Friday, may 29, 2015 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Troops arrest 3 bomb makers in Gombe P.8

Minimah

Vol. 5 N0. 1123

Adesina emerges AfDB President

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FRONT PAGE COMMENT:

More Nigerian professionals are in Europe than at home –EU

oday marks yet another milestone in Nigeria’s march towards democratic governance. Today, all men of goodwill, and they include die-hard supporters of outgoing President Good-

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Buhari: Democratic garlands for a reformed general

luck Jonathan in the country and overseas, will recoil in sober reflection, as Buhari, a retired Army General rejected by Nigerians at the polls for three election years, mounts the throne of leadership

following his fourth and successful attempt. If the truth must be told as it is, today is that day of national and global honour, which Buhari dreamed ceaselessly of, worked tirelessly towards, and cried about

with tears streaming down his cheeks when the going got tough. Whenever he is retiring to sleep today, the man, Buhari, will be doing so in his capacity as elected CONTINUED ON PAGE 16>>

Change as Buhari L takes over

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU AND ROTIMI FADEYI

...receives handover notes, national conference reports

Jonathan’s phone call changes Nigeria’s political history –President

ike wildfire, the ‘change’ mantra propagated by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, caught across the nation and today, Nigeria enters the history book as the first civilian-tocivilian transition of power takes place at the federal level. Muhammadu Buhari, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

FIFA sleaze: Adamant Blatter won’t step down

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Court stops NERC from raising electricity tariff P.7 ADVERT HOTLINES For advert bookings and information, please contact: LAGOS 01-8446073, 08113947415 08113947419 08113947420 08113947422 ABUJA 08113947421 PORT HARCOURT 08113947418 OGBESE 08113947424

Outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan (left) presenting the handover note to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Constitution amendment: FG, NASS agreement needs consent of state assemblies –Sagay, others

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Friday May 29, 2015

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Change as Buhari takes over CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

who won the March 28 presidential election takes over power from President Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s fifth democratically-elected President since independence and the fourth in the series in the present Fourth Republic. From an almost obscure opposition merger in February 2013, the APC, given no chance against a formidable self-styled ‘largest party in Africa,’ which had predicted a 60-year hold onto power in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against all odds emerged the governing party after the dusts had settled on the March 28 presidential poll. APC has not only made history as the first opposition party to wrestle power from a ruling behemoth with the spread and tentacles of the out gone PDP, but also as the first successful merger of four different political parties in Nigeria’s political history. Formed from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and a faction of the all Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, the APC is taking over a nation mired in crisis of scarcity of petroleum products, power, comatose economy and insecurity. With the ascension onto power of Buhari, who also enters the history books, having previously contested the presidency on three occasions - 2003, 2007 and 2011 - expectations of a total change of fortunes for the country from Nigerians are high. Nigerians expect the new government to bring to the barest minimum, if totally impossible to eradicate completely, the endemic corruption in the system; a change from the impunity of the past; total turnaround in the power sector and the curbing of insecurity. A cross-section of Nigerians, who spoke to National Mirror, urged the new government to hit the ground running. They believe that having been in the race since 2003, Buhari must have marshalled his plan of action to bring about the desired change in the fortunes of the country and its people. The President yesterday said the telephone call from former President Jona-

than, congratulating him on his election victory has changed the course of the country’s political history. Buhari spoke after receiving handover notes and the report of the National Conference from Jonathan at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa. He had earlier been conducted on a tour of the Villa by Jonathan before the presentation ceremony. According to Buhari, the decision taken by Jonathan after the presidential election earned him a place in the history of the country, stressing that it has stabilised the system of multiparty democratic system. He stressed that Jonathan had also earned him-

self the respect of not only Nigerians but the international community. He said: “Until I read and digest these notes from the President, I don’t think I will be in a position to make any strong contribution. “But what I will say is that since the telephone call you made, you have changed the course of Nigeria’s political history. For that you have earned yourself a place in our history, for stabilising this system of multi-party democracy and you have earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders. “All the leaders that spoke to me congratulated us for arriving at the point we arrived, mentioned this

and I could understand a lot of relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is largely owed to a situation. “If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made things difficult and that would have been at the expense of lives of poor Nigerians, but you choose the part of honour and may God help all of us.” Ealier, Jonathan said the handover notes would give Buhari a mission statement of the commitment of the government since the past five years and the directions that would help him to navigate as he takes over. Jonathan said: “It is my pleasure on behalf of the Vice President, members

of the executive council and other senior functionaries to formally hand-over these handover notes to General Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect, who will assume office. Congratulations. “There is another document that I will hand-over to you; to me this is more important than the handover notes. The handover notes are the activities of an administration. It shows where we started, where we were going. In some of the cases you’ll follow, in other cases you may take other angles. “But this is a document that was compiled by Nigerians, the report of the National Conference 2014. We

gathered almost 500 Nigerians from all walks of life; they were not influenced by government in any way. And most of the recommendations are here. “If it is followed, most of the gray areas, even in our politics, will be smoothened out. “We were unable to implement them because of the shortness of time. We have sent a copy to the National Assembly; but it’s a document that we are very hopeful that your government will look into and give the attention it requires. “It is also my pleasure, on behalf of the Vice President, members of the executive council and other senior functionaries and especially CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

L-R: Former Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ola Ibrahim (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; representative of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Martine Abeshi; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Keneth Minimah, inaugurating the Senior Officers’ Accommodation Complex at Kado in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

More Nigerian professionals are in Europe than at home –EU

uropean Union, EU, said yesterday that there are more Nigerian professionals in European countries than there are in Nigeria, warning that the development can be detrimental to the development of the country. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Mr. Michel Arrion, disclosed this at a conference on National Migration Policy Thematic Areas, organised by UN International Organisation for Migration in Abuja. Arrion explained that EU welcomes migration as long as it was legal, adding that

“it enhances the movement of factors of production, particularly labour, especially in Europe. “Migration is good. We (Europeans) like migration as long as it is legal. We need migration for various reasons. “Movement of factors of production is a good thing and labour moving freely is a very good thing. “In Europe and other western countries, we have this specific issue of aging population. So, we need fresh blood in our countries, but we have to be careful sometimes about brain drain. “As you know, there are more PhD holders who are

of Nigerian origin in Europe or America than in Nigeria. “There are more Nigerian doctors and nurses in Europe and America than in Nigeria. So, let’s be careful with that. It is good to attract the best people but not to the detriment of the development of your country,” he said. In his remark, the Minister of National Planning and deputy chairman, National Planning Commission, NPC, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said Nigeria was grappling with a wide range of migration issues. He said: “Nigeria as the most populous country on the continent grapples with

a wide range of migration issues - from internal migration to massive intra and inter-regional migration. “Migration of highly skilled and unskilled labour, trafficking in persons, Diaspora engagement and remittances among others, have shaped the current migratory trends and dominated contemporary migration discourse.” Represented by Mr. Bassey Akpanyung, the secretary of NPC, Sulaiman, pledged Nigeria’s commitment towards migration issues. He said the Federal Government’s commitment in this regard had been demonstrated by the en-

dorsement of the National Labour Migration Policy and the National Migration Policy. The minister said the policy recognises the challenges of migration in Nigeria, especially as the relate to smuggling and trafficking in persons and irregular migration. According to him, it addresses the benefits of migration and considers ways of maximising opportunities to use the huge remittance flowing from the Diaspora. Sulaiman said the policy would also engage the skills, entrepreneurship, transnational transactions and ideas of the Diaspora.

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Friday May 29, 2015

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Constitution amendment: FG, NASS agreement needs consent of state assemblies –Sagay, others WALE IGBINADE

ollowing the truce between the Federal Government and the National Assembly on the fourth alteration to the 1999 Constitution, prominent lawyers yesterday warned that unless the agreement arrived at receives the consent of state Houses of Assembly, it cannot be signed into law. Federal Government and the National Assembly had reported to a full panel of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmoud Mohammed, that they had resolved amicably the legal dispute between them over

the Constitution’s amendment. Consequently, the apex court directed the two parties to proceed with enacting the law of the Fourth Alteration Act. But, in separate interview with National Mirror, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, Human Rights Lawyers, Fred Agbaje and Festus Keyamo submitted that the approval of the state Houses of Assembly must be sought. They warned that what the Federal Government and the National Assembly have done may be challenged in court if signed into law without the approval of the state assemblies. Prof, Sagay argued that

each state House of Assembly must consent to whatever amendment(s) is agreed upon by the lawmakers and the Federal Government. “The alteration to the Constitution does not only involve members of the National Assembly but also the participation of members of the state Houses of Assembly. Technically and correctly, if they are further amending the amended, then it should go back to all the state Houses of Assembly so that they can give their own consent to it. “Each state House of Assembly should approve it and return it to the National Assembly; that is the way it should be done. “This point is very rel-

evant and my fear is that the two houses (National Assembly) can now meet and approve the amended Constitution and say they have amended the Constitution, only for somebody to wake-up one day and challenge the validity of the Constitution. “There is need to take it back to the state Houses of Assembly after they must have finally arrived at an agreement on what they want to alter,” Sagay added. In the same vein, Agbaje said: “Ordinarily, they are supposed to go back to the state Houses of Assembly, but from what they have done it seems they have sidetracked that aspect of it. My fear is that what they have

done may be challenged in court. Keyamo in his own contribution said if any of the section(s) voted on has been altered, then the consent of state Houses of Assembly must be sought. He said: “It depends on the agreement reached by the presidency and the National Assembly. I have not seen the raw copy of the amendment. If for instance any of the provisions were altered they have to go back to the state Houses of Assembly. But, if the sections they voted on are not affected, they don’t need to go back to the state Houses of Assembly. They would have met the constitutional re-

Change as Buhari takes over CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

L-R: Outgoing Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, Vice Presidentelect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Chairman, APC Transition Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, after the tour and hand-over at Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Adesina emerges AfDB President DAVID AUDU

ormer Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, has emerged president of African Development Bank, AfDB. Adesina will take over from the outgoing president, Donald Kaberuka, on September 1. The election was part of the annual general meeting of the bank held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The immediate past Minister of Agriculture defeated seven opponents, Sufian Ahmed, Jaloul Ayed, Kordjé Bedoumra, Cristina Duarte, Samura

Kamara, Thomas Sakala and Birama Sidibé to become the leader of the 50-year-old body. Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had requested the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to support the candidacy of Adesina as the body’s president. Buhari had communicated his backing of Adesina’s candidacy to Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, the chairman of ECOWAS, a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu said. According to him, Buhari said his support for Adesina’s candidacy was

not because he is a Nigerian. “Adesina has a proven track record in a career that predates his position as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” Buhari stated. He is an agricultural development expert with 24 years of experience in developing and managing successful agricultural programmes across Africa. Until his appointment as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2011, Adesina was the vice president, Policy and Partnerships Alliance for Green Revo-

lution in Africa, AGRA. Additionally, he held senior leadership positions in a number of agricultural institutions in the world. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ife, Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in1988. He worked at the Rockefeller Foundation, winning a fellowship from the Foundation as a senior scientist in 1988. From 1999 to 2003, he was the representative of the Foundation for the southern African area.

quirement.” In his view, former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani, also stressed the need for the contributions of the state |Houses of Assembly before the amendment could be signed into law. “If they have to follow due process, they have to go back to the state Houses of Assembly because what they agreed and initially gave their consent is not what is now on paper. They still have time to send it to the state Houses of Assembly. It is only when they have done that, that they can override the President’s veto,” he stated.

the conference members that developed this report, the baby of the nation, to hand over this to you.” Jonathan had in a 50-paragraph speech highlighted the achievements of his administration in the last five years. According to him, his administration made remarkable achievements in many sectors of the economy, including agriculture, rail, power, job creation, aviation, road construction and rehabilitation and sports. Also yesterday, Vice President Namadi Sambo conducted the Vice Presidentelect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on a tour of his office. Buhari and Osinbajo arrived the Presidential Villa at about 11a.m with a delegation made up of leaders of the APC, including the party’s chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Tam David West and Ahmed Joda, among others. Meanwhile, security at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was strengthened yesterday as more guests arrived for the inauguration of the President-elect. The Nigerian Air Force has taken over the entire security network at the airport to ensure smooth movement for the guests. Our reporter gathered that

all the car parks at the airport have also been cleared, pushing all the cab operators away from the terminal. Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed that the entire airport security had been taken over by the military. Yakubu said the measure was to ensure that adequate security was provided for both local and international guests trooping in for the presidential inauguration. She said the clearing of the car parks was to ensure that there were no hitches in the movement of the foreign guests during the period. “You can see that the Air Force has taken over the security in the airport here; this is to ensure adequate security for all the guests invited to the presidential inauguration. “Even taxi operators have been moved out of the car parks because we don’t want any traffic jam when the foreign dignitaries start arriving and it is for security reasons too,” she said. Yakubu said the airport however witnessed normal movement of passengers, adding that there was nothing unusual regarding the number of travellers in both the departure and arrival wings.

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Courts closure: NBA suspends Rivers Attorney-General Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

igeria Bar Association, NBA, has suspended the AttorneyGeneral of Rivers State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms. Spokesman of Port Harcourt branch of the NBA, Angus Chukwuka, announced the suspension after a meeting of the association in Port Harcourt on Thursday. He said the body resolved to suspend him after major-

Udeme Akpan and Wale Igbintade

Lagos High Court yesterday restrained the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, from going ahead with the proposed review of electricity tariffs for residential consumers. Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos gave the restraining order to the commission barely three days to the planned take-off of the new tariff regime. NERC had planned to effect a new tariff for residential consumers on June 1, 2015. Justice Idris, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by a Lagos lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi, restrained the NERC and the electricity distribution companies (discos) from implementing any increment in electricity tariff, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Adebiyi, had prayed the court to restrain the NERC and the electricity distribution companies from foisting further hardship and unjustifiable tariff increment on Nigerians, as widely announced by the commission. NERC chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, had recently announced plans by the commission to implement the upward review of electricity tariff effective from June 1. Justice Idris, after entertaining arguments from Adebiyi, ordered the NERC to maintain the status quo in respect of the planned upward review of electricity tariff and that the motion and other processes in the suit should be served on the commission. The judge also granted leave to the applicant to serve the originating summons,

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Friday, May 29, 2015

ity voted supporting the action, saying the decision was due to Boms insensitivity to the plight of lawyers in the state. Chukwuka added that Boms was also slammed with the suspension owing to his role in the closure of courts in the state. National Mirror reports that courts in the state have been closed for almost a year, at the wake of political crisis there. Meanwhile, Boms could not be reached for reaction as he failed to pick calls put

Police promote 72 officers Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

olice Service Commission, PSC, has approved the promotion of 72 senior officers. A statement from the commission indicates that the promotion was part of decisions taken at its 12th plenary meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, presided over by its chairman, Mike Okiro, a retired Inspector General of Police. Head, Press and Public Relations of the commis-

sion, Ikechukwu Ani, who signed the statement, said the commission approved the promotion of 14 Deputy Commissioners to the next rank of Commissioners of Police after appearing before the commission’s plenary and were interviewed. “Twenty ACPs were promoted to the rank of DCP, while two CSPs were promoted to the rank of ACP. Another three CSPs were appointed acting ACP, one SP promoted to CSP. “The commission also

approved the promotion of 30 DSPs to the rank of SP, one ASP to the next rank of DSP. One Inspector was also appointed to the rank of acting ASP,” he stated, adding that the promotions take immediate effect. Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of 16 years of unbroken democracy. While saluting the courage and gallantry of officers and men of the Force in protecting the nation’s

thriving democracy, the IGP charges police personnel to continue to subordinate themselves to civil authority and give maximum respect to the fundamental rights of the citizenry. He advised officers to remain politically neutral and steer clear of partisan politics in line with the professional ethics of the Force. He warns that officers found meddling in local politics within or outside their areas of jurisdiction will be appropriately sanctioned.

Court stops NERC from increasing electricity tariff ….as electricity supply increases to 2,172mw the affidavit in support, list of exhibits and the written address on the defendant (NERC) in Abuja, which is outside the Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court. He adjourned the suit to June 11, 2015 for hearing. Adebiyi, in the suit, is seeking an order restraining the NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply at least for 18 hours a day in most communities in Nigerian. He also wants an order restraining the NERC from foisting a compulsory service charge on pre-paid meters not until “the meters are designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used.” In addition, he also wants the service charge on prepaid meters not to be enforced until there is visible efficient and reliable power supply like those of foreign countries from where the idea of service charge was borrowed. Adebiyi is further asking for an order of court mandating the NERC to do the needful and generate more power to meet the electricity need of Nigerians, adding that the needful should include and not limited to a multiple long-term financing approach, sourced from the banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors of finance to power the sector. Finally, the lawyer is asking the court to mandate the NERC to make available to

all Nigerians within a reasonable time - a maximum of two years - prepaid meters as a way to stop the throat-cutting indiscriminate estimated bill and which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumed. In an affidavit in support of the suit personally deposed to by the applicant, the lawyer lamented that despite the motto and mission of the NERC which were expressly stated as “keeping the light on and to meet the needs of Nigeria for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity,” most communities in Nigeria do not get more than 30 minutes if electricity supply, while the remaining 23 hours and 30 minutes were always without light and in total darkness. It would be recalled that in June 2014, the NERC had announced a review of the tariff regime, hinging its decision on the need to ensure a system that provides a return on investments for new investors who took over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN successor entities, the distribution companies (Discos) and other potential investors. Last December, the commission formally increased the tariff bringing into effect a new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.1), which raised tariff for businesses and industries, and also residential consumers in R3 categories. The amount payable by residential consumers in R1 and R2 categories were however frozen till June 1, 2015. Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the generated power ebbed to an all-time

low of 800 megawatts, the lowest in recent years, supply has risen to 2,172.81mw as operators strive to stabilise electricity nationwide. Of the 2,214.47mw generated yesterday, 2,172.81mw was distributed while the balance was reserved to stabilise the system. The Presidential Task Force on Power which made the disclosure main-

tained that supply remains low as the nation’s peak demand forecast stands at 12,800.00mw. NERC had earlier expressed serious concern about the acute shortage in power supply and the attendant implications for power in the country. The commission, in a statement, noted that in the last couple of months, electricity supply had been

generally poor on account of increase in vandalism in the run up to the April 2015 elections. But this bad supply condition has worsened in the last few days. To tackle the challenge, the commission had engaged the gas supply companies and their licencees about two weeks ago on how to firm up gas supply in order to increase power supply.

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Troops arrest 3 bomb makers in Gombe ... step up security, intelligence

Ubong Ukpong and Inusa Ndahi

igeria’s military yesterday called for extreme vigilance during the Presidential and governorship inauguration ceremonies across the country today, even as it has stepped up security and intelligence to forestall plans by terrorists and other criminal elements to disrupt the ceremonies. The caution is coming just as three bomb making experts were arrested

by troops in Gombe State. The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, in a statement through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, yesterday, said the military was poised to align its ongoing operations in the North East with security arrangements nationwide, to prevent terrorists and hoodlums breaching security during the transition celebrations nationwide. “A cordon and search operation conducted by troops in Gombe has yielded the arrest of three bomb-making experts.

“The arrested persons are suspected to be members of terrorist group in search of soft targets for attack after being dislodged from their stronghold in Sambisa forest and other enclaves. “Items recovered from the apprehended include a tricycle and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation. “Cordon-and-search is continuing in certain localities and will be intensified along with mopping up operations in locations where offensive operations are being conducted.

“The essence is to apprehend the terrorists who have been dislodged from their sanctuaries and are in search of escape routes or resorting to attacking soft targets. “In line with this development, the public is enjoined to be extra vigilant and to report suspicious movements or activities within their environs. “The military is poised to ensure that the ongoing operations are duly aligned with security arrangement nationwide towards forestalling any attempt by terrorists or other criminal groups planning to breach security or disrupt the inau-

gurations activities anywhere in the country,” the DHQ said. Military sources told our correspondent that signals had gone out to the various military commands across the country to tighten security around the states and inauguration venues. Already, security has been tightened around Abuja as forces have been deployed throughout the city and the suburbs. Military checkpoints have been increased and strengthened, as security patrol and vigilance are being intensified. While security has been beefed up around Eagle Square, venue of

the presidential inauguration in Abuja, all roads leading to the venues have also been cordoned off and taken over by a combined team of the military, police, State Security Service, SSS and the Civil Defence Corps among other security operatives, who are ensuring strict screening and restricting movement of people around Eagle Square. It was learnt that orders have been issued out to all security agencies to ensure the same strictness across the country in order to avert plans by terrorists to breach security during the inauguration ceremonies.

Iriase withdraws from Speakership race, backs Gbajabiamila Tordue Salem ABUJA

he race for helmsman of the House of Representatives is revving up, as one of the leading candidates, Pally Iriase, yesterday withdrew for Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila. Mr. Iriase, ex-Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and an accountant, announced his decision at a press briefing in Abuja. “In the circumstances, with deep sense of responsibility and sacrificial self-denial, I have decided, notwithstanding my robust qualifications, to quit the race for Speaker and fully support Hon. Gbajabiamila, the current Minority Leader, for the job. In taking this decision I have consulted widely and I am confident that my teeming supporters will join me to achieve a seamless inauguration, emergence of our preferred candidate and a smooth bi-partisan relationship in the House of Representatives. “It is important to explain that the three front runners for the post before now have been Hon. Gbajabiamila, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and my humble self. The question may be posed as to why I did not team up with Hon. Dogara. The reason is that Dogara as Speaker under the current reality will be insensitive, repugnant

to equity and good conscience and will not be feasible, as it flies in the face of all precedents and the principle of federal character,” he submitted. He added that his support for Gbajabiamila is because “he is detribalised, urbane, cerebral and independent-minded. He has been with us in the trenches for opposition politics, armed with a stoic vision of a better Nigeria.” He also stated that his withdrawal was aimed at reducing the acrimony among the contestants. ”The ongoing campaigns have thrown up some dangerous tendencies which could breed acrimony and disturb the 8th Assembly from delivering to the satisfaction of Nigerians who have very high expectations from the incoming government. Nigerians are suffering from excruciating poverty, scandalous rate of unemployment, mindless corruption, comatose economy, scary insecurity, persistent fuel scarcity, frustrating infrastructure deficit and gross inadequacy of power supply. “It seems to me therefore, that this nation is not in the mood for any acrimonious contest that will negatively impact the performance of the National Assembly and by extension, the entire incoming government,” he stated.

Immediate former President, Pan African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi (left) handing over flag of office to new President, Hon. Rogers Nkodo Dang of Cameroun, at the Pan African Parliament Chamber in Midrand, South Africa, yesterday.

‘9,000 Nigerian migrants arrived Italy in 2014’

o fewer than 9,000 migrants from Nigeria arrived in Italy through the Mediterranean Sea in 2014, an official of the UN International Organisation for Migration, IOM, has said. Ms Tara Brian, a research officer with the organisation, said at a conference on National Migration Policy Thematic Areas organised by IOM that Nigeria was the fourth top country of origin for people arriving in Italy in 2014. She said of the number, 557 were minors while 78 per cent were males. She said Nigeria was also the fifth top country of origin of arrivals to Europe across the Mediterranean in 2014. The IOM official also said there were no fewer than 3,000 Nigerian arrivals in Italy from January to end of

April 2015. In his presentation, a migration expert, Prof Adepoju Aderanti, said Nigerians abroad constituted the population of about seven African countries, adding that it was not surprising considering the country’s population. Aderanti, however, said Nigerians in diaspora could be potential development tools for the country. He said the remittances of Nigerians abroad was about $25 billion annually, saying it overtook direct foreign investment and was second to oil revenue. “An average African who migrates ultimately wishes to return home but returning home depends on the situation at home. “Some Africans in diaspora want to come back home but the circumstances at home in many countries are

not encouraging,” he said. Aderanti called on the Federal Government to make migration a win-win situation for the migrants, the origin and destination countries through policies to attract remittance flows like tax holidays. He also called for policies to woo diasporan engagements like establishing a diaspora commission and reviewing bilateral migration agreements with destination countries in favour of Nigeria. Aderanti commended Nigeria for being the first country in Africa to adopt a National Policy on Migration. A representative of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Jean Gough, commended the Federal Government for adopting the National Policy on Migration. Gough said Nigeria was a major country of origin,

transit and destination within West African sub-region and globally. She said having a legal framework for the governance of migration was an important step and a major achievement in managing the multi-faceted challenges of migration and taking hold of the opportunities. “It is an established fact that Nigeria’s diaspora contributes significantly to the Nigerian economy through remittances and the transfer of skills and knowledge. “We are also confronted with the reality that many migrants travel irregularly for `better opportunities’ abroad.” “This sometimes results in tragedies as recently shown in the deaths of thousands of migrants on the Mediterranean Sea,” she said.

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Alhaji Muneer Bankole Managing Director/CEO, Med-View Airline

Friday, May 29, 2015

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NATIONAL UNION OF ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES (NUEE) Motto: Service & Progress

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Abuja.

our Excellency, It is our honour and pleasure to congratulate you on your inauguration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today May 29, 2015. We salute your doggedness, resilience and resolve to present yourself for service to the country. As stakeholders in the Power Sector, it is highly pertinent that we remind the incoming government of the herculean task of addressing the problem of power poverty in Nigeria which has paralyzed economic and social activities. Undoubtedly, Nigerians expect that your Government would tackle the problems in the power sector head on. To this end, it is expected that your Government revisits the ‘unguarded experiment’ of Privatization forced down the throat of Nigerians with the attendant consequences of worsening service delivery. For us to move forward as a Nation there is urgent need to consciously fix the power sector which is the pivot of development SALIENT ISSUES •Undervaluation of PHCN: The assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria were grossly undervalued. The value quoted as proceed from the privatization process was not commensurate with the assets. The valuation did not include Millions of Electricity poles spread across the country, armored cables of varying sizes, conductors, hundreds of thousands of Power and Distribution transformers, thousands of vehicles, PHCN buildings and landed properties, Hydro and thermal turbines and accessories among others. • Metering: Nigerians are languishing under heavy financial burden imposed on them by the private investors due to estimated billing resulting from lack of meters. While electricity supply keeps dwindling and output to the consumer is almost non-available, bills have not stopped coming from providers. Regrettably, private investors have undermined the need to provide prepaid meters as they keep smiling

to the banks to the detriment of the Nigerian people under highly damaging estimated billing system. • Tariff: There have been several increases in electricity tariff after privatization with no meaningful improvement to electricity power delivery. • Political Power Plants: Having committed huge sums of money in building Power Plants; it is regrettable to note that these plants are cited not because of their desired need in these locations but based on political considerations. Citing of Powers plants in future should consider proximity to sources of raw materials needed for them to function properly rather than political consideration. Staff Issues: These issues include: Non-payment of severance benefits to some PHCN workers who have been duly verified, Non-payment of pension component of exit entitlements to substantial number of workers, Unpaid severance entitlements and pension deductions of all PHCN staff covering 16months (July 2012 to October 2013), Flagrant abuse of trade union rights of workers, Refusal to release 10% Equity shareholding of privatized PHCN for workers, Non-payment of gratuity to staff who statutorily retired from service for years now and Non-payment of death benefits to dependents of staff who died in active service even after due verification. Others include: Victimization and sack of Union Officials because of legitimate demand for the payment of worker’s entitlements, Non-payment of claims like Bulk Rent, Leave Grants, Long Service Awards, Productivity Bonus and Cash in Lieu of Hotel Accommodation. Threat to illegally occupy PHCN Corporate Headquarters whereas PHCN has not been formally liquidated and Threat to unilaterally liquidate NEPA Superannuation Fund jointly owned by the Unions and PHCN Management. CHALLENGES OF PRIVATIZATION: These include (i) Abandonment of social responsibility (ii) Unemployment (iii) Economic Exploitation (iv) Job losses (v) Casualization (vi) It has been proved that the Private Sector in Nigeria does not have the financial muscle to turn things around in the Power Sector. Since taking over in November, 2013, the private Sector has not added any noticeable value in terms of service delivery or human capacity building. This can be buttressed with governments continued funding of the privatized companies through recent grant of N213Billion granted the Discos.

colouration • Diversification of Sources of Generation: Coal and Hydro as major sources of generation as obtainable in other countries of the world have the capacity to improve our generation immensely. Already, there is abundance of coal deposits in Enugu that could sustain the revival of Oji River Power Station to give up to 1,000MW. Also, coal deposits in Kogi and parts of Benue should be explored with a view to citing power stations in any of these areas. If it becomes inevitable to encourage Gas Powered Stations then Shell, Mobil, Agip and Chevron Companies flaring Gas in their locations could be approached to install Power Stations in their various beats. These gases could be utilized with installed thermal plants to generate over 4,000MW of electricity. Renewable energy generation cannot be over-emphasized, Wind, Biomass; Solar energy, etc. A combination of these sources would give us some guarantee; this will enable the state through its provider to target about 15,000 Mw of electricity in the next four (4) to five (5) years. Though the need to generate more power from all available sources is paramount, the idea of building nuclear power plant in Nigeria should be jettisoned based on the negative consequences. SUMMARY There is no doubt that Privatization of the power sector is a colossal failure as the outgoing government which inherited over 4,000mw is leaving behind less than 1,500mw. In the midst of this, private investors are smiling to the banks to the detriment of the Nigerian masses. In a nutshell, privatization of the Power Sector amounts to Private Gain; Public Disaster. We cannot but enjoin your Government to make concerted efforts in distancing from waste, corruption, indulgence, divisiveness, impunity and all vices that will not promote democracy and good governance. Please accept our renewed assurances and warmest regards as you take over the rein of power today, May 29, 2015.

WAY FORWARD • Review of the Entire Privatization Process: There is nothing wrong in government reviewing the reform process in terms of going back to the founding documents and doing some forensic.

Comrade Mansur Musa President

• The Central position in the National security of TCN is such that we are obliged to sue for its non privatization. This is due to the fact that the security implication inherent in it will be too grave for the country to contend. No country privatizes its transmission network; if done, the security of the Country would be compromised. • Building of more power plants devoid of political

Comrade Joe Ajaero General Secretary

South East

Friday, May 29, 2015

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Insurgency: NAOWA builds ‘Heroes Wall’ for slain soldiers Dennis Agbo ENUGU

igerian Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, 82 Division, Enugu, has built a plaque tagged ‘Heros Wall’ for soldiers of 103 Battal-

ion, who lost their lives in the North East while serving their fatherland. The wall, which was unveiled by General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Maj-Gen. Shehu Yusuf, was built by NAOWA inside a new children’s

Anambra govt pledges increased support for farmers

nambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, yesterday inaugurated the 2015 Farming Season in the state, promising to intensify support for farmers to ensure bountiful harvest. Obiano, who declared the farming season open at Otuocha in Anambra East Local Council, said his vision for agriculture would make the state self-sufficient in food production. He assured the farmers of sufficient support in rice, cassava and fish production within the first four years of his administration. “We would ensure that agriculture contributes at least 40 per cent of the

state’s Gross Domestic Product.” The governor said his administration had kept faith with its vision and had attracted over $800 million investment into agricultural in the last one year. He noted that with the development, it was clear that the vision of making Anambra one of the top three agricultural states in the federation was achievable. Obiano said his administration had introduced creative ways of multiplying farming rewards for farmers as part of efforts to revolutionise the agriculture sector.

park under the leadership of Mrs. Seline Yusuf. Briefing reporters shortly after commissioning the children’s park named ‘Dragon Children’s Park 82 Division’, Mrs Yusuf said the idea to build the park grew out of the need to assist wives and children of departed officers. She said unveiling a wall with the names of 10

of their soldiers from 103 Battalion that died in the North East was to honour them. The NAOWA president in 82 Division assured that they would continue to remember the fallen heroes, adding that they would not be forgotten. According to her, the wall would make people and family members of the fallen

heroes to remember them always. She promised families of the fallen heroes that NAOWA in 82 Division would continue to support them, adding that the Heroes Wall would remain in the park forever. Yusuf further said when she took over as NAOWA president in 82 Division, she observed that their chil-

dren lacked playing facilities, a development she said motivated her and NAOWA members to build the park. In his speech, General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Shehu Yusuf, commended NAOWA members for building the park, adding that people in the barracks now have a place for relaxation.

Elechi failed Ebonyi, says deputy gov Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

eputy governor-elect of Ebonyi State, Dr. Igwe Kelechi, who will be sworn-in today, has accused the outgoing Governor, Martin Elechi, of coming into power in 2007 through teleguided democracy. Kelechi, who stated this in his home town at Ikwo local council, told National Mirror that Elechi did not meet the high expectations of people of the state. He explained that Elechi was imposed on the

people by the godfathers, as they were not privileged to choose who governed them in 2007. He noted that Elechi did not undergo the rigorous processes of campaigning to gain the electorate’s acceptance which made him ignorant of the problems and needs of the people. Kelechi however noted that the victory of his principal, Engr. Dave Umahi and he in the April 11 governorship election, was a product of hard work and intensive campaign which would differentiate it from the past administration.

He assured that his boss, Umahi, will seek the services of the best brains in order to run the best administration in the history of the state. Kelechi further noted that some administrations failed because they were installed by cabals and never knew what it takes to campaign and get the acceptance of the electorate, adding that such administrations were controlled by the cabals. “Before now, it was a teleguided democracy which did not gain acceptance of generality of the people.

Our campaign was focused, it was issue-based and intended to reach out to the electorate, to sell our manifesto to them. That was why it looked so expensive in the sight of the people, but we did all within the ambit of the law. It was a campaign that sold itself and people keyed into it. “Most of what we used during the campaign, people bought for us. They volunteered themselves to ensure the victory is ours. So, we want to believe that our emergence was divine and because God is with us, we will succeed.”

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Editorial

Friday, May 29, 2015

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 ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Buhari: Democratic garlands for a reformed general <<CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nigerian President, trailed, in any case, by the entire nation’s challenges and quagmires. Some of them include financial straits, a huge debt burden, falling oil prices, naira devaluation, acute fuel shortage, worsening electricity supply and insecurity, among others. Now 72-years-old, Buhari is returning to power as a democrat, roughly 32 years after he seized power from the Second Republic erstwhile President Shehu Shagari through a military coup d’état on December 31, 1983. The military government he led was, however, short-lived, as it was toppled on August 27, 1985 through yet another palace military coup that ushered in General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as the nation’s leader. A tortuous journey it was that brought Buhari to power under the democratic dispensation kick-started in 1999. The new President ventured into partisan politics in the first quarter of 2002 when he joined the defunct All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). The following year (2003), he emerged the party’s presidential candidate and vied for the office with the then incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo, a man who was not ready to let go of his second term slot. Mr. President, as Buhari now is, lost the 2003 presidential

election to Obasanjo; and according to his own account, he ended up in court, where he languished for 30 months spending lavishly on lawyers. In 2007, he tried again, using the same All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and lost to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He likewise ended up in court where he wasted 20 months and all the monies he could muster chasing the phantom. Ahead of the 2011 general elections, he floated the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on which platform he gunned for the presidency and was defeated by President Goodluck Jonathan. He went to court as usual and spent about eight months seeking a reversal of the verdict, but to no avail. In all, therefore, Buhari spent a total of 58 months in court, all up to the Supreme Court level, seeking to be president without success. For the 2015 presidential contest, the bigger opposition parties - Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), ANPP and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – coalesced with the CPC into a mega party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), thus offering Buhari a broader platform with which he successfully subdued the PDP political machine during the March 28 presidential poll. The rest is history. Like Buhari himself has

HIS APPLICATION OF THE RIGHT DOSES OF

COMMITMENT, FOCUS AND CONSISTENCY IN TACKLING MOST OF THE NATION’S PROBLEMS,

WILL PAY HANDSOMELY rightly observed, based on the experience he mustered from his electoral battles, Nigeria’s problems are not necessarily centred on religious intolerance and tribal sentiments, as many have erroneously made a great majority of the citizenry to believe. The real and deadliest enemy is the endemic corruption that has percolated all facets of nation’s life. Buhari says fighting corruption is number three in his priority list, the first being security provisioning; while addressing the critical challenge posed by unemployment, ostensibly through extensive foray into agriculture, comes second. Many in Nigeria and other parts of the globe strongly believe that if corruption especially can be tamed with iron cast political will, a lot of things will fall into place, not just in all the arms of government, the executive, legislature and judiciary, which are routinely serviced with a bloated

ON THIS DAY May 29, 1999 Olusegun Obasanjo took office as President of Nigeria, the first elected and civilian head of state after 16 years of military rule. Obasanjo, GCFR (born March 5, 1937), is a former Nigerian Army General and former president. He is of Yoruba descent, a career soldier before serving first as Nigeria’s military head of state (February 13, 1976 - October 1, 1979); and as elected president (May 29, 1999 - May 29, 2007).

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

May 29, 2004 The World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C., United States. The US National World War II Memorial is a national memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of small triumphal arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, it is located on the National Mall in Washington D.C., on the former site of the Rainbow Pool.

percentage of the nation’s resources; the revenue haemorrhage the nation is suffering in government ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs), bare-faced frauds in the oil and gas sectors, electricity supply shortages that have lingered for decades and still counting, the rot in the education and health sectors and, indeed, the general mismanagement of the nation’s resources by a few privileged individuals that has now translated to unspeakable infrastructure deficit, mass poverty, hunger, hardship, restiveness and crimes of all sorts, will also be significantly addressed. Buhari, a man many refer to as Nigeria’s Abraham Lincoln, on account of his tempestuous march to power, has learnt sufficient enough lessons on commitment, focus and consistency as the way forward for achieving positive results. Nigerians expect no special magic from him as he confronts the nation’s problems and tries to reverse the years wasted by the locusts, but they believe his application of the right doses of commitment, focus and consistency in tackling most of the nation’s problems, will pay handsomely. Only when that is done can Nigerians truly smile and bask in the euphoria of his March 28, 2015 presidential victory.

x May 29, 2014 Ignatius Aphrem II was enthroned as the Syriac (also Syrian) Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch. Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional ‘overseer’ of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period. According to church tradition, this ancient Patriarchate was founded by the Apostle, Saint Peter.

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Buhari and excessive cost of governance NEW HORIZON Wale Ajao With

waleajao2002@yahoo.com, 08023112006 (sms only)

resident Muhammadu Buhari assumes office today as the fourth elected President since Nigeria returned to democratic governance in May 1999. Before that year, October 1 used to be the day when elected presidents were sworn in, the significance being that on October 1, 1960 Nigeria won independence from Britain. The idea of swearing in our elected presidents on May 29 came under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Since May 1999, the progressive forces in the country have been clamouring for the enthronement of June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day. The reason is that on June 12, 1993 the nation conducted a presidential election judged to be free and fair by local and international observers, but the winner of the election, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, was however, denied the mandate when the then military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election. All attempts to honour the late Abiola failed. Former President Goodluck Ebele

Jonathan’s attempt to honour MKO Abiola by renaming the University of Lagos Moshood Abiola University, Lagos was resisted by the students and staff of the institution, many of who knew little or nothing about Abiola’s place in Nigerian history. And since then nothing has been said about the matter. Even the progressives have forgotten the matter. Yet, they have a good chance now that they are in power at the centre and also in control in many of the states of the federation alongside with a majority of members in the National Assembly. The question now is what stops the Buhari administration from concluding the unresolved June 12 issue by naming a national monument after Abiola or out rightly summoning the courage to declare June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day effective June 12, 2016. Somebody will be asking: Can Buhari do it? Recently, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair called on the Buhari administration to take tough decisions in the first 100 days after assuming office. Blair wanted Buhari to abolish fuel subsidy. Not mindful of the implication for an underdeveloped economy like Nigeria, Blair probably spoke with the mindset of a leader in a more resilient economy like the British economy. In Nigeria those in support of fuel subsidy have argued that a weak economy like that of Nigeria cannot easily jettison subsidy, adding that rather government should the excessively high cost of governance. Nige-

CAN BUHARI DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF THE EXCESSIVELY HIGH COST OF

GOVERNANCE? ria at present has 42 ministers. When Buhari took over power in on December 31, 1983, he reduced the number of ministers to 15 – his immediate predecessor, Alhaji Shehu Shagari maintained 35 ministers. Too many ministers have brought about frictions in governance. As the ministers struggle for delineation of their port folios, time and energy are dissipated. Too much revenue is wasted in servicing such a large federal cabinet. This is so because each of the ministers will usually have not less than two assistants or advisers. The Nigerian legislature is touted among the costliest in the world; which is why some people have made a case for a unicameral legislature. Some critics have even called for part-time legislators. This is in a bid to stop the huge national expenditure on a legislature that has allocated for itself about five percent of the national budget each year. In addition to their high monthly salaries the legislators have approved for themselves bogus allowances for constituency projects not being monitored by any specific

agency of government. There is also the issue of jumbo allowances to state executives as pension at the expiration of their tenure. A replica of this same self serving legislation has also been endorsed in favour of the President, Vice President, Senate President and his Deputy, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, all of who will also go away with huge severance packages as they step out of office today. The issue is, can Buhari deal with the issue of the excessively high cost of governance? The Transparency International in 2012 said Nigeria was the 37th most corrupt country in the world; can Buhari tame the corruption scourge in Nigeria? The political class is still talking about zones of origin of holders of key positions in the legislature and executive instead of allowing merit to take priority. If America could overcome the era of racism to the extent that a black man now rules the nation, what stops Nigerians from going beyond zones, which are not even in our constitution? When Nigerians decided to vote for change, they expect change in all ramifications. Can Buhari lead Nigerians into genuine national unity devoid of geopolitical calculations? The value of our national currency has become a source of concern to critical observers. Can Buhari savage the dwindling fortunes of the Naira? Nigerians are waiting to see what happens in the next 100 days.

Securing the desired peace against Boko Haram

ne of the most frequently asked questions today is why terrorist groups, such as the Boko Haram, has been a global challenge with different motives and similar ideologies since the French revolution? Arguably, terrorism has proven a low cost, low risk and high yield method of struggle for all kinds of groups. And apart from the violence, fear and alarmism that terrorism possesses, it it has never in history achieved a strategic goal. It is also clear from the history of terrorist violence in major democratic nations that much of the successes recorded in avoiding violent conflicts such as ours have been due to the introduction of enlightened socio-political reforms and ameliorative measures by the governments. There is overwhelming historical evidence that effective, and preferably timely programmes of political reform, is the best antidote against the rise of anti democratic mass movements like Boko Haram. It would be foolish to pretend that democratic governments can in some way immunise themselves against the contagion of terrorism simply by pursuing enlightened policies of socio-economic amelioration and reforms. The reason being that many of the groups involved in acts of terrorism are very small and may be totally divorced from the wider social movements if appropriate and timely measures are taken. Penetrating a terrorist organisation is an extremely difficult task. However it is not impossible. It is easier to penetrate the sensitive establishments of an adversary nation than a terrorist organisation. Con-

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE THE ONLY SENSIBLE WAYS OF DEALING WITH DANGEROUS FANATICAL GROUPS LIKE BOKO

HARAM

sidering the offensive progress made by our law enforcement workforce so far, politics and diplomacy should be applied at this stage to the fullest extent in order to restore peace permanently. How else is the incoming government going to contend with these extreme factions that refused to compromise and continue to wage terrorist violence will depend on their ability to involve experts who have the best interest of Nigeria at heart. Defying the rule of law and endless violation of most basic human rights of fellow citizens, such as right to life by this sect, will be a thing of the past if the incoming regime will listen to voices of reasons. On a professional point of view, law enforcement and criminal justice are the only sensible ways of dealing with dangerous fanatical groups like Boko Haram. As for the claim that it is wrong to criminalise BH and its affiliates, the simplest answer is that by using terrorism they have criminalised themselves. The very notion of crime, even in the most primitive legal system, implies the moral responsibility of individuals for their actions, mostly when violation of a legal code is concerned. No re-

sponsible government can make a rule that terrorists should be exempted from criminal responsibility unless their irresponsibility should be pledged on the ground of insanity. By exempting terrorists like Boko Haram members from criminal responsibility we will allow both our moral and legal principles to be undermined permanently. Once a nation faces the challenge of terrorist attacks from whatever quarters, that nation needs to have in place an effective counterterrorism policy and the expertise, specialist agencies and the resources to carry it out. Had the appropriate counterterrorism measures been taken as indicated above, had we not lost our popular legitimacy, Boko Haram wouldn’t have acquired the potency it possesses today. In reality, this is extremely rare because all the cards were stacked in favour of the Federal Government to simply apply the principles of effective counterterrorism process to bring Boko Haram to its knees. What we are setting today is a precedent for what others will do tomorrow, if this situation arises. At the same time, the fact that BH lately operates clandestinely, hits and runs, may strike at any time, and use global telecommunications to coordinate attacks require more extensive monitoring. One other issue we have ignored is transparency, and it is essential for the following reasons. It is necessary to hold government accountable for failure to act. Secondly, transparency is necessary if we are to have any chance of restraining the national security. As a result, substantial institutional forces will press for expanded security authorities, and will seek to create ever more

Counter-terrorism Tips With

Ethelbert Oney ethelbertoney@zissltd.com, 08029929121 (sms only) powerful ways to monitor human activities. Transparency is important to the government. The long-unacknowledged killing led many people to believe that the BH has acquired the power to kill anyone, anywhere, without process or standards in Nigeria. As the incoming administration begins to explain its security policy, it will be right if it does not take capacious view of its authority. Of course, transparency has costs as well as benefits, and secrecy is sometimes necessary. But secrecy has significant costs, too — not just to human rights, but to democracy itself. When the balance between individual rights and security is struck in secret, finding a lasting solution becomes imperative. The failure of the out gone administration to consider other effective counterterrorism measures is like playing goalie blindfolded, where the opposing side can score from in front, behind, above, or below. 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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Mohamed Morsi and irony of Egyptian democracy

O Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria’s debt

n May 17, the first democratically elected president of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi was sentenced to death on charges of a mass prison break in 2011. The death verdict was handed down under the nose of his erstwhile army chief and the mastermind of the coup

that ousted him, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. What we are told by the West, the architect of democracy, is that democracy it is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. In this complex task of choosing the “right” person to represent the people,

voters are not likely to make the perfect choice or be seen to have. But once votes counted and the processes respected, the winner stands, even if we don’t like his/ her face or ideology. It is suppose to be a case of majority having its way. In the case of Egypt, it was nev-

ometime last week, the Vice-President-elect, Prof Yemi Osinbaj, disclosed that the incoming government would inherit a total national debt stock of $60 billion from the outgoing Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration. This statement rightly rattled a lot of Nigerians, who sought to know how this humongous amount was accumulated. But in a swift reaction, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, faulted the claims, stating that the $60 billion was the total debt stock accumulated from independence. According to her, the debt was not accumulated by the Jonathan government alone and added that only about $26 billion of the lot was owed by the outgoing administration. How come that in five years, the Jonathan government accumulated a staggering debt of $26 billion when we were told that Dr Okonjo-Iweala, as Finance Minister under the Chief Olusegun administration, successfully led Nigeria to clear all her external debts? If the Muhammadu Buhari administration has no initial inclination of probing his predecessor, the clouds over the new debt profile of Nigeria should be cleared, and this must be through a probe. Comrade Ebenezer Dada, Ojokoro, Lagos

Is Ikpeazu, Abia Gov-elect listening?

ay I use your widely read medium of mass communication to call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State to keep his campaign promise of infrastructural development of the state, which has been elusive since its creation and the inception of the present democracy in May 1999. Abians voted for him to take their state to the next level of socioeconomic development, which other states are enjoying from their governors. He should not be a stooge of godfathers that want to reap where they did not sow. Abia state has been in the news of bad leadership and this must not be repeated under his charge as he takes over today May 29. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia.

Letters to the Editor

OUT OF SERVICE… A vendor taking a nap by the newsstand at Ikotun in Lagos, recently. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Imperative of ceaseless prayers for Nigeria

clarion call as gone to Nigerian politicians to be fair to all, as well as providing the necessary social infrastructures in order to avoid a situation of not having a nation to rule over. We need to continue with our prayers for peace in the country and for good leadership. Leadership without consultation is evil. These prayers by Nigerians have become necessary as the only weapon by which to demand God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs. The troubles afflicting the country are

far above what the politicians could address. We must note that leadership without all religious consultation is evil. The solution is for us to remain resolutely united. Every Nigerian must also engage in politics to demonstrate his/her concern for the wellbeing of the people. We must fight against religious intolerance, immorality, election rigging, and injustice, among others. Prayer is the weapon of the oppressed, the poor and the marginalized. Everything happening in the country today indicates

GEJ and the wasted opportunity

he out gone President Goodluck Jonathan failed because he allowed two or more presidents to rule the country alongside him. The first alternative president is Boko Haram; the militant Islamic sect contested the sovereignty of Nigeria with him throughout the life of his administration. The second are Dame Patience, his wife, and Dr, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, his Prime Minister. They shared the presidential power with him. The inability of President Jonathan to rein in the Boko Haram

Islamic militants, thus allowing them to undermine his presidency with impunity, seriously created doubts in Nigerians of his capacity to rule the country. Finding no clues to the whereabouts of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted by the insurgents since April 2014, the free reign of corruption in the country, appointment of highly discredited people as his aides, and his tolerance of the impunity of some of his ministers, are some of the reasons Nigerians distrusted him. Comrade Femi Dada, Ibadan, Oyo State (09020304312)

that there are so many things wrong and we cannot continue to watch without taking steps. I pray to God to soften the minds of our politicians to jettison their inordinate ambitions for the good of the masses; and we believe our prayers are already answered. More disturbing are some emerging government policies in Nigeria, which appear less obvious they are out of tune with the peculiar needs of Nigerians. Nigerian leaders have failed the masses and Nigerians must collectively get involved in the transformation of their country, because resolving the challenges facing Nigeria has gone beyond leaders’ capacity. This is the time when our country needs a rejuvenated, visionary and transformational leader. We must fight against unemployment, poverty, disease, tribalism, moral decadence, drug abuse, rape, religious intolerance, poor infrastructure, victimization, rigging among others. We must be involved to demonstrate our concern for the welfare and well being of the nation. Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel (Baba Sekunderin), President, The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM) Int’l, Lagos (08033733470)

er so. The referees, led by Sisi and his western collaborators, decided to shift the goal post midway to the match. It was a coup d’état. A democratically elected president was deposed, militarily, instead of getting him out through the ballot. What the actors behind it are telling us is that democracy is not what it is. The rules of democracy cannot be bent, changed and adjusted to suit the interests of the powers-that-be. But in the case of Morsi, he has paid his dues by submitting himself to the process of democracy. The cries that his Muslim Brotherhood party was a threat to global peace and that its members are terrorists are just to give dog a bad name to hang it. It is clear here that we are dealing with a glaring case of double standard. While the frontiers of democracy in the world are looking the other way as many sit-tight rulers in Africa and Middle-East, whose names and democracy can’t dwell in the same sentence, they are busy truncating the free will of the people of the Egypt. What a double standard. I think the notion of democracy should now be made to accept necessary ‘ifs’ and ‘when’. Something like ‘if any person ascend a political post democratically but his face and ideology is not in tandem with the powers-that-be, he/she won’t be made to enjoy it’. This brand of selective and unjust democracy can only bring more chaos and unrest to the world. Removing Moris forcefully from power was a very wrong step to have been taken. As if not done, El-Sisi’s government has been haunting and hounding the Muslim Brotherhood members with frivolous jail terms and mass death sentences. The United Nations and United States expressed deep concern about the death sentence handed down to Morsi. The U.S State Department said Egypt’s practice of mass trials and sentences was unjust and often used against members of the opposition or non-violent activists. This should be followed by strong actions. With crisis rocking Egypt on a daily basis, the country is now carrying an ugly shadow of its glorious past. Turkey’s president, after the sentence warned that the Middle East would be thrown into turmoil if Egypt carried out its death sentences. I guess the brand of democracy to be in place in Egypt is that of the few, by the few and for the few. Democracy indeed! Comrade Abdulateef Usman Abiodun, Lagos (07037657426)

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.

Lagos Shoe Expo at Silverbird Galleria

his Friday, the 29th of May 2015, the Lagos Shoe Expo holds at the Silverbird galleria, it is an exposition for original shoes from various shoe brands like TT Dalk, Dej Shoes, and Kieva Desuwa amongst others. It is a ‘must come’ for all shoe lovers. The event starts by 10 am and ends by 6pm.

DJ Tony at MVP Lounge

oin DJ Tony and other exclusive guests this Saturday, the 30th of May 2015 for a night full of fun and music. DJ Tony, in charge of the music would give you wonderful beats to dance to. The venue is MVP Lagos, Bisola Durosimi, off Admiralty, Lekki, Lagos state.

At PACC event

REGINA OTOKPA

n spite of the present boom in the culture and music industries of Africa, the major challenge facing the industries remains how to find ways to sustain the growth and spread the benefits to larger layers of the society through significant job creation and poverty alleviation. This submission was made by the President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mr. Michael Dada, during his presentation at the 4th Pan African Cultural Congress, PACC4, on May 26, 2015 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. Organised by the African Union Commission, AUC, in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, the threeday PACC4 with the theme “Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development”, opened on Monday, May 25 and was brought to a close on Wednesday, May 27. The congress featured thematic presentations and plenary and panel discussions encouraging participatory interactive discussions moderated by carefully selected moderators. The presentations were prepared by experts in each of the themes and subthemes. Addressing participants on the theme: “All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA: A tool for promoting African Culture and Identity for Development”, Mr. Dada described music as an integral part of African culture to promote brotherhood, solidarity and the struggle for liberation. He referenced history saying African musicians over the years had produced rich and inspirational songs on political independence for African countries, the problem of apartheid

Mike Dada

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION, AFRIMA HAS SET OUT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REALISATION OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THOSE LAUDABLE PLANS OF THE AU THROUGH MUSIC, CULTURE AND TOURISM in South Africa, the need for African countries to unite, and ultimately, the development of the continent. “African musicians have also composed different songs that challenged hegemonic nations and organisations such as the United States, France, United Kingdom and most importantly the United Nations on policies which affect Africans at home and in the Diaspora. They also support the campaign for enthronement of democracy in Africa and sing against any policy of governments that is antipeople”. The AFRIMA President emphasised that this decades long effort by African musicians has resulted in economic growth in Africa as shown in a report

P. 34-35

Arty News

produced by PricewaterHouseCoopers (PWC): On the continent, South Africa is the biggest media and entertainment industry valued at $10.5 billion in 2013; Nigeria is in second place at $4 billion and Kenya is in third place at $1.7 billion. According to Dada, “The report projects that by 2018, these industries will have risen dramatically to $17.1 billion, $8.5 billion and $3.1 billion respectively. However, the economic growth must be transformed into economic development and thereby create a new Africa. It is the positive aspects of music, which are immense, that All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) seeks to promote. AFRIMA is a combined effort to recognise, award, promote and preserve Africa’s rich music culture. Besides, it is a platform to communicate the unique image and culture of Africa to the world for global competitiveness. In AFRIMA, we believe music can play a wonderful role in fulfilling this historic task. The economic revival has unleashed a wave of creative energy and inspired hope. We strongly hold that music and cultural industry can help create good jobs and raise consciousness about developments and the needed change in Africa. Thus, working in partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA has set out to contribute to the realisation of the objectives of those laudable plans of the AU through music, culture and tourism”. He revealed that already, in preparation for the 2015 edition of the continental awards project, AFRIMA and African Union Commission held a Joint Conference/Roundtable Discussion in Addis Ababa on April 29, 2015 under the theme: “Using Music, Culture and Entertainment as tools for a new Africa”. Other distinguished speakers at PACC4 included: Commissioner for Social Affairs, AUC, H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko; Minister of Arts and Culture, South Africa, H.E. Mr Nathi Mthethwa; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe, Dr. Thokozile Chitepo; Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC, Sir Ferdinand Ikechukwu Anikwe, Independent Curator, Ms. Ngone Fall; Secretary General, Arterial Network, Mr. Peter Rorvik; Executive Director, Godown Art Centre Kenya, Ms. Joy Mboka and Director General, Afro-Arab Institute, Dr. Mohamed Salem Soufi, amongst others. The congress also featured exhibitions, music and dance as well as a celebration of the ‘World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development’ - a United Nations sanctioned international holiday for the promotion of diversity issue marked on May 21 each year.

Inside FCT P. 24-33

inally, the much-awaited album by Skales is being released on Sunday, the 31st of May 2015 at the Federal Palace Hotel; there shall also be special performances by other artistes. The event is an all night event; it starts by 8pm in the evening and ends by 4am in the morning.

AFRIMA consolidates at Pan African Cultural Congress

P. 22-23

Skales presents album

Critics

WEEKEND STARTERS

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

P. 20,21

Friday, May 29, 2015

Flavour

Artman

Your

FRIDAY

Artman In The House

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What Buhari government should do He is one of Nigeria’s best producers, rappers, and music entrepreneurs whose works have led to the present evolution seen in the music industry today. In this exclusive interview with VICTOR UDOH and OLAWALE OLUWADAHUNSI, he bares his mind on his new broadcast monitoring technology, Myplaydata, and the Nigerian music industry. Excerpts:

Eldee

ou have been off the music scene for a while, what have you been up to? I have been working on a new website that will benefit all of us in the music industry, and with it piracy can be a thing of the past. Are you saying that the ‘Alaba piracy’ can be a thing of the past? Yea, there are new streams of income available through the digital perspective. So all I am doing is that I am trying to find a way to boycott it and still make income. Everybody is screaming piracy, piracy, piracy and the challenge is beginning to take a new form because now we are moving into digital age. Now, the good thing about digital is that with the same technology, you can track it, which is why some of us have decided to try to create solutions. Solution that can help to attend to the kind of problems we have. Everybody is talking about government doing this, government doing that. All we need is for government to create an enabling environment for everyone to thrive. From there, we will solve our own problems. They should just give us light, roads, water and security. We are okay. We will solve our problems. That’s what I think we need. Those are the problems that face us every day and I think piracy can be solved if we have all the basic amenities. We will solve it. We are smart people. All of us know we are smart. Why are we so blind? Why? There is no reason but only for the fact that we are not thinking about our problems the right way. Ev-

erybody likes to complain. Personally, I am tired of complaining. If I see a problem, I will look for a solution And do you think this is the solution? Yes! This is the solution. I have identified the problems in the music industry. Actually, music, marketing, advertising, promotion, broadcast, anything that has to do with content on radio, T.V, or anywhere it’s used, the challenge is we don’t know how it is being used. Now, there is light, we can see it now. You understand what I am saying. That’s what ‘my play data’ stands for. If you check the website, myplaydata.com, you will get information on how the technology works, what it is useful for, why it is important to adopt its use. Presently, the music industry is like walking into a room where there is no light and you don’t have any kind of torch light with you. That’s why you see many musicians start their careers and try, try, try and try and get frustrated out of it the industry because they can’t plan, you know. I was talking about simple things, simple challenges the average content producer faces. Not even just average, even those who produce movies. You give your movies to broadcast houses, they pay you for ten plays, and then they play it fifteen times. How do you know? You can never know. To the guy who wants to advertise his product, he makes this advert now and put it on radio and thinks that If he can put this ad to play one thousand times and the station has one thousand listeners, that

means he will get ten thousand people that will get to hear about his product, but the station finally plays it seven hundred times and the guy has paid for one thousand times, how will he know? Or for the broadcast station who gives you more than you pay for, how will you know that they have helped you? Why should we not be able to give that kind of information? Looking at the complexity of the process, how easy is it for you to achieve the technology? The technology is easy to achieve. I don’t think anybody exists that doesn’t want an easier life. It’s going to help all of us, so why should anybody reject it? Its jut like installing an air conditioner here now, why should anyone reject it? Can you educate us more on the website, myplaydata? It’s a broadcast monitoring technology that allows you to see what’s going on in the broadcast space. Whether you are an advertiser, a content creator, a content user, broadcaster or you are COSON, an artiste manager or you are just somebody who is interested with what’s happening with music, now you can see how content is being used. If somebody plays a movie for instance, on a specific channel, you can tell when the movie was played and how long it was played for. You can tell who played it and the frequency of play. And it shows all of this in a very simple format that you can understand, not that it will just give you one spreadsheet with numbers. I want to check that this particular song against this other one, I want to know how one is doing and from there you can deduce why one is not doing well. It is a very transparent monitoring technology. It is also very accessible on mobile phones. You can see notifications

I have identified the problems in the music industry. Actually, music, marketing, advertising, promotion, broadcast, anything that has to do with content

on radio,

T.V, or anywhere it’s used, the challenge is we don’t know how it is being used.

Wedding day

on your phone whenever they play your songs, adverts, movies in any broadcast station so that you know that the money you pay to run the adverts or the money the you are being paid for your movie to run on the stations are being justified. When have you been working on this? We have been working on this for like three years now, and I am not bragging about it. It is probably the most advanced solution anywhere. Between the myplaydata website and music, which one is the most fulfilling for you? Think about it this way: I have a passion, but I also can do something that can be a solution for everybody not just personal. It is for the person, who is making movies, music, and for someone who is being paid for a content that is being paid for something that is related to the content that is being created somewhere that now has an opportunity. That guy that is in Kafanchan somewhere that is hustling as an artiste and the radio in Kafanchan is playing his music but he never gets royalties here because we don’t know him Lagos. So, whenever they are sharing money, his name will never come out. Now, he can get access to his royalties because he can monitor his songs through the website. It is just not for big artistes; new artistes can also join and benefit from it. If somebody is playing your stuff, you should be paid; either you are a new artiste or an old one because if you don’t pay the small artistes, how will they grow? Are you dropping music for this now? The thing is that you can’t drop music. You don’t choose music, it chooses you. So at some point, I will still get into the studio. But for me to be able to have

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, May 29, 2015

Artman In The House

for entertainment industry –eLDee

with wife and daughter

For me, I will like to see that they fulfill

their promises.

like the agenda they have for the nation and if they put in the necessary

commitment, it will do us a lot of good.

enough time to build this, I had to step back. And the greater good is my concern at this moment, and that is to be able to do something for the industry. So, you are leaving music for the others to succeed… I won’t use the phrase ‘leaving music’, I will prefer ‘stepping aside temporarily’ to focus on something that is necessary for all of us. Don’t you think it will be difficult coming back to the music scene? I have always come back! And I have never had it difficult. That will never be a problem for me. What makes you stand out as an artiste and an entrepreneur? It’s hard to say. I think it’s just hard work. Everybody works but maybe those that put in the extra are the ones that get recognized. I don’t know, but I work very hard and I try as much as possible to be transparent, have a pure heart and have a positive energy around me all the time. Who among the young artistes do you really admire? I like a lot of the younger artistes. What do can you say about the

Onyeka Onwenu, Chido Nnwagwu, ards ee at NRC 2013 aw Eld d an Omobunike

seemingly ‘meaningless’ music in Nigeria now? There is no such thing as meaningless music. Art is a perspective form and the fact that it doesn’t mean anything to you doesn’t mean another person doesn’t like it. So far just one person likes it, it’s okay. Tell us about your background. What kind of kid were you? I’m from Lagos state, I grew up in Kaduna. I didn’t really spend time in Lagos

With family in Atlanta

until I moved here for my University. I studied architecture at UNILAG. I was a smart kid, I grasped things very quickly. I had all A’s in my WAEC. I had the number two score for JAMB that year in the country. But did your passion for music as an undergraduate affect your studies? It did. Actually I feel like the reason why I ended up focusing on music was because I didn’t want to go to UNILAG. I didn’t want to school in Nigeria. I already had an admission into a school in US but my Dad insisted I stayed back. The fact that I stayed here meant I became eLDee. How has your journey been from several years ago as one of the members of Trybesmen to running a successful Record Label? It has been tough, fun and I wouldn’t do anything else if I had the option. I am an architect with a Masters Degree, I dumped that. I had an interactive media business that was doing very well; I dumped that to do music. To be here and see my dreams come to fruition to me is a super privilege. The organizational structure of this building right here was my Thesis Design. When I was in school, I wanted to create a record label and distribution company. Tell me about your wife. When did you meet her and how does she cope with the demands of your career? I met my wife in 1998 just as I was about to get into music. She has been a part of it from the beginning so she gets it. Nothing really changed when we got married; it was just business as usual. She is very supportive. Does your daughter know how to sing any of your songs? She is part of my music, she is on my album. She spends so much time in the studio. If you turn on the microphone, she wants to sing. I’m not going to push her to do music, though. Does your first daughter call you eLDee? I was expecting you to say “Daddy’s songs”? She goes around telling people “This is eLDee. I am eLDee’s daughter.” Let’s get back to your wife. I know you guys have had a wonderful and long relationship. What has made your relationship survive the test of

time? We understand each other. We are friends before anything so that helps to keep things together. We are buddies. My wife and I can stay in the house for up to a month without seeing anybody else and we’d have conversations everyday and we’d not fight once. We’d chill, gist, abuse each other, laugh, play rough… that is the kind of relationship that we have. Tell me about something romantic she has done for you recently. She does something every day, really. How many men can brag that they eat breakfast in bed in Nigeria? I don’t know if that is very common but that is my wife. She is the best. There is usually a lot of pressure on celebrity couples with many people watching to see if their marriages would survive the test of time. You’ve been married for almost four years now. What is your secret to a scandal free relationship? If you’re not out there messing about, it would be difficult for people to pin stuff on you. If somebody wants to create controversy for you and you are not that kind of person, it would be clear. The other time, somebody tried to play a scandal with me and Mo’Cheddah but we both laughed about it. I’m not the guy who leaves the club with girls; I’m not the kind of guy who has girls flocking around my studio. That is not my style. There is no smoke without fire, if you are not naturally somebody who is into drug, sex or alcohol in a negative way, nobody would be able to pin stuff on you. And I think that is why nobody has been able to pin stuff on me because that is not my lifestyle. Could you reintroduce us once again to all the artistes under the “revitalized” Trybes Records 2.0? There is Aramide, a soul singer; Sojay, an R&B singer; K9 is the youngest in the crew, he is a pop artiste and also a producer and fantastic song writer; Sheyman doubles up as not an artiste and the technical guy when it comes to sound; Sars is a producer but he also has a deal as an artiste; Eva, a female rapper; Rukus, a male rapper; and then there is eLDee. A new government will be sworn in soon (today). What do you expect them to contribute to the entertainment industry as they assume office? In general, this government has preached change. By some of the elements that are part of the government, they have some suggestion that there will be change. But until it happens, you can’t confirm it. Just as the government that the people didn’t have any more trust in was voted out, if this new government does not fulfill their promise, they will be treated the same way. So, for me, I will like to see that they fulfill of their promises. I like the agenda they have for the nation and if they put in the necessary commitment, it will do us a lot of good. As an artiste, do you think the government is doing enough to curb piracy? The government can’t do everything. Government should create an enabling environment. We will solve our problems. They should give us light, roads, and insure our properties. We are Nigerians. We don’t need government to solve every problem.

Critics

Friday, May 29, 2015

Another HIV story

FILM

From a make-up artiste in Nollywood, Dagogo Diminas travelled to Germany to improve his skills in filmmaking. Stigma is his debut attempt at it. Ogah Ocheche

e was involved in many major Nollywood movies and sat atop the makeup team, known as 13 Fate man. That however was before he left Nigeria to go and live in Germany where his movie making skills led him to become a director. In 2012 Dagogo launched out to produce Stigma, a movie that has turned out to become one of the most definitive movies on HIV/AIDS on the African continent. The film which has been seen at the International Short Film Festival, Berlin in November 2012 is still travelling the nooks and crannies of the continent. Stigma is a drama about ignorance and the consequences of carelessness. But also about the power to overcome desperate situations in life, to burst one’s bonds and finally to be what you want to be. The life that surrounds Vanessa in the small community in Obonoma is manageable. Her mother, Ibiso, works as the local midwife, she is the only child of an already finished relationship and her mother’s job permits her to go to school. There are few obligations for her until her mother decides to accept the rampant promises of Smart Bob Manuel and marry him. Quickly, this new step father shows his real face, including his penchants for other women, stealing the mother’s money and spending it on his extensive journeys to the local bar. Finally his way ends in the house and in the arms of Ibiso’s best friend.

MUSIC

Vanessa’s childhood comes to an abrupt end when her mother becomes ill, first without knowing the reason, and Vanessa needs to work in her mother’s profession to aliment the family with now two more little children. She must learn about the enormity of ignorant thinking when a doctor and very good friend of hers diagnoses her mother to be living with AIDS, a diagnosis which results in the community including family members and her stepfather to ostracise her mother and her. In this very moment they need help and support, but get only indifference and refusal. Stigmatised, Ibiso dies in desperation and loneliness. Vanessa’s heritage is a continous stigmatisation and financial problems because the instilled fear makes most of her patients stay away. Although she’s working with more medical precautions than her mother, Vanessa becomes infected with the virus also. The young woman is going to cave in, remembering the sad way in which her mother was taken, and to be estranged from her dearly beloved long time boy-

friend. When Vanessa decides to end her tragic life by herself, it takes a turn for the better, for the only reason that

STIGMA poster

A message for the slums

Rapper, Rick Ross takes reality in Nigerian slums to a controversial level. But will this message be enough to motivate? Olayiwola Awakan

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

t is good for every stride to leave footmarks. Rick Ross, in an apparent bid to rationalise his visit to Nigeria, has made a Nigerian version of the video to his hit song, Hold Me Back. The song which is a motivating song about struggles and achieving results, which is the hallmark of hip hop in the United States, can in a lot of ways be likened to the realities of the Nigerian masses. The video opens with the news of the end of the civil war that lasted for two and half years after claiming over two million lives and an address by the then military head of state, Yakubu Gowon, announcing that the end of the war was victory to reason. Then, gradually the scenes dissolve to the reality of everyday life in Nigeria’s city of Lagos. Scenes that are typically Nigerian like gunwielding police men, militants, fighting

youths, bad transportation system and poverty-stricken children competing for space with animals make the video true to its message about not letting economic hindrances to hold anyone back. But this is not likely going to go down well with Nigerian people and their government, after all the billions of naira that have been spent on rebranding the nation. While one would argue that Rick Ross by shooting this video has told a partial story about Nigeria, by showing the negative aspect without highlighting the positive side, the paramount thing is the fact that Rick Ross is in the business of shows. And to make an impact, he must take footages that his audience would like to see. The kind of news story that show on foreign networks about Africa has always portrayed the negative aspect

Aside the moral implications of the video, technically

it is good, just like one would expect from

Rick Ross

to the delight of their viewers overseas. One great achievement the video seems to have recorded is that only Nigerians can tell their story well. But this is lacking amongst our musicians who prefer to shoot their videos in South Africa, unconsciously telling the South African story, which has only spawned more appetite for South African locations in Nigerian music videos. The message is that the time is ripe for Nigerian musicians to embrace the challenge of shooting their own videos to show the positive aspects that Rick Ross failed to show in his video. Some may hold the view that Rick shot the video out of strong aversion for what Nigeria represents, but that is not true, considering the fact that he has an American version of the video, which was also shot in an American slum, an admission that there is also hustling in the United States of America. Aside the moral implications of the video, technically it is good, just like one would expect from Rick Ross. The edi-

Set of music video tor must be commended for the brilliant mixture of images, which made wonderful scenes in the video. Commendation also needs to go to the director of the video, considering that the film was shot at Obalande and Marina, a portion of Lagos that would pose the challenge of crowd control to the crew. From the final footages, it is obvious that they battled with this challenge successfully. While Rick Ross has told his own story of Nigeria, the video should have also been a good avenue to tell his story of the bad business relationship he once had in Cross River State, which would have deteriorated to the same fate that once befell international stars like Eddy Grant and Jimmy Cliff. His Hold Me Back, was mute on this, and this, may be unacceptable for his fans.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stigma is a drama about ignorance and the consequences of

carelessness.

Critics

Friday, May 29, 2015

But

also about the power to overcome desperate situations in life there’s someone who is not following that antiquated way of thinking. With the help of that person Vanessa is no more a prisoner of circumstance and social rape. She turns her illness into the possibility to begin a new life and buries the stigma of being HIV positive by starting a career as a motivational speaker and famous advocate for the rights of people with AIDS. Her successful fight not only initiates her personal reformation but also gives others hope of a better live. But forgiveness is not easy to grant and sometimes it could be too late. Amongst the cast, Francic Duru stood out. A pioneer member of Nollywood with so many movies, among others Missing Mask, Rattle Snack, Mama Sunday, Dust to Dust, Rampage, Sgt. Okoro, Sins of Flesh, Final War. Francis Duru is also a director, producer, core consultant and resource person in the media culture, child health related issues. Well known as one of the pioneers who developed the Nollywood phenomenon, this Nigerian movie industry which now is the second largest in the world, placing it ahead of the United States and behind the Indian film industry. After studying Theatre Arts at the University of Port-Harcourt he specialised in set design, set construction, make up, wardrobe and character building. That “special effects” make up exists in Nollywood today is largely thanks to this iconic master of makeup and special effects. He has worked with Big names like Opa Williams, Reginald Ebere and Mark DonFord May in films like “10.000BC”, “The Silent Fall”, “Last Believer”, “Onome”, Scars of Womanhood and “Wake of Death” with Jean Claude van Damme amongst many others. With his 20 years experience in the movie industry he decided to realise with Stigma his first long time movie as director and producer. To watch Stigma should be like a look in the mirror for the audience – to observe and reconsider their behaviour and ignorant views about the still scary dark reaper called AIDS and life in general. We all can change our opinions about HIV/AIDS and the terrible scourge of stigmatisation.

BOOK

Giving life to dying passion Abdul Wahhab Matepo, throws more light on the art of keeping stamps in ‘A Guide to Philately in Nigeria’ Ngozi Emedolibe

he fact that it is a digital age, where activities are seamless and controlled with clicks from a mouse has even dampened the chances of the word re-occurring; but for diehard philatelists like Abdul Wahhab Matepo, it is the best time to polish this attitude. This he has done in his book: A guide to Philately in Nigeria, a 69 page account of the basic things one needs to know, if collecting stamps happens to be one’s hobby. Of course, Matepo opens his account from the inside of the home of stamps, the Nigerian Postal Services, where he has put in many years of work, at the Philately Bureau, an arm of NIPOST. One thing would strike anyone reading this book. It is the fact that Matepo is telling the story of this hobby from a professional standpoint. The first chapter of the book dwells on the history of postage stamps. Like most inventions, Matepo’s account lets us know that the business of stamps actually began in the United Kingdom in 1837 by a man called Rowland Hill. It also tells us that stamps did not always mean money. It was not until May 1840 that stamps with face value (monetary worth) emerged with a money value of one penny. The new culture would however spread to countries like Brazil and United States subsequently. It did not get to Nigeria until June 1874. This would leave one wondering how letters were posted before stamps came on board. Matepo explains that they were ‘postmarked with cancellations in inks’, a system that was introduced by a Hen-

ry Bishop, which made the people of that era refer to such markings as the ‘Bishop Mark’. Quite interesting, but Matepo did not explain how the security of this process was protected at that age. Curious readers would want to know how and why people never bothered to make counterfeit ink markings. The book also takes the reader into the classes of stamps, which Matepo broadly categorised as either commemorative or definitive. Commemorative refers to stamps issued to honour certain individuals in the history of a nation, like has been done by NIPOST for our nationalists in Nigeria who led the clamour for independence. According to his statistics, of the 214 different stamp issues NIPOST has made, the communications sector got the highest number of issues at 20. Other themes or sectors like nature, sports, arts and culture, and education all follow behind lamely. The definitive stamp according to Matepo’s book reflects on the socioeconomic development of the nation. In

The book also takes the reader into the classes

of stamps, which

Matepo broadly categorised as either

commemorative or definitive.

Post office

Nigeria, this aspect has been dutifully captured by the various economic milestones that have taken place in the country. Incidentally, the crux of the matter which is to stimulate the interest of philately amongst people did not begin in this book until the fourth chapter, where the author goes about guiding philately enthusiasts on how to become one. One point enthusiasts would find very relevant is the idea that one can open an account with NIPOST in order to be able to receive stamps as they are being issued. The author clearly pointed out that accounts can be opened with at least N1000, $40 or 20 pounds, and NIPOST would always make available new issues until one’s deposit is exhausted which usually prompts notifications from NIPOST. Interestingly, he also goes on to tell the readers how to preserve the stamps to offer them longer life. Of course, there are many reasons for collecting stamps. Some do so for leisure, but reading this book will also enlighten one on the money-making aspect of philately. Matepo however summarises this in three paragraphs after letting his reader in on the fact that stamps really appreciate in monetary value over the years if ‘they are kept healthy’. According to the book, a 2kobo stamp issued in 1973 now sells for N1000! The book also mentioned some instances where stamps were auctioned for as much as $935,000! But the book did not talk about auctions in Nigeria or whether it has ever held. Anyone who takes time to read Matepo’s book would notice that he is passionate about stamps and has written his well-printed book (the printing was even done locally) over a period of time in very simple English. Although, he did not mention it in the book, one would also notice that the face value of stamps actually reflects the high inflationary trend in the country over the decades. It is commendable that Matepo u n veiled t h i s knowledge simmering in him.

Inside FCT

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Inauguration: Abuja hotels overwhelmed by guests Joel Ajayi

head of today’s inauguration of President-elect, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, all major hotels and guest houses in the Federal Capital and those bordering the neighboring states have been fully booked for the epoch event. Former Military Head of State, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari of the APC on the March 28th Presidential General Election emerged Nigeria’s president-elect after defeating incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of PDP in the first democratic change of power ever in Africa’s most populous nation. A short trip rounds the city by Inside FCT in Abuja revealed that, all hotels have been fully paid for, even at exorbitant prices by the supporters of Buhari, after three previous failed shots at the presidency, but now on his way moving into Aso Rock, Nigeria’s presidential palace, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the same vein, hotel owners, managers have seized the opportunity of the inauguration to either increase their rates or in some cases, cancel the usual discounts enjoyed by guests. While Speaking, the Chairman, Media Publicity Sub-committee of Inauguration Planning Committee and Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, while highlighting activities of the inauguration, said no fewer than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday: “As we speak, the 54 countries of the continent of Africa have been invited. Very many of the heads of state will be coming. There has been a huge interest, especially from heads of countries in Europe to attend this inauguration. “At the last count, I think we must have in excess of about 50 Heads of State and delegation expected at this inauguration.” A visit to Transcorps Hilton revealed that all the rooms have been reserved including ambassadorial lodge. At Nanet Suites, which is very close to the inauguration venue, Eagles Square, a

Pool side of a hotel

worker confirmed that all the rooms have been sold out. He said: “You know the era of change has come, Almajiri is on his way to Villa and all co-Almajiri from North and others part of the country are coming to celebrate with Presidentelect.” On inquiry on the hike, hotel operators said total power outrage in FCT contribute to the increased, the rate of a standard classic room which usually goes for N35,000 per night goes for N40, 000. When Inside FCT visited some hotels around Area 10 and 11 of Garki axis in the FCT, it was discovered that hoteliers are making brisk business, due to the number of Buhari’s supporters from across the country converging on the FCT. For hotels like Bolton White at Area 11, exotic cars were seen parked everywhere

around, giving indication of many guests in the hotels. At Agura and NICON Luxury Hotels around Area 10 and 11 respectively, the story was not different. Also speaking, the Manager of

Lamode hotel located in Zone 4, Ike Kalu said, “the lounge have gotten a lot of calls from people who wanted to lodge there for the occasion but added that they were expecting them to start trooping in today.”

When Inside FCT visited some hotels around Area 10 and 11 of Garki axis in the FCT, it was discovered that hoteliers were

making brisk business, due to the crowd of

Buhari’s supporters from

across the country converging on

Abuja

Youths arrive Abuja on bicycle from Yola Regina Otokpa

igeria is a country where we wake up one morning and discover the unimaginable has happened. Few weeks ago, the social media and the Federal Capital Territory was buzzing with the arrival of one Suleiman Hashimu, the man who claimed to have trekked from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate Buhari’s victory at the presidential polls earlier this year. Shortly after his arrival, there have been rumours about differ-

ent people from different locations embarking on long distance walks, others climbing trees and vowing to remain there until after the inauguration among some other extreme actions. The recent action is the arrival of a group of about 25 youths

under the aegis of ‘Nyakosiya Network’ perceived loyalists to the former governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako at the nation’s capital on a convoy of bicycles to show solidarity to the President-elect, as well as welcome ‘change’ from the norm

According to the group, the journey was less challenging for them since they were fully equipped and prepared for the journey before embarking on it Bikers

Friday, May 29, 2015 11 Shaban, 1436

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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

Fazl Mosque, London The Fazl Mosque, also known as The London Mosque is a mosque in Southfields, in the London Borough Wandsworth. Inaugurated on October 23, 1926, it is the first purpose built mosque in London. At a cost of £6,223, the construction of the mosque and the purchase of the land on which it sits, was paid by money contributed from Ahmadi Muslim women of Qadian, India. Since 1984, the mosque and its surrounding buildings have been the residence of the caliphs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and therefore, the international headquarters of the Community.

HADITH

Watch out for special Ramadan package OH Allah! Lengthen our lives, increase us in Iman, Taqwa, Rizq and good health to be among those that will witness another set of 30-days full of Rahma, with a night equivalent to 83 years of worship. As usual, your darling National Mirror Newspaper will be on ground to dish out the daily spiritual diets to our teeming darling readers. May we be among the partakers of the glorious month,

If you were Ramadan 27

Aamin. Let the information keep flowing to all daddies, mummies, brothers and sisters in Islam. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly as you create this needed awareness, Amin!

For further enquiries, please contact: Assistant Editor, – SEKINAH LAWAL: call or text: 08055102994, email: sakinah207@yahoo.com.

‘Buhari must chart a new culture of prudence’ 28

Narrated Abu Musa: Some people asked Allah’s Apostle, “Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?” He replied, “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.”

Very, very serious! 31

Call to Worship

11 Shaban, 1436 Friday, May 29, 2015

NSCIA, NAHCON: Senate should do things right

t has been a disgusting thing seeing an outgoing government making so many uncalled-for last-minute appointments. And like many have rightly stated, all these will have to be reviewed by the new administration. One of those was the appointment into the board of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON. Outgoing President Jonathan recently nominated and submitted to the Senate for approval, names to the NAHCON Board. Why the hurry if we may ask? At the twilight of your tenure, what is the sense in making decisions for a new government on who they work with and how they want to work? It doesn’t make sense really to be “preparing” grounds for a competitor. What is their interest in these hush hush appointments? In the first instance, Presidency did not do well by not consulting the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA’s leadership on the issue of NAHCON. For a body that has direct bearing on Muslims like the Hajj Commission not to have an input from NSCIA before being forwarded to the Senate is an affront and insult of the highest order on Nigerian Muslims. I read with dismay, headlines like; “Senate overrules Sultan on NAHCON”, “Senate dismisses Sultan’s objection, approves Jonathan’s Hajj Commission nominees” and the likes. This is a big insult which should not be allowed to stand. Why are they in a hurry to put in place another Hajj Commission few days to the end of their administration without consulting NSCIA? . Even the Senate should give reasons for their hurried actions. We’ve had cases of years going without the passage of many important and useful bills, why has our Senate woken up suddenly. Those to run the affairs of the Hajj Commission should be approved by constituted authority like the Sultan. NAHCON’s was among the eleventh hour appointments

which must be reviewed. Despite petitions filed by the Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar-led NSCIA and some other stakeholders, the Senate last Thursday, approved the recent appointments made by outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan into the board of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON. Jonathan had in a letter forwarded to the Senate earlier this month nominated Alhaji Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad and eight others as Chairman and commissioners respectively of NAHCON. The NSCIA in its petition said the nomination without recourse to it violated provisions of the NAHCON Act, which stipulated that the President would make nominations into the board after due consultations. The relevant section is section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which states that “The President shall, after due consultation, appoints persons of proven integrity as Chairman and members of the commission, subject to confirmation by the Senate”. The Senate committee on Foreign Affairs in its recommendations after going through the petitions counseled the Senate to use its discretion on the one filed by the NSCIA by saying ” The committee conducted the screening in line with its mandate from the Senate, but it is constrained to make specific recommendations on the nominees because of the sensitivity of the petition from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) , which came half way into the exercise .The Senate is kindly requested to consider and give further directives and guidance on the matter” In a motion moved to dismiss the NSCIA petition, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba was reported to have said that section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act 2006 quoted by NSCIA does not specifically states that the body or the Sultan, should be consulted by the President for such appointments and if I may ask Senator Ndoma-Egba, which

body should be consulted? Egba’s utterances are very disappointing and our ‘honourable’ lawmakers should watch their words when handling sensitive issues like religious matter. He thus urged the Senate to confirm the appointment of the nominees since there are no proofs from anybody or relevant institutions that the President did not carry out consultations before their nominations. Is Ndoma-Egba telling us that NSCIA is not a relevant institution when it comes to Hajj issues? And the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi ( PDP Bauchi Central) , also supported the Senate leader. As a matter

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

Why are they in a hurry to put in place another Hajj

Commission few days to the end of their administration without consulting NSCIA?

of fact, further appointment of leaders and their deputies should be made with seriousness it deserves. It is not really and only about the nominees here but the way

the Senate handles the matter. How will they reposition NAHCON for better service delivery to Nigerian Muslim pilgrims if a body like NSCIA cannot vouch for them.

One of the dignitaries presenting gifts to participating schools during Bomarah Foundation’s 15th annual Quranic / Quiz competition in Lagos recently.

Place your adverts here for optimal reach Zakat Is 2.5% Of Your Total Wealth, Known As Nisab. After Having Fulfilled All obligations, pay your zakat

Bomarah Foundation’s President, Hajia Idayat Bola Muse and friends cutting the birthday cake at the tournament organized by the foundation where various gift items were given to successful students.

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Call to Worship

Friday, May 29, 2015 11 Shaban, 1436

If you were Ramadan

IN HIS LIGHT

But must we wait for Ramadan

A. ZAFARAN

t will soon be time for waking up for Sahuur at early dawn and having iftaar by the dusk. It will soon be time to be engrossed in Quranic reading, memorization, reflection and exegeses. It will soon be time to be hungry and thirsty for the sake of Allah (SWT) in a world where millions are almost hungry-stricken daily. We will soon enter into another Ramadan for rejuvenation of the souls. It remains one of the greatest blessings of Allah (SWT). It is an annual purification exercise. It provides ample opportunity to reconnect more closely with our family members and brothers in Islam. The true feeling of Islamic brotherhood is at its peak in this glorious month. The desire to compete with fellow Muslims in righteous deeds is high in this month. The level of sincerity and discipline is unique in this month. But must we wait for Ramadan before we start to do what we know we must do? We must really plan to meet Ramadan but your today is more certain than the days of Ramadan that have not arrived. The days and our activities before Ramadan are still pregnant with a lot of unseen. Death of individuals are not attached to any months,

before we start to do what

we know we must do?

We must really plan to meet Ramadan

but your today is more certain than the days of

Ramadan that

have not arrived it can come at any time. So, it may be a mere good wish to witness the forthcoming for some. In the event of not being privileged, why not start living in the month now, doing what you plan to do therein? Let us not act god, let us start now, with the expectation that Ramadan is coming, let us rise to act as if we are already in Ramadan. Our intention to witness the month has already qualified us as witnesses of the noble month. Start to refrain your limbs from sinning now because your finish line may be before the month. The moment you reach it, you are halted by death and then lowered into the grave for the medal of the race. Start your race towards Ramadan now. Compete with others in doing good deeds. Time is

swiftly running. The nights and days are passing. Age is telling on you. Judging by the current activities of those that fasted last year, if you were Ramadan, will you still return with your great rewards and blessings? If you were Ramadan, will you still accept the recitations of Muslims when their actions betray the Qur’an? If you were Ramadan, will you still believe in the unity of Muslims when their houses and organisations are in shambles? Based on your actions since the last Ramadan, do you deserve witnessing another Ramadan? Give a single reason why you think Allah (SWT) should spare you to witness this coming Ramadan? If for no other reason, you will want to witness this coming Ramadan so that you can engage in

Buhari gives us hope, Al-llory

he proprietor of Markaz Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies, Sheik Habeebullahi Adam Al-llory, has said that the victory of Muhammed Buhari has given Nigerians the hope that there are better days ahead for them. This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos. “Under his leadership, Nigeria would soon be among the enviable political and socio-economic development nations in the world as vast major-

ity of Nigerians were yearning for a CHANGE.” “We salute your courage, resilience, consistency, seriousness of purpose and tenacity as your victory has given hope to Nigerians that there are better days ahead under your leadership. “We are aware of the enormous responsibility on your shoulders and the expectations of Nigerians were high as they expect you to hit the ground running immediately. We be-

lieve as a former military head of state, you would excel. As these has given us the hope that you would meet the expectation of Nigerians. We assure you of our total support through fervent prayers since prayer is the sword of the believers.” “We pray that Almighty Allah to guide and guard the president -elect as he steer the ship of Nigeria to a safe berth. We also pray that Almighty Allah would endow him with wisdom to lead our country to a greater height.”

Controversy over hajj seats Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

heikh Aliyu Lamidogora has condemned what he described as racketeering of hajj seats allotted to Taraba by the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON and called for probe of the Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. He expressed concerns over how 1,200 seats allotted to Taraba were being hoarded by the hajj Board. “The Board had in a letter sent across to mosques,

informed intending Muslims pilgrims to get their hajj seats for the 2015 pilgrimage from their centers across the 16 local government areas. Few days after the announcement, intending pilgrims could not get seats. “Information reaching me from across the 16 local government areas revealed that only 304 hajj seats were sold out. So, what happened to the remaining 896 seats?” He urged the state government to set up a panel that will investigate the activities of the

board. When contacted, Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Habibu Al-makki, said the cleric failed to understand the fact that seats are usually allocated to the state government and members of the state assembly. Checks by our correspondent revealed that the board usually reserves not less than 300 seats for the state government besides the special considerations usually given to members of the state assembly, commissioners and other top government functionaries.

with

USTAZ

e-mail: zatabumuneeb@yahoo.com spiritual activities to amass a lot of rewards and secure Allah’s forgiveness and thus be saved from hell. You really deserve to be spared to witness it. So, start now to be penitent and prayerful. This coming Ramadan must be great in your life. You must become a saint. You must achieve the two main objectives of Ramadan. One, you must deeply get connected with Allah (SWT), doing what pleases Him and gladdens your heart. You must experience a spiritual fulfilment in all your

actions. Two, you must relate with people very well and show concern for their welfare; bearing in mind that solving the problems of your fellow Muslim is better than observing a twomonth seclusion in Prophet’s mosque in Madinah. You overlook what people do by correcting them politely. Let your sins and errors be of concern to you than that of any other person. Use the golden opportunity of Ramadan to open new pages in your life. Happy Ramadan in advance.

MSSN sisters’ seminar is here

he Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Agege, Coker-Aguda, Kosofe and other area councils’ Sisters’ circles will be holding their annual seminars tomorrow, Saturday, 30th May, 2015, with the theme: “Our Treasure”, beginning from 10:00am holding at Nojim Kenku Memorial High School, formally Jubril Martins High School, Iloro-Agege for Agege area council while OrileAgege area council will be using the Lagooz College at Mulero Busstop, Orile-Agege. Aimed at promoting excellence community service, sound sprititual development and moral

upbringing among Muslim students in order to prepare and orientate them for the task ahead, the annual seminar for the CokerAguda Area Council under Hajia Habeebah Gabadeen and Hadjia Khadijah AbdulGaneey as chairman , planning committee and Ameerah respectively, will also be taking place at the MUSLIM Association of Nigeria Mosque Hall, 20, Amosu street, off Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos, with Hajia Rofeeqah Alapafuja of LASUTH as guest lecturer. For Kosofe area council, the seminar will be at Araromi Central Mosque, Mende-Maryland, Lagos.

Al-Azhar entrance exam is tomorrow

l-Azhar International College, located at Zango Daji, Lokoja-Kabba Junction Road, Kogi State, will be holding its entrance examination tomorrow Saturday, May 30th, 2015. According to the College’s Administrator, Mr. AbdulHakeem Akintola, this is another opportunity for parents who want balanced education for their children to enroll them in Al-Azhar International College. Akintola assured all intending parents and guardians that the school’s management is out to ensure that Al-Azhar’s core values of sincerity, humility, morality, truthfulness, honesty, hard work, strategic thinking, respect and righteousness are strictly adhered to . “We prepare our students in a way to achieve happier and more successful lives than their parents and peers by going the extra mile to

ensure that our students consistently excel, not just once but always in all fronts.” For further details, the school can be reached via email: alazharinter nlcollege@gmail. com or +234-7030284779, +2347060846621. Al-Azhar International College is a full boarding co-educational institution. The College combines world-class secular and Islamic education with high moral training (based on Islamic teachings and ethics) to build outstanding and disciplined future leaders for all aspects of human existence. According to the school’s Proprietor, Dr. Yekeen Habeeb, AIC is now set to begin Cambridge A-Levels examination and the College’s management is determined to ensure total education for the students and offer the best aid to prepare them for both internal and external examinations in addition to high moral upbringing.

Call to Worship

Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, is the Executive Director/CEO, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation and the Executive Secretary, Nigeria-Arab Association [NAASS]/ Nigeria-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry [NACCI]. He is also the secretary of the The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs’ National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC). What is your advice to Nigerian Muslims on the best way to prepare for Ramadan? All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the whole worlds. My take on this is that Muslims need to prepare themselves in the following areas, namely; spiritually, morally, socially, intellectually, medically, economically and physically in order to maximise the blessings and reward of Ramadhan Fast. By spiritual, I mean Muslims should repent from their bad ways and renew their intention to step up their devotional practices in order to get closer to Allah with a clean mind and soul. Morally, they should avail themselves of the Ramadhan month to build a new character that epitomises truthfulness, honesty, trustworthiness, justice, kindness, God-consciousness among others. By socially, I mean sincere resolution should be made inwardly to re-unite with immediate and distant family members, hold on tightly to family ties, reconcile warring parties and empathise with those suffering from socio-economic deprivations among others. Intellectually, Muslims should set a minimum achievable goals of improving ones knowledge on a daily basis as well as knowledge-sharing with others. Ramadhan should be conceptualised as a training school for capacity building with a view to adding values to human life. Medically, Muslims should endeavour to carry out medical check-up in order to ascertain the level of their health status. This will enable them to take proactive measures to mitigate any health challenge. And for those with one form of ailment that may impair their active participation during the fasting period, it would afford them the opportunity to reach a decision on the best approach to adopt come Ramadhan. Economically, Muslims should endeavour to plan their budget for the 29 or 30 days of Ramadhan fast. From the onset, they should make projections for expenses to incur on foodstuff for members of their families as well as the poor people in their neighbourhood. Where the required fund is not readily available or will not be available before the commencement of Ramadhan, Muslims should explore other accessible legitimate sources of funding before Ramadhan so that they are not caught unprepared especially on the first and second day of the fasting month. And finally, by physical preparation, I mean Muslims should be up and doing in terms of their physical fitness so that they can engage themselves actively in the night congregational prayers and mid-night vigil devotions among others, throughout the 29 or 30 days of fasting. Where the physical body fails to pass fitness test, it would be extremely difficult for such Muslims to actively participate in the Ramadhan fast from the beginning to the end of the exercise. What efforts are being put in place to ensure that all Nigerian Muslims begin and end the fasting same days? The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs’ National Moon-Sighting Committee, NMSC, is on top of the situation. Since the beginning of the Hijrah year, the NMSC has been consistently searching for the new crescent of each preceding months up to date. This is usually done in collaboration with all the State Moon-Sighting Committees as well as independent Moon-Sighting Committees and individual Muslims with passion for moon-sighting activities across the country. At the end of each month, the NMSC having collated all the reports received, makes its recommendation to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto & President-General, NSCIA on the

11 Shaban, 1436 Friday, May 29, 2015

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‘Buhari must chart a new culture of prudence’

Imam Shuaib

If we contextualise the aforementioned values in our new political

dispensation,

Muslims

and non-Muslims in this country will be betteroff commencement date of the new lunar month. As far as the task of the NMSC is concerned, arrangements are on ground to sustain its culture of searching for the new moon and advising the Sultan of Sokoto on the outcome of the sighted moon either positive or negative. Through the office of the Secretary-General, NSCIA and based on the directive from the Sultan, the NSCIA Headquarters is poised to provide the right leadership on when to begin and terminate fasting across the country. Our advice to all Muslims in the country is that we should watch out for the new moon of Ramadhan as usual and most importantly, be guided by the announcement made by the Sultan of Sokoto or the NSCIA Scribe as directed by the Sultan. Any announcement made by any regional body or institution or individual no matter how highly placed such a person may be without confirmation from the Scribe of NSCIA or reference to the leadership of the NSCIA, should not be accorded attention in order not to create confusion within the rank and file of the Ummah. What lessons should people take away from the coming Ramadan and after it? The essence of Ramadhan is to inculcate the virtue of self-restraint, discipline, time management, character building, patience perseverance, love and generosity, spiritual and moral rebirth in the life of those observing Ramadhan fast. If we contextualise the aforementioned values in our new political dispensation, Muslims and non-Muslims in this country will be better-off in the ways and manners we manage both our human and material resources.

What is your advice to the new administration? The new administration should learn from the pitfalls of the out-going regime. It should avoid threading the erroneous path and focus on good governance and downplay partisan politics. It should run an inclusive regime where the rights of the majority and minority are protected. Way out of the many present predicament of Nigeria as a nation? We should set our priority right from the onset. The national interest of Nigeria should not be compromised due to personal self-interest of people in government. The new administration should chart a new culture of prudence and avoid wastefulness. Our challenge is not about lack of resources but rather it is about our inability to develop our abundant resources to enhance human value and living conditions of Nigerians and Nigeria. What advice do you have for Nigerian youths? Our youths are the future of this country. They symbolise the hope of the old and new generations. Therefore, the Nigerian youths should be agents of positive change. They should never allow themselves to be used by mischievous elements as evil tools for maiming, destroying and killing innocent souls on flimsy ethno-religious and communal clashes. Your take on the issue of insecurity and Corruption? The primary responsibility of any legitimate government is to provide security of life and property for its citizenry. Any government that is unable to accomplish this important duty has no basis to govern its citizenry. Secondly, one of the ethical values a responsible government is expected to champion is transparency and accountability, due process and corporate governance in its administration. The culture of impunity in government encourages malfeasance and this in turn, deepens corruption in all facets of government. And where corruption is so endemic in the processes of any administration, development and growth will be retarded. Therefore, war against corruption is a onerous duty incumbent on all and sundry in this country and we should support the incoming administration to ensure that there is zero-tolerance for corruption not only in government circle but also in the private sector, so that the birth of a new dawn will usher in true and genuine dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 11 Shaban, 1436

When we talk about fertility issues, many people usually suspect Fibroid, is there any causal relationship between the two? Fibroid, which is a benign growth of smooth muscle is an infrequent cause of infertility. It causes infertility either by Mechanical obstruction, distortion of uterine cavity and interference with implantation. When a mechanical obstruction of fallopian tubes, cervical canal or endometrial cavity is present and no other causes of infertility or miscarriages can be identified, fibroid removal is usually followed by achievement of pregnancy in high percentage of patient within the first year of surgery. Small submucous fibroid ( fiboid within the uterine cavity: either wholly situated within the cavity or with 50% projection into the cavity from the uterine muscle), are best treated by Hysteroscopy removal. Those with less than 50% projection into the cavity are usually left alone, since studies have shown that they have no effect on infertility. Large fibroid situated inside the uterus are better removed by open Myomectomy while leaving behind adhesion prevention barriers. What are the major causes of infertility and what are the various options available to people now? Current causes of infertility in a typical Assisted Reproductive Technology Program can be divided into male problems which constitutes 35%, and female problems of about 55% which can be further divided into: Tubal and Pelvic pathology which is 35%, Ovulatory dysfunction 15%, Unusual problems 5%. Others include unexplained infertility of about 10%. The scope and trend of modern infertility evaluation has shifted focus from making specific diagnosis to using efficient and cost effective tests. The focus of treatment has also shifted from systematic correction of each identified factor to applying the most efficient, cost effective therapy which often is Assisted Reproductive Technology. Methods of Treatment which is readily available at Continental Specialists Clinic. These include IVF(In -Vitro fertilization), ICSI(Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection), IMSI( Intracytoplasmic Morphologically selected Sperm Injection), FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer), PICSI(Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), LAH (Laser-Assisted Hatching), PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) which is to prevent transmission of genetically inherited diseases to the unborn child and selection of sex. Others include counseling, blastocyst transfer, surrogacy, donation program among others.

Many are of the opinion that assisted reproduction methods are too expense, what is your take on this? How affordable is assisted reproductive methods in Nigeria? Assisted-conception is capital intensive. To set up a state-of-the-art Assisted Conception Program involves a lot of capital. The training and equipments involve a lot of capital and that is why it seems very costly. Electricity has to be provided all the time, imagine in Nigeria where electricity from national grid is poor, that means, one has to use alternative source of electricity. The hormonal drugs are expensive too. ART is expensive all over the world.

What advice do you have for people on Endometriosis, any relationship between Endometriosis and infertility and how enlightened are reproductive health specialists on this? Evaluation should be offered to all couples who have failed to conceive after a year or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse but a year of infertility is not a prerequisite for evaluation. Earlier evaluation is justified for women with irregular or infrequent menses, history of pelvic infection or endometriosis or having a male partner with known or suspected poor semen quality and six months of unsuccessful efforts for women above 35 years of age, because as women age, the eggs also age.

Call to Worship

ART should be first option treatment in infertility The focus of treatment has also shifted from systematic correction of each identified factor to applying the most

efficient, cost effective therapy which often is

Assisted Reproductive Technology cluding reproductive health will improve. Corruption is the bane of this society. My vision for Continental Clinic is to remain the flagship of fertility management in safe and environmental-friendly manners to our numerous clients. We want to be the best Assisted Reproductive Technology provider in Africa. We have what it takes to get there. Dr Yahahya

When is CSC rolling out its services to Nigerians and how soon should we expect its official commissioning? At Continental Specialist Clinic, we are made up of experts in infertility. The Clinic is headed by a Reproductive Physician who received training both locally and abroad. We do not only take care of medical, scientific problems of our patients but the wider emotional, psychological and family problems. We understand their emotional trauma. We give support from the point of registration and throughout the treatment. We turn hope into happiness, trust into treasure and longing into belonging. We are always there for our patients because we know fertility treatment can be a challenge for them. This expertise is back up with state-of-the-art modern equipments. What are your expectations from the new administration regarding health matters generally and reproductive issues especially? I hope General Buhari will have the courage to tackle corruption, once this is done, all spheres of economy in-

What should people understand about endometriosis? Endometriosis is the presence of (histologically) endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus causing chronic inflammation and infertility. It is a disease of menstruating women. It impacts on physical, social and mental well being of women, however, it may present without symptoms. At all stages, it is associated with reduced pregnancy rate. Advanced disease in the Pelvis distorts the anatomy, may interfere with normal relationship between fallopian tubes and the ovaries, hence, interfering with eggs release, eggs pick up, tubal mobility and patency. It affects gametesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; function, survival and transport, inhibiting fertilization. We are well enlightened on all issues affecting reproduction. The message for all patients suffering from Endometriosis is that we have empathy for them and they should get across to us as soon as possible for treatment, because we know what they are going through. Infertility management is a race against age; age is a limiting factor especially, a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age. Modern infertility treatment like ART should be seen as a first option not a last resort. Very soon, we will commission Continental Specialist Clinic.

Members Of Bodija Muslim Youth Forum, Alhaja Hafusetu Akerele; Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun; Alhaji Tiamiyu Giwa; Mr Lukman Ogunrinde: Alhaja Saratu Suarau at their inauguration.

Call to Worship

11 Shaban, 1436 Friday, May 29, 2015

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Hazrat Masroor Ahmad to grace Nigerian centenary

L-R: New couple, Halimah Bolatito & Taofeek Olaniyi Arogundade with the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Alhaja Modinat Yussuf; Alhaja Azeezat Tijani and mother of the Groom, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade.

he Nigerian Jamaat of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has invited the khalifah and spiritual head of the Hazrat, Masroor Ahmad to its celebration of 100 years slated for April 2016 in Nigeria. This was made known at the just concluded annual Majlis Shoora of the Jamaat in Lagos. In a release signed by Alhaji Qasim Àkinreti and made available to National Mirror, delegates also mandated the Aamila National Executive Council to meet with the Huzur in London for his unique blessings towards the success of the celebration. In addition, the Shoora also received the reports of the establishment of an in-

ternational private Islamic University in Nigeria. Delegates appreciated the work of the committee and urged them to work towards the realisation of the project as an important landmark for the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education system and the continuation of the humanitarian services of the Jamaat in Nigeria. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat came to Nigeria through then Gold Coast Ghana in 1916 by late Maulana A.K. Nayyar. He stayed in Lagos and preached the message of true teachings of Islam to the local community. Since then, the Jamaat in Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds.

UMA holds 21st pre-Ramadan lecture

T Couple with Officiating Imams, Prof. Saheed Timehin; Chief Missioner, NASFAT Worldwide, Sheikh Abdullahi Gbade Akinbode; Hon. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef; Couple, Engr. Taofeek Olaniyi and Mrs Halimah Bolatito Arogundade; Alhaji Shittu and Imam Abubakar Abdulsalaam.

he University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, UMA, is set to hold her 21st annual pre-Ramadan lecture focusing on the topic: “Public Trust: An Obligation for Credible Leadership” on Yawm-alAhad, 20th Sha’baan 1436 AH, which is Sunday, 7th June, 2015, beginning from 10.00am at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos. According to the chairman of the planning committee, AIhaji S. 0. Babalola, Saraki Adinni of Lagos & President-General, Muslim Ummah of South-West of Nigeria, MUSWEN, is expected to be the Chairman of the day. Other distinguished guests include the Mutawallin of Sokoto & Governor-Elect of Sokoto State,

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Alhaja Ramdat Muri Okunola. Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Prof. Tabiu Muhammad will lecture in English Language while the Chief Imam, Daaru Naim Central Mosque and Proprietor Daaru Naim International School, Lagos State, Sheikh lmran Abdul-Majeed Eleha will deliver his lecture in Yoruba Language. Other highlights of the day include the presentation of UMA’s Scholarship Award to M.Sc and Ph.D scholars, mini exhibition of Islamic Arts and materials by vendors and corporate bodies, free medical check-up by Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, IMAN, Lagos Chapter.

Buhari must review twilight projects, appointments –MURIC

L-R: Groom’s father, Prof. Rasheed Arogundade; Bride’s mother, Mrs Humuanni Olambiwonnu; new Couple, Engr. Taofeek Olaniyi and Mrs Halimah Bolatito Arogundade; Groom’s mother, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade and Bride’s father, Mr. Rasaq Olambiwonnu.

At the Arogundade’s Nikkah

he Ten Degree Event Centre in Lagos State became the envy of many Nigerias penultimate Saturday, May 16, 2015, when the son of Prof. Rasheed and

Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Halimah Bolatito Olambiwonnu. As Taofeek and Halimah were ushered

into the hall, the elegance of the bride dazzled. They smiled and greeted everyone. It was glitz, glamour indeed a very joyful mood. The chairman of the occasion, Dr. AbdurRazaq

Masha, noted that marriage is a thing of joy and advised the couple to obey Quran injunctions, communicate their feelings to each other as well as be best of friends.

resident Muhammad Buhari have been urged to review all recently undertook lastminute location and commencement of projects, sacks and appointments. In a release signed by the Director, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the group questioned the rationale for these hurried actions. “We find no justification for them since the Jonathan regime is at the twilight of its tenure. We

smell a rat. We therefore wish to alert the Buhari administration to make the revocation of these mischievous actions its first fait accompli within seven days of its resumption.” “It is as if a sleeping and clueless regime has just woken up. But the litany of corruption cases and acts of indiscipline to which President Jonathan turned a blind eye in spite of public outcries belies his recent attempt to act born-again.

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Call to Worship

Friday, May 29, 2015 11 Shaban, 1436

Ahmadiyya holds 4th northern jalsa, NPS Stories by Sekinah L awal

he Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, will hold its 4th northern region jalsa tarbiya (conference on Islamic education and moral training), between Friday, 5th June and Sunday, 7th June,

2015. According to a release signed by the Naib Amir (North), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, Dr. Yaqeen A Habeeb, the Conference will hold at the Abuja Central Mosque of the Jama’at, at Plot 579, Independence Avenue (behind Honda Place), Central Business District, Abuja

while the first National Peace Symposium, NPS, will hold on Saturday 6th June, 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, beginning from 10am prompt. The Theme of the Conference is: “Religion, Peace & National Unity” while the Amir of the Jama’at, Dr. Mashood A. Fashola

will chair the symposium. An array of distinguished scholars cutting across different religions and faiths has been assembled to constitute a panel of discussants. The Conference is part of the Jama’at’s efforts at educating her members and the public on Islam’s perspective on the contem-

porary challenges of our time, particularly, the challenges of morality, peace and security. The occasion is also used to promote the spirit of friendship, interfaith understanding, and good neighbourliness as well as spiritual and moral rejuvenation. Interested members of the public are hereby invit-

ed to participate in the conference and especially the symposium with a view to benefiting from the wealth of experience and knowledge of the Panelists. Participants are expected from all branches of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at throughout Nigeria, especially those in the northern region.

Very, very serious!

L-R: President, Bomarah Foundation, Hajia Bola Muse with representative of Kwara State first lady, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed at the foundation’s event recently.

Obey God and succeed –Cleric Priscilla Dennis MINNA.

n Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ishaq Adewale has traced the socio-economic woes currently confronting the nation to the abandonment of God’s commandments. Adewale, who is the founder of Nura Suleiman Jaffariya Fi Toriqat Tijaniyya,

disclosed this recently at the 2015 Maolud Nabbiy celebration of the group in Minna. He noted that the quest for material things, among other issues have made a lot of people to forsake the ways of Allah and enter into covenant with Satan. According to him, “no nation can achieve the desired progress when the divine ways of Allah are jettison

for mundane cravings and lust for material things.” He also stressed the need for Muslims to spend quality time in the worship of Allah, saying, “the more the frequent and length of time we spend in praising God, the purer one becomes in the face of God. Being a good Muslim goes beyond observance of the five daily prayers, for you

to receive light, you have to be spiritually-qualified to deliver others from their problems.” Also, speaking, the Spiritual Leader of Dairat Jaffariya Fi Tariqat Tijaniyyah world-wide, Maolana Sheikh Suleiman Yusuf said the importance of seclusion is a great spiritual virtue to seek the favour of Allah.

NACOMYO, MSSN set agenda for Buhari

he National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, NACOMYO, has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to find lasting solution to the persistent fuel scarcity by rejuvenating the country’s refineries among other initiatives. NACOMYO’s national president, Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde gave the advice in a release while commending Nigerians for their sacrifice and calmness on the hardship caused by the fuel scarcity. He noted that more of the sacrifice will still be required by them if the incoming government must succeed.

While renewing the call for the new political-office holders to deliver on their electioneering promises, the group enjoined them to be guided by the teachings of their faith, rule with piety and justice, required of public-office holders. The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit’s Amir Kaamil Kalejaiye Oloriomokewu said the unit is organising its annual youth conference with the theme: ‘Where lies the future’ which centered on the dream of Nigerian child - academic excellence, moral rectitude in the society and building an ideal personality.

“Youth remains the pivotal strength of any society and we must embrace academic excellence, eschew societal vices and embark on personal development programmes. Federal government should make our refineries work and build new ones, block all loopholes and drain pipes in the oil industry.” Also, MSSN in a communique at the end of its national conference condemned the recent attacks on innocent people in Borno and Yobe states and called on all stakeholders to do all that is required to bring an end to the menace, bring perpetrators to book. “They should also stop

the ugly trend of intimidating Muslims on account of their faith and/ or in the guise of war against terrorism. We call on the entire world to reject the provocative acts of the present ungodly Egyptian government on the death sentence passed on Dr. Muhammad Morsi and many of his lieutenants.” The group also said that unity and brotherhood should guide the what, the how and the extent of the operation of the MSSN at all levels as Muhammad Jameel Muhammad and Auwal Yunus emerged the National Amir and Secretary-General of the society respectively.

he biggest problem in National Assembly of Nigeria, NASS, is not the salaries or allowances. It is a very big item in the NASS budget called overheads. What they do is pack that item in the appropriation bill and then “collapse” it according to a pre-agreed formula. A certain percentage is shared among the leadership. Another portion is given to the management to cover genuine overheads. The rest is shared among members. I believe early in Obasanjo’s term, the overhead budget of NASS was like N10 billion. By 2011, when I raised an alarm, it was N126 billion and 25% of the entire overhead budget of the Federal Government. When I drew attention of the country to this, many people did not understand why NASS was angry. It is because, they were sharing the money that was not spent on NASS overheads, and they have a perfect system now for “retiring” it. There is an entire structure within NASS whose job is preparing receipts vouchers etc to cover this item. If

ever there was a proper investigation, people can go to jail for this. When I was suspended, the Senate leadership which is supposed to protect the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, did not lift a finger because, I had done this to them earlier. The Chairman of the Finance Committee, Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi, who was investigating my missing $20 billion (US Dollars) allegation, was the same Chairman under who this happened and one of those who brought me for a public hearing and made me swear by the Qur’an (as in a Court of Law), and tried to get me to recant; an old routine of politicians, when caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Everything is coming out now, and people forget what was said about my revelations at that time. There will be more and more. Nigerians have seen nothing yet. Take my word. Finally, the good thing in all this is what I said in February 2014. You can suspend a man Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan. You can never suspend the truth.

Call to Worship

11 Shaban, 1436 Friday, May 29, 2015

Exalted status of Prophet (SAW) (2)

f they were not subjected to severe hardship, how can it be affirmed that they are a people who are not disloyal to their Lord in the face of calamities, but rather, they continue to march forward. They are grateful to the Benevolent God that He chose them for His favours and considered them worthy that they should be persecuted in His cause. Therefore, God Almighty afflicts them with calamities in order to demonstrate their patience, their steadfastness, their courage, their perseverance, their loyalty and their bravery to the world, thereby illustrating in them: [‘Steadfastness has a higher status than a miracle’], because perfect steadfastness cannot be manifested in the absence of severe hardships, nor can the perfect degree of perseverance and steadfastness be shown except in the most trying circumstances. These calamities are in fact spiritual bounties for the Prophets and auliya’, through which their high morals, in which they are matchless and peerless, are manifested and their ranks are exalted in the Hereafter. If they were not subjected to these hardships, they would not have attained these bounties, nor would their sterling qualities be demonstrated to the common people, and thus they would be regarded like other people and equal to them. And

even if they had lived their short lives in comfort and luxury, they would still have to depart from this transitory world one day. In this way, their pleasantness would not have remained with them, and they would not have attained the lofty status in the Hereafter; nor would their manliness, resolve, fidelity, and bravery have been universally a acknowledged, which proved them to be distinguished with no match, incomparable without a peer, unique of the unique, hidden beyond hidden where no one’s imagination could reach, and so perfect and brave as if each of them were a thousand lions in one body and a thousand leopards in one frame, whose power and strength rose above everyone’s imagination and reached the loftiest ranks of nearness [of God]. The second part of the lives of Prophets and auliya’ is the one in which they enjoy the highest level in victory, prestige, and wealth; so that they may be able to demonstrate those essential high moral qualities that can be demonstrated only by one who enjoys victory, prestige, wealth, authority, sovereignty, and might. Possession of wealth and power is an essential condition to prove that someone possesses such high morals as forgiving his tormentors, pardoning those who have offended him, loving his

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Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya enemies, desiring the good of those who desire nothing but evil for him, not loving wealth, not allowing himself to become arrogant on account of his riches, not to be niggardly and tight-fisted, to be generous and bountiful, not to use his wealth for satisfying baser passions, and not to exercise authority and governance as a tool of tyranny and aggression. These qualities are demonstrated only when a person possesses both wealth and authority. Without passing through a time of trial and misfortune, and also a time of prosperity and authority, these two types of high qualities cannot be manifested. That is why the perfect wisdom of the Almighty God demanded that Prophets and auliya’ should be provided with both these types of conditions, which comprise thousands of bounties. The occurrence of these two conditions, however, does not follow the same

order for all of them. Divine wisdom ordains in the case of some that the period of peace and comfort comes in the first part of their lives followed by a period of hardship; while the life of others begins in tribulation and God’s succour comes to their rescue in the end. In some, the two phases are subtle and not easily defined; while in others they are clearly marked and evident. In this respect the foremost is Hadrat Khatamur-Rusul [the Seal of the Messengers], peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for both these conditions were experienced by him in their perfection and in such order that all the high moral qualities of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, were illuminated like the sun and thus the meaning of ‘You do surely possess high moral excellences’ (68:5) was proved fully.

Huzoor preaches peace in Africa

he world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, has called on African and world leaders to embrace peace as African Heads of states and religious leaders launched the African initiative on education for peace and development through inter-religious and intercultural dialogue in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Addressing delegates through the Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Egypt, Dr. Hathan Helmy A’shafe, the Huzur said his call for global peace was informed by the teachings of the holy prophet of Islam on peace, tolerance and harmony in the world for sustainable development of mankind. Quoting from Qur’an 22:40-41 where permission to fight has been given to those oppressed and that it is the responsibility of Muslims to protect places of worship or other religions, churches, synagogue and mosque, he said these verses demonstrate that people must always strive for the enthronement of peace and that any time we have to result to fighting, it is to stop war not to start it. The Khalifat of Islam said these teachings forms the basis of the motto of Ahmadiyya community, “love for all, hatred for none”. He prayed for African leaders to play a key role in ensuring peace in their respective countries. Launching the initiative on behalf of African leaders, President Yayi Boni, of the Republic of Benin, who is also the AU Chairman, urged member-states to use inter-religious and cultural dialogue to resolve conflicts ravaging Africa and the world at large. According to him, “people are commit-

ting crimes against humanity in the name of religion and get away with it through impunity and other forms of illegality. He enjoined participants at the two day conference to come out with modalities that will establish organs at the regional level to address the resolutions of the inter religious and inter cultural dialogue. He stated that the inter religious and cultural initiative option are import as military defenses only cannot solve the problem. In his remark, the UN Secretary-General , Ban Ki Moon, called for harmony among various religious and cultural groups. Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, expressed dissatisfaction on the rate of fanaticism and extremism among religious and cultural groups in African and applauded the African leaders initiative. The Nigerian delegation was led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Arch Bishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, two co–chairmen of the Nigerian Inter-religious Council, NIREC. Voice of Nigeria’s Head of Reportorial and Political desk, Qasim Akinreti, presented a paper on one of the Sub-themes of the conference, the role of the Media in promoting and strengthening inter-religious and intercultural dialogue. A Nigerian academic and co- chairman Nigerian inter religious council, Lagos State; Dr. Saeed Timehin also presented a paper on inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, necessity concept and scope. The objective of the presentation on the media is to show an unequalled influence of media in all aspect of life and in particular in religion and culture in terms of shaping public opinion.

L-R: Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashood Adenrele Fashola; former GeneralSectretary, Alhaji Daud Abiola Raji; General Secretary, Alhaji Abass Olawale Iromini and Financial Sectretary, Alhaji Abdul Ghaniyy Idrees at the 63rd Majlish Shoora held at national headquarters of the Jama’at.

Participants at the 63rd Majlish Shoora in Nigeria recently.

L-R: Naib Amir North, Dr. Abdul Yaqeen Habeeb; Naib Amir East, Dr. Abdul Ghaniyy Enahoro and Missionary in-charge, Maulvi Abdul Khaliq Nayyar at the 63rd Majlish Shoora.

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Inside FCT

Friday, May 29, 2015

Children seek inclusion in ‘Change’ agenda Marcus Fatunmole

expect this Baba that everybody says good things about to look into our plights. People say he is bringing change, I believe we will be included in that change. I have heard many people say we children are the most precious creature on earth; I believe it too. If we are, government must take anything that affects our lives with all seriousness possible.” These were the words of Oluwafemi Iyanu, an SSS 1 student of Government Senior Secondary School, Lugbe Abuja, while presenting his expectations from the newly-inaugurated President Mohammadu Buhari. Iyanu is 15; but he knows some things have gone awry in the corridors of power in his country. He knows the privileged persons whose activities affect the destinies of children like him have failed him. He knows there are children like him in other climes who live happier than his contemporaries and he do, yet having less human and natural resources than available in his country. He captures his heartache in a more pitying manner thus: “If I have the opportunity to ask the new President a question, I will put it this way: “President Buhari, what is your plan for the children of this country? Each time I see children of the whites, I see wide gap between us. They are comfortable, we are not; they live in beautiful environment and attend good school, many of us here are in the ghettos and could not be in school; they look healthy and charming over there, we look ragged and beggarly; they have good future, ours is uncertain…” That Nigeria bleeds today like a woman in labour is not an overstatement. All nooks and crannies of the country are like desert suffering from the scorching sun in the summer, the living seeks shade for a shelter; it is far from his sight. Outgone President Goodluck Jonathan captured the state of nation best in Lagos State where he launched his re-election bid early this year, when he

admitted that his generation had failed the nation. How will his generation not fail the nation when parents of many children in the country yet find it difficult to buy shoes and books for their children to go school? Hasn’t his generation failed the nation, especially the children, when they cannot see electricity to read for 10 minutes at night? Has his generation done well when mortalities among children and their mothers in the country are the highest worldwide? Only a few of such children could be happy with their leaders when conditions in their homes compel them to hawk on street; serve as house helps; be given out in marriage against their wish and at tender age; denied education which is freely enjoyed by their contemporaries in other climes among other agonizing and enormously humiliating practices going on unabatedly and with sheer

impunity in their land. From Daura to Otuoke, Epe to Maidugru, most Nigerian children are crying; some for food, others struggling with death that attempts to snuff life out of them though preventable diseases. Some are orphaned, others homeless and unaccompanied. Yet, they grow to realize they are not responsible for their travails, and that they were born in the midst of plenty, cornered by a few rich. While releasing its Education for All Global Monitoring Report in 2013, the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, revealed that an approximately 10.5 million children in the country were out of school. According to the agency, Nigeria was at the time responsible for almost one in five out-of-school children in the world. The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, did not mince word on the is-

They called on Buhari’s government to give them an enduring and prosperous future.

they said. The youths assumed to be in their early 20’s were seen at the Wuse, Zone 4 Area of Abuja, kitted with white customized Tshirts with the logo of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) and bold pictures of Buhari as well as the flag of the party. Speaking to Inside FCT, the group’s spokes person Umar ElFarouk speaking on behalf of its Chairman, Alhaji Danladi Sassaid the visit was to show their support to the incoming administration as well as to prove to the youths that if determined, they could do whatsoever they laid in their hearts to do. “We came to Abuja for the

swearing-in of our new President; we also came all the way from Adamawa to Abuja to deliver a positive message on behalf of the youths of Nigeria.” “we embarked on this following the victory of Buhari, this is because we are tired of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration over the past 16 years, we have suffered a lot in this country and we rode on this bicycle to tell Nigerians how happy we are.” According to the group, the journey was less challenging for them since they were fully equipped and prepared for the journey before embarking on it adding that the President-elect was fully aware of their visit and

sue when it informed the public earlier this week, in a message to commemorate this year Children Day that Children in Borno State had remained at home for the past one year over insurgency. The agency reeled out other heart-rending challenges facing the nation’s children. In Benue State where there has been minimal crisis, children in the state were forced to remain at home for about the same time last year, over the strike embarked upon by teachers working in public schools in the state. The state government was blamed for the strike by the teachers. In the nation’s capital, all public primary and secondary schools have been shut, following a strike embarked upon by the teachers over unmet demands from government for days. Inside FCT observed that though many parents managed to put smile on the faces of their children during the just-commemorated Children’s Day, most public school children among them who spoke with Inside FCT were not happy, because they were not allowed to be in school by both their teachers and government. They called on Buhari’s government to give them an enduring and prosperous future.

their means of transport. El-Farouk explained that “We carried along a Medical Doctor, Bicycle Mechanic, a Driver and sound music system as well as a Disc Jockey (DJ). We did not face any challenge on our way to Abuja. “I believe if the President had embarked on a similar journey like this one, we would not have pulled the capacity of crowd that cheered us on our way to Abuja.” The riders emphasized that the journey from Yola to Abuja was full of fun and carnival-like even as supporters of Buhari who came across them at every given village and town showered them with love, gifts and prayers and uncommon hospitality.

Arty News

Friday, May 29, 2015

Heroes 2 reality TV show starts June

At heroes audition

REGINA OTOKPA

he organisers ‘Heroes Back to the Roots’ TV reality show have announced take off for the season 2 with a registration process to start in June. Speaking with National Mirror, the producer, Mrs. Chinyere Ogbukagu, said preparations were underway to ensure the second season holds more memorable moments, even as the show would capture more screens by expanding the viewership base through involvement of major TV stations, unlike the previous season where NTA Entertainment was the major TV station to air the show. She further explained that in order to keep Nigerians abreast of the content and objective of the reality show, arrangements would soon be concluded to ensure a re play of the first season across major TV stations in the country. “We are making some adjustments, adding some new things, spicing it up, and making sure the show comes to more screens. We are going to re-play what we have done while the second season is still

coming up. So many things will be changed, the good ones we are going to keep the ones that are not, we’ll discard,” Ogbukagu added. The producer noted that the show was aimed at preaching unity in diversity, showcasing the rich heritage of the Nigerian people, promoting tourism and discovering hidden talents. “It is about Nigerian culture, heritage and tourism. It has to do with taking advantage of what we have in this country and not thinking about going abroad for greener pastures while our country is still green and untapped. Let’s be proud of what we have and showcase it, show it to the world because it is beautiful. We are talking about undiscovered talents who do not know what they have. It is a show that is about Nigeria and that is why we use the slogan for Nigerians, by Nigerians and Nigerians,” she maintained. The reality show revolves around 37 inmates from the 36 states and FCT, living together in a house with a task to showcase the culture of their people within a period of 60 days during which they stand a chance of emerging winner or being evicted from the competition.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Asiegbu, Ekiye endorse audio Bible in local languages

Prophet Ogudu and Nollywood stars Ejike Asiegbu Larry Koldsweat and gospel music star Asu Ekiye

head of the official launch of the audio Bible in 18 Nigerian languages, Nollywood stars, singers and other celebrities have thrown their weight behind the pioneering feat by David Ogudu, General Overseer, Christos International Worship Centre, Abuja. The event is billed to hold at the Congress Hall of the Nicon Hilton, Abuja. The stars that have endorsed the project are Nollywood veteran actors Ejike Asiegbu, Larry Koldsweat and Zach Orji. Gospel music stars Asu Ekiye, Panam Percy Paul Samsong and Solomon Lange have also openly identified with the project and would be performing live on stage the launch day. Dike Chukwumerije, son of late Senator Chukwumerije would be on call to dish out soul inspiring poems as well as renowned Prof. Herbert Wilson. From July 18, Nigerians would have the opportunity to listen to Bible verses from the books of Mathew to Revelation in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik, Ibibio, Gbagi, Gwari, Fulani, Igala and Idoma languages. Other languages that are in the audio bible include Tiv, Bini, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Igbira, Ogoni and Okrika. Nollywood star Ejike Asiegbu

in a statement congratulated Ogudu. “. This God’s servant is someone I have known for over a decade now and I know his penchant for doing things that will promote not only God’s work but enrich humanity. This audio bible in 18 Nigerian languages will be promoted by us entertainers across the states in the federation as our own way of helping to propagate the gospel, and win souls for God and reawaken the consciousness in people to serve God.” Nollywood veteran and pastor Larry Koldsweat on his part was elated to be part of this project that he said would make things easier for people who cannot read the Bible written in English. “All worshipers need to do is listen to bible verses in their own languages. It is really marvelous I would say.” Gospel music star Asu Ekiye could not hide his excitement. “This is truly awesome, I am short of words. It is out of this world!” Ogudu had a revelation last year to produce audio bibles. “The word of God is life, some of these languages are dying gradually and we want to use this audio bible to revive our languages, reawaken our cul-

ture and languages as well as bring pride and dignity to the individual.” One major challenge he faced in the run up to the production of the audio bible was the ability to get the right people who speak the various languages correctly and of course, finances as well as spiritual challenges from forces against the spread of the word of God. “We overcame all challenges through the power of God.” The catch here is that, the audio bibles would be distributed free “because the sole aim is to win souls for God, but we are trusting God for partnership from government, Ministry of Education, multinational bodies and international bible societies to help in the distribution of it to all nooks and crannies because we would be holding crusades in any part of the country that speaks the particular language in the audio bible with our celebrity partners.” Ogudu got his calling at age 19 while studying Chemical Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, June 11, 1994 to be precise “so I had to leave school for the All Nations For Christ Bible Institute owned by late Bishop Benson Idahosa. Coincidentally, I had a vision where I saw myself shipping bibles, so I guess God wanted me to get involved in this project since 21 years ago.” On his relationship with Nollywood stars and other celebrities, Ogudu said: “They are Christians and they love to help in propagating the gospel using their stardom, so I believe they saw in me and my ministry an avenue to reach out to their fans and make them believe in God. I also counsel and pray for many of them. I find time out to be with my family. I have time for my family and for God’s work.”

AWF hosts Sule, Kwardem REGINA OTOKPA

T xxxx

Zainab Sule

he atmosphere around Nanet Suites Abuja by 4pm would be fun tomorrow, as the trio of Despan Kwardem (novelist), Zainab Sule (guitarist/ songwriter) and Sylvia Bethel (singer) have been penciled down for the May 30 edition of the Guest Writer Session. Despan, author of the novel The Seventh Messenger, has written over 300 speeches for ministers, presidents and other top government functionaries. Zainab, fondly called the Queen of Soft Rock by fans is presently

on her annual month long tour to promote her music. She has a wide range of songs characterised by intense lyrics and a laid back style. Sylvia on the other hand, has an operatic background. Having trained with the very legendary Laz Ekwueme, the song writer’s musical interests are eclectic. An initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), the Guest Writer Session which started in June 2008 has established a reputation as the most consistent literary event in the country and has featured an enviable list of emerging and established writers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, May 29, 2015

My music preaches love, morals, reality –Christyle Deshe Christopher Hannaniah, an undergraduate of Microbiology is one of the young stars thrilling Jos, Plateau State. Versatile, he talks about the challenges of being an RnB/Hip Hop singer in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts:

IT IS REALLY NOT EASY BUT THE STRONG PASSION

I HAVE FOR MUSIC HAS KEPT ME GOING

into music; music is cool but it is selfish too. School needs my time and music needs my time too but any imbalance between the two of them I would have issues so I work hard to balance both. Which other big acts have you performed with? I have performed alongside Ice Prince, 2Face during the National Trade Fair at Polo, Terry G, May D and so many others.

Christyle

How did you come about your stage name Christyle? I came to realise that Nigerian music has a general stage, a certain direction of commercial music; everybody wants to go for the money. At a point, I came to realise that Nigerian music really needs someone who will be creative in developing a personal unique style. You have to make people accept what you do. Even though I do the commercial kind of music I choose to go RnB because it is very rare and even the matured minds like to listen to that kind of music. You mustn’t create a genre in music but give it a style so that whenever anybody listens to you they can easily appreciate what you have but if you go the same direction like everyone else, you will encounter difficulties in standing out in the midst of the crowd and so Chris style is me (Christopher) doing my own thing. Most new acts are into Naija Pop, how have you been able to stick with RnB? It has really been challenging despite the fact that I can be versatile, I had to choose a direction for myself, and when I wanted to work on my first single, ‘My Addiction’, I decided to bring out something that would make me defined. I went for it and after I released it, I came to realize it gave me a better fan base which gave me the strength to be better in what I am doing. I do thank God that I am making an impact with the path I have chosen.

How many singles have you released? I have four singles, the first is ‘My Addiction’, ‘Speaking in Tongues’, ‘ Dance with You’ and JeJe Love’. When did you realise music was in you? I took it seriously when I was in Junior Secondary. When I was younger I mimed a lot of songs, everybody would exclaim how good my singing was and when I wrote my first song in J.S three, I didn’t even record it. Any specific reason why you decided to continue music unlike your friends? I realised being a music artiste is the only thing that could ever make me happy even if I decide to work much later. Presently, I am a final year student of Microbiology at the University of Jos, I hate living an isolated life, I love traveling, meeting new people. Music is the only career associated with the way I feel and give me the pleasure I wish to derive. How have you been able to balance the strain associated with sciences and music? It is really not easy but the strong passion I have for music has kept me going even where I had to make quite a number of sacrifices. I remember this time I had a show where I was to perform alongside Jesse Jagz here in Jos meanwhile I had exams the very next day; I did perform and made it home to study for my exams. It is really not easy being a science student and still

Those moments must have been memorable for you? On a normal day these are guys I sit and watch on TV only to realise I could perform alongside them, it means I have a future. If they can make it, I too can make it because they started somewhere too. In your four singles, what messages are you passing across to your listeners? First of all love, morals and reality. You have a feminine voice that sounds so appealing; ladies go crazy when they hear such. How have you been able to cope with your female fans? To be honest, ladies make up about 98 per cent of my fan base. I love being more around ladies, they understand me very well. What I am always after during my shows is to get the crowds’ attention and my style of music is more of feminine, girls tend to like what I do and once a girl can actually like what you do even if it is rap, once they cherish your style of music you will have less work to do though it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have to struggle out there. For example I know ladies who like M.I’s kind of music and they rap his songs but I must also note that being around ladies sometimes can also be deceiving. In most cases you would realize you have so many fake lovers and once something tragic happens to your voice they take flight. Majority of the ladies are just after the sweetness of the voice, only a few sit to reason the message in it. Did your family accept to run with your vision without raising an eyebrow at some point? My mum is my number one fan followed

by my siblings. At first my dad had issues with my music career not until when my Uncle who is based in Lagos came to visit. During his visit, his phone rang while he was with my parents in the sitting room and behold, my song was his ring tone; he had gotten one of my songs through his children unknown to him it was my song. He found it hard to believe and in the presence of my dad he said “you are talented but I must advise you study, just be focused in your studying you will have more direction” my dad was shocked and early the next day, he came to my room to ask me what I really wanted to become, with fear and trembling I told him. He gave his blessings but made me promise to study and presently he is my number two fan and they and my friends have been supportive. Even if they do or don’t give me money for my sessions, that was all I needed, the support and belief in me. As a student how do you fund your sessions? As soon as I get my pocket money, I draw up a scale of preference and my music will have to come first which is what I do even in my time table. I always plan my things, I remember when I have to trek to perform at shows unlike now at least you can go and someone appreciates you. Once that comes I split it up and give a percentage to my sessions and now it is a little bit easier than before. Plateau happens to be one of the Northern states affected by insurgency, how has this affected entertainment generally in Jos? Jos is a place that is full of strong people. Gone were those days you see people fighting and everybody goes into hiding, nobody is worried anything the only thing is whatever we do we ensure that the security level of that particular location is high and we don’t stay careless. Entertainment wise things are really happening it’s just that for the big shows people get scared. Back then, Jos used to be one of the states used for big auditions but that prominence has decreased but things are still happening. Who do you look up to? R Kelly, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Brandy and Rihanna Would you work after school or dedicate your life completely to music? If I want to do something that would fetch me money in order to sponsor my music, I know exactly what to do right now in accordance with what I have studied in school.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, May 29, 2015

Anxiety over defective Toyota cars recall in Nigeria The recent announcement by Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) to recall two of the Toyota models - Yaris manufactured between 2003 and 2005 and Hilux manufactured between 2003 and 2007 is already raising concern among motorists. Adejuwon Osunnuyi writes that while many have lauded the action, others believe it is belated

Toyota Yaris

factured between 2003 and 2005 and the Toyota Hilux manufactured between 2003 and 2007. According to the Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, they had to embark on this special service campaign after being informed of the development by Toyota Motor Company (TMC), Japan last week. The airbag issue is a global problem because it affects all vehicles/makes that use the airbag inflator device manufactured by Takata, a Japanese company. Takata announced the airbag issue in April 2013, saying it involves defective inflator and propellant devices that may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, shooting metal fragments into vehicle occupants. Records show that at least six people have died worldwide due to the defect. Kunle Ade-Ojo stated that vehicles sold by TNL would be brought in through their dealers to be repaired free of charge and that the procedure would be made public soon. According to him, a list of the vehicles involved was being compiled to enable them know the number to be attended to. He, however, noted that not all the units were affected, explaining that for the Hilux vehicles under consideration, the airbags with defective are those on the driver’s side but that the Yaris had defective devices on either the driver’s side or passenger’s or both. The Hilux and Yaris vehicles purchased from TNL’s dealers, he said would be attended to but

‘

Where are the cars again? I am sure many of them will be at mechanic villages all over the country. This could be

‘

ll over the world, the recalls of defective cars seem to have become a daily routine. This is understandable because there are many people who had died car crashes as a result of the faulty switches. For instance, Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata Corp is reported to have doubled a recall of potentially deadly air bags to nearly 34 million vehicles, creating the largest automotive recall in American history. The recall involves passenger and driver-side air bag inflators in vehicles made by 11 automakers, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Takata said. It expands on the 16.6 million vehicles called back for repairs for the same issue in previous regional and national recalls, and boosts the number of vehicles affected globally since 2008 to more than 53 million. Specifically, about six deaths have been linked worldwide to defective Takata air bags, which exploded with too much force and sent shrapnel into the vehicles. To this end, it didn’t come as a surprise as Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), the accredited dealer of Toyota brand of vehicles in the country joined the rest of the world in announcing the recalls of two of the Toyota models - Yaris and Hilux sold in the country. According to the company, customers should prepare to return the vehicles for repairs as the inflator modules of the airbags could be faulty. Specifically, the vehicles affected are Toyota Yaris manu-

another daylight robbery

Ade-Ojo

that other vehicles brought in through the grey market (not through TNL, an authorised representative of Toyota) would have limited support. According to him, “We vigorously advertise, in the newspapers, of the need of buying your vehicle from Toyota Nigeria Limited authorised dealers. What we have records of are those brought in by TNL that we can treat accordingly. Any

vehicle that has been brought through the grey market will have limited support. The only way it can have support perhaps is when the manufacturer says such person bought the vehicle to your market. Priority will be given to our customers.” Globally, the Takata airbag forced recalls involving Toyota, Nissan and Honda began last week, with the world’s biggest car manufacturer, Toyota recalling just below five million vehicles. Nissan announced the recall of about 1.56 million vehicles. The United Kingdom’s Mirror reported that 1.27 million Toyota vehicles in Europe were affected in the latest recall. Toyota GB said the UK cars involved would be tested and new airbag inflators fitted if necessary. The company said that there had been no injuries involving its vehicles. A spokesman for the company said, “We have been conducting various investigations on the Takata-produced airbag inflators. “Among the parts collected

from the Japanese market, certain types of airbag inflators were found to have a potential for moisture intrusion over time. As a result, they could be susceptible to abnormal deployment in a crash. The relationship of moisture intrusion, if any, to the risk of inflator rupture is not known.” Nissan said 100,263 of its vehicles were affected in the UK, covering the years 2004 to 2007. Interestingly, this is the first time a recall is taking place in Nigeria as there has been spate of recalls in other markets such as Europe, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia and North America. Reacting to the development, some Toyota owners in the country have commended Toyota Nigeria Limited over the recalls. A respondent reacting to the development lauded Toyota Nigeria for taking such step, as it would go a long way in saving many lives. “This is good news. You can imagine how this would go a long way in saving lives of many people who would have died in crashes especially bearing in mind the type of roads we have in the country.” Adedayo Emmanuel told this medium. However, the recall action has also been criticised as many noted that while the recalls have been taking place in many other countries, the dealers in Nigeria have always feign ignorance. A motorist who spoke to National Mirror in an interview noted that this would be the first time he would be hearing about recall of cars in the country as many of the dealers have always been making excuses that such defective cars are not in the country. A motorist, Mr John Macloud, said he found it amusing because the recall is belated, especially for cars manufactured between 2003- 2007. “It is very funny. Even most of the ones manufactured in 2013 are no longer recognizable as road worthy; needless to say 2003-2007 especially those bought for the security agencies. I am sure they picked that range because they know less than 100 will still be in returnable shape. Another car owner said such recall could be another scam. According to him, “Where are the cars again? I am sure many of them will be at mechanic villages all over the country. This could be another daylight robbery.” He said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, May 29, 2015

LASTMA re-deploys 23 towing trucks for improved service delivery

The newly acquired towing trucks

n its continued efforts aimed at improving service delivery, free flow of traffic especially in terms of removal of broken down vehicles from the roads, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) has re-launched about 23 towing trucks refurbished by the agency. Speaking during the display of the trucks to the public in Lagos, Akintomide Taiwo, Head of Rescue and Emergency, LASTMA told newsmen that it would enhance the performance of the job as it would be used to operate for 24 hours. He maintained that this would go a long way in saving the lives of people especially

in cases of accidents for quick evacuation and other usages. Taiwo noted that while LASTMA is re-injecting all the newly refurbished tow vehicles for the purpose of safety and free flow of traffic, road users and members of the public should respect traffic laws as they should not imbibe the culture of impunity. He noted that members of the public should endeavor to take advantage of the agency’s feedback mechanism to lodge complaint as such complaints and report would be treated with utmost dispatch. He however urged motorists to call the emergency lines ant time they need the services of the two vehicles.

Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller of the agency, Philip Ogunlade said the agency has gone through systematic reforms and taken giant steps that would improve both human and institutional capacity to deliver accident free and unimpeded flow of traffic in the state. While commending the efforts of the State Government, the Deputy Comptroller said government has at various times demonstrated confidence, support and trust in the agency to function effectively and efficiently in line with the world best standards practice. “It is in furtherance of this that Mr Babatunde Fashola has supported us to rejuvenate medium and high capacity tow vehicles that have been incapacitated for years in order to boost the operational capacity of LASTMA to remove accident and broken down vehicles on Lagos roads.” Ogunlade said. As part of the ongoing reform at the agency, Ogunlade said various departments have been re-organised, repackaged upgraded and equipped with the state of the art facilities to perform efficiently as expected of modern day traffic management institution.

Coscharis Motors bags Jaguar/Land Rover excellence award

aguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa has given recognition to Coscharis Motors as the company’s importer of the year at an award night held in Mauritius recently. The Managing Director of the JLR SA and SSA, Mr. Richard Gouverneur, said the objective of the award was to recognise the excellent work being done by the Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa partners to drive sales in the African markets. According to Gouverneur, Coscharis Motors was recognised for its world-class representation of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, and thus presented with the prestigious ‘Importer of the Year’ award for Jaguar. “This award epitomises the company’s excellent service in growing the Jaguar brand through relentless sales and quality customer service.” He

Maduka

stated Other awards won included the Sales Achievement Award for Land Rover; individual achievements for Excellence Learner of the Year (by Tanimowo Sunday); the Sales Recognition Award (by Odesa Henry) and a prize as the Technician of the Year — 1st Runner Up (by Agana Timothy. The President/Chief Execu-

tive Officer of Coscharis Motors, Cosmas Maduka, dedicated all the awards won by the company to the committed service of the Coscharis JLR team. “This achievement is feasible given the team’s commitment to selfless sales, brand management and service deliveries ensuring that customers get value for their money. Aside from the team’s dedication to value delivery, I also want to greatly appreciate and dedicate the awards to our ever loyal customers who have ultimately made this honour from our partners possible.” Maduka said. The firm said the awards took into consideration the dealers’ combined scores in a number of areas including sales volume, brand management as well as sales of parts and accessories for the Jaguar and Land Rover models. “Dealer satisfaction ratings also played a role, with consumer feedback on service levels being used as a scoring mechanism,” it stated.

megacown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

PAN partners Fifth Chukker, Access Bank on polo tournament –Donates Peugeot 301 for the Most Valuable Player

AN Nigeria Limited has collaborated with the sponsors of this year’s Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament in its bid at contributing to the sports development in Nigeria. The week-long event, which started on Sunday, 24th of May 215, feature great polo teams in Nigeria with highly talented local and international players, who are slogging it out to grab various trophies and prizes among which is the Peugeot 301 Allure prestige worth N4.3million, donated by PAN Nigeria Limited to the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Aside the fascinating “king’s game” as the Polo game popularly refers, PAN Nigeria Limited is also exhibiting various models of its brand, such as the elegant 508, the adorable 4008 mini-SUV, the stylish 3008 cross over and the sleek 301 to mention but a few. Also available during the period of the tournament, is the test drive opportunities for the customers. PAN Nigeria Limited is at the Polo event with one of its

Boyi

dealers in Kaduna, Car-craft and a financial partner JAIZ Bank Plc, for the interested customers who wish to pick their car, using Peugeot Financing Scheme payment option. In his remarks at the event, the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Boyi, commended the organizers of the tournament for putting up the games. He praised the collaboration between Fifth Chukker, Access Bank and UNICEF charity initiative whereby certain percentage of the proceeds of the game, will go back to the support of children especially, orphans and vulnerable in the society.

Oyo, Chinese firm sign MoU on light-rail project

he Oyo State government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm, CCECC, for the construction of a light rail transport system in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The rail system, which will cover about 24 kilometres, would move from Ojoo to Mokola, stretching to the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as the project is expected to be completed within three years. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ibadan, Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the development as another milestone in his administration’s quest to modernise major cities in the state. Ajimobi noted that the project was long overdue for the state with a population of over 10 million, as any city with a population of at least 2 million required a light rail system of transportation. “We believe that in our quest to modernise Oyo State, particularly in the area of transportation system that will consequently lead to the

economic development of the state, having a light rail system is a sine qua non. “Ibadan as a city, and indeed, Oyo State, with over 10 million people, is overdue for a rail system that can move people in large number from places to places. Rail is the largest and most effective transportation system to achieve this. “In our repositioning agenda, we believe that transportation plays a major role in the economic development. Apart from the road network that we have established, we are also committed to the construction of the light rail system,’’ he said. Ajimobi said the state was moving up a notch with the provision of the light rail system to ease traffic congestion and reduce the cost of transportation for individuals as well as small and large scale businesses within the Ibadan metropolis. He explained further that the light rail system would initially operate within the Ibadan metropolis before being extended to other cities in the state.

Cocktail

Friday, May 29, 2015

Couple welcome their 100th grandchild

n Illinois couple nearing their 60th wedding anniversary announced they have welcomed their 100th grandchild into the family. Leo and Ruth Zanger, Quincy residents who have been married for 59 years, said baby Jaxton Zanger, born April 8, marks their 46th great-grandchild and their overall 100th grandchild. The couple said they have 12 children, 53 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandson.

“We could start our own town,” Leo Zanger joked to the Quincy Herald-Whig. The couple said their large family is close-knit and most of them live in the Quincy area. They said family gatherings require a rented church hall and either 50 pounds of ham or 10 whole turkeys. “We enjoy all of the family get-togethers,” Leo Zanger said. The Zangers said they enjoy watching their family grow. “All the grandkids know us,” Ruth Zanger said.

Woman’s worthless scarecrow hosts nest of baby birds

n Iowa woman’s video of her “worthless scarecrow” revealed the object has become a home to -- rather than a deterrent against -- a family of birds. Renee Delfs’ “Our Worthless Scarecrow” video, posted to YouTube, shows how the Mason City mannequin had ceased to be a source of fear for the wild birds and

instead has become a bathroom for avians and home to a nest of five young birds. “Good job, scarecrow,” Delfs says sarcastically in the video. “We got a little lazy last year, and we should’ve put our scarecrow away for winter, but didn’t. Now the birds are so used to him they made a nest inside of him,” Delfs wrote in the video’s description.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities Oddities

Kenyan offers cows, sheep, goats for Obama’s daughter hand in marriage

iprono said he has been interested in Malia Obama, 16, since 2008 and has not dated anyone since. A Kenyan lawyer is offering President Barack Obama 50 cows, 70 sheep and 30 goats in exchange for first daughter Malia Obama’s hand in marriage. The Nairobi lawyer, who identified himself as Kiprono, said he hopes to meet with the U.S. president during his scheduled visit to Kenya in July to discuss the possibility of bartering the farm animals for the hand of his 16-year-old daughter, who was dubbed one of Time magazine’s most influential teens of 2014. Kiprono said he has been interested in Malia since Obama’s first presidential campaign, when the girl was only 10. “I got interested in her in 2008. As a matter of fact, I haven’t dated anyone since and promise to be faithful to

her. I have shared this with my family and they are willing to help me raise the bride price,” Kiprono told newspaper The Nairobian. “People might say I am after the family’s money, which is not the case. My love is real,” he said. “I am currently drafting a letter to Obama asking him to please have Malia accompany him for this trip. I hope the em-

bassy will pass the letter to him. I will hand it over to the U.S. ambassador with whom we have interacted several times.” The lawyer said his proposal to Malia would be “unique with a twist.” “If my request is granted, I will not resort to the cliche of popping champagne. Instead, I will surprise her with mursik,

US President Barack Obama holding hands with his daughter Malia

the traditional Kalenjin sour milk. As an indication that she is my queen, I will tie sinendet, which is a sacred plant, around her head. I will propose to her on a popular hill in Bureti near my father’s land where leaders and warriors are usually crowned. The place is called Kapkatet, which means ‘victory.’”

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Maritime

Curbing capital flight menace through dry dock facility

Available statistics indicate that Nigeria loses over N250 billion annually due to lack of a functional shipyard and dry docking facility in the country. As a major exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, crude oil and a predominantly import-dependent nation, analysts believe that with over 5,000 ships berthing in the country periodically, Nigeria stands to gain if these facilities are built. FRANCIS EZEM examines the benefits that would have accrued to the country if these ships are dry docked and maintained in the country.

rior to the 2005 conclusion of the port concession programme, Nigeria had a functional ship yard and dry docking then called the Continental Ship Yard, located near the Four Mills Plc (Apapa Bulk Terminal) at the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa. The company, which was owned and managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA in conjunction with some Italian technical partners, apart from creating job opportunities for Nigerian, provided a platform for repairs and routine maintenance services on some categories of vessels and other crafts operating in the country. With the completion of the port reforms, which many stakeholders have described as a ‘whole sale’ of the nation’s seaports and other facilities including the prestigious NPA Training School built for the training of low and middle manpower cadre, nearly all the ships operating in Nigeria are either dry docked in Ghana, Angola or other neighbouring African countries with the attendant high drgree of capital flight. In what appeared an agenda-setting targeted at the incoming government, the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners NAMM, recently frowned at the total absence of a dry dock or ship maintenance facility in the country. The NAMM, founded in 1985, incorporated in November 1986 and inaugurated 1987, is the umbrella body for retired Ship Captains, Chief Engineers and Engineers and remains the foremost professional body in the Nigerian maritime industry,. President of the association, Captain Ade Olopoenia, who spoke in an interview, observed that Nigeria accounts for over70 per cent of the foreign vessels that call at all the seaports in West African countries. He also said that oil and gas activities in the country also attract the presence of large number of tanker vessels of different types servicing these oil and gas operations. It is also common knowledge in the shipping parlance that marine presence requires that ship repair yards with dry docks of varying capacities be available to cope with the maintenance requirement of these vessels due to the wear and tear associated with constant contact with water. It was also gathered that international regulatory agencies and ship classification society rules and good maintenance of ships require that ships be dry docked every 30 months on the average for routine

A tanker vessel on dry dock

ASIDE FROM ROUTINE DOCKINGS, VESSELS NEED TO COME INTO SHIP REPAIR YARDS PERIODICALLY OWING TO ACCIDENTAL OPERATIONAL DAMAGES TO

PROPELLER AND SHIP HULL, OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROPES OR DEBRIS surveys. Experts also say that special surveys are required at every alternate docking, which is done once in five years and as the age of the vessel increases, so does the amount of repair works she requires. The NAMM-boss however regretted that none of the vessels operating on the nation’s waters whether cargo or tanker vessel is neither maintained nor dry docked in the country due to the country due to the total absence of such facilities, a development that costs the well over N250 billion annually in terms of revenue. “Aside from routine dockings, vessels need to come into ship repair yards periodically owing to accidental operational damages to propeller and ship hull, or damage caused by ropes or debris, and also mechanical breakdowns. Sadly, the ship repair industry in Nigeria in underdeveloped and its potential untapped”, he regretted. He blamed the ugly development on the

failure of successive governments in the country to pay any attention to the ship repair and dry docking segment of the shipping industry over the years. “This is at a huge financial loss to the Nigerian nation, while at the same time denying employment opportunities to Nigerian youths”, he also lamented. He therefore called on the government to take special interest in the establishment of ship repair and dry dock facility to check the incessant cases of taking ships operating on Nigerian waters to neighbouring West African countries for routine maintenance and dry docking. It was probably in response to this clarion call that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, conceived the idea of building asShipyard and dry dock facility alongside its Maritime University located in Warri South-West Local Government of Delta State. Director General of the agency, Dr. Pat-

rick Akpobolokemi, while commenting on the project, said that when completed, the shipyard and dockyard facility, will not only complement the training programmes of its Maritime University, but will also assist in ensuring that Nigeria achieves the cardinal objectives of the Cabotage Regime, which require that vessels to be used in the regional trade are built in Nigeria. This is in addition to creating multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.. “The shipyard and dry dock facility, when fully operational, would also check the increasing capital flight occasioned by the dry docking of ships that call at the nation’s ports in neighbouring African nations such as Angola and Ghana due to the absence of such facilities in Nigeria”, he also said. Stakeholders however believe that the government in addressing such problem is to create the enabling environment that would attract private investors to invest in such ventures, especially in the areas of tax rebate, patent right and other incentives. They have argued that the injection of over N250 billion into the nation’s economy through the repair and maintenance or dry docking of vessels that call at the nation’s seaports locally would go a long way in checking capital flight and in the long run boost employment opportunities.

Business Maritime

Friday, May 29, 2015

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CET: Expert seeks industrial productivity for optimum benefits STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

major stakeholder and a retired Deputy Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Manasseh Jateau, has said that Nigeria would make the best of the implementation of the Common External Tariff CET, of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, only if she boosts her industrial production capacity. Jateau, who spoke at the just concluded training for Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria MARAN, some Public Relations practitioners and other stakeholders in Abuja, observed that the ECOWAS CET is basically a tool for regional economic integration. The central focus of the twoday intensive training is the ‘Implementation of the ECOWAS CET, Benefits, Prospects and Challenges’. According to him, only countries within the ECOWAS community that improve and diversify their productivity, which would be exported within the region

ECOWAS President, Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo

Dikko

would derive maximum benefits brought about by the integration of the ECOWAS regional market. “The CET is about achieving a unified tariff system among the ECOWAS community and only countries with the ability to produce would dominate the regional market not importing nations”, he argued. He however urged the Federal Government to build the required infrastructural base, especially in terms of provision of multimodal

means of transportation and electricity that boost the ability of the real sector to produce enough goods for local consumption and for export both within and outside the community. On the training for journalists, he said it was in line with the sixpoint agenda of the Comptroller General of the service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko to partner critical stakeholders to acquaint them with the operations of the service. Meanwhile National Public

Customs, Immigration deport five Chinese over smuggling

he Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service have concluded plans to deport five Chinese nationals for smuggling large quantities of prohibited textile materials into Kano, North-East of the country. The is sequel to a joint inspection visit to Kano by the Comptrollers-General of Customs and Immigration, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko and Mr. David Parradang, respectively. A joint statement signed by the duo said that the Chinese businessmen are behind the massive illegal importation of textiles to Kano, which has caused the nation huge sums of money. Available records show that those involved in the illegal textile warehouse business are Gao Guoxu, aged 26 with passport No E12893246, Li Yang, 28 ,with Passport No E39324316 and Zhang Jiantao , 26 with Passport No E00078159. The rest are Zhao Shoumin, 26 with Passport No E32882412, and Zhou Jinxue , 35 with Passport No E23094307. According to the statement, the five Chinese nationals were involved in the operation of ille-

gal warehouses in Kano, where prohibited textile materials worth billions of naira were uncovered by Customs’ anti-smuggling operatives. The Immigration-boss disclosed that investigations by his service revealed that three out of the five Chinese nationals do not possess valid travel documents to reside and engage in any business in Nigeria beyond the scope of their admission. “Immediate steps will therefore be taken to effect their deportation. Investigations are still in progress to ascertain the immigration status of the other two Chinese nationals”, the statement also said.. It was further gathered that the Immigration Service will intensify routine mop-up operations to ease out irregular immigrants, as those who are law-abiding and contribute to the national economic development through Foreign Direct Investment FDI and technology transfer will be encouraged and given every possible assistance. Reacting to insinuations that there are more foreign nationals doing illegal business in Nigeria, the CG Immigrations appealed to

well-meaning Nigerians to oblige the Service information about such foreigners. Meanwhile, a team of Customs Valuation Officers are still collating the textile seizures to determine the quantity and value. Meanwhile, the Customs CG said the team has concluded the exercise in only one of the 75 warehouses that were sealed up by his men. Textiles items discovered in the warehouse according to him was valued at N4.2 billion. He also told reporters that the objective of the joint operation in Kano is about salvaging the national economy through the protection of the textile industry. He said the huge seizure made through intelligence network cultivated over a period of 3 months shows that some illegal foreigners are sabotaging Nigerian economy through their illegal business. While fielding questions on how the service will handle the seized textiles, the CG stated that in view of its sheer volume, the Service will make report to the appropriate authorities of the Federal Government to seek direction.

Relations officer of the service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, who spoke at the training session, also noted that the new tariff regime would bring about a change in focus for the service, especially in the area of revenue generation. He noted that before now, the major key performance indicator has been directly the amount of revenue generated, which has to change in the present circumstance. “Before now it was good to say, ‘we have generated so much billions of naira in terms of revenue but now, the the yardstick for measuring our performance may have to change”, he argued According to him, the decision of the World Trade Organisation WTO as well as that of the ECOW-

AS would now become more binding on member countries, which he noted was a good development, as the new regime would promoted global and regional integration. Adeniyi, who is a Deputy Comptroller of the service also said:“ECOWAS is a very big market which Nigeria cannot afford to ignore; and there is a wind of change which says that trade is a very important vehicle for development and for Nigeria to embrace trade,she cannot afford to trade without the mechanism for trade in West Africa; and that is through the instrumentality of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme ETLS and the CET” “By the time the region enters into this, it is going to guarantee it access into the European Union market. But then, nothing goes for nothing. So, for them to give us access to this market, they may also ask us to suspend some of the (Customs) duty that we charge on import that is coming from these countries. That is the way multilateralism trade grows”, he stated further, seeking the understanding of the media, towards accurate presentation of information to the public”, he further argued.. The Federal Government had recently approved the implementation of the ECOWAS CET for 2015-2019, which took of in the country April 11, 2015 though it has been operational in other West African countries since January 1, 2015.

Port of Melbourne lease on track –Govt

he Andrews Labour Government in Victoria, Australia is pushing forward with the lease of the Port of Melbourne for up to 50 years. Namely, the government has introduced legislation to enable the lease of Australia’s largest container port, the Delivering Victorian Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Bill 2015, to the Victorian Parliament this week. The Prime Minister’s office said that the lease proceeds, to be paid up front, will go into the Victorian Transport Fund (VTF). which will support the removal of 50 worst level crossings and the building of Melbourne Metro. The sale is expected to range between $5 and 6 billion and the bidding race is expected to include Hastings Funds Management, IFM Investors, QIC Ltd and partners. As informed, only the port’s commercial operations will be

leased. The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments would retain responsibility for regulating the port’s safety, security and environmental functions. The leaseholder will be responsible for maintaining and improving the port’s operations, delivering efficiencies, boosting competitiveness and ensuring future port development is not compromised. “Victoria’s independent economic regulator, the Essential Services Commission, will oversee an enhanced pricing structure for port users. Annual tariff increases will be capped at CPI to protect Victorian producers, manufacturers, other exporters and importers, and consumers,” Victoria’s PM office said in a release. Once legislation has passed, the lease transaction’s Joint Financial Advisers, Morgan Stanley and Flagstaff, will call for expressions of interest on behalf of the state.

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South South

Friday, May 29, 2015

Uduaghan charges judiciary on rule of law … frees 5 prison inmates

Amour Udemude ASABA

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left) receiving an interim report from Chairman, Bayelsa State NDDC Committee, Chief Lionel Jonathan–Omo, at Government House in Yenagoa, recently.

Disappearance of Accountant-General was in bad faith —Uduaghan

utgoing Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said the disappearance of the Accountant-General of the state, Mr Cyril Agbele, six days to handover to a new administration was in bad faith. The governor, who stated this yesterday when Permanent Secretaries and retired Permanent Secretaries paid him a farewell visit at Government House, Asaba, expressed surprise that after a fruitful discussion on arrangements for the inauguration of the new administration, including security and entertainment, the Accountant-General made himself incommunicado. “The Accountant General has disappeared in the last five to six days. The truth is that on Thursday we met

and I told him we have some payments to make in the areas of swearing-in ceremony coming up tomorrow (today), he did not object, he did not say no and on Sunday, I was calling him, but he was not picking my calls. “And of course on Monday his phones have been put off and on Tuesday, he sent in a paper that he was sick. By Wednesday, he sent in a memo and I find this act very inconsistent and irresponsible. “If there is something that I am doing that is not right, he should be free to tell me, it is not right, rather than disappearing, just imagine running the affairs of the state for a week without funds, even security men have started withdrawing from their posts across the state.

“You know the security implication of this, particularly when peace and security is a key agenda of my administration and I cannot compromise on it. It is a conspiracy to grind my administration to a halt and an attempt to set me up on a collision course with the incoming administration. I think is very irresponsible,” he said. Uduaghan challenged the Permanent Secretaries to be good mentors to others, observing that civil servants were key to the growth of the country. “Permanent Secretary are very key to the growth of the country, I am very grateful that you remember to say thank you for the little I have done for you, I do know that most countries that have succeeded did so

because of their strong civil service. At a time in this country, there was a strong civil service, whatever industry this country had was made possible by civil servants.” Continuing, Uduaghan said: “Mentoring the younger ones in the ministry is very important, that is one of the reasons I was very keen on employing children of retired Permanent Secretaries because their parents can be their mentors, civil servants should be bold enough to also tell their boss the truth.” Earlier, the Head of Service, Mr Patrick Origho, told the governor that the civil servants were happy with his antecedents as Governor of Delta State and wished him well in his future endeavours.

I’ll restore peace, security in Rivers, says Wike Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has assured people of the state that his administration will restore peace as well as security of lives and property. He said the right environment will be created for people of the state to engage in businesses and also relax after work, without fear of being molested by criminals. Speaking during the pre-inauguration variety night at Port Harcourt Polo Club on Wednesday, Wike

said security was central to the development of any society. He said: “We have had a wonderful variety night with the right dose of comedy, music and cultural displays. Earlier in the day, we were at the Sharks Stadium for a novelty football match. “We need more of these recreational activities going forward. This can only be possible with adequate security. I want to use this opportunity to assure the good people of Rivers State that under the incoming administration, security of lives and property will be

our watchword,” Wike said. The governor refuted allegation by the outgoing governor, Rotimi Amaechi that he was involved in extra -judicial killings during the last general elections. He said that allegation was malicious and merely concocted by the outgoing governor who is finding it difficult to accept the will of the people. Wike said that during and after the elections, he respected all electoral guidelines as he has always done since he joined politics. Wike regretted that up to Wednesday the outgoing

governor and his associates were still shopping for injunction to stop his inauguration. He said their latest failure at a Federal High Court in Lagos shows that the outgoing governor is not tired of impunity. Earlier, Chairman of the Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Inauguration Committee, Austin Opara, said the night was organised by for the people to relax ahead of the inauguration. Comedians, choral groups, musicians and the Rivers State cultural troupe entertained the guests at the variety night.

utgoing Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged the judiciary to sustain the rule of law in the country. Uduaghan made the call yesterday in Asaba while swearing-in new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Marshal Umukoro, at Government House. The governor noted that the judiciary as the pillar of constitutional democracy should ensure stability of the polity by promoting the rule of law even as he described the new chief judge, who is the 7th in Delta State, as someone with a rich and impressive legal background, which eminently qualifies him for the post. “The most urgent task with regards to the judiciary at this time, is to protect and ensure the sustenance of that tradition of respect for the law. The wheel of

Justice, for example, still grinds rather slowly although many laudable efforts have been made to correct this. The judiciary has a sacred duty to help ensure stability within the polity through the promotion of the rule of law, strict guardianship of the constitution, including constant and unfailing application of the principles of justice,” the governor stated. Advising the new chief judge, Uduaghan said: “It is expected that your lordship will at all times, particularly in the course of your service as the head of our state’s judiciary, protect and uphold the rule of law, respect and observe due process, exhibit great character and learning in the discharge of this sacred responsibility, which God has placed on your shoulder. “It is the expectation of Deltans that as you assume office, the judiciary will remain totally committed to the cause of Justice,” the governor said.

Appointments: Don’t jettison zoning, Abe tells APC Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

member of the National Assembly and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Magnus Abe, has appealed to the national leadership of the party not to jettison the zoning of political offices. He said a fragile democracy like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore a fundamental issue like zoning of political offices among component parts of a federal structure where every section expects a voice. Abe, who is representing the Rivers South East Senatorial District in the Senate, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday and signed by his media aide, Honour Sirawoo. The statement reads:”Let us not wish away fairness, balance and national character in the occupation of strategic offices; incidentally, there are capable hands with solid character across the length and breadth of this country that can hold their own in every endeavour.” He said as a nation, Nige-

ria was yet to overcome ethnic and religious sentiments in political considerations, saying disregard for geopolitical zones and interest groups in the sharing of offices could be costly. APC, he said, must remember that what destroyed the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, was not zoning, but non adherence to the zoning principle as enshrined in the party’s constitution. “We cannot suddenly claim not to believe in zoning because it was zoning that gave birth to Buhari from the North-West, Osinbajo, South-West, and Oyegun, South-South as President, Vice President and Party Chairman respectively”, the Senator said. Abe further said the zoning consideration assisted in facilitating APC’s victory at the presidential poll. He therefore urged party faithfuls to be bold in speaking on variables that would secure the confidence of more Nigerians in the party, so that the hard-earned victory in the March 28 presidential election will reflect the diverse groups in the country.

North

Friday, May 29, 2015

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Shettima grants pardon to 15 convicts Inusa Ndahi and James Abraham

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has granted pardon to 15 convicts serving various jail terms in the state in exercise of his power as governor to grant prerogative of mercy to convicted persons. Shettima, who was represented by the out-going state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kaka Lawan, said

he granted amnesty to the convicts after careful scrutiny of the application for amnesty presented to him for 37 inmates of Maiduguri and Biu prisons. He said 10 of the 15 prisoners who received pardon were from Maiduguri prisons, while the remaining five were from Biu prisons. “We received 37 applications and after thorough scrutiny, 15 inmates were qualified for pardon,” the governor said. He also announced a do-

nation of two cows and assorted foodstuffs to the prisons to ensure inmates celebrate Democracy Day like others who enjoy freedom. Beside, the governor announced donation of N50,000 apiece to the female inmates while each of the 15 pardoned inmates was given undisclosed amount of money to assist them purchase clothing and handle their transport fare to their respective communities. He appealed to the inmates

to shun all acts that could jeopardise their eventual freedom and those granted amnesty to embrace good conduct and be good ambassadors. Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Borno Command, DC Lumsam Kaye, commended the governor for his support especially the renovation of the prisons, drilling of boreholes and provision of diesel to power their generators and pump water at the prisons after experiencing cut in water supply.

Similarly, in Plateau State, Governor Jonah Jang granted pardon to five convicted persons, while two convicts have had their life sentences commuted to life imprisonment. A statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Government House, James Mannok, which was made available to journalists in Jos yesterday, said the governor’s gesture was in exercise of the power conferred on him under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Re-

public of Nigeria, 1999 and after consultation with the state’s Advisory Council on prerogative of mercy. The statement gave the names of those granted “unconditional release” to include Lawrence Oguno, Joel Oguno, Jacob Kwakfwan, Mohammed Umar and Magaji Ibrahim. Those who had their life sentences commuted to life imprisonment are Emanuel Ochiba and Maxwell Idi. The statement further added that the prerogative of mercy takes effect from May 25.

Aza Msue

said. In his response, Kaduna State governor, Malam elRufai, promised to do everything possible within the ambit of the law to prosecute those who stole from the state. El-Rufai, who insisted that his government will be based on accountability, said at the same time, there was a need to be cautious in the manner the state would go about recovering stolen money in order not to lose focus on how to generate millions in the future. The former FCT Minister also promised people of the state that his administration would deliver on its election promises, saying he would ensure he does not fail the state despite inheriting empty treasury. His words, “I am interested in catching armed robbers and not pick-pockets. We must also be careful that we don’t waste our time trying to chase 100,000, we will chase 100,000,000 and forget their thousands. We will make progress by not looking backward but forward. We will continue to consult to get it right.

Agwai says no regret in backing change KADUNA

L-R: Sokoto State Deputy Governor-elect, Ahmed Aliyu; Governor-elect Aminu Tambuwal; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; Governor Aliyu Wamakko; Speaker, House of Assembly, Abubakar Tureta and others during inauguration of College of Agriculture, Wurno, in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kwankwaso leaves behind over N100bn debt Abdulgafar Oladimeji KANO

ano State transition committee headed by the new deputy governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, has said the outgone administration of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso left behind a debt burden of over N100 billion. Hafizu made the revelation yesterday while handing over findings of the transition committee. He added that Kwankwaso was leaving behind a log of 2,715 ongoing projects valued at about N313 billion. Hafizu handed over the findings of the transition committee to the new governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He noted that with the dwindling federal allocation and lack of aggressive approach to revenue generation at the local government level in the state, the incoming government was confronted with the burden

of how to source funding to offset the debt incurred by the state. He said Kwankwaso in 2011 inherited 671 uncompleted projects from his predecessor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and that N40 billion was exhausted in paying certain portion of the debts inherited that government. He, however, stated that Kwankwaso successfully completed 4,019 projects at the cost of N140 billion. He said the state workforce as at May 28 stood at 143,300, and pegged the state government’s recurrent and capital expenditure at N418.168 billion from May 2011 - May 2015. He stated that Kwankwaso’s four years in governance incurred total receipts of N419.075, with a recurrent and capital expenditure of N418.168 billion. He also decried the unimpressive revenue generation, urging the incoming governor to inform Kano populace on the true situ-

ation of things in the state because “what happens to the country will rub off on the state.” He expressed fear that Kano with an Internally Generated Revenue strength of about N2 billion monthly would need to take serious palliative measures to bridge the huge financial gap. However, Governor Umar Ganduje applauded the tran-

sition committee for what he described as a report that would serve as a guide, inspiration and precaution to his administration. He disclosed that a new committee would be set up to take a more detailed critical look into the submissions of the transition committee in efforts to address the challenges identified by the Hafizu Abubakar-led committee.

ormer Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Martin Agwai, yesterday said he has no regret for predicting change and the victory of All Progressives Congress, APC, which cost him his job as chairman of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. The former SURE-P boss, who spoke as chairman at the inaugural lecture of Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, said he was sacked for his comment, but that with the change in government, he would not be sacked for saying anything. He said, “I do not have regrets over what I said in March. I predicted there would be change and some people did not like it. But whatever I say today, nobody will sack me again.” On the emergence of elRufai as governor, Agwai said Kaduna people believe in his capability and elected him. “We have potential in Kaduna and that is why the people elected el-Rufai,” he

‘We are leaving N3.8bn for new govt’ James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina State government yesterday reiterated that it was leaving over N3.8 billion in its coffers for the incoming administration that would be sworn in this morning. Specifically, it said N3,827,652,182.68k cash balance was with banks and in accounts belonging

to the state government. The outgoing Finance Commissioner, Lawal Jari, also disclosed that the state government had managed to execute projects without borrowing a kobo in the last eight years. Jari, however, said about $78 million in multilateral liabilities had been incurred by the federal government for the state. He said the liabilities

date back to 1965, but that there were plans to review the amount following alleged overcharging in debt payments over the years. He lamented that the state like others, faced shortfall in revenue amounting to about N10 billion in the last five months, which was due to low oil prices in the international market. The commissioner however said that over N8 bil-

lion was paid out to the 34 council areas for salaries and other services.

Shettima

Friday, May 29, 2015

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Politics

Buhari and the burden of an abused nation

As Nigeria celebrates another peaceful democratic transition of power, EBERE NDUKWU looks at Nigeria and its history of corruption, a President Muhammadu Buhari has to carry.

oday May 29, President Muhammadu Buhari will be officially handed over the mantle of leadership, to lead the country as its President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the next four years. Already, expectations are high and have no limit. For many Nigerians, most especially, the common men and women, the much awaited ‘Messiah’ or put the other way, the awaited ‘Godot’, who will either through miracle or magic fix a nation laden with burdens of years of corrupt leadership and bring the so much awaited change has arrived. For many of them, Buhari after his swearing in today will by May 30 a day after, have all fuel queues vanish in Nigeria, get rid of corruption, pay all arrears of salaries, fix the roads and bring solution to electricity woes that the country has got to contented with since its independence in 1960. Regardless of the expectations, Buhari has got on his shoulders, the heavy burden of an abused nation which has seen different forms of corruption.

Burden of political corruption Political corruption has remained a persistent phenomenon in Nigeria. Since the creation of modern public administration in Nigeria, there have been issues of official abuse of resources for personal enrichment. To many analysts, the rise of public administration and discovery of oil and natural gas have remained two major events that led to a litany of ignoble corrupt practices in the country. Over the years, the country has seen its wealth wasted with little to show in living conditions of the average Nigerians. It was on this note that the late political sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once stated: “Since independence, our governments have been a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk, under those circumstances everybody runs over everybody to make good at the expense of others.” Different schools of thought have given different reasons as potential causes of flagrant graft that have continued in the country with many blaming it on greed and flamboyant lifestyle, while to some, a political environment which shows more favours towards elites or wealthy citizens is a factor to corruption in Nigeria. Another major cause of corruption many believe is ethnicity called tribalism. Whatever is the reason for corruption

Bornu, the Northern government enacted the Customary Presents order to forestall any further breach of regulations. Later on, it was the British administration that was accused of corrupt practices in the results of elections which enthroned a Fulani political leadership in Kano, reports later linking the British authorities to electoral irregularities were discovered.

Muhammed

Gowon

Shagari

Babangida

in Nigeria, the views of most Nigerians remain that it is an evil problem that must be rooted out. A reason many Nigerians preferred Buhari to an incumbent President, who they believe romanced with corruption rather than frown at it.

was procured to strengthen local control of the financial industry. Albeit, a report about transactions carried out by the bank showed that though Azikiwe had resigned as chairman of the bank, the current chairman was an agent of his. The report wrote that most of the paid-up capital of the African Continental Bank was from the Eastern Regional Financial Corporation. In Western Nigeria, politician Adegoke Adelabu was investigated following charges of political corruption levelled against him by the opposition. The report led to demand for his resignation as district council head. In the Northern region, against the backdrop of corruption allegations levelled against some native authority officials in

History and cases political abuse During pre-independence and the First Republic, corruption though prevalent, was kept at manageable levels. However, the cases of corruption during the period were sometimes clouded by political infighting. Azikiwe was the first major political figure investigated for questionable practices. In 1944, a firm belonging to Azikiwe and family bought a bank in Lagos. The bank

Regardless of the expectations, Buhari has got on his shoulders, the heavy burden of an abused nation which has seen different forms of corruption.

Yakubu Gowon’s administration – August 1966 to July 1975 Corruption for the most part of Gowon’s administration was kept away from public view until 1975. However, informed officials voiced concerns with critics labelling Gowon’s governors as misguided individuals acting like lords overseeing their personal fiefdom. Gowon was viewed as timid in terms of being decisive against corrupt elements in his government. Murtala Muhammed’s administration – July 1975 to February 1976 In 1975, the administration of Murtala Mohammed made reformist changes. After a military coup brought him to power, the new government sacked a large number of prior government officials and civil servants, many of whom had been criticised for the misuse of power they wielded under the largely uneducated military administration of Gowon. The hallmark of Muhammed’s administration was typified by its dynamic foreign policy, prompt recognition of the MPLA regime in Angola. Although too brief for meaningful assessment, the administration was undoubtedly popular and purposeful. It made considerable achievements before Muhammed was assassinated in an abortive military coup on February 13, 1976. Olusegun Obasanjo – February 1976 to October 1979 Lt. General Obasanjo, who took over after Muhammed’s assassination continued Muhammed’s dynamic programmes. These included the war against corruption which Obasanjo strongly denounced in his famous “Jaji Address” of September 1977. For fighting this war, a Corrupt Practices Bureau, an Assets Panel, and a Public Complaints Commission were established. Gambling by casino and pools-betting were banned. The difference between public servants and public officers was entrenched in the constitution of 1979. As it transpired, however, these laudable measures could not uproot the cancer of corruption. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

Friday, May 29, 2015

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Buhari and the burden of an abused nation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

Shehu Shagari’s administration –October 1979 to December 1983 Corruption was deemed pervasive during the administration of Shehu Shagari. A few federal buildings mysteriously went on fire after investigators started probe on the finances of the officials working in the buildings. In late 1985, investigations into the collapse of the defunct Johnson Mathey Bank of London shed light on some of the abuses carried on during the second republic. The bank acted as a conduit to transfer hard currency for some party members in Nigeria. A few leading officials and politicians had amassed large amounts of money. They sought to transfer the money out of the country with the help of Asian importers by issuing import licenses. In 1981, a rice shortage led to accusations of corruption against the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, government. Shortages and subsequent allegations were precipitated by protectionism. After its election, the Nigerian government decided to protect the local rice farmer from imported commodities. A licensing system was created to limit the amount of rice import. However, accusations of favouritism and government supported speculation were levelled against many officials. Muhammadu Buhari’s administration – December 1983 to August 1985 In 1985, a cross section of political gladiators were convicted of different corrupt practices under the government of General Muhammadu Buhari, however, the administration itself was involved in few instances of lapsed ethical judgment. The General himself was on his way to removing a Nigerian colonel from the army before his exit from power. The removal may have signalled a hard-line on corruption, it is a far cry from the 10–22 years of imprisonment politicians under Shagari were sentenced to. Ibrahim Babangida’s administration – August 1985 to August 1993 The regime of General Babangida was seen by many political analysts as the one that legalised corruption. His administration refused to give account of the Gulf War windfall, which has been estimated to be $12.4 billion. He annulled the first successful election in the history of Nigeria in June 12, 1993. Sani Abacha’s administration – November 1993 to June 1998 The death of General Abacha revealed the global nature of graft. French investigations of bribes paid to government officials to ease the award of a gas plant construction in Nigeria revealed the global level of official graft in the country. The investigations led to the freezing of accounts containing about $100 million United States dollars. In 2000, two years after his death, a Swiss banking commission report indicted Swiss banks for failing to follow compliance process in allowing family and friends of Abacha access to accounts and depositing amounts totalling $600 million into the accounts. The same year, a total of more than $1 billion were found in various accounts throughout Europe.

Abacha

Obasanjo

Yar’Adua

Jonathan

Abdulsalami’s administration – (June 1998 to May 1999) With the sudden death of General Abacha in June 1998 General Abdulsalami Abubakar headed the new military administration, and was immediately confronted with the Herculean task of drawing Nigeria back from the brink of collapse and restoring her image. During his regime, the issue of human rights abuses was addressed with the release of all political detainees and prisoners. The Government also announced and implemented a political transition program that ushered in a new civilian government in May 1999. Precisely in less than one year. Thus, General Abubakar administration was able to restore democracy back in Nigeria. Not much corruption was recorded during his administration, though it failed to provide Nigeria with the type of Constitution that would have helped in the fight against corruption.

to query the sale of Nigeria’s refineries to Dangote and co. And to the praise of Nigeria’s Labour Congress, NLC, Yar’Adua overturned these privatisations for being corrupt. Within his short tenure, he went hard and firm against the subsidy fraud, sending four directive communications to immediately seize the fake subsidy that ‘was not reaching the beneficiaries, the Nigerian masses.

Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration – May 1999 to May 2007 In his second coming as elective executive President, the Obasanjo administration was noted to have commissioned two anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC. All the efforts which the administration made to tackle corruption yielded little fruit in the fight against corruption as some even accused the administration of being corrupt itself. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration – May 2007 to May 2010 In July, 2007, barely two months into office, late President Yar’Adua summoned the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE,

Goodluck Jonathan’s administration – May 2010 to May 2015 In 2014, Nigeria’s rank improved from 143rd to the 136th position on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. In late 2013, Nigeria’s then Central Bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, informed President Goodluck Jonathan that the state oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had failed to remit US$20 billion of oil revenues, which it owed the state. Jonathan however dismissed the claim and replaced Sanusi for his mismanagement of the CBN’s budget. A former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, was also fingered in the purchase of two BMW limousines for a whopping N255 million. Jonathan was said to have done nothing in this regard until the minister was forced out of office. Analysts believe that it was President Jonathan inability to fight against corruption that earned him the history of first Nigerian incumbent President to lose power to the opposition. Looking at these years of abuse, it is clear that corruption in Nigeria has got to a chronic stage and Nigerians are now eager to see how Buhari will in four years bring about the much needed change.

Expectation from incoming administration Among the four key areas where his predecessors have failed that Nigerians will be expecting a quick change include, corruption, security, unemployment and energy. Buhari has promised during his electioneering campaign that corruption will have no place in his administration, sparking fears of a wide-ranging crackdown similar to his previous time as military ruler in the 1980s. Whatever Buhari will do to, if not eradicate, but minimise corruption in Nigeria will endear him to Nigerians. On the issue of security, one of the things Jonathan’s administration will be remembered for will be the rise of Boko Haram insurgent, who left at least 15,000 people dead and more than 1.5 million homeless in a sixyear campaign of violence. Buhari, who has recognised the need for top-down reform to boost poor morale and end graft that hit military procurement, leaving troops ill-equipped to fight, will be seen as the Messiah many believe he is should he bring a permanent end to insurgency and militancy in Nigeria. He has indicated he will maintain regional cooperation with Chad, Niger and Cameroon but he faces potential trouble on another front from former militants in the oil-producing Niger Delta. Rebels wanting a fairer share of oil wealth have threatened to resume their activities against energy facilities in the region if a government amnesty programme is not extended beyond this year. There is great expectation that Buhari will salvage unemployment situation in the country. Nearly two-thirds of Nigeria’s population of more than 170 million is under 30. But unemployment is currently nudging 30 per cent, despite strong overall rates of economic growth in recent years. Outgoing Finance Minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in 2013 recognised the benefits of growth needed to be shared more equitably. The APC says some 110 million people still live in poverty. Buhari’s administration has pledged to embark on a massive programme of industrialisation, including building railways, improving roads and ports, and improving crumbling infrastructure. But those programmes could be hamstrung immediately by lack of funds, with the country hit hard by the slump in the global price of oil, on which it depends for 90 per cent of foreign income. Also expected to be fixed as soon as possible by the Buhari administration is energy. Recently, it was reported that the country is now producing just 1,327 megawatts of electricity, an all-time low and down even on Buhari’s last time in power in 1983 to 1985. Reversing the country’s crippling power deficit is seen as key to driving economic growth but has evaded successive governments because of mismanagement, incompetence and vested interests. Buhari is expected to decentralise, deregulate and privatise the transmission sector, opening it up to competition. The APC has reportedly promised to triple generation to 12,000 MW by 2019. He will also have to address the oil and gas sector and controversial subsidies paid to fuel importers who bring in petroleum products because of a lack of functioning refineries. How Buhari will shoulder the corrupt burden of this country and sanitise Nigeria to a country free or reduced of corruption can only be said in the coming days if not years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, May 29, 2015

hen President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office shortly after the demise of the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua in May 2010, he listed legal and judicial reforms, among issues that would top his administration’s transformation agenda.

Jonathan highlighted his plans in a document titled: “Transformation Agenda 2011-2015: Summary of Federal Government’s Key Priority Policies, Programmes and Projects”. The document listed the judiciary and the legislature as parts of the under-performing sectors of governance while the review of the federal allocation is among the macro-economic policy choices listed as requiring attention. In the chapter titled, ‘Governance’, justice and judiciary, legislature and foreign policy and economic diplomacy are listed as sectors requiring priority attention. On the nation’s justice and judiciary system, the document noted: “The Nigerian judiciary is considered one of the most vibrant, especially in terms of decisions of the higher courts. “However, Nigeria also ranks among countries with the least efficient systems of enforcing contracts and settlement of commercial disputes. “Slow police investigations and weak enforcement of judicial decisions contribute to delays in justice delivery. “Though some measure of success has been made, the judiciary is still faced with several challenges including slow reform process which has generally lagged behind current developments in human rights practices, cybercrimes, terrorism, the prosecution of corruption and financial crimes.” The document outlined the Federal Government’s policy thrust in the justice and judiciary sector from 2011- 2015. These are: achieving greater independence for the judiciary in terms of funding; improving capacity and efficiency in judicial service delivery; eliminating all forms of corruption in the administration of justice in Nigeria; enhancing the capacity of the justice ministry to superintend prosecution and law enforcement; improving professionalism in legal practice for better service delivery. According to the document, ‘’The Transformation Agenda is hinged on a new commitment to the rule of law. A fundamental component of the rule of law is a fair and efficient administration of justice. ‘’ Besides, the Transformation Agenda document identified the legislature as a sector in need of an overhaul and added that lawmaking in the country has not been satisfactory. It said: “The performance of the legislature has been relatively less than optimal as evident from its inability to enact enough high impact

Stakeholders score Jonathan low on judicial reforms

...As NBA President, others set agenda for Buhari

Amidst notable pitfalls in the legal and judicial reforms encapsulated in the Transformation Agenda of the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan administration, lawyers and stakeholders in the justice delivery sector list expectations from the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration writes FRANCIS FAMOROTI.

Jonathan

Mahmoud Mohammed, CJN

Mohammed Adoke, Attorney-General

Alegeh

legislation, and its preference to concentrate on executive oversight functions. This has left over 500 bills pending in the National Assembly. “Also, prolonged delays in passage of bills have tended to slow down the pace of economic growth and development, and eroded public confidence in the ability of the legislature to perform its duties. ‘’. As Jonathan steps out of office today and hand over the baton of leadership to Muhammadu Buhari, it is

evident by the stark realities on the ground that the out-going administration has performed below expectations in its implementation of its legal and judicial reforms transformation agenda. For instance, the Jonathan administration maintained that it has not interfered with the functions of the National Judicial Council, NJC, and it has rather enabled it and ensured adequate funding for the judiciary, such that its independence is not

As Jonathan steps out of office today and hand over the baton of leadership to

Muhammadu Buhari, it is evident by the stark realities on the ground that the

out-going administration has performed below expectations

compromised. But responses from some law experts interviewed showed that the Nigerian judiciary during the Jonathan era lost its respect and its honour gradually eroded due to the politicisation of the NJC. This was an inglorious era when the reputation of judges and the public perception of their commitment and integrity were in issue. This impacted negatively on judiciary independence and its integrity during the period. In a previous interview with National Mirror, Dr. Abiola Sanni, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, UNILAG, said: ‘’The politicisation of NJC and the handling of Ayo Salami and Aloysius Katsina-Alu saga remains a sorethumb. ‘’To an ordinary man following the trend, that is perhaps the worst stage of national judicial embarrassment in Nigeria. But, I bet that it will even get worse unless there is a radical reform of the judiciary. Enough of playing the ostrich. If we desire a judicial system that will work efficiently to meet the expectations of Nigerians and give value to the taxpayers’ money being sunk into it, then, radical reform will be required.’’ Another academic, Dr Yemi Oke, UNILAG, said: “I would give the administration 50 per cent in terms of performance. That is average, it must be added though, that the score sometimes oscillates around the average. Justice is being delayed and denied in many instances. There is need to rework the operationalisation of our judicial system to be able to respond to contemporary challenges of social and economic development. Oke noted that “human rights are really not a challenge of the Jonathan administration, but corruption and terrorism.” For an administration that has often claimed that judicial reforms is fundamental to its resolve to transform Nigeria in all aspect of human development, it is significant that the judicial reforms it had embarked upon are infinitesimal to the enormous and daunting challenges besetting the judiciary. Notable among the reforms the outgoing administration implementCONTINUED ON PAGE 46

Politics

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders score Jonathan low on judicial reforms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45

ed are, the signing into law by President Jonathan in September 2011 of the Evidence Act and the Legal Aid (Amendment) Act as an indication of the government’s preparedness to support all efforts to enhance the dispensation of justice; and the inauguration of new court complexes including the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in September 2012. In Jonathan‘s official website on Legal and Judicial Reforms, the outgoing administration claimed that In the last few years, it has strengthened the independence of judiciary by improving the integrity of the appointment of judges and enhancing their security of tenure. The Jonathan administration has also credited itself as one “that has refrained from interfering in the appointment and discipline of judicial officers in the country.” Despite all these, the outgoing administration has been criticised for its lack-lustre approach to the prosecution of corrupt public officials such that its agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, were left ineffective. It is on record that the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, at a public function organised by the NBA to mark 2013 International Anti- Corruption day boldly said: “President Jonathan’s body language did not indicate that he has the political will to stem corruption in the country.” Truly, unlike the previous administrations that ensured corrupt politicians and businessmen were tried and a number of them convicted, many notable personalities indicted for corrupt practices under Jonathan administration were left off the hook. In fact, the trials of some former state governors were stalled in court by the prosecuting agencies. The outgoing administration also seemed to have been publicly criticised for its reluctance to investigate the alleged scandal that led to the resignation of the former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah. This appears to reinforce the assertion that the administration lacked the political will to tackle corruption. Notwithstanding huge amounts

Dabiri

Ali

Adetola-Kassim

Oduah

of money budgeted for policing, the Police still lacked adequate facilities with which to carry out their work. The country has inadequate ballisticians and insufficient manpower to investigate high profile murder cases. The failure of the Federal Government to get to the root of the attack on judges in Ekiti State some months ago is another minus for the Jonathan’s administration. Be that as it may, stakeholders in the administration have clearly set agenda of the incoming Buhari administration. Another perceived inadequacy of the outgoing government is its inability to deal with the scourge of Boko Haram sect, which abducted over 200 Chibok girls last year. The mindset of most lawyers and human rights activists is that in other climes, some of the financiers of the sect and perpetrators of terrorism would have been brought to book.

In concrete terms, Jonathan administration’s performance in terms of judicial reforms is obviously below expectations of the public. At the recent monthly chat with Judiciary Editors in Lagos, the NBA President, Mr. Austin Alegeh, SAN, declared that “the incoming Buhari administration should be able to propose new laws to regulate the affairs of the country because some of our laws are archaic.” According to him, “power, infrastructural developments, job creation and sustained or redefined fight against corruption should form the fulcrum of the new government.”’ Alegeh observed that some bills such as the Prison Bill, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, passed by the National Assembly were not signed by Jonathan, hence the NBA President advocated for an urgent need to have a change in the pattern of legislative engagement by the Buhari administration. He said: “Each bill should be driven by a legislator and if it is an Executive Bill, it should be clearly driven by somebody who has a duty to follow it up and ensure it is passed. The executive must ensure a way of pursing these bills instead of leaving them pending in the National Assembly.”

the third arm of government in a democratic setting is entrusted with the task of serving as a watchdog of the

society, the protector of the defenceless, the hope of the common man

Alegeh said the Buhari administration should set an agenda to have a list of the Bills to be passed within its first 100 days in office. Stating that the Buhari administration is fortunate to have as its Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the NBA leader said some of these expectations are possible if the former law teacher is given a chance to function in the administration. Some other lawyers too have joined the bar leadership in listing expectations from the incoming administration. Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, in a recent interview with National Mirror called for an amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. He argued that when the Act is amended, it would make it compulsory for public declaration of assets by public officials in the country. Chief Gani Adetola-Kassem, SAN, argued that judges’ salaries should be on the consolidated fund. According to him, “the salaries of judges should be on consolidated funds; funds should be released to the judiciary without going through the rigmarole of the executive. We have three arms of government, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. One of the things that contributes to a corrupt-free judiciary is the independence of the judiciary.” A former NBA chairman, Lagos Branch, Chief Abiodun Dabiri said: “What I want is a peaceful atmosphere, we want food, we want security and also youth unemployment issue must be tackled. Besides, we want regular electricity supply because no economy can grow without energy. Nigeria has money; we don’t have business with poverty if our resources are well managed. “Look at the issue of minimum wage; you passed a law to give N20,000 to workers as minimum wage. How do you expect an average worker to survive with that meagre amount? But, look at the lifestyle of our lawmakers, members of the National Assembly are living like kings, they are making millions every month. You find out that there is a great disparity between the rich and the poor in this country.” Indeed, the third arm of government in a democratic setting is entrusted with the task of serving as a watchdog of the society, the protector of the defenceless, the hope of the common man and the arbiter of the social conflicts as well the as acting as the check on other arms of government. How effective the judiciary will be able to carry out these tasks and meet the future needs of the populace rest squarely on the incoming Buhari/ Osinbajo administration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, May 29, 2015

ithin the four years that President Goodluck Jonathan was at the saddle of leadership of the country, having been sworn in as elected President on May 29, 2011, the administration has attracted both commendations and condemnations from Nigerians both at home and abroad.

For Jonathan, who hails from the minority ethnic group in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, South-South region of the country, his tenure marked another chapter in the history of the nation. There is no doubt that presiding over the affairs of a large multifaceted country like Nigeria, regarded as the most populous nation in Africa and with over two hundred ethnic groups and a secular state with varied religious beliefs, could be regarded as a herculean task which only the brave, bold and the determined can venture into. One of the issues that posed major challenge to the administration of Jonathan during his four year reign as President of the country was the insecurity posed by the Boko Haram sect, which unleashed terror on the peace and tranquility that the nation had enjoyed for a long time. Before the security challenge that the Boko Haram brought into the country in which suicide bombers detonated bombs that caused lots of deaths and destruction, never would anyone think that Nigerians could become suicide bombers, who are ready to die in order to achieve their destructive objectives without any feeling for human lives. Even before he was sworn in as elected President, Jonathan received his first baptism of fire when there was a bomb blast on October 1, 2010, it was a day marking the 50th independence anniversary of the country. The incident occurred near the Eagle Square, venue of the celebration with Presidents and Heads of Governments of various countries in attendance. The incident reawakened the government to the insecurity situation in the country as the international community became concerned about the situation. Even as Jonathan leaves office today, insecurity still remains an unresolved issue as the administration was not able to completely wipe out the Boko Haram sect which operates mostly in Borno State in the Northern part of the country and also has its tentacles in other states located in the North-Eastern part of the nation. The wave of terror by the sect particularly in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, where the violent and deadly activities of the group are more prevalent became a great threat to the peace and unity of the country After the Independence Day bombing in which many lives were lost, the spate of insecurity in the country increased in an alarming rate with the activities of the dreaded and violent Boko Haram sect, which gained global classification as a terrorist organisation. Through its activities, the sect which claimed that it was fighting for the establishment of the principles of Islam in the country, has brought sorrows, tears and grief to many families. The Boko Haram group attacked churches and mosques as well as government institutions. The sect did not stop at that but also engaged in the bombing of public places. The activities of the group have led to the death of scores of people while several others have been severely injured. The most heinous crime committed by the Islamic fundamentalist group was the criminal abduction of over 200 schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on the night of April 14 last year, which left in its trail, pain, agony and sorrow to parents and guardians of the schoolgirls. The abduction attracted global outrage and condemnation. Another major challenge the administration encountered was the attempt to completely deregulate

Achievements, challenges of Jonathan’s administration and posterity As President Goodluck Jonathan completes his four-year term today and hands over power to a new administration of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ROTIMI FADEYI examines the problems faced by the administration as well as its achievements in the history of the nation for posterity to judge.

Jonathan

the oil sector on January 1, 2012. The pump price of petrol was increased from N65 per litre to about N141. The action sparked a wave of protests across the country by labour unions, human rights groups and the civil societies. The protest forced the government to reduce the price to N97 per litre after series of meetings between the Presidency and labour leaders. In spite of the security challenge, the country recorded a lot of achievements and progress in other sectors, particularly in the agricultural sector as well as the economy of the country. For instance, there was unprecedented revolution in the agricultural sector under the Jonathan’s administration as the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, took the sector to a higher level as it was no more regarded as government developmental programme but was taken as a serious business venture. Some of the key achievements in the area of agriculture under the Jonathan’s administration include the complete elimination of middlemen and

considering the challenges that the Jonathan

administration faced and the achievements that it had recorded, posterity

would certain judge the performance of the first

Nigerian President to come from the Niger Delta region of the country.

fraud in the distribution of fertilisers to farmers while healthy and improved high yielding seedlings were made available to guarantee better and bountiful harvest. In the area of employment, almost all the ministries initiated various projects that would ensure that considerable number of jobs was created while the Federal Government also introduced the YouWin programme, specifically designed to create employment opportunities for youths while also making soft loans available to sustain the businesses of those who are in self-employment. As a result of the rebasing of the economy, the Jonathan administration was also able to take Nigeria to the position of the largest economy in Africa, overtaking South Africa. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy under the Jonathan administration, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced the new rebased gross domestic product, GDP, indicating that the total value of goods and services produced in 2013 stood at N80.22 trillion, about $509.9 billion, compared to South Africa’s estimates of $370.3 billion during the same year. The development was due to update Nigeria had not updated the components in its GDP base since 1990. The list of activities captured under the new standards increased from 33 to 46, because Nollywood, telecommunications and information services, publishing, motion pictures, sound recording and music production as well as arts, entertainment and recreation, financial institutions, insurance and real sectors were captured in the rebasing exercise. Giving a breakdown of the performance of the economy, Okonjo-Iweala, noted that the economy had witnessed remarkable restructuring and improvement in performances of some key sectors with potential for sustainable development in the years ahead, stressing that in comparative terms, the new nominal GDP rate showed improvements over those of the previous three years. Specifically, the nominal GDP for 2010 stood at about N54.20 trillion, about $360.6 billion; compared with the 2011 was about N63.26 trillion, about $408.8 billion and the 2012 nominal GDP of about N71.19 trillion, about $449.9 billion. According to her, the changes between the old and the new rates represent growth of 59.5 per cent in 2010, 69.13 per cent in 2011, 75.58 per cent in 2012 and 89.22 per cent in 2013 (forecast). The rebased GDP numbers imply that the level of economic activity is much higher than previously reported and indicated a clearer picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape and the significant opportunity for growth and wealth creation in the economy. Similarly, the administration was able to revive the rail sector which had become moribund for a long time in the country with many roads rehabilitated while new ones were constructed for easy movement and to reduce the rate of road crashes that had claimed the lives of many Nigerians. However, considering the challenges that the Jonathan administration faced and the achievements that it had recorded, posterity would certain judge the performance of the first Nigerian President to come from the Niger Delta region of the country.

South West

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashola presents handover note to Ambode FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday presented handover notes to Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, ahead of today’s official inauguration ceremony. The brief ceremony held at Lagos House, Ikeja, was witnessed by party members and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its chairman in Lagos State, Henry Ajomale; women leader, Kemi Nelson; publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe; traditional rulers led by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I as well as some

aides of the governorelect. Fashola, while handing over the notes at 3pm, promised to be available always to provide support and assistance to the incoming administration. He said: “The time is now winding down and I just did a quick check on my watch and I saw that it is eight hours and 30 more minutes or thereabout. “But before that time winds up, let me congratulate you again for a very well run campaign, fiercely contested; let me congratulate the chairman of the party at the state level for the support and the victory.” Beaming with smiles,

… leaves N418.2bn debt behind FRANCIS SUBERU

s power changes hands in Lagos State today, the debt profile left behind by outgoing Governor Babatunde Fashola for the incoming Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is N418.2 billion. Analysis of the state’s debt profile taken from the records of the state’s Ministry of Finance has it that the state has N69.666 billion as domestic debt, N225 billion debt from bond issuance which had the backing of the relevant federal agencies and N207.499 billion from external loan from foreign bodies. The local debts are various loans obtained by the state government from different commercials banks. It would be recalled that when Fashola took over from his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2007, he equally inherited a debt of N15 billion. The state government has always justified its huge debt profile by saying the debt has no negative effect on its economy; even as it says its Global Credit Rating (GCR) is very high. Presently, the Agusto & Co, Global Credit Rating (GCR) and Fitch Ratings of the state stand at A+, indicating that the state is supper credit worthy. The rating is often quoted by the Ministry of Finance to justify its position on the sustainability of the debt. Commissioner for Fi-

nance, Ayo Gbeleyi, recently said government’s huge debts are sustainable as they would not constitute a burden on the incoming government. He said the total revenue of the state government currently stands at N33.95 billion monthly from N27.82 billion monthly it used to be in 2011 as the state’s internal generated revenue, IGR, averages 65 per cent of total revenue with Statutory Allocation plus Value Added Tax, VAT, being circa 35 per cent. Gbeleyi stated that the internal loans from commercial banks have tenors of four to six years, while the multilateral agency financing - World Bank, French Development Agency and others, are generally on concessionary borrowing terms, such as 20 - 40 years tenor, an average of 1.75 per cent per annum interest rate. On the debt issuance programme of N275 billion, in which N50 billion was paid last year, leaving a balance of N225 billion currently outstanding, he disclosed that government had over N100.73 billion as at March, 2015 in its sinking fund reserve for repayment. On the commercial bank debt of N69.666 billion, Gbeleyi explained that the incoming government is expected to pay N14.27 billion this year; N13.68 billion in 2016; N34.68 billion in 2017 and the balance of N6.85 billion in 2018.

Ambode, decked in blue native attire, thanked Governor Fashola for the experience he garnered working under him, say-

ing it would aid his administration in surmounting the challenges ahead and continuing the wheel of progress in the state.

Ambode said he had learned a lot from the outgoing governor, saying: “I have been his student; he has been a teacher, a men-

tor and again we are here today to do some transition from one officer to the other.

NASU applauds sack of UNIOSUN VC, other principal officers BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

on-Academic Staff Union, NASU, of educational and associated institutions, Osun State University, yesterday described the sack of the officers of the institution as a step in the right direction. Governing council of the university had on Wednesday recommended for sack, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bashir Okesina, the registrar, Dr. Julius Faniran, and the bursar, Mr. Bayo Lasisi. This was however contrary to the position of the

Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, who condemned the governing council headed by Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN, for recommending to the Visitor to the university, Governor Rauf Aregbesola that the vice chancellor be sacked. NASU, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, and signed by its chairman, Mr. Isaiah Fayemi; secretary, Suleman Olugbeja, and treasurer, Mrs. Fisayo Ojeleke, said the recommendation to sack the affected officers was rather lenient. Warning the governor against taking a contrary

decision to that of the governing council on the matter, NASU said any contrary decision would amount to subversion of justice. NASU further averred that industrial harmony in the institution may be negatively affected, should the government attempt to override the decision of the governing council. The statement reads: “It is established that council has acted within the ambit of the Osun State University (Establishment) Law of 2006, taking into consideration items 1, a, b and c (Removal and Discipline

of Academic and Administrative Staff) page 27 of the law. “Contrary to the opinion in some quarters, the university’s Governing Council has equally acted within the ambit of the Osun State University (Establishment) Law of 2006 taking into consideration item 3 (1), page 44 of the law which says: The vice chancellor shall be appointed or be removed by the Visitor upon consultation with the council, hence the Governing Council’s recommendation to the Visitor in respect of the vice chancellor is in tandem with the university law.”

L-R: Economic Counsellor, French Consulate, Lagos, Mr. Francis Widmer; Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Uzo Odenigbo; National Commercial Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Seguin Mattheiu and Head of Mission, French Consulate, Lagos, Amb. Marcel Escure, during a tour of the Ikeja plant of NBC in Lagos recently.

Group calls for constructive opposition ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

s a new government emerges today, a group, Africa Resurgent, AR, has called for an opposition that will be constructive. The group, in a statement by its president, Dr. Kabir Mohammed Ahmed, said Nigerians could not do without the opposition, arguing that such an opposition needs to be constructive with the aimed of steering the country on the right course.

Describing the transition from one political party to another at the national level as a good development, the group said it is a very important step in the political development of Nigeria and Africa generally. “Africa Resurgent congratulates Nigerians, Africans and friends of Africa, and implores all Nigerians to be mindful of this democratic feat by giving full cooperation to the incoming administration in its commitment to re-position Nigeria for greater heights,”

he said. He added: “It is our ardent belief that Nigerians in totality, deserve praise for keeping democracy alive and active over the last 16 years. “We advise every politician to eschew blind opposition by lending support to the new administration.” He noted that Nigerians must continue to love democracy, support multiparty politics and the policies of the new administration which are aimed at making Nigeria great.

He called on journalists to always respect their code of ethics, be objective in their reports, shun partisan politics and respect the honour done them by the Constitution as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. “We urge every professional in Nigeria to conduct himself according to the rules of his calling; all Nigerians have to brace up for the reconstruction of the country,” he said, adding that the incoming government needs the support of all.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Community Agenda

Friday, May 29, 2015

Democracy Day: Private Sector agenda for Buhari’s administration In what appears to be a policy and operational template for the new administration, the Nigeria’s Business Community in this allembracing analysis of the current economic realities, captures what should be the focal point of the new administration in its economic re-engineering agenda for the country.

Power Sector CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

takeholders in the power sector have outlined measures which the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari must adopt in order to achieve the desired improvement

in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) within the shortest possible time. The President, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Barrister Chijioke James, as part of effort to set agenda for the incoming urged for the adoption of G774 Power Nigeria Project which was developed by experts in

the sector to provide electricity to all the 774 Local Governments Areas in Nigeria taking advantage of green energy through solar farm, irrigation, and wind. According to him, an energy audit of each LGA would reveal power need which would be provided through the combined efforts of the local government, pri-

vate investors and the community. He argued that so long as every Nigerian home is has a generator it would be easy to convince the people to provide one generator of between 5 to 10 MW which would power the whole local government involving all stakeholders within the community. According to him, such move would take care of the massive pollution which is usually created by millions of generating set across the country. The ECAN President also urged James the incoming government to adopt emergency model which would lean towards development

of mini power plants as an emergency solution stressing that such projects would not only kick start the manufacturing economy but would also create an environment that will encourage creation of jobs. However, he noted that it would also be better that government creates the enabling environment for the private sector to drive the mini power plants just as he advocated the need to exploit the hydro dam system as a viable means of generating power for key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing amongst others.

Banking Sector UDO ONYEKA

F Real Sector ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Organised Private Sector, OPS, and other business operators across the country, have charged the new government on their demands for the growth and development of the nation’s economy. Generally, they wanted the incoming government to improve on the business environment in order to attract more investments into the country, both local and foreign, while boosting the existing ones. Although the general consensus of those who spoke to National Mirror is that the new government should focus and tackle the problems of electricity, infrastructure, high tax rate, and encouragement of local product by banning or reducing the rate of imported ones. For instance, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, tasked the new government on the deregulation of oil sector by, removing the subsidy on the petroleum products. The Chamber also urged the

Buhari-led administration to review the privatisation of power sector since it is not properly managed in the hand of private ownership. According to him, the country needs power to drive its economy, especially the industry and to create jobs, adding that “if the power sector fails, other sectors are bound to fail as well,” He also demanded reformation in the port operation, alleging duplication of charges at ports due to unregulated activities of the port officials. The LCCI President also appealed to the new government to address the problems of high cost of doing business, fiscal leakages and waste in governance, insecurity, and unfavourable tax regime, among others. The Director General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, NTMA, Mr. Jaiyeola Olanrewaju also charged the incoming government to be more proactive in policy formulation and implementation. For the revival and growth of textile industry, Olanrewaju advised the new government should try to curb smuggling of fabrics into the country, while mandat-

ing the use of locally made fabrics among all uniformed officials in the country. Speaking for the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, MSMEs, Head of Public Relations and Membership Services of Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Nerus Ekezie, said the new government should address the issue of loans and see to the reduction of interest rate on bank credit to single digit, amongst other imperatives. The Chairman, Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA, Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Chapter, Lagos, Comrade Moruf Egberongbe, urged the new government to be more sensitive to the informal sector, by empowering them with equipment and finance.

Remi Bello

inancial experts have urged the incoming administration to frontally tackle corruption and must ensure that those appointed to political offices are competent men and women of integrity. This is even as they also believed that there was the need to sustain the ongoing financial sector reform with a view to making access to bank credit easier and cheaper and also do everything to reduce frauds within the sector. To achieve this, they agreed that new government should encourage the CBN in the implementation of its on-going stringent supervision of the banks as a strategic option of sustaining the nation’s financial system stability and achieving the broad policy objectives of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, amongst other initiatives. According to the former President Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, and Managing Director Maxifund Securities and Finance Limited, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, the new president should appoint technocrats who would work with him to be able to take on the challenges facing him. He said that the reforms in the banking sector was commendable but that it was not able to address issues such as interest rate and increasing level of fraud in the sector, adding that new government should encourage the on-going stringent supervision by the financial regulators. In his comments, a seasoned management consultant, Dr Boni-

Emefiele

face Chizea, canvassed the need for the government to appoint credible and competent people in key positions as this would invariably impact positively on the economy, particularly the banking system. He said: “The mark of the leader that wants to succeed is to appoint those who will add real value as could be gleaned from their antecedents. It would also make a strong statement thereby assuaging the wait and see attitude, which overseas investors would, inevitably, adopt following your assumption of Office. “Yes, the constitution requires that you observe the federal character in making such appointments. But there are no sections of this country that do not have those who are meritorious and, therefore, on no account must merit be sacrificed. We should also be wary of recycling individual,” Chizea added. Chizea said a situation whereby 80 per cent of the budget is consumed on recurrent expenditure in not conducive for job creation imperatives, adding that a situation whereby the deficit in the budget is in excess of the capital budget is not acceptable.

Business Community Agenda

Capital Market JOHNSON OKANLAWON

apital market operators have urged the new government to ensure single digit interest rate to stimulate telecom, power, aviation and oil companies list their shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In addition, they also asked the government to block fiscal leakages and reposition the capital market for enhanced liquidity. The Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Mr Emeka Madu¬buike urged the government to leverage on medium and long term fund through the capital market to finance the country’s in¬frastructure. He explained that bountiful opportunities for long term fund abound in the capital market, but some structures must be put in place for the country to harness the opportunities. According to him, deliberate policy at increasing domestic

Insurance MESHACK IDEHEN

nsurers in the country say the incoming government must embark on the diversification of the economy with increased focus on agriculture and mining; as well as other economic activities that will create more room for the insurance industry to thrive. According to insurers, a stronger regulatory and supervisory system for the insurance sector is necessary for the incoming government to focus on, since such is required to maintain a fair, safe and stable insurance sector for the benefit and protection of the interests of stakeholders. Insurance Expert, Mr Ngwuta Nwogu, noted that just as the financial system has evolved, so too has the supervisory frame-

Agric Sector ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

armers have urged the incoming government to focus on the review and implementation of agricultural policies to boost local food production and enhance food security. They believed that with proper implementation of agricultural policies, the sector would be more robust; noting that lack of implementation has been the bane of agricultural policies formulated by successive governments. The farmers demanded adequate budgetary allocation of at least 10 per cent of the annual

aggregate production should be put in place. Ease of do¬ing business should increase while enabling environment for business to thrive should be the heartbeat of the in¬coming government which include, but not limited to, good and stable infrastruc¬ture, accessible credit and adequate security. “The capital market can finance the entire infrastruc¬tural gaps if the government can deploy fiscal incentives to deepen the market by en¬couraging the companies in the telecom, power, aviation and oil/gas sectors of the economy to get listed on the securities market”, he added. The Chairman, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, Mr Victor Ogiemwonyi, harped on effective management of a low interest rate regime to avert capital flight, which could hurt the economy. He urged Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to strive towards reduction in the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to stimu¬late activities in the bond market. “Government’s borrow¬ing

rate in the capital market should drop to avoid crowd¬ing out of funds in the capi¬tal market so as to make the market attractive for private sector to raise funds. The Federal Government should revisit privatization in order to allow for listing of gov¬ernment

work which will also promote stability of the insurance system has evolved, saying the sector as it currently is, requires some decisive action from the incoming government. He noted that since the National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM) is saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring effective administration, supervision, regulation and control of insurance business in Nigeria as provided in Part II, Section 6 of National Insurance Commission Act of 1997, that it was imperative for the president elect to strengthen the institution. Chairman of Premium Pension Limited, Mr Aliyu Dikko, urged the incoming government to ensure that the pension sub sector of the insurance industry will witness a major boost. Dikko believes that the sustenance of the industry required the creation of additional permissible investment instru-

ments that accommodate initiatives for national development, explaining this includes investment in the real sector as well as infrastructural development without compromising the ultimate objective of ensuring the safety of pension assets. NAICOM advised that the current incoming administration should continue to offer the insurance industry opportunity to readjust its governance, operational structures and leverage on the interest and support provided in the policy direction of the commission. Director of Inspectorate of NAICOM, Mr Barineka Thompson, said that it was expected that companies will begin to review their strategic business and operating models, overhaul product portfolios and distribution strategy, enhance ICT capability and other elements that can stimulate the growth of their overall business.

budget in line with Maputo Declaration, review of subsisting schemes and reform to make them more supportive of farm output, mechanised farming, encouragement of family farming, making use of agricultural consultants, capacity building, encouragement of local production by banning of all importation of food items that can be produced within the country, amongst others. The Chairman, Agric Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Wale Oyekoya, said the serious efforts made by the outgoing government towards making good agricultural policies through schemes, programmes and institutions, the initiatives were jeopardized due to lack of

implement coupled with inadequate budgetary allocation and financing. He recommended that at least 10 per cent of the country’s annual budget should be devoted to agriculture in line with the Maputo Declaration and the review of subsisting schemes and reforms to make them more supportive of farm output. The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Lagos State Chapter, Otunba Oke, said for there to be adequate food in the country, private sector participation, individuals, cooperatives, clubs and others have to be encouraged to invest in agriculture. He said this would not only as-

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

enterprises that are operating sub-optimally. “All the government needs to do is to set up a capital market committee to work with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to drive the process,” Ogiemwonyi said.

He expressed the readi¬ness of the Alliance to sup¬port the Federal Government in advisory capacity at any time the need arises on how the capital market can be ful¬ly utilized to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.

Aviation Sector

by the outgoing government. The Managing Director, Discovery Air, Capt. Abdulsalami Mohammed, advised the government to critically address the issue of falling rate of naira against the dollar. Abdulsalami noted that since most airlines’ transactions are usually dollar-denominated there was need for the government to strengthen the naira, reduce interest rate on bank credit and by so doing, reduce the financial burden on operators in the sector. The spokesman for AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi also urged the incoming government to focus more attention on policies with a view to enhancing the capacity of the industry to play its critical role in the economy and improve its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, from the paltry 0.04 per cent to something more significant. In his remarks, Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison said that the incoming government required a policy change to address the high unemployment rate among technical personnel in the sector. Meggison also reiterated the call for the construction of a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, MRO, facilities for checks of aircraft in the country, saying that the absence of this is leading to massive capital flight out of the country regularly. Besides, he urged the incoming government to address the skyrocketing price of aviation fuel in the local scene, multiple tax regime by aviation authorities to domestic carriers, removal of Value Added Tax, VAT, on air transportation as other modes of transportation.

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

irline operators and other stakeholders in the aviation sector urged the incoming government to ensure adequate supply of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) and provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, MRO, facilities for the country’s carriers. The Deputy General Secretary, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, described aviation industry as the engine room of any economy in the world, stressing that as a result of its importance, the incoming government could not afford to neglect it. Abioye maintained that for the incoming government to move the sector forward, it would need to review the several mechanism put in place to revive the industry sure adequate food supply in the country, but also create jobs for the unemployed youths, making the society more peaceful and secured and also aiding export of farm produces to earn foreign exchange.

Oke

Friday, May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

The status quo is not good enough. I believe there are changes we can make that will benefit not just Britain, but the rest of Europe, too. –British Prime Minister, David Cameron Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

he European Union has suspended its election monitoring mission in Burundi where President Pierre Nkurunziza is seeking a third term next month. The decision was taken because of restrictions on the media, excessive force against demonstrators and a climate of intimidation, it said. It comes as the Catholic Church said it would no longer help organise the elections amid the political unrest. Earlier this month, the president survived a coup attempt. Rights groups say at least 20 people have died in protests since Nkurunziza announced on 25 April that he would seek a third term. The UN says about 70,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries fearing political violence. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said her team had been on the ground for more than a month. They reported that “the election process continues to be seriously marred by restrictions on independent media, excessive use of force against demonstrators, a climate of intimida-

EU withdraws observers from Burundi’s poll tion for opposition parties and civil society and lack of confidence in the election authorities”, she said in a statement. The EU has already said it is withholding more than $2m (£1.3m) of funding for the elections. Correspondents said the statement by the Catholic Church, which is hugely influential in Burundi, is another blow for Nkurunziza. Many of the country’s 18 provincial electoral commissions are headed by priests, who the Catholic Church committee have asked to stand down. Bishop Gervais Bashimiyubusa said in a statement read on Catholic radio that the church could not “endorse an election riddled with shortcomings”, the news agency reports. He did not call for a boycott of the elections, but stressed that nobody should go to the polls “by threat or intimidation, or because they have been bought in one way or another”.

Protesters opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office shout at the army after a demonstrator was shot dead

Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 5 June and the presidential poll for 26 June. The president’s critics say his bid for a third term contravenes the constitution, which requires him to step down after two terms. But Burundi’s Constitutional Court ruled that Nkurunziza’s first term does not count because he was elected by parliament and not voters.

Indian city introduces measures as heatwave death toll rises to 1,300

undreds of deaths caused by an extreme heat wave in India could have been prevented if authorities followed the example set by Ahmedabad which introduced measures such as cooling spaces to protect citizens from the rising mercury, climate experts said. At least 1,300 people have died in northern and southern India over the past week, with temperatures over 46 Celsius (114 Fahrenheit) baking states such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as well as the capital New Delhi. Doctors’ leave has been cancelled to help cope with the sick flooding into hospitals and clinics, complaining of headaches, dizziness and fever. Most of the deaths have been of construction workers, homeless people and the elderly. But with the threat of more frequent heatwaves as a result of climate change, experts say India must recognize rising temperatures as a natural disaster, just like floods or earthquakes, and have a strategy to protect vulnerable

people. “The spiking temperatures underscore the need for local heat adaptation plans and early warning systems to reduce the health effects of heat stress and increase resilience in local communities to rising temperatures,” said Anjali Jaiswal from the U.S.-based Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC). “Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan

- South Asia’s first early warning system against extreme heatwaves - is tailored to help protect the city’s vulnerable communities during these disasters.” After a heatwave hit Ahmedabad, a western city of 5.5 million people, in May 2010, killing over 1,300 people, local authorities mapped areas with “high-risk” populations including slums, as part of an action plan.

A man using pipe borne water to cool off from the heatwave

Ebola crisis not over, WHO warns The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday warned against complacency about the deadly Ebola virus, saying that the crisis isn’t over. “We have to keep our guard up,” Sylvie Briand, head of epidemiology at the UN’s health agency, told a stock-taking meeting on Ebola in Paris. Briand said the situation in Guinea, one of the three West African states where Ebola has killed more than 11,000 people, left her “deeply concerned.” Briand warned against hopes that a line could be drawn under the epidemic. stressing that “the crisis isn’t over”. “I am afraid there could be another wave that could spread to neighbouring countries,” she said. The WHO official noted that Ebola emerged in Guinea at the end of 2013 and by April of 2014 had practically disappeared there. It then dramatically bounced back a couple of months later before spreading to neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone, with a scattering of cases in Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Liberia was recently declared Ebola-free but Sierra Leone and Guinea remain vulnerable to a resurgence of the lethal virus, the WHO said last week.

WORLD BULLETIN

‘Zuma will not have to repay money spent on residence’ President Jacob Zuma will not have to repay state money spent to upgrade his private home in Nkandla, South Africa’s police minister has said. Nathi Nhleko said that the upgrades, including a pool costing almost 4m rand ($328,000; £215,000) were in fact security features. Last year an independent inquiry found the president had “unduly benefited” from the upgrades. The president has been heavily criticised over the issue. In February the Nkandla controversy prompted chaotic scenes in parliament as leftist MPs scuffled with security. They had been interrupting a key annual speech by Mr Zuma and demanding answers over the row. A report last year by South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog found Mr Zuma had “unduly benefitted” from the renovations and recommended he pay back some of the money. However Mr Zuma has maintained he would only pay money back if ordered to do so by Mr Nhleko, the police minister. At a news conference Mr Nhleko justified his decision not to make Mr Zuma pay back any of the money by saying the upgrades were security features.

Putin accuses US of interfering in FIFA affairs Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of meddling in the affairs of soccer’s governing body and hinted that its corruption investigation is part of an attempt to take the 2018 World Cup away from his country. Putin said in televised comments yesterday that he found it “odd” that the FIFA probe was launched at the request of U.S. officials for crimes which do not involve its citizens and did not happen in the United States. Corruption charges in the U.S. were announced Wednesday against 14 people, at least two of whom have American citizenship. Seven of the 14 were arrested Wednesday morning in Zurich ahead of a FIFA meeting and Friday’s presidential election in which Sepp Blatter is expected to win a fifth term. Much of the money that allegedly changed hands went through U.S. banks, which is why U.S. officials were able to bring charges. In a separate probe, Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings into FIFA’s awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Friday, May 29, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Miss Ehiemuan Patience Odegua now wish to be known AS Mrs Ezenwugo Patience. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note.

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EKPO: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ekpo Udeme Happiness Bassey, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyebuwa Udeme Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Simeon Tinevughobe is the same person as Simeon Dieta as referred to in my voterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s card. All documents bearing either name remain valid. ECOBANK of Nigeria PLC and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jegede Funke Victoria now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs Saye Olufunke Victoria. All former documents remain valid Ekiti State local Government Service Commission and general public note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Regina Lekpa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Victoria Boniface Ushang. All former documents renain valid Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, NYSC and general public to take note.

This is to confirm that Adesina Nimotalai I. and Adeshina Limotalai Salewa is the same one person as Adeshina Nimotalai Abiola, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Adeshina Nimotalai Abiola. All former documents remain valid,Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

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This is to confirm that Sulaiman Ismail I. and Sulaiman Ismail is the same one person as Sulaiman Ismail Idowu, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Sulaiman Ismail Idowu. All former documents remain valid, WAEC/ NECO and general public should please take note .

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PUBLIC NOTICE BUYERS BE WARNED

CAC ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

Signed: Umeokoli Linus, Umeokoli Okwuchukwu

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PUBLIC NOTICE IFESOWAPO PROGRESSIVE MINDS ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Mr. Sefiu Oyedokun Mr. Waheed Folorunso Mr. Peter Adigun Mr. Olajide Oladipupo Mr. Gbemiro Bolade

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - P.R.O

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To ensure the progress of each member 2. To extend the hand of tone to less privileged 3. To co-operate and live in love and unity Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Trigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED: MR. SEFIU OYEDOKUN CHAIRMAN

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1X2 ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

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This is to confirm that Bamidele Omowumi Tolu is the same one person as Bamidele Omowunmi Toluwani, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Bamidele Omowunmi Toluwani. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Yunusa Khadijat Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oseni Khadijat Toyin. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Teaching Service Commission and General public take note

All those bought lands from Mr. Martin Umeokoli of Okwochi Zone in Aku Village, Ezinifite Aguata LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria should kindly go and settle with him because those lands sold belong to his late brother Chief Simon Umeokoli (Ntuoyi) Note: Anyone still transacting the said land business with Mr. Martin Umeokoli is doing so at his or her own risk. General public take note.

NWOSU : Formerly known as Miss Nwosu Amarachukwu Nkiruka, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Nwosu Amarachukwu Nkiru. All former documents remains vali. NYSC and public note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Feyisetan Oduntan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Feyisetan Omowunmi Benson. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZEOBI: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeobi Chisom Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Wealth Chisom Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Esther Odunola, a Christian by religion now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Ajao Esther Odunola. All Documents and Certificates bearing my former Names remain valid. General Public should please Take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Augustine Emeka Onyebuchi, wishes to be known and addressed as Philip Augustine Onyebuchi. All documents still remain valid. WAEC and general please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alagbala Ayomide Anuoluwapo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osho Ayomide Anuoluwapo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FASASI: Formerly known and addressed as Alabi Sheu Fasasi, now wish to be known and addressed as Alabi Wasiu Ajao. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemi Adedoyin Azeezat. now wish to be known and addressed asMrs. Sodipe Adedoyin Azeezat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Eche Janet Eche, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adole Janet. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chioma Vivien Ezeoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Vivien Okeke. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAOGBE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaogbe Ndidi Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpara Patience Ndidi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyenuga Oluwatosin Olasile, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyenuga Oluwatosin Olasile. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Quadri Abiola Fatimoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abdul Quadri Abiola Fatimoh All former document remain valid. Odogbolu Local Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Okereke Fayokemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Leonard Fayokemi. All Former Documents Remain Valid.Nigeria Police Force And General Public Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Modupe Marthina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olowolagba Modupe Marthina. All Former documents Remain Valid. Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board And General Public Take Note

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Transition

Friday, May 29, 2015

Balarabe Dawud

Olaoti Olabamiji

he death has been announced of Ma Olaoti Olabamiji, a ged 110. Mama as she is fondly called died in her residence at Olaogun area of Ibadan last Saturday. A community leader, mother of a prominent electronic gad-

gets dealer, She is survived by Wahab Olabamiji, Bilikisu (nee Olabamiji), grand children and many great grandchildren. Fidau and final burial ceremonies hold Saturday May 30, 2015 at her resident.

he Chief Imam of Jos central mosque, Sheikh Balarabe Dawud, has died, he was 82. His eldest son, Eng. Abdul’alem Balarabe Dawud, while confirming the death on behalf of the family, said he died after an operation. Late Dawud became the chief Imam of Jos central mosque in 2010 after the death of the former chief imam, Sheik Sa’idu Hammajam. Dawud, a former Shari’a court judge had deputized for Hammajam for over 20 years before he took over as chief Imam. Until his death, Sheik Dawud was the chairman, Ulama/Elders Council in Plateau State, the State Legal Adviser for Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and Grand Patron Jos Central Mosque Council. He also served as co-chairman, Plateau Presidential Peace and Reconciliation Committee as well as Co-Chairman, Plateau Inter-Faith Peace Forum. The deputy Imam of the

Central Mosque, Sheikh Lawal Adam, led a crowd of worshippers in the two rakka’at funeral prayers held at the Central Mosque from where the remains of the late chief Imam

was escorted to the Zaria road burial ground and was buried at about 5: 35 pm. He is survived by one wife, 10 children and 10 grand children.

News

Buhari tasked on electoral offences commission Adeleke Adesanya

s part of its effort in ensuring Nigeria finally get rid of electoral offence and others, a nongovern-

mental organization, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center, WARDC, has called on the newly inaugurated government in the country on the need to constitute an Electoral Offences Commission.

The Executive Director of the WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, while addressing journalist at a press briefing organised by European Union on “Key Findings on Electoral violence and

2015 General Election”, maintained that Nigeria as a leading black Africa country with its status around the world needs to wage a serious war against all sort of electoral offences in the country in order to ensure the

Woman docked for alleging to have been spiritually impregnated by Lagos pastor

he police on Thursday arraigned a hairdresser, Rose Godwin, before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lagos for obtaining the sum of N5000 from a pastor she alleged impregnated her spiritually. According to the prosecutor, Cpl John Iberedem, the accused is standing trial on a two-count change of breach of peace and obtaining by false pretences. Iberedem told the court that the 42-year-old committed the offence on April 16, at Eseagu Street, Ajegunle, Apapa Lagos. The prosecutor noted that the accused who resides at No.22, Akerele Street in the Ajegunle area of Lagos obtained the sum of N5000 for antenatal from the pastor, under false pretences. Iberedem said: “The complainant, Pius Ophie, a pastor, said he met the accused for the first time the day she came for counseling in church.

“The pastor told the police that the accused complained that she was always having dreams of a man having sexual intercourse with her every night. “The pastor arranged to carry

out deliverance for the accused and later told her to come with her relatives. “But to Ophie’s surprise, the accused came some weeks after the deliverance session and told him that she had a dream about

him sleeping with her. “Godwin claimed the complainant impregnated her spiritually and the accused then started to demand for money to register for antenatal care. “The accused obtained the

Senate Presidency: Group drums support for Saraki

ll Progressives Congress Kwara South, Lagos Chapter, has called on the leadership of the party, all Senators-elect and other stakeholders to support Senator Bukola Saraki’s bid for the seat of Senate President. The group made the call in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman-Fattah Amolegbe, Publicity Secretary-Tayo Awodiji, Woman Leader-Mrs. Olabisi Abolaji, Chairman Elders Forum- Chief Jimoh Adeoti According to the statement, Senator Saraki was a two terms Governor of Kwara State and a for-

mer Chairman of Governor’s Forum has a pedigree, political, and administrative experiences that the nation could benefit from if he emerged as the Senate President. The Group further stated that Senator Saraki’s contributions to electoral success of APC in Kwara and federal level were enormous that deserved him to be honoured with the position. The group claimed that Saraki dropped his Presidential ambition in the interest of the party and help form a formidable opposition which helps oust the PDP government. The group added that in the

interest of fairness, equity and justice, considering his enormous contributions to the success of the party, he should hence be compensated with the position. “This call has become necessary because Senator Saraki has the required leadership quality to lead the Red Chamber of the National Assembly”, the statement noted. The group commended APC Senators that has pledged their support for Saraki, under the aegis of ‘’ Like-minds Senators ‘’ for their focus and wish the Nation good leadership during the 8th National Assembly.

dawn of a true democracy. Akiode expressed concern about the culture of impunities with which political parties and other stakeholders perpetrate electoral violence and absence of institutional and legal solution against electoral violence in Nigeria. “The failure to hold elections stakeholders in Nigeria accountable has led to violence, rigging thuggery and abuse of power exhibited during election period. “While we recognize that there are enabling laws addressing electoral violence which prescribe punishment for offenders, it is unfortunate that very few people have been prosecuted in few instances where the perpetrators have been arrested,” she said. Meanwhile, the Deputy Country General of International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Uloma Osuala, has called on the security agencies in the country on the need to pay attention to the level of usage of various small and light weapons uses by political hoodlums in the country during electioneering period. “These weapons were circulated during the elections and were brandished in broad day light by the hoodlums to intimidate people during the election,” she said.

Friday May 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Sports need to sustain monetary handshake of athletes

The fact is that whichever player that Madrid want, they get. This is not a boast, it is just the reality

–Real Madrid legend, Luis Figo

Ihenanacho

U-20 World Cup:

Team spirit delights Ihenacho Afolabi Gambari

lying Eagles star, Kelechi Ihenacho, says the team is stuffed with talent that suggests no player is indispensable as Nigeria prepares to take on Brazil next Monday in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Ihenacho, who spoke yesterday from the team’s training camp, said he was amazed at the readiness of his mates to compete for spots. “I have never seen anything like this before and I think it brings positive news to the entire Nigerians that we can really look up to something at the end

of this championship,” he said, although just short of promising the cup. “I have missed this team a lot and I felt happy to re-unite with the lads once again. We have got on well and the spirit is high. “We are hoping we will do much better than we did with the U-17s because we have grown

up now and this is another level of football.” The Manchester City starlet admitted the challenge that awaits Nigeria when the Flying Eagles clash with Brazil in the group’s opening game. “We are aware of the enormous task. But we are also aware that we can’t afford to play un-

der pressure,” he cautioned, stressing, “No one is sure until the end of the competition.” On Coach Manu Garba’s submission that Iheanacho and two other late comers to camp would not start the World Cup games, Iheanacho said: “Whatever strategy the coach applies will be perfectly okay by me.”

Sleaze latest: Adamant Blatter ‘won’t step down’ F IFA President, Sepp Blatter, yesterday insisted that he would not step down from his post following a request from UEFA President Michel Platini. The 79-year-old Swiss held an emergency meeting with key FIFA officials after world football’s governing body was subjected to yet more damaging corruption claims. Platini said he had addressed Blatter “like a friend” but that the FIFA boss had told him it was “too late” to resign.

Platini added that the latest crisis had left him “absolutely sickened” and said “people have had enough”. Blatter is seeking a fifth term as president when he takes on Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in today’s election. FIFA was plunged into fresh crisis on Wednesday when United States authorities indicted 14 people and arrested seven senior football officials on bribery and racketeering charges. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron and

English Football Association Chairman Greg Dyke have joined those calling for Blatter to step down, as Britain’s David Gill also says he will resign from FIFA’s Executive Committee if Blatter is reelected. But support for the beleaguered FIFA chief came yesterday from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has claimed the United States’ resolve was aimed at scuttling Russia’s officially stamped hosting of the 2018 World Cup finals.

Blatter

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, May 22, 2015

Sports need to sustain monetary handshake of athletes

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) Government of Muhammadu Buhari assumes office today, sports editor, EVEREST ONYEWUCHI, writes on the need to appoint a Minister of Sports that will run the sector for podium results.

igeria’s fifth elected President, Muhammadu Buhari, has taken office just as the king of sports, football, is holding two important global competitions in New Zealand and Canada simultaneously. If Buhari is gamesome, he would be staying awake till early morning Saturday (because of 11 hours time difference) to watch the opening ceremony and first match of the 19th FIFA U-20 World Cup kicking-off in Auckland, New Zealand tomorrow. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will be opening their campaign at the tournament next Monday, with a top of the billing game against Brazil in New Plymouth. Elsewhere across the Pacific through the Indian to Atlantic Ocean in North America, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will begin in Edmonton, Canada on June 6, and Nigeria’s Super Falcons are in the thick of action. The African champions will first file out against their Swedish opponents on June 8 in Winnipeg. On June 13, the Super Eagles will be filing out at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna to take on the national team of Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match, as Nigeria begins the quest to seek a ticket to hoist her flag in Gabon in two years time, after failing to qualify to defend her South Africa 2013 title in Equatorial Guinea last January. And just as President Buhari would be clocking 100 days in office, Nigeria would be joining other African countries to participate in the All Africa Games (AAG) scheduled to hold in Congo Brazzaville next September. The Congo AAG will be a prelude, as well as a dress rehearsal for the Summer Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with these two multi-sports Games expected to throw up a lot of logistics, technical and financial challenges that must be addressed squarely and holistically for the nation’s contingents to win medals at the events. The way to begin to bring back Nigeria’s past glories in sports is for President Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to march into the arena with an experienced and forward-looking Sports Minister, who must be supported and allowed to remain in office till at least, the end of the first tenure of the administration in 2019. Stakeholders agree that policy somersaults caused by frequent changes of sports ministers have been the greatest bane of Nigeria’s sports development. In about 55 years of nationhood, Nigeria has had 32 ministers supervising the sports sector, the last been Dr. Tammy Danagogo, who bowed out yesterday, after spending just 14 months in office that were bedeviled with football crises. The first minister in-charge of sports was Chief J.M. Johnson, who was Minister

If Buhari is gamesome, he would be staying awake till early morning

Saturday

(because of 11 hours time difference) to watch the opening ceremony and NFF President, Pinnick

NSC Director-General, Yakmut

of Labour and had concurrent oversight on sports from 1960 to1964 and played a pioneering role. He was succeeded by Hon. J.C. Obande, Minister of Establishment and Labour, 1965-1971, whose tenure ushered in the military regime. Brigadier Henry Adefope, who later became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held sway between 1971 and 1976 as the Federal Commissioner for Labour. Adefope was succeeded by Major-Gen eral Olufemi Olutoye, the Federal Commissioner for Social Development, Youth and Sports from 1975-1977. Dr. Dan Isokeari held sway between 1977 and 1979 as the Federal Commissioner for Social Development, Youth and Culture and was replaced by Mr. P.C. Amadike, who was in-charge till 1981. Chief Adebisi Ogedegbe was in office for one year, between 1982 and 1983, before Alhaji Buba Ahmed, former National Secretary of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was sworn-in 1983, the last year of the brief civilian government. The military retur ned to power and in quick succes-

sions, Group Captain Emeka Omeruah, Lt. Col. Adamu Abdullahi, Air Commodore Bayo Lawal, Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, Air Commodore Anthony Ikhazobor and Major Gen. Yohana Kure were appointed into the ministerial sports portfolio. Vivacious Chief Alex Akinyele, pragmatic Chief Shola Rhodes and golden Chief Jim Nwobodo, were also in office before Commodore Omeruah returned again and exited with the military in 1999. Since the return of civilian government 16 years ago, 13 ministers have held the sports portfolio. They include Mr. Damishi Sango, Late Engr. Mark Aku, Late Mr. Steven Akiga, Col. Musa Mohammed (retd), Dr. Saidu Sambawa, Hon. Bala Ka’oje, Alhaji Abdulrahman Gimba and Engr. Sani Ndanusa. Others are Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Danagogo. These political appointees came in first to learn the ropes, and before they mastered the sector, they were removed for different reasons. Such was the fate of Bolaji

Star athlete, Blessing Okagbare

Abdull a h i , who was a p pointed in

first match of

19th FIFA U-20 World Cup kicking-off in Auckland, New Zealand the

tomorrow December 2011, and after his first failed outing at the London 2012 Olympics with Team Nigeria, he began to re-engineer the sector for podium results. And even as the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency was enjoying the trophies, medals and accolades that were won by our teams and athletes, Abdullahi was shoved aside over political consideration. Buhari’s Minister of Sports, must be somebody who is knowledgeable in the sector and has the vision to provide the required leadership for the National Sports Commission (NSC) under its new DirectorGeneral, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, to implement a new roadmap for sports. Yakmut, a former national athlete turned administrator, is full of progressive ideas and is unhappy over the decay of sports facilities, a sine qua non for the training and development of athletes. “My background will determine my roadmap. There are things I must fix in my first 100 days in office. There is the medium term (six months to one year) and the long term plan to implement within four years,” Yakmut told this writer recently. Nigerian athletes train under excruciating conditions, and therefore, must be motivated and supported by the Administration to win laurels that showcase the potentials of the country and enhance her international prestige. One way of motivating the players is for the Buhari Presidency to continue to reward successful teams financially.

WORLD RECORD

Largest stick bomb

Vol. 05 No. 1123

Friday, May 29, 2015

N150

The largest stick bomb consists of 30,849 sticks and was achieved by the Tulln Domino Team (Austria) at the BSZ-Turnhalle, Tulln, Austria, on 30 March 2015.

Fuel scarcity as price for regime of oil cabal

ith fuel crisis getting to a crushing point early in the week, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said organised labour “has watched with utter disgust and dismay how business and commercial activities in the country have been brought literally to a halt as a result of the activities of a mindless and cruel cabal that has taken absolute grip of the petroleum import business. Clearly, the objective of the cabal in the current impasse is to arm-twist the Federal Government to part with billions of dollars, which it had not earned, in the name of fuel subsidy payments. More curious, however, is the fact that the FG has allowed this cabal to continue to hold the entire country to ransom, thereby escalating the regime of impunity and unimaginable corruption which had taken complete hold of the operations of our

afana Bafana Coach, Shakes Mashaba, has played down talk of failure following South Africa’s shock Cosafa Cup early exit in a group that comprised Malawi and Botswana. After 90 minutes during which Bafana managed

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) petroleum sector, causing the country to lose billions of dollars over the years”. Truly, Nigeria is reaping the whirlwind, product of the ill-reasoned decision of her leaders over several decades to surrender the oil sector to a heartless cabal whose operations are in no way different from those of the Mafia rings of Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia, et cetera, or the bloody drug cartels of Columbia. Unfortunately, too, ordinary Nigerians are the ones bearing the brunt. Oil and the wealth it bestows on the nation have neither been properly managed nor developed. No value has been added to crude oil, Nigeria’s major foreign exchange earner, through refining for home use and export as most forwardlooking, oil-endowed nations have done. Nigeria’s four refineries – one in Kaduna, another in Warri, and two in Port Harcourt, are plunged into a whole slew of difficulties that have turned them to effigies of the living dead. A cabal supervised by high-ranking officials drawn from the nation’s oil ministry and its agencies; as well as complicit marketers, have taken over the upstream and downstream oil sectors. What appears to be trending in the sector for donkey’s years is that oil ministry and agencies’ officials strike deals with oil marketers, which translate to stripping the nation of billions of naira on monthly basis in the guise of subsidy on imported petroleum products, whereas Nigerians don’t

MANY OF THEM ARE FRONTS OR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES TO THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CUSTODY OF THE NATION’S OIL, ANYWAY buy the products at subsidized prices. Not even kerosene used mainly by the poor is cheap. The cumulative after-effect is that the oil cabal has become incredibly wealthy, perhaps wealthier than the state; and very influential. A huge portion of the slush-funds are used to bankroll elections to ensure puppets that can hold down the country for the cabal to milk are returned to power. Bare-faced frauds, corruption and scams exposed in the oil sector are overlooked; and no one gets punished because the law no longer counts in the sector. Members of the oil cabal are above all Nigerian laws. Many of them are fronts or business associates to those entrusted with the custody of the nation’s oil, anyway. So, how can the law work when the cabal is stronger than the government? There is probably no better way to buttress the strength of the cabal than its visible roles in the latest fuel scarcity. As the shortage crept in, marketers claimed they paid amounts higher than official prices to load at depots; and must therefore sell at

cut-throat rates to make profit. They complained of being owed arrears of subsidy. When the FG announced a part payment of N154 billion in subsidy claims, they insisted the fuel shortage must continue until the FG paid them additional N159 billion. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the N159 billion demand represented foreign exchange differentials claimed by the marketers. The bill, she said, was unjustifiable by all fiscal and monetary parameters, especially without proper verification. But that amounted to mere saber-rattling as the oil cabal would have none of that. The same marketers were paid N500 billion (half a trillion naira) as subsidy between December 2014 and the present day, reports say. The cabal rejoices and reaps bountifully in times of fuel scarcity, a visage of its heartlessness, unpatriotic disposition, bad faith and indifference to the sufferings of Nigerians. As Nigerian businesses and homes groaned under biting fuel scarcity and rising bills, fuel was no longer sold by day. But at very ungodly hours of the night, filling stations were flung open to touts who buy with ease and resell at terrible high costs. Whenever it pleases it, the cabal recruits oil sector unions to intensify the heat and pressure the government to submission. This will assist in explaining the recent indefinite strike the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) embarked on. It will also give insight to why the strike was suspended and marketers resolved to ease supply only after the Senate committed the FG to the payment of the contentious N159 billion subsidy debt. The unions rarely address with commitment the congenital frauds, corrupt exploits, as well as official lies that have been the major sources of Nigeria’s oil-sector instability. How the government inaugurated today handles the oil cabal will determine the fate of Nigeria’s beleaguered oil sector.

Sport Extra COSAFA fallout: My players are not failures –Mashaba just two shots on target on Monday, Bafana lost 7-6 Botswana on penalties. South Africa had played four practice matches ahead of the quarter-final clash, drawing twice against Lesotho, beating University of

Johannesburg and winning against Malawi. Mashaba conceded that his charges suffered what he called stage fright but insisted that the tournament was not a failure. “I can’t understand why

we are failure from technical point of view because we only lost via penalty shoot-outs,” the gaffer said, stressing, “It’s just one penalty that we missed.” Mashaba will turn his attention to the 2017 African

Nations Cup qualifiers set to kick off on June 13 against Gambia. South Africa has been drawn with Gambia, Mauritania and Cameroon for the tournament that will be hosted by Gabon.

Mashaba

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