Monday, april 6, 2015 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Rice importation costs Nigeria N115bn in 2013 –Investigation FRANCIS EZEM

trong indications emerged that the Federal Government’s pol-

Adesina

Vol. 5 N0. 1084

icy on importation, which imposed 110 per cent tariff on imported brown and parboiled rice, is currently taking its toll on its revenue. This is because the importation of the commodity

has declined by over 50 per cent in the last three years. The Federal Government had in the 2013 budget, announced the imposition of additional 10 per cent im-

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Guber poll: Oba of Lagos threatens Igbo Ndigbo'll benefit from Buhari's govt –Ihedioha Akiolu

Monday, April 6, 2015

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Polls: Ondo PDP to work for APC candidates

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State has agreed to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates in the forthcoming House of Assembly election. Consequently, the Olu Ogunye-led PDP State Executive Committee, SEC, at the weekend at Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Gov-

...parties sign Igbotako accord

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NRC workers charge presidentelect on effective rail system P.6 THE

L-R: Registrar, Cathedral Church of Christ, Chief Rotimi Williams; Deputy Chancellor, Asaba Diocese, Justice Cynthia Nwoka; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and her husband, Abiodun, during the Easter Sunday service in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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EKEDC targets uninterrupted electricity supply P.A5

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I've been caged for 16 years, says Jonathan ...urges Nigerians to make sacrifice for Buhari’s govt

43 arrested over killing of DPO in Ibadan

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I've been caged for 16 years, says Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI AND FEMI OYEWESO

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he has had enough having been caged for 16 years and being taken care of by government. Speaking yesterday when the Christian Community in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, paid him Easter homage at the Presidential Villa, Jonathan explained that the two major elements in nation building involves sacrifice of individuals and the patriotism of the citizens. He called on Nigerians to be ready to make sacrifice for the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the success of the administration and a strong nation. The President said: “It is not about supporting Jonathan or government, now Buhari is coming on board, it is not about supporting Buhari or government but what sacrifice as individual are you willing to make for government and for the nation. “If you are a businessman and you say you are supporting government but you don’t pay tax how do you expect that government to survive? That government will not survive.” Jonathan noted that people in other countries where things work made sacrifices, stressing that Nigerians must also be ready to do same. He said: “I travel to different countries and see things work, those things didn’t fall down as manna, people made sacrifice, therefore in Nigeria people must also be ready to make the required sacrifice. “Whoever becomes president is immaterial so long as the citizens are happy. Our children go to school, when we are sick they go to good hospital and of course the economy blossom. “But for that to take place people must make the required sacrifice. In ECOWAS sub-region for example, Nigeria has the lowest VAT (Value Added Tax) of five per cent payment. Other countries pay up to 12 per cent. “If for instance Buhari decided to increase VAT

from 5 to 10 per cent, will Nigerians support him? That is sacrifice and we must make sacrifice.” He described the period of Easter as a time to learn the key lessons of sacrifice. While thanking Nigerians, Jonathan noted that the Easter period coincided with the time he would be leaving office, stressing that he has had enough. According to him, he is one of the luckiest Nigerians, saying that for 16 years he had been in the hands of government, adding that he was in a cage being taken care of by government. “This Easter period coincides with when I am leaving but I always say I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. From 1999, I have been in the hands of government. I am yet to see somebody luckier than

me. “I was in the hands of governments for 16 years, not in government as a parliamentarian, because if you are in the National Assembly or state House of Assembly, you take care of yourself in your house. I was in a cage, being taken care of by the government. But I think it is enough and I am happy, help me to thank God for that,” Jonathan said. Speaking earlier, the Vice President, Namadi Sambo expressed appreciation for the contribution of Jonathan towards the progress and development of the country. According to Sambo, the actions and steps taken by Jonathan had saved the nation and made the country the pride of Africa, which made it to stand above all globally.

He stressed that considering the contributions made by Jonathan, his name would be written in gold not only in the history of the country but in Africa. Sambo assured that he would continue to be loyal as a member of one family, while thanking Nigerians for the support given to the administration. At the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, led the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and the Minister of State FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide to present Easter greeting card to the President. In attendance were Primate of Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh; Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan;

Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Ustas Musa Mohammed; Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shagari and Senator Phillip Aduda amongst others. Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged Nigerians, particularly the electorates in Ogun State to ensure that they repeat the feat achieved during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly polls for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Obasanjo gave the charge over the weekend in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while on a surprise visit to the popular Itoku market. In undisguised support for the APC, which won the presidential election held on March 28, Obasanjo told newsmen that the

traders needed to repeat the action during this Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assemblies’ elections. “They should do exactly what they did last Saturday,” Obasanjo blurted. When asked of his mission to the market, Obasanjo said as a member of the community, he had a right to visit his people particularly in the spirit of Easter festivity. “Since I came back, I have not really visited any market. I have come to do two things. I have come to give them Easter greetings and to find out how they are doing in their market. “This is my community. As a member of the community, I want to know what’s going on and what's happening in the community,” he said.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Chief of Staff, Chief Jones Arogbofa; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr. JohnKennedy Opara; former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and others, during the Easter Sunday church service at Aso Villa Chapel in Abuja, yesterday.

Polls: Ondo PDP to work for APC candidates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ernment Area, entered into an accord with APC leadership in the state The two parties agreed to work together for the success of all APC candidates in next Saturday's polls in Ondo State. The agreement tagged "Igbotako Accord" was signed by APC State Chairman, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke; PDP State Chairman, Dr. Olu

Ogunye, and convener of the meeting, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR). In a communique signed at the end of the meeting held at Ibrahim's Igbotako country home, leaders of the two parties urged people of Ondo State to vote en mass for APC candidates in order to stop the apparent drift in governance of the state. According to the communique, the leaders de-

liberated on the political and economic realities in Ondo State and concluded that there was need for a united front of both APC and PDP to stop further economic and social slide in the state and restore hope to the people. It said the leaders were of the view that voting for all APC candidates would strengthen the legislative arm of government in Ondo State and put a halt

to misrule being experienced in the past six years. Ondo State APC Media Committee Secretary, Charles Titiloye, commended the leaders of the two parties for their patriotism and uncommon courage in reaching an accord aimed at salvaging the state from mismanagement, lack of direction, poverty and youth unemployment. He lamented that Ondo

State, which is the only oil-producing state in the South West, had little to show for the huge amount of money that had accrued to it from the federation account. Titiloye urged all citizens of the state to use the opportunity of the House of Assembly polls to bring sanity and good governance to the state by unanimously voting for all APC candidates.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Good Health

How you breathe determines how long you live FRANKA OSAKWE

reathing is so fundamental to being alive, yet not many people think of this. It is only when we run out of breathe, perhaps after running, when inside water, or when there is no ventilation, that we remember how desperate we need this air (oxygen). Now, experts have discovered that how we breathe, whether shallow (chest breathing) or deeply (abdominal breathing), can determine how long and healthy we will live. This research, published in the journal of Chest, was carried out by researchers at the University at Buffalo, New York, USA. The researchers had carried out a 29 years study on the association between shallow breathing as a result of impaired lung function and mortality. The researchers discovered that the participants breathe the wrong way, using the muscles of their upper chest, neck and shoulders. As a result, they do not get all the needed oxygen for their brain and cells of the body. “Shallow breathing leaves a large amount of air in the lungs that has low level of oxygen and high level of carbon dioxide. The transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and fro the blood is sharply reduced. The risk of death was increased for participants with moderately impaired lung function, “Dr. Schanemann said. The experts believe that our lungs efficiency is greatly reduced as we age because we inhale air pollution, dust, chemicals, and cigarette smoke. “This inefficiency in assimilating oxygen into the lungs greatly contributes to high blood pressure”, the research further said. However, a group of experts from various fields of studies have explained in a new book, Breath in Action, that learning to breathe properly, using our abdomen, will impact positively on our health, and reduce our

stress levels. One of its co-editors, Jane Boston, senior voice practitioner at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, says that paying attention to your breathing can be the best preventative treatment for numerous health issues notably asthma and high blood pressure. “We tend to take sips of breath and hold it when we’re anxious, both of which can have a ripple effect through the system. One bad habit, like shallow breathing can make you more susceptible to lower back pain.

“On a philosophical level, breathing properly helps to keep the mind open, enabling you to think about who you are, what and why you’re doing something. But primarily, if you breathe in the right way, you’ll have better digestion, your balance will be improved, and you’ll develop an optimum posture”, says Boston. Kate Mackenzie, an asthmatic patient, is completely in sync with this. According to her, she had been able to control her asthma attacks by breathing properly. “A few years ago, when I moved to London,

DID YOU KNOW?

Olive oil may revive a failing heart

Aspirin can help stop cancer spreading

SPIRIN can help combat cancer by lowering the risk of the disease spreading, say scientists in two separate studies. The first researchers found that low doses of aspirin blocked two enzymes which help

cancerous cells to multiply. The enzymes are produced when the body is injured, triggering pain and swelling. Dr Pierre Massion at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in the US said research showed that low doses of aspirin – perhaps 81mg daily – taken over five years reduced the incidence of cancers by 38 per cent. A second US study of 6,000 men by Duke University School of Medicine found a 14 per cent reduction in prostate cancer among men taking aspirin. However, Dr Iain Frame at Prostate Cancer UK warned men not to start taking aspirin if they are worried without first checking with their GP.

I noticed my asthma would get much worse in the summer. I came across an article about controlling my asthma through breathing exercises and thought I’d give it a go,” says Kate. Every day for the next six months, Kate would lie down for 20 minutes and breathe deeply. “You have to make sure you’re breathing the right way,” she says, “with your stomach inflating as you breathe in, rather than your chest. I noticed the difference within a week and felt much better for a long time afterwards”, she said. Kate believes that the exercises had a long-term impact on her lung capacity and she now practices yoga regularly to maintain her breath and posture. For the average person without respiratory problems, daily yoga exercises are not necessary. Instead, Jane advocates that people should try to change the way they breathe in a more general sense. Experts believe that breathing from the abdomen is very important because the blood in the lowest part of the lungs is rich in oxygen. Abdominal breathing means breathing fully from your abdomen or from the bottom of your lungs. It is exactly the reverse of the way you breathe when you’re anxious or tense, which is typically shallow and high in your chest. If you’re breathing from your abdomen, you can place your hand on your abdomen and see it actually rise each time you inhale. To practice abdominal breathing, follow these steps: 1. Place one hand on your abdomen right beneath your rib cage 2. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose into the bottom of your lungs. Your chest should move only slightly while your stomach rises, pushing your hand up. 3. When you’ve inhaled fully, pause for a moment and then exhale fully through your mouth. Purse your lips and imagine that you are blowing on a hot spoonful of soup. As you exhale, just let yourself go and imagine your entire body going loose and limp. It should take you twice as long to exhale as it did to inhale. 4. In order to fully relax, take and release ten abdominal breaths. Try to keep your breathing smooth and regular throughout, without gulping in a big breath or exhaling suddenly.

cientists have found that oleate, a common healthy fat found in the oil can help a diseased heart muscle work better. Experts have hailed the “exciting” findings and say they are further proof that eating a diet rich in good fats can dramatically improve and protect heart health. And they said that there was even a benefit in consuming the staple of the Mediterranean

diet even after heart disease had set in. Dr Douglas Lewandowski, director of the University of Illinois Centre for Cardiovascular Research in the US, said: “This gives more proof to the idea that consuming healthy fats like oleate can have a significantly positive effect on cardiac health.” Around 750,000 people in Britain suffer from heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic and incurable disease which occurs when the organ is damaged, either suddenly following a heart attack or gradually over a number of years for reasons including heart disease, longterm high blood pressure, alcohol or recreational drugs.

Photo News

Monday, April 6, 2015

L-R: President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Alhaji Aderemi Bello; President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu and Lagos State All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, during a lecture in honour of Ambode in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu; Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; during a press briefing on the position of Ogun State finance in Abeokuta on Saturday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Assistant General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor P.O Ojo; wife of Vice President-elect, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo (2nd left) and Vice President elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during the Holy Ghost Service at the church’s headquarter in Ogun State, at the weekend.

L-R: National Information Officer, UNIC Lagos, Oluseyi Soremekun; Dr. Tayo Oyetunji of the National Population Commission; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Women Affairs and Ethics, Mrs. Chinyere Anokwuru and National Coordinator, Community Agenda for Peace, Barr. Obuesi Phillips, during a dialogue on population and development in Lagos, at the weekend.

National News

You can’t escape impeachment, Speaker tells Fayose ...Adeyeye urges Buhari to call APC lawmakers to order

Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

peaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, yesterday said Governor Ayodele Fayose cannot run away from facing impeachment process. Omirin said the impeachment notice served on the governor was a constitutional matter. The APC had in a statement on Saturday said its lawmakers in the state Assembly had forwarded to the governor a notice of gross misconduct containing eight impeachable allegations to which the governor had seven days to respond. But the governor and the factional Speaker of the Assembly, Dele Olugbemi, had dismissed the impeachment move, describing the APC lawmakers as jokers since Omirin had

already been removed as speaker of the Assembly. Omirin, however, warned the governor to face the reality that rule of law has come to stay in the country and should therefore come out from his hiding. In his reaction to Olugbemi’s comment and that of the media aide to the governor, Lere Olayinka, Omirin said the two were still acting in ignorance of the supremacy of the Constitution in nurturing democratic conduct consistent with the universal standard. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, Omirin said Ekiti issue was a matter of rescuing democracy from the gridlock of executive lawlessness and impunity into which the state had been driven by the governor. He said: “It will soon dawn on Fayose and his

aides that the matter at hand goes beyond exuberant media skirmishes that are being deployed to rally support for the governor. “Attention of the world has shifted to Ekiti State, following the leaked tape detailing electoral fraud perpetrated to give Fayose victory. “After that, several issues in Ekiti State are being questioned on the place of the constitution in nurturing democracy in the country, and as responsible citizens, we must act right to make democracy work.” The Speaker said all allegations raised in the impeachment notice are constitutional matters, to which the governor must be ready to produce answers. Advising the governor to respond to the allegations against him, Omirin said running away from the Government House

and using his aides to cover his track would not help him in defending his assault and other infractions against the constitution that were already established against him in courts. “It is good that his men are talking in the media about the need to uphold the constitution in this matter even though they behave short of upholding the constitution in their conduct “Even though the governor trampled on the same constitution when he led thugs to attack judges in court and tore court records in the Chief Judge’s office, our duty is to follow constitutional path in this impeachment process. “These men that are flying the governor’s banner will soon see the law in action. This impeachment process is real. We must rescue Ekiti State from lawlessness and fraud.

The N1.3bn poultry project fraud case is still in court. There are still cases of unresolved murders. “We have again seen the resumption of state-sponsored terrorism with thugs attacking and maiming Ekiti people after a break in 2006, when the governor was impeached for fraud and attacks on opponents. “We thought his impeachment trauma in 2006 would have taught him a lesson, but the governor has proved that he cannot survive in a society where the law works. “We advise him to come out of hiding and defend himself because we are prepared to give him a fair hearing. That is the reality he must face instead of downplaying serious matter of constitutional consequences,” he added. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has urged the President-elect, Mu-

hammadu Buhari, to call members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to order. Adeyeye lamented that it was disheartening that APC members in the state were capitalising on Buhari’s victory to cause crisis. “If President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had behaved the way APC people are behaving in Ekiti State now, the country would have been in chaos by now,” Adeyeye said. The minister, in a statement, described the impeachment notice against Fayose, as laughable. According to him, legislative businesses are conducted inside the chamber of the House of Assembly and not in the media. He warned APC and its members in the state to tread cautiously so as not to endanger democracy in the country.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Rice import costs Nigeria N115bn in 2013 –Investigation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

port duty in addition to the 100 per cent levy on both imported brown and polished rice, bringing to a total of 110 per cent tariff, which is in line with its policy of promoting Nigerian agriculture and industry. This is also in line with its projection that the country will attain self-sufficiency in local rice production by the end of 2015. Available records released by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa

Area One Command, which accounts for over 95 per cent of all bulk cargo imports, including rice, showed that out of N235.2bn revenue generated by the command, which also covers other cargo including containerised ones, rice accounted for N131.4bn, representing 55 per cent of the total collections. Other commodities excluding rice accounted for N103.8bn, representing 45 per cent of the total revenue generated that fiscal year.

For the 2012 fiscal year, a total of N285.7bn was collected by the command, out of which rice imports accounted for N125.4bn, representing 43.9 per cent of total revenue generation for the fiscal year. A total of N160.3bn was generated from other imports, representing 56 per cent Meanwhile at the end of December 2013, about one year after the policy was introduced, N250.2bn was generated by the com-

mand from all the imported goods handled at the port from January and December, 2013, out of which rice imports accounted for only N10.1bn, representing four per cent. This represented a decline of over 50 per cent over the three-year period. However, other imports handled at the command over the one year period accounted for N240.1bn, representing 96.1 per cent of total imports value. Area Controller in

charge of the Command, Mr. Charles Edike, who confirmed this development, however said that the command would plug all revenue leakages to ensure that monies due to government in the form of import duty, levies and charges are collected. According to him, with the dwindling fortunes in the petroleum industry, occasioned by the general glut in the supply of the product globally and the attendant decline in price, the service would do all it could to cushion the effect of the decline and augment with import revenue. Meanwhile revenue figures for the 2014 fiscal year show a marginal increase from rice importation, which stood at N36.2bn out of N272bn. This marginal increase has been attributed to a review of the rice policy in the second half of the 2014 fiscal year. The Federal Government had, following the public outcry that trailed the rice

import policy, which many claimed led to smuggling of the commodity, decided to reduce the duty on imported brown and polished rice from 110 per cent to 60 and 30 per cent respectively for different categories of importers. Under the new fiscal regime, importers of husked brown or paddy rice in its natural, unprocessed state will pay 30 per cent tariff, which comprise 20 per cent duty and another 10 per cent levy for only investors with capacity to mill rice locally with verifiable backward integration, while other categories of importers are to import on 60 per cent tariff. The new policy was subjected to gross abuse, as all manners of importers besieged the Federal Ministries of Trade and Industry and its Agriculture and Natural Resources counterparts to procure documents showing that they have capacity for backward integration, which made a mess of the policy.

Army releases detained Al-Jazeera journalists

Pope Francis greeting faithful during his arrival for the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, yesterday.

Prepare more for April 11 elections, NHRC advises INEC N ational Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to address some of the challenges identified during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Chairman of the Governing Council of the Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, gave the advice yesterday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. He said the advice became imperative in view of the forthcoming governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on April 11. Odinkalu, nonetheless, commended INEC for the success recorded in the Presidential and National

Assembly elections conducted on March 28. “We are not asking for perfection, we are asking for improvement and Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of INEC, has shown that improvement. “INEC should, however, learn from the mistakes of the Presidential and National Assembly elections and perfect its art in subsequent elections,” he said. The chairman also urged the electorate to replicate conducts that encouraged peaceful atmosphere during the last elections in the April 11 elections. Odinkalu commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding

defeat and congratulated President-elect Muhammadu Buhari. Meanwhile, Pastor Dapo Afolabi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has urged Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful during the April 11 elections. Afolabi in his sermon titled: “God's relationship” on Easter Sunday in Lokoja, Kogi State, said that it was the relationship we had with God that he used to manifest his wonders. He urged Nigerians to build a new relationship with God so that he could always fight their battles, saying that if not for God those beating the drums of war would have prevailed. He thanked God for the

peaceful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections and prayed to God to help Nigeria during and after the April elections. Afolabi urged Nigerians to pray for the President-elected for God to assist him to pilot the affairs of the country. Also, the Spiritual Head, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Olumba OlumbaObu called for peace and tolerance among Nigerians. Obu made this called at the ongoing Easter retreat organised by the group in Calabar. He urged Nigerians to always show love to others, adding that no nation prospered and developed without love, tolerance and peace among its people.

wo Al-Jazeera television journalists who had been detained by the military since March 24 have been freed, the Qatar-based broadcaster said in a statement yesterday. It said Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustafa had been allowed to leave the Maiduguri hotel where they were detained, and return to the network’s Abuja office. “We’re pleased for Ahmed and Ali that their ordeal is over,” said Salah Negm, director of news for Al-Jazeera English. “They’re looking forward to spending some time with their families and loved ones. I know that both of them want to thank everyone that helped secure their release, including NGOs, politicians and fellow journalists,” Negm added. There were no further details on the conditions of their release. The pair, both Nigerians, were detained in the northeast where troops were battling Boko Haram militants.

Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade had said they were “found to have been loitering around areas where military operations are ongoing in the northeast and have been restrained in Maiduguri.” But Al-Jazeera said they were taken from their hotel room after having “finished filming a story on the military with their cooperation”, and that their camera equipment was confiscated. Nigeria’s military has had tense relations with the media, particularly overseas organisations, frequently accusing them of misrepresenting the conflict. The journalists also had their phones confiscated and had not been allowed to contact the outside world. Reporter Idris joined Al-Jazeera in 2010 and has 30 years’ experience in broadcasting. Cameraman Mustafa has been with the network since 2011.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Northeast APC demands Senate president or Speaker OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

Deeper Life Bible Church choir ministering at the National Easter Retreat of the church in Suleja, Niger State, at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Kwankwaso thumbs up Jonathan …says he is a good man ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI

ano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a good man for upholding the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections.

However, Jonathan’s government was riddled by bad advisers, who couldn’t help him to listen to wise counsel given by us as we were going out of PDP, the governor said yesterday in a media chat with journalists at the

Kano State Government House. The All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate in the March 28 election inscribed his name in gold by the singular act of conceding defeat. According to him, Jonathan deserved to be hailed for standing on the path of truth in the aftermath of the poll. He said, “Mr President saw and understood what the people wanted,” adding that

his choice to uphold the political verdict passed by majority of Nigerians ought to be commended. According to him, the nationwide acceptability extended to the opposition was a clear indication that the Nigerian voters were yearning for a change for the better. He boasted that the opposition APC would record landslide victory in next week’s gubernatorial poll. He said despite that the APC had diminutive resources the large chunk of votes delivered to the party was a clear message that

Nigerians were hungry for a government that would pursue their common good. Kwankwaso cautioned APC, on assumption of power come May 29, to avoid falling into similar trap that suffocated the ruling PDP. He said APC needs to take seriously the issue of zoning strategic positions to the various regional geographic arrangements. He said the crisis that engulfed the outgoing PDP was a creation of the late commencement of the zoning of positions, after the 2011 polls.

Electricity consumers congratulate president-elect CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

lectricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, ECAN, has congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was particularly excited at the campaign promise of steady, reliable and affordable electricity to the people. A congratulatory message signed by National President, Barr Chijioke James, noted that the wishes of the people as expressed in the last presidential polls confirmed the acceptance of Buhari to lead the country in the next four years. The association also commended the leadership

and statesmanship exhibited by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. “It is my distinct honour and pleasure for and on behalf of EACN, to convey our congratulations to you as President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. The wish of the Nigerian people as expressed in the just concluded polls confirms your acceptance to lead our great country at this period of our history. Electricity consumers in Nigeria are very excited at your campaign promise of providing steady, reliable and affordable elecricity to Nigerian consumers,” the statement read in part. National Mirror recalls that ECAN recently described as “commendable initiative” the recent re-

duction of electricity tariff by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, saying it will boost the socio-economic development of the country. James, who gave the commendation when a led a delegation of members on a courtesy visit to NERC headquarters in Abuja, expressed optimism that in the next few months consumers across the country will have cause to smile. He group however, frowned at a recent survey conducted by Schneider Electric, which revealed that Nigeria ranks among the top five destinations in Africa for fake and substandard electrical products. According to the ECAN National President, the

organisation requires the support of government agencies including NERC, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and the Customs to embark on a nationwide enlightenment campaign against these fake products covering cables, breaker, socket, switches, extension cords, lamps, bulb wires, and fuses among others. James also requested a synergy between ECAN and NERC to enable the organisation launch nationwide energy audit and efficiency best practice which is geared towards saving energy for the use of greater number of consumers.

n recognition of its contribution to the party’s victory at the just concluded presidential election, the North-east chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has demanded that the party leadership cede either the Senate Presidency or Speaker of the House of Representatives to the region, saying they have abundant qualified candidates for the positions. A statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the APC national Vice Chairman, North-east, Engr. Babachir Lawal, also urged voters in the region to massively vote for APC at the governorship and House of Assembly election scheduled for next Saturday. He said: “In recognition of this immense contribution to the party’s victory, I want to seize this opportunity to call on the APC national leadership to cede either the Senate Presidency or Speaker of the House of Representatives to the region, where we have abundance of talent and qualified candidates for these positions. This will set the region on a course of accelerated development that it so desperately needs. “But for us to reap the full benefits of an APC government at the centre,

we must also have APC in government in the six states in our zone. This will facilitate coordination and planning of development and infrastructure projects that would be embarked upon by both tiers of government. An opposition government in any of the states will destroy this synergy and put any prospect of our rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation in jeopardy. Therefore I call on all registered voters in the region to massively come out and cast their votes for the APC on Saturday, 11th April 2015.” The APC chieftain lamented that his party were massively rigged out in Taraba State, adding “I wish to encourage our people there not to despair at all because we are confident of recovering our stolen mandate in due course. We are sure that with an APC government at the centre, the Nigerian judicial system will have no choice but to be just and transparent in the conduct of the affairs of justice. Therefore the people of Taraba should not despair at all.” He therefore congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Pastor Yomi Osinbajo, on their victory in the March 28 Presidential election.

NRC workers charge Buhari on effective rail system OLUSEGUN KOIKI

orkers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, have charged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to continue with the ongoing asset rehabilitation and modernisation of the rail subsector. The workers, speaking through President-General, Nigerian Union of Railway Workers, NURW, Comrade Raphael Okoro, stated that for an economy like Nigeria to reach its developmental goal and stronger integration, it required a functional and effective rail transport system. Okoro further tasked

Buhari to critically look at the welfare of the workers, who he said were poorly remunerated by government, stressing that despite several billions of naira spent on asset rehabilitation and reequipping of Nigerian Railways, such did not have any impact on the welfare and livability of the workers. He added, “The workers who put all these multi-billion equipment to use still grope in poor remuneration and welfare. Railway workers’ welfare and remuneration should be of great concern to the presidentelect so as to attract skilled and employable Nigerians to the industry and eventually make railway the highest employer of labour it used to be in its hey days.

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News

Monday, April 6, 2015

43 arrested over killing of DPO in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (3rd right) addressing traders during a visit to Itoku market in Ogun State on Saturday.

Guber poll: Oba of Lagos reads riot act to Igbo

…People’ll benefit from Ambode’s experience, leadership skills –ICAN

Francis Suberu

ba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, on Sunday read the riot act to Igbo leaders and monarchs in Lagos State, warning that he would make life miserable for them if they sabotaged efforts to ensure that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is elected as governor of the state. The visibly enraged monarch, who summoned all the Eze-Ndigbo in Lagos State to his palace, said the support of their kinsmen for the opposition party in the state could frustrate current

efforts in all quarters at ensuring Lagos is no longer in opposition with the Federal Government. He said: “On Saturday, if any one of you goes against Ambode, who I have picked, that is your end. If it doesn’t happen within seven days, just know that I am a bastard and it’s not my father who gave birth to me. “By the grace of God, I am the owner of Lagos for the time being. This is an undivided chair. The palace belongs to the dead and those coming in the future. On Saturday, if anyone of you, I swear in the name of God, goes against my wish that Ambode become the next governor of Lagos

State, the person is going to die inside this water. “For the Igbo and others in Lagos, they should go where the Oba of Lagos heads to. When they were coming to the state, they didn’t come with all their houses. But now they have properties in the state. So, they must do my bidding. And that is the bidding of the ancestors of Lagos and God. “I am not ready to beg you. Nobody knew how I picked Ambode. Jimi is my blood relation and I told him that he can never be governor in Lagos for now. The future belongs to God. I am not begging anybody, but what you people cannot do in

Fire guts Imo INEC office Chris Njoku OWERRI

ust a week to the governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office at Nworie-Ubi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was early Sunday gutted by fire. The fire, which destroyed all INEC official documents in the office, including voting materials, was said to have been ignited by unknown persons.

An eyewitnessed said the incident started at around 12 midnight yesterday and all effort by men from the Imo State Fire Service, Owerri, to put out the inferno failed as the entire building was burnt to ashes. According to the eyewitness, over-grown weed and bushes within the council’s premises, due to long neglect, assisted the fire to wreak havoc on the building. Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Austin Evbakhavbokun, who confirmed the incident, how-

ever, attributed cause of the fire to a spark from a generator set. He said: “A generator operator left his generator on around midnight from where the building caught fire with about five cans of fuel kept in the building. While describing the incident as unfortunate, he said already the suspected generator operator has been arrested by the police. Effort to contact the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Gabriel Ada, failed as his mobile phone was switched off.

Onitsha, Aba or anywhere, you cannot do it here. “If you do what I want, Lagos will continue to be prosperous for you.

esidents of Adekile community in Orita Aperin area of Ibadan, Oyo State, have deserted their homes following the arrest of 43 suspects by the police over the killing of a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and three others in the area last week. The state police command yesterday confirmed the arrest of two more persons alleged to be principal suspects in connection with the murder of the DPO attached to Agugu Police Division. National Mirror learnt that residents of the community resolved to flee their homes following invasion of the area by policemen and alleged indiscriminate arrest of residents by men of the state police command. During a visit to the area yesterday, the ever bubbling community has turned to a ghost town as residential buildings,

shops and even churches and mosques in the area have been deserted, with armed policemen patrolling. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, while speaking on the incident, said at present 43 suspects, including two persons alleged to be principal suspects in the killing of the DPO have been arrested. According to him, 41 suspects were arrested by men of the state police command between last Wednesday night and Thursday, which subsequently led to the arrest of the two alleged principal suspects at the weekend. The police image maker said policemen are still patrolling the area to prevent hoodlums in the community from further unleashing havoc on innocent citizens and its environs, saying; “The command has beefed up security in the area to forestall any breakdown of law and order. We are still patrolling the area, and normalcy has been restored.”

EASTER MESSAGES

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

See Easter as period of sober reflection —Dickson Osahon Julius YENAGOA

Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Rev. Fr. Rowland Nwakpuda (left) sprinkling Holy Water on the congregation during Easter vigil at the church in Abuja, Saturday night. PHOTO: NAN

Place country above self, Northern govs charge Nigerians Priscilla Dennis MINNA

hairman, Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has called on Nigerians to draw lessons from the Christian celebration of Easter to place the country above themselves. Aliyu, who is also Niger State governor, in a press statement through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr Israel Ebije, said Nigeria has matured po-

litically and with the collective effort of everyone, the country can overcome its social and economic challenges. Aliyu, who urged politicians in the 36 states of the federation to imbibe the maturity witnessed during the presidential and National Assembly elections, said the beauty of Nigeria’s democracy will be complete if the outcome of April 11 election is peaceful and people based. “Let me wish Nigerians

a merry Easter celebration. Let me also call on Christians and Muslims to avail themselves of sacrificial duties for the common good of Nigeria. We must eschew self, we must view issues from a collective bargain point, we must see ourselves first as Nigerians no matter the circumstance; we must place the country first. “Many prophecies of doom have been foretold that Nigeria will break. I am therefore glad that we have overcome a ma-

jor factor that would have made the prophecy a reality. We must, however, continue to imbibe the tenets of sacrifice and peace as we conclude elections on April 11,” he said. Aliyu expressed optimism that Nigeria will continue to grow politically, socially and economically, while urging all to remain committed to the Nigerian project. He said that ethno-religious cleavages will not take the country to its desired destination.

Be patient, pray for incoming govt —Okoh Joel A jayi ABUJA

rimate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, yesterday admonished Nigerians to be patient and pray for the incoming administration for divine direction to lead the country well. The primate also attributed the peace Nigeria currently enjoys to the sacrifice made by President Goodluck Jonathan at the just concluded presidential election. Okoh, who gave the admonition in his Easter message to the nation during a service to mark the celebration at the Cathedral of Advent, Lifecamp, Gwarinpa, Abuja, noted that although, it was good to give advice

and fair criticism, they should be allowed to set their programmes in motion. He said: “I think we should be patient with them, to see the direction they are going because, before they came on board, they prepared to govern Nigeria, we should allow them to set their programmes in motion before people begin to say go left or go right. “What we need to do right now is to keep praying for them for peace like the one we are enjoying in this country today. “I want Nigerians to keep the peace, wherever they are, they should maintain peace because we need this peace in our entire life and we need this peace to con-

tinue to disappoint all our detractors around the world.” The primate also commended President Jonathan for displaying the spirit of sportsmanship

and sacrifice for the sake of Nigeria. Okoh said the resurrection of Jesus Christ saved “us from the greatest terror of all time, which is death.”

s Christians the world over celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called on Christians to see the period as time for sober reflection on the real import of Easter and the positive virtues of Christ. In his Easter message to people of the state, Governor Dickson noted with satisfaction the high level of religious tolerance in the state and enjoined Christians, Muslims and adherents of other religions across the country to see each other as one and the same people, with a common destiny and live peacefully with one another. He called on Christians to imbibe and propagate the qualities and attributes that made Jesus Christ to attain such massive global acceptance and followership. The governor pointed out

Christians urged to pray, cooperate with leaders James Danjuma KATSINA

hristians in the country have been called upon to pray for political office holders and cooperate with them to ensure success. Katsina State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Nelson Onyekachukwu, stated this yesterday during his Esther message at the Christ Resurrection Church in the state.

Fashola urges collective effort in nation building Francis Suberu

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has called on Nigerians to jettison their ethnic and religious differences and join hands to build the nation. Fashola, who said this in his Easter message to Nigerians, noted that Easter celebration ushers in a season for good tidings, selflessness, tolerance, giving and love. He reminded Nigerians of Christ’s perseverance,

saying such attributes must be imbibed by all. The governor noted that, “Easter is here again and this time, we are not just felicitating with our brothers and sisters, who sacrificed and denied themselves during the Lenten season in commemoration of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but we are also celebrating the successes we have recorded as a democratic nation. Fashola urged Lagosians to vote for the candidate of All Progressives

that for the state and country to make any meaningful progress in all ramifications, people from different religious backgrounds must work in one accord for a common goal, as well as demonstrate true love and tolerance for each other at all times. He also called on Christians to see the period as one for stock taking and pray fervently for the peace, stability and development of the state and country in general. The governor, who used the opportunity to commend Bayelsans for their peaceful conduct, before, during and after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, urged the people of the state to remain peaceful and love one another, as the state and nation prepare for another round of polls. He also called for prayers for the peace and unity of the country and a rancorfree transition programme at the national and state levels.

Congress, APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, saying Lagosians must ensure the state was delivered into the hands of able leaders, who can continue from where he stops on May 29, 2015. He said: “Let us once more tap into our inner resilience and the inherent intuition, which we are known to possess and make use of them when it comes to making the right decisions and choosing our leaders,” he said.

Onyekachukwu said one of the major responsibilities for Christians as stated in the scriptures was to pray for leaders and cooperate with them to promote unity and harmonious coexistence. He said Easter was a time the living Christ died and resurrected to redeem mankind from their sins, and that Christians should emulate him in whatever they do at all times. Quoting relevant scripture verses, the CAN chairman also called on Christians to live in peace with all people for national development, adding that a nation that is divided cannot stand. He also called on Christians in the state and elsewhere to be law abiding and come out this Saturday to peacefully cast their votes to elect leaders at the states level. The occasion saw prayers held for a peaceful and united Nigeria, and for wisdom to be given to elected leaders at national and states level to steer affairs of the nation in the right direction.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EASTER MESSAGES

Monday, April 6, 2015

Pray for peace, unity, Wada G tells Nigerians

Easter, opportunity for new beginning –Aregbesola

Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

s the Easter festivity is being celebrated around the world, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity to pray for unity and peace for Nigeria. While rejoicing with all Nigerians, especially Christians for witnessing this year’s Easter cel-

ebrations, Wada enjoined them to emulate the humility and selflessness of Jesus Christ. This was contained in a goodwill message signed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday. The governor explained that the Easter festivity as symbolised by the lent and

passion week, was an invitation to a life of peace, sacrifice and holiness. The governor called on Nigerians not to lose track of the message of love and hope, which he said Jesus Christ preached and practiced, as they celebrate. He therefore, encouraged all Christians to convert the unique atmosphere offered by Easter in an election year to call on God for his con-

tinuous protection on our country and for our leaders to overcome every challenge of leadership. “In the spirit of the Easter, Nigerians should remain united and put behind them acrimonies of tongue and partisanship,” he said. He advised travelers and other Nigerians to obey traffic rules and to be security conscious not only during the festive period but also after it.

overnor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said the Easter season offers Nigerians, especially Christians, a good opportunity to pray for the take-off of a new beginning that would usher in prosperity in all facets of national life. The governor also charged Osun people to embrace love and peace and make the necessary sacrifice towards development of the country. The governor, in his Eas-

Have faith in God, Bishop charges citizens

Presidential poll rekindles hope of a new era –Atere C B

Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

ishop of the Diocese of Awori (Anglican Communion), the Rt. Revd. Johnson AkinAtere, has said the peaceful conduct of the March 28 presidential election has rekindled hope of a new nation where peace and justice shall reign. Atere spoke during a sermon at a special Easter Sunday service, with the theme - ‘Good Hope through Grace’ (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), at the Cathedral of St. James Church, Ota, Ogun State, to mark the Easter celebrations. He stressed that the election of General

Muhammadu Buhari has raised the hope of Nigerians with the promise of change, while President Goodluck Jonathan’s desire to concede defeat portrayed him as a worthy ambassador of peace whose rare character gave hope that Nigeria was on the path to more greatness. The cleric, however, charged Nigerians to give glory to Almighty God for making the people’s heart to rejoice greatly (Psalm 28:7) as a result of the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections, as it was the

Lord’s doing, pointing out that with the tension, apprehension, fear and hopelessness preceding the polls, God, in His infinite mercy, caused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to postpone the elections to March 28 and April 11, thereby enabling Christians to call on God more fervently with fasting and prayers during the just concluded Lenten period. The Bishop, in the spirit of the Easter celebration, appealed to ev-

ity can be sustained. According to him, Easter season is one of the critical periods when human and vehicular traffic heighten in the country. This, he said, poses challenges of ensuring safer road environment for the FRSC, warning that extra caution must therefore, be taken by those travelling from one location to the other for the celebration. He, however, assured that in anticipation of the heightened traffic movements, FRSC has taken proactive measures by deploying adequate men and providing necessary logistics at strategic locations

across the country to address any road safety challenges the travellers might face. While commending staff of the FRSC for the commitment they displayed during the last presidential election by joining hands with other security agencies and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to carry out the electoral duties most diligently, Oyeyemi urged them to prepare to repeat the same feat during the forthcoming governorship election, assuring that FRSC will continue to support the nation in the task of achieving its socio-economic goals.

Oyeyemi tasks Nigerians on safer road culture Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

orps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, has admonished Nigerians to hold tight to the spirit of peace and safer road culture as they observe the Easter celebration. In his Easter message, Oyeyemi stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, enjoining them to be defensive and considerate to other road users while driving during the Easter celebration and beyond, adding that it was only through such virtues that the much desired national stabil-

ery Nigerian to emulate Jesus Christ by always having hope in every situation, standing for the truth and living in peace and harmony even at the point of death as reflected by the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

ter message to Nigerians, which was signed by Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bring positive change to Nigeria. Aregbesola stated that what the country needs at this time are various intercessory prayers for God to continuously stabilise the country.

atholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa, yesterday urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, but to have hope and faith that God will do a great thing for the country. In his Easter massage

at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral, Mile Six, Jalingo, the Bishop said the resurrection of Christ Jesus was an indication that there is nothing God cannot do. He urged the congregation and Nigerians to have faith and hope in God, who he said would solve the country’s numerous security and economic problems.

South West

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos PDP won’t benefit from APC’s labour –Igbokwe

agos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expressed optimism that the electorate will return it to government on April 11. The party said the rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot reap from APC’s labour. “We’re confident that the enlightened and sophisticated voting populace will renew our mandate by endorsing our governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and our House of Assembly standard bearers at the polls,” the party said in a statement signed at the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Engr Joe Igbokwe. The outcome of the presidential election, which our candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, won convincingly, has set the template for continuity and progress in the Centre of Excellence. Igbokwe said the PDP would be day-dreaming if it thinks Lagosians will pitch tent with a party that has been rejected by the generality of Nigerians. “Is it now that our party is controlling the centre that our people will vote for a dying PDP? Would Nigerians have rejected the party on March 28 if the PDP had done well in the past 16 years? the APC asked. The statement went on: “We should not forget that Lagos has been the envy of other states in terms of development, good governance and performance since 1999

under the same political platform and despite victimisation and lack of cooperation from the Federal Government. “If the APC government in Lagos has been able do this much and take the state to enviable position in 16 years without federal support, then things can only be better now that the APC has won the presidency “There are so many reasons Lagosians should not vote for the PDP in Lagos. It is the PDP that frustrated the Lagos State Government’s plan to build the 4th Mainland Bridge that would have eased traffic on Eko Bridge, Marina Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge. “The PDP has been ferocious in its opposition to the creation of additional local government areas in Lagos which has a population that is as large as that of three West African nations combined. “The PDP will be asking for too much if it expects the votes of Lagosians who reside in those 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs,that were created by the APC government to further take development to the grassroots. “Lagosians are no fools and they have always identified with the progressives. We in APC can vouch that our people are enlightened enough not to fall victims for the tricks of the PDP, a party that doesn’t have the interest of the masses at heart.”

Passengers arriving Osogbo Terminus by free train ride provided by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to transport passengers from Lagos for the 2015 Easter celebration, at the weekend.

Ogun govt denies taking foreign loan ...Asks PDP to substantiate allegations Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

gun State government has denied allegation that the state has taken foreign loans and is currently surviving on sustained borrowing and loans realignments. The state government also challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to substantiate the allegation that it barely survived on sustained borrowing and loans realignments. Addressing a press conference over the weekend in Abeokuta, the state capital, Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said Ogun State is currently financially robust and does not need any foreign loan to survive.

Flanked by Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barrister Adeoluwa Taiwo, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu, the Finance Commissioner urged the PDP to embrace the truth in their criticisms of Amosun’s administration rather than engaging in falsehood particularly over non-existent foreign debt. The PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, had in a statement, alleged that the Amosun administration has thrown the state into a precarious situation due to the governor’s profligacy. In the statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Ifekayode Akinbode, the PDP gov-

ernorship candidate also alleged that the Ibikunle Amosun led administration was owing Ecobank the sum of N3 billion over the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, contract “and only managed to pay the interest for three months before stopping”. But reacting to the allegation, Ogun Finance Commissioner emphasised that her state does not owe and that the state maintain a clean record with the Debt Management Office, DMO, and could not have taken any foreign loan without the knowledge of the PDP controlled Federal Government since such requires legislative assent. Adeosun also explained that the Ibikunle Amosun led administra-

tion in the state developed a medium term financial strategy aimed at helping the state to overcome the short term fiscal imbalance orchestrated by the dwindling revenue from FAAC. According to her, the side effect of the medium term financial strategy was to ensure that no worker is disengaged from the state’s workforce, but to guarantee that the proposed recruitment of additional staff is successfully undertaken. Ogun government also explained that it has no plan to sack workers in the state or contemplating any ban on activities of the commercial motorcyclists in the state as rumoured by the opposition political parties.

40% energy supply to Osun not paid for –IBEDC Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

anagement of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, Osogbo business district, has stated that the major constraint hindering regular power supply to Osun State was non-payment for over 40 per cent of power supplied to the state. Speaking through Business Manager, Osogbo

Business District, Engr Bewaji Ajijola, it said the company was aware of high expectations from electricity consumers, but decried activities of many consumers, which he said, has been at variance with the goal of the company. Bewaji, who spoke at a community relations meeting organised by IBEDC for consumers in Osogbo business district, said the company was running at a loss as a result of use of

electricity through illegal means. He added that non-payment of electricity bills by some influential people was also contributing to loss of revenue by the company, adding that the company had been forced to disconnect power supply to some palaces and government establishments to force payment for power consumed in such places. He, however, called for collaboration of custom-

ers and security agencies to ensure safety of electricity installations across communities in the state and assured of readiness of the management to find solutions to all complaints raised. In their remarks, customers and representatives of various groups and communities under Osogbo business district, lamented high cost of prepaid meters, poor response to complaints and vandali-

sation of electrical installations. Although, they noted improvement in the electricity supply across the state, but urged the company to make cheaper prepaid meters available for customers and prevent revenue loss through quick response to complaints. In his remarks, the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Osun State chapter, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, said

such meeting should be held at regular intervals to enable the company gauge the feelings of customers and find means of addressing the challenges identified. He then charged IBEDC to address issue of high tarrif, improper conduct of field officers, stressing the need for cordial relationship between communities and security agencies to prevent vandalisation of electrical installations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Monday, April 6, 2015

‘Blame Elechi for misusing SURE-P fund’

Ndigbo’ll benefit from Buhari’s govt —Ihedioha

Aliuna Godwin

OWERRI

ABAKALIKI

ouse of Representative-elect member, Mr Sylvester Ogbaga, representing Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency, at the weekend blamed Governor Martin Elechi for wrongly using SURE-P funds to sponsor elections and deceiving people of the state over power shift to Ebonyi South, which he earlier championed. Ogbaga, who is now at his third term in the House of Representatives, made this known while briefing journalists at his residence in Abakaliki, lamented that the governor deceived the people by telling them that he was in PDP, whereas he has been using state funds to sponsor Labour Party, LP. He said: “The party could not discipline him because of certain respect the party has for his age and for allowing peace to reign in the state. Some time ago, there was a move for his impeachment, but leaders of the party said no. It was not that people did not know what to do, but he has less than two months to leave office.

Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

edia Director of the Heritage Campaign Organisation of Labour Party in Ebonyi State, Chike Onwe, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Onwe, while briefing journalists in Abakaliki, noted that what informed his defection to PDP was that the state required preparation and a well-articulated programme of action and a man who can interpret the dynamics of the nation’s economic trend and the socio-political environment from the standpoint of Ebonyi reality. He added that Umahi was a man with a good heart that feels and understands the various strata of the state and has the will to do something about it from his personal resources if given the opportunity. Onwe, who was former Commissioner for Infor-

“The popularity of Elechi is what we should think about, if he could not deliver his son for the Senate alone, then he has a diminishing return prospect and I believe it is wholly against him. He has refused to give way for peace to reign in the state. From the PDP congresses till now, he has continually deceived people of the state. Now, there is rumour that the National Assembly election is cancelled and why can’t we tell the people the truth. “The purported merger of LP, APC, and APGA cannot change anything and whatever he does, it is still the same Elechi we know.” He revealed the readiness of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state to win the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly election, adding that the party was on ground to bring greater development and transformation to people of the state. The Rep-elect congratulated people of the state for voting massively for PDP during the last National Assembly elections, but urged the governor to support the party through which platform he became governor in 2007.

mation and State Orientation said: “After a long look ahead, a searching look inwards, a wide look around and a far look upwards, I came to the conclusion that Umahi, deputy governor of Ebonyi State, should be supported to win the election to occupy the seat of governor of Ebonyi State”. He said he was convinced that Umahi would work hard to build and expand the development frontiers for every Ebonyi person to maximise his or her potentials. He stressed further: “The politics at the center now demands collective attention. We have to agree so that we can foster better understanding and balance that is so urgently needed if we must be part of the dynamic game”. Onwe’s defection from the Labour Party came after the sixteen state executive committee members of the LP had decamped to the ruling PDP in the state.

Chris Njoku

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has flayed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s alarm that Ndigbo may lose the Senate President for voting out the All Progressives Congress APC, in both the presidential and House of Assembly elections last Saturday, saying such comment was made out of ignorance of how federal politics is played. Okorocha had expressed fear that the South East geo-political zone may not produce the Senate president in the new dispensation, alleging that “robbing APC members, who contested senatorial seats in the

state as well as other areas in the South East was a bad omen for Ndigbo grabbing the slot. Ihedioha, however, while addressing world press conference over the weekend described the governor’s comment as unfortunate. “It is unfortunate that the governor does not also understand how federal politics operates. Every geo-political zone is entitled to certain level of positions. So, any ruling party conscious of the principles of how zonal structures are shared, will in fullness of time and consideration of peace allocate positions to the zones as it should. “Are we going to because of wishes or shortsightedness of Governor Okorocha now declare persons who never won

election to have won because the governor is interested in announcing certain positions? “Legislative businesses are conducted around legislature, you don’t appoint Senate President or Speaker, presiding officers are elected on the floor of the House and members of the Chambers of that parliament would so decide who their presiding officers would be. So, you don’t pre-empt the decision. Okorocha is not an elected lawmaker, so he has no business discussing the issues of presiding officers. “By the way, there are ways and means of accommodating the interest of various sections of the country. I have little doubt that the South East geopolitical zone would obvi-

ously have its way. “However, we are waiting for how the incoming APC government at the centre will fare with our people; the burden is theirs to define, but I am very certain that the Peoples Democratic Party had always given the people of South East its pride of place. “So, we are not perturbed, the important thing our people deliberately choose those who will effectively and respectively represent them in the National Assembly, we owe no apology for that.” “As far as I am concerned, Igbo is part of Nigeria federation. With a good governor whatever the entitlements of our people are, we shall get the entitlements and use them for the benefit of the people.”

Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Rt. Rev. Edward Osuegbu (right) presenting award of administrative excellence to the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, during an investiture organized by The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas, Okigwe, at the weekend.

APC chieftain commends Okorocha’s foresight Chris Njoku OWERRI

Director of Election Monitoring and Planning of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, has commended Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for his foresight and vision in joining the APC from the onset. Speaking with newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital, over the weekend, Ekechi said the success of General Muhammadu Buhari in the just

concluded presidential election has brought the Igbo into the mainstream of the nation’s body politic. “General Buhari’s election as president is the closest the Igbo have come to power and we all have it as a sacred duty to re-elect Governor Rochas Okorocha to enable him to interface with the Federal Government under General Buhari. He assured Nigerians that the president-elect would utilise his military background to tackle issues of corruption and insurgency in the country.

According to him, the president-elect in fighting corruption in his life had never entertained any sacred cow, stressing that it was against this background that he brought sanity and decency into the country while in office as military Head of State. Ekechi, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State, described the electoral victory of General Buhari as an act of God despite unprecedented and unwarranted campaign of calumny and character assassination

by the opposition. He cautioned politicians to shun desperation and “do or die” attitude in the pursuit of their ambition. The ex-commissioner expressed gratitude to Governor Okorocha for giving him the opportunity to serve in the all important sensitive Presidential Monitoring Planning Committee, saying “I am happy that I am part of the historic victory of Gen Buhari.” He, however, congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for gallantly accepting defeat.

South South

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmir-

Ogbemudia confident of Buhari’s leadership ability F ormer governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, has expressed confidence in the ability of President-elect,

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to perfectly handle the affairs of this country. This is contained in a congratulatory statement he sent to Buhari, a copy

‘Redeploy C’River REC now’ Richard Ndoma CALABAR

alabar-based legal practitioner, Utum Eteng, has called for the redeployment of Cross River State resident electoral commissioner, REC, Dr. Sylvester Ezeani, before the April 11 governorship and state Assembly polls. Briefing journalists in Calabar over the weekend, the lawyer cum political observer criticised the conduct of the just-concluded elections, describing the March 28 polls as a “sham” and “monumental failure” in the state. He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, commissioner of conniving with Governor Liyel Imoke to rig the elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates, adding that the elections were marred by irregularities. Eteng, who doubles as a human right activist said, “I am an advocate for the request that the REC for Cross River State be immediately posted to another state before the governorship and state Assembly polls, because the first election conducted by him was a sham and monumental

ational Chairman of Labour Party, LP, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, has affirmed that Great Ogboru remains the party’s governorship candidate in Delta State for the April 11 election. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja, the chairman said some members of the public had been speculating that Ogboru had stepped down for another candidate. “The rumour is unfounded; it is the handwork of some politicians

failure. “Dr. Ezeani mismanaged the March 28 election. Characters like him should not be allowed to orchestrate further rigging especially as the April 11 election approaches. Even the returning officers compromised the process; INEC office was shifted to governor’s office with the state governor dictating the pace.” He however called on the REC to apologise on behalf of INEC to the people of Cross River State for allegedly scuttling the clearly expressed will of the people. “It is a failed election and posterity will judge him by his action.” The legal practitioner also said in the interest of justice and fairness, the police commissioner in the state should be re-assigned to ensure the neutrality of his men in the April 11 elections. Eteng said, “Security agencies should see all political parties as equal players and desist from intimidation and harassment of the electorate during elections. Imoke should not be allowed to use security agencies to coerce people in order to change election results. The will of the people should be allowed to stand.”

in the state,’’ he said. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to put in place necessary measures to sustain free, fair and credible elections during the governorship elections. He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his patriotism and courage for accepting defeat in good faith. Congratulating President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, he urged him to fight corruption, bring back the Chibok girls and improve on agriculture.

of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Benin. Ogbemudia, also a retired army general, said he was confident that Buhari’s tenure would mark an unforgettable era. He acknowledged Buhari’s energy and resilience in winning the election, noting that his shot at the presidency paid off

after the fourth attempt. “I have known him (Buhari) since 1963, when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army. “I had the privilege of reading some of his confidential reports, written by his commanders in which he was described as a young officer with boundless energy, and willing to continue when others are tired.

“These energy and resilience, he has truly demonstrated in politics by winning a historic election at the fourth attempt. “I am confident he will lead Nigeria into a remarkable era,” said Ogbemudia. He then called on PDP members to reflect on what led to their defeat. “To my party, the PDP, this is an opportunity to begin to demonstrate ca-

pacity to serve as a viable and credible alternative in the service of the nation. “A peep into what went wrong is called for,’’ the former governor stressed. He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the sportsmanship and statesmanship he demonstrated after the loss, adding that history would never forget such act of patriotism.

Billows of smoke from a vessel set ablaze during an operation of the Joint Task Force against oil thieves at Ogboinbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, at the weekend.

Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

oised to produce the next Delta State governor, the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the apex decision-making organ of the Urhobo nation, has set up a six-man committee to choose between the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, O’Tega Emerhor, and Great Ogboru of Labour Party as its sole candidate in next Saturday’s governorship election. The move, sources said,

Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

ational Association of Military Pensioners, NAMP, umbrella body of ex-military officers in the country, has congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, describing his victory as a testimony of the unity of Nigerians, who spoke with one voice despite differing regional or reli-

was to prune the number of governorship candidates from the ethnic group, in order to give it the best chance against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who is from Delta North. The committee is chaired by Godwin Ogbetuo, while Solomon Edoja, former member, House of Representatives, would serve as secretary. Other members of the committee are Prof. Godini Darah, who represented Urhobo at the National

Conference, David Edevbie, Dr. John Akwara and Adogbeji Ideh. Edojah reacted thus on the development: “Both chiefs Omene and Tuesday Onoge factions were asked to stay away from the meeting to allow for frank discussions. The committee, which is expected to submit its report on Tuesday for adoption, is armed with the task of coming up with strategies on how best to actualise the Uvwiamuge Declaration with a view of producing a governor of Urhobo extraction and total

reconciliation of the UPU crisis. “The Urhobo people are putting heads together as regards the governorship election and the reality of the APC victory during the presidential elections. Very soon, we would come up with one candidate that would be acceptable to all Deltans.” A source in Ogboru’s political cabinet described the move to pacify him to step down for the APC candidate, Emerhor, as a fruitless journey as he was not ready to step down for anybody.

Military pensioners congratulate Buhari gious leanings. In a statement over the weekend by the association’s National President, Major Eromafuru Benson (retd), the group said Buhari’s victory should be a lesson to all world leaders that true power resides with the people as displayed during the last presidential election in Nigeria. According to the former military officers, “Nigerians have spoken again. It is an

indication that it is not yet over for us; it means that democracy is alive. It also means that Nigerians can get whatever they want in unity; it is a lesson to whosoever is in position of power not to see the world as his own.” The group, who had before the election endorsed the candidature of the APC presidential candidate, said President Goodluck Jonathan lost over his failure to

listen to the demands of the people who gave him the mandate to oversee the affairs of the country.

Buhari

Monday, April 6, 2015

Kogi APC stalwart commends electorate WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

chieftain of Kogi State All Progressives Congress, APC, Rotimi Obadofin has commended the electorate in the state for voting in the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, three senators and six House of Representatives members in the March 28 elections. Appealing to the people come out en mass again and vote for all the 25 APC

is set to capture the Lugard House Government House, stating that APC administration will set a standard for good governance in the state. Obadofin congratulated the President-elect for his victory at the poll, describing him as a genuine democrat who has the love of his country at heart. He also described General Buhari’s victory as victory for democracy and the people of Nigeria, noting that Nigerians have

Politics

Victory: Plateau APC supporters cautioned against unruly behaviour JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

•Urges them to vote APC Assembly candidates candidates for the House of Assembly election next Saturday, he said that APC administration would effect change in all sphere of life of average Nigerians. Obadofin, who was also an APC gubernatorial aspirant, made this commendation while speaking in a telephone chat with National Mirror in Lokoja yesterday, expressing gratitude to Kogites for joining the path to the great change in line with yearning of Nigerians. He explained that APC

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spoken through the ballot. He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding the defeat and congratulating the President-elect even before the official result was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He posited that with this singular act, President Jonathan has won the hearts of many Nigerians as his congratulatory message doused tension in the land.

ll Progressives Congress, APC, supporters in Plateau State have been cautioned not to use the just concluded presidential poll won by General Muhammadu Buhari to indulge in acts capable of threatening the fragile peace in the state. A non-governmental organization, devoted to good governance and accountability, Information for Democracy and Development, IDD, in a statement in Jos yesterday expressed concern over what it called attempt by certain people to plunge Plateau into needless chaos and anarchy over Buhari’s victory, even when the election has been accepted by all spectrum of the society, irrespective of tribe or religion as representing the

collective will and aspirations of the people. The statement, signed by Mr Joshua Yahaya, reads in part: “We congratulate General Buhari, the APC and indeed all Nigerians on this historic and epic history. We also extended kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan got his magnanimous show of statesmanship in accepting defeat and saving Nigeria from chaos anarchy and doom. “However, certain developments since this heroic victory of APC, especially in Plateau State, do not give cause for cheers. Some certain elements in Jos North are beginning to give the impression that it was only a particular segment that voted for APC and therefore have been making a lot of remarks, insinuations and innuendos which are threatening the peace and stability of the state.”

Ogun SDP denies merger with any political party FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

O Members of Accord Party during their defection to All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ibadan, recently.

Lagos INEC staff are APC members, says PDP candidate FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Ikeja federal constituency 1, Olakunle Mutiu Okunola, has alleged that the adhoc staff Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC used to conduct the National Assembly election are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Alleging that the adhoc staff colluded with APC to rig the election in the constituency, Okunola rejected the results of March 28 election which

... Rejects Ikeja federal constituency results returned APC candidate, James Faleke, saying the election was marred by lots of irregularities and systematic rigging. Addressing a press conference yesterday at Opebi, Lagos, Okunola said most of his party agents were not allowed access to polling units and collation centres. He said: “I wrote to INEC, requesting for agent tags for my party and the letter was acknowledged by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, and when the tags were ready, I sent

my campaign manager to collect the tags but they refused to give him the tags. “The Electoral Officer, EO, in Ikeja insisted that he has been directed not to give the tags to anybody. Because we don’t have tags, I had to give an improvised PDP tags that I printed to my agents on the eve of the elections. Since then, I have sensed danger because INEC has told us that anybody without INEC tags will not be allowed to monitor the elections. “I suspected they wanted to use the opportunity to stop my agents

from monitoring the election. The tags were never given despite that I wrote to them. So, on the day of election, most of our agents were not allowed into the polling units and the collation centre.” The aggrieved contestant said he discovered while monitoring the elections that most of the adhoc staff engaged by INEC for the election are members of APC from Shomolu Local Government, alleging that the EO in Ikeja and other INEC staff have been compromised by APC.

gun State Social Democratic Party, SDP, yesterday denied media report purporting that it has formed an alliance with any other political party for the purpose of wining the forthcoming governorship election in the state. SDP described the report as “malicious, baseless and a wild imagination” of the opponent, emphasising that such report of a non-existent merger was a calculated attempt aimed at damaging its credibility, image and integrity. Addressing a press conference addressed yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, SDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Akin Odunsi, stated that he is still in the gubernatorial race of the state for his party, SDP. Flanked by the state chairman of the party, Chief Olu Agemo, Odunsi also described the news as politically motivated,

stressing that “there is no iota of truth in the damaging radio news item”. He said: “Today we wish to put the record straight on some wicked news which rented the air waves two days ago. It has come to our notice that some unscrupulous elements are out to damage our party’s credibility, image and integrity, hence, this press briefing”. He maintained that his party has neither the intention nor plan to merge with any other political party, stressing that such only existed in the “wild imagination of the opponents. “I hereby state categorically that I shall by the grace of God, contest the gubernatorial election solely on the platform of the SDP.” Odunsi also explained that what happened at the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections was just a referendum where the mindsets of Nigerians demanded for a change and does not necessarily translate to meaning poor outing of his party.

Politics

Chukwudi Owo a policy, management and human resources consultant and President/Chief Executive Officer of Canada-based Resourcefield Inc. and a persistent advocate for accountability and improved governance in Nigeria bares his mind to PATIENCE OGBO on the last presidential election and the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Ayade’ll make generational statement in C’River –Owo Recently, I read that Senator Ayade identified banana export as a potential source of revenue for Cross River State. This is the kind of positive mindset and vision that Nigerians need from their leaders. There is the urgency for a new set of leaders that will challenge the status quo and advance the path to a new future. It is such right thinking that leads to the right actions which will ultimately make the difference in the course of governance and in the lives of the people.

What is your assessment of the outcome of the last presidential election? It was a watershed election in the country’s history, a victory to the citizens and a testament to the increasing sophistication of Nigeria’s democracy. Worthy of celebration is the statesmanship exhibited by President Goodluck Jonathan in accepting the outcome of the election, a first in Africa for a sitting President to call and congratulate his opponent, even when the final results had not been fully released. That singular act calmed the nerves and saved the nation from avoidable bloodshed. We must also celebrate the persistence and doggedness of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, who in the midst of all odds, fought gallantly and triumphed in the elections. What is the way forward for the country? Leaders across political divide must put away partisanship, join forces and push the nation forward. The task of governance and nation-building is not an easy one. A lot need to be done to accelerate the pace of Nigeria’s development; and in doing that, there must be a focus on balancing the people’s immediate expectations against the longterm best interests of the country. On the positive side, I see a lot of prospects for the country. I am impressed with the capacity of the Nigerian people to overcome the odds. I am particularly excited with the quality of individuals contesting for the gubernatorial elections in some of the states. For instance, in Lagos, both Akinwunmi Ambode and Jimi Agbaje are folks you can trust to move the state forward. Also, in Cross River State, there is no doubt that if elected Senator Ben Ayade will make a generational statement in the state. He parades amazing credentials and accomplishments that clearly position him as a man with a mission to raise the quality of leadership in the state. Don’t you think huge indebtedness of Cross River State would hamper the performance of the next governor of the state? Not really, what we need is focused leadership. While recognising the challenges, a leader must also identify, harness and build on the opportunities. Cross River State has a rich but largely undeveloped resource base in agriculture, mining, tourism amongst others; and if fully harnessed, these will lay a solid foundation for accelerated development of the state and positively transform the lives of the people. What is required is focus, commitment and a successor-leadership that will advance on the successes of Governor Liyel Imoke. With the right team, the state will overcome its debt challenges and the urgent work which needs to be done to radically transform the state will be accomplished. Senator Ayade has the education, experience and exposure to assemble such a team and do the needful. He has the courage, confidence and capacity to unearth the hidden potentials of the state and take it to the next level. Why do you think Senator Ayade will make the difference in Cross River State? He has a pedigree that positively sells him as a competent leader. Educationally, he is well armed with a PhD, and also an excelled entrepreneur with a knack to build and grow businesses. As a senator, he demonstrated exceptional intelligence, excellence and hard work in legislative duties. He fought for the masses through the introduction of the Social Housing Bill. He was not afraid of speaking the inconvenient truth to his colleagues when he lambasted them for drawing huge compensation packages,

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Owo

LEADERS ACROSS POLITICAL DIVIDE MUST PUT AWAY

PARTISANSHIP, JOIN FORCES AND PUSH THE NATION FORWARD

a boldness that did not go down well with his colleagues who were apologetic of the status quo. He represents an inspirational story to the youths and young Nigerians, the story of a man who in the face of all odds, worked hard and changed his fortune. He is not the typical opportunistic politician but one with a mission to change the storyline of his people. He has a clear vision on how to change the fortune of the state as manifest in his robust program for accelerated development of the state. Importantly, he is very passionate about lifting his people out of poverty and eager to drive the wheels of development in the state. With such an individual, Cross River State will be in good hands. He will definitely make a difference not just in the quality of governance but also in the character of leadership and the impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. As a technocrat and respected management and human resources consultant, how can the country address the issue of falling oil price? The mono-cultural character of the Nigerian economy limits the nation’s potentials. There is an urgent need to accelerate the diversification of the economy. While consolidating and growing the very important oil and gas sector, the country needs to spread out and expand the other neglected sectors. For instance, the agricultural sector has the potential to radically transform the country. Nigeria is not yet tapping the huge agricultural resources derivable from its fertile land. It’s painful that Nigeria is still importing food when it should be exporting food to other nations. Agriculture can be made attractive and can indeed employ millions of our unemployed citizens. You can build an agro-allied industrial base that will generate more revenue for the country than we presently get from oil. Other nations are doing it, why not Nigeria?

What is your view on the security challenges in the country, the Boko Haram insurgency, non-rescue of Chibok school girls? The security challenges in Nigeria must be understood within a historical, political, economic and social context. The entity called Nigeria was a product of a forced amalgamation in 1914 by the British. If you cast your mind back to the origin of what is presently known as Nigeria, you will agree with me that its foundation was rooted in several contradictions. The amalgamation of 1914 was an ingenious British contraption meant to facilitate their political and economic interests; it was not meant to serve the interests of the locals. In effect, it was a forced fusion of diverse, autonomous ethnic cleavages with no attempt at genuine integration. So, even though the outcome was the creation of the country called Nigeria, there was no attempt to integrate and unify the diverse ethnic groups. Diversity, which ought to be one of the strengths of the new country, was rather exploited in a manner that further alienated the various ethnic nationalities. Under the “divide and rule policy”, it became British official policy to limit and frustrate inter-ethnic relations and also promote suspicion among the people. So, in a historical context, a poisoned seed was sown in the country. Unfortunately, in the post-colonial era, that poisoned seed continued to be watered over the years by our parochially-minded leaders; and the animosity which took root in inter-relations soon began to manifest in terms of security threats. What compounded the security challenges was the obvious neglect on the parts of successive governments to address the economic and educational imbalance in the country. There seem to be a failure at the various levels of governance to address issues of poverty, economic inequality, corruption, impunity, etc. in the country. Take the issue of Boko Haram which has taken root in the North Eastern part of the country, for many years the federal, state and local governments looked the other way while young Northerners were being socialised under an exploitative Al-majiri system which forced them to solicit for alms in the streets and dark alleys only to surrender same to some Malams. Those exploited individuals, angry at the society that initially rejected and failed to protect them, are now rebelling against the same society and have made themselves available as ready pipeline for the supply of suicide bombers to Boko-Haram. You also have the politically induced instability in the country. The desperation by various political actors to score cheap political points have tended to generate so much tension in the country that often lead to violent outcomes. With various individuals and groups exploiting our diversities, we now have a situation where threats to national security have become tools to achieve predetermined objectives. In the case of Boko Haram, religion became the colour of appeal to recruit and indoctrinate disadvantaged people into committing violence. In the case of the ethnic militias, the cry of ethnic marginalisation became the clarion call to mobilize along ethnic sentiments. The objectives in all these are the same; namely, to instill fear, intimidate, dominate and exploit same for their selfish interests. Ordinarily, the situation ought not to have degenerated to this despicable level but the unfortunate weakening of the security and intelligence agencies by acts of corruption have left the belly of the nation exposed and vulnerable for such acts of violence.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Relevance of Okotie’s peace message OMOTAYO OLADEINDE

he presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone. Thank God for the unprecedented step taken by President Goodluck Jonathan in congratulating the APC candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC announced the final result. It showed that Rev. Chris Okotie counsel was heeded. In an article posted on his Facebook page, titled ‘A message for Jonathan and Buhari’, the Pastor-politician said: “This democracy was purchased at a very high price, essentially because aside the blood of several innocent Nigerians that was shed, we sacrificed a popular mandate, the June 12 (1993) presidential election still adjudged the freest and the best ever. That historic mandate was scuttled and the man who secured it, Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola, was killed. We must always remember that”. Some of the losers in the present elections have a chance to participate in the 2019 general elections. So, there’s no cause for alarm. Elections are won and lost, but the process continues like a recurring decimal. President Jonathan’s exemplary conducts should remind us that election are not a do or die affair. Nigerians know this, having lived un-

der military dictatorship for more than 30 years. We opted for the present democracy at a great cost, like Okotie rightly pointed out, but preserving the system is the real challenge. If we pull through this election cycle in one piece, it sends a clear signal to all, that we have learnt our lessons. We cannot even begin to contemplate the consequences of another failed democratic project. All the portends for a truncated transition, appeared to have been diffused by the refusal of the masses to be swayed by the ominous postures of the leading contenders in the 2015 general elections, and peaceful end of the presidential election. After 16 years of uninterrupted democracy, we ought to have grown out of the primordial, self-serving concepts that still prevail. Yet again, the choice is entirely in our hands as Rev. Chris succinctly puts it: “If our democracy succeeds, it means MKO and all the heroes and heroines of June 12, 1993 like those of Black Sunday, did not die for nothing. If we fail, God forbid, it will mean that the death of our heroes past has been in vain. We must not allow that to happen”. But for it not to happen, we must resolve our socio-cultural and economic disparities. Also, concerted efforts and urgent steps needed to be taken because no man is immune from the effects of a

THE NIGERIA OF OUR DREAMS, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT, WILL NOT

EMERGE BY MAGIC failed government. The electorate has deployed the full force of its franchise in determining the kind of leadership it desires. That started with going beyond the sentiments which the recent campaigns took, to making proper and informed decisions. It meant engaging our nationalistic fervor in refusing to be tools of disharmony which crooked politicians can co-opt for their devious intents. The Nigeria of our dreams, which we continue to talk about, will not emerge by magic. It will take the collective will of the people who have decided to make it happen. That is how every great nation that has ever emerged came into reckoning. Wishful thinking will not help us here; neither will the electorate taking sides with religious or tribal affiliations. No gender, tribe or religion by itself has the preserve of leadership or knowledge, what is needed is a leadership with the intellectual and managerial capacity to create the environment to forge ahead in season and out of it. President-elect,

Gen. Buhari, must now strive hard to reunite the nation. In pressing forward as a people towards our vision of a democratically vibrant nation, 2015, which promises to be a very busy and eventful year has presented us with another chance at reappraisal of our core values. Our disparities and critical weaknesses cannot continue to weigh us down. There must be a substantial break with traditions and patterns that repeatedly set us back. Our destiny is tied to our choices and the trajectory of governance which we accept from our leaders. It has been repeated severally that every nation deserves the kind of leaders it gets; whether we voted them in or not, whether our selection decisions were guided by principles or sentiments, it makes no difference. But the sum total of our lives for the period of time which they exercise leadership will be based on this. Whichever leadership we elect, good or bad, we must live with it for the next four years. So, my advice is for us to continue to go all out armed with our convictions and make our votes count. For the sake of our tomorrow and a better life for generations unborn, may the best candidates always win. Omotayo Oladeinde wrote from Lagos.

Challenges of perfectionism SANDRA AKUOMA

erfectionism is often mistaken for ‘being perfect’ or ‘doing something perfectly’. Many people assume that it must be a good thing. Other people think of being a perfectionist as being something negative and embarrassing. Perfectionism is a set of self-defeating thought patterns that push you to try to achieve unrealistically high goals. This involves putting pressure on yourself to meet high standards which then powerfully influences the way you think about yourself. Researchers have shown that parts of perfectionism are helpful, and parts unhelpful. This is adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Adaptive perfectionists work on developing their skills. Their standards are always rising, and they approach work with optimism, pleasure, and a desire to improve. This is clearly a healthy type of perfectionism. However, maladaptive perfectionists are never satisfied with what they achieve. If something isn’t perfect, they dismiss it. They may experience fear of failure, doubt, unhappiness, and other painful emotions. It’s important to understand the difference between the two. Maladaptive perfectionists see mistakes as unacceptable, as they think that these make others to see them as incompetent. By contrast, people striving for excellence in a healthy way see mistakes as an opportunity to grow;

PEOPLE STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN A HEALTHY WAY SEE MISTAKES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW they understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, and they accept them. We would agree that it is generally a good idea to have high standards. Having goals helps you achieve things in life. But when these goals are either unachievable or only achievable at great cost, it makes it very difficult to feel good about oneself. This is when perfectionism can be problematic What are the traits of a perfectionist? First, you’re always eager to please. This normally starts from childhood when you want to please your parents and your teachers by getting an A+. Anything short from an A will send you into bout of depression. Second, your drive for perfection is costing you a lot and you consider that is the price you have to pay. If you are someone who will go to great lengths to avoid being an average person and who takes no pain or no gain view in pursuit of success, then you are a perfectionist. Note that perfectionists are not normally high achievers, but it’s most times tied down to workaholic. Third, a perfectionist is a creature of procrastination, always waiting for the ducks to line up before taking the plunge. Chasing perfection only sets

them up for disappointments; the fear of failure is one of the major reasons for procrastination. Fourth, you’re highly critical of others. A perfectionist applies unrealistic standards in others; he/she is highly critical and hard to please, like walking on eggshells when people are around them. They are rigid, judgemental, they expect one to be perfect in all ways. In a nutshell they reject in others what they hate about themselves. Fifth, all or nothing mind-set: “If I can’t do something perfectly then there is no point even trying” Many perfectionists struggle with black-andwhite thinking - you’re a success one moment and a failure the next, based on your latest accomplishment or failure. And they do things in extremes. If you have perfectionist tendencies, you’ll probably only throw yourself into a new project or task if you know there’s a good chance you can succeed - and if there’s a risk of failure, you’ll likely avoid it altogether. Sixth, you take everything personally. Because they take every setback and criticism personally, perfectionists tend to be less resilient than others. Rather than bouncing back from challenges and mistakes, the perfectionist is beaten down by them, taking every misstep as evidence for the truth of their deepest, continually plaguing fear: “I’m not good enough.” Seventh, get really defensive when criticized: A perfectionist jumps to defend himself or herself at the

slightest hint of criticism even when it is not needed. It is a way of preserving their fragile self-image and the way they appear to others. In a nutshell, a perfectionist tries to take control against any threat to their so called EGO, even when NO defence is needed. Eight, never quite “there yet”: A perfectionist focuses on and is consumed by what he has not accomplished. Perfection is an impossible pursuit and with a perfectionist they are never there yet, because of this they drive constantly to out-do themselves.. Ninth, outcome orientated as opposed to process: You don’t enjoy the process of learning and working; you only care about the result. Food for thought Being a perfectionist doesn’t necessarily mean you have unrelenting high standards in every area of your life, although this may be the case for some people. It is possible to be a perfectionist in one area of your life, for example at work but not in say grooming. Akuoma wrote from Lagos via sanlifepointers@hotmail.com and can be reached through 08165583876 (SMS only)

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.

MENT

Editorial

Monday, April 6, 2015

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

FORMENT

IMF and Nigeria’s spending on infrastructure

he Federal Government stated lately that it had knocked together a 30 year National Infrastructure Master-plan (NIM) that would cost $3 trillion to provide infrastructure in major sectors of the Nigerian economy. While performing the groundbreaking ceremony of Land Swap Districts in Abuja recently, President Goodluck Jonathan revealed that the master plan would be operated between 2013 and 2043. Vice President Namadi Sambo, who stood in for the president on the said occasion, said: “This plan has been presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and has been duly approved… The sectors for investment include energy about $1 billion, transportation $775 billion, Agriculture, water and mining $400 billion, housing and regional development $350 billion, and ICT $325 million, social infrastructures $150 billion and vital registration and security $50 billion”, President Jonathan said. In truth, Nigeria’s infrastructure gap is quite distressing. Take housing infrastructure as an example. Through the NIM, the FG’s estimation is that the housing sector needs $300 billion investment over the next 30 years to resolve housing deficit alone in the country put at 17 million units and counting. Experts say the country requires about one million housing units annually for the next 30 years to be able to provide decent and affordable housing for Nigeri-

ans as the 1991 National Housing Policy (as altered) prescribes. However, with the NIM yet to go into full operation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has implored the FG to slow down on its infrastructural projects in order to give the Nigerian economy a breather. The IMF, in its 2014 Article IV Consultation- Staff Report released last Monday, was quoted as saying that with recent developments in the international oil market, the national infrastructure investment plan needed careful prioritization, as financing the entire plan would pose a grave challenge. It also recommended that the FG should preoccupy itself with the mobilization of nonoil revenue, including an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, to boost the economy. Nonetheless, IMF recognised Nigeria’s large and diverse economy, which it claimed achieved a decade of strong growth, averaging 6.8 percent a year; while, unfortunately, the country still lagged behind in critical infrastructure and high rates of poverty and income inequality. “It will be essential to ensure that fiscal adjustment is achieved without endangering the delivery of critical public services. The authorities have a comprehensive economic transformation agenda, designed to boost growth, create new job opportunities, and reduce poverty”, IMF said. The IMF, since the era of former military leader, General Ibrahim

NIGERIA’S INFRASTRUCTURAL PROBLEM IS THE CUMULATIVE PRODUCT OF DECADES OF NEGLECT AND DECAY Badamasi Babangida in the late 1980s and 1990s, especially, has been showing keen interest in Nigeria’s economy. It has also not relented in recommending economic prescriptions to the country. A good example would be the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) which was dutifully implemented by the Babangida regime, a programme that revolved, purportedly, around a competitive, private sector-led, market-driven economy, which made the government to abdicate its responsibilities to Nigerian citizens in virtually all sectors. Increasingly, ordinary Nigerians have been impoverished and plunged into greater economic penury, while the larger economy itself suffers the more. Presently, the drivers of Nigeria’s economy are still enamoured with the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF and World Bank) with scant consideration for the peculiar situation at home. The latest recommendation of IMF may be well-intended, but its prescription of VAT increment, in an economy down with multiple-taxation, is objectionable. Nige-

ON THIS DAY April 6, 1994 The Rwandan Genocide began, when the aircraft carrying Rwandan P Juvénal Habyarimana and Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamirawa was shot down. The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority. During the approximate 100-day period from April 7, 1994, to mid-July, an estimated 500,000 – 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

April 6, 12011 In San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, over 193 bodies were exhumed from several mass graves made by Los Zetas. Los Zetas is a powerful and violent criminal syndicate in Mexico; and is considered by the United States’ government to be the “most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico”. The origin of Los Zetas dates back to the late 1990s.

ria’s infrastructural problem is the cumulative product of decades of neglect and decay in public infrastructure provisioning. Catching up requires a plan like the NIM, which should be rigorously implemented with exceptional commitment. Yes, oil prices have slumped and may remain comatose for long. But ours is a country where terrible leakages, high cost of governance and excessive recurrent expenditure, as well as public sector frauds and corruption, in general terms, can be curtailed to free funds for infrastructural development. The 2014 budget had a recurrent expenditure profile of 76 percent as against the 24 percent capital component, for example. Prescriptions of IMF that suit Europe and the Americas may not work successfully in Nigeria. Indeed, they have never been fantastic so far, and must not be imposed on Nigerians. What Nigeria need at this stage of its development is to take firm charge of crucial sectors of the economy that are critical to the welfare of the larger population; and regulate other sectors. Nigeria ought to play the role of an interventionist state, with clear definition of government’s involvement, superintendence and regulatory roles in all sectors of the economy. It should not just pay special attention to increasing capital expenditure, stemming waste, leakages and corruption that hurt the economy, but also on diversifying the economy.

x April 6, 2012 Azawad declared itself independent from the Republic of Mali. Azawad is a territory in northern Mali as well as a former short-lived, unrecognised state. Its independence was declared unilaterally by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in 2012, after a Tuareg rebellion drove the Malian Army from the territory. Initially, their effort was supported by various Islamist groups.

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Cover

Stock Market:

Deepening capitalisation, Despite the modest achievements of the reform measures undertaken by the regulatory authorities to engender investors’ interest in the nation’s capital market in the past few years, stakeholders believe there is a lot more to do to deepen the market’s capital base, restore investors’ confidence and boost returns in the market. Udo Onyeka reports.

he role of the capital market in the national development is very vital. It is the segment of the financial system which facilitates the channelling of medium and long-term funds from surplus areas to deficit economic units, thereby stimulating capital formation and socio-economic development. Analysts have said that the capital market does not only serve as a source of finance for public and private sectors but also provides a wide range of socio-economic benefits to investors and national economies on a worldwide scale. According to the analysts comprising mainly investment, finance and development professionals, by mobilising funds into productive investments, the market brings together those who have and those who need funds at usually competitive prices and conditions acceptable to both parties and thus ensures efficient resource allocation while promoting economic growth. In spite of several reforms by the regulatory authorities, particularly the Securities and Exchange Commission, the nation’s capital market has not been fully repositioned to optimise investors’ returns as well as attain its maximum developmental potentials due to some challenges. For instance, the market is believed to be deficient operationally in terms of mobilising savings and allocating capital to companies with relatively high prospects of judiciously

deploying such financial resource for improved performance and by implication, contributing to sustainable growth of key sectors economy. It is therefore against this backdrop that experts and operators in the financial system sub sector have recently been rallying in recent months with a view to identifying revitalisation options that will give the capital market the needed push as domestic and international investors are looking towards it as a major source of capital formation required to bridge long term funding deficits in key sectors of the economy in the 2015 post-election years. Quite commendably, at an interactive session with journalists last Tuesday in Lagos, capital market leaders comprising those of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON and Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, AIHN, noted that government’s goal of diversifying the economy would be reinforced if the capital market was deepened to enable it fund the capital expenditure over the short to medium term period. According to t the group the Capital Market is currently underutilised relative to its absorptive capacity. “We the coalition of capital market operators under the aegis of capital market alliance is fully prepared to work with the capital market regulators to enable the government reposition the market as a nexus for

Madubuike

bridging infrastructural gaps. This is a major path towards Nigeria’s dream of being on the league of top 20 economies in 2020”, the group said. The coalition also said the capital market presents a paradox of untapped resources in the midst of the cash crunch environment, adding that as Nigerians look up to the incoming government there is the need to address the financing gaps in the economy. Among the issues raised by the operators include the Core Capital Market Operators to work with the Regulators to come up with pragmatic timetable which will be endorsed by the Federal Government for the commencement of viable Commodity Exchanges which are either privately owned or government owned. They also said the Commodity market should be developed in such a way to provide un-

Okumagba

derlying instruments on which other structured products in the financial market can be developed to increase the number of tradable instruments in the capital market. For instance Futures, Options and other derivative instrument on the underlying assets available in the commodity market. They argue that incentives should be given to listed companies and prospective companies to be listed so as to have some advantage over unlisted companies. “We propose some tax incentives for listed companies and those that are in the process of getting listed. “Policies that would promote marketability of agricultural products should be enunciated and implemented to boost operations of the commodities exchanges. Governments at the highest level must continue to

make positive statements and assurances that will engender investors’ confidence”, the group said. Further the capital market operators said government borrowing rate in the capital market should drop to avoid crowding out of funds in the Market so as to make the market attractive for private sector to raise funds, adding that they are ready to support the Federal Government in advisory capacity at any time the need arises on how the l market can be fully utilised to drive economic growth and development. According to the operators the Federal Government UDO ONYEKA, CO-ORDINATOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c

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returns on investments

Mounir Gwarzo, SEC DG

should accord regulatory support for the two existing OverThe-Counter, OTC, markets – National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD, and FMDQ platform to enhance expansion of their operations in the financial market and that there is the need to promote National Savings which would be better achieved through a comprehensive review of the rules and regulations guiding the Collective Investment Scheme, CIS. Again they said there is a need to amend all clauses that are affecting the operations of the Pension Commission, to ensure its developmental impact on the activities in the capital market, adding that the Federal Government should reform the operations of the Mortgage institutions in order to be fully integrated into the Capital Market activities. Many analysts have said to

achieve the desired results the operators in the capital market can finance the entire infrastructural gaps if the government can deploy fiscal incentives to deepen the market by encouraging the companies in the telecom, power, aviation and oil and gas sectors of the economy to get listed on the securities market. To attract firms to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the federal government had said recently that it will come up with guidelines and incentives that will encourage major companies in the oil/gas, telecommunications and power sectors to list on the NSE. Speaking during a meeting with the capital market community at the NSE in Lagos President Goodluck Jonathan said the government attaches much importance to the capital market as it reflects significant performance of the nation’s economy

and would do everything economically possible to make the market attractive to investors and issuers. According to him, as the biggest economy in Africa, the nation’s capital market ought to equally be the largest, adding that the only to achieve that is to ensure that big companies operating in the economy and are benefiting make their shares available for Nigerians to invest in and benefit. He said before now he has had discussions with MTN during one of his visits to South Africa on the need to list their shares. Jonathan assured the stockbrokers and executives of listed companies that the government would continue to partner the private sector and hand off the management of business in order to solely face the provision of an enabling environment for businesses to

thrive “We will continue to partner the private sector. We are moving away from where government used to be the best manager of companies, best investors, to area where the government will create the enabling environment for the private sector to manage the economy,” he said. Analysts have said that even though the capital market has reached its maximum potentials, but a lot of progress have been made. According to them reforms and stringent regulations introduced by the regulators have led to improvement in market resulting in the equities and bond markets recording increased patronage. Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Emeka Madubuike, while seeking more role for capital market operator said that the success seen in the financial sub sector was the collabortio mong operators such as SEC, NSE, , CIS, ASHON, Issuing Houses, Custodians, Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS, Registrars and other stakeholders. Over the year, the management of the NSE took some initiatives to put the market back on track, which triggered appreciable growth in the twin market indices. In 2013, therefore, the equities market consolidated the appreciation of 2012 and continues to be among the best performing markets in the world. Year-todate, YTD, the All Share Index, ASI, of the NSE appreciated by 43.28 percent, outperforming 35 percent it did in 2012. This thereby helped to retain the Nigerian stock market amongst the top ten performing exchanges. Opening the year at 28,078.81 bps, it rose to close at 40,231.68 bps as at the close of transactions on Friday, December 27, 2013. Also, the NSE’s market capitaliastion rose by 43.47 percent from N8.974trn it started the year at to close at N12.875trn as at close of trading on Friday, December 27, 2013. In 2013 also the equities market equally saw a boost as an organised Over-the-Counter, OTC, platform, sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers ,NASD, was launched to enable the transparent and regulated trading of

unlisted securities. Within the year the NSE commenced transaction on the new trading engine, X-Gen. There was also the launch of Alternative Securities Market, ASEM, a specialized board for listing small and mid-sized companies with high growth potential, as part of efforts to achieve the its $1 trillion marks by 2016. Before the re-launch of the ASEM window, the NSE had appointed 14 companies as Designated Advisers, DAs, for the companies interested in listing on ASEM. In April 2013, the Nigerian domestic bond market got a huge boost following the inclusion of Nigeria’s sovereign bonds in Barclay’s Emerging Market Bond Index, in addition to its admission into the JP Morgan local currency bond index in October 2012. This puts the local currency bond market within the radar of foreign investors, who yearto-date, have invested an estimated $5.4 billion in Nigerian bonds. In September 2012, prior to the admission of FGN Bonds to any international bond index, foreign investors’ holding of Nigerian bonds was approximately $1.2bn. The state government and corporate segments of the bond market have benefited from a favourable environment, reformed issuance procedures and renewed interest from investors to tap into the bond market. The International Finance Corporation ,IFC, did issued its first N12bn ‘Naija Bond’ in February this year and has approached the SEC for naira-denominated Medium-term Notes ,MTN, programme of $1bn. The African Development Bank, ADB, has equally filed for the approval of an MTN-programme worth $1.5bn, with the SEC. Also the capital market witnessed the issuance of new products. For instance Nigeria’s first Sukuk bond by Osun State government following the approval of Sukuk rules by the SEC. The Sukuk is an important product capable of attracting capital from the Gulf countries and from the Muslim population of Nigeria, who many believe constitute large percent of Nigeria’s population. BC

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News ICA tasks Buhari on cost of doing business

Ukwuani, also gave training on “Agriculture as business” and “Investing profitably in vitamin A cassava value chain”. Ilona admonished farmers to get properly acquainted with the subject of their investment, which is cassava.

By Gbenga Odogun

he Institute of Credit Administration .ICA, has advised the president-elect, Major General Muhammed Buhari to ensure that his government drastically cut the cost of doing business in Nigeria when he assumes office. The institute, in a statement pointed out that the incoming administration would gain local and global acceptance if the aforementioned is achieved. The ICA said “it is really possible to fix electricity by all means within six months,” even as it urged Buhari to prioritise nationwide road construction. While congratulating the president-elect, the ICA further advised him not to: “fail Nigeria and Nigerians; do not also fail the friends of Nigeria in the uttermost parts of the world. Endeavour to deliver in accordance with your campaign promises to which you must expect that Nigerians and international community will hold your government.” “As Nigeria’s only national body for overseeing and monitoring standards, behaviour and administration of those who give, take, facilitate and manage credits in the economy, the ICA is confident that you, General Mohammed Buhari, has the requisite discipline to lead our great country into the next regime of strong economic prosperity, social justice and freedom. “First among your priorities should be to address the nation’s urgent economic, social and security situation, and to build a strong economy for the future. Your approach no doubt should be to focus very quickly on structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and investment. “Set up as a matter of urgency a national agency that guarantees access to loans by SMEs, and not to disburse loan to them. Such agency can be called – Nigerian Credit Guarantee Corporation, NCGC,. Surprisingly, up till today, Nigerian government is still not dreaming of creating this

Buhari

Entrepreneur extols FG’s fertiliser policy

L-R: Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, Emeka Madubuike; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Albert Okumagba; Chairman, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, Victor Ogiemwonyi; and 1st Vice President, CIS, Oluwaseyi Abe, during a media parley on the state of capital market by CIS, ASHON and AIHN in Lagos

national platform that would support the development of SMEs. “If a National Credit Guarantee Corporation is set up by the federal government with strong capital base and very robust operating fund, you can be sure that that corporation would serve as collateral and security which people who want to borrow money do not have, that is, those within the class of SMEs. This is the practice in other countries.

“Technically, YABATECH is ready for the take- off of the bank,” the official said. Oni said the bank would be able to sustain itself and would also serve as an additional revenue earner for the institution.

Yabatech to float mortgage bank

he Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, in set to float a mortgage bank, to train the students on industrialisation, Head, Public Relations Unit, YABATECH, Mr Charles Oni, said on Thursday in Lagos. According to him the capital deposit had been paid to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, “the process is ongoing now; once we get the CBN’s nod, we will float it. “So many members of staff are investors; shares were sold to staff, so that they can be part of the venture. “We publicised the availability of shares over time and as at today, the capital outlay has been perfected. He said that the bank would provide an all-encompassing training and would also be used for the collection of tuitions fees. He says the bank will provide comprehensive knowledge for students on how to go into industrialisation, production, marketing and banking. “The bank will be situated within the college, and a site has been located for the project.

Ilona

HarvestPlus disseminates improved vitamin A cassava stems to farmers By Udo Onyeka

arvestPlus Nigeria, pursuant to its objectives for 2015, which include dissemination of improved vitamin A cassava stems to over 700,000 farmers across the country, has presented over 3,000 farmers in Akwa-Ibom and Delta communities with the latest variety of improved vitamin A cassava stems for planting and multiplication. According to a statement the farmers were selected from the Ikpa Nung Asang clan made up of villages in Ikot Abasi LGA, Akwa-Ibom State and Ukwuani communities in Delta States. The dissemination exercise took place back-to-back on Friday, March 13 at Essene, Ikot-Abasi and on Saturday,

March 14th at Obiaruku Town Hall. Human Empowerment and Development Project ,HEMADEP and Positive Influence Global Resources Foundation are HarvestPlus’ partners in Akwa-Ibom and Delta States responsible for the initiative. Addressing the farmers at the two events, Paul Ilona, Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, said: “HarvestPlus is happy to reach out to farmers wishing to invest into the vitamin A cassava value chain. This is because your coming on board has immense implication on the general health of our people and the economy. Without agriculture, there is no nation.” He advised the farmers to take advantage of the initiative and further trainings to be given by HarvestPlus and its partners to increase their knowledge of agriculture as business, with a view to increasing their scale and yield while at the same time lowering their cost of production. In his speech, Paramount Ruler of the Ikpa Nung Asang clan, HRM Celestine Udia, thanked HarvestPlus and HEMADEP for the vitamin A cassava initiative and the stems which were distributed to farmers to kick-start their vitamin A cassava business. He promised that the farmers in Ikpa Nung Asang clan will make good use of the stems, applying high standard of agronomy practices to ensure good yields. “We will plant and eat vitamin A cassava because of its health benefits. We will also work with HarvestPlus and HEMADEP to train women and youth in our communities on small-scale investment in vitamin A cassava business to ensure reduction in poverty and creation of jobs among our rural women and youth,” the clan head added. HarvestPlus, in addition to stem distribution to farmers in

he Agricultural policy of the federal government of Nigeria, especially its efforts at ending the age-long corrupt system of fertilizer distribution has been commended by Mr. Friday Ejam, Chief Executive Officer of Jubuckz Nigeria Limited. Ejam gave the commendation at a four-day national workshop on food security which was jointly organised by The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Federal Ministry of Health and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation at Abuja, the nation’s capital. “For decades, the rich and powerful political hijacked the subsidised fertiliser’s distribution. Government was not subsidising farmers; instead it was subsidising corruption. High quality seeds and fertilisers that farmers needed to raise their farm productivity were taken over by the elite, the rich and politically powerful. Today the story has changed; the government developed the Growth Enhancement Scheme ,GES, that provided fertiliser and other farm inputs directly to farmers, thereby eliminating the role of middleman, where the corrupt practises resided” he said. He wants the government to attract the youths into the agricultural sector by collaborating with commercial banks to provide loans at single digit rates as well as to make them to have access to land. “I must further commend the federal government of Nigeria for programs like YouWin, Sure-P and others like them. However, the federal government should ensure more agric based entrepreneurs to join the sector. In addition to online registrations, YouWin and Sure-P should have offices in all the states to make these programs more accessible to more young Nigerians” he advised. Ejam, said he has been in the forefront of those championing for the adoption of agribusiness as the major driver of the Nigerian economic growth. He explained that Nigerian youths are losing out of the enormous opportunities in the sector due to a negative perception towards farming. He believes that government policies should play a leading role in encouraging young

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people to go into agribusiness. “Government should establish youth agriculture business investment initiative in the country. Take the National Youth Service, NYSC for instance, can serve as a platform. Instead of young graduates wasting an entire year doing next to nothing, the government should ensure that these youths get the needed training in both the operation and business of agriculture. By the time they finish the service year, you’ll discover that they would not head to the cities for white collar jobs that are simply not there, they are ready for business” he said. The large scale commercial farmer further noted that access to funding, land and so forth are all within the power of the government to provide in order to encourage the youths.

Nigeria foreign reserve dips

the embedded power generation will boost the power supply greatly,” he said.

Economists want incoming govt to focus on monetary policy, non-oil export

L-R: Fidelity Bank customer, Uche Chigozie, Chief Technology Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc. Lazarus Okolie, Star Prize winner, Onuoha Chigozie and the Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Ikemuefuna Mbagwu as he presents the N2 million cash prize to Onuoha Chigozie, the Save4 Scholarship Savings promo star prize winner

By Gbenga Odogun

igeria’s foreign exchange reserves fell by 4.9 percent to $29.79bn on March 30, down from $31.35bn in February.According to the data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the year-on-year reserves fell by 21.3 percent from $37.83bn in March 2014 to $29.79bn on Monday. The external reserves have continued to drop at a faster pace due to low demand for Nigeria’s crude oil and its falling prices globally. Nigeria derives 70 percent of its revenue and 90 percent of its foreign exchange from crude oil. The CBN has been using the reserves to support the weak local currency, which has been affected by the low global oil prices and uncertainty over the just concluded presidential elections. Economic and financial analysts linked the huge drop in the stock of external reserves to political spending, falling oil prices, which have put pressure on the local currency and speculative demand for the dollar by foreign exchange dealers.

buildings. Shoderu told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos that such collaboration would assist in the management of the nation’s resources. He said that about 10 million public buildings need insurance shield, adding that no economy would develop without taking into cognisance the role of insurance and risk management. He said it was sad that most of the buildings were uninsured and exposed the lives and property of third parties who have rights to access the buildings at great risk. He also advocated for aggressive asset protection on public buildings and markets as enshrined in the legal provision under Insurance Act 2003, section 64 and 65. On the fire incidences, he described it as too high and disturbing, as victims lack avenues of mitigation through insurance. “Also most of the victims constitute a significant chunk of entrepreneurial class, who are supposedly great contributors to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

NAICOM, FFS commended over public buildings compulsory insurance

he President of Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers ,NCRIB, Mr Ayodapo Shoderu, has commended National Insurance Commission ,NAICOM, for collaborating with the Federal Fire Services ,FFS, in the compulsory insurance of public

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Shoderu

“The consequence of these unfortunate developments to many of the victims; most especially those without insurance cover, remains horrific. “Indeed NAICOM through this collaboration has good implementation policies” he said. Shoderu also commiserated with victims of Balogun market fire where properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. The President of the Council said that the incident has further depleted the resource at the disposal of the victims and national economy in general. He said that the council would continue to enlighten traders on the need for insurance and the utilization of its services.

EKEDC targets uninterrupted electricity supply

he management of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, says they have put in place measures that would enable the company to provide 24 hours uninterrupted electricity supply to its consumers. Chief Executive Officer ,CEO, Mr Oladele Amoda, announced this in Lagos during the company’s Customer Engagement Town Hall Meeting with electricity consumers from Ibeju-Lekki, Ajah, Igbo-Efon, Lekki Phase 1and 2. Amoda said that the management had concluded plans to add more than170megawatts (MW) to the supply from the national grid.

He said that the company was receiving only 11 per cent or between 270 megawatts and 300 megawatts of electricity generated from the National grid. “EKEDC requires 700 megawatts to give consumers in the zone uninterrupted power supply but out of which we are given between 270 MW and 300MW. “This has resulted to erratic power supply to our numerous customers and led to series of protests in many communities. “This has made the company to engage in embedded power generation projects, to fill in the lapses. “We are almost through with three power generating plants who have agreed to supply the company with 170megawatts. “We have entered into agreement with the Egbin Power Plant who will be supplying the company 100MW directly from their station. “40MW will be received from the Ijora Power Plant and the remaining 30MW will come from Agara in Ogun State. “Apart from this, we are at present negotiating with more than 40 companies to get more energy. My team is in Abuja to finalise arrangements with the companies. “These companies will generate power and send to us and we will distribute to our customers,” he said. Amoda, however, assured the consumers that the arrangement was almost completed, adding that they would soon start to enjoy between 20 hours and 22 hours of uninterrupted electricity supply. “The new era has come with the change we are all clamouring for. I can assure you that

n Economist, Mr Henry Boyo, has advised the President-elect to focus on strengthening monetary policy, to improve and transform Nigeria’s economy. Boyo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. “The president-elect should not settle for doing things the way people have been doing it in the past without much success. “He must be very concerned about monetary policy strategy,” he said. “This is because at the end, no matter how hard he works, if he does not understand the critical significance of money and its management, then, all his efforts will be meaningless.’’ He said that Nigeria could not afford to continue to have excess liquidity in the country that arose from government borrowing money it did not need. The economist said that such development had led to high interest rates and increased the national debt burden to almost about 10 per cent annually. “We cannot continue to mop up excess liquidity at a time when the real sector is dying and crying for lack of fund. “We can also not expect naira to appreciate when there is surplus of it in the system. “We cannot expect fuel subsidy to be resolved so long as the naira continues to weaken. “So long as the naira weakens, the higher will be the price of fuel and the more difficult it will be to remove fuel subsidy in the country. Also another economist and Managing Director, Corporate Investment Limited Lagos, Dr Suleiman Yusuf, has urged Buhari, to pay attention to nonoil export for the survival of the country’s economy. BC

Boyo

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Companies & Markets

Sterling Bank to increase credit to agric sector T Story Udo Onyeka

he Agricultural sector received a major boost at the weekend as Sterling Bank Plc restated its commitment to the strategic growth of the Sector by increasing the proportion of loans allocated to it from the total loans earmarked for disbursement to various sectors of the economy from five percent 10 percent in 2015. The Bank will also be willing to partner with major stakeholders – both private and government in the sector to ensure that farmers begin to see agriculture more as a business. Speaking at the 2015 Conference organised by the Inter-

national Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, in collaboration with the International Association of Research Scholars & Fellows, IARSAF, the Bank’s Group Head, Agric Finance, Mrs. Bukola Awosanya said the five percent allocated to the sector in 2014 was fully disbursed to the various sub sectors across the value chain for the financing of various projects nationwide. Mrs. Awosanya who disclosed that the Bank is a major financier of one of the largest rice mills in Nigeria as well as a state of the art soya bean oil milling plant, stated that the Bank had also provided fund to financing Poultry businesses. Mrs. Awosanya who also led

a delegation from the Bank to the Deputy Director General, Partnership and Capacity Development of IITA, Dr. Kenton Dashiell said that the decision of the Bank was informed by the need to provide adequate funding in alignment with the on-going reforms in the sector aimed at repositioning it as an attractive business proposition, an input provider for the manufacturing sector and a key foreign exchange earner for the country. The president of IARSAF, Mrs. Bunmi Ibitoye who commended the Bank for its contribution to the growth of the sector in Nigeria called on other corporate bodies to emulate Sterling

Bank by providing funds to support research works being carried out by professionals in the field to solve major issues confronting the sector. Mrs. Ibitoye also urged banks to encourage the sector by granting loans to small farmers at affordable interest rates which “today stands as a major problem confronting operators especially start -ups”. She also called on the government to provide the basic infrastructure that would guarantee easy movement of inputs to the farm area, better storage of harvest and efficient transport of harvests to the market to ensure that farmers optimize their investments.BC

Yemi Adeola, MD Sterling Bank

Samsung, LG call off bickering over dish washer Story David Audu

Seong-Jin

outh Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics said they have agreed to call off all their legal disputes including a bitter months-long conflict over a set of damaged washing machines. The two companies said in a joint statement recently they would withdraw all complaints against each other and ask legal authorities to refrain from meting out harsh punishments in ongoing cases. The announcement comes more than a month after LG ap-

pliances chief Jo Seong-jin was indicted by Seoul prosecutors on a charge of deliberately damaging Samsung washing machines at a retail store in Germany last September, following a formal complaint filed by Samsung seeking criminal punishment. Prosecutors have not declared what penalty they would seek against Jo. The two companies have attracted public mockery as they bickered over issues such as how many washers were damaged by Jo and other employees. When LG published surveillance video footage to YouTube in an

Heineken restructures, scraps marketing role

eineken has announced a restructure that will lead to head office functions being streamlined, as the position of Chief Strategy Officer abolished , while the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer roles combined under one new Chief Commercial Officer. Following the announcement, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Alexis Nasard, will leave the business in June. Also Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Barrow, will also leave in July. The restructure will see current president of Central and Eastern Europe and global chief sales officer Jan Derck van Karnebeek, assume the newly created chief commercial officer role. As part of the changes, made to “accelerate the delivery of its global strategy”, the business will be regrouped under four regions, with the existing Western, Central and Eastern Europe segments united under one single Europe region. Current president of Americas, Stefan Orlowski, will lead Europe. The existing Africa Mid-

dle East region will be combined with Russia and Belarus to form a new region, Africa Middle East and Eastern Europe. The new structure will be effective from July and, Heineken said, has been developed to eliminate duplication and streamline decision making. Jean-François van Boxmeer, chairman of the executive board and chief executive officer, said: “The changes will make us a more agile organisation. “Our management structure will be flatter, our operating companies more empowered and our cost of doing business lower.” BC

Van Boxmeer

attempt to prove Jo’s innocence, Samsung said the video was heavily edited in the executive’s favor. The case adds to a history of clashes between the firms, including an argument over refrigerator capacity and which of the two has the bigger air-conditioning market share. “Both sides have agreed to avoid legal action and resolve any future conflicts or disputes through dialogue and mutual agreement,” the companies said. The agreement extends to Samsung Electronics subsidiary Samsung Display and to

LG Display Co Ltd. Samsung Display employees were indicted in February on charges of stealing organic light-emitting diode, OLED display panel technology from LG Display. Samsung Display has said the technology was widely known in the industry and that the indictment was excessive. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ office declined to comment on the case against the LG Electronics appliances chief, and the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office declined to comment regarding its case against the Samsung Display employees. BC

Owotutu MFB eyes state licence

Ajayi

wotutu Microfinance Bankn has said it was working towards getting a state microfinance licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, which would allow it operate in the nooks and crannies of Lagos State. Managing Director, Owotutu Microfinance Bank, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, said currently the bank is operating with a unitbased licence, adding that, Owotutu MfB was already discussing with some investors to pump in money into the bank, which will boost its liquidity as well as its capacity to apply for state licence from the apex bank.

Although, he said the bank currently enjoys patronage from the Mushin community it domiciles, it equally have customers coming from Apapa, Agege, among other areas of the state because of the kind of services they enjoy from Owotutu. However, he said the state licence will give the bank more power to take banking services to the doorsteps and shops of the active, but poor Nigerians, in its bid to mobilise deposits in the grassroots. When the bank finally get the state licence, he said Owotutu MfB was planning to establish cash centres in market places, where traders and artisans can easily access to do their banking transactions. “We transformed from community bank to a microfinance bank and we have been able to maintain our customers over a long period of time that they have now built credibility in us. Our consistency in the market makes us tick above others. So, we will continue with this tradition, to make our customers employers of labour,” he

stressed. He noted that the bank has launched series of products to capture people in the lower end of the economy, saying, Owotutu MfB was equally giving leasing product and reduced interest loans to its customers. According to him, “We are using a lot of product approach to capture these set of people. We have leasing product, whereby customers would pay on a facility to own it. Moreover, our interest rate is bearable, which makes it affordable to the people.” Moreover, he said artisans, traders, market men and women, among others, have, at different occasions, benefitted from the credit facilities of the firm, adding that, this kind gesture allowed the beneficiaries to take care of their financial and social needs. Stating that Owotutu MfB remains poised to economic growth and development, he noted the scheme of the bank was leading to poverty reduction and job creation, as small businesses continue to expand into bigger ones. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

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Companies & Markets

appoints new Board Ghana’s insurance penetration GTBank Chairman amazing – Sanlam Group G S

anlam Group has commended the Ghanian government for the role it played to increase insurance penetration in the country within a short time. Sanlam is one of the largest financial services groups in South Africa. Despite the low penetration rate of just about 2 per cent, it said Ghana is the most-outstanding market after South Africa – compared to the other 11 key markets in its subSaharan Africa operations. Sanlam which has been in existence since 1918 has evolved from a traditional insurer to a diversified financial service provider with both local an international footprint. In Ghana, Sanlam is partnering Enterprise Group, a development that allowed it acquired a 49 percent stake in Enterprise Life in 2006, a leading life insurance company then. The Corporate Development Executive for emerging markets, Sanlam Group, Thabied Majal, said, apart from South Africa, their Ghana operations has so far proven to be the most successful across the African markets they have presence in. “When I say Ghana is our most successful business, I mean mainly in terms of life business and we use the term

called the Value of New Business which is simply, the present value of the premiums and it gives you a sense of our profits going forward. And if I look at all the countries we’re operating in, Ghana is the biggest driver of Value of New Business for Sanlam. So its not about profitability in the short term but in the long term because we’re going to be here in the next 50 years plus. So the value of new business is what we use as the key metric to measure the success and potential of the business going forward, ” he said. Insurance in Sub-saharan Africa, according to him, is under-developed and that obviously is the opportunity for the group, adding that “if we look at where we are and what we have achieved, the business in Ghana has been particularly successful in terms of number of lives insured compared to other markets where we entered at the same time.” Giving examples, he said: “So for example in a market like Tanzania, it taken a whole lot longer to get insurance there and the same with Uganda where we entered about 3 years after Ghana and still taken a lot longer to grow life insurance. If you look at the average lifeinsurance penetration for the

MTN reveals fibre plans By Isaiah Erhiawarien

hose living in South Africa’s upmarket regions can look forward to next-generation Internet speeds this year. SA’s two main mobile players are set to take internet speeds to the next level with fibre-to-thehome, FTTH, deployments this year. MTN is the first to reveal its FTTH plans, with the release of a statement about two weeks after the operator demonstrated its FTTH offering to residents of Monaghan Farm, an upmarket gated estate just north of Lanseria Airport ,about 30km north of Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Vodacom has yet to reveal details of its FTTH plans. MTN said it is now rolling out “aggressive deployment” of FTTH to high-density urban areas, like upmarket gated communities, boomed-off suburbs and highrise buildings. The official commercial launch for the product in these areas is set for 1 June, with “advanced discussions” under way with several additional residential sites. MTN said the rollout is demand-driven, and is an extension of its established fibre connec-

tivity backbone, which utilises Gigabit Passive Optical Network technology, to business parks and residential estates in all major cities. The estimated connectivity date for homes in the Monaghan Farm estate is mid-May, with in excess of 60 per cent of the residents having signed up, said the operator. Offers vary based on desired Internet speed, ranging from 10Mbps to 100Mbps. MTN says speed trials at the prelaunch event on 12 Aprilclocked up to 150.2Mbps. Earlier this year, MTN demonstrated lab trials of up to 1Gbps on its fibre network. MTN claimed the commer-

Fairon

Majal

world is about 4 per cent even though places like South Africa and US have double digits. So in Ghana, we understand it’s a slow growth but all we see is the opportunity as long as we can first get people to buy into the concept of life insurance and develop the market.” To him, “With our business where we deal with volumes of data, that’s a strong retail business with a number of policy-holders and all of them pay premium every month, you can see that there’s a lot of data to be processed and the operating software makes a huge difference in the company’s operations. And our operating software has been good. But last year we refreshed it and added additional features which we hope would give us advantage on the market.” BC cial delivery of FTTH capable of 100Mbps is a first in Africa. The company did not reveal its pricing structure, saying this is only available to Monaghan Farm residents at this stage. “[Pricing] is negotiated on a case-by-case basis, dependant on the amount of infrastructure and civil engineering required for each estate.” Mike Fairon, GM of products and solutions at MTN SA, said he looks forward to FTTH opening the door to making “the connected home” - a sub-concept of the Internet of everything. Vodacom said it is too early to give any concrete details on FTTH at this stage, but says it is actively rolling out fibre in business parks and gearing up to do the same in gated communities. “Vodacom is building the fibre backbones to make this possible.” In October, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said Vodacom was going to “start building fibre to the home, fibre to the business and so on, and really start trying to play a bigger role in the fixed space”. Both Vodacom and MTN focused heavily on small to medium enterprises last year, with Vodacom now close to concluding exclusive buyout talks with fixed-line business operator Neotel. BC

uaranty Trust Bank plc has confirmed the impending retirement of the current Chairman of its Board of Directors, Mr. Egbert Ulogo Imomoh and the appointment of Mrs. Osaretin Afusat Demuren as the new chairman of its Board of Directors, at the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Bank in Lagos last week.In addition to the receipt of the audited financial statement for 2014, declaration of dividend and the re-election of Directors which dominated the agenda of this year’s Annual General Meeting, the new Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Osarentin Demuren was presented to Shareholders as a replacement for the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Egbert Imomoh, who is retiring from the Board in compliance with the Bank’s code of corporate governance, which stipulates a retirement age of 70 years for Non-Executive Directors of the Bank. Mrs. Osaretin Demuren joined Guaranty Trust Bank plc in April, 2013 as a Non-Executive Director. She served as a member of the Board Risk Management Committee from April 2013 and became the Chairman of the Committee in July 2014. She was also a member of the Board Remuneration Committee and the Board Information Technology Strategy Committee. Mrs Demuren had a successful career with the Central Bank of Nigeria which spanned over 33 years, during which she served as Director, Trade and Exchange

Department and was deployed to serve as the Director, Human Resources Department in 2004; a position which she held until her retirement from the Central Bank of Nigeria in December 2009. She was the first female Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria. She holds a Masters’ Degree in Economics and Statistics from the Moscow Institute of Economics and Statistics, Moscow, and a Diploma in Russian Language and Preliminary Studies from the Kiev State University, Kiev. She is a member of many professional associations including the Society for Human Resource Management of America, Nigerian Statistical Association, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Commenting on the recent development, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Segun Agbaje, said that “the Bank has a well-defined succession strategy to address management vacancies as well as statutory and planned retirements”. BC

Agbaje

Standard Bank Group in massive rail, port project in Africa

tandard Bank Group has been appointed as financial adviser and mandated lead debt arranger by Sundance Resources in a $3.5bn project to build port and rail infrastructures for the MbalamNabeba Iron Ore Project in Central Africa. Leading international engineering and construction company Mota-Engil Africa was appointed as the contractor to build the port and rail link in Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville. Mota-Engil Africa has extensive experience in sub-Saharan Africa, including on-going construction of a bulk commodity railway in Malawi operated by Brazilian mining group Vale. Head of International Client Coverage, at Standard Bank Group, Rob Bessinger, says: “Standard Bank Group believes the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project is a tier one asset that will generate significant revenue once in production. However infrastructure is key to unlocking its potential.

“We have worked with MotaEngil Africa on projects in the past, and we firmly believe they have the experience, credibility and capacity to put together a consortium that will succeed in building this project within the timeframe and budget outlined in their tender. Moreover, we are confident in our ability to raise funds for the construction phase of the project.” Project equity discussions are well advanced with a wide variety of potential funding. Partners, export credit agencies, development funds and commercial banks have already expressed interest in providing debt funding for the project, which is projected to achieve financial close by mid-2015 with construction expected to take a further 3.5 years. Standard Bank Group has already held discussions with a wide variety of potential funding partners and has received several expressions of interest from export credit agencies and development finance institutions. BC

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News U.S. job growth brakes sharply, clouds Fed rate hike timing

.S. employers added the fewest number of jobs in more than a year in March, the latest sign of weakness in the economy and one likely to further delay an anticipated interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve. Nonfarm payrolls rose 126,000 last month, less than half February’s pace and the smallest gain since December 2013, the Labor Department said on Friday. The weakness was concentrated in the goods-producing sector, which has been hurt by a strong dollar and lower crude oil prices. Leisure and hospitality also saw a sharp slowdown in jobs growth, suggesting harsh winter weather could have dragged on hiring. While the jobless rate held at a more than 6-1/2-year low of 5.5 percent, the workforce shrank. The labor force participation rate returned to a more than 36-year low reached late last year. “The report confirms the emerging narrative of slowing growth momentum seen in the other economic indicators. It will weaken the argument for a mid-year (rate) hike,” said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD Securities in New York. The tepid increase in payrolls ended 12 straight months of job gains above 200,000 the longest streak since 1994. In addition, data for January and February were revised to show 69,000 fewer jobs created than previously reported, giving the report an even weaker tone. After its robust stretch, the jobs figures now appear more in line with other signals from consumer spending to housing starts and manufacturing that have suggested the economy grew at a sub-1 percent annual rate in the first quarter. Economists had forecast that payrolls would rise 245,000 last month. Prices for U.S. government debt rallied as investors pushed back their expectations for a Fed rate hike, while U.S. stock index futures fell about 1 percent. The dollar dropped against a basket of currencies. The U.S. central bank has kept overnight interest rates near zero since December 2008, but a number of officials have said an increase will likely be considered at its June policy-setting meeting. While economic growth is expected to rebound, it appears increasingly unlikely the Fed will have sufficient signs of strength in hand by then. “Now the timing for the liftoff could be delayed to September or even to December. The June date is not off the table,

however, assuming the economy and employment rebound,” said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo. DOLLAR AND OIL HURT The buoyant dollar and lower oil prices have combined to crimp the profits of some large companies, forcing a reduction in capital spending. Equipment maker Caterpillar Inc has warned that lower oil prices will hurt its business in 2015, and Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest household products maker, has cautioned that the dollar would hit its profits. The dollar has gained about 13 percent against the currencies of the main U.S. trading partners since last June. Economists say the impact is equivalent to a half-point interest rate hike. At the same time, the sharp oil price drop has curtailed U.S. drilling activity. Payrolls in the mining sector fell 11,000, reflecting ongoing weakness in oil and gas extraction. Energy producers have idled half of their rigs since October. A harsh winter and a nowsettled labor dispute at normally busy West Coast ports have also weighed on activity, as has softer global demand. Bad weather is estimated to have lopped off as much a seventenths of a percentage point from first-quarter growth. Construction employment fell 1,000 last month, while manufacturing payrolls slipped by 1,000. There was, however, some good news in the report. Average hourly earnings increased 0.3 percent. Even so, that only lifted the year-onyear gain to 2.1 percent, in the same tepid range that earnings growth has held to for several years. With Wal-Mart and McDonald’s recently announcing pay increases for their hourly workers, wage growth could gain traction in the months ahead. Other companies, including TJX Cos Inc and health insurer Aetna, also have announced pay hikes.

Greece says ready to make IMF payment on April 9

reece will repay a loan tranche to the IMF on time on April 9, its deputy finance minister said on Friday, seeking to quell fears of default after a flurry of contradictory statements on the issue in recent days. Greece is fast running out of cash and its euro zone and International Monetary Fund lenders have frozen bailout aid until the new leftist-led govern-

Mardas

ment reaches agreement on a package of reforms. That prompted the interior minister to suggest this week that Athens would prioritize wages and pensions over the roughly 450 million euro ($490 million) payment to the IMF, though the government denied that was its stance. Euro zone officials then quoted Greece as saying it will run out of money on April 9, which the finance ministry denied. “We strive to be able to pay our obligations on time,” Dimitris Mardas told Greece’s Skai TV. “We are ready to pay on April 9.” Adding to the confusion, German magazine Der Spiegel quoted a finance ministry general secretary, Nikos Theocharakis, as saying Greece would probably not pay next week’s IMF tranche, prompting a further denial from the Greek finance ministry. Theocharakis said Greece would be “close to the end” on April 9 and called the technical teams from its creditors “completely useless,” according to an extract of the article due to be published on Saturday. “Mr. Theocharakis never characterized the technical teams of the institutions with the phrase attributed to him,” the ministry said in a statement. “On the contrary ... he referred to them as saying they include ‘top-notch people with impressive skills.’” Germany’s Spiegel Online quoted Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt as saying that Greece postponing the repayment due on April 9 was “out of the question”, otherwise a Greek exit from the euro zone could no longer be ruled out. He said the Eurogroup would not release further funds to Greece until Athens implemented some of the reforms it had promised. Athens has not received bailout funds since August last year and has resorted to measures such as borrowing from state entities via repo transactions to tide it through the cash crunch. The government is hoping approval of its latest reforms package will unlock remaining

aid of 7.2 billion euros under its EU/IMF bailout and lead to the return of about 1.9 billion euros in profits made by the European Central Bank on Greek bonds. Mardas said, without providing figures, that state revenue in March had topped targets and that the government had made progress in talks with lenders on its latest reforms list. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Greece would receive fresh funds only once its creditors approve the reforms Athens has presented.

IBM hire advisers to deal with restless investors – Sources

ome top shareholders of IBM, disappointed by 11 straight quarters of falling revenues, are seeking help from activist investors to shake up the company, but have been turned down by both Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square and Jeffrey Ubben’s ValueAct, according to people with knowledge of the matter. International Business Machines Corp (IBM.N) is concerned about a possible attack by prominent activist hedge funds, and is working with two investment banks to formulate a defense plan, according to the people, who declined to be identified. When asked for comment, IBM said: “IBM is continuing to execute on our strategy making investments in growth areas such as analytics and cloud, reinventing our core franchises, and returning capital to shareholders. We are managing the company for the long term.” The storied American technology giant, worth $157 billion today, has struggled to transform itself from a low-margin hardware maker into a cloudbased software and services company. When Virginia Rometty took over as chief executive at the start of 2012, Wall Street was hopeful that she would be able to kickstart growth. Analysts praised the former systems en-

Rometty

gineer for her strategic thinking in guiding IBM’s acquisition of PricewaterhouseCoopers Coopers Consulting in 2002. As revenues continued to decline year on year, however, some IBM investors began to lose confidence management, according to people familiar with the matter. Last year, IBM withdrew its long-term operating earnings target for 2015, and shares of Big Blue are now down about 25 percent from a March 2013 high. Some IBM shareholders are trying to persuade prominent activists to build positions in the company and come up with ways to boost value, people familiar with the matter said. Pershing Square and ValueAct Capital both looked at IBM in recent months, but passed on making a move, the people said. A spokesman for Pershing Square declined to comment. ValueAct did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Part of the activist funds’ concern was that IBM, whose stock is trading at around $159, is too expensive and the company’s structural problems could not be fixed easily, according to several sources. Another reason, the sources said, is that some investors feel Rometty is doing a good job coping with a tough situation, so she does not fit the role of an underperforming CEO that many activists look for when they make a move. Once best-known for mainframe computers, IBM has been pivoting to security software and cloud services, but growth in those areas has not fully offset weakness elsewhere. Revenue in 2014 fell to $93 billion, from $107 billion in 2011. The company, which earns more than two-thirds of its revenue outside of the United States, has been hit hard by the strong dollar and it divested some $7 billion last year. Adjusted for these two factors, revenues were down roughly 1 percent last year, the company noted. Also the company posted $21 billion in pre-tax profit from continuing operations in 2014. IBM in said in February it is targeting $40 billion annual revenue from the cloud, big data, security and other areas by 2018. It has divested about $7 billion in commoditized IT assets, such as call centers and chip manufacturing, and announced multibillion dollar investments in cloud data centers and its Watson supercomputer system. It is not unusual for investors and consultants to try and shop companies to activists. At a time when stock picking is becoming tougher, pressuring companies to buy back shares, spin off units, or replace a CEO can be appealing. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

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Brand Watch

Firm restates importance of safety at work place Stories by David Audu

uinness Nigeria Plc said it has recorded yet another feat in the area of ensuring the safety of employees and visitors in their breweries and sites by achieving 1000 days free of Lost Time Accidents ,LTA, in one of its operational sites. A statement from the company stated that the achievement was recorded in the Benin Brewery of Guinness Nigeria, making it the third manufacturing site of the brewing giant to cross this milestone achievement following its Ikeja and Aba sites which also recorded over 1000 LTA free days all in the current financial year. “By general standards, an LTA is defined as any work related incident, involving injury or illness, where either Guinness Nigeria or a healthcare professional recommends one or more days away from work, or where the employee is absent from work or unable to return to work for the next shift or where the employee is attending work but unable to carry out normal duties. This assessment is made without regard as to whether or not the person was scheduled to work those days (i.e. off days, weekend, holidays, vacations, etc”. According to Cephas Afebua-

meh, Supply Director, Guinness Nigeria plc, “Reducing accidents at all our brewery sites has long been an active strategy of Guinness Nigeria through our Zero Harm Culture which seeks to create a consistent and proactive culture for safety across all our operations. I am extremely happy that the Benin brewery has recorded this amazing feat following in the footsteps of other sites like Ikeja and Aba and I pray that as we continue to sustain safety best practices, we will hit 2000 and 3000 and so on.” The statement explained further that the Zero Harm Culture model of Guinness Nigeria is founded on three pillars of operation which are prevention – all accidents are preventable and avoidable, compliance – working compliantly using the appropriate and provided PPEs (personal protective equipment) and following the right work instructions and capability – training and awareness on what employees need to know to assure their safety. Speaking on the achievement, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale, said that the company is committed and cares for all its employees and visitors that might have any cause to visit any of the company’s sites. “Very important for us is

Imade

the actual human angle of this where we know that employees and visitors will leave loved ones to come to work or to carry out a transaction at our sites and we feel compelled to do everything within our control to ensure that they are able to return home intact to those they left behind. This achievement makes me proud to be a Diageo employee and makes me proud of what we do.” In his own comments, Plant Manager, Guinness Benin Brew-

Sobowale

ery, Kingsley Imade, said he was grateful to members of my team who took it upon themselves to work diligently to maintain an LTA free environment. “They have all imbibed the safety culture of the organisation and have lived out the saying ‘If It Is Not Safe, Don’t Do It’ and that ensures that everyone will go home safe, every day, in all our sites.” Earlier in the year, the breweries in Aba and Ikeja also recorded this milestone. This

speaks to the fact that at Guinness Nigeria, we take our risk management standards very seriously which has translated to a hazard free working environment” he added. It is also noteworthy that in 2012, Guinness Nigeria was awarded and recognized by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund ,NSITF and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, NECA, for Exceptional Safety Culture in the manufacturing sector. BC

Avaya committed to connected Nigeria

elecommunications solution provider, Avaya, said it is set to accelerate the build-up of a connected Nigeria, where businesses, governments and citizens engage in a seamless, mobile and video-enabled, multi-channel world and where services are available anytime, anywhere and on any device. The company which recently, concluded its “Avaya Engage Tour” in Nigeria, a roadshow that was attended by more than 150 government and enterprise customers and partners, according to the organisers, was part of the “Avaya Engage Roadshow” across what it called the company’s Global Growth Markets (GGM), which comprise the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, India, Russia, CIS, and Greater China. “The roadshow was an interactive forum that hosts a dialogue between Avaya, its customers and partners, and delivers innovative ideas and solutions to the most pressing engagement challenges across the region”. The telecommunications solution provider, which enables customers and team engagement across multiple channels and devices, demonstrated in its Nigeria

Hariri

tour a number of mobile engagement environments tailored to solve some of the most pressing business challenges in the country, and tailored to the government, healthcare, education, banking and telecommunication services, amongst others. The mobile engagement environments, according to Avaya’s team in Nigeria, extend existing communication platforms to the increasingly social mobile driven users in Nigeria. Managing Director for Avaya in Nigeria, West and Central Africa, Hatem Hariri, said they are currently working on a number of large scale, transformation

projects with the government, oil and gas and service providers, to migrate existing legacy communication systems to more engaging, video-enabled, mobile-driven environments. One of the mobile engagement solutions presented at the Lagos roadshow was the video-enabled, ATM like self-service kiosk, whereby customers of any bank in the country can transact with the bank’s call center, by video, virtual collaboration, email, social media, chat, SMS or phone, and to even switch between devices while talking to the same bank agent. With self-service kiosks, customers can instantly receive and securely apply for instant banking products and services such as, credit and debit cards, banking statements and loan applications, amongst others. Avaya said that the self-service kiosks are one scenario of how mobile engagement environments can be created and tailored to solve specific business challenges. These environments are built on Avaya Smart Engage, a tailored combination of Avaya and third-party solutions and services, designed to enable Nigerians to work, learn, and transact

from anywhere in the country, using any mobile, computing or wearable device. “Mobile engagement environments are set to accelerate the build-up of a connected Nigeria, where businesses, governments and citizens engage in a seamless, mobile and video-enabled, multi-channel world, where services are available anytime, anywhere and on any device. During the occasion, Avaya also launched its latest networking technology Avaya SDN Fx (Software Defined Networking Fabric Extended). The company said that its Avaya SDN Fx networking solution is first in the industry to deliver unmatched simplicity in “connecting anything, anywhere”. The new technology enables governments and enterprises to deliver components such as video surveillance, engagement solutions and sensors to enable IOT faster than it has ever been imagined. The company said that, given the challenges of today’s networks – particularly with the rise of cloud computing and virtualization, its technology delivers on the simplicity IT departments hope for, by automating

the core network and truly unifying applications for wired and wireless users and devices at the network edge. Hariri, said Nigeria is going through a phenomenal transformation. “With the highest Internet penetration in Africa, the youngest majority population and being the largest economy, we see this transformation driven by a revolutionary deployment of technology that delivers more value to the country’s people, despite economic challenges. “Investing in building mobile environment that builds a superior customer experience leveraging the boom in mobile, social, and cloud trends, today tops the mind of every decision maker to talk to in the country. Avaya’s mobile engagement solutions are based on open standards, enabling an effortless transformation, are flexible enough to be tailored to the specific needs of each of our customers, and supported by an outstanding team of Avaya experts who are committed to deliver, define, design and build technologies that deliver real outcomes and highest return on our customers’ investments, Hariri said. BC

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Energy Review

President-elect and the challenges of energy sector Stories by Gbenga Odogun

he much awaited presidential election has come and gone and the winner has emerged in the person of General Muhammad Buhari rtd. Buhari has fought the election on three major premises namely insecurity, corruption and energy crisis. On Energy, Buhari promised a holistic approach to solving the perennial energy problems that has bedevilled the country. Industry watchers were of the opinion that the perennial energy crisis must be the priority of the incoming administration if the president elect must make any significant impact on the economy. An opinion poll conducted by NOI poll revealed that 63 percent of adult in the country want electricity to top the agenda of the president elect. The poll noted that poor electricity supply was identified as the most critical factor impeding growth of Nigerian businesses. Consequently, more than six in 10 Nigerians ,63 per cent, were of the opinion that the federal government should be responsible for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country. “It is imperative that the economic team focuses its attention on addressing these key issues that have been identified by Nigerians. To this effect, great consideration should be given to the engagement of top class professionals and experts in the sectors concerned, to articulate and implement strategies to tackle these issues which have long affected the Nigerian econ-

omy and the general wellbeing of Nigerians,” it added. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with a gross domestic product, GDP of $522.64bn from oil and non-oil sectors. Nigeria is rich in natural and human resources, to mention a few, it has the sixth largest gas reserves and the eighth largest crude oil reserves in the world. It is also endowed with about 37 solid mineral types and given this status; Nigeria’s economy is recognised to have great potential. the study revealed Over 3,800 megawatts mw of its expected electricity generation is lost to vandalism of majorly key gas pipelines between December 2014 and February 2015. Also the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC said that an average of 200 million standard cubic feet (mscf)

of natural gas production and supply was lost each time its Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System, ELPS was sabotaged at any of its points. Going by the reviewed pricing regime of $2.80 per million standard cubic feet (mscf) for natural gas to Nigeria’s electricity industry, gas suppliers in the country may be losing an average of N112,000,000 ,$560,000 daily revenue on deferment of gas production and supplies to power plants due to pipeline breaks. This also place enormous responsibility on the shoulder of the incoming regime if his promise of holistic approach to solving the energy crisis will be fruitful. Experts are of the view that that the amount saved from addressing the problem of vandalism could be ploughed back into the sector as well as for other aspect of the economy. BC

nergy firm E.ON is to hand £7.75m to Citizens Advice for customers who were overcharged after price rises. The sum is on top of the £400,000 E.ON has already paid back money to others who may have been affected. Regulator Ofgem said the penalty reflected the company’s “repeated failing” on billing rules. It wrongly imposed exit fees and overcharged customers following price rises in January 2013 and January 2014 Under Ofgem rules firms are not supposed to apply exit fees if a customer signals their intention to move supplier within the standard 30-day notice period of a price increase. This is the case even if the switch occurs after the rise. Sarah Harrison, Ofgem’s senior partner in charge of enforcement, said: “(Our) rules

Gas flaring

Nigerians generate 2500mw through generators – NNPC he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said that the amount of electricity being generated by individual and business concerns with generator add up to 2,500mw. The corporation who disclosed this in a report said that the amount was being generated from petrol, kerosene and automotive gas oil, AGO. The corporation’s Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Dr David Ige who presented the report in Abuja said this was putting so much strain on the economic growth and industry competitiveness. According to him the study

British energy firm fined over billing breaches

indicates that over 90 percent of businesses in the country relied on back-up power generation for about 60 percent of their electricity needs. Dr Ige said that the direct impact of closing the power gap we have today is well over $11bn and the direct impact is significantly more with capacity to create additional 1 million jobs. The study revealed that about 12million litres of diesel is being consumed on daily basis out of which 50-60 percent goes to power generation and the balance goes to trucks for transportation. He said. He therefore called for con-

Ige

certed efforts to improve power supply to unlock the gross domestic product, GDP, growth and create jobs. BC

Harrison

give customers a chance to avoid exit fees and higher costs when suppliers put up prices. “These are important customer protections and it is vital that suppliers play by the rules so customers are encouraged to engage in the market.” In November 2012, E.ON, one of the UK’s six biggest energy suppliers, was required to pay £1.7m for similar failings. Ms Harrison commented: “It’s absolutely unacceptable that E.ON failed to provide these vital customer protections yet again and this persistent failure is the reason for the high penalty.” The errors in respect of price rises in January 2013 and 2014 affected direct debit and standard credit customers. The average amount paid back was around £8 and £12 respectively. The mistakes also resulted in around 11,500 prepayment customers - traditionally the poorest - missing out on an average refund of £3.42. E.ON is aiming to reimburse them by the end of April. BC

IBEDC restores light to communities after 3 years

badan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, has commissioned the rehabilitated 2X15MVA, 33/11KVA Substation at Akanran Road, Olorunsogo along Ibadan-Lagos Expressway restoring light back to the community after 3 long years of darkness The rehabilitated sub-station, distributes power to the local government and other communities from five local government areas in Ibadan. The affected communities are Ona-Ara, Akanran, Asolo, Olunloyo, Omowunmi, Oremeji, Ogbere, Olorunsogo and environs. At the inauguration ceremony, Chairman, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni said IBEDC was team was as an organisation bound by core

values of teamwork, innovation, excellence, integrity and dependability adding that “we are committed to building a world class utility company where performance and exceptional service delivery comes naturally.” Also speaking, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described the occasion as “a thing of joy to me as the governor of Oyo State and a delight to our government.” He counselled residents and community leaders in the area to protect the power infrastructure and make it sustainable. IBEDC Deputy Managing Director, Mr John Darlington, commended the leadership qualities of the governor and lauded the residents for standing by the company. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

A11 27

NCC, ITU make case for more

spectrums

By Isaiah Erhiawarien

ccess to spectrum and orbital resources is expected to be high on the agenda of the preparatory meeting finalises report to 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference schedule to hold in Geneva, 2-27 November 2015. A variety of spectrum-related matters dealing with the future development of radiocommunications, enabling convergence and coordination of all radio services, were addressed by the Second Session of the Conference Preparatory Meeting, CPM15-2 for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, WRC15. According to the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, the CPM15-2, which met for almost two weeks, concluded last Thursday, April 2 with the adoption of the Report to WRC-15, focusing on technical, operational and regulatory materials to be considered by ITU Member States in developing their proposals to the Conference. This latest focus by the ITU is coming ahead of a planned auction by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC of the 2.6GHz, Gigahertz, spectrum. In the memorandum of information released by NCC, it had offered to give 14 licences at a reserved price of $16 million (N3.52 billion) June, 2015 in Abuja.

The available slots of 14 licences will enable the winners offer broadband services nationwide, under a government plan to create a highspeed Internet services in Nigeria. “The proposed licensing of 2.6 GHz Spectrum has been influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband services to subscribers in consonance with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan of 2013. “Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa with a population of about 173.6 million people as at 2013 according to the World Bank. “The population has grown at a rate of 2.3 per cent for each year from 2000 to 2013. Approximately 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 20. “Today, Nigeria, which is home to over 125 million active mobile phone connections is calling on stakeholders to explore stakes in the Internet market, where subscription is lower than voice and hence opens market opportunities,” the memorandum said. More than 1250 participants from 105 ITU Member States attended the meeting. World Radiocommunication Conferences are mandated to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources.

Eugene Juwah, NCC Boss

Zhao

Zourmba

The WRC-15 decisions will ensure that these resources will be used in best possible way and in the best interest of all end users, with global implications for both policymakers and the industry. The CPM15-2 reached consensus on the way to address many of the topics on the WRC-15 Agenda, for instance, with the implementation of wireless avionics intra-communications, the use of digital technologies for a more efficient usage of existing frequencies for on-board communications and critical functions of ships in restricted waters or the sustainable availability of the 5 GHz band

for feeder-links to non-geostationary orbital, GSO systems in the mobile-satellite service. CPM15-2 also addressed many other complex and controversial issues related to terrestrial and space radio-communication services – from narrowband systems for maritime and aeronautical mobile communications and navigation to broadband wireless access systems – as well as the future use of a wide range of frequency bands allocated by the Radio Regulations. For these issues, agreement was reached on the description of the various possible options to be considered

by WRC-15. Chairman of CPM-15 Aboubakar Zourmba said, “Thanks to the excellent spirit of cooperation and coordination of activities by all during the last two weeks, we have been able to approve by consensus the CPM Report to WRC-15.” ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao expressed his satisfaction at the consensus reached in finalising a consolidated Report to WRC15 saying that “the global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits is essential to extend the reach of information and communication technologies to all corners of the world.” Zhao disclosed that the consensus reached on the Report to WRC-15 prepared by CPM15-2 over the last two weeks indicates the importance attached to the process by ITU’s membership. Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau, François Rancy, noted that the outcome of this meeting represents a major step in the preparations for WRC-15, the landmark event for the advancement of radio-communications that will take place in November this year. He added that considerable progress has been made towards a successful outcome at the forthcoming WRC-15 concerning, in particular, broadband access, satellite systems and monitoring climate change. BC

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Business Courage

Biz4Afrika to promote SMEs, boost intra-African trade By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

t the just concluded Connected East Africa Summit, Microsoft 4Afrika has launched an online hub for Kenyan small and medium enterprises, SMEs, to access locally relevant information and resources to promote SMEs and improve trade. Biz4Afrika is an Africa-wide network of SMEs designed to enable a sustainable and connected community of entrepreneurs that will have a meaningful impact on job creation, global competitiveness and wealth creation in the long run. Started by the Kenyan ICT Authority in 2009, the former Kenya ICT Summit is being expanded to East Africa for the first time with the theme, ‘the strength is in our networks’. The goal is to promote the ideals of a shared ICT infrastructure and a talent pool of young innovators and entrepreneurs that will promote regional trade. Delivering a keynote at the annual conference, Kunle Awosika, Country Manager of Microsoft Kenya- the title spon-

sor of the Summit, focused on the importance of the SME sector to boost intra-African trade. “East Africa has already been cited by Harvard University as having surpassed the tipping point from primarily exporting raw materials to creating and exporting value-added goods and services. The continued shift from a labour-based economy to a knowledge economy will require increased online presence, particularly by SMEs who contribute about 45 per cent of Kenya’s GDP.” Kenya’s Vision 2030 defines the economic growth of the

Awosika

Monday, April 6, 2015

small and medium enterprise (SME) sector as a major driver of social development, youth employability and a key lever in the enhancement of the country’s global competitiveness. However, due to various challenges, majority SMEs close their doors within the first year. “The Biz4Afrika.co.ke online hub aims to meet the needs of every Start-up, Small Business and Medium-sized enterprise at three entry points; the start, growth and acceleration phase by aggregating freemium offers and relevant online services, complimented by valuable information, resources and learnings in one place” Says Kunle. The baseline services of Biz4Afrika are offered in a ‘freemium’ format, whereby basic services are provided free of charge while more advanced features must be paid for. This will enable SMEs to become familiar with pay-as-you-go services that help entrepreneurs maximise their productivity while minimising their costs. SMEs can also join the hub as service providers to other businesses, thereby building a pipeline of potential clients. In the past year alone, Microsoft has seen 150,000 SMEs go online across Africa to offer, and to consume ICT services. BC

AMD in securities fraud lawsuit

By Isaiah Erhiawarien

S chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices,AMD, must face claims it committed securities fraud by hiding problems with the 2011 launch of a new computer processor that eventually led to a $100 million write-down, ruled a federal judge in Oakland, California. In an order, US district judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers said plaintiffs have supported their claims AMD officials misled them by stating in April 2011 that problems with the new processor were in the past. Plaintiffs’ lawyer Jonathan Gardner said he was pleased with the decision. AMD law-

yers could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit filed last year accused AMD of artificially inflating the company’s share price by making false statements about the so-called Llano, which it had touted as “the most impressive processor in history.” Originally set for product launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, sales of the Llano were delayed because of problems at the company’s chip manufacturing plant, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said AMD’s then-chief financial officer Thomas Seifert told analysts during an April 2011 conference call that problems with

chip production for the Llano were in the past, and that the company would have ample product for a launch in the second quarter. AMD officials continued to state there were no problems with supply, concealing the fact it was only shipping Llanos to top-tier computer manufacturers because of supply constraints, the lawsuit said. By the time AMD was ready to ramp up shipments in late 2011, demand had dwindled, leading to an inventory glut, the lawsuit said. AMD eventually disclosed in October 2012 that it was writing down $100 million of Llano inventory as not saleable, the lawsuit said. BC

Etisalat Cliqfest train visits Moshood Abiola Polytechnic

oshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, MAPOLY, got its share of edutainment recently as the most innovative telecommunications company in Nigeria, Etisalat, visited the school with its unrivalled youth-centric, empowerment, and educative initiative tagged Etisalat Cliqfest. The two day event which held few days ago began with an aspirational session delivered by Motivational Speaker and Life Coach, Niyi Adesanya. Students were thrilled on the second day to a concert headlined by popular Nigerian artistes, a football match and a raffle draw. Speaking on the event, Elvis Daniel, Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, described

Cliqfest as a touch point for young people where they are at liberty to express themselves and their dreams. “We go around the country, bringing an entertaining platform that delivers a wholesome experience to students because Etisalat is passionate about the Nigerian youth and their aspirations. Cliqfest is designed to help them discover themselves right here within the walls of their institution.” said Daniel. The climax of the event emerged when Bilikis Egusola Omowunmi, a Science Laboratory Technology student was announced as the winner of a brand new Hyundai i10. The elated student said, “To be hon-

est I bought two raffle tickets in anticipation that I might win but I still cannot believe that I truly won. Etisalat is the best network ever and I am extremely grateful to Etisalat for this encouraging experience”. BC

Matthew Willsher, CEO, Etisalat Nigeria

Technotalk

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

Types of online collaboration tools

ndeed, the emergence of online collaboration tools has revolutionised the way individuals and business work together. Most online collaboration tools are simple, easy to use and inexpensive. If you have not taking advantage of these powerful tools, here are few types of online collaboration tools: Kanban board is visual online collaboration software that enables teams to share a collaborative style of working, by keeping everyone on the same page to achieve same goal. Wiki technology is an online collaboration tool which helps to manage multiple contributors to documents or projects. It creates a webpage that anyone with permission to access can modify quickly and easily. Users can add to and edit pages or documents on a wiki and can also view changes made by different users or go back to previous versions. Cloud storage is a system that backs up data on a server instead of using a hard drive or compact disc and is accessible to a single or multiple users via an internet connection. Email is an example of cloud storage. Services like google drive exit disclaimer allow real-time file access and editing by multiple users. Other services that allow shared access to documents include dropbox, exit disclaimer box were by files can be accessed with various devices like desktop computer, tablet and mobile phone. Basecamp is an extremely powerful and useful online collaboration system designed for entrepreneurs, small businesses, freelancers and business groups. This application allows you to upload, store, edit and share documents and files online. The interface also provides users with a convenient overview of the project schedule, as well as an account of who is working on what, to-do lists and time tracking ensuring that everything is kept in order and on schedule, while an in-built messaging system allows for effective communication between team members. Skype is an online video conference. It has become widespread in the modern professional world, helping to cut down dramatically on travel costs and expensive long distance phone calls. Although many online video chat services have emerged but skype remains the most widely used and convenient. Apart from the standard face-toface video conference chat, Skype’s screen sharing feature allows users to show others whatever is on their screen, which is perfect for presenting slideshows or making visual presentations. Trello is a perfect tool for individual or smaller group projects. Trello’s friendly interface allows users to create a project by adding items and lists, and assigning people to specific tasks. It then provides real time updates on all actions and progress to members of the project team. Sync.in is a web-based word processor that enables users to view and co-edit the same notes and documents in real time from anywhere in the world. Numerous users can collectively plan projects, brainstorm and compose documents, while color coded text allows people to easily identify who made which edits. A handy time-slider also allows users to recount earlier versions and edits of the document and edit any changes made, while a chat box enables communication between the various collaborators. Blossom is the most direct, and easy-to-use tool basically to track the progress of personal projects, bigger projects, and really anything that comes to mind. It gives you focus and clear visibility on progress and roadblocks instantly and lets you drag to-do items from one list to another in an intuitive way. Asana is a webapp collaboration tool for people with multiple projects, it organizes your project, helps you keep on top of updates, captures everything you and your team are doing in one place so that everyone can refer to it quickly. You can also track your own responsibilities and projects and everyone can see updates in real time. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

A13 29

Funke Opeke:

The broadband Amazon

Through sheer display of courage and determination, she treads the path many believe is an exclusive preserve of the men-folk and in less than two years, her name and impact have continued to resonate in the broadband technology in Nigeria. This is the story of Funke Opeke, Managing Director, Main Street Technologies

Opeke

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

t is not unlikely that Funke Opeke’s name may not ring bell to many Nigerians, particularly those outside the information and communication technology sector. Yet, this is one woman, whose endeavor at least, in the past four years since the establishment of Main Street Technologies, owners of the MainOne Cable has and will remain a solid anchor on which Nigeria’s quest for broadband technology would rest for a long time. Opeke, a 1981 Electronic and Electrical Engineering graduate of the ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile-Ife is a classical example of an astute entrepreneur with unequalled courage, determination and vision to excel in an endeavour many of her peers would rather leave for the men-folks. With over 20 years experience in the ICT sector outside the shores of Nigeria, mostly in America,Opeke, is undeniably one

of Nigeria’s most visible examples of a reverse ‘brain drain’. A highly accomplished and result-oriented engineer, Opeke had worked in several major telecommunications companies in the United States before she returned to Nigeria in 2005 to join the MTN Nigeria as the chief technical officer. Prior to that time, she had worked at Verizon Communications, America’s leading mobile telecoms company, rising through the ranks to become an executive director. Between 2001 and 2005, she managed different portfolios including the business architecture and implementation of Verizon’s global backbone network; global managed network services, and performance assurance for the wholesale services line of business. Aside from Verizon Wireless, Opeke was also at Telcordia Technologies (Bellcore), Piscataway; Allied Signal Corporation, Morristown; PA Consulting Group, Highstown; and RCA American Communications where she held

various senior positions. Back home at MTN Nigeria, she was the company’s Chief Technical Officer, with responsibilities for planning and management of the entire MTN Nigeria network. However, for a woman who had spent a greater part of her career in advance economies, with all the perks and attractions that came with her job, Opeke was to later find discomforting, MTN’s terms and conditions of service, particularly as it affects a league of engineers which Business Courage gathered worked with her and on whose behalf, she had negotiated favourable terms of engagement. So, when it became obvious that the communication giant was not going to honour the agreement, Opeke pulled out to, as a source said, to protect her integrity. Based on the unresolved differences and perhaps, based on the urge to make a more meaningful impact in the ICT sector in Nigeria, Opeke opted out of MTN barely three months after she took

up the job. She later moved on to Transcorp Plc where she started off on advisory role preparatory to the acquisition of NITEL and later as the interim chief operating officer, in the post acquisition era. Like her MTN experience, Opeke’s stay at Transcorp did not last for too long resigned her appointment, following the withdrawal of British Telecoms as technical partners in the NITEL/ Transcorp acquisition deal. From there, Opeke offered to explore the vast opportunities provided by the various communication challenges and by February 2008, Opeke and a handful of Nigerian investors including FolaAdeola, founding chief executive officer, GTBank Plc founded Main Street Technologies, a holding company launched to build and operate the Main One submarine cable system linking countries in West and Central Africa with each other and connecting in Europe with other existing cable systems linking the Americas and Asia. She however, stirred the hornets’ nest when she almost immediately announced plans to build a $300million undersea fibre optic cable system connecting 12 African countries. Opeke admitted that her job experience in Nigeria, particularly with MTN exposed her to the vast opportunities available in the country. Working under those organisations at that time, she said, showed lack of international telecommunication infrastructure, especially data infrastructure, or broadband infrastructure.”So, I felt that with the country of our size and challenges we face in education and business, it was really critical for the country to have this type of infrastructure at lower cost,” she told a recent gathering. For her, given the explosion worldwide in Internet use and the fact that Nigeria is yet to connect to that, she felt that if it could be

done over there, it should be very much possible for us in Nigeria to do. Besides, she wanted “to do something for the region and I see that this cable makes good sense both in commercial and development terms,” she said. Her choice of fibre optic was largely informed by her operational experiences. “When I graduated with my Master’s Degree in the United States, I did work as site communications engineer. Within the few years thereafter, telephone companies in the U.S. started deploying a lot of fibre and by the time I was returning to Nigeria, all the networks that were operating were deploying fibre too. It is a transition that is taking place in all other parts of world as regard long communications over longdistances, the shift from satelliteto-copper and to fibre-options, just because fibre is more capable in terms of how much capacity it is able to deliver. So, that was the motivation to work with the fibre. That was the beginning of the Main One sub marine cable, the optical fibre cable which went live for commercial purpose on July 1, 2010. It has a potential capacity of 4.96 terabit which means that it can carry out up to 76 million voice calls per second simultaneously or up to 1.24 million MP3 downloads per second. This allows Main One to offer reliable world class broadband access within West Africa to telecom operators, internet service providers, government and large enterprises. This initiative took three years of dedication, team work and the highest level of professionalism to come through. When the company was officially established in February 2008, a completion date of June 2010 was set. It obtained its operational permits in November 2008, the same time desktop study was completed. The marine survey was completed in June Continued on pg A14

Business Courage

2009, a $120 million equity funding was obtained in July 2009 and by November 2009, equipment manufacture was completed. The cable installation and the final splice were done in May 2010 and in June 2010, the project was completed and the cable went live on July 1, 2010 making it the first of its kind in Nigeria. The main one cable runs 7,000 kilometer under water from the west coast of West Africa to Portugal, and from Portugal connecting to England, it connects to the rest of the world. To ensure the optimum quality and reliability of its system, it contracted Subcom, an industry pioneer in undersea telecommunication technology and marine services to design build and commission the main one network. With this feat, Main One, under Opeke has apart from laying a technology that would bring about high speed Internet browsing and accessibility becomes the first private submarine cable landing licenses in Nigeria and Ghana, first wholly African owned, privately funded and open access submarine cable in Africa. Main One Cable, a $250 million investment is financed by a crop of high net worth Nigerian investors, African Finance Corporation; First Bank Capital, Skye Bank Plc; South Africa’s Pan African Infrastructure Development Funds; African Development Bank and the German Development Bank. Though Opeke is an engineer by training, she also combines the attribute of a shrewd business person. For her, taking the cable from the shores to the end users was the least of her problem. Instead of looking at serving the end users directly, what MainOne did from onset was to sign up the large operation in this market and Ghana to our network. So, “clearly, we have the MTN Nigeria, Etisalat, Airtel, Starcoms, Galaxy backbones, IPN Net, among others. So, all these companies already had a distribution network across most parts of the country. Therefore, people who subscribe to their services are able to get access to MainOne. So, that is a big distributor channel for us,” Opeke stressed. Aside the service providers within Nigeria, MainOne also have offshore subscriptions as international operators who are developing traffic to Nigeria are also part of its customer base. However, like most startup businesses, the evolution of Main Street technology and by extension, MainOne Cable was no less challenging. “When I started, I was told that other cables were being built and as an independent operator, we didn’t stand a chance,” she recalls. But then, been the first to go into service, and the attendant infrastructure and funding challenges, Opeke says she almost gave up the idea but for her determination that West Africa needed the sort of connections that most other parts of the world have come to expect

in the last decade or so. “Like every business idea with an entrepreneur, you write up a plan, you do your homework, you put what resources you have on the line and you look for other similarly inspired people to help you along. You gain traction and you approach more people and you get bolder because you have some success. That’s how we started,” she said. The seed money, according to her “came from a group of Nigerians”, the founding shareholders “who wrote the cheques for the first few million dollars to keep the company going”. The initial set of investors, she admits then put themselves on the line to raise some more private money before the company started getting any sort of institutional commitment. At long last, “all African equity investors”, including Africa Finance Corporation, Skye Bank of Nigeria, Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund and First Bank of Nigeria with loans sourced from ADB and DEG. With the first phase done with, Phase two, which will result in an optical fibre ring round Africa via a partnership with Seacom, is already in the works and is expected to come on stream towards the end of 2011. “We’re not taking much of a pause because there’s a lot of work to do before the actual installation. We have not yet started installation of phase two but we have started working on phase two,” says Opeke. Now, one year of successful operation and proving its ability to deliver what it promised during this first year connecting the majority of the large telecom operators and internet service providers in Nigeria and Ghana to the Main One network should serve as inspiration to do more rather than rest on their oars. “We are not pleased with the progress we have made in bringing broadband services to the overall population in Nigeria because we hear feedback from consumers daily that they are not feeling the impact of our network. Nigerian consumers tell us in very clear terms that they want faster speeds, lower prices and improved quality from their retail Internet service providers. Recently, a senior official of a National institution described how he experienced faster access to the institutions’ web page from outside Nigeria, than from within Nigeria and how disappointed he was that critical web sites of national significance are currently hosted offshore. This is the opportunity that we are here to address today. Main One as a pioneer in this area has removed the bottleneck of limited international bandwidth, high cost, and unreliable connectivity, and Nigerians and the Nigerian economy need to feel more impact from what we have done,” she stressed. While the first phase was installed by Tyco Electronics Submarine Communications, the second phase is working on the Nigeria to South Africa cable with

Monday, April 6, 2015

Opeke

‘

So, I felt that with the country of our size and challenges we face in education and business, it was really critical for the country to have this type of infrastructure at lower cost

‘

A14 30

Seacom and a South African investment group, eFive Telecoms. Seacom has a close relationship with Tata Communications, which controls South Africa’s second national operator, Neotel. But then, just like the fun challenge it faced during the first phase of the project, the second phase too is also faced with similar challenge. But unlike the phase one, “having a going business and revenue coming into the company in a few months, I think that changes the dynamics in terms of raising the money.” She admitted that two years ago when “we were raising the money for phase one, we were a Greenfield company with no track record and there was doubt whether we could get this done. Having achieved what we have in the time frame that we promised, within the budget that we planned, we’ve achieved our business objectives we set out to accomplish. So it’s a different story raising money for phase two.” Main One Cable Company Limited (‘Main One’) is the first submarine cable company offering open access, wholesale broadband capacity in West Africa. It is wholly African-owned with a vision to expand the much needed

capacity on the African continent ensuring reduced costs of broadband communications across Africa. This vision has been realized in a submarine cable system that commenced operations in July 2010 with initial landing stations in Nigeria, Ghana and Portugal – connecting West Africa to the rest of the world via Portugal and the United Kingdom. Today, majority of the telecommunication operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria and Ghana are subscribing to broadband capacity on the Main One network. Main One’s high capacity fibre network provides reliable and first class service delivery that can be measured against international standards ensuring broadband capacity is easily available and accessible to all within West Africa for regional and international operators as well as service providers. while it is seen that the communication challenges that limit African businesses from being truly global player, with the Main One, opportunities are said to now exist to showcase Africa’s technical and innovative prowess by employing Main One to providing the infrastructure platform that will help make your businesses grow and be successful by enabling your business to be always available and reachable from anywhere in the world. The present feat notwithstanding, Opeke says Main Street is not resting on its oars as it hope to within a few years, hope to upgrade the terminal equipment so that the capacity of the cable will exceed 1.92 terabits that it’s capable of delivering presently. “We are confident that the technology will continue to evolve and we will be able to get more capacity on the cable as we fill it up,” she said. Before then, she hopes to connect other places in between Portugal and Nigeria, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco and the Spanish Atlantic islands of the Canaries. “We’ve done the survey work already. They should take less time and less money than phase two. We are looking to see how we can put landing stations in place and connect to those countries,” she said in a recent interview. Opeke carries dual nationality, that of Nigeria, her native country and America, the land where she spent larger part of her career life. Yet, her passion for Nigeria, especially in the area of fast deployment of broadband technology is legendary. She is worried that Nigeria’s broadband penetration rates of less than three percent, a figure she says is of no significant measure, and asking for the stakeholders and government to develop and implement a National Broadband policy under the auspices of the new ICT ministry. The policy, according to her, needs to create demand and drive promotion strategies by allowing government intervene in market creation and facilitation, by promoting broadband adoption and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

use; make broadband access and services more attractive and accessible to potential subscribers and users by helping to lower prices, putting public services online, and encouraging the diffusion of access devices such as computers. It is also her opinion that the policy should establish an enabling environment for competition and investment by removing market entry barriers with supply-side policies that enable the development of access to broadband—enabling network operators and service providers to enter the market easily, operate on a level playing field, and, where necessary, provide financial support to reach high-cost areas. Opeke believes that the situation where calls from Lagos to London cost less than even calls within localities in the country, starting from Lagos must stop. Bulk capacity, she insists, has no valid economic reason to cost more from Lagos to Abuja than Lagos to London. Based on global best practices, Opeke says that the policies that facilitate competition are the most typical and important and have been implemented consistently and compellingly from the initial to maturity stages of market development to drive growth. Such government policy support allows new market entrants to compete effectively with dominant incumbents such that economies of scale and network externalities do not play significant roles in determining the success of communications providers. She strongly believes that the broadband policy is imperative for Nigeria, stressing that it must first start with visionary leadership setting ambitious goals for broadband penetration and devise and actively implement strategies to achieve e.g. 40 percent penetration nationwide, Access to all geopolitical zones and indeed all local government areas and interconnection of educational institutions, especially from secondary to university level. Next, according to her, is for competition policies to promote market growth by facilitating shared access and fair pricing of terrestrial backbone networks which dominant operators leverage to block new competitors. Opeke argued that the collapse of Multilinks shows that building a national backbone is no assurance of commercial success, though lack of access proves a high barrier presented by existing facilities based operators to block out new players. Above all, however, she insists that the government must facilitate demand through the funding of initiatives in ICT adoption, e government and e commerce in order to create local content and jobs. Opeke is however optimistic that in 2020, when ten years of Main One cable’s operations will be celebrated, the implementation of these policy initiatives will have reshaped the history of broadband in Nigeria. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

A15 31

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Services improvement strategy BUSINESS

‘

With Mamora Victor Mamora is a system thinker and advisor whose belief and activator leadership strengths are directed towards improving workers perspective for city and enterprise development.

e-mail: olusegunmamora@gmail.com

n the bid to improve services, there is tendency to focus on training about principles and laws. Speaking to workers is alright but it is one side of coin. There are certain laws that cannot be violated if services will ever improve. Laws such as law of extraordinary, law of love, law of services are clearly important and teaching them is a cool decision but it is aerial delivery strategy. Often, in military war strategy aerial attack rarely win the war. From the World War II records, “only 18 percent of U.S bombs fell within 1000 feet of their targets. Even when air strikes were more accurate, Allied leaders learned that without ground operation-where soldiers were close to targets, gaining or loosing territory a few yard at a time-victory was impossible. The fact, even with guidance system, is that air strike without ground soldiers’ action usually does not improve chance of victory. Dear entrepreneur, similarly in business training, people and organising seminars on services improvement is often liken to aerial strike and a vertical approach. The horizontal approach which is the creative contribution, decisions and challenge to change process by workers is liken to the ground attack of soldier in war strategy. In this edition we will look at both the aerial and ground strategy for services improvement Most importantly, business is about people and every improvement should be people focus. I can tell you that the summary of customer care training is love for people first and you will be able to serve them excellently. Let me share a story with you and I believe it will inspire you. The story is about Peter Shankman and Mortins streak house. Peter is an author,

speaker, and consultant who knows about customer care. While at an airport Peter realise that if he didn’t grab a bite to eat he’d be stuck riding the plane back on an empty stomach. Thus, peter made a

decision and jokingly tweeted to one of his favourite restaurants Morton’s, asking them if they would deliver him a steak. “Hey Mortons- can you meet me at Newark airport with a porterhouse when I land in two hours?-@Petersharkman.” To Peter utter disbelief, a Morton staff drove 23 miles to

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KLINIC

Most importantly, business is about people and every improvement should be people focus. I can tell you that the summary of customer care training is love for people first and you will be able to serve them excellently

the airport to greet him with a full meal. That is service and a creative one from worker. It is a good horizontal approach. The vertical approach and Aerial strategy. There are principle learning, training, and coaching approach. I will share few laws that are important for you to

learn and pass to your team for effective service improvement. I will also share the case of one of my clients who owns a small business but in expansion stage to drive home the points. The first law is the “Law of Love.” Law of love helps you recognise the value in people and especially your consumers. It says you cannot give your best except to people you love with what you love to do. While I visited Charis Flavour business factory and had a chat with the CEO, Miss Maureen, she kept emphasising that she does not joke with production processes and that given people quality process chips matters to her. I saw her concern for consumers who were not present to see the production process. She has one of the most competitive products I have seen. Nigerians in Diaspora often demand her product. That service improvement is possible because of her focus on people. That is an expression of love. I doubt the success of an entrepreneur who does not align with the law of love. The second law is the “Law of Service” An entrepreneur reward in business is direct proportional to the value of service that he or she gives the consumers. Entrepreneur does not get consumers money for nothing. The Charis Flavour plantain chips I mentioned earlier is in demand both in Nigeria and outside the country because

Motivational Business Quotes

o succeed in business, to reach the top, an individual must know all it is possible to know about that business. – J. Paul Getty

To win without risk is to triumph without glory. – Pierre Corneille To succeed… You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. – Tony Dorsett Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business. – Zig Ziglar I wasn’t satisfied just to earn a good living.

I was looking to make a statement. – Donald Trump Whether it’s Google or Apple or free software, we’ve got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes. – Bill Gates The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. – Nolan Bushnell My son is now an ‘entrepreneur’. That’s what you’re called when you don’t have a job. – Ted Turner BC

of the value she added in the production processes. People are smart enough in the competitive market to detect your commitment to products and services as soon as they have contact with it. If it is of poor services then they move on but if it is of great services, they surely come repeatedly. The Law of Service cannot be broken. The Third Law is the “Law of Extra Mile” It says if you do more than you are paid for, you will be paid more than you are doing. Often excellent is about given value beyond the normal expectation. All businesses such as Toyota, Apple, Microsoft, Charis Flavours, GTbank have engage the law of extra mile at one time and at the early stage of business to do more than people would have paid for but grew to become brands that people identify with and willing to invest in. Profit making didn’t stand in the way of excellent services but excellent services has kept them profitable all round the year. The Horizontal approach and ground strategy Fact from different organisation where services improvement has help business create wealth has also been creative contribution of the workers who were challenged and press to bring to table changes and great ideas. It will mean that people working in the departments and divisions are expected to translate the business goal into tangible value in products and business processes. The workers are the ground soldiers who ultimately take over market territory for your business through innovation and valuable changes they bring forward. My encouragement for you is that as you offer services improvement programs and training, which is a form of aerial strategy, and vertical approach then your result will yield market success when the workers engage their creative mind to interpret all they learnt into value added services by great ideas for the products and services offering. You should constantly demand your workers contributions. Be courageous to improve your services. BC Join me next week as I continue on the Improvement series.

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10 Questions

Investors in Nigeria get better returns than in Europe, America â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aboderin Chairman of Icon Hotels Group, Chief Abimbola Moyosore Aboderin, is an entrepreneur extraordinaire who has his hands in many sectors of the economy. Aboderin who was trained in the United States by obtaining his first and second degree in Business Administration and Banking and Finance respectively in this interview with Victor Udoh says Nigeria in spite of challenges is a virgin land to do business. Excerpts.

hat kind of business(s) are you into? I am into hospitality business like hotel, currently I run Icon Hotel in Ikeja which is doing very well, and I have a farm in Oyo state. I also do mining but right now we are not doing it much, because, I have focus more concentration in politics that while have not been throwing much weight in mining, In my family we run a real estate business.

What has been your staying power in business? I must confess it is God, because, doing business in Nigeria is not easy, particularly in the aspect of power, it has not been easy, if there is no light or energy to power your business you cannot succeed as a business man. Moreover, it will increase the cost of production, an average business man in Nigerian spends so much in buying fuel or diesel, how would such business grow? I am a patriotic Nigeria and also a strong Christian I do a lot of prayers. A major constrain in business in this country is power, if power problem could be fixed it would naturally easily attract businesses to the country. I tell people Nigerian is a virgin land to do business. How have you been able to carve a niche for yourself in the Hotel business? There is no doubt about it, there are so many hotels in Ikeja , one of the major thing I think that stands me out ,is I keep an eye on what other people are doing, I make sure I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lag behind in adopting the necessary tools to upgrade my hotel. I keep myself informed, especially in the area of security and I make sure my security is on twenty four hour. Also make my hotel affordable and one of the cheapest around with high quality, so people can afford it, we also treat our customer nicely, make sure they feel at home whenever they are lodging in Icon Hotel. You studied abroad, why did you de-

cided to start your business in Nigeria, in spite of numerous challenges in the country? Well, this our country and there is no place like home. I come from a very humble family, we leave in Nigeria and we believe so much in the country. Nigeria is a blessed nation; where by anybody from this country should be proud of anywhere anytime. Unfortunately, there is serious miss-management in the country. As we all know, as a black man we should be the pride of our race, God gave us this country free. There are natural resources to make a living out of it, I see this country as a blessed nation, that is why I decided to leave American to come down here. I had every opportunity to stay there and live, at least , I studied Banking and Finance, I should be able to work over there , but I see Nigeria as a unique and great country that is why I decided to channel all my resource to this great nation. I do so many things that would have made me stay over there, I was footballer, I am into entertainment and so many other things, I would have just stayed there, but I just believe in this great country. Apart from the challenge of power another major problem we are having in this country is corruption, if we can wipe away corruption Nigeria will be a better place to leave in. It is obvious that in this country it is just few people that are eating the money. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tackle corruption in this country, corruption might destroy the country. What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs or investors? Of course, I will advise anybody to invest in Nigeria, because Nigeria is an emerging market. You will make more returns unlike in Europe and American. One thing about Nigerians is that the people are dynamic, fantastic and great. They can deliver when you list expected, because, over there most people are selfish. So the safest place is Nigeria to invest, the only problem we are having is

Aboderin

corruption. If we can address it, Nigeria will be a better place to invest and do whatsoever. I know corruption cannot be eradicated 100 per cent but we can minimise it, to the barest minimum because that is our major problem. There are so many businesses in town, people have different callings in term of business, and some people know their strength. I will advice that they should start small, believe in God, give more time to the business, don’t rush, just be calm about it. Again I must say that Nigerian banks are not helpingmatters; the interest rate is too high, government should create a scheme whereby, people can have access to loan in order to start businesses. Like mining now, it is so expensive to invest in, but no-

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body is looking towards that direction because no start-up capital. The mining sector could be better than oil and gas if the government can invest in it. Can you tell us more about mining? Mining is a great alternative to oil, because one is liquid and the other is solid. In Nigeria we have a lot of mineral resources buried under the ground. We have not been able to utilise it, moreover, the banks are not helping, the more you try to succeed in this country, the more some people try to bring you down. The bank are not interested in that industry that is one of the reasons mining business is not doing well here in Nigeria. How do you manage your hotel business? I put everything in the hands of God; you have to be rugged to do business in Nigeria. You have to be patient, persevere and keep trying. I have lived round the world, I have been able to interact with so many people and I just found out hospitality business is very good. I find it more interesting to do, if you can have good people to manage it. How have you been able to cope with the problem of electricity? The is the major problem on must face while doing have doing business in the country. You can imagine, if we have constant power supply, business will flow and more people will be interested in investing in Nigeria. How can we, after several years of independent, still not been able to fix our power sector. How would you compare the business side of entertainment then and now? People are more aware of entertainment now, unlike those days when we started, I have imperial band, that time, I charged twenty naira per shows in TBS, I brought the likes of Fela, Sunny Ade, etc, and people were still complaining that the money was too much, but now they are paying more because there is more awareness now than before, the kind of show I did that time if you want to do it now at least it will cost a fortune. I must confess, they are trying to stage shows now and people will pay five thousand, ten thousand naira even one million to go and watch a show Are you seeing yourself going back into entertainment now? I have always been an entertainer, I play guitar, I make my own CD they are already playing on radio; I don’t have

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time to lunch it out now. For now I believe we need to put things right in this country, at list lets have political stability , then other things will follow, that is the only way things can move forward, people should know that election is just voting, is not all about do or die thing, the leaders should not make it violent, if they are defeated they should take it and move ahead, Nigerian is not somebody’s property. If you are given the opportunity tolead this country, what will be your major focus? I am a politician in this country, and I also played important role in the June 12 crisis. I was one of the members of Social Democratic Power, SDP, then Moshood Abiola’s party. I was in the finance committee. I was at the highest level of decision making with the late MKO, together with some few colleagues then were responsible for decision making .$360m was kept in my custody , and I held the money for so long, I never touched it, because this was the money that was raised for MKO, I didn’t remove anything from it. I was also a candidate for ANPP in Oyo state in 2003, I lost, because my party was not empowered and I did my best but it was to no avail. I was also APC candidate in a senatorial seat in

Of course, I will advise anybody to invest in Nigeria, because Nigeria is an emerging market. You will make more returns unlike in Europe and American. One thing about Nigerians is that the people are dynamic, fantastic and great. They can deliver when you list expected

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Oyo, I lost in the primaries. I believe If I have the opportunity to govern this country one day, I will change a whole lot of things. Firstly, one have to be very patriotic, most especially, one has to be God fearing. You have to believe so much in this country, not just for yourself and your family; you have to be broad minded. You have to be a true Nigerian without any tribal links, I have travelled round the whole Nigeria by road, I know every part of this great nation, so there is nothing anybody can tell me about this country. We have beautiful landscape, sweet natural things that you can’t get anywhere in the world. I have lived in California for several years but I can tell you that Nigeria is very beautiful compared to any place in American. For now, we are depending on oil; we have to see how to diversify to other things, so we can create a lot of channel of Income, but we really need to hit hard on corruption, because, it is our biggest problem in this country, if we don’t address corruption in this county we are wasting our time, we just have to sanitize this country. I believe we can also put much strength in agriculture, it is an industry we have to focus on the first years and it will grow rapidly. How do you give back to the society? I do that every day; I create jobs for people, in my Hotel. I employ a lot of people even in my farm. I also employ a lot people in my shopping complex in Ibadan. I just have to give back in my own little way, at least to curb crime and some other Vices that may arise. There is no employment out there, and some people are busy buying Jets, building expensive houses, their children are schooling abroad, and poor children are watching, one day in this country if we don’t fight corruption the younger ones will fight back and it will be disastrous. The way we are embracing corruption in this country, one day God will strike us if we did not retrace our steps, anything can happen, we can all see what is happening in other western country, like the earthquake, Tornado etc I pray that will not be our portion. BC

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Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

fter a decade-plus of trying to reinvent itself as the 21st-Century Standard of the World, Cadillac has its first serious chance of meeting that goal with the new 2016 Cadillac CT6 fullsize sport sedan, premiering this week at the 2015 New York Auto Show. As great a leap that the latest Cadillac CTS is over the second-generation car, which was a great leap forward from the first CTS, it still struggles to check all the boxes in competing with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The CT6 appears to be different. We say “appears” because while it ups the Cadillac ante with competitive materials (inside and out), fit and finish, presence and specifications, a first drive of the car is many weeks off. It’s scheduled to go on sale in North America just before the end of the year. But those specs, at least, are pretty impressive. Cadillac touts the car’s “similar” agility to the smaller, midsize CTS, though dimensions are closer to the standard-wheelbase BMW 7 Series sedan. Cadillac

marketing is clearly trying to suggest that the CT6 is more of a sport sedan than the 7 Series and its competitors, led by the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Cadillac estimates the 2016 CT6’s base curb weight at “less than 3,700 pounds,” while the short-wheelbase BMW 740i (twin-turbo sixcylinder-powered, compared

with the CT6’s base turbofour) weighs 4,310 pounds, the Mercedes-Benz S550 (V-8) weighs 4,630-4,773 pounds, and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe tips the scales at 4,191 pounds. The base engine for the 65-hp, 2.0-liter CT6 will be a 265-hp, turbo I-4, with a new 400-plus urbo V-6 option 3.0-liter twin-turbo e for the Chithe perfect size displacement is nese market (displacement 0-cc). This new just under 3000-cc). ll be available V-6 engine will rica only with in North America all-wheel-drive. An all-new er V-6 335-hp 3.6-liter able will be available lwith rear- or allwheel-drive. A plug-in hybrid powertrain will debut in two weeks att the Shanghaii d, auto show, and, er some time after el the 2016 model eryear, a new overhead cam V-8 related to the 3.6-liter engine will be added to the lineup. erall length of With an overall 204 inches on a 122.4-inch wheelbase, the CT6 is a real ding the needle ‘tweener, threading between the larger S-Class

and long-wheelbase BMW 7 Series and the short-wheelbase 7 Series and 6 Series Gran Coupe. For example, the CT6 is 3.3-inches shorter and its wheelbase is 4.0-inches shorter than the long-wheelbase BMW 7 Series, though it’s 4.2 inches longer, with 2.6-inches more wheelbase than the short-wheelbase 7. These dimensions mean that Cadillac doesn’t need a stretched wheelbase CT6 for t h e

Chinese market--that gap will be filled with the upcoming SClass competitor (possibly called CT8 or CT9) coming in 2019. Engineers achieved the

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Monday, April 6, 2015

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Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship svelte body with its new Omega full-size, rear-wheeldrive platform. Cadillac calls it “aluminum-intensive,” with 13 high-pressure aluminum castings in the body structure and high-strength steel where it’s most effective for a stiff body structure and crash protection. The car features a 360-degree camera view displayed on the Cadillac User Interface (CUE) screen, to reduce blind spots. The CUE screen is 10.2-inches diagonally, with 1280 x 720 high-definition resolution and a consolemounted touchpad. An enhanced night vision feature uses more heat signatures to identify people and large animals, and a new rear camera mirror projects various 360-degree camera views on the rearview mirror. There’s new Advanced Park Assist autonomous parking tied to the automatic braking system, a new Pedestrian Collision Mitigation and wireless phone charging, OnStar 4G LTE, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Like the Lincoln Continental concept also premiering at the New York show, the production 2016 Cadillac CT6 features interior and exterior lighting that turns on when you approach the car with your keyfob. The interior is covered in what Cadillac calls Opus leather, and there are five seat-massage programs, reclining rear seats and, for the first time for this brand, heating elements woven into

the seats. Our initial impressions are that the interior quality and materials are a clear step up from other Cadillac models like the CTS and Escalade. The articulating rear seats have about 3.3 inches of adjustable travel, lumbar adjustment, tilting cushions, massage, and heating/cooling. Media controls, HDMI, and USB ports are located in the rear center armrest. Con-

nectivity a n d

10-inch rear screens retract into the front seatbacks. A quad-zone climate control system allows for separate temperature and airflow for each of the car’s four seats. Audio is courtesy a new, highend high-fidelity Bose brand named Panaray, which Cadillac says features 34 “strategically placed speakers” and uses design and technology from Bose’s home and professional stereos.

The car is part of General Motors’ $12-billion product investment for the second half of the decade, and will be built in Detroit-Hamtramck for North America, Eu-

rope, South Korea, Japan, Israel and the Middle East, and in China beginning early next year for that market. BC

Autocare Ways to proactively protect your engine (2) 3.

Keep the engine breathing magine training for marathon. You work out, run every day, eat right and give your body the proper amount of rest. But when the marathon day comes, you forget to do one thing: breath. You can guess how well you’d perform. Cars need a constant flow of air just like we do. Aside from fuel, air is the next essential ingredient in keeping your engine running. The air needs to be coming into the engine continually, without restriction and without debris. Air filters keep all the outside junk like bugs, leaves and dirt from getting inside of your engine. Over time, these filters can get clogged with dirt and need to be replaced. Depending on your driving habits and road conditions, an air filter can usually last a long time. But if the filter is allowed to get too dirty and not doing its job efficiently, it can either starve your engine for oxygen, let in too much junk -- or both. When you change your oil, take a look at your air filter and see if it looks clean. Replace it if necessary to keep that engine running smoothly and protect it against the all those bugs and other road debris that ends up on your front bumper.

4. Check for leaks You don’t have to be a mechanic to spot a leak. In fact, sometimes you don’t even need to see it -- you can just smell it. Oil and antifreeze are the two main fluids you want to make sure aren’t leaking out of your engine. Intense heat and pressure will eventually cause engine hoses to fail. Rubber engine hoses that are old and cracked can leak antifreeze or other fluids that your engine requires. Other areas that often leak are where two parts join together with a rubber seal and silicon. Over time, these seals can break down and allow oil or other fluids to leak out of the engine or cause them to leak fluid into the wrong areas of the engine. It’s a good idea to check under your hood to see if you see or smell anything leaking from the engine. When you park your car, occasionally check under the car to see if anything is leaking onto the pavement below. If you can stay ahead of a minor leak and have it taken care of before it turns into a major problem you could save yourself a big headache later on. 5. Fill up your fuel tank before it gets too low Gasoline (Petrol) has a certain amount of sediment in it that settles to the bottom of your fuel tank. After years of driving around and many fill-ups, there can actually be a fair amount of junk at the bottom of your fuel tank. Your fuel filter will catch a lot of this sediment and keep it out of your car’s fuel lines and your engine. However, if you consistently run your car all the way down to empty, you’re pulling from the bottom-of-the-barrel and all the extra junk that’s accumulated there. If the sediment gets through the fuel filter (some of it can) it can get into the engine and cause internal damage. It puts debris in areas where it shouldn’t be and causes your fuel system and other parts of your engine to work harder. Some people recommend keeping a half-tank of fuel at all times. You may not want to fill-up that often, but make sure that you’re not running the gas all the way down to empty. Your engine will thank you for it. BC To be continued next week

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REGULATORS

Pension industry needs its own biometrics – PenCom By Udo Onyeka

he Director General, National Pension Commission,PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu said the pension industry would have its own separate biometrics for the administration of retirement benefits schemes in the country. Anohu-Amazu, who stated this during the PenCom session at the Social Media Week in Lagos, noted that the enabling law for the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, which is the Pension Reform Act, 2014 mandates PenCom to maintain a data base on contributors and retirees in a National Data Bank, NDB, domiciled in-house. Stakeholders during the PenCom session had expressed concern over a possible information overload as a result of the multiple biometric and verification exercises that Nigerians were being forced to do. These include the ones conducted by the National Identity Card Management Commission, NIMC, Bank Verification Number, BVN, biometric exercise, Permanent Voters Card, among others. The stakeholders also asked PenCom to link up with some of these organisations, access available data from their data bank and aggregate to give it the desired security identification needed for pension purposes. Responding, Anohu-Amazu said the pension law mandated PenCom to register, take the biometric of Retirement Savings Account, RSA, holders and warehouse the information inhouse. She noted that the commis-

Anohu-Amazu

sion already had the necessary database domiciled in a National Data Bank, NDB, domiciled in-house and is currently reviewing these data to identify and correct mistakes and misrepresentations with a view to upgrading the system. The use of cards similar to the Permanent Voters Card, PVC, could be explored in the future to improve on the databank, she added. The Director General also highlighted some of the reasons why PenCom may not leverage on existing information on the databanks kept by various institutions in the country asking, “How do you go about verifying information you are leveraging on? This is a major concern for PenCom, “she said. According to her, the commission is also worried that the data stored in many of these data banks were accessible to unauthorised persons and institutions without regard to data privacy laws in the country. She also noted that some workers, particularly those in the informal sector and self-

employed persons do not have bank accounts while some others are not even bankable. The commission, according to her, is also worried about how to treat workers with many wives, particularly where death benefits are to be paid. Earlier, the DG has said the social network could serve as a platform for the pension regulator and operators to reach the under-served, particularly those who have access to this platform. She observed that the carpenter or plumber working on a construction site has access to telephone and could earn a living when he is active and agile but queried, what happens when he grows old? She said the CPS seeks to take care of wealth creation in an attempt to take care of the citizens when they grow old. Since what the Pension Reform Act, 2014 recommended was the minimum contribution by employers and employers, she added that the parties would exceed these minimum to take care of the future of contributors, wherever and whenever they may be spending their retirement. Meanwhile, the Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, PenOp, Mr. Misbahu Yola, said member companies of his association have thought of deploying the social media to better serve existing customers and reach new ones scattered across the country. He said pension operators were currently using Information Technology ,IT, to get more people on board even as the younger generation of work-

ers in the country does most of their businesses and transaction paperless. “We are working on that, it is going to be a channel that is unavoidable and we will adopt it,” he assured. Executive Director, Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access, EFInA, Mrs. Modupe Ladipo said Nigerian youths believe that pension is for their parents and grand-parents. According to her, Nigerian youths sampled listed flexibility in identification, voluntary and flexible timing of contributions, removal of age restrictions, group contributions and possible lending, access to funds for short periods, access to accumulated contribution when the need arises and above inflation return on investment in addition to quick and easy access to pension benefits of deceased contributors by their relatives as some of the issues they would like their pension fund to positively address. She also disclosed that EFInA’s research confirmed that on what they would like to do when they grow old and how, saying, 72 per cent of respondents said they are willing to save to take care of their old age while 28 per cent of respondents said no because it is either they had no regular income. She added that some of them also responded that the money they had was not enough to take care of their needs, they had no job or they don’t believe in the CPS. According to her, youths prefer a totally flexible pension scheme where they can contribute and have access to the money at will even as the scheme targets their income stream. BC

NAICOM advises underwriting firms on quality of assets

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has advised underwriting firms in the country to improve on their quality of total assets, saying, the commission is unhappy with the low quality of assets of some insurance firms in the country. Daniel, who stated this in Lagos, noted that low asset quality equally affected the liquidity position of the affected firms, adding that such development limits their ability to meet expectations. According to him, “the high portion of an insurer total asset in assets that cannot generate cash may adversely impact on the liquidity position; especially when there is a high obligation to meet or where the economy

has financial difficulty.” Stating that regulators establish various regulatory requirement and limits as to the extent of company investment or involvement in land and building that may be used either for operational or investment purpose, he noted the extend of investment of the policyholders’ fund in real estate is always stated. Moreover, he noted that NAICOM was unhappy with the valuation model under the International Financial Reporting Standard ,IFRS, adopted by insurers in measuring the land and building in the financial statements. The model adopted, according to him, should give a true and fair view of the value of the

Daniel

assets as at reporting date. Meanwhile, the Managing Director, NEM Insurance Plc, Mr Tope Smart, has commended NAICOM for the reforms in insurance industry, adding that the reforms has positively af-

fected the industry. He noted that the recent summit organized by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonji Iweala is a pointer that insurance is now being given more recognition by the federal government and is set to play a significant role in the Nigerian economy in foreseeable future. No economy can thrive without the active support of insurance and we must therefore do all we can to promote the image of our industry because it is also our profession, he said. He assured that the reforms introduced by the regulator will do more good than harm if operators work along with the regulator to achieve a better insurance industry. BC

Mobile health insurance, easy access to health services - NHIS

xecutive Secretary, the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Mr. Femi Thomas, said mobile health insurance is the easiest way to access health care services without hitch, adding that, this was one of the reasons why his scheme launched its National Mobile Health Insurance Programme, NMHIP. To this end, he said subscribers of the mobile telephony can now henceforth subscribe to a health insurance directly from their telephone. The NMHIP, according to him, is a channel opened to subscribers of mobile networks, as it provides easy access to health care. The programme, he said, allows subscribers to gradually pay the contribution for their future medical care by buying communication credits which will be converted into money. Bills are so less expensive because it is supervised by the government that wants to finish the universal health coverage process for all Nigerians, he stated. The national mobile insurance platform, he added, will allow the subscribers to register, select the medical institution where they would like to be taken care of, and even choose the payment options from their mobile phone. The NMHIP was launched in experimental phase since July 2014 on the MTN network. Its official launch on 19th March 2015 marks its extension to Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat networks to cover all the country. Thomas said NHIS also plans to implement a new initiative to be known as Public Primary Social Health Insurance Programme, PPPSHIP. “The initiative is designed to provide cover for 24 million pupils of public primary schools nationwide. 20 states had made provision for the programme in their 2015 budget,” he pointed out. Thomas said the scheme was negotiating with the management of the National Youth Service Corps,NYSC, to roll out a social health insurance programme for graduates undergoing national service. BC

Thomas

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A21 37

Stock market last week EQUITIES t was a four-day trading week as the Federal Government of Nigeria declared Friday 3rd and Monday 6th of April, 2015 as Public Holiday to commemorate “Good Friday” and “Easter” celebrations. Meanwhile, a turnover of 2.632 billion shares worth N36.583 billion in 21, 393 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.509 billion shares valued at N24.115 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 19,971 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.055 billion shares valued at N21.061 billion traded in 12,133 deals; thus contributing 78.10 per

cent and 57.57 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with a turnover of 178.248 million shares worth N2.352 billion in 1,493 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with 118.963 million shares worth N5.585 billion in 2,816 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely- FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 834.168 million shares worth N12.162 billion in 5,089 deals, contributing 31.70 per cent and 33.25 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. ETPs:

Also

traded

dur-

ing the week were a total of 27,730 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N533,087.50 million executed in 22 deals compared with a total of 572,478 units valued at N8.255 million transacted last week in 22 deals. RETAIL BONDS A total of 16,500 units of Bonds (Corporate bond 12,000 units and State bond 4,500 units) valued at N17.370 million were traded in 6 deals compared with a total of 210 units of FGN Bonds valued at N221,637.88 traded in 3 deals. INDEX MOVEMENT The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 16.90 per cent and 17.60 per cent respectively to close on Friday at 35,728.12 and N12.135 trillion. Similarly, all Indices finished higher during the week with the exception of NSE ASeM Index that closed flat. SUMMARY OF PRICE CHANGES Seventy-two equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 50 equities of the preceding week. Six equities depreciated in price, lower than 21 equities of the preceding week, while 118 equities remained unchanged, lower than 125 equities recorded in the preceding week. BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 03-04-15 All-Share Index 35,728.12 points Market Capitalization 12,327,088,265,975.08 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

NSIA ranked high on transparency, performance

he Nigeria Sovereign investment Authority has been ranked second out of 51 global sovereign wealth funds under the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute transparency index ranking for 2014. The new ranking,published recently,showed the Authority upgraded from four points to nine out of a possible ten during the second quarter of 2014, making it the only African Fund to be so ranked. Managing Director/CEO of the Authority, Uche Orji, who was presenting extracts of the 2014 financial result and performance in Abuja, said the new rating leapt NSIA from global joint 33rd to global joint 2nd out of 51 Sovereign Wealth Funds ranked by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Mr. Orji expressed surprise with the rating, saying considering the young age of NSIA, the recognition may have come as a result of its commitment to Santiago principles on independence, openness, transparency in all its operations, including letting its stakeholders know what was happening in the business. “Our responsibility is to keep the investments safe and keep-

ing Nigerians informed about what is going on. Many people see this as a mark of transparency,” Mr. Orji said. ‘We have decided to be as open and transparent as possible with our shareholders. If it impresses somebody and we are recognised with a ranking, great. But, that’s not what we work towards, rather to ensure that at any point in time the people know where their money is being invested,” he said. Highlights of the financial results for the period ended December 31, 2014, Mr. Orji said, showed net income growing by over 3,024 per cent from N505.7m to N15.8bn, while total revenues grew by 267 per cent from N1.96billion to N7.2bn. Though Mr, Orji said the full report would be published in the next couple of months, he also reported a significant change in the fair value of assets, which rose to about N10.5bn as opposed to a loss of N19.5m in 2013. He said investment securities also grew 161.6 per cent from N45.1bn to N118bn, while borrowing which stood at N1.4bn in 2013 were fully liquidated, with the Authority investing N13.6bn in subsidiaries and associates

during the year under review. Two of the subsidiaries – NSIA Motorways investment Company and KG Brussels – he said, were consolidated in the books along with a stake in the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company. Mr. Orji said the Authority’s strong financial performance came primarily from investments in secondary interests by private equity, developed market-long only equities and absolute return hedge fund investments. This, he said, was complimented by a long dollar currency position recorded against significant headwinds generated by sustained global financial crisis, weak demand, rapidly declining oil prices and a turbulent local operating environment. Ongoing projects during the year were under Future Generations, Stabilisation and Nigeria Infrastructure Funds as well as Gas-to-power investments. For 2015 projects, Mr. Orji said the Authority would take a lot more active role in domestic investments in power, healthcare, agriculture and other social infrastructure as part of the overall strategy to impact the lives of the people. BC

OPENING PRICE

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

FIDELITY BANK PLC

1.50

2.07

38.00

NAHCO PLC

5.04

6.75

33.93

ZENITH INTL BANK PLC

18.90

25.05

32.54

OANDO PLC

13.40

17.60

31.34

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC

24.36

31.88

30.87

3.79

4.92

29.82

18.00

22.87

27.06

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC INTL BREWERIES PLC UACN PROPERTY DEV CO. PLC

9.17

11.40

24.32

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 42.00

51.04

21.52

8.19

20.44

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

NATIONAL SALT CO NIG PLC

6.80

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

PHARMA-DEKO PLC FORTE OIL PLC

2.24

2.13

224.89

215.00

-4.40

0.93

0.89

-4.30

VONO PRODUCTS PLC

-4.91

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

3.75

3.60

-4.00

TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC

10.00

9.63

-3.70

OKOMU OIL PALM CO PLC

-0.46

28.42

28.29

FBNH

9.57

9.54

-0.31

ACCESS

6.69

6.67

-0.30

36.92

36.82

-0.27

7.74

7.72

-0.26

FLOURMILL DANGSUGAR

Treasury Bills Maturity date

Bid

Offer

02-Jul-15

13.59

01-Oct-15

13.72

14.07 14.72

24-Mar-16

13.46

15.50

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%) 9.95

DATE

91-Day

21538.34

14-Mar-15

182-Day

33783.25

10.1

27-Mar-15

364-Day

59081.14

10.35

27-Mar-15

A22 38

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diamond Bank: Profits drop on regulatory headwind By Johnson Okanlawon

or the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Diamond Bank’s loan book was largely constituted of “high risk” sectors of the economy, especially those that are expected to be most affected in the coming year owing to anticipated macroeconomic shocks in the country, research analysts said. According to Meristem Securities Limited, the bank’s exposure to oil and gas, general commerce and power stood at 27 per cent, 21 per cent and nine per cent respectively. The bank’s non- performing ratio stood at 4.6 per cent, cost of risk at 2.7 per cent and given the realities of the current economic environment, there is the possibility of loan defaults. The power sector has become a high risk segment in the economy given challenges which accompanied its privatization. Even though, the Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR, was 16.90 per cent, marginally above the 15 per cent of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, requirement, the inclusion of capital from the rights issue is expected to improve CAR by 2014 year end. First quarter performance The bank posted a profit after tax of N8.447bn for the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 34 per cent, from N6.289bn recorded in the same period of 2013. Its total assets rose four per cent to N1.584trn from N1.519trn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. Six months performance The bank recorded nine per cent increase in its profit after tax for the first half year of 2014. The half year result showed that profit after tax rose to N13.8bn, from N12.6bn in the same period of 2013. Also, the bank grew its total income from N11.9bn in 2013 half year to N14.1bn in the six months ended June

30, 2014, an increase of 19 per cent. The result indicated an increased appetite for funding the real sector as loans and advances to customers were rose 10 per cent to N756bn, fromN689bn in 2013 half year. Total assets of the bank rose to N1.7trn, up 15 per cent from N1.5trn in December 2013, while deposits from customers rose to N1.3trn, up eight per cent from N1.2trn in December 2013. Nine months performance The bank announced a profit after tax of N20.3bn for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, representing a one per cent increase on the N20.05bn it posted in the corresponding period of 2013. The increase in profitability was marginal; it grew its asset base 11 per cent from N1.52trn as of December 31, 2013 to N1.68tn at the end of the nine months under review. Its deposit base increased four per cent from N1.206trn at the end of December 2013 to N1.255trn at the end of September 2014. Also, deposit from other banks appreciated 61 per cent, from N54.6bn in 2013 nine months to N87.7bn in 2014 nine months, while its cumulative loan portfolio to banks rose 43 per cent to N184.7bn in the review period, from N129.4bn recorded in the same period of 2013. Loans to customers increased four per cent to N718.8bn, from the N689.2bn it recorded

and Access and World Women Banking. The bank’s expanded outside the country to building business synergies that have been creating value for its shareholders. It has three district business subsidiaries, which include Diamond Bank, Benin (with Diamond Bank Togo and Coted’lvoire). Others are Diamond Bank (UK) and Diamond Pension Fund Custodian. This is the bank’s strategy to consolidate core banking business. The bank continued to explore all opportunities to grow business and market share, as it leveraged on growing customer relationships, enhanced by delivery channels and excellent service delivery.

Uzoma Dozie, GMD/CEO Diamond Bank Plc

as of December 2013. Outlook However, the CBN regulation affected investors and their demand for banking stocks was the one which bordered on prudential capital adequacy guidelines, which states that banks with certain fundamental ratios were limited to paying a certain amount of their funds out as dividends. For example, banks which have a CAR lower than the

minimum are restricted from paying out dividends. The guidelines significantly dragged down returns on the affected and potentially affected stocks, aggravating the prevailing negative sentiments. As the bank is expected to resume its expansion plans in 2015, coupled with the gloom surrounding the banking space, we do not envisage that 2015 performance will significantly surpass the general underperformance of 2014. However, we expect increased efforts from the bank, which may place it above its current standing, hence our 2015 target price of N6.38 per share, the analysts said. Business Strategy The bank creates value for shareholders through the quality of partnership with like-minded institutions and organizations in the country and around the world. Over the years, it has productive partnership with International Finance Corporation, Enhancing Financial Innovation

Background Diamond Bank Plc began as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991 (the company was incorporated on December 20, 1990). Ten years later, in February 2001, it became a universal bank. In January 2005, following a highly successful Private Placement share offer which substantially raised the Bank’s equity base, Diamond Bank became a public limited company. In May 2005, the Bank was listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange. Moreover, in January 2008, Diamond Bank’s Global Depository Receipts (GDR) was listed on the Professional Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange. The first bank in Africa to record that feat. Today, the bank is one of the leading banks in Nigeria - respected for its excellent service delivery, driven by innovation and operating on the most advanced banking technology platform in the market. It has over the years leveraged on its underlying resilience to grow its asset base and to successfully retain its key business relationships Diamond Bank continues to develop and to build on its core competencies. By continually cutting from the rough, it has improved its services and banking facilities. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

A23 39

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, April 3, 2015 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 28.29 PRESCO PLC 28.50 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. 4.26 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 2.48 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.24 CHELLARAMS PLC. 3.95 JOHN HOLT PLC. 0.94 SCOA NIG PLC 4.44 TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 3.59 U A C N PLC. 36.02 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. 5.30 CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 0.70 G CAPPA PLC 14.46 Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 50.26 ROADS NIG PLC. 6.29 Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 11.40 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC 100.00 UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 45.22 UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST 10.00 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 7.38 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. 0.89 GUINNESS NIG PLC 139.00 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 22.87 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 2.02 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 166.25 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 3.61 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 161.00 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 4.27 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 7.72 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 36.82 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.30 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 0.50 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 18.05 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 8.19 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 5.35 U T C NIG. PLC. 0.50 UNION DICON SALT PLC. 12.46 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 40.00 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 936.60 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. 31.82 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.12 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 0.89 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 29.19 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 44.45 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 6.67 DIAMOND BANK PLC 4.45 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 19.51 FIDELITY BANK PLC 2.07 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 31.88 INTERCONTINENTAL BANK 13.50 SKYE BANK PLC 2.64 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.39 U B A PLC 4.92 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 11.00 UNITY BANK PLC 0.50 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.11 ZENITH BANK PLC 25.05 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 1.02 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 0.94 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.50 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC NT EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 0.53 GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.55 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. 0.5 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 3.05 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.75 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC 0.50 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC 0.50 STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.58 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 5.42 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 1.06 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.30 ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.45 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 0.5 Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 2.84 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 4.16 CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 0.67 FBN HOLDINGS PLC 9.54 FCMB GROUP PLC 3.18 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.54 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 31.00 SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND 103.24 NIGERIA ENERGY SECTOR FUND 552.20 UBA CAPITAL PLC 1.53 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 3.72 UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1.82 Pharmaceuticals

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 03-04-15

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

9,140 261,540 107,996

0.64 107.81 41.14

0.50 20.92 8.24

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

2,200,000,000 476,955,000 1,000,000,000

0.10 2.29 7.55

MOV. (%)

N/A -0.46 7.67

0.50 28.42 26.47

4.26

60,000,000

0.00

N/A

4.26

1,249,104

7.18

0.68

1,199,549,736

0.07

13.24

2.19

100,150 300 17,558 512 6,693,406 2,658,148

2.08 6.43 5.89

0.71 4.15 1.07

2,191,895,983 963,900,300 389,151,408

0.11 0.16 1.09

0.00 N/A N/A

5.89 71.10

0.50 28.00

821,666,666 1,600,720,323

0.09 4.38

N/A N/A

1.24 3.95 0.94 4.44 3.00 32.05

375 3

26.00 95.49

5.05 95.49

148,500,000 196,876,000

0.33 4.50

N/A N/A

5.30 NT

807,550 217

2.66 14.46

0.72 14.46

920,573,765 125,000,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

0.61 14.46

27,437 1,832

83.75 10.60

19.86 6.61

1,200,000,000 20,000,000

6.74 1.69

20.21 N/A

41.81 6.29

NT 324,368

7.28 20.90

7.28 8.82

1,375,000,000

0.00 2.20

N/A 24.32

NT 9.17

93 100 6,350

100.00 50.00 10.50

100.00 50.00 0.00

20,000,000 250,019,781

5.82 0.19

N/A N/A

100.00 45.22 10.00

5,016

0.50

4,772,528,415

0.00

N/A

0.50

54,992 8,132 28,374 172,515 50,000 1,808,302 513,550

19.48 0.68 297.41 30.00 9.09 179.40 0.97

3.13 0.68 209.10 5.34 0.81 91.10 0.93

900,000,000 272,160,000 1,474,925,519 2,112,914,681 562,000,000 7,562,562,340 126,000,000

0.00 0.00 8.66 0.63 0.00 5.03 0.00

N/A N/A 9.45 N/A N/A 17.75 N/A

6.39 0.89 127.00 18.00 2.02 141.19 3.61

24,150

75.90

38.12

640,590,362

4.46

N/A

156.00

NT 224,970 1,588,435 187,271 952,850 53,816 159,011 2,835,920 2.08 124,000 50 100

0.50 10.68 12.85 109.24 4.11 1.21 29.70 14.00 5.94 0.93 13.31

0.50 3.85 3.26 50.00 1.83 0.50 17.51 3.65 5.35 0.50 4.22

2,000,000,000 5,000,000,000 12,000,000,000 1,879,210,666 7,930,197,658 3,722,493,620 178,200,000 40,000,000 1,233,375,004 360,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.81 3.38 0.34 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.08 1.13 0.00

N/A 15.41 15.57 9.58 10.00 N/A N/A 20.44 N/A 0.00 N/A

NT 3.70 6.68 33.60 3.00 0.50 18.05 6.80 5.35 0.50 12.46

5,725 390,319

64.53 1250.00

8.33 400.00

3,129,188,160 792,656,250

1.57 28.34

1.96 17.00

39.23 800.54

25,333 100 187,845 15,000

15.58 36.19 5.54 2.88

10.03 32.27 2.91 0.57

63,360,000 819,000,000 300,000,001

3.90 13.92 0.71 0.00

N/A N/A 8.42 N/A

NT 31.82 3.80 0.93

156,973 119,119

56.00 76.00

21.02 27.60

3,176,381,636 3,783,296,250

1.34 1.42

8.84 12.96

26.82 39.35

0.97

0.57

843,284,027

0.00

N/A

20,610,779 1,358,484 5,746,153 4,669,271 NT 11,491,149

12.39 7.85 17.51 3.47 8.30 29.99

4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 3.04 13.02

17,888,251,479 14,475,243,105 9,873,614,567 28,974,797,023 16,271,192,202 29,146,482,209

1.61 1.71 3.67 0.68 0.60 3.08

13.24 11.25 8.39 38.00 #VALUE! 30.87

5,074,965 2,601,379 11,173,106 1,469,943 359,359 1,128,531 9,778,427

7.05 3.05 9.60 15.30 1.16 1.88 27.40

2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96

13,219,334,676 12,563,091,545 32,334,693,693 13,509,726,273 33,675,576,085 12,821,249,880 31,396,493,790

0.97 0.63 1.70 0.44 0.18 0.00 3.30

9.54 13.81 29.82 8.27 0.00 15.63 32.54

200 1,627,718 NT 9,140 1,882,960 62,000 9,054,578 4,754 NT 42,003 165,731 NT 698,304 NT 14,710 100 220 23,600 1,319,465 10,579,013 52,100 1,654,611 27,973 5,028 100 1,650 161,547,689 25,000 200 518,140 1,368,084

0.50 1.42 0.64 0.52 1.45 0.72 2.44 0.50 0.69 0.60 0.50 2.50 2.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.87 0.63 1.01 1.11 0.50 1.24 0.53 0.59

0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.58 0.50 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.06 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

20,585,000,000 7,809,391,256 211,626,000 6,000,000,000 10,372,624,157 8,820,010,363 5,100,846,808 8,847,298,420 4,549,947,000 3,827,485,380 720,000,000 5,061,804,000 6,420,427,449 28,000,000,000 7,323,313,227 3,437,330,500 4,083,713,569 10,000,000,000 7,998,705,336 5,332,830,881 5,649,693,923 5,003,506,791 2,508,315,436 6,668,750,000 5,203,757,266

0.00 0.19 0.00 0.05 0.15 0.02 0.24 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.25 0.00 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09

N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 N/A 19.05 N/A N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.55

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

8,493,173,450 2,581,733,505 13,000,000,000 16,000,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07

N/A N/A N/A N/A

10,000,000 584,766

6.60 1.22

0.00 0.72

500 500 500 220,000 4,570

1.65 0.50

1.37 0.50

4,200,000,000 8,679,148,676

0.03 0.02

N/A N/A

0.50 0.99

0.50 0.50

13,175,732,404 7,812,500,000

0.30 0.00

N/A N/A

3,778,005,975 1,333,333,333 32,632,084,358

0.00 0.15 2.45 1.23 0.13 1.53

313,164 369,250 500 5,000 8,812,914 27045923 1,050,953 3,807,836 465 100 1,926,013

2.1

0.5

0.61 2.02 21.50 5.70 1.33 20.72 103.24

0.50 2.02 8.57 2.90 0.50 10.64 98.33

1.70

0.00

1.18 0.19

0.50 0.87 NT 0.50 0.88 0.50 NT 0.50 0.53 0.50 0.50 NT 0.54 0.5 0.50 0.50 0.50 3.05 0.50 0.63 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 5.42 0.99

0.63

3,608,657,661 18,750,000,000

5.89 4.00 18.00 1.50 NT 24.36 13.50 2.41 2.10 3.79 10.16 0.50 0.96 18.90

N/A N/A 8.41 N/A 10.71

0.29

1.30 0.50 1.45 0.50 0.5 2.49 3.83 NT 0.67 8.80 2.81 0.50 28.00 103.24 552.20 1.29

170 40,000

5.05 0.50

4.32 0.50

498,600,908 3,553,138,528

0.13 0.00

N/A N/A

3.72 0.50

100

10.54

7.39

152,178,750

0.00

N/A

1.82

N/A=Not Avialable

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 2.20 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 3.41 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 51.04 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 1.66 NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 0.73 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 6.32 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.13 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.50 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.91 IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC 4 NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 12.19 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1.77 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 3.39 Telecommunications Services IHS 3.8 HIS NIGERIA PLC 2 2.25 HIS NIGERIA PLC 1 3.08 MTI PLC 0.5 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. 2.72 ASHAKA CEM PLC 21.40 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.06 CAP PLC 34.00 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 12.60 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 182.00 DN MEYER PLC. 0.83 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 IPWA PLC 0.50 PREMIER PAINTS 10.93 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 93.00 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC 1.40 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 3.46 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.09 CUTIX PLC. 1.66 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. 0.50 Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.59 BETA GLASS CO PLC. 23.69 GREIF NIGERIA PLC 11.48 NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. 0.63 Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 7.46 NIG SEW MACH. MAN. CO PLC. 0.15 STOKVIS NIG PLC. 0.14 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 5.21 Metals ALUMACO PLC 7.75 ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 10.43 MINING SERVICES MULTIVERSE PLC 0.50 Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. 0.73 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.50 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 17.60 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.5 CONOIL PLC 39.50 ETERNA PLC. 3.20 FORTE OIL PLC. 215.00 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 175.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 50.54 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 180.00 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO, LTD. 443.99 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 0.50 Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. 3.15 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 0.79 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 3.60 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.24 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC 0.50 Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL 4.28 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 5.13 TOURIST COY NIG PLC 3.51 TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 9.63 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS 1.06 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.27 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. 2.30 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4.70 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.59 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC 4.66 SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC 0.5 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 1.70 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 6.75 SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS CAVERTON OFFSHORE GROUP PLC 3.3 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC NT OIL AND GAS CAPITAL OIL PLC NT NAVITUS ENERGY PLC NT Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. NT HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT JULI PLC. NT ETF’s Sector ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NT NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND NT VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NT

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

74,488 1,444,640 66,411 163,454 251,300 100 572,185

4.80 2.50 69.00 3.38 1.76 8.59 3.50

0.50 0.61 18.97 1.23 0.58 7.36 1.83

486,473,856 1,500,000,000 956,701,192 980,000,000 1,925,717,268 153,786,012 100,000,000

0.58 0.24 3.07 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00

7.32 3.65 21.52 4.40 0.00 N/A N/A

2.05 3.29 42.00 1.59 0.73 6.32 2.24

37,000

0.96

0.50

2,960,000,000

0.11

0.00

0.50

100

0.50

2,941,789,472

0.00

N/A

0.50

0.91

4,966,666,668

0.00

N/A

0.91

400 100 5,460

18.70 2.94

13.12 2.07

108,000,000 492,825,600

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

4 12.19 1.77

27,420 1,080

0.50 4.97

0.50 3.13

4,620,600,000 4,200,000,000

0.04 0.04

N/A N/A

0.50 3.39 3.8 2.25 3.08 0.5

100

0.50

4,893,594,400

0.00

N/A

2,000 1,557,197 40,673 20,474 1,514,719 1,167,463 40,890 600 6,000 60 109,667 50,000 72,650

2.86 29.98 12.20 67.50 12.99 210.01 3.54 0.75 1.34

2.86 8.01 6.82 13.78 4.00 102.00 0.50 0.50 0.50

260,000,000 2,239,453,125 217,367,585 560,000,000 1,241,548,285 15,494,019,668 242,908,200 2,109,928,275 513,696,000

0.07 0.80 0.91 1.66 1.12 5.77 0.06 0.00 0.00

N/A 16.75 13.25 0.00 14.65 18.95 N/A N/A N/A

110.00 2.41 7.22

39.80 0.50 2.27

3,001,600,004 792,914,256 400,000,000

6.83 0.36 0.43

10.71 N/A N/A

2.72 18.33 8.00 34.00 10.99 153.00 0.83 0.50 0.50 10.93 84.00 1.40 3.30

100 220,132 100

2.00 2.39 0.73

2.00 1.20 0.50

510,396,608 2,220,000,000

0.05 0.19 0.00

N/A 14.48 N/A

2.09 1.45 0.50

NT 561 1,361 100 NT NT NT

3.98 5.94 13.18 13.28 3.60 1.86 0.63

3.98 1.71 9.04 12.68 1.60 1.05 0.63

N/A N/A

42,640,000 6,215,000,000 240,000,000 199,066,550

0.00 0.00 3.23 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00

N/A #VALUE! N/A N/A

NT 1.59 22.57 11.48 NT NT 0.63

100 200 NT

8.69

8.26

265,409,280

0.00

N/A

0.14

2,918,000

0.00

N/A

25,000,000 683,974,528

7.46 0.15 0.14

10,000

9.35

5.68

393,120,000

0.76

0.00

5.21

320 100

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75,600,000 100,000,000

0.00 0.24

N/A N/A

7.75 10.43

100

0.50

4,058,989,226

0.01

N/A

0.50

NT 4,050

3.22 1.38

3.22 0.67

50,000,000 220,000,000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.73

1,408,720

1.02

0.50

6,262,701,716

0.00

0.50

4,924,248

24.80

9.32

2,262,711,568

1.24

31.34

13.40

10000 2,577,516 2,541,040 412,758 22,164 167,074 43,476

76.00 4.87 115.64 146.00 59.00 190.01

16.96 1.32 7.73 106.00 16.20 118.75

693,952,117 1,249,162,828 1,080,280,628 300,496,051 253,988,672 339,521,837

2.69 0.61 1.43 9.93 1.04 12.91

16.48 12.68 -4.40 18.28 N/A 13.39

0.5 33.91 2.84 224.89 147.95 50.54 158.74

306,355

28,677,671

200

0.72

0.50

100

3.48

209,933

2.45

1.00

2,572,000 3,000

5.10 3.45

2.19 0.73

4,035,497,307

399.00

0.00

N/A

0.50 3.15

980,294,400

0.00

8.22

0.73

589,496,310 198,819,763

0.52 0.00

-4.00 N/A

3.75 1.11

4,059,547

1.64

0.85

865,808,912

0.00

N/A

0.50

1,500

0.75

0.50

3,211,627,907

0.00

N/A

0.50

100 599,750 1,000 2,800

1.72 3.88 10.00

0.64 3.51 10.00

2,078,796,396

0.00

14.00

4.28 4.50 3.51 10.00

1,000

0.51

0.50

8,000,000,000

0.43

N/A

0.50

16500 224,498 20 20,800

3.09 2.78 5.77

1.39 2.52 3.00

771,450,000 425,641,111

0.00 0.00 0.61

N/A N/A 1.51

1.06 1.07 2.30 4.63

955,140

1.29

0.50

1,507,000,000

0.21

N/A

0.55

6 40,000,700

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

236,699,511 5,631,539,736

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

4.66 0.5

111,000 246,274

5.90 8.81

1.27 5.08

634,000,000 1,230,468,750

0.50 0.43

N/A 33.93

1.70 5.04

189044

1.43

1.04

45,000,000

0.12

N/A

100

2.26

1.02

201,885,335

0.00

N/A

100000 1000

NT NT

0.60

30,000,000

0.00

N/A

0.50

24,898,850

0.00

N/A

NT NT

1.88

1.63

125,005,250

0.00

N/A

NT NT

NT NT 1,000

0.50

6,650,000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194,700,000

0.00

N/A

2,706

2,003

41 10

#VALUE! 49467

NT NT NT

A24 40

Business Courage

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

‘’The courts should always be very cautious in not allowing technicalities to be used in perpetrating injustice’’ — Justice Dahiru Musdapher, former Chief Justice of Nigeria xx

Create more panels for Appeal Court in Lagos -Adegunle 42 Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN

Burden of proof: Lawyers seek fair hearing of election petitions Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed

The principle of law requiring the proof of criminal allegation beyond reasonable doubt in election petition matters has always remained a controversial issue. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes that some lawyers believe that placing this heavy burden on the petitioner might defeat the essence of justice in the country.

Memories of Umuechem massacre 45

Court sits at British Museum over looted Libyan sculpture 46

“C

are must be taken not to sacrifice justice on the altar of technicalities. Time is no more when disputes are dealt with rather on technicalities and not on merit.” These were the words of the late Supreme Court eminent Jurist, Justice Kayode Eso, JSC, in the case of Chinwendu vs. Mbamali (1980). Almost 35 years after Eso made this pronouncement, Nigerian courts have often insisted that the standard and the burden of proof should not be limited to criminal trials but should also be extended to election petitions. For example, the case law is replete with instances where the courts have extended the provisions of the Evidence Act 2011 to election petitions, which are neither civil nor criminal proceedings. But some lawyers have argued that this act amounted to placing too much burden on the petitioner, and perhaps it could be likened to imputing words into the provision of Evidence Act 2011, that are not

there. A lawyer, Mr. Chukwudi Nwokoye, in an article titled ‘’Burden of Proof in Election Petitions’’ writes, ‘’It is settled law that he who asserts must prove. It is also trite that the burden of proof in criminal matters lies with the prosecution and does not shift, save for few exceptions; and the standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt. Any lingering doubt, no matter how slight, is usually resolved in favour of the accused. In civil matters, the burden of proof lies with the party that brings the claim, and proof is on the preponderance of evidence or on the balance of probabilities. “However, where I intend to join issues, with due respect, is the rule that in civil matters, where a criminal activity is alleged, the plaintiff

is required to prove his case (that a crime was committed) beyond reasonable doubt. That was the principle in the case of Nwobodo vs. C.C. Onoh (1984) All NLR. This issue is very relevant in Election Petitions, where in most cases; the applicant lost the election and he alleges that his opponent ‘stole’ the election through voter fraud, voter suppression or super-imposing election figures. Basically, election rigging no matter the method is criminal. That being the case, when the applicant claims that such criminal activities were involved, which swung the election in favour of his opponent, the rule mandates the applicant to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and not on the balance of probabilities. This is a heavy burden on the applicant.’’

It is also trite that the burden of proof in criminal matters lies with the prosecution and does not shift, save for few exceptions; and the standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt

Nwokoye noted that in criminal matters, “it is the state’s duty to prove the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt to be able to win conviction.” He said the state had the resources to make that happen, adding that the state would use the agent of the state like police detectives, forensic experts, and handwriting and fingerprint experts, as the case may be, to prove the case against the accused. According to him, ‘’though the state has unlimited resources to put away the criminal if it could prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, the state in some cases falls short, and the criminal gets away with the crime even as heinous as murder. ‘’So, if the state could not prove the guilt of the accused despite its unlimited resources, why does the law expect a private individual in an election case (or any other civil case for that matter) to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt in order for the court to nullify an election that was rigged?’’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Law & Justice

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Create more panels for Appeal Chief Bisi Adegunle, a former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch, was called to the English Bar in 1969. The 78- year- old lawyer in this interview with MATTHEW IRINOYE, speaks on the attack on judges, the continued closure of Rivers State judiciary and the need to restructure the process of the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), among others. Excerpts.

How long have you been practising as a lawyer? I got registered in Nigeria in 1971 and I have been practicsing law ever since then. I qualified in England in 1968 and I was called to the English Bar in 1969 and I did my Master’s degree before I came back to home. What are the changes in the legal practice when you compare it with how it was when you started about 45 years ago? There are enormous changes starting from the personnel, there has being a terrible decline both at the bar and the Bench. When we started practising as lawyers one can be assured that his matter will surely take place but the reverse is the case this time around. One is not sure whether his matter would be heard or not and even when one is being heard, he cannot say precisely when he would obtain judgement. For example, there was a case we had concluded and ordinarily, the 1999 Constitution stipulates that there should be judgment within three months but we kept on reminding the court about the judgment, nobody informed us whether there was a missing file elsewhere, we kept waiting until about nine months before we could obtain the judgment that could have been done within three months. Though, this ordinarily may not be the fault of the judge but could be as a result of the volume of work he does. I can remember when we started practice, the maximum number of cases before a judge in a day is not likely to be more than five or six there about, even as a matter of fact, the judge may even have just two matters to attend to in a day but now at the Court of Appeal, the last time I visited the court my matter was listed number 22. If I may ask the question when am I likely to leave the court premises? Besides, there are electronic gadgets to record court proceedings but it will surprise you that in this age, judges at the Court of Appeal still write proceedings in long hand. It is as bad as that, no matter how strong the judges may be they cannot listen to about 22 cases in a day. At the Court of Appeal, Lagos, we have asked that the panel should be increased, they have just two panels and throughout last year, the court was closed down simply

Adegunle

because renovation was going on but instead of closing the court for three to four months they could as well relocate to another venue where the court would be sitting. Anytime, I travel abroad on holidays I usually visit their courts, matters are computerized even up to 15 years but in Nigeria the reverse is the case. My pleading is that the government should restructure the courts, a brilliant judge cannot handle more than 10 matters in a day, so that is the problem I found between when I was practising and now. What is your take on 180 days’ time-frame for the disposal of election petition? Well, let me confess straight away, I don’t do election petition matters and I don’t even have interest in politics because of the way they do politics in this country so, whether the period of election petition is enough or not, I may not be in position to answer but I am sure I have my voter’s card. Do you support that the election petition matters should be handled by the retired judges? My comment on the issue is that most of the retired judges from the Federal bench

are usually retired at the age of 70 and indeed some of them are already tired so, if we ask them to preside over election petition matters it would be difficult to have substantive results. By and large, there are some retired judges who are effective but in my opinion, I think the retired judges can be members of the panel while a serving judge should head the panel because a retired judge does not have anybody to report to while a serving judge has somebody to report his activities to. Some of the state governors have refused to sign death execution warrants; what is your view on it? Personally, I don’t believe in death sentencing though some people might have committed very serious crime and they don’t deserve to leave but I discovered that killing them is giving them a quick way out just at gun shots. I think someone who had committed a serious crime should be made to suffer by putting him in hard labour and shackles, he would realize the enormity of what he has done but a situation where one is killed after sentencing him, I can regard it as giving him mercy killing. Furthermore, the accused may

There are electronic gadgets to record court

proceedings, but it will surprise you that in this age, judges at the

Court of

Appeal still write proceedings in long hand appeal the judgment and no governor can sign the death execution when the Appeal is still ongoing. By and large, in many jurisdictions now, there is no death sentence like in Britain and some parts of America. Sometimes ago, some judges were attacked in Ekiti State, what is its implications on the judiciary? The point is that the Nigerian govern-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, April 6, 2015

Court in Lagos –Adegunle ment has refused to maintain many institutions, such thing should never have happened in a sane country and if such thing happened the government that ought to sustain the institution should have reacted but unfortunately the government is yet to do anything. It simply means that once the court is being desecrated there is no longer hope for a common man because if a party has quarrel with the government or against another party, the court is the better place to settle it. In a civilized society, the court possesses the power to determine who is right and wrong in any matter. Few months ago, the Rivers State judiciary has been closed down what are the implications of this on the administration of justice in the state? Well, the other time there was strike by the court officials while they were fighting for the autonomy. All of us felt it here, everywhere was dry and a lot of matters that would have been dealt with could not go on as a result of the strike. The little I know about the problem was that a Chief Judge was recommended by the governor of the state and the National Judicial Council refused to approve the person. I think there is need to reach a compromise between the NJC and the state governor to ensure that the judiciary continues to function in the state. In a situation where there is such mix up, it means that the government of the particular state does not realize the functions of the court. It is essential to realize the function of the court in a sane society because if the court does not function it will give room for jungle justice among the people. By and large, both the state governor and the NJC should have reached compromise to see that normalcy returns back to the state judiciary.

I think there is need to do some reforms concerning the process of award of

Senior

Advocate of Nigeria Rape cases are very rampart in the country now. Don’t you think it is because there is no stringent punishment attached to it? I can’t even remember the magnitude of the punishment for the rape offenders; it has been long that I did criminal matter. I think I did criminal matters during my first 10 years in the legal practice. As it stands today, I can’t really comment on it, notwithstanding the punishment being light or not, I think a normal human being should not go ahead and rape somebody when there are several women around that he can go out with. Honestly speaking, a man of substance does not even need to womanize; all he needs to do is to arrange for one woman and stay with her in a comfortable apartment but, a situation where one hears a minor being raped I think there is need to test the perpetrator’s brain at the psychiatric hospital to check what went wrong with him because anyone sexually assaulting a young girl of nine to 10 years is not normal. Apart from sentencing the perpetrators, they must also be subjected to psychiatric examinations.

How would you react to the conferment of the awards of Senior Advocates of Nigeria on some lawyers? Well, I can’t say it is political nor would I say it is being manipulated, all I know is that anyone who wishes to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria applies for it to become one and the exercise involves producing cases being done. That was the system we started with but as the years run out, the authority in the position kept on changing it, I personally applied for about three times, in one of the occasions my junior in Abuja phoned me that I have been selected and that they have started preparation to organise party for me but to my amazing surprise when the list came out my name was not there, so after that event I didn’t see the need to continue to humiliate myself by applying again. I think there is need to do some reforms concerning the process of award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, though I am not pointing accusing finger on anybody but I think there should be restructuring in the process of conferring the award. As the NBA constitution is undergoing review, what part of the constitution would you like to be subjected to review? I could remember that when I started practising as a lawyer, I was keenly involved in the NBA administration both at the branch level and the national level. In fact, I was a one- time chairman of the NBA Ikeja branch, and for more than 15 years I was a member of the national executive committee. I could remember during my tenure we did a borehole water at the bar centre for the usage of both the court’s staff and other lawyers and we made four toilets at the bar centre. During that period we funded the association with individual money to make it vibrant

but, age has taken the struggle from me. As I am speaking to you, I can’t really say which part of the NBA constitution should be subjected to a review because what I do now most importantly is to pay my dues and allow those who are there to manage the affairs of the bar. I think if there is abnormality, the national executives should have a round table and discuss the possible ways to confront those issues. How would compare the quality of judgments in those days and now? Just like I said that the number of work load on the judges this time around is too much so if the standard is not as impressive as it was in those days it is understandable that one cannot expect better judgement. In those days, few cases were assigned to a judge and he would attend to it thoroughly but now it is not what it used to be, if a lower court gives a judgement and one party is not satisfied, the remedy is to go to Appeal Court or Supreme Court to decide. By and large, we have had quality judgments in the past though we still have good judgments this time around but it is unfortunate that majority of the judgments are not good because of workload. For instance, the Court of Appeal in Lagos suppose to have at least six panels so that the workload would be easy on them. What is your advice to the young lawyers? I think there is need for a young lawyer to take his work thoroughly and desist from running after money. The legal practice is a profession that could feed the practitioner if faced squarely, the legal practice fed me and I thank God for it. Aside, the young lawyers must be diligent and be honest while working with a client because it is the diligence that will speak for such lawyer in the nearest future.

Law & Justice

Monday, April 6, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Tribunals should employ fair procedures in determination of cases’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 The lawyer however stated that to place the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt on the petitioner in this instance would be unfair, unfortunate and subsequently unacceptable in a civilized society. Nwokoye said if the argument is accepted that a plaintiff in a civil matter such as election petition should prove electoral fraud beyond reasonable doubt, it then follows that if he is able to discharge that heavy burden, the respondent should be thrown into jail. ‘It is my humble submission that the Supreme Court should overrule itself on this principle of law.’’ he added. Indeed, since the election petition is sui generis, the requirement of proving criminal allegation beyond reasonable doubt under the Evidence Act should be limited to civil and criminal trials and not election petitions. Interestingly, a Bill to make the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, take the responsibility of proving the conduct and regularity of elections in the country before the Election Petitions Tribunal or the court, is pending before the National Assembly. At its second reading last year, the Bill attracted divisions among the senators as some argued that the Evidence Act and Electoral Act had categorically stated that the onus of proof should be the responsibility of the petitioner and not the electoral umpire. The senators who opposed the Bill argued that passing it would mean the amendment of the Evidence Act would not be easy to achieve. Some lawyers who spoke with the National Mirror expressed their views on the issue. Dr. Abiodun Layonu, SAN in his opinion said, ‘’Yes undoubtedly but it should not be practically poll station by poll station. Some extrapolation should be allowed on grounds of general lack of credibility and fairness. Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina said ‘’the burden of proof has always been on the person

Layonu, SAN

If there is anything that ought to be reviewed in election petitions, it is the requirement that the petitioner must call a host of witnesses to establish the

malpractice, which has already been proved who asserts to establish his assertion. These rules are age-old. They are borne out of long standing experience in practice. And they are meant to ensure fair hearing including standard of proof of criminal allegation. One recent case NIMASA v Hensmor Shipping decided by Court of Appeal, Lagos division per Iyizoba JCA helped me to appreciate more of our rules of evidence. In that case, Hensmor tendered an investigation report made by police making criminal allegations against NIMASA to prove its case. The Court of Appeal held that to standard of proof was not satisfied and that to tender the document in that way without calling the maker to be cross-examined breached right to fair hearing. ‘’Rightly it is so. We must employ procedure that guarantees fair determination of cases and these must not be sacrificed on alter of speed. If there is anything that ought to be reviewed in election petitions, it is the

requirement that the petitioner must call a host of witnesses to establish that malpractice which has already been proved actually affected the result of the election decided in the Mimiko’s case and the recent Anambra State matters involving Ngige and Nwoye against Obiano. It is not possible for the petitioner to call a host of witnesses in the limited time given for trial of election petition. Mr. Emeka Okpoko said that ‘’It is trite law that he who avers must lead evidence to prove. Election petition is sui generis, a specie of action. Please note that even in civil action once there is an allegation of crime that allegation must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. The essence of criminal jurisprudence is to punish so as to correct. ‘’Note that once a person is alleged to have committed a crime, he can be charged and if proved he can be imprisoned. Liberty or even the life of that person will be in jeopardy. Rights restricted here are rights protect-

Legalese

Bar

Jokes

Lawyer Rates

A man walks into a lawyer’s office and inquires about the rates. “Fifty dollars for three questions, “ replies the lawyer. “Isn’t that awfully steep?” asks the man. “Yes,” the lawyer replies, “and what’s your third question?”

Drowning Lawyer

Q: How do you stop a lawyer from drowning? A: Shoot him before he hits the water.

Burglar’s Case

Max was caught red handed by a police officer in the very act of burglarizing a store. He was quickly brought to trial. “How do you plead? asked the judge. “Your honour,” answered Max, “before I plead guilty or not guilty I ask that the court kindly appoint a lawyer to defend me.” “Max you were caught in the actual commission of a crime. What could any lawyer possibly say in your defence?” That’s exactly my point, your honour,” said Max. “I’m curious also to hear what he could possibly say!”

Okpoko

Amaechina

Definition of a Lawyer: A person who puts two men into a fight and runs off with their clothes.

Too Early to Die

A young lawyer died and was brought to heaven. Upon arriving the lawyer started protesting that it’s was too early for him to die; for he was only 32 years old, and there must be some mistake. The listening angel agreed that perhaps it was a mistake and agreed to look into it. After a few minutes the angel came back and said, “I’m sorry sir, but I am afraid there is no mistake, we calculated your age by how many hours you billed your clients, and you are at least 96.

The Appeal

It was a Tuesday when the judge passed a verdict against a certain lawyer’s client. On Wednesday the lawyer rushed into the judge’s chambers. “Your honor, I just found out new information and I would like to file an appeal.” “What did you find out?” asked the judge. After a few moments of silence the lawyer responded, “well, I found out my client has another $5,000 dollars.

Fair Trial

A judge enters the courtroom, strikes the gavel and says, “Before I begin this trial, I have an announcement to make. The lawyer for the defence has paid me $15,000 to swing the case his way. The lawyer for the plaintiff has paid me $10,000 to swing the case her way. In order to make this a fair trial, I am returning $5,000 to the defence.” Culled from Funny Lawyers Jokes.com

ed by the constitution. It is because of this that the law requires that once an allegation of crime is made even in civil cases it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. For the above implications, I share the view that it should remain as it is. Again, the burden remains on the petitioner because he averred it. Once you aver you prove.’’ Another lawyer, Mr. Daddy Mbagwu observed that ‘’election procedures are very strict and are clearly set out. Once you allege a crime, be it in a civil suit, criminal or election matters you have to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. ‘’ He said, however, a diligent lawyer should take into consideration all the issues and should be careful not draw heavy burden on himself. Mbagwu said in elections matters, when the issue gears towards criminal allegations, it would be wise for counsel to the petitioner to find a better way to couch his claims, so as not to have the burden of having to prove criminal allegation beyond reasonable doubt. ‘’For instance, on the issue of falsification, all that the petitioner needs to do is to establish that there was a malpractice and that the procedures were not followed. Then it would be sufficient. he added.

LEGAL TIPS

Legal Issues in Business: What you should know Financial

The financial laws surrounding business ownership are many and are varied from location to location. To make it even more difficult to stay up to date, it seems there are always new rules and regulations to learn. The best thing you can do is to hire an accountant who has business experience. He will be able to keep up on all the new tax laws and other financial regulations.

Contractual Another legal issue in business is contracts. Any time you have a contract between your busi-

ness and a customer or vendor, it is essential that you both read and understand that contract. Unless you have a legal background, you should always have a lawyer approve any contract that your business creates before putting it into use. The wrong wording can bring very negative consequences.

Advertising This should go without saying, but some small business owners think they can say pretty much anything they want in their advertising. Well, you can’t. Overstating claims or otherwise making prom-

ises that you have no intention of keeping can cause you more problems than you’ll want to deal with. Also, making derogatory comments about the competition is not a good idea. At best it’s bad business - but at worst, it could be slanderous depending on the language that is used.

Operations The way you run your business is another business legal aspect that you must consider. Your business operations are governed by federal, state and local laws. You’ve got to make it a priority to know and follow all of them. Culled from more business.com

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Law & Justice

Monday, April 6, 2015

Memories of Umuechem massacre FAMOUS CASES

he people of Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State will not forget the events of October and November 1990 in a hurry. In a war-like attack, the men of the Nigeria Police Force mobile squad invaded the village located in the east of Port Harcourt, and allegedly killed and maimed inhabitants of the community. The genesis of the unfortunate development could be traced to some time on October 30, 1990, when the villagers of Umuechem demanded social amenities and compensation for oil pollution. To drive home their demand, they embarked on peaceful demonstration, which involved a march to the premises of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) where a list of grievances was presented to a top official, who promised to convey them to the regional office. The following day, another peaceful march was organised to press for a response from the oil company. Reports showed that between October 31 and November 1, 1990, a protest equally took place at Shell’s facility at the village. This culminated into invitation of the Police to the village. Specifically, a mobile police force unit from nearby Port Harcourt was invited to disperse the demonstrators, and in the process force was applied on the villagers. The mobile unit alleged that while dispersing the demonstrators, three of its members, Timothy Kingsley, Mohammed Yusufu and Samuel Ojugbeli, were abducted and declared missing. On November 1, 1990, in a bid to search for their colleagues, the Police unit returned to Umuechem at 4.30 am. They surrounded the village and shot indiscriminately using live ammunition. Hand grenades and explosives were thrown into homes. Eventually, there was a confrontation between the police and villagers. Scores of unarmed demonstrators including the community monarch, Eze Ordu were killed, about 495 buildings were reportedly destroyed, while a large number of livestock were killed, and crops were ruined. According to the Human Rights Watch 1999 on-line article titled: ‘’The Price of Oil’’, ‘’this incident was the first to bring the situation in the Niger Delta to international attention, and remains the most serious loss of life directly involving oil company activities. Youths from the Umuechem community demanded provision of electricity, water, roads, and other compensation for oil pollution of crops and water supplies. On October 29, 1990, the divisional manager of SPDC’s eastern division had written to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to request “security protection,” with a preference for the paramilitary Mobile Police, in anticipation of “impending attack” on SPDC’s facilities in Umuechem allegedly

Twenty-five years ago, about 25 persons, including the paramount ruler of Umuechem community in Rivers State, Eze A.A. Ordu, were killed in the disturbances that rocked the village in October 1990. The Rivers State Government later probed the disturbances. In its report, a Judicial Commission of Inquiry adjudged the Nigeria Police Force culpable for the massacre. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

Alhaji Aliyu Atta, then IGP

Major Gen. Abbe (rtd)

The Mobile Policemen attacked Umuechem village, like an invading army that had vowed to take the last drop of the enemy’s blood planned for the following morning. Following peaceful protests by village youths on SPDC’s premises on October 30, 1990, SPDC again made a written report to the Rivers State government, a copy of which was sent to the Commissioner of Police. On October 31, Mobile Police attacked peaceful demonstrators with teargas and gunfire. They returned at 5 a.m. the next day, shooting indiscriminately, in a purported attempt to locate three of their members who had not returned the previous evening. On the same day, after discovering the killing and destruction, and the ensuing public outcry, the Rivers State Government set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the massacre. The Judicial panel was headed by Justice Opubo Inko-Tariah. At the end of the day, the Judicial Commission found no evidence of a threat by the villagers and concluded that the Mobile Police had displayed “a reckless disregard for lives and property.” No compensation has been awarded for the attack to those whose relatives were killed or homes destroyed; nor have the perpetrators been brought to justice. In response to public pressure, the Nigerian Police Force also announced its own inquiry into the incident. In March 1991, the Rivers State Government under the then Military Administrator, Major. Gen. Godwin Abbe, released its

report and blamed the villagers for organising the march to the Shell Oil Company, stating that the march had been ‘’misconceived and misdirected, considering that the company was answerable only to the Federal Government, and does not owe any legal obligations to provide any socio-economic or social amenities to the communities of its operations.’’ The commission also acknowledged the Police force’s culpability for the massacre. According to the report, the Mobile Police Force men, who were sent to Umuechem on 1st November 1990, were responsible for all that happened there. They committed acts of homicide, doing grievous harm, malicious damage to property and arson. ‘’The Mobile Policemen, attacked Umuechem village, like an invading army that had vowed to take the last drop of the enemy’s blood. They threw all human reasonings to the wind, shot people and razed down a total of 495 houses in the village with blast grenades, personal effects in all these houses were consumed by the fire that burnt the houses down. The preponderant share of this responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Mobile Police Force men, who forgot that their duty was to protect life and property and not to destroy them.’’ it added. The report concluded by recommending that reparations should be made by the Federal Military Government for the loss of life and property, and that ‘’appropriate legal

action’’ be taken against 120 mobile police whose names were listed in the appendix to the report as having carried out the operation at Umuechem. Shortly after the massacre, the FG gave N10m and the Rivers State Government gave N2m to the village as reparations for the loss of life and property. It was however learnt that some villagers had problems when they attempted to cash the compensation cheques issued to the victims at that time. Despite the recommendation by the Judicial Commission that the responsible police officers be prosecuted for their use of excessive force, the then Rivers State Government refused and failed to prosecute any police officer for the dastardly act. According to a publication of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in May 1992, the police officers responsible for the violence at Umuechem continue to serve on the force .’’ The Gender Coalition Against Genocide in Niger Delta in a letter sent to the office of the then Prosecutor in the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague, Netherlands also said the perpetrators of these previous massacres have neither been investigated nor prosecuted. It therefore urged the then prosecutor, Mr. Moremo Ocampo, to call for the prosecution of those responsible for this inhuman action against the Niger Delta people. Following the Umuechem massacre, Ken Saro-WIwa and other environmental activists established the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).

Law & Justice

US special agents charged with theft UNITED STATES

US President, Barack Obama

“without authority”, Force “developed additional online personas and engaged in a broad range of illegal activities calculated to bring him personal financial gain”. “In doing so, the complaint alleges, Force used fake online personas, and engaged in complex Bitcoin transactions to steal from the government and the targets of the investigation. “In one such transaction, Force allegedly sold information about the government’s investigation to the target of the investigation.” The 46-year-old is charged with wire fraud, theft of government property, money laundering and conflict of interest.

UNITED KINGDOM court convened at the British Museum for the first time to enable a judge to inspect a £2 million sculpture looted from Libya. The “unique” four foot marble statue is said to have been illegally dug up in Cyrene, a UNESCO world heritage site, before being smuggled to the UK in 2011, via Dubai. It was uncovered in a west London warehouse by customs officials two years later and handed to the British Museum pending a court’s decision over ownership. A report by BBC says that, District Judge, John Zani, who is overseeing the case at Westminster Magistrate’s Court, was given a

detailed analysis of the sculpture during a two hour viewing at the museum. Accompanied by barristers, solicitors and his legal adviser, the judge carefully examined the statue as he was told stains and other evidence demonstrated that it was “definitely” excavated illegally from the ancient Greek colony of Cyrene. The statue, which depicts a Greek woman wearing a hood and flowing gown, is said to be unparalleled besides a single comparable example in the Louvre. The woman wears two snake-like bracelets and carries a doll. A British Museum spokesperson said that as far as they were aware it was the first time a court had convened on the premises. Jordanian, Riad Al Qassas, who

he Palestinian Authority has officially become the 123rd member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a step that gives the court jurisdiction over alleged crimes in Palestinian territories. The formal accession was marked with a ceremony at The Hague, in the Netherlands, where the court is based. The Palestinians signed the ICC’s founding Rome Statute in January, when they also accepted its jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed “in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, since June 13, 2014.” Later that month, the ICC opened a preliminary examination into the situation in Palestinian territories, paving the way for possible war crimes investigations against Israelis. As mem-

bers of the court, Palestinians may be subject to counter-charges as well. Israel and the United States, neither of which is an ICC member, opposed the Palestinians’ efforts to join the body. But Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, speaking at the ceremony, said it was a move toward greater justice. According to an ICC news release, Judge Kuniko Ozaki, a vice president of the ICC, said acceding to the treaty was just the first step for the Palestinians. “As the Rome Statute today enters into force for the State of Palestine, Palestine acquires all the rights as well as responsibilities that come with being a State Party to the Statute. These are substantive commitments, which cannot be taken lightly,” she said. In January, when the preliminary ICC examination

British Prime Minister David Cameron

does not reside in the UK, is accused of falsifying paperwork after telling customs that the sculpture came from Turkey, rather than Libya, and was worth £60,000, rather than between £1.5m to £2m.

Chinese court sentences man to six-year imprisonment for growing beard BEIJING

court in China’s mainly Muslim Xinjiang region has sentenced a man to six years in prison for “provoking trouble” and growing a beard, a practice discouraged by local authorities, a newspaper reported Sunday. According to AFP, the Uigur man started growing his beard in 2010. About a year ago, Xinjiang officials began targeting men with

Chinese President Xi Jinping

beards for their alleged association with extremist activities. Cash rewards have been reportedly offered to infor-

Palestinians join ICC, permit war crimes inquiries PALESTINA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court sits at British Museum over looted Libyan sculpture A

wo former US special agents have been charged with stealing large amounts of digital currency, which came into their possession during an investigation into the notorious Silk Road marketplace. According to BBC report, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) had alleged that Shaun Bridges stole more than $800,000 (£540,000) in Bitcoin. His colleague, Carl Force, has also been charged with money laundering. Best known for selling illegal drugs, Silk Road was closed in 2013 following raids by the FBI and other agencies. The man accused of running the site, Ross Ulbricht, was convicted in February, and prosecutors argued that he had earned about $18m in Bitcoin from the operation. Force, who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), served as an undercover agent during the investigation into the Silk Road. The DoJ alleges that

Monday, April 6, 2015

was opened, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as an outrage, saying the court was overstepping its boundaries. The United States also said it “strongly” disagreed with the court’s decision. “As we have said repeatedly, we do not believe that Palestine is a state and therefore we do not believe that it is eligible to join the ICC,” the State Department said in a statement. Ms. Faton Bensouda, ICC

mants who report neighbours with excessive facial hair. The man and his wife, from the desert oasis city of Kashgar, had been given several warnings for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” – a vague term regularly used in the Chinese judicial system. His wife received a twoyear sentence for wearing

a burqa and a veil that hid her face. Regional officials have launched a campaign called “Project Beauty” which “encourages” women to leave their heads bare. The court in the desert oasis city of Kashgar sentenced the 38-year-old Uighur to six years, while his wife was given a two-year sentence, according to the China Youth Daily.

Turkish court acquits military officers in coup trial TURKEY

Turkish court acquitted all 236 military officers in a retrial over an alleged 2003 plot to unseat then Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, after the prosecutor said key evidence was inadmissible, a defence lawyer told Reuters. In 2012 a court sentenced the officers to jail over the “Sledgehammer” conspiracy, dating back to 2003, a year after President Er-

dogan’s AK Party came to power. However, the constitutional court subsequently ruled that the mishandling of computer files, containing alleged conspiratorial documents had violated the defendants’ rights and a retrial began in November last year. “At the end of the retrial, the judges ruled to annul the previous court decision in favour of acquittal for all defendants,” lawyer Celal Ulgen told Reuters.

I was very jittery –Fagbohun

was actually going to court with my senior. Along the way there was an emergency and he had to leave me with the files. I appeared before Justice Olajide Olatawura. The other counsel happened to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and he was raising certain issues. I was scared, I was very jittery because I didn’t know what to do. What the

Justice of the Court of Appeal did was to ask me to stand up and move my application. I was very worried because the learned senior advocate on the other side was already saying ‘’how can my colleague send his junior to court on this matter, it is a very sensitive case’’. But, Justice Olatawura said, no, that is a counsel and you have to respect him. Lanre Fagbohun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, April 6, 2015

Osinbajo, law professor as vice president-elect his tenure in 2007. At various times, he has served as a staff member of the United Nations and member of the United Nation’s Secretary General’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN Peacekeeping personnel around the globe. He is Counsel for the ICC at The Hague.

Wale Igbintade

rofessor Yemi Osinbajo a Senior Advocate of Nigeria emerged the Vice- President-elect under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC during the 2015 presidential election last week. He was a former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (1999- 2007). Born in Lagos to the family of late Sir Adeyemi Osinbajo, he had his earlier education at Corona School, Lagos. Between 1969 and 1975 he attended Igbobi College, Yaba where he won several prizes. He proceeded to the University of Lagos where he was awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree. After obtaining a Second Class Upper Degree, he received the Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law. In 1979, he undertook the mandatory one year professional training at the Nigerian Law School prior to being admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor of Nigeria’s Supreme Court. In 1980, he attended the London School of Economics, where he obtained his Master’s of Laws. While at the Law School, he interned with the law firm of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. From late 1979- 1980, he did his National Youth Service with the Bendel Development and Planning Authority (BDPA) as a legal officer. In 1981, he commenced academic work as a lecturer at the University of Lagos and occupied the

Political career

Osinbajo

position until 1988, when he was appointed as Special Adviser to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola from 1988 to 1991. In 1992, when he went back to lecturing, he became a Professor of Law in 1990 at the age of 33 . Thereafter, he established a law practice, Osinbajo, Kukoyi & Adokpaye and is currently a Senior Partner with Simmons Cooper Partners (Barristers and Solicitors). In 1999, he was appointed a member and secretary of a Think Tank and Transition Work Group that deliber-

ated on strategies of transition from Military rule to democratic government in Lagos State. Owing to his reform-minded contributions to the justice sector, he was appointed into the cabinet after the inauguration of the Lagos State Government in May 1999. After his tenure in 1999, he was immediately appointed as the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State under the administration of Senator Bola Tinubu, who is now the National Leader of APC. Osinbajo held this position for 8 years, until the end of

After the formation of the APC in 2013, Yemi was tasked, with other notable Nigerians, to design and produce a manifesto for the new political party. This culminated in the presentation of the “Roadmap to a New Nigeria”, a document published by APC as its manifesto if elected to power. The highlights of the Roadmap included a free school meal plan, a conditional cash transfer to the 25 million poorest Nigerians if they enrol children in school and immunize them. On 17 December, 2014, the Presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari(rtd) announced him as his running mate and vice-presidential candidate during the 2015 General Elections. On March 31 2015, General Buhari was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Presidential Elections. Thus, Prof. Osinbajo became the VicePresident Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are both expected to be sworn in on May 29, 2015.

2015 Elections: Legal, ethical issues in media reporting Femi Falana

Media report may be defined as a means of communication reaching a large number of people through means such as television, newspapers and radio. Media reporting would therefore mean, all forms of communication including the social media to connect with, and keep the general public informed. Apart from reports and adverts in the newspapers, television and radio the social media has been inundated with information and misinformation on the 2015 General Election.

Postponement of general election In recent time, there have been calls for the setting up of a transition government or interim national government under the pretext that a war on terror is being prosecuted by the Federal Government. Since elections are conducted in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and other war zones the suggestion that elections be cancelled on account of the war against insurgency is of no moment. More so, that the people of the north east zone including over a million internally displaced persons have asked the INEC to respect their legitimate right to participate in the election. Sometime last year, the Senate President, Senator David Mark declared that “there is no question of election. It is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war.” At a public lecture in London last week, the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo

Dasuki (rtd) asked for the postponement of the election by at least three months to allow time for the distribution of the permanent voters’ cards by the INEC. Since both General Mark and Col Dasuki were part of the Ibrahim Babangida junta which annulled the results of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election their calls for the postponement of the election should be taken seriously by Nigerians. In dismissing the calls for the cancellation or postponement of the election, the INEC has continued to assure the nation that every voter would be furnished with a PVC ahead of the election. However, amidst rising fears that the election dates might be shifted the United States’ Government has read the Riot Act to the political class in Nigeria. While meeting President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) in Lagos sometimes ago the U.S Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry insisted that the Obama Administration would not accept a postponement of the election. He also announced a visa ban on members of the political class who might be involved in electoral violence.

Media Law, Ethics and political reporting Media ethics is the code of conduct for protecting media professionals and for regulating the profession. The ethics of the media profession have been drawn up by the various bodies in the media, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Proprietors Association of Nigeria. The media council

In Amaechi v. INEC (2007) 1 MSCJ 1 at 207, the Supreme Court held that

elections are won by political parties and not by candidates is charged with the duty of maintaining standards in the profession. No doubt, there are differences in the various codes. But they share common elements such as objectivity, impartiality, accuracy and truthfulness. These principles are however shaped by the interests of publisher or the class interests of media organisations. While the public owned media is biased in favour of the government the private media protects the interests of the proprietors, most of whom are politicians with vested interests. Hence media reporting on the 2015 general election has been influenced by the political interests of the proprietors which are for the sustenance of the status quo. The social media has however successfully challenged the control and manipulation of information by the bourgeois media.

Duty of the media to promote public accountability The Constitution has imposed a duty

on the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media “to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in Chapter of the Constitution and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.” (Section 22) In discharging the constitutional duty the press is required to place public interests over and above commercial considerations. To facilitate access to information from public institutions the Freedom of Information Act has imposed a duty on all public officers to make information available upon demand. Instead of publishing stories that are based on rumours and speculations the media should take advantage of the law by demanding information from public institutions including political parties and candidates. On account of the significance of the fundamental objectives section 224 of the Constitution states that the programme as well as the aims and objectives of a political party shall conform to the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution. In reporting the electioneering campaigns the media should extract undertaking from political parties to implement the fundamental objectives. In Amaechi v. INEC (2007) 1 MSCJ 1 at 207 the Supreme Court held that elections are won by political parties and not by candidates. Mr. Falana SAN, delivered this paper at the 1st Annual Public Lecture Series of the Mass Communication Department, Lagos Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos State recently.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Community Mirror The PDP rigged the election in Imo, denying our three senatorial candidates, Ngige and others, who are good materials, the chance of winning the election, which may have denied Igbo the senate presidency. Imo State Governor – Rochas Okorocha

Cleric commends Nigerians for peaceful presidential election

relate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, Most Rev. Lazarus Onyeleonu, on Sunday commended Nigerians for the peaceful presidential elections. Onyeleonu, in his goodwill message to mark Easter Sunday at the National Wilderness Prayer ground of the Order, along the Badagry expressway, Lagos, commended the peaceful mood of the elections. According to him, the level of commitment and the turnout of voters during the elections also showed the rising level of patriotism in the country. The cleric congratulated the president-elect, Mohammad Buhari and lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the maturity he

exhibited in conceding defeat. “We congratulate the Presidentelect, Gen Mohammad Buhari for his victory in the elections. “I ask him to be magnanimous in victory, as well as fulfill his campaign promises to the people of Nigeria. “I also commend President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat, thereby dousing the tension in the polity. “He is a real hero and has written his name in gold in the annals of election history, not only in Nigeria and Africa, but the world over.” Onyeleonu urged Nigerians to show love to one another and live in unity as exhibited by Jesus Christ. “As we bask in the euphoria of

our March 28 elections, I urge you all to use this opportunity to pray for the same grace in subsequent elections and to live as one. “As Christ has shown us this magnitude of love, even when we are his enemies, we owe it as a duty to love all. “More importantly, we should love our country above everything because it is only this show of patriotism that is the difference between a rich and a poor country. “Selfishness has made people to indulge in looting and other corrupt practices -which hinder development of the country -- thereby plunging the average citizen into poverty and hardship,” he said.

Council chairmen applaud INEC, security agencies over election

hree local council chairmen in Zamfara have commended the exemplary conduct of election officials and security agents during the conduct of March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections. The local councils’ chairmen spoke to newsmen in separate interviews on the conduct of the elections. Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad, the Chairman of Anka Local Government, described the elections as peaceful, credible and successful, attributing the feat to the patriotic role of security agencies, especially in the state. “Nigerians showed that they knew their rights considering the way they came out massively and voted for change.” In his comment, Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Goverment, Alhaji Lawali Liman, commended INEC for the successful conduct of the polls. According to him, the commis-

sion has rekindled the confidence of Nigerians in the nation’s electoral process. He believed that the smooth conduct of the polls had also promoted Nigeria’s image abroad. Liman said that the election was free, fair and credible, and commended people of the area for their orderliness. Also, the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government, Alhaji Tukur Nahuche, described the election as historic. Nahuche said INEC, security agents and the general public were ``wonderful’’ during the elections. The chairman appealed for a more orderly conduct during the Governorship and state assembly’s elections. He commended the people of the area for turning out enmass during the Presidential and National Assembly elections and called on them to maintain the trend in the April 11 polls

Socialite endorses Ambode for Lagos guber Dare Akogun

A Children fetching water at a public tap as water scarcity bites harder in Suleja, Niger State, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Talent manager tasks youths on community building

talent management executive, Mr Emmanuel Othe, on Sunday urged youths in the country to desist from activities that could compromise the nation’s social justice and virile community. Othe said that youths, irrespective of their political affiliation, should participate collectively within their immediate community to generate solutions to common problems.

“You must see yourself as a community builder and engage in social services that help to improve and advance social wellbeing. “You must have a genuine hunger for social change which is rooted in deep love for others. “Always remember that everything you do is a product of your environment – the kind of people you associate with, or things you are exposed to,’’ he said.

The executive said the need for social change and community building had become pertinent because of current realities and generational transitions in all facets of human endeavour – politics, religion, and economy. He lamented that many youths were either caught up or carried away by vices that threatened their future, saying they must have a vision, passion, courage and credibility.

head of Saturday gubernatorial poll, Lagos socialite and APC stalwart Alhaji Taofeek Ajadi Lawa, has urged Lagosians to vote the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode. Speaking with journalist at the weekend Lawa said Ambode’s public service experience in Lagos makes him the best candidate to govern the state. He pointed that good governance had been crucial to making Lagos a mega city since 1999, adding that the APC-led government had “unleashed the creative and productive potential of the people”. It argued that there was no need to vote for another party because the APC had fixed many pressing challenges in the state, and the best way for it to be sustained is through continuity in governance. According to him “Lagos is

Lawa

not for learners and beginners. Lagos is a serious business that shouldn’t be left in the hands of starters. It is too sophisticated to be managed by greenhorns. We need continuity. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu started the service delivery infrastructure and Governor Babatunde Fashola continued while Ambode should consolidate them. “Although the state witnessed reversals during the military era, the successive democratic governments have initiated and pursued knowledge-based approaches to critical reforms in the polity. These have opened up new markets, expanded traditional ones and intensified job-based growth, he stated.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

World News Dozens killed in fighting near Yemen’s Aden port

I hope the final nuclear deal between world powers and Iran would strengthen regional and world security –SAUDI KING,

Easter message: Pope Francis laments bloodshed from B’Haram sect in Nigeria PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ope Francis, in his Easter message, yesterday expressed deep worry about bloodshed caused by Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria and other countries, including Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in Africa. He also used his message to praise the framework nuclear agreement with Iran as an opportunity to make the world safer, while. Cautious hope ran through Francis’ “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message, a kind of papal commentary on the state of the world’s affairs, which he delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Square. He had just celebrated Mass in rain-whipped St. Peter’s Square for tens of thousands of people, who huddled under umbrellas or braved the downpour in thin, plastic rain-slickers. Easter day is “so beautiful, and so ugly because of the rain,” Francis said after Mass about Christianity’s most important feast day. He expressed thanks for the flowers which bedecked the square and which were donated by the Netherlands, but the bright hues of the azaleas and other blossoms seemed muted by the gray skies. Francis made his first public comments about the recent

he son of a Kenyan government official was one of the gunmen who attacked a Kenyan college where 148 people were killed, authorities said yesterday. Abdirahim Mohammed Abdullahi, one of the Islamic extremists who attacked Garissa University College, was the son of a government chief in Mandera County, Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka told The Associated Press. The chief had reported his son missing last year and said he feared that he had gone to Somalia, said Njoka. All four attackers were killed by Kenyan security forces on Thursday, said police. Abdullahi graduated from

WORLD BULLETIN Six Ukrainian soldiers killed as war reaches year-point Six Ukrainian troops were killed by landmines in the restive separatist-held east Sunday, breaking a lull of several days in a conflict that began a year ago this week. After weeks in which a shaky ceasefire deal appeared to be largely holding despite isolated clashes, the fatalities brought to nine the number of soldiers reported dead within just 48 hours. And Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko reiterated a call at the weekend for international peacekeepers to be brought in to try to help end the conflict. “Unfortunately, six Ukrainian soldiers have been killed today,” army spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told a news agency. Four soldiers died when their vehicle came under missile fire while crossing a bridge near the government-held village of Schastya, not far from the separatist bastion of Lugansk in the northeast.

Netanyahu presses US to seek better deal on Iran Pope Francis celebrates an Easter mass, in St. Peter’s square at the Vatican, yesterday.

framework for an accord, reached in Lausanne, Switzerland, and aimed at ensuring Iran doesn’t develop a nuclear weapon. “In hope we entrust to the merciful Lord the framework recently agreed to in Lausanne, that it may be a definitive step toward a more secure and fraternal world.” Decrying the plentitude of weapons in the world in general, Francis said: “And we ask for peace for this world subjected to arms dealers, who earn their living with the blood of men and women.”

He denounced “absurd bloodshed and all barbarous acts of violence” in Libya, convulsed by fighting fuelled by tribal and militia rivalries. He hoped “a common desire for peace” would prevail in Yemen, wracked by civil warfare. Francis prayed that the “roar of arms may cease” in Syria and Iraq, and that peace would come in Africa for Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Congo. He recalled the young people, many of them targeted because they were Christians, killed last

week in a Kenyan university, and lamented kidnappings, by Islamic extremists, that have plagued parts of Africa, including Nigeria. He also cited bloodshed closer to home, in Ukraine, praying that the Eastern European nation would “rediscover peace and hope thanks to the commitment of all interested parties.” Government forces have been battling Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, months after a ceasefire was proclaimed following international diplomatic efforts.

One gunman in attack that killed 148 was Kenyan

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the University of Nairobi with a law degree in 2013 and was viewed as a “brilliant upcoming lawyer,” according to Njoka. It is not clear where he worked before he disappeared last year, Njoka said. To prevent an escalation of Islamic radicalization in Kenya, it is important for parents to inform authorities if their children go missing or show tendencies of following violent extremism, said Njoka. The four gunmen entered the Garissa campus on Thursday and slaughtered students. The gunmen were all killed more than 12 hours after the start of the attack. Somalia’s al-Shabaab Islamic militants claimed responsibility for the attack say-

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United States yesterday to seek a better deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program and said he would press American lawmakers not to give Tehran “a free path to the bomb.” Netanyahu said he has spoken with both Democrats and Republicans in Congress - nearly two thirds of House of Representatives members and a similar number in the U.S. Senate - about the Iran nuclear issue. The Israeli prime minister has been strongly critical of the framework agreement struck on Thursday between world powers and Iran, saying it threatens the survival of Israel. In appearances on U.S. television on Sunday, Netanyahu did not repeat his assertion on Friday that any final agreement should include a commitment by Iran recognizing Israel’s right to exist.

Bomb kills policeman in Cairo, militant dies in firefight

Red Cross staff console a woman after she viewed the body of a relative killed in Thursday’s attack on a university, at Chiromo funeral home, Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday

ing it is retribution for Kenya deploying troops to Somalia to fight the extremist rebels. The news that one of the attackers was Kenyan highlights the challenges faced by the gov-

ernment in preventing extremist attacks. The danger comes not only from neighbouring Somalia from where the Islamic militants of al-Shabaab launch attacks, but also from within Kenya.

A policeman was killed in a second straight day of bombings in Cairo and the leader of a militant group targeting police and soldiers around the capital died in a separate incident, security sources said yesterday. Egypt is facing an insurgency based in North Sinai that has killed hundreds of soldiers and police since the army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi in 2013 following mass protests against his rule. Most attacks have taken place in the Sinai Peninsula, a remote but strategic region bordering Gaza, Israel and the Suez Canal, but smaller-scale bombings have become increasingly common in Cairo and other cities.

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WORLD BULLETIN

Malian town hit by mortar bombs, one killed Unknown assailants shelled the north Mali town of Gao yesterday, killing one person and wounding three others, according to military sources and residents. Mali’s desert north suffers frequent assaults by Islamist militants despite a military operation led by France to drive fighters out of the region. Separatists are also involved in conflict. The firing began around 6 a.m. (0200 EDT). “There were three or four explosions,” a military source said. In 2012, Tuareg separatists tried to take control of the north but their rebellion was soon hijacked by betterarmed and funded militants linked to al Qaeda.

More than 300 migrants rescued off Sicily Around 318 migrants in distress at sea between Sicily and the coast of Libya were rescued by an Icelandic navy ship taking part in an EU border patrol of the Mediterranean, Italian media reported Saturday. The ship, the Landhelgisgaeslan, arrived in the evening at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo with the rescued migrants, including 14 children and five pregnant women, who were hospitalised. Italian police meanwhile have identified eight suspected Tunisian traffickers. According to the reports, the migrants came from 13 different countries: Sudan, Ghana, Morocco, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Pakistan, Nigeria, Syria, Palestine, Eritrea, India and Tunisia.

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world News

Monday, April 6, 2015

outhi fighters and allied army units clashed with local militias in the southern Yemeni city of Aden on Sunday, and eyewitnesses said gun battles and heavy shelling ripped through a downtown district near the city’s port. The Houthi forces have been battling to take Aden, a last foothold of fighters loyal to Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, advancing to the city centre despite 11 days of air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition of mainly Gulf air forces. Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia launched the air strikes on March 26 in an attempt to turn back the Iranallied Shi’ite Houthis, who already control Yemen’s capital Sanaa, and restore some of Hadi’s crumbling authority. The air and sea campaign has targeted Houthi convoys, missiles and weapons stores and cut off any possible outside reinforcements - although the Houthis deny Saudi accusations that they are armed by Tehran. The fighting has failed so far to inflict any decisive defeat on the Houthis, or the supporters of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh who are fighting alongside

Dozens killed in fighting near Yemen’s Aden port

Followers of the Houthi movement attending a protest against the Saudi-led air strikes in Sanaa, yesterday

them, but the growing death toll and humanitarian suffering has alarmed aid workers. The United Nations said on Thursday that more than 500 people had been killed in two weeks of fighting in Yemen, while the Interna-

tional Committee of the Red Cross has appealed for an immediate 24-hour pause in fighting to allow aid into Yemen. A pro-Hadi militia source said 36 Houthi and allied fighters were killed on Sunday in Aden’s central Mual-

la district, near the port, while 11 of Hadi’s combatants died. Houthi forces initially advanced towards the port area, but hours later had been pushed back several streets towards an army base.

“There are bodies in the streets and we can’t get close because there are Houthi snipers on the rooftops. Anything that gets near they shoot at, and the shelling on Mualla has been indiscriminate,” a medic told Reuters.

‘Syrian conflict claimed lives of 50 volunteers’

yria’s four-year-old conflict has claimed the lives of 50 Red Crescent volunteers, including two killed within hours in the northwestern city of Idlib this week, an official said. Elias Ghanem, Middle East and Africa director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red CHANGE OF NAME

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Crescent Societies, said the toll included 42 Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) volunteers and eight from the Palestinian Red Crescent. In a tweet, the International Committee of the Red Cross deplored the loss of the 50 Red Crescent volunteers it said died saving the lives of others in Syria since the conflict erupted in CHANGE OF NAME

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March 2011. The most recent to die, on Thursday in Idlib, were SARC volunteers Ibrahim Eid and Mohamad Ahmad Kamouaa, the ICRC said. CHANGE OF NAME

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North

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Bauchi PDP harassing traditional rulers, others –APC EZEKIEL TITUS KAIGAMA BAUCHI

ll Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Barr Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of intimidating traditional rulers and stakeholders in the state to vote against his party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Children celebrating Easter at Wonderland Park in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

IPAC warns Yobe politicians over endorsement INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

nter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Yobe State has cautioned politicians to be wary of fraudsters parading themselves under the banner of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, to endorse candidates for election in the organisation’s name. Addressing a news conference yesterday in Damaturu, the state capital, the state IPAC chairman, Umar Kukuri, warned that CNPP had long collapsed into IPAC

and was no longer in existence. Kukuri said, “IPAC, as the umbrella body of all political parties, wishes to warn politicians, especially (party) candidates, to be wary of fraudsters parading under the banner of CNPP to endorse candidates. The CNPP is no longer in existence. It long collapsed into IPAC.” He also appealed to party candidates to be sportsmanlike and emulate President Goodluck Jonathan, who congratulated his arch-rival, Muhammadu Buhari, if they

are defeated, ahead of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections. He reminded them that in every contest there must be winners and losers. He also called on politicians and their supporters to remain peaceful by contributing assiduously towards credible and acceptable polls. Kukuri also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the credible Presidential and National Assembly elections and urged the electoral umpire to do same

Court strikes out suit challenging Bauchi APC candidate’s eligibility EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

ederal High Court in Bauchi, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, has struck out suit challenging eligibility of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mohammed Abubakar, for alleged irregularities in the recent primary election of the party. Aspirant in the last APC governorship primary in the state, Mohammed Tanko Ningi, filed a suit against APC, challenging competence of the last primary election conducted by the party because of irregularities

and over-voting. He appealed to the court to stop Abubakar from parading himself as Bauchi APC governorship candidate and to stop APC from submitting his name to the electoral body and to stop the electoral body from recognising Abubakar as the party’s candidate, Other defendants in the suit are the INEC, and APC candidate, Abubakar. Addressing newsmen over the weekend in Bauchi, Abubakar’s counsel, Abdulkarim Maude, said the presiding judge agrees with the submission of the defendant that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

“After they filed the suit, we filed a preliminary objection of the entire suit; we challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, because from what was submitted in the court the complainant only purchased the APC governorship form but didn’t contest the election. He didn’t explore all internal mechanism within the party before he went to court. So, we asked the court to dismiss the case and the judge agreed with our submission and struck out the suit. He also ordered the complainant to pay each defendant N20,000,” he said.

in the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections slated for next Saturday. He however cautioned INEC to work towards timely arrival of election materials and to also ensure the Card Readers capture fingerprints more effectively. He further expressed Yobe IPAC’s praise for security agencies, media among other stakeholders, for their various roles that led to the success of the last elections, and hoped the same spirit would be exhibited in the remaining elections.

While urging PDP to desist or be ready to face the consequences, Abubakar told the traditional rulers not to allow threats that they would lose their stools derail them from voting right as they were only empty threats. Abubakar spoke at a debate organized, weekend, by the Bauchi Debate Group, which comprised the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ; Nigeria Bar Association, NBA; Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; Trade Union Congress, TUC; Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR; Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, ASUP; the Network of Civil Society Organisations. among others. The APC gubernatorial candidate, however, assured the citizens that if elected, his government will focus on

rebuilding the battered economy by ensuring the abundant solid minerals in the state were effectively utilised to better the lives of the citizenry. Abubakar said his first priority would be to end the corruption eating deep into the fiber of the state, adding that he would also ensure the youths were motivated to work positively by rehabilitating and counseling them against the dangers of drug abuse. He said jobs were available for the youths but that they need to be in the right frame of mind to work. He commended Bauchi people for coming out en masse to vote APC at the just concluded presidential election, assuring that their mandate will not be in vain. Earlier, Chairman of the Debate Group, Dahiru Mohammed, said the debate was aimed at providing an opportunity for people of the state to decide on the best candidate to elect.

Gov Yuguda

Catholic archbishop backs Buhari on anti-corruption A ZA M SUE KADUNA

atholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Mathew Man’oso Ndagoso, yesterday declared support for President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to tackle insecurity and corruption ravaging Nigeria. Delivering his Easter message to the Catholic faithful at St. Andrew Catholic Parish, Kakuri, in Kaduna metropolis, Archbishop Ndagoso said once Gen. Buhari eliminates insecurity and corruption, the economy would bounce back in full force for job creation. While commending

President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat, Ndagoso called on voters to come out en masse and cast their votes in the coming governorship and state Assembly elections for socio-economic development at the second tier of government. He urged political actors to put to shame those who predicted the nation’s break-up in 2015 by shunning acts capable of breaching our peaceful coexistence. He said: “Considering Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s military backg round, we believe he will tackle insecurity and cor ruption.

“We are with him to fight insecurity and corruption. We believe once insecurity is gone, our economy will bounce back and this will create jobs for our teeming unemployed youths. Gen. Buhari was a minister, governor and Head of State yet he did not accumulate wealth; we believe Buhari will work for Nigerians.” Earlier, the parish’s presiding priest, Rev. Father Micah Bagayang, called on contestants to accept the outcome of the forthcoming elections like President Jonathan did in the presidential race, even as voters should shun violence during and after the polls.

Monday, April 6, 2015

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Sport

It will take a lot of multi-dimensional efforts to get our football back to where exactly it should be

Ronaldo routs Grenada in mismatch 54

–FORMER SOUTH SUPER EAGLES COACH, ADEGBOYE

Seychelles 2015:

ACL results Smouha

Enyimba

CAF Cup results Dedebit

Sand Eagles draw easy foes

Wolves

upersand Eagles will play host nation Seychelles, Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A of the 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship in Seychelles this month. The competition takes place from April 14 to 19. At the Draw Ceremony inside the CAF headquarters in Cairo yesterday, CAF General Secretary Hicham El Amrani was assisted by Member of CAF Executive Committee and chairman of the Organizing Committee for the African Beach Soccer Championship, Ahmad, from Madagascar. Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Madagascar will play in Group B. The Audu Adamu Ejocoached Eagles will be happy to avoid bogey team Senegal in the group phase, but Cote d’Ivoire has improved tremendously over the years and Egypt quali-

File copy of Supersand Eagles captain Isiaka Olawale (in green shirt) at a past competition

AFCON 2017: CAF set to name Algeria host

e por t s fro m C a i ro, Eg ypt yes t e rd ay i n di cat e t h at A lg e r i a wi ll be anno u n c e d by t h e C on fede r at i o n o f A f r i c a n Foo t ba l l ( CAF ) a s t h e h o s t of t h e 2 0 1 7 Afr ic a C u p o f Nat i o n s on We d n e s d ay, ahe a d o f G h ana . G h ana and G ab o n a re the o t h e r co u n t r i e s i n t h e r ac e t o st a g e t h e Nat i o n s C up a ft er Eg ypt w i t h d rew to b a ck t he Al g e r i a n b i d . G h ana ha d h os t e d t h e f i nals i n 2 0 0 8 . Acco rdi ng t o t h e re -

p o r t s, h owever, a highp owe re d t e am of bus in e s s m e n f ro m G hana was at t h e re c e n t AF CO N in E q u at o r i a l Guinea to lobby t h e C A F e xec utive c omm i t t e e, wh o will vote on wh o s h o u ld hos t the tournament. T h e 2 0 1 7 tour nament wi ll c o m e j us t a month a f t e r t h e g eneral elec t i o n s i n G h a na and many e x p e r t s s a i d the pres ent g ove r n m e n t is interes ted i n g e t t i n g t he c ountry to h o s t a s a re s ult.

Alg eria has hos ted the AF CO N onc e in 1990, the only time the N or th Afric an nation als o won the tour nament. T he 2017 AF CO N had been s cheduled to be hos ted by Libya, but the wartor n N or th Afric an nation has s inc e opted out. Cameroon will hos t the 2019 AF CO N with Cote d’I voire and G uinea des ignated hos ts for the 2021 and 2023 tour naments res pec tively.

Brahimi

fied after a 16-6 aggregate hammering of Tanzania in the only qualifying round. The Ivorians turned back Mauritius 18-6 on aggregate. Eagles finished third at the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban last month, beating Ghana and South Africa but losing to Senegal, and then reached the African finals after Libya withdrew from the race. Ghana reached the finals with a 22-8 aggregate trouncing of Uganda; Morocco beat Djibouti 16-1 in an only leg played in Casablanca; Madagascar steam-rolled South Africa 9-3 in two matches in Durban and; Senegal sailed into the finals after Mali withdrew. The Nigerian team, currently at a training camp in Badagry, will depart for Seychelles on Friday.

La Liga:

Sports

Monday, April 6, 2015

Ronaldo a

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EPL results Burnley

Tottenham

Sunderland

Newcastle

d a n e r G s t u o r ismatch in m

Hart

Title still within City’s reach

–Hart

Defoe

stuns Toon Army ance in the Wear-Tyne derby sent ermain Defoe’s moment of first-half brilli castle and three points clear of Sunderland to a fifth straight win over New the relegation zone. the first whistle but it took until the Sunderland dominated Newcastle from and it was sure worth the wait as Defoe 45th minute for the deadlock to be broken corner. fired a superb left-foot volley into the top ure during the second half but could press the on pile to nued The hosts conti ly made to pay as Remy Cabella forced not find a second goal and they were near time in the match. Costel Pantilimon into action for the first their own half as Sunderland pressed Newcastle players struggled to get out of ly had the lead, but a combination of forward at every opportunity and they near Connor Wickham’s header out. the post and goalkeeper Jack Colback kept 37th minute but his touch let him Defoe then raced through on goal in the kept out Wickham’s shot minutes later. down at the vital moment and Tim Krul produced a piece of brilliance to break But with the half-time break looming, he the deadlock. on 29 points, three clear of Burnley, The win moves Sunderland up into 15th who held Spurs to a 0-0 draw, in 18th.

anchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, says the side will not forfeit tthe Premier League title with eight games left of the season. e City, currently fourth on the llog table with a game in hand, faces Crystal Palace today in hopes e of three points, which will see the Citizens return to second place, ahead of Arsenal and six points a adrift of log leader Chelsea. a “We will never give up. It’s kind of how we do it. We like to do it a different way,” Hart said yesterday. “We’ve not necessarily reached the standard week in, week out that we wanted to, but the beauty of football is that you get another chance and that starts tomorrow (today). “We’ve proved it and the fans have proved it. That is one thing that is part of Manchester City, which we’ve taken with us from the olden days. We’ll never give up while anything is possible. “We’ll go for it. We know that the way we won the league the first time in 2012 set a DNA. “We have definitely moved on as a team since then. That was a massive achievement, but now we expect it of ourselves. “We have a lot of rest time and there are no excuses. Everyone is fit and ready to go.”

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Sports

Monday, April 6, 2015

Ebola ban: CAF commits to Morocco reprieve

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that it will comply with the CAS decision to uphold the appeal of the Moroccan FA in a large part. The Morocco’s national team had been suspended from the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and its football association heavily fined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the country refused to host the 2015 AFCON finals over fears of the Ebola virus. However, most of the sanctions imposed by CAF on the Moroccan FA were set aside by the Court of Arbitration for Sports on April 2, following the appeals procedure initiated by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation against CAF. “The Executive Committee noted that the CAS established that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation could not invoke “force majeure” in that the Ebola outbreak did not make it impossible for the AFCON to be organized in Morocco. In addition, the CAS admitted that the FRMF was responsible for the violation of Article 7 paragraph 1 a) of the statutes of CAF,” the continental body said in state-

ment yesterday. “It should be recalled that the Executive Committee of CAF, in its decision of 6 February, 2015 in Malabo, had already indicated that the force majeure assertion by FRMF could not be accepted and that the Royal Moroccan Federation was guilty of infringing Article 7 paragraph 1 a) of CAF statutes. “It should also be noted that the CAS considered Morocco’s non-participation in AFCON2015 as a sanction. However, the ‘A’ national team of Morocco qualified for the AFCON because Morocco was the host of the competition. Therefore it automatically lost its qualification for 2015 following the country’s decision to renounce the right to organize the tournament. “The CAS therefore reached the same conclusions as the CAF Executive Committee but decided to annul the sanctions imposed. “CAF, which joined the authority of the jurisdiction of the CAS, has committed to implementing the decisions and will comply with this ruling despite the contradictions observed in the CAS decision.”

Martins

MLS:

Martins inspires Sounders to ‘tough win’

eattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins, continued his impressive display in the Major League Soccer at the weekend as he scored the winner for his 10-man side against Houston Dynamo. The former Newcastle United forward has now scored three goals in four games.

Obafemi hit the target in the 39th minute after he turned his marker before finishing with a right-footed shot. The forgotten Super Eagles striker missed a chance to score a brace in the 75th minute after his shot from a solo effort sailed over the bar. Sounders are now third on

the league table with seven points from four games. “It feels good to score again, more so when the goal ensured victory,” Obafemi said. “I am happy that everything is going on fine and I can take it up from here as we go forward,” he added.

Kogi clubs’ boss resigns AFOLABI GAMBARI

Isa Hayatou

hair man of stateowned Kogi United FC and Confluence Queens, Mallam Abdul Adama, has resigned his appointment with immediate ef fect. Adama, who was appointed the sole administrator of both clubs in September 2013, was saddled with restructuring and repositioning the clubs in their respective leagues. “This has been a very difficult decision to make as I enjoyed a good and prog ressive working condition throughout my appointment as chair man of Kogi

United and Confluence Queens,” the for mer Chairman of ABS FC of Ilorin said. “I

remain

Gover nor

g rateful

Idris

Wada

to of

Kogi State for the opportunity to serve and contribute my quota to the development of

sports in our

dear state,” he added. Both clubs have witnessed improved tur n around under the Adama leadership. Kogi United finished 7th for the first time in its last campaign of the Nigeria National League while Confluence Queens finished 5th in the last NWPL season.

Adama

WORLD RECORD Longest fingernails onfi areman’s pair of hands (female) Fastest mile carry

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1084 Monday, April 6, 2015

T h e l o n g e s t f i n g e r n a i l s i n t h e wo r l d t o d a y b e l o n g t o C h r i s t i n e Wa l t o n f r o m L a s Ve g a s , N ev a d a , U S A . O r i g i n a l l y m e a s u r e d a s t h e n e w r e c o r d h o l d e r i n Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 1 .

The change that will be worthwhile

he March 28 presidential election might have come and gone, the ripples would remain with Nigerians for a long time to come. The most significant fallout is that Nigerians voted for change and rejected continuity. And so Dr. Goodluck Jonathan lost his second term bid to his challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). So, come May 29, 2015 Aso Rock Villa will have a new tenant. In contrast to the portentous electioneering, indications are that the nation would have a smooth transition, ceteri paribus. I reason within the context of the gracious manner President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat. The sublimity of the development is underpinned by the rancorous contestations of the results of similar exercises in the past. In 1979, it

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com was the Supreme Court that came to the rescue of Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria, whose victory was challenged by Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria. In 1983, it was the military, through a coup, that resolved the charade that the general elections had become. When Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party overwhelmed Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the resistance of the former to the victory was one of the reasons General Ibrahim Babangida regime annulled it with ease. Under this dispensation all the elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 were contested by the loser, this time General Buhari. It will be a big relief to the country if President Jonathan shows fidelity to his commitment to the peaceful transition momentum started by his uncommon statesmanship to accept defeat. We cannot rule out overt pressure on him by PDP hawks to contest the result up to the Supreme Court level. But Mr. President will earn a place in the nation’s Hall of Fame if he shuns such misguided push. Like I told some colleagues, Dr. Jonathan political stature is irreversible. That he is a former president is a title earned. For this reason, his seat is there at the National Council of State. Also his comfort for life is assured. The only thing that he has lost is the glamorous life of a president of Africa’s biggest economy.

NIGERIANS EXPECT THE GENERAL AND HIS TEAM TO DO A HOLISTIC DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OF THE COUNTRY Even if he had won his second term bid, he has only another four years of political showmanship after which he will exit the stage. Welcome the president-elect, General Buhari (I would take time to adjust to the prefix ‘Ahaji’, which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, governor of the State of Osun, has the credit of using first) to Nigeria’s driver’s seat. I congratulate him and his party. My prayer is that having won the battle, he should win the war as well. Needless reminding him that his mandate runs for four years at the first instance, and an encore if Nigerians score him pass marks in his first term. The General’s first political outing was 32 years ago. He came as a military interventionist to fix the collateral damage the politicians did to Nigeria. The socio-political order of the period engendered by a militarized polity helped to fast track the measures put together by his regime. However, the 19 months life span of the government is too short for a meaningful appraisal. This time, he is coming as a politician sponsored by a political party that successfully marketed

its USP. Nigerians will score him on how well he is able to add value to their lives. What this means is that he must be a change agent. Looking back at Nigeria’s political and socio-economic trajectory and seeing her still grappling with the barest rudiments of running a passable state that can justify her statehood 54 years after independence, it is obvious there are serious foundational problems we have not found the right answers to. Nigerians expect the General and his team to do a holistic diagnostic review of the country, an X-ray of a sort, to know the ills of the country. The starting point is the reorientation of our values. What positive values are Nigerians known for which have been consciously cultivated by the leaderships and infused into them? I leave you to your imagination. But we are notorious for negative values - loudness, wastefulness, indiscipline, corruption, crass materialism, get-richquick. These can never be solid bedrock on which the greatness of the country can be formed. Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, who died on March 23, was perceptive enough to develop alternative roadmap for the socio-economic and political reengineering of his country after independence from Britain in 1965. His success story is today celebrated globally. We may be a constitutional democracy, however, the peculiarity of our challenges dictate that we devise ingenious measures that can stand the test of time. Nigerians are an impatient people. They are in a hurry to see the fruits of the change promised. Identifying our national problems is only the first step to take; the most challenging step is designing the strategic enforcement frameworks for fixing the various problems. The new leadership must expand the scope of its search for the best brains for the daunting tasks ahead. If necessary, such people could be poached. After all, they are Nigerians.

Sport Extra

Gun attack: Fenerbahce officials want League suspended

anagement of Turkish club Fenerbahce yesterday called for the Turkish Super Lig to be suspended after the team’s bus was shot at by

a gunman. Members of the team were travelling to Trabzon airport, following their 5-1 victory over Rizespor on Saturday, when the shooting happened.

The driver was taken to hospital but the players were unhurt in the attack. “As Fenerbahce, we think it’s unavoidable to suspend the league until

this dark attack is enlightened,” a club statement read. “It is the end of the football and blood has been spilled. Fenerbahce’s irrevocable prior-

ity is for the culprits to be found and punished immediately.” The club said it would release a further statement after an emergency board meeting today.

Yildirim

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