N702bn released so far for capital projects –Adeosun
M Adeosun
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inister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said that at the end of September, N3.9trn out of the N6.1trn budgeted for
the year has been released. Director Special Projects in the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Dikwa, who represented the minister, made the statement at a
stakeholders’ forum on reducing the cost of governance in Abuja yesterday. In a paper: “Public Sector Financial Manage-
Osinbajo
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Corruption: Buhari’s friends won’t be spared P.5 –Osinbajo
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Judgegate
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Judges not above A the law –AGF
George Oji, Doosuur Iwambe, George Opara and Ubong Ukpong ttorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, yesterday said no one is above the law in the country. The minister, who spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the “Country expert review committee for the second cycle of the review of implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption said nobody, no matter how highly placed is above the law. He was reacting to last weekend’s arrest of seven judges across the coun-
...Reps set up committee to probe arrests ...Senate chides DSS
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Badeh: Court admits financial transaction documents as exhibits P.6 L-R: Senator Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning; President Muhamadu Buhari, and Olapeju Ibekwe, Head, Branding, Sterling Bank Plc., at the 2016 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday.
Senate kicks against N309bn electricity bond Reps clear three lawmakers of sexual misconduct
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Judges not above the law –AGF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
try by the Department of State Services, DSS. He said: “No one is or should be above the law. “Was there an allegation of crime? Was there relevant provision of criminal procedure responsible for investigation? “Is there an allegation of corruption? If there is, nobody, no matter how highly placed will be spared. “The right to investigate has not been taken away from the constitution. The allegation both-
ers on criminality and no one is or should be above the law. “Neither the judiciary nor the executive will be exempted from investigation.” Malami, who on Monday, had shunned a valedictory session the Supreme Court held in honour of one of its retired Justices, Suleiman Galadima, noted that there was prima facie case against the judges, who are still being expected to be arraigned in court. “The fundamental con-
sideration is whether there is an allegation of the commission of a crime; whether there is the need for investigation, and whether the relevant provisions of the law and, indeed, all circumstances, as provided in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act are put into consideration in our conduct as regard the fight against corruption. “The bottom line is that we have a responsibility to fight corruption. Corruption is a crime and nobody, regardless of how highly
placed, is exempted as far as issues that border on crimes and criminalities are concerned,” he added. DSS operatives had last week clamped down on the seven judges accused of complicity in acts of corruption. The development had, however, attracted both negative and positive response from Nigerians, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who described the development as regretful and distressful.
L-R: Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc./Vice Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mrs. Sola DavidBorha; Senior Partner, ACAS and Law Associates, Sola Adepetun and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the 22nd Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday.
N702bn released so far for capital projects –Adeosun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ment Reforms as a Strategy for Cutting Cost of Governance in Nigeria”, Adeosun said only 18 per cent (N702bn) of the releases was for capital expenses against 82 per cent for recurrent expenditure. She, however, said that the releases to the productive sectors of the economy remained the highest in recent times. She said that Nigeria’s inability to finance most of its development projects had been largely attributed to high cost of governance in the form of large recurrent expenditure. “In order to grow the economy and fasten the rate of growth and development, there is the need to reverse the trend,” the minister said. She said it was important to “allocate through
the budgeting process, a larger proportion of funds for massive investment in infrastructure and other capital projects.” Adeosun said in the last two decades, costs associated with the running of the government in Nigeria had increased dramatically. She added that there was a decline in the proportion of the budget allocated to recurrent expenditure. Adeosun said that from 60 per cent in 1990 to 36 per cent in 1998, the budget increased to 80 per cent in 2003 but dropped to 74 per cent in 2016. She said the rising cost of governance had been a vexed issue in economic discourse in Nigeria. “Reasons for rising cost of governance in Nigeria are issue of inflation, misuse of public funds
and corruption, increase in population, extra-large NASS, extra-large public bureaucracy and need for accelerated growth and development. “Others are lack of economic efficiency and lack of well-defined rules and regulations,” Adeosun said. She said it showed that all tiers of government in Nigeria spent far more than they earned such that between 2011 and 2015 Nigeria had a consistent annual deficit of over N1trn in budget execution. Adeosun also said the country’s external and domestic debts amounted to over 30 per cent of national revenue during the period. In an address of welcome, Acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Mr Victor
Muruako, said the forum was the outcome of a very critical review of the financial management framework of Nigeria. Muruako said the country had failed to address critical issues, such as infrastructure challenges, as well as failure to set priorities right in the face of dwindling revenues. Muruako said the continued high expenditure on overhead cost against capital expenditure was unacceptable. He said the idea of managing public income and expenditure in a responsible and responsive way in the larger interest of the country was the sole responsibility of the commission. “It is indeed about prudent management of resources based on fundamental rules of action that CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
The judges are Justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta, both of the Supreme Court; Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court Abuja; Kabir Auta of Kano High Court; Muazu Pindiga of Gombe High Court; Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, I. A. Umezulike. Earlier, the AGF expressed confidence in the ability of members to execute their responsibilities and charged them to hit the ground running. He further noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would put adequate facilities in place to ensure that recovered loots were profitably managed. He said: “No doubt, the extant review focusing on Chapter II and V of UNCAC relating to preventive measures against corruption in public and private sectors and assets recovery, is both necessary and timely at this time in the annals of the country, when endemic and systemic corruption has created a great disconnect between our nation’s wealth and the quality of life of ordinary citizens. “As we are all aware, Nigeria is a state-party to UNCAC, which is the first global legally binding international anti-corruption instrument.” Members of the Committee were drawn from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Bureau of Public Procurement, Code of Conduct Bureau, Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, among other agencies. Meanwhile, as more reactions trail the arrest, Senate yesterday chided DSS for what the lawmakers described as the “draconian manner” agents of the service invaded the residences of the judges. This was as President Muhammadu Buhari
forwarded names of two Court of Appeal Justices for elevation to the Supreme Court. The two Justices are Justices Sidi Dauda Bage from Nasarawa State and Paul Adamu Galinje. The condemnation of the action of the DSS followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Joshua Ledani (PDP, Gombe State), which was raised via matters of urgent national importance. The lawmakers also reiterated their continued support for the efforts to eliminate corruption from Nigeria because of the harm it is doing to the country. But the senators urged President Buhari to call all security agencies to order and direct them to comply with the full observance of the Rule of Law in the discharge of their duties. They condemned DSS for going beyond its operational bounds by usurping the powers of the National Judicial Council, NJC, which they noted had the statutory powers of handling matters of misconduct and indiscipline against judicial officers. According to the lawmakers, the act of breaking into the residences of judicial officers at night with chisel and hammer was one that had further worsened the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations. The senators also threatened to amend the DSS Act to ensure that such behaviour is not repeated by the service In the House of Representatives an ad-hoc committee was constituted to investigate all cases of invasion of property and arrest of persons for reasons outside the general duties of DSS as prescribed by the National Securities Act from May 29, 2015. The decision followed a motion moved under matter of urgent public importance by Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers State) during yesterday’s plenary. Leading the debate on his motion, Chinda pointed out that the powers of the DSS as enumerated in section (2)(3) and (6) of the National Security Agencies CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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Senate kicks against N309bn electricity bond S enate yesterday urged the Federal Government to stop plans to raise a N309bn bond to finance electricity generation in the country to erase recorded shortfall in projected power availability. The Senate said govern-
ment should put the plan on hold pending conclusion of investigation into the matter by its committees on Power and Privatisation. This followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Mustapha Bukar, which was unanimously adopted by
Judges not above the law –AGF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Act 1986 does not include investigation and prosecution of corruption and abuse of office. The lawmaker said neither the Attorney General as the Chief Law Officer of the federation nor the NJC was informed by DSS before the arrests were made. It was, however, noted that the provisions of section 153(1)(i) and part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution establishes the NJC with power to regulate and discipline judicial officers. The lawmaker said if the invasion goes unchecked, it may truncate the nation’s democracy or culminate in the introduction of self-help by affected citizens, which could lead to anarchy. Given the prayer of the motion, it was subsequently adopted by the House and agreed that the ad-hoc committee should report back within six weeks. However, National Association of Nigerian Postgraduate Students (NANPOSTGRADs) has expressed support for the DSS in its fight against corruption and acts that could threaten internal security. President of the association, Mr. Kingsley Nwanze, expressed the support in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday. Nwanze expressed surprise at the reaction of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and NJC to the arrest of some judges by the DSS operatives. He described the arrest as a “positive action to rescue the nation from judicial rascality.” Nwanze noted that the organisations had not done the needful by disciplining those judges and referring them to necessary security agencies for prosecution. He said that if such action was taken, the “DSS would not have gone on a rescue mission.” The president said that if the revelations in the service
press statement were objects of fact, “then any right thinking person or organisation should rather appreciate the collective efforts of the DSS in ridding the judiciary of endemic corruption than vilification. “For us as an organisation, we cannot but give kudos to these positive actions aimed at making our judicial system the fair arbiter of good justice. “This has also shown that it is no longer business as usual, a situation where justice is no longer for the highest bidder rather than for those who deserve justice.” Nwanze urged the DSS to sustain the tempo in the fight against corruption and not to be deterred by negative criticisms by interested parties. “It is also true that there are individual actions that can jeopardise the internal security of our dear nation, while the corrupt action of these judges has potent capacities to do so,” Nwanze said. He said that the association supported President Buhari in the actions that he had taken so far, to rid Nigeria of corruption, adding that they were in line with constitutional provisions. According to him, to rid a nation of corruption is in the interest of everybody irrespective of religion, ethnicity, profession and status. Meanwhile, NJC will today continue its emergency meeting over the arrests. Our correspondent gathered that the Council adjourned the meeting, following its inability to conclude on issues discussed. According to a source who confided in our correspondent, the council in its six hours marathon meeting deliberated on the clamp down and how it could possibly convey its stand to the Executive. The source said members were sad with the development, which they described as a clear affront on the judiciary.
the lawmakers. Moving the motion, Bukar said that there was no need for the bond after the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in March to the tune of N213bn through the Nigeria Electricity Sector Intervention, NESI. He said the shortfall in power generation had continued to escalate at the rate of about N15bn per month which was equivalent to N500m daily.
According to him, total shortfall as at December 31, 2015 was N400bn. “Continued incidence of market shortfall is a disincentive for new investors to venture into the Nigerian electricity market. “This implies that the projected generating capacity is an illusion. As a matter of fact, any increment in generating capacity would further aggravate and escalate
the market shortfall,” he added. Bukar argued that the issuance of bonds would amount to not only spoonfeeding the operators in spite of their inefficiency, but at great cost to Nigeria. The Senate called on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to immediately halt the raising of the bonds by Nige-
ria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET. It mandated its committees to investigate the post-privatisation performance of all the players in the power sector. The committees were also directed to probe the companies’ performance agreement, including the management and disbursement of any loans or bonds of agencies in the sector.
L-R: President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Deacon Titus Soetan; President, International Federation of Accountants, Ms. Olivia Kirtley; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kem Adeosun and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, at the 46th Annual Accountants conference in Abuja, yesterday.
N702bn released so far for capital projects –Adeosun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
provides the framework for evidence based budgeting,” Muruako said. He said in the past, budgets were prepared not for the necessity and solutions required in the system but in such “careless manner” that agencies only fixed figures on paper. “This is why we support the zero based budget which is replacing the incremental budget where no critical effort is made to look at issues,” Muruako said. The minister also yesterday challenged members of the accounting profession to join forces with the current administration in its bid to promote accountability and transparency in governance. She gave the charge on day two of the 46th Annual Accountants Conference organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, in Abuja. The theme of the conference is “Accountability. Now, Nigeria”, and it was attended by dignitaries, including the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Gombe State Governor,
Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, among others. The minister explained that the accounting body now had greater roles to play in the current dispensation, saying the era
when accountants just offered suggestions was over. She said: “When things go wrong in the private sector, it affects just one company, but when things go wrong in the public sector, it affects the whole nation and that is why we must raise the bar for pub-
lic financial management. “The days when ICAN stayed in the background are gone. That is why I’m challenging ICAN to move from the background to the forefront. We need more accountants at all tiers of government and I think they have a very big role to play.”
Economic Summit: FG to raise N1trn for housing scheme, says Osinbajo
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ice-President Yemi Osinbajo said that the Federal Government is working with stakeholders to raise N1trn to provide affordable housing for Nigerians. The vice-president spoke at the 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday, where he chaired a Roundtable on Job Creation, Skills and Employment at the summit. He said the proposed project would also help to create jobs. Osinbajo said the job creation unit in his office had worked out a framework with the Nigerian Economic
Summit Group, NESG, to focus on three sectors to create employment. He listed the three sectors as construction, agriculture and information communication technology, ICT. Under construction, the vice-president said the Federal Government was trying to work on a social housing programme, called the Family Home Fund. “The Family Home Fund is a financial intervention into social housing in the country. “We are trying to raise a fund which will come to about N1trn; we have aggregated fund from the private
sector, local and international funds already. “The whole idea is to be able to intervene in mortgage financing so that developers can build special houses to the specification of the Federal Government. “Already eight or nine states are giving land and certificate of occupancy for social housing scheme. “The idea is that any Nigerian who can afford N30,000 should be able to own a house,” he said. Osinbajo said that there would emerge job creation opportunities as technicians, engineers and skill workers would benefit from the scheme.
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Reps clear three lawmakers of sexual misconduct Ubong Ukpong and George Opara
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ouse of Representatives Tuesday cleared three of its lawmakers of sexual misconduct, asking the Federal Government to immediately ensure that all sanctions meted to them by the United States in view of the allegations are relaxed. The resolution followed the adoption of the threepoints recommendations by its Ethics and Privileges Committee, led by Ossai Nicholas Ossai. Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwhistle, had in a letter dated
June 9, 2016, addressed to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, accused Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC-Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP-Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APCBenue), of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes while on official trip to the US. The matter was extensively dealt with during an investigative public hearing of the Committee, where Entwistle gave up on his allegations, saying there was no evidence of any sort against the lawmakers. The three lawmakers were among the 10 invited to the International Visitor Leadership Programme
held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The matter was brought before the House on Tuesday July 21, by one of the accused, where it was referred to the joint committee. However, considering the Committee’s report yesterday, at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy Speaker, Sulaimon La-
sun, the recommendations were overwhelmingly carried without any dissenting voice. The recommendations are: “Hon Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon Mark Terseer Gbilla and Hon Samuel Ikon are cleared of and exonerated from the allegations leveled against them by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria in
his June 9, 2016 letter to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for want of evidence. “That in the light of the foregoing, the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs do engage with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, with a view to finding a seamless resolution of the domestic fallout of this unfortunate incident
as it relates to Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbilla and Hon. Samuel Ikon.” The ministry was also asked to write and inform the US Embassy of the need to always adopt proper channel of communications in dealing with any organ or institution of government.
Upload all ‘authentic’ graduates for NYSC, VCs tell universities
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ommittee of ViceChancellors, CVC, has urged universities to upload the names of all eligible graduates for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. A statement by the CVC in Abuja Tuesday said the committee’s stance was sequel to its meeting with the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen Sule Kazaure. The statement was cosigned by Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, CVC’s President and Prof. Michael Faborode, the committee’s Secretary-General. It would be recalled that NYSC had in a memo to universities recently, directed them to cut their mobilisation for the scheme by 60 per cent due to financial constraints. The CVC said stakeholders agreed with NYSC that paucity of funds was responsible for the slash in the percentage of mobilisation. It said that its meeting resolved “that all authentic graduates of universities be uploaded by universities for NYSC to mobilise as appropriate. “All universities are expected to comply im-
mediately and ensure that graduates of part-time programmes and overaged graduates are not included in their list. “The CVC and the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, AVCNU, plead with the government and the National Assembly to provide resources needed for full mobilisation to stave off impending problem of partial mobilisation. “We appeal to all graduates and prospective corps members to show understanding and exercise restraint while awaiting further directives from NYSC.” The statement said that the CVC meeting with NYSC authorities was preceded by one with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, on the issue.
Cross section of female students at the 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child in Abuja, yesterday.
Corruption: Buhari’s friends won’t be spared –Osinbajo Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
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ice President Yemi Osinbajo Tuesday said no one would be spared in the ongoing fight against corruption. He stressed that even friends of President Muhammadu Buhari know that he would not cover them in allegations of corruption. According to him, fighting corruption was the priority of the government, stressing that it has been the major drain on the country’s resources. A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande said Osinbajo spoke when a group of Radio Journalists
and Producers visited him at the Presidential Villa. Osinbajo said: “No one would be spared in the fight against corruption because even the close friends of the President know that they will not be spared, he will not cover for them. Fighting corruption is a priority.” Osinbajo said implementation plans for the effective commencement of a number of the social investment programmes of the Buhariled administration has reached advanced stages as the selection of the first 200,000 unemployed graduates to get jobs was being completed. “We expect that before the end of the month, we will engage 200,000 out of the 500,000 unemployed graduates the Buhari ad-
ministration plans to hire in the N-Power jobs programme,” he said. According to him, the direct government jobs was meant to keep young people occupied, pay them some amount of money and also give them a device, which would also help them to learn several skills that they can develop. Osinbajo disclosed that the Home-Grown School Feeding programme was set to kick off in several states this month. He added that the school feeding programme “will energise agriculture in the different states because it is what you plant that you feed the children with, we will be hiring caterers, cooks, etc in each state because it will be Federal Government
Bills to bring Nigeria out of economic recession on the way –Saraki
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enate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Tuesday said the National Assembly was focusing on 11 bills that would bring the country out of the current economic recession. Saraki made this known in Abuja at the 22nd Nige-
PHOTO:NAN
rian Economic Summit: National Assembly Business Roundtable, NASSBER, on Ensuring a Legislative Framework for Made-inNigeria. He said NASS was committed to pushing the bills to ensure that they trans-
formed the country’s economy, adding that the legislature was also pro-business and pro-private sector. According to him, key bills being taking seriously are procurement, transportation, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, among others.
He said that the PIB was delayed due to the unrest in the Niger Delta. “We are treating the issue of the economy with urgency and in Procurement Act Amendment, we have made provision to protect the interest of Made-in-Nigeria.
funded from Primaries 1-3 and the state governments hopefully would be able to cater for the other classes.” According to the Vice President, the programme was another section of the Social Investment programmes that impact directly on the lives of Nigerian children and families. He stated that the MicroCredit scheme for which the administration would give very low-cost loans to more than one million Nigerian artisans, traders, market women and others ranging from N60,000 to N100,000 would also be kicking off this month. The Vice President reassured that the present government was well focused on ameliorating the plight of the citizens of the country, adding that the administration feels the pains of the citizens and was committed to assuaging them. On the current economic recession, the Vice President said the fall in oil prices and pipeline vandalism which affected the country’s revenue were the immediate causes of the recession.
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Celebrant, Dr. Muize Adeyemi Banire(left) with CEO, MKA & Associate Limited, Mr. Moses Akeke, during 50th birthday celebration of Dr. Muize Banire in lagos, recently.
L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Rand Merchant Bank, Nigeria, Bayo Ajayi; Founder, EveryGirl Empowered Foundation, Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi; General Manager, Admin, Tavia Technologies, Buki Oyekan and Manager, Teens Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ife Oyeyipo, at the launch of EveryGirl Empowered Foundation and commemoration of 2016 International Day of the Girl Child in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, yesterday.
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Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma (left), with the Managing Director of So & U Group, Mr. Udeme Ufot, at the ongoing 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
L-R: Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Engr. Musa Yeketi; Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta, Prof. Cladius Omoloye Daramola; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Acting President, Association of Sociologist of Education of Nigeria (ASEN), Prof. Uche Azikiwe during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.
National News
Badeh: Court admits financial transaction documents as exhibits Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA
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ustice Abang Okon of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Tuesday admitted in evidence documents showing payments made to contractors allegedly working for former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh. The judge admitted the documents in evidence after the 6th prosecution witness, Air Commodore Mohammed Sinni, Director of Finance and Accounts at Camp 101 Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force told the court that he handed some dollars to Badeh. The documents were subsequently admitted and marked as exhibit B6 and B7. Earlier at the resumed trial, Sinni, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Ja-
cobs, SAN, gave accounts of his stewardship at NAF Headquarters when he was Camp Finance Officer CFO. He said: “There were instances where I took dollars to Yishau, who thereafter will take the money to Badeh. “Yishau and I usually meet at the Air House where on several occasions I will hand over huge amount of dollars to him. “After that Yishau will enter into the Air House to hand over the money to Badeh because I was not allowed to hand the money over to him directly.” However, when Jacobs sought to tender the documents as evidence, counsel to Badeh, Akin Olujimi, SAN, objected on the ground that the documents are public documents that must be paid for before they are admitted as evidence.
He based his submissions on section 104 of the Evidence Act, saying, the mere fact that a government department is making use of a public document which is certified does not exclude the department from paying appropriate fees for it. Relying further on section 104 (1) of the Evidence Act, he said it is only a public officer who had custody of a document that can certify it but in this case, the witness was no longer in custody of the document. He said further that since the original documents were addressed to different banks, it is clear evidence that the original copy is not in the custody of NAF, let alone the Camp office. “So it is absolutely irregular and improper for the Officer to certify the document because the
CTC which the officer in custody is empowered to make shall be a true copy of the original. “Nobody here knows unless he speculates what are in the original wherever they are,” he said. He therefore urged the court to reject all the documents. Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Sam Olugun–Orisa SAN, while adopting the submissions of Olujimi urged the court not to admit the documents, arguing that the appropriate party to certify the documents is the bank where the original went to, adding that the bank is the one having custody. Opposing the submissions in strong terms, Jacobs urged the court to admit the documents noting that all conditions required for their admissibility have been met. He argued that it is not
in all cases that fees must be paid, particularly if such documents are for official purposes or emanates from the officer certifying it. “The fact that he made the documents eminently qualify him to certify them,” he added. Justice Abang in his ruling, however, held that though the documents are public documents, they do not require payment of fees before admissibility. The judge also held that there was no law prescribing fees for the documents to be obtained. He also held that it is sufficient that since the witness made the documents, he does not need to sign them. Abang, also agreed with the defence that where a Supreme Court has interpreted a law, all other courts must abide by the ruling, and that the
issues raised must be the same as the one’s cited. He held that the situation does not apply in the circumstances of this case. The documents were therefore admitted as exhibits. The matter was adjourned till today for continuation of trial. Badeh, as CDS, among other things allegedly abused his office between January and December, 2013. He allegedly used dollar equivalent of N1.4bn removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja. The offence is in contravention of Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
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Mining: FG to provide technical assistance to states Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
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inister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said his ministry is set to provide logistics and technical assistance to state governments in their bid to invest in the mining sector. Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, Yinka
Olabode, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen Tuesday in Abuja. According to the statement, the minister gave the hint when he received Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, in his office, stressing that the diversification plan of the government would be better realised with states’
involvement in mining ventures. “We want successful projects at state level. It will help us to showcase our seriousness in becoming a mining nation,” said Fayemi, who lauded Governor Umahi’s commitment to tapping the mineral deposits in his state. Dr. Fayemi who together with the Minister
of State, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, received Governor Umahi, said the ministry’s budget for 2017 has captured exploration, reclamation of mining sites and organisation of artisan miners, among other things that would reposition the sector. The minister commended Governor Umahi for making Ebonyi State
a mining destination, saying the state is a model for others to emulate. He assured the governor that the ministry has put together an environmental team to work on reclamations of mining sites for the welfare of the host communities. Governor Umahi had earlier stated that beyond
Corruption: I won’t hesitate to approve Justice Auta’s dismissal, prosecution –Ganduje Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
Medical team of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) providing free medical attention to the public during the 2016 Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers at Kwami Community in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
U.S. provides $92.7m to reduce poverty in Nigeria
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nited States government has announced U.S. $92.73 million U.S. in developmental assistance to support the five-year $2.3 billion U.S. agreement signed with the Federal Government in 2015. The U.S. embassy in a statement Tuesday in Abuja, said the amount was being provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID. The embassy explained that the money brought the total of development assistance provided in the agreement to U.S $474.74 million.
“This funding will continue to help Nigeria reduce extreme poverty in a more stable, democratic society. “Activities will stimulate inclusive economic growth, promote a healthier, more educated population, and strengthen good governance,” the embassy said. It quoted the USAID mission director, Michael Harvey, as expressing confidence that the funding would have positive impact on Nigerians. “Today we are pleased to contribute additional funding in support of the agree-
ment signed with the Nigerian government in 2015. “With their leadership, we know this funding will have a significant impact on the well-being of Nigerians,” it said. The statement also said USAID had collaborated with the Federal ministries of Budget and National Planning, Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education in an effort to align Nigeria’s development plans with sector-specific strategies. According to it, USAID also collaborated with statelevel government counter-
parts to structure the agreement which would be in place until 2020. “In addition to the developmental funding, the U.S. provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in Nigeria and throughout the Lake Chad Basin. “Since fiscal year 2015, the U.S. has provided more than $366 million in humanitarian assistance and continues to be the single largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the region,” it added.
Speaking at a forum on job creation, skills and employment at the ongoing 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the present administration was seriously tackling issues relating to local production, employment generation and all that would be needed to re-energise the economy. Osinbajo said though there might be challenges with the present duty waivers and tax regimes, the
Federal Government was working hard to correct the wrongs with a view to encouraging the growth of small businesses and attracting foreign investments. The Vice President stated that government’s emphasis on agriculture and agrobusinesses was premised on its agenda on diversification and self-reliance in food production for domestic consumption. Osinbajo said the enormity of the challenge with tax holi-
days and waivers could not be addressed by a ‘one size, fits-all’ tax holidays initiative, stressing that there were areas that the government would revisit and revise. He explained that the Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBEC, a special initiative of the Federal Government established by the President, in collaboration with the private sector, was looking at incentives and issues related to waivers.
FG assures investors of friendly business environment Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
F
ederal Government has assured local manufacturers, business owners and foreign investors that the present administration remains focused on enhancing a business environment necessary to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and job creation through active private sector participation in the economy.
agriculture, Nigeria would generate more revenue from mining, adding that more countries are looking towards Nigeria because of mineral resources. Governor Umahi said the state is willing to partner with UNIDO and the Federal Government to mine its huge deposit of salt and limestone.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said he would not hesitate to approve the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, which directed the dismissal and prosecution of Justice Kabiru Auta of the State High Court. Speaking with journalists after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Ganduje said President Muhammadu Buhari was serious about fighting corruption, stressing that Kano State was behind him. He said: “What is going on is a court case now but it is a welcome development. Mr. President is serious about corruption and that aspect is an aspect of conscience. So, the state government is behind him and it has established an anti-corrupt outfit. They are working very hard and we are com-
plementing the effort of the Federal Government. “I will approve his being tried in the court of law not even sack. If the courts find him guilty to be jailed, that’s okay.” It will be recalled that the NJC had last month recommended Auta for dismissal over allegations bribery and corruption. The NJC, a body responsible for the welfare and discipline of judges in the country had recommended Auta for dismissal and prosecution over allegation that he collected N197 million from one Alhaji Kabiru Yakassai, who wrote a petition against him. While explaining his mission in the Presidential Villa, Ganduje said he came to meet with the Vice President over issues of security and youth unemployment in his state which he said was a mega city with its peculiar problems of security and employment.
Protest: Students disrupt business in bank over alleged missing fees
N
ational Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Tuesday disrupted business transactions at the First Bank of Nigeria, Zaria main branch, Kaduna State, over alleged missing registration fees paid by some students. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that over 1,000 students of Federal College of Education, FCE, Zaria, stormed the premises and claimed that they paid their registration fees at the bank in the Sabongari area of the town. Addressing newsmen shortly after
a meeting with the bank’s branch management and the police, NANS national president, Mr. Aruna Kadiri, said: “Over a period of time, students of FCE have been paying their registration fees at the First Bank.” He lamented that the bank had claimed in a publication that the students did not pay the money and “that’s why we come with the tellers to ask the bank where these tellers were generated from.” He said the meeting with the management and the police resolved that business should continue.
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Editorial
Wednesday October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR n PUBLISHER SUNDAY OLAJIDE – MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO •AG. EDITOR, DAILY BEN MEMULETIWON
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AFTERALL
DSS and judges’ invasion palaver
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peratives of the Department of State Security, between late last Friday night and the early hours of the following Saturday, simultaneously raided the houses of some very senior judicial officers - two Justices of the Supreme Court – Walter Onnoghen and Sylvester Ngwuta, and two judges of the Federal High Court - Justices Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba. Justice Onnoghen was described as the second in rank and the most likely successor to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed. Reports said the DSS operatives surrounded the judicial officers’ houses for hours before they eventually broke into them at about 1am on Saturday. When they were done with their search, the security agents arrested some of them. Reports from Gombe, Friday, also spoke of the arrest of Justice Muazu Pindiga, the first chairman of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, before he was moved midway to handle the hearing of the dispute arising from the 2015 governorship election in the state. Similar fate befell a high court judge in Kano, Justice Kabiru Auta, who was raided along with Justice AI Umezulike, the Chief Judge of Enugu State. The National Judicial Council
(NJC) had recommended Auta and Umezulike for compulsory retirement lately. Likewise, the residence of Justice Samia in Sokoto State was ransacked by the security agents. From Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital was also the report that a detachment of riot policemen and DSS operatives stormed the Force Avenue home of Justice Mohammed Liman, but could not arrest him consequent upon the quick intervention of the state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Wike, on getting wind of the incident, reportedly rushed to the residence of the judge with the aim of averting his arrest. Reports alleged, unfortunately, that the DSS operatives carried out the raid with mixed-up search warrants, whose authenticity were suspect. Startling, nonetheless, was the revelation by the DSS that its officers stormed the judges’ abode following allegations of corruption and other acts of professional misconduct levelled against them. Reports claimed documents linking one of the embattled judges to estates worth over N1.5 billion were recovered from him. At the residence of another judge, at least $400, 000 and N39 million cash were recovered, in addition to documents of landed properties. It was also alleged that the DSS
The contrary would probably have been the case had judges been truly living
above board, like
Caesar’s wife
raided the residence of the judge in Port Harcourt in search of $2 million believed to be proceeds of corruption in the judge’s possession. But for Governor Wike’s intervention, the money would probably have been picked up as well. Public reactions to the strange and embarrassing development has been utter outrage for entrenched interests out to guard the rule of law, human rights and the integrity quotients of the judges at all cost, on the one hand; and on the other, plaudits for the DSS for a job well done for those wearied and disappointed by persistent and scarcely abating reports of grave corruption dogging the Nigerian bench. We will be surprised if, despite their sabre-rattling in protest against the DSS raid on their lordships; and the fact that two wrongs don’t make a right, the Nigerian judiciary as an institution, judiciary workers and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are not roundly embarrassed by the distrust and eroded con-
fidence of the Nigerian state in a lot of its high ranking judicial officers in its avowed task of stemming corruption in the country. Of a truth, if the President Muhammadu Buhari government fails to deliver in any jurisdiction, the buck stops at Mr. President’s table. But Nigerians know those behind the scene that accelerated the flight to the abyss. We do not support the illegal raid by DSS officers of judges at ungodly hours for no just cause. They should do their job in day light if they have their facts in order not to be mistaken for criminals or kidnappers. The DSS also infracts the law if it truly sets out to ransack judges’ or other suspects’ homes with dubious search warrants. Good enough, reports yesterday said the judges arrested had been granted bail, preparatory for trial. For the law presumes them innocent until otherwise proven. Let the trial begin. For to whom much is given, much is also expected. But quite distressing, indeed, are the odious allegations of corruption dogging the judiciary in recent years, even at the very summit. The contrary would probably have been the case had judges been truly living above board, like Caesar’s wife; and shunning complicit lawyers.
ON THIS DAY October 12, 1983 Japan’s former Prime Minister, Tanaka Kakuei, was found guilty of taking a $2 million bribe from Lockheed and was sentenced to four years in jail. Kakuei (1918 – 1993) was a Japanese politician and the 64th and 65th Prime Minister of Japan from July 7, 1972 to December 22, 1972; and from December 22, 1972 to December 9, 1974 respectively. He was also the most influential member of the then ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
October 12, 1984 The Provisional Irish Republican Army attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and members of her cabinet at a meeting. Thatcher escaped but the bomb killed five people and wounded 31. The Brighton hotel bombing occurred on October 12, 1984 at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, England. The bomb was planted by Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) member, Patrick Magee.
October 12, 2013 Fifty-one people were killed after a truck veered off a cliff in La Convención Province in Peru. Viewed as the deadliest road accident in Peruvian history, it occurred when a cargo truck carrying 51 people, including 14 children, plunged off a 200 meter cliff, killing everyone on board. According to authorities, the cargo truck, which was being used as a makeshift bus, was traveling to a celebration in the Santa Teresa district.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
South West
Wednesday, October 12 , 2016
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Abduction, rituals now attract death penalty in Ogun Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA
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gun State House of Assembly, OGHA, Tuesday passed into law a bill stipulating a 25 years imprisonment as penalty for anyone caught engaging in forceful takeover of landed property across the state with the use of any fire arms. In a situation where life is involved, the Ogun
...land grabbing, kidnapping, others 25 years jail Assembly’s bill entitled ‘H.B. No. 03/2016,’ further stipulated death sentence for anyone found guilty of placing on any land or landed property, “any agent for the purpose of forceful takeover of the said land with the use of any fire arms, offensive weapon, obnoxious or chemical materials or the said
offender causes any form of injury or uses violence on any person.” The bill was titled: ‘H.B. No. 03/2016- ‘A Bill for a law to Prohibit Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Violent and Fraudulent Conducts in a Relation To Landed Properties: Armed Robbery, Kidnapping,
Cultism and Allied Matters and For other Matters Incidental thereto or Connected Therewith.’ The passage of the bill during the House’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, followed the presentation of the report of the Special
Joint Committees on Lands and Housing as well as Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions led by the Assembly’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, who sponsored the bill. Oluomo had moved the motion for the adoption of the bill, which was seconded by Hon. Adebiyi Adeleye and eventually supported by the Whole House. Other provisions in the bill included that in case of kidnapping, abduction, violent rituals resulting in death or grievous bodily harm, forcible detention and related offense “where the person kidnapped, restrained, detained, kept, abducted or seized dies in the course, the offender shall be liable on conviction to such punishment as provided for the offense of murder
under Section 319 (1) Criminal Code Law of Ogun State, 2006 or such other law for the time being in force.” The bill further added that where “the person does no die in the course, the offender shall be liable on conviction to punishment for life with hard labour and without an option of fine.” The new bill also spelt out punishment for robbery, as any person held for robbery shall upon trial and conviction be liable to a sentence of 21 years imprisonment, while anyone convicted for armed robbery attracts death sentence. Following the passage of the bill by the state Assembly, Hon. Adekunbi however, ordered that a clean copy of the bill be sent to the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, for assent into law.
Lecturers, govt to clash over stoppage of subvention to schools L-R: Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the 3rd Quarter year of Town Hall Meeting in Lagos, yesterday.
Oyo decries 14-day ultimatum by pensioners Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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yo State government Tuesday expressed displeasure over the 14-day ultimatum given it by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, over non-payment of backlog of pension arrears. The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, in a statement issued in Ibadan, said the state government last Friday approved the release of N880 million for the payment of pensions of
retired local government pensioners across the state. He said funds for payment of backlog of pension arrears were approved last week during the monthly Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting held with all the caretaker chairmen of local government areas in the state. He said: “Facts and figures I have with me from Local Government Staff Pensions Board indicate that Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Friday, 7th October 2016, approved the sum of N880 million for the payment of arrears being owed
retired local government primary school teachers and local government retirees.” While decrying the ultimatum by the state chapter of the NUP as mischievous, baseless and unacceptable, Kolade said it was unnecessary as funds had already been approved for the purpose. The commissioner who assured local government retirees of the commitment of government to their welfare, by ensuring prompt payment of their entitlements, also implored them to ensure that they attend the verification exercise being carried out by the
pension’s board. He explained that the exercise has assisted the state government through the Local Government Staff Pensions Board in discovering about 400 names of pensioners whose gratuities are pending, but “have issues with their data.” Kolade also appealed to labour leaders in the state to always embrace dialogue rather than confrontations on the pages of newspaper, especially at a time when the labour-government standing committee constantly meets to proffer solutions to issues of wages, salaries and pensions in the state.
Let EFCC do its job, FUTA VC tells staff unions Ojo O yewamide AKURE
V
ice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Adebiyi Daramola, has appealed to staff unions in the institutions to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign. Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff
Union of Universities, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, have been demanding that Daramola and the institution’s bursar be removed from office. The demand followed last week’s invitation of the duo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to answer allegations of abuse of office and misappropriation of fund levelled against them.
The Vice Chancellor Tuesday, at a press conference in Akure, Ondo State capital, urged the protesting unions to allow the antigraft agency to do its investigation, saying they could not be the judge in their own case. Daramola who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Olatunde Arayela, said the protest by the unions was unnecessary. He, however,
described the crisis rocking the university as a misunderstanding among brothers that would soon be resolved. He said: “The Vice Chancellor has written statements on the allegations, most of which are spurious and others which arose out of lack of necessary information and understanding and supported his claims with some necessary documents to clear the air on the allegations.
Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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cademic staffs of Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions are set for a collision with the state government as they have rejected government’s reduction of subventions to the institutions by 25 per cent. The lecturers, under the aegis of the Joint Action Forum of Academic Staff Union of Oyo Stateowned, JAFAS, tertiary institutions, said the government’s decision was unacceptable. The forum said the idea, which is being allegedly test-run at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, would certainly throw many students out of school due to high school fees. The academic staff, in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of a meeting held at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, EACOED, Oyo, called for immediate reversal of the policy. According to them, the policy would throw the institutions into deep financial trouble as already evident in LAUTECH. The communiqué was signed by the chairmen and secretaries of the academic unions of LAUTECH, EACOED, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, OYSATECH, Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa
Polytechnic, Oke-Ogun Polytechnic and the College of Education, Lanlate. But the state government, in a swift reaction, described the stance of JAFAS as preemptive, stating that the government has not made policy pronouncements on some of the issues raised. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said a reduction in subventions to tertiary institutions in the state was discussed with the head of the institutions, adding that the government is still consulting with them to achieve a seamless education calendar run for tertiary institutions in the state. According to him, it was surprising that the so-called group, JAFAS, condemned the report of the Education Reform Initiative Committee chaired by Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin when government was still examining it and has not made its content a policy yet. He said rather than going to the pages of newspapers to express displeasure on some government actions in the education sector, JAFAS should have sent a memorandum to the Education Reform Committee when it called for such, instead of misleading the public about the contents of the yet-to-be—made-public report.
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South West
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Akiolu laments poor state of security in Lagos Francis Suberu
O
ba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, Tuesday lamented the poor state of security in Lagos State, saying the spate of kidnapping in the state in recent time is alarming. Akiolu who spoke at the interactive session of the quarterly town hall meeting of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said the present state of security in the state is very poor, urging the governor to create security committees in council areas. According to the monarch, despite Governor Ambode’s laudable feats in the area of security in the state, kidnapping and hostage taken have become the order of the day. He said: “Lagosians are worried over three things; the first is the rejection of the bill seeking special status for Lagos. I believe the bill could not scale through because enough
...Ambode plans recruitment of 5,000 neighbourhood watchers lobbying was not done and former President Olusegun Obasanjo caused the problem. I hope that the bill will be re-presented and get passed in your time. “The second is the Jankara/Onikoriko Market. The contract to rehabilitate the market has been awarded but nothing is going on there. It appears the contractors handling the project are not serious. Another problem in the market is the collection of dues. The way those people are going about it is very unfair; government needs to do something about it. “The third problem is the security of the state. You know I am a retired police officer and I still gather intelligence reports, not only about Lagos but the nation as a whole. The state of security in the state is very worrisome. Local government security committees should be established by recruiting able-bodied men who will work with the police to secure the state.”
Meanwhile, Governor Ambode has disclosed plans to recruit at least 5,000 neighbourhood watchers with the new recruits expected to earn at least N25,000 monthly and other allowances in order to beef up security in the
state, especially at the community level. He said the Neighbourhood Safety Agency Bill which he signed into law on August 15, 2016, was part of efforts to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the state.
“There is a law that has just been passed which is the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 and in line with the resolution taken by the House of Assembly yesterday, we would go all out to make sure that this agency is acti-
vated and all our neighborhoods will be covered, and then centralise with the state government with all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing and that is the way to go.
L-R: Legal Adviser, Association of Agricultural Products and Equipment Manufacturers in Nigeria, Mr Kadiri Abdulrhaman; President of the Association, Mr Eric Umeofia and General Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Abdulahi, at a news conference on the deliberate attempt to close down indigenous manufacturers by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Olubadan visits Alaafin, Ekiti won’t revert governor’s office to hotel first in 17 years Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
O
lubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Tuesday paid a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in his palace, the first in 17 years. The monarch, with members of the Olubadanin-Council and other senior chiefs arrived Aafin Oyo at about 10.35 am. National Mirror learnt that the last time a sitting Olubadan paid a visit to the Alaafin was during the reign of Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, in 1999. It was gathered that Oba Adetunji, in his efforts to appreciate those who graced his coronation on March 4, this year, and foster unity among the Yoruba traditional rulers, had recently visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Ridwan Akinolu. The visit to Oba Adeyemi is the second after his coronation.
Oba Adetunji, while addressing his royal guest and Oyo kingmakers, said the rationale behind the visit was to thank the Alaafin for attending his coronation and foster unity among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland. He used the occasion to pledge his support for continuous cordial relationship between the people of Ibadanland and Oyo. While recalling his relationship with Oba Adeyemi prior and after the coronation of the latter in 1971, he described him as a man of many colours and prayed for more fruitful years for the Alaafin and himself on the throne. Oba Adeyemi said he would continue to maintain the cordial relationship that existed between him and the Olubadan and the people of the two ancient towns, considering his long relationship with his visitor even before they assumed the thrones of their forefathers.
Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI
E
kiti State government said it would not revert the present Governor’s Office to its original five-star hotel design on completion of the new Governor’s Office. Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Modupe Alade, said the present office had some problems as far as the office of the governor and his top aides were concerned which construction of the new office would address.
Alade who spoke Tuesday at a press conference to kick off the second year anniversary of the present administration, said the celebration would witness the inauguration of some completed projects, including classroom blocks and dual carriageways as well as the flagging off of new projects, including the N600m new Governor’s Office. The celebration will climax on Sunday, the day the administration would clock two years in office. The SSG said the ongo-
ing economic recession would not deter the government from completing all projects it embarked upon as necessary budgetary provision had been made for the projects before embarking on them. She lauded the investment of the administration in the education sector, which the SSG said was responsible for the first position the state had in the 2016 May/June National Examination Council senior school certificate examination (SSCE) and the improvement in the
West African Examination Council SSCE result. She listed the achievements of the administration as the N5.7bn 1.2km Ado-Ekiti flyover bridge under construction, the new King’s Market estimated at about N3bn, the N448m Awedele Market road with street light and median; Oke-Ila Housing Estate road, constructed with N396m; Onala Petim road, constructed with N495m and De-Head Bawa Iyin road, constructed at a cost of N782m.
Osun signs MoU with DFID to create markets for local products Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO
O
sun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with the Department for International Development, DFID, in order to benefit from its funded programme of Growth and Employment in States 4th scheme, GEMS4.
Aregbesola said at the signing of the MoU that his administration was able to endure the harsh economic challenges in the country because of the government’s huge investments in human development. GEMS4, a DFID-funded programme, will link and expand markets for unique wholesale and retail products from Osun State into larger local and
international markets. Also, under the scheme, local producers of black soap, local delicacies, mat makers and other petty producers are to be assisted to gain access to bigger markets for bigger economic opportunities. The governor explained that investment in the people helps the commerce and economy of states as well as the process of wealth creation,
adding that the signing of the MoU is to promote collaboration and cooperation with GEMS4, so as to provide access to markets for the production of local products. He said no government could create wealth where there is hunger, poverty and wants, adding that his government is committed to raising the standard of living of the people through wealth creation.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
South East
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Ebonyi Assembly approves N3.2bn World Bank loan Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI
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L-R: Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, during the Governor’s courtesy visit to the Minister ‘s office in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Pensioners debunk N12.2bn govt payment claim
…say over 200 members dead due to starvation Chris Njoku OWERRI
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etired permanent secretaries in Imo State have claimed that over 200 former civil servants have died through starvation and inability to afford medications. The pensioners also debunked the state government’s claim that N12.2bn had been paid to retirees, saying only one month out of 70 months liabilities was paid to them. Chairman, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Imo State, Chief Hyacinth Onyekwere made the disclosure Tuesday while briefing newsmen in Owerri, the state capital. According to him, between November 2011 till date, 12 retired permanent secretaries have died as a result of non-payment of pension to enable them feed and buy medications. He accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of intentionally dehumanising retired civil servants by refusing to pay them their pension thereby subjecting them to untold hardship, describing the governor’s action as “callous and unconscionable.” Onyekwere berated the state government for the payment of one month
pension out of 16 to 70 months owed different categories of pensioners. The body called on the state House of Assembly and the judiciary to rise up to their constitutional responsibility of checkmating the excesses of the governor warning that if they fail to rise up, the state will slide into reprehensible dictatorship. They also charged the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, accounting bodies and others to ensure that professional standards are maintained in the execution of government programmes and projects in the state.
The association condemned the practice wherein contractors and hirelings, who lack the expertise and capacity are engaged to handle pensions as against the norm Further, they said traditional rulers, most of whom are ill equipped to do so, have now become pivotal of corruption in the administration of pension in the state, regretting that the Sub-Treasurers, who possess the expertise have been relegated to the background. They charged the state government to shun unviable projects like construction of tunnels, widening of roads, demolition of private and public
buildings; saying they do not improve the lives of the people. On his part, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, in the state, Chief Gideon Ezeji disclosed that over 30 per cent of pensioners were omitted during the one month pension payment last month. He disclosed that as at October 2016, the state government was owing civil pensioners, 20 months; retired permanent secretaries, 20 months; primary school teachers, 30 months and local government pensioners 21 months. Both associations called on the governor to pay them without further delay to enable them meet up their responsibilities in their respective families.
Police kill 2 armed robbers in gun duel Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI
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bonyi State Police Command Tuesday said it has foiled a robbery attack along Afikpo- Okigwe highway, killing two of the suspects after a long gun battle. The command, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, George Okafor, in Abakaliki said two suspects were gunned down, while four escaped through the Aninri/
Awgu axis of Enugu State with various degrees of bullet wounds. He noted that the sixman robbery gang, which operated with a Vento Volkswagen car, blocked the Akaeze/Edda Bridge axis of the highway dispossessing road users of their belongings. According to him the command on a tip-off, deployed a team of policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Akaeze Police Station to the scene where they engaged the suspects in gun
duel. Okafor said a team of Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, is already on hot pursuit of the fleeing suspects, adding that one AK47 riffle, five magazines and twenty rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them. The command appealed to the public to report anybody seen with bullet injuries to the nearest police station, even as it re-assures law abiding citizens of their safety within the nooks and crannies of the state.
bonyi State House of Assembly Tuesday approved N3.2bn World Bank loan for the state government. The money would be used to purchase equipment from China and improve agricultural activities/technological know-how in the state. Governor David Umahi, in three separate letters sent to the House, said the request was sequel to his economic tour to China where he entered into agreement with some Chinese firms on procurement of some equipment. Umahi listed some of the equipment to include 5,000 street lights, 260.44 metres of old outdoor display screen, 20,000 solar turbo flashing light, one set of 100,000KVA biomass generating set, two sets of 50KVA solar power system, rice laboratory equipment and complete set of parboil rice equipment, among others. He explained that the equipment would be procured when the state obtains a letter of credit facil-
ity from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, since it had no fund presently. The equipment will be procured in dollars at the exchange rate of N480 per dollar according to the letter. House Leader, Mr. Joseph Nwaobashi, who read the letters at plenary, also moved the motion that the governor’s request be allowed to sail through in view of his visionary leadership. He was seconded by Mr. Onu Nwonye, representing Ohaozara west constituency. The House also approved the governor’s request of another N20m targeted to service the appointment of more Technical Assistants to the governor, while another N400m was approved for the empowerment of some selected Ebonyians. In a motion moved by Nwaobash and seconded by Kinsley Ikoro, they urged their colleagues to support the requests knowing the unemployment rate in the country, especially in the face of the current economic recession currently, ravaging the country.
Enugu assembly reconsiders nullification of teachers’ recruitment
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nugu State House of Assembly has reconsidered its nullification of the recent recruitment of 2000 teachers by the state universal basic education board. It would be recalled that the Assembly had cancelled the recruitment, following alleged malpractices by the board. The Assembly had earlier summoned the Chairman of the board, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, and its members to explain their roles in the recruitment after which the lawmakers cancelled the exercise. The Assembly rescinded the cancellation in Enugu after the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, explained his role in the recruitment. In his submission, Eze told the lawmakers that the exercise was conducted in line with the recruitment guidelines for teachers. He said the exercise was transparent and that many applicants participated in
the examination. “I visited the centres on the day of the examination and wherever there was any problem, I personally resolved them instantly. “Where there were inadequate chairs and tables, we provided them and due to the population, we resolved to conduct the examination in batches to avoid overcrowding. “I, therefore, rate the teacher’s recruitment in the state 70 per cent as we all know that no exercise can said to be perfect,” he said. In his remarks, the Speaker, Chief Edward Ubosi, said it would look into the submissions and reconsider its earlier decision to nullify the exercise. Ubosi also noted that the cost of organising a new exercise and other things involved would be a burden to the state government and the board. The Speaker, however, urged the Assembly committee on education to look into the matter and report back in two weeks.
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More political engagement required to end Niger Delta crisis –Tambuwal
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L-R: Office Manager, Peace and Democratic Governance Team USAID, Mr. Anthony Akpala; National Coordinator, Election Monitor, Mr. Abiodun Ajijola and National Commissioner, INEC, Haji Amina Zakar,i during a presentation of election monitors on 2016 Edo State governorship election observation report in Abuja, recently. PHOTO:ROTIMI OSASONA
Senate rejects 4 NDDC nominees ...confirms Ndoma-Egba, others George Oji
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enate Tuesday refused to confirm four nominees to the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The lawmakers dropped three of the nominees because their appointments did not comply with the provisions of the NDDC Act, which specifies that the nominees must come from oil producing areas of the states, while the fourth person declined his nomination. The three candidates, who failed to make it through the confirmation process, are Olatokunbo Ajasin (Ondo), Donatus Eyinnah (Abia) and Igo Weli (Niger Delta), while Senator Osita Izunaso from Imo State declined his nomination. The Senate, however,
confirmed Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as Chairman and Nsima Udo Ekere as Managing Director of the commission respectively. Other board members of the commission, confirmed, were Mahmoud Isa-Dutse and Abdul-Kazeem Bayero. They are the representatives of the Federal Ministries of Finance and Environment. The duo would however cease to be members of the board whenever they are transferred from their present ministries to other MDAs. Also confirmed are Adjogbe Ajenakevwe Samuel, Mene Ienyie Derek, Frank Samuel George, Brambaifa Nelson and Sylvester Effefiom Nsa. The rest are Ogaga Ifowodo, Uwuilekhue Saturday, Harry Iboroma Dabibi, Benard Banfa, Yahaya Mohammed and
Mustapha Dankadai. Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, while presenting the report of his committee said in the case of Ajasin, people from the Ilaje area of Ondo State, had stormed the screening venue in eleven commuter buses to protest his nomination. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, who led the opposition to the confirmation of the three candidates, argued that Section 2(1) (b) of the NDDC Act stipulated that nominees for the board of the Commission must be from communities where oil is produced. But Senator Sola Adeyeye (Osun) argued that the Act did not make it mandatory for nominees to come from oil bearing communities. Meanwhile, policemen attached to the National Assembly yesterday, arrested six alleged oil
thieves who specialise in siphoning diesel from the heavy duty generating sets at the Annex area of the Assembly complex. They were alleged to have stolen eleven jerry cans of twenty five litres each and were caught at a point of loading into a Gulf Volkswagen car by an eagle eyed security on night duty, who alerted others. One of the oil thieves escaped arrest and was said to be on the run. Two of the thieves have been identified as staff of the National Assembly, specifically Sergeant-AtArms Department, while the remaining five were recruited from Tipper Garage, a nearby heavy truck park. It was also found out that one of the two staff, who led the gang, invited five others from the tipper garage to accompany him on the act and they entered the complex around 4.20 a.m.
CMD urges striking UBTH doctors to consider dying patients I sesele E zekiel BENIN
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hief Medical Director, CMD, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Prof. Michael Ibadin, Tuesday called on Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, to consider the alarming cases of patients under critical conditions and call off the lingering two months old strike.
Ibadin condemned the actions of some medical doctors, who take pleasure in embarking on incessant strikes, despite efforts by management to provide qualitative and sustainable healthcare service and meet the specific demands of the association. Speaking with newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital, Prof. Iba-
din described the recent publication against the hospital management tagged “UBTH, a model in the Tertiary Hospital in the country”, as the handiwork of detractors and their sponsors targeted to malign and discredit him. He equally decried the insensitivity of the doctors, who shunned the negotiating table and refused to be pa-
thetic to the plights of patients, some of who suffered and died while the strike lasted The Resident Doctors embarked on strike over inadequate medical equipment, reduction in charges paid by patients, issues of allowances amongst others, while series of negotiations with management in the past were deadlocked.
he crisis in the Niger Delta region requires more political solution than military, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said. “The crisis in the Niger Delta is one that requires more political engagement by all stakeholders. Rather than use military might, we should lay much emphasis on engaging all parties in a dialogue. “The militants, especially, must seize the initiative to restore peace in the region and ensure socio-economic stability,” the governor said Tuesday in Sokoto when he hosted participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, who were on a study tour of the state. He said the ability of the country to rise to the present challenges will ultimately define the true worth of its leaders. “Every country of the world is facing some form of challenges, what is important is the ability of the leadership to rally round, discuss and engage all stakeholders to come to a peaceful resolution of such issues,” he added. Tambuwal commended the Nigerian military and other security services for their efforts in ensuring internal security. He said the successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram
should inspire them to look for solutions to other security challenges like kidnapping and armed robbery bedeviling other parts of the country. He said President Muhammadu Buhari has good intentions for the country, and urged the people to support his efforts and embrace peace at all times. On the theme of the tour, which is “Enhancing food security for national development: the role of state governments,” Tambuwal said Sokoto has embraced modern farming techniques and has joined other entities in declaring food a major security issue. “In the recent past, we have embraced many cash crops because of the need to diversify. In Sokoto today, we are leading producers of crops like millet, rice, sorghum, onions, tomatoes, cowpea and variety of vegetables. “From next farming season, we are including sesame among crops to be cultivated because of its economic value,” he added. In his remarks, leader of the team, Prof. Istifanus Zabade, said the participants, made up of Nigerians and their counterparts from other countries, are required to study cultural, social and political environment of chosen localities to broaden their knowledge base of all sections of the country.
Police plan reduction in activities of militants –IG
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nspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has said that the police aims to cut the activities of militants in the Niger Delta region by 80 per cent by building the capacity of marine police. Idris made the statement at the Inspector-General of Police Conference in Abuja Tuesday. “We are going to cut the activities of militants by 80 per cent. It is important to build the capacity of our marine police,” he said. Idris said a marine school would be established in Bayelsa State to build the capacity of po-
lice personnel to enhance service delivery. He also said that the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, would be trained in collaboration with the Nigeria Bar Association, Civil Society Organisations and human rights organisations. He explained that the collaboration was aimed at changing the public perception about personnel of the security unit. On the training of personnel of the Police Mobile Force, Idris said other training facilities would be used pending the return to Gwoza in Borno State.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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Recession caused by APC’s lack of preparation —Tanko Dr. Yunusa Tanko is the National Chairman of the National Conscience Party, NCP. He recently spoke with journalists at the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the party which was founded by the late human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, on October 1, 1994. AYO ESAN brings excerpts.
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ormation of NCP It is not in dispute that ours is the oldest political party in the 4th Republic and we remain the only party of the downtrodden that is still standing. Our party was founded in the struggle and on the streets of battle. It was on October 1, 1994 that late Chief Gani Fawehinmi,( SAN), that hero of our struggles, led scores of activists to launch the National Conscience, NC, (as it was known then) in total defiance to the brutal and murderous military-police regime of Gen. Sani Abacha. Gani was arrested within hours after the launching of the National Conscience and was detained but till date National Conscience remains. In defiance to the powers that be, our party was launched at a time when the then military authorities placed outright ban on any form of political organization; this was a gross violation of the fundamental rights of people to associate. In fact, at a time, it was even illegal for a group of more than five persons to gather. Trade union rights were also denied and attacked as the NLC, TUC, and the oil workers’ unions were disbanded and trade union leaders and activists were arrested and detained. Scores were killed by the military death squads round the country and these victims of impunity remain the heroes of our struggle. The past military regimes ruled in the interest of the super-rich Nigerian ruling capitalist elites and their imperialist masters. We must not and cannot forget: how the notorious Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, was imposed on the toiling masses in the 1980s, how numerous IMFWorld Bank dictates were crudely imposed and how all these mis-policies created hell on earth for the working classes both in the cities and in the rural areas. We cannot and must not forget: how many times fuel prices were increased, how many times the Naira was devalued, how many times school fees were hiked, how many times public assets were sold off at give away prices, and how
Tanko scores perished in the face of the imposed hardship. It is important to emphasise that in spite of all the anti-masses but pro-rich programmes imposed in the past, the Nigerian economy never recovered from the damages of the deep recession of 1980s. We stand to be challenged by any authority. For one, the minimum wage of Nigerian workers in the 1980s still remains fundamentally higher than that of today and the industries of the past cannot be compared with those of today. Used cars (Tokunbo) were not something that was in vogue until SAP was imposed, which led to be rapid collapse of the real income of the Nigerian workers; this is also a fact. It is important that we go through history in order to confirm that our struggles are far from over and that another major catastrophe is in the making. The exploitation and oppressive conditions that pushed the Gani Fawehinmis and the masses to fight back have worsened seriously within the past one and half years of the current APC regime of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari – a regime that came to power on the platform of the change mantra and anti-corruption. The ruling class and their imperialist masters from time immemorial never wish that those that they are sucking their blood ever get organized in any way whether politically and economically. The day slave becomes conscious of his reality and gets organized is the day he becomes half a slave.
The struggles waged by the Ganis and our countless heroes past not only saw to the end of military police dictatorship, it also ended the era of imposition of political parties by the military. It is on record that had the Ganis not waged a major political and legal struggle against the imposed three party arrangement, the current multi- party democracy would never have come into existence. Twenty two years after the launching of our party, reviewing our victories and losses, our successes and setbacks, we cannot but be confident that victory is available only to those who dare to struggle. Secondly, in the face of the monstrous calamities that have befallen the masses of Nigeria, we need to draw inspirations from the successes of the past and the experience gained from our struggles. State of the Nation As we mark the 56th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, that the country has been plunged into an unprecedented economic and political crisis is no longer news to all and sundry. As we speak, the naira is still collapsing in value at an unprecedented rate and it has not found its bottom price .It is now going for N495 to the dollar. We cannot guarantee that the naira would not plunge over the N600.00 mark before the end of October. The increase in the pump price of petroleum product has
The so-called anti-corruption crusade
has been exposed with time as an agenda of going after political opponents and the claims of recovering looted funds were nothing but propaganda
astronomically affect the prices of goods and services .s We can all easily recall the position of President Buhari a few months before the 2015 elections on the question of the value of the naira, when it was just devalued to N197.00. The promise of equalizing the value of the naira to the dollar was actually made by him but today we would be lucky if the naira does not collapse beyond the N1,000.00 by December with the current speed of depreciation of the naira to the dollar. All the promises made by the APC before the 2015 have long been cancelled, this is no longer news. The realities of our time are quite clear. Boko Haram insurgency is still alive and ruining the lives of the masses. More millions people have been displaced in the North- East with no end in sight for the insurgency contrary to the claims of this regime and the military that Boko Haram has been decimated or defeated technically. Going South is the havoc been created by the militants in the Niger Delta that has further worsened economic situation in the country. The security situation has further collapse since the APC took power across the country with number of local wars growing. The insurgency that has developed in the south has further worsened the situation terribly. In addition, the national question and the ethnic relations have gone into the red under this regime. The so-called anti-corruption crusade has been exposed with time as an agenda of going after political opponents and the claims of recovering looted funds were nothing but propaganda. The Information Minister has even come out to distant the government from the claim of recovering 3.4 trillion naira; an amount which they claimed some few months earlier. The anticorruption crusade remains a media affair. It should be clear to the world now that neither APC nor PDP reflect the way forward and they are in fact the same in both forms and content. They both remain parties of the Nigerian elites and agents of imperialism. The tragedy of our situation is the deep economic recession that the country has been plunged into with no end or solution in sight. Economic recession tending to depression Nothing exposes the APC deceitful agenda than the recession and the collapse of the economy that occurred within a year of taking power. A true government of change would have actually hit the ground running by mobilizing the entire masses and force of the working people to save the society and themselves from crises by holistically tackling corruption, tackling the rein and control of the super rich, banks and multinationals over the economy, and put the interest of the masses who constitute the overwhelming majority first. The working people (workers, farmers, teachers, cleaners, lecturers, doctors, soldiers, unemployed, etc.) not only constitute the overwhelming majority, they produce all the wealth of the society, which is the ecoCONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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Bauchi Assembly moves to impeach Speaker E zekiel Titus BAUCHI
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here are strong indication that Bauchi state Assembly members may be on the move to impeach the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kawu Sehu Damina. This according to a source who crave for anonymity may not be unconnected to the feud between Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the National Assembly members from Bauchi State. It could be recalled that the NASS members from the state had in the media and at political fora criticised Abubakar for running an exclusive government and that his government is not serving the purpose for which he was voted into power. In the same vein, the governor had accused the National Assembly members from the state of making unrealistic demand like houses for them in Abuja and exotic cars saying this has been responsible for the political feud between them. A member of the House told newsmen yesterday that there is a desperate move to impeach the Speaker, Kawu Damina by members especially those from the NASS members’ faction
. The plan according to him is to give them a chance to dethrone Abubakar through impeachment. According to the member, several meetings were said to have been held in Saudi-Arabia during the Hajj operation by the faction loyal to NASS members to perfect the impeachment saga. It was learnt that the speaker’s political sin may not be unconnected to his loyalty to the executive more than the interest of his members as several calls to probe the governor were said not to be entertained by the speaker. When National Mirror visited the state Assembly Complex along Gombe Road to verify the authenticity of the impeachment move against the Speaker, it was discovered the members are still on recess and are expected to resume next week Tuesday , October, 18, 2016, but it was gathered that the embattle speaker was holding meeting with members loyal to him in his residence. A source privy to the meeting told newsmen that they are perfecting ways on how to prevent the impeachment saga on resumption from recess with the pressure
mounted by the loyalists of the NASS members. The source added that none of the members loyal to the NASS members was present at the meeting . It was also gathered
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Abraham Ajose, while speaking with journalists. According to the Pastor, as a result of the current unsavory situation in the country, the spirit of God has directed the church to observe a day marathon prayer for the Nation that will free her from its current woes. He stated that the hourly prayer session will cover 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm and end at 6pm. Aside Celestians, Oshoffa stated that other people in whatever denomination they belong who truly love the Nation, as well as yearn for
Chinade, the Director of Information, Bauchi state House of Assembly debunked the purported move and described it as a mere speculation with a view to divert people’s attention from
the truth. He urged the public to disregard unconfirmed information linking the members to an attempt to impeach the. Speaker and call for support for the government.
L-R: Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Chairman, APC, Ebonyi State, Chief Ben Nwobasi and his Enugu State counterpart, Dr. Ben Nwoye, during APC meeting in Enugu yesterday.
Recession: Sale of national asset, wise option —Cleric A biodun N ejo ADO EKITI
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eneral Overseer of The Word Bible Church International, Prophet Julius Kumoluyi, has said that sale of na-
Oshoffa leads Celestians to pray for Nigeria, Buhari he Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ, Worldwide, Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa will on Monday October 17, lead Celestial faithful from across the world to the church’s Holy City at Imeko Abeokuta, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, to offer prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, those in the position of authority and the Nation at large. Oshoffa made this known in Lagos yesterday through the Pastor’s representative, Venerable Superior Evangelist
that the NASS members are allegedly not leaving any stone unreturned to dethrone Abubakar by impeaching him and sworn-in, his deputy as governor. However, Lamara
peaceful coexistence, unity and progress of the country, should converge at Imeko for the special prayer for the Nation. The Cele leader, who, further stated that some, people who see the indivisible power of God in the church are of the view that until the leadership crisis rocking the fold is resolved, the country will not get it right, hence the need to prayer. He, however assured the Nation that with the power of prayer, the country will bounce back from its low moment and we shall all be blessed, he added.
tional assets to bail the country out of the present recession is a wise economic decision. Kumoluyi said: “Instead of embarking on borrowing which can enslave the country, sale of assets is a wise option as long as it will bring about economic revival and consequently buy back of needed assets”. The cleric, who spoke at the October edition of the monthly threeday All Purpose Prayer Meeting of the church at Igbara Odo, its Ondo and Ekiti states headquarters, said what accrued from the sale should be invested in worthwhile ventures including agriculture. Kumoluyi, who said Nigeria would have been a leading nation but for the oil boom and the consequent corruption which led to the neglect of agriculture, said the ongoing rebuilding of the nation would lead to desirable result. He said: “Nigeria’s problem started long ago
during the military era. I will implore all Nigerians to exercise patience. It will take some time for the country to fully come back. We should all pray for the country and its leaders. Things will change. What President Muhammadu Buhari is doing in the country in the aspect of sanitising and rebuilding are unprecedented”. The cleric, however, backed calls for restructuring of the country, saying a situation whereby every state or region is allowed to develop at its pace and generate its funds would bring about rapid development and discourage regional uprising and vandalism of national assets. Kumoluyi, who said Nigeria was ripe for state police, said “crime is on the increase in the country because the Nigeria Police cannot tame it. In the United States, there are several kinds of police. Nigeria is ripe for state police. Those in positions of
authority are aware of this. It is only that there are fears in certain quarters”. The cleric lamented that lack of patriotism remained the bane of Nigerian leaders, accusing them of self-seeking and refusing to replicate the developments they see in the developed world in the public domain, but rather using the commonwealth to replicate such in their private homes and estates. According to him, aggressive investment in agriculture by the governments and individuals will greatly assist in the country’s economic and social revamp. He said: “If we go back to agriculture as it used to be before the discovery of oil, the lost glory of Nigeria will be restored. We should not forget in a hurry the place of Nigeria with revenue from cocoa, cotton, groundnut, palm oil. We can still get back there. Agricbusiness remains a way out for the country”.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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On the travails of workers of Delta Steel Company Bobson Gbinije
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hat iron and steel constitute the fundamental fulcrum on which technological development and advancement of a country can take place remains an unquestionable truism. From the Paleolithic age right to the Neolithic age and up to the Iron age the illusive variable for development has always been “iron”. Its discovery as a tool of civilization stimulated a sonorous Hosanna to the modern world. The most viable paradigm for measuring development and growth in this modern world is sustainable industrialization, which cannot take place in the absence of iron and steel. It is in the recognition of this that most developed and developing countries like America, Japan, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, etc make the establishment of iron and steel complexes imperative The Eastern Development Union (EDU) first initiated the idea of an iron steel and steel industry in Nigeria in 1963 and caused a preliminary survey to be carried out by the experts, who recommended that it should be established in Onitsha. But because of the large sum involved, the Eastern Development Union took the project to the National Economic Council (NEC). Other regions suddenly became interested in an iron and steel industry and vehemently opposed its siting at Onitsha. Subsequently, another set of experts were commissioned by the Federal Government in 1965 to survey once more the feasibility of the project, and again Onitsha was recommended. The Federal Government un-
der Tafawa Balewa accepted the recommendation but insisted on splitting the industry into two: Steel manufacture to be sited at Idah and casting and rolling at Onitsha. (The Economist, Feb.12, 1996, page 592). The technological conceptualization of the iron and steel complex was a brilliant and laudable idea which took off very well, with adequate training and provision of manpower in every department of iron and steel complex management, production, maintenance, finance, raw materials and ergonomics. Under its pioneer general manager, the late Chief Fred Brume, the Delta Steel Company was heading towards becoming the hope of the long awaited break-through in industrial development for Nigeria. But given the Nigeria factor- The pull him down (PHD) mentality, hell was let loose. From tribal wrangling to diabolical atrophy through inter-and intra personality clashes to atrabilious politicking the great Delta Steel Company Limited, Ovwian- Aladja, was murdered. It is no more. It has become Paradise lost. Financial constraints that reared its head through fictitious contracts, gigantic hotel accommodation bills for all categories of staffers, overseas pleasures tips masqueraded as staff training programmes and overstaffing that precipitated indolence and conviviality during official hours. Raw material scarcity and shortage became the bane of Delta Steel Company Limited. No proper arrangement was made for adequate supply of raw material input, as an index of meeting and sustaining production. This brought in the era of unnecessary shut-down of plants,
Retrenched
workers not paid their benefits have paid themselves through vandalizing and pillaging of the existing structures and the immense loss of man-hour. Above all, it was the wicked politicisation of key positions which engendered and entrenched mediocrity and all its attendant evils. Under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) government it was random selection of party faithful and stalwarts to be members of the Board of Directors. They were directors carnival, utter planlessness, graft and in-fighting. All these finally killed ergonomics and efficiency of workers, and labour could no longer be sustained, because of the afore-mentioned failures, and this whipped –up work to rule actions, and eventual shutdowns because of non-payment of salaries. And finally mass retrenchment with inability to pay benefits and pensions up till today by the new management. Today, the power of words cannot describe the state of degeneracy into which the once beautiful permanent residential site, the satellite town and the industrial complex have plunged.
Nigeria: From oil boom to recession Chiedu Uche Okoye
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redrick Lugard’s mistress, Miss Florence Shaw, it was who christened our country Nigeria after it had been amalgamated as a nation of nations in 1914. But was the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates of Nigeria a judicious decision? Since then, ethnic disunity has continued to characterize the country, as people(s) of Nigeria view one another with suspicion and hatred. And politicians from many different ethnic groups are ethnic champions and chauvinists rather than nationalists and nation-builders. Instead of harnessing our diversities in areas like religion, language and others to build a virile and economically prosperous country, our leaders engage in divisive acts that are pulling the country apart. Religious conflicts, civil war and political upheavals are the features of our political odyssey. They are the centrifugal forces that undermine our national unity. But each time Nigeria got to the precipice, threatening to bowl over, it would be pulled back. In 1953, the northern people threatened secession over some knotty national issues. Isaac Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta People’s Republic that was short-lived in 1966. Till now, religious crises as well as intolerance have transformed the northern part of Nigeria into a hot bed of religious violence. Some years ago, one Gideon Akaluka was beheaded for desecrating the Quran and his head hoisted on a pole. Peo-
Hard and trying times
test the resilience and leadership qualities of nations’ leaders
ple are still being killed in the North for allegedly committing blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed and Islam. But countries without unity and political cohesion cannot achieve national development. An anarchical national condition cannot conduce to national growth. The fact is Nigeria has not been led by detribalized and patriotic people with pan-Nigerian views. More so, Nigerian political leaders were often accused of being destitute of probity. So, the military interlopers in power and politics adduce it as reason for seizing political power intermittently in the past. The executioners of the January 1966 coup that toppled the political administration of Alhaji Abubakar Tafewa Belawa cited corruption as reason for staging the coup. During the Second Republic, when we had the oil boom, our politicians mismanaged the economy. Instead of oil wealth becoming our blessing and a boon to us, it turned out to be our curse as our political leaders helped themselves to our collective wealth at our expense. Little wonder, Muhammadu Buhari clamped many Second Republic politicians into jail for treasury looting. But jackboots and brass hats, who ruled Nigeria in the past, are also not innocent of plundering our
economy. Thankfully, Nigeria transited to civilian and democratic governance in 1999; and then, we heaved a sigh of relief and believed that things would turn out to be better. But 17 years down the line, the opposite is obtaining in Nigeria. The PDP 16 years of political leadership have not taken the country to economical and technological advancement. For all our oil wealth, public electricity supply is still epileptic; many federal are in serious state of decay. Our educational system is dysfunctional and the health sector comatose. In fact, no system of doing things in Nigeria is working. And not a few Nigerians thought and believed that the emergence of Buhari as our political leader would herald the dawn of economic prosperity and technological advancement in Nigeria, which is predicated on purposeful and qualitative leadership. Millions of Nigerians repose trust in Buhari as he’s austere and incorruptible. And he is believed to possess probity and leadership qualities. Unexpectedly, Buhari’s ascension into the saddle and loft of power has led to his demystification. Instead of churning out pragmatic policies that will lessen our economic hardship occasioned by the economic recession obtaining in Nigeria, he has become an incurable complainant. A compulsive and obsessive complainant, he blames his predecessor in office, Dr Goodluck Jonathan,
Retrenched workers not paid their benefits have paid themselves through vandalizing and pillaging of the existing structures. Oliver Goldsmith, the English poet aptly describes this scenario in his poem, The Deserted Village: “Sweet Smiling Village. Loveliest of the lawn, thy, sports are fled and all thy charms are withdrawn. Amidst thy bowers the tyrants’ hand is seen. And desecration saddens all thy green: one only master grasps the whole domain. And half a tillage stints thy smiling plain! No more thy glassy brook reflects the day. But choked with sedges, works its weedy way, Along thy glades, a solidarity guest, the hollow-sounding bittern guards its nest; Amidst thy desert walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries...” The state of the workers in Delta Steel Company under its new management is better imagined than seen. With no salaries for upwards of nine months they are suffocating under the stranglehold of latent poverty. Most have resigned their fate to the Almighty, some have become peasant farmers, some have taken to menial jobs, their wives have become petty traders and their children casual labourers, while the plant is kept running with no production. Finally, what a hideous and horrendous disgrace to the Delta State government, the present management of the company, the Nigerian Association of Engineers, commerce and industries, the Nigeria Labour Congress etc. Chief Gbinije wrote from Warri, Delta State
for all our country’s woes. When will he stop complaining about the economic burden or empty treasury that was bequeathed on him and start tackling Nigeria’s multifarious problems? Hard and trying times test the resilience and leadership qualities of nations’ leaders. Sadly, Nigeria has entered into recession. And it behooves on Buhari to pull her out of it; he should stop heaping blames on Dr Jonathan, endlessly. The period of Nigeria’s 56 Independence Anniversary calls for sober reflection. It is time for our current political leaders to chart a way forward for Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria ought not to continue remaining a rentier state, depending on the exploration of its mineral resources for its economic survival. Are such countries like Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, which are without natural resources, not making progress, technologically and economically? It has become imperative for us to diversify our economy and revamp our dysfunctional educational system, which is the bastion of researches. A solid and functional educational system is the bedrock of national development. Okoye, a poet and civil servant, wrote from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State 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.
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Odigie-Oyegun can’t whittle down Tinubu’s power —Lawmakers Patrick Okohue
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awmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind the embattled national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, saying the ex-Lagos
State governor’s political power and influence can never be whittled down by anybody. The lawmakers made this stance known following a move made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, who led his colleagues to drum support for Tinubu, in the
wake of a recent face-off he had with the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun. Speaking under “Matter of Public Urgency,” session, during Tuesday’s plenary, Braimoh and others also questioned the ‘silence’ of the presidency over the development, especially given the “years
of sacrifice and financial commitments” Tinubu had made for the emergence of APC in Nigeria’s political landscape and the nation’s democracy as a whole. Braimoh and other lawmakers also pointed out that an insult to the personality of Tinubu was synonymous with an insult to the entire Yoruba
Edo tribunal permits Ize-Iyamu to inspect election materials Isesele Ezekiel BENIN
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do State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, on Tuesday granted motion exparte to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to scrutinize all materials used in the conduct of the September 28, 2016 governorship elec-
tion in the state. Justice A.T Badamasi is the chairman of the three - man panel of Judges for the governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Other members of the Tribunal are; Hon. Justice E.A. Ade Sodun, and Hon. Khadi Adamu Usman . Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Obaseki winner of the Wednesday, 28th Septem-
FG must develop national plan to prevent cervical cancer —Lawmaker Olubunmi Omoogun
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he member representing Ibadan South -West/Ibadan North - West at the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi has urged the Federal Government to develop a National plan for the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Fijabi, who stated this on the floor of the House on Tuesday also asked the National Orientation Agency, NOA to raise the awareness on the importance of screening by women for cervical cancer disease. He noted that cervical cancer, though a prevent-
able disease, is one of the leading killers of women all over the world, accounting for up to 275,000 deaths every year. “Recent statistics indicate that no fewer than one Nigerian woman dies every hour with an average of 26 deaths every day and 8,000 deaths annually, making Nigeria to be ranked fifth with worst indices of cervical cancer deaths in the world”, Fijabi said. He said that in developed countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States, the widespread use of cervical cancer screening programmes have helped to reduce the rate of cancer occurrence.
ber governorship poll after he polled 319,483 which represent 51% votes cast while Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 253,173 votes. Kingsley Obamogie, counsel to the petitioners said the application was in line with section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. Obamogie posited that the section empowered the petitioners to institute motion exparte to pray the tribunal to inspect all
the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s materials used for the election. In its ruling, the tribunal ordered INEC to make available all the electoral materials used for the conduct of the election to the petitioners. An inside source however disclosed that the tribunal will officially be inaugurated when petitions have been filed by aggrieved parties and their candidates within 21 days .
race, especially given the leadership role he (Tinubu) had played in the unification of the Yoruba nation. “The entire situation does not bid well for the internal democracy of our great party, and efforts must be put in place by all stakeholders to arrive at a quick resolution. Therefore, to achieve this, we call on the leadership of APC to call the party’s executive to order with a view to ensuring that adequate respect and honour is given to the leaders of the party, including Asiwaju Tinubu,” he said. The move was supported by many members of the House, including some of the principal officers - Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Sanni-Eshilokun; Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, and Deputy Majority Leader, Bayo Jimoh, who unanimously remarked that the “ongoing fight is not just against Tinubu, but against vision and posterity,” while also add-
ing that “Asiwaju Tinubu is too big a personality anybody could toy with.” In his submission, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who equally threw his weight behind the call, also argued that rather than being seen as being apathetic to the whole development, President Muhammadu Buhari should play the role of a father who will truly unite everybody in the party. “The signal coming from the presidency is not good enough. Appointments had been made without Tinubu’s knowledge, and major decisions had been made without adequate consideration given for his view and opinion. We believe this is not good enough and it is a sign of disrespect for a personality like Tinubu whose contributions to the consumation of APC in Nigeria can never be brushed aside,” Obasa said.
L-R: Registrar, Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Michael Afolabi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Sen. Aliu Wamakko and Vice Chairman, Sen. Rose Oko, during an oversight visit of the Senate committee on Basic and Secondary Education to the Librarians, Registration Council of Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Recession caused by APC’s lack of preparation —Tanko
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
nomic strength of the society. This economic collapse and recession are a confirmation of the continuation of the economic policies of the PDP by this government. Even the confusion, dilemma and cluelessness are a continuation of the methods and policies of the past regimes. Nothing fundamentally has changed in anyway. That the Nigerian economy would enter recession and crash has been well analyzed and predicted long ago by various authorities both left-wing and right-wing, just like the advance warnings of flood are giving by the weather agencies. The main issue is what is to be done and who can really do it. It has long been analyzed that once the price of oil crashes internationally, the Nigerian neo-colonial capitalist economy would crash along. What was also clear is that the continued imposition of neo-liberal capitalist economic programmes combined with looting and exploitation would further weaken and destroy the foundations of the Nigerian economy and make the effects of the recession
graver. This is actually the reality of our time today. The privatization of public corporations of the past, the devaluation of the past, the fuel price increments of the past, the refusal to invest public funds in industry, the illogical policy of “government must have nothing to do with business”, the massive retrenchments and redundancies of the past, the monstrous wage and pension cuts of the past, reckless taking of loans, looting and numerous other neo-liberal capitalist policies, have seriously weakened the economic foundation and created the chaos of today. While these mis-policies created a few super rich individuals, they plunged overwhelming majority into abject poverty. They grossly reduced the take home pay of the working people, and thereby effectively weakened the market of goods produced. This created a situation where domestic industries could not easily survive. The APC did not discontinue with any of this mis-policies of PDP in anyway. Rather, their real agenda is to not only continue with them but to deepen them. We must never forget what happened immediately after Buhari was declared winner of the 2015 elections. The APC organized a retreat and their guest and teachers were their
imperialist masters. The former British Prime Minister was invited and his recommendations and those of others are still available for all to see online. The recommendations of the hand over panel set up by Buhari are also available for all to see. They suggested cut down of government, meaning retrenchment, the sale of the NNPC and public assets along with numerous anti-people programmes. In essence, the continuation of all the programmes of PDP combined with APC’s deceitful agenda and their lack of preparation to rule laid the bases for the chaos of today. However, we need to warn that the worse is far from over in spite of the bitterness we are experiencing today, as this crisis is bound to degenerate much further. In fact, the economy is tending towards depression. If the price of oil internationally stays at the current levels and stays within the $70.00 mark, the economy is bound to enter depression. By next year, this regime would be moving towards taking more foreign loans with brutal conditionality’s as the foreign and local reserves dry up. Already the 2016 budget has crashed out. Of course, itself was a padded budget and funding it is a big headache now.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Health & Wellbeing
Nearly 120 women die daily in Nigeria while giving birth –UNFPA 18
LAGOS hosts first-ever food security summit 18
Nigerians under- estimate malaria –Expert SAM EFERARO
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professor of paediatrics, Olugbenga Mokuolu says Nigerians have continued to under-estimate the country’s number one disease, malaria, referring to it as “common malaria” even when it remains a major cause of ill health and death especially among children. In a presentation at a dinner with health editors organised by the Society for Family Health (SFHl) in Lagos recently, Prof. Mokuolu who is also the Director, Unilorin Consultancy Service Centre, University of Ilorin, described malaria as a serious disease which can often be fatal. According to him, even with the global reduction of malaria incidence globally, the World Health Organization reports that no fewer than 214 million cases are still being reported worldwide annually. Not only that, malaria is also responsible for about 438,000 deaths annually at the global level. Prof. Mokuolu noted that about 90% of the global cases and death are reported from Africa, “specifically the sub-Sahara Africa.” Also, he disclosed, Nigeria accounts for one third of global malaria deaths. Financially, experts working with public health NGO, The Society for Family Health report that Nigeria loses about three billion US dollars to malaria yearly due to out of pocket treatment and prevention costs, an amount they noted, could pay the annual salaries of 2.2 million Nigerians on minimum wage. In socio-economics, malaria is also “a major cause of absenteeism in schools, offices and markets, and affects the national economy,” according to the experts. The health costs are also high. Malaria accounts for about six out of 10 out-patient
• Yet, it remains a major killer • The country accounts for one third of global malaria death • Cost to health remains high while ignorance is rife
achievement of the GFM NEM goals by providing uninterrupted distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and treatment through delivery of high quality Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). Other SFH service delivery include: diagnosis through the (L-R) Key Note Speaker, Prof. Olugbenga Moluolu, Nollywood star, Kate Henshaw and SFH Managing Director, Bright Ekweremadu at the dinner
visits and three of 10 admissions in healthcare facilities. They further state that malaria accounts for 11% of maternal mortality and three of 10 deaths in children less than five years. With malaria, SFH says, ignorance is deadly. Studies by the organisation that works in several areas of public health show that a significant contributor to malaria’s deadly count in Nigeria is inadequate knowledge and information on the part of caregivers and the citizenry. SFH states that “caregivers are inadequately empowered with appropriate health education to change their behaviour and use of malaria commodities” with consequences for prevention and treatment of the ailment. Only two of 10 caregivers use Artemisinin Combination Therapy, the gold standard, to treat malaria in children under five years. Only three out of 10
children received treatment within 24 hours when they had malaria. Even with the treatment, the statistics show that only one out of 20 children were tested before treatment. The situation was the same with adults. On the part of citizens, even as there is high awareness about the causes of malaria (mosquito bites), less than half of all households own recommended Long Lasting Insecticide Nets. Even worse, only 35% of family members slept inside LLIN nets where available. Also speaking at the dinner, the Managing Director of SFH, Mr. Bright Ekweremadu said the goal of the Global Fund’s New Funding Model (GFM NEM), is to reduce malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bring malaria-related mortality to zero by 2020. The Fund also aims to provide at least 80% of targeted population
with appropriate preventive measures by 2020; test all careseeking persons with suspected malaria using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or microscopy by 2020 and treat all individuals with confirmed malaria seen in private or public facilities with the effective anti-malarial drug by that year. Also, GFM NEM, according to Ekweremadu also aims at providing adequate information to all Nigerians such that at least 80% of the populace habitually take appropriate malaria preventive and treatment measures as necessary by 2020 while ensuring the timely availability of appropriate anti-malarial medicines and commodities required for prevention and treatment of malaria in Nigeria, wherever they are needed by 2018 and sustained through to 2020,amongst others. He told the heath editors that SFH is working towards the
distribution of RDT, Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) to build knowledge and create awareness, and Health Systems Strengthening through capacity building and support to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). “Because
we
acknowledge
the profound power of the media, we had always partnered, and work with and through the press, to reach the teaming population of vulnerable Nigerians in far-flung places. “That is why we are gathered here this evening to continue to deepen our relationship with you all. Media editors, as strategic gate-keepers, are key to information dissemination everywhere in the world. “It is our belief however that it is best to equip the media with the right and correct information (particularly in health related areas) to be able to provide such information,” Ekweremadu further said.
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Health & Wellbeing
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
LAGOS hosts first-ever food security summit Franka Osakwe
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n a bit to ensure food security for its teeming populace, the Lagos State Government has made known its plans to organize a world class summit tagged ‘the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition’. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Food Security, Mr Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon made this known recently while briefing newsmen at Alausa, Lagos. According to him, the summit is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja from Thursday 10th to Friday 11th November, 2016 and is designed to realign emerging realities with new global trends on food safety, food processing, food storage, food han-
dling, funding of agribusiness and agric insurance. Okanlawon said that the summit with the theme ‘Actualizing Sustainable Food Security in Lagos: A New Comprehensive Agenda’ will attract major stakeholders from the Agricultural sector and academia as well as prospective foreign and local investors, media, civil society and policy makers in government. “The Summit is expected to provide a veritable platform for discourse on various investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-allied business in the State with the aim of stimulating private investment in the sector and ultimately optimize its vast agro-processing and agro-allied potentials”, the Special Adviser opined.
6 vie for WHO DG job Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA
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he World Health Organization (WHO) has received six nominations from member countries as possible replacement of the current DirectorGeneral of the organization, Dr Margaret Chan. A recent release from the organization said Dr Chan, who was appointed in 2006, would complete her second term on 30 June next year, while the new Director-General would assume office on July 1 next year. Candidates proposed by member states include
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, nominated by Ethiopia; Dr Flavia Bustreo by Italy; Professor Philippe Douste-Blazy by France; Dr David Nabarro by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Dr Sania Nishtar by Pakistan; and Dr Miklós Szócska by Hungary. “The deadline for proposals closed on 22 September 2016. Since 22 April 2016, WHO’s 194 member states have had the opportunity to propose candidates,” part of the statement said. The Director-General is WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer and oversees WHO’s international health work.
Plateau moves to establish health agency JAMES ABRAHAM JOS
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he Plateau state government has announced plans to establish a health agency in the state. Commissioner for information and Communications , Muhammad Nazif who disclosed this during a monthly ministerial press briefing held at the state secretariat in Jos Monday disclosed that already, governor Simon Lalong had given approval for the take off of the
agency in preparation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the formal sector. He further disclosed that government has also given approval for the promotion of over two thousand teachers across the state. According to the Commissioner, the state government was committed to improving the condition of things in all the sectors disclosing further that five ambulances have been procured and distributed to five hospitals in the state.
Cast of Papa Ajasco endorsing malaria advocacy at a dinner for health editors organised by the Society for Family Health (SFH) in Lagos recently.
Nearly 120 women die daily in Nigeria while giving birth –UNFPA Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA
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ven though measures that could help prevent mothers from pregnancy-related deaths are available in the country, about 120 women die between the time they conceive and are delivered of a new baby, the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has said. Executive-Director, UNFPA, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, stated this in Abuja recently while briefing newsmen, after his three-day visit to government officials and other health stakeholders in the country. Osotimehin was in Nigeria with Permanent Secretary, UK-Department
for International Development, DfID, Mark Lowcock, to advocate for family planning and other measures that would help save women from preventable deaths. The UN chief visited Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Commissioners of Health in the Northeast, Ministers of Health, FCT and Foreign Affairs among others to mobilize support for key interventions that would promote the health of women. DfID is a major sponsor ofUNFPA programmes, and the organization desires that women in Nigeria enjoy quality health, Osotimehin stated. He said of the rate of maternal mortality in the country: “If you look at the population of Nigeria in the
context of the world, we are about two percent. But, Nigeria contributes 10 percent of maternal mortality, globally. That means, when you calculate, it implies that every day in this country, more than 100 women, something close to 120 die giving birth, every day. That is totally unacceptable because the interventions we need to put in place to stop this, and basically what we need to do is to scale up, provide more resources… so that every woman, anywhere in Nigeria can get the service required when pregnant. “I don’t think it is too much for us to ask because it is the right of every woman to have those services. I don’t think there is any family in
the world that will actually condone the death of a mother. So, we need to be part of this campaign to stop unnecessary deaths during child birth,” Osotimehin said. He argued that one of the interventions that help save women’s lives is family planning. He emphasized the need for different parts of the country to embrace family planning, as according to him, family planning alone would reduce maternal mortality by 30 percent, and that it would help women to determine the number of children she can have, improve their health status, enable them plan her lives better and make them contribute significantly to their family’s finances.
We are committed to remodeling PHCs, nationwide, says Minister Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA
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he Federal Government said it remained committed to remodeling primary health centres, PHCs, across the country. The goal, government said, is to use PHCs to drive
effective health services, and guarantee improved health systems across the nation. It however said against its plan to directly revamp 1,000 PHCs it promised last year, it was using other strategies to achieve the goal. Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, made these
known in Abuja when he hosted Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive-Director, United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, during the week. The minister said Federal Government had begun the project with a 110 pilot in different parts of the country, and that the project
Nestle trains school teachers on water education Franka Osakwe
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etermined to inculcate importance of water management and safe water education in pupils of the Ogun state public primary schools, Nestle Waters in conjunction with the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB) and Ogun state Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), has launched a wa-
ter project education programme. The project, tagged ‘Project Water Education for Teachers’, PWET is aimed to train 30 teachers selected from 10 primary schools across Ogun state. Speaking at the inauguration of the project, the Country Business Manager, Nestle Waters, Mr. Jason Lambe said the project, a global water education initiative, was aimed at raising awareness
of water conservation issues and deliver programmes to help children, parents and teacher on hydration issues. Represented by the Marketing Manager of Nestle Waters, Mrs. Gloria Nwabuike, Lambe, further disclosed that in 2015, a total of 5,994 school children and 363 teachers were trained, while 115 schools in Lagos and Osun states benefitted from the water programme.
would run through the fouryear tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. He however explained that initial plan of Federal Government would have seen more facilities revamped simultaneously, but that there was advice from the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, that states might fail to sustain the project, and would consequently put huge burden on the Federal Government. He stressed that Federal Government thereafter disbursed a World Bank grant to the states to enable them improve on primary health care within their care on their own, while Federal Government would also continue to improve on other existing PHCs which could not be covered by state governments.
Business
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Wednesday, October 12, 2014
KEDCO laments loss of N108m to vandals
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Nigerian environment is not conducive for airline operations –Med-View Airline chief 20
FG reports $6bn default in JVC cash call payments
Apapa Customs reports N2bn revenue shortfall
….cautions officers, importers on import duty evasion FRANCIS EZEM
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he Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has read the riot act to officers and men of the command as well as importers and their agents who are in the habit of indulging in fraudulent trade practices in order to evade duty payment.. The command, in its revenue figures for September released recently, raked in N32.9 billion, representing a shortfall of N2 billion when compared with the N34.9 billion recorded in the preceding month. The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Mr. Willy Egbudin, who was not impressed by the dwindling revenue of the command, which also accounts for more than 45 per cent of the entire revenue profile of the entire service, said that he would stop at nothing in blocking all avenues of revenue leakages in the system. He listed such avenues to include, unwholesome and fraudulent trade practices by some unscrupulous importers and their agents with a view to evading import duty payment, under-declaration, concealment, over-invoicing, under-invoicing, false declaration of value, wrong classification and smuggling, among others. Egbudin warned all officers
and men serving at the command to improve their performance by ensuring maximum collection of government revenue as the command would not condone any act of complicity or laxity on their part. The Comptroller said specifically that appropriate valuation must be done at all times even as the necessary sanctions in terms of issuance of appropriate debit notices where cases of under-declaration of value or related cases are established.
He also enjoined them to apply strict anti-smuggling measures when the need arises. “More especially, all officers serving in the serminals and their subordinates must maintain increased vigilance against any form of concealments, under declaration and smuggling. There should in addition be strict application of the directives of Comtroller General of the service, Col. Hameed Ali that all consignments associated with false declaration aimed at evading duty payment must be seized outrightly”, Egbudin said.
He also reminded the officers that the decision of the management to post them to serve at the Apapa Area command, which is the premier and crucial and strategic to the overall operation of the service was a rare privilege and not a right and must therefore not be abused. The top NCS chief warned further that the Service would not condone officers or and men who tend to thwart its efforts at boosting government’s non-oil revenue, especially at this period of recession when the government needed funds to reflate the economy.
AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00
Dana Air
L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr. Kyari Bukar during the panel on Job Creation, Skills and Employment at the ongoing 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday.
Nigeria to source bio-fuel from Jatropha cultivation OLUFEMI ADEOSUN Abuja
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he Federal Government has commenced process for the production of bio-fuel through cultivation and processing of Jatropha. Both local and foreign experts in the environment sector are expected to assemble at the nation’s capital, Abuja tomorrow to perfect strategies for the production of the plant. Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Jubril who unveiled the proposed programme in Abuja at the weekend, said the conference is aimed at developing an actionable national plan on bio-fuels that would drive the Jatropha value chain project forward. The minister explained that the proposed
green alternative would also provide additional means of livelihood for local communities who suffered loss of groundwater and vegetation every year due to deforestation. Jibril said the project would also create an avenue for the diversification of the Nigerian economy through empowering people, taking climate action to fight desertification and as well as reduce poverty, which would in turn translate into socio-economic growth across the country. On the significance of the proposed Jatropha project, he said: “It will create an avenue for the diversification of the Nigerian economy through empowering people, taking climate action to fight desertification as well as reducing poverty, minus enhancing socio-economic growth across the country.
“It will be integrated into the afforestation programmes of the Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with state governments and other relevant MDAs”, Jibril added. According to him, while the project is being proposed with the support of local and international experts to ensure conformity with the standards of international sustainability protocol, it success would depend largely on the buy/in of other tiers of government. He said the conference would, among other things, examine the environments, economic and social benefits of investments in Jatropha value chain, develop a national strategy got the production, processing and marketing of Jatropha for sustainable development with a clear monitoring and evaluation framework.
Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abujaph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, UyoLagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm
Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily
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Executive Discourse
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Nigerian environment is not conducive for Alhaji Ishaq Na’Allah is the Executive Director of Projects for Med-View Airline. In this interview with OLUSEGUN KOIKI, he talks about the 10 years of hajj exercise of the airline to Saudi Arabia, challenges, expectations and prospects of the Nigerian aviation industry. Could you just tell us briefly how MedView Airline started as a travelling agency to what it is now? That story is best told by our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, but I will tell you the little I know about it. As you are aware, our Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer happens to be an airline veteran having worked with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways for almost 40 years and during his sojourn, he was appointed as the Regional Director of the airline in Saudi Arabia.You know Nigeria Airways used to do Hajj operations then and while he was there, he developed interests in annual hajj exercise operations between the two countries and he was not happy the way Nigerians pilgrims to the holy land were being treated especially during the return leg of the operations because the coordination was not well done as some of them would spend days at the airport awaiting their flights back to Nigeria. So, it was when he was at the Nigeria Airways he thought of rendering a quality service to his nation. He set up a travelling agency, which helped to get Visas to the pilgrims and the Lagos State Government was also assisting pilgrims on how to plan their journeys to the holy land. With the exit of Nigeria Airways, the onus was now on him to device what he can do to assist the pilgrims. In 2006, we had an Act that established the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to take care of the Nigerian pilgrims. What NAHCON does is that it organises smooth operations for the pilgrims by starting with bids from any interested airlines on the airlifting of the pilgrims. If you succeed, you are then given the right to airlift the pilgrims. The first time he applied, he paid a non-refundable fee of N2 million, but unfortunately, only four airlines were selected by NAHCON, which were to carry the pilgrims. Hajj operation is divided into two; we have the state pilgrims and tour operators pilgrims, which is just about 10, 000 pilgrims and in that year, we have about 95 allocations to the tour operators. So, 10,000 was shared among the tour operators while the other 85, 000 pilgrims were shared among the state carriers. Out of the 10, 0000 pilgrims given to the our operators, he carried about 4,000 pilgrims that year, but he had to do some rescue operations for the state pilgrims because other airlines that were allocated to airlift the pilgrims could not carry them and
he came on board to rescue the state. With the way he operated, NAHCON was impressed and since then, yearly, he has been carrying out the operation successfully without any major hitches. He has now grown from tour operator pilgrims to State pilgrims. In the past 10 years, how has the hajj operations been for the airline? The operation has been progressing yearly as the pilgrims have been increasing yearly. Like I said earlier, in the first year, we carried about 4,000 pilgrims to the holy land and the following year, we airlifted about 10, 000 pilgrims and the traffic has been increasing annually. I don’t really have the statistics off hand. The 2015 hajj operation that we did, from Nigeria alone, we carried about 12, 000 pilgrims. This is apart from pilgrims we carried from other West African countries because other countries in the West Coast have now recognised the performance of the airline to the extent that the Saudi Arabian Government recommended Med-View Airline to other West African Government as a carrier that can help airlift their pilgrims. We now carry pilgrims from Niamey, Bamako and other cities within West Africa.
Na’Allah
What makes Med-View different from other carriers that are doing hajj operations? The only thing we are doing differently from others is just service. At Med-View, whatever we plan to do,
WE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE BILATERAL AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS IT HAS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES. MOST OF THE NIGERIAN CARRIERS ARE AT INFANCY STAGE AND THEY NEED ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THEM TO GROW AND REMAIN IN BUSINESS. THE GOVERNMENT CAN STILL TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT THE CHARGES WE PAY AT THE AIRPORTS. FOR INSTANCE, BETWEEN LAGOS AND ACCRA, OUT OF NIGERIA, WE PAY ABOUT $70 PER PASSENGER AND COMING BACK FROM ACCRA, WE PAY $60, WHICH MAKES IT $130 FOR A RETURN PASSENGER. THEN, HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO CHARGE THE PASSENGER?
we do it well. We respect our clients, we know what they want and because of the experience that we had, we discovered that a lot of pilgrims suffer when it comes to airlifting. We identified all that are we improve on them. Service and schedule integrity are those things that set us aside with other carriers. For the first time in the annals of this country, it was Med-View that was able to bring the luggage of pilgrims with the pilgrims on-board. Before we came into operations, pilgrims would return to Nigeria while their luggage would still remain in Saudi Arabia for weeks, but we’ve changed all that. We at times get their luggage in Nigeria before they even arrive. In what areas do you think NAHCON can improve in order for you to be able to serve the pilgrims better? The planning by NAHCON has to really improve and make earlier preparation. Unlike what is happening in other nations. For instance in Indonesia, those who are going for hajj this year have rounded up the exercise since 2015 and by now, they are almost rounding up the coordination of the exercise for 2017. That is what they call planning. Until they sign the contract today, then we will know the numbers of pilgrims we are going to carry and the state we are going to operate from. But, we at Med-View, because we know the trend of event, we don’t wait For NAHCON to plan, we plan ahead. If they give us our slot today
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Executive Discourse
airline operations –Med-View Airline chief and they want us to start the following day, we are ready. We already have our aircraft on ground. We have the Boeing 767 that will be deployed for that service. Also, the one we are going to use for the operation, a B747 would arrive Nigeria any moment from now. Med-View Airline commenced schedule operations in November, 2012, so far, how has the journey been for the airline? It has been very challenging; the environment is not conducive for airline operators for several reasons. The Federal Government needs to do a lot to help the carriers to remain in the air. Anyway, airline business is capital intensive because most of what you do are in foreign currencies. For instance, to acquire and maintain the aircraft, you need the foreign currency and in most cases dollars. Also, going by the challenge of forex we are facing in the country right now, the problem is now compounded and his is telling on the finances of the companies. As we speak today, not a single tool of aircraft is manufactured in Nigeria. If you have to buy anything, you have to pay Customs duties. Thank God, just recently we heard that government has introduced waivers on aircraft acquisition and spare parts importation. So, we are happy about this, but we hope the government can do more to really encourage the operators because the environment is not conducive for our operations. We want the government to look into the bilateral air services agreements it has with other countries. Most of the Nigerian carriers are at infancy stage and they need encouragement for them to grow and remain in business. The government can still take a second look at the charges we pay at the airports. For instance, between Lagos and Accra, out of Nigeria, we pay about $70 per passenger and coming back from Accra, we pay $60, which makes it $130 for a return passenger. Then, how much do you want to charge the passenger? Whatever you are charging the passenger, $130 is not your own money. When naira was still about N200 to a dollar, we were charging about N23,000 one-way per passenger, which amounted to $110 then and out of it, we paid $70 and what do you have left? Unfortunately, the passengers think all the money goes to the airlines meanwhile, most of the money goes into taxes. Apart from that, you still pay the landing and parking charges, you pay the ground handling company, fuelling and several other charges. The Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, for the collection of 5 per cent of your sales, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, too would collect 5 per cent of your sales, which they call Ticket Sales Charge, TSC, and others would come to us as well. We hope the government can give us more waivers to grow the business. So, by the time you look at
GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE THE LOCAL CARRIERS BECAUSE MOST OF US ARE AT THE INFANT STAGE. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE US TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS SO THAT WE CAN GROW. THE RECENT CUSTOMS DUTIES WAIVER IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION it, how much f the N23, 000 is actually coming to the airline? What is your view on the recent close of shop on the Accra route by some Nigerian carriers? I wouldn’t be able to give reasons why some of the Nigerian airlines have suspended flight operations on the Accra route, but I can only tell you that Med-View is looking beyond flying into Accra. We need to keep our presence on the route even if it is not profitable for us now, but we know that our plan is to move from Accra to other West African countries like Monrovia, Freetown and others within the sub-region.I can tell you that very soon, we will expand our operations on the West Coast. How far have your operations been on the domestic routes in almost four years? We thank God for where we are. I think in the first year of our operations, we airlifted about 400, 000 passengers and the traffic has been growing annually ever since. For now, we fly into eight destinations in the local market and we have five aircraft flying all our routes (local and international). One of them
just returned from a C-Check recently and you know what it entails to send an aircraft for a C-check. When some airlines send their aircraft for such a check, they never come back. At MedView, we try as much as possible to do things rightly and the cream of technical staff we have too has really helped us to grow. Most of our engineers and pilots are aviation gurus, they can turn things round, the engineers know where to touch in an aircraft. As it is now, we have enough pilots and engineers for our operations. How has the Lagos-London operation been since you started about a year ago? We started the Lagos-Gatwick operation in November 2015 and it was with four schedules weekly, which we still maintain. The acceptance has been very wonderful. When people are onboard our aircraft, they feel at home because of the level of our on-board services. For instance, some of them are still wondering how we are able to serve them Ewedu, Gbegiri, Efo-riro and other local delicacies on-board. On a particular day, I was on-board and I overheard one of the passengers recommending our
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airline to some of his friends and we do all these at a relatively affordable price. When you started the route, we commenced with an introductory fare of N149.000, how much do you charge now? Since we commenced the route, we have not increased our fares. When we commenced, we were charging N149,000 at the rate of N200 to a dollar, which was the International Air Transport Association, IATA, acceptable rate then. How much was N149,000 in dollars? That should be about $750, but today, the $750, which we still charge has increased in naira because of the nosedive of our currency. We have not increased our fares, we still charge the $750, but the current exchange is what has increased. Also, by December last year you commenced Jeddah route, what is your experience on the route so far? Most of the people travelling to Jeddah are actually going for spiritual affairs. Our choice of departure from Lagos and Kano is intentional. What London is for the Southern people, Saudi Arabia is also for the Northern people. You can go there today and come back tomorrow. We have four schedule approval on that route, but we started with three, which we still maintain. During the Umrah and Ramadan periods, we increased our schedule to four and the response was fantastic. For the Umrah period, for three weeks, we operated about 12 flights, we carried about 3,000 pilgrims. When will Med-View be IOSA compliant? The IATA Operational Safety Audit, IOSA, is a process, which can’t be completed in one day. The inspectors have been here to inspect how far we have gone. From their previous inspection, we were told that we have 99.7 per cent in our papers, which is a good one towards the issuance of the certificate. However, I can assure you that we will be IOSA compliant very soon. Where do you see Med-View Airline in the next 10 years? Med-View should be the only carrier in Nigeria in the next 10 years because we know the capacity to expand our operations and increase our services to enable us attract all the passengers in the country.
Na’Allah
Generally, how can the Nigerian aviation industry move forward? The only thing we have to do is to put the right ingredients in the soup and don’t put a round peg in a square hole. The government should be able to encourage the local carriers because most of us are at the infant stage. The government should give us tax exemption for the next 10 years so that we can grow. The recent Customs duties waiver is a step in the right direction for the government. But, the government can do more for us.
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
EnergyWeek Wednesday, October 12, 2016
KEDCO laments loss of N108m to vandals
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Water crisis, reflection of weak government policies –Oxfam 24
Energy, financial stocks lift index by 0.39% 26
Local content: SAIPEM completes EGINA UFR facility work
Fashola
Oil rig STORIES: UDEME AKPAN
S
aipem Nigeria has achieved the loadout of the Egina project’s Umbilicals, Flowlines and Risers (UFR) fabricated at the company’s facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, thereby enhancing the nation’s local content policy agenda. The Egina oil field is being developed by Total Upstream Nigeria in partnership with CNOOC, Sapetro and Petrobras. It is the third deep offshore development of Total in Nigeria and production is scheduled to begin in 2018. Speaking at the event, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Mr. Patrick Obah, commended Total Upstream for believing in the capability of Nigerian companies to handle major components on the Egina project. He noted that the delivery of the Egina UFR package by Saipem Nigeria was a clear demonstration of how capacity has evolved over the years in Nigeria yards. Obah attributed the success recorded on the project to the Board’s firm role in the project contracting process that led to the scooping and demonstration of the UFR package for
Nigeria. He further called on multinationals and indigenous service companies to invest in the country and participate in the process of transformation using activities in oil and gas activities. He restated the Board’s commitment to Nigerian Content implementation, stating “we will continue to use our regulatory oversight to create opportunities for companies that genuinely wish to leverage on the NOGICD Act to invest in the Nigeria economy”. In his address, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru commended Saipem Nigeria for delivering the scope in record time and loading out of the UFR. He commended the regulatory roles played by the NCDMB, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the efficiency of the sub-contractors in delivering the module. Baru reiterated further the commitment of NNPC in supporting the development of the Nigerian Content Act, describing it as a tool for getting Nigerians involved in the operations of the industry. “What we are celebrating today is part of the growing efficacy of the NOGICD Act.
NNPC is strongly committed to successful implementation of all the provisions of this Act to improve and accelerate local capacity development in all its projects.”, he said.
Power plant In his speech, the Chief Executive Officer, Total E&P, Mr. Nicolas Terraz pointed out that the UFR load-out was a clear indication that Total Nigeria was moving close to its objective of
delivering important projects in Nigeria. He explained that the project recorded 14million man-hours without any lost time injury (LTI).
Amaya Capital boosts Azura power project investments
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maya Capital has invested over $300m of equity commitments in its power generation platform. The company indicated in a statement that the new investment followed the acquisition by growth markets investor Actis of American Capital Energy & Infrastructure’s stake in Azura Power Holdings Limited. It disclosed that the transaction, and the consequent expansion of Azura’s capital base, now allows the business to scale up its pan-African power generation capacity to a target of over 3,000MW. It stated that the Azura platform was designed to ameliorate acute shortage of power on the African continent with a primary focus on gas-to-power assets in addition to the development of renewable projects within Nigeria. The Azura platform is anchored on the Azura-Edo IPP,
a 1,500MW power station complex located in Edo State, Nigeria which is being developed in three phases with the first (459MW) phase currently under construction. Azura’s Nigerian investments also include a controlling stake in the 125MWp, gridscale, “Nova Solar” project which is currently under development in Katsina State. Outside of Nigeria, the entry of Actis into the Azura platform has triggered significant deal flow in other sub-Saharan countries and the business expects to grow its portfolio rapidly over the coming twelve months. The two partners in the newly expanded Azura platform have a wealth of complementary experience. Amaya is an investment company that focused on the West African gas to power market. It invests in a proactive
manner using the capital, capabilities, and resources of its founders and associates. Actis, with c.$6 billion of assets under management, has also been active in the African market since the early 2000s but with a more geographically diverse footprint. It has invested close to $1 billion in energy projects across the region and the firm has frequently been recognised for its energy expertise – winning ‘African Infrastructure Fund Manager of the year’ for four consecutive years by Infrastructure Investor. Commenting on the investments, Mikael Karlsson, Actis Energy fund head, said: “With rapidly growing populations and economies, increasing urbanisation and industrial and manufacturing growth, there is a compounding demand for the supply of electricity in Africa.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy Week
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
23
KEDCO laments loss of N108m to vandals ...begins distribution of 50,000 pre-paid meters CHIDI UGWU ABUJA
K
ano Electricity Distribution Company Plc (KEDCO) has expressed deep worry over the increasing spate vadalism on its power infrastructure. According to the company some valuable materials worth N108,831,550 have been lost through the activities of vandals in its franchise area from August to date. The company’s spokesperson, Mohammed Kandi, said in a statement that materials included transformer oil, aluminum conductors, upriser cables among others amounting to the quoted amount have been
lost to vandals within the period under review. Kandi lamented that the spate of vandalism, energy theft and meter bypass which had recently risen extremely in KEDCO’s areas of operation was becoming unbearable. He also stated that the development had caused the company huge losses and setbacks within a period of six weeks, calling on the customers, who bear the brunt to watch over the installations in their areas. He quoted KEDCO’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Engineer David Omoloye, as saying: “The quantity of vandalised materials from August to date include:
Pre-paid meter
Omotosho power firm attains full capacity generation CHIDI UGWU ABUJA
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he Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent Akpotaire, has said that Omotosho Electric Energy Company Limited achieved the desired feat in utilizing its eight turbines to generate electricity at its full 304 megawatts capacity, despite daunting challenges in the power sector and the nation’s economy. Commending the company during a postprivatisation monitoring and evaluation by a BPE team, Akpotaire, noted that the challenge now was for the company to sustain its achievement before investing in a project to increase its generating capacity. The BPE boss also lauded the company for increasing its staff strength from 150 preprivatisation to 176 now. The Acting DG, however urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the power distribution companies to improve their performance to avoid regular directive to the generating companies especially Omotosho Genco to reduce production below their
generating capacities because of their inability to take up the generated power. The Bureau expressed its optimism that with the efforts by the Federal Government to reach a truce with Niger Delta stakeholders, the disruption of gas supply to the generation companies will end to enable Omotosho and other plants sustain their production.
46.5 drums of transformer oil, 2,130 aluminum conductors (150mm2), 4,500 aluminum conductors (100mm2), 535 and 15 (150mm2&70mm2).” Other materials, the CTO said, were 825 XLPE cable (35mm2), 529. Meanwhile, Kaduna Electric, on Monday commenced the distribution of prepaid meters to its customers in Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara. The free meters were part of efforts by the company to ensure optimal service delivery. The Minsiter of Power, Babatunde Fashola and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal flagged off the distribution in Sokoto. In his remarks, Fashola said that the new billing system would curb losses to the power firms, due to inability to collect due rates. The minister also said the metering system would eradicate the problem of paying for unmeasured electricity by customers. “They will, therefore, ensure fair billing system as well as enhance regular power supply,” Fashola added. In his remarks, Tambuwal said the prepaid meters would curb the menace of the controversially estimated billing of customers. The governor added that the system would reduce the cost of using power by residents. “The system will empower the customers to control their usage of power,” he said, adding that it would enhance efficiency in the power supply. “We have also purchased 172 transformers at over N600 million to boost power supply across the state. ”The state government’s Independent Power Project (IPP) will also soon come on stream, in partnership with KAEDCO.” According to him, the government has undertaken various measures to augment power supply to the state. He disclosed that the government had collaborated with the Nigeria Energy Support Programme to tap the abundant renewable energy sources in the state.
Crude oil prices drop, Brent sells at $52.14/b
O
il fell almost 2 percent on Tuesday, retreating from one-year highs, after mixed responses by Russian oil industry officials toward an OPEC call for all major crude producers to cut output. The International Energy Agency, the energy watchdog of the West, also said it was unclear how rapidly global oil supply could fall in line with demand even if Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on a steep cut. “Net, we find that an agreement to cut production, while increasingly likely, re-
mains premature given the high supply uncertainty in 2017 and would prove selfdefeating if it were to target sustainably higher oil prices,” analysts at Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs said in a note. A crude glut has forced prices down from mid-2014 highs above $100 a barrel. Brent crude oil LCOc1 was down $1, or 1.9 percent, at $52.14 a barrel by 11:42 a.m. EDT, off the one-year high of $53.73 hit on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 slipped 90 cents, or 1.8 percent,
Commodity
Units
Price
Change
% Change
Time(ET)
Crude Oil (WTI)
USD/bbl.
50.58
-0.77
-1.50%
12:21 PM
Crude Oil (Brent)
USD/bbl.
52.31
-0.83
-1.56%
12:22 PM
TOCOM Crude Oil
JPY/kl
32,860.00
-610.00
-1.82%
12:25 PM
NYMEX Natural Gas
USD/MMBtu
3.23
-0.05
-1.40%
12:21 PM
Source: Bloomberg as at October 11, 2016
to $50.45. Global oil industry officials in Istanbul for the World Energy Conference issued a raft of statements on OPEC’s first planned production cut in eight years. The energy ministers of Saudi Arabia and Russia intend to hold further consultations in Riyadh after the Istanbul meeting, the Saudi energy ministry said in a statement. Igor Sechin, Russia’s most influential oil executive and the head of Rosneft, told Reuters in an interview his company will not cut or freeze oil production as part of a possible agreement with OPEC. The previous day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said an output freeze or even a production cut were likely the only right decisions to maintain energy sector stability. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the base-case scenario for Russia would be to leave current output unchanged. OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said any deal to freeze oil production was likely to be reviewed after six months. (Reuters.com)
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Environment & Wildlife
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Water crisis, reflection of weak government policies –Oxfam SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE
T
he current water crisis in the country has been described as a reflection of weak government policies. This is just as public and private sectors have been urged to stem the tide of inadequate provision of water to the teeming Nigerians. Disclosing this during the commissioning of Oxfam/Guinness Community Water Project in Tyowanye, Buruku Local Government area of Benue state, the Head of Programmes, Oxfam Nigeria, Mr. Constant Tchona, noted that water is an essential building block of life,
required to quench thirst while protecting health. “Water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social and human development” Tchona said. To address such crisis, he said that efforts should be made to build capacity of communities on sustainable water management and resilience to climate change. According to him, the newlycommissioned community water project would among other things, reduce the hardship faced by over 1,500 families in such community with 60 percent of them being women, young girls as well as children,
who collect and access water. The self-sustaining motorized solar borehole and VIP toilet, he added would help to improve access to safe water as well as sanitation in the area. The State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who commissioned the water project, called on other good-spirited organisations and individuals to emulate Oxfam and Guinness by complementing government efforts to eradicate poverty in the country. “Water is life. That’s why we appreciate you for giving our people life. This is a welcome development for us as a people and as a government” Otorm stated while adding that his
Royal father links environmental pollution to weak regulation SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE
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paramount ruler of Ekpetiama community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Bubaraye Dakolo, has attributed the widespread pollution of environment in Niger Delta to weak regulatory framework. Dakolo, who stated this during an advocacy visit by environmental rights group, Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria
(ERA/FoEN) to his palace expressed regrets that transnational oil firms with operations in many companies, including its home countries comply with environmental procedures but flout such rules in Nigeria. “We are all witnesses to recent occurrences in the gulf of Mexico and the steps taken to remediate the environment and compensate the victims, but in Nigera same companies cannot do the same here be-
cause of weak regulation. “There is apparent laxity in the regulation of the oil sector that transnational companies are exploiting to the detriment of our environment, whereas in their countries they dare not spill a barrel because of the implications. “The story is different in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta, the government needs to urgently strengthen the regulation and protect the ecosystem,” Dakolo stated.
Stormy weather: Higher insurance premium unlikely in Australia
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ustralian homeowners are unlikely to face sharp premium increases over the next 12 months, despite extreme weather events, it has been reported. The Insurance Council of Australia, ICA, said the wild storms that hit South Australia in September are unlikely to spark big insurance claims because the total property damage was lower than expected, The New Daily reported. The catastrophic June floods in NSW and Queensland, which generated around $400 million
Stormy Weather
in claims, are also unlikely to cause big premium increases, Campbell Fuller, ICA GM of communications, said. “Natural disasters over the past year are unlikely to have a significantly impact on premiums,” said Fuller. “Insurers expect storms, floods, and other extreme weather events each year and other factor.” South Australia, for one, would likely continue to enjoy the lowest average premiums in the country despite recent floods and power blackouts, market re-
search firm Canstar said. Furthermore, most brokers and market researchers said insurance premiums are unlikely to blow out in 2017, with premiums expected to either rise modestly or reduce in the year ahead, depending on the risk profile of the state and region, The New Daily said. The positive outlook was caused mainly by the drop in the reinsurance costs borne by major insurers such as Suncorp, QBE, IAG, and Allianz in the last 12 months by as much as 20 per cent, the report said. Since 2013, Australia has faced a decline in the insurance bills for natural disasters, which meant local insurers had to spend less for their reinsurance cover last year. Mitch Watson, head of research at Canstar, said: “The cost of reinsurance has come down in the last 12 months. That is the main driver for why there are likely to be modest changes in premiums for home and contents insurance.” (Source - insurancebusinessonline.com.au)
Water Project
state would provide enabling environment for investors and development partners who wish to do business in the state to improve livelihood. Reacting, the Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, said that the water project was part of his company’s ‘Water of Life Pro-
gramme’, aimed at providing safe drinking water for a million people in Africa annually. The programme, according to him, has delivered water to 10 million people in 18 African countries since 2007 with about 33 communities having benefited from the programme in the country.
Wild chimpanzee mothers teach offspring to use tools –Study
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he first documented evidence of wild chimpanzee mothers teaching their offspring to use tools has been captured by video cameras set to record chimpanzee tool-using activity at termite mounds in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, according to new research from anthropologists at Washington University in St. Louis. “Wild chimpanzees are exceptional tool users, but in contrast to humans, there has been little evidence to date that adult chimpanzees teach youngsters tool skills,” said Stephanie Musgrave, the study’s first author and an anthropology graduate student in Arts & Sciences. “We found that mother chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle teach by transferring termitefishing probes to their offspring,” Musgrave said. “In this population, chimpanzees select specific herb species to make their fishing probes, and they produce probes
Chimpanzee
that have a particular brush-tipped design. By sharing tools, mothers may teach their offspring the appropriate material and form for manufacturing fishing probes.” Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the study is based on research conducted in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Max Planck Institute and Franklin and Marshall College. The findings have important implications for the evolution of teaching. “It is easy for us to take for granted the importance of sharing information to learn complex skills, as it is ubiquitous in humans,” said Crickette Sanz, associate professor of biological anthropology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University and co-author of the study. “Our research shows that the evolutionary origins of this behavior are likely rooted in contexts where particular skills are too challenging for an individual to invent on their own.” (Source – Sciencedaily.com)
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Business News
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FG reports $6bn default in JVC cash call payments TOLA AKINMUTIMI
M
inister of Budget and Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said that the Federal Government had not been able to fund its counterpart Joint Ventures Companies, JVCs, cash calls totalling $6 billion over the months due to huge shortfall in revenue accruals. In view of the ugly development, he also confirmed that government was unable to meet its overheads such as travel allowances but had concentrated on capital expenditure. Specifically, the minister said Nigeria had not paid about $6 billion in cash calls, money budgeted to fund joint ventures with foreign oil and gas companies, adding however that plans are being made to get a loan from the World Bank as part of efforts to raise as much as $5 billion, to fund the estimated N2.2 trillion deficit. The President of the African
Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who visited the country officially last week, said Nigeria could access about $1 billion to support its budget funding. Over the months, the country’s fiscal challenges largely caused by slumping oil prices at the international market and declining output had led to serious slump in the economy, shrinking 2.1 per cent in second quarter. A report by the CBN in August indicated that only N1.16 trillion in revenue was collected in the second quarter, representing about half of what it expected, compared with N1.27 trillion in the previous three months as government continued with various programmes to stimulate the economy with the N6.1 trillion budgeted this year. The International Monetary Fund had projected that the slump in oil, as well as shortages of foreign currency and power could cause the economy to shrink 1.8
CIS to set agenda for new economy at Annual Conference
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s part of its determination to assist the federal government in its efforts to revamp the economy, the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) shall focus on strategic ways to create sustainable economic development in its annual Conference this month The two-day 20th Annual Conference, scheduled to start on October 27 in Lagos, has the theme ‘Building New Pillars, Creating News Values for Sustainable Development’ Addressing journalists on the preparations for the conference yesterday, the Chairman, Organizing Committee, Mr Yomi Adeyemi, explained that this year’s Conference would address critical issues affecting the growth of the Nigeria’s economy, hence, the choice of theme “Building New Pillars, Creating New Values for Sustainable Development”. Adeyemi said that the choice of the theme was predicated on the compelling need to strengthen the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy of which the Capital Market is the hub of medium and long term source of finance. He explained: “Coming at this critical stage of the Nigeria’s economy which is in dire need of double digit growth, the Conference is strategically packaged to provide a platform for aggregating robust ideas aimed at creating a sustainable development and reinforcing investor confidence in our capital market. “It is now clear than ever that sound fiscal and monetary policy,
innovation and development of all value chains are necessary to revamp the Nigeria’s economy from its current recessionary status. “Our partners in progress, this year’s Conference will attract finance and industry experts who are expected to discuss the theme from various perspectives and proffer workable solutions. “The securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other Capital Market Stakeholders have actively supported the Conference. An integral part of the Conference is the Awards of Associates and Conferment of Fellowship to members. Last month, the Institute held a very successful Investiture which ushered in its 20th President, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, FCS”, he added.
percent this year. The forecast has been contended by the Nigerian government. According to the Special Adviser on Economic Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari,
Adeyemi Dipeol the nation’s economy will fare better than predicted by the IMF. Corroborating Dipeolu, an Africa strategist at Barclays Plc’s unit in Johannesburg, Ridle Markus,
projected that the economy would likely see better growth numbers in the third and fourth quarters, saying “it’s unlikely to make up for the really poor performance of the first half of the year”
L-R: Mr. Foluso Phillips, Executive Chairman, Phillips Consulting; Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc and Mr. Tilewa Adebajo, Financial Analysist after a live appearance on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)’s programme at the weekend.
FG unfolds plans for intervention fund in mining sector CHIDI UGWU ABUJA
T
he Federal Government has unveiled plans to provide an intervention fund to be accessed by serious-minded operators in the mining sector. Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Olayinka Oyebode, in a statement, quoted the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as giving the hint while addressing participants at the opening of the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He said the intervention fund would be sourced from the Nation-
al Resource Fund. The National Resource Fund is 1.6 per cent of the Federation Account, set aside for agriculture, solid minerals and water resources. According to the minister, President Muhammadu Buhari had already given approval to his ministry to access part of the fund. Fayemi, whose paper at the conference “The Non-oil Sector as a sustainable alternative in enhancing revenue generation”, attracted many questions from the participating state commissioners of finance, said funding had remained a major challenge in the sector. He was, however, optimistic that access to the mining interven-
tion fund coupled with funding to be provided by Nigerian banks would help lift the sector. The Minister lamented that the past administration had denied the sector the opportunity to access the Natural Resource Fund, which according to him were used for some other fraudulent causes other than the purpose for which it was set up. He also announced that state governments are now beneficiaries of the 13 percent derivation from mining revenue. “This is a significant shift, that signposts our commitment to facilitating a win-win situation for all stakeholders”, the Minister said.
U.S provides new $92.73m to tackle poverty in Nigeria
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he United States of America, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced an additional $92.73 million developmental assistance to support the five-year $2.3 billion agreement signed with the Federal Government last year. The latest amount brings the total development assistance by the country to $474.74 million. Speaking about the new tranche of funding support, USAID, Mission Director, Michael Harvey, said the agency was
pleased to contribute additional funding in support of the agreement signed with the Nigerian Government in 2015, adding that “with their leadership we know this funding will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of Nigerians. “This funding will continue to help Nigeria reduce extreme poverty in a more stable, democratic society. Activities will stimulate inclusive economic growth, promote a healthier, more-educated population, and strengthen good governance”, Harvey projected.
It would be recalled that the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last year stated that about 110 million Nigerians were still living below poverty line despite the policies of governments to improve their welfare. In an effort to align Nigeria’s development plans with sectorspecific strategies, USAID collaborated with the Nigerian Ministry of Budget and National Planning; the Nigerian ministries of health, agriculture, power, and education; and statelevel government counterparts
to structure the agreement, which is in place until 2020. In addition to the developmental funding, the United States provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in Nigeria and throughout the Lake Chad Basin. Since fiscal year 2015, the United States has provided more than $366 million in humanitarian assistance and continues to be the single largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the region.
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Capital Market
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy, financial stocks lift index by 0.39% Johnson Okanlawon
T
rading in equities closed on a positive note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as the All Share index rose 0.39 per cent to close at 28,009.40 points, compared to the increase of 0.32 per cent recorded the preceding day. Market capitalization increased by N37.5bn to close at N9.629 trillion, compared of the rise of N32billion recorded the preceding day to close at N9.59 trillion. The oil and gas sector closed the day higher with a positive daily return of 1.4 per cent driven by position-
taking in Seplat. Similarly, the financial services sector posted a gain of 0.7 per cent on account of price appreciation in counters like Zenith Bank, Access Bank and United Bank for Africa. The consumer sector rallied to post a gain of 0.5 per cent driven by price appreciation in Nestle, Dangote Sugar and Nigerian Breweries. Conversely, the industrial goods sector trailed marginally with a negative daily a negative return of 0.1 per cent weighed by sell pressure in Wapco. Research analysts at United Capital attributed the positive trends to bar-
gain hunting across key sectors. “We expect sentiment to remain mixed in tomorrow’strading session, albeit with bullish undertone as investors continue to take positions ahead of the Q3-16 earnings numbers,” the firm said. Nestle Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table with N25 to close at N825 per share, followed with Seplat Plc with N17.5 to close at N367.51 per share. Presco Plc added N1.3 to close at N41.5 per share, while Zenith Bank Plc gained 49 kobo to close at N15.04 per share. Dangote Sugar Plc was
up 15 kobo to close at N6.5 per share. On the flip side, Guinness Nigeria Plc shed N3.83 to close at N76 per share, while Wapco Plc dropped 91 kobo to close at N48.09 per share. Flour Mills Plc declined three kobo to close at N20.7 per share, while UACN Plc lost 25 kobo to close at N20.8 per share. The total value of stocks traded was Market indicators N2.72billion, up Gainers by and Gainers and Losers Losers Start Date Date 10/10/2016 10/10/2016 through End 57.15 per cent Start from through End Date 11/10/2016 All-Share Index 28,034.32 points PrintDate Date11/10/2016 11/10/2016 Print N1.73billion recorded the Market capitalisation 9.63trn preceding day, while the total volume of stocks Gainers for for Equities Equities Gainers traded was 234.18million 2016-10-10 2016-10-11 2016-10-10 2016-10-11 in 3,335 deals. S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Price(N) Closing Closing Price(N) S/N Symbol Closing Price(N)
UBA reports N62bn profit growth in 9 months
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everaging its expansive footprint, panAfrican banking group, United Bank for Africa Plc (“UBA” or “the Bank”), announced its unaudited 3rd Quarter Financial Results, showing a 7% year-on-year growth in profit before tax to N62 billion despite the challenging macro-economic environment. This represents an impressive 18.2% annualized return on average equity. The Bank recorded an appreciable growth in both funding and fee income lines. Reflecting on the performance, the Bank’s Group Managing Director, Kennedy Uzoka, said that he was “pleased with our performance in the
first nine months of the year. Notwithstanding the negative economic growth in Nigeria, we maintained growth in earnings and sustained our asset quality. Increasingly, we are leveraging our unique panAfrican platform to drive new customer acquisition and grow market share across our African subsidiaries” Furthermore, the Bank’s level of impairment in its overall loan book was moderate. The Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio of 2.5% and 0.9% cost of risk remain one of the best in the industry. UBA Plc’s third quarter results also show significant efficiency gains with appreciable growth in op-
erating income by 11% to N183 billion while profit after tax rose by 8% to N52 billion within the period. Though partly driven by the depreciation in the value of the naira, UBA also recorded a significant 21% year-to-date growth in deposits and a similar 26% growth in total assets. The bank also ensured that cost-to-income ratio remained flat year-on-year at 65% despite external cost pressures which masked the positive results of its cost efficiency initiatives. Also speaking on the results, Group CFO, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said “the growth in deposits and total assets reflects the Bank’s increased share of customers’ wallet and deepening banking pene-
11 22
SEPLAT SEPLAT VITAFOAM VITAFOAM
350.01 350.01 2.65 2.65
367.51 367.51 2.78 2.78
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13
ZENITHBANK ZENITHBANK PRESCO PRESCO NESTLE NESTLE DANGSUGAR DANGSUGAR ACCESS ACCESS UBA UBA AFRIPRUD AFRIPRUD STANBIC STANBIC NB NB
14.55 14.55 40.20 40.20 800.00 800.00 6.35 6.35 5.44 5.44 4.10 4.10 2.69 2.69 17.05 17.05 148.01 148.01
15.04 15.04 41.50 41.50 825.00 825.00 6.50 6.50 5.56 5.56 4.18 4.18 2.70 2.70 17.10 17.10 148.10 148.10
33 44
LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK TRANSCORP TRANSCORP
0.82 0.82 1.01 1.01
U
tor of portfolio strategy and asset allocation, said by phone from London on Oct. 6. “We have a slight tilt to be a bit more defensive, and tilt towards Asia and emerging markets relative to more developed markets. We are a bit more bearish on Europe and the U.S into year-end.” The Stoxx 600 climbed 0.5 percent at 2:45 p.m. in London, while the S&P 500 rose 0.7 percent. Goldman Sachs’s prediction about Europe is more pessimistic than that of most strategists, with the average of 10 forecasts compiled by Bloomberg calling for a 1.3 percent rebound in the Stoxx 600
Gain(N) Gain(N) 17.50 17.50
% % Change Change 5.00 5.00
0.04 0.04 0.49 0.49 1.30 1.30 25.00 25.00 0.15 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.08 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.09 0.09
3.96 3.96 3.37 3.37 3.23 3.23 3.13 3.13 2.36 2.36 2.21 2.21 1.95 1.95 0.37 0.37 0.29 0.29 0.06 0.06
0.13 0.13 0.04 0.04
0.86 0.86 1.05 1.05
4.91 4.91 4.88 4.88
tration across all its chosen markets in Nigeria and Africa which again accounted for a third of the Group’s earnings.” The Group GCFO assured that UBA will Losers for Equities continue to balance Losers for Equities 2016-10-10 2016-10-11 2016-10-10 2016-10-11 its appetite for growth S/N Symbol Loss(N) % Change Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) S/N Symbol Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Loss(N) % Change 1 FIDSON 1.66 1.58 -0.08 -4.82 and profitability with 1 FIDSON 1.66 1.58 -0.08 -4.82 2 GUINNESS 79.83 76.00 -3.83 -4.80 2 GUINNESS 79.83 76.00 -3.83 -4.80 the strategy of sustain3 NEIMETH 0.86 0.82 -0.04 -4.65 3 NEIMETH 0.86 0.82 -0.04 -4.65 4 AIICO 0.65 0.62 -0.03 -4.62 ing strong liquidity and 45 AIICO 0.65 0.62 -0.03 -4.62 CAVERTON 0.73 0.70 -0.03 -4.11 capital ratios. The Bank 56 CAVERTON 0.73 0.70 -0.03 -4.11 CHAMPION 2.68 2.58 -0.10 -3.73 67 CHAMPION 2.68 2.58 -0.10 -3.73 maintained 43% liquidity DIAMONDBNK 1.20 1.16 -0.04 -3.33 78 DIAMONDBNK 1.20 1.16 -0.04 -3.33 FBNH 3.10 3.00 -0.10 -3.23 ratio and 17.6% BASEL II 89 FBNH 3.10 3.00 -0.10 -3.23 SKYEBANK 0.63 0.61 -0.02 -3.17 capital adequacy ratio, 9 SKYEBANK 0.63 0.61 -0.02 -3.17 10 NEM 0.82 0.80 -0.02 -2.44 10 0.82 0.80 -0.02 -2.44 11 NEM NPFMCRFBK 1.03 1.01 -0.02 -1.94 well ahead of regulatory 11 1.03 1.01 -0.02 -1.94 12 NPFMCRFBK WAPCO 49.00 48.09 -0.91 -1.86 requirement. 12 49.00 48.09 -0.91 -1.86 13 WAPCO FLOURMILL 21.00 20.70 -0.30 -1.43 13 21.00 20.70 -0.30 -1.43 The Bank is a leading 14 FLOURMILL UNITYBNK 0.71 0.70 -0.01 -1.41 14 0.71 0.70 -0.01 -1.41 15 UNITYBNK UACN 21.05 20.80 -0.25 -1.19 financial services group 15 21.05 20.80 -0.25 -1.19 16 UACN ETERNA 3.08 3.05 -0.03 -0.97 in sub-Saharan Africa 16 3.08 3.05 -0.03 -0.97 17 ETERNA STERLNBANK 1.06 1.05 -0.01 -0.94 17 STERLNBANK 1.06 1.05 11, 2016 -0.01 -0.01 -0.94 18 OTC HONYFLOUR 1.30 AS AT OCTOBER 1.29 -0.77 FX FUTURES OPEN CONTRACTS (4:30PM) with presence in 19 Afri18 1.30 1.29 -0.01 -0.77 19 HONYFLOUR OANDO 5.35 5.33 -0.02 -0.37 can countries, as well as Tenor 19 OANDO 5.35 Settlement 23.85 5.33 Value of Open -0.02 Current Rate -0.37 20 Contract GUARANTY 23.90 -0.05 -0.21 Contract (Month) Date Contracts ($’mm) ($/₦) 20 23.90 23.85 -0.05 -0.21 21 GUARANTY GLAXOSMITH 18.40 18.39 -0.05 the United Kingdom, the 254.12 -0.01 1 NGUS OCT 26 2016 26-Oct-2016 295.50 21 GLAXOSMITH 18.39 -0.05 348.94 -0.01 2 NGUS NOV 23 2016 18.40 23-Nov-2016 290.50 United States of America 406.91 3 NGUS DEC 21 2016 21-Dec-2016 285.50 and France. 126.42 4 Exchange NGUS 25-Jan-2017 Page280.50 1 of Published by The Nigerian Stock © JAN 25 2017
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22-Feb-2017 22-Mar-2017 26-Apr-2017 24-May-2017 21-Jun-2017 19-Jul-2017
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Goldman Sachs foresees slump in U.S., European stocks .S. and European equities are in for a bumpy ride into the end of the year. That’s the message from Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which says that political risks, exacerbated by a weak economy in Europe and high stock prices in the U.S., make those markets vulnerable to declines in the next three months. The firm projects that the S&P 500 Index and the Stoxx Europe 600 Index will each drop by about 2 percent by December. “We have more potential for shocks right now,” Christian MuellerGlissmann, Goldman Sachs’s managing direc-
Source: NSE
from Friday’s close. The shocks. (Source – Bloomgauge has already lost more berg.com) than 6.5 percent this year, and investors have pulled almost $93 billion from Rate (%) funds tracking European Inflation 17.61 equities during a record 35 MPR 14 weeks of withdrawals, according to a Bank of Amer- Crude oil price $53.14 ica Corp. report last week citing EPFR Global data. Exchange Rates (N) Weighing on the shares are WAUA 425.2698 investor anxiety over the efUSD 304.75 ficacy of European Central EURO 340.0401 Bank stimulus in spurring growth and the health of CFA 0.5071 the region’s lenders. YEN 2.9462 In the U.S., it’s the high SWISS 310.1465 valuations that concern FRANC Mueller-Glissmann, who POUNDS 377.5853 says that current levels STERLING can precipitate signifiSDR 422.414 cant drops in the event of
Total
178.79 196.76 794.42 141.65 498.93 457.89
Page275.50
128.83
240.50
13.20 3546.86
270.50 265.50 260.50 255.50 250.50 243.50
Termination of Trading Trading shall cease at 2:00PM eight (8) calendar days before the expiry date of each respective Contract. i.e. the Tuesday preceding the week the contract expires.
NITTY Tenor
Rate (%)
Change (%)
1M
16.787
0.00
2M
17.0011
0.08
3M
17.9079
0.75
NITTY as @ October 10, 2016
NIBOR Tenor
Rate (%)
O/N
16.5667
1M
18.0524
3M
18.8398
6M
21.1991 NIBOR as @ October 10, 2016NIBOR FAQs
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Nigeria wins 2016 K-Pop World Festival Economic recession is currently staring everyone at the face, giving rise to calls for the diversification of the economy beyond oil. Stakeholders believe the arts and culture sector, if wellharnessed can bring succour.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Arts Lounge Cool FM hosts fans at anniversary
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Role of creative sector during recession
NGOZI EMEDOLIBE
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nce, Nigeria’s economy became the largest in Africa, after revenues from the entertainment sector were factored into the Gross Domestic Product, GDP; a proof to the potential inherent in the culture sector. Yes, it may not be as trendy as talking stocks and bonds. It may lack the allure and suave mien associated with the deals about prospecting for mineral oil. It may also not be as timeregulated or serious as taking a plunge in estate, but dealing on prized pieces of art works could be equally rewarding, depending on some factors such as where, whom and when. The groundbreaking figures from the art world are a big testimony to this fact. Aside the commercially-viable names of Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne’s The Card Players which was produced in 1893 was able to get the attention of the Qatari royal family for a whopping $250m! Jackson Pollock’s No 5, 1948 was bought for $156m, while William de Kooning’s Woman 111, produced in 1953 got the attention of Steven Cohen at a staggering $154m. Locally, Ben Enwonwu’s bronze work, Anyanwu, produced in 1953 was able to command as much as N28m in the global market, while his Dancing Boysproduced in 1981 on oil and board attracted N20m in 2010, in spite of the general belief that African art works are grossly undervalued in the global market. This becomes more tangible considering that works of art have more tendencies to appreciate over time. At a forum hosted by Ben Enwonwu Foundation to intimate the Nigerian art community on how art can be an alternative
Bruce Onobrakpeya in front of his work, Golden Jubilee investment as articulated by Giles Peppiatt, the director of Contemporary African Art at Bonhams, one of the biggest art auctioning houses in the world, this was elaborately explained. With many stakeholders in art present, the panelists and participants sought to proffer tips on how investors could cash in on the hitherto untapped Nigerian art market. The ethnic and cultural diversity which typify the Nigerian landscape has no doubt, made the country a haven for collectors and investors who want to reap from the blossoming art in the face of the exhaustible oil resources. According to Sandra MbanefoObiago, a producer and founder of Communicating For Change, CFC is fuelling the art venture in the United Arab Emirates, which is divesting her oil income into the area of arts, in recognition that oil wealth is exhaustible. According to her, “Abu Dhabi is an art destination. It is because they know that while oil could run out, art will never run out. In Nigeria, we have such places as Osogbo, but what have we made out of it? We even have Fela, but we had to wait on people to bring us Fela on the Broadway. To say the least, investing in art, makes a long term financial sense”. Giles Peppiatt, from Bonhams
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cautions that whosoever decides to go into the business of art must be driven by passion. “Art is usually bought to be enjoyed. It is a reflection of ostentation and anyone going into it must buy out of passion. You must buy what you like and must cultivate the habit of visiting galleries to know what they have. You must know that the primary benefit of art is for enjoyment. In London, Lord Jeffrey Archer, who is an avid collector of art pieces is known to show off his collection when one comes visiting and requests to use the lavatory. He would direct you through his collection of works, so you see what he has.” According to him, the business strategy to be employed by anyone investing in art should begin with knowing what to acquire and when to do so, by carefully watching the international interest in the art piece. “Subject is important, because that
Africa Dance, work by Ben Enwonwu is what generates international interest in the piece. You should also endeavour to research the work you want to purchase to have an insight into what it is about, because that will throw light on whether it would appreciate or not. Some works also lose their value over time. It is advisable to bear in mind that storage is important. When you consider a work, take a critical look at the longevity, which is determined by the medium of the work. Generally bronze medium lasts longer and should inform you decision to invest in the work. But whatever you have decided to
The way forward may indeed be for the President Buhari-led administration to pay more than a
passing interest in the sector.
And
this would obviously come through policies that will harness the full potential in the industry
28 buy, make sure it is what you like, and have passion for. Make sure it is something you enjoy.” For investment consultant and art collector, Folusho Philips, investment in arts could be properly harnessed in Nigeria, if there was a structured market for sellers and buyers at this time of Nigeria’s development. This according to him would be realised when there is a documentation of the sales being done in the sector, so that investors would have a proper perspective of what they are investing in. This view was corroborated by Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo, another avid collector of art works, who wondered bemoaned the situation where Nigerian artists sell off most of their works without issuing receipts. “For the big time investors, who are looking for audited reports of the past years, this may be a great disservice, because they need to see these facts. In most of the works, I have acquired, I can hardly recollect ever collecting a receipt”, he said. “Such documentation is important for data bases to be compiled”. Yemisi Shyllon, an engineer who owns one of the biggest art collections in Nigeria, says he does not look at his over 6,000 pieces of art work as an investment but recognises that investing in art could have come handy for the pension funds in Nigeria, but for the lack of enabling laws in this respect. “I am not looking at the works I have as an investment. I am enjoying art and I derive so much joy by looking at them. But I keep wondering why Nigeria cannot invest pension funds in art like UK. But on a closer look, you will realise that the law does not support investing such funds in any place that does not have something to do with finance”. In all, there seems to be a general consensus that art can be a worthwhile investment for those who have a long-term projection. But anyone with such desires must play by the rule. The way forward may indeed be for the President Buhari-led administration to pay more than a passing interest in the sector. And this would obviously come through policies that will harness the full potential in the industry which, although privatedriven over the decades, has boosted the fact that Nigerians are very ingenious people.
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Arts Lounge
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
FAR AND NEAR
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Nigeria wins 2016 K-Pop World Festival
Fingerprints exhibition comes to National Theatre
JOEL AJAYI
OLAWALE BUSAYO
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upreme Task dance crew from Nigeria won the best prize in the Performance category of this year’s K-Pop World Festival in Korea. The Nigerian team won a prize of 7,000 USD. The event took place at Changwon Sports Park in Korea on September 30, 2016 The event had a total of 15 finalists from countries such as Nigeria, Nepal, Russia, Malaysia, Mexico, United States, Vietnam, Sweden, Israel, Italy, India, Indonesia, Japan, China, and Hungary. However, eighty contesting teams from 65 different countries had earlier participated in the preliminaries. Categorised into Performance and Vocal, the Nigerian team beat contestants from China, Nepal, Sweden, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Hungary, Vietnam, and Indonesia in the Performance category;
The Nigerian team at K-Pop Festival whereas the remaining 5 teams were in the Vocal category, a contestant from the Vocal category won the overall best winner of the competition. This is the second year consecutively that the Nigerian team will be participating in the K-Pop World Festival in Korea.
Last year, Pacific Stars team won the Overall Best Team of the Festival and became the first African team to do so in the 6-year history of the Festival. Supreme Task performed a Korean song ‘Fire’ by BTS in the presence of about 20,000 people.
Tourism: Resort opens first electronic car park OLUSEGUN KOIKI
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he first electronic car park in Nigeria has been constructed and commissioned by Golf View Hotels and Suites in Lagos. The electronic car park, which cost the company $20,000 to acquire three years ago, would increase the parking space at the hotel by 25 vehicles. Speaking at the unveiling of the car park, the President of Sabre Network West Africa who also doubles as the President of Aviation Round Table, ART, Mr. Gabriel Olowo, said that the car park was acquired in China and constructed by a Chinese firm for the hotel. Olowo noted that the company constructed the car park within 15 days and urged Lagos State Government and other business organisations to take a cue from the company on how to manage the inadequate space in the state. “It costs us about $20,000 when we bought it about three years ago. It’s very cheap. It might be more than that now. Then, I think a naira was about N119 to a dollar. And with this, we have saved some space. This is a space that would ordinarily have taken just seven cars, but with the electronic car park, it will now take 25 cars with this technology. “That is something Federal and Lagos State Governments should look into, ability to grow vertically because N300,000 or N500,000 per square metre at Ikeja Government Reserved Area, GRA, you cannot spend that kind of cost for a car park. The best way is to grow vertically and that is what we have demonstrated here.” “The technology is so simple. It is just cable and no hydraulic and the machine operates it with simplicity. The cable takes the car up and once it’s there, it’s no longer on cable, it hangs the car. There are four corners the car is being
suspended. So, it could be there for as long as possible.” On the maintenance of the facility, Olowo said that most of the spare parts are available in the country while a Nige-
Electronic Car Park
rian had already been trained on how to handle the equipment for the company. He said that the installation of the equipment was an added advantage to clients without no additional cost to them, hoping that other companies within the country would emulate the company. “Car park is a real challenge to most of the business organisations around here. So, definitely it’s an additional plus to Golf View Hotel. It is at no cost to our customers. It is an additional service to the customers, he said.
ingerprints Nigeria (an online creative platform that constantly wields its pen to focus on social issues as it affects the life of every Nigerian) and World Calendar Dates, both offshoots of Poetic Mines Inc., in conjunction with Priceless Arts, Ara Studios Ltd., Foodbank Nigeria (foodbankng. com) and National Gallery for Arts is set to present its maiden Charity Exhibition on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the National Council for Arts and Culture Arts Gallery, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Fingerprints Nigeria (fingerprintsng. wordpress.com) and World Calendar Dates, have synergistically worked together to create awareness using internationally recognised days such as World Blood Donor Day, International Missing Children’s day, global pointers in addressing national shortcomings and encourage a positive revolutionary mindset about good health, education, women and children and poverty reduction. “The work of total human development shouldn’t be left for internationally recognised organisations like the United Nations and World Health Organization alone; and with the tools of photography, arts, motion pictures and poetry, we can practically create the Nigeria of our dreams. We therefore humbly request your support and attendance as we exhibit photography and poetry on social issues about the following days as it affects everyone. We have chosen to exhibit on Food and this time, we are partnering with Foodbank Nigeria, and donating 100% of the funds generated to improving their services in providing quality food for everyone, especially the under-privileged. Food has different meanings to different people. It can mean ‘glucose’ to the ‘mental health’, ‘right equality attention and care’ to the ‘girl-child’, ‘good and prompt salaries’ for the ‘teachers’. ‘Food’ represents ‘Life’ and it can be represented in so many ways. It can be ‘desire’, ‘drive’, ‘intention’, ‘fuel’, ‘glucose’ as well as the physical food itself. And of course, it has so much significance to our daily life in all ramifications”, the group said in a statement.
Cool FM hosts fans at anniversary REGINA OTOKPA
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he 15th anniversary of Cool FM will remain memorable for 15 lucky fans of the renowned radio station who won their way into a live studio to mark the day with management and staff of the station with millions of other well-wishers outside the studio. Watching and participating in live streaming of activities designed to celebrate Cool FM at 15, quite a good number of them enjoyed a rare privilege of rocking the microphone with their favorite on air personalities to show off their talents. Each person present won a gift ranging from weekend getaways in exotic hotels like the Grand Cubana, bags of rice, clothing from distinguished fashion collections amongst other unique gifts. According to
the Head of Station, Mrs. Ebele Yough, building relationships with Cool FM’s teeming fans is one of the unique attributes that distinct Cool FM from other radio stations. “What we are trying to is to appreciate our fans because what sets us apart is the relationship we have with our fans. Cool FM is the brand that goes the extra mile to give prizes that we don’t normally hear of or find in other media houses. “Just last Christmas we gave out plasma TV sets and fridges, we go out of our way to really touch our audience, we want to reward our fans for being there. Most of our shows are full of games, entertainment, it’s interactive and that is what separates us.
“It is really about our people, our listener’s, we want them to enjoy the celebrations with us, have a taste of what its like and understand how we appreciate them,” she added. Tony Ezomo, one of the on air personalities Cool FM, noted that regardless of the challenges, the station is committed towards maintaining professionalism and bringing out the best in what they do.
Cool FM celebrates
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
From The Civil Service NIPOST plans banking services in rural areas Gloria Usman ABUJA
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he Senior Assistant Post Master General and the Head of Corporate Communication, Nigerian Postal Services, Hajiya Simbiat Lawal, has disclosed that NIPOST is working closely with banks to serve as intermediaries where customers can withdraw and save money in rural communities where there are no banking facilities. Lawal told our correspondent in an exclusive interview that the innovation was being done with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “NIPOST is working closely with banks to serve as intermediaries where customers can withdraw and save money in rural communities where there are no banking facilities. This innovation is being done with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” she stated. She gave the hint on the occasion of the World Post Day, stressing that Nigeria postal services was leaving no stone unturned in keying into the information communication
technology to provide quality postal services that would satisfy all the aspirations. The senior assistant postmaster general said the World Post Day was celebrated in 189 countries of the world, adding that the celebration was done worldwide to celebrate stakeholders and customers. According Lawal, the universal postal services union was encouraging its members to be innovative and inclusive. She disclosed that the postal services had demonstrated a huge capacity to facilitate exchange of information and goods. The post with its wide physical presence in the remotest part of the country was undoubtedly a major player in the information society. The Nigeria Postal Service is working with the Ministry of Education to encourage the art of letter writing among students in primary and secondary schools. She noted that letter writing is a good form of communication that promotes love and care among family members. According to her, “there is
need to promote philately, the art of collecting and keeping stamps, among children and youth.” She added that that stamp
collection was the king of hobbies to some people. She said stamps were historical in nature, and therefore urged more Nigerians to
engage in philately. She emphasised that ICT was not a threat to NIPOST, but rather enhanced its ser-
Chidi Ugwu
opment of agriculture/agrobased industry, foreign/local investment and giving attention to private sectors among others as some of the benefits for investors in the state. Others are developments of aqua tourism, palm oil, processing of cassava/ garri and fishing. Okowa who was represented at the occasion by Mrs. Mary Iyasere, Delta State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said the state was endowed with abundant minerals such as crude oil, clay, silica, lignite, and kaolin among others. He explained that Delta had high potential supply of raw materials to support the establishment of industries given its favourable climatic condition. According to him, there are abundance of natural rubber, rich varieties of typical woods, yams, plantain, vegeta-
bles and maize predominantly grown in the state. Okowa added that the state had tax concession for investors that would want to invest in the state, adding that Delta State had friendly investment environment for investors. He explained that the state was ready to synergise with public and private sectors as well as international partnerships to establish their businesses in the state. He said that the trade fair had afforded investors to both international and local investors to share ideas and showcase their products. Similarly, it had, according to him, also offered the platform to expose their goods and services. Earlier Mr. Tony Ejinkonye, the president of Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the fair was to promote and accelerate commerce and industry develop-
vice delivery. She added that with the advent of internet, tracking of mail was being done, and more efficiently.
Okowa woos investors at Abuja fair ABUJA
D
elta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has listed benefits investors would derive if they establish their industries in the state. Okowa made the remark during ``Delta Special Day’’ at the ongoing 11th Abuja International Trade Fair in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He said his administration was keen to fast-tracking growth in the state by way of accelerating development of commerce and industry. According to him, his government was set to diversify and promote the state’s nonoil exports in order to expand the revenue of the state. He listed showcasing of Made-in-Delta products, devel-
ment of Nigeria. Ejinkonye said that the fair was also intended to revitalise and diversify the nation’s economy by promoting nonoil exports. He added that the trade fair had direct attention to the role of private sector in the Nigerian economy, adding that it would provide access to resources and technology for investors. Ejinkonye said that the trade fair would also attract foreign investment in the Nigerian economy. According to Ejinkonye, Delta State had some historical, cultural and socio-political tourism centre with a population of 4.1 million people and Gross Domestic Product of 16.7 US Dollars. He listed Mungo Park House and Lander Brothers Anchorage as some of the historical centres found in Delta State.
PATH 2 seeks integration of health systems Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA
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Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta (left), having a handshake with Professor of Communication Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Cosmas Ani (right) at the inauguration of InterAgency Committee of Professionals for the Evaluation of 2016 Research Submissions from the Academic in Abuja.
FG kicks off Digital Switch Over in November P.30
K-funded Partnership for Transforming Health System, PATH 2, has tasked all tiers of governments in Nigeria on integration of health programmes being handled differently by various agencies and departments for better outcome. This is even as the organisation said its eight-year health intervention programme in Nigeria had impacted no less than a million people. PATH 2 expended £148 million in health interventions in Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and Lagos states where it worked within the period, said its National Programme
Inventor decries lack of sponsors in Nigeria P.30
Manager, Dr. Mike Egbo, while addressing journalists at the end of the project dissemination in Abuja, recently. The event, which had the theme: “The lesson that we have learnt, the legacy that we have left behind, and the future,” brought together beneficiaries, market women and government officials to deliberate on how government would continue with the programme and use it to further boost health care deliveries in the country. Egbo said PATH 2 is the biggest health project worldwide which promotes integration of health systems and ensure mainstreaming of health services. He explained that patients receive medical services for HIV, maternal and child care, malaria, immunisation, nutrition among others at the same facility. According to him, the programme saved the lives of many mothers, with at least one million peo-
ple benefitting from it in the five states. He said of what should further be done to prevent maternal deaths in the country: “There are different approaches. When you say family planning, people will raise their eyebrows. When I went to secondary school in Edo State, in my Chemistry class, each student had a complete lab equipment to do their practical. We are in a state today where you look at what they call alternative to practical. So, when you look at the country today, the population is exploding. “So, you have children that should not have been born, that have been born. There are children and you don’t have means to take care of children, you have six children, you can’t send them to school. This is why, whether you like it or not, we have crisis in Northeast, Boko Haram; we have crisis in the Niger-Delta, we have crisis in other parts of the country. It is because we
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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Civil Service
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
FG kicks off Digital Switch Over in November
Joel Ajayi ABUJA
F
ederal government has concluded plans to flagoff the Abuja phase of the switchover from analogue
...as 500,000 homes set to get free set-top boxes to digital terrestrial broadcasting by the ending of November 2016. This is even as about 500,000 television households in Fed-
El-Rufai launches public service renewal project A za Msue KADUNA
K
aduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday launched the state public service revitalisation and renewal programme to restore professional pride and upgrade skills levels to match the best public services in the world. Speaking at the launch of the programme which was attended by stakeholders in Kaduna, el-Rufai said his administration was elected on a platform of change that recognised the central role of the public service in delivering public goods and in promoting good governance. The governor maintained that it was now time to implement Kaduna manifesto commitment to reform the public service, restore it to the high standards of its founding “and to enable it to live up to the
substantive meaning of the phrase, ‘public service’” El-Rufai noted that the reform programme also offerred a much-needed window to inject the vibrancy of youth into the public service. His words: “Due to the embargo on civil service recruitment that was imposed in 2008, and other factors, there are not enough young persons in the service. Government will deliberately recruit and inject young and motivated personnel to make the public service better.” The governor added: “Having more young, well-educated persons in public service ranks will also result in the public service more closely reflecting the demography of the state it is serving. “Therefore, we have for weeks now opened a job portal on the state government website and ran jingles inviting young people to upload their CVs there.
eral Capital Territory will receive free Set-Top Boxes (STBs) when the Digital Switch Over (DSO) commences by November ending. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this yesterday in Abuja when in inspected all the facilities of DSO in the Abuja. The facilities inspected included: the signal distribution company (Pinnacle Communications), the project site and set top boxes company, Trefonics Electronic Ltd. to have first hand information about the progress made so far. According to him, “I am
very happy with the progress made so far with what all the contractors said range from signal distributor to site as well as the set top boxes manufacturer. “Our objective to kick off Abuja phase of digital switch over in November will be realistic. So, come November ending everything will be ready. “We are actually targeting about 500,000 television households in FCT alone, who will be able to get their Set-Top Boxes. These boxes will be fixed to their televisions and when they switch on their televisions on that date, they will be able to view free of charge
30 channels as opposed to 4 or 5 that you see today. “Anybody who is doubting what we are saying should go to Jos and see it themselves. “In terms of the economy, three out of licensed Set-Top Box manufacturers across the country have started working which means a lot of jobs has been created. “The transition will also be a catalyst for retailers and installers to emerge all over the country, with a massive impact on the local economy.” The minister, however, reiterated that Nigeria would not miss the June 2017 deadline date for DSO.
On his own, the coordinator of the site project, Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, who took the minister and his entourage round the facilities assured to deliver the project to the federal government in the next six weeks. He explained: “The mandate given was to cover Abuja city but I am very glad to tell you that we are going to cover the whole of Abuja. “And when we finish with just three metres indoor antenna and 10 metres out door antenna everybody in the city will get the signal. “The work is 70% complete, the job will be complete in the next six weeks and by the end of November we shall handover this project.”
Inventor decries lack of sponsors in Nigeria Gloria Usman ABUJA
A
n inventor, Mr. Benneth Okoye, has decried the absence of sponsors of inventions, saying that is the reason why inventors in the country could not make a headway. Okoye made this statement during an interview with journalists in Abuja. According to him, the ability of inventors to excel in the country was curtailed because there were no sponsors to finance the research work carried out by scientists. “Research is capital intensive, and in this country it is not possible for a single person to fund any meaningful research that would add value to life. “Investors in the country do not believe in long term investments, they want a return on investment in the short term and as you know, research takes a long period of time. “So the enabling environment is not there, and even when government wants to intervene, bureaucratic bottlesnecks handicaps you. “And one thing about this intellectual thing is that it keeps bothering you, if the inspiration comes and you don’t
do it you can be walking on the street and talking to yourself,” Okoye said. He said another challenge he faced as an inventor was the lack of reference for his invention because then his invention had not been researched into. “Right now it might look like something that is already in existence but it will shock you to know that I did it. I started it far back in 2002, as at that time there was nothing like power bank. “The problem we had in the country then was because of the nature of the phone we used at the time. They didn’t have lasting batteries. “That was what took me into this research to have a kind of backup. I completed it in 2007. “ Okoye, however, was appreciative of his constituency’s senator, who supported his project as a constituency project. Okoye had invented the Benneth Power Source meant to solve the problem of power failure in electrical appliances like the CCTV cameras. He said the device could help electrical devices sustain power even after a power failure so they could be operated round the clock.
L-R: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Al-Hassan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Agric development, panacea to recession, says Cleric Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
A
s part of efforts to bring Nigeria out of its present economic recession, the Minister of God’s Kingdom Society for North Central Zone, Timothy Esimagbele, has urged the federal government to develop the agricultural sector. Esimagbele gave this advice on Sunday while celebrating ``Freedom Day Divine Service” with the members of his church in Abuja. He noted that massive food production through aggressive agricultural development was the only way by which the nation could diffuse the effects of the recession. According to him, before the discovery of oil in late 60s, Nigeria was doing well in agricultural products to the extent
that all the four geo-political zones were producing different types of agricultural products. He listed the zones with their products as Eastern zone - palm oil, cashew nuts and rubber; Northern zone - cotton, groundnuts and ginger among others and the Western zone - cocoa and kolanut. The Midwestern Zone also produced rubber, timber and palm oil among others.
He noted that the zones were doing very well then and were able to take care of their various zones and build infrastructure such as hospitals, radio stations, television stations and tertiary institutions. Esimagbele listed the tertiary institutions as Ahmadu Bello University in Northern, University of Ife now known as Obafemi Awolowo University in the west and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in
the Eastern zone. According to him, no nation survives by putting all its eggs in one basket. He added that God blessed Nigeria that even without crude it would still survive on other minerals and manpower God gave to it. He added that the leaders should look inward and harness other resources God endowed the country with.
PATH 2 seeks integration of health systems CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
have willing hands who have no job, we have people who have graduated selling sachet water with a degree… “My mother died in the labour room, that is why I do this job. I’m not doing this job because I am looking for job. I have been doing it for al-
most 30 years, trying to make sure that mothers don’t die the way my mother died. It is something that we do, and it is something that we make sure that government is supporting, the private sector is supporting,” he added. He urged government to increase its partnership with the private sector in the health
sector. He however decried the failure of banks to give loans to doctors in private practice. He said PATH 2 had encouraged prospective owners of private hospitals to develop marketable products that would help them get loan from banks.
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IMACHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IMACHUKWU CHIZOBA GLORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWUMA CHIZOBA GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
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I, formerly known and addressed as ARIYO KAFAYA, now wish to be known and addressed as ARIYO KAFAYA ADEFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that OMIATA GANIYAT ABAKE is the same one person as OMIATA KUBURAT LABAKE, that henceforth wish to be known and called as OMIATA KUBURAT LABAKE. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that MUSIBAU MORUFAT IBIDUN is the same one person as LAMIDI MORUFAT, that henceforth wish to be known and called as LAMIDI MORUFAT. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as UBIOKA AMOS OGAGA, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY AMOS OGAGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that I, SAMAILA MAIDAWA is one and same person as SAMAILA MAIDAWA MISTY. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as SAMAILA MAIDAWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I Formerly known and addressed as OJONIKO LEVI NEGEDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MOMOH OJOAGEFU. All former documents remain valid , General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly Known and addressed as MISS AJIBOLA LATIFAT TOLULOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs ADENIYI AJIBOLA LATIFAT TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as MISS GODWIN QUEEN ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JACK QUEEN ESTHER NDIFREKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please note. CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BONIFACE ILYHSU MUNDE NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ILIYA BONIFACE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME
OKUNEDA: I, formerly known and addressed as OKUNEDA ADIJATU OSENI now wish to be known and addressed as INEGBEDION ADIJATU OSENI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
EKWENAIBEKAN: I, formerly known and addressed as EKWENAIBEKAN SUNDAY MMADUABUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as EKWENAIBEKAN KINGSLEY MMADUABUCHI. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that UDEZE THERESA JESSICA ,UDEZE THERESA NMACHUKWU, and UDEZE NMACHUKWU JESSICA refer to one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as UDEZE THERESA NMACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MARY AJIBOLA ITUNU, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY AJIBOLA KEJI. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that DOYINSOLA WEALTH is the same one person as SODEEQ DOYINSOLA RASAQ, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as SODEEQ DOYINSOLA RASAQ. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, Access Bank Plc and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to certified that OMOLAOYE FATIMOH ADUNNI is the same one person as TAIRU FATIMOH ADUNNI, that henceforth wish to be called, known and addressed as TAIRU FATIMOH ADUNNI. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to certified that JOSHUA MARIA OLUWASEYI is the same one person as SAKA KAOSARA OLUWASEYI, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as SAKA KAOSARA OLUWASEYI. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as LAOYE AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADETOYESELAOYE VICTORIA AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and address as MERCY AKPAN CHIZOBA AND MERCY MARY AKPAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MERCY AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I Formerly known and addressed as ANDREW ONUWABHAGBE UJIANBI, Now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM IMOMION UJIANBI All former documents remain valid , General public to take note . CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MR JOEL SAMUEL ADINYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MR UDAM INNOCENT ADINYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MR SAKA HAMMED OLAMILEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MR SALAKO HAMMED OLAMILEKAN. All former documents remain valid. GT Bank and General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as JIMOH BASIRAT ABIODUN , now wish to be known and addressed as STANLEY BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and address as AJAYI ADEOLA OMOTOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MANN ADEOLA OMOTOKE. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as ZAKARIYA ADAM ABOLORE, now wish to be known and addressed as SAKARIYA ALFA ADAM. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and the general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MISS BEYIOKU MORUFAT OMOLARA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OFOIRE JOSEPHINE OMOLARAENI. Banks, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Babcock University and General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
UDE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDE MIRIAM CHEKWUBECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDEONYIA MIRIAM CHEKWUBECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ANIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as ANIKE TIMOTHY JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIKE BRIGHT TIMOTHY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm and certify that OFORMA ONYEKA VINTUS ,OFAMA ONYEKA VINTUS, and OFOMA ONYEKA refer to one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as OFORMA ONYEKA VINTUS, All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as HENRY OKON PATRICK, now wish to be known and addressed as ODUH ODUH. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm and certify that I, CHINEDU JONAS wish to state that i am the same person bearing EDU BRAZIL, But now wish to be addressed as CHINEDU JONAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as BEKKY OLUWABUKOLA TORIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as BEKKY MMESOMA NDULAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OYENIYI OLUWADAMILOLA ADEOLA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS IDOWU OLUWADAMILOLA ADEOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MISS JUNAID OLUWASEUN ENITAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KADIRI OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, OLAITAN JANET OLUSOLA is the same person as OLAITAN ABOSEDE OLUSOLA.Henceforth,I wish to be known and addressed as OLAITAN JANET OLUSOLA.All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH OLURIKE OLUBUMI OLUSANYA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SENNUGA OLURIKE OLUBUNMI ELIZABETH.All former documents remain valid.general public take note.
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MISS AROTAYO TAWAKALT OLAWUNMI SAME PERSON AS MISS OJO OLAWUNMI AJIBOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ADOGUNDURO AROTAYO TAWAKALT OLAWUNMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.
CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ADEGOKE JUMOKE NOW MRS ATEGBE JUMOKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.
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CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
NWANKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANKWO ROSEMARY NNEBUIHE. O. now wish to be known and addressed as AMOBI UWAGBOKWU ROSEMARY NNEBUIHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
ORI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ORI HENRIETTA OGECHUKWU ADAEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OWO HENRIETTA OGECHUKWU ADAEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm and certify that I, ADEWALE ADEDEJI ISMAILA wish to state that i am the same person bearing ISUNMOILA ADEDEJI, But now wish to be addressed as ADEWALE ADEDEJI ISMAILA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as OLUWASEUN SHODIYA BIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWASEUN SHODIYA ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS SURAKAT ISLAMIAT ENIOLA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ASERIKAN ISLAMIAT ENIOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINOLA OLUWAKEMI ALICE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SOKUNBI OLUWAKEMI ALICE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
AKANNI SAHEED OLUWATOBI OLORUNJUEDA is one and same person as AKANNI SAHEED OLORUNJUEDA now wish to be known and addressed as AKANNI SAHEED OLUWATOBI All former document remain valid general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HYCENT EMMANUEL CHIKWADO NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALADIMMA CHIKWADO EMMANUEL.FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME
UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU TOBIAS ARINZECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU TOBIAS ARINZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
AMADI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMADI CAROLINE OBIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UGWU CAROLINE OBIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
IGBONEKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS IGBONEKWU OBIAGELI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IGBOKWE OBIAGELI CECELIA. All former documents remain valid. Banks, Oji River Local Govt and general public should please take note.
MBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MBA IFEOMA STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OBETA IFEOMA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CORRECTION OF NAME
ADDITION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that I Formerly known and addressed as OBAMOYEGUN OLANIYI. Wish to add OLABANJI FUNMI to my former and existing names. I now wish to be known and addressed as OBAMOYEGUN OLABANJI FUNMI. All former documents remain valid.UBA Plc,Union bank Plc Access Bank and The general public note.
I formerly known and addressed as RABIU BABANABEGU ABDULKARIM now wish to be known and addressed as RABIU BABA NABEGU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
This is to inform the general public that during my UTME registration in 2016 my name was erroneously registered as OJO SHEEDU ISIAKA instead of my correct name SHEEDU ISIAKA OJO. Henceforth my correct names are SHEEDU ISIAKA OJO. All former documents remain valid. JAMB and The general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as OYEBISI HALIYAT OYEFUNKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEBISI HALIYAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
BAPTISM OF HOLY GHOST AND FIRE MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Adeyemo Bolaji David 2.Adeyemo Ajibola Florence 3.Adeyemo Mobolaji Christopher 4.Adeyemo Mobolaji Bernard 5.Adeyemo Mobolaji Moses 6.Adeyemo Mobolaji Heaven 7.Ajayi Olabisi Thomas 8.Nyam Atang Magaji 9.Ademola Sunday Adeshiyan 10.Ambo John Ezieh AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to almost every part of the world Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: ADEYEMO BOLAJI DAVID
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as LUKE JOHN PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as IKYUNDU LUKE. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLADELE ABIOLA AYINLA, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLADELE ABIOLA QUADRY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
PUBLIC NOTICE
PRAYER THEATRE INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL MINISTRY
This is to inform the General public that the named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under PART C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004. TRUSTEES: 1.AMEH JAMES -President 2.AJAYI MODUPE GRACE. 3.DR. ALICHE KINGSLEY ONYEKACHI. 4.ODEWALE ROSELINE ADUNOLA. -Secretary 5.OJO ODUNTAN OLUMIDE. 6.ABAH MUSA GOWON . 7.ABAH JULIANA ELE. 8.ATU OKECHUKWU TIMOTHY. OBJECTIVE. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street. P.M.B 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication. SIGNED: FIRST BETHEL SOLICITORS, 27 ABEOKUTA ROAD AGO TAYLOR IBADAN.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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Boko Haram launches fresh attack on Borno village Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI
S
uspected members of dreaded Boko Haram terrorists invaded Kwashebe village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State where they shot and killed about five residents, sources have said. Among those dead is a middle-aged person (name withheld) who died at the Jere Divisional Police Headquarters after being evacuated with other four persons who sustained gunshot wounds in their heads, the source said. Kwashebe community is in the South East and in
the outskirt of Maiduguri metropolis which had witnessed series of attacks by insurgents in recent past. According to a reliable source, the insurgents armed with AK47 rifles and petrol bombs, invaded the village at about 10.30am yesterday and opened fire on residents, while setting ablaze their houses after looting foodstuff and livestock. The source added: “It was the quick intervention of some Civilian JTF around the area who responded to the attack by evacuating some of the victims, particularly the injured ones, to a nearby police station in Jere Lo-
cal Government Area that saved the situation. Our correspondent also gathered that troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, around 12.17pm mobilised to the scene to apprehend the attackers, even as additional three dead bodies were taken to the same Jere
police station, while some of the injured ones were taken to the State Specialists Hospital, Maiduguri, for treatment. Sources at the hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, confirmed receiving the Boko Haram
victims who sustained gunshot wounds but were said to be responding to treatment, though, they declined giving the actual number of the victims admitted at the two hospitals. All efforts to reach the police public relations officer, Emmanuel Isuku, for
confirmation proved abortive as his telephone line could not go through as at press time; but a senior police officer who is not authorised to talk to the press confirmed the attack on Kwashebe village yesterday morning.
Herdsmen invade Agric College Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA
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uspected herdsmen were reported to have invaded the Nasarawa State College of Agriculture, Lafia, inflicting injuries on students who were sleeping in their hostels. Provost of the college, Dr. Mohammed Salihu, disclosed this Tuesday to journalists during a chat at the institution’s campus in Lafia, the state capital. He attributed the invasion of the herdsmen to the understaffing of the institution. The provost however said it was with the quick intervention of the college’s staff that rose from their staff quarters who rescued the students from the hands of the herdsmen in a bush. He continued that before the rescue team could arrive the scene, the invaders had stabbed one of the stu-
dents on his hand, even as one of the female students also sustained injuries on her laps from a cutlass the herdsmen used to tear her under wears. He lamented that if the institution had enough staff, it would have ensured security in and around the students’ hostels. “There is no enough staff in both the academic and non-academic sections of the institution; I am not supposed to teach, but I go to class to teach three subjects. “Salary payment was taken away from us and academic allowances are not being paid. What they are paying academic staff is rent and basic salary,” he lamented. Salihu concluded that the college and the state government had no problem, but that there is one between the institution’s staff union and the government.
Victims and some sympathisers at the scene of a fire outbreak which occurred at Kwami in Gombe State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
FG targets 30 free TV channels in FCT
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inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said about 30 free channels would be available to television households in the FCT with the launch of the Digital Switch Over, DSO. The minister stated this Tuesday in Abuja when he inspected equipment and facilities for the switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting in the territory. His words: “With the digitization, we are going to have 30 television channels. “By this, we mean that when we transfer from ana-
Nasarawa Assembly lifts suspension on six members Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA
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asarawa State House of Assembly Tuesday lifted the suspension it had earlier placed on six of its members six months ago, to enable them perform their legislative duties for the development of the state. Speaker of the House, Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdulla-
hi, announced lifting of the suspension after the chairman of the House’s ad hoc committee that investigated the suspended members, Mohammed Ibrahim Alkali, submitted his report to the House. The six members earlier suspended include Kassim Mohammed-Kassim (APCAkwanga South), Murtala Sodangi (APC-Nasarawa Central), Mohammed Okpoku (APC-Udege/Loko),
Musa Ali (APC-Keffi East), Makpa Malla (APC-Wamba) and Abubakar Kana (APCKokona West). They were suspended over allegations of bribery and corruption they had leveled against the House. The speaker said the six members should be recalled immediately since they had tendered a written apology letter to the assembly which was duly signed by all of them.
logue to digital, without subscribing to Multichoice or Startimes, viewers can watch 30 TV channels free. “In Jos where we launched the pilot scheme, not less than 15 free channels are being watched regularly. “We have started a revolution in the broadcast industry and with the cooperation of everybody we are sure to meet the deadline.’’ The minister expressed satisfaction with the level of the equipment at the inspected sites and assured
that the roll out in the FCT would be a success. He noted that, with capacity to generate one million jobs in three years, the DSO would revolutionise the broadcast industry in the country. The minister said with over 24 million TV households, the country remains a big market for Set-Top Boxes, a critical component of DSO. “With 24 million TV households, over 100 million telephone subscribers and the level of internet
penetration in Nigeria today, the digital world, if properly harnessed, will provide a lot of resources for us,’’ he said. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the minister inspected the digitisation equipment at the headquarters and transmission site of Pinnacle Communications Ltd, located at Maitama and Mpape respectively. Pinnacle is one of the licensed DSO signal distributors and it is in charge of the DSO roll out in the FCT.
University of Jos students to re-write exams
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tudents of the University of Jos whose unmarked examination scripts were burnt on Saturday are to rewrite the affected papers. Registrar of the institution, Mr. Monday Danjem, announced this in a statement issued in Jos Tuesday. News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fire, which lasted for six hours, gutted the university’s library complex which
equally housed the faculties of social science and management studies. Danjem said the examinations had been rescheduled for a date to be communicated to the students by their respective heads of department. The registrar said the remaining examinations would resume on Tuesday while all examinations scheduled to take place on Monday, October 10, have been rescheduled.
He said some of the examinations were earlier postponed to enable management assess the level of damage done by the fire. Vice chancellor Sebastine Maimako described the disaster as “very shocking and devastating. “It is a major drawback that is really terrible for the university,” he had told newsmen after visiting the scene on Sunday.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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World News
“We put our citizens’ safety first and we want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects”. –ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN
Putin shelves France visit amid row Afolabi Gambari
WITH AGENCY REPORT
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eports yesterday said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has cancelled a visit to France scheduled for October 19. Putin had been due to meet French President Francois Hollande and open a new Orthodox church in the capital Paris. But after France’s government said talks would be confined to Syria, the visit was halted, French presidential sources said. On Monday, Hollande suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of Syria’s city of Aleppo. The French presidency had told the Russians Hollande would attend only one event with Putin during the visit, a working meeting on Syria. A spokesman for Putin confirmed the trip had been can-
Russian President Vladimir Putin
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the children
“If Russia continues in its current path then I believe that great country is in danger of becoming a pariah nation,” Johnson told the UK parliament during a debate on the Syrian crisis. The besieged east of Aleppo has come under intense aerial bombardment since a cessation of hostilities brokered by the US and Moscow collapsed last month. The area was hit again yesterday in some of the heaviest air strikes in days, a monitoring group and activists said. At least 12 civilians were killed in the strikes and considerable damage was inflicted on several areas, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Last week, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by France calling for an end to the bombing in Aleppo.
celled, adding that the visit would take place when it becomes comfortable for Hollande. Relations went frosty after Hollande told French TV that prosecutions over Syria could take place in the International Criminal Court (ICC). “These are people who today
are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the ICC,” he said. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said yesterday that Putin’s strategy of restoring Russia’s greatness was at risk.
Africa, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugee. Some 90 per cent of migrants who reach Libya, a jumping-off point for the perilous sea crossing to Europe are said to pass through Niger.
In Mali, Merkel pledged more support to fight drug and people-smuggling, as well as the country’s agricultural sector. She also said Germany would give extra help to stabilise the north, where jihadist groups still operate.
In Niger, Merkel pledged aid for both development and military equipment. Migration was also on the agenda for talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
Adeola Tukuru
influence in host communities will be carried out, as well as training of selected community members as paralegals in order to build a protection environment conducive to finding durable solutions to human rights violations. Camp managers and other key stakeholders will be also trained on access to justice for the internally displaced,” Krdzalic said. “IOM will work on the 9-month project in close collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA),” she added. French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, affirmed the French government’s the commitment to promote human rights of the affected population in the region. “You are doing a great job in delivering humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and our gov-
ernment is happy to continue this cooperation with IOM,” he said, adding, “Humanitarian response in the northeast is improving. But there is still more to be done. According to him, France has also supported IOM Nigeria’s psychosocial support programme since late 2014, which has helped over 21, 565 people affected by the conflict in the northeast of the count since late 2014.
Africa, Germany’s priority–Merkel
erman Chancellor Angela Merkel has emphasised that Africa will be a priority when her country takes over the G20’s revolving presidency at the end of 2016. Merkel spoke in Ethiopia on the final stage of a tour, which also included Mali and Niger. Germany took in more than one million irregular migrants last year, many from war-ravaged Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, but also many fleeing economic hardship across Africa. Migration is expected to be a key issue in next year’s federal elections, though Merkel has not yet declared whether she will seek a fourth term as chancellor. Ethiopia hosts 700, 000 refugees, one of the highest rates in
WORLD BULLETIN
Insurgency: France, IOM launch project for IDPs
ABUJA
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he Embassy of France in Nigeria and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched a project aimed at strengthening access to justice services for people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict living in camps and host communities in Maiduguri, Borno State. IOM’s Nigeria Chief of Mission, Enira Krdzalic, explained in a press statement yesterday that the project was designed to contribute to improving living conditions and protection through the provision of legal information and awareness campaigns to expand the community’s knowledge on accessing justice. “Advocacy visits to traditional rulers and persons of
French Ambassador Denys Gauer
Rights group sound girl’s death alert Human rights activists said a 22-year-old woman, Zeinab Sekaanvand, whose execution was delayed while she was pregnant could be hanged within days in Iran. Sekaanvand was convicted of killing her husband, whom she said beat her for months. Her execution was postponed after she remarried in prison and conceived a child. Last month she gave birth to a stillborn baby, putting her at risk of death by hanging as soon as tomorrow. Doctors said the young woman’s baby died in her womb two days before she gave birth as a result of the shock she suffered after her friend and cellmate was executed.
Afghan fighters near city capture Ethiopian troops fighting militant Islamist group al-Shabab have withdrawn from a key military base in central Somalia’s Hiran region, residents said yesterday. Reports also said Al-Shabab fighters have taken control of el-Ali village following the withdrawal. Ethiopian forces had destroyed the base before abandoning the area, according to the reports. “The troops withdrew after the base came under artillery fire,” a Somali security official said. In recent weeks it had also withdrawn its forces from the nearby town of Moqokori. In June, al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, said it had killed 60 Ethiopian soldiers in an attack on a base in Halgan town, also in central Somalia. The withdrawal from el-Ali has made a large and strategic area vulnerable to occupation by the militants.
Burundi bars UN investigators Burundi has banned three UN investigators from entering the country after they accused the government of gross human rights violations. The investigators said in a report last month that thousands of people had been tortured, suffered sexual abuse or disappeared during political violence. They also warned of the danger of genocide from the escalating violence. The decision comes days after Burundi announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). A letter signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe said Pablo de Greiff of Colombia, Christof Heyns of South Africa, and Maya SahliFadel of Algeria were no longer welcome in Burundi.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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Wednesday October 12, 2016
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that ARINDE OLUWASEGUN PETER is the same one person as ARINDE OLUWASEGUN MICHAEL, that henceforth wish to be addressed, called and known as ARINDE OLUWASEGUN MICHAEL. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general Public Should Please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
MARVELLOUS: I formerly known, called and addressed as MARVELLOUS TOYIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as TOYIN WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MISS FAMUIWA ADESOLA SARAH, now wish to be called and known as MRS. AWOLEKE ADESOLA SARAH. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ALOBA: I formerly known and addressed as ALOBA LAWRENCE DOUYE, now wish to be known and addressed as DOUYE LAWRENCE TAMARAUKRO. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as AJULO TAIYE MARY now wish to be known and addressed as MARY TAIYE ATOYEBI. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MRS VICTORIA IYABODE ADEMAKINWA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VICTORIA IYABODE ADEMAKINWA JAYEOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that FERNANDEZ OLUBUNKUNOLA and BALOGUN OLUBUNKUNOLA refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
This is to confirm that DADI NIMKUR and JACOB FEREEMAN same person wish now DADI NIMKUR refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS OKPO PATIENCE IQUO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SAMUEL MATILDA IQUO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME
This is to certify that my correct name is EBERECHI LYDIA MICHAEL not MMADU LYDIA henceforth my name will be spelt, called and addressed as EBERECHI LYDIA MICHAEL. First Bank Plc, and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
OJO: I, formerly known and addressed as OJO LYDIA FOLOSHADE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEYE LYDIA FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
AGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBO STEPHANIE EBERECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIBUEZE STEPHANIE EBERECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS GBADAMOSI CATHERINE ADENIKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ANJORIN CATHERINE ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities’ concerned and general public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This to confirm that FATI IBRAHIM ALABI OKIBAYI and MERCY ALABI refer to one and same person. Henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as FATI IBRAHIM ALABI OKIBAYI. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as UMENGU OGECHUKWU CHARISTA now wish to be known and addressed as EZEAFULUKWE OGECHUKWU CHARISTA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly addressed and known as OLATUNDUN ADEMOLA ONIOSUN, now wish to be called and addressed as OLATUNDUN ADEMOLA SAMUEL. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, Skye Bank Plc and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as NATHANIEL JOSEPH OBIOHA, Now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE JOSEPH OBIOHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as ONASANYA SELIMOT ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as SULAIMAY SELIMOT ADEYOSOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADERONMU ABIGAEL, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKE ABIGAEL OLATUNDUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as MRS. JAIYESIMI MOJISOLA ADENIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ONAKOYA MOJISOLA ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKA NASIRU now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED NASIRU AKANMU. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank Plc and general public take note.
Formerly known, called and addressed as ARONIYO JOYROSE AYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ARONIYO ROSELINE OLUFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known, called and addressed as ENORUWA EVBAKOE PEACE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWANKWO PEACE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLANUGA OLUWAKEMI IYABODE NOW ADEBAYO KEMI IYABODE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
OYINLOYE: Formerly known and addressed as OYINLOYE SEGUN MICHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPO OLALEKAN AKINOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
IHEABUIKE: Formerly known and addressed as IHEABUIKE GIFT NKECHI now wish to be known and addressed as ORAJEKWE GIFT NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
WAWE: I formerly known and addressed as MISS PHOEBE POWEI WAWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PHOEBE POWEI DUNYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OKPALA: Formerly known and addressed as OKPALA GEOFFERY now wish to be known and addressed as OKPALA GEOFFERY CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This to confirm that BAKARE KAZEEM ALABI, BAKARE KAZEEM & BAKARI KASSIM refer to one and same person. Henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as BAKARI KASSIM. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.
FOR SALE
A PLOT OF LAND CONTAINING TWO STOREY BUILDING ,THE FIRST STOREY BULIDING WITH SIX ROOMS UP AND SIX ROOMS DOWN AND TWO SHOPS,WHILE THE BACK STOREY BUILDING CONTAING FIVE BED ROOM FLAT UP AND SIX ROOM AND A PARLOUR, WITH C of O, AT NO,14 OSHOLAKE STREET, BY KANO STREET EBUTE-META LAGOS. CONTACT NUMBER…08028474171, 08038442518
CHANGE OF NAME
OTAJE: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OTAJE IGHO ENDURANCE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MILLER IGHO ENDURANCE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as WISDOM SAMUEL WISDOM now wish to be known and addressed as AKHAGBAN OHIOLE WISDOM. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that AMADGE BLESSING EDEH and MATHIAS AMAOGE EDEH refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME
On my documents my name was wrongly written as ANIKE STANLE NEISON instead of ANIKE STANLE NESON. All former documents that bear any of the above names remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that MALIZU BENJAMIN refers to the same and one person as BENJAMIN EJIDIKE MALIZU now wish to be known, called and addressed as BENJAMIN EJIDIKE MALIZU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ENYOGHASI: I, formerly known and addressed as ENYOGHASI BONIFACE CHRISTOPHER, now wish to be known and addressed as ENYOGHASI BONIFACE CHUKWUKA ODINAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ABIMBOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as YETUNDE FISAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as DEBORAH YETUNDE FISAYO ABE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
EHIMEGBE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EHIMEGBE BENEDICTA OBEHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EITEREBHE BENEDICTA OBEHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and called as MISS BUHARI JEMILA OLUWATOSIN, now wish to be addressed and called as MRS BUHARI JEMILA ABDULRAHMAN.. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public should please take note.
1x2 advert space for sale CHANGE OF NAME
OTOBO: I, formerly known and addressed as OTOBO JOAN OSEZEMHEN, now wish to be known and addressed as EHIDIAHEN JOAN OSEZEMHEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
AKPAN: Formerly known and addressed as AKPAN SUNDAY EBONG, now wish to be known and addressed as EBONG OKON AKPAN . All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME
SAMUEL: Formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL MONDAY now wish to be known and addressed as PETER MONDAY .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
AHMED: I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED MUHMWAHEED OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED WAHEED ADENIYI OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
PETER: Formerly known and addressed as PETER GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as PASTOR.MRS GRACE.I .OHWORADA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME
KAZEEM: Formerly known and addressed as KAZEEM RAMOTA OMOTAYO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONABANJO RAMOTA OMOTAYO. MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 05/ 11 /1964 .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHRIST OUR LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION UMULERI ANAMBRA STATE This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990. TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKPALA GODSON 2: ORAGUDOSI PATRICK UCHENNA 3: MOJEKWU. ANAYO JONATHAN 4.EDUMANICHUKWU EMMANUEL - TITUS EZECHUKWU - ORAKWUE. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO BRING LOVE, UNITY AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS
UMOH: I, formerly known and addressed as UMOH-STEPHEN ROSEMARY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKHUMEODE MARY JEWEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
NWOYE: Formerly known and addressed as NWOYE JONATHAN MONDAY now wish to be known and addressed as NWORIE JONATHAN MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME
OKPAKO: Formerly known and addressed as OKPAKO EMMANUEL PASCAL now wish to be known and addressed as SAMSON PASCHAL KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
TATIKPAN: I, formerly known and addressed as PATRICK ONOKERNOT, now wish to be known and addressed as TATIKPAN PATRICK ONOKEROAYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
KELVIN: I formerly known and addressed as KELVIN ONORIERHUVWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ONORIERHUVWU DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM BABANGIDA ABUBAKAR now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM BABANGIDA SADA. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that UKPA EZE OGBONNAYA and EZE UKPA OGBONNAYA SIMON refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
RUFAI: I formerly known and addressed as RUFAI OMOBOLAJI LATIFAT, now wish to be known and addressed as AYINDE OMOBOLAJI LATIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CORRECTION OF NAME
This is to certify that my correct name is OMOKARO SHOLA NOT OMOKARO SOLA henceforth my name will be spelt, called and addressed as OMOKARO SHOLA. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ANYANWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANYANWU FLORENCE CHINAGOROM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KANAYO FLORENCE CHINAGOROM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
AUGUSTINE: I, formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINE IKECHUKWU JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINE IKECHUKWU. AND MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 1ST DAY OF AUGUST 1992 NOT 12TH DAY OF JUNE 1993 All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
MORIAMO: Formerly known and addressed as MORIAMO SUIBAT now wish to be known and addressed as FOLAHAN YUSUF SUEBATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This to confirm that JOSEPH COSMOS ETTA and JOSEPH COSMOS refer to one and same person. Henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH COSMOS ETTA. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
EDEH: I, formerly known and addressed as EDEH EUCHARIA CHINYEAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAKO EUCHARIA CHINYEAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
SMILE FOR LIFE ORGANIZATION
This is to notify the general public that the above named Organization has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Mr. Sunny Jacob 2.Mr. Kevin Mcquinn 3.Rev. Ayewah Dickson A. 4.Mr. Tijani James Drisu 5.Miss Salami Tosin Dorcas AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To execute projects with the sole aim of empowering women and protecting their rights. 2.To undertake and execute projects for the empowerment of the less privileged including women, widows, orphans and vulnerable children. 3.To enter into effective collaboration with organizations, individuals, institutions and associations which are geared towards poverty alleviation and human empowerment.
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.
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication
SIGNED: OKPALA GODSON - CHAIRMAN.
SIGNED: Salami Tosin Dorcas
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
I’m a team player, says Pogba
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Sport
FIFA has no reason to suspect there has been misuse of funds that FIFA has provided to the Sierra Leone Football Association – FIFA
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Papua New Guinea 2016
Club engagements threaten Falconets’ World Cup dream
F
alconets’ preparation for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is facing severe threat, following incessant demand from clubs in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) for their players to engage in League matches. Head Coach Peter Dedevbo and his technical crew are facing hurdles in shaping the team for the tournament billed for next month as clubs have continued to disrupt their World Cup training schedule. Dedevbo, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, expressed dismay that he had released players on sev-
eral occasions for club engagements. The gaffer lamented that while he contended with late arrival of overseas-based players, local clubs also demanded their players for midweek and weekend matches. “I understand that they need these players to do well in the League, but we are running out of time and we need to draw a line between national interest and club interest,” he stated. “It is unfortunate that managements of these clubs who know the importance of inviting players to national camp especially in preparation of im-
portant competitions like the World Cup frustrating our preparations. I want the NFF to stem this ugly development.” The women U-20 World Cup
S
departure from Abuja on the Eagles arrival from a World Cup qualifier in Zambia, but the NFF were still not forthcoming on contracts. “Nothing has still been done about the contracts for Salisu Yusuf and the
side, Spain, Canada and Japan and will begin their campaign on November 13 with a match against Japan before taking on Canada on November 16 and Spain four days later.
match between Congo and Egypt in Brazzaville on Sunday as Pharaohs won the game 2-1. Bassey will again handle a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and the 2016 CAF Champions League final, second leg match. He has been appointed by CAF as General Coordinator for the CAF Champions League final leg between Zamalek of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, set for Egypt on the weekend of October 21 to 23. The referee will be Papa Bakary Gassama from The Gambia, with former Ghana FA scribe Worlanyo Agra as match commissioner and Sudanese Salah
Ahmed Mohamed Saleh as referee assessor. The match in Cairo will be Bassey’s fifth involvement in CAF Club final match (CAF Champions League/CAF Confederation Cup) in three years. Bassey will serve as Security Officer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match (Group A) between Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry on November 13. Cameroonian Alioum Alioum will be referee for this match, with Idrissa Sarr from Mauritania as referee assessor and Ivorian Ardiouma Kone as match commissioner.
Bassey bags FIFA, CAF jobs
N
igerian football administrator, Paul Bassey, has been handed bigger duties by FIFA and CAF. The Sole Administrator of Akwa United FC, who was recently appointed Chairman of Sports Development Services in Akwa Ibom State, was in action as the Security Officer for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying
Salisu, other local coaches yet to sign contracts uper Eagles chief coach Salisu Yusuf, assistant coach Imama Amapakabo as well as goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu is still waiting on the NFF for contracts. All three coaches delayed their
holds from November 12 to December 3 in Papua New Guinea with Nigeria and Ghana representing Africa. Falcons are in Group B along-
other coaches,” a source informed. This is two months after FrancoGerman coach Gernot Rohr signed his own two-year contract. Rohr is on $47,000 a month and he is tasked with qualifying Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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Sports
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Ramos to be out for a month
R
eal Madrid defender Sergio Ramos suffered a knee ligament sprain during Spain’s World Cup qualifying win over Albania on Sunday. The 30-year-old was replaced in the 80th minute after he fell awkwardly. The club has confirmed that the Spanish captain sustained a grade two tear of his medial collateral ligament. Ramos is reported to be out for a month, which could see him miss four La Liga matches, including a clash against local rivals Atletico Madrid. He would also miss both Champions’ League group stage matches against Legia Warsaw and be a doubt for Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Saturday 12 November.
I’m a team player, says Pogba P
Ramos
Griezmann rules out PSG move
A
ntoine Griezmann has ruled out joining Paris Saint-Germain for now, saying a move to the Ligue 1 club is not part of his plans. The France international is one of Europe’s Griezmann most soughtafter forwards with PSG, Chelsea and Manchester United linked with a move for the 25-year-old. However, Griezmann is ignoring the speculation and insists he is fully focused on winning trophies with Atletico Madrid. Speaking about PSG’s mooted interest in him; he told French radio station France 3: “You never know what will happen in the future but for the moment, PSG are not in my plans. “Maybe someday but right now, Atletico Madrid is my team. “I concentrate on Atletico Madrid, I am fine at my team and my desire is to win something important at my club.” Last season Griezmann starred in Atletico Madrid’s run to the Champions League final, while he was also voted player of the tournament at Euro 2016 in his homeland over the summer. He has been in excellent form again so far this season, scoring six goals to help Diego Simeone’s side to the top of the La Liga table after seven games.
aul Pogba insists he is a team player after scoring France’s winner in the 1-0 victory over the Netherlands on Monday. Pogba struck from long-range in the first half to hand France a vital victory in Amsterdam, silencing some of his most vocal critics. The Manchester United midfielder had been criticized last week by national team manager
Didier Deschamps, who said the 23-year-old “could do better,” but Pogba said after the victory at the Amsterdam ArenA that the focus should be on the team, not him. “I play for the France team. It’s not the Pogba team,” he told Canal+. “We’re not going to start talking individuals. I play for the team and I always play for the team. “It’s not always nice to hear criticism, but that’s football.
Real stadium revamp back on track
S
panish giants Real Madrid yesterday re-launched their 400 million bid to modernise their Bernabeu stadium paid for by an Abu Dhabi investor. The project, less ambitious than the previous version blocked by the courts, includes the creation of a 6,000m2 public garden alongside the stadium, will be financed by Abu Dhabibased sponsor IPIC, who will be given naming rights. “It will be a spectacular transformation of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, which is one of the icons of our city and which we want to make one of the best stadiums in the world,” said club president Florentino Perez
during a press conference at the Town Hall. Perez added that investment company IPIC will pay for the refurbishment, due to begin next year, in its entirety in return for the stadium carrying the company’s name, although it will still also carry the name Bernabeu. The new stadium will be furnished with a retractable roof without losing any of the 81 000seat capacity. The agreement comes around a year after the Spanish courts blocked an original 2014 project plan, which included the enlarging of the stadium plot onto public land in order to build a hotel and shopping centre.
“I stay focused on the field. I always give my all. Then, I try to make big benefits and give the best of myself. “I am a person who tries things. We always grow and learn. I’m still young. I have
Union Bank targets more Aruna Quadri
…as t/tennis team heads to Benin Rep. Ifeanyi Eduzor
A
s Union Bank table tennis team head to Cotonou, Republic of Benin tomorrow for a 3 nation club tournament, management of the bank say their target is to discover another Aruna Quadri that would possibly surpass effort of their ex star who is now Africa number one table tennis player. Union Bank’s Sport Officer, Peter Okoro told National Mirror yesterday that the management of the bank has mandated coaches and other officials of the sport unit to spare no effort in getting another Aruna Quadri who they discovered and nurtured on their Bode Thomas, Lagos sports ground a few years ago. Okoro said the technical crew led by Samson Ajayi has been polishing fresh talents locally and all 10 players heading to Cotonou for the 3 nation international tournament against their peers from Benin Re-
Liverpool sign three-year deal with Malaysia Airlines
L
iverpool has signed a three-year deal with Malaysia Airlines, who will become the club’s official global airline partner. The club’s new partnership replaces the one with another Far East carrier, Garuda Indonesia, which ended earlier this
year. A Liverpool spokesman said: “Liverpool and Malaysia have always shared a special passion for football, when we visited Malaysia on our pre-season tour in 2011 and 2015, the reception was incredible. “The partnership is a reflec-
goals, we have goals. We want to go to the World Cup.” France now have seven points in Group A out of a possible nine, and sit top, level on points with Sweden. The Netherlands are third with four points from three games.
tion of this bond and we are very much looking forward to a bright future working with Malaysia Airlines.” A Malaysia Airlines spokesman said: “We’re delighted to welcome Liverpool FC to the Malaysia Airlines family.
Quadri public and Togo have what it takes to become world beaters. “At Union Bank, Sports is a very important youth development programme beside great strides in banking. Management over the years has played a great role to ensure talent discovery and a more secured future for youths of our country. The ten players (6 male and 4 females) would get the desired exposure featuring at the 3 nation club table tennis fiesta in Cotonou”, he said ahead of the annual championship due to hold Saturday and Sunday at Hall des Arts et Sports, Cotonou. Okoro who is evidently bent on making sure that the bank’s corporate objective is achieved also confirmed that Union Bank Hockey team is also getting set to feature in the Africa Hockey Championship slated for November 21, 2016 in Harare, Zimbabwe, adding that discovery of talents and winning character remain their main objective.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Army Chief explains festival Joel Ajayi ABUJA
C
hief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, yesterday identified the quest to discover more talent to represent the country at national and international tournaments as one of the reasons for rekindling of Nigerian Army Sports Festival. He stated this during his welcome address at the official opening of the games by the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Mansrur Dan Ali. “We have not staged this event in seven years,” Buratai recalled. “Having known the significant of sport in any society, we will not relent on our efforts to identify more talent who will represent Nigeria. “I urge all military personnel to keep on improving on the physical and mental alertness of the troops especially at this time when the country is facing security challenges. “We in the Army are happy that we have been able to produce national athletes for the country who have represented Nigeria at the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. “Recently our basketball team gained promotion to division one while the Green Berets football team earned promotion to National League Division One.”
Sports
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Afolabi Gambari
M
anaging Director of Unmissable Incentives Limited, organiser of the Nigeria Sports Award, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said yesterday that innovations will be introduced into this year’s Nigerian Sports Award, the 5th in the series, which holds on December 2 at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels, Lagos. Idowu made the disclosure at a Press parley with the Sports Editors in the complex of HotSports Nigeria, a subsidiary of HS Media Group in Oregun, Lagos. “In addition to various precious awards given to winners in various categories, we will give awards to personalities who have impacted positively on Nigerian sports in the last 20 years in this year’s event,” he said. Recipients in this category of the awards who have not been recognised in the past will be rewarded by Nigerian Sports Award for their impactful lives in Nigerian sports in general,” he added. Idowu expressed delight that the prestigious annual award had gone beyond Nigeria with clubs in Europe celebrating their Nigerian players who won it. “The likes of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Vincent Enyeama were celebrated by their European clubs after winning the award in previous years,” Idowu further said, even as he revealed that new brands would
Sports Award to introduce innovations
R-L: Managing Director Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chairman/CEO HS Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige and Group Sports Editor, Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Tony Ubani at the HS Media Group Corporate Headquarters. Oregun, Lagos yesterday sponsor the award to broaden the horizon to global level. “We are heading to where cars will be given out to award winners in the future,” he remarked. Earlier, Chairman/CEO HS Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige, had welcomed the invitees and said HotSports had partnered with Nige-
Ifeanyi Eduzor
E Gen. Buratai
FIFA appoints women’s football officer
G
lobal soccer governing body FIFA has appointed Sarai Bareman as its first ever Chief Women’s Football Officer, the association announced yesterday. The New Zealand native will lead the newly created Women’s Football Division as part of Fifa’s management board, Zurich-based FIFA said. “As the only female member of Fifa’s 2016 Reform Committee, Sarai was a strong advocate for change within the organisation, in particular calling for concrete requirements on women in leadership positions at FIFA,” FIFA said in a statement. Bareman, a former player on the Samoan women’s national soccer team and deputy secretary general of the Oceania Football Confederation, will assume the role on November 14.
rian Sports Award to explore its commercial prospects. “These are people who believe excellence in sports should be rewarded and they are doing exactly what they believe in,” Ige said, stressing, “We are happy to be part of this dream and we implore the media to also give it the maximum support it deserves.”
Nepotism, bane of Delta sports –Kator x- Green Eagles player, Joshua Kator has identified nepotism as one of the greatest problems retarding the development of sports in Delta state. He told National Mirror yesterday, that it is disheartening that a state that was in the vanguard of producing the best athletes for the country is now lacking behind and wondered while a club like Warri Wolves should be relegated to the second tier national league because of selfishness of some individuals. “When you look at the people running sports in Delta State, there is no ex- international among them and they are only there for their own selfish interest. “In Warri for example where you have four major tribes; Urhobo, Ishekiri, Ijaw and Isoko, it is football
Okowa that binds them together and with the going down of Warri Wolves, it becomes a problem because the youths no longer have a club to look unto in the Nigerian professional league”, lamented the former NNPC and NPA of Warri midfielder. According to Kator who was a member of 1989 Green Eagles team, the frequent changing of coaches for the Warri based club side contributed in their losing out from the elite league even as he regretted that experienced coaches with good qualification were not allowed to handle
the team. “It is also important to state that frequent changing of coaches by the management contributed to the failure of the team. How can one explain that a club had five coaches in a season which is an aberration because it must affect the performance of the players. Kator who had his professional career with Anorthosis FC of Cypriot as well as Ethnikos Piraeus and Paniliakos FC both of Greece regretted that some of them who played for Delta state are not allowed to bring their wealth of experience in developing the state’s sports. “As a player who played the game to the highest level with Uefa Grades A, B and C coaching licence and also a member of Coaches Association of Greece, I think I deserve to be involved in turning around the fortune of sports in Delta State”, he concluded.
Kano Pillars short list Manu, Ogunbote
G
olden Eaglets’ Coach Manu Garba and Gbenga Ogunbote of Shooting Stars are top targets for Kano Pillars besides Imama Amapakabo of Rangers. Coach Mohammed Babaganaru quit his post at Pillars on the final day of the past season as they finished seventh on the league table. It was specially gathered that Imama, who won the league this past season with Rangers in his first full season in charge, is the
39
…as Akwa Utd fires Cooreman, others top target for Pillars. However, top officials have also said Manu and Ogunbote, who has for two straight seasons steered Shooting Stars clear of relegation, will be options they would explore. Meanwhile, premier league club Akwa United have sacked Belgian coach Maurice Cooreman and the rest of the coaching staff and are now in the market for a new coach.
“I have received my sack letter, so also the other coaches,” disclosed former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Mike Ekpenyong. Cooreman has endured at turbulent time at ‘The Promise Keepers’ after his sensational switch from Ikorodu United the previous season. He was suspended and later re-instated to the club. His previous clubs include Enyimba, Kaduna United, Ocean Boys and Gombe United.
NANF is still intact –Kubeinje Ifeanyi Eduzor
A
cting national chairman of National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), Larry Kubeinje says that the player’s union is still intact and working for the general welfare of its members. He stated this yesterday during an interactive session with the media to dispel rumours making the rounds that the association has been factionalized. According to him, the series of crisis in the Nigeria’s player’s union led to their withdrawal from the International Player’s body Fipro in order to have a more vibrant body just as he commended efforts of all ex- internationals who have worked tirelessly under the auspices of “concerned group’’ to bring about the peace they now enjoy. “I want to make it clear that there is no division in NANF and that with collaboration and understanding of all members, we all agreed to work under NANF, with the erstwhile President Harrison Jalla on an interim basis. He noted that based on the agreement, Harrison Jalla ceded the position of acting president to him and that election would soon be organized by the association. Kubeinje noted that since his assumption of office, some successes has been recorded by the body such as; further reorganization of the body which will lead to a new election date to be announced later and recovery of some funds meant for players which will be used for the benefits of members. The acting president stated that the union is aware of certain reports in a section of the media regarding the recovered funds, noting that the press reports is not official and was issued without the consent of the authentic leadership of the association.
WORLD RECORD
Biggest bubblegum bubble Vol. 06
No. 1460
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
N150
The current record in bubblegum bubble is held by Chad Fell (USA), who blew with a diameter of 50.8 cm (20 in)-without using his hands to steady or stretch the bubble-at the Double Springs High School, Winston County, Alabama, USA, on April 24 2004.
Longstanding illogicalities in Nigerian politics (2) Continued from last Thursday
I
f one looks at the leaders of Europe and America, their qualifications speak for them. In Africa, it is power that is the goal, followed by next-of-kin, religions, occult brotherhood connections and the privilege to make a man a woman and a woman a man. It has all led to nowhere and it cannot, until logic is seated on the throne where it belongs. Until intellectual governance gains acceleration in Nigeria, primitive politics, guesswork, one-man wisdom, power display and illogicalities will continue to destroy Nigeria’s well-being. The blissful conviction so prevalent in Nigerian presidents or heads of state that having rigged yourself into power by hook or crook, by coup or rigged elections that you love Nigeria more than all of us is illogical and convicted or error. The shame by legislators’ crooked
Guest Columnist
Emmanuel O.
Esiemokhai
ways is crying for redemption. Both institutions of state are a national disgrace. Unlike the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinz Abe, who would resign his appointment and test his popularity or the lack of it by calling early elections, no Nigerian “leader” has ever done so. Instead, they seek third terms and set the country on confusion if the people refuse. So, how patriotic are they when they watch the country go through austerity, endless reforms, debauchery and wanton looting of the nation’s wealth. Of course there are the Oritsejofors and the Kukahs who would support failed leaders. Illusion of grandeur Most Nigerian former “leaders” were coup plotters, riggers of election; and they suffer from illusion of grandeur. In other states of the world, when leaders leave office, they stay away from politics in order not to corrode the political process which they already polluted. I refer to leaders who act as meddlesome interlopers, holding secret meetings behind closed doors, seeking political relevance aided by their captive journalists, who quote their irrelevant, unsolicited opinions avidly. The National Council of States, because of the past “heroic” coups and rigging elections, do not possess the moral capacity to point out wrongs in governance. It is a rewarding council for those who took power illegitimately and by force. Can the pot call the kettle black? So we are deprived of voices that could have spoken in the national interest. Their silence encouraged Jonathan’s ineptness.
Poor intellects should not govern in
Nigeria
2019, because a
sociocratic order will come about Out of the several outstanding illogicalities, the existence of the National Council is paramount. Mathew Kukah would have seen this crying illogicality instead of giving the Jonathan administration the encomium, which it did not and does not deserve. After 2019, the real Nigerian probes and revolution against condonation, connivance, selective and partial dealings will be rectified by revolutionary, emergency action after the present sufferings have sharpened the dulled intellect and docility of the Nigerian populace. The EFCC documents have shown who did what, rightly or wrongly. Nemesis will visit our oppressors and their fellow travelers in high and low places. The people are angry and desperate. In Nigeria, since 1960, we have fought against not “flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, dominions and spiritual wickedness in high and low places”. Blood had been shed and the prospect of another round of wicked-hearted occultism is not welcome. (See Emmanuel Omoh Esiemokhai, “Commentaries on Nigerian Politics at page 621.” I call for a National Conference of Nationalities to investigate the sources of
Sport Extra eal Madrid said yesterday it Real Madrid to appeal EU ruling would appeal against an EU
R
decision requiring the club to repay 18.4 million in alleged illegal aid from a land deal. “We are going to file an appeal, and I am absolutely convinced we will win,” Real president Florentino Perez said. The case has put the European
Union’s powerful executive on collision course with the 11-times European champions and one of the world’s wealthiest clubs. The European Commission accuses Real and Madrid city council which at the time was run by the conservative Popular Party of illegal payment re-
lated to the sale of a plot of municipal land. In 1998, the club paid the city 595 000 for the land but the deal ultimately fell through because of technical problems. In 2011, the city paid Real 22.7 million in compensation. According to an assessor hired by the
discontent and settle discontents instead of dropping bombs on fellow citizens in puerile imitation of Russia-American power political acts in Syria. National dialogue will curb insurgency. Since there is no money to feed the people, there is no logic in buying jets and bombs to kill the people. Adding to the people’s misery is not good governance. Since there is no money to build homes in the creeks, then do not destroy their huts because of the actions of political mal-contents. Tough talk and tough action will not solve Nigeria’s problems. Since there is no money for new constructions, reconstructions will be more difficult. Brothers do now bomb brothers except we have not discovered that we are not one. History has taught us that attempts to unite unwilling nations is illusionary. Ask the Romans, Spain, the British and French colonialists. A man convinced against his conviction of the same opinion still. The future of Nigeria hangs in the balance as a result of corruption, condonation of corruption, lack of accountability, dishonorable conduct, wickedness, the reign of hatred and acrimony, ungodly and satanic demonic pursuits by political agents of foreign intelligence organizations. Poor intellects should not govern Nigeria in 2019, because a sociocratic order will come about. Both “leaders” and the people are the same when one calculates how in Nigeria, poor governance has become contagious. Real change must come about. There is urgent need for a new political dispensation, with people unencumbered by the past, in charge. New electoral laws must be put in place which must exclude those who have been indicted for public treasury looting and incompetence. Corruption in Nigeria: A snapshot World Intelligence Unit has documented corruption in Nigeria from the SCANIA buses scandal to Patience and Mr. Jonathan’s financial fraud. The 835-page document’s content will shock the world. Condonation is a coordinate of corruption. Things hidden under the carpet have been exposed. To be continued Professor Esiemokhai is the Academic Chancellor, BOSAS International Law Bureau, Abuja, Nigeria
Commission, this figure was over-stated by a massive 18.4 million and thus amounted to illicit aid. Perez, who was speaking at a presentation of Real’s plans to modernise the Bernabeu stadium, dismissed the far lower valuation of the property.
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