Monday, january 11, 2016 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Jafaru Isa’s release vindicates us on witch-hunt allegation –PDP OBIORA IFOH

…says EFCC compromised

dent Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Brig. Gen. Jafaru Isa (rtd), by the Economic and Finan-

ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday said the release of an associate of Presi-

Buhari

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Monday, January 11, 2016

THE

Dickson wins Bayelsa guber election

cial Crimes Commission, EFCC, barely eight hours after his arrest has vindicated its position that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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CBN now conduit pipe for politicians –Bakare AYO ESAN

astor of Latter Rain Assembly and former Vice Presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday raised the alarm that Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has become a conduit pipe for politicians to drain the nation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

...calls for Emefiele’s sack

FG explains 78% fuel import P.5 allocation Nigeria is more divided now –Kukah P.5

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Goverment of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni and Chief of Defence, Lt-General Abayomi Olonisakin, during the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration inter-denominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, yesterday.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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Jafaru Isa’s release vindicates us on witch-hunt allegation –PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

current corruption fight was a clamp-down mission on its leaders. The party said its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, who was arrested without invitation has remained incarcerated since Tuesday, while the APC chieftain, who disregarded the commission's invitation and had to be arrested was released after the EFCC boss met President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. PDP, in a statement by its National Legal Adviser, Vic-

tor Kwon said there can be no clearer indication that the APC-led administration was on a man-hunt against PDP leaders, and that it has a personal grudge against Chief Metuh, ostensibly for his stance as opposition spokesman, particularly his recent exchange with the government and the APC over their dictatorial activities. The party queried the action of EFCC in releasing Brig. Gen. Isa, eight hours after his arrest, while Chief Metuh is still being detained even when the two are be-

ing investigated over the same allegation of receiving funds from the office of the National Security Adviser. “The release of Jafaru Isa, a known associate of the President and chieftain of APC eight hours after his arrest while our spokesman remains in detention even when the two are being investigated over same allegation, clearly shows that the President Buhariled APC government is not fighting corruption but using the much hyped crusade as a cover to persecute PDP

leaders and decimate the opposition, a project the EFCC has clearly yielded itself as a willing tool. “We have information of the marching order from the Presidency for the immediate release of the President’s associate and that his issue is one of the major reasons for the repeated visits of the EFCC chairman to the Presidential Villa within the period of his arrest. Of course, there is nothing hidden under the sun. “We ask, how can the EFCC now explain to the

world that it is not corrupt and tele-guided by the Federal Government to persecute PDP leaders? What happened to the illegal holding charge upon which it has detained the PDP spokesman beyond the limit stipulated by section 35(5a) of the constitution and in violation of his guaranteed personal liberty under the law? “Are there now two separate sets of laws; one for PDP leaders and perceived foes of the President Buhari-led government which allows them to be detained beyond

L-R: GOC 82Div. Enugu, Maj.-Gen Atarhiru Ibrahim; Garrison Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Lt.-Col Timothy Opurum; Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen Steveson Olabanji and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, testing a surveillance camera in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Bakare also said that in decent climes, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele cannot continue in office. Bakare while delivering his State of the Nation broadcast with the theme: ‘Roadmap to Successful Change’, at his church auditorium in Lagos said the CBN currently contributes negatively to the Nigerian state in more ways than one. “First, the CBN has become a conduit for politicians to drain the nation. Otherwise, how can a letter of barely two paragraphs addressed to the current CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, by the then National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), become the Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) leading

constitutional limits without being charged to court and another set, for associates of the President and APC leaders, which guarantees them a slap in the back and immunity from investigation and prosecution, and if arrested, an immediate release? “Is it really true that the fund Jafaru Isa was alleged to have received from the former NSA was traced near the corridors of those who today bestride power in the country? Furthermore, can the Federal Government and APC now in all honesty face the world and announce that this administration is indeed waging war against corruption? “Can the EFCC explain what has happened to several petitions by Nigerians on corruption issues against many APC leaders, including those who as former governors looted funds belonging to their state? Are they now under immunity for the fact that they are in the APC and that most of the funds they looted where used to finance APC’s Presidential campaign?” the party said. While reiterating its support for any effort aimed at eradicating corruption in Nigeria, PDP however said such fight must be holistic, credible, within the limits provided by the laws irrespective of political affiliations. PDP said Nigeria belongs to all and the laws are made for all and must be applied on its values and spirit without political considerations.

CBN now conduit pipe for politicians –Bakare to cash flow of $47m and several millions of Euros? “In decent climes, the CBN Governor cannot continue in office while the NSA is accounting for his alleged misdeeds,” he said. According to Bakare, another negative contribution by the CBN is the needless obscurity it has created regarding currency in circulation. “It was not so in the past. For instance, S. 43 (2) of the CBN Decree (now Act) No. 24 of 1991 stipulates: without prejudice to the provision of S1 of this section, the President may direct the Auditor General of the Federation to conduct an examination of the Bank, and submit

a report thereon relating to the issue, re-issue, exchange and withdrawal of currency notes and coins by the Bank and the Bank shall provide all necessary facilities for the purpose of the examination. “This vital sub-section was completely removed in the current CBN Act 2007, thereby making it possible for the CBN to decide the printing of the Nigerian currency, amounts to be printed, currencies to be destroyed (of which the CBN staff can take as much of such dirty notes as they like and inject back into the system while keeping all of us in the dark) without any check and balances stipulated in S. 43 (2) of the previous

CBN Act No. 24 of 1991. “This major lacuna has not only aided and abetted corruption, it compounds the fight against corruption especially in the apex bank,” Bakare added. He further said if Nigeria is serious about sound financial management, a more significant reduction in the size and cost of running government will be required than this present administration has been able to effect. “The government resizing process has been hampered by structural anomalies and constitutional constraints. “For instance, of what use is a bloated legislature that could potentially gulp 25 per cent of the

entire national recurrent budget? Of what use is a profligate governmental structure characterised by minuscule but treasury-draining federating units? Of what use is a constitutional provision for the appointment of thirty-six ministers even when we have no need for so many?” he asked. Bakare called on state governments to be careful in order not to provoke the rage of poorly paid civil servants by reducing the minimum wage of already impoverished workers. He advised that what the state governments should do is to devise a reasonable policy direction that will lead to a re-

duction in the salaries of politicians and political appointees, reduce security votes, significantly trim the size and cost of governance, and then embark on vigorous revenue mobilisation strategies. Pastor Bakare also noted that the ultimate solution to the subsidy conundrum lies in optimally functional refineries. He said: “While we appreciate the current efforts towards restructuring the downstream sector, we also need to explore innovative approaches to domestic refining; in this regard, the need for modular refineries cannot be overemphasised. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Good Health

FRANKA OSAKWE

udden cardiac arrest- when the heart abruptly stops beating, can be fatal if it is not treated within minutes. However, warning signs like chest pain and shortness of breath, if caught earlier, can improve patient’s survival chances, a new study suggests. The study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that patients usually experience warning signs at about four weeks before their heart stops and sometimes, those symptoms tend to recur in the 24 hours before their heart stops. The researchers examined data collected from 839 patients who had sudden cardiac arrests in the Portland area, with medical history taken from doctors at the hospital, emergency medical workers, family members and other witnesses at the scene. On average, the patients were around 53 years old, and the majorities were men. Among 430 patients with warning symptoms before their heart stopped, 54 percent of men and 24 percent of women had chest pain, the study found. For women, however, shortness of breath was more common, occurring in 31 percent of those with warning symptoms compared with 14 percent of the men. Older patients and people with a history of heart disease were able to recognize the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest and were more likely to call 911, the study found. After adjusting for differences in patients and resuscitation efforts, a 911 call was linked to more than four times greater survival odds for people who had warning symptoms. “In the past, we have believed that sudden cardiac arrest is an unexpected event with very little warning and almost no time to intervene,” said senior study author Dr. Sumeet Chugh, associate director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. “This opens a new window of opportunity for prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest, and for many patients we may have more time to intervene than we

Cardiac arrest can be predicted, prevented –New study reveals realized,” Chugh said. The trouble is that only about one in five people who have warning symptoms call for help, the study found. When they did call 911, survival odds shot up to 32 percent, compared with just 6 percent for people who had symptoms and didn’t seek emergency medical attention. One of the biggest challenges in assessing symptoms that precede sudden cardiac arrest is that many patients die before they ever reach the hospital. Still, the findings fit with what doctors already know about the way these episodes can develop, said Dr. Jeremy Ruskin, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and director of the cardiac arrhythmia service at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath commonly reflect reduced blood flow to the heart which is also the mechanism that is ultimately responsible for the abnormal heart rhythms that cause cardiac arrest,” Ruskin said. While perhaps not surprising, the findings still highlight the need for doctors to do a better job of educating patients, going beyond the classic description of chest pain or radiating pain in the left arm to include conditions like unexplained shortness of breath, persistent nausea, profound fatigue and light headedness, noted Dr. Venu Menon, a director of the cardiac intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Here in Nigeria, a renowned cardiologist and Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Wale Oke, has also confirmed this report. In a recently published article by National Mirror, he explained that the victim of cardiac arrest is likely to experience some symptoms such as chest pain or angima days or hours before it strikes.

The individual, according to him may feel a crushing chest pain on exertion which may spread to the arm or jaw and he may sometimes feel dizzy or faint. According to the cardiologist, the chances of an attack increases as the pain gets worse. Some patients may experience these signs two days before an attack, he says. Prof. Oke says cardiac arrest can be both reversible and irreversible. “This This will depend d on who is there to help,” he says. ys. According ng to him, anyone experiencing ng a cardiac arrest requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on (CPR) immediately to o prevent an imminent damage-to mage-to the heart, lung, kidney y and brain. CPR is a basic emergency ergency procedure for life ife support consisting sting of artificial cial respiration on and manual al external cardiac m a s s a g e. Although it is necessary in cases of cardiac arrest to establish ef fective circulation and ventilation in order to prevent irreversreversible cerebrall damage.

Like most killer diseases, cardiac arrest can also be prevented. All it takes, according to the cardiologist is a conscious effort by everyone to keep the heart in a good condition all the time. Indeed, Prof. Oke says we cannot afford to neglect any organ of the body, not to talk of the heart. Thus to keep the heart trouble-free, the cardiologist recommends that individuals should maintain a healthy routine. “Exercise and lose weight, if you are overweight, if you are hypertensive, see your doctor and check your blood pressure regularly at least every six months, cut down on cigarette smoking, sugar consumption and watch the amount of fat you eat”, he said.

DID YOU KNOW?

Having more children slows aging

surprising new study suggests that the more children a woman has, the slower she ages. In the journal PLOS One, researchers reveal that women who had more children had longer telomeres than women who had fewer children. Telomeres are caps at the end of each DNA strand that protect our chromosomes - thread-like structures that contain all our genetic information - from damage. The team enrolled 75 Kaqchikel Mayan women from two neighboring communities in the southwest highlands of Guatemala, assessing how many children the women gave birth to between 2000-2013. At the beginning of the 13-year study period, the women’s telomere length was measured from saliva samples. Telomere length was measured again at study end,

but through a buccal swab. The researchers found that women who had a higher number of surviving offspring over the course of 13 years had longer telomeres than those who gave birth to fewer surviving children; each additional child born was linked to 0.059 more telomere units. These results remained after accounting for potential influential factors, including women’s age, their age at first birth, their age in 2013, lifestyle habits and family income.

Eating potatoe will reduce risk of cancer

new study has shown that eating potatoes and cabbage can help reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer. It revealed that people who eat a large amount of white vegetables including onions and cauliflower were a third less likely to develop the disease. But the risk was then increased again through alcohol, preserved food and salt consumption. The research, conducted by scientists

at Zhejiang University in China, found that for every 100g of fruit eaten daily the risk of stomach cancer came down by five per cent. The risk was reduced by eight per cent for every 50mg of vitamin C consumed - which is the equivalent of two potatoes. In the report, the leaders of the study said: “The decreasing incidence of gastric cancer in developed countries may be partly the results of increased use of refrigeration, availability of fresh fruit and vegetables, and decreased reliance on salted or preserved foods. “Both fruit and white vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, which showed significant protective effect against gastric cancer by our analysis.

Photo News

Monday, January 11, 2016

L-R: Special Assistant to Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Segun Adeyemi; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, during a visit by the Minister to Freedom Park for a programme in honour of Prof Soyinka in Lagos, on Saturday.

L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; celebrant/former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, and his wife, Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his 75th birthday anniversary in Osogbo, at the weekend.

National News OsahOn Julius YeNAgOA

overnor Henry Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was yesterday re-elected for a second term in office in a keenly contest election amidst the controversy that trailed the process. Dickson beat former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in seven out of the eight local government areas in the state. According to results announced by the Returning Officer for the governorship elections, Prof. Zana Akpaogu, Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Dickson polled 134, 998 to beat Sylva, who garnered 86,852 votes. Apaogu, who also served as collation officer for the supplementary poll, declared Dickson winner in Yenagoa Local Government, which served as state collation centre for the governorship election.

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L-R: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and Governor Nyesom Wike, at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Church Service in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

L-R: Globacom official, Amadou Diakite; NFF President, Ahmadu Pinnick; winner, CAF most promising talent, Etebo Oghenekaro and Hon. Kamaldeen Shonibare, during CAF award presentation in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Dickson wins Bayelsa gubernatorial poll …thanks electorate, says no celebration •PDP jubilates, says it’s a painful victory Mr. Moses Siasia of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, came a distant third with 1, 572 votes. It would be recalled that the December 5, 2015, election in the state was marred by violence, which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to cancel the elections in Southern Ijaw and other units in seven local government areas. A supplementary poll was scheduled for January 9 in Southern Ijaw and 101 other polling units in 7 local government areas and was held amidst an orgy of violence where ballot box-snatching, intimidation of voters, overvoting and other forms of electoral malpractices reigned supreme.

Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has expressed gratitude to the electorate for ensuring his reelection for another four years. He, however, said there would be no celebration because of the number of lives that have been lost. The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in Yenagoa, yesterday vowed that he would do everything possible to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He promised to work tirelessly to justify the mandate given to him “as we tried to do in the first four years to almost universal acknowledgement and approbation.” While extending a hand of fellowship to his po-

litical opponents, Dickson said since election has been won and lost, the needs of Bayelsans, the challenge of improving their material condition remains and is even more urgent. PDP also congratulated the people for their support for its candidate. The party, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, shortly after INEC declared the incumbent governor winner, also described the victory as painful because of the number of those that were killed. “It’s painful that this victory has come with so much pain because we lost dear ones. Those who died are our brothers. So many are yet in the hos-

pitals nursing life threatening injuries because our opponents wanted to win at all cost. We wish to express our deepest condolences once again and to assure them that their death will not be in vain,” it stated. PDP thanked the people for renewing Dickson’s mandate for another four-years, attributing it to the “resilience and uncommon courage” of the people. “We want to use this opportunity to sincerely thank all Bayelsans for their doggedness and patriotism because even in the face of such terrible intimidation and violence decided, out of their own volition, they came out to re-elect and return the Countryman Governor to office for the next four

years. We are grateful for your remarkable decision as expected in a democracy. “The people have spoken and we are indeed grateful. It’s your victory, you the good people of Bayelsa State. Without doubt, a new dawn is here. Bayelsans, through their uncommon courage have defeated tyranny and oppression by voting for the continuation of the restoration of our dignity and pride as amply demonstrated through their votes,” it said. The party noted that the victory signposts the end of an era of a political class whose stock in trade was “violence, brigandage, militancy and bloodletting as the only means of accessing power.”

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Nigeria is more divided now –Kukah

ishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, yesterday regretted that Nigeria was now a country that is more divided. He equally lamented the inequalities between public office holders in the country and the masses. The Bishop, who spoke at the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Enugu in a thanksgiving mass to mark the re-wedding of

old Anambra State Governor, Senator Jim Nwobodo and his wife in the Catholic church, attributed the inequality to corruption among public office holders. He added that this had resulted in persistent crisis and youth restiveness in the nation. Bishop Kukah called on Igbo as a people with a common language and culture to be united and

FG explains 78% fuel import allocation CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

xecutive Secretary of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, has thrown more light on why the agency allocated 78 per cent of the 3.1 million metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, import allocation for the first quarter 2016 to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Speaking during a chat with newsmen at the weekend, the PPPRA boss noted that the decision was chiefly influenced by the inability of some oil marketers to meet previous import allocation quota, due to difficulty in accessing foreign exchange. “We gave 78 per cent of the import allocation to NNPC because we are sure that it can source for foreign exchange through crude oil sales to finance its importation. “If we go back to recent historic trends, especially in the last six months, you will discover that most marketers have had difficulty in raising Letters of Credit due to lack of forex,” Ahmed explained. Dismissing insinuation that the import allocation was skewed to ease out private sector marketers from the business and to engender NNPC monopoly, Mr. Ahmed explained that even the foreign exchange requirement for the 22 per cent import allocation to other oil marketers was being covered by both the NNPC and the Central

Bank, to ensure that they perform. “The whole idea is to give whatever possible support to the marketers in order to enable optimum service delivery, while ensuring stability in the system,’’ he added. On disparity in pumpprice of fuel across the country, the Executive Secretary said with the ongoing massive importation and distribution by NNPC, the issue will soon disappear as supply is intensified. “This problem is being tackled in two ways. Firstly, with the support of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, PPPRA and DPR are working hard to ensure compliance. “Secondly, once product is abundantly available it becomes a straight issue of supply and demand and competition for market share. And that is the whole idea,’’ he said. While noting that the worst days are over for fuel supply and distribution challenge, the PPPRA boss assured that the days and weeks ahead will witness improved sanity in the product distribution environment. “What happened was that some marketers were hoarding in anticipation of a price increase, but that did not happen, so everybody is now releasing their stock into the market and coupled with the massive importation by NNPC. “We are indeed hopeful that the worst days are over, although we still have to be a bit patient,” he said.

ensure security and peace in the area to actualize socio-economic development. He observed that life did not depend only on power and money, enjoining Christians irrespective of their denominations to close ranks and strive towards evangelism which is the common goal. Kukah, who gave a homily during the holy mass, which also coincided with the service to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance /Appeal

Fund Week warned catholic faithful not to be over excited by the feeling that they had gained where the Anglicans lost, adding that there is no gain and loss in the matter. He appealed to all Christians to close ranks and endeavour to achieve success in evangelism which is the most important Christian goal. Bishop Kukah commended the Anglican Church for nurturing Chief Nwobodo from birth till the time he joined the

Catholic church. He added that Senator Nwobodo’s entry into the Catholic church is a home coming, recalling that all Christian churches pulled out from Catholic church, because of the protest from the then Rev. Fr. Martin Luther. In a remark, Senator Nwobodo described his entry into the Catholic Church as a home coming, which God has destined. According to him, since he embraced Catholic Church, things have

started turning around positively for him and his family. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who was the sponsor of the wedding with his wife Monica, took the first reading in the church service attended by top government officials, friends and relations of the celebrant, including Bishop emeritus of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most. Rev. Dr. Anthony Gbuji, and the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.

L-R: Deputy Governor of CBN, Economic Policy, Sarah Alade; CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; GM, Process and Site Coordinator, Dangote Fertilizer, Anuraj Jaiswal and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the inspection of Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer Plant, by CBN officials, yesterday.

CBN now conduit pipe for politicians –Bakare CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“In relation to the upstream sector, we maintain that now that crude is fast losing its value, this is the best time to diversify, and that diversification can only succeed when accompanied with devolution of powers in a restructured federal system.” He said instead of advocating for subsidy removal, Nigerians should canvass for subsidy replacement. “Subsidy replacement would entail the adoption of targeted palliatives that would ensure that the benefits of intervention get to the so-called average Nigerian for who it is designed while taking steps to restore full capacity for domestic production. This must

be communicated effectively and transparently to stakeholders, including the labour unions,” he said. According to him, Nigeria is now a nation in transition, adding that the transition period will predictably be followed by a revolution which will, in turn, be followed by a reformation that will eventually usher in the desired transformation of the nation. “A key outcome of this process will be the emergence of a true People’s Constitution that will facilitate national integration and provide a suitable governmental framework for the Nigeria of our dreams –a truly federal state with such powers vested exclusively

on the federal Government as are necessary to firmly and prosperously knit together the federating units upon which residual powers shall be vested,” he further said. He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to ignore the report of the 2014 National Conference, saying the All Progressives Party, APC, may have refused to participate in the conference, but the report is completely in tandem with the promise of the party’s manifesto. Bakare also canvassed for a return to regionalism. He said: “Why were the regions in the days of our founding fathers so economically viable to the extent of sustaining the federal govern-

ment? Why can’t we begin a geo-economic path to geo-political restructuring? Who is afraid of zonal commissions and geo-political zones; and, if I may add, who is afraid of zonal federating units? Time has come for us to ‘feed our faith’ in this regard and ‘starve our fears to death’. “Why can’t the state governments, working as zonal blocs, come together with the federal government, to design an inter-modal transport system, as well as a hybrid power infrastructure model, along the lines of regional comparative advantage, and begin to push for the appropriate legal regimes to facilitate its implementation?” he asked.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve degraded Boko Haram â&#x20AC;&#x201C;COAS UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left) and NICON Insuranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Managing Director, Mr. Bayode Samuel, during a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja, at the weekend.

Buhari urges unity among Nigerians, hails armed forces

The President further applauded those who made contributions in various ways to support the military. ``On a day like this, we not only commend the gallantry of the armed forces; we remember in particular all those among them that have paid the supreme price. ``They belong to the distinguished company of those we refer to in our national anthem with the words, ``the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. ``Today, we honour their service and their memories.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Buhari noted that the reputation of the armed forces for courage and service had often been noted not only at home but also abroad, especially the militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to several international

peace-keeping missions. He mentioned Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military and heroic operations in Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Dafur. According to him, at the end of 2015, Nigeria had 2,972 troops active in various UN missions and Nigeria is one of the top 10 contributors of troops to the UN all across the world and top five on the African continent ``The armed forces contribute and represent one of the most patriotic institutions in the land playing a leading role in nation building. ``It diligently attends to their traditional duty of defending and protecting our territorial integrity. ``Their remarkable efforts in particular at this time in combating insurgency in the north-east is greatly appreciated by the Nigerian people.

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday called on Nigerians to build on things that unite rather than divide the country despite diversity of cultures and religions. He gave the advice at the Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the 2016 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the president said the nation was proud of the contributions of the armed forces for ensuring peace, justice, freedom and prosperity of the nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us renew our determination to build a strong and united nation where freedom, justice, peace and prosperity are easily within reach; a nation where we emphasise

those things that bind us, rather than those things that divide us. ``We are a country of diverse cultures, even religion, but let us tap more into that diversity for strength rather than for strife.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; According to him, the country today celebrates the families of fallen heroes, their wives and children as well as their other family members. ``No one has suffered as much loss as you have and no one can truly understand your pain, but today our nation commends you. ``Your great loss is the gain of millions of Nigerians and generations yet unborn. ``We applaud you and the heroic men and women of our armed forces and we thank God for the worthy lives they lived.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Lawyers differ on bail conditions

ome legal practitioners in Abuja have expressed mixed feelings over bail conditions issued to defendants by courts in the country. While some of the lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday that the bail conditions were normal, others said it was not attainable. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Solo Akuma, appealed to the public not to assume that bail conditions were â&#x20AC;&#x153;stringent or unattainable.â&#x20AC;? Akuma said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the nature of the offence that

determines the bail given to a defendant.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Another lawyer, Mr Labaran Magaji, who corroborated Akuma, said bail conditions were at the discretion of courts. A female lawyer, Mrs Adaeze Anah, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;bail is a shield and not a sword. So, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say whether it is attainable or unattainable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are factors that determine the kind of bail conditions given to an accused person,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Anah said. In his reaction, Mr Godwin Chukwu, said bail con-

ditions should not infringe on a defendantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liberty. Chukwu said bail must be exercised judiciously and judicially, adding that serious offences usually attract high and unattainable conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bail is free and the actual reason for bail is to ensure attendance in court and for temporal liberty of the defendant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution presumes a defendant innocent until proven otherwise.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Another lawyer, Mr

Ahmed Jega said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my opinion, high bail conditions are to put fear in the defendants in order for them to show up in court on the adjourned dates.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Oyeyemi Adeniyi and Kunle Aladetoyinbo, said high bail conditions were lawful because the court sets the bail bond based on fairness, good conscience and natural justice. Adeniyi said â&#x20AC;&#x153;bail is a bond and is free only if the court makes an order to pay a certain amount. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bail is a recognisance

hief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday said the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, who have continued to wage war on the Nigerian state, has been constantly and sufficiently degraded. Buratai stated this during the Nigerian Army Social Activities, NASA 2015, in Abuja, adding that the terrorists now flee the theatre on daily basis. He stressed that the annual event was aimed at bringing the families of officers and soldiers together to celebrate end of the year and to usher in activities of the New Year. He said the last few months have witnessed remarkable improvement and a quantum leap of operational capacity of the troops, especially in the North East. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is occasioned by the improved administrative and logistics spheres of the operations, which are clear manifestation of my vision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am pleased to inform you that our gallant troops are doing fantastic job in the North East. The capacity of the insurgents is constantly being degraded that the miscreants are on daily basis fleeing the theatre (of war).â&#x20AC;? The army chief appealed to all officers and soldiers not to be

entered into in the court and if the defendant refuses to appear in court, the set amount would be forfeited to the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gravity of the offence determines how high the bail bond is and the beauty of it is that you are not paying the amount as long as the defendant

distracted by those he described as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;agents of anarchyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities. He said so much falsehood has been bandied against the Nigerian Army in recent time, stating that in civilised climes, public support was channelled towards achieving national goal, and the army is held as a sacred institution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, few agents back home try to portray it otherwise. I want to declare that we are focused and we shall not be distracted.â&#x20AC;? Buratai however urged the officers and soldiers to imbibe and uphold the core values of the profession, adding that service interest must always be placed above personal interest. Earlier, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen Musa Yusuf, said apart from the brigadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duties of providing security to the president, the Federal Capital Territory, it is equally known for its high level regimentation. Yusuf said the cultural and traditional displays witnessed were from soldiers and their family within the barracks, as against the usual practice of renting troupes for visual delight at such occasion, and a display of cosmopolitan nature of troops of the brigade. He commended the effort of the troops in the Northeast for their untiring efforts in ensuring the peace and stability of the country.

shows up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The court wants a traceable and reliable surety and bail is at its discretion,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Adeniyi said. But, Mr Jude Kalejaiye, said that the judicial system should be checked for inconsistency concerning the bail conditions given to defendants by courts.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Ambode cautions security men over rights violation …as soldiers remove hijab from Muslim women

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has cautioned security men against molesting innocent Muslim women in Hijab as Soldiers were alleged to have publicly remove veil from Muslim women in Lagos. Governor Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, stated this at the inauguration of The Muslim Congress, TMC Imams at the weekend. Dr. AbdulLateef assured Lagos Muslims of the readiness of the Am-

bode’s administration to give all religions freedom of expression and practice within the law. “This administration respects and recognises all religious leaders. Lagos has not ban Hijab because banning of Hijab is not the solution to bombings. We can use bomb detectors in public gatherings and use other intelligence gathering methods of prevention.” He condemned the idea of some security agents taking laws into their hands as two unidentified soldiers on Friday forcefully removed the veil

popularly referred to as Niqab of a Muslim woman at Meran Area of Lagos State. It was gathered that the woman was going peacefully when two soldiers began to harass her and removed her Hijab. According to an eyewitness, it took the intervention of passers-by and sympathisers for the Muslim woman to get her veil back while same scenario was also reported in Oshodi area of the state. It will be recalled that this is happening few weeks to the comment that

Federal Government may ban Hijab if bombings continue. However, the President through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a press release denied plans to ban Hijab. While describing Hijab as the Muslim women’s dressing symbol of modesty, Buhari’s spokesperson added that everything will be done to balance national security requirements with the rights and obligations of citizens under their religions as protected by the constitution.

INEC Returning Officer for Bayelsa State supplementary election in Ekeremor Lga, Dr. Perekibina Bariweni (right), handing over election result sheet to the state’s INEC returning officer at Bayelsa State election collation centre, in Yenagoa, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Osun community protests activities of sect members BOladale BamigBOla OsOgbO

ctivities of a sect that identified itself as Oju Ona Satia World Wide Ministry in a community in Osun State yesterday led to a peaceful protest with a call on police to investigate the sect. Residents of Kelebe community in Olorunda Local Government area of the state, who trooped out in protest accused the sect members of combining the three religions and scaring inhabitants of the community. The angry residents during the protest expressed fear over the continued operations of the sect in the community and demanded for the relocation of its worship centre from the area. The residents said the

sect is combining the three religion of Islam, Christianity and traditional religions into one and thereby raising concerns since it moved into a worship center built in the community. The protest however, took a violent turn when the protesters forced their way into the building where the sect members had gathered for their service, the development which angered the sect members led by one Mukaila Tiamiyu. Breakdown of law and

order was however, averted by the timely intervention of a team of policemen from Oke-Odo Police Division. Speaking, the Chairman of Kelebe community, Alhaji Ismail Adeniyi, said the presence of the sect has brought fear to members of the area because of the manner of its operations. He said the community has petitioned the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the Commissioner of Police in the state, the Directorate of State Ser-

vice, Muslim leaders and Christian Association of Nigeria on the activities of the sect. Reacting, Tiamiyu debunked the accusation that the group was fetish, claiming that the religious organisation is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC. Tiamiyu said they have about eleven branches of the religious movement in Osun State wondering why the community would be protesting their stay in the area.

PSC approves promotion of 3,684 Inspectors to ASPs

olice Service Commission has approved the promotion of 3,684 inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP.

This is contained in

statement issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission in Abuja on Sunday. It said eight pilots were also promoted from ASP to

the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police, DSP, and two aircraft engineers to DSPs. The statement stated that the promotions took effect from January 1.

U.S. agency arrests 1,437 human traffickers in 2015 Olusegun KOiKi

he U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, HIS, arrested 1,437 individuals for human trafficking last year. This is an illegal trade and exploitation of people for commercial gain, most commonly in the form of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. From those cases, nearly 400 trafficking victims were identified and offered critical services. Online media, The Immigrant monitored by our correspondent revealed this yesterday. This year marks the sixth anniversary of President Barack Obama’s proclamation of January as National Slavery and Trafficking Prevention month. ICE participates in a variety of human trafficking awareness events in January and throughout the year. “Our special agents work tirelessly to disrupt criminal trafficking networks and help their victims, but there is still so much to be done,” said ICE Director, Sarah R. Saldaña. “While the efforts of law enforcement are crucial to the cause, educating the public to recognise signs of trafficking and supporting the organisations who work to make victims whole are also important parts of our overall strategy.” While human trafficking can occur in a variety of scenarios and industries, indicators of trafficking activities often look the same across cases. Educating the public to recognise the signs is crucial to identifying victims and bringing traffickers to justice. In October 2015, HSI arrested 29 people in eight states for sex trafficking more than 13 Hispanic women and girls from Mexico and Central America through a system of brothels across the southeastern United States. Now with 41 indictments, this case has the highest number of indictments of any HSI human

trafficking investigation. The 15-month investigation was a success because of the combined support from DHS Joint Task Force Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Administration and multiple state/local law enforcement agencies. Also, a military official from Qatar and his wife brought two domestic servants with them to San Antonio, Texas. The couple allegedly housed the workers in primitive conditions, threatened them with arrest and jail, withheld their wages, and deprived them of cell phones, passports, visas and food. HSI made the arrest on forced labor charges on May 30, 2015. On human trafficking, Paulino Ramirez-Granados was arrested March 31, 2015, in Tenancingo, Mexico through a joint investigation by HSI Mexico City, HSI New York and the Mexican Federal Police. The Granados family and its associates would romance young women before coercing them into prostitution in Mexico, smuggling them into the United States, and then continuing the control, physical and sexual abuse, and threats in New York City. HSI identified 26 victims and 19 other traffickers and smugglers. Since 2010, HSI has arrested over 7,000 individuals for human trafficking offenses. ICE is one of the primary federal agencies responsible for combating human trafficking. ICE works with its law enforcement partners to dismantle the global criminal infrastructure engaged in human trafficking. ICE accomplishes this mission by making full use of its authorities and expertise, stripping away assets and profit incentive, collaborating with U.S. and foreign partners to attack networks worldwide and working in partnership with nongovernmental organisations to identify and provide assistance to trafficking victims.

South West

Monday, January 11, 2016

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Police arrest fake Buhari security aides in Ekiti Abiodun nejo Ado Ekiti

olice in Ekiti State have arrested three persons allegedly impersonating staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser, while attempting to dupe Ekiti State governor over the outcome of the military panel probing role of the army in Ekiti and Osun states’ governorship elections. While two of the sus-

pects, Benedict Ola Idega and Abdulsalami Leader, were arrested at the governor’s private residence at Afao Ekiti, where they had allegedly gone to present what they called part of the preliminary report of the panel to the governor on Saturday, the third, who was an accomplice, was said to have been arrested in the hotel room where the suspects lodged in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. The two men allegedly claimed to be President

Muhammadu Buhari’s private security aides, adding that they had influence over the report of the military panel. The men, who allegedly claimed to be in possession of the preliminary report of the military panel, had sought the governor’s cooperation so that they would manipulate the final report, if necessary. They also added that the army panel report was

targeted at some top army officers the Federal Government intended to punish. Spokesman for the police in Ekiti State, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the arrest, said the police would investigate the two men thoroughly to ascertain their real identities and intentions. Adeyemi, who said the command had two suspected fraudsters being de-

tained at the State Police headquarters, said: “I have just called the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, CID, who confirmed to me that the two men were being interrogated in connection with the matter”. The two suspects were said to have presented what they called photocopy of purported page 3 of the panel preliminary

report having Nigerian Army logo to the governor to ascertain their claim. But the governor, who gave the impression he was playing along, asked them to wait for gratification following which he called the Commissioner of Police, Mr Etop James, and the Director of State Services (DSS), Mr Duke Fubara, who in turn asked their men to move in and arrest the two suspects.

No Lassa fever case in Oyo –Health Ministry Kemi olAitAn ibAdAn

yo State Ministry of Health yesterday said no single case of Lassa fever has been established in the state since last year when the first suspected case was subjected to clinical test at the Federal Ministry of Health’s reference laboratory in Lagos. Acting Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo, made the disclosure in a statement he insisted that the three suspected cases reported and diagnosed at the University College Hospital, UCH, had no feature of the disease. He, however, cautioned citizens of the state against consumption of rodents and to avoid contact with the blood, urine and faeces of rats when killing them as a preventive measure against Lassa fever. He said, “Two suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported by the UCH, Ibadan, in 2015. Both cases, though diagnosed at the institution, were not verified by the Federal Ministry of Health reference laboratory in Lagos. Both cases had remarkable improvement and subsequently discharged. “The last case was reported by the UCH on December 18, 2015, and the ministry embarked on contact tracing of all potential contacts of the index case. Seventy-two individuals from the referring hospital, UCH, and the child’s community were observed for three weeks for any feature of

the disease. “At the end of this period, there were no features of the illness in all contacts. The index case has since been discharged from UCH.” He disclosed further that as safeguard measure, an emergency preparedness team of stakeholders had met to prepare response protocol in case of any outbreak of the disease in any part of the state. He listed those in the team as the state’s Ministries of Health, Information, Environment, Agriculture, State Hospitals’ Management Board, Red Cross and Red Crescent, UCH, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital and State Emergency Management Authority. Ladipo added that with support from the Federal Ministry of Health, the state’s Ministry of Health had supplied ribavirin (the antiviral agent for Lassa fever treatment), as well as protective apparels to UCH to reduce contact between healthcare workers and potential cases. In a similar vein, he said sensitisation of clinicians from the public and private sectors had been carried out to increase physicians’ index of suspected cases and the need for prompt referrals. To prevent an outbreak of the disease in the state, Ladipo harped on the need for residents to take personal hygiene serious, with emphasis on periodic hands washing.

L-R: Pastor in Charge, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 12, Dominion Cathedral, Gown Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, Pastor Ola Adejubee; General Overseer, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his Special Assistant, Admn. Pastor in Charge of RCCG, Regional 1, Pastor Funsho Adesola, during the dedication of RCCG Provincial Administrative Building, Lagos Province 12, Dominion Cathedral, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, at the weekend.

Oshodi demolition not targeted at Igbo traders –APC chieftain

…its for development, says LG bosses

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Nkechi Chukwueke, says the demolition of popular Owonifari market in Oshodi area of Lagos State is not targeted at any particular tribe, especially the Igbo. Pouring encomiums on the state government for taking the bold move yesterday, Chukwueke, who served as Special Assistant on Women Ethnic Group Mobilisation/ Empowerment to former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said not only Igbo but traders from other ethnic groups were also affected in the exercise, which according to her, “was carried out in good faith and in accordance with the rule of

law”. She further urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to focus on his task of ensuring a crime-free Lagos that is conducive for all and sundry. “I have told a lot of my people from the South East that the exercise was carried out in good faith by the state government to rid Lagos of crime, restore sanity to the area and ensure the master plan of Lagos State is not tampered with. “From facts available, the state government gave enough notice to these traders and even provided alternative market for them to relocate, but many of them refused to go because they believe they won’t make

much sales if they go to the new place. “The truth is, we must rally round the governor to ensure that Lagos works. The governor means well for Lagos and he stands to gain nothing by demolishing people’s shops. There are laws of the land and it must be obeyed by all for the state to progress,” she said. Also, Chairman of Conference 57, the umbrella body of Executive Secretaries of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, Alabi Kolade David, faulted those castigating the governor over the demolition, insisting that the action was a positive step geared towards development and progress.

David said those calling the governor names over the development were exhibiting ignorance and lack of foresight, as same was in line with the transformation plan of government for Oshodi. David, who described Oshodi as an international gateway to Lagos and indeed Nigeria, said the demolition was a positive step towards transforming Lagos into mega city compared to other cosmopolitan city-states of the world. “What the gover nor has done is a wonderful thing as it will ease off a lot of things in Oshodi. Those people that are saying negative things about the governor are the people that do not want Lagos to transform into the megacity that we are all yarning for.

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South West

Monday, January 11, 2016

Lagos CCCTV: Don’t panic, NSCDC tells Oyo residents Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

esidents of Oyo State were at the weekend advised not to be apprehensive over expected relocation of criminals due to the planned deployment of Closed Circuit Cameras, CCC, in strategic places by the Lagos State government. State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, John Oyedokun Adewoye, gave the assur-

ance in a chat with journalists in Ibadan, stressing that security agencies in the state were conscious of the development and well-prepared for any eventuality. It would be recalled that Lagos State government recently announced its readiness to deploy CCCTV towards making the entire state unsafe for criminals and those with criminal tendencies, a development that has been causing apprehension in neighbouring states over feelings that the develop-

ment would lead to forceful relocation of criminals to neighbouring states. But Adewole, who insisted his Command had zero tolerance for crime in any form, said there was already in place a collaborative mechanism among all security agencies in the state to ensure that residents sleep peacefully. While stressing the readiness of the command to ensure there is no threat to security of lives

and property in the state in the new year, he said the command secured the conviction of 10 pipeline vandals out of the 37 arrested in 2015. He added that during the year under review, the commandant made it known that the Peace and Conflict Resolution Department of the Command handled 161 cases of disputes involving land, marital, business transactions, relationships, com-

munal, landlords/tenants and other human misunderstandings. The NSCDC boss further stated that the antifraud section of the Command handled no fewer than 93 cases comprising land disputes, job racketeering and others. Adewoye lamented the reckless driving of commercial motorcyclists popular referred to as ‘Okada’ on the highways, urging them to be more careful

in the new year to avoid untimely death among the populace. He recalled an accident involving two of them at Fatima on Ibadan/Abeokuta road last week during which the two riders died on the spot and their two passengers sustained varied degrees of injuries, maintaining that both the deaths and the injuries were avoidable if the riders were not reckless or over-speed.

$2.1bn arms deal: No hiding place for Ladoja –Oyo APC

ith more revelations being made on the mismanagement of the $2.1b funds earmarked for purchase of arms and ammunition for the nation’s military during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has told former Governor Rasheed Ladoja to own up to his alleged culpability and be ready to face the consequences of his actions as it concerns the fraction of the loot he received. Last Friday, National Secretary of Accord Party, Mr. Nureni Adisa, said in a statement that Ladoja received N100 million on behalf of the party in the wake of the 2015 general elections to mobilise votes for Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But APC in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Publicity, Olawale Sadare, said it was time for the former governor to confess all his sins and submit himself for proper trial over the matter, rather than play the ostrich with a view to wriggling out of the scandal. He said: “We are dismayed at the latest attempt by Chief Ladoja to justify his involvement in the illegal sharing of the funds meant to purchase arms and ammunition to secure Nigeria as coordinated by the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). “The statement by one

Nureni Adisa on Friday was apparently on the order of Ladoja who wanted to save face using premeditated tactics after realising that his secret was about to be revealed to the whole world by EFCC. “Rather than make belated attempts to re-write the story of his betrayal of his party supporters or extenuate his disgraceful connivance with others to loot the nation’s treasury, the former governor should just shelve his toga of deceit and show remorse over his previous anti-people activities in his private and public life. “It is an established fact that the N100m he claimed to have received from Chief Tony Anenih represents a fraction of such illegal funds he realised from the surreptitious sale of Accord Party to PDP at the centre.”

L-R: Divisional Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, Mary Ubangwa and Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, at the presentation of patrol van and a powerbike to Sabo Police Station by Yabatech in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO:NAN

bOladale bamigbOla OsOgbO

midst harsh economic realities facing the country, the newly installed Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu Ilufemiloye I, has suggested ways the Federal Government can turn

FG can turn around economy with local fabrics –Oluwo around the economy by patronising locally-made clothing materials. Oba Adewale, who spoke with newsmen in his palace ahead of his coronation ceremony this Saturday,

said with people going on holy pilgrimage exceeding 100,000 annually, using locally-made clothing materials for pilgrims’ uniforms could help to stimulate the economy.

Commuters hail Ambode over NURTW’s BRT franchise Francis suberu

section of Lagosians have expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Lagos government to terminate the hitherto franchise given to the state’s chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, to operate Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, along Mile 12 to CMS corridor. The commuters, in separate interviews, said they had lost hope the government would give them any respite from the arrogance of the operator

who they said was driven solely by profit motive. A commuter, Mr. Gordon Mojaye, said as a constant user of the Lagos BRT, he was happy the state government took that step to instill confidence in commuters. Another customer, Mr. Mojaye, said he stopped using BRT about three years ago when the services began to dwindle but had to come out on Thursday to use the new service on hearing the government action. He admonished the government to monitor the new operator to ensure it does not breach the

agreement signed with the regulatory agency, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA. For Miss Maria Adeyanju, government must put stringent measures in place to make sure transport operators do not frustrate the mass transit scheme. She stressed the need for government to put measures in place to ensure the interests of the commuters are protected always, saying that the government has demonstrated that it is ‘pro people.’ Lagos State government

had last Thursday relocated the 1st BRT Cooperative from the operation of the Mile 12 to CMS BRT system, citing constant breaches of the franchise agreement signed in 2007. The breaches include non-operation of stipulated frequencies schedules and operations of buses at below 50 per cent fleet capacity contrary to the agreement. This has progressively resulted in the operator’s inability to meet commuters’ expectation to provide good public transport services on the all-important BRT corridor.

The royal father, who warned Nigerians, especially the Yoruba, against wholesale adoption of western culture at the detriment of traditional beliefs and culture of their forefathers, said government must devise ways the huge amount being spent on imported fabrics by pilgrims annually could be retained in our economy. Adewale added that the government must adopt locally-made fabrics for uniforms of military and paramilitary officers and men, saying the fabrics and other cultural materials, if well packaged, can even earn the country foreign exchange. “What stops us from using adire for jalabia and hijab? I know many fanatical Christians and Moslems usually associate clothing like adire with idol worship, but that is erroneous.

South East

Monday, January 11, 2015

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Petrol marketers in Imo blame price hike on NNPC

etroleum Product Marketers in Imo State have blamed the hike in pump price of petrol in the state on lapses from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Chief Christopher Amadi, Chairman, Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers/Dealers, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Owerri on Sunday. Amadi said increase in the pump price of petrol in Imo State was caused by the inability of NNPC to dispense the product from its Enugu, Aba, Markudi and Port Harcourt depots. Aside NNPC filling station on Onitsha-Owerri road, every other station sell the product between N130 and N150 per litre as against the official price of N86.50 per litre. He told NAN that dealers in the state were finding it difficult to source the product. “As I am talking to you, no marketer in Imo State has loaded the product at the government-approved price since the new price regime by the government. “All the products we sell are sourced from private tank farms and the owners sell above government’s rate. “Yet, they would force you to agree that the product was sold to you at the government-approved rate. “Security agencies and the media can investigate what I am saying because our position on this matter is verifiable.’’ Amadi, who decried the difficulty faced by dealers in sourcing the products, regretted the condemnation of the marketers by the public. “There is no product at the Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Markudi depots. “These are the sources from where we should get products to sell to the people in Imo State and other South-East states,” he said. According to the chairman, its members have been directed to henceforth, stop buying the product above gov-

ernment-approved price from the private tank farms. “Our position is that we do not want to be seen as those disobeying government’s directive on the sale of the product. “We are calling on government to do all in its powers to ensure availability of petrol. “We are tired of being called bad names because we want to ensure that Imo State people do not suffer petrol scarcity unduly,” Amadi said, adding that it was wrong for government to expect marketers to sell at the new pump price products they bought at old rates. “What government should do to ensure compliance to the new price regime is to flood the market with the product at the new official price. “Once there is saturation of the market with the product at the new approved price, certainly, marketers will switch over to the new pump price of N86.50 per litre,” he said.

Kachikwu, NNPC MD

Supporters of APGA Governorship Candidate in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti during celebration of the Appeal Court judgment that declared Alex Otti winner of the April election in Abia State.

Biafra election: 1,000 clerics, Asari, Fasheun, Bianca storm Owerri —Uwazuruike Chris Njoku OWERRI

s preparation is in top gear for Biafra election, leader of Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has disclosed that over 1,000 clergymen from South East and South South would assemble in Owerri, Imo State capital, today for a three-day prayer and fasting for a successful election on February 22. Also expected on the occasion are wife of the late Biafra warlord, Bianca Ojukwu, ex- militant leader, Asari Dokubo, and founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Chief Fredrick Fasheun.

He said the three days non-denominational prayer scheduled for Ojukwu Memorial Library, Owerri, from January 12 to January15 will also witness the presence of other anointed men of God, such as Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Archbishop Anthony Obinna. Uwazuruike, who disclosed this yesterday through his BIM, Director of Information, Sunday Okereafor, said the theme of the prayer would be, "Give us Biafra" to be anchored by Apostle Gregory Ashiegbu. The prayer point, he said, would lead to a successful election as well as praying for leaders in Igboland to help the movement realise its aim of actualising the

sovereign state of Biafra. He pointed out that the scheduled election will be different from elections conducted in Nigeria, revealing that a Catholic priest, Rev Father Samuel Aniebonam, would be chairman of Biafra Independent Electoral Commission, BINEC, According to him, all the elections would be by open ballot system popularly known as Option A4, stressing that by May 22, 2016, elections in all the offices would have been completed. “Our election will not be like Nigeria’s election, it will be done in a transparent manner. In Biafra, there won’t be electoral fraud. The tenure of the elected regional governor or minister would be four years and nine

months. There shall be no second tenure. “Once you are defeated in an election, you won’t file an appeal in a tribunal against your opponent. This is why members of the commission would be men and women of God,” he stated. Meanwhile, newly swornin IBM Youth wing leader, Chief Solomon Chukwu, during his acceptance speech called on elders in Igbo-speaking regions to unite and help to achieve a Biafra nation. He maintained that Ndigbo, who were marginalised in the new dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari, need to join forces with MASSOB and other pro-Biafra groups to create what he described as a better nation.

Group to build African cultural city in Enugu R enaissance Multilinks, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, based in Abuja, on Sunday said it had concluded plan to establish an African cultural renaissance city in Enugu State. Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. Ndu said the proposed city would be nurtured to transform into the “cultural capital” of Africa and become the leading centre for

“African cultural renaissance and redemption”. “As Addis Ababa is the diplomatic capital of the continent, so will this cultural renaissance city be transformed into the continent’s cultural capital. “The African cultural renaissance city is expected to attract no fewer than 100 million tourists annually and generate billions of dollars in foreign exchange as well as tens of millions of employment. “Placing culture and tourism at the heart of development constitutes an essential investment in the

world’s future and a precondition to a successful globalisation processes that take into account the principles of economic diversity,” he said, adding that African renaissance was the concept for African people to overcome current challenges confronting the continent, to achieve cultural, scientific and economic renewal. “This project will strengthen the contribution of tourism and culture to the sustainable development of the sector and for the economic growth of the nation. “Development is not synonymous with economic

growth alone, but to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence and as such, development is inseparable from culture and tourism,” Ndu added. He further stated that the organisation had applied to the Enugu State government for allocation of 10 square miles of land in a remote part of the state for the establishment of the city. “We have applied for the land and are hopeful the state will respond favourably and this will bring out the values of public-privatepartnership and also help to

integrate the principles of economic diversity. “The city will compose of theme parks, tourism complexes, tourism development bank, film villages, estate of African traditional architecture, modern concept estates, production and distribution of cultural, historical and traditional African animation films. “Also, monuments from all over Africa from time immemorial to the present day, Black and African heritage university, hotels, primary and secondary schools as well as traditional specialist hospitals,” he said.

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News

Monday, January 11, 2015

Rivers APC ready for re-run polls —Peterside Dennis naku

PORT HARCOURT

overnorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11, 2015, election in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, says the party is well prepared for the re-run poll ordered by the Court of Appeal. The election, scheduled to hold between February and March this year, include those of the House of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship. Peterside stated this

while speaking with newsmen after a well-attended meeting of APC chieftains in Rivers South East Senatorial District held in Bori, Khana local government areas of the state at the weekend. Those at the meeting were Senator Magnus Abe, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Oji Ngofa, state party chairman, Davies Ikanya, and Victor Giadom. Peterside said: “I am convinced like every other true Rivers man that the Supreme Court will do justice. I mean nullify the election

(governorship) and I am in agreement with the earlier judgment of the tribunal and Court of Appeal. “We will go for a fresh election. Where Rivers people will vote and their votes will count. “When that happens, I am convinced we will have APC government in place in Rivers State," Peterside said. Also, APC leader in the Senatorial District, Senator Abe, said the party has thrown its doors open to Nigerians who are willing to join its fold regardless of previous affiliations. Abe said, "We are aware

that several members of PDP in the state have been defecting in droves to APC and we have directed that the party chapters in different wards and local government welcome them with open arms. "Leadership of the party at the appropriate time will go round to receive the new members," he stated. Senator Abe also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for starting the process of implementing the UNEP report on Ogoniland, and urged Ogoni people to cooperate with the Federal Government.

Officials of the Nigeria Police Force with Naval personnel inspecting the MT Camille vessel intercepted by the Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta, with about 4,000 metric tonnes of product suspected to be crude oil in Warri, yesterday.

Navy hands over 11 suspected oil thieves to I-G

igerian Navy (NN) in Delta has handed to the police 11 crew members of MT CAMILLE apprehended over alleged illegal oil bunkering. Commodore Shehu Tasiu, Base Operation Officer, Warri Naval Base, handed over the suspects in Warri, Delta State, on Sunday. Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Shawulu Dan-Mamman, of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) received the suspects and inspected the MT CAMILLE vessel currently under the custody of the navy in Warri. Tasiu told newsmen that naval personnel intercepted the vessels and its crew on November 14, 2015, during routine patrol on Forcados Offshore, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

He further said the vessel was laden with about 4,000 metric tonnes of product suspected to be crude oil. “The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OBULA on November 14, 2015, while on routine patrol, sighted MT CAMILLE fully loaded and positioned at Forcados offshore. “Captain of the vessel was subsequently interrogated to ascertain if he had valid documents for the cargo but could not produce any. “Consequently, the vessel was boarded and arrested with 11 crew members and towed to the Base for further investigation. “However, investigation revealed that the vessel is carrying a Mongolian Flag registered at Port ULAANBAATA with IMO number

7323463,’’ he said. He said the previous names of the vessel were Laurentus (1988), Mirage (1988-2003), Barones (20032006), Melvin (2006) before its current name Camille. “The registered owner of the vessel is Rocky Energy Limited while her operator is Nsutech Oil Services Limited. “In view of the foregoing, I am directed to hand over the 11 crew members of the vessel to the IGP for further investigation and possible prosecution. “The Nigerian Navy requests that the suspects be properly profiled for future reference and that you should furnish the Naval Headquarters with the outcome of your investigation,’’ he said. The commander restated the Navy’s commitment

to assist the police in curbing crime in the society. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalled that the suspects and the vessel were earlier paraded at the naval base on November 27 before the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman. Suleiman described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the war against oil theft and other criminal activities in the waterways. The naval chief, therefore, warned perpetrators of oil theft to desist, adding that ‘‘it is an economic sabotage.’’ Dan-Mamman assured that the Nigerian Police would continue to partner the Navy in prosecuting vandals.

Earlier, the state party chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, thanked leaders of the Rivers South East Senatorial District for all they have been doing to keep the party together.

Ikanya expressed confidence that the area would deliver 100 per cent in the forthcoming re-run polls because of the calibre of party leaders in the senatorial district.

Edo guber: Group cautions against imposing candidates

socio-political group, IkpobaOkha Grassroots Mobilisation Network, IGMN, yesterday cautioned political bigwigs in Edo State against imposing governorship candidates on the people. This is contained in a statement issued in Benin, signed by the group’s coordinator, Mr Osakpamwan Osa-Uto. The group urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to wage war against acts capable of derailing the electoral process, within the ambit of his powers, ahead of this year’s governorship poll. Osa-Uto appealed to all political stakeholders in Edo State to work for a free, fair and credible gubernatorial election, as well as ensure that all party primaries were legitimate. He said: ``It has become imperative to speak on this issue, against the

growing apprehension among party faithful, on the allegation that our governor has adopted a particular candidate. ``Anything capable of creating crisis in the ruling party must be avoided. ``We strongly condemn the imposition of any candidate and use this medium to advice those intending to do so to desist from such act. ``We recall when Oshiomhole was coming into power that his slogan was: `No Godfatherism’ and ‘Let the People Lead.’ ``We want our governor to ensure that his party holds a free and fair primary and allow the Edo people to choose the right person to govern them. ``The free and fair primary elections that the ruling party conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa states should also be replicated here at home,’’ the statement added.

Delta remembers fallen heroes

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State yesterday urged the clergy to preach messages of peace and hope to people of the state. He gave the charge at a thanksgiving service to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Delta Province 3, Asaba. Okowasaidthe countrywas facing serious challenges that need to be overcome through intercession in prayers by the church to God. He said there was need for all Nigerians to honour and trust God as Jesus remains the only Supreme Hero who gave His life as ransom to redeem man. Okowa observed that the times were challenging as many more people died from activities of insurgency with many more living as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. He charged Nigerians,

while remembering families of the fallen heroes, to also show kindness to the poor around them. Host Pastor Olutomi Sodeinde in a sermon, ‘Winning the Battle of Life’, charged the country to submit to the authority of God in order to win its battles. He said every battle was more of spiritual than physical and that those who walk in the light of God see clearly to win their battles. Sodeinde buttressed his point reading from 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, which says ``For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war against the flesh.’’ He commended fallen heroes for sacrificing their lives to defend the country, and commended their families to God through Jesus Christ. State Chairman of the Legionnaires, retired Lt.-Col. Daniel Amereh led others to the service attended by service chiefs, politicians and other dignitaries.

North

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tourism, antidote to Nigeria’s dwindling economy –Ortom Joel AJAyi, AbujA

overnor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has described the tourism sector as a panacea to the present economic meltdown Nigeria is currently experiencing. To this end, the Benue government has signed a pact with National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, to propel rapid growth and development in the hospitality industry in the state. Ortom, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, at the weekend in Abuja, pointed out that partnership between Benue and NIHOTOUR would develop, promote and add value to the state’s economy. He maintained that Nigeria needed to, as a matter of urgency, venture into other resources that would boost her ailing economy. According to him, this is a right step in the right direction. And we must thank the agency for the passion and initiatives. He said: “As at yesterday, price of crude oil was $28 per barrel. The possibility of coming down more is there and from the projection of OPEC, it was $20 per barrel; for IMF, it is less than $20. That calls for quick action and quick means of adding value to our economy ‘‘And for us in Benue State, we have several areas where we have comparative advantage in agricultural, solid minerals, tourism and culture.

No doubt, hospitality and tourism is one area where we have very big advantage and we are happy that you are coming in at this time. “Capacity-building, tourism, adding value to Nigerian is the way out of our present situation and I think that this is a noble course. On our part we shall do everything possible to ensure this programme takes off as soon as possible. We assure you of our commitment,” he assured. Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs Chika Balogun, who adjudged Benue as one of the most hospitable states in Nigeria, expressed the agency’s interest to partner, promote and add value to citizens of the state. While explaining the nature of the MoU, Balogun stated: ‘‘We are going to conduct capacity development trainings of workers in Nigerian hotels, cuisines among others, to promote tourism in Nigeria and make Benue a tourist destination for foreigners and Nigerians alike.’’ She added that with the security situation in the country, the agency had partnered with Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR, on additional courses on entrepreneurship study and the need for Nigerians to live in peace. The programmes that are expected to kick off in February this year will have a Direct student and train the trainers who will be the staff of Benue State.

L-R; Representative of Brigade Commander, 22 Army Brigade, Sobi Cantonment, Colonel Aminu Abdullahi Goni; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari observing Jumat Prayer to mark 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance day at Ilorin Central Mosque, Ilorin, on Friday.

No Lassa fever in Bauchi –Govt

ecretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, Dr Saidu Gital, on Sunday said no case of Lassa fever had been confirmed in the state. Gital stated this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi on the outbreak of the disease. He said although the

state had four suspected cases, three were diagnosed to be negative, while laboratory result on one was pending. ``The fourth person accidentally came from Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau, but the result is being awaited,” he said. Gital disclosed that

LAfiA

asarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has offered automatic employment to five indigenous first-class graduates of the Federal University, Lafia. The governor disclosed this during the maiden convocation ceremony of the university in Lafia, the state capital. Beneficiaries include Solomon

John Akoji; visually-impaired William Yaji; the overall best graduating student of the institution, Muazu Ibrahim; Abdulaziz Zakari and Bashir Eya. In the alternative, the governor also offered automatic scholarship scheme to the graduates to either continue their education career to doctoral level if they so desire. He stated that his administration would con-

firmed. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the disease is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus. It is transmitted through direct contact with secretion, including excreta of the vector, a type of rat, which can inhabit homes.

Benue South rerun: Moro faults deputy gov over anti-Mark comment

ormer Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has asked Benue State deputy governor, Benson Abounu, to think of how to promote and protect the interest of his people, instead of working at cross purposes with them. Reacting to the attack on him by Abounu over Benue South rerun election between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, Moro said Abounu has no reason to ask former Senate

President David Mark to withdraw from the race. Moro, who is DirectorGeneral of the Mark Campaign Organisation, said: “Abounu knows the interest of our people. He was around when political stakeholders in Benue South overwhelmingly endorsed Senator Mark to contest the election in September 2014. Abounu neither protested nor challenged the decision. “If not for some funny circumstances that propelled Daniel Onjeh

Al-Makura offers automatic employment to 5 graduates igbAwAse UkUmbA

usually outbreak of the disease occurs during dry season, between November and March. He said the Federal Ministry of Health had supplied health personnel protective equipment and Ribavirin tablets as well as injectable drugs for use when any case was con-

tinue to accord priority to education and support those who excel in their academic pursuits, adding that his administration had set up machinery to re-invent the state’s lost glory in education through the declaration of state of emergency in the sector. Consequently, AlMakura charged the institution to be proactive in inculcating entrepreneurial training and character building that would mould

the thinking of youths towards self-reliability and social reorientation. His words: “I therefore, urge universities across the country to redirect their research work towards entrepreneurship in order to reverse the trend of mad-chase for white collar jobs among graduates. I wish to crave the indulgence of authorities of this university to run courses that are relevant to the development needs of the state.’’

to pick APC senatorial form to fulfill all righteousness, who is Onjeh to stand election against Mark? “Abounu in his heart of hearts knows that there was really no contest between Mark and Onjeh in the first instance. But whatever the circumstances that led to the nullification of the election by the appeal tribunal over the signature of the returning officer, it is instructive to people who forget their yesterday to remember that a day of reckoning will always come. “Whatever, wherever the interest of the people is, any responsible leader must respect such, this quest for immediate gain is not sustainable. “Let me honestly thank Abounu for at least admitting that Mark attracted some good projects; some at various stages of completion to Benue South including appointments into boards and agencies of federal government. At least, the narrative is now changing from ‘He

has not done anything’ to ‘Some projects yet to be completed.’ “I do not like name dropping but since Abounu mentioned the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh in his narrative, let him also confirm from our respected Ogbeh who nominated him for the post of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he hitherto presided. “Abounu must be reminded that the Idoma people are watching. Nigerians are watching those who would mortgage the interest of their people for personal gains. “Whatever the situation is, I make bold to say that as a proud Idoma man, no external influence or force can foist anybody on Idoma people. No outsider can love us more than we love ourselves. Abounu should tell his co-travellers that the Idoma people cannot be teleguided. We have spoken in our vote for Senator Mark.”

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

$2.1bn arms deal: Bamidele charges public officials on probity Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

ormer member of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has charged political office holders to render selfless services to the nation. Bamidele described as embarrassing, the series of corruption cases being allegedly established against some appointees of former President Goodluck Jonathan in respect of the $2.1 arms deal, describing it as breach of trust by public officials. The APC chieftain, in a statement in Ado- Ekiti by

his media aide, Ahmed Salami yesterday, particularly, cautioned appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari to be conscious of the fact that Nigerians voted for the president based on his enviable anti-corruption records, urging them not to betray the confidence reposed in APC to bring the desired changes to the system. He congratulated a former Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Babafemi Ojudu over his appointment as Special Adviser, Political Matters to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, urging him to put Nigerians first in all his dealings as a presidential

adviser. According to him, Nigerians are anxiously looking up to Buhari’s government to clean up the already debased system and bring the needed renaissance in the areas of the economy and morality, for Nigerians to rise again and regain its lost glory. He stated: “One cannot but feel ashamed as a

Nigerian about the information on how a public official shared money running into billions to political associates as a show of patronage. One could only feel the enormity of damage this has done to our corporate image if you travel out of Nigeria. “This is highly embarrassing to all of us and I personally feel disap-

pointed as a patriotic Nigerian”, he said. Bamidele, who cautioned Nigerians against seeing public offices as avenues to plunder the nation’s resources, said “having such erroneous impression may backfire. Nigerians are beginning to display aggressiveness towards perceived corrupt public officials, who

are making lives uncomfortable for the less privileged”. Bamidele appealed to the Federal Government to be resolute in the fight against graft by ensuring that all those indicted were made to cough out their loots regardless of the cry of selective prosecution being alleged from certain quarters.

PDP berates Ambode over 2016 budget RobeRt Awokuse

he Lagos state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has berated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for producing a budget which it described as a budget of retrogression, fraud and uninspiring. According to the PDP, the budget of N662.558 Billion is laughable and the total revenue of N542.87 Billion projected by Governor Ambode is grossly under-estimated adding that the claim of N119.71 Billion as deficit financing is totally unacceptable. In the assertion of the PDP, the state’s internally generated revenue is now at a minimum of N47 billion monthly and that the current N23 billion being declared by the state government is fraudulent and deliberate to allow the tax consulting firm, Alpha Beta, convert huge sums of

money which are eventually distributed into certain private pockets as monthly benefits for governing the state. The PDP specifically condemned the budget for not accommodating a N32,000 minimum wage for Lagos workers “because by the Lagos economy, a minimum of N32,000 salary can conveniently be paid by a truly welfarist government. “ All the state government needs to do is eschew prodigal practice, block leakages and dissociate from unnecessary luxury projects like the Eko Atlantic project. The presently overbloated governor’s office should also be downsized”, Lagos PDP said. The PDP also charges Ambode to construct minimum of 1000 affordable houses in 2016 just as it wants the governor to clarify the allocation of N4.02 billion described in the budget as ‘social protection’!

Some ad-hoc staff of INEC for Bayelsa governorship supplementary election proceeding on election duty about to board flying boats at the Naval Marine Dock in Yenagoa.

ezekiel titus BAUCHI

arely eight months after taking over the mantle of leadership, Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi state has finally submitted 15 cabinet nominees to the state assembly for screening. The 15 nominees were picked from the 20 Local Government Areas that make up the state. This was just as there have been protests in some LGAs especially Tafawa-Balewa where stakeholders had kicked against the nominee from the area saying they were not consulted before he was picked by the gover-

Abubakar submits 15 commissioner -nominees to assembly nor. The list of nominees was contained in a letter addressed to the speaker, Bauchi state House of Assembly dated 5th January, 2016 signed by the secretary to the state government Bello Shehu Ilelah , a copy of which was made available to National Mirror. The letter read: I am directed to forward herewith the list of fifteen nominees for screening and confirmation as commissioners in Bauchi state government Abubakar had further requested the members of the House to go through

the list of the nominees for confirmation as commissioners. Those nominated are Nasirudeen Muhammed, Tafawa-Balewa LGA, Ali Abubakar Tatari Zaki, Ibrahim Yakubu Umar Toro LGA. Others are Garba Sarki Mohammed Akuyam Misau, Asabe Mohammed, Hamma Alkalri, Dr. Audu Gani Bogoro, Bogoro LGA among others. The governor solicits the house usual cooperation and wish members best regards in their legislative obligations In the same vein, there

have been protests and criticism since the unveiling of the nominees by the governor as stakeholders in some LGAs had allegedly lambasted Abubakar for not consulting with them appropriately as agreed during the campaign period. Senator Ali Wakili told journalists that the governor has the constitutional right to appoint a commissioner, but said the governor had promised to consult stakeholders in Tafawa-Balewa LGA before picking a nominee from the area, a promise he said he failed to fulfill.

Politics

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari should handle Biafra agitation with care –Emenuga Pastor Chima Emenuga is the General Overseer, Destiny Revival Church Lagos .In this interview with VICTOR UDOH, he speaks on national issues including the face-off between state governors and the NLC over payment of N18,000 minimum wage, Christianity and politics, Boko Haram insurgency and assessment of Buhari’s administration in the last seven months among others. Excerpts: What is your assessment of President Buhari’s war against corruption? It is a good one. Corruption is a serious vice that has been afflicting our nation. It is a vice everybody agree need to be tackled. I believe all Nigerians should support the war against corruption. However, I have one or two areas of disagreement with the president on the issue. President Muhammadu Buhari is concentrating too much energy on the fight against corruption. He should not allow other areas that require his attention suffer because of his battle against corruption. Nigerians didn’t elect him to fight corruption only. The problem of the power sector is there. What about the poor state of our highways, and rising unemployment among the youths is also there. Again, the president should not make the war against corruption look selective. From what we are seeing now, the battle against corruption seemed to be concentrated against PDP members only. I’m a man of God. I’m apolitical. But I believe in justice and equity – I believe that many Nigerians will only be convinced about the president’s genuine intention when the battle against corruption is made to go round but not limited to a particular set of people. What is your reaction to the face-off between state governors and the NLC over threat by the governors to stop payment of N18,000 minimum wage? I don’t think the governors have any excuse to stop the payment of minimum wage. How much is N18,000 that they are now saying they can’t pay? Even the Holy Bible says that a labourer deserves his wages – our governors should remember that they were elected to serve the people. They were elected to make life comfortable for citi-

zens, and not to add to their woes. Some of the governors keep pets like dogs, birds at home and they know how much they are spending every month to feed them. What can N18,000 do as of today in Nigeria? State governors should retrace their step on this issue – they should cut down on cost of governance instead of punishing workers unjustly. How do you see the ongoing agitations for the establishment of the sovereign state of Biafra by some Igbo youths under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu? I will advise the federal government and the agitators to embrace dialogue. Federal government should handle the issue with care, otherwise the consequences may be unpalatable. War is not good. Nobody prays for war. War leads to destruction and bloodshed. I pray that God will give President Muhammadu Buhari the wisdom required to handle the issue. The agitators have certain grievances, since we are in a democracy, federal government should listen to them. It is better to jaw-jaw rather than to war-war. We should learn from the events of the past. To what extent should Christian leaders be involved in politics? A minister of God is also like a watchdog. Nothing stops him from preaching against bad leadership. He can also give advice from time to time. But a genuine minister of God should not be seen to be fraternizing with politicians, otherwise his calling would be put to question, and he would be messed up. Like in the biblical era when prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah, Jonah and others used to speak out against evil in the society, pastors today can also do the same, but

Enugu LG caretaker c’tt illegal –APC Lawyer EmmanuEl EzEh ENUGU

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday received fresh verbal attack over the inauguration of Caretaker Committees for the 17 local government areas in the state . The counsel to the 18 All Progressives Congress, APC chairmanship aspirants in the State, Barr. George Ogara described the innauguration as a brazen illegality. Ugwuanyi had last Thursday at Enugu Government House inaugurated the Caretaker Chairmen and Deputies for each of 17 local government areas in the

...You are ignorant of the law –AG

State. During the inauguration, he announced that the Caretaker Chairmen would conduct the swearing-in of the councilors today Monday at the headquarters of the various councils. But, Ogara while briefing journalists in Enugu said the inauguration of caretaker committees for the councils, usurped a case pending before the Enugu State High Court and violated the constitution of Nigeria, which Governor Ugwuanyi swore to uphold during his inauguration on May 29 last year. He said the Chief Judge of the State was aware of

the case-E/362/2015 and assigned it to His Lordship, Justice Odugu. “The matter was filed on 8th December 2015, wherein the Court ordered that motion on notice for interlocutory injunction be served on the defendants, so that they will not appoint caretaker pending the hearing of the main case on December 15, but because of memorial service for late Justice Achi Kanu, the case could not hold on that day and it was adjourned to January 27 for the motion on notice. “But three days ago, on the 6th of January to be precise, the defendants in that matter by 8 pm inaugurated two members

each for the 17 councils in Enugu State. Aside the fact that this is usurpation of case before the Court, it is sheer violation of the constitution”, Ogara said. The APC lawyer maintained that the defendants resorted to self help, pointing out that the governor has not complied with any law, especially Enugu State Local Government Law, which allows caretaker to be appointed for the councils in time of emergency. Ogara noted that there was no state of emergency in Enugu State now and even if there is, the law clearly stated that 15 members should be appointed for each local government and not two.

Emenuga

I wIll advIse the federal government and the agItators to embrace dIalogue.

federal

government should handle the Issue wIth care, otherwIse the

consequences may be unpalatable

they should refrain from being tempted to be partisan. The issue of unemployment especially among the youths, how do you think it can be tackled? I think the time has come for our planers to ensure that we introduce entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial studies into our curriculum. The era of government providing jobs for all is over. Entrepreneural studies will make it possible for our youths to acquire skills in one vocation or the other as they are undertaking various courses in higher institutions of learning. By the time they pass out they don\t need to be searching for elusive jobs as they had already been trained to be self-employed. What is your advice to the president on Boko Haram insurgency? The present military onslaught should be sustained. We should also ensure that arms and ammunition required by our troops are supplied without delay. I will also like to advise President Buhari to stay more at home. He should reduce his foreign trips so that he can have more time to attend to other domestic issues that require his attention since the Foreign Affairs minister is there being ably-assisted by other diplomats. According to reports, Mr President has travelled abroad more than 17 times within the last seven months that he took over, that is too much, what is he looking for that can’t be delegated. He can’t do everything on his own; otherwise he will eventually break down.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

For a better Nigerian education sector SUNDAY ONYEMAECHI EZE

ducation is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity. The educated differs from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead. Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment, says Barbara Jordan. Quality education is the best and priceless legacy parents could bequeath to their lovely children. Nigerian parents, despite their social or economic status, have done all within their reach to meet up with this parental responsibility. Before going to work every morning parents take their kids to school, and in the afternoon they abandon whatever they are doing to pick them following closing hours. In fact, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, says Nelson Mandela. One eminent scholar defines education as the “act or process of imparting or acquiring knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life”. There are mainly three types of education: formal, informal and non-formal education. Formal education is obtained in school established for that purpose. It is in the form of systematic, planned, and guided instruction. Informal on the other hand is an educative activity, habit, manners and patterns learned while living with others or moving in different spheres of the society. Non-formal education includes adult basic education, adult literacy edu-

cation or school equivalency preparation. In non-formal education, an adult or a youth who is not in school can learn literacy, other basic skills or job skills. It is said that when you educate a child, a nation is totally educated. However, the collapsed standard of education in Nigeria has forced many parents to seek this priceless legacy for their children outside the country. At the moment, it is mind boggling the number of Nigerians studying abroad, and the huge capital flights it has engendered. This craze to study abroad has posed enormous detrimental challenges and taken a dangerous dimension too. It is estimated by UNESCO Institute of Statistics that more 39,000 Nigerians presently study in the United Kingdom. Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, India, Cyprus, Dubai and USA etc. are also popular destination spots to numerous Nigerian students offering different courses of study. Exam Ethics International, a Nigerian NGO, said the nation spends over N1.5 trillion on its students abroad annually. In West Africa, the educational shoulders of less endowed nations of Ghana, Niger, and Benin Republic, have become a convenient place of rest for Nigerians in search of quality education. Some of these universities, especially those in West African countries, are not approved. Others have turned out to be huge scams, or at best glorified secondary schools. Cases of untimely deaths of Nigerian students in these institutions have remained likewise unresolved. Any nation without good and functional educational system, be it in terms

EXAM ETHICS INTERNATIONAL, A NIGERIAN NGO, SAID THE NATION SPENDS

OVER N1.5 TRILLION ON ITS STUDENTS ABROAD ANNUALLY of structure and substance, is doomed to fail in its facets of developmental endeavours. Education and knowledge acquisition has played a vital role in the overall development of so many advanced countries of the world. The various potentials of nations are unlocked through education. India, China and Japan are known to have invested heavily in the education of their citizenry. Many were on government scholarship to the best Ivy universities in the world. That investment has paid off in the values added to their developmental drive. Educated citizens have better chances of contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of their countries. Poverty and illiteracy in countries are eradicated through knowledge acquisition. The applications of knowledge acquired by citizens in different fields of academic endeavours, end up improving different sectors of the economy - a sure way of attaining national growth and greater heights. The Nigerian education sector gradually deteriorated and came to a halt on the grounds of long neglect of the sector

by successive governments. The budgetary provision for education is abysmally low. The nation has failed to meet the UNESCO’s recommended allocation of 26 percent of its annual budgetary provision to education. In fact, Nigeria has not allocated more than eight percent of her total annual budget for education. Ghana, which serves as our educational solution ground, currently has a huge budgetary provision of 31 percent for education. Our educational system lacks quality teaching personnel. The recruitment processes is skewed against competence and merit. Compensation packages other than passion for the job drive some teachers found in our class rooms and lecture theatres. Conducive learning environment and facilities are evidently lacking in Nigeria. Most universities, we must agree, lack requisite educational facilities to aid studies. In the light of above, sticking to implementable policies and adequate investment in education is the only way out for Nigeria to fully realise her educational potentials. Individual needs of every student must be considered in policy formulation. Nigeria, hear the words of Aristotle: “Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those art of living well.” Eze, a media and communications specialist, wrote via sunnyeze02@ yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

Of Nigerian education, teaching and politicking SEGUN IMOHIOSEN

THE INTERVENTION APPROACH TO REPAIR

Continued from last Tuesday

oday by reason of experience due to contacts with the so called graduates on a daily basis, these people are masters of “yeye” short hands of sort, as they can’t spell words correctly, replacing such words like “okay” with “kk” in interviews and exams. Doesn’t that sound irresponsible? In the age of smart phones, tablets and other gadgets, all which have made life become instant coffee, instant milo and instant milk; everything quick to the answer without cudgeling the brain, what would be the end result of that. In the words of Professor Addison Mark Wokocha, “A quack teacher can destroy the generation of children by teaching them wrong things”. In fact, he can maim the students intellectually, and that would affect the future of the nation adversely. I share the views of Idang Alibi that “our education system has truly given birth to a very strange generation...” It is so sad! ‘Cry, the beloved country’! In as much as the present administration has laid its hands on the plough to right the wrongs of the past years in the different sectors of the nation’s economy, a systemic damage has been done particularly to the country’s education sector over the years unchecked. So it is with other sectors,

THIS SECTOR MUST BE PRACTICABLY

RESULT-ORIENTED AND FUTURISTIC IN NATURE but that of education is almost endemic. And for that singular reason, the intervention approach to repair this sector must be practicably result-oriented and futuristic in nature if Nigeria would still be able to stand on its feet tomorrow. The fear here is notably based on the everyday report and occurrence in the sector. We have children in schools and we see things. Education has been left in the hands of quacks, very unserious and irresponsible authorities. Let me take you down memory lane. There is a long list of some of our tertiary institutions that have become haven for financial, moral, academic decadence and corruption, where some of those to superintend over the institutions and protect those wards in their custody disappointedly take advantage of them. It calls for a serious attention. Is it not on the pages of the newspapers how these people molest our children on their campuses. What do you expect of this pack? The decay in this sector is debilitating. The Great Marriage Debate, as it was tagged in the days of the late Lee Kwan

Yew of Singapore when he was rebuilding Singapore, was the defining moment in the development of that nation. Education was upper most in his agenda for Singapore. Lee chose to give education priority in that land. The bottom-line for high performance, which Lee was gunning for back then in Singapore, was all about achieving a frontline country boasting of some of the best brains around the world that would help turn the fortune of the country around through teaching. Having seen the success of the West and taking time to study on how they got to the point they were back then, it became imperative for Prime Minister Lee to give education, particularly the teaching profession, the front-burner attention if he was going to achieve the Singapore of his dream. This eventually happened. He purposed that the only way to attract the best was to encourage those with exceptional performance at graduation to be better paid than their contemporaries in other revered professions. This encouraged the best to come into the teaching profession in Singapore. Today, the rest with regards to the success of the country is history. Comparing notes has proven to be a very good method for measurability in whatever area of human endeavour as the case may be. Those who succeeded in a field definitely have places they drew experience from. Borrowing from Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, in a recent interview expressed the reason

for the success of education in Finland. She explained that it is owed to the fact that the graduates have teacher training experiences that are brought to bear in the classrooms, which explains the key to the educational success in that clime. She explained there is a lot of competition to get into the university to study to become a teacher. In fact, they study for so many years, and teaching, she mooted, is quite an attractive profession in Finland. All of this goes to show that these people are serious about the destiny of their nations. It is not in doubt that the quality of the education of a nation determines to every large extent what impact it would make in the global scene. But to subject this very critical sector to the run of the mills will only make a mockery of the laudable desire of the labour minister at the end of the day, because of the negative impact it would have on the country at large. I can bet my life on it that this is not the way to go to rescue Nigeria educational crisis. Imohiosen wrote from Abuja via segunimohiosen@yahoo.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Monday, January 11, 2016

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

Pardon for corrupt officials

hat seems President Muhammadu Buhari’s ironcast resolve to deal with the problem posed by endemic corruption in the country has been facing setbacks from usual traditional quarters of ethnic, political and religious enclaves. While some critics allege the fight is lopsided, others dismiss it as all about witchhunt or blackmail. Indeed, one intriguing suggestion last year was that fighting corruption is, perhaps, not part of governance. The impression was given by no less a person than the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and spokesman of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, Matthew HassanKukah. Speaking in August last year after a meeting between the committee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Kukah said though bringing treasury looters to book was important, govern¬ment must place premium on providing the desired governance. He said: “There is no such thing as probe in a democratic setting like ours. What obtains is investigation… I think this whole thing about probe can be ascer¬tained once investigations are concluded. But we are saying that a lot of talks and speculation about this probe are the distractions nobody needs… we need a stable country

first, before we can talk about these things… Let’s get to the business of realising the change that we dreamt of. And also most importantly, let’s get down with the business of co-operating with God so that Nigeria can move forward. I think that is what ordinary Nigerians are expecting, this is what they voted for…. Our responsibility is to encourage politicians to do what they were elected to do”. Some of the questions that flow from Kuka’s statement are: How do how we go about realising the change that we dreamt of? How do we encourage politicians to do what they were elected to do? By treating humongous theft as if it is no business of governance; and carrying on as usual? We do not believe Kuka’s position is the way forward for a country where corruption has defied all the government agencies set up to tame it, like the National Assembly, the Judiciary, Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, among others. Buhari’s courage, political will and consistent body language and verbal expressions are inevitable if the FG wants to win the war against graft in the country. These are the ingredients the nation’s

WHY THEN ARE SOME VESTED INTERESTS

DISTRACTING

PRESIDENT

BUHARI’S WAR AGAINST PATENTLY CORRUPT PERSONS

anti-graft campaign lacked for roughly 16 years. No less disturbing, too, was the recent plea of the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, that the Federal Government should pardon those involved in money laundering if they were willing to return the slush funds; an appeal he reportedly made at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya, Abuja, as part of his New Year message to the nation. “It is okay to expose people and disgrace them, but that will not solve the problem… The easiest way to get the money back is to convince them to go bring the money back. One way to convince people to bring stolen money back is to promise them that they will not be disgraced… If you have stolen a hundred million and you are ready to bring back all, then we will leave you and not send you to jail, Nigeria can do that”, Onaiyekan stated. It is shocking that these manners of suggestions are coming from very eminent clergymen

ON THIS DAY January 11, 1998 The Sidi-Hamed massacre occurred in Algeria, with over 100 people killed. The massacre took place on the night of January 11, 1998 (the last day of Ramadan) in the town of Sidi-Hamed (or Sidi-Hammad), 30 kilometres south of Algiers. An estimated fifty gunmen poured in, attacking children and adults alike. They bombed a cafe where films were being watched and a mosque in nearby Haouche Sahraoui.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

January 11, 2003 Illinois governor, George Ryan, commuted the death sentences of 167 prisoners on the state’s death row based on the Jon Burge scandal. Burge (born December 20, 1947) is a convicted felon and former Chicago Police Department detective and commander who gained notoriety in the Unites States and beyond for allegedly torturing more than 200 criminal suspects between 1972 and 1991, in order to force confessions.

who most probably understood the correlation between massive looting of public funds and underdevelopment. Have Kuka and Onaiyekan ever imagined the number of Nigerians that have perished as a result of large-scale pilfering of public funds meant for infrastructure and social welfare provisioning? Indeed, in what way are looters better than armed robbers, kidnappers and other common criminals that now make them deserving of soft-landing? We recall that on his way to power, President Buhari’s campaign promises centred on fighting insurgency, tackling corruption and leakages and utilizing funds realised in the process to invest heavily in education, infrastructure, equipment and teachers, among others. He also spoke passionately about tackling youth unemployment and reviving the country’s crumbling economy as well. The FG under Buhari cannot be rightly accused presently of neglecting any of these promises. Why then are some vested interests distracting President Buhari’s war against patently corrupt persons? Are they above the law? The FG should recover all looted funds, diligently prosecute the culprits and those of them found culpable should have their turns in jail. That is what the law says; and that should be the beginning of change and reform in a new Nigeria.

x January 11, 2013 One French soldier and 17 militants were killed in a failed attempt to free a French hostage in Bulo Marer, Somalia. The French military attempted a rescue operation in Bulo Marer to free hostage Denis Allex from Al-Shabaab. The operation failed and Allex was executed in response. Denis Allex and Marc Aubrière were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in 2009 by the French Directorate-General for External Security.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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Cover

POS terminal

Tackling ATM, POS terminals’ hitches to improve e-payment efficiency In spite of huge collaboration among regulators, financial services sector operators and key stakeholders to improve e-banking services, bank customers still experience technical hitches on the payment channels, especially on Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, and Point of Sale , POS, terminals in their daily transactions. Analysts believe fixing these hitches remain crucial to the nation’s drive towards timely compliance with best payment standards globally. Udo Onyeka reports.

ver the past two years, Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, Microfinance Banks and Mortgage Banks have continued to strengthen their Information and Communications, ICT, technological tools and solutions in order to encourage bank customers to use the e- channels as preferred transactions option. Apart from enhancing their technological assets, the financial institutions have also been partnering with the Nigeria Inter-

bank Settlement System, NIBSS, in working out modalities that would improve service delivery and ensure improved security of the nation’s payment system For instance, encouraging the use e-payment cards to pay for goods and services on PoS terminals and web platforms and get cash refund of 50 kobo for every N100 spent. Also to discourage many from withdrawing small amount of money across the counter, banks, place surcharges for customers withdrawing

less than N100, 000 across the counter. Customers are expected to use ATMs or make direct online transfer into beneficiaries’ accounts. Despite these approaches, a majority of bank customers still prefer cash transactions, mainly because of frequent technical hitches and fear of losing their money in the alleged unsecured platforms. But then, many stakeholders believe that much has not been done by the banks in find-

ing a lasting solution to the various customer-unfriendly issues facing the users of ATMs such as service failure, debiting accounts without dispensing cash to customers, and ATM scarcity, especially in residential area of many metropolis which many perceived to be responsible for the long queues at most ATM terminals. They also say the re- introduction of N65 ATM service charge has reduced the rate of ATM transaction by the users.

Banks customers have also identified network failure, ATM scarcity, and poor interconnectivity of ATMs’ network among banks respectively, as some of the challenges facing ATMs and PoS users in the country. Many experts have said even though banks are continuously striving to improve their e- payment channels services there yet many unfriendly issues associated with especially ATM and PoS operations needed to be fixed in order to further guarantee maximum satisfaction to the users. Banks have been intensify Continued on pg A4 UDO ONYEKA, EDITOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c

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Cover Continued from pg A3

Wojtowecz

Emefiele

to collaboratively share data on fraud attempts and proactively tackle them to reduce losses. According to Fatokun, the CBN, instructed banks to set and implement mandatory daily limits for ATM cash withdrawal, while other related transactions, including PoS and web purchases should be subjected to stringent limit as agreed and documented between the banks and customers. He said it was the responsibility of the banks to ensure that a trigger was automatically initiated when limits were exceeded. According to a financial analyst, Ahmed ‘Tunde Popoola banking industry is going through a tough time as performances of the financial infrastructures have been seriously hampered as most of them are unable to perform efficiently. “Their use has been trailed with complaints. ATMs are many times out of order and out of cash; customers have also complained of their ATM cards being destroyed by the machines and in some cases, customers are debited for cash not dispensed and reconciliation take a lot of time to get the transactions reversed. “It is important to see a general trend in how inadequate and dilapidated socio-economic infrastructures continue to be an issue for us in Nigeria. Just as our payment solution platforms and lending infrastructure face series of complaints from users, so also do we see that our telecommunication companies have not been able to deliver optimum value for money to the users of mobile telephones. “However, the Telecommunication companies erect mast everywhere supported by electricity generating plants for uninterrupted power supply and special security guards to protect those assets. Commercial banks have had to incur a lot of costs trying to manoeuvre to ensure all the payments solutions work; and they do this individually. Some banks have resorted to the use of biometric equipment to capture customer information to reduce

the incidence of fraud and losses in the absence of a reliable national means of identification. “It is my submission that until the government comes to the rescue of the private sector and entrepreneurs by providing the basic infrastructure on which the companies can latch on, we will continue to encounter less than efficient service delivery from our banks, telecommunication companies, financial services payment solutions and credit infrastructure”, popoola said. Stakeholders say the provision of uninterrupted power supply remains the most important missing link on our way to economic transformation. Closely following the above according them is our inability to have a credible means of identification. But with the Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, issue of identification would have been addressed. The third issue raised by stakeholders was the need to make internet facility available and affordable in all parts of the country. They believe that if the country is able to fix these three issues of electricity, unique identification and access to the internet, the service providers on telecommunications, banking and financial services would be improved service delivery. Nevertheless they argue that there is the need to appreciate the challenges of the operating environment, knowing full well, that no profit-making institution, in a competitive market, can deliver poor services at exorbitant prices in a sustainable manner. However, the financial services institutions are expected to do more in addressing the challenges they face which have affected

‘

the quality services delivery not commensurate with the costs to Nigerians. This is because many customers see some of the charges as fraud and unmerited revenues to the financial institutions. Apart from giving priority to the over flogged issue of physical and digital infrastructures, Popoola said it is imperative to enact appropriate legislations and promote efficient judicial system with a view to promoting a robust consumer protection and safeguard financial institutions against unscrupulous customers. “Such an arrangement should be with a view to sanitising the system and put in check, the excessive and scrupulous charges by a few. Customers should have places to run to for succour when they believe they have been unfairly treated or charged; on the other hand, providers of financial services should also be able to get justice, swiftly, when they have been defrauded”, he said. It was gathered that as at July 2015, Nigeria currently has about 42 million ATM cards being used by holders of various accounts residing with the 23 banks in the country. This was contained in a report released by the NIBSS. The CBN also increased the number of licensed Payment Terminal Service Providers, PTSPs from six to 19. It was learnt that the banking watchdog’s moves were in line with its determination to deepen access to and the adoption of cashless economy in the country by ensuring that more Point of Sales ,PoS, terminals are made available for people to transact with. The 19 terminal operators include Global Accelerex Limit-

There are many mechanisms a bank can implement to limit fraud, including having several layers of data security and authentication, because preventing fraud is very difficult. Limiting fraud is the best case option at the moment

‘

investment in Information and Communication Technology ,ICT, products, by acquiring sophisticated internet gadgets that would reduce the incessant problem of service failure associated with ATMs, as well as ensuring free flow of transactions in regards to ATMs interconnectivity among various banks. Also monetary authorities should provide adequate regulatory framework that will ensure customer protection and security of transactions through collaborative effort with security agencies and other relevant ICT firms, so as to ensure customers’ confidence in the use of ATMs, PoS and others e-payment channels. Apart from deploying ATMs to some other strategic places of the country, to ease the tension of inadequacy of the machines, experts say should banks should be mandated to set up ICT training centers for their staff, to acquire the necessary ICT skills needed to maintain man and take care of technical hitches that may occur from time to time. Corroborating the need for banks to invest in ICT,Vice President, IBM Tivoli Storage, Software Group, Steve Wojtowecz, advised banks to adopt efficient and quality banking software despite their high cost to effectively fight fraudsters. He said banks should ensure that people responsible for data security are highly efficient to achieve maximum protection. He said the cost for acquiring software would be upset in a matter of months from efficiency and security benefits. He advised banks to acquire several layers of data security and authentication so that should one layer fail, the other can sustain their operations. “There are many mechanisms a bank can implement to limit fraud, including having several layers of data security and authentication, because preventing fraud is very difficult. Limiting fraud is the best case option at the moment,” Wojtowecz said. Aware of these dangers, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has decided to set up a fiveyear Information Technology, IT, standards for banks. CBN’s Director, Information Technology, John Ayoh, said the exercise would help banks identify and adopt global IT standards that address industry problems. He said banks were expected to implement the plan on continuous basis and in accordance with set timelines. CBN’s Director, Banking Payment and Systems Dipo Fatokun said the introduction of chip-and-pin payment cards have led to drastic drop in ATM card fraud. He said the CBN and other relevant institutions have been able to reduce card frauds considerably by instituting ATM Fraud Prevention Group and the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF. The groups are to enable banks

ed, Citiserve Limited, Interswitch Limited, ITEX Integrated Systems, Top Limited, Paymaster Limited, Globasure Technologies Limited, Signal Sources Nigeria Limited, Bizzdesk Global Solutions Limited Callphone Limited and Cloud Systems Limited. Others are TITIS/ Goswiff Limited, Nera Networks Nigeria Limited, Electronic Settlement Limited, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Inlaks Computers Limited, Easyfuel Limited, Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited and Ameya Infocom Limited. The 2015 Flash Report shows that Nigerian consumers are beginning to enjoy greater convenience through multiple payment channels beyond ATMs. It, however, revealed that current payment trends show that the Internet, which is used for Instant Payments (IP) and PoS are extensively utilised for money transfers and payments for goods and services. The report noted: “Since 2012, growth in Instant Payments and PoS grew by an average of 87 per cent and 77 per cent year-on-year respectively, which is representative of consumers’ increasing appetite for immediate and convenient payment options “The increased reliability, accessibility and security provided through electronic platforms have created a paradigm shift in consumers’ spending patterns, leading to an increased dependency on these platforms for funds transfers and payments of goods and services.” The report noted that although, only a small fraction of the cake has been cut in terms of opportunities in the e-payments space in Nigeria, the industry can boast of over 73 million registered bank accounts out of which 42 million have active bank cards. The CBN launched the Cashless Nigeria Project in Lagos State, in January 2012 and extended the policy to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Kano and Rivers States in June 2013. The policy was initiated against the backdrop of cash dominance in the payments system, a development which encouraged the circulation of huge sums of money outside the banking system and imposed huge currency management cost on the economy. The policy was meant to ensure price stability through effective monetary policy; sound financial system and efficient payments system. It was a critical part of the payment system modernisation, designed to promote the use of ATMs, PoS terminals, web payment, online transfers and even mobile money in banking transactions instead of relying on cash. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, in 2015 removed the three per cent charge on cash deposits above N500, 000 for individuals and N3 million for corporate customers — the sanctions for defaulters. The nationwide rollout has already been accomplished. BC

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Monday, January 11, 2016

A5 21

News N240bn loss: Expect further decline in Customs revenue, expert tells FG

by Central Bank of Nigeria has resulted to reduction in trade relations, lost of jobs and rise in exchange rate in the country. The Chamber has also charged the government to drive import substituting strategies by supporting small businesses with adequate funding to achieve price stability and increase aggregate output in the country. “With a N6trn budgets for 2016, borrowing plans may require some Foreign exchange depreciation to attract foreign capital to fund the federal government’s spending plans.

Francis Ezem

anaging Director of Port Passages, Mr. Michael Nwokafor, a seasoned freight forwarder has predicted a further sharp decline in the revenue of the Nigeria Customs Service especially for the 2016 fiscal year. The service had collected a total of N903bn in the 2015 fiscal year out of a target of N954bn set for it by the Federal Government. This represents a N240bn loss. The Comptroller General of the service, Col. Hammed Ali rtd. had blamed this revenue shortfall on the new Foreign Exchange Policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, which placed restrictions on the importation of 41 items. Nwokafor said that the new policy has led to a reduction in the volume of goods imported into the country by more than 50 per cent. According to him, there is every indication that the volume of goods imported into the country might still record a sharp decline on account of the CBN’s foreign exchange restriction policy, which also implies that the Customs revenue would plunge further in 2016. He argued that apart from the CBN’s policy, the dwindling value of the naira against other international currencies such as the dollar has helped to worsen the situation. Investigations showed that for the better part of last year, the naira exchange rate was an average of N245 to a dollar, which now exchanges for an average of N265 to a dollar, an indication that the import volumes might further decline. “It is a simple logic, when the naira exchange rate is high, importers would be cautious and so import lower volumes, especially given the volatility of the Nigerian business environment and so this would negatively affect the ability of the Customs to meet its revenue targets for 2016”, he argued. It was also gathered that this foreign exchange restrictive policy might also work against the Federal Government’s 2016 budget estimates, which project revenue of N1.45trn from import duty, Value Added Tax and other related import revenue to fund its spending for the 2016 budget. The Customs CG had while reacting to the revenue shortfall said, “If we had added the N240 billion to what we have generated it would have surpassed what we have, so that is the

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

down side of why we were not able to meet the target in 2015.”

Heritage Bank boss calls for increased awareness on financial inclusion Udo Onyeka

he Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Ifie Sekibo has called for an increased awareness on financial inclusion so as to bring more Nigerians into the financial system. Sekibo said this during the presentation of the Gold Sponsorship award for 2015 to Heritage Bank by the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria, FICAN, at the bank’s head office in Lagos recently. He said: “The ball is shifting; the days when only the formal sector should understand finance are over. Everybody should begin to understand finance. They should understand how they spend their money, why we need to save and we need to teach our children why they need to save from now. These are some of the conversations we need to have to ensure that we promote financial inclusion. As journalists, we need to be able to educate people on why they should save money and how they can save and the need for us to spend in line with our budget as individuals.” He stressed the need for FICAN members to drive the conversation for Nigerians to change their lifestyles. “More important for us is the conversation for us on how we need to change our lifestyle. We can’t grow an economy where all we want to spend on are dollar-denominated and

foreign goods. Left for Nigerians, they want to be doing all their spending on dollars, forgetting that dollar is not our local currency. Everything they do with dollar gives employment to somebody in another country and not in Nigeria. So, we must continue to have that conversation and it must be robust. “So, it is important as a people to begin to educate fellow Nigerians on these things and it is the financial correspondents that must drive this, because it is a very serious issue and if we don’t, we would all regret it. You have members in print, electronic and online, if with 100 people on your platform alone, you can drive this change.” Commenting on the award by FICAN, he said: “We are still very young in our development as an organisation. We didn’t step out to support FICAN with the intention of getting this award. People send all kinds of letters to us saying we have been awarded this and that but we have been turning them down. “We deliberately turned down all kinds of awards, but this one from FICAN is very special and I can’t say no to it. We didn’t ask for it and it came to us as a surprise, which is why we value it so much.

Sekibo

Industrialists demand policies for economic growth

ndustrialists in the country are charging the Federal Government to create the right policies to stimulate the economy and attract domestic and foreign investments in the current year. The Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry,LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said the chamber expects the businesses of industrialists to surge and the country’s Gross Domestic Product,GDP, growth to rebound, though, slowly to about 3.5, if the right mix of fiscal and monetary policies are put in place. According to him, while the recovery is expected to be driven by increase in government expenditure, the growth in oil sector may be constrained still by low price and investment drive. “Also the exchange rate volatility is expected to persist fuelling high inflation of about 10-11 percent. However, correction towards Real Effective Exchange Rate, REER, in the form of exchange rate adjustment is likely in Q1, 2016. This will reduce the pressure on external reserves,” he pointed out. The targeted N300bn by the Nigerian banks to boost lending to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs and the agriculture sector in 2016, he said, would boost SMEs development and employment and thus increase non-oil export. The Chamber’s President, Prince Dapo Adelegan said the chamber has requested the government to develop policies that will enhance accessibility of Foreign exchange for critical goods. Adelegan said the recent restriction of 41 items from accessing foreign currency

793 MfBs now operate in Nigeria – CBN

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said it has licensed 793 Microfinance Banks, MfBs, to carry out microfinance business across the country. The list of the licensed banks, posted on the apex bank’s website, shows that South West still has majority of microfinance banks, operating in the country , with Lagos State controlling the largest number of the banks in the region. This was also followed by South East, while the Northern region has the lowest number of micro banks in all the regions. Most of the banks have unit banking licence, capitalised to the tune of N20m, while some have a state licence, meaning, they are capitalised to the tune of N100m, even as only few of these numbers have N2bn capital base, which qualify them for national licence. According to the CBN, a unit MfB is authorised to operate only in one location, without any branches or cash centres, and is required to have a minimum paid up capital of N20m. An operator with a state license may open branches within the state or the Federal Capital Territory, with a capital base of N100 million, while a national MfB license allows the operator to operate in more than one state, but with a paid up capital base of N2bn.

LAPO supports women empowerment

ift Above Poverty Organisation of Nigeria, LAPO, has described women and girls as indispensible entities in national development. Speaking at the 2015 LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award held in Benin City, Edo State recently, the Founder, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe said no appreciable development can be made either at the

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News

Ehigiamusoe

local, national or international platform without recognising girls and women as equal players in decision making, and empowering, up-skilling and investing in them. He said LAPO has for over two decades been at the forefront of women struggle, promoting legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women socially and economically. Dr. Ehigiamusoe said “by acknowledging and celebrating women achievers, the organisation ensures that the role and contributions of women, which ordinarily would not have been seen or heard, are recognized and immortalized. This also sends a strong signal that hard work, resourcefulness and exceptional service are inestimable and highly sought after in the society.” Represented by Professor Christiana Okojie, Chairperson, Board of Directors, he said LAPO has demonstrated uncommon commitment to poverty alleviation through the provision of innovative social, health and economic empowerment services to women and other disadvantaged groups across the country. Dr. Ehigiamusoe noted that the LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award is certainly an auspicious opportunity to honour and celebrate women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and business organisations with a sustainable social impact. The Award is categorized into Business, Professional and Public Life and carries a cash prize and a plaque. Meanwhile, LAPO has carried out a 3-day comprehensive health examination for the people of Ugha community and environs in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State under its Community Health Outreach programme.

for the prior two months was revised sharply higher, showing the economy on solid ground despite a troubling international backdrop. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 292,000 last month, the Labour Department said on Friday. The unemployment rate held steady at a 7-1/2-year low of 5 percent even as more people entered the labor force, a sign of confidence in the job market. Payrolls for October and November were revised to show 50,000 more jobs created than previously reported, adding to the report’s upbeat tone. The only wrinkle was a one cent drop in average hourly earnings. The robust employment data helped soothe fears about the economy’s health, and suggested recent weakness would largely be contained to the manufacturing and exportoriented sectors, which have been hit by a strong dollar and anemic global demand. Efforts by businesses to whittle down an inventory glut and spending cuts by energy companies have also inflicted pain. “It is one more sign the domestic economy continues to chug along,” said Kate Warne, investment strategist at Edward Jones in St. Louis. “It is not a game changer in terms of faster economic growth, but it offsets some of the other indicators that recently have suggested the economy might be slowing down.” The data helped staunch the bleeding on Wall Street, with U.S. stocks rising at the open after the worst four-day start to a year ever. The dollar moved higher, while prices for U.S. government debt fell, as traders ramped up bets the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates in March. “This certainly supports the Fed’s intent to hike rates in March,” said Krishna Memani, chief investment officer at OppenheimerFunds in New York. “There’s nothing in the data so far to take them away from the four hikes (expected) this year.” Fears over the health of China’s economy, the world’s second-largest after the United States, had spooked investors worldwide. But signs of stabil-

U.S. payrolls surge in December in boost to economic outlook

.S. payrolls surged in December and the job count

Barack Obama, US president

ity emerged overnight after China ditched a market circuit breaker and guided its currency higher. Economists, who had slashed fourth-quarter growth forecasts on recent soft economic data, had expected U.S. payrolls to increase by only 200,000 jobs last month. Even with the strong showing at year end, payroll growth was softer last year than in 2014, with 2.65 million jobs created compared with 3.1 million. While the labor market’s resilience could spur Fed policymakers to hike rates in March, some economists said low inflation and the recent turmoil in financial markets could still stay their hand.

Microfinance operators seek improved infrastructure, amenities

perators of Microfinance Banks, MfBs, in the country have called on the Federal and State governments to provide funding for operators in the microfinance industry. They equally urge the governments to provide social amenities such as; stable electricity supply, good motorable roads, friendly tax regime, among others, to reduce the operating cost of not only MfBs, but the Small and Medium Enterprises ,SMEs, whose owners are customers of micro banks. Speaking on behalf of operators,Managing Director, Berachah Microfinance Bank, Mr. Ologun Olumide, said he expects so much from the current administration at the federal level, believing there would be some policies this year that would tilt in the favour of SMEs across the country. According to him, “There will be some trends this year that will favour SMEs. Once there is power and funds are available, these two variables will spur growth, especially in microfinance industry as there would be increased patronage of micro banks by active poor Nigerians.” He was, however, unhappy with the method of disbursing the N220bn Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, development fund, stating that the requirement to buy treasury bills before accessing the fund is abnormal. According to him, “Well, the fund is good, but what I am unhappy about is when the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, now said, you should keep half of it in treasury bills. If they want to give out loans, they should do so, but tying it to treasury bills to me seems you are still using the money to trade. CBN should come up with better require-

ments, maybe like telling MfBs that if you default, I will take your licence. That licence is the lifeline of microfinance banks, so the banks will want to repay in order to get it back, but not telling us to go and buy treasury bills of N10m to get N20m. To me, it’s rubbish.”

Administration and Technical Service, Idris Suleiman, expressed gratitude to God for providing the type of leadership in the nation and the NCS in particular. He said that with a leadership that leads by example as exemplified by the CGC, it becomes easy for well-meaning subordinates to key in and work towards the achievement of the Service mandate. While thanking President Muhammandu Buhari and and the Comptroller-General of Customs, DCG Suleiman assured the CG of the new management’s unquestionable loyalty and dedication to the course of nation building through hardwork and commitment to honest service to their mother land, which will in turn enhance the economic wellbeing of the nation.

Ali

CG Customs constitutes new mgt, harps on nation building

he Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali ,rtd, has constituted a new management team for service made up of six Depputy Comptrollers General and eight Assistant Comptrollers General. The CG had in October last year compelled the six serving DCGs to voluntarily resign their positions to pave way for the appointment of new ones as part of the ongoing reforms in the service. The CG, who officially decorated the officers with their new ranks charged members of the new management team of the service to re-dedicate themselves to hard work and commitment to nation building. This, according to him can only be achieved through efficient and effective service delivery. While congratulating them, he expressed happiness that the newly decorated officers were appointed purely based on merit devoid of lobbying and any external influence. The six DCGs are: Suleiman Idris, Ukaigwe Paul, Umar Iya, Ugo Daniel, Warikoru Austin and Adeyemo Grace. Also decorated were eight ACGs, who were appointed following a restructuring process that led to the retirement of some members of the former management. According to the CG the new team must deliver on its mandate and work towards making 2016 the best year in the Nigeria Customs Service. Responding on behalf of the newly promoted Officers, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in-charge of Finance,

Association hails nondevaluation of naira

he Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for not yielding to pressures to devalue the naira. Secretary General of the association, Mr Alade Lawal, made the commendation in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday. In the statement, he contended that devaluation of the naira would increase the level of poverty in Nigeria. The scribe said the association supported the President because as an import dependent country, there was no benefit from continued devaluation of its currency. ``Devaluation will only succeed in sending more Nigerians into poverty as they will be cut off from being able to afford the good things of life. ``Nigeria is not exporting anything and will therefore not earn any dividend by allowing its currency to hit the roof top,’’ he said. Lawal said that if the naira was devalued, the workers would be the worst hit as their salaries would further be depleted through the loss of its purchasing value. He said the President was on the right course by agreeing to look inward in solving the country’s economic problems through enforcement of monetary regulations to stop financial leakages. The scribe said the union also hailed the President who agreed to adopt global best practices in generating more revenue to mitigate the effect of dwindling oil prices on the Nigerian economy. He said the association does not believe that the economy was as bad as the current rate of exchange was portraying it. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

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Companies & Markets

NIRA urges stakeholders to boost Nigeria’s online visibility Tola Akinmutimi

he President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association, NIRA, Mr. Sunday Folayan, has tasked stakeholders in the nation’s Information and Communications Technology ,ICT and other ancillary industries to help improve Nigeria’s online presence in the years ahead. The NIRA President, who gave the advice in a statement issued at the weekend in Lagos, noted that improvement

of the country’s presence online would ensure economic growth and by implication, promote the socio-economic wellbeing of millions of Nigerians, if the opportunities are explored. Afolayan clarified: “As the year 2016 unfolds, we are counting on our community, the stakeholders and affiliates, accredited registrars, resellers, registrants and our members to support the needed increase of Nigeria’s online presence, so that we can grow our economy. “Have you registered your

ng domain name? If yes, what about your friends? Have you shared the exciting opportunities with them? If not, it is time to act. The year 2016 has started on a very good note and we expect a significant growth in the Domain Name System,DNS, industry this year, which will give us better numbers than what we got in 2015. “We will conduct more trainings on DNS related topics, as well as entrepreneurship trainings that will boost awareness of .ng and the DNS industry,

Folayan

especially among our youths,’’ he added. BC

AfDB, Nigeria to spend $300m on youth agric scheme Udo Onyeka

he African Development Bank, AfDB and the Federal Government of Nigeria are planning for long-term solutions to youth employment in the agricultural sector. They will spend about $300m on the Enable Youth Empowerment Agribusiness Programme. Accoding to statement by AfDB the project is to be implemented in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, within 18 months. “AfDB’s Director of Agriculture and Agroindustry, Chiji Ojukwu disclosed this information, recently in a top level meeting with Nigeria’s agricultural authorities, in Abuja”. The scope and impact of this initiative would create 250,000 jobs; the beneficiaries would be trained at various incubation centres on all aspects of value chains, with each beneficiary of the project supported with about $75,000.

Ojukwu said the three-year project would enable training and funding of young graduates, who are interested in farming across the country. “A total of $300 million would be accessed to cover the three year project which would bring young graduates together and train them for 18 months as entrepreneur farmers.” In a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Tony Ohaeri, the Agriculture Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed that the project would commence from the three Federal Universities of Agriculture in the country. “The initiative would create 250,000 jobs; the beneficiaries would be trained at various incubation centres on all aspects of value chains, with each beneficiary of the project supported with about $75,000. The project would cover the 36 states including the FCT, while the Agricultural transformation Agenda ,ATA, would be expanded through the processing

Akinwunmi Adesina, AfDB President

zones.” The Minister, in his remark, emphasised the need for the three universities of agriculture in Umudike, Makurdi and Abeokuta respectively to revert back to the provisions of the Act that established them. Ogbeh advised the country to re-invent her own economic strategy to revive its economy. He stated that the strength of a nation lies in the population of the youth and expressed con-

cern on the rate of youth unemployment in the country saying, “We need to take care of them before they take care of us.” He promised to collaborate with representatives of AfDB and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, who came to present him the concept note on the youth agriculture scheme. However, the Minister tasked IITA to intensify efforts towards researching into the conversion of cassava leaves into animal feeds, while some components of the Labour Intensive Family Enterprise, LIFE, of the ministry could be built into the youth empowerment initiative. IITA Director-General, Nterayana Saginga, called for a change in the mindset of the young graduates, saying that the IITA’s experiment in the past on young unemployed graduates revealed that they could make good turn over on their investments. He pledged the readiness of IITA to provide necessary support to the ministry. BC

FirstBank expands African footprint, unveils FBNBank Senegal

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc today unveils FBNBank Senegal, formerly registered as International Commercial Bank, ICB. This unveiling is part of the integration process following the agreement reached by FirstBank and International Commercial Bank Financial Group Holdings Ag, ICBFGH, for the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity interest in ICB Senegal. The launch further consolidates FirstBank’s position as the largest corporate and retail banking financial institution in sub-Saharan Africa ,excluding South Africa, with presence in DR Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Gambia,Sierra Leone and Senegal as well as presence in the UK and Representative Offices

Adeduntan

in Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi and Beijing. The expansion represents FirstBank’s strategic objective to maintain significant market share, expand its panAfrican footprint and diversify earnings while delivering value to shareholders.

FBNBank Senegal is strategically positioned to foster greater collaboration and provide better service for the country’s public and private sector clients, and the general public at large. The Bank leverages FirstBank’s international network, business expertise, which is part of the diversified synergies of the FBN Group to offer innovative, convenient and secure banking services to its customers and better seize the emerging opportunities in the local market. Speaking on this development, the GMD/CEO of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, said, “The unveiling of FBNBank Senegal brand identity aligns with our strategic ambition to steadily broaden and build a more diverse footprint

Onitsha Shopping mall slated for commissioning next month

across Africa. We are committed to developing a multi-local business model that broadens our geographic revenue base while providing bespoke financial services solutions across the value chains of our customers with cross-border financing needs.” Commenting further, the Managing Director, FBNBank Senegal, James Bittaye said “Having built value for Nigeria over the last 120 years, FirstBank through FBNBank Senegal is poised to do even more in the Senegalese financial market. FBNBank Senegal will provide customers with a bouquet of banking solutions that make their financial lives more convenient and stress-free whilst providing a delightful service experience. BC

nitsha, the largest commercial and trading centre in South East Nigeria, is set to witness increased tempo of activities as the first shopping mall in the area opens for business in the first quarter of 2016. Onitsha Mall, a joint venture project by African Capital Alliance and the Anambra State Government, is located off Awka Road in the GRA part of the city. According to a statement the mall has over 60 shops and is easily accessible from all parts of Onitsha and surrounding towns such as Obosi, Oba, Ogbaru, Nsugbe, Nkwelle, Nkpor, Ogidi and Aguleri, to name a few. Ngonyama Okpanum Associates “NOA”, an international architectural firm with offices in Abuja, Cape Town and Saigon Vietnam are the designers of the Mall, while the debt funding for the project was provided by Diamond Bank. The facility, the first of its kind in Anambra State, is at about 95 per cent completion and will open for business in February 2016. Shoprite and a number of big retailers offering fashion accessories, sports equipment, banking services, telecom and ICT software and hardware services have secured space in the mall. These retailers are busy fitting out their shops in preparation for the February 2016 opening. The developers of the project, African Capital Alliance, ACA, said the new mall facility will signal a new dawn in the life of the city that has grappled with a dearth of quality recreational and modern lifestyle-enhancing amenities. ACA’s real estate fund manager, Obiora Nwogugu, stated: “the mall will provide ample social, life-style and entertainment facilities for all categories of people. It boasts of adequate security and parking space, thereby making it an ideal place to shop, entertains and meets up with friends and family. We have also placed a premium on the use of modern equipment and methods to ensure the safety of our shoppers”. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brand Watch

Panasonic, SIMS to boost Nigeria’s industrial growth David Audu

s the federal government continues to strategise on ways to boost manufacturing and industrialization following the current crash in oil prices, top global brands have continued to show their readiness and commitment to deepen their presence in Africa’s biggest market. Joining this growing list of quality investors is Japan based electronics giant Panasonic, which made the commitment in partnership with SIMS, an electronics and home appliances marketing and distribution company in Nigeria. The company said it is extending the manufacturing of its products to the shores of Nigeria as ti set to establish an assembly plant in Lagos, to complement its manufacturing plant in India. The company said it is assembling popular products like Air-conditioners and TV sets in Lagos, with a view to creating more jobs for Nigerian youths. The partnership with SIMS marks a renewed launch of Panasonic electronics and household appliances into the Nigerian market. Speaking on the initiative, managing director of Panasonic, Middle East and Africa, Shinichi Wakita, said the company partnership with SIMS Nigeria is to foster seamless

distribution of the products across the country. He also emphasized that the creation of the new manufacturing unit would help contribute to the nation’s economic growth through employment generation for the Nigerian workforce and transfer of technical knowledge to Nigerian workers. “Nigeria is a fast growing, youthful market and an increasingly urbanising country - as about 60 per cent of its 170 million populations now live in cities. The Nigerian consumer market could be described as one the most brand conscious countries in Africa. The nation shares a unified love for customised products, as well as an aspiration to own and associate with the best quality brands. “As a contribution towards the society which is based on our basic business philosophy, we are establishing our local manufacturing unit for Air-conditioners and TVs in Lagos. We believe this will make a small contribution towards job creation and the economy of Nigeria. Africa is one of the fastest growing economies with a rising consumer class; setting up this manufacturing base in Nigeria is our strategy to deal with the business challenges in this market. We will be working closely with the Nigerian population with an aim to provide products which are ‘locally-fit’ and in accordance with their

Wakita

demands”. Already, some consumers and electronic dealers in Lagos, have responded positively by commending Panasonic for the decision to establish their assembly plant in the country. “This is a welcome development. A lot of people have been making demands for Panasonic products but we don’t really have it in the market. But now that the company has partnered with SIMS for distribution, we are very happy that we can purchase their products and sell them without stress”, said Andew Uwazuruike, an electronic dealer. An Oyo-based dealer, Dayo Fagade, who was accosted at the market, described the return of Panasonic as huge reliefs that will enable him

provide his Panasonic loyalist and other customers’ quality products offered by the company. He revealed that he has always recommended the Japanese products to its customers due to their durability, innovation and quality. He urged SIMS and Panasonic to ensure availability of the products to markets across the country especially during this New Year period. “Panasonic is a big brand that needs no further introduction. We just want to appeal to Panasonic and SIM to make the products available all across the country, especially at the beginning of the year where people buy more electronic items”, he said. Also, a consumer in Ikeja, Suliat Farouk said she has always loved Panasonic products because of their easyto-know features. She urged the company to further consolidate their presence in the country and also make the product available in the North where, according to her ‘there is a big market for electronic products In the past three decades, Panasonic had remained a household name in Africa and Nigeria in the areas of Airconditioning and television as well as other home appliances, although at a time, there was a lull in sales in Nigeria. However, now the company has decided to re-launch its products into the Nigerian market through SIMS. BC

Brands boost TV spend in January

V ad revenues are forecast to jump at least five per cent in January because of a surge in spending by brands in financial services, travel and telecoms. Some media agencies expect an increase of as much as 10 per cent despite a strong performance a year ago, although February is likely to see slower growth in the low single digits. Ad buyers said that insurers and price-comparison sites have increased spend in January by about 50 per cent, that leisure and travel is up 40 per cent and that telecoms is up 30 per cent because consumer confidence is high. Broadcasters had a bumper 2015 as ad revenues jumped about 14 per cent in January and February, and rose 8 per cent across the year. The media buyers Group M and ZenithOptimedia forecast growth of 7 per cent and 5 percent respectively this year, with the Euro 2016 football tournament likely to boost revenue. However, the managing director of Arena, Henry Daglish, warned: “We are seeing some clients’ willingness to invest in traditional TV soften for the first time, especially so where their own viewing behaviour is shifting to the likes of Netflix and on-demand viewing. It’s important that clients understand that we deliver audiovisual solutions, not just TV solutions. BC

56% of Indians back Zuckerberg’s plea for free Web

majority of Indians told the nation’s telecom regulator they support Facebook Inc.’s Free Basics plan that allows free Web access. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said 1.35 million responses in support, or 56 percent of all comments, came from @supportfreebasics.in, according to a report on the agency’s review of different pricing for data services. It received 544,000 responses from @facebookmail.com, with most backing Facebook’s plan, the regulator said. Most comments, in support or against differential pricing, are “basically template

responses and the contents are identical in nature,” the regulator said Saturday on its website. Facebook Chairman Mark

Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg last month made a personal appeal in one of India’s leading newspapers for the country to allow a free Internet service. Facebook’s proposed Free Basics plan allows customers to access the social network and other services such as education, health care, and employment listings from their phones without a data plan. Yet activists say the program threatens the principles of net neutrality and could change pricing in India for access to different websites. The company is spending billions of dollars on Internet. org, including projects to deliver the Web to under-served areas using drones, satellites

and lasers. Zuckerberg, the billionaire co-founder, has said the goal is to bring the Internet to the developing world and alleviate poverty, and not to make money for Facebook or its partners. To drum up support, Facebook started a “Save Free Basics In India” campaign, asking Indian users to support “digital equality” by filling out a form that was sent as an email to regulators. The Menlo Park, California-based company took out full-page advertisements, including one featuring a smiling Indian farmer and his family who the ads say used new techniques to double his crop yield. Telecom operators includ-

ing Bharti Airtel Ltd., Vodafone Group Plc’s local unit and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, also support differential data pricing plans. The regulator said it received 484,000 comments, out of a total of 2.4 million, from forums such as Save the Internet. Internet & Mobile Association of India and National Association of Software and Services Companies opposed differential pricing, saying it violated “principles of net neutrality,” according to a statement on regulator’s website. (Source – Bloomberg.com) BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

Mobile devices to boost internet connectivity – IDC Isaiah Erhiawarien

ore than two billion people globally will use mobile devices to connect to the Internet in 2016, according to a recent report by market research firm IDC. The firm noted that overall; an estimated 3.2 billion people will have access to the Internet in 2016. IDC said growth in Internet access is evident across the world, but some countries are seeing particularly rapid growth. China, India and Indonesia lead the way and will account for almost half of the gains in access globally over the course of the next five years, it added. The combination of lowercost devices and inexpensive wireless networks are making accessibility easier in countries with populations that could not previously afford them.

The firm says the global mobile Internet user base is forecast to grow at 2 per cent annually through 2020, unless significant new methods of Internet access are introduced. Efforts by Google, SpaceX and Facebook, among others, to make the Internet available to the remaining four billion people via high altitude planes, balloons, and satellites are under way, it noted. However, it remains unclear how successful these endeavours will be and when they will be operational at scale. “Over the next five years, global growth in the number of people accessing the Internet exclusively through mobile devices will grow by more than 25 per cent yearly, while the amount of time we spend on them continues to grow. This change in the way we access the Internet

represent the most comprehensive commercial products redesign in company history”, he said. Explaining the features, shel said the “new Latitude portfolio comprises the Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series Ultrabook which is described as the world’s thinnest and lightest 13-inch businessclass notebook; The Latitude 12 7000 Series 2-in-1, which provides the full functionality of a laptop and the flexibility of a tablet and also the Latitude 11 5000 Series 2-in-1 built with the world’s best security and manageability features”. Dell also unveiled a new collection of CES Innovation

XXXXX

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

Improving your health through your iOS mobile device

Y Strawn

is fuelling explosive growth in mobile commerce and mobile advertising,” said Scott Strawn, programme director of Strategic Advisory Service at IDC. The study found more than a billion people use the Internet to bank online, stream music and find a job. More than two billion people use e-mail and read news online and more people than ever before are making purchases online, it adds. BC

Dell launches latitude portfolio for professionals ell has announced an expanded portfolio of Latitude commercial devices that combine industry security, manageability and reliability features with stunning design, infinity edge display and premium materials. Unveiling the new product range at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Client Solutions at Dell, Kirk Schell, observed that “for more than 20 years, Latitude products have been a leading choice among commercial customers worldwide for their unmatched security, manageability, reliability and support.” “With the new Latitude line, we are delivering commercial devices employees will desire for being thinner, lighter and more capable than many of the most popular consumer products without compromising on the security and manageability requirements of IT”. Schell added “Adapted from the company’s line of XPS consumer devices, the new additions across the Latitude and UltraSharp display lines

Technotalk

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Award-winning monitors, including a stunning OLED monitor, two new InfinityEdge monitors that offer a virtually bezel-less display and a wireless monitor that allow mobile users to connect directly to the display without cables. The Dell UltraSharp 30 OLED monitor is Dell’s first OLED monitor, bringing together the advantages of OLED display technology to PC professionals working in color-critical environments such as graphic arts and photography. The Dell UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitors feature the world’s first InfinityEdge displays with ultra-thin borders on all sides. Designed with a complementing arm that offers greater adjustment flexibility and integrated cable management, this recipient of 2016 CES Awards in Innovation and Eco-Design helps maximise workspace and minimise desktop clutter, while the Dell UltraSharp 24 Wireless monitor is packed with the latest technology allowing users to display and manage content from a Windows laptop and Android smartphone, concurrently. BC

ou would never have imagined that your phone can really improve your health, would you? But one of the things that are built into every iPhone and iPad model running iOS 8 is potential in this direction. In other words, what your smartphone or tablet is or will soon be capable of doing is limited only by the imaginations of app developers and your willingness to embrace new ways to utilise this technology in your everyday life. Built into iOS 8 are a vast tool available to app developers that now make it easier to create cutting-edge apps related to health and fitness. As third-party developers begin to utilise these tools, and equipment manufacturers now build iPhone compatibility and integration into their products, what will soon be possible using your smartphone or tablet are imaginative things that were featured in science fiction novels, movies, and comic books and other media some few years ago but have now become a reality today. Discovering the new iphone-specific health app Among all the other app icons displayed on your iPhone’s home screen is a new app called health. For people who are fitness, health, and/or nutrition conscious, the health app works as a “dashboard” with a growing number of other workout and fitness, diet, and lifestyle apps, and it can help you monitor and analyse your daily activity, food intake, and sleeping patterns. The health app’s capabilities are limited to being a secure personal database for medical, diet, and health-related information that you manually enter into the app. Health app is designed to integrate and communicate with optional equipment, such as the apple watch, as well as a vast selection of other fitness and medical devices, ranging from heart-rate monitors to workout machines, and various types of sleep and blood sugar monitors. The health app is designed to gather information from these sources and help you track your progress and share this data with appropriate professionals, when applicable. The health app comes preinstalled with iOS 8 and it’s fully customisable. You determine what data you enter into it, and how it is used. If you ultimately choose to share certain information in the app, such as your fitness or workout progress with a personal trainer, you can still keep other medical data private. To discover what apps are designed to work with health, visit the app store, tap on the explore icon that’s displayed near the bottom of the screen, and then tap on the health & fitness or medical options. To get started using the health app, launch it from the home screen. By default, the dashboard screen is displayed. This is where collected data from optional apps and equipment is displayed in one centralised place. Using this data, you can easily track your health, fitness, diet and/or sleep patterns. Tap on the day, week, month, or year tabs that are displayed along the top of the screen to sort and display this information, if applicable. Displayed along the bottom of the screen are four command icons, labeled dashboard, health data, sources, and medical ID. Tap on the health data icon to access a menu of categories related to the types of data the health app is capable of collecting, tracking, analysing, and sharing. Tap on any of these options, and you can manually enter relevant data. For example, you can tap on the Me option to enter your birth date, sex, and blood type. Tap on nutrition to manually track your intake of specific food types or the nutritional aspects of the food you eat. The medical ID tool that is built into the health app is basically a digital summary of vital medical information like your medical conditions, emergency contacts, primary care physician, your birthday (age), height, weight, blood type that you can make available to doctors, paramedics, or BC medical personnel in case of an emergency. BC BC

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Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Muhammadu Indimi:

An astute oil magnate

Muhammadu Indimi is one of Nigeria’s low-key ultra-wealthy business tycoons, who according to Forbes, is worth well in excess $550 million as he is rated number 27 among Africa’s 40 richest businessmen. He founded a privately held Nigerian oil exploration and production firm, Oriental Energy Resources in 1990. Currently, hdue to his rugged determination, focus and never say die spirit he is noted to have attained an enviable position not only in the Nigerian terrain, but Africa at large By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

Indimi

erhaps, except for those that operate in the same industry with him, it is most unlikely that not many would be familiar with the name, Muhammadu Indimi. Yet, this is one distinguished and highly successful Nigerian multi-billionaire businessman whom the Forbes magazine has rated number 27 among Africa’s 40 richest businessmen. According to Forbes, he is said to be having a net worth well in excess of $550 million as of November 2013 with his contribution to GDP being as much as much 0.13 per cent. However, as a distinguished and highly successful businessman with a notable presence in the international business arena, not many are aware that his rise to the top is a story of perseverance, determination and rare courage to be successful in life. Not known to have been born with the proverbial silver spoon like some of his compatriots who are billionaire businessmen, Indimi’s rugged determination, focus and never say die spirit is noted to have made him attained an enviable position not only in the Nigerian terrain, but Africa at large. Born in the ancient city of Maiduguri, Borno State capital, Indimi, who has distinguished himself as a highly successful businessman with a notable presence in the international business arena, came from a noble background. As a young man, coming from a background where formal education was given little or no consideration, with determination, Indimi, had to teach himself on how to speak and write in English language, a feat which made him a reference point in his community. Age of 16, Dr. Indimi took a bold initiative launching himself into the business world. However, in 1990, he delved into the Nigerian oil and Gas terrain as he established Oriental Energy Resources, a privately held, Nigerian oil exploration and production company. Shortly after establishing Oriental Energy Resources, the firm was awarded OPL 224 by the Federal Government. Interestingly, Oriental’s story can be said to be that of tenacity and perseverance. In the over 20 years that it had been founded, Oriental have converted OPL224 into OML 115 and have added both the Okwok and Ebok(OML 67), assets to its portfolio. Being a multifaceted businessman, Indimi decided to expand his business interest beyond Oriental as he continued to seek alliances with other businesses to deepen his investment portfolio in the Oil exploration industry. With the OPL 224 in its kitty, and having started work on the OPL 224 almost immediately, Oriental Energy Resources entered into a Technical Services Agreement with DuPont Nigeria Ltd which took them through the first half of the 1990s. By May 20, 1999, Oriental received approval from the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources for conversion of OPL 224 into OML115 as a result of the work that had been done on the Block. In the decade of the 2000s, the growth of Oriental had witnessed unprecedented height as the firm developed a technical advisory collaboration with Joe Bruso, CEO of Sovereign Oil & Gas, which continues till today. This collaboration of the two companies resulted in a favorable result stemming from the settlement of the International Boundary Dispute between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea which impacted Oriental’s holdings in OML 115. This result gave Oriental the opportunity to farm-in to both the Okwok field in 2006 and Ebok field in 2007 of OML 67 from Mobil and NNPC. While Indimi’s Oriental went into strategic alliances with Addax Petroleum (Okwok); Nexen E&P Services Nigeria Ltd. (OML 115); and Energy Equity Resources Oil & Gas (OML 115), in 2006, Oriental and Addax announced the successful well test of Okwok 4 flowing 32 degree API oil from the lower D2 Reservoir. In 2008, Oriental also

announced entering into a Technical Services Agreement with Afren Energy Resources to appraise the Ebok Field. This Partnership expanded quickly with announcements of Afren signing a JVA with Oriental and Addax for the development of Okwok (2009) and then Afren signing a JVA with Oriental and EER for the exploration and appraisal of OML 115 (2010). In 2009, the Ebok appraisal drilling program resulted in Ebok 4 confirming a total gross oil column of 284 ft in high quality reservoir sands, the Ebok 5 encountering a total of 377 ft. gross oil column, and the Ebok 6 encountering 107 ft. gross oil pay. This was followed in 2010 with the Okwok 9 appraisal well successfully confirming the commerciality of the Okwok Field. 2010 saw the rapid development of the Ebok Field with an aggressive drilling program as by August 2010, Oriental and Afren celebrated the Naming and Sailaway Ceremony for the Virini Prem Floating, Storage, and Offloading Vessel from the Yulian shipyard in China. In December 2010, production testing resulted on three Phase 1 production wells delivered a constrained aggregate rate of 12,500 bopd of 24 degree API crude. In January 2011, Oriental and Afren announced the sailaway of the Mobile Offshore Production Unit from Galveston, Texas to the Ebok Field. In March 2011, Oriental received approval from the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the establishment of the Ebok Terminal for the offloading of crude oil. By the end of March 2011, the production, processing, and storage facilities have been installed at the Ebok Field and were being readied for First Oil. By the end of 2011 the Ebok field had produced approximately 3.0 million barrels of oil. In January 2012 the initial phases of the Ebok development have been successfully completed, following the commissioning and ramp up of all 14 production wells. An Ocean Bottom Cable 3D seismic survey over the whole Ebok/Okwok/OML 115 area was completed in November 2011 in order to acquire 348 km2 of new data. The data will assist in future development and infill planning at the Ebok Field and development planning for the Okwok field. On April 12, 2012, Oriental Energy Resources (“OERL”) and Afren Plc (“AFR”) spudded an exploration well in the Ebok Field’s North Fault Block reaching a total vertical, and measured, depth of 4320 ft. with the Transocean Adriatic IX jack-up drilling rig. The well targeted a fault block structure located north of the Ebok Field Central Fault Block and successfully encountered 370 ft. net pay of good quality oil in the same Tertiary reservoir s sands equivalent to those being produced in the main Ebok

Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

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As a young man, coming from a background where formal education was given little or no consideration, with determination, Indimi, had to teach himself on how to speak and write in English language, a feat which made him a reference point in his community

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Field development. This significant discov discovery highlights the high grade prospectivity that exists across the wider Ebok/Okwok/OML 115 area. Logging operations for this well have been completed with results indicating a Pmean STOIIP in excess of 100 million barrels of oil. The well has now been suspended while OERL and AFR determine the optimal development solution for the North Fault Block. This development solution will likely incorporate the existing production, storage, and Ebok Terminal infrastructure located on the main Ebok Field. This solution could also involve the early drilling of new production wells from the existing wellhead platform on the Ebok West Fault Block, followed by a full field development of the Ebok North Fault Block. Dr. Indimi, commenting on the rare feat noted: “We at Oriental are pleased at the success of this Ebok North Fault Block exploration well and what it means to the overall success of the Ebok Field. We are also encouraged as this result provides a positive indication of the productivity that exists over Oriental’s assets in the immediate area.”

While the Ebok Field produces 35,000 barrels a day, it shares ownership of the projects with U.K.-listed oil exploration company Afren Plc. The Ebok Field was awarded to Oriental Energy Resources in 2007 by a joint venture between Exxon-Mobil and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Through aggressive exploration and drilling programs, the Ebok Field came on production in the second quarter of 2011 which initiated the largest development program for an independent Nigerian oil company to date. Oriental is looking to bring the Okwok Field on production in the 1st quarter of 2015 with OML 115 to follow shortly thereafter as it has also developed an offshore production hub centered on the established Ebok Terminal which is used for the storage and offloading of crude oil. Since coming on board, Oriental has been a staunch supporter of the Nigerian domestic oil industry, adhering to strong ethical EHSS policies and has been a considerable contributor to the empowerment of its local host communities. While Oriental engages in the exploration and production of

hydrocarbons in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, it does this by forming strategic alliances to leverage world class technologies and practices with local knowledge and experience to create an efficient, cost effective, and ontime approach to project implementation. Spreading its business web, in 2012, Indimi’s Oriental decided to pitch tent in The Gambia’s energy sector, particularly the petroleum sector as he met with the president of the Republic, Yahya Jammeh. According to Indimi, it is prudent to come as Africans and grab the existing opportunities there before the “Western powers identify the place to take it away from us”. “So it is better for us to mobilise ourselves to come and grab the opportunities here because we have seen a lot of opportunities here,” he added, as he indicated his willingness to serve as an ambassador for The Gambia to many of his close associates whom he said do not know much about the country. “The investment climate is good and I am so impressed with the little resources the country has and with the developments here – the road network from Airport – you have first class facilities. So that shows how this country is serious. So really I am happy to be here and I am looking forward to invest,” he said. As the sole Founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, with over 20 years of experience in the Nigerian upstream and Oil and Gas sector, the 66 year-old self made oil magnate sits on the board of several privately-owned companies cutting across different sector of the economy.

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As a distinguished and highly successful businessman, Dr. Indimi has received numerous awards as well as honorary doctorate degrees from notable Universities in Nigeria, Ireland and the United States. He sits on the board of International University in Africa, Kharton, Sudan. As a notable humanitarian and a philanthropist who has used his financial resources to make a difference in the lives of many individuals as well as improving the quality of life in his community and his country, Indimi has given various scholarships to students to pursue their education in Nigeria and abroad. Having contributed to the growth of the university and entrusting it with his most precious assets-his children whom he sent to study at the Lynn University, the University decided to honour him with an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Today, six of Indimi children serve on the board of Oriental Energy. They include, Jibrilla Indimi, Ibrahim Indimi, Ahmed Indimi, Mustafa Indimi, Amina Indimi-Fodio and Yakolo IndimiBabangida. In 2012, in recognition to his outstanding contributions to the Nigerian economy and national development, Indimi was awarded the Rank of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President, Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Noted for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, through his Oriental Energy, Indimi is noted to have empowered various indigenes of the host communities where his company operates. For instance, recently, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, the firm commissioned two major development projects which formed part of the Oriental-Afren Partnership’s community development work in the region. The projects included the renovation of and the provision of equipment for the Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department’s laboratories and libraries at the University of Uyo. This has helped the School re-attain accreditation from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) and Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and forms part of a 5-year project to transform the Department into Nigeria’s number one Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Studies Center. In 2009, the Management of the University established collaboration between the University of Uyo and the Oriental-Afren Partnership. The collaboration led to the donation of textbooks and scientific journals to the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering. Between 2011 and 2012, equipment worth approximately $750,000 were purchased by the Oriental-Afren Partnership and shipped to the University of Uyo. BC

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Monday, January 11, 2016

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs KLINIC

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

his week, our conversation continues on the Expansion Series. I see you expanding your imagination for business growth or for a new startup. I see you expanding your business influence this year. Everything you were not able to accomplish last year, I see you achieving and surpassing them this year. That is my personal wish for you. As you begin this great year, I urge you to imagine good business outcome, write down your imagination and work towards achieving them. Apart from this, I encourage that you get rid of any habit that may hinder your journey to success this year and cultivate successful habits. One of such habit is imagination of good outcome in business. I believe that when you do this, things will get better for your business. Imagine an awesome year ahead. Imagination is simply the image formation or picture on your mind. Usually the reality and experiences of individual would have taken place in the mind and the physical happening is just the secondary. Whatever you imagine about your business expansion is your reality. That is in line with both universal law of creativity and that of vision. The law of creativity says that all things are created twice. There is the mental creation which happens before the physical creation. All achievement begins with an idea. Everything happens in your imagination. The law of vision simple says that what you see is what you get. Whatever you see in your imagination today is what you get tomorrow. “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” -Moses of Levi Dear friend, one of the greatest assets of any entrepreneur is her ability to imagine values and pursue it until she makes products and services out of it. If you will experience expansion or business development this year then you will need to expand your imagination through learning, quality association, reading, travelling, and medita-

tion. There is need for strategic imagination this year. Imagination is unlocking the power of possibilities to create value in business. Today’s businesses are in surprises and numerous shocks are rolling across the global economic landscape. The sudden fall in oil price and new businesses springing up as alternative to old businesses are among features of business shocks. Oil and gas businesses are facing renewable energy shock inventions. Who would have thought that modern shopping mall would be embraced so fast is Nigeria against the culture and strategy of traditional market where you negotiate goods very well before you eventually pay or turn down

Expanding your imagination for growth

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The law of vision simple says that what you see is what you get. Whatever you see in your imagination today is what you get tomorrow

the seller. What was “strategic in shopping” yesterday is less and less strategic today. Hence there is need to imagine tomorrow today in business and position appropriately. Dear friends, business expansion or development requires us to expand our strategic imagination: to be able to imagine fundamentally new possibilities for business. Now, that may seem hard work. If you begin to think it is

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BUSINESS

hard it may be so but the moment you think is not difficult then it open up. Expanding your imagination is simple because it requires us to put aside yesterday’s tired assumptions and orthodoxies, and begin to actively rethink from the way value can be, should be, must be, will be created. This is simple if you are passionate about humanity and love for people. Let me give an illustration, in

Motivational Business Quotes

o 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 Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. – Norman Schwarzkopf BC

many traditional market setting in Nigeria where you have population of people packed in small dirty environment to sell and buy, the passion for human comfort will compel imagination of a modern market in bigger space and structure to organise business transaction within a short time. Imagination that ever creates value usually is provoked from love and passion for humanity and not necessarily money driven. Here are a few examples of such imagination: One: It was raw imagination to change people experience for Apple to think that it could make a better mobile phone although known as personal computer manufacturer – and that a simple phone could redesign the mobile value chain that includes commercial music, rental, gaming etc. Two: Tata imagined that a car affordable for the world’s poor could be designed–So it birthed two thousand dollar car. Three: Google philosophy to focus on doing no evil before focusing on revenue and profitability in their imagination result in the world largest search engine. Four: Shoprite opened up, and explored radical new modes of consumer experience at the lowest price, instead of pursuing orthodox advantage by staying closed to the low income earner-so Shoprite thought. Five: S.T Samuel Clothes, in Lagos Nigeria, imagines that cheap clothes could be hyper fashionable – more fashionable than foreign couture – or so the South Africa Mr. Price also thought. What do these entrepreneurs examples have in common? They’re examples of imagination that required entrepreneur to make living easier for people: to start from thinking people, startup, to imagine living in a better world not constrained by old mindset. As you plan your expansion strategy and engage your business development team kindly expands your imagination by seeing what could be better done or should be introduced. Travel, learn, read, and meditate on new possibility. I love you my reader and please enjoy your day. BC

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Twice a failure now a sought after consultant Eleven years ago, Adessy Adeola took a decision to quit paid employment and pursue his passion for farming. This was in a bid to realise his childhood dream of creating jobs for people in a country, where jobs are scarce and graduate unemployment rate is very high. Severe setbacks compelled the Higher National Diploma holder in Chemical Engineering to take a job of driving a commercial bus popularly called ‘Danfo’. This has now paid off tremendously, as those early failures have become the testimonials for a thriving consultancy service for both public and private sector organisations Even then, he said he believed that one is not supposed to be restricted to his professional training alone but can also engage in other enterprise endeavours. “Also I was passionate about changing the orientation of our youths, who do not believe in agriculture as a means of amassing wealth but in order to do that effectively I had to lead by example which I did by quitting my well paid job for farming,” he said. So he decided to go and set up a farm where his desire of employing people would find full expression”, he said. He also observed: “Not that I was not well paid by all these organisations I had worked with you can imagine working with the American Embassy, Nigerite and Peugeot Assembly Nigeria PAN, which were very good entities when it comes to employee remuneration packages but somehow my desire to give something back to the society propelled me to take a bow from paid employment and pursue my dream,” he said. Today he has successfully trained theoretically and in practice a lot of young people who have gone into successful agricultural ventures with a number of thriving farms to their credit. “I have a number of successful people who I trained that now own farms that are even bigger than mine just because I took the step of leaving an office job for farming in the exquisite outdoors of nature,’ he reflected. More importantly what gives him more satisfaction is the ripple effect of his decision as those

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Adeola

he trained have also trained and provided employment for others thereby expanding the circle of wealth creation beyond his immediate influence. And so fully set to achieving his desire, Adeola left Nigerite to practice agriculture but first he sought and obtained relevant information before setting up his farm and his quest took him all the way to Port-Novo in the Republic of Benin where he spent one year specifically at the Shonga Farms studying animal husbandry and livestock generally. He came back and immediately established a poultry farm in Lagos and that was when the true tests of entrepreneurship came knocking to prove his resolve of staying on course with his dream. Indeed it was tougher than one could have imagined, given the initial training he underwent in the Republic of Benin as he lost about 450 birds out of the 500 birds with which he started his farm. “At that point a friend of mine told me that I was not ready yet and that I had better go back to Nigerite or the American embassy and re-apply and I said no this is what I wanted. I sourced more funds and got another 300 birds and lost the whole 300 again that was when I backed out a bit because I did not have any more funds to commit into the busi-

I worked on the mistakes I made on my first and second experiences and by the fifth month I had sold most of the 250 birds recording only minimal losses this time around. And I got more birds and repeated the process and over time I can now stock over 8000 birds at a time

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dessy Adeola, Chief Executive Officer, Green Focus Global Services, a child of farmer –parents was raised in the South-West of Nigeria. He attended United Missionaries College in Ibadan and later went to Oke Ado High School for his Secondary School Certificate before proceeding to Ilara Technical College Ilara Remo where he studied Automobile Engineering for three years before obtaining his trade test certificate 1-3 and City and Guilds of London. Later he was admitted into Ogun State Polytechnic and was subsequently awarded a HND in Chemical Engineering. Passion for agriculture came naturally to him, having being exposed to farm life and business from childhood and so he enjoyed tending to crops and animals as he stressed “it has been a family thing and something I love doing”. However upon graduation, the young Adeola did nothing about his passion rather he got employed with SCOA Motors Igbosere, before moving to Ibadan for his National Youth Service for one year and from there, he moved to the American Embassy in Kaduna to head the mechanical department for three years before returning to Lagos where he worked for Nigerite Ltd for just one year and then resigned to pursue his dream. He recalls that the issue of scarcity of jobs today was not a new phenomenon as it already existed when he was in secondary school and so instead of thinking about how he was going to be part of the problem he was calculating how he would become a solution by providing jobs for others. “When I was in secondary school I had this determination that I was not really going to work for anybody instead, I will have people working for me. My second year in polytechnic I discovered that not many people wanted to be self employed as the majority had preferences for white-collar jobs,” he said

ness,” he recounted. Bravely Adeola approached a friend of his who owned a commercial bus popularly known as “Danfo” in Lagos to contract the bus out to him, and for the next six months he became a commercial driver plying the Ikeja-CMS route in the evenings. He saved just enough money driving the commercial bus and like a man possessed by his passion he bought another 250 birds and re-opened his farm. “I worked on the mistakes I made on my first and second experiences and by the fifth month I had sold most of the 250 birds recording only minimal losses this time around. And I got more birds and repeated the process and over time I can now stock over 8000 birds at a time,” he narrated. He kept his hope alive after suffering losses twice, which form part of his experience, which he relates to those who come to his institute or visit his farm to encourage them. “I put my pride aside because I had a big dream which I believed in and so it was not so difficult for me to make sacrifices towards actualising them, like leaving a comfortable job and suffering assaults as a commercial bus driver from passengers who see the job as an undignified one,” he said. Adeola today advises young entrepreneurs that in order to avoid costly mistakes and maintain their chosen course as entrepreneurs, they should have a clear set of goals and vision before embarking on or setting up a business of their own. He said,” be sure of what you are out to achieve and how you want to achieve it and never take financial planning for granted, from the scratch plan everything to the last detail and

stick to your plan.” He stressed that failing to put adequate financial plan for one’s business was a clear indication that that business might go nowhere; adding that being greedy was another factor that can ruin a start-up. “Trying to do everything alone is another reason why some entrepreneurs fail because most try to handle every aspect of their business alone and there is no way that can work. Try to bring in people who are proficient in other areas seek for professional advice from those who have trodden the path before you and succeeded and learn especially from their mistakes,” he advised. He believes that failure is not something that entrepreneurs should be afraid of because if you fear from the outset you will find yourself already defeated. “If you think you will fail because of the risks associated with your planned venture, then definitely your venture will fail,” he said. He advised every farmer to use their time outside the farms very well to find out what is happening out there. He said, “even if you can’t go to places to research you can at least connect to the internet via your device and google up relevant information that can boost what you are doing.” He suggested that sometimes it was important to visit other farms within Nigeria or even in neighbouring countries to learn new and better ways of doing what one is doing. Today apart from helping to set up farms, securing capital for enterprises from the Bank of Industry BOI and the Bank of Agriculture BOA which leverages his strategic partnership, his farm serves as a model learning centre for other farmers in the areas of Snail and grass-cutter rearing, aquaculture and poultry. But he maintains a sense of modesty as he insists that Green Focus is still learning, while his vision is to look back in the future and see that more people have passed through the establishment and are succeeding. “Presently we are on a project across the six geo-political zones in partnership with the Bank of Industry. Plans are also on the drawing board to go and train dairy farmers in Tanzania as well create adequate awareness among our own Fulani herdsmen who are really not getting it right for now. As a private entity we also want to complement federal government’s effort in sustaining agriculture so ensure that agriculture is in every household in Nigeria because agriculture will never fade in relevance whereas the same cannot be said of crude oil in the next few years. BC

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‘Mining to boost Nigeria’s GDP in 2020 by 10%’ Stories by Abolaji Adebayo

Coal mining

According to the group, it is estimated that about 80 per cent to 85 per cent of current mining activities in Nigeria is via artisanal and small scale mining. Besides, it stated that most P LQHV LQ 1 LJHULD DUH W \SLFDO O \ green fields, and in the exSO RUDW RU\ SKDVH DGGLQJ W KDW LQIUDVW UXFW XUH LV D NH\ HO H ment for the success of the LQGXVW U\ “There is therefore a need to develop a master plan for roads and rail for federal and VW DW HV· DGRSW LRQ µ LWVW DW HG Mining Sector Leader and Head Consulting at PwC NiJHULD &\ULO$]REX VW DW HG W KDW

Chinese steel pipe manufacturer, Jiangsu Yulong Group, has broken ground for a major manufacturing plant in Nigeria’s /DJRV /HNNL IUHH W UDGH ]RQH DLP HG DWVXSSO \LQJ W KH FRXQ W U\·V RLODQG JDV LQGXVW ULHV The firm said the first of its three investment phases in the Lekki project would gulp about $50m. <XO RQJ *URXS 'HSXW \ *HQ HUDO0 DQDJHU : LO O \ : HQ W RO G journalists that the plant would become “the No.1 complex welding and seamless SLSH P DQXIDFW XUHU LQ 1 LJHULDµ as the group seeks to exploit new international markets. Wen said the first phase of the project involved building a submerged arc welded pipe production unit with a GHVLJQ SURGXFW LRQ FDSDFLW \ RI W RQQHV DQQXDO O \ He said that the second According to the Event Di- phase, at an estimated investNigeria’s mining sector would improve the GDP growth of rector, Nicole Smith, the solid ment cost of around $60m, W KH HFRQRP \ LI UHYDP SHG minerals sector has been tar- would see construction of an HG E\ W KH SUHYLRXV DGP LQ noting that the iPAD Nige- JHW advanced equipped steel pipe ria Mining Forum in Abuja, istration to contribute 5 per production unit with a further R *'3 E\ DQG which was regarded as a long FHQWW DQQXDOSURGXFW LRQ FDSDFLW \ RI R *'3 E\ EXW 150,000 tonnes. overdue strategic investment SHU FHQWW SO DW IRUP KDG JDW KHUHG NH\ the current contribution of The third and final phase, URO H SO D\HUV LQ W KH 1 LJHULDQ the solid minerals sector to according to him, would see mining space, who discussed GDP remains about 0.46 per the group launch a $10m tubcent. W KHZD\ IRUZDUG ing, casing, drill pipe and line The Director, Human Re- pipe production unit. “The reduction in global crude oil prices has once sources and Administration, The China’s Consul-General DW H 0 LQLVW U\ RI (Q again highlighted the need for /DJRV 6W in Lagos, Liu Kan, said that 1 LJHULD W R GLYHUVLI\ W KH UHYH HUJ\ DQG 0 LQHUDO5HVRXUFHV the project was an important QXH EDVH RI W KH HFRQRP \ DQG $GH\HP L 7DRfik Fashola, re- part of China-Nigeria indusO \ FRQGXFW HG RQ W KH VSRW trial cooperation which would ZH KRO G VW URQJO \W KDWRQH NH\ FHQW sector which offers great po- assessment of some sand bring win-win benefits. tential in achieving this is the mining sites in the Ajah/ LekHe said the project, which ki axis of Lagos State. BC VRO LG P LQHUDO V VHFW RUµ would cover an 180,000 square-metre site, was expected to create more than 1,000 jobs for Nigerians and HFKQRO RJ\ VW UR\HG , KDYH VW DW HG VHYHUDO FDSDFLW \ DQG W KH RQO \ ZD\ ZH HQKDQFH P RGHUQ W W U D QV IH U E\ W U D L QL QJ H QJL QH HUV times that the Nigerian econ- can achieve that is to ensure in the steel fabrication busiRP \ GHVHUYHV D O RW P RUH LQ that Nigerian made products ness. BC terms of local manufacturing do not compete with products that are of questionable backJURXQG DQG LQW HJULW \µ He emphasised that with the reference code, it would EH HDV\ IRU W KH DJHQF\ W R IXU ther reduce the number of imported substandard products ZKLO H HQFRXUDJLQJ W KH O RFDO O \ manufactured ones to thrive. He assured the local manufacturers of an uncompetitive market environment where W KH\ ZRXO GEHDEO HW R VHO OW KHLU products, while charging them on standards of such products. BC Odumodu Kan

SON introduces reference code to curb fake products’ influx

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has announced that it has taken additional measures to curb the influx of substandard JRRGV LQW RW KHFRXQW U\ E\ LQ troducing a reference code on products in 2016. Director General, SON, Joseph Odumodu, explained W KDW KHQFHIRUW K HYHU\ 62 1 CAP certificate issued on products must have reference code W RHDVHW UDFHDELO LW \ RI VXEVW DQ GDUG SURGXFW V LQ W KHFRXQW U\ Odumodu said this during a review meeting for 2015 with International Accredited Firms, IAFs. He said: “Going forward,

Chinese firm to build $120m plant in Lekki FTZ

LQLQJ DFW LYLW LHV P D\ lift the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, *'3 E\ SHU FHQWLQ W KH next fiYH \HDUV JLYHQ DQ LQ GXVW U\ DVVHVVP HQWE\ 3ULFH water House Coopers Nigeria, PwC. Indeed, the group believed that the optimal exploitation of the 44 varieties of minerals in over 500 locations in the FRXQW U\ FRXO G UH O DXQFK 1 LJH ria as a great mining destination. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to ensure interQDW LRQDO O \ DFFHSW HG VW DQGDUGV LQ W KH P LQLQJ LQGXVW U\ LQ W KH state. The PwC Nigeria stated that W KH FRXQW U\·V P LQLQJ VHFW RU presents incredible opportunities for both the private and public sectors, given the FRXQW U\·V YDVW QDW XUDO UH sources and the current drop in oil prices. It stated that the North-Central, North-East and NorthWest regions are known to KDYH VRP H RI W KH FRXQW U\·V major mineral deposits. Due to the persistent plague of terrorism and civil unrest, minLQJ DFW LYLW \ LQ W KHVH DUHDV KDV slackened. The solid minerals sector KDV EHHQ W DUJHW HG E\ W KH SUH vious administration to contribute fiYHSHUFHQWW R *'3 E\ 2015 and 10 per cent to GDP E\ &XUUHQWFRQW ULEXW LRQ of the solid minerals sector to GDP averages about 0.46 per cent.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

we are introducing additional measures to improve the effectiveness of the SONCAP and some of those measures will be increasing our market surveillance activities and within the first half of 2016, W R EH SUHFLVH E\ - XQH HYHU\ product we find in the market place without a code, we will interrogate more painstakingO \ DQG E\ 6HSW HP EHU ZH ZLO O QRWDO O RZ DQ\ LP SRUW HG SURG ucts without the code into the FRXQW U\ µ “What that means is that E\ 6HSW HP EHU DQ\ SURGXFW we find within the market in Nigeria without the reference code will be removed and de-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

A15 31

Stock market last week Equities turnover of 899.604 million shares worth N7.669bn in 14,164 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.965bn shares valued at N9.364bn that exchanged hands last week in 7,174 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 764.790 million shares valued at N4.858bn traded in 8,904 deals; thus contributing 85.01 per cent and 63.34 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 40.164 million shares worth N100.471m in 626 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 40.006 million shares worth N1.707bn in 2,116 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. (measured by volume) accounted for 339.027 million shares worth N2.800bn in 3,116 deals, contributing 37.69 per cent and 36.51 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

NASD OTC REPORT

NSE trading hall

ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 12,016 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N2.050m executed in 25 deals, compared with a total of 60,171 units valued at N484,396.36 transacted last week in 20 deals. Bonds: There was no transaction recorded on bonds this week under review. However, a total of 75,750 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N128.722m were traded last week in 1 deal. Index Movement: The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization depreciated by 5.63 per cent to close the week at 27,028.39 and N9.296trn re-

NASD OTC MARKET REPORT

spectively. Similarly, all other Indices finished lower during the week, with the exception of the NSE Industrial Goods Index that rose by 0.45 per cent to close at 2,176.44. Summary of Price Changes: Seventeen (17) equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than forty-two (42) equities of the previous week. Fifty (50) equities depreciated in price, higher than twenty-two (22) equties of the previous week, while one hundred and twenty-three (123) equities remained unchanged, lower than one hundred and twenty-six (126) equities recorded in the previous week. BC

WEEK 53

1 OUTSTANDING OFFERS AND BIDS ON NASD OTC Outstanding deals since November, 2015. Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 08-01-15 All-Share Index 27,028.39 points Market Capitalization 9,304,173,885,638.51

Offers Nominal value (₦) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 0.50 0.50

Bids

SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC

Consumer Services

0.50

Last Offer Date 23-Nov-15 21-Dec-15 16-Dec-15 -

SD FREE RANGES FARM PLC

Consumer Goods

1.00

SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC SD NIGERIA MORTGAGE REFINANCE COMPANY PLC

Consumer Goods Industrials Financials Financials Financials Oil & Gas Financials

Financials Technology Industrials Financials Technology Financials

22-Dec-15 30-Dec-15 11-Nov-15

0.11 141.00 0.79

SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 10.00 1.00 0.50

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00

1-Dec-15 2-Dec-15

0.48 0.74

RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC

Industry Oil & Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrials Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods

Volume offered Last Offer Price Last Bid Price 290,000 0.38 15,175.00 68.80 10,000 6.50 -

20,500,000.00 30,000.00 1,000,000 1,035,700.00 1,250,240.00

2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES 31-Dec-15 Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC SD FREE RANGES FARM PLC SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC SD NIGERIA MORTGAGE REFINANCE COMPANY PLC SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC

RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC

Industry Oil and Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrial Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods Consumer Services Consumer Goods Consumer Goods Industrial Financials Financials Financials Oil and Gas Financials Financials Technology Industrial Financials Technology Financials

Introduced by Meristem Securities Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Mega Equity Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Nigerian Int. Securities Ltd UBA Stockbroking Firm Greenwich Securities Limited Anchoria Investment & Securities Limited Capital Bancorp Plc Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers limited CSL Stockbroking Limited Integrated Trust & Investment Limited Icon Stockbrokers Limited Sterling Capital Market Limited Greenwich Securities Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited FCSL Asset Management Co. Limited Cordros Capital Plc APT Securities & Fund Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Primera Africa Securities Limited Signet Investment and Securities Limited Prominent Securities Limited

Company Registrars CardinalStone Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc Unity Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc Nnenna Ejekam Associates First Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc GTL Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc United Securities Limited Meristem Registrars Limited First Registrars Limited EDC Registrars Limited Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited United Securities Limited

Year end 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Mar 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec

Volume Bidded Last Bid Date -

TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2015-TILL DATE) DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION Total Share Capital Volume % '000 Dematerialised Dematerialised DEALS VOLUME VALUE (₦) 65,204,146 2,000,000,000 3.26% 102 5,232,556 2,061,074.02 606,000,000 5,785,673,000 10.47% 29,485,023 1,900,000,000 1.55% 53 182,230 475,783.80 61,534,980 1,249,000,000 4.93% 153 30,984,754 73,109,019.43 9,627,657,533 12,000,000,000 80.23% 5 6,300 18,900.00 2,668,304 196,875,000 1.36% 28 110,569 8,331,233.60 749,581,149 5,000,000,000 14.99% 385 535,747,565 2,938,164,355.76 6,753,333,334 0.00% 184,824,312 976,335,936 18.93% 826 140,747,953 43,834,724,127.17 107,211,770 5,650,000,000 1.90% 95 30,371,199 22,123,987.02 193,846 519,999,631 0.04% 69,369,303 1,200,000,000 5.78% 4 1,400 2,012.00 567,737,595 4,257,668,000 13.33% 61 408,389,157 175,539,724.67 252,255,056 1,170,324,536 21.55% 14 5,900 6,140.00 1,021,968,270 14,231,238,000 7.18% 81 144,661,610 114,448,772.85 315,222,809 11,829,700,000 2.66% 28 2,180,481 2,628,789.84 19,901,354 181,408,000 10.97% 210 14,179,294 2,971,876,868.46 125,000,000 1,762,500,000 7.09% 1 125,000,000 568,750,000.00 197,337,494 2,875,595,000 6.86% 30 6,834,900 5,811,092.00 520,000,000 2,576,686,039 20.18% 53 448,270,580 224,187,829.40 1,726,264,230 0.00% 7,138,199,210 0.00% 1,539,042,000 2,705,378,000 56.89% 38 1,181,210 1,378,244.30 117,993,505 10,945,334,000 1.08% 27 22,160 18,384.70 104,631,511,916 16,180,188,449 15.46% 2,194 1,894,109,818 50,943,656,339.02

A16 32

Business Courage

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

2016 Toyota LandCruiser: New look and new transmission for Toyota’s flagship SUV Adejuwon Osunnuyi

s the year 2016 begins, many auto lovers are expected to be in the lookout for new innovations from auto firms. While this would not be a tall dream to be achieved, the many of the auto firms have already indicated intention to roll out new products in the first quarter of next year. For Toyota Nigeria Limited, there is plan to introduce the Toyota Conquest for the first time in 2016 as it leads other new car launches for the business year. But before the arrival of the Conquest, we shall be taking a look at the newly upgraded 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser which is believed to be the company’s flagship SUV. The recently updated and more expensive LandCruiser 200 Series range adds Toyota’s new corporate look to the front-end, and more gear inside the cabin. The refreshed LandCrusier line-up will extend the model’s life – and that of its twin-underthe-skin cousin the Lexus LX570 – until its expected change-over later this decade, the current ninth-generation range on sale locally since late 2007. Mechanically, the LandCruiser is lightly revived with Euro5 emissions-compliant 4.5-litre twin-turbo-diesel and naturally-aspirated 4.6-litre petrol V8 engines. Power for the oiler (as tested) increases by 5kW to 200kW (at 3600rpm) – thanks to new fuel injectors and revised engine mapping – while torque is unaltered at 650Nm (from 1600-2600rpm). The six-speed automatic transmission and fulltime, dual-range all-wheel drive system are unchanged. Toyota says the diesel model’s fuel economy improves by nearly eight per cent, now 9.5L/100km, with CO2 emissions now listed at 250g/km. Not bad figures for a four-wheel drive that tips the scale at 2740kg (kerb) and is capable of towing 3500kg (braked). But perhaps the biggest change comes from the LandCruiser’s appearance. All model grades receive a new grille, headlights, front bumper, front quarter panels and restyled LED tail-lights and two additional paint colours (taking the total to 10, add $550 for metallic colours). Since its U.S. debut in 1957, the Toyota Land Cruiser has gone through countless changes, evolving from a hardcore off-road vehicle to the Toyota brand’s most luxurious SUV—without losing any of its off-roading capability. Now the automaker’s “ultimate-capability, ultimate-luxury

V” gets refreshed for the 2016 SUV” del year. Changes to the 2016 model yota Land Cruiser include a Toyota ing refresh as well as signifistyling nt drivetrain updates. cant Up front, the 2016 Toyota Land uiser gains all new sheetmetal Cruiser ward of the front clip as well as forward a new bumper, grille, d standard and projectoram LED beam low-- and h i g h b e a m headhts, lights, headlight ancleane r s , d inand rattegrated Land Cruiser o. The hood logo. tures distincfeatures tive power bulges. A w chrome body side molding new tures the Land Cruiser logo, features ile new 18-inch alloy wheels while set off the profile view. Around k, the updated SUV features back, illi h with i h li h b d new taillights light-tube design and LED brake lights, a new full-width chrome molding, and a new rear bumper. Inside, the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser features seating for eight on new semi-aniline perforated leather available in black or Terra (brown) accented by Deep Wood trim. Toyota says the redesigned center console has “a more cohesive appearance and more intuitive controls.” The Land Cruiser comes fully loaded in one trim with options limited to exterior and interior colors. Toyota’s Entune head unit gains Siri Eyes Free mode that allows the driver to push a steering wheel button to speak with Siri. The Land Cruiser also features a new Qi wireless phone charging for compatible devices. The standard heating steering wheels gains controls for the multi-information display, dynamic radar cruise control, and the Toyota Safety Sense-P system.

the tire press u r e monitoring The new Toyota Safety Sense-P system features new driver assist technologies including front-collision avoidance and mitigation systems, lane departure warning, auto high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Other active safety features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as well as a rearview camera. While the 5.7-liter, DOHC V-8, rated 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque, carries over, a new eightspeed automatic transmission replaces the outgoing model’s six-speed unit. Toyota says the wider gear spread enhances both acceleration and fuel economy. The new gearbox also features manual control. Fuel economy is EPA-rated 13/18/15 mpg. With its standard Trailer Towing package (engine oil cooler, trailerbrake controller connector, and sub-wiring harness) allows the Land Cruiser to tow up to 8,500 pounds. The Trailer Sway Control works with the stability control to counteract trailer sway. High-strength steel is used in the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars and lower rockers in the body-onframe SUV. The suspension fea-

tures a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension S h System that uses hydraulics to adjust the lean resistance of the stabilizer bars for on- and off-road driving. The Land Cruiser features approach and departure angles of 30 degrees and 20 degrees, respectively. Underbody skidplates protect the drivetrain when driving off-road. The 2016 Land Cruiser’s fulltime four-wheel-drive system uses a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential, which distributes torque 40:60 front-to-rear in normal situations and can redistribute power to the wheels with the most grip when needed. An Active Traction control (A-TRAC) uses brake and throttle interventions to control wheelspin. A two-speed transfer case with lowrange works with the Multi-Terrain Select system, which can be adjusted for different terrain. The Multi-Terrain Monitor features a near-360-degree view around the vehicle. Additionally, the Land Cruiser can play back 5 seconds of video of the front undercarriage’s projected path. With the transfer case switched into low-range, the Crawl Control regulates engine speed and output as well as braking force to control vehicle speed on various terrains. Other off-road systems include downhill assist, hill-start assist and off-road turn assist. The Land Cruiser rides on 18.0-by-8.0-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P285/60 R18 mudand-snow tires including a fullsize spare that is also monitored by

system. Standard luxury features include heated and vented front seats, heated steering wheel, heated 40/20/20 split, sliding and reclining second-row seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, Smart Key keyless entry with start, i h push-button hb security system with engine immobilizer, power moonroof, autodimming rearview and side mirrors, and HomeLink universal garage door opener. Other features include a four-zone automatic climate control system that blows air through up to 28 air vents. A micro-dust and pollen filter cleans the air. The JBL Synthesis Premium Audio with Entune system features an integrated navigation system, a nine-inch touchscreen, and 14 speakers including a subwoofer. Audio features include an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability; SiriusXM radio, HD radio with iTunes Tagging, USB port with iPod connectivity and control, and Bluetooth audio and phone, and an advanced voice recognition. The Toyota Entune App Suite includes apps for Destination Search, Facebook Places, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, Pandora, Yelp, and Slacker Radio. A rear passenger DVD system features a pair of 11.6-inch monitors, RCA jack, and separate HDMI inputs. Safety features include antilock brakes and brake assist. The Land Cruiser also features 10 total airbags and active headrests. With the changes for the 2016 model year, the Toyota Land Cruiser adds more visual presence and more technology for the connected world without giving up its off-road capability. BC

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

‘’To defer ruling is not only unwise but may in the long run put the judge in an embarrassing situation’’ —JUSTICE MODIBBO ALFA BELGORE, FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA

There’s no conflict in S’Court verdict on Stamps and Seal project —Alegeh 34 CJN, Justice Mohammed

President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkchuwa

Conflicting judgments overburden Supreme Court —lawyers Lakanmi: How S’Court dared military govt 37

European Court awards damages to Russian Protester 38

In apparent reference to myriad of complaints over conflicting judgements emanating from different divisions of the Court of Appeal in the country, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed recently expressed concern over the issue. WALE IGBINTADE takes a look at some of these contradictions and the need for substantial justice.

onflicting judgements by different divisions of the Court of Appeal are not only detrimental, but could also create confusion. The consequence of lack of clarity as to the correct position of the law negates the basic principle of legal system. Worried by the contradictory judgments emanating from various divisions of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, recently advocated for an internal law report for Justices to access either electronically or in print in order to reduce avenue for conflicts in its jurisprudence. Addressing justices of the Court of Appeal at the annual conference of the Court of Appeal held recently in Abuja, Justice Mahmud stated that the judiciary had been confronted with accusation of conflicting decisions delivered by the Court of Appeal particularly in seemingly straightforward cases. In order to put an end to a situation where a division of the Court

We are likely to face this challenges going by the nature of our judicial system.

but,

some of these matters Will get to the

supreme court Where

they Will be streamlined of Appeal delivered a judgment that contradicts the one delivered by another division, the CJN urged the appellate court to adhere to the advice of a former justice of the Supreme Court, Niki Tobi, who suggested that, “immediately a decision is given in one division, it should be sent to the other division without delay.” He said: ‘’we must not ignore the negative perception that is occasioned by conflicting judgments delivered at various divisions of the Court of Appeal. Such judicial contradictions only result in untold hardships to litigants in their quest for justice. They further cast your

lordships in an unfavourable light and leave the judiciary at the mercy of innuendos, crass publications and editorials.” It would be recalled that Justice Mohammed had prior to the 2015 elections, warned Justices of the appellate court against delivering conflicting judgments. One major reason for the unintended problem of conflicting judgments at the appellate court is the creation of several divisions of the Court of Appeal and this has cause untold hardship to litigants in their quest for justice. Situations abound where facts of case were the same in all forms, but different

judgments were delivered by the Appeal Court. During the 2011 elections, a number of election petitions were dismissed on the ground of failure to comply with the provisions of paragraph 18 (1)(2)(3) of the First Schedule, Rules of Procedure for Election Petitions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). While some Justices of the appellate court held that request for a pre-hearing session should be by a Motion to the Tribunal, there are others who held that the method of application does not matter, arguing that it could be by a motion or by a mere letter to the Secretary of the tribunal. The same scenario is playing out in the ongoing dispute over the 2015 elections. As a result, conflicting judgements by different judicial divisions of the Court of Appeal had become topical in recent times. Commenting on this issue, Yusuf Ali (SAN), said; ‘’ we are likely CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Law & Justice

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

There’s no conflict in S’Court verdict

Mr. Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). In this interview with FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary Desk, he speaks on the challenges of NBA leadership, his achievements so far and on the pending bills before the National Assembly among others. Excerpts: How are you able to cope with the challenges of the NBA leadership since you assumed office? The first thing that I would say is that when I got into the saddle, it struck me that certain structural deficiencies were in the Secretariat and certain things were not in place at the secretariat and we have spent the last few months, a year plus now putting these structures in place. With work in progress, I hope that there will be progression after I leave. Firstly, as I have always said, an association must cater for its people and if the contact point between the people and the association is the secretariat; the secretariat should serve the members. But when I got into that place, I met a situation where workers at the secretariat were not available to serve. You are looking for a file it is not available; the documents are not there and I said no it can’t work like that. I tried to introduce a new re-orientation for the staff at the secretariat. We tried to mobilize and encourage them the way the works should done so that things can get better. We charged them to be hardworking and efficient. So the first thing was the shock we met when we got there. We met for example, a cash environment; it was to me shocking dealing in cash because in my little office we do everything by cheque or by bank transfer and we had to stop that at the secretariat immediately. I can say it without fear of contradictions that our cash transactions are minimal for stuff like newspapers and so on. Even if you do a committee work, we tell you all we need from you is the account number. Instead of people going to the bank and be putting money in the envelope, we said we don’t want that and what we do now involves bank transfer and cheque transactions. We also tried to get lawyers on line; it has been very challenging. I know that between January and March 2016 many lawyers who are not online will get online for the simple reason that we have done portal amendment. As part of our plans, we are going to introduce universal suffrage for lawyers and during election you’ll vote through your profile page on the NBA on-line portal. If you are online then it will be possible to vote. We used online now because it is preferable , when we came in we paid the courier services for the amounts owed them and decided that things should be done online and we used this often for petitions except where exhibits are required. A lot of the things we have introduced are we would have done earlier but you know when technology is available you can introduce some things. A lot of the things we conceived have not fully materialized like internet banking; some are still afraid of this because it involves a lot of things; the insurance. So we have put a lot of things in place so that the bank can cope; when the bank gets our instructions they have to call us to confirm and so far we have not been duped by any person. We have done the stamp and seal project for lawyers; we have done the insurance

Alegeh

We have also tried to create a level playing-field on the recommendations of laWyers for the san aWards; it is noW open-ended. you Will appear before the panel, if you do Well, you Will be recommended. policy for lawyers with discounts across the board and we have entered into strategic alliances with some corporate bodies which makes it possible for get things done easily. We have a building in Abuja; when we were sworn in 2014. On this Abuja land project, we have completed the second basement floor. We have roofed the entire building from zero to 12th floor. We are proceeding to the next

stage and we hope to commission the building soon. On the auditorium, we have offered it to some lawyers, some corporate bodies. If they can take up the bills then it will be named after them. We will get this done with the approval of the NBA-NEC. We are instituting the Fame of Honour for contributions to the Hall project and the Library in the names of donors subject to

the approval of NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) and resolution. We’ll do all within out power to ensure that the project is completed on schedule and get everything done with NBA-NEC approval. We have also tried on the discipline of lawyers; lawyers are more aware that the association is more interested in good conduct. I know we send an average of 25 letters weekly on this especially on those granting interviews on pending cases in the Television. Those who were involved initially said nothing can happen; they later came to us and apologised. NBA is not set out to punish any lawyer deliberately, once you notice that what you have done is wrong, apologise and that is all as long as the damage done is minimal. So we are trying our best. We have also tried to create a level playing-field on the recommendations of lawyers for the SAN awards. For the appointment

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, January 11, 2016

on Stamps and Seal project —Alegeh of Senior Advocates in year 2015, we have a committee. The committee does not have a power of appointment but to recommend and it recommended about 30 something lawyers for the award and about 17 of them were picked. It is now open-ended, you will have an interview, you score some marks. If you do well fine; if you don’t do well, it’s over to you. You will appear before the panel, if you do well, you will be recommended so a lawyer needs to be more active at the Bar. These are measures we feel as the way forward the Bar can be happy. I believe we have put in our best although we have challenges. On the NBA conference, we are trying to do our best to improve on the inadequacies of the past. We are getting our name tags free and some other items. We have perfected all these plans to make the next conference interesting. I think the media management at the last Bar conference was poor. The papers presented were not readily available to the media. How will you react to this? We made concrete arrangements at the conference to ensure the papers presented get to the participants. Every paper presented was sent out by Law Pavilion, it was sent out session by session by e-mail; so if your e-mail was not active at that time there is no way you can get the paper. For those who could not get the papers, maybe there are no sufficient servers from which some could get the papers from but then again we are happy you have drawn this to our attention and we will know how to manage it later. The Supreme Court judgments on Stamp and Seal project have generated comments from the Bar. There is a need for NBA as a body to react and even on the issue of fake lawyers? Anybody who says the Supreme Court judgments on stamps and seal are conflicting is a quack. The Supreme Court second judgment touched the issue of the earlier judgment, so there is no conflict at all. If you read the judgment very well the pronouncement of Rhodes-Vivour, JSC sets out clearly why

the two judgments are not conflicting. For the fake lawyers, your question should even be why are we not prosecuting them?. Let me say that for Stamp and Seal, we have challenges; anything you are starting afresh has its challenges. Even our manufacturers producing the Stamps are having challenges. We have challenges of lawyers who paid for stamps; you give them, they come back and ask for new set of stamps. The Supreme Court has a manual record and its officials update the record from time to time. When we ask for this, they will check their paper record and digital record and supply us the information and details we needed. We have several challenges internally, inhouse challenges and until we perfected the system, we cannot claim we have overcome these challenges. Our direction now is that there is a legal challenge. Someone took us, the NBA to the Federal High Court; we overcame the legal challenge. The challenges of our manufacturers are being addressed; we are getting over this; we will deal with these internal ones and then think of addressing other ones later. Do you think the succeeding administration of NBA leadership will have the passion to continue with your project and plans? What I have been trying to do is to build capacity. The phone calls I received on stamp now are fewer; there is a staff at the secretariat that handles that now. When I came on board, we met a stamp at the secretariat; it was a paper stamp and I said no way; we can’t continue with this and so we introduced the Stamp and Seal. How will you react to the trend whereby legal practitioners grant interviews on pending cases on Television? We’ll prefer that lawyers do not speak on their cases in court on television. Some lawyers, very senior lawyers who were involved in this practice came to us. There was noise cannot happen nothing can happen. After so much noise they came back to apologise for their conduct.

Alegeh

We are going to initiate an oil Communities’ rehabilitation bill, WhiCh We Can push and pass along With the

petroleum industry bill (pib).

We know that in some instances, there is the need for overriding public interest which may necessitate grating interviews while handling some cases. But a lawyer can put off his robe to address the press; not speak or grant interviews to the media in their wigs and gowns. It is only the court that a lawyer can address while being robed. The media is not a court so lawyers should not address the media in their wigs and gowns or address the media on issues pending before the court. As I said earlier, it is advisable for lawyers not to grant interviews to the media on their pending cases in court. How do you see the reactions of the Bar in recent times to Supreme Court judgments? Supreme Court can err, but that does not make its judgment illegal. Supreme Court rarely reviews its judgments, except it is a policy judgment. There must be an end to litigation. Supreme Court can correct its error. The court corrected itself in Ararume’s case when it decided Amaechi case. This is clear in Oguntade’s judgment in Amaechi case. How will you react to the pending bills before the National Assembly that were not passed before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office? Of course, you know that I am a member of the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the issue of pending Bills before the National Assembly. At our meetings, we were able to address this issue at the forum. When a President has left without assenting a bill, the President who takes over or come in cannot sign the bill. At the stakeholders’ workshop,

we advised the Presidency on the way forward; the bills that could be signed and how other pending bills should be dealt with. The fact is that we have done extensive work on this, that is, on the bills that cannot be passed either because of conflict of laws or for other reasons. How do you think the interests of the oil-producing communities would be addressed in the process of enacting laws affecting their communities? We have dealt with this issue extensively. We are going to initiate an Oil Communities’ Rehabilitation Bill, which we can push and pass along with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) . These are the challenges and let’s see how NBA can resolve it with the involvement of the IOCs. Some of the sections of professional bodies created by the NBA are inactive? SLP is functional and operating. SPIDEL board is to be reconstituted in February NEC meeting. I think we are proposing that they will all have uniformed bylaws. When we meet in Jos at NEC meeting in February 2016 we will decide all that. How will you comment on the shift towards globalization of legal services in the country? I think with clearly defined rules of engagement you cannot just work into our country and begin to operate. I know they don’t mean well for us. We need to have clearly defined rules of engagement. At all times, let us not look at globalization as magic word for expansion. If the rules are there, we should operate them to our advantage.

Law & Justice

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, January 11, 2016

‘Multiple divisions responsible for conflicting judgements’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 to face this challenges going by the nature of our judicial system. But, some of these matters will get to the Supreme Court where they will be streamlined. The only thing that can give us worries is if there are conflicting judgements of the Supreme Court on the case in point, because that is the last court. Some panels of the Court of Appeal have more than twenty election petition cases to attend to and the time constrain is quite tremendous.’’ In his view, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), acknowledged that conflicting judgements by different judicial divisions of the Court of Appeal had become topical in recent times. He pointed out that the situation was embarrassing stressing that it is a reversal of the long standing and settled principle of law referred to as stare decisis. He said; ‘’The major implications of the conflicting judgements are that they create chaos in the law for clients and lawyers as to the judgment of which judicial division of the Court of Appeal they should follow or advise clients on. In most cases, they over burden the Supreme Court in that it becomes the court that would resolve the conflict should there be an appeal to it in an appropriate case.’’ Igbokwe pointed out that the High Courts are also faced with difficulty as to which of the conflicting judgements they should follow. ‘’The High Courts have usually tried to overcome the conflicting judgments by either following the latter in time or picking and choosing between them. However, because of the usual long time it takes for the determination of appeals in the Supreme Court, it means that the chaos created by the conflicting judgments would not be resolved and finally laid to rest unless and until resolved by the Supreme Court’’. He submitted that; ‘’as long as different and many judicial divisions of the Court of

Yusuf Ali

Quakers

Layonu

the

CJN has proffered a workable

solutioN by CirCulatiNg JudgemeNts amoNg themselves.

however, eaCh divisioN must

also resort to thoroughly CheCkiNg the data baNk to kNow if there is aNy CurreNt deCisioN of its sister divisioN wheN writiNg its JudgmeNts aNd ruliNgs Appeal exit for administrative conveniences and to bring justice nearer to litigants, conflicting judgments would continue to arise unless a quick measure is taking through modern technological means to ensure that as soon as a division of the Court of Appeal delivers a judgment or a ruling in a case before it, it is uploaded and made accessible to all other judicial divisions of the Court of Appeal so that each division would become aware of them.’’ In his opinion, Abiodun Layonu (SAN), said. ‘’Sound advice, but even the Supreme Court is guilty of this! This has been one of the major problems in the system. One is glad the CJN is dealing with it. How it will be tackled is another issue entirely considering

Bar

Jokes

Why God Created Lawyers Satan was complaining bitterly to God, “You made the world so that it was not fair, and you made it so that most people would have to struggle every day, fight against their innate wishes and desires, and deal with all sorts of losses, grief, disasters, and catastrophes. Yet people worship and adore you. People fight, get arrested, and cheat each other, and I get blamed, even when it is not my fault. Sure, I’m evil, but give me a break. Can’t you do something to make them stop blaming me?” And so God created lawyers.

Light bulb lawyers

Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb? A: Fifty four. Eight to argue, one to get a continuance, one to object, one to demur, two to research precedents, one to dictate a letter, one to stipulate, five to turn in their time cards, one to depose, one to write interrogatories, two to settle, one to order a secretary to change the bulb, and twenty-eight to bill for professional services.

Free advice at social affairs?

A doctor and a lawyer were attending a cocktail party when the doctor was approached by a man who asked advice on how to handle his ulcer. The doctor mumbled

the number of divisions of the Court if Appeal. Commenting on the issue, Norrison Quakers (SAN), said; ‘’Our courts are expected to have regular conferences to discuss and analyse cases and if for any reason, an appellate court is called upon to depart from its earlier decision, there is a laid down constitutional procedure to be followed. The CJN’s pronouncement is a welcome development and an initiative that shall save our judiciary. ‘’Because of regular rotations of justices of the Court of Appeal, it also makes it easier for a particular justice who had delivered judgments in a particular division to revisit it when it gets to another division of the court. To me, no two cases are the same, cases are

some medical advice, then turned to the lawyer and remarked, “I never know how to handle the situation when I’m asked for medical advice during a social function. Is it acceptable to send a bill for such advice?” The lawyer replied that it was certainly acceptable to do so. The next day, the doctor sent the ulcer-stricken man a bill. The lawyer also sent one to the doctor.

Leaving money for the dead

A lawyer, a used car salesman and a banker were gathered by a coffin containing the body of an old friend. In his grief, one of the three said, “In my family, we have a custom of giving the dead some money, so they’ll have something to spend over there.” They all agreed that this was appropriate. The banker dropped a hundred dollar bill into the casket, and the car salesman did the same. The lawyer took out the bills and wrote a cheque for $300.

A cold winter night

Lorenzo Dow, an evangelist of the last century, was on a preaching tour when he came to a small town one cold winter’s night. He entered the local general store to get some warmth, and saw the town’s lawyers gathered around the pot-bellied stove, discussing the town’s business. Not one offered to allow Dow into the circle. Dow told the men who he was, and that he had recently had a vision where he had been given a tour of Hell, much like the traveler in Dante’s Inferno. When one of the lawyers asked him what he had seen, he replied, “Very much what I see here: All of the lawyers, gathered in the hottest place.” Culled from Aha! Jokes; Lawyers Jokes.com and lawyers. jokes.com

determined based on giving sets of facts and law. So it is not in all cases that we condemn the court for giving conflicting or embracing judgment’’. Speaking on the issue, former Chairman, NBA, Lagos branch, Chijioke Okoli said; ‘’you cannot fault the CJN, he has spoken the minds of some of us as litigation lawyers. If you come to me as a client with a case, I should be able to tell you what the position of the law is on the matter. It is good that the CJN has seen it as a problem. ‘’There so many divisions of the Court of Appeal and the CJN has proffered a workable solution by circulating judgements among themselves. However, each division must also resort to thoroughly checking the data bank to know if there is any current decision of its sister division when writing its judgments and rulings so as to avoid such conflict and its implication because in any event, the constitution provides for only one Court of Appeal and its several judicial divisions are merely for administrative convenience.‎ It is for the above reasons that I am in support of the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I am also of the view that if my suggestion herein and other appropriate means are adopted, the incident will be reduced if not totally eliminated’’.

LEGAL TIPS

What amounts to Nuisance in Law (11) Private Nuisance

Private nuisance is a continuous, unlawful and indirect interference with the use or enjoyment of land, or of some right over or in connection with it. * It is designed to protect the individual owner or occupier of land from substantial interference with his enjoyment of his property. *To succeed in an action in private nuisance, the claimant must therefore have an interest in land. The claimant must also prove that the defendant’s conduct was unreasonable, thereby making it unlawful. *It is trite law that since private nuisance is essentially an interference with the use and enjoyment of land, only a person who has an interest in land affected is entitled to bring an

Bar

action. *The remedies available to one who complains of nuisance are (a) an action for damages, (b) an injunction and (c) abatement, which is the remedy of self-help, for example, removing overhanging tree branches, which are a nuisance. *Among the defences a defendant can invoke in nuisance is contributory negligence where the nuisance complained of is based on negligent conduct. *Statutory authority will also be a defence to private nuisance if it can be shown that the activities complained of by the claimant were authorised (expressly or impliedly) by a statute. Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

Jokes

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, January 11, 2016

Lakanmi: How S’Court dared military govt The Lakanmi case is a landmark decision where the Supreme Court of Nigeria tested the questions arising from the coup jurisprudence. The fundamental issue examined by the apex court was whether the series of events that unfolded in the country in 1966 were within the revolution parameters. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

FAMOUS CASES

he case of E.O Lakanmi versus the Attorney- General of West is well-known in Nigeria. This case decided 46 years ago questioned more fundamentally the constitutional basis of military Decrees and Edicts in the country. It was a case in which the Supreme Court saw the Yakubu Gowon administration as a temporary emergency regime which lacked the competence to make laws not justified by the necessity of the circumstances. Lakanmi was a public officer during the Gowon regime. He was allegedly cited for corrupt practices and the Western State Military Government sought to investigate his assets and that of other public officers in 1970. In the process, a Commission of Inquiry was set up. After the probe, the Commission of Inquiry found Lakanmi and others guilty of corruption. It recommended the forfeiture of their assets to the military government. Lakanmi and others were aggrieved by the panel’s verdict. They therefore made an application to an Ibadan High Court for an order of certiorari to quash the order of the tribunal, contending that the Public Officers and other Persons (Investigation of Assets) Edict No 5 of 1967 under which the order was made was invalid because of its inconsistency with the Public Officers (Investigation of Assets) Decree of 1966. The High Court dismissed the motion and held that the Edict was validly made and that since it ousted the jurisdiction of the court, the validity or otherwise of the order could not be challenged. Lakanmi and others’ lodged an appeal to the Western State Court of Appeal and it was equally dismissed. In-between the decisions of the High and appellate courts, the Federal Military Government (FMG) promulgated three Decrees obviously in favour of the respondent. One of the decrees was Decree No 45 of 1968 which validated all orders made under any enactment and ousted the jurisdiction of the courts from questioning the validity of any decree. It also excluded the application of fundamental human rights provisions in the Constitution and abated all pending proceedings in respect of any Decree. At the Supreme Court, the appellants through their counsel, Chief F.R.A Williams’ submitted that the FMG was not a revolutionary government but a constitutional interim government which came into being by the wishes of the representatives of the people and whose object was to uphold the constitution excepting in so far as it had derogate from it under the doctrine of necessity whereby it was granted the power. They also said the FMG must ensure the continued existence of the Constitution and a Decree prevailed over the Constitution only to the extent of that Decree, if validly made, could amend the Constitution and that the order of the assets tribunal was not validly made. Another argument canvassed was that

Gowon

Sir Udoma

What happened in nigeria in January 1966 is unprecedented in history. never before, as far as We are aWare, has a civilian government invited an army take-over or the armed forces to form an interim government.

since Decree No 45 of 1968 sought to validate government action, the Decree was a usurpation of judicial power as it deprived the appellants of their property without compensation by a legislative act. But the Attorney-General, Western Region, Dr. Taslim Elias argued that once a Decree was signed by the Head of the FMG it could not be challenged as no court had jurisdiction to adjudicate on the validity of a Decree. It was further submitted that the FMG was a revolutionary government which came into existence as a result of the incident of January 15, 1966, and that accordingly, it had an unfettered right to rule by force and by means of Decrees. Specifically, the Supreme Court was faced with the issue of the legal effect of Dr. Nwafor Orizu’s abdication. Another fundamental question raised was whether the coup was a revolution overthrowing the 1963 Constitution with the result that the military government could rule outside constitutional restraints? Chief Williams argued that it was not a revolution but a constitutional abdication under the implied doctrine of necessity. The court held that the abdication was limited to saving the country from immediate crisis and so Gowon could not forcefully deprive the appellants of their property by ad hominem decrees contrary to the 1963 Constitution.

Although the Gowon regime soon ‘annulled’ the judgment with the FMG (Supremacy and Enforcement of Powers) Decree No 28 of 1970, some restraints was observed during successive regimes as there were no wide scale withdrawal of fundamental rights by force of decrees, apart isolated practical excesses. However, the effectiveness of the Decree, the peculiar provisions of which force the ‘grundnorm’ of all subsequent military governments till 1999, confirmed that the 1966 event was a legal revolution that effectively annihilated the 1963 Constitution. In its judgment delivered on April 24, 1970, the Supreme Court led by the then Chief Justice, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola declared the Decrees and Edicts confiscating such property void. Interestingly, the panel of the apex court also comprised Sir Udo Udoma among other jurists. The Supreme Court held that since the FMG, as the supreme legislative body had by Decree No 51 of 1966, enacted what was the law covering the investigation of assets of public officers, which was operative throughout the country, any state enactment such as Edict No5 of 1967 on the same subject matter was ultra vires and void under the doctrine of covering the field. It also held that the FMG was not a revolutionary government but an interim government of necessity. The Supreme Court said ‘’ what happened in Nigeria in January 1966 is unprecedented

in history. Never before, as far as we are aware, has a civilian government invited an army take-over or the armed forces to form an interim government.’’ The judgment of the court struck at the root of the military government in power, and also generated considerable popular feelings among scholars, lawyers, jurists and human rights activists. For instance, Prof. Itse Sagay was quoted in Jurisprudence by M.E Elegido, as saying that ‘’there can never be any excuse or justification for such a step, which is destructive of judicial authority, the judicial process and the rule of law.’ The military regime, which was seriously rattled by the decision reacted tersely by promulgating decree No 28 of 1970, which had the effect of nullifying any decision of any court in any part of the Federation whether given before or after the passing of the Decree. Decree No 28 of 1970 states: It is hereby declared that, (b) any decision, whether made before or after the commencement of this Decree by any court of law in exercise or [purported exercise of any powers under the Constitution or any enactment or Law of the Federation or of any State which has purported to declare or shall hereafter purport to declare the invalidity of any Decree or of any Edict (in so far as the provisions of the Edict are not in inconsistent with the provision of the Decree) or the incompetence of any of the governments in the Federation to make the same is or shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever as from the date of making thereof.’’ In might be pointed out that Decree No 105 of 1979 titled: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Certain Consequential Repeals etc) has repealed decree No 28 of 1970. Beyond that, the military action of legislating while a case is actually in court in order to ensure a certain verdict was condemnable by lawyers, scholars and jurists alike.

Law & Justice

Monday, January 11, 2016

Trio on trial in Dubai for importing 35m banned pills

hree men accused of importing 35 million pills containing the opiate diphenoxylate and 2.5 kilograms of tramadol have appeared in Dubai Criminal Court. According to ABC News, Prosecutors said that on January 13 last year, the drugs were found in a shipping container at Jebel Ali Port during a routine inspection. “We contacted the manager of the company which imported the pills and, when questioned about the container’s contents, he said he gave his company’s importing code and documents to a man to use for importing legal goods in return for Dh1,000,” Emirati customs inspector MS told prosecutors. Police then apprehended an Iranian man, who ordered the container, and his countryman, who finalised its shipping and customs clearance procedures. The Bangladeshi manager was also arrested. Records show that the pills were hidden in plastic bottles arranged inside

DUBAI

Prime Minister, UAE, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al_Maktoum. boxes, which were in turn placed inside large barrels. The three defendants, Bangladeshi MK, 51, and Iranians HS, 42, and JZ, 41, were then charged with importing the drugs to promote them in the UAE. The Bangladeshi was present in court on Wednesday morning and denied the charge. “I am only the manager of the company and I had no idea the two wanted to import banned substances when I allowed them to use my company’s name and licence,” he told judges. The next hearing will be on January 17 to summon the other two defendants from their prison cells.

India apex court upholds ban on sale of diesel vehicles in Delhi

he Supreme Court has upheld a temporary ban on the sale of large diesel cars in New Delhi to combat toxic smog in India’s capital, but postponed hearing an industry appeal on an environmental tax that car makers say will hit investment. According to BBC News, Delhi’s block on new diesel cars has unsettled the industry, its salesmen and investors, who warn the ban and uncertainty surrounding it could derail a tentative recovery in auto sales. Green groups want to ex-

INDIA

tend the ban to smaller diesel cars and other smog-choked cities in India. The presiding Supreme Court judge said that the court was considering expanding the ban to diesel cars with engine capacity of less than 2,000 cc - currently not covered but would first seek industry input on the matter. The Supreme Court had also been expected to rule on a separate green tax on all diesel cars in the city, but has yet to announce its decision on that levy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

European court awards damages to Russian protester

he European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor of a Russian man who was detained during a political rally in Moscow in 2012 and later sentenced to two weeks in jail for jaywalking. The ruling was a rebuff to the Russian practice of cracking down on political rallies with harsh fines and jail time. It undermined a central element of Moscow’s narrative of the clashes that unruly protesters had set off the violence, thus justifying new laws cracking down on public assembly. According to Reuters, the police arrested about 400 people, including the plaintiff in the case, Yevgeniy Frumkin, after scuffles broke out at the rally, on May 6, 2012, in Bolotnaya Square. The demonstration fol-

amsung Electronics Co limited has urged US appeals court to find that a jury in 2014 should not have made the South Korean company pay nearly $120 million to Apple Inc for infringing three patents. A report by Reuters says that Apple’s “quick links” patent, which accounts for more than $98 million of the damages award, was the main focus in Samsung’s latest effort to overturn major court victories by the U.S. technology company over the past two years. During more than an hour of highly technical arguments, Samsung’s attorney Kathleen Sullivan said Samsung did not use the same technology as Apple to detect and link to specific data, such as phone numbers, in its phones’ Web browser and messenger applications. Apple’s lawyer, William Lee, told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Cir-

LUXEMBOURG lowed a series of large, peaceful protests by people who opposed the election in March 2012 of Vladimir V. Putin to a third term as president, and who suspected fraud during voting. The rally was permitted to take place. But police officers herded tens of thousands of people from a large avenue into a tightly confined zone in a park, creating a bottleneck, and scuffles with the police ensued. The violence, political analysts say, became politically advantageous for Mr. Putin, who defended the subsequent arrests and prosecutions of protesters on various charges. It also precipitated a series of laws that constricted the right to assemble, part of a general tightening of political screws in Russia since Mr.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin Putin’s return to the presidency. Rights groups have called the measures a throwback to Soviet authoritarianism, and they said the police intentionally created the bottleneck in the parade route to cause a dangerous and unruly scene. The Russian government, in contrast, has pointed to

the violent street protests in Ukraine in 2014, and to the toppling of the government there as well as continued civil strife, as justification for having tight controls on public protests. Prosecutors continue to press charges against protesters unfortunate enough to have been squeezed into the confined area during the 2012 rally. In the latest case, on Dec. 22, a court sentenced a man to two and a half years in prison for striking a police officer with an umbrella during the protest. The police detained Mr. Frumkin for standing in the street after an order had been given to disperse. The European court said, however, that Mr. Frumkin — and thousands of others — could hardly comply while trapped in the tightly packed crowd.

Samsung urges US court to overturn $120 million patent verdict USA

US President, Barack OBAMA cuit in Washington, the nation’s top court specializing in patent issues, that the jury’s verdict was supported by “substantial evidence.” Two of the three judges at the hearing seemed to question Apple’s arguments over the interpretation of

the patent, which Sullivan said the appeals court had already rejected in a separate case. But Lee cautioned against accepting Samsung’s theory, which was rejected by the jury. In court papers, Samsung also said the two other patents it was found to have infringed are invalid, an argument Apple said should be rejected. The companies have appeared at the court several times over the last two years. The latest appeal stems from the May 2014 verdict in a federal court in San Jose, California ordering Samsung to pay $119.6 million for using Apple’s patented technology without permission. The three infringed patents cover the iPhone’s slide-to-unlock, autocorrect

and quick links features. The same appeals court in September ruled that Apple should have been awarded an injunction in the case, barring Samsung from selling devices that infringe its patents. The court, however, said Samsung could remove the patented features without recalling its products. In a separate lawsuit, Samsung on Dec. 14 paid Apple $548.2 million, part of what it owes for infringing different patents and designs of the iPhone. Samsung is continuing to fight that case by appealing part of the judgment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Another trial on further damages will be held in March. The case is Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 15-1171.

It was a memorable experience —Fochi Nwodo

y first solo appearance was before Justice Lawal Akapo of the commercial division of the High Court of Lagos State. I was instructed by my principal to move a motion for withdrawal. Prior to this day,

our client had stopped contacting us and apparently we have to withdraw from the matter. When the matter was mentioned in court, I entered my appearance, while the other party also entered his appearance. I told the

court I have a motion to move, while subsequently the other counsel also informed the court he had another motion to argue. Hitherto, I was given the opportunity to move my motion first and throughout my presentation I was

quite calm because I had done series of rehearsals before the proceedings. However, the judge noticed I was a new wig and was also friendly. The court granted my application. It was indeed a memorable experience.

Nwodo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, January 11, 2016

Social responsibility issues in oil and gas industry CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Efosa osEghalE

he former has to do with the extent to which, in this case, oil and gas operators recognize and respond to both macro and micro needs and demands, especially in stated principles and rules. The latter refers to the empirical links between operators’ rhetoric’s and the realities of their actions and response to local community needs and demands. Be that as it may, research findings have shown that most, if not all, of the multinational behaves and relates in the corporate socialization processes, anywhere they find themselves in the world, along the nature and character of their parent countries. In otherwords, the SPDC in Nigeria is unlikely to chart a separate social responsibility course drastically out of tune with the British/Dutch Shell BP prescription for its companies operating in developing countries. Similarly, Agip (Nigeria) is not expected to be different in the corporate socialization framework provided by their Agip (Italy) parent. Consequently, it is possible to universalize the corporate social response of each operating company in Nigeria, acknowledging however that these same companies tended to exhibit different levels and degrees of commitments as it relates to their activities in developing countries on the one hand, and developed nations on the other. At the Macro level, most if not all of the multinationals; (i) declare strong commitment to and support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Shell, and by extension SPDC (Nigeria) declare further support for the Sullivan Principles which deals with voluntary business codes. (ii) insist on transparency in data reporting and governance. Shell for example, declares that it aim to provide or make available to its host countries, standards and scientific methodologies for transparent data collation and reporting especially in financial matters. (iii) claim to be actively fighting corruption in their host countries. ExxonMobile for example, set some standards in Angola by publishing “details of signature bonus payment, banning straight bribery and also stopping facilitation payments”. (iv) report that their activities in the host countries are critically more beneficial to the latter. There are no admissions anywhere by them of the environmental, social and even political crisis they advertently or otherwise, impact on their host communities. For example some analysis believe Shell employs a sophisticated array of damage control experts, scenario planners, lobbyists … to present the image of a caring, thoughtful and socially responsible company to the outside world. At the Micro level which deals with the concrete actions of these corporations within the work place, adjacent or host communities on the one hand, and the host countries on the other, it is difficult to generalize for reasons also stated. The enormity of the negative impacts which the activities of the operating corporations have foisted on Nigeria, at once points to the facts and reality of a failed corporate social responsibility strategy in its oil and gas industry. Industry watchers have rated most of the oil multinationals low on their corporate social responsibility performance. This is particularly the case in developing countries. Since the 1995 Saro Wiwa episode, it is only in Angola and Chad that oil corporations made marks at the level of macro corporate social responsibility performance. BP in 1999 ‘set a benchmark for corporate transparency and accountability”. In 2011, BP stated and proceeded to maintain: … a dialogue with the Bretton Wood institutions over the situation in Angola … published key financial data …, total net production; aggregate payments to SONANGOL…, total payments n terms of taxes and levies This achievement was hailed as an “excellent move” and proclaimed by the Human Rights Watch as “a new standard

The calamiTous sTaTe or condiTions in The oil and gas hosT communiTies

niger delTa in parTicular and nigeria of The

in general basically conTradicTs The corporaTe social responsibiliTy performance claims of The enTire operaTors of The indusTry.

of fiscal transparency for oil companies in Angola” Similarly, ExxonMobil in a 3.5 billion USD pipeline project from Chad to Cameroon, employed a revenue management programme which successfully made it possible for all the funds to be placed in special accounts under the watchful eyes of the World Bank on the on hand, and required and ensured that the programme funds are spent on health, education, infrastructure and rural development programmes, on the other. Although this development was criticized as a major infringement on the sovereignty of the Chad, it is nonetheless proclaimed as perhaps, the most radical example of corporate social responsibility in the oil industry. About corporate social responsibility in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, all the operators show case well articulated and effectively publicized social responsibility policies and programme. SPDC for example has as its mission in Nigeria to become: The operator of first choice… through the commitment to strong economic performance and to every aspect of sustainable development. SPDC produces over million barrels per day in Nigeria (over 40% of total national production) and insists that “through its community investment programmes, SPDC is demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life for all those who live and work in the Niger/Delta. Chevron which is the third largest oil and gas company in Nigeria averaged 516,000 barrels of crude oil daily (of the 252,000 net), 343 million cubic feet of natural gas (142 million net) and 11,000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas (4,000 net). Chevron states that apart from providing career opportunities for Nigerians, hiring as employees and workers, it is also takes seriously its “role as a member of the community in Nigeria and is active in many projects providing health, economic development and education”. ExxonMobile publicized its “Corporate citizenship in a challenging world” and insists that its activities are geared towards primarily providing affordable and economically clean fuel and investments in their host countries. Effectively, all the companies claim that their operations benefit their host countries including Nigeria. None acknowledges it contributions to the subsisting endemic environmental, social and human problems in their host country. The calamitous state or conditions in the oil and gas host communities of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general basically contradicts the corporate social responsibility performance claims of the entire operators of the industry. It is not off the mark to submit that both the host corporate government of Nigeria and the oil multinational were not unaware, ‘abinito’, of the dangers and challenges associated with commercialized oil and gas extraction. Pitiably, it would appear that Nigeria’s government, aside the decision to nationalize multinational corporations in 1970s, simply keyed into the existing stereotyped interna-

tional frame work of excessive liberal capitalist ideology and expansionism. After all, the indigenization law of the 70s was essentially to maximize profit rather than to protect the environment, people and culture of Nigeria. In response to the social problems generated by oil and gas business, government employed ad-hoc rules and regulations by way of special committees, panels of investigation, task forces and even commissions’ establishment. At other times rather than the application of the rules, mere policies and reforms most of which lacked the desirable international application and acceptance were improvised to deal with dire situations in the industry. Even more important is the fact that the huge revenue which accrued from the lucrative oil and gas industry which was managed exclusively by government to the exclusion of NGOs, international organizations (10s) and the host communities, failed to deliver commensurate economic and social development. Instead, it resulted in political upheavals, youths restiveness, high crime levels, reprisals and of course repression by government. On the part of the multinational companies, and at the macro corporate social responsibility level, so little was done to promote the good governance of the country, transparency and accountability in national financial spheres, not to talk of the protection of fundamental human rights. Instead, it would appear that multinationals in the industry tended to, for example; 1. distance themselves from politics and governance under the guise of not wanting to comprise host country is sovereignty. This attitude contradict the basis of corporate citizenship. 2. shy away from publicizing business data such as the actual production volume, amount accrued to government, taxes and levied paid to government et cetera. Thus, corporate transparency and accountability was sacrificed on the alter of accounting contradictions and corruption, and 3. behave as if communities’ agitations, protests and the resultant conflicts or violence in the host communities are indicative of the failure of government; situations over which they have no causal roles but over which they could and ameliorate cold mediate through “arbitrary” or ad-hoc social responsibility measures. Towards and effective and efficient Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: The need for a legal framework After over fifty years of oil exploration and production in Nigeria, it remain one of the poorest nations in the world. Inspite of the hundreds of billions of dollars which accrued to the country in the period, there is so little to show by way of even the most basic of infrastructure. Worse still, the over 30million people that inhabit the host communities of the Niger Delta remain, till date, in the most deplorable conditions imaginable. It is not just apparent but clear that the response of the government on the one hand, and that of the oil and gas multinationals, is to suggest the least, very inadequate and therefore requires urgent evaluation and change. It is the case that corruption plus inept governance continue to be the major obstacle to performance by the federal government; a situation capitalized on by the corporations generally. But for the multinationals, beside the ‘clandestine’ taxes and levies supposedly paid to government, the prevailing approach to corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship is abusive and lacks ethical foundation. It is no longer good or ethical business in an increasingly globalizing world for corporations and even any company in any industry to exist or be perceived to exist solely to maximize profits while, even if apparently, been unable to advance the interests, beliefs, expectations and aspirations of the host society. Prof. Oseghale writes from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror We require huge investment in public infrastructure, production of energy, health and education to enable us take full advantage of evolving economic conditions. –Governor AkinWunmi Ambode of LAGos

We lost billions in Oshodi market demolition –Traders Dare akogun

ebere nDukwu

raders have continued to lament and count their loss at the recently demolished Owonifari electronics market in Oshodi area of Lagos State, saying that goods destroyed runs into billions of naira. The traders, who claimed adequate notice was not given to them by Lagos State government to evacuate their goods before the demolition, stated that it was a deliberate attempt by the government to ensure they were left with nothing. A trader, Mr Kingsley Odah, said he heard about the impending demolition when he traveled for the Christmas holiday. He said, “I heard the government had sealed up the market while I was at home for Christmas, I quickly rushed down, but I got here on Wednesday. They had demolished and destroyed everything I had in the market. I had over N10 million worth of goods. I sell wires and electronics in my shops. “This morning I came to see if I could pick up a few things from the rubble, but I saw fire everywhere again. I think there was a deliberate attempt for us not to pick up anything from here. “How can they demolish the market without allowing us to

A view of Owonifari Market, Oshodi, being demolished in Lagos, recently.

remove our goods? It is inhuman,” he said. Odah disclosed that over 2,000 traders had their goods trapped in the demolished market; with huge loses that run into over a billion naira. “About 2,000 traders had different goods in the market. “I really can’t estimate what we have lost, but a modest estimate will be over a billion naira. At a time when people have spent all they had to restock preparatory for business in a new year, it is wicked,” he

said. Another trader, Sylvester Amadi, said: “I just returned from the South-East after the Christmas and New Year celebration. We have goods in these shops worth millions of naira. The officials came in the night and destroyed our goods with bulldozers. They said they wanted to use the place for a BRT park. But we have hundreds of shops in this place, and they did not allow us to move our goods. We did not pick any-

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

thing from the rubble.” Asked if there was any notice to that effect, he stated there was no notice of the demolition, “they only came to serve a 21-day quit notice that Isopakodowo in Bolade has been provided. But the 21-day quit notice has not expired. Even where they said we should go at Bolade is uncompleted, small and cannot contain all the traders in this market let alone attract the patronage we receive here,” he stated.

ortom charges benue people to be compassionate

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday charged well to do individuals and organizations in the state to show compassion on the less privileged in the society. He gave the charge when he visited the Centre for Parental Care of the Old and Vulnerable, CEPACOV, in Makurdi. Governor Ortom stated that showing compassion was the surest way of attracting and retaining God’s blessings. He donated a Toyota Hilux, pledged a monthly imprest of

I see serious political battle in Nigeria this year – Cleric

N500, 000, beds and mattresses as well as wheelchairs to the home even as he directed that one of the inmates, Pa Iurun Tso, should be treated of hernia at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital at his cost. Governor Ortom promised to support the home to deliver on its responsibilities to the inmates and urged well to do individuals and organizations to emulate the Executive Director of the home, Mrs. Theresa Atser Iwail who he described as the Mother Theresa

of Benue State. Mrs. Iwail stated that she was inspired to establish the home. “I got the inspiration from God as I sat in church one day and an old woman soaked in urine walked past me, she was unkempt and stunk, I felt for her and sought after her after mass and assisted her to tidy up and since then I have this burning desire and love for the aged,” she stated. “Individualism, selfishness and the prevailing poverty in the country has made the liv-

ing condition of the elderly very pitiable and deplorable, hence the need to love and care for them.” She said her organization has fifty out-patient clients on monthly stipends and eight others living in the Old Peoples Care Home. Mrs. Iwail said Governor Ortom was the first Governor to visit the 10-year old home and listed difficulty in paying its 13 staff, land for expansion, bus, more beds and wheelchairs as challenges for which she solicited assistance.

postle Chidi Eze, the General Overseer, GO, Bible Faith Deliverance and Miracle Ministry, Maza-Maza Lagos State has predicted serious political battle between political godfathers and their political sons this year, saying that notable and influential politicians will die in Nigeria and that the political system of Nigeria will be shaken with only the strong ones surviving the hit. The Apostle, who stated this in Lagos, pointed out that political sons will revolt against their godfathers and refuse to agree to their original agreement, “this will result to battle. Nigeria will experience intellectual revolution by young people, I mean the youths. Nigerians have to be very careful this year because there will be outbreak of deadly sickness and diseases. Strange things will happen in Nigeria this year,” he said. Why speaking on what should be expected economically he said: “This year will be a very tough year for Nigerians economically; there will be serious economic hardship in the country but the children of God will survive. It will also be a year of abundance for the needy and the helpless. I tell you frankly to tell Nigerians that there will be drastic fall in the prices of essential commodities this year. “I told Nigerians in the year 2015 that the sponsors of Boko-Haram will be exposed and it happened, but this year it is something different. It is a year we need and must have good spiritual leaders for coverage.”

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North

Monday, January 11, 2016

FG advised to absorb disengaged NBTSC staff WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Members of a local vigilante group (known as Yandaba) reacting during distribution of relief materials by a member of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi, to his constituents in Bauchi, yesterday.

Katsina sacks 165 teachers

…to employ 9,000 youths JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

ne hundred and sixty-five non-professional primary school teachers have been sacked in Katsina State. The teachers were sacked by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, for failing to acquire the National Certificate of Education, NCE. NCE has since 1980 been the minimum qualification required for teachers that teach in primary schools in the country. There was, however, effort last year by the Federal Government to raise the minimum teaching qualification to a university degree. It was learnt the affected teachers are among the 731 that were employed by the former administration in the state. It was gathered that the sacking of the teachers was part of the current administration’s effort to sanitise the education sector. According to a source, the sacked teachers didn’t possess the minimum teaching qualification and thus cannot deliver quality education to pupils. He said the teachers were recruited in May last year, and that their sack was part of a recommendation by a committee set up to screen their credentials. The spokesperson of the board, Garba Abuba-

kar, who confirmed the sack, said he didn’t have the exact number of those sacked. Abubakar said those sacked includes security men as well as other category of staff working in some of the primary schools. He, however, said that the state government had settled eight months salary arrears to the affected staff. Meanwhile, no less than 9,000 youths in Katsina State are to be gainfully employed through a job creation effort by the state government. Governor Aminu Bello Masari who stated this over the weekend, said the jobs would be created before the end of the year. Masari was speaking when he received the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk in his office. The governor said his administration would create small businesses to minimise unemployment as well as enhance economic status of teeming youths. He said loans would soon be disbursed to unemployed youths and training given to them through training colleges to make them self reliant. He said the current state government would focus more on building the people than spending money on unimportant capital projects. Masari, however, lamented of possible limitations in implementing its policies and programmes

due to shortage of funds. He said the state was not generating enough internally, while allocation from federation account had dropped by 60 percent. Earlier, Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk called on the state government to prevail on the Federal Government to complete the construction of the Sabke Dam. The emir said the project had been abandoned

since 1999 and that its completion would lead to the socio-economic development of the communities around the dam. He also called for the desilting of the Dabiran dam to boost irrigation farming in his Daura Emirate area. He assured the state government that traditional rulers would enlighten the people to help improve the state’s internally generated revenue.

ederal Government has been advised to absorb staff of the various National Blood Transfusion Service Centres in the country laid off following donor agencies withdrawal of their sponsorship. The call was made by stakeholders in Lokoja yesterday while speaking with journalists. They said that due to the withdrawal of sponsorship of the centres by donor agencies, core medical and health personnel were relieved of their jobs. A stakeholder, Mr. Friday Ogungbemi, who was the 2015 highest blood donor at the Lokoja service centre, explained that there was need for the Federal Government to absorb the personnel into the mainstream of the Federal Civil Service. According to him, this is in view of the importance of the centres to primary and secondary healthcare delivery in making safe blood available and accessible to patients at “no se-

Ortom solicits more job openings for Benue indigenes

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to give more opportunities to indigenes of the state at the federal level to make contributions to the development of the country. He spoke when he visited Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, in Abuja yesterday. Governor Ortom stated that Benue State has qualified, competent and patriotic sons and daughters in all fields of human endeavours, who are ready to offer quality service to the nation if given the opportunity. He stated that people of the state also expect more appointments at the Federal level by virtue of their antecedents of contributions to the unity and progress of the country in general and the emergence of All Pro-

gressives Congress, APC, government at the centre in particular. In his response, SGF Lawal, acknowledged the position of Governor Ortom and pledged to take up his request at the appropriate quarters. In another development, the governor urged the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, when he visited him, to justify the confidence reposed in him by his appointment and also deploy his vast experience to the service of the nation. He also appealed to Chief Ogbeh to assist the state to utilise its potentials in the agricultural sector where it has comparative and competitive advantages, pointing out that his appointment was made with the consciousness that he was a Benue indigene. Ortom announced that the state government had

concluded plans to host the minister to a grand reception. Chief Ogbeh said the nation had no alternative, but to return to agriculture since the oil it had relied upon as its major revenue earner could no longer sustain delivery on its financial responsibilities. He assured that with the development, he would ensure that Benue State naturally played a significant role in the scheme of things to the mutual benefit of both the state and the Federal Government. Governor Ortom also visited the Permanent Secretary in the Ecological Funds office where he sought assistance to tackle ecological challenges in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo and received assurance from Alhaji Mohammed Abbas, the Permanent Secretary, that his request will be considered.

rious costs” and their lifesaving capacities. One of the affected personnel, Mrs. Erlinda Umoru, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist, stated that the workers were recruited by the Centre for Disease Control in conjunction with the Presidential Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. Umoru pointed out that they were recruited for periods ranging between seven and 12 years and subject to annual review within the period until recently when the agencies notified the Federal Government of the intention to withdraw their sponsorship. “The agencies notified government that with effect from December 31, 2015, they would withdraw their sponsorship and services and asked government to take over. “They also said that government’s failure to formally take over the facilities would lead to disengagement of the workers and that is what has happened now. We are appealing to government to take over the centre and absorb us”, she said. The Coordinator for Lokoja Centre, Dr Steven Uwodi, noted that the centre could no longer perform its primary function of taking blood even as donors approach the centre daily since professionals for the job had been disengaged. Uwodi joined other stakeholders to appeal to the Federal Government to fully take over the centre and provide for its manpower requirements rather than allow it to fizzle out of the system. Speaking in same vein Mr Abdul Miliki, Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, CHRCR, said the centres were too important to be neglected and urged the Federal Government to take them over with all their assets and liabilities. Miliki said the Health Management Boards, HMB, of the various states could in the interim, take over the centres and pay their personnel to ensure the sustenance their services awaiting Federal Government intervention.

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News We have to be just as passionate and well organized to defend our kids and to stand up and fight for the change that we seek. –US PreSident, BaraCk OBama

Egypt Parliament re-opens session in row AfolAbi GAmbAri

President Barack Obama will not publicly back any presidential candidate before the Democratic Party has chosen who is to lead its battle to retain the White House in November. “Obama would campaign after the primaries are over,” White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, said yesterday. Polls appear to favour Hillary Clinton for the nomination. Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, is also in the running. The other remaining contender for the Democratic Party nomination is Baltimore mayor and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley. Obama and Clinton fought each other for the Democratic Party nomination in 2008, when he won his first term and she became his secretary of state.

WITH AGENCy REPORT

gypt’s parliament yesterday opened for the first time in more than three years, packed with supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The previous Islamistdominated legislature was dissolved by a court ruling in 2012. The following year, the then General Sisi ousted President Mohammed Morsi following massive protests against him and his Muslim Brotherhood party. Egypt’s new parliament has just 15 days to ratify over 300 new laws issued. Newly elected MPs were sworn in yesterday and are due to elect a speaker and two deputies. Parliament comprises 568 elected members and is dominated by an alliance loyal to

Egyptian policemen slain in Giza

Yesterday’s session did not go without an incident

President Sisi. Yesteday’s session was supposed to be mostly procedural. But it was disrupted by one outspoken member and Sisi’s supporter, Murtada Mansour.

Mansour at first refused to read the official text of the MPs’ oath, before relenting and “hurriedly and casually” reciting it, according to reports.

He was angry at parts of the text endorsing the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011, which some pro-government figures now see as a mistake.

France remembers Charlie Hebdo victims

ceremony took place yesterday in central Paris to remember those killed in the Charlie Hebdo attacks a year ago. President Francois Hollande laid a wreath in the Place de la Republique, where a commemorative oak tree was unveiled, and a minute’s silence was observed. In the attacks, jihadist gunmen killed 12 people at the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine, four hostages at a Jewish supermarket, and a policewoman. Relatives of some of the vic-

tims also attended Sunday’s event, the culmination of a week of ceremonies. French rocker Johnny Hallyday sang a song with the French army choir which recalled the January 11 unity march. France is still under a state of emergency following the November 13 attacks in Paris, in which gunmen linked to the Islamic State group killed 130 people. A plaque unveiled in the Place de la Republique paid tribute to victims of both the Charlie Heb-

do and November attacks. The words of the writer Victor Hugo, on his return from exile in 1870, were also read out, including the observation: “Paris is a sacred city. Whoever attacks Paris attacks the whole of humanity.” President Hollande continued on from the Place de la Republique to the Grand Mosque in Paris, coinciding with French mosques opening their doors to non-Muslims over the weekend to overcome prejudice against Islam.

he Polish Foreign Ministry has criticised German politicians for what it calls antiPolish comments but has given no details of which ones. However, both the German President of the European Parliament and the German EU commissioner have been sharply critical of Poland’s new government. A newly enacted media law gives control of Polish public radio and TV to a national media council close to the government. Thousands of Poles joined a demonstration on Saturday in

Warsaw to protest against the law. The German Ambassador has been summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry. The conservative and staunchly Catholic Law and Justice party won elections in October with a majority. It became the first party to be able to govern alone since democracy was restored to Poland in 1989. PiS has also sought to strengthen government control over the constitutional court and the civil service.

Gunmen have killed two Egyptian police in the city of Giza, officials said yesterday. The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attack. The incident came hours after three foreign tourists were stabbed by suspected IS militants who stormed a hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada on Friday. Egypt is battling an insurgency largely based in the Sinai Peninsula which became more active after the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Hundreds of security force members and government personnel have been killed, with attacks creeping closer to the capital Cairo. Those injured in the attack in Hurghada-two Austrians and a Swede-are said to be in a stable condition.

‘Mountain lion has forehead teeth’ French President Francois Hollande (middle) at yesterday’s wreath-laying in Paris.

German envoy gets Polish summon

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel

WORLD BULLETIN Election: Obama delays candidates’ support

European Parliament President Martin Schulz, a German centre-left politician, accused PiS of putting the interests of party before country. “It was a dangerous Putinisation of European politics,” Schulz told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, referring to Russia’s authoritarian president. Earlier this month, EU Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said there were grounds for activating a new EU mechanism for states deemed to have breached the rule of law.

A mountain lion killed in the US state of Idaho had a set of fully formed teeth growing out of its forehead, wildlife officials said yesterday. The lion was legally shot dead by a hunter on December 30. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game the teeth could be the remnants of a conjoined twin which died in the womb, or possibly a kind of tumour. Biologists in the region have never seen anything like this particular deformity before, it says. The lion was hunted after it attacked a dog near the town of Weston, Idaho. The dog survived, but a hunter set off in pursuit and killed the big cat a few hours later. A conservation officer checked the lion’s body, as required by law, and found the set of teeth, as well as what appeared to be a set of whiskers on the left side of the animal’s forehead.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Adeoye Elizabeth Adesunmbo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewale Elizabeth Adesunmbo. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBIAGELI JOSEPHINE OKEKE, now wish to be known, called and addressd as MRS. OBIAGELI JOSEPHINE JOSEMARCEL OBILO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to duly confirm that l still being referred to as MRS. FLORENCE OKORONKWO, is still the same person as MRS. FLORENCE MAXIMUS ( New Okoronkwo). All former documents still remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Shonibare Raimotu Bello, now wish to be know and addressed as Shonibare Raimotu Morenike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Olafisoye Omodoyinsola Kikelomo, now wish to be known and addressed as Kadiri Omodoyinsola Kikelomo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE OMOTUNDE RAMOTA, now wishes to be known and addressed as SOLIU FATIMOTA IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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I formerly known, called and addressed as UGWU EVARISTUS CHIJIOKE. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHUKWUMA EVARISTUS CHIJIOKE. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

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I Formerly known and addressed as MRS OGUNFOWOKAN OLUDAYO OLUBUKONLA, now wish to be known and address as MRS SODUNKE OLUDAYO OLUBUKONLA. All former documents remain valid. NIMR, APIN, OOU & General public to take note.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Nwakona O. Philomina now wish to be known and addressed as Philomena O. Chukwueke. All former documents remain valid. Wingate School and the general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Olaniawo Oluwafunmike now wants to be addressed as Moshood Kadijat Asake. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank, Stanbic bank and general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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FADIPE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FADIPE OLUBUNMI OLAJUMOKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ESURUOSO OLAJUMOKE OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

That on my Zenith Bank Account, my name appears as ASOMUGHA IFEKWULUNONU .C., while on my First Bank Account, it appears as ASOMUGHA NNEJI CECILIA. That I am the same person bearing ASOMUGHA IFEKWULUNONU C. and ASOMUGHA NNEJI CECILIA. All documents bearing both names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned take note.

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OGUINE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDINMA DOREEN OGUINE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDINMA DOREEN OKONKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICE

GOLDEN OLIVE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the corporate Affairs commission, for registration under part “c” of the companies and allied matters act,of 1990. Trustees are: 1,princess Julia Nosa oleghe 2,pastor mrs Rita Nosa oleghe 3,Dr.Carolyn Collins 4,zelma Boone 5,Unyime Judith Essiein 6,mrs Janet Umeh 7,Mrs Jane ohenhen Aims and objectives 1, To restore moral values to our decayed society and preserve our moral heritage. 2, To support and help the less privilege in our rural and urban areas. 3, To give value and self importance to every girl child and women in our society. 4, To bring justice to the abused and those disenfranchised (I.e) rape victims and gender discrimination.

This is to confirm that i, Franck Nitu Kutoma is the same person bearing Nkanga Mayadi Franck, now known as Franck Nitu Kutoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mohammed Sale, now wish to be known and addressed as Uthman Abdullahi Katsina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESSIEN: I, formerly known and addressed as ENO OKON ESSIEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ENO UDOH EDEMIDIONG. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. Formerly known and addressed as miss Onukwili Eucharia Nwamaka now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Eze Eucharia Nwamaka all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Fatai Falilat Bose is same person as Abosede Babatunde Rebecca all documents bearing both names remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

BLESSING: Formerly known and addressed as BLESSING A. ONYEKA now wish to be known and addressed as TURA ADA ONYEKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Sade Adrat Ibraheem now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Sade Adrat Quadri all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Salami Jimoh is same person as Azeez Dauda Salami all documents bearing both names remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

JIMOH: Formerly known and addressed as JIMOH MUKAILA now wish to be known and addressed as MUKAILA MUHAMMED JAMIU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MATTHEW 6:33 WOMEN INITIATIVE

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINBOSOYE: I, formerly known as MISS AKINBOSOYE ABIMBOLA ‘FOLU now wish to be known, called and Addressed as MRS TIJANI ABIMBOLA ‘FOLU. All former documents remain valid, General public please note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME

IHIOMA: I, formerly known and addressed as MONICA CHIWENDU IHIOMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DOMINICA GINIKA OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLOWOSI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLOWOSI OLUFUNKE MULIKAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS ATANDA OLUFUNKE OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AYANKOYA OLUREMI ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as KUGBIYI ANTHONIA OLUREMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ALIU OGALA, now wish to be know and addressed as MRS OGIDIOLU OGALA. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force, Skye Bank, and General Public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mark Maurice Innocent, now wish to be known and addressed as Mark Maurice Ekpeno. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Oruh Ugonna Mary now to be known as Mrs Mashawe Oruh Ugonna Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Anaekwe Oluchukwu Timothy, now wish to be known and addressed as Anaekwe Oluchukwu Timothy Okoli. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Arebanmhen Jennifer, now wishes to be known and addressed as Efede Jennifer. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Oduola Omolola Iyabo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyemi Omolola Halimat. All former documents to remain valid, general public to take note.

I formerly known, and addressed as BankoLe Francis CoLLings. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Omotehinse BankoLe Francis. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to comfirm that I, patience Eguko Obiyan is same person as Patience Emuakpoerue Obiyan now Patience Eguko Obiyan.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Terna Daniel Akaazua, now wish to be known and addressed as Terna Daniel Bua. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Ogbonnaya Sophia Eberechi is same person as Sunday Sophia Eberechi now which to be known and addressed as Ogbonnaya Sophia Eberechi Banks and public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Okanlawon Olamide Opemipo now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeleye Olamide Opemipo all former documents remain valid Banks ,Ogun state. Min. Of Education science and Technology and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I Timothy Akinolu Adeyemi is the same person as Nurudeen Abdulganiyu Adeyemi now wish to be called as Nurudeen Abdulganiyu Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MUHAMMAD: Formerly known and addressed as ADAM MUSA MUHAMMAD now wish to be known and addressed as AL ANSAR ADAM MUSA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Babalola Aderonke Busola Now Mrs Ogunsola Aderonke Busola Former Documents Remain Valid Oyo state Tescom And General Public Should Take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as RAZAK OMOJOKE MORONKEJI‎ now wish to be known and addressed as SANUSI OMOJOKE MORONKEJI. The General public please take note. All former documents remain valid.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF KWARI MARKETERS

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Nene Olatubosun Dafaan (pst.) 2. Olaniyi Ayodeji Fowowe (pst.) 3. Abies Bank Anthony 4. Tseenlong Jassica Dafaan 5. Laapyilnaan Sarah Dafaan

1. MUHAMED HABEEB YASSAR 3. IBRAHIM MUSA ALARAMMA 5. NASIDI ABDULLAHI 7. DANBABA IBRAHIM TALLE 9. YARO BALARABE

Chairperson Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To build up women with a Spiritual Foundation based on the word the and ways of God

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguyi ironsi street maitama,Abuja within 28 days of this publication

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

Signed Lawrence Oghenekaro

SIGNED: Secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 2. ALHAJI GAMBO DANPASS 4. ABDULLAHI ADAMU SHA’AIBU 6. HARUNA ISAH MAKODA 8. UMAR SALISU 10. SAIDU TIJJANI AMINU

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To promote peaceful co-existence among member. 2. To organize seminal, conference, workshops and other capacity building programs in order to achieve the goal and objectives of the association. 3.To provide adequate security and welfare for the people or members of the association. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Monday, January 11, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Abegunrin Victoria Bunmi now to be addressed as Mrs. Adu Victoria Bunmi. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAKU:I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWAKU VIVIAN NNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWACHUKWU VIVIAN NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AJIBESIN OLUWABUKOLA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF OLUWABUKOLA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as ANI FRANCISCA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOBODO FRANCISCA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR THERESA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOBODO THERESA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission Enugu and general public should please take note.

ODOH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JANE ODOH, MISS ODOH JENNIFER and MISS ODOH JANET now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZOKAENYI OGECHUKWU JANET. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That I formerly known and addressed as AKALAONU INNOCENT that I now wish to add NDUBUISI to any former name that I now wish to be known, call and addressed as AKALAONU NDUBUISI INNOCENT. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to certify and confirm that ALOR RAPHAEL JR EJIKE, ALOR RAPHAEL EJIKE and ALOR RAPHAEL JR EBUBECHUKWU refers to one and same person now wish to be known and addressed as ALOR RAPHAEL JR EBUBECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as OMANG SUNDAY ODU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OBI JAMES ASU and formerly quoted date of birth; 22nd of May 1983 but real date of birth is 22nd of May 1995. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Boniface Amarachi Perpetual Muokebe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amarachukwu Perpetual Nwokocha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly MR SALAMI MAYOWA AYO now wish to be known and addressed as MR BRAM CHARTER. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TOLULOPE IYINOLUWA ADEWOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as‎ MRS. TOLULOPE IYINOLUWA OLAFIMIHAN. A ‎ ll former documents remain valid. General public please take note.‎

Formerly known and addressed as RAFIU BILIKISU TITILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED BILIKISU TITILAYO.‎ All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ASIFE: I, formerly known and addressed as ASIFE CHIZOBA FRANCISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as ASIFE CHIZOBA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that EUNICE OBIAGELI UDENSI,EUNICE DIKE UDENSI and EUNICE OBIAGELI DIKE UDENSI refers to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

AGBOEKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as AGBOEKWU UKAMAKA CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as OZONWU UKAMAKA CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UDOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDOYE CHIBUZOR JULET, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABASILI CHIBUZOR JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR AMAKA .P., now wish to be known and addressed as OKAFOR AMAKA ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ONWUKANJO: I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUKANJO PRECIOUS CHIAGBANWE, now wish to be known and addressed as ONWUKA PRECIOUS CHIAGBANWE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANI APPOLONIA EUCHIARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS APPOLONIA NGOZIKA EUCHIRIA CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I Formerly known and addressed as OLATUNDE MARY OLUWASEUN. Now wish to be known and addressed as FAYEMI MARY OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. FABUNMI OLUWABUKOLA RANTI. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEDEJI OLUWABUKOLA RANTI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Pascalin Chinoso Duru, now wish to be known and addressed as Favour Chinoso Ofodu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ENIOLA PELUMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ENIOLA ONYE. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK, FCMB and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Olushola Gbenga Dare now wish to be known and addressed as Oluyisola Gbenga Muyiwa,all former documents remain valid general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ekata Francis now wish to be addressed as Uguomoar Francis Sparkle, all former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NANAKUMO: Formerly known and addressed as Nanakumo E. Nathaniel now wish to be known and addressed as Ebi-Nana Ebiakubowei Nathaniel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bakare Olayinka Modinat, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebayo Olayinka Modinat. All documents and credentials bearing my former name remain valid. The general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OJELATAN BUKOLA KIKELOMO. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKINWE BUKOLA KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, AGBO NKIERUKA ADLINE is the same and one person as AGBO NKIERUKA PERPETUA. That, I now wish to be called and addressed as AGBO NKIERUKA ADLINE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Unity Bank, Sterling Bank Plc and general public please take note.

OKOLI: Formerly known and addressed as OKOLI CHUKWUDI DANIEL now wish to be known and addressed as DANIEL CHUKWUDI OLISA .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ETANG: Formerly known and addressed as ETANG.OKPA. OBJI. now wish to be known and addressed as .ETANG. FRANCES.OBJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OLALERE: Formerly known and addressed as OLALERE OLUSESAN ALABI now wish to be known and addressed as OLALERE OLUSESAN JOSHUA .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

AYOOLA: Formerly known and addressed as AYOOLA MAKANJUOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAFUNMI OLUWABAMISE BANKOLE .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME ADAH: : Formerly known and addressed as ADAH JAMES EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as ADATEHI OGOH .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Afuye Odunayo Abimbola now which to be addressed as Mrs Omotayo Odunayo Abimbola. All other former documents remains valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JAMES UJAH MICHAEL now wish to be known and addressed as ANAWO JAMES MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note

I formerly known as Miss Animasahun Esther Omolabake now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Popoola Esther Omolabake. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH TEACHING HOSPITAL, OGBOMOSO and general public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Olopade Oluwaseyi Opeyemi Ibukun now wish to be known and addressed as Olopade Oluwaseyi Ibukun. All former documents remain valid. MAPOLY and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Abidoye Anthoniah Yinka is the same one person as Adeyemo Toyin Foluke. that henceforth wish to be known and called as Adeyemo Toyin Foluke. All former documents remain valid, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note .

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Popoola Serifat Modupe is the same one person as Alaraba Serifat Adefunmike, that henceforth wish to be called and known as Alaraba Serifat Adefunmike. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Oyetunde Oyepeju Margret now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Oyebanji Oyepeju Margret. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Monday Maidugu now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Olarewaju Monday Monica (New Maidugu). All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE GOSPEL CHERUBIM & SERAPHIM CHURCH (INT.) BEULAH OKE ITURA AGBARA JESU WA SIBE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Juliana F. Oludare 2. Pastor Oludare Clement 3. Apostle Abraham Raji, Basey 4. Elder Agboola Oni 5. Prophetess E.O. Oloyede 6. Evang. Babatunde Smith Oludare 7. Aladura Femi Abel Oludare 8. Prophet Oludare Oluwatosin Elijah. 9. Mrs Busola Tijani

– – – – – – – – –

President Vice President Secretary Financial Secretary Treasurer Member Member Member Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Christ among unreached and neglected people in the interior part of Nigeria and world entirely. 2. To reach the world through evangelism 3. To educate the public through modern education 4. To establish church all over the nation 5. To conduct crusade within and outside church Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED OLUDARE OLUGBENGA CLEMENT.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKUNNA: I, formerly known and addressed as AKUNNA CHARITY CLEMENT, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUNNA CHARITY ANIEBONAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that SHEIBI AKPETI FESTUS and AKPETI FESTUS SHEIBI is the same person bearing the name, now want to be called, known and addressed as SHEIBI AKPETI FESTUS henceforth. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

This is to certified that Ogundipe Olabimpe is the same one person as Adebiyi Olabimpe Caroline, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Adebiyi Olabimpe Caroline. All former documents remain valid, GTBank Plc, and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IDONGESIT: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IDIONG IDONGESIT MONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKOIWAK IDONGESIT EPHRAIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLAYODE JUMOKE IMOLEAYO. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLABISI JUMOKE IMOLEAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to certify and confirm that ONYEMAECHI JEREMIAH UCHENNA, ONYEMA JEREMIAH UCHENNA and ONYEMALU JEREMIAH refers to one and same person now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEMALU JEREMIAH UCHENNA. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formely known and addressed as OGUNNIYI ADIJAT KUBURA now wish to be known and addressed as ODUSANWO ADIJAT KUBURAT . All former document remain valid, public to take note.

Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Aremu Mutiat Omotosho now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odunjo Mutiat Omotosho. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

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

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Idowu Francisca Abosede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunleye Francisca Abosede. All former documents remain valid. General public take note This is to certified that Yusuf Ismaila Adetayo is the same one person as Araoye Mathew Adetayo, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Araoye Mathew Adetayo. All former documents remain valid, Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olomu Oluwatoyin Temitope now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Olaoye Priscilla Oluwatoyin Temitope. All former document remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Esho Olubunmi Gloria now wish to be known and called as Mrs Oladapo Olubunmi Gloria. All former documents remain valid, National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Alabi Surajudeen Opeyemi now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Alidu Surajudeen Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid,general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FALOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as FALOLA RASHEED SHILE, now wish to be known and addressed as FALOLA OLABISI SHILE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

LATEEF: I, formerly known and addressed as LATEEF JIMOH AJIDE AMOO, now wish to be known and addressed as MALLAM LATEEF JIMOH OYEDELE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly called and known as Miss Salahudeen Lateefat Funke now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Abdulsalami Lateefat Salahudeen. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ikechukwu Okwuagbala now wish to be known and addressed as Ikechukwu Benjamin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME

ALLAHU : I, formerly known and addressed as ALLAHU NURU, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAUDEEN NURUDEEN OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONYENEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as ONYENEKE VIGEL OBINNA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEOFOR WILLIAMS OBINNA,. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBESIN : I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBESIN ISLAMIAT ODUNAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AYINDE ISLAMIAT ADEBESIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Juku Agatha Terngu Mrs,that I use Tondoahambe Agatha Terngu to open my First bank account, that I which to be known and address as Mrs Juku Agatha Terngu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Amuakopoyeri Oke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Emeka Gift Oke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyelade Jelilat Taye now wish to be called and known as Mrs Seedu Taye Jelilat. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Olatubosun Opeyemi Omowumi now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Erinfolami Opeyemi Omowumi. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Musa Iliya, now wish to be Known and addressed as Canaan Wando. Information Directorate of Military Pension and Eko Bank should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Safiu Sheriff Aremu now wants to be addressed as Safiu Sheriff Olayiwola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly CHINENYE OKIKA now wish to be Known and addressed as CHINENYE CORDELIA MAKAM. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Monday, January 11, 2016

I am not aware of any move coming from Real Madrid and I am honest about this. I am very happy at my club and nothing changes

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Amoo warns Eagles against cupping injury

- CHELSEA MIDFIELDER, EDEN HAZARD

FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup qualifier

Namibia coach vows to punish Flamingoes in Windhoek Mercy Jacob

amibia U 17 women’s team coach, Melvin Mbakera has vowed that his wards will take Flamingoes to the cleaners in their return leg match in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Windhoek. The Flamingoes, Nigeria’s national under-17 women football team, defeated the Baby Gladiators of Namibia 4-0 in a second round first leg match. The match, played at the Abuja National Stadium’s main bowl on Saturday, saw the Bala Nikyu tutored side outplaying their counterparts in a match which match watchers dubbed one sided. But Mbakera has rubbished the impressive runs of the Nigerians boasting matter-of-fact that the Nigerian girls will literarily see ‘pepper’ when hostilities

for the second leg encounter which will take place in a fortnight’s time in Windhoek begin. The 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled for Jordan from September 30 to October 21. A frustrated Mbakera, however, accused Nigeria of fielding over aged players, which according to him was what led to their defeat on Saturday in Abuja, insisting that Nigerian team was not stronger than his team. “I will praise my team because they fought well, even though their efforts could not yield them a good result. But, we will not lose our second leg game. We have seen our mistakes, and we will go back home to correct them and prevent the Flamingoes from beating us in the second leg. The Nigerian team is not super. ``The goals we conceded were due to

minor mistake caused by my players. We came here with real U-17s but Nigeria fielded U-23 players. But no problem we’ll meet again back in our home. This

is not fair this is the reason why most countries don’t want to play in the U 17, ‘’ he said.

Dalung meets Pinnick, Giwa over NFF feud

he Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung is to meet with the two warring groups of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. The meeting holds on January 20 2016 at 8 pm. The peace meeting with Messers Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa is to finally resolve the issue over the leadership of the football house. In a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday by the Ministers Special Assistant (SA) Media, Nneka Iken Anibeze, Barrister Dalung again appealed to the two groups for calm.

“ After a comprehensive study of submissions from both sides, I have fixed January 20, 2016 to meet with the leaders of the two groups to resolve the issue. In the light of the above, the leaders of the two warring groups are hereby advised to refrain from acts capable of jeopardizing the peace process. They should therefore maintain calm while the issue is being resolved. All should note that any act contrary to my appeal will continue to tarnish the image and integrity of the country and further scare would- be investors from our sports.”

Sports

Monday, January 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Zidane wins first La Liga match …praises Madrid fans after victory

inedine Zidane Mapraised Real Ma drid’s supporters after he started his managerial reign at the club with a 5-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. Real ran riot at the Ber nabeu via a hat-trick f r o m Gareth

Zidane

Agent claims Pep Guardiola has credentials to prove

ith speculation that Pep Guardiola is set to join Manchester City next season, Yaya Toure’s agent has questioned the former Barcelona boss’s managerial ability. Guardiola’s future has been subject of speculation in recent months, with the Bayern boss also confirming his exit from the Alianz Arena at the end of this season. The 44-year-old manager, who has helped the Bavarians to two Bundesliga crowns, the DFB-Pokal as well as the FIFA Club World Cup in his two years in charge, has expressed his desire to move to the English Premier Leauge next season. Reports suggest the Spaniard is favourite to take over at City in July, where he is likely to meet up with former Barcelona midfielder Y a y a To u r e, whom he let go of during

his time in charge of the Catalans in 2010. Now, Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk has questioned the pedigree of Guardiola, and claims his grandfather can achieve what Guardiola has achieved thus far with the two teams he has managed in his career. “Pep is a great coach. But he has won the title at Barcelona and Bayern Munich,” Seluk Se t o l d The Mirror.

Guardiola

“The truth is that my grandfather would win the title with Barcelona and Bayern Munich because they are big clubs with great players. “Look at Luis Enrique now. Last season he won the title and the Champions League with Barcelona. “I’m not saying he isn’t a good coach, but look what he did at Roma. Nothing. “I’d like to see Pep take a club that is eighth or ninth and make them champichampi ons.” Seluk also goes on to hail ex-City boss Roberto Mancini as “the best” the club has had, while also crediting current managmanag er Manuel Pellegrini. “That’s why Roberto Mancini was the best manager City have had,” he continued. “Manuel Pellegrini is also a good decoach who de serves credit, but Mancini built the team. He took a team that was nowhere and made t h e m champichampi ons.”

Bale and brace from Karim Benezema. Zidane, a French and Los Blancos legend, was promoted to the hot seat last week Monday after Rafa Bentiez was sacked just 25 games into his tenure with the Spanish giants. “I liked the atmosphere very much and I think the supporters were behind the team since the beginning,” Zidane said. “The most important thing for us now is to keep improving and just think this was the first match. “Let’s see what will happen in the next one, but the idea is to try to play well as well as to win the matches. The supporters were amazing.”

Brisbane International: Raonic beats Federer

ilos Raonic beat Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 to win the Brisbane International. The 25-year-old Canadian lost to 17time Grand Slam champion Federer in three sets in last year’s final. But Raonic produced an impressive display at the Pat Rafter Arena yesterday to clinch his eighth tour title. Federer, who has been suffering with flu, said: “I’d like to congratulate Milos on a great start. This year you deserve it, well played and good luck at the Aussie Open.” The Swiss world number three added: “I was a bit sick but we made it to

the final.” Raonic, who is ranked 14th in the world, had only beaten Federer once in their previous 10 encounters. He said after his victory: “Hopefully we have a better year this year than the last. I hope in 2016 we learn to love each other a little bit more and the world becomes a safer place.” The Brisbane tournament helps players prepare for the Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of the year - which starts on 18 January. Milos Raonic will bid for his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this month.

Somalia FA President delighted with CAF award

t was an emotional moment for Somali FA President Abdiqani Said Arab when he was crowned the African Football leader of the year 2015 at the Caf Glo awards ceremony in Abuja. The recognition was the culmination of his efforts in helping build the game in the war torn country and it was a satisfying moment for Abdiqani to be recognized in a gathering that represents the best of football on the African continent. Abdigani was elected President of the Soma-

lia Football Federation in 2014 after almost a decade as the Secretary General. Passion, commitment and love of the game has seen Somalia wake up from the deep slumber as they focus and take shape

in football development. Organised under the motto of “Improving the Game by Learning from the Best,” Somalia have successfully managed to organize a football league that has actually attracted over 26 foreign players.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Monday, January 11, 2016

Elephants friendly

Amoo warns Eagles against cupping injury

igeria’s Dream Team VI assistant coach, Fatai Amoo has called for caution in Super Eagles Team B pre-CHAN clash againstthe Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire. Both West African rivals will play a warm-up match today in Pretoria, South Africa in continuation of their preparations for the fourth African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda. The Nigerians have played

two warm-up matches last week against the PSL side, University of Pretoria and the Angolan opposite, Palancas Negras. Amoo said the fact that the kickoff of the biennial championship is almost at hand calls for absolute carefulness in the side’s approach to the Ivorian friendly tie. “I think Super Eagles’ last friendly match against Ivory Coast today prior to departure to the championship venue in Ki-

Amoo

gali, Rwanda on Friday is a game they must be careful so as not to cup further injury. If permitted I should tag the warm-up match a ‘careful or cautious game’. “I think safety of the players must be uppermost not result so that they can get to the championship 100 per cent fit as well as chance going far in the competition. “We (Dream Team VI) suffered doses of injuries in friendly matches going to the African Olympic qualifying championship in Senegal so CHAN Eagles must avoid such reoccurrence,” said the former Super Eagles assistant coach to supersport.com. Amoo said the Nigerians have wonderful opportunity to contest for the podium dance in Rwanda. “So far so good in term of preparations I think the team have had it very good going into the championship in Rwanda. “I have absolute confidence in the team (coaches and players) to write their names in gold in Rwanda. “The domestic players, too must see the CHAN platform as goldmine to market themselves,” said the former 3SC and Sunshine Stars coach. Nigeria are in Group C together with Niger, Guinea and Tunisia and will kick start its title campaign on Monday, January 18 against neighbours, Niger at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali, Rwanda.

Squash: OTRAFFORD’s appreciations Foundation Sec, Ayemere

igeria’s only exclusive squash club, the OTrafford Club, Ikoyi has announced plans to honour Barrister Cyril Ayemere for his outstanding contributions to the evolvement of the Club as a veritable platform for competitive sport, social interaction and intellectual discourse. The dinner slated for Friday January 29, which is the eve of the Club’s 2015 Annual General Meeting, is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Yachts Club, Marina. Active and retired squash players and their spouses from both the professional cadre as well as recreational clubs in the land have been invited for the black tie event.

Variously dubbed “Bohemian Eclectic”, the evening promises to be fun-filled with members vowing to stop at nothing to show appreciation to Ayemere for his diligence and dedication in running the Club’s secretariat since inception. At an informal gathering after the usual Sunday games yesterday, members praised Ayemere to no end with chairman Larry Ettah leading the pack. He was effusive with adulation for the guy he described as the engine room of various endeavours in the Club since it was founded. “From our registration with the CAC in Abuja, to setting up the basics for administering the

Club and attending to members’ needs and requests and requirements, CY has been exceptionally attentive. And to think he has been able to achieve all of this without the Club being able to hire for him an administrative assistant, is for me, the clincher. I truly commend him”, Ettah concluded on an uncharacteristic emotional note. The Club’s 2015 AGM takes place on Saturday January 30 at 2pm and will be presided over by the chairman of the Club, Obong Larry Ettah after which members, family and friends converge on the Club premises for what club social secretary, Tunji Olaniyi has described as “quality entertainment “.

Itodo

Itodo predicts better League season …denies Nasarawa Utd link Paul ErEwuba

hooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) attacking midfielder, Cletus Itodo has said he is committed to the course of the Oluyole Warriors in the coming 2015/16 league season. The former Sunshine Stars ace is rumored to have pitched tent with CAF Confederation Cup campaigners, Nasarawa United. Itodo said the speculation was untrue as he has made up his mind to campaign in the coming season in the colours of the Ibadan warlords. “I have heard the reported movement to Nasarawa United but I can tell you that there is no truth in the report as I’m still with 3SC and will campaign

in their colours for the coming league season. “I’m not going anywhere as I have given my words to 3SC to help to further their course and target in the coming season. “I consider it too early to set goal(s) right now rather I will want the league to start first then we can start to cross the bridge. “However, I expect a far better league season than previously, we will do our very best not to disappoint our teeming fans and supporters,” said the former Abia Warriors goal poacher to supersport.com. 3SC finished their campaign in the out gone top flight on the ninth position on 53 points 17 points behind champions, Enyimba.

NPFL league kick-off shifted

he new Nigeria league season will no longer begin on January 31 with a new date now likely to be after the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda. The CHAN will parade players who feature in their home leagues and it will start on Saturday and end on February 7 with Nigeria making their second appearance in Rwanda. Officials also said the pre-season Super 4 will now be staged between January 20 and 24, but a venue has yet to be decided as several state governments including that of Akwa Ibom have indicated interests to bankroll the competition. Cash crunch affecting the clubs, who are mostly owned by state governments, is one of

the reasons behind a shift in the January 31 big kick-off. A cross section of players in the country’s premier league has also kicked against the original start date for the competition, arguing that clubs clear outstanding payments to them as well as putting in place mechanisms for clubs not to again fail to pay them as and when due. Enyimba are defending champions after they won their seventh championship in November. Bayelsa United, FC Taraba, Sharks and Kwara United have been relegated, while Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, MFM FC and Ikorodu FC won promotion from the lower Nigeria National League (NNL).

WORLD RECORD

Most baked beans eaten in five minutes

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1283 Monday, January 11, 2016

The most baked beans eaten with a cocktail stick in five minutes is 271 and was achieved by Ashrita Furman (USA) in Jamaica, New York, USA, on 11 August 2014.

Waiting for Buhari on recurring stolen mandate conundrum

ttainment of conceptual clarity in this piece might be problematic, largely because of the increasing political role the nation’s judiciary has assumed in the course of mediating on conflicts arising from disputed election results. Naturally, the function of the management of Nigeria’s electoral processes is within the purview of INEC, because it is its statutory role to conduct and announce the results of state and federal elections. However, the susceptibility of humans to wrong conducts, political shenanigans inclusive, might have explained why the nation’s electoral laws have always had provisions conferring supervening role on the judiciary in the resolution of disputed election results. As our experience has shown, the Supreme Court, and in some cases, the Court of Appeal, serve as court of last resort on these matters.

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com Discerning Nigerians believe the judicial interventions have had laudatory stabilizing effects on the political system. While this may be true, the development has created lacunas for the polity. Popular imagination is that the so-called stabilizing effects on the polity are akin to treating the symptoms of an ailment and not the causes. Methinks the political gains are ephemeral. In very many ways, Nigerians have imbued the culture that only court declarations would confer final legitimacy on winners of elections. This supervening political role of our judiciary has largely, in a most fundamental way, constrained INEC’s seeming omnipotent powers. No presidential election in the country since 1979 has gone uncontested; the cases of disputed governorship elections are rising exponentially; ditto for state and federal legislative elections. It is also an incontestable fact that many governors and state and federal legislators under this democratic dispensation have had their elections annulled by judiciary. Sixteen and a half years after, the spectre of ‘stolen mandate’ has strongly challenged the claims in official quarters that democracy in the country has deepened. Nigeria conducted the last general elections amidst heightened domestic tension and international worries on the likelihood of the nation going unpatched over the exercise. The elections have come and gone with Nigeria’s internal cohesion intact. However, there are lingering political tremors engendered by the exercise.

THIS SUPERVENING POLITICAL ROLE OF OUR JUDICIARY

HAS LARGELY, IN A MOST FUNDAMENTAL WAY, CONSTRAINED

INEC’S SEEMING OMNIPOTENT POWERS

Many state and federal legislators have had their elections annulled by the courts; and three governors have their electoral mandates hanging in the balance following negative rulings by different divisions of the Court of Appeal. Affected are Nyesom Wike, Udom Emmanuel, and Okezie Ikpeazu, all PDP governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia states respectively. Until the Supreme Courts makes its final adjudication on the contestations these governors will be haunted by the uncertainty over their fate. The Peter Obi-Chris Ngige saga in Anambra State blazed the ugly trail of ‘stolen mandate’ under this Fourth Republic. The former was the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the 2003 general election, while Ngige flew the flag of PDP. Ngige was declared winner by INEC; ran the state for nearly three years before his victory was overturned by the Court of Ap-

peal on March 15, 2006 to pave the way for Mr. Obi, who was sworn in on March 17, 2006. A similar scenario played out in the 2007 Edo State governorship election, which INEC said Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the PDP won, and he carried on in that capacity until November 11, 2008, when the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, declared Comrade Adams Oshimhole of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) the winner. The ‘stolen mandate’ train moved on to Ekiti State with melodramatic intensity, when Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the then ACN slugged it out with Segun Oni of the PDP, the INECdeclared winner of both the April 2007 governorship election and the April 2009 re-run election. It took the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, on October 15, 2010 for Fayemi to claim his mandate. Other states that witnessed such high politico-legal theatrics included Ondo and Osun. In Ondo State, it took 22 months of legal fireworks before the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City declared Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party winner of the April 2007 gubernatorial elections in the state. The INEC had declared the then incumbent, Dr. Olusegun Agagu of the PDP, the winner of the election. In Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the ACN candidate in the April 2007 governorship election in the state, waited for 30 months to claim his mandate. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the PDP was declared the winner of that election; it took the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin on November 26, 2010 to make this possible. The narrative is heavy in the intensity of the proclivities by politicians to compromise the electoral processes if this could give them access to state power, the key to the resources of the state. I doubt such power hungry politicians have qualms over the likely failure of their temporary usurper role. That has been the trend since the First Republic. The question is will President Muhammadu Buhari consider the conundrum serious enough to need the change shot? To be continued

Sport Extra

Man City Put Iheanacho’s new deal on hold

remier League cl u b, M a n ch e s t e r City have put contract talks with Kelechi Iheanacho on hold due to a legal battle by the agents managing the youngster.

US-based First Eleven Management reportedly secured Iheanacho his first City deal but Iheanacho signed on with UKbased Stellar Group who represents the likes of

Gareth Bale, Glen Johnson and Kelechi Nwakali. First eleven have asked the Football Association arbitration to cancel the new management contract which Iheanacho

has signed with Stellar group. A source said Talks over a new contract for Kelechi have been suspended until the FA arbitration decides on who his

agents are. First Eleven who first managed him have asked for the FA to cancel a new management contract the player has entered with Stellar Group.

Iheanacho Emenike

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