Friday, may 6, 2016

N165bn monthly salaries for civil servants not sustainable –FG

250,000 Nigerians die from asthma annually –Experts

…says Nigeria spends $22bn importing food annually FRancis subeRu

Buhari

Vol. 6 N0. 1364

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inister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said in

Lagos yesterday that the N165bn monthly salaries of federal civil servants was over-bloated and could no longer be sustained by government.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Speaking at a forum organised by Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, Adeosun, her counterparts in CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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US, EU frustrating efforts to repatriate stolen funds –Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed frustration over the inability of Nigeria to repatriate stolen funds stashed abroad by corrupt politicians and government officials.

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Obasanjo condemns supremacy tussle among Yoruba P.9 Obas

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (second left) with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, during a visit of Olubadan to Chief Obasanjo at his Hilltop residence, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Reps order P.6 indefinite closure of Kogi Assembly, reprimand AGF

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US, EU frustrating efforts to repatriate stolen funds –Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The President specifically urged the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, UNODC, to facilitate faster recovery of the money.

Buhari spoke when he received Executive Secretary of UNODC, Mr. Yury Fedotov at the Presidential Villa.

According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said the process of recovering the stolen assets had “become tedious” to the consternation of many Nigerians.

“We are looking for more cooperation from the European Union, United States, other countries and international institutions to recover the nation’s stolen assets, particularly proceeds from the stolen crude oil.

“It is taking very long and Nigerians are becoming impatient,” the President said.

Buhari told Mr. Fedotov that his government had worked

very hard in the past 11 months to reverse the negative global perception of Nigeria on corruption.

“Our genuine efforts to deal with corruption and drugs have earned us international respect and this has encouraged us to do more.

“We know that by fighting the scourge of drugs and corruption and rebuilding trustworthiness, integrity, good business practices, and imposing discipline on youths to avoid drugs, we are not doing a favour to the international community, we are doing a favour to ourselves,” he added.

Buhari also promised that his administration would work L-R: Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chijioke Ugochukwu; Ag. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Balarabe; Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief (Dr.) Christopher Ezeh with the UN agency to and Company Secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje at the bank’s 28th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, yesterday. rehabilitate young Nigerians, who have been misled into consumption of illicit drugs and by the element benefitting Travelling does not grow countability and responCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 drug trafficking. from the salary fraud. the economy and this must sibility.

In his remarks, Fedo- the Ministries of AgriculShe said many Federal also stop,” she said.

According to the minisestablishtov told the President ture, Audu Ogbe, Environ- Government The minister said the ter, the change that people that UNODC has cho- ment, Aminat Mohammed ments, including the po- compound GDP of the voted for, was for the econsen Nigerian as a pilot and Information and Cul- lice were yet to be cap- country had been growing omy to grow sustainably. ture, Alhaji Lai Moham- tured in the system. negatively in the last 10 Ogbeh, in his own concountry for support med in their addresses According to her, it is years and the administra- tribution said the country and strategic cooperawere unanimous in say- shocking that Nigerian tion was working to cor- spends over $22bn importtion in the fight against ing that for the country to Railway Corporation, rect the trend. ing food annually. drugs and corruption.

N165bn monthly salaries for civil servants not sustainable –FG

Militants attack Chevron platform in Niger Delta –Navy spokesman Udeme AkpAn

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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Chevron oil installation in Warri, Delta State, has been completely destroyed by Niger Delta militants.

The installation is about 40 nautical miles from the Escravos terminal, according to Reuters.

The platform is located in Abiteye, Warri North Local Government.

Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, a militant group who’d recently threatened to bomb oil facilities, have claimed responsibility for the attack.

“We want to pass this message to all international oil companies operating in the Niger Delta that the Nigeria

military can’t protect their facilities.

“They should talk to the Federal Government to meet our demands; else more mishaps will befall their installations.

“Until our demands are met, no repair works should be done at the blast site,” the militants said.

An official of the Department of State Services, DSS, who confirmed the incident, said the militants totally destroyed the platform using dynamites.

NDA had threatened to cripple Nigeria’s economy if President Buhari does not hold a Sovereign National Conference for Nigerians to choose whether they still want to stay together.

A navy spokesman, Mr. Chris Ezekobe also confirmed the attack.

develop sustainably, government has to cut down on wasteful spending and over dependent on importation.

Adeosun, who spoke on the economy reform agenda of the government, said the N165bn being paid to federal civil servants monthly represented 40 per cent of the total spending of government.

She said the figure was too high and government was pursuing aggressive measures to detect and prosecute ghost workers and other saboteurs in the system.

“We spend N165bn every month on salaries and when I came in, there was no checking.

“Now, we have created a unit assigned with the sole responsibility of checking the salaries and catching those behind the over bloated salaries,” she said.

Adeosun said the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, introduced by the previous administration were faulty and sabotaged

NRC, which was not fully functioning still had 10,000 workers in its payroll serviced by government.

The minister assured that government would correct the anomalies in the payroll system and weed out all ghost workers in the service.

She said the fiscal focus of the administration was to ensure an economic growth that would be measured on job creation and productive sectors.

“The economy is not measured by how many private jets we have but how many jobs we create “People must be productive for the economy to grow.

“We have been a consumer economy, but we want to be productive and stop buying everything from abroad.

“We have been borrowing to pay salaries for years and that has to stop because it is not sustainable.

“Last year, we spent N64bn on travelling and only N90bn on roads.

“What we are saying is that the money we have been spending in the last ten years or so have not been effective in growing our economy. We have been borrowing, our income has been high and the rate of growth has been quite low.

“Only 10 per cent of what we spent last year was on capital expenditure. 90 per cent was on recurrent. No economy has ever grown by doing that.

What is your capital? Your power, your roads, your rails, your housing. Only 10 per cent of what we spent goes to those things.

Others go to consumables.

“We became too dependent on oil and we have always been told that if oil price crashes, we would have problems. The problems we have today were not created today. We have actually been heading in this direction for some years,” Adeosun said.

She assured that the administration would be the most discipline government the country has ever had in terms of fiscal ac-

The minister said government would reposition the agricultural sector to become the mainstay of the economy.

According to him, Nigeria used to be great in the area of food production but with the discovery of oil, government and people’s attention shifted from agriculture to oil.

He said: “Before, we used to be major exporters of palm oil, cocoa, soya beans, groundnut etc. But today, we are one of the biggest importers of food in the world. The total bill on food importation annually, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is $22bn.

“What are we importing? We are importing rice, wheat, milk, sugar, fish, industrial starch, juice concentrates, tomatoes paste, honey, vegetable oil etc daily.

“Few days ago, the CBN governor told me that the total demand for dollars on a daily basis is $3.5bn.

“This reckless policy on importation has brought CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

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250,000 Nigerians die from asthma annually –Experts Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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o fewer than 250,000 Nigerians died annually as a result of poor management of asthma.

This was disclosed in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday by the President, Nigeria Society for the Asthmatics, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan branch, Dr. Olusoji Ige and a Consultant Family Physician, Dr. Olufemi Olowookere, during a programme to celebrate the World Asthma Day 2016.

According to them, most of the 250,000 people who died as a result of asthma are grown up adults above the age of 25 years.

The duo, who sympathised with asthma patients across the country, however said the disease can only be controlled, but not cured because no drug has been discovered yet.

Speaking on the theme: “You Can Control Your Asthma”, Ige however enumerated lack of political will and organisation of services as some of the challenges facing asthma patients in the country.

According to him, a recent research has shown that about 1.5 million Nigerians are suffering from asthma.

He said: “About 1.5 mil-

lion people in Nigeria are asthmatic patients, though the study is still ongoing but I can tell you that about 1.5 million Nigerians are down with asthma, but out of this 250,000 die as a result of poor management of asthma.

“We lost 250,000 asthma patients yearly due to poor management; most of them are not using their inhaler and drugs.”

Olowookere, in his own contribution maintained that for now, there is still no medicine to cure asthma.

He however said with the new technologies in communication level, there is still better life for asthma patients.

He tasked nursing mothers on the need to breastfeed their children for a longer time.

“Please, I beg you in the name of God; breast feed your child for a longer time. Most children fed for one, two or three years, are not allergic to asthma,” he said.

Royal father of the day, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, who was represented by Otunba Kunle Obisanya, said asthma as a chronic disease afflicts all age groups and leads to death that is highly preventable if properly managed.

L-R: Minister of Information, Art and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)/Chairman, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; former President, NPAN, Alhaji Issa Funtua; Minister of Agriculture, and Rural Development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh and Life Patron, NPAN, Uncle. Sam Amuka, during the Ministers meeting with members of NPAN, in Lagos, yesterday.

DPR cautions marketers against illegal dealings at depots Udeme aKpan

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epartment of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has stopped spot marketing at all petroleum products depots nationwide as parts of move to tackle the prolonged fuel scarcity.

The agency, in statement, said the stoppage became necessary as spot marketing constitutes an illegal practice.

N165bn monthly salaries for civil servants not sustainable –FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Nigeria down to near zero.

We got here because oil and gas made it too easy to import and we did not have strong enough government to say we will only import values not foods.

“We will import medical equipment, we will import books, but we would not import food. No one has had the courage to say that in the past.

“The ministry will give policy direction and coordination to make farming attractive and for people to practice it as business.

“Government will put policy in place to recover the $22bn, which is floating out of the country’s resources to sustain farms in other countries back to our villages.

“Government will also ensure that banks review

the two digits interest rate on loan to farmers and other productive sector.

“The change promised may appear to be slow, but it is actually taking place. In this year, we have harvested million tons of rice.”

Ogbe said the country has been the victim of economic warfare in the last 40 years.

According to him, the time has come for Nigerians to stand up and say no to foreign interest that continue to bully the nation to submission and taken her hostage.

He said: “The world is at war everyday of the week. It is not a physical war that can be measured by the number of bombs and missiles that has been dropped.

“Economic warfare is far more ruthless; far

more effective and far more destructive than any form of war you can think of and we have been victims at least in the last 40 years.

“We have even been told don’t do this, don’t do that.

Don’t grow rice, don’t grow wheat, if you grow it, it is a hostile act. Why don’t you keep buying from us? And what is the rice bill now; $5m par day, wheat, about $6m per day.”

Environment Minister, Mohammed said government would complete the clean-up of the Ogoni land in the next one year and ensure the degraded land was revived for productive purposes.

She said the Great Green Wall project of planting trees to control desert encroachment would also be given priority by the administration.

It disclosed that all security agencies have been directed to arrest those involved in the practice.

“Spot marketing, which has become very rampant at petroleum products depots across the country, is an illegal activity.

“Consequently, all security agencies have been put on alert to arrest those negotiating, buying and selling of products at depot premises.

“Bulk purchase of products with the intent to resell to marketers has no place in our operational guidelines.

“Therefore no depot is allowed to sell products to unlicensed outlets or unidentified locations. “The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to the fact that security agencies have been advised to arrest and prosecute illegal hawkers of petroleum products on our streets,” it added.

It disclosed that a call centre has been established to enable the public report culprits to security agencies.

A survey showed that fuel supply has witnessed a little improvement in all parts of the country.

Unlike in the past, many filling stations now have the product and are selling at the government regulated price.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had said that Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, now produces five million li-

ters of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, while Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company also produces two million liters of petrol per day.

Nigeria to understudy China on infrastructure, corruption –Oyegun ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

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ational Chairman All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said Nigeria has a lot to learn from the Peoples Republic of China, particularly on tackling corruption and infrastructure development.

Oyegun said that given the vast population of China, the country has been able to organise its fight against corruption to “the level that relative poverty is virtually non existence.”

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, when the out-going Chinese Ambassador, Gu Xiaojie, paid him a fare well visit, Oyegun said the positive result of the recent visit to China by President Muhammadu Buhari, will soon manifest in Nigeria.

According to him, APC has a great respect for the Peoples Republic.

“On the party to party basis, we have listened to you and accept your offer and I can tell you we are going to take it up, even if only to come and learn how you have managed the menace of corruption, which you are dealing with strictly.

“We read about this development every day, and if only, given the kind of population you have, you have been able to organise in such a way that you have raised the standard of living of that vast population in such that the level of relative poverty is virtually non existence.

“So, we have a lot of lesson to learn from you as a party, so that we too can learn from your experience and be able to pull ourselves up like China also did,” Oyegun said.

On President Buhari’s recent visit to China, the national chairman said: “I must say that the result of the visit of our president was something that has given us a lot of joy because substantial agreements were recorded which in the next few months, knowing China as a very serious country, they make commitment and fulfill them, as soon as our budget comes on stream, we’ll be able to see the practical results on ground, particular in the area of infrastructure and agriculture.”

Xiaojie commended President Buhari’s anti-corruption and economic development policies.

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Friday, May 6, 2016

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (right), with the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Gu Xiaojie during his courtesy visit to the APC National Chairman at the party Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday.

Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Mr Bola Onadele Koko (left) with Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Mounir Gwarzo, during FMDQ’s meeting with SEC on Nigerian Sukuk Market Development Agenda in Abuja yesterday.

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L-R: Chairman House Committee on Inter-Government Affairs, Dr Hussain Suleiman; Chairman, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh and Executive Secretary, Mr John Kennedy Opara, during the 2016 NCPC Ground Handling and Airlifting Technical Proposals Opening in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Country Representative UNFPA, Ratidzai Ndhlovn (L) presenting Midwifery teaching equipment and other learning kits to some schools of Nursing And Midwifery to the President, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mrs Margaret Akinsola, during the International Midwifery Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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Reps order indefinite closure of Kogi Assembly, reprimand AGF ...ask gov to send budgets, bills to NASS

Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

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ouse of Representatives, yesterday, ordered that the Minister of justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, should be reprimanded for undermining its authority.

Malami incurred the ire of the House, after he gave a directive to reopen Kogi State House of Assembly, after the lawmakers had directed that it should be sealed off.

The zeal order was issued via a resolution, following festering crisis in the Assembly.

The House also ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, to proceed and seal the Assembly complex until it is ascertained that the crises were over.

The lawmakers further directed Governor Yahaya Bello to immediately approach the National Assem-

bly with all his budgets and bills for approval.

The decision followed approval of the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the AGF’s declaration in respect of the House of Assembly crisis.

On February 16, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly was impeached by five out of 25 members, following a protracted crisis.

The House of Representatives, after considering a motion on Tuesday February 23, in respect of the illegal removal of the Speaker, resolved to set up a five man fact-finding delegation to look into the affairs of the Assembly with the aim of restoring sanity.

The delegation immediately commenced work and on Wednesday, March 9, the House considered the report of the delegation and approved the recommendation as amended.

The resolution was con-

curred to by the Senate, which was that the IGP should seal the Assembly complex.

However, the AGF, while responding to a letter dated March 18, 2016 from the IGP, seeking legal opinion and advice in respect of the provision of Section 11(4) of the Constitution, stated that the action of the National Assembly was unwarranted and unconstitutional and advised Arase to unseal the Assembly complex.

He described the situation in the Kogi House as a mere misunderstanding between legislators.

Concerned by this affront, the National Assembly on April 12, constituted a 22-man Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the matter and report to the House in two weeks.

The committee recommended that the AGF immediately withdraw his letter and advice to the IGP. It further recommended that, “the Attorney General

be reprimanded for undermining the authority of the legislature “That the Attorney General proceeds to court if he has any issue with the resolution of the National Assembly on this matter or any matter in the future “That the Inspector General of Police immediately reseal the Kogi State Assembly. pending the resolution of the crisis.

“That the Inspector General of Police be reprimanded for undermining

the authority of the legislature.

“That all resolution, laws and actions taken by the state Assembly from the date of the National Assembly resolution be declared null and void by operation of law.

“That the governor of Kogi State should immediately send his budget and other executive bills to the National Assembly for consideration as stipulated in section 11 of the constitution.”

Ukraine to invest $1bn into Ajaokuta steel company

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krainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Valeriy Aleksandruk has said that his country is ready to invest $1bn into Ajaokuta Steel Company in order to revive the plant.

This is according to a statement by Mr. Alex Okoh, Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, in Abuja yes-

terday.

It said the ambassador made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Acting Director General of BPE, Mr. Vincent Akpotaire.

It also stated that Aleksandruk said the Ukrainian company that built the plant -Tiajpromexport (TPE) - had presented a proposal to the Federal Government to that effect.

He said the steel company has a lot of potentials which his country wanted to take advantage of and that already, meetings were on with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria for the realisation of the planned takeover of the plant.

Aleksandruk emphasised that Nigeria has a very good relationship with Ukraine, especially in the areas of

trade and investments, adding that there was a big Nigerian community in his country.

He, however, added that Ukraine was ready to “open a new page in its relationship with Nigeria” and pledged to assist the Bureau in its training needs to become a foremost privatisation agency in Africa.

The statement said Akpo-

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Friday, May 6, 2016

I gave Suswam $15.8m cash, witness tells court Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

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witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to the testify in the ongoing criminal trial of the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday told Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how he converted N3.1 billion into $15.

8 cash and handed it over to Suswam.

The witness, Abubakar Umar, who is the fourth witness brought by the EFCC, said this while he was being led in examination-inchief by the prosecution lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, are being prosecuted by the Federal Government over alleged diversion of proceeds from the sale of shares owned by the state government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited totalling N3.111 billion.

The witness who is a bureau de change operator, said Suswam authorised the payment of several sums of money into his bank account between August and October, 2014 which were all converted into the United States dollar and handed over to him.

Giving vivid details of how the funds were paid into his bank account in five tranches, Abubakar disclosed: “In August 2014, Governor Suswam called me to his Maitama home in Abuja, and asked me to give a lady my bank account details.

“Thereafter, N413 million was paid into my account.

On September 12, 2014, two payments were made into my account - N360 million and N637 million (N1 billion) respectively.

“On October 13, 2014, N630 million was deposited into my account. Thereafter, N18 million was also deposited in the account.

“Then, on 17 October, 2014, N1.68 billion was paid into my account, which I equally converted into US dollars as requested by Suswam.”

The witness trading under the name Fanfash Resources Ltd, however, gave contradictory accounts of where the converted funds

were handed over to Suswam.

Abubakar, while testifying yesterday, said he delivered the converted monies to the embattled Suswam at his Maitama residence in Abuja, only to turn around and to say that he gave the money to the former governor at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.

Trouble however started for the prosecution when the witness who had earlier in his statement to the EFCC admitted that the $15.8m was taken to the residence of the former governor in Maitama, Abuja.

In a bid to save the trial from being messed up by the witness due to the contradictions, Jacobs applied to the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, to cut the trial short for him and grant him adjournment to enable him put his house in order.

However, Counsel to Suswan, Mr. Joseph Daudu SAN, opposed the application for an adjournment, adding that in law what the prosecution ought to do is to treat the witness as a hostile witness.

Also counsel to Omadachi Okolobia, Mr. Audu Anuga, opposed the application on the ground that the prosecution was allegedly planning to get adjournment so as to intimidate, harass and coerce the witness to do his bidding.

The counsel applied for a court order to restrain the EFCC from arresting or intimidating the witness since he has become the property of the court until he is discharged.

The counsel claimed that the reason for the adjournment by the prosecution was in bad faith because it is due to the allegation that people are interfering with the witness.

In his reply, Jacobs told the court that the vehement

manner in which lawyers to the accused persons are asking for protection for his own witness confirms his fears and suspicions that the witness has been compromised.

However in his short ruling, Justice Mohammed adjourned further trial till May, 9 and 10 but said that court would not hold the fear of defence lawyers against Jacobs since he has not shown any bad conduct in the trial of the case before

and that the court beliefs that as a senior counsel in the temple of justice, Jacobs would not arm-twist the witness for a negative purpose.

It would be recalled that an operative of the EFCC, Junaid Sa’id, had testified at the ongoing trial of the duo that Suswam diverted proceeds from the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.

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According to him, Suswam ordered the sale of Benue State-owned shares through Elixir Investment Partners Limited, a stock brokerage firm.

Sa’id, while being crossexamined

by Suswam’s counsel, Daudu, told the court that his investigation revealed that an offence was committed going by the way proceeds realised from the sale of the shares were managed.

L-R: Legal and Strategic Adviser, Association of Nigerian-American Professionals in Nigeria (ANAPIN), Dr. John Osonwa; BoT Member, Dr. Agodi Alagbe; President, , Mazi Emmanuel Okoro; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Vice President ANAPIN, Elder George Bolatiwa and Member Strategic Committee, Osita Nwafor during a courtesy visit to Dabiri in Abuja, yesterday.

EFCC wants court to dismiss Metuh’s appeal

Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

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conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal case filed by the embattled national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh, urging the court to dismiss the criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the appeal case of the PDP spokesperson was not competent and not arguable because the due process of law was not followed before the case was instituted.

EFCC, through its counsel, Mr. Silvanus Tahir, objected to Metuh’s case for two major reasons and prayed the court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.

Tahir claimed that what Metuh brought to court was on interlocutory decision and that since Metuh failed to obtain leave of the court before filling the appeal, the case has become incompetent and unarguable for reasons that the due process of law was not followed.

It would be recalled that Metuh had approached the Court of Appeal asking it to set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had last month held that he has a case to answer in the N400 million corruption charge

brought against him by the Federal Government.

Justice Okon Abang, in the ruling on the no case submission made by Metuh, had ordered him to open his defence in the criminal matter on the ground that prima facie case had been established against him in the criminal charge by the prosecution.

Metuh, in the appeal filled by his counsel, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), urged the appellate court to hold that the EFCC that prosecuted him failed to establish a nexus linking him with the offense.

He said from the totality of the evidence adduced by the prosecution to the point of closing its case, Metuh was not linked with

ingredients of the alleged fraud and therefore asked the court of appeal to set him free.

Justice Abdul Aboki, who presided over a threeman panel of the Appeal Court justices, after listening to all the submissions reserved judgment.

Justice Aboki said parties in the suit would be communicated as soon as the judgment is ready.

Also, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgement in the suit filed by the selfacclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, praying it to discharge and acquit him and his co-accused persons.

Kanu and his co-accused

Benjamin Madubgwu and James Nwawuisi are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony and maintaining an unlawful society, before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja They had approached the Court of appeal to contest the ruling of the Federal High Court that denied them bail.

Tsoho, in his ruling, had held that Kanu’s application could not be granted because the offence for which the first defendant and his co-accused were standing trial constituted a threat to the nation, and could attract a penalty of imprisonment for life; if found guilty.

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Friday, May 6, 2016

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Ambode endorses 4-year tenure for council chairmen Francis suBeru

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agos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has endorsed four-year tenure for local council chairmen and other elected council representatives in the state.

This came to the fore Thursday as Ambode signed three amended laws, including the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Amendment law, Local Government Administration Amendment law and the Local Government Election Tribunal Second Amendment law at the State House, Ikeja.

The four-year tenure is under the Local Government Administration

Amendment law.

The House of Assembly had recently approved the four-year tenure for council chairmen and other representatives.

The governor’s signing it into law on Thursday formally endorsed the approval.

While signing the laws, the governor described the local government as unarguably the most critical level of governance in the state.

Ambode, who said the essence of law in every society is the regulation of human conduct, recalled how at the inception, his administration identified the need to improve on laws that impact on people’s lives and particularly those that were relevant at the local government level.

Giving highlights of the laws, the governor said the need to amend LASIEC law, to pave way for the regulation of election matters, arose as a result of the trend in the political space and to prevent a lacuna in certain instances.

He stated that the purpose of the Local Government Administration Law is to regulate admin-

istration of local authorities and other connected purposes, adding that one of the major highlights of the amendment is the increased tenure for the chairman and councillors from three years to four, commencing from the date of taking oath of office.

Besides, Ambode said the Local Government Election Tribunal (Sec-

ond Amendment) Law was specially to empower the tribunal to enlarge the time for commencing any act or taking any proceeding on such terms as the justice of the case may require, provided that the enlargement of time shall not be granted by the tribunal to extend the life span of a petition beyond 45 days.

He added that more

time would now be available for consideration of election petitions.

The governor, however, thanked members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for their speedy consideration and passage of the laws, saying the development clearly showed the House was still vibrant and a great pride to Lagosians.

My critics ignorant of Osun growth –Aregbesola Boladale BamigBola OSOGBO

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sun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said those who criticise his government need to study critically some of the statistics released by various credible bodies which show phenomenal growth since his assumption of office.

The governor spoke against the backdrop of the periodic statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics, noting that the recent releases established positive economic turnaround the state had witnessed under his administration.

Speaking during the presentation of the final report on Osun Statistical System by the State Consultative Committee on Statistics, SCCS, led by the National President of Nigerian Statistical Association, NSA, Dr. Mohammed Musa in Osogbo, Aregbesola noted that a knowledge-driven society cannot exist without accurate data.

He said with the recent data by the National Bureau of Statistic, people who criticise his administration should know that statistics deals with facts and evidence.

He further said the state under his watch has

forged ahead, not minding what traducers say with massive infrastructural development all over the state which peaked in 2014 before the decline in revenue of the country.

Aregbesola said that it is not just for sentiment that people hail him wherever he goes within the state, but the evidence was in the robust economic activities his administration brought to the state.

He said, “In the analysis for 2010 and 2011 by the National Bureau of Statistics, the banking transactions and other economic activities tripled from 13.2billion to 32.3billion.

I can explain it because it was the peak of our developmental activities before the drop in federal allocation.

“In 2013, the growth in Osun was phenomenal and stimulating. I want you to see what Osun did that some of our opponents would not want you to see. But statistics do not lie; it is not a friend or enemy of anybody as it deals with evidence.

“When people hail, and children run after me on the street, the reason is not magic, it is statistic.

Statistics will show the performance of a government no matter how some people hate such government. This is our situation.

L-R: Representative of Osun State Governor and Coordinating Director, State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Isaac Aluko; Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Bamitale Omole; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and CEO Adulawo Institute Division of the American Heritage Defense Corporation, Professor James Fabunmi, during a symposium organized by Adulawo Nigeria Network Limited, at Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, yesterday.

Negligence: Court orders Skye bank to pay N10m damages Wale igBintade

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Lagos High Court has ordered Skye bank Plc to pay N10 million as general damages to a Nigerian writer, Odafe Atogun, over 6,000 Western Union Money Transfer sent to him from Ireland.

Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile in her judgement held that the bank was negligent when it paid the 6,000 Western Union Money Transfer to an impostor.

The claimant had in his statement of claim dated July 31, 2009 filed by his lawyer; Pascal Ememonu accused the bank of negligence in its handling of 6,000 sent to him by one Hudson Killeen from Ireland for the purpose of establishing a printing press in Nigeria.

But the bank had in its counter affidavit contended that the high court of Lagos

state lacks the jurisdiction and competence to adjudicate on the suit being a claim arising from money transfer agreement between one Kevin Fuller and Western Union in the Republic of Ireland.

But Okikiolu-Ighile in her judgement held that Skye bank admitted under cross-examination that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, investigated the matter and found that it was negligent in the course of the transaction.

The court held that the defendant’s witness was not in the banking hall on the November 3, 2008 when the Benin City branch of the defendant wrongfully paid out the 6,000 meant for the claimant to an impostor.

Besides, the court observed that the bank did not produce the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) of the banking hall of its Benin City branch on that day nor did it

produce the alleged report of its own investigation.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile stated that she found the claimant as a truthful witness after watching his demeanour.

Consequently, the court awarded the sum of N10 million as general damages and addition N250,000 in favour of the claimant.

The claimant had stated in his evidence that before sending the money, Fuller filled a Western Union Money Transfer form which included questions on the city and country where the money was to be collected.

The claimant added that Fuller further disclosed to him the money transfer control number and the test questions and answers which would enable him collect the money from any bank operating Western Union Money Transfer in Abuja, only and nowhere else.

However, since Nigerian

banks do not offer Western Union Money Transfer to their customers after 4pm and the alleged 6,000 was sent at about 5.28pm Nigerian time, the claimant decided not to go to the bank on the day the money was sent.

But at about the few minutes past eight the next day, the claimant allegedly went to Ecobank Plc on Ademola Adetokunbo crescent, Wuse II, Abuja to collect the money, only to be told that the said money transfer control number may not exist or may have been used.

The claimant stated that after about two months of continuous enquiry, the Western Union Money Transfer office in Ireland discovered that the said money was paid out at 6.22pm Nigerian time on November 3, 2008, by the defendant’s branch office at 1, Forestry Road Benin City, Nigeria to someone who impersonated the claimant.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, May 6, 2016

9

Ekiti seeks rail line extension to promote international trade Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

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kiti State government has appealed to the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, extend the railway system to the state in a bid to boost its participation in international trade and achievements in the ongoing diversification of the economy.

The state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Michael Ayodele, said the rail line extension is necessary because “a lot of agricultural products are being wasted in Ekiti State because of lack of opportunities to move them out enmass for export purposes.

The commissioner, represented by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Babatunde Akilo, spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday at a one-day enlightenment seminar with the theme, ‘Ports Regulation: A Panacea to a Cost Effective Import/Export in Ekiti State,’ organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC. This was as stakeholders in shipping activities at the forum requested the

establishment of a warehouse in the state where their products and commodities could be housed for export instead of using warehouses in Lagos for that purpose.

NSC’s assistant director, Complaints Unit, Mr. Moses Fadipe, in a paper titled, ‘The Role of NSC as the Nation’s Economic Regulator of the Port Sector: Issues and Prospects,” assured shippers of “efficiency at the ports, reduction in cargo dwell time, reduction in the cost of doing business and the entrenchment of a healthy competition for the benefit of all stakeholders,” among others.

Fadipe said the NSC is determined to create the much-needed level-playing field in the ports sector and “reposition Nigerian ports to attain the enviable hub status in the West and Central African subregion.”

NSC South West zonal coordinator, Mr. T. O. Jaiyeola, urged stakeholders to take advantage of the seminar, which he described as a “unique opportunity of learning about new developments as regards import and export business.”

114 roads: Lagos assures on June completion date …says council election’ll hold this year

FrAncis suberu

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agos State government yesterday assured residents of the state, on the June completion date for the construction of 114 roads currently ongoing across the 20 local governments and the 37 local council development areas in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, gave the assurance at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to herald the first year in office of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

He said the state government under the leadership of Governor Ambode, has always lived up to its words, hence the two roads each under construction across the

57 councils - totalling 114 - would be completed on schedule.

He said no fewer than 6,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs have been created in the local government areas of the state since the inception of the road construction projects.

The commissioner, while fielding questions from newsmen, also confirmed that local government elections would take place this year.

Highlighting some of the strides of his ministry in the last one year, Folami said it successfully coordinated the affairs of the local governments as well as the administration of traditional institutions and improved the standard of living of communities in all the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.

L-R: Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Partner, KPMG India, Mr. Rao Prashantti and State’s Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, at the opening session of a retreat for the Management Staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, in Ibadan, yesterday.

Obasanjo condemns supremacy tussle, calls for mutual respect among Yoruba Obas Femi oyeweso ABEOKUTA

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ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday charged traditional rulers in Yorubaland to work towards promoting mutual respect among themselves rather than engaging in unnecessary rivalry.

The former president gave the charge while speaking when the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

Obasanjo who condemned the supremacy battle often witnessed among Yoruba traditional rulers, also urged that monarchs in Yorubaland ought to jealously guard the honour accorded their offices rather than glorifying the “I am greater than you in throne” syndrome among themselves, an attitude he said had caused setback for the race over the years.

He however, tasked Yo-

ruba Obas across the land to always prioritise good governance and welfare of their subjects rather than the engaging in any unnecessary rivalry among themselves.

His words: “I think what is more important is to give good governance to the citizens and also have mutual respect for ourselves. When I was president and even now, I usually accord respect to all presidents, particularly the ones with small populations.

“I do this because I realise that no matter how densely populated a country might be, it has the same one vote at the United Nations just as a country with smaller population.

“For instance, Nigeria with a population of about 180 million, has the same one vote as a country such as Sao Tome with a population of 150,000.”

Commenting on the choice and final enthronement of Oba Adetunji as the current Olubadan, the former

president commended the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi for “taking the right step.”

The elder statesman, who noted that it is God that enthrones a monarch, also tasked Oba Adetunji to continually ask God for wisdom to govern the people, stressing that the people of Ibadan in Oyo State just, like the Egba people of Ogun State are not easy to lead.

He however urged the Ibadanland monarch to be trustworthy and always ensure he dispenses justice without favouritism.

“Though it is all mankind that are difficult to govern, I know from experience that the peoples of Egba and Ibadan particularly are not easy to govern. I pray that God who puts you there will help you to succeed.

“What is most important to any leader, be it traditional, political, educational or religious is for him to be trustworthy. Nobody is perfect, but once you are queried over

ished 84 street gates were pulled down because they were always shut against motorists before the 12 midnight deadline it stipulated.

Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, disclosed this at a news conference yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

He said out of the 148 street gates earmarked for demolition across the state, 84 of them have been pulled down for failing to abide by government instruction to leave them open till 12 midnight.

The commissioner warned landlords and others who normally lock their street gates before 12 midnight to prevent mo-

some issues and you are able to defend yourself well, you can leave the rest to God,” Obasanjo advised.

Speaking with journalists after his visit to expresident, Oba Adetunji commended him for his role in his emergence as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The monarch who arrived Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence in company of his two wives - Olori Kudirat and Olori Rasidat, an Ibadan high chief, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Ola Ifa as well as Mogaji Adebisi Shitu, among others, explained that he was in Abeokuta to felicitate with the former president whom he said had been so nice to every members of his family even before becoming the new Olubadan.

The monarch however called for unity among all Yoruba Obas which he said I the the only panacea for moving the race forward politically and economically.

Traffic gridlock: 84 street gates demolished in Lagos FrAncis suberu

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ot less than 84 street gates have been demolished by the Lagos State government to further ease traffic gridlock in the metropolis by allowing access to inner routes.

According to the state government, the demol-

torists from plying them to desist from such an act immediately as government would demolish such gates if they refuse to comply.

He said because of the dispute arising from land, the state government has begun to erect signposts to mark out its land from that of Ogun State to avoid encroachment.

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South East

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Obiano’s aides molest newspaper vendors in Awka RAymONd NNORUKA AWkA

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ewspaper stands were nowhere to be found yesterday in Awka and environs as a group known as Ocha Brigade Boys, acting on the orders of their leader, Kenneth Okonkwo, embarked on demolition of the stands in Anambra State and molested vendors who tried to stop them.

When National Mirror visited Zik Avenue, a major street in Awka as at 2pm yesterday, no newspaper stand was in sight except for the vandalised remains.

Chairman, Newspapers Distributors Association, Awka chapter, Comrade Ogbonna Iwuagwu, who narrated their ordeal to National Mirror, said the demolition by Ocha Brigade Boys began on Monday this week. According to him, the boys had been destroying their property and inflicting injuries on the vendors.

“The Ocha brigade were seizing, harassing and intimidating our vendors along the road; damaging their tables, seizing their umbrellas

and telling us that we should go to Eke-Awka and get a shop to sell our newspapers,” Iwuagwu lamented.

Further stating that the vendors association was trying to see how to resolve issues with the brigade boys and their masters, Iwuagwu noted that as at Wednesday morning, the boys stormed newspaper stands along Eke-Awka axis of Zik avenue, using machetes and other weapons to destroy tables, umbrellas and other apparatus used by the vendors to sell their newspapers and magazines.

He disclosed that the boys still had custody of the newspapers and other items confiscated from the vendors. He said newspaper vendors perform essential services for government and its agencies, therefore there was no need for government’s hostility towards them.

The chairman recalled that his association had sent a ‘Save Our Soul’ message to the correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State

council, but all efforts were to no avail as the destruction of their property by the brigade boys continued unabated.

He however suggested that if the presence of newspaper vendors con-

OWERRI

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itizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, CCIDSR, yesterday expressed worry that cases of 15 former governors accused for stealing over N146.9 billion were still lingering in various courts across the nation more than 17 years the cases were established against them.

Presenting a paper on ‘Resolving the Unresolved High Profile Corruption cases, their impact on current anti-corruption efforts,’ in Enugu State, the Executive Director of the organisation, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, said the anticorruption agencies established its case against these ex-governors between 1999 and 2012.

According to him, “Our investigations in the anticorruption agencies dis-

closed that four former ministers were accused of stealing N7 billion, five ex-legislators N8.4 billion, former federal public servants N6.9 billion, five former state public officers N7.3billion, while over 653 billion fraud cases were allegedly committed in the banking sector.

He queried, “Why has these cases lingered so long? Is it that the judiciary that swiftly disposed former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun’s case, Bode George’s case and other numerous cases, is too weak or is the judicial process slow or compromised?”

He noted that many of these cases had even been forgotten while new cases that would also been abandoned after some years were being pursued by anti-graft agencies.

Ononamadu also noted in the programme spon-

ror contacted the state leader of Ocha brigade, Okonkwo, to explain the rationale behind the destruction of properties belonging to newspaper vendors and some other citizens in the state, he

blatantly shunned the reporter on the grounds that the matter had been settled.

Ocha brigade is a paramilitary group under the ministry of special duties of Anambra State.

Some of the 7,500 graduates of the Always-UNESCO Programme Empowering Girls and Women in Literacy and Skill Development through the use of ICT, at the presentation of certificates of graduation in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lawmaker raises alarm over cultism in Ebonyi AlIUNA GOdwIN, AbAkAlIkI

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ember representing Ishielu North constituency in Ebonyi House of Assembly,

N146.9bn fraud: NGO bemoans lingering cases of 15 ex-govs CHRIS NJOKU,

stitute public nuisance, the government should come to a consensus with the association on how best they should operate and not stampede them at the slightest opportunity.

When National Mir-

sored by Department for International Development, DFID, that public funds that are stolen, wasted and abused in Nigeria for the past 15 years are “more than 60 per cent of what the military stole in over 40 years.”

While praising the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle corruption, he said successive Nigerian leaderships “lacked political will to fight corruption.”

He accused them of being insensitive to the negative impact corruption has on the nation and its people. He called for quick dispensation of justice and urged the media to collaborate with civil society organisations to start making demands on the judiciary and lawyers handling these cases to save the country from corruption.

Mr. Okechukwu Ali, yesterday condemned the spate of cult activities in the three senatorial zones of the state.

The lawmaker, while addressing journalists in Abakaliki, condemned the rise in cult activities, armed robbery, rape and other criminal activities which, according to him, may affect the development of various communities they hail from.

He called on security agencies to ensure immediate arrest and prosecution of perpetrators who are hell-bent in terrorising

people of the state.

He said: “With cult activities, armed robbery, violence and other social vices, the state cannot develop and the governor cannot perform well because he will be busy battling with one security issue or another.”

Ali called on cult members to surrender their guns and other weapons and embrace peace. “I am advising cult members to lay down their weapons and embrace peace because the governor has good plans for them; such

plans should not be spoilt by their uncoordinated acts as well as criminalities,” he pleaded.

The lawmaker urged youths involved in cult activities to desist from such act but engage themselves in sports activities or learn skills to boost their economic standard.

“The youths should engage themselves in meaningful ventures such as sports and separate themselves from any act capable of tarnishing their images,” he said.

Ebonyi officials to cultivate rice farms

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bonyi government has mandated each public office holder in the state to cultivate at least five hectares of rice in the 2016 farming season.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Uchenna Orji, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the outcome of the Rice Summit organised by the ministry.

According to him, the public office holders include state executive council members, local government caretaker chairmen, coordinators of development centres, and council

liaison officers, among others.

“The governor mandated that the rice cultivation will be commerciallybased and that he would be personally involved in supervision of the farms.

“Government wants its officials to lead by example in realising its objective on massive rice production to buttress the seriousness attached to it.

“We have so far acquired 54,000 hectares for massive rice cultivation and more are expected, to ensure the attainment of the rice production goal,” he said.

He said the officers must

show manifest interest in rice cultivation as they were expected to own lands and possess certified proof of ownership from the state’s Ministry of Lands and Survey.

“The interested individuals must also show the extent they will go in the cultivation process, evidence of farm-management knowledge, among other requirements.

“Individuals need to support government in realising this objective, as it is battling to meet the requirements of other sectors in the face of harsh economic realities,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, May 6, 2016

11

Ex-NIMASA DG approved N816m looted fund –Witness Wale IgbIntade

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rosecution witness, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, yesterday told a Lagos High Court that former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved the payment of N498,200,000 and N318,000,000 allegedly looted.

Odusanya, an assistant director in the Financial Services Department of NIMASA, testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi and insisted that the N498,200,000 and N318,000,000 were not retired by the former director-general.

The witness stated that the N498.2m was approved in 2014 for the implementation of the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme, VIMSAS, project by NIMASA. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had in charge No. LD/2181C/15, accused Akpobolokemi and six others of alleged diversion of N754,740,680 meant for the implementation of VIMSAS for NIMASA. The others are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olo-

poenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

Led in examination in chief yesterday by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Odusanya stated that by a letter written to the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, dated April 15, 2015, Akpobolokemi obtained approval for the N498.2m from the president.

She affirmed that the process was repeated for the N318m and that both funds were released “in preparation for the implementation of the VIMSAS project.”

However, under cross examination by the first defendant’s counsel, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, the witness admitted that she was not a member of the VIMSAS Committee and was neither aware of

how it negotiated with contractors nor the process leading to payments made by the committee.

Odusanya stated that, on the face of documents presented to her, the first defendant, Akpobolokemi, acted “in lawful exercise of his duties as chief accounting officer” when he directed the second defendant, Captain Agaba, to disburse the funds.

She further admitted under questioning

by Agaba’s counsel, Onyeke, that the NIMASA Financial Services Department received a memo written to clarify that the expenditure of N498.2m and N318m “were security related and did not require retiring.”

Justice Adebiyi adjourned till today for continuation of the trial.

Edo 2016: Police caution politicians against violence Oarhe dIcksOn, Benin

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igeria police force, Edo State command, has cautioned politicians and their political parties in the state against engaging in violence in the September 2016 governorship election in the state.

Commissioner of police, Mr. Chris Ezike, stated this yesterday in Benin City at a security meeting with political stakeholders attended by head of various security agencies and chairmen and representatives of political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Ezike told the politi-

cians to play by the rules of the game before, during and after the election.

He said any one who flouts the rules and the entire process would be dealt with decisively.

He maintained that no one is above the law as the police is armed to prosecute any found wanting.

Ezike assured that the command would keep on doing its best in maintaining law and order in the state and enjoined all to be supportive and play their parts positively to ensure a violent-free 2016 governorship election in Edo State.

A communiqué was later prepared and signed by the various stakeholders who pledged to abide by the decisions reached.

Cross River Governor Ben Ayade briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Vlla, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Oba of Benin: Markets yet to reopen despite clarification Oarhe dIcksOn, Benin

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espite clarification by the Benin traditional council on Wednesday that markets across the kingdom were only to be closed down for three days and could now be opened for business, traders in the state are yet

IG investigates assassination attempt on Oshiomhole’s deputy Onazena abbey, Benin

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nspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, has commenced full-scare investigation into last week’s alleged assassination attempt on Edo State deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, stated this yesterday when he met with representatives of political parties and governorship aspirants in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

It would be recalled that suspected thugs last Saturday attacked the deputy governor who was on a ‘meet the delegates tour’ of three local government of Etsako West, Central and East ahead of the party’s primary.

The commissioner said the IGP resolved to set up a high-powered team of policemen from the Force Criminal and Investigative Department, FCID, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the reported attack in the interest of justice.

“I have said that we will do the investigation. At the end of investigation, we are also going to have the courage to tell the world the result of our investigation. I want to ask for caution; when we deal with very sensitive matters, we should not jump to conclusion before the matter is investigated.

“The correct situation is that the Inspector General, this afternoon (Thursday) has directed that a high-powered team from the force CID should come and take over that matter.”

to resume business as a mark of honour and loyalty for the departed Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa (CFR).

National Mirror observed that major markets in the metropolis, like the Oba market, Eki-Osa, Ogiso, Uwa, Santana, New Benin, Oregbeni, Uwelu, Egor Use, Evbuotubu, Oliha and Yanga were still under lock and key as only a handful of traders were seen selling their wares outside the main market.

A palace press release signed by the secretary, Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, titled: ‘Oba of Benin joins his ancestors, Edo citizens mourn,” was delivered by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe.

Chief Igbe in a media briefing addressed journalists that according to the cultural norms and traditional of the land, markets across the kingdom are to remain closed

for three days after the announcement.

He was accompanied by other prominent and high ranking chiefs of the land, including the Esogban of Benin kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, Chief Oliha, Chief S.O Obawonyi, the Esere of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief (Barr.)

Ogbebor, the Osaguobaro of Benin kingdom, the secretary, Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, and many others.

The Iyase said: “You will recall that we announced on 29th April, 2016, that our father and king, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, had joined his ancestors.

“All markets in the kingdom were to remain closed for three days after the announcement. We are sure that by now they are open and busy.”

Chief Igbe also on be-

half of the palace used the occasion to express heartfelt thanks by the traditional institution to the media for the full coverage of the event.

The chief disclosed that in obedience to Benin tradition, all male citizens of Benin kingdom would, as a rule, be expected to clean shave the hair on their head with effect from that same announced dated, 29th April, 2016.

He emphasised that in the spirit of fellowship, comradeship and friendliness, persons who live and work for their livelihood within the kingdom may wish to join in this action.

On burial ceremonies, the Iyase who is the highest ranking titled chief in the land, disclosed that from the date of the announcement of ‘Emwinekhua’ (obsequies) which is to be announced later to the end of the ceremonies, all funeral rites are prohibited.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Has peace returned to South-West PDP? Odubu’s attack: Esele tasks guber aspirants to resolve lingering crisis o nazena a BBey

benin

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s mixed reactions continue to trail the last week assassination attempt on Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, former president, Trade Union Congress, TUC Comrade Peter Esele has called on aspirants under the platform of All Progressives Congress , APC ahead of to nip in the bud the lingering intra- party crisis confronting the party Esele, also a gubernatorial aspirant who described the attack on the Deputy Governor as unfortunate advised other co-aspirants to eschew violence and serve as role model to younger generation of politicians.

The Deputy Governor who was on a meet the delegates tour to Etsako Local Government Area was allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West which left no

fewer than eight persons critically injured. ‘ How we conduct ourselves speak volume of our value and reduces the statute and respect for our state in particular and Nigeria in general. Politics is a call to serve and not a call to come and kill thereby making lives difficult for our loved ones’’ The former TUC boss therefore called for the need to put in place code of conduct to regulate the behavioural pattern and limit of the aspirants, adding that anyone who violates the laws of the land should be punished He said other aspirants will not hesitate to support whoever emerged as the party’s candidate on the grounds of free and fair primary . ‘’ We must not lose focus, there is a bigger election ahead. They should try as much as possible to nip in the bud all the intra - party crisis confronting the party’’, Esele said.

Senate Leader wants stiffer measures against criminality

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enate Leader Ali Ndume on Thursday advocated stiff measures to deal with all forms of criminalities in the country.

Ndume, also the Head of the Senate ad- hoc committee to investigate the recent attack on Ukpabi-Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, gave the advice in interview with State House correspondents after a visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. ``In fact, it is part of the consultations we are doing now so that this problem that is growing will be nipped in the bud as early aspossible. ``Herdsmen and community relationship or conflict is not new in the country,

but this dimension of destruction and killings are not part of it. ``There could be misunderstanding and sometimes they settle it but this one is strange, this one you hear herdsmen carrying AK-47 is not part of it. ``The typical Fulani man carries his stick and a small cutlass to cut grass or leaves from the tree for the animals. ``But this time around you find people carrying AK-47 and destroying the community. ``So we are trying to look at this problem holistically and we are urging the public too to come out and provide the information or suggestions as to how we can address this.’’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Politics

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Osun PDP holds LG congress Boladale BamigBola OsOgbO

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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, Osun state chapter, yesterday held its local government congress in all the 30 local government areas of the state.

It would be recalled that the congress initially slated for last week Saturday could not hold because of

the controversy caused by non- payment of subscription fees for three years by a group within the party.

National Mirror observed that the exercise commenced at different locations by 11.00 a.m yesterday.

The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission , INEC, while security agents were

also present at the venue.

In Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, the exercise was very peaceful.

The Osogbo local government congress held at the Party Secretariat at Itaolookan, where Prince Kolapo Sikiru emerged as the chairman and Adegboye Hameed, vice-chairman.

In Olorunda local government area, the congress held at Adenle Primary

School, Ayetoro produced Kunle Ojetola as Chairman.

Alhaji Lateef Asewale was elected Vice-Chairman and Kunle Amuzat as Secretary.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the exercise, the state PDP chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa expressed appreciation to all party members for making the exercise a crisis freE

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem and Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, at the signing into Law of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Local Government Tribunal and Administration Amendment Laws, at the Conference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

.... holds three factional LG congresses in Ogun Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta The crisis rocking Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP deepened yesterday as it held three different factional congresses to elect the Local Government Executive Committee members for the 20 local government areas of the state.

The factional congresses saw those loyal to the incumbent state chairman of the party, Engineer Adebayo Dayo conducting their own separately, while those loyal to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Hon. Dimeji Bankole as well as those loyal to the National Assembly member representing Remo North/Sagamu/Ikenne at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ladi Adebutu also held theirs separately.

National Mirror correspondent who monitored the congresses observed that the exercise took the same pattern just like the ward congresses of the party conducted last Saturday which also saw the three different factional groups producing parallel Ward Executive Committees.

While the Dimeji Bankole’s faction held its

congress at the Ake Palace ground in Abeokuta South local government, the Ladi Adebutu’s faction held its congress at the Ake Centenary Hall, which is about 200 metres away, with Engineer Adebayo Dayo’s faction held its own at Igbore Town hall at Igbore, Abeokuta.

The congresses were however, peaceful in spite of the separate exercises where different sets of new leaders emerged at the various locations.

Some of the newly emerged executives who spoke with journalists at the various congresses expressed regrets at the devel-

opment and called on the national body to wade into the crisis and re-unite the three factions.

Some alleged that the chairman and the secretary of the party have hijacked the party machinery and have sidelined “perceived enemies”.

There was confusion as the new sets of the executives all claimed authenticity .

The Chairman of the Congress Committee for Ogun, Alhaji Mohammed Al-Yakub, however, denied knowledge of parallel congress saying that he was only aware of the congresses held

14

Politics

George

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Adedoja

Has peace returned to South-West PDP? The South West Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday met in Akure, the Ondo State capital to formally resolve differences among its members concerning the zoning of positions to the region as the national convention holds on May 21 in Port-Harcourt.

OJO OYEWAMIDE writes on the major decisions that took place at the meeting.

P

eace has eluded the South West Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, since the zoning of party positions at the national level was announced. The posts zoned to the South West are National Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor and Zonal Executive Committee.

The chairmanship position was zoned to the North. This development, however, broke the South West body of the party into two factions. While one camp is led by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state and the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, the other faction has the former National Deputy Chairman, Chief Bode George, as its leader.

The George camp was not satisfied with the PDP zoning arrangement, arguing that the national chairmanship should have been zoned to the South West. But the Fayose/Kashamu faction endorsed the zoning formula and supported the aspiration of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to extend his tenure as chairman beyond the May 21 convention billed for Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Those opposing the zoning of the chairmanship to the North were of the view that it was insensitive to the interest of the South since the presidential standard bearer of the party in 2019 would come from the North. They vowed to resist the zoning formula.

The crisis rocking the zonal body got to the peak early this week when Fayose described George as a spent force. The governor wondered why elders who have dominated the political scene for decades were unwilling to give youths a chance to actively participate in party affairs. He said George had an axe to grind with him because he refused to support his chairmanship bid.

Last Wednesday, the two factions held parallel meetings in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. The Akure meeting was convened by Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko while that of Ijebu-Igbo was called by Fayose.

The Akure meeting, held at the International Culture and Event Centre (Dome), was not without some elements of surprise. Fayose, who was expected to be at Ijebu-Igbo, stormed the meeting to the consternation of many.

It was gathered that Fayose decided to shun the meeting he convened at Ijebu-Igbo because the George camp made a lot of concessions to him. One of the concessions was the acceptance of the zoning formula of the party and the aspiration of Sheriff to become substantive chairman of the party.

The meeting resolved to re-energise the party’s structure in all the southwest states and Nigeria at large. Leaders at the meeting said time was ripe for all PDP members in the zone to forge a common front and pursue a common agenda towards occupying their destined leadership position in Nigeria.

A committee was set up to equitably distribute the national party positions zoned to southwest amongst the six member states.

A communique read at the end of the meeting by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja said: “That despite the challenges confronting the PDP, the Southwest caucus has agreed to unite and confront the challenges that is facing the Yoruba race in Nigeria.

“That members of the PDP has agreed to rise up beyond personal interests to confront crucial national issues that affects us as a race especially the thriving menace of the Fulani herdsmen. That the meeting notes with dismay the poor state of the national economy and feel terribly sad that the current ruling party has not demonstrated the capacity to contain the economic challenges with attendant dwindling fortunes that has reversed almost all the economic gains recorded under the PDP. “That developments in the sphere of elections, is becoming disturbing and from all indications, the accomplishments recorded by the last PDP Government as regards the conduct of credible elections, are beginning to wane. The Southwest PDP wish to put on record our dissatisfaction with the performance of the electoral body under the ruling party as all the elections the APC has so far superintended have ended as inconclusive!

“That the PDP will not shy away from effectively playing the role of an opposition. This role is crucial to democratic survival and the Party shall continually make Nigerians look

Leaders at the meeting said time was ripe for aLL

pdp members

in the zone to forge a common front and pursue a common agenda towards occupying their destined Leadership position in

nigeria. up to it as a credible alternative to the ruling party. That we commend the on-going conscious efforts of the Party in ensuring genuine reconciliation of aggrieved party leaders and members towards ensuring that we become stronger.

“That the party will continue to encourage the collaboration of the old and the younger generation while it will do everything possible to allow fresh minds and fresh ideas to thrive. That we welcome Governor Adewolu Rashidi Ladoja back to the fold of our Party as evidenced by his representatives at this meeting. That we resolve therefore to fully back and work for the re-invigoration of the PDP.” Those who signed the communique included the governor of Ondo and Ekiti state, Chief Olabode George, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide and Ho.n Mulikat Akande.

Others were Jumoke Akindele, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, Chief Segun Adegoke, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Jimi Agbaje, Engr.

Jide Adeniji, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Dr. Saka Balogun, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, Engr Clement Faboyede, Elder Joju Dadairo and Akogun Bisi Jinadu.

Engr. Bashir Awotorebo, Senator Adeseun Ayoade, Barr.

Ojo Williams, Barr. Niyi Owolade, Chief Folorunso Akintade, Barr. Gboyega Oguntuwase and Chief Bola Olu-Ojo also signed the communique.

It is hoped that peace has returned to the zone and that it will be maintained before and after the distribution of the party positions given the zone.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

rObert awOkuse

T

he ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has defended its action in jettisoning all legacies of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP traceable to its 16-year rule.

The reaction was against the backdrop of a claim by the South-West PDP that the APC has reversed its legacies and accomplishments, which it laboured to build in its 16 years in power.

APC in a statement through its Lagos spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said the party is justified in every action to destroy the PDP’s legacies, which according to it were characterized by corruption, shameless looting, infrastructural wreckage, ineptitude amongst others.

Congress forces senate to one week recess

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP Northern elders have lent their voice to the call for postponement of the party national convention scheduled for May 21 in Port- Harcourt.

The Northern elders led by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, which met in Abuja on Wednesday night, said the postponement would give room for reconciliation by aggrieved members.

It would be recalled that Concerned PDP Leaders led by former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu had earlier called for the postponement of the convention due to what it called flaws in the congresses across the states.

The Gana’s group insisted that the present members of the National Working Committee, NWC should vacate their offices on May 21.

It decried the level of impunity and imposition in PDP, noting that for the party to return to the vision of its original founders it must purge itself of these vices.

The PDP North Elders Forum also picked holes in the proposed constitutional amendment, noting that it violates the PDP constitution.

The PDP National Executive Committee, NEC is to meet again next Wednesday to debate the proposed constitutional amendment.

Some members of the Forum who attended the meeting were former Deputy President of the Senate,

15

APC to PDP: It’s good riddance to bad rubbish reversing your legacies

PDP Northern elders want national convention postponed ObiOra iFOh & GeOrGe Oji

Politics

Friday, May 6, 2016

Senator Ibrahim Mantu‎, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Waziri Maina, Babangida Aliyu, former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak among others.

Meanwhile, Senate yesterday adjourned plenary for one week to enable the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP senators participate fully in the party’s on-going congresses, which will culminate in the PDP conventions slated for Saturday, May 21 in Abuja.

In fact, by yesterday, the senate could not form quorum because most of the PDP senators were absent at the day’s sitting as they were reported to have travelled out of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT to attend the Local Government Congresses of the part, which took place nation wide yesterday.

Senate standing order rules stipulates that quorum is formed for plenary when one-third (at least 37 senators) of the 109 senators are present.

A head count conducted by our correspondent showed that the senators present at yesterday’s plenary were not up to 37.

The counting showed that there were only 25 senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while only 4 PDP senators and 1 Labour Party senators were in attendance.

At yesterday’s session, following the adoption of the previous day’s votes and proceedings, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, moved that plenary be adjourned to the next legislative day, which would have been Tuesday next week.

Igbokwe in his defence, stressed that “If a ruined economy and infrastructure collapse were the reversed legacies of the PDP, then it is good riddance to bad rubbish.”

He further described as unfortunate that the PDP continued to “play the ostrich even as the horrors and after-effects of its 16 years of ineptitude, wanton looting of the treasury and rudderless leadership afflict the country.”

He added that “such claim can only come from a shameless party at a time its leaders are refunding stolen funds and scores of others being investigated for alleged complicity in the

plundering of the commonwealth of the nation.

“We know that the legacy and accomplishment which PDP is celebrating so badly is that of stealing every resources available to the country but we want to let them know that never again will Nigeria revert to their rapacious tendencies which hobbled the country as they lasted.”

Igbokwe noted that while in the last 16 years crude oil was sold at an average price of over $100 per barrel and yet the PDP left the country in total ruination and bankruptcy, its legacies no doubt are only the “negative fallouts of its corrupt acts which brought Nigeria to its

knees as they lasted.”

The spokesman further maintained that the ruling party has successfully checkmated official looting and set credible steps towards an immediate recovery of the country’s bankrupt infrastructures.

He also noted that the party has tackled unemployment and other ills, just as he said security challenges have been reduced and has brought the country “to zenith of international politics and secured needed international credits and support to deal with the many problems the PDP created in sixteen whole years of misrule and bad governance, shows that

we are gradually over the horror of PDP’s deliberate mismanagement while in power.”

The APC further challenge the PDP to list out the PDP legacies and accomplishments if not horrendous cases of gargantuan looting and purloining of state resources to bring the country on the brinks of economic collapse.

“We challenge the PDP to list its woeful legacies that led to its total rejection

by Nigerians last year.”

It however urged the opposition to exert its energies on serious soulsearching rather than cry over spilt milk having been rejected by Nigerians.

Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Ex-Lagos Sports Commissioner, Adeniji-Adele dies at 60 Francis suberu

F

ormer Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele has died at the age of 60 According to his son, Hon. Sultan Adeniji Adele, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the man popularly known as Prince of Hope by his admirers when he was alive died on Thursday in India after a surgery session.

Sultan who confirmed his father’s death said, “my dad Prince Adeniji Adele this

Adeniji-Adele morning passed on in India . May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Fidau.”

The late Ademola Adeniji Adele, who was a Commissioner of Sports during the administration of Mr. Baba-

tunde Raji Fashola between 2007 and 2011 was said to have travelled to India early this year because of an undisclosed ailment.

Late Adele was a gubernatorial candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP before joining Action Congress now All Progressives Congress, APC. In his life time, he was also former Lagos Island Local Government Chairman.

Prior to his death, Adele had relocated from his Festac residence to Badagry where he was rearing cattle.

It was gathered from close family sources that Adele

will be flown from India to Nigeria on Friday and will be buried on Saturday at his residence in Festac, Lagos state.

Reacting to the news, Nigeria Football Federation said it was shocked at the demise of the late Adele.

Its Technical Committee boss, Chris Green said on Thursday morning that Adele will be remembered for his giant strides.

“It is sad. RIP. My heart goes to his family, friends and the good people of Lagos State,” Green said.

Adele is survived by wife Tawakaitu and children .

16

Editorial

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

Fayemi’s heavy breath about solid minerals’ prospects

M

inister of Solid Minerals’ Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has been pontificating on the nation’s solid minerals’ endowments. Whenever he has the opportunity, he harps on the alternative viable-economic-relief option the solid minerals’ sector presents to a nation of over 70 million people that irrationally relies almost wholly on the export of raw crude oil (with no value added) for economic survival. He said recently in Ile Ife, Osun State, that the solid mineral sector had the capacity to fetch the nation about N5 trillion annually if adequately harnessed, stressing that during the colonial era, extensive geological surveys were carried out to unearth details of the nation’s mineral reserves; and how about 44 of such known assets were now very far from being harnessed for the benefit of citizens and national development.

We believe Fayemi is right, though he might for now be relying mainly on the massive literature available on the nation’s solid mineral resources. But between the nation’s two major geographical divides – North and South – are reports that Nigeria is blessed with such mineral deposits as Gold, Coal ( bituminous and lignite variants), Silver, Kyanite, Manganese, Talc, Lead and Zinc Ores, Tin, Niobium, Gypsum, Limestone, Wolframite, Silver, Kyanite, Man-

ganese, Diatomite, Feldspar, Tantalite, Fluorite, Precious Stones and Tourmaline, to mention just a few.

Reports credited to one Mr. Linus Awute, an ex-Permanent Secretary that served in several federal ministries, including the erstwhile Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, not too long ago, quoted him as saying Nigeria lost $50 billion (about N8 trillion) through illegal mining and exportation of unprocessed gold in 2013 and 2014 alone. If that much was lost to the illegal mining of gold alone, it can only be imagined how much the nation is losing yearin-year-out to the illegal mining of virtually all mineral deposits nationwide, a lucrative misadventure that have been thriving luxuriantly for decades with scant interest shown by both the federal and state governments.

Fayemi, assuming he has no knowledge of it as yet, must realise that virtually all the nation’s mineral deposits’ fields are in the hands of crooks that reap bountiful profits from the business of illegal mining and the exportation of the products of the unlawful venture. The story is the same from Oyo State in the core West, through Ebonyi in the core East, to Nasarawa and Plateau States in the Middle Belt, to Kaduna and Kano in the core North, and Borno or Yobe States in the North East.

Reports most of the time also sug-

Federal and state governments need to be on the same page, policy wise,

to ensure maximum capacity exploitation and regulation oF activities in

the nation’s solid minerals’ sector

gest very strongly that dishonest, indeed corrupt public servants in the relevant ministries of government, either at federal or state levels, encourage the economic sabotage by granting dubious licences neither recognised by the state nor accounted for to the illegal miners.

While we share Fayemi’s optimism that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector that has been asleep for several decades can positively turn around the nation’s economy – reports in 2009 indicated, for example, that four decades of the smuggling of precious stones led to a $20 billion annual loss – as over 500,000 people involved in illegal mining annually are not officially regulated, we do not believe the mere announcement of the potential on radio, television and the print media can bring about the ex-

ON THIS DAY May 6, 1997 The Bank of England was given independence from political control, the most significant change in the bank’s 300-year history. Bank of England, formally the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

May 6, 2001 During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque. John Paul II, born Karol Jozef Wojtyla (May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005) reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the second-longest serving Pope in history and the first non-Italian since 1523. John Paul II was acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

pected turn around. If the neglect of the solid minerals’ sector was as a consequence of the discovery of oil and petro-dollars, the financial quagmire the nation now finds itself in because of falling oil prices has provided a convincing reason for the nation to take the forgotten sector as a serious business.

Fayemi has sensitised Nigerians enough on the prospects of the solid minerals’ sector. He should now move on and liaise with experts to formulate a national solid mineral policy that can make Nigeria reap from those natural endowments.

If during his time as Minister of Solid Minerals’ Development, Nigeria is able to give one-tenth of the attention the nation gives to oil exploration to solid minerals’ development, the country would reap the benefits in no distant future.

According to Fayemi, “there is nothing in any law in this country that prohibits states from being active participants in the development of minerals endowed in their states”. What this implies is that the federal and state governments need to be on the same page, policy wise, to ensure maximum capacity exploitation and regulation of activities in the nation’s solid minerals’ sector for national benefit.

This we think should be the challenge for the new blood – Fayemi – the man now charged with solid minerals’ development.

x May 6, 2013 Three women missing for more than a decade were found alive in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Ariel Castro was taken into custody for the kidnap and unlawful imprisonment, between 2002 and 2004, of the three young women - Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Georgina “Gina” DeJesus, in his home in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. They were held against their will in Castro’s house.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, May 6, 2016

17

Kareto attack and our military’s failure of intelligence Counter-terrorism Tips With

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

I

ntelligence failure is one of the key elements in this ongoing war against Boko Haram. Scholars and professional security practitioners are agreed that accurately evaluated intelligence remains extremely a challenging task for our law enforcement workforce to date. One major cause of successful BH attacks is intelligence failure amongst our troops. Although, intelligence failure has been a problem for ages, it will always remain an endemic phenomenon not only to our troops but the world at large.

Examples of global intelligence failure-induced attacks include the US 9/11; London 7/7; the Chibok girls abduction; Gwoza invasion and the Kareto attack last Monday, which was pre-announced by Boko Haram before its execution.

Considering the fact that Nigeria lost precious lives on this very attack, the question is why did it take hours before reinforcement came to the target environment? BH has been technically defeated, according to this administration that has created new divisions and other assorted special squads within the military in the northeast region of the country, yet attacks lasting hours are being successful carried out by the sect.

What could have delayed reinforcement

in the first place? Could it be poor communication; lack of fuel; bad roads or that our soldiers were busy celebrating temporary victory that never be? May be intelligence was not taken seriously due to the source, or may be verification took longer than usual.

Whatever the reason, this must be investigated because it is disheartening that old stories are beginning to re-emerge.

Who says that a winner can emerge from a battle field, especially asymmetric warfare? In terrorism situation like ours, winner never emerges. We have lost in all areas of our existence in the ongoing counterinsurgency. For instance; we have lost thousands of our security personnel, infrastructure destroyed and uncountable economic sabotages wreaked on us. We lost our identity as a nation because we are most likely ranked the fifth terrorist infested country in the world.

We have also gone into more serious financial debt in tow, because some of the arms and manpower deployed consumed billions of naira. Even though funding was made through budgetary processes, the nation was left with debilitating debt in the process. The Dasukigate imbroglio is illustrative. As we speak now, many of our law enforcement workforces are physically missing in action and may never be found again; some security chiefs still boast of winning counter terrorism war on a technical level.

The war against Boko Haram can never be won on the battle ground; such precedence does not exist and it is not likely to commence with us. Ideological war is never won with

IdeologIcal war Is never won wIth weapons, the

sooner we come to terms wIth thIs realIty the better for us weapons, the sooner we come to terms with this reality the better for us. We should be contemplating on how to apply other successful measures already recommended to end this violence. And this is the time because it is apparent BH has run out of ideas.

The BH menace has become Nigeria’s national security nightmare for over a long time. It has become increasingly difficult for the Federal Government to successfully evaluate the scope of BH threat in order to come up with the most proper countermeasures.

Nigeria’s effort to defeat Boko Haram has not yielded the expected results, despite high allocation of budgets to the security sector.

This sect has increasingly been active and deadly in its attacks against our security personnel and civilian population. Under the circumstances, it could be argued that the strategies we have applied so far do not seem to be working effectively and this is so because they lack credible human intelligence. The magnitude of havoc and the way our military personnel are attacked, killed and abducted by Boko Haram have also exposed the seeming helplessness of

our military and other sister agencies on counterterrorism. This feeble approach to stopping BH may be attributed to the grassroots support it enjoyed from the local people from the onset.

It is the responsibility of our key field operators on security such as the National Security Adviser, his team, and all the service chiefs to determine through their operational capacities the threat levels that Boko Haram pose and use competent analysts to anticipate future predictions. Analysts possess skills and techniques of inductive and deductive reasoning to reach their conclusions. Also, an analyst can make final assumptions concerning culpability or fault.

A competent intelligence analyst presents information with conclusions based on the information obtained. He/she may be expected to provide probabilities that an event will happen at some point in the future, and it usually does.

While countries have made strides in counterterrorism, all that is needed in our own case is a strategic and comprehensive approach based on pure intelligence. To defeat the BH network, there is need to do more than to remove them from the battlefield. To attack their network’s finances, recruitment and safe havens would be impossible without credible human intelligence.

Consequently, absolute mistrust, suspicion, and fear characterise the relationship between the security operatives and the civilian populations in the volatile northeast areas, thus undermining the intelligence that would lead to the definite identification and extirpation of the sect’s members and activities.

On medical futility and patient autonomy Peter Okhiria,

O

ur attention has been drawn to a writeup published in the Politics Column of your newspaper, National Mirror of Tuesday, 26 April 2016, at Page 13 with headline “Oshiomhole, Anenih end political feud”.

We have read through the said article written by one Dickson Oarhe, and note that it is filled with inaccuracies and outright falsehood to satisfy the interest of some persons in the state.

The reporter wrote: “National Mirror gathered that Gov Oshiomhole had on a previous day sent emissaries to go before him to meet Chief Anenih “When the spies were satisfied that the NIGERIA POLITICAL STRONGMAN (emphasis mine) was soft at heart to let go all wrongs done him by the All Progressives Congress Governor, Oshiomhole, we were told jumped for joy right inside the Government House in Benin City.”

The above-quoted were simply a figment of the wild imagination of the writer who showed his card in his own game too early by referring to Chief Anenih as NIGERIA POLITICAL STRONGMAN. Dickson Oarhe, like a raging bull in a China shop then went berserk and wrote that “Comrade Oshiomhole rendered his apology to Anenih at his homeland, Uromi in the presence of over a thousand witnesses.

He even outdid himself when he manufactured imaginary quotes which he said was

It Is Important to state that If such treatment Is causIng harm to the body of the

patIent, the medIcal practItIoner needs no consent to wIthdraw the admInIstratIon of such treatment to the patIent part of the Governor’s speech at Uromi. He wrote: “Oshiomhole to Anenih, he said: ‘my leader and My father, at different times, I know that I have offended you as a result of our political differences…”

It is quite unclear the motive behind this fiction, however, we wish to clear some of the fallacies he gleefully wrote in the said article.

First, at no time did the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole send spies or emissaries to Chief Anenih to find the intent of his heart. We challenge the writer to mention the names of the spies or emissaries. It is sheer intellectual laziness for this supposed ‘journalist’ to sit in his bedroom and concoct fiction when the facts are there and can be easily obtained from the right sources.

Second, Dickson Oarhe mentioned a close family member of Governor Oshiomhole as a source. It is, however, sad that his “reliable

source and close family member of Gov. Oshiomhole” could not even tell him the correct spelling of the name of the Governor’s wife, which he spelt as ‘Lara’ instead of ‘Iara’.

An attempt to bring in Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole into a matter that has nothing to do with her marital life or the welfare and wellbeing of her family is a cheap shot by the reporter to drag the Governor’s wife into a matter which has no bearing to her in any way.

Third, we challenge the reporter to produce his audio recording of the Uromi event where he got the quotations which he attributed to the Governor.

We admit that Dickson Oarhe has achieved his aim and that of his paymasters by succeeding in publishing his fiction in the newspaper.

To put the records straight, Governor Adams Oshiomhole did not apologise to Chief Anthony Anenih at the 10th Anniversary of the St Anthony Catholic Cathedral, Uromi where the Governor was given an award for his services to the Church and humanity.

The fact is that Governor Adams Oshiomhole used the occasion of the Award ceremony to heap praises on the Catholic Church for bringing people of different political persuasions together under the umbrella of the Church.

The exact words of the Governor: “Yesterday, I found myself sitting in the front row, and then I realized that most of those drivers and shakers of politics and ‘politricking’ in Edo State, are all Catholics. That, for me, is revealing.

“For me, the church has caused all of us to reunite in the State. So, I reunite with my daddy Chief Tony Anenih and several other PDP leaders and APC leaders. And the Catholic Church brought together the national Chairman of APC sitting side-by-side with the national leader of PDP. “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to moderate our actions and remind us of our oneness, of our commonality and of our shared commitment to work together to uplift our state and our great nation.”

We are therefore at a loss how use of the word,‘re-unite’, by the Governor translates to an apology. It is baffling and somewhat amusing how the reporter presented the report in a misleading manner to suit his vain imagination and twisted fantasies.

As a matter of fact, it was Chief Tony Anenih who used the occasion to say “Adams, without you saying it, I have forgiven you. As you said when you were in labour, as President, you were my son and you know it.”

Only Dickson Oarhe knows the interest he seeks to serve with the quackery displayed in his article.

Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor.

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.

18

Mail Mirror

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CAN presidency and expectation of the faithful

A Panama Papers and the silence from NASS

T

he gamut of legislative enterprise like any other vocational endeavour resonates with the biblical wisecrack that says “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be”. Nigeria’s chequered legislative history has been anything but reflective of the watchdog portraiture it is instituted to depict. This is largely due to the ascendancy of political corruption in the system.

We can begin to dissect the minds of our legislators from the Panama Paper muckraking.

The directive issued by the Senate barring members from issuing public statements except through committee chairmen may further cast a slur on the transparency quotient of the National Assembly as an assembly that thrives on translucent pedigree by holding the legislature and the judiciary accountable through legislative and judicial surveillance.

Change cannot be accomplished by the executive alone leaving lawmakers, judges and lawyers in the cesspit of the old order.

Bukola Ajisola, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

A quintessential traditional icon gone

T

hat the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, has died is no longer news. The death of the 92 years old monarch was first announced by the Benin Traditional Council and later by Edo State Government last week.

The late Oba was a quintessential traditional icon, Napoleonic exemplar and Cromwellian satyagraha. His reign from 1978 to 2015 took Benin Kingdom to sublime and protean developmental heights. He will be greatly missed. Oh, whenst cometh such another! There is no armour against fate, hence Death lays his hands on kings. Rest in celestial nirvana and the behemoth bosom of your ancestors O’ good One. Chief Bobson Gbinije, Mandate Against Poverty, Warri, Delta State.

Letters to the Editor

fter a robust, challenging and spiritual tenure of His Eminence, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the Nigerian Christians under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), is set to usher another spiritual leader, the CAN President, hopefully on the May 17, 2016. Already the process of selection has kick started with eligible blocks putting forward their candidates. For instance the ECWA/TEKAN block of the CAN has unanimously endorsed Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Gado for the position.

For long, Christians in some

Conference of hawkers.

part of our dear country have suffered various forms of persecution, dehumanization and proselytizing without the law protecting them. It is important to appraise some recorded facts against the Christian faith in Nigeria.

Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) teachings have been banned in public schools in some states. Deliberate policies of non-proliferation of churches in some states are being implemented. Destruction and conversion of churches in some states are common occurrences. Most

often, Christians suffer intentional discrimination in political and public service appointments and placements.

Tactical and forceful abductions of Christian minors by constituted ‘sharia institutions’ (hisba), in the country with impunity must be noted.

The Christian communities have lived and come to terms with these menace but at the same time remained loyal to constituted authorities. As a matter of reference, CAN was established as a political arm of the church and to operate as a pressure group that presents

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Precautionary safety measures against fire outbreaks

I

n recent times, market fire outbreaks in parts of the country have become a recurring phenomenon. It is common knowledge several markets in half a dozen states went up in flames, destroying about N12 billion worth of goods and other property in the process.

Some of the gutted markets in the country include the Kano Singer and Kanti Kwari markets and Kebbi Central Market amongst others. These infernos could have been averted if the necessary fire safety measures put in place were strictly adhered. Investigations conducted on the incessant outbreaks of fire at markets in North-East sub-region in particular and the entire country in general, indicated that the infernos were mostly caused by electrical sparks from upsurges in electricity supplies from Distribution Companies of Nigeria (DISCOS) during night hours.

This also coincided with traders closing the markets after the day’s businesses for their homes.

The recent market fire outbreaks in Kano, Kebbi, Adamawa, Akwa

Ibom, Sokoto and Zamfara states, occurred during the late hours of the night. One of the main reasons for markets fire incidents in the country was the non-chalant attitude of food and tea vendors, who in most cases abandon specs of burning firewood or charcoal after closure of business. This resulted into fire outbreaks and eventual destruction of the markets either at midnight or at dawn.

To guide against any future fire outbreak in the country, the following safety measures must be strictly adhere to without any compromise to save people’s lives and property.

All shops and stores owners and other market users, including traders and goods merchants, should ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off after use. Officials of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), for example, should also ensure that normal electricity voltages supply to the market is strictly adhered to so that electricity sparks that usually lead to most of the fire outbreaks are averted.

Another important measure

against fire outbreaks is the use of certified and standard electrical cables and other electrification equipment during the wiring of market shops and other stores for electrification. The other measure against market fires is that operators of the market should restrict the supply of electricity, particularly during the market hours of 9am to 5pm. Power supply to the market area after the close of business should be cut off as most of the fire incidents occur during the night time.

Another measure against fire outbreaks is to enact a prohibition law against the preparation and cooking of food, meat and tea in the market. The management of MM Market in Yola, for instance, should be advised to strictly adhere to the Master Plan firmed up during the old Borno State era. All the unallocated retail shops are to be revoked so that fire fighting vehicles will have easy access to the nooks and crannies of the market during the period of emergency, if there is any.

Titi Tijjani Wanori, Yola, Adamawa State.

issues concerning the faith to governments in an amicable manner. Though some former CAN leaders ended up being stooges and instruments of politicians and even political parties, the overall objectives of the association is the only acceptable way of seeking redress from governments.

While the outgoing President of the Association has offered his best, focus should be on the emergence of the next President and his methodology of carrying the torch forward. An unpublished study showed that Christian faithful would expect much, but especially the following from the next President: To guarantee freedom of worship in all states by invoking sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); to collaborate with government at all levels to ensure that worship activities are secured in all parts of the country; to pursue with vigour the relisting of CRK teachings in all public schools in the affected states; to unite all Christians and strengthen them towards successful evangelism in Nigeria; and to ensure Christian scholars also gain access to scholarships in theological colleges within and outside the country.

According to Ezekiel 22:30, which is the 2016 ECWA theme, the Christian faith is truly seeking for a President that will stand for these and more and be used to protect Christians from unfavorable ideas of some of our political leaders. Christians expect the next national leader to be selfless, honest, simple, accessible and generous in his’her dealing with government and the ‘flock’. He is expected to speak the truth inspired only by the Holy Spirit.

It is a known fact that the task is daunting, hence the Church should find time to pray and fast for the final election of the right leader that will be a symbol of hope, and routed in the Lord as he’she faces the rulers of the earth on spiritual issues. The Church in unison should pray fervently for the process to be free and peaceful and for the next President to succeed beyond past efforts, lifting the name of the Lord higher.

I Wish CAN a fruitful choice and smooth transition, in Jesus name.

Dr. Namala Amuga Keftin, Yola, Adamawa State.

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FRIDAY

THE PIGEON’ IS A CAREFULLY AND

T

Lagos DJ Makobi will be in charge of the music this Friday.

Come, let your hair down and begin the weekend on a high with some of the biggest hits.

Date is Friday April, 29 and time is 10pm. Venue is Hard Rock Café, Water Corporation Road, Landmark Village, Oniru.

TALE ABOUT LOVE, LUST, GUILT,

AND ESCAPE. IT ILLUSTRATES JUST

HOW, AS HUMANS, WE WILL ALWAYS COME

SHORT OF OUR IDEALS, AND WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE WITH THAT able narrator, Parashar Kulkarni’s ‘Cow and Company’, a witty satire that engagingly immerses the reader in its world, and ‘Eel’, a simply told and moving story of childhood

by Stefanie Seddon to Lance Dowrich’s comedic ‘Ethelbert and the Free Cheese’ and Tina Makereti’s ‘Black Milk’, which impressed with a lyricism that takes the reader into another world while keeping us always on earth, these were all worthy winners and show how well the short story is flourishing in the Com-

P. 26.31

Arty News Inside FCT

PATIENTLY WOVEN

DJ Makobi at Hard Rock Cafe his weekend at Hard Rock Café,

P.28. 29

Nigeria loses to S’Africa

monwealth.”

South Africa has made an indelible mark in Africa and is leading Nigeria in creative writing. South Africa is the hub of creativity and arts even with the touted Nigeria’s population and land mass. South Africa has dominated Nigeria and other African countries with envious lead the art sector especially in creative writing and production of quality films.

Last year, Akachi Ezeigbo was one of those that expressed joy when Nneka Arimah’s Light emerged the winner of the 2015 edition of Commonwealth short story price African category. She said it is a welcomed development because Nigerian has been trailing behind South Africa and Arimah’s victory was a victory for Nigeria.

Nigeria no doubt has what it takes to be Africa’s writers’ village with her unharnessed creative minds. Victor Sanchez Aghohowa a script writer, film maker and producer recently pointed out that he dropped out of school because of lack of a formal creative writing institution. Nigeria has untapped talents all over the country.

Thank goodness for people like Chimamanda Adichie and Helon Habila who have taken it upon themselves to discover and foster creative writing abilities through different creative writer’s work shops in Nigeria, for unpublished short story writers.

P. 22. 27

S

outh Africa has re-emerged as the leader of Africa creative writers after Nigeria’s Nneka Arimah Light won the African regional prize of the Common Wealth Price last year. South Africa has dominated Africa both in international politics, economics and arts.

According to an account from Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Faraaz Mahomed won the African region category of the Prize with his story, Pigeon.

Mahomed Pigeon emerged winner of the African category over the stories of three Nigerians that made the short list. Submissions from Nigeria that made the short list include Lausdeus Chiegboka’s Exorcism, Oyinkan Braithwaite’ The Driver, Saving Enyeribe Ibegwam’s Obadiah. Nigeria and South Africa dominated the African categories with three Nigerian and four South African short story writers making the short list. Other South African stories that competed for the regional finalist are: The Entomologist’s Dream by Andrew Salomon, This is How We Burn by Cat Hellisen Mark Winkler’s When I Came Home.

Reacting to his emergence as Africa regional winner, Faraaz Mahomed said, “I am an unseasoned writer, who continues to struggle with the insecurities and anxieties of inexperience. Winning the Commonwealth Prize for the African region is more than an accolade, it’s a prompting to continue down this path.”

Helon Habila also spoke on 2016 Commonwealth Short Stories competition. Nigeria’s Helon Habila a member of the global judging panel representing African region said “The Africa region included stories on almost every conceivable theme, accentuating the endless complexity and beauty of the continent; a testament to the inexhaustible talent that abounds there. ‘The Pigeon’ is a carefully and patiently woven tale about love, lust, guilt, and escape. It illustrates just how, as humans, we will always come short of our ideals, and we must learn to live with that”.

Chair of the panel of judges, South African novelist and playwright, Gillian commented on the regional winners and their stories.

According to her: “From Faraaz Mahomed’s ‘The Pigeon’ with its playful tone and unreli-

Commonwealth Short Story Prize:

Critics

ISIGUZO DESTINY

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

WEEKEND STARTERS

FotoParty is here!

T

he FotoParty is back with new artists and music! The open call for submission of works from interested photographers and video artists for the 3rd edition of FotoParty is now on.

Submit a consistent/coherent body of work (any photography genre of choice).

Send 20-25 photographs of 2000 pixels on the longest side and 300dpi. For Video artists, please send videos of not more than 5 minutes duration. You can send two or three videos. Also include your self-portrait and updated bio.

In partnership with Nlele Institute, Video Art Network (VAN) Lagos, Back 2 D Future of Dance. Date of submission is 7th May 2016 at 7 PM, City Hall Rooftop, 30 Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island.

FotoParty

P.20. 21

Friday, May 6, 2016

Flavour

Art Man

VOL. 4 No. 827

19

20

Art Man

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I was criticised for being feminist writer —Sefi Atta Sefi Atta was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1964. She was educated there, in England and the United States. She is the author of Everything Good Will Come (2005), Swallow (2010), News from Home (2010), and A Bit of Difference (2013). In 2006, she was awarded the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, and in 2009 the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa.

Also a playwright, her radio plays have been broadcast by the BBC and her stage plays have been performed internationally.

In 2015, her play The Sentence was published in African Theatre 14: Contemporary Women. Additionally, a critical study of her works, Writing Contemporary Nigeria: How Sefi Atta Illuminates African Culture and Tradition, edited by Professor Walter Collins, was published by Cambria Press. Her collection of plays, Sefi Atta: Selected Plays, is forthcoming in 2017. She currently divides her time between Nigeria, England and the United States. In this interview with ISIGUZO DESTINY, she talks about her career and forthcoming publications. Excerpts.

It’s been four years since you published your last novel. What is happening?

I’m revising a collection of plays and a couple of novels. I’ve been writing full-time for twenty years now.

accountant in England and as a CPA in the United States, so I’d invested a lot of time and effort in my accounting career. I went back to school to get a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing because it gave me legitimacy.

Your most recent publications News from Home and A Bit of Difference are not as popular or well-received as your debut novel, Everything Good will Come.

What was missing in them?

I’m not sure how to answer your question, except to say perhaps I haven’t done a good job promoting myself. News from Home and A Bit of Difference are doing well in Nigeria. I publish my Nigerian editions so I’m in a position to know that. I’m ready for another print run of both books. By the way, Everything Good wasn’t that well received when it was first published. I was criticised for being a feminist writer. It is my most recognized novel though, and I am grateful to Nigerian readers for that.

I get a lot of acknowledgement from them.

Writers usually find it difficult to classify any of their works as the best, is it the same with you?

Yes, because I move on to my next works and get absorbed with them. I don’t revisit works I’ve published unless I have to.

What inspired you to write and learn how to write at a creative school?

I had stories I had to tell. It was as simple as that. But I was thirty-three when I started to write full-time and very worried about changing careers. I’d qualified as a chartered

You are not that popular as a playwright. In fact an independent research I conducted suggested most people do not know you as a playwright. Do you think you are successful as a playwright?

Again I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m surprised you’re interviewing me in spite of the conclusions you’ve drawn. I’ve had several plays staged in Nigeria, at the MUSON Festival, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival and the Abuja festival. I’ve had two plays staged overseas. One was part of Nigeria’s cultural contribution to the London Olympics, and the other ran for two years in Germany. I’ve also had a few radio plays broadcast by the BBC. I’m not doing badly as a playwright. I care about having well-written scripts, not about having celebrity actors in my plays or important personalities in my audiences. My premieres are low-key affairs.

Which one do you like to be mostly identified as, novelist or playwright?

Both.

Did your affluent childhood influence your writing?

Every writer is influenced by his or her childhood.

Sefi Atta

What do you think of the recent generation of Nigerian writers like Adichie and others which arguably you belong to?

I’m in my early fifties, but I’m lumped with the new generation because there is nowhere else to put me. They understand the forms of

Sefi Atta expression that globalisation provides, such as Twitter and other online social networks. They are adept at using them to promote their works.

I admire them for that because it is part of our job. At the same time, I’m wary of globalization and its implications for African literature. We sell our stories in literary markets overseas.

Sometimes our narratives aren’t what the markets want, but I continue to write stories that interest me in ways that interest me. I’d simply shut down if I did otherwise.

What about the older generation like Achebe and Soyinka?

They had substance. They had no choice but to use colonial forms of expression, but they used them to write back at colonization. You can’t just ride the wave of globalization; you have to challenge it.

You have been living abroad for some time now, what is the experience and feeling like?

I’m between the United States, England and Nigeria these days. I leave one country and adjust to another. Mostly, I’m stuck in a room with imaginary characters. I come out once in a while and mix with people, then I go back to my room of imaginary characters. I have a strange life.

Would you like to see any of your novels adapted to film?

If it’s a good film, yes. Films based on novels are rarely good.

Why do you think Nigerian filmmakers ignore Nigerian novelists in terms of Achebe or Soyinka, who is greater? adapting their novels to films?

You see, this is an example of the kind of You’ll have to ask them. I think writers are partisanship that afflicts the Nigerian literary often ignored in Nigeria because other crecommunity. They are both great. Why must we atives don’t want to share the limelight. I’ve be divided into camps? seen plays where a director or someone else gets top billing and writers are not credited. It Which of the younger writers appeals is terribly exploitative. to you most?

Teju Cole writes the best prose.

Must an artist give back to the society

I’m In my early fIftIes, but I’m

lumped wIth the new generatIon because there Is nowhere else to put me

in other ways apart from writing?

Every artist should do what works for them. I do what I can for people and charitable causes I care about. I’m very opinionated, but I’m no social critic because I’ve never felt comfortable with telling Nigerians how to live. I’m not an activist either. I don’t think writing gives me a right to stand on platforms. I’m basically a chronicler of my time. You have to be more involved to be an activist or a social critic. You have to risk something. It irritates me to see people standing on platforms to promote themselves.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Art Man

Friday, May 6, 2016

Christian Katanga a.k.a DJ Kriss, a Congolese who grew up in Nigeria has benefited a lot in Nigeria as a Disc Jockey. A graduate of French from the University of Maiduguri, he reveals some tips that could make Nigerian DJs more professional in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts:

Only marriage can make me stop this work —DJ

you are in a place like Kubwa for example the DJs play only new songs and these new songs are not more than 200 so you hear them over and over again. If you leave one club to another you will hear the songs although the beats might be different but they are the same songs. They don’t mix old schools, songs from different countries we know we are Nigerians and we are doing well in the Industry but give people other flavours, different music.

When did you come to Nigeria?

I am from DR Congo but I grew up in Nigeria. My elder sister’s husband was working with a company in Congo, after he was transferred to Nigeria, during one of their visits home I came along with them to Nigeria.

DJs in Abuja have always complained of poor remuneration?

Abuja is not an entertainment town, Lagos is even the musicians who aspire to go far in their musical career have to go to Lagos so if a DJ in Abuja wants to be paid like the DJ in Lagos, he should migrate to Lagos carve a niche for himself and come back. I must say this is not peculiar to Nigeria In every country there is a city known for entertainment, if that city does not recognise you, it will be difficult to break through so you have to go there make your market and if you can be accepted there you can be accepted anywhere with that status.

How did you find yourself scratching the wheels of steel?

I used to spend most of my money buying CDs, one time in Maiduguri my in-law sat me down and asked why I was spending so much money acquiring music when it doesn’t bring any benefit to me, I remembered replying that I enjoy music in the house but he insisted I could make it commercial. I sought the counsel of my good friend, Civir Abella and with the little money I had on me back then I bought a mixer.

Funny enough I didn’t know how to use it but because I was determined, I started learning how to mix with it and before long I put my talent to use by playing at a bar for free just to use that medium to train myself. From there I began to build up some contacts, I started playing at parties and soon afterwards I bought my equipment, that was the beginning.

What can make you stop work as a DJ? Marriage Even if your spouse is cool with it?

I am engaged, my spouse knows I have passion for my work as a DJ but I don’t know if with marriage she will still accommodate it because staying away from the house every night will not make any sense but there are so many ways of being a DJ without being completely active. I have the equipment, I can put someone at the forefront while I monitor from the backstage. That is a way of helping those who wants to come on board as a DJ but lack the skills and equipment.

What year was that?

That was between 2006 and 2007. I was in school at the time; it was DJ work that paid my school fees. You can imagine I was paying my school fees as a foreigner which is three times the amount paid by a normal student. With the same income I was generating from my work as a DJ I opened a boutique where I sold clothing from Congo.

Have you worked outside Nigeria as a DJ? Numerous times in Cameroun, Benin Republic, Congo and Zambia where I worked for two separate clubs for a period of two years.

How would you compare the reaction of your audience outside and within Nigeria?

That would be quite difficult because I play a different type of music ; the Congo French music is inside of me then the Nigerian music grew inside me so any country I find myself I know what to play looking at the crowd. Sometimes people believe I have stayed in South Africa but note that there are some Nigerian music that don’t go out.

Why is that?

DJ Kriss Language barrier, for example a musician like Olamide though his songs can be very nice, he targets Nigerian audience first because he sings in Yoruba so if a DJ plays his songs outside Nigeria people will get fed up but there is a song of his that was popular ‘First of All’ and that was because it has more of English than Yoruba.

Aside language, what other factors come into play when selecting your songs?

The concept of a club is to dance so when selecting songs a DJ should be able to know a song with beats people can dance to before he starts considering whether or not the crowd knows the song. When you are in a country where DSTV is more popular you should know that what people watch on television especially on TRACE is what they want to hear and dance to in the club and that is one of the secrets of my success in playing outside Nigeria. Sometimes I try out some songs if within 30 seconds I sense a poor reaction, I quickly switch to another song it’s allowed.

How would you rate the quality of work put out by Nigerian DJ’s, are we close to international standards?

In all fairness, the DJs operating in town are okay, they blend with different music although it is limited but when

As A DJ you hAve to leArn how to control people by giving them DJ Kriss

21

whAt they wAnt

What have you learnt as a DJ? I have learnt self-discipline, how to manage people because as a DJ you have to learn how to control people by giving them what they want, I can also chase people away from the club, it is my choice.

How do you achieve that?

If I think my time is up or I feel as responsible men you should be heading back home to your family I break the music by playing music that they don’t like or I can keep you until you forget you are a married man and even forget your name.

The DJ Association of Nigeria in collaboration with COSON are working towards setting up a task force to clamp down unregistered DJs? The question is are registered members of the association protected, is there a law that would determine how much DJs are paid? It would become dictatorial, it’s like imposing people to do what they don’t want to do meanwhile you were not there when they started as DJs besides not everybody wants to join an association. Its good but the purpose should also be good, allow everybody to be free.

What runs through your mind when scratching the wheel of steel?

To either keep the people dancing or chase them away What advice do you have for your colleagues?

Be focused and be more careful with the ladies I know the implication. We should all grow up and be more professional, have an office or a studio, give your clients limit of hours to pay up at least six hours before the event, if I transport myself or make use of my generator I demand for extra charges. I did all that in Maiduguri and it gave me more value.

What was growing up like?

I grew up in a polygamous family which taught me to be self-reliant. I focused on schooling and today I hold a degree in French. I am glad I was able to manage my youth because so many people can miss it without proper guidance.

Critics

22

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MUSIC

Problem with unions in showbiz

Pessimism and skepticism usually follow showbiz marriages. And the reason is not far-fetched. The Tiwa Sage-Tunji Balogun case is still trending.

Ngozi EmEdolibE

A

FILM

lthough the definition of marriage has continued to evolve, considering beliefs and sexual practices, it is generally seen as a contract between a man and woman, which unites their lives socially, economically and emotionally. But going by the latest work of three renowned social scientists, Sherif Girgis, Robert George and Ryan Anderson, published last year in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, marriage was defined as ‘the union of a man and a woman who make a permanent and exclusive commitment to each other of the type that is naturally fulfilled by bearing and rearing children together, and renewed by acts that constitute the behavioral part of the process of reproduction.’

Marriage counselors have often indicated that things begin to fall apart in marriage when either or both of the parties go contrary to any of the key elements constituting the above definition.

With the sort of media buzz, trailing the marriage between singer, Tiwa Savage and Tunji Balogun, moralists and

Tiwa Savage and Tunji Balogun (Music) realists alike, are once again pitched on opposing camps, proffering solutions. But some are simply confirming their fears, that marriages in the showbiz industry are nothing but smokescreens.

Are marriages in showbiz jinxed?

Former national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ejike Asiegbu, who has been married for over ten years says it is not. “Well, these are all private lives of people. If you also go into private lives of some Nigerians, you find out that a lot of marriages may not be successful. Some are successful while some are not. When it comes to marriages in showbiz, I don’t want to single out an actor, who people forget is also human, just

One Fine Day

Funke Akindele and ex-hubby (Music)

like you the journalist that is asking me this question. All of us have our private lives. And when it comes to private lives of individuals, it all depends on how those people see the institution of marriage. And interpretations given are different and vary. Marriage is something that I love and cherish, and I am happily married.”

One big detriment to showbiz marriages is the effect of the limelight; while it is misapplied in some instances, other use it to their advantage. Citing reasons for the success of late Christy Essien-Igbokwe’s marriage, Onyeka Onwenu attributed it to the supportive nature of Christy’s husband, Edwin, who never for once

struggled to be in the limelight with his wife. “I respect Edwin Igbokwe, because he never for once struggled for limelight with Christy. While she was doing her thing, being famous, he preferred to be at the background, offering support”.

This may be what actress Bukky Wright meant when she availed her views on how to protect marriages in showbiz.

According to her, the problem with such marriages is that “a lot of Nigerian men are not confident enough to marry successful women. Success doesn’t have to do with wealth. Most Nigerian men are not confident enough because if you are so CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Debayo Coker’s book, A Man Like Me, explores the joys and gender sensitivity inherent in fatherhood.

AmArA iwuAlA

N

ina (Bimbo Peters) is scarred by an encounter with a rapist; her subsequent actions embarrass and hurt her parents, Harry and Linda George (Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva) whilst her sister, Tasha (Funke Akindele), is on the verge of losing her fiance, Kunel Ojo (Frederick Leonard), because Nina has identified him as the rapist.

The concept of a victim of a violent crime becoming emotionally damaged is a brilliant one and offers the opportunity to dramatize the psychological trauma inherent in one of the numerous mental health disorders that can result from an enervating encounter like rape. However, for One Fine Day, the anticipation that the audience will be regaled with a thought-provoking tale ends in low expectation because the film is fraught with illogical sequences that ruin the chance of etching the story on the viewers’ minds.

For instance, it is stated that Nina was admitted in a psychiatric hospital. Did the psychiatrist say that Nina’s case defies medical

science? Indeed, what was the psychiatrist’s diagnosis? Very vital parts of the story are narrated by one character or another; show, don’t tell! Even the way in which Nina is said to have scuttled Tasha’s two chances of getting married is not related to the audience save for that passing comment. The turn of events is inadequate to convince an audience that Tasha’s hostility towards her only sibling is justified; her reactions seem too exaggerated. Indeed, there are no indications that the siblings were rivals while growing up because no singular incident or series of incidents is indicative of sibling rivalry throughout the film. The viewer only sees animosity that does not seem to have any cause.

A wealthy and sophisticated man like Harry George can afford the best medical care in the world, so why resort to barbaric practices like tying up Nina; making George look like some unexposed man? Sound logic, which should always prevail when depicting occurrences in movies, is lacking One Fine Day. Though the frustration of Nina’s relatives is understandable, reprimanding or harassing an armed and unrestrained mental patient who is threatening to kill herself

Set of One Fine Day (Film) may mean that she could shoot all of them (her challengers) before ending her own life.

There is a way to admonish someone you care about, not the manner Nina’s relatives carry on during that balcony standoff as if they are her adversaries. Their failure to look for the right kind of help for a suicidal individual could also mean that sooner or later, they will come home and be greeted by her corpse. Then, which sensible father keeps his gun in a place where it accessible to a maladjusted daughter?

Surely, Kunle needs more psychiatric help than Nina. That could be the only reason a man who has been openly accused of

raping his fiancée’s sister will visit to have sex with the young lady again in a home she shares with her folks. Furthermore, corroborating or contradicting Nina’s story was not a difficult task. Apart from the security man, another evidence of Kunle’s visit is the gift he got for Nina, which she curiously does not show anyone.

Much as it is wrong to spoon-feed the audience, it is also erroneous to give them halfhearted information such that at the end of the film, they are incapable of connecting the dots and deducing why actions and reactions take place. Ultimately, it means the director of the film failed to do a thorough job.

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rajab 29, 1437A.H.

23

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

‘Be advocates of social harmony, religious tolerance’

NADWAT prays for peace

Sekinah L awaL

aboLaji adebayo

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has urged religious leaders to be at the fore front of social harmony and religious tolerance.

Governor Ambode gave the advice at the first Conference of Imams organised by Lekki Muslim Ummah, LEMU, in Lagos recently.

Represented by the Home Affairs Commissioner, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, he said that government aimed at creating an enabling environment for people irrespective of their faith and commended LEMU for fostering peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship in Lagos.

The Imams’ conference attracted Muslim Clerics across the state. The commissioner described leadership position as trust and said that no meaningful reformation can take place in society where religious leaders fail to practice what they preach.

It was a timely capacity-building conference themed: ‘Sound Imam, Sound Jammah’ meant to develop Muslim leaders which will ultimately develop the followers.

LEMU also has quarterly dawah workshop where contemporary issues affecting the society are examined and solution

T

Imam Abdullahi Shuaib; Imam Ridwan Jamiu; LEMU’s President, Dr. Waliu Braimo; immediate past president of LEMU, Engr. Adeniji Raji; Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbduLateef, at the maiden edition of Lekki Muslim Ummah, LEMU’s annual Imams’ Conference held in Lagos recently. proffered.

Dr. AbduLateef urged Imams and Preachers to always consider capacity building as a regular exercise in order to develop their jamaah adding that “no one can give what he does not have.”

In his address, LEMU’s President, Dr. Waliu Braimo said: “we instituted the conference as part of our efforts to enhance the capacity of Imams and other Muslim preachers in the state with a view to reforming the society and ensuring religious tolerance.”

“We believe that if our re-

ligious leaders are sound, the society will be sound. Religious leaders have a great role to play in arresting the growing decay in our society, hence the need to constantly renew their knowledge and Dawah methodology.

Sheikh Gbajabiamila who represented the Chief Imam of Lagos State said: “I appeal to the Imams to imbibe what they have learned. I also want such forum to be organised for the Baba Adinis where they can also learn as they are also indispensable individuals in the propagation of

Islam.

Participants also commended LEMU saying; “Some of our Imams say the same thing over and over again every Friday, but this programme will help them to perform better.

Chairman of the event, Prof.

Tajudeen Gbadamosi advised the organisers to document the programme, collate the thoughts of the speakers for references, adding that by this, knowledge espoused at the conference will go far and wide.

responsible, responsive and proactive media.

“The media is critical. It is a virile tool for the promotion of democracy, Justice, fair play, human rights, equity, economic transformation, religious and social harmony and above all peaceful coexistence. When men of “Fourth Estate of the Realm” are proactive, sustainable development is guaranteed” Noting that despite the challenges hindering media practice, the society is still influenced by media in so many ways. Dr. AbdulLateef explained that the masses form opinions and judgments based on the information

gathered from the media on various issues.

“Today, many quacks had gate- crashed the “Gate-Keepers” claiming to be journalists. This is the greatest challenge they must address to perform their fundamental function as the “Court of Public Opinion”. The Media is considered as “watch dog” of democracy due to its developmental roles, but who watches the dog of unprofessional practitioners, many of whom promote sensational reports, serving tribal or sectional interest at the expense of national growth?, he queried.

Dr AbdulLateef maintained that media is crucial and criti-

cal to the success of any nation, stressing that only through a wellcoordinated investigative journalism and reportage that the facts could be gathered. “The Press should pay more attention to investigative journalism. There is a lot of activities capable of promoting unity and harmony that are not enjoying media patronage, most especially at the grassroots. Media should dig the fact out of every issue and do more to educate the masses to protect public infrastructures.”

He urged media owners on the other hand to provide conducive atmosphere for its workforce.

“Regular payment of salaries and

Media, strategic to sustainable development –Don

J

ournalists have been commended for helping to entrench democracy in Nigeria as input of the media industry as the ‘Conscience of Society’ to strengthen the fight against corruption and promotion of peaceful coexistence was strategic.

It is in recognition of this critical role that the Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef joined other stakeholders across the world to felicitate with them.

In a release signed by Olalekan Murisiku, Media Assistant to the Commissioner, to Dr. AbdulLateef, sustainable development in Nigeria is hinged on a vibrant,

Our homes, our nation 24

Our Ramadan: Comparing notes 25

Salat is it (3) 25

he Chief Missioner of Nadwat-uL-Ahli Islamic Society of Nigeria, Imaam AbdulRahman Adeyanju Lawal, has declared that what the world as a whole needs at this moment to ward off the various atrocities is fervent prayers by every religious organization.

Imaam AbdulRahman, who said this at the 4th annual national prayer of the society held in Lagos recently, noted that despite the various securities measures put in place by governments, atrocities kept on manifesting in different forms and increasing on daily basis across the world.

“We normally hold this national prayer during the month of Rajab in preparation for Ramadan.”

NADWAT’s President, Alhaji AbdulYekeen Quadri said that the rich did not support Islam. NADWAT’s Missioner, Ikorodu branch, Imaam Shakirdeen Alhamin also said the act of selfishness on the part of the rich has contributed more to the various atrocities witnessed in the society and therefore appealed to the rich to spend out of their wealth in the course of Allah as well as mitigate the high rate of crisis caused by poverty in the society.

A month to Ramadan Shaban is the 8th month in the Islamic calendar. It is reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), used to fast most of the month in Shaban except the last few days of the month. Shaban is the month before Ramadan. The Prophet mentioned in a hadith, “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month and Ramadan is the month of the Nation”.

24

Call to Worship

Friday, May 6, 2016

Our homes, our nation I f only we can inculcate the right moral values in our children irrespective of religion, colour or tribe, the world would be a far better place to be.

I envisage a world devoid of greed, selfishness and wickedness; but full of mercy, love and kindness.

When we make our children appreciate and love other creatures irrespective of any differences, they will grow to form a society ready to serve humanity. The importance of inculcating these values in our children is very crucial. As parents and mothers especially, we have a major role to play in teaching moral values to our children.

Though, some schools have taken on an important role in moral education, parents still have a crucial role to play.

We must give kudos to some schools in terms of ensuring

good moral standing of our young ones but many parents are still not playing their own roles as expected. It has become part of the curriculum with a time slot earmarked in the school’s timetable. Books on moral values are in the list of prescribed textbooks and children are expected to answer an exam like any other academic subject.

But the best method of teaching values is to be a good role model in everyday interactions with these children. So, as adults in the child’s environment at home, in school or the community, we have to ensure that these values are inculcated in these children.

As adults we want to be treated with respect and we value it. If as adults we value respect and want the child to give respect, then we have to show them how to do it by respecting others ourselves.

In school/office, do we stop to talk to the gardener and appreciate the flower bed? Do we greet the sweeper who cleans the school playground? On the road have we stopped to help an elderly person cross the road? Do we stop at the pedestrian crossing when we see a pedestrian waiting to cross?

These are small ways to role model that we care and respect everyone and they will grow up to appreciate that and do same.

Taking it further, we want our children to respect all things both living and non-living. If we value cleanliness in our homes and respect our environment then, our children will do same.

Another area where we often give wrong messages is when we waste food. In many households, edible food is wasted because no one wants to eat it. A fussy child demands a particular dish but soon tires of eating

Place your adverts here for optimal reach zAkAt is 2.5% of yoAur totAl weAlth, known As nisAb. After hAving fulfilled All obligAtions, pAy your zAkAt

The groom, Bro. Qamardeen

The bride, Kafayat

Groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oladunjoye

At the Aqidun Nikkah & Walimat ceremony of the External Affairs Officer, The Muslim Congress (TMC) Lagos State, Bro. Qamardeen Oladunjoye and the Amirah, MSSN, Isolo Area Council, Sis. Kafayat Oladejo, held in Lagos, recently.

Bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oladejo

Rajab 29, 1437A.H.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE PLATFORM with

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

All those who Are embezzling public funds now even when mAny Are dying, Are from pArticulAr homes. if every home will dischArge their duties, we will hAve A sAner society. it and so the food is thrown out.

What can be worse than when food is wasted? But now isn’t it a crime to waste food especially when there are millions all around the world who go hungry every day. No religion condones wastage.

We want our children to be responsible. How can an adult role model responsibility? A responsible adult will make it his/her priority, making every effort, seeking help if needed in doing their duty. Owning up to a mistake made, making amends to rectify it and learning from this experience shows accountability and models honesty. The child understands that it’s human to make mistakes but honestly acknowledging it and not repeating the same mistake is responsible behaviour.

Obeying the rules of a country is our responsibility. Following traffic rules is as important as not robbing or murdering a fellow human being. In our city we find drivers breaking traffic rules, embez-

zling public funds and pervert justice.

Talking about values and reading stories that highlight them is definitely important but will have no impact if it is not followed by the adults in a child’s environment.

It is good to let our children observe us live these values daily and it will have a more lasting influence on their own attitudes and help them in inculcating the desired values.

Next time an adult rants loudly about today’s children and youth not being respectful or responsible they should be stopped and told to reflect on their own values and behaviour and the examples they have set for the younger generation to follow.

All those who are embezzling public funds now even when many are dying, are from particular homes. If every home will discharge their duties, we will have a saner society. We welcome the month of Shaaban with Ramadan just a month away.

Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu addressing beneficiaries of Zakat at the 4th Elders Consultative Forum of Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter’s distribution of Zakat in Ibadan.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, May 6, 2016

IN HIS LIGHT

with

USTAZ

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

Our Ramadan: Comparing notes (1)

F

asting has existed more or less among all nations but the idea ascribed to it was more of penitence than abstinence. Among the Hindus, this is what Professor Mahadevan of Madras has said about the form and manner of their fasting: “A different group of festivals are the purificatory fasts. The followers of each cult have their own special days in the year, which they spend exclusively in prayer and worship. Many people on the occasions fast and keep vigil during the night, read from the sacred texts and keep their minds engaged in thought on God… These are the days, again, on which the women fast and offer prayer to the Devi in her various manifestations like Gauri and Lakshmi. These fasts are significantly named Vratas or vows. They are intended for the purification of the soul and providing it with spiritual food. ( Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, The Four Pillars of Islm (India: Academy of Islamic Research and Publications, 1972), p.174.

The Jewish fasting was observed in biblical times as an omen of mourning or when there was a danger looming.

There were also occasional fasts for the whole community when they sensed Divine displeasure or if a calamity has befallen the land. Based on Jewish encyclopaedia, Ali Nadwi has compiled the following: “ The Jewish calendar contains comparatively few regular fast days. Besides the Day of Atonement, which is the only fast day prescribed by the Mosaic Law, there were established after the captivity four regular fast-days in commemoration of the various sad days that had befallen the nation during that period. There is the fast of the fourth month (May), of the fifth month (June), of the sixth month (July) and the tenth month (Tebet). According to some Rabbis of the Talmud, these fasts were obligatory only when the nation was under oppression, but not when there was peace for Israel. In addition to these, there are other fasts, which are observed in memory of certain disasters that befell Israel. These are not regarded as obligatory and have found little acceptance among the people. Their number, with a few changes, is twenty-five. Beside the fixed-days, there are some other fasts, which may be described, as local or regional. These fasts, too, are related to one unfortunate occurrence or another in the history of the Jews. Many fasts are divided among different classes, with each class observing the fast in memory of a certain calamity, or of a particular occasion of joy or sorrow. It is customary among many Jewish communities to fast on the eve of New Year’s Day. The Syna-

Call to Worship

Rajab 29, 1437A.H.

gogue is empowered to impose fasting in case of a misfortune befalling the people, such as pestilence, famine, or an evil decree enforced by the ruler of the day.

Private fasts have also been frequent among the Jews during the earlier time. One may take upon oneself to fast on certain days, either in memory of certain events in his own life, or in expiation of his sins, or in time of trouble to arouse God’s mercy. The Rabbis, however, did not encourage such abstinence. They positively forbade it in the case of a Scholar who would be disturbed in his study, or of a Teacher who will thereby be prevented from doing his work properly. Fasting was also done in consequence of seeing an evil dream. While in general no holidays, the Talmud allows it to be undertaken on these days provided that it is complemented later by another fast. The Jewish fasts begin at sunrise and end with the appearance of the first stars of the evening, except those of the Day of Atonement and the ninth of Ab which last from eve to eve. There are no special rituals for the ordinary fastdays. (Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, The Four Pillars of Islm (India: Academy of Islamic Research and Publications, 1972, p.176. ) On fasting in Christianity, it is documented in the Encylopaedia of Religion and Ethics that: “Although he (Christ) himself fasted for 40 days before the beginning of his ministry, and probably as a devout Jew, kept the one day fast that was obligatory at the time - the Day of Atonement- he left no regulations for fasting. He gave the principles and left his Church to make rules for carrying them out. No rules on the subject could claim to come directly from the Master himself…the Jewish Christians doubtlessly, continued to keep the Day of Atonement, and St. Luke mentions it as an epoch but the Gentiles were almost certainly not pressed to observe it. When we review the century and a half that followed the death of St. Paul we are at once struck by the want of regulations as to fasting. There was a general sense of the duty of fasting and frequent warnings against making it an external act.

Irenaeus says that there was great variety in its observance, some fast for one day, others for two or for several days, and that this variety was of long-standing. It was a common custom in the second century, at least in some countries, to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. The candidate, the Baptizer and others observed pre-baptismal fast.

From the 3rd century onwards, manuals of instruction and worship, now conveniently called ‘church orders’ became common, basing their injunctions in most cases on supposed apostolic authority. Fasting, accordingly, was more regulated and the orthodox became stricter than the montanists.

Sick people who cannot fast on both days were allowed to fast on Saturday.

There was also diversity as to the time of ending the fast. In Rome, they ended it at cockcrow, elsewhere at nightfall. .

(Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, The Four Pillars of Islm (India: Academy of Islamic Research and Publications, 1972, p.177178).

Salat is it (3) A

n alcoholic does not give up drinking because he cannot get drunk but goes on drinking till he begins to feel the effect and delight that he desires in liquor. A wise person can learn from this and continue offering Salat until such time that he experiences delight in it. Just as an alcohol drinker seeks to find delight in alcohol and it is his objective, similarly one should be inclined with complete focus to attain delight in Salat. And then supplicate with resolve and earnestness in the manner of the anxiety and anguish of the drinker to attain the delight.

This would be mostly truly enable one to experience the said delight.

Moreover, while offering Salat one should be mindful to gain its benefits and be aware that: ‘…Surely, good works drive away evil works…’ (11: 115) One should be mindful of the good works and the delights and seek the Salat which is offered by the truthful and the good. God has stated ‘…Surely, good works drive away evil works…’ and has also stated that Salat keeps one away from what is foul and immoral. We note though that some people do bad deeds in spite of offering Salat. This is because although they offer Salat they do not do so in spirit and with truthfulness. They only go through the motions as a ritual and perform it as a force of habit. They are dead of soul and God does not call them the good. Salat which removes immorality is that which has a spirit of truthfulness and has an effect of beneficence in it. Such Salat most certainly removes badness. Salat is not a matter of going through the motions, the core and essence of Salat is that supplication which has delight and pleasure in it.

(Paraphrased from Malfuzat, Vol. I, pp.

162-164) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that it is important to offer Salat while being mindful of its words as well as being mindful of the physical state in which it is offered. Words of Salat correspond with its different postures.

The posture when one stands up in Salat and glorifies and praises God is called qiyyam [this Urdu word can also signify ‘to establish’]. The appropriate position to submit glorification and praise is indeed in a standing posture. When eulogies are read to kings it is done in a standing position. Thus in Salat, during qiyyam one is standing before God in a spiritual sense.

Praise is given when one is convinced about something and a person praises something having arrived at a viewpoint.

Thus a person saying Alhamdolillah (all praise belongs to God) will only truly say Alhamdolillah when he is completely

25

Every Friday with

Khalifatul Ahmadiyya Satan had Said that apart from God’S Sincere people, everyone would follow him, therefore believerS Should employ their wiSdom to think how to become Such Sincere ServantS of God!

convinced that all manner of acclaim belongs to God alone. When one is convinced on this with one’s heart and mind, this is a state of spiritual qiyyam.

Then in Salat there is the posture of bowing called raku during which one affirms ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’. It is a matter of principle that when one acknowledges someone’s greatness one bows to them. Thus in the raku posture one utters ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’ and physically bows down. Thus words and physical state correlate. Then one utters ‘Glory to my Lord, the Most High’ this utterance requires a state of prostration this is why when uttering this one physically prostrates during Salat, adopting the suitable posture to go with the utterance. Thus these are three physical postures to go with three utterances. In addition to this, Salat is not proper if one’s heart is not in one’s Salat. Thus it is important to have qiyyam of one’s heart as well so when God looks at the person He sees that as the person glorifies God he also stands upright and his soul, as well as his physical self, stands upright to glorify God. And when he utters ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’ God sees that not only has the person acknowledged God’s greatness but has also bowed and his soul has also bowed.

When man prostrates before God mindful of God’s Exaltedness God sees that the person’s soul also prostrates on God’s threshold. One should not be satisfied unless such a state is acquired as this is what the prayer ‘make me observe Prayer’ means. As to how can one reach such a state, well, one should be regular in Salat and not get anxious about any doubts and misgivings. One has to battle doubts and misgivings in the early stages and its antidote is not to tire and continue with resoluteness and steadfastness and supplicate God until that state is attained which was just mentioned! (Paraphrased from Malfuzat, Vol. I, pp. 433-435)

Be partakers of Ramadan blessings

M

ay Allah SWT 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 daily spiritual diets to our teeming darling readers. May we be among the partakers of the glorious month, Aamin.

For advertisements and corporate sponsorships, contact: 0805 510 2994 or email: sakinah207@yahoo.com.

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, Aamin!

26

Arty News

Austin-FAir nwulu

W

ith African culture being relegated to the background, a platform which seeks to revive and place it indelibly on the world map, is set to roll out the red carpet and drums for the long-awaited rebirth.

Duly incorporated to promote as well as project the rich cultural heritage of the African people, nothing less, of course, can be expected from the outfit, Wadokya Concepts Ltd which, in the words of the brains behind it, ‘’it is our origin.’’.

It is on record that globalisation which is gradually depleting African cultural values, with unfettered exposure to negative digital media, among other social vices is capable of dwarfing it all if urgent steps are not taken to ameliorate the situation.

Wadokya which stands for ‘Peace, Pride and Beauty’, is coined from the three Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

It is multifaceted in its activities and now strives to formally bring the laudable initiative to the fore.

With focused, dedicated and discerning young and vibrant brains at its helm of affairs, Wadokya’s is currently engrossed in a cultural campaign across the whole of Afri-

An evening with Gaise comes to Lagos

Friday, April 29, 2016

Wadokya launches platform to project culture

ca starting from Nigeria, and within a short period, resuscitate and restore the rich cultural heritage which is the continent’s identity. ‘’Think about our beautiful virgin coarse hair, our dance, fashion, food, languages and dialects which make us the cradle of civili-

zation. So, as a multi-cultural organization with an impressive profile of cultural events and activities, we want to organize Africa/ Nigeria cultural festival to showcase its different dimensions,’’ Nelson Osewegie, Wadokya’s CEO explained.

The maiden edition of the cultural showpiece tagged ‘’Wadokya African Cultural Festival’’ which holds later in the year, will see these vibrant young professionals unveil what will henceforth be an annual shindig for the re-engineering of our culture and tourism.

Osewegie added; ‘’the festival has been conceptualized to be the most prestigious private cultural festival in Nigeria and Africa overtime. Bridging African cultural renaissance’, will promote historical education, orientation and Pan-Africanism through the projection and celebration of African diverse art, crafts, music, and others. November 24-26, 2016, has been penciled down for the event. It is expected to draw guests from different parts of the continent and beyond.”

I

Obafemi Awolowo University who came into the music scene with his self-titled Album “GAISEBABA” in August 2011. The Afrofusion gospel artiste is a unique and gifted musician whose style is different from others.

Also on the performance list are ID Cabasa, Isaac Geralds, multi-talented musician, comedian, compere and song writer EmmaohmaGod, Ranti, and Ayodele Okundalaiye, the self-acclaimed Senior Advocate of Comedy (SACO) among other artistes.

Tagged “Korinsodi, An Evening With Gaise” the event promises the best in music, comedy and other forms of entertainment for fun seekers looking for where to catch fun this weekend. The event is supported by Ace-Olivia Hall, Channels TV, Television Continental, and the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) among others.

reginA otokpA

Oyinkanade for African Culture Image Awards

t promises to be an explosive evening at the Lagos City Mall this weekend as one of Nigeria’s finest afro hip-hop artistes, 9ice leads other stars for a ground breaking musical concert as Gaise, an afrofusion musician set to unveil his new record label on Sunday May 8. The concert which starts with a red carpet at five o’clock in the evening will be held at Ace-Olivia Event Hall.

Akinade Ibuoye, Gaise, also known as Gaise Baba is a graduate of Economics from

A

frican Culture Initiative has nominated an upcoming artiste, Oyinkanade Akande for the African Culture Image Awards scheduled to hold in Georgia, United States of America on the 16th of July.

Oyinkanade has been nominated for the ‘New Music Artiste of the year award’ category.

According to the President and CEO African Culture Initiative, Trenette Kofoworola Oduneye, the objective of the award is to recognise and celebrate the achievements and

success stories of African individuals and companies whose contributions are targeted towards developing continental Africa.

“With a resounding and thorough research system and professionalism, we bring to the forefront Africans who have excelled in their chosen careers and breaking new grounds.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mama Adire@65’ slated for May 21

Culture promoter, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, will clock 65 on Saturday, May 21.

Ahead of the celebration, her gallery and those who have benefited directly or indirectly from her mentorship have wrapped up plans to celebrate the milestone of the woman called Mama Adire.

Programme of the event from her gallery hints that the event will be a mini-festival to be hosted in her Lekki-based gallery.

Kick-starting the event, the gallery will on Sunday May 15 host some group of art writers and art talk. This will be followed by a one week art exhibition and a get-together for traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps, among other activities slated to take place.

On the cards for the celebration of her birthday will also be an evening of cultural performances and gathering of creative minds to enthrall her with razzmatazz and encomium.

The event promises to be an avenue whereby art collectors and captains in the corporate sector as well as friends of the artist will mingle taking arts to another level in the humanities.

Reminiscing on the role she has played in the field of art, she had this to say. ‘‘I thank God for my life. Though, the challenge is there, which we face every day, but an opportunity like this affords one to look back and thank God for what He has done for me. That is why this kind of event is dear to my heart. Apart from that, I am using it to appreciate my Maker for His mercies and kindness. I also want to use it to host my colleagues in the arts.’’

zzzz

MultiChoice thrills staff with Lip Sync Battle isiguzo Destiny

I

t was all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy at MultiChoice and DSTV head office at Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island Lagos as management and staff of MultiChoice and DSTV, together with journalist from ranking media houses including National Mirror Newspaper converged to gleefully wind down the week with eclectic art performances and delicious meal at MultiChoice Staff edition of MtvBase Lip Sinc Battle Africa.

Nollywood’s OC Ukeje and MC Ohis anchored the event with other numerous stars from the entertainment industry at the event.

In his opening remark, John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice told the fun anticipating audience that the event is just purely for arts and entertainment and to also ease the stress of staff members. He also noted

that the event is a Lip Sinc Battle by staff members to promote MtvBase Lip Sinc Battle Africa which has been opened for entries by interested participants.

There were interesting performances from journalists and staff of MultiChoice. Babatunde Olusegun opened the competition with Damilola Ojuri. Olusegun performed Shino Peter’s Afro juju of the 80s while the chubby Damilola performed “Let it Burn” by Usher Raymond with a confounding break dance to the overwhelmed audience. There were series of other performances with Damilola Ojurin emerging the winner of MultiChoice Staff edition of MtvBase Lip Sinc Battle Africa.

The 1st and 2nd runner up went home with gift items and a cash price of N100, 000 each while the overall winner Damilola Ojurin went home with a cash price of $1000 and numerous gift items.

The high point of the event was a lip battle sinc be-

tween the Managing Director, MultiChoice John Ugbe and General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria Martin Mabutho from South Africa with the audience picking John Ugbe as the winner.

Damilola leading a performance (MultiChoice story)

Artman In The House

Friday, May 6, 2016

it means that all the stars that have lost their

BOOK

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Documenting reality

relationships lack the ability to resolve conflicts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 confident you will believe that no one will take your wife away from you.”

A marriage counselor, Mary Ogah in her book, Finding Fulfillment in Marriage, also outlined the attitude of For Better for Best as one of the problems plaguing marriages, and this trend seems preponderant amongst showbiz stars. For Better for Best in her context means a situation where a woman goes into marriage, believing that all must be well economically at all times. For actress Regina Askia, who got married to an American, Rudolph Williams in 2000 only to quit in 2003, after the man was reportedly confined to a wheel-chair, following a car accident, this phrase captures the circumstance, a proof that some artistes in the quest for attention, often love for the wrong reasons. A source in Nollywood once divulged the genesis of Stephanie Okereke’s marriage to footballer Chikelu Iloanusi, which crumbled shortly after, said he was on the location at Enugu when everything started like a whirlwind romance.

Aside the issue of loving for the wrong reasons, Stephanie Okereke’s interview about the marriage after it failed also suggested that there was a considerable level of mistrust. Hear her: “I learnt that he said I was married before I met him. I am not here to say negative things about him; because he was someone I shared so many things with. I am not here to run him down. But it was malicious of him to say I was married before. It is totally outrageous. There is no way I would be married and nobody would know about it. Come to think of it, how old was I then? I think it was just a defence on his part, because he was the one who was married before. It was a form of defence so that when the story comes out, it would seem as if he had defended himself.”

In reality, an intending couple should have carried extensive background checks on each other before dabbling into a life-long institution that marriage is supposed to be.

While people often argue that marriages in showbiz are vulnerable because men need to understand the nature of their women’s line of business, the fact that failure is also recorded often when both partners are in showbiz suggests otherwise.

But a Tunji Balogun being involved in the industry understands every bit of the schedule of his estranged wife.

It is based on this that Folake Shadare, an actress attributes successes in marriages to luck. “I don’t really know, but I think everything depends on luck. Everything depends on luck. Some of the celebrities whose marriages crashed were not only unlucky, but they probably married another person’s husband.”

Bishop Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God, however attributes problems in marriages to sinful life of the partners, but while showbiz stars will argue that their sins are not worse than their peers in other industries, John Gottman’s view seems apt. The marriage psychologist said, “ there’s one lesson I’ve learned in my years of research into marital relationships, having interviewed and studied more than 200 couples over 20 years, it is that a lasting marriage results from a couple’s ability to resolve the conflicts that are inevitable in any relationship.”

By this it means that all the stars that have lost their relationships lack the ability to resolve conflicts. And this is applicable to Tiwa Savage and Tunji Balogun.

Debayo Coker’s book, A Man Like Me, explores the joys and gender sensitivity inherent in fatherhood.

Debayo encourageD his son to volunteer for the collective gooD of the community.

Tayo IranTIola

T

here comes a time in the life of a young man when he ascertains his manliness when he gives birth to a child after marriage. As Africans, a man is extremely proud when he has a son. This led to the foray of ‘Debayo’s writing as a father to his son. The 153 page-book is about an expectant father who went on an “adrenaline flight”. His desire was to write a short note on social media pages but the flow culminated into a collection of notes.

Although, ‘Debayo calls it a note, I see it as a letter. Each of the note ends in a sign off. As he wrote in the book, Debayo’s first son was born in 2014 and he wrote this book in a futuristic manner; this book has all the desires of a father to his son.

There are many instructional advices that are essential for living which include continuity of family traditions. ‘Debayo wants his son to teach his children what he has been taught by previous generations. He states that, “My mother was a very positive influence on me, I wish you had met her but don’t worry I will teach you all she taught me” page 9.

Unfortunately, his wife too had lost her father but from her account written by ‘Debayo, “my PD caould not stop telling the story of how her father would come pick her from school, bare her on his shoulders and talked with her as they walked back to his office… I love that act and since your maternal granddad is no more around to do that for you I will be helping him out” page 12.

Another advice for the son is putting God ahead in all things. This he mentioned using Biblical allusion in the book, there were 4 Bible verses mentioned, the parable of the talents, wealth that develops wings, story of Joseph, Pharaoh, Saul, Nebchadnezzar, Joshua-like courage.

‘Debayo encouraged his son to volunteer for the collective good of the community. This was through his involvement in

Environmental sanitation in their locality which comes up on the last Saturday of the month in some states in Nigeria.

This is mentoring by examples.

Respect for everyone is also an advice for his son. Everyone has the trait of getting so full of one another but with such advice, the son has been taught humility. This was illustrated in the story of Aunty Kore and Uncle Charles.

Every child must be taught about responsibility. ‘Debayo made his son know some area that he needs to be responsible: in his dressing, in his academic pursuit, in handling properties, to adults and to humanity.

Parental discipline is crucial in the life of a child. ‘Debayo was able to portray that discipline goes beyond caning a child; he checked his son’s school bag to find an x-rated magazine there. He advised him against taking things from classmates.

Similarly, he warned his son against unauthorized borrowing out of books from his study, this will be sanctioned by purchasing the missing books from his pocket money.

Realities of life was shown in the book through wrong exposure, loss of jobs, disaster, sickness, drunkenness, suffering, psychiatric challenges, teenage pregnancies, premarital sex, rape of a daughter by her father, gays in boarding schools and stealing of other’s items.

The chapterization of the book deals with each topic per time, but it would have been expected that the chapters become longer because the young man has matured beyond short notes. It would have been expected that the chapters become longer from the time in which the young man got into Secondary school.

Although ‘Debayo attempted to answer questions that would have been asked by his readers. The responses of the boy to his father’s notes.“In the meantime, I want to seek your permission to do a compendium of your responses to the notes I have written to you so far.”

28

Inside FCT

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Parents groan over soaring school fees Marcus FatunMole

R

esumption of both primary and secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) last Monday has further compounded the woes of some parents at the nation’s capital.

Many parents and guardians have been experiencing sleepless night, thinking of how they would cope with costs of their children’ education. They think about school fees, transportation and feeding of the children and wards, which cost more money than when they are on holiday.

The pains are more felt in homes where children had been used for hawking and other commercial activities during holiday. Parents who indulge in the habit claim they use proceeds from the act to complement what is available to their families. The trend has continued even though it is prohibited by law.

Living in Abuja and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory has been tough for many homes at the moment as some parents in the city contemplate sending their children back to the village to enable them continue their education.

While private companies continue to reduce the number of staff, large percentage of those who are retained have their salaries slashed. Consequently, meeting domestic and other demands have been tug of war for many residents.

Hardship is palpable in Abuja, as in other parts of the country. The city, like its contemporaries, is unlucky at this time because what people living in villages and towns in states of the nation could easily do such as farming among others to overcome economic threats does not come easy for residents of Abuja.

They struggle daily to meet up with the payment of

Typical classroom ( photo for parents groan over school fees) high rent for accommodation and meet daily needs.

Inside FCT surveyed some communities in the city during the week and observed that hearts of many parents palpitate over school resumption. Various unconventional options are being weighed by some parents to ensure their children remain in school, while they also try to meet domestic and other demands in the face of acute economic hardship in the country.

The schools too are making efforts not to lose their pupils and students. Unlike before, there are schools that ask pupils and students to resume while their parents pay their tuition later. A parent told Inside FCT: “The head teacher of my child’s school told me that I could be paying the school fees in installments because the school management is aware of economic challenges in the country. This has never happened since the school was established”, the parent

said.

Another parent, Kelechi Chukwuemeka, who shared his experience with our correspondent said: “How do I pay N75,000 again this term? Two of his children attend a not-too-prominent school at Lugbe, a suburb of Abuja.

In the past, Chukwuemeka did not see any difficulty paying tuition for his children in the school, but the story has changed in the past one year.

“I cannot send them to my parents in the village. If it continues this way, I will withdraw them and keep them in school that my pulse can cope with. But, I would not consent to that option, if you asked me last year”, he said.

There is no doubt that with the level of civilization in the country, no parent would not like his or her children acquire quality knowledge within the walls of classrooms.

Okpa delicacy excites FCT residents Blessing ukaegBu

U

nderneath ominous cloud of uncertainty hanging over the state of Nigeria’s economy which has in recent times seen food prices double, unpaid salaries and worse of them, loss of jobs by bread winners, Abuja residents have discovered an astute way of maximizing their lunch time.

Instead of luxuriating in lavish lunches at popular food joints, bukas or fast food outlets in town, they now patronise more of a local delicacy known as “okpa” in the local parlance.

The okpa delicacy seems to be the rave of the moment as it attracts unbelievable patronage from workers of every hue, manual labourers, motor park hustlers, market women and students alike.

Inside FCT spoke to some residents of the FCTA on the burgeoning business of okpa which is fast becoming an irresistible delicacy.

For Danladi Umar, he has the notion that okpa has already become a national food considering the fact that it is consumed by Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, their states of origin or cultural orientation.

He observed that it was okpa that always come to the rescue whenever he felt hungry at work these days of harsh economic realities.

According to him, in order to avoid being taken unawares he had resorted to buying a couple of wraps of okpa which he

Woman selling okpa delicacy referred to as “tablets” on his way to work.

On the question of where he buys the delicacy, he said that okpa could be found everywhere in Abuja in the morning, particularLy the rush hours and beyond around the major motor parks, road junctions, pedestrian bridges, roadsides and walkways.

He explained that the delicacy is also sold by young women, who hail mostly from the Eastern part of the country as well as those from Benue and Kogi States in the North Central.

For Njemanze Adaku, she did not hide her love for okpa which she said it is always a delicious meal for anyone.

According to her, the delicacy is made from grounded cowpea beans which is rich in proteins and fibre saying that okpa can be liken to the Biblical manna which nourishes and revitalises anyone who is famished.

She explained that the delicacy when prepared by an expert is

made to pass through processes which makes it both hygienic and nutritious.

While most of the ones sold in the FCT are wrapped in transparent cellophane bags while the ones sold in the East are wrapped in plantain leaves which give it the true African touch.

Nnadi Amaka who hails from Nsukka in Enugu state said she caters for her family of five with the proceeds from the sale of okpa in Abuja.

Being a single mother for over three years, after losing her husband to a motor accident, she said selling okpa even provides the much needed tonic for her to put her money where her mouth is, saying that being involved in the sale of okpa has become source of income for her family.

She explained it has not been easy going to Gosa market located in the remote area of the FCT to buy the cowpea seed and ingredients to her daily endless milling activity, mixing of the condiments to wrapping in small cellophane bags, cooking via steaming and conveying the product to the mobile points of sal Although, Amaka explained that selling okpa was “waka waka business”, she stressed that “there was no food for any man or women that is lazy.

She noted that okpa sellers are hounded by the officials Abuja Environmental Protection Board, saying “If you no dey lucky and dey catch you, dey go carry you and your food go office, then you bail yourself with big money like N5,000 or more.”

The okpa delicacy seems To be The rave of The momenT as iT aTTracTs unbelievable paTronage from workers of every shade

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, May 6, 2016

29

FCTA, NTI partner on teachers’ training Blessing UkaegBU

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is to enter into partnership with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) to develop the capacity of teachers in Primary and Secondary schools in order to deliver quality education to Abuja residents.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the hint while receiving a delegation of the National Teachers’ Institute led by its Director-General, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu in his office.

The Minister revealed that the partnership had become necessary to reverse the falling standard of education in the Federal Capital Territory.

Bello expressed disappointment with the performance of students in the FCT in public examinations, particularly those organized by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In his words, Bello said, “a few weeks ago, we sat down and looked at our overall education system here and the statistics we saw in terms of performance of the students at the primary and secondary school levels was really very disappointing in terms of successes in the two major

National Teacher’s Institute, NTI, Kaduna examinations”.

The Minister emphasized that the partnership was necessary to improve the capacity of teachers in public schools to effectively deliver quality-teaching services in line with their professional callings.

He noted that the history of the NTI was a very positive one, and that it was one of the government institutions in the country

that had been a success story. The Minister urged the management team of the Institute to continue to build on the legacy left behind by its founding fathers on account of which the Institute had been a success story.

Earlier, Sharehu commended the FCT Administration for making available to

Minister stresses development in satellite towns

them facilities in its public schools which have served as training centres for teachers in training within the zone.

He therefore solicited for more cooperation between the Administration and the Institute to enable it to perform effectively and carry out the functions for which the Federal Government established it.

blocked to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Moreover, following the briefing of management of the Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, the Minister assured that funds would be made available to the contractor handling the studio facilities of the Aso Television so that the station could commence its operations.

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

Blessing UkaegBU

while receiving

A

briefs from the

s the Abuja metropolis is gradually becoming congested because of the infrastructural development and special attention given to it because of its status as the seat of government by the, the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello as said priority attention would be to given to the development of the six area councils and satellite towns.

While receiving briefs from the FCT Area Council Services Secretariat at the Banquet Hall, Minister’s Official residence, Gwarinpa I District, (Life-Camp), Abuja, Bello charged the professional departments in the secretariat to work in harmony in order to realise the objective.

Bello reiterated that if the satellite towns were given the required attention by providing the necessary infrastructure, most residents would not struggle to remain at the city centre.

According to him, the Area Council Services Secretariat has the onerous task of providing quality policy framework to make these areas more conducive which will in turn reduce the pressure at the city centre.

Similarly, while receiving briefs from the Abuja In-

AbujA investment compAny limited (Aicl), the minister directed FCT Minister, Bello vestment Company Limited (AICL), the Minister directed the company to revisit the concept of the Farmers’ Market by building more markets at other locations in Abuja.

He, however, insisted that the markets must be Farmers markets indeed but not just by name, stressing that the premier Farmers’ Market in the Maitama District at inception depicted the freshness of fresh farm produce but not any longer at the moment as the concept seemed to have been abused.

The Minister tasked the Abuja Markets Management Limited to ensure that environmental cleanliness remained their watchword in all the FCT Markets and that leakages were

the compAny to revisit the concept of the

fArmers’

mArket by building more mArkets At other locAtions in

AbujA.

30

Capital Market

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT Equities as at May 5, 2016 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, April 29, 2016

29 31

She is Peace Olanike Adeleke, a gospel artiste.

In this interview she speaks about her music ministry and the challenges.

Excerpts: What is your take on gospel music in Nigeria?

If I am to talk about gospel music in Nigeria, I will say God have mercy, although I don’t like to criticize people, but out there, we still have some people that God called in the spirit and the truth, we can see them, making waves, we have a lot of them.

The gospel singers of nowadays, many are putting ‘this and that’ with it, but even then, if everything is being done in the way of the Lord, no one will complain. I don’t want to criticize, but I will advise to do all things rightly.

Does one needs to be led by God before moving in to Gospel music?

Bible made us to understand that expect my Father calls, if God did not call you and you just put yourself into it, well! You might see something funny at the end of the day.

It is just like a pastor, who says God calls him, and God did not call him, what do you see at the end of such pastor? Destruction!

Gospel music is like a pastoral calling, because you are not ministering to yourself, but to the people.

So, I wouldn’t see a situation why God did not call you, and you will put yourself in.

Even though you don’t have a call and you desire to work for God, there are many ways you can go about it. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare yourself spiritually.

How did you start your music career?

I am from a very strong Muslim background (born and brought up in a Muslim way), and as a child, I write and sing a lot, everyone in the family always think it was an hobby for me to sing, we never knew it’s going to be a career.

When I grew up, I was hearing a voice, saying; ‘sing for me’, ‘sing for me’. I stay with my sister and she moved me into Christianity. I told her different revelations, which I cannot understand myself. So, I will tell my sister, and any time she shared those revelations with her pastor(s), they always tell her that this your youngest sister is having a call, but she doesn’t know how to go about

Peace-Adeleke

Money, not my priority in music —Peace Adeleke

it, why not draw her so close to God. That was how I started going to church, but even then, I never wanted to remain in my sister’s church, and I feel that I was not yet fully fulfilled there.

In year 2000, I had a revelation, I saw Pastor E. A. Adeboye, which I have never seen face-to-face, but I saw him in that revelation, he was as tall as four stories building in white, so he called me and I was looking at him up, and he was carrying anointing oil, a very big bottle of anointing oil in his hand, he said I have called you to sing my praise to the living and not to the dead.

He pore that anointing oil on me until the oil got finished, and I woke up. I told my

I lost my husband (late arch.

Favour adeolu adeleke) aFter a 10-day Illness, and It seemed the whole world was about to crash.

my memory was Peace-Adeleke

lost

sister and she was blessing God for His call upon me, but I never knew the calling, until I joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s choir.

What are your challenges?

I have a serious challenge with my health; I was able to go round the West Coast; Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin Republic and some other places, even though I was managing the health. It got to a stage that I could not move around again.

It became so serious..., the destiny of the ministry was closed down for several years, but I blessed God that by 2013 April God brought me out of the grave.

In June 2014, I lost my husband (Late Arch. Favour Adeolu Adeleke) after a 10-day illness, and it seemed the whole world was about to crash. My memory was lost. I could not do anything, but asking God why? And for good 40 days, God was silent, because I was murmuring. When I realized that, I started asking God for mercy, I wanted God to speak, as He had been speaking to me. So, after 40 days He came down with strong covenants upon my life.

He (God) said I know about it, wipe away your tears and I will make you a widow that will be feeding widows, a widow that will feed the less privileged, but I want you to look up to me alone, the Author and the Finisher of your faith.

Accordingly, I wiped away my tears and started begging for mercy.

Are you into the ministry because of money or fame?

No! I am not into gospel music to make money or for fame. Actually everybody wants money, but Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil.

I released an album during our Shiloh for the blessing of humanity.

I have it at the back of my mind that money is not everything. In fact, the numbers of CD that I gave out as a gift were more that the one I sold. I gave the CD out not because I was expecting any return from any one, rather I was expecting testimony from them, that is my life, and that is where I am standing.

32

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Auto manufacturers condemn N3.9bn Senate’s expense on imported Toyota F

ew weeks after the reported acquisition of imported Toyota Land Cruisers worth about N3.9bn by the Nigerian Senate, the Nigerian automobile manufacturers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), have condemned the action saying it was a huge loss to the local automobile assemblage industry.

Speaking during a press conference, the chairman of NAMA, Mr Tokunbo Aromolaran, said it was a rude shock for them to learn of the decision of the senate to procure imported fully built Sports Utility vehicles (SUVs) when much more affordable locally assembled alternatives were offered.

Aromolaran noted the insensitivity of the elected body could not have been so clearly displayed when one considers that the Senate could have saved suffering Nigerians 40 per cent of the eventual outlay by being patriotic and promoting vehicles assembled by extremely talented and diligent Nigerian workforce.

Observing that while the Senate seemed to be governed only by its own rules, hence it might claim not to have been aware of an official circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) mandating all government agencies to mandatory procure locally made vehicles and to procure imported vehicles only if locally assembled equivalent are not

Aromolaran, Chairman of NAMA available, Aromolaran urged the Bureau Of Public Procurement (BPP) to beam its light on the Senate to determine that it does not put itself outside the arm of the bureau’s control.

“By going for jeeps assembled in the country, the Senate would have secured the continuous employment of about 4,000 Nigerians for a whole year by supporting local indus-

try. This patronage alone may be enough to ensure its successful take off.

“The Senate would have supported about 50 component manufacturers that supply the auto industry and helped create a value chain that typically impacts no less than four other sectors of the Nigerian economy. He said.

Speaking further, he noted,

“Had the Senate not decided to starve the local industry of patronage, it would have helped grow and sustain at least 50 medium scale enterprises whose future revenue stream would flow into our corporate and personal taxation system helping to sustain the government revenue base.”

The NAMA boss, who lamented that the Senate has

FRSC organises stakeholders’ forum on tyres

F

ollowing series of road crashes in Nigeria resulting from tyre blowouts, the Federal Road Safety Corps is organising a Stakeholders’ forum on tyres where issues relating with the use and safety of tyres are to be discussed.

In a statement by the FRSC’ Head of Media Relations and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem, the summit is aimed at re-educating Nigerians on the general knowledge of tyres, types of tyres, how to care for tyres, and useful tips in the case of a

blow out or tyre burst.

According to him, issues such as standards, important tyre markings for the different types of tyres, sizes, lifespan from date of manufacture to expiry date, tyre pressure, storage, and other essential safety issues will be addressed such that Nigerians will understand that tyre is a very important component of a vehicle.

The summit, which is scheduled to hold Monday next week in Abuja, has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir David

Lawal as Special Guest of Honour, while the Director-General, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Paul Angya will present the lead paper.

Other special guests expected at the forum are, Minister of the FCT Administration, Muhammad Musa Bello; Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Invited contributors tothe forum are; Engr. Aminu Jalal DG Nigerian Automobile De-

sign and Development Council (NADDC), Senator Tijajani Kaura (Chairman, Committee Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs), Senator Shehu Sani (Chairman Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts), and Hon. Yunusa Abubakar (Chairman, Committee on Federal Road Safety Corps).

Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi will flag off a special National Campaign on tyres, which will involve free safety checks on tyres, as well as consulting on safe use of tyres.

by this self-centered decision held down the automotive industry for at least four years, said to attain the current state of the auto manufacturing industry, investors who believe in the future of this country and its people have put at risk resources that could have been deployed elsewhere in a globally competitive market.

He stated that the future of the automobile industry as a viable economic unit is threatened when state resources that could be deployed to create jobs for our youths, add value to our natural occurring material base are frittered to oil the ego of but a few.

“It is for reasons like this that Nigerian businessmen have enormous difficulty in convincing global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to see Nigeria as an investment destination. Nigerians that undertake to fund these investments are being stabbed in the back daily by unscrupulous non value adding importers and compromised government functionaries.

“The youths have stage demonstrations to express their disgust and gone further to demand the withdrawal of the exorbitant imported vehicles.

To whom much is given, much is expected. The people must now demand inclusive legislative action of the senate. They need to know what progressive thinking the distinguished members have to grow our industrial base and create jobs for our people.

“What strategies they have to formulating laws that will make our economic more welcoming to investors and what plans they hope to put in place to creating a stable industrial environment,” he said.

The NAMA boss said believing in the patriotic spirit of the elected senators, his members had submitted tenders to provide the Senate, as well as the House of Representatives with vehicles assembled in Nigeria

by Nigerian to globally accepted standards, but the tender was jettisoned by the upper house.

Early this year, the upper chamber had reportedly settled for Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps costing N36.5 million apiece, set to cost the government a whopping N3.9 billion, as the country faced an unprecedented credit crunch.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday,May 6, 2016

33

Coscharis Motors unveils New Ford Explorer, Figo Sedan

N

igeria’s Ford representative, Coscharis Motors, has launched into the nation’s market newest models of Ford Figo and Explorer.

The two cars were unveiled during the week at the company’s newly refurbished Ford showroom on Victoria Island, Lagos by the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde supported

by General Manager, Aftersales, Ford, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Varsant Rele and the Sales Manager, Ford, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Fabian Anuforo, Babarinde said the 2016 Figo Sedan would assist the company to share more slices of the ‘B’(economy car) segment of the nation’s auto market, as

well satisfy pool car needs of corporate customers who prefer sedans to hatchbacks.

According to Anuforo, Ford Explorer did well in 2015 despite economic instability that followed the year’s general election in terms of sales.

“It would interest you to know that the new Explorer has gained significant popularity among Nigerian auto buyers. Gone are the days, when we used to struggle to push Ford brand into the market. New customers walk into our showrooms and ask for Ford.

“For this new Explorer, for instance, many people have already made down payment. I can tell you that the Explorer is taking over the segment that used to be dominated by the Toyota LandCruiser Prado,” he explained.

The occasion was also used to introduce Ford Protect, a free after-sales service offer to

new Ford car buyers, for initial period of four years or within 120,000 kilometres (whichever comes first).

The programme, which used to be known as Ford ESP (Extended Service Plan), covers free oil change, wiper blades, belt and hoses, tyres rotation, suspensions, etc.

“Ford Protect covers all Ford variants purchased from us,” Mr. Babarinde stressed. “And, significantly, it is not only a follow-up to the late Henry Ford’s dream of making automobile available to all humans, but also that of taking over customers’ auto maintenance worries so that they can concentrate on their daily activities.”

The event was concluded by test-drive of the 2016 Explorer and Figo and a facility tour of the company’s after-sales servicing workshop, which has the capacity of handling 250 cars in a month.

megacrown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

Globe Motors introduces Auto Finance Scheme

G

lobe Motors, has unveiled an Auto Finance campaign in collaboration with Stanbic IBTC bank.

The scheme, which has already taken off and targeted at potential Hyundai customers, offers prospective buyers the opportunity to make as low as 10 per cent down payment for any model of Hyundai and walk away with the car, with the balance payment spread over a 60 months period.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Victor Oguamalam, who led a team of officials and senior managers of Stanbic IBTC bank to brief the media in Lagos, said the finance scheme was put together to offer convenience to customers.

He explained: “We believe the collaboration of Globe Motors, providing quality products and services, Hyundai Manufacturing, producing highly acceptable vehicles, and Stanbic IBTC, the leading auto finance provider in Nigeria, will be a success as the customer is the ultimate beneficiary.

“Because we recently added Hyundai to the other brands we already market, we decided to launch this campaign to “deserving and willing customers who want to own and drive Hyundai vehicles”.

Oguamalam said the campaign, which is for an initial three months period, covers all models of Hyundai vehicles such as Hyundai Passen-

ger, Commercial and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) such as Accent, Elantra, Sonata Santa Fe, etc.

He pointed out that to access the finance scheme, all a customer needs do is to walk into any Stanbic IBTC bank nationwide or any Globe Motors showroom in any part of the country and effect the necessary documentations.

Stanbic IBTS’s Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance (Personal and Business Banking), Ifeanyi Ogbor, added that his company believes in the credibility of Globe Motors and with its over 10 years experience in Auto financing in Nigeria, it is open to offer financing to corporate entities, small and medium businesses as well as individuals.

He expressed the hope that the initiative was coming with reduced interest rate, good prices and that process can actually be concluded process without coming to the bank.

General Manager of Globe Motors, in charge of Hyundai brand, Mohan Wasnani in his submission, stated that Globe goes further to offer its customers warranty of three years or 100,000 kilometers for all models as well as free three services after purchase of the vehicle for all models.

Globe Motors has over 30 years experience in the Nigeria auto market, while Hyundai is currently the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.

Weststar announces new addition to her dealership network

A

gainst the backdrop of its growing customer base and the responsibility to improve its accessibility across the country, Weststar has announced ‘Jetvan Automobiles’ as an addition to the Mercedes-Benz authorized dealership network for ‘Sprinter Bus’ sales and services in Nigeria.

The addition, according to Mr. Mirko Plath, the Managing Director/CEO of Weststar Associates Limited, would go a long way in adequately serving and supporting all MercedesBenz customers.

Plath noted, “the addition indicates considerable prog-

ress towards the brand goal of ‘delighting our customers’ – with our leading brand, we aim to finish at the top of all relevant customer-satisfaction rankings and convince customers with our outstanding quality. For that purpose, we create interfaces for sales and aftersales processes that ensure we can maintain contact with customers at all times.

We also offer our customers tailored transport and mobility services.”

“Offering the best deals with the purchase of any of our products is a reiteration of our desire to offer the complete Mercedes-Benz experience and

unrivaled after-sales support to consumers. Thus, we encourage customers and prospects to always patronize our authorized dealerships and workshops across the country, as only this can guarantee the genuineness of the products,” Plath stated.

As a new member of the Mercedes-Benz Family, Jetvan has officially opened its doors to all with the unveiling of the sprinter Bus in an inaugural ceremony held recently, at the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Arena.

The auto company promised to offer top-notch sales and after-sales services to its customers and prospects.

Speaking about the Sprinter Bus at the event, which had in attendance, important dignitaries as well as current and prospective customers from across the country, the Managing Director, Jetvan Automobiles, Mr. Tobi Ajayi, stated that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a must-have for every business-minded individual/ organization as it is not just impressive on the roads but also in the books.

“Jetvan Automobiles prides itself as a one-stop mall for everything related to Mercedes Benz Sprinter Buses as it is equipped with a great measure of genuine spare parts.

VIP luxury buses are also available for hire such as the VIP Sprinter buses which are equipped with high quality interior leather and fits, intercom, Burl Wood treatments, central security systems, Control and Navigation Systems, GPS tracking, Communication Kits and Furnishing/Gizmos.”

He said.

Jetvan Automobiles is yet another dealership for Weststar Associates dedicated to upholding the high standard of service to customers - known with the Mercedes-Benz Brand and the office is located at Kilometre 46, Lekki-Epe expressway, Ajah, Lagos.

34

People In The Mirror

Wife of Vice President , Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo (right) with first Lady of Cameroun, Mrs Chantal Biya on arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nmadi Aziikwe International Airport Abuja.

Independent Maternity Services Advisor, Mrs Margaret Richardson (middle), with students of Midwifery, at the International Day of the Midwife’s Conference in Abuja.

L-R: Mr. Abdul Gafar Adebiyi; WAP TV Presenter/Comedian, Omonla; M.C Ijay and Head of Operations, Tycon Concert, Paul Essien, during the Night of Fame organised by Tycon Ventures, in Lagos.PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos, Muazu Sambo; Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Bisola Kamson; Chairman, Lagos Ferries Operators, Paul Kalejaiye and Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Adebola Matanmi, during a Joint Presentation of Guidelines and Standards for Water Transportation in Lagos State.

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr Yury Fedotov (left), with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, during the Envoy’s courtesy visit to the Minister, in Abuja.

Founder, ANAWIM Home and the Missionary Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor, Sr. Oresola Selo Ojeme (6th right) with the missionary sisters cutting a to mark their 21st Anniversary at Gwagwalada in Abuja.

L-R: Akogun Warewa Land, Chief Sokoya Oworonsoki; Superintendent of Police, Warewa Land, Mr. Akinola Eludinu; Baale of Warewa Land, Chief Aina Ogundele; Popular Fuji Musician, Sefiu Alao (aka Omo Oko), and Jagunmolu of Warewa Land, Chief Timothy Adekunle, during the one year coronation anniversary of The Baale of Warewa and his Chiefs, held at Warewa Community Primary School Compound in Ogun State recently.

Chairman, Anambra State Football Association (ASFA), Chief Ifeanyi Ubah (right) and other newly elected members of the Association, during their inauguration in Awka, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Maritime

35

Amending Cabotage Act to facilitate National Carrier, other projects’ implementation

Maersk container vessel

Plans by Federal Government to re-float Nigeria’s National Carrier have been described by maritime development experts and operators as desirable for the growth of the industry for national competitive advantage. But then, some noticeable lacuna in the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage Act 2003, is seen as a major challenge that must be addressed through legislative amendments to really ensure a more active participation of indigenous shipping companies in the nation’s maritime industry, and by extension, fulfill the broad policy objectives of the Act. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

B

efore the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage Act 2003, which became operational in 2004 following the release of guidelines for its implementation, the agitation among most indigenous shipping firms in Nigeria was against their exclusion from lifting of oil and gas related cargo.

The argument then was that if the Nigerian ship owners were believed to lack the needed technical competence and finance muscle to lift crude oil, they should be encouraged to lift refined petroleum products within the coastal and inland waters, for instance between Lagos and Port Harcourt.

It was in the light of the overbearing influence of foreign tanker owners with the active connivance of International Oil Companies IOCs, which totally excluded Nigerian tanker owners from the lucrative business that the Act provides that vessels to be deployed in the trade must be built in Nigeria, owned by Nigerians, registered and crewed by Nigerians, among others.

Over the years, it has been proven that Nigeria cannot build ships, at least for now nor does she have the required financial muscle and manpower to own and crew these vessels, a development that has given rise to calls for the review of the legislation to conform to the current realities on ground.

These realities are even made

more manifest with the proposed re-floating of the nation’s National Carrier, given the vacuum created by the demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line NNSL, which was basically a commercial shipping line.

Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had recently while speaking during a Maritime Technical Summit organised by the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors AMES in Lagos, said that the Federal Government is more than ever before committed to floating a new National Carrier as part of measures to develop the shipping industry.

According to the Minister, the demise of the NNSL has created a lot of vacuum in terms of training of Nigerian cadets and also participation of Nigerians in the shipping industry.

It was however gathered that as part of efforts to ensure an early realisation of this dream, the Minister has already set up a commit-

tee within the Federal Ministry of Transport. Part of the work of the committee is to liaise with private investors, industry technocrats and other relevant stakeholders that would bring the project to fruition.

From the foregoing, one can say with a level of certainty that the issue of the refloating of the National Carrier is a done deal.

But stakeholders have however expressed concerns that given the current reality in the nation’s oil and gas, on which the Cabotage focuses, which has also remained under the grip of foreign operators notwithstanding the implementation of the Act for over 13 years due to issues in the provision of the Act itself.

To underscore this, the Minister himself had during his maiden visit to the seaports late last year admitted that there was urgent need to take a comprehensive look at the Cabotage regime with a view to assessing its successes and failures so as to take precautionary measures for future implementation.

You and I know that nIgerIa cannot buIld shIps, especIallY for now, we also do not have the manpower to crew

manY of these vessels, whIch are verY sophIstIcated and so government should do well bY makIng the

act to work thIs

tIme around

He had however hinted that he might need to consult with President Muhammandu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council FEC, the nation’s highest policy decision making body for the necessary guide on the best possible way to go about the review.

The minister admitted that it was obvious from all indications that the policy has yet to achieve the goals and objectives of setting it up, a development that requires that it is reviewed to inject new idea and blood to make it work.

Chairman, Shipowners Association of Nigeria SOAN, Engineer Greg Obeifun, while speaking in a recent interview in Lagos, pointed out that the Act presently constituted had not been adequately implemented to achieve the desired objectives.

He explained that shipping activities in the country had for very long time been restricted to the oil and gas, which has not paid off and that the current dwindling fortune of the oil and gas industry makes it imperative for Nigerian operators in the sector to think outside the box.

“We are in a situation where our crude oil is being exported daily and there is no one single Nigerian ship involved in that trade. So, why don’t we find a way of being involved in that trade and that will be a platform to begin to go back to commercial shipping. Why don’t we reinvent the

Nigerian fleet?”, he querried.

This is where the review of the Cabotage Act comes in, in terms of these new policies and regulations.

Oobeifun, who doubles as CEO of Starz Group, an indigenous shipping firm and a ship repair yard, argued that some provisions of the Cabotage Act cannot be implemented in their current state. He cited such provisions to include those requiring the ships to be built in Nigeria and crewed by Nigerians among others.

“You and I know that Nigeria cannot build ships, especially for now, we also do not have the manpower to crew many of these vessels, which are very sophisticated and so government should do well by making the Act to work this time around”, Ogbeifun said.

Stakeholders have also argued that the review of the Act has become expedient to accommodate the proposed National Carrier, which will also venture into commercial shipping, cargo such as containers and bulk would be sourced to keep it going.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners NAMM, the professional body in the nation’s maritime industry, believes that a total review of the Cabotage Act is long overdue in order to strengthen it and make it achieve the desired objectives.

President of the association, Captain Ade Olopoenia, noted that more than 10 years after the enactment of the legislation, which seeks to empower indigenous operators, the core objectives were yet to be achieved.

“The implementation of the Cabotage Act 2003 has been the subject of discussions among critical stakeholders who have not really realised the benefits of the legislation.

After over 10 years of implementing the Cabotage regime in Nigeria without achieving the set objectives captured in the four cardinal principles, which includes to build, own, register and manned by Nigerian, there is compelling need for the review of the Act”, he argued.

He argued that the amendment of the Cabotage Act should seek to address such issues as granting of waivers to foreign ships and seafarers and transparent disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF. In view of the fore going, it has become very necessary to look at the Act again, especially given that 13 years after, the circumstances that led to the enactment of the Act have deefinitely changed thus the need for a review to reflect current realities.

38

Business News

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Double taxation may hinder security lending on NSE Johnson okanlawon

T

o unleash the growth potential, depth and liquidity of Nigerian capital markets, there is an urgent responsibility to fast track the process of putting in place securities lending and removing the regulatory and tax barriers to its smooth operation in the markets, analysts have said.

Securities Lending describes

the market practice by which, for a fee, securities are transferred temporarily from one party, the lender, to another party, the borrower, who collateralizes the loan and is obliged to return them either on demand or at the end of the agreed term.

Investigations by National Mirror showed that tax law is silent on securities lending and there is need for National As-

sembly and the regulators to introduce law that guides securities lending.

The double taxation may be experienced when the lender pay withholding tax on the dividend and another corporate tax on the manufactured dividend, a payment made to pass through dividend and interest payments from the borrower to the lender of those securities.

Manufactured payments,

represented as interest or dividend payments, occur frequently in securities lending. In such an arrangement, title to the securities passes to borrower, but the lender customarily maintains the right to payments which accrue on the security.

Speaking to National Mirror, the Head, Investors Services, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Segun Sanni, explained that what banking system is to an economy is what securities lending is to the capital market.

Sanni, who said that the bank was the first to begin securities lending in Nigeria, said he wondered why it took so long to embrace securities lending in Africa.

He stressed that the capital market is not mirroring the size of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, saying that the se-

curities lending market is bigger than the banking industry in advanced countries.

He said: “For lack of information, we have not embraced securities lending in the capital market. We need to engage the system and stop any barrier to securities lending.”

It was gathered that with the obvious contribution of securities lending from the 1990’s, capital market assets in the UK and USA are now more significantly larger than the total holdings of their banking systems.

The investment expert added that securities lending is a very strong and effective stimulus to market depth and liquidity which however, Sub – Saharan African markets have neglected, apparently for lack of information.

Glo widens lead in data market in Q1 2016 …gains 80% of new internet users

L-R: Retail Advisor, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Jennifer Onuoha; winner of Etisalat e-Top Up Blast Promo, Mr. Patrick Ejiofor, and Lekki Experience Centre Manager, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Richard Ifediora during the presentation of prizes to winners of the free one year N10,000 monthly airtime at the Etisalat Lekki Experience Centre.

Ukraine to invest $1bn in Ajaokuta steel firm

T

he Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Valeriy Aleksandruk, has disclosed that his country was ready to invest $1bn into Ajaokuta Steel Company in order to revive the plant.

The Ambassador, who made this known in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy call on the Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent Akporaire, said the Ukrainian company that built the plant -Tiajpromexport (TPE) – had presented a proposal to the Federal Government to that effect.

The Envoy was quoted in a statement issued by the Bureau’s Head, Public Communications, Alex Okoh, as saying that the steel complex had a lot of potentials which his country wanted to take advantage of; and that already, meetings have been held with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria for the realization of the planned takeover of the plant.

He pointed out that Ukraine had a very good relationship with Nigeria, especially with economic and trade investments, while noting that there is a big Nigerian community in Ukraine.

The Ambassador further noted that Ukraine is ready to “open a new page in its relationship with Nigeria” and pledged to assist the Bureau in its training needs to become a foremost privatisation agency in Africa.

In his response, the Acting Director General of the privatization agency said that the Bureau would review the proposal by the Ukrainian Government and that of Morgan Stanley, the multinational financial services firm that would provide the $1bn invest-

ment before taking the next steps.

This is even as he confirmed that the Federal Government was desirous to get the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the Nigerian Iron Ore Mill Company (NIOMCO) Itakpe into operations.

Akpotaire urged the Ukrainian Government to invest in other sectors of the Nigerian economy, especially in developing the downstream of the steel sector that would service several sectors including the automobile sector.

T

he telecommunications industry report for the first quarter of 2016 shows that the next generation network, Globacom, has strengthened its position as Nigeria’s preferred network for new data subscribers.

In the report covering the first three months of the year just released by industry regulator, Globacom recorded an additional 1,448,354 new internet subscribers on its network during the period. The figure is made up of 354,178 for January, 248,593 for February and 845,583 for the month of March. Globacom’s total internet customers as at the end of the quarter stood at 26,530,420.

The company’s figure of 1,448,354 for the three months under review represents 80% of the total number of 1,820,651

Benue Commissioner refutes N50m misappropriation allegation henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

B

enue State Commissioner for Commerce Trade and Industry, Dr.Tersoo Kpelai, has debunked the allegation in some quarters in the state of his ministry misappropriating over N50 million during the just concluded trade fair in the state .

The Commissioner made this clarification on Wednesday in Makurdi during an interview with National Mirror.

He disclosed that the 23 lo-

cal government councils in the state and other individuals contributed NI each totalling N23million towards facilitating the hosting of the just concluded trade fair .

Kpelai also dismissed the speculation making the rounds that he abandoned the trade fair midway for an outside engagement in China .

He explained that his trip to China along side with Governor Samuel Ortom afforded the state better investment opportunities .Adding that a firm there

has already conceded to come and start assembling tractors plant in state.

According to him, the delegation is already in the state to inspect the site noting that when established over 5,000 jobs would have been created for our teaming youths in the state .

He however observed that the citizens will soon reap the benefit from partners in Chinese Countries as they have indicated their willingness to invest in agriculture, health ,science and technology sector of the economy in the state.

new customers who subscribed to internet services of the four major telecom operators in the first quarter of this year.

Airtel recorded 319,229 new data subscribers for the three months, while Etisalat had an addition of 53,068 new internet users on the network during the period. The combined figure for the two companies makes up the remaining 20% of the total figure of 1,820,651 new internet subscribers for the quarter.

On the other hand, MTN which began the quarter with 39,924,737 data customers ended it with 33,356,595. This indicates a massive loss of over 6.5million internet subscribers in just three months.

Compared to the corresponding period of 2015, Glo had 946,202 new internet customers, MTN recorded 1,286,205, Airtel had 2,331,160 while Etisalat had 3,994,810 new data subscribers.

Since then, however, Globacom has taken firm control of the data segment of the telecom market.

January 2016 statistics which showed how the major operators fared over the last12 months revealed that Glo added a total of 7,251,657 new internet users during the period. Etisalat came second with a total of 5,431,190 new internet customers, while Airtel finished third with 961,548 new data customers in the 12 months period.

On the other hand, MTN recorded a net loss of 1,059,160 data subscribers during the period.

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

39

NCAM trains farmers on mechanized agriculture in Anambra Francis EkponE, Onitsha

A

bout 100 farmers from Ebonyi, Anambra and Ogun States were yesterday trained on modern agricultural mechanization by the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), in collaboration with the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Anambra State.

The training on mechanization and dry season cultivation of rice and

Rising carbon dioxide levels ‘ll help, hurt crops

E

cassava was funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The training on rice mechanisation took place at Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government Area while that of Cassava cultivation was practically demonstrated at Igbariam in Anambra East council area of Anambra state.

Speaking at the rice production centre in Anaku, the National Programme Coordinator, IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, Mr. Ameh Onoja, said the essence of the program was to introduce the farmers to the culture of dry season rice production which had never been practiced in the past in the state.

Onoja, who stressed that the program would attract access roads to the farm and as well provide inputs

such as fertilizer and seeds, also informed that dry season rice field, due for harvesting now was cultivated three months ago with the help of the tube-wells (Shallow boreholes) provided in the area.

The Anambra State Programme Coordinator, Value Chain Development Programme, IFAD Assisted, Mr. Emmanuel Nnamdi Agwuncha noted that the choice of Anaku for rice production was due to the water level in the area, adding that the programme will also provide more machines for rice harvesting, threshing, milling, polishing and bagging.

Agwuncha, while pointing out the readiness of IFAD to further train them on good agronomic practices in rice production, expressed gratitude in the farm output, reiterating that the dry season cultivation would engage

youths to be more productive and as well strengthen the economy of the state.

While demonstrating on the rice machine called, Power Tiller, the Technology Promoter, NCAM, Mr. Dada Joel Temitope, said the 8.5 Horse Power capacity tractor for land preparation performs three functions: ploughing, pudding and levelling.

While his Technical Assistant counterpart, Mr. Babatunde Isaac, who demonstrated on Cassava planting machine, called Cassava Stem Planter at Igbariam, said the machine also performed three functions of cutting, planting, and fertilizer application.

Some of the farmers, Mrs Juliet Ebue, Pastor Benjamin Onyebuchi and Ifeoma Mebo expressed gratitude, saying that the new technologies in farming will increase their yield.

levated carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere may increase water-use efficiency in crops and considerably mitigate yield losses due to climate change, according to a new NASA study.

The results, published in the journal Nature Climate Change on April 18, 2016 show some compensation for the adverse impacts of temperature extremes and water scarcity caused by increasing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Studies have shown that higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide affect crops in two important ways: they boost crop yields by increasing the rate of photosynthesis, which spurs growth, and they reduce the amount of water crops lose through transpiration. Plants transpire through their leaves, which contain tiny pores called stomata that open and collect carbon dioxide molecules for photosynthesis. During that process they release water vapor. As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, the pores don’t open as wide, resulting in lower levels of L - R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, listening to the Director General of the Federal Institute transpiration by plants and thus increased of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and Sheu Salad from the World Bank during the minister’s visit to FIIRO in Lagos yesterday water-use efficiency.

Global climate impact assessments for crops have focused primarily on the impacts of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on yields, said Delphine Deryng, stitutes to model their curriculum he Minister of Agriculture and the hub of diversifying the economy. lead author and a climate scientist at NAThe Minister said agriculture relat- towards solving problems.

Rural Development, Chief Audu SA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies ed issues have been left behind 40 years Lokpobiri asked the research instiOgbeh, has charged Heads of (GISS) in New York City. “There has been ago and this has weakened the capac- tutes not to see themselves as memagencies under the supervision of very little impact assessment analysis that the ministry to settle down quickly to ity of the Nigerian market to compete bers of the academic society but as looked at the dual effect on yield and wawork because activities in the agricul- in the world market. He promised to scientists, noting that as heads of ter use and how they play out in different tural sector would commence with full use the research institutes to move life agencies, they are expected to think regions of the world, which is critical to and find solutions to problems. speed immediately the ministry’s bud- to the rural areas. anticipating future agricultural water deOgbeh reminded them that the desEarlier in his opening remarks, the get is released. mands,” she said. tiny of Nigeria is in their hands, say- Executive Secretary, Agricultural ReThe Minister gave the charge at an To study those effects, for wheat, maize, interactive meeting he held with heads ing, “Nigeria relies on you to lift the search Council of Nigeria (ARCN), soybean and rice crops, Deryng and her cocountry out of our disastrous situa- Prof. Yusuf Abubakar, said with the authors simulated changes in crop yield of all agencies recently in Abuja. commitment of President MuhamOgbeh harped on the resolve of the tion”. and evapotranspiration (the combined He however promised to address all madu Buhari and the two Ministers, ministry to make research institutes transfer of water vapor to the atmosphere the challenges being faced by the insti- the agricultural sector would move due to evaporation and transpiration) to and colleges of agriculture centres of tutes and colleges but advised them to forward. estimate crop water productivity. Specifi- excellence by enhancing their capacikeep politics away from research.

He emphasized the need for the cally, they looked at the amount of yield ties to enable them deliver, adding that In his remarks at the meeting, the ministry to address the challenges the need to market research findings produced per unit of water, which is a Minister of State for Agriculture and facing ARCN, Research Institutes and common measurement for assessing crop both in Nigeria and Africa had become more imperative in view of the Rural Development, Senator Heinek- Colleges of agriculture to reposition water-use efficiency. increasing need to make agriculture en Lokpobiri, urged the research in- them for good service delivery.

(Source – sciencedaily.com)

Agric Minister tasks agencies on productivity, service delivery

T

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, May 6, 2016

40

Stocks shed 0.59% on consumer goods, industrial stocks’ losses Johnson okanlawon

T

rading in stocks on the Nigerian capital market extended its decline by 0.59 per cent as bearish sentiments remained amid declines in investment activity and level.

Stock market analysts attributed the decline to losses recorded in Consumer Goods stocks as well as industrial stocks of 2.03 per cent and 1.12 per cent decline.

Also, they added, “With

no positive catalyst on the horizon, we expect profittaking to continue in tomorrow’s session.”

The NSE-ASI shed 151.64 absolute points or 0.59 per cent to close at 25,563.78 points. Similarly, the market capitalization declined by N52.16 billion to close at N8.793 trillion.

Market breadth was positive with 25 gainers and 24 losers.

Fidelity Bank led the gainers’ by 6.67 per cent to close at N1.12 per share.

It was trailed by May and Baker with a gain of 5

per cent to close at 84 kobo, while Forte Oil appreciated by 4.99 per cent to close at N199.48 per share.

Conoil chalked up by 4.98 per cent to close at N17.27, while Airline Services rose by 4.97 per cent to close at N1.69 per share.

Conversely, Transnational Express recorded the highest price loss of 8.85 per cent to close at N1.03 per share. CCNN lost 6.17 per cent to close at N6.99, while Nigerian Breweries dropped by 5.48 per cent to close at N155.32 per share.

Portland Paints and

Union Dicon shed five per cent each to close at N2.88 and N11.21 per share, respectively.

Total volume of shares transacted declined by 26 per cent to 178.87 million valued at N1.48 billion. Top in volume transacted was FBN Holdings with a total volume of 27.84 million shares valued at N98.74 million. United for Africa (UBA) followed with account of 26.50 million shares valued at N92.39 million, while Zenith Bank sold 15.96 million shares cost N207.61 million.

Fidelity Bank traded 13.88 million shares worth N15.22 million and Livestock traded 10.26 million shares valued at N8.34 million.

Nigerian Breweries posts N38.056bn PAT, proposes N38.059bn dividend

N

igerian Breweries Plc yesterday announced a 10.3 per cent increase in revenue from N266 billion recorded in 2014 to N293 billion in the 2015 financial year.

The audited reports however showed that Profit Before Tax, PBT, dropped by 11.3 per cent from N61 billion at the end of the 2014 financial year to N54 billion in 2015 while Profit After Tax, PAT dipped by 10.5 per cent to N38 billion in 2015 from the N42 billion recorded in 2014.

The decrease in PBT and PAT in the financial year under review was attributed to the increasingly challenging operating environment in the country.

Even then, the Board and management of the company have indicated that a dividend payment of N38.059 billion would be presented to sharehold-

ers for endorsement at the company’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, scheduled for next week Wednesday.

This would translate to total dividend of N4.80 per ordinary share of fifty kobo each for the 2015 financial year. If approved by shareholders at the meeting, the amount would be the highest dividend ever paid by the company in its 70 year history.

Giving these hints at a pre-AGM parley with the media in Lagos, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, noted that despite the inclement operating clime, the company had been able to sustain itsmarket leadership through innovative approach in product development backed up by costefficient operations.

He also restated the company’s commitment to Nigeria’ s development not only through value-adding prod-

uct development and delivery to the market but also by investing in areas that would help in building its local capacity in skills and raw material sourcing with the positive implications for the economy.

Vervelde, who spoke elaborately on the company’s corporate philosophy of ‘Winning With Nigeria’ and major steps taken to demonstrate this through series of CSR interventions in Health, Education, Water, and other areas of the country, assured that planned were in top gear to ensure that about 60 per cent of its inputs are sourced locally on or before the 2020 target year set by Heineken B.V, for the African continent.

The industrialist noted that in the year under review, the challenges of foreign exchange rate, inflation, insecurity and others constrained businesses thereby reducing consumer

purchasing power and robbed on negatively on performances of many entitites.

While noting that the 2016 financial year may witness a continuation of the tough operating environment of last year, Vervelde expressed optimism that the Board remained confident that with the company’s strong portfolio and its Cost Leadership agenda, it should be able to brace the odds and ensure better value for shareholders’ funds and sustenance of its leadership position in the nation’s lager beer and other drinks market.

The Managing Director restated the company’s belief in the enormous potential of Nigeria to become a leading global economic player given its huge population, market, human capital and other resources that could be explored to national competitive advantage in the global economic system.

Morgan Stanley sees post-Brexit BOE policy sinking U.K. yields

U

.K. 10-year government bond yields may slide as much as 0.2 percentage point should Britons vote to leave the European Union in a referendum next month because investors will price in the possibility of the Bank of England maintaining record-low interest rates for longer, according to Morgan Stanley.

“Investors would expect the MPC to become more accommodative, which would support the front-end, while increased risk aversion would support 10-year and longer maturities,” Anton Heese, London-based head of European rates strategy at the company, a primary dealer in gilts, wrote in a client note on Thursday, referring to the BOE’s Monetary

Policy Committee. “We do not expect substantial selling of gilts from non-domestic investors.”

The pound, the worstperforming Group-of-10 currency this year, has taken the brunt of investors’ concern before a June 23 vote that may lead to Britain leaving the world’s largest trading bloc.

Gilts have largely avoided the turmoil, outperforming Treasuries and German securities this year, according to Bloomberg World Bond Indexes, as the prospect of a slowing economy and a prolonged period of low interest rates boosted demand for the securities.

Ten-year gilts advanced for a sixth day on Thursday, the longest stretch of gains since September, as a report showed a gauge of services fell last month to its low-

est level in more than three years, coming after biggerthan-expected declines in manufacturing and construction indexes earlier in the week.

Benchmark 10-year gilt yields fell five basis points, or 0.05 percentage point, to 1.48 percent as of 4:11 p.m.

London time, the lowest level since April 20. The 2 percent bond due in September 2025 rose 0.45, or 4.500 pounds per 1,000-pound ($1,449) face amount, to 104.56. The yield dropped 13 basis points in the previous five days. U.K. financial markets were closed May 2 for a holiday.

“We estimate the initial response would be for 10-year gilts to rally 10 to 20 basis points, which may seem aggressive given the starting point for gilt valuations,” Heese wrote. “However, we would point out that gilts are

trading roughly in line with other G-4 rates markets, so we do not see anything priced in for Brexit at present.”

(Source – Bloomberg.com) Rate (%) Inflation

12.77

MPR

12

Crude oil price

$42.41

Source: NSE

Exchange Rate

Naira

US Dollar

$1

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 24,957.08 points Market capitalisation 8.58trn

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.07

104.64

10.40

104.79

10.26

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.24

114.58

10.56

114.88

10.46

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.87

111.95

11.61

112.25

11.51

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.83

120.59

11.44

120.89

11.38

14.20 14-MAR-2024

7.95

109.22

12.34

109.52

12.29

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.81

100.08

12.48

100.38

12.42

Closing Market Prices of March 31, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

30-Jun-16

8.40

8.58

WAUA

270

USD

197.00

6-Oct-16

8.87

9.30

EURO

214

16-Mar-17

9.42

10.35

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

6.9583

POUNDS STERLING

293

1M

9.8519

3M

11.6578

SDR

273

6M

13.0575

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

World News

41

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cash scarcity: Mugabe Govt mulls dollar printing AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

Z

imbabwe may print its own version of the US dollar soon in order to ease a cash shortage in the country.

Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya said yesterday that the cash, known as bond notes, would be backed by $200m (£140m) support from the Africa Export-Import Bank.

“The specially-designed two, five, 10 and 20 dollar notes will have the same value as their US dollar equivalents,” Mangudya said.

Zimbabwe introduced the US dollar after ditching its own currency in 2009 following sustained hyperinflation.

Since then Zimbabweans have been using the dollar as well as a number of other foreign currencies including the South African Rand and the Chinese Yuan.

Reports said bank customers were not always able to withdraw the amount of US dollars they want because of a shortage of dollar notes in Zimbabwe.

The RBZ governor CONFIRMATION OF NAME

l llesanmi Banke Adebanke is same person as Ilesanmi Banks Catherine ,all former document remained valid ,ekiti state auditor general office ,Heritage bank and general public should please take note.

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stressed that the issuing of bond notes was not the first step on the way to reintroducing the defunct currency.

Mangudya also introduced a number of other measures to steer people

away from using US dollar cash.

This includes setting a $1, 000 limit on how much cash can be taken out of the country.

He wants to encourage people to make greater use

of the rand since a large portion of Zimbabwe’s trade is with South Africa, although people are reluctant to hold rands as they are not confident that the currency will maintain its value against the dollar.

“Not all shops and traders accept the full range of currencies officially in use,” Mangudya further said.

The central bank brought in so-called bond coins of one, five, 10 and 25

Party rift: Turkish PM to step down

T

urkey’s Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said yesterday that he will stand down at an extraordinary congress of his ruling AK Party later this month.

Davutoglu is believed to have fallen from favour because he disapproved of Erdogan’s plans to move Turkey to a presidential system of government.

But in a speech, Davutoglu pledged his loyalty to President Erdogan, saying he bore no anger against anyone.

His successor will be chosen when the congress meets on May 22.

Presidential aide Cemil Ertem said yesterday that there would be no snap elections following the appointment of a new leader.

“The country and its economy will stabilise further when a prime minCHANGE OF NAME

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ister more closely aligned with President Erdogan takes office.

Davutoglu was expected to be a pliant prime minister but disagreed with some of Erdogan’s more controversial policies and crucially wavered in his support to change the constitution to boost the president’s powers.

His resignation means

Erdogan tightens his control of Turkey and is likely to install a more obedient prime minister.

It will worry many Western leaders who find the divisive Erdogan difficult to handle.

After he was elected president in 2014, Erdogan hand-picked Davutoglu to succeed him as head of the AK Party (Justice and

Development Party).

But the prime minister’s unease with Erdogan’s plans to move to a presidential system, among other policies, has been evident in recent months.

The future of that agreement, which Davutoglu was seen as having agreed with little input from the president, could

cents, pegged to the US dollar, in 2014.

“The Reserve Bank is still working on a design for the new notes, but they should be in circulation within the next two months,” he concluded.

be plunged into doubt by his departure.

Among those tipped as successors to Davutoglu are Transport Minister Binali Yildirim, who is close to Erdogan, and Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, who is the president’s sonin-law.

The leader will be formally elected at the party congress.

Nairobi house collapse: Rescuers find woman alive

A

woman was yesterday rescued from the ruins of a residential building in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, six days after it collapsed in heavy rains.

Kenya Red Cross said she had been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Thirty-six people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of the six-storey residence last Friday and more than 80 people are still missing.

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AFOLABI TUNDE SAME PERSON AS SHITTU ADEDAMOLA OLUWAPAMILERIN, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SHITTU ADEDAMOLA OLUWAPAMILERIN. FORMER REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

The building’s presumed owners have been released on bail after being arrested on Monday.

Bystanders who had been watching the rescue in Nairobi’s Huruma neighbourhood applauded as she was carried away on a stretcher.

Extracting the survivor from the rubble was a delicate process that took hours of patient work.

She was able to speak to the rescue team and medics put her on an inCHANGE OF NAME

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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travenous drip as they worked to free her.

Now out of the rubble, rescuers say the woman is weak but has no obvious signs of injury.

This development is no doubt a morale booster for those working on the site and they are still trying to find more survivors.

The head of Kenya’s National Disaster Management Unit, Pius Masai, told the BBC that there is still hope that more people would be CHANGE OF NAME

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found alive.

A six-month-old child was pulled alive from the rubble on Tuesday, but her mother was found dead the following day.

City authorities say they had earmarked the building for demolition after it was declared unfit for human habitation.

An official audit of the country’s buildings found that more than half in the capital are not suitable for people to live in.

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42

North

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari’s directive against armed herdsmen insightful –Group Justin tyopuusu JALINGO

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has been commended over his recent order to the Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Army Staff to clamp down on

armed Fulani herdsmen terrorising communities across the country.

Chairman, Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier, a pressure group, Dooior Torkula, made the commendation in an exclusive interview with National Mirror in Jalin-

Sokoto, BoI float N2bn industrial devt fund

S

okoto government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Bank of Industry, BoI, for the establishment of a N2 billion industrial development fund in the state.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal during the signing of the MoU in Sokoto yesterday said the two parties will each provide a billion naira, while the fund will focus on micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

A statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, quoted Tambuwal as saying the focus on SMEs was important because they are critical component in implementing the industrialisation policy of his administration.

“Sokoto State government is determined to give the people all the required support to improve their businesses. I urge our entrepreneurs, businessmen and women to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their capacity and improve on their businesses for effective service

delivery,” the governor said.

According to him, in order to ensure maximum benefit, the government will only recommend those who have the capability to judiciously utilise the funds.

Tambuwal reiterated the government’s commitment to implement the terms of the agreement and assured that the efforts will yield positive result.

Also, BoI’s Acting Managing Director, Mr Waheed Olagunjo, said the matching fund was intended to positively impact on the industrial development of the state.

He added that the synergy created between the two parties would provide a veritable platform for Sokoto to experience accelerated economic growth and transformation.

While thanking the governor for giving BoI an office accommodation in Sokoto, Olagunju said the bank would continue to support the business community in the state so as to improve their economic well being.

Katsina loans councils N600m for salary payment James DanJuma KATSINA

K

atsina State government has advanced its 34 council areas the sum of N600 million for immediate payment of staff and teachers’ salaries.

The loan followed shortfall in federal allocation to the council areas, which affected their ability to pay salaries.

According to reports, the state government has been assisting the council areas with such loans on monthly basis to enable them offset salary bills.

The development, it was learnt, has in turn affected

the financial status of the state government as a substantial part of its allocation goes to salary payments.

The Commissioner of Finance, Muntari Kado, told newsmen yesterday that theloan facility was approved during Wednesday’s regular executive council meeting.

Kado lamented that local government areas in the state had since January this year been experiencing shortage in monthly allocation, a situation that necessitated the loan.

He said in January, the state got N3.2bn while in February it got N2.8bn and in March got N2.6bn, adding that in April the state got N2.4 billion.

go.

Torkula, while hailing Buhari’s directive to end killings by herdsmen across the country, regretted that the president took too long to react to the killings.

He, therefore, called on the National and state Assemblies to pass a law mandating the creation

of ranches as a way out of the frequent herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in the country.

According to him, ranch system remains the best way of rearing cattle in the 21st century, noting that a lot would be derived from rearing cattle in ranches than continuing with

the traditional nomadic style.

“Apart from the protein we get in eating beef, Nigeria as a country is losing billions of naira in revenue in the present style of rearing cattle.

Ranching will provide jobs for the people, make Nigeria benefit from the

export of cow milk and skin in addition to other benefits.”

The chairman also called on the federal government to provide relief materials to those displaced in Taraba, and also set up funds for victims of herdsmen attack to rehabilitate them.

L-R: Governor of Bauchi State Muhammed Abubakar (left), receiving the report of the State’s Committee on the Recovery of Public Properties from the chairman of the committee, retired Air Commodre Tijjani Gamawa, at the Government House, Bauchi.

Death sentence: High court reserves judgement for May 12 abDulgafar olaDimeJi KANO

T

he nine persons sentenced to death by hanging by a Kano Upper shariah court sitting at Rijiyar Lemu quarters will have their fate determined on May 12.

The court pronounced death sentence on them for utterances adjudged to be blasphemous against the tenets of Islam.

The police had arraigned 13 persons before the court on the allegation

of having made unguarded statements against Prophet Mohammed with Mairo Ibrahim as the principal accused in the matter.

Delivering judgment in a closed-trial session due to security concerns, Ustaz Atiku Bello held that the accused persons acted contrary to sections 110 and 382(b) of the shariah penal code law of Kano State, 2000 respectively.

The Islamic trial judge said a case of prima facie had been established

against the accused persons in his judgment, and pronounced death sentence on Hajiya Mairo Ibrahim and seven others.

The accused persons filed an appeal before Kano high court 8 sitting at Miller road, challenging the death verdict.

The judge presiding over the appeal, Yusuf Ubale, however reserved May 12 for the pronouncement of the court on the appeal filed by the accused. Senior state counsel prosecuting the mat-

Buhari’s visit to Katsina not political –Masari James DanJuma KATSINA

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s official visit to his Katsina home state is not political but purely for economic reason, the governor Aminu Bello Masari has said.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, Masari however

warned those trying to use the visit in the state to foment trouble to desist.

Masari said rumour had reached him that some people, particularly from opposition political parties, were trying to use the president’s visit to cause disaffection.

He said the rumour had led some youths who are members of the rul-

ing All Progressive Congress, APC, to begin making efforts to ensure such don’t take place.

The governor said the visit would see several members of the local and foreign business community converging on the state, and that it would not be to state’s advantage for any form of disaffection to hold.

ter, Mr Soron Dinki in a chat with National Mirror, confirmed May 12 as the day set for judgment by the court.

Four others, Alkassim Abubakar, Yahaya Abubakar, Isa Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, were discharged and acquitted by the court, under section 404 shariah criminal procedure law, 2000.

Following the allegation of blasphemy against the 13 persons in July 2015, thousands of youths under the aegis of Ahbabu Rasul, stormed the streets of Kano and the Government House in a protest against the alleged blasphemous statement contained in a video, by calling on the government to prosecute the offenders.

During the protest, the irate youths burnt down the shariah court complex at Rijiyar Lemu, where persons arrested in connection with the alleged blasphemous comments were arraigned.

Friday, May 6, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

43

Sport

Billiards is very similar to snooker, except there are only three balls and no one watches it

Olympics: We’ll pick more boxing tickets in Kazakhstan -Apochi

–Steve Davis (1988)

47

Goalkeeper, Chinedu Anozie of Abia Warrior punches the ball off the head of Cisse Mahamane of Ifeanyi Ubah FC during their league match in Nnewi.

Photo: LMC

MEN’S DRAW:

Federation Cup final holds August 28

...NFF asks state govts to bid Joel AJAyi

AbujA

T

he Round of 64 matches of the 2016 men’s Federation Cup Championship were unveiled yesterday at the draw ceremony conducted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) inside the Conference Room of the FIFA Goal Project, Package B, National Stadium, Abuja.

The matches will be played on 25th and 26th May across the federation, while the round of 32 games will be decided on June 15th and 16th as round of 16 get 6th and 7th July dates.

Also, quarter-finals will be played on 27th and 28th July, semi-finalists will battle it out on the 17th August while the Final will be played on August 28th in a yet to be determined venue.

The 64 teams comprising 18 from NPFL, 15 NNL, 18 Nationwide leaguers and 10 teams nonleague teams were drawn.

Defending champions, Akwa United were seeded 1, while 2015 losing finalists, Lobi Stars and Enyimba were drawn bye into the round of 32.

For the Women Federation Cup, 22 teams, out of which 16 are in the premier league, one from pro-league and five amateur leaguers will contest.

In his address, First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwumi, explained that FA Cup is one of the historical cup competitions in the annals of Nigerian football and has brought a lot young players to the limelight.

Akinwumi said the NFF was working hard and would leave no stone unturned to ensure fairness, good football and greater improve-

Kwara United vs Galadima Best Sunshine Stars vs Giwa FC Abia Comets vs Nembe City Damaturu FC vs Dynamite United Rovers FC vs Flash Flamingoes Nasarawa United vs FC Abuja Go Round vs Yobe Desert Stars Rivers United vs Papilo FC Kaduna United vs Bridge FC 3SC vs Wikki Tourist Feeders FC Zamfara vs Almar FC Heartland FC vs Top World J. Atete vs Akwa Starlets El-Kanemi vs Katsina Utd Feeders Sokoto United vs Crown FC Fasbir FC vs Niger Tornadoes ABS FC vs Yenagoa City Akure City vs Enugu Rangers Kogi United vs Ekiti United Wikki Tourists vs FRSC FC Dreams FC vs Akwanga Selected Plateau United vs Zara FC Gateway FC vs Kano Pillars Prime FC vs Inneh Stars Yarmalight FC vs Warri Wolves Jigawa Stars vs Gashaka Green Buffaloes MFM FC vs El-Kanemi Babes Katsina United vs FC Lokoja FC IfeanyiUbah vs Ebonyi United Women’s draw: Alberto Queens vs Osun Queens FC Robo Queens vs Rivers Angels Abia Angels vs Rising Queens Ibom Angels vs Edo Queens Sure Babes vs Gift of Life Martins White Doves vs Tokas Queens

ment of the Nigeria’s prestigious cup from beginning to the final of the event.

Also speaking, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, called on state governments who are interested in hosting the last eight games, apart from Round of 64 games to indicate their interest on time.

“We want states who are interested in hosting any of quarter-finals, semi-finals and Final to indicate their interests and when that is done on time, we would put centres or venues where the matches are going to be played.

“Once we choose a centre, we are not going to change it, even if home team is playing,” the secretary said.

Among the matches to look forward to are NPFL teams, Sunshine Stars against Giwa FC, Kano Pillars against Gateway and Imo State champions, Papilo FC against high-flying Rivers United.

44

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Formerly known and addressed as OLALEYE BLESSING EBOSELUME, now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs. IGHAGBOSORIA BLESSING EBOSELUME. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Isiaka Dauda Abiodun, now wish to be Known and addressed as Isiaka Abiodun Oluwasegun.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note. xxxxxx

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oluchi Okeuhie, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluchi Blessing Egerue. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ochim Sonade, now wish to be known and addressed as Ochim Sunday Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly Miss Awoyemi Oluwakemi Raibat, now wish to be addressed as Miss Morakinyo Oluwakemi Olanike Rabiat. All Former Documents Remain Valid. The General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IJEOMA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS IJEOMA STELLA UZOGARA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IJEOMA STELLA NWACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABITI: Formerly known and addressed as ABITI REMILEKUN RACHEAL now wish to be known and addressed as.ABITI REMILEKUN ADUNI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Odunlami Olufunke Helen now wish to be Known and addressed as Abiona Odunlami Olufunke Helen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YUSUF: Formerly known and addressed as YUSUF ADEMOLA ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF AKEEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GBEKU: Formerly known and addressed as GBEKU INNOCENT SAMUEL .now wish to be known and addressed as AMOS INNOCENT SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

JOSHUA: Formerly known and addressed as JOSHUA BALOGUN OLAKUNLE now wish to be known and addressed as TIJANI ISIAKA OLAKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PIUS GADDIEL VERA, now wish to be Known and addressed as EKWERE GADDIEL VERONICA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Owoyale Ahmed Rafiu, now wish to be Known and addressed as Adeyemi Ahmed Adeshola. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adebayo EmioyinJesu Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyinka EmioyinJesu Emmanuel. I was born on 25th day of December 1970.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Rotimi Folorunsho, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogundele Rotimi Comfort. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as UTHMAN SEUN, Now wish to be known and addressed as ASHIMU OLUWASEUN UTHMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I formerly known and addressed as KAZEEM MODINAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGUN MODINAT AMOKE. That my correct date of birth is 24th April 1985 and not 16th April 1985.

All documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

THADDEUS: I, Ahembe Mfeyina Thaddeus, wish to inform that the real spelling of my name is “THADDEUS” and not “THEDDEUS” as been spelled in some quotas. All former documents remain valid. The authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BASHORUN: Formerly known and addressed as BASHORUN OLASIMBO RAMAT now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSANYA OLASIMBO RAMAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Known and addressed as Adeleke Olamide Kehinde Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Awojobi Olamide Adeola. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mordi Harriet Emegha, now wish to be Known and addressed as Omotayo Harriet Emegha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR IFEANYI now wish to be known and addressed as MMADUBUGWU IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank, Sterling Bank , Fidelity Bank and general public take note CHANGE xOF NAME

FAITH: Formerly known and addressed as FAITH CHIMEREM ONZURUIKE now wish to be known and addressed as FAITH CHIMEREM OKORONKWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IJEOMA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IJEOMA. STELLA. UZOGARA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IJEOMA. STELLA. NWACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BANIGBE BENJAMIN SAIMON SUNDAY, now wish to be Known and addressed as SUNDAY BANIGBE BENJAMIN. Date of Birth: 29- 9-1989.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Lukman Adio Lukman, now wish to be known and addressed as Akorede lukman Adio. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. xxxxxx CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olabisi Latifat, now wish to be known and addressed as Jimba Latifa Olabisi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YINUSA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS YINUSA OLUWASEUN OLABIMPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEKEYE OLUWASEUN OLABIMPE .

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OKPAN NNENNA, Now wish to be known and addressed as OKPAN MAUREEN ONYEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name is mistakenly written in my bank documents as AKANNA PRECIOUS is not correct. I wish to be known and correctly addressed as UZOMA AKANNO PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

First bank of Nigeria and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Abraham Oluwakemi Bridget wish to be addressed as Mrs Famoriyo Oluwakemi Bridget. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SALMAN: Formerly known and addressed as SALMAN AKANJI OLAMIDE now wish to be known and addressed as SALMAN AZEEZ AKANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BAMIDELE MOSHOOD FOLORUNSHO, but now wish to be Known and addressed as DELE MOSHOOD FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid.

Geberal public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ASKU: Formerly known and addressed as Asku Hannah now wish to be known and addressed as Saku Hannah All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

SUNDAY: Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY ODENIGBO OBIEKEZIE now wish to be known and addressed as NNABU CELESTINE NNABU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as ADEBAYO OYINDAMOLA OLAYINKA. now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI OYINDAMOLA OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JAMES OLALEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ISMAILA OLALEKAN JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mace Martin, now wish to be Known and addressed as Megnizin Martin.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Abubakar Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Aliyu Jubril Abubakar. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that Adigun Ajarat Aina is the same one person as Adigun Ajarat A. Adedamola, that henceforth wish to be called,known and addressed as Adigun Ajarat A. Adedamola. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Amsat Abdulahi Ajayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Amusat Abdulahi Ajadi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that Ayokunle Ademuyiwa is the same one person as Ayokunle Ademoluyi Niyi, that henceforth wish to be known, addressed and called as Ayokunle Ademoluyi Niyi. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ugbedaga Aina now wish to be known and addressed as Adeogun Margret Aina. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Mr CHIGOZIE OKOYE,now Mr EJIKE PAUL CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Oyewole Omolola Amoke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Dosunmu Nimota Amoke. All former documents remain valid. P. T. A. D Sigma Pension and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeokun Abiola Abigeal now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sogbesan Abiola Abigeal.

All former documents remain valid. First bank and General public take note CORRECTION OF NAME/CHANGE OF NAME

MUSA: MUSA SHAIBU ASHOZI WAS MISTAKENLY WRITTEN AS MUSA SHAIB ASHOZI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED MUSA SHAIBU ASHOZI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that the name (YUSUF MOMOHJIMOH) on my BVN Number:22314688165 did at FIRSTBANK is the same name as (YUSUF MOMOH JIMOH) as written on KEYSTONE BANK CHEQUE NO: 34216816 please KEYSTONE BANK, FIRSTBANK and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNYEMI: formerly known and addressed as BLESSING BOSE OGUNYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING ERIC NAPOLEON.All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OKPARA EUCHARIA UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODII EUCHARIA UCHENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN QASIM AKOLAWOLE Now wish to be known, called and addressed as BALOGUN KAZEEM KOLAWOLE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

KADIRI: This is to confirm that KADIRI ADIJAT MUKELOSHO and KADIR ADIJAT MUKELOSHO refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as KADIR ADIJAT MUKELOSHO. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person.

Banks and general public take note xxxxxx

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OYENIYI KAFAYAT TAIYE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. LAWAL KAFAYAT TAIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as KEN AJAYI ADEDAYO/KENNETH OLAMIDE AJAYI. Now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI KENNETH ADEDAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

News 45

Friday, May 6, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alonge Folasade Alice now wish to be called and known as Mrs Owolabi Folasade Alice. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Matthew Afolabi Adeeyo now wish to be addressed and known as Rabiu Adeeyo. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alabi Olaronke Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Solademi Olaronke Grace. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I Oisakhode Edeki wish to Comfirm that I am the same person as Oisakhode Destiny now wish to be known and addressed as Oisakhode Edeki. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mesioye Oluwabusayomi Janet now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osinuga Oluwabusayomi Janet.

All former documents remain valid.

First bank, Skye bank, NIPOST and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

ALABI: FORMERLY KNOWN AND CALLED AINO ALABI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED SULE CARO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

SANNI: FORMERLY KNOWN AND CALLED DAUD OCEAN SANNI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED SANNI DAUD AJEVENE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. UBA BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

FAYEHUN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS FAYEHUN OLAJUMOKE ENI-ITAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAYINKA OLAJUMOKE ENI-ITAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MATTHEW MOJISOLA MOPELOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAWU MOJSOLA MOPELOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALEBIOSU: Formerly known ana addressed as ALEBIOSU RUKAYAT OYINLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as POPOOLA ALEBIOSU RUKAYAT OYINLOLA.All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that, the person that opened account with GTB with the name Odubona Najimu Adebola is also known as Odubona Nojeemdeen Adebola on another account opened with FCMB. I did my BVN with the name Odubona Najimu Adebola. Henceforth, I want to be known as Odubona Nojeemdeen Adebola.

General public, GTB and FCMB should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as JOHNSON MATHEW. Now wish to be known and addressed as OJO ADEDAMOLA VICTOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLALEYE OLUBUNMI ENIOLA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLOMU OLUBUNMI ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. The Federal Polytechnic AdoEkiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Ibraheem Fatimoh Ifedamola now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Olawoyin Fatimoh Ifedamola.

All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Ikotun Florence Medinat now wish to be called and known as Sulaiman Florence Medinat. All former documents remain valid, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc(GTB) and general Public should Please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ROSE OKON JAMES now wish to be Known and addressed as MRS. GLORY UWEMEDIMO TOM, all former documents remain valid , General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Tairu Folashade Ayobami now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adigun Folashade Ayobami. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Elegbede Esther Aina now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Esther Aina. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

ONUH: Formerly known and addressed as ONUH OJONEGECHA now wish to be known and addressed as BALA MARY OJONEGECHA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that IGOBOYE DORCAS is the same person as IGOBOYE DORCAS IBIWARI. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEDIRAN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDIRAN ABIMBOLA ATINUKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBITOYE ABIMBOLA ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GBOYEGA IDOWU AMOS, now wish to be known and addressed as GBOYEGA IDOWU ALANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the public that my name was mistakenly written as YUNUSA JOHN OZASIMI instead of JOHN YUNUSA OMEIZA. I henceforth wish to be known and addressed as JOHN YUNUSA OMEIZA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladosu Fatimoh Bisola now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Nasiru Fatima Bisola. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odionye Elizabeth Uzoma Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugoagwu Elizabeth Uzoma. All former documents remain valid , general public to take note .

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Ben Oladapo Opeyemi Olokode now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Bernard Olayemi Olusanjo Obanleowo.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adeniran Omowumi Amuda now wish to be known and addressed as Adeniji Omowunmi Amuda. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

YAKUBU: FORMERLY KNOWN AS NA’OMI YAKUB NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NA’OMI YAKUBU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MARKUS: MIKE MAIKOTO AND MARKUS MAIKOTO IS ONE PERSON NAME NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED MARKUS MAIKOTO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. UNITY BANK PLC / FIRST BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I NWANKWO ONYINYECHI BLESS is one and the same person bearing NWANKWO ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc and General public take note FALEYE GBENGA .

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that am one and same person bearing UGOCHUKWU MARTINA CHIJOKE and TINA UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GBETOYON: Formerly known and addressed as MISS GBETOYON IFEDAYO SONAYON now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUNDELE IFEDAYO SONAYON. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akasi Christianah O. now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Akasi-Alade Christianah O. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Oke Olaitan Olaniran,now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Oke Olaitan Oladipupo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Martha Ambrose Udoh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunlolu Ambrose Martha. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Fagbohun Oladele now wish to be known and addressed as Fagbohun Akande Samson. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Gbadebo Adeyemi Abiodun now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Adeyemi Sunday Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank pls, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

RIDWAN: Formerly known and addressed as RIDWAN ABDULAZEEZ now wish to be known and addressed as RILWAN ABDULAZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Awodunmila Bolaji Chika; now wish to be known and addressed as Adeogun bolaji chika, all former document remain valid general public take note CHANGExOF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OKORONKWO CHIDINMA MARIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UKWU CHIDINMA MARIAN. all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that am the same person bearing GBEJI EBUNOLUWA and GBEJI ELIZABETH EBUNOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONYEMA: I, formerly known as MR. OBINNA ONYEMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OBINNA ONYEMAECHI. All former documents remain valid.

All concerned authories and the general public to note please

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Kareem Abisola Kafayat now wish to be known and called as Hamzat Abisola Kafayat. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Areo Victoria Adewumi,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyewumi Victoria Adewumi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Atoyebi Sefiu is the same person known as Olasunkanmi Mayowa now wish to be known and addressed as Atoyebi Emmanuel Mayowa. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank, Skye bank and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Oluyemi Yetunde Susan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluyemi Ibukun Susan.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adebayo Atinuke Aolat now wish to be known and addressed as Quadri Atinuke Holat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

JOSEPH: Formerly known as IJOMAH NONSO now wish to be known and addressed as IJOMAH JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OMINISAN:formerly known and addressed as MISS OMINISAN BEAUTY EBI-ERE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DUWEIGHA BEAUTY EBI -ERE.All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AYOLE STEPHEN ADZUFEH, now wish to be known and addressed as ADZUFEH STEVEN ADZUFEH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that am the same person bearing JAMES OLUWATOYIN SETONJI and JAMES TOYIN SETONJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS AKINMULEYA BOLADALE ROSEMARY NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OLUAYOBAMIKALE BOLADALE ROSEMARY. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MULAPNEN CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE

MUSICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (“MUSON”)

This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Nicodemus Samson Beska 2. Biwet Mwanret Inusa 3. Martha Samson Beska 4. Kanayo Agada Kelvin 5. Simon Dawang 6. Lydia G. Beska AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Identifying and supporting disadvantage Children to attain formal education and skill acquisition training 2. Fighting discrimination in all its forms: racism tribalism, ageism, sexism, fanaticism, etc.

3. Identifying, nurturing and developing talents among youths and women in Nigeria Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: NICODEMUS SAMSON BESKA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION. IN LINE WITH ARTICLE XII OF THE MUSON CONSTITUTION, MUSON WISHES TO AMEND ARTICLE IX (1) OF ITS CONSTITUTION TO REDUCE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRUSTEES FROM TWELVE (12) TO TEN (10).

ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT OF THE SAID PROVISION STATED ABOVE BY THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M B. 198, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: VERONICA OKAFOR ADEYEMI-AKISANYA ASSOCIATES Okoi Arikpo House (The Fifth Floor) 5, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos 08039699608

46

Sports

Thursday, March Friday, May 5, 6, 2015 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NFF not in haste to name new Eagles coach –Akinwumi

…Eagles still 67th in FIFA ranking EvErEst OnyEwuchi and JOEl aJayi

F

irst Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barr. Seyi Akinwumi, has revealed that the federation under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick is not in a rush to employ a substantive Super Eagles coach.

Akinwumi told National Mirror that the NFF had learnt from its mistake of the past, noting that the federation was taking its time to give Nigeria the best.

Atletico’s manager, Asked how long Nigerians would have to wait to get Diego Simeone the substantive coach for Super Eagles, the Lagos FA chairman replied, “Nigerians should wait, we are going to have a substantive coach. I cannot say now and I think the question is meant for the technical committee.”

He added, “And we need to understand some things; it is not about getting the coach, but is about getting the best for the country.

“With a lot of experience we have had in the past from employment of coaches, we need to go to the root of the problem and take our time, solve the problem and come up with the best.

“Right now we don’t have any urgency now, no qualifier no competitive games. That is why we are trying to use the time to get the best for the country. All we want from Nigerians is to be patient. I am sure very soon we shall get the best for the country.”

Speaking on the forthcoming Super Eagles friendly matches in France and Luxemburg, Akinwumi said the NFF was on course for the international friendlies.

“As far as I know nothing has changed; the coach has called those he wants ready and there is assurance from federation, so we are on course for the games.

“As we indicated we want to seize the opportunity to launch those young lads that we tag future Super Eagles and those who are coming to blend together and understand what it takes to have Super Eagles crest of a first ever continental crown and “So, we are on course; the plan is already on ground,” put Real on their way to a 4-1 extra he added. time victory that sealed ‘La Decima’, Meanwhile, in the latest FIFA Ranking released yesthe 10th European Cup they had cov- terday, Super Eagles are still marking time in the 67th spot globally and are 14th in Africa. eted for so long.

FIFA said, “With no international “A” matches played “It’s another final and it’s taken a lot to get there but we’ve proven we in April, the May edition of the FIFA/Cola-Cola World know how to win it and we’re going Ranking provides a brief moment of security for teams to try and do it again,” Ramos said, eager to hold onto the top positions.”

Accordingly, Argentina still on top as Philippines set looking ahead to the May 28 shownew personal best, with Algeria still dominating Africa. down in Milan.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be pubHaving barely had time to digest their narrow win over Manuel Pel- lished on June 2. legrini’s side, Real’s euphoric fans gleefully recalled that late show in Lisbon, chanting: “Atletico, tell me how it felt to lose the final”.

Since breaking Atletico hearts in Lisbon, Real have faced their local rivals 10 times and won just once, Javier Hernandez’s late goal knocking Diego Simeone’s side out of the Champions League in last season’s quarterfinals.

Guided by the inspirational Simeone, Atletico broke the stranglehold in the most fitting of places, the 2013 King’s Cup final at the Bernabeu.

Real have not beaten Atletico in the league since 2013 and were thrashed 4-0 last season at the Vicente Calderon, and lost 1-0 to them at home this term.

“It’s a final, there are no favouSuper Eagles goalkeeper, rites,” Cristiano Ronaldo said. “We Carl Ikpeme meet again. A final with Atletico is always special.”

UCL Final: Real brace for tough Atletico sequel

...new statistics favour Simeone’s side

A

s soon as the final whistle confirmed Real Madrid’s berth in the Champions League final against local rivals, Atletico, with a 1-0

aggregate victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, memories of 2014’s all-Spanish final came flooding back.

Sergio Ramos headed in a 93rd-minute equaliser in Lisbon to crush Atletico’s dreams

Leicester boost Palace’s FA Cup hope

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eicester City have shattered the “Leicester have shattered the glass ceilglass ceiling in English football ing, and I thought it was impossible to break. and given fresh hope to all those They’ve gone and done it. Amazing.” clubs that usually make up the numbers Pardew said Leicester’s credentials could in the Premier League, Crystal Palace no longer be questioned, especially since manager, Alan Pardew, said yesterday. their form goes back way beyond the start Claudio Ranieri’s side this week of the current campaign. They won seven of became the first team to win a maiden their last nine games in the 2014-15 season to English title since Nottingham Forest 38 pull clear of relegation. years ago, leaving the likes of Chelsea, “For near 50 games they’ve been best in Manchester United, Manchester City the country,” Pardew said. “Football isn’t all and Arsenal trailing in their wake. logic. It’s almost like some starPardew, whose Palace dust has fallen on LCFC – side could strike another great for them. Let’s hope blow for the underdogs it falls on us for the fiin the FA Cup final nal.” against Manchester Meanwhile, United this month, Leicester City’s said Leicester had manager, Claudio shown what was Ranieri, says he possible. does not want the “It’s proof the club to sign “bigunderdog can do name players” and it. And it will give risk “breaking” the us a boost for the cup dressing-room dyfinal,” Pardew told renamic of his title-winporters before his side’s Ranieri ning squad, insisting his Premier League clash with “lads are special”.

Stoke City.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, May 6, 2016 Thursday September 4, 2014

MANDATE

THE

SylveSter Ikuejamoye

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

Arresting the sporting decline

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Efe Ajagba (l) has picked Olympics ticket

Olympics: We’ll pick more boxing tickets in Kazakhstan–Apochi IfeanyI eduzor

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fter a not too impressive outing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games boxing qualifying tournament held in Yaoundé Cameroun where only one boxer, Efe Ajagba, who fought in the super-heavyweight division picked Olympic ticket, another opportunity is here for more Nigerian boxers to be at this year’s XXXI Olympiad.

The event is the World Boxing Championship holding from May 19-28 in Astana Kazakhstan.

Speaking on behalf of his team mates, Commonwealth bronze medallist and 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) Silver medallist, Efetobor Apochi, who is also the captain of the Nigerian boxing team, said this is another opportunity for Nigeria to qualify more boxers for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Describing what happened at the last qualifiers in Yaoundé as a big shame in terms of officiating, Apochi advised the Ministry of Sports, the Nigerian Boxing Federation and boxing enthusiasts in the country not to write off the boxers or judge them with the Cameroun outing, but to give them another chance to prove themselves.

He insisted that the likes of Edith Ogoke-Agu, Commonwealth bronze medallist and 2015 All Africa Games champion, Kehinde Obareh, another 2015 AAG champion, Caroline Linus; himself an AAG silver medallist and the rest of his team mates still have what it takes to conquer the world and pick Olympic tickets in Kazakhstan just the way they did at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville where Nigeria won four gold and two silver medals in boxing.

All Comers: Soetan slams AFN for lack of standards

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coach who specialises in jumps and hurdles, Olalekan Soetan, yesterday decried the manner in which the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) organised the All Comers championships, held on Wednesday.

The one-day event, with over 100 athletes, took place at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Soetan, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, implored AFN to strive to be more organised in subsequent championships.

“To me, the All Comers competition was not well organised. It was held like a school sports event.

We did not know who was running.

“The athletes that moved from the heats to the next round were not announced. The timing board was not functioning well.

“If we want to organise a national competition, let us organise it well. I am tired: if things are not changed, the sport will die,” Soetan said.

The coach added that if AFN were unable to hold national competitions and home-based athletes not treated the right way, the country would continue to depend on Blessing Okagbare.

Ogba

“Athletes can be pushed to do better by having good equipment.

Why should AFN organise a competition and be managing their equipment?” he queried.

Meanwhile, another trainer, a sprint coach, Saheed Akinpelu, has expressed optimism that most of the current junior athletes would move to the senior category this year.

Akinpelu was reacting to the young athletes’ performance at the All Comers, which opened the season for the year.

He told NAN in Lagos that if given the necessary support, they would improve and take the country to greater heights.

“Some of the athletes I saw at the All Comers are 80 per cent ready for the season. The younger athletes caught my attention the more.”

here is no pretence about one too many. We should just go the sorry state of our back to the archives to retrieve sports growth and devel- the reports of the likes of Gen. opment. No honest and patriot- Ishola Williams, Air. Commoic Nigerian will doubt the fact dore Emeka Omeruah, Gen. that our sporting fortunes have Oneya led panels without wastbeen on a steady and dangerous ing time. decline for some years now.

There is obviously no reaTestimonies of woeful fail- son why we should not make ures at international champion- use of the recommendations ships replete all over the coun- of the previous panels to heal try’s sporting calendar almost the self inflicted wounds that on yearly basis. There is urgent have become the source of ‘inneed to seriously address what come’ for some people. My take is responsible for the decline here is that we have people who in our sporting fortunes. Nige- should know and indeed know ria is a country populated by what to do but people with special love and affection for sporting events; Jcall oel them ardent aJayI and AbujA passionate sports lovbout ers, espe2 5 6 cially footN i ball with gerian golfother sports ers and their enjoying a colleagues t of Super Eagles sent ou measurable from some 17 20 N AFCO followerWest African ship. countries are It is still a decided to look elsecompeting in hard nut to crack on why the where when things are going the ongoing 2016 IBB Internasituation has become this bad. tional Golf and Country Club awry for their pecuniary gains.

That a country so blessed with It is certainly not in our own captain tournament. every good thing one can think interest for things to continue The seven-day tourney, which of but to harness teed off unable on Monday and willthem hole to go this way. It is in our best to the glory of God and forback the national sporting interest to out on Saturday, is bringing good of humanity .

It a story of resolve the logjam with deterpast captains, present captain a country sufficiently blessed mination to salvage the situwith water but none to drink. ation. The country’s sporting It is sadder that a country misfortune has become global blessedtotal with of very fertile 83 good teams are embarrassment to an average groundslated will only be harvesting to enter the pot at black man from which one out ‘drought’ is theretheendlessly National. It Draws for of every five is assumed to be a fore important to know where Nigerian. the men and women Federation we got it wrong or we, That our sports are in a state Cup competitions on where Thursday missed the road. of comatose is not in doubt and May 5, 2016.

No doubt, as a country we that is in a state of quagmire is Head of Federation Cup ,unit have the materials.

Talents of the NFF, Emmanuel Adesanya, no doubt an understatement. abound in every nook and crantold thenff.com yesterdaythat a to- We must therefore commence ny of of 61 the country . We have in practical measures, the protal teams would bealso involved in men’s version, 22 cess of redressing the areas of thethe space to use to getwhile the deteams would be involved in the concern, particularly from the sired result.

There are willing women’s event. hands and willing hearts suffi- grass roots. We surely need to There areeminently a total of qualified 18 NPFL ciently and put in place deliberate meaclubs, 19 Nigeria National League to take us through the bridge. sures in enhancing the locally clubs, nine Nationwide League There are already enough One clubs and 15 non –League identified young and promisdocuments to work with arisclubs in the men’s draw, while 16 ing athletes to replace the aged ing from various Presidential Premier League clubs, one Pro ones that have done this counand inter-ministerial League and five amateurpanels divi- try proud. We must learn not or committees set uppart to proffer sion teams would take in the to allow a vacuum in our sucsolutionscompetition. to teething problems cession change of baton from women’s The women are COD one generation of athletes to bedeviling the teams administration United Ladies, FC Robo (Lagos); of sports in the country . We another.

It isQuadri usually suicidal Oyinlomo Capital Citynot Doves Sure surely do need(FCT); any other for any country to allow that to Babes (Kwara); Nasarawa Ama-

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happen as recovery from such deficit is cumbersome and in most cases, you pay dearly for it as it is the situation in Nigeria now.

We should start the process right away as a serious sign of commencing preparations for another Olympics in four years time after the Rio Brazil, 2016 Olympics. With clear focus and well structured templates, we should be in a position to make a loud statement with our presence at the next Olympics after the Rio Games. We should therefore do away with sporting jamboree activities without value for money expended. Our mission should not be tied to forex estacode attached to foreign trips. The value for money spent on trips and our national sporting interest should be our major priority. There should be a sincere and honest determination to break loose from the shackles of sporting doldrums and quagmire that seem to be the lots of our experience for some time now. Surely, the time to get serious and frontally address the sports fortunes decline is now.

THE LEGENDARY RASHIDI YEKINI Nigeria’s first World Cup goal scorer and first Nigerian to be voted African Footballer of the Year, Rashidi Yekini, passed on to glory on the 5th of May, 2012.

Four years ago he left this sinful world to the great beyond.

The Mandate Column with all the fans of this column most soberly wishes to join other Nigerians to remember the legend, the prolific scorer. You have done your part. Sleep well Rashidi and rest in perfect peace. Amen.

HARD BUT THE BITTER TRUTH No matter how heavily look built a man may be, it is abnormal and indeed an abomination to turn his mother to a punching bag. If that happens, then he needs an urgent psychiatric help.

However, the case of those who heartlessly looted Nigeria blind and took the looted money abroad to better the other country at the expense of Nigeria and the suffering masses of this country should consider their case worst than those who raped their mother. Surely, it has gone beyond a psychiatric case. It’s had, but the bitter truth.

Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria.

WORLD RECORD

Pogo stick jumping - fastest mile

Vol. 06 No. 1364

Friday, May 6, 2016

N150

The fastest mile jumping on a pogo stick is 9 min 56 sec and was achieved

by Fred Grzybowski (USA) in Wooster, Ohio, USA, on 4 November 2014.

Inhuman treatment of Folashade, ND II student

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rinters Devil! That’s the best explanation we can give to the mix-up on this page last Friday. We sincerely apologise to the followers of the page. Now the full report: The bestial treatment members of Operation Mesa (a special security outfit of the Nigerian Army) meted out to Miss Oladokun Leshi Folashade, a National Diploma (ND) II student of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, allegedly on the orders of the Rector of the institution, Prof. Mrs. Bilesanmi Awoderu, bespeaks of how some heads of tertiary institutions in the country ignite violent students’ unrest in their schools. Folashade was battered, dragged on the ground and left to grind in pains by the security operatives for the late payment of N5,000 the school authority imposed on students for the purpose of repairing one of the institution’s buildings that got burnt in the school recently, according to reports.

Cognizance should be taken of the fact that the student had paid her normal school fees, but was

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efending champion Andy Murray reached the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open with an impressive 6-4 6-2 win over 16th seed Gilles Simon of France.

Second seed Murray, 28, broke Simon for the first time to take the opening

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) perhaps unable to raise funds in time to pay the arbitrary N5,000 to school demanded from each student for the burnt building, which burning many students most probably knew nothing about; and which incident the Awoderu-led polytechnic might not have bothered to investigate the cause because of the ready A ‘ TM’ or cashcow it found in the hapless students.

In the early hours of April 18, 2016, according to reports, Folashade and several other students of the polytechnic were barred and denied access to write the Use of English (GND 201) examination for their failure to pay the said N5,000. Having paid her school fees for the session, she went to the school premises with the hope of paying her own ‘maintenance fee’ in cash, but the school’s management refused to accept the bill from her and others purportedly because they were late in effecting the payment.

The students were all stopped at the polytechnic’s gate, where Folashade hung around with other colleagues of hers hoping the management would collect the N5,000 from her and allow her write her examination. But following the Rector’s alleged order that the soldiers should use force to disperse the affected students, Folashade, who was accused of inciting her colleagues against the school, was allegedly flogged heartlessly with wire by the security men, who also hit her with the tail end of their guns. “She was further dragged on the floor and brutally molested, making her to sustain several injuries on her body”, reports said. The cruel treatment attracted the s other students and members of the host

If money was so easy to come by, why was the RectoR that betRayed so much InconsIdeRatIon foR IndIgent students not gRacIous enough to offset the

n5,000

suRchaRge community who condemned the arbitrariness.

The security operatives thereafter dragged Folashade to the Rector’s office, claiming she was confrontational, following which the Rector further ordered that she should be taken to Tapon Police Station to make statements on what actually transpired between her and the uniformed men, without any consideration for treating her injuries. Folashade was detained at the police station for about 10 hours before she was released, following the intervention of a traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Oba Beje of Oke Agbo in Ijebu Igbo, who other students of the institution reported the matter to.

But the Rector when confronted by the media on the incident claimed the information about what happened to the female student was not correct; without stating what the true version was. Awoderu was said to have given

conditions under which she would speak further on the matter, one of which was her insistence on first getting clearance from the Ogun State Government – meaning she had an idea of what due process entails, but decided to flagrantly take the law into her hands in a strangulating hold, should her role in the mess turn out to be true.

But even if Folashade incited fellow students against the polytechnic leadership or proved confrontational, does the school’s rule book say such a student must first be humiliated with blistering horse-whips, dragged on the floor, wounded and detained for 10 hours without treatment? Does Awoderu’s rectorship of the school include ordering the violent assaults on students, inflicting injuries on them and trifling with their rights to human dignity? How come, if not for the arrogant and reckless show of power, it was so easy for the security men to assault and harm Folashade, but they were unable to arrest her since she wasn’t armed; and hand her over to the police for the proper investigation and prosecution if she truly infracted the law of the school?

Indeed, if money was so easy to come by, why was the Rector that betrayed so much inconsideration for indigent students not gracious enough to offset the N5,000 surcharge of students that were unable to pay up in time?

Why was it difficult for the Rector to source money from elsewhere to repair the burnt building? If she was not able to do any of these, why permit in the precincts of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic the kind of lawlessness and beastly treatment meted out to Folashade, a situation that may not be permissible in a gathering of decent touts?

The Awoderus of this country need to read Yinka Odumakin’s piece: ‘How not to try Dasuki’ (Vanguard December 1, 2015); particularly the writer’s narrative on how students thoroughly embarrassment ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Patrick Koshoni, who represented former military leader, retired General Ibrahim Babangida at the convocation of former University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) held on December 19, 1986, and what followed. (To be concluded).

Sport Extra Madrid Open: Murray advances to quarter-finals set as part of a five-game winning run.

He then broke three times in the second set to complete victory in one hour, 38 minutes.

Murray will now play Czech Tomas Berdych, a

7-6 7-5 winner over Spaniard David Ferrer, in the last eight.

Murray’s serve was never broken and the power and variety of his ground strokes was too much for Simon, 31.

“It’s always difficult to get the balance right against him because the better you hit the ball, the faster it comes back against him,” Murray said.

“He uses the pace very

well so I knew I needed to be patient and use variety, but also when the chance is there, go for it. Sometimes he makes players rush, but today I didn’t have that problem. It was good from start to finish.”

Murray

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