Jan 14 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Nigeria loses N772bn on tax incentives to oil firms Tola Akinmutimi

T Fowler

Vol. 5 N0. 1286

here are strong indications that Nigeria may have lost a whopping $3.9bn (about N772bn) on spurious tax

incentives granted oil companies involved in the implementation of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, project in the past nine years. Although the details are yet to be made public,

preliminary hints from a study carried out by ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, the Nigerian arm of a global non-governmental organisation committed to transparency in public finance Continued on Page 2>>

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Concern mounts over unoccupied buildings on Lagos Island P.9

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror Thursday, January 14, 2016 N150

At last, Saraki admits D 2016 budget missing

George Oji and Ubong Ukpong

rama over the whereabouts of the 2016 Appropriation Bill continued yesterday with sharp disagreement between the Senate and House of Representatives. While Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after initial denials, admitted that the document was missing,

...sets up search committee •Reps say budget intact, give out copies

Continued on Page 2>>

$2.1bn arms scam:

Alaafin disowns Traditional Council of Nigeria

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NDLEA intercepts lorry-load of hard drugs P.42

L-R: Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Chief Whip, Sen. Olusola Adeyeye; Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, during the inauguration of Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday.

N34bn fraud: EFCC slams 40-count charge on Tompolo, Akpobolokemi

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Dasukigate: Accord Party seeks Ladoja’s prosecution over N100m

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Forum condemns Ondo’s marginalisation in NDDC P.15

Gunmen abduct 105-yr-old Sylva running mate’s mother P41

News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, publicly displayed the budget at plenary and urged members to get their own copies. The Appropriation Bill was laid before the National Assembly on December 22 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Saraki, while admitting that the document was missing at plenary yesterday, however assured that he had set up a search committee to unravel the whereabouts of the document. The Senate President had earlier announced that copies of the budget would be made available to senators today, preparatory to the commencement of debate on the bill next Tuesday. After the announcement, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South), rising under point of order and citing order 42(1) of the Senate standing order, drew attention of the Senate to media reports that the budget document was missing and called for immediate deliberation. Abaribe said: “Mr. Senate President, where is our budget? The matter that I refer to through this order, is what is in every newspaper today, everywhere in all the talk shows on radio, of a missing budget and therefore Mr. President, I want to bring to your attention and that of all my colleagues that yesterday (Tuesday) in our closed door session, this matter also came up. Where is our budget? “That is why, Mr. President, I think it is definite and it is urgent that we look into this matter of missing budget now.” The Senate President admitted that the issue of the missing budget was extensively discussed during their closed door meeting on Tuesday, despite previous denials. He also revealed that a search committee had already been set up to unravel the whereabouts of the document, which report would be laid before the Senate today. It was gathered that the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Compliant was mandated to be the search committee. Saraki said: “Because of the importance of this matter raised through your point of order, I will take it as an exception in not ruling you out of order. “You know we are all part of the decision at the closed session yesterday (Tues-

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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At last, Saraki admits 2016 budget missing

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal (left), with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN day), and part of that decision we are still waiting for those we have referred to carry out the assignment to come back to us. “I think they will come back to us by tomorrow (today) and we will go into a closed session again and finish up the report and we will be able to debate it properly.” Speaking to journalists after the plenary, Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Sam Anyanwu (PDP Imo East), said the search committee had already swung into action at unraveling circumstances that led to the missing budget. He said: “The committee has as at this morning queried some people suspected to be involved in the missing document.” He promised that the committee would turn in its report to the Senate today for deliberation and way forward. A member of the committee, Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North), also confirmed that the budget document was missing and the committee was investigating it. He said: “The document is missing. We want to find out. We have interviewed some people so far this morning (yesterday). We are continuing in the next few minutes with our investigation. And we are almost at it. We will conclude in the next few hours because we have already known what is happening.” However, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, in his own reaction, insisted that the docu-

ment was not missing and that it would be distributed to senators today. He said: “The subject of this discussion is that you people are saying the budget is missing or are insisting that the budget is missing. Who told you? I’m standing before you here and I’m telling you that I did not say that. And what we discussed at the closed-door session remains closed as we speak. “So, if any senator comes out to tell you that I said the budget is missing, I think the responsibility is on you to say who told you that I said the budget is missing. “You were at the gallery today where the presiding officer clearly stated that the budget will be distributed and debate on it will begin next week, and that senators that are interested should go to the front table and put their names indicating the date that they want to contribute at Second Reading. “So, this issue of budget missing or not missing is dead. But you people don’t want to conduct the funeral. So, what can I do?” Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, however, said no statement made by any senator during plenary could be interpreted to mean an admission that the 2016 budget was missing. Abdullahi, in a statement insisted that the budget was not missing and that the Senate would today distribute copies to all senators so as to arm them to properly

contribute to the debate which will take place between Tuesday, January 19 to Thursday, January 21. According to him, all senators had indicated the date they would make their own contribution on the budget. “We have reeled out our time table for working on the budget. So, how can the same budget be missing? The Senate President never said or admitted that the budget is missing and there was nothing that he said while presiding over the plenary that could be logically interpreted to mean an admission that the budget is missing. “The media should please avoid unnecessary sensationalism. We assure Nigerians that our time table of completing work on the budget by February ending remains sacrosanct and we will work assiduously to achieve it,” he said. There was no controversy on the floor of the House of Representatives however as the budget was publicly displayed at plenary. It would be recalled that following the allegation by the Senate that the budget was missing, the House of Representatives said the document with it was intact. At the resumed plenary yesterday, the Speaker, Dogara, read a communication from the House Committee on Appropriation, signed by its Chairman, Jubrin Abdulmumini, asking all lawmakers to send their staff with valid means of identification to collect their copies of the docu-

ment. Equally, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mohammed Sani Omolori, to display the document as evidence to end the argument that it was missing. The Clerk, in compliance, proceeded and displayed the document before all at the plenary. Dogara expressed regret that people rushed to town with unconfirmed reports that the budget was missing, whereas it was intact. He therefore urged members to always exercise restraint and be patient to

clarify on all issues to avoid creating confusion. There had been allegations that President Muhammadu Buhari might have withdrawn the budget proposal for some amendments after consultations with the visiting Managing Director of the International Monetary, Fund, IMF, Ms. Christine Largard. The Presidency however denied the claims saying that the N6.08trn budget as presented remained the property of the National Assembly until it is passed into law.

Nigeria loses N772bn on tax incentives to oil firms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

on fiscal waivers to the oil companies showed that the losses accrued from 20052013. The NGO’s report of research into impact of tax break on provisioning of social services in Nigeria slated for launch next Tuesday in Abuja indicated that the amount of tax funds lost by Nigeria were to three multinational oil and gas companies through a tax holiday granted the NLNG project, owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and three multinationals. The AAN report details the main reason behind the granting of the incentive and its social impact on the nation. The NGO, in a statement signed by its Country

Director, Ojobo Atuluku, said: “The thrust of the planned launch is to present the cost to the Nigerian public, broaden discussions around the tax breaks and get input and commitment from key policy makers on addressing challenges associated with tax breaks.” She also stated that the report was also anticipated to serve as a reference document for researchers as well as a policy influencing tool. NLNG project is a joint venture (JV) involving NNPC, Shell, Total and Eni in the following equity ratio, NNPC, 49 per cent; Shell Petroleum Development Company, SDPC, 25.6 per cent; Elf, 15 per cent and Eni (Agip) 10.4 per cent. NLNG (Fiscal IncenContinued on Page 5>>

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

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L-R: General Counsel, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Dr Adesegun Akin–Olugbade; President, AFC, Andrew Alli and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a courtesy call on the Vice President by AFC executives in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

L-R: Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adekite Oyekan; Kwara State Governor Abdullfatah Ahmed and Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, Sam Okaula, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

MTN Ambassador Saka (right) registering MTN subscribers at Exhibition Centre, Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.

L-R: Coordinator, Higher Kings Human Rights, Mr Higher King; Coordinator, National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Mr Naabulobari Naazigha-Lue and Coordinator, Committee for Defence of Human Rights, Mr Eugene Odey, at a news conference on ‘Degeneration to Dictatorship and Executive Lawlessness’, organised by Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

National News

Tension as soldiers crack down on militants, cultists in Rivers

…mop up arms, ammunition Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

his may not the best of times for former militant leaders in Niger Delta, as soldiers from 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday intensified a crackdown on notable ex-warlords in the region, as well as cultists. The latest operation occurred at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was gathered that soldiers in about 20 trucks stormed the area, creating tension in the town. An eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, said some of the soldiers allegedly raided the home of an ex-militant leader identified as Donwa. Another source said some suspects, including cultists were arrested. When contacted, Assistant Director, Army Public

Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Eli Lazarus, who confirmed the deployment of soldiers in ONELGA, stated that the military was acting on credible information. “I can confirm that the presence of the Army in ONELGA is in continuation of our efforts to rid the state of illegal arms and ammunition. “The Army is acting on credible information. The Army is only out for undesirable elements. All men and women, who go about their legitimate businesses peacefully, have nothing to fear,” Lazarus said. One of the sources in Omoku said the soldiers’ first operation was launched on Tuesday night, taking the ex-militant leaders and cultists unawares. “The soldiers arrived in a long convoy of operational vehicles and dispatched into about four distinct

groups approaching specific targets. “They knew their targets and went straight for them.

From what we are hearing, some people have been arrested,” the source said. It would be recalled the

FAAN moves to construct befitting corporate headquarters within MMIA

ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said it had initiated the process of construction of a befitting corporate headquarters within the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. FAAN’s General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Mr Yakubu Dati, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday. The statement explained that the project, which was advertised in several national newspapers, would be funded through FAAN’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, budget for 2016. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had in December 2015 directed FAAN management to erect an appropriate and

befitting headquarters. Amaechi gave the order shortly before embarking on a tour of the airport’s facilities in Lagos. He said the present FAAN headquarters was not a befitting office. Amaechi, who expressed discomfort with what he saw, wondered why FAAN, despite its huge revenue profile, could not build a befitting office for itself since establishment. The statement stated that the process commenced with the invitation of competent and reputable companies to submit ‘Expression of Interest (EOI)’ for the design and supervision of the construction of a new corporate headquarters for the organisation.

houses of two ex-militant local government areas, leaders, Soboma Jackrish respectively were raided reand Solomon Ndigbara in cently by security personnel. Asari-Toru and Gokana

Fuel scarcity hits Enugu, marketers shut down stations

uel scarcity resurfaced in Enugu metropolis yesterday as petroleum marketers closed down filling stations. NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation in the state capital, reports that virtually all major and independent marketers closed their stations. NAN reports that only NNPC Mega Station on Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway was dispensing products to a long queue of cars in its premises. Commuters, including school children, were stranded due to non-availability of commercial vehicles, just as the roads were free of the usual traffic. Meanwhile, transport fares have increased by 100 per cent as commercial buses charged

between N80 and N100 as against N50 per drop. Some motorists who spoke to NAN said the situation may be connected with the ongoing monitoring of compliance with new pump price of N86.50k per litre by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. A civil servant, Mr. Samuel Nwodo, said the marketers closed their filling stations for fear of being sanctioned by DPR. “Some of the marketers have refused to adjust their pump price until they exhausted their old stock. I wonder when they will do that. “I have gone round the metropolis in search of petrol but only the NNPC mega station is operating and I cannot stand the long queue,” he said.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

N34bn fraud: EFCC slams 40-count charge on Tompolo, Akpobolokemi Wale Igbintade and James Abraham

Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), to appear in court today over alleged multi-billion naira fraud involving land contracts for the construction of a Nigerian Maritime University, NMU. Tompolo is to appear in court alongside a former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and Patrick Akpobolokemi. Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed a 40-count charge of alleged

money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds against them and eight others. The suspects allegedly diverted N34bn, which accrued from the Public Private Partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use. Justice Ibrahim Buba gave the order following a Motion Exparte filed by EFCC. The order by Justice Buba allows EFCC to serve the defendant through substituted means by affixing the summons and charge on a conspicuous part of his known address situated at No. 1, Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State. Others to appear in court along with Tompolo and Ak-

pobolokemi are; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited and Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh respectively. Tompolo was invited for questioning by EFCC, but refused to honour the invitation, claiming he was in court against the ant-graft body. EFCC had in the Motion Exparte asked the court to compel Tompolo to appear, having been alleged to have committed the offence in the charge. The court also granted the request of EFCC to serve Tompolo through substituted means. Already, EFCC has frozen some of Tompolo’s bank

accounts and those of two companies linked to him named Mieka Divers Ltd and Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Ltd. EFCC said it wishes to question Tompolo about the illicit sale of N13bn worth of land to the Federal Government. He is reportedly hiding in the Niger Delta creeks and has rejected all allegations that the land deal was fraudulent, asking EFCC to contact former President Goodluck Jonathan for clarification. EFCC has also filed a counter affidavit against application for bail by Akpobolokemi, revealing why the former NIMASA boss should be kept in custody, while the court should order for accelerated trial of cases against him.

In a sworn affidavit, EFCC investigating officer, Yinusa Abubakar, averred that based on cogent, positive and direct intelligent report received by the commission, the management of NIMASA under the leadership of Akpobolokemi perpetrated series of monumental frauds. Akpobolokemi was alleged to have induced the former President, Jonathan through the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, to approve the release of N1.2bn on the pretence that the said sum represented the cost of the implementation on International Ship Port Facility Security, ISPS. He was also alleged to have fraudulently sought and obtained the approval of President Jonathan through the same NSA for the re-

A Physically Challenged Person, registering for new Temporary Voter Card as continuous voter registration commenced in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria loses N772bn on tax incentives to oil firms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

tives, Guarantee and Assurances) Act made provisions in Sections 2-9 for certain fiscal incentives such as tax holidays, guarantees and assurances to encourage the utilisation of AG as LNG. The Act, which confers pioneer status on NLNG Limited, exempts the company from certain taxes, and provides guarantees and assurances by the Federal Government. For instance, apart from granting a 10 years tax holiday, the Act exempted the company from taxation of interest and dividend payable to any non-Nigerian company in respect of loan or other financial arrangements made with the company, exemption from

withholding tax provisions as regards payments of interest, rent, hire and other payments normally subjected to withholding taxes. It also enjoyed exemption from withholding tax of dividend paid out of pioneer profits, exemption from tax of income accruing to a non-Nigerian company or citizen in respect of any work or services provided from outside Nigeria to the company, exemption from payment of import duties and other duties. Analysts, including federal legislators, have over the years been critical of the fiscal incentives granted to the company, especially when analysed within the context of revenues and other benefits that accrued to the Nigerian government from the over 20 year old

project. It was also alleged that evidence of transfer pricing, amongst shareholders, who buy gas from the joint venture at very low prices and sell at the international price of about $7-$10 then per Standard Cubic Feet, SCF, also abound. Some analysts have argued that even with Nigeria’s major stake of 49 per cent in the equity structure, all of it is lost as a result of the losses in tax and other incentives. The company had stoked a public controversy in July last year when it paid a whopping $1.6bn corporate income and education tax, which many alleged was paid as dividend to the Federal Government to support the smooth take-off of the President Muhammadu

Buhari-led government. But in a swift reaction, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Babs Omotowa, explained that the company had only made the payment in line with extant laws guiding its operations in the country, which compels it to remit its corporate income tax to the government on or before the end of June of every year. He clarified: “We did not pay the government $1.6bn dividend but $1.6bn corporate income and education tax, which is different from dividend. This, of course, is from our activities in 2014. “The payment is for the 2014 accounting year, which ended in December. Of course, the law said that we must make this payment on or before the end of June and we kept to that law be-

cause we are a world class company that follows standards and laid down laws.” It is expected that the ActionAid’s report would shed more light on how the Nigerian government lost the estimated $3.9bn as tax and other fiscal incentives to the NLNG project. It would be recalled that in the past few years, many NGOs in the country, including Civil Society for Legislative and Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Publish What You Pay, Tax Justice Network, as well as the Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative, NEITI, amongst others had consistently decried the tax incentives in oil and gas industry in view of their leaking impact on accruable revenue to government.

lease of N498m, which sum purported to represent the cost of implementation of VIMSAS Nigeria and laundered the money through Ansta ventures, Lakewood Gardens Venture Ltd, Kofar Fada Nigeria Ltd, who in turn converted the money to dollars and deliver same to him. Meanwhile, former Governor of Plateau State and Senator, representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, will today face operatives of EFCC over issues involving certain transactions during his eight year tenure. The invitation to Jang by the anti graft agency may not be unconnected to a petition by the Governor Simon Lalong-led administration, alleging financial impropriety by the past administration. But Jang’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mrs. Olivia Dazyam, who confirmed the EFCC’s invitation in a statement yesterday in Jos, dismissed any wrong-doing by the former governor. She insisted that the invitation was only meant for him to “give further explanations to some perceived grey areas for which former appointees of the governor have been severally invited to the EFCC without any evidence to back the spurious claims and allegations by some petitioner.” She said the clarification has become necessary due to the fact that Senator Jang owes it a duty, having served as governor of Plateau State for eight years to clear any grey areas that might need further clarification in the course of his stewardship. She said: “As a two-time military governor and a democratically elected governor for two terms of four years each, Senator Jang will not create any encumbrances in order not to appear before the EFCC to give account of his actions while in office, which he executed to the best of his ability and in the best interest of the Plateau people. “The distinguished senator took oath of office to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that is what he did as a governor and is continuing to do as senator. “Let no one therefore misinform the public and especially the people of Northern Plateau with contrived stories. “It is on this wise that, Senator Jang calls on his constituents and all supporters to remain calm and ignore any frivolous stories that may be told about his visit to the EFCC.”

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

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N100m Dasukigate splits AP …Party scribe seeks Ladoja’s prosecution

Sebastine Ebhuomha Benin

he last is yet to be heard on the alleged sharing of about $2.1 billion originally meant to provide military hardware for Nigerian soldiers at the Boko Haram warfront by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Alhaji Ibrahim

Dasuki. The latest controversy over the amount is the disagreement it has thrown up between national leaders of the Accord Party, AP, whose national secretary, Dr. Samson Isibor, has called for the stripping and prosecution of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Rashid Adewolu Ladoja, who allegedly

collected and pocketed about N100 million. Speaking on the issue with National Mirror correspondent in his office in Benin City, Edo State, Dr. Isibor said Ladoja’s involvement in the scandal does not portray him as a good role model for the recent cultural promotion he benefited from the Olubadan of Ibadan, who elevated

Ladoja’s position on the traditional ladder. Although Ladoja allegedly collected about N100m from chieftains of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on behalf of AP leaders and members to adopt and support the re-election bid of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, he nevertheless, allegedly failed to declare the mon-

ey to the national leadership of AP, according to Isibor. Dr. Isibor therefore, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest and prosecute Ladoja for fraud if he fails to refund the money. In his statement to our correspondent, “In view of the serious embarrassment caused our great party, AP, all over the country, the Oyo State people and Ibadan indigenes particularly, we advise the Oyo State government and the

Olubadan of Ibadan to immediately revoke the most recent chieftaincy title bestowed on Alhaji Ladoja for his unbecoming fraudulent activities even as an Ibadan high chief. “Ladoja is supposed to be a role model to the younger generation. He should be stripped of his chieftaincy title to checkmate his corruptible activities. AP has since slammed a suspension order on him in respect of his fraudulent activities.”

NULGE boss wants states/LGs joint account system probed

A cross-section of military officers during a lecture on Nigerian Army: Challenges and Future Perspectives, by Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the National Defence College, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Army sets up new division in Borno ...another in S’South

Ubong Ukpong Abuja

igerian Army yesterday said it has established another division, 8 Division, in Borno State. Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled, ‘Nigerian Army: Challenges and Future Perspectives,’ at the National Defence College, Abuja, said the new division was located in the northern part of Borno State. He said the establishment of the new division was part of a strategic plan by the army to boost military operations against terrorists, particularly in areas around the Lake Chad Basin. The Nigerian Army

had in August 2013 established the 7 Infantry Division in Maiduguri to boost the war against insurgency in the North East. Though details of the new division were not disclosed, Buratai said it would soon become fully operational with logistics and manpower deployment. He also disclosed plans to establish another division to be known as the Nigerian Army 6 Division in the South South region of the country. Buratai said the establishment of the new divisions is part of a strategic plan to improve on the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities in the face of emerging threats to national security.

He said the establishment of the additional formations would bring the number of divisions in the Nigerian Army to eight. Buratai said the army would embark on an ambitious expansion programme to address manpower needs of the force to respond appropriately to contemporary threats to national security. He added that the army plans to increase its personnel strength from its present 100,000 strong-force to slightly above 200,000 in the next eight years. According to him, 12,000 personnel would be recruited in 2016 alone to fill the vacancies created as a result of the new establishments in the army. The COAS said the army’s expansion programme is aimed at

boosting its response capacity while stressing that its capabilities to effectively deal with its present challenges are however not in doubt. The army boss added that contemporary national security needs and Nigeria’s territorial size requires more than the army presently has in terms of personnel strength. He said citing of the Special Forces Training Centre in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, one of the theatres of the Boko Haram war, is an indication of the army’s determination to end insurgency. Buratai identified Nigeria’s weak industrial base, the effect of climate change on the environment and Nigeria’s porous borders as some of the factors fuelling armed conflict in Nigeria.

ational president of Nigeria Union of Local Governments Employees, NULGE, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, has called for urgent probe of the operations of state/local government Joint Accounts System nationwide. ‘’This is absolutely necessary and should be done holistically and thoroughly across the country,’’ Khaleel said at the national executive council meeting of the union in Sokoto State yesterday. He said the operation of the system leaves much to be desired, as it hindered socio-economic development at the local level of government. The NULGE president said the system had obstructed financial and democratic independence of local governments. ‘’I strongly believe that the probe would help in unravelling how the huge amount of money sunk into the local governments were either rightly expended or misappropriated. ‘’Such a probe, as being advocated by the union, is timely and apt as it will bolster the ongoing fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari. “The union is not averse to the change mantra of the President and we will do everything humanly possible to ensure its success at

all levels,’’ Khaleel said. He also said the meeting would strategise on how to regain the lost financial and democratic independence of the third tier of government in Nigeria. Khaleel said such a step is necessary to make local governments serve the interests of people at the grassroots. Meanwhile, Sokoto State president of the union, Alhaji Shehu Dange, has commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal for taking steps to address the problems of salaries of local government workers. ‘’’The problem has lingered for so long and it has virtually defied all solutions, but it is now history,’’ Dange said. Tambuwal, represented by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Community Development, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, promised to take urgent steps to improve the welfare of local government workers. ‘’We will ensure the extension of all rights and privileges being enjoyed by workers of the state government to their counterparts in the 23 local governments of the state. ‘’We are also appreciative of the existing cordial relationship between the state government and the union and this will be sustained,’’ Tambuwal said.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

NMA to doctors: Don’t take jobs in Osun BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA, OSOGBO

sun State leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, yesterday threatened to sanction any doctor that responds to advert placed by the state government for medical officers in its public service. Responding to the advertorial by Osun government in some national dailies during a chat with newsmen in Osogbo, state chairman of NMA, Dr.

Suraj Ogunyemi, said any doctor that applies for the advertised positions will be penalised. In similar vein, chairman of Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter, Dr Owolabi Adeyinka, said the body had already taken government to court, adding that it was only waiting for the hearing date to be communicated. Doctors in the employ of Osun State government and those working in Ladoke Akintola Uni-

versity of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, have been on industrial action since September last year over payment of reduced percentage of their salaries, among other issues. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, however, at the symposium organised to mark the 75th birthday of veteran labour leader, Hassan Sumonu, last week in Osogbo, handed down an ultimatum of Monday this week to return to work or face sanction. Aregbesola added that

negotiation could not be opened with the doctors because they claimed they don’t belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and stressed that health of the people of the state was being put at risk with the prolonged strike. But chairman of ARD, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter, Adeyinka, while speaking with newsmen, listed immediate payment of November and December salaries as one of conditions that must be met before they can return to work.

NHRC assures on IDP’s resettlement in N’East LIVINUS MENEDI, YOLA

ational Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has restated Federal Government’s plan to resettle all internally displaced persons, IDPs, into their communities of origin, just as the commission expressed determination to seek support of developmental partners to ensure speedy resettlement of IDPs in North East states. Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof Ben Angwe, disclosed this yesterday in Yola while on a visit to the North East zone to assess the preparedness of the affected states in line with Federal Government’s pledge to ensure all IDPs return to their homes this year. Angwe, who used his visit to also assess condition of IDPs in Adamawa, commended the measures taken to secure inmates in the camps visited. He, however, lamented that some of the displaced per-

sons lacked homes to return to. Angwe, while expressing satisfaction with the provision of basic amenities at Fufore and Malkwoi, where he inspected camp facilities for the IDPs, noted that the task before various states affected by the insurgency was how to put in place shelters and structures destroyed as a result of insurgency, so that IDPs can return to their traditional homes. He assured that the commission, on its part, would ensure it gets the Federal Government and other developmental partners under the United Nations system to support the states concerned. It is also very important, Angwe said, that other Federal Government initiatives put in place like the victims’ support funds, also provide support to the various states in terms of shelter that can accommodate the teeming number of people suffering from this.

Ayade lauds Buhari’s anticorruption war ROTIMI FADEYI

C L-R: 1st Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja, Mrs. Gloria Nweze; Chairman, Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium Committee, Barr. Olumide Fusika; Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Barr. Yinka Farounbi and Deputy Editor-in-Cheif, Nigeria Weekly Law Reports, Barr. Ayo Olanrewaju, at a news conference on the 12th Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Bird flu: FCTA depopulates 700,000 birds

ederal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, yesterday said it has depopulated 700,000 birds in a bid to halt the spread of bird flu in the territory.

Ag. Director, Administration and Finance, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Dr Musa Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. Aliyu urged FCT residents to remain calm and assured them of the administration`s readiness to combat the disease. He said the disease

was reportedly found in three farms located in Kuje and Gwagwalada, adding that the farms had been quarantined for disinfection. Aliyu said the secretariat had embarked on aggressive sensitisation campaign to create the awareness on symptoms of the animal disease. He urged FCT residents to report any suspected case to the appropriate authorities through the following phone numbers: 08032977193, 08035922291 or 08037869998. Also, Ag. Director, Ag-

riculture Secretariat, Dr Regina Adulogba, said veterinary officers had been deployed in the affected farms. She said the FCT authority was collaborating with the FCT chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, to prevent further spread of the disease. Adulogba urged poultry farmers to stick to bio-security measures and promptly report any suspected case to the nearest veterinary service outlet. The acting director, who allayed the fears of

residents, said there was no cause for alarm as experts have the situation was under control. She urged residents to embrace good personal hygiene and cook poultry products properly before consumption. The acting director also assured FCT residents that there was no chicken or egg in any market that is from any of the infected farm. Bird flu first broke out in Nigeria in 1996 and later resurfaced in January 2015, and has since then spread to 21 states including FCT.

ross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, yesterday expressed support for the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Ayade described the anticorruption initiative as a right step in the right direction. “The anti-corruption war is perfect. For those who know the pain and hardship Nigerians have passed through, for the hardship and frustrations. As a nation there is so much in terms of natural resources and the people are so poor. “It is only obvious that any serious government must take the issue of corruption seriously, and I think that is why today Nigeria is beginning to have national and international image that looks like Nigeria is getting prepared for business. “That is why investments

are flowing into Cross River State, that is a sign that the anti-corruption war is actually working and it is giving Nigeria the international image t we need,” Ayade said. He explained that he came to the Presidential Villa to commend Buhari for some of his policies that have helped Cross River State, stressing that the state has a lot of investors coming in to start massive investments. Specifically, the governor said he briefed the president on what was going on in his state, especially in the area of investments and other developmental projects. Ayade said he also discussed the progress of work on the Bakassi Deep Sea Port, stressing that the President has given his commitment to support the project as well as the evacuation corridor of 260 kilometres super highway. He noted that the state has commercial credit facility and was requesting N4.8 billion to boost rice production, saying that foreign partners would also be involved in the entire N10bn investment.

South West

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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Ambode promises timely completion of Light Up Lagos Project

...plans 24-hour BRT buses operation

Francis Suberu

n order to further boost commercial activities in Lagos metropolis, the state government has promised speedy completion of the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative aimed at lighting up every nook and cranny of the state. To facilitate actualisation of the project targeted at creating an enabling environment that will ensure 24-hour power supply to residents in the next two years, Governor Ambode has set up an Advisory Council chaired by Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti-Adebule, with a charge to make electricity available to Lagosians for both business and domestic use. Governor Ambode equally urged individuals and corporate bodies to light up their streets and neighborrhood, with a promise that such gestures would be duly rewarded and recognised by the state. The main idea behind setting up of the Advisory Council was for members, who were drawn from the public and private sector, to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Power to actualise the dream. While expressing confidence in the sincerity of the administration, the source however, expressed hope that government would be able to

sustain the project and make sure that street lights are on at all times in the state. When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo, confirmed the efforts being made by government toward lighting up every nook and cranny of the state, and recalled that same were in line with the campaign promise made by Governor Ambode to the people. Oluwo said to underscore the commitment of government, arrangement has been concluded on having Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, buses to work at night once the light up project is completed. He said: “This is one of the campaign promises made to the people by the governor and just like he has fulfilled others, this project will not be an exception. “You see, the street light project is more or less complimentary to the security equipment worth N4.8 billion recently donated by the governor to the police, and the ultimate goal is that when all the street lights are on, we will start having BRT buses working at night. “You will recall that the governor also promised to make Lagos city a 24-hour economy, this exactly is the change that the people voted for. We just appeal and pray that the governor will continue to have the energy and resources to consummate all the promises and Lagos.

L- R : Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Funmi Ajayi; Director/Zonal Controller, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Barrister George Enyiekpon; Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Modupe Bosede, at a follow-up meeting on One State One Product initiative in Abeokuta, recently.

$2.1b arms scam: Alaafin disowns Traditional Council of Nigeria Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

laafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, yesterday disowned the Traditional Council of Nigeria, TCN, alleged to have shared from the $2.1billion arms deal slush spearheaded by former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd). It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in an advertorial listed TCN as one of the beneficiaries of the slush fund, a development that created a deafening disquiet among the tradition-

al council in the country. The monarch at a special media parley to commemorate his 45th coronation anniversary minced no words in condemning the existence of the council in the first place. He said he was vehemently opposed to the setting up of the council when it was mooted some years ago because of the illegality of such organisation and the potential acrimony it could breed among traditional rulers in the country. According to him, there can be no centralised Traditional Council of Nigeria because it opposes the federal constitution since it is purely a state matter,

FG approves $200m loan for Lagos State Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

ederal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved a $200 million loan for Lagos State government to complete some infrastructural development projects in the state. The $200 million loan, which would be made available by the World Bank, was part of the $600 million approved in 2010 but being released in tranches of $200 million each year. Briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasola, said the loan was not

entirely a new one as part of it had been collected during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Fashola was governor of Lagos State when the first tranche of the loan was received. “The point to make is that this is not a new loan, it’s a segment of a programme of developmental initiatives and it was approved in 2010 with a total sum of $600 million for Lagos State to be disbursed in tranches of $200 million each year, starting from 2011-2013. “But it suffered delays as a result of partisan political differences in the last dispensation. After the first tranche was disbursed, there

was a freeze on the second tranche”, Fashola said. He explained the delay in approving the balance of the loan was due to partisan political differences as Lagos State was being controlled by a different political party other than that of the government at the centre. The minister said the loan was approved in 2010 by the Federal Government with an initial moratorium of 10 years and a repayment period of 40 years. According to him, because of the branding of Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, the terms and conditions of the loan had been reviewed as the moratorium period has been reduced to only five years, repayment

period to 25 years and an imposition of 2.5 percent interest rate. Fashola said he was happy that the Buhari-led administration approved the release of another tranche of the loan to complete roads and other developmental projects which he initiated during his tenure as governor Before the commencement of the FEC meeting yesterday, there was a mild drama at the Council Chambers venue of the meeting. Buhari shocked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other cabinet members by arriving the Council Chambers at 9.51am for the FEC meeting scheduled for 10 a.m.

saying; “when you talk of the arms deal fund, to the best of my knowledge, none of the traditional rulers in all the 33 local government councils in Oyo State collect such money. We are not part of it.” The Alaafin, while lauding President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in the fight against corruption, said the revelation leaves much to be desired. He, however, cautioned Buhari and the anti-graft agencies in the country on the modus operandi being employed in the fight against corruption, stressing that, “people in authority should know their limitations too, and do

Osinbajo, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, National Security Adviser, ( NSA), Babagana Monguno and 19 other ministers were yet to turn up when Buhari arrived for the meeting. After Buhari observed that few ministers were present at the meeting and had taken their seats, Buhari remarked: “I came too early”. The president then asked for the recitation of the National Anthem and the meeting began. Osinbajo and other ministers who later arrived about five minutes into the meeting were said to have been admitted through the tea room as the main door had been shut soon after the president’s arrival according to protocol.

everything in accordance with the dictates of the constitution in order not to be seen as vindictive.” Speaking on his experience as a monarch in the last 45 years, Alaafin said he had been able to attract a number of developmental projects to the Yoruba nation and the country at large, both nationally and internationally. He said he remains the bridge builder among all the traditional institutions in the country with ‘’unmatched historical facts on Yorubas traditional rulers and ascension to the thrones”. As part of his efforts in nation building, he alluded to his 1999 efforts from a foreign country where the country was granted the opportunity of equipping hospitals at all levels with medical facilities to boost health needs of all Nigerians. The monarch regretted that such efforts were thwarted by people in authority who saw the gesture as ‘needless’ for reasons best known to them. He also said he has been instrumental to the crowing and wearing of the crowns by some traditional rulers (dead or alive) in most parts of Yorubaland since his crowning ceremony of January 14th, 1971, which he said has continued to give him joy as leaving up to the callings of the throne as the baston of Yoruba cultural norms and traditions.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

An unoccupied building on Broad Street.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Broad Street Diary

road Street is Lagos state is well known for its uniqueness, large population of bubbling men and fashionable women that traverse its soil, day and night. Its length and breadth are full of unrivalled daily commercial activities. It may simply be defined as a street where three out of five people walking in it, are traders or business men with the aim of winning customers’ patronage. No wonder why the state government designated the area as the business district. Lagos Island also play host to some imposing multi-storey corporate organisations, impressively planned and exquisitely painted offices, vehicles of different colours and makes, fashionable ladies and well-spruced men who ‘fight’ for right of way with hundreds of street traders on their way to their work places. Other places in other parts of the world that share the same characteristic with Broad Street, Lagos, are Broadway, a thoroughfare in New York City, United States of America, a centre of commercial activities, which also provides entertainment to ardent supporters of music players who specialises in orchestra in specially-designed buildings. In London, there exist another Broad Streets in Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Reading, all in Britain. There are reports that the Broad Street in Philadelphia serves as a major arterial street and yearly enhances the tourism strength of the United States, where, despite having been in existence for many decades, it still serves as the home of several Philadelphia cultural landmarks, and it is called the Avenue of Arts and home of art gallery in the United States. According to information, Broad Streets in these countries have largely held on to their originality, and hence, they are believed to still be in the same shape they were decades ago. Sadly, however, the same cannot be said of Broad Street, Lagos, as is with the case in many communities in Nigeria, Broad Street, Lagos seems to have changed dramatically from what it used to be decades ago, particularly in aesthetics. According to reports, the street once known for peace, quiet and tranquillity, has over the years, evolved into a land of hustling and bustling with little room for organisation and control. Aside street trading, which has become the order of the day on Broad Street, car parks full of the ubiquitous 18-passenger buses have also sprung up, a development that can be said to have also aggravated the rowdy nature of the once serene environment. Broad Street in Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria, like the ones in other major cities of the world, also boasts of important architectural landmarks that represent the Federal Government despite the movement of the seat government to Abuja. Some of such structures include; the Federal Government Press, Federal Dental Clinic, Lagos General Hospital, Odan; Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, General Post Office, the Western House among others. Also, comfortably seated in the area

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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The evolving faces of Lagos Business District

Lagos Island in the 1950s are structures like the Freedom Park, Sterling Towers, AP House, 25-storey United Bank for Africa (UBA) Corporate Headquarters, 17-storey Elephant House, 14-storey Energy House, Premier Bookstore, CSS Bookshops, sundry shops and several stalls, all private business concerns and a sizeable residential buildings, now occupied by men and women and their large population of children. However, the business district has transformed into a shadow of its pristine self, degenerating to an environment some degrees a bit better than most traditional markets in Nigeria and important historical cities. Except urgent steps are taken to reverse the trend, the business district may soon turn into such places as Jankara, Oshodi, Ajegunle, Idumota, Mile 12 and Alaba markets in Lagos, which all grew naturally to heights, but now manifest in various ways, environment of filth and squalor. Although in an effort to bring sanity to this business district, which was once a toast of companies throughout Nigeria, the Lagos State Government has established the Lagos Central Business District Task Force to oversee the day- to- day activities of traders and motorists, thereby creating an enabling business environment for the citizenry. The intention of the Lagos State Government in establishing the task force to maintain law and order in this densely populated business environment, howev-

er, seems to have turned sour, as officials of the task force have turned their official engagement into means of making personal money. Speaking with Broad Street Dairy recently in an interview, a trader, who declined to disclose her identify for fear of persecution by the officials, narrated an incidence she claimed to have personally witnessed. The trader alleged that officials of the task force were greedy and behaved sometimes irrationally. “One day, a driver illegally packed his vehicle, obstructing other motorists and this attracted the attention of this officer, and in order to arrest the driver, the officer immediately moved to the driver’s side of the bus and started deflating the tires of the bus. “I was surprised at this because I don’t know the way he was going to move the vehicle after deflating its tires. In fact, the traffic was already building up at that very moment. “To cut a long story short, after about an hour, the driver ended up parting with N3, 000 before they could let him off the hook. I was so surprised because I never expected that an official of government who was expected to maintain law and order would behave in such a way.’’ For Segun Tella, a Danfo driver who plies the CMS-Orile route, he said without greasing the palms of the CBD Task Force officials, drivers plying the axis would end up being arrested for various

offences and their vehicles towed to their office, adding, to settle them is better than being arrested and taken to their office. “When you settle them, you save yourself much trouble and you will be free to do your business.” Tella’s claims of bribe could easily be noticed as drivers who openly violate the keep moving order, parked at the middle of the road to pick passengers and gave complimentary slang to the officials like ‘baba agbalgba tuale’ which the officials nodded in response and looked the other way. A wristwatch repairer Ajani Wasiu, whose stall is a table and chair directly under the Apongbon Bridge said most of the CBD officials are former street boys who he has known for the past 20 years. He said they were part of the boys employed by the government to fulfil their campaign promises to provide jobs for them. He said: “Most of those boys you see in that uniform are ‘street boys’ that don’t have anything to do prior to been offered this job by the government, that’s why you see them behaving like ‘agberos’ why carrying out their duties. They always harass and collect money from the bus drivers and market women. “They don’t disturb me at all as they always hang around my spot to escape from the sun or take a rest after hours of standing by the road side,” he added. –Dare Akogun

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APC to Ekiti govt: Save pensioners from untimely death Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State has appealed to governor of the state to save pensioners from untimely death by paying their retirement benefits. The state’s APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, alleged that the governor’s deliberate failure to pay pensioners the benefits had resulted in the deaths of some pensioners. The APC in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday also urged the governor to stop his alleged anti-people policies against workers, to prevent life-threatening consequences. It said, “The appeal became imperative on the heels of the recent death of the state’s Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, Pa Rufus Kayode Ogedengbe, who died of minor ailment because he could not afford simple medicare. “It is even worse with pensioners of the state’s College of Education, who have not received any payment for about six months. “Many of the pensioners are sick and some have died of minor ailments for lack of care, but the governor doesn’t care as long as he amasses wealth and appropriates Ekiti’s money. “We call on all men and women of goodwill to prevail on the governor to consider the plight of Ekiti State pensioners and pay them their entitlements.” Meanwhile, the state government has said it was set

to begin implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, with the aim of surmounting the challenges of the traditional Defined Benefit Scheme, DBS. The State Head of Service, HoS, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka, said inability of government to effectively cope with the huge funding requirement, leading to subsequent accumulation of debts on pension and gratuities, had made CPS a preferred option for the payment of exit benefit in the public service. Faseluka, who spoke at Ikogosi Ekiti during an enlightenment workshop on implementation of the scheme, stressed the urgent need to take proactive measures to manage the inevitable future payment of pension and gratuities of upcoming civil servants. The HoS said the switch to CPS would eliminate the burden on government as well as ensure prompt payment of due allowances to beneficiaries. “The DBS has been bedeviled with so many challenges, majorly the inability of government to effectively cope with the huge funding requirement coupled with the mismanagement of funds by the immediate past administration which led to a considerable increase in the accumulated debts on pensions and gratuities,” he said. The HoS advised participants to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government to acquire knowledge on the scheme by partaking actively in the workshop.

pecial Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police yesterday arraigned two bankers, Akani Kehinde and Mustapha Abdulwaheed, before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N16.5 million belonging to their employers. Kehinde, 34, who resides at 409, Borno Way, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, and Abdulwaheed, 29, resident of 34, Awe Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, were arraigned before Magistrate A.T. Omoyele

on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. The prosecutor, Corporal Cyracus Osuji, informed the court that the two bankers committed the alleged offences between July and September 2015 at Orile-Iganmu branch of First Bank Plc. Osuji further informed the court that the two bankers used their office as ATM custodian officers and stole the sum of N2.9 million, property of First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. It was alleged that they also diverted cheques worth N12.2 million which were meant for

IG gives scholarships to police victim’s children …Rights group demands justice for slain woman

Patience Ogbo

nspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has awarded scholarships to four children of a woman killed by a triggerhappy policeman in Lagos last year, Mrs. Comfort Udoh. President of Women Arise For Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Odumakin, who led the family to the Lagos police command, urged the judiciary to speed up the trial of the dismissed police corporal, Musiliu Aremu, who allegedly shot Mrs. Udoh dead over N2,000 bribe.

Odumakin stated this when she led the deceased’s husband and their four children to Lagos police command to receive scholarships for the victim’s children. She said, “The scholarship is a welcome development and we appreciate the police authority for this gesture. This is one of the demands we made of the police authority to give the bereaved family as compensation; but this is not enough. “The family has been traumatised and they live in fear of policemen. We are demanding that the police

authority and government give this family a house of their own. Give them comprehensive health insurance for life and also provide a better job for the husband to take care of his children. “The judiciary should know that the heart of this family is heavy and a speedy trial of the killer cop will serve as balm to heal their pain. The children should get scholarships to university level.” Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, while presenting the scholarships to the family, restated the resolve of the police to instill discipline in officers

and men of the Force. He also assured members of the public that the police would not shield any bad egg among it. The deceased’s husband, Mr. Godwin Udoh, who was shot on his jaw by the dismissed corporal and has been undergoing treatment, expressed gratitude to the police boss for the scholarships. He added that his wife was still in the mortuary and would only rest in peace when she gets justice. The Lagos police have since arraigned the killer cop at the Ikeja Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Suspected child kidnappers paraded by Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ibadan, recently.

Police charge 2 bank staff with N16m theft Wale Igbintade

South West

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Leadway Insurance and converted it to their personal use. He further told the court that the duo stole a cash sum of N1.4 million, property of the bank. The prosecutor said: “The total sum of money stolen by the two accused persons was N16.5 million, all belonging to their employer.” The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to and punishable under Sections 285(7) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. However, the two bankers pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Consequently, Magistrate Omoyele admitted them bail in the sum of N1 million each with two responsible sureties each in like sum. She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to Lagos State government, and have their addresses verified by the prosecutors. The magistrate ordered that civil servants and touts should not be allowed to stand surety for the accused persons. The matter was adjourned till February 2 for mention.

Oluwo’s coronation: Obasanjo, govs to storm Iwo Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo and governors of the six South West states are among dignitaries expected at the coronation of the new Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Akanbi. Briefing newsmen on activities lined up for the ceremony, the coordinator, Mr. Remi Ishola, said invitations have been extended to the presidency. He, however, said the identities of those that would make up the del-

egation were yet to be revealed. Ishola added that as part of the coronation, the Oluwo would meet his subjects at a town hall meeting to discuss how to fast-track development of the town. He explained that the grand finale of the weeklong coronation events would be held in the premises of the Reality Television Station, Iwo. Meanwhile, the new Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, has assured he would tackle unemployment among the youth through outsourcing.

South East

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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Dasukigate: Group urges politicians to toe Anenih’s path Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

non-gover nmental organisation, Centre for Reform Education Initiative, CREI, yesterday hailed exPeoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, for explaining his role in the $2.1 billion arms saga. The group said Anenih’s courage, which he displayed by writing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should be emulated by other politicians. Chief Anenih had last week written to the EFCC, disclosing that N260 million was paid into his bank account from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA. He equally explained how he shared the money. Reacting, the group in a statement signed by its executive director, Hon. Chinwe Ugwu, and made available to journalists in Enugu, said Anenih’s action was exemplary and an indication that he harbours no criminal tendencies of whatever nature. Ugwu noted that it was instructive and most commendable that the elder statesman shared the money as he was directed and never benefitted from it. The statement reads: “We want to commend Chief Tony Anenih, for being a leading light in the ongoing fight against corruption. “Although, he was not approached by the EFCC, he voluntarily offered to help the anti-corruption agency by owning up and

Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

eputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and exdeputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 general election, Mr. Obasi Jerry, was yesterday remanded in Abakaliki Federal Prisons for failure to meet bail conditions. It would be recalled that Obasi was on Monday arrested by Ebonyi police command and charged to

explaining his role. “That the elder statesman did not deny receiving money and was bold enough to state categorically how he shared the money that was paid into his account from the office of the former NSA shows he is an incorruptible leader and will not condone corruption in whatever form,” the statement stated. CREI further explained that Anenih’s posture is “quite different from some people who though, collected the money, are denying and even boasting that they will not refund a dime.’’ According to the group, instead of crucifying people like Anenih, “they should be commended for standing for the truth even in the face of obvious provocation, false allegations and deliberate attempt to soil his hard earned reputation.” It will be recalled that Anenih wrote to the EFCC to state, among others, that he gave N63 million to a group coordinated by a former special assistant to former President Shehu Shagari (National Assembly Liaison), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, for the 2015 presidential election. Anenih also told the EFCC that he didn’t benefit from the money, but that he only shared it, following instructions. One of the charges against the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and a former Director of Finance and Administration in the office, Shaibu Salisu, is the transfer of N260 million to Anenih.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Abia State, Mr. Richard Nwala; Commissioner for Works, Dr. Eziuche Ubani; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; Elder Godwin Nna and Contractor/M/D Delhope Resources Ltd, Engr. Innocent Adiele, during an inspection tour of Echefu road in Aba, yesterday.

NLC shuts down Owerri over plot to sack workers …calls on anti-graft agencies to investigate state, local govts

Chris Njoku OWERRI

overnment and social activities in Owerri, capital of Imo State, were yesterday grounded following a mega protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the state government’s plan to sack and cut salaries of workers in the state’s civil service. National officers of NLC, members of industrial unions, including workers from across the country stormed Owerri yesterday to show solidarity for the aggrieved Imo State workers. The workers, numbering over one million, arrived the NLC secretariat, Owerri, as early as 8am from where they marched to the streets with placards bearing various inscriptions such as ‘Bureau of Public Procurement, His Excellency, March to December

2015 salaries are our right; please pay us before we die,’ and ended up at the secretariat of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, at Owerri-Port Harcourt road. The protest, which caused heavy gridlock in Owerri, grounded both vehicular and human movement as commuters trekked long distances to their various destinations. Leading the protesters, national president of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, assured workers in the state of the general support of NLC and workers across the federation. While sympathising with the Imo State workers, the NLC president said, “It is only Imo State that workers have been subjected to hardship and suffering by the government. “In the state today, workers and pensioners are owed between 15 and18 months, while workers in

the parastatals have been pronounced sacked by the state government.” NLC president said Imo was the only state where legal officers in the ministries were being owed eight months salaries, and retired school teachers have not been paid gratuities after putting in long years of service. He said: “Workers cannot be sacked by mere pronouncement on the pages of newspapers when they were employed through due process.” According to Wabba, NLC officials are in the state to engage Governor Rochas Okorocha in an open discussion, adding that the congress must stand firm to resist any plot by government to retrench workers or reduce salaries of workers in the state. He described the All Progressives Congress, APC government’s policy in Imo

State as directly opposite what President Muhammadu Buhari preaches on creating jobs, adding that rather than the governor talking about job creation, “he is busy preaching how to sack workers”. “Why is Imo the only state that has financial challenges after collecting bailout fund from the Federal Government?” He condemned Governor Okorocha’s policy on the privatisation of healthcare facilities, adding that such an act amounts to denying people the right to healthcare services. The NLC president blamed the current shortage of resources on high level of looting by those in the corridors of power. He called on anti-graft agencies to extend their investigations to both local and state governments to ensure effective fight on corruption in the country.

APGA official remanded in prison over N1m fraud court. The APGA chieftain was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court 1 sitting in Abakaliki for allegedly defrauding one Peter Udude of N1 million. But Chief Obasi, who was the immediate past state chairman of the party, in a swift reaction, denied collecting the money from Udude, arguing that Udude should produce evidence or an agreement

showing that he (Udude) actually gave him (Obasi) the money. Obasi, who spoke with National Mirror on his way to the prison, said it was a gang-up of some politicians in the state to rubbish his hard-earned political career. The deputy national scribe of APGA noted that he is yet to meet up with the bail conditions, stressing that he was asked to bring

a director in the state civil service who has a landed property in Abakaliki and N1million surety. “That time I was the state chairman of APGA and I never worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; he did not give me any money,” he said. Obasi was said to have allegedly collected N1million from Mr. Udude, the Ebonyi North senatorial as-

pirant of APGA in the 2015 general election to rectify the electoral challenges facing Udude in that election. Udude’s name was said to have been omitted from the list of senatorial candidates short-listed by INEC ahead of the elections and he needed to rectify it, hence, he gave Obasi the money. But Obasi, despite allegedly receiving the N1m failed to fulfill his own part

of the agreement, thereby dashing the senatorial ambition of Mr. Udude. In a chat with National Mirror, the complainant, Mr. Udude who stressed that the accused must pay him the N1million, added that the case against Obasi borders on advance fee fraud otherwise known as 419. The case has been adjourned to April 9 for further hearing.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Lagos and light up project dream

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

It’s improper for Taraba Assembly to adjourn sine die —Jika Alhaji Ardo Jika is the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Taraba State. In this interview with JUSTIN TYOPUSU in Jalingo, he speaks on the leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly, the Appeal Court ruling on the governorship election in Taraba among other issues. Excerpts: Since the ruling of the Court of Appeal which nullified the election of the speaker of the State House of Assembly, there seems to be leadership vacuum in the house. What is your reaction to this? I am not a member of the house, but as a stakeholder in the state it concerns me. First of all I want to thank you members of the press for doing a good job. Tarabans and Nigerians deserve to know what is happening in the state. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as been operated in all parts of the country is been flawed in Taraba state any time, and the rules governing leaders in the state are also been flawed at all times and going unchallenged because majority of the people in government don’t have the political will of listening to the wishes and aspiration of the people. I believe that Taraba state House of Assembly is not different from any other state assembly in Nigeria. For the first time in the history of this country, a house adjourned sine die without date of resumption just to protect the interest of the former speaker, who is not even a member of the house. I think in this type of situation, Taraba electorates should not just sit and watch what is happening. We will tell them the laws of this country are meant for us- members of the house inclusive.We must operate within the confines of the law. And it’s now taking to the streets and I think it will go beyond that if the members are not careful, because the seats they are occupying is not a family seat. They are representing their various constituents who elected them and we will not allow this to go. We are calling on the entire membership of the house to reconvene and elect who should be their speaker. I am not lobbying for anybody, but I think there should be leadership in the house. We have three arms of government

The long adjournment is affecting everything in the running of government.

of the speaker of the Taraba state house of Assembly is a reserved seat for a particular person, we want to know and those members who are coming from various constituencies should explain to their constituents.

Jika and these arms must operate independent of one another, but what we are seeing is that the entire members of the state assembly have become subservient to the executive arm of government.. This is the worst thing that would happen to any house of assembly. We are calling on them to as a matter of urgency and duty reconvene and elect a speaker for the State House of Assembly or else we will call on the electorates across the state to decide on them because we can’t allow this kind of thing to be happening as if none of them has been to school. I have a privilege information from a member of the house that a close ally of the former speaker was quoted as saying that the deputy speaker will be presiding pending when the time the former speaker will be returning to the house after the yet to be fixed re-run election and that seems to be exactly what is playing out. That is what PDP has been doing in Taraba over the years. They don’t win elections, the former speaker knows he didn’t come to the house through

the ballot. Also information reaching me indicate that they have already concluded arrangement with INEC when the election will take place, but will find out from INEC if they are now part of PDP in Taraba state. Remember till today, the portrait of the former speaker is still hanging in the house as a speaker. We believe in the due process of doing things and we believe in the rule of law and we will get the interpretation of all these in the court of law. You threaten to mobilise electorates across the state to take action. What kind of action? It’s a very simple thing. The members are coming from different constituencies and we believe they are not representing mad people. They are leading and representing sensible people who voted them to come and represent them and take sensible decisions on their behalf. You cannot come and be subservient to someone who always want to be at the helm of affairs. If the seat

Do you think the long adjournment of the house would affect the running of the state? The long adjournment is affecting everything in the running of government because there are no checks and balances and the executive cannot take certain actions without the house approval. And if I may ask; were they elected to adjourn sine die, until when they want? Is that what they were elected to do? Is that what the law says? Majority of them are there to serve their personal interest and not the interest of those who elected them. The dividends of democracy they always talked about are only on the pages of newspapers. Go to their constituencies, you will be shock at what you will see. What are the chances that your party in the ordered supplementary election where the former speaker is also contesting? Let me correct one impression. Election is going to hold in eight polling units as ordered by the lower tribunal and affirmed by the Appeal Court. The copies of the judgment have already been sent to the house of assembly, the Police and the DSS. As to the number of votes, the appeal court held that there was a calculation error by the lower tribunal and our candidate is now leading with 33 votes. But for sure, for one coming from outside to beat a sitting member who have been in the house for over 12 years, it means the incumbent overstayed his usefulness. If I have served as a member of Mbamga constituency for more than 12 years, I did CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

Thursday, January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos and light up project dream Niyi Anibaba

he Victorian Society of London in the late 19th Century witnessed a series of murders committed in the East End slums by a man the media called Jack the Ripper. He did it in the ill-lit corners and alleys of the city, suggesting that lack of flood light was a strong factor aiding the commission of serious crimes including robberies and killings. Taking a cue from the studies that followed the operations of Jack the Ripper under the cover of darkness, successive city administrators of the colonial capital rapidly started work on lighting up inner London and most parts of this highly industrialized capital. Now nearly 130 years after, here in Lagos, Nigeria, before our very eyes, we are witnessing the strategic deployment of the lessons of lighting up a city to erect enduring security architecture. This is one of the dividends of democracy the government of Akinwunmi Ambode is dropping in its path as it seeks to fulfill the governor’s campaign promises. He did pledge barely few days into his administration that he will burden himself with the gigantic task of lighting up Lagos in his tenure. In less than 200days of his stay in Government House, Ambode went on to set up the Lagos Power Advisory Committee, which he asked to liaise with the Ministry of Power for the implementation of his plan. The eventual goal is to flood Lagos with light all day, all week in the next two years. Ambode’s dream isn’t only for the major urban centers. He has spoken of feeding all the highways in this mega city that used to be the nation’s capital. Needless to say, the state has not lost its prestigious status as the financial hub of Nigeria, the country considered as the economic power house of Africa. By early January of 2016, the administration had succeeded in fulfilling its promise at key points of the state. A nocturnal check from Berger to Lekki, Ikorodu to Lagos Island and the entire Ikeja axis as well as Victoria Island and Ikoyi reveals the citizens of the Ambode era savouring more active street lights than the preceding generations did. The point to note also is that Ambode does not believe that there are enough roads yet to match his promise to turn Lagos into Africa’s New York: a 24-hour economy. How to do that? The Governor wants to add modern roads. It is be labouring the point to ask if he would also kit the streets to come with lights. It has become a sacred duty for Ambode to ensure electricity is available in every street under his watch. Such is this solemn vow that he is planning to start having BRT operations at night. Indeed he cannot have a 24-7 economy without a road transportation system in tandem. New York that was famously described by legendary singer, Frank Sinatra as a city that never sleeps, and such other big world cities derived their popular appellation partly from having a ceaseless public and private transit profile.

Ambode

Ambode has left no one in doubt of his determination to make sure that all streets and corners in the state are light up. These cities don’t go to sleep because their cab, bus, air, sea and rail operations don’t go to sleep. We must also refer to another idea of Ambode to live out his dream. He is pleading with individuals and corporate bodies to light up their streets and neighbourhood. He says the state will work out a plan to duly recognize “such gestures in due course.” This

is the sincere invitation of a humble governor to involve fellow citizens in the noble business of governance. Observers are quick and discerning enough to note that these seeming aesthetics of lighting up Lagos and beautifying its landscape are in the main, a part of the objective to secure Lagos and prevent murderous and criminal Jack the Rippers from wreaking havoc in the state. The security equipment worth N4.8b in the form of helicopters, power bikes, marine patrol facilities, vehicles among other things the governor recently gave the Police would amount to little if the streets and alleys remain unlit. These places would serve as the black spot and dens of hiding for fleeing criminals if they are left the way they are: in complete darkness. That is what miscreants feed on at dusk and deep into the dark night. When Ambode talked of a plan to have BRT function all day and far into the night, he added a condition: it would be so when all the street lights are fully operational. He underscored the complementarities of fully functioning flood lit streets to the presence of equally well equipped security personnel. It was the same quest for sanity in the polity and a good life for the people that led the governor last week to demolish the home of criminals that went by the name Owonifari Market at Oshodi. The goal is to create an enabling environment under girded by security, safety of lives and the prosperity of the citizens. I believe that is what Ambode meant when on May 29, 2015 he presented his inaugural speech to those who elected him as their governor. As he concluded his short but vision-laden paper, he spoke of creating an “iconic infrastructure for the benefit of all.” What does an “iconic infrastructure” mean? At the academic level, it may suggest an idealistic craving by society for the translation of its dream about what the society values wants or desires for its sustenance. For me, it is the totality of what a government should offer as its irrevocable duty to the people. It means offering the ultimate in development in all its ramifications: compassionate governance, security, prosperity, dream fulfillment, sense of participation in governance, capacity building for each individual. This is iconic infrastructure. And just like any other projects he has ventured into since May 29, 2015, Ambode has left no one in doubt of his determination to make sure that all streets and corners in the state are light up. A drive from Ojodu Berger to Ojuelegba at night and from Ikorodu to Island has clearly shown that the governor is on the verge of again fulfilling his promise of lighting up the state in the next two years. As we await another Ambode’s magic wand in a critical area that would fundamentally transform the state to take its rightful status as a megacity, one only hope that the passion that the governor has exhibited in the past few months will not wane. Anibaba, an economist, wrote from Gbagada, Lagos. Niyi Anibaba writes from Lagos.

No going back on Sani’s suspension —Kaduna APC A za Msue KADUNA

he Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Wednesday declared that the suspension of Senator representing Kaduna Central Zone, Shehu Sani from the APC for eleven months still stands. The National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the party, Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir had on Monday said the suspension of the senator was invalid, but the Kaduna State APC executive has firmly dismissed APC North West Vice Chair-

man’s view. Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, the spokesman of the APC, Hon. Salisu Tanko Wusono, said, Barrister Abdulkadir acted without the consent of the national leadership and contrary to Section 21 of the APC’s constitution. Wusono added that the National Vice Chairman’s action was a deliberate attempt to ridicule the party for his personal interest. “The 11-month suspension slammed on Shehu Sani by the Kaduna State APC stands. Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir does not have the power to lift the suspension, and was acting on his

own without any authorization by the national leadership of the party. “What happened on Monday in Kaduna between Abdulkadir and the so-called APC chieftains was an abuse of his office in promoting the narrow agenda of people who have never been interested in the progress and success of the APC.” Wusono accused Abdulkadir of embarrassing the national leadership and loyal membership of the APC by his conduct. “Can a Senator in Inuwa Abdulkadir’s Sokoto State abuse and denigrate party leadership without being disciplined? Take this from

us, the national leadership of the APC, President Buhari and his Vice- President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other leaders of the APC are aware of Shehu Sani’s antiparty activities and his involvement in plots to undermine the APC governments at the federal and state level. “Shehu Sani is only wasting his time, running from pillar to pillar; he is like a crocodile in a dry river. Senator Shehu Sani stands suspended from participating in all APC activities in the state. Why is he not attending President Buhari and Vice President Osibanjo’s functions in Kaduna? Why is he not participating in

our activities? Why is it that the PDP senator from Southern Kaduna attends critical state functions and not him? All the 11 APC lawmakers in the House of Reps from the state are loyal to our leadership. All the 28 APC lawmakers in the Kaduna State House of Assembly are standing by the party and its government. Shehu Sani has chosen to be on his own, and the APC cannot abide his acute irresponsibility and his lack of any appreciation of disciplined political conduct and party discipline. “There is difference between grandstanding and genuine representation.

Kaduna Central, which elected him to the Senate, is one of the most populous senatorial districts in the country with a lot of complexity and dynamism. Rather than representing them well, he is consumed by his penchant for popularity shows, and irresponsible comments like someone who has reduced his duty into a perpetual ego trip”, he said. The spokesman added that Shehu Sani and his group are trying to use the backdoor to get back to the party having realized the failure of their attempts to destroy the party in the state.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Ekweremadu assures on early Constitution Amendment completion eputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, Ike Ekweremadu, has assured on early completion of the constitution amendment exercise. He gave the assurance during the inauguration of the committee by the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday. Ekweremadu recalled that although the successful amendment of the 1999 constitution was only recorded in 6th National Assembly, which he also chaired, resulting in the First, Second, and Third Alterations, he believed there were also a lot of insights to draw from all constitution amendment exercises. He added that the Fourth Alteration Bill, which was not assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan remained a huge effort in amending the 1999 Constitution in accordance with the wishes of the Nigerian people. Notable among the key amendments, according to him, were strengthening of the local government administration, removal of presidential assent in constitution amendment, separation of the office of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister of Justice, creation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation separate from the Accountant-General of the Federal Government to enhance accountability, financial autonomy for State Assemblies, and provision

of 30-day timeline for presidential and governors’ assent to Bills passed by the National and State Assemblies. Others include empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister political parties, devolution of more powers to the states, provision of 180-day timeline for the determination of preelection matters, provision for independent candidacy, and making it mandatory for the President to present a State of the Nation address at least once in a year. The Deputy Senate President however said it had been observed that constitution amendment exercises in election years were always caught in the web of politics and intrigues, assuring that the amendment exercise was one of the top priorities of the 8th Senate. “Timing for constitutional amendment should be carefully determined as amendments in election periods close to the lifespan of the government in power tend to be undermined by the prevailing political atmosphere”, Senator Ekweremadu said. He also emphasised the need for greater consensus and interface with the executive arm of government throughout the review process. The Deputy President of the Senate further stressed the need to “rationalize the alteration process by adopting a strategy to enhance synergy, concordance, and work plan, which both chambers are comfortable with to help reduce avoidable delays in the amendment process”.

of that market was an eyesore.” The statement said a former Federal Controller of Works in the state once said that loops/cloverleaf should serve as natural drainage basins for the road and therefore should be green areas not ware points. It said a committee that was set up to plan the relocation of the market in 2007 was frustrated by politics, mistrust, blackmail and eth-

nicity. The statement said that members of committee, including former Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Igbokwe, market leaders and other stakeholders held several meetings before they were stopped by the former governor, who forged ahead to secure Iso Pakodowo Market, now called Oshodi Resettlement Market.

Geroge Oji

D Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom (right) and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, during Governor Ortom visit to Governor Al-Makura, in Nasarawa, yesterday

Forum condemns Ondo’s marginalisation in NDDC he Ilaje Parapo Forum, IPF has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over what it called the marginalization of Ilaje nay Ondo State in the running of the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC . IPF speaking through its President, Mr. Foluso Ajimuda at a media parley in Lagos said since inception of the NDDC, no indigene of Ondo state not to talk of an Ilaje person has been appointed as the Managing Director. The Forum said the five smaller members states within the NDDC which include Ondo state have not been appointed as Chairman, Managing Director and the Executive Director ( Finance & Admin) of the NDDC. It further said that all the provisions of the NDDC Act have been thrown into the

dustbin. “We can no longer accept this situation. Worse still, no Ondo State indigene has ever benefitted from the bursary for Masters Degree awarded by the NDDC which has produced over 20,000 of beneficiaries. This is ridiculous”, he said. IPF said it absolutely condemn the non--appointment of an Ondo state indigene in the position of the Managing Director and other executive positions considering the fact that the act establishing the NDDC clearly states that such positions should be rotated according to production of quantum of oil among the producing states . “We note with great concern this irregularity/infraction in the Commission where Ondo state indigenes have not enjoyed neither the MD position nor the Executive Directors even when for instance, the commission had went through five different Managing Direc-

ather than fan the embers of ethnicity stoke the fire of defeatism among Igbo residents in Lagos, Igbo leaders should encourage their kinsmen to respect constituted authority, the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC said yesterday. The party’s counsel came against the backdrop of the bad blood generated by the relocation of traders from

the demolished Owonifari Market in Oshodi to Iso Pakodowo Market. In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the APC described as a wrong assumption that the government decision was a declaration of war on Igbo traders by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration as punishment for their opposition to the APC during the last general elections.

Ayo Esan

tors over the years and yet the state is the fifth on the oil production ladder. ‘There is no doubting the fact that Ondo State is long overdue to run the affairs of the Commission as the Managing Director”, IPF said. It called on President Buhari to redress the imbalance without further delay in the interest of fairness, equity and justice by appointing an Ilaje indigene, being the local government producing oil in Ondo state to the position of MD of NDDC. “ Ilaje has some of the finest human resource persons in Nigeria. We have educated people of international repute. We call on President Buhari to immediately appoint an Ondo indigene of Ilaje extraction as the Managing Director of the NDDC. “ It has become a moral hazard considering the negative impact on the reputation and integrity of the commission the nonappointment of Ondo state

indigene in these aforesaid crucial management positions. As a matter of fact, the Forum sees the infraction as a deliberate attempt to subjugate the state, nay Ilaje local government in the Niger- Delta region and push the people into second class citizens”, the Forum said It however noted that the injustice will no longer be condoned and then call on the Federal Government to adheres to its lay down rules saying any attempt to do otherwise is respite to anarchy. The Forum notes with sadness that though its territory produces 8.3 per cent of the total output of Nigerian oil, there is no electricity at the headquarters of the only local government that produces oil in Ondo State. “ There are no good roads, no drinkable water, no noticeable government presence ommensurate with the input to the GDP of our country”, the Forum said.

Don’t fan ember of disunity APC tells Igbo R The party described as defeatist and self-persecution for some pro-Igbo groups to conclude that their members are not wanted in certain parts of the country. The statement reads: “Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos went to town to address a press conference that Igbo traders are being intimidated by the government of Lagos as a result of fallout of 2105 elections. Before you know it, other Igbo groups

went to town with their defeatism attitude.” According to the statement, the evacuation of the market from the loop of Oshodi Round-about was designed in 2007 by the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola. It reads: “Former Governor Fashola had planned to evacuate that market right inside the Oshodi Roundabout loop since 2007 when he came into office. The location

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Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

araba volunteer group has called on the All Progressive Congress, APC in Taraba State to accept the verdict of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja which upheld the victory of Governor Darius Ishaku of PDP and collaborate with him to

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group urges Taraba APC to accept Appeal Court verdict move the state forward. Leader of the group, Engr. Terrence Joseph who made the call at a press briefing yesterday in Jalingo described the

ruling of the appellate court as a victory for the collective will of the people of Taraba. “The calm and peace-

ful celebration that greeted the Appeal Court judgement is a demonstration of the general acceptance of the verdict unlike the initial ruling

L-R: President Muhammaadu Buhari; APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Deputy National Chairman, (North) Mr Lawal Shuaibu; Deputy National Chairman (South) Mr. Segun Oni; during APC National Working Committee meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

of the tribunal that was widely protested which led to loss of precious lives and property. “We therefore call on the APC in the state to eat the humble pie, accept defeat and join hands with the governor to move the state forward,” the group said. The group expressed confidence in the justices of the Supreme Court to look at the case on its merits and ensure that fair judgement is given in line with the collective decision of the majority of Taraba people and not the interests of a few. “Taraba state has suffered a lot of setbacks in the past and here comes an administration that has demonstrated the will to restore peace and sanity in the state and we believe that nothing will happen to derail this course.

“We also have confidence that the Supreme Court justices will consider the position it has taken on similar cases in the past which put Governor Ishaku at advantage position and base their ruling on the already established position so that the peace currently being enjoyed in the state will continue.” It could be recalled that, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on December 31, last year, upturned the ruling of the lower tribunal which nullified the election of Darius Ishaku on the grounds of improper conduct of party primaries. Senator Aisha Alhassan, now Minister of Women Affairs and candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC is challenging the return of Darius Ishaku as governor of Taraba state.

It’s improper for Taraba Assembly to adjourn sine die —Jika CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

not need to come to the house of assembly again. I should go to the senate or House of Representatives, if I really worth what I am and I have the mandate of my people, I will not even contest in the supplementary election. That explains why he is losing even at the state assembly. He succeeded in creating divisions along tribal and religious lines instead of fostering unity. Emmanuel Bongo is a true Christian and democrat who will rescue the constituency. If we were to talk of sentiment, I would go for my tribes man or a Muslim, but I believe in credibility and competence, and that is why Emmanuel Bongo is our candidate and the people have proven so far that they want him to represent them and he will win in the forthcoming supplementary election. Don’t you think the verdict of the Appeal Court in the governorship election in the state would jeopardise the chances of your candidate in this election? There are certain mistakes that we make but I’m sure we would outgrow that stage soon. The candidate of an election is for the election and he or she is voted for in that position based on who he or she is. Senator Aisha was voted by the people of Taraba to be their governor based on what they believe she could offer the state. Emmanuel Bongo was also voted based on what his constituent believed he could offer. So, the ruling of the Appeal Court would not in any way affect the election of our candidate, Emmanuel Bongo. And let me just tell you this, even

those who claim they have won the case at the appeal are aware that the judgement was in error. The Appeal Court cannot be giving contradictory judgements. It is established in law that, where a person did not participate in the primary election, such a person is not qualified to contest in the general election. As such, what the PDP did is actionable by another political party. Why should Taraba case be different? We are not villagers. We are very versatile, educated and exposed people. So, no one can just trample over our rights. I believe that the Appeal Court judgement will definitely be reversed by the Supreme Court. We are certain about that because if you think you can bribe your way at the Appeal Court, the Supreme Court is not like that. There, you have men of impeccable integrity. Look at the judgement on Kogi where about six legislators from the APC had their elections upturned on the issue of improper primaries. How different is that case from ours here. Let’s not deceive ourselves. The PDP also admitted not holding their primaries in the state. If there were security challenges in the state as they claimed, I think the security agencies in the state would be the first to know not PDP. If Nigeria is to survive as one indivisible entity, we must have to abide by the laws and provisions of the constitution. And on no account should such a judgement stand in this country. And unless Taraba is subjected to a different constitution, it would not be an exception. The judgement would not stand.

How will you assess the performance of the present administration in the state so far? Well, we sincerely regret to say that the government has so far performed surprisingly poor at the detriment of Tarabans. Within the seven months, all government vehicles and machines have been sold out running into billions of naira without recourse to due process. Some of the auctioneers have already taken the matter to court. The person who was saddled with that responsibility is an Ibo man who forged his credentials. When did we start having indigenous Ibos in Taraba? Look at the fate of pensioners. For four months now, we have not been paid our pension. We have an accumulated gratuity of over eight billion naira in the state. No one is paid. If you go round the ministries and parastatals , you will find out that the entire system has collapsed. In Taraba, government is not seen as a continuous process. If it were, we would not have to experience what we are experiencing now. This is the same desperate cabal that went and bundled the sick governor, Danbaba Suntai from America where he was receiving medical attention back to Nigeria, claiming that he was fit and ready to take over governance in the state. When it became glaring even to the blind that they were lying, they abandoned him and shamelessly went ahead to reinstate Sani Danladi who they impeached later.. The same assembly members that spearheaded Sani’s impeachment were the same shameless people that went to court singing

his innocence. The same people that went and dragged Danbaba Suntai from hospital in America back home, announcing to the whole world that he was healthy enough were the same group that abandoned him and had Sani sworn in as the acting governor while the governor whom they claim was fit to rule has been abandoned till date. We are fed up with these group of people. This is the same group of people now coming out to tell us that the former speaker who was sacked by the court of appeal and is preparing for a fresh election is only on leave and would come back to take over his position. The house failed to convene to elect a new speaker. This is really unfortunate. That is why I’m calling on the entire citizens of Taraba to remain calm and be law abiding. No one should ferment trouble. Let them be tolerant but owe up to call a spade a spade and stop these feudalists who profit on chaos and confusion in the state. They rely on creating division along tribal and religious lines. All these must be stopped. I’m not afraid because the highest anyone can do to me is to kill me. But before that, I must speak my mind. Look at the abysmal state of social amenities in the state. Look at the pathetic case of our infrastructure. Look at the retrogressive state of our institutions. Social services and infrastructure are not to be provided for only a section of the people. You can’t concentrate your little efforts in just one area. That is not governance. We must tell ourselves the truth and stand by the truth, thank you.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Before plea bargaining let us down again CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

ith the inexorable stance of President Muhammadu Buhari against corruption and his vow not to spare any sacred cow, there are bound to be avalanche of court cases several indicted past and public figures. As a matter of fact, the fledgling Dasukigate case, which is already spawning direct and indirect accomplices, is bound to culminate in the prosecution of some people when the drama fully unfolds. Therefore, the searchlight of the people will be beamed on the nation’s judiciary for some time to come as this sacred organ issues pronouncements on cases brought before it. While our judiciary may be said to be relatively steadfast and the least institution affected by the virus of corruption in Nigeria, there is no denying the fact that people’s confidence in it is no longer what it used to be. Apart from the apparent interference of the political class, as evinced in Justices Ayo Salami/ Iyorgher Katsina-Alu saga, the way the organ has handled the issue of plea-bargaining in the recent past has left much to be

desired. Let us briefly reflect on some examples. In the case of the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, preferred against him in 2005 by the EFCC, Balogun was said to have incorporated some companies to loot the police treasury through bribes and kickbacks on contracts. He was further alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn billions of naira from these accounts and used same to buy shares, landed properties and foreign currencies. After some successful sessions of plea bargaining, the numerous counts of offences against him were collapsed into a ‘manageable’ eight counts; and despite the fact that a relatively sizeable number of his properties and assets were ordered seized, many commentators nonetheless believe that there was a disconnect between the severity of the offences and the penal consequences. Other famous cases built on plea-bargaining procedure included those of Cecilia Ibru, former governors Lucky Igbinedion and Diespreye Alamieyeseigha of Edo and Bayelsa states respectively. The case of Igbinedion specifically baffled many observers. He was charged with stealing about N4.4 billion. But he plea-bargained his way out: He was fined a paltry N3.5 million and ordered to forfeit only three landed properties to the Federal Government. He paid the fine and walked out a free man. But by far the most egregious case that attracted public outrage was that of an Assistant Director with Police Pension Board, John Yakubu Yusuf. He was sentenced to two

Before JUSUN strikes again MADUKA ONWUKEME

n Monday January 3, 2015, the members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had swooped on all courts in Nigeria and shut them down in an illegal strike action. JUSUN’s grouse was the refusal of state governments to obey the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered on January 13, 2014 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/66/2013. In the said suit, JUSUN had successfully sued the state governments and other agencies for the continued violation of the independence of the judiciary by refusing this arm of government from drawing its fund directly from the consolidated revenue fund as constitutionally provided. On the strength of that judgment, JUSUN had ill advised an illegal strike action that crippled the nation’s entire machinery of justice at the inception of 2015, and in most states for a better part of 2015. The different chapters of JUSUN in various states across the country also resorted to incessant strike actions over the slightest trade dispute or in some cases political or constitutional issues that had no bearing on the welfare of its members. The loss (monetary or otherwise) that arises from the shutting down the courts is unquantifiable, and it is not only desirable that JUSUN be called to order, the members should also be made to behave responsibly. The law is clear that all the powers

I HOPE WE SEE THE NEED TO STOP JUSUN’S SLOW BUT GRADUAL INTERMENT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM exercisable by trade unions including strike and pickets must be exercised only with respect to trade disputes. The Trade Disputes Act in section 47 defines a “trade dispute” as: “Any dispute between employers and workers or between workers and workers, which is connected with the employment or non-employment, or the terms of employment and physical conditions of work of any person”. JUSUN was aware that the dispute in question was clearly constitutional, but yet illegally chose to cry more than the bereaved, stating their intention as trying “to free the judiciary from the captives, strangulations and imprisonments by the state governors”. JUSUN, therefore, clearly got away with impunity last year as it crippled the machinery of justice illegally and brazenly usurped the powers of the Federal High Court to enforce its judgment. On January 4, 2016 the Anambra State chapter of JUSUN called off its nearly three months old strike. Their counterparts in Imo State had downed tools in the last quarter of 2015 too. I mentioned the JUSUN strikes of these two states as the action of JUSUN there had deprived me and many other Nigerians of our constitutional rights to seek redress for

PLEA BARGAINING

SEEMS TO HAVE SOME ADVANTAGES, TOO!

THESE INCLUDE THE MUCH-TOUTED EXPEDIENT PROSECUTION OF THE ACCUSED years imprisonment with an option of N750, 000 fine for the three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of N32.8 billion from the pension funds. The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Talba, also ruled that the convict must forfeit a total of 32 properties to the government. What then happened? Yusuf paid the fine on the spot and breezed out of the courtroom in style as a free man, with a flippant grin on his face! This judgment deservedly drew vitriolic reactions from numerous commentators. Now, what exactly is plea-bargaining? It is a kind of arrangement where the prosecution enters into some form of compromise agreement with the accused, enabling the latter to plead guilty to some lesser offences than those originally leveled against him. This is to enable the prosecution secure a faster conviction. A number of criticisms could be raised against our use of this concept. To start with, it could be said that it indirectly aids corruption by giving ‘soft landing’ to the accused persons, who

wrongs done to us. A thousand more had their cases unnecessarily delayed. Many incarcerated suspects were denied the constitutional rights to a speedy trial. Anarchy was let loose as people resorted to self help to settle disputes; law enforcement agents violated people’s rights indiscriminately as there were no courts to run to for refuge. I will not fail to mention the loss of revenue suffered by lawyers which ran into millions of naira. Funny enough, the striking workers still collected their salaries for doing no work, while the lawyers bore the brunt of their action. Rule 30 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 states that a lawyer is an officer of the court and thus mandates lawyers “not to do any act or conduct himself in any manner that may obstruct, delay or adversely affect the administration of justice”. I believe a similar code should regulate the conduct of judiciary workers, who are also officers of the court but have continued to constitute a clog in the wheel of the justice system with their penchant for incessant strike actions. The judiciary workers might have some genuine grievances in some of their actions but then, the courts must never be closed down for any reason whatsoever. Have we considered the danger of the politicization of JUSUN and what doom that would spell for our

would escape the full wrath of the law. It may also encourage a situation where the accused may steal recklessly, hoping to part with a percentage of the stolen assets in the ensuing plea bargaining while keeping some to be enjoyed after serving a light sentence of imprisonment that may be imposed on him! On the other hand, plea bargaining seems to have some advantages, too! These include the much-touted expedient prosecution of the accused, which might otherwise take prolonged period. Secondly plea bargaining could lead to substantial recovery of the stolen asset as was the case in the Balogun and Ibru’s cases where assets worth hundreds of billions of naira were recovered. Lastly, plea bargaining tends to ensure certainty of punishment because whenever the accused pleads guilty, conviction will naturally follow. In the developed countries like the United States where plea-bargaining strategy is also used, it is often employed to aid justice rather than to hinder it. But it is a double-edged sword; if it is not judiciously applied it may undermine administration of justice. Nigerian Judiciary needs to brace up in this kind of time when many alleged corruption cases are imminent to ensure that the doctrine of plea bargaining is not invoked to attenuate the integrity of justice administration. KETEFE may be followed on twitter @Ketesco

democracy if the courts can be shut down to satisfy the whims of certain individuals for political reasons? As a matter of fact, there were allegations and counter allegations amongst JUSUN members on the true reasons for the January 2015 strike. At the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference held in Abuja in August last year, lawyers from Rivers State had narrated the descent of Rivers State into anarchy with the closure of the courts over political squabbles. It was alleged over 52 prison inmates lost their lives as they could not get court orders to enable them get treatments outside the prison clinics for life threatening ailments the prison clinics could not handle. Nearly every lawyer from Rivers State agreed that it was the worst thing that could happen to any state. I hope we see the need to stop JUSUN’s slow but gradual interment of the justice system and the rights of Nigerians to access the court with its penchant to close the court at the flimsiest excuses or no excuses at all. I rest my case. Onwukeme, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, wrote via madukaonwukeme@gmail.com 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.

Editorial

Thursday January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Dickson’s victory in Bayelsa polls

overnor Seriake Dickson, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Bayelsa State governorship election concluded last Saturday was the following day declared the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having gotten 134,998 votes to beat his major challenger, former Governor Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 86,852 votes. The electoral umpire had earlier declared the election originally held last December 5 inconclusive following the cancellation of votes from Southern Ijaw, the biggest and mainly riverine Local Government Area in the state. The first election which INEC declared inconclusive was widely criticized as riddled with large scale irregularities, violence and chaos. Reports spoke of interference of the poll by violent militant groups, proliferation of weapons, attacks on voters, hijack of ballot boxes and abduction of INEC personnel, among others. This was in spite of the deployment of huge security paraphernalia to the state during the election. The supplementary governorship election, which took place last Saturday in Southern Ijaw LGA and 101 other polling units in Sagbama, Nembe, Yenagoa

and Ogbia LGAs fared no better than that of last December 5 going by reports of the election. About 10 persons were allegedly killed across Ekeremor, Nembe and Yenagoa during the poll. Governor Dickson, through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, condemned what he referred to as “the electoral malpractice and violence which marred the supplementary elections in Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor town and parts of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area”. He also accused APC loyalists of masterminding the killings of innocent Bayelsans in Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe and Sothern Ijaw. Indeed, Dickson said over 14 people were feared dead, comprising four policemen, two soldiers and eight civilians in Ekeremor alone; while many PDP members allegedly attacked in Brass and Southern Ijaw were in critical conditions at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. For its part, the APC accused a senior military officer of snatching ballot boxes in Ekeremor, with eyewitnesses alleging that pandemonium broke out following an alleged invasion by armed men led by the reported military officer to snatch election materials in the area. According to the Bayelsa

THE SUPPLEMENTARY GOVERNORSHIP

ELECTION…FARED NO BETTER THAN THAT OF LAST

DECEMBER 5,

GOING BY REPORTS OF THE ELECTION State Police Command, however, no deaths were recorded during the election; and the poll was peaceful with the police in control. We insist, nonetheless that INEC should liaise with other relevant security agencies to fish out the culprits behind the alleged killings, violence and election irregularities in Bayelsa (if eventually confirmed) for prosecution and punishment in line with the law. No electoral fraudster deserves relishing with fanfare in a stolen mandate. With the conclusion of the Bayelsa supplementary election and the declaration of Governor Dickson as the winner, however, the curtain has now been drawn on the two immediate acid tests that confronted the new INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, on his assumption of office lately. The first was the last November Kogi governorship poll on which INEC also returned a verdict of incon-

clusiveness. To critics of the two inconclusive elections Nigerians witnessed in quick succession, the INEC Chair said it reflected the emerging competitiveness of the polls; and insisted that INEC would always ensure that certain conditions were met during elections as provided in the electoral law. Still ahead and upcoming before the next general elections in 2019, however, are governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states this year, as well as that of Anambra that comes up in about two years’ time. Though INEC may labour in self consolatory justification of its inconclusive elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, its poor deployment of discretion, especially during the last November Kogi election was glaring. Besides, violence, failure of card readers, omission of names in voters’ register, etc., leading to the cancellation of results in 91 polling units in Kogi were reported. Logistic problems that culminated in the late movement of election materials and INEC officials to polling centres have also persisted. These are all areas INEC should make haste to improve upon before subsequent polls. A repeat of the Kogi and Bayelsa uninspiring polls is no longer acceptable.

ON THIS DAY

January 14, 2000

January 14, 2011

A United Nations tribunal sentenced five Bosnian Croats to up to 25 years imprisonment each for the 1993 killing of over 100 Muslims in a Bosnian village. Croats are from the South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and nearby countries. There are around four million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world.

Former President of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, fled his country to Saudi Arabia after series of street demonstrations against his regime and corrupt policies, asking for freedom, rights and democracy, considered as the anniversary of the Tunisian Revolution and the birth of the Arab Spring. Ben Ali was appointed Prime Minister in October 1987, and he assumed the Presidency on November 7, 1987.

January 14, 2012 The Pirate Party of Greece was founded on the model of the Swedish Pirate Party. The Pirate Party of Greece is a political party in Greece. Based on the model of the Swedish Pirate Party, it supports reform of copyright law, the abolition of patents and respect for privacy. The party was founded on January 14, 2012, but was officially recognised on February 10, 2012, at which time it had 480 members.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) In ABUAD, You Get It All —Dr Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

New LASU VC assumes office Says ‘I’m for nobody’, as staff unions, students pledge support TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

rofessor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun assumed office as the eight substantive vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, on Monday. This development marks the beginning of a new era for the 33-year-old university, laying to rest the crisis surrounding the appointment of a successor to the immediate past vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. John Obafunwa whose turbulent tenure expired last October. However, just like how his predecessors enjoyed a warm reception on resumption from members of the university community from both the academic and non-academic circles as well as students, Prof. Fagbohun, 50, was equally accorded a rousing reception. Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, their non academic staff counterparts as well as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Students Union Government were full of praises for the new VC with high expectation that he would perform well and restore the lost glory of LASU within a shortest possible time. After all, his appointment, apart from following due process, was also in agreement with major conditions they had laid down for the state government which included a demand that the new henchman must be a PhD holder and should serve a five-year single term. Besides, the government has also met some of their demands which have been causing serious disaffection between them and the leadership slowing down the progress of work in the institution. Chief among these are the elongation of retirement age of lecturers in professorial cadre to 70 years and 65 years for the non-academic staffers, the re-issuance of PhD certificate to the incumbent Chairman of the branch’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Adekunle Idris whose certificate was earlier withdrawn and the introduction of hostel facilities on campus. However, the new vice-chancellor in his inaugural speeches both at the Governor’s Office where he was sworn-in by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and at the campus lat-

Fagbohun er in the day, expressed his mind on how he would want to run his administration. He tagged the speech “Our past, our future, a new dawn for the Lagos State University.” Pointing out that he had since started work immediately as his name was announced three days earlier, Professor Fagbohun said he would run an all inclusive government with no caucuses or factions among workers. He vowed to democratise information in such a way that both members of staff and students would have his mobile number and e-mail addresses, as well as suggestion boxes at strategic locations on campus to enable them send their complaints and suggestions. According to him, his administration’s five- pronged approach would be anchored

on: restoring peace, fostering high level scholarship and creating new knowledge; consolidating on previous gains; creating an attractive environment for all and making LASU a valued partner not only to Lagos State but also to other states of the federation and foreign lands. “And I won’t want you to read meanings into my actions. I would want you to give me the opportunity to freely enter into office of any colleague and vice versa. So, note that I am not for any faction, group or cabal. I am for all of you,” he said. Continuing, he said, “Do not seek to highjack me or hold me to scrutiny solely for the purpose of deliberately misrepresenting or distorting my message. I have no illu-

sion of self importance. Therefore, do not tempt me with rewards or praises all in the bid to lure me into act of hubris. I passionately plead that you leave me to work with all for the good of all. All I want from you is to embrace strong work ethics, be diligent and punctual at your respective duty posts so that all of us will be in the good book.” Prof. Fagbohun, who is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the University of Lagos did not forget to call on the former students of LASU to rally round him with a purpose of jointly giving the university a new face. Just as he asked for their cooperation and support, the university’s branch chairman of ASUU, Dr. Adekunle Idris promised a total support and cooperation with the new vicechancellor. According to him, “all what we want as a stakeholders is to see LASU becoming the first choice university not only in Nigeria but in the entire Africa in a shortest possible time. That has been our dream and vision and with a new leader we will go places.” He however expressed concern that the new VC assumed office at a challenging time in the history of the university due to its protracted crisis. He added that there are still some unresolved issues which include unpaid salary increase arrears since 2010 and the government’s silence on the union’s demand that the office of Registrar, Bursar and Librarian should be on a five–year single term. He however commended Governor Ambode for running a responsive and responsible government. “And we are also confidence in the ability of Professor Fagbohun to take LASU to a greater height,” he added. Speaking in the same vein, the immediate past Chairman of SSANU on the campus, Ms Funmi Sessi, described the development as a big relief to the university, while advising the new VC to steer clear of partisan politics. On their part and speaking through their President, Mr. Wasiu Adeyemi Onikoro, the students also believe that Fagbohun would live up to expectation more so that his appointment according to them followed due process.

‘‘

Why FG should grant varsities full financial autonomy

— UNILAG VC 20

‘What Education Minister should take as priority’ 22

NUC to stop funding varsities outside NgREN — Okojie

Education Today

Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Prof. Rahamon Bello is an astute scholar and administrator. He is a professor of Chemical Engineering of note. He recently met with the leadership of Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) where they discussed some salient issues as affecting the nation’s education sector. TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE brings the excerpt:

Thursday, January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why FG should grant varsities full financial autonomy —UNILAG VC when people talk to me about lowering of standard in the universities, I disagree with them

No doubt, Nigeria’s education sector is in mess, what do you think are responsible for this? This is one question that people keep asking at different fora with answers provided by many scholars, yet, no solution in sight. For me, I think we need to go back to the basic and look deeply at where we got things wrong. I meant at what stage did we find ourselves where we are today and what brought us down so steeply? It is unfortunate that many do say that universities are not doing their bit to ensure that this nation moves on, but I know that without huge capital development, no nation can develop. As a matter of fact, we have seen many nations live on capital development. They generate huge resources from human capital. Countries like Philippine, India, Indonesia, among others survive largely on small and medium scale enterprises and now servicing the whole of Asia and even Nigeria. When you look at our oil companies for instance, most of the technicians and technologists there are Filipinos, Indians and Asians. And how do they do it? Over there, degrees don’t really matter but what you can do with your hands. It is after your degree that you choose an area to specialise on. It could be welding, sewing, carpentry, refrigeration and so on and not to be looking for white collar jobs like what is common here in Nigeria. When you see a Filipino welder in the oil industry, he must have attended a university studying Physics or any of the Sciences before specialising in welding. So, they know both the theory and the practical. They constituted more than 30 per cent of population of oil workers in the Middle East. Also in India, IT industry is their cash cow. They developed their own to the point that they extend even to the United States. So, it is the way we structure our education system that really matters. I could recall when I was part of the Vision 20:2020 team, and the issue of human capital came up, I found out that our problem is largely in the area of implementation because human capital formed a major part of our focus. Another issue is that we don’t dedicate appropriate resources to the education sector.

tertiary sector, because whatever you find at the tertiary level are by products of primary and secondary education. So, if the foundation is wobbled, the top cannot be straight. The challenge with Nigeria’s education sector begins with the primary education which has been bastardised. So, we cannot discuss education by focusing on tertiary level alone. So, apart from the current security crisis which is forcing many away from school, the public primary education system is in mess. If the outputs in primary schools are not good, they are fielded into the secondary schools and end up coming to the higher institutions. So, when people talk to me about lowering of standard in the universities, I disagree with them that the standard is low. What happens is that what is fed into the university from the wobbled foundation is what the university absorbs. And how many Nigerians can afford private primary and public education? They are still small compared to the population in secondary schools because most so-called private schools are even worse than public ones. So, what is being taught in the university especially here in UNILAG is what we are expected to teach but what do you do when the capacity of the output from secondary schools cannot carry what is taught? Then you record poor performance. So, when people talk of low quality in our education, I disagree because when you look for those who are very sound too, we have them. I mean those who can compete with any of their contemporaries elsewhere in the world. But the problem we have today is that those who occupy the lower percentile are more than those at that level and that is why we need to put in more efforts right from the basic education to address the challenge. So, that is why I feel education reform in Nigeria must be directed at all levels and not just concentrating on the upper level alone.

that the standard is low. What happens is that what is fed into the university from the wobbled foundation is what the university absorbs of circumstances beyond our control. So, if all these issues are taken care of, once we are ranked, we can sustain the ranking for longer time and not ranked high today and low tomorrow.

Bello

of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) might have been part of the problem. Although JAMB did not just arrive at this policy, it was the desire to address certain challenges in the sector that must have informed the decision. But then, we should be reminded that before now, those who had wanted to go to polytechnic would directly face polytechnics and likewise those willing to attend colleges of education. But now when you ask every admission seeker to compulsorily choose universities, colleges of education and polytechnics with the same examination and results, you narrow their option indirectly to universities. So, that policy came to my mind as one of the issues that created problems for the university system. We must note that not everybody in a country is expected to go to university. As a matter of fact, the proportion that goes to university in developed countries is usually between 10 to 20 per cent. You find bulk of them in one vocational job or the other. And that is why those in vocations How do you think these chal- in developed economies earn more money than even degree holders lenges could be tackled? It is simple but required wholis- because they are in higher demand tic posture. For instance, everybody to drive the economy. But when you wants to come to the university, play more emphasis on university whereas, it wasn’t like that 20 years certificates when not everybody is ago. I recently examined where we a university material, you run into got to this currently situation where problems as a nation. So, there is everyone desires to hold a univer- need for us to look at our evolution. But where do you think the sity degree certificate and when did How did we get to where we are and problem started from? we remove emphasis on technical, then we retrace and retract our steps When you talk about education, vocational and teachers’ education? to move this nation forward. we cannot limit ourselves to the I now realised that the introduction

Is that why Nigerian universities are also poorly ranked in Africa? University presence on the Web is just one of the factors when talking about ranking. But the fact is that the issue is far more than that. The quality of research, visibility in terms of internationalisation and facilities in terms of laboratories, libraries, workshops and even the percentage of students accommodated in the hostels, among other things are key. Here in UNILAG for instance, we have over 50,000 students, and we are struggling to accommodate just about 8,000 of them. We also relate with other universities in the world and we know what obtains there. Sometimes ago, we had to form an Association of Research Universities in Africa (ARUA) with some South African universities. So, we are moving in that direction to be better ranked, but what is important is that we also must first move to their level before we can begin comparison. Those that look at us from outside have already rated them high, so we need to move up. We are also better than them in some areas. When you look at South African universities, they don’t have the kind of human resources that we have. They are coming here to poach and that is why you have so many Nigerian professors working there who are better paid. They don’t even want to return here. We know where we are in terms of ranking and those even placed above us know where we are. They are aware that we are where we are simply because

So, why the Nigerian universities are unstable on the table? We are not because what will happen here tomorrow we cannot predict. When students of South Africa protested it was not localised but national. A calendar is a calendar that must run. But here you cannot predict the situation and most of the time what disrupt our calendars are not caused by us. They are national. The Senior Academic Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has embarked on strike now which is national, yet we don’t know when the strike will be called off. All these do not allow us to be appropriately rated. But if we have the financial autonomy we can sit down with our workers and even put them on the board so that they know what is available and we both decide how it will be spent. But when you now perceive that there is some money somewhere and that government has paid in money and you begin to create problems over non-existing money, then we have problems. Where is the money? When government releases money everyone will know. And where will government get money to release at this critical moment. I was part of the higher education summit and I told them my mind particularly on the issue of funding. I said the best way to move the university system forward as it is done abroad is to have full financial autonomy for the universities. It does not really mean that there won’t be free education but let the university get the fund per student we train. That is the only way out of the poor funding challenge we face in the universities. I think personnel-wise and research-wise we are much better than our counterparts on the continent. Facilities may not be good but we are trying to improve them now.

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FSTC not extorting money —Mgt, PTA Tunbosun Ogundare

he management of Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association have debunked the claim by a group of parents of students of the college alleging the school authorities and the leadership of PTA of extorting money from parents. They said the allegation was not only untrue and baseless, but was also a calculated attempt to rubbish the good image of the college and that of the leadership of both the school and the parents’ forum. It will be recalled that four parents-three men and one woman- had last Saturday on the day of students’ resumption after the Christmas break stormed the college with placards in their hands to protest what they called illegal collection of N6, 500 fee per student for an ongoing hostel project and another sum of N3, 000 for students’ laundry. It will also be recalled that the action was reported in a newspaper. But addressing journalists on the issue on Tuesday, the Chairmen of the School Management Board Committee, Elder Akin Akintuyosi and that of the school’s PTA, Mrs. Oby Igwillo respectively, expressed their disappointment in the four protesting parents for spreading what they called falsehood around. Akintuyosi however pointed out that just as the school has its own bill charged each student, so also the PTA in a complementary manner to help the school sustains its high academic and moral standards it is known for over the years. He said even at that no fee charged from either side was without the approval of government and that of the PTA congress respectively in addition to the fact that affordability has always guided such charges. Shedding light on the matter, PTA chairman, Igwillo, said, “The school approached PTA last session for hostel so as to ease its accommodation problem and we tabled the issue at our congress where the request was jointly approved. We settled for a standard 1, 200-bed space hostel for female students and we charged ourselves N30, 000 per student and to be paid thrice equally at the beginning of each term excluding the regular N5, 000 development levy.

Education Today

Thursday, January 14, 2016

“That was how we commenced the project even though we have some students, about 1,000 of them, who didn’t pay the money. And when we realised that we needed more money to enable us complete the project, we called for another general meeting last December where it was jointly agreed after we rendered a detailed account of the previous payment that each student should pay additional N6, 500. So far, we had spent over N160 million while we need about N24 million more to complete the project. Our target is to complete it within a year more so that majority of us want our children to live in hostels because of it more convenient and stress-free compared to if coming from homes. We didn’t stop there, we also tried as much as possible to renovate the existing hostels and make them conducive for living. These facilities are all there for people to see. So, I don’t know how come only four parents including husband and wife among over 8,000 of us (as students’ population is just a little over 4,000) would choose to spread falsehood about the position of thing as regard the project. “But we won’t lose focus on that. We have a mission which is to look after the welfare of our children even while in school and ensure they are given sound and qualitative education in a friendly environment,” Igwillo submitted. On his part, the Principal of the college, Rev. Chris Ugorji said although he was not party to PTA account neither involved in their decision making , he was sure the money raised so far by the association was judiciously spent. He however explained that both the PTA and the laundry fees which become subject of contention for the so-called four parents were strictly being managed by parents themselves while the school only helps in collecting them as applicable to every other school nationwide. Ugorji, who pointed out that FSTC Yaba charged the least fees including for mid-day meal, which he said was optional and textbooks among all the four unity colleges in Lagos acknowledged the fact that the PTA of the school was fantastic in their level of cooperation and support to the course of taking the school to the next level.

NUC to stop funding varsities outside NgREN —Okojie Regina Otokpa ABUJA

he Executive Chairman of the Nigerian University Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, has said the commission would no longer fund universities not subscribed to the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) scheme. This is even as he decried the level of wastage embarked upon by such universities in acquiring broadband connectivity and related services. Okojie made the disclosure recently in Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the ‘Capacity Enhancement and Sustainability Workshop for the African Centres of Excellence in Nigerian Universities.’ “We have noticed that broadband connectivity, electronic journals subscription, repositories and other ser-

Okojie vices, many universities keep spending huge sums of money on these services yearly but have resisted to fully key into the consortium based approach like the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which helps to reduce cost significantly.

“Nigerian Universities are spending an average of N60 million for 155mbps of bandwidth when the NgREN offers the same service at less than N26 million. For journal subscriptions, NgREN’s consortium based approach provides electronic journals at 40% of what each university is paying. “We have therefore recommended to the Minister that henceforth, every university in Nigeria must participate in the NgREN scheme. The NUC boss further added that “We will begin the enforcement with the universities that are represented here today and hope that they will cooperate with us. “We will discontinue funding to any institution that chooses not to cooperate with us as that would amount to wasting scarce resources, we also plan to adopt other measures to encourage full participation, Okojie disclosed.

Ogun to sanction parents over pupils’ absenteeism Tunbosun Ogundare

gun State government has warned that it would penalise parents and guardians whose children and wards are not in school during school hours without genuine reasons. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota who gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta recently said henceforth, government would monitor the movement of pupils and students in public schools across the state and by sending out officials to visit homes of those not in schools to ascertain why. She said the free and qualitative education policy of the government was to ensure that every child has access to education, calling on parents and guardians to desist from sending their children and wards errands including hawking of goods when they were supposed to be in the classrooms. Mujota who disclosed that government would equally conduct a background check on teachers to guide against rape and assault on the innocent children promised that the government would also liaise with professionals and artisans to train teachers on practical aspect of the newly introduced entrepreneurial subjects. Speaking earlier, the Per-

manent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olabisi Akinnuga, called for a synergy between the ministry and its parastatals in the area of training and

re-training, monitoring and evaluation of teachers to get the best for the students. On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Kolawole

Fagbohun called for proper streamlining of supervision of the education sector among other supervising agencies to avoid conflict of interest.

Education Today

Bridge International is for children from poor homes —Founder Robert Awokuse

n a bid to consolidate on its vision, Bridge International Academies has last week opened a school at Igando, Alimosho local government area of Lagos. The school, which fees are subsidised between N6, 000 and N8, 000 per term including lessons from 7 am to 5 pm and other incentives, according to the co-founder Dr Shannon May was established to provide quality education opportunities for families who live on two dollars or less per day. “Bridge has shown its relentless commitment to providing quality education to those who may not be able to afford many of the schools in their neighbourhood due to their financial status. “We will ensure your child’s classroom will be rich in textbooks and practical learning aids to ensure academic outstanding following the national curriculum using a pupil centred approach that places additional focus on English flu-

ency, Mathematics mastery, critical reasoning and problem-solving,” she said. Dr May noted that technology was used throughout the academy to support learning which gives the pupils advantage to apply what they learned. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo commended the school for its exemplary work by bringing education to millions of children in the world. Soyombo noted that Lagos State as a responsible government always identified with organisations that share in its vision of access to quality education to all children in the state irrespective of their economic background, an achievement Bridge International Academies is famous for. In his remark, Chairman, Egan Alafia Community Development Area, CDA, Dr. Bisi Babalola appreciated the school for bringing such opportunity to the community.

Obasanjo bags Master’s degree Tunbosun Ogundare

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo would on Saturday graduate as a master degree holder from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He would be graduating with MA degree in Christian Theology alongside over 5,000 others who would also be conferred with certificates, diplomas, bachelor degrees, post graduate diplomas, masters and honorary doctorate degrees in different disciplines. Obasanjo studied at the Abeokuta Study Centre of the university and he is expected to commence immediately his doctoral degree in the same course in the university. The Director of Media

Obasanjo

and Information, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin who made this disclosure in a press release issued in Lagos said Obasanjo and others would be conferred with their different honours at the 5th convocation ceremony of the university slated for between tomorrow and next at the university’s village in Abuja. While declaring that the convocation ceremony would feature only graduands found worthy in character and learning, she noted that Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, the Vice- Chancellor of Sokoto State University would deliver convocation lecture with the theme: “Open and Distance Education and Socio-Economic Development” tomorrow while the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Sulaiman Elias Bogoro will chair the lecture. She also disclosed that other activities in line for the event include the inauguration of Ambassador Lawrence Okolio Chikezie Agubuzu of Olo Kingdom, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State as the first Chancellor of the university as well as the university Senate Building and specialist hospital.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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What Education Minister should take as priority —Owoeye Chief Mrs. Taiwo Owoeye is the Executive Director, College Press and the CEO of Lead City High School, Ibadan. In this interview with SAIDAT ALAUSA during the 10th anniversary of Lead City University and the inauguration of sport facilities at Lead City High School recently, she speaks about her background and what the new Minister of Education should consider as his priority, among others. Excerpt: Can you give an insight to your family and educational backgrounds? I was born here in Ibadan about 50 years ago. My father was for several years a permanent secretary in the western state civil service. He later became the Head of Service of Ondo State. My mother is alive and she is a retired civil servant. I had my primary education at MaryHill Covenant School, Agodi, Ibadan and my secondary education both at Queens School, Ibadan and the International School, University of Ibadan. From there, I went to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Microbiology. I got married during my youth service year, taught for a year and proceeded to the University of Ibadan for my Master in Librarianship. I worked at the OAU Library as a Reference Librarian for about seven years before I came to Ibadan to pick up an appointment with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture as an Editor and later coordinating Editor. I resigned from there after working for 10 years to join my husband to manage the Lead City High School and College Press. How were you able to combine the responsibilities in the home front with that of places of work? My first duty is to my home and that takes pre-eminence over any other thing. I try to schedule whatever I do around this. I thank God that I am blessed with a wonderful, loving family. I am particularly proud of my children and I have never had any cause to worry about them going the wrong way. I am also blessed with grandchildren to the glory of God. Wherever I work, I put in my best and try to make an impact. I also believe in self improvement and retrain myself as often as I can both locally and internationally. The school is inaugurating a state-of-art sport facility today, what is the significance of this to the total education of the pupils? There can only be total development when all infrastructural are well in place, it aided them grow fast both physical and academically, sport facilities improves students in minds and in spirit. We did not want to cut corners, want something good, something international and that can stand the test of times. Lead City University is celebrating its 10th anniversary, how old is Lead City High School? Lead City High School is now 16 years, though we started small but God has increased us. The parents have confidence and believe in us and that was why many of them have all their children here, even in Lead City University. We will continue to do our best because we know that we need to take care of these children. They are the leaders of tomorrow and so they must be bold and courageous to take their place anywhere they found themselves in the future. As a director of a school, what is your view about the 21st Century youths? The 21st Century youths are living in the computer age.

Owoeye They have unlimited access to so much information, both the good and bad. Even if you try to protect them at home, they have friends who will influence them in one way or another. All you can do is to guide them and ensure that they are well-grounded. Gone are the days when parents were far from their children. We must endeavour to be close to them, know what their thoughts are and who their friends are. When they go wrong, we should not only discipline them but tell them where they have erred, so that the next time they can make the right choices. Most importantly, they must feel comfortable with us and know that they have a listening ear in us as adults so that they are not afraid to come to us when they need guidance. How do you compare the youths of nowadays with that of yester years? Things have really changed. In those days children really feared their parents and dared not talk back when their parents scolded them. Again, at that time the nuclear family, the extended family and even the whole neighborhood was involved in child training. Hence offenders were much more careful as they knew they had no hiding place as someone is bound to report them to their parents if they did wrong things. Could you please share your experience on how you monitor your students? I move around the school a lot and I engage the students from time to time. I also run an open-door policy. I let them know that they can see me when they want to and that they can trust me to keep their secret. This offers them a lot of confidence. In my interaction with students, it is clear that they want what is best for the school. As you know, the school belongs to the students and without them we have only buildings. So, their feedback about teachers and our facilities is very useful in moving the school forward. Again, I see that students respond to genuine love and care. When you show that you genuinely care about them, they are so easy to handle. What advice would you give to the new Minister of Education? What I always advocate for our government is to see the primary education which is the bedrock of every educational life of a child. Minds are moulded right from primary school; the teachers must do everything possible to inculcate the right values into them at that stage. So, my advice for the new minister at the helms of our education now is to take the primary education as his priority.

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Education Today

Thursday, January 14, 2016

“Red meat” and antibiotic resistance

istening to the radio in the dying minutes of 2015, I was greeted with the news item cautioning Nigerians against eating red meat because of the danger of antibiotic resistant bacteria. An online search quickly confirmed the source of the story. It was a report in the Guardian newspaper filed in by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on December 31, 2015 titled “Why you should avoid eating red meat”. Initially I thought it was a continuation of the age old debate on the probable association of meat with cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and associated organs and tissues but I was wrong. One Dr. Olusegun Obadina, an Associate Professor of Food Technology of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta had alerted the News Agency of Nigeria on the danger associated with excessive consumption of red meat during the Yuletide and other festive periods, stating that it could contain some “antibiotic resistants” that could be harmful to the body! The learned professor further buttressed his claim by suggesting that several farms are doping their animals with antibiotics thus creating a perfect condition for the breeding of antibiotic resistant bacteria. If confirmed, this could be a new and potentially more ominous danger associated with red meat than the not so apparent danger of carcinogenesis! The United States Department of Agriculture regards all meat obtained from mammals as “red meat” because of their high content of myoglobin compared to meat obtained from chicken and fish which is regarded as white meat. With regards to myoglobin content, beef may be regarded as the “super red meat” containing between 3 to 15 times more myglobin than the other red meats. The problem with red meat, is the high content of haemoglobin which when broken down produce the N-nitroso compounds which is suspected to initiate the process of carcinogenesis. The association between red meat and colorectal

carcinomas has long been established and probably accounts for about 21% of bowel cancers in the United Kingdom. Carcinogenic potential of red meat is further enhanced by processing, cooking or frying at high temperatures all of which introduce potentially carcinogenic products into the meat. No specific relationship has been established between red meat and antibiotic resistant bacteria. Nonetheless, antibiotic resistant bacteria have emerged as a major public health problem of global proportions. The emergence of the superbugs that are resistant to multiple antibiotics has rendered newly discovered and quite expensive antibiotics virtually redundant, increasing mortality due to common infections and the cost of hospital care. It is common knowledge that abuse of antibiotic use is the underlying reason for the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Here in Nigeria as in many other developing countries, the problem of fake or substandard antibiotic products also plays a role. Pessimists have predicted a return to an apocalyptic doomsday scenario of the pre-antibiotic era if the current evolutionary trend of antibiotic resistance is not checked. I do not foresee a much better scenario unless critical contributory factors to the epidemics of antibiotic resistance are identified and controlled. The reported consumption of about 80% of all antibiotics produced in intensive animal husbandry facilities

worldwide suggests that efforts at regulating antibiotic use in these facilities could contribute to solving the evolving problem. Compared to the developed countries, the problem of antibiotics abuse in animal farms in the third world countries still remain rudimentary and dominated by poultry meat production and eggs. Hence poultry birds and eggs are more likely to transmit antibiotic resistant bacteria than red meat and as such deserve more attention. But more importantly, the environmental disaster represented by the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in intensive animal farms extends far beyond the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in table meat. Drug resistant bacteria are regularly disseminated into the soil and water system of surrounding territories. Though many of the contaminating bacteria are in themselves not pathogenic for man, they constitute special danger because of their ability to transmit the resistance genes to frank human pathogens. This indirect process may be much more effective than consuming contaminated animals. So far, intensive farming of animals for red meat is in its rudimentary stages in Nigeria as poultry meat and eggs constitute the most common products. Appropriate steps to regulate the application of antibiotics in this nascent industry could contribute significantly to reducing the global emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. Red meat in Nigeria does not contribute significantly to the problem of drug resistant bacteria in Nigeria as they are mainly produced by traditional methods. Even so, the consumption rate of red meat appears to be significantly below the threshold level that has been associated with bowel cancer in the developed countries. The problems of antibiotic abuse by Nigerians and the sale of substandard antibiotics in the market contribute far more to antibiotic resistant bacteria than occasional consumption of red meat by the majority of Nigeria.

10 years after, FCE Pankshin holds convocation

Saidat Alausa

he Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie has renewed the commission’s commitment to the development of the Nigerian University System and consolidation of its achievements in the areas of access and quality in the last few years. This was the New Year message of Prof. Okojie who expressed optimism that 2016 would inspire hope for change for Nigeria’s education sector. He also commended the Federal Government for making education a top priority in the 2016 budget. The NUC scribe particularly expressed profound appreciation to the President, Muhammadu Buhari and other stakeholders for all the achievements recorded in 2015. He applauded the private sector for increased participation in university education, with the addition of 11 new institutions, bringing the total of private universities to 61 in the out-gone year. He noted that some of the existing private universities got their provisional licenses upgraded to full operational status.

James Abraham JOS

F L-R: Vice- Principal, Academics (Science, Senior arm), Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Mr. Gbolahan Oladoyinbo; Officer from Quality Assurance Department, Lagos Liaison Office, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Rita Attah; Principal, FSTC, Rev. Chris Ugorji; Chairman of the school’s PTA, Mrs. Oby Igwillo and Chairman, School Management-Based Committee, Elder Akin Akinyuyosi shortly after a press conference to debunk the money extortion’s allegation by a group of parents, on Tuesday.

2016, a year of consolidation for NUC —Okojie Following the successful launching of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), Prof. Okojie said, that the NUS would continue to explore the opportunities inherent in the NgREN to promote quality research and innovation in the universities, while encouraging those institutions that were yet to connect to the network to do so in order to enhance their research activities. Considering the fact that research is the bedrock for

sustainable development and one of the tripartite functions of universities, the executive secretary said that the commission would continue to ensure the provision of an enabling environment for research in the universities while collaborating with local and international donor agencies. He stated that the commission would, in the New Year, focus more on consolidating its achievements through effective regulation, to ensure compliance with the Bench-

mark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and a holistic quality assurance of the system. He said that as a quality assurance agency, the NUC would continue to place quality on the front burner of its operations. According to him, accreditation exercises would continue to be conducted in the universities as they became due, in order to ensure that quality was not compromised. With the development of

postgraduate BMAS, Professor Okojie said that the commission would continue to carry out postgraduate accreditation exercises. The NUC, he said, would also continue to encourage universities to establish their respective Quality Assurance Directorates to strengthen their internal quality assurance mechanism, as this, would promote Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) rather than mere quality sustenance during accreditation.

ederal College of Education, Pankshin Plateau State, is set to hold its convocation ceremony ten years after the last one was conducted. The ceremony which is for eight sessions (25th to 33rd) has been fixed for Saturday 16th, January 2015. The Provost of the college, Prof. David Longwap Woneng during a pre-convocation press briefing in the college said the convocation would be from 2007 to 2013 sets adding that over 13,000 students would be issued with Nigerian Certificate of Education NCE, BA and BSc. in Education degrees by the institution. According to him, the convocation lecture, titled: “Worthy in Character and Learning, the Imperative of Integrity and quality assurance in the Nigerian Tertiary Education System” will be delivered by Prof. CJ Dakas SAN, tomorrow. He added that the delay in conducting convocation since 2006 was not deliberate but due to lack of fund.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Ilorin Emirate empowers 200 indigents Dada Helen Oluwatosin,

HND 2, MASS COMM, FEDPOLY, BIDA

o fewer than 200 persons ranging from orphans, widows as well as the physically challenged persons in Ilorin, Kwara State were empowered with relief materials worth millions of naira by the Ilorin Youth Emirate Development Association (IEYDA). The distribution exercise which took place at the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including traditional and religious leaders, legal practitioners, politicians and academicians among others. Items distributed included sewing machines, clippers, NAPTEP forms, generators, foodstuff, and crate of soft drinks among others. The beneficiaries were indigent students, widows, petty traders among other less privileged persons across the five local government areas that make up Ilorin emirate. Chairman of the association, Mallam Abdullahi Salau, said the variety of items distributed was based on the request of each beneficiary. He stated that the empowerment programme was borne out of the association’s desire to impact positively on the lives of the less privileged members of the society. The chairman noted that the empowerment programme will go a long way in reducing the rate of poverty, stressing that the project was financed through members’ contributions and donations from philanthropists in the community. Various speakers at the event included the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, who was represented by the Magaji Are, Alhaji Aremu Zubair, he noted that the initiative was worthy of commendation. The beneficiaries were full of appreciation and promised to use the items for the intended purpose.

AOCOED gets new provost Francis Suberu

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of Dr. Ladele Omolola Aina as the 8th substantive Provost of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto-Ijanikin. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, the appointment of Aina followed the expiration of the tenure of Mr. Wasiu Olalekan Bashorun as the 7th substantive Provost of the institution on 31st July, 2015. According to the statement, Aina has resumed office on Tuesday. The Deputy Provost of the College, Mr. Ebenezer Oluwole Ajose had assumed the position of Acting Provost effective 6th August, 2015, until Aina’s appointment. Born on May 16, 1963, Aina, who is a Doctor of Mathematics, hails from Lagos Island of Lagos State. She started her academic pursuits at the Yewande Memorial Nursery/Primary School, Surulere, Lagos and later enrolled at St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State for her secondary education. She studied Mathematics at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. The statement added that Aina obtained her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Mathematics at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos and later bagged her Doctorate Degree in Mathematics Education at Edith Cowan University Perth, Western Australia. Aina has written so many books on mathematics teaching and methodology. She is also a member of several academic and professional bodies. She is married and blessed with children.

Igbekele: VC with midas touch

When the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olufemi Mimiko was leaving office last year, it was as if it was impossible to fill the vacuum his exit would create. Palpable anxiety gripped members of staff, students and indeed, the entire university community as to whose feet would perfectly fit into the shoes left behind by the distinguished scholar. Now, just one year after his successor came on board, it is a story of another administrator who could be described as a round peg in a round hole, writes ‘YOMI AYELESO 4OOL, Bus Admin, AAUA

he greatest challenges were getting an achiever who would sustain and possibly surpass Prof. Mimiko’s achievements, especially in the areas of infrastructural development and academic integrity and attract funds for development in the face of dwindling government allocations. But all the anxieties and apprehensions were a demonstration of the limit of human wisdom and, indeed, the mortality in all of us. Unknown to all of us, the journey to appointing a successor to Prof. Mimiko began far from placing an advert for the position of vice-chancellor and far from the calculations of the visitor to the university and the entire Adekunle Ajasin University community. By the time Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, former rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic also in Ondo State was announced as the vicechancellor of AAUA, having topped the interview, God’s ways and message were clear to all: the cap was for he who had worn a similar cap and had made a success of it. It was at last a tale of the best succeeding the best. The last 12 months of Prof. Ajibefun as the vicechancellor have been spent to consolidate and improve the areas that make the university tick: deepening the academic integrity of the university’s programme, improving on research efforts, expanding infrastructure, improving staff and students’ welfare and improving relationship between the host communities. The university has during the just concluded academic session, introduced students biometric ID cards for all examination. With this, all forms of imperson-

Igbekele

No doubt, the vicechancellor, Prof.

Ajibefun has been able to consolidate and improve on the numerous achievements of the university.

ation during examinations in the university have been stamped out. The university has also deployed ICT for its student’s union election and for the first time in state universities in Nigeria, the use of e-voting was successfully implemented for the recently conducted students’ union election. In November 2015, Adekunle Ajasin University signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Alabama State University in the United States of America for staff and student exchange. Some of the most exciting aspects of the MoU are that registered and

selected students in AAUA will be giving full tuition scholarships for up to one academic year during study at ASU, while credits acquired would be transferred back to AAUA. Professors from AAUA will have opportunity to be appointed on sabbatical leave by ASU, in the signed MoU. The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Building was completed in June 2015.The Building houses four training units: shoemaking, tailoring, catering and computer centre. The University’s entrepreneurship programme has

been repackaged and reengineered to stimulate and sharpen students’ skills to make them potential entrepreneurs. Achieving sustainable development and attaining global standard remain the main focus of the university. As a way to achieve this, the University under the leadership of Prof. Ajibefun organised a three-day retreat for all its Deans of Faculty, Professors, heads of academic and non-academic departments, academics and administrators. O Only in December 2015, the university in collaboration with the Galilee International Management Institute, GIMI, Israel, organised a seminar on strategic planning implementation for the same set of staff. On assumption of duty, Prof Ajibefun envisioned and declared an area of consolidation. He said “ For a university that emerged from obscurity at inception in 1999 to global reckoning as an architectural haven a little over a decade later, for a university whose students and alumni are not only ruling the professional and academic world at home and abroad but also successful entrepreneurs, for a university that has had six peaceful and unbroken academic calendars in a nation reveling in academic crises, there can be no better way to consolidated these feats than to sustain and improve on them “ No doubt, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Ajibefun has been able to consolidate and improve on the numerous achievements of the university. As he continues as the vice-chancellor of AAU in the next four years of his tenure, indeed the astute administrator is ready to make the university a cynosure of all eyes.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Unity: Students body wants cultural studies introduced Olawale Odeyemi

400L HISTORY, UNILORIN

he Social Studies Educationists Association of Nigeria (SOSAN) has extolled the effort of Federal Government in ensuring peace and security in most parts of the country. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its 31st Annual National Conference held at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State. The association pointed out that the genuine efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring the unity of Nigeria as well as in curtailing insecurity in the country. The conference was themed, “Cultural Studies and National Unity: Emerging Trends.” The association however, noted that the various approaches being devised by the government of Nigeria in achieving national unity, security and solidarity have been effective only to some extent. The association, therefore suggest that, in addition to these approaches, there is the need to incorporate cultural diplomacy into these approaches. “Cultural studies have been found to be another strategy to build bridges and fill gaps across divides. Understanding of others’ culture promotes recognition and respect and thereby facilitates unity.”

Saidat Alausa

aba College of Technology, YABATECH, Lagos, has donated a brand new four seater Hilux patrol van and a power bike to the Nigerian Police in continuation of efforts to further guarantee security on the institution’s campus. Handing over the utilities to the Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent Mary Ubangba, last week, the rector of the institution, Dr. Margaret Ladipo said the donation was partly in appreciation of the support offered the college in the area of security in the past.

Consequently, the association urges the federal government to take a deeper look at the informal and formal approaches of using culture to promote national unity. “Informal approaches such as school cultural days, security agencies cultural days, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) cultural days, display of cultural traits during sporting activities will go a long way in bridging gaps. “Also formal cultural studies at all levels of education should be given more prominence and promoted through motivational offers.” They also urged the federal government to swiftly include cultural diplomacy within the nation in its change mantra, saying: “A curriculum is a veritable tool for change and at this moment we suggests that our school curriculum, when next it is revised, should infuse the teaching and learning of Nigeria cultural value in all the subjects at the primary and secondary levels. At the conference, Professor Segun Ajiboye, of the Department of Teacher Education, University of Ibadan, Oyo State and Dr. Festus Oriola Fasanmi, of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko, Ondo State delivered the lead papers. The all inclusive threeday conference drew participants from about 29 states of the federation.

According to her, Sabo Police station has been wonderful in their support for maintenance of peace and security on the institution’s campus. “I look forward to continued support from the station this year and in future and as a parents and administrators the college management takes security on campus a serious business,” she said. Receiving the vehicles, the Divisional Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, Superintendent Mary Ubangba expressed appreciation of the Inspector General of Police, the state commissioner, Area Commander, Area C, and the entire officers and men of Sabo Police Station for the donation.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orumwense (3rd left) with staff of the Morbid Anatomy Laboratory at the university’s Teaching Hospital during his visit to the hospital, recently.

UNIBEN to increase admission quota into medical school Eddy Uwoghiren

400L, MED AND SURGERY, UNIBEN.

andidates who want to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Benin, Edo State UNIBEN, will soon have a cause to smile. Reason is that the authorities have put things in place to increase the school admission quota which will brighten the chances of admission seekers. This followed a visit and inspection of facilities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, by the university Vice Chancellor, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, recently. The VC was received at the teaching hospital by the Dean of Medicine, Prof. Moses Mommoh and President, UNIBEN Medical Students Association, Niyi Kolade, among others at the hospital. The VC began the inspection at the

Oba Akenzuwa Hall, Venue of 400 level Medical students’ lectures where he had a one-on- one interaction with the students. He encouraged the students to be studious and apply themselves to learning in order to become competent doctors. He also counseled them to desist from missing their clinical postings and make good use of the facilities in the hospital for their learning. Thereafter, he went to inspect the offices and seminar rooms at the Department of Medicine, Surgery, Medical Library, Consultants Outpatients Department (COPD) and Institute of Child Health. He was also conducted round the Morbid Anatomy Laboratory, Blood Bank, Operating theatre, Histopathology laboratory, Child health department and the Accident and Emergency centres. Speaking at the end of the tour, Prof Orumwense said he was impressed at the level of infrastructural development

at the hospital. He commended the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Micheal Ibadin for his purposeful management. He also thanked staff of the hospital for helping in grooming medical students over the years. Orumwense revealed that the proposed increase in admission quota is necessary considering the fact that UNIBEN has become the most sought after medical school in Nigeria. Speaking after the tour of the facilities, Dean of Medicine, Prof. Moses Mommoh said that the VC had really been disturbed about inadequate admission quota of the university and that is why he began putting things in place at the medical college. He noted that with facilities on ground, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria would give a nod for the increase of the admission quota.

YABATECH donates vehicles to police

She promised that fully air conditioned vehicle fitted with siren and police head lamps and the power bike will further assist the station in its duties to the college. “Let me assure all that the vehicle and the power bike will be made available anytime we receive a distress call from the college and they will be used for the purpose for which they were donated.” Present at the occasion were the YABATECH Deputy Rector, Admin, Dr. Moroof Adebakin, and security men from Sabo Police Station and the College security Unit.

Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr. Margaret Ladipo; (2nd right); Deputy Rector, Admin, Dr. Moroof Adebakin; Divisional Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, Mrs. Mary Ubangba (standing near the vehicle) and other police officers from the division during the handover of a brand new four-seater Hilux van and a power bike donated by the polytechnic to the division, recently.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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‘Assure’ must take an object

“A

S at 2012, the university admission ratio has (had) reflected the federal government’s directive of (on) 60:40 ratio in favour of postgraduate students” “NDIC, Polish bank enters (why?) into partnership” “Minister assures of improved services” Who did the minister assure—the object is very critical to the construction. Please note that ‘in the hot seat’ is British English, while ‘on the hot seat’ is American English.’ Which is your preference? The former is mine. Of course, the inside pages, naturally, were also not left out: “The Honourable Minister for (of) Power….” But, Commissioner for Power…Niger State Government, take note! “NDLEA arrests two over (for or in connection with) trafficking at Lagos Airport” “…has given a firm assurance that his government will stop at nothing to (at) reducing the menace to the barest minimum in the state.” “I misled Middle Belt to vote for Jonathan” Politics Today: I misled Middle Belt into voting for Jonathan “…he has been able to repay back N20 billion.” Delete ‘back’ and move forward! “ABUAD: It can stand with world class (world-class) universities” “ABUAD students on life in the campus” Special Report: ABUAD students on life on campus—or, simply, ABUAD students on campus life, especially for headline purposes “Buhari has no solution to Nigeria’s crisis” Definitely, Nigeria has more than one crisis: therefore crises. “…creative people to interact at (in) the corridors of power” “One military personnel was also killed in the encounter.” ‘Personnel’ (plural) is a collective noun that cannot be used for just an individual. “…Amaechi said that his purported suspension was an act of political witch-hunting.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: political witch-hunt

Saidat Alausa

Professor of Chemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Ighodalo Eromosele, has produced paint from the seed oil of Ximenia Ameri-

“Time for leaders to close rank (ranks)…” “Okorocha seeks on leadership training” Yank off ‘on’! “…the military lobby intensively for deployment into (in) the zone.” “To bring this to the attention of the decerning (discerning) investors, the Jigawa State Government is organising the first Economic and Investment Summit.” (Full-page advertorial) “Courts are not permitted to suo motu raise issues, resolve same (the same) without hearing from parties” “The good news came few (a few) hours before President Buhari….” “…after overrunning three terrorists camps (terrorists’ camps) in the riotous….” “I duff (doff) my hart (hat) for (to) a brother that is more of value than gold.” Preferably, I take off my hat to…. “Your deligence (diligence) in business is wonderful….” “Many residents of the state have agreed to endure in order to enjoy a safe and secured (secure) tomorrow.” “Some parts of Maiduguri was (were) no go area (no-go areas) to any sane mind as people are (were) picked up for slaughter. The laws operating in those areas were different from any other parts (part) of the state (or other parts of the state).” “….the deployment of more troops to (in) states was belated.” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 15, 2015, displayed slothfulness and crankiness: “To stem this abuse by some judges, the CJN said that he has (had) directed that before any judge can (could) travel abroad, he or she (sic) must obtain permission from the head judge.” My comment: instead of ‘he or she,’ use ‘they’—which is the current form. “…Wike opened up on the crisis in Rivers State and his grouse with (about) Rotimi Amaechi….” “If we have problems, probably there might be one reason or the other (one reason or another) the governor is not happy.” “As two-time Governor of Lagos, you shone like star (a star).” “To their dubious chicanery, your voice resonate (reso-

nates) distinctly….” Also, note that the last word in the extract is otiose! “THISDAY checks reveal that every termination penalties goes from 500,000 US dollars to 2 million US dollars”. Check the discord as already discussed above. “Lack of funds cripple waste management activities” Another error of attraction: Lack of funds cripples. “Nevertheless, the donor country is also interested in this decision to ensure that the loan is repaid as at when due with its accrued interest.” Without any periscope: the loan is repaid when due (not as at when due which is pleonastic). “Government should consider the destructive effect that further delay in the sale of rescued banks would mete out on the banking system”. Stock phrase: mete out to (not on) the banking system. “If the family cannot truely relish at least a decent meat….” Spelling counts: truly. “A man does not have to be a money bag (sic) before he can dress well and look charming in his own little way.” Brighten up your English usage: A man does not have to be moneybags…. Moneybag is a sac! “…in addition, (sic) to dispensing drugs for immediate relief and giving counsel on the steps necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.” Good grammar: recurrence. “The arsonists usually escape with their loot as the embattled market lays in ashes, leaving many traders terminally ruined financially.” There should be no dilemma: ‘lays’ for ‘lies’? “If somebody had told me when I met with Dr. Ernest Ogunade shortly before his death that it was going to be the last encounter with him.…” The first and only time when I met (not with) the (vital article) late Dr. Ogunade he commended this column as published in the heyday of Daily Times profusely. May his cerebral soul continue to rest in peace (not ‘perfect peace’ as abused in Nigeria)! “I still remember vividly that when it was my turn to speak at the occasion….” I thought we had gone past this stage: on (never at) the occasion.

FUNNAB researcher turns seed oil into paint cana plant, commonly known as “Wild Olive.” Professor Eromosele, a Polymer Chemist, said the oil paint which was produced had qualities comparable to those of the

imported ones. Thus, Linseed oil, which is currently being imported for paint production can be substituted with Ximenia oil. According to him, “Ximenia

General Secretary, Lagos African Church Grammar School Old Students Association (LAFROSA, ‘83 set) Ifako-Agege, Lagos, Mrs. Olanike Oladipupo (4th right) with her classmates during her 50th birthday anniversary at Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church, Surulere, Lagos, recently

plant grows wild in the North and we have produced paint based on the oil in a systematic study by a Masters Degree student under my supervision, thus demonstrating the potential utilisation of the oil in this regard. In my humble opinion, this is research for development. The Don, who noted that he had not patented the oil, said it was due to the fact that there was still a lot to be done by way of domestication of the plant, so that mass production becomes feasible. Speaking on how the country and industries could benefit from research activities embarked upon in the nations ivory towers, Prof. Eromosele said, “Our prayer is that the country would come to a level where there would be a synergy between Industry and universities or Industry and Research

Centres. “For now, what we have is that industries are disconnected from the universities and research centres, the reason being that Nigeria has not grown to a level, whereby we have defined objectives with regards to services from our institutions.” He said many people and governments still do not see the university as institutions established to provide certain services. The full potentials of the university still remain fully untapped in Nigeria. Yet, other countries develop on the basis of promoting research for defined national objectives. “Universities in Nigeria are not tied to national development agenda, so this is the first problem with regards to research output from the universities and how they translate into development of the society,” he said.

Business Thursday, January 14, 2016

FG seeks OPEC blocs’ emergency parley over oil crisis

Govt, customers’ support critical to tackling electronic 31 frauds –Regha

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mobile Roaming policy ‘ll boost operators’ revenue –NCC 32

DFID to commit £30m to Nigeria’s climate change programme

…assures support for agric sector devt Abolaji Adebayo

he Department for International Development (DFID) has promised to invest thirty million pounds to support the nation’s Climate Change Programme as well as collaborate with the Federal Government in its efforts to develop the country’s agricultural sector. The Head of Office, DFID, Mr. Ben Meller, disclosed during his visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Monday in Abuja. A statement by the ministry’s Director, Information, Tony Ohaeri, quoted Meller as noting that the age-long bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria and expressed the readiness of his organization to strengthen the synergy between the country and the organization. He explained that DFID recognized the Agricultural sector as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy especially now in the face of dwindling prices of crude oil at

the global market, noting that challenges of climate change, finance and infrastructure, among others, are militating against sustainable growth of the sector. According to him, as part of its efforts to assist Nigeria in tackling some of the challenges, DFID would invest N30 million pounds on the climate change programme in Nigeria in addition to giving fi-

nancial supports to the rural areas through the Bank of Agriculture. Meller said that the project, which would serve as a Pilot Scheme, would address the problem of funds associated with small scale farming in the rural areas. In his response, the Minister commended the existing relationship between the Ministry and DFID, describing as laudable, various supports initiated by organization in crucial areas such as pover-

ty alleviation and climate change. He hinted that government would embark on tree planting where by three million each of cashew and cocoa trees would be planted annually to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture as well as contribute to the country’s foreign earnings. Ogbeh advocated improved partnership between the Ministry and DFID in order to improve the livelihood of rural dwellers.

here are indications that the Directorate of Consumer Protection, a department under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, may be scrapped any moment from now if the Federal

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Shehu Ahmed; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, during a meeting between the ministry and CBN held in Abuja

Government approved the request of the management of the regulatory agency. Information gathered indicated that the department may be merged with the department of Airport Operations. Also, there is palpable fear among

the workers of the agencies in the country’s aviation industry over planned retrenchment of workers, especially in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and NCAA. A source close to NCAA confided in our correspondent that plans had

Climate change offers growth prospects for reinsurance business –Willis Re

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

NCAA may scrap Consumer Protection Directorate T Olusegun Koiki

illis Re International, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson Plc, chairman James Vickers hinted last weekend that a new scheme aimed at encouraging companies to take into account the financial risks posed by climate change represents “the big opportunity” for reinsurance growth. The scheme, which relies on companies’ voluntary participation, was announced Dec. 4, 2015, by the Financial Stability Board at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris. The task force will be led by Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, according to The (U.K.) Guardian. “This is the big opportunity for the global insurance industry to really drive the market,” Vickers told attendees at a conference in London. “If banks and commercial companies had to do the same degree of disclosure that the insurance industry does around these types of risk, capital

would become risk-sensitized; it would therefore become worthwhile financially, and profitable, [to have insurers and reinsurers] try and help manage that risk and take it away.” Willis Re’s 1st View Renewals Report, published penultimate Monday showed steep declines in pricing across the majority of reinsurance markets, with little sign of a reversal after an extended period of softening rates. In the U.K. property market, risk-adjusted rates declined by between 10 per cent and 15 per cent, while the same market in the U.S. recorded falls of between 2.5 per cent and 7.5 per cent. Even large losses in some markets failed to dissuade capacity providers, as supply of capital continued to outstrip demand for reinsurance.

reached an advanced stage to scrap the Consumer Protection Directorate, a directorate, which was created by the former Director-General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren. The directorate before being upgraded used to be a department in the agency, but it was raised to directorate some few years ago. But, the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye in a phone interview with our correspondent said he was not aware of the planned scrapping of the directorate, saying that NCAA was the first in the continent to create the department, which primarily attends to air passengers’ complaints. The source however said that the planned scrapping of the directorate may not have received the approval from the President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Dr. Olumuyiwa Aliu who allegedly said would take the sector backward in the country.

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

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

Business News

Thursday, January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ECAN urges DISCOs to target MDAs for electricity debt recovery CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

he Executive Secretary, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Mr. Goodluck Enyinna, advises distribution companies (DISCOs) to pay more attention to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in its debts recovery drive. Enyinna, who gave the charge yesterday in Abuja noted that the bulk of the money owed to the Discos lie in the hands of government agencies, ministries and parastatals. “I am advocating that DISCOs should pay more attention to MDAs to collect their debts because these are the people owing

DISCOs huge sum of debts’’, he said. According to him, If MDAs, Army and Navy will pay all the debts they owe DISCOs, consumers will pay less tariff. He said that the new tariff which would be introduced by Feb. 1 by Nigerian Electricity Commission (NERC) was going to run for 10 years, adding that new tariff would be introduced during the period. Enyinna listed credible tariff for Nigerians, revenue short falls for DISCOs and good revenue to enable DISCOs get their upstream market obligations as reasons new energy tariff was increased. According to him, an average energy consumer will pay about

N8,000 every month when the new tariff becomes operational. Enyinna called on consumers to go to nearest distribution company and pay N25,000 for their prepaid meter through the Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) pro-

gramme introduced by NERC. He said if this meter was not installed to the consumer within 60 days he made the payment for the meter, DISCOs had no right to disconnect him and that any money consumer paid for installa-

tion of his meter would be repaid to him in two years and this would be done by capturing it in his tariff. He explained further that the consumer would also be given 14 per cent interest on the amount he paid on the meter.

Etisalat boosts ICT literacy in Zaria School Isaiah Erhiawarien

tisalat has donated 30 desktop computers to Nuhu Bamali Primary School, Fadi Sanka community in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of its efforts to support Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education in the country. The telecoms company presented the computers to the school management led by the headmistress, Hajia Asmau Mohammed Lawan, during a recent commissioning of facilities which also include blocks of renovated school buildings. Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the intervention was in line with the company’s commitment to improve the quality of education in Nigeria through quality partnership with the relevant tiers of government to develop the sector. He said: “It has always been a very exciting experience and an eye-opening opportunity for us at Etisalat, to create an improved and conducive learning environment for Nigerian children. We applaud the Kaduna State government for encouraging this type of public-private partnership that

has given birth to a new Nuhu Bamali Primary School” Dikko, who also noted that ICT education had become a basic component of learning because of its attendant benefits, said that the nation will benefit most if students in primary and secondary schools are exposed early to it. The Headmistress of the school, Hajia Asmau Mohammed Lawan, commended Etisalat Nigeria for the computers which use is hoped will go a long way in giving the pupils the cutting edge education needed to prepare them for their individual career paths. She also encouraged the pupils of the school to take advantage of the facilities to improve themselves and become better individuals in the future. Etisalat Nigeria currently has several intervention initiatives in the education sector, among which include, the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme (ETEPP), in partnership with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Plymouth University UK, and the Etisalat Academy, UAE, and Etisalat Merit Awards Scheme, a scholarship awarding initiative focused on meritorious undergraduates of various Nigerian universities, among others.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Inspiration FM, Lagos, Charles Supo-Orija; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo; Founder, LEAP Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli and Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Fidelity Bank Plc., Ken Opara at the Fidelity SME Forum where Okonkwo, as guest speaker provided valuable insights into the bank’s innovative approach to supporting SMEs in Nigeria held Tuesday.

Shippers laud CBN on forex deposit restriction reversal igerian importers and exporters under the aegis of Shippers Association of Lagos State have commended the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN over its decision to lift the restrictions placed on foreign exchange deposits with commercial banks. The governor of the apex bank, Mr. Godwin Emiefele had while announcing the reversal of the policy on Monday, said it was designed to check the ‘dollarisation of Nigeria’s economy’. Meanwhile, President of the association, Rev. Jonathan Nicol, who reacted to the policy reversal in a telephone interview, described it as a right step in the right direction. According to him, for about six months while the policy lasted, im-

porters and exporters even manufactures went through a harrowing experience in sourcing foreign exchange, which is essential for them to remain in business. He wondered why the parallel foreign exchange market should be more vibrant and popular than the official market, which the new policy tends to correct. Nicol said: “Over the years in Nigeria you find out that the black foreign exchange market thrives more than the official market and one begins to ask if banks do not have foreign exchange to sell, where do the black or parallel market operators get the ones they sell to the end users. “The new policy would enhance international business transactions for the importers and exporters because they would source their foreign exchange through the

issue, either. The proliferation of consumer devices, the growth of dashboard touch screens and other technology, and the shrinking size of engines to meet fueleconomy mandates mean the 12volt automobile electrical system is just about tapped out. Some automakers are already turning to supplemental 48-volt systems in future models. The number of vehicles sold in the U.S. with USB charge ports rose to about 14.6 million last year from about 3.3 million in 2005, the first year they were available, and

is projected to climb to 16.7 million by 2022, according to a forecast from the consulting firm IHS. Global sales of vehicles with USB ports will increase to 85 million in 2022 from about 49 million last year, IHS said. That estimate doesn’t capture how many ports are in a particular vehicle. For example, the new Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which goes on sale later this year, will have nine USB charging points, the most of any automobile, said Bruce Velisek, director of Chrysler brand product marketing.

FRANCIS EZEM

Charging Smartphone in car cuts speed, causes pollution –Experts

t’s not just using a handheld phone while driving that’s a menace to society. It turns out that charging it in the car has consequences too. That’s because a phone drawing electricity from a USB port cuts 0.03 miles from each gallon of gasoline in a tank. Across the fleet of vehicles in the U.S., that would mean about 970,000 tons of extra planet-warming carbon dioxide a year, according to calculations by Jon Bereisa, a retired General Motors Co. engineering executive who studies vehicle power usage.

With a race under way to see how many charging ports automakers can cram into a car, the increased pollution is only going to get worse. “Do I think we’re at peak USB? No,” said Mary Gustanski, vice president of engineering and program management at Delphi Automotive Plc, which makes wiring and USB ports for vehicles. “We’ll get more and more creative to not only allow you to connect with USB but also to connect wireless. Consumers want their car to be just like their home.” It’s not just an environmental

banks in term of opening of Letter of Credit LOC, through which they pay their foreign suppliers after 90 days on the receipt of the consignments”, he added. He also argued that this has been the global standard practice, which had been done differently before now but which has been corrected with the recent pronouncements by the CBN. On the 41 import items excluded from the list officially permitted to source foreign exchange through the CBN, the shippers boss expressed optimism that the government would also hearken to the cries of the manufacturers, who have been negatively affected by the policy. Nicol noted that there are many sensitive import items for the manufacturing firms, especially those that have to do with raw materials that cannot be sourced locally, a development that makes it expedient for the government to also review so that the real sector of the nation’s economy does not collapse. Under the reviewed policy, commercial banks in Nigeria can now accept deposit in foreign currency once again after the CBN lifted the ban, which had affected most businesses in the country negatively. According to the CBN governor, the reversal of the foreign exchange restriction was also to allow the banks build liquidity in forex and meet some of their demands.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Thursday, January 14, 2016

CEO seeks U.S. approval Airbus shrugs off China concerns Porsche of diesel engine after outselling Boeing P

urope’s Airbus is unperturbed by China’s financial turmoil, sticking to robust demand forecasts on Tuesday after beating arch-rival Boeing in the annual tally of global aircraft orders, despite failing to close a gap on total deliveries with the world’s largest jetmaker. As share prices and oil prices steadied after weeks of volatility, Airbus maintained its confidence in demand that underpins plans for record production rates at both companies. Despite a recent sell-off in markets in China, where Airbus has an assembly plant, the Chinese continue to spend on aviation, planemaking chief Fabrice Bregier said. “It’s a sign that the vision you have that share prices drop and everything collapses is disconnected from the real economy, he said at the company’s annual news conference. Swelling its total order book to a record $1 trillion, Airbus added 1,036 new plane orders net of cancellations last year, down 29 percent from 2014, compared with Boeing’s tally of 768, a fall of 46 percent. Both planemakers experienced a slowdown after two years of heavy orders, and amid concerns over the

Airbus aircraft

impact of economic jitters and low oil prices on demand for fuel-saving jets. Despite that, deliveries of popular models grew, reflecting industry forecasts of persistent growth in traffic. Airbus deliveries edged up to 635 in 2015 and it predicted over 650 in 2016, to be outstripped once again by new orders. Boeing said last week its deliveries rose 5 percent to a record 762 jets, extending its lead as the largest producer. Combined deliveries came in a whisker below 1,400, having doubled in the past decade, and Airbus planemaking chief Fabrice Bregier said the latest data showed the market was

“resilient”. Airlines “do not expect oil prices to stay low forever,” he said. However, Airbus dropped to its lowest overall share of deliveries against Boeing - 45 percent - since 2002, and its lowest share of wide-body deliveries - 35 percent - since 2001, after its rival pumped up deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner. Airbus expects to close the gap with its competing A350, but deliveries have started gently due to industry-wide cabin supply problems and the European firm’s determination to avoid a repeat of industrial problems that beset Boeing’s 787 and its own A380.

GM raises 2016 profit outlook, boosting share buybacks

eneral Motors Co said on Wednesday it will return more cash to shareholders by raising its stock buyback program by 80 per cent to $9 billion and increasing its dividend, sending shares up 4.6 per cent in premarket trading. GM also raised its 2016 earnings per share forecast to $5.25 and $5.75 per share from a previous 2016 outlook made in October of between $5.00 and $5.50 per share. GM executives outlined a plan to give back to shareholders a total of $16 billion for the period from 2015 through 2017. In March 2015, GM agreed to return a total of $10 billion in share repurchases and increased dividends through the end of 2016.

Cadillac

Investors appeared to cheer GM’s plans in premarket trading, boosting shares by 4.6 per cent to $31.70 per share in the minutes after the company’s announcement. By contrast, investors sold Ford Motor Co stock Tuesday evening after the Dearborn, Michigan, automaker said it would pay a special dividend of $1 billion, but cautioned that margins in its North American auto market could hit a plateau at about 9.5 per cent. Ford shares were down about one per cent in premarket trading, at $12.71. Taken together, the back-to-back presentations by the two automakers at a conference on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show set up a

referendum for investors on which of the two U.S. automakers has the better strategy to weather a cyclical downshift in vehicle sales growth, increasing costs to meet regulatory demands and technology-driven challenges from self-driving vehicles and car sharing. If GM carries out its latest plan, the once-bankrupt auto major will have returned to shareholders about $23 billion between 2012 and the end of 2017, or about 90 per cent of free cash flow, Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens said. As it gives more cash back to investors, GM President Dan Ammann said the company plans to reduce capital spending as a share of revenue below the current five per cent to 5.5 per cent late in this decade. However, Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra and Ammann said the cuts will not compromise GM’s core vehicle business or investments in new ventures such as car sharing or self-driving vehicles. Ammann said once GM finishes overhauling its vehicle and engine architectures over the next several years, the automaker can develop more new models for less money. Barra also sought to reassure investors who are worried about the impact from the economic turbulence in China, the automaker’s biggest market.

orsche is confident it will win approval from U.S. authorities by the end of January for plans to bring its larger diesel models capable of cheating U.S. emissions tests in line with the law, its chief executive said on Tuesday. Proposals submitted to U.S. environmental authorities in December aim to make 13,000 Cayenne sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) with V6 diesel engines compliant with U.S. rules by replacing catalytic converters and running software updates for 2013 and 2014 model years and with software updates for 2015 and 2016 model years, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said. “We had a very positive and constructive discussion” when presenting the plans, Blume said in an interview at the Detroit auto show. “The technical aspects have all been submitted, we will wait whether there will still be proposals for corrections by the Americans,” he said. “Everything we can do for this particular engine has been done for now and we are now awaiting feedback,” Blume said, adding that Volkswagen’s luxury division Audi drew up the technical fixes. The 3.0 liter V6 diesel engine was designed by Audi and widely used in premium models sold by the group’s

VW, Audi and Porsche brands in model years 2009 through 2016. About 85,000 models were equipped with illicit emissions-control software. The proposal from Audi and Porsche was expected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) by early February. Blume declined comment on the costs of the fixes and how long it would take to install the new catalytic converters but said less than half of the affected 13,000 Cayenne models sold in the U.S. since 2013 would require a hardware change. Separately, Porsche expects “moderate growth” in sales this year after boosting deliveries by almost a fifth in 2015 to a record 225,121 sports cars and SUVs, Blume said, blaming a “series of trouble spots” around the world.

Blume

Luxury brands turn to Africa

s wealth outside of South Africa grows, fashion houses and other luxury producers are looking to reach this largely untapped market. But while high-end consumers tend to be more resilient to economic shocks than most, the slowdown in emerging markets is being felt by luxury retailers globally. Analysts predict a corresponding slowdown of expansion into African markets. “Despite the resilience of millionaires, recent economic issues have definitely been felt in the luxury sector, particularly apparel

Nel

and clothing brands,” says Andrew Amoils, analyst at New World Wealth. Although many stand-alone designer stores have opened in African capitals over the past few years “this trend will probably tail off over the next year due to the downturn,” he adds. It should not come as a surprise that luxury retailers have increased their outlets in Africa. There are now around 16,000 millionaires in Nigeria, 50,000 in South Africa and 6,500 in Angola. Other markets are expected to expand at pace, with Côte D’Ivoire forecasted to see the fastest growth of high net worth individuals. “There are roughly 160,000 millionaires living across Africa, with combined wealth just short of $700bn, and they are extremely keen to spend it,” said Jeremy Nel, managing director of South African-based luxury marketing firm Luxury Brands. These high net worth individuals generally travel extensively and visit luxury shopping hotspots in London and New York, he adds.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016

Equities as at January 13, 2016

Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036

Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 18 13 31

Current Price 32.64 33.00

Quantity Traded 90,094 115,624 205,718

Value Traded 2,944,204.02 3,819,020.10 6,763,224.12

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.16

Quantity Traded 248,625 248,625

Value Traded 288,729.00 288,729.00

454,343

7,051,953.12

AGRICULTURE Totals Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

No. of Deals 1 85 48 134

TRANSCORP Daily Summary (Equities) UACN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Summary as of 13/01/2016 Totals

Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC

Activity Summary Board FLOUR MILLSon NIG. PLC. EQTY

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

CONSUMER GOODS Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Food Products CONSUMER GOODS NASCON ALLIED Published by The Nigerian StockINDUSTRIES Exchange © PLC Food Products TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC Food Products Totals TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Products--Diversified Food Totals CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Totals Food Products--Diversified NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Household Durables Food Products--Diversified Totals Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables PLC. VONO PRODUCTS VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Personal/Household Products Household Durables Totals P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board Personal/Household Products UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.EQTY P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC.Totals Personal/Household Products CONSUMER GOODS UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Food Products CONSUMER GOODS Totals Personal/Household Products Totals NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC FINANCIAL TIGERSERVICES BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC CONSUMER GOODS Totals Banking Food Products Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCESS BANK PLC. Food Products--Diversified Banking DIAMOND BANK PLC CADBURY NIGERIA ACCESS BANK PLC. PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products--Diversified Totals Published byHousehold The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Activity Summary on Board EQTY ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ECOBANK Published by The NigerianTRANSNATIONAL Stock Exchange ©INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY PLC Daily Summary as ofBANK 13/01/2016 WEMA BANK PLC. Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. ActivityMUTUAL Summary on Board EQTY BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Other Financial Institutions Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 42.00

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 5.24

IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Value Traded 11,254.50 7,510,459.28 8,847,763.49 16,369,477.27

7,078,521

16,369,477.27

Quantity Traded 181,097 181,097 Page Quantity Traded 201,379 201,379

Value Traded 7,495,783.48 7,495,783.48 12 1 of Value Traded 1,065,737.62 1,065,737.62

382,476

8,561,521.10

No. of Deals 1 9 6 238 254

Current Price 3.38 119.98 15.70 97.18

Quantity Traded 2,700 14,591 131,050 2,072,888 2,221,229

Value Traded 8,694.00 1,663,228.09 2,024,764.60 201,233,860.77 204,930,547.46

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 175.00

Quantity Traded 20,543 20,543

Value Traded 3,609,814.60 3,609,814.60

No. of Deals 20 20 4

Current Price 5.98 19.76 1.72

Quantity Traded 72,540 49,394 33,800

Value Traded 413,489.60 927,619.32 56,752.00

Symbol No. of Deals NASCON 8 Symbol No. of Deals TIGERBRANDS 63 NASCON 8 115 TIGERBRANDS 63 Symbol No. of Deals 115 CADBURY 11 Symbol No. of Deals NESTLE 13 CADBURY 11 24 NESTLE 13 Symbol No. of Deals 24 VITAFOAM 14 Symbol No. of Deals VONO 10 VITAFOAM 14 24 VONO 10 Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals 24 PZ 25 Symbol No. of Deals6 UNILEVER PZ 25 31 UNILEVER 6 Symbol No. of Deals 454 31 NASCON 8 TIGERBRANDS 63 454 Symbol No. of Deals 115 ACCESS 109 Symbol No. of of Deals Deals Symbol No. DIAMONDBNK 32 CADBURY 11 ACCESS 109 NESTLE 13 DIAMONDBNK 32 24

Current Price 6.66 Current Price 0.83 6.66 0.83 Current Price 15.49 Current779.00 Price 15.49 779.00 Current Price 5.24 Current Price 0.92 5.24 0.92 Current Price 21.13 Current Price 43.25 21.13 43.25 Current Price 6.66 0.83 Current Price 4.37 Current Price Price Current 2.00 15.49 4.37 779.00 2.00

Quantity Traded Page 256,405 Quantity Traded 9,294,514 256,405 9,706,653 9,294,514 Quantity Traded 9,706,653 16,600 Quantity Traded 71,411 16,600 88,011 71,411 Quantity Traded 88,011 500,000 Quantity 482,000 Traded 500,000 982,000 482,000 Quantity982,000 Traded 66,399 Quantity Traded 4,939 66,399 71,338 4,939 Quantity Traded 13,089,774 71,338 256,405 9,294,514 13,089,774 Quantity Traded 9,706,653 12,047,507 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 88,682,876 16,600 12,047,507 71,411 88,682,876 Page 88,011

Value Traded 12 2 1,709,111.05 of Value Traded 7,284,857.93 1,709,111.05 10,391,829.90 7,284,857.93 Value Traded 10,391,829.90 244,352.00 Value Traded 55,629,169.00 244,352.00 55,873,521.00 55,629,169.00 Value Traded 55,873,521.00 2,509,200.75 Value Traded 424,160.00 2,509,200.75 2,933,360.75 424,160.00 Value Traded 2,933,360.75 1,337,429.49 Value Traded 202,943.51 1,337,429.49 1,540,373.00 202,943.51 Value Traded 279,279,446.71 1,540,373.00 1,709,111.05 7,284,857.93 279,279,446.71 Value Traded 10,391,829.90 52,987,205.10 Value Traded Traded Value 177,365,805.06 244,352.00 52,987,205.10 55,629,169.00 177,365,805.06 12 3 of 55,873,521.00 12 3Value Traded of 2,509,200.75 424,160.00 2,933,360.75

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

DANGSUGAR Daily Summary (Equities) FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 14 10 24

Current Price 5.24 0.92

Page Quantity Traded 500,000 482,000 982,000

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 25 6 31

Current Price 21.13 43.25

Quantity Traded 66,399 4,939 71,338

Value Traded 1,337,429.49 202,943.51 1,540,373.00

13,089,774

279,279,446.71

Daily Summary (Equities)

454

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK

No. of Deals 109 32

Current Price 4.37 2.00

Quantity Traded 12,047,507 88,682,876

Value Traded 52,987,205.10 177,365,805.06

Symbol ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

No. of Deals 28 115 212 20 3 271 26 7 20 843

Current Price 16.15 1.30 16.39 1.14 1.79 2.79 5.47 0.74 1.00

Quantity Traded 174,785 Page 35,721,048 5,139,408 2,004,995 32,800 31,081,893 411,892 147,001 534,153 175,978,358

Value Traded 12 3 2,684,018.35 of 46,388,296.97 84,833,604.07 2,286,386.25 56,088.00 86,134,478.33 2,254,232.94 109,380.77 533,716.79 455,633,212.63

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE LASACO MBENEFIT NEM

No. of Deals 14 2 10 7 20

Current Price 0.90 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.67

Quantity Traded 1,278,501 600,000 304,794 1,150,000 2,471,544

Value Traded 1,154,300.90 570,000.00 152,397.00 575,000.00 1,561,489.30

Symbol UNITYKAP WAPIC

No. of Deals 1 3 57

Current Price 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 70,000,000 9,588 75,814,427

Value Traded 35,000,000.00 4,794.00 39,017,981.20

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.09

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.50

Quantity Traded 95 95 Page Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 98.80 98.80 12 4 of Value Traded 10,700.00 10,700.00

No. of Deals 31 32 26 1 10 (Equities) 74 174

Current Price 2.29 4.20 1.36 0.50 14.25 1.19

Quantity Traded 593,069 2,000,000 548,554 3,900 37,012 8,432,860 11,615,395

Value Traded 1,367,776.62 8,310,575.98 748,273.44 1,950.00 509,316.42 10,077,857.90 21,015,750.36

263,410,775

515,677,742.99

Current Price 0.50 2.70 28.50 1.00

Quantity Traded 24,850 100 1,176,776 Page 80,060 1,281,786

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC Daily Summary UCAP

1,077 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Quantity Traded 18,450 6,584,799 475,272 7,078,521

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Current Price 0.59 1.14 18.59

134

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

1st Tier Securities

No. of Deals 2 1 19 2 24 24

1,281,786

Value Traded 12,425.00 265.00 33,539,517.75 5 of 12 80,060.00 33,632,267.75 33,632,267.75

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Sector

Company name

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

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 750 750

Value Traded 375.00 375.00

Symbol TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.69

Quantity Traded 700 700

Value Traded 1,127.00 1,127.00

Quotation(N)

Current Price 10.00 37.60 9.60 91.31

Quantity Traded 8,700 14,160 34,660 492,222 1,206,279

Value Traded 84,392.00 508,170.00 316,099.20 47,013,942.15 64,642,188.24

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.52

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 3,180.00 3,180.00

1,208,279

64,645,368.24

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 19,850.00 19,850.00

5,000

19,850.00

Symbol BOCGAS

CONOIL PLC OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Petroleum andStock Petroleum Products Distributors Daily Summary as of PLC. 13/01/2016 ETERNA Printed 13/01/2016 FORTE14:32:36.036 OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Employment Solutions

Employment Solutions Totals SERVICES Hospitality Daily Summary of 13/01/2016 PLCExchange © Published by TANTALIZERS TheasNigerian Stock Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Hospitality Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC SERVICES Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Road Transportation Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Road Transportation Totals SERVICES Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Transport-Related Services Support and Logistics Transport-Related Services Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 AIRLINE SERVICES ANDSUPPORT LOGISTICS PLCPLC CAVERTON OFFSHORE GRP NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Support and Logistics Totals Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Support and Logistics Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC EQTY Board Totals Support and Logistics Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Totals SERVICES Transport-Related Activity Summary onServices Board PREMIUM

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © EQTY Board Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC Banking Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Support and Logistics Transport-Related Activity Summary onServices Board PREMIUM Banking Totals CAVERTON OFFSHORE GRP AIRLINE SERVICES ANDSUPPORT LOGISTICS PLCPLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Support and Logistics Totals NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Support and Logistics Banking Totals CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC EQTY Board Totals Other Financial Institutions Support Logistics Totals © Published by The Stock Exchange Daily Summary asNigerian ofand 13/01/2016 FBN HOLDINGS PLC Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 SERVICES Totals Institutions Totals Other Financial

No. of Deals 61 61

Current Price 4.64

Quantity Traded 876,691 876,691

Value Traded 4,074,070.04 4,074,070.04

Symbol CONOIL

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 24.74

Quantity Traded 2,852

Value Traded 67,050.52

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 5 4 7 4 12 (Equities) 34

Current Price 1.61 330.00 151.20 49.66 155.92

Page Quantity Traded 70,650 17,267 17,000 8,209 10,685 126,663

12 7Value Traded of 113,746.50 5,413,204.50 2,441,880.00 387,300.62 1,652,169.28 10,075,351.42

No. of Deals Current Price 4 196.07 4 No. of Deals Current Price 995 1.61 4 330.00 7 151.20 No. of Deals Current Price 4 49.66 1 0.50 12 155.92 1 34

Quantity Traded 203 203 Quantity Traded 1,003,557 70,650 17,267 17,000 Quantity Traded 8,209 11,960 10,685 11,960 126,663

Value Traded 38,792.00 38,792.00 Value Traded 14,188,213.46 113,746.50 5,413,204.50 2,441,880.00 Value Traded 387,300.62 5,980.00 1,652,169.28 5,980.00 10,075,351.42

Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX SEPLAT

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 5 4.00 4 196.07 5 4

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 99,377 203 99,377 203

Value Traded Value Traded 396,522.46 38,792.00 396,522.46 38,792.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals Current Price 99 1 0.50 1

Quantity Traded 1,003,557 1,500 1,500

Value Traded 14,188,213.46 750.00 750.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 11,960 Page 11,960

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 4.00

Quantity Traded 99,377 99,377

Value Traded 396,522.46 396,522.46

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,500 1,500

Value Traded 750.00 750.00

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 3,900 3,900

Value Traded 8 of 12 1,950.00 1,950.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 2.96

Quantity Traded 105,000 105,000

Value Traded 311,550.00 311,550.00

No. of Deals 1 3 (Equities) 4 No. of Deals

Current Price 0.55 0.87

Quantity Traded 3,444 10,118 13,562 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 1,963.08 8,477.94 10,441.02 Value Traded

3,000 Quantity Traded 120,390 3,900 123,390 3,900

6,300.00 Value Traded 396,364.50 1,950.00 402,664.50 1,950.00

QuantityTraded Traded Quantity Quantity Traded 3,000 2,000 120,390 2,000 123,390 364,589 Quantity Traded 2,000 288,281,550 2,000

ValueTraded Traded Value Value Traded 6,300.00 4,480.00 396,364.50 4,480.00 402,664.50 1,136,287.98 Value Traded 4,480.00 940,566,970.62 4,480.00

Symbol SEPLAT Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL Symbol MRS RTBRISCOE TOTAL

Courier/Freight/Delivery Exploration and Production RED STAR EXPRESS PLC SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Exploration and Production Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY C & I LEASING PLC.

Symbol OANDO

Daily Summary

Exploration and on Production Activity Summary Board EQTY SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors OIL AND GAS Totals ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. SERVICES MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. R T BRISCOE PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Current Price 3.79

Daily Summary (Equities)

Petroleum and Petroleum Activity Summary on Board Products EQTY Distributors

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Daily Summary of 13/01/2016 R TasBRISCOE PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

No. of Deals 1 1 1

OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Value of Shares(N)

No. of Deals 6 12 3 39 95

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 Printed NATURAL 13/01/2016RESOURCES 14:32:36.036 Totals

Employment Solutions OIL AND GAS Totals C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals SERVICES

Quantity Traded

Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN WAPCO

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

Daily Summary Symbol AIRSERVICE Symbol NAHCO ABCTRANS

Symbol Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE CAVERTON NAHCO

Daily Summary Symbol CAVERTON

Current Price 2.10 Current Price 3.42 0.50

5 No. of Deals 16 1 21 1

No.of ofDeals Deals Current CurrentPrice Price No. No. of Deals Current Price 2.10 15 2.35 16 3.42 1 21 37 (Equities) No. of Deals Current Price 1 2.35 2,000 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Value Traded 5,980.00 12 of 5,980.00

364,589

1,136,287.98

Quantity Traded AIRSERVICE 5 2.10 3,000 Page 288,281,550 2,000 NAHCO 16 3.42 120,390 Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Traded 21 Current Price Quantity123,390 ZENITHBANK 536 10.93 51,442,667 Symbol No. Traded Symbol No.of ofDeals Deals CurrentPrice Price Quantity Quantity Traded 536 Current 51,442,667 CAVERTON 15 2.35 2,000 AIRSERVICE 2.10 3,000 Symbol No. of Deals Traded 1 Current Price 2,000 NAHCO 16 3.42 Quantity 120,390 Symbol No. of Deals Quantity Traded FBNH 254 3.99 29,042,096 21 Current Price 123,390 37 364,589 ZENITHBANK 536 10.93 51,442,667 254 29,042,096 Symbol No. of Deals Traded 536 Current Price Quantity 51,442,667 CAVERTON 1 2.35 2,000 288,281,550 2,000 Current Price Quantity Symbol No. of Deals Traded 1 2,000 Page Daily Summary (Equities) FBNH 254 3.99 29,042,096 37 364,589 254 29,042,096

Value Traded 6,300.00 12 9 of 940,566,970.62 396,364.50 Value Traded 402,664.50 564,655,601.87 Value ValueTraded Traded 564,655,601.87 4,480.00 6,300.00 Value Traded 4,480.00 396,364.50 Value Traded 115,923,867.87 402,664.50 1,136,287.98 564,655,601.87 115,923,867.87 Value Traded 564,655,601.87 4,480.00 4,480.00 10 of 12 115,923,867.87 1,136,287.98 115,923,867.87

940,566,970.62 Value Traded

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 EQTY Board Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 13/01/2016 14:32:36.036 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary Banking Totalson Activity Summary onBoard BoardPREMIUM PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES PLC Totals FBN HOLDINGS Banking Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Other Financial Institutions Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Building Materials FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials Totals FBN HOLDINGS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals PREMIUM Published by The Board NigerianTotals Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

2,000

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

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol FBNH Symbol

ZENITHBANK Symbol DANGCEM Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM

Equity Activity Totals

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange Traded Fund Daily Summary as of 13/01/2016 VETIVA BANKING ETF Name 14:32:36.036 Printed 13/01/2016 VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF VETIVA BANKING ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF INDUSTRIAL ETF ETF VETIVA Board Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exchange Traded Fund Totals

ETP Activity Totals

536 536

10.93

288,281,550

Page Quantity Traded 51,442,667 51,442,667

940,566,970.62

10 of 12 Value Traded 564,655,601.87 564,655,601.87

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded 790 80,484,763 680,579,469.74 254 Current Price 3.99 29,042,096 115,923,867.87 No. of Deals Quantity Traded Value Traded 254 29,042,096 115,923,867.87 536 10.93 51,442,667 564,655,601.87 536 51,442,667 564,655,601.87 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded 790 80,484,763 680,579,469.74 97 145.45 466,778 68,072,769.34 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Traded12 Page 10Value of 97 466,778 68,072,769.34 254 3.99 29,042,096 115,923,867.87 254 Current Price Quantity 29,042,096 115,923,867.87 No. of Deals Traded Value Traded 97 466,778 68,072,769.34 97 145.45 466,778 68,072,769.34 97 466,778 68,072,769.34 80,951,541Page 748,652,239.08 887 12 10 of 97 466,778 68,072,769.34

PREMIUM Board Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Symbol COURTVILLE

No Of Deals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

2,887

369,233,091

887

80,951,541

748,652,239.08

2,887

369,233,091

1,689,219,209.70

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 1 8.73 NEWGOLD 1 2,077.00 VETBANK 1 2.34 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price VETGOODS 1 6.28 LOTUSHAL15 1 8.73 VETGRIF30 1 11.34 NEWGOLD 1 2,077.00 VETINDETF 1 19.52 VETBANK 1 2.34 6 DailyVETGOODS Summary (ETP) 1 6.28 VETGRIF30 1 11.34 VETINDETF 19.52 61 6

Daily Summary (ETP) LOTUSHAL15

Quantity Traded 10 50 10 Quantity Traded 90 10 10 50 90 10 260 90 10 90 260 Page 260

260 Page

1,689,219,209.70

Value Traded 87.30 103,850.00 23.40 Value Traded 565.20 87.30 113.40 103,850.00 1,756.80 23.40 106,396.10 565.20 113.40 1,756.80 106,396.10 12 11 of 106,396.10

106,396.10 11

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govt, customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; support critical to tackling electronic frauds â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Regha Although significant progress is being made in the drive to combat the menace of electronic frauds in the country, experts are however agreed that there are critical areas that needed to be given more focus in order to reduce e-frauds to the barest minimum. In this interview with Isaiah Erhiawarien the Executive Secretary of the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, E-PPAN, Mrs. Onajite Regha, speaks on how best to secure electronic transactions, including the roles government and customers in winning the war.

hat is your assessment of electronic transactions growth and prospect s in 2016?

Certainly, the Nigeria e-payment industry has recorded a significant growth especially in this outgoing year. It is a highly competitive market so providers are introducing new innovations, new market strategies and improved service delivery among other things to capture the market. I can categorically say that there has been major improvement in the general index of electronic transactions in Nigeria compared to the previous years. People are becoming more comfortable and are therefore using the channels more. But as you know we still have a lot to do. A significant proportion of the population still remains unbanked and that is a worry for us at the Electronic Payment Providers Association. We have pencilled down mobile payment as a solution to this challenge but we have not seen the impact we crave yet. The year 2015 has been a rather languorous one, with the elections and the change of government, naturally things were a bit slow in the year, but as we begin to understand the policies of the new government better then investors will begin to align strategies and introduce more aggressive marketing and this will yield better results in 2016. The President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration is preaching anti-corruption, transparency and accountability. When we talk of payments there is no better way to achieve these ideals better than using electronic payment. Electronic fraud remains a major threat to the growth of electronic transactions. Are there initiatives being embarked upon by your association to tackle this menace? All around the globe electronic fraud is a major challenge because we know that the criminals follow the money. So now that money has moved online, we find criminals are there. But the fact is that industry stakeholders are not relenting. It is a global trend. However, we are committed to a safer payment system in Nigeria. We understand that payment is the nerve center of the economy and we are ready to protect our turf. In the industry we have realised that fraud is

not a basis for competition. We can compete on several other areas but certainly not on fraud. So we have seen increased collaborations within the industry in recent times. The industry has come up with many joint projects all to protect our users and the system. Funny enough, the fraudsters work together. They are organised. So, if we have to check them we have to be organised. You know technology evolves very fast and these fraudsters are usually very current with trends, and payment providers are also trying to keep up with this speed to ensure that our systems are safe. Recently, there have been so many initiatives to mitigate and control the incidences of electronic fraud in Nigeria, amongst other things. The Chip and PIN was introduced by the CBN to eliminate the weaknesses of the mag-stripe cards. The CBN also mandated the Two Factor Authentication for Internal Banking Process. Also there was a circular on Card Present Fraud In Non-EMV environment. The Operations of Instant Payments was also reviewed. The Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) has not rested on its oars since its formation. In 2015 NeFF recorded a lot of successes including commitments from the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Inspector General of Police. The IG in his response to one of the prayers of NeFF set up Dedicated Payment and Card Crime Unit (DPCCU). We also have a 24 hours fraud desk in all the banks. The BVN project is a major achievement and very soon we will all begin to enjoy the benefits of the BVN. The industry is also on the verge of establishing a Banking Risk Information Centre. How are industry players collaborating across the e-payment value-chain to address the issue of e-fraud? Let me put it this way. There are three steps in achieving safe payments. Step 1 is

Regha collaboration; step 2 is collaboration; and step 3 is collaboration. Fraud is not an issue for competition. Given the importance of providing secure payment systems whilst ensuring public confidence in electronic means of payment, the role of proactive fraud management cannot be over-emphasized. The collaborative effort among stakeholders in the industry has always been the major advocacy of E-PPAN. No organisation can achieve or single handedly defeat the magnitude of threat posed by electronic fraudsters. There is need to team up with the regulatory agencies, the law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and every single stakeholder in the payment chain. So E-PPAN will continue to advocate for information sharing among the industry players, as this will go a long way to compliment the ongoing efforts of the regulatory agencies in the industry. And what roles have the regulators been playing in this agenda? We can say the regulators have been very bold in taking the lead on the fight against fraud. We have seen other players take active roles on the fight against fraud. But I believe that our weakest link still remains the consumers. This is where I want the game to be enhanced. As an industry we need to increase awareness creation for the users of electronic payment. We need to get the users to be familiar with the tricks of the fraudsters. This is as important as installing world

The collaborative effort among stakeholders in the industry has always been the major advocacy

of E-PPAN. No organisation can achieve or single handedly defeat the magnitude of threat posed by electronic fraudsters

class technology and hiring world class experts. Common sense knowledge can go a long way to protect every one of us. For instance, NeFF is chaired by the CBN and for some time now, NeFF has examined the idea of having a full week dedicated to anti-fraud with plans to work with the Bankers Committee. This is not the point where we now say this is your role, or that is your role. We are facing a monster called fraud. Do you think that the banks are doing enough to educate customers on scam electronic mails? Honestly, banks are investing so much in the fight against e-fraud because most of banking transactions are now done electronically. They are doing their best in consumer education through the use of social media, in-banking information, emails, short messaging service and adverts (print and media) for increased awareness of the antics of scammers in the electronic payment region but due to the ignorance of customers they still fall prey to these fraudsters. But like we have seen, such individual effort might not hold sway because we are fighting a strong and united force of cyber criminals. Hopefully, we will see the difference after we have an anti-fraud week where everyone is targeted with the same security message. Is there any collaboration with government to curb corruption in the public service through e-payment adoption? E-PPAN has constantly been playing its advisory role to ensure strong PublicPrivate Partnership that will lead to National economic growth. The annual E-Government Summit organised by E-PPAN and partnering with major stakeholders and government agencies is to help government drive for a new generation of e-services in public sector, enhance government administrative productivity, efficiency and transparency.

Info Tech

Thursday, January 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mobile Roaming policy ‘ll boost operators’ revenue –NCC Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

new National Mobile Roaming policy which would soon be implemented by Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, may mean extra revenue for mobile telephone operators and better roaming efficiency for subscribers. An executive brief from the Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta requesting inputs from concerned stakeholders, experts and interested on National Mobile Roaming stated that roaming is a feature in several communication licences that has not yet been utilised in Nigeria. The National Mirror learnt that the Commission has taken note of expert opinion that the implementation of National Mobile Roaming could bring about less investment costs since infrastructure sharing

divides the investment burden. The NCC also outlined that the National Mobile Roaming, NMR, will besides promoting efficient use of resources make for easy market entry adding that it offers better choice of service, less negative environmental impact and promotes universal service provision. According to Danbatta, even though it is technically possible to provide facility for domestic roaming, appropriate legal and regulatory framework have to be in place in order to encourage as well as assist the operators in realising roaming arrangement between them without any uncertainty. He said that there is need to ensure that the policies, rules and regulation to be adopted regarding national roaming are formulated in detailed discussion with the operators as they are the main entities responsible for the successful implementation of the domestic roaming facility.

Samsung forms watchdog to inspect factories linked to cancer

amsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday it will set up an independent committee to inspect its facilities, the company’s latest concession after reports that scores of workers developed rare cancers and other illnesses at semiconductor factories. The South Korean company, victims of leukemia and other workrelated diseases, and a local civic group formally agreed to establish an ombudsman committee that will monitor and report on working conditions. The concession came after Samsung announced a 100 billion-won ($83 million) fund in July to compensate victims and fund preventive measures. “We are grateful to the related parties for their collaborative partnership on finding a solution,” Samsung said in a statement. “Samsung will faithfully implement proposed improvements from the Ombudsman Committee and remains fully committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our valued employees.” In an abrupt about-face, Samsung issued a public apology last year to workers who said they contracted rare cancers linked to chemicals at its semiconductor plants and to the surviving family members it battled in South Korea’s courts during a struggle that stretched nine years. Samsung is one of the world’s biggest chip makers, supplying its own devices and those made by competitors, in-

cluding Apple Inc. “Samsung should help this committee to operate independently, in a very transparent way and should open up any core information whenever it’s needed,” said Lee Ji Soo, an attorney at Law & Business Research Center. “If similar things happen in a country that has higher bars on workers’ rights or advanced legal protection tools, it could continue to haunt Samsung.”

Explaining the significance of the National Mobile Roaming, the NCC boss said that there are roaming arrangements in several countries at varying degrees facilitated by the policies, rules and regulations in order to facilitate the provision of services by new entrants until they have rolled out their networks to significant number of places. He noted that the NMR will

The EVC observed that prior agreement between operators enables the subscribers to roam into another network in case the home network is not available saying that some regulators encourage roaming as a form of infrastructure sharing in order to discourage investment which do not make business sense, so that the existing network can be maximally utilised.

(L-R) Headmistress Nuhu Bamali Primary School, Zaria; Hajia Asmau Mohammed Lawan, Specialist, Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria; Abdulwahab Umoru and Etisalat board member Alhaji Junaid Dikko presenting the computers to the Headmistress during the official commissioning of the school renovated by Etisalat Nigeria in Zaria recently

FG can earn $150b yearly from ICT –Zinox boss

he Chairman of the Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh said that Nigeria has the capacity to earn $150 billion yearly from Information and Communication Technology if commitment is given to it like as it is done to the oil and gas sector.

New book on telecoms sector for unveiling elecoms industry in Nigeria in the last 15 years has witnessed successes, countered challenges and continued to exude tremendous prospects for economic development. Chronicling these milestones forms the key contents of a new book to be unveiled later this year in the nation’s telecoms sector. Titled: ‘Our Nigerian Story’, written by a multiple awardwinning journalist Mrs. Olabisi Olaleye, recounts the experiences of the Global System for Mobile, GSM, operators in Nigeria since the sector’s liberalisation in 2001. ‘Our Nigerian Story’ , is the first of its kind in the nation’s sector, that catalogues the development of the telecoms industry, starting from 2001, when the various companies came into the country to invest, even when the Nigeria’s business climate was adjudged ‘a war zone and porous’ by the inter-

help to avoid duplication of networks at less populated and remote areas, provide seamless service in areas where movement of people is significant such as highways, provide emergency communication when home network is not available or when the quality of service of the home network is relatively low, thereby benefiting both the operators and the subscribers.

national communities. The book highlights how the demographic dividend or the large population in Nigeria then (which is still growing), served as a critical factor that attracted telecoms investment into the country with the sector now boasting of over $32 billion from about $500 million in 2001. “In this book, the various telcos, Agencies, retail phone dealers share their experiences, the NCC’s involvement, the Ministry of Communication Technology or Ministry of Communications support and the numerous challenges faced in a system that is not too conducive for business, while leveraging on their strengths for more improvement in the sector,” Olaleye said, while providing insight into the contents of the soon-to-belaunched book. In addition, other providers, such as the Value-Added Services (VAS) provider, which ride on the networks of the main telecoms networks, also tell their stories.

He said that he is very optimistic that only ICT can salvage the ailing economy of Nigeria saying that he had in the last 20 years been urging the Federal Government to shift its effort to that sector of the economy. Ekeh, a serial digital entrepreneur told journalist in an interview in Lagos that “If past administrations invested heavily in this sector, the ICT sector would be earning more revenue than oil with solid hopes of prosperity for the majority, mostly for those from poor homes who have the brain power.” According to him, global statistics have shown credible trend in countries resolving their employment challenges through structured investment in the ICT sector noting that the devices, software, solution and e-commerce sector could employ well over 45 million Nigerians with solid future. While lamenting the neglect of the potentials impact of the ICT sector on the economy, he said, “Is it that our leaders and their advisers are too blind to see future measureable wealth? I am not sure what we are still waiting for to save this nation.” He added: “Is it not a shame we are all waiting for oil prices to move up for the nation to survive? We are ignoring what we

have control of and putting all our hopes on nature in this 21st century.” Ekeh whose son founded Yudala, the online shopping that made a mark last year using drone to deliver items to buyers, revealed that the shocks and gaps in the economy at the moment represent current realities that the nation must find creative ways to navigate. “In this 21st century, no one has a business being poor, especially considering the proliferation of Information and Communication Technology tools and the internet which has put the world at everyone’s fingertips. Today, you no longer have to physically leave your environment to gain access to formal education”, he said. The Zinox chairman said that to take Nigeria to the level of development the country must urgently build a knowledge economy saying that with a computer and access to the Internet, a variety of degrees can be acquired at your convenience. “Many years ago, I had realised that the power to liberate millions of our youths lay in the internet and associated technologies hence, the decision behind our “Computerise Nigeria” project, which we launched in 2001”, he recalled.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Brands & Marketing

Consumer value, media key to future marketers’ survival – Report If reports in marketing research align in one area, it is the realization that marketers who unite consumer value, digital and media touch points in new ways in 2016 will have an edge in their future marketing campaigns. In this analysis, DAVID AUDU examines Milward Browns’ market projections in 2016.

illward Brown, in its 2016 annual digital and media predictions outline the need for marketers to optimize video and mobile advertising, evaluate connected TV opportunities and develop inspiring branded contents, says Millward Brown, a marketing research agency. One prediction in the report identifies the opportunity for marketers to develop clearer consumer journey maps, from awareness to purchase, in order to better integrate sales and media touch points. This opportunity, the report noted, “will become possible as digital platforms blur to a level the lines between these two previously separate disciplines, allowing marketers to optimize the consumer journey more than ever before”. “Three key trends drive this opportunity: the consumer journey becoming device and channel agnostic as people buy at the moment and in the way that best suits them; the transformation of e-commerce sites from pure sales channels into media touch points; and the transformation of ad creative that links directly to purchase opportunities on digital channels”. The report explained further that marketers who develop detailed consumer journey maps will be able to follow consumers along this new path to purchase, allowing them to identify the most powerful touch points from both sales and marketing along the way, stressing that this will give brand owners the power to deliver the seamless brand experience that consumers desire and drive brand, market share and sales outcomes, simultaneously and in harmony. “Sales and media touch points have traditionally been separate, but changes to the digital landscape and consumer behavior now allow marketers to unify them for the first time,” said Global Brand Director for Digital at Millward Brown, Duncan Southgate. “In 2016 we expect advertisers to map marketing contexts to an integrated consumer journey so that sales and brand-building content complement rather than compete with each other.” Millward Brown also anticipates additional important changes in the world’s media landscape and describes in the 2016 predictions how marketers can “get media right”. These include, one, brands will invest more heavily in online, and particularly, mobile video advertising in 2016, yet many will waste millions by neglecting to adapt content across formats. “Smart marketers will involve digital considerations much earlier in the creative process and pre-test more assiduously”. Two, connected TV or Smart TV will take over the television viewing experience, bringing profound changes to the way people consume content. “Experimentation with workable addressable TV advertising models will begin, although live TV advertising will remain dominant for now”. And three, in a bid to overcome low digital advertising recep-

Marketing for growth

ONE KEY CHALLENGE TO RESOLVE IS THAT THIS CHANGE IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENACT WITHIN THE CONFINES OF TRADITIONAL MARKETING PRACTICES. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PROGRESS EXISTS AMONG MARKETERS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SHIFTING INDUSTRY DYNAMICS AND RE-INVENT THEIR APPROACHES TO MARKETING PLANNING AND EXECUTION tivity, more brands will become content creators. “As marketing moves from disruption to attraction, inspiring content marketing will move up the corporate agenda. “The recent rise of ad blocking software means that consumer receptivity will be a big issue in 2016. Brands that fail to target consumers appropriately, adapt content across formats or rely solely on paid advertising content are unlikely to build engagement and drive sales. The ability to connect in digital platforms at a time when consumers are willing to do so, and with great content in a format that is not intrusive, will separate the successful marketers from those that simply annoy,” said Southgate. The reported noted that though marketers have embraced the concept of creating seamless and rewarding brand experiences along the consumer journey, however, the complexities of coordinating across the multitude of retailer and media touch points that exist today make consumer Journey marketing difficult to put into practice. “One key challenge to resolve is that this change is virtually impossible to enact within the confines of traditional marketing practices. The opportunity for progress exists among marketers who take advantage of shifting industry dynamics and re-invent their approaches to marketing planning and execution”. The report also overview the role of technology in the consumer journey experience, noting that while technology enables consumers to seek products, content and experi-

ences when they want it through whatever means that best suits them given the present moment and cir¬cumstances, the research goes further to demon¬strates how consistent brand messaging across different mediums allows traditional media to amplify the impact of digital assets. “Treating online and mobile like uniform media has led to an over reliance on behavioral metrics such as clicks, visits and interactions. These provide a narrow view of online and mobile as purely behavioral response channels. This overlooks the full potential of these platforms as brand building and demand-driving communication channels”. The best digital marketers recognize the different contexts of the diverse types of digital content. They know that one size fits all media mix planning is no more appropriate within the digital mix than it is across the wider mix. Therefore, effective digital marketers, according to the report, will take a trick out of the old media world’s playbook and identify the most relevant digital environments to deliver against their brand’s objectives. “They will assign each form different roles and integrate them with the wider non digital mix, so that everything works synergistically to maximize the impact of marketing on brand performance. “Today’s media mix is not simply TV, Magazines, Radio, OOH, Online, and Mobile. Online video content, news and information sites, special interest content sites, social me-

dia, gaming, online retail, review platforms, and search are all distinct elements within the new media mix, noted Head of Media & Digital, Millward Brown, James Galpin. “Until recently such sophisticated digital marketing was not in play, but this is rapidly changing. Throughout 2016 and beyond, more brand marketers will move away from viewing online and mobile as an undifferentiated single form of media. Instead, they’ll work across a media mix that more accurately reflects the diverse media content forms delivered through these platforms. These marketers will be far more successful. “People have always consumed media with different mind¬sets and moods dependent on the content. This is why newspapers and magazines are treated as two separate media, though both are text and images on paper”. Today the media world has evolved through digital. We now have social media, search, online video, streaming music services, gaming, and diverse forms of text and image based content sites. From a consumer’s perspective these are not one uniform medium. Each content form plays a distinct role in people’s lives and they have very different mindsets and moods while consuming them, Galpin said. “In this context, the best digital marketers will recognize that online and mobile are not consumer ‘media’, they are technological platforms that distribute a variety of diverse new media forms. Many forms have parallels in the traditional media world, e.g., news sites and newspapers. Others such as social media and search are altogether new”. He said these diverse forms are not all lean forward, task-focused activities. “Many offer more lean back moments. Online provides just as much escapism and distraction as traditional media ever has. Everyone who has a smartphone or a tablet knows that for every shopping related action taken there are multiple moments of seeking gratification and diversion unrelated to buying things”. The report noted that advertising won’t work in the same way across media moments as diverse as these, even if the same creative formats are used, adding that the media context remains a key part of the message. “People may be more open to interacting with brands online while using search, reading reviews or visiting retail sites but this doesn’t mean this is where a brand’s full digital media budget should be invested. This will not maximize business performance. “Across both digital and traditional media, brands maximize performance by building consumers’ predisposition toward their brand, and by efficiently harvesting response from those who have been persuaded. These different digital forms can do both, but some will be better used for the former and some for the latter. Brands should do both”.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Power Oil cooking competition finalists for training in U.S DAVID AUDU

hree finalists who emerged in the ongoing Season 2 of ‘Making of the Chef’ cooking competition will travel to the United States of America for further training. Creator of the project and the Creative Director, Rhodium Global Chef LLC, Mrs. Idono Gbenro announced that the finalists would be traveling to the United States of America with the Master Chef where they will go through further trainings in different international cuisines at Stratford University in battle for the ultimate title of ‘Top Chef’. The cooking completion was organized by Rhodium Global Chef LLC in partnership with Anchor Digital Media sponsored by vegetable oil brand, Power. Gbenro announced further that the contestant who eventually emerges as the winner ‘Top Chef’

would win up to 30,000 dollars in prize including receiving a membership from the prestigious American Culinary Federation. In his own remarks, the Head of Public Relations & Event, Tolaram Group, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju commended the organizers for the journey so far in the Season 2 of the competition while assuring them of a more robust sponsorship of the subsequent editions of the project. Ashiwaju also revealed during the ceremony that the brand -Power Oil has concluded plans to foot all travelling expenses of the top 3 finalists and the crew to the United States of America. He then urged the finalists to take full advantage of the opportunity offered them by the competition to become a world-class chef. The three finalists, Mr. Dapo Lambo, Mrs. Edna Ojuma and Miss Tobechi Ogu emerged top three contestants out of the 20 candidates that were selected from the audition stage

for camping, training and mentorship by the American Master Chef Edwin Sholly. Dapo Lambo from Lagos holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ambrose Ali University and works with Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. Mrs Edna Ojuma is a lawyer from Edo State, while Miss Tobechi Ogu, an HND holder in Business Administration who currently runs a private catering business hails from Imo State. Presenting the contestant to the project sponsor, Power Oil, at a ceremony held recently at the head office of Tolaram Group in Surulere Lagos, Gbenro explained that the finalists earned their place through commitment and real passion for cooking exhibited from the audition stage through the camping period. In their reactions, the finalists applauded the organisers of the competition and Power Oil for the sponsorship and support while promising to be good brand ambassadors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alcatel Onetouch among global top brands

lcatel Onetouch, a brand of TCL Communication, was recognized twice at an awards ceremony for the 20152016 global top brands hosted by International Data Group, IDG, during the 49th International Consumer Electronics Show, CES. the phone brand was among both the Global Smart Phone Top 10 and the Global Smart Connected Devices Brands Top 15. Brands such as Samsung, Apple, Huawei and Lenovo are also on both lists. The 10th annual event took place recently at the Wynn & Encore Hotel in Las Vegas. Selected by International Data Corporation, IDC, an American market research, analysis and consultancy firm, and IDG, its parent company, the lists were based on IDC’s market research results, with an emphasis on sales volume, brand awareness, R&D capabilities and technological innovation. “Nowadays, the achievement of Chinese smart connected devices and smartphone brands is

bringing a revolution of innovation to the global market,” said Josh London, Chief Marketing Officer of IDG Communications, at the awards ceremony. “The two lists announced are proof of that. Technological innovation has brought disruptive changes to the mobile phone and terminal industry, pushing them to embrace the Internet more deeply. Thus, in order to attract customers, smart connected device and smartphone brands worldwide need not only technical innovation but also more innovations regarding design, user experience and interaction.” TCL Communication’s portfolio of products is currently sold in over 170 countries worldwide; it has approximately 15,000 employees in China and overseas. In the year of 2015, TCL Communication’s total sales volume of handsets and other products grew 14 per cent year on year to 83,546,000 units, with sales volume of smart devices increasing year on year by 16 per cent to 48,004,000 units.

Cannes Lions moves to float £1bn stock market

L-R: Creative Director, Rhodium Chef Global LLC, Mrs Idono Gbenro, the three finalists, Mr. Dapo Lambo, Mrs. Edna Ojuma , Miss Tobechi Ogu and the Head of Public Relations & Event, Tolaram Group, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju during the unveiling ceremony of the three finalists for the Season 2 of the Making of the Chef com[petition held in Lagos recently.

Women models in adverts to reduce alcohol consumption – Heineken DAVID AUDU

n its efforts to take the message of responsible drinking to consumers globally, Heineken has created an advertisement called “moderate drinkers wanted” featuring women. The ad was created by Publicis Italy and will air across 30 markets worldwide from 13 January. The spot shows frustrated women striding through the city and singing I Need A Hero as drunken men slump and slumber in nightclubs and bars. At the end of the ad, a man charms the woman serving him drinks in a bar when he turns down a second bottle of Heineken and leaves with his faculties intact. Heineken released the ad after polling 5,000 of adults from 21-35 yearolds about their drinking and finding

that, among other things, wanting to be in control of their image and the threat of being shamed on social media was spurring them to drink less. Heineken’s communications manager, Agnieszka Gorecki, said they have observed this trend for moderation and the objective of the campaign is to encourage it”. The brand has been running ads that promote responsible drinking since 2011, beginning with its “sunrise belongs to moderate drinkers”, which was followed by its 2014 ad, “dance more, drink slow”. But this is the first time that the brand has attempted to enlist the help of women to promote the message. “Our target audience is still men, from the legal drinking age to 35,” said Gorecki. “But this time we wanted to use women as influencers. We believe that women play a strong role

in men’s lives and we began to think that they could help us make moderation more of an active choice.” Gorecki believes the campaign will be effective through its distinctiveness meaning that “at the point of consumption they recall the brand”. Heineken has put 10 per cent of its annual marketing budget into this campaign. The work was written by Michele Picci, art directed by Simone di Laus, and directed by Nicolai Fuglsig through MJZ London. The research on millennial’ drinking habits was conducted by Canvas8, on behalf of Heineken. According to the report, which polled 5,000 people across five countries, 59 per cent of millennials limit their alcohol consumption because they don’t want to lose control, while 36 per cent say they’ve been shamed by appearing drunk in pictures on social media.

he owner of Cannes Lions has taken a step towards a possible £1 billion London stock market flotation after filing documents this week to become a publicly listed company. Filings at Companies House show Ascential Group, which was known as Top Right Group until last month, set up a public limited company called Trident Floatco on 4 January. Trident Floatco renamed itself Ascential plc one day later and obtained a trading certificate for a public company – an administrative requirement for any business that wants to make shares available to the public. Setting up a plc does not mean Ascential is certain to go ahead with a flotation, also known as an initial public offering. Ascential Group, the holding company, is a private limited company at present. The joint owners, the private equity group Apax Partners and Guardian Media Group, the publisher of The Guardian, have been widely tipped to float or sell the business since last year. Reports last year suggested that Apax and GMG have also talked about a sale to private-equity buyers.

However, they may now be keen on a flotation after the success of Auto Trader, which they also previously jointly owned. Shares in Auto Trader soared 80 per cent last year after its IPO. Ascential’s last published accounts for 2014 show that it had earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £85.3 million and sales of £313 million. Typically, a business is valued at about ten to 12 times of EBITDA. Apax and GMG paid about £1.1 billion in 2008 to buy the group, then known as Emap, just before the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Cannes Lions, the annual festival for the advertising and creative industries, is seen as one of the most prized assets in the Ascential empire, which also owns the trade titles Drapers, Nursing Times and Retail Week, as well as the retail data company WGSN. Lions Festivals, the Ascential subsidiary responsible for Cannes Lions, has benefited from the ad industry’s strong growth in recent years and its latest accounts show that annual revenues rose 14 per cent to 55.2 million euro.

Burberry launches on Apple TV

urberry has become the latest big-name retailer to sign up for Apple TV, but it won’t be allowing purchases through its new app. Instead, the brand will use Apple TV as a marketing channel, livestreaming its upcoming menswear show today (11 January) and a performance by British singer Benjamin Clementine. Burberry is touting itself as the first luxury brand to broadcast a fashion show live on Apple TV,

although there is little by way of competition, with Gilt Groupe the only other luxury retailer on the platform. Burberry’s Apple TV app will also show make-up tutorials, archived runway footage and music performances from British artists. This is the latest marketing ‘lovein’ between Burberry and Apple, with the luxury brand the first to sign up for a dedicated brand channel on Apple’s subscription music service, Apple Music late last year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Media urged to help build system against corruption Leonard Okachie

oncerned by the canker worm of corruption that has almost drained the country at the moment, the media has been charged not only to lend support to a government that fight the corruption but to also help build a governance system that prevents it. The Director General of International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Mr. Lanre Arogundade gave this charge on Tuesday at a media tweet conference which held at the IPC Centre, Ogba, Lagos. Following recent disclosures, Arogundade in his welcome remarks, stated that there is no better time than now for the Nigerian media to perform its constructional role, by waging a war against corruption. He said: “ The disclosure that has so far been made with respect to the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of weapons for the fight against terrorism to other channels, shows vividly how corruption poses major danger to the development and survival of the country. “This is why the time has really come for the Nigerian media to, in greater detail, count and state the cost of corruption to our dear Natrion. What for example would the diverted $300Million Abacha lote, doner to our road networks, our hospitals, our educational instutions, our rural communities etc if it had been used for those purposes. The media must provide answers to questions like this and many more. “The Nigerioan media must go beyond the mere reporting of the EFFC’s dramatic arrests and the governments almost daily pronouncement that it would not relent in the war against corruption to look at the inadequacies in our institutional and legislative frameworks that make it so easy for politicians, and now a security adviser to have unrestrained access to the public treasury and bleed it dry.” “The point we are making at IPC is that as much as it is right for the media to lend support to a government that fight corruption, it would be the greater public interest if the media helps to build a governance system that prevents corruption.” However, the IPC boss told participants that the Media Tweet Conference (Tweet-a-thon) on the theme: ‘ International Best Practices in Transparency in Government and the role of

the media’ marked the commencement of a one-year Media and Transparency Watch project. He said that the project was being funded by the United States ConsulateGeneral in Lagos because “ the Consulate and IPC share a common vision of making the Nigerian media a lead change agent in the quest to institutionalise transparency and accountability in the country by devising mechanisms for the termination of the canker worms of corruption.” Arogundade stressed that the objective of the event was to promote media and public dialogue on the imperative of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption for good governance in Nigeria and as well enrich the content of media reports on transparency issues, among others. The interactive programme with with hashtag #Media4transparency had Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Frank Selling as the lead speaker while Editor, The Guardian newspaper, Martins Oloja, Chamberlain Usoh of CHANNELS TV and Jessica Tesoriero gave further perspectives as discussants. Participants were made up of select audience from the media, civil society groups and academics, physically present as well as others following on twitter and other social media channels.

A typical Nigerian newspaper stand

Nigeria’s first online auto-mechanic debuts Leonard Okachie

nline automobile industry in Nigeria moved a step up the ladder in providing convenience with the debut of an online automobile mechanic’s directory, Autobox. Autobox which started out as a purely e-commerce startup with a clear mission to supply genuine car parts to millions of Nigerian car owners, in a bid to give complete customer satisfaction for car owners to fix their cars by including a comprehensive list of certified auto mechanics in Nigeria. The website offers new and exciting features — the first of its kind in Nigeria & Africa at large. Autobox has partnered with Carmudi, Nigeria’s number one online site to reach car buyers and sellers offer only the best selection of automobile mechanics in Nigeria. Apart from using only genuine spare parts for repairs, the auto

mechanics will provide pre -vehicle purchase inspection, car diagnostics, repair and servicing. Speaking on the idea behind Autobox the Managing Director Charles Philip said “most car owners and buyers engage mechanics by referral even though some of them are not qualified to work on some car brands. Autobox has a large pool of certified auto mechanics who specialize in specific car brands and who have notable works shops or service centres and are willing to come to your home or office at a time booked by the car owner.” On the partnership with Carmudi Nigeria, Charles said “we are excited to work with Carmudi to offer this service to its first time car buyers and sellers. We are bringing a convenience and assurance of certified mechanics who will use genuine Autobox parts to fix cars for owners. Partnerships like these are important to growing trust in car owners across Nigeria. “Carmudi Nigeria is not just a car classified website; they also ensure they

provide convenience to car buyers and it is with this in mind that we partner with them. First time buyers will be able to have access to pre vehicle inspection and diagnostics at an affordable price by clicking the Autobox banner for the Carmudi Nigeria website. We will also publish car tips on the Carmudi Nigeria Journal.” Managing Director Carmudi Nigeria, Amy Muoneke said “it is exciting partnering with Autobox because we know the importance of finding a mechanic you can trust when you are about to purchase a car for the first time. Carmudi Nigeria is always finding ways to ensure we provide innovative solutions to problems that car buyers might face and this is one of such partnerships. With support from the Co-creation Hub, Autobox has grown its user base, network of reputable parts dealers, as well as improve its offerings to Nigerian car owners. The new and improved platform is a great improvement from the previous version.

Media

Thursday, January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ugwu receives Ynaija Person of the Year award Leonard Okachie

he airport cleaner who returned the sum of N12 million to its rightful owner, Josephine Ugwu has been presented with her award as Y!/ YNaija.com Person of the Year 2015. She was on December 31, 2015 selected among a shortlist of nominees including former president Goodluck Jonathan, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Attahiru Jega, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, Bishop David Oyedepo and others. ”Ugwu has through her singular act renewed our belief in the strength of character of every Nigerian. She exemplifies our capacity to do right in the face of daunting challenges, and her positive outlook to life is an inspiration to others who may find themselves in similar circumstances,” said Isime Esene, Managing Editor of YNaija.com. The 36-year-old awardee thanked the online news platform for recognizing her and advised other Nigerians to choose the path of honesty and accountability. The Y!/YNaija.com Person of the Year is awarded to individuals who have most visibly influenced the Nigerian society for good in the past year, breaking new boundaries or consolidating on gains – and driving the advancement of the public, especially young people. Past winners of the award include Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; tech industry trailblazer, Jason Njoku, and Obiageli Ezekwesili for championing the

L-R, RED Group Chief of Staff, Remi Ogunkayo; the awardee, Josephine Ugwu and Managing Editor, YNaija Isime Esene

idea of the ‘Office of the Citizen’. Y!/YNaija.com is a network of premium media brands – Y! TV, Y! Magazine, YNaija.com, Teen Y!, TeenYNaija.com, Y! 2015, YNaija2015.com – committed to

Media Abroad

Twitter adds live Periscope broadcasts to timelines

Beykpour

witter on Tuesday began weaving live Periscope video broadcasts into timelines streamed to its application tailored for Apple mobile devices. “Go LIVE and broadcast straight into Twitter!” the one-to-many messaging service’s chief and co-founder Jack Dorsey proclaimed in a tweet fired off at @Jack. “Huge new distribution for Periscopers around the world!” Twitter early last year bought the maker of the video streaming app Periscope amid surging interest in live video sharing. The mobile application lets people use smartphone cameras and microphones to live-stream what is happening around

them, complete with commentary. The rollout to Apple devices that commenced on Tuesday marked the first merging of Periscope with Twitter, and came with a promise that the livestreaming feature was heading for mobile devices powered by Google-backed Android software. “Both Twitter and Periscope show you what’s going on in the world, right now - whether that’s outside your window or across the globe,” Periscope chief and co-founder Kayvon Beykpour said in a blog post. “Today, we’re making it easier to see what’s happening by bringing Periscope broadcasts - both live and replay - directly to tweets.” More than 100 million Periscope broadcasts have been created since the service launched last year, according to Beykpour. Periscope broadcasts will automatically begin playing in people’s Twitter timelines on Apple devices, and go full screen if tapped upon, according to the company. Previously, one needed to tap a link to open a separate Periscope application on a smartphone. AFP

an evolving generation of Africans. Established in 2011, with a vision to provoke thought, inspire action and stimulate growth; it has become the leading media platform for young Africans

with reach across West, East and Southern Africa, influencing policy, opinion and leading on issues across sectors with a focus on governance, culture and technology.

Police attack journalists covering opposition in Uganda

ournalists covering the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Kizza Besigye came under fire from Police in Moroto under the command of the DPC George Obia - which attack left the equipment of the NTV crew destroyed. Trouble started after NTV journalists started filming a road block that had been erected along Moroto-Tapac road to block Dr Besigye from travelling to Tapac Subcounty-one of his strongholds in the Karamoja area, going by his performance in the 2011 polls. Mr Obia barred the NTV crew from filming the blockade - arguing that it was military equipment - which they could not film without permission-a directive they rejected. “Who has given you authority to document our military base. Bring all those cameras here [and] if not I am going to destroy everything,” Mr Obia threatened before attacking the NTV crew and destroying their camera. Government Intimidating Media, Civic Groups - Human Rights WatchGovernment Intimidating Media Houses - ReportUgandan Police, Bodyguard’s Family Row Over Death Claims Jobless Brotherhood Threaten to Disrupt Elections Over AineAine - Museveni Forgot My FamilyUganda Denies Banning Bobi Wine’s Song UCC Denies Banning Bobi Wine Dembe SongI Had to Take Matters in My Own Hands - Bobi Wine

Mr Francis Jjingo, a reporter with NTV who was part of the crew that came under attack, condemned the actions of the DPC disapprovals that were re-echoed by the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Commander Mr Richard Aruk. “I don’t know where this DPC was trained from I think he’s a DPC by mistake we have never experienced this kind of notorious DPC,” Mr Jingo said. Mr Aruk advised the journalists to lodge complaint for police to investigate the case against one of their own. “On behalf of police force am sorry for what happened but this is wrong. Journalists are very good people to deal with but it depends the way you handle them. I am very sorry for the incident,” Mr Aruk said. The RPC explained that the road block had been erected to intercept a vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident in Amudat and was suspected of using the same routebut not to block Dr Besigye. The Sunday attack on journalists marks the second time journalists covering Dr Besigye have been attacked by the police. Two journalists on December 22, last year came under attack as chaos broke out at a primary school in Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s Omoro County in Gulu District when Mr Oulanyah was accused of organising a gathering at the same time and venue Dr Besigye was supposed to hold his campaign rally. Source - Monitor

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Young & Next Generation

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

early 24 million children living in crisis zones are out of school, in 22 countries affected by conflict, the U.N.’s child agency UNICEF said in a report released Tuesday. According to the analysis, nearly one in four of the 109.2 million children of primary and lower secondary school age - typically between six and 15 years – living in conflict areas are missing out on their education. South Sudan has the highest proportion of out of school children with over half (51%) of primary and lower secondary age children not accessing an education. Niger is a close second with 47% unable to attend school, followed by Sudan (41%) and Afghanistan (40%). In a similar report released on December 22, 2015 UNICEF noted that violence and attacks against civilian populations in northeastern Nigeria and its neighbouring countries have forced more than one million children out of school. It stated that the number of children missing out on their education due to the conflict adds to the estimated 11 million children of primary school age who were already out of school in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger before the onset of the crisis. UNICEF Chief of Education Jo Bourne said: “Children living in countries affected by conflict have lost their homes, family members, friends, safety, and routine. Now, unable to learn even the basic reading and writing skills, they are at risk of losing their futures and missing out on the opportunity to contribute to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood.” In countries affected by conflict, collecting data on children is extremely difficult and therefore these figures may themselves not adequately capture the

Conflict: 24 million children out of school – UNICEF

Children in Internally Displaced peoples’ Camp in Nigeria

breadth and depth of the challenge. UNICEF fears that unless the provision of education in emergencies is prioritised, a generation of children living in conflict will grow up without the skills they need to contribute to their countries and economies, exacerbating the already desperate situation for millions of children and their families. Education continues to be one of the least funded sectors in humanitarian appeals. In Uganda, where UNICEF is providing services to South Sudanese refugees, education faces an 89% funding gap.

“School equips children with the knowledge and skills they need to rebuild their communities once the conflict is over, and in the short-term it provides them with the stability and structure required to cope with the trauma they have experienced.

“Schools can also protect children from the trauma and physical dangers around them. When children are not in school, they are at an increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment into armed groups,” continued Jo Bourne. The report says that the agency is working to create safe environments where children can learn and play to restore normalcy to their lives, stressing that despites these efforts security restrictions and funding shortfalls are affecting education and the distribution of learning materials in conflict situations.

Youths warned against destroying their future

ormer Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Alhaji Aminu Dabo,has advised Nigerian youths to avoid acts capable of destroying their future. He made the call when the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) presented him with an award in Kano on Tuesday.

He said the advice was necessary in view of the fact that they were the future leaders of the country. He advised that ``as future leaders of Nigeria, youths are supposed to exhibit good conduct and avoid anything that will destroy their future.’’ He commended the Association for finding him worthy of the award and

Youth restiveness. Such act can destroy thier future

urged members to face their studies with the seriousness it deserved to enable them to contribute their quota toward the development of the country. Earlier, the NANS Deputy Senate President, Mr Justin Nathaniel, said the decision to honour the recipient was in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the society. He said , “This award is given to the recipient in recognition of his immense contributions toward societal development, educational uplift, youth development and service to the nation.’’ He called on the elite and wealthy individuals in the society to contribute their quota toward the development of education in the state and the country at large. The Association honoured the former NPA boss with the Grand Commander of Nigerian Students award. Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has earmarked N200 million for the training and empowerment of 500 youths, according to Gov. Aminu Masari. The governor disclosed this on Tuesday in Katsina, while receiving an interim report of the state’s Economic and Investment Summit committee.

He said that the decision was aimed at making youths self-reliant and would enhance socio-economic activities in the state. Masari said that his administration would continue to promulgate policies that would improve the living conditions of the people and urged the committee to involve local, small and medium-scale businesses in its activities. Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur, said that the theme of the summit was ‘’unlocking the investment potential for sustainable development.’’ Tukur said that the committee identified agri-business, power, solid minerals, property development and tourism as potential investment sectors that the state had. He further revealed that the committee would discuss with investors from countries like U.S.A., UK, Brazil, China, India, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, among others. He urged the government to mark out reserved lands for both industrial layout and residential purposes to attract investors.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, January 14, 2016

DG charges corps members on NYSC’s skills acquisition programme

Corps members in tug-of-war exercise at an orientation camp.

Joel Ajayi Abuja

orps members nationwide have been urged to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme initiated by the NYSC scheme to enable them become self-reliant after the service year. It will be recalled that in March 2012, the NYSC leadership took a bold step by introducing skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes into the orientation course content, in order to raise an army of entrepreneurs that will drive the economy and not job seekers that will trudge the streets in search of scarcely available jobs.

The Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, gave the advice in his New Year Message to the over 240,000 corps members currently undergoing national service adding that the scheme is working hard to expand the skill sets in year 2016. Olawumi highlighted the different skill sets which corps members could choose from namely; Agro-Allied, Culture/Tourism, Cosmetology, ICT, Construction, Power/Energy, Food Processing and Preservation, Construction, Environment, Horticulture and Landscaping, Education, Automobile and Film and Photography. However, he advised them to consolidate on the skills they acquired during the SAED training on camp by utilizing

their free time to engage in post-camp training. He added that the scheme, out of its determination to make the corps members self-reliant and become employers of labour, went into partnership with the Bank of Industry to come up with an empowerment package called the BOI – NYSC Graduates Empowerment Fund (GEF). He maintained that one thousand corps members, who scaled through an online business ideas competition, were recently trained under the GEF. According to him, the trained corps members will be required to submit their applications for loans under the GEF, and each of them will be qualified for a loan of between five hundred thousand and two million naira. Olawumi enjoined the corps members to remain patriotic and contribute meaningfully to the development of their host communities and the country as a whole. He also advised them to avoid making negative comments about the country. He reaffirmed he management’s commitment to their welfare while also urging them to channel any grievances through appropriate channels. He added that in the event of any crisis, they should quickly contact the NYSC Distress Call Centre and also make use of the Director-General’s Twitter handle. NYSC’s boss commended members of staff of the Scheme for their hard work, dedication and loyalty which led to the successes recorded in the past year, and called on them to remain loyal, diligent and committed to the ideals of the Scheme.

Love Is...The Musical hits Eko Hotel Leonard Okachie

&B artiste Timi Dakolo will be at the top of the bill on Friday ,February 5 at the third edition of “Love Is…The Musical” holding at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Telling a musical story of three female characters - a poet, a professional dancer and a businesswoman - who are on a journey in search of love, the show follows their journey of discovery as they attempt to answer the question “What is Love?” Preceded by an art exhibition entitled “Love Becomes Art” at 6pm, the night will also witness comedy sets from comedians Gordons, Igos and Emma Oh Ma God as well as performances by Yinka Davies and dance group Ijodi. Completing the night’s Alist lineup are Efe Paul The Poet and The Poet Donna. In the mind of event Producer, Clementine Vervelde, “Love Is...The Musical” is set to be the richest and most nuanced in the series thus far. In her words,

“The idea behind this edition of Love Is…The Musical is to take the exploration of the theme of love to a new elemental level that resonates with everyone at a very deep part of their soul. The reference to a journey or a quest or a search of love is one that the audience will understand and connect with. At the end of the day, those in attendance will go

home having watched more than just a show, but having enriched their personal experience and understanding of what love is.” Created and directed by Ice Nweke, “Love Is…The Musical” features a 40-member cast and crew and it is produced by Ixtreme and Limitless Mind Africa.

Performance at the previous edition of ‘Love Is...The Musical’

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Science for Kids Why is lion called king of the jungle?

Lion

ion is known to be the King of Beasts (“king of the jungle” would be a misnomer) across most cultures of the world. This is mostly because of a lion’s appearance and partly because of the social structure of a pride and the lion’s role in the pride. A lion does possess a royal look and attitude. Add to that a tremendous roar that can be heard over miles across the Savannah. Also, living in a pride, a lion doesn’t need to hide itself or avoid any other animals including human beings. A lion lives in the open and controls its territory like a true king, sporting a ‘kingly’ mane and heading a pride that feeds him. Cultural Influence From the ancient Greeks (“lions’ reputation for kindness and magnanimity was extended by Pliny and Aristotle”, Page 286, Ref. 28 ) to the present day Europeans and inhabitants of New World, the lion is a more familiar animal than the tiger. Being confined within the limits of Asia didn’t do the tiger any favor in spreading its word out whereas the lion gained familiarity to far-off places through the colonial powers. Also, a wildlife tourist paying a fortune for a tour would rather prefer to see a whole pride of wild cats that can be spotted easily and observed for a long a time, than catching a glimpse of an elusive cat for half a minute after waiting for two days! Bruce Patterson correctly points out that “Maned lions are practically ubiquitous in European heraldry, which is remarkable in view of the fact that lions have not lived in Europe for ten millennium.” (Page 139, Ref. 22). The Europeans’ over-fascination with the lion is evident in the fact that some European countries have chosen lion, and not any native animal, in their national emblem and/ or coat of arms. Countries like Albania, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, United Kingdom etc are some examples. To a rational mind this may seem unbelievable but that’s the way it is. Influence of religion The lions, being much more visible to human beings than have been the tigers, got entry into myths in a hugely greater proportion than did the tigers. The Bible of the Christians and the Geeta (it is debatable, though, since Geeta doesn’t mention ‘lion’, it just says ‘mrigendra’, ‘the king of the beasts’ that may mean either lion or tiger) of the Hindus both mention the lion as the mightiest of the wild beasts or the king of beasts. So it has got accepted as a sign of royalty. Even outside the realm of Geeta and Bible and as early as the age of the ancient Egyptian Civilization, lions had religious significance. As Christianity spread across the world, every word of the Bible was challenged - and the missionaries and other devout people had to invent ways to ‘produce’ proofs. Lifestyle Being the head of a pride, a lion has to ‘rule’ his ‘subjects’ (even though very few) to some extent. Also, being in a pride means that it can live in the open, and not hide in the jungle. Source : BigCats

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road Street on Lagos Island used to be a centre of attraction for business owners given its unique locations and nearness to the Apapa Sea Port; hence, it serves as the headquarters of some major organisations in the country. However, this attraction seems to be dwindling owing to some factors as highlighted by experts. The intention of every building developer or owners of commercial structures is to have value for their money and returns on investment in form of rents or lease of such properties for a period of time. However, it is a bad investment having committed so much capital to put up such gigantic structures only for such structures to be lying waste, yielding nothing in term of returns and depreciating in value over time because potential would-be occupants no longer find such properties attractive. Unfortunately, some of these abandoned structures that today adorn Broad Street and many parts of Lagos Island have been taken over by hoodlums who use such buildings as their hide out to perpetrate their nefarious and underhand dealings such as rape, kidnapping and smoking of hard drugs. Many examples of such structures can be found on Broad Street, Marina, Eko Idumota all in Lagos Island to mention but a few. However, a discerning mind would be tempted to ask the question, why are the buildings on the hitherto attractive locations on the Lagos Island suddenly become non attractive to business owners? Mr. Afolabi Adedeji a property consultant in trying to dissect this question stated that many factors were responsible for this. According to Adedeji; “There are so many factors that are responsible for this trend, one of such factors is the economic meltdown of the late 80s down to the present time. ‘’The economic downturn has whittled down peoples’ purchasing power, leading to their inability to afford the high cost of rent in these areas.” “Another important reason for this is the pattern of structures on the Island which do not conform to the contemporary demands. Adedeji said that developers in these areas, years back, did not take into cognizance the establishment of amenities such as hospitals, schools, residential plans among others which hitherto, supposed to add value to such structures on the Island. ‘’For instance, most of these structures do not have parking spaces for vehicles and because of the growing population;

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Concern mounts over increasing unoccupied buildings on Lagos Island some of the spaces meant for parking purposes have been used to erect structures such as shops and warehouses and so on to generate additional income for the owners even though, additional structure was not in the original master plan of such locations”. The property consultant further stated that developers and business owners in Lagos State have found other areas good enough to site their businesses other than Lagos Island. “There is a change in the taste of business owners and developers in Lagos State and its environs for more affordable, spacious and serene environment to establish their businesses. Places on the mainland like Ikeja, Gbagada, Ilupeju to mention but a few, have taken the shine off Lagos Island in terms of attraction and preference as they are more appealing, well planned, and more affordable for average business owners, hence, the influx of people into these new areas. He added that the movement of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja serve as a major contributor downward value for properties in the Island as most businesses and headquar-

ters of key organisations that were formerly located on the Island have moved to the new nation’s capital, Abuja. Key government ministries like the army headquarters, Federal Radio Corporation National Hospitals, Federal Secretariat among others that were formerly on Lagos Island have been moved to Abuja since its creation. Adedeji said all these contributed to the arrays of empty structures that now dotted many streets on the Island”. He, however, gave some clues as to what could be done to reverse this trend. Adedeji, who said hope is not however, not lost on such investment, advised that experts in building constructions such as Structural Engineers, Architects Quantity Surveyors and the like should always be consulted before construction takes place in the first place. These consultants will give professional advice regarding structures befitting of such acres of land. They can also make a projection of what the environment will look like in the next 10 to 100 years to come. ‘’With these experts in building constructions on your side, you will understand the capac-

ity of the land you are building on in order to put up the right structures in place,’’ he said. ‘’For examples, there are some structures with helipad and underground car park facilities which would-be occupants are looking for, that are obviously lacking in some of the structures on the Island”. He however, admitted that some of those structures could be redesigned to conform to the contemporary demands. “If you visit a place like the Banana Island and its environs in Ikoyi area of Lagos, you will discover that there is a new twist in the design of some of the old structures to meet up with modern tastes and demands. He nevertheless, stated that there is no justification for having structures that are otherwise supposed to be yielding some level of income to the owners and the state lying fallow. The expert said it is an economic aberration as such structures could still be used for certain social and economic purposes if they are properly managed. The old Ikoyi Federal Secretariat is a typical example of this kind of abandoned struc-

An empty building on Broad Street, Lagos

tures. You can imagine the depreciation this building has suffered over the years due to neglect. This building could be converted to a residential building, schools or other useful purposes rather than allowing it to keep wasting away he lamented”. Another important point to consider on this issue is the affordability of the rents in these areas. The rents are not within the reach of an average Lagos residence even if he wants to overlook the earlier highlighted factors. A situation where the rent on a small room apartment on the Island costs as high as N500, 000 a yearly is very much on the high side for the average residents. Adedeji concluded that government should make frantic efforts not only to ensure that structural master plan and layouts are followed by building contractors in order to reflect the features of ideal structures, but should also ensure that rents fees are controlled by regulatory agencies in these areas in order to protect the interest of would-be occupants from property owners.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Index slumps 3.6% as market outlook dims further Johnson Okanlawon

he benchmark index of equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, dropping 3.6 percent to near a three-and-halfyear low. With the All-Share Index depressing by 1000 points, it represents 3.56 per cent of the market turnover. The Market Capitalisation also dipped by N320 billion to close at N8.953 trillion from N8. 953 trillion recorded the preceding day. As the market has become besieged by increasing selling pressure it no longer can resist, investment analysts noted that investors appear to be increasingly looking to

alternative investment vehicles to complement equities. The alternative avenue, said DLM Securities Limited, may provide options to better manage market risks and generate superior returns. “In our view, the presentation of the 2016 National Budget which was expected to restore investors’ confidence only provided a short-lived effect; as investors express pessimism about the near term outlook for the market. “With the absence of a catalyst and given current market trend, the ASI is likely to hit levels last seen in 2011. This raises concerns on the direction of

the market which bothers on a likely recession similar to that seen in 2008 and 2009,” the firm added. Nestle Nigeria Plc was the biggest loser among the three losers on the table, dropping by N2.26 or 9.32 per cent to close at N26.50 per share. Dangote Cement Plc followed with N7.65 or five per cent to close at N145.45 per share, while Seven Up Plc declined by N7.00 or 3.85 per cent to close at N175.00 per share. However, Ashaka Cement Plc led the gainers’ table with N2.26 or 9.32 per cent to close at N26.50 per share. Custodian Insurance Plc came second with 14 kobo or 3.45 percent to close at

N26.50 per share, while NEM Insurance Plc dipped by two kobo or 3.08 percent to close at N67 kobo per share. Diamond Bank Plc was the most traded equity with 88.682 million shares worth N177.365 million. Unity Bank Plc trailed with 70 million shares valued at N35 million, while Zenith Bank Plc traded 51.444 million shares worth N564.65 million. Investors also committed N46.388 million to buy 35.72 million shares of Fidelity Bank Plc, while United Bank for Africa Plc sold 31.81 million shares at N86.13 million. In all, investors traded 369.23 million shares valued at N1.68 billion in 2,887 deals.

Naira exchanges N300 to dollar at black market Johnson Okanlawon

he naira hit a new trough of 300 per dollar on the black market yesterday, weighed down by sliding oil prices and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, decision to curb dollar supply. The unofficial market accounts for less than five percent of total dollar trades in Nigeria. The currency and stock markets have been hard hit by the persistent fall in crude, triggering a fall in government revenues and exit of foreign investors from the local bourse. Brent crude, which

gives Nigeria around 95 per cent of its foreign earnings, fell to $30 a barrel for the first time in twelve years on Tuesday. Head of Africa Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank, Samir Gadio, said, “With pressure on foreign reserves and oil prices at $30 per barrel, devaluation is now unavoidable. The issue will be the quantum and methodology.” The CBN on Monday stopped the sale of dollars to retail foreign exchange operators saying they were using up the country’s foreign reserves for illegal transactions and selling the dollar above

the bank’s official rate of N197. On Wednesday, bureaux de change traders were quoting to sell dollars at a record low of between N290 to N300 citing thin liquidity. The Acting President of Bureaux De Change Association, Aminu Gwadabe, said the market is facing acute dollar shortages, even many people who want to buy at 300 naira cannot find the dollar. “There is cut of (dollar) supply to the market. The BDC sub-sector has been murdered. We are not coping. The naira is going to head northwards. There is no solution in sight,” he la-

mented. The Head of Investment Research, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, said the stoppage of forex sale to the BDCs meant that the CBN wanted everybody to apply to the banks for dollars. “But we feel the pressure now will move from the BDCs to the parallel market. We will see significant spike in the value of the naira at the parallel market because the little supply to the BDCs have also helped to cushion the demand at the parallel market,” he added.

Stocks: China trade surprise brings relief

tock markets in Europe and Asia rose and oil price rose yesterday after Chinese trade data cooled concerns over the world’s second biggest economy, steadying money and currency markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Japan’s Nikkei index jumped 2.9 per cent and futures markets pointed to a higher opening on Wall Street after China reported exports dipped just 1.4 per cent in dollar terms in December, compared with forecasts of an eight per cent drop. A four per cent fall in imports was also much smaller than many had feared, but the reaction was not uniformly positive. Prices for copper - of which China is the world’s biggest

consumer - rose, but iron ore prices fell and Shanghai shares themselves fell by about two per cent. Traders said the mood on many markets was still shaky after an extremely volatile start to 2016, driven by worries over conflict in the Middle East, China’s finances and the fallout from low oil prices. “Markets seem to be stabilizing and moving higher as sentiment is turning. The yuan is no longer moving lower, but each and every piece of data from China will be looked at with much attention,” said BNP Paribas Fortis Global Markets’ head of research, Philippe Gijsels. All Europe’s major markets gained more than 1 percent while Asian markets saw their

first solid rally of the year, suggesting that some believe Beijing has done enough to gain control of the yuan for now. Overnight interest rates in Hong Kong, jacked up to 94 per cent on Tuesday, were back near eight per cent. More stability in China would also leave the way clearer for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this year and the brighter tone drove the dollar about half a percent higher to 118.16 yen and up a third of cent against the euro. Australia’s dollar, often a proxy for China on major currency markets, gained 0.6 percent. “It is hardly surprising that safe haven currencies like the yen are under pressure. However, it is questionable how

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

N196.98 Market indicators All-Share Index 25,103.05 points Market capitalisation 8.63trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ASHAKACEM

24.24

26.50

2.26

9.32

CUSTODYINS

4.06

4.20

0.14

3.45

NEM

0.65

0.67

0.02

3.08

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

OKOMUOIL

36.15

32.64

-3.51

-9.71

ZENITHBANK

12.08

10.93

-1.15

-9.52

IKEJAHOTEL

3.27

2.96

-0.31

-9.48

UBA

2.97

2.79

-0.18

-6.06

NESTLE

820.00

779.00

-41.00

-5.00

GLAXOSMITH

30.00

28.50

-1.50

-5.00

CONTINSURE

1.00

0.95

-0.05

-5.00

DANGCEM

153.10

145.45

-7.65

-5.00

ACCESS

4.60

4.37

-0.23

-5.00

GUARANTY

17.25

16.39

-0.86

-4.99

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description long this risk appetite will last,” said Lutz Karpowitz, currency strategist at Commerzbank.

US Dollar

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.29

105.25

10.59

106.25

9.77

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.46

109.93

12.38

110.93

12.04

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.08

109.38

12.53

110.38

12.23

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.04

114.72

12.81

115.72

12.59

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.17

107.21

12.75

108.21

12.56

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.52 81.13

12.91

82.13

12.73

Closing Market Prices of January 13, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

14-Apr-16

4.17

4.21

WAUA

270

USD

196.98

14-Jul-16

7.02

7.27

EURO

214

05-Jan-17

8.85

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

2.1250

POUNDS STERLING

293

8.1344

9.5454

SDR

273

NIBOR

11.0060 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, January 14, 2016

3 killed, 28 missing after raid on ex-militant’s houses

... group calls for NHRC intervention Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

o fewer than three persons were feared dead, following a raid on two

houses of a former militant leader and Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Soboma Jackrish, by a combined team of police operatives last

week. One of the counsels to Mr Jackrish, Higher King, told journalists at a joint press conference addressed by a Coalition of Civil Society Groups

the governor’s records on security. He reeled out the cases of kidnapping in the state since the electoral process started including the abduction of Wilson shortly after an event where Dickson formally declared for a second term.

Jackrish alleged, “We saw and recovered their bodies after some people saw their bodies floating on the river. As at today, the whereabouts of 28 people are yet to be identified, while countless others are being detained by the police.” King stated that a group of human rights lawyers, including himself have approached the court to seek the release of the 28 detained people, who are mostly youths. The police are yet to arraign them in court. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Rivers State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Mohammad, while reviewing operations of the command in 2015, said the police will soon brief the press on its operations at Soboma’s homes in Buguma and Degema in Degema Local Government Area. But when contacted on the recent development, Mohammad said he could not comment on the incident. Two homes belonging to Jackrich were last week raided by a combined team of operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad; men of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, and mobile policemen. The coalition of civil society groups in Rivers

State in a press statement, read by Eugene Odey, a lawyer on Wednesday, called on the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, “to immediately come to Rivers State to access the extent of destructions to the affected properties for proper assessment and to ensure that adequate compensation are paid for damages to properties during the invasion.” The group described the invasion of the homes of another ex-militant leader, Chief Solomon Ndigbara, also known as (Osama bin Laden), in Bua-Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area, and Mguoba, in Port Harcourt, on Janaury 10, and the burning of the Abuja Water front “as the height of repression, only experienced under the most draconian military regimes.” The press statement was jointly signed by N.N. Naazigha-Lue, of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, NADL; Eugene Odey, a lawyer, from the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR; Sunny Zorvah from Vulnerable Persons and Environmental Sustainability Initiative, VUPESI; and O.C.Higher King from the Higher King Human Rights, HKHR.

one`s urine so as to nip in the bud any kidney-related problem before the issue gets out of hand. Speaking at a roundtable discussion with journalists in Calabar, Tuesday evening, lead speaker for the kidney experts, Dr Emmanuel Edet Effa, who spoke in the presence of Director of Cochrene Nigeria, Professor Martins Meremikwu, urged people to desist from using herbal remedies if they wanted to stay alive and charged them to seek the services of kidney experts rather than patronizing quacks. The roundtable discussion by Cochrane Nigeria with media men took place at the Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases

Research and Prevention. The doctors asked the people to desist forthwith from continuous use of assorted pain killer drugs, which are not prescribed by medical expert, stressing that overuse of pain killer drug has been known to aggravate chronic kidney disease. Effa blamed several Nigerians for failing to submit themselves for medical check-up, cautioning that undiagnosed or untreated kidney problems could escalate to serious health complicated issues. He maintained that recent studies revealed that 24 million Nigerians were suffering from chronic kidney disease,

adding that 94,000 of the figure were in Cross River State. The kidney experts warned against the use of urine therapy, as a panacea for kidney related problems stressing that the urine therapy was not research-based or proven to have curative properties as believed. ‘’They claimed that about 26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at risk. In Nigeria, about 1 in 7 people have one degree of chronic kidney disease or the other (i.e. about 14.2%). This translates roughly to 24 million Nigerians. This research covers the last five years,” Effa said.

in Rivers State that three persons, who were at Jackrich’s residence at Buguma, in Asari-Toru Local Government, when the policemen invaded the residence fled into Buguma waterfront and got drowned.

L – R: Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; PDP National Vice President, South-South, Dr. Cairo Ojuogbo; Special Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Fyneman Wilson and State SSG, Dr. Edmond Allison Oguru, acknowledging cheers from the audience during a meeting of all political appointees in the state, at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

Gunmen abduct 105-year-old Sylva running mate’s mother Osahon Julius Yenagoa

here was palpable tension and outrage in Bayelsa State, yesterday, following the abduction of Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, 105 years old mother of Chief Wilberforce Igiri, running mate to governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva. Madam Ebifeghe was abducted from her house in Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state in unclear circumstances believed to be politically motivated. The unidentified gunmen were said to have stormed Foropa at about 1am in two speedboats when their target was fast asleep. The armed kidnappers were said to have shot sporadically into the air to scare Ebifeghe’s neighbours before breaking into her apartment to seize her. The Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation, SICO, campaign team of APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva and Igiri, condemned the abduction in a press conference yesterday. SICO’s Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, asked the PDP and its

governorship candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson, to lower the political tension in the state and lead by example. Egba said Dickson seemed to be preaching violence and insulting APC leaders in all his public events. He said the increase in kidnapping, sea piracy and other criminalities had overwhelmed the governor and made nonsense of all his touted achievements on security. He said: “This is only the latest in a rash of kidnapping, sea piracy that have apparently overwhelmed security agencies in the state. Last year, the uncle and guardian of our governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, also died in the hands of kidnappers. However, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Media Team, Mr. Esueme Kikile, while condemning the abduction of Igiri’s mother, asked the APC to look inwards. He said the APC’s efforts to indict the governor and the PDP were wild and unfounded allegations, adding that the government has raised the issue of security breaches in the state since the APC and its candidate started their electoral pro-

cess. Kikile, who is also the Commissioner for Information, insisted that investigations by the government revealed that the people behind recent spate of kidnapping and sea piracy were people hell bent in rubbishing

Prolonged use of herbal remedies may cause kidney disease –Experts

Richard Ndoma Calabar

wo medical doctors working with Haemodialysis Unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, yesterday warned young people against the continuous use of herbal remedies, which according to scientific research, have proved to be responsible for Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD. The consultants phys i c i a n / N e p h ro l o g i s t , who work in conjunction with Cochrane Nigeria, a group the promotes intervention in healthcare, have also advised young people to always seek regular check of their urine to ascertain the protein and albumen present in

North

Thursday, January 14, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ortom, Al-Makura seek closer ties

L-R: Executive Secretary TETFUND, Prof, Suleiman Bogoro; Director Executive Secretary Office , Mallam Aliyu Na’iya and Director, Monitoring and Evaluation , Ach. Matthew Abu, during an interactive meeting with Senate committee on the allegedly missing N200billion TETFUND money in Abuja, yesterday.

James Danjuma KATSINA

lorry loaded with concealed hard drugs has been intercepted by officials of the National Drag Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Katsina State. The lorry, which was intercepted on Tuesday, was said to have been travelling from one of the states in the South East. Speaking on the issue yesterday, the state’s NDLEA Commander, Mrs. Maryam Musa, said the interception was made possible following a tip-off her men received on the lorry’s movement. She said the lorry was “loaded with different hard drugs concealed in different paint containers and cartons”. According to her, part of the lorry’s content was meant for local consumption, while the rest was meant to be ferried to neighbouring Niger Republic.

NDLEA intercepts lorryload of hard drugs

…arrests 578 suspects in 2015 Following the interception, she said, the suspects were arrested and would appear in court as soon as investigation was concluded. Mrs. Sani called on people in the state not to relent in exposing drug barons, adding that confidentiality would be maintained in such matters. She also called on those who earn illegal sources of livelihood from hard drugs to change their trade as the command was poised to fight them head-on. She commended stakeholders, especially security agencies for their cooperation in tackling cases of drug abuse and trafficking, adding that such cooperation would lead to winning the drug war. Meanwhile, 578 drug

suspects were arrested by the NDLEA in Katsina State last year. Of those arrested 567 were males, while 11 were females, with most of them aged between 18 and 40 years. During the same year, drugs weighing 1,267.7 kilogrammes were confiscated, including Indian hemp, psychotropic and other banned psychoactive substances. Speaking yesterday with newsmen the state commander, said 74 drug suspects were sentenced last year, while 63 cases are at various stages of prosecution at the Federal High Court in the state. She said the command counselled 536 drug addicts during the year under re-

view, while still rendering rehabilitation services to 14 clients. She however lamented the high abuse of cough syrup and other unknown substances which is now in vogue in the state. She said many able-bodied people including girls, take large quantities of cough syrup with codeine as a substitute, which has “high potency of psychoactive properties.” The commander said: “Ladies and young girls will do unimaginable things” to get addicted to cough syrup “including engaging in illicit sexual or immoral behaviour.” She said such is the new trend in drug crime, which posses a big danger to the economy of the state.

Protect us from terrorist attacks, Shaare community tells FG Regina Otokpa

eople of Shaare community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have sought Federal Government’s protection from terrorist attacks. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, national president of Shaare Patriotic Movement, Prof. Abdulfatai Jimoh, said the Shaare community had suffered much losses as a result of attacks from their Nupe-

speaking neighbours, Tsaragi community in Edu Local Government Area of the state. According to him, the attacks, which started on December 19, 2015, claiming some lives and causing destruction of properties, including three primary schools in Shaare community, were uncalled for. He said, “The Tsaragi terrorists, who invaded Shaare between December 19 and 20, 2015, may have to justify to the public and convince law en-

forcement agencies and other relevant authorities why felling of trees had to be matched and greeted with sporadic shooting of people, killing and maiming of armless and lawabiding Shaare citizens; destruction of houses, shops, places of worship, schools, animals, banks and telecommunication mast in Shaare community.” Jimoh explained that the genesis of the attacks started in September 2015 when the headmaster of

the Community LGEA Primary School, Shaare, informed relevant authorities of the school and community on the need to clear the school premises of thick bush that constituted security threat to pupils and teachers. He disclosed that after obtaining the needed approval to start work, some Nupe youths from Tsaragi appeared and tried to stop the work on the basis of land encroachment, from whence the attacks assumed a fierce dimension.

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, yesterday canvassed closer ties between their two states. They made the disclosure when Governor Ortom visited his colleague at Government House, Lafia. Governor Ortom said beside having common boundaries, the two states share other similarities, including ethnic composition, a common history, as well as cultural and political affiliation and they must partner to tackle common challenges. According to him, he was in Lafia to arrange a meeting of major stakeholders from the two states to deliberate on boundary issues and peaceful coexistence as a

proactive measure to forestall any breakdown of law and order and sustain the existing peace. Governor Al-Makura described his Benue State counterpart as a dear friend and brother, who was passionate about good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence. He expressed hope that their close personal relationship would facilitate the deepening of affinities between the government and people of the two states. The governor described the Ortom administration’s amnesty programme as an innovative problem-solving strategy which he hopes to replicate in Nasarawa State. The two leaders agreed to hold regular meetings and consultations on common challenges such as security and the search for solution.

Al-Makura

Ortom

Over 11,000 cattle recovered in Katsina James Danjuma KATSINA

standing committee on cooperation between farmers and herdsmen has recovered 11,999 animals from rustlers in Katsina State. The animals were recovered within five months - July to December last year. The committee also known as Kaura Committee, was set up by the state government to facilitate recovery of stolen animals, especially cattle, from suspected rustlers. Like other states in the North West zone, the state has been experiencing series of cases of cattle and other animals’ rustling. The problem had in time past led to loss of lives and property, while the current state government has spent millions of naira fighting rustling in the state. A statement issued to

newsmen and signed by senior special adviser to the state governor on media, Abdu Labaran, said the committee also returned 8,987 animals to their genuine owners. It stated that of the 11,999 animals recovered, 8,776 were cows, 2,623 sheep, 571 goats, 55 camels and 74 donkeys. It added that animals reunited with their genuine owners within the year under review include 6,833 cows, 1,851 sheep, 339 goats, 55 camels and 33 donkeys. The statement however said within the same period, some of the animals which fell seriously sick while encamped were slaughtered. Those slaughtered include 45 cows, six sheep, six camels and two goats. It said 53 of the animals died in camp, including 16 cows, 29 sheep, 13 goats, one camel and four donkeys.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Return to liberated communities, minister directs police, others Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

olicemen and other paramilitary officials will soon be redeployed to areas hitherto captured by Boko Haram terrorists, but recently liberated by the Nigerian military, Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazzau, said yesterday. The minister, who was accompanied to Maiduguri by head of agencies under the Ministry of Interior as part of assessment visit to the troubled states of the North-East, said the visit was at the instance of Minister of Defence, who requested redeployment

of policemen and other personnel to the reclaimed areas in order to re-establish civil authorities. The minister, who visited Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, and was also at an internally displaced persons camp and Maiduguri Maximum Prisons, said plans of the redeployment would start immediately his team gets back to Abuja. At Government House, Maiduguri, he told Governor Shettima he was in Borno following the Minister of Defence’s request, and would thereafter proceed to Yobe and Adamawa states.

He also disclosed that the visit was for the purpose of assessing the situation on ground, noting that he may have to come back with the head of agencies to re-establish civil authorities in the reclaimed territories. Responding, Shettima said the police were the first major target of Boko Haram terrorists. He acknowledged that men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps were the major source of information on Boko Haram. He also praised men of the Nigerian Immigation Service for their bravery in the fight against the insurgents, stressing that they

were the first to record a major interception of ammunitions from the insurgent. He said they were able to intercept large catchment of arms and ammunitions which the insurgents were bringing into the country after they passed various security checkpoints. He lamented that all the paramilitary agencies suffered a lot from the insurgents with the destruction of their facilities and killings of their men. He however admonished leaders of the North to brace up to the challenges of leadership, especially with dwindling revenue and population explosion with its impending poverty.

Katsina to domesticate 65-year retirement age for lecturers James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina State government is to domesticate the 65-year retirement age requirement for academic staff members in stateowned tertiary institutions. The domestication is sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s signing of a bill on 65 years retirement age for academic staff in federal-owned tertiary institutions. Masari said with gazette of the bill, the state would send the signed document to the House of Assembly for domestication. The governor disclosed these on receiving leadership of the Joint Consultative Forum, JCF, of three tertiary institu-

tions in the state. He assured them that disagreements between the unions and previous administrations in the state would be looked into, with a view to resolving them. The governor also used the occasion to call on academic and non-academic staff of the three institutions to work for the success of restoration programmes of the state’s administration. On his part, JCF chairman, Comrade Bello Abdullahi, called for implementation of the 65year retirement age to cut across teaching and nonteaching staff. Abdullahi also requested the reduction of obnoxious tax and stoppage of exorbitant rent deducted from its members.

Female medical student emerges UNILORIN best

…bags 13 of 15 awards Wole Adedeji ILORIN

Deputy Governor of Plateau who oversees tertiary education and technology in the state, Prof. Sonni Tyoden (2nd-right), with the provost, Plateau State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom, Mr Luke Gaji, during the deputy governor’s inspection of facilities at the college, in Jos, yesterday.

Lassa fever: Provide more funds, Reps urge FG Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of national emergency, make funds available to step up the fight against further spread of Lassa fever and loss of lives. The House also directed the federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control and other relevant agencies to

intensify efforts toward stamping out the disease, which has so far claimed 41 lives. The House gave the charge following adoption of a ‘motion on urgent need to stop the embarrassing outbreak of Lassa fever virus in Nigeria and the need to step up the fight against further spread and loss of lives, brought by Chairman, House Committee on health services, Chike Okafor. The motion was sub-

sequently referred to the joint committee on health services and health institutions for further legislative action. In his lead debate, Okafor noted that the deadly disease, which has so far infected over 93 Nigerians, had spread to Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Gombe and Oyo states. While stressing the need to take deliberate actions toward containing the disease which cur-

rently has no cure, Okafor said: “This is the first time Lassa fever virus is occurring in Nigeria; it has continued to wreak havoc in the lives of helpless Nigerians who fall victim to it.” In his contribution, Ossai Ossai, chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, who expressed concern over the death toll, urged the relevant House committees to do thorough work while engaging government agencies.

A female medical doctor, Ololade Faidat Yusuf, of the University of Ilorin, Unilorin, yesterday garnered 13 of 15 outstanding performance awards at the graduation of medical students of the institution. Yusuf beat two other males of the total 55 graduands that were administered the physicians’ oath by Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Abdumumin Ibrahim, represented by Dr. Zeenat Saad of Kwara State Ministry of Health. Provost of Unilorin College of Health Sciences, Prof Wahab Johnson, lamented the low percentage of female medical practitioners, starting with their poor number in the medical schools. He, however, expressed joy that in recent time there had not only been good increase in the ratio of admitted female medical students in Unilorin as against the old culture where they (females) were regarded as ‘intruders’ in the medical class. He commended the recent sets of graduating medical students of the university for not only conducting themselves in the best form academi-

cally while in school, but also bringing good reports from places they went for housemanship and residency. Johnson also praised the recent culture where female student doctors of the university had been hauling home the best performance awards to disprove the old thinking and apparent discrimination against women in the field. Guest Lecturer at the occasion, Prof Kikelomo Osinusi of the Department of Paediatrics, University of Ibadan in her paper titled, ‘The Rising Profile of Women in Medicine’ said there was a time in history when it was almost a taboo for ladies to study medicine, even in the western world. She said initially in the United Kingdom, female enrolment in medical school was outlawed, as was in the United States of America. In Nigeria, the professor said the colonial masters established what is now known as the University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan after decades of allowing chances of training for Nigerian doctors only in Britain. She said the first female doctor in Nigeria was Dr. Abimbola Awoniyi, who studied in University of

Thursday, January 14, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

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UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU CHIEDOZIE GILBERT, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU JEROME ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE KINGDOM ARMY APOSTOLIC OUTREACH 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 (as amended). THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Olusola Amos Ewuola - President 2. Adewale Olufemi - Secretary 3. Adeyemi Olufemi 4. Taiwo T.K. 5. Olayinka Mayowa AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To fulfill the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ of preaching the gospel across the globe. 2. To raise end time Army for End Time Harvest of soul into the kingdom. 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: Pastor Olusola Amos Ewuola

CORRECTION OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UMOMANO BENARD REJOICE NOW UMUHERUO REJOICE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ECO BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, Formerly Miss. ADEOSUN ABIDEMI GBEMISOLA, Now wish to be known, called, & address as Mrs. ADEMILUGBA ABIDEMI GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

KAIGAMA: I, formerly known and addressed as RACHEL EMMANUEL KAIGAMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as RACHEL ENOCK HAMMAJAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ATINUKE: I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ATINUKE KAFFO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS ALHAJA ATINUKE TAYLOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ISHAYA DUDU NOW YISA DUDU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OTAH NYONG ELLEN BENITA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ELLEN BONIFACE-NDUBISI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KWARA DANTANI NOW DANTANI KWARA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ECO BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as KINGSLEY ORBAN, now wish to be known and addressed as GBERKYON TARKULE KINGSLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as RAMONI MORUFAT OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED MORUFAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

LAZARUS: I, formerly known and addressed as LAZARUS ELIYA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as LAZARUS ELIAS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OWAN: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KATE NFEDITIEM OWAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS KATE JOEL ESSIEN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADEBARE: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEBARE RONKE RASHIDAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. BAMIDELE RONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OKISAK: I, formerly known and addressed as OKISAK WALTER ASHU, now wish to be known and addressed as ASU OKISAK. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWANGWU CATHERINE NWABUNKEONYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PHOEBE UCHECHUKWU ANI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NZEGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NKIRUKA LOVINA SANDRA NZEGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NKIRUKA LOVINA SANDRA NZEKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBASIEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBASIEKE NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKE NNENNA CHINYELUGO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, UBA, ARM, PENCOM Administrations, UNTH, and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OZORFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as CHINOSO OZORFOR ANSELEM, now wish to be known and addressed as ELIJAH NICE MADUAGU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANIGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIGBO QUEENDALINE IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKWU QUEENDALINE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOYE TOBECHUKWU LOVETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZOEZE TOBECHUKWU LOVETH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZEFETE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZEFETE OBINNA ANTHONY, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE ANTHONY AZEAUMEDIX OBINNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AMAKA: Formerly known and addressed as AMAKA CHINENYE JOAN IBETO. now wish to be known and addressed as .AMAKA JOAN CHINENYE JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

YAHAYA: I, formerly known and addressed as YAHAYA SERA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OMADA SERAH UKWUBILE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEOLA HAPPINESS AKINBO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADEOLA HAPPINESS DUROJAIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOYE ANGELA NDIDIAMAKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBEKWE ANGELA AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EZUGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as EZUGWU SANDRA IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZUGWU GABRIELLA IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JONATHAN: I, formerly known and addressed as JONATHAN PRECIOUS CHIGOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as IDOKO JOY CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBODO UKAMAKA CORDELIA CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDE UKAMAKA CORDELIA CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUANYA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUANYA JACINTA IFEYINWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYAOGU IFEYINWA JACINTA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as NGWU SAMUEL CHUKWUNWIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANGWU CHRISTOPHER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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

UMEZURIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS UMEZURIKE CHINYERE RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS CHIME CHINYERE CECILIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONYISHI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYISHI UKAMAKA STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKWUNIFE UKAMAKA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EMMANUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as ANINWEZE ONYEKACHUKWU EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as ANINWEZE ONYEKA E.B. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME PEACE:I, formerly known and addressed as PEACE UDOKA EZE, now wish to be known and addressed as PATIENCE UDOKA EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWAFOR:I, formerly known and addressed as MRS NWAFOR VICTORIA NWAKAEGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWEKE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Politicians urge Dickson to carry opposition along S ome politicians in Lagos have urged re-elected Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, to carry the opposition along with him. The politicians, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Wednesday in Lagos, said the state would benefit immensely if the governor were to do so. Chief Gboyega Adeniji, 2015 governorship candidate of KOWA Party in Lagos State, explained that it would be a mark of statesmanship if the governor ensures that other parties participated in the administration. “Let the victor be magnanimous in victory; Bayelsa people have spoken, the handwriting had been on the wall and it is CHANGE OF NAME

EZEH: I, formerly known and addressed as EZEH CHUKA KAJETA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH CHUKWUKA KAJETA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

a good thing, especially for INEC. “INEC has been very objective especially with their change of tactics that you get accredited and vote immediately since they are now using latest technology. “We are at home with the result; we believe it is the wish of Bayelsa people and that the votes have counted, so kudos to INEC. Mr Joseph Ogebule, chairman of Lagos chapter of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), advised all those who lost in the last election to rally support for the governor’s programmes in the next dispensation. “We just have to abide with the result and support him and let him carry on; we need to allow CHANGE OF NAME

“The improvement was due to efforts of officials of the command in ensuring that all revenue loopholes were blocked and also the vehicle import transit contributed to soar the revenue. “We are sure of surpassing the N 13 billion target for this year because we have doubled our efforts in ensuring that we achieve this year’s target,’’ he said,

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Afisu Okemularo now wish to be known and addressed as Oke Afeez. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Taupyen attributed the improvement to the revenue accruing from Vehicle Import Transit Regime and the efforts of the command in blocking leakages. “In 2015, N10,735,039,623 was generated from January to December and it was a significant improvement over what was generated in the corresponding period in the 2014.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, IFEDIGBO OGECHUKWU SYLVIA O. is the same person as IFEDIGBO OKWUCHUKWU (OKWY) OGECHUKWU, CHINAZA. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHINYERE: This is to confirm that Isaac Chinyere Edith and Edith Nkechi Egwuom refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Edith Nkechi Egwuom All former documents remain valid.. .Ecobank, ,Diamond bank and the general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, MBA CHIOMA VIVIAN is one and the same person as MBA CHIOMA ANITA, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MBA ANITA CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. UBA, Fidelity Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME DADA: Formerly known and addressed as RUKAYAT DADA now wish to be known and addressed as AMODE RUKAYAT ASHABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME MUSA: Formerly known and addressed as MUSA SOLOMON now wish to be known and addressed as MOSES SAMUEL. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME LAWAL: Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL MOMODU now wish to be known and addressed as MSANI LAWAL MOMODU. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME POSU: Formerly known and addressed as POSU, FASHINA SEDOWHE. now wish to be known and addressed as POSU ADESHINA SEDOWHE. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EVENYL: Formerly known and addressed as. Miss Evenyl Chekwube Nnaji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Evenyl Chekwube Enuma.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ODO: Formerly known and addressed as ODO JOSEPH CHUKWUEMEKA now wish to be known and addressed as EZE ANTHONY EMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME IFEANYIN: Formerly known and addressed as IFEANYIN ORJI EMEKA now wish to be known and addressed as DIVINE CHIEMEKA ORJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

JOSEPHINE: Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPHINE CHIBUZO IHIONU now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPHINE CHIBUZO OBIANOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

IDAMIEH: Formerly known and addressed as .IDAMIEH BEAUTY ROSELINE now wish to be known and addressed as ONI ROSE BEAUTY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ANURIKA: Formerly known and addressed as .Anurika Edokor now wish to be known and addressed as .Anurika Ugorji All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ANURIKA: Formerly known and addressed as .Anurika Edokor now wish to be known and addressed as .Anurika Ugorji. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ANNETTE: Formerly known and addressed as .Annette Rafat Umoru now wish to be known and addressed as Annette Rafat Adeosun.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ONAOPEPO: Formerly known and addressed as ONAOPEPO SILIFAT TOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as :ONAOPEMIPO SILIFAT TOYIN .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGBOKHA STEPHEN WILLIAMS now wish to be known and addressed as MADU SIMON OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME DANIEL: Formerly known and addressed as DANIEL RAPHEAL NDUBUISI. now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR-DUNU RAPHEAL NDUBUISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKWEMCHUKWU:I, formerly known and addressed asEKWEMCHUKWU LAURETTA CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ONWUJIOBI EMMANUELLA LAURETTA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL TAOFEEK ABIODUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADENEYE ABIODUN DONALD. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

adding that the command made 519 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N201.8million in 2015. “That figure was lower than 686 seizures made in 2014,’’ Taupyen said. According to him, the decrease in the number of seizures made in the period under review was as a result of anti-smuggling sensitisation at the grassroots

JERRY: I, formerly known and addressed as JERRY OBINNA OZOANI, now wish to be known and addressed as FELIX OBINNA OZOANI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly OGUNNIYI BOSEDE MODUPE now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNSAKIN BOSEDE MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CONFIDENCE MICHAEL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHINEDU MICHAEL NWANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

the PDM tried its best. “At least, it shows that it is a party of the future.’’ NAN reports that Dickson polled 134,998 to defeat former Gov. Timipre Sylva, who scored 86,852 votes.

OLOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as OLOKO DOROTHY, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU DOROTHY IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as FAVOUR ONYINYECHI AGIM, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FAVOUR ONYINYECHI PATIENCE AGIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MOPELOLA AKANNI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MOPELOLA KOTUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

JESSICA: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Jessica Paul Adelakun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jessica Judith E. Adelakun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

OGUNEDO: This is to confirm that Ogunedo Osinakachi Celestina, Richard Celestina Chinedu and Chinedu Celestina Ogunedo refer to one and same person.All document bearing the either name still remain valid. First bank and the general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MAZIFI IDRIS ABDULLAHI , now wish to be known, called and addressed as MOHAMMED NAZIFI ABDULLAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ISOELE ODION PAULINA and OLARENWAJU ODION TAIYE, now SUNDAY ODION TAIYE. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. General public please take note. ETANG: Formerly known and addressed as ETANG.OKPA. OBAJI. now wish to be known and addressed as .ETANG. FRANCIS.OBAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

best and the result came out the way it is, it is okay. “The party is okay with the result and because the party came third and that is the best; you know the APC and PDP are the two major parties on ground and

igeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, on Wednesday said it generated N10.7bn as revenue from January to December 2015. Mr Selchang Taupyen, the command’s spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Seme that the revenue was higher than N9, 680,465,372.88 generated in the corresponding period in 2014. ANIBUEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIBUEZE IFEOMA LILIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKE IFEOMA LILIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as FATUGA MORAYO ADEYINKA, now wishes to be known and addressed as TAIRU MORAYO ADEYINKA . All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

chairman of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), commended INEC for the role it played in the successful conduct of the election in spite of the challenges. “The contest was very keen and INEC did its

NCS Seme Command generated N10.7bn in 2015 –Spokesman

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

NWOSU:I, formerly known and addressed as NWOSU IFEANYI VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. Formerly known and addressed as LATIFAH EDOWAYE AKANNI , now wish to be known, called and addressed as LATIFAH EDOWAYE HAMMED. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

peace to reign. “When you contest, one candidate must win and the others should abide with it, two winners cannot come to a football field and win.’’ On his part, Dr Akin Badmus, Lagos State

This is to confirm that I, SAIDI ADUFE AMUSA. is the same and one person as SAHEED AMUSA, SAIDI AMUSA, ADUFE AMUSA. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

DIOBI: Formerly known and addressed as DIOBI CHINWEOKE FAITH now wish to be known and addressed as AHMADU CCHINWEOKE FAITH.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME BASSEY: Formerly known and addressed as BASSEY ASUQWO now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID ISHADO. . All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

EVENYL Formerly known and addressed as. Miss Evenyl Chekwube Nnaji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Evenyl Chekwube Enuma.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

DIKE: Formerly known and addressed as DIKE VIVIAN CHINYERE now wish to be known and addressed as ONUOHA VIVIAN CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME / DATE OF BIRTH

TIMOTHY: This is to confirm that Timothy Ikechukwu Igwebuike and Igwebuike Chibueze Timothy refer to one and same person.Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Timothy Ikechukwu Igwebuike and my date of birth was wrongly written as february 28,1985 instead of 24 April,”1985.. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, STELLA EKIHALO ASIAZOBOR. is the same and one person as STELLA ASIAZOBOR IRABO. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UVNIE: : Formerly known and addressed as OLUWATOYIN OGHENEOVO UVNIE now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOYIN OGHENEOVO AGBOFODOH- UVNIE: .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNJIMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunjimi Monsurat Ayomipo now wish to be known and addressed as .Mrs Awosanya Monsurat Ayomipo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note .

CHANGE OF NAME SANBE: Formerly known and addressed as. Sanbe Rashidat Motunrayo now wish to be kknows and addressed as Eleto Rashidat Motunrayo.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Thursday September 4, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Sport

Golf is an ineffectual attempt to direct an uncontrollable sphere into an inaccessible hole with instruments ill-adapted to the purpose –Sir Winston Churchill

Neymar to appear in court over transfer saga

CHAN

o n s t e NFF s s e l g a E r o f t targe dy to host Africa’ a e r a d n a …‘Rw

Mercy Jacob

igeria Football Federation (NFF) has insisted that it is not setting target for the Super Eagles B Team ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) beginning in Rwanda on Saturday. According to NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, what the federation and indeed soccer loving Nigerians want from Coach Sunday Oliseh and his players is a good outing that will surpass the record they had in the last edition held in South Africa.

“There is no target set for the CHAN Eagles, but we expect them to do well and do the country proud, and surpass the last edition feat which I believe is also the expectations of Nigerians. “The team at the last edition of the championship won bronze; we believe they should go beyond the third place this time around. It is natural, not about target that you do better than what you did at the last outing,” Anyansi said. Coach Stephen Keshi ‘s assistant, Daniel Amokachi took Nigeria to South Africa where they finished third in this same competition in 2014.

And with preparations that started in Abuja last December, which also took them to Pretoria, South Africa on January 2 this year, where Oliseh’s Eagles played two international friendly games against Angola (1-1) and Cote d’Ivoire (1-0), all eyes will be on the team to make Nigerians proud in Rwanda. The CHAN Eagles will kick off their campaign in Rwanda against Niger on January 18 at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo in Kigali. One of the most anticipated games of the tournament is undoubtedly the ‘Battle of the Eagles’ between Nige-

ria’s home-based Super Eagles and Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles Meanwhile, host Rwanda said yesterday that it is ready ahead of the tournament’s start this weekend. “We are fully ready to host this high-level competition,” said Vincent Nzamwita, president of the Rwanda Football Federation, which hosts the tournament from January 16 to February 7, adding it is “a great honour.” Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan and South Africa have played host in previous tournaments since 2009. Preparations for the event have been widely reported by the local press and the

Rwandan government announced a visa exemption for nationals of competing countries in order to attract fans. Major renovations were carried out in Kigali, the capital, Huye and Rubavu where games will be played. “Everything had to be rebuilt,” said Nzamwita, including the pitches, changing rooms and stands. According to the New Times newspaper, the Rwandan government has spent 16 billion Rwandan francs ($21.4 million) on infrastructure and organisational costs for CHAN 2016, the fourth edition of the competition since 2009.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Roma send Garcia packing

oma have sacked French coach, Rudi Garcia, after a poor run of form, the Serie A club confirmed yesterday. “AS Roma confirms that Rudi Garcia, and his assistants, Frederic Bompard and Claude Fichaux, will cease to manage its first team with immediate effect,” read a statement in English on the club’s website. “Given recent results... the club have decided to move in a new direction.” Garcia, 51, won the double in France in 2011 with Lille and became Roma coach in 2013. His team won their first 10 Serie A matches in 2013-14 and enjoyed two consecutive second-place finishes in Serie A, but Garcia leaves with the capital club fifth in the table, seven points behind leaders Napoli. The final straw was last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to AC Milan, which left Roma with just one win in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Neymar

Transfer fee saga

Neymar

to appear in court

arcelona’s Brazilian star, Neymar, has been called to give evidence by Spain’s national court on February 2 for alleged fraud surrounding his transfer to Barcelona in 2013. Both the player’s parents, Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu and former club president, Sandro Rosell, as well as two directors of Neymar’s former club, Santos, have also been called to declare, according to a court filing released yesterday. Barcelona and Santos will also have to give evidence via representatives on February 9 and February 1 respectively. Public prosecutors filed for action to be taken against all the parties after a complaint of fraud and corruption was launched by the Brazilian investment fund, DIS, which held 40 percent of Neymar’s sporting rights when he played at Santos, at the court in June 2015. DIS has claimed it was cheated of its real share of the benefits of 23-year-old Neymar’s transfer in 2013 because part of the transfer fee was concealed by Barcelona and Santos. The deal was originally valued at 57.1 million euros ($62.1 million) by the Catalan club, but the Spanish judicial authorities have estimated the amount to be at least 83.3 million. DIS received 6.8 million euros ($7.7 million) out of the total 17.1 million that Barcelona paid to Santos, but claims it may also be due a share of the overall transfer

payments. In a separate lawsuit, a judge in May 2015 ordered Bartomeu, Rosell and the club itself to stand trial over alleged tax fraud linked to the signing. The scandal over the concealed transfer fee led to Rosell’s resignation as president in January 2014 with then vice-president, Bar-

tomeu, taking charge. It is alleged the overall fee was split between a number of different contracts between Barcelona, Santos and Neymar himself. A Brazilian court has also taken action freezing $47 million in assets belonging to Neymar over tax evasion allegations between 2011 and 2013.

My Dortmund contract ends in 2020 –Aubameyang

frican Footballer of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, is in no rush to leave Borussia Dortmund and remains committed to helping his side try and reel in Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich. The Gabon striker beat Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure to the prestigious prize last week, fanning speculation he would now be snapped up by bigger clubs in Spain or the Premier League. “Nothing lasts forever in football but fact is my contract (with Dortmund) is until 2020,” Aubameyang told Germany’s Sport Bild magazine. “It is also fact that I feel really well here and want to win titles with Dortmund. I

am here not somewhere else. Not at Arsenal, not at Barcelona and not on the moon. Everyone can see that.” Dortmund are in second place, eight points behind Bayern, with the Bundesliga resuming on January 22 after a one-month winter break. Aubameyang, the Bundesliga’s top scorer this season with 18 goals, said Dortmund had not given up hope of overhauling Bayern who will lose coach Pep Guardiola at the end of the campaign. “Pep Guardiola has announced that he will stop (at Bayern) at the end of the season,” Aubameyang said. “Let’s see what happens now. We will certainly not give up without fighting and the title race is not yet over.”

Garcia

Elite athletes show interest in Lagos City Marathon Ifeanyi Eduzor

hairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the maiden Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Mr. Deji Tinubu, has said that a total of 30 male and 11 female elite athletes has indicated interest to be part of the 42kilometre race slated for February, 6, 2016 even as he announced that the LOC has issued out 70,000 forms for the first full marathon in the country. Disclosing this to the media on Tuesday, during an interactive

Olumudi is not participating

section on the preparedness of the committee for the race, Tinubu stated that 14 of the male athletes are among the first 20 in the world while five of their female counterparts are also in the first 20 in the world. According to Tinubu, who doubles as Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sports, the LOC has concluded arrangements with relevant agencies such as Lagos State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Nigerian Police, Ministry of Environment, LASTMA and Federal Road Safety Commission among others for a hitch free race. “We have made some progress to ensure we have a hitch free race. Right now, we have engaged managers for every event with specific roles and have printed about 70,000 forms to be collected by interested participants at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Teslim Balogiun Stadium, Campos Mini Stadium, Agege Stadium, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Yaba College of Technology and all Access Bank branches,” he said. General Manager of the race, Yusuf Ali, noted that the LOC had received approval from the African Athletics Federation for the hosting of the marathon while that of the IAAF is being expected.

WORLD RECORD

Largest collection of stickers The largest collection of stickers belongs to Nidhi Bansal (India) and consists of 102,317 stickers as of 16 September 2013, in Bassi Pathana, Punjab, India.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1286 Thursday, January 14, 2016

Unhappy is a land in need of healing M y friends all, today I am compelled to wax spiritual. For the sake of the soul of our dear motherland, some clear and present dangers must be brought to the attention of the Nigerian rulers and the ruled. Otherwise the soul, the very essence of our existence, is racing headlong into damnation. Really, much as I have not before now really witnessed live the kind of abysmal atrocities being perpetrated by the agents of terror, and mostly been fed with news and edited photographs and video of insurgency outrage, the magnitude of terror on our land did not really get to me. And I can say this much for millions of Nigerians who have been lucky so far to be far removed from the epicentre of terror. But that will be no more. Last Sunday, I had a vivid view of the felt clutch of terror in the

IFA has dismissed its embattled secretary general, Jerome Valcke. Its ethics committee has already recommended that Valcke should be banned from all footballing activities for nine years. “The duties of the secretary general will continue to be assumed by the acting secretary general, Dr

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

form of the video of one of the most recent Boko Haram atrocities and really, I was shaken to the very depth of my being. It was the most devilish recording of human depravity my eyes have ever seen. That Sunday, somewhere in this otherwise blessed land of ours, I saw the video of chillingly real people being lined up in front of a freshly dug grave. One after the other, like lambs being led to the slaughterer, human beings were marched, often resignedly, to the edge of the grave, asked to lie down and then slaughtered before their lifeless bodies were kicked into the yawning grave. It was the most revolting massacre, nay slaughtering of human beings, flesh and blood, by fellow Homo sapiens. The rationale for this monumental indignity beats me! My very being was flooded with the recurrence of the question: What manner of Nigerians would sink to this horrid depth to uphold whatever faith? Why did I come up with this morbid report this week? It is to bring to our remembrance that change notwithstanding, we still contend with some primordial, horrific evil perpetrated by Nigerian citizens and that even long after the last of these enemies have been defeated, the land would still require a lot of physical, emotional and spiritual healing by those in power. Having said that, in spite of the rhetoric about Boko Haram being largely defeated, which I commend if this is truly

WE CAN RECONCILE, BUT BEASTS OF WAR SHOULD BE MADE TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR INHUMANITY so, I think government should look at the issue of crime and punishment in Nigeria. Atrocities like the bestial outrage described above linger because the perpetrators are convinced there will be no recompense. The exponent of terror and the attendant atrocities have been so emboldened that they regularly film their indignities without even the caution of anonymity. In the video, you could clearly see the faces of the slaughterers. It is the height of atrocious daring. But who would blame these jackals? They have been made to believe that nothing would be paid for such monumental outrage, that this is one nation where perpetrators of appalling crimes need no fear of any comeuppance. Mr President, can we even contemplate allowing heinous crimes like this to go unpunished and expect nature not to ask questions? The perpetrators of the atrocities of the Second World War were not spared by the world they so abused. Nuremberg ensured that the Nazi henchmen, who were guilty of the evil of war, were accordingly punished. Even up till today, Nazi operatives are still being hunted down in

their old age. So what excuse have we not to bring these animals to book after all to let posterity know we are not a society of baboons? No matter how long, whoever is directly or indirectly connected to these heinous crimes of war should never go unpunished. Reconciliation is one thing, but war crime is another. We can reconcile, but beasts of war should be made to account for their inhumanity. That way, the wounds of the innocent would be partially healed. Beyond that, our leaders, in putting the evil of insurgency behind us, eventually should also look at a way of reorientating our religious leaders and potential fundamentalists to understand the spirit and letter of our secular constitution. The kind of contrary doctrines that birthed such madness described above should also be reformed by those concerned. Desirable as closeness to God is, the fact that there is no compulsion in religious devotion should be upheld and honoured by any decent society. The aspect of our constitution that champions secularity and religious freedom should be elevated to the highest echelons of our national priority. Civic education that would restore moderation to the misdirected psyche of many of our compatriots should retain its pride of place. What happened to the inclusion of civics in our school curricula? The issue of civic reorientation and teaching about the fundamentals of civic liberty and freedom of worship should return to the four walls of our schools. The government should also, in bringing succor to the IDPs and other victims, approach the healing process beyond physical and monetary rehabilitation. Have we considered that for years, we are going to grapple with sufferers of PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder? So what anti-PTSD measures are we bringing into the dynamics of the healing process? Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi

Sport Extra FIFA sacks suspended secretary, Jerome Valcke Markus Kattner,” read a FIFA statement yesterday. The Frenchman, 55, was provisionally suspended from football for his alleged involvement in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets. He was released from his duties on

September 17 last year after being accused of a series of FIFA ethics code breaches. Valcke has now been sacked twice by FIFA. He joined the organisation in 2003 as director of marketing and TV, but was dismissed in 2006 over a scandal involving its long-time sponsorship partner, Mastercard.

Re-appointed in 2007, the former right-hand man of President Sepp Blatter has denied any wrongdoing. FIFA’s ethics committee said on January 7 that it had decided to open “formal adjudicatory proceedings” against Valcke after studying a report submitted by its investigatory chamber.

Valcke

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