Friday, january 29, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Again, Buhari rejects calls for Naira devaluation

Tola Akinmutimi and Rotimi Fadeyi

Buhari

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday again turned down sustained clamour

by proponents of national currency (naira) devaluation, saying they have not been able to articulate the tangible benefits such a monetary measure would add to the lives of Nigeri-

ans and the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. The President, who spoke during an interactive meeting with Nigerians living in Kenya, Continued on Page 2>>

Metuh gave me N77.5m for publicity, another witness tells court ...regains freedom

P. 5

Metuh

Fraud rocks House of Reps Vol. 5 N0. 1296

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror Friday, January 29, 2016 N150

...N50m, 150 motorcycles per member tear lawmakers apart ...say Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter a distraction, misdirected Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

ouse of Representatives yesterday mandated its Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate allegation that members collected N50m and 150 motorcycles each. The money and motorcycles were said to have been shared by the leadership of the House to members. But the House at plenary ordered an investigation into the issue. The move followed a point of order under privileges raised by Deputy Minority Whip, Yakubu Continued on Page 2>>

L-R: Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Simon Lalong of Plateau; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; Godwin Emefiele of CBN and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara; (sitting) is Governor Aminu Masare of Katsina State, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PDP govs endorse Secondus removal as party chairman P. 5

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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Fraud rocks House of Representatives CONTINUED FROM Page 1

Barde. Barde had told his colleagues that a member, Mohammad Abubakar, representing Igabi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State had gone on a local radio station (Liberty Radio) in his state to say that the said money and motorcycles were given to them. The lawmaker said he has been under immense pressure by his constituents, who have been demanding for their share of the money. He called for an investigation into the issue as he said that he was not party to any such sharing. “This is an allegation, considering the present economic situation of Nigeria. As lawmakers, we have to be very careful to make sure our image is not tarnished. Nigerians need to know what really happened,” Barde said. The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who refused to open the matter for debate, in his ruling referred the matter to the committee, which is to report back in four weeks. The Speaker subsequently adjourned sitting till February 16. He stressed that the House was only adjourning plenary but would continue with committee works as it is not on recess. Meanwhile, House of Representatives yesterday, dismissed the letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to National Assembly, describing it as a distraction and misdirected. Addressing journalists, House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas, said t the letter was possibly for 4th and 5th Assembly, when Obasanjo was President. Namdas, who anchored the briefing, said the House of Representatives had tremendous respect for Obasanjo, and does not deserve his distractions, especially this period that attention is focused on the budget. The former President had written separately to the Senate and House of Representatives, accusing the lawmakers of corruption, impunity, greed and of repeatedly breaking the

nation’s laws. In the letter dated January 13 and addressed to Senate, Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara, Obasanjo specifically accused the lawmakers of fixing and earning salaries and allowances far above what the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal

Commission, RMFAC, approved for them. He also alleged that most of the 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives were receiving constituency allowances without maintaining constituency offices as the laws required of them.

Namdas said: “This letter is a distraction. Possibly, it is for 4th and 5th Assembly when he was President, not for this 8th Assembly.” The spokesman said this letter was needless because they had already keyed into the anti-corruption war of President

Muhammadu Buhari, as clearly seen in their legislative agenda. He noted that the exPresident was advising that lawmakers be upright, which he said they were already doing, using the mechanisms already put in place to check corrupt practices by members.

He said that the two weeks adjournment of plenary would be judiciously used to meet the February 25 deadline already set by Senate to pass the budget. Namdas also assured that the House would ensure transparency and accountability while working on the budget.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) with Vice President, African Development Bank (AFDB), Mr Charles Boamah, during a meeting of Senior Management of AFDB with Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Again, Buhari rejects calls for Naira devaluation CONTINUED FROM Page 2

pointed out that devaluing the naira now would be counter-productive for an import-dependent economy like Nigeria’s. He maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluing the naira would only compound the general price level situation (inflation) in the domestic economy and by implication, worsen the socio-economic conditions of the poor and middle classes in Nigeria. Buhari explained that with the current economic situation of the country, he was not prepared to add to the burdens of millions of ordinary Nigerians, who are already trapped

in poverty circle Likening devaluing the Naira to having it “killed”, the President pointed out that proponents of devaluation would have to work harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians will gain anything from it. Similarly, the President also rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should re-open official forex windows to Bureaux de Change, BDCs, to access foreign exchange, noting that the BDC business had become a scam and a drain on the economy. Recalling that in 2005, there were just 74 BDCs and that now they have grown to about 2,800, President Buhari accused some bank and govern-

ment officials of using surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official and selling it at much higher rates. “We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure. We don’t have the Dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank,” the President said. On the contentious fuel subsidy claims, the President restated government’s position that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration

were bogus, alleging that “they just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange.” The President pleaded with Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strives to address the challenges they are facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures, assuring that he is optimistic that the economy will stabilise soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that have been introduced by his administration. It would be recalled that the President had, on December 30 last year, during his Presidential Media chat aired live on television, insisted that his administration was not con-

sidering the devaluation of the national currency as a monetary policy option. He pointed out that based on past experiences, including when he was in government as Minister of Petroleum Resources, devaluation had never in real terms impacted positively on the economy. Citing the current whirlwinds in global oil market as a major challenge for the nation’s economy, President Buhari said despite the crisis, his administration was committed to fixing the decaying infrastructure in key sectors of power, roads and rail as a strategic step towards boosting economic activities and creating jobs. Continued on Page 5>>

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Sen. Gilbert Nnaji; Chief Sales Officer Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Godfrey Efeurhobo; Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Ajayi Boroffice; Regional Operations Director, North Region, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Wole Abu and Regional Head, Retail Showroom and Franchise, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Edero Daro-Idollo, during the inauguration of Airtel service outlet at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof Ademola Steven Tayo; Associate Professor, School of Education and Humanity, Rowland Nwosu; Busary official, Mrs Chioma Onyeonoro and Associate Vice President/Director, Spiritual Life, Pastor Tunde Ojewole, during a commendation service for the Institution’s Second Secretary, late Elder Phillip Ogunsaya, at the Pioneer Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

L-R: Artiste, Chocolate City Music, Victoria Kimani; President, Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori; CEO, Chocolate City Music, Jude Abaga (MI); Founder and Executive Chairman, EbonyLife Television (ELTV) Mo Abudu and Executive Director, ELTV, Lanre Olusola, at the Press Conference announcing “Chocolate City Unsigned” music reality show in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

L-R: Director, Executive Secretary Office, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Malam Aliyu Na’Iya; Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro; CISCO Regional Corporate Affairs Manager for Africa, Mr Alfie Hamid and CISCO Manager in Nigeria, Mr Imoh Akpan, during a meeting between TETFUND executive secretary and CISCO in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News

Army apprehends suspected Boko Haram member in Delta

middle-aged man suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect has been apprehended in Sapele, Delta State, by officers of the 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army. The suspect, Bukar Abacha, was arrested shortly after he arrived the popular Hausa quarters in Sapele. A senior army officer, who did not want his name mentioned, said yesterday that a member of the Arewa community gave the information to “Operation Pulo Shield.” The Borno State-born suspect was, thereafter, handed over to Army Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation, the senior officer said. The officer said the suspect was on the wanted list of the army He said that a sensitisation exercise tagged “show of force confidence building patrol” had been inaugurated. “The exercise is aimed at disarming all acts of crimi-

nalities such as, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and killing of innocent citizens in the area. “Before the arrest, com-

munity leaders informed us that the suspect was looking strange, psychologically imbalance and uncomfortable in their midst that called for his

doubt as one of them,” he said. The officer urged the people to give the army necessary intelligent information that would assist to effectively

stamp out crime in the society. He urged residents to report people with questionable character or strange movement of persons in their domains.

‘Tompolo will appear in court at appropriate time’

ormer Niger Delta warlord, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) will appear in court at the appropriate time, his media adviser and consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, has said. Bebenimibo, who said this in a signed statement issued yesterday in Warri, Delta State, said Tompolo’s lawyers were fine tuning ways for his appearance in court. He debunked rumour that Tompolo had acquired speed boats in preparation for war with the Federal Government, adding that the rumour was the handiwork of mischief makers. He also refuted claim that his boss bombed pipelines because he had a case with the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission, EFCC. Bebenimibo said: “Tompolo has stated in several occasions that he will appear in court at the appropriate time as his lawyers are working towards that. “He has no reason to bomb pipelines because of his case with the EFCC and he will never wage war against the Federal Government. “He has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential Amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and has kept faith with Nigeria. “He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally and he stands by that declaration.” Bebenimibo said the bombing of pipelines was po-

litically motivated. He alleged that some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the region carried out the act.

“Before the incident, Tompolo alerted the public that some aggrieved APC members in Bayelsa and Delta want to destroy national as-

It would be recalled that the army pasted lists of names, containing 100 wanted Boko Haram suspects in some strategic places in Sapele metropolis.

sets, especially oil pipelines in the Delta Niger as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa,” he said.

FAO warns Nigeria of possible Avian Influenza infection

ood and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, has warned Nigeria of a possible spread of Avian Influenza to its citizens if not contained as quickly as possible. Country Representation of FAO, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, issued the warning in Abuja yesterday, while donating containment equipment to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The stakes are now high; the possibility of the disease becoming endemic in Nigeria is real and this is of great con-

cern to us in FAO. “Not only will this have a profound consequence on the country’s poultry industry, but also to the rest of the West African sub-region. “So far, no human cases of bird flu has been have been reported in Nigeria. “However, I would like to note that if the disease becomes endemic in Nigeria, there is a possibility of human cases emerging. “I think this is an important message all of us in the poultry sector should take

note of,” she said. She noted that FAO, together with other development partners, would continue to support the federal and state governments in implementing control and containment measures against the disease. Setshwaelo said that since Jan. 2015, materials that FAO donated to the ministry coupled with the financial support for laboratory diagnosis, control of outbreaks as well as strengthening surveillance and early detection, amounted to $600,000.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Metuh gave me N77.5m for publicity, another witness tells court …finally out of prison custody after 13 days Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

witness brought by Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC, to testify in the ongoing trial of Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, paid him N77.5m for publicity. The witness, Yomi Ogunsanya, who is the Managing Director of CMC Connect Ltd, a public relations consultancy firm, testified that he was awarded the job after an exhibition he held before former president, Goodluck Jonathan in December, 2014. Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said he received N7.5m and N70m on December 1, and 15, 2014 respectively. Also testifying, Ibrahim Kabiru, a Bureau De Change operator told the court that he received $1m from Nneka Ararume, who is the Assets and Resource Management’s (ARM) portfolio manager for Metuh’s company, Destra Investments Limited. Kabiru, under cross examination by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, told the court that he was not aware of the foreign exchange limit by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Metuh is currently standing trial on a seven count charge of money laundering. Justice Okon Abang adjourned the case to February 4, 2016 for continuation of trial. EFCC had accused the PDP spokesman of receiving N400m from the former

National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The money, the antigraft agency claims was part of the $2.1bn meant for purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country. The prosecution has so far produced four witnesses, who had given their various testimonies against Metuh, detailing how huge sums of money were received and transferred to Destra Investment Limited, a company he own. The fourth witness, EnoMfon Effiong, who is the Account Officer to the five accounts maintained by Metuh and Destra Investments Limited at Diamond Bank, confirmed a document admitted in evidence, outlining the transaction details of an in-flow of N400m. While being examined by the prosecution counsel, Effiong admitted that on November 24, 2014, N400m entered Destra’s account with the bank. “The transaction recorded on November 24, 2014, is a credit into the account of Destra Investments Limited in the sum of N400m. “The narration: CBN/ CIFTS/NAT SEC ADVIS, in simple terms means that it is a credit from the office of the NSA,” she had said. The witness also admitted that shortly before the inflow of the N400m, the balance on the account was N6, 676, 576.6. Meanwhile, Metuh was yesterday released from the prison custody after fulfilling his bail conditions. He was released after 13 days in custody. Justice Abang had on Wednesday varied the bail conditions earlier granted

Again, Buhari rejects calls for Naira devaluation CONTINUED FROM Page 2

He explained that the implications of these initiatives for economic growth remained that when domestic productivity is enhanced and manufacturing industry can produce for global exports, the current pressure on the Naira would be mitigated and ensures its gradual stability. Justifying the current

monetary policy further, the President explained that in furtherance of his government resolve to ensure prudence in public finance and naira exchange stability, the Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy was introduced, adding that experiences on its implementation show that a lot of savings could be made to partly finance critical capital projects.

him on January 19. Metuh, through his counsel, Emeka Etiaba, had prayed the court to vary the bail conditions on ground that he was finding it difficult to meet them. In his ruling, Justice held that Metuh would

no longer be required to produce two sureties, who must have property strictly in the Maitama area of Abuja. He regained freedom after Justice Abang signed his release warrant, upon being satisfied with the verification of the details

of the two sureties provided by the accused and the title documents of the property owned by them. The verification exercise was done by the Chief Registrar of the court and it also involved the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, whom the judge

Scene of fire outbreak at Sawmill section of Ketu Ikosi Market, Lagos, yesterday.

directed must verify the residential addresses of the two sureties. A court official confirmed to newsmen that Metuh met the bail conditions and presented the necessary documents before the official close of work in court.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

PDP govs endorse Secondus removal as party chairman Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

he crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, continued yesterday as governors elected on its platform said they would abide by the court’s decision which favours a national chairman from the north east. Their position has brought to an end, a seven months reign of Prince Uche Secondus as acting chairman of the opposition party. The governors, after their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night called on Prince Secondus to hand over the party leadership to National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo. They also condemned the invasion of the party’s national secretariat by an aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, who is leading a faction of the party in the ongoing crisis Going by the governors’ position, Prince Secondus will revert to his original position as deputy national chairman. Addressing the press, Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State said

the forum resolved as follows: “The invasion of the party headquarters today (Wednesday) by Ahmed Ali Gulak, who reportedly assumed the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is regrettable and condemnable. “We take cognisance of the judgment by the court in Abuja, which ordered the acting chairman to vacate office for any other person

from the North-East zone of Nigeria. “Our party constitution has enough provisions for that and the necessary process has been put in motion. “The appropriate organs of the party will meet soonest to elect a national chairman of the party from the appropriate zone. “We congratulate our brothers and colleagues, Nyesom Wike and Dave

Umahi over today’s victory where the Supreme Court affirmed their election as the Governors of Rivers and Ebonyi states respectively. “In recognisance of the judgment the court gave, we call on the National Secretary to take over the leadership of the party immediately and that is in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.”

We won’t increase taxes to fund 2016 budget –FG Rotimi Fadeyi, Abuja

ederal Government yesterday said there would not be any increase in personal and corporate taxes in the country to fund the 2016 budget. Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting, which lasted for several hours, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma said government would concession the airports and enter into partnership with construction companies to fund the budget because of the shortfall from oil revenue. According to him, there

would be no cut in capital projects like power, railways and roads, which would bring development to the nation and provide employment. He stressed that government would not impose additional taxes on individuals and corporate bodies to avoid additional burden on Nigerians. “We expect about 20 per cent increase in VAT collection, which is conservative in terms of our revenue projections. We are expecting much more than that. Occasionally we try to be conservative. “With reference to the budget, one thing we are determined not to do is to cut any of those capital projects, because we

need them to stimulate the economy. “We are going to work with the National Assembly to see how we can get savings. One of the areas we are looking at is our cash call elements,” Udoma said. At the briefing, Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano, disclosed that Council approved forensic audit on the government Ministries, Agencies and Departments, MDAs, that generate money in dollars but remit in naira. According to him, 81 agencies were identified for forensic auditing, just as 18 core revenue generating agencies would be audited by KPMG, an international audit firm.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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Airline operators decry poor navigational equipment at airports …say only 20% flights operate since Monday Olusegun Koiki

L-R: Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Alhaji Bello Kankarofi; General Manager, National Arts Theatre, Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro, and Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Akin Adejuwon, during a meeting of the Minister with Heads of Parastatals under his Ministry, In Lagos, yesterday.

Francis Suberu

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday formerly hailed Supreme Court’s verdicts which confirmed the election of the Rivers State governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and that of his Ebonyi State counterpart, Chief Dave Umahi, saying the judgements are acts of God, meant to deliver his people from bondage. In a statement signed by the deputy publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, yesterday, PDP said the verdicts have rekindled people’s confidence in the nation’s judiciary as an independent

irlines under the auspices of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, have described the various navigational aids at the nation’s airports as poor and substandard. The operators specifically said they have only been able to carry out 20 per cent of flights in the past five days due to poor navigational equipment and not bad weather as claimed in some quarters. The operators also bemoaned that most of the runways are not marked, a situation, he said, has led to numerous avoidable

PDP hails Supreme Court ruling on Wike, Umahi body. The statement reads in part: “the Supreme Court rulings on River State and Ebonyi State gubernatorial elections have vindicated the PDP. We are a responsible party and will never be involved in electoral malpractices. The judgement is a welcome development as it indicates that our judiciary is truly independent. “We expect that this sort of fair and fearless judgement will continue

to reinforce the nation’s democracy. It is a known fact that for democracy to thrive, the judiciary, being the last hope of the common man must be unbiased, fair and accessible. We are happy the apex court has proven its critics wrong and exacted its independence.” The party expressed optimism that since the two states are now free from the clutches of electoral litigations, the affected governors would have

more latitude to focus on governance, so as to deliver dividends of democracy to their people. The Supreme Court had on Wednesday upheld the election of Wike as governor of Rivers State. Wikes who was the PDP candidate in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Rivers State, had approached the apex court after the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the state election petitions tribunal which had earlier nullified

his victory at the poll. Similarly, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Chief Umahi as the governor of Ebonyi State. The court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, dismissed the appeal filed the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Edward Nkwegu. The apex court however reserved full judgement on the matters till February 5, 2016.

FIRS restructures, 26 directors get new postings Tola Akinmutimi

xecutive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, has approved the transfer of 26 directorate cadre staff and the introduction of the state coordinator structure in the service. Under the new restructuring exercise, each of the 13 state coordinators will supervise operations in their areas of jurisdictions. While two directors were moved to the headquarters in Abuja and three others will coordinate affairs in the states,

...increases corporate taxpayers by 359,158 in 107 days

experienced deputy directors were transferred to the FIRS’ training school and centres across the country as part of efforts of the service to strengthen its knowledge transfer programme and expeditious development of the capacity of its workforce in the interim. A statement by the service’s Head, Communication and Servicom Department, Mr. Wahab Gbadamosi, yesterday indicated that the state structure is part of the new FIRS chairman’s vision of minimising the span of control, ensuring closer focus on corporate

taxpayers in all states of the federation and promoting stronger collaboration with State Boards of Internal Revenue, SBIR, to increase overall tax yield accruable to the three tiers of government. According to him, under a new campaign to widen the tax base, the FIRS registered additional 359,158 corporate taxpayers in 107 days, spanning October 13, 2015 to January 27 this year. The statement hinted that the FIRS chairman plans to add at least 500,000 new corporate taxpayers by the end of

the first quarter this year. It clarified: “Working with states under the Joint Tax Board, JTB, structure, the FIRS chairman plans to widen the tax base further by adding five million new individual taxpayers to the country-wide tax register, by December 2016. “In the recent postings, the director of FCT and North Central Region, Olufemi Faniyi, was posted to the Compliance Support Group, while Innocent Ohagwa, director, South South and South East Directorate Department is now acting state coordinator, Akwa Ibom,

Bayelsa and Cross River States. Gbolaga Oshiga, director, Lagos Mainland (East and West Directorate) Department is now acting state coordinator, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states. “Mohammed Magam, director, North West and North East Regions Directorate Department becomes the acting state coordinator, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states; while Olufunlola Adediran, director, Oil and Gas Department, Lagos, was transferred to the office of the coordinating director, Domestic Tax Group in Abuja.”

serious incidents on the runways. Speaking through its president, Capt. Nogie Meggison, the operators said while advanced aviation countries could operate under zero visibility, airlines in the country are cancelling flights as a result of harmattan haze. Meggison insisted that harmattan haze should not be blamed for flight delays, but that the blame should be placed on the inability to get accurate facilities to land or allow airplanes to take off at airports. He explained that while all the aircraft operating in the country have a minimum of Category 3 equipment for them to land even in a very bad weather, the Instrument Landing Systems, ILS, at the various airports would not allow them to land even at 2,000 metres. He said: “Navigational facilities at most of the airports are not working. It is very shameful that we close airports over 2000 weather minima whereas in Europe and other places, aircraft take-off in almost visibility conditions. The agencies are not giving us the services required or paid for by airlines. “Successful air navigation involves piloting an aircraft from place to place without getting lost, breaking the laws applying to aircraft, or endangering the safety of those on board or on the ground. “Air navigation differs from the navigation of surface craft in several ways: Aircraft travel at relatively high speeds, leaving less time to calculate their position on route. Aircraft normally cannot stop mid-air to ascertain their position at leisure. “Aircraft are safetylimited by the amount of fuel they can carry; a surface vehicle can usually get lost, run out of fuel, then simply await rescue. There is no in-flight rescue for most aircraft. Additionally, collisions with obstructions are usually fatal. “Therefore, constant awareness of position is critical for aircraft pilots.”

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Friday, January 29, 2016

BPP not aware of Lagos, Abuja CCTV contract, says MD

ureau of Public Procurement, BPP, yesterday said it was not aware of the award of the 470 milliondollar contract for the installation of Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras in Abuja and Lagos. Director-General of the bureau, Mr Emeka Eze, said this at the investigative hearing on the contract award for installation of CCTV cameras being conducted by the House of Representatives. “BPP does not recognise the existence of any award of contract for the installation of CCTV cameras in Lagos and Abuja by the Ministry of Police Affairs,’’ he said. Eze said the contract must have been awarded without a certification of “No Objection’’, which was only given by the BPP in cases where projects bordered on national security. In his testimony, the Managing Director, ZTE Nigeria, contractor of the project , Mr Hao Faqiang, said the company delivered the best video surveillance system to Nigeria.

He argued that any perception that the project was not working was unfounded, adding that Acceptance Certificate had been issued by the Federal Government. Faqiang said the project was used by the police and the presidential security on several occasions. “These include the inauguration event of President Goodluck Jonathan’s first term, the World Economic Forum held in Abuja and other events hosted at the Eagles Square, Abuja,’’ he added. Mr Ahmed Rufai, the former Managing Director of NigComSat, consultants of the project said there was no funding from the Federal Government to make the project operational. Rufai said the project reached a stage where the server was installed to power the cameras, but due to lack of funding from the Federal Government, ``the project is not operational’’. Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, pledged the commitment of the House to unravel and eliminate all defects in the contract controversy. “The House will ensure

that the intent which is to set up a secured communication channel for security agencies in the country is realised. The Speaker, who was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Alhassan Doguwa, said the House would not hesitate to hold acountable relevant actors for the expenditure of public funds where improprieties are detected. Ahmed Yerima, Chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the

contract award, said the CCTV cameras would have facilitated investigations into terrorism attacks in Abuja and other crimes in Lagos. “The purpose of the CCTV contract was to facilitate real time online communication between security agencies to enhance their capacities in fighting crime. “The failure to complete the National Public Security Communication System, NPSCS, has its attendant negative effect on the ca-

pacity of our security agencies to fight crimes as they ought to do. “The need to resolve the issue of the failed contract quickly and move forward will reposition the crime fighting capacity of our security agencies,’’ Yerima said. Also speaking, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, urged Nigerians to make sacrifices towards ending impunity in the country. “Whatever sacrifices that are required for us

to make to ensure that we get to the end of impunity in Nigeria, I think we must make it,’’ the minister added. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that on October 8, 2015, the House deliberated on a motion on the need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the award of the contract. The House also resolved to investigate the failure of the contractor, ZTE Corporation to complete the project.

Dogara woos investors to Nigeria Ubong Ukpong Abuja

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday asked foreign investors to come and invest in Nigeria, saying the present administration was clearing out hurdles raised by corruption, which had previously discouraged some countries from doing business in the country. A press release issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, stated that the speaker also urged the government of Poland to take advantage of the ongoing diversification of Nigeria’s economy to invest in fast growing sectors such as energy, solid minerals, tourism and agriculture. The speaker said this yesterday, when he received the only black legislator in the Polish parliament, a Nigerian, John Abraham Godson, who led some members of the Polish/African

forum to his office. He said there was a new government in Nigeria, that is emphasising due process and fighting corruption, so the implication of that is that the cost of doing business in Nigeria would definitely go down as the country combats the hydra headed monster of corruption. “I want to enjoin you, as you follow your discussion with the Polish business community, that you look into those areas like agriculture, solid minerals which abounds in Nigeria here, energy as well and then the issue of tourism. We hold in our borders, vast resort for tourism,” he said. Earlier, Rep. John Abraham Godson, informed the speaker that the Polish/Africa Forum’s main goal was to promote partnership with Nigeria. He therefore sought partnership with the National Assembly to put modalities in place that will promote investment between the two countries.

L-R: Group Chief Strategy Officer, Dangote Industries Ltd, Abdu Mukhtar; Lead Pastor, Elevation Church, Pastor Godman Akinlabi; Associate Pastor, Elevation Church, Pastor Bola Akinlabi; Chairman, First Bank, Ibukun Awosika and, CEO, Economist Associate, Ayo Teriba, during the Vantage forum 3rd edition for 2016 Business Outlook in Lagos yesterday.

Nigeria loses 248,000 lives to TB yearly

Marcus Fatunmole Abuja Not less than 248,000 lives were lost to tuberculosis in Nigeria in 2014, the data presented to journalists in Abuja by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, NTBLCP, in association with USAID, revealed yesterday. In the same year, there were estimated 570,000 tuberculosis cases in the country out of which, 100,000 people were infected with HIV, the figures showed. Tuberculosis is otherwise known as TB. TB, which ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide, put Nigeria in 4th position among countries with highest incidence of the disease globally, trailing India, Indonesia and

China. The country leads in TB burden in Africa. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by a type of bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (commonly referred to as TB bacilli) TB, a leading cause of death among persons living with HIV, it is spread mainly through the air when people breathe in air containing TB germs which are released into the air by TB patients. The disease only develops when such germs become active and destroy the carrier’s immune system. TB is treatable and curable, and there should be no cause for alarm among patients, experts urged yesterday at a capacity building programme for journalists in TB control

where the data were released. Speaking at the event, Country Director, Royal Dutch Tuberculosis Foundation, Dr Gidado Mustapha, said many Nigerians refuse to come out for testing for the disease, which he said makes the condition often become great concerns to the nation and other stakeholders. He listed symptoms of the disease to include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood (Haemoptysis), adding that there may be other symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, night sweats, and tiredness. He explained that it takes 20 months to treat tuberculosis. TB patients are given injection for the first eight months daily, while they proceed on

oral drugs for the remaining months, he stated. He added that treatment for the disease is free, nationwide, while toll-free lines are available for people to call for assistance. The numbers are 0800-2255282 and 0800 call CTB. In his remarks, an official of the NTBLCP, Dr. Gabriel Akang, said; “there are over 6,000 health facilities (tertiary, secondary, primary, private and faith based) across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria providing TB services.” The disease is spread in the air when people who are sick with pulmonary TB expel the germ, for example by coughing. However, the probability of developing TB is much higher among people infected with HIV, he argued.

South West

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NLC calls for reconstitution of PPPRA board

he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Thursday called for the reconstitution of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, board to set a proper template for petroleum price. NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made the call in Lagos at a stakeholders meeting organised by the congress on fuel subsidy and petrol pricing. Wabba said that the reconstitution of the board was long overdue and that by law, the NLC was a strategic stakeholder, which should contribute to decision making in the area of template for petrol price fixing. He said that although government had the responsibility through the PPPRA law to fix prices as was done in other parts of the world, he said the price should be controlled due to its security importance and could not be left in the hands of market forces. The NLC boss said it is time to assist the

government in checking its policies, alleging that some of the policies were being imposed by those he described as ``powerful nations’’ in their interest. Wabba said the stakeholders meeting was aimed at evolving measures on how to intervene in petroleum price regulation as crude oil price continued to slide. He said some countries now depended on renewable energy to drive vehicles and other machinery and advised government to refine crude oil locally, to be able to attend to the needs of its economy. He urged the participants to share information and look at perspectives that could be used to advocate for the cause of workers for the interest of Nigerians. In his remark, Mr Peters Adeyemi, the NLC Deputy President, also urged participants to generate new strategies that would help address national issues, especially petroleum pricing.

Ooni launches free health scheme, township transport services BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

n fulfillment of his promises to improve social amenities he met in the ancient town, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, yesterday unveiled a free health scheme for the people of the town. The traditional ruler, who announced free treatment of ailments for the people of the ancient town, also commissioned interstate transport services for people travelling from Ile-Ife to other parts of the country. The monarch while commissioning the coastal buses in Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, urged Nigerians to patronise locally made products. He told his subjects to make good use of the free health care services, stressing that development cannot thrive in a town where people are not healthy. According to him, the present economic downturn facing the country

would be reduced, if citizens start patronising products and goods produced locally. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Olofin Micro Finance Bank, Mr. Toyin Olufolahan, explained that the buses cost N8 million each. He said the bank decided to partner with the monarch in his bid to bring about economic transformation in IleIfe, adding that the buses would be assessed by cooperative societies and pay in installment over two years.

L-R: Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli; Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Mr Saheed AkinadeFijabi and representative of Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr Ubale Shehu, during Awareness and Sensitisation Workshop on Electro-Magnectic Fields Exposure and Health for South-West and North Central Region in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Olubadan chieftaincy tussle: Court adjourns suit till Feb 16

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he legal tussle for the Olubadan stool was yesterday shifted to February 16 as an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, adjourned the matter brought by Chief Adebayo Oyediji from the Seriki line of Olubadan against the Olubada-InCouncil, seeking to restrain the kingmakers from installing the Olubadan-designate, High Chief Saliu Adetunji. The struggle for the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland came following the demise on January 19, 2016 of Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1. Oyediji, in the suit is claiming to be the next qualified candidate for the Olubadan stool from the Seriki line, while also seeking a restraining order against the elevation of any of the High Chiefs in the Olubadan and Balogun lines.

Other reliefs being sought includes an amendment to reflect the earlier order of the court made by Justice M.O. Ishola in 2008, where he sought a declaration that “by the provision of the consent judgment delivered by the High Court in suit No. I/313/88, it is the turn of the claimants to produce the next Olubadan of Ibadan on both the Olubadan line and the Balogun line”. He also sought the order of the court “setting aside the purported appointments made by the 1st defendant (late Oba Odulana) to fill vacancies existing in the chieftaincy titles of Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Otun Olubadan and Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan since the 21st of November, 2008 up till the last appointment he made on the 1st of January, 2016”. Similarly, Oyediji sought an order, “setting aside the purported ap-

proval granted by the Oyo State Governor on the 5th of January, 2016 or thereabout to the appointments made by the 1st defendant on the 1st of January, 2016 to fill vacancies existing in the chieftaincy titles”. It will be recalled that a court had on November 21, 2008, granted the application of the Seriki line, saying “the interlocutory injunction succeeds. The four interlocutory injunctions prayed for are hereby granted”. But before the plaintiff ’s counsel could move the motion before the state Chief Judge, Justice Mukthar Abimbola yesterday, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. Michael Lana, informed the court that he has just took over the matter and would need some time to study the application and respond to it. He also told the court that some of the parties in the matter had died and so there would be need for

some regularisation and substitution of the parties before the substance of the matter could be heard. Adeniran however, opposed Lana’s application for adjournment, saying he had served the defendants with his motion eight days earlier. However, Justice Abimbola, said he could not hear Adeniran on the ground of fair hearing, saying, “you know I cannot hear you if they have not reacted. That is fair hearing”. He then asked the two counsel to agree on a date, but immediately Lana suggested a date in March, Adeniran openly objected, adding that the March date was suggested for ulterior motive as it was too long. Both counsel later agreed on February 16, 2016 for the Olubadan-InCouncil to react to the application, as well as regularise the issue of parties to the suit.

Traffic enforcement: Lagos residents want LASTMA to be more stern FRANCIS SUBERU

rivers and traders in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State have called on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, to be more strict in application and enforcement of state traffic rules, even

as they lament the rate at which some residents violate traffic law in the area. This came to the fore yesterday, during a stakeholders’ meeting between LASTMA officials and residents of Lekki/Ajah in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state. The meeting tagged; “Resolving Traffic Challenges in Lekki/Ajah

Axis” was meant to facilitate interaction between LASTMA officials and other stakeholders including transport operators, CDA executives, religious bodies, market men and women and the general public. While making his contribution at the meeting, the Babaloja of Ajah Ultra-Mordern Market, Mr. Fowowe Eshinlokun

told the gathering that the market does not recognise roadside traders or those hawking on the express; urging LASTMA to arrest them. According to him, roadside traders are impacting negatively on the environment and diverting sales from the main market; encouraging LASTMA and other relevant government agen-

cies to pursue and prosecute them. He said as the Babaloja of Ajah market, he had on several occasions appealed the roadside traders to leave the road and come into the main market, saying the ultramodern market was built by the Lagos State Government for the benefit of all but that they have refused to yield.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, January 29, 2016

Minister to empower APCON to fight indecent political advertisement DAVID AUDU

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has pledged his ministry’s support for the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, to fight the menace of indecent political advertisements in Nigeria. The minister made the pledge when he visited the council in Lagos yesterday. He said exposing the public to insulting and indecent advertisements poses serious dangers to the unity of the country, hence the need to equip the regulatory body with manpower and technological knowhow to monitor and effectively regulate the industry. The minister specifically recalled how prior to the 2015 general elections political advertisements in both electronics and print media nearly tore the foundation and unity of Nigeria. Said he: “In the run up to the last general elections, I am sure you all saw a lot of advertisements that were capable of tearing this country apart; there were adverts that insulted ethnic and religious extremities; there were adverts that were offensive to the people; documentaries were aired that did much to disunite this country, and that cannot continue. “Anybody who watched the 2015 campaign will tell you that adverts in the print, radio and television were used to further deepen the political divides within Nigeria, and people were crying at that time. What is APCON doing?” He said government would not turn a blind eye to jingles that could create discord among Nigerians. “We must not forget for one minute that when we turn a blind eye to offensive adverts, jingles, we might think it is going to help our political fortunes but it might end up destroying the entire country. So, we must be very careful in using our powers. We should be conscious that these powers are held in trust for

the people,” he said. The minister who described APCON as a catalyst in the advertising profession, said the agency is functioning as both a regulator and an institution of marketing communications, and therefore disclosed that a new board would soon be constituted. He however pointed out that the new board would be carefully selected to enable capable hands lead the professional body. He said while he is not unaware of the various handicaps the agency is struggling with, he promised that this government would first demonstrate the political will to fight offensive and indecent advertisement, and that APCON would get better technology to vet, monitor the airwaves and do the job of regulation. Earlier in his welcome speech, the registrar of APCON, Alhaji Bello Kankarofi, had intimated the minister with the enormous responsibility the agency had to contend with to get the job of regulation done. These he said ranges from inadequate budgetary allocation, manpower shortage and lack of equipment to monitor the Nigerian airwave. He said the job of monitoring over 6,000 channels across 18 states in Nigeria requires a digital equipment estimated at a cost of N350 million, and therefore called on the minister to help buy it.

L-R: Publishing Director, Learn Africa Plc, Mr. Gbola Aiyedun; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Jacob Olusegun Oladipo and Director, Dept. of Curriculum Services, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, at the inauguration of Learn Africa Plc, Abeokuta Office in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.

Manslaughter: Appeal Court reserves judgement in Ibinabo’s case WALE IGBINTADE

ourt of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday reserved judgement in the appeal filed by star actress and former beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, challenging the judgement of a Lagos High Court which sentenced her to five years imprisonment for the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraj. The embattled actress was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi for reckless driving which caused the death of Dr. Suraj in an auto accident along LekkiEpe expressway, Lagos. The deceased was a staff

of one of Lagos State hospitals. At the hearing of the appeal yesterday, the appellate court presided over by Justice U.I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu (Mrs.) reserved judgenment in the appeal after counsel adopted their written addresses. The court also directed that the appellant (Fiberesima) who was not in court, to appear in court when judgement is to be delivered, adding that the date wiould be communicated to the parties concerned. Fiberesima had earlier been awarded a N100,000 fine by an Igbosere Magistrate Court, but the then Lagos State Attorney-Gen-

eral and Commissioner for Justice, Supo Sasore (SAN), felt unsatisfied with the judgement. This prompted the state government to take its case to the Lagos High Court. At the high court, Justice Oluwayemi set aside the option of fine imposed by the magistrate court and sentenced Fiberesima to five years imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving. In her judgment, Justice Oluwayemi held that the trial magistrate exercised judicial recklessness when he gave the convict an option of fine. The court held that the option of N100,000

Lagos blames substandard appliances for frequent fire outbreak FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State government has blamed frequent incidents of fire outbreaks in the metropolis on substandard electrical appliances, saying it would now beam its searchlight on the quality of electrical appliances brought into the state. The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, said preliminary investiga-

tion by his office and the state fire service director, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, revealed that the installation of substandard electrical appliances in most cases triggers fire outbreaks. Oladejo added that all hands should be on deck to forestall future occurrences, urging residents to be more vigilant and look out for only quality electrical appliances in the market as well as ensure that they patronise only qualified electricians to install same in their homes. He also urged Electric-

ity Generation, Gencos, and Distribution Companies, Discos, to look into the power voltage made available to customers to prevent power surge resulting from high voltage which could cause fire outbreak. According to him, the state government would continue do everything within the confines of the law to ensure that lives and property of its citizens are secured. “The government is not in any way comfortable with the number of fire incidents that have occurred in the last few

months and therefore government will not look the other way while this increase in fire disasters continues,” he said. Oladejo urged residents to observe fire safety measures in their homes and ensure that appliances not in use are turned off to reduce the probability of fire outbreak. “People should be more proactive to make sure that they switch off electrical appliances when they are going to bed and when leaving their offices. This will go a long way in reducing, if not totally eliminating

fine given to the convict did not serve the purpose of justice in the matter and subsequently ordered that the money returned to Fiberesima. The court noted that the trial magistrate must have misdirected himself based on the allocutus made by the counsel to the convict that she is a working mother. Justice Oluwayemi held that Sections 28 of the Traffic Law on which the accused person was convicted does not give an option of fine, stressing that when a term of imprisonment is mandatory the court cannot and should not give an option of fine.

the incidence of fire outbreaks in the state which has unfortunately led to loss of lives and property in recent time,” he said. The commissioner pointed out that the state government has decided to embark on aggressive public enlightenment campaign across the metropolis to sensitise residents on fire safety measures in order to forestall future occurrences. “Fire outbreaks in our homes, markets and offices are totally unacceptable and we must do something about it,” he said.

South East

Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

he National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, yesterday donated eight flying boats to riverine local government areas in Anambra State to facilitate movement of health workers and materials during this year’s Measles Vaccination Campaign, MVC, which was flagged off by the state governor, Dr. Willie Obiano.

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MVC: NPHCDA donates engine boats to Anambra communities

...as the state records 319 measles cases This is coming as the Anambra State Ministry of Health also announced that Anambra State has recorded 319 measles cases from January to September 2015, but stated that the state cannot afford to be behind the global plan

to eliminate measles by the year 2020. While making the presentation of the flying boats yesterday at Amaokpala Primary Health Care Centre in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the

Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Dr. Ngozi Nwosu, announced that two of the engine boats will each be given to Anambra West, Ogbaru and Anambra East council areas while one each will be given to Ayamelum and Awka

North Council areas respectively to improve the routine immunisation coverage and health status of the children in those hard-to-reach areas. Nwosu emphasised that the routine immunisation remains the only sustainable method of ensuring that our children do not get deformed or die from tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and other diseases while thanking the governor for various support towards immunisation and other primary health care programmes in the state.

Responding, Obiano, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, however, commended the NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF and other UN partners in Nigeria for their continued support in healthcare delivery services in the state and assured that the Anambra State Government will not relent in playing its own parts. He noted that his administration has invested so much in rehabilitation of the general hospitals in the state and has also formed the primary health care agency.

NAFDAC seals cosmetics factory in Enugu

O L-R: Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Ogbu Nwobodo; former President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Rob Anwatu, and ECCIMA’S President-Elect, Rev. Uguchukwu Chime, during ECCIMA’S Preinauguration meeting in Enugu yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Tax evasion: Anambra seals banks, hotels, schools

nambra State Government on Thursday sealed-off no fewer than 35 buildings in the industrial town of Nnewi over the refusal of the owners to pay property rate of over N150 million. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the buildings include commercial banks, hotels, business plazas, filling

stations, hospitals, residential homes as well as primary and secondary schools. Mrs Chinenye Okafor, the Head, Human Resources and Administration, Anambra Property and Land Use Charge, APLUC, explained that the closure followed various court judgments obtained against the tax evaders.

Okafor said the affected buildings owed the state government a total sum of N150, 455, 814.59 She added that the agency, in 2014 and 2015, carried out similar enforcement in Awka and Onitsha on 125 buildings, noting that more buildings would be sealed-off as soon as judgments were obtained. “We are advising prop-

erty owners in the state, particularly in Onitsha, Awka, Ogidi and Nkpor, to go and pay their property rates or face the wrath of the law. “We had discussion with some of them and they had promised to pay since November 2014, but up till now, we have not seen any positive response from them.

fficials of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have sealed KelvChem Cosmetics Industry in Enugu for not registering with the agency. State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Ikechukwu Okoye, made the disclosure on Thursday while briefing newsmen in Enugu. He said when the enforcement team from the agency visited the site of the company at Abakpa Nike, it discovered that the products manufactured by the company were fake. He added that the company produces body cream, hair shampoo,

hair cream, hair conditioners and other hair treatment products and label them made in England or USA. Okoye said that after sealing the company, NAFDAC would report to the police and the agency’s enforcement team to arrest Mr Kelvin Eze, the owner of the company. “All we solicit is prompt information from the public to enable us stop the activities of these economic saboteurs,’’ he said. He urged the public to check NAFDAC registration number, production, expiry date and the address of where the products were produced before buying them.

Bonga Oil spill compensation: NOSDRA dragged to court over sharing formula Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has directed that all court processes filed in a suit instituted against the National oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, by a musician Dr. Tee Mac Iseli Omatshola be served on all the defendants. Joined as co-defendants in the suit are; the Federal Ministry of Environment, an oil magnate, Mr Peter Dunia, an environmentalist, Mr Francis Amoma

Monday, and a limited liability company, Gbutse Property Limited. The court made the order consequent upon an application filed by Tee Mac counsel, Barrister Dada Awosika. In an affidavit sworn to by Tee Mac, he averred that on December 20, 2011, an oil spill occurred at Bonga Oil Field under the control of Shell Nigerian Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, resulting in over 40,000 barrels of crude oil spilling into the marine environment and causing serious damage to the envi-

ronment. The spill according to him covered about 185 kilometres along the coast line of Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Brass, Warri South West, and Burutu areas of Delta and Bayelsa states, destroying aquatic lives as fishermen were forced to desert the sea with farmlands, vegetation and the environment contaminated. The plaintiff further averred that on December 22, 2011, one of the defendants, Peter Dunia called him that some of the community leaders affected by the spillage wanted him to

represent their interest in a bid to follow due process in seeking redress for the devastation occasioned by the spillage. Plaintiff added that he accepted the request to represent the communities and organised press conferences and engaged the services of experts and enlisted the services of the Norwegian Government. Plaintiff said he hired the services of a law firm, GMO Legal as consultant while a petition was sent to House of Representative as well as NOSDRA and Federal Ministry of Environment for im-

mediate action to be taken. The claimant said it was agreed that compensation that would be paid to the affected communities shall be 60 percent to the communities and 40 percent as commissions, Attorneys, consultants and to repay all funds raised by him for the exercise Mac averred that in order to forestall acrimony, himself, Dunia, Monday and Gbutse Property agreed to a new sharing formulae of the commission payable to the agents as follows, himself 25 percent, Dunia 30 percent, Anoma 20 percent,

legal fee 20 percent, and the rest for other smaller coordinator. Claimant said in spite of the agreement, the other parties refused to execute any document to that effect, but rather, have been deploying means to skim him out of the commission payable. Consequently, Mac is urging the court to declare that it is against the spirit of natural justice, equity and good conscience for the defendants to edged him out or sidetrack him from the commission payable in regards to the proposed compensation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, January 29, 2016

Buhari reaffirms commitment to clean-up Ogoniland

resident Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for

the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta damaged by crude oil spillage. The President’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement issued in Abuja,

said President Buhari affirmed this during his visit to the UN’s office in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday. President Buhari urged the UN to give more support to his administration’s efforts to

clean up the region. “When I came into office on May 29, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme,

Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji (left), presenting an award to the Guest Lecturer, Mr Kofi Bartels, at the Training on Military-Media Relations on Internal Security Operations in the Niger Delta, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Police rescue 3 abducted oil workers in Edo

hree oil workers reportedly abducted on Tuesday, have been rescued unhurt by operatives of the Edo State police command. Commissioner of Police, Mr.Chris Ezike, made the disclosure yesterday in Benin when he received the management team of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the team was in his office to thank and appreciate the police for the prompt rescue of their staff. The oil workers were reportedly kidnapped along the old Benin-Lagos road, around Oluku in Edo State while on their way to Lagos. The police boss assured the management team

from NPDC of adequate security to enhance the operations of the company in the state. NPDC managing director, Alhaji Abubakar MaiBornu, thanked the police for the prompt rescue of the workers. “I am here to thank you and your team for the effort made towards the successful rescue of our colleagues.

“We saw them at the hospital; thank God they are hale and hearty,” he said.

UNEP, for the clean-up of Ogoniland. “The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons many people in that region lost faith in government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today. “The action our government took to implement the UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead. “Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region,’’ he said. The President applauded the outcome of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, held

Army parleys media on internal security Dennis Naku,

internal security operations in the Niger Delta region.

igerian Army yesterday appealed for collaboration and support of the media in its

Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, made the call in Port Harcourt on

our collective patrimonies out of the state. I can assure you that we will prudently manage the financial resources of the state.” On the upsurge of crime and criminality in the state, the governor said: “Insecurity is not specific to any state. It is on record that we are the only state government that has given 64 operational vehicles fitted with modern communication gadgets to the police and security agencies to fight crime and criminality. “We will soon embark on town hall meetings with all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, elders,

chiefs and the youths to explore ways to nip the worrisome increase in cultism in the bud. “We are aware of our responsibility as a government, but leaders in the communities should also intervene because they know these young men who are terrorising people,” he said. He explained that mechanised agriculture is an agenda that his government intends to implement to create jobs for unemployed youths as well as diversify the source of income for the state and Rivers State people.

Port Harcourt

Court verdict: It’s new dawn in Rivers –Wike Dennis Naku,

Port Harcourt

he victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court on Wednesday is the manifestation of a new dawn for Rivers State as well as an end to financial recklessness and impunity. This is as he said politics is over, pointing out that it is time to attend to the needs of the people and move the state to greater heights. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, who spoke for

the governor, at a news conference, in Port Harcourt yesterday stated that Wike’s victory would rekindle the trust the electorate reposed on him at the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election. “This victory which is a victory for Rivers people and the rule of law will imbue me with the determination to move the state forward through the implementation of my social contract with Rivers people. “The time for campaigns is over; the elections are over; litigations over electoral matter are also over. Politics is over. This is the time to attend to the needs

of the people that have entrusted us with their mandate. We must not disappoint them,” Wike said. The governor who accused former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of frittering away about three trillion Naira in the about eight years he held sway as governor, lamented that “the previous government wasted N60 billion on the Monorail Project which it abandoned after it was clear that the project was a white elephant.” Governor Wike added: “We can tolerate incompetence, but we will not condone people ferreting away

in Paris in December 2015. President Buhari also said with half of the world’s population now living in cities, world leaders must give greater attention to the challenges of rapid urbanisation. According to him, the Africa Urban Agenda would culminate in a major conference of African Ministers of Housing where numerous issues would be discussed. In her remarks, the resident coordinator of UN office, Ms. SahleWork Zewde, said the election of President Buhari in a free and fair election last year, demonstrates the commitment of Nigerians to democracy as a system of government. She described Nigeria as a ``crucial member of the UN, a vital partner and a major contributor to UN peace-keeping operations.’’ The statement noted that before leaving the UN office, President Buhari undertook the symbolic planting of a tree, a tradition reserved for all visiting Heads of State and Government.

the sideline of a training workshop titled, ‘Army/ Media Relations on Niger Delta Security.’ The workshop organised by the army drew participants and discussants from the media, civil society organisations and the army. Olabanji said the workshop seeks to expose personnel on the importance of the media, and the need to carry journalist along in its fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region. He said: “This training is organised by the Army Headquarters to improve skills and intellectual ability of our officers to enable them perform their constitutional responsibility. “We chose to train our officers, particularly because of the problems we have observed in our past relationship with the media in our operations.

North

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Glo collaborates with 15 banks to launch new recharge code

n order to enhance subscribers’ experience on its network, the next generation network, Globacom, has partnered with 15 leading banks to launch a unified short code for customers to purchase Glo airtime at anytime from banks in the partnership. According to Globacom, the unified USSD short code *805# would give subscribers who have accounts with any of the 15 partnering banks a seamless opportunity to top up their airtime with money from their bank accounts at any time of the day, whether locally or while roaming. “The unified short code is designed to make life easier for our esteemed subscribers as it is simple and easy to remember,” said Globacom. The partnering banks include First Bank, Ecobank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, UBA, Union Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sterling Bank and IBTC Bank. Others are FCMB, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Skye Bank, Unity Bank and Jaiz Bank. The network explained

that it entered into partnership with the banks in the country to enable Globacom customers purchase airtime without any stress, assuring its customers of “more innovations that would enhance their experience on our network.” The statement enjoined subscribers to register their Glo lines with any of the partnering banks to enjoy the facility free. It added that the process of registering Glo lines with the banks is easy, adding that all a subscriber needs do is to have his phone provisioned by his bank for airtime quick recharge service which can be done by dialing *805# and thereafter following the prompt by selecting preferred bank and the amount of airtime for immediate processing. The new recharge code is sequel to the recent successful launch of Glo Xchange (Super-Agent Network) designed to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion initiative and cashless policy.

Team Leader, Plateau State Tour of Senior Officers Course 38, Curriculum Development and Doctrine, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Commodore Nnamdi Muogilim (left) and the Gbong Gbom Jos, Dr. Jacob Gyang-Buba, during a courtesy visit on the Gbong Gbom at his Palace in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Chibok suicide bombers targeted Commanding Officer —Army Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

edia coordinator, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Mustapha Anka, yesterday finally opened up and revealed that the two female suicide bombers who detonated their improvise explosive devices, IEDs, in a market square in Chibok on Wednesday were actually

targeting the commanding officer in charge of Chibok and surrounding areas (name withheld). Chibok is predominantly a Christian community located south and about 140 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which has suffered series of deadly attacks by terrorists, including the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls who are yet to be rescued.

Speaking during an interview with newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment, the Army spokesman said the suicide bombers disguised as women backing babies when they were approaching the officer, but detonated the explosives before they could reach the commanding officer. “The commanding officer and another officer sustained injuries and are

currently receiving treatment. A number of people lost their lives and several others sustained varying degrees of injury,” Col. Anka said Although he could not confirm the total number of casualties, reports from Chibok said the death toll has risen to 20 while some of the injured persons are recuperating at various undisclosed hospitals.

Army to handover liberated communities to police, others —Commander

igerian Army is in the process of handing over communities liberated from Boko Haram insurgents in the North East to the police and other paramilitary organisations for restoration of civil authority. Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, made this known yesterday in Maiduguri while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting. He said the objective is to allow the military concentrate on other more challenging operational issues. “The current phase of our operation is very significant as it has to do with continuous reevaluation, resettlement of displaced persons as well as their rehabilitation. “However it is not

easy to say that the military phase (of the war) is over. “In this regard, we are in the process of handing over the liberated areas to the Nigeria police, NSCDC and other security agencies for their routine duties. “This is to facilitate the resumption of civil administration and also relieve the military to enable it concentrate on other more challenging operational issues,’’ he said. The commander said the meeting was called to evolve community policing to ensure lasting peace in the liberated communities after the withdrawal of the military. “I will like to mention that I assumed command at the theatre headquarters a few weeks ago. “I deem it necessary

Arase, IGP

for us to meet and rub minds as stakeholders in the security architecture of Borno State in particular and the North East in general,” Umaru said. He added that the meeting was also called to create a partnership between the military and other stakeholders on ways of ending the Boko Haram insurgency. He said: “I will like us to discuss areas of partnership in the ongoing

efforts to end the menace of Boko Haram insurgency. “Collectively, we have various complementary roles to play in this regard. “We need to involve the communities in the security of the state and effectively police their environment. “We need to evolve mechanism through which communities can protect critical infrastructure in their areas. “There is also the need for regular interaction to address security challenges within the various communities.” The commander noted with satisfaction, the efforts of the youth vigilante popularly known as Civilian JTF, stressing that this group of young men has made tremendous sacrifices and supported troops and the

society in fighting the insurgency and should be supported and encouraged. He said there is the need for relevant security agencies to interface with communities to identify, prioritise and solve contemporary security challenges, such as crime, fear of crime, social and physical disorder to prevent overall neighborhood decay with a view to improving the quality of life of the people. Also contributing, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aminci Baraya, said the issue of intelligence and information sharing is vital in the war against insurgency and called on all stakeholders to share information to effectively fight crime and insurgency. Likewise, the state

coordinator of the Civilian JTF, Abba Aji Kalli, called on all security agencies to promptly react to information reaching them in order to bring to an end the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, adding that they are solemnly behind the security agencies until Boko Haram is stamped out of the state and the country at large. He specifically hinted the gathering that a day to the meeting, his men were able to apprehend a Boko Haram member at an undisclosed house belonging to a highlyplaced woman politician, adding that after interrogation, the suspect was identified as the one who assisted and trained terrorists on how to make anti-aircrafts guns and other deadly weapons in their enclaves in the Sambisa forest.

Friday, January 29, 2016

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Politics

$2.1bn arms deal: Jonathan must speak out now —Adebanjo Chief Ayo Adebanjo is a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba Socio-political group , Afenifere. In this interview with EBERE NDUKWU he speaks on issues of national importance. Excerpt:

Some are saying the fight against corruption is selective, do you share that view? So far it appears so. The All Progressives Congress, APC argument is that they are starting from somewhere and I say if you are starting from somewhere why don’t you jail three from A and three from B? By concentrating on one so far, you give the unfortunate information that you are partisan, you should fight against corruption without partiality and without violating the rule of law which is the last hope of the common man. How will you react to the way Chief Olisa Metuh was brought to court in handcuff? That’s part of the autocratic nature of the President. Our law says everybody is innocent until he is contrarily proved, he is still a suspect no matter how heavy the suspicion and should be so treated. Has he shown any evidence of violence? They only want to disgrace him to show that they are in power, something like ‘you have been criticizing us, now we have caught you’. They are trampling on his fundamental human right. They should first find him guilty because they can’t be the accuser, prosecutor and the judge. Don’t you think it is about time that former President Goodluck Jonathan speaks about all these? I think so, though I’m not in a position to know why he hasn’t said anything. May be they haven’t even asked him or he’s choosing a time to speak because the bulk of the allegations is still on his table. I think he should speak now to clear the air. I’m not the security men so I don’t know what passed on between him and Sambo Dasuki. What I’m saying is that he will be able to say yes or no; this or that was what happened. I think this is not a situation where silence is golden, he has to speak. Some statesmen from the South West, Chief Olu Falae and Senator Rashidi Ladoja are being fingered in the arms fund’s scam that is being probed by the EFCC. What can you say on that? That is rubbish! You see, this is why I wouldn’t want Buhari to mutilate the whole thing; They are mixing up political collaboration with corruption. We collaborated with him (Buhari) in 2007, our party then, DPA and he gave us aso-oke for the campaign, did we asked him where he got the money for the aso-oke ? We collaborated with him because we considered him the best among the candidates, because of the purity of his character. It was not that we agree with his policy but then we had no alternative candidate. There were three candidates then, but we judged him as the cleanest and purest that can fight corruption, so we supported him and campaigned for him. Should I be asking him this cloth you bought for us where did you get the money from? These people were in collaboration which was not the

Adebanjo

I’m not in a position to know why he hasn’t said anything. May be they haven’t even asked him or he’s choosing a time to speak because the bulk of the allegations is still on his table.

I think

he should speak now to clear the air.

first time, even in the First Republic the Action Group collaborated with NPC. Even now, APC is a collaboration of several parties. Is Buhari saying the contribution of Tinubu is the same with his contribution? Or is it the same with what Amaechi’s contributed? Did he ask them where they brought the money from? Whether they stole the money from their government or not, is another matter. We shouldn’t use a genuine cause to blackmail people. The noise about Falae, Ladoja and Yakassai are blackmail. You see, by the time one begins to defend that, you now make it appear that you are on vendetta. How can you equate the problem of somebody who had a deal with you on party levels with somebody who got money from Dasuki directly? Some PDP members are saying the ongoing investi-

gation into the arms fund looting is a way by APC to decimate the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Do you share their views? Let them go with a legitimate cause and if the legitimate cause leads to decimating the PDP well, the law takes its course. But you see, Buhari must devoid himself of all dictatorial tendencies. He has a lot to do to prove that, because to many of us, he’s a dictator. His records proved he is a dictator, he has a background of conservatism and he has a military training. He’s only a converted democrat, when he wanted to contest the last election. So, he has to go a long journey to convince people that he’s really a converted democrat. But by disregarding court order, that doesn’t prove him to be a converted man. More so, in his inaugural address, he swore that he will obey the rule of law, go and read it. By disobeying court order, is that an obedience to rule of law? That’s just my point. You see, we all want this country to be purified, to destroy corruption and he is in good position to do it, but the moment he begins to do it in a way that makes him look partisan, it’s unfortunate. I’m a lawyer and a fanatical believer in the rule of law. Though the rule of law might have its own defect, democracy also might have its own defect, but we either accept the rule of law and democracy in all entireties or not. It is a principle that says that it is better for 10 accused persons to go free than an innocent man subjugated to punishment. You see, if Buhari knows how many of us believe that he could cure this country he will know that we are the people who truly love him but we don’t want him to do it at the expense of the constitution of the land. You earlier said that it was not our colonial masters that caused the problem we are in now. What do you mean? Were they here after independence? Were they the people who changed the constitution to what we have now. It was the army that caused the problem, there is no doubt about that. It was the army that unified the country again after the independence and the only solution to that problem is the national conference report. The constitution we are having now is a fraudulent document because it says ‘we the people of the Federal Republic’. Did we make the constitution? It was the army that made it, we didn’t make it. And you said Federal Republic, are we federal? It was Chief Rotimi Williams who first said it before he died that our constitution is a fraudulent document. It is the Confab that rectified what are missing in the constitution and that’s why people like us that fought for it are insisting that we should go back to the basic. The entire problem we have, the Boko Haram, the agitation for Biafra, are all sprouting up as a result of the defect. The military people are now talking about the community police, which was one of the recommendations of the Confab and that was what we said before, when we talked of regionalization of police. Many of you don’t understand when we are talking of the Confab and I will go back to it, the provisions there gave the liberty and solve many problems. Take for instance, the question on security, if you accept the Confab recommendation and you decentralize the police to the regions, they will be able to take care of their security. There is no where federal system of government is practiced where CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Politics

Friday, January 29, 2016

Ambode’s performance’ll help APC sweep Lagos LG polls —Asiwaju Forum Francis Suberu

he Asiwaju Forum, a youth wing of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos State has expressed optimism that the party will edge out every opposition by the time elections are conducted in council areas across the state. Speaking during the group’s courtesy visit to Mr. Babatunde Raheem Larry, an APC chairman-

ship aspirant in Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area LCDA, the forum’s coordinator, Mr. Seyi Bamigbade noted that it will be difficult for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to win even a councillorship seat in Lagos State considering the impressive performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode since assuming office on May 29, 2015. Bamigbade said his members have begun serious consultations and sen-

sitisation programmes in Coker- Aguda and other council areas where PDP eased out APC in the last year’s general elections to ensure that the areas are taking back by APC. “We are confident that APC will retake every ward and units won by PDP in the last election. We have commenced intensive consultation at the grassroots level to correct the mistakes of the past so that we do not leave any stone unturned.

“From our findings so far, Lagosians are highly pleased with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and we are sure that his performance will positively influence votes in APC’s favour during the council polls;” Bamigbade said. The group encouraged Lagosians to always come out enmasse to vote and ensure their votes count during elections; saying credible election is the hallmark of fledgling democracy.

Borno State Governor, Kashim shettima, signing the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill into law. With him are; the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa (2nd right); the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan (left), and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kaka Lawan, at the Government House in Maiduguri on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

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INEC fixes Feb. 20 for supplementary elections in Taraba Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

ndependent National Election Commission, INEC has announced February 20 this year 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 who announced the date at a stakeholders’ meeting in Jalingo said election will hold in Kurmi/Gashaka /Sardauna Federal Constituency as well as Ardo Kola and Mbamga state constituencies. According to the commission, 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 will vote in the supplementary elections. Umar who said the commission has commenced preparations for the elections informed that only the commission’s staff and Corps Members will be used for the election. State APC chairman, Alhaji Ardo Jika urged the commission to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, saying the commission must appear to be an umpire for all and not for a

particular political party. Commissioner of Police in Taraba state, Shaba Alkali told the stakeholders that he will make adequate security arrangement for the smooth conduct of the election and warn politicians and their supporters to play the game by the rules or face prosecution. He warned that anyone caught in act capable of disturbing the smooth conduct of the process before, during and after the election will be arrested and prosecuted. National Mirror 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. DanAsabe 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.

Lagos APC backs Ambode’s war against cultism Ayo Rsan

he All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos has thrown its weight behind the state government’s battle against cultism. In a statement by its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, the party urged Lagosians to distance themselves from dangerous gangs and cult activities that constitute impediments to peace in the society. The statement reads: “The present state government is determined to take drastic actions against cultism and gangsterism in all nooks and crannies of the state. Primitive acts like gang wars and cultism distort the normal lives of law abiding citizens and constitute dangerous nuisance that are not at sync with the

new Lagos that has become a modern mega city where citizens and indeed all Nigerians are to engage in lawful, productive activities unhindered and unmolested. “The party said the present government is determined to root out gangs and cultists warning their members and intending members to desist from such dark activities or face the wrath of the law. “It is strange that in the present situation where we should all be coordinating efforts to advance the ends of development and progress in the state and the country in general, some people find succour in patronising dangerous gangs and secret cults with a mission to constitute unnecessary risks and impediments to others. “We see this as not only strange, but queer and

borne out of the most primitive feeling of insecurity borne out of failure. Most confounding is that these gangs and cult groups, serving primordial interests have sworn to target the lives, properties and activities of law abiding citizens for destruction. “This is unacceptable to the state as it is unacceptable to the tenets of freedom and equality which modern societies operate on. “It is our belief that no group of people has the right to take lives of other citizens or inflict harm on others or damage others’ properties or restrict others’ movement in the name of cultism or gangsterism. “It is also our belief that no group can run a parallel government in a bid to promote dark and hideous interests so it is time all manners of cultism and

gangsterism are forcefully suppressed before the situation gets of hand. “It is our belief that no responsible government will watch unconcerned as gangsters and cultists liberalise lawlessness and unruliness and this is why we laud the Ambode government in this present bid to rid Lagos of cultists. “We see the rising incidences of gang clashes in Lagos as dangerous, if allowed to continue, and we believe the present state government is poised to deal with this nuisance. We see the embrace of gangsterism and cultism as a cowardly admittance of failure and we are of the firm belief that Lagosians should shun this evil vice as it bodes I’ll for both the practitioners and the victims.” The party said that no re-

Ambode sponsible government will fold its hands while some law breakers abridge the lives and rights of others in a free society. “So, we firmly support the determination of the Akinwumi Ambode administration to tackle violent gang wars and cultism with all seriousness involved,” the party said. The APC also urged parents and guardians to keep

a tab on the movement of their children and wards to guard against further erosion of the family value. It said: “We therefore warn parents and guardians to monitor the lives and activities of their children and wards as well as those of their family members. We urge Lagosians to be watchful and report any person that belongs to cults and dangerous gangs to security agencies to ensure prompt actions. “We urge the good people of Lagos to report incidences that constitute risks and dangers to their normal activities and lives to security agencies who have been mandated by the state government to track down cultists and gangsters to ensure the state is rid of this menace and made safe for all Lagosians.”

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Politics

Friday, January 29, 2016

‘$2.1bn arms deal: Jonathan must speak out now’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 you have a unified police. What will be your rating of Akinwunmi Ambode’s government in Lagos so far? Many of them said they are just starting, let us not be in hurry to judge them, you know it is an APC government, slow-slow and steady. You see these two parties, the PDP and the APC I don’t believe in them because I know all of them, the PDP was scattered about four years ago, there’s no ideology binding them ditto APC. What is the ideology that is binding the different parties in APC? What do they all believe in to come together? You see, when we talk about them, people thought that we are just being critical, they don’t agree on any programme and that was evident of what happened in the Senate the moment they won the election and till toady what is happening? A disciplined political party would have agreed before the election that if we win, this is what is going to be your take, who will be what. The moment you win you go to action. A party that is proactive, that has vision, before contesting election they must have a manifesto, if we win this is what you are going to become. It is not after you have won. You supposed to have set up a committee on what you are going to do in every sector. But there is the saying that slow and steady wins the race? You see slow and steady wins the race doesn’t come in with Buhari, since when has he been fighting to be the President? It’s not a matter of just being critical of him but a matter of examining what is on the floor. All the while he said he wants to be president he must have known what is wrong with the running of the country and must have planned what to do. He should have told himself I’m not going to run it the way Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan ran it, this is my plan. The electorate sent Jonathan away believing he has a plan, so all along he wanted to rule he has no plans of what he wanted to rule about? . Many Nigerians placed so much hope in the personality of the President, should he disappoint where do you see this nation? I’m happy you said a lot of people put a lot of hope on him, some people who see my criticism don’t examine why I’m criticizing. There is every reason to put a lot of hope on Buhari from his own lifestyle but from the world go, if you remember, I said he can’t do it with the people around him. I’m not just saying it now, a tree does not make a forest, he wants to clean corruption, we will see what the end will be, if he will be thorough in the fight. Those who put confidence in him will be disappointed because he alone can’t do it. Left to Buhari, the type of character that he has, a lot of people around him who move near him, many of them wouldn’t move near him but his hands are tied to accommodate them because it was through those questionable characters that he got into office. For example, you said PDP ruled for 16 years and they spoil many things but 50 per cent of the people in APC only left the PDP three years ago to join you and they were the people who made it possible for you to win. So, I can say APC is PDP part two. Do you think Nigerians decided well by voting out Jonathan? The fact that he promised to implement confab report made me gave him my support. Why? Because the implementation of the Confab report goes to the root of our problem in Nigeria, corruption, good government, everything has been solved there. But the other man said that he doesn’t have anything to do with it and what does that imply? He is still ruling under this constitution which makes our President the most powerful president in the whole world. The president here is a maximum ruler and the content of the constitution that we are being ruled now, I was making this point the other day and somebody said that I was talking about the Northerners, no. It’s the unfairness to other part that is there. Under this present constitution, the military created more local governments in the North than in the South with no basis, it’s on record. For instance, Lagos and Kano are equal in popula-

Adebanjo tion, they created another state from Kano, Jigawa and the two have about 74 local government areas and Lagos is still 20 local government areas. What’s the irony, you can say does it matter, they are just local governments. But that constitution now says, we are going to divide the revenue of the country on the number of local governments we have and you want people to fold their hands and still carry on like that. And I said, one of the reasons why it will be difficult, except Buhari summons up courage to implement the Confab report is that this situation has been rectified, if it is implemented, it will affect people of the North because they are the beneficiary of the awkwardness of the constitution. We have created parity and creating parity is to the disadvantage of those who are enjoying the advantages of the inequality in the constitution now, who are mostly in the North. So, when I talk about all these things about Buhari, there are no personal grudge against him at all. I’m only talking about reality and that’s why I say I want him to prove me wrong. Despite that, the things favour his people, as somebody who want to be fair, if he has the courage to rectify all that, I’ll support him. If today Buhari adopts that Confab report, he’s my candidate. . What’s the way forward now?

We are the only ones that are sincere about the unity of this country, we the Afenifere people. That’s why we are agitating for the autonomy of the regions where devolution of power to every region to develop at its own pace as typical of a heterogeneous community is entrenched. Where there are differences in language, culture and religion, the constitution must be federal and we can develop in peace. We are agitating that because we don’t want the country to break, we were not consulted when the colonialists amalgamated us in 1914 but we have seen the advantage of being together, there are lots of advantages there but we can’t be together at the expense of all that. The unity we have now is the unity of the horse and the rider, where a section of the country is the rider and we are the horse. So all that we agitated about at the Confab is equality where everybody will be at peace with the union. The composition of the Confab can never ever be assembled again, for quality, number, cosmopolitan nature, all section of the society were there, over 450 people were there. All political parties, religions, the youths, trade unions were all there and we were able to pass 600 resolutions unanimously, that’s the confab I’m talking about. Where and when can you get that one done again in this country? And I still put the challenge even to those people in National Assembly who have still stubbornly continue to want to amend the constitution, if not because they want to rake money what is wrong with the Confab report that they don’t want to implement it, that they want to do their own? Let them point it out, the Confab report is always there. My contention is, if there is anything in the confab that is not good, remove it and don’t waste money to start amending the constitution. It is out of lack of patriotism, insincerity and political jobbery for the National Assembly to continue to amend the constitution. Our constitution does not need an amendment; it needs a surgical operation which was done at Confab. The people who are now trying to amend the constitution are part of the problem we saw at the Confab because the National Assembly is not what it should be in the constitution. Till today do you know how much they earn? We cut that down at the confab and that is why they do not want to implement it. In fact, we attempted to make what they receive a sitting allowance but didn’t get through. They should make legislature less attractive for those who want to serve, those were the things we reached at the Confab and those are the things they will never accept. The corruption we are talking about is because there is so much money in the centre, if you reduce the allocation to the centre, take it to the regions, local governments, there will be devolution of powers. Take for instance, what is agriculture doing with the Federal Government? Where is the land of the Federal Government? Those things are basic things that we should be looking at. I wonder why people are insincere about the problem of the country.

Lawmaker condemns ruling on Wike’s election Robert Awokuse

member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Lagos Mainland, Hon Olajide Jimoh has condemned the country’s judicial system following its perceived compromise of the rule of law which is coming on the heels of the recent judgement of the River state election and the swearing-in of the Kogi State governor, Mr Yahaya Bello. Jimoh said this while speaking on the Supreme Court judgement which upheld the election of the River State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike following a resolve that the use of the card reader is not an electoral act and not in the constitution, the election which had earlier been annulled by the Tribunal and the Appeal court on the basis of massive rigging and the

Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah sworning- in the Governor of Kogi State , Mr Yahaya Bello without his deputy, Mr Abiodun Faleke. Jimoh lambasted the judiciary for such anomalies and travesty of justice, which according to him were alien to the country’s constitution, hence must urgently be addressed. “What is happening is alien to the constitution. Something must be done. Faleke has a good chance. I stand to be challenged by anybody. In the next few months, Faleke will be sworn- in as the governor because this is a clear chance. How can a governor be sworn- in without his deputy. This is mind-blogging”, he said “Even on the ruling of Rivers state election, I think the judgment is confusing, because what that ruling is telling us is that anything done that is not in the electoral act or in the consti-

tution can never be applied by INEC. That is what it means,” he stated. The lawmaker said the Supreme Court was sending a bad signal to not only Nigerians and INEC for initiating the card reader measure which was widely commended, but also the international community who trusted the use of the card. “What the Supreme Court is telling us is that even the card reader, which everybody and international community applauded is being rendered useless. That is what it is simply saying. So next time if election is being conducted and some group of persons just manipulated their way and voted without a card reader it means those votes will be counted. It is very unfortunate that there is no other place the case can be taken outside the Supreme Court,” he concluded.

Editorial

Friday, January 29, 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

Tales of two drug addicts T he stories told lately by one Kehinde Olatubosun (56); and Dada Ajayi (48) of how self-inflicted drug addiction ruined their lives is pathetic. Their predicaments should serve as a veritable lesson for potential victims of hard drugs. Olatubosun and Ajayi were among the drug addicts arrested recently by a Rapid Response Squad (RSS) team that traced a stolen phone to a joint in Ipodo, Ikeja, Lagos. Olatubosun, an ‘executive beggar’ deported from Germany, said he made over N300,000 or more monthly from begging in Ikeja. “I was in possession of drugs when I was arrested in Germany, so they deported me. I have four children. Two are in Germany with my wife. One is in Texas in the United States and another in Nigeria. Unfortunately, all the money I make from this begging goes into drugs”, he confessed to his police captors. Ajayi’s story: “… Drugs have been the cause of my stagnation in life… I have lived the better part of my life consuming drugs. As I speak with you, the remains of my wife are in Ikeja mortuary. She was taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. I was asked to bring N150,000 for surgery but I did not have N50,000 on me then. She died in the process. Right now, I have lost my family because of my drug addiction. I do not

know where to start my life again. I cannot stop going to that drug joint because it is the only place where I get consolation...”. However, it may well be crocodile tears they were shedding. Despite repeated warnings by experts on the huge heath and socio-economic hazards that go with the use of hard drugs, reports in recent years point to a steady rise in drug abuse, especially among Nigerian youths, nationwide. Youths in their countless numbers, from both wealthy and wretched homes, are neck deep into it. The most commonly abused drugs include Indian hemp, methamphetamine, intoxicating syrups and tablets with codeine, etc. They are there for the asking in notorious nooks and crannies of virtually every city and village in the country. Research has established that hard drug addiction leads to complicated health problems, like damages to the central nervous system, brain, liver, respiratory organs and even unborn babies. It destroys the immune system, erodes mental health leading to such conditions as loss of coordination, distorted sense of time, vision and hearing, redness of the eyes, poor performance in school occasioned by impaired memory and a higher risk of heart attack, among several others. On the socio-psychological plane, most drug

YOUTHS IN THEIR

COUNTLESS NUMBERS, FROM BOTH WEALTHY

AND WRETCHED HOMES, ARE NECK DEEP INTO IT addicts are linked with all kinds of criminal acts, suicides, accidents and violence, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, psychoses, outrageous desires, withdrawal syndrome, illusion, hallucination and premature death. Economically, drug addiction messes up the finances of victims at the individual level; as well as unleashes grave costs on corporate organisations and nations at large. While it may be difficult quantifying in naira and kobo what Nigeria loses on daily basis, weekly, monthly or annually to drug abuse, it spends heavily year-in-year-out to manage the consequences of the plague through huge costs of law enforcement and incarceration, lost time in the workplace, rehabilitation facilities and treatment of victims, managing road safety and traffic, including accidents and crash victims. Elsewhere, in the United States, problems arising from excessive alcohol drinking alone cost employers between $10.7 million and $2.7 billion every year in accumulated sick pay, lost productivity, accidents, and the

ON THIS DAY

. January 29, 1985 Final recording session of the song and charity single, ‘We are the world’ by the group, ‘USA for Africa’, took place. The song was written by the late Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie; and sold in excess of 20 million copies. The considerable profits from the enterprise went to the USA for Africa Foundation, which used them for the relief of famine and diseases in Africa, specifically the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

January 29, 2009 Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, was convicted of several corruption charges, including the alleged solicitation of personal benefit in exchange for an appointment to the United States Senate as a replacement for the then US President-Elect, Barack Obama. A Democrat, Blagojevich, in March 2012, began serving a 14-year sentence in a federal prison following his conviction for corruption and soliciting of bribes.

consequences of bad workplace decision, according to recent reports. Following the April 2015 execution of four Nigerians for trafficking in hard drugs by the Indonesian government; and protests by the Federal Government to the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, the envoy had diplomatically defended the harsh penalty meted out to the Nigerians. He said the reality of drug trafficking in Indonesia was that about 4.5 million of that country’s citizens, especially youths, were affected by narcotics; and that only about 1.8 million of them had benefitted from rehabilitation. Purwanto revealed, in addition, that between 33 and 50 victims of drugs die in Indonesia every month. Though there are government institutions, NDLEA, NAFDAC and the police, for example, meant to discourage hard drugs’ trade, counterfeiting and bring drug felons to justice, these agencies have not succeeded in radically curbing the upswing in the abuse intoxicants in the country. Therefore, the government, communities, families and parents need to work in synergy to quickly arrest the drift with the right policies, public enlightenment, moral instruction and counselling; confinement and punishment when necessary; as well as rehabilitation and treat-

x January 29, 2013 SCAT Airlines Flight 760, a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kokshetau to Almaty, Kazakhstan, crashed near Kyzyltu, killing all 16 passengers and five crew members on board. The Bombardier CRJ200 airliner operating the flight was on final approach to Almaty International Airport in thick fog when it crashed five kilometres (3.1 mi) short of the runway near the village of Kyzyltu at 13:13 local time.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Toward the annihilation of Boko Haram Counter-terrorism Tips With

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

he Boko Haram-induced violence against the Nigerian state since 2009 has currently become a predominantly geopolitical theme in the world. Winning the battle against the sect in the long run will involve a battle of ideas and intelligence. Right from onset, the emphasis has been only a battle of arms. The battle of ideas is all about enthronement of effective democracy, without which the disillusioned in the polity could be transformed into willing murderers ready to kill for no just cause. The battle of arms, in this context, is the exchange of fire on battle grounds, while the battle of intelligence is about the willingness to deploy diplomacy to end the violence. Now, which of the three measures are we applying to defeat Boko Haram? Applying all instruments of national power and influence to kill or capture members of Boko Haram has been the goal of our law enforcement workforce for the larger part of the battle of arms strategy. On the other hand, the battle of ideas would have helped our law enforcement agencies define the strategic intent

of winning this battle long ago had this war been one of purely battle of ideas. Nigeria’s intelligence and security agencies should have led expansive national efforts in the pursuit of at least twopronged approaches such as a psychological defeat first and the creation of a global environment inhospitable for the sect and all who support them. Our long term solution should have been the advancement of freedom and human dignity through the institution of effective democracy. To wage the battle of ideas effectively, we must recognize what does and what does not give rise to the sect. Boko Haram threat is not the inevitable by-product of poverty as many assume. Many of the September 11, 2001 hijackers in the USA were from middle-class backgrounds; and many terrorist leaders, like Osama bin Laden, came from privileged upbringings. What about Omar Faruok (first Nigerian associated with terrorism) caught by passengers in an air craft on a trip from Amsterdam en-route US? He is from a very wealthy family. Therefore, poverty is not by any means the inevitable catalyst of terrorism. The Boko Haram network targeted Nigerians and chose the states with more empty spaces as safe havens long before it was realised. Indeed, the sect is emboldened more by perceptions of weakness than by demonstrations of resolve. BH lures recruits by telling them that they are decadent, easily intimidated, and will retreat if attacked. That is a

OUR LONG TERM SOLUTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ADVANCEMENT OF FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY THROUGH EFFECTIVE DEMOCRACY brain-washing strategy. They forgot that indiscriminate bombing in our streets may have effects of uniting and hardening the entire nation against them and their sponsors. Usually, certain reasons are responsible for the original cause of Boko Haram threats, which our system was supposed to look into from the onset. They may include recruitment from populations with no voice in government and no legitimate way to promote change in their own communities. Without a stake in the existing order, they are vulnerable to manipulation by those who advocate a perverse political vision based on violence and destruction. Although, they claim hatred for western education, but the guns and other weapons they use are all imported. How can you be against a belief or persons, but depend on their products? The original members of BH belonged to ECOMOG group, boys used by Borno State politicians to sabotage, inject fear and alarmism on their political opponents. Unfortunately, when these politicians won elections, they abandon the

thugs. Naturally, these abandoned boys saw such treatment as acts of injustice. Till date innocent citizens are suffering the unconscionable deeds of the privileged politicians, who are moving freely in our societies today. They have forgotten that terrorists’ rhetoric keeps wounds associated with the past, a potent motivation for revenge and terrorism. The Boko Haram ideology ultimately depends upon the appeal that glorifies the deliberate killing of innocent citizens. Islam has been twisted and made to serve an evil end like in other times and places religions had been similarly abused. In considering the long term approach to the whole thing, one may ask what constitutes a long term approach? A long term approach, in this context, means an end to the entire violence. Effective democracy resolves the confusion in circulated information about the defeat of the sect at a time attacks still go on. At the same time, it helps diminish the underlying conditions BH seeks to exploit. In place of alienation, democracy offers ownership stake in society, and a chance to shape one’s own future. In place of festering grievances, democracy offers the rule of law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the habits of advancing interests through diplomacy. In place of a culture of conspiracy and misinformation, democracy offers freedom of speech and a marketplace of ideas which can expose and discredit falsehoods and dishonest propaganda.

Non-maleficence: An archaic principle of medical ethics VICTOR IFEDAYOADEKEYE

he medical practice plays an important role in the development and refinement of human environment, which explains why there are laid down ethical principles that govern and control the conduct of medical practitioners in their interactions and dealings with patients. One of these ethical principles is non-maleficence. In general terms, non-maleficence is the obligation not to do harm to others, as well as removing potential harm and preventing the risk of harm. The incorporation of this principle into medical ethics obligates medical practitioners to exercise care in the treatment of their patients so as not to cause harm to them or other persons. Karen Strohm Kitchener, an expert in ethics, defines harm as engaging in activities that have a high probability of hurting others; infringing upon the right of others, and intentionally inflicting physical or psychological pain on others. It is only safe to say that harm is whatever is detrimental to other persons. The principle of non-maleficence has taken its solid foundation in medical ethics, but despite this firm stand, I am of the opinion that it should be removed from medical ethics. Modern medicine has undergone and is still undergoing tremendous transformation and developments. These developments include new

ALL MEDICAL TREATMENTS, TESTS AND DECISIONS ARE ROOTED ON RISK researches and procedures that have led to the invention of advanced drugs. At the invention of these drugs, they are bound to be tested on patients; at this stage, there is a potential risk of harm in administering such drugs on patients. If the ethical principle of non-maleficence is to be followed, then the medical practitioner will not administer such treatment; and thus new age treatment will not be invented. This obviously will lead to low or no development in medicine, as well as the loss of life to sickness and diseases. All medical treatments, tests and decisions are rooted on risk. A patient who is to undergo surgery has the risk of dying, or of permanent scar or deformity. A patient under treatment also stands the risk of not recuperating. However, with nonmaleficence admonishing the avoidance of harm and thus saying if there is any slight risk of harm the medical practitioner is to deter from administering such medical procedure, the question to be asked now is, how then are medical practitioners expected to treat patient when they are duty bound to deter from treatment if there is the slightest existence of risk involved in doing so? Another lacuna in the ethical principle

of non-maleficence that leads to the conclusion that it is impracticable to uphold the ethical principle of non-maleficence in medical practice is the relativity of the word “harm”. There are many types of harm and they range from the physical to the emotional and right down to the psychological; it could be the deprivation of property as well as violation of the rights of the patient. Let me paint you a scenario. A surgeon will inflict a particular amount of pain on a patient just to prevent his/her death. This surgeon has obviously broken an aspect of maleficence (harm) to uphold another - saving the life of the patient. Non-maleficence conflicts with other principles of medical ethics. Medical professionals under the non- maleficence duty are obligated to prevent harm or the risk of it in the treatment of their patients. In the same vein, patient autonomy allows patients the right to choose medical treatment to be administered on them. The question that arises is what happens when patients choose a medical procedure which is likely to cause harm to them? Will non-maleficence or patient autonomy take precedence? I will answer for patient autonomy due to its constitutional backing, therefore rendering ineffective and less-potent the non-maleficence principle. In Nigeria, medical practitioners are sometimes belaboured with frustrating and illiterate patients, who will not sub-

mit themselves to treatment; some will even fail to complete prescribed treatment/drugs given to them by the medical practitioner. Due to this, medical practitioners are forced to exaggerate the negative effect of their ailment so that they can comply with their medication regime, a development that is likely to cause them emotional fear/harm. In my opinion, I think the non-maleficence ethical obligation placed on medical practitioners by medical ethics is impracticable in modern medicine as tests and new procedures that are being developed to battle new ailments and these tests that accompany them have potential risks. If medical practitioners are to strictly follow the non-maleficence principle, these newly developed pills/treatment will not be used/tested on patients, thus leaving the society and individuals with a large number of health challenges. Let me reiterate my position: The non-maleficence principle is archaic and should be expunged from medical ethics due to its impracticability. 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.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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Abeokuta, show me your state capital

A Let DPR hunt down the fuel sharks

here is no gainsaying the fact that Premium Motor Spirit (popularly called petrol) is as important in our daily lives as the air we breathe and water we drink. Any change in its price, therefore, virtually alters the prices of all other commodities and services available in Nigeria. Even the market women selling garri, plantain, iced fish and okro will inflate the prices of these commodities because they must transfer the added cost of transportation to the final consumers. The same is true of commuter drivers. The administration of General Muhammadu Buhari, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has on several occasions, using the mass media of communication, informed Nigerians that the price of petrol has become N86.50 in all other filling stations and N86 in NNPC filling stations, but many marketers are still selling between N100 and N130 per litre in the far flung parts of the country. Many of these marketers have openly stated that they have not bought the product at the government approved price hence it will be unprofitable for them to sell it at the government approved price. What is surprising in this development is that if you go to many filling stations, they will display N86.50 on their pumps but when you ask to confirm before placing your order, you will be surprised that the real price is different from what the meter displays. In view of this, I ask what is the role of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)? Which agency of the government other than the DPR regulates these independent marketers? Are Nigerians being told that out of the thousands of customers that patronise these fuel stations, there are no relatives of DPR officials to serve as whistle blowers? Or, have we accepted the development as the usual way Nigerians stoically accept harsh conditions? How can these independent marketers be defrauding Nigerians in broad daylight and nothing is being done about it? Austin Agbonlahor, Benin City, Edo State.

Letters to the Editor

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 crisscrossing 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 Abeoku-

Water vendors fetching water for sale at a public pump on Gudum road, as water scarcity bites harder in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Rape on Benue State University students

he unbecoming activities of the authorities at Benue State University, Makurdi, should be looked into by the concerned bodies – the state government, federal ministry of education, EFCC, ICPC etc. How can somebody who cheats tell the other persons to stop cheating? Due to the pervasive unemployment situation in Nigeria, the Federal Government thought it wise to introduce Entrepreneurship as a course in the nation’s university system so that students would be trained on how to be self reliance after graduating from university. The Federal Government, from available records, has provided enough funds to kick start the programme and sustain it in order to achieve the purpose that necessitated its establishment.

ermit me to use your widely read medium to air my views on the incessant disruption of water supply by Lagos State Water Corporation. While admitting the herculean task of satisfying the water needs of millions of Lagosians, I feel it is appropriate for the state Water Corporation to give notice to the people when it becomes imperative that water supply be disrupted. I praise the people-friendly policies and programmes of the Akin-

However, the authorities of Benue State University, who did not disclose this aspect to students, have imposed a mandatory fee of N2, 000 per student as registration fee. Is that not cheating? Is that not corruption? Is that not a crime? Since the introduction of this entrepreneurship into our universities, students at Benue State University have being paying for the course, while other tertiary institutions like Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Kogi State University, Nasarawa State University, etc, charge no such fees. Like Benue State University, if there is any other institution in the country collecting registration fees from students before they are allowed to register for entrepreneurship study, such in-

stitutions are engaging in corrupt practices. The management of such universities should be probed and if found guilty be sanctioned. The authorities of Benue State University are always warning students not to cheat during examinations, but here they are cheating their students in the entrepreneurship programme that is supposed to be free. What an unwholesome conduct. I am using this medium to call on the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Msugh Moses Kembe to as a matter of urgency and necessity put a stop to this obnoxious policy. He should also fine tune a way of compensating the victim students. Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja piusawunah@ ymail.com (08179289948)

Lagos water consumers deserve better deal wunmi Ambode administration. In particular, I doff my hat for the administration’s creative management of the mass movement of Lagosians, using very new, clean and comfortable buses at affordable cost. However, a lot needed to be done to improve the performance of the Water Corporation. Withholding water supply for days could be very unsettling, but doing so for more

than a week like happened last November is surely not the best for the teeming population of the state. In this month of January such disruption has occurred. Next to food is water, so it behooves on political leaders to take proactive measures to ensure steady supply of this all important life saver. Eko o ni baje o! Grace Dickson, Suru Lere, Lagos.

ta. 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 moder n structures. We now have the Ibara, Sapon, Itoku and IyanaMortuary flyovers. There is the inter national-standard six-lane Ibara-Totoro Road. We have the 10-lane boulevard between Enu-gada and Itoku; the moder n 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 fur niture 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

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.

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

Nigerian artists petition Buhari over attacks

shameful that art and creativity is threatened by extinction and decries the level of brutal force unleashed on civil cases by government officials who ought to be protecting democratic structures. He lamented the highly militarized invasion and destruction of artists’ village. “To me, democracy means a humane approach to governance. Relate with other people as human beings and not as rodents, that you can do away with. At the moment I am not apportioning blames. I am addressing what happened on Saturday. This I hope will lead to enquiry as to who did what? Who gave the order? Who brought arms? The police, army? Who authorised the police? This time, we don’t want to hear about the usual Oga at the top? We must get down to the nitty, gritty,” Soyinka said. Another art stakeholder who wrote in one of the online media warned that “Let it be on record before the battle begins, that the DG (Kabiru Yusuf) of the National Arts Theatre has become a complete nuisance to the Artists community. And since he is a representative of the Federal Government, his recent action further tells us that this

present government is bent on completely destroying the arts and creative expressions”. “I, like many others began our careers in this village, this is very sad news because we still got our memories imbued in those demolished edifices, and the destruction of that space may lead to trauma and a creative discontent which the state is not willing to go into with its creative citizens. “This madness is becoming a norm, and as you know, when some shy lucks are given power, they misuse it and become tyrants to the society. This is the case of the DG of the national theatre. He has called for a battle and he will get it beyond his wildest imagination. Art is a profession and not a hobby I insist. Artists should be respected just as other professionals I insist. It’s time to speak truth directly to power.”

WEEKEND STARTERS

Nollywood stars in Abuja for GUTS

any Nollywood actors and on-air personalities will today, (Friday) storm Abuja to kick-start this year’s Goodwill Ultimate Talent Show, GUTS. Host of the show Tchidi Chikere disclosed that Zack Oji, Francis Odega, Oge Okoye and Amanda Ibeye would arrive Abuja today for presentation to the media. Founder of the NGO for the Elderly and the Poor and promoter of the Goodwill Ultimate Show, Hajiya Abibat Abubakar said the occasion would be used as a platform to present the star prize, a Toyota Corolla 2014 model aside other prizes.

Olga Matuszewska at Goethe Institut

lga Matuszewska was born in Warsaw and studied cultural sciences at University of Warsaw, film sciences at Free University in Berlin and documentary filmmaking at Wajda film school in Warsaw. Her films deal with modernist architecture, a style she is defining as being of change and emancipation. In the talk, today at Goethe Institut Lagos, she will present her current project in Nigeria where she focuses on the origins of afro-caribbean cultures and modernist architecture in Nigeria.

Inside FCT

Lai Mohammed visited the scene of the demolition and denied the allegation that he was responsible for the orders that warranted the destruction of the artists’ village. He said he only ordered for the demolition of shanties and illegal structures within the premises of the National Art Theatre. Segun Adefila reacting to the destruction of the artists’ village lamented that “while idle youths who have found engagement in crime roam the city almost unchecked, the Artists Village (the only artistically functional part of the National Theatre- a gigantic edifice with no soul) is under invasion. “Many young artists who have found a creative outlet for their youthful energy shall be violently uprooted from this space. Their properties destroyed, savings stolen and all of them rendered idle. These artists shall soon begin to envy their contemporaries, who have taken to crime by wrecking-havoc on a sleeping society. Shame, a big shame”. In a briefing in Lagos, with Nigerian award winning poet Odia Ofeimun, the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka said it was

P. 22. 27

Some art pieces at the demolition site

Critics

A protesting artist

P.20. 21

igerian artists have concluded plans to send a delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari to officially protest the incessant harassment of their members noticeable in recent times in the country. For some of the artists, it smacks of ‘war’ against the arts following the alleged order from the Federal Government represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Director General of the National Arts Theatre, Kabiru Yusuf to pull down the Artists’ Village, located within the National Arts Theatre premises. For them, perhaps, there is a universal war on arts and creativity globally with the condemnation to death of a poet in Saudi Arabia and the imprisonment of another poet in Egypt. Nigerian artists have had their own share with first, the arrest and incarceration of an artist Jelili Atiku who was released after several outcries from stakeholders. The artists’ village, a creative hub and the only functional art space in the National Art Theatre was destroyed with brutal force with reports that some of the artists present who tried to resist the demolition where shot and grossly assaulted. This happened few days after the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed visited the national edifice. This penchant abuse of power was executed by the Nigerian police allegedly led by a DPO who was said to have shot sporadically into the air to scare off protesters. Art stakeholders have unilaterally condemned this action while it was said the management of National Art Theatre pointed out that the artists’ village has become a den of criminals with illicit activities going on at the place.

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Arty News

Isiguzo Destiny

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Friday , January 29, 2016

Flavour

Art Man

VOL. 4 No. 827

Artman In The House

hat do you find disappointing about the music videos of today? I do not know what is wrong with Nigerian artistes, they are abandoning Nigerian producers. South Africa is harvesting from the boom in the industry. Every musician wants to do his video in South Africa. That fad is becoming stupid. The next issue is the over-dependence on digital effects. Everybody wants his video to look like Americans’. But it should not be. Americans’ sense of video is to make sense of nonsense, but we do not have to follow that trend. As Africans, we must do ours in a peculiar way to help others digest the message. There was a time a host of producers in Lagos were shooting videos from studio backgrounds, but I decided that if I would make an impact from Abeokuta, I needed o move out. That was when I decided to explore the tourist sites in Nigeria. I shot ‘Rhumba Dance’ in Osun-Osogbo Shrine and Badagry. In Shina Peters’ video, I put everyone on a boat and we sailed and shot in the night. My approach to videos is to showcase our tourist sites. Now there is too much digital effect. Let them celebrate our tourism potentials. What makes you sad about filmmaking in Nigeria? It became a spare-parts-dealer’s affair. The corporate world and the government were not investing in the industry. At a point, charlatans and irresponsible people took over the industry. Someone would raise N1m at Alaba Market and come out to dictate scripts, characters, location and artistes. That made everybody a film producer and the market became suffocated. For dedicated professionals like us, I had to step aside. Do you share the current perception that things are looking up in that industry? I do not know the parameters with which this is judged. Of course, people are still investing. That is not to say that every film that has been made is bad. There are still some stories that are above board. There are some that have been careful about their plot. The problem with Nigerian films is finishing. How do you mean? When they cannot finish the plot, they resort to ‘babalawo’ or church. They do this to bridge reasonability and believability. Over the years, the industry has not been building institutions. I will tell you what obtains abroad. Over there, if a company is known for equipment or make up or location, that is what the company does. That is why over there once the thought occurs about a film, the professionals would be assembled to

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S’Africa harvesting from boom in music industry –Alabi-Hundeyin

So many works in advertising, film and television have the imprints of Tunde Alabi-Hundeyi fondly called Dudu. In this interview, he talks about activities in the creative industry. Excerpts:

Dudu

mould it into reality. But in Nigeria, it is a different ball game. That was why I decided to leave.. Running away from a problem does not bring about the solution? I left the film and moved into advertising and documentaries. They are related though. But I will make a come back You vowed to branch off to charity, with bias for children. Why children? It is informed by the fact that I count myself as a child of grace. I am not supposed to be where I am today. It is by divine favour. I am carrying a lot of favours and grace. I have stopped counting myself as lucky, it is divine assignment. I believe it is time to pay back. I have started with the children who are challenged. In the near future, with availability of resources, I hope to move into structures, which will benefit people like that. You once mentioned that you had a turbulent childhood? It happened in 1958. It happened at Abeokuta. So many families were losing their children due to an epidemic. But we did not know. There were three ‘ritualists’ that came to meet my mum. We were alone in the house. They explained that there was a plague killing all male children. They said if my mother did not want me to die, she should let them remove something from my body. I am the first and only boy. There was a little argument and they grabbed me, and tied me to the bed. They pierced the two sides of my neck, went to my armpit and my groins. The whole floor

was filled with blood. They were looking for a particular spot in my body and my mother realised this and raised an alarm. Those men fled, but for three months, I was between life and death. What issues do you think should be addressed by our movies? I want to address social inequalities. I want to reposition our political history. This is influenced by an encounter I had. It was the anniversary of Awolowo’s death. People were calling a friend of mine, who is a political figure to extend felicitations on Awolowo’s anniversary. His son who is in the secondary school, who was overhearing everything, asked his father if Awolowo was a part of their family. It never made sense to him that people were calling his father to felicitate with him. And he is in the secondary school. There is a way you tell history, that makes it appealing to everyone. We have serious stories to analyse. I will be doing epics. I do not want to do all those stories about a man catching his wife in the hotel. I will do one or two films in this line. What was the experience like when you delved into politics? Politicians are special breeds. Politics is the toughest vocation anybody can have. Before, I used to see them as lazy people. I would tell my friends in politics that they need to come to the creative world and see how hard we work, writing scripts, going to locations and managing locations. So it’s a different ball game?

In front of his office

Dudu

It is the toughest job you can ever have. You will talk for long hours to people you are looking at their faces without knowing what is going on in their minds. The smile you are looking at on their faces may not be that of acceptance. You have to learn the act of double-speaking and double-living. Something I will call bipolar character. Sometimes, it consumes all your resources. You sell your cars and houses, because you have been re-assured by the people you look up to. But at the end of the day, you are a complete failure. Many people die because they delve into politics, where they

I left the film and moved into advertising and

documentaries.

They are related though

meet frustration and betrayal. Sometimes, you could be loved by people because of sports, but when it comes to politics, it is a different ball game. You can see what Imran Khan of Pakistan went through. In politics, the moment you try to over-shadow the powers that be, they will try to destroy you. Politics is tough. It takes all day, all night. They don t sleep. Did you return to the creative industry because you were fed up with life as a politician? Yes. I spent six years there. I am a man who sets goal for himself. I have set out to do politics in this decade, television production in another decade and right now, I want to become a humanitarian. Politics was my goal for that decade. I have achieved it and I have moved on. You will never go there again? I can only support now. I have also realised that it is not only when someone is in politics that he can help his society. Everyone can help his society as a business man or pastor or filmmaker. What has been your experience in advertising? It’s improving by the day. Our earlier experience was not palatable because we were working with through agencies. But if you get the job directly from a client, you sleep better. Once you get the brief, you meditate, hold your meetings, come up with the scripts and story board. Your work now looks like a hobby.

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Artman In The House

Friday, January 29, 2016

It’s wrong for churches to host secular artistes – Joe Tara

et’s talk about the beginning of Flamznation?

It is a gospel rock band that started with five vibrant youths in University of Lagos in 2013 with the desire to create an atmosphere of intense and boundless worship. The band is structured in a way that it has administrative, social media and of course the playing band teams. The playing band consists of singers and musicians that play different instrument. But core members of the band are Joe Tara, Bode Brown and Debby Brown. Flamznation is a community of young people with the desire to make Christ famous in our generation through our music gifts and talent. Our mandate is to set this nation ablaze for God, bringing an atmosphere of burning passion for God’s worship. Bode and Debby share the same surname, are they siblings? No, not at all, it’s just a coincidence. How well will you say the band is doing in achieving its vision? Well, to some extent God has given us victory. In the university community where we started, we have organised worship meetings and hangouts like love and worship hangout which we entitled: “The Life and Culture”. We have been invited to minister at so many events within and outside the school environs even out of Lagos. We have a large fan base, people who have identified with the band are frequently available at cooperate worship meetings. Also our single track that was released in May 29, 2015 titled “One Experience of You” a song that expresses a sincere hunger for more of God was received greatly by our fans and beyond. We still get positive response from hearers who are usually marveled at the depth the song reaches. So, I can say that a lot has been done already but there’s much more to be accomplished. When is the band hopefully dropping its album? We are on our full length of our album project and very soon it will be ready, though we will be releasing another single soonest while also will be shooting an acoustic video for the first single, all by the grace of God. Why the preference for gospel and not secular music? It’s a question of understanding your purpose and calling. We understand God’s purpose over our life and we are walking in that direction. For me as an individual, God gave me a gift of worship and song writing and I think is most appropriate that I use it

Joe Tara is the leader of Flamznation, a gospel band which berthed at the University of Lagos a few years ago. In this interview with EBERE NDUKWU, he shares the aspiration of the group and state of gospel music in Nigeria. Excerpts.

Joe Tara

to glorify him. Am not looking at what anyone else is doing but I consistently examine myself and my service to God as the offering I am giving to him which is my life. Are you encouraged with what you get ministering in churches? Our main focus is not on that thing which they call honorarium; we consider it a privilege to serve the body of Christ in worship, knowing that we the apple of God’s eye, we do not put the monetary gain in front of us. The love of God has garrisoned our heart. Of course, the band needs money, transport, finance to execute band project and welfare for band members but we put our trust in God absolutely to provide for us. How do you prepare before each performance? We try to put in our best in everything we do. After we pray and have accepted any invitation to perform in any event, we start rehearsing. There’re also times when the Holy Spirit will instruct us to change songs that we have rehearsed. The key is to always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Some gospel artistes complain that some churches invite secular artistes and give them better honorarium than gospel artistes, what do you say to that? Firstly, I don’t know why any church should invite secular artiste for worship and other church events; I think it’s very wrong. The ministry of worship is a sacred one and music must not be confused for entertainment. Some churches do it because of church growth, but it’s absolutely wrong. Secondly, Nigeria gospel music

Flamznation Band

is yet to reach the point where artistes and ministers are well taken care of, pastors and church leaders need to learn how to treat music ministers and appreciate the creative talents in the church. But the failure of one man to appreciate you must not spoil the service you bring because many people are now migrating into circular songs as a result of finance and I think it is very bad. But some people argue that there’s not really much difference between some Nigerian gospel artistes and their secular counterparts, when it comes to issues of morality? I know there’s been scenarios of immoral conduct here and there involving worship leaders, but I will rather want to say that the scripture instructs us to strengthen the weak ones amongst us rather than castigate them and spoil their image more, though am not excusing them, everybody should work towards growing spiritually weather a minister or not, the standards does not shift for anyone. Our God is a God of purity and cannot behold sin. Let’s talk about the band again, how are you inspired? Our songs are received. They are divinely given to us by the Holy Spirit. We get them spontaneously, sometimes in the middle

of a worship service, as we fellowship together, and sometimes it comes as we study the scripture. There are also, songs that we’ve written based on burdens in our hearts. What are the challenges of the band? Well, many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all. One of the major challenges we have faced as a band is a generic acceptance of our rock style of worship here in Nigeria, also the availability of professional hands and tools to work with in terms of production. There are other minor challenges but above all we encourage ourselves in the Lord. How do you maintain the spirit strength of the band? Iron sharpens iron; the way to keep a fire is by adding wood to the fire. We consistently have prayer meetings, Bible studies and camp meetings to equip ourselves spiritually. Finally, how will you describe the gospel music minis-

Joe Tara

try in Nigeria? The ministry is becoming better and better, there’s a release of revelation to write deep songs about God. I must say that the depth of knowledge you have reflects on the songs you write. The likes of Chris Delvan, Nathaniel Bassey, Frank Edwards and a lot more have really written deep worship materials that is still blessing the church till today.

One of the major challenges we have faced as a band is a generic acceptance of our rock style of worship here in

Nigeria

BOOK

Critics

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Aroma of poetry

Aroma of a Burning Bush by Samuel Osaze roused, then doused, a certain suspicion of mine. Reginald Ofodile

bow to the masters: in the last two centuries, such luminaries as Walt Whitman, D.H. Lawrence, T.S. Eliot and Langston Hughes profusely produced free verse, which of course are global classics. However, that form, or ‘formlessness,’ has grievously degraded poetry. A certain obnoxious notion has obviously taken root. It is that, if words were set out in short lines, however uninspired, or bland or clumsy, the presentation merited the designation ‘poetry’ and all objectors deserved denunciation as stultifying archtraditionalists. The global spawn of this concept is work that is sometimes baser than doggerel, instantly assimilable, pedestrian, posing no intellectual challenges. Samuel Osaze in Aroma of a Burning Bush establishes that free verse can be superb poetry. Insightful, a veritable wordsmith, he proves that free verse need not be facile or flimsy. He invests the form with profundity and lush lyricalness. The topics in the collection are many and varied. The work embraces the pub-

FILM

Friday, January 29, 2016

In Fire and Water comes, ‘Your fiend, your friend,’ and in Dear Retribution ‘As Python pounces on its prey.’ Take me to my Destiny asserts the importance of the spirit, its potential to remain unshaken by crushing obstacles. It echoes the classic Victorian paean to valour, William Erenest Henley’s Invictus. Out of the Night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul... It matters not how strait the gate How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul. This is echoed in a 20th century disavowal of timidity, Maya Angelou’s Life Doesn’t Frighten me. Shadows on the wall Noises down the hall Life doesn’t frighten me at all... Some suppose that poetry is invariably civil, beguiling, unobtrusive. Aroma of a Burning Bush, whilst manifesting considerable charm, features other elements. The collection is audacious and combative, neither quailing at unpleasantness nor shrinking from the unpalatable.

Felicitous phrases and delightful alliterations abound in Aroma of a Burnish Bush

Anonymous letter to Nollywood

An angry fan pens a note to the practitioners in the burgeoning film industry.

lic and the private, the romantic and the elegiac, gratitude to benign mentors and clash of elements, verses ‘Soyinkaian’ and some ‘Okigbotic.’ The poem Say Yes I do recalled the secondary school love-letter of a generation ago, and also Shakespeare’s 18th Sonnet, Shall I compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?... The eulogies in Osaze’s collection prompt the reflection that poets are famously introspective, retrospective, melancholic, preoccupied with bereavement. The sneer of John Donne’s 17th century classic, Death Be Not Proud, is echoed in Dylan Thomas’s 20th century declaration, And Death Shall Have no Dominion. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s renowned In Memoriam, his eulogy of his idolised friend Hallam is like a widow’s grieving for her husband. Isn’t Thomas Gray immortalized by his morbid musing on death, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard? Felicitous phrases and delightful alliterations abound in Aroma of a Burnish Bush. From the beginning of the collection comes: A lonely leaf protests in vain awaiting fume of full flame awe of helpless veils the arsonists’ face for the mild fire is gone wild. In the poem, To the Slave Driver, under (viii) is the phrase ‘throes of trauma.’ Under (xi) comes ‘a flourishing flag of freedom.’ In Bird of Sorrow comes ‘mad on mud bed..’ In A Gaze from an Angelic Face is: ‘... excavate me To the surface, in picnic of fresh breath...’

onths have slipped into years, which in turn have crawled into decades. All around you, inertia has being challenged and demolished, the status quo has been questioned and jettisoned, strategies have been thought up and revolutionized, colossal strides have been made and translated into swift sprints, yet, like the Christian god, as old as you are, you still haven’t changed- and most probably would never. Tell me, just tell me why you I should greet you You see, I do not like you and I make no pretence of it. I most certainly do not respect you. Time and again, you have proven yourself to have fallen so deeply in love with the comfort of your past (if I’d call that comfort) that like your immediate elder brothers, The Police Force and the Power Sector, you have not only cocooned yourself in the illusion of its fake warmth, but have kicked furiously against change and even gone a step further in threatening the vaguest emergence of it. From your unbelievably daft titles whose only sole purpose is the desire to outwit the stupidity of other titles, to the shallowness of your plots that try unashamedly hard to pique interest through

the attractive actors and actresses who’re just that- attractive, you have succeeded in defying reason and all things near it. Just what the hell is Beyonce and Rihanna, Igala, Igodo, Igidi, Igadagidi, Akakabota, Jaggajargo, Skelewu, Bolligwe, The Virgin Prostitute, iPhone Babes? What of The Dog That Could Bark, The Spanner That Could Open Screws, Jay Z and Kanye West and Gerrarrahere Babes? Una no add those ones join, you thoughtless goat? What of the annoying monotony and predictability of your plots? Yeah, Hollywood movies might be predictable too but I find myself having jitters when I see

them because I’m unaware of how what is sure to happen will happen. Your own? Nah. I know everything. Can’t you make a change for once? Must bad guys always smoke weed in uncompleted buildings, wearing obnoxiously fake chains and dark shades even when it is night? Must everyone that travels from the village to Lagos always make it? Must your gunshots always sound like Christmas bangers? Must your police detectives always be brash and loud-mouthed, glorifying the art of senselessness with their silly questions and enthusiastically taking folly to new heights? Must your gatemen always be rude, nosy and dressed like court jesters? Must your villains always die or run mad after they confess? Must you say Three Years Later even when the film has barely gotten within two minutes? Must you shout when advertising a movie and talk like you’re condemned to a lifetime of selling second-hand underwear? Did they tell you we’re hard of hearing? And must you say the ‘now’ at the back of Grab Your Copy thrice? Must you say, “This is just the beginning” at the end of a movie when we already know the end? Must your movies always have part 2 that invariably start from mid part one? Must bandages always be tied to the head even if someone was shot in the leg? Must the policemen always hold guns like they’re catching cold and run like they’re snatching ballot boxes? Must they always be theatrical, searching under

glass tables for thieves and opening sugar cartons to search for kidnapped grannies? Must your mad men and women have people gathered around them, jeering and laughing? For Naija, dem born you well near mad man? Abi, you wan use your own hand pack your full teeth go house? Why do your newborns have no blood on them? Who washed them and cut their umbilical cord? Your father who art in Heaven, abi? Okay. Must your old women who happen to be witches always talk in drawls and have their faces smeared with charcoal? Why does one out of your pair of twins always have to be bad and end up asking for forgiveness when her envyinspired plans backfire? Must your love be so fake with you guys running around trees like bloody refugee kids playing silly games drawn on sand? Must your poor men always wear torn shirts and faded trousers and beg so much that their palms get to their elbows?

Why must the actresses twist their heads three sixty degrees and roll their eyes to emphasise a point

Friday, January 29, 2016 19 Rabi Al-Thani, 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

Sekinah L awal

igeria Muslim women have expressed concerns over continuous stigmatization and harassment of women in Hijab across the country. Speaking at an event to herald the forthcoming World Hijab Day, the national Amirah of AlMu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef, condemned the way security officers harassed women within and outside conflict zones just because they put on Hijab, a symbol of Islam. According to her, Nigerian Muslim women who wear Hijab face harassment, persecution, emotional and psychological anguish in recent time, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that the nation might consider a ban on Hijab if terrorists continue to use Hijab for bombing. Abdullateef said the attempt by authorities of the Nigeria Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), Ibadan office and other parts of the country to legislate and limit the Hijab stan-

Hijab: Stop infringing on our rights –Muslim women cry out

dards of Muslim women and free citizens of Nigeria still remained a festering sore in our heart. “Other government agencies robbing Muslim Hijabis her right to freedom of religious expression, by demanding that she expose her ears during image capturing, are the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Commission. We call on the leadership of these agencies to call their men to order. “We wish to remind the Nigerian security institutions that Boko Haram is the enemy and not Muslims. And indeed, Boko Haram has used several ingenious garbs to camouflage and carry out its dastardly and evil attacks, including fruits, vegetables, motor vehicles and even fake army and police uniforms. “In actual fact, several thousands hijabis have been unfortu-

nate victims of Boko Haram attacks, either as deceased victims or living in shattered IDPs. It would amount to double jeopardy if Nigerian security authorities harass and de-robe chaste Muslim women, who they indeed, are supposed to be protecting from our common enemy, Boko Haram.” “As we celebrate the World Hijab Day, we implore all lovers of Islam and humanity to celebrate the Hijab in all and every way they can, especially on social media.” Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Uzamat Yussuf, decried frequent stigmatisation of Muslim women. Yussuf, who was represented by Rashidat Umar, said due to such misconceptions, the larger society failed to appreciate Muslim women’s courage in standing up to societal norms in their determination to

preserve their modesty and obey the command of God. According to her, Hijab wearing women should be encouraged, regarded as individuals who could perform credibly well and intelligently in any capacity. “Mostly, Hijab is misinterpreted; so many Muslim women are discriminated against in the workplace while others are emotion-

ally abused through insensitive remarks. However, Hijab is worn by Muslim women as a symbol of adherence to the commandments of Allah, modesty, privacy and morality. It takes a lot of courage to make the leap, thus, any Hijab wearing female, young or old, should be commended and regarded as an Ambassador of Faith.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Hijab liberates and raises a woman’s status and demand that she be judged according to her intellect, ability and potentials rather than her sexuality. The noble position of women in Islam can be summarised by this saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW): ‘The world and all things in the world are precious, but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman.’

Cross section of dignitaries at the World Hijab Day press conference in Lagos, on Tuesday.

‘Give your children right Islamic education’ 26

‘Support Buhari’s anticorruption crusade’ 27

Those employing force in religion are enemies of God –Fashola 27

Call to Worship

19 Rabi Al-Thani 1437A.H. Friday, January 29, 2016

Thoughts devoid of tribalism, nepotism

here is this particular reader who is fond of sending abusive text messages, cursing and abusing me for reasons unknown. I remain a detribalized Nigerian treating individual with respect irrespective of tribe, religion or colour. It will be good if we can all join hands with the present administration in getting things right in our nation instead of pointing accusing fingers or justifying corrupt practices. It is amazing that some people who should be hiding now are still making noise. I could remember I voted for Dr. Ebele Jonathan in 2011 believing that Nigerians can get some relief from past misdeeds ranging from the environmental degradation and oil pollution in the South-South to poverty and unemployment in the North and the West. Unfortunately, many of us were disappointed. However, we thank God that we got it right by voting in President Buhari. We

should all be happy that the era of impunity and corruption being the norm is gradually coming to an end by God’s grace because this is indeed a divine intervention in the history of this nation. Let us give the present administration time to actualize the needs of constant electricity, portable water, good health facilities, good road networks, massive manpower development among others. Seeing TV documentaries on Oloibiri and other communities in Niger Delta and the level of environmental degradation there is painful to me personally even when a son of the soil was president of Nigeria for six years just like we have very bad roads in the West even when a son of the soil ruled for eight years while the north remain backward even with many Nigerian rulers being northerners. The rivers are polluted with oil killing sea foods; no land to build houses, no clean water, poverty at its peak all over the

country with sorry state of infrastructure while many collected billions of naira as being revealed now. Acts of terrorism, secession, armed struggle and hostilities will not solve the problem but can only escalate it. We should put aside all these pettiness and join hands to build our nation. Even with dwindling oil price globally, we will still be great as a nation if the anti-corruption war is allowed to succeed and be sustained. Let all the looters return the stolen funds. It is just greed and failure to always remember that death is inevitable. It is our fervent prayers that the labours of our heroes past will never be in vain. Enough of rogues and vagabonds in power who loot the treasury of an entire nation and still insult our common intelligence with their embarrassing incompetence. Forget about pessimists around us, with or without oil,

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THE PLATFORM with

Sekinah Lawal t: 08055102994 e: sakinah207@yahoo.com

let us start exercising our rights to recall our lawmakers if they are not ready for change to fight corruption and make things truly working.

In order to serve as deterrent to others, we may consider the idea of not jailing looters but

Sharia ruling of hand cutting, what about that?

using

we have all it takes to become the greatest nation on earth if only we will allow visionary, dedicated and inspiring leaders to rule as we have in President Buhari. Just like I mentioned last week, we should not let the status quo be, let us start exercis-

ing our rights to recall our lawmakers if they are not ready for change to fight corruption and make things truly working. In order to serve as deterrent to others, we may consider the idea of not jailing looters but using Sharia ruling of hand cutting, what about that?

Copy of Holy Quran and Ahmadiyya Literatures being presented to Ooni of Ife, during a courtesy visit to the Palace of Ooni of Ife in Osun State.

Another Hijab Pride

ast year, it was at the University of Lagos College Of Medicine where one of our sisters emerged the Best Medical Student Graduate and again, Faridat Lolade Yusuf has given Islam and Hijab another honour as this year’s Best University of Ilorin Medical Student Graduate with 12 awards. It is our prayer that Allah continue to strengthen all of us, spare our lives for the service of humanity and continue to make us a pride for Islam Aamin. Congratulations dear!

General Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Abbas Iromini; Naib Amir and Missionary in charge, Maulvi Abdul Khaliq Nayyar; Amir, Dr. Mashuud Fashola; Naib Amir Special Duty, Engr. Ahmed Alhassan; and Alhaji Z. O. Elias at the official flag hosting toward the celebration of 100 years of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria.

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Friday, January 29, 2016 19 Rabi Al-Thani, 1437A.H

IN HIS LIGHT

with

USTAZ A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zatabumuneeb@yahoo.com

ur society is presently bereaved of the true understanding of human rights. It is oscillating between criminal discretion of powers that be to jettison God and the godless religious sycophants. The drivers of its policies are under the stupor of occultism and befogged minds. It is pregnant with hydra headed teething quagmires. Ordinary men suffer excruciating penury which blurs their reasonability. Fantasies and nudism have become the way of life of the youths. The elders while time away with intoxicating wines and prostitutes. The spate of moral corruption is unimaginable. Crimes continue unabated. Fornication is now a pastime, vulgarity in music and arts, profanity in worship and friendship, violent abuse of power with temerity, collection of bribery by all opportunists in uniform and outside it, breakdown in the family system, criminal tendencies and violation of human rights. We now face the stark reality of survival or ruin. The terrorism of Boko Haram has sent many innocent souls to the grave, the terrible state of our roads have taken more lives, the poor health situation has aggravated existence with worse ailments, the poor quality of education has damaged the future of little children. Instead of tackling our problems from the root, we are engaged with cutting the branches. Whatever we suffer today are the dividends of our human system. We cannot jettison the law of God in whatever garb and think that all will be well. Today, we see our girls in spaghetti tops’, ‘wicked straps’, and feel unperturbed, we see our children watch terrible films, we feel the future is secured. It is very glaring that the hues and cries of Hijaab being used by the Boko Haram is only an argument for the mentally deluded; before Boko Haram Muslim ladies have been denied and oppressed for Hijaab during NYSC camps; during data capturing for PVC, BVN, our women were harassed to show their ears as if it is the means of identification. It is nothing but a deliberate and continuous humiliation and harassment! Must all these continue? It must stop, and that is what HIJAB DAY has come to remind the world. As the Muslim world mark Hijaab day, we should note that it is not a celebration but a promotion of the values of hijaab; not a protest but an enlightenment on the divinity of the dress. History is replete, in the past and in the present, how ladies in Hijaab have been icons of scholarship and starling academic performance, winning different awards. We are in a civilized world when empirical studies should guide out thoughts, if we will not believe in God. No single research has been conducted that Hijaab affects economy, academics, health, etc. To the contrary, research has been carried out that Muslim ladies in Hijaab have better and healthy skin, since it is not exposed as others do using body creams of all kinds. Hijaab registers the presence of a Mus-

Call to Worship

Only in Hijaab lim lady as a decent and an intellectual icon. She detests sexy cloth and goes for Hijaab. It conceals her beauty and reserves it for her husband because great minerals are concealed by natural order until unearthed when needed. Hijaab makes her skin fresh and saved from contaminations of different kinds. Unlike all other wears of women, Hijaab saves men from temptation that can fire their basal selves. Anthropologically, Hijaab makes a Muslim woman see all people from her own world while they cannot all see what she is. Hijaab emphasizes the spiritual over the material, unlike other who are desperately busy exhibiting their shapes, contours, complexion, hijaab keeps a Muslim lady calm, cool and calculated. She is sealed nectar. All arguments against Hijaab only show how potent it is in keeping women more responsible. It is unfortunate that the world now celebrate intellectual sickness at the expense of its reawakening. Hijaab is part of our history and can never become an artifact. It is a divine right that no mortal can deny. It is even, according to the feeble human law, a constitutional right that can never be rubbished away. It is a practical demonstration of morality that no moral element can detest. It has always been part of the life of great women like Mary, mother of Jesus and many others. Most importantly, it is one of the cornerstones that make a Muslim woman. A stitch in time, they say saves nine. We should allow Muslim ladies to wear their Hijaab without molestation. We as elders may be patient and diplomatic about the whole issue but the generation of the upcoming youths is different. They belong to the internet age. They now have access to information on several websites that are at times even violent, ISIL, ISIS, BH, etc. We should have foresight by not denying any religious group fundamentals of their religion so far it does not infringe on others’ right. Hijaab to the Muslim is fundamental and does not cause problem for anybody. As others have right to be indecently dressed, the Muslim lady has right to be well dressed too. All noises about Hijaab are purely Islamaphobic. Even the so called advanced country like France banned Hijaab. Italy imposed fines. A Lagos state Principal flogged a little girl scores of canes because of merely covering the hair with Hijaab. Why? A graduate during NYSC camp was also because of same molested. Why? Enough is enough. We should be futuristic and strategic in handling religious matters. Muslims have sacrificed a lot of principles of their faith in this country, but because we are tolerant and wisely rescind to silence and due process, people have taken it for granted. In most government schools, more than 90 percent of our daughters are denied the wearing of Hi-

We cannot jettison the law of God in whatever garb and think that all will be well

Cross section of students at the training and distribution of the e-learning, e-Mallam Tablets in Dutse, Jigawa State recently.

Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad BadaruAbubakar handing over the e-mallam tablet to one of the students while the Jigawa State Commissioner for Education, Hajia Rabi Hussein-AdamuEsiak looks on during the training and distribution of the e-learning, e-Mallam Tablets in Dutse, Jigawa State recently.

The Project Coordinator, Engr. BasheerAdamu-Aliyu and the Country Representative of Echo Telecoms, Mr. Abdussalam Ismail at the training and distribution of the e-learning, e-Mallam Tablets in Dutse, Jigawa State recently.

Jigawa revolutionizes education through e-learning Sekinah L awal

igawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has approved the deployment of over 8000 e-learning Tablet Computers tagged e-Mallam, to all senior secondary school students and teachers across the state as the state is set to revolutionizes education through e-learning. Following a successful 5-week Remedial Programme and Pilot Testing of e-Learning Approach which ended recently in Dutse, Jigawa State where 1,000 students, 61 teachers and 27 student-technicians were trained in the art of e-learning and e-teaching, Governor Abubakar ordered that the 9.6 inch and 9 inch devices for teachers and students respectively that come with pre-installed educational applications designed to enhance learning for students across the states, be given to all concerned. Earlier at the inauguration of the e-Mallam pilot program, the governor said that the move became necessary because of the declining level of education his administration inherited from the previous regime with WAEC failure rate of over 95 percent. He added that e-Malllam Tablets will pre-

pare students for examinations and train them on digital technology especially since examinations bodies are shifting from paper and pencil to computer-based testing. Also speaking, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Education, Hajia Rabi Hussein-Adamu Esiak, said that the initiative will help to improve quality of education in the state. She said that statistics show that the students have not been learning well, hence, the decision of the state government to initiate an intervention like the e-tablet to change the status quo. On request of the governor, the Project Coordinator, Engr. Basheer Adamu Aliyu demonstrated how the devices provide interactivity and simulation in various field in a manner that is easy for students to appreciate, understand, remember and apply in real life situations. Speaking on the project, the Country representative of Echo Telecoms, Mr. Abdussalam Ismail, said that Jigawa State has taken the lead becoming the first state in the whole of northern Nigeria to adopt innovative approach to learning. e-Mallam Tablets use Tech-driven innovative solutions to enrich quality of teachers’ output and encourage students to learn, explore and innovate.

Call to Worship

19 Rabi Al-Thani 1437A.H. Friday, January 29, 2016

‘Give your children right Islamic education’ Stories by Sekinah L awal

arents have been advised to give their children the right Islamic education as it is the responsibility of every parent to be vigilante around their children and educate them properly Islamically. The Guest Speaker, Dr. Afeez Oladosu, gave the

advice in Lagos recently at the annual Essay competition of the Glorious Islamic Centre, GIC. GIC also expressed commitment to building capacity development among Nigerian youths. Presenting awards to students who graduated from its vocational skills programme, GIC’s President, Engr. Akinola Laguda, said the GIC is out to impact positive

knowledge and empower Muslim youths across the country. Many dignitaries at the event noted that the scheme has being a memorable one, which encourage the youths to acquire Islamic knowledge and vocational skills. Laguda stated: “Our success has been as a result of the hard work, persistence and commitment of members of the centre

who have positively impacted the scheme. According to him, the GIC was established to educate Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the light of Islam and to be a place for research and information sharing with the creation a resourceful website and well equipped libraries. Oladosu advised parents that the major items in their house are chil-

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Al-Muminaat marks WHD …calls on FG to respect Muslim women’s right

head of this year’s World Hijab Day celebration coming up on February 1, an Islamic group, ALMUMINAT organization, on Tuesday, implored the Federal Government not to ban the use of Hijab in the country. Making this appeal at a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos, the National Amirah of the group, Hajia Nimatullah AbdulLateef explained that Hijab is unique attire and not to be used to perpetrate evil. President Muhammadu Buhari had stated during the last Presidential Media Chat that his government will not hesitate to ban the use of Hijab if Boko Haram terrorists persist in using it to carry out terror attacks. But AbduLateef stressed that some government agencies

which were infringing on religious rights of women wearing Hijab should be called to order and urged the Federal Government to sharpen its intelligence gathering to curb security challenges in the country. According to her, the Ministry of Education should also be made to return moral education into primary and secondary school syllabus. AbdulLateef said that this would not just help in molding the character of children, but also help prevent them from being influenced by terrorists. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development in the state, Mrs Uzamat Yussuf maintained that those using Hijab should be judged based on their intellectual abilities.

AMIN trains Clerics

L-R: NASFAT Chief Missioner, Sheikh Abdullah Akinbode; Alhaji Soliudeen Alade; Chairman, S.O.B Investment Ltd and donor of the multi-million naira building, Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola; Chairman, BoT, Fountain University, Oshogbo Alhaji Yinka Adeola and Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Prof. Bashir Ademola Raji, during the signing of MoU for the delivery of multi-million naira administrative offices to the Fountain University on Tuesday.

n order to counter Islamic extremism and radicalisation of Muslims in Nigeria, the Assembly of Muslims in Nigeria, AMIN, has sent 53 Nigeria Imams for training in Morocco. This is contained in a statement by Dr Kamal Ali, Administrative Secretary of the Assembly under the Chairmanship of Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh Alhussaini, Chairman of Fatwa Committees of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA and Jama’atu Nasril Is-

lam, JNI. The training is at King Muhammad the Sixth Institute for Training of Imams and Women Preachers in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. Following the granting of AMIN’s request by the King of Morocco, the Assembly said it engaged in continuous consultations with various Muslim leaders and groups across the nation to select the Imams from different parts of the country. The first batch beneficiaries were drawn from 15 states of the country.

SOB donates building to Fountain University

renowned philanthropist and the President, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Alhaji Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola, SOB, has again contributed towards the cause of Allah by donating an administrative building to the university of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, the Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, Alhaji Babalola said that

the Fountain is the foremost Islamic university owned by a religious organisation in Nigeria and Muslims have a duty to support laudable project like that. “The donation would be an inspiration for other Muslims. When I visited the campus, it gladdens my heart when I saw the morals that are being imparted into the students. For me, all the things we acquire on earth are temporary; what we leave behind would be a legacy.” He urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Muham-

mad, (SAW). “We must show love amongst ourselves and we must teach our children how to live a good life. This present government is talking about change, for transformation to occur; we have to see the change in our family, environment, and among our friends. That is the only way Nigeria can progress.” In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Bashir Ademola Raji, said he is elated and grateful for the kind gesture bestowed upon the institution by Alhaji Babalola.

According to him, “The University does not belong to NASFAT only but the entire Muslim Ummah. The commissioning of projects, the senate building inclusive, would be held on March 28th, 2016, which coincides with the celebration of NASFAT 21stanniversary. “Also, the university combined convocation would also hold on March 28th-29th, 2016.” “We need more of these institutions so that we can produce graduates that would be grounded in Islamic education,” he added.

Hajia Sherifah Ajibade Yussuf; National Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef and others at the World Hijab Day briefing.

L-R: Hajia Rashidat Umar; Hajia Shukurat Alagabi-AbdulLateef and Hajia Ameenat Adeyemi t the World Hijab Day briefing

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Friday, January 29, 2016 19 Rabi Al-Thani, 1437A.H

‘Support Buhari’s anticorruption crusade’

agos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has urged Nigerians to join President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-corruption crusade. Speaking on the topic, “The Benefits of Anti-Corruption Leadership in Nigeria”, at the 2016 Prayer for the Nation organised by the Hajia Tinubu-led Fatimah Charity Foundation, Dr. AbdulLateef enjoined the three arms of government and the general public to participate actively in the crusade against corruption. He listed leadership by example, good parenthood, proper child up-bringing and recognising religious leaders as development leaders, as necessary steps towards ending corruption. Also speaking, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said corruption must be fought for the nation to progress. Adebule urged market men

and women to shun corrupt practices. “We need to realise that leadership starts with each and every one of. We must make a concerted effort in trying to rebuild our broken down value systems, re-establish and clearly define our moral obligations to our families and the nation,” she said. “If you are reducing measurement to make more profit, that is corruption. If you short-change your customers under whatever guise, that is corruption. So, we shouldn’t focus on politicians and people in government alone and castigate them, let’s look inward and correct our sharp practices to collectively erase the scourge in our society,” she said. The deputy governor represented by an ex-banker, Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso, said we deserve the leadership we get, urging parents to nurture their children to be good leaders.

L-R: Naib Amir and Missionary in charge, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Maulvi Abdul Khalq Nayyar; the Alagbon of Agbonbiti Ile Ife, Oba Iteade Adewuyi; Deputy Governor, Osun State, Mrs. Titi Tomori Laoye; HRH, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi OjajaII; Amir, Dr. Mashuud Adenrele Fashola and Naib Amir Special Duty, Alhaji Ahmed Alhassan, during a courtesy visit to the Palace of Ooni of Ife in Osun State.

L-R: President of Gwagwalada Jama’at, Bro. Abdulfatah Ibrahim; Deputy Circuit President, Alhaji Ahmed Sanusi and General Secretary NasarawaJama’at, Adams Gbadesere, during the presentation of Security Metal Detector by Abuja Circuit to three Jama’ats in Abuja.

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Call to Worship

Those employing force in religion are enemies of God –Fashola Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, speaks on the centenary celebration of the jamaat and other national issues, excerpts: Many have misconception about the jamaat, what do you have to say on this? The purpose of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace)’s advent is not to establish any new religion. It is to reform mankind and make them cherish the tremendous beauty and delight of faith in God, the Lord of Majesty, the Praiseworthy, the Glorious and Gracious, and to demonstrate to the faithful the tremendous power of prayer. He has come to stop all religious wars and sectarian hostility and warn the people that no prophet or man has been given the right to employ force to spread any religion or doctrine, for Allah Himself has granted all mankind the freedom of conscience. All those who employ force in religion are enemies of God, enemies of the Holy Prophet The Community was founded by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) who claimed to be acting under Divine Guidance as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi (Guide) whose advent in the “Latter Days” had been foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and indeed by all past prophets. The latter days have been declared to occur at the beginning of the 14th Century after the advent of Muhammad (SAW) signifying the beginning of the 20th century A.D. The major objective of the advent of the Promised Messiah is to carry out moral and spiritual reformation of mankind and bring them close to their Creator in the true tradition of all theprophets (on whom be blessings and peace), who preach oneness of God of all Creation and oneness and equality of all mankind, and who preach the religion of Peace, Islam. He claimed to have been invested with the power to help mankind achieve nearness to God and save them from the deluge of materialism and inhumanity, and replace the love and worship of materialism with love of God and the spirit of selfless service to humanity. True religion teaches the submission of one’s will to the Will of God and love for all and hatred for none. This in a nutshell is what Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stands for. On re-positioning Islam as a unifying factor for mankind? This year 2016 marks 127 years that Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been established by its Holy Founder, but it marks 100 years of its existence in Nigeria. Since its establishment in the world and in Nigeria, Ahmadiyya community has been experiencing tremendous progress in the re-positioning of Islam as a unifying factor for mankind and a guarantee of justice, peace, unity, harmony and prosperity. The fact that we have been experiencing tremendous material, moral and spiritual

Fashola

progress is evidence of the Divine origin of the community, because Allah has declared that any who falsely claimed to have been sent by God will never prosper and will be destroyed within a short space of time. What are some of the achievements of the jamaat? Our community in Nigeria was blessed with the pioneering achievement of promoting the true teachings of Islam as a religion of peace, selfless service to humanity, and being just and good to all without discrimination, as a reflection of the noble attributes of Grace and Mercy of God, Whose Grace covers everybody and every creature. As a practical demonstration of this belief, we pioneered the establishment of Muslim schools and hospitals across Nigeria. The educational and medical care was made available also to non-Muslims without compelling them to observe Islamic mode of worship. Scores of primary and secondary schools have been established with a focus on moral as well as academic excellence and made affordable to the poor. We have also established a missionary training college and Qur’an memorization centres for boys and girls. We have trained hundreds of missionaries and hundreds of those who have memorized the Holy Qur’an. As a vanguard of religious tolerance, respect and peaceful coexistence, we are able to influence many other Muslim bodies to adopt religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence and support educational development of Muslims. The effort of the Jamaat Nigeria in our journey of 100 years has been to re-position Islam as a unifying factor for mankind by emphasizing that religion should bring all faithful together on the basis of uniform moral values of submission to the Will of God and selfless service with love CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Call to Worship

19 Rabi Al-Thani 1437A.H. Friday, January 29, 2016

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Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Punishment should reform wrongdoer T ‘A I nd the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives and his act brings about reformation, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers.’ (42:41) The teaching of Islam as regards anyone committing wrongdoing or harming another whether in a slight or extreme manner is inclined towards reformation. Concept of punishment is indeed there but it is in conjunction with commandment of forgiveness and pardon just as the aforementioned verse shows. The pivotal point being that any punishment should result in reformation of the wrongdoer. With reformation as the main objective, before deciding on punishment it should be considered whether it will result in it or not. If reformation is deemed to result from pardon then that should be the option otherwise punishment should be decided on. Forgiveness makes one recipient of Divine reward. And the aforementioned verse ends in clarifying that if excessive punishment is meted out it will be unjust and cruel. This concept of forgiveness and punishment is at the foundation of fairness in individual, communal and indeed international matters. The real objective of punishment being reformation and moral betterment, Islam teaches to keep in view that emphasis is not only given to punishment, rather it is designed towards reformation. Any punishment given should be in accordance with the crime and if meted out disproportionately, it incurs God’s displeasure. The most excellent examples of this are found in the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). In instances where he felt reformation had taken place, he forgave even the bitterest and cruelest of enemies. When the guilty person showed remorse and regret, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) forgave those who had perpetrated grievous cruelty towards him, his family and his Companions. Hazrat Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her) the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) daughter was brutally attack during migration. She was expecting at the time and was wounded and miscarried and later her injuries proved fatal. The perpetrator was given the death penalty but he fled. Later, when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) returned to Medina, he came to see the Holy Prophet and explained that he had fled out of fear, he acknowl-

he core of the

Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Naib Amir, Eastern Region, Dr. Abdul Ganiyyi Enahoro and General Secretary,, Alhaji Abbas Iromini with the Olu of Warri, HRH Godfery Emiko, during the 3rd Jalsa Tarbiyya Eastern Region in Warri, Delta State.

commandment in slam is

reformation and not seeking revenge edged his heinous crimes but said he had come after learning of the clemency of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He acknowledged the ignorant ways he had followed and accepted that God had sent the Holy Prophet for guidance. He confessed his crimes and sought forgiveness. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) forgave him and told him that it was a favour of God on him that he was enabled to accept Islam and repent sincerely. Ka’b bin Zuhayr wrote vilifying poetry about Muslim ladies attacking their honour. He was duly sentenced. After conquest of Makkah his brother wrote to him asking him to seek forgiveness of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He came to the Prophet’s Mosque at Fajr time and offered Salat in the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Without introducing himself he put it to the Prophet that Ka’b bin Zuhayr wished to seek pardon for his past wrongdoing and whether he could be presented or not. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) agreed. This is when he said that he was Ka’b bin Zuhayr. A Companion got up to kill him when displaying amazing compassion, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said leave him, he is seeking pardon. Later, Ka’b bin Zuhayr presented a poetic eulogy to the Holy Prophet who gave his cloak to Ka’b as a gift. There are indeed many incidents in the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) where he forgave personal enemies, enemies of his close relatives and enemies of Islam who had reformed themselves. However, he gave punishment where he considered punishment was needed. The core of the commandment in Islam is reformation and not seeking revenge. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has elucidated the aforementioned verse of Surah Al Shura in many places, in perhaps more than thirteen of his books as well as in his pronoun.

Alhaji Yahya Abdus Salam with son and grandchildren during their Quranic Graduation ceremony at Madrasatul Tahfeezul Quran Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria Ilaro Ogun State recently

Those employing force in religion are enemies of God –Fashola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 to all humanity without discrimination, as commanded by the Gracious and Merciful Lord of all Creation. From initial establishment of the Jama’at in Lagos Island in 1916, we spread in the early 20’s to the North, middle-belt, West and East, having 49 circuits (regional zones) across all parts of Nigeria. A circuit consists of several Jama’ats each having at least one mosque. From a humble beginning, we now have about a thousand mosques and scores of mission houses across the country. And as part of the centenary programme, we plan to establish more hospitals, farm settlements, and educational institutions across the country. We are also organizing All African Youth Games to mark the centenary, apart from conferences. Any hope for the righteous? We have the grace to convey glad tidings to all righteous people that God is extremely appreciative of righteous conduct and rewards them generously and nobly. Whenever they raise their hands in prayers, God will bestow them with prompt acceptance of their prayers. For them prayer is their most powerful instrument with which all problems can be solved and all darkness diffused. For Nigeria, therefore, it is the prayers of the faithful that will see us through all our problems and bring us peace and prosperity.

And your advice to the wicked, self-centered and parochial? The wicked will not go unpunished. Those who are heartless, inhuman, very wicked, self-centered, parochial, discriminatory, and who plunder the nation’s resources, are courting the wrath of God and will eventually face severe calamities, unless they quickly repent. How can we eradicate poverty? It is an emphatic teaching of Islam and Ahmadiyya position that we should collectively strive to eradicate abject poverty, for it is ill-mannered and ungodly to be indifferent to the terrible suffering of our people. We are endowed with enough resources to eradicate abject poverty, especially hunger, disease, and ignorance. Hunger, disease and ignorance are interrelated. For example, the scourge of malaria that torments 100 million Nigerians annually (according W.H.O. Report) cannot be substantially reduced without addressing hunger, malnutrition, and dirty environment. The problem with us has been the inordinate ambition for insatiable accumulation of wealth by all means whatsoever. While we claim to be religious, our conduct does not reflect any piety, charitable spirit, or concern for fellow human beings. Our conduct is thus tantamount to the worship of materialism against which the Messiah has come to warn, if mankind does not want to face calamities on account of the wrath of God.

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Arty News

Friday, January 29, 2016

God shielding me from sexual harassment –Ogechi Peters For Ogechi Peters, an actress rarely will one see her bemoaning a missed opportunity. After graduation from school, she advanced her modeling career to acting, where she is presently fulfilling her dreams. She spoke with with UGOCHUKWU FAVOUR-MAYOR. Excerpt:

hat have you been doing before now? Before I went into acting, I was into modeling, and later I continued as a modeling agent who was given girls ushering jobs. While I was doing that, I was in school as well. But I graduated in 2013. Why did you choose acting? I’ve always loved acting. I used to admire a couple of them, even as I told myself that I would end up going into it someday. So, when I developed the courage to do it, I went for it. And right now, I’m very much happy that I’m doing it. What films have you featured in? Too many of them that I’ve done in the past, even now as you can see, I’m on another job. But so far, I can remember doing: A night with the governor, Lagos Men, School War, Faithful Sin, Helpless sisters, and so many others. What are you aiming at in the nearest future? I’m aiming to be better than the best, to get to a level where I will be helping a lot of people, especially children who are in need of assistance through charitable means. You know why? I want those children to know when they grow that people like us were around, and that we never abandoned them in their time of need. Not just that, it will also encourage them to support other growing children in the society. Being in a position where I will be helping people to get empowered is what I’m aiming. What’s your Nollywood experience? I’ve been in Nollywood for about three years. Though it was off and on, but I’m here on a full time now. For the experience, I will say it’s actually a good one. It’s never easy dealing with different kind of people at the same time, but now it’s different because I’ve learnt to accept people the way they are, and understand them, if not you would have issues with a lot of them, especially here in the industry. Do you believe that there is something like sexual harassment in this industry? Well, it’s the grace of God that is working on my behalf. I have heard of it severally. For it in the Nollywood industry, I can only say for myself, as such issue never came close. Though I wouldn’t say as it wasn’t made possible by my might, no, it’s not my power but of God. What motivates you? I’m motivated by love. Love for the arts; love for my career; love for nature and the environment; the love of lovers; love for life and living; and love for the beautiful things of life. Seeing smiles on people’s face really motivates me. And I thank God for such gift. You have regrets?

I have made mistakes which I have learnt from, and I thank God for the strength in facing them. I think we all shouldn’t have regrets because we always have something to learn from our past dealings. Learning from the past made me to get to where I am today, and the woman I have grown to be. Have you ever missed an opportunity in life? I don’t think I have missed any. I believe that every opportunity that comes my way is God’s way of advancing or saving me from something, be it missed or achieved. Can anything make you act nude on screen? I don’t think so. No reason! I don’t have to go nude to show the world the great woman that I am. What are your best moments like? My best moments? I have a lot of good moments, but I cherish them with my

family. My best moments are with my family. Who is your greatest inspiration in life? When people ask me who has inspired me the most in life, I definitely tell them my mother. My mum is not just an awesome mum, but my best friend, and my greatest inspiration. Do you intend producing your own films soon? If God says yes, I will, but for now I don’t know yet.

I’m motivated by love. Love for the arts; love for my career; love for nature and the environment; the love of lovers; love for life and living; and love for the beautiful things of life

27 29

Inside FCT

Friday, January 29, 2016

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Kuje: As influential men become guests

Marcus Fatunmole

uje is always in the news whenever the nation’s anti-graft agencies with headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are alive to their responsibilities. Reason is that most of the suspects standing trial for various offences are locked up in the only prison available is located in the Kuje area council of the territory Kuje is headquarters of one of the six area councils in FCT., It is a rapidlygrowing and largely agrarian community, with scores of villages and hamlets surrounding it. Two major roads lead into Kuje; one from Gwagwalada and the other through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road. Apart from the prison, which was once the only major institution the community was identified with, other organizations have arrived the community such as the Customs, High Court, Magistrate Court, General Hospital, new generation banks, police barracks, private schools among others. Today, as many residents of the FCT choose to live in Kuje, so are new prominent citizens taken to the prison. The irony of this is that many of the residents are very poor. They choose to live in many of the low-cost houses, including many shanties in the area council with their families and continue to face prevailing economic hardship in the nation, while the rich, who are suspected to have abused the trust committed into their hands while holding public offices, or working with holders of such offices, are now remanded in the prisons against their will. “Many big men and women drive in here every day, apparently to visit some of the big men inside there (the prison) Sometimes, the road will be congested and some people will be afraid to move around such vehicles, because you hardly know the occupants.

Road to Kuje

“Also, almost every day, you see the warders taking the accused to court inside town, totting their guns in manners that scare people who are not very familiar with the environment. For someone like me who has lived here for over five years, that is not a problem. I am used to it,” said Emmanuel Elijah, a resident of the town. Elijah added that many people in Kuje are counting their gains over present travails of some citizens who are guests of the prison. According to him, hoteliers cannot deny making gains from the ongoing trials of prison guests namely former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Public Relations Of-

ficer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh; and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. One of the accused and former Chairman of Daar Communication, operator of African Independent Television, AIT and Ray Power FM, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, had also been remanded in Kuje, over his alleged involvement in the $2.1billion arms scandal involving Dasuki and his alleged accomplices. Among the four mentioned, only Kanu is not standing trial for allegedly looting the nation’s treasury, he is being prosecuted for treasonable felony. Effects of anti-graft war in Kuje coincide with ac-

Many people in Kuje are counting their gains over present travails of some influential citizens who are guests of the prison.

tivities preceding the Area Council election in Abuja, which holds in March this year. Inside FCT notes that whenever the nation’s foremost anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, are tough on prosecuting corrupt persons, no other part of Abuja receive much publicity as Kuje; not Maitama, Asokoro and Central Business District which host government and major organizations in the city are so spoken about in the media and by the public. Kuje is likely mentioned wherever issue of corruption is discussed in Nigeria and beyond. This remained so, even when nothing concrete has been done by the ICPC since the “resuscitation” of the EFCC by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. “Kuje would be relatively unknown if this prison is not here,” said Musa Abdullahi, a resident of the community who spoke with Inside-FCT. He further said, “We are happy that everybody hears about us. The anti-corruption war is good. I will only urge the federal government to spare no one in the fight. Everyone who has stolen from our nation’s treasury must face prosecution. For those around Abuja, I believe there are enough cells in the prison here. This is the only way we can stop bad habits in this country. We are happy in Kuje to host looters.” He however urged government to invest more in infrastructures in the community. Inside FCT believes no less than 200 new persons move into Kuje daily, given the rate at which the suburb settlements are expanding. Prices of foodstuffs and accommodation in the town are believed to be lower than what obtains in other parts of the nation’s capital. Consequently, major roads in the community are often crowded with motorbikes, motor vehicles and pedestrians in most part of the day.

Development of satellite towns, priority for FCT Minister Blessing Ukaegbu

s the Abuja metropolis is gradually becoming congested because of the infrastructural development and special attention given to it because of its status as the seat of government by the, the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello as said priority attention would be to given to the development of the six area councils and satellite towns. While receiving briefs from the FCT Area Council Services Secretariat at the Banquet Hall, Minister’s Official residence, Gwarinpa I District, (Life-Camp), Abuja, Bello charged the professional departments in the secretariat to work in harmony in order to realise the objective. Bello reiterated that if the satellite

towns were given the required attention by providing the necessary infrastructure, most residents would not struggle to remain at the city centre. According to him, the Area Council Services Secretariat has the onerous task of providing quality policy framework to make these areas more conducive which will in turn reduce the pressure at the city centre. Similarly, while receiving briefs from the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), the Minister directed the company to revisit the concept of the Farmers’ Market by building more markets at other locations in Abuja. He, however, insisted that the markets must be Farmers markets indeed but not just by name, stressing that the premier Farmers’ Market in the Maitama District at inception depicted the freshness of fresh farm produce but not any longer at the moment as the concept seemed to

have been abused. The Minister tasked the Abuja Markets Management Limited to ensure that environmental cleanliness remained their watchword in all the FCT Markets and that leakages were blocked to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Moreover, following the briefing of management of the Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, the Minister assured that funds would be made available to the contractor handling the studio facilities

of the Aso Television so that the station could commence its operations. Bello called on the management team to find alternative ways of funding by looking inwards while the FCT Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye asked Directors in the Area Council Services Secretariat to brainstorm on ways to assist the six Area Councils resolve the knotty problem of salary arrears owed Council workers, urging them to show examples in their conduct for the Area Councils to emulate.

The Minister tasked the Abuja Markets Management Limited to ensure that environmental cleanliness remained their watchword

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Inside FCT

Friday, January 29, 2016

Rot, disorder take over Abuja bus stops

Blessing Ukaegbu

ver wondered how fast Abuja, the FCT, is losing its charm and beauty with every passing day? What about the rot and disorder that now characterize the city’s major districts? No worse hotspots provide an example of how rot and disorder have deprived the sprawling city of decency than its largely illegal bus stops Many of such bus stops can be found around the Julius Berger junction bridgehead of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, the Obafemi Awolowo Way, Herbert Macaulay Way, the Wuse Market Junction axis of the same road, Area 10 Junction around the popular UTC, Area 1 Shopping Centre, Area 1 and Area 3 Junctions among other places. Ironical is the fact that many of these bus stops previously described as illegal by the Federal Capital Territory administration (FCTA) bubble with transport business activity whereas their largely approved counterparts are literally being put out of use. Many officially approved bus stops no doubt have become a shadow of their old selves. Any wonder the streets of Abuja are littered with remnants or reminders of what used to be bus stops! Even where the FCTA or charitable organizations like the MTN, the Globacom and commercial banks had managed to provide commuters sheds at some bus stops, things have gone from bad to worse. Many of the commuter sheds have crumbled; many have been uprooted, and some have certainly been vandalised by unscrupulous people. Where the sheds still stand firm, they are defaced with all manner of posters, some advertising job vacancies, some musical concerts, and others, religious programmes. However, the scenario which is quite typical of any of Abuja bus stop could only be imagined. Drivers of commercial vehicles scrambling to convert every

Abuja, inset FCT-Minister, Mohammed Bello

Rot take over Abuja bus stops

space at any major junction to a motor park where passengers hastily board their vehicles any time of the day while touts call for passengers in return for the drivers’ commission. Pickpockets, whose stock-in-trade is pilfering personal effects of passengers, are having a field day. Everywhere around the illegal bus stops is rowdy, with

hawkers of items ranging from handkerchiefs, phone accessories, books, towels, food to sachet water, completing the terrifying bedlam that infects pedestrians and other legitimate road users with fear and anguish. Pedestrian walkways are completely obstructed by randomly packed vehicles. There are intermittent

Everywhere around the illegal bus stops is rowdy, with hawkers of items ranging from handkerchiefs, phone accessories, books, towels, food to sachet water

scuffles among touts, over who gets what or between touts and drivers. Commuters loitering about the streets, filling such places like ants, and the pulsating confusion reache its elastic limits when one task force or another arrives in patrol vans or in buses, either to arrest the highly itinerant hawkers or dislodge the touts or drivers. Many drivers speed off, against the run of traffic and pedestrians are left at the mercy of hit-and-run vehicles. No one seems to be in charge. This is the experience that most FCT residents must go through every day and this does not augur well with them while their deluge of complaints to the relevant authority, have always fallen on deaf ears and have sounded like a broken record. Uche Nnadi, an Abuja resident, berated the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) for not taking charge to clear all illegal bus stops saying that with the high level of indiscipline of many drivers on the streets of Abuja, it would not take time before it becomes a city of indiscriminate roadside markets, motor parks and bus stops. For John Okpeyi, driver of a commercial vehicle, he prefers to load his vehicle at illegal bus stops instead of the designated bus stop. To him, drivers preferred to position themselves at major junctions and such other places where there are many commuters “It is only around such places that passengers could easily board vehicles, the transport business around the city centre is so competitive and if all the vehicle boarding regulations were to be followed to the letter by any driver, there is no way to make ends meet”, he said Asked about what he thought of the poor state of many designated bus stops and the fact that both drivers and passengers have refused to put them to optimal use, Unanah Jalong who works in Central Business District of the FCT explained that the relevant authorities are to blame as necessary facilities to enhance security and convenience of large number of commuters are lacking’ He also indicted government officials saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that commercial drivers adhere to the law, saying that they are weak in enforcement of the law and had allowed the illegal bus stops to thrive while there is no public enlightenment for drivers, commuters and other road users. Inside-FCT observed at some illegal bus stops in the city that even law enforcement agents like the Police, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) are easily distracted even when they were on ground or even compromised by drivers or members of the road transport unions The law enforcement agents either display inability to maintain order at these illegal bus stops or overwhelmed by the usual chaos and confusion while on few occasions that they were able to restore law, order and discipline, such only proved to be short-lived or as long as they were present.

Friday, January 29, 2016

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FG rues suspension of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project Adejuwon Osunnuyi

Lagos-Ibadan expressway

‘

As a result of this, work has stopped on the road, thereby leading to the laying off of

about 2,000 construction workers,

‘

he Federal Government has expressed concerns over the stoppage of work on the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. While some section of the 167 km Expressway had been done by the contractor handling the project, workers were noticed to have moved out of the construction site since last year, thereby still making motorists experience unending gridlock. A Federal High Court in Lagos, had granted the order of mandatory injunction sought by Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited on December 11, 2015, rulling that the concession agreement purportedly signed between the Federal Government and MAL on January 16, 2015 was a flagrant disregard of the established principles of law. Bi-Courtney Highway Services, owned by Dr. Wale Babalakin, had sued the government challenging the termination of its earlier agreement with the latter to rebuild and manage the road. It named the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Infrastructure Bank among the defendants. However, in its determination to ensure construction work resumes as soon as possible on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Federal Government is believed to be to considering setting up a dispute resolution board to end the crisis currently stalling the reconstruction of the 167 km Expressway. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunnde Fashola gave this indication while speaking on a Nigerian Television Authority, NTA morning live programme on Tuesday. Fashola confirmed that the litigation as well as the termination of the agreement with Bi-Courtney by the government was responsible for the suspension of the reconstruction work on the highway. While speaking in the stoppage of work on the reconstruction of the Expressway, the minister lamented the dire implications the court case is

carnage on the road and loss of commuter travel time having on the progress of the project. According to Fashola, it would have been better if the court had looked at the consequence of granting the order to stop work on the site. “Apart from slowing down the pace of work on the site, there are over 2,000 workers who had been directly laid off by the action. Also in a statement from the ministry on Monday, the minister called for attitudinal change by the government and the people concerning their reactions to national issues as this would affect investors’ perception of Nigeria.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja at a retreat for the pension industry, used the LagosIbadan Expressway as a case study, explaining that the Federal Government had granted concession agreement on the road to a private company and later cancelled the contract. He said the government again entered into a construction and financing agreement with another company, adding that the first firm went to court and got an order to cancel the financing agreement made with the second company. “As a result of this, work has stopped on the road, thereby leading to the laying off of

about 2,000 construction workers, carnage on the road and loss of commuter travel time,” Fashola said. The Infrastructure Bank said in its publication, “Appeals have been lodged in the Court of Appeal by the defendants in the matter, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and The Infrastructure Bank Plc in respect of the ruling, which at an interlocutory stage, set aside an agreement, which is the basis upon which the current funding of the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan road is being implemented.” Although the bank admitted that the court action instituted by Bi-Courtney had stalled the project in the last eight months, it expressed optimism about completing the work within the stipulated four-year period. “Commitments have been secured to accelerate the pace of work and ensure the completion of the project within the contracted four-year pe-

riod,” it stated. The bank said the project, which was progressing steadily before the litigation, had attained 30 per cent completion within two years of its commencement. The TIB attributed the progress to its commitment to mobilising over N50bn for the project and the support of other stakeholders. Meanwhile, it was gathered that while the Minister had been holding meeting with stakeholders involved in the project, including Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, one of the options being explored was setting up of a dispute resolution board involving all sides. The Infrastructure Bank, in a public notice on Monday, said it had approached the Court of Appeal to seek the nullification of a recent court ruling that set aside a concession agreement that the Federal Government granted Motorway Assets Limited to finance the reconstruction of the road and later manage it.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

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Draft rules give EU power to recall cars, fine car makers

Cross section of Oleum academy granduants

Oando Marketing’s Oleum Academy 200 Batch II trainees complete programme

n furtherance of its commitment to consistently improve technical skills amongst auto mechanics, Oando Marketing Plc, has graduated its second stream of 200 mechanics from its Oleum Academy, in continuation of its training programme aimed at harnessing the potentials of auto-mechanics in Nigeria. The granduants, who cut across diverse backgrounds, were awarded the Oleum Academy certificates accredited by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The programme, designed to support the diversification of the economy, which is vital to the development of any nation, breeding self-reliance and entrepreneurship amongst technically-oriented individuals, is in its second year, after having successfully graduated 100 auto-mechanics in its first stream. The participants, who undergo a highly rigorous selection process are admitted into the 3-month training programme and are exposed to a well-designed training curriculum developed in partnership with Automedics as facilitators; a well-renowned auto-mobile company with a mechatronics training arm. The syllabus combines classroom and onsite training methods, with special

emphasis on auto diagnosis and repair, usage of modern diagnostic tools, mechatronics, and advanced training in automotive electrical systems, lubrication knowledge and application. According to the oil marketing company, the initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) to bridge the skills gap in the nation, focusing on the the automotive industry whilst improving theirsocial status and relevance in their communities through training and skills upgrade. “As the automobile industry constantly advances, and the demand for efficiency, expertise and customer experience increases, there is a need for mechanics to upgrade their skills and keep abreast on industry trends and the everchanging consumer market space.” the company stated. To empower them through a constructive and rewarding engagement with the lubricants consumer market and the Oleum brand, a Mechanic Oleum Reseller Enterprise (M.O.R.E) initiative was also inaugurated; designed to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of the mechanics, and deepen product usage and breed proximity with users. One of the beneficiaries, Opeyemi Bello, thanked the company for the opportunity to be able to improve his skills and expand his technical knowledge.

“This has opened my eyes to a lot of things, now I can work on different cars and models and give the right solutions to my customers. I am so glad that I was a part of this; I have learnt alot.” he enthused. In addition to the over 1,000 onsite trainings organized by the company nationwide, an additional 250 auto-mechanics have been trained in the Oleum Academy. Amongst these are 20 female mechanics who also graduated from the Oleum academy. The company also stated that safety is central to its operations; therefore it is imperative that professional handlers of automotive are well-equipped to provide optimal services are delivered to enhance national growth and security. The Oleum Academy is one of the initiatives we have designed to give back to the society. So far, we have trained 300 mechanics; our goal is to train 5000.” Following the graduation ceremony, the Oleum Academy alumni received autodiagnostic starter packs, and other work tools to support their trade practice. The initiative, which commenced in Lagos, will be replicated across other states of the Federation. The subsequent batch of trainees will be admitted in the second quarter of 2016, as the initiative is targeted at training about 5000 mechanics in Nigeria.

he European Union sought sweeping powers over national car regulations on Wednesday, aiming to prevent a repeat of Volkswagen’s emissions test cheating scandal and sparking a tough debate as governments and industry resist change. Under the proposed new rules, Brussels would be able to demand spot checks on vehicles, order recalls and impose penalties on carmakers of up to 30,000 euros ($32,600) per vehicle for failure to comply with environmental laws if no fine is being imposed by the member state. The new plans would also authorise individual EU member states to recall cars in violation of regulations but approved by other members of the bloc, encouraging peer review of national authorities. The planned legislation is the strongest EU response yet to German carmaker Volkswagen’s admission in September that it used software to cheat U.S. diesel admissions tests — a scandal that has shone a light on the EU’s lax vehicle regulations.

“We have to make sure that it never happens again,” European Commission VicePresident Jyrki Katainen said. “This is about Europe’s competitiveness, about our consumers and about our environment.” Under existing rules on vehicle or “type” approval, Germany’s KBA authority alone has the power to both approve new Volkswagen cars and to revoke those licences, though the vehicles can be sold across the EU single market. So far, no EU national authority has imposed a penalty on Volkswagen, even though it has said that about 8.5 million of the 11 million vehicles fitted with banned software are in the region. Critics view this as a sign of collusion between governments and the auto industry, a major source of jobs and exports in the bloc’s biggest economies of Germany and France. If the new legislation is approved by EU states and the European Parliament, future breaches would result in possible multibillion-euro costs for manufacturers.

Toyota remains world’s biggest carmaker

oyota has kept its crown as the world’s top-selling carmaker for the fourth straight year. The company sold 10.15 million cars overall in 2015, slightly beating expectations. Germany’s Volkswagen came second with 9.93 million vehicles sold, followed in third by General Motors from the US with 9.8 million. Volkswagen had been top in the first half of 2015 before a diesel emissions scandal set back sales. Business in a number of major markets such as the US and Japan, as well as in emerging markets, has slowed due to the global economic slowdown. In 2014, Toyota claimed the

top spot with 10.23 million cars sold. The company is best known for its Prius hybrid, Camry and Corolla sedan models and the Lexus luxury brand. Toyota also announced it was considering buying out the rest of fellow car maker Daihatsu, of which it already owns 51.2 per cent. Shares in Daihatsu jumped 16.4 per cent on the Tokyo stock exchange on the news. Toyota shares rose by 3.8 per cent, also boosted by media reports suggesting there was to be a cooperation deal with Suzuki. Both carmakers denied the rumours, but Suzuki also saw its shares jump by 11.4 per cent.

People In The Mirror

L-R: Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura (left) presenting a gift to the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during the minister’s visit to Lafia on Tuesday evening.

Ambassador/Head of Delegation of European Union (EU) to Nigeria, Michel Arrion (right) and Head of Delegation of Politics, Press and Information Section, Pauline Torehall (L), at a press conference on President Buhari’s planned visit to European Parliament in Abuja.

L-R: Vice President, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Barr Jude Igwe; President, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye and 2nd Deputy President Mr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, during a Press Conference announcing the Winner of the 2016 Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry Excellence Awards in Abuja. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Musa Kimo; Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, and Director of NDDC in Rivers, Mrs. Akwagaga Enyia, during the commissioning of residential quarters built by the NDDC for police personnel, in Port Harcourt.

Friday, January 29, 2016

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L-R: A member of Nigerian Bar Association, Kachi Ibeh; Justice Tinuade Akomolafe and Chief judge of FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, during a workshop on Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Abuja. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde; Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Chairman, Lagos Governor’s Office Correspondents, Mr Joshua Bassey at a dinner for Lagos Governor’s Office Correspondents in Lagos.

L-R: British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria Ray Kyles (left)and Deputy Managing Director Arik Air Captain Ado Sanusi, during the visit of Kyles to Arik Air Headquarter in Lagos. PHOTO ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R: Acting Deputy Controller of Customs (Revenue), Mrs. Elizabeth Isofi; Controller, Oyo-Osun Area Command, Mr Tolutope Ogunkua and Deputy Controller (Administration), Mr Abdusallam Hassan, at a news conference on Activities of the Command in Ibadan.

Friday, January 29, 2016

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Business Maritime

Enhancing supply chain efficiency through freight forwarding business The decision of the Federal Government to reform the freight forwarding segment of the maritime industry was partly to enhance its crucial role in achieving an efficient and reliable supply chain in the country. Regrettably, more than nine years after, this important segment has remained all comers’ affair, thus defeating the essence of the reform measure, reports FRANCIS EZEM.

reight forwarding, no doubt, is an important segment of the supply chain in the international trade business. The role of the freight forwarder include but not limited to acting as a middle man between the importer, his foreign supplier, the port authority and terminal operators, among several others. To this effect, the freight forwarder plays an essential role promoting port efficiency and speedy delivery of cargo, which affect cost and competitiveness of the ports. It was in recognition of this fact that the government decided to reform the freight forwarding segment of the port system, which also encompasses the customs brokerage agents. Under the reform, the government enacted the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN Act 2007, which also created the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN, charged with the function of registering, regulating the freight forwarders as well as setting standards of practice, among several others. The government had argued that with the conclusion of the port reforms, which brought about private terminal operators to handle cargo and the expected efficiency in port operations, the whole exercise might not achieve the desired goals if the freight forwarding profession, which also plays crucial role, especially in processing cargo was not reformed also. This dream unfortunately has yet to be actualised, as

the profession is still bereft of any standards of practice and therefore all comers’ affair. Part of the reason for this is that the CRFFN, which is to regulate this segment of the import and export trade, has yet to get its bearing nearly nine years after. For instance, for nearly three years, the council has operated without a governing board, which is the highest decision making organ of the council as provided by the enabling Act. This is primarily due to the failure of the freight forwarders themselves, as represented by the five associations to agree on the mode of representation to the board. Thus, supremacy tussle among the leadership of the associations has kept the council lying on its belly for over three years. Before the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past board, the council was enmeshed with series of court cases instituted by the freight forwarders over frivolous issues, which made it practically impossible for the council to function optimally. The council is also bedeviled with the problem of funding, as government could not the annual subventions it extended to the council in the first three

Amaechi

years of its operation. As part permanent solution to this problem, the government approved the Practitioners Operating Fee POF, designed to fund the council. In its magnanimity, the government also ceded 35 per cent of the entire collections to the five associations and just like the election into the governing board, some freight forwarders have secured court injunctions restraining the council from collecting the fee. Moves by the Council to commence the collection were met with serious resistance, as one of the associations sent thugs to the Seme Border to beat-up staff of the council, who were there to commence the collection. Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, the regulator for the nation’s seaports, Mr. Hassan Bello, while assessing the performance of the freight forwarders, expressed worries that the practitioners have yet to imbibe international best practice in

Experts also believe that though freight forwarding business has contributed in no small measure

to the socio-economic development of the country, it has yet to be reckoned with due to its low standards

Bello

their operations. According to him, the practice of the profession in Nigeria is still devoid of standards and best practice and professionalism, as it has become an all comers affairs. Experts also believe that though freight forwarding business has contributed in no small measure to the socioeconomic development of the country, it has yet to be reckoned with due to its low standards. Bello said: “The freight forwarding practitioners in Nigeria, like their counterparts abroad are at the heart and centre of the international supply chain in ensuring that goods are securely freighted from port of origin, properly cleared from the ports and safely delivered to the destination”. “Because it an all comers’ affair, in spite of the immense contributions of the freight forwarding business to the socio-economic growth and development of the county, the standards of practice has remained poorly rated”, he also regretted. But stakeholders have canvassed a streamlining of the freight forwarding practitioners in terms of the number of people granted licenses to operate. An operator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that what is happening in the freight forwarding busi-

ness should be expected because there is no rule guiding entry and exit in and out of the business. According to him, there are currently over 15, 000 freight forwarders operating in the industry, some licensed by the CRFFN and several many others not licensed. He suggested that such streamlining could come in the form of consolidation, mergers and acquisition for these freight forwarding segments of the industry in order to enhance capital adequacy and efficiency while weeding the quacks out of the system. “Freight forwarding is not like Customs Brokerage Agents, because a freight forwarder should be much bigger in terms of funding and size of business they do. So they must consolidate in order to be able to charter vessels and do several other logistic jobs”, he also argued.

It has also been argued that the Nigerian maritime industry does not need more than five well-funded and Information Communication Technology ICT-driven freight forwarding companies to carry on with the volume of business in the country. This is therefore a clarion call for the CRFFN to step up its regulatory activities in the best interest of the industry. The earlier it does this the better.

Business Maritime

Friday, January 29, 2016

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Customs to sanction illegal ship berthing, cargo discharge STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigeria Customs Service has warned that it would descend heavily with multinational shipping companies operating in the country, shipping agents and some unscrupulous officers and men of the service who aid and abate the crime of illegal berthing of ships and mid-stream discharge of cargo, though which the Federal Government loses huge sums of money. Former President Goodluck

Jonathan had following the increasing cases of oil theft, influx of illegal arms and th attendant worsening insecurity situation in the country banned shipping firms from illegally discharging their consignments midstream, warning that anyone caught would be severely dealt with. Comptroller General of the service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), who gave the warning, has therefore directed the relevant units of the service to commence strict enforcement of all relevant provi-

sions of the extant laws that regulate all issues regulate the berthing of ships and illegal discharge of cargo outside the customs ports. The new directive is contained in a circular entitled: NCS/Exc, FTZ&II/038/S.28/Vol.II/316 dated January 21, 2016 and addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers General, Assistant Comptrollers General, Zonal Coordinators, Customs Area Controllers, Controllers in charge of Federal Operations Unit Zones A-D and Controllers in

MAERSK container vessel

FG may begin probe of firm over pollution at seaports

trong indications emerged that the Federal Government may commence a major probe into the activities of African Circle Pollution Management Limited, operators of the Nigerian Ports Authority waste reception facilities for ship generated waste and cargo residues at all the nation’s seaports. A reliable industry source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the government is currently concluding plans to beam its searchlight on the company. According to him, the decision to begin the investigation into the activities of the company was informed by the increasing level of pollution on the nation’s waters. It was also gathered that the broke would look into the revenue allocation to the company, disbursements, acquisition of necessary tools for work, among others. The source, who also disclosed that a four-man committee has been put in place for the inquiry, said the committee is expected to advise the government whether to retain the company in its present status or merge it with the relevant of NPA Investigations showed that the government was worried by the creation and formation of service

firms by some agencies of the government, some of which are believed are avenues to divert funds and promote personal enrichment. Part of the job of the committee is also to ascertain the veracity of the claim by the company that it processes in excess of 100,000 tonnes of both solid and oily wastes at its facility in Lagos on a daily basis. However, efforts to speak with a representative of the company proved abortive as at the time of

filing this report, as telephone calls put across to it were not picked. The International Maritime Organisation Convention on Maritime PollutionMARPOL 73/78, encourages member nations to evolve framework for the management of their nation’s Marine Environment. The provisions of the IMO MARPOL Conventions relate to the adequacy of port reception facilities in member nations are complied with.

ITF to fund Seaman Guard Ohio crew members’ appeal

he International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) will pay for legal support for the court appeal of the recently sentenced anti-piracy ship Seaman Guard Ohio’s crew members. “We have now completed a full legal analysis of the court’s judgment and we firmly believe there are grounds for appeal. We will match our determination with funds,” ITF seafarers’ section chair Dave Heindel said. “This is a clear case of criminalisation of the vessel’s crew. They have been sentenced for supposedly being in charge of weapons that they would never have handled,” Namely, the 35 crew members

of US security company AdvanFort, including British, Estonian and Ukrainian nationals, were arrested by Indian Coast Guard off the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu in October 2013. They were charged for failing to present proper documentation necessary to carry weapons in Indian waters, and an Indian court recently sentenced them to five years of prison. “The real scandal is that the company responsible, AdvanFort, has been able to play fast and loose with rules, regulations, vessel registration and insurance, thereby dropping the ship’s crew and the armed guards into this mess.

charge of Western Marine Command and Enforcement Units of the service, among several others. The circular signed on behalf of the Comptroller General by the DCG in charge Excise, Free Trade Zones and Industries, Mrs. Grace Adeyemo, disclosed that the directive was informed by recent intelligence reports in which some Customs officers have compromised their duty by conniving with some unscrupulous elements to defraud the government. The directive reads in part: ``Intelligence reports reaching the Customs Headquarters indicate that there are some form of compromise by Customs officers, where deliberate acts of impunity are the through illegal berthing of ships and vessels and mid-stream discharge of cargo at locations other than officially designated Customs Ports despite existing circulars’’. ``In effect, I am directed to reiterate and convey the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs directive on strict enforcement of the extant laws and circulars in that regard, especially section 12 (1) and (4) of the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA,”, it also stated. The CG, who sounded a note of warning to shipping companies and agents as well as operative of the service insists that on no circumstance should any ship or vessel coming in from any foreign country, berth at any other place

other than the conventional ports first before proceeding to any other facility if need be. It was further gathered that the CG has also directed that where any ship or vessel is designated to discharge at a Free Zone, it shall sail thereafter under official escort provided by the enforcement unit of the command for further official processes. He also insisted that the officers must strictly enforce all relevant provisions of section 26 of the CEMA and other relevant laws. Meanwhile maritime stakeholders have been commenting on the new directive by the Comptroller General of the service, which most of them described as the right step in the right direction. Chairman of Nigerians Against Theft In the Maritime Sector NATIMS Dr. Jonas Bankole, one of stakeholders, described the directive as a savings grace for the Federal Government, especially in line with its policy to block all revenue leakages in order to boost development. According to him, with the new directive, the persisting illegal berthing of ships and vessels at terminals operated by private jetty operators through which the government has lost huge sums of money in the past, would no longer be business as usual.

Container capacity growth slides to record low

lobal container ship capacity is expected to increase by 4.6 per cent in 2016, the slowest growth rate in more than 25 years, giving some relief to an industry hammered by oversupply, consultancy firm Alphaliner forecast on Tuesday. Freight rates have plunged, driving many shipping companies into losses, as global trade has failed to keep pace with the number of new vessels entering the market in recent years. “Falling below the previously smallest year-on-year increase of 5.5 per cent, recorded in 2009, it will register well below the average annual growth rate of 10.3 percent, recorded since 1990,” Alphaliner said of capacity growth. Changes in capacity have been tracked since 1990. The balance between demand and supply will improve as new vessel deliveries from shipyards slow down and a growing number of container ships are scheduled for demolition. Before the financial crisis in 2008, container transport demand was increasing at about three times the rate of global eco-

nomic growth. Since 2010, that ratio has been just 1.1, shipping organisation Bimco said. With the International Monetary Fund expecting world economic growth of 3.4 per cent in 2016, that would suggest container demand of between 3.5 percent and 4.0 percent - signalling the industry is still in for a torrid year. “The new normal level of demand is somewhat lower than originally expected - just as global GDP growth keeps disappointing us,” said BIMCO shipping analyst Peter Sand. Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company with over 600 vessels, said global demand likely increased 1-3 percent in 2015, compared with its previous expectation of 2-4 per cent. Falling shipping freight rates for transporting containers from Asia to Northern Europe showed last week there was no traditional surge in cargo exports from China ahead of the Lunar New Year, spreading further gloom over the industry.

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Business News

Friday, January 29, 2016

NEPC sets $30bn non-oil export earnings target Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

igerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is intensifying efforts to move the nation’s non-oil export earnings from the current $2.7 billion to $30 billion. The Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo who disclosed this in Abuja at meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, stated that the council had identified eleven strategic products that would help in achieving the target. According to him, part of the Council’s strategies to reposition the non-oil export sector include, One-State-One Product Programme aimed at assisting each state of the federation to develop and promote a choice exportable product where it has comparative and competitive edge, identification of spe-

cific export areas such as Palm Oil, Cocoa, Cashew, Sugar and Rice); Cement, Iron ore/metals, Auto parts/cars, Aluminium and, Petroleum products, fertilizer/Urea, Petrochemical and Methanol. He said: “More recently, we have developed the Zero Oil Plan, in response to this administration’s charge that Nigeria must begin to look for new drivers of the economy. The plan is Nigeria’s strategic effort to build an economy that does not need oil to survive and can serve as a major flagship economic programme for the country.” The minister lamented that the country had not been able to achieve the full potentials of the sector when compared to its abundant human and natural resources especially in the agriculture and solid mineral sectors.

He announced plans to organize a national Agricultural Summit aimed at engaging the youths to get their buy-in and change the orientation that agriculture was only meant for never-do-well in the society. Ogbeh commended the NEPC for articulating a Zero Oil Plan to support the rapid diversification of the Nation’s economy through non-oil exports.

He noted that although there were several inhibitions to achieving a total diversification from oil to non-oil, the minister was optimistic that the challenges were not insurmountable. However, he maintained that the same advocacy must be carried to the door-steps of the governors in their respective states in order to make the states selfreliant and increase their Inter-

nally Generated Revenue (IGR). The factors that would transform the sector, he pointed out, include among others, adoption of international best practices in agriculture within the entire value-chain in terms of quality and standards, logistics, cultivation of high yielding species, production, mechanisation, processing, good preservation methods, marketing and packaging.

AAAN President decries frequent APCON Council’s dissolution David Audu

resident of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria, AAAN, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, has decried the frequent dissolution of council of the apex regulatory body, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, saying the actions have been undermining ongoing reforms in the industry. Nwosu, who disclosed this to brand journalists in Lagos, lamented that the frequent dissolution of the council of APCON in view of the negative impact on ongoing reforms and efforts targeted at repositioning the industry. The AAAN chief, who is also the Managing Director of TBWA Concept, said the unfortunate dissolution brings to mind the 18 months frustration practitioners experienced when Prince Ngozi Enioma, a non-professional was made President of the body to the chagrin of the industry. It would be recalled that the council of APCON was dissolved along with other federal agencies in 2014 and lasted for 18 months. A substantive council chairman was appointed in March 2015 which saw the Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Udeme Ufot as the new chairman. But barely three months into his tenure, had the new government of President Mohammadu Buhari again dissolved the boards and council of federal parastatals which also affected

APCON. The AAAN president noted that the unfortunate situation is affecting the re-positioning of advertising industry in Nigeria, saying that there are certain things that the council alone is empowered to do and in the absence of the council the business of regulating the industry suffers. “The regulation of the large and growing advertising industry will again remain prostrate without the direction of the Council. Of course, the APCON secretariat headed by the Registrar and CEO will continue to do their best but the Council is the policy making body and provides direction,” Nwosu said. He called on the government to treat APCON as a special professional regulatory body like the other regulatory Councils in medicine, law and other professions and therefore urged government to divorce it from the normal civil service operations in ministries.

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi; Past President, Mr. Ariyo Olushekun; Acting President, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe; and President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, during a media briefing on the state of the market in Lagos on Wednesday.

China to build reception station for Nigeria satellite –FG Regina Otokpa, Abuja

he Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed that China had agreed to build a ground receiving centre for Nigeria’s satellites in orbit. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Abuja on the outcome of his visits to China and Indonesia last week, said the government was intensifying efforts to identify and close the huge technology gaps existing in the country. According to him, the huge import demand of Nigerians has been a hindrance to govern-

ment’s efforts to create jobs and alleviate poverty across the country. He explained that government was determined to domesticate foreign technologies by first creating avenues to assemble products locally rather than continue on wholesale importation of goods and services. He said: “The trip was to make sure that we close all technology gaps in the country, because if we don’t do that then the direction of national development in the country will not change in line with the present administration. We have always stressed that one major area that the Ministry of Science and Technology is con-

Arik Air re-opens Freetown, Sierra Leone routes Olusegun Koiki

igerian carrier, Arik Air said it has concluded arrangement to resume flight services from Lagos to Freetown, Sierra Leone from February 23, 2016. The airline had suspended direct flight operations to Freetown in July 2014 due to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in

some West African nations including Sierra Leone. Statement issued in Lagos by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Ola Adebanji, hinted that the resumed service would entail a new schedule with flights from Lagos to Freetown now routed via Accra, Ghana. Adebanji explained that the resumed flight services would be a three weekly flight to be operated

on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, using a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation, NG, aircraft configured to carry 20 Business Class and 126 Economy Class passengers. He added that outbound flights would depart Lagos at 7:20 am and arrive Accra at 7:20 am. The flight then departs Accra at 8:05 am and arrives in Freetown at 10:30 am.

cerned with is how we can diversify our economy. “To achieve this we must be in a position to close major technology gaps. For so long we find that we import virtually everything we need and Nigeria cannot continue that way. Because we have seen the effect that is denying us jobs. We can no longer have a enough jobs for our people both young and old,” he added. The minister added that outside working with China to develop and launch Nigeria’s satellite, the government was putting modalities on ground with the Chinese to ensure the existing relationship was deepened to enhance technology transfer amongst other benefits to aid in local production of all products and machineries including satellites . “Our interest is no longer to go and purchase products from other countries. We will as much as possible try to domesticate those products. We will like to start with assembling then do manufacturing. But our approach will be that in the process of assembling we will also support it with research and developmental activity.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

NEPC sets $30bn non-oil export earnings target N igerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is intensifying efforts to move the nation’s non-oil export earnings from the current $2.7 billion to $30 billion. The Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo who disclosed this in Abuja at meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, stated that the council had identified eleven strategic products that would help in achieving the target. According to him, part of the Council’s strategies to reposition the non-oil export sector include, One-State-One Product Programme aimed at assisting each state of the federation to develop and promote a choice exportable product where it has comparative and competitive edge, identification of specific export areas such as Palm Oil, Cocoa, Ca-

shew, Sugar and Rice); Cement, Iron ore/metals, Auto parts/ cars, Aluminium and, Petroleum products, fertilizer/Urea, Petrochemical and Methanol. He said: “More recently, we have developed the Zero Oil Plan, in response to this administration’s charge that Nigeria must begin to look for new drivers of the economy. The plan is Nigeria’s strategic effort to build an economy that does not need oil to survive and can serve as a major flagship economic programme for the country.” The minister lamented that the country had not been able to achieve the full potentials of the sector when compared to its abundant human and natural resources especially in the agriculture and solid mineral sectors. He announced plans to organize a national Agricultural

Summit aimed at engaging the youths to get their buy-in and change the orientation that agriculture was only meant for never-do-well in the society. Ogbeh commended the NEPC for articulating a Zero Oil Plan to support the rapid diversification of the Nation’s economy through non-oil exports. He noted that although

there were several inhibitions to achieving a total diversification from oil to non-oil, the minister was optimistic that the challenges were not insurmountable. However, he maintained that the same advocacy must be carried to the door-steps of the governors in their respective states in order to make the states self-reliant and increase their Internally Generated Rev-

enue (IGR). The factors that would transform the sector, he pointed out, include among others, adoption of international best practices in agriculture within the entire value-chain in terms of quality and standards, logistics, cultivation of high yielding species, production, mechanisation, processing, good preservation methods, marketing and packaging.

AAAN President decries frequent APCON Council’s dissolution David Audu

China to build reception station for Nigeria satellite –FG Regina Otokpa, Abuja

Arik Air re-opens Freetown, Sierra Leone routes Olusegun Koiki

Business News

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Smallholder farmers’ financial inclusion, key to devt –Okonjo-Iweala ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

ormer Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has declared that financial inclusion of smallholder farmers across Africa is a key to the development of the continent, since agriculture formed the backbone of African economies, accounting for 32 per cent of gross domestic product, GDP. She said that a majority of the

continent’s farmers earned their living on small plots of less than two hectares, which represented 80 per cent of all farms across subSaharan Africa. Okonjo-Iweala , who decried the exclusion of smallholder farmers from financial services, said the act has constrained them from improving their wellbeing and transforming their farms into economically viable businesses. She declared that large gaps

remained in meeting the financial needs of smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. According to her, the Global Financial Index, or Global Findex, underscores the extent of their exclusion from the formal financial sector. Across forty-two African countries in 2014, only 29 per cent of adults in rural areas had a mobile money account or an account at a bank or microfinance institution, MFI, compared to 34 per cent

L-R: The Chairman, Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN), Mr. Pattison Boleighia; Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Chief Compliance Officer of the Bank, Mr. Ademola Onigbanjo; the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Olusiji Adeyinka and the Assistant Secretary of the Committee, Mrs. Shola Phillips, during the January 2016 general meeting of CCCOBIN, hosted by FCMB in Lagos yesterday.

Engineers’ body tasks agencies on equipment maintenance Olusegun Koiki

he Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Aeronautical Division have called on various government agencies across the country especially in aviation sector to imbibe good maintenance culture on equipment. The engineers said that through regular maintenance of the equipment, their lifespan would increase while resources could be diverted to other areas necessary for developments. The President of NSE, Aeronautical Division, Engr. Bola Bido, gave this charge in Abuja when he led members of the association on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom. Bido observed that lack of maintenance culture was responsible for the folding up of some companies in the country and stressed the need for parastatals heads to engage the services of local engineers in the aviation sector to handle all equipment maintenance related issues. According to him, with the dwindling resources in the country, there was no way organisations would survive by seeking

the services of expatriates where Nigerian engineers were capable of doing the job. He said: “With the dwindling resources, it is necessary to look inwards by challenging our engineers to learn. Jobs that can be done by Nigerians should be given to Nigerians in order to encourage them.” Bido also decried the high rate of ageing workforce in the aviation sector, maintaining that

this remained a source of worry to the association and stakeholders in the sector. While commending the Nimet boss, for the transformation in the agency, Bido noted that the ICT department of the agency remained a reference point to all and requested for the integration of Nimet services in Air Traffic Management, ATM, in all the airports to enable all the airlines get its information.

at the national level. The former Minister said although access to bank accounts in rural areas remained low, this represented an increase from 24 per cent in 2011. She added that poor households and women were even more excluded than the rural population generally. She said that despite the availability of much literature on expanding financial inclusion among the world’s poor, the issue has been a development priority since Group of Twenty (G20) leaders launched the Financial Inclusion Action Plan in 2010. However, she said that Africa’s smallholder farmers have received little attention, while women farmers, who make up half of the continent’s agricultural labor force, have received even less. She said: “Being excluded from financial services has negative consequences for smallholder farmers. Access to credit can help raise farm productivity by expanding access to inputs as well as better storage, marketing, and processing. Access to savings instruments at harvest enables families to put money aside and helps smooth consumption at

FirstBank takes financial literacy campaign to Meadow Hall School today Udo Onyeka

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to promote financial literacy among the youth and unbanked segment of the society. As part of the activities to empower the Nigerian child with a sound financial education, the bank has established the FutureFirst initiative aimed at empowering secondary school students between the ages of 12

UK Treasury Committee to probe corporate tax base problems

he UK’s Treasury Select Committee is to launch an inquiry into problems affecting the corporate tax base, committee chair Andrew Tyrie has confirmed. In a statement, Tyrie said: “The complexity of tax law is turning what should be a straightforward principle – that everybody should pay the correct amount of tax – into a piece of elastic. For corporation tax, for instance, the problem is exacerbated by the globalization of economic activity and any liability to tax that accompanies it.” Tyrie’s comments followed the announcement by technology giant Google that it had agreed with HM Revenue and Customs

(HMRC) a “new approach to its UK taxes.” It is to pay GBP130m (USD184.4m) in back taxes as part of a settlement covering the period since 2005 and “will now pay tax based on revenue from UKbased advertisers, which reflects the size and scope of our UK business.” According to Tryrie, “A corporation’s duty to shareholders will be to minimize its tax liability. It should be the duty of those making tax policy to find better ways to limit the elasticity. Google may be the symptom, but it is not the cause.” “There is a lot the Government could be doing. Tax policy must be made more practicable and the tax system more coherent. Tax

other times of the year. Access to payment platforms can offer a secure and efficient way to make transactions. And access to insurance products can protect against illness and weatherrelated shocks. “In the absence of these formal mechanisms, smallholder households often rely on informal instruments. Although they are accessible and flexible, informal financial services can also be inefficient and costly in the short term, and they do not always offer the services needed to help transform subsistence farming into a profitable business.” While identifying demand and supply as barriers limiting access to formal financial services by the smallholder farmers, the former Minister said that a number of demand- and supply-side constraints explained why smallholder farmers were excluded from formal financial services. According to her, on the demand side, smallholder households could not always afford fees or minimum balance requirements to keep accounts active.

needs to be fair. It needs to provide more certainty and stability. There is a lot to do and a lot for the committee to examine.” The Government has defended the agreement with Google. On January 25, Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke told the House of Commons that the deal is “solid evidence that companies are changing their models and reviewing their structures because we have strengthened the rules.” He pointed out that the Government took a leading role in the international base erosion and profit shifting project, introduced a 25 percent diverted profits tax (DPT), and invested heavily in HMRC compliance activities.

and 17years old with the tools and knowledge for long-term financial independence. FirstBank’s Financial Literacy Programme aims to provide an experiential supplement to the business education of high school students in Nigeria and empower them with financial knowledge through training on running a business and the basics of money to promote a savings culture amongst them. To this end, the bank would visit Meadow Hall School, Oba Elegushi road, Ajah today to take the students through the concepts of financial literacy while letting them know that their capacity to imbibe this principles will enable them build a prosperous future. The FutureFirst Initiative has two platforms of expression – Career Counseling and Financial Literacy Programmes – both aimed at ensuring the youth of our nation are financially independent through fulfilling careers and the right financial knowledge. The Financial Literacy programme is run in partnership with Junior Achievement of Nigeria, who has been at the forefront of championing financial literacy in Nigeria for over 15 years. It was gathered that over 40,000 students from 60 secondary schools have benefitted from this programme.

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG seeks state govts’ support on agric production Stories: ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Federal Government has called on state governments to support its efforts in improving agricultural production in the country by providing lands and other need help to the investors. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this known during his meeting with members of the Cotton Ginners Association of Nigeria led by their President, Alhaji Salmanu Abdullahi in his office. Ogbeh said that the call for support from the state governments was necessary because more investments and innovative would be needed to reposition the country’s agricultural sector as an alternative to crude oil. He said: “We have to get back to business, thank God oil is finished. The ministry has no land, all we need is to give the way and the ministry will drive the campaign among the state governors.” While expressing displeasure over the tragedy that had befallen cotton production in the country, the minister noted that tree crops like cocoa, palm oil and rubber among others had hitherto formed major players in the economic growth of Nigeria. He said the yield of 300 kg of cotton per hectare was very low; stressing that, the use of biotechnology would be introduced to improve agricultural production in the country. The Minister affirmed that the pres-

ent administration would make agricultural practices an all year round operations with the provision of improved irrigation facilities in all states of the federation. He disclosed the intention of the ministry to convene a National Council on Agriculture to brainstorm with State Governors and other stakeholders on the way forward for the nation’s agricultural sector. The President of the Cotton Ginners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Salmanu Abdullahi, who led the delegation, explained that the association, made

up of cotton ginning processors, cotton producers, merchants and cotton exporters, was the main link between cotton peasant farmers and end-users of cotton products locally and internationally. He lamented that as a result of the decline in cotton production in the country, only ten (10) out of the fifty two (52) Ginneries installed by the association were operational and produced below their installed capacities of 20- 30 per cent . He noted that African countries such as Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso and Tanzania depended sorely on cot-

ton production to sustain their foreign exchange, adding that Nigeria has huge capacity to produce more than local demands for cotton as well as export to other parts of the world if properly harnessed. Abdullahi said that the members of the association had both indigenous entrepreneurs and foreign investors, who had made huge investments in the cotton industry. He therefore called on the federal government to fast-track the revival of cotton and textile industries in Nigeria for its economic growth.

L-R: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Nigeria, Dr Louise Setshwaelo; Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federation, Dr Egejuru Eze, during Presentation of Surveillance Equipments to Combat Bird Flu by FAO in Abuja yesterday.

Farmers’ association celebrates maiden Tilapia fish harvest T ilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria, TADAN, has harvested the first set of its tilapia fishes at a ground-breaking ceremony in Iseyin, Oyo State. At the event, held at Ikere Gorge Dam, the Managing Director, Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Akintunde Soyemi, lauded the achievement of TADAN and assured greater support of fish farming. He said: “This achievement is a clear demonstration and testimony that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy of the Federal Government is realistic. It has shown that this policy is capable of facilitating rapid socio-economic development of Nigeria. “The significance of this development is that concrete efforts are being made to propel Nigeria towards self-sufficiency in fish production.” Highlighting the challenges involved in ensuring the dams were working to realise full potentials, Soyemi noted that the river basin authority had to strive within its lean budgets to achieve some results. He expressed optimism on the completion of the projects under this current administration. He therefore called for a synergy between fisheries departments of various Agriculture Research Institutes and Universities

of Agriculture nationwide as well as the importers of fish. He noted that the partnership would help develop and grow other species of fish. To the President of TADAN, Remi Ahmed, the harvest ceremony was a fulfilling outing. “I’m delighted on the caliber of dignitaries present for this ground-breaking event. It shows the interest and commitment to fish farming,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Choice Fisheries Consults Limited, declared that the environment in Iseyin was relatively good for tilapia farming. He therefore called on authorities to give more support to the business. The harvest ceremony also witnessed the launch of “Tilapia in cages” centered on promoting the culture of tilapia business and the overall diversification of the

economy. According to the National Secretary of the association, Adedeji Fatai Abiodun, the initiative was expected to promote the culture of Tilapia in cages in available abundant water body in the country, which was in line with the development of diversification of the resources and income as a nation, stimulate self-sufficiency in fish and exportation of fish.

AfDB partners FARA, CGIAR on feed Africa project Isaac Asabor

he African Development Bank Group (AfDB) recently in Abidjan hosted a meeting with a delegation from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) towards the goal of feeding Africa within the shortest possible time. The meeting was a follow-up to the AfDB’s High Level Conference on African Agricultural Transformation, which called for the continent to “execute a bold plan to achieve rapid agricultural transformation across Africa through raising agricultural productivity.”

The main objective of the meeting is to improve agricultural productivity in the continent through new knowledge and technology generated from research. The Bank plans to work in partnership with the CGIAR and FARA to revive and transform agriculture with the goal of Feeding Africa within the shortest possible time. AfDB Vice-President, Sector Operations, Aly Abou-Sabaa, opened the meeting and underscored its relevance. The Bank’s Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, Chiji Ojukwu who presided over the meeting, pointed out that numerous studies have shown that GDP growth generated by agriculture can be up to four times more effective in reducing poverty

than growth generated by other sectors. He also noted that the Asian Green Revolution saw increases in agricultural productivity resulting from the widespread adoption of new, high-yielding rice and wheat varieties, together with the increased use of fertilizers, irrigation and other inputs. It is time for Africa’s own “Green Revolution”, he said. The CGIAR delegation was led by Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nteranya Sanginga, and included the Director Generals of Africa-Rice, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Africa Harvest.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, January 29, 2016

Market capitalisation up N92bn on investors’ bargain hunt Johnson Okanlawon

nvestors in equities took advantage of underpriced stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday as demand was seen across most sectors of the equities market. Investment analysts at United Capital Limited noted that attractive valuations continue to sway investor sentiments towards equities, despite challenges on the domestic macro terrain. “We expect this trend will

extend into tomorrow’s trading as investors continue to bargain hunt,” the firm said. The All-Share Index appreciated by 1.14 per cent to close at 23,598.85 points, compared to the depreciation of 2.09 per cent recorded the preceding day. Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N8.24 trillion rose by N92 billion or 1.14 percent to close at N8.11 trillion Dangote Cement Plc grew by N1.90 or 1.49 per-

cent to close at N129.40 per share, while West African Portland Cement Plc (WAPCO) garnered N1.16 to close at N80.00 per share. Guinness Nigeria Plc inched by N1.00 or 0.92 percent to close at N1100 per share, while Ashaka Cement Company Plc (Ahakacem) improved by 95 kobo or 3.95 percent to close at N24.95 per share. Conversely, Forte Oil Plc topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N15.67 or five percent to close at N297.83

per share. Unilever Plc lost N3.80 or 9.73 percent to close at N35.24 per share, while UACN Plc shed 29 kobo or 1.43 percent to close at N20.00 per share. Vitafoam Plc dropped by 14 kobo or 2.98 percent to close at N4.56 per share and Caverton dipped by 10 kobo to close at N1.95 per share. In all, investors exchanged 273.64 million Ordinary Shares valued at N2.6 billion in 2,794 deals.

NIDF to pay investors N27bn coupon Johnson Okanlawon

nvestors in the Nigerian International Debt Fund, NIDF, a listed mutual fund on the Nigerian Stock Exchange that invests in fixed income securities of Federal and State Governments, will get not less than N49.00 per note final coupon for the 2015 financial year on February 3, 2016. The payment, according to the fund managers, Afrinvest Asset Manage-

ment Limited, represents the 36th coupon in the life of the fund since its inception in 1997. A statement by the company quoted its Managing Director, Mr. Ola Belgore, as saying that the sum of N27, 167,567.36 would be distributed amongst note holders on the register of the NIDF as of December 31, 2015 at N49 per note. He explained that the payment is in line with the structure of the NIDF, which is designed to pay distributions twice a year,

having paid an interim coupon of N38.21 in July 2015. Belgore noted that the NIDF offers investors safety, capital preservation, steady returns, diversification and value, and has a consistent dividend history making it quite attractive for both individual and institutional investors such as Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, insurance companies, asset managers and gratuity funds. He stressed that in 2015,

company, overtaking Amazon, which was valued at about $290 billion ahead of its results later on Thursday. At least 22 brokerages raised price targets on Facebook’s stock, with most analysts focusing on a far better-than-expected the 81 percent jump in revenue from mobile ads. Facebook’s strong quarter contrasted with a disappointing performance by Apple Inc, which is worth about $519 billion, making it the most valuable U.S. company. “FB has built a remarkable ad platform that en-

ables marketers of all stripes to serve targeted ads to nearly every consumer on the planet,” Jefferies analysts wrote. Facebook said it had 1.59 billion monthly active users as of Dec. 31 - about one in every four people in the world. Mobile ad revenue accounted for 80 percent of the total ad revenue in the quarter compared with 69 percent a year earlier. “FB saw nothing that indicated macro weakness, and we think results bode well for other online ad names like Alphabet Jefferies analysts added.

Europe stocks snap 2-Day gain as Roche, H&M earnings disappoint

orse-than-estimated earnings from companies including Roche Holding AG and Hennes & Mauritz AB dragged European stocks lower. Roche slid 3.8 percent, leading drugmakers lower. H&M dropped 4.8 percent after also warning a stron-

ger dollar will continue to weigh on first-quarter profit. Stocks have moved more in step with crude prices lately, and Europe’s benchmark deepened losses after energy shares pared some gains. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 1.6 percent at the close. It swung between gains and losses at least six

times, falling as much as 2.2 percent and rising as much as 0.3 percent. Worries about global growth amid a rout in oil prices and a slowdown in China have sent the Stoxx 600 down 8.5 percent this month, putting it on track for the worst January since 2008. (Source – Bloomberg. com)

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.98 Market indicators All-Share Index 23,598.85 points Market capitalisation 8.12trn

Stock Updates the NIDF was rated “A” by Global Credit Rating Company, GCR. “This rating by one of the leading global rating agencies is among the best for mutual funds in the market today,” he added. Afrinvest Asset Management Limited is a subsidiary of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, a wealth advisory firm involved in investment banking, securities trading, asset management and investment research with a focus on West Africa.

Facebook’s market value surges to $38bn

acebook Inc’s market value soared by $38 billion in morning trading on Thursday, vaulting the company ahead of Amazon.com Inc,after the social networking service’s quarterly results blew away expectations on every key measure. Facebook’s stock jumped more than 14 percent to $107.95 after the company reported a blockbuster quarter on Wednesday, pushing the company’s market capitalization over $300 billion. That made it the fourth most valuable technology

Source: NSE

Google-owner Alphabet, valued at $500 billion and closing in on Apple, will report results on Monday. The median stock price target of the analysts tracked by Reuters was $138 on Thursday, suggesting that Facebook could add $123 billion in market value over the next 12 months. (Source – Reuters. com) Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ACCESS

3.80

4.15

0.35

9.21

TIGERBRANDS

1.18

1.25

0.07

5.93

UBA

2.75

2.89

0.14

5.09

ZENITHBANK

11.20

11.76

0.56

5.00

CADBURY

16.71

17.54

0.83

4.97

NEM

0.64

0.67

0.03

4.69

TRANSEXPR

1.15

1.20

0.05

4.35

FCMB

0.97

1.01

0.04

4.12

DIAMONDBNK

1.71

1.78

0.07

4.09

ASHAKACEM

24.00

24.95

0.95

3.96

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

UNILEVER

39.04

35.24

-3.80

-9.73

313.50

297.83

-15.67

-5.00

NPFMCRFBK

1.00

0.95

-0.05

-5.00

CAVERTON

2.05

1.95

-0.10

-4.88

MANSARD

2.30

2.19

-0.11

-4.78

VITAFOAM

4.70

4.56

-0.14

-2.98

VONO

0.92

0.90

-0.02

-2.17

SKYEBANK

1.16

1.14

-0.02

-1.72

UACN

20.29

20.00

-0.29

-1.43

UNITYBNK

0.76

0.75

-0.01

-1.32

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.24

105.80

10.00

106.80

9.17

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.42

114.80

10.71

115.80

10.38

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.04

111.21

11.96

112.21

11.66

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.00

118.82

11.91

119.82

11.70

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.12

111.84

11.88

112.84

11.70

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.48 86.33

12.01

87.33

11.85

Closing Market Prices of January 28, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

28-Apr-16

4.43

4.47

WAUA

270

USD

196.98

28-Jul-16

6.44

6.65

EURO

214

19-Jan-17

8.71

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

1.0467

POUNDS STERLING

293

8.3172

9.5298

SDR

273

10.9843

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group wants Wada’s administration probed

Non-Gover nmental Organisation, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, has called for a judicial investigation into the activities of the administration of former Kogi Governor, Idris Wada. The organisation in a statement in Lokoja on Thursday said the action was necessary to ascertain the level of foreign and local debts left behind by the administration. “The state has been characterised with uncompleted projects and inflated contracts, huge and fake wage bills and huge debts of imag-

North

Friday, January 29, 2016

inable proportion, “the centre alleged in the statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr Idris MilikiAbdul. It said the panel of inquiry should also investigate the actual amounts paid to contractors on abandoned and ongoing projects. The group commended Governor Yahaya Bello’s declaration not to tolerate corruption and impunity during his tenure. It urged the new governor to publicly declare his assets, adding that the action would enhance people’s confidence and trust in the new administration.

Emir makes case for girl-child education Wole Adedeji ILORIN

mir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, on Thursday canvassed for more zeal to educate women in the country as a way of solidifying the cultural image of Nigeria. According to him, woman formed the major component of the nation-building that must be well catered for in the society. The monarch made the call while receiving the national leadership of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, led by its President, Mrs. Ifeyinwa

Omowale, when they paid him a courtesy visit in his palace. He appealed to governments at all levels to fasttrack policies that would further empower the women folk in the country through education, stressing that “educating a woman is as good as educating the entire nation”. The Emir urged Nigerians of diverse ethnic and cultural leanings to be well grinded in their histories as well as that of the country in general. He enjoined NAWOJ leadership to create more awareness and through advocacy programmes to press

the need to have in Nigeria, women that were steadfast, articulate and productive in their respective private and public responsibilities. Earlier, NAWOJ President, Mrs. Omowole pledged that the association would continue to trace the history of the nation through traditional institutions for a better nation-building process. She commended the Emir for his position on girlchild education in the Emirate and Kwara State in general, as well as encouraging peaceful co-existence of the people of Ilorin with other ethnic groups living in the state She disclosed that the on-

going insurgency in some parts of the country was as a result of the loss of the sense of history among the people and assured that, “As mothers and critical stakeholders in the Nigeria project, we will try our best to ensure that the history of our dear country is retained.” In her remarks, Chairperson of NAWOJ in Kwara State, Hajia Binta Abubakar Mora, thanked the Emir for his gestures and hospitality. She promised that women journalists would continue to justify the confidence reposed in them by the monarch and indeed, Nigerians.

Honey bees face extinction in Nigeria —scientist

nimal Health Director, Yobe Livestock Development Programme, Dr Yusuf Madaki, yesterday warned that honey bees in Nigeria are facing extinction due to indiscriminate use of chemicals on farmlands. Madaki told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Damaturu that honey production across the country had declined. He attributed this decline in honey production to the consistent and prolonged use of chemicals on farmlands which endangered the existence of honeybees. “Bee’s direct contact with contaminated flower nectar had massively killed the insects.

“The use of chemicals for farming has become rampant and uncontrolled and this affects the health of the people and bee insects,’’ the director said. He added that there were huge economic potential in bee keeping and honey production, adding that this could be exploited to create employment opportunities for unemployed Nigerians. Madaki urged agriculturalists and other experts to promote use of Neem tree seeds, saying that they were environmental friendly and harmless to humans, animals and crops. The director described Neem tree seeds as affordable and fertiliser-friendly for cropping.

Kaduna suspends traditional ruler caught with drug A za Msue KADUNA

aduna State Government yesterday announced the immediate suspension of a traditional ruler who was arrested on drug related offence in a dramatic demonstration of its campaign against drugs. A statement by Governor Nasir El-rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, explained that on January 20, 2016, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arrested, Ibrahim Danladi, the village head of Goma in the Gimi District of Sanga Local Government Area of the state while he

was in possession of a 1.5 kilogrames of marijuana. According to the statement, the traditional ruler had admitted ownership of the illegal drug, and the NDLEA will be charging him to court as soon as it concludes investigations. The statement said: “The NDLEA subsequently notified the Kaduna State Security Council of the arrest of the traditional ruler. While deliberating on the matter, the council recommended his suspension from office pending the conclusion of investigations and possible trial and that the government accepted the recommendation”

L-R: Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado (left) and Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, during the Minister’s courtesy visit to Government House, Bauchi, yesterday.

Nasarawa workers commence indefinite strike

…hospital workers down tool over fear of Lassa fever Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

orkers on the payroll of the Nasarawa State Government yesterday commenced an indefinite strike due to the inability of the government to meet any of the 21 demands the organised labour has tabled before it. A statement issued by that state labour unions and signed by the Chairman of Trade Union Congress, TUC, and spokesman of Joint Negotiation Council, JNC, Namo Danladi Sabo, and made available to National Mirror yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, directed workers to remain at home till further notice. According to the statement, among the 21 de-

mands made by the workers include the processing and implementation of all promotions from 2011 to date and the immediate payment of four months arrears on the implementation of the N18,000 national minimum wages. Also the workers are demanding the immediate release of salary vouchers for the month of January, 2016 and payment of the salaries to workers, payment of annual increments from 2011 to date, payment of baglog of gratuities and arrears of pension to retired workers of the state and local government staff and all other issues related to pension. The statement noted that the workers are equally demanding that government should stop salary payment in percentages to local gov-

ernment workers as well as stop the re-screening, grading and re-grading of local government employees forthwith and ensure the implementation of the corrected CONMESS for doctors. Meanwhile, members of staff of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia have stop working over safety of their lives following the death of one of their colleague due to Lassa fever on Tuesday, this week. Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in the state, Dr. Friday Omolei, told journalists in Lafia, that the action of the workers was due to the inability of the hospital management to take measures that would guarantee the safety of medical personnel. He said the various

unions at the hospital had met with the hospital management on Wednesday where issues bothering on their safety following the death of Nurse Oshafu Ibrahim to Lassa fever were extensively discussed. According to Omolei, the personnel demanded the immediate provision of isolation centre for suspected patients, provision of drugs to exposed staff at no cost as well as the fumigation of the entire hospital. The staff also demanded adequate provision of personal protective equipments, trace contact of all exposed staff and patients for adequate treatment and follow up, and immediate financial compensation and employment to the family of the deceased nurse among other demands.

Friday, January 29, 2016

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that I, GIWA FOLAKE MOSURAT is the same person bearing GIWA FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AINA : Formerly known and addressed as MISS AINA FOLASADE FELICIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGUNBIADE FOLASADE FELICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINYEMI : Formerly known and addressed as MISS STELLA FUNMILOLA AKINYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS STELLA OLATUYI FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Jimoh Rahman and Jimoh Abdulrahmon now wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh Rahmon Lanre. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS LAWAL KERIMOT ODUNAYO now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. POPOOLA KARIMAT ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS DANIEL GBEMISOLA ABOSEDE now wishes to be known and addressed as MISS DANIEL GBEMISOLA CHRISTIANA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TOWOLAWI OLUWATOBILOBA SERA, now wish to be known and addressed as TOWOLAWI OLUWATOBI ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Adeniyi Julius now wants to be addressed as Adeniyi Julius Adebukola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that Olayiwola Kafayat Sewa is the same one person as Agboola Kafayat Sewa, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Agboola Kafayat Sewa. All former documents remain valid, Access Bank Plc, INEC and general public should please take note

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Formerly addressed and known as Miss Soyebo Bosede Oluwayemisi now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Ajani Bosede Oluwayemisi. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abigael Ayoka Oguntegbe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abigael Ayoka Akintunde. All former documents remain valid. Yewa North Local Government and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Karimu Azeez Olayemi now wants to be addressed as Ajiboye Azeez Olayemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I formerly known and addressed as MR ALUKO IFEDAYO now wish to be known and addressed as MR ALUKO TOPE DANIEL, All former documents remain valid Eco Bank Plc and General public please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as OLOYEDE SAIDAT MOJISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBOOLA SAIDAT MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid; National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kolawole Rachael Toyin now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Olaitan Rachael Toyin. All former document remain valid, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Stanbic Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

This is to certified that Mrs Oladuntoye Ayoni Ronke is the same one person as Ajayi Foyeke Ronke, that henceforth wish to be called and known as Ajayi Foyeke Ronke. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

ormerly known and addressed as Mrs Yusuf Sidikat Olamide now wish to be called and known as Mrs Yusuf Serifat Abeke. All former documents remain valid, general Public should Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as JOHN GARBA, now wish to be known and addressed as GARBA AUDU JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADETOYE OLUWATOYIN AJOKE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BELLO OLUWATOYIN AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAKAEGO: Formerly known and addressed as NWAKAEGO GLORIA OKAFOR. now wish to be known and addressed as NWAKAEGO GLORIA OGUAJU. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AGAMA CENTRE FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT This to inform the general public that the above named organisation is seeking for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Evangelist Anyigbo Chukwuka Anthony - Chairman 2. Fatima Rachael Ekundayo 3. Daniel Bature 4. Saadatu Haruna 5.Ibrahim Samaila - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote Healthy Society 2. To Empower Youth and the vulnerable group 3. To promote peace Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Coporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED Ibrahim Samaila - Secretary

formerly known and addressed as Miss OFENIFORO ESTHER BOLUWAJI now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OGUNLEYE ESTHER BOLUWAJI. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OJEAH LAURETTA CHIFUMNAYA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. UBANI LAURETTA CHIFUMNAYA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IBIRONKE ADEKEMI MODUPE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IDOWU ADEKEMI MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUSANYA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUSANYA OLABISI OLUBUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AINA OLABISI OLUBUNMI .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as FUNMIOGUNS now wish to be known and addressed as BISHI FUNMILAYO OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ganiyu Abideen Oyejide, now wish to be known and addressed as Oyejide Tunde Enoch. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as John Ura Egbunu, now wish to be known and addressed as John Alibaba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Kamar O Oyewale,now wish to be known and addressed as Oyewale Kamorudeen Oyeniyi. All former documents remain valid ,First bank ,Zenit bank Plc and General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Miss Ibrahim Kaleat Nike and Lasisi Kaleat Nike is the same one person as Mrs Tijani Kaleat Nike, that henceforth wish to be known and called as Mrs Tijani Kaleat Nike. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunkanmi Folashade Tolu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osholake Folashade Tolu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as SANNI EZEKIEL OLASUNKANMI now wish to be known and addressed as SANNI OLASUNKANMI COSBY EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known called and addressed as Muhammad Hussaini Ibrahim now wish to be known called and addressed as Muhammad Abubakar Ibrahim. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OKUZOR: This is to confirm that OKUZOR ROSELINE CHIYERE and OKUZOR ROSELINE OLUFUNMILAYO refer to one and same person.Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as OKUZOR ROSELINE CHIYERE. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Sekinat Atinuke Bakare now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sekinat Atinuke Olatunji All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADENEKAN ADENIKE COMFORT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBAYO ADENIKE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known called and addressed as Aishatu Joshua now wish to be known called and addressed as Shetu Joshua. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Offorkansi John Chikelue, now wish to be known and addressed as Ifediora John Chikelue. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Amigun Adaramola Adeola Anike now wish to be addressed and called as Akin Adaramola. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AYANWUSI OMOWUNMI TOLULOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBETU OMOWUNMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINNIFESI FOLUKE JUSTINAH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONAFESO FOLUKE JUSTINAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWAOKOYE OMOTOYOSI RUKAYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOMUNIJOYE OMOTOYOSI RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AJAYI ATINUKE OLUDOLAPO. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KOLAWOLE ATINUKE OLUDOLAPO. All former documents remain valid. National Examination Council of Nigeria, The Federal Polytechnic Ede, Nigerian Baptist Convention and general public take note.

Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Luwaji Titilayo Ayomide now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osoba Titilayo Ayomide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Ibrahim Mariam now wish to be known and called as Mrs Kareem Fatimah. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Fatia Adakole now wish to be known and addressed as Fatima Rose Adole. All. Former documents remin valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OROKO DOLAPO OLAKIITAN. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BABASOLA DOLAPO OLAKIITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ADDITION OF NAME

OFORDU: Formerly known and addressed as MR OFORDU SALAMI RUFUS now wish to be known and addressed as MR OFORDU SALAMI..All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

SYLVESTER: Formerly known and addressed as SYLVESTER NDUBISI now wish to be known and addressed as RICHARD NDUBISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as John Ura Egbunu, now wish to be known and addressed as John Alibaba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Archtebe Tony Pius Isorshie, now wish to be known and addressed as Archtebe Tony Isorshie born 7|08|1978. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Faleye Olabisi Oladunni now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Adewale Olabisi Oladunni. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKINGBA ADEKUNLE SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINGBA ADEYEMI ADEKUNLE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS KUTI MOJISOLA ELIZABETH. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. AJEH MOJISOLA ELIZABETH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE VALID.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Sangokeye taiwo Huzean, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Olaleye Taiwo Huzean. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

This is to confirm that the family of FATOLA AND ELEGBEDE are of the same father and the same mother, that FATOLA is the present name while ELEGBEDE is the former. Henceforth , they want to be known and addressed as FATOLA. All formal documents remain valid, general public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as Fakoyede Abiodun Tope, now wish to be known and addressed as Fakoyede Abiodun Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. formerly known and addressed as miss Oshinoiki Abiodun Kadijat now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Fatade Abiodun Kadijat. All document remain valid.General Public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to certified that Kazeem Taofiki Adekunle is the same one person as Ogundele Taofiki Adekunle, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Ogundele Taofiki Adekunle. All former documents remain valid, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IKEVUDE IFEOMA LOIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMADI IFEOMA LOIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as Jummai Joel now wish to be known called and addressed as Jummai Sunday. Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS EDUN ESTHER ADEBISI. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS AKINSOLA ESTHER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ACCESS BANK, GT BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEWALE GRACE ODUNAYO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AFOLABI GRACE ODUNAYO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the general public that I, WAIDI ADELEKE, is the same person as Mr. WAHEED ADELEKE. All former documents bearing the above name remain valid. Wema Bank and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as PETER IYKE SIMON, PETER ITODO, now wish to be known and addressed as ITODO, PETER IYKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

DURU: This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt as DURU NDUMNDI HARRISON. instead of DURU NDUNERO HARRISON . Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as.DURU NDUNERO HARRISON .All former documents remain valid. general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

LAMIDI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS LAMIDI MORUFAT IYABO. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LAMIDI-KOLAPO MORUFAT IYABO. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME ADEYEMI : This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt as MR ADEYEMI WASIU ADEWALE. instead of MR ADEYEMI WASIU KAREEM . Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as.MR ADEYEMI WASIU KAREEM .All former documents remain valid. general public take note

OGUNDEJI: This is to confirm that OGUNDEJI OLAMIPOSI ADEMOLA and OGUNDEJI OLAPOSI ADEMOLA refer to one and same person.Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDEJI OLAMIPOSI ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I, Aghasomba Ifeoma is the person as one Ike Ifeoma Patricia now know as Aghasomba Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that I, EZE OKWY is the person as one MICHAEL MALAKY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Oliseh D mokobia, now wish to be known and addressed as OlisehDunkwu Chifor Mokobia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Onele Emmanuel Akachukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Monday Emmanuel Pius. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

OMEH: I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Cresent Nebeuwa Omeh, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mr. Cresent Omeh. All formal documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa (UBA) and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, January 29, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME F ‎ ormerly known and addressed as Miss Kate Gbajo. Now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Kate Grace Rotimi. All former documents remain valid . General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLATUNDE HABEEB, now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH ADENIYI HABEEB. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

formerly known and addressed as MISS EDON ELIZABETH , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DUDABODE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EGUAGIE IKPONMWOSA JULIUS‎, now wish to be known and addressed as EGUAGIE OBED IKPONMWOSA. .‎ A ‎ ll former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as OGUNMEFUN TESLIM, while correct name is OGUNLADE OLABODE THOMAS. now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLADE OLABODE THOMAS. All former documents remain valid. GT Bank and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DINDI AMUDAT OLATAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as DINDI AMIDAT OLATAYO‎. A ‎ ll former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKORO PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as ERUM MICHAEL AKORO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLATOYAN: Formerly known and addressed as OLATOYAN TITILAYO MORUFAT now wish to be known and addressed as ALAWODE OLAIDE MORUFAT All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LADI ABDULLAHI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS LADI AUDU CHONOKO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JUMMAI HABIBU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS JUMMAI HABIBU TANKO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK, ECO BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LAWRENCE UDEH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AZUBUIKE UDEH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ECO BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

DUYILEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Duyilemi Funke Sabainah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedeji Funke Sabainah.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known as BALOGUN RASAK ISHOLA now wish to be known and addressed as SALAU RASAKI ISHOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLAOLUWA THOMAS AKINYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as AKINYEMI OLANREWAJU THOMAS All former documents remain valid. General public take note

RAJI: Formerly known and addressed as RAJI OLUWABUNMI COMFORT now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSOLA OLUWABUNMI COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BHADMUS: Formerly known and addressed as BHADMUS AZEEZAT OLUWASEUN now wish to be known and addressed as BAKARE AZEEZAT OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MOSES: FORMERLY known and addressed as MOSES JOSEPH NOW wish to be known and addressed as MOSES MODU ERUWA . All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Ozoemena Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Okwor Oluchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AISHAT: FORMERLY known and addressed as SULEIMAN AISHAT NOW wish to be known and addressed as ABDULLAHI AISHAT . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

‎FREDRICK: FORMERLY known and addressed as ANAEZI IKERI NOW wish to be known and addressed as ANAEZI IKERI FREDRICK . All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

DONATUS: I, formerly known and addressed as DONATUS OBINNA DESTINY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MMADUNATU OBINNA STANLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OCHI:I, formerly known and addressed as OCHI HARRISON ONYEKACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIBUEZE HARRISON ONYEKACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UZUEGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UZUEGBU AMARACHI JUDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKWUEME AMARACHI JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANIAGU: I, formerly known and addressed as JACINTA HOPE ANIAGU, now wish to be known and addressed as JACINTA MARY .C. ANIAGU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AHMED: FORMERLY known and addressed as RABIAT AHMED LUGARD NOW wish to be known and addressed as RABI SHEHU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

ADETUTU: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH ADETUTU OHUNENE ADI NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS MUSA ELIZABETH ADETUTU OHUNENE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Adio Saidat Olubukola now wishes to be known and addressed as Akanbi Saidat Adebukola. General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to notify that my name was wrongly written in my permanent voter’s card as R. M. A Olowe instead of Mr. Raheem Moroof Adekunle. My full name remains Mr. Raheem Moroof Adekunle. General public, INEC please take note

NARROW : FORMERLY known and addressed as JOHN NARROW NOW wish to be known and addressed as JOHN KALU OKEBE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BAKARE: I, formerly known and addressed as BARAKAT BIDEMI BAKARE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FOLORUNSHO BIDEMI BARAKAT. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS STELLA EMEM DOMINIC, HENCEFORTH WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS STELLA NNAMSO JOHNSON. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAINS VALID. UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, EMZOR PHAMACEUTICALS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE IJEOMA MODESTA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIBUEZE IJEOMA MODESTA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKECHUKWU RACHEAL NEBECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNAJI RACHEAL NEBECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UDEUGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. UDEUGWU NNENNA VIRGINIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYAKA NNENNA VIRGINIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHENCY: FORMERLY known and addressed as SANNI ADESESAN CHENCY NOW wish to be known and addressed as SANNI ADESESAN. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK, Authorities concerned and General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

AVOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OLAIME PEARL AVOR, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLAIME GABRIEL INNOCENT. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSEd AS MR IDONGESIT JOHNSON HENRY, HENCEFORTH WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR IDONGESIT JOHNSON EKONG. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAINS VALID. UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, CALABAR, NYSC, STATE SECONDARY EDUCATION BAORD, UYO AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIKA: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS CHIKA MODESTA NWAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING IFEOMA NWAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MBANUGO: I, formerly known and addressed as MBANUGO TOSA SOMTOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MACDUHU TOSA SOMTOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBI SABINA CHIMEZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEKWESILI SABINA CHIMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary Schools Management Board, Enugu and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Clara Obahor now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Clara Akinlosotu. General public, please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

YASHE: FORMERLY known and addressed as LAWAL ISA NOW wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL ISAH YASHE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NGANWUCHU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NGANWUCHU EVELYN IJEOMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OSONDU EVELYN IJEOMA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AnD ADDRESSED AS MISS HELEN PETER AKPAN, HENCEFORTH WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS HELEN IDONGESIT EKONG. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAINS VALID. UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, CALABAR, NYSC AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAMAKA: I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU FLORENCE NWAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU PATRICIA CHIEBONAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME

OGU: I, formerly known and addressed as OGU OGECHI STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWABUISI OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Onuma Sylvester Johnson lucky. now wish to be known and called Ebeye Johnson lucky. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWOKO CHIJIOKE JUDE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWALA CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written by WAEC and JAMB as IWALOKUN DAMILOLA AYO AYO and LIWALOKUN DAMILOLA AYO,while my correct name is IWALOKUN DAMILOLA AYO. .All former documents remain valid. WAEC, JAMB and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YUSUFF: Formerly known and addressed as Fatimot Ajoke Yusuff now wish to be known and addressed as Fatima Ajoke Olubode. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ULE : FORMERLY known and addressed as ABADEM MARGARET ULE NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS EGBE MARGARET ULE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUSAH: I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUSAH FRANCISCA ADAOBI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWOSITA FRANCISCA ADAOBI. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AHMAD: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS ASMA’U AHMAD BALARABE NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS ASMA’U NIZAM AHMAD. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that the name JOHN A AUTA and JOHN A. AHMADU is one as they appear in my documents, but known and addressed as JOHN AUTA AHMADU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NKWOCHA: I, formerly known and addressed as NKWOCHA DARLINGTON CHINONSO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as THEOPHILUS DARLINGTON CHINONSO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as FAITH OGBOTOBO PORBENI, now wishes to be known and addressed as FAITH ISAALAH-ONYEWOSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify that I IBEKWE CASMIR CHUKWUDI, IBEKWE CASMIR ANULICHUKWUKA and IBEKWE CASMIR EMMANUEL CHUKWUDI ANULICHUKWUKA refers to one and same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as IBEKWE CASMIR EMMANUEL CHUKWUDI ANULICHUKWUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHINAEMEEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU GODWIN CHINAEMEEZE now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU KELECHI GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IHESIE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IHESIE CHIDIMMA JENNIFER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NJOKU CHIDIMMA JENNIFER All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ZAKARIYAH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ZAKARIYAH FATIMAH OLAYINKA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADEYEMO FATIMAH OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as USMAN MUSA SULE, now wish to be known and addressed as HASSAN YUSUF ANAGASHA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SAKINAT TAJUDDEEN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS SAKINAT TINUKE SARAKI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

SOLOMON: Formerly known and addressed as Solomon Linus Nwankwo now wish to be known and addressed as Enoch Onyemechi Nwankwo .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

WADA: FORMERLY known and addressed as BABA OCHIABA NOW wish to be known and addressed as WADA AHIABA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

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FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLAGBENDE AJAYI OLUSOLA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEYANJU FELICIA OLUSOLA. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

GRACE: FORMERLY known and addressed as GRACE BITRUS NOW wish to be known and addressed as GRACE KENNETH. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK, ECOBANK, Authorities concerned and General public should please take note..

CHANGE OF NAME

ESTHER: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS ESTHER SAMUEL ACHADU NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS ESTHER ABBA MAIKASUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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OGUNRONBI: I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNRONBI BOLADE ADERONKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS BOLADE ADERONKE KAREEM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to notify the general public of lose of document original deed of lease Reg. as 93/93/422 issued by Ministry of Lands Enugu in respect of plot I Block 6A New Haven West Enugu, Belonging to Mr. Walter Anachebe (now deceased) if found, contact the Ministry of Lands Enugu.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBI: I, formerly known and addressed as OBI EDWIN CHUKWUDI, now wish to be known and addressed as EZIEKEM EDWIN CHUKWUDI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EJIM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EJIM IFEDIMMA JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUALU IFEDIMMA JOY. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKENNA: I, formerly known and addressed as PATRICK OKENNA OZOEJIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as PATRICK OKEY OZOEJIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss BABATOPE Oluwatoyin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs HOLO Olaide Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Friday, January 29, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Kayode Adebayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Kayode Sanni. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ganiyu Abideen Oyejide, now wish to be known and addressed as Oyejide Tunde Enoch. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyenekan Titilola Omoyeni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adepoju Titilola Omoyeni. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JAIYESIMI PRINCE ADEMOLA IDOWU, now wish to be known and addressed as JAIYESIMI MUHAMMED WAHAB ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as UZOKWE PRISCILLA CHIBUKO, now wish to be known and addressed as OKORI PRISCILLA CHIBUKO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as SEYI PRINCE but my correct name is SHEYI PRINCE SHEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YUSUF UMARU, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED AUDU. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM SEGUN QUADRI, now wish to be known and addressed as ORILEWAJI OLUWASEGUN MATHEW. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS IKEJI CHIALUKA PERPETUA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EMENAKA-EZEH CHIALUKA PERPETUA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as ODEY REGINA USHIE, now wish to be known and addressed as EREKOSIMA REGINA BIOKPO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as SALAAM MORUF ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI MORUF. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as FRANCIS JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as ALEX JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS ALOGI OLUWABUNMI HELEN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS RASAKI OLUWABUNMI HELEN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

ELEKUNLE: I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ELEKUNLE WAHEED, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS JIMOH WAHEED AYINDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

Formerly known and addressed as OKHIUREH EBAH SARAH, now wish to be known and addressed as ELAKHE EBAHI SARAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGWUCHE: I, formerly known , called and addressed as OGWUCHE MARY ONYECHE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MAKAYLA ANTHONY ONYECHE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public to take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS UKEGBU ULOMA CATHERINE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS MADUBUOFU ULOMA CATHERINE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

ARCHIBONG: I, formerly known and addressed as ARCHIBONG MFON BASSEY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ACHIBONG CHRISTOPHER GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

UDOM: I, formerly known and addressed as UDOM ENAMETI GOODNESS which was on my Zenith Bank Account and UDOM-CHRISTOPHER ENAMETI GOODNESS which was on my Stanbic IBTC Bank, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UDOM ENAMETI CHRISTOPHER. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbaegbu Vera Chisom now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obiekwe Vera Chisom. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Temiloluwa oluwaseyi kilo , now wish to be addressed as joshua Dorcas oluwaseyi,All former documents remain valid,general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formally

addressed

ISICHEI

ONYINYE VERA, and now wish to be addressed as ISICHEI HENRIETTA AGBOLADE, All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS PROPHET FALEYE IYIOLA BOLAJI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED PROPHET FALEYE IYIOLA FOLORUNSO .ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ROTIMI OROSUN Now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUWAROTIMI JONES All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid.ICAN, FIRS, General public and relevant authorities should please take note

SHOGBAMU :formerly known and addressed as Mr. FAROUQ OMOGORIOLA SHOGBAMU,now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. SIMONE OMOGORIOWO .All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Clement Albert Onoh now wish to be addressed as Francis Onoh Edom.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NZEMECHI: I, formerly known and addressed as NZEMECHI SUSAN OZIOMACHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SUSSAN OZICHUKWU NZEMECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and address as Mr SEMIU AYODELE BABATUNDE,now wish to be known and addressed as Mr AJULOOPIN AYODELE PAUL . All former documents remain valid.General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME I AFFIA JULIET NGOZI and ENYI MERCY NNENNA refer to one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as AFFIA JULIET NGOZI. All former documents bearing above names remain valid. First Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

BAKARE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss BAKARE AISHAT ABIODUN,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs AKINYEMI AISHAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADELEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss ADELEYE RAIMOT TOPE,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs SALAMI RAIMOT TOPE. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Jimoh Halimotu Sadaer now wish to be known and addressed as Sanni Halimat Sadia All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OYEFOLAHAN SHAKIRAH OYINKANSOLA now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OLARINRE SHAKIRAH OYINKANSOLA. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Formerly known and addressed as Victoria Iyabo Ogunlari now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Adepitan Kehinde Ogunlari. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss ADIGUN TEMITOPE DORCAS now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs ALABI TEMITOPE DORCAS. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ABIODUN: Formerly known and addressed as Mr.Abasopiti Rasaki Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Abasopiti Rasaki Dosunmu .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS ABIODUN TOYIN GLORIA now wish to be called MRS OMOYENI TOYIN GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. DIAMOND Bank PLC, STERLING BANK PLC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

RAHEEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss RAHEEM MORUFAT ABIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs IBRAHIM MORUFAT ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olayiwola Adijat Tunrayo Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okunlola Oluwaseyi Bukola Motunrayo Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OGUNTONA CAROLINE OLAWUMI now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs AYANSOLA CAROLINE OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Association of Medical Laboratory Technician and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE CHINESE TIMBER DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

MAKE A DIFFERENCE INITIATIVE

This is to notify the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for Registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

The General public is hereby notified that the above mentioned organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ZHOU SHIXIAN - CHAIRMAN 2. NI MENGXIAO 4. CHEN TIANPEL 6. CHEN YU 7. ZHANG TIEJUN - SECRETARY

3. LIU GANG 5. XU QIANQIAN

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To enhance the economic well being of members. 2.To work together towards the progress and development of members. 3. To promote and foster unity and cooperation among members

1. Lemmy Ughegbe - Chairman 2. Yacit Noel Nanvyap - Secretary 3. Wale Okunola - Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To promote good governance and anti- corruption advocacy. 2.To embark on public awareness campaign, Human right advocacy and leadership training. 3. To support mobile learning / education in order to boost mass literacy 4. To promote female reproductive â&#x20AC;&#x17D; health right, poverty alleviation and empowerment 5. To organise conferences, lectures and symposium

All complaints to be directed to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, within one month of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Jeff Ekeh J.U Ekeh & Co, 111, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos.

Signed : Frank Odhegba 07068135634 Solicitor

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss YAHAYA AISHAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MUSTAFA AISHAT. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CALISTER ALABARA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. CALISTER ALAMS ADAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Isiaka Bilikisu now to be addressed as Mrs. Uthman Bilikisu. All former documents remain, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS LAWEL KARIMOT OMOTOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS OJEDOKUN KARIMOT OMOTOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

OYENIYI: I, formerly known and addressed as OYENIYI RUKAYAT OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLANIYAN RUKAYAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly know n and addressed as EDO EGHOSA now want to be known and addressed as EDO EGHOSA UWAGBOE All former documents remain Valid. General public take Note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly YEKINI KAMORUDEEN BAMIDELE now wish to be called OLAYINKA OLABAMIDELE JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. Fisrt Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODJEGRURU:formerly known and addressed as Miss ODJEGRURU JOY OGHENEKEVWE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. IGHARHA JOY OGHENEKEVWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odediran Grace Abimbola Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obasanjo Grace Abimbola Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLAONIPEKUN KEMI DORCAS, now wish to be known and addressed as KOFOWOROLA KEMI DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as WANSE HUNGE JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as NICHOLAS JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SADIQ MORUFAT OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEOSI MORUFAT OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as CHIMEZIE CLETUS ODUNZE now wish to be known and addressed as CHIMEZIE CLAY KAMMAODUNZE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ENOHON: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MERCY ENOHON, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MERCY OZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Evans Anna Omonigho now wish to be addressed as Miss Egbedi Anna Omonigho. All former documents remain valid,general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as IBRAHIM SULEMAN now wish to be known, called and addressed as IBRAHIM MOHAMMED SAMBO. Authority concern and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss ABISOYE FOLASADE OGUNDERU. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OGUNDERUODEDE ABISOYE FOLASADE . Former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as AFOLABIDAVID TOSE ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as mrs OLALEKAN TOSE ELIZABETH . All former document remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Ogunmakin Muibat Titilope now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Musari Muheebat Titilope all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Therese Barinem Zorzor is same person as Ledogo Therese Barinem now which to be known and addressed as Ledogo Therese Barinem all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Rasaki Akinpelu is same person as Olaide Rasaki Akinpelu now which to be known and addressed as Olaide Rasaki Akinpelu all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Ninalowo Oluwabunmi Arike is same person as Ninalowo Damilola Rachael all former documents remain valid Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Odufuwa Olaitan Susian now which to be known and addressed as Hamed Olaitan Susian all former documents remain valid banks and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Akerele Sakiru Aderemi now which to be known and addressed as Yahaya Aderemi Akerele ,all former documents remain valid banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Salisu Muhammed now which to be known and addressed as Salisu Ahmed Namadi ,all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as A.N Nwatu Chijioke now which to be known and addressed as Nwatu Chijioke Emmanuel, all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, January 29, 2016

Okorocha, let me rule you out of order

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport At Wimbledon, the ladies are simply the candies on the cake.

–John Newcombe

CHAN fallout

Oliseh (2nd right) and his coaching crew

I spent my $4,000 to feed Eagles –Oliseh

uper Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has claimed that he has had to spend his own money to keep the team going at the ongoing CHAN in Rwanda before Nigeria crashed out. Oliseh squarely blamed the non-payment of allowances and bonuses for his team’s shock exit from CHAN 2016, arguing that team morale hit an all-time low. He claimed that he spent $4,000 to improve the team’s food in their pre-tournament training camp in Pretoria, South Africa. “I spent $4,000 to feed the team because the food in camp was not good enough. I used my personal funds to get the team going for the interest of the nation,” he said in an interview on radio yesterday morning. “We have family men who have been working hard for 50 days, but who couldn’t afford to buy a Coca-Cola. It was unbearable. “And now they are going back home with nothing to give to their families.” Oliseh disclosed he will head back to his base in Belgium to continue his medication after he picked up a virus in Port Harcourt last year.

Rio Olympics: Ministry targets $22bn investments

he Nigeria House Project Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is setting sights on wooing direct foreign investments into Nigeria worth $22 billion, the Project Coordinator, Mohammed Abdullahi, has said. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, reconstituted and inaugurated the committee earlier this week in Abuja. Abdullahi, who is also the project’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), told newsmen yesterday, following the seven-man committee’s inaugural meeting, that the members were working at hitting the ground to achieve success. He said the committee wanted to ensure Nigeria appropriately utilised the Games starting in Brazil in August the way many

other countries have done. “The Olympics presents a big opportunity for Nigeria to rebrand and promote its potential through the showcasing of her rich and diverse cultural heritage and products. “This is by giving opportunity to stakeholders to attract skills and investors to Nigeria. “We are going to use the Olympics to achieve this, beginning from the Rio edition in Brazil, because the Olympics remain a global brand and the highest sporting fiesta in the world which brings together about 205 countries,’’ the project coordinator said. He said the Games offer a highly corporate and qualitative hospitality platform to promote the tourism, business and investment climate of countries and individuals.

Abdullahi said his committee would be looking towards leveraging on what was on ground in the area of Nigeria-Brazil relations. “For instance, Nigeria has a robust investment drive with Brazil. From my records, Nigeria in 2002 generated $1.6 billion in trade from Brazil and in 2012, it rose to $9.1 billion and above. “This year, we are looking at generating four times that amount. This will be through critical sectors like agriculture, solid minerals, transport and aviation, tourism and culture, environment, telecoms/ICT and housing/estate development,” he said. “There will also be musical concerts, cultural promotions of our artifacts and arts, sponsorship networking and entertainment every night,” he said.

Sports

Friday, January 29, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Australian Open

Djokovic subdues Federer, reaches final stylishly

op seed, Novak Djokovic, yesterday wrested control of head-to-head with Roger Federer with sublime performance. Standing across the net from Federer triggers something in Djokovic. The level the world No.1’s game reached during the first two sets of his 6-1, 6-2 ,3-6, 6-3 semi-final victory at times beggared belief. He demanded the very best from Federer, who obliged with a defiant performance in the third set – and when the Swiss flinched in the fourth, Djokovic completed his beautiful coup. The defending champion is through to his sixth Australian Open final, where he awaits either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic in his bid to become the most decorated men’s champion of the Open Era, matching Roy Emerson’s six Australian titles. Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s final, Djokovic’s place in Australia’s pantheon of champions is assured. His performance against Federer reached near-mythic heights, at one stage threatening to subject his fiercest rival to the heaviest Grand Slam defeat of his career. With 54 minutes gone, Djokovic had claimed the first two sets for the loss of just three games, making just six unforced errors in the process. “I think against Roger, these first two sets have been prob-

ably the best two sets I’ve played against him overall I think throughout my career,” Djokovic said. “I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was, yeah, I think a different level than from before.” Djokovic now leads his headto-head against Federer for the first time in their careers, 23-

22. With leading records and at least 20 wins against Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka as well, the win further confirmed his current dominance of his closest rivals, while booking his place in a 17th consecutive final – dating back to last year’s Australian Open – underlined his recent sovereignty of the men’s game.

Serena battles Kerber tomorrow in title defence

erena Williams is into her seventh Australian Open final after blowing Agnieszka Radwanska away in straight sets. “When I’m playing at my best, it’s difficult to beat me,” Serena said after the game yesterday. It’s hard to argue against Serena Williams’ post-match assertion after she clubbed 42 winners to dispatch No.4 seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-0, 6-4 in their semi-final at Rod Laver Arena. Serena has returned to the Tour refocused and reenergised, having taken a couple of months off from competitive action to recharge the batteries after a 2015 season in which she claimed three major titles and fell just two wins short of a calendar Grand Slam “For me it’s just a great thing to be in the final after taking such a long time off,”

said the world No.1, who has reached tomorrow’s showpiece without dropping a set. “I definitely think I needed the time off. I’ve been going and going and going for a long time. Been really going hard since probably before the Olympics in 2012. That’s a long time. “Whatever happens, I’m just kind of proud of myself for re-evaluating my game and trying to get better.” Serena will take on world No.6, Angelique Kerber, as she attempts to make it seven Australian Open titles from seven finals, and the reigning champion is wary of the German’s threat. “Well, she took out a really tough opponent in Victoria. You can’t underestimate Kerber. She’s beaten me before too. I know that she brings a lot to the game,” Williams said.

FA Cup: LVG gets ready for fire if Derby wins

anchester United boss, Louis van Gaal, says that an FA Cup defeat by Derby today could get him the sack. The Dutchman described speculation that he offered to resign after the 1-0 defeat by Southampton, with United fifth in the league, as “awful and horrible”. According to BBC Sport, he claimed the media had “sacked” him three times this season, but said he “cannot lose” to the Championship club in the FA Cup fourth-round tie. “Maybe then you have written the truth because sometimes it happens,” he said. Van Gaal said questions about his future were being asked in a “disrespectful way.” The 64-year-old addressed the media at a news conference yesterday, saying, “You make your stories and people believe it. I am concerned they are be-

Van Gaal

lieving it. You can write what you do. “It is the third time I am sacked and I am still sitting here. Now I cannot lose any more - then for the fourth time that I have been sacked.” Asked on whether the FA Cup could become his saviour, Van Gaal added, “Of course. But when you lose it is worse.”

CHAN: Rwanda, DRC eye s/final berth

wanda’s Amavubi will look to bag a win as they clash against DRC in a 2016 CAF African Championships (CHAN) quarter-final match tomorrow. The hosts will hope to keep their good record intact in the tournament as they finished as Group A winners with six points having lost one and won two. Under the guidance of

Coach Johnny McKintsry, the Rwandans seem to have turned the corner and are heading in the right direction to becoming a force to be reckoned with in continental football. They managed to beat Michel Dussuyer’s Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon before losing to Morocco. However, going to the knockout stages, they will hope to get a win over the Leopards.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, January 29, 2016

Cricketers resume camp for ICC Div. 4 qualifiers

MANDATE

THE

Sylvester Ikuejamoye

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

Okorocha, let me rule you out of order

N Nigerian cricketers jubilating after a victory

he Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has disclosed that it is working hard to ensure Nigeria gains promotion into the Division Four of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League. To this end, the federation is opening its camp on Sunday. NCF President, Emeka Onyeama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) last Monday in Abuja that the Nigerian team is presently preparing very hard to ensure a favourable participation and excellent outcome. The Nigerian team, which is currently in the league’s Division Five, will participate with five other countries in the ICC World Cricket League Division Five championship billed for Jersey in May. “We will resume camping on Sunday in Abuja and we have

invited the best players around. “Qualification to Division Four of the league remains a priority to us and we are optimistic of getting there,” Onyeama said. NAN reports that Nigeria, alongside Jersey, had bid to host the event but lost to Jersey in October, 2015. Onyeama said they lost the hosting right bid because the cricket grounds needed for the tournament were not ready at the time. The 50 overs events will have Nigeria, Oman, Tanzania, Suriname, Guernsey and host Jersey participating. The top two teams at the championship will gain promotion to the Division Four, while the last two teams will be relegated to the league’s Division Six.

English FA boss, Dyke, to stand down

nglish Football Association chairman, Gregory ‘Greg’ Dyke, has said he will not seek re-election when his current term ends in July. The 68-year-old had said he would stand for a further year but said yesterday that opposition to proposed governance reform to the FA council had caused him to reconsider. “What I now see is that even if we get the reform through (which will be a difficult and divisive process although essential), I am probably not the best person to pick up the pieces following the inevitable discord,” he said in a statement. Dyke, a prominent opponent of banned FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, during the recent corruption scandal within world soccer’s governing body, took over from David Bernstein in 2013. Born on 20 May 1947, Dyke is a British media executive, journalist and broadcaster. Since the 1960s, Dyke has had a long career in the United Kingdom in print and then broadcast journalism.

Dyke

He is credited with introducing ‘tabloid’ television to British broadcasting, and reviving the ratings of TV-am. In the 1990s, he held Chief Executive positions at LWT Group, Pearson Television and Channel 5. He is most notable for his tenure as Director-General of the BBC from January 2000 until 29 January 2004, a position from which he resigned following heavy criticism of the BBC’s news reporting process in the Hutton Inquiry.

ot a few were surprised to hear that anybody could disparage the unique and all important role of sports in nation building. It is most amazing and it also amuses many that one potent instrument without any barrier or limitation in our national life could be so underrated and underestimated to be considered inconsequential and with no value. This much and more could be adduced from the directive by the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who directed that the Imo State Sports Council be scrapped, along with some other agencies and MDAs of the state government. Mr. Governor should please note that this directive cannot stand the test of time in every ramification of sound reasoning. This directive is certainly not well thought-out. It is a directive against the source of joy and happiness of millions of sports loving Nigerians. It is a directive against the collective will and aspirations of the up-coming young and gifted sports men and women in Imo State and beyond. The role of sports in peace maintenance and crime control as well as in conflict resolution cannot be overemphasized. It is a known fact that sports has brought to the limelight people who would have been nobodies, as it were. Sports has taken talented sports men and women from grass to grace, as well as an instrument of

international diplomacy sufficiently embraced and used by the most powerful countries of the world. It is therefore difficult to rationalise Okorocha’s directive. Obviously, I’m yet to come to terms with such a ridiculous and retrogressive policy. I t i s

Okorocha

based on this with the mandate of millions of sports loving Nigerians that I most humbly but audaciously wish to call Okocha to order. The governor should kindly rescind the directive for the sake of the youth of Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general. If the governor believes that the state sports council has served no value during his tenure, he should take a retrospective look at his government policy on sport from Day One of his administration and the calibre of people appointed to man such a strategic youthfriendly agency, since youth are the greatest beneficiaries of a well thought-out policy on sports. Mr. Governor, sports should not be toyed with, killed or technically suffocated to death. It has the

unquestionable capacity of engaging the youths positively, most of whom were hitherto idle despite their sporting talent. The inadequacies of the managers of Imo State Sports Council should not be visited on our collective will. The baby should not be thrown away with the bath water. Not even in the Arab countries with stringent regulations has this happened.

Not caught unawares I am not in any way surprised that the Super Eagles failed to go beyond the first round of the on-going CHAN 2016 in Rwanda. Many of us with rare privilege of both the print and electronic media have expressed so many divergent views on the preparations and other managerial set-backs noticed prior to the championship. There are subsisting issues with Coach Sunday Oliseh and his team that are not in public glare. Oliseh, the team and the technical department need to sit down for a frank talk devoid of pretence or deceit. The task ahead is greater than the CHAN. In any case, Nigeria as a country should be more concerned about the preparations of Team Nigeria for the forthcoming Olympic Games holding in about five months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the right time to ask questions. This is the time to ensure that appropriate steps are taken by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development as well as various boards of sporting federations, particular the Olympics-bound sports. This is the time for the athletes and the technical officials to intensify preparations and work hard for a better outing. This is my humble submission.

Hard but the bitter truth Accumulation of primitive wealth is simply a display of insanity. Hard But The Bitter Truth.

WORLD RECORD

Largest Peruvian folk

Vol. 05 No. 1296

Friday, January 29, 2016

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

N150

Mighty ‘powers’ of the corrupt

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, cried out some days ago that corruption was already fighting back. This was the dilemma President Muhammadu Buhari took little cognizance of, most probably, when he sharpened his weaponry and resolutely stepped out to do war with the corrupt community in the land – that tiny community that is largely insignificant in number – but so powerfully endowed with sleaze booty that it has corrupted virtually everything amenable to improper influence, the ‘bribable’, the venal, the dirty, the purchasable and the corruptible. This scanty clan deleted the word ‘incorruptible’ from the pool of honourable appellations reserved for judges in the land, especially when dealing with high profile corruption cases. Between 1999 and 2007 when kleptocracy was largely

nglish Premier League side, West Ham United, will finalise the signing of Nigerian striker this week. According to reports, the 28-year-old forward is now expected to undergo a medical after West Ham and Fenerbahce agreed to a deal that will see

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) the rule rather than the exception in roughly two-thirds of the country’s 36 states or more, the tiny community conjured perpetual injunctions that covered up heinous cases of treasury looting. Ridiculous prison terms and lenient fines also flowed therefrom. This tiny community had also turned a huge chunk of the bar to astute defenders of the corrupt and their errand ‘go betweens’. In 2009, former chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, said some senior lawyers were frustrating the fight against corruption by stalling the prosecution of the corrupt. They fraudulently obtained money from their clients and falsely claimed they delivered same as bribe to EFCC officials for the purpose of ‘killing’ corruption cases under investigation. They filed frivolous applications to frustrate the trial of corrupt persons. Till date, Waziri’s claims were not undisputed, to public knowledge. Ibrahim Lamorde, her successor, consecrated the claims last year when he declared: “The high profile (corrupt) individuals have the resources to hire very good lawyers, who of course come with all these arguments to delay the cases… We have had instances where individuals that have been charged to court since 2006, we are still in court because of interlocutory applications they have been making… In a particular case, we went to

WHAT BUSINESS HAS

‘THE LONG CORRUPTED’; ‘THE CORRUPTIBLE’; THE RUBBISHED AND THE DOWN TRODDEN GOT TO DO WITH… ‘DEEP MORAL UNDERSTANDING’?

the Supreme Court twice on some of these applications; and anyone who is familiar with the judicial system in Nigeria will tell you how hard it is to go from a High Court to Court of Appeal to be heard; and then judgement given; and then from there you proceed to the Supreme Court, get listed and you are heard and judgement given. It takes not months, but at times, years”. So, the Information and Culture Minister did not necessarily break any fresh news when he said corruption was already fighting back; and that “those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms; and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption”. For, corruption had always fought back. Indeed, due cognizance should to be taken of the fact that at the time corruption fought back during the era of Waziri; and later Lamorde in the EFCC, the

war was not as potent as it has become presently. The anti-graft war then was a ‘family affair’, such that anything could happen; and did happen. Now that the anti-corruption gale has visibly turned ferocious, logic demands that counter attacks by the corrupt would be furious and quite vicious. But democracy and the rule of law have proven to be setbacks President Muhammadu Buhari cannot afford to ignore. He voiced the pain a couple of days back through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the opening of a two-day National Political Summit organised by the Save Democracy Group Africa (SDGA) in Abuja. Buhari says it requires a deep moral understanding of one’s role in the destiny of millions of people; and those yet unborn; to hold political power and yet allow one’s self to be subject to the rule of law and other restraining institutional conventions. “Politicians steal the resources meant to provide drugs in hospitals, schools for our children, roads for all…”, he lamented. But it seems the real predicament is: what business has ‘the long corrupted’; ‘the corruptible’; the rubbished and the down trodden got to do with appreciating the ‘deep moral understanding of one’s role in the destiny of millions’, or the revelation that just 55 well-heeled Nigerians stole an amount as humongous as N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013; or that governors stole like mad dogs between 1999 and 2007 and beyond; or that N54.8 billion has been recovered from Dasukigate alone? The list is endless. Remaining resolute in pressing home this understanding, without doing grave harm to democracy, the rule of law or weakening the anti-graft war appears the greatest challenge as yet for Buhari. And this is a task that must be accomplished, that the apostles of bleached democracy and jaundiced rule of law may know, understand and believe that truly, before now was leadership by lunatic locusts.

Sport Extra

Emenike undergoes medicals at West Ham Emenike join the London club on loan for the rest of the season. Emenike had to cut short his season-long loan move to UAE club, Al Ain, return to his parent club, Fenerbahce, to pave way for the deal to West Ham. Already, Emenike has

agreed personal terms with the English club and will officially become West Ham’s second signing of the January transfer window once he passes his medical and is unveiled. West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, has also shed light on the

move for a striker in the current transfer window. He revealed that West Ham are in the transfer market “to strengthen our squad” following injuries that have sidelined a few key players in the course of their campaign this season.

“We are still in the market for a striker. We are looking to strengthen our squad. If we can loan one, we will do,” Bilic said in a press conference on Thursday ahead of their FA Cup clash with Liverpool this weekend.

Emenike

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