Nigeria airports to become Africa’s hub in 2016 –FAAN
F
ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, says ongoing construction at five major international airports would make the country the hub of aviation in Af-
Dunoma
Vol. 5 N0. 1194
BUSINESS SECTION
Fowler, new FIRS boss, consults audit firms to boost revenue
tion of the Airport Council International (ACI) in Panama. It quoted the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, as saying
rica, when completed in 2016. This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos after an Annual General Assembly Conference and Exhibi-
Monday, September 7, 2015
THE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
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Cabinet: Tension in APC ...as Buhari seals list in Kaduna Technocrats dominate, few APC chieftains will emerge –Source Our administration won’t disappoint Nigerians –Osinbajo
KEMI OLAITAN AND AZA MSUE
S
trong indications emerged at the weekend that President Muhammadu Buhari has CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
BUHARI'S APPOINTMENTS AT A GLANCE
Aide de Camp, ADC, to President: Lt. Col Abubakar Lawal (Kano State, North-West and husband to President Buhari’s foster daughter).
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina (Osun State, South-West).
Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu (Kano State, North-West).
Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris (Kano State, North-West).
National Security Adviser: Babagana Monguno (Borno State, North-East).
Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonishakin (Ekiti State, South-West).
Chief of Army Staff: Tukur Buratai, (Borno State, North-East).
Chief of Naval Staff: Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Cross Rivers, South-South).
Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, (Bauchi State, North-East).
Chief of Defence Intelligence: Monday Riku Morgan (Benue State, North-Central).
Director General, State Security Services, SSS, Lawal Daura (Katsina State, North-West).
Acting Chairperson, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Amina Zakari (Jigawa State, North-West).
Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA: Habibu Abdulahi (Kano State, North-West).
Special Adviser, Niger Delta Amnesty Office, Paul Boroh, (Bayelsa State, South-South)
Acting Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration, Safety and Security Agency, NIMASA: Baba Haruna Jauro (Yobe State, North-East).
Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umaru Dambatta (Kano State, North-West).
Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS: Babatunde Fowler (Lagos State, South-West).
Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara State, North-West).
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
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News
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Tension in APC as Buhari seals list in Kaduna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
sealed his ministerial list in Kaduna just as technocrats, including university lecturers dominated the list. Sources in different quarters revealed that there was mild tension within the rank and file of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, over the proposed ministerial list, which may soon be announced by the Presidency to form a full cabinet. Buhari had appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Chief of Staff, among others, which brought controversies over lopsidedness of the exercises. President Muhammadu Buhari had spent time in Kaduna and Daura last week on a private visit. Buhari, who landed on Friday evening stayed at his residence along Sultan Road, Unguwan Rimi. Some of the APC stalwarts who pleaded anonymity said Buhari’s private visit was to consult with some of his close associates preparatory to the announcement of ministerial nominees. However, one of the close allies of Buhari said the president who kept the nominees close to his chest would give All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftains final shock when the list is finally announced. He added that those who lost in previous appointments would be disappointed again. His words: “Mr. President will again disappoint many APC chieftains who are confident of being appointed ministers. As I am talking to you, even though we learnt the list is kept close to his chest, Buhari will bring technocrats and corruption-free Nigerians on board as ministers. Many who held big offices before may not be appointed too. Nigerians will be shocked as big names you are hearing will not make the list. What I am sure is that, university lecturers, serious activists with few APC members will make the list." None of the officials of the APC in Kaduna were willing to comment over the issue when contacted. Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yester-
day in Ibadan, confirmed the high expectations of Nigerians on the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring that they would not be disappointed. The VP who said this while speaking with journalists on the 100 days of the administration, at the closing ceremony of the
33rd Holy Ghost Convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, stated that things had been moving upward in the country since Buhari administration came into office. He said, "Things are just getting better day by day. Though the nation has high expectation by the grace of God all these expectations
will be met. "Nigerians are assured of more exciting times and great things for the nation. There are a lot of things that we have done and we will see a lot by God's grace." He, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support the administration with their
prayers, noting that the task of moving the nation forward should be that of the leaders and the people. "Winning an election is nothing but the most important thing is that God has said we must be the light of the world, all the accolades cannot be compared with the duty God has bestowed on us.”
"You will pray for us daily that this country will see the change and prosper", he said. The president of the church, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, while ministering at the event attended by prominent clergymen and political leaders across the country, enjoined Nigerians to be selfless and see God as the source of their wealth.
BUHARI'S APPOINTMENTS AT A GLANCE
Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Emmanuel Kachikwu (Delta State, South-South).
Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal (Adamawa, North East).
Chief of Staff, CoS, to the President: Abba Kyari (Borno, North-East).
Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS: Hameed Ibrahim Ali, (Kaduna State, North-West).
Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service: Kure Martin Abeshi (Nasarawa State, North-Central).
Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Senate: Ita Enang, (Akwa Ibom State, South-South).
Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, House of Representatives: Suleiman Kawu, (Kano State, North-West).
Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR: Modecai Baba Ladan (Kano, North West).
Managing Director, Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Ahmed Lawan Kuru. (Kano, North West).
Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, Mohammed Kari (North-West)
Executive Director AMCON, Kola Ayeye.
Executive Director, AMCON, Eberechukwu Uneze.
Executive Director, AMCON: Aminu Ismail.
Group Executive Director, NNPC, Maikanti Baru.
Group Executive Director, NNPC, Isiaka Abdulrazaq.
Group Executive Director, NNPC, Dennis Nnamdi Ajulu.
Group Executive Director, NNPC, Babatunde Victor Adeniran.
State Chief of Protocol/Special Assistant, Presidential Matters: Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure (Jigawa State, North-West).
NNPC in bid to recover $9.6b debt ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA
T
he Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has begun the process of recovering over $7 billion in overdeducted tax benefits from Joint Venture Partners on major capital projects in the first 100 days of President Buhari's government. In a report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari by its new management detailing its successes so far, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu had commenced Performance Measurement & Benchmarking as well as Value for Money Review of NNPC and the Joint Ven-
ture Companies covering the period 2008 – 2013. According to a statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the report indicated that the process may lead to further cost recovery. The report further said a reputable International Accounting Firm has been engaged by the NNPC to ascertain the exact amount due to government on the Strategic Alliance Contracts entered by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), where up to $2.46 billion of government money is to be recovered. It also revealed that consequent upon an extensive
investigation of the various toxic crude oil for refined products swap contracts, a total sum of $420 million has so far been reconciled in favour of NNPC and is now due for recovery from the legacy OPA/SWAP contracts. Out of the reconciled amount, the sum of $277 million has been recovered in lieu of products and the recovery effort is still ongoing. According to the report, Kachikwu is committed to continued review of all existing contracts and addressing the ones that are not favourable to the Corporation. It was noted that significant cost reductions are also expected to ensure the Cor-
poration remains profitable in the prevailing low crude oil price regime. The report also disclosed that progress was being made toward bringing back the nation’s refineries to full production, noting that the management of the NNPC was working to ensure that this happens before the end of the year. According to the report said If this is completed, it is expected to achieve an annual savings of about $1billion worth of foreign exchange from fuel import substitution and additional total saving of over $500 million annually would be made from the petrochemical products of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.
The report also disclosed that efforts at repositioning the NNPC have started yielding result on the nation's economy. It further said gas supply to the power plants that had hitherto been handicapped by the supply of much-needed gas, has improved significantly from about 630 to 861 million standard cubic feet per day, which has resulted in a more steady power supply being witnessed in the country. The report also disclosed that gas supply for power and peak generation have in recent times reached a historical high of 876 million standard cubic feet per day and 4,782 Mega Watts respectively.
FRANKA OSAKWE
T
aking too many antibiotics could damage your liver and raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new studies have warned. A new study published in Gastroenterology, an official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute says antibiotics are the single largest class of agents that cause idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI). DILI is the most common cause of death from acute liver failure and it is caused by a wide variety of prescription and non-prescription medications, nutritional supplements and herbal drugs. “DILI is a serious health problem that impacts patients, physicians, government regulators and the pharmaceutical industry,” said Naga P. Chalasani, MD, of the Indiana University School of Medicine and lead author of the study. Supporting this claim, Medicinet, an online health journal cited a popular antibiotic Augumentin saying it can cause cholestasis, a liver condition that occur when the excretion of bile, a fluid that helps the body process fat from the liver is interrupted, with or without hepatitis. “Augmentin-induced cholestasis is uncommon, but has been implicated in hundreds of cases of clinically apparent acute liver injury. Symptoms of cholestasis (jaundice, nausea, itching) usually occur 1-6 weeks after starting Augmentin, but the onset of liver disease can occur weeks after stopping Augmentin. Most patients recover fully in weeks to months after stopping the medication, but rare cases of liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver transplantation have been reported. Other antibiotics have been reported to cause liver disease. Some examples include minocycline (an antibiotic related to tetracycline), and Cotrimoxazole (a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim)”, it says. In a similar development, another research showed a clear link between antibiotics and diabetes. The researchers, whose findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, tracked 1.3 million Danish people without diabetes and 170,404 with the disease. The study found that people who received five or more antibiotic prescriptions over a
... may also increase risk of type 2 diabetes, experts say
period of up to 15 years were associated with a 53 per cent increase in risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared with those given antibiotics just once, or never. The researchers discovered that while antibiotics are designed to kill the bacteria that cause infections, the drugs also kill off some of the good bacteria in the gut, which are known to influence digestion and metabolism. The authors of the new study suspect that this is the reason for the link between anti-
Watching too much TV could cause blood clot, experts warn
T
3
Good Health Excessive use of antibiotics could damage your liver!
DID YOU KNOW?
oo much time watching television and hours spent on computer games could cause us the blood clot risks normally associated with long-haul travel, heart, experts warn . The study of more than 80,000 people found that those who watched more than five hours television a day were far more likely to suffer from deadly clots caused by deep vein thrombosis. Experts said the findings show the extent to which the condition – most commonly associated with “economy class syndrome” on long-haul economy flights – can be caused by sedentary lifestyles.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
PAGE
Monday, September 7, 2015
The Japanese research tracked 86,000 men and women, aged between 40 and 79, for almost two decades. Overall, those who watched an average of five or more hours of television a day had twice the risk of fatal clots than those who viewed less than two and a half hours a day. Among those aged 60 or less, the differences were even more stark. Watching TV for more than five hours increased the risk of fatal clots six fold. The study by Osaka University in Japan asked men and women to complete questionnaires about their television watching habits.
biotics and diabetes, with alterations in gut bacteria meaning people absorb sugar and fat in different ways. But an alternative explanation it says, could be that people with as-yet undiagnosed diabetes may be more prone to infection, and therefore use more antibiotics. Study author Dr Kristian Mikkelsen, from Gentofte Hospital in Hellerup, Denmark, said: ‘In our research, we found people who have type 2 diabetes used significantly more
A
new research has shown that exercise can delay the ageing process, with experts suggesting that one walk a day could halve the risk of heart attack death and add seven years to the lifespan The new research, presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress suggests that regular exercise can delay the ageing process. The German study put men and women aged between 30 and 60 on a daily programme of exercise. They were selected because until then they had not been regular exercisers. The study then tracked key markers of ageing in
antibiotics up to 15 years prior to diagnosis compared to healthy controls. “Although we cannot infer causality from this study, the findings raise the possibility that antibiotics could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. An alternative explanation could be that people with as-yet undiagnosed diabetes may be more prone to infection “Another equally compelling explanation may be that people develop type 2 diabetes over the course of years and face a greater risk of infection during that time.” The experts suggest that doctors who repeatedly over-prescribe the drugs should be sanctioned. Meanwhile, here in Nigeria, a specialist in hepatology, gastroenterology and endoscopy, Dr. Aderemi Oluyemi, warns that numerous activities can jeopardise the liver, leading to damages that are sometimes irreversible unless the patient goes for liver transplantation – an extreme and expensive procedure that is not available in the country. One of these include use of over-the-counter medications such as drugs used to treat epilepsy (anticonvulsants), cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), acetaminophen (painkillers) and isotretinoin (used to treat severe acne). According to an endocrinologist/Medical Director, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, people who are diabetic are more likely to develop liver damage than people with normal blood sugar level. “More than people probably realise, diabetes has terrible effects on the liver. That is why I recommend that every diabetic has a blood test and ultrasound to check on the health of their liver annually,” she advises. She adds that the closer you are to a healthy body weight, and the closer to normal your blood sugar level is, the better your liver’s health.
25-minute walk adds 7 years to life –Study the blood. Within just six months, these showed changes in the body which help to repair the DNA. Experts said just 25 minutes of brisk walking or slow jogging every day could buy extra years of health - and happiness. Sanjay Sharma, professor of inherited cardiac diseases in sports cardiology at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, said: “When you exercise moderately, you reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack when you’re in your 50s and 60s by 50 per cent. That’s a really big deal.”
4
Photo News
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
L-R: Members of technical committee of Airtel Rising Star football competition/former Super Eagles players, Etim Esim, Jonathan Akpoborie and Mutiu Adepoju, during the final of the competition in Lagos, on Saturday. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI
L-R: Specialist, Dealer Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Yusuf Yusuf; CliqFest laptop winner, Agboola Ridwan; Specialist, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; CliqFest laptop winner, Maryam Umar, and Etisalat Experience Centre Manager, Sokoto, Mohammed Tanko, during Etisalat CliqFest prize presentation ceremony at the Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, at the weekend.
L-R: Executive Director, Atlasjet Nigeria, Mr. Ercument Filliz; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Pastor John-Kennedy Opara; President, AirFirst Nigeria, Mr. Gbolahan Abatan and Primate of Church of Anglican Communion, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, during the signing of air charter agreement for 2015 main pilgrimage exercise in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
L-R: Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Maryland, Lagos, Rotary International District 9110, Rotarian Dapo Ogunlola; Club Charter President, Rotarian Bola Oyebade; President, Rotarian Olufemi Akodu and his wife, Dupe, during the presentation of Rotn. Olufemi Akodu as President of Rotary Club of Maryland, Lagos.
National News
G
overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State yesterday advised Nigerians to be more concerned with the current change process rather than President Muhammadu Buhari’s wealth. Okowa decried various statements from some Nigerians over Buhari’s declaration of assets, saying “what the President has today in terms of personal wealth ought not to be the business of Nigerians.” He spoke in Benin at the 13th year anniversary of Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International Incorporation. Okowa, however, said Buhari’s declaration was a welcome development. Responding to questions from newsmen after the service on the president’s asset declaration, he said: “I don’t comment about assets declaration, assets declaration is personal, the man has declared his assets, which is a welcome idea that he has come out to do.
Embrace change mantra, not Buhari’s wealth, says Okowa “But his personal wealth and all he has at the moment is not supposed to be the business of Nigerians. “The only thing we should concern ourselves about is what is going to be his output in government: that is where we should concentrate on.” Besides, the governor disclosed that his government had put in place measures to bring respite
to the people by restructuring its expenditure to cut cost, in spite of the huge debts inherited from the immediate administration of the state. He also admonished the congregation to pray fervently in order to heal the land of all the challenges bedevilling it, just as he called on Nigerians to stop raining abuses on their leaders. Okowa, whose election
is being challenged at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, said God had been merciful, but it was not yet Uhuru, urging Christians to pray for the continued unity of the country. He said: “Trusting God is very good because God has manifested in my life. I can see the manifestation of God in this church and the same way God has grown this church, God
can also grow in your lives. “When I listen to our father, Pastor Omobude, there is still a lot of Jordan to cross, there is still a lot of land to be conquered, please take note of that so that you will not relax that we have arrived. “It is a time to pray more, not only for the church but for Nigeria and all the states in this country.
Ndume seeks preventive measures against corruption
S
enate Leader, Ali Ndume, has advised the Federal Government to introduce preventive measures against corruption instead of waiting for individuals to steal before prosecuting them. Ndume, who gave the advice when he addressed a news conference in Maiduguri yesterday, said the measure would help in
curbing corruption from its roots. “The fight against corruption in Nigeria is a big war; it is going to be tougher than that of Boko Haram insurgency. “Government must begin to initiate preventive measures against corruption instead of waiting for people to steal public wealth before taking ac-
tion,” Ndume, who represents Borno South, said. He suggested that part of measures should include mechanism for questioning individuals or public officers with sudden massive wealth. “What I am saying is that government must make deliberate effort to ensure that even those who stole do not find a hid-
ing place in the society,” Ndume said. He said the authorities must begin to raise alarm once an individual was suspected of having illgotten wealth. He said Nigerians celebrate public officers who stole government money rather than question their source of wealth. “How can I, for exam-
“We are in a very difficult time nationally and when the nation is in trouble there is a knock on the door of the Christians because in the book of Psalm 121 says ‘I look on to hills here from where cometh my help’. “It is time to call on the name of the Lord in righteousness for God to heal the land and get us out of where we are today,” he said.
ple, begin to buy big houses just because I became a senate leader, when I used to live in my three-bedroom apartment in Apo since 2003? “Just because I have become the senate leader, I will start buying houses in Maitama and Asokoro in Abuja, and Nigerians will be hailing me and declaring that my time has come.
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Monday, September 7, 2015
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Fowler, new FIRS boss, consults audit firms to boost revenue TOLA AKINMUTIMI
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he newly appointed Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, has embarked on a strategic collaboration with audit consulting entities, Chartered Accountants, Tax Consultants and other professional service providers in order to boost the agency’s revenue collection. Fowler, during a meeting held with the audit and tax professionals in Abuja, pointed out that the collaboration between the service providers, States Board of Internal
Revenue (SBIR) and FIRS would mark a turning point for taxation as well as reduce the reliance on oil for Nigeria. He noted that audit and tax consultants were major stakeholders and that their input into tax administration and revenue generation was crucial in moving the nation away from over reliance on oil revenue. The FIRS boss also said that the input from the stakeholders was necessary for the expansion of the tax net, information dissemination, building capacity of tax administration as well as sharing information that would help to promote voluntary
compliance. He said: “I appeal to you, irrespective of the fact that we have a duty to advice taxpayers, we equally have obligation to government in ensuring increase in revenue collection. It is time to stop all forms of unwholesome practices in tax related issues because Nigerians need us at this critical time to reposition the country for more resources. “We don’t have all the answers; we need you from both sides to reposition the entire process. All we are asking for is your cooperation to move the nation’s tax system to another level through your support and other stakeholders,’’ the
tax expert added. Fowler said that FIRS, through partnership and consultations with the relevant stakeholders, would shore-up the tax revenue and improve on the country’s tax administration. Most practitioners who spoke at the meeting commended the Service for taking the lead in organising the parley and stressed the need for information sharing, observation of the ethical code among stakeholders across levels. The Former Accountant-General of the Federation and former Chairman Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Kayode Naiyeju, said that there was
the need for continuous consultation and team work because of the complex nature of tax administration. Similarly, the Partner Tax Regulatory and People Services of KPMG, Mr. Ajibola Olomola, also appealed to FIRS to grant some form of tax amnesty to deserving taxpayers so as to enhance voluntary compliance and bring potential taxpayers into the tax net. The meeting focused on the need to harmonise exchange of information across all the revenue authorities as well as ensuring a synchronized auditing of all the various companies in the country.
At the end of their deliberations, the professionals agreed to share information with members of National Assembly, particularly on tax laws in collaboration with other professional bodies as well as relevant stakeholders. They also resolved that FIRS, State Revenue Boards and the various audit firms would carry out joint audits of the various companies to ensure accuracy of the exercise, enhance transparency and drive compliance. The audits will be completed within 30 days and will take cognisance of the various year ends and peak points of activities of the various companies.
NGO expends N275m on skills acquisition in 15 Northern states
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anaging Director of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Alhaji Shettima Ali, said the foundation had spent N275mon training of 1,800 women and youths in 15 states in the north. Ali made this known yesterday in Katsina State, during the graduation ceremony of 120 women and youths that were trained on different skills. He said the foundation selected 120 women and youths from 15 states for training in cosmetics making, vegetable oil processing, poultry and fish farming, ICT skills and fashion designing. Ali said that the foundation would soon conduct training in Borno, Yobe , Jigawa and Plateau states. The managing director disclosed that the foundation had introduced the training to improve the well being of beneficiaries. He said the foundation would also assist the trainees to secure loans from different financial institutions to start their businesses. Earlier, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, had commended the foundation for training beneficiaries in six different types of skills. The governor, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu,
said the training came at the right time as the state was ready to invest in the area. He said the government had collected N2bn loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to assist women and youths to fight poverty in the state. The governor said women and youths were the backbone of every society as such they needed the assistance of government to be self reliant. “Katsina State government has started distributing loan forms to the citizens of the state at their various polling units. “All youths and women have been advised to collect the forms from their wards to enable them secure the loans to fight poverty,” he said. In a remark, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mamman Nasir, said the Sardauna of Sokoto Foundation had implemented a number of viable programmes in the 19 northern states. Nasir said the foundation had given 20 students from Katsina State scholarship to study science and technology in institutions of high learning in the country. He disclosed that 10 medical doctors from Katsina State were also sponsored by the foundation on the aspect of blast/ trauma management and care.
L-R: Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chief (Dr.) Christopher Ezeh; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank Plc, and longest serving female staff, Chijioke Ugochukwu, and longest serving male staff, Mr. Peter Maison, during the unveiling of new Fidelity Bank logo in Lagos at the weekend.
Nigeria airports to become Africa’s hub in 2016 –FAAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
that the terminals which were being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, PortHarcourt and Enugu. Dunoma, who was a panelist at the event, said that the airports would improve passenger comfort, stimulate robust traffic growth in passenger and cargo traffic in Africa, when completed. He assured that necessary facilities and infrastructure would be available at the five airports to ensure it attained global
standards. The International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, the global industry regulator, had prescribed conditions for achieving a hub status for any airport. Part of the criteria include state-of-the-art airport and air navigation facilities, adequate fire cover, airport safety and security, perimeter fencing, airport certification, transit facilities as well as accelerated passenger facilitation. However, none of the country’s airports has met ICAO requirements for the hub status. Towards this end, an
aggressive programme targeted at improving safety and security procedures at airports, as well as massive facility and infrastructure upgrade was required. The statement also quoted Panama’s President, Mr. Juan Rodriguez, as highlighting the importance of aviation which contributed significantly to Panama’s Gross Domestic Product. Mr. Hector Navarrette, Chairman, ACI World, while speaking on the theme “Airports: Shaping our future”, said ACI was working to ensure safety and security in all as-
pects of the airport business. Director-General of ACI World, Mrs. Angela Gittens, was quoted as saying that ACI was collaborating with ICAO to ensure that policy decisions were balanced among airports, airlines and air navigation service providers. Gittens noted that the council accounted for 590 regular members operating 1,850 airports in 77 countries. She said that ACI would promote the advancement of the collective interests of the world's airports and the
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Insecurity: We’ll sustain bombing of Boko Haram target –Presidency ...says there’s hope for Chibok girls OBIORA IFOH ABUJA
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residency yesterday said the Boko Haram has been degraded, lost central command and are now in splinters due to efforts of Nigerian troops under a new leadership. It, however, assured that the troops are being careful about certain locations so as not to harm the 219 Chibok girls taken hostage by the terrorist group. Speaking with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, against criticism that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has not done enough to put an end to insurgency as promised during the campaign in the last 100 days, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Sambissa forest is being degraded by the combined forces of air force and soldiers. He added that the bombings were being done in a careful manner to avoid certain locations of interest as far as the Chibok girls are concerned. According to the President’s spokesman, Sambisa forest is under observation 24 hours in case somebody decides to move those girls from point A to B and if there is any suspicious movement, there are drones, unmanned aircraft that fly around the place at night and during the day.
He said: “To be fair to President Buhari, did he ever say he would bring back the girls on the second day of his administration? “What he had always said was that we don’t even know where the girls are and that we need to go in there and get intelligence and the situation of things and then act. “Without meaning to endanger what is left of those girls, you know the Sambisa forest is being degraded right now. “In the last few days, you even saw the Chief of Army Staff leading the troops and I am aware that in the last few weeks, very interesting pictures have been shown to the President on the basis of which we will say to Nigerians, don’t lose hope on the Chibok girls. “I am not saying they have been found or have been seen. But it is not yet time for Nigerians to say we have lost them.” While reacting to the three months deadline given to the military to end Boko Haram insurgency in the country, Shehu said: “From my conversation with these commanders, what they are saying to themselves is that they are not going to wait for three months, but do their best to beat the target given by the President. “So, there is so much going on and I can assure you that the spirit
is very high. The Army Chief was there with the soldiers for about nine days. That is leadership because you see him leading the soldiers from the front. “If the Chief himself is there, who are you to
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residency has denied speculation that Aso Villa Chapel has been shut. It described the speculation, which had been trending on social media, as the handiwork of mischief makers. The Presidency shared photos from the church service to back up its claim. Acting Chaplain, Pastor Joseph Sheyi Malomo, while speaking with State House Correspondents after church service yesterday, admitted that though
there were some procedural issues last Sunday that needed to be sorted out, the presidency at no time ordered closure of the chapel. The cleric appealed to Nigerians to ignore the rumour and focus on issues that would unite the country. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was not in attendance at the service. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight over the decision of the Emir and people of Daura to honour him with a reception.
cause they don’t want to go down alone. So, they are looking for very soft targets such as churches, mosques, markets. “The air force is clearing this place for the ground troops to move in. They are looking for
bomb making structures and moving convoy of these insurgents. “But they are being careful about certain locations with the hope not to harm these Chibok girls in case they are in those locations.”
L-R: Celebrant/General Overseer, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo; his wife, Bishop Peace; Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and former Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde, during the 70th Birthday Special Thanksgiving Service of Bishop Mike Okonkwo at TREM Headquarters, Gbagada, yesterday.
NAF, Navy begin joint operations to forestall militancy in Niger Delta UBONG UKPONG ABUJA
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igerian Air Force, NAF, and the Navy have commenced proactive approach to forestall resurgence of militancy and other criminal activities on the waterways in the Niger Delta. In a statement yesterday through its Director of Public Relations and
Presidency denies closure of Aso Villa Chapel ROTIMI FADEYI
drop your gun? A lot is happening and Boko Haram has been degraded, they have lost central command and are now in splinters. “What you have now is bits and pieces carrying out distractive action be-
A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said Buhari also expressed delight with the abundant rainfall in the country. Buhari said with the positive development, the specter of agrarian distress was fast disappearing; giving rise to hope that hunger would not rear its ugly head this year. According to the president, the development would be a sharp turnaround in the fortunes of rural communities.
Information, DOPRI, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, NAF said it has already commenced a joint operation with the Navy to this effect. There have been rumours of plots for resurgence of militancy activities in the creeks and waterways, which could further threaten the security of the nation in view of ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. However, Alonge said in spite of the air force’s prominent involvement in the ongoing war, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has warned that NAF had the capacity to face any threat in the Niger Delta. The DOPRI stated that in a joint effort to combat illegal activities along Nigerian waterways, the two services have re-strategised during a recent joint maritime operation codenamed “Operation Saukan Mikiya”. “The illegal activities, which include crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism that often result in environmental pollution, loss of lives/property and
huge losses in accruable revenue to the Federal Government of Nigeria would soon become a thing of the past. “The two days operation was held on 3-4 September around Port Harcourt, Brass River, Bonny River and seawards up to the Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ,” he said. During the exercise, Alonge disclosed that the navy deployed some patrol boats along the creeks of Bonny and Brass Rivers. He said NNS Centenary and NNS Okpabanna were also positioned at the entry points into the rivers respectively to monitor and block suspicious vessels within the creeks and the high sea. Equally, he said, the air force, using its ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was tasked to locate suspicious vessels within the creeks and high sea as well as to report positions, names and other details to NNS Okpabanna, which was the air control ship for the exercise. “The overall objective of the exercise was to enhance the security of Nigerian coastal resources
and offshore interests by assessing the capabilities of the NAF and NN in terms of monitoring and apprehending erring vessels which are essential components of maritime security. “At the successful completion of the exercise, the much needed synergy between the NAF and NN was achieved as visual contact and communications were established with NNS Okpabana and NNS Centenary. “The NAF ATR 42 also monitored from the coast into the sea and using Aeronautical Information System (AIS) to view into high sea up to EEZ. “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar has also used the occasion to assure Nigerians that despite the serious involvement of the Nigerian Air Force in the war against insurgency in the NorthEast, all necessary support to stamp out illegal activities along the Nigerian water ways by the Nigerian Navy would be given as the need arises,” the NAF spokesman stated.
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National News
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Shipping institute seeks aid on infrastructure
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L-R: Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Adeleke University, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke; former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Salihu Modibo Alfa Belgore, who was conferred with Honorary Dr of Law of Jurisprudence; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was conferred with Honorary Dr. of Political Science and Diplomacy, during the maiden convocation for conferment of first degrees, award of prize and honorary degrees, at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, yesterday.
Buhari meets Mahama on regional security Rotimi Fadeyi, ABUJA
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resident Muhammadu Buhari will today undertake a one-day official visit to Accra, capital of Ghana. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser
to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said during the visit Buhari would confer with his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama, on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and other issues of common inter-
est to Nigeria, Ghana and other members of the Economic Community of West African States. The president is also expected to meet with the Nigerian community in Ghana and entrepreneurs before returning to Abuja.
He would be accompanied to Accra by National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Industry, Trade and Investment.
and spread across all sectors in the country. “Nigerians are again able to hold their heads high across countries of the world where they sojourn because the stigma
of ranking as among the most corrupt nations of the world is waning in the wake of President Buhari’s stance against graft,” it said. It further noted that
there was need for continuity in agencies that are working, while holistic reviews should be the priority for agencies that have shown persistent stagnancy.
Diaspora Nigerians hail Buhari on anti-graft campaign Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA
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igerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, DMG, have thrown their weight behind the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the new attitude towards accountability is already paying off in the way Nigerians are treated outside the shores of the country. The group also hailed the gains made by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, under the leadership of Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, in what it described as “intensive efforts to strengthen one of the most crucial sectors to humans worldwide.” An electronic statement signed on behalf of the group by Engr David Onmeje, described the fight against corruption by Buhari’s administration as laudable, noting that it must be sustained
ector of Certified Institute of Shipping, CIS, Prof. Alex Okwuashi, has urged the Federal Government to assist the institute with funds for infrastructure development. Okwuashi, who made the plea yesterday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said the school was strategic to the development of the nation’s maritime industry. The professor of maritime administration called on both the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Transport to assist the institute in obtaining relevant licences and accreditation. He said: “The facilities we have here are not even available in some universities, yet we are not considered in the scheme of things. “Some maritime parastatals keep sending people abroad for training, whereas this opportunity is available here,’’ Okwuashi said. According to him, assets of the school are running into billions of naira. “The institute was established 15 years ago but moved to the permanent site at Magbon, near Badagry in 2011,’’ he said. The rector added that the institute had 500 students training in Shipping Management, Marine Engineering, Security Management and Technology, as well as Transport and Logistics. He said management of the institute relied on the little tuition fees collected from students and donations from well-meaning Nigerians to run the place. “We have many profes-
FG to implement changes in Foreign Service delivery
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ederal Government said it has concluded plans to implement changes in delivery of its foreign services to promote efficiency of the country’s foreign policy. This formed part of recommendations at the end of a retreat on assessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy delivery capability held at Saminaka Holiday Resort in Kaduna State. The retreat, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, came up with recommendations aimed at reviewing Nigeria’s foreign policy. The recommendations read by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Bulus Lolo, said the retreat was an opportunity to chart new directions
in Nigeria’s engagement with the rest of the world. Lolo said the retreat was also an opportunity to assess areas to be taken into consideration by the Federal Government in the review of the country’s foreign policy. “Highpoint of the retreat was identification of the strengths, achievements, gaps and weakness in the conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy over the years. “During our deliberations, we examined the administration of Nigeria’s Foreign Service with a view to enhancing its delivery capability, effectiveness and efficiency. “In this regard, the retreat underscored the need to project to the glob-
al community the domestic agenda of the administration, especially with priorities such as anticorruption, security, employment creation, among others. “The recommendations of the retreat as may be approved by government intend to inform the possible review of our foreign policy to advance our national vital interest.’’ The meeting also assessed the foreign policy with a view to integrating priorities in the continent and globally and also calls for a paradigm shift in the policy orientation. “In this connection, the retreat identified the new issues with a need to tailor our agenda in response to these in particular issues
of terrorism, climate change, cyber crime and for us in Nigeria, the challenge of Boko Haram. “All of these were well articulated and views profiled on how best to respond to them.’’ The retreat called for the commitment of Nigerians, attitudinal change and reorientation on the path of Nigerian diplomats, in shaping the delivery of its foreign policy delivery. Lolo charged the diplomats to embrace change and to be more professional and cost-effective in ``the utilisation of increasingly scarce material and human resources while committed to do more with less’’. The permanent secre-
sionals who have made sacrifices to support teaching and learning process in the institution, but we still need more hands to train the students. “We have acquired a place in Badagry where we would build our seatraining centre. We will construct jetty and there would be safety and survival trainings,’’ Okwuashi said. He said the management of the institute had plans to go into discussion with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade the institute to a university. According to him, the infrastructure on ground is adequate to upgrade the institute to a university. The rector said nearly all the courses offered by the institute were accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). He said the management of the institute wanted NBTE to accredit the Higher National Diploma in Shipping Management The rector said this would enable the students offering the course to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Okwuashi projected that in the next five years, Nigeria would need about 300 to 400 marine engineers and about 100 naval architects would be needed in the next five years. He said that if Nigeria would effectively implement Cabotage, 500 skilled manpower (artificers) would be needed in ship building, ship design, ship maintenance, repair and welding. ``We cannot actualise Cabotage and capacity building in maritime infrastructure without the skilled manpower (artificers) mentioned earlier. ``Unfortunately, only one institution in Nigeria, the Naval Engineering College, Sapele, trains artificers. ``If we are to actualise the Build, Crew and Maintenance enshrined in the Cabotage Act, we need more institutions to join in the training this category of persons. ``Nigeria, as you know today, do not have our own built vessels because of the absence of this strategic manpower (artificers), he said. The rector noted that the institute had procured a lot of engineering tools and machinery to support the process of training young engineers to help in building capacity needed for the growth of the maritime sector.
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Lagos to impound trailers in daytime Francis Suberu
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agos State government has restated its determination to ensure strict enforcement of the Road Traffic Law 2012, restricting trucks and other articulated vehicles from plying the metropolis between 6am and 9 pm. The government warned that any trailer that contravenes the law would be impounded. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, who said this on the backdrop of the fatal accident involving a container-laden trailer on September 2, said the trailer contravened Section 2 (i) and 2 (ii) of the Traffic Law. To this end, Whenu said the state government will henceforth go tough on articulated vehicles that contravene the law and made to pay the stipulated fine accordingly. Meanwhile, leaders of various transport unions and associations in the state at the weekend rose from a meeting with officials of the state government with a resolve to support the new directive introduced in apprehending traffic offenders.
Whenu at the meeting clarified the state government’s position on the new directive, saying LASTMA officials have not been withdrawn from performing their statutory responsibilities on the roads. He said the new directive would pay more emphasis on flawless flow of traffic, while traffic offenders will now be booked and expected to pay their fines within the stipulated period. He solicited the co-operation and support of all transport operators in ensuring the success of the initiative. He also urged the unions to warn their members not to see the new policy as a sign of weakness by attacking LASTMA or any other enforcement agents, as this would be sanctioned in accordance with relevant provisions of the law. Responding, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, who spoke on behalf of other union leaders, welcomed the new initiative just as he pledged the support of their members in co-operating with the state government in maintaining law and order and sanity in the transport sector.
Fake DSS operative bags 4-year jail term Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO
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n Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced one Aladegolu Victor to four years jail for parading himself as operative of the Department of State Service, DSS. The convict at the time of arrest in Ile Ife, during the last governorship poll, wore a shirt resembling that of police and DSS officers and conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace. The accused was later found to be a hoodlum with fake police and DSS uniforms and with intention to cause confusion in the state during the election. Aladegolu, according to the charge sheet, was charged to court immediately after the poll by the police and the Ministry of Justice was directed to take over the case.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the accused sought to change his plea, after the prosecutor, Mr. Biodun Badiora, changed the earlier charge of two count offences of conspiracy and impersonation against him Badiora substituted the previous charge with a new 5-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, wearing of shirt resembling those of men of police or DSS uniform, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and contempt of police or DSS uniform, contrary to section 516, 108(1) 109(b), 249(I) (d), 251 respectively of criminal code law cap 34, laws of Osun State 2002. Aladegolu pleaded guilty to all the five count and after presentation of facts and subsequent, Magistrate Aluko sentenced him to 3 years for the first two counts, 1 year for the third count and 1 month for the 4 and 5 counts.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr. Folashade-Esan (left) and Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, during a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja, at the weekend.
Ekiti proposes life jail for kidnappers …reviews councils’ tenure
Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI
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idnappers in Ekiti State now risk life jail, courtesy of a new law proposed by the state government. That was part of resolutions arrived at during a State Executive Council meeting presided over by Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola. Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, told journalists in Ado Ekiti at the weekend that the proposed law would help stem the tide of abductions and kidnappings that rocked the state few
months ago. Ajayi said properties used by the criminals to perpetrate kidnapping or abduction would be confiscated by the state government. He said the state government considered kidnapping as a serious social menace, which must be discouraged and curtailed with stern penalty that would check perpetrators and their collaborators. The commissioner disclosed that government had also decided to review the tenure of elected officials at the local governments from three to two years to enhance more ef-
fective participatory governance at the grassroots. According to Ajayi, the council also considered establishment of the Office of Public Defenders, OPD, to enable indigents with criminal cases have access to fair hearing by providing legal representation for them. He added that the bills on the three subject matters had been prepared and would be sent to the state House of Assembly for deliberation and passage into laws. Also speaking, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kola Kolade, said
the Council also approved the selection of Prince Ajayi Oluwasesan Omolagba of Odanaogun Ruling House as the new Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti, which had been vacant since October 2012. He said approval was also given to the selection of Prince Adetiba Jimoh Oluwagbemiga of Ogbalegbojuotupe Ruling House to occupy the stool of Ajagun of Ilumoba-Ekiti, which had been vacant since July 2009. According to Kolade, all necessary traditional and legal rules and procedures were critically considered and followed before the approval.
with government agreed that workers’ salary should be cut in view of the dwindling resources of the state. But state Chairman of NLC, Mr. Waheed Olojede, while speaking with journalists, described the governor’s claim as false. While expressing surprise over the claim, he said there was never any such meeting with the governor where the issue of salary cut was placed on the table. He warned the government to desist from any step that would cause disaffection between workers and government, wonder-
ing how labour in the state would descend so low to enter into agreement with the governor for salary cut, at a time when NLC national leadership, is already agitating for salary review in the country. He said: “The governor of Oyo State appeared on a radio programme and there he informed the public that he held a meeting with labour leaders and that we have agreed on salary cut because of the current economic situation and the dwindling resources of the state. “And the message got to us as a very big surprise
because at no time did labour held a meeting to negotiate with government over workers’ salary cut. “It is true we held a meeting with government on Monday, but the meeting was called to discuss the issue of bail-out which the Federal Government has released to Oyo state.” The NLC boss explained that the agenda for the Monday meeting which was attended by the governor himself, the Head of Service, and a host of other officials, was based on how soon the arrears of workers’ salary would be cleared after the release of the bailout package.
Oyo NLC refutes Ajimobi’s salary cut claim
Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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orkers in Oyo State under the umbrella of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday vowed to kick against any move by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to cut their salaries, saying they would employ all available means to resist the government if it dares to do so. The governor had at the weekend, while appearing on a private radio station programme in Ibadan, said the labour leaders in the state during a meeting
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NMA wants Buhari to intervene in health sector
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agos State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to look into trade disputes in the health sector. Chairman of the association, Dr Tope Ojo, made the plea at a news conference in Lagos yesterday. “It is disheartening to note that agreements reached with the Federal Government that led to suspension of the 2014 NMA general strike remain largely unresolved. “This inconsistency and default from agreements by government, more often than not, remains one major reason for incessant strikes in all sectors. “A recent strike embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors within the second and third quarter of this year is as a result of government failing to implement agreements reached after the strike in 2014. “We therefore, want to appeal to the president to holistically look at these issues with all sense and sincerity and purpose to ensure a lasting solution,” he said. He said the current state of the health sector remained poor with falling standards of education, including medical education, lack of modern
equipment coupled with a poorly motivated and highly unspecialised manpower. According to him, lack of political will to develop the sector has led to increase of many people, including political office holders, to travel abroad for medical treatment. “We therefore urge the president to direct all political office holders to henceforth seek medical attention in Nigeria and ban them from overseas medical treatment. “This will be taken as the first signal of seriousness of this regime to reform the health sector,” the chairman said. Ojo said the high level of youth unemployment had led to an increased level of crime and other social vices experienced in the country. He urged the government to regulate tertiary education better in order to achieve world standards and also make education available to the poorest Nigerian from primary to tertiary level. “The current anticorruption stand of the president is extremely commendable as this represents the key to building a stable economy. “We believe that this agenda should be pursued relentlessly and all culpable public office holders should be punished appropriately,” he said.
L-R: Former multi District 404 Governor, Lion Jaiye Balogun; Lions International Director, Lion HOB Lawal; newly installed District 404B-2 Governor, Lion Dr. Funke Adebajo, District 404B-2 Cabinet Executive, Lion Chief Stella Agbogun, Past 404B District Governors, Lion Dr. Adesokan, Lion Dr. Ola Griffin; Past Lion 404A District Governor, Lion Ola Oyekanmi and BOT member, Lion Dr. Teslim Sanusi, during the presentation of Lion Adebajo as new District 404B-2 Governor in Lagos.
NCAA denies interviewing new employees without approval igerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday denied claim by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, that it interviewed prospective employees without ministerial approval. The regulatory agency also clarified issues arising from non-payment of salaries to over 100 staff initially suspended and later recalled by the Min-
istry of Aviation. Director General, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, said in a statement that the allegation of interviewing staff in Abuja without required approval from the leading union was far from the truth. Usman insisted that before the interview, he sought and obtained ministerial approval for renewal of contracts for 45 Aviation Safety Inspectors, ASI, whose contracts had expired. NUATE had last week accused the management
rowly escaped mob attack. “The traders resorted to carrying all forms of weapons at the instigation of a market leader, who admitted being the importer of unregistered vegetable oil from Cotonou into Nigeria,” the statement said, adding that at Sango market in Ogun State, where NAFDAC officials were also assaulted by market union members, six shops were sealed and one staff of the Agency was manhandled. “At Alabarago Market in Ojo LGA, where the team forced open a warehouse stocked with fake products after the owners absconded on sighting NAFDAC’s officials, one of the mobile policemen attached to the team was attacked and almost lost his gun to the mob in the process. “The Agency regretted that the exercise was
marred by pockets of violence. “The Agency stormed the markets following intelligence reports over illegal importation and indiscriminate circulation of unregistered vegetable oil in Nigerian markets,” the statement read in part. The agency also expressed surprise on the shocking discovery of unhygienic warehouses right inside the markets, noting that consuming vegetable oil refilled in such a dirty environment would not only expose consumers to infections but could lead to untimely deaths. The statement warned the public that by NAFDAC definition, any regulated product not registered is considered as fake because such products have not been tested or certified fit for human consumption.
Olusegun Koiki
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Hoodlums attack NAFDAC officials in Lagos, Ogun
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fficials of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and mobile policemen attached to its enforcement directorate were been attacked by traders and touts in Lagos and Ogun states. This was contained in a statement signed by Public Relations Officer, Enforcement Operations of the agency, Mr. Anslem Okonkwor. It said the attacked enforcement teams of the agency were on a nationwide raid for fake, unregistered, counterfeit and suspected contaminated vegetable oil in major markets and distribution channels in the states. “The traders and touts swooped on them, seized some of the products already evacuated by the teams and beat up one of
the Agency’s staff identified as Miss Evelyn Chiemeke. “The exercise, which was almost successful, turned rowdy when members of the union at markets trooped out in with the help of ‘area boys’, preventing the enforcement team from evacuating offending MOI Vegetable oil and other products already seized from the markets. “From Mile 12 to Ikorodu, Sango Ota, Alaba-arago in Ojo, Boundary market in Ajegunle, Suru Alaba and Oke-Arin markets, there were attacks despite the presence of armed mobile policemen attached to the teams. “At the Ikorodu market, where four shops were sealed, 438 gallons of fake vegetable oil valued at N6,576,000, and two traders arrested, the officials nar-
of NCAA of interviewing 100 new employees in the past two weeks in Abuja without the required ministerial approval, while over 100 employees, who were recalled by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, were working without salaries for eight months. NUATE had petitioned Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello. Usman emphasised that the interview of the 45 ASI was expedient to ensure the regulatory authority was adequately staffed and well-armed to provide robust safety oversight as statutorily required. He added that the same ministerial approval was granted him to proactively beef up staff strength in some critical areas in the authority. He mentioned the areas as medical assessors, engineers, Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, and additional Aviation Safety Inspectors, ASI, – all totalling 33. He recalled that during Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, recertification and the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, audits, part of the Open Items was prerequisite technical manpower. He said there was an impending ICAO Univer-
sal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP, in November, 2015. The director general also clarified issues arising from non-payment of salaries of the staff that were recalled and the outstanding ones yet to be recalled. According to him, 113 applicants were employed before he assumed office. However, due to impropriety of the employment, the minister directed that they should be relieved of their appointments. He explained that after ceaseless agitations and representations, the decision was rescinded and they were recalled. He noted that at the process of documentation, it was discovered that there were irregularities and proper procedure was not adhered to in which the ministry gave approval for a fresh interview for those who were not properly interviewed. He explained that after the exercise, those successful were recalled and have since commenced drawing salary from the authority, while 47 others were yet to be regularised. He reiterated that NCAA was preparing adequately for the forthcoming USOAP Audit and all hands must be on deck to ensure its success.
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News
Monday, September 7, 2015
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A’Ibom invasion: APC crossed the line –PDP
Obiora Ifoh Abuja
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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it will no longer stomach the continued unlawful use of state apparatus of power by the APC-led Federal Government to harass its elected officials across the country. The party said the APC government last Friday crossed the line in unleashing the Department of State Services, DSS, now under the direct command of Lawal Daura, to invade and occupy Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, in
violation of its constitutional immunity. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday, cautioned that the invasion and other flagrant abuse of power by the APC Federal Government are clear recipes for constitutional crisis, civil unrest and avoidable anarchy in the land, and called on Nigerians and the international community to take copious note of this. The party said its investigations showed that DSS acted on the express orders of the presidency in the APC government’s desperate bid
to destabilise and forcefully take over Akwa Ibom and other PDP states. “We have information that DSS, acting on instructions of the presidency, occupied Akwa Ibom State Government House, ransacking guest houses for no just cause. “If such terror can be unleashed on a state government, one can only imagine the fate of regular citizens in the hands of this administration that has continued to show unparalleled disdain for constitutional order, with heinous penchant for oppression.
“We have also been made aware of plans by the APC government to stage similar invasions and unlawful assaults on other PDP states, including Rivers, Delta, Abia and Taraba, where electoral officers are already being hounded and harassed by DSS, which is also directly interfering in the activities of election tribunals in furtherance of APC’s desperation to take over these states. “The PDP recalls similar action by the APC-controlled police, which in July sealed local councils in Rivers State and barred caretaker committees lawfully appointed
by the state government from taking charge of the councils. “We wish to restate that PDP lost a general election and not a war. PDP states are not occupied territories but part of the Nigerian nation; its members are not prisoners of war, but free citizens in a democratic state. “We invite Nigerians and the international community to note that never in the history of our democracy have we witnessed such a divisive government, whose actions and constitutional violations have so polarised
Bello blames Aliyu for not employing CRK teachers Priscilla Dennis Minna
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L-R: Convener, old Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) law class of 1989, Prof. Gab Agu; Enugu State Commissioners for Water Resources, Chief Chibueze Egumgbe; Justice, Mr. Miletus Eze and Commerce, Chief Sam OgbuNwobodo, during a reception for commissioners by ASUTECH law class of 1989 in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja
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resident Muhammadu Buhari has commended Bishop Mike Okonkwo’s life-long commitment to the service of God and humanity. In a congratulatory letter to the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical
Buhari hails Okonkwo at 70
Mission, TREM, on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary, Buhari praised the cleric’s tireless dedication to his duty as spiritual shepherd of many Nigerians and non-Nigerians. The President through a statement issued by his Spe-
cial Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said, “It gives me immense joy to felicitate with you as you clock the landmark age of 70 years. “More than four decades of these 70 years have been dedicated to the work of God
as a pastor and preacher. “Our prayer is that God will give you longer life, strength and ability to serve Him for many more years.” The President wished the Bishop, members of his family and TREM happy celebrations.
Imo NUT boss seeks increased subvention for schools
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hairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Imo State chapter, Napoleon Aniche, has appealed to the state government to increase subventions for public schools in the state for efficient performance. Aniche, who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Owerri, said the subventions currently given to school were inadequate. He said because of the
free education programme of the present administration in the state, school enrolment had increased tremendously. The NUT chairman said because of this, the amount given to head teachers and principals was no longer enough to run the schools. “The amount given is no longer enough for local transport fares, provision of chalk, writing materials, organisation of inter-house sports competitions, hiring of vehicles for excursion
and other activities. “These are important assignments that must be undertaken for effective management of schools and the funds are not enough,” he said. According to him, school heads and principals in the state are now compelled to spend their personal resources to run schools. He also stressed the need for improvement of the school infrastructure. Aniche said that ``edu-
cation is very dynamic if you have 30 students in a class this year, the number may increase to 40 next year and this requires that you upgrade the facilities. “Imo has a total of 764 primary schools and 312 secondary schools and because of the free education policy of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration, the enrolment has increased astronomically. “This means that more funds have to be invested in the sector.”
the polity along its fault lines, while undermining national unity and cohesion, a development that spells doom for our democracy, if left unchecked. “Finally, we wish to state categorically that as citizens of this country, we can no longer continue to stomach such brazen attacks on our members and elected officials. The PDP will therefore hold several leadership and stakeholders meetings to come up with its response to this barefaced assault on our democracy. Enough is enough.”
iger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has blamed his predecessor, Dr. Mu'azu Aliyu, for non-employment of Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, teachers for public schools in the state. Bello, who spoke through Chief Special Adviser, Political, Mr. Solomon Nyaze, on Sunday at the Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service of the Diocese of Minna, noted that the moral development of every child is tied to religious bodies. He assured that he would ensure employment of CRK teachers in public schools in the state, and admonished religious leaders not to preach inciting messages that would threaten the peace of the state. “I am very much interested in the moral development of children of the state. Already, there are Islamic religious teachers, but something went wrong along the line. The past administration led by Governor Aliyu did not do the right thing. “I am going to put everything in the proper perspective to ensure there is moral development in the state." It should be recalled that at the tail end of the previous administration, Christians led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) requested severally for teachers of Christian Religious Studies in public schools since there are already Islamic Religious
teachers, but to no avail. Earlier in his message, Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Zaria, Dr. Ali Buba Lamido, urged the state government to expedite action in engaging the services of CRK teachers in the state for good moral upbringing of children. Lamido said: “Previous governments in the north did not give much opportunity in the teaching of CRK in schools especially in the far north. We do experience a situation where CRK is not being taught and it's not acknowledged in the curriculum of the schools. “It is only desirable that this is afforded a very good privilege where Christians will also be taught. We are talking of moral development, it can only come through the teachings of religion, and you have to balance it. “If you have Islamic teachers, you must have Christian teachers. It is advisable that government employs CRK teachers because the subject is part and parcel of the School Certificate Examinations." Also, Chairman of the Anniversary Committee, Mr. Abraham Yisa called on government to take advantage of the change it preaches and employ more CRK teachers in the public schools. He said teaching CRK would go a long way in bringing about the much desired change in the society, as it will boost the government’s efforts in addressing some of the challenges faced in various sectors of the economy.
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Don't spare any looter, ex-PFN boss tells Buhari Dennis Naku
Port Harcourt
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resident Muhammadu Buhari's fight against corruption received yet another boost yesterday with a charge not to spare anyone found culpable, irrespective of the individual's status or ethnicity. Former chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rivers State chapter, Apostle Eugene Ogu, gave the charge in a chat with newsmen on Sunday in Port Harcourt. Ogu, who is founder of Abundant Life Evangel Mission, ALEM, traced the multiple problems confronting the country to “a high degree of evil” perpetrated by her leaders in the past. He said, "It will be improper for me or anyone to ask Buhari to probe anyone in particular as this will demonize or politicise the whole idea of any kind of probe. "The wickedness and evil perpetrated against the people of this country can better be imagined than seen. “If we all as Nigerians know what corruption of public officers and leaders has brought to the people of this great country, we will all unite in one spirit to ignore these politicians and all beneficiaries of their loots and stand behind the President all the way not just to probe but ensure proper and adequate punishment for all lev-
Dennis Naku
Port Harcourt
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igerian Navy said it has begun mopping up of several newly discovered illegal refineries in Rivers State. This is as the Navy added that these illegal refineries have the combined capacity to produce “thousands of petroleum products daily.” Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, disclosed this shortly after taking newsmen on aerial and land surveillance of the newly discovered modular refineries in Rivers on Sunday. During the surveillance, several illegal refineries hidden under tick shed of Mangrove forest were sighted with the en-
South South
Monday, September 7, 2015
el and form of corruption," the cleric said. Ogu, who is also president, Hope of World Outreach, wondered at the rate corruption has eaten deep into the life of the country. “Go across the width and breadth of this country from the education sector to road, sea and air, power, telecom, police, immigration, customs, navy and our revered army wearing the ugly face of corruption worn on them by our leaders. “Go to all the tertiary institutions and see for yourself what corruption has brought to our youths the future leaders of this country. Go to our villages and cities and see for yourself what corruption has turned most Nigerians to, it has so badly affected and diseased our way and manner of thinking, dressing, speaking, seeing and sense of judgment so badly that evil and evil men are now celebrated and enthroned in our very eyes. “Those who murdered our police and other security agencies are guided and escorted by the same police. Those who are publicly known even in our various communities as murderers, rapists who corruptly abandoned various projects running into millions and billions awarded to provide social amenities for the common man are now kings and princess even as political leaders today in our country.
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Olu’s death: Palace chapel shut Theophilus Onojeghen Warri
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s anxiety continues to mount in Warri, Delta State, over alleged death of Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, worshippers attending Four Square Gospel Church, which serves as palace chapel, were yesterday morning asked to return home as regular Sunday service at the palace has been put on hold till further notice. National Mirror learnt that the door of the
Ogiame Atuwatse,Olu of Warri
church was shut, while worshippers were turned back by palace security guard at the main entrance gate to the palace. The death of the mon-
arch is yet to be confirmed by any authority in Itsekiri nation. No reason was given by the palace guards for the directive. But impeccable sources told our correspondent under condition of anonymity that it was a directive from the council of chiefs as preparations gear towards the burial rite for the monarch. He was reported to have died in a private hospital in Lagos on Friday morning after his state of health deteriorated early last week.
The monarch, who ascended the throne over 28 years ago, has been living with partial stroke for many years now. Many worshippers refused to speak with newsmen despite several advances from journalists. It was also observed that there was general quiet within adjoining streets leading to the palace. Many bar spots within the vicinity were seen under lock and key. It was further learnt that his death would not be announced until burial rites were concluded by the kingdom.
Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (with black hat), dancing with others in a traditional war canoe, during his visit to BolouOrua community, Sagbama LGA, as part of activities leading to his formal declaration for 2nd term in office as governor
Navy begins mop-up of illegal refineries in Rivers
…destroys 145,000 litres of crude vironment heavily polluted. Mohammed said the mop up exercise was to put an end to the colossal damage done to the environment by activities of oil thieves, who through acts of sabotage destroy pipelines to obtain crude oil illegally. According to him, “the mop up ordered by Chief of Naval Staff, ViceAdmiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, is part of a series of operations lined up to end incessant crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the state. “During our aerial surveillance recently several new illegal refin-
eries were sighted with their positions in Latitude and Longitude obtained, prompting troops mobilisation. “In the course of our operation today (Sunday), an illegal refinery with 15 storage metallic tanks loaded with 145,000 litres of stolen crude oil was set ablaze in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers,” Mohammed said. Represented by the Pathfiner’s Base Operation Officer, Commander Chidi Ejiofor, he said that more than 50,000 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in ten cooking tanks were also de-
stroyed. He said that a metallic badge and dump which had capacity to store thousands of petroleum products was also destroyed during the raid. The Commander said that operators of the illegal refinery who numbered well over 20 fled the scene on sighting navy troops. “Ironically, while setting the refinery ablaze, four out of the fleeing oil thieves came back and offered us a bribe of N600,000 to leave the refinery. “The four suspects were subsequently arrested and would be handed
over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and prosecution,” he said. Mohammed maintained that despite renewed efforts by the naval high command to stop oil theft that sensitisation was key to ending the menace, rather than destruction alone. According to him, there are about 33,000 creeks in the Niger Delta which NNS Pathfinder was saddled with responsibility for more than 1,000 of the creeks and waterways. “It is difficult to maintain 24 hours presence in all of these creeks and oil
facilities especially having in mind the shallowness of some of the creeks which made it near impossible to patrol. “So, sensitisation and government partnership with communities will greatly help put to stop attacks on oil and gas installations which not only affect everyone but degrade the environment,” he said. The navy chief said despite challenges faced, the mop-up operation would continue until all newly discovered illegal refineries are completely destroyed and their operators arrested and prosecuted.
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North
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Middle Belt group protests leadership crisis in IPAC Chidi Ugwu, ABUJA
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iddle Belt Progressive Assembly, MBPA, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of unnecessarily interfering with the affairs of the InterParty Advisory Council, IPAC, which, according to it, led to the current leadership crisis tearing the agency apart. The MBPA in a statement issued by the coordinator, Arch. Pam Dung, and general secretary, Jimoh Usman, respectively, in Abuja, said the Acting Chairman of INEC, Amina Zakari, was responsible for the crisis in the agency. The group accused Zakari of wrongly inaugurating the factional executive of IPAC, led by Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, against the popular wishes of majority of members as reflected in the bye-election, where the national chairman of Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA, Chief Peter, emerged winner. According to Dung, “Chief Ameh was elected by 16 political parties and was subsequently inaugurated by the then outgoing chairman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, as required by
IPAC constitution.” He said Tanko had subsequently handed over the mantle of leadership to Ameh in the presence of the media and other observers. Dung reasoned that the INEC Chairman clearly showed her bias attitude when she hurriedly sent out invitation for inauguration of other faction that did not participate in the bye-election as ordered by the Appeal panel as result of inconclusive earlier election. The group, which said IPAC is not a subsidiary of the electoral umpire, said it was wrong and a violation of democratic tenet for Zakari to have inaugurated the factional IPAC executive led by Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). He added that by inaugurating a factional body shortly about 11 hours after Ameh’s election vividly portrayed INEC as working against the wishess of the people. On where INEC drew authority to swear in Yusuf when it is the responsibility of IPAC outgoing chairman and its executives to hand over to the incoming executives, as in the case of Ameh, described the action ‘ominous’.
Ishaku woos investors to Taraba Justin Tyopuusu, JALINGO
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araba State Governor Darius Ishaku said he has started wooing investors to invest and explore the agricultural, mineral and tourism potential of the state. Ishaku gave the indication yesterday in Takum shortly after a thanksgiving service to mark his first 100 days in office as third elected governor of the state. According to the governor, some intending investors to the state have already taken soil sample from the state and are running series of tests to determine their next line of action. He noted that his main challenge was unlocking air travel in the state for investors from America, United Kingdom, Israel and other countries to fly freely with their private jets, hold meetings with
the government and fly back without having to come to the state through Yola International Airport. Ishaku said he was working assiduously to complete the airport and by December this year, regular flight will commence at the airport. On boosting the internally generated revenue, IGR, the governor said he has blocked the revenue leakages of the state and constituted a task force on logging which has jack up the IGR of the state. He explained that the journey so far was challenging, especially with lack of funds, but that they would surmount the odds. “Despite lack of funds, we recorded giant strides in the first 100 days. We were able to restore peace in parts of the state, provide water in the state capital and bring hope of development to the people,” he said.
L-R: Chairperson of Oke-Ero LGA, Hajia Aminat Yusuf; New Oloota of Odo-Owa, Oba Joshua Oluwatoba Adeyemi and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed during the presentation of second Class Staff of Office to Olota of Odo Owa, in Odo-Owa, Oke-Ero LGA, at the weekend.
Flood kills nursing mother, 3 others in Mubi A nursing mother and her child were yesterday confirmed dead following a devastating flood that washed away houses and farmlands in Shuwari, Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Haruna Furo, who confirmed this, said the woman and her baby died when their house collapsed on them. Furo, who spoke shortly after assessing the level of damage, confirmed that two other children of between ages seven and 10
also died in Mubi South Local Government Area. He said they were found dead near a River in Mubi following the heavy downpour, adding that the agency had received a report of loss of four lives. “Two of the deaths were confirmed in Mubi North Local Government Area, while two others happened in Mubi South. “The deaths were as a result of last week’s heavy downpour that submerged many communities in the area,’’ Furo said. He said with the four reported death in Mubi brought the figure to five, stressing that one live was lost in Demsa Area before
now. Furo added that thousands of domestic animals died, while hundreds of thousand hectares of farm lands were submerged. He said the agency had donated relief materials to some of the victims, adding that the agency had contacted National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and few non-governmental organisations for assistance. Emir of Mubi, Isa Ahmadu, who received the SEMA team in his palace, decried the loss of lives and property to flooding, and appealed to Federal Government for aid.
He urged the concerned authorities to as a matter of urgency, divert the river to its normal channel to avoid recurrence. Member representing Mubi North in Adamawa House of Assembly, Sani Shehu, said over 50 houses were damaged by the flood. “About 20 houses were completely washed away by the flood, while part of Mubi’s graveyard in Shuwari has been destroyed,’’ Shehu said. He assured that the House Committee on Environment would bring the situation to the attention of the executive arm for immediate response.
Wole Adedeji,
vants in the state, excluding teachers. However, the government, speaking through Muideen Akorede, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Media and Communication to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, said there was no basis for the teachers to give government a notice of strike because, according to him, paying primary school teachers’ salaries is not the business of government. The governor’s spokesman had argued that it was the duty of Local Governments to pay this category of teachers, while the state pays those working with the TSC. He, however, said out of magnanimity his boss was intervening by negotiating a bailout loan of
N5 billion to help pay the salary arrears of these teachers as well as the local government workers. Puncturing Akorede’s position, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on a radio programme countered that the business of taking care of primary and Junior Secondary school teachers was a tripartite arrangement comprising the federal, state and local governments by an act of government since 1990. Leading the argument, PDP Publicity Secretary Rex Olawoye, said deductions were already made monthly at source from the Local Government statutory fund allocations for the salaries of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools. He
pointed out that the allocations had been coming to Kwara State Primary Education Board, SUBEB every month. PDP also argued that all officials of the SUSBEB were appointees of the state calling on the Board to come up with what might become of such allocations it had been collecting and yet refuse to pay the teachers. Meanwhile, National Mirror was told on Sunday that even the Senior Secondary School teachers might be planning to join their counterparts in primary and Junior Secondary schools in the strike in the event that government does not act positively by September 13, when the ultimatum expires.
Kwara govt, teachers on warpath over salaries ILORIN
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rimary and Junior Secondary school teachers in Kwara State may soon confront the state government over unpaid salaries. The state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, had last Thursday given the government a 14-day ultimatum to pay their three months salary arrears or face strike by the category of teachers even as schools resume today. NUT Chairman, Mallam Abubakar Musa, who announced the teachers’ strike notice, complained of his members’ exclusion from an announced two months salaries government is paying civil ser-
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
13
Politics
Katsina: Masari’s 100 days of probe JAMES DANJUMA writes that Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has spent his first 100 days in office, probing the activities of his predecessor in office, Ibrahim Shema and also churning out some far reaching policies to actually change the lives of Katsina people for the better.
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uch of what the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration in Katsina State has done in the last 100 days in office is to probe the immediate past administration of former Governor Ibrahim Shema, who ruled the state between 2007 and 2015, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The current state governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, , Aminu Bello Masari, had vowed to probe Shema’s administration due to alleged mismanagement of public funds during his eight-year tenure. More so, the state government had alleged inconsistencies and discrepancies in the handover notes it had received from the past administration. This resolve to investigate his predecessor led to the inauguration of 10 committees and sub committees to scrutinize past administration’s spending on projects, among other expenditures. Ministries like education, health, water resources, works, local government, among other sub departments and agencies had their cash flows scrutinised. Already, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are actively involved in the financial scrutiny. In addition, some of the committees were also assigned responsibility of gathering data on key sectors that would help the new administration make appropriate plans for its transformation agenda. The findings of the committees are scheduled to be presented to stakeholders and people of the state on September 5, when the administration would be marking its 100 days in office. The intention is for the people of the state to know how their money was spent during past administration. But the event, it was learnt, may not hold on that day and could be postponed into the following week due to reported schedule by President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the state. However, the state administration had within its first 100 days, been able to secure a N2 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for distribution to youths and women among other beneficiaries. The loan, which was approved by the state House of Assembly some weeks ago, was aimed at boosting small and medium scale businesses. Also within its 100 days in office, the state government had ordered public office holders to move their children from private schools to public schools. The measure, according to the state government, is to help restore the lost glory of public schools and improve teaching-learning process and in such schools. Part of the plan to transform the primary schools
Masari
Within its 100 days in office, the state government had ordered public office holders to move their children from private schools to public schools had led to an interactive session by the state governor with headmasters a few days ago. During the session, the headmasters had raised issues bedeviling the primary schools, which topmost was the welfare of teachers among other issues. Masari had assured that the issues raised would be looked into, adding that other sectors of the economy
would also be critically looked into to know how best to tackle challenges facing the teachers. Also, few weeks ago, the governor launched sales of subsidised fertiliser to farmers for the year’s farming season. A bag of the product which costs about N5,000 in the open market, was sold to farmers at a little over N1,500. Most of the people in the state, approximately 70 percent of them who are farmers, may not be able to buy the fertilisers for their farmlands in the open market. Within the last 100 days, the state government had assisted victims affected by floods in some parts of the state with relief materials running into millions of naira. There are indications that the state government may have begun clearing of structures on water ways in some of the affected areas to avoid re-occurrence of flood. The Masari-led APC administration in the state had also ensured a successful hajj operation in which N300 million was spent on accommodation for intending pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. More than 4,000 intending pilgrims are scheduled to perform the exercise from the state this year. There were however criticisms from the opposition, the PDP, that the current state government was out to witch-hunt and paint black the Shema-led administration. According to some of Katsina PDP members, and in particular its state chairman, Salisu Majigiri, the Masari-led administration has not done anything spectacular since coming to office on May 29. Rather, the PDP alleges that the APC was doing same things the PDP had done, and in some cases, doing less than expected in delivering democratic promises. There are also laments from some quarters that the state was yet to name commissioners to man the ministries, a situation that had helped in slowing down governance. As way forward, suggestions have been made that Masari should bring on-board people that would help him in governance, as well as address critical socioeconomic issues. They said the governor need rise to the occasion by making the next 100 days after September 5 better than what was obtained in the last three months.
100 days: Delta PRP knocks Buhari’s critics Amour Udemude ASABA
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elta State Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, has given severe knocks to those criticising President Muhammadu Buhari over his achievements in his 100 days in office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Reacting weekend in Asaba to the criticism of the President, Delta Srate PRP chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, in a statement stated that there is no constitutional basis to justify attacks by some Nigerians on “alleged non-performance of President Buhari in his 100 days in office in terms of execution of
projects and policies. We have carefully distilled the following critical issues to evaluate his actions.” Igbini said the President has clearly showed a new direction and commitment towards ensuring improvement in the nation’s security, which he has done with his decision to eliminate corruption and reported looting of funds approved for purchase of military equipment and allowances for officer and men of the security agencies. He said: “We commend his decision to reposition the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, towards production of military weapons for Nigerian security agencies rather than rely on other na-
tions for supply. However, we agree that the war against Boko Haram is still a major challenge that may take longer time to overcome. “While we commend his probe of alleged monumental looting of public funds, it is still very early to draw conclusion on President Buhari’s war on corruption as probing of past government is not enough basis to judge the commitment and success of this war by an incumbent government. “The most critical factor for assessing the commitment and success of this war should be on proven record of transparency and accountability of the incumbent government in the management of the resources and funds belong to our nation.”
14
Politics
Amour Udemude ASABA
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ormer chairman of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Pius Sinebe, has warned people of Delta Central to respect the unwritten political agreement reached so far on power rotation between among the three senatorial districts of the state, which had produced former governors James Ibori from Delta Central, Emmanuel Uduaghan from Delta South and current Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from Delta North. Sinebe, who gave the
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Ex-PDP chair to Delta Central: Respect agreement on power rotation warning while briefing the press weekend in Asaba, however, noted that the understanding on power rotation had been kicked against by some persons from Delta Central who had resorted to litigations each time a governor emerged on the platform of the PDP, even when their own son was the governor. He said the rich human and natural resources of the state needed oneness of
purpose to be harnessed for the benefit of the present and future generations of Deltans adding that Delta State has been described as a land of peace and promise, where unity and strength have been the driving forces of the people of the state. He said: “The trend is not good for peace and unity in the state and I want to appeal to the people of Delta Central to call those of them who did not be-
lieve in unity, irrespective of ethnic differences, to order, because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, community and opinion leaders, men, women and youths of Delta Central must rise against the detractors whose actions and inactions had tended to suggest that Delta Central could do without Delta South and North. “We need one another to
succeed, just as bickering along ethnic line will not augur well for Delta State of our dream. People of Delta Central should therefore not allow those who do not wish them well to set the stage for Delta South and North to unite against them when it comes to their turn to produce the governor.” Advising litigants and other politicians in the state to take a cue from former President Goodluck
Jonathan, who conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari for peace to reign, rather than waste time and resources on litigations, Sinibe thanked people of Delta State for their massive support for Okowa which culminated in his landslide victory at the April 11 gubernatorial polls, paying tribute to those who fought for equity among the three senatorial districts.
OPU calls for balance in political appointments Ayo Esan
O
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, with little baby, Divine Government, during a charity visit to the Children’s Home, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
Bauchi gov unveils 5-Points agenda in 100 days Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI
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pparently determined to provide adequate health services in the state and in line with his campaign promises, bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar has unveiled a five-point agenda to rejuvenate the health sector, which he described as an indispensable sector of the economy He made the remarks at the Government House on the occasion of the public launching of the agnda, saying that about N160 million has so far been released as counterpart funding for routine immunisation in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gate and Dangote Foundations. Similarly, he said N87 million has also been release for the procurement of essential drugs for all the existing hospitals in the state. In the same vein, Abubakar revealed that government had facilitated the ac-
creditation of Ningi School of Health Technology to Dental Health Training College, including Nursing and Midwifery The five-point agenda include: strengthening primary health care, access of mothers and children to reproductive health care, motivating front line health workers, improving funding of health sector and demand
creation through creating awareness and strategic communication. Abubakar stressed that within 100 days in office, All Progressives Congress, APC, administration had commissioned various projects as well as paid N160 million as counterpart funding to eradicate polio. Among his giant strides within 100 days, according
to the governor are resuscitation of patient feeding, fueling generating plants in all the hospitals, procurement of essential drugs worth N87 million. He therefore assured that his administration had since inception prioritised the health sector towards eradication of diseases through affordable health services delivery.
Buhari asset declaration vague –LP scribe Ayo Esan
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abour Party, LP, National S e c r e t a r y, P a r t y who is also the founder/chairman of Egalitarian Mission, Africa, Barr Kayode Ajulo, has said that the asset declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as presented by their media aides are apparently fraudulent, not only to hoodwink Nigerians but to further use same to cover
serial violations of their covenant with Nigerians. In a release made available to newsmen at weekend, Ajulo said the declaration must be done in prescribed forms with particulars to ensure clarity and certainty, saying what was declared by Buhari is “vague, in bad faith and totally unacceptable.” Ajulo said for the assets declaration to be complete, all particulars and full description of the asset has to be given for proper identification and verification. He said: “It is also in-
complete as the spouses of the two politicians did not declare theirs with their husbands; it is the law that where any spouse of the declarant is not a civil servant/ public servant, such spouse should make the declaration with the better half.” Urging the Buhari team to go one step further by making the assets truly public with sincerity of purpose; he said President Buhari would at least have fulfilled one of his campaign promises in a most decent and honest manner.
odua Progressive Union, OPU, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to balance political appointments in the interest of peace and unity of Nigeria, just as it also pleaded with him to ensure the implementation of the report of the National Conference. Rising from its Europe summit, held in Amsterdam, Holland, OPU said the only way to move Nigeria as a country forward, based on the structural imbalances that affect progress and which bring suspicion and lack of trust among various ethnic groups, is the full implementation of the national conference report. In a statement made available to National Mirror and signed by its Europe coordinator, General Secretary and deputy coordina-
tor, Akogun Banji Ojo, Mr. Sanni Olajide and Chief Victor Adewale respectively, OPU said for Nigeria to move forward, there must be true federalism. It also called on the Federal Government to expedite actions and facilitate the rescue of more than 200 girls that were kidnapped by the dreaded Boko Haram sect and who have spent more than 500 days in their custody. It also advised the Federal Government to lay more emphasis on security of lives and properties of the citizens and foreign nationals living in Nigeria, saying the recent report that over 20 states are not safe to travel to by the United States, Britain and some European Union countries is not good for the image of the tourism sector of the country, especially when many countries are looking beyond mineral resources to tourism as source of income.
Chibok girls: Rep assures of their safety return Olajide Omojolomoju
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member of the House of Representatives, representing Lagos Mainland federal constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Olajide Jimoh has assured the return of Chibok girls, who have been kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect for over 500 days. Jimoh disclosed this during the #BringBackOurGirls# campaign, held at Marina, Lagos, saying President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies are working out strategies for the release
of the girls. Saying that he is very sure that the #BringBackOurGirls# group and the masses would applaud the President when the girls returned, Jimoh said: “The new tactics and approach by the President and the new Chief of Defence Staff ’s effort would yield positive result soon.” He commended BBOG in the struggle to bring back the girls, saying their voices have been heard internationally through unrelenting efforts, seeking for the release of the girls kidnapped.
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Monday, September 7, 2015
15
The rising wave of divorce in perspective A.B.C NWORAH
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o Christians, marriage is of no meaning to the Heavens unless conducted within the Christian faith, the legal aspect being only complimentary. Even within each faith there are always some denominational antagonisms which should not be, particularly nowadays that desired grooms are scarce, time-consuming commodities. To atheists only court marriage has a meaning as it minimises material controversies. To the Moslem, only Islamic marriages hold salt, and the Buddhist or Hinduist regards his as the only divinely valid union. In spite of all these conceptions and circumspections, today’s marriage successes of young men and women continue to be a mirage. There is a common jibe: “The day you sign up the ring, same day you sign up the divorce”. If everyone holds the marriage in one’s faith as sacrosanct, one wonders whether those outside one’s faith are only living in adultery. Our pagan progenitors conducted their marriages and lived a more successful married life than what we are seeing today. Some, like in the West lndies, never talk of wedlock until they have produced their desired number of chil-
dren and still live together, otherwise single parenthood is almost the order of the day there. One then asks: what then would be responsible for these intractable family breakdowns. Attempts were made to divide the causes into major groups. First is insufficient orientation on the possible undulations of married life. It is never a straight-line graph anywhere in the world right from human creation. Our boys and girls read about love and marriages in novels, in plays, papers, magazines, televisions and in internets, and are misled into believing the contents hook line and sinker, not knowing that most of these articles of information are principally of commercial interest, and not actually real life. The churches must, therefore, conduct intensive premarital courses between pairs, morally, socially and economically. Second, the churches and mosques are not playing a very helpful role by openly making either of the pair, ab initio, to believe that he or she is in the wrong hand, if they are not of the same denomination. It is just like saying that only those in best schools can pass their school certificate examinations. The psychological trauma inflicted on the pair never finds its way out, as there is always the feeling that their
THE CHURCHES AND MOSQUES ARE NOT PLAYING A VERY HELPFUL ROLE BY OPENLY MAKING
EITHER OF THE PAIR,
AB INITIO, TO BELIEVE THAT HE OR SHE IS IN THE WRONG HAND, IF
THEY ARE NOT OF THE SAME DENOMINATION religious difference is the cause of what would have been seen as a natural event arising from the different family backgrounds and from different social environments. No family would like to see their children changing beds in search of a spouse of the same faith. It would not please God either. Some may lose their reproductive potentialities during the long search. Third, divorces flared up with upsurge of higher students, particularly females in universities and other higher institutions in a sort of “You have the same degree like myself, why should I subject myself to you” despite
injunctions from the Bible and the Quran that the woman is subject to the man, not necessarily being slavish to him, and the man must love his wife and not necessarily worshiping her. This again is as a result of deficient pre-marriage orientations, and that is why most actors and actresses worldwide generally feel that marriage is an issue of convenience, not necessarily a divine amalgam, hence the proverbial splits in their marriages. Some however do realise the real essence of marriage and bear it to the very end. Fourth, where the main objective of marriage is to raise children, reproductive obstructions have a major opposing role. The pair may have lived for one or two years with no third person emerging out of it. Not many would have the stern faith to wait on till Providence provides one. In this case it is necessary to check both sides for the viability of their reproductive systems. The male is checked for the quality of the sperms. Here the differences in interpretation amongst health workers may give the patient a false positive or a false negative impression of his reproductive status. To be continued Prof Nworah wrote via Profnworahabc2011@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08064420708
Towards a functional civil service OLUSOLA AKINYEMI
CIVIL
S E RV I C E I S
NOT FOR PEOPLE Continued from last Tuesday
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he testimony of Dubai is magnetic, and I find it compelling to share in restructuring through Nigeria’s civil service system. From the narrative of its ruler, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in his book, My Vision, he stated: “How did the public sector manage to match the performance of the private sector in such a short time and why do we believe that it will move ahead and provide better services than the private sector? One of the reasons is that we have managed to extricate the public sector from routine and monotony, and put it on the path to modernity, development, increased productivity, greater performance, and respect for the public. The transformation was made possible by the people working in the sector. They developed themselves and their efficiency, were convinced of the need to stand up to their responsibility ad achieved this transformation. They knew that it was in the interest of the country and the road to continued success”. The highlighted US and Dubai experiences are obviously not exhaustive, but have idea of what they did and lessons to be learnt by nations in restructuring their civil service systems. This leads me to my own conceptualisation of ways to make the Nigerian civil service work better to facilitate national development. The first is to understand the quintessential role of the civil service in national development. Very often, leaders in
W H O WA N T T O B E
RICH, THOSE WHO ARE AFTER RICHES SHOULD GO AND DO BUSINESS government change, especially politically elected and appointed ones, but civil servants who are agents of government remain. Although it is mostly the policy directions of the executive leaders president/governor/local government chairman that determines the activities and functionalities of the civil service of the ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) in question, there are constant objectives for which this MDAs are established, and all servants should know the objective of their MDAs and know that their dedication to effective service delivery is the only guarantee for the realisation. Just as Section 14(20 (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, the civil service is the channel through which the country achieves this; and that is the ultimate purpose of the establishment of all MDAs. Customer/people satisfaction should be a top priority in the MDAs. Really, if the government is to secure and promote the peoples welfare, the civil service should not perform less in facilitating the realisation of the dreams and aspiration of the people. Service delivery in the
public sector should be such that people and investors (including foreigners) who transact with the MDAs are optimally satisfied to ultimately promote the overall national interest. Imagine merchants of land, goods and services, particularly the small and medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) which deal with the MDAs are served to help them achieve their aspirations (within the confines of the law). This is what public service ought to be about and to achieve this, SERVICOM should be renew its vision and restrategise for public interest. It is also congenial to make adequate provision for an auspicious work environment with the needed tools and equipment. Information technology should be an integral part of service delivery in the public service. Every unit must at least conform to international best practices and be encouraged to create better technologies or technical approaches to service delivery. It should be such that institutional fault in service delivery be maximally limited. Capacity development should be redefined in the process of better service delivery. Welfare and incentives should be as fair as possible to enable public servants earn a decent living; afford good housing, education and basic healthcare for their families. Civil service is not for people who want to be rich, those who are after riches should go and do business. Civil service is meant for selfless people, who are patriotic enough to want to help the government achieve its objectives. However, such people shouldn’t lack the basic necessities of life. But the civil service should equally help the government to
become more solvent and venture more in capital projects to drive national prosperity. This is when the welfare of the civil servant will never be a burden on the government where capital projects also suffer. Ethical standard should be exalted in public service - diligence, innovation, selflessness, national interest, avoidance of conflict of interest, contentment, public help and dignity of labour among others. A developed Nigeria rests heavily in the citizens’ commitment, but more on conformity with the ethical standards by public servants. The need to restructure and refocus the Nigerian civil service has never been important as this era. This is the time when Africa is rising; perhaps Nigeria is to play the quintessential role in the continent’s prosperity as it is projected by PriceWaterHouse Coopers to become the 13th largest economy by 2050. In view of the foregoing, leaders in government and the MDAs will all need to put the nation’s civil service back on track for us to achieve national development in Nigeria. Concluded Akinyemi, President, Joseph Initiative Ltd/Gte, Lagos, wrote via olusola.akins@gmail.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.
16
Editorial
Monday, September 7, 2015
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All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER
SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS
President Buhari on polio-free Nigeria
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he need for total eradication of poliomyelitis, the infantile paralysis disease that is curable through proper vaccination/immunization resonated at a meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with governors of polio-prone states and some prominent advocacy groups in Abuja last Monday. The fallout of the meeting, not surprisingly, was the President’s charge that all hands should be on deck to ensure the certification of Nigeria as polio-free by 2017. The World Health Organisation (WHO), had in 1988, launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) with the year 2000 as the target for subduing the killer-disease worldwide. Therefore, the 2017 target now set for Nigeria’s certification as polio-free buttresses the point that the country has still not totally escaped from the plague decades after the 1988 WHO initiative. Nonetheless, the country has posted commendable progress in rough-tackling the ailment which resurfaces occasionally in polio-prone zones. Confirming Nigeria’s commitment to the fight against polio quite recently was the July 24 GPEI report that celebrated one year a Nigerian child last got paralysed by wild polio affliction. But sustaining the flattering testimonial
demands that Buhari’s admonition that children and wards be presented for immunisation; and that state governments should not only closely supervise polio eradication programmes in their domains, but ensure that resources are provided and effectively utilised for good results, be strictly heeded. Nigeria at a time occupied the third place out of four countries namely: Nigeria, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, tagged as endemic nations of the polio virus. The country also counts among nations with the three serious types of the deadly viruses, as identified by GPEI. They are the wild polio virus (wpv) type one to three. About 24 cases of such were reported in the country four years ago. With the latest GPEI report, however, all should be avoided that would cast aspersions on the commendations Nigeria now enjoys from international organizations, including the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), based on the intense campaign by government and the active participation of the various advocacy outfits and agencies which embarked on enlightenment campaigns aimed at breaking the age-long held belief of some parents that polio vaccines were harmful to
POLIO… ATTACKS AND LEAVES ITS TARGET
WITH PARALYSED LEGS, THUS MAKING SUCH INDIVIDUALS A BURDEN ON THE SOCIETY
the wellbeing of their children. Such reasoning, coupled with the cultural factor of improper hygienic practices among people whose standards of living were appalling, combined to form a formidable obstacle to the initiative to combat the spread of the virus in some parts of the North in the 1990s, when parents in the affected areas resisted the immunization of their children. It took the intervention of highly revered Emirs and religious leaders to regain the cooperation and confidence of most of the rural dwellers to welcome health workers into their homes for the vaccination of their kids and wards. Since then, the exercise has not only enjoyed tremendous public support, but has also recorded an impressive result such that the hitherto negative impression and the tag of noncompliance were totally erased within the shortest possible time; and to which international agencies’ commendations have
ON THIS DAY September 7, 1966 American Hip-Hop star, Tupac Shakur, was fatally shot four times on the Las Vegas strip, United States, after leaving the Tyson-Seldon boxing match. He was rushed to a hospital where he died six days later. Tupac, known by his stage names 2Pac, Pac, and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He had sold over 75 million records worldwide as of 2010, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world.
Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to
September 7, 2005 Egypt held its first-ever multi-party presidential election. The election was described as the first contested presidential election in Egypt’s history. Hosni Mubarak, the former President of Egypt, won a fifth consecutive six-year term in office, with official results showing he won 88.6 percent of the vote. Mubarak’s closest opponent, Ayman Nour, of the Tomorrow Party was estimated to have received 7.3 percent of the vote.
remained most generous. Prior to when GPEI went into operation when local stakeholders took up the gauntlet in changing the behavioural and the attitudinal patterns of the peoples’ lifestyles, the polio scourge had enjoyed a free reign to such an extent that Nigeria was linked to the transmission of the virus in the neighbouring countries, particularly those sharing borders with the country. Polio is a major threat to the health of children, given its effects on the physical wellbeing of victims. It attacks and leaves its target with paralysed legs, thus making such individuals a burden on the society. The involvement of traditional and religious leaders has so far been commendable in the fight against polio. But to achieve the 2017 target by President Buhari for certifying Nigeria as totally polio-free, their roles in the last leg of the onslaught on the virus need to be executed with a strong determination that no child escapes the many rounds of the immunization. More than ever, the government at all levels should demonstrate the political will to eradicate the virus from the country’s shores to guarantee a future generation devoid of similar health uncertainty and threat.
x September 7, 2011 A plane crash in Russia killed 43 people, including nearly the entire roster of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Kontinental Hockey League team. A plane carrying the team to a Kontinental Hockey League game in Minsk crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all of the team’s roster (plus four players from the Loko MHL junior squad) and coaching staff except for two who were not on the flight.
A2 18
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Cover
SIM cards blockage:
Subscribers groan, as NCC sanctions telcos again F
or millions of Nigerian telephone subscribers, this is not the best of times in their experiences on telecommunication services. Yes, the quality of services has been a subject of debate over the past 15 years of the debut of GSM technology in the economy, the past two weeks appeared to have further accentuated the lamentations of the subscribers who, in the most unconscionable acts of their telcos, lost services for what, as had been the case in the past, lapses of the Mobile Network Operators, MNOs. As expected, since the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC), two weeks ago, directed mobile telecommunication networks in the country to deactivate ‘unregistered ‘Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, many Nigerians who have had their lines blocked have had to go through harrowing experiences. When Business Courage visited some of the offices of the telcos where registrations of SIMs where going on, it was a difficult situation as many subscribers had converged to get their lines reopened so could go about their normal businesses again. In some of the offices, many subscribers lamented the numbers of man-hours they have had to waste waiting for their turns to be attended to as they said they had been forced to register more than once for the new registration after their biometric data had been captured. Speaking with Business Courage, a furious subscriber, Adeyemi Dada, decried the situation where he has had to register his Airtel line about three times in the past. “I just can’t understand
Subscribers
Millions of Nigerians who had their telephone lines abruptly blocked by the telcos over alleged inappropriate registration of their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards over the past two weeks are lamenting the ordeals, particularly over the socio-economic losses many of them are incurring daily over the telcos’ action. While subscribers are counting their losses, the Nigerian Communications Communication, (NCC), the industry regulator, has wielded the big stick on the telcos again for partial compliance with its directive. Adejuwon Osunnuyi writes on the pains associated with the ugly phenomenon which analysts have described as unhealthy for the economy. what is happening. I have registered this particular line about three times before I discovered that the same line got blocked two days ago.” “How many times would one register a line?” he asked. Commenting on the re-registration, another
subscriber, Mr Samwel Ndukwe, urged the mobile operators to be focused now to avoid another registration after the ongoing exercise. “Some of them are really confused; I registered two days ago only to get another text message that my registration is incom-
plete. “We are all civil servants and have no such time to always queue and wait for registration every other day. “You register one day, get home and your line is blocked again; it is frustrating,’’ he said. In another develop-
ment, other respondents complained of undue delays caused by internet fluctuations at registration points. “Some days, they are really fast and other days the network is slow and we have to wait endlessly. “Bad enough, when the lines are blocked, we
cannot make calls, text or browse for no fault of ours,’’ Hajia Amina Mohammed, another responUDO ONYEKA, CO-ORDINATOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c
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dent stated. Mr Jonah Ameh said subscribers who ported to other networks also experienced some difficulty during the re-registration. “For those of us that ported to other networks, both networks send you messages for registration. Which do we take? “They should just come up with a straightforward format and rule on what we need to do instead of going over registrations repeatedly,’’ Ameh said. Mrs Blessing Okonkwo, a subscriber who sells clothing materials at Balogun market told our correspondent that she has lost huge amount of money due to her state of her customers not being able to reach her since her Etisalat line was blocked. It would be recalled that in recent time, many agents who sell SIM cards at cheaper prices on the streets are seen registering subscribers, but the authenticity of the registration remains in doubt. However, speaking with Business Courage, a staff of one of the mobile networks, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the registration done by the road side agents are full of errors especially wrong thump-printing or mistakes in data collection. He urged subscribers not to patronise the roadside registration centres but go to the offices of the operators for the exercise. It would be recalled that citing what it called improper registration, the NCC had directed about 38.78 million lines to be blocked. Speaking in Lagos, the NCC said the lines were barred due to improper registration details including poor fingerprints; lack of facial information and other biometric challenges. The commission said the step was to guard against threats to national security and as a result, some 10.7 million telephone lines have been blocked in the last two weeks. The commission had ordered network operators to adhere strictly to instructions by deactivating SIM cards with defective registration. The Head of SIM Registration Project, NCC, Mr. Bashiru Idris, said the operators and their agents were expected to ensure proper biometric capturing of subscribers includ-
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
ing the fingerprints and facial outlook, “but they failed to do so in most cases.” According to the commission’s Head of Compliance and Monitoring Unit, Efosa Idehen, the regulator has since the expiration of the ultimatum given to operators (August 11), been visiting the operators to ensure compliance. According to him, in September 2014, the NCC had discovered that from the SIM data the operators sent to the commission for hamonisation, some were defective and had to be returned to the operators for proper and complete checks. Idehen said, “18.6 million SIM data were sent back to MTN Nigeria; 10.46 million to Etisalat; 7.49 million to Airtel; and 2.23 million to Globacom. “The huge figures are a sign that the operators are partially committed to the exercise; more so, the NCC monitoring exercise proved us right.” He said out of the about 18.6 million SIM registration data found to be defective on MTN network, only about 1.6 million had been barred. “What MTN actually did was to put the affected subscribers on ‘Receive calls only’, which means the subscribers cannot put a call through to another network. With this, there was no compliance from MTN,” Idehen said. He also said, “During our visit to Airtel, the telecommunications service had fully barred 2.3 million lines from their networks. These are SIM data found to be incomplete. At Globacom, 3.5 million lines have been barred also from their network. “Globacom gave assurance of 24 hours to deactivate other lines found to be defective on their networks. “Etisalat has barred 3.3 million lines and promised that within 24 hours, others found to be challenging will be removed totally from the networks.” Idehen said the directive given to the operators was to block any line found to have incomplete registration, while they (operators) could later urge the affected subscribers to come and complete their registration. He, therefore, said that to check any excesses henceforth, “operators will be required to send correct data for hamonisa-
Umaru Garba Danbatta, NCC Boss
tion to the regulator.” He said the NCC would sanction any operator going contrary to the stipulation of the SIM Card Registration Code, sections 19 to 21, with an errant operator paying N200,000 for each flaw. Meanwhile, while the NCC has called for understanding from subscribers over the challenges encountered in the re-registration as the exercise was in national interest, last week, the telecommunication regulator hammered the four telecoms operators for failing to fully comply with the directive to block over 37 million pre-registered and improperly- registered SIM cards on their networks. The four telcos were fined to the tune of N120.4 million with MTN Nigeria incurring the lion’s share of the collective sanction. According to NCC, MTN is to pay N102.2 million as fine, representing 84.8 per cent of the total sanction. MTN is the largest telecoms company in the country with over 43 per cent market share. It currently has over 62 million subscribers on its network. The South African telecoms company was followed by Globacom, which was fined N7.4 million. Etisalat and Airtel were also asked to cough up N7 million and N3.8 million respectively. It was leant that the operators were informed of their ‘sins’ in separate letters addressed specifically to them between August 26 and 28. The letters were signed by the Head, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr. Efosa Idehen
and the Head, Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, on behalf of NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta. The letters noted that after asking them to deactivate the unregistered SIMs between August 4 and 11, subsequent monitoring exercise revealed that they had not yet complied with the instruction. In the letter addressed to MTN, NCC said in continuation of its monitoring exercise, it placed voice calls to 402 MTN subscribers from among the list of numbers submitted to the telecommunications company for deactivation to determine the level of compliance. “The numbers called are those whose registration was incomplete or invalid as regards facial capture and the responses from those affected MTN subscribers was that MTN has neither, through text messages nor any other means, invited them to come forward to validate and update their registration,” the letter stated. The regulator said the failure to deactivate the incomplete and improperly registered MTN subscribers contravened Regulation 19 and 20 of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulation 2011, which attracts a fine of N200, 000 per subscription medium. The telecoms regulator said in accordance with Regulations 19 (1) and (2) and 20 (1) of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulation 2011, “MTN will pay to the commission the total sum of N80.4 million being fine
for the contravention.” It added that the amount should be paid on or before September 9, failure of which shall, in accordance with Paragraph 2, Part B, Second Schedule of the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes etc.) Regulations 2005, attract N100, 000 per day for as long as it remains unpaid. The second letter also asked MTN to pay another N21.8 million for the discovery of 109 additional pre-registered SIM cards purchased and found to be active on the network. Also, in the letters addressed to other mobile network operators (MNOs), Globacom, Etisalat and Airtel, NCC recalled that at an industry engagement session of June 11, the commission had directed the MNOs, through its letters dated July 8 and August 4, to mop up all pre-registered SIM cards from the market. The regulator said after the directive expired on August 11, it commenced monitoring of all MNOs to ensure compliance with the instruction. According to the NCC, despite all warnings and pleadings to the operators, it found 37 pre-registered SIM cards still active on Globacom’s network, resulting in a N7.4 million fine for the indigenous telecoms company. The same pattern of letter was addressed to Etisalat and Airtel, on whose networks 35 and 19 preregistered SIM cards were found respectively. Consequently, Etisalat has been mandated to pay N7 million as fine and Airtel N3.8 million. NCC, how-
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ever, warned that while it would continue to monitor and apply appropriate sanctions on the MNOs for all such preregistered SIM cards purchased by the commission, operators risk additional N100, 000 fine per day for as long as the fines remain unpaid. Recall that since the launch of GSM services in Nigeria in 2001, SIM cards were offered to subscribers without the requirement to provide proper identification by the users. However, sometime in early 2008, security agencies approached the Commission to assist in resolving crimes perpetrated through the use of phones in which criminal elements cannot be identified with the number of the phones that they used. Consequently, the Commission held a consultative forum involving various telecoms operators, consumer groups, security agencies, telecoms associations, dealers, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission, National Population Commission, National Census Commission, the media and a host of others. All the participants agreed that it was appropriate and necessary to register phone users in the country. Another committee was then set up to further look at the details of the implementation of the registration programme and submit its recommendations to the NCC. Upon reviewing the recommendations of the committee, the Board of the NCC approved the registration of all phone subscribers in the country. This commenced on March 28, 2011, when the official flag off of the registration of all SIM cards was performed by Dr. Eugene Juwah, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission in Abuja. The registration of existing SIM cards officially had ended in January 2012 as the network operators are to continue to register new SIM cards. On completion of the validation, harmonization and scrubbing of the records of all registered SIM cards, operators, NCC said, will be authorized to disconnect unregistered SIM cards from the networks. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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News Dock workers may picket stevedores over poor safety measures Francis Ezem
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he dockworkers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN, has concluded plans to picket some stevedoring companies operating in the nation’s seaports over their failure to put minimum safety standards in place. The workers also took a swipe at the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, for flouting tally clerks payment agreement reached by both parties. President of the Dockworkers branch of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said that the labour union will soon commence picketing of some of the erring stevedoring firms, which have failed over the years to install up to date safety equipment in their areas of operation. According to him, many of the stevedores have virtually nothing in terms of safety gadgets and equipment including ambulances. “Most of these service providers who work under the terminal operators at the seaports do not have up to date safety equipment. Some do not even have ambulances and we are going to picket some of them very soon to drive home our points”, he said. It was also gathered that a few stevedoring firms, which have acquired some ambulances acquired substandard ones, a development the union said was unacceptable. The president also said: “We have noticed some of the ambulances are sub-standard and we will be going about to inspect their safety equipment. When we go round, we will then make public the names of the stevedoring contractors who operate sub-standard equipment at the seaports.” Under the port reform agreement, the stevedoring contractors attached to every terminal operator is responsible for providing work tools for the dock workers in terms of boots, jackets, helmets and transporting them in and out of the ports as well as catering for their welfare in terms of salaries, allowances, medical facilities and ambulances in terms of emergencies. The port concession agreement also made it the responsibility of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to ensure that the welfare and safety of the dock workers including payment of minimum wage are adequately taken care of. On the implementation of payment to tally clerks recently
L-R: Chairman of the Occasion/Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo; in handshake with Guest Speaker/Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, while Chairman, Public Policy Forum, Ambassador George Obiozor, looks on during the Hallmark Public Policy Lecture Series held at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos
agreed to between the union and management of NPA, the president disclosed that some members have yet to be paid by NPA. “As I talk to you now, the tally clerks’ salaries have not been paid. We had earlier issued out a 14-day ultimatum which has elapsed, but due to the promise of the NPA management and the involvement of the Ministry of Transport then, that was why we shelved our strike”, he lamented.
‘Cashew processors operating below installed capacity’
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he Nigerian cashew processors are operating below 30 per cent of the combined installed capacity of 48,000 tonnes, according to an official of the umbrella association for the crop. Mr Sotonye Anga, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He attributed this to high cost of procuring raw cashew nuts, among other factors. The scribe said that the cost of cashew nuts now selling at between N170,000 to N200,000 per ton, added to massive job loss and closing down of some processing plants. “In the 2015 cashew season alone, many cashew processors in Nigeria operated below 30 per cent of a combined installed capacity of 48,000 tonnes due to high cost of raw nuts. “Selling at between N170,000 and N200,000 per ton. “High cost of doing business and zero incentive, all these put together led to massive
job losses and cashew factory shutdowns in the country. “Cashew processors, at the moment, are endangered and there is need to protect and strengthen them,’’ Anga said. He remarked that the subsector needed government’s support that would encourage competitiveness among the cashew processors. According to him, cashew processors are demanding N50,960 ($260) per ton investment incentive to strengthen the sub-sector in Nigeria. “Strengthening cashew processing in Nigeria is a step that will contribute to the nation’s economic development. “We call on the Nigerian Government to approve an investment incentive of $260 per ton for cashew processing in Nigeria. “We need to understand that cashew farmers need guaranteed markets to remain in business. “Whenever a cashew processor processes a metric ton of raw cashew, it translates to over 200 jobs. “In Nigeria, more than 70 per cent of workers in cashew processing facilities are women, who are trained to de-shell the cashew. “They also delicately peel and pack the cashew kernels and
get them ready for the export markets,’’ he said. According to him, the country presently has seven cashew processing plants. These are Olam, Foodpro, Esteema Diamond, Abod success, KD Foods, ACET Nigeria and Valency and they are members of the NCAN. He added that the association had privately invested N12 billion into cashew processing in Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun and Lagos. Anga said that cashew processors were selling to the same markets, hence the need for government to protect cashew processors. “There is need for the government to protect cashew processors and make them better competitors globally. “Irrespective of where you process your cashew from, we all sell under the same price regime and to the same markets in United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany. “United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and most recently China. “So, the countries that offer the best investment incentives, to cashew processors, rule in the cashew world,’’ he said.
Malaysia firms plan investment in Plateau
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Anga
he Malaysian Government says it will explore investment potentials in Plateau and ascertain the sectors it will invest in. The country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lim Juay, stated this on Friday in Jos when he visited the state governor, Mr Simon Lalong. Juay said that from previous interactions, he discovered that Plateau was rich in agriculture and mining resources hence
the ‘’to see what Malaysia can offer the state’’. He said that Nigeria and Malaysia shared similar climatic conditions and that his government would not have difficulty in finding what it would do in the state. “I promise myself that during my tenure here I want to leave a good legacy that will further enhance the relationship between Nigeria and Malaysia. “Already, President Muhammadu Buhari is emphasising the need to diversify the economy and we will take advantage of this opportunity. “I would have been in the state earlier than now because I arrived in Nigeria one and half years ago, at the height of insecurity. “But, now that the situation is better, I decided to visit the state,’’ he said. The envoy said that no fewer than 10,000 Nigerians were studying in Malaysia and ‘’finding life easy because of the similarities of the two countries and the affordable nature of the school fees’’. In his response, Lalong promised that the government would give any investor coming to state the best attention. He expressed happiness that the envoy had already known much about Plateau and that Malaysia was willing to do business with the government and people of the state. “We will not hesitate to provide an atmosphere conducive for investors coming to Plateau,’’ Lalong assured.
4.2 million MSMEs have access to bank credit – CBN
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he Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN said, of the 17.3 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in the country, only 4.2 million of them have access to finance. Assistant Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Mr. Jonathan Tobin, while speaking at the MSME development fund workshop organised by the Bankers Committee in Abuja, noted that it is an absurd that despite the insufficient funding of the MSMEs sector, banks continue to warehouse their credit, instead lending it to other sectors, at the expense of the micro enterprises sector. According to him, “Nigeria banks are averse to taking risks. They like to play safe. The economy is virtually collapsing, yet banks keep declaring huge profits. There are currently 17.3 million MSMEs in Nigeria, employing about 33 million people. However only 4.2 million of these have access to finance. Despite this, from 2002 till date, lending by Mon-
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ey Deposit Banks to the sector has reduced significantly.” Currently, he said MSMEs sector needs N9.6trn, which more than double Nigeria’s yearly budget, to bridge the financing gap in the sector. Based on the funding needs of the sector, he said the aforementioned amount would assist the MSMEs create jobs and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product,GDP, of the economy. If banks had played their roles effectively in lending to the sector, he noted that the huge funding gap would have been reduced drastically. To him, banks lending to the sector has been declining since 2003, adding that lending from financial institutions to the sector is currently less than one per cent of total credit to the economy. Stressing that CBN introduced some of the intervention funds to boost the development of the MSMEs sector, since banks are reluctant to fund it, he noted that some of these funds include; the N220bn MSME fund, and the N200bn Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme. While offering solutions to the challenges bedeviling the micro enterprises sector of the economy, he charged the banks and other lending institutions to offer tailor-made solutions in lending to the MSMEs instead of the current one-size-fits-all approach. Customised risk management lending method in place of collateral driven lending currently employed by bank, he said, should be developed. “We strongly recommend that banks start lending from their balance sheet. There is also need for collaboration between CBN and other government agencies on the implementation of various initiatives geared towards derisking the sector and making finance available to MSMEs,” he pointed out.
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
Lagarde
of the pipes are still clogged and the flow of credit has yet to pick up enough to facilitate investment. “In Europe, there is still today a sizeable amount of nonperforming loans that should be dealt with, moved out of the healthy circuits, with good management of bad banks... trading of non-performing loans and improvement of insolvency regimes.” She stressed the importance of investment in infrastructure. She quoted IMF research that says investing 1 per cent of GDP in infrastructure in advanced economies increased output by 0.4 per cent the same year and by 1.5 per cent after four years. The emphasis on investment comes as financial leaders from the Group of 20 leading economies discuss how to help spur growth, amid signs of slower expansion in the world’s second biggest economy China. The European Union has launched a 3-year investment scheme worth 315 billion euros , $350bn to boost growth. But the ECB still expects growth in the 19 countries sharing the euro of 1.4 per cent this year, below its previous 1.5 per cent projection. It has cut its forecast for 2017 to 1.8 per cent from 2.0 per cent.
affected by the bad network services. “Most times, customers wait for hours for internet access to transact their businesses and such situations impede our operations,” Uchegbu said. According to her, the security situation in the country does not allow them to operate at night when she said the network service was usually at its best. Benedict Osas, another operator, said that she found it difficult to make ends meet, saying that Intenet Service Providers ,ISPs, did not give them any rebate for loss of money from unused time. “We pay in advance for ISP services and sell through payas-you-use to customers who often ask for refunds from us in times of poor service. “The situation is pathetic and calls for urgent attention from the regulatory authorities, to help the SMEs to grow,” Osas said. He called on the NCC to remedy the situation by improving on the country’s bandwidth. Peace Okwu, the CEO of Merit Café, said it used to be rosy those days that people paid for overnight browsing. Okwu, whose shop was popular among the youths for the processing of the U.S. visa lottery, described the current internet network services as pathetic and called on the ISPs to be considerate in their tariffs.
Cyber cafe operators Shehu NPLs hinder credit flow in Lagos decry poor Association charges for Europe’s economic internet services agencies on minerals growth – Lagarde ome cyber cafe operators in SLagos on Friday decried the export promotion
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nternational Monetary Fund, IMF, Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, has said that the credit flow needed for investment that would boost European economic growth was still hampered by unresolved non-performing loans in banks. Lagarde made this known at a business conference on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Ankara, Turkey on Friday. She said that despite the financial sector reform and sovereign bond buying by the European Central Bank, “some
poor internet reception across the country, saying it was hampering their businesses. Some operators who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, called on the Nigeria Communications Commission ,NCC, to intervene and make the sector business-friendly. An operator, Mrs Treasure Uchegbu lamented that the incessant internet poor internet access being experienced was adversely affecting her income with low patronage caused by poor service. “As operators who depend on daily earnings, we are worse
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he President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sani Shehu, has charged agencies involved in mining activities to join hands in promoting mineral resources export. Shehu, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday in Abuja, said that exporting mineral resources would boost Nigeria’s economic growth. He said that mining agencies had statutory mandates to ensure that minerals in the country were used to transform
the nation’s economy through exports. The president named agencies involved in mining activities to include the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC. He named others as the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Nigeria Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative and the Nigeria Mines and Steel Development Council. Shehu said that members of the association had paid advocacy visits to some of the agencies, asking them to assist members in their bid to export minerals. He also called on the NEPC, the body that is legally empowered to promote export of nonoil products to assist mineral exporters with subsidies during business transactions. “The council has a policy that is meant to promote export of Nigerian goods; they encourage exporters with half payment of their trips during business transaction. “They show exporters markets and they also match-make exporters to make good sales. “We want them to sensitise our members to start exporting minerals and this will showcase the abundant minerals we have in Nigeria to the World.’’ He said that the RMRDC had the mandate to conduct research on raw materials that could be consumed by local industries. “Its roles are critical. It has the power to bridge the gap between demand and supply of raw materials to the local industries. “We have minerals that can be refined to raw materials for our industries, unfortunately our industries are importing them, boosting and creating labour for other countries and creating unemployment in Nigeria.
Premium Pension pays N87bn to 33,000 retirees
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remium Pension Limited said it was able to pay over N87bn to over 33,000 retirees or their next-of-kin as entitlements since 2007. The Managing Director of the PFA, Mr. Wilson Ideva, who stated this at the 2015 Annual General Meeting ,AGM, of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents, NAIPCO, in Lagos, noted that the company currently maintains well over 600,000 Retirement Savings Accounts ,RSAs. Ideva, who was represented by the Head, Corporate Com-
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munications, Premium Pension, Mr. Paddy Ezeala, added that pension assets under its management was in excess of N370bn and pension enrollees under the company’s management spread in over 1000 organisations across the country. Believing that Premium Pension has already been firmly established as a key player in the new Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, he added that professionalism in pension service rendition was complemented by the firm’s adoption of the robust Canadian Pension Administration Software, CPAS. It is also important to note that Premium Pension has consistently posted Return on Investment of pension asset well above industry average and above inflation, he said. Premium Pension, he noted, has been paying out monthly pension to retirees on the 19th of every month. According to him, “Our retirees have attested to the fact that even when they were in active service they never received their monthly salaries on that date. While we continue to pay monthly pension, our return on investment has continued to outstrip the amounts paid. This has led to agitations for payment of additional lump sum and/or increase in monthly withdrawal. There lies the evidence of the huge success that the CPS has been.” Stating that the major challenge facing the CPS was lack of adequate public awareness, he said this lack of awareness is even noticeable among the supposedly enlightened in the society. “This situation is an offshoot of the initial scepticism that greeted the pension reform in 2004. The old scheme had virtually collapsed; accumulating a deficit of more than two trillion Naira and cases of corruption were rampant. The word ‘Pension’ as a consequence acquired a pejorative connotation,” he pointed out. He promised that Premium Pension would work with the media to beam searchlight on the State Governments that have not yet signed the CPS into law, thereby inhibiting the domestication of the scheme in the States. BC
Ideva
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Companies & Markets
Ecobank boss advocates regional integration for Africa’s devt
Udo Onyeka
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anaging Director, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jibril Aku has advocated that in order to achieve rapid development in Africa, there is a need to improve trade relations, share data and harmonise financial services on the African continent. He said “development, harmonisation and integrating of national and regional financial markets, including elimination of barriers and reducing risks affecting the free movement of labour and capital across-borders would fast track development. Aku who was Guest Lecturer at the Hallmark Newspaper’s Public Policy Dialogue in Lagos, expressed optimism that
economic realities would force African countries to integrate despite several failed attempts to unite the continent politically. “I am very optimistic it will happen. Economic realities will happen. Economic realities will drive it. If political realities don’t bring it together, Economic realities will drive it” Aku said. Aku whose paper was titled: “Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” said the current degree of African regional integration remains highly superficial. He listed constraints as membership of bilateral organisations; slow ratification of protocols and reluctant implementation of agreed plans; socio-economic policy divergence; limited national and regional capacities; lack of full private sector involvement at both
planning and implementation; weak infrastructure; corruption and poor policy support, amongst others as hindrance to Africa’s competitiveness. The top banker is optimistic that current global economic trends would force African countries to integrate, stressing that the modest success of pan African bank, that is Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, should serve as a beacon in African’s path to socio-economic integration. “in the early 1980’s the banking industry in West Africa was dominated by foreign and state-owned banks. There were hardly any commercial banks in West Africa owned and managed by the African private sector. ETI was founded with the objective of filling this vacuum and so far, it is meeting
Shell reopens shut pipelines
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il giant Shell has reopened two key supply pipelines shut last week because of leaks and sabotage that forced it to declare a “force majeure” on crude oil exports. “The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, SPDC September 2, lifted the force majeure on Bonny Light exports following the repair and re-opening of the Trans Niger Pipeline ,TNP, and Nembe Creek Trunkline, NCTL.”, the company said in a statement. The SPDC, a subsidiary of Shell in Nigeria, said it declared the force majeure last Thursday following the shutdown of both the TNP and NCTL. The two pipelines take crude to the Bonny Light exports terminal, one of Nigeria’s main oil terminals. “Force majeure” is a legal term releasing a company from contractual obligations when faced with circumstances beyond its control. Shell, a major oil operator in Nigeria, did not disclose the volume of output affected by the incident. The company has blamed repeated oil thefts and sabotage of key pipelines as the major cause of spills and pollution in the oil-producing region. Crude oil theft or “bunkering” is a major problem in Nigeria, with estimates that the country loses some $6bn, 4.3 billion euros, in revenue every year because of the practice. In another development, the managing director of the staterun oil giant NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, said that the nation’s armed forces would be involved in policing the nation’s oil and fuel pipelines.
“Efforts are in top gear to fix all the crude and petroleum products pipelines across the country,” an official Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, statement quoted him as saying. “The Nigerian Airforce would be engaged to provide aerial survey of the pipelines, the Nigerian Army Engineering corps to fix and police the pipelines and the Nigerian Navy to provide marine surveillance for the network of pipelines,” Kachikwu said. NNPC has more than 5,000 kilometres of pipelines across the country, some located in creeks and forests. Kachikwu also said that ongoing phased rehabilitation of all the nation’s four refineries expected to produce 20 million
the objective,” he said. Further, he opined that the way forward for African integration lies on “eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalising some overlapping sub-regional blocs; securing irrevocable commitment beyond mere political rhetoric amongst member countries of the various sub-regional blocs and punctual implementation of treaties and protocols, without inefficiencies, lapses or reversals; strengthening technical capacity; ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the costs and benefits of integration among member States; capacity for comprehensive and consistent planning, policy formulation, and implementation at the national and international level. BC
Aku
NCCIMA charges FG, States on industrialisation
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litres of petrol daily at full capacity would reduce petroleum products importation. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, accounting for more than two million barrels per day. BC
newi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NCCIMA, has charged the Federal Government as well as the state governments to map out strategies to ensure that the economy of the country is driven by industries. President of NCCIMA, Mr. Humphery Ngonadi, who stated this at a two-day seminar organised by the chamber in Nnewi, Anambra State, noted that it was high time for Nigeria to divest from its reliance on oil to other lucrative sectors such as the agriculture and real sectors, which he noted, are key drivers to economic development of the country, going forward. While the price of oil slump to its lowest price, thus having a
negative effect on countries, like Nigeria that solely depended on oil, he added that there was no better time than now to proceed on this new adventure. According to him, “Basically, our call is to support the present administration’s clamour for change from total dependence on oil. We plan to use this summit to make a loud statement on the need for Nigerians to divest from oil into industrialisation and agriculture. It is my belief that by the end of the summit, more potential entrepreneuers must have been created through intellectual enlightenment, as the resource persons were carefully selected from the academics, government and the private sector,” he said. BC
‘Naira fluctuation threatens loan repayment in MfBs’
Sotunde
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he Executive Director, Parkway Microfinance Bank, Mr. Lanre Sotunde, said the current devaluation and fluctuation in the price of the Naira against dollar is threatening the ability of Microfinance Banks,MfBs, to recoup their loans, even as it is affecting their ability to grant loans. Speaking in Lagos, Shotunde
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said this development, coupled with the national elections early in the year that preceded the change in government, has slowed down activities in the microfinance sub sector. According to him, “For instance, imagine somebody trading with N100,000 and the price of goods has gotten so high. Under this scenario, he is still trading the same quantity, but the value has increased. So, he is looking for more money. If he can’t get, it means it will affect the quantity of goods he trades and eventually running at a loss.” He noted that a lot people saving in microfinance banks, especially, his bank, are now, withdrawing their money in exchange for dollars to edge against Naira price fluctuation. “Meanwhile, a lot of people that are saving with
us, are now withdrawing their money in exchange for dollars so that they can edge against Naira price fluctuation. If you have your money in dollars, dollar is constant, Naira is being devalued. So, they can always edge against fluctuation.” This, he said, leads to a mismatch between savings and loans of micro banks, adding that, ‘importers are now trying to hold their money in dollars, against fluctuations. Others who have no option than to trade with Naira now have less money to trade with and less ability to repay loans. The debtors, he pointed out, are equally looking for more money because the value of what they used to trade has increased, yet the quantity of goods they trade in, has not in-
crease. Speaking on the policies initiated be CBN to protect the Naira, he said: “There are a lot of policies that you can bring up to strengthen the Naira. But in an economy that is unpredictable, that have much loopholes, where a lot of funds in the economy cannot be accounted for, not knowing the quantity of money in circulation and the environment is not predictable, you just bring up policies you think can address the sudden imbalance.” However, he noted that such imbalance cannot be addressed in a short time, as it requires a long term strategic policies. Some countries in the world, he said, has envisaged that one day, the price of oil will drop, leading most of them to have buffers. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Companies & Markets Expert canvasses IT adoption in insurance industry
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n Information Technology, IT, consultant, Mrs. Funke Alomo-Oluwa, has called on insurance companies in the country to enhance their service delivery to customers through adoption of the right IT. Alomo-Oluwa, who stated this at the Insurance Industry Consultative Forum, IICC, conference in Abuja, recently, said this would make insurance processes easier and flexible. “There is a need for Insurance Companies and her professional bodies to leverage this platform by partnering these other financial sector’s agencies. They ride on technology to offer basic banking activities like cash in, cash out, transfers etc. Very much like a typical retail shop outlets that buy and sells value in exchange for money,” she pointed out. Insurance, she said, needs to be sold to the local woman who has a fish farm. It should be sold to the poultry farmer, to the cassava farmer, among others, she stressed. “Health Insurance is another big catch for this body. In the remote areas, technology can be implemented to ensure health insurance is a product to be purchased and administered,” she emphasised. For insurance companies to completely harness the potentials of the market, she said, there was the need to access
the databases of its clients/ prospects to confirm authenticity of clients, KYC, thereby ensuring that claims payments are made without fraud. Presently, she said, a few underwriting firms are partnering some telecos in implementing health insurance, adding that there was the need to come together and make this a shared platform. “This will have a better effect on the industry as a whole. To effectively implement this, Insurance Companies need to leverage or create relationships with NCC, Telcos, Internet providers,” she said. With all the stakeholders working together, she believes the industry’s target, is very achievable. There is a massive opportunity for insurance penetration in Nigeria and the market is hugely untapped and the time is now, she pointed out. BC
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terling Bank has said its ‘Get Ready for Work’ initiative for this year will be extended to entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses to enable them add more value to their enterprises. The bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Abubakar Suleiman who disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos, said apart from getting the youths ready to pursue their career choices and helping them acquire the required skills, the lender will also through the programme, reduce the unemployment rate in the country. Suleiman, who spoke ahead of this year’s edition of the event coming up on the September 11, said that Get Ready For Work’, now in its third year, is the bank’s way of giving back to the society and equipping the youths with the right skills to succeed in their jobs. He also said the lender is considering extending its ‘Get Ready For Work’ initiative to more states of the Federation
Yemi Adeola, MD, Sterling Bank
and encouraged other banks to join in the project. He said that the lender was committed to helping to reduce the high level of youth unemployment in the country, pointing out that there would be serious consequences for the society if the problem is not addressed. According to him, “There is no country in the world that would not be affected by a high level of youth unemployment. Once youth employment stands above 25
per cent in any country, that country is heading for chaos.” He noted that the problem of youth unemployment in the country had been made worse by the fact that what students are taught in schools these days often leaves them ill-equipped to handle simple tasks when they eventually secure employment. Speaking at the event, Executive Director, Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy ,FSD, Omowale Ogunrinde, commended Sterling Bank for investing in the future of youths in country through the initiative. According to her, the bank was responsible for organisations like hers agreeing to take part in the programme without charging participants professional fees. Last year the bank held the ‘Get Ready for Work’ concert in Ibadan which was designed to change the mindset of graduates towards entrepreneurship and equip them with skills to bridge the gap between employee expectations and employer requirements. BC
Azura Edo Power Project gets World Bank’s $237m support
Alomo-Oluwa
Arik Air plans listing on stock explained that the exchange in 2016 challenge.” airline is going public not berik airline is concluding plans to go public by next year to enable interested public invest in the airline. Chairman of the airline, Sir Joseph Ararume Ikhide, who disclosed this at the 2015 breakfast meeting of Aviation Roundtable in Lagos with the theme entitled: “Ownership, funding and sustainability of Nigerian airlines – A perennial
Sterling Bank’s ‘Get Ready for Work’ initiative to support SMEs
cause a national carrier is in the making but to add value to the aviation industry. He lamented that the banking industry in Nigeria is not airline friendly and urged government to establish a special fund for the aviation industry to be managed by Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON and NCAA. He also suggested that NCAA should be an independent body to regulate airlines and should be operated by somebody who rose through the rank to enable continuity. He further urged the President to carry out a forensic audit of the aviation sector to rid it of corrupt practices by ministry officials whom he said constitute an obstacle to growth of the sector, adding that unless such forensic audit is carried out, issues relating to the growth and development of the aviation sector would not be adequately addressed. BC
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he World Bank has stepped up efforts to attract international financing for the realisation of a 450 Mega Watts Azura Edo generation power plant. The federal government has finalised the signing of the World Bank partial risk guarantees, PRGs, in support of the 450MW Azura Edo independent power plant. The guarantees include a debt mobilisation guarantee and a liquidity guarantee, capped respectively at $117m and $120m. Along with the legal opinion from the Solicitor General, this set of documents represent the conditions necessary to enable the project’s financing close. The $327mn-worth of guarantees will leverage the combined funding of over $900mn towards the gas-fired independent power project, involving twenty international banks and equity finance institutions and guaranteed by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The agreements involve the federal government, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET, the World Bank as the pro-
Power plant
vider of the guarantees, the project sponsors represented by Azura Power West Africa, Azura, and various lenders represented by JP Morgan, Standard Chartered, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), Standard Bank and Siemens Bank. Standard Chartered acted as sole structuring bank and global co-ordinating mandated lead arranger, MLA, responsible for the overall debt financing process. Six commercial banks led by Standard Chartered provided a total of approximately $380mn of senior debt, of which $234mn came from five international commer-
cial banks guaranteed by the World Bank and MIGA and N24bn from First City Monument Bank under a local currency facility provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Power and Airline Intervention Fund through the Bank of Industry. The balance of the senior debt financing, $268m, is provided by a pool of nine development finance institutions led jointly by the International Financial Organisation, IFC, and the Dutch Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO). IFC acted as co-lead arranger with FMO for this tranche of the financing. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Global News China poses threat to global growth, IMF warns
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lower growth in China and continuing stock market uncertainty pose a threat to global economic growth, the International Monetary Fund has warned. China’s slowdown appears to have bigger repercussions for other countries than had been expected, the IMF said. The troubles in China have sent the prices of commodities such as oil and copper sliding. The falls have hit exporters of commodities, such as Brazil and Russia, particularly hard. The IMF’s warning comes ahead of a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers in Ankara on Friday and Saturday. The IMF said that the problems could lead to “much weaker outlook” for global growth. However, the fund still expects the global economy to expand by 3.3 per cent this year, slightly lower than 3.4% in 2014. The US is forecast to grow by 2.5 per cent, up from 2.4 per cent in 2014, the eurozone should expand by 1.5 per cent, nearly double the 0.8 per cent seen last year, while China should expand by 6.8 per cent, down from 7.4 per cent . The IMF called on China to keep reforming its economy despite the recent falls in the stock markets on the mainland Chinese stock markets have been falling since mid-June and the government unexpectedly devalued the yuan on 11 August. Many believed the move was an attempt to make Chinese exports more competitive. However, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned China against manipulating its currency to give its exporters an unfair advantage. “We are going to hold them accountable,” he told CNBC. The IMF is also concerned about the impact on global growth if the US Federal Reserve raises rates later this year. The Fed, which could decide to lift rates when it meets on 16 and 17 September, should keep its decisions “data-dependent”, the Fund said. Analysts at Societe Generale said: “The IMF clearly doesn’t think raising rates against the modest global growth backdrop is a good idea.” More broadly the IMF recommended that advanced nations should maintain very loose monetary policies and “growthfriendly” fiscal policies. That meant the European Central Bank should extend its asset-buying programme unless inflation rises sufficiently, the note said.
Barack Obama, US President
U.S. labor market shows some muscle despite slower job growth
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.S. job growth slowed in August, but the unemployment rate dropped to a near 7-1/2-year low and wages accelerated, keeping alive prospects of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike later this month. Nonfarm payrolls increased 173,000 last month after an upwardly revised gain of 245,000 in July, the Labor Department said on Friday. August’s gain was the smallest in five months as the factory sector lost the most jobs since July 2013. The jobs count, however, may have been tarnished by a statistical fluke that has often led to sharp upward revisions to payroll figures for August after initial weak readings. Indicating the hiring slowdown was likely not reflective of the economy’s true health, the jobless rate fell two-tenths of a point to 5.1 percent, its lowest level since April 2008. In addition, payrolls data for June and July were revised to show 44,000 more jobs created than previously reported, bringing the average job gains for the past three months to a solid 221,000. Average hourly earnings increased 8 cents, the biggest rise in seven months and the length of the average workweek also expanded. “The payrolls data is certainly good enough to allow for a Fed rate hike in September,” said Alan Ruskin, global head of currency strategy at Deutsche Bank in New York. “The big question is still whether financial market volatility will scupper the plans.” Investors seemed to agree. U.S. stocks, which could be pressured by higher rates, were trading lower, while yields on U.S. government debt rose. The dollar was little changed against a basket of currencies. While the mixed report did little to alter views that the U.S. economy remains vibrant despite volatile global financial markets and slowing Chinese
growth, it could further complicate the Fed’s decision at a policy meeting on Sept. 16-17. In the wake of a recent global equities sell-off, financial markets significantly scaled back bets on a September rate hike over the past month. But Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer told CNBC last week it was too early to decide whether the stock market rout had made an increase less compelling. “With this jobs report ... the Federal Reserve finds itself in a real uncertainty jam,” said Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz in Newport Beach, California. Economists in a Reuters survey had forecast nonfarm payrolls increasing by 220,000 last month, but they had also warned that the model used to smooth the data for seasonal fluctuations is often thrown off at the start of a new school year.
big bets before going into the long weekend, China has been closed for two days and the jobs report just adds to the uncertainty on what the Fed is going to do,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. Although job growth numbers came in below expectations, the August employment reports have often been sharply revised upward due to seasonal fluctuations. The recent turmoil in the market has prompted some investors to bet the Fed might wait until the end of the year to hike rates rather than move in September. But Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said last Friday it was still too early to decide if the volatility, which left the S&P 500 with its biggest monthly drop in three years in August, had made a September hike unfeasible.
Wall St. lower as mixed jobs report adds to uncertainty
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.S. stocks fell in late morning trading on Friday as a mixed August jobs report did little to quell investor anxiety over the timing an interest rate increase. The nonfarm payrolls report showed that fewer-than-expected jobs were added to the economy last month even as unemployment rate dropped to its lowest in more than seven years. Nonfarm payrolls increased 173,000 last month, compared with an upwardly revised 245,000 in July and fewer than the 220,000 that economists polled by Reuters had expected. Unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent and wages accelerated. “With this jobs report, in which below-expectation job creation in August is offset by several factors - including a lower unemployment rate, prior positive revisions, wage growth, etc - the Federal Reserve finds itself in a real uncertainty jam when it comes to a September interest rate hike,” said Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz. At 11:27 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 245.02 points, or 1.5 percent, at 16,129.74, the S&P 500 .SPX was down 25.91 points, or 1.33 percent, at 1,925.22 and the Nasdaq composite .IXIC was down 40.77 points, or 0.86 percent, at 4,692.72. All the 10 major S&P sectors were lower with the financial index’s .SPSY 1.81 percent loss leading the decliners. Wells Fargo (WFC.N) and JPMorgan (JPM.N) fell about 2.5 percent. “Investors don’t want to take
Xi Jinping, Chinese President
Foreign investors navigate turmoil in Chinese markets with new playbook
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oreign investment funds are moving at breakneck speed to retool their strategies in an attempt to profit from Chinese stock markets whipsawed by panic, paranoia and unprecedented government intervention. The implosion in Chinese equity prices after a domestic, debt-fueled buying binge has triggered a range of responses from foreign investors. Those who remain bullish on China’s long-run economic prospects have switched more of their focus to the Hong Kong market because valuations are lower, it is better regulated, and less prone to the whims of officials in Beijing than the mainland markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Funds that see the recent declines in the yuan, Chinese asset prices, and the nation’s exports as a harbinger of much more economic pain to come are responding with an array of maneuvers. Those include betting against the currencies of Asian trading partners,
and shorting British banks HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) and Standard Chartered Plc (STAN.L), who both have big exposure to China. Some are even buying U.S. mortgage-backed bonds on the expectation that rich Chinese will take money out of China and pour it into U.S. real estate as a safe haven. The investors who are betting against China or have given up on it as an investment destination are in the minority, though. Despite all the problems, the Chinese economy is still expected to grow at around 7 percent this year, based on official figures. That can’t be sniffed at given the downturns in many other major economies, such as Brazil, Russia and Canada, and only modest growth in the U.S. and Europe. That doesn’t mean many believe it is safe to trade the mainland markets, where the Chinese authorities have cracked down on short selling, detained a journalist for spreading false information and re-routed pension money into equities. “The recent volatility I think has cooled the ardor of some because they are realizing what an unusual instrument the Shanghai Stock Exchange is,” said William Kirby, a Harvard Business School professor who studies China and is involved with several funds that invest in the country, including as a director of the $248 million China Fund Inc (CHN.N). “It appears this (Chinese) administration sees stock markets as instruments of state policy,” he said, adding that his comments reflected only his personal views. The safer alternative is seen as Hong Kong. The Hang Seng Index .HSI, the mainstream index for the territory’s market, has dropped 24.3 percent over the past three months, compared to a 36 percent slide for the Shanghai SE Composite Index .SSEC and a 45 percent fall in the Shenzhen SE A Share Index .SZSA. BlackRock Inc (BLK.N), the world’s largest asset manager, is snapping up shares of Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong exchange after the recent declines, said Jeff Shen, head of emerging markets for BlackRock. “We think it’s a value play.” Bobby Bao, who runs the $1.3 billion China Region Fund (FHKCX.O) for Boston-based Fidelity Investments, is still hunting for value in the mainland markets, though only in certain high-growth sectors. He is particularly interested in investments that will capitalize on China’s demand for personal concierge services, ranging from make-up application at home to car washing and inhouse catering. BC
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Brand Watch
APCON, AAG partner on BAK awards Stories by David Audu
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he Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria ,APCON and Advertising Association of Ghana, AAG, endorsed reward system organised by Billboard World Magazine, a frontline out-of-home magazine tagged “Brand As King” has concluded plans to host its 5th edition of the award in Lagos. The organisers of the award has called for entry in the following categories: most performing brand awards, excellence awards in media reporting, most performing industry associate awards, outstanding brand ambassador awards (Entertainment), excellence awards in environmental policy, best upcoming brands, industry merit awards and special recognition awards.
According to the Editor-inChief/Chief Executive Officer, Maureen of the magazine, Maureen Umanah the plans are currently ongoing to successfully host and honour advertising professionals, outstanding achievers, corporate brands, product brands and brand ambassadors from Nigeria and beyond that have performed excellently in their various endeavours and fields at this Brand as King Awards. She said the highly anticipated bi-annual industry award promises to be memorable as always adding that “In its quest to uphold industry standards and position out-of-home advertising as a vital player within the advertising industry, this year’s award, which is the 5th edition of the BAK, has adopted a most appropriate theme: Out-Of-Home (OOH) Media as a
Veritable Tool in Aesthetics and Environmental Sustainability. This is in line with the need for us to nurture and protect our immediate environment from the dreaded global warming and its harmful effects,” she added. According to Umanah, the last edition of the awards, which took place at Movenpick Hotel, Accra, Ghana, was a huge success. She affirms that the 2015 edition is a big improvement on the previous editions. She equally revealed that the 2015 edition is set to introduce a new category, Excellence Award in Environmental Policy. The Editor-in-Chief asserted that outdoor advertising has come a long way, “right from its rudimentary days when plywood was used in fabricating billboards to this day, when we have high-tech digital LEDs”. She equally said that outdoor
advertising has done so much in beautifying the environment. According to her, these would not have been made possible if not for the individuals or companies that have in one way or the other contributed to the aesthetics of the outdoor environment. She equally highlighted that the event will parade some of the top notch industry players, distinguished political leaders and super brands at the event. Billboard World Magazine is Nigeria’s foremost and internationally acclaimed Out-of-Home Advertising monthly. The publication seeks to inspire, promote and celebrate excellence in individuals and corporate bodies that have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the advertising industry and other achievers in the society BC
Cassava could transform Nigerian economy say Experts
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his week ‘CNN Marketplace Africa’ reports from Nigeria, exploring how a simple plant, cassava, may be transforming the Nigerian economy and the livelihoods of Nigeria’s cassava farmers. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, a starchy and versatile root which is a staple food in the developing world and can be baked, fried, boiled or steamed. Now, the plant is being used for something else – flour. In 2012, in an effort to reduce Nigeria’s wheat import costs, the Nigerian government implemented a policy which stated that companies must add 10 per cent cassava flour to all wheat flour. Chief Executive and Managing Director of Thai Farms International, Louw Burger, a Nigerian company that buys cassava from local farmers and processes it into flour, tells ‘CNN Marketplace
Burger
Africa’ that cassava is widely grown in Nigeria and around the world. He explains to the programme: “It’s almost an indigenous plant. It’s grown right across the world in the equatorial belt. It grows like weed, and a farmer with a $3 cutlass can become a cassava farmer. We found at our factory
we have nearly 4000 small farmers who supply us with cassava, very few have mechanised, and they can effectively grow large volumes of cassava.” Burger believes that the cassava industry has the potential to help create jobs in Nigeria. He tells ‘CNN Marketplace Africa’: “Looking at the whole of Nigeria, Nigeria grows around 50 million tons of cassava a year. You put all these things together, you’ve got huge unemployment, a need for work for the young people, you’ve got a crop and a plant that lives here, that can be used to create industrial products, and the elements are all there for a good recipe to develop this thing and to put people to work.” However, Burger tells ‘CNN Marketplace Africa’ that there wasn’t always such a demand for cassava: “When we started we struggled. In the first year
we probably produced 900 tons. Last year we produced 8000 tons. This year we’ll produce 16000, 17000 tons. And the policy wasn’t the only factor; this awakening to the fact cassava you can do more with it than just make curry out of it, but the policy and the drive has made people sit up and take notice.” The positive effects of the flour policy have also been felt by the cassava farmers. Alhaji Sherif Adewale Adenuga tells ‘CNN Marketplace Africa’ that the cassava market has grown since he first began farming: “I have been in farming since 1986. Though then it was on a very small scale. Until recently when we began to have a market for our cassava… This policy has helped farmers a lot. We are able to cultivate more area, and as such we are able to employ more people, our own lives have been better.” BC
Nescafé’s ‘Get Started Challenge’ finalists announced
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escafé, from the stable of Nestle Plc has announced the four finalists of the 2015 ‘Get Started Challenge’, an initiative that aims to inspire young African entrepreneurs to generate innovative ideas that will create value for society. A statement from the company noted that between April and June, almost 2,000 of ideas in the areas of technology, health, art and culture, community development and the environment, were collected from 18 to 30 year olds across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. It noted that after a rigorous selection process, the public voted for the top four entries on the brand’s Facebook page. They are Dare Adu, a young
man from Nigeria, who aims to help widows and orphans to become financially independent through a healthy snack business. Moïse Compaoré, from Burkina Faso, wants to help reduce the number of avoidable deaths by providing key medicines to patients in emergency wards, while Ivorian Pierre Nahoa intends to create a platform providing local language courses in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond. A young woman from Mali Finally, Korotoumou Sidibé, dreams of eradicating food insecurity by improving the shelf life of food products through better packaging. The company explained that hese young entrepreneurs will be coached by influential African bloggers via live Google Hang-
outs; a platform that allows both voice and video conversations from any computer with internet connection. The shortlisted candidates will then present the business case for their idea in front of a jury of leading African entrepreneurs, who will select the overall winner. The jury consists of Toyosi Akerele-Ogunisji, founder of the RISE Networks Social Enterprise; Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership Academy; and Adama Ndiaye, the fashion designer behind Adama Paris and founder of Dakar Fashion Week. “We can’t wait to see what these dreams are really made of,” said Fred Swaniker. “Each of them has the potential to greatly contribute to positively shape the future of Africa.”
The winner will receive USD 30,000 worth of financial support and mentoring to turn his dream into reality. “I want you to believe in yourself, have passion for what you do, be humble to people, go around and talk to people about your dream and I guarantee you’ll become successful”, this is the encouragement from last year’s winner. Muazu Adamu, a 21 year-old-student from Nigeria, won $20,000 towards implementing his dream of lighting up Africa by boosting power produced from power generators. Muazu and his partner, Solomon, will soon begin a mentorship and idea creation training programme in Nigeria to help them manage their business more efficiently. BC
Natures Gentle supports basic education for children
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ersonal style brand, Natures Gentle Touch has lend its support to Basic Education for Nigerian children at a seminar organised by Basic Education Africa ,BEAfrica, in partnership with the Jackson Family Foundation. The seminar themed‘’ Make that Change’’ highlighted the importance of quality basic education for Nigerian children and the challenges facing its implementation. While making a presentation at the event, Natures Gentle Touch Brand Manager, Mrs. Toyin Adepegba, stated that education is the way out of poverty. She said that basic education should be encouraged for every child, stressing that parents, teachers, the government, individuals and private organizations have roles to play in ensuring that every Nigerian child gets the basic education needed to foster their career of choice. “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate BEAfrica for coming up with this great initiative, which I believe has brought to light what is currently being experienced in the educational sector. It is an initiative that will get more people involved, especially private organizations. It is a great honor to be part of this event and to join our voices with the world to secure the future of our children and Africa at large” she said. The seminar is aimed at creating a platform for key stakeholders of basic education in Nigeria to exchange ideas on key issues that affect its full implementation and offer solutions on the way forward. In her opening remarks, Founder/Chair of BEAfrica, Ms Abimbola Okoya noted that the seminar is one of the non-profit organization’s advocacy tools to promote quality basic education in Nigeria. This is achieved through a public discourse on the current state of education in Nigeria, the factors contributing to non-education of the Nigerian child and the need for a sustainable positive change in the education sector at large. She added that it also discusses the interventions that are currently being experienced and proffers recommendations on improving the sector. BC
Adepegba
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy Review
Consumers rage over electricity charges, as DISCOs dare NERC In spite of sustained directives by the National Electricity Regulation Commission NERC to the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to provide electricity consumers billing meters to end the contentious estimated billing regime, the companies have yet to comply, thereby raising stakeholders’ concern about the impunity with which they flout the regulatory authority’s order. Gbenga Odogun reports on the billing system and what consumers describe as its seeming lawlessness.
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hese are definitely not the best of times for electricity consumers across the country. East, West, North or South, the story is the same as consumers continue to groan under the yoke of crazy bills being sent to them by the Distribution Companies. For instance, in past month especially, consumers have expressed dismay at the amount the DISCOs are charging them which they see as totally outrageous when the power supply during the period could not justify the companies’ bills. In Lagos, some consumers got between N40,000 and N45,000 last month due to what the DISCOS termed “coded billing” often issued based on estimation for those without meters or whose meters were faulty. Ademola Yusuf lives in a three bedroom flat apartment in Isheri area of Magodo. He complained that he got a bill of N30,000 for the month of July and all efforts to complain at the unit servicing his area had fallen on deaf ears of the officials of the distribution company serving the areas they claimed that his complaint could only be attended to after his bill must have been settled fully. This system often produces what is now termed” crazy bills” as its calculations
Adejanju
are never accurate since they are not based on actual consumption but on estimation deriving from previous bills. Business Courage investigations showed a clear evidence that the DISCOs were deliberately denying consumers access to pre paid meters to enable them impose their estimated crazy bills on the said another consumers who narrated his experience “For the past three years, the company has promised to distribute the meters but they have not. They have continued to enjoy coded billing of their consumers who are not on functional meters adding that the August billing is a clear case of extortion by the company”, Yusuf retorted. This practice has however received several knocks not only from the consumers but also the National Assembly who queried the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC on why consumers were being forced to pay for electricity not consumed. The queries touched on the customer complaints by electricity consumers, the fixed charge, bulk metering of customers and estimated billing. Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in its response said that electricity consumers are not expected to make any other payment for electricity supply outside the
Amadi
monthly tariff as approved by the Commission. There are however, a few exceptions where a customer may make payment for capital items and get refunded, with reference to payment for meters and capital items. The commissions position as articulated by the chairman Dr Sam Amadi affirms NERC’s understanding of the place of customers in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry adding that the Commission performs its function of encouraging distribution companies on consumer protection by establishing ‘Customer Complaints Handling Standards and Procedures’ to covers that aspect. He further revealed that the Commission monitors the complaints to distribution companies on a monthly basis through the establishment of the NERC Forum Offices whose membership were drawn from stakeholders such as Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Civil Society Organizations. ’ On customer complaints, the Commission helmsman affirms NERC’s understanding of the place of customers in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry as the Commission performs its function of encouraging distribu-
tion companies on consumer protection adding that ‘’The Regulation on Customer Complaints Handling Standards and Procedures covers that aspect’’ Amadi said. He revealed that ‘’ this regulation stipulates that every distribution company should establish functional customers complaints units to receive and resolve all complaints from customers on electricity supply within their area of operation. A timeline of 15 days is specified for this’’. He further revealed that the Commission monitors the complaints to distribution companies on a monthly basis. This includes establishment of the NERC Forum Offices to make effective complaint management mechanism. Representations at the Forum comprise stakeholders from Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Civil Society Organizations. Amadi also said that the Commission has asked the distribution companies to find a way to restructure the fixed charge such that no one would be made to pay fixed charge for electricity not consumed. ‘’ This remodeling of the fixed charge will be part of the ongoing tariff review process being conducted by the distribution companies’’
Dr Amadi also revealed that the Commission has carried out extensive customer sensitization at both local and state levels in conjunction with the distribution companies and the consumer protection council. This is even as the distribution companies have been mandated to carry out sensitization programs as part of their tariff review exercise. He informed that electricity consumers are not expected to make any other payment for electricity supply outside the monthly tariff as approved by the Commission. There are however, a few exceptions where a customer may make payment for capital items and get refunded, with reference to payment for meters and capital items. Contacted Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company said that the increase in the bill amounts was a reflection of the improved power supply across the nation .Customers should expect to pay more since power has improved, but if there is significant increase ,it might be as a result of accumulation of previous bills, he advised the affected consumers with outrageous bills to visit any of their 10 commercial units for harmonization of their complains since the bill originate from there. BC
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Firms to invest more on drone technology for assets’ security Drone
Isaiah Erhiawarien
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s the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, last week unveiled plans to deploy drones as surveillance equipment for monitoring pipelines across the country, latest reports showed that the trend of drones for security watch is assuming an increasingly growing dimension globally Drones are an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and also referred to as a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In technological parlance, they are aircraft without a human pilot aboard. According to reports obtained by Business Courage from International Data Corporation, IDC, a global telecoms research company reported the use of drones by mining companies to enhance operations, particularly as security surveillance is taking a big chunk of their technology budget. IDC reported this year that Energy Insights Research, which found an overwhelming 83 per cent of mining companies, stated that their technology budgets will increase or stay the same in 2015. The Corporation stated further that top strategic objectives for miners this year include improving safety and automation of assets as well as mine operations management and control. A press statement from the research firm disclosed that the survey of 190 miners globally found 69 per cent of mining companies are looking at innovations for remote operation and monitoring centres saying that new mining methods are an area of concern for 56 per cent of companies, while 29 per cent are looking into robotics and 27 per cent at unmanned drones. “The potential for data intelligence, data integration, and technologies like robotics to change the physical nature of mining is recognised by leading min-
ing companies, which are taking steps to realise that potential,” said IDC. The IDC said the impact of technological transformation and digital disruption has been apparent in IT-intensive sectors for some time but these trends are only recently beginning to influence the mining sector. “The future of mining is to create the capability to manage the mine as a system – through an integrated web of technologies like virtualisation, sensors, robotics, and the connectivity of IOT (Internet of things), which will allow more complete command of the whole system”, said the report. According to Corporation, IT is connecting the physical with the virtual for miners through a raft of technologies, sensors and solutions which are enabling greater transparency across mining operations adding that “This transformation is not only about being able to see what is happening across a given mine, but rather about the ability to control the entire mining environment and, eventually, to respond predictively to various operational factors.” The mining sector is facing a period of enormous challenges and falling commodity prices have made cutting costs the industry’s top priority. “Globally, productivity of mining companies has been declining since before the commodity price boom, despite vast production and supply-chain investments. Mining companies are under more pressure than ever to get more material from the ground, of the highest possible grade at the lowest possible cost”, the Corporation reported. While appreciating that role of technology as an enabler in the present crisis in the mining sector globally, it noted that technology was becoming critical for core mining operations to save costs and up production noting that the survey found the vision of mining company leaders was the stand-out characteristic that
Kachikwu
made them more successful with their transformation initiatives to date. IDC suggested that leadership transformation where senior leaders have a sophisticated understanding of technology that informs their vision for transformation needs to play a more significant role globally, as it is still developing across the mining sector in most countries. Before the decision by the management of the NNPC to deploy drones to keep watch over the nation’s pipeline, the NNPC, has raised alarm over the devastating impact of the activities of vandals on the petroleum pipelines saying that the activities of pipeline vandals have complicated the free flow of petroleum products and crude supply in its pipeline system leading to a colossal cost of over N174.57 billion in product losses and repairs of products pipelines within the last 10 years. Statistics from the NNPC showed that that a total of 16,083 pipeline breaks were recorded within the last 10 years
adding that while 398 pipeline breaks representing 2.4 per cent were due to ruptures, the activities of unpatriotic vandals accounted for 15,685 breaks which translates to about 97.5 per cent of the total number of cases. According to records, the System 2E/2EX which conveys products from the Port Harcourt refinery to Aba- Enugu-Makurdi depots onwards to Yola-EnuguAuchi appears to be the haven of pipeline vandalism in the country particularly the Port Harcourt-Aba/Isiala-Ngwa axis. In all, 8,105 breaks were recorded along the system 2E within the period representing about 50.3 per cent of the total number of petroleum products pipeline breaks in the country. The attacks left the NNPC with a cost of N78.15 billion in product loses and pipeline repairs. The System 2A product pipeline route which conveys products from Warri-Benin-Suleja/ Ore depots ranks second on the scale of pipeline break points with 3,259 cases representing about 20.2 percent of the to-
tal volume of products pipeline breaks in Nigeria. The figure also came with a loss of over N20.39 billion in products and pipeline repairs. The System 2B which carries products from the Atlas CoveMosimi-Satelite-Ibadan-Ilorin depots recorded 2,440 breaks leading to a loss of over N73.6 billion in products and pipeline repairs. Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, recently that the corporation was working on a range of far reaching options aimed at ending the ugly episodes of crude and petroleum products theft within the next eight months. One of such moves is the deployment of drones to monitor pipelines and oil vessels as well as working assiduously with the law enforcement agencies to increase the presence of military personnel in the area, the ultimate security for critical oil and gas assets lies squarely with the host communities. “We are launching an armada of approaches which will include the deployment of drones to check movements of vessels within our territorial waters; we are looking at the current logistical nightmares of changing workers at the loading bay of crude oil export terminals virtually every 90 days” he said. He noted that most of product pipelines were ruptured and attacked frequently saying that between June 2014 and June 2015, “we recorded about 3, 500 to 4,000 attempts at the various products pipelines across the country. In addition to that, the pipelines that are supposed to convey crude to the refineries are perpetually hacked. ’’ Kachikwu maintained that the impact of oil theft is hampering the smooth operations of the nation’s refineries, warning that, if left unchecked, the menace could lead to the inability of NNPC to operate the refineries. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
Intel launches 6th generation processor Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien
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ntel Corporation has introduced the 6th Generation Intel Core processor family, the company’s best ever processor. The 6th Generation Intel Core processor delivers enhanced performance and new immersive experiences at the lowest power levels ever and also supports the broadest range of device designs – from the ultramobile computer stick, to 2 in 1s and huge high-definition All-in-One desktops, to new mobile workstations, effectively marking a turning point in people’s relationship with computers. Built on the new Skylake microarchitecture on Intel’s leading 14nm manufacturing process technology, 6th Gen Intel Core processors deliver up to two and a half times better performance, triple the battery life, and graphics that are 30 times better than the standard, delivering seamless a gaming and video experiences. They can also be half the size and weight of older computers, have faster wake up time, and battery life that lasts virtually all day. According to the Senior Vice President at Intel and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, Kirk Skaugen, “6th Gen Intel Core processors deliver some of the most significant advancements in computing that we have ever seen. New 6th Gen Intel Core-based systems are more responsive than ever with enhanced performance, battery life and security.
Kirk Skaugen
“And they can enable amazing new PC experiences like logging into your computer with your face and having a personal assistant respond to your voice. The combination of 6th Gen Intel Core processors, Windows 10 and beautiful new systems from PC manufacturers make this the best time ever to buy a new computer.” Intel Core M processors, which can offer twice the performance of leading premium tablets, will now include brand levels Intel Core m3, m5 and m7 processors to provide people with more clarity and choice in finding the Intel Core M processor-based device that best meets their specific needs. The Intel Computer Stick lineup expands to include a version powered by the 6th Gen Intel Core M processor. This new generation of Intel processors also includes several firsts for mobile designs: a mobile “K” SKU that is unlocked to enable overclocking with even more user control, a new quad-core Intel Core i5 processor that offers up to
60 per cent improved mobile multitasking, and the Intel Xeon E3 processor family now powering mobile workstations. The 6th Gen Intel Core processors deliver significant improvements in graphics performance to offer stunning visuals for gaming as well as compelling 4K content creation and media playback. New Intel Speed Shift technology improves the responsiveness of mobile systems so people can, for example, apply a photo filter up to 45 per cent faster. In addition, the 6th Gen Intel Core and Intel Xeon platforms will offer a variety of new features and experiences. More devices will feature Thunderbolt 3 for USB Type-C, enabling one compact port that does it all. A user-facing or world-facing Intel RealSense Camera will be available on a range of new 6th Gen Intel Core processor-based 2 in 1s, notebooks and All-inOne desktop systems, offering new depth-sensing capabilities and immersive experiences that allow people to do things like take and share lifelike 3-D selfies, scan objects and print in 3-D, and easily remove and change their background during a video chat. The 6th Gen Intel Core platform will also advance Intel’s “no wires” initiative to deliver the best experience for wireless display available today with Intel WiDi or Pro WiDi. This technology allows people to easily share from their computer to a TV, monitor or projector without the mess of wires and dongles. BC
Dimension Data to host Innovation Dinner Nigeria
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frica’s technology news IT News Africa has said that Dimension Data will be the lead sponsor of the next edition of the IT News Africa Innovation Dinner Series in Nigeria, to be hosted in partnership with VCE. The event, which holds on September 2015, has as its theme: Transform to Better Perform: Information Technology’s role in driving competitive advantage, customer value and business growth in an uncertain economic environment. A recent World Bank Global Economic Prospects report
warned that Nigeria will face a series of tough challenges in 2015 and 2016 saying that these challenges include the looming prospect of higher borrowing costs as the West African country adapts to a new era of low prices for oil and other key commodities. Low oil prices have considerably reduced growth in commodity-exporting countries (Angola, Nigeria), and also slowed activity in non-oil sectors. In responding to the challenging business environment, senior management is increas-
ingly looking to IT to provide innovation and transformation, reduce costs and improve business efficiency. These challenges will require a new vision and operating model for IT infrastructure and service delivery one that is far more responsive, adaptive, scalable and efficient than yesterday’s version. The Innovation Dinner will address the many challenges faced by today’s IT leaders in Nigeria, and provide a roadmap towards delivering sustainable business. BC
Huawei challenges Apple, Samsung with Mate S
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uawei unveiled a new smartphone yesterday, taking aim at the high end of the market dominated by Apple and Samsung. The Mate S, launched on the side-lines of Europe’s biggest consumer electronics show, IFA, in Berlin, it has a 5.5-inch display, a 13MP rear camera and fingerprint security. Huawei says it is one of the first smartphones to include a Force Touch display, which
can distinguish between a light tap and deep press, enabling access to more functions by pressing harder. Apple is expected to introduce iPhones featuring Force Touch technology next week. Huawei became the world’s third-biggest smartphone company by sales last month, according to Gartner, overtaking Chinese rival Lenovo, and aims to become the first Chinese firm to sell more than 100 million smartphones this
year. But it is still far behind Samsung, which had 21.9 per cent of the market in the second quarter, and Apple, on 14.6 per cent. Huawei’s share rose to 7.8% from 5.4 per cent in the first quarter. Huawei’s Mate S phone will retail for €649 euros ($732) − comparable to some higherend Apple iPhone 6 series models − with a premium version for €748, the Chinese company said. BC
Technotalk
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)
How to check if someone is using your Wi-Fi
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here are many reasons why you would want to check if an unauthorized party is using your wireless network. It may be that you’re experiencing a slower than normal Internet connection or you simply don’t want anyone getting a free ride while you pay the bill. Of course, there are also security implications if this person can somehow access files on your network, and even legal implications if he uses your connection for piracy or other illicit activities. Whatever the case, it’s better to stay on the safe side. Many people may have already taken some basic precautions when setting up their wireless network and know their ways around troubleshooting these issues. This brief guide is aimed mostly at novice users in need a hand to find out if, indeed, their Wi-Fi is being stolen. * Check the devices associated with your router The first thing you need to do is login to your router’s administrative console by typing its IP address directly into the browser address bar -- typically 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 depending on which router you have. If you don’t know your router’s default address check out this guide or simply go to the command prompt (Start > Run/Search for cmd) and enter ipconfig. The address you need should be next to Default Gateway under your Local Area Connection. Alternatively, if you are on a Mac, you can find the default address by going to Network under System Preferences. It should be listed right next to “Router:” if you are using Ethernet, or by clicking on “Advanced…” and heading to the “TCP/ IP” tab if you are using Wi-Fi. Next, point your browser to that address and enter your login details -- if you haven’t changed the default settings it should be a combination of “admin” and “password” or blank fields. Here’s a default username and password list (PDF) you might find useful, but it is recommended that you change this afterwards. Once inside your router’s administrative console look for a section related to connected devices or wireless status. In my old DIR-655 from D-Link it’s available under Status > Wireless but you’ll find it as “Attached Devices” in Netgear routers, under DHCP Clients Table on Linksys routers, “Device List” if you are using the Tomato firmware, and so on. * DHCP client list examples on D-Link and Linksys routers. This should provide a table with the IP, MAC address and other details of every device currently connected to the router. Check that list against your gear to find any intruders. You can find out the MAC/IP address of your computers by going to the Command Prompt again and entering ‘ipconfig /all’. The MAC address will be shown as the physical address * Take action The best and simplest solution is to set up a strong password using WPA2 or WPA -- WEP is very easy to crack so avoid that if possible. There are some other methods you can use to beef up security, like switching off the SSID broadcast (which prevents it from advertising the name of your network to nearby Wi-Fi devices) or setup a filter for allowed or blocked devices by MAC address. It won’t stop the most determined intruder but it will slow him down. That should be more than enough for most users but if you need to actually track down who’s been breaking into your network it’s possible to pinpoint his physical location using a tool called MoocherHunter. You’ll need to burn a Live CD to boot your laptop with and walk around to track down unauthorized wireless clients. According to the program’s description, it detects traffic sent across the network and can find the source within two meters accuracy. Needless to say, we’re not suggesting you take matters into your own hands, but it might come in handy if someone is getting you in trouble with authorities using your network for illegal purposes -- or simply to have a cool story to tell. * Bonus: Profit by setting up a paid Wi-Fi hotspot If it doesn’t bother you to have someone piggybacking on your connection you might as well get something in return, right? Chillifire is a good third-party firmware alternative if you want to run a public hotspot, as it allows you to offer forpay or free Internet access points from your consumer router. Alternatively, you can get a Fonera router, which gives you free roaming at Fon Spots worldwide in return for sharing a little bit BC BC of your WiFi at home. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Sonny Folorunsho Kuku:
An investment-savvy
physician He is one of the triumvirates that established the highly successful Eko Hospital, a testimony to what the human spirit can achieve with hard work, dedication, tolerance and a sense of professionalism. But beyond his brilliance in the medical practice, he is also an avid entrepreneur and investor with unquenchable passion for enterprise development and investment. This is the story of Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, a physicianturned corporate icon. Adejuwon Osunnuyi
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lor’ogun Sonny Folorunsho Kuku’s credentials as a physician are quite intimidating. But while he remains a reference of excellence in medical practice, he is also an avid entrepreneur and investor, with strong passion for enterprise development and investment. In both his primary calling, medicine, and his hobby - investment, Dr. Kuku holds many unequalled firsts and for many decades, he has been the quintessential example of the symbiotic healing between medicine and financial security. In 1984, he led the transformation of the Eko Hospital into a distinct corporate entity with the incorporation of Ekocorp. A decade later, Ekocorp made history as the first medical company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE and as at last Thursday, May 31, Ekocorp Plc has a market value of about N2.7 billion, selling at N5.05 per share. Besides Ekocorp, Kuku also has a long-standing interest in the financial services sector. He had served on the board of the defunct Midas Merchant Bank and currently, he chairs the board of Midas Stockbrokers Limited. With his growing profile as an investment-savvy physician, Dr
Kuku was appointed to the board of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, the Nigerian subsidiary of the pan-African bank holding company, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), in 2004. In March 2010, Dr. Kuku was elected to chair the multinational 14-member board of Ecobank Nigeria, at the completion of the terms of John Odeyemi, another industry icon. Besides his major equity stake in Ekocorp, another public proof of Dr. Kuku’s investment prowess is his shareholding in Ecobank Nigeria. He is believed to hold the second largest equity stake among the directors with his shareholdings more than 167 per cent above the entire direct and indirect shareholdings of other directors, excluding the director with the largest shareholding. As a former board member of Clina-Immunoassay Lab and Total Health Trust Ltd, Dr Kuku, no doubt, has demonstrated that healthy body and soul need not only medical prescriptions, but also the assurance of financial security that comes with building nest eggs that stream in incomes irrespective of physical presence or absence. A consultant physician and endocrinologist by profession, Dr. Kuku is the first African Master of the American College of Physicians, the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award
Kuku
of the University of Lagos, the Ambassador of Goodwill Award of the City of Freetown and the first and only physician to list the shares of a hospital. A long-standing trustee and distinguished fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, president and trustee of the West African College of Physicians, President of Pan African Diabetes Study Group, past Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities and Committee of Chairman of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, Chairman, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Dr Kuku, is one of the triumvirates that established the highly successful Eko Hospital in 1978. He was conferred with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2003 by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was also the Chairman of the Human
Capital Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economics Summit Group. A native of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, South West Nigeria, Dr. Kuku was born on January 3, 1944 in Jos, present day Plateau State capital. He had his elementary education at three different schools, starting with St. Paul’s School, Jos, St. Patrick’s School, Yaba and later at the Salvation Army School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos between 1949-1956. He was at the famous King’s College, Lagos from 1957-1963 for his secondary education. Kuku studied in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, University Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, and Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School and Hammer-Smith Hospital, University of London University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Roch-
ester, New York, U.S.A. (19681969) After graduating, he won a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1971 to study at the famous Royal Post-graduate Medical School (Hammersmith Hospital) University of London. Within three years, he added a couple of more feathers to his already spectacular cap. He obtained a PhD in addition to becoming a member of the Royal College of Physicians. Prior to this time, in 1968, he had been awarded a B.Sc (Hons) in Medical Biochemistry by the University of Lagos in conjunction with the University of Rochester, New York. In 1972, he received a M.Sc in Clinical pathology. After his academic pursuit in New York, Dr. Kuku lectured at the University Of Chicago School Of Medicine where he was a Senior Fellow until 1976, when he returned home. He continued his lecturing career in the UniversiContinued on pg A14
Business Courage
ty Of Lagos College Of Medicine where he rose to be Senior Lecturer within the year. In 1986, he was honoured with the coveted Fellowship of the royal College of Physicians, London, and the following year, took a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Lagos by thesis. In 1968, while at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York on a one-year pre-doctoral Fellowship, the young Kuku was exposed to a fascinating and rewarding experience that he decided, there and then that he must return to the U.S for his residency training. This was however not to be, as he found himself at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, where he completed the MRCP, PhD programme in 1974. In October 1974, he was invited back home to Nigeria to take a Faculty position. During his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, the whole world virtually opened for Dr.Kuku. As he admitted in a recent interview, “With my training and qualifications, job offers from all nooks and crannies came to me. The temptation to stay and make a career in the US, as was becoming fashionable at that time, was very great particularly since all my attempts at securing a suitable position at home did not meet with any measure of success.” But then, despite the temptation of the good fortunes in the U.S, the young Kuku never had any serious thoughts about not going back home. “First, I knew and felt that my country needed me more than the developed countries like the U.S. I also knew that in my country, I would be a first class citizen and be more relevant,” he had reasoned then. So, with this well guided patriotic zeal, Kuku took the plunge and returned home without any job offer in 1975, but determined to find work. “My gamble paid off because our dynamic military ruler at that time was an avid newspaper reader who saw a satirical article about me in a newspaper describing me as a man over-qualified to be employed. Employment came a few days later. It is very unlikely that the President of the U.S would be in a position to invite me, a Nigerian, in such circumstances and offer me a job if I was still in the U.S. This immediately justified one of the reasons I insisted on coming back home despite the fact that jobs and life were rosier abroad,” he said. Back in Nigeria, the young Dr. Kuku was confronted with what turned out to be his first shock: the paucity of the salary and the backwardness of the infrastructure and quality of living. Kuku discovered to his chagrin that he was over qualified for the job he was offered and his training was too high-powered for the kind of laboratories or funds available. However, not minding the
challenges, he decided to put to use,whatever part of his training that was applicable rather than continuing his research into the molecular nature of hormones like thyrotrophin, glucaton, etc. “I set up a small reference endocrine laboratory that made measurement of hormones available to the whole country for the first time. From the laboratory, I was able to study basic things like normal hormone levels in the African and in pathological states like infertility leading to seminal work affecting lives of a vast number of people and evolutionizing treatment. I probably might have broken the atom if I remained in the U.S (chance almost nil) but I doubt if my work would have touched so many lives! I have also; building on experience gained from the U.S, set up a tertiary hospital in the private sector, the only one to be quoted in the Nigerian Stock Exchange,” he said. He worked as Consultant Physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) until 1977 when he formally pulled out of public service to join Mercy Specialist Clinic. As told by those familiar with his story, three years after returning to Nigeria, Kuku re-united with two of his professional colleagues, Eneli and Obiora, who have been friends since their days in College of Medicine, University of Lagos. After he pulled out of public service, the trio moved their services to Mercy Specialist Clinic, Lagos, which incidentally became the springboard through which what is today referred to as one of the best private specialists hospital in Nigeria, Eko Hospital was established. About five years after joining Mercy Hospitals, the triumvirates: Kuku, the late Alexander Chuma Ayodele Eneli and Augustine Amechi Obiora floated Eko Hospital, an acronym formed from the first letters of the founder’s surnames in alphabetical order i.e. “E” for ENELI, “K” for KUKU and “O” for OBIORA. From a four-bed capacity clinic situated at Ebute-Meta, Lagos in 1977, the company has grown into a multi-service and multilocation hospital with operations in Ikeja, Ikoyi, Central Lagos, Surulere, etc. to cover the entire Lagos area. In 1988, a Management Agreement was signed between Eko Hospital, Ikeja Ltd and the Eko Hospital Limited whereby Eko Hospital Limited, was to manage Eko Hospital, Ikeja Limited. This arrangement further culminated into the sales of all assets and liabilities of Eko Hospital Ikeja Limited to Eko Hospital Limited. In compliance with the Companied and Allied Matter Decree 1990, the company, by a special resolution passed in 1991 was re-registered as a Public Limited Liability Company (PLC), by a Board resolution in 1994 and approved at the Annual General Meeting; the Eko Hospital Plc
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Monday, September 7, 2015
Kuku
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From a four-bed capacity clinic situated at Ebute-Meta, Lagos in 1977, the company has grown into a multi-service and multilocation hospital with operations in Ikeja, Ikoyi, Central Lagos, Surulere, etc. to cover the entire Lagos area
was changed to Ekocorp Plc. Today, the Hospital has grown in leaps and bounds, with two full-fledged hospitals located at Ikeja and Surulere in Lagos. The Ikeja facility is a private teaching hospital of 130 beds and state of the equipment. It is a tertiary institution with a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic equipment. The Surulere hospital is a 40-bed secondary healthcare facility. A third hospital is currently under construction at the new Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A diagnostic centre and clinic is operational in Ikoyi area of Lagos. The philosophy of the multihospital group is to provide excellent medical care at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Today, the hospital has undergone significant transformation, as it is the only publicly quoted hospital business in Nigeria Stock Exchange under the auspices of the name EKOCORP PLC. The company enjoys tremendous goodwill and occupies an enviable position as a market leader in private hospital market sector. Affiliated to Olabisi Onabanjo University as a training centre for clinical students of the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Eko hospital is one of the largest, best equipped and recognised medical institutions in the country and it has good patronage to show for it. Moreover, it is one of the few private hospitals recognised by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council to train house officers (newly qualified doctors) and the only private hospital recognised by the Nigerian
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Postgraduate Medical College to train general practice resident doctors for Parts I and II fellowships. Its facilities are used by graduate and post-graduate trainees, house officers and interns accredited by the Nigerian PostGraduate Medical College, Nigerian Medical and Dental Council and the Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Science Councils of Nigeria. With its first-class equipment in the various fields of Medicine – Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Ophthalmology, Electro Encephalography (EEG), Endoscopy, CT-Scanning, Radiodiagnosis, Radiotherapy and Effective Investigative Laboratory, patients are assured of quality primary, secondary and tertiary health care services. Other services such as a Diabetes/Endocrinology Centre, Comprehensive Health Screening, Fertility and Pain Management and Rehabilitation Centre at the Ikeja Head Office also testify to the Hospital’s leadership in the Nigerian Private Health Sector as it is with its extensive database of Health Maintenance Organisations, HMOs and unparalleled National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, accreditation. Dr.Kuku is the chairman, board of Senior Citizens Care Foundation, SCCF, a registered Non-Governmental Organization, that sees into the fast growing global aging issues and actively
involved in the welfare of older persons. The foundation, whose vision is the preservation of the joy and values of the older generation, synergizes with international organizations in finding a lasting solution to the problems facing this aging class. It engages in research on ageing issues and welfare, medical care of aged person, senior citizens empowerment programme and organising health exercises among others. The erudite physician is also a board member of the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education, another charitable, non-profit making organisation, with a primary objective of promoting science education in Nigerian Institutions of higher learning. The foundation was set up in 1995 in honour of the Late Professor Stephen Oluwole Awokoya, the first (1946) Nigerian graduate in Chemistry. Late Professor Awokoya was the first (1952) Minister of Education in Western Nigeria, and he later became the Federal Permanent Secretary and Chief Federal Adviser on Education. He was also a Director at the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris for many years. He is the founder of the Sonny Kuku Foundation, SKF, which is a foundation established to support research in Sickle Cell and Diabetes - Endocrine Diseases. As a result of his board appointment in Ecobank, Dr. Kuku is the current President of the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria,BDAN, an umbrella body of non-executive directors of banks established to provide a forum for improving the knowledge and the competence of bank directors. Kuku, who was elected at the 14th Annual General Meeting of BDAN, replaces Ferdinand Alabraba, former chairman, Board of Director of UBA Plc, who was elected president in 2009. A highly accomplished and respected medical practitioner, Kuku is a Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist and the Head of Medicine and Pathology at the prestigious Eko Hospital, where he is also a partner. He is the current President of the prestigious Nigerian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chairman, Education Committee, Faculty of Medicine and Examiner and Chairman of the Faculty of Internal Medicine of the West African College of Physicians. BDAN is the umbrella body of non-executive directors of banks established to provide a forum for improving the knowledge and the competence of Bank Directors, thereby promoting honourable practice within the banking industry in Nigeria. It was established in 1997 under the auspices of the Financial Institutions Training Centre, FITC, supported by both the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC. BC
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Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs KLINIC
With Mamora Victor Mamora is a system thinker and advisor whose belief and activator leadership strengths are directed towards improving workers perspective for city and enterprise development.
e-mail: olusegunmamora@gmail.com
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ecently I had a meeting with a professional accountant on finance and the critical role it plays in business and personal life of an entrepreneur. It was so revealing that I had to collaborate with the professional to co author this work for the improvement of your business and personal finance. Abiodun Mamora is an ACCA affiliate with over five years experience both in financial institution and ICT firm and has provided leadership at every stage of her career development. I hope what she shared with me, as contained in this edition and subsequent editions in the month will help you improve your financial strategy as you follow the series. The fact is that your financial strategy is the framework for the sourcing and utilization of financial resources within your organisation. It sets the tone for the management of finance in achieving the overall organisational goal. It is your responsibility as a business owner to ensure this is in place because it sets the direction for everyone. Since finance underlines every business activity, it is important that the strategy be put in place as this will ensure effective management of resources. Your financial strategy should be reviewed at least every five years to take into cognizance the changes in the internal and external environment of your enterprise.
Benefits of a strategy It serves as a compass giving direction to the organisation’s financial aspirations or targets It aids planning It makes for better utilization of resources It exposes a wide range of options and possibilities It helps in generating the required energy for organisational success Composition of financial strategy A financial strategy should detail what the organisation wants to earn, how it wants to earn it and the need to ensure it continues to earn. The ‘what’ and ‘how’ questions are thought provoking and highly required for the financial soundness
of an organisation. These are covered under the section on financial goal and cashflow projection. Equally important is the need for the sustainable growth of the organisation. To achieve sustainability, you will need to effectively manage the financing, operations and investing needs as detailed in this segment. Have a Financial Goal Your financial goal helps to answer the question ‘what do you want the organisation to earn?’ It can be expressed per day, week, month, year or for the duration of the strategy (i.e. five years as recommended). It is the financial aspiration of the business owner(s) in clear monetary terms. It requires foresight and good understanding of key economic indicators as external factors can impact on the earning ability of an organisation. Goals are required to be ‘SMART’ (i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound). It must seek to maximize the potential of everyone within the organisation and arose their ‘can do’ spirit. In addition to the customary features of goals, your financial goal should be challenging, motivating, propelling and inspiring.
Improving Your Financial Strategy
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A business that will continue to generate returns require an investment strategy that will ensure current earnings are effectively utilized
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BUSINESS
attaining the set financial goal. It shows how the resources of the organisation will be realized and utilized. Information required include the quantity of goods that must be sold and at what price to attain the set earnings target. Also, it shows the financial and operational resources that are required to attain the set goal. It is not enough to know where you are going, you must be able to de-
tail how you intend to get there. Cashflow projection gives flesh to the financial goal. It translates the goals from wishful thinking to realistic steps. Financing Strategy The cachflow projection will clearly show your financing need. Your immediate need is what is required to get the business to make its first earning. The financing strategy ad-
Develop your Cashflow Projection This spells out the ‘how’ of
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Motivational Business Quotes
o be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. – Thomas Watson, Sr. The absolute fundamental aim is to make money out of satisfying customers. – John Egan There are a lot of things that go into creating success. I don’t like to do just the things I like to do. I like to do things that cause the company to succeed. I don’t spend a lot of time doing my favorite activities. – Michael Dell I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should
gain as well. – Alan Greenspan You must be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi Let’s be honest. There’s not a business anywhere that is without problems. Business is complicated and imperfect. Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings. – Bob Parsons You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. – Jim Stovall BC
dresses the sources of fund to be used in the business. Aside the immediate need, there may be need in the near future for more fund either to finance an expansion or diversify operations. Hence, your financing strategy will spell out the short, medium and long term financing requirements and the alternative sources of fund available to the organisation given the size of the business and value of its financial goal. Operational Strategy This covers the process of translating the financial resources into the set earning target. This involves cost control at each stage of material conversion and proper accountability for revenue generated in the course of business. Without these two, the finance may go down the drain thereby making the ultimate goal an illusion. Operational strategy ensures resources (financial and material) are utilized for purposes they are meant for in an efficient manner. This outline the detailed work plan and ensures proper monitoring of operational activities necessary to attain the set financial goal. Investment strategy A business that will continue to generate returns require an investment strategy that will ensure current earnings are effectively utilized. With this strategy in place, a business will can increase its income generating ability many times over thereby accelerating the organisation’s financial target. However, investment decision could starve the organisation of the needed fund for day to day operations (i.e. working capital), hence the need for sound judgment. Investment strategy will identify the proportion of fund that should be maintained as liquid capital, noncurrent assets, inventory etc for maximum return. Dear entrepreneur, a financial strategy will help you to channel the financial resources of your organisation optimally thereby making the enterprise an earning magnet. With a proper monitoring process in place, your enterprise is on its way to attaining all your financial aspirations. You will win. BC
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Monday, September 7, 2015
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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs
The barrier breaking entrepreneur Once derided as someone who could not understand the complexity of a modern day computer, the proverbial rejected stone has turned around to become the cornerstone of information technology, using his robust knowledge of IT to transform many lives and ultimately making big money. This is the story of Gbenga Olabisi Sesan, Founder/Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria
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he story of his beginning and the present status is rather intriguing. In his third year at the Federal Government College, Idoani, Akure, Ondo State, Gbenga got an embarrassing rebuke that incidentally became the turning point in his career. At that time, his school just took delivery of two sets of computers and been too excited to try his hands on the devices, he got a shocker. One of his teachers simply told him, “Sorry, you can’t understand how to use them because they are not for people like you.” What Gbenga, perhaps, considered most embarrassing about his rebuke was that, two other students whose father was a professor in one of the federal universities were allowed to use the computer sets because they already knew how to use them. No one seemed in anyway ready to show young Gbenga Sesan how to explore the computers. However, rather than sulk and get discouraged, he decided to do everything within his powers not only to learn how to use computers, but also teach the skill to others. “I saw a computer for the first time during my third year in secondary school and the inability to satisfy my curiosity about the “machine” was a very big challenge to me. Instead of getting discouraged, however, I made up my mind that I was not only going to touch a computer but I would teach others how to use it to prevent the kind of embarrassment I faced each time I tried getting closer to the “magic beast,” he said in a recent interview. With the curiosity already established, immediately after his secondary school in 1994, Gbenga enrolled in a computer training school just before he got admission to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State. As at the time he got the admission, Gbenga’s understanding of computer had ap-
preciated. However, to perfect his computer skills, in his third year when he was to undergo his industrial attachment, he chose to work with Neural Technology Limited, a Lagos-based firm where he was also able to acquire skills in website designing, amongst other advanced skills. By the time Gbenga returned to the campus, he had already become more or less a computer guru. “When I returned to campus, I was really excited about teaching others, and I started teaching website designing to students for N2, 000. For the first 12 students that I taught, I was able to pay for my accommodation and a few other needs,” he recalls. By the time he graduated from the university, Gbenga had become a computer veteran! Just after graduation in 2001, he participated in a competition, emerged the winner, and was, therefore, appointed the first Information Technology Youth Ambassador for Nigeria. The idea behind the competition was to discover young Nigerians who grew up in Nigeria, understood technology, and could compete with anyone from anywhere in the world. One of the tasks assigned to him as part of his appointment was to travel around Nigeria, teaching people how to use the computer. As fate would also have it, the Federal Government College, Idoani, his alma mater, the same school he was rebuked for daring to show his enthusiasm of touching a computer was part of his assignments. Interestingly, however, when he was invited to the school after his presentation, the same teacher who had told him he didn’t know how to use computers was actually the one who gave the vote of thanks. Gbenga had his compulsory one year National Youth Service programme at the Junior Achievements of Nigeria, the body which spearheaded the project called Lagos Digital Village with young people
Sesan
and upon the completion of the NYSC; Gbenga was offered a full employment. He was the pioneer Programme Manager of Lagos Digital Village, the multistakeholder telecentre project that provides training, research
and mentorship opportunities for under-served youth in Nigeria. He resigned in 2007 to focus on something he had started online- Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, PIN. Today, Gbenga’s work is
built around the use of ICTs in socio-economic transformation such as job creation- focusing on under served groups, through his organisation known as Paradigm Initiative Nigeria. Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is a social enterprise that connects under-served Nigerian youth with ICT opportunities; with specific concern about the ill effects of unemployment and cybercrime, among other vices that limit the potential contribution of young Nigerians to the nation’s economy. PIN’s projects are built on years of combined experience and focus on socio-economic development. Its projects include Ajegunle.org, ISSPIN and TENT. Through these projects and its allied services, PIN connects individuals, people-groups, institutions and communities with the socio-economic opportunities that ICTs provide. PIN has consulted for British Council, Freedom House, Harvard University, International Telecommunications Union, Microsoft Nigeria and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, among others. Gbenga has often expressed his strong belief in the potential that ICT holds for Nigeria and Africa, the belief which has propelled him into been an active
Management Principles
The principles of change management (2)
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eaders of large change programmes must over perform during the transformation and be the zealots who create a critical mass among the work force in favour of change. This requires more than mere buy-in or passive agreement that the direction of change is acceptable. It demands ownership by leaders willing to accept responsibility for making change happen in all of the areas they influence or control. Ownership is often best created by involving people in identifying problems and crafting solutions. It is reinforced by incentives and rewards. These can be tangible (for example, financial compensation) or psychological (for example, camaraderie and a sense of shared destiny). Communicate the message Too often, change leaders make the mistake of believing that others understand the issues, feel the need to change, and see the new direction as clearly as they do. The best change programmes reinforce core messages through regular, timely advice that is both inspirational and practicable. Communications flow in from the bottom and out from the top, and are targeted to provide employees the right information at the right time and to solicit their input and feedback. Often this will require over communication through multiple, redundant channels. Assess the cultural landscape Successful change programmes pick up speed and intensity as they cascade down, making it critically important that leaders understand and account for culture and behaviours at each level of the organization. Companies often make the mistake of assessing culture either too late or not at all. Thorough cultural diagnostics can assess organizational readiness to change, bring major problems to the surface, identify conflicts, and define factors that can recognize and influence sources of leadership and resistance. These diagnostics identify the core values, beliefs, behaviours, and perceptions that must be taken into account for successful change to occur. They serve as the common baseline for designing essential change elements, such as the new corporate vision, and building the infrastructure and programs needed to drive change. Address culture explicitly Once the culture is understood, it should be addressed as thoroughly as any other area in a change programme. Leaders should be explicit about the culture and underlying behaviours that will best sup-
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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs participant at national, regional, and international discussions on the need for Africa’s inclusion in the Information Society. He was appointed as the youngest member of the Presidential Task Force on the Restructuring of the Nigerian Information Technology, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Sectors in August 2006 and member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on Youth and ICT in April 2008. A 2008 Ashoka Fellow, Gbenga was in September 2012 appointed into the membership of the Presidential Committee on Roadmap for the Achievement of Accelerated Universal Broadband Infrastructure and Services Provision. Early last year, he was listed by the Cable Network News (CNN), as one of the Top 10 Leading African Tech Voices and as one of 40 African Legends Under 40 by Ventures Africa. He has been honoured with the 2012 National Peace Award, 2012 Global Network for Africa’s Prosperity (GNAP) Fellowship. In 2011, he bagged the Cordes Fellowship and in 2010, he was conferred with the Santa Clara University GSBI Fellowship as well as the Crans Montana Forum of New Leaders for Tomorrow Fellowship award. With such glory deservedly earned within a short time, many in his mould would have become complacent, but not Gbenga, who sees it all as the beginning of greater things, and has, since then, continued to strive towards excellence. Over the years, he has received further trainings at the Lagos Business School, New York Group
Personal Finance Becoming your own master
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for Technology Transfer, Oxford, Harvard, Stanford and Santa Clara Universities. He also holds a diploma in software application, certificates in venture management and project management from the Lagos Business School. Born on July 27, 1977, Gbenga’s later day outlook could have been the product of his upbringing. He grew up under the tutelage of a conservative teacher as father and an itinerant mother, whose profession as a nurse ensures that she frequently travels. Early in life, Gbenga admitted learning about the need to run his own race and only compare himself with the “best possible me”. “I grew up on questions – wondering why what I saw on TV was way different from reality, among others. Quite curious, I asked questions all the way to the computer
port the new way of doing business, and find opportunities to model and reward those behaviours. This requires developing a baseline, defining an explicit end-state or desired culture, and devising detailed plans to make the transition. Company culture is an amalgam of shared history, explicit values and beliefs, and common attitudes and behaviours. Change programmes can involve creating a culture (in new companies or those built through multiple acquisitions), combining cultures (in mergers or acquisitions of large companies), or reinforcing cultures (in, say, long-established consumer goods or manufacturing companies). Understanding that all companies have a cultural centre — the locus of thought, activity, influence, or personal identification — is often an effective way to jump-start culture change. Prepare for the unexpected No change programme goes completely according to plan. People react in unexpected ways; areas of anticipated resistance fall away; and the external environment shifts. Effectively managing change requires continual reassessment of its impact and the organization’s willingness and ability to adopt the next wave of transformation. Speak to the individual : Change is both an institutional journey and a very personal one. People spend many hours each week at work; many think of their colleagues as a second family. Individuals (or teams of individuals) need to know how their work will change, what is expected of them during and after the change programme, how they will be measured, and what success or failure will mean for them and those around them. Team leaders should be as honest and explicit as possible. People will react to what they see and hear around them, and need to be involved in the change process. Highly visible rewards, such as promotion, recognition, and bonuses, should be provided as dramatic reinforcement for embracing change. Sanction or removal of people standing in the way of change will reinforce the institution’s commitment. Most leaders contemplating change know that people matter. It is all too tempting, however, to dwell on the plans and processes, which don’t talk back and don’t respond emotionally, rather than face up to the more difficult and more critical human issues. But mastering the “soft” side of change management needn’t be a mystery BC
laboratory in my secondary school where I was denied access. That, along with many other experiences from my childhood moved me closer to what is now my career direction – helping to connect others with the same opportunities I missed while growing up,” he said. Besides IT, Gbenga is also into writing and his writing efforts have yielded five books and numerous published works. He is the author of “Wh@t’s Next? The Future of the Information Society - A Youth Perspective” which was edited by Youth for Intergenerational Justice and Sustainability. He was involved in “TakingITGlobal, the book which describes what young people are doing with ICTs today, and attempts to describe the direction of the Information Society. ‘Gbenga also contributed towards the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s “Africa Networking: Development Information, ICTs and Governance”. He wrote the chapter titled, “African Youth in the Information Society”. In November 2005, ‘Gbenga completed editorial work on “Global Process, Local Reality: Nigerian Youth Lead Action in the Information Society”, which was presented at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis. Another of his efforts, “ICTs for Development: The Challenges of Meeting the Millennium Development Goals in Africa” was published by Nigerian Communications Commission/Growing Businesses Foundation/Club of Rome in September 2006 and featured a chapter on “Telecentres in Nigeria. He completed work on his first attempt at an autobiography, In My Own Words, in 2009 and was published by London-based Imprimata Publishers. Some of his published works include Digital Lifestyle of Connected Nigerians, Echoes From Ajegunle: Stories of Transformed Lives, From Small Steps to Giant Leap, ICTs for Development: A Social Entrepreneur’s Perspective, Ajegunle.org: Changing Ajegunle, 25 Youths at a time and Social Enterprise in Africa: An Emerging Concept in an Emerging Economy. BC
he best way to achieve success in life is to fire your own entrepreneurial spirit. For you to succeed, you need to have strong mindset of creating something. When you create your own business, you have some advantages over a business that you don’t even know whether you can be sacked today or at any time. Or you are already on a level with a fat salary and you now find yourself on the roads again, it is very disappointing. One thing is that, even if you are working, you can start a kind of business that you have passion for. If you have passion for it, your interest would be there. So, by the time you are no longer working, you will have something to fall back to. You can never be independent when someone has the power to tell you how many hours you must work, how long a vacation you may have and even as it happens in many cases- what kind of clothes you may or may not wear!. The man who has the brain and energy to get to the top in a big company and earn a “fat” salary would very likely become a millionaire were he to apply that energy and brain power to his own business.
Be your own master When a man works for others, he is merely helping to make his employers rich, which he does at the sacrifice of his own independence. There is only one way to achieve independence and the opportunities that go with it and that is to be your own MASTER. A lot has already been said on how to curb unemployment. Many theories have been propounded, position papers written. We are not short of orators. But none has actually showed what could be done. * Do what you love, the money will follow Many people live the nine-to-five world because they simply don’t have the passion for what they do. It can be very difficult to keep working at a dead-end job simply to pay the bills. However, when you choose to own your own business, you can follow your passion. Do you love to work with kids? Then you can start your own home day care. Do you have a flair for graphic design? Indulge your creativity by starting your own graphic design firm. The possibilities are endless. Studies show that you are more likely to stick with a fledgling business, even through the roughest startup period, if you are doing what you love. That’s why a home-based business can become your barrier against the recession. If you love what you are doing, you will stick with it. In the end, doing what you love can bring about financial peace and stability. *Invest in your own future When you own your own business, all of your hard work is invested in your future. Every success goes directly to your own pocket. You control how your money is invested. You can put it back into the business, into retirement account, or invest it as you deem fit. No longer will your efforts be frittered away by greedy corporate CEOs or inept management practices. Owning your own business is the surest way to seize control of your financial future. *Set your own pace One of the most fulfilling parts of owning your own home based business is that you finally have the flexibility to set your own work hours. If you are a stay-at-home mom with small children, you can work around their nap schedules. If you are caring for an elderly parent, you can accomplish a great deal by working around his or her care schedule. It’s even possible to work simply when you feel the most alert. For example, some people are night owls and get a great deal accomplished after midnight; others feel the most prolific in the early morning hours. When you become your own boss, you no longer have to adhere to a rigid schedule that’s determined by someone else. You don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to head to the doctor’s office or stay home with your kids. This means you can work when you feel like you can accomplish the most. That’s what keeps you on track — not only that, but it can be the best way to balance work and family. BC
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Coscharis unleashes most exquisite hatchback midsize car into Nigerian market tion parts. Such refined workmanship sets MG 5 apart from the rest in the A-class segment, and it’s arguably the most exquisite hatchback in the midsize car segment. What makes the MG 5 truly eye-catching is the meticulous workmanship apparent in every inch. Its imported, perforated Calfskin seats are reminiscent of the elegance of an English Knight, with a sense of impulse and adventure concealed beneath an aristocratic air; while its multi-purpose genuine Leather steering wheel also provides a sense of quality.
Adejuwon Osunnuyi
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t is barely three years when Coscharis Motors acquired the Morris Garages, MG Franchise as the sole representative of the brand in Nigeria. Although, the brand is relatively new in Nigeria, its rich historical heritage of over 90 years, leaves much to be desired. As one of the fastest growing brand in UK, MG recorded tremendous successes in the introduction of Hi-tech petrol and diesel engines across variants. Notable among the MG models is MG 5, the most exquisite European Hatchback in the mid-size car segment. Engine The MG 5 is equipped with a 1.5 litre fuel efficient, low emission engine, as well as a 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic transmissions. A powerful engine is definitely the best means for a soul to free itself from conventional rules. 1.5 Hyper-boost engine and smart adaptive 6 speed ATthis power combination raises MG’s power performance to the level of 2.0 litre car across all ordinary vehicle classes. It provides greater pleasure and freedom for your driving pleasure. A powerful bi-thermostat independent dual-positioned multi-layered cooling system helps to achieve the ideal balance between temperature of the engine block and cylinder head, so that your head remains cool and efficient during intense driving. The vehicle is also equipped with a Dual Mass Flywheel, state-of-the-art features for high-end maintenance that can greatly improve general performance in shock absorption and noise reduction. This will bring an unprecedented level of comfort to your driving experience. According to the manufacturer, MG 5 engine comes with high efficiency Smart 1.5 VTITech engine, 6 speed manual transmissions. The tough manual style in genuine British MG tuning creates a higher level of control sensitivity and stability, even under extreme conditions; you can still retain your composure.
Its paddle shifts originates from F1 race maintenance technology. This feature gives you the feeling of racing on the Silverstone Circuit during intense driving experience, and satisfies you with the double enjoyment of the joy of control and comfort during driving. Targets MG 5 is tailored-made for those IT elites and professionals with its cutting-edge design, refined style and Hi-tech features, which makes the car a preferred choice among the digital fashion generation. It fully caters for the need of those young buyers who enjoy a fashionable lifestyle and wish to show their distinctive personality. Competition: MG 5 Hatchback was designed in the UK under the watch of SAIC’s global design Director, Tony Williams, and it’s aimed at a slightly more mature and sophisticated audience, that targets the A-class sports sedan segment. It was launched in UK market in 2013 to compete with European small cars
such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall, Opel Astra, and Volkswagen Golf. The UK Cross-Class MG 5 Hatch-back combines the sporty character of a coupe with a functionality of a sedan. Exterior UK design is unique and are always distinguished by their distinctive cutting edge designs, refined appearance and idea that goes beyond regular UK design concepts to imbue the car with charm of speed in each and every detail. In terms of its overall contour, the MG 5 has opted for a hatchback body style which is popular in Europe, by adopting pioneering UK design concepts. Endowed with sharp, smooth body lines and flowing body contours, the MG 5 combines the elegance of curves with the robustness of straight lines to strike a fine balance between dynamism and elegance. A streamlined, diver-style car body looks like a leopard about to strike. It can dash to the opposite end of the world in the blink of an eye. Interior
The MG 5 extra-ordinary can be felt everywhere, from its sleek surface to the high-tech texture dashboard, as well as the details in chrome decora-
Aerodynamics The aerodynamic body lines provide MG 5 with extremely low drag coefficient. The super-low air resistance cannot only reduce aerodynamic drag but also boost fuel economy and improve handling stability. Additionally, its near perfect 50/50 axle load ratio improves handling performance and speed limit when cornering, which has accentuated the MG 5 sporty body nature and demonstrate the sports car design craftsmanship that has endured over eighty years. All new technologies and comprehensive accessories of-
Over 3,000 mechanics, fleet managers, young women register to be trained at Automedics Autofest
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ince Automedics Limited announced to the public the news of its forth-coming Automedics Autofest event recently, the corporate office of the Auto experts has witnessed an increased beehive of activities as fleet managers of companies, young women from all walks of life and most importantly auto technicians in Lagos have been rushing to take advantage of the free trainings on offer. It would be recalled that the Autofest team officially announced the free during a media parley with members of the Guild of Motoring correspondents at their Ikeja office recently. During the interactive session, Mr Gbola Oba, the COO of Automedics Limited informed the audience of a partnership arrangement sealed with two prominent mechanic associations in Lagos state to have their members trained in mechatronics and high tech, 21st century technologies in modern automobile. In his words, ‘members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association of Nigeria (NATA) and Motor Mechanics and technical Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN) have both registered thousands of their members in Lagos for the training’. According to the auto firm, several registration messages, mails and requests from corporate organisations and individu-
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Autocare Easy steps to extend the life of your vehicle
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fer good value and excellent driving experience. MG 5 is a true “smart car” with its functional hi-tech features readily accessible and within reach, which perfectly meets the demand of those young buyers who possess distinctive personalities that seek a fashionable lifestyle. Moreover, with excellent hi-tech experience it has created, the car is also well suited for those IT elites and hi-tech addicts. Additionally, boasting the longest wheelbase in its class, spacious interior, as well as double five-star safety rating, and comprehensive accessories that rival those offered only in luxury cars: MG 5 will be able to deliver excellent performance in all aspects The MG 5 has a 2650mm extra-long wheel which ensures driver and passenger comfort. The debut of the MG 5 into the market satisfies customers’ demand for both fashion and high-end quality, while demonstrating the forward-looking visions and extra-ordinary strength.
Safety In line with European standard and UK designs, MG 5 adopts the most double five star safety standard, namely the C-NCAP and the European pedestrian safety protection standard, with its re-enforced body, the car is extremely safe and durable while remaining light and agile You can only be sure of safety when there are multiple protections. Its design is based on five star pedestrian protection standards, plus the titan-grade driver safety protection strategy, providing safety features everywhere. A brand new generation of seven in one intelligent active safety systems and passive safety features (ABS/ESP/ CBC/MSR/EBD/BAS/TCS) ensure that the safety of every passenger is fully ensured. All direction six SRA airbags, Front pretention seat belts with loading limiting system, Auto-dimming inner rear view mirror. Technology brings about the people oriented care. The V-PDC holographic parking assistance
system helps you control everything behind your car. A super quiet extreme silence NVH space prevents external noises from entering the vehicle. The projector-type headlamps which shine like a pair of Lion’s eyes in the dark, is unique in its class, and adds to the beauty and active safety features of the car. According to Mathew Aje, Brand Manager, MG, “The MG 5 is ideal for both retail and fleet customers alike, and trendy car lovers can take advantage of the Coscharis Vehicle Finance Scheme which offers customers the opportunity to own any MG car of choice with a 10 per cent down payment to either Access Bank or Stanbic IBTC Bank, and spread the rest for over 48 months.” Speaking further, Aje noted that customers can also enjoy adequate after sales back-up, genuine spare parts, finance leasing, one year free service, test drive, free delivery to any parts of Nigeria and three years Warranty or 100,000 Kilometres, whichever comes first. BC
als have been received in the last two weeks, confirming the overwhelming interest from the corporate world and general public for this auto show. Automedics comfirmed that several automobile companies, franchise holders and auto assemblers have also signified their intention to display their latest models. Automotive products ranging from SUVs, Sedans, Trucks, Motorbikes, spare parts, accessories, tyres and many other innovative products will be available at affordable prices during the 7 days show. It said in addition, banks, insurance and other financial institutions would be on ground to provide auto loans and finance schemes for both new and existing consumers on ground. According to the Chief executive Officer of the company, Engr. Kunle Shonaike, updating the knowledge of the mechanics through regular training is essential and crucial to the success of any auto brand and the automobile industry in general. Shonaike said this is also necessary to complement efforts of the Federal Government in restructuring the industry towards greater productivity and technological acquisition as enshrined in the National Automotive Policy document. Other side attractions targeted at the family includes Go-kart racing and competition between adults and children, power bike demonstrations from Biker’s Associations in Lagos State, Kiddies arena, and funky car cleaning during celebrity hang-out in the evenings daily. The maiden edition of the annual Automedics Autofest, meant to serve as a meeting platform for auto lovers, buyers and sellers to transact mutually beneficial businesses, interact and exchange ideas on desired vehicle models, needed genuine parts, accessories and favourite lubricants, is scheduled to take place within the expansive premises of Lagos Television Ikeja from Monday, September 28, to Shonaike October 4, 2015. BC
he economy is in dire strait and many people don’t have a lot of extra cash to spare. Under circumstances like these, how can you extend the life of your vehicle and steer clear of costly repairs? Discussed below are suggestions to help motorists retain value for their wheels and avoid unexpected, high-naira surprises. 1. Don’t let your owner’s manual sit neglected in your glove compartment. Instead, crack it open and spend a few minutes reviewing the recommended maintenance schedule for your particular vehicle. Follow it religiously and use quality oil, fluids and parts. 2. Don’t overwork a cold car. You don’t need to engage in a lengthy warm-up, but drive moderately until the engine is approaching operating temperature. 3. Check out your “check engine” light. It’s quite common for drivers to ignore “check engine” lights when they turn on. People also can go into prolonged states of denial about strange noises and smells coming from their vehicles. Even if money is tight, it’s worth it to get these issues checked out by a reputable mechanic. 4. Protect your car from the damaging effects of the sun. Whenever possible, park your vehicle in the shade or inside a garage. By making that extra effort, you’ll safeguard your car’s paint and interior. 5. Check your oil and coolant regularly. By doing this, you’ll find out about leaks sooner rather than later, and you’ll sidestep the problems that can be caused by low levels. As referenced in Tip No. 1, regular, timely oil changes can help you avoid costly repairs. 6. Check your tire pressure regularly. Proper tire inflation will help the tires handle better and last longer, and it will help you get the most out of a tank of gas. It’s also a good idea to have your tires checked for wear regularly. 7. Pay attention to the way you drive. Aggressive driving, hard stopping, accelerating to stops and riding the brakes or clutch can make almost everything on your vehicle wear out early and also can hurt your fuel economy. 8. Reduce the number of short trips you make. Cold starts cause the most wear on your engine. One way to avoid an unnecessary number of cold starts and save fuel at the same time is to run errands with efficiency. Try saving all your errands for one morning or afternoon and planning out your trip ahead of time. Consolidate drives to locations that are close to each other. If possible, park your car in one spot and walk when you get there. 9. Do you have a brand-new vehicle? If so, it’s a good idea to follow its break-in recommendations with care. An oil change at 1,000 miles, whether recommended or not, is a good idea to make sure that any impurities left over from manufacturing don’t spend too much time in your engine. 10. Keep it clean. You’ll help your vehicle retain its value and appeal if you clean it regularly, both inside and out. Regular waxing also can help your paint job hold up nicely and can stave off rust and other unsightly blemishes. BC
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REGULATORS
NPA introduces measure to plug revenue leakages
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he Nigerian Ports Authority has said that the decision of the current management of the authority to introduce the automated Revenue Invoicing Management, RIMS, is in line with its policy of enhancing efficient port management, which will reduce operational cost and also block possible revenue leakages. The authority had recently introduced the RIMS and Customer Portal, which are fully convergent and real time platforms for the authority’s processes, aimed at reducing operational cost and also shorten the time for documentation. Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, who was recalled last month by the Federal Government, having been sack in May, said while speaking in Lagos that the authority was committed to a full automation of the port processes, with a view to reducing operational cost, thereby making the ports efficient and competitive. According to him, the introduction of the two new platforms would fully integrate the electronic flow of information within the port systems for business-to-customer and business-to-business streams, online, real-time. This would be made possible through th availability of flexible architecture, which would greatly enhance processes and further boost efficiency with a view to checking revenue leakages. Some of the features of the Customer Self Service Portal are that it will provide a plat-
form for the authority’s customs to initiate and conclude their business processes with the authority and also communicate with the authority. Among the several benefits include improved customer service delivery, easy access to customer accounts status, enable NPA to view all transactions and status in respect of bills, enhance electronic upload of the ship manifest and lead to generating invoice and receipts electronically. The authority had last year introduced the electronic pay-
ment platform, which has reduce payment and reconciliation of such payments for port services from five days to less than one minute and the electronic Ship Entry Notice, which are in line with the policy of the management to automate port processes It was however gathered that the fully integrated invoicing system will work with the electronic payment system for port services and the electronic ship entry notice, both of which came on stream February and November last year respectively
would work with the two new systems to facilitate improved customer service delivery, which will in the long run enhance efficiency, block revenue leakages and reduced cost and time of doing business at the ports, The Managing Director said: “The introduction of these systems has the potential to improve our service offering, improve our partner relationship, create efficient payment methods, maximize revenue and minimise loss associated with fraud and revenue leakages”. BC
L-R: Former Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria , Chief John Odeyemi; former Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Dr. Sonny Kuku; Guest Lecturer/ Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Jibril Aku; former Secretary General, Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and Prof Anya O. Anya during the Hallmark Public Policy Lecture Series held at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos
Stop blackmailing SON- Ex-lawmaker
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former lawmaker and an industrialist Hon Nosike Okoye has expressed outrage at what he calls “the devilish attempt of an Onitsha-based company to set manufacturers in the South-east against the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON.” The ex-lawmaker was reacting to the recent demonstration at the SON office in Awka, Anambra State in which hundreds of protesters said to be the employees of Bendusco International Ltd carried placards accusing SON officers of making things difficult in the procurement of MANCAP certificate. The ex-lawmaker, in a chat with journalists in Nnewi office at the weekend, dismissed the alleged SON threat to local industry as false. He cited the standards body’s implementation of a six-point agenda which has lately been compressed to Made in Nigeria for the World, MINFOW.
According to him, “the MINFOW formula includes persistent raids on substandard products to create space where standard products can sell; it also includes free certification for thousands of SMEs yearly and the refurbishment and progressive accreditation of labs to ensure that the integrity and global acceptability of Nigeria’s products are guaranteed.” Tackling the allegation of demand for bribes, Hon Okoye said that it should be taken with a pinch of salt considering his pleasant experience and that of
several people with SON. “I have personally interfaced with SON officials for MANCAP certificate and I have noted that extortion in that place appears to be going into extinction. “Besides, the style of governance in the organisation has been commended by many other people who know what’s going on there - staff and genuine manufacturers,” he said. Furthermore, he said that the protest went without the support of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and
without the participation of any other manufacturer since no well-meaning manufacturer would get involved. He said: “I have gathered that they solicited MAN’s participation and that of other manufacturers but nobody agreed to follow them.” Continuing, he said that “the company, having failed to drag other manufacturers into the protest, now relied on its teenage and semi-literate employees who could be brainwashed to embark on such demonstration.” BC
NICON boss commends NAICOM on insurance industry growth
T
he Managing Director, NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Bayode Samuel, has applauded the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, for the role it plays in increasing insurance penetration and acceptance in the country, which is gradually growing the insurance industry. Speaking at the August edition of the Brokers Evening in Yaba, Lagos, he stated that the insurance industry has made some progress within the last 60 years,particularly in the areas of human capital development, company ownership and creating confidence for other sectors of the economy to thrive. The enforcement of compulsory insurances by NAICOM and its public awareness campaign, he said, has surely helped in deepening the market. Additionally, he noted that with the introduction of the Market Development Restructuring Initiative, MDRI, and establishment of the technical management board for Energy and Allied Insurance Pool, EAIPN, the industry’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, will hopefully be in higher figures. Samuel said the intervention by NAICOM’s Customer Complaints Bureau in the controversial disputes on the delay in settling claims by underwriters is worthy of note. “The alternative dispute resolution platform earlier established by NAICOM and the Nigeria Insurers Association, NIA, should be sustained, strengthened and improved upon. After all, the business of insurance is ultimately to settle genuine claims,” he pointed out. While speaking on the impact of the implementation of the No Premium No Cover policy in insurance sector, he said, before now, insurance companies, on annual basis, make huge provisions for outstanding premiums in their books and delays or non-payment of these premiums invariably affect their ability to make profit, pay dividends to shareholders and attract investments to sustain growth. However, he stated that the new policy has impacted positively on the cash flow of the underwriters and has drastically reduced, if not totally eliminated outstanding premiums that were hitherto written off as bad debts. BC
FG urged to remit N35bn pension contributions to PFAs
T
he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has urged the Federal Government to remit N35 billion contributory pension fund deducted from workers’ salaries to the respective Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs. The President, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, who made call in Calabar, Cross Rivers State said: “Deduc-
tions that were made for the past few months by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have accumulated to N35 billion. Deductions from workers and employers have not been remitted to the PFAs. This has posed a serious challenge to the effective implementation of the contributory pension scheme.”
He said his congress has written officially to Mr President to intervene and ensure that the fund was remitted to PFAs and Managers promptly and immediately. He urged the president to direct the affected ministries, agencies and parastatals, to immediately remit the funds without further delays to the respective PFAs.
Wabba said the NLC National Executive Council, NEC, received reports about some states defaulting in the payment and remittance. He said the congress had mandated its leadership to mobilise workers to ensure that the arrears of worker’s salaries, allowances and pensions were paid by the affected states. BC
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
A21 37
Stock market last week
NSE trading hall
Equities turnover of 2.440 billion shares worth N21.071bn in 22,736 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.051 billion shares valued at N17.869bn that exchanged hands last week in 21,762 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.027 billion shares valued at N14.261bn traded in 12,944 deals; thus contributing 83.09per cent and 67.68per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Natural Resources Industry followed with
A
a turnover of 133.889 million shares worth N67.005m in 16 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with 96.469 million shares worth N589.284m in 1,238 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – Access Bank Plc.; Zenith International Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 1.297 billion shares worth N10.047bn in 4,732 deals, contributing 53.18.per cent and 47.68per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 11,357
units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N5.868m executed in 24 deals compared with a total of 10,627 units valued at N678,291.94 transacted last week in 22 deals. Bonds: A total of 3,489 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N3.674m were traded this week in 8 deals. There was no bond traded last week. Index Movement: The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 2.42per cent to close on Friday at 29,511.08 and N10.148trn respectively. Similarly, all the Indices rose during the week with the exception of the following Indices: NSE Premium Index, NSE Oil/Gas Index, NSE Lotus II and NSE Industrial Goods Index by 0.95per cent,2.22per cent, 0.31per cent and 1.84per cent respectively. Summary Of Price Changes: Fifty-seven(57) equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than thirteen(13) equities of the preceding week. Twenty(20) equities depreciated in price, lower than Sixty-five (65) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and thirteen (113) equities remained unchanged, higher than one hundred and twelve (112) equities recorded in the preceding week. BC
Market Indicators for Week Ended 04-09-15 All-Share Index 29,393.77 points Market Capitalization 10,157,090,343,355.46
NASD OTC REPORT Offers
Outstanding deals since August, 2015. Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC
Industry Oil & Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrials Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods
SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC
Consumer Services
0.50
3-Sep-15 18-Aug-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
RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC
Nominal value (₦) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 0.50 0.50
0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00
Last Offer Date 3-Sep-15 21-Aug-15 1-Sep-15 -
Bids
Volume offered Last Offer Price Last Bid Price 135,000 0.46 0.52 500,000.00 3.00 383,450.00 71.00 5.36 10.35 323,278 265.00 250.05 900,000.00 0.78 -
3-Sep-15 3-Sep-15 27-Aug-15 1-Sep-15 13-Aug-15 4-Sep-15 28-Aug-15
6,429,033.00 50,000 8,000,000.00 3,310,900 991,280.00 1,580,000 3,262,650.00
2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES 4-Sep-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
-
-
-
0.79
1.38 0.97 160.00 -
0.43 1.14 0.84
1.09 -
0.49 1.00 0.12
Volume Bidded Last Bid Date 200 1-Sep-15 1,615,000 4-Sep-15 1,565,880 3-Sep-15 111,730 4-Sep-15 -
-
-
-
200 1,200 314,230 200 -
1-Sep-15 2-Sep-15 3-Sep-15 1-Sep-15 -
TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2015-TILL DATE) DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION Total Share Capital Volume % '000 Dematerialised Dematerialised DEALS VOLUME VALUE (₦) 43,774,346 2,000,000,000 2.19% 80 4,595,356 1,825,116.02 606,000,000 5,785,673,000 10.47% 19,471,000 1,900,000,000 1.02% 24 51,110 153,516.00 54,991,522 1,249,000,000 4.40% 70 25,558,749 60,291,049.50 9,620,957,533 12,000,000,000 80.17% 5 6,300 18,900.00 2,475,034 196,875,000 1.26% 17 42,843 3,623,982.60 372,704,217 5,000,000,000 7.45% 233 45,646,393 244,766,162.35 6,753,333,334 0.00% 181,240,587 976,335,936 18.56% 522 137,801,107 43,285,008,160.79 89,667,426 5,650,000,000 1.59% 80 6,341,040 3,390,988.00 260,000,000 0.00% 3,600,000,000 0.00% 557,005,100 4,257,668,000 13.08% 31 11,099,171 16,271,629.95 252,155,056 1,170,324,536 21.55% 11 2,800 3,040.00 1,019,968,270 14,231,238,000 7.17% 63 116,807,775 111,110,686.00 3,226,500 11,829,700,000 0.03% 18 50,000 42,500.00 12,528,618 181,408,000 6.91% 126 12,561,854 2,697,425,621.25 192,627,494 2,875,595,000 6.70% 22 6,829,400 5,806,742.00 516,900,000 2,576,686,039 20.06% 35 448,245,900 224,176,803.00 880,394,000 0.00% 7,138,199,210 0.00% 1,348,188,000 2,705,378,000 49.83% 30 33,460 70,285.30 114,329,505 10,945,334,000 1.04% 16 8,860 8,066.70 104,163,142,055 15,008,210,208 14.41% 1,383 815,682,118 46,653,993,249.46
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
A22 38
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Diamond Bank: profit drops on credit losses, others
Johnson Okanlawon
D
iamond Bank’s performance for the half year ended June 30, 2015 was tamed by provision for non- performing loans, which the bank has been grappling with in the last one year. Though its turnover rose by 5.2 per cent in the review period, operating expenses, particularly impairment charges dragged down net profit.
Q2 performance The bank declared a profit after tax of N11.3 per cent, a decline of 12.1 per cent when compared to N12.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. The profit was weakened given the rising operating expenses. Its cost to income ratio increased to 78.30 per cent in 2015 from 75.05 per cent it stood in 2014 half year, a lower ratio means the bank is reducing costs while increasing profit. The bank’s total expenses were up 5.9 per cent to N46.7 billion in the review period, from N44.2 billion in the same period of 2014 while impairment charge for credit losses surged 84.3 per cent to N12.2 billion from N7.80 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. Analysis of the six months result showed that net interest income fell by 6.5 per cent to N54.9 billion, from N51.5 billion recorded in the same period of 2014, showing an increased in interest and similar expenses of the bank. The bank’s net fee and commission income surged by 30 per cent, from N12.4 billion in 2014 half year to N 16.1 billion, while net trading income dropped to N1.16 billion in the review period to N2.67 billion due to the naira devaluation, which is affecting companies in the foreign exchange market. Liquidity Analysis of the bank’s balance sheet showed that loans to banks reduced to N114.3 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2015, from N214.5 billion in the same period of 2014, showing the bank’s bid to reduce its exposure and non- per forming loans, while
loans and advances to customers stood at N719 billion, from N712 billion in 2014 half year. Also, its cash and balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, increased by 15.3 per cent to N332.8 billion, from N288.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2014. However, deposits from banks dropped to N8.76 billion, from N9.69 billion, while deposits from customers increased to N1.19 trillion, from N1.35 trillion. Other liabilities of the bank increased almost by 30 per cent to N52.5 billion, from N30.1 billion recorded in the 2014 half year, as borrowimgs and long term liabilities stood at N115.8 billion ans N37.9 billion, from N103.4 billion and 31.8 billion recorded in the 2014 half year respectively. On the whole, its total assets stood at N1.64 trillion in the review period, from N1.75 trillion, while total liabilities dropped to N1.42 trillion, from N1.54 trillion. Q1 performance The bank’s suffered a 15.1 per cent decline in its profit after tax for the first quarter of 2015, as the profit after tax fell from N8.45billion in the first
quarter of 2013 to N7.17billion. The bank, which grew its interest and similar income by 5.9 per cent year-on-year from N38.244billion to N40.5billion in the review period, recorded a 9.5 per cent drop in its profit before tax. Its profit before tax fell to N8.367billion from the N9.240billion it declared for the corresponding quarter of 2013. The bank’s basic earnings per share fell by 46.6 per cent, while its diluted earnings per share plunged by 70.6 per cent. The bank had also reported a drop in profit for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. Strategy The bank’s focus remains on retail banking and providing convenient and easy banking to the micro small and medium enterprises segment, it has however continue to grow its corporate and mid-tier business segments. It has leveraged on its partnership with multilateral development and financial institutions as well as other international private sector bodies to catalyse growth of SMEs. Also, the bank has made some moves aimed at ensur-
ing that more its services are extended to more people. The bank’s digital initiative started in January 2014, when it launched a major redesign of its website to promote more digital services for its customers. From there, the bank has led a number of projects that have translated to rapid growth on the retail side. Internet banking subscribers grew from 1.1 million to 2.83 million; mobile app subscribers reached 212,017 from 26,000; and Diamond Bank gained 1.23 million debit account holders and 1.3 million account holders overall. Diamond Bank has attracted new customers not only by adding more digital functionality, but also by capitalising on the large unbanked population in Africa and the growing popularity of mobile banking. Corporate profile Diamond Bank Plc began as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991 (the company was incorporated on December 20, 1990). Ten years later, in February 2001, it became a universal bank. In January 2005, following a highly successful Private Placement share offer which substantially
raised the bank’s equity base, Diamond Bank became a public limited company. In May 2005, the bank was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Moreover, in January 2008, Diamond Bank’s Global Depositary Reciepts (GDR) was listed on the Professional Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange. The first bank in Africa to record that feat. Today, the bank is respected for its service delivery, driven by innovation and operating on the most advanced banking technology platform in the market. It has over the years leveraged on its underlying resilience to grow its asset base and to successfully retain its key business relationships. Analyst opinion The bank needs to improve on its risk management framework to recover its non- performing loans. Also, there is need to implement digital banking strategy rigorously. This will go a long way to reduce operating costs and drive customer acquisition as it seeks to increase market share by converting existing bank account holders and attracting those who own formal bank accounts. BC
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
A23 39
STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, Sept 4, 2015 SECURITY
PRICE (=N=)
AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 23.75 PRESCO PLC 31.00 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. 4.28 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 1.70 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 0.95 CHELLARAMS PLC. 3.95 JOHN HOLT PLC. 0.96 SCOA NIG PLC 4.37 TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 2.44 U A C N PLC. 35.00 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. 5.30 CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 0.57 G CAPPA PLC 14.46 Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 42.00 ROADS NIG PLC. 6.60 Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 8.24 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC 100.00 UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 45.22 UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST 10.00 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 4.61 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. 0.93 GUINNESS NIG PLC 128.00 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 17.76 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 1.58 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 124.50 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 3.10 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 190.15 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 2.95 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 6.62 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 22.00 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 2.60 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 0.50 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 9.95 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 6.10 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 5.35 U T C NIG. PLC. 0.50 UNION DICON SALT PLC. 11.84 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 25.79 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 820.00 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. 30.23 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 6.00 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1.06 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 25.28 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 44.10 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 5.10 DIAMOND BANK PLC 3.57 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 18.00 FIDELITY BANK PLC 1.40 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 23.05 INTERCONTINENTAL BANK 13.50 SKYE BANK PLC 2.36 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.10 U B A PLC 3.81 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 6.11 UNITY BANK PLC 1.41 WEMA BANK PLC. 0.96 ZENITH BANK PLC 15.86 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.84 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 0.83 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.50 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC NT EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 0.53 GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.52 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.50 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. 0.5 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.19 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.64 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC 0.50 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC 0.50 STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.50 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 5.42 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 1.01 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.25 ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.42 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 5.5 Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 2.56 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 4.00 CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 0.61 FBN HOLDINGS PLC 6.51 FCMB GROUP PLC 2.52 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.50 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 23.20 SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND 103.24 NIGERIA ENERGY SECTOR FUND 552.20 UBA CAPITAL PLC 1.32 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 3.72 UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1.82 Pharmaceuticals
NOTE NT=Not Traded on 04-09-15
QUANTITY
9,140 261,540 107,996
52 WK HIGH
0.64 107.81 41.14
52 WK LOW
0.50 20.92 8.24
SHARES OUTSTANDING
EPS
2,200,000,000 476,955,000 1,000,000,000
0.10 2.29 7.55
MOV. (%)
Previous
N/A 21.17 0.00
0.50 19.60 31.00
70
4.26
4.26
60,000,000
0.00
N/A
4.26
1,249,104
7.18
0.68
1,199,549,736
0.07
5.59
1.61
100,150 300 17,558 512 6,693,406 2,658,148
2.08 6.43 5.89
0.71 4.15 1.07
2,191,895,983 963,900,300 389,151,408
0.11 0.16 1.09
4.40 N/A N/A
5.89 71.10
0.50 28.00
821,666,666 1,600,720,323
0.09 4.38
N/A N/A
0.91 3.95 0.94 4.37 2.11 33.40
375 3
26.00 95.49
5.05 95.49
148,500,000 196,876,000
0.33 4.50
N/A N/A
5.30 NT
807,550 217
2.66 14.46
0.72 14.46
920,573,765 125,000,000
0.00 0.00
N/A N/A
0.58 14.46
27,437 1,832
83.75 10.60
19.86 6.61
1,200,000,000 20,000,000
6.74 1.69
-2.33 N/A
43.00 6.60
NT 324,368
7.28 20.90
7.28 8.82
1,375,000,000
0.00 2.20
N/A 9.87
NT 7.50
93 100 6,350
100.00 50.00 10.50
100.00 50.00 0.00
20,000,000 250,019,781
5.82 0.19
N/A N/A
100.00 45.22 10.00
5,016
0.50
0.50
4,772,528,415
0.00
N/A
0.50
54,992 8,132 28,374 172,515 50,000 1,808,302 513,550
19.48 0.68 297.41 30.00 9.09 179.40 0.97
3.13 0.68 209.10 5.34 0.81 91.10 0.93
900,000,000 272,160,000 1,474,925,519 2,112,914,681 562,000,000 7,562,562,340 126,000,000
0.00 0.00 8.66 0.63 0.00 5.03 0.00
N/A N/A 0.79 N/A N/A 7.60 N/A
4.19 0.93 127.00 17.00 1.58 115.71 3.10
24,150
75.90
38.12
640,590,362
4.46
N/A
190.00
NT 224,970 1,588,435 187,271 952,850 53,816 159,011 2,835,920 2.08 124,000 50 100
0.50 10.68 12.85 109.24 4.11 1.21 29.70 14.00 5.94 0.93 13.31
0.50 3.85 3.26 50.00 1.83 0.50 17.51 3.65 5.35 0.50 4.22
2,000,000,000 5,000,000,000 12,000,000,000 1,879,210,666 7,930,197,658 3,722,493,620 178,200,000 40,000,000 1,233,375,004 360,000,000
0.00 0.00 0.81 3.38 0.34 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.08 1.13 0.00
N/A 9.67 -8.82 -4.35 11.59 N/A N/A 11.72 N/A 0.00 N/A
NT 2.69 7.26 23.00 2.33 0.50 10.47 5.46 5.35 0.50 11.84
5,725 390,319
64.53 1250.00
8.33 400.00
3,129,188,160 792,656,250
1.57 28.34
-9.70 -0.99
28.56 828.22
25,333 100 187,845 15,000
15.58 36.19 5.54 2.88
10.03 32.27 2.91 0.57
63,360,000 819,000,000 300,000,001
3.90 13.92 0.71 0.00
N/A N/A 1.87 N/A
NT 30.23 5.89 0.90
156,973 119,119
56.00 76.00
21.02 27.60
3,176,381,636 3,783,296,250
1.34 1.42
15.38 10.25
21.91 40.00
NT
0.97
0.57
843,284,027
0.00
N/A
NT
20,610,779 1,358,484 5,746,153 4,669,271 NT 11,491,149
12.39 7.85 17.51 3.47 8.30 29.99
4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 3.04 13.02
17,888,251,479 14,475,243,105 9,873,614,567 28,974,797,023 16,271,192,202 29,146,482,209
1.61 1.71 3.67 0.68 0.60 3.08
9.21 17.82 1.93 6.87 #VALUE! 6.07
5,074,965 2,601,379 11,173,106 1,469,943 359,359 1,128,531 9,778,427
7.05 3.05 9.60 15.30 1.16 1.88 27.40
2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96
13,219,334,676 12,563,091,545 32,334,693,693 13,509,726,273 33,675,576,085 12,821,249,880 31,396,493,790
0.97 0.63 1.70 0.44 0.18 0.00 3.30
0.85 3.45 20.57 -3.02 0.00 7.87 9.45
200 1,627,718 NT 9,140 1,882,960 62,000 9,054,578 4,754 NT 42,003 165,731 NT 698,304 NT 14,710 100 220 23,600 1,319,465 10,579,013 52,100 1,654,611 27,973 5,028 100 1,650 161,547,689 25,000 200 518,140 1,368,084
0.50 1.42 0.64 0.52 1.45 0.72 2.44 0.50 0.69 0.60 0.50 2.50 2.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.87 0.63 1.01 1.11 0.50 1.24 0.53 0.59
0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.58 0.50 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.06 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
20,585,000,000 7,809,391,256 211,626,000 6,000,000,000 10,372,624,157 8,820,010,363 5,100,846,808 8,847,298,420 4,549,947,000 3,827,485,380 720,000,000 5,061,804,000 6,420,427,449 28,000,000,000 7,323,313,227 3,437,330,500 4,083,713,569 10,000,000,000 7,998,705,336 5,332,830,881 5,649,693,923 5,003,506,791 2,508,315,436 6,668,750,000 5,203,757,266
0.00 0.19 0.00 0.05 0.15 0.02 0.24 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.25 0.00 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09
N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00
0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.55
0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
8,493,173,450 2,581,733,505 13,000,000,000 16,000,000,000
0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07
N/A N/A N/A N/A
10,000,000 584,766
6.60 1.22
0.00 0.72
500 500 500 220,000 4,570
1.65 0.50
1.37 0.50
4,200,000,000 8,679,148,676
0.03 0.02
N/A N/A
0.50 0.99
0.50 0.50
13,175,732,404 7,812,500,000
0.30 0.00
N/A N/A
313,164 369,250 500 5,000 8,812,914 27045923 1,050,953 3,807,836 465 100 1,926,013
2.1
0.5
0.61 2.02 21.50 5.70 1.33 20.72 103.24
0.50 2.02 8.57 2.90 0.50 10.64 98.33
1.70
0.00
1.18 0.19
3,608,657,661 18,750,000,000
0.00 0.15 2.45 1.23 0.13 1.53
0.50 0.81 NT 0.50 0.83 0.50 NT 0.50 0.53 0.52 0.50 NT 0.50 0.5 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.19 0.50 0.64 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 5.42 0.89
0.63 3,778,005,975 1,333,333,333 32,632,084,358
4.67 3.03 17.66 1.31 NT 21.73 13.50 2.34 2.03 3.16 6.30 1.41 0.89 14.49
N/A N/A 11.28 N/A 24.00
0.29
1.25 0.50 1.42 0.50 5.5 2.36 4.00 NT 0.61 5.85 2.2 0.50 18.71 103.24 552.20 1.24
170 40,000
5.05 0.50
4.32 0.50
498,600,908 3,553,138,528
0.13 0.00
N/A N/A
3.72 0.50
100
10.54
7.39
152,178,750
0.00
N/A
1.82
N/A=Not Avialable
SECURITY
PRICE (=N=)
EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 0.64 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 3.20 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 35.00 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 1.26 NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.02 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 5.16 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.14 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.50 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.91 IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC 2.67 NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 11.02 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1.69 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 2.34 Telecommunications Services IHS NT HIS NIGERIA PLC 2 NT HIS NIGERIA PLC 1 NT MTI PLC 0.5 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. 2.72 ASHAKA CEM PLC 22.00 BERGER PAINTS PLC 8.34 CAP PLC 37.05 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 8.73 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC NT DN MEYER PLC. 0.73 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 IPWA PLC 0.50 PREMIER PAINTS 10.93 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 97.00 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC 1.14 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 3.40 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.09 CUTIX PLC. 1.35 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.52 BETA GLASS CO PLC. 43.00 GREIF NIGERIA PLC 11.48 NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. 0.63 Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 7.46 NIG SEW MACH. MAN. CO PLC. NT STOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 4.62 Metals ALUMACO PLC 7.75 ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 10.35 MINING SERVICES MULTIVERSE PLC 0.50 Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. 0.64 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.50 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 10.19 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.5 CONOIL PLC 33.28 ETERNA PLC. 1.75 FORTE OIL PLC. 249.89 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 150.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 49.66 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 151.99 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO, LTD. 244.69 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 0.50 Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. 3.15 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 0.53 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 3.80 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 0.86 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC 0.50 Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL 4.07 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 2.71 TOURIST COY NIG PLC 3.51 TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 7.86 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS 0.73 LEARN AFRICA PLC 0.91 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. 2.30 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 5.18 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.54 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC 4.43 SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC 0.5 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 1.73 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 4.25 SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS CAVERTON OFFSHORE GROUP PLC 3.42 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC NT OIL AND GAS CAPITAL OIL PLC NT NAVITUS ENERGY PLC NT Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. NT HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT JULI PLC. NT ETF’s Sector ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NT NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND NT VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NT
QUANTITY
52 WK HIGH
52 WK LOW
SHARES OUTSTANDING
EPS
MOV. (%)
Previous
74,488 1,444,640 66,411 163,454 251,300 100 572,185
4.80 2.50 69.00 3.38 1.76 8.59 3.50
0.50 0.61 18.97 1.23 0.58 7.36 1.83
486,473,856 1,500,000,000 956,701,192 980,000,000 1,925,717,268 153,786,012 100,000,000
0.58 0.24 3.07 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00
4.92 0.63 1.45 2.44 -17.07 N/A N/A
0.61 3.18 34.50 1.23 1.23 5.16 2.14
37,000
0.96
0.50
2,960,000,000
0.11
0.00
0.50
100
0.50
0.50
2,941,789,472
0.00
N/A
0.50
NT
0.91
0.91
4,966,666,668
0.00
N/A
0.91
400 100 5,460
18.70 2.94
13.12 2.07
108,000,000 492,825,600
0.00 0.03
N/A N/A
2.95 11.02 1.69
27,420 1,080
0.50 4.97
0.50 3.13
4,620,600,000 4,200,000,000
0.04 0.04
N/A N/A
0.50 2.71 NT NT NT 0.5
100
0.50
0.50
4,893,594,400
0.00
N/A
2,000 1,557,197 40,673 20,474 1,514,719 1,167,463 40,890 600 6,000 60 109,667 50,000 72,650
2.86 29.98 12.20 67.50 12.99 210.01 3.54 0.75 1.34
2.86 8.01 6.82 13.78 4.00 102.00 0.50 0.50 0.50
260,000,000 2,239,453,125 217,367,585 560,000,000 1,241,548,285 15,494,019,668 242,908,200 2,109,928,275 513,696,000
0.07 0.80 0.91 1.66 1.12 5.77 0.06 0.00 0.00
N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 #VALUE! N/A N/A N/A
110.00 2.41 7.22
39.80 0.50 2.27
3,001,600,004 792,914,256 400,000,000
6.83 0.36 0.43
0.00 N/A N/A
2.72 22.00 8.34 37.05 8.73 NT 0.73 0.50 0.50 10.93 97.00 1.14 3.40
100 220,132 100
2.00 2.39 0.73
2.00 1.20 0.50
510,396,608 2,220,000,000
0.05 0.19 0.00
N/A 0.00 N/A
2.09 1.35 NT
NT 561 1,361 100 NT NT NT
3.98 5.94 13.18 13.28 3.60 1.86 0.63
3.98 1.71 9.04 12.68 1.60 1.05 0.63
N/A N/A
42,640,000 6,215,000,000 240,000,000 199,066,550
0.00 0.00 3.23 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00
NT 1.52 43.00 11.48 NT NT 0.63
100 200 NT
8.69
8.26
265,409,280
0.00
N/A
0.14
0.14
2,918,000
0.00
N/A
25,000,000 683,974,528
N/A #VALUE! N/A N/A
7.46 NT NT
10,000
9.35
5.68
393,120,000
0.76
0.00
4.62
320 100
7.75 12.39
7.75 10.55
75,600,000 100,000,000
0.00 0.24
N/A N/A
7.75 10.35
100
0.50
0.50
4,058,989,226
0.01
N/A
0.50
NT 4,050
3.22 1.38
3.22 0.67
50,000,000 220,000,000
0.04 0.00
N/A N/A
NT 0.64
1,408,720
1.02
0.50
6,262,701,716
0.00
0.00
0.50
4,924,248
24.80
9.32
2,262,711,568
1.24
0.00
10.19
10000 2,577,516 2,541,040 412,758 22,164 167,074 43,476
76.00 4.87 115.64 146.00 59.00 190.01
16.96 1.32 7.73 106.00 16.20 118.75
693,952,117 1,249,162,828 1,080,280,628 300,496,051 253,988,672 339,521,837
2.69 0.61 1.43 9.93 1.04 12.91
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A 0.00
0.5 33.28 1.75 249.89 150.00 49.66 151.99
306,355
28,677,671
200
0.72
0.50
100
3.48
3.48
209,933
2.45
1.00
2,572,000 3,000
5.10 3.45
2.19 0.73
4,059,547
1.64
1,500
0.75
100 599,750 1,000 2,800
4,035,497,307
244.69
0.00
N/A
0
N/A
0.50 3.15
980,294,400
0.00
0.00
0.53
589,496,310 198,819,763
0.52 0.00
0.00 N/A
3.80 0.86
0.85
865,808,912
0.00
N/A
0.50
0.50
3,211,627,907
0.00
N/A
0.50
1.72 3.88 10.00
0.64 3.51 10.00
2,078,796,396
0.00
0.00
4.07 2.71 3.51 7.86
1,000
0.51
0.50
8,000,000,000
0.43
N/A
0.50
16500 224,498 20 20,800
3.09 2.78 5.77
1.39 2.52 3.00
771,450,000 425,641,111
0.00 0.00 0.61
N/A N/A 0.00
0.73 0.91 2.30 5.18
955,140
1.29
0.50
1,507,000,000
0.21
N/A
0.54
6 40,000,700
5.15 1.88
4.90 0.80
236,699,511 5,631,539,736
0.00 0.00
N/A N/A
4.43 0.5
111,000 246,274
5.90 8.81
1.27 5.08
634,000,000 1,230,468,750
0.50 0.43
N/A 0.00
1.73 4.25
189044
3.42
60
1.43
1.04
45,000,000
0.12
N/A
NT
100
2.26
1.02
201,885,335
0.00
N/A
NT
100000 1000
NT NT
NT
0.60
0.60
30,000,000
0.00
N/A
NT
NT
0.50
0.50
24,898,850
0.00
N/A
NT
NT NT
1.88
1.63
125,005,250
0.00
N/A
NT NT
NT NT 1,000
0.50
0.50
6,650,000
0.00
N/A
3.05
2.76
194,700,000
0.00
N/A
2,706
2,003
41 10
#VALUE! 49467
NT NT NT
NT NT NT
A24 40
Business Courage
Monday, September 7, 2015
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
41
Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com
“It is well- settled that a written constitution is a document containing the ‘’fons et erigo’’ of the laws and rights of its people’ Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, retired Justice of Supreme Court xx
N’Assembly has performed below expectations in lawmaking, says Sodipo 42
Senate President Bukola Saraki
How Adebajo’s Will split wives, children 45
Ex-boyfriend convicted over acid attack on beautician 46
Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara
Weak rule of law, institutional incapacity undermine anti-graft war —Report W histle-blowing is the disclosure by organisation members of illegal, immoral or illegitimate practices under the control of their employers, to persons or organisations that may be able to effect action. Simply put, someone blows the whistle when he tells his or her employer, a regulator, customers, the police or the media about a dangerous or illegal activity that he or she is aware of through his/her work. Indeed, in an effort to ensure adequate protection for whistleblowers in public office in Nigeria, civil society organisations have urged the Federal Government in collaboration with the lawmakers to ensure the passage of whistle-blowers’ protection bill by the eighth National Assembly. The call has been made against the backdrop of the naming of Nigeria among countries with extreme corruption risk. According to a global graft index released by a risk advisory firm, Verisk Maplecroft, the firm named some of the world’s top
A number of top lawyers and stakeholders in the administration of justice in the country are unanimous that whistle- blowing is a potential anti-corruption tool in the country. Considering Nigeria’s poor ranking on the 2015 Corruption Risk Index, it behooves on the National Assembly to expedite passage of Whistle blowers’ Protection Bill pending before the legislature, writes FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary.
The report said a major reason why politicians fail to fight bribery is that senior officials responsible for addressing the issue profit from it most corrupt countries. Half of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world are in subSaharan Africa, a region that is attracting increasing investors’ interest due to its natural resources and rapid population growth. The 2015 Corruption Risk Index by the advisory firm also named some of the world’s top energy producers as having extreme corruption risk, among them, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela, Nigeria and Kazakhstan.
Democratic Republic of Congo topped the index, followed by Somalia, Central African Republic, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea. The report blamed factors, including high level poverty and lack of institutions to combat bribery for sub-Saharan Africa being the region most affected by corruption. “Factors such as weak rule of law and a lack of institutional capacity undermine efforts to combat entrenched systems of patron-
age, while exposure to corrupt public officials and a reliance on third party agents is also higher,” Trevor Slack, Verisk Maplecroft analyst, said in a statement. The report said a key reason why politicians fail to fight bribery is that senior officials responsible for addressing the issue profit from it most. Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq or Syria continued to dominate the list of countries where graft remained a major blow to the business environment due to conflict and almost non-existent rule of law. The annual index ranks 198 countries on the prevalence of bribery and government effectiveness in fighting it. By the 2014 ranking of CorrupCONTINUED ON PAGE 44
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N’Assembly has performed below Prof. Bankole Sodipo is a renowned scholar and lecturer at the University University of London. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, the lawyer with about 30 years’ post-call experience, speaks on the delay in appointing cabinet ministers, the anti-graft war and the list of Bills awaiting the legislature, among others. Excerpts: President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to appoint ministers almost three months after he was sworn into office. How will you react to this? It is an irresponsible thing for anybody to run government whether at the federal, state or local government level without having members of executive constituted. President Buhari should not try that because if he does, it will corroborate the suggestions by the people that he is a dictator because it’s dictators and despots that work like that. I believe like he said that this is the season of change otherwise, the movement for change that brought him in will sweep him out. There are several government agencies that the laws create and the laws creating them with enabling act actually designate supervising ministers and that means that all these agencies will not be able to fully perform their functions if they don’t have supervising ministers. For instance, the Corporate Affairs Commission supervised by the minister in charge of trade. There are some supervised by the minister for finance, some supervised by the Attorney-General, they won’t be able to do their work if no ministers are appointed into these offices. It is certainly cannot be in line with the spirit of the laws and there are hundreds of laws creating these agencies. Similarly, it cannot be in line with the spirit of the constitution that ministers will not be appointed to also head ministries meaning that civil servants will be in charge of the ministries rather than the people we have voted in. we have voted for the President who should in turn appoint the executive and so those will be representatives of the people to run a ministry rather than civil servants. Some people have argued that it is a means of reducing the cost of governance. Do you agree? Well, I think cost should be reduced but, reducing cost does not mean not spending money. It means better management, it means relying on a set of people who will help formulate policies in terms of how to reduce cost. For instance, we may have the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Culture coming together. We may have like we had before the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce coming together. We may have a merger of some of those ministries. We had Ministry of Communication and we had Minister one in charge of Telecommunication, one in charge of Broadcasting but the last government, it was just one Minister that supervised the two, that makes sense but, it does not mean Ministers should not be appointed and it is not by running it on your own for a few months that will decides which ministry should not have Minister.
Sodipo
It is a sound and logical argument to posit that some cases cannot be initiated or prosecuted without the leave of the
Attorney-General of the Federation; if those cases were initiated at the time when there is no
AGF,
then the initiation and
prosecution is incompetent and as such the courts may strike out such cases. What are the implications the delay would have on governance in the country? For instance, there are some decisions that have to be made by Ministers and if there are no Ministers, those decisions will not be valid. The Attorney-General of the Federation supposed to give fiat for prosecution. There is a case we got the AGF fiat but the law firm on the other side said no, the fiat was not given by the AGF at that time because there was none. So, people can challenge it saying that was there an AGF when the fiat was gotten? That was when the prosecution started and the case can fail as a result of that because there was no AGF in June, 2015 when the fiat was granted. There is no vacuum in government, so it behooves on the President, if he wants to have only five ministries, let him do so but, he must
have ministers and he must appoint them now otherwise, he would lose credibility. Are you saying that the absence of a substantive Attorney-General of the Federation could delay the dispensation of justice? Well, we have not had a case which has tested the issue of the fiat by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation if there is no Attorney-General. But, it makes very good sense and it is a sound and logical argument to posit that some cases cannot be initiated or prosecuted without the leave of the Attorney-General of the Federation. If there is no Attorney-General then if those cases were initiated at the time when there is no Attorney-General and there is no acting AttorneyGeneral, then the initiation and prosecution is incompetent and as such the courts may
strike out such cases and that will be a waste of resources. Maybe the people they are prosecuting have actually done wrong, those people will get away. There are a number of things the AGF has been doing traditionally. Some of which a number of us don’t agree the AGF should do. For instance, some of the agencies under the AGF, they would not pay fees of lawyers who are acting for the various ministries without the approval of the AGF. That means the whole of June no approval will have been given unless, of course, the Permanent Secretary that is, the Solicitor-General was bold enough to say there is no vacuum in government, I would sign but, he may sign and the next Attorney-General says no, where is the instrument that authorized you? There are some things you cannot do unless you are mandated to do so. These are technical issues, we should not leave room for any mischievous act because it involves the life of some people. It involves the judicial process and not giving it sufficient attention suggests that we are tinkering with the rule of law. Particularly for somebody whose record shows that when he was the Head of States he tinkered with the rule of law. He should do his best to demonstrate to us that the trust in him and the vote for change was not an error. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lamented that its inability to prosecute some of the high- profile cases of corruption is due
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Monday, September 7, 2015
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expectations in law-making, says Sodipo to a clause in the Act that stipulated the involvement of the AGF before investigation or prosecution. What is the way out for effective anti-graft agencies? What we expect the President to do first is to appoint a credible AGF, someone as credible as himself and as the Vice President. Also, anything that has been identified to be an impediment to the fight against corruption should be dealt with. For instance, why should you have a chief executive of antigraft agency who cannot investigate some financial crimes without asking his boss? He asks “should I do this sir?” the man says: “don’t investigate.” The rule of law is that no one is above the law, so there should be nobody that the anti-graft agency cannot investigate or cannot prosecute whether the AGF says so or not. To have good and effective machinery, once you appoint the chief executive, nobody should stop the chief executive from investigating anybody. You should be able to force him to investigate if he doesn’t want to investigate, you should be able to force him to prosecute if he doesn’t want to prosecute but you should not have power to say don’t investigate this one, don’t prosecute that one. Because, once you do that, that means those people are above the law and one of the basic tenet of the rule of law is that no one is above the law. Once there is a crack in that, there will be a crack in the whole process. What specific laws do you want the 8th National Assembly to put in place? Well, the National Assembly on the average has done very poorly in terms of making laws and one of the things that attests to it was that just before the last National Assembly rounded up, a few days after, they passed almost 50 laws. How many laws did they pass in four years that they are passing almost 50 laws in few weeks without going through due process? Some of those laws if they are challenged, I am not sure whether they can stand the test of being constitutional laws. That is why I would say that the current National
Assembly should be very careful to pass laws either given to them by the executive or by private sector or which they themselves as members also present. Again, there are several bills before the National Assembly that have not been passed. We have the Petroleum Industry Bill, I hope it will not continue to be in that way. But, if it has been our main stay and we don’t have the Petroleum Industry Act and we have been talking about it for eight years which means the National Assembly failed. I hope they pass one. I hope the laws pertaining to intellectual property reforms amending trade mark laws, patent laws, setting up an industrial property office similar to CAC, similar to the Copyright Commission or trade mark patent and designs and putting competent and experienced people at the helms of affairs will be passed. I hope that a competition law, some people call it anti-competition law, a law that will ensure that people who have become big and dominant in the market in their field do not oppress the others and stiffen competition because when they do that what happens is that they dictates price and the price we pay for some services in Nigeria would be five to 10 times more than what we pay in neighboring African countries like South Africa. We need a law that will ensure that consumers have a fair deal. We need to amend laws relating to NAFDAC, we need to empower NAFDAC to combat counterfeiters, we need to amend laws relating to foreign direct investment to encourage more investors in Nigeria, to ensure that the process of setting up a company, hiring hands whether local or expatriates would be eased so that more people would come to invest in Nigeria because we can’t allow oil to be the main stay. We need laws to deal with cybercrimes; I don’t know whether you have been hacked before? People send me e-mails and I don’t receive it, it’s like some people are messing up and I hope we will catch them soon. We need laws to ensure that electronic banking, electronic commerce is encouraged. Some
Sodipo
The current National Assembly should be very careful to pass laws either given to them by the executive or by the private sector or which they themselves as members also present of us don’t have confidence in doing a lot of platform and transaction on the internet. The banks don’t respond well when you tell them you’ve been messed up and this has happened, they don’t live up to their expectations. We need laws to encourage banks give loans to small and medium enterprises. This one may not just be laws alone because even if you make laws and there is no money they will not give loans. Many of the leading law firms today do not have reasonable overdraft facilities. If you’re admitted as an undergraduate in Europe, banks will give you an overdraft of about one thousand pounds which is about N300, 000. Banks give people loan to go to school, not to talk of giving loans to ensure that you can run your business. Clients have not paid you but, there’s evidence that they will pay you. So, banks will give you monies so that you can build a house. If I can build a house at age 25 when I graduated and by age 50 or age 55 I would have finished paying the mortgage then maybe the number of people stealing and corrupting the system will reduced. How can law be used as an instrument to improve the society? We need to create an environment that will enhance business that will enhance entrepreneurship. We need to also look at the legal system because lot of the things I’ve mentioned, pivots is the legal system and that’s why some of us were excited about the Vice President was elected. Because, he was able to effect a number of changes when he was the Attorney-General of Lagos state. If these changes are effected nationally, it will
be good. What do I mean by changes? Essentially, that somebody owes bank money, if it is in abroad, he cannot be raising technical point which we lawyers in Nigeria raise or the courts in Nigeria raise and because of those technical points, he is not able to pay back the money and the bank suffers. No, if you owe money you pay, technicalities are not allowed for you to owe money. If you obtain mortgage to buy a house and if you don’t pay, you will lose the house no matter how good you are in fighting, in litigating against losing the house. In Nigeria, you can fight 10 years and you’re still in the house. That is evil, it is evil, a society built on evil will crash and if we don’t deal with this we will crash as a nation. That is why America forecasted that we would crash by 2015 but for the grace of God. But, we can’t rely on the grace of God without trying to do the proper thing. Essentially, legal system is key. A lot of people think that laws dealing with NEPA, the power sector must be put in place so that there is no monopoly, that they don’t cheat customers. Presently, they just increase tariffs; they say your meter is bad. They must be fair to customers even if their meters are bad, they must have a reading. For instance, if your phone is bad and you don’t know how much you’re charged, all these communication companies like MTN, Glo have a way of finding out. The electricity board also has a way of finding out but they are cheating us. Regulation must be made in such a way that people must be happy to challenge the companies offering us all these services because how would you challenge the companies offering these services if the legal system frustrate you?
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Monday, September 7, 2015
Lawyers seek quick passage of Whistle-blowers’ Bill CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 tion Perception Index of Transparency International (TI), Nigeria is ranked the 136th highly corrupt country in the world. This is a slight leap from the 144th ranking of the country in 2013. Despite the movement up eight places above the ladder, Nigeria is still in the class of highly corrupt country. By the TI ranking, a country or territory’s rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index, which last year included 175 countries and territories. But the Muhammadu Buhari administration had vehemently vowed to ensure that there is no room for corruption and insurgency in the country. At several forums he had said his anti-corruption war is non-negotiable. To demonstrate his commitment to the task, Buhari has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption headed by Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN). The Committee’s brief is to advise the present administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in the country’s criminal justice system. Speaking on the importance of the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, a former Second Vice-President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Adekunle Ojo, said the bill when passed into law might as well be relevant in complementing EFCC in achieving its purpose but ‘’the bill will remain redundant if it not quickly passed into law”. He said however the fact that the bill was yet to be passed into law, suggests that nobody can say how effective the law would be. According to him, “until when the pending bill is being passed to law then one can know how long it will assist in making people blow the alarm of any information on time to aid the government or the anticorruption agencies to get to the core of the
Ojo
Keyamo
If the Whistle-Blowers’ Bill is passed into law, it will help in assisting the government to apprehend corrupt public officials and bring them to book information needed in court or where necessary to nail the perpetrators”. Ojo, said that ”ICPC and EFCC Acts are very good, nobody is bereaved by the anti-corruption agencies acts so also, the whistle blowers’ bill might as well achieve in complementing EFCC in achieving its purpose but the bill will remain redundant if it not quickly pass in to law”. Another lawyer, Mr. Steve Adaramoye, also implored the legislature to pass the bill into law quickly by the lawmakers. He said that if there is information
Bar
Jokes
Eternal torment
A man was sent to Hell for his sins. As he was being taken to his place of eternal torment, he passed a room where a lawyer was having an intimate encounter with a beautiful young woman. “What a rip-off,” the man muttered. “I have to roast for all eternity, and that lawyer gets to spend it with a beautiful woman.” Jabbing the man with his pitchfork, the escorting demon snarled, “Who are you to question that woman’s punishment?”
Fair Trial
A judge enters the courtroom, strikes the gavel and says, “Before I begin this trial, I have an announcement to make. The lawyer for the defence has paid me $15,000 to swing the case his way. The lawyer for the plaintiff has paid me $10,000 to swing the case her way. In order to make this a fair trial, I am returning $5,000 to the defence.”
My daddy is a lawyer
Adaramoye
against those who have stolen money such information could then should be brought to the public. “What is very common in the country today is the issue of corruption and if such bill is passed to law it will help in assisting the government to apprehend the corrupt public officials and bring them to book”. “I strongly support that the bill must be passed to law on time”. He added. Mr. Festus Keyamo, said that ‘’the law protects the suspect who has committed a crime or to have involved in a scandal, add-
a living?” asked Joshua. Adam proudly replied, “My daddy is a lawyer.” “Honest?” asked Joshua. “No, just the regular kind,” replied Adam.
Injustice in Hell
A man died and was taken to his place of eternal torment by the devil. As he passed sulphurous pits and shrieking sinners, he saw a man he recognized as a lawyer snuggling up to a beautiful woman. ‘That’s unfair!’ he cried. ‘I have to roast for all eternity, and that lawyer gets to spend it with a beautiful woman.’ ‘Shut up,’ barked the devil, jabbing the man with his pitchfork. ‘Who are you to question that woman’s punishment?’ Robbed Lawyers Two lawyers are in a bank, when, suddenly, armed robbers burst in. While several of the robbers take the money from the tellers, others line the customers, including the lawyers, up against a wall, and proceed to take their wallets, watches, etc. While this is going on lawyer number one jams something in lawyer number two’s hand. Without looking down, lawyer number two whispers, “What is this?” to which lawyer number one replies, “It’s that $50 I owe you.”
Alimony
“Mr. Johns, I have reviewed this case very carefully,” the divorce court judge said, “and I’ve decided to give your wife $275 a week.” “That’s very fair, your honour,” the husband said. “And every now and then I’ll try to send her a few bucks myself.” “Adam,” replied the second. Culled from Active Jokes, C.C Jokes.com and Law“My daddy is a doctor. What does your daddy do for yers’ Jokes.
While two families were waiting in line to see the Washington Monument, their two five-year-old boys were getting acquainted. “My name is Joshua. What’s yours?” asked the first boy.
zzzz
ing that the whistles blowers’ most times are co-active with the perpetrators, but felt being betrayed and tends to blow the alarm notwithstanding there are other many patriotic Nigerians who want to do so.’’ Keyamo said that if there was law that could protect them, many people with relevant information would come out openly to give such information. “If they give maximum protection to the whistle blowers, they will gladly come out to give the information” The lawyer said that the whistle blowers’ bill must be urgently passed into law because it would assist in waging war against corruption in the country. From all indications, it is hoped the legislature will fast-track the passage of either of the two pending Whistle Blowers’ bills before the National Assembly. By so doing, the law would serve as a tool to curb corruption in the country.
legal tips
Importance of Power of Attorney *A Power of Attorney is a formal instrument by which one person empowers another to get for him or act in his stead for certain purposes. *The person giving the power is called the donor, while the person to whom the power is given is called the donee. *Power of Attorney is a written document in which one person (the principal) appoints another person to act as an agent on his or her behalf, thus conferring authority on the agent to perform certain acts or functions on behalf of the principal. *Powers of attorney are routinely granted to allow the agent to take care of a variety of transactions for the principal, such as executing a stock power, handling a tax audit, or maintaining a safe-deposit box. *Powers of attorney can be written to be either general (full) or limited to special circumstances. A power of attorney generally is terminated when the principal dies or becomes incompetent, but the principal can
Bar
revoke the power of attorney at any time. A special type of power of attorney that is used frequently is the “durable” power of attorney. A durable power of attorney differs from a traditional power of attorney in that it continues the agency relationship beyond the incapacity of the principal. With a durable power of attorney, a principal can appoint someone to handle her or his affairs after she or he becomes incompetent, and the document can be crafted to confer either general power or power in certain limited circumstances. Because no judicial proceedings are necessary, the principal saves time and money and avoids the stigma of being declared incompetent. Written by Francis Famoroti, Judiciary Editor. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo. com
Jokes
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How Adebajo’s Will split wives, children The late businessman, Chief Israel Adebayo Adebajo, was founder of the defunct Stationery Stores Football Club of Lagos otherwise known as ‘Adebajo Babes’ in the 1970s. Shortly after his demise on July 25, 1969, his Will became a subject of controversy in the law courts among his surviving wives and children. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.
FAMOUS CASES
C
hief Israel Adebajo was the Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigerian Office Stationery Supplies Stores (NOSS Stores) and by extension the founder of the defunct Stationery Stores Football Club, that made waves in the 1970s and 80s. Due to his passion for the development of sports, Adebajo invested in soccer and made the club the toast of Nigerians of its generation. The renowned sports financier was a polygamist and respectable family man when he was alive. However, he died 45 years ago after a protracted illness. The deceased was survived by three out of his four wives, and also 14 children: four by Mrs. Olabisi Adebajo, four by Mrs. (later Justice) Adunni Adebajo, one child by a marriage already dissolved in the deceased’s lifetime and five by Mrs. Irene Adebajo. But some months after his death, one of his widows, Irene contested the validity of his Will at a Lagos High Court. Under the Will, the deceased left 20 per cent of the shares in his company (The NOSS Stores incorporating the Nigerian Paper Converters Company) to the plaintiff; a similar percentage was also left to the 5th defendant (the 3rd wife), a house at No. 114 Yakubu Gowon Street was left to the first 4 children of the 1st wife, a house at 16, Rotimi Street, Surulere was given to the plaintiff’s children, a house at No. 14, Rotimi Street, Surulere, was given to the plaintiff, and properties at Nos. 13, 15 and 17, Rotimi Street, Surulere, were left to the plaintiff ’s children and those of the third wife. The will also provides that the plaintiff should remain in the main house at 20, North Avenue, Apapa for a period of 12 months, after which another house of the maximum value of 7,000 pounds should be purchased for her use. Also left to the plaintiff were all personal effects (other than heavy items) at No. 20 North Avenue Apapa. Also, land at Epe is to be developed for the use and occupation of all the children. According to the Will, the testator’s residue is to be divided among all the children of the three wives. It is significant that, although the deceased bequeathed No.1, Kofo Abayomi Street, Apapa, to the 3rd wife for life, the house is to revert to the estate if she remarries. There is no similar condition attached to the plaintiff’s gift of 14, Rotimi Street, Surulere, nor is there any provision for buying the 3rd wife an alternative house if she ceases to live at No. 1, Kofo Abayomi Street, Apapa. Barely few months after Adebajo’s death, the rumpus over his Will raged between one of his widows, Irene, other widows and children for several years until the matter was judicially determined by the Supreme Court on April 18, 1973. The parties to the suit were Adebajo’s widow, Irene and others, who included the deceased’s children and other wives. On January 13, 1970, Mrs. Irene Adebajo
Justice J .I. C Taylor as the plaintiff issued a writ against the first three defendants namely, Luke Adepeju Adebajo, Obafemi Ayantuga and Mrs. Adeola Adebajo in these terms. “1. The plaintiff is the widow and one of the persons entitled to share in the estate of Israel Adebayo Ogunyeade Adebajo (deceased) who died on the 25th day of July, 1969 in the event of intestacy and to have as such a grant of letters of administration of the estate of the said intestate. 2. This writ is issued against you as the executors named in a pretended will of the said deceased dated the 21st day of January, 1969 against which the plaintiff asks the court to pronounce in this action. 3. The plaintiff accordingly claims a declaration that Israel Adebayo Ogunyeade Adebajo died intestate.” On February 25, 1970 , the plaintiff filed a statement of claim while on March 12, 1970 the statement of defence was also filed. On April 10, 1970 and on the plaintiff’s application the court granted an order joining the 4th to the 8th defendants. They are; Mrs. Olabisi Adebajo( for herself and on behalf of her children: Adekunle Adebajo, Adeyanju Adebajo and Aderenle Adebajo) ; Mrs. (later Justice) Adunni Adebajo ( for herself and on behalf of her children: Adetilewa A. Adebajo, Adekemi Adebajo,Adekeye Adebajo and Adefemi Adebajo); the 6th and the 7th defendants; Mr. Alfred Adebajo, Mrs. Adeyemi Badejo , and Christopher Adelaja. The 6th and the 7th defendants are the
The Will was that of a fair-minded man solicitous of the welfare of his family and anxious about their future happiness deceased’s brother and sister respectively of the full blood while the 8th defendant is a cousin and a beneficiary under the will. It was agreed by both sides at the commencement of the hearing that the question whether or not the plaintiff was married to the deceased was not in issue in the present suit. Among the issues canvassed by the plaintiff was that at the time when the alleged will was executed the testator did not know and approve of its contents. Besides, the plaintiff contended that the date shown as the date of the alleged will was put there in order to set up a false representation that the deceased executed the will at a date when the state of his health had not deteriorated to what it was around the time when it was in fact executed. Irene Adebajo also said the deceased at the time when the said alleged will was purported to have been executed was not of sound mind, memory and understanding.
But the defence argued to the contrary that the deceased personally gave instructions to A. Osijo, Barrister-at-Law, to whom he gave, detailed and sensible instructions about the dispositions contained in the said will. In the statement of defence, they averred that ‘’ the deceased at the time of giving instructions to the said A. Osijo, and at the time of executing the said will was of sound mind, memory and understanding and knew and approved the contents of the said will and acknowledged his approval thereto, and that the said will was executed with due solemnities by the deceased with a complete understanding and as a free agent without any undue influence or coercion as alleged or at all.” In its judgment, the Chief Justice accordingly dismissed Irene’s action and pronounced in favour of the will dated the 21st January, 1969 and made and executed on the 25th June, 1969 by the deceased. The widow eventually appealed against the judgment of the then Chief Justice of Lagos; Justice J.I.C Taylor delivered in the Lagos High Court on November 12, 1971. In her notice of appeal, she asked the appellate court to quash the verdict of the lower court and also sought a declaration that Adebajo died intestate.” She also said the ‘’learned Chief Justice misdirected himself on the evidence in holding that the plaintiff did not prove facts showing the state of health of the deceased on the 25th of June, 1969 (the date on which the will was made) . Two notable lawyers, Chief F.R.A Williams (SAN) and Mr. Kehinde Sofola (SAN) appeared as attorneys on the opposite sides for the parties. The panel that heard the appeal are, Justices Taslim Olawale Elias, Atanda FatayiWilliams, and Ayo Gabriel Irikefe. The apex court in its lead verdict read by Justice Elias said ‘’We think that, considering the circumstances of the making of this will as well as its detailed provisions for all his relations in addition to members of his own immediate family, the will was that of a fair-minded man solicitous of their welfare and anxious about their future happiness.’’ According to the Justices ‘’we agree with the learned Chief Justice (Taylor) that “no argument has been put forward nor any evidence led to show that the terms of the will are incoherent, or strange or unnatural or that the will was not duly executed”. As we have said earlier, there is no need in the circumstances of this particular case for the defence to have pleaded a counterclaim in order to be entitled to an order pronouncing in favour of the will. ‘’Therefore, we see no reason to vary the order which the learned Chief Justice did make, namely, an order pronouncing in favour of the will dated 21st January, 1969 and made and executed on 25th June, 1969. The appeal is accordingly dismissed with costs to the respondents assessed at N270.’’
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Monday, September 7, 2015
Ex-boyfriend convicted over acid attack on beautician
ENGLAND
A
Death row delay for Pakistan paraplegic
P
PAKISTAN
akistani prison officials have missed court deadline to explain how they would hang a paraplegic man. The convict, Abdul Basit is paralysed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair after an illness he contracted while in prison. He was convicted six years ago of murder, but maintains his innocence. He was to be hanged in Lahore last month but this was postponed. A petition for his pardon was dismissed. Hanging him would constitute cruel and degrading treatment, his lawyers say. They add that this is prohibited under Pakistani and international law. Pakistan has executed more than 200 people since reintroducing the death penalty in December 2014. At the time the government said it was a measure to combat terrorism after the Taliban massacred more than 150 people, most of them children, in a Peshawar school. Pakistan’s jail manual gives no instructions on how to execute disabled prisoners. A high court judge had told prison officials they had to come up with specific steps if they were to be allowed to proceed with the execution of Mr Basit. The BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil says Mr Basit remains on death row but his sentence has effectively been stayed until the jail authorities come up with a clear plan for how they will execute him. Pakistan has executed
Pakistani President, Mamnoon Hussain more than 200 people since December 2014, almost all of them this year Figures for executions in other countries in 2015 are as yet largely unavailable In August, Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had executed 102 people in the first six months of 2015, compared with 90 in the whole of 2014 By the end of last year, the other countries with the highest number of reported executions were Iran: 289, Iraq: 61, USA: 35, and Sudan: 23 In 2013 the numbers were: Iran: 369, Iraq: 169, Saudi Arabia: 79, Somalia: 68, USA: 39 China and North Korea refuse to divulge information on the number of executions that take place within their borders Basit was convicted six years ago of murder but maintains his innocence. Since contracting tubercular meningitis in prison, he has been paralysed from the waist down. His lawyers contend that he has already suffered “unusual punishment” and to hang him would constitute a form of “double punishment” which would be illegal.
A
Bangladeshi court in has indicted the two owners of a garment factory and 11 others on homicide charges for a 2012 fire that killed 112 workers. It is the first time that factory owners have been prosecuted in Bangladesh’s lucrative garment industry, the world’s second largest after China. Delwar Hossain and his wife, Mahmuda Ak-
beautician’s jealous ex-boyfriend and a second man have been found guilty of plotting and carrying out an acid attack on her. Anthony Riley, 26, of Raglan Street, Lowestoft, and his co-defendant, Leon Thompson, 39, of Alma Road, Lowestoft, were convicted at Ipswich Crown Court. Adele Bellis, then 22, lost an ear, is now partially bald and was left with “life-changing” permanent scarring. Riley and Thompson will be sentenced on October 5. The court heard the acid attack was the culmination British Prime Minister, of a six-month long cam- David Cameron sumed with jealousy at the paign by Riley. Prosecutor Andrew Jack- prospect of her becoming son said he “became con- involved with another man”
F
ormer Congolese rebel leader ,Bosco Ntaganda has pleaded not guilty to all charges at the start of his war crimes trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. The 18 charges include murder, rape and the recruitment of child soldiers. Evidence has been gathered from more than 2,000 alleged victims, including former child soldiers. Nicknamed “The Terminator”, Gen Ntaganda’s trial is the biggest and most complex case in the ICC’s history. He fought for different rebel groups as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army. He made his not guilty plea in a barely audible voice, standing in the dock with his signature pencil moustache, reports the BBC’s Anna Holligan from court. The start of the trial was a historic moment for inter-
CONGO
Congolese President, Joseph Kabila
national justice and for the Democratic Republic of Congo, our correspondent adds. The 41-year-old is accused of killing at least 800 civilians during separate attacks on a number of villages between 2002 and 2003. He is also accused of raping girl soldiers and keeping them as sex slaves. “Humanity demands justice for these crimes,” ICC Chief prosecutor, Ms. Fatou Bensouda told the court.
carried out by Jason Harrison, 27, of Princes Road, Lowestoft, who has already admitted conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid with intent. Riley was found guilty of false imprisonment, conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Thompson was found guilty of wounding in connection with the knife attack on April 29, 2014, conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
for our client, but midway in the case my principal called me to take over the matter, saying he has another urgent assignment. I was frightened because I never prepared for the matter, I never studied
The prosecutor used her opening statement to describe the experience of one witness in chilling detail. It was the aftermath of an attack on a village in the Ituri region of eastern DR Congo. Bensouda said the witness searched though a pile of bodies, and found his wife, toddler son and daughter, whose head was punctured and her throat slit. Then, he discovered his remaining two children who had been killed in the same way. He gathered the bodies of his family and buried them in a field. According to the prosecutor, the rape and sexual enslavement of girls was so prevalent in Gen Ntaganda’s Union of Congolese Patriots (UCP) rebel army, that girls were referred to as “a large communal cooking pot” commanders, she alleged, could pass the girls around and use them for sex whenever they pleased.
Human rights groups here in The Hague have celebrated Gen Ntaganda’s appearance, saying it is proof that even the most powerful leaders may one day be brought to justice. In 2013, Gen Ntaganda handed himself in at the US embassy in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. He had evaded capture for seven years after the ICC first issued warrants for his arrest. Bosco Ntaganda was part of the UCP rebel group, led by Thomas Lubanga, who in 2014 became the first person to be convicted by the ICC. Gen Ntaganda was one of the leaders of the M23 rebel movement, which had fought government troops until signing a peace deal in 2013. Eastern DR Congo has suffered two decades of violence linked to ethnic rivalries and competition for control of the area’s rich mineral resources.
Bangladeshi court indicts owners in factory fire BANGLADESH
October 1, Rahman said. Prosecutors argued that the owners and the others were responsible for the deaths of the workers because the factory outside Dhaka had no emergency exits and the main exit was locked when the fire broke out in November
I was frightened —Ndubuisi
M
at the end of their sevenyear relationship. In April of last year Riley arranged for co-defendant Thompson to stab Ms Bellis in the face, leaving the beautician with scars. Three-and-a-half months later, on August 14, 2014, he organised the sulphuric acid attack at a bus stop in Lowestoft. Ms Bellis was in hospital for three weeks and has since undergone skin grafts and facial reconstruction. Surgery is likely to continue throughout her life, Ipswich Crown Court heard. The acid attack was
Ntaganda pleads not guilty at ICC trial
ter, the owners of Tazreen Fashions Limited, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The factory produced clothing for large international retailers including Wal-Mart. Prosecutor Mizanur Rahman said the judge also indicted 11 factory managers and security guards. Eight of the accused were present in court while five remain at large and will be tried in absentia. The trial will begin
y first appearance was before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court. It was a criminal matter and my principal was supposed to move a motion to secure the bail
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the case file, I was full of fear and I was expecting some questions from heaven, my mind was not settled. I encouraged myself, when the matter came up I moved the motion for
2012. The defendants’ lawyer argued that the fire was an accident and that they should not be indicted. “Finally, the judge decided to indict them all,” Rahman said by phone. The charges carry penalties ranging from seven years to life in prison.
bail on behalf of our client and fortunately, the court granted my prayers and I was very happy because of the commendation I received from other senior colleagues in court. Ogbuano Ndubuisi
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Law & Justice
Monday, September 7, 2015
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Prosecutor’s perspective on counter-insurgency CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
Alex Izinyon
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he mercurial jurist Nnnami, JSC throwing his weight along this same line of thought pungently ethos thus: “The evidence on which the learned trial judge convicted the appellant, though circumstantial, was overwhelming and conclusive. The deceased was last seen alive with the appellant and this taken together with other facts led to the learned trial Judge to the conclusion he reached and which the Court of Appeal upheld. The facts of such overwhelming evidence it would have amounted to a travesty of justice to discharge and acquit the appellant. I am reminded that it is not only the accused who demands or desires justice; the victim, sent to his death prematurely in some cases, and always unjustly demands and deserves that justice.” (Underlining mine) Therefore it is submitted that as a Prosecutor, the human right of the accused person to fair trial within a reasonable time, remain inviolate and sacrosanct. He owes this duty to himself, the accused person, the State and the larger society. Where however in quest to obtain these sublime objectives without infringement on the right of the accused person at trial such as insisting on trial within reasonable time and opposing all such legal obstacles placed by the defence counsel to stall or truncate the successful take off or prosecution of the accused person by the accused person via counsel, all under the guise of human right in cases of insurgency when the larger society has been held spell bound and in siege, I submit such without any amphiboly is as whole scale detraction and not a sine qua non. It can only be sine qua non if the object of the insistence is to ensure speedy trial within a reasonable time, access to the accused person, facility for the preparation of his defence etc by the defence from the human rights angle. It is now settled that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Therefore where there is a clear violation of the right of an accused person to fair trial, necessary facilities for his defence and trial within a reasonable time, the human right bingo may be on strong wicket to clear these excesses and absolutism. But where such is not the case but deliberate and calculated gimmicks to delay the trial, through unnecessary adjournments, bogus and spurious objections that lack legal focality and mere shambolism but aim to buy time and “kill the case”, I submit such human rights agitation therefore will be a ruse, distraction, simulacrum and a façade which should be condemned by all. The Prosecutor must rise to the occasion and clear these obstacles. It was once said: “The criminal trial today is - - - a kind of show-jumping contest in which the rider for the prosecution must clear every obstacle to succeed.” Robert Mark – British Police Commissioner Therefore the human right propagandist such as A.I (Amnesty International) must do this balancing. It must be circumspect and consider all facts before issuing any statement on human right violation without considering the interest of the larger society. Now Returning to the Oputa, JSC paradigm, what happened to the victims shown in the dramatic scenario pointed above? The innocent civilians killed? The security personnel killed? The society whose norms and serenity have been desecrated? What happened to the love ones they left behind if any? Drastic situation requires drastic measures. The larger society must be considered in this regard. You may want to ask if there are still suspects in Guantanamo Bay till date, following the 9/11 debacle. The drastic situation required drastic measures. See Legal Basis of U.S. Defence Policies, and the case of HAMDI VS. RUMSFIELD where majority of the Supreme Court affirmed the right of the U.S. Government to detain enemy for the duration of the conflict and suggested that the Department of Defence create fact – finding tribunals similar to those under the Army Regulation 190-8 to determine whether a detainee merits continued detention as an enemy combatant. See the erudite contribution of the Hon. Justice Sandra Day .O. Connor in that case. The issue here is in the interest of the larger society who deserves State protection from the few irredentists. The task for the prosecutor in insurgency cases is no doubt
Dr. Izinyon daunting. It is no kid box or one of those grotesque matters in a comical relief as contained in the Law of Strangest Cases where one runs thus: “All right, officer, you caught me with my hands in his pocket but the pocket was empty, so how can you accuse me of attempted theft”, (The Law of Strangest Cases). It must be pointed out here that because of the above scenario demonstrated so far which has become notorious, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have evolved Practice Directions to fast track the trial in respect of some criminal cases which include the cases bordering on insurgency. They must be commended. These it appears have resolved to some extent the schism between the opposing right of the accused person and the right of the State to prosecute and ensure fair trial. See Federal High Court Practice Direction 2013 applicable to terrorism, kidnapping, trafficking in person, rape, corruption and money laundering made to eliminate unnecessary delay and expense for the parties involved in the court justice system. May I crave your indulgence to reproduce Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 that are germane to this discourse:
“2. Objective and Guiding Principle
a. The purpose of this Practice Direction is to establish, a system of case management that will provide for the fair and impartial administration of criminal cases and the rules made under this Practice Direction shall be construed and applied to eliminate unnecessary delay and expense for the parties involved in the Court justice system. b. The rules made under this Practice Direction shall apply mutatis mutandis to criminal cases and to the extent possible: i. Ensure that at trials the parties focus on matters which are genuinely in issue; ii. Minimize the time spent at trials dealing with interlocutory matters. iii. Ensure that possibility of settlement is explored before the parties go into hearing. v. Ensure that hearings are not stalled by unpreparedness of the Court or the parties and that the case is fully ready for trial before hearing dates are agreed; v. Minimize undue adjournments and delays. 4. Duties of the prosecution i. To serve copies of the statements of evidence and documentary exhibits upon the defence 7 days before the arraignment hearing. ii. To provide a written case summary on the evidence as it presently stands. iii. To specify what further evidence is to come, and how long that evidence will take to be served on the Court and the defence. 5. Duties of the Defence i. Specify in writing, the defence being raised. ii. Specify in writing those aspect of the prosecution case which are agreed. iii. Specify in writing those aspect of the prosecution case which is in dispute. iv. Specify in writing which witnesses are required for cross-examination, and why. a. The hearing of cases shall be scheduled on a day to day basis as far as the schedule of the Court may permit, priority given to all cases prosecuted by the EFCC, ICPC, SSS or cases initiated under any law dealing with terrorism, kid-
napping, rape, corruption, trafficking in persons and money laundering cases. Courts shall continue to accord priority to these cases until judgment is delivered and all witnesses must be present in Court on all such days until their evidence is heard. b. The Court and the parties must prevent unwarranted and unnecessary delays and accordingly, not more than two adjournments shall be granted to any party to an action covered by the provisions of this Practice Direction. PROVIDED that no application for adjournment shall be entertained on a day fixed for hearing. c. Where a party seeks to change their Counsel during the lifespan of a case, not more than two adjournments shall be granted to him to so do; d. Where expedient and in furtherance of the objectives of this Practice Direction the Court may schedule the time and date of hearings to fall on such days and at such times as may be convenient; e. Counsel shall ensure that they are present in Court and ready to proceed with their case at all times. In the event that this proves to be impracticable by reason of ill health or any other unavoidable incidences, such Counsel shall ensure that a Counsel of requisite professional experience and knowledge of the issues before the court (as is required to diligently prosecute or defend the case), is present in Court and ready to proceed with the case in his or her stead; f. In criminal trials, the prosecution has a duty to ensure that the accused person is present in Court at all hearings.” 7. Proceedings of the Court
Attitude of Counsel and the Court
a. Judges must ensure that Counsel conduct the business of the Court with proper professional decorum and stringently avoid any act which is either an abuse of the justice system or is aimed at truncating the court of justice; counsel who may wish to make a petition against a Judge must first inform the Chief Judge, in writing, of the allegations against the Judge concerned. b. So far as is reasonably practicable, the Court must endeavor to conduct all its proceedings regularly and punctually and discourage adjournments made on trivial grounds by counsel.
8.
Court Directions
i. Fixing the date for trial, including a time estimate agreed by the parties. In the absence of any agreement the Judge will make his/her own assessment of the time estimate based upon information already provided by the parties. ii. Fixing any future interim date to ensure that the parties are complying with Court – ordered directions. iii. Requiring the parties to specify what points of admissibility or other issues are to be taken at trial. If either party does raise objection on a point of admissibility or other issue, the objection must be in writing and must set out a summary of the argument relied upon (‘Skeleton Argument”). The Judge will consider any objection before the start of the trial, they must give reasons why such points of objection cannot be resolved by the trial Judge before the start of the trial. iv. Directing the parties that the Court will sit on consecutive working days until the close of case or verdict.” See also Court of Appeal (Fast Track) Practice Direction, 2014 which include fast track on terrorism cases amongst others, Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 are germane here: “Para. 1. ‘Appeal, include interlocutory appeal; ‘Fast track appeal’ means any of the following: - Debt appeals Appeals pertaining to or connected with: - - Corruption - Human Trafficking - Kidnapping - Money Laundering - Rape - TERRORISM.” Dr. Izinyon, SAN, presented this paper at the just-concluded Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja last week. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
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Community Mirror Boko Haram represents the greatest terrorist threat we face. The insurgency’s senseless terror has brought untold destruction and hardship on our people. I therefore, call on the international community to partner with Nigeria to defeat them. –SENATE PRESIDENT, BUKOLA SARAKI
Yobe to engage youths in irrigation scheme
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Bad Journalist Estate Road in Arepo, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI
Group tasks Amosun on Arepo road Dare Akogun
A
fter an exhaustive deliberation on the deplorable road and socio-economic situation in Arepo and its neighboring communities in Obafemi/Owode Local Government area of Ogun State, members of Journalists Estate Residents Development Association, JERDA, have called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to their aid. The group in a communiqué issued at the end of its monthly meeting lamented the deplorable condition of the only access road linking Arepo to the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway almost two years after the contract had been awarded. Observing that state gov-
ernment had mounted a billboard for construction of the road since two years without commensurate actions, the group, however, urged the governor to go beyond mere mounting of billboards, to physical development of the area. Specifically, JERDA in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. John Ajayi and Secretary, Mr. Jude Nwauzor lamented that “the only access road leading Arepo Community to the expressway, is not only dilapidated, but beyond palliative measures as such requires urgent government attention.” The group said the state government should as a matter of urgency order contractor awarded the job to commence construction of the feeder road as promised by Governor Ibikunle
Amosun during his electioneering campaigns in the area. The meeting which reviewed the growing insecurity in the area calls for immediate action from all tiers of government to guarantee peace and harmony in the community. It stated that security should be beefed-up in the locality to stave-off possible security breaches while wadding-off activities of miscreants in the area. This measure, JERDA noted, will also protect lives and properties of the residents of the community, adjudged as second largest registration figure in the area during the last voter registration exercise in the state. While urging the Federal Government to move quickly to protect NNPC
pipelines, the Meeting-inSession also enjoined state and local governments to address the rising waves of criminality in the area. The Meeting however lauded the efforts of the recently-posted DPO, Mr Isa Lawal and his officers, who regularly patrols the long bridge between Berger and Arepo on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to wade-off criminals operating day and night on the bridge. It therefore urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to continue its work on the long bridge by clearing bushes on the median of the expressway while urging it, to extend the clearing to the left and right sides of the bridge, which harbours hoodlums that molest and rob innocent motorists.
NAFDAC nabs manufacturers of counterfeit drugs Dare Akogun
N
ational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control {NAFDAC) has arraigned two persons in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, for producing and selling counterfeit/ fake products. One of the accused, Tochukwu Michael, was arrested by NAFDAC of-
ficials at No. 6, Ekulumiri Abosi Awada, Anambra State, for producing and selling Maxiquine Triple Action Syrup for children. He was arraigned on a fivecount charge of producing and being in possession of fake and unregistered Maxiquine Triple Action syrup for children. The offence contravenes Section 1 (a) of the counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed
Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act cap C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3 (1) (a) of the same Act. The offence is also contrary to section 1 of the food, Drugs and related products Registration (etc) Cap F 33 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 6 (1) of the same acct. The second accused; Onyekachukwu Bartholomew Okafor of No.
2 Road, Ebemma OgborHill, Aba, Abia State was slammed with a threecount charge of selling and distributing unregistered cosmetic product – Cormat renew cold water starch contrary to section 1 (1) of the food, Drug and related products (Registration etc) Act Cap F33, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the section 6 (1) (a) of the same Act.
overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has said he will set up a new irrigation scheme that would engage up to 40, 000 youths across the state as part of effort to empower youths for self-reliance. A statement from the office of Director of Press to the governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, and made available to the media on Tuesday, said, the governor, who is currently on a visit to the People’s Republic of China on the invitation of Chinese agriculture and infrastructure investors, has already met and held talks with various potential investors, including an irrigation equipment manufacturing firm called Rainfine (Dalian) Irrigation Company Ltd, which specializes in the manufacture, installation and training of people in centre pivot irrigation technology in the Chinese city of Dalian. According to the statement, Governor Gaidam has also visited a modern irrigation farm company in the town of Jixian called Tianjing Jixian Lvpusheng Vegetable Planning Company Ltd and had fruitful discussions with the farm’s
Managing Director, Ms Lu Xiulung. “Irrigation agriculture is very significant in unleashing the enthusiasm and capacity of our youth for self-reliance. We are very much committed to using irrigation as another catalyst for helping to empower our youths. This is why we came here to establish wide ranging partnerships that will accelerate irrigation agriculture in our State. “We are particularly interested in modern centrepivot irrigation where a single machine or a cluster of machines can irrigate large expanses of land. We can use this all year round to irrigate farmlands and produce crops that will positively impact the lives and future of our youths and improve on our economy in the long term. “I am confident we can begin this before the year runs out; precisely within the next three months. We have it in our budget for the year and we are determined to carry it through”, His Excellency, the governor said.
Enugu community cries out over maginalisation
P
eople of Igboano, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State have petitioned Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, calling on him to address age-long marginalization in the area. According to the four communities that make up Igboano, they had been continuously sidelined in the area of political appointments and elective positions. A pressure group, under the auspices of Equity and Fairness Forum, while speaking on behalf of the communities, urged Governor Ugwuanyi to correct the political imbalance to ensure justice, equity and fairness among the four zones that make up the local government. The forum in a statement signed by Francis I. Uzoabalum (Mbanano zone, C. I. Ogbonna (Igboano zone),
H. N. Emeka (Ogboli zone) and Jideofo Ikeowa (Adada zone) advocated that the next Uzo-uwani council chairman should be zoned to the area. The statement reads: “Uzo-Uwani LGA is subdivided into four zones; Adada, Ogboli, Mbanano and Igboano. Adada with population of 22,756 has enjoyed the lion share of positions from 2003 till date. They have produced two House of assembly members, one House of Representatives, one senator, three commissioners and five senior special assistants. “Ogboli with population of 48,329 has also benefitted from the stream of who gets what since 2003 as they have amply been represented in various capacities ranging from chairmanship 20072011, house of assembly 2011-2015 and 2015-date.
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Monday, September 7, 2015
World News May every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe host a family, starting from my diocese of Rome. –POPE FRANCIS
Afolabi Gambari
WITH AGENCY REPORT
W
aves of exhausted migrants continued to pour into the border town of Nickelsdorf, in Austria’s Burgenland state late on Saturday under a cold rain. Earlier, some Austrians let out welcoming cheers as busloads of refugees pulled up on their border with Hungary, as weary passengers clutching children streamed toward them. The passengers carried their meager belongings in backpacks as they exited the vehicles in the rain. They walked on foot over the border to Nickelsdorf, where applause broke out among groups welcoming the convoys of buses with food and water. The Austrian Red Cross also provided medical supplies and warm blankets. At least 5, 500 refugees have arrived in Austria from Hungary since Friday night, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said yesterday. Some 2, 500 are still in the border town of Nickelsdorf and are waiting to head to the capital, Vienna, the refugee agency also said via Twitter. Deputy Chief of Burgenland State Police, Werner Fasching, earlier said about 10, 000 migrants were expected in total. There are only enough beds for 600 people in and around Nickelsdorf, and the bulk of the refugees are being sent to Vienna via trains and buses, he said. “We are trying to move as many as possible in the direction of Vienna,” Fasching said, stressing, “There the migrants will receive food, drink and, if needed, medical care. Some who wish to continue on to Germany will be permitted to do so.” Their arrival in Austria caps an emotional week for the migrants, many of whom had walked for hours before they got into dozens of buses provided by the Hungarian authorities. But the busing was only a temporary solution for this band of refuge seekers, leaving questions about what will be done for the thousands of other Syrian and other migrants still crossing the Mediterranean and traveling north through Europe. “In light of this week’s acute situation, Austrian and German officials agreed to allow thousands of migrants into their countries,” Austrian Chancel-
Migrants invade Austria in thousands
AFRICA BULLETIN Turkish workers abducted in Baghdad Gunmen at the weekend abducted a group of 12 Turkish construction workers at a site in the Sadr City neighborhood of eastern Baghdad, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said. It was not clear who the gunmen were or the fate of the men, who were all working on building an athletic stadium, the ministry said. The identities of the workers had not been released at press time yesterday.
Beijing sky changes after parade
Migrants arriving in Austria late on Saturday
lor, Werner Faymann, said. Meanwhile, the UNHCR has said that it welcomes the decision of Austria and Germany to receive thousands of refugees and migrants who crossed the border last night from Hungary.
“This is political leadership based on humanitarian values,” UNHCR spokeswoman, Melissa Fleming, said yesterday. “It’s not just the politicians who have extended a hand. Some individuals in Vienna are
donating train tickets for refugees while others elsewhere are giving food and supplies. “The refugees I met were enormously grateful for the welcome they have received since reaching Austria.”
Syria: Russian military build-up worries US
U
.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the weekend to discuss reports of an imminent Russian military buildup in Syria, the State Department said yesterday. If such a buildup occurred, it “could further escalate the con-
US Secretary of State John Kerry
flict, lead to greater loss of innocent life, increase refugee flows and risk confrontation with the anti-ISIS Coalition operating in Syria,” the Department said in a written statement. Kerry and Lavrov agreed to continue their discussion of Syria in New York later this month, the statement said.
Reports citing unnamed United States officials reported that U.S. intelligence had captured evidence Russia was increasing its military presence in Syria’s civil war. The evidence reportedly includes satellite images of what looks like a base under construction that could be used for staging troops and heavy equipment, the officials told the newspaper. A report also said Russia and the United States had been talking about finding a political solution in Syria, which is gripped by a deadly civil war and threatened by ISIS. “If the Russians are indeed increasing their military presence in Syria, that would certainly complicate that,” the report said, stressing that Russian might be increasing their activity on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the opposition or taking steps to secure their own position if the Assad government falls.”
Less than 24 hours after the end of China’s massive military parade on Thursday, Beijing is back to its usual smoggy self. Residents woke up Friday morning to find the crystal blue skies that graced the city nearly two weeks suddenly gone in their place, the familiar sight and smell of dour gray pollution clouds. Starting late August, Beijing enjoyed a rare string of continuously clear days as authorities took drastic action to ensure an azure backdrop for the largest parade it’s ever held, a showcase marking the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. Hundreds of factories were shut during this time, while half of Beijing’s five million registered cars were banned from the streets. According to a guide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at this level of pollution “Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.”
US student drowns in SA A George Washington University student’s trip to South Africa turned tragic when he got caught up in surf and drowned, his school and local police said yesterday. The body of 19-year-old Nicholas Upton was found Friday afternoon. Around 11 p.m. (5 p.m. ET) the previous Sunday, Upton had gone swimming with five fellow students along the Wild Coast near Coffee Bay, a small, remote seaside town about 325 miles (525 miles) northeast of Port Elizabeth and 275 miles southwest of Durban. He had been on break with 10 other students staying at a holiday lodge there, according to the National Sea Rescue Institute, a charity devoted to saving lives in waters around South Africa. “He went missing in the surf after appearing to get into difficulty in the surf line,” the group, known as Sea Rescue, said, adding, “Others from the group attempted to find him and staff from the resort were called to join the search, but after all, efforts were unsuccessful.”
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Monday, September 7, 2015
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El-Rufa’i recovers N24bn from Yero’s 470 bank accounts A za Msue, KADUNA
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L-R: Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bantex; Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Zango/Kataf LGA, Mr. Aliyu Wakili, and Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, during the 3rd town hall meeting at Kafanchan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Abandoned gun kills 12-year-old girl in Kwara Wole Adedeji, ILORIN
D
eath of a 12 years old girl in Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Saturday has thrown her relations and neighbours into confusion. The girl, simply called Ganiyat, allegedly died from gunshot wound. The dane gun belonged to her late grandfather, called ‘Baba Ria’, who died about seven years ago. Since the man’s death, the gun had allegedly been abandoned in a corner of their room. After Ganiyat’s death, police arrested and detained all male co-tenants of the house at Alangua area, where the deceased and her grandmother were staying. Our correspondent gathered yesterday that Ganiyat could have been playing with the abandoned gun before it discharged accidentally. The late Baba Ria was said to be a hunter and an Ogun (Yoruba god of iron) worshipper, whose gun was left untouched, the way he kept it since his death. A source told our correspondent that late Ganiyat was playing with her mates in the compound of their home earlier in the day. Her mother was also said to have visited that day.
It was later she went into the room where the gun was kept, unknown to anyone. Shortly after, a deafening sound of gunshot was heard and when people
rushed in, they found her lying in a pool of her blood, with one of her eyes shattered, a source said. It was learnt that neighbours rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where
she was confirmed dead. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said the matter was still being investigated
soon embark on the construction and reconstruction of some rural feeder roads to ease transportation problems. He said the government had refurbished five trucks belonging to the State Fire Service as part of safety measures. Abubakar said 420 youths had been engaged as street cleaners by the government under its youth employment scheme to
curb youth restiveness. He said that water supply, especially within Bauchi metropolis, had improved following special interventions such as regular payment of electricity bills and upgrade of electricity gadgets at Gubi Dam. The governor called on the people of the state to support his administration to enable it serves them.
Bauchi govt discovers its aircraft in Morocco
B
auchi State government said it has discovered an aircraft belonging to the state hidden in Morocco. Governor Mohammed Abubakar made this known on Saturday night in Bauchi in a broadcast marking 100 days of his administration. He said the recovered aircraft would be received by the state government in a few days at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi. The governor said the aircraft was recovered by a committee set up by government and headed by Air Commodore Ahmed Tijjani-Baba (rtd). “The committee will now beam its searchlight on the Ministry for Local Affairs and the State Basic Education Board to see how billions of naira allocated to them were spent. “Such examples are the N2bn micro loans and others that were allocated to them, but carelessly spent, leaving our pupils to study under trees,” he said. Abubakar assured that the state government would
aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i at the weekend said the government has recovered N24 billion through its Single Treasury Account policy. El-Rufai also said government had sent a bill to the House of Assembly to domesticate the Freedom of Information, FoI, law for transparency and accountable governance. Speaking during a town hall meeting in Kafanchan, Kaduna South senatorial zone, El-Rufai explained that the huge sum was recovered from 470 government accounts operated in 23 banks by the former administration of Muktar Ramalan Yero. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Bala Barnabas Bantex, added that before now, not even the Accountant General of the state was aware of the number of accounts operated by government. El-Rufai said the adoption of a single account by the state government has brought about the recovery of the huge amount, which will be used for development of the state. He said plans were already on to revive the taxi scheme services in the urban centres, adding that 200 branded air-conditioned cars would be distributed to youths in the state for the scheme. “Interested owners are expected to deposit 10 per cent of the car price and 120 of our youths have been shortlisted for train-
ing as drivers with a view of empowering them. “We have appointed interim committee chairmen for the 23 local government councils in our state, as we pledged during our campaign, the state government has announced it will not touch a kobo of local government funds,” he said. The governor said the state government would demonstrate its powers to protect the integrity of lands, owned by public institutions such as schools and hospitals, which have been encroached upon by individuals. He said the impunity that led to some personalities to conclude that such lands are for private use is being corrected. On other activities of government, he said they have commenced the recruitment of teachers in core subjects, such as Mathematics, English, the sciences and information technology. “The state government will soon embark on comprehensive schools repairs. Furniture, water and toilet will be provided across the state,” he added. He said government is concerned about the security situation in the state and is collaborating with neigbouring states to bring an end to insecurity in Birnin Gwari and the southern part of the state. He said the Town Hall meeting will be a continuous process to keep the people abreast of government activities and also get feedback and suggestions on how to move the state forward.
Youths commend Buhari, VP over assets declaration Tordue Salem, ABUJA
A
group under the auspices of Tiv Progressive Forum has commended the exemplary decision of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to declare their assets publicly. The group said it received with elation the decision of the president and his vice to come to equity with clean hands.
In a statement signed yesterday by its National Coordinator, Mr. Nyitse Tordue, the group also urged the President to ensure that key ministers and other political appointees to be appointed from Benue State are from the Tiv ethnic group, in line with the majority principle, which is applicable across the world. The group regretted that throughout the regime of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, the
Tiv ethnic group, the 4th largest in Nigeria, played second fiddle to other minorities in the state and other parts of the country, in breach of the universal principle of majority advantage. It insisted that to appease the Tiv nation, which the group said suffered terribly under the regime of Dr. Jonathan, the president must choose a minister among them and restore the pride of the people. The statement alleged
systematic elimination of the ethnic group from the political, military, social and economic front lines of Nigeria, despite its enduring contribution to the country’s growth in several aspects. The group also called on Tiv leaders to be more active in politics and the fight for the well-being of their people, whom they said have continued to suffer subjugation and marginalisation from successive governments.
52
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
CSOs commend Buhari’s resolve to rid Nigeria of corruption
C
oalition of Civil Society groups in Nigeria has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s ongoing campaign against corruption and advised that the initiative be sustained. The coalition’s National Chairman, Mr Iso Bassey Edim, expressed the group’s resolve at an interactive session with journalists in Calabar. The group also urged the president to do more to ensure the country was rid of corruption. “The executive and members of the Coalition CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwabukola Olabode Dada, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwabukola Olabode Business. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
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of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria made up of 47 civil society/liberty groups congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari’s steadfastness in the fight against corruption. “We hereby urge him to do more in ensuring that corruption is kicked out from our dear country, Nigeria. “We note that the wind of change and anti-corruption is touching the nooks and crannies of our socio-political frames,” Edim said. He, however, observed that some elements and institutions in Cross CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as HAKEEM ABOBADE FAHM, now wish to be known and addressed as TOYIN ABOBADE FAHM. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK OF NIG PLC and general public please take note.
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PUBLIC NOTICE DIVINE MERCY SEAT ASSEMBLY This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under part c of the Companies and Allied Matters Act NO. 1 of 1990
River State were working against the president’s anti-corruption crusade and urged him to refuse to be distracted. “We have observed with keen interest the intention and activities of some institutions and the political class in Cross River State geared towards sabotaging the efforts of our dear President in the anti-graft war in the country,” he added. The group also chided what they alleged as delays at the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals currently sitting in Cross RivCHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Adebayo Sekinat Olubunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Oguntoyinbo Sekinat Olubunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
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er and urged that justice should prevail. “We are not interested in who wins, but that the right thing must be done by the judges.
L
agos State government yesterday restated its resolve to stop street trading by fully enforcing provisions of the law restricting street trading in the metropolis. Chairman of State Task Force on Environmental and Other Special Offences (Enforcement Unit), Mr. Olubukola Abe, made this known in Lagos. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Busari Kehinde Ajoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adigun Kehinde Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
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PUBLIC NOTICE SERVANTS OF MARRY MOTHER OF GOD CHARITY FOUNDATION. This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.
1) OLEWUNNE DOMINICA UGOCHI - FOUNDER. 1 Rev Dr jonathan Alao chairman 2. Caleb okechukwu secretary 3 . Segun Makinde
2) OLEWUNNE EMEKA EPHRAIM 3) IGBOANUSI EDMUND CHUKWUDALU REV. FR.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1 to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ .
Reparation of the degraded sections of people in the society.
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CALEB OKECHUKWU Secretary
was looted, scandalised and submerged in murky waters by the political class would eventually be liberated by the judiciary,’’ Edim said.
LASG to clamp down on street traders
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
TRUSTEES ARE:
“We believe in the éclat of the tribunals and their posture on the dignity and integrity of the judiciary. “ It is also our position that our patrimony which
Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED OLEWUNNE DOMINICA UGOCHI - FOUNDER
He said the new drive was to reduce traffic congestion on the highways, often caused by activities of hawkers. Abe said Section 1 of the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, 2003, restricted street trading and hawking in the metropolis. “Section 7 and 8 of the same law gives jurisdiction and power to the special court to order seizure and public auction of items impounded for street hawkers. “Section 10 of the law prescribes the sum of CHANGE OF NAME This is to inform the General Public that I am formerly known and addressed as Oni Ada Rosemary Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Owen-Kings Ada Rosemary. All documents and official records remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should take note.
N5,000 as fine or three months imprisonment upon conviction. “Our men are prepared to step up enforcement of relevant sections of the law,” he said and urged motorists not to encourage hawkers’ activities by patronising them. Abe said the implication of the violation of the law was multifaceted. “Aside from the far reaching implication of street trading in terms of accidents which in most cases are fatal, street trading also affects the free flow of traffic in the metropolis. CHANGE OF NAME This is to inform the General Public that I am formerly known and addressed as OLUWAFERANMI, ABIMBOLA ABIDEMI, and Henceforth; I wish to be known and addressed as OKEYODE, ABIMBOLA ABIDEMI. All documents and official records remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should take note.
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CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
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This is to confirm that Lukuman Gafari is the same one person as Lukuman Alfa Alfa wish was wrongly written on my Voter’s Card instead of my correct name as Lukuman Gafari. All former documents remain valid. INEC and general public should please take note.
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PUBLIC NOTICE THE CHRIST BLOOD INTERNATIONAL COVENANT MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above MINISTRY has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS. OLUWASANMI TAIWO - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. OGUNLEYE GBENGA GABRIEL 3.MR. OGUNLADE OLADIPO – SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Christ to all and sundry especially those in contact with us for the salvation of their souls. 2. To embark on Christian education programmes for the spiritual growth of the society at large. 3 To establish and maintain church branches and fellowship centres in and outside Nigeria. 4 To bring people’s soul out of darkness into the light of the world. 5 To foster good relationships within church members. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: CHAIRMAN
Monday, September 7, 2015
Pogba torn between Barcelona Juventus
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sport
“Retirement? No consideration for that at the moment. In fact, I am not thinking about it at all. True
54
––GOLF STAR, TIGER WOODS
Glo League results
Super Eagles line up against Tanzania on Saturday
AFCON qualifiers:
Taraba
IfeanyiUbah
2
0
Giwa
1
0
Enyimba
El-Kanemi
2
1
Lobi
Wikki
3
1
Akwa
Nasarawa
1
1
Warri
Heartland
2
0
Rangers
Kwara
1
0
Abia
3SC
2
1
Sunshine
Oliseh guarantees improvement
S
uper Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, yesterday admitted his team was second best against Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Dar es Salaam on Saturday. It was Oliseh’s first competitive game in charge after taking
over from Stephen Keshi who was sacked as head coach in July. The Super Eagles were expected to see off the challenge of the Tanzanians with relative ease but prodcued a lacklustre performance in a goalless draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Nation-
al Stadium. “We were disorganised in the first half but fared better in the second,” Oliseh explained. Continuing, he said; “In the second half we organised ourselves better but lacked that quality supply from midfield to attack. We will get better.
“We have to continue to build. We barely had two good days of training before this match so I am happy with the one point.” The Super Eagles mentor was impressed with stand-in goalkeeper Carl Ikeme after the Warri Wolves goalkeeper was thrust into the deep end when
regular number one Vincent Enyeama withdrew from the squad late due to personal reasons. “I don’t like to single out players from the team but I have to admit that Carl Ikeme had a great game for us today,” Oliseh concluded.
Eagles, Niger friendly gulps $300,000
N
53
igeria will splash at least $300,000 for tomorrow’s friendly against neigbours Niger, a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed. The budget breakdown, it was learnt, will include an appearance fee of $150,000 to the visiting Mena of Niger as well as their local transportation and boarding while in Nigeria for the match. According to the source,the Eagles will each be paid $2,000 as appearance fee with coach Sunday Oliseh pocketing double that amount. “It is hoped that hosts Rivers State Government will defray part of these expenses”, the source quipped. Tomorrow’s encounter has been slated at the Adokiye Amiesiemake Stadium in Port Harcourt.
..As NFF proposes another Cameroon friendly
Niger, who failed to qualify for Equatorial Guinea 2015, are fresh from a 2-0 defeat In Burundi in an AFCON qualifier. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are said to be considering Cameroon friendly in Europe. Nigeria reportedly yesterday proposed a friendly against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon next month in Europe as coach Sunday Oliseh steps up rebuilding the Super Eagles. Eagles recorded a disappointing draw in Tanzania in a 2017 AFCON qualifier at the weekend in Oliseh’s first game in charge. And a source close to the NFF has also revealed that the federation is working on the team to play a friendly against Camer-
oon in Europe early next month. “The NFF are looking at getting the Eagles to face Cameroon in a friendly early next month and the game will most likely be played in Europe,” the official said. Both countries have clashed a total of 19 times since April 1960. Nigeria have won eight times and drawn seven times, while Cameroon were victorious on four occasions. Their last meeting was at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia, where the Eagles topped the Indomitable Lions 2-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament. There are two FIFA friendly windows left for this year – 5-13 October and 9-17 November.
Oliseh
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Sports
Monday, September 7, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
PSG bids £110m for
Ronaldo P
aris Saint-Germain, PSG, yesterday, bid £110m for Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer but were quickly knocked back by Real Madrid. The French champions are desperate to land the former Manchester United winger and will reignite their interest next summer. Cristiano Ronaldo was the subject of a late summer bid from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports. Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte claim the French giants offered Real Madrid a colossal £110m for their star player. The bid is understood to have been
immediately rejected by Madrid. If PSG had been successful with their offer, Ronaldo would’ve regained his status as the world’s most expensive footballer. The Ligue 1 champions are big admirers of Ronaldo and are expected to reignite their interest in Twitter’s most valuable sportsman next summer. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract coming to an end at the end of this season, next summer would be the opportune moment for PSG to pounce. Earlier this year French publication L’Equipe claimed the Portugal captain is at the very top of PSG’s transfer wish list.
Ronaldo
Pogba torn between Barcelona, Juventus J
Messi needs Ronaldo, says Kluivert I
t may be the greatest rivalry between two players the game has ever known, but Patrick Kluivert believes Lionel Messi needs Cristiano Ronaldo to push him to higher levels. “Messi is in a different dimension with his football, but I also think he urgently needs someone like Cristiano Ronaldo,” he told Voetbalzone (via the Mirror). “He needs someone who gives him an incentive to go for it every game, to see each
match as a challenge. Both players are world class and a level above the rest.” Kluivert made 182 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 90 goals in a sixyear spell at the Camp Nou, and he is currently the manager of Caribbean nation Curacao. But he hopes that one day he might return to Barcelona to occupy the hot seat currently filled by former team-mate Luis Enrique: Of course, it’s my
dream to be coach of Barcelona. Yes, I know it is certainly a possibility which is far away, but who knows what might happen. Luis Enrique was a leader on the field in our playing days and always crazy about football. These two features – leadership and passion – ensure he’s a top trainer. It makes sense he’s done well. Could we be seeing Leo Messi in a Barca team led by Kluivert in the not too distant future?
uventus midfielder Paul Pogba was heavily linked with several high-profile clubs over the summer. Paul Pogba revealed he is considering ignoring interest from Barcelona to stay at Juventus for the foreseeable future. The central midfielder, 22, was heavily linked with a Turin departure in the recently closed transfer window, but Juve reportedly rejected Barca’s 80 million euros ($89m) offer in July. With a host of other clubs also thought to be keen on signing PogbaChelsea, Paris SaintGermain and Manchester City included - it has become a matter of when not if the Frenchman will leave Juve. However, Pogba has stressed he is comfortable at the 2015 Champions League finalists and he wants to help turn around Juve’s poor start to the season, in which they lost both of their opening Se-
rie A fixtures. “It was not the right time for me to go, and I could very well remain at Juventus,” he told Telefoot. “Right now, I’m still happy to be there. We will finish the season and then
we’ll see again. “Has a Barca deal been struck in January? I don’t know, for now I’m at Juventus and I’m focused only on them because we haven’t started well. As for the rest, we’ll see.”
Pogba
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sports
Monday, September 7, 2015
55
Egypt wallop Chad, top Eagles’ group
E AFCON 2017 qualifier (Results) 1
0
Mozambique
Madagascar 0
Mauritius
0
Angola
Kenya
1
2
Zambia
Lesotho
1
3
Algeria
Swaziland
2
2
Malawi
Zimbabwe
1
1
Guinea
CAR
2
0
DR Congo
Chad
1
5
Egypt
The winners of the Airtel Rising Stars Season 5 football competition, Team Port Harcourt celebrating their victory over Team Lagos in Lagos on Saturday. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI
ARS 5: Team Port Harcourt emerges national champions Paul Erewuba
T
eam Port Harcourt, Male and Female U-17, over the weekend, emerged winners of the national finals of Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Season 5 Competition. In thrilling encounters on Saturday at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Team Port Harcourt U-17 Male defeated Lagos U-17, in penalty shootouts after the regulation time, while Team Port Harcourt Female U-17 beat their Abuja counterparts 2-0, to emerge the male and
female champions. Head coach of the winning team, Mr. Awin Christopher from Delta State said a good coordination in their technical work gave them the victory. “I played three central defenders, one man to cut the attacking strikers from the wing. It was a technical game; in the second half, I made a substitute, brought in Gift to hold the ball for us. Then, we had a goal, but the Referee disallowed it, that is football for you.” He thanked Airtel for the competition, saying, “Airtel are marvellous for youth development, youth empowerment by keep-
ing the youth off the street.” However, the Head Coach of Team Lagos, Mr. Ifeoluwa Idowu said lack of time to prepare his team was responsible for their defeat. “We had a good game plan, but we wasted some chances which we could have converted. “I want to give kudos to the opponent’s coach; he watched our game and brought in a particular player who changed our game plan.” Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, promised that the company will expand the scope of the competition next season.
bouquet who currently watch Sports Focus, they now have an opportunity to request and watch 2 more sports channels hitherto on higher bouquets- Sports Arena and Sports Life, by activating the Sports Play add-on bundle with NGN600 extra. While for Subscribers on Classic bouquet who currently watch Sports Arena, they now have an opportunity to request and watch 3 more sports channels hitherto on higher bouquets - World Football, Sports Premium and Sports Life, by activating the Sports Plus add-on bundle with NGN1200 extra. Also, subscribers on the Smart package for Digital Satellite (DTH) can also activate the Sports Plus add-on bundle with N1200 extra to enjoy 3 more sports channels hith-
erto on higher bouquets - World Football DH, Sports Premium HD and Sports Life. Public Relations Manager, Mr. Israel Bolaji, confirmed the new developments and remarked that the additional bouquets option demonstrated StarTimes Nigeria’s commitment to offering the most innovative and exciting pay television options by giving sports lovers more premium sport in the Basic, Classic and Smart range of bouquet options across both DTT and DTH platforms. With StarTimes 5-year deal to broadcast the German Bundesliga men football league and a 3-year deal for the Italian Serie A football league exclusively, subscribers can enjoy the best of football in Nigeria and across Africa.
Sports Play, Sports Plus debut on StarTimes Ngozi Emedolibe
S
port enthusiast subscribers on StarTimes digital TV platform can now access and enjoy more sports channels and programmes on their preferred Digital TV bouquet without having to upgrade to a higher bouquet. This is as the foremost service provider has announced the launch of two new add-on bouquets called Sports Play and Sports Plus, specially designed for sport enthusiasts on the basic and classic packages on the Digital Terrestrial (DTT) and on the Smart package for Digital Satellite (DTH). For StarTimes Subscribers on Basic
gypt have toppled the Super Eagles as Group G leaders after the Pharaohs defeated Chad 5-1 in Ndjamena in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday. A hat-trick from Basem Morsi (second, 25th and 62nd minutes) and a goal each from Mohammed Sallah and Mahmoud Kahraba secured the win for the seventime African champions. With the win, Egypt now have six points, two points ahead of the Super Eagles who are on four points. Both countries will meet in March 2016 when the Eagles will host the Pharoahs in the first of their double-header. Chad and Tanzania will square off against each other in the group’s other games. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for this year’s AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. Egypt themselves have failed to qualify for the last three editions (2012, 2013 and 2015) after their 2010 triumph in Angola.
Aiyenugba consoles Enyeama over mum’s death
F
ormer Super Eagles and Bnei Yehuda goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, has joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of the mother of Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Ayenugba, who was Enyeama’s teammate in Enyimba FC of Aba and Eagles, described the incident as shocking and wish the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. “My sincere condolence goes to my good friend Vincent and I urged him to take heart as I pray that his mother rest in peace,” the Israel-based keeper said yesterday. “Losing a person so dearly as a mother is disheartening and devastating but I pray that God almighty will uphold the family she left behind and give them strength,” Aiyenugba added. The 101-capped Enyeama posted amessage on his Instagram page on Wednesday afternoon apologizing to Nigeria fans but fell short of stating the reason for his absence in the AFCON 2017 qualifier against Tanzania.
Four-nation tourney: Eaglets finish third in Suwon
N
igeria’s U-17 side, Golden Eaglets yesterday narrowly lost 3-2 to Croatia and finished in third place at the 2015 Suwon Continental Cup International Youth (U-17) Football Tournament in Korea. The Emmanuel Amuneke-led Eaglets came close to winning the tournament after topping the four-nation invitational tournament following a 1-1 draw against Korea and
a 2-1 win against Brazil previously, but they were halted in their stride in an ill-tempered match that saw the Croats being booked four times and Nigeria once. Croatia went into in front with a well taken free-kick by Josip Brekalo outside the Nigerian box and they held on tenaciously to the lead throughout the first half with their gutsy style. Amuneke brought in Funsho Bamgboye
for Gavi Thompson on resumption of the second half and minutes later pulled out captain Kelechi Nwakali for David Enogela all in the bid to stabilize the midfield. The Golden Eaglets soon seized the initiatives and mounted pressure against the Croats who collapsed and conceded an own goal following a goalmouth melee in the 61st minute.
Enyeama
WORLD RECORD
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N150
Vol. 05 No. 1193 Monday, September 7, 2015
The largest cooking vessel has a volume of 23,616 litres (5,194.79 UK gal; 6,238.69 US gal) and was constructed by Union Energy Corporation Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), in Singapore, on 1 August 2015.
Pulsating perils of our quixotic politics
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et me say that this article is influenced by certain manifesting disquiets in the Nigerian state, the political realm specifically. Governance at the federal and state levels has experienced avoidable convulsions that could call to question the claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that it exists to establish a new socioeconomic and political order in the country. From all indications, the party is being troubled by the circumstances of its birth, the unproductive assertiveness of both the presidency and National Assembly, and a president inured to constructive rapprochement. Nigerians got hooked to the APC in the last general elections, having been seduced by its rich menu of political bouquet. Change, the party promised, change (a new dawn) Nigerians expected to have beginning from last May 29, when Alhaji Muhammadu stepped in to take over from Dr. Goodluck
HeartBeat Callistus Oke
Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com Jonathan. Three months after, Nigeria is at the crossroads, convulsing from the fallout of a mere exercise of the President’s discretionary powers to select his team. There is also the indiscretion of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the Ibrahim Lamorde affair. The rules of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly had to be stood on their head to legitimize a vengeful mission. And still there are many more wrong actions by our central actors in the nation’s political stage that do not reinforce the values associated with the culture of presidentialism and the collective drive by Nigerians to build a virile and united country. The most topical issue now in the national domain is President Muhammadu Buhrai’s alleged preference for his kinsmen from the North in the recruitment of his “kitchen cabinet” and the national consternation it has caused. Arguably, the most aggrieved party appears to be the Igbo nation. Having no representation in Mr. President’s assemblage, it has described the development as “inexplicable”. It is “inexplicable” because the Igbo fancy the idea and believe that a Nigerian president should be a “president for all Nigerians”. The unfulfilled expectation makes their exclusion from the closet of President Buhari’s personal and trusted staff so painful. The development, many believe, heightens their powerlessness and voicelessness in the nation’s scheme of things. No matter the defence put up by both
STATE INSTITUTIONS ARE STRENGTHENED BY ADHERENCE TO DUE PROCESS the President’s men and the ruling APC’s apparatchiks for this development, what has happened detracts from the minimum requirements for governing a highly pluralized country like Nigeria. It is proven political truism that government effectiveness rests on citizens’ satisfaction; the totality of the perceptions of Nigerians across the geopolitical divide and perceived fairness and justness of the actions, policies and programmes of the federal government, would be the gauge to measure such citizens’ satisfaction. I believe the institutional structure of our democracy is sufficient to provide the framework for the right policy conception and implementation. The major impediments to using such frameworks to promote national cohesion have been largely the preferences and idiosyncrasies of the political leaderships. President Buhari has shown, in words and deeds, that his Presidency is primarily concerned with servicing his narrow constituency of those who voted for him in the March 28, 2015 presidential election; which is why the South South and South East zones that voted overwhelmingly for former President Goodluck Jonathan in that election are being ignored. I think the
President has not been properly advised on how to use the recruitment of his core staff to build a powerful national coalition across the broad political spectrums. He has missed a golden opportunity to prove that he is for “everybody, and for nobody. Extending the frontiers of our emerging quixotic politics is the inquisitorial conduct of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as expressed in the ongoing persecution of Ibrahim Lamorde, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Much has been written on the weird politics in the Senate by a leader determined to demonstrate the strength of his power by taking on a national institution he thought has demystified his seeming invincibility. The Senate President has demonstrated he has a big ego, which unfortunately is being massaged by some less discerning senators. Behaving in the anti-institutionalist fashion he has chosen is a sad commentary on how low our national politics has sunk in the last three months. The core issue here is not the propriety or otherwise of the Senate to probe Lamorde. It has oversight function over the EFCC, but what rankles Nigerians is the method adopted for the exercise. State institutions are strengthened by adherence to due process. Saraki’s Inquisition is vendetta personified. Nigerians must resist this attempt to desecrate the hallowed sanctum of the Senate. One more point before I draw the curtain is the flight of inclusive governance at the federal and state levels. We are gradually being treated to unwholesoåme template of government of sole administrators in the country. Economic imperatives are said to account for this political fag. Yes, a government without a cabinet could save money for the state or country. But such an elected executive will be denied the positive inputs into governance from the ministers and commissioners. In many of the states without cabinet, governance is really in abeyance.
Sport Extra
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Title chasers Enyimba, Sunshine slip
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eaders Enyimba and Sunshine Stars slipped in their chase for the Nigeria league championship after they lost at Giwa FC and Shooting Stars, re-
spectively, yesterday. Giwa kept intact their unbeaten run in the league against Enyimba when they won 1-0 in Jos and Shooting Stars edged past Sunshine Stars 2-1 in
a southwest derby. However, Enyimba remained on top of the standings with 52 points from 28 games, four points clear of Warri Wolves, who toppled Sun-
shine Stars from second spot. Giwa have 46 points from 28 games to within touch of the front runners. In Ibadan, home team
Shooting Stars upstaged Sunshine Stars 2-1. Tope Orelope was the match winner for ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ when he tucked away a penalty in the 82nd minute.
Anyanwu Emenike
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