Monday, november 30, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Unemployment: Nigeria sitting on keg of gun powder –Obasanjo FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

ormer president, Olusegun Obasanjo for the third time, yesterday raised the

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Decentralise fuel loading depot, IPMAN urges FG

warned that the country would be sitting on a keg of gun powder if the trend is not urgently addressed. Obasanjo spoke over the weekend at the 10th an-

alarm over the growing number of graduates being churned out from the various higher institutions of learning without employment. The former leader

Monday, November 30, 2015

THE

P.6

Free Fre e inside insi insi nsid ide de

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Kogi: Faleke rejects deputy governorship slot T WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

…accuses Bello of working for PDP Youths chase away Ali, Ugbane from Audu’s fidau prayer

he controversy trailing the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, All Progressives Congress, APC's candidate in Kogi State, is yet to abate as his running mate, James Faleke yesterday

rejected his nomination to be the deputy to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who has been picked as the party’s new candidate for the December 5 supplementary election. Faleke, in a letter to APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Terrorism thrives where good people are complacent -- Buhari P.6 Collapse building: Trial of Synagogue Church trustees, engineers begins P.8

President Muhammadu Buhari (4th left); England Prime Minister David Cameron (5th left) at the anti-corruption side event during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, yesterday.

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UPDATED 30/10/2015

News

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unemployment: Nigeria sitting on keg of gun powder –Obasanjo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

niversary and 6th and 7th convocation ceremonies of Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, where he was conferred with the honourary Doctorate degree (Ph.D) of Political Science alongside the late Yeye Oodua and matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Mama HID Awolowo. He also challenged the three tiers of government to do more in the area of employment, particularly for graduates. He stressed that if there are no jobs for the unemployed youths after they had endured their schooling to feed themselves as well as to contribute to the development of their fatherland, “we will all be sitting on gun powder.” The former president further disclosed that education is a meal ticket for anybody that has it. “I believe in lifelong education. Nobody should stop learning until he or she dies,” he added. He charged the 5,970 graduates to show quality and character in their various fields. The former president however, explained that he received the honou-

rary degree Award from TASUED because he was one of the great and best educationists the country ever have. “I don’t indulge in ac-

cepting honourary award not even in Best University of Technology. It became a must because of the personality which the university was named af-

ter. “He is one of the best educationists this country ever have, then his memory should remain real with everybody,” he

added. Obasanjo also stated that he was delighted to be honoured alongside Late Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo, saying anywhere mama is

been honoured, we must join hand to honour her. “This is the first university of education and any agency of education must be accorded with honour.

L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, with the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Richardson, during a courtesy visit by the High Commissioner to his office in Abuja, at the weekend.

Kogi: Faleke rejects deputy governorship slot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

he was not consulted, nor informed before his name was submitted as running mate to Bello. He also dissociated himself from the supplementary election, scheduled to take place on Saturday as he insisted that by the result of the gubernatorial election of November 21, a clear winner has emerged. He said: “Please take this letter as confirmation to dissociate myself from the unusual and strange supplementary nomination of my humble self as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello. “This also serves as a notice of rejection of the purported and illegal nomination of myself as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello.” Faleke accused Bello of working against the interest of the party after he lost the gubernatorial

ticket to the late Audu. According to him, Bello aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, immediately he lost the primary, even as he said it would amount to betrayal and injustice if the same person is allowed to fly the party’s flag. He said Bello did not attend any meeting or rallies after the primaries. He said: “I wish to put it on record that I was neither consulted by anybody before my name was submitted as running mate to a man who has since the conduct of primaries, abandoned the party, took the party to court, worked for the PDP, thereby causing our party to lose his polling unit 80 votes to his ally party, PDPs 116, repeating same feat at the Ward level with APC scoring 1,146 to PDP’s 2,058. “While it is true that the said Alhaji Yahaya

Bello participated in our party primaries, it’s trite that party primaries are conducted to produce a candidate and once a candidate is produced, the congress, being an adhoc tool for that purpose, should automatically extinguish. “It is clear from this injustice, that our party is on the path of rewarding disloyalty and discourage loyalty through this act of impunity for which we all fought the PDP. “It may also interest you Mr. Chairman Sir, that the said Yahaya Bello, since the conduct of the primaries had been aloof from party activities as it is on record that he did not attend a single meeting or campaign rally of the party. “Mr. Chairman Sir, I am sure that it is neither in your interest, nor that of the party in particular

and the public in general to lord an illegality on the people of Kogi State. “Please, take note that I am not interested in surrendering the mandate of the people of Kogi State bestowed on the Audu/ Faleke joint ticket at the November 21 poll as I remain the governor-elect. “I believe in the leadership of our great party to resolve this in the shortest possible time, failure upon which I shall be forced to seek redress in the court of law.” The Executive Committees of APC in Kogi Central and Kogi West Senatorial Districts also yesterday urged the party to defend the Audu / Faleke ticket and compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare them winner of the November 21 elections. This was contained in a

statement signed by Deputy Chairman of APC in the state, Shuaibu Osune in Lokoja yesterday. They contended that INEC erred by not outrightly declaring the late Audu as the winner of the election. The party executives also throw their weight behind Faleke to step in as the governorship candidate and Mohammed Audu as his running mate. “The National Executive Council of our party should for the sake of peaceful co-existence and unity of our beloved state takes this resolution as the final decision,” they stressed. In a related development, 25 student unions and youth groups in the state have threatened to compel Faleke to resign to invalidate APC votes during the November 21 election, if the current im-

passe is not resolved. Spokesman of the student union bodies, Comrade Obanibi Michael, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, stated that students and youths are not happy with the present political situation in the state. The students also warned Chief Oyegun to leave Kogi State alone, even as they alleged some underhand dealings in the whole crisis. According to them, youths in the state voted massively for Audu/ Faleke ticket, noting that in absence of Audu, Faleke should be allowed to carry on as the substantive governor. Meanwhile, Chairman, Kogi State Council of Ullamahs, Sheikh Salman Adam, has advised Muslims to live a life of piety CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

Monday, November 30, 2015

Good Health

FRANKA OSAKWE

milder and cheaper form of IVF that does not involve giving women powerful drugs has produced better success rates than standard fertility treatment. The revolutionary technique, known as in vitro maturation (IVM), involves removing immature eggs from the woman and then maturing them in the laboratory before fertilising them. With IVF, a woman must undergo between 8 to 11 nights of ovary-stimulating hormone injections before her eggs can be retrieved. However, with IVM, women undergo a shorter course— between 3 and 6 days— of hormones known as a “priming phase.” Once the eggs are retrieved, they’re matured in a laboratory for approximately three days, fertilized and then implanted. They can also be frozen as eggs or embryos to be implanted later. Clinics that specialize in IVM require a doctor who has expertise in retrieving small eggs and a lab with embryologists who have the skills to look for them, said Dr. Janelle Luk, medical director of Neway Fertility in New York City. Normally women have to take powerful drugs daily to stimulate the ovaries to produce and grow around a dozen eggs which are then removed and fertilised in the lab. The side effects of the drugs can be serious and even fatal in rare cases if a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurs. The first babies using in vitro maturation were born in 2007 and studies have shown that the success rate is comparable if not better than standard IVF. Geeta Nargund, chief executive of the Her Trust and consultant in reproductive medicine at St George’s Hospital in South London, says the technique only really applied to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) where cysts cover the ovaries. Around third of women seeking fertility treatment suffer from PCOS and one in seven couples will have problems conceiving. The symptoms of this condition include

Infertility: Scientists out with new treatment ...shows better success rates •Cheaper than IVF

abdominal swelling or bloating due to enlarged ovaries, nausea and vomiting. The condition is so serious that women who think that they may have developed OHSS are warned that they should seek immediate medical attention. As well as being more successful, the new technique is also cheaper than the standard IVF as it largely avoids the need for drugs, which cost around £1,500 or about N450,000per cycle. 299.50 Historically success rates of IVM have been lower than standard IVF, at 25 per cent compared to around 36 per cent on average. Oxford Fertility Unit, Britain was licensed to perform IVM in January last year and has

DID YOU KNOW?

Women with diabetes more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer

iabetes is associated with more advanced stage breast cancer, according to a new study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Women’s College Hospital. The findings, published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, confirm a strong link between diabetes and later stage breast cancer at diagnosis for Canadian women. “Our findings suggest that women with diabetes may be predisposed to

more advanced stage breast cancer, which may be a contributor to their higher cancer mortality,” said Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, a scientist at ICES and Women’s College Research Institute. In the study, Dr. Lipscombe examined stage at diagnosis among women aged 20-105 years who were newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2007 and 2012. From an analysis of more than 38,000 women with breast cancer, 6,115 (15.9 per cent) of the women had diabetes.

achieved success rates of 35 per cent for its first 40 cases and 48 per cent in women under the age of 35. Ten babies have now been born and one set of twins are now a year old. Dr Nargund said a team in Denmark are also trying the technique in women without PCOS but have not reported any results yet. The technique will not work in older women who have few eggs left in their ovaries because many eggs fail to mature in the laboratory and so a relatively high number are needed to start with. It is thought that around 400 babies worldwide have been born using the IVM technique so far.

dults with congenital heart defects have substantially higher rates of stroke compared to the general population, according to research published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation. A congenital heart defect is a heart abnormality present at birth. These defects encompass a wide range of disease entities, some presenting as life threatening conditions soon after birth, others only developing symptoms later in adulthood. Seeking to uncover the frequency, risk and strongest predictors of stroke, researchers analyzed stroke data on 29,638 congenital heart disease patients, 18-64 years old, and compared rates with those observed in the general population of Quebec, Canada. They found: Stroke rates caused by a blood clot blocking a cerebral artery, known as ischemic stroke, was roughly 9 to 12 times higher in adults with congenital heart defects before the age of 55,

Although IVF is considered the standard of care, experts say some women may benefit from IVM. For starters, since there is less time involved with IVM, women who are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or plan to have surgery may be good candidates. IVM may also help women who have a contraindication to the increased levels of estradiol, a form of estrogen, which elevates as the follicles develop and mature. These would include women with an estrogen-sensitive cancer or a history of blood clots. IVM can also help women who are adverse to injections or who have failed IVF, Luk said. According to the researchers, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or who are at increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)— which affects between 3 and 6 percent of women who go through IVF— may also benefit from IVM. OHSS can usually be managed on an outpatient basis but severe OHSS may lead to blood clots, even death, said Dr. Shefali Shastri, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB/GYN at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey in Somerset and Short Hills. A study in the journal Facts, Views and Vision found that IVM achieved up to a 35 percent clinical pregnancy rate in young women, which is comparable to IVF. Although there are different protocols for IVF, and there aren’t any randomized controlled trials that have compared IVF and IVM side by side, studies that look at standard IVF cycles show a significantly higher pregnancy rate than IVM, Shastri said.

Adults born with heart defects have higher risk of stroke

and 2 to 4 times higher in patients between the ages 55 and 64. Stroke rates from a bleed in the brain, known as hemorrhagic stroke, was 5 to 6 times higher in adults with congenital heart defects before the age of 55, and 2 to 3 times higher in patients between the ages of 55 and 64. 8.9 percent of men and 6.8 percent of women with congenital heart defects experienced at least one stroke before age 65.

Photo News

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; General Manager, Lagos Television, Mr. Deji Balogun; wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Commissioner’s Wife, Mrs. Bimbo Ayorinde; member, Lagos Television Management Board, Mrs. Toyin Ayanbadejo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, during the opening of LTV Christmas family funfair tagged - Fun Unlimited, at LTV, Agindingbi, Ikeja, on Saturday.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Sola Adesola; Deputy Managing Director, Deutsche Bank, Mrs. Adeola Azeez; Managing Director/CEO, Luxury Bridal Store, Mrs. Yeside Laguda; Justice Bisi Akinlade and wife of Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Hadjia Kudirat Adeoti Mohammed, at the launch of Luxury Bridal Store in Lekki Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Mother of the Minister of Health, Mrs Florence Adewole; the Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole and his wife, Bukola, at a thanksgiving service to mark the end of Prof. Adewole’s tenure as Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, in Ibadan, yesterday.

L-R: Director, Inter-ministerial Coordination representing Permanent Secretary office of Overseas, Affairs & Investment (Lagos Global), Pekun Sobodu; Managing Director, HP, Nigeria, Ifeyinwa Afe; representative of the Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Lagos, Oladimeji Olaniyi and Distribution Business Manager, English Speaking, West Africa (HP), Emmanuel Asika, at the unveil of the new HP Inc, in Lagos, recently.

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L R. Regional Head South West, Bank of Industry, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; State Co-ordinator, NYSC, Osun, Mrs Iluebbey Regina and Deputy Director, Head of SAED, NYSC, Osun State, Mr Ahile Oludolapo, at the NYSC/BOI Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund Training Programme, at NYSC Orientation Camp Ede, Osun State.

L-R: Deputy Managing Director Arik Air, Capt Ado Sanusi; IATA representative, Adefunke Adeyemi; Belujane Konzult, Chris Aligbe; NANTA President, Alhaji Aminu Agoha and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market 2015, Mr Ikechi Uko, at the Aviation Day Seminar in Lagos, recently. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA.

L-R: Chairman, Osun House of Assembly Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye; Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, during Oyintiloye’s mother’s burial in Ibokun, State of Osun, last Saturday

L-R: Deputy Executive Secretary, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Alhaji Hakeem Eyinfunjowo; Council Manager; Mr. Shakirudeen Omotayo; Head, Environmental Health Unit, Mr. Richard Tella and the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Taiwo Giwa while monitoring the last monthly environmental sanitation in FESTAC Town, Lagos State on Saturday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, November 30, 2015

Market downturn: NSE seeks portfolio diversification to mitigate risks

hief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, yesterday advised investors to diversify their portfolios across different asset classes to mitigate risks. Onyema gave the advice at a two-day workshop organised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CAMCAN, in Lagos. He said developments in the market made it imperative for investors to dig deeper and understand the dynamics of the market to mitigate risks. Speaking on the workshop theme “Effective Reporting of Changes in the Nigerian Capital Market”, he said that retail

investors needed to be educated on the reasons they should take portfolio approach to investment. “It is important to do the analysis, understand where those opportunities are, but certainly there are opportunities, not only in the equity side, but across the various asset classes,” he said. The SEC chief executive officer said the Nigerian capital market and the business of the stock exchange would always be impacted by dynamic economic trends and investor demands. “Achieving success through growth that creates value will increase the bourse’s ability to operate efficiently and

profitably in the transient advantage economy that has unfolded in Nigeria and around the world,” he added. He said the market, in the short-term, would experience huge volatility, but should not distract investors from investing because of fundamental elements inherent in listed companies with a well regulated market structure. Onyema said that a lot of energy had been spent building the foundational aspect of the market

in terms of transparency, orderliness, fairness, disclosure and enforcement of rules and regulations. “While there has been no respite in the macro economy and operating environment due to lingering oil price and foreign exchange pressures. “Our long-term outlook for the exchange remains positive as listed companies continue to show resilience and our members have been repositioned to deliver superior value to investors. “It is important to

note that we are not the only exchange affected by these global developments of all the 24 exchanges in Africa, 20 are experiencing a downturn. “Opportunities still exist for investors in stocks, in spite of the current downturn in the capital market. “As we continue to work towards achieving and sustaining this market, the importance of financial journalists cannot be over emphasised. “Financial journalists have the potential to influ-

ence investors’ behaviour. Negative reporting may result in sensationalism and put additional pressures that can force investors’ decisions negatively,” he said. Earlier, Mr. Goddy Egene, the CAMCAN President, commended the regulators for attending the workshop. He said that many changes had taken place in the market in the last few years and there was need for cooperation of stakeholders for the progress of the market.

FG, Sokoto, WB to spend N4.9bn on irrigation farming –Tambuwal

okoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the Federal Government, World Bank and the state would commit over N4.9bn for the reclamation of farms in the Kware Irrigation Scheme. A statement by Tambuwal's spokesman, Imam Imam, in Sokoto yesterday, said Tambuwal made the statement when a team of the partner agencies visited him. He said the scheme, tagged “Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria, TRIMIN”, will support and improve agricultural productivity through strengthened institutional arrangement and improved access to irrigation drainage services. “Our government will commit about N460m, while our partners will provide the rest. “It involves construction of 175 irrigation water conveyance canals, 120 units of hydraulic structure, 55 kilometres of feeder roads, five units of primary schools, two primary healthcare centres and two community markets. “The target is to enhance agricultural growth and production,

provide job opportunities, tackle poverty among the populace and also help in developing rice value chain by boosting local rice milling in our state,” he added. Tambuwal said his administration was partnering the Federal Government and the World Bank to develop large scale irrigation scheme in the state. The statement quoted the governor as saying that the scheme will also complement existing major agricultural initiatives and focus on improving large-scale public irrigation in Sokoto State and some selected states in the north. In his remarks, TRIMIN's Project Coordinator, Mr Peter Manjok, said given the global growing competitiveness in irrigated agricultural production, a window of opportunity was opened to help raise income and reduce poverty in the country. According to him, the scheme, which will run for seven years, will involve the transfer of tertiary irrigation and drainage facilities to registered operators and Water User Associations, WUAs in affected areas.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with pupils of Corona Schools during the 60th Anniversary of the school in Lagos at the weekend. PHOTO:NAN

Kogi: Faleke rejects deputy governorship slot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

and cultivate the spirit of generosity. Adam gave the advice yesterday at Ogbonicha in Ofu Local Government area during the eighthday Fridau prayers for Prince Audu. He said this was necessary to prepare a place for themselves in paradise. Adam, who was assisted by over 100 other clerics, called on Nigerians to shun acquisition of wealth and corruption, stressing that what Allah had provided in paradise were far better than earthly riches. He urged Muslims to emulate the life of service to God and humanity that the late Audu lived, saying death could come at anytime. Adam, who was in so-

ber mood throughout the prayers session, urged wealthy Muslims to invest in worthy ventures and shun ostentatious lifestyle. He described the death of Audu as a big loss to the Igala nation and the whole country. Adam said that it is only Allah that could compensate for the huge loss. The sheikh admonished the immediate family members, relatives, friends and political associates of Audu to accept his death in good faith and put their thrust in Allah. Adam also advised them to see Audu’s death as a great challenge, stressing that they must continue with the good deeds of the late politician. Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi,

in his brief remarks, said it was difficult to quantify the death of Audu, describing it as a big blow to the government and people of the state. He said the people would continue to remember the late Audu for his giant strides and landmark projects he established during his two tenures as the first civilian governor of the state. The first son of the deceased, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Audu, thanked the people for standing by the family during this moment of grief. He said his late father left a big vacuum that would be difficult to fill, asking for prayers of all and sundry for him and other siblings. Audu thanked the state government, the leader-

ship of APC and the Federal Government for the support given to them since the sudden death of their father. The well attended prayer was, however, nearly marred by violence as some irate youths chased away a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Ahmadu Ali, and Sen. Nicholas Ugbane from the event. While Ali was asked to go back at the main entrance of the house, Ugbane who managed to gain entrance was chased out by the youths. He escaped death by whiskers as stone throwing and stick wielding youths pursued him into a ditch, but his driver was able to maneuver and sped away.

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FG pledges N198m for water development in Africa REGINA OTOKPA

L-R: Assistant Chief Accountant, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Mr Felix Onwuchekwa; Chief Communication Officer, Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe; Coordinator 2015 World AIDS Day, Dr. Ope Abegunde; Representative, Director General, Mr. Emmanuel Ghenge and Assistant Chief Program Officer, Mrs Easter Ikomi, during the Church Service to Commemorate 2015 World AIDS Day at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Decentralise fuel loading depot, IPMAN urges FG

ndependent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, yesterday urged the Federal Government to decentralise loading of petroleum products for effective loading at depots across the country. National President, IPMAN, Lawson Obasi, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that spreading petroleum products to other coastal depots across the country would end current scarcity.

He said a situation where government only distributed petroleum products to tank farms in Lagos was partly responsible for current scarcity and high cost of product. “The current government approach, where marketers across the country are expected to load petroleum products from only depots in Lagos State, is counter-productive. “To solve current scarcity of fuel; government

must decongest Lagos by sending petroleum products to coastal depots in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri. “By decentralising supply and distribution from Lagos to other depots; it would become easier for IPMAN members to lift products and distribute to filling stations,” he said. Obasi said the current policy by government should be revised to enable marketers have unlimited access to pe-

troleum products for distribution to final consumers. He denied that marketers had hoarded products to deepen current scarcity to make more profit from sales. According to him, the Pipelines Products Marketing Company, PPMC should, as a matter of urgency, commence distribution of products to other depots in the SouthSouth to end fuel scarcity.

Terrorism thrives where good people are complacent –Buhari ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared in Malta that violent extremism and terrorism can only thrive and endure if good people remain idle and complacent. A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke on behalf of other participating African Heads of State and Government at the closing Executive Session of the 2015 Commonwealth Summit. Buhari said he was confident that terrorism would be ultimately defeated with greater international collaboration. “We have had the opportunity to discuss, in a

serene atmosphere, wide ranging issues that are of great significance, not only to members of the Commonwealth, but also to the entire global community. “Of particular note is the Action Statement on Climate Change, which is expected to herald our commitment to saving the planet for present and future generations. “Of equal significance are our deliberations on Radicalisation and Violent Extremism. We are witnesses to the growing phenomenon of terrorism that is affecting us all, whether big or small. “The reign of terror will only succeed if peace-loving people choose to remain idle. But I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will defeat this scourge and restore peace,” Buhari said.

The President also reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Nigeria and other African membercountries to the promotion and protection of the core values of the Commonwealth. “I came into power via democratic principles and values espoused by this same body. Nigeria as a country will continue to protect and promote these democratic ideals,” President Buhari assured heads of delegations at the session. The President thanked the outgoing SecretaryGeneral, Kamalesh Sharma for his exemplary service to the Commonwealth. “We in Nigeria will not forget his five memorable visits to our country during his tenure. As this is his last CHOGM in his present capacity, I know I speak for

my colleagues from Africa in expressing our immense gratitude and best wishes to him,” Buhari said.

ederal Government has pledged the sum of $1 million (about N198 million) to the African Water Facility, AWF, as its contribution towards ensuring sustainable development and management of water in African counties. This comes at a time the AWF is left with insufficient funds to sustain its operations up to the end of 2016, being neck deep in a funding crisis. President Muhammadu Buhari, while making the commitment at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of AWF in Abuja, noted that Nigeria would not fall below expectations but would continue to lead in activities that would enhance productivity and sustainable socio-economic development across Africa. Represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, he said: “As is our custom to take the lead in worthy causes, I am pleased to announce that the Nigerian government hereby pledges to contribute the sum of $1million.” Commenting on the challenges faced by the continent to meet with provision of adequate potable water supply and sanitation, he maintained that the water sector, unlike other sectors of the economy, plays a major role in aiding develop-

ment in the areas of food security, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, gender development, education, health and good governance. However, the president urged other African governments and stakeholders in the public and private sector, to take the cue and boost their financial investments in the water sector, in order to address its growing needs. Vice President of AWF, Ali Abou-Sabaa, commended the effort of the Nigerian government in taking the lead in the donation process, adding that African Development Bank, ADB, has committed substantial resources to AWF for the development of water infrastructure in Africa. Earlier, Minister of Water Resources, Adamu, noted that the overall goal of the AWF is to “mobilise and apply financial and human resources to ensure water security in Africa through provision of political leadership, policy direction and advocacy in the provision, utilisation and management of water resources for sustainable socio-economic development and maintenance of ecosystems.’’ The AWF is an initiative of African Minister’s Council on Water, AMCOW, to mobilise resources for the water and sanitation sectors in order to meet the MDGs/SDGs on water and sanitation related goals and Africa’s Vision 2025.

Security: Nigerian Army calls for extra vigilance

igerian Army has called on the citizens to be extravigilant and security-conscious as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the country. Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, made the call while delivering a lecture at the inaugural Annual Lecture of Class 1992 Alumni of Mass Communication Department, Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Sunday, says News Agency of Nigeria. The paper was titled: ‘Crisis Communication for Security Consciousness: A Case Study of Nigeria.’

According to him, citizens should not only rely on security agencies for protection, but also should be security-conscious and provide useful information to relevant security agencies in the country. “With the kind of intelligence we receive regularly from the military and security operatives, the citizens need to be proactive and securityconscious while the media intensify campaign on same. “Internal security challenge is not a problem unique to Nigeria. The U.S., UK, France and

many other countries, face similar challenges within their borders on daily basis.” He said the difference between those countries and Nigeria is the management of threats by the government and the citizenry, the knowledge-ability, patriotism and unity displayed by its citizens against threats of insecurity and crisis. “The countries are never divided on any ground when the interest of the nation is the subject. This cushions the effects of those crises on their national security and image.

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he Federal Government would understudy the Australian mining sector in the bid to reposition the country’s solid mineral sector, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said. The government will also be learning how the Australian government has been able to achieve synergy between communities, states and the government in resolving the recurrent conflicts between communities and miners and settling the royalties due to states. Fayemi said the country needs to learn how Australia has been able to drive its country’s mining sector, which accounts for 8.5 per cent of the country’s GDP and employs about two per cent of the work force as the present administration is set to improve the nation’s economy through the sector. Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonathan Richardson, to his office on Friday, Fayemi said the increasing interest of the government is geared towards understanding the Australian mining sector and coming up with an ap-

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Monday, November 30, 2015

Diversification: FG to understudy Australian mining sector –Fayemi proach that will be profitable to Nigeria. He said: “We need to learn how you have been able to particularly drive the Australian mining industry. The president is really very focused in this sector; not that we have choices anyway with the prices for petrol dollar dwindling, so we have to look at alternatives for raising revenue for the country and clearly for the president, agriculture and solid minerals appear to be the most realistic or fastest way to begin to raise additional revenue for the economy. “The increasing interest of our government has made me to get in touch and connect with what you are doing in your mining sector. Everything I have heard in the last 10 days of being in this position points in the direction of Australia. Everybody is saying it to me factually, technically, commercially, I keep hearing, you get Australia, you fix the mining sector.

“Another area that we really can learn from Australia is that you as a federal entity like us, we do have significant tension between what the constitution says about mineral resources belonging exclusively to the federal authority and the management of land belonging to the state government. “So, we need to find a sharing formula mecha-

nism, what royalties comes to those who own the land, the community, state government and then the federal in other to achieve synergy and corporation because increasingly, I am hearing stories of those trying to explore minerals from local communities and facing a number of challenges there. We will be interested to know what Australia has done about

it.” Earlier, the Australian High Commissioner said that his country would like to cooperate with Nigeria in the areas of technical training and support as well as other areas the government might require. He added that over 100 Nigerians had taken advantage of short professional courses in specialised areas in Australia

since 2010. Richardson, who stressed that Nigeria is well endowed with mineral resources, stated that security, rule of law, law enforcement, policy consistency as well as cheaper and reliable power supply would play significant roles in building and sustaining investors’ confidence in the Nigerian mining sector.

Olusegun Koiki

community. AIB insisted that its reports of accidents such as Bellview, Sosoliso, Dana and ADC airlines are in public domain. The Head, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, declared this in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos. Oketunbi explained that all its investigations on recent accidents in the sector were released to the public and uploaded on its website while majority were published in the national

dailies. It would be recalled that the Senate on Tuesday last week, accused AIB of keeping the reports of investigation into air crashes in the country away from the public. The Senate subsequently mandated its Committee on Aviation to thoroughly investigate the remote and immediate causes of the trend and report its findings to it within two weeks. The senator that raised the matter before the Sen-

ate had alluded to the reports on Sosoliso crash of 2005, Bellview crash of 2005, ADC crash of 2006 and DANA crash of 2012 as some of the major reports that were yet to be in the public domain despite the sordid experience it had on the people. Oketunbi emphasised that the agency was saddened by this unjustified vilification of the bureau on the floor of the senate as the allegation was incorrect, stressing that the senate was misinformed.

Bellview, Sosoliso, other accident reports in public domain –AIB

he Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has said that the reports of most recent air accidents in the country have been released to the public by its investigators contrary to the position of the Senate. The agency also informed that some of its reports and safety recommendations have led to significant safety improvements in the global aviation

South West

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N117m debt: Court freezes guarantor’s accounts in 17 banks Wale Igbintade

Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Olusola Williams has granted a garnishee order nisi attaching any money in the accounts of the guarantors of Holyview Investment International Limited in about 17 commercial banks in the country over alleged refusal to pay a N117m judgment debt. The garnishee is made to ensure that monies in the account of the guarantor, Pastor Samson Oluwamodede, in commercial banks and other agencies are attached for the payment of the judgment debt. Justice Williams gave the order following a Motion Exparte, brought pursuant Order VIII Rule 2, 3&4 filed by Fundquest Financial Services Limited (judgement creditor) against Holyview Investment International Limited, Mr. Babatunde Francis Adebayo and Pastor Samson Oluwamodede (judgement debtors) In the Enrolment Order dated October 12, 2015, the court had directed the banks to file on oath statements of accounts showing the judgement debtors’ financial status with them up-to-date immediately prior to the service of the garnishee order. Besides, the court directed the commercial banks to attach all monies in any account(s) in their custody to satisfy the sum of N117 million debt adjudged due to the judgement creditors. However, following the order of court, one of the garnisheed banks, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, GTB, admitted on oath in an affidavit filed before the court, that the guarantor of the debtors, Pastor Samson Oluwamodede, maintains accounts with GTB with available balances in the sums of N4,045,832.45, N 2 , 1 3 0 , 3 3 7 . 4 4 , N1,071,863.34, $3,027,50, £2,130,337.44 and 110. However, at the resumed hearing of the suit on Friday, GTB in a motion on notice dated November 18, brought pursuant to Order 39 rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos state (Civil

Procedure Rules 2012) filed by its lawyer, Margaret Akpoyoware, sought leave of the court to vary the garnishee order nissi on the ground that the figures earlier provided by GTB was wrong due to typographical error. The bank said in the application that the amount contained in all the accounts held by the 3rd judgement debtor, Olumodede with it, cannot make up the judgement sum and therefore cannot satisfy the entire judgement debt. But, in its counter affidavit filed against the application to vary the Garnishee order by GTB, counsel to Fundquest International Investment Limited, Mr. Nick Omeye, urged the court to dismiss GTB application, contending that officials of the bank, having studied the statement of accounts of Olumodede on oath and informed the court that the accounts has a credit balance of N4, 045,832.45, N2,130,337.44, N1,071,863.34, $3,027,50, £2,130,337,.44 and 110.00. The judgement creditor further argued that GTB ‘‘intentionally refused to attach the statement of account as required by law to the application to vary, adding that there is enough money with the bank to pay Fundquest Financial Services Limited. In a 44-pragraph affidavit sworn to by one Kenneth Eze, the judgement creditor stated that the court can not vary or set aside the Garnishee Order absolute earlier granted, adding that the judgement creditor will be highly prejudiced if the application to vary is granted by the court. According to the judgement creditor, unless the bank is compelled by court, the bank will not release the money in its account. Fundquest Limited further stated that garnishee order absolute is a final order and cannot be varied or set aside by the court that made the order, but by an appellate court. Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Williams, has adjourned the matter till December 8 for hearing of other pending applications.

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Olufi of Gbangan, Oba Oyeniyi Odugbemi and Olu of Araromi-Owu, Oba Nathaniel Oyedeji Oyetunji, during the official commissioning of New Ife/Orile-Owu 33KV Feeder Line, at Orile-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government, State of Osun, at the weekend.

Fasoranti’s attempted resignation strengthened Afenifere, says Arogbofa

Ojo Oyewamide Akure

ecretary of Afenifere, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, has described the Yoruba sociopolitical organisation as the conscience of the country that will ever retain its relevance. Arogbofa said the attempted resignation of Chief Reuben Fasoranti as Afenifere leader had further strengthened the group rather than weaken it. According to him, members of the organisation were now more united and ready to pursue greatness for the Yoruba race and

the country. Arogbofa spoke on Saturday at his hometown, Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State while joining Ude Ikanmu Council of Elders. Fasoranti had early last month resigned his leadership of Afenifere, alleging that the organisation had lost focus. But he was later persuaded by members of the group to withdraw his letter of resignation. Arogbofa, who is the Asiwaju of Oka-Akoko, stated that nothing would prevent Afenifere from playing its role as the conscience of the nation. He said: “Members are

waxing stronger, more and more. We are not finished and cannot be finished. Afenifere is a special group and members are well disciplined, focused, stubborn and resilient. When you have people like that, they can’t but quarrel. “They cannot see things in the same way. But when there is disagreement, we have a way of resolving our problems. When I heard some people saying Afenifere is finished, I just laughed. “Pa Fasoranti didn’t tell me before he took that action because I am the closest person to him. Papa was having a feeling that if he told me, I would

stop him from what he intended to do. And that is where wisdom is. By doing what he did, we have now become stronger. “So when the stakeholders met, we didn’t read the letter but we told Papa that you can’t do such a thing, you are already an institution and can’t just walk away like that. Papa blinked and said ha! I have been told not to go away. “Many people and other social political groups outside south west started calling and congratulated us, saying Afenifere, we don’t know you can do this. We are now becoming stronger and stronger.”

New Telegraph constitutes board, appoints editors

oard of directors of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited has constituted its board and effected changes in the management of the New Telegraph newspapers. The board in a statement issued on Sunday approved the appointment of Alhaji Idi Farouk, a former Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, as chairman of the board of New Telegraph. Other board members include a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Solo Akuma; Rev. Emeka Abone; Mr. Olakunle Gidado, Managing Director, BP West Africa, and Managing Di-

rector/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, Mrs. Funke Egbemode. Also, as part of efforts to reposition the newspaper, new appointments have been made to the executive management of the paper. The Daily Editor, Mr. Yemi Ajayi is now the Managing Editor, Business and Strategy while the Deputy Editor, Daily, Mr. Emeka Obasi becomes the Managing Editor, Publication and Operations. The Sunday Editor, Mr. Emeka Madunagu, has been appointed the Managing Editor (South) while the Saturday Editor, Mr. Lawrence Ani, is the Managing Editor, North and Abuja. Also, the board approved

the appointments of new editors for New Telegraph titles. Mr. Ayodele Ojo is the Daily Editor while Mr. Geoffrey Ekenna is the Deputy Editor, Daily/Group Head of Newsroom. Mrs. Juliet Bumah is the new Sunday Editor while Mr. Waheed Bakare takes charge of Saturday Telegraph. Mr. Felix Nwaneri is the new Group Political Editor. All the appointments take effect from December 1, 2015. Ayodele, until his appointment as Daily Editor, was the Deputy Editor, Daily and Head of Politics of the newspaper. The new Daily Editor, a graduate of Mass Com-

munication and a versatile political reporter, began his career in 1998 with The Independent newspaper in Accra, Ghana. Over the years, Ayodele has worked with several newspapers and magazines in Nigeria functioning as Assistant Editor, Group Political Editor/Deputy Editor (Politics) and Editor. In 2013, he joined New Telegraph from National Mirror where he was the Deputy Editor (Politics). In April 2014, he was the Acting Editor of New Telegraph. Between 2007 and 2015, Ayodele was Head of Politics of the defunct New Star, National Mirror and New Telegraph.

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South West 9

Monday, November 30, 2015

Aregbesola commissions Ife/ Orile-Owu 33kv feeder line. Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo

sun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has commissioned the new Ife/ Orile-Owu 33kv feeder line at Orile-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state. Commissioning the project, Governor Aregbesola noted his administration’s commitment to making life meaningful for people of Osun State, hence the infrastructural development in all parts of the state. He commended the people of Orile-Owu and its environs for their patience over years before electricity was restored back to the communities with a total cost of N225 million. He added that his administration decided to assist the service providers by rehabilitating the Gbongan-Ikire 33kv feeder line, making it to end at Araromi-Owu, Odeyinka and three farm settlements of Mokore, OyereAborisade and Ago-Owu. Aregbesola stressed that it is quite clear that the new 33kv relief feeder line will ensure stable power supply to the farm settlements, thus stemming rural/urban drift by encouraging the teeming populace to return to farming in the farm settlement. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Engineer

Oriolowo, commended Aregbesola for his ingenuity in creating the ministry. He noted that the age long isolation of some settlements from the national electricity grid was being addressed with the construction of the new 33kv outdoor bay at 132/33kv transformer stations in Ajebandele in Ile-Ife. He noted that the project cost the state government N225, 065, 749.92 and was constructed with fibre cross arms and conductor size of 150mm2 on reinforced concrete poles with shorts pannage of 60m.

A cross section of members of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (AYO NI O)) Surulere District, during a 3-Day retreat in Lagos, at the weekend.

APC, lawmakers laud Ambode over security equipment

Francis Suberu

cross section of Lagosians at the weekend commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, for equipping the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Police with modern security gadgets and repositioning the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, to effectively combat criminal activities in the state. All Progressives Congress, APC Lagos State chapter, in its reaction, said with the massive procurement of security equipments, the state has served warning to all criminals that they have

no hiding place in Lagos. In a statement issued in Lagos by state Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe, the party said Governor Ambode has shown through actions and deeds that he takes the matters of security of more than 20 million Lagosians too serious and will stop at nothing to make Lagos the most secured state in Nigeria. The party urges the police and all other security agencies to compliment the efforts of the state government by redoubling efforts to totally rout criminals from Lagos. “Given the huge resources expended to acquire these security gadgets, we have no doubt

in our mind that the governor is aware that without security, life will be meaningless for Lagosians. Good governance, peace, creation of jobs, and development of infrastructure to meet with the exponential growth of the population would have been put in jeopardy without functional security of lives and properties. “With what Lagosians saw on display on Friday in the seat of government in Alausa, Lagos, it is clear that Governor Ambode has issued a stern warning to criminals and hoodlums to leave or perish. It is a clear signal that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Lagos State who may try

to test the will of the present state government. It is a final push to flush out undesirable elements and put an end to smashing of glasses and robbing of commuters at traffic gridlocks within the metropolis. Also, a lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Taofeek Adaranijo, described the development as a strong statement by the governor that the security of lives and property is of paramount importance to him. He said one of the things that people expect from government is strong determination and

Collapse building: Trial of Synagogue Church trustees, engineers begins today

he trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, will today appear before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the collapse of a six-story building in the church on September 12, 2014, which led to the death of 116 persons. Senior Pastor of the church, Prophet T.B Joshua is one of the trustees. The trustees will be arraigned before Justice Lawal Akapo alongside the engineers that construct-

ed the collapsed building. A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Bola Akingbade, confirmed the scheduled arraignment. It would be recalled that Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos had dismissed the fundamental human rights enforcement suits filed by the engineers who constructed the collapsed six-story building to stop their planned trial.

The engineers Mr. Oladele Ogundeji and Mr. Akinbela Fatiregun, had filed two separate suits before Justice Buba seeking an order restraining the police from inviting, arresting or prosecuting them over the victims’ death. Lagos State Government, had set up a Coroner Inquest to unravel what went wrong, and via a verdict delivered on August 7, 2015 by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, the Coroner had indicted

the engineers and recommended them for investigation and prosecution for criminal negligence. The engineers had filed the suits following the Coroner’s verdict, which attributed the building collapse to structural defect. The engineers had specifically rejected the Coroner’s verdict, describing it as “unreasonable, onesided and biased.” But Justice Buba, in his ruling on the defendants’ preliminary objection,

held that the engineers “had not made out a case of infringement on their fundamental rights even on the merit of the application,” and dismissed their applications. The judge, who noted that the Coroner Law was an enactment of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which is constitutionally empowered to make laws in the state, said “the Federal High Court could not dabble into the affairs of the state and start dishing out injunctive orders.”

commitment of the government to their welfare, security and wellbeing. Another lawmaker representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Elijah Olu-Adewale, commended the governor, stressing that the equipment will go a long way in boosting the capacity of the police to swiftly respond to security threats in the state. He urged the people to be vigilant and give necessary information that can assist the police to track down criminals in their hideouts. On his part, Lagos lawyer and activist, Ebun OluAdegboruwa, commended the governor for the initiative to equip the police, but urged the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to provision of job opportunities for the youths so as to keep them gainfully engaged. He also urged the police to intensify efforts to boost the morale of the rank and file of the men and officers. Also speaking, Chairman of the Igbo United Political Coalition in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kanayo Osondu, said Governor Ambode’s gesture to the police will go a long way to address the menace of street urchins and hoodlums who take advantage of traffic situations to rob unsuspecting citizens.

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Free Kanu, Ohanaeze urges FG... says we are not 2nd-class citizens EMMANUEL EZEH ENUGU

hanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday in Enugu, asked Federal Government to free detained Biafra activist, Nnamdi Kanu, and also address every form of marginalisation affecting the zone. The Igbo group said such action is necessary to end the increasing pro-Biafra protests and forestall a breakdown of law and order. Ohanaeze met at its secretariat exactly a week after the South-East Governors’ Forum convened similar meeting where same issue was discussed. In a communiqué issued after Imeobi (Ohanaeze council of elders) at the body’s secretariat in Enugu, they expressed concern over recent developments in the zone. The meeting was equally attended by representatives of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB. However, all the five governors in the zone and National Assembly members stayed away. In a communiqué signed by the president and secretary, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Joe Nwaorgu respectively, the group said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the diaspora, is gravely concerned by current widespread and public Biafra agitations in states of the South-East and some other states of Nigeria.

“These agitations and public protests have become exacerbated by the detention of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the promoter/proprietor/director of Radio Biafra by Department of State Services.” They expressed fears that “these developments may threaten the security and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians wherever they may be domiciled, hence the summoning of an emergency meeting of Imeobi, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to discuss the situation. “The Imeobi, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, after extensive candid discussions and analysis of the situation, is of the view that the current agitations are the direct result of the excruciating pain of severe injustice, marginalisation and exclusion of Ndigbo from decision-making structures in Nigeria as presently configured.” They added, “The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly avers that the exclusion of Ndigbo in decision-making structure presents danger to the unity and well-being of the country, not only now but also in future and should be redressed urgently. “Consequently, the Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo advises the federal government of Nigeria to arrest the current Biafra agitation from deteriorating, and hereby recommends that the continued detention of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has since his incarceration become the focal point of the public protest, be treated more as a political rather than secu-

rity matter. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that the release of Mr. Kanu will diffuse the current public protests. “The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, anxious that dialogue shall replace public protest, further recommends the immediate creation of an adhoc national platform that shall address immediate causes that

have triggered the present public protest and revisit and redress latent and long standing issues that have continued to threaten the evolution of Nigeria into a modern and united nation where all constituent parts have equal sense of belonging. “The Imeobi Ohanaeze also calls on governors of the South-East, South-

elsa State, the show which began at 4 p.m. featured top-rated comedians and artistes including the host, Basket Mouth, Okey Bakassi, Gandoki, I Go Dye, Acapella, Funny Bone, Mayor, Omawumi and Wiz Kid who engaged the audience in an evening of ecstasy and unlimited fun. Organised exclusively for Glo subscribers who received an invitation to the event through a text message, the venue was filled to maximum capacity with an overflow that out-numbered the seated guests in the auditorium.

the ideals of nation building and harmonious coexistence of all peoples of Nigeria, whilst resisting attempts to reduce Ndigbo to second class citizens in our God-given country: a country, which our fathers and our fore-fathers laboured and sacrificed, shoulder-to-shoulder with other Nigerians to bring into being.”

L-R: NUJ President, Abdulwaheed Odusile; Director of News, FRCN, South-South Zone, Mrs. Gina Daka-Osika, and Chairman, NUJ, Enugu State Council, Chief Louis Dilibe, during NUJ Enugu Press Week’s award night, in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Enugu shelves local council polls EMMANUEL EZEH ENUGU

he much-awaited Local Government election, expected to hold in Enugu State before January 2016, has been put on hold. This is as stakeholders from across the state have approved the setting up of Local Government Caretaker Committees for the 17 local council areas in the state pending when adequate budgetary allocations would be provided in

the 2016 state appropriation for the exercise. Stakeholders, who gathered at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu gave the approval after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi briefed them on various programmes and projects of his administration, including the pending council polls since the tenure of the local government will expire on January 4, 2016. Consequently, the governor announced at the expanded meeting that “in order to avoid vacuum, on

Glo Laffta Fest, the game changer in comedy shows –Subscribers he Nigerian entertainment landscape is witnessing a new dimension in the comedy genre according to Glo subscribers who attended the Awka edition of Glo Laffta Fest comedy show in Anambra State on Friday. Several Glo subscribers who attended the show held at Marble Arch Hotel and Events Centre, Awka, praised Globacom for bringing the comedy show that is currently touring major cities in Nigeria to Awka. Having arrived the town from Yenagoa, Bay-

South to as a matter of urgency, create massive employment opportunities for youths of the states to ameliorate the restive situation. “The 2014 Confab document is veritable document for any discourse. Ndigbo stand on that document. “Ndigbo shall continue to remain committed to

A number of guests who aired their views commended Globacom for taking the show across the country, particularly the Awka edition, saying it is a laudable initiative. A guest, Amaka Amamchukwu, who was the third runner-up in the Miss Anambra 2015 pageant, said Globacom is taking entertainment to another level in Nigeria. “This is the second entertainment show by Globacom in Awka within four weeks. It’s very commendable that Globacom is promoting entertainment in Nigeria, touring

the whole country with two premium shows.” Another guest, Hon. Timothy Ifedioranma of Anambra State House of Assembly, said the Glo Laffta Fest initiative is a very laudable idea. “Coming to watch these great comedians perform relaxes the nerves,” he said. An auto engineer, Chudi Okoye, said he felt privileged to have been invited to the show. “I am so proud to be a Glo subscriber. This is one of the best shows I have ever attended. I and my family had great entertainment,” he declared.

January 4, 2016, the local government caretaker committees will be constituted; this is in keeping with the extant laws of Enugu State.” Addressing the people, Ugwuanyi had offered two reasons the local council polls would not hold before the expiration of the tenure of the present councils, saying the first reason is “the ongoing local government staff audit and other reforms” in that tier of government in which the state government wants to fish out ghost workers said to be prevalent in the system. The governor reminded the leaders that during the last meeting of the State Caucus at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Enugu, it was agreed “that all activities towards the local government elections be put on hold to enable the committee handling the exercise to conclude its assignment.’’ The second reason for postponement of the council elections, Ugwuanyi said, is inadequate funds for the exercise as it is not properly provided for in this year’s budget. During the meeting, the governor drew loud ovation following his address on the state of Enugu that summarised achievements of

his administration in the past six months. The aforementioned leaders, who spoke for the three senatorial districts in separate remarks in response to the governor’s address, gave him high marks for the numerous projects embarked upon and others in the offing, as well as his phenomenal feat of restoring peace among hitherto feuding political leaders in the state. The governor also drew applause when he announced that all contractors handling road projects in the state should on Wednesday approach the state Ministry of Works for further briefing. The directive meant that more work would be in the offing in various locations in the state. Also at the meeting, the governor announced to the stakeholders that the state-owned Institute of Management and Technology, IMT Enugu would be rehabilitated and made a degreeawarding institution to place it on the same progression level with similar institutions elsewhere in the country established in the 1970s.

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South South

Monday, November 30, 2015

Rivers govt warns against hoarding of petroleum products DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has warned owners of fillings station involved in hoarding of fuel

to desist from such wicked act or face the wrath of the law. This is as she decried the untold hardship faced by the people and residents of the state as a result of scarcity of petrol. Banigo in a statement

by her Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Damgbor, said a situation where residents of the state are made to stay in long queue for several hours to get fuel was worrisome. The deputy governor

urged relevant agencies to keep close watch on any shoddy deals by the operators of petroleum product so that resident of the state are not forced to continue to patronise black marketers.

She called on owners of filling stations to comply with the N87.00 Federal Government approved pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, even as she ordered them to stop sell-

ing beyond 8pm to avoid consequences of such violation. The statement assured that the state government would continue to ensure that the interested of Rivers State people are protected.

Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited becomes Transcorp Power Limited

ransnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has announced the successful merger of its two power subsidiaries Transcorp Ughelli Power Ltd and Ughelli Power Plc. The merged companies are now a single entity called Transcorp Power Limited. This is a significant milestone in the corporate history of Transcorp. The merger was designed to harmonize the management and operations of Transcorp’s power business for greater efficiency. Greater operational efficiency will undoubtedly lead to higher output in terms of power generation and increased shareholder value. Ughelli Power Plant, the company’s power generating asset, is the nation’s largest fossil-fuel generating plant. “While our structure has changed, our objectives have not. As one of

the leading power generating companies in Nigeria, our focus remains on aggressively increasing our output and expanding our capacity to generate at least 25% of Nigeria’s power,” said Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Chairman of the Transcorp Power board. “We have increased power generation by more than 525% in the two years since we acquired UghelliPower Plant, which makes ours the fastest growing among privatised power assets in the country. We are aggressively pursuing our generation recovery capacity programme and are on course to deliver 760MW by December 2015, said Adeoe Fadeyibi, CEO of the newly minted Transcorp Power. “At Transcorp Power we are strengthening our part of the power value chain and in doing so, we are helping to light up Nigeria,” Fadeyibi said.

Benin Customs destroy N11.5m worth of frozen products

igerian Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operation Unit, Zone C, says it has destroyed 1, 365 cartons of imported frozen products valued at N11.56 million in Benin. This is contained in a statement by the Comptroller of Zone C, Mr Victor Dimka, in Benin on Sunday. According to the statement, 1,205 cartons of the 1, 365 cartons contained imported frozen poultry products, valued at N9.6 million. The remaining 160 cartons contained of frozen fish estimated at about N1.9 million respectively. The statement said the items were destroyed on Saturday at the NSC

office in Benin. It added that the items were seized on Thursday by officers and men of NCS in the Benin-Ekiadolor area of Edo State at about 1.00 p.m.

L-R: Commandant General, Riverine Security, Mr Oduku Bibi; representative, Presidential Amnesty Office, Maj Matti Abdul and Senior Official of Riverine Security, Mr Paul Ighato, during a meeting on securing oil installations and government properties across Niger Delta area in Abuja at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Bayelsa poll: Don’t use card reader machines, groups urge INEC DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

coalition of youth groups in Bayelsa State yesterday called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, not to use the card reader machines for accreditation of voters during the December 5, 2015 governorship election in that state. This is as they urged the electoral body to adopt the use of manual voting system, so as to authenticate the validity of age-long genuine

and credible manual process of voting in the state. The youths stated that there was no constitutional provision mandating the use of card reader machines by INEC. The coalition, in a letter signed by Comrade Charles Omosuke, Olayinka Deidor and two others and addressed to Yakubu, copy of which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Sunday said the use of card reader is a notion initiated by the immediate past INEC chairman, Professor At-

Prioritise agriculture, APC chieftain advises Ayade

ational Vice Chairman (SouthSouth), All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Hillard Etta, has advised the Cross River State Government to prioritise agriculture. Etta, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Calabar on Sunday, said that prioritisng agriculture would lead to increased government revenue and job availability for the youth.

According to him, Cross River can produce the food the country needs if the available agricultural resources in the state can be harnessed. “Rice, oil palm, and cocoa grow well in this state. If government focuses on the production and processing of these crops, it can change the fortunes of the state.’ “Cross River is the second largest producer of cocoa in the country and

can produce all the rice and cocoa needed in this country, if the right thing is done.’’ He stressed the need for Governor Ben Ayade’s administration to establish the agriculture value chain in the state. NAN reports that the agriculture value chain approach to developing the sector focuses on four major issues, namely: production, processing, storage, and marketing.

tahiru Jega, which has not giving transparency to the country’s electoral process. The letter reads: “We are urging INEC to transparently display the upto-date voter’ registers per unit with passports of voters on them. “Secondly, that INEC should jettison the card reader machines as it was marred with irregularities as we fear that the enormity of its irregularities could trigger violent and wanton disruption of the December 5, election in Bayelsa State, because even if the Kogi State electorates were ignorant

of the monumental electronic fraud that led to rigging. “We are urging INEC to adopt the use of manual voting system in Bayelsa gubernatorial election to authenticate the validity of the agelong, genuine, and credible manual process in Bayelsa State. “You will agree with us that there is no constitutional provision mandating the use of card reader machines by INEC, but only a notion initiated by Professor Attahiru Jega, which is not giving transparency in the process.”

Police strengthen security in Bayelsa ahead of Dec. 5 poll

olice in Bayelsa State yesterday said it had strengthened security in the state towards ensuring a hitchfree December 5 governorship election. This is coming just as the Inspector-General of Police, IG, Solomon Arase, is scheduled to pay a visit to the state on Tuesday. Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Com-

mand, ASP Asinim Butwat, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Yenagoa, that Arase is expected to address policemen deployed to ensure security during the election. “The Inspector General of Police, Mr Soloman Arase, is expected in Bayelsa on Tuesday to address officers and men deployed for election duty,” the PPRO said.

North

Monday, November 30, 2015

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El-Rufai presents N166bn budget to state legislature A za Msue, KADUNA

aduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, at the weekend announced the draft 2016 budget proposal of about N166bn comprising N104bn capital and N62bn recurrent components before formal presentation to state House of Assembly next month. Addressing stakeholders who converged on General Hassan Katsina House, Kaduna, during the budget Town Hall meeting, el-Rufai in his speech entitled ‘Putting the people first: Back to Budget Realism’ said previous administrations in the state had reduced budgeting into a fictographic art, with scarcely any relationship to reality. He noted that huge annual budgets were approved in the past without being implemented, leaving a legacy of abandoned projects. The governor, who said he would always put the people first in all his actions, maintained that the present administration is determined to make Kaduna great again by reversing the neglect that the public interest has suffered and restore hope. He said in the proposed 2016 budget, one of the propoor programmes include intervention in school feeding, planting of economic trees and waste collection, which are expected to create 200,000 jobs. According to el-Rufai: “We have called this meeting today to present to you the broad principles informing the policy choices

that are reflected in the draft 2016 budget. The budget is anchored on the commitments outlined in the Restoration Programme, the manifesto platform on which Kaduna State APC campaigned.” The governor added: “Year after year, only the recurrent part of the budget attained perfect performance. Capital investments repeatedly suffered, sometimes reaching only 1% in some sectors or 17% performance overall. They had reduced budgeting into a fictographic art, with scarcely any relationship to reality. Huge annual budgets were approved without being implemented, leaving a legacy of abandoned projects. “Cost-Cutting: We are also deepening our programme to discipline public expenditures and be clearer about priorities: In 2014, the Ministry of Health got only N300 million. In 2016, the Health sector will get more than N3b. In 2014, the Government House spent N2.1 billion but it is getting only N563m in 2016. “Political appointees will take pay cuts as sacrifice for change. There will be no automatic annual salary increments in 2016. Duty Tour Allowances and Estacode rates will be reduced as well. ‘‘At its current draft, the proposed overall budget size is about N166bn, comprising N104bn capital and N62bn recurrent components. Our fiscal assumptions are based on a conservative benchmark oil price.”

Executive Director, Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Halimat Dangote(left) presenting the prototype of the Hajiya Mariya Sanusi Dantata Ultral Modern Medical Complex by Dangote Foundation to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during a visit to the Governor in Kano, on Saturday.

Boko Haram kills 7, abducts teenage girls in Borno Inusa Ndahi, MAIDUGURI

o fewer than four people were killed, while unspecified numbers of teenage girls were abducted in Bam Village, Biu local government area of Borno State. Also, in Gajigana village of Magumeri local Government area, three people were feared dead with scores injured by insurgents after setting ablaze shops and houses without confrontation. Bam is about seven kilometers away from Bu-

ratai village, home town of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Buratai village has suffered series of Boko Haram attacks including the razing of a mansion owned by the Army General. A resident of the area who fled to Miringa town for safety, Mallam Ali Bam told our correspondent on phone that the insurgents went to the village about 3:30a.m during the weekend and set ablaze the whole village, after killing four people and fled unchal-

lenged with unspecified number of unmarried teenage girls. In a related development, some Boko Haram terrorists have also attacked and burnt down Gajigana village in Magumeri local government area of Borno, killing three people including a soldier, before carted away much foodstuff. Gajigana is about 50 kilometres drive from Maiduguri. A member of the Civilian JTF from the area, Mallam Aliyu Jibrin,

“We are ready to do anything to support your effort,” the Governor said. He further described the Dangote’s intervention at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital as massive, saying the hospital is one of the oldest in West Africa. The Foundation has also completed the construction of seven out of the eleven Primary Health Care Centers it is building in the State. At a handover ceremony of one of the health care centres at Gwale Local Government, Ms Halima Dangote said the construction of eleven health centres in the state will

cost the Foundation a whooping N72million. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ms Dangote said her father Aliko Dangote would prefer that most of his interventions are not mentioned in public for Allah’s sake. She however said the Foundation that she heads will continue to assist the poor and support government’s efforts around the world. Speaking also Executive Director Stakeholders Relations and Corporate Communications Engr Mansur Ahmed said the new health care centre will help the people in the community overcome

told National Mirror that the insurgents who arrived around 8:30pm on Friday, started shooting sporadically into the air to scare people. The source said they killed a man, woman and soldier before carting off a lot of foodstuff after setting ablaze the entire shops in the village. He said the attack on Gajigana could have been avoided if soldiers acted on the information at hand, saying the soldiers fled without facing the insurgents when they contacted.

Dangote: N7bn Kano hospital to be completed in 2016

hief Executive of the Dangote Foundation Ms Halima Dangote has revealed that the ongoing construction of a multibillion naira state-ofthe-art Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital is due for completion next year. Ms Dangote made this revelation when her team visited the Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the weekend. She said the Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre will cost the Foundation a staggering N7 billion. She attributed the earlier delay to technical hitch-

es and said the new Contractor, Dantata and Sawoe have returned to site. She also said that the Routine Immunization programme of the Foundation is being extended to Bauchi, Yobe, Maiduguri and Katsina. She added that the Foundation’s Business School’s Project at the Bayero University Kano has gulped N524million, even as it injected 500million into Kano School of Technology. Ms Dangote also revealed that the Foundation is determined to build a 500MW of electricity station in Kano. She described some

of the projects as “game changing projects” to be completed in the next two years. Responding, the state Governor Dr Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has done a lot for the Kano people, and the people of Kano will remain grateful forever. He singled out the contribution of the Foundation to the fight against polio disease, adding that it was indeed a massive intervention. He said with the help of the Dangote Foundation, the State will soon be given its Polio Free Certificate.

most of their simple health challenges. He urged the people of Kano to always pray for Alhaji Aliko Dangote and support the Dangote Group. The State’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Abba Kailani expressed government appreciation and promised to support the health care centres through staffing. Secretary to the chairman of Gwale Local Government Shehu Haza who represented the chairman of the Council, while commending the Foundation, said Government will ensure that the health care centres are functional.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Osahon Julius YENAGOA

chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Sabgama Local Government Area, the home town of incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, Prince Bodi Arerebo, has urged him to stop wiping up sentiment about the use of military might by the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, Timipreye Sylva, but instead should concentrate on telling the people of Baylesa what he did in his first tenure. Arerebo said it was the People Democratic Party, PDP, candidate who has been using thugs and hired hoodlums to cause mayhem at campaigns rally organized by the APC, as recently witnessed in his community, Agorogbeni, Sagbama local government area. Speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa, on the day his community held a rally to receive over 150 decampees from the PDP, Mr. Arerebo, said, thugs allegedly sponsored by the

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Politics

APC Chieftain to Dickson: Stop incitement, tell Bayelsans what you did in 4 years Governor, attacked them with guns, machete and axes, injuring many of the APC supporters. He said, “ We had a rally today in Agorogbeni, my community, in Sagbama local government, opposite okobiri, and PDP thugs distrupt our rally. At the rally, we had over 150 people from the PDP that cross over to the APC. We have having a peaceful rally until people came from nowhere with guns, machete and axes and as I speak a lot of people were injured, and one presently hospitalized in an undisclosed hospital. We have in good authority that the Governor, Dickson sponsored the thugs that attack us. They said he was not happy that the people of the community has decided to cast their votes for the APC.” He said it was a surprise that the same governor who went about

telling people that Sylva and the Minister of state for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, wasusing military might and violence to intimidate people was the one using thugs to harass an innocent gathering, “I want to tell my younger brother, the governor that his continue statement that Sylva and Senator Heineken Lokpobri are harassing innocent citizen of the state with military might, that

he is lying, both Sylva and Lokpobiri have been going peacefully with their convoy just like the governor and his convoy. “This is the not the era of PDP, where they go about with thugs and non-charlatan attitudes towards the people, there is nothing like that in the APC, check the convoy of the President Mohammadu Buhari, you can see the leadership qualities of President aides and gover-

nors. “The man Sylva is a humble guy, he is somebody who has the spirit of forgiveness, some of the people you have in APC today re people has work with Sylva in his previous administration but had abandoned him during his travail.” “The people that worked against him, the people that call him bad names, the people that brought the misunderstanding between

Sylva and Jonathan all came back and he has forgiven them and today they are working together again and Sylva did not remain them of the past. He did not even habour any grudges or hard feeling against Jonathan for his role in his infamous removal from office, in fact he was planing to go see him in his home as a statesman until Jonathan went on air to say he was in support of one particular candidate.”

Rerun Senatorial election: Onjeh will floor Mark –Benue APC Chairman Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

enue State Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Comrade Abba Yaro has assured that the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP is buried alive in the Benue South west Senatorial district and that anytime the rerun election holds, the APC candidate, Mr Daniel Onjeh will floor Senator David Mark of the PDP. Speaking on the Appeal court verdict that ordered for rerun in the Benue South West senatorial election, he explained that at long last, truth has triumphed over falsehood as demonstrated by the panel of jurists which reviewed the case and consequently voided the return of Senator Mark to the

Senate. The party stalwart also foreclose the chances of Senator Mark returning to the Senate saying that the people shouldn’t be deceive by the boast of the former senate president that he is going to win convincingly in the rerun election. He has also debunked the claim in some quarters that certain ethnic groups are dominating appointments made so far by Governor Samuel Ortom- led administration in the state . Yaro punctured this claim in an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Makurdi, the State Capital saying those who were alleging lopsidedness in the appointment by Governor Ortom are being economical with the truth.

L-R: Former Senate President, Sen. Adolphus Wabara; Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce and former Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, at the PDP Govership rally in Yenagoa at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Bayelsa poll: We are ready, adequately prepared–INEC Osahon Julius YENAGOA

he Bayelsa State Resident Electoral C o m m i s s i o n e r, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, said at the weekend that the commission is adequately prepared and ready for Saturday’s governorship poll in the state. Kpagih stated this on Saturday during an interactive town hall meeting monitored by our correspondent in Yenagoa. With the theme, “Promoting Credible Non-Violent Election in Bayelsa

State”, broadcast live by 95.5 Royal FM, a private radio station in Yenagoa, was jointly organized ahead of the December 5 poll by two non-governmental organisations - the Stakeholder Democracy Network and Bayelsa State Non-Governmental Organizations Forum. Participants at the interactive session include over 15 stakeholder groups, members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and community representatives drawn from the eight local government areas of the state. Baritor, stated that INEC had procured card

readers and three backups for each of the 1,804 polling units in the state, noting that with the level of preparedness by INEC and adequate security in place, Bayelsa governorship election would be free, fair and credible. Also speaking at the session, a guest speaker and a University don, Ibaba S. Ibaba, lamented the inability of community chiefs in Bayelsa to promote peaceful election. Ibaba, a professor of political science at the state-owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, observed that the incapacitation of the community chiefs resulted

from the struggles of the people of the region. Ibaba, who spoke on “Practical Ways Communities Can Promote Peaceful Election”, stated that community leaders and parents had lost control over their children. “Our chiefs and parents have lost control of youths as a direct consequence of the struggles for resource control,” he said. He said cross-endorsements of party candidates by the chiefs, chairmen of community development committees and youth leaders had eroded the cohesion needed by communities to promote peaceful polls.

Politics

Monday, November 30, 2015

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Kogi guber: Eze Dimgba makes case for Faleke Ebere Ndukwu

agos State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Eze Uche Dimgba, has advised the leadership of the APC to substitute the the party’s governorship candidate in the Kogi State governorship election, late Abubakar Audu with his running mate, Hon. James Faleke, so that the Independent National Electoral Commission,

INEC, can conclude the process on December 5, as scheduled. Dimgba, who spoke with journalists at a press briefing at his palace in Lagos, said the best option open to the APC is to substitute the late Abubakar Audu with Hon. James Faleke as both worked together, campaigned together and the votes the party garnered in the election were joint votes. The APC chieftain added that Faleke has what it

takes Kogi State out of the woods given his track record. According to him, the deputy governorship candidate is a well-grounded politician, and his elevation as governorship candidate would equally do the polity a lot of good. His words: “Hon. Faleke started his political career as a council chairman in Lagos State before he got elected into the House of Representatives, and one can say that he is tested and trusted. So, I strongly

believe that he should step in Audu’s shoes, while the APC nominates a deputy, probably from the Igala speaking area of the state to strike the desired balance.” He added that the people of Kogi State voted massively for the Audu/Faleke ticket because they believed that the party, through the duo, will bring the change they desire. “Hon. Faleke should be given the opportunity because of what he will bring to bear in the governance

of Kogi State. The people shouldn’t be denied this golden opportunity because he comes from the minority, as ethnic politics has not done our polity any good. We should not continue to encourage tribal tendencies in our polity. Faleke is a detribalized Nigerian and I am sure that he will carry all Kogites along if he becomes governor,” he said. Reacting to the call by National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Demo-

Okun Elders back Bello for Kogi APC ticket Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

L-R: Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Nigeria, Mr. Job Obiong Esono Mbengono; Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume (second right back) and others during a visit to the Senate President by the Ambassador in Abuja.

Taraba: Umar never participated in PDP primary- Group

he UTCiaya Amana Political Movement, has denied claims that former Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar UTC participated in the ‘sham primary election’ held at the PDP headquarters in the run up to the last general election. The Movement’s Coordinator, Jinadu Yawe said it’s disheartening for the Chief of Staff to Governor Dairus Ishaku, Rebo Usman to lie that Alhaji Umar UTC or anyone else besides their anointed candidates took part in the primaries, just to prevent the sacking of Governor Darius Ishaku on account of his improper and illegal nomination as PDP candidate. “Other aspirants for various political offices, including the three governorship candidates, Alhaji Garba Umar, Chief David Kente and Ambassador Musa John were not even notified of the change of

venue for the primaries not to talk of participating in the sham primary at Wadata Plaza,” Yawe said in a statement. He said it was at the contrived primaries that Alhaji Umar was awarded the senatorial ticket in absentia just to assuage his teeming supporters. “It is the same rejected ticket that former Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi seized, even without purchasing the form and without going through the screening process.” The group noted that PDP members were clearly and brazenly denied their right to select candidates of their choice. According to Yawe, none among the aggrieved members and elected party delegates were contacted for negotiation to use only government political appointees as statutory delegates for the primaries. “How can less than one

hundred people justifiably nominate all elective candidates for about three million Tarabans contrary to the electoral act which made provision for over seven hundred delegates? He said embattled Governor Darius Ishaku and his cohorts were clearly aware that they could not win the primaries against Garba Umar UTC on home soil and so in the process of stealing the mandate committed this nauseating blunders that has returned to haunt them. “ If it was not nemesis, how could the cabals fail to remember to drive to INEC headquarters in less than twenty minutes within Abuja to bring an INEC official to Wadata house. These are the clues thieves usually leave behind in a hurry to get away from crime scenes. God, in his infinite mercy has done justice to Umar UTC for this day light robbery.

The loyalist movement however advise those aggrieved by the tribunal judgment to point accusing fingers at the Victor Bala-led PDP Exco and their fellow cabals for the poor handling of the election of Darius, instead of unnecessarily whipping religious and ethnic sentiments. “Nobody is stealing any ‘mandate’, the out-going governor’s handlers did a bad job and collected his money. In a desperate and shameful effort to produce Darius as the sole candidate of the party, the Taraba State chapter of PDP in active connivance with some retrogressive elements at the national secretariat broke every known rule or guideline designed to produce a credible candidate for the party because of lack of confidence in the process. Now this dubious day light robbery is coming back to haunt the so-called cabals,” the movement said.

cratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, that his party be declared winner of the poll as votes for the APC have seized to exist as a result of Audu’s demise, Dimgba said such call was undemocratic and uncalled for. According to Dimgba, the PDP is plotting to derail the Kogi State governorship election, following the death of the candidate of the APC, as it is clear that it has lost out.

he people of Okun area in Kogi State under the aegis of Okun Elders Forum, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Alhaji Yahya Bello, as the preferred candidate to fill the vacuum created by the death of the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, in the yet to be concluded election in the state. The forum in a statement signed by its spokesman, Chief Funsho Atale, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, hinged their position on the need to move the state forward and in tandem with democratic

principles. According to him, the elders took the position in the interest of the party, Kogi State and Okunland, stating that it was based on all these that the elders decided to throw their weight behind Bello. The elders, including Chief P.S . Alabi; Chief Remi Ogga and Engr. Dele Abu, urged the leadership of the APC to align various interest groups to rally support for the candidature of Bello and ensure victory for the party during the remaining election slated for Saturday, so as to move the state forward. The elders insisted that this is not the best time for political horse trading as all hands must be on deck to get Kogi State back to the path of growth and development.

Audu’s death: Lagos assembly commiserates with Kogi people Robert Awokuse

agos State House of Assembly has commiserated with Kogi state government, the people and the families of Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the Kogi poll over his demise. The lawmakers in different shades expressed shock over the death of the former state governor, especially as it came just before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC could conclude the election, describing it as unfortunate and devastating.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun representing Epe Consistuency I, in his prayer moved that there is need for the House to commiserate with the family of the deceased, the good people of Kogi and members of party by writing condolence letters to them respectively. Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi representing Ojo Consistuency II said “Prince Audu Abubakar is a man of high repute and a brilliant politician. The wailing, attendance of the people during his burial shows he is of good behavior. I commiserate with the family and the leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I pray God will give us the fortitude to bear the loss”

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Monday, November 30, 2015

Journey of love in a milieu of lovelessness CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

ove is a shop-soiled word that has been seriously overused. Over the centuries, poets, philosophers, dramatists, and novelists have produced works, whose thematic concern is love. Daily, young people whisper sweetnothings into the ears of their friends in demonstration of their love for them. Religious teachers do exhort member of their religious groups to love other people. And the Bible says that a person who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the biblical commandments. But to some people, love is an indefinable emotion. Love can be broadly divided into many groups, chief among them are agape love and Eros. Eros has to do with sexual desires, while agape love is concerned about one’s engagement in an act of benefaction for other people. No religion preaches violence and bloodshed. So those who kill other people on behalf of their God or gods are violating the tenets of their faiths. The world’s religions have doctrines that are rooted in love. In Nigeria, almost everybody belongs to a religious group. Islam and Christianity, which displaced and dethroned the African traditional religion, are the predominant ones. So why is religious violence a common occur-

rence among us? And adherents of the major religions in Nigeria, who occupy position in the top echelon of our super-structure, perpetrate deeds that hurt our economy. Consequently, Nigeria is bedeviled with the problem of high-rate of unemployment. But a God- fearing man with probity will not divert public money entrusted in his care into his private bank account. A person, who is truly righteous and forthright, will not demand monetary inducement from job-seekers. The downtrodden people, who are deserving of places in our civil service and schools, are denied those places owing to Nigerian egregious systems of doing things. And it is not love that motivates some people to abduct and kill children for money-making rituals. Those that drench their girlfriends in corrosive liquid are not actuated by the feelings of love. Love is a scarce commodity among us now. The existence of love among us is a prerequisite for our entrenchment of peace and unity in Nigeria. If However, we’ve many broken homes and families in Nigeria as marriages collapse as fast as amoebae cells break up. When a marriage union is destitute of love, it will fail. Do young people consummate and formalize their marriages for the reason of love and companionship? In African, especially Nigeria, men

THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS HAVE DOCTRINES THAT ARE ROOTED IN LOVE marry wives in order to beget male children, who will ensure that their families’ names do not go into extinction. And men prefer male children to female ones as girls are thought to be chattels that will be sold off. A woman without a male child is always unhappy as her place in her matrimonial home is insecure. Some so-called well-educated men end their marriage unions on the grounds that their wives could not give birth to male children. But secondary school biology tells us that a man’s sex chromosomes determine the sex of his baby. More so, some people enter into marriage relationships because marriage confers a measure of respectability. In Nigeria, marriage is a yardstick for assessing people’s successes. So, not many people have entered into the sacred union for love. Yet any human relationships that are not based on love are predisposed to suffer failures. Do we not put up with the irritating, offensive and repulsive deeds of those for whom we profess love? Some husbands had their kidneys harvested, which they donated to their wives for organ transplant as

their wives’ kidneys were diseased. Men and women who are propelled by feelings of love do make great sacrifices in order to give joy to their marriage mates. Any marriage union that is founded on genuine love can resist the buffeting and whiplash of marital troubles. In December 2014, providence brought the love of my life to me after I had suffered failed relationships. People with idealistic views like me tend to be perfectionists. We rail at our marriage mates for their idiosyncrasies and peccadilloes. But the world is filled with imperfect human beings. In fact, the earth is the abode of human beings, who are with innate failings and weaknesses. So, I have learnt to put up with the inadequacies of my marriage mate; and I revel and savor the kindnesses, which she showers on me. No human being is perfect. We are mixtures of good and bad. Nobody is wholly bad. In fact, a person we thought and believed to be a monster has some redeeming feature and saving grace. Being married has compelled me to learn the virtues of patience and tolerance. They are the qualities of love. The holy bible tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. Okoye, a civil servant and author, wrote from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

Tribute to Hon. Justice Emmanuel O. Ayoola, a quintessential Jurist @ 82 AARE AFE BABALOLA

uccess and destiny are defined by many parameters and perimeters. The invisible and unmistaken hand of God, the Creator, moulds the universe deliberately to different vessels of honour. However, it seems some are more generously endowed by God than others. But the most endowed are those who make of their talents and position enabling the less privileged. Such is the Hon. Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, CON, JSC (retd), the multi-talented Legal Practitioner and internationally acclaimed Jurist, an epitome of decency and a towering model of a quintessential gentleman who has succeeded in all his and endeavours; a loving father, an uncommon mentor and successful manager of men and resources who has touched the lives of many as a lawyer, judge, public servant since he was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in London in November 1957. An Alumnus of the revered University of London, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree and also of Oxford University where he obtained another Bachelor’s Degree in Jurisprudence in 1959, the stuff the erudite Hon. Justice Ayoola, a former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is made of became manifest early in his very brilliant and luxuriant career. For 17 years, he, together with his elder brother, OluAyoola of blessed memory, had a flourishing private legal practice in Ibadan, Oyo State until February 1976 when he was most deservedly appointed to the High Court of Western Nigeria as a Judge and soon after, a Judge of the High Court of

HE IS AN UNREPENTANT LOVER

UNIVERSITY, AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADOEKITI

OF OUR

Oyo State. That was the time brilliant lawyers were invited to the bench and not appointed from application. Our paths crossed each other in 1963 when I approached the popular Chambers of Ayoola Brothers for my tutelage after arriving from England with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. It was not difficult for me to know that with his uncommon brilliance, calmness, diligence and determination as well as his willingness to apply himself to work, he would make it to the top very rapidly. I saw in him a man sold to industry, commitment with an unbending will for people around him to succeed. A man internationally sought-after, the incorruptible judge served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of The Gambia from and later as Chief Justice of The Gambia. He was Vice President of the World Judges Association in 1991. A man of commendable candour, Justice Ayoola was President of the Court of Appeal of Seychelles and Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria (1992-1998), Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (1998–2003) before he bowed out of service in October 2003 at the mandatory age of 70. After his national and international exploits and achievements in the Judiciary particularly because of the sterling qualities

inherent in him, he was in 2004 made Chairman of the ad-hoc Presidential Action Committee on the Control of Violent Crimes and Illegal Firearms. He served as Chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission in 2005 until he was appointed Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission later the same year. Currently, he is a member of the National Judicial Council and Chairman of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee of that Council. In 2002, the Secretary-General of the United Nations appointed Justice Ayoola a Judge of the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, a court set up to try those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone Civil War. He was President of the Court from 2004 to 2005. It was in that capacity that he addressed the Security Council of the United Nations in 2005. In his quest for deeper meaning in life and his desire to live beyond the mundane material things which many mortals settle for, at some point, Justice Ayoola was Chairman of the Governing Council of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, an International NGO based in Banjul, The Gambia. A prolific writer and an advocate of an egalitarian society, he has edited the Seychelles Law Digest, the Law Reports of the Gambia, and the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports. Justice Ayoola is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria); Doctor of Civil Law [DCL] honoris causa) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Dr. of Laws, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

In appreciation of his sterling contributions to Jurisprudence, he was honoured with the award of the Gambian National Honour of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of the Gambia [CRG] in 1990; and the Award of the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger [CON] in 2003. He is an unrepentant lover of our University, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. The place and import of the Hon. Justice Ayoola’s love for ABUAD and my humble self will forever remain green and indelible. At the time the University was still struggling to find his feet, Justice Ayoola, as the Chairman of ICPC, led a 14-man team of ICPC staff to ABUAD on July 28, 2010 and left the following words in our history book: “This is an institution which can stand side by side with any educational institution in the world. This is a pace setter. It raises the benchmark for quality education in Nigeria. There is no doubt that the shaping of the direction of education in Nigeria has started. ABUAD is and will remain the leader in this direction”. AARE AFE BABALOLA, OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D. Litt, FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE Founder & Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. To be Continued 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, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Again, the unemployment time bomb

recent report credited to the World Bank says youths that are neither in employment, education nor training has hit 1.8 billion, repre¬senting about one third of the world’s population. The Bretton Woods’ institution projected that one billion more youths would enter the job market in the next decade, only 40 percent of which are expected to be able to get jobs. The global economy needs to create 600 million job openings over the next 10 years at the rate of five million jobs per month to keep pace with youth employment rates’ projections, as youths constitute about 40 percent of the world’s population. Down here in Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that youths represent the highest when compared with other unemployed groups. The latest Quarter Three (Q3) Unemployment and Underemployment Watch report published by the NBS few days ago showed that 17.8 percent of youths between the ages of 15 and 24 had no jobs as at the third quarter of this year; while 10.8 percent in the age-range of between 25 and 34 are also roaming the streets, jobless. The NBS said the trend represented an increase when compared with the previous quarters of the year. The Bureau stated, for example, that while the rate of unemploy-

ment among youths aged between 15 and 24 years in the first quarter stood at 13.7 percent, it surged to 14.9 percent in Q2, before peaking at 17.8 percent in Q3. The foregoing provides an insight into the widespread lamentations about growing youth unemployment in the country in recent years; and the inherent danger it portends. Though criticized for not doing much to stem the tide during his second coming as the country’s leader between 1999 and 2007, one man that has been harping repeatedly on the dangers posed by rising youth unemployment in the country is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In the last quarter of 2012, for instance, Obasanjo dramatized the looming danger in a speech he gave at a West African regional conference on youth employment held in Dakar, Senegal, when he said unless the Nigerian government took urgent steps to arrest the menace of youth unemployment and poverty, it should brace up for a revolution soon. The former Nigerian leader said the rate of youth unemployment in 1999 when he assumed office was 72 percent; that his government reduced it to 52 percent in 2004, but by 2011, it had climbed to 71 percent. “I’m afraid, and you know I am a General. When a General says he is afraid, that means the danger ahead is real and potent,” he told

GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO SHRINKING THE LARGE POOL OF UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

the Dakar conference. He said the menace was responsible for such social crimes as ‘Area Boys’, ‘Yahoo Boys’ and ‘Blackberry Boys’. He also made reference to the report on doctorate degree holders who applied for truck-driver jobs at the Dangote Group, stressing that the patience of the youth would soon reach its limit. He may sound an alarmist, especially when many accuse him of scratching the unemployment crisis on the surface when he was in power, but Obasanjo has helped to place the unemployment scare on the front burner. It is now the responsibility of the government in power to appraise the failings of its predecessors in employment generation and come up with policies that will translate to gainful employment for teeming jobless Nigerian youths. Though the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan made efforts through some interventionist programmes, including the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria

ON THIS DAY November 30, 1993 Exxon and Mobil signed a $73.7 billion agreement to merge, thus creating Exxon-Mobil, the world’s largest oil company. Exxon-Mobil Corporation or Exxon-Mobil is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company, and was formed on November 30, 1999 by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

November 30, 2005 John Sentamu became the first black archbishop in the Church of England with his enthronement as the 97th Archbishop of York. Born June 10, 1949 near Kampala in present-day Uganda, Sentamu studied Law at Makerere University before gaining employment as an advocate of the Supreme Court of Uganda. He is the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

(YOUWIN) introduced in October 2011 to tackle the challenge, it was obvious that very little was achieved in the end. That the All Progressives Congress’ (APC)-led Federal Government is now contemplating the pacification of unemployed youths with a monthly stipend of N5,000 each beginning from next year is a strong indication that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration appreciates the enormity of the problem. Nonetheless, such stipend is no alternative to gainful employment. Therefore, the FG and state governments should seek ways of encouraging youth entrepreneurship. Agriculture has been widely identified as a very viable option, if youths can be generously incentivized to embrace it. In addition, the continued churning out of unemployable graduates should be addressed through the restructuring of the curricula of the nation’s tertiary schools. This will assist greatly in producing graduates needed by the job market, as well as those who may prefer creating jobs for themselves. Government at all levels should be committed to shrinking the large pool of unemployed youths from where insurgents, militants, secessionists, kidnappers and other common criminals recruit their membership.

x November 30, 2012 An Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane belonging to Aéro-Service, crashed into houses near Maya-Maya Airport in the Republic of the Congo during a thunderstorm, killing at least 32 people. The Ilyushin Il-76T freighter, registration EK-76300, owned and operated by the Armenian cargo airline ‘Air Highnesses’ on behalf of Congolese cargo airline ‘Aéro-Service’, was flying from Pointe Noire Airport to Maya-Maya Airport.

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

Stakeholders renew

deregulation, PIB’s passage advocacy to end fuel crisis

For several weeks now, fuel scarcity has resurfaced with biting impact on all aspects of the country’s socio-economic activities on a nationwide scale. As the situation persists without real assurances of longlasting solution to the perennial menace, UDEME AKPAN takes a critical appraisal of the downstream hiccups, with specific focus on various options that could be explored by the government to forestall future occurrences of the ugly phenomenon.

hen the nation’s fuel scarcity became a saddening reality about a month ago, many analysts of the downstream sub-sector did not believe that the crisis would assume the dimensions of the past based on pronouncements by agencies and other institutions directly involved in overseeing the operations of the sub-sector. For instance, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had promised to increase supplies while the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR also threatened to sanction operators involved in illegal activities, including hoarding, diversion and

arbitrary pricing of the product. Specifically, the DPR told the public that it had set up a 24 hours surveillance monitoring team of petrol stations nationwide to ensure unhindered sale of petroleum products at government regulated prices as a proactive response to reported cases of panic buying in some Petrol Stations across the country. It stated further that the stock level of Premium Motor Spirit UDO ONYEKA, CO-ORDINATOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD

(PMS) in depots nationwide stood at about 365 million litres while it also raised hope that over 800 million seaborne litres to be discharged was being expected at the time the scarcity surfaced within one week. “To further ensure the supply of products, DPR has fast tracked the grant of product import permits and vessel clearing process to aid rapid stock build up for importers. We hereby appeal to all Depots and Petroleum Product Retail Outlets nationwide to ensure that products are sold at government regulated price as the DPR will not hesitate to enforce necessary sanctions against any erring marketer. The General Public is hereby advised not to engage in panic buying as there is adequate supply of petroleum Products nationwide,’’ it had added. But that was not to be. The scarcity that lasted for some weeks crippled operations in virtually all sectors of the nation’s economy. While it lasted, the prices of fuel hit the roofs at between N200 and N500, depending on some factors, including the location of filling stations. Investigations showed that the situation worsened following the inability of DPR to demonstrate adequate capacity in tackling the excesses of the major and independent marketers in all parts of the nation. It showed that the illegal activities did not allow consumers to experience the positive impact of additional supplies. For instance, the impact NNPC’s additional supplies was not felt. The NNPC assured the nation that it had commercial stocks to meet the nation’s domestic consumption requirement. The Executive Director, Commercial of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, Mr. Justine Ezeala, had remarked that a projected volume of 1.4 billion litres of petrol are available for distribution to fuel stations across the country all through the month of November. Ezeala had informed

A3 19

Nnamdi-Ogbue

that as part of the extra measure in place to tackle the artificially induced queues, PPMC has increased the volume of petrol being trucked out to fuel stations across major cities in the country, adding that most of the 37 NNPC Retail Mega Stations across the country have been directed to commence 24-hour service. “NNPC Retail has 513 retail outlets all over the country and the strategy is that every one of these stations is designed to have products at all times. In addition we have decided that most of the mega stations will adopt 24 hours operation model and where for security reasons that cannot be met, we are going to have extended hours of operation in such location starting from 5am and end till about 10.pmdaily,” he had said. The head of NNPC Retail, Mr. Oladipo Fagbola had also indicated that in addition to the commencement of the 24-hour service, the company had opened up some hotlines to enable members of the public provide useful feedback and intelligence on the operations of Mega and affiliate filling stations across the country. He had urged members of the public to provide useful information to assist the Corporation achieve its mandate and responsibility to the fuel consumers. However, the situation started to record improvement only when the NNPC made public the engagement of the Department of State Services, DSS and Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in a renewed effort to arrest hoarding and diversion of petroleum products by some unscrupulous marketers. The engagement of the security agencies is also meant to assist in the monitoring of nationwide fuel truck-out to retail outlets. The NNPC assured that it was doing everything possible to normalize the fuel supply and distribution situation. The Group Executive Director Commercial and Investment of the Corpora-

tion, Dr. Babatunde Adeniran had said any marketer found wanting in the sale of petroleum products including the NNPC Retail outlet dealers, would be sanctioned appropriately. Adeniran maintained that there would be no sacred cows as the Corporation was working round the clock by supplying sufficient petroleum products to marketers to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed a yuletide season without the pain of fuel queues. “We must all make sure that petroleum products get across to Nigerians at the regulated price especially as the yuletide season approaches. We have enough products and we want to plead with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) not to be involved in the diversion of petroleum products in order to avoid causing untold hardship to motorists,” Adeniran enjoined. The Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Esther NnamdiOgbue had said the DSS and EFCC have been mobilised to bring to book any marketer involved in sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government in making petroleum products available to motorists across the country. “We have invited the EFCC and DSS to join us in this campaign of monitoring the movement of petroleum products and they have our mandate to sanction any errant marketer. Enough is enough,” Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue cautioned. Shortly after this, many stations that claimed they had no fuel before started to sell. The development gives impression that the scarcity was also political in nature. Observers maintained that oil marketers whose outstanding has risen to over N300 billion might have used the scarcity to make case for immediate settlement of their outstanding claims. This has attracted the comments of some stakeholders. The Executive Secretary of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria,

MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore indicated that the settlement of the outstanding claims was very critical to the survival of the downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry. He maintained that the huge indebtedness has affected the capacity of marketers to import fuel into the nation. Olawore observed that fuel importation is a collective responsibility that should not be left for NNPC alone. The Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe indicated that the nation should look beyond massive fuel importations. He made a strong case for the construction of new refineries as the importation has assisted other nations to create many multiplier effects, especially employment and capacity building while creating massive unemployment and abject poverty in Nigeria. Incidentally, the Dangote Group has started preliminary work on its $8billion refinery by late 2016. The proposed oil refinery situated in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos is expected to be functional by the first half of 2018, with an estimated production template of about 500,000 barrels per day. Already, Honeywell technology is said to have been selected to run the largest refinery in Africa. Senior Vice-President and General Manager of UOP’s Process, Technology and Equipment business, Pete Piotrowski, maintained in a statement that: “UOP has been designing state-of-the-art refineries and petrochemical plants for more than a century, so we are well-equipped to help Nigeria develop a massive new installation to meet its domestic needs. This project will enable Dangote to improve Nigeria’s oil refining capabilities, reduce the country’s dependence on imports, and work to revive and transform the Nigerian economy.” While some observers are elated about the pace of progress so far, others remained unmoved, probably because of their experi-

ences. Investigations showed that previous efforts of other investors were not successful despite the granting of government licenses to them. For instance, in 2002, the government issued licenses to 18 investors to build new plants. These included Akwa Ibom Refinery and Petrochemicals, Tonwei Refinery, Badagry Petroleum Refinery, Clean Water Refinery, IIaje Refinery and Petrochemicals and Niger Delta Refinery and Petrochemicals. Others included, the NSP Refinery and Oil Services and Ode Ade Refinery, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited, Owena Oil and Gas, Rivgas Petroleum and Energy, Sapele Petroleum, Southland Associates, Southwest Refineries and Petrochemicals Company, Starex Petroleum Refinery Ltd, The Chasewood Consortium, Total Support Refineries and Union Atlantic Petroleum. Even if the Dangote Group initiative becomes a reality, the nation would still need more refineries apparently because of its huge population and socio-economic initiatives that call for increased energy utilisation. But many local and foreign investors will not likely invest as the sector is still regulated by the Federal Government. Consequently, the government has been tasked to deregulate the sector in order to attract much local and foreign capital. The Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri said the expected investment would not be realised without the passage of the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB into law. Sadly, the lawmakers have not started to give serious attention to the proposed legislation, meaning that the PIB will not be passed soon. This also means that the nation will likely remain a major fuel importer at least in short and medium term. Be that as it may, Nigerians are waiting to see the measures the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will adopt to address the situation in the coming months. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News GTBank unveils Nigeria’s first virtual MasterCard

that the seed producers “have taken loans” that need to be repaid.

Sterling Bank flags off Shopping Dash Season 2

Udo Onyeka

uaranty Trust Bank plc has reaffirmed its position as a leading provider of e-payment gateway solutions with the recent launch of its Virtual Prepaid MasterCard. The card which is issued instantly via Internet Banking provides an added comfort for security conscious online shoppers who prefer not to use their regular debit/credit cards when making online payments. The GTBank Virtual card has all the essential features of a physical card and can be used to make both international and local online payments. It also serves as a fall back option for customers who have forgotten or lost their card, but need to perform urgent online purchases. The introduction of the virtual card has bridged the gap between traditional ewallets and bank accounts by providing a low cost alternative to physical debit cards. Customers also have the option of converting the virtual card to a physical card. Commenting on the launch, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of GT Bank. Segun Agbaje, said this marks another milestone in our quest to make banking more seamless for our customers. He said as a Bank, we remain firm on our objective to deliver value adding services that are tailored to meet the diverse needs of our ever-growing customer base by leveraging technology to make banking more convenient for all our customers.” He further stated that “the launch of this product, attests to our commitment towards encouraging a cashless culture in our country by promoting the use of alternative payment channels for transacting both locally and internationally. Our desire to be at the frontier of banking excellence enables us to pioneer innovative products aimed at making banking more simple and attractive to the unbanked and unserved.” Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the biggest issuers of payment cards in Nigeria. In Partnership with Mastercard, the Bank has rolled out all variants of GTBank Mastercards in all countries where it has business presence and continues to offer rewards and priceless experiences to its cardholders. One of such promos will include the POS Cash Back Promo; a loyalty reward scheme where customers can earn cash for paying for products and services on POS terminals using their MasterCards.

L-R: Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem; President of ECCIMA, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, and Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo, at the 4th quarterly Council Meeting of NACCIMA in Enugu

Oando to build $350m Gas Plant

ando is planning a $350-million gas plant to facilitate integration of the company’s gas production with its supply business. Managing Director of Oando Gas and Power, Bolaji Osunsanya, who disclosed the plan said the plant, with a capacity to process 300 million standard cubit feet a day (scfd), will take 24 months to complete and cost $300m to $350 million. He said Nigeria had room to ramp up gas plants as current capacity was around 2 billion standard cubic feet daily (SCFD) adding that its project was at the development stage to be launched in the first quarter. Similarly, Seplat is also boosting gas capacity as it plans to increase gross output from around 120 million to 400 million scfd by 2017, as demand grows. “We have done transport in the past, we are getting into (gas) processing right now,” Osunsanya told Reuters in an interview. “We are working ourselves up the chain.” Oando’s gas and power unit reported a net income of $19 million for the nine months to September, down from $22 million the previous year. Lagos-listed parent Oando, with interests in oil exploration, terminals and oil trading, has said it was seeking approvals to sell its gas and power investment to cut debt and raise up to 80 billion naira from shareholders. Two years ago, Africa’s biggest economy broke up its monopoly on power generation and distribution by privatising the sector, hoping to attract foreign investors. But the amount of power produced has stagnated since,

failing to reach a 2012 peak of 4 500 megawatts of electricity due to gas constraints, plant outages and tripped circuits, according to Transmission Company of Nigeria. Osunsanya estimated Nigeria will need around $55bn over the next seven years to develop gas infrastructure to meet growing demand, which would include building new pipelines, processing plants and drilling of new wells.

Nigeria to increase wheat production

he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has decried the huge sum of money spent on food importation. Making this observation on recently in Kura, Kano State, during the flag-off of the 2015 dry season wheat and rice production in the state, Ogbe observed that over N1.3trn annually expended on importation of assorted food commodities into the country. The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the event, promised to help the farmers improve productivity and objected to the idea of continuing to use agriculture to manage poverty. “In Kano State, agriculture is now to be treated as a business,” he said, adding that the state is trying to “transform agriculture into viable economic activities.” According to Ganduje, “we urgently need an approach to improve agricultural production, with sound agricultural policies to back it up.” He announced that the state’s wheat farming programme has registered 18,200 farmers as part of the priority attention from his government. Executive Director of Lake Chad Research Institute, LCRI,

Dr. Gbenga Olabanji, having the national mandate for genetic development of wheat, noted that Nigeria has the potential for wheat production and is able to produce wheat yielding 8 tons per hectare. He said Nigeria has 600,000 hectares of land that is good for wheat production. “The production capacity has increased from 1 to 2 tons per hectare to 5 to 6 tons per hectare through improved varieties. There is market for wheat in Nigeria now. He announced that, by 2017, a reduction of wheat importation by 50 per cent is possible. While appealing to other wheat-producing states to urgently flag off their own dry programmes, Olabaji said Nigerians must produce what they eat and eat what they produce. Abubakar Saleh Mohammed: a chieftain of wheat farmers’ association, observed that “wheat farming has started seeing transformation, bringing policy makers, financial institutions, researchers, millers, farmers and other stakeholders together. Mohammed recalled that “the introduction of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) value chain has increased wheat production. Now, wheat is produced in 10 states.” He disclosed that “flour millers are ready to off-take our production” and the “farmers association had positive discussions and agreement with millers recently.” Auwalu Balarabe, a major wheat seed producer, reflected that the ATA and Growth Enhancement Support have proved a lot of success. Balarabe hinted that, as at 2012, 2013 and 2014, production of certified seed in Nigeria increased from 14,700 MT in 2011 to 44,400 MT, 140,000 MT and 170,690 MT respectively. He called the minister of agriculture to “come to the aid of seed companies,” arguing

terling Bank has flagged off the second edition of its Shopping Dash programme at Shoprite in Festival Mall at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town Lagos. The event was organised by the Bank to reward Children aged 4-8 years with its “I Can Save” accounts in five states across the country for being loyal customers. The programme created a lot of fun for the children at the event as they were given the opportunity to shop for a period of one minute at the Mall. From Lagos, the train will move to both Oyo and Rivers states on Saturday, December 5th where children can shop at both Shoprite, Ibadan Mall Opposite High Court, Ring Road and SPAR PHC Mall, Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt respectively. On December 12, 2015, Shoprite in Kwara Mall, Fate Road, Ilorin and Shoprite, Ikeja City Mall, Lagos will be agog with the excitement as the kids shop to the admiration of cheering families and friends. The next stop after this is the SPAR Guru Plaza, 740, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja on December 13, 2015. The final stop on the Shopping spree is SPAR Lekki, Park ‘n’ Shop Shopping Centre, Behind Nicon Town & Total Filling Station, Lekki Express Way, Lagos, a few days before Christmas on December 19th, 2015 Some of the children who had the opportunity to participate were excited while their parents commended the Bank for introducing the programme which they said would encourage more parents to open account for their children. Apart from the excitement on the part of the children, the parents who spoke with reporters at the event also expressed the view that the programme would promote financial literacy among children as some of them would end up using the account when they come of age. The Bank in a statement signed by its Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola explained thus: “The Shopping Dash initiative is aimed at creating fun for the children and rewarding them for having accounts with the Bank. The dash provides an opportunity for the participating children to shop within a minute and pick items of their choice at the malls selected for the programme”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

Crude oil price slump ‘II aid logistics business – LADOL

entrance of LIRS officials into their premises over unpaid taxes.

Stakeholders urge investors to seek expert advice

Francis Ezem

he Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics LADOL has said that the sharp slide in the price of crude oil in the international market presents a good opportunity for operators in the logistics services segment of the oil and gas sector in the country. Managing director of the company, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, who spoke in Lagos, said that operators in the logistics services segment in the nation’s oil and gas sector should take advantage of the otherwise worrisome fall of crude oil price in the international arena to improve on their potential in providing the logistics needs of oil majors operating in the country. Jadesimi, who is a former investment banker, is however optimistic that renewed pressure on oil majors to cut costs will spur them to take advantage of the logistic services, a development that would boost deepwater oil production. “For over 10 years now, oil companies approached us that they needed a base in Lagos for deep offshore production and drilling support, which gave rise to the development of the LADOL Base to meet these needs”, she said. She also said: “They admitted that it is more efficient, but they have not made the move because economically there weren’t enough incentives that would drive such a vision.” According to her, with international energy companies being forced to slash their spending because of the reduction of crude iol price by more than half in the past year, there are ongoing discussions, which will finally start to convince international energy companies that they will make significant savings by switching to LADOL’s services in Lagos. She projected that there is hope that Nigeria can significantly boost her oil exports, which is currently about 2.1m barrels per day, which also depends on expanding a fleet of giant floating production platforms similar to the Bonga vessel operated by Royal Dutch Shell. It was also gathered that the advent of local content law in Nigeria has reversed the long lost hope of indigenous participation in the country’s energy sector, and so all that is needed now to up the ante is for government not to yield to the quest of certain interest groups who were out to impose monopoly in the industry.

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Johnson Okanlawon

L-R: Director, Counseling Centre, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Adisa Salman; Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko; Dean Student Affairs, ABU, Prof. Mohammed Sani; HOD, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, ABU, Prof.Mohammed Bashir and the Deputy Director, Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Ezekiel Funsho at the 2015 Etisalat Merit Awards held in Abuja recently

Importers, exporters back ICTN reintroduction Francis Ezem

igerian importers and exporters under the aegis of Shippers Association of Lagos State have thrown their weight behind the Nigerian Shippers Council over its decision to reintroduce the International Cargo Tracking Note ICTN. Executive Secretary/CEO of the council, Nigeria’s economic regulator for the port industry, Mr. Hassan Bello had said recently that over 80per cent of cargo imported into the country are grossly under-declared, through which the government has lost huge sums from import revenue. President of the association, Rev. Jonathan Nicol, who spoke in Lagos, disclosed that contrary to early insinuations, the shippers are fully in support of the scheme, which he said would facilitate trade, being advance information in addition to blocking massive revenue leakages. According to him, the scheme will checkmate under declaration of the Gross Registered Tonnage GRT of ships by the high and mighty in the Industry as well as stop the deliberate falsification of ship manifest by some multinational shipping companies operating in the country in a bid to pay relevant taxes and levies. “We are in full support of the ICTN because It will stop falsification of ships’ manifests, checkmate under declaration of imports by the high and mighty in the Industry and provide the actual cargo tonnage of each vessel. Therefore, the correct cargo tonnage will be manifested to break the back bone of the well organised crime of cheating the

Nigerian Government”, he said emphatically Nicol also said: “The position of the Shippers Association of Lagos State is clear. Give us a guarantee that the shipping lines will not renege in the payment of the administrative charges in future as they did in Maritime Organisations for West and Central Africa MOWCA deal”. It was gathered that the shippers had in a recent letter to the relevant bodies indicated that it will not pay the administrative charges in the future. The shippers-boss also disclosed that at the moment, the importers and exporters are reluctant to load their cargo because the clear position of ICTN was still unknown, and therefore called for calm. The president also said: “Shippers Association of Lagos State is not in any conflict with the Nigerian Shippers Council. We appreciate the support of all stakeholders in the Industry and wish to inform them that our nation will be better if some Nigerians stop the falsification of cargo throughput”.

Lagos shuts 13 firms over N33.8m tax evasion

he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has shut 13 companies for failure to remit N33.8m Personal Income Tax of members of their staff to the government. Head, Distrain Unit of LIRS, Mrs Ajibike Oshodi-Sholola, the told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos on Friday that the companies were sealed during a tax law enforcement exercise. Oshodi-Sholola, who also led the enforcement team, said that the tax liabilities of the

companies were for between 12 months and six years. She said that eight companies were sealed for N18.39m on Nov. 25, while the other five companies were shut for N15.39 million on Nov. 26. She added that of the 16 firms expected to be sealed within the two days exercise, two companies had relocated to an unknown destination, while one had been liquidated. She said that the liabilities of both the liquidated company and the relocated one amounted to N2.61m. Oshodi-Sholola said that LIRS had sent tax liabilities demand notice and notice of intent to the affected companies to pay up as required by the Personal Income Tax Amendment Act of 2011. ``Each of the letters that we sent to the companies was received and acknowledged by either any of companies’ staff or the management of the firms. ``So, for any of the companies saying that LIRS did not notify them before coming to seal their premises is not an excuse. ``Normally, firms are not even supposed to wait for anybody to remind them of their statutory obligation of paying tax to the government of the land where they operate,’’ she said. Oshodi-Sholola noted that the enforcement would continue until tax payers imbibed the culture of voluntary tax compliance, adding that the removal of government seal was a criminal offence. According to her, the companies that are affected by the last month tax law enforcement include hotels, environment management, pharmaceutical, recruitment, and real estate firms. Meanwhile, some members of staff of the affected companies have lamented the sudden

takeholders in the Nigerian capital market have urged investors to seek professional advice from operators in the market before investing. Speaking at a workshop organized by the Capital Market Correspondent Association of Nigeria, CAMCAN, in Lagos yesterday, they said that though Nigerian investors owns 75 per cent of shares, but they trade 40 per cent leaving the remains to the foreign investors. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyem, who spoke on the workshop theme, “Effective Reporting of Changes in the Nigerian Capital Market,” said retail investors need to be educated on why they should take portfolio approach to investment. He said, “It is important to do the analysis, understand where those opportunities are but certainly there are opportunities, not only in the equity side but across the various asset classes. We always advise investors to diversify their portfolios across different assets classes to mitigate risks.” Oscar, who said that good corporate governance will ensure solid companies, noted that forcing companies to list may lead to infractions in the market, saying that a lot of energy has been spent building the foundational aspect of the market in terms of transparency, orderliness, fairness, disclosure, and more importantly how enforcement of rules and regulations. “In the short term, you will see the huge volatility but that should not distract from those fundamental elements about good companies, making good money, running under a well governed Exchange structure and a well regulated market structure. These factors will combine to shore up investors’ confidence in these challenging times. “As we continue to work towards achieving and sustaining this market, the importance of your role cannot be over emphasized. Financial journalists have the potential to influence investors’ behaviour. Negative reporting may result in sensationalism and put additional pressures that can force investors’ decisions negatively,” he added. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Companies & Markets

Global insurance firms seek to invest in Africa Udo Onyeka

iven Africa’s untapped insurance market potentials which offers growth prospects companies from Europe and America as well as South Africa are making steady advances to invest in the Continent. Leading the attraction is Nigeria’s growing population, a factor considered key to drive the market. A report by A.M Best says Africa’s relatively untapped insurance market offers a vast opportunity for firms in both mature and emerging-market countries. In its latest report titled “Africa’s Insurance Markets: Gearing Up for Sustained Growth” A. M Best stated that Sub-Saharan Africa offers very strong growth potential but accounts for only 0.2 per cent of total global premiums written. “As a result, insurance groups in Europe, the United States and South Africa have increasingly started looking into emerging markets on the continent in a hunt for better growth prospects because of the maturity of their own markets, where growth is more

limited,” the report said. In addition, the report said that barriers to entry in Africa for large, global insurance groups are very low. “There are a number of attractive markets for insurers in Africa to consider, including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. Kenya’s insurance sector

has proved robust and resilient, despite there being many poor households. Premiums have been growing by double digits, fueled mainly by the non-life sector, which makes up 66.2 per cent of total premium written. Nigeria has the continent’s largest population at 174

million, and premiums are expected to nearly quadruple in the next five years to N1 trillion ($6.3 billion) from N260 billion in 2012, according to the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria ,NAICOM. In Ghana, the life market is estimated to be growing by 40

HSBC to shut its private banking operation in India

NDIC Zonal Controller, Kabiru Oniyangi (3rd left) presenting a gift to KACCIMA President, Umar Farouk Dansuleka (1st right) during the NDIC Special Day at the Kano International Trade Fair while other NDIC Staff and KACCIMA 1st Deputy President, Dalhatu Abubakar watch

Actis invests in Nigeria’s Sigma Pensions

ctis, the global pan-emerging markets investor last week completed an investment of $62m for a majority stake in Sigma Pensions a leading Pension Fund Administrator, “PFA”, in Nigeria. Actis is partnering with Sigma’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Umaru Modibbo and the current management team. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Abuja, Sigma was one of Nigeria’s first PFAs and now has over 650,000 registered customers. Working from 11 offices and 32 service centres, it administers and invests funds

on behalf of its customer base which spans the entire country. Actis sees great scope for further growth of the business. The pensions industry in Nigeria remains significantly underpenetrated, with pension assets constituting only 5 per cent of GDP. Over the last decade, the PFA industry has demonstrated strong growth and is poised for further expansion. There are currently only c. six million pension-holders in a population of c.170 million, with a median-age of only 19, which supports the growth outlook for the industry. Actis is one of the biggest fi-

nancial services investors in Africa with over $570m invested in the space; over $1bn invested in financial services globally and c. $3bn invested across African businesses overall. Actis sees tremendous potential in the asset management industry in particular, backing emerging market consumers to secure their future by saving and investing appropriately. Actis has experience in the sector through successful past investments in Alexander Forbes, the largest independent pension fund administrator in South Africa and XP Investimentos, the

Kaymu releases white paper on e-commerce Leonard Okachie

fter months spent conducting a detailed research on the e-commerce eco-system in Nigeria, leading online shopping community Kaymu Nigeria has put together a white paper tagged: ‘E-commerce in Nigeria: Market Trends and Consumer Behaviour’ where they researched on the purchasing habits of e-commerce consumers in Nigeria. E-commerce research encompasses a wide variety of information gathered for e-business planning and prospecting and can be useful to track opinions,

per cent annually. Economic growth is supported by oil and gas exploration, political stability and a regulatory system that makes it attractive to businesses. Many large, international insurance groups from developed countries have historically had a presence on the continent. BC

profiles and customer behaviour. “From research into consumer behaviour, it is clear that an increasing number of consumers in Nigeria use the Internet to buy products and services. This is closely connected to the internet adoption and usage which continues to rise at an exponential rate. We have studied why some consumers use the Internet. Some, to do shopping, many others prefer to get the information of a product online and use in shopping offline”, stated Sefik Bagdadioglu Managing Director Kaymu Nigeria Many large b2b e-commerce services use research of trends

to predict the content, products and services buyers will find most attractive in near future markets. The results of this research largely effects how ecommerce services cater to their market’s technical capabilities, wants, interests and behaviors. “Haven been in existence for over two years we feel that prospective e-commerce companies can benefit from the local market research Kaymu has provided in order to help them anticipate industry trends and reduce unnecessary expenses”, Bagdadioglu added. In this research Kaymu obtained useful consumer product information and product per-

biggest independent brokerage and asset manager in Brazil. Partner at Actis, Natalie Kolbe, commented on the transaction: “Building on our extensive experience in the asset management and distribution sector, we are very excited to be investing behind a growing consumer demand for future financial protection and well-being in Nigeria. In Sigma, we have identified a wellmanaged, solid business with ‘best in industry’ back office, IT and operational systems and excellent customer service that can leverage these underlying secular trends.” BC

ception through administering questionnaires as well as getting personal with focus groups to dig deeper into their preferences and habits. Research on e-commerce trends is highly advantageous to existing and new participants in the Nigeria online eco sysytem to enable them understand the existing market peculiarities and adopt their platforms to suit the preferences of the end users. According to the report, as ecommerce gains grounds in Nigeria, informative trends in the sector as well as interesting consumer behaviour and reactions unfold.BC

SBC is closing its private banking arm in India, where the increasing number of wealthy individuals has led to intense competition for their business. Clients will be given the choice to move to HSBC’s retail arm. The future of the wealth management unit’s 70 staff will be decided early next year, when it is due to close. It follows the lead of RBS and Morgan Stanley, which have sold their onshore private operations in Asia’s thirdlargest economy. Despite the growth in the number of multi-millionaires and a fast-growing wealth management market in India, it has been hard for foreign banks to attract business. Indian companies can appeal to investors in small as well as large cities. They are not weighed down by high costs and international regulatory restrictions. In June, HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver announced the bank was going to cut thousands of jobs from its global workforce as part of his restructuring programme. Since taking over his role in 2011, he has sold scores of businesses and taken on more compliance staff to deal with the increased regulatory oversight of the industry. An HSBC spokesperson in India said: “This marks further progress in the HSBC group strategy to simplify business and deliver sustainable growth.” The bank employs about 32,000 people in India, where it offers corporate, retail and investment banking services. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

A7 23

Brand Watch

Panasonic to begin manufacturing in Nigeria David Audu

anasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa has announced plans to establish local manufacturing base for room Air-Conditioning and TV division. Making the announcement in Lagos at the weekend during the signing of a partnership deal with SIMS Nigeria, an electronics and home appliances marketing and distribution company at the 2015 Dealer Convention in Lagos, Nigeria, Divisional Managing Director, Panasonic Appliances Company India, Mr. Hisao Yamane said it aims at serving the Nigerian market with products and also to position Panasonic once again as a

dominant player in the country’s electronic products market category that has become very competitive. He said, “after the successful establishment of CKD operations in South Asian Markets, Panasonic Appliances Company will provide technical assistance to SIMS for setting up the Nigerian manufacturing unit. As one of the “Premium Quality” manufacturing Giants, Panasonic will focus on developing customer centric products keeping local market requirements in mind. Speaking during the signing of the partnership, Mr. Fab Uzor, General Manager SIMS Nigeria said, they are excited

partnering with Panasonic. “Many years of operating in the Nigerian market has given us an edge in understanding the psyche of the Nigerian consumer. The Nigerian market is very competitive because of the number of brands that play here. As a business you need special skills in understanding your customers to make a head way. We have successfully done this over the years which gave us prominence in the competitive electronics market.” He added “The Company has branches and outlets across the country. Since the commencement of operations in 1987, SIMS has grown to become one of

UBA sponsors 20 customers on holiday to Dubai

T Yamane

the leading names in Electronics business in Nigeria. Our spread will also avail our consumers the opportunity of purchasing quality Panasonic brands that are backed with warranty and superb after sales services at our numerous state-of-the-art showrooms and stores. We also have arrangements where we deliver products straight to the homes and offices of the consumer.” BC

Experts score Chivita high on effective campaign

ince brands get recognition through the experiences they are associated with, it is important to ensure that their communications are developed to draw attention to positive emotions. A communication campaign that has done this well in the past few weeks and which has generated public applause is the Chivita Juice Ball commercial. Currently running on multiple communication platforms, the commercial has endeared more consumers to the brand. According to a marketing communications consultant with Wings Concepts, Emeka Nwosu, notes that “the brand presence and growth of Chivita 100 per cent juice from

the house of CHI Limited has of recent been exceptional with the deployment of the Juiceball commercial that is now everywhere on TV, Radio, social media space, Billboards as well as sustained media articles exposure in print publications” For Olamide Ajayi, a sports content marketing executive, the Chivita 100 per cent Juice ball campaign has in recent times attracted the attention of communication experts for its adherence to the principles of great advertising. “It is necessary to separate good advertising from great advertising because when certain basic fundamentals are adhered to, great commercials are capable of arousing the emotion in a

way that deepens the interest of the target audience and brings about a lasting relationship and that is what Chi limited has done with this commercial” According to Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, “the success of the Juice ball commercial in raising awareness on the amazing quality and benefits of Chivita 100 per cent is not surprising because the whole campaign has been designed and executed based on clear consumer insight with the objective of reaching consumers at the relevant touch points” “In fact, we are excited about the feedback we are receiving on the juice ball campaign as it confirms our

research findings on effective ways to engage the consumer. Just as consumers are excited about the commercial, we are confident that Chivita 100 per cent Fruit Juice will continue to meet their expectations and sustain the excitement in more ways than one” Mr. Bhattacharya stated Produced from the finest collection of local and imported fruits and squeezed into affordable packs, Chivita 100 per cent fruit juice comes with no added sugar, colour or preservatives and is available in six variants; Real Orange, Real Apple, Real Pineapple, Red Grape, Orange Pineapple & Orange Mango and in 1 litre, 315ml and 250ml pack sizes. BC

AAAN president harps on creativity in agencies

resident of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria, AAAN, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu has restated the place place of creativity in moving the advertising profession forward. He made the remarks during the 10th edition of the Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival, “LAIF”, award recently. The theme for this year’s edition is “Creativity Inspires Life”. “Last year I said that advertisers Clients should give their accounts to agencies that win at LAIF, little did I know that I will be affected. A client gave one of our businesses to DDB but I am happy because clients are taking notice of the awards, he quipped. He said one of the objectives of the award is to improve the relevant body of creative knowledge with the aim of rewarding excellence in creativity as a pro-

active attitude at encouraging creative ingenuity. “You will agree with me that creative award is the only reward for excellence in creativity which is the currency of our business. “Creativity is fast gaining currency: Nigeria now more than ever needs Creativity In government, in private sector in infrastructure in entertainment and in business. Even Creativity is needed in the fight against Boko Haram. Government needs creativity to come out of the present economic problem. Creativity inspires Life but Life also inspires creativity, then the truth is that Clients must recognize the equation: BC=BG (better creative = better growth ). BC is made of client collaboration with agency. He stressed further that because this year the theme of creatively inspiring life is so

true to our words we have created two public advocacy campaigns. These are one, to fight Corruption and the other is the unity campaign. He said in order to take LAIF further, they have included in this year’s award, the Young LAIFERS award. “So, creativity will continue

Nwosu

to inspire life and LAIF will continue to inspire and aspire creativity. See how many more agencies have entered into Cannes and the Crystal Awards. Three of our agencies won awards at Crystal this year. See the current attention by our creatives to be in LURZERS archives. All these show that Creativity is gaining currency. “But we need to do more as clients and agencies. We need to seek and do authentic ideas that are resonant with Nigerians. What we hear is that authentic work from us is what will win international awards. And that authentic work will cause better growth for brands, he noted. He urged all in the creative agencies to continue to unleash the creative monster lurking under the surface, and allow ideas to continue to flow and inspire lives. BC

he 20 lucky customers had emerged as winners in the Remittance Awoof Promotion organized by United Bank for Africa, UBA, to reward customers that had received remittances through MoneyGram and Western Union from any UBA business office across the country. Another 60 set of customers were rewarded with beautiful gift items. The winners were selected based on money transfers through MoneyGram and Western Union at the bank within the period of January and August 2015. The trip to Dubai was part of the bank’s efforts to reward loyalty, give back to the society and impact the lives of individuals that carry out business with the bank. The lucky ones were given an all- expense paid 3-day trip to the world’s holiday city. For many, it was their first time of traveling out of the country and they were excitedly looking forward to it. One of the lucky customers, Benita Ojeh from Asaba, who has never been to Lagos before the trip, could not hide her excitement; “This is more like a miracle to me. I never believed this would ever happen to me. I am immensely grateful to UBA and most importantly very proud that a bank could reward a customer with a dream trip like this”. Welcoming the customers back to Nigeria recently, Director, Public Sector Group, Marketing, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, said UBA is more than happy to reward loyal customers because UBA believes that loyal customers deserve to be rewarded. He assured that UBA will continue to “reward customers who remain loyal to the bank and do repeat business with us.” “ I am so excited. I have no words to say how I feel now after this trip. All I can say is thank you UBA for making this happen to me. BC

Phillips Oduoza, UBA MD

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How we grew CWG into $120m brand – Okere been extended to the other operational bases of the Pan African Company, including Accra, Kampala, Port Harcourt and Abuja, with plans to incorporate Cameroon by the first half of 2015. Of the over 500 graduates from the Academy, about 85 per cent have been employed in leading companies while about 10% have opted to become technology entrepreneurs.

Computer Warehouse Group, has grown to be one of leading technology africa’s firm. Besides being a flourishing stock on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE. CWG has made its way into the Ghana economy. In this interview, with Isaiah Erhiawarien Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Austin Okere narrates how his team has been able to grow CWG into $120m revenue brand. Excerpts

Very few people may know what CWG 2.0 stands for, can you explain? CWG 2.0 is a subscription business model birthed and driven by the quest to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) grow and has made a notable social impact. This includes Openshopen.ng, a website that affords shop owners open their own virtual store online. SMERP, our Enterprise Resource Planning solution (ERP) that is built to assist business owners manage their business inventories, both on a subscription basis. There are about 17.7 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Nigeria. With their own online stores and with the aid of enterprise resource planning, we will empower SMEs to be able to keep their own records. Then, they can present their records to get credits from the banks. With these loans, they can be able to expand their businesses. If they are able to expand their businesses, each of them can employ one more person. If each of them employs one more person, we will end up creating 17.7 million more jobs. The unemployment rate in Nigeria is about 23 people, which amounts to about 16 million jobless youths. With this development, we will eradicate unemployment and have more jobs to spare. Similarly, in cooperation with SES, a global satellite company, CWG has launched a new digital television platform on SES’s ASTRA 2F satellite, at 28.2 degrees East. This collaboration entailed that SES provide the broadcast platform while CWG offer teleport support using her satellite infrastructure. The DTH broadcast platform would provide access to a greater number of stations to households in Nigeria and across West Africa, at a relatively low cost. Compared to the existing providers that offer access to TV channels at monthly subscription rates, subscribers will only be required to pay for a decoder and satellite dish to view television stations. Coupled with affordability, the TV platform will afford broadcasters the platform to reach millions of viewers at a reduced cost, afford access to an increased number of channels and alter TV content and marketing in the region. We have also developed a number of businesses enabling solutions in the fields of power, Payment Terminal Solution, connectivity, deployment of banking software

‘

There are about 17.7 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Nigeria. With their own online stores and with the aid of enterprise resource planning, we will empower SMEs to be able to keep their own records

‘

WG is seen as one big company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and with presence in Ghana but what actually does the company do? Countless times this question had been asked at our corporate events: Workshops, exhibitions, product launches, award ceremonies and crucially through our public interaction channels i.e. website, social media platforms and mail updates. Similarly, some other people have concluded that we sell computers, if not manufacture or maintain them, thanks to the initial word in our name (Computer) and the suggestive “Warehouse” right after. Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc) is a leading provider of Information Technology solutions across West, Central and Eastern Africa with annual revenue of $120 million and staff strength of over 650. CWG Plc commenced operations in September, 1992 as Computer Warehouse Limited with only Four (4) staff membersto undertake hardware projects. Five (5) years later, DCC Networks, the communications arm of the group was established to provide VSAT, Metropolitan, Wide Area and Local area networks to corporate organisations. In 1999, based on the existing demands in the area of software solutions, system and training, ExpertEdge Software was acquired as the company’s third arm. In pursuit of its Pan-African Vision, CWG Plc has established its regional offices in the West, East and Central Africa. CWG Ghana limited (2003), CWG Uganda Limited (2010) and CWG Cameroon Limited (2012) to handle the business interest of these regions. On the 6th of march, 2012, CWG Plc merged with its three (3) subsidiaries; CWL Systems, ExpertEdge Software and DCC Networks, thereby leaving CWG Plc as the only surviving entity and the subsidiaries becoming divisions. In February 2013, CWG Plc became a Public Company. In November 15 of the same year, CWG Plc listed its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The listing boosted the market Capitalization of the NSE by about N14 billion naira, making CWG Plc the highest capitalized security in the ICT sector. CWG PLC listing also marked the first listing on the exchange after the launch of the X-Gen trading engine. At inception, CWG was essentially an IT infrastructure sales firm. Thereafter, the group has evolved into an IT Powerhouse with a focus on enabling businesses through strategic partnerships with worldclass partners. As it stands, the future of CWG is encapsulated in her new business model: CWG 2.0.

(Finacle) and ATM support. It is worthy of note that CWG Plc has been named Wincor Nixdorf Best Absolute Achievement award in the entire Portugal, Middle East and Africa (PMEA) Region successively. Perhaps you have heard of Diamond Yello account. In furtherance of the Cashless Initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Computer Warehouse Group Plc extended her MTN XaaS platform to power the Diamond Y’ello Account in collaboration with Diamond Bank and MTN Nigeria. MTN XaaS runs on indigenous software from Computer Warehouse Group Plc designed to provide efficient cloud based banking services. Diamond Y’ello Account is a mobile banking product built on MTN Xaas platform to enable MTN subscribers, including the unbanked and under-banked populace in Nigeria enjoy the banking services from Diamond Bank. What is the link between the CWG Academy and the CWG 2.0? CWG Academy is a unique component of the CWG 2.0 model. It mirrors the place of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the business focus of CWG. The goal of the CWG Academy is to bridge the workforce knowledge gap in Africa by equipping fresh graduates with the required skills that will make them employable or become successful entrepreneurs. The highly acclaimed CWG Academy which started at her Lagos Headquarters four years ago, and has successfully trained and placed over 500 ICT professionals into various fields of industry, has now

Does Nigerian Research and Education Network has any role play as far as the CWG 2.0 is concern? The Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) is another unique project that emphasizes the premium CWG 2.0 places on education. NgREN is the first of its kind in West and Central Africa. It was built by a consortium of technology companies led by the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc). The first phase of the project, under the Science and Technology Education Post-Basic (STEP-B) initiative covers the 27 Premier Federal Universities in Nigeria and their over one million students and staff. This interconnection will be conducted via a fully redundant broadband network. Coupled with these, CWG operates a Tier 3 world class Data Centre. It provides a platform for CWG’s cloud computing business as well as offer excess capacity to enterprises, especially banks for use as a Disaster Recovery Data Centre on a colocation basis. CWG’s Data Center is equipped with state of the art N+1 power and environmental management infrastructure, which provides a combined generating capacity of 0.7MVA. To ensure incoming mains power is conditioned and available at all times, there are redundant and Modular 250KVA Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. The UPS also function as bull-mark against power surges and blowout. What are you giving back to the society? CWG’s CSR policy thrust is built on the twin pillars of Educational and intellectual development. This choice, he said, is steeped in the company’s belief that the best way to create a technologically driven society is through the support and reward for technological expertise. Recently, CWG hosted the first Oracle Partner Summer School in the entire subSahara Africa in conjunction with Oracle at no cost to the candidates. Similarly, the CWG reward scheme which is designed to extol the essence of attaining academic excellence among students of Universities within CWG community that started with the University of Lagos, a couple of years back and has since been extended to Universities in Doula, Accra, Kampala, Abuja and Port Harcourt. What does the future looks like for CWG? At the moment, CWG Plc has her physical presence in Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon as well as having a virtual presence in 17 other African countries. Our Vision is to be Africa’s number one IT Utility provider by 2020. Hence, we are extending the frontiers of services to the ends of the continent and beyond, 27 countries in 2 years. This will be achieved on the strength of our Pan-African partnership initiative. This aims at creating a network Technology Services provide across the continent that will guarantee quality service delivery, improved business processes and revenue increase. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

MainOne upgrades submarine cable network to 100G

Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

he growing impact of MainOne in the West African region reached climax recently when it successfully upgraded its submarine cable network between Nigeria, Ghana and Portugal to a 100G wavelength system. The West Africa’s Communications Services and Data Center provider in a press statement announced the completion of the upgrade of its submarine cable network saying that the 100G wavelength upgrade was implemented using the Xtera Nu-wave Optima optical networking platform, which is expected to provide additional capacity support for MainOne’s delivery of highbandwidth services, and a more resilient network for its customers in West Africa. It’s Chief Executive Officer,

Funke Opeke said that this upgrade provides MainOne the capability to offer higher capacity bandwidth to its wholesale customers in West Africa who are increasingly demanding such services for Internet access via their 3G and 4G networks. “We are starting to see an information explosion in West Africa that has brought about a dramatic increase in network traffic this year and this has highlighted the need to scale up our network for future demand”, she observed, saying that “as a leading provider of data capacity to eight countries in West Africa, and with the pending integration of our NigerCam system to Cameroun and Nigeria’s South-South region, we needed to deploy more advanced technology to reliably meet our customer’s need for advanced and robust communications services.”

irtel Nigeria has been commended for its key role in touching the lives of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDP) in Nigeria. The commendation was given at the press briefing of “Climb with Remi”, an initiative meant to raise funds for IDPs in Nigeria. Commending Airtel’s role, the Ogun state’s first lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun said the sufferings and pains thousands of IDPs go through is worrisome. According to her, a lot of people are unaware of the hardship faced by our fellow brothers and sisters who as a result of one crisis or another have become homeless. “They lack proper shelter, feeding and other basic necessities. I wish to thank Airtel Nigeria for supporting the Climb with Remi initiative as they put a smile on the faces of IDPs in

Segun Ogunsanya, Airtel boss

Nigeria”. Federal lawmaker, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the need for Nigerians to been pathetic and embark on laudable projects to uplift the underprivileged saying that as citizens we must inculcate a spirit of oneness and be our brothers and sisters keepers.

Lenovo unveils yuletide promo L

enovo Technologies has promised to reward its customers with a Kia Rio car during the holiday season in promo tagged: Lenovo National Promo. The campaign offers individuals that purchase selected Lenovo smartphones from accredited dealers nationwide the chance to win star prizes including a brand new Kia Rio and 10 education grants worth N200,000 each as well as instant gifts of recharge cards, movie tickets, Bluetooth headsets and much more are also on offer to consumers at each point of sale. To qualify for the promo, consumers are expected to send a text message containing their name, device IMEI number and model number alongside the

name of the store from which their device was purchased to 33811. According to Lenovo, the winner of the Kia Rio star prize will be selected from among participants that purchase their Lenovo smartphones from any SLOT store nationwide while winners of the 10 education grants will be selected from those who buy from other participating dealer stores. Winners of the star prizes will be announced on local radio stations, national newspapers and social media channels after selection via a bi-weekly lucky dip process. Numerous customers will also go away with consolation prizes of refrigerators, microwave ovens, gas cookers, blenders as well as

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

How you can turn social intelligence into smart crisis prevention

Opeke

Opeke revealed that this upgrade to 100G provides MainOne the platform to further deepen broadband penetration in West Africa and meet the demands of our growing wholesale data business stressing that “Xtera is extremely pleased to help MainOne upgrade its subsea cable infrastructure between Nigeria and Portugal. BC

Airtel gets applaud over IDPs support A

Technotalk

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We must emulate organisations like Airtel Nigeria who are lending a helping hand in taking care of IDPs,” she said. Under the Climb with Remi initiative, a group of six passionate Nigerian women will climb Mountain Kilimanjaro, as part of the activities to attract global attention and raise funds in support of government’s efforts at improving the living conditions of displaced women and children in IDP camps across Nigeria. Backed by Airtel Nigeria, the project is championed by Mrs. Remi Abere, along with other women including the wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Funsho Amosu; former member, Federal House of representatives, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Mrs. Joke Olanipekun; Mrs. Uzo Nwani and Mrs. Debo Laditan; who will climb the mountain. BC Lenovo smartphones and tablets at each draw. The promotion will run between November 23 andDecember 31, 2015. In addition to giving its customers the chance to win fantastic prizes, the tech giant will be holding a number of retail activations across the country to deepen consumer engagement as well as provide customers with the opportunity to experience the features and performance of Lenovo smartphones before making their purchase. Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo, Shashank Sharma, Middle East and Africa (MEA) said the promotion will help Lenovo drive significant engagement with its Nigerian consumers while allowing the company to thank them by giving away lots of valuable prizes. BC

n the span of a decade, crisis management has completely changed. A crisis used to happen only when the press got wind of something, and you had hours to prepare before the story broke. Today, however, a crisis moves at the speed of light on social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and so on. This real-time reporting can put your business in a lot of trouble, but if you harness your social intelligence well, it can give your business a leg up instead as social media give Marketing and PR opportunities they didn’t have a decade ago. The following tips will help you to plan ahead, and leverage social media tools to take off any negative chat before it grows into a crisis. Plan ahead: Firstly, identify who will handle specific tasks as it should involve every department in your organisation because a crisis can affect any level. A series of negative tweets can come after bad customer service, a recall or technical malfunction can get bloggers talking, and a controversial statement from an executive can show up on YouTube. Your social media crisis plan should include, policy detailing what constitutes a social media crisis, crisis handling procedures which include the crisis communication team whose major responsibilities are handling the crisis on the front lines, and who have decision making authority. Listen carefully: Use social media monitoring to stay on top of what people say about you, your brand, your executives and your products. It is important to know that the warning signs of a potential crisis probably won’t show up as a spike in the volume of conversation, but as a shift in sentiment. Also, monitor conversations that are not directly about your brand, tracking your competitors, their product names, as well as terms that relate to your industry as a whole. If an issue threatens your entire industry, you can position your organisation as a leader by acting first. Target the influencers who will change the conversation: When you find a potential problem try to deal with it and change the conversation. Social media tools will show you exactly who is tweeting and sharing negative things about your company. Take a deep dive to find the biggest online influencers and the most popular and retweeted articles. From there, plan an appropriate response. Make sure to apologise for and solve any customer service problems before doing any other damage control. Publicly, engage the people driving the traffic against you, as well as other, more sympathetic influencers. Strive to develop strong relationships with your key social media influencers, fans and clients, before a crisis occurs, so they are primed to serve as your advocates when the time comes. React appropriately: Over reacting can hurt you by driving up the volume of mentions and causing a spike, which brings more attention to your issue than would have occurred organically. If your organisation is not active on social channels prior to this incident, you run the risk of a volume spike. Keep your volume down, while improving your sentiment, by spending the appropriate amount of time reaching out to each respective influencer. Mind your message: When planning for a crisis, prepare some message templates to use for responses and posts. Having some pre-prepared statements will save you a lot of time and can help you keep a consistent message and tone across channels and responders. If you’ve been on the receiving end of some satirical comments, don’t be afraid to respond with a bit of humour. In more serious situations, keep your message simple, apologetic and genuine when you explain how you are fixing the issue. If you do your job well, you might generate more positive visibility for your organisation than any paid advertising could achieve.BCBC BC

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stella Chinyelu Okoli:

Nigeria’s ‘lady of drugs’ Through a rare combination of tact, courage, industry and determination, a mere drugdispensing store started with N5, 000 in 1977 has transformed into a multi-million Dollar pharmaceutical company. This is the story of Emzor Pharmaceuticals and its elegant founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stella Chinyelu Okoli By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

he had one of the best upbringings anyone could crave for, lives the best of life, studied in some of the best schools abroad and worked in some of the best establishments. But then, the urge to make impact in human lives through entrepreneurship and service to mankind pushed her to raise the bar from a mere drug-dispensing stores to one of the best and biggest indigenous drug manufacturing company in Nigeria. That probably summarises the story of Stella Chinyelu Okoli, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, the first indigenous drug manufacturing company in Nigeria. Self-effacing, hard working, industrious and elegant, Stella in a rare show of entrepreneurial skill has in the last 27 years, grown Emzor Pharmaceuticals from a four-product drug manufacturing plant into a multi-billion business entity with well above 50 different types of drugs in its production line. What is today seated on 2.5 acres of land in the Isolo Industrial Area, Lagos, started way back in 1977 at No. 1, Fola Agoro Street, Abule Ijesha, Shomolu, Lagos, when Stella left her job with Part Davis Nigeria, now Pharma-Deko Plc, to start a pharmacy outlet christened Emzor Chemists Limited with an initial capital of N5, 000. Focused and determined, the young enterprising pharmacist gave her drug retail outlet all the attention, and in no distant time, the business she floated with N5, 000 then soon became the cynosure of all eyes, a must-visit by anyone desirable of getting genuine drugs at relatively affordable prices. Because of her customer-centric approach and sometimes free expert advice, Emzor Pharmacy became an instant success. It recorded tremendous growth, such that she felt the need to expand her scope of business into the importation and wholesale of assorted pharmaceuticals. As business continued to boom, Stella, the need for further expansion and re-modification of business strategy became a little more compelling. At that stage, she felt the need to develop local capability, create jobs and provide high quality pharmaceutical products and services to the Nigerian people at prices that are not only affordable but represent value. It was at that point that the idea to manufacture locally rather than rely wholly on importation began. She took the first step by incorporating Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited as a subsidiary of Emzor Chemists Limited, for the purpose of manufacturing high quality pharmaceutical products and medical consumables in 1984. It started the pilot production in 1985, and by 1988, it had become an established pharma-

ceutical manufacturing company especially with the introduction of Emzor Paracetamol. From the humble beginning of four products lines in 1987, Emzor now manufactures a large range of over 50 products in the analgesic, anti-malaria, vitamin/ haematinics/multivitamin supplement, anti-helmintic, antibiotics and therapeutic class and today, it has become a household name in Nigeria, employing well over 1,000 people and has a turnover well in excess of N15.2billion ($100 million). The company’s products are widely distributed throughout the country, West African coast, Indian subcontinent, East/Middle Africa and East Asia among others. Its flagship brand, Emzor Paracetamol, is believed to control about 25 per cent of analgesic market in Nigeria. The rapid expansion of Emzor Pharmaceuticals has also led to the establishment of several subsidiaries, which include Zolon Healthcare Limited, Lagos, a specialty healthcare organisation positioned for the provision of intelligent healthcare solutions to the needs of the people. This was achieved by building partnerships with world-class health organisations. Specialties in this subsidiary include Cardiology, Endocrinology, Neuropsychiatry, Oncology, Biotechnology, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatric and Geriatric Medicine, as well as Health Fairs/Seminars. There is also Emzor Hesco Limited, incorporated to provide good quality hospital and surgical equipment, instruments, consumables and other medical devices that aid diagnosis and management of diseases. The corporate philosophy is to provide solutions that empower healthcare providers rather than just supply products and in so doing, help to build their capacities. At the University of Ibadan, UI, Emzor Hesco has a shop at the hospital where doctors can rent critical equipment for use. Emzor Hesco is into partnership with international companies like AESCULAP AG, Germany, providing products

such as surgical instruments and containers for all surgical needs; orthopaedic implants such as plates and screws, targon nailing systems, power drill systems like electric, battery and pneumatic; closure technologies for sutures and surgical specialties; and hospital project business, specifically in the field of surgery. Other partners include Huckerts Laboratory, Belgium, which specialises in safe and effective disinfection of instruments; Medical Research International, Italy, for spirometry, oximetry and telemedicine. This subsidiary provides services for the National Hospital Abuja, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, National Orthopaedic Hospital, NOH, Igbobi, Lagos, Chevron Clinic, Havana Hospital, among others; There are also the Emzor Pharmacy and Stores Limited and Life Gate Medicals. The pharmacy is a retail and dispensing stores positioned for the delivery of good quality and affordable products and services in the pharmaceutical downstream to the largest number of Nigerians, bringing unlimited wellness to our doorsteps. Life gate came into being as a result of identifiable gaps in the healthcare delivery system of Nigeria with particular focus on providing specialised training for healthcare workers, specialized medicare for patients as well as medical tourism. In order to build the requisite capacity needed to deliver on the above-listed areas, the company entered into a collaborative arrangement with several specialist hospitals and institutions within and outside Nigeria. This collaboration enables it to provide services for patients seeking specialised medicare or healthcare workers seeking specialised training not available in Nigeria. Indeed, it was not a bed of roses for the Anambra state-born industrialist, as infrastructural challenges continue to pose serious a hurdle on her path. She was even quoted at a time expressing deep worries over the failure of the government to encourage the sector that appears to have suffered years of neglect. “You will find out that people have taken their money and put it elsewhere to either trade or do other businesses. We are, however, planning to revive the sector and we are hopeful that we will be lucky to do this,” she said. She believes that having a virile pharmaceutical industry is a form of security for a country, adding that anything to the contrary would mean that in the event of a crisis, the country will remain dependent on outsiders for something that is vital to it. However, while infrastructural problem appears to be a universal challenge across the industrial sector of the nation’s

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

‘

What would have been a whole 34 years of joy, fulfilment and professional accomplishment for her was abruptly punctured a little over six years ago, when Chike Edward Okoli, her last son, died as a result of undetected cardiovascular disease at the prime age of 25

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

economy, one challenge which has particularly tasked the pharmaceutical sector and indeed, let to the closure of many factories is the issue of fake drugs. The phenomenon has remained a hydra-headed problem for the country despite the efforts of the regulators at curbing it. But then, Okoli believes that the fake drugs business thrives because there is a gap between the demand and the cost of drugs in the country. This accounts for the reason why foreign firms have capitalised on the gap to flood the country with different drugs. “Look, it is not that they love us; they only saw a loophole and they are doing business, otherwise, why have such companies not come to set up their factories here?” she asked rhetorically. There was, however, something instructive in the way Emzor under Stella has been able to contain the activities of drug fakers. Experts say that it has been difficult to fake Emzor products because of the extra mile the company goes to secure its products. Besides, products of the company are everywhere, and readily affordable, which is a disincentive to fakers. She is yet, saddened that the government has not been able to implement the national drug policy that stipulates that local manufacturers should produce 70 per cent of

drugs used in the hospitals. Born in Kano, to Felix Ebelechukwu and Margaret Modebelu, of Nnewi, Anambra State, Okoli bagged a first degree in Pharmacy from Bradford University, in 1969, and obtained her Masters’ degree in Bio-Pharmaceutics from the University of London, Chelsea College, in 1971. She attended the Executive Management programmes at the Harvard Business School, HBS, United States, US, for ownermanagers between 1997 and 1999 as well as the Chief Executive Management programme of the Lagos Business School. Okoli has worked in various capacities at Middlesex Hospital, London; Boots Chemists London and Part Davis Nigeria now Pharma-Deko, before opening a retail outlet in 1977. She has held several professional leadership positions, which include Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group, PMG, of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN; Member, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG and Member, Health Matters Advisory Board of Nigeria. Okoli bagged the national honours of Member Order of the Niger, MON, Fellow Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Outstanding Service Award, Rotary International 21000, and ECOWAS International Gold Award.

Her commitment to local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals along with her team of highly trained, competent and motivated staff has earned the company several awards, including Best Indigenous Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, given by the Board of Fellows of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria among others. Okoli, a member of the Board of Directors, GTBank Plc, also mentors other local manufacturers and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to invest in the pharmaceutical industry first, as her contribution to building a healthy nation and second, in pursuit of Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency. As a self-starter, Okoli has never believed in the concept that children of business owners should automatically take over their parents’ businesses without taking into cognisance, the ability, talents, skills and education of such children. Business owners, she believes, should not force their children to take up their businesses, “when such children have their own dreams and goals different from those of their parents to achieve.” She added that her children do not have interest in succeeding her in the business because they are “multi-talented and have established their own businesses abroad and they are performing well.” As part of her succession plan, Okoli said that she had to train three of her staff at the Lagos Business School, Pan African University, Lagos, as part of grooming them to take over the business, when she retired. “Why should I cut the dream of my child because I want her to succeed me? You don’t need to limit them,” Okoli advised. Looking back 34 years after she started out with Emzor Chemist and 26 years after Emzor Pharmaceuticals’ root was planted, Okoli surely has every reason to be happy. She is no doubt a very

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successful entrepreneur and first grade industrialist who ventured into a terrain many of her contemporaries would not dare and make a huge success of it. But then, what would have been a whole 34 years of joy, fulfilment and professional accomplishment for her was abruptly punctured a little over six years ago, when Chike Edward Okoli, her last son, died as a result of undetected cardiovascular disease at the prime age of 25. Chike, a law graduate from the University of Hertfordshire and a Master’s degree (also in Law) from the University of Exeter, died as he prepared for a work out. “Chike is the last of my sons, a very lovely child and he loved life. He loved everything around him. He was very curious and most importantly, he wanted to do the impossible. He saw immense possibilities in life where people didn’t see it.” On a bright day like this, he woke up to go to the gym. He got his bike ready to go to work out and after a while, we didn’t see him,” Okoli narrated. She added that her son’s breakfast was getting cold and when they went to search for him, they found him lying on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital and was declared dead. “That was the end of a beautiful life, a life that was very well-lived. He brought joy to everyone,” she said sadly. Perhaps, what made Chike’s death more painful was the fact that the source of his death was undetected despite the fact that her mother, a superintendent pharmacist and pharmaceutical manufacturer with all the facilities at her disposal could not detect early enough that her son had traces of cardiovascular impairment. Though a very busy industrialist, Stella Okoli is equally a family woman who, despite her very busy, schedule takes special interest in her family, particularly her sons, Emeka, Uzoma and Edward in whose name her corporate identity (Emzor) revolves. So, it was only natural that the death of such a priceless son would be very devastating. However, six years after, Chinyelu as she is called by close acquaintances, seems to have found some consolation in continuing the ideals of her late son through the Chike Okoli Foundation for Health and Entreprenuership instituted a year after his death. The foundation will ensure that every young Nigerian is fully aware of the causes of cardiovascular diseases and foster lifestyle adjustments and an entrepreneurial culture among Nigerian youth, by promoting business education and creating awareness about cardiovascular health. As a starter, the Chike Okoli Foundation has established the Chike Okoli Centre for Enterpreneural Studies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Amambra State. BC

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Business Courage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, November 30, 2015

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs BUSINESS

Set goals and improve on result

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

know the year is rounding off and sometimes it can look like the year was so fast and too short that you did not achieve many of your personal and business objectives. It may seem like an examination without enough time to answer all the questions. I believe today is as good as any other day of the year. You will have reasons to be optimistic again. This is your day of good news. Your expectations will not be cut short. You need to believe that it is possible to fulfill your dream and achieve your objective although few weeks to end this year. If someone tells you that a prisoner would one day become a president, will you believe such a person? Your response will probably be that it is not possible. Well, that was exactly the story of Nelson Mandela. He was in the forefront of the liberation struggle for the black people of South Africa but was jailed by the apartheid government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the state. He spent 27 years in jail and was released after international campaign lobbied for his release. All these delay year in year out and terrible experiences could not destroy Mandela’s dreams and vision. He made up his mind that come what may, he will not give up. In the process of time, things fell into place for him. Dear friend, your startup or business will not be ruined. Your dream will live and there will be improvement for you. You will enjoy grace and your struggle will give way to divine help. I urge you to be persistent and hold fast to your dreams knowing that nothing is impossible for you to accomplish. Every accomplishment in physical life is first accomplished in the mind and begins with clear focus. So what will be your centre of attention in 2016? What are the goals you want to score? What is your aspiration? In English Premier League, when a team travels to play away game it is for the purpose of winning and it means the team must score goals. That is how a winning team thinks both at away and home matches. I believe you and I want to win in

2016 and be on top of our business and career games. This means we must be goal conscious. There is need to set goals and believe for God’s help as we pursue it. If your business and life will improve significantly then there is need to be clear about the result you want to see at the end of that year. That is what goal setting is about. When you set goals it keeps you focus and better your approach to life and business. Goal setting guide your spending and friendship decisions. When your goal is great not everybody can have your attention. So how do you set goals that put your person and business

‘

If your business and life will improve significantly then there is need to be clear about the result you want to see at the end of that year. That is what goal setting is about

on continuous mode?

improvement

The first thing is be clear about purpose. Purpose is the “Why”. Purpose is the intention for anything. Your business purpose could be to help people access good and healthy food. For an-

King Solomon David

‘

KLINIC

other person, her personal purpose could be to help raise role model in the society. Yet for another the purpose could be to care for children. What is the intention that is drives you to start a business? There is need for clarity of intention or purpose. “Every purpose is established by counsel...”-

Motivational Business Quotes

he NBA is never just a business. It’s always business. It’s always personal. All good businesses are personal. The best businesses are very personal. – Mark Cuban You can fool all the people all the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough. – Joseph E. Levine A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts. – Richard Branson The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. – Peter F. Drucker

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others.. or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist. – Calvin Coolidge Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you. – Henry J. Kaiser Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. – Vince Lombardi BC

The second thing is set goals around the purpose. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”- Paul Benjamin Where purpose is known then setting goals around it makes the work easier. If your purpose is to help raise children to become productive individual then setting goals such as starting nursery and primary schools, Play groups, Daycare centers, Parenting Media platforms, Child counseling firm are all towards one intention and it is raising productive child in the society. To set goals do it A.B.C way and I will quickly summaries this acronym bellow. Achievable: It should be what you can accomplish. There is no point setting goals beyond your control such as stopping rain from falling but you can set a goal to shield yourself from effect of rainfall by building a shelter with roof. Goals such as doubling your income, starting a new business, learning new skills, inventing a new technology are achievable. Believable: “If you cans believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”-Jesus Christ. The distance between your goal in the mind and the reality of it is your believe. Your goal must be believable to you and your team members. It means you should communicate it to yourself through meditation and to your team members by explanation. Concrete: A goal should be definite or specific. If your goal is to lose weight then what specific measurement? It could be to lose 5 pounds in 5 months. If your goal is to improve your business profit then it could be by 10 percent every quarter of the year 2016. One of the greatest benefits of goal setting is that it helps you to capture time. However a powerful is a footballer shooting ability, without the goal post, he cannot score goals. Dear friend, without goals life is full of frustrations. Set goals and as you achieve each express gratitude and you will see improvement and enjoy fulfillment therein. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Fulfilling her creative dreams in Finafrik Many people believe that some degree of luck is essential to be successful in life. But there are others who share the view that rather than solely depend on luck, success can be achieved when ideas are pursued on the wings ofpassion, hard work and timely preparation. This exemplifies the life experiences of Josephine Ajuonuma, Chief Executive Officer of Finafrik Designers

or Josephine Ajuonuma, Chief Executive Officer of Finafrik Designers, her story can be said to clearly fit into the belief held by many that in life, to be successful, it is not all about having degree of luck, but success would be achieved when ideas are pursued on the wings of passion, hard work and timely preparation. Though Josephine was not actually born with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth, to a large extent, she learnt a lot of family values from her parents. An indigene of Bayelsa state, Josephine is the first child from a family of seven. Largely described as a woman with distinct ideas, passion, courage, determination and hardwork, Josephine’s journey into the business world did not really start on a smooth note. As a student, then at the university, while struggling to make ends meet, Josephine decided to tap into what she had as a hobby, that is, making dress for herself to launch herself into business. Though she had wanted to go into the business after finishing her university education, but her strong passion for fashion led her into going into the business early. Speaking with Business Courage at her office in her new expansive outlet in Lekki, Lagos, the soft-spoken wife of late Dr. Levi Ajuonuma , former Group Public Affairs Manager of NNPC, revealed that then, when she was making dresses for herself, she was getting attentions from her friends who kept on admiring the special designs she was wearing. When she told them she was the one making those dresses, expectedly, they were astonished and started asking her to help them make theirs as well. That was how the journey started as she began making clothes for her friends, lecturers, as well as relations. By the time she graduated, she did her compulsory one-year youth service in Owerri. Interestingly, because she found out that Owerri was closed to Aba, she started going there to get some unique fabrics to make clothes. “Then, just like in school, people

started coming to me to say, oh I like your outfits, can you make one for us. That was how I started getting customers.” After her service, she came down to Lagos where she worked briefly with one of the companies of business guru, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu. When she got to Lagos, the Champion newspaper was about to go into operation, and she was supposed to be one of the pioneering staff from Owerri, but something happened. She couldn’t get the chance to work with them because the Managing Director, who she was supposed to work with didn’t give her the job. “I went through the interview and I did very well, but the man simply told me, he didn’t want a flamboyant secretary. I want a male secretary.” She said. But then, like a go-getter, she never that experience to discourage as she went elsewhere to work. However, having worked for about three months, she discovered that she wasn’t getting the satisfaction she had expected from the job as her mind was still on going into fashion. She pulled out and got enrolled in a fashion school where she could learn the basics. “I decided to go into learning the basic of fashion because I realised you cannot supervise what you don’t know. So, I met a friend then who did something about fashion. We were classmates at Yabatech. I informed him about getting a private teacher to teach me about the basics in fashion and he introduced me to his friend called Ronke Ayodele. Interestingly, that my friend, who introduced me to Ronke, is now a big musician today. He is sunny Nneji” she told Business Courage. After equipping herself with the basics in fashion designing, Josephine decided to formally launch herself into world of fashion designing with the brand name Sefinal Studio. She got a flat at Ojuelegba, in Lagos where she started making corporate outfits for bankers, corporate women. The hardworking spirit in her made her to start shifting focus to making special outfits for those who wanted to go for red carpet events. According to her, it was while

Ajuonuma

‘

Talking about myself, I try to satisfy my customers by giving them the best I can with African fabrics because you know our Ankara is very rich in African colours. We try to showcase our talent with our locally made fabrics and show the world that Nigeria has got talents and we can compete with the high brands fashion outfits out there like Karen Millen, Roberto Cavalli, Entro Cavalli

‘

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

she was at Sefinal studios that she met her late husband, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma , former Group Public Affairs Manager of NNPC. Then she was making the entire outfit he was using on the set of the Sunday night show. For Josephine, few years after her success story with Sefinal studious, with her strong passion for fashion couple with her being very artistic, creative and innovative, she decided to rebrand her outfit with a new name called Finafrik Designers. According to her, the name Finafrik was coined from her name, Josephine and Africa with her desire to translate the local fabrics into modern trend as well as to reflect her passion for African collections. “My dream with Finafrik in the last 10 years that we started has been to run a life style brand. That is, an internationally accepted brand.” She stated. With the birth of Finafrik, she opened a new outlet at City mall where she was one of the pioneer members. In a short while, Finafrik added two other outlets at Surulere and Abuja. According to her, she designs for celebrities, the everyday woman, the high class, middle class, corporate woman, for women that want to look elegant, classic, posh, those who want to look loud as well as those who want to look reserved. “I cut across classes, age

and styles.” Speaking on her quality of work, she noted, “We don’t just work with Ankara, we work with Chiffons, we dye them into nice and beautiful African colours. We design our Ankara with styles and embellish them with a lot of sequence and rhyme stones and beads to bring out the African culture. “Apart from the Ankara and Chiffon, we do organiser, we add linen with Ankara, and we also do a lot of embellishment of denim jeans linen with Ankara. “We follow trends, but we do outfits that are wearable, durable, affordable and with our outfit, you are sure of standing out of the crowd because you will get noticed and it speaks a lot of volume about your personality. We don’t just follow trend, but we try to bring out the best in you. We look at your shape and try to give you cut that would suit you or enhance your body shape.” “Talking about myself, I try to satisfy my customers by giving them the best I can with African fabrics because you know our Ankara is very rich in African colours. We try to showcase our talent with our locally made fabrics and show the world that Nigeria has got talents and we can compete with the high brands fashion outfits out there like Karen Millen, Roberto Cavalli, Entro Cavalli.

What makes Finafrik stand out? Josephine has this to say: “Our designs are original, comfortable, wearable, stylish and versatile. We use quality fabrics; dye them into unique pieces and do the Ankara twist to give it that afro centric touch.” Talking about the accessories which she said make her oufits artistic, “We use Rhine stones, sequence, sea beads, Swarovski stones, (to mention just a few of them) to embellish our designs to give it that simple but sophisticated, elegant and stylish look that stands it out. (Effortlessly elegant) Though Josephine is the hardworking and strong mind-sets woman, she admitted that combining motherhood and her job was quite challenging. As a result of trying to take care of the family front, she had to close down her Abuja office as well as the one at City Mall, while she had to concentrate on the one at Mega Plaza. But while it remained only the Mega Plaza outlet, she had another challenge. She later discovered that the shop at Mega plaza wasn’t presenting her outfit the way she would have loved it because the office wasn’t spacious enough. Hence, her determination to move to a bigger place at Lekki. Speaking about her new outlet in Lekki, she noted, “I decided to take a bigger place where people can reach out to me, because I was just stucked in iniside the plaza at the fourth floor. Basically, not many people like to come to the fourth floor. So now, I can really express myself and display my talents, that’s how we arrive at a bigger place here at Fola Osibo in Lekki. For Josephine, who has been in the fashion business for about 17 years, Finafrik now takes care of both male and female. “We don’t just do dresses for female, we do for male as well. So, now we can say we are now unisex. Basically, before, we do exclusively for female, but we discover that when men come around with their wife, girlfriends or sisters, they do ask if we don’t do dress for men. So we decided to make it a one-stop shop. Now, we do caftan with African adire. We do linen embellished with embroidery, babariga, African safari, brocade for men as well as what people now call resource control, made popular by President Goodluck Jonathan. She said, “What gives me joy in the business is seeing my finished outfits on my clients and they stand out in the crowd. Fashion is what I like doing. For instance making my sketch, producing the final works with all the accessories, and it’s amazing- That gives me joy. Our products can compete with any product internationally because they are well finished. We BC pay attention to details.

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Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

Union Bank appoints new chairman

Udo Onyeka

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc, Union Bank, has appointed Mr. Cyril Odu as Chairman of the Board of Directors following the resignation of previous Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who was recently appointed Minister of Budget and National Planning by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Odu joined the Board of Union Bank in 2012 following a $500 million (USD) investment in the Bank from Union Global Partners Limited, a private equity consortium. “The Board and Management of Union Bank thank Senator Udoma for his astute leadership and support over the past three years. Under Senator Udoma’s guidance, the Bank defined its strategic direction, outlined its transformation roadmap, and has made significant strides executing its priorities as is evident in our achievement of critical operational and financial milestones. We wish him success as he is called to serve our country in a higher capacity and to assist the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the transformation of the Nigerian economy,” says Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank. On the appointment of Mr. Odu, Mr. Emuwa continues, “We are very pleased as Mr. Cyril Odu assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. As a non-

Executive Director since 2012, he has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided critical input and direction to support Union Bank’s transformation. His appointment brings continuity and ensures that the Bank will continue to execute its defined strategic initiatives over the next few years.” Mr. Odu has nearly 45 years of professional and management experience. His 40-year distinguished career at ExxonMobil

saw him rise from Trainee to Vice Chairman of the Board of Mobil Producing Nigeria and Chief Financial Officer of ExxonMobil Upstream Companies in Nigeria, making him the highest ranking Nigerian in the organisation until his retirement in 2012. During the span of his career at ExxonMobil, he served in many technical and managerial functions including Associate Geologist, Treasurer, Controller, Project Finance Director (Europe, Middle East and Af-

NCAA suspends oil marketers from supplying Jet- A1

T Odu

rica), Country HR Manager, and General Manager, Planning and New Business Development. BC

L–R: Company Secretary, Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, Olumuyiwa Adefope; Chairman, Mr. Goodie Ibru(OON); Director, David Mokhobo and Director, Sir Richard Hawkins, during the 51st Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos

FG to set up $25bn fund infrastructure Investment–Adeosun

n recognition of the role of the Capital Market as very critical to the kind of economy the present administration intends to develop for Nigeria, the Federal Government is to set up a $25 billion fund wholly dedicated to infrastructure investments. This was stated by the Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun during the inauguration of the Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council ,CAMMIC, National Investor Protection Fund ,NIPF, and the launch of the Corporate Governance Scorecard for quoted companies by the Securities and Exchange Commission ,SEC, in Lagos. According to Adeosun, “In the current environment of significant revenue squeeze and other budgetary constraints, these investments will clearly not come from government coffers alone. We believe this is where the capital market can really make itself relevant by stepping in to close the funding gap. Government is already looking to set up a $25 billion

fund wholly dedicated to infrastructure investments. A crucial assignment we have for the capital market community is to come up with other innovative ways of mobilising the capital needed to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge”. The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, said an efficient and vibrant capital markets are an indispensable feature of any modern economy supplying affordable medium-to-long term capital needed for growth as they facilitate mobilization of savings, accelerate capital formation, provide investment avenues and enhance efficient allocation of capital to growth sectors as no country has been able to develop without a thriving capital market. ” Nigeria needs and deserves a capital market that is characterized by high levels of liquidity, depth, breadth and sophistication to enable rapid socio-economic development. Going through the Master Plan, it is heart warming to note that

this is the type of capital market you envision for our country and indeed we desperately need such a market to emerge in order to tackle Nigeria’s biggest challenges of huge infrastructure deficit and unacceptable level of unemployment. As you all know, to grow our economy, we require significant funds to modernize our critical infrastructure. She expressed worry that currently less than 3 per cent of Nigerians invest in the capital market and even more worri-

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some, only 0.2 per cent of Nigerians invest in mutual funds. “Imagine the kind of savings to be mobilized, the liquidity to be injected and the sophistication to be developed if we improve these numbers by bringing millions more Nigerians to invest in the capital market. For Nigerians of faith and people who prefer ethical investments, we must deepen the non-interest product space so they can be involved in wealth creation opportunities the capital market offers. BC

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority , NCAA, has directed some oil marketing companies to stop supplying aviation fuel, known as Jet A1 to airlines due to lack of depot facilities. The marketing companies include Jushad Oil and Gas Limited, Lubcon Limited, Ascon Oil Company Limited, Acon Petroleum Limited and Star Orient Aviation Limited. The regulatory body in a circular with reference number: NCAA/DAW/AD. 1104/ AOL052/VOL.1, dated November 9, 2015 and addressed to Airline Operators of Nigeria ,AOL with the title, “Notice of Suspension of Some Companies from Providing Aviation Fuel Supply Services to Airlines at Airports in Nigeria”, explained that the reason for the suspension was that the said companies did not have depots and therefore should not be engaged in the distribution of aviation fuel at the airports. The letter reads further that, “this is to notify you that the authority is in receipt of a letter from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR that the underlisted companies have no depot facilities and should not be engaged in aviation fuel distribution at the airport. The NCAA in the letter said, “the integrity and competences of these companies cannot be ascertained by the DPR and advised the Authority that these companies be disallowed from further supply of aviation fuel to airlines located in Nigeria.” The circular by the NCAA also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , FAAN, to deny the aforementioned companies access into airports in Nigeria, including their aviation fuelling vehicles and personnel till further notice. “You are hereby required to suspend the fuelling of your aircraft by any of the companies until further notice,” the regulatory authority said. BC

Partnership‘ll boost FAAN performance – Dunoma

he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, F Dr. Gbenga Olabanji, AAN, Engr Saleh Dunoma has described the partnership between the agency and the Airports Council International, ACI, as a strategy that will enhance skills and the performance of FAAN Airports. He said the partnership will facilitate identification and closing gaps to achieve the executive

leadership’s goal of Airport certification. Engr Dunoma stated this during signing of MOU between FAAN and ACI at Montreal, Canada. The MOU was signed by the Director General of ACI world, Angela Gittens and Engr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director of FAAN. Angela Gittens expressed delight in FAAN’S commitment to

the realization of this partnership. According to her, Nigeria being the largest economy is taking its proper role in championing this critical aspect. The signing ceremony was an outcome of the recently concluded ACI Airport Excellence in Saftey,APEX, reviews, aimed at identifying and closing gaps to achieve the executive leadership’s goal of Airport certification. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, November 30, 2015

A15 31

Stock market last week Equities turnover of 1.041 billion shares worth N13.007bn in 13,407 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 793.557 million shares valued at N7.152bn that exchanged hands last week in 12,831 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 857.050 million shares valued at N6.772bn traded in 7,916 deals; thus contributing 82.36 per cent and 52.06 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 64.553 million shares worth N4.217bn in 2,479 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 62.745 million shares worth N585.655m in 638 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – FBN Holdings Plc, Zenith International Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 475.120 million shares worth N3.682bn in 3,026 deals, contributing 45.66 per cent and 28.31 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

NSE trading hall

ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 49,895 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N916,710.90 executed in 38 deals, compared with a total of 2,143 units valued at N1.734ms transacted last week in 35 deals. Bonds: A total of 8,262 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N9.151m were traded this week in 7 deals. There was no transaction recorded last week. Index Movement: The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization depreciated by 1.83 per cent and 1.81 per cent to close the week at 27,617.45 and N9.495trn respectively.

Similarly, all other Indices finished lower during the week, except the NSE Insurance index, while NSE ASeM Index closed flat. Summary Of Price Changes: Twenty-one (21) equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than nineteen (19) equities of the preceding week. Forty-one (41) equities depreciated in price, same as the number of equties that declined in the previous week, while one hundred and twenty-eight (128) equities remained unchanged, lower than one hundred and thirty (130) equities recorded in the preceding week.BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 27-11-15 All-Share Index 27,697.12 points Market Capitalization 9,504,120,978,778.55

NASD OTC REPORT 1 OUTSTANDING OFFERS AND BIDS ON NASD OTC Outstanding deals since October, 2015. Security

Offers

SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC

Consumer Services

0.50

Last Offer Date 23-Nov-15 28-Oct-15 23-Nov-15 23-Nov-15 16-Nov-15 26-Nov-15 17-Nov-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

Consumer Goods Industrials Financials Financials Financials Oil & Gas

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

Financials Technology Industrials Financials Technology Financials

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 10.00 0.50

16-Nov-15 19-Nov-15 27-Nov-15 27-Nov-15

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00

9-Nov-15 16-Nov-15 10-Nov-15

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

RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC

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

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

Bids

Volume offered Last Offer Price Last Bid Price 1,040,000 0.38 0.57 450,000 2.42 1,762,051.00 2.37 2,308,779.00 67.00 200,000 6.00 5.60 9.00 12,500 170.00 165.00 3,900,000.00 0.77 -

1,768,099.00 50,000 173,118.00 4,304,600 1,049,900.00 286,800 4,250,240.00

2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES 27-Nov-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 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 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 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 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

Volume Bidded Last Bid Date 2,000 2-Nov-15 475,000 26-Nov-15 1,000,000 2-Nov-15 350 26-Nov-15 -

1.50 140.00 -

500 1,500

0.43 1.00 150.00 0.80 0.45 0.97 0.74

2-Nov-15 27-Nov-15 -

TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2015-TILL DATE) DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION Total Share Capital Volume % '000 Dematerialised Dematerialised DEALS VOLUME VALUE (₦) 64,677,146 2,000,000,000 3.23% 100 5,167,556 2,036,374.02 606,000,000 5,785,673,000 10.47% 28,685,023 1,900,000,000 1.51% 49 175,730 460,158.80 61,268,687 1,249,000,000 4.91% 138 28,100,596 66,524,879.33 9,626,657,533 12,000,000,000 80.22% 5 6,300 18,900.00 2,652,129 196,875,000 1.35% 28 110,569 8,331,233.60 745,144,190 5,000,000,000 14.90% 351 530,401,850 2,906,387,698.76 6,753,333,334 0.00% 184,500,186 976,335,936 18.90% 704 139,528,508 43,686,791,349.57 105,711,770 5,650,000,000 1.87% 95 30,371,199 22,123,987.02 519,999,631 0.00% 69,369,303 3,600,000,000 1.93% 4 1,400 2,012.00 567,513,596 4,257,668,000 13.33% 43 11,126,571 16,284,198.95 252,255,056 1,170,324,536 21.55% 13 4,900 5,140.00 1,021,968,270 14,231,238,000 7.18% 78 144,531,110 114,434,112.85 302,322,809 11,829,700,000 2.56% 27 2,108,481 2,526,549.84 19,222,510 181,408,000 10.60% 190 13,841,585 2,922,764,840.56 197,337,494 2,875,595,000 6.86% 29 6,833,900 5,810,302.00 517,000,000 2,576,686,039 20.06% 50 448,267,980 224,186,581.40 1,726,264,230 0.00% 7,138,199,210 0.00% 1,525,040,000 2,705,378,000 56.37% 33 1,178,410 1,375,528.30 115,389,505 10,945,334,000 1.05% 25 19,660 16,534.70 105,269,011,916 16,012,715,207 15.21% 1,962 1,361,776,305 49,980,080,381.70

If you do not see your unquoted Plc on this list or for further enquirys consult your NASD OTC participating broker or visit our website at www.nasdng.com

A16 32

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Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, November 30, 2015

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Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

The courts should always be very cautious in not allowing technicalities to be used in perpetrating injustice - Justice Dahiru Musdapher, Chief Justice of Nigeria. xx

Clash of bar titans 37

CJN-Mahmud Mohammed

Vice President Osinbajo

AGF should spearhead judiciary reforms —Lawyers Police Officer charged with murder 38

Policing, security matters should be placed on concurrent list —Akpedeye 34

The issue of urgent reforms in the country’s judiciary came to the fore at the just- concluded All Judges Conference in Abuja. President Muhmmadu Buhari, who called for the reforms in the sector, urged judicial officers to get ready for the challenges of combating impunity and corruption in the country. WALE IGBINTADE sought views of senior lawyers on the matter.

hortly before the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Aloma Mukhtar retired as the CJN , she attributed the slow pace in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria to corruption and warned that the growth of the judiciary system was doomed if corruption was not eliminated from the system. Justice Mukhtar who spoke at that at a public hearing on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2013 organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Justice also decried the slow pace of justice delivery. Quoting a recent study conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the retired jurist revealed that it takes an average of 5-9 years for a contested case to move from filing to delivery of judgment. Therefore, many stakeholders in the judiciary were not surprised

THE JUDICIARY SHOULD IMPROVE ITS CAPACITY TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY, COURAGEOUSLY, AND TIRELESSLY AND DO ITS BEST POSSIBLE TO FIGHT AGAINST REAL AND PERCEIVED CORRUPT PRACTICES WITHIN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

when President Muhammadu Buhari re-echoed this sentiment at the opening of the 2015 ‘’All Nigerian Judges’ Conference with the theme: The Judiciary as a Veritable Instrument for Sustaining Democracy in Nigeria’ held in Abuja. Represented by Vice -President Yemi Osinbajo, the President said that the judiciary should improve its capacity to act independently, courageously, and tirelessly and do its best possible to fight against real and perceived corrupt practices within the judicial system. Buhari, who called for urgent reforms in the judicial sector, noted

that the challenges of corruption and delay in trial process formed major hindrance to government’s efforts at retrieving stolen wealth and punishing those who abuse public trust. Specifically, the President said it would be difficult for the government to effectively tackle corruption and encourage investments, unless the judiciary addresses its identified challenges and shortcomings. ‘’May I most especially urge that the Nigerian judiciary must do all that is possible to fight against the perception and the reality of

growing judicial corruption. As an institution dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, the judiciary must go the extra mile to sanitise itself and improve its capacity to act independently, courageously and tirelessly. ‘’Further on the point of negative perception, there is both local and international dissatisfaction of the long delays in the trial process. In the past few years this has become especially so for high profile cases of corruption, especially where they involve serving or forCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Law & Justice

Monday, November 30, 2015

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Policing, security matters should be Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) is a former AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State. The Harvard -trained scholar in this interview with WALE IGBINTADE speaks on the appointment of Abubakar Malami as the new Attorney-General of the Federation and on security issues among others. Excerpts: How do you see appointment of Abubakar Malami as the new AttorneyGeneral of the Federation? Abubakar Malami is a brother silk and a good friend of mine. I wish to congratulate him on his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. His appointment did not come as a surprise to most of us who have been his close friends and associates. He has been with the President in the trenches of opposition since the inception of Buhari’spolitical voyage in 2003 when His Excellency contested for the Presidency under the banner of the All Peoples Party (APP), which metamorphosed into All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). It is a testimony of the fact that the AttorneyGeneral’s legal industry and finesse had been noticed a long-time ago by handling the President’s election petitions and legal affairs, over the years. His exceptional attitude was also at play being a member of the merger committee that mid-wived the birth of the ruling market, the All Progressive Congress (APC). Given the campaign promises of the President, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has his work cut out for him in order to achieve these preelectoral promises. In the run up to the election, President Buhari declared his desire for the devolution of powers from the over-concentrated centre to the states or autonomous regions. In the area of security, he also promised to look into the call for multi-level policing popularly called state police to deal with the peculiar security issues in each state. The energy crisis bedevilling this nation is also a big challenge for this leadership to resolve. There is no doubt that Malami, SAN will be the chief designer of a legal template for a new restructured Nigeria to forage a fresh path for this country to become a truly great nation. How best do you think he can achieve this? No attempt at fighting these monsters head-on can be achieved without the necessary legal framework defining the processes to be followed and the powers of the administrators of the change mantra. For instance, power cannot be devolved to the states without a further amendment of the 1999 Constitution, authorising the trimmingdown of the 68-item Exclusive legislative list contained in the Constitution. This in turn would necessitate an increase in the 34 items on the concurrent list, which provides for powers shared by both the Federal and State Governments. One school of thought is that while the Exclusive list should be trimmed, the items taken from it should not

Akpedeye

POWER CANNOT BE DEVOLVED TO THE STATES WITHOUT A FURTHER AMENDMENT

1999 CONSTITUTION, AUTHORISING THE TRIMMING-DOWN OF THE 68-ITEM

OF THE

EXCLUSIVE LEGISLATIVE LIST CONTAINED IN THE CONSTITUTION. be transferred to the Concurrent list but to be left in vacuum which in effect means that the States would have powers to legislate on those items. This is accordance with the judicial pronouncements by the Supreme Court that those items that are noton either of the constitutional lists automatically find their way into the invisible residual list, which contains items that are exclusively under the legislative competence of the States. Nigeria operates a lopsided nature of federalism, which is actually unitarianism in practice. The military leaders who handeddown this Constitution were influenced by the central command system of authority associated with the military, hence its imposition of a similar system on the Nigerian political structure. However, every discerning mind knows that in a nation like Nigeria with diverse cultural beliefs and orientation, multi-farious religions and political lean-

ings, a central command system is bound to be an anomaly and anathema, hence Nigeria’s failure to achieve the desired level of statehood. On this point, we wait on Abubakar Malami (SAN) to send the necessary executive bills to the National Assembly. This task will not be an easy one especially with the volumes of reports envisaging different ideas of restructuring already floating around in the political sphere. The reports of the last CONFAB organised in 2014 by President Jonathan and the 2005 Political Reforms Conference of President Olusegun Obasanjo are but a few to mention. However, I believe that our new Attorney -General and Minister of Justice is more than capable. In his usual way, he will combine the positive aspects of the reports and findings of such conferences and incorporate new and dynamic ideas to present a bill worthy of enactment to the Na-

tional Assembly. What is your take on creation of state police? The need for multi-level policing, where rather than having a central policing system with an Inspector General of Police (IGP) who posts strange Commissioners to states, and who in turn appoints the Divisional Police Officers (DPO), has become an- ever pressing issue within our national discourse. There is an urgent need for security to leave the exclusive list and find its way into the concurrent list. States should be constitutionally empowered to have their version of police; local governments should have theirs as well as the various communities. Even the universities and other tertiary institutions should have their police establishments too. A word of caution must be added at this point. Given the fact that Nigerians do not always feel and behave like a united nation, there must be federal oversight on the powers given to the States on police matters. One can imagine a situation where crime is exported from one State to another due to the differing expenditure and efforts made by states to combat crime. In this regard, the Honourable Minister must tread lightly in devising a bill that will both combat the current problem of a Federal Police Force and the potential dangers of State policing. How do you avoid any possible abuse

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placed on concurrent list —Akpedeye in the system? One approach to avoid abuse of powers would be limiting jurisdiction and powers of the various police establishments. For instance, murder being a state crime can be investigated and tried by only the state police but that is not to say other security agencies like the federal, community, and university police cannot carry out an arrest when they perceive that a crime of murder is about to be committed, is being committed or has been committed. As trained security operatives, these latter institutions would aid in the prevention of such an act or apprehend the perpetrator and hand him over to the appropriate police with jurisdiction, which is the state police. A lot depends on how the Attorney General and his team of draftsmen draft the necessary bills. What are your expectations from the new AGF? Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the President are expected to propose amendments to the Electricity Power Reform Act (EPSA) with the aim of decentralising the transmission of electric power. As it is stands presently, while generation and distribution of power have been decentralised under the Act, we are still faced with the exasperating prospect of having just one transmission company in the country, empowered to transmit large megawatts of power sent to the national grid. It is grossly inefficient and ineffective because this national grid is weak and unable to accommodate all the megawatts of energy being generated. We hear too often of the collapse of this grid due to its inability to cope with the generation of energy. With the prospect of decentralising transmission, the need to amend the (EPSA) is a sine qua non. I recall reading an interview granted by Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) when he was Governor of Lagos State, on the need to rationalise power transmission. Coincidentally, he is the present Minister of Power, Works and Housing. God surely works in mysterious way! Our Minister will have to develop a good work relationship with other Ministries such the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to come up with a bill to solve this national embarrassment. On the other segment of the energy sector, which is Oil & Gas, there is the utmost need to do away with the various archaic pieces of legislations scattered here and there, used for the administration of the Oil & Gas industry for yonder years till date. Various administrations from the Obasanjo years to Jonathan have ensured that versions of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), (a modern energy bill in line with international best practices) have been sent to the National Assembly for passage with no record of success. Indications from the Buhari’s government are to the effect that the PIB will be divided into different parts and sent to the National Assembly for easier passage since most of the criticisms of the Bill are due to its humongous nature, with contentions on some controversial parts leading to the non-passage of the entire bill. Here again, Abubakar Malami (SAN) needs to do a lot of tweaking in a professional manner so as not to kill the essence of the bill in the process or end up making it incomprehensible. The Federal Attorney-General is also expected to bring his influence and expertise

to bear on the administration of criminal justice in the country. It is good that the past administration passed and signed the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The present administration, specifically the Justice Minister must work with the judicial arm of government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs comprising of the Police, Prison Services and the Civil Defence Corp to see to the implementation of some of the fine-points of the Act, such as the need to have a crime data-base, reduction in adjournments during trial, the restriction on the number of days to detain suspects before arraignment and even during trial. It already seems the letter and spirit of the Act is being flaunted with the Supreme Court ordering a stay of proceedings in the Saraki saga. We hope that our ever vigilant Minister will work with the National Assembly to make the necessary adjustments to the Act, if need be, to correct this decision of the Appellate Court. The new AGF needs to find a template to coordinate the anti-corruption fight of this administration. The situation where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Anti-Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police are working at cross-purposes should be stopped. Rather the Attorney General of the Federation needs to organise and coordinate these bodies into a fluid system of operation for the purpose of securing convictions and successes in the anti-corruption drive. All these should be done within the ambit of the law, and if need be, he should seek for some amendments to the various enabling statutes. Conclusively, there are many expectations on the Attorney General of the Federation. The success of this administration partially rests on his shoulders. I wish him Godspeed and we shall be watching him every step of the way. The Nigerian Police often parade suspects as criminals. Is this constitutional? Sadly to say, Nigeria is a country of absurdities. A country where anything can happen and things do in fact happen on a daily basis. Parading of suspects by the Police before the public prior to their being charged to court, tried, found guilty and convicted is an aberration. It is unconstitutional and makes nonsense of the doctrine of the presumption of innocence until found guilty enshrined in our constitution. It amounts to gross violation of the suspect’s fundamental human right to fair hearing. By virtue of Section 36(5) & (6) CFRN 1999, an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. Nowhere in our statutes can a provision be found empowering the police or any other law enforcement agency to first humiliate a suspect, thoroughly shame and disgrace him before passing him over to a law court for his trial. The only instance where the police are allowed by law to parade a suspect is where there is need for the identification of the suspect by a witness who claims to have seen the suspect commit the alleged offence. In this case, the suspect is lined up amidst other people while the witness attempts to point him out from the crowd. This is called identification parade and it does not take place before the press. Parading suspected criminals in the media is already convicting the person in the court of public opinion. There is no way you can ensure that a person has a free and

Akpedeye

ABUBAKAR MALAMI (SAN) AND THE PRESIDENT ARE EXPECTED TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTRICITY POWER REFORM ACT (EPSA) WITH THE AIM OF DECENTRALISING THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRIC POWER.

fair trial if you have already given the public a bad impression about the person. There is no doubt that the single most important reason while the police engage in this practice is for publicity to call attention to itself and make the public believe that it is actually fighting crime. But it is a poor approach in winning back the confidence of the public that has long lost faith in the ability of the Nigerian police to protect it in the face of the current, unprecedented upsurge in scale of violent crimes across the land. And for this publicity, the police are willing to do anything to get it including parading animals and toddlers as robbery or criminal suspects. In 2009, the entire nation was bewildered and for some of us who can still be shocked by the events in this country were embarrassed when the Nigeria Police, Kwara State Command, paraded a goat as an armed robbery suspect. The goat suspect was detained over an alleged attempt to steal a Mazda car. What is your assessment of our criminal justice system? The importance of the criminal justice system to the smooth running of any society cannot be over emphasised. A sound criminal justice system in any nation is a precursor to economic growth, political

stability and social equilibrium. Indeed, an effective criminal justice system is fundamental to the maintenance of law and order. However in Nigeria, widespread corruption and disregard for due process and the rule of law continued to blot Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Many people are arbitrarily arrested and detained for months without charge. Police continued to ask people to pay money for their release from detention. Many detainees were kept on remand in prison for lengthy periods and in harsh conditions. Court processes remained slow and largely distrusted. A criminal justice system that is inefficient, inadequate, corrupt, infrastructural deficient, under-financed, undermanned and prone to abuse such as the present Nigerian criminal justice system is a threat to the rule of law and all other indices of democracy and good governance. A lot of work needs to be done particularly in the areas of delay in the trial of cases, coordination amongst agencies of the criminal justice reform; sentencing guidelines; prison decongestion; alternatives to imprisonment. What is certain however is that the general consequence of these problems has been a nonperforming criminal justice system leading to a denial of justice either to the defendant or the victim?

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‘There is need to strengthen disciplinary enforcement in judiciary’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 mer political office holders.’’ Speaking on how the judiciary should carried out its reform, Chief Gani AdetolaKaseem, SAN said the President was merely stating the obvious but added that both lawyers and judges have role to play. ‘’Everybody must ensure that the judiciary works and we have always agitated at the level of the NBA that in order for the judiciary to function effectively, it must remain independent of the executive. It must have financial autonomy and be able to direct its own affairs without external interference. For example, the CJN should not go cap-inhand begging for funds either from the legislature in terms of appropriation or from the executive in terms of release of funds. If the judiciary is starved of funds, it is a way of twisting the arms of the judiciary to do the biddings of the executive’’. According to him, the appointment of judges and the condition of service in which they work, contribute to ensuring that judicial officers live above board. He said ‘’If we have a judicial officer whose income is barely enough to meet his needs and whose future is not guaranteed, he may not be able to resist the temptation to be corrupt. A judicial officer should have a secured future and do justice to all classes of people without fear or favour’’. In his view, Dr. Abiodun Layonu, SAN stated that the Attorney- General of the Federation should spear-head the reforms saying ‘’the Attorney- General of the Federation must take the driver’s seat’’. Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN said ‘’there is need to strengthen institution of disciplinary enforcement and create a measure of whistleblowers. Right now there is a measure of discipline that is already in place and it is being enforced by the National Judicial Council. What I think the judiciary can do, especially from the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is to ensure that the institutions responsible for the enforcement of discipline and appointment of judges are strengthened. Immediate past CJN once said

Bar

Jokes The devil’s offer

Adetola-Kaseem

Ikokwu

Quakers,

THE POLITICIANS ARE THE MOST CORRUPT, SO THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT BUHARI SHOULD TELL US ITS PLAN TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION AMONG THE POLITICIANS AND AMONG THE CIVIL SERVANTS THEN THE JUDICIARY.

appointments will be made i t t off judges j d ill b d public bli so that the public will make comments on the suitability of appointment of individuals who have been shortlisted for consideration as judicial officers. For me, if all these are put in place the judiciary will perform beyond expectations of Nigerians’’. Chief Guy Ikokwu said the matter of judicial reforms was addressed at the last Annual Bar Conference held in Abuja. He also however stressed the need for ‘’the Chief Judges of the states, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Courts, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of the Federation to get together with the National Judicial Council to take a closer look at the ramifications of various matters that

lead butt l d to t corruption ti as regard d to t jjudges d b also as it affects members of the Bar. ‘’We should have specialised courts for certain offences because most of our judges do not have the capacity to handle certain cases. Most of the judges appointed now arise not from the Bar but from the ministry. There is need to create more divisions of courts to handle maritime matters and graft matters. So, that judges who have the expertise would be assigned to handle these cases. There is also the issue of executive interference in the work of the judiciary whereas we do not have the judiciary interfering in the work of the executive or that of the legislature. I think the judiciary is more handicapped in terms of funds.

a terminal illness was determined to prove wrong the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” After much thought and consideration, the old ambulance-chaser finally figured out how to take at least some of his money with him when he died. He instructed his wife to go to the bank and withdraw enough money to fill two pillow cases. He then directed her to take the bags of money to the attic and leave them directly above his bed. His plan: When he passed away, he would reach out and grab the bags on his way to heaven. Several weeks after the funeral, the deceased lawyer’s wife, up in the attic cleaning, came upon the two forgotten pillow cases stuffed with cash. “Oh, that darned old fool,” she exclaimed. “I knew he should have had me put the money in the basement.”

The devil visited a lawyer’s office and made him an offer. “I can arrange some things for you,” the devil said. “I’ll increase your income five-fold. Your partners will love you; your clients will respect you; you’ll have four months of vacation each year and live to be a hundred. All I require in return is that your wife’s Talk to the judge soul, your children’s souls, and their children’s souls A judge, bored and frustrated by a lawyer’s tedious rot in hell for eternity.” The lawyer thought for a moment. “What’s the arguments, had made numerous rulings to speed the trial along. The attorney had bristled at the judge’s catch?” he asked. orders, and their tempers grew hot. Finally, frustrated Were you ever arrested? A lawyer was filling out a job application when he with another repetition of arguments he had heard came to the question: “Have you ever been arrested?” many times before, the judge pointed to his ear and said, “Counselor, you should be aware that at this point, He answered no to the question. The next question, intended for those who an- what you are saying is just going in one ear and out the swered the preceding question with a yes, was other.” “Your honour,” replied the lawyer, “That goes with“why?” Nevertheless, the lawyer answered it “Never out saying. What is there to prevent it?” got caught.” Culled from Lawyers’ jokes and Funny Lawyers’ Get money to heaven A stingy old lawyer who had been diagnosed with Jokes.com

In his view, Lagos- based lawyer, Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina acknowledged the need for reform in the judiciary but added that judiciary alone should not be singled out. He said ‘’the politicians are the most corrupt, so the administration of President Buhari should tell us its plan to eradicate corruption among the politicians and among the civil servants then the judiciary. The focus should not be solely on the judiciary. The basic thing is to look critically at the appointment of judges and ensure that only those that are capable are appointed. Appointment of judges should not be used by politicians to settle the cronies because this will engender corruption. It is like putting a round peg in a square hole. The late jurist, Justice Oputa once told use that in those days only practising lawyers who are capable were approached to come to the Bench. Lawyers don’t apply to be appointed to the Bench rather the institution approached them based on what they have done while in practice. That is why judges of that era were much better than what we have today. I think we have to go back to that system of appointing judges where only the best and capable are brought to the Bench. ‘’

LEGAL TIPS Consolidation of actions in court

his is a process whereby two or more actions pending in the same court are joined and tried by the same court. *Consolidation is usually between (a) a plaintiff and a defendant; (b) a plaintiff and many defendants; (c) many plaintiffs and a defendant or (d) many plaintiffs and many defendants. *It is important that the suits being consolidated should be on the same issues and must be pending before the same high court. * In asking for consolidation of suits, the court must be convinced that the issues involved in these cases are the same and the reliefs sought by the plaintiff or defendant in both cases are primarily the

Bar

same. *The main reasons for consolidation of actions are to save time of the court and the parties to the suit and also the cost of the prosecution. The application must therefore be for genuine and pragmatic reasons. *The procedure for consolidation is by making the necessary application to the court either orally or formally. *Generally, consolidation of suits is for the convenience of the trial of the suits. In other words, the suits still retain their individuality. * At the end of the trial therefore two or more judgements or decisions are made depending on the number of suits consolidated. Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

Jokes

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Clash of bar titans

The gathering of Nigerian lawyers for this year’s Delegates’ Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) in Abuja brings to mind the epic legal battle between four notable legal luminaries in the ‘80s. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary takes a retrospective look at the celebrated case between the late radical lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the NBA and three elders of the bar.

FAMOUS CASES

iery lawyer, late Fawehinmi was always excited during his lifetime to lock horns in legal battle with those who have attained the peak of the legal profession, especially the Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Dating back to 45 years ago when the deceased activist began his legal practice, he had had cause to appear in a number of celebrated cases in the country before his death. He had also exhibited his legal wits during occasional encounters in the courts with many erudite lawyers in the country. One of such epochal cases in which he appeared is known as Gani Fawehinmi .v. NBA (1). In this case, Fawehinmi had dragged the NBA to court in 1984 over the association’s decision directing lawyers to boycott the Special Military Tribunal (SMT) established by the military regime. To the Ondo-born late activist, he had a constitutional duty to his client. As a result, he shunned the NBA’s order and appeared for his client, Col. Peter Obasa (rtd), a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), then standing trial before the tribunal. Distinctly defiant, the late activist subsequently instituted an action against the NBA, the General Council of the Bar, GCB and three elders of the bar including, late Chief F.R.A Williams. Specifically, Fawehinmi in the suit had asked the court to determine whether his appearance before the SMT Lagos zone was legally and professionally justifiable within the context of the 1979 Constitution as amended by Decree No 1 of 1984, the LPC 1975 and the rules of professional conduct in the legal profession made by the GCB. He also prayed the court to declare that the decision of the NBA taken at its NEC meeting in April 1984 and ratified at an emergency meeting on May 8, 1984 in Lagos that its members must not appear before the SMTs established under Decree No 3 of 1984 was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void. Fawehinmi’s famous bravery was traceable to his paternal forebears, particularly his late grandfather, late Lisa Alujonnu which literarily means invisible spirit, who was said to have been loved by the Ondo people because of his courage, acclaimed bravery and steadfastness. At the hearing of the case, Fawehinmi represented himself while Williams led two other late senior advocates, Mr. Kehinde Sofola and Chief E.A Molajo for the NBA and the GCB. Indeed, “Timi the Law” as Williams was fondly called demonstrated an impassioned zeal for the legal profession at the time while Fawehinmi equally exhibited his legal wits and crusading spirit as an activist lawyer. It was usually a dramatic session on each hearing date during the 1984 case. Each time Fawehinmi and Williams appeared against each other and the latter cited foreign authorities, Fawehinmi would urge him to

The late Chief Williams

Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi

FAWEHINMI’S FAMOUS BRAVERY WAS TRACEABLE TO HIS PATERNAL FOREBEARS, PARTICULARLY HIS LATE GRANDFATHER, LATE LISA ALUJONNU, WHICH LITERARILY MEANS INVISIBLE SPIRIT. stop the circuitous voyage round the globe when there were enough authorities of the Supreme Court of Nigeria that could be used. To borrow the late activist’s words, which he often said in court “My Lord, my learned friend has embarked on a voyage of discovery. There is no need going to Australia, India and United Kingdom in search of legal authorities, we have the authorities here that can be cited.” By the time Fawehinmi rounded up his submission, Williams would chip in and seek the judge’s attention that “We know he is not talking to your Lordship; he is talking to his friends (pointing to the press gallery)”. Williams would often say Fawehinmi was fond of making speeches that might make headlines for tabloids. Sofola too would jokingly align with the foremost lawyer’s position. Interestingly, Fawehinmi at a point had to ask the court to restrain Williams, Sofola and Molajo from representing the NBA on the ground that their appearance for the association was improper, unprofessional, dishonourable and dishonest. The then Chief Judge, Justice Candide Ademola Johnson on July 19, 1985, apparently granted Fawehinmi’s application for an injunction restraining the three SANs from appearing for themselves. The SANs appealed against the ruling to the Court of Appeal and on March 13, 1986 the Appellate court allowed the appeal and

set aside the order of injunction. The panel of the appellate court were, Justices Phillip Nnaemeka-Agu, Idris Kutigi and Kolawole. The appeal court affirmed that the NBA was not a juristic person and as such could not be sued legally in its name. It then struck out the action. Being a lawyer, who would not easily give up the legal battle, Fawehinmi headed for the Supreme Court. Waxing truculent, Fawehinmi argued in his appeal that the role played by the three SANs was against the spirit of the Rules of professional conduct in the legal profession. He submitted that Williams could not appear for the NBA while Sofola also could not appear for Williams and Molajo. He further argued that Williams, Sofola and Molajo could not act as legal practitioners for any other party in the appeal and they could not lead any other lawyer adding that “the first respondent, NBA must therefore brief another legal practitioner to argue its case in this appeal.’’ Fawehinmi said the apperance of the three elders of the bar if allowed would not be in accord with their professional role and duty to the court as lawyers and would not be in the tradition or standard of the legal profession. Williams however had submitted that the issues formulated by Fawehinmi were merely academic and “that the legal profession in Nigeria is rooted on the foundation of common law and operates within the

statutory framework of the LPA, the Evidence Act, the Constitution and other relevant statutes.’’ Stating that Fawehinmi’s arguments were misconceived, he urged the court to hold that the three leading lawyers were entitled to address the court in their capacities as legal practitioners briefed to represent the respondents. Sofola lent his voice that he saw nothing embarrassing or contrary to all known canons of administering justice for a legal practitioner to address the court on behalf of himself from the bar. Friday, the 14th day of April 1989 was the judgment date before their Lordships of the Supreme Court. The unanimous lead judgment was read by Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki. Other justices on the panel included, Adolphus Karibi- Whyte, Saidu Kawu, Chukwudifu Oputa, and Abdulganiyu Agbaje. According to Obaseki, “ The appellant has failed to point to any rules of professional etiquette that would affect their duty as counsel to the court or bring the appearance of learned SANs from the bar in conflict.” ‘’A litigant who is a legal practitioner conducts his case as a litigant, not as legal practitioner representing himself, the litigant. He merely draws on the fountain of his legal training. I do not consider it inequitable in a civil case for him to remain at the Bar with his robes or even when he is the litigant. I dismiss the appellant’s objection.” Justice Obaseki said it had not been shown that the conduct of Williams and two others would be prejudicial to the interest of justice. He said a legal practitioner could not be deprived of his rights and privileges by a mere allegation that he is a party when there was no claim or cause of action against him of infamous conduct in a professional respect.

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Police Officer charged with murder Islamist jailed in raid A A man said to practice an ultra-orthodox version of Islam has been jailed after a police raid on his home in a village in the Pyrenees region. A judicial police official said that Olivier Corel was detained for questioning after the raid on his home by 70 police. The raid on his home in Artigat was part of stepped-up measures under a state of emergency declared in the wake of November 13, attacks in Paris that killed at least 130 people in addition to seven Islamic extremist attackers. According to the BBC news, the judicial official said that Corel was jailed for illegal holding of a hunting rifle. Authorities believe Corel, 69, who is of Syrian origin, lodged Fabien Clain, who is reported to have been the voice on an Islamic State French-language claim of responsibility for the Paris attacks. Clain was convicted in 2009 for involvement in a network sending extremist fighters to Iraq. Corel is also believed to have figured in the religious life of Frenchman Mohammed Merah, who killed a rabbi, three children at a Jewish school and three paratroopers in southern France in 2012. The man who housed a suspected ringleader of the November 13, Paris attacks has been charged with terrorism-related offences.

FRANCE

French President, Francois Hollande Jawad Bendaoud, 29, is the first person suspected of a direct link to the attackers to be charged in connection with the attacks. The prosecutor’s office said he was charged with criminal association and detention of incendiary or explosive substances linked to a terrorist enterprise. He is being held, but appealing for his freedom. Bendaoud acknowledged in a television interview giving shelter to two people from Belgium in his home in Saint-Denis but said he didn’t know who they were or what they planned. He told BFM television “I didn’t know they were terrorists. I was asked to do a favor. I did a favor, sir.” Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins says he is seeking terror-related charges for the man who housed a suspected ringleader of the November 13, Paris attacks. Bendaoud, 29, has appeared before an investigating magistrate and must be charged.

Chicago police officer now faces first-degree murder charges in the shooting to death of Laquan McDonald, 17. He is being held without bail. According to ABC news, Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shot the black teenager 16 times in October 2014. The shooting was recorded on a police dash cam video, which Chicago police are expected to release. ABC7 Chicago Eyewitness News received a version of the video earlier, but chooses to use only a single image due to safety concerns. Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez described the video after Van Dyke appeared in court. “At 9:57:36, McDonald has crossed over the white lane divider away from the officers, and Officer Van Dyke has taken at least one step towards McDonald with his

US President, Barack Obama prepares to reload his gun. His partner tells him to hold fire and then walks over to McDonald and kicks away the teenager’s knife. Van Dyke acted “without legal justification and with the intent to kill or do great bodily harm, Jason D. Van Dyke personally discharged a firearm that proximately cause the death of LaQuan McDonald,” He added that “out of the

eight officers on the scene, it was only the defendant who fired his weapon,”. On October 20, 2014, Chicago police were responding to reports of car breakins near 40th and Karlov when they came across McDonald. Officers said the teen, who was a ward of the state, was acting erratically and had a knife he refused to drop. “This investigation was tenacious. It was meticulous,” Alvarez said. “At the end of the day, I’d rather take my time and get it right than rush to judgment and get it wrong.” Van Dyke, who has been on desk duty since the investigation into the shooting began, is the first on-duty Chicago police officer to be charged with first-degree murder. He turned himself over to authorities on Tuesday morning and left his gun with his wife, officials said.

Man, 28, charged with rape, murder of 15-year-old girl

15-year-old girl , from Measham, L e i c e s t e r s h i r e, was last seen when she was dropped off outside Ibstock Community College. According to BBC news, Stephen Beadman, 28, of George Avenue, Ibstock, is due to appear before Leicester Magistrates’ Court later. A second man, Luke Harlow, 27, also of George Avenue, has been charged with grooming and two counts of sexual activity with a child. A body, believed to be

IBA appoints Igbokwe as regional representative for Africa

he International Bar Association (IBA) as appointed Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN as the Regional Representative for Africa of IBA’s Maritime and Transport Law Committee for a twoyear term starting from 2016. The IBA in Vienna, Austria, in its meeting held in October, 2015, made in the announcement through the Committee’s Chairman, Mr. Ricardo Rozas The appointment is in recognition of his humble contribution to the development of maritime law and IBA in general. Speaking on the appointment, Igbokwe said ‘’it is an honour done to Nigeria and Africa as a whole which I intend to uphold and use to promote the ideals and aims of the Committee and IBA in Nigeria and Africa.

CHICAGO

weapon drawn,” Alvarez said. “The officer then opened fire on Laquan, whose arm jerks, his body spins around and he falls to the ground. While Laquan is falling to the ground the defendant takes at least one more step towards him, at which point the angle of the dash camera changes and we can no longer see the officer in the frame of the video. Two seconds later, Laquan McDonald is lying on the street on his right side, and the video captures what appears to be two puffs of smoke coming from the ground near his body. These puffs of smoke were later identified as clouds of debris caused by the fired bullets. At 9:57:51, McDonald is still lying on the street and the last visible shot is fired.” Alvarez said at this point, there is a pause as Van Dyke

The Maritime and Transport Law Committee is one of the Committees under the Maritime and Aviation Section of the Legal Practice Division of the IBA, ‘the global voice of the legal profession’. As noted on the IBA’s website, ‘’through the various committees of the divisions, the IBA enables an interchange of information and views among its members as to laws, practices and professional responsibilities relating to the practice of business law around the globe’’. ‘’ The Committee organises specialist conferences yearly where members connect to discuss the latest issues within their field as well as making international contacts. It also publishes regular news and articles for its members and may undertake various projects of relevance to its practice area’’.

ENGLAND

British Prime Minister, David Cameron

the missing teenager’s, was found undergrowth a lake in Ibstock. The body has not yet been formally identified.

After the discovery, Kayleigh’s family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken, grief-stricken and as a family, utterly devastated. “There are no words to express the way we are feeling. “We cannot even begin to thank the local communities and wider public for their messages of support which have helped us through the last week.” On Thursday evening hundreds of people visited St Laurence Church, in

Measham, to pay their respects to Kayleigh. Rev. Linda Cox, from the church, said: “It was a very sombre atmosphere in there, but it was also a very supporting and loving atmosphere for each other and particularly for Kayleigh’s family. “It’s mournful but respectful, and people want to come together to show their support.” A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death is yet to be held.

Abortion law unconstitutional, court rules

Federal Appeals Court panel has ruled that a Wisconsin law that requires abortion providers to get admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is unconstitutional. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel’s 2-1 decision doesn’t put the question to rest. Nearly a dozen states have imposed similar requirements on abortion providers, and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed last week to hear a challenge to Texas’ law in a case that could settle the issue nationally. The Wisconsin case centers on a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services. The groups argue that the 2013 law amounts to an un-

WISCONSIN

constitutional restriction on abortion. The law’s supporter’s counter the Republicanbacked statutes would ensure continuity of care if a woman developed complications from an abortion and needed to be hospitalized. But the lawsuit said the statute would force AMS’s clinic in Milwaukee to close because its doctors couldn’t get admitting privileges. That in turn would lead to longer waits at Planned Parenthood clinics. Therefore, the lawsuit maintained, the law amounts to an illegal restriction on abortions. U.S. District Judge William Conley sided with the abortion providers in March, saying the law

served no legitimate health interest. The Wisconsin Department of Justice later appealed to the 7th Circuit. Writing for the 7th Circuit majority, Judge Richard Posner called the contention that the law would protect women’s health “nonexistent.” He said the law would put more women in danger by increasing the waiting times for abortions, which could push some procedures into the second trimester. “What makes no sense is to abridge the constitutional right to abortion on the basis of spurious contentions regarding women’s health — and the abridgement challenged in this case would actually endanger women’s health,” he wrote.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, November 30, 2015

EVENTS

River State Governor Nyeson Wike and NBA President Augustina Alageh at NBA-NEC meeting in Port Harcourt River State, recently.

L-R: Vice Chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Former Chair of the NBA Section on Business Law, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, with Endurance Uhumuavbi, SBL Administrator, at SBL session in Lagos recently.

L-R: D-G, Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko, former NBA 1st Vice Presidents, Justy Erhabor and Blessing Ukiri

L-R: Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) and SBL Council Member, Mr. Chuka Agbu

National Welfare Officer, Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sua Alabelewe, Abiola Olagunju and Abdulrasheed Muritala

Chair SBL Training Committee, Adeoye Adefulu and SBL Council Member and Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh

L-R: Former Attorney General Ekiti State Mr. Obafemi Adewale, NBA president, Mr. Augustina Alageh (SAN), Chief Judge River State, Justice Daisy Okocha and Mr, Obi Okwusogu (SAN).

SBL Administrator, Endurance Uhumuavbi, BusinessDay Law Editor, Theodora KioLawson, ChannelsTV Judicial Correspondent, Shola Sholeye

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Since we assumed office in May, I have been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of ministers translates into putting round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as people. -PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Dare Akogun

amily of a victim murdered by cultist in Isale -Eko area of Lagos has tasked the Lagos State Police Command on proper investigation and prosecution of killers of their son. According to the family they are still shock after the senseless attack carried out by the cult gang who has been terrorizing the area for some time now. The victim Akeem Ajanaku was allegedly murdered by the gang had gone on a rampage and accosted his grandmother a 79 year old, for speaking to the police about their activities, which led to the arrest of their members. It was learnt that the deceased was at home around that time and challenged the gang to leave his grandmother alone, this infuriated the member who descended on him with machete and axe. He was rushed to the Lagos Island general hospital but was declared dead after few hours due to much loss lost before he was brought to the hospital. It would be recalled that the Lagos State Police command paraded some suspects linked to the attack, who also attacked one Mrs. Ola Williams popularly known as Iron Lady. It was learnt that ‘Iron lady’ a LAWMA contractor was at-

Cult killings: Family tasks police on diligent prosecution

delegation of the Lagos State council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on Lagos State government to as a matter of urgency unravel the truth behind the collapsed of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, building. The group, led by its chairman Emmanuel Adelekan on a solidarity visit to the SCOAN headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos, said the way government has handled the issue suggests that there is some foul play, insisting that government should dig deep into the mystery aircraft that hovered over the building moments before it collapsed. Thanking the man of God,

Boladale Bamigbola, OSOGBO

The destroyed vehicle during the attack by the cultist. Inset: The late Akeem Ajanaku

tacked at her office located in Dosunmu market Lagos Island, but escaped with broken leg the gang vented their anger on her vehicle, a Peugeot 307 saloon car shattering the

windows in the process, the attack was allegedly led by one Paulo who is still at large. The police however assured the family that the five suspected cultist connected to the

attack will be charged to court along with others after completion of investigation while efforts are still on getting other members of the gang disrupting public peace in the area.

Lagos govt asked to urgently unravel Synagogue Church collapse Robert Awokuse

Deputy Speaker harps on community development

Prophet TB Joshua for being a detribalised Nigerian who should be respected for his humanitarian efforts, the group observed that there is a need to employ foreign experts towards unravelling the real cause of the

collapse which claimed 116 lives. The group said: “We have seen that you employ a lot of Nigerians to serve in various capacities in the church, thereby reducing the level of unemployment in the country, in view of

the above, we are using this medium to sympathise with you and are calling on the Lagos State government to seek western assistance to unravel the mystery surrounding the collapse of the building”.

Paul Erewuba

abiu, Daudu Bashiru, Abolade Owoseni and Ishola Saidu. According to the residents, the NTDA officials invaded their locality on November 9, 2015 and destroy their crops and fish ponds with bulldozers with security allegedly provided by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The communities have therefore, through their solicitor, Prince Ademola Adewale, of the De-Vine Chambers, called on the Governor to prevail on the officials to retrace their

steps in the interest of peace. They regretted that their farmlands and fish ponds had been destroyed by the Lagos State New Town Development Authority, a move which is against the policy trust of the present administration both at the federal and state levels. The community leaders, according to their solicitor, were also worried about the repetition of the incident that happened in Lekki Free Trade Zone (Okunraye Community), where the Managing Director of the

eputy speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Yusuff Lasun, has called on well meaning Nigerians not to turn blind eye to developmental efforts happening in their various home towns. He said the reality of the present moment is that all tiers of government in the country are struggling to manage the available resources to provide amenities, even as population grows rapidly. In the light of this, Lasun said imbalance in amenities distribution between rural areas and urban centres could only be corrected, when privileged Nigerians lead efforts to develop rural communities. The federal lawmaker, representing Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun, who was quoted by his Special Adviser, Mr. Wale Daodu, in a statement issued in Osogbo yesterday, stated this while speaking at the grand finale of this year’s annual Ilobu Day Celebrations, adding that the road leading to the community was in bad state and promised to liase with relevant authorities to ensure the bridge and Ilobu/Ifon road was rehabilitated. Supported by some of his colleagues from the National Assembly, few among whom include; Hon. Fijabi Saheed, Abiodun Olasupo and Hon. Segun Ogunwusi, Lasun said the administration of President Buhari was very prudent in managing Nigeria’s resources, hence the need for people to be considerate in their demands and subsequently donated a sum of N5million in support of various projects embarked upon by the community.

Communities lament forceful eviction by govt officials

illages in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State have cried out to Governor Akinwumi Ambode to come to their rescue, following the forceful eviction from their ancestral lands by officials of the state’s New Town Development Authority (NTDA). The villages, which their farm lands and fish ponds are being taken over by the state officials, include Moliki Sal-

zone was killed. It was to avert such a development, they said, made them to restrain their youths and farmers from taking laws into their hands. They therefore appealed to the Lagos State Governor to take urgent action to save the community from total extinction, even as the Atlantic Ocean had almost eaten up their ancestral home and lamented that they had no other place to use as their abode.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Monday, November 30, 2015

Embrace education, peace, Danjuma urges Taraba people Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

Cross section of graduating students of 4th national convocation of National Teachers Institute in Kaduna, yesterday

PDP loses Plateau Assembly’ majority seat to APC James Abraham, JOS

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday declared APC candidate, Mr Eric Dakogol, winner of last Saturday’s bye-election held for the Qua’an Pan north constituency of Plateau State. Until the election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had majority seats in the state House of Assembly with 13 members as against APC’s 11. But with Dakogol’s victory at the poll, PDP has lost its majority position as both parties now have

12 seats each in the 24 member assembly. National Mirror reports that Qua’an Pan state constituency became vacant, when Mr Godfrey who was elected into the office during the last general election under the platform of the PDP died about two months ago, prompting INEC fill the vacant seat by bye election held on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Two parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, fielded candidates in the keenly contested elec-

tion conducted in the five wards that makes up the constituency. The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Akkarven Ashakah, who announced the result at the Legislators’ Chamber in Qua’an Pan Local Government Secretariat yesterday, in the presence of National Commissioner, Professor Anthonia Simbini, State REC, Dr Godwin Kwanga, party officials and other stakeholders said that Mr Dakogol of the APC polled 5,409 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Mr Alloy Oliver who scored 4, 771 votes

According to the INEC Returning Officer, the results was arrived at after determining the performances of the two candidates in the five wards that make up the constituency which shows that in Doemak/Kolang ward, PDP scored 1, 019 votes while APC polled 1,079 votes. Others include Kwang ward: PDP 955 votes, APC 951 votes; Kwa ward: PDP 1, 063 votes, APC – 1,744 votes; Doemak/ Goechim ward: PDP 834 votes, APC 629 votes; and Dokan Kasuwa ward: PDP 900 votes, APC 1, 006 votes

Taraba IDPs send SoS to Buhari over herdsmen attacks Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

nternally displaced persons, IDPs, in Taraba State yesterday called on President Mohammadu Buhari, to stop incessant Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers in the state. The call came on the heels of recent Fulani herdsmen attack in DanAnacha, Gassol Local Government Area of the state where one person was killed and two others injured while working in their farm in the area.

Mr. Iorumbur David whose two sons; Tertsea Iorumbur and Theophilus Iorumbur were among the injured in the attack told National Mirror that the herdsmen killed one person on a nearby farm before attacking his sons who were harvesting beans. “They were on the farm harvesting when suddenly the herdsmen came with their cattle and started eating up the farm. “My sons ran to DanAnacha and informed the police who accompanied them to the farm. But on arrival the herdsmen who

were well armed with AK47 removed their cutlasses and cut them down, while the police fled the scene,” he said. Iorumbur who spoke on behalf of the displaced farmers in Gassol said they returned to their places late August this year after they were chased away by the same Fulani herdsmen and managed to plant what they can eat, but today all their farms have become grazing fields for the Fulani herdsmen. He lamented that since the tribunal judgment that nullified Ishaku’s elec-

tion, the herdsmen have intensified attacks on IDP returnees in the area, killing at least six people and destroyed farms worth millions of naira. When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack, but said no life was lost. “They were actually attacked on their farm, but the police quickly moved in and rescue them alive. They are now receiving treatment at a private hospital in Dan-Anacha,” he said.

ormer Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd), has called on the people of Wukari in Taraba State to stop killings and embrace education to attract rapid development to the state. Danjuma made the call yesterday after he was presented with a meritorious service award by the management of Federal University Wukari, Taraba State. Represented by a former Minister of Water Resources, Obadiah Ando, Danjuma challenged the sons and daughters of the state to assist the young university to enable it attract development to the state. Governor Dairus Ishaku, who also spoke shortly after commissioning access roads, e-library and administrative block in the institution, enjoined the people to give peace a chance to enable him deliver on his campaign promises to the people of the state. Ishaku commended the Federal Government for bringing the university to Wukari and pledged to do everything possible to ensure that the university

becomes one of the best in the country. He lamented that Taraba State was the most backward state in the North East region in terms of education and thanked the Federal Government for the infrastructural development in the school through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention. Earlier, Professor Geoffrey Okogbaa, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university appreciated God for given him the strength to lay foundation for the university. Those honoured with the university service award for their contributions to the growth of the institution along with Danjuma are governor Darius Ishaku, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie and the immediate past head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi. Others are the Chairman DSK Foundation, Chief David Kente, Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Professor Elias Bogoro, Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), Alhaji Sadie Adamu of Exxon Mobil and Sen Rose Oko among others.

Aisha Buhari decries plight of girl child, womanhood

ife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has decried the perilous plight of teenage girls and women in the country. Speaking during the official launch of movie premiere ‘Searching’, a Josephine Anumbor production, she lamented the negative effect of poverty on teenage girls leading to numerous cases of early marriage and by implication, its many negative consequences. Represented by wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, she said: “Watching the movie, I see our children in the story. Largely because of poverty, the father thought marriage was the way out. These are the challenges many children are facing in Nigeria.” Stressing on the importance of girl child education, she urged Nigerians to keep hope alive even as they pray for the return of over 500 days kidnapped Chibok girls, and for peace to return to the country so as to enable the teenage girls in the North East and those at the internally displaced camps return back to school.

Earlier, the producer, Josephine Anumbor, maintained that a wrong parental decision has the propensity to destroy not just the future of a young girl, but also her generations to come. According to her, the worrisome effect of early marriage and discrimination against women and children propelled her into embarking on comedy drama and music, in an effort to create awareness on the importance of girl child education and restore hope to women whose rights have been trampled upon. Commenting on what inspired the movie, Anumbor disclosed that “I saw the things that happened to the girl child as I was growing up, I saw the suffering of the girl child and its effect in generational problems and how decisions taken on a little girl could affect a whole generation.” Searching is a true life story and features prominent Nollywood actor and actresses including Eucharia Anunobi, Yemi Blaq, alongside Josephine Anumbor, Charity Nnodi, Susan Emmanuel and ace comedian Gordons.

Monday, November 30, 2015

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that Mr.Macaulay, Babatunde Olaoluwa Ayomikun is the one and same person as Mr.Macaullay, Babatunde Olaoluwa. All former documents bearing the two names are mine and remain valid.The British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Lawal Musiliu, now wishes to be known and addressed as Lawal Francis Kayode. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MR EJINDU AMBROSE NJOKU, now wish to be known and addressed as MR NJOKU AMBROSE IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

kasali Taibat Temitope is one and same person as Olatunji Taibat Temitope now wish to be known and addressed as Kasali Taibat Temitope All former documents remain valid first bank PLC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME KWASHE: I, formerly known and addressed as KWASHE GABRIEL LAKUR, now wish to be known, called and addressed as LAKUR GABRIEL EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY MISS EZEKWEM SUSAN AKUDO now wish to be addressed as MRS OJUKWU SUSAN AKUDO. All former documents remain Valid. General Public take note CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADELEYE GBEREKOMI MARY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FAITH GBEREKOMI MARY.Former documents remain valid general public note

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as SADIQ RAZAQ OLAWALE now wish to be known and addressed as OLAKONLA RAZAQ OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, EZEANO IFEOMA is one and the same person known, called and addressed as ARIBAZOR UCHECHI JULIANA. All documents bearing the two names are mine and hence valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MARIOSE VERA IGHAGBON, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS MARIOSE VERA AMARIKWA. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

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I, Salisu Yusuf wish to declare that my correct date of birth is 29th January, 1982, not as stated otherwise. All concerned authorities take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY MISS OLALERE ALIMOT ADENIKE NOW MRS OLAIYA ALIMOT ADENIKE.Former documents remain valid general public note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as APPOLINAIRE GBEDEDJI, now wish to be known and addressed as KOUTON MIDOMITON APOLLINAIRE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Narudeen Olanrewaju, now wish to be known and addressed as Aminu Olanrewaju Alowonle. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME ONWUTALOBI: I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUTALOBI OKWUCHUKWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR. UDECHUKWU OKWUCHUKWU DANIEL. All former documents of mine remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly know and addressed MISS OLALERE ESTHER BLESSING,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS AKANMU ESTHER BLESSING,all former document remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME EKETTE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EKETTE ELIZABETH AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NDUKA ELIZABETH AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UKPABI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UKPABI NNEKA EUCHARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SAMUEL EGAJOKO NNEKA (NEE UKPABI). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I Miracle Awa Ukpong is the same person addressed as Ubong Sunday Miracle.All former document bearing the names remain valid general public note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS OBINWA CHIZOBA GRACE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONUKWULI CHIZOBA GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Obiageli Okonya; now wish to be known and addressed as EBHOHIMEN MARIS OBIAGELI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as KOLADE FOLASADE OLAOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADESHINA FOLASADE OLAOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names PAMOTEI JOY AYO and PAMOTEI JOY refers to one and the same person. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGUWA: I, formerly known as MISS AGUWA ANASTASIA OLUCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ORJI ANASTASIA OLUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGHANYA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGHANYA EZINWANNA JANE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGOCHUKWU EZINWANNE JANE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Ajao Balikis Adenike now wish to be known and addressed as Idowu Balikis Adenike. Former document remain valid general public note. CHANGE OF NAME I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Afusat Oluwakemi, Dish family, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afusat Oluwakemi Olanrewaju. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ladong Israel, now wish to be known and addressed as Adamu Adamu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OBIDIEGWU OGECHUKWU FRANCISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UWAH OGECHUKWU FRANCISCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sekoni Ayokale Rachael now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwoke Ayokale Rachael. All former documents remain valid. G.T.B Ado-Ekiti Branch and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGUGUAM: I, formerly known as MISS OZIOMA CHIKWADO UGBOAKU AGUGUAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZIOMA CHIKWADO UGBOAKU EZEIRUAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY GABRIEL now wish to be known and addressed as OWOYELE GABRIEL ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Amanambu Mary Ifeyinwa now wish to be known and addressed as Uche Mary Ifeyinwa. Address: No. 2, Church Close, Shasha - Lagos CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Fayemi Serifa Yetunde now Mrs Abdul-Hameed Sherifa Yetunde All former documents remain valid General public note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Enye Tosin Taiwo now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Enye Joy Taiye. All former documents remain valid. Keystone, Gtb, First, Access, Uba bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OHORE MARTHA JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGOR MARTHA JOY. All former documents remain valid, general public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Bala Akano Zangba, now wish to be known and addressed as Ali Mohammed Bala. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Okafor Patrick, now wish to be known and addressed as Udezue Victor Anayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME I was formerly known and addressed as Sunday Chibuzor Udeh, now wish to known and addressed as Chukwuemeka Sunday Chukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public and sterling bank should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Dare Joseph Tobi is the same one person as Dare Tobi Joseph, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Dare Tobi Joseph. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Shaibu Musa Onimisi is the same one person as Shaibu Musa Akaba, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Shaibu Musa Akaba. All former documents remain valid, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IFEMA: Formerly known and addressed as IFEMA ORAMA UJU now wish to be known and addressed as EGWU UZOR EBERE FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME AYEMERE: Formerly known and addressed as AYEMERE EUNICE now wish to be known and addressed as ORIARELOJIE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME HAROON: Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHEEM HAROON now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM HARUNA. All documents, records and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as GRACE AKPAM, now wish to be known and addressed as AKPAM JULIANA UNIDEMI JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Monday, November 30, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME

ONI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss ONI OLUWABUKOLA YEMISI, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. AYOADE BUKOLA YEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Mr John Emmanuel Babatunde now Mr Bello Emmanuel Babatunde All former documents remain valid General public note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Oyeade Ande now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kehinde Oyeade Ojeniyi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss. Mary Modupe Kuwoye. Now to be addressed as Mrs Mary Modupe Joshua-Anjorin. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME formerly known and addressed as OBANLA CLEMENT BUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OBANLA VICTOR OJO. All former documents remain valid, general public to take note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Ikechukwu Jonas, now wish to be known and addressed as Arua Ikechukwu Jonas. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. JOHN IHEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONYELOWE IFEOMA .E. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Folowosere Aduralere Samuel is the same one person as Folowosele Aduralere Samuel, that henceforth wish to be known and called as Folowosele Aduralere Samuel. All former documents remain valid, NECO,Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note . CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Miss Ogidi Comfort Bolanle is the same one person as Mrs Taiwo Comfort Bolanle, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Taiwo Comfort Bolanle. All former documents remain valid, GTB Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME ONABANJO: Formerly known and addressed as ONABANJO OOLUWATOSIN CHRISTIANA now wish to be known and addressed as OGINNI OOLUWATOSIN CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, OBANOYEN OLAWANDE MUBARAK is the same and one person as OBANOYEN WANDE BANON. That I am known, called and addressed as OBANOYEN OLAWANDE MUBARAK on all my credentials. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME formerly known and addressed as OLAKANMI BIMTU, now wish to be known and addressed as KOJEKU BEATRICE ABENI. All former documents remain valid; First Bank Plc, general public to take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Ogunola Kolade Owolabi Micheal now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Ogunola Kolade Micheal. All former documents remain valid. ECO bank, First bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ALAKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as ALAKWE JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as OSUCHUKWU JOHN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nig. Plc and the general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEDAIRO FELICIA OLUBUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JIBONA JANET OLUBUSOLA. All former documents remain valid; Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, general public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Obataiyese Quoseem Dare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Adisa Kazeem DareObataiyese. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as UMOH SAMPSON UWEN, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL ANIETIE UMOH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that Badmus Saheed Sekoni is the same one person as Adeniran Saheed Adebayo, that henceforth wish to be called and known as Adeniran Saheed Adebayo. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adewoye Bisola Grace now wish to be known and addressed as Odeleye Toyin Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note. CHANGE OF NAME OBIAKOR: Formerly known and addressed as OBIAKOR IKECHUKWU EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH CHINONSO GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that Sunday Candidus is the same one person as Simon David Ibrahim, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Simon David Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

This is to certified that Oyetunde Mutiu Akinyele is the same one person as Olawuni Mutiu Idowu, that henceforth wish to be addressed and known as Olawuni Mutiu Idowu. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IMONDO: Formerly known and addressed as MISS IMONDO DOOWUESE JOYCE now wish to be known and addressed as MISS AYU JOYCE DOOWUESE . All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MUSTAPHA YEMISI ADESANWO now wish to be known and addressed as MUSTAPHA YEMISI MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNTOMESHO : Formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNTOMESHO ELIZABETH DAMILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLADUNNI BANKOLE ELIZABETH D. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AZUBIKE EUGENE ONYENANU now wish to be known and addressed as JASPER RICHARD PREBIKUMOR. . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

43 CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly Miss Fayemi Serifa Yetunde now Mrs Abdul-Hameed Sherifa Yetunde All former documents remain valid General public note

Formerly Mr Okanlawon Olarenwaju Sulaimon now Mr Okanlawon Bola Oyetunji All former documents remain valid General public note

This is to inform the general public that SHEIDU RASHEED is the same person as SHEIDU DANSOBE henceforth wish to be known and addressed as SHEIDU OKOMANYI RASHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OHORE MARTHA JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGOR MARTHA JOY. All former documents remain valid, general public to take note

Formerly known and addressed as Omotayo Ayomide now wish to be known and addressed as Umar Ayomide Maimunat. All former documents remain valid. Uba bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADESOJA STEPHEN AUSTIN. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AKILO STEPHEN ORILOYE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME OPARA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OPARA CALISTA AKUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NZENWATA VICTOR CALISTA .A. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLOJEDE OLUMUYIWA PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSOLA OLUMUYIWA PETER. All former documents remain valid. United Bank of Africa plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to that I, Adeniyi Juliana Abiola is the same person bearing Oyeyiola Juliana Abiola as contained in the some of my documents. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL ABIOLA IGBASON, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL OLUWAMAYOWA KOLAPO, All former documents remain valid. FIDELITY/FCMB/GTB BANK and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr Olorunwa Adufe Olarewaju now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Olanrewaju Kadiri. All former documents remain valid. Wema bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOBU : Formerly known as Mr Nwobu Ekene Kenneth now wish to be known as Mr Nwakalor Ekene Kenneth. All former documents remains valid. Public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, Akinjuyigbe Bola Tosin is the same person as Olorunsola Bola Tosin.All former documents remain valid.United Bank of Africa plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Loretta Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Loretta Amanchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IMIERE CLEMENTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BOLAJI CLEMENTINA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Adetunji Ifedolapo Aanu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oderinde Ifedolapo Aanu. All former documents remain valid. Ideal Comprehensive College, Abeokuta and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as OLAKANMI BIMTU, now wish to be known and addressed as KOJEKU BEATRICE ABENI. All former documents remain valid; First Bank Plc, general public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME CHUKWU : Formerly known as Mrs Chukwu Lilian Adachukwu now wish to be known as Mrs Adachukwu Lilian Clinton. All former documents remains valid. NDU and public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ojo Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Eye kehinde. All former documents remain valid. FIDELITY Bank plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Popoola Stella Aina, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Onofeta Odubu Stella Aina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU JAMIU AKANBI, now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM JAMIU OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Oladimeji Abiola Kemi now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Omotosho Abiola Kemi. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Folorunso Mary now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Faniran Mary Adenike. All former documents remain valid, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

This is to certified that Okende Temitayo Opeyemi Faoye Tayo is the same one person as Faoye Temitayo Florence, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Faoye Temitayo Florence. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AYANDA: Formerly known and addressed as AYANDA OMOSENI & BROS now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH YUSUF OMESENI.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NELSON :Formerly known and addressed as NELSON RUTH ONUWA now wish to be known and addressed as AGHOLOR RUTH ONUWA.All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ICHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as ICHUKWU OWOICHO ADAH now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH ADAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME EMMANUEL : Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL O ALAGI now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN A OWUNAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKEKEUCHE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS DORIS CHIZOBA OKEKEUCHE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DORIS CHIZOBA OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

MY MIDDLE NAME TAOFIK WAS MISSPELT AS TAOFEEQ ON MY UBA ACCT, MY NAMES ARE SPELT AS, SALAMI TAOFIK OWOYEMI.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ASUOWO: Formerly known and addressed as ASUOWO ANTE ESIN now wish to be known and addressed as MR JACOB EFFIONG ESIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME TIJJANI Formerly known and addressed as TIJJANI BALA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULHADI MUSA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that GANIYU AJAO ZARUQ is the same as AHAMAD ABDULGANIYU but now wish to be known and addressed as AHAMED ABDULGANIYU AJAO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU GERALDINE NWABUGO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. CHUKWUEMEKA GERALDINE NWABUGO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKOYE: Formerly known and addressed as LAWRENCE N. OKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as LAWRENCE M. OKOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OLADUNNI: Formerly known and addressed as OLADUNNI SIKIRU AFOLABI now wish to be known and addressed as KUTERE TAIWO..All former documents remain valid. General public take note .

CHANGE OF NAME ONUMAKU: Formerly known and addressed as FAITH C ONUMAKU now wish to be known and addressed as FAITH C EMERUWA All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FOKANSIN: I FORMERLY KNOWN. CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS MATHIAS FOKANSIN AYEGBE . NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS DICKSON ADEFOKANSIN AYEGBE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I Formerly known. called and addressed as Saminu Rukayat Arinpe now wants to be addressed as Oyeniran Rukayat Arinpe. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

National Mirror

44 44

National Mirror Monday, November 30, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 30, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

I promise you solemnly that France will do everything to destroy the army of the fanatics who carried out these crimes. –FRANCE PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE

Ahead elections: Pope seeks T ‘new chapter’ in CAR

Russia to get dead pilot’s body

Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

ope Francis, visiting the conflict-prone Central African Republic yesterday, has expressed hope of what he calls new chapter in the country. The Pope spoke after arriving in the country’s capital Bangui where Acting President Catherine Samba-Panza asked the pontiff forgiveness for the country’s recent religious violence. Large crowds lined the road from the airport to welcome the Pope and people cheered and sang when he arrived at a refugee camp. “I wish to call for unity and to avoid the temptation of fear of others, of the unfamiliar, of what is not part of our ethnic group, our political views or our religious confession,” the Pope said, stressing, “I CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Abiola Ayodele Sanyaolu now wish to be known and addressed as Abiola Ayodele Omosanya all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as David O. Eregbe, now wish to be known and addressed as David O. Abire. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Amina Auwal Shehu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amina Auwal Dauda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addresed as Mrs Orenuga Elizabeth Adebisi Oluwafunmilayo now wish to be known and addressed as miss Osoba Elizabeth Adebisi Oluwafunmilayo all former documents remain valid OOU Ago Iwoye and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESED AS ABIMBOLA CYNTHIA BADMOS NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ITA OKON EKPENYONG FORMER DOCUMENT VALID PUBLIC NOTE.

am determined to bring a message of peace and hope to this country.” The Pope will celebrate Mass in Bangui, but is also expected to meet Muslim leaders and visit a mosque in the city’s Muslim enclave, known as PK5. Rarely has a Pope landed

somewhere with armoured vehicles on the tarmac and a refugee camp full of displaced people within sight. Many in Bangui had worried that the Pope might cancel his visit, after fears that his security could not be guaranteed. This is the last leg of an

African tour which took in Uganda and Kenya. On Friday, the Pope addressed an audience of young people in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, urging them to unite and take a stand against the destructive effects of tribalism.

to mark the end of the transitional period following Compaore’s removal and analysts said it could be the most open and democratic vote in the country’s history. “For the first time in 50 years there is an electoral uncertainty as we don’t know the winner in advance,” Head of Burkina Faso’s society of constitutional law, Abdoulaye Soma, said yesterday. “This is a positive point and a fundamental change from the other elections that we had seen earlier,” Soma

added. Fourteen candidates are standing for the presidency and reports suggest that Roch Marc Christian Kabore and Zephirin Diabre are the front-runners. Economist Diabre has served as minister of economy and finance before he fell out with Campaore in 2010. Kabore also served as prime minister and chairman of the Congress for Democracy and Progress party (CDP) before leaving the party in 2014, after opposing plans to extend Compaore’s rule.

B/Faso voters make choices

oting began yesterday in Burkina Faso to elect a new president and parliament after a year of political turmoil. It is the first election since last year’s popular uprising which toppled longstanding president Blaise Compaore. Security is tight with up to 25,000 troops expected to be deployed across the country. The vote was due to have been held last month but was delayed by a failed coup in September led by members of the elite presidential guard. The election is meant CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Olaide Aduke Basira Kadiri now Olaide Aduke Basira-Mayungo All former documents remain valid General public note

Formerly known and addressed as miss Adenaya Oluwakemi Bukky now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Falaja Oluwakemi Bukky all former documents remain valid and general public take note .

Formerly known and addressed as Adetoun Iyabo Ibidunni Animashaun, now wish to be known and addressed as Adetoun Ibidunni Kayode. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Agboh Micheal Donatus, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbeh Majji Donatus. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Jerrimaya Ester, now wish to be known and addressed as Jeremaiah Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, and my daughter were formerly known and addressed as Onuoha Emmanuel and Onuoha Blessing Chiamaka respectively, now known as Onuchi Emmanuel and Onuchi Blessing Chiamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Zainab Abdulfatai Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Zainab Abdulfatai Tijani all former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Edozie Sandra now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sandra Edozie all former documents remain valid and NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Akinyemi Ganiyat Adeola is one and same person as Olaosun Ganiyat Dada now wish to be known and addressed as Akinyemi Ganiyat Adeola. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Friday Ikechukwu Dominic is one and same person as Friday Elum Onwe now wish to be known and addressed as Friday Elum Onwe all former documents remain valid Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addresed as MISS MERCY OBEHIAGHE IMOBHIO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MERCY OBEHIAGHE OFONEME all former documents remain valid OOU Ago Iwoye and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addresed as WASIU ALABI now wish to be known and addressed as SODIQ ADISA ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Uche Sophia Obumneke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Uche Sophia Obumneke Uche all former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss OLUWAYEMISI ARIKE ODUMUYIWA now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OLUWAYEMISI ARIKE ADEYEMO. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I Formerly known, called and addressed as Aroyewun Yetunde Adebimpe, Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Oyefeso Yetunde Adebimpe. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

urkish authorities said yesterday that they have received the body of a Russian pilot killed after his plane was shot down on the Syrian border last week. Turkish forces shot down the plane saying it had violated Turkish airspace, which Russia denied. The incident has led to heated rhetoric between the two countries, with Russia announcing a package of economic sanctions against Turkey. Rebels from Syria’s ethnic Turkmen community opened fire on Lt. Col. Oleg Peshkov will

be and his co-pilot as they tried to parachute into government-held territory. The rebels said he had died by the time he reached the ground. “The body of Lt. Col. Oleg Peshkov will be given back to Russia, Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said, adding that the body had been received by Turkish authorities at the Syrian border but did not give any more details. He said a Russian official would soon travel to the province of Hatay together with a Turkish military official and receive the body.

Rockets kill three in Mali

hree people have been killed in a rocket attack on a UN peacekeepers’ base in northern Mali, the UN said yesterday. Two UN peacekeepers from Guinea and a civilian contractor were killed in the attack in Kidal, officials also said. More than one week ago, gunmen attacked a hotel in the capital, Bamako, taking scores hostage. Twenty-two CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Alhaqq Prince Sanni now wish to be known an addressed as Sanni Ibrahim Olakulehin. Former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as TELLA GBEMIRO JOSEPH, now wish to be known an addressed as OJO GBENRO JOSEPH . All documents remain valid. General public take note.

people were killed. The peacekeeping mission in Mali was approved in 2014 after France led a military campaign to drive out Islamist militants from the north. The Minusma force comprises some 10, 000 soldiers from dozens of different contributor countries, the majority from Mali’s West African neighbours. The UN mission, criticised by some at the time of its approval because there is no peace deal to support, has suffered more casualties than any other in recent years, with 56 troops killed. CHANGE OF NAME IBEH:I, Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Christain IBEH , now wish to be known an addressed as Mr. Christain Ibeafukwa . All documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FESTAC COLLEGE OLD STUDENTS 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 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Navy Capt. Dotun Duyile. 2. Kingsley Ighomwenghian 3. Henry Eguaoje Ohikhena 4. Engr. Gboyega Akinsanya 5.Ebiere Kpoudosu 6. Olalekan Adedayo Bilesanmi 7. Modupe Sanusi (Mrs.) 8. Edwin Omoraka 9. Frederick Oke Atigogo 10. Efe Odiete Osanyinjobi THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To create a platform for mutual exchange of ideas amongst members 2. To advance the cause of and be able to give back to the school. Any objection to the Application should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Signed by:Bunmi Ige(Solicitor)

Monday, November 30, 2015

Victor Osihmen is no fluke at all and he merited his place in this team. I am sure he didn’t score ten goals in Chile for nothing

Sport

Murray makes history 46

–NATIONAL U-23 TEAM COACH, SAMSON SIASIA

U23 AFCON:

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Usman Mohammed

Dream Team in blistering start Paul Erewuba

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

igeria’s Under-23 team edged their Malian counterparts 3-2 in M’Bour, Senegal in a Group B game of the Under-23 Afcon yesterday.. Tunisia-based Junior Ajayi netted a brace in the first half, while Usman Mohammed was also on target for the Dream Team. But before the goals Mali carved out the better chances in front of goal and could have scored within the first minute, but Adama Traore’s effort came off the crossbar and back into play. Nigeria soaked the pressure, before they finally got going scoring almost against the run of play in the 16th minute when Ajayi stylishly back heeled home after a superb run down the right flank by the impressive Stanley Dimgba. Mali continued to chase the game but it was Nigeria who doubled their lead after 34 minutes, when Usman Mohammed turned in a loose ball from inside the box after a great cut-back by Sincere Seth. But just a minute after this second goal, Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel produced a big save when he blocked at pointblank range the dangerous Adama Traore. Mali also threatened to pull a goal back five minutes to the interval, but again Daniel was alert to cut out the danger at the feet of Niane. In first half stoppage time, Junior Ajayi made it 3-0 after Mali goalkeeper Diarra

…beat Mali 3-2

failed to hold a powerful shot fired by skipper Azubuike Okechukwu from the edge of the box. The Malians came smoking in the second half. Oumar Kone’s men responded well in the restart and within 10 minutes of the second half gave themselves a lifeline. FC Nantes forward Adama Niane scored from the spot after he was fouled in the Nigerian box by Oghenekaro Etebo. The Malian coach then switched tactics by throwing on Real de Bamako striker, Yves Bissouma for defender Idrissa Sogodogo and that move paid off as they put Nigeria on the backfoot all through the second half. On 65 minutes, a neat move by Mali freed Sissoko in the box and the Wydad Casablanca man made no mistake to prod the ball past a despairing Daniel in Nigeria’s goal. Mali continued to probe their West African rivals and found an avenue to exploit in Nigeria’s left-back as Adama Traore gave Effiong a torrid time. Siasia’s men held on to their lead in a game of two halves to claim the full points to go top of Group B after Egypt and Algeria had earlier played out a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Egypt and Algeria played out a 1-1 draw in their Group B opener yesterday at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour. Zamalek forward Mahmoud Abdelmo-

nem ‘Kahraba’ gave Egypt the lead early in the second half before Zinedine Ferhat restored parity midway to ensure both sides went away with a point each in their opening game at the tournament. It was a game a balanced game with both sides lifting their feet off the pedal in the second half after a boring opening half that saw both sides labour in search of their feet. Algeria had the best chance on 19 minutes but Houari Ferhani missed a sitter, shooting wide after Egypt goalie Mossad Awad had spilled his path.

The Pharaohs resumed stronger and Abdelmonem, whose nickname “Kahraba’ means ‘electricity’ in the Arabic language, electrified the 3,500 capacity with the opener on 54 minutes, heading home from a Mohamed Saleh free-kick. ‘Les Fennecs’ responded in equal fashion and Ferhat, a member of the USM Alger squad that reached the final of the 2015 Orange CAF Champions League last month equalized with a low shot after a solo run that left Egypt goalie Assad with no option. The final minutes of the game belonged to the Egyptians and substitute Mamdouh ElSayed forced a superb save from Abdelkadir Salhi from a free-kick in stoppage time.

Siasia dedicates victory to mum

ith the travails of his mother over, Chief Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team, Samson Siasia says his mind is now focused on winning the Olympic ticket for the country in Senegal. Siasia ‘s mother, Mrs Ogere, regained freedom Saturday after days in the den of her abductors in Bayelsa state. Siasia said that her release which was made possible by the police is a welcome development. An elated Siasia who could not hide his emotions, said he feels relieved knowing that his mother is now back in the comfort of their home, and the fam-

ily is now relieved that she was released unhurt . “Words can’t express how I feel. All I want to say here is thank you to all Nigerians especially the NFF who stood by me and my family in our trying times. It has not been easy but by His grace we have overcome. For me all I can say now is, based on the support shown me and my family, all I can do to repay Nigerians is to go out there and pick an Olympic ticket for the country, ” Siasia said he was not in the know if any ransom was paid, but as long as his mother was back home, his joy had no limit.

Sports

Monday, November 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Murray makes history

… wins Davis Cup for Britain

reat Britain have won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936 after Andy Murray beat Belgium’s David Goffin to clinch the decisive point in Ghent. Murray won 6-3 7-5 6-3 to give the visitors an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie. Britain have now won the team title 10 times, while Murray adds the Davis Cup to his other major titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympic Games. Captain Leon Smith guided Britain from the third tier to glory in five years. The combined challenge of whistles, shouts, camera flashes and the weight of history could not derail Murray from his task,

and neither could Goffin. The two-time grand slam champion claimed a regulation straight-sets win in very irregular circumstances, completing a Herculean year-long effort. Goffin gave everything and extended Murray to two hours and 54 minutes, but there was no stopping the Scot, who was mobbed by his team-mates after landing the title with a brilliant lob and falling back on the clay. The world number two has insisted throughout that this is not a one-man team, and James Ward and Jamie Murray have contributed vital points during the winning campaign, but the younger Murray’s achievement sets him apart.

Murray

Etoile win CAF Confederation Cup A Matt Jones (left) won his first Australian Open title, beating defending champion Jordan Spieth

Golf: Jones holds on to win Australian Open

att Jones held off a challenge from world number one Jordan Spieth and fellow Australian Adam Scott to win the Australian Open by a shot. Jones, who led by three strokes heading into yesterday, dropped three shots in his first two holes and triplebogeyed the ninth but rallied to end eight under. American Spieth, who missed an eagle putt on the last to force a play-off, carded a 71 to finish joint second.

He was joined on seven under by Scott, who shot a superb six-under 65. The round of the day, though, came from another Australian, Rod Pampling, who made a 60-foot eagle putt on the 18th green for a course record 10-under 61 to earn him a fourth-place finish on six-under. This bettered the 63 Spieth carded in the final round to win the title last year. Despite the leader’s poor start and two birdies of his

own on the front nine, 22-yearold Spieth was unable to capitalise before Jones’ two birdies on the back nine gave him the win. “That was very stressful, it wasn’t comfortable out there for me,” said Jones, whose victory earns him a place in next July’s Open Championship at Royal Troon. “I’ve watched the Australian Open for many years and just to have my name on that trophy is something I’ll never forget.”

mmar Jemal scored in the first half to give hosts Etoile Sahel of Tunisia a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates of South Africa yesterday to lift the CAF Confederation Cup. Etoile triumphed 2-1 on aggregate in the final of the second-tier African club competition following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Soweto last Saturday. Jemal, 28, a centre-back who has played in Switzerland, Germany, France and Saudi Arabia, also scored in South Africa, both from set-pieces. His second-leg goal at Stade Olympique in Mediterranean resort Sousse was not pretty, but the most important of his nine-year senior career as it gave Etoile a ninth

CAF title. A short corner was followed by a cross that Pirates captain Happy Jele miscued and goalkeeper Felipe Ovono failed to grasp, leaving Jemal to bundle the ball over the line. It was a goal in keeping with a scrappy match, spoilt by a strong wind blowing down the pitch that favoured the hosts in the first half and the visitors after the break. Jemal claimed five goals during the 16-match Confederation Cup campaign, making him the second highest scorer for the Red Devils after six-goal Baghdad Bounedjah. The physicality of tall Algerian Bounedjah unsettled the South Africans until he was forced to retire injured midway through the first half with Brazilian Diogo Acosta

Mou hails Chelsea, Arsenal eye summit

helsea manager Jose Mourinho declared that the Premier League champions had produced their best performance of the campaign after they drew 0-0 at in-form Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Chelsea have had little to shout about of late and although the result served only to move them up to 14th place in the standings, Mourinho, who dropped misfiring

striker Diego Costa, was encouraged by what he saw. “It was the best Chelsea performance of the season, against a dangerous team,” said the Portuguese, who saw Eden Hazard impress in an unfamiliar role as a lone striker. “My players did everything to try and interpret my defensive ideas with the ball. I am more than happy with the performance. I am happy with the team collectively.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Monday, November 30, 2015

Anderlecht

join big chase for T Osimhen

Osimhen

op Belgian club Anderlecht look poised to beat several top English Premier League clubs to U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen, it has been gathered. Osimhen scored a record-breaking 10 goals at the recent FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile and has reportedly spared off interest from several top EPL clubs including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. But it has now been scooped that a Francebased agent has secured an exclusive mandate from both Osimhen’s Lagos academy as

well as Anderlecht to get the signature of the U17 shooting star. Anderlecht are willing to break the bank for the latest Nigerian scoring sensation after the missed out on another exciting youngster Taiwo Awoniyi. Awoniyi, 18, has signed for EPl side Liverpool but he is currently on loan at Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt. He and Osimhen are both in Senegal for the U23 AFCON, which doubles as a qualifier for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Tornadoes emerge NNL champions

iger Tornadoes are the champions of the Nigeria National League (NNL) following their 1-0 win over Plateau United in the Super 4 finals yesterday in Abuja. Tornadoes led by coach Abdullahi Biffo got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot through Lukman Mohammed in the 59th minute. Coach Biffo has now won the NNL title twice having won it in 2013 with Giwa FC. MFM FC won the bronze medal in the battle of the Lagos clubs when they beat Ikorodu United 4-2 through penalties after game ended 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. Ikorodu United opened scoring in the fourth minute when Olisema Cyril converted a spot kick. MFM leveled scores in the 20th minute, when Onajite put the ball in his own net. Olisema Cyril restored Ikorodu United’s lead in the 26th minute, but MFM resorted parity in the 44th minute

through Austine Ogunye. Ikorodu United’s goalkeeper was sent off in the 33rd minute

for a tackle on a goal-bound player. The resultant penalty taken

by Babatunde Oshoke in the 38th minute came off the goal post.

Niger Tornadoes FC players celebrating after winning the Nigeria National League 2015 Super 4 competitions in Abuja, yesterday.

Don’t delay election into Nigerian league boards, member tells NFF

he Chairman of DSS Football Club, a Nigerian National League, NNL, side, Sunday Adeleye, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation to conduct elections into the board of the NNL as soon as possible, following the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past board headed by Emeka Inyama. Speaking yesterday, Adel-

eye said that it was important to have a new board in place ahead of next season of the Nigerian National League. “I think the NFF should announce a date for elections into the board as soon as possible,” he said. “The tenure of the last board has expired and we shouldn’t stay too long without having a body that will run

the league, we cannot afford to have a vacuum because it will not be good for the league next season. “There has to be a body in place that will run the league for next season and I think it will be proper for a date to announced so the elections can hold as soon as possible,” he said. The Nigeria Football Federation had announced in a

statement last Thursday, the expiration of the tenures of the National League, the Nationwide League One and the Women’s league boards. The expiration of their tenures means Emeka Inyama, Ahmad Kawu and Dilichukwu Onyedinma have ceased to be members of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.

League reform:

LMC takes campaign to World Leagues forum in Paris

he Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL) will today in Paris, France join other world football leagues at the World Leagues Forum to discuss the future of the league in the scheme of the emerging FIFA structure. It is the second edition of the World Leagues Forum (WLF) and Nigeria will be represented by the Chairman of the League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko who said it would be another opportunity to seek global partnership and support for the internal reforms in NPFL and also the on-going campaign to arrest capital flight from domestic sports industry to Europe which has denied the League the right kind of funding. “We will use the platform to further drive the message of ongoing internal reforms in the NPFL and also the case for better funding of the league and clubs for improved players’s welfare”, Dikko said. Organizers of the congress disclosed that all the four candidates for the next elections for the FIFA President’s office have confirmed their participation at the meeting at which they are expected to unveil their plans for world football with emphasis on the football leagues. “We will have the opportunity to discuss the future of football and the role of the leagues in the governance landscape with Prince Ali Ben Hussein, Cheik Salman ben Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Mr. Tokyo Sexwale and Mr. Jerome Champagne”, wrote the organizer to the LMC. Dikko said that the forum will also avail the LMC the opportunity to further discuss developmental partnership with the leadership of the Spanish League as a follow-up to earlier correspondences already exchanged between the La Liga and the LMC.

Dikko

WORLD RECORD

Fastest rugby league hat-trick Vol. 05 No. 1253 Monday, November 30, 2015

N150

The fastest hat-trick of tries scored from the start of a match is 6 min 54 sec by Chris Thorman (UK) playing the semi-final of the Buddies National League Cup at Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK on 19 May 2002.

On Kogi 2015 conundrum

he Saturday November 21 governorship election in Kogi State will permanently etch itself in the consciousness of Nigerians due to both the theatrics that accompanied its conduct and its anticlimactic conclusion (outcome). The imprimatur of the Nigerian factor was very evident as the contesting political parties, candidates and supporters were intent in breaking the rules to upstage one another. Like all human activities that have a beginning and an end, the process conducted by INEC threw up some results, which in themselves produced some antitheses that crystallized into another action. Chief Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 240,867 votes, while incumbent Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the only other serious candidate, got 199,514 votes. It could have been a straight victory for

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com the APC, but a flaw which turned out a lacuna, threw a wedge on the APC’s path to victory. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discovering that the total number of cancelled votes was more than the margin between the two leading candidates, ruled the election inconclusive. While Nigerians, especially the key stakeholders, were still trying to come to terms with the development, the conundrum was deepened by the sudden death of Audu, the potential winner of the poll. For the APC, his death was a sad denouement, but for the PDP, the development opened a fresh window of hope for it with Audu now out of reckoning. This is the context we should situate the diametrical positions of the two leading parties to the decision of INEC that the APC fill the vacuum created by Audu’s death for the supplementary election fixed for December 5. The PDP rejected this, describing it as a “brazen move by the APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the Electoral Act”. Expectedly, the development has polarized the engaging national discourse. However, one thing is sure: the peaceful resolution of the Kogi 2015 conundrum will deepen the nation’s democracy because of the fresh insights it will throw on the nation’s electoral praxis, and the likely

EXECUTING THE PDP AGENDA WILL BE A DISSERVICE TO THE

APC, WHICH RIGHTLY BELIEVES VICTORY IS NOT FAR FROM ITS REACH high sedative dose it would inject into the political system to moderate the political behavior of our errant politicians always obsessed with victories. If you ask for my opinion, I am confounded by the bellicose disposition of the PDP to a development that bares parallelism to the Rivers 2007 PDP crisis engendered by the eleventh hour substitution of Rotimi Amaechi , the winner of the PDP governorship primaries for the April election by Celestine Omeha and the resultant suit filed by the former. The Supreme Court ruling of October 2007 cut short the tenure of Omeha as Rivers State governor, when it ruled Amaechi, who did not participate in that contest the legitimate governor. I expect this to clear the haze over Kogi 2015. One fact that has been well established in the extant Nigerian political order is that political parties remain the only legitimate platform for aspirants to contest elections in Nigeria. Section 177(c) of the 1999

Constitution settles this. This is reinforced by the fact that both the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the 1999 Constitution (as amended) do not recognize independent candidacies. It must also be noted that Section 33 of the Electoral Act makes provisions for substitution of candidates for elections. The emphasis is on “cogent and verifiable reasons”. In the case in question the death of APC’s Audu meets the above criterion. It is very tempting to argue that the outcome of the November 21 governorship election in Kogi is personal to the individual candidates. By extrapolation, it it like saying that the 240,867 votes polled by Audu (deceased) were personal to him and thus could not be transferred to the new candidate that would emerge from another primary process for the rescheduled December 5 election. Again, this is a fruitless intellectual engagement because the Supreme Court, by its October 2007 which paved the way for Amaechi’s victory and his consequent swearing in as governor on October 27, 2007, has settled the lego-constitutional logjam. Amaechi never participated in that election that produced Celestine Omeha, yet he was the beneficiary of the victory votes won by Omeha. The argument for fresh election to determine the next governor of Kogi State is untenable because it will be tantamount to aborting an electoral midway. It is politically expedient for the PDP to stick to its position of an outright conduct of fresh election to determine the next governor of the state. The results declared so have firmly established the APC as the potential winner of the election. Executing the PDP agenda will be a disservice to the APC, which rightly believes victory is not far from its reach. Well, for those in PDP still fazed by the development, the courts are the last resort here on earth. After that it is God. Do not crucify me for my position. Like you, I am entitled to my opinion. We are in a free world.

Sport Extra

Schwartzel wins fourth Alfred Dunhill title

harl Schwartzel secured a fourth Alfred Dunhill Championship title in 11 years when he finished 15 under par in his native South Africa yester-

day. The world number 50 shot a final-day two-under in Malelane to win by four shots from France’s Gregory Bourdy. Schwartzel, 31, led

Frenchman Benjamin Herbert, who slipped to third, by three strokes heading into the fourth round where he carded a second successive 70. England’s Matt Ford

was the highest Briton, tied in fifth. Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, was unhappy with his round on Saturday and had to recover from a bogey on

the third on Sunday. He bogeyed again on the eighth at Leopard Creek Country Club, but four birdies made sure he held off a resurgent Bourdy.

Dunhill Emenike

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