo said the commission was ready for the election and have distributed non-sensitive materials while sensitive materials would be distributed today, Friday ahead of Saturday’s elections. He informed that only registered voters who have already obtained their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs would vote in the election, explaining that only those that voted during the last election would vote come Saturday. On its part, APC chairman in the state, Alhaji Ardo Jika expressed confidence that their candidate Emmanuel Bongo who is now leading by 32 votes against the incumbent, Mr. Peter Abel Diah of PDP in Mbamga state constituency after the court ordered rerun will win the election. The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the Saturday’s supplementary election into Kurmi/Gashaka/Sardauna House of Representatives seat, Dan-Asabe Hosea in a reaction expressed confidence that he will win the polls. “God gave me the mandate through the people, the people are still there and they have assured me they will come out en masse to tell the world that they voted me,” he said. He appealed to the people of his constituency to be law abiding and not to react to any form of provocation from any quarter during the election. Hosea noted that within the five months

Jika

Ishaku

Taraba sTaTe Police commissioner mr. shaba alkali while briefing sTakeholders on Their level of PreParaTions for The elecTion warned all sTakeholders connecTed To The saTurday’s rerun elecTion in The sTaTe To guard againsT violence. that he stayed in the National Assembly, he sponsored four motions that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of his constituency. According to him, he had moved a motion for the development of the Mambilla Hydro Power project which according to him would provide jobs, contribute power to the national grid which will help boost industrial growth. “I have also move a motion for the upgrade of Gashaka Gumti National Park which is the best in Africa and the motion has been approved and referred to the House Committee on tourism for further action.

“I have also moved a motion for the construction of Mararaban Baissa-AbongNgoroje road, which will open up the area and bring investors to harness our God giving natural resources like Cocoa, oil palm, rubber and tea among others. So the people will vote me back,” he said. Taraba state Police Commissioner Mr. Shaba Alkali while briefing stakeholders on their level of preparations for the election warned all stakeholders connected to the Saturday’s rerun election in the state to guard against violence. Shaba said his men were ready to deal de-

cisively with any criminal act during the rerun elections, assuring that they will execute their duties without fear or favour. He maintained that snatching of ballot boxes, attacking electorates at the election venues and other electoral misbehaviours must be eliminated. “I want to warn trouble makers to steer clear of voting points as only those who have business at polling units would be allow access,” he warned. Political pundits have tipped PDP to win the elections as most of the areas supplementary elections are to hold on Saturday are PDP strongholds. But the APC Chairman, Alhaji Ardo Jika disputed the predictions that PDP will win, querying that, “if the areas in questions are PDP strongholds why did they rigged elections in those areas in the first place? PDP have lost value in Taraba and can’t win any genuine contest”, he said. A PDP chieftain, Mallam Babangida Umar told National Mirror that PDP will win clearly on Saturday especially that the Supreme Court ruling went in favour of the governor and most areas elections are to hold are under the control of the PDP. It could be recalled that the Appeal Court sitting in Yola Adamawa state had at various dates in December last year, annulled the election of the member representing Kurmi/Gashaka and Sardauna Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dan-Asabe Hosea of the PDP and ordered supplementary election in 19 polling units. The Appellate court also annulled the election of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abel Peter Diah of the PDP and ordered rerun election in eight polling units, even as it ordered same in Ardo Kola state constituency, where Mr. Emmanuel Dame also of the PDP was asked to vacate his seat pending the outcome of the supplementary election in 11 polling units in the constituency.

It’s Onjeh versus Mark in Benue South Henry iyorkase, Makurdi

omorrow is the day fixed for Benue South-West senatorial rerun elections rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC following the annulment by the Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi of the election of Senator David Mark. All the machineries are set in motion to ensure a hitch free polls in the zone. Preparation to ensure peaceful rerun has been concluded as voter education officer of INEC in the state, Mr. Godwin Abari in a chat with National Mirror yesterday in Makurdi said requirements and logistics have been put in place for the success of the polls coming up on Saturday. He however urged stakeholders to be guided by the law and refrain from any act capable of igniting trouble during and after the elections adding that, whoever spearheads any form of lawlessness will not be spared the sledge hammer of the law enforcement agents. Benue south senatorial district otherwise known as Zone ‘C’ comprises of nine local governments with its headquarters at Otukpo, the traditional seat of power and dominated by two ethnic groups namely Idoma and Igede whose political tradition have always been to belong to the mainstream governance. This particular rerun carries weight because Mark had

Onjeh risen to the exalted Senate President office thus attaining the number three citizen seat in the hierarchy of governance while his opponent Onjeh is a former students

unionist without much political experience but carrying the flag of APC which is the ruling party both in the state and at the centre. In an interview with National Mirror, the state Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Comrade Abba Yaro stated that the election of Onjeh as senator for Benue South is a foregone conclusion as the electorate in the zone have vowed to replace Mark with Onjeh . “Therefore anybody who says Mark will retain his position is a fallacy and a figment of his imagination and should not be taken seriously because anyone who matter politically in the zone have embraced the change mantra and they are working assiduously to upstage Mark come rain or sunshine at the polls, consequently his days are numbered” In his comments, the Youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Adakole Elijah reasoned that for anyone to even have a thought that Sen. Mark would be floored by Onjeh during the election is a fallacy. “I am optimistic that the outcome is already with the people , Senator Mark has laboured in the last 16 years at the Senate, if he has not represented his people well, he couldn’t have remained there for that long. It is a further demonstration of a capable leader owing to his charisma of carrying everybody along” The Director General of Sen. David Mark senatorial CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Politics

Friday, February 19, 2016

Kogi Senatorial election rerun, another crisis in waiting Wale IbrahIm LOKOJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has restated commitment for peaceful conduct of rerun of two senatorial seats and five House of Assembly election which is scheduled to take place tomorrow The State Resident Electoral Commissioners, REC, Alhaji Halilu Pai who disclosed this while speaking during the stakeholders meeting held in Lokoja in preparation for the election as a result of eight court orders. Pai explained that the re run election was not as a result of violence, noting it was as a result of pre- election matters which arose at the tribunal immediately after election. He pointed out that based on the eight orders from the Court, it’s incumbent on the INEC to conduct a re run election in the affected areas and the election would be conducted in two senatorial districts, Kogi Central and Kogi East senatorial districts. The REC added that in preparation for the rerun, a total of 90, 806 ad-hoc staff have been recruited for the conduct of the two senatorial seats and five House of Assembly seats election, stating that rerun election will take place in Kogi Central senatorial district with only five political parties excluding APC,(LP,MPPP,PDP,SPD) While in Kogi East senatorial district, APC is excluded while others ACPN,KOWA LP MPPP,PDP and UPP will participate. Also in Ogori/Okene only PDP will be allowed to contest the election according to Kogi INEC REC.. While speaking at the stakeholders meeting, the State Treasurer of the All Progressive Congress APC, Mr. Abdulkadir Yahaya drew the attention of INEC to the fact that the APC and their candidates are already in court for interpretation of the judgment, pointing out that the same INEC participated in the primary election by the APC held in the state preparatory to the rerun election The REC however pointed that INEC will obey the rule of law and allow any one cleared by court to contest election. As part of effort to enforce their fundamental human rights, three National Assembly members affected by the Tribunal decision from Kogi State: Senator Abdulrahman Abubakar, Senator Mohammed AbCONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Bello

Railway

dulsalami Ohiare and Abdullahi Bello have taken the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to court for allegedly excluding them from the rerun election. Senator Abubakar, who is from Kogi-East Senatorial District, Senator Ohiare who is from Kogi Central Senatorial District, and Abdullahi Bello who represents OkeneOgori Magongo Federal Constituency have contended in their separate suits filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja against INEC that the Court of Appeal which had entertained their election cases did not exclude them from the rerun elections. The Counsel to the lawmakers, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa had stated in a letter of protest to Independent National Electoral Commission’s position, noting that INEC is acting outside its powers. “We wish to draw your attention, Mr Chairman, to the fact that in the judgments of the Court of Appeal, there was nowhere an order was made barring any of our clients from participating in the fresh elections ordered”. The electoral commission had stated in a public notice it issued last Monday indicating that conduct of elections as ordered by the Court of Appeal would take place in Kogi on February 20, but that Senators Abdulrahman Abubakar and Mohammed Abdulsalami Ohiare and Abdullahi Bello and their parties (being the All Progressives Congress, APC) were excluded. Senator Abubakar’s election had earlier

been nullified by the electoral tribunal on the grounds that it did not see the result of the primary election of the person he substituted, even as he argued that the substitution was duly done and that INEC accepted him. The tribunal asked that his certificate be withdrawn; but upon appeal, the Appeal Court ordered a rerun within 90 days. While waiting for the rerun, he returned to the Court of Appeal in light of Supreme Court judgment in Taraba and other zones, only for INEC to say that those whose cases were in court could not participate in the rerun. Senator Ohiare, on his part said the election tribunal ruled that although the primary election which produced him was inconclusive because voting did not involve one of the five local government areas that make up his Kogi Central Senatorial Zone, he won the election technically. But that his opponent went to the Court of Appeal which ordered a fresh election, only for INEC to raise issue of qualification to exclude him and his party from the rerun. Abdullahi Bello’s predicament also centred on primary election, as his election was nullified by the tribunal because the primary election result sheet indicating his election did not contain the venue of the election. The case proceeded to the Court of Appeal which ordered a fresh election. But Bello returned to the court, following the decision of the Supreme Court of January 8 in the Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi Vs Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari case.

campaign organization and former Minister of Interior, Hon. Abba Moro have argued that “for anybody to contemplate of easily displacing Sen. Mark in a free and fair contest must be kidding as the man has had solid achievements that will work in his favor therefore for any sane person to feel that Onjeh whom he described as a political toddler will succeed Mark is not possible” He further alleged that “Hon. Onjeh is being sponsored by Senator Akume and his cohorts but an average Idoma man will not succumb to this agenda despite their clamor to dislodge Sen. David Mark at the polls, it will be not be an easy sail and everything possible will be done to counter their ill motives” Few days ago, Senator Mark raised the alarm over alleged plot to kidnap him by Deputy Governor Benson Abaonu and the APC senatorial candidate in the rerun election, Hon. Daniel Onjeh but the duo have since denounced the claim saying it is unsubstantiated and defeatist statement with the desire to whip up sentiments from the electorates. They however revealed that the gimmick will not work as the entirety of the people were fed up with the leadership of Senator Mark and have vowed to displace him at all

Ohiare However, watchers of political event are of the view that INEC should not have rush to conduct rerun election until the court clears air on the disputes because those affected can still approach the court for their unlawful exclusion by the INEC. They further argued that since the appellate court has not given a consequential order to exclude those whose election was annulled, stressing that it would be an error excluding them. Meanwhile, there has been alignment and re-alignment of forces ahead of tomorrow rerun election in Kogi state as the candidate of Labour Party and four other candidates from different political parties have withdrawn from Kogi East Senatorial election for the PDP candidate, Senator Atai Ali Aidoko. The candidates are Aboh A Samuel -ACPN, Okpanachi B..Nicolas JP -KOWA, Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo -LP, Enemaku Amos Arome-MPPP and Hon Victor K. Akubo -UPP. The spokesman of the contestants, Hon. Victor K. Akubo who disclosed this while speaking during a chat with Journalists in Lokoja stated that this has became necessary in order to avoid heating up of political terrain. Meanwhile the affected five political Parties in Kogi East have expressed disgust over inexplicable circumstances surrounding the disqualification of All progressive congress, APC senatorial candidate

It’s Onjeh versus Mark in Benue South

Mark

cost and urged the public to discountenance the unfounded allegations. A forthnight ago fighting ensued between alleged supporters of Senator David Mark and that of Hon. Onjeh in Apa and Otukpo local government areas of the state culminating to mayhem and subsequent attack on the council chairman of Otukpo Hon. Ijache Udenyi and his orderly and others at large. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi in an encounter yesterday hinted that the command has deployed about 5,000 personnel to provide adequate security and ensure hitch free election on Saturday and warned that whoever attempts to foment trouble will be decisively dealt with. The commissioner further stated that more agencies are expected to complement his command especially from the neighboring states and warned electorates to steer clear of any acts capable of leading to brouhaha during the election adding that anyone who is found in an unpleasant circumstance will have himself to blame.

Editorial

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

CCTV project and FG’s non-seriousness R oughly two years after the 7th House of Representatives’ Committees on Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Public Safety and National Security, probed the ‘failure’ of the National Public Security Communication System’s (NPSCS) $470m Abuja/Lagos Closed Circuit Television (CCT) project without making public the outcome of their findings, the Reps (under the 8th National Assembly) have again raised an ad hoc committee to revisit the matter, according to recent reports. Surprisingly, contrary to the widely held public impression that the Chinese company that handled the contract – ZTE Corporation of China – did not deliver, the real reason the project got bungled was Federal Government’s failure to provide N11b as operational funds to run the CCTV project. The contract was awarded in 2010 by the government of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua; at a time when the country was under the siege of Boko Haram insurgents and the menace of other violent criminals, especially kidnappers. The contractor, ZTE, was to finish the five main components of the project, namely: a Global Open Trunking Architecture (GOTA); Video Surveillance Subsystem (VSS) with a component of 1,000 cameras; Coalition Emergency Response System (CERS)

to support the Police Call Centre for emergency callers; E-policing Subsystem to facilitate the deployment of E-policing databases; and a Video Conferencing Subsystem to facilitate video conferencing across all police commands nationwide with the Force Headquarters, Abuja; and among all police commands.To be installed by ZTE were 2,000 digital solar powered cameras (1,000 each in Abuja and Lagos); 37 switch rooms; microwave backbone; 37 coalition emergency response systems; 38 video conferencing subsystems; 37 e-police systems, six emergency communication vehicles; and 1.5 million phone lines for subscribers to generate revenue, among others. Late last month, however, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat), Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, told the Rep Ahmed Yerima-led ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives now revisiting the matter that the project was duly completed by ZTE; and was properly verified and certified as far back as 2012; but that FG’s failure to provide operational funds to run it made the $470m facility worthless. Ahmed-Rufai’s words: “About N11bn was required as operational funding. I learnt it was later reviewed to about N5bn after I left office, but the funding still did not come. The situation with the project is like buying a new car and

NO RESPONSIBLE

GOVERNMENT COULD AFFORD TO LAVISH

$470M ON A SECURITY PROJECT WITHOUT PROVIDING FUNDS

FOR ITS DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE refusing to provide money to buy fuel. How will the car function? Nothing is wrong with the project, but a lot of people are not aware that this is the simple reason. When this project was tested and inaugurated, you could see the whole of Lagos from Abuja…”. The security system was intended to capture images round the clock for analysis by security agencies. Unfortunately, however, the security gadgets have been serving as mere ornaments since the completion of the project. Between 2010, when the project took off; and 2014, when the House of Representatives initiated its first probe, through 2015, the federal capital came under several deadly bomb attacks, which left scores of people dead, many injured and property worth billions of naira destroyed. That the non-provision of N11b operational funds, which was later reviewed downwards to N5b, stalled the CCTV project, but-

ON THIS DAY February 19, 1985 William J. Schroeder became the first recipient of an artificial heart to leave hospital. The transplant was performed at the Humana Heart Institute International in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, by Dr. William C. DeVries. After 18 days, he suffered the first of a series of strokes, eventually leaving him in a vegetative state. He died on August 7, 1986 of a lung infection, 620 days after receiving the ‘Jarvik 7’.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

February 19, 1986 The Sri Lankan Ar my massacred 80 Tamil far m workers in the easter n province of Sri Lanka and had their bodies bur ned. Although the alleged massacre happened on February 19, 1986, the incident came to light only few days later after community leaders visited the remote location near the town of Akkaraipattu, where the far m workers were shot. Several empty cases of ammunition were found in the field.

tresses nothing but the resounding levity with which the FG treated the project; its non-commitment to it, despite the huge amount it committed to it; as well as the crocodile tears government was shedding about insecurity in the country between 2010 and 2014 especially. Ahmed-Rufai said he signed the $399.5m part cost of the project secured as loan from China EXIM Bank; while the Nigerian government provided the balance as counter-part funding to complete the $470m total cost of the project. At the completion of the project, however, he said the situation became so embarrassing that the contractor, ZTE Nigeria, had to provide operational funding for six months upon delivery of the project. We think Ahmed-Rufai has volunteered enough information to guide the lawmakers do a thorough job this time; and make the burden of their investigation even lighter. The Reps’ probe should now unravel whether or not money was voted as operational fund for the project, and proceed from there. For, no responsible government could afford to lavish $470m on a security project without providing funds for its day-today maintenance. The FG must not allow the project to rot; and the $470m to go down the drain. It should ensure that the security cameras are quickly put to use.

x February 19, 2012 Mexico City officials stated that at least 44 people were killed, with 12 others injured, in a prison brawl in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The ‘Blog del Narco’, a blog that documents events and people of the Mexican Drug War anonymously, reported that the actual (unofficial) death toll might be more than 70 people. The fight was between Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, two drug cartels that operate in northeastern Mexico.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Friday, February 19, 2016

Evaluating the reality of suicide bombings Counter-terrorism Tips With

Ethelbert Oney ethelbertoney@zissltd.com, 08029929121 (sms only)

he scariest reality from Boko Haram-induced suicide bombings across the North East region of Nigeria is that you never know when, where and how the next bomb is going to explode. Anytime the sect struck, our major concern was whether the attackers had died with their bombs or they were at liberty to strike again. We are also interested in the type of explosive used. The truth of the matter is that no matter which answer we get, there is always a scene of utter devastation where the bomb had killed people. One of the most frequently asked question is how did the suicide bombing come into existence in the first place? Modern suicide bombings began with the Hezbollah in 1983 in Lebanon; and since then they have redefined their modus operandi. Moreover, in the 1990s, Hezbollah drastically reduced the number of suicide attacks due to rational costbenefit considerations. The perpetrators of the suicide bombings in Lebanon did not achieve strategic results though. On the other hand, Hezbollah succeeded in hastening the withdrawal of the foreign

forces from Lebanon and harassed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Suicide bombing attacks in Nigeria have become a weapon of choice for BH because of their lethality and capacity to cause fear to the rest of us. Though depressing, the almost daily news reports of deaths caused by suicide attacks rarely explain what motivates the attackers. Although, there has been public outcry about the claims by our law enforcement workforce of defeating BH, a development not supported by fresh attacks by the sect and deaths in the North East, it may be argued that since the relocation of some military chiefs to the region, several efforts of BH to launch fresh attacks in some villages and towns have been thwarted. The arrests made are at their highest level in recent times. At the moment, on average there are one to three arrests of BH members every week and between 200 and 400 faithful awaiting trials nationwide. How is it that our intelligence agencies and the police have been able to stop so many attacks? The answer is that the level of trust and co-operation between the security, intelligence agencies and the police has been, in my opinion, unmatched lately. The scale of threat posed by suicidal terrorists’ intent on committing mass murder was very great after they were sacked from their Sambisa haven. In normal circumstances, the role of our intelligence agencies is to gather intelligence, and that of the police to find a way of using that intelligence as

FOR THE RECORD, THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

THAT BH BOMBERS ARE INSANE OR RELIGIOUS FANATICS IS WRONG evidence in court. The way in which security, intelligence agencies, the police and other sister agencies work jointly on operations has become the bedrock of counterterrorism strategy in this country, although this collaboration has failed to yield the required result because of our sole reliance on offensive approach. The positive results seen so far happen because there has been strong and an unwavering determination to protect the public. Behind the ongoing violence sits an ideology that must be rooted out. There can be no room for complacency. There has been an allegation of infiltration of our schools, churches, governments etc by the Islamist extremists. The evidence is clear that there were people in positions of influence in some ministries who held intolerant and extremist views. Most alarming is that some of BH members may have started with someone telling them that intolerance of others’ beliefs and values is a virtue. The heart-wrenching and horrible daily accounts of suicide bombings rarely reveal the underlying cause of

the bombers’ motivations. In reality, the motives for suicide attacks border on religious beliefs, nationalistic ideologies, obedience to charismatic and authoritarian leaders, or desire for political change. The modus operandi may vary, whether to use one or several suicide bombers, whether to use men or women. The explosives can be concealed on the human body, on an animal, or in a vehicle, or conveyed by sea, or over land. The targets can be senior government officials, military institutions, economic installations, or public vehicles, while the level of operations can range from scores of attacks to solitary or sporadic ones. For the record, the conventional wisdom that BH bombers are insane or religious fanatics is wrong. Individual bombers show no personality disorders and the attacks themselves are often politically motivated and aimed at achieving specific strategic goals such as forcing concessions or generating greater support. Moreover, the motivations are complex. For most of the organisations that have used these tactics, the common denominator is their success in causing large-scale casualties and negatively influencing public morale, while at the same time entirely failing to change regimes or to force their governments to surrender to their strategic demands. Participating in suicide bombing can fulfill a range of expectations from personal to communal setup.

Negligence and medical development in Nigeria VICTOR IFEDAYO ADEKEYE

he Nigerian government in 2014 and 2015 allocated the princely sums of N260 billion and N230 billion respectively to the health sector. With such investment, it is only normal to expect a high level of health service delivery standard in the country. Unfortunately, instead of a appreciable growth, the sector daily falls into an alarming downslide with thousands of Nigerians needlessly dying. This continuous downslide in the healthcare delivery standard has over the years been blamed on various factors, which include medical negligence, poverty, illiteracy, dogmatic reliance on self-treatment and many others. As elucidated in my previous articles, medical negligence is an act or omission by a medical practitioner which is below the reasonable standard of care required of him/her, and which could cause harm, injury or death to the patient. Before medical negligence can be alleged, some factors must be present. First is the existence of a patient-doctor relationship. This relationship bestows on the medical practitioner a duty of care towards the patient, and this duty of care must have been breached by the medical practitioner. Secondly and finally, the breach of this duty must have caused injury to the patient. Unless these two factors occur, it is relatively an overreach to allege medical negligence. It is also important to mention that

THE FIGHT AGAINST

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE IS, HOWEVER, NOT HELPED WITH THE POPULAR BELIEF THAT

“THE

DOCTOR KNOWS BEST” the harm referred to does not have to be physical harm; it also could be non-physical. For example, a dent on the reputation of a patient due to the disclosure of confidential medical records or information by a medical practitioner qualifies as harm. It is sad that unlike the western world, medical practitioners in Nigeria are usually getting away with negligent acts. The fight against medical negligence is, however, not helped with the popular belief that “the doctor knows best”. This belief has mentally prevented most Nigerians from seeking justice for the lapses of medical practitioners because it is believed that the doctor knows what is best for their health. Illiteracy has also been a mud ground in the race against medical negligence. Most patients are totally oblivious of their rights and the duties owed them by medical practitioners and other health workers. Even the patients that are aware of these rights are totally ignorant of the medical procedures. Unless the negligent act is obvious, such patients cannot pin-point same as he/she does not even understand the treatment pattern, and instead of asking questions, majority

prefer to “go with the flow.” Asking questions is not also helped with the habitual hostility of medical staff. Poverty has also played a major role in the slowing down of the fight against medical negligence. The inequitable distribution of healthcare faculties in Nigeria is over the roof. The conventional practice of asking for down payments before the treatment of patients by Nigerian hospitals has led to the death or permanent injury of many patients. The Nigerian hospital system lacks the appropriate customer-provider relationship tutelage, especially the public hospitals in which medical practitioners, especially nurses are usually hostile and mean to patients; and because of this, most patients prefer private hospital when they can afford it. There they hope to get good, attentive and less hostile treatment. However, an average Nigeria can only afford the public hospitals, so despite the negligent acts they suffer, they don’t have any other means of medical treatment, nor do they have the financial strength to maintain an action in court or the relevant tribunal for such issues. Medical negligence can be curbed or reduced if the Federal Government and health organisations pay health workers good salaries, and in time. The I-don’t-care attitude of most medical practitioners is rooted on their poor and inadequate remuneration. Most of these medical practitioners run multiple jobs to make ends meet, thus due to this they cannot concentrate very well on their duties. Some even run private hospi-

tals where they put in their best efforts and time with little or no regards to their patients in the public hospitals they are meant to service. This can be solved by ban on private practice by publicly employed medical practitioners. Another viable solution is for health workers and organisation to mandatorily have liability insurance to cover risks as the occurrence of any negligent act. Medical negligence victims have multiple ways of seeking justice for injury suffered. Patients can seek redress by filing a civil action in the court of law; a complaint petition can also be filed before the Medical and Dental Disciplinary Committee (MDDC), which has the power to punish erring medical practitioner. Such punishment ranges from suspension to debarment. It is expedient to state that the filing of a petition at the MDDC does not stop the filing of a negligence suit against the erring medical practitioner. My plea to medical practitioner, who were once as “small gods” by a colleague is that they should take reasonable care in the discharge of their all important duties to mankind. Adekeye is a Lagos-based medical law practitioner. 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.

Mail Mirror

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

For Gov. Bello of Kogi State

F Buhari and LG elections

e are in a democracy, and elected public officials must represent the people at all levels of government. While we have been able to cement democracy at the federal and state levels, we have not been able to do so at the local government level because of the governors, who have demonstrated the proclivity to just appoint council chairmen. Many governors in the country have deliberately stopped conducting local government elections in their states, and this is encouraging corruption in the system, as the governors manipulate the funds meant for the council areas through their stooges, who are appointed as chairmen. When the local government election is not conducted in a state, there will be no development because the chairman is not given the mandate by the people to serve them. Here, the mandate is given by the governor, and the chairman must do his biddings. It has been revealed on several occasions that governors mismanage funds meant for the local government areas, and this will continue if the people do not have a say in who rules over them at this level of government. This is part of the poor leadership system we are always talking about in this country, and it is the bane of our political development. I am happy that the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said he would soon conduct local government election in the state. The Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, had also made the same promise, and I hope the other governors will soon be mandated to conduct local government council elections. I, therefore, wish to charge President Muhammadu Buhari to order the state governors to conduct elections into their local government areas of the country so that the people can truly have a say in who administer their affairs at that level of government. Jimoh Mumin, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Letters to the Editor

irstly, I am highly elated having the opportunity to write to a sitting Governor, who is enthroned by Divine Force to serve our dear State Kogi. Secondly, I am pleased to reach the people of Ebiraland through this medium. I congratulate you and your team on your successful journey to the Lord Lugard House as the Chief Executive Officer of Kogi State and I join the good people of Nigeria in welcoming this New Dawn. It is obvious that mortals lack the ability to pre-design such mas-

terpiece that occasioned your success, which will forever remain enigmatic and awesome to even men of mighty minds. Only the Creator of life, time and death in His supremacy would have perfected this historic political arrangement. On the late Prince Abubakar Audu I beseech Allah’s mercy. The two young men and a woman killed in separate accidents on the inauguration day, may your souls and families be blessed. Today, we are optimistic that the new Yahaya Bello adminis-

tration will shift the paradigm of Kogi achievable in not distant time. Sir, you are a young entrepreneur and an astute bureaucrat, thus I have no doubt that your intent to govern our state was inspired by the conviction that you possess the capacity to sail the sinking Kogi Ship from the doldrums and deliver us onto a safe harbour where prosperity and dignity exist. It is a paradox that Kogi is among the richest states in Nigeria, but still wallowing in abject poverty and insecurity.

Passengers disembarking at CMS Jetty. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Abeokuta, show me your state capital

beokuta, the capital of Ogun State, and first point of contact for investors and those transacting business with government, is now a modern city. I recall my bewilderment in 2011, when I had the opportunity of criss-crossing the ancient city. The roads were so narrow such that a man waking up in his bedroom could, through his window, exchange a handshake with a commuter in a taxi cab. Four and a half years into the Amosun administration, the ancient-looking city can now lay some claims to a 21st century status. No one was probably better placed to attest to the transformation of Abeokuta than the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Dr Adedotun Gbadebo. At the launch of the first flyover in the capital city constructed by the Amosun administration on January 24, 2013, the highly revered monarch enthused: “Today can be likened to the day electricity, pipe borne water and railway first came to Abeokuta. Amosun has changed the city from the status of 19th

century to that of the 21st century.” Virtually all the vestiges of the past have now given way to modern structures. We now have the Ibara, Sapon, Itoku and Iyana-Mortuary flyovers. There is the international-standard six-lane Ibara-Totoro Road. We have the 10-lane boulevard between Enu-gada and Itoku; the modern six-lane Abiola Way, Panseke-Omida motorway, among others. There are also community roads such as the four-lane Madojutimi-Muda Lawal Road, where every house along the road is provided with an access slab, underscoring the attention paid to the convenience of the residents. All these highways have furniture such as medians, walk-ways, greens and street-lights. The old markets, which had no toilet facilities for ages, have now given way to modern ones in the capital city. There is the Orange Valley Estate for the rich, from whom, according to the governor, you collect and use for the poor. The Plainfield

Estate is for the middle-class, while the Laderin Estate accommodates the average income earners. Whatever the stratum of the society you belong to, the modern shelter is there for you. A 21st century-compliant model secondary school also sits atop one of the hills at Kobape in Abeokuta. The Ogun State capital has changed dramatically for good in less than five years. Show me your state capital and I know your vision and future as a people and government. I am not from Abeokuta or Ogun Central, but I know a lot of work still needs to be done in the capital city. As this modernisation is being replicated in other cities such as Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ota, Aiyetoro, Ilaro, among others, Abeokuta, being the capital and first port of call for investors, deserves more investment. For now, it’s more power to the elbow of the modernizer, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who turned 58 on Monday, January 25, 2016! Soyombo Opeyemi, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Sir, the imperative of the time is overwhelming, but you can succeed. You must intelligently devise means to distinguish yourself as the best performing governor among your colleagues. We as a state must strive to live and thrive with the new world, a world where the cumulative energies of the youth are deployed and channelled towards productivity; where the ever growing innovations in science and technology are engaged for the overall development of our state. You are the hope of this generation, you cannot afford to fail because you are our awaited Messiah; it is not our time to loot the till but an opportunity to secure the treasury and build a state that all of us can be proud of. No nation can really develop without considerable and sincere action plan on eduacation, Kogi is the only state in the North that has no broad base sponsorship for students internally or scholarships for foreign education. The state of affairs in our education is worrisome and pathetic. A casual observation in this very critical sector will condemn those in charge and evoke state of emergency. Quality teachers are the pillars of education, but the story in Kogi is nowhere near glory, thus earnestly demanding urgent attention. Our health care system from Aggasa to Ochadamu and to Ekinrin is nothing to write home about; so, I suggest total overhaul such that will meet the health challenges of the rural dwellers and perhaps, satisfy international standard. The Confluence of rivers Benue and Niger in our ancient capital city, Lokoja, is a viable source of tourism capable of placing the state on the map of the world, create employments and expand our internally generated revenue (IGR). Sir, you will agree with me that Kogi is strategic in the geography and economy of Nigeria, a lot can be done by any serious government; and with dedication and commitment Kogi can become the Dubai of Africa. Agriculture, transportation and sports are veritable endeavours with unlimited opportunities that can take our youths, men and women from the streets. I call on our elders and elite, our brilliant men and women, home and abroad, to make hay while the sun shines. This opportunity will not last forever, but Ebiraland is for eternity, thus the need to make fantastic use of it. Ismaila Onoruoiza Dauda, Faculty of Education, University of Abuja.

Send your letters The Editor reserves thethe right letters or or mails mailsto toPMB PMB10001, 10001,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,or orour our Email: Email:mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.comand andinfo@nationalmirroronline.net info@nationalmirroronline.netoror08056180209, 08054103275,07033375481 07033375481(SMS (SMSonly). only). The Editor reserves right to to edit and reject letters photographs. Psuedonyms may used, must clearly marked such. edit and reject letters or or photographs. Psuedonyms may bebe used, butbut must bebe clearly marked asas such.

Your

FRIDAY

Flavour

Friday, February 19, 2016

Uzodinma Iweala

Folarin

Iweala

Uwem Akpan

He is the son of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala whose debut novel, Beasts of No Nation, published in 2005, received considerable critical acclaim from sources like Time Magazine, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Times, and Rolling Stone While also at Harvard, Iweala earned the Hoopes Prize and Dorothy Hicks Lee Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis, 2004; Eager Prize for Best Undergraduate Short Story, 2003; and the Horman Prize for Excellence in Creative Writing, 2003. With the book, he won the New York Public Library’s 2006 Young Lions Fiction Award. In 2007, he was named as one of Granta magazine’s 20 best young American novelists. A few weeks ago, he was a guest at the American White House where the film version of his book, Beast of No Nation was screened. Onyeka Nwelue Writer and filmmaker, often described as ‘an unalloyed genius’ was in 2010 nominated as Creative Artist of the Year at The Future Awards and has been nominated thrice for the award, in the same category. The Abyssinian Boy, his first critically acclaimed book was an overwhelming success. In 2000, he won the Thomson Short Story Prize. He won the TM Aluko Prize for First Book and came second at the Ibrahim Tahir Prize for Fiction, all in 2009, organised by the Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF).. He won the Thomson Short Story Prize in 2000. He rose to fame with his appearance at the Wole Soyinka Festival in 2004, after which

Godspower Oboido After an unsuccessful attempt to pursue a career in film, he switched to writing. In 2013, he signed a four-book contract in Canada and his first book, Songs of a Chicken Bone was released in 2014. Oboido has been published in The Istanbul Review, Saraba Magazine, African writer, Nathaniel Turner and else. After the release of “Songs of a Chicken Bone”, Oboido was invited to perform his poems in Kenya at the second Kistrech International Poetry Festival Kukogho Iruesiri Samson He is argued to be one of the best promoters of poetry with his site, WRR. His fiction, Devil’s Pawn, which was featured on Pulse Nigeria blog is a testament that his knowledge is not limited to poetry. The 2012 winner of Orange Crush Poetry Prize addresses societal issues with his satirical poems. Olulu ‘The King not from Zulu’ as he describes himself is the organizer of ‘War Of Words’ and ‘Word Up’. Olulu is one of the dreamers of greater poetry industry in Nigeria and he declares his beliefs without fear or limitations. Now that his poetry programs airs on national television, he dreams of a bigger thing-a reality poetry TV show. Chibundu Onuzo

Uwem Akpan The attention of the world shifted to this writer following his appearance on Oprah Winfrey Show, reputably the biggest in the world, with about two-million readers. The talk-show artiste says she is deeply impressed with Akpan’s work. The book, Say You Are One Of Them, could launch the writer into the lucrative bestseller’s list. Oprah commended the writer for his creativity. “Our 63rd book club selection is by Uwem Akpan. This is the first time I have ever chosen a collection of short stories. Each one of them left me gasping and profoundly moved.” she said. Uwem Akpan’s work is a collection of six stories, each one set in a different African country but all told from a child’s perspective. Akpan, who began writing at seminary school while studying to be a priest, said he was overwhelmed by the news that Oprah Winfrey had selected his book for her readers.

Chibundu made history when she emerged the youngest woman to have ever been offered a two-book deal by

faber and

faber, the uk based ClassiC publisher

WEEKEND STARTERS

Tariah hosts The Sun Awards

ll is set for this year’s edition of the prestigious The Sun Awards holding this Saturday, February 20, at the high brow Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 3.p.m. Aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s best and finest, the award, is billed to thrill VIP guests at the high octane event. The glamorous event will be anchored by celebrated entertainer and revered compere, Basorge Tariah Jr. Interestingly, several Nollywood stars and showbiz impresarios would be gracing the historic awards too.

Tariah

Esiaba Irobi’s play at UNN, Enugu

Esiaba Irobi

his year’s c o nvo c at i o n drama, a celebration of the works of late theatre icon, Esiaba Irobi, will take place at UNN New Arts Theatre today 19th of February, 2016 at 5pm. All guests are expected to be seated at 4.45pm, the Vice-Chancellor, the Visitor and other distinguished guests of honour will seat at 5pm, thereafter, the production will commence.

Arty News

Oluwabusayo Temitope Folarin Oluwabusayo Temitope Folarin came to limelight after he emerged the winner of the Caine Prize 2013 for his short story entry, Miracle, a story drawn out of his forthcoming novel, The Proximity of Distance.

P.28. 29

Onuzo

Inside FCT

deremi became conscious of his literary craftsmanship in 2004 and he started writing plays, poetry and prose but he distinguished himself in 2005 when he took poetry as his genre of interest. And as a young poet, he published quite a lot of poems on the online poetry platforms and several anthologies, mostly published by the Forward Press, UK. In 2012, he was the Global Winner for World Youth Movement for Democracy Photo Contest. In the first quarter of 2013, he released his second poetry publication: Symphony of becoming by Iquo Eke, and it was on the long list of NLNG Nigerian Prize for Literature same year.

Chibundu made history when she emerged the youngest woman to have ever been offered a two-book deal by Faber and Faber, the UK based classic publisher. At the age of 14, Chibundu had made Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation her laptop background, a major sign of an early vast reader. She started writing at 17, had an agent by 18, signed with Faber at 19 and finished editing when she was 20. In 2011, the 21 year old Chibundu’s fierce determination paid off and her first novel, The Spider King’s Daughter was finally published.

P. 22. 27

Aderemi Adegbite

he was described in The Guardian as “a teenager with a steaming pen”. He became the first African to join Sandbox, a global community of young innovators under 30. He has read poetry at clubs and bars in Lisbon, Paris and Lagos. His collection of poems, Burnt, was published in 2014. In 2013, Nwelue became a recipient of Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development and participated at panels discussing Nollywood at the Lille Black Film Festival in France, alongside Nadia Denton, Dorah Ilunga and Maik Dwara.

Critics

They are young, talented and filled with the potential to stir the literary landscape.

P.20. 21

Nigeria’s fast-rising literary stars

P. 26. 31

16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

Art Man

VOL. 4 No. 827

Artman In The House

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Banks are turning to art for

Olatunji Samson Sotimirin is a versatile theatre practitioner, orator, and comedian. He also teaches in the Creative Art Department, University of Lagos. He has performed at many places locally and internationally with his drama troupe and band. In an interview with ISIGUZO DESTINY, while this great artist, who is easily identified with a long cap that has come to be part of his identity was eating eba and ogbono soup with fresh fish, he talked about his life and profession as a theatre practitioner.

Olatunji Sotimirin (Artist)

t seems you are into all facets of arts, some people wonder what aspect of performing art is really your main focus. Can you let the reader into your personal world as an artist? My name is Olatunji Sotimirin. I am from Ijebu, Ogun State, and South -West of Nigeria. I am a performing artist and this means that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an art practitioner, an actor, a musician, a broadcaster; and also a University lecturer. I operate in the area of all performative art which includes music, dance, drama, poetry, play directing, and theatre practice, anything that has to do with performing art. I also write, I direct and you can also say that I am a comedian because it is one of the art forms that drew my interest to art. I still practice it even when I am anchoring event as an MC. You know, I also anchor events. It seems art especially theatre performance is no longer as popular as it used to be in Nigeria. It used to be very popular in the previous generations but isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the same in this generation, what can be done to remedy this situation?

Well, theatre practice or live theatre tradition like you have described I want to say for some time suffered some kind of lack of patronage. But in the last 5, 6,7years, the atmosphere has completely changed, production companies are coming up with different types of plays, concerts, operas, it is just that this performances take place in areas where I can describe as a place for the elite, the elitist environments like Victoria island, Lekki, University of Ibadan and Lagos and some other campuses and all of

that, but they are not taken to the people like it used to be during the time of Hubert Ogunde, Kola Oduwola etc, but the whole concept of live theatre is coming back. You said during the past 5, 6,7years there has been resurgence, what could have led to this resurgence? There is more awareness on the part of producers, what they call funders of art rather than government. There is greater awareness now, it is something you can engage in and also make some good money, so they know it. The irony is that these producers or funders have realised the potential reward, financial reward they can gain from art. Banks, lawyers and other business people are investing in the art now; that is why they now look at their target audience and target these productions to take place in high locations, so they are really making a lot of money from it. The reason for the resurgence is because it has lots of potentials to generate income and to sustain even the practice. The stake holders themselves are not deeply involved in producing this work, because, perhaps they are yet to understand the marketing strategy that this people coming from the corporate world have, so they know it. Initially, they came deeply to hire the professionals of the theatre to do this work but they now do it without the practitioners to maximise profit. Lots of money can be made from it, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why they are going into it. How long have you been in theatre practice? I started since I left secondary school in 1980 and that should be about 30years now.

What philosophy has informed your theatre performances and productions? First, it is to make the point that if you have got a talent you direct and channel the talent towards achieving the objective of the talent. In my own case specifically, it is to prove to my families and people in my community that I have got the talent and I want to express it to the fullest and to say that art is a discipline that you can practice and still do it decently, that it is people who are decent, intelligent and focused that are involved in theatre practice. You can never practice theatre if you are not decent. Apart from convincing my family members and people around me that art is something you can practice, it is also to make the point that art is for serious minded people. That is my philosophy. How did you venture into theatre art and what informed your interest in theatre? From nursery school to be honest I have expressed myself very profoundly but each time my father who was a traveller returns from his tours, he usually loves to play traditional music and he would play it particularly in the middle of the night. He would wake every one of us up and anytime he plays those songs, I particularly will dance to the delight of people around and he would spray me money. From that point on, my father and a lot of my family members saw that I have the talent. I have been doing that from when I was small and that was also something that inspired me to go into the prac-

The irony is ThaT These producers or funders have realised The poTenTial reward, financial

reward They can gain from arT.

Banks, lawyers and oTher Business people are invesTing in The arT

now; ThaT is why They now look aT Their TargeT audience and TargeT These producTions To Take place in high locaTions, so They are really making a loT of money from iT.

Mrs Adeola Olatunji Sotimirin (wife)

Eniole Olatunji Sotimirin (daughter)

tice, even when I was in secondary school I was the band leader, it used to be in this band that the structure was that of the brigade in the school assembly. I also participated in traditional festivals but now it has metamorphosed into Fuji music. You talk so much about African oral tradition and the influence it had on you, what has led to the death of this African oral tradition especially in the modern theatre production? It is not unconnected with the fact that the category of people that attend shows come mainly from the youths, the language and the culture that the youths engage in is more or less tending to the western culture, because of the dynamic nature of art producers, funders of theatre shows are now adapting to Western art tradition in order to key in to modern reality. They also have to construct, compose their art to

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Artman In The House

Friday, February 19, 2016

profit –Olatunji Sotimirin

fit into modern requirement, so this is why you probably would not have been seeing too much concentration on traditional art. However, there are some people who have vowed that no matter what pleasure modernism is bringing into the world they can never shy away from practicing the oral tradition. What would you say is your most remarkable achievement after over 30 years? The fact that I have been able to test my art not only on the African environment, but also have been opportune to work on international platforms and stage productions is something remarkable. These are the pointers to the fact that one’s art is recognized not only within your own environment but outside, I have in the course of this profession worked with big names like Wole Soyinka and others and have developed good working relationships with other people locally and internally. I have also rubbed minds to know more about other people’s culture and for the glory of God one would say this practice that one has involved in is so rewarding, spiritually and artistically. I see enough money that can make me live a descent life, provide for my family and have enough to help people with. Talking about money, how rich are you? (Laughs) I am very rich, but I will not tell the world how rich because I don’t want them to come and, you know...hmmm.

Olatunji Sotimirin and family

Eniole Olatunji Sotimirin (daughter)

Olatunji Sotimirin with wife, Adeola

What is the place of talent in theatre practice? Some people are naturally talented. Talent is an art and you don’t necessarily have to be trained for it. It is only when you want to show your talent to the world that you need to follow some certain rules in order to present it to people formally. That is the principle of participation. People for instance Femi Ogunrombi in an interview I had with him argued that you can’t be a good actor if you do not go through the formal school of theatre art. If you have natural talent without formal training doesn’t mean you can’t be a good actor,

you can only improve your skill if you go to school. School is meant to build more awareness about the environment where you operate; it puts you in a better position to understand the principles. What’s your stake on the sale or privatization of the National Theatre? For anybody to come up with the idea to sell a national monument, I see it as a misplacement of priority. I think the attitude should not be that they’re selling but should be rather packaging it so that practitioners can enjoy the full benefit of having a national monument like that. They should make it attractive to the interest of the world so people can patronize it. No serious government will want to leave a national moment in the hands of private individuals. It is because we don’t take culture serious in this country. I’ve performed in Egypt in their National Festival and I know how they value such things. What do you think about the recent destruction of the artist’s village? I heard about it, unfortunately I have not been there but I plan to go and visit the place. They say that it has been completely destroyed, it’s sad; I also heard there was no plan for that. I know that place used to be an office area for the National Council of Art and Culture where preservation of artistic materials was held in high regard. At a point in time it was functioning like a regular file carrying department, which was the beginning of distraction. So a lot of artists now felt that instead of the office to be empty and to reduce many artists loafing around any time they are around, they now thought they should practice their art there. That’s why I said

Oluwaseun Olatunji Sotimirin (son)

that I think that there wasn’t an actual plan for that place; it came as a collapse of the government’s art structure and system in the National Theatre, just like the way the artists moved in there because there was no plan. What is the relationship between you theatre practitioners and Nollywood actors? The thing is that most of the Nollywood artists particularly those who initiated the idea of Nollywood came from the business sector, they are not practitioners but the relationship is such that even the theatre practitioners are now having to work with the Nollywood people because they felt it was not properly structured and managed, also they could do better productions

and promote it beyond the concept that Nollywood creators had. One good thing is that they are improving upon what Nollywood has created. People like Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani etc are theatre practitioners. As a writer, do you read other people’s works? I read everything. I can’t start picking them. What is your favourite or most memorable book? I have read a collection of comic short stories by Wale Adenuga. The title is Ikebe Super. The collection captured human endeavours presented in a comic way. You just read the book and you can’t help but laugh. I think that book for me is the most memorable of the books I have read.

For anybody to come up with the idea to sell a national monument,

i see it as a misplacement oF priority. i think the attitude should not be that they’re selling but should be rather packaging it so that practitioners can enjoy the Full beneFit oF having a national monument like that.

MUSIC

Critics

At Grammy 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

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This year’s Grammy has come and gone, but there are some good and bad sides.

FILM

t’s a good thing the all-star tribute to Lionel Richie was performed early on at the Grammy Awards. Considering the number of similar salutes to recently deceased performers that followed, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Richie checking his pulse to make sure he was still alive. After a medley of his hits performed by John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor and Tyrese, Richie, who could be seen singing along from his seat in the audience, finally jumped onstage and took the lead vocal on “All Night Long.” “That’s how you do it right there,” he proclaimed, and it was hard to argue with him. That the evening’s highlights largely consisted of posthumous tributes was a depressing reminder of how many music luminaries were lost to us in the past year. If your eyes were dry during the performance of “Take It Easy” by the Eagles withJackson Browne taking over lead vocals for the late Glenn Frey, you’re made of stern stuff indeed (although the director who cut to a reaction shot of Les Moonves could be accused of sucking up). Lady Gaga was a perfect choice to

salute David Bowie. Wearing a garish orange wig, she delivered a rapid-fire medley of his hits in a lavishly surreal production number that felt like the equivalent of a seven-minute acid trip. Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton and Gary Clark Jr. tore the roof off with their searing guitar work on “The Thrill is Gone” in honor of B.B. King. Dave Grohl, after proclaiming that “Lemmy Kilmister was rock ‘n’ roll,” introduced

a tribute to the Motorhead frontman performed by The Hollywood Vampires, consisting of Alice Cooper, Joe Perry andJohnny Depp, the last adding “rock star” to his list of convincing portrayals. Other nods to the departed included Miguel singing “She’s Out of My Life” in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Grammy-winning albumOff the Wall; and Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix collaborating on an all

too brief, a cappella rendition of “That’s the Way of the World” in honor of Maurice White. Later in the evening, the long “In Memoriam” segment was a reminder of what a sad year it’s been for music lovers. Fortunately, not all of the show’s best moments consisted of posthumous tributes. The evening got off to a fine start with Taylor Swift performing “Out of the Woods.” There also was the electrifying

and out with a selfless heart dedicated to the service of others, wealthy parents, who loved her silly, a degree in Law from one of the world’s most prestigious universities – Harvard, and to wrap up this fairytale, it was just moments away before she would be walking down the aisle with her childhood sweetheart turned “love struck” fiancé Benji (Okey Uzoeshi). Life obviously couldn’t get any better – not quite, it could get a whole lot messier and it most certainly did.

Blood’ aims to address a variety of societal issues (prostitution, human trafficking, homosexuality, HIV, sexism, morals, family values, culture) and applaudably, with its ‘edutaining’ plot it succeeds. ‘Produced from the stables of Royal Roots entertainment in conjunction with HF Media, shot in Nigeria and London, the romantic thriller boasts of a star studded cast who deliver their roles brilliantly utilising a fine blend of the English, Yoruba, Pidgin and French languages to appeal to different classes of audience. Although,’ Beyond Blood ‘commendably excels in pulling off an entertaining, inspiring and albeit long movie effortlessly without any signs of forced dialogue unlike most typical movies, one cannot overlook the oversight that was made in the script; Earlier in the movie,

the audience is made to understand that Mojisola is a proud graduate of Harvard, but somehow along the line, this was replaced with Oxford. Produced by Debbie Odutayo and directed by Greg Odutayo, Beyond Blood stars : Kehinde Bankole (‘Moji’), Joseph Benjamin ( Akin Pedro), Bimbo Manuel (Moji’s father), Shan George (Nkechi), Okey Uzoeshi (Bengy), Deyemi Okanawon (Tunji), Carol King (Bola), Wole Ojo ( Ladi Dosunmu), Ijeoma Grace Agu( Susan) and Marion Bott (Daniella). ‘Beyond Blood’ has a lot working for it, star power, brilliant interpretation of roles, interesting plot, impressive picture quality and all, one question we ask is – Does this Romantic Thriller blend in with its stereotype predecessors or does it raise the bar? My take – The former.

Odutayo’s romantic thriller

Having made a success of his career in television production, Greg Odutayo’s latest work, Beyond Blood, does not fall short. Yvonne Williams

Lionel Richie and Demi Lovato performing at Grammy 2016

love you!’ A phrase often said, but rarely meant. How easily those words spill out of our mouths, but when it all comes to getting right down and dirty, the question remains – ‘How far are we willing to go?’ There she was Mojisola (Kehinde Bankole) – humming to blazing jams in her ride as she cruised along, eager to rush into the waiting arms of her fiancé Benji (Okey Uzoeshi) she was in sweet beautiful love and so loving the feeling. Suddenly, within a flash, fate Irobi’s play on stage deals her one staggering bitter blow and her whole Love, hope, anxiety, betrayal, susworld comes crashing down! pense, romance, effortless humour, easy One minute, her world was perfect; dialogue, undeniable chemistry, ‘Beyond she had it all –Beautiful on the inside

Love, hope, anxiety, betrayaL, suspense, romance, effortLess humour, easy diaLogue, undeniabLe chemistry, ‘beyond bLood’ aims to address a variety of societaL

issues (prostitution, human trafficking,

homosexuaLity,

hiv, sexism, moraLs, famiLy vaLues, cuLture) and appLaudabLy, with its ‘edutaining’ pLot

Friday, February 19, 2016

10 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1437A.H

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Call to Worship

On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

relAted by bukhAri ANd MusliM

TMC commends Buhari’s actions so far … says no to preferencial treatment of looters

Sekinah L awaL

foremost Islamic organisation, The Muslim Congress, TMC, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his actions so far saying that it should be mandatory that when public officials steal public funds, they should be made to go to jail upon conviction. There should be no suspended or reduced sentences, neither probation nor parole. Speaking on state of the nation recently, the TMC Amir (National President), Dr. Luqman AbdurRaheem stated that any public officer who embezzles should not just be treated as an ordinary offender because he is not just a thief. Rather, he has broken the public trust given by the people to conduct the public’s business as citizens

must be able to have the utmost trust in the honesty of those they have chosen to lead them. “This is why the two bills sent to the senate by the president are timely. The two executive bills seek to prohibit money laundering and criminal activities. The bills are: “The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2016 and “The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016.” What must be added is a bill for the creation of special anti-corruption courts that will dispose of corruption cases speedily. The other bill that must also be added is one that makes mandatory a prison term of at least a year for anybody who embezzles N1 million and above. This would remove any form of interference or plea bargain and ensure that people who embezzle never go free after paying a small

monetary penalty or after having returned the money.” TMC also commended the Federal Government for the mature way it is handling the Biafra issue. “In as much as people will have grievances with government at one time or the other, it is necessary to express such grievances within the law and without subverting the constitution of the land. The Biafra agitators must do a re-think and roll back all activities that are not in consonance with the terms and spirit of the constitution. Having done this, they can then present their grievances in a dialogue with the government. This should be done in the spirit of giving the new government the opportunity of looking at their grievances and proffering amicable solutions to the problems. It should also be done in the spirit of peace, progress and stability for the nation.” “The government must be pro-active in ensuring that the rights and privileges given the people in the constitution are protected. Muslims who live within the law have every right to freely practice their religion. This is why it is becoming

increasingly worrisome when law-abiding Muslim sisters are frequently being molested for no other reason than that they choose to put on their hijab. There is no hijab ban operating anywhere in Nigeria. The government must therefore call its officers to order so that the fundamental human rights of Muslims will not be infringed upon anywhere in Nigeria.” The group called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) to iron out the grey areas in the 2016 budget with the Presidency in order to ensure stability the Nigerians are eager to see in the system. The budget, with about N500 billion as provision to take care of social security, has indeed provided for the most vulnerable people in the society. The hope of stimulating the economy with about 70 per cent spending on recurrent expenditure, if well-targeted and directed, can revive production within the economy. This production will further empower the people for more economic progress. There is a lot of production capacity hitherto untapped that the one-meal-a-day programme for school children can make use of. Since infrastructural developments do not necessarily contribute to poverty reduction, especially for the most vulnerable, it makes a lot of sense for the government to directly face the problem of social welfare headlong.”

islamic banking has numerous advantages –GMP Sekinah L awaL

Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, receiving a meritorious award for selfless service and outstanding contribution to the growth of Islam from the Islamic Education and Faith Initiative Centre, Magodo Central Mosque. Presenting the award to her was Justice Ishola Olorunnibe (rtd), while Special Adviser to Gov. Ambode on Housing, Alhaja Risikat Giwanson, Alhaja Fatimah Oyefeso and other well wishers look in admiration.

Place your adverts here for optimal reach Zakat Is 2.5% Of YOur tOtal Wealth, knOWn as nIsab. after havIng fulfIlled all OblIgatIOns, paY YOur Zakat

Let’s keep God’s love radiating in us

Don’t toy with your matrimonial responsibilities, don tells 24 women

he Guild of Muslim Professionals, GMP, has made it known that many advanced nations are adopting Islamic Banking System because of the product’s numerous advantages. This was contained in a communiqué signed by its Board of Trustee (BoT) chairman, Mr. Hakeem Oyewale. GMP said if well harnessed, Islamic banking system can revitalise the current challenging state of Nigerian economy. According to the group, advanced countries in Europe like Great Britain, France and other non-Islamic nations such as South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, among others are practising the system alongside conventional banking system. The phobia for the implementation of the Islamic Finance system in Nigeria should not have arisen if Nigerians un-

derstand the benefits inherent in the system. The group urged the government to create an enabling environment for the operators of the Islamic Banking services like provision of appropriate regulatory and legal provisions. “Operators,” he said “should work together and ensure that they create the needed awareness and sensitisation for Nigerians to appreciate the system. “Muslims were enjoined to take up Islamic financing products as a way of financing projects from available institutions. “Proper awareness and sensitisation for local clerics should be embarked upon so as to increase patronage for Islamic Banking.” The group called on Nigerians to take up entrepreneurship activities as additional streams of income and job creation opportunities for fellow Nigerians.

Peaceful co-existence is key to national growth –Adebule 25

Call to Worship

Friday, February 19, 2016

10 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1437A.H

Let’s keep God’s love radiating in us

t will really be a good thing if we can put the bad elements among us by the side for God almighty to deal with accordingly and begin to look at what brings us together rather than things separating us. It’s usually very painful seeing or hearing people talk bad about others based on tribe, religion, race or colour. If we all truly believe that God is Love, then, that uncommon show of love must truly reflect in all our actions. When I got this on my Whatsapp, because there is a particular reader of this column that is always full of hate speeches, I decided to let him see these and truly take his or her time to study the scriptures very well, focus on positive angles and stop hatred towards fellow beings. True Muslims believe in, love, respect and adore all Prophets of God, peace be on all of them. Jesus taught that there is only One God and Only God should be worshipped as taught in Deut 6:4, Mark 12:29. Muslims also believe this as taught in Qur’an 4:171. Jesus greeted with the words “As salaam alaikum” meaning (Peace be upon you) in John 20:21. Muslims also greet one another this way. Jesus said “God Willing” (in

Shaa Allah), Muslims say this too before doing anything as taught in Qur’an 18:23-24. Jesus washed his face, hands, and feet before praying. Muslims do the same. Jesus and other Prophets prayed with their head to the ground (see Matthew 26:39). Muslims do so too as taught in the Qur’an 3:43. Jesus had beard and wore a throbe. It is Sunnah for Muslim men to do the same. Jesus followed the laws and believed in all the Prophets, (see Matthew 5:17). Muslims do so as well as taught in the Qur’an 3:84, and 2:285. Jesus’ mother, Maryam dressed modestly by fully covering her body and wearing a head scarf (hijab) as found in 1 Timothy 2:9, Genesis 24:64-65, and Corinthians 11:6. Muslim women modestly dress the same as taught in Qur’an 33:59. Jesus and other Prophets did fast up to 40 days (see Exodus 34:28, Daniel 10:2-6. 1Kings 19:8, and Matthew 4:1-Muslims do so also during the month of Ramadan. Muslims are required to fast the full obligatory 30 days (see Qur’an 2:183), and others take it a step further by fasting an additional 6 days to increase

Healthy Corner with

Dr. Yahaya

Facts to note about recurrent early pregnancy loss (3)

hrombosis is a blockage of blood vessels causing reduced placental blood flow hence reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby inside the womb. It is the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. This is often preceeded by Pre eclampsia, eclampsia, poor fetal growth and slow fetal heart and oligohydramnious (reduced amniotic fluid surrounding the baby). 5. Endocrinopathies or hormonal imbalances: The risk of pregnancy loss is increased in patients with uncorrected or subclinical hypothyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, Polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperinsulinaemia and Luteal phase deficiency. 6 Infection: Routine serological tests, cervical culture and endometrial biopsy are all essential to detect genital infection in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Evaluation should target women with symptoms of pelvic infection. Empiric Antibiotics should be commenced in women suspected of Genital Mycoplasma. 7. Environmental exposures: Smoking, heavy alcohol and or caffeine found in coffee have all been implicated but are not established causes of Recurrent Pregnancy losses. Obese women should try to reduce weight by strict diet control, exercise and modification of lifestyle. Unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss After comprehensive evaluation, Recurrent Pregnancy losses remain unexplained in more than 50% of affected couples. My advice is this, for couples who have suffered damage from recurrent pregnancy losses, education is important. Evaluation can help identify any predispos-

their rewards. Jesus taught to say “Peace to this house” when entering it (see Luke 10:5), and to also greet the people in the house with “peace be unto you”. Muslims do exactly what Jesus did and taught. When we enter our homes and the homes of others we say “Bismillah” and also greet with “as salaam alaikum” (peace be upon you) as taught in Qur’an 24:61. Jesus was circumcised. Circumcision is 1 of the 5 fitrah in Islam, so Muslim men are required to be circumcised. According to the Bible in Luke 2:21, Jesus was eight days old when he was circumcised. In the Torah, God told Prophet Abraham that it is an “Everlasting covenant” (see Genesis 17:13). In the Qur’an 16:123 Muslims are required to follow the religion of Abraham. Prophet Muhammad said, “Prophet Abraham circumcised himself when he was eighty years old.” Jesus spoke aramaic and called God”Elah”, which is pronounced the same as “Allah”. Aramaic is an ancient, Biblical language. It is one of the Semitic languages that also include Hebrew, Arabic, Ethiopic and the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian language of Akkadian.

ing factor which, when can be defined, specific counselling and treatment can improve the prognosis for successful pregnancy. Reassurance and Encouragement are valuable tools. The use of Progesterone and aspirin though has no proven benefit, any concern clinician will do all he can, to improve pregnancy outcome. Epidemiology of Pregnancy Early pregnancy loss is a common occurrence. Almost all genetically (chromosomal) abnormal pregnancy abort before ten weeks gestation and more than 90% of the pregnancy with normal genetic materials (karyotype) continue. Miscarriage is thus seen as natural selective process, acting as quality control. Knowing that miscarriage is common, normal and inevitable does not heal emotional wounds left by earlier losses or help the anxiety of the affected couples when planning for subsequent pregnancy. I strongly believe that having accurate mental view is vital and helpful. To be continued •Dr. G. L. Yahaya is a Reproductive Physician and Medical Director of Continental Specialist Clinic. Phone Number 08075004277, 07081312295.

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THE PLATFORM with

Sekinah Lawal t: 08055102994 e: sakinah207@yahoo.com The Aramaic”Elah” and the Arabic “Allah” are the same. The Aramaic “Elah” is derived from the Arabic “Allah”, and it means “GOD”. “Allah” in Arabic also means”GOD”, the Supreme GOD Almighty. Jesus didn’t eat pork as taught in Leviticus 11:7 and neither do Muslims as taught in the Qur’an 6:145. You can easily see the similarities and that is to show us

that the God of Jesus is also the God of Muhammed and Muslims, of all mankind, and all that exist. Let us continue to promote peace among all and in the world in general and enlighten ignorant people that God is one and knows everything. He knows why He created us the way we are and He is the MostHigh and the Most-Wise. Praying for a peaceful world full of God’s Love.

L-R: Amirah, The Criterion, Lagos District, Dr. Jameelah Yaqub, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos & chairman of the ocassion, Prof. Abdul Rahmon Bello presenting a gift to Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef while Alhaji Alli Oluwafuyi looks on.

Don’t toy with your matrimonial responsibilities, don tells women

he Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has called on women not to toy with their matrimonial responsibilities particularly child training as their roles are fundamental. He also attributed the increasing cases of misrepresentation and misinterpretation of Islamic teachings to increasing number of Muslims without the right Islamic understanding. He stated these at the annual seminar of the Criterion, an association of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions, Lagos District. Describing Islam as a way of life in its totality, Dr AbdulLateef said mischief appears on the land because of the corrupt activities of mankind. He explained that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was a model representation of Islam that other Muslims should follow to set good examples in the society. “Misrepresentation and Misinterpretation became other of the day because of increase in the number of ignorant followers and incapable scholars many of who pick what favours them and ignore other injunctions of the scriptures.” He noted that Islam and

Prophet Muhammad are inseparable and maintained that any attempt to do such will lead to misrepresentation of Islam and its teachings. “Quran is a guidance and manual for meaningful life. The Hadiths, traditions of the Prophet Muhammad is the correct interpretation of the Quran,” he stressed. Citing Chapter 33 verses 35, Dr AbdulLateef condemned claims by some individuals that women are inferior to their male counterparts. “Today, women status is grossly misunderstood. Women are agents of reformation. They can participate in business, different professions including politics because the quality of a system can only be better depending on the quality of the people in that system.” On restrictions, quoting from chapter 7 versus 26 and chapter 24 verses 30-31 Dr AbdulLateef said both men and women are restricted in Islam stressed that there are laid down principles, rules and injunctions guiding every activity in Islam. “Islam stipulate mode of dressing for both men and women, methods of transactions, rules of governance and for every affairs for orderliness”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 19, 2016

IN HIS LIGHT

with

USTAZ

A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zafabumuneeb@yahoo.com

My night for my Lord

here is a peak for everything in life. When the sun is hot in the day you feel its effect more than when it rises in the morning. So the same when the night is thick, you enjoy communion with Allah (SWT) more than the distractions of the noisy day. We must rise at night to engage in worship so as to purify our souls from corruptions in the society. Tahajjud will empower and enrich our soul to enjoy this world. As soon as the night sets in, we should know that it is one of the signs of Allah (SWT). “And among His signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen” (Q30:23) “And have made the night as a covering (through its darkness), and has made the day for livelihood.” (Q78: 10-11) It is the beginning of a new day in Islaam. The night is usually dark. People retire to their various houses to rest. We should turn to Allah (SWT) in repentance. After your Ishaai prayer, we should pick a pen and write out all the good and bad things we have done for the day. Thank Allah (SWT) for the good deeds and seek His forgiveness for the bad ones. We should recite a minimum of one hundred (100) astaghfirullah as it is the practice of the Prophet (SAW). We should resolve in our minds to do more good on the following day and avoid bad deeds. Let us not burn our nights watching films or movies. We need to go to bed early so that we can spend the last part of it for Allah (SWT). There is no better way to spend the night for your Lord than observing Tahajjud. To observe this prayer, you should make sure you perform ablution before you sleep. Have it in mind that you will wake up for the prayer. While in your bed, engage yourself in istighfaaar, Laa illaaha illa Allah, etc. Observing Tahajjud is the way of the righteous according to the Prophet (SAW). It makes Allah (SWT) to show them mercy. In the

10 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1437A.H

Qur’aan, Allah (SWT) enjoins us thus: ”… they used to sleep but little of the night… ”(Q 51 :18); “…..and they who spend the night prostrating before their Lord and standing…”(Q25:64) The Prophet (SAW) has also said that: “….pray during the night while others sleep and you will enter paradise in peace” (Ibn Majah) “Observe the night prayer, it was the practice of the righteous before you and it brings you closer to your Lord and it is atonement for evil deeds and erases the sins and repels disease from the body” Your night is not complete if you fail to observe Tahajjud. Your night is not spent for Allah (SWT) if you sleep throughout. Whoever sleeps throughout the night has allowed the three knots of Shaytaan to remain untied. You can observe your Tahajjud by praying 2, 4, 6, or 8 rakahs. You should thereafter observe your 3 rakahs of witr (odd voluntary prayer after Ishai or Tahajjud) with qunuut (a form of supplication) on the last rakah. Tahajjud is a shield for you from all evils and harms. The unbelievers use charms, but one of your own powers is Tahajjud. Allah (SWT) will use it to protect and defend you from any bad thing. Rising at night before subh for Tahajjud is a great sacrifice. You wake up for the Creator of the heavens and earth when all men are sleeping. You rise to stand before the Lord of all the worlds when others are snoring in their sleep. It is a great thing to worship Allah (SWT) in the stillness of the night. You will increase in faith and closeness to Allah (SWT). He will increase you in knowledge and understanding. He will make you strong and energetic in the morning. He will answer your prayers and forgive your sins. But today, most Muslims do not wake up for Tahajjud because they want to enjoy their sleep. Some do not know the importance of this great prayer. If they do, they will ever love to observe it. Some will watch movies into the still of the night and sleep late. Shaytaan knows that Tahajjud is very good in winning and overcoming all its evils and temptations. It will make you lazy and weak to observe it. The true Muslims must fight and win shaytaan through his Tahajjud and by avoiding all evils. Tahajjud makes you honourable. It makes you strong. It makes you holy. It makes you protected. It makes you faithful. It makes you Godly. It makes you a true follower of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Make your resolution now that you will never miss your Tahajjud again.

Peaceful co-existence is key to national growth –Adebule

agos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has identified tolerance of one another, mutual love and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians as necessary ingredients that can promote development and strengthen the current democratic experience in the country. She was speaking in Lagos at the 2016 Islamic Education and Faith Initiative Centre 3rd meritorious award ceremony where she was honoured alongside other Nigerians for their selfless service and outstanding contributions to the growth of Islam and humanity in the country. Dr. Adebule urged Nigerians irrespective of their religion or tribe to be tolerant of one another and live together in harmony, while advising youths to be creative and shun any act capable of promoting hatred and religious crisis.. The Deputy Governor noted that there

was the need for a general reorientation and ethical rebirth among Nigerians so as to let the new Nigeria project embarked upon by the President Muhammad Buhari led administration achieve its dream, saying that the steps taken so far by the federal government has shown that Nigeria is on the right track, urging religious leaders across the country not to relent in their prayers for the survival of the nation’s hard earned democracy. While thanking the organisers of the award ceremony for recognising and rewarding people who have shown commitment to unity and peaceful co existence in the country, she urged people to continue to support Lagos State government as it strives to impact on the lives of Lagos residents through the implementation of sustainable development projects in the nooks and cranny of the state.

Pearls of wisdom (4)

he Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) illustrated good form of friendship by saying help your brother, regardless of whether your brother is an oppressor or a victim. When one stops an oppressive friend from being cruel, this amounts to helping him! True friendship means one may even go against one’s friend in order to be of use to him. HazratMusleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said two people had an argument. A friend of one of them got fully involved in the argument to show his support as a good friend. Due to his good nature the man who had had the argument was reconciled to the person he had the conflict with but the friend who had got involved in the argument, ended up renouncing his faith. While friends can take one closer to God, they can also cause ruin. Supporting friends should mean being sensible and controlling one’s emotions. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) used to relate this story. A man was friends with a bear and his wife used to mock and deride him for this. One day she scorned very loudly and the bear heard it all. The bear gave his man friend a sword and asked him to strike on his head. The man refused but the bear insisted so the man eventually struck him with the sword, the bear started to bleed and went off to the woods. The bear returned after one year and asked his man friend to see if his wound had left any mark. The man checked and said none. The bear said he found some herbs in the woods which he used to treat his wound but the wound left by the derisory remarks of the man’s wife was still fresh. At times emotional hurt is much greater than any physical wound and everyone should be mindful of this to maintain societal peace. We should be careful about what we say to each other. HazratMusleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) related an account regarding Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace) many times. When Hazrat Musa left Egypt he met an opposing tribe. The king of the tribe was threatened of defeat so he asked a holy man to pray against Hazrat Musa. The holy man prayed and God revealed to him that

Call to Worship

Every Friday with

Khalifatul Ahmadiyya Musa (on whom be peace) was a Prophet of God and prayers against him should not be made. The holy man had this conveyed to the king. The king tried the same trick which Satan used to entice Adam and gave a lot of jewellery to the wife of the holy man but the holy man said he could not pray against Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace) because he was a beloved of God. He said he had been told so by God. However, his wife insisted that he prayed as the king had wished. They took the holy man to a place to pray against Hazrat Musa but he said his heart did not open up, so they took him to a few more places. Eventually the holy man lost his faith because he prayed against Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace). Following his malediction there was chaos among the people of Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace) owing to their own spiritual failings and the faith of the holy man was also lost and his future standing as a holy person was over. This story illustrates that just as a bird flies out of one’s hands faith left the holy person’s heart. Developing one’s spirituality and faith takes hard work but it can all be lost for something quite minor! HazratMusleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) used to say a Persian proverb which means, one’s hand may be busy doing work but one’s heart must be filled with remembrance of the Beloved [God]. Once someone asked a holy person how many time should he remember God. The holy person replied you want to count how many times you remember your Beloved? Real remembrance of God is that which is countless. The good point in remembering Him at appointed hours is that having abandoned everything else man makes those times exclusive for God. Since both these situations are important, remembrance at appointed times and all the time, the right way is to remember God at appointed times as well as at other times, while one is standing and sitting and doing other things. The objective of Ahmadis should be to listen to matters of faith attentively and try and retain them and then put them into practice. To be continued

L-R: Naib Amir Special Duties of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Engr. Hamed Al-Hassan; the Amir, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle Fashola; Naib Amir and Missionary In-charge, Maulvi Abdul Khalique Nayyar and Sadr. Majlis Ansarullah of Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya, during the commissioning of new hostel building of Fadl Omar Comprehensive High School, Ojokoro Lagos.

Arty News

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Eko O GbaGbere’: Ajilo partners Banky W

ne of the foremost recording companies in Nigeria has released a single done by Pa Chris Ajilo featuring Banky W and the new sensation making waves in the saxophone space, Korede Sax. The single was released exclusively on MTN Music+ on the 15th of February 2016, serving as a valentine gift to lovers of good old highlife music served in a modern way. According to the Project development manager of the music label, Mr. Michael Odiong, “as one of the leading music label pioneers, we are committed to making sure music lovers get the best. We had started with Dr. Victor Olaiya and 2face Idibia (now 2baba), this was in conjunction with Spinlet.

Suffice to say that this classic changed the way the younger generation appreciated works from older veterans, this is another milestone that will be achieved and appreciated by all and sundry. We have carefully selected the song and artistes to feature on it. Banky W is one of the best singers we have in Nigeria and his versatility as a singer comes to bear in this masterpiece hit single”. Like we say in Premier, “What’s New is Old, We started it”. We have been around for over 52 years and we intend to get to 100 years still doing the business of music. This classic is a remake of “Eko O GbaGbere”, sang by Pa Chris Ajilo and released in 1956. The video is expected to come soon.

Ripples on ‘The Dark Wind’ set

Iwe-Kiko excites Ranti Saidat alauSa

R Set of The Drak Wind

he abduction of two Nollywood actors, Gentle Jack and Jazzy Okey got averted by host communities where they visited for a film shoot. The two actors lost their way while getting to set for the shoot of an epic movie, titled, The Dark Wind. As informed by our source, it occurred when they left the capital city of Enugu to a village on Abakaliki road where they’ve been shooting for past one week. Usually, our source informed that they’ve been the ones driving themselves to the location until they left last Sunday hoping it was the usual place of shoot till the unexpected happened when the director, Don Single called to inform them of location swap.

“With the whole intention that they will locate the current place of shoot, the director later called to inform them of some changes with location they had. Some minutes later, the crew got a call from the former host community that the two actors nearly got abducted by some unknown persons.” In a move to confirm the report, Jazzy Okey’s PR Specialist, Ugochukwu FavourMayor described it as a plot in the ongoing movie that is being shot in Enugu. Reducing tension created by the speculated report, he further urged the fans of the two Nollywood actors to expect a unique content from the movie, The Dark Wind.

FAD’s ‘Sade Oloso’ P

Balogun

opular Nollywood actresses, Fathia Balogun, Omolara Giwa, Joke Jigan and her colleagues has been caught in the act of prostitution in a new Yoruba thriller titled Sade Oloso. The story is about a couple of university undergraduate girls who are involved in prostitution. The talented Delta State born actress leads an array of talented thespians in this suspense filled movie. The girls who are undergraduates are seen having her fun with lot of men before they were finally caught in the act. Before then, they have dumped a lot of

anti, an opera and crossover singer who is versatile in various genres of music namely folk, jazz and classical among others has said that she chose Iwe Kiko (produced by Cobhams Asuquo) as her first single release because she wants listeners to her music to remember their childhood, culture, who they are and where they are coming from. Ranti stated this recently on her return from the Kaduna Music Festival where she was invited to sing the National Anthem at the event where President Muhammadu Buhari was the Special Guest of Honour. She added that she wants people to think agriculture and entrepreneurship when they listen to Iwe kiko, which according to her will help the nation to stabilize economically. She said that Iwe kiko is a folk song which speaks directly to the listener, and she released it despite her background as a trained chemical engineer and classical musician because she felt that farming and craftsmanship are very important and should be given the attention they deserve.

men both young and the old. So it was a sort of relief for the community when the news of their arrest was announced. Hold it! Don’t call Faithia for confirmation of the story, as what you read above is nothing but a story from a movie from the stable of FAD Productions, and marketed by independent Nollywood Distribution Company, the film is titled “ Sade Oloso”. According to Omolara Giwa who co starred and produced the film “It is a film we want people to enjoy. It’s a film based on true life experience.”

She explained that Iwe kiko is a simple song that she used as an introduction of Ranti’s music into the Nigerian music industry noting that she will build on it and then move to more classically inclined releases. The young star lady artiste who also released O Holy Night (with Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ‘WAZOBIA’ infusion – produced by George Nathaniel) went down memory lane to talk about how she was inspired to become a full-fledged musician. She said that as young as when she was five years old, her mother who actually wanted her to become a musician bought her a recorder – a wood-wind instrument – and encouraged her to participate in singing both in school and in church. She said that her music teacher in school who discovered that she had the talent also helped her a lot. According to her, she participated in the Shell Schools’ Soloist Competition sponsored by Shell Nigeria when she was in secondary school and won the first place award. She stressed that this award was a source of motivation for her. After graduation, she said that she worked as a refinery engineer, directed her church choir and later joined the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and was among

Ranti

Critics

Friday, February 19, 2016

as usual wIth the grammys, there were mOre than a few awkward mOments and Ill-fated matchuPs. carrIe underwOOd, wearIng a sexy OutfIt that marIa vOn traPP defInItely wOuld nOt have aPPrOved Of performance of the opening number of the Broadway hitHamilton performed live from NYC’s Richard Rodgers Theater. (Thanks a lot, Grammys…as if it wasn’t already impossible to get tickets.) A few minutes later, in perhaps the least suspenseful race of the evening, the show won the award for Best Musical Theater Recording. Lin-Manuel Miranda entertainingly rapped his speech before accepting the Grammy Award that just happened to be there. That was followed by a literally fiery performance by Kendrick Lamar, who burned up the joint with “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright” enhanced by strobe lights, rapid-fire editing, shooting flames, a jailhouse set and other provocative imagery, and his riveting, intense delivery. Then, Adele attempted a soaring rendition of “All I Ask” that wasunfortunately marred by sound problems. Justin Bieber, sporting an adorable tiny moustache, scored with a solo acoustic version of his hit “Love Yourself ” before joining Skrillex and Diplo on the electronica-suffused “Where Are You Now?” Alabama Shakes proved that all you need for a brilliant performance is a great band and Brittany Howard’s amazing voice. Twelve-year-old jazz piano prodigy Joey Alexander performed, in what will no doubt be the first of many Grammy appearances. As usual with the Grammys, there were more than a few awkward moments and ill-fated match-ups. Carrie Underwood, wearing a sexy outfit that Maria von Trapp definitely would not have approved of, and Sam Hunt, who apparently left home without putting on the shirt to be worn over his white T, collaborated on a medley of “Take Your Time” and “Heartbeat” that, belying the latter song, didn’t have a pulse. The Weekndsang his hit “In the Night” accompanied by a cellist and pianist, because, really, when you think of The Weeknd you think of chamber music. Little Big Town made a similar mistake with a narcotizing version of “Girl Crush” featuring a string section, And duets by Andrea Day/Ellie Goulding and Tori Kelly/James Bay demonstrated that the sum is sometimes less than the parts. And the finale, featuring Pitbull along with Travis Barker, Joe Perry and Robin Thicke, was a fiasco that was only partially redeemed by the sight of Sofia Vergara shaking her booty in a tight, spangly dress.

THEATRE

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Remembering theatre icon, Esiaba Irobi

A scene in Beyond Blood

Six years after his demise, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, rolled out the drums to celebrate theatre icon, Esiaba Irobi. GreG MbajiorGu

he humane and cordial atmosphere that fosters creativity, intellectual excellence and academic freedom has fully been restored in University of Nigeria, Nsukka, since the appointment of Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, as the Vice Chancellor of the university. For example, the 2015 convocation drama which he commissioned through the Senate Ceremonials Committee impressed the then Minister of Education, His Excellency, Mallam Ibrahim Shakarau who commended UNN for hosting the best convocation creative and cultural activities that year. Ozumba’s emergence as Vice Chancellor has equally reintegrated the institution’s alumni association and restored their place of pride as stake holders in the university. Universities’ annual convocation ceremonies have remained our nation’s main strategic way of supporting, consolidating and promoting live theatre productions in University campuses. One wonders why there is no national conservatory for the preservation, documentation of proper audio-visual outputs of these well planned and properly funded annual drama productions that serve as part of highlights for universities’ convocation ceremonies. If an audit of past convocation drama production video tapes and playbills are not conducted in our university’s Theatre Arts departments, it might be difficult for the country’s culture ministry to keep track of these highbrow artistic productions that mark the graduation ceremonies in our Nation’s tertiary institutions. On the grounds of the significance and relevance of such convocation productions, UNN Senate Ceremonials Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. M.I. Okwueze has not only encouraged the improvement of the quality of UNN’s convocation playbills, but has equally made it possible for Theatre and Film Studies Department of the university to

plan the convocation drama in advance. These grand theatrical events that add colour, essence and beauty to the graduation ceremonies have become one of the prime reasons for thousands of well meaning Nigerians to flock to UNN during convocation events. Last year’s convocation drama attracted the former Minister of Education, His Excellency, Ibrahim Shakarau. Mallam Shakarau was so enthralled by the innovative staging of science on stage in a well packaged drama on climate change that he spoke for over an hour after watching the drama and also gave the staff and students of the department a handsome financial donation. The grand theatrical production that added special colour and beauty to the 44th convocation drama was Greg Mbajiorgu’s Wake up Everyone directed by Ndubuisi Nnanna. This year’s convocation ceremony, being the 45th convocation event of the university, The Department of Theatre And Film Studies has been commissioned to stage a special production of Esiaba Irobi’s The Colour of Rusting Gold, to commemorate the remarkable life and works of this theatrical icon and distinguished alumni. Irobi’s The Colour of Rusting Gold, this time, is directed by Greg Mbajiorgu and Ikechukwu Erojikwe. This prophetic play by Irobi focuses on the corrupt state of our society at all levels and highlights the degree of moral decadence in our nation, Nigeria. As stated by Mbajiorgu and Erojikwe in the production brochure: “It is our expectation that our special audience for this year’s convocation drama will go home with this question in their minds –why must we allow our great nation, Nigeria which we cherish even more than gold to rust in our age and time?” It is commendable to observe that UNN convocation plays in recent times seem to tackle topical issues. This year’s convocation drama is special due to the following reasons:

It celebrates a monumental doyen of the Nsukka Drama School, Esiaba Irobi. One of Irobi’s teachers and mentors, Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, a pioneer staff of Dramatic Arts Department, UNN, praised the University for choosing Irobi’s play for the 45th convocation ceremony. According to Prof. Nwankwo, “it is a wise and worthy choice that recognizes an alumnus whose footprints on the campus cannot be forgotten in a hurry”. It is the first time that five academic staff of the department will be collaborating to produce a convocation play. In this special commemorative convocation drama, even already graduated students of the department have volunteered to participate in the production because of their love for Esiaba Irobi. This is the first time that patrons of the theatre will be conferred with special awards after a convocation drama. One of those to be conferred with such highly dignified honour by the Department of Theatre And Film Studies is chief Osita Chidioka (Ike Obosi), former Field Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps and immediate past Minister of Aviation. This happens to be the first time the department from where Irobi grew and nutured his dramatic skills will be celebrating him since his demise in 2010. We will recall that Irobi won the prestigious NLNG prize for drama but unfortunately died before he could receive the award. This is why it is anticipated that most of Irobi’s fans and friends, from far and near, will troop to UNN to watch this historic convocation drama in honour of their mentor and role model Esiaba Irobi and join in the interactive session that will ensue after the production. Again, it is interesting to note that Esiaba Irobi taught, mentored or inspired great minds and scholars in theatre and other walks of life like Obi Emelonye, Charles Novia, Kola Ogunjobi, Kalu Ikeagwu, Niji Akani, Eucharia Anunobi, Nnorom Azuonye, Shehu Usman, Joe Chukwukelu, Nobert Oyibo Eze, Ola Ukaiwe, Obinna Nwachukwu, Uloma Umeano, Ike Achebe, Chioma Okafor, Ngozi Udengwu, Ike Okonta, Uche Nwaozuzu, Olu Oguibe, Okey Ndibe, Chika Okeke-Agulu, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Eni-Jones Umuoko, Chinwe Ezeani, Chijioke Edoga, Chizua Umeano, Ireke Amorji and Yours Sincerely, Greg Nnamdi Nnabike Mbajiorgu. UNN convocations usually attract such high personalities like the Visitor, President And Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces, Federal Republic Of Nigeria or his representative with thousands of other VIP guests such as State Governors, Senators, Ministers, business men and women from the industrial and corporate world and, of course, distinguished members of University Alumni Association.

One Of IrObI’s teachers and mentOrs, PrOf. chImalum nwankwO, a PIOneer staff Of dramatIc arts dePartment, unn, PraIsed the unIversIty fOr chOOsIng IrObI’s Play fOr the 45th cOnvOcatIOn ceremOny.

Inside FCT

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Valentine’s day spiritual dimension in FCT

Regina OtOkpa

t Valentine’s Day celebrated every 14th day of February took a new dimension this year when churches took the day out to mark the day in a grand style. Since the day was a Sunday, churches in the Federal Capital Territory were filled with adults and kids appeared in beautiful outfits with a touch of red or white, the colours symbolizing the day. Inside-FCT observed that while most churches reorganised the normal Sunday church service to accommodate some special activities to reflect the true meaning of Valentine, others organised special programmes after the church service at parks and gardens. According to Jessica Seriki, Valentine was not a day to mess around having fun with friends and love ones, but a day to spend quality time with people without anyone to shower them love. “I must say that the true meaning of Valentine has been distorted, what we see on valentine’s day is pure lust of the flesh. ”You can hardly see a young girl or boy alone on days like this, the youths of our days believe it is a day dedicated to fornication, drinking, smoking and doing all manner of things the bible preaches against. “This is why we need the church; the church has a big role to play in guiding people from the wrong path of unrighteousness. We are at the end time and we need to prepare for our salvation before we leave this world” Chima Nwankwo dressed in a red top on a white jean and dancing to Christian music blaring from the speakers at the valentine programme organized by Dunamis Gospel Church at the millennium park said, “I came here with my friends to have some fun. The music from this part of the park is actually mind captivating”

Abuja Park

“I am already looking forward to listening to Pastor Enenche preach on love, I always listen to his preaching whenever I am opportune that is why immediately I noticed Dunamis was here, I dragged my friends to come listen to the true meaning of love.” She further noted that “ the youths are being misled, we do not seem to know the

meaning of love anymore. Most of the youths are falling for the spur of the moment with such programmes, personally I know quite a number of souls will be liberated and won to Christ.” Kingsley Arisiukwu lamenting the manner valentine is spent stressed that many young girls tend to lose their dignity saying “Valentine is a day to express love to everyone around you but what we

InsIde FCT noTICed ThaT a good number oF FamIlIes Came ouT To have nICe TIme aT some eaTerIes whIle mosT hoTels were FIlled up wITh guesTs, parks and gardens were also FIlled wITh FamIlIes seekIng maxImum Fun

have is destruction of lives, dignity and destiny of young people especially the girls. “Some men knowing how fragile girls are and their love for gifts usually capitalize on this period to lure so many girls into indulging in despicable acts that might produce a terrible or negative end result. “Valentine is not for all that, it is a time to show agape love not canal love to the less privileged, our neighbours and even our enemies. I have children and these are part of the teachings I hand over to them because my parents did same and I am proud to say it played a major role in shaping the way I view and handle situations “Personally, I usually spend my valentine visiting one of two orphanage homes to give the kids gift, play with them, make them feel loved but I will have to carry that tradition over to next year because we are still trying to adapt to the change era”, he said. In the afternoon of the Valentine’s day, Inside FCT noticed that a good number of families came out to have nice time at some eateries while most hotels were filled up with guests, parks and gardens were also filled with families seeking maximum fun just as fish and drink joints recorded more. Following a visit to some of the night clubs, there was limited space for fun seekers, according to Dayo, the night was ruined for him because he couldn’t find space to spend a memorable time with his girlfriend and some of his male friends. “I had a great time in church, we had a special valentine white ball which was awesome and am out this evening to continue the fun but I do not see that happening. “It is the same scenario everywhere just as it is every year. I would have loved to hang around with my hommies till late at night when most people would have retired for the night but it’s a Sunday,”

Being a resident of Kwalita, Gwagwalada T

he stink hanging in the air was terrible, naked children running around looks like they needed urgent medical attention, flies buzzing on adults and children alike could make anyone want to turn back from the sour sight at Kwalita, a community thousands of miles away from civilisation. Kwalita community in Gwagwalada local government area council, is just like every other rural community scattered in the various parts of the country however, the odd thing about this community and environs is that, they are in the Federal Capital Territory yet, totally cut off from all forms of civilization. With about 56 minutes’ drive to Gwagwalada, the nearest point of access to all forms of social amenities, healthcare and education by these villagers is a town called Dobi, 38 minutes’ drive away. On a bumpy ride from Dobi to kwalita,

Inside FCT had discovered that asides the rough terrain, villages in that environment all suffer the same fate including gully erosion during the rainy seasons. With a small population of no fewer than 400 adults and children, these villagers do not have access to portable water, electricity, healthcare facilities, telecommunication or quality education. About six villages to and after Kwalita survive on stream water which could easily pass as urine with lots of particles unlike portable water which is usually clean and colourless. Visiting the stream, Inside FCT discovered not only was it a source of water for domestic usage including cooking and drinking, but it was also home to cattle, fish, frogs and a host of other impurity agents. One may wonder how the spokesman in the village, Peter Ikyobo and his fam-

ily, natives of Guma local government area of Benue state, found himself here as the only person who understands English language. Narrating the ordeals of the villagers to Inside FCT, he lamented that the federal government through the FCT administration has abandoned them by not making available provisions to social amenities to ease their suffering.

According to him, the villagers suffer most during the rainy season especially after a heavy downpour which makes it impossible to go out or come into the village adding that loves are lost during this period due to infections resulting from contaminated water. Ikyobo said: “I have lived here for long, the water we take here is not the kind of water we should take. We are here but

The prImary oCCupaTIon oF The people Is FarmIng oF yams and produCTIon oF FIrewood logs whICh are sold To

FIrewood wholesalers and reTaIlers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, February 19, 2016

Manholes become nightmare for residents Blessing UkaegBU

t is no news that the FCT boasts of world class road network, yet many of the roads in the city have become an eyesore. One can compare the situation to beautiful fingers that habour a whitlow. The fear of man-holes has now become the beginning of wisdom for most roadusers in the city, considering the serious hazard constituted by unsecured manholes on our roads especially when concealed by darkness at night or flood after heavy rainfall. Many pedestrians have fallen into these man-holes and sustained injuries while many drivers have had their vehicles fall into them as well. At night, these man-holes or the ditches around them provide a hideout for hoodlums to commit nefarious acts like robbery, car hijack, abduction of persons, and attack on individual road users. Inside FCT noticed that while many of the man-holes are either flood evacuation shafts connecting underground channels and drainage pits or sewage channels, others are underground intercom exchange or the junction of fibre-optic cables that belong to telecommunications service providers. The situation calls for urgent attention and regrettable and besides the danger it poses, the concerns of the residents are ignored by the appropriate authorities. The most dangerous manholes are located on the Obafemi Awolowo Way,

Exposed manhole

especially around the junction with the OkonjoIweala Road, Utako; around the overhead bridge (near the Grand Square) on Mohammadu Buhari Way; portions of the Airport Road. In these areas, such man-holes have long been turned to refuse receptacles and pit latrines where wastes are readily disposed of, or defecated into, by road users.

The mosT dangerous manholes are locaTed on The obafemi awolowo way, especially around The juncTion wiTh The okonjo iweala road, uTako; around The overhead bridge (near The grand square) on mohammadu buhari way. the area council does not know us, they know us only during elections and the water that we drink is not safe. “During rainy season our children die from ailment because we don’t even have access to any form of health facility. There is nothing here we are just here if government can help us we will thank God”. “I had to go out to gain quality education before coming back to meet my family because we don’t have schools here. You can’t find up to four people here who have attended secondary school. “We only have a primary school not very close by but during the rainy season when the road is rough, the teachers do not come regularly to teach our children but hence they keep the primary school they manage and come here sometimes. “Our market is at Dobi, also if we want to go to the hospital, buy drugs from pharmacy or do any other thing, we have to go there” he lamented.

Kwalita community

Speaking with Inside FCT, Dakwoi Sunday expressed surprise that the situation has not been attended to by the authorities. “The network of roads in the city should set the standard of what roads in the other Nigerian cities should look like in terms of safety and aesthetics. If Abuja roads are largely unsafe, then the roads in other Nigerian cities must be something else”, he lamented. Another resident of the FCT, Engineer Kehinde Agoye also highlighted the need for the roads and pedestrian walkways to be free of open, unsecured man-holes. “Commonsense will even tell you that cars or human beings could fall into any of these open man-holes. I suggest that

reflective safety tapes and metal pegs be used to secure them so that on-coming vehicles and humans can be forewarned of the danger ahead”, he said. Agoye also said construction companies should take steps to close roads yet to be completed from use by motorists. “But you know that Nigerians are always in a haste to drive through construction sites be it roads or otherwise. This practice is condemnable and exposes Nigerians to more danger”, he added. Speaking in the same vein, For Bello Magajiuses, another resident of the FCT expressed disappointment at the way the man-holes have been allowed to remain in the city for very long. He urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide appropriate metal cover for the man holes as personal effects like mobile phones, car keys, head wears and others could fall into the hole and such items are not likely to be found if care was not taken. “I call on government to fix these manholes to reduce the level of danger that Nigerians are exposed to while on the road”, he said. Another resident of the FCT, Stella Ekeoma said she was not happy with the way dishonest individuals willfully remove the metal cover of these man-holes so as to sell them to welders and companies that deal on metalwork for a personal gain at the expense of public safety. “Many dishonest Nigerians now compete with one another to steal the metal components of most public works, be it metal rails on the bridges, pedestrian walkways, or metal casing on flood evacuation channels and sewage channels. They are usually vandalized by people who would later sell them for profit. We are our own worst enemies”, she said. However, whether the concerns of residents of the FCT would be addressed by the authorities so as to salvage the beauty and safety of roads in the territory? Only time will tell.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 19, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016

Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 15.54% FGN FEB 2020 Federal Totals

Symbol FG122020S1

DEBT Board Totals

Equities as at February 18, 2016 No. of Deals 2 2

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quantity Traded 150,000 150000

Value Traded 169,326,046.15 169,326,046.15

150,000

169,326,046.15

150000

169,326,046.15

Quotation(N)

Current Price 112.50

Quantity Traded

Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002

1st Tier Securities

Value of Shares(N)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Other Financial Institutions Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016

Livestock/Animal Specialties Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CONGLOMERATES

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Diversified Industries Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 15 5 20

Current Price 30.00 34.00

Quantity Traded 346,115 5,306 351,421

Value Traded 10,341,951.96 182,587.70 10,524,539.66

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 1.31

Quantity Traded 351,465 351,465

Value Traded 460,315.70 460,315.70

702,886

10,984,855.36

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.77

Quantity Traded 7,547

Value Traded 6,037.60

Symbol TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 90 25 118

Current Price 1.16 19.50

Quantity Traded Page 8,795,098 4,232,520 13,035,165

Value Traded 1 9,903,070.56 of 12 82,532,719.77 92,441,827.93

13,035,165

92,441,827.93

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 560 560

Value Traded 280.00 280.00

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 41.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 42,730.00 42,730.00

Real Estate Development Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 5.20

Quantity Traded 329,978 329,978

Value Traded 1,749,431.30 1,749,431.30

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

Quantity Traded 46,000 46,000

Value Traded 460,000.00 460,000.00

377,538

2,252,441.30

Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

UPDCREIT

1 1

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS PLC Published by The NigerianNIG Stock Exchange © INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMER GOODS PLC TIGER BRANDED Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Food Products Totals CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Food Products--Diversified GUINNESS NIG PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

No. of Deals 3

118

10.00

16 Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 13 30 35 78 156

Current Price 2.84 118.00 19.09 99.30

Quantity Traded 296,543 543,420 Page 1,292,006 312,383 2,444,352

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 170.00

Quantity Traded 363,100 363,100

Value Traded 60,632,209.00 60,632,209.00

Symbol No. of Deals DANGSUGAR 60 Daily Summary (Equities) FLOURMILL 46 HONYFLOUR 19 NASCON 27 NNFM 3 TIGERBRANDS 36 Symbol No. of Deals 191 CHAMPION 13 Symbol No. of Deals GUINNESS 30 CADBURY 17 INTBREW 35 NESTLE 43 NB 78 60 156

Current Price 5.19 19.30 1.37 7.01 6.65 1.20 Current Price 2.84 Current118.00 Price 17.86 19.09 650.00 99.30

Quantity Traded 2,576,061 433,039 292,244 795,290 800 2,158,051 Quantity Traded 6,255,485 296,543 Quantity543,420 Traded 65,270 1,292,006 31,215 312,383 96,485 2,444,352

Value Traded 13,562,796.86 8,378,283.31 405,296.60 5,677,471.88 5,160.00 2,569,345.89 Value Traded 30,598,354.54 822,367.55 Value Traded 61,482,690.97 1,119,009.51 22,542,404.04 21,288,226.00 30,862,088.73 22,407,235.51 115,709,551.29

Value Traded 822,367.55 12 261,482,690.97 of 22,542,404.04 30,862,088.73 115,709,551.29

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM TIGERBRANDS

No. of Deals 60 46 19 27 3 36 191

Current Price 5.19 19.30 1.37 7.01 6.65 1.20

Quantity Traded 2,576,061 433,039 292,244 795,290 800 2,158,051 6,255,485

Value Traded 13,562,796.86 8,378,283.31 405,296.60 5,677,471.88 5,160.00 2,569,345.89 30,598,354.54

No. of Deals 17 43 60

Current Price 17.86 650.00

Quantity Traded 65,270 31,215 96,485

Value Traded 1,119,009.51 21,288,226.00 22,407,235.51

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.69

Quantity Traded 22,670 22,670 Page

Value Traded 101,108.20 12 3 101,108.20 of

No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price No. 31 21.90 2 4.69 32 27.98 2 63 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price 489 PZ 31 21.90 UNILEVER 32 27.98 63 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ACCESS 132 4.10 489 DIAMONDBNK 20 1.66 ETI 25 15.75 FIDELITYBK 41 Current Price 1.21 Symbol No. of Deals GUARANTY 154 16.70 ACCESS 132 4.10 SKYEBANK 32 1.10 DIAMONDBNK 20 1.66 STERLNBANK 1.73 ETI 256 15.75 UBA 152 2.96 FIDELITYBK 41 1.21 UBN 5.25 GUARANTY 1548 16.70 UNITYBNK 0.63 SKYEBANK 328 1.10 WEMABANK 20 0.97 STERLNBANK 6 1.73 598 UBA 152 2.96 Daily Summary (Equities) UBN 8 5.25 UNITYBNK 8 0.63 WEMABANK 20 0.97 598

Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 206,554 22,670 190,883 22,670 397,437 Quantity Traded 9,579,529 206,554 190,883 397,437 Quantity Traded 10,259,956 9,579,529 6,693,103 719,740 1,397,510 Quantity Traded 3,040,521 10,259,956 2,801,000 6,693,103 123,653 719,740 13,417,749 1,397,510 24,584 3,040,521 70,334 2,801,000 1,705,000 123,653 40,253,150 13,417,749 24,584 70,334 Page 1,705,000 40,253,150

Value Traded Traded Value 4,692,504.83 101,108.20 5,248,648.61 101,108.20 9,941,153.44 Value Traded 239,389,611.98 4,692,504.83 5,248,648.61 9,941,153.44 Value Traded 42,058,324.04 239,389,611.98 11,110,598.98 10,950,436.75 1,696,398.39 Value Traded 50,586,076.35 42,058,324.04 3,081,405.00 11,110,598.98 213,844.94 10,950,436.75 39,427,566.77 1,696,398.39 128,651.92 50,586,076.35 44,310.42 3,081,405.00 1,689,500.00 213,844.94 160,987,113.56 39,427,566.77 128,651.92 44,310.42 12 41,689,500.00 of 160,987,113.56 Value Traded 10.00 12 4 of 930,796.03

Food Products--Diversified Totals CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables VITAFOAM Activity SummaryNIG onPLC. Board EQTY Household Durables Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Personal/Household Household Durables Products P Z CUSSONS PLC. VITAFOAM NIG NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products Totals Personal/Household Products CONSUMER GOODSNIGERIA Totals PLC. P Z CUSSONS UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Personal/Household Products Totals Banking ACCESS BANK Totals PLC. CONSUMER GOODS DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FINANCIAL SERVICES FIDELITY BANK PLC Banking GUARANTY TRUST ACCESS BANK PLC. BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLCPLC DIAMOND BANK STERLINGTRANSNATIONAL BANK PLC. ECOBANK INCORPORATED Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 UNITED BANK FIDELITY BANKFOR PLCAFRICA PLC Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. UNITYBANK BANKPLC PLC SKYE WEMA BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC. Banking Totals UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 UNITY BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by WEMA The Nigerian BANKStock PLC. Exchange © Banking FINANCIAL Totals SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Published by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity on Board AIICO INSURANCE PLC. EQTY CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol VITAFOAM

Symbol Symbol PZ VITAFOAM UNILEVER

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AFRINSURE AIICO CONTINSURE

No. of Deals 2 19 4

Current Price 0.50 0.80 0.92

Quantity Traded 20 Page 1,136,332

Symbol MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS REGALINS UNIC WAPIC

No. of Deals 16 1 15 2 3 1 2 65

Current Price 2.03 0.50 0.73 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 461,935 749,500 308,600 50,000 3,200 314,312 60,000 3,368,448

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.08

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UCAP

No. of Deals 27 12 88 2 17 37

284,549

261,754.06

Value Traded 916.86 916.86

Current Price 4.50

Quantity Traded 8,500 8,500

Value Traded 36,380.00 36,380.00

Current Price 2.57 3.99 0.86 0.50 14.15 1.34

Quantity Traded 519,492 605,749 5,983,999 200 Page 160,355 2,451,027

Page

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.67

53,351,746

178,437,909.67

Quantity Traded 4,415 1,246,966 246,551 3,257,954 40,000 4,795,886

Value Traded 11,346.55 28,694,370.72 224,221.92 2,443,465.50 186,800.00 31,560,204.69

4,795,886

31,560,204.69

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 1,270.00 1,270.00

500

1,270.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Value Traded 2,193,072.09 105,229.50

Symbol CAP CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 8 20 4 9 68

Current Price 35.78 9.00 3.71 80.00

Page Quantity Traded 23,230 482,345 50,700 100,500 757,268

12 7Value Traded of 859,168.80 4,124,049.75 188,097.00 8,040,110.00 15,509,727.14

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.51

Quantity Traded 125,000 125,000

Value Traded 188,750.00 188,750.00

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.45 50.00

Quantity Traded 2,000 409 2,409

Value Traded 3,020.00 19,632.00 22,652.00

884,677

15,721,129.14

Quantity Traded 300 300

Value Traded 2,805.00 2,805.00

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 NATURAL RESOURCES Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on PLC. Board EQTY TOTAL NIGERIA Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

SERVICES Hotels/Lodging Published by The Nigerian Stock IKEJA HOTEL PLCExchange © TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 Printing/Publishing Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 Printing/Publishing Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002Totals Road Transportation Activity Summary on Board EQTY

ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC SERVICES Road Transportation Totals Support and Logistics Transport-Related Services C & I LEASING PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Support and Logistics Totals Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals SERVICES Support and Logistics Published by C The Stock & INigerian LEASING PLC.Exchange ©

EQTY Board Totals

Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

SERVICES Totals

Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Banking Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Building Materials Other Financial Institutions Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS FBN HOLDINGS Activity Summary on PLC Board PREMIUM Building Materials Other Financial Institutions Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS DANGOTE CEMENT PLC FINANCIAL Building SERVICES Materials Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

MULTIVERSE

1 1

VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Traded Fund Totals ETPExchange Activity Totals

ETF Board Totals

0.50

Page 5,300

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 83 83

Current Price 3.56

Quantity Traded 3,456,170 3,456,170

Value Traded 12,359,314.18 12,359,314.18

No. of Deals 27 14 19 (Equities) 21 1 11 93

Current Price 17.47 1.75 342.00 150.00 49.66 145.00

Quantity Traded 276,720 232,726 18,007 59,991 7,250 28,900 623,594

Value Traded 4,830,081.26 430,171.70 5,559,664.62 8,918,921.76 342,055.00 4,169,018.40 24,249,912.74

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 288.08

Quantity Traded 192,177 192,177

Value Traded 55,362,350.16 55,362,350.16

4,276,941

91,974,077.08

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO Daily Summary MOBIL MRS TOTAL

Symbol SEPLAT

186

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 2 3 5

Current Price 2.89 5.51

Quantity Traded Page 40,000 20,000 60,000

Value Traded 12 9 115,200.00 of 106,420.00 221,620.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 1 5 1 1 (Equities) 8

Current Price 0.55 0.81 2.19 5.70

Quantity Traded 9,000 401,793 100 300 411,193

Value Traded 4,770.00 325,452.33 209.00 1,626.00 332,057.33

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals Current Price 1 0.50 1 (Equities) No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals 3 Current Price 0.50 27 3.88 3 27 44 No. of Deals Current Price 3 0.50 1,8623

Daily Summary

Daily Summary Symbol Symbol CILEASING NAHCO

Symbol CILEASING

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary Symbol Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM Symbol

1,522,996

4,600,952.55

667,369,584.70

Quantity Traded 23,837,877 23,837,877

Value Traded 262,454,185.16 262,454,185.16

Current Price 11.39

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals 215 Current Price 3.93 367 11.39 215 367 (Equities) 582 No. No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price 20 215 3.93 No. of Deals 215 Current Price 20 20 139.83 582 Current Price No. of Deals 602 20 No. of2,464 Deals 20 20

Daily Summary (ETP)

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 6,947,687 23,837,877 6,947,687 23,837,877 30,785,564 Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 19,994 6,947,687 Quantity Traded 6,947,687 19,994 19,994 30,785,564 Quantity Traded 30,805,558 19,994 Page

Value Traded Value Traded 27,248,336.55 262,454,185.16 27,248,336.55 262,454,185.16 289,702,521.71 Value Value Traded Traded 2,701,363.21 27,248,336.55 Value Traded 27,248,336.55 2,701,363.21 2,701,363.21 289,702,521.71 Value Traded 292,403,884.92 2,701,363.21 12 11 of

Quantity Traded 19,994 119,338,722 19,994

Value Traded 2,701,363.21 959,773,469.62

30,805,558

292,403,884.92

119,338,722

959,773,469.62

Current Price 139.83

602

Page

2,464 Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Daily Summary NEWGOLD VETBANK VETGOODS Symbol VETGRIF30 LOTUSHAL15 VETINDETF NEWGOLD VETBANK VETGOODS VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

(ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1 No. of Deals 5 1 1 1 10 1 1 5 1 10

Current Price 7.80 2,339.00 2.33 5.83 Current Price 10.98 7.80 18.03 2,339.00 2.33 5.83 10.98 18.03

Quantity Traded 5 5 10 50 Quantity Traded 77,165 5 10 5 77,245 10

2,701,363.21

50 77,165 10 77,245 77,245

77,245

ETP Activity Totals

77,245

Page

Value Traded 39.00 11,695.00 23.30 291.50 Value Traded 842,271.70 39.00 180.30 11,695.00 854,500.80 23.30 291.50 842,271.70 180.30 854,500.80 854,500.80

77,245

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

667,369,584.70 2,397.50

88,533,164

No. of Deals 367 367

Symbol DANGCEM

4,795

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol Symbol FBNH ZENITHBANK

88,533,164

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00 Value Traded Value Traded 2,397.50 4,042,377.72 2,397.50 4,042,377.72 4,600,952.55 Value Traded 12 10 of 2,397.50

1,862

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ZENITHBANK

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 4,795 1,042,008 4,795 1,042,008 1,522,996 Quantity Traded Page 4,795

ETF Board Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

12 of 5,305.00

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Equity Activity Totals Exchange Traded Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING Exchange TradedETF Fund VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF Name VETIVA HALAL GRIFFIN 30 ETFETF LOTUS EQUITY VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange Traded Fund VETIVA BANKING ETFTotals

Current Price 9.84

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

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Daily Summary as of Totals 18/02/2016 EQTY Board FINANCIAL14:37:02.002 SERVICES Printed 18/02/2016 Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016

PREMIUM Board Totals

Current Price 2.70 23.02 0.91 0.75 4.91

Value Traded 14,462,079.95

Quantity Traded 89,178 11,315

PREMIUM Totals BuildingBoard Materials Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building INDUSTRIAL GOODS Equity ActivityMaterials Totals Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

Value Traded 1,302,713.96 2,404,140.70 5,174,091.47 5 of100.0012 2,279,700.25 3,301,333.57

No. of Deals 4 24 10 10 10 58

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 940,587.20 374,750.00 229,766.01 25,000.00 1,600.00 157,156.00 30,000.00 2,951,419.30

Quantity Traded 826 826

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN

Quantity Traded 9,720,822

Current Price 24.00 9.30

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

848

NATURAL RESOURCES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange NATURAL RESOURCES Totals ©

Value Traded 60,632,209.00 12 360,632,209.00 of

Current Price

Value of Shares(N)

No. of Deals 21 6

Mining Services MULTIVERSE MINING AND EXPLORATION PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY Mining Serviceson Totals

Quantity Traded 363,100 Page 363,100

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 183

Quantity Traded

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER

CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Current Price 170.00

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

ICT IT Services Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016 COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 IT Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEMon PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY BERGER PAINTS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials

No. of Deals 17 17

Activity Summary on Board NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. EQTY

Symbol

Quotation(N)

ICT Totals

Symbol 7UP

Daily Summary as of 18/02/2016

No Of Deals

HEALTHCARE Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Printed 18/02/2016 14:37:02.002 Food Products--Diversified

Daily Summary (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

on Board Sector Activity Summary Company nameEQTY

854,500.80

854,500.80 of

854,500.80 12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, February 19, 2016

29 31

Filmmaking requires business-oriented mind–Adesoji –Adesoji Solomon Adesoji Solomon, head of Yeshua Films, has a strong passion for filmmaking. He has a new work, ‘The Final Say’. He talks about his life and career in this interview with GBENGA SAMUEL Ex Excerpts:

ell us about ground?

your

back-

My name is Adesoji Imoleayo Solomon . I am originally from Ileoluji in Ondo state. I was born about over three decades ago in Omuo Ekiti to be precise . Then my mum was a serving nurse under the then Ondo state. I attended Victory Nursery and Primary School, Akure then later to CAC Adu Memorial High School in Akure. I eventually finished my secondary school at Gboluji Grammar School Ileoluji. Then I proceeded to the College of Education, Ikere where I studied Theatre Arts and Music. When I finished in 2004, I started the journey into acting after making the shortlist for the 2005 Festival of Nigeria Theatre Arts with the play Morountodun. I later went back to Ekiti state University to study English. Can you give us a peep about your journey into film making? For me film making has always been part of me. I’ve been a film critic since I was little. I watched a lot of movies while I was young and majority of them, I can still remember up till date. I’ve always loved acting too. The journey fully started in the college when I was studying theatre; I was then the Director of Socials of the department, majority of all productions in the department I featured in. Later some of our lecturers that had productions outside the school settings began to call me up for productions. Like most people, I started out as a production assistant. Have you been nominated for any award? Yes; But mostly in the religious circle. What challenges have you faced as a director and producer in Nigeria and how have you been able to solve them? There have been a lot of challenges. But I’ll sum it up as lack of motivation from important departments. While I was growing up, I categorically told my parents I’ll love to be a theatre artist. At this point I was viewed as not serious. As times went on my interest in the profession increased and I was no longer ready for any discouragement weigh me down. When I got eventually into the industry, finance and piracy have become a major problem. But I’ve been able

to find a way to make things work irrespective of all the setbacks. I’ll say the major tool to my breaking through has been God and my persevering nature. What would you have been if not a film maker? I would have been a business man. Even at present it takes a very business-oriented mind to really escape not being broke in this industry. The problem of piracy has really eaten deep into the system. I’ve been very productive when it comes to buying and selling. It would definitely be business if not film making. Why did you choose film making and who are your mentors? I chose filmmaking because it comes interesting and easy for me. As I’ve said earlier it has always been part of me since I was little. Being a critic at a tender age shows how much I cherish the profession. When I was growing up, we watched a lot of American movies then. Steven Spielberg movies then were the most appealing to me, especially the Indiana Jones trilogy. Since then I picked him as a mentor. Coming back to Nigeria, Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was my best artiste then.

A lot of people do ask me why I’ve picked him as a mentor. For me, I’ve seen him as an all-round entertainer. Also his love for God has really motivated me. What is your advice for upcom-

When I Was groWIng up, We Watched a lot of amerIcan movIes. steven spIelberg

movIes then Were the most appealIng to me, especIally the IndIana Jones trIlogy. sInce then I pIcked hIm as a mentor.

comIng back to nIgerIa, moses olaIya (baba sala) Was my best artIste

ing film makers? I’ll say they shouldn’t relent. “What’s worth doing at all is worth doing well”. They should keep going and never look back. Putting God first for me has been the ultimate tool. Tell us about your recent work? My recent work is titled “The Final Say”. The movie tells the story of a barrister that believes he has it all, until he gets himself into trouble. It’s a full suspense movie. It espouses the benefit of adhering to God’s principles. It is a must match as it reveals the keys to achieving success.

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Speed limiter: Major oil marketers back policy … FRSC sets for April 1enforcement kick-off Adejuwon osunnuyi

he Federal Road Safety Corps has said there was no going back on its plan to commence the enforcement of the installation of speed limiting device by commercial and haulage vehicles operators in Nigeria from April 1.

Car crash

‘

must join hAnds to protect

the roAd And those thAt use it for vArious socio-economic

‘

The commission urged commercial motorists to install the device in their vehicles before April 1 when the agency would begin to arrest and prosecute defaulters. It would be recalled that while the commission had last year held a nationwide rally ahead of the implementation of the speed limit device on vehicles whose implementation was initially fixed for June 1, 2015, it had to be postponed due to pressure from stakeholders. Meanwhile, ahead of the full enforcement, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has supported the speed regulation policy as well as all other safety policies aimed at creating safer road environment in the country. While speaking at the end of the interactive session held between the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi and Chief Executives of the major oil marketers in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Femi Olawore, expressed the association’s commitment to the implementation of the policy as part of its efforts to join hands with relevant agencies in creating safer road usage in the country. Olawore commended the FRSC for its aggressive campaign against road carnage, noting that members of the association are well mobilised to support the FRSC in its awareness creation on speed related crashes, which assumed worrisome dimension in the last few years. According to him, the association would support the FRSC to sustain the campaign because it is equally committed to issues of road safety, which he said is central to the

Activities for the collective prosperity of All success of their operations. Olawore said: “We stand by the FRSC in this campaign and other road safety initiatives which the Corps Marshal has been engaging us. “As you can see, all the Chief Executives of oil major marketers operating in the country were either present at the meeting or well represented. That shows the level of commitment of the members to issues of road safety as is being driven by the FRSC. “We must join hands to protect the road and those that use it for various socio-economic activities for the collective prosperity of all Nigerians,” he added. In his presentation, the Corps Marshal who commended members of the Major Oil Marketers for always observing minimum safety standards in their vehicles, disclosed that even before the stakeholders came up with the idea of speed limiters, they had already keyed into the

nigeriAns

safety requirement by installing speed limiting devices in their vehicles. According to him, their adherence to the basic safety rules such as installation of safety valves and speed limiting devices in their tankers has saved the nation unnecessary loss through oil spillage and destruction associated with the carnage as witnessed in other similar crashes involving marketers that compromise the standards. Oyeyemi further stated that the interactive session with the chief executives of the major oil marketers was in continuation of his initiative of taking the road safety campaign to the door steps of the relevant stakeholders, pointing out that FRSC is impressed with the various safety measures they have taken to prevent crashes affecting their fleet of vehicles. “I am aware of the various safety measures that members of the Association have taken

Oyeyemi

to deal with safety of their vehicles, including the installation of the speed limiting devices. “But there is the need for all us to be on the same page in terms of information on those your vehicles that have been installed with the speed limiting devices before the commencement of enforcement to avoid hiccups as the enforcement would be based on e-ticketing and use of tablets which would identify vehicles that have not offloaded their compliance status on the portal,” Oyeyemi said. The Corps Marshal explained that the device was introduced to reduce accidents arising from over-speeding. He said that the initiative was not proposed by the FRSC but jointly arrived at with the

leadership of all transport unions and other stakeholders to raise the level of awareness for an enduring safe road culture. He explained that the device was a speed limiting governor, which works by controlling the fuel feed to the engine, mechanical and electronic accelerator in a vehicle. Some members of the MOMAN also expressed solidarity with the ongoing road safety campaign by the FRSC, saying it is creating enormous awareness to road users. They however urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the dilapidated roads across the country, fix the depots and the railways in order to reduce pressure on the roads while also canvassing the need for Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to engage other oil marketers to make transition to rail transportation of the products smooth. The Director of Operations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Niyi Alli, who made a presentation at the meeting, analysed the efforts being made by the corporation to decongest the road through the use of railways to transport the petroleum products. He noted that when fully operational, the rail system would be a great boost to road safety campaign in the country, saying crashes involving railways are not as common as other means of transportation. The meeting which further agreed to sustain the consultation with other stakeholders and extend the campaign to all levels of road users in the countdown to the April 1stenforcement date of the policy, had representatives of Conoil, TOTAL, OANDO, MRS, FORTE oil and MOBIL in attendance. Also in attendance were the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Command Administration and Strategy, Austin Aipoh from the FRSC National Headquarters Abuja as well as the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Hyginus Foumsuk.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 19, 2016

Automedics introduces interactive voice response service for motorists

ollowing the success of its interactive, auto solutionproviding radio shows nationwide, Automedics has introduced the first ever Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Service in the country to enable customers get attended to any time of the day. Automedics Ltd is an agent to motorists and practitioners of the automotive maintenance/ repair industry in Nigeria; especially through its popular live and interactive automobilesolution-providing radio programme. On daily basis, thousands of motorists in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin and Abeokuta (these are the cities where the Automedics radio show is broadcast daily or thrice weekly) and auto technicians weekly get help to resolve problems afflicting vehicles in their possession. Speaking at the media launch of the IVR service in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer of the organisation, Mr. Gbola Oba, said with the introduction of the service which the company is proud to pioneer, various customers who have always complained of not being able to get through during the daily live radio shows can now call any time of the day to get solutions to their vehicles problems. According to him, there are

Shonaike over 40 well- trained technicians who are on standby to attend to motorists and technicians who need help in respect of the vehicular assets in their custody. Oba said motorists and technicians could access the IVR service by dialing 01-440-66-66, as the line can accommodate about 140 callers simultaneously. “In view of the unfortunate fall in the value of the Naira relative to other forex; it’s inevitable that the prices of automobiles will go up. Therefore, this round-the-clock helpline will make motorists maximise value from their vehicular assets. “With the IVR, there can be no better platform to target adverts (like car loans, vehicle insurance, lubricants and other auto products/services) to automobile-using/dependent end users than this innovative IVR service. “Because all the hundreds or thousands of calls to this T1 line, 01-440-66-66 (this is a line that will accommodate 140 call-

ers simultaneously), will be initiated by motorists and mechanics; there can be no better platform to target adverts (like car loans, vehicle insurance, lubricants and other auto products/services) to automobileusing/dependent end users than this innovative IVR service.” Also speaking at the event, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Shonaike said that in addition to the IVR, the company had also launched online platforms, as part of its change agenda in the company’s business-model for the benefit of the Nigerian motoring public. He said the online platforms, www.automedicsschool.com and www.automedicsshop. com are geared toward offering training to prospective candidates who cannot afford to travel from far distances. According to him, due to the success of the company’s “onshore” automotive mechatronics training institute, the company has now fully deployed the Auto-Diagnosis course online. Beneficiaries don’t have to leave their families and cities/ countries of residences anymore for two months to undertake the course in our flagship facility in Lagos, Nigeria. “Both the practical and theory contents of the course can now be undertaken anywhere in the world (insomuch as the online student has occasional access to an auto repair/maintenance workshop).” He said.

Coscharis technicians earn international award from Ford Motor

oscharis Motors has once again earned accolades from Ford Motor Company for the commitment shown by her technicians towards continuous training and acquisition of skills to face the ever increasing demand for excellent after-sales service delivery in the Nigerian automobile market space. The accolade came in form of certificates and plaques for the recognition of excellence, handed over to the company, after her technicians satisfactorily completed the year 2015 online training courses set by Ford Motor Company for its dealers in Sub-Sahara Africa for 2015. The Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Mr. Josiah Samuel, while receiving the award plaques thanked Ford

Motor Company for the recognition and assured that the company will continue to be in the vanguard for the advancement of technical training and service delivery in the Nigerian automobile industry. Speaking further, Samuel said, “Ford Motor Company has created this platform to help our technical team acquire skills and knowledge that will bring them up to speed with the rest of this fast changing automobile world. These plaques and certificates are indications that we have made good use of the platform.” Mr. Sunday Tanimowo, Training Manager, Coscharis Motors posited, “At Coscharis, we are committed to training and retraining of our staff and technicians to be abreast with the

latest technology in the fast moving automobile industry. That is why we ensure that all relevant staff and technicians are registered and follow through to see that they participate in the respective training programmes of our principals and consequently earn their relevant certification.” In the same vein, while commending the technicians for the awards, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, the General Manager Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Group added, “This is good news for our esteemed loyal customers by going further with Ford, our technicians are now refreshed and reloaded to better handle your precious automobile machines and deliver greater value for your service needs at all times.”

megacrown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

Eagle Spyder GT unveiled

ritish sports car-maker, Eagle, has released pictures and details of its newest take on the ultimate incarnation of the Jaguar E-Type. Called the Spyder GT, the new Eagle roadster — like the rest of its models — begins life as an original Jaguar E-type. Eagle then subjects the 1960s classic to an intensive restoration process that involves plenty of modern parts like big, powerful AP brakes, climatecontrol, electrics (that actually work), comfortable seats, bespoke adjustable suspension and power steering that all make the Eagle easier and more useable to drive daily. Under the bonnet, there’s the choice of the 3.8-litre or 4.2-litre

straight-six engines that were offered with the original E-Type. Many though, will be more tempted by Eagle’s own 257kW/488Nm 4.7-litre straight-six that should easily see the Spyder GT reach 100km/h in less than five seconds and top out at around 270km/h. To help cope with those levels of performance Eagle has created its own suspension for the Spyder GT that has a significantly wider track and uses new springs and Ohlins dampers, plus adjustable antiroll bars. There’s also a new five-speed gearbox and rear limited-slip differential made out of aluminium.

EagleGTvii

Holden targets 150,000 vehicles yearly

ould-be commodore savior, Guido Dumarey intends to ramp production at GM Holden’s Adelaide plant back up as high as 150,000 vehicles per annum with most of them bound for export. That’s the latest piece of the Punch Corporation’s business plan to be publicly revealed as it prepares to enter negotiations with General Motors for the Elizabeth plant and the Commodore’s Zeta architecture. The figure was uttered publicly for the first time by shadow industry minister senator Kim Carr on Adelaide radio station 5AA on Tuesday as he spoke in support of the Punch bid, which now has the backing of the government and opposition and the Victorian and South Australian state governments. That support includes a letter from federal industry and innovation minister Christopher Pyne, which was tabled at senate estimates in Canberra last week. Letters of support

are also understood to have been supplied to Punch by the South Australian and Victorian governments. Victorian interest is understood to have been increased because part of the Punch proposal is to also keep the Port Melbourne V6 engine plant open to service Elizabeth. Influential South Australian independent senator Nick Xenophon has also been a key supporter of the bid. According to Motoring. com, the 150,000 number is significant because it is far in excess of what Dumarey has spoken of publicly previously; 30,000 vehicles per annum had been the most common figure, although 70,000 vehicles per annum had also been mooted. Industry observers had questioned how Dumarey could possibly hope to make money on a 30,000 annual production run. But clearly, if Senator Carr’s figures are accurate then Punch has set that as a starting point only.

People In The Mirror

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello (left), presenting a souvenir to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatude Fashola during his visit to the Government House in Minna. L-R: Baba Ijo, United African Methodist Evengelical Church Cathedral Lt. Gen Oladipo Diya(rtd); Otun Baba Ijo of the Church, Elder Chief Folorunsho Oladepo and Patron of the Church, Elder Emmanuel Adesanya at the 2016 9th Annual Conference Thanksgiving and Merit Awards Service at the Abule Oja, Yaba, Lagos.

L-R: Elder brother to the celebrant, Mr. Solomon Subuloye Olaitan, Celebrant, Sunny Jire Olaitan and Tunde Odelade, during Jire’s 60th birthday of Sunny Olaitan in Atlanta, USA. L-R: Public Relations and seasoned Media Consultant, Aramide Tola Niobi in a discussion with former General Manager , Nigeria Stock Exchange, Prince Lekan Fadiwa, at late Chief Mrs Mobolaji Aduke Awobo – Pearse funeral reception in Lagos.

L-R: Nollywood Actress and Champion for Change, Mrs. Patience Annie Ozokwo; President, L-R: Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abdul-Fatah Babatunde; Director, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Kayode Obembe; Head of Administration in NMA, Mr. Akpa Bloomberg Media Initiative, Ms Erana Stennett; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Emeka, at a summit on Advancing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Bello, and representative of the Minister of Information and Culture, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, at the Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) in Nigeria, in Abuja. graduation ceremony for an Executive Training Programme, in Lagos.

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs. Abimbola Alale; Minister of Communication and Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu and the NIGCOMSAT General Manager, Satellite Operations, Mr. Danjuma Ndihgihdah, during the NIGCOMSAT facility tour by the minister in Abuja.

L-R: Class 3,Student,Junior Secondary School, Kado-Kuchi, Joseph Shekwoshimi; Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Mr Micheal Ojo; Class 3 student, Junior Secondary School Model ,Maitama, Emmanuel Amarachi and Class 3 Student, Junior Secondary School, Zuba, Precious James, during the Schools’ ‘Raise a hand for hygiene’ Proposal writing competition prize award ceremony in Abuja. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Maritime

Enhancing port security through access control measures

Recent disclosure that Nigeria has surpassed national benchmark in the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code ISPS remains a major milestone towards achieving safe port system. But the poor access control at most port approaches across the country poses a serious security challenge in the face of lingering insurgencies in the country. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

t is a fact to say that Nigeria’s seaport facilities have substantially complied with the requirement of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security ISPS Code. For instance, prior to April 2014 when the United States Government issued a 90-day ultimatum for Nigeria’s seaports to comply with the provisions of the code or face global trade sanctions, nine out of a total of 129 facilities across the country complied with the code. The US Government’s ultimatum led to the appointment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA as the designated agency for the implementation of the code in the country, which was before then handled by Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety and Security PCOMSS. But recent statistics show that Nigeria has achieved over 70 per cent compliance with the code. Acting Director General of the agency, Mr. Haruna Jauro, had while addressing members of the Needs Assessment Team of the International Maritime Organisation IMO, who were on a working

visit to the agency that Nigeria has surpassed the national benchmark set by the world maritime regulatory body for the enforcement of the code. Jauro, who described the maritime industry as a major economic driver in the country, assured the team that the agency would continue on its march towards ensuring that the nation’s seaports are safe and secure for business activities to thrive. He said: “From being less than nine per cent compliance in 2013, I am happy to inform you that we have surpassed the 70 per cent benchmark in national compliance level of the ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria and the current management is leaving no stone unturned to ensure 100 per cent

compliance level,” . Despite this impressive record in terms of compliance by port facilities, most port approaches across the country have yet to enthrone a regime strict access control, a development, security experts believe portend great danger, especially given the security situation in the country. It was probably worried by the increasing cases of terrorist attacks especially on public places and other soft targets that the Port Facility Security Officers FPSO, Forum made a strong case for the reintroduction of strict control measures at the nation’s seaports and other related facilities. Vice Chairman of the forum, Dr. Zeb Ikokide, who spoke in an interview, says Nigeria has reached an advanced stage in her implementation of the ISPS Code, especially in terms of ensuring the compliance of many of her port facilities. He however said that the security operations at the major entrances to the nation’s seaports, especially those in Lagos are still loose and uncoordinated, a development that has given rise to strict access control into the ports.

Despite this impressive recorD in terms of compliance by port facilities, most port approaches across the country have yet to enthrone a regime strict access control, a Development, security experts believe

portenD great Danger, especially given the security situation in the country

According to him, given the high insecurity situations not only in the country but also across the world, there was urgent need for a streamlining of security operations, especially at the major entrances into the nation’s seaports and other related facilities. He regretted that more than 10 years after Nigeria began the process towards complying with the ISPS Code in 2004, the relevant authorities and agencies have yet to take full control of who enters the seaports and for what reason, a development that had made the ports a market place of some sort. “Access control to the various seaport facilities has been tightened but the general access gate is still very porous and this is not good enough because if anything happens to the general areas, it will affect the other terminals and so there is need to beef up security everywhere around the seaports”, he said. He said: “At commencement of the implementation of the ISPS code in 2004, the Nigerian Ports Authority promised that it would install electronic access control mechanisms at the gates to ward off unauthorised persons from coming close to the access gates but more than 10 years after, it has yet to fulfill this pledge, which is also a critical factor in the implementation of the code”. For instance, the Tin Can Island Ports Complex in Apapa remains a classical case of port facility with uncoordinated security operations in the absence of any form of access control, which exposes not only the facilities but

also the humans operating in the facilities to grave danger. The two major entrances of the port both at the first and second gates have remained crowded and uncoordinated compared to what is obtained in local markets. Several efforts by the enforcement units of the Nigeria Customs Service to rid the gates of touts and hooligans could not yield any result, as the crown has persisted. A security expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity, blamed this trend on the type of cargo handled at the complex, which is mainly vehicles. He argued that more often than not, more than 10 clearing agents participate in the clearing of used vehicle. One other major contributory factor is the presence of hordes of artisans such as battery chargers, mechanics and auto-electricians, some of who are need to move a used vehicle. But it is strongly believed that the installation of electronic access control mechanism as against the current manual system, which is prone to corruption remains the most viable option towards ridding the nation’s seaport gates of un-authorised persons. This is no doubt a global standard. Nigeria therefore cannot afford to operate such archaic port access control system in the 21st century, replete with serious risk to lives and national assets such as the seaports, especially given the current security realities not only in Nigeria but also across the globe.

Business Maritime

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ship owners seek review of N80bn CVFF disbursement procedure FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Shipowners Association NISA, has said that the indigenous ship owners must be actively involved

in the processes leading to the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF, created under the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act to enable Nigerian operators acquire vessels.

This is sequel to recent revelation by the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, custodian of the fund, that the money is safe and secure contrary to ear-

Intels bags ISO 9001:2008 audit certification, others

ntels Nigeria Limited, a world-class oil and gas logistic service provider and a global supply chain operator, has completed the second stage of the Integrated Management System, which encompasses the ISO 9001:2008, OHSAS 18001:2007 and ISO 14001:2004. The company, however, looks forward to 2017 when the next full certification to ISO 9001:2015 is due, even as the ABS Quality Evaluation has successfully been accredited by ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to provide certification to ISO 9001:2015. This is in line with the transition period starting December 2015 from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015. Intels had in 2013 bagged the Integrated Management System certification, after which it has continued to work with ABS QE, to assure, strengthen and continually improve on business, system, people and supply chain performances while providing Integrated Logistics Support Services to the Onshore/Offshore Oil and Gas Industries within the oil service centres. The Surveillance Audit Exercise was conducted by ABS Quality Evaluations Inc.(ABS QE), a leading global certification agency. The ABS Group of companies, provides technical services to support safe, reliable and highperformance assets and operations with the assistance of its operating subsidiaries.

The company is also part of The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a leading marine and offshore classification society. It was gathered that the audit exercise, which lasted for nine days, beginning from January 25, 2016, culminated in the audit session, which high point was a closing meeting between the ABS QE auditors and top management of the firm It was gathered that the Intels management was presented with the audit report which has zero Non-Conformities observed throughout the period of the audit. The audit covered the verification of the IMS conformance, the firm’’s documented management system, and verification of compliance to applicable contractual, legal and regulatory requirements and evaluation of the

effectiveness of Intels management system in line with meeting specified objectives. The audit report also shows that apart from the numerous areas of commendations particularly in terms of infrastructure development, equipment maintenance rates and several performing areas within Quality, Health, Safety and Environment units, there were also 10 areas for potential improvements. The company had also recorded a Lost Time Injury Free Operation throughout the 2015 Health, Safety and Environment year. General Manager of Intels, Mr. Sascha Kuehl, while commenting on the audit report, assured the auditors that the company will continually strive towards building on its achievements, especially the identified areas for potential improvement.

lier speculations. It was gathered that a total of over $255 million (N77.8billion) has already accrued to the fund as at the end of December 2015. The ship owners’ demand is in reaction to the recent confirmation by the Director General of the agency Mr. Haruna Jauro that the money is intact. There were speculations that the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan may have spent the money on the 2015 political campaigns. President of NISA, Captain Niyi Labinjo, who spoke in an exclusive interview, said it was heartwarming to hear that the fund is intact despite speculations to the contrary. He however said that urgent measures should be put in place to resume the process of disbursement of the fund already commenced by the former management of the agency, which could not be completed as a result of the 2015 general elections and the economic distortions that came with them. According him, this time around, the indigenous ship owners should be made to actively participate in the processes that

Expert seeks global efforts to curb shipping emissions

uring a Brussels conference organised by the European Parliament and the Transport and Environment network entitled ‘Sink or Swim’, Maltese MEP Miriam Dalli called for a global mechanism to control shipping emissions so that such mechanism would apply to all ports in the same manner. While vehicle emissions have over the last decade become a major source of concern and action, the same is not necessarily happening to other transport sources like ships and airplanes. Maritime and aviation emissions did not form part of the

Oil shipping surges after lifting of sanctions

US-based insurer in the international shipping industry said the US government’s authorization to cover nonAmerican companies transporting oil from Iran is potentially helping the Persian Gulf country to revive the export of crude and petroleum products following the lifting of sanctions last month. The Office of Foreign Assets Control on February 5th this year “prospectively removed” the restriction that previously prevented the American Club from providing cover for Iranian cargoes, the New York-based insurer said in a circular on its website, Bloomberg

reported. The club is “now generally available for non-US members’ transportation of crude and products to and from Iran,” according to the notice. In terms of Iranian exports, insurance “is where the biggest problem has been and now that seems to have been resolved, at least that’s one problem out of the way,” Erik Nikolai Stavseth, a shipping analyst at Arctic Securities ASA in Oslo, said by phone. “It is likely that European insurers will follow since the US club has been cleared to provide

would culminate in the eventual disbursement of the fund. “We should be involved in the processes leading to determining those that would benefit from the fund because all of us joined hands to contribute the money in the first place”, he said. He argued that part of the objectives for the creation of the fund, which was derived from two per cent levy on every contract awarded under the Cabotage regime, was not to leave it in the bank endlessly rather to put it into effective use. Many stakeholders have also raised concerns over the inability of the agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transport to disburse the fund more than 10 years after its creation, a development many believed has hindered the realisation of the core objectives of the Cabotage policy, one of which is to enhance indigenous participation in shipping activities in the country. It was probably in line with this feeling that the former management, which engaged the services of three Primary Lending Institutions PLIs to mid-wife the disbursement process, which in turn shortlisted six indigenous shipping firms.

cover.” Iran is trying to rebuild its oil output after sanctions were lifted in January that had restricted those sales for the prior four years. US curbs on insurers were not eased at the same time as the restrictions on exports were stopped. The nation was expected to increase crude oil production by 100,000 barrels a day, or 3.7%, a month after sanctions were lifted and by 400,000 in six months, according to the median estimate of 12 analysts and economists surveyed by Bloomberg in midJanuary.

agreement reached by UN member countries at the Paris COP21, last December. During the conference, which focused specifically on maritime transport, MEP Miriam Dalli stated that, “if we do not act now, emissions are expected to more than double by 2050. Unfortunately, even after having unanimously agreed on a new, global climate treaty in Paris, the issue of greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector remains a matter of dispute.” At the moment the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) released by ships worldwide is about a billion tons a year. The Maltese MEP underlined further that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) needs to play a pivotal role by regulating emissions from international shipping. “Acting globally would take away fear of losing the sector’s competitiveness or of losing the competitiveness of certain regions or ports, particularly European ports in the Mediterranean, including the Maltese ports, and the fear of de-flagging.” Dr Dalli suggested that future policies need to factor in emission contributors also in view of the EU 2030 climate targets. “Our task should be to develop mitigation targets for the maritime sector.

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Business News

Friday, February 19, 2016

Nigeria must explore opportunities from Bristow seeks extension of audit current economic challenges –Enelamah exercise to other operators …unveils blueprint for real sector devt ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, has charged all stakeholders in the Nigerian economic development agenda to see the current challenges of the economy as also laden with new opportunities to revamp and restructure the economy which should be explored to national economic benefits. The Minister, who gave the charge at his inaugural press briefing organized by Bank of Industry, BoI, in Lagos yesterday, noted that the country was currently undergoing its economic hardship, which he described as an embodiment of opportunities in disguise, declaring that the government would leverage on the opportunities to turn the economy around.

This is even he unveiled plans by the President Buhari-led government to push a functional real sector for the development of the nation’s economy based on consultations with local and international economic experts and stakeholders. According to him, the vision of the ministry has been anchored on four pillars namely, creation of an enabling environment for industry, trade and investment; implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP; championing the cause of Nigeria’s MSMEs, as a means of creating jobs and achieving inclusive growth and attracting proactively long-term local and foreign investment He said: “These are extraordinary times, for Nigeria as a country, for its citizens, and for us as a government. Oil prices, on which

we depend for 75 per cent of government revenues and 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, are down 70 per cent since mid-2014. Coupled with this, are the knockon effects from changing conditions in the world’s two largest economies: the end of the era of Quantitative Easing in the United States and availability of higher returns to investors in that country, and the slowdown in China. These are also accompanied by a net outflow of investment from Emerging Markets. “The negative impact of all these on our economy – everything from government’s finances to investment flows to currency valuation – has been significant. Last year our GDP growth dropped to under 3 per cent – the lowest in fifteen years – from an average of more than 6 percent in the decade between 2005 and 2014.

L-R, Adamu Abubakar, ASP, Mustapha Lukman, Regional Director, North, First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB), Adamu Mohammed, Winner of a Star Time Decoder and Baldwin Onuigbo, Zonal Head FCT 1, FCMB during the Grand Finale Draws of FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 2 held in Abuja

OLUsEGUn KOIKI

ristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited has said that the crew; Captain and the First Officer of Bristow S76C++ chopper with registration number 5N-BQJ that ditched into the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the month were recruited and trained in Nigeria and the United States. The helicopter company also said it welcomed the decision of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to carry out audit on its operations, but wanted such to extend to other companies with similar operations. The company said that the crew further underwent training at the Bristow Academy in Titusville, Florida, in the United States, in accordance with Bristow’s training programme. A statement issued in Lagos by the company’s media consultant insisted that Bristow’s training programme fully complied with the regulatory requirements of both NCAA and international standards. The statement added that following their qualification as pilots, the crew was employed by Bristow and continued to undergo recurrent training in line with Bristow’s operating procedures and client requirements and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. It added that the successful water landing of the aircraft by the crew on February 3, 2016,

was accomplished safely and without any significant injuries or loss of life. The company said that the Captain of the ill-fated chopper was the first Nigerian female helicopter commander, stressing that she performed admirably and remained an important member of the Bristow team. Bristow however said that the ongoing audit exercise in the company should not only be limited to it, but should be extended to other business entities carrying out similar business in the Nigeria oil and gas industry. Bristow hinted that it was pertinent for NCAA to carry out such audit for other helicopter companies in the sector so that findings could be shared laterally across all operators to further enhance safety. “Safety underpins the company’s core values and the Company supports the NCAA’s audit of its operation of the Sikorsky S76 fleet and the investigation by the Nigerian Aircraft Investigation Bureau (NAIB) into the incident on 3 February, 2016.” It stated Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited has operated in Nigeria since 1969, primarily in support of the oil and gas industry and has made and continues to make important contributions to the country over the years, including the training and employment of a significant number of Nigerian national pilots and engineers.

Diamond Bank introduces eSUSU Budgeting: FG commences medium term strategic plan for 2017-2020 Savings Scheme

CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday announced that it had commenced the process of developing the successor medium term strategic plan for 2017-2020. Disclosing this at a meeting between the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the states’ commissioners of economic planning in Abuja, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, explained that the plan was meant to guide the annual budget preparation process. He also said it was expected to fully mainstream the interventions of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the change agenda of the present administration. The Minister listed the major

pillars of the plan as including, economic, social development, infrastructure, governance, environment and states and regional development. He explained: “I invite the ministries of economic planning in the states to work closely with the ministry of budget and national planning in this important task of developing the successor medium term plan for the country.” Udoma further said the meeting was a good platform for brainstorming on the domestication and incorporation of the SDGs in our national and sub-national development plans, pointing out that “we task ourselves to create the enabling policy framework that will make our governments remain focused and committed to actualizing these goals by 2030.” Reminding the states about the co-ownership of the Nigerian

economy, he said it was critical that all tiers of government work together to achieve the national vision. “There must be synergy in the way manage the economy. Our deliberations will go along in shaping the cause of developing planning in the country. We should therefore, discuss frankly and come up with implementable recommendations for strengthening economic governance at all levels of government.” According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hadjia Fatima Mede, the meeting is designed to review the level of achievement of key recommendations arising from the last Joint Planning Board (JPB), National Council on Development Planning And Commissioners of Economic Planning Meeting in Awka, Anambra state.

UDO OnYEKA

iamond Bank is set to unveil Diamond eSUSU scheme, a digitized version of Nigeria’s traditional savings system. The eSUSU scheme is expected to revolutionise the saving habit of Nigerians by encouraging and helping participating accountholder groups to meet their savings target timely and efficiently. Diamond eSUSU is a contributory saving scheme that offers a group of customers with common interest an opportunity to collectively save toward targeted goals of each group member on a rotational basis. According to the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, the scheme is in line

with the Bank’s strategic objective to grow a savings culture among Nigeria’s banking public. Similarly, the Bank’s Head, Transaction and Electronic Banking, Rob Giles, said that the interest of the customers led to the creation of this innovative product. “We listened to customer feedback and realized that the eSUSU system is not only widespread in all sections of society, but that it is also one of the preferred ways of mixing saving and borrowing. By creating a digital platform, we remove the administration burden for the eSUSU organiser and also provide enhanced visibility of their programme online for the group”, Giles said.

Business News

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CSOs coalition seeks 15% budgets’ allocation to health sector TOlA AkinmuTimi

coalition of civil society under the aegis of as well as professional groups in the health sector and the Organised Private Sector, OPS, rose from their one-day meeting on the 2016 budget in Abuja on Tuesday with a charge to the federal, states and local governments to upscale health sector allocations. Giving the charge at the end of the meeting on behalf of the various groups, the Chairman, Dr. Ben Anyene, read a 10-point agen-

da for implementation by the various tiers of government at federal, state and local government levels as well as collaborative engagement from the civil society. One of the key recommendations of the group, under the aegis of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, PACFaH, was that government should put in place a plan and framework for a graduated increase in funding to reach the FGN’s commitment of 15 per cent of annual budget for health in line with the Abuja 2001 Declaration.

They also recommended, based on perceived funding and policy gaps in the health sector, the need for the Federal Government to take immediate steps to ensure full implementation of the provisions of the National Health Act 2014 and insistence on full use of the new zero-based budgeting framework and template by all MDAs, especially the Federal Ministry of Health in subsequent budgets. Similarly, the groups also charged the Federal Government to establish a platform for health

financing interface between the tiers of government to increase synergy and reduce duplication and wastages while also advocating exploration of more funding options to ensure sustainable health financing for better health outcomes. The meeting also called on the National Assembly to strengthen its oversight roles and functions to ensure more transparency and accountability in the budget process while urging government to ensure that it keeps all its commitments and obligations on health financing, including those made nationally and internationally. The groups canvassed further that the Federal Ministry of Health should work for improvement in targeted capital expenditure in the health sector budget; and that Government must open up the budget process for more transparency, responsiveness and accountability; Finally, they canvassed the need for Government to develop

a framework for participation of CSOs and professional associations in all budgeting process; from conception to design and implementation just as they charged CSOs as a priority, to establish a strong coalition for budget advocacy, tracking and accountability. Earlier in his comments, the Program Director of the PSNPACFaH Project who also facilitated the discussion sessions, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, had taken participants through the lead technical paper written by Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, a Professor of Health Administration and Management, titled “Key Issues in Child and Family Health/ Resource Mobilization and Universal Health Coverage: The Way Forward”. The presentation highlighted key issues in health financing, discussed current health financing challenges in Nigeria and made recommendations formobilising efficient and sustainable resources for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

Abuja-Kaduna rail line to start commercial operations in March Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

L-R: Senior Brand Manager (Snacks), UAC Foods, Mrs. Folasade Abiola; Gala Brand Ambassador, Harrison Okiri (Harry Song); The National President, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria Proprietress, Mrs. Rose Mordi, and other members of the foundation during the visit of UAC Foods Limited to Down Syndrome Foundation, Masha, Lagos recently.

FG approves new guidelines on disposal of seized goods fRAnCis eZem

he Federal Ministry of Finance has given its approval to the new set of guidelines on the disposal of overtime cargo and other types of goods seized at the nation’s sea, airports and land borders. This is sequel to the issuance of these guidelines by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd)., which is part of measures designed by the new management to check the inadequacies associated with the old system. To this effect, the service has put in place various committees for the disposal of seized, abandoned or overtime cargo. The Comptroller General, who disclosed this, also said that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun had already approved the new set of rules, which requires that seized perishable goods with or without the arrest of the suspects are to be disposed of immediately by the relevant committees set up for that pur-

pose. Some of the committees set up by the service include Assessment, Disposal, Seizure and Overtime Committees. Meanwhile, Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Festus Akanbi, who also confirmed the new development in a statement, said that under the new guidelines, items classified as general goods can only be disposed of after a court of law has given such order by way of condemnation. It was further gathered that the condemnation shall be done after 30 days of seizure of the affected general goods to give room for the possible owners of the consignments to raise objections to the proposed auction of the cargo. This is a designed to check possible litigation that might embarrass the service or even the government in addition to forestalling payment of court fines due to shoddy auction procedure. The guidelines also require that the seized items be published within a specified time after

which the auction date would also be published for the due date of the actual public sale. The new guidelines also require that the service should compile and publish a comprehensive list of seized goods that fall into overtime bracket with their auction prices in some national media. The new guidelines also require that the Service should explore the online sale platform so as to reach as many people as possible, who might wish to buy online, thereby reducing human contact in the entire process of the auction sale. Over the years, the auction procedure in the service has been fraught with irregularities, which sometimes allows the importer to buy back their consignments, which have overstayed at the ports. Stakeholders, who commented on the new procedure, insisted that the service should also put measures in place to monitor the members of the various committees.

he Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday disclosed that the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail system would begin test-run commercial operation next month. Amaechi, who disclosed this during an inspection tour of the 186-kilometre standard gauge rail line from Abuja (Idu train Station) to Kaduna, also hinted at the possibility of President Mohammadu Buhari flagging off the project on May 29, 2016. He, however, noted the Federal Government would still need to spend additional $100million to fence the rail lines from Abuja to Kaduna. Awarded in 2010, the rail project involving nine stations upon completion, is expected to run at a speed of 120 km to 150 km per hour, reducing traveling hours between Abuja and Kaduna to approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Speaking on the significance of the tour, the minister said, “The essence of taking this tour to enable us assess whether we are ready for commercial activities and I think we are. Tomorrow, I would be coming from Kaduna through the Rail to Abuja. And we think that by March we should the test run of the rail services and we think it should be free for those who will run between March and April.” “We expect that the President will kindly accept to flag off the commercial activities of this rail by May this year so that those who want to go to Kaduna by rail can

actually use our services to Kaduna.” Ameachi’s inspection train, in conjunction with the officials of the Chinese firm handling the contract, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) had to move in slow pace to avoid hitting pedestrians crossing on the train track. He said that the federal government had to include fencing of the rail line from Abuja-Kaduna which increase the initial sum total of $849,750,903.00 (N170 billion) to over $billion (N200billion). As part of the moves to ensure that all segment of the society benefit from the rail project, Amaechi stated that he had instructed the contractor to factor the plight of the disable people by imbuing lift system in the trains. “We have told CCECC to provide lifts in all the stations so that the disabled can access the platforms.” he added. It will be recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan secured about $900,000,000.00 from the China Export and Import Bank, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation with the active support of the then Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The credit facility, which was granted under the permission of the Chinese government, stipulated that the loan would be released in tranches by way of shipment of hardware such as steel rail tracks, structural equipment, earth movers, concrete bridges, Chinese trucks, concrete sleepers, precast T-beams, for the laying of rail tracks covering 187 kilometres.

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASC warns agro firms, dealers on adulterated seeds distribution AbolAji AdebAyo

he National Agricultural seeds Council, NASC, has strongly cautioned the agro-producing companies and dealers, including importers and exporters of agricultural inputs to desist from distributing adulterated seeds to the Nigerian farmers. The council warned that any culpable firm or distributor of such seeds would be severely punished and sanctioned to the tune of N800,000 to N1.6million or six months to two years imprisonment. This warning was given at the South West Seed Market Sensitisation and Educational Enlightenment Programme to rid Market of Spurious Seed Dealers, organized by the Council in Ibadan. Addressing the dealers and the farmers, the Director General of NASC, Dr. Olusegun Ojo, noted that despite the campaign against the distribution of adulterated seeds to the farmers, there have been more cases of such act among the dealers and the agric imput producing companies. He explained that such seeds have affected the productivity capacity of the nation’s agricultural sector as many farmers were not able to reap commensurate harvest from their farms. Ojo, who said many of the firms flayed the Seed Policy made by the Government to regulated the type of seeds distribute among the farmers, noted that three companies have so far been napped by the Council and would be dealt with accordingly. He said the importation of seeds would be discouraged, assuring that the over 157 seed companies in Nigeria were capable of producing the required quantity and quality in the nation’s agricultural sector with the regulatory support fo the NASC. According to him, for any seeds to be sold in the country, such seeds must have gone through various inspections by the council, while the distribution firms must abide by some regulatory conditions. For instance, the Council boss explained that all seeds must be packed in good condition without being mixed with varieties, and that each packed bag of the seeds must contain the tags of the council as well as the tag of the company. He said: “Consequent upon the provision of section 1,2 & 3 of the National Agricultural Seeds Act no 72 of 1992, all applications for import or export of seeds shall be forwarded to National Agricultural Seed Council and the applicant shall forward a copy of approval issued by NASC to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine service for import permit. The crop seed to be imported must be certified free from any associated pest and diseases peculiar to the crop to be imported.” On the Seed Policy as it relates to seed trade in the country Ojo said that no person other than a person registered under the Seed Act shall produce or be engaged in the production, processing and market-

ing of seeds for commercial purposes (meaning registration with the council is a must). He said: “It is an offence to sell, offer or expose for sale, falsely labeled, tagged

or untagged seeds of a notified kind, variety or hybrid. The loan the seed container must accurately describes the seed contained therein. “All classes of seed intended to be pro-

duced for marketing must pass through all the phases of seed certification in accordance with Harmonised ECOWAS Seed Rules and Regulations”, the NASC boss added.

The Minister of Agriculture &Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Groffen, when he paid a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja recently

NCARD charges NCS on illegal agric produce importation AbolAji AdebAyo

he National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development, NCARD, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service to police the nation’s borders properly to prevent illegal importation and smuggling of rice, livestock and fish products. It identified the illegal importation of the products through unmanned porous borders as a major challenge consistently affecting the growth of the Nigerian agricultural products. In a communiqué issued at the 41st Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development held in Kano, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, recently, the Council noted the various activities of the Federal government towards developing the agricultural sector and declared its support towards achieving the required goals. While commending government’s efforts towards the review of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GES, with a view to addressing noticeable areas of weaknesses in the Scheme and enhancing farmers’ access to agricultural inputs; the Council noted that the establishment of the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria, FAFIN, would go a long way as a new innovation for long term loans to Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, in Agriculture across all the six (6) geopolitical zones. It also noted the ongoing efforts to resuscitate the National Agricultural Extension System, and encourage all States to play their expected roles. The Council disclosed that the status of

the implementation of Staple Crop Processing Zones, SCPZs, in the selected sites would reduce post-harvest losses as well as adding value to locally process foods. This is even as it pointed out that the status of implementation of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme, YEAP, and endorsed the current effort of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in developing young generation of successive farmers. The Council solicited support and commitment from States to provide funds

for provision of required logistics to achieve needed collaboration for the successful implementation of the NAPI. It therefore endorsed the provision of credit facilities to the ailing ginneries by the Bank of Industry, BOI, from the N100 Billion Cotton, Textile and Garment, CTG, Fund to resuscitate their operations, while encouraging the existing and operating ginners should also explore the BOI window, to set up delinting/dehauling machines, where desirable.

Cattle price indicator soars as supply drops

ightening supply has seen Australia’s major indicator of cattle prices soar to a new record level. The Eastern Young Cattle Index (EYCI), a rolling average of prices, has jumped to 605.25 cents per kilogram carcass weight, fuelled by strong demand at saleyards in Queensland and New South Wales. EYCI eligible cattle, which includes vealer and yearling cattle over 200 kilograms, fetched 631 cents per kilogram in Roma and 615 cents per kilogram in Gunnedah on Tuesday. Much of the price rise is being driven by re-stockers looking to boost their herd numbers after recent rain. Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) market analyst Ben Thomas said that despite the new record high, the EYCI had had one of its “flattest” starts to the year. “I think that highlights how almost precariously poised it is,” he said. “On the one hand, you do have those expectations of much tighter supplies, but then on the other hand, we’ve got a few

things that we really need to keep our eye on.” Namely, that is the increased competition from Brazil in the global beef market and the slow down in demand from the United States for Australian meat. Two major customers for Australian beef, China and Saudi Arabia, have removed bans on beef from Brazil, with the South American powerhouse moving quickly to re-establish trade. Australian red meat processors are certainly feeling the squeeze, with the major players JBS and Teys Australia announcing production cut-backs in recent weeks. “There are tighter supplies, not just through the saleyards but coming forward for processing,” Mr Thomas said. In the past week, there were only about 134,000 head of cattle processed, down 23 per cent on the same time last year. “The beginning of last year was when we were at our record Australian processing rates, so we are comparing one extreme to the other,” Mr Thomas said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, February 19, 2016

BUA parleys China’s Sinoma over $1.9bn steel, cement deal StorieS: JohnSon okanlawon

UA Group is in talks with China’s Sinoma to build a steel plant in Nigeria and two cement plants in East Africa for $1.9 billion. The BUA Chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu said the unlisted company was talking to the Chinese firm for a construction package which includes financing, building on an existing relationship. According to him, both firms already agreed in September on a $600 million cement expansion in the West African nation. He gave no details on the funding but Nigeria has been in talks with China’s state export and

import bank for a loan to spur investments of Chinese firms in Africa’s top oil exporter. The two cement plants, which will have an annual capacity of 3 million tonnes each, will cost $700 million. The steel plant, with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes, will cost $1.2 billion. “We have identified two countries that we believe hold great opportunities for us in terms of building integrated plants,” Rabiu told Reuters on Wednesday, declining to name the countries in East Africa. “With the (fall) in the price of commodities ... we can do them much cheaper than what it would have cost some years ago,” he said. The construction

of the Nigeria-based steel plant would include a 200 megawatt power plant. Rabiu said the expansion would help BUA to tap demand to lower reliance on importdependent businesses such as sugar as a slump in oil prices made it difficult to generate dollars. The West African nation has its own iron supply, while the sugar industry depends on imports. BUA is considering shutting its sugar refinery in Lagos next month because it could not get the hard currency needed to import raw materials, Rabiu said. The CBN has imposed re-

strictions to halt a slide of the naira but Rabiu said it would eventually have to let the official rate fall to between N250 to N270 against the dollar by year-end. The currency has fallen 45 per cent on the secondary market below its official rate of N197. He said, “The biggest challenge is the sourcing of foreign exchange.” BUA’s main rival, Dangote Cement has also been expanding with Sinoma, signing in September a $4.34 billion deal with the Chinese firm to almost double its capacity across Africa.

Nigeria auctions N142bn treasury bills at lower yields

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said it sold N142.43 billion worth of three-month to one-year treasury bills, at lower returns than in its previous auction. The CBN said it raised N32.43 billion of three-month

paper at 4.85 per cent, down from 4.95 per cent at a sale on February 3. The bank sold N30 billion of six-month debt at 7.3 per cent against 7.97 per cent, while it sold N80 billion of one-year paper at 8.98 per cent

compared with 9.49 per cent. Total subscription rose to N513.71 billion from N400.82 billion at the previous auction. The three-month bills closed at 3.50 per cent on the secondary market on Wednesday, the six-month traded at 7.08 per

cent while the one year paper closed at 9.29 per cent. The CBN issue treasury bills to banks and non-financial institutions to help ease government cash flow, manage banking system liquidity and curb inflation.

Equities rebound, index up 0.8%

rading in equities rebound on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors took advantage of lower valuations due to the sell-off recorded in the last two trading sessions. The banking and consumer goods sectors were the biggest drivers for market sentiments as the sectors contributed significantly to the day’s positive performance Specifically, the All Share Index improved by 205 points or 0.8 per cent to close at 24,261.69 points as against 24,056.12 points recorded on Wednesday. The market capitalisation also appreciated marginally

by N7 billion or 0.8 per cent to close at N8.34 trillion in contrast to N8.27 trillion recorded the previous day. At the close of trading for the day, there were 18 gainers and 23 losers on the price movement chart. Seplat Plc recorded the highest value addition, as its share price appreciated by N13.71 or five percent to close at N288.08 per share. It was trailed by Total Nigeria Plc with N5.00 or 3.67 percent to close at N145.00 per share, while Nigerian Breweries Plc was up with N4.22 or 4.44 percent to close at N99.30 per share. Guinness Nigeria Plc gained N2.58 or 2.24 per cent to close at N118.00 per share,

while Okomu Oil Plc surged by N1.00 or 3.45 per cent to close at N30.00 per share. Conversely, Mobil Oil Plc led on the losers table, depreciating by N9.60 or 6.02 percent to close at N15.00 per share. Dangote Sugar Plc followed with 31 kobo or 5.64 percent to close at N5.19 per share, while Portland Paints Plc shed 19 kobo or 4.87 percent to close at N3.71 per share. Eterna Oil Plc dipped by 16 kobo or 8.38 percent to close at N1.75 per share, while the share price of Honeywell Flourmills Plc crashed five kobo or 3.52 percent to close at N1.37per share. Further checks on the

European stocks lose gains as banks, energy shares dip

uropean stocks gave up almost all the gains they had held on to for the better part of the day, as investors sold shares most closely linked with economic growth. Banks, miners and energy shares slid, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index following oil lower after a report showing U.S. crude inventories advanced to an 86-year high. The regional benchmark

added less than 0.1 percent at the close of trading, paring an advance of much as 1 percent. It fell as much as 0.6 percent earlier. A gauge of euro-area stock volatility reversed losses to snap a fourday declining streak. The Stoxx 600 fell to a 2013 low last week amid a slew of woes this year, from concern over global growth to a deepening oil slump, a rout in banks and dissipating faith in central-bank support. It

has since rebounded more than 8 percent, including yesterday’s rally driven by miners. “We look for some recovery for the next few weeks but the jury is still out,” said Christian Gattiker, head of research at Julius Baer Group Ltd. in Zurich. “We don’t buy the junk and what’s been bashed most. It’s premature to buy back into bank stocks.” (Source – Bloomberg.com)

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.98 Market indicators All-Share Index 24,261.69 points Market capitalisation 8.34trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ETI

15.00

15.75

0.75

5.00

SEPLAT

274.37

288.08

13.71

5.00

GLAXOSMITH

21.93

23.02

1.09

4.97

NAHCO

3.70

3.88

0.18

4.86

TRANSCORP

1.11

1.16

0.05

4.50

95.08

99.30

4.22

4.44

TIGERBRANDS

1.15

1.20

0.05

4.35

LEARNAFRCA

0.78

0.81

0.03

3.85

FBNH

3.79

3.93

0.14

3.69

TOTAL

140.00

145.00

5.00

3.57

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

trading statistics showed that Zenith bank recorded the highest volume of trade with 23.23 million shares valued at N262.45 million, while UBA trailed with 13.41 million shares at N39.42 million. Access Bank Plc traded 10.79 million shares at N42.58 million, Transcorp achieved 8.79 million shares worth N9.90 million, while FBN Holdings came last in the top five most traded stocks with 6.94 million shares valued at N27.24 million. In all, investors traded 119.33 million shares valued at N959.77 million exchanged in 2,464 deals. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

OPENING

CLOSING

ETERNA

1.91

1.75

-0.16

-8.38

MOBIL

159.60

150.00

-9.60

-6.02

DANGSUGAR

5.50

5.19

-0.31

-5.64

PORTPAINT

3.90

3.71

-0.19

-4.87

AIICO

0.84

0.80

-0.04

-4.76

FIDELITYBK

1.26

1.21

-0.05

-3.97

WEMABANK

1.01

0.97

-0.04

-3.96

NEIMETH

0.78

0.75

-0.03

-3.85

HONYFLOUR

1.42

1.37

-0.05

-3.52

CONTINSURE

0.94

0.92

-0.02

-2.13

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.19

105.69

9.87

106.69

9.01

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.36

114.07

10.88

115.07

10.54

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.98

111.23

11.92

112.23

11.62

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.94

118.18

12.01

119.18

11.80

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.07

110.74

12.08

111.74

11.89

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.93

102.19

12.11

103.19

11.94

Closing Market Prices of February 11, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

26-May-16

3.59

3.62

WAUA

270

USD

196.98

18-Aug-16

6.04

6.23

EURO

214

02-Feb-17

8.01

8.68

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

4.3750

POUNDS STERLING

293

7.4532

9.1658

SDR

273

10.3886

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lalong, lawyers clash over Buhari’s anti-graft war James abraham JOS

lateau State governor, Simon Lalong, and lawyers yesterday expressed divergent views in the ongoing anti-graft war spearheaded by the federal government in the country. While Lalong called on legal practitioners to support the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to enable it succeed, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA president, Augustine Alegeh SAN, insisted that federal government must view every suspect as innocent until proven guilty. He said doing otherwise would appear that the suspects were being persecuted rather than prosecuted. They disclosed these in separate remarks yesterday at the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association which held in Jos, the Plateau State capital. According to the governor, the call for the legal practitioners to support Mr President’s efforts had become necessary in view of

North

Friday, February 19, 2016

lawyers’ core values of courage, excellence, integrity and professionalism which he noted have been brought to public scrutiny, Lalong said: “As an APC governor and lawyer, the Bar and Bench have critical role to play in making the anti-corruption war a success. We have a duty to ensure we at least get to a stage, where our common wealth are not flagrantly and arrogantly pilfered, by those who should be held to the highest threshold of accountability. Mr President’s body language is clear and it is that, it will not be business as usual, and he is fully committed to bringing to book all those who are found guilty. “While we submit that the rule of law must be respected in the prosecution of this war, lawyers as practitioners in the Temple of Justice and patriotic citizens, must ensure that individually and collectively, we do not constitute ourselves into clogs in the wheel of the progress that is being made, in saving our country from the labyrinth of the plunderers of our common wealth.

Bello distances self from Kogi Assembly crisis Wale ibrahim LOKOJA

ogi State government has disclosed that the governor, Yahaya Bello, has no hand in the ongoing House of Assembly crisis. This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media Strategy, Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, a copy of which was made available to news-

men in Lokoja yesterday. “The attention of the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been drawn to the spurious allegation by some group of legislators in the state Assembly to the effect that the governor is the person stoking crisis in the Assembly. “The governor wishes to inform the general public that he has never interfered in the affairs of the state legislature in line with his

determination to promote rule of law and strict adherence to separation of power. “To drag the name of the governor (in)to the crisis in Kogi State House of Assembly is in the least, uncharitable. The crisis in the House of Assembly predates the present administration in the state,” the statement stressed. It would be recalled that before the advent of this

administration, the Assembly crisis assumed a violent dimension when vehicles belonging to the different caucuses in the House were vandalised. The governor however urged all aggrieved parties in the House to close ranks and work in unity for the progress of the state. He also pledged continued collaboration with the legislative arm to actualise the dream of a better state.

Korea kicks off $15m model schools in Nigeria Joel aJayi ABUJA

orea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA, has commenced building $15 million Model Primary and Junior Secondary schools in Nigeria. The project is in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, MBNP, as the coordinating body. The flag-off of the project by Jangsan Construction Company, which took place at the site of Abuja Model School project, is scheduled to be completed in October 2017. Country Director of KOICA Nigeria, Mr. Jung SangHoon, at the ground-breaking ceremony said Korea has set education as one of its critical areas to help Nigeria acquire effective capabilities, skills and knowledge to realise continuous national development and growth. He said: “Local workshop

and invitational training courses, which are scheduled from the summer of 2016, have also been consulted with Korean PMC Team to provide relevant capacity building programmes for key academic and admin staffs for model schools. “Particularly for local workshop, some multimedia-based training programmes, covering the areas from basics of computer education to the practical development of supplementary teaching material using multimedia tools, are aimed at enhancing the capacity of teachers for sustainable model school education at classroom-based teaching and learning. “Abuja Model School will provide standard education in multimedia environment for the development of Nigerian public school education, thereby producing very excellent students of global standard as well as contributing to sustainable development of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria.”

L-R: Head of Service, Fufore Lga, Hajia Aisha Garba; Engr. Martins Babale Adamawa State Deputy Governor(centre), and Mr Usman Daware Adamawa State Commissioner for commerce, during inspection visit to Fufore Central Market following fire outbreak that destroyed some parts of the Market In Fufore, yesterday.

James abraham JOS

n spite of the recent federal High Court ruling mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to allow the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, participate in the rerun election for Langtang South constituency of Plateau State scheduled to hold tomorrow, indications emerged yesterday that the electoral body may have shunned the court’s directive. The Langtang South rerun election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 20, alongside that of supplementary elections for Pankshin North and South respectively. At INEC headquarters yesterday in Jos, where officials were busy dis-

INEC excludes PDP in Plateau re-run despite court ruling tributing materials for the election, our correspondent observed that although the name and logo of PDP were included on ballot papers for Pankshin South and North constituencies, they were however conspicuously missing on the ballot papers meant for Langtang South Constituency. It will be recalled that the Federal High court sitting in Jos and presided over by Justice D. V. Agishi, had a few days ago restrained the electoral body from excluding PDP in the election. This was sequel to a case of unlawful exclu-

sion brought before the court by PDP against INEC which had earlier barred the party from fielding any candidate for Langtang South election. Party chieftains and faithful, who were elated by the court ruling, had been mobilising their members in preparation for the election. They thronged INEC headquarters in Jos yesterday to monitor the distribution of voting materials but were disappointed to learn that the electoral body had refused to include the party’s name and logo on the printed ballot papers in line with the court

judgement. No official reason was given by INEC for their action as at the time of filling this report. Reacting on the development, PDP chairman, Chief Raymond Dabo, said it was unfortunate that INEC could chose to exclude a party it registered from participating in an election despite a high court order against such. Expressing fears that the efforts and resources expended in the election may end up in futility, the party boss vowed that his party would pursue the matter to the end using every legitimate means until INEC does the right thing.

42 CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly anown and addressed as Oyewole Sekinat Motunrayo Now wish to be known and addressed as Amode Sekinat Motunrayo, All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aniedi Clement Valentina now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Aniedi Clement Etuk. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Adebowale Michael Adeshola is the same person known and addressed as Adebowale Michael Oluwasegun Adeshola. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegboye Basirat Titilayo now wish to be called and known as Mrs Ogunniyi Basirat Titilayo. All former documents remain valid, Lautech Teaching Hospital Osogbo Osun State, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB) and general public should please take note

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Formerly addressed and known as Miss Oladipupo Mary Folashade now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Adebisi Mary Folashade. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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I formerly anown and addressed as MISS UBANDAWAKI RAHEEDAT DOYIN Now wish to be known and addressed as BADRU RASHIDAT DOYIN, All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

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Formerly Known and addressed as Abdulsalam Naheem Owolabi now wish to be known and addressed as Abdulsalam Naheem Owolabi Olanrewaju. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. UWAH BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EDET BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as James Smart Ekuma now wish to be known and addressed as Ekuma Aja Onwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Mr Fadoro Peter Ajewole now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Anuoluwapo Peter Ajewole. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Fadoro Hannah Bukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anuoluwapo Risikat Bukola. All former documents remain valid. FMC, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Banks and General public take note

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Formerly known and called as Miss Raji Omolayo Ramota now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Afolabi Adebukola Ramat. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Adebayo Oluwaseun Deborah now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Okagbare Oluwaseun Deborah. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as GRACE CHINYERE ALOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as GRACE CHINYERE UMEOKWOCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly called and known as Miss Awe Yetunde Deborah now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Alake Yetunde Deborah. All former documents remain valid, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. DEBORAH FALUYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. RISKAT BELLO ODUODI. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Ogunsholu Rashidi is the same person known as Musari Rashidi now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunsholu Musari Rashidi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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BOLANLE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUBUNMI DORCAS BOLANLE hereby wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUBUNMI DORCAS OLUWAFOISE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and General Public, please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleke Sofiat Oyindamola note in wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Oyindamola A.Ololade Salu. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as GODWIN VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONAH VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH ONOGHOJEBI, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH JONATHAN. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A Bank , Stanbic I.B.T.C Bank and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GBADAMOSI WAIDI KOLAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as TIJANI WAIDI ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Mabel Odia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mabel Eduzola Odia- Enigheno. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Akinwunmi Alirat Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Moboluwaduro Alirat Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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ADETULA : Formerly known and addressed as ADETULA FUNMILOLA DEBORAH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BABALOLA FUNMILOLA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as WILLIAMS OLUCHI ADAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as WILLIAMS CYNTHIA OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and public note.

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OSEBEYO : FORMERLY known and addressed as MRS TITILAYO OSEBEYO IKUEJAMOYE NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS TITILAYO OSEBEYO BALOGUN . All former documents remain valid. Code of Conduct Bureau and General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as OKEHIE VIVIAN ADAKU, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAGBONIWE CHIOMA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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MUSA: I formerly MUSA ISMAILA. Now wished to be known and addressed as SHAIBU ISMAILA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and the general public take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as BASHIRU OLADEPO, now wish to be known and addressed as TUNDE AYODELE OLOPADE. All former documents remain valid. Keystone Bank PLC, and Nigerian Railway Corporation to take note.

AFE-PEKUN : Formerly known and addressed as MRS OLUFUNKE FLORENCE AFE-PEKUN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUFUNKE MEBINUOLA FLORENCE FAROJOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as SOYOYE LATEF ATANDA, now wish to be known and addressed as SOYOYE ATANDA ABDULLATEEF. All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

PERPETUAL : FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS PERPETUAL IFEYINWA MOKWE NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS PERPETUAL IFEYINWA NGOESINA . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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GARBA : Formerly known and addressed as GARBA ADAMU NOW wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR ADAMU . All former documents remain valid. UBA PLC and General public should please take note.

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ORIMOLADE: I formerly MISS. ORIMOLADE MAYOWA OMOWUMI. Now wished to be known and addressed as MRS. OGUNKORODE MAYOWA OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, Ekiti State and the general public take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as ADEYANJU TAIYE ADEBIMPE, now wish to be known and addressed as OBIH TAIYE ADEYANJU. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and general public take note.

This is to in form the general public that I mistakenly wrote my name as ONOVO FRANCIS instead of CHIDIEBERE FRANCIS HYCENT which is my correct name. Henceforth my correct name is CHIDIEBERE FRANCIS HYCENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as TAIWO OLADAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO OLADAYO EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OKETOLA TOLUWALOPE ADEWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUBIYI TOLUWALOPE ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Njoku Onyinyechi Frances now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Izims Onyinyechi Frances. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

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FATAI: FORMERLY known and addressed as FATAI ALIYU KEHINDE NOW wish to be known and addressed as FATAI ALI ONIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSENI RASHIDAT OMOWUNMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ZEKERI RASHIDAT OMOWUNMI , ALL FORMAL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID , GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

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I, formerly known and addressed as Catherine Ibukunoluwa Edewede henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Catherine Ibukunoluwa Edewede Oke. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that OLOWOYEYE MICHAEL ADEWALE and SAMUEL ADEBAYO OLOWOYEYE refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as OLOWOYEYE MICHAEL ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

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I Formerly known and addressed as Aremu Bolatito Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Olagunju Bolatito Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DAUDA: FORMERLY known and addressed as DAUDA AKANMU NOW wish to be known and addressed as DAUDA TIJANI. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

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I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADEKUNLE IYABO TEMITOPE. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS AKINTOMIWA IYABODE TEMITOPE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. OSUN SUBEB AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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Formerly known and addressed as AYINDE MODINAT OMOBONIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as AJAO MODINAT OMOBONIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AJAYI FUNKE TITILAYO. Now wish to be addressed as MRS. OGUNMAKINDE FUNKE TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ishola Adijat Moromoke, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. ISHOLA ADIJAT FATAI. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Omolara Adebimpe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Arowolo Omolara Adebimpe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Shiyanbola Busayo Temitope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Raji Busayo Temitope Airat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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OLASOJI : I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLASOJI TEMITOPE OLUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEOLU TEMITOPE OLUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. ICAN & the general public take note.

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Formerly addressed and known as Miss Imoru Olanike Olufunmilayo now wish to be known and called as Mrs Afolabi Olanike Olufunmilayo. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Aishat Abiono Akinmade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kelani Aishat Abiono. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikwoche Onyakwu Victoria now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Emmanuel Victoria. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Mr Odede Afeez Ayinla now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Gbadamosi Afeez Ayinla. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyedele Jelilat Abosede now wish to be known and called as Mrs Akangbe Jelilat Abosede. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Babatunde Olaide Juliana now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeolegan Olaide Juliana Obembe. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as THOMPSON ALERO PRISCILLA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAUWA ALERO TEMISAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Sarah Abigail Vitus, now wish to be known and addressed as Sarah Garba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SULE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SULE SELIMOT VICTORIA OLUWADUNSI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKE VICTORIA OLUWADUNSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed MISS ADEDEJI TITILOPE OMOBONIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ALABI TITILOPE OMOBONIKE. All former documents remain valid NYSC and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLUWOLE TAIWO OLUWATOSIN, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWOLE SHOLA TAIWO OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x17D; FORMERLY KNOWN AS Miss VERONICA OMAJE NOW WISH TO BE ADDRESS AS Mrs IFEOMA AMADI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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BOLANLE: FORMERLY known and addressed as AKINPELU VICTORIA BOLANLE NOW wish to be known and addressed as ADEWUMI BOLANLE AFUSAT. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

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I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OPEYEMI GIFT AMINAT.NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OMOAJE GIFT AMINAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss ADERINTO TITILAYO CHRISTANA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OLAYANJU CHRISTANA TITILAYO, all former document remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly Ogunjagiri Sunday Bayo now to be addressed as Akinwande Bayo. All former documents remain valid, Fidelity Bank PLC, Ado Ekiti, skye bank plc and general public take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as Popoola Tolulope now wishes to be known and addressed as Popoola Ojo Victor. All former documents remain valid. SKYE BANK PLC and General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR ROSEMARY AKUOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IGWE ROSEMARY AKUOMA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note

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FRANCIS : Formerly known and addressed as FRANCIS OKORO NOW wish to be known and addressed as FRANCIS OKORIE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as AKINLADE OLUWALOHUN THOMASS,now wish to be known and addressed as ADESINA OLUWALOHUN THOMAS,all former document remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Mrs JIMOH TAIBAT,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs JIMOH TOYIBAT OLUWATOYIN,all former document remain valid. Oyo State Local Govt Service Commission, Ogbomoso North Local Govt and General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Ezeodimegwu Benedict Okechukwu now wish to be known and addressed as Eze Benedict Okechukwu. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. ALO Folakemi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Familoyo Folakemi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akomolafe Oluwatomisin Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Popoola Oluwatomisin Deborah. All former documents remain valid. College of Education Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State and General public take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the authorities concerned that I, Adeniyi Morenike Ayoka, is one and the same person as Adeniyi Ayoka. All former documents bearing my names remain valid. UBA and the general public take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as AILERU RAFIAT OLAITAN, now wish to be known and addressed as FULANI RAFIAT AILERU. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mokwunye Blessing Anita, now wish to be known and addressed as Olurin Blessing Anita. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SATOWAKU ANTHONY SETONJI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABIODUN ANTHONY SETONJI. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OROFIN BOSEDE DUPE IS THE SAME PERSON AS OROFIN BOSEDE PRECIOUS NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OROFIN BOSEDE DUPE.All FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

OGUNYOMBO OLUWASEYE EZEKIEL SAME PERSON AS OGUNBERU OLUWASEYE EZEKIEL NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNBERU OLUWASEYE EZEKIEL ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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Formerly known and addressed as KOLA TAIBU AYINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as GANIU AYINDE HASSAN. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OSENI OLUWATOSIN ADEJOKE NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS LIDIPE OLUWATOSIN O.A ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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ANDREW: FORMERLY known and addressed as TASSALLAH ANDREW DAUDA NOW wish to be known and addressed as TASSALLAH DAUDU. All my relevant documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Nwangwu Chinwe Grace now wish to be known and addressed as Gabriel Chinwe Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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IDOWU: I, formerly known and addressed as RAULAT IDOWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IDOWU RAOLAT FEHINTOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as AKUMEFUNNE CHUKWUNONSO, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUMEFUNA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK and General public should please take note

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I formerly known ans addressed as MRS RASHIDAT BOLATITO EKUNDAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RASHIDAT BOLATITO ADETOMIWA.. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known as Patience Ojone Peter now wish to be known as Patience Ojonuma Ejiga.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

Friday, February 19, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABDUL RUKAYAT ABOLANLE NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKUSANYA RUKAYAT ABOLANLE ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND General PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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I formerly known and addressed as OLADOYIN OLADUNNI OMIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPUPO OLADUNNI OMIOLA, All my relevant documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS ANGEL UJUNWA ECHEAZU Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ANGEL UJUNWA ISITUA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note

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OMOTAYO: I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTAYO MORUFAT OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ODOFIN MORUFAT OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as ISIAKA RIDWAN OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as RIDWAN OLUWATOSIN OPEYEMI,ALSO my correct date of birth is 2ND MARCH 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME & CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

OGBU TOCHI EMMANUEL SAME PERSON AS TOCHUKWU JOSEPH OGBU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TOCHUKWU JOSEPH OGBU.documents BEARING FORMER NAMES Remain VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ANIUKWU FRANKLINE CHUKWUEBUKA NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ANIUKWU REUBEN CHUKWUEBUKA ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND General PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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Formerly known and addressed as Okoli Jeradine Adaobi now wish to be known and addressed as Umeh Jeradine Adaobi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as SUMMONU BELLO OKUNTOBOLU OLADELE Now wish to be known, called and addressed as USMAN BELLO OKUNTOBOLU OLADELE All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note

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I formerly known as ODEH CYNTHIA CHIAWOTU now wish to be known and addressed as ANYADIKE ELIZABETH CHIAWOTU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, OBASEKORE ADEKUNLE MOROOF ADEDOYIN SAMUEL and ADETILOYE ADEDOYIN SAMUEL, refers to one and same person. i am the same person bearing both names. All documents and certificates bearing both names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Patience Ndidi James, now wish to be known and addressed as Patience Ndidi Udeme Ukpong. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as SHAKIRU TOHEEB ADENIYI, now wish to be known and addressed as AJOSE ADENIYI KAKA. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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formerly known and addressed as sodipe olanrewaju adekoya now which to be known and addressed as sodipe olanrewaju David. all former documents remain valid.banks and general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as miss Adeyemo Afolashade Tomilola now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekogbe Afolashade Tomilola all former documents remain valid and general public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Gbadamosi Adenike Jenifer now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunsanya Adenike Jenifer. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as OYESANMI ADURAMIGBA PHUBIANA Now wish to be known, called and addressed as JOHN COLE ADURAMIGBA PHUBIANA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as OKEKE CHEKWUBE CHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEKE CHEKWUBECHUKWU COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

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Formerly Miss Olomola Anthonia Tomilola now Mrs Kolebaje Anthonia Tomilola. All former documents remain valid ,Adeyemi College of Education ,Ondo ,NYSC and general public take note.

SALE DATE Tuesday 23rd February, 2016 for Anambra State at INEC office and Thursday 25th February, 2016 for Imo State at INEC Office. The Auction to commence 10.00 am Daily. CONDITION FOR SALE Mode of Payment: Strictly cash or Certified Bank Draft of successful bid price at Auctioneer fall of hammer. All items bought must be removed two (2) days from the day of issuance of GATE PASS. Non compliance attracts Storage/Demurage fees as may be determined by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). NOTE: All items involved are Sold “AS-IS” and “WHERE-IS” without any guarantee or warranties expressed or implied by INEC or ACUTION FIRM DECISION OF AUCTIONEER WILL BE FINAL Conductor Benji Obayi For: Benbenton Associates AUCTIONEERS, DEBT COLLECTORS AND ARBITRATORS 080-97173002, 080-38591122

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I ADEPITI IDOWU DAVID is the same and one person as ADEPITI IDOWU and DAVID ADEPITI now wish to be known and addressed as ADEPITI IDOWU DAVID. All Former documents remain valid. U.B.A PLC and general public take note.

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UKACHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UKACHUKWU BERNADINE L.O., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONUOHA BERNADINE L.O. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKEDU QUEEN AFOR ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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Formerly known and addressed as Mr. NIMYEL EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. BONGTIM NANVEN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Omowunmi Toyin and my correct date of birth is 10th February, 1980 now wish to be known and addressed as Fatimoh Omowunmi Azeez. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, UBA, GTB and general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as KUDIRAT SALAM, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAUDEEN KUDIRAT ABEO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Badeke Taiwo Gabriel,Taiwo Gabriel Badeke,Gabriel Taiwo Badeke Taiwo Badeke and Badeke Taiwo now wish to be known and addressed as Gabriel Taiwo Aina Dada. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MADUDU: I, formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY UROROMU MADUDU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ROROMU ANTHONY SAMU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADELEYE DAMILOLA RUTH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AZEEZ DAMILOLA RUTH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MEMUDU RASAKI, now wish to be known and addressed as RASAKI MAMMUD FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLADEIDE OLASEENI RIDWAN, now wish to be known and addressed as AKAOKAFOR JOSEPH SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Ude Arinze now wish to be addressed as Onude Arinze. All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Adebimpe Jumoke Anifat now wish to be known as Mrs Fatai Hanifat Adejumoke. All former document remain valid ,general public take note

INSPECTION The items involved are already lotted and can be inspected at both Anambra and Imo State Offices of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during working days between the hours of 10.00am – 2.30pm Monday to Fridays.

AS MISS ATAMAKO QUEEN AFOR NOW

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARYAM KAREEM OLAYINKA NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARYAM KAREEM OLAYINKA BALOGUN ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Mohammed Hamza now wish to be addressed as Basiru Ayuba.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

Formerly Miss Emoruwa Ajoke now Mrs Fajiwe Joan Ajoke. All former documents remain valid ,TESCOM Ondo State and general public take note

A 2 DAYS AUCTION SALE

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

TIJANI SAKIRAT TITI IS THE SAME PERSON AS TIJANI ALICE SAKIRAT NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TIJANI SAKIRAT TITI ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS AKINWALE OLUWABUKOLA HELLEN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUNNUSI OLUWABUKOLA HELLEN. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

On the instruction of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria, there is going to be a Public Auction sale of some various unserviceable boarded items of vehicles, generators, computers, stationeries, office equipment and other store items belonging to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at both their Anambra and Imo State offices.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known ans addressed as AZEEZ KAFAYAT OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO KAFAYAT OLABISI. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Abah Joseph now wish to be addressed as James Annga. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ejalonibu Kunle Junior, now wish to be known and addressed as oyeniyi Olakunle oluwaseun Cyrus. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IFEANYI NWANNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKWO NWANNEKA OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known as Paula Ableto,Otokiti Halimat now wish to be addressed as Melanie Ableto.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

AUCTION! AUCTION!! AUCTION!!!

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ihire Isi Norah, now wish to be known and addressed as Okinedo Isi Norah. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EKERE FAVOUR CHIZOMA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ENAHORO FAVOUR CHIZOMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND General PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known as MUFUTAU BABATUNDE SERIKI now wish to be known as MUFUTAU SERIKI with wrong date of birth stated as 17th of October, 1948 instead of 12th of February 1952. The public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Victoria Benedict Onne Elaigmu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adah Ambrose Victoria. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known as Awolowo Sylvanus Okori now wish to be addressed as Orabi Sylvanus Okori.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IBITEMINU MODUPE ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as OBADINA MODUPE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANYIGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANYIGBO CALLISTA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIKE CALLISTA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Oguntunbi Comfort Moji now wish to be known as Mrs Lawal Comfort Moji. All former docuuments remain valid ,NYSC and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Adebisi Iyanuoluwa Oluwaferanmi now Mrs Adesina Iyanuoluwa Oluwaferanmi. All former docuuments remain valid ,NYSC ,Ondo State ministry of Education and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOKE PATRICIA NKEMDILIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMALU PATRICIA NKEMDILIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OZOIJE: I, formerly known and addressed as OZOIJE PIUS EKETE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKETE NWANI . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Miss Akinbode Folakemi Toyin now wish to be known as Mrs Bamidele Folakemi Toyin. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME I ADELOYE ROSELINE is the same person as ADEOLU ROSELINE SADE now wish to known, called and addressed as ADEOLU ROSELINE SADE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OZIOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as OZIOKO NWALI LINDA CHINASA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWALI LINDA CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OJUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OJUKWU CHINENYE GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDOH CHINENYE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

44 Patience OgbO

igeria can win the war against Boko Haram and criminality if the country can set up a counter terrorism unit and adopt a holistic approach in crime fighting. This was the view of the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Nigeria Army, Major General Isidore Edet. Major General Edet said this during a oneday military-media workshop for defence correspondents organised by the 81 Division Officers’ Mess in Lagos yesterday. According to the Army Chief, the workshop with the theme: Enhancing Nigeria’s national security through improved military-media relations, is the first in a series of workshops the 81 Division would be organising for defence correspondents. Major General Edet who delivered a lecture titled, ‘Civil-Military Cooperation and National Security: the Role of the Media,’ emphasised the need for the reportage on military operations to be cued towards promoting CHANGE OF NAME

AKUGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Akugbe Erharuyi Smart now wish to be known and addressed as Omoruyi Erharuyi Smart. All former documents remain valid. General public take note: CONFIRMATION OF NAME OKENWA: This is to confirm that Okenwa Martha Ndidi and Okeke Martha Favour refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GOC canvasses holistic approach in fight against insurgency national unity and peace. The army chief added that all hands must be on deck in order to achieve the goal of stamping out insurgency and terrorism

in the country Major General Edet also called for the creation of a counter terrorism unit which would be saddled with the responsibili-

ty of coordinating counter terrorism operation in the country as obtains in other climes while stressing the need to provide economic and human security for

the citizens to contribute their quota and cooperate with government and security agencies in the fight against insurgency. Other speakers at the

events also talked and participants urged government to formulate and project the national interest for all Nigerians to key into.

I’m determined to rid Nigeria of corruption–Buhari ROtimi Fadeyi AbujA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he would leave no stone unturned in the ongoing fight against corruption while operating within the ambit of the law. Speaking at a reception held at the Presidential Villa for members of the Diplomatic Corps, Buhari said his government was committed to building a stable and prosperous nation, inclusive of all her diverse peoples and at ease with itself. Buhari explained that building such a country would not be possible where corruption was pervasive. According to him, it has become necessary to wage CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: Formerly known and addressed as ANI CHINONYEREM STELLA now wish to be known and addressed as AZUKA CHINONYEREM STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note:

CORRECTION OF NAME

SHAKIRULAHI :This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as Shakirulahi Mohammed Obale instead of SHAKIRULLAHI MUHAMMAD OBALE Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as SHAKIRULLAHI MUHAMMAD OBALE. All former documents remain valid. Banks, legal profession and the general public take note.

a relentless war against the cancer of corruption, stressing that so long as sleaze holds center stage in the affairs of Nigeria, the country would continue to suffer incalculable harm. He explained that in a similar fight in the past, and armed with the might of military muscle, he led a government that required persons presumed to be corrupt to prove their innocence. He, however, said that as committed democrats, and in a culture of deepening democracy, his administration respects the law that presumes all persons innocent until they are proven to be guilty. On the issue of security, Buhari said since he assumed office eight months

CONFIRMATION OF NAME OLAYINKA: This is to confirm that OLAYINKA DEBORAH OLUWAKEMI., ADEMOLA DEBORAH OLUWAKEMI and ADEMOLA OLUWAKEMI refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME NWORU: I, formerly known and addressed as NWORU CHRISTIAN OKEY, now wish to be known and addressed as NWORU PETER OKE. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that EZUGWU EMEKA BENJAMIN and EZUGWU EMEKA refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as EZUGWU EMEKA BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ago, there had been a boost in the morale of the armed forces to dislodge Boko Haram from their bases in the north east. He stated that the changes in both command structure and operational tactics have brought about significant gains on the ground while the armed forces have been given specific instructions on rules of engagement to treat captured terrorists humanely and to avoid civilian casualties. The president stated that his administration was quite aware that the war on terror would not, and CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ria would also continue to shoulder responsibilities in peace keeping under the auspices of the United Nations. Earlier in his remarks, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, Salaudeen Ibrahim commended Buhari in his resolve to fight corruption He assured the president of the support and cooperation of the international community to the efforts to tackle insecurity in order to provide the enabling environment to do business. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MUTIAT ENIOLA OWOYALE, now wish to be known and addressed as ANOFI MUTIAT OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid UBA/DIAMOND/ECO BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

OYELEYE: Formerly known and addressed as OYELEYE OLUREMI ADEBUKOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OYELEYE RACHAEL OLUREMI All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbo Chioma Juliet and Miss Ani Amuche Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chime Chioma Juliet. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AYOGU: I, formerly known and addressed as AYOGU CHINEDU HENRY, now wish to be known and addressed as AYOGU CHINEDU AUGUSTINE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMENYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OMENYE FLORA IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWUDI FLORA IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. general public should take note.

O L U F U N M I L AY O : F o r m e r l y known and addressed as MISS OLUFUNMILAYO FANIYAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUFUNMILAYO OLADITI All former documents remain valid lagos state Gorvernment and. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

EZEH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEH TOCHUKWU LINDA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSIGIDE LINDA TOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that My name ENEJE COLLINS CHIMA was wrongly written in my BVN but now wish to be corrected and addressed as ENEJE COLLINS OZOEMENE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLASOJI : I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLASOJI TEMITOPE OLUSOLA,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEOLU TEMITOPE OLUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. ICAN & the general public take note.

OLAYINKA: Formerly known and addressed as OLAYINKA NIYILOLA OLAWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as BADA NIYILOLA OLAWUNMI All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

HILGERT: Formerly known and addressed as HILGERT OLUSOLA OLABISI now wishes to be known and addressed as FATOKI OLUSOLA OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Skye Bank, other financial institutions and the general public take note.

ANDREW: FORMERLY known and addressed as TASSALLAH ANDREW DAUDA NOW wish to be known and addressed as TASSALLAH DAUDU. All my relevant documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JINADU IDOWU MUFUTAU now wish to be known and addressed as JINADU IDOWU MUFUTAU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

cannot be won by military means alone, saying that soft approach that speaks directly to the human mind was also necessary. The president said Nigeria would continue to build strong partnerships, strengthen regional ties and promote global solidarity. He stated that the country would remain a responsible and active member of the international community; promoting tolerance, accommodation, reconciliation and pacific settlement of disputes. The president said Nige-

Formerly known and addressed as IFEANYI NWANNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKWO NWANNEKA OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKONKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO OGO MATHIAS, now wish to be known and addressed as OKONKWO AFAMU MATHIAS All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

EZENWA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZENWA CHIDIMMA LILIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOLI CHIDIMMA LILIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BELLO KEMI RAMOTA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSESI KEMI RAMOTA. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME VICTOR: Formerly known and addressed as VICTOR VANDYKE now wish to be known and addressed as BADA OLUWABUNMI VICTOR . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IFEANYI NWANNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKWO NWANNEKA OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FOEZE:I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IFOEZE GINIKA .J. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UMEH GINIKA .J. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUINE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUINE UGOCHI NKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKE UGOCHI NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ADAMSON: Formerly known and addressed as ADAMSON OWOLABI BAMIDELE now wish to be known and addressed as ABOKEDE ADAMSON OWOLABI.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OZOUGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Ozougwu Josephine Chizoba now wish to be known and addressed as Ozougwu Tessy Chioma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME MICHAEL: This is to confirm that MICHAEL AYI and MICHAEL AYILEKA refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note

Friday, February 19, 2016

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa

…home-based to open camping early March

AbujA

he 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Day 3 qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt will now take place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Friday, March 25. NFF said in a statement yesterday, that this decision followed a mail sent to it by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday that Nigeria should endeavour to make room for “a minimum of two full days of rest between the two matches.” Although CAF had given Nigeria the latitude to pick any day between 23rd – 26th March for the

Day 3 clash, and handed Egypt the option of picking any day from 26th – 29th for the Day 4 encounter, the continental body appealed to the NFF to pick a new date that would ensure two full days of rest ahead of the second match. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said yesterday, “We have now moved the match forward by 24 hours, so we will play on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 will serve as the day for the two teams to travel, while March 27 and 28 will be rest days before the return leg on Tuesday, March 29.” Already, chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Bar,. Christopher Green, has disclosed that home-based Super Eagles are expected to begin camping in Abuja

Sport –Total Sport (1995)

Eagles, Pharaohs get new March 25 date Joel AJAyi

After Lennox Lewis had beaten Tommy Morrison –‘He’s the new Ali!’ claims boxing guru Manny Steward…seasoned observers wonder if he’s talking about Ali Bongo!

Budgeting for the sports 47 federations

AFCON qualifier

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

first week of March ahead of the AFCON qualifier, while foreignbased players will join them six days to the game. Green revealed that Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has already started fine-tuning strategies to subdue the Pharaohs of Egypt when the two teams clash on March 25. “As I speak to you, we have our team in Kaduna to look at the stadium and ensure the stadium is up to scratch to enable our players to play and get result,” Green said. “The team will open camp by first week of March; we will open the camp by the home-based players. After that, six days to proper match the foreign-based players will arrive.

Rio 2016 Games: Toriola qualifies for 7th Olympics

igeria’s Segun Toriola has made history by qualifying for his seventh Olympic Games at the ITTF-African Rio 2016 Qualification event held yesterday in Khartoum, Sudan. With the 41-year-old’s 11-7, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6 win over Mawussi Agbetoglo of Togo, Toriola joins table tennis legends, Jean-Michel Saive (Belgium), Jorgen Persson (Sweden) and Zoran Primorac of Croatia in an elite group of players who have played at seven Olympic Games. Toriola’s appearance at Rio 2016 will be the most by an African in any sport, writing himself into African sporting history. After achieving the amazing feat, the four time All African Games champion, who made his Olympic debut back at the 1992 Barcelona Games stated, “I am very excited about this achievement, I never thought I could be playing a seventh Olympic Games in my career. I am honoured that I made history as the African to achieve this feat. “It was a little difficult for me because I played under a lot of pressure; I was the favourite for this tournament, and I had to be cautious in my games as most of the players wanted to beat me. I ensured I was not too confident in all my matches and play them carefully. “I am glad that I made it and I hope now to focus on the preparation for Rio, which is very vital for me!” Persson welcomes Toriola into the exclusive ‘7 Club’ with open arms: “This is simply an amazing achievement. He is a talented player and deserves all the accolades he gets. I am very happy to welcome him into the ‘7 Club’.”

Toriola

Sports

Friday, February 19, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Heartland FC players greeting their fans before the start of a match last season

NFPL

Heartland ready for season opener’

eartland FC head coach, Bethel Orji, has said that his side are 85 percent ready for the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which kicks-off this Sunday across the country. The Owerri club are expected to bring their two-week closed camp at Eriebe, near Obigbo, Rivers State, to a fruitful end today. Orji said his side hope to open their title account on winning note against CAF Champi-

ons League campaigners, Warri Wolves, on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. “We have been trying to put the team in perfect shape for the upcoming league season which starts on Sunday. “I think the players have been doing wonderfully well to imbibe training tactics while blending old and new players are going well,” Orji said. The coach further told supersport.com, “I can say we have attained 85 percent readi-

ness for the football hostilities expected in this year’s league season. “We consider every match important, whether it’s a home or away match we take each match seriously irrespective of the team involved. “We do not consider our season’s first match against Warri Wolves in Owerri from the point of view of advantage or disadvantage, rather we are keen to prepare well for the clash.”

the former’s personal terms including monthly salary. Okpodu, who was only given the head coach role following the departure of Paul Aigbogun to Enyimba, was said to have turned down the monthly salary offered him, explaining to the club owner that it was far below his expectation. Wolves have already contacted Englishman, Peter John Farrell, to take his place. The former Bolton Wanderers assistant academy director is expected to earn at least four times more than the amount offered Okpodu. General manager of Wolves, Edema Fuludu, has also left the club for similar financial disagreement after he was offered far less than Okpodu. The Warri club are competing in three fronts - the NPFL, the Federation Cup and the CAF

Champions League - this season. Wolves have already booked their passage into the first round of the Champions League against Sudanese champions, El-Merreikh and will begin their NPFL campaign at Heartland this Sunday.

...Wolves part ways with Okpodu

igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Warri Wolves, have ended their relationship with their head coach, Sam Okpodu, a few weeks after his appointment. Supersport.com sources revealed that Okpodu and Wolves went their different ways following financial disagreement over

Okpodu

80% of our stadia can’t meet CAF standard –Bassey Joel AJAyi AbujA

member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee, Mr. Paul Bassey, yesterday disclosed that 80 percent of club stadia would not in any way meet the CAF Licensing requirement. Speaking in Abuja at ongoing NFF three-day seminar for Match Commissioners, Bassey said Nigeria needed to key into the CAF Licensing programme initiative to bring about desired result. According to Bassey, who is a member of CAF Organising Committee, most of the problems in Nigerian League are caused because almost all the stadiums belong to government and the clubs don’t have control over them. “80% of the venues we use for league matches cannot meet CAF requirement. Yesterday, I went to inspect a stadium and when I got there, I was so disappointed I have sent my report to the LMC; they have to handle it right, they have to give time limit. “There is no media stand, no commentary position, no team benches; if it rains everybody

will run helter-skelter, as basic as team benches they don’t have, no toilet for spectators, no medical base. Those are the basic things you don’t toy with,” Bassey lamented. He added, “The most annoying one is that the referees’ dressing room is directly opposite that of dressing room of the home team. It’s not done anywhere referees’ lives are not safe.” He, however, assured that there would be great improvement of the match commissioners when the 2016 NPLF kicksoff. He also suggested that number of match commissioners should be reduced to allow for better and improved discharging of their duties.

Bassey

Big guns line out for SMW Football Day

ampos Square, Lagos, will light up on Sunday as the stars of Nigeria’s glorious Atlanta 96 Olympic football gold medal winning team once again take to the pitch, 20 years after they stunned the world. The likes of Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and more will take on a Lagos All Stars team as part of celebrations to mark the event at Social Media Week (SMW) Lagos.

“I think it is wonderful that SMW Lagos is doing this,” said Amuneke. “Sometimes you don’t realise the importance of what you have achieved until much later, and I think that now we all appreciate what that meant to everyone.” According to a statement issued by Colin Udoh for the SMW, among other events lined up are a gala night at SS 7 in Victoria Island to honour the heroes, while a series of panels and sessions on Thursday, February 25 will relive those wonderful moments in Nigeria’s football history.

“It is hard to think that 20 years have flown by so quickly,” said Victor Ikpeba, who would go on to win the African Player of the Year prize a year later. “It was a moment that none of us will ever forget and we appreciate SMW Lagos for putting this together.” “The victory of our team at Atlanta 96 was a seminal moment for Nigerian and African football; for us it is a privilege to host these Nigerian heroes and to celebrate them,” said Obi Asika, Chairman and Co-Founder, SMW Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ekong relishes Haugesund captaincy

illiam Troost-Ekong is revelling in the responsiblity of being thrusted with the captaincy of Norwegian Tippeligaen side, FK Haugesund. The Nigerian international defender acknowledged that the armband handed to him by the FKH Arabs has placed “great responsibility” on his shoulders. The 22-year-old is ready to show exemplary attitude by raising his “performance to a higher level week in and week out.” “It is a great responsibility to captain FK Haugesund at my age. I feel ready to lead the team. I relish the extra pressure and think it will lift my performance to a higher level week in and week out. “This year will be an important season for me as I look to leave my mark in the Tippeligaen and become one of the best defenders in the league, said TroostEkong. The defender is on loan to FK

Haugesund from Belgian champions, KAA Gent, where he signed a three-year contract last year. Troost-Ekong, who represented the Netherlands at U-19 and U-20 levels, made his senior international debut for Nigeria against Chad in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Kaduna on June 13.

Ekong

Charity Cup: I knew we’d beat Enyimba –Edo

kwa United defender, Namso Edo, has said his side knew victory was certain after the Charity Cup clash against champions, Enyimba, progressed to penalties. The Promise Keepers defeated the People’s Elephant 4-3 on penalties Wednesday in Abuja, after full time score stood goalless at the Abuja National Stadium. Namso said his side are privileged to have dead ball specialists in abundance than any other side in the domestic scene. “When the match ended 0-0 at full time going into penalty shootouts we knew quite well that victory will be ours. “We have good penalty takers

as well as dead ball experts more than any other side including our challengers, Enyimba. “I score lot of goals from the spot than several attackers and in my absence there are many other players who can accurately take penalties,” Edo told supersport. com. Edo said Akwa United contrary to beliefs in many circles will not be pushovers in the continent and domestic league. “Erroneously, people believe that Akwa United are pushovers, we are not pushovers as we have good coaches and players ever ready to make Nigerians proud in and outside the country.”

Hotsports to host Rio Olympics summit

otsports Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of HS Media Group has secured the support of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), to organise a summit for the forthcoming Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Popoola, gave the approval on Wednesday, when the management team of HS Media Group led by its chairman, Taye Ige, paid him a courtesy visit at the Committee’s secretariat at the National Stadium, Lagos. According to Ige, the brain-

Ige

Sports

Friday, February 19, 2016

storming summit is necessary to avoid the pitfalls of the London 2012 Olympics where Team Nigeria finished the Games without a medal. “We need a summit of corporately experienced people in sports who can help to forge the way forward,” he said. On his part, Popoola assured Hotsports of the full backing of the NOC and admitted that the summit is long overdue after the Presidential Retreat held after the last Olympics in 2012. “The idea of a summit is very crucial because we need to tell each other the truth. We need good administrators, good critics and good technocrats to change the system for good,” Popoola said. Hotsports have in recent years played major roles in several activations involving big sporting events. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the company organised a sponsored campaign tagged: Road to Brazil, where over 100 selected fans enjoyed an all-expense paid trip to Brazil to witness live matches.

MANDATE

THE

SylveSter Ikuejamoye

mopheys13@gmail.com 0805-407-1194 (SMS only)

Budgeting for the sports federations

he news making the rounds in town about the reasons the National Assembly invited boards of various sports federations to defend their 2016 budget was quite heartwarming. It is about the very first time boards of sport federations would be invited to defend their budgets for a particular year. The sport federation known to have been doing this in the past is the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This concept in my mind is commendable and should be applauded if allowed to survive. One of the major p r o b l e m s confronting practically all the boards of sports federations has always been funding. No board can claim to know the actual figure of their annual budget as they are not privy to how much was allocated to them on annual basis. They were in the dark and at the mercy of any Director-General or Minister at the helm of affairs at the sports ministry. This has been a major setback for our sports development drive with many loopholes that breed misapplication of funds, mismanagement, corruption and fraud. I have no doubt in my mind that the National Assembly must be operating from a vantage position which must have been influenced by public opinion. It will certainly make a lot of sense for the boards to brief the Senate or House committees on sport on their programmes for the year and their cost implications as against the past method of only the officials of the ministry of sports doing it on their behalf. This has made boards bunch of destitute, lame and completely deformed as a re-

sult of poor funding. It has also created problem of programme planning and execution for the federations since they have no idea of their annual budget. It is assumed that henceforth, sports federations would have their approved budgets released to them directly to guarantee programme planning and implementation by the various boards. The positive multiplier effects of this on

Saraki

s p o r t s growth and development would be better appreciated in not too distant future. The survival of this noble concept should be the concern of members of the national assembly to ensure that it was not allowed to be thwarted or aborted. It is expected that some people who are benefitting from the old order may want to frustrate this new approach if the national assembly fails to stand their ground. One other setback for other sports federations except football is the issue of autonomy. In my humble opinion, this has contributed in no small measure to the inability of most federations securing sponsorship for various programmes and activities. For as long as the ministry of sports insisted on producing secretaries and treasurers as signatories to the bank account of the federations and

secretaries are the accounting officers with allegiance to the ministry and not to the board they are serving, that obviously remain a sour point in the administration of sport in Nigeria. It will be more administratively meaningful and proper for boards to be allowed to appoint or engage their secretaries with equal power to hire and fire appropriately. Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, former minister/chairman, national sports commission, briefly introduced this approach in 2013 after the election of the present boards of the federations but was scuttled almost immediately. I’m yet to come to terms with why such a wonderful idea was not sustained since it could serve as a panacea for the mirage of problems confronting most boards which should ideally serve as platform for sports development in the country. Fact emerging globally is that most countries allow boards of sports federations to hire secretaries of their choice. Why the case in Nigeria is different cannot be explained. The new minister should have a second look at the issue with a view of granting the boards power to hire and fire their secretaries. This will give room to smooth operations of the boards and also engender transparency and accountability in the running of the federations. It is advised that the federations should be empowered to hire their own secretaries immediately after the forthcoming Rio Olympics in August this year to enable the federations commence training for 2020 Olympics. We should stop the circle run and start early preparations for the next Olympics in four years time. I have said before that the new minister should be bold and blunt. It takes a minister with sound guts to step on toes to be able to make a loud difference in the history of sports administration in Nigeria.

Hard but the bitter truth Those that thrive in an atmosphere of crisis and confusion hardly last the distance and in most cases end-up badly in life. Hard But The Bitter Truth. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria

WORLD RECORD

Fastest-selling PC videogame

Vol. 05 No. 1311

Friday, February 19, 2016

Diablo III (Blizzard, 2012) sold 3.5 million copies in its first 24 hours after launch.

N150

Judiciary as Buhari’s nightmare (II)

he other group that should be agitated, or better still, sobered down by President Buhari’s scarcely flattering view of the Nigerian judiciary, if hypocrisy does not prevail, is the Bar (the legal profession), whose prodigal products are the major accomplices in the drift and ruin of the Nigerian judiciary today. It is not for the fun of it that critics lump the Bench and the Bar together as one whenever they appraise the ongoing anti-graft campaign of the Federal Government these days. Some Nigerians based in the United Kingdom, under the umbrella of ‘The 2015 Group’, for example, while declaring support for the anti-corruption drive, lately, made reference to the noxious romance existing between perverts in the Nigerian Bench and their dishonest spouses in the Bar in bending, if not breaking the spinal cord of justice in the land. The group said: “… The zeal (with which) the majority of Nigerian judg-

ormer Camerounian skipper, Rigobert Song, has been appointed as the head coach for the locally based Cameroun side replacing Martin Ndtoungou Mpile who was in charge at CHAN 2016 in Rwanda. Song, who was announced yesterday at a press conference

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) es, aided by disreputable lawyers (emphasis mine), have been bending justice, leads us now to call for the immediate and fundamental reform of the Nigerian judiciary. .. It is our solemn belief that unless the Nigerian judiciary is reformed, the fight against corruption would be hard to be successfully prosecuted”. President Buhari, speaking in December last year through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the flagging-off of the 2015 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja, did say he was perturbed that more than ever before, allegations of judicial corruption had become more strident and frequent in the country. He said the Nigerian justice system had a notorious reputation for delays “usually occasioned by a combination of endless adjournments, incessant interlocutory applications and overwhelming caseloads…”. He stated, in addition: “… Corruption transfers from public coffers to private pockets resources required to deliver social and economic justice. Government’s attempts to recover such assets in accordance with the law are often faced with dilatory tactics by lawyers, sometimes with the apparent collusion of judges”. Former head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, lamented in 2009 how some senior lawyers were frustrating the fight against corruption by stalling the prosecution of their corrupt clients docked by the commission. Such lawyers, she said, fraud-

SENIOR LAWYERS ARE BENEFITTING FROM STOLEN MONEY AND ARE TRULY THE FELLOWS THAT DO NOT WANT JUSTICE FOR THE COMMON MAN ulently obtained money from their clients under the guise of delivering same as bribe to officers of the EFCC to kill cases under investigation. Waziri said the lawyers also exploited the weaknesses of the judiciary by filing frivolous applications to frustrate the trial of suspects facing corruption trial. Her successor, Ibrahim Lamorde, later corroborated much of what she said. While commenting on recent baffling rulings of the Supreme Court on election petitions, especially those of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, Professor Itse Sagay, who heads the Presidential Anti-Corruption Committee, stated some days ago: “There are some senior lawyers who have totally departed from anything that the calling of the law profession requires. They have thrown in their lot with the looters and have become, I won’t call them fellow looters, but definitely, they have started enjoying and sharing in the proceeds of crimes of these looters; and because of that, they are absolutely now against the anti-

corruption law. There is need to have these Senior Advocates thoroughly disciplined; and if they would not accept discipline, they need to be removed from the profession before they bring more disgrace to the profession; and at the same time, drag this country down economically”. No less sickened by the conduct of such dishohourable lawyers is the current Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, undoubtedly the most outspoken head of that outfit as yet, who bluntly says senior lawyers are benefitting from stolen money and are truly the fellows that do not want justice for the common man. Magu says prominent members of the Bar accept “clearly tainted briefs”; and are “vandals of the temple of justice”. According to him: “One of the big challenges we have in the effective prosecution of the war on corruption is that of very senior lawyers, who Nigeria has been very kind to… When we have corruption cases, cases of people who have stolen food from the mouths of our children… they run to these same senior lawyers, give them part of the stolen money and mobilise them to fight us, to delay us in court and to deny Nigerians of justice…”. When issues about the rot in the judiciary arise, the way President Buhari had spoken; however, both the Bench and the Bar conveniently shrug them off. They turn around to blame outdated laws, shoddy investigation and prosecutorial processes; as well as poor funding, the lack of modern equipment, inhospitable working conditions and inadequate motivation of the judiciary. But with the subsisting unholy matrimony a significant portion of the Bench and the Bar now find themselves in, it does seem no amount of remediation of the setbacks of the nation’s judiciary would make them see to it that justice is never defeated by technical rules of procedure, which has largely been the case in recent decades. Only self censure, re-examination and radical reorientation would. The other alternative would be tracking down the irretrievable bad eggs and crooks among the lot and dealing ruthlessly with them. (Concluded)

Sport Extra

Song named Cameroun coach that also saw Hugo Broos unveiledtothemediaasheadcoach of the senior side, will maintain the same backroom staff. The 39-year old Song, who has until recently been in charge of Chad, is expected to bring a lot of his playing expe-

rience into his new role at the helm of this side as they prepare for CHAN 2018 in Kenya. Ernest Agbor is the assistant coach while goalkeeping coach, Simon Nlend, and physical fitness coach, Narcisse Tinkeu, have retained their roles

on the side. Cameroun reached the quarterfinals at the recent CHAN Rwanda 2016 where they lost to Cote d’Ivoire 3-0, conceding all three goals in extra time. The Indomitable Lions had finished top of Group B with

seven points after registering two wins in the group stages, a 1-0 win over Angola in their opener before Ethiopia forced a goalless draw, but a 3-1 victory over DR Congo ensured a place at the helm of the log.

Song

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