Today's E-Mirror Online by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

P.2

Lawmakers reject non-career ambassadorial nominees

No bank in distress in Nigeria –CBN

...return list to Buhari, okays 47 career diplomats George Oji

ABUJA

Saraki

Vol. 6 N0. 1478

enate has returned the list of 46 noncareer ambassadorial nominees sent to it by

President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation. The action of the senators followed a flood of petitions, numbering about 250, opposing the list. The lawmakers urged

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

the President to re-present the list after proper amendment to reflect all the concerns and critical interests CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Emefiele

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror

Jimoh Ibrahim Vs Eyitayo Jegede

S’Court halts Appeal Court as Ibrahim wins again N

igeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court has halted all appeal cases before the Appeal Court in respect of Ondo State People’s Democratic Party (PDP’s) candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. The Supreme Court, in a letter dated November 14, 2016 and signed by the Head/Receiving Unit, Mr Mohammad Ndayako, ESQ, confirmed that all appeals in respect of Ondo State PDP matters have been received at the Supreme Court. Specifically in the letter addressed to the DepCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

President Muhammadu Buhari with other Heads of Government at the opening programme of the high level segment of COP 22 in Marakkech Morocco, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Senate mandates Saraki to intervene over ASUU strike •UI lecturers insist on total compliance

P. 4

FG gives fresh conditions for peace in Niger Delta

P.4

Makarfi not sincere with reconciliation P.6 –Sheriff We won’t tolerate cattle grazing, P.4 Anambra communities warn herdsmen

IG justifies police clash with Shi’ite members P.5

?????

News

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S’Court halts Appeal Court as Ibrahim wins again CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

uty Registrar of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Registrar said: “This is to confirm you that the records of appeals in respect of the above mentioned Civil Appeals compiled by the Appellants have been transmitted to and received by the Supreme Court Registry, Abuja and given Appeals Nos. SC.953/2016 and

SC.954/2016 respectively on November 11, 2016.” In a press statement signed by the Ondo State PDP candidate, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, the letter has thus put an end to who really is the PDP flagbearer in the state saying: “By this letter, all cases relating to Ondo PDP 2016 will now be adjourned sine die (indefinitely) until Su-

preme Court rule.” The Supreme Court also confirmed in its letter to the lower court that a Motion for stay of further proceedings was filed on November 11, 2016 in each of the stated appeals and now pending in Supreme Court. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC recently in it

final list of candidates for the election declared Jimoh Ibrahim the candidate of PDP to replace Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s anointed choice, Eyitayo Jegede. The decision sparked off agitation from the Mimiko group which headed for the Court of Appeal, Abuja. But the confirmation from the Supreme Court has fi-

L-R: Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, after meeting with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday. PHOTO: SUMAILA

Lawmakers reject non-career ambassadorial nominees CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, including state governors and other relevant stakeholders had kicked against the list of the ambassadorial nominees. Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, informed her colleagues that the committee had received over 250 petitions against the nominees. Speaking while presenting the committee’s report on the screening, the lawmaker explained that members became divided while trying to screen the nominees. The committee subsequently recommended that the list be sent back to the President to allow him address the shortcomings observed by the petition-

ers. Summonu said: “We thought that the issue raised on the career nominees would be addressed in the list of the non-career ambassadorial nominees but unfortunately the 46 nominees have more troubles than the others. “We have received over 250 petitions on the noncareer nominees. We find it difficult to start screening. My proposal is that we return the non-career nominees to the President to look at it again.” When Senate President, Bukola Saraki, put the question to voice vote, it was unanimously adopted. President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 20, sent 46 names of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation and approval. Two out of the prominent politicians on the list former National Secretary

of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN, Usman Bugaje and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Paullen Tallen, had earlier rejected their nominations Speaking after plenary, Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi disclosed that unless the issues arising from the 250 petitions are resolved, the Senate would not do anything about the nominees. Some of the notable names among the non-career nominees are Deputy Director-General, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Senator Olorunibe Mamora (Lagos State), retired Justice of the Supreme Court, George Oguntade (Lagos), Yusuf Tuggar (Bauchi) and immediate past deputy governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ibeto, whose nomination as a Minister was withdrawn by Buhari in October 2015.

The lawmakers, however, confirmed the list of the 47 non career ambassadors. In his remarks after the confirmation of the career nominees, Senator Saraki urged them to be good ambassadors of the country they are posted. The confirmed nominees were Obinna Chukwuemeka (Abia), Salisu Umaru (Adamawa), Inyan Udo-Iyang (Akwa Ibom), Okeke Vivian Nwanaku (Anambra), Liman Munir (Bauchi), Ndem Jane Ada (Benue), Mohammed Hassan Hassan (Borno), Martin Young Cobham (Cross River), Janet Omoleegho Olisah (Delta) and Itegboje Sunday (Edo). Others are: Olatunde Adesesan (Ekiti), Lilian Ijeukwu Onoh (Enugu), Manaja Tulah Isa (Gombe), Ngozi Ukaeje (Imo), Bello Kazaure Husseini (Jigawa).

nally cleared the coast for the business mogul who flagged off his campaign in the state with a mega rally at Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area on Monday with an unprecedented and historic crowd at the Government Field, Ore. Handing over the party’s flag to the “authentic standard bearer of the party”, Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff said: “Today, we have begun the journey. On November 23, I will come again to close the it when we will have the grand finale of the c a m p a i g n . ” Eloquent Jimoh Ibrahim assured Ondo State people that he was on a mission to transform the state after the devastating misrule of governor Mimiko in the last eight years whereby workers, pensioners and public servants are languishing in penury over unpaid salaries and other emoluments for months. His words: “I will pay all back log of salaries currently being owed by the state and restore light to those areas that have being in darkness for so many years, within my

first 100 days in office. “I will create wealth and take your poverty away while the state shall take the first position in developmental stride during my administration. “Also in my first 100 days at governor of this state, I promise to reintroduce the boarding system to hundred Government owned secondary schools across the state, to bring back lost glory and high education standards enjoyed by students in the past. “The fully boarding system was what sharpened and built our educational and moral standards back then as students which had continued to be our guide and approach to life in business engagements and political participation. “The person that will make me governor is God; how He is going to do it, only Him knows. What we’re fighting is injustice and not that we’re forcing ourselves on the people; but we’re preaching equal justice and fairness to all districts in the state where every area will be treated equally in wealth distribution and infrastructural development.”

We won’t tolerate cattle grazing, Anambra communities warn herdsmen Gloria Anaeze ONITSHA

ension is mounting in Anambra East communities where the traditional rulers and their people have appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to use his good office and speak to the leaders of Fulani communities in Anambra State as they will not tolerate cattle grazing on their land during this dry season. They feared that as the dry season approaches ushering in limited amount of pasture for cattle grazing, Fulani herdsmen may fall back on their lands which are located on the bank of Anambra River. The communities Aguleri Otu, Mkpunando and Eziagulu Otu, said they are still recuperating from the wounds of hardship, incessant threat to lives and colossal damage to ‘our crops which we suffered last dry season” and so cannot take further damage’. In a communique issued after the meeting Aguleri-Otu

leaders of thought chaired by the traditional ruler of Mkpunando, Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno, with his deputy Igwe Udorji Ikegbunam of Eziagulu Otu, the people resolved never to allow the herdsmen to return to their land. “We agreed that we are no longer ready to live in perpetual fear of the herdsmen or condone unwarranted destruction of our crops hence the decision not to allow the Fulani herdsmen graze in our lands as from this season”. The Igwes and the entire communities in EnugwuOtu, Eziagulu-Otu and Mkpunando, therefore, in the interest of peace call on the Anambra Government and all relevant security agencies to warn the Fulani herdsmen to stay clear of their lands from this dry season. “We will not take it lightly if we see any cow, cattle or herdsmen attempt to disregard this all important warning and come to our lands,” they warned.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

News

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate mandates Saraki to intervene over ASUU strike George Oji and Kemi Olaitan

enate yesterday mandated its President, Bukola Saraki to urgently intervene in the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, warning strike, with a view to putting a halt to it. The senators also called on the executive to engage ASUU to proffer solutions on how best to implement all the agreements that both sides entered into since 2009 as well as the implementation of all key necessities that are vital for the wellbeing and development of universities as canvassed by the union. The lawmakers also commended ASUU for chosen path of dialogue rather than confrontation as a means of resolving all the outstanding issues between it and the Federal Government. The action of the lawmakers followed a Point of Order (42 and 52) raised by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) title: “The Need for the Federal Government to urgently re-engage ASUU to amicably resolve the issues in dispute.” Barau explained that there are series of agreements not yet implemented by the Federal Government, which it entered into with ASUU, dating back to 2009 and over which the union has lately become agitated. According to him, there

are six vital issues whose continued pendency before the Federal Government and ASUU is creating discontents among members of the union. He noted that they have been calling for the intervention of stakeholders to prevent the breakdown in the university system nationwide. In his remarks, Saraki said it was important that the senate acted very fast to prevent the strike, noting that the Federal Government must implement all agreements reached by both parties. “It is very important that we prevent the strike in the interest of the people that we represent and to ensure that these agreements, which is over eight years now, we must find a way of seeing the implementation. “And according to the prayers, I will humbly look into the matter and quickly get the relevant parties to come to the table so that we can find a way of moving forward and report back to us,” he said Meanwhile, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU has vowed to ensure total compliance with the directive of the national body. Large members of the academic community at a congress held at the Faculty of Arts and presided over by the chapter’s Chairman, Dr. Deji Omole, resolved that ongoing examinations at the Faculty of Education stand suspended and shifted till after the strike. The congress attended by

No bank in distress in Nigeria –CBN

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday in Abuja said that no Nigerian bank was in distress. CBN stated this in a statement by its acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor. “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to further state that no Nigerian bank is in distress. “The CBN, as the industry regulator, has a duty to depositors, in particular and the economy, in general to ensure the soundness of all financial institutions. “We, therefore, wish to assure all depositors of the safety of their deposits,” it stated. The apex bank reiterated that the banking system in

the country remained resilient enough to weather the current economic storm. The apex band described as false and malicious insinuations on the social media that Heritage Bank was under financial distress and unable to discharge its obligations to its depositors. “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to further state that Heritage Bank remains viably strong thus, not in state of distress. “Heritage Bank is not in distress and as such, its depositors should go about their transactions without fear,” the statement added. The CBN attributed the rumour to “the handiwork of economic saboteurs.”

some Deans, and the Vice Chancellor Prof., Idowu Olayinka, saw the members singing solidarity songs. The congress expressed regrets that despite the benefit of doubt given to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, the government seems irresponsive and irresponsible, noting that the strike was long overdue.

Omole said letters of the strike have been sent to the Vice Chancellor, Deans, Head of Departments and Director of Institutes to stop all academic meetings, lectures, examinations and all board meetings. He stated that it was in the spirit of accommodating Nigerians and letting them judge between the union and the government

that ASUU decided to proceed on the one-week warning strike. The ASUU boss noted that the union had thought that the Federal Government will utilise the window of the well publicised impending strike some months ago but expressed sadness that government decided to ignore its warning. The letter to the Vice-

Chancellor reads in part: “We write to inform you that the strike will be total and comprehensive i.e no teaching, no examination and no attendance at statutory meetings of any kind. “In line with the national directive of the union, our members will henceforth withdraw their services till the end of the warning strike.”

L-R: Representative of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Eze Ezeilo; Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank, TIB, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye; representative of the Director-General of ICRC, Mr Emmanuel Onwodi and Faculty Member of TIB, Dr Bongo Ali, at the workshop on Capacity Development for the Implementation of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: OTU ALBERT/

FG gives fresh conditions for peace in Niger Delta Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner

ederal Government, yesterday, gave fresh conditions for peace to reign in the Niger Delta region. At a meeting with members of the Niger Delta Peoples Congress, NDPC, held at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo told the group to prevail on militants to stop bombing of oil facilities and pipelines. He also told the group, led by Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete Spiff, to address the issue of continued vandalism in the region, which has negatively affected the country’s revenue from oil. According to him, the problems in the region had always been there, adding that the elites in all parts of the country have a key role to play to end the problems in their different regions. Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting held behind closed-door, Coordinator of the group, Chief Mike Loyibo said the initial 16-point demand presented to the government by some elders of the region about two weeks ago was not

all encompassing. He said issues of oil derivation and job losses which some of the militants had suffered were not included in the earlier demands. According to him, they came to present other issues that were not covered in the 16- point demand He said certain salient issues were left out in the first presentation, stressing that issues of derivation was completely delisted from list while the issue of 6,000 job loss from the multinationals and the

amnesty programme was not addressed. It would be recalled that some elders and stakeholders of the region had on November 1, met with President Muhammadu Buhari where they made a 16-point demand which would ensure lasting solution to the problems of the region. The demands include review of the amnesty programme to ensure genuine exit strategy and law and justice on issue affecting the area. They asked the govern-

ment to address the issue of military presence, plight of Internally Displaced Persons, the Ogoni clean up and environmental remediation; Maritime University and key regional critical infrastructure. The stakeholders also demanded security surveillance and protection of oil and gas infrastructure, relocation of administrative and operational headquarters of oil companies, power supply as well as economic development and empowerment.

FG to go after MDA’s over unremitted N450bn operating surplus

ederal Ministry of Finance has constituted a committee to recover unremitted operating surpluses of 31 agencies of government, running into N450bn. This was made known in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja by the Special Media Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Festus Akanbi. It would be recalled that the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 stipulates that any Federal Government funded agency that generates revenue must remit 80 per cent of its profit as operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Funds

accounts. The Fiscal Responsibility Commission that is in charge of executing this, has always called attention to the fact that many of the Federal Government MDAs short change government by not remitting or under remitting their operating surplus. The commission has had cause to challenge agencies such as NNPC for not remitting operating surplus in nine years, by claiming operational losses. The agencies under review included the Central Bank of Nigeria, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Na-

tional Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigerian Television Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Others are, Nigeria Ports Authority, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Debt Management Office and the Nigeria Inland Revenue Service among others. It stated that the committee, headed by the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, will reconcile the operating surpluses of the 31 revenue-generating agencies for the period 2010 to 2015.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

IG justifies police clash with Shi’ite members Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner

nspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, Tuesday, justified the counter attack by the police on members of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). The clash which resulted in the death of some of the Shiite members occurred in Tamburawa, on the outskirts of Kano city, when security agents tried to stop the Shiite members from en-

gaging in procession. Speaking with State House correspondents, Idris said police officers have the responsibility to ensure law and order. He said, “obviously from time to time, we have been experiencing upheavals from this set of people. As police officers, we have responsibility to ensure there is law and order and when you have people taking over the whole country, dominating streets and buildings. We have to come in to maintain sanity in those areas.

“As of early yesterday (Monday) we got information that they were trying to block Kano to Zaria road. They later assembled in large numbers and our officers were deployed to the place to ensure freedom of movement of ordinary Nigerians. “They attacked our officers, killed one of our officers, one has sustained an

arrow wound on his head and obviously in such a situation, police have the responsibility to ensure free movement of people on the road. And that was what our officers did,” Idris said. Asked the situation could have been avoided without loss of lives, the Inspector General of Police said, “When you have Nigerians armed to the teeth, killing police officers, I don’t think

it happens anywhere. I think as Nigerians, we have to appreciate, when you appreciate a dangerous situation, and to be sympathetic with the police that are being killed by some of these miscreants.” According to him, the freedom of movement in the country does not include blocking of highways and passages as demonstrated by the Shiite members.

“My message to Nigerians is that all of us should be our brother’s keepers. We should appreciate the feeling of others that where your right ends, another person’s right begins. “Every Nigerian has a right that must be protected. We should ensure we protect the rights of every individual right of freedom, right of association and right of movement”, he said.

Reps pass Anti-terrorism Bill into second reading George Opara and Ubong Ukpong

ouse of Representatives has passed into second reading a bill for an Act to make provision for the offences relating to terrorism, prohibit the financing of terrorism and consolidate all acts relating to terrorism and other related matters. Also the bill seeks to checkmate terrorism and afford Nigerians the opportunity to join the committee of nations in the fight against terrorism. It would be recalled that the Terrorism Act, 2011 did not contemplate the financing of terrorism in Nigeria which the amended Act of 2013 provided for. Sponsoring the bill, Honourable Mohammed Monguno Tuesday at the plenary explained that the bill criminalises international terrorism, funds supporting the

terrorism and seizure of terrorist cash and property. The bill contemplates dealing with charities linked to terrorist groups as well as request from foreign states and to foreign states on extradition of persons involved in terrorist activities. Honourable Nnenna Ukeje (PDP, Abia State) in her contribution added that in ensuring the passage of the bill, treaties between Nigeria and other countries and the aspect regarding human right should also be considered. Other members unanimously agreed that capital punishment be included in the bill as imprisonment for offenders was not enough to serve as deterrent. However, the passage of the bill enables a single Act addressing all the concerns in the Acts and the new situations not contemplated beyond the present. It will also ease consultation and referencing in terms of terrorism law in the country.

Catholic Church to launch 24-hour satellite TV channel —Official

atholic Church in Nigeria says arrangement is being concluded to launch a 24-hour Catholic Television Channel in 2017. Reverend Fr. Patric Alumuku, the Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday. He said that as part of the arrangements, another fund raising dinner in support of the project would hold on Thursday, November 17.

According to Alumuku, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese will preside over the fund raising dinner. Alumuku said: “The function will bring together top government functionaries, captains of industry, religious and business communities, leaders of thought and members of the diplomatic corps.” He said the gathering would generate additional resources for the realisation of a 24-hour Catholic Television Channel (CTV).

L-R: Head of Sustainability and Corporate Brand, LaFarge Africa Plc, Temitope Oguntokun; Executive Director of CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Masade and Counselor for Economic Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America, Alan Tousignant, at the 5th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: JONES BAMIDELE/NAN

Farmcrowdy.com: New farm ownershipinitiative through online technology

armcrowdy.com, Nigeria’s first digital agriculture platform is offering Nigerians opportunity to participate in agriculture using online technology. By partnering with Farmcrowdy.com to own a minimum farm space, it is now possible for Nigerians to commit an agreed sum of money to start and complete a farming cycle. In doing so, the farm partner is able to sponsor a farmer in one farming cycle thereby empowering the farmer, expanding their farm operations, participating in the drive to end food scarcity and making use of 50 million hectares of arable farm land in Nigeria that is currently under-utilized according to the World Bank. The Farmcrowdy.com platform allows partners to sponsor any farm of their choice including maize farms, poultry (broiler) farms, cassava farms and tomato farms. The partners then receive bi-weekly updates about their farm in-

cluding pictures and videos from the farmers. Also, partners can visit their farms if they wish to at any point to learn about the farmer they have partnered with and the farm products they are working on. OnyekaAkumah, cofounder and CEO of Farmcrowdy.com, disclosed that the company has acquired “over 1,000 hectares of farmland in the South-Western part of Nigeria especially in Oyo and Ogun states as we launch this initiative. With one farmer working on one hectare per season, this means that we have provided a platform to engage a minimum of 1,000 farmers with Farmcrowdy. Our goal is to secure 10,000 hectares around the eastern parts of Nigeria and the LAKAJI Corridor in orderr to make use of dams and irrigation facilities in these areas.” He further explained that the launch of Farmcrowdy’s website and platform was brought forth out of the need to engage Nigerians especially youths in agricul-

ture, empower small-scale farmers and increase food production to keep up with the growing Nigerian population. Onyeka said: “According to a UN research, crop yields need to double within 40 years in order to keep up with the world population growth. For this to happen, it is important to create an efficient farming industry that operates on a large scale so that our food can be saved and our economy can rapidly progress. This revelation has prompted Farmcrowdy to join the farming industry through its Agric-Tech Start-up which makes use of technology to execute agriculture.” Farmcrowdy boasts of an experienced team including its second co-founder and COO, Mr. Africanfarmer Mogaji who has over 19 years of experience both in the livestock and crop production industry within and outside Nigeria. Described by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a

‘Champion for Change’, Africanfarmer Mogaji before Farmcrowdy, was the CEO of X-Ray Farms Consulting - a new generation agricultural expert, coach and consultant. Operating in Agric-tech space, Farmcrowdy is here to bring the best out of the resources available in Nigeria so that Nigeria can increase the production of agricultural raw materials to meet the growth of an expanding industrial sector, reduce poverty and unemployment, offer returns on investment for farm owners and farm partners while proffering a win-win solution for everyone. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM QUDUS TEMITOPE now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM QUDUS ADISA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY ADIO TAOHEED SODIQ NOW SODIQ TAOHEED ADENIRAN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

Photo

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

NEWS

L-R: Group Managing Director of Skye Bank, Mr Abiru Adetokunbo; Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim; and Chairman of Skye Bank, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad, during a courtesy visit by the bank’s management team to NDIC in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

L-R,: Assistant Director, Civil Society Coordination, National Agency for the Control of AIDS Mrs Kemi Ladeinde; Program Director, Health Christian AID UK Nigeria, Mrs. Nancy Ogbureke; Director, Partnerships and Coordination Department, NACA, Dr. Emmanuel Alhassan and National Secretary, Association of Religious Leaders Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Musa, at the launch of the National HIV/ AIDS Stigma Reduction Strategy Document and Simpler Version of the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014 using Bible and quranic Verses in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Executive Director, TruContact CSR Nigeria, Mary Ephraim; Member Board of Trustees (SERAs) CSR Awards, Greg Amaihwe presenting the Most Improved Company Award in 2016 to Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice, Caroline Oghuma, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R; Group Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual West Africa, Mr Zom Chizura; Chairman, Phillips Consulting, Mr Foluso Phillips and Head of Marketing Strategy and Planning, Old Mutual Emerging Market, Mr. Andisa Nstubane, at the Old Mutual Nigeria ‘Future Focus’ Stakeholders corporate dinner in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Makarfi not sincere with reconciliation —Sheriff George Opara ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has expressed doubts over the sincerity of the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee in the reconciliation process to end the lingering leadership crisis in the party. He also accused governors elected on the platform of PDP of posing danger to the existence of the party. Modu Sheriff stated this Tuesday in Abuja in a statement signed by his deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh. Modu Sheriff said Makarfi’s attitude in the reconciliation process was questionable and, a distraction to the well being of the party. He urged the PDP governors to mind governance and leave party administration to the party.

He said: “They should execute party manifestos to enable the party to excel in future elections. The issue of governors being financiers of the party should be addressed so that the party will not encourage corruption. This is the only way we can institutionalise internal democracy in the party that has eluded the

party in the past,” he said. Modu Sheriff also dismissed the plan by the Makarfi group to form another political party. The national chairman disclosed that he has received the report from the committee he constituted that toured the six geo-political zones of the federation.

The committee interacted with members at ward, local government and state levels on the state of the party across the country. Parts of the report of the committee said Nigerians want PDP to move above the issue of National Caretaker Committee as it was noted to be a distraction to the well being of the party.

The report also noted that members no longer want a cash and carry style administration of the party as exemplified by the National Caretaker Committee which was viewed as a faction belonging to the bourgeoisie and not the grassroots. Members of the party further noted that what

was needed was transparency without officials being bribed for tickets to contest public offices. Modu Sheriff said his group would commence a tour of the country, starting from Benue State in the next two weeks and, directed all state chapters to update their ward registers for inspection.

AGF challenges attempt to scuttle trial of judges

ttorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Tuesday, raised questions on Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje’s legal attempt to stop the prosecution of five judges accused of fraud. Ogungbeje, a legal practitioner on October 28 approached a Federal High Court in Abuja through an ex-parte application, seeking an order to restrain further action against the judges. The applicant asked the

court to stop President Muhammadu Buhari, the Department of State Services, DSS, and others from rearresting or taking any “untoward action” against the five judges. However, delivering a bench ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of Federal High Court, Abuja, held that the motion was shrouded with complexities. He said that a number of issues, including the locus standi of the plaintiff, would have to be concluded before any vital pronouncement

could be made on the prayer. He also said that the applicant should put the respondents on notice by effecting service on them. The plaintiff had sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further arresting, intimidating and arraigning the judges pending the determination of the suit. The plaintiff had filed the ex parte application following his apprehension that the judges could soon be arraigned in court.

The Federal Government had already filed criminal charges against Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court. President Buhari, Director-General of the DSS, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Inspector-General of Police are the respondents. The other respondent in the suit is the National Judicial Council. However, Mr. Chiesonu Okpopo, counsel to the

President had raised three grounds of objection to the suit. These are contained in a notice of preliminary objection dated November 3 and brought pursuant to Section 6 (6) (a) and (b) of the 1999 constitution. Okpopo averred that the applicant did not disclose his locus standi to initiate and maintain the suit. He also said that there was no dispute pending between the applicant and the respondents in the suit.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday November 16, 2016

‘Why Buhari, Osinbajo travel plans face challenges’ Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner

ermanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, Tuesday, said that travel arrangements of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo often face challenges because of the irregular and delayed releases of State House budget by the National Assembly.

According to him, the settlement of staff claims arising from official assignments has also been affected by the irregular releases. A statement issued by Deputy Director (Information), State House, Attah Esa Arabi said this during an oversight visit by members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to the State House.

Arabi explained to the committee led by its chairman, Tijani Kaura, that out of a total allocation of N3.84 billion for the recurrent expenditure in 2016, the State House received N2.71 billion to date, representing 70.69 per cent. On the capital budget with a total appropriation of N10.94 billion, Arabi noted that N3.06 billion has been released to date, amounting to 27.9 per cent

of the capital appropriation for 2016. He said a total of N2.53 billion has so far been expended on projects for which funds were released. According to him, all the amounts released are project-tied, saying that the funds were judiciously applied to those projects. ‘‘We are still expecting additional releases before the end of the year

to enable us pay contractors that have executed jobs awarded to them,’’ the permanent secretary said. On the 2017 budget proposal of N13.5 billion, he said that no new projects would be conceived as some of the ongoing projects in 2016 would be rolled over. In his remarks, Kaura commended the management team of the State House for prudent man-

FG closed case against Oronsaye after calling six witnesses Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, consoling an injured soldier during a visit to wounded soldiers at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri on Monday. PHOTO: ALI INUWA/ICE/NAN

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday closed its case against the former Head of Service of the Federation, Chief Steven Oronsaye, after calling 6 witnesses to testify against him. Oronsaye who was the Chairman, Presidential Task Force Committee on Anti-terrorism financing set up by the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration was put on trial on alleged breach of trust and diversion of N196m meant for the committee. The 6th and the last prosecution witness Mr. Hammaadama Bello, an

Ex- Naval Chief, Jibrin bought N600m property by proxy –Witness Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

irst prosecution witness, a Senior Detective Superintendent with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ala Shehu Mohammed Tuesday, revealed how former Chief of Naval Staff, Jibrin Usman, purchased by proxy a N600m property with the Nigerian Navy’s funds. The witness, who was giving evidence as the first prosecution witness, said investigation revealed that on March 13, 2014, the sum of N600million was allegedly transferred from the account of Naval Engineering Services Limited to Petrus Ogwu Nigeria Limited for the purchase of a property at No. 7 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja.

agement of the 2016 budget. He expressed satisfaction on the budget performance for 2016, particularly on the recurrent expenditure. ‘‘We have observed a very prudent management of the 2016 budget and we are proud to say that indeed the ‘Change Agenda’ has begun with the implementation of the State House budget”, he said.

He said the property was bought by Harbour Bay International, a company linked to the family of the ex-Chief of Naval Staff. He said the transfer was made from the Diamond Bank account of the Naval Engineering with the authority of the second and third defendants, Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia (rtd) and Rear Admiral Shehu Ahmadu (rtd). “We requested for the instrument of transfer of the fund and it was provided to the EFCC showing the 2nd and 3rd defendants are the ones that authorised the transfer. “We invited the owner of the account of Petrus Ogwu Nigeria Limited, one Peter Oguebie in the course of interview, he informed us that he received the sum of

N600million which was for the sale of his property at No. 7 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja he sold to Harbor Bay International, the witness said”. “Further investigation revealed that Harbor Bay was duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission to Mrs. Lami Jibrin, the wife of the first defendant and one Abdulkadir Jibrin, the son to the first defendant; both directors of the company. “Investigation letter was sent to Nigerian Navy to release the second and third defendant, being the signatories of Naval Engineering Services Limited account with Diamond Bank and they reported to EFCC. “The second and third defendants told us it was a directive they received

from the then Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (first defendant) to transfer the sum of N600million for the purchase of the property on No. 7 Colorado Close, Maitama”. He said the Director of Harbor Bay, Mrs. Lami Jibrin, was also invited and interrogated, but that she denied knowledge of the transaction. He said the first defendant accompanied his wife to the commission and he was also interrogated and his statement was taken down. The witness said a letter was written to the Nigerian Navy to provide the EFCC with their budget and that when the response was analysed, there was no where we saw the provision for the purchase of property for the Chief of Naval

Staff in the 2013 and 2014 budget of the Nigerian Navy”. He said the investigation commenced sometimes in August 2014, when the EFCC received intelligence on a suspicious deposit of huge sums of money in a bank account of Petrus Ogwu Nigeria Limited with Diamond bank. The witness said the management of Naval Engineering Services Limited were invited for interrogation and the Managing Director reported, but said that he was not aware of any property at No. 7 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja belonging to the Naval Engineering Services Limited. The trial judge, Justice A. S. Umar adjourned the matter to December 6, 2016 for ruling on the admissibility of documents and continuation of trial.

operative of the EFCC told the court Tuesday that the investigation on two petitions against the defendant on the alleged N196m fraud was approved by former EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamode. During cross examination by Mr. Ade OkeayaInneh (SAN), counsel to Oronsaye, Bello told Justice Olasumbo Goodluck that the petitioners were anonymous and that the addresses on the two petitions were not real and as such could not be located for the petitioners to be interrogated on the veracity of the petitions. He, however, said in spite of the fact that the petitions were anonymous, they were investigated by EFCC operatives and found that two bank accounts, one at Zenith Bank and the other at Access bank were opened in the name of the committee. The witness said that while the Zenith Bank account has two signatures of the chairman and the secretary of the committee, that of Access Bank was solely operated by the defendant. Answering a question, the witness told the court that there was no restriction on the numbers of bank accounts the committee can operate and that he would not know whether it was right or wrong for a single person to operate such an account. The witness informed the court that several lodgings were made into the Access Bank account; he, however, said there was no evidence of direct payments from the account into personal account of the defendant.

Editorial

Wednesday November 16, 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

•EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS LANRE OYETADE

•CO-EDITOR, DAILY DELE FASHOMI

•EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING PATRICK ASONYE

•SATURDAY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI •SUNDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN •CO-ORDINATOR EDITORIAL BOARD DOZIE OKEBALAMA •HEAD, GRAPHICS FRANCIS IYONMANA •BUREAU CHIEF (ABUJA/NORTH) OPERATIONS AKINDELE ORIMOLADE

•AG. MANAGER, ADVERT BODE EHINMISAN

AFTERALL

•MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS AMUDA AKANBI •MANAGER, SALES & DISTRIBUTION FEMI SHOBOWALE •AG HEAD, ACCOUNTS OKOCHA MADUEKWE

Governors’ desperation for Ecological Fund T he Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) is currently agitating for the disbursement of Ecological Fund to them purportedly to enable them tackle environmental challenges in their states. Chairman of the Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, tabled the demand a couple of days ago when he led the governors of six other states to a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, among others, according to reports. Governor Yari said most states across geopolitical divides in the country were presently facing environmental challenges that demanded immediate attention. He claimed, in addition, that states were not asking for additional bailout fund, but just wanted the disbursement of Ecological Fund to address environmental degradation. Most states are still steeped in financial quagmire, no doubt. It is not unlikely that the NGF did not dress the Ecological Fund demand as yet another bail-out quest for the obvious reason that some states either diverted or misapplied the bail-out lifeline.

Telling the world that this latest demand for Ecological fund is no bail-out in disguise is therefore mere rhetoric. In any case, we are not against the Federal Government coming to the assistance of states whenever it can, particularly in view of the lingering economic downturn. By the same stream, we cannot object to the sharing of funds statutorily established to cushion the effects of ecological challenges. But we vehemently condemn the penchant of governors for the sharing of public funds especially when such sharing yields no value for money in return for the citizenry. It is the culture of ‘sharing all shareable’ that hindered the FG from saving for the rainy day through the Excess Crude Account (ECA) when the price of crude was over $100 per barrel, for example. Perhaps more importantly, the Ecological Fund has been found to be another source public officials corruptly enrich themselves both at state and federal levels since its establishment in 1981. Still trending, for example, are reports of how Ecological Fund running into billions of naira went down the drain in some states. In Benue State, a commission of inquiry that looked into the execution of Ecological Fund contracts and projects between 1994 and 1999 uncovered that N1.05 billion from the Fund was allegedly misappropriated. Thereafter, the same state

If the FG must disburse Ecological Fund, care must be taken to ensure the involvement of the

World Bank for

proper monitoring received N2.2 billion, awarded a contract at the cost of N1.4 billion out of the N2.2 billion, and paid about 50 percent of the contract sum, whereas the contractor allegedly carried out 10 percent of the work and abandoned the project. In Anambra State, one newspaper report (not by National Mirror) last year quoted the Chairman of Nanka Erosion Control Committee, Chief Damian Ogene, as saying that the Ecological Fund had lost its value as it was being used to ‘settle’ politicians. “There is a lot of politics and power-play in the Ecological Fund and we are not yet prepared to manage it until the World Bank gets involved. If the money being disbursed for ecological problems in the state was judiciously managed, the problem would have been treated and reduced to the barest minimum”, Ogene said. At the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) itself, the report also hinted of how officials indulge

in sharp practices with contractors and consultants. “For instance, when the Federal Government embarked on the National Aforestation Programme, many contractors were engaged to plant millions of trees, especially in some northern states. Consultants were engaged to monitor these contractors… in several cases, the number of trees planted fell short of what the FG approved on the contract agreement, yet payments were made in full due to connivance between the contractors, consultants and officials of the EFO”, the report stated. These are some of the worrisome reports that rendered NGF’s salivation for Ecological Fund suspect. Instead of always looking for handouts from the FG, states should cut down on profligacy and wasteful spending, address their ghost-worker syndrome and intensify efforts to invest and shore up internally generated revenue. Indeed, if the FG must disburse Ecological Fund, care must be taken to ensure the involvement of the World Bank for proper monitoring, since reports are pointing to the fact that the cost of governance has remained outrageous in most states despite public outcry and official sermons on the need for the populace to endure in making sacrifices.

ON THIS DAY November 16, 1914 The Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) of the United States was officially opened. The 12 FRBs form a major part of the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the US. The banks divided the nation into 12 Federal Reserve Districts (FRDs), the 12 banking districts created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. The FRBs are jointly responsible for implementing the monetary policy set by the Federal Open Market Committee.

November 16, 1989 A death squad composed of El Salvadoran army troops killed six Jesuit priests and two others at Jose Simeon Canas University; a private university with non-profit purposes in San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America run by the Society of Jesus. It was founded in September 1965 at the request of a group of Roman Catholic families who appealed to the Salvadoran government and to the Society of Jesus.

November 16, 1997 After nearly 18 years of incarceration, the Chinse government released Wei Jingsheng, a pro-democracy dissident, from jail for medical reasons. Jingsheng (1950) is a Chinese human rights activist known for his involvement in the Chinese democracy movement. He is most prominent for having authored the essay, ‘Fifth Modernization’, posted on the “Democracy Wall” in Beijing in 1978.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Yoruba, Egun clash: Residents barricade governor’s office Francis Suberu

esidents of Otodo-Gbame Community, Eti-Osa Local Government area of Lagos State, Tuesday stormed the governor’s office and the state House

...demand stoppage of police harassment

of Assembly to protest alleged killing and demolition of over 800 structures within their community. The protest, which was said to have entered the second day, it was gathered,

Group to hold ministers’ conference Oseyiza Oogbodo

evival Promotion Partners, a not-forprofit body, has announced that it will hold its last event for the year, a ministers’ conference/ restoration seminar on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Jevinik Place, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Speaking during the announcement, RPP’s principal partner, Pastor Simeon Afolabi, said: “As the name suggests, Revival Promotion Partners is the coming together of Kingdom-minded believers for the sole purpose of promoting revival in the Body of Christ across the land.

“Partners have their local assemblies where they worship, but they come together from time to time to pray, plan, and pursue Kingdom purposes. “The vision of Revival Promotion Partners is ‘to raise and release strong believers for end time assignments.’ “The mission is ‘to serve as a platform for the administration of the means of grace.’ “It is our firm belief that as partners are regularly exposed to means of grace such as sound teaching, prayer, financial stewardship, etc, they will become strong in the things of the Spirit and be readily available to push the frontiers of the kingdom further.

is to express their displeasure over the demolition of structures in the over 100 year-old community. They said over eight persons drowned while trying to escape from the scene of the clash. The protesters barricaded the entrances to the office of the governor and the House of Assembly.

OSOGBO

espite the myriads of challenges facing the country since the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took off, a clergy, Bishop David Adeyemo, Tuesday said all actions of the president are in tandem with the purpose behind his emergence as the leader of the country. This was just as he said the current economic hardship bedevilling the country may not abate anytime soon because of the attitude of many religious leaders to prayer and other spiritual work. Speaking with newsmen in Ile Ogbo, a town in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state as part of activities marking 20th anniversary of Latter Glory Evangelical Ministry International, LAGEM, the clergy said many Christian leaders have abandoned prayers and instead replaced Godli-

ness with crave for material wealth. He said Buhari’s emergence was meant to correct some ills and blamed the country’s economic woes on mismanagement and bad leadership. “Policies of government have been preventing free preaching of gospel. You can’t use loudspeaker and all that. Many things have

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode Tuesday constituted the Board of the Neighbourhood Safety Agency. The governor also approved the appointment of Israel Ajao, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, as Chairman of the Board. In a statement signed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, the governor also named Mr. Gboyega Bajulaiye as the Executive Secretary of the Board. Other members of the Board include representative of the State Commissioner of Police, Suleiman

to change and more importantly, we must pray to God to liberate the country,” the cleric said. On the church’s 20th anniversary, Bishop Adeyemo said congregants from all branches, including those in Benin Republic and London would converge on its headquarters in Ile Ogbo to celebrate and project towards the future.

We’re concerned about situation in Ondo APC —Okorocha Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

overnor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, Tuesday expressed concern about the situation in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State. Okorocha, however, said the party did not entertain any fear of defeat in the November 26 governorship election in the state. He urged the people of

Mr. Muhammed Zana, who spoke on behalf of the resident, said “Officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, shot in the air to scare us. They almost ran-over us with their cars. But we have resolved to continue to barricade the entrance until we get assurance from the governor or his deputy, direct-

DIG Ajao heads Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps

Buhari fulfilling God’s mission for making him president —Clergy Boladale Bamigbola

They also barricaded Mobolaji Johnson and Governor’s roads, just as they chanted several songs to express the hardship they had been subjected to. Policemen attached to the offices made several attempts to dislodge the protesting residents. One of the protesters,

ing the police to leave our community.” Also speaking, Moses Dansu, son to the Baale of Otodo-Gbame community, lamented that he did not know where his family were. “My family is scattered. I don’t know where they are at the moment. My father, the baale has been arrested without any charge,” he said.

the state to vote for the party’s candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu. The chairman of APC Governors Forum spoke at the palace of Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, during his visit to the monarch. He said: “We are not jittery, but we are concerned. We are not happy that we are losing some of our illustrious members in APC. I will call on them to please make haste and come back.

Lewi; Chairman Lagos Task Force, Yinka Egbeyemi; a representative of the Department of State Services, DSS; Executive Security, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Razaq Balogun. Others are Community Representatives of Epe Division, Dengel Anifowoshe; Ikeja Division, Chief Tunde Aboyade; Lagos Division, Mr. Ishola Laguda; Badagry Division, Mrs. Ronke Ogabi; and Ikorodu Division, Mrs Kofoworola Adegboye. Kazeem, in the statement, said that law, order and safety of lives and prop-

erties has remained a cornerstone of the Governor Ambode-led administration, adding that the constitution of the Board marked another step in the desire of government to make Lagos safe and secured for its citizens. It would be recalled that at the 3rd quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on October 11, Governor Ambode had announced plans to implement the provision of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2016 recently passed by the state House of

Assembly. The governor also promised to recruit 5,000 people into the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, adding that they would be present in all local governments and Local Council Development Areas, with the new recruits expected to earn at least N25,000 monthly with other allowances. According to him, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps was part of efforts of his administration to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the state.

South West

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Man strangles 16 years-old step-daughter to death in Ogun Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

en of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a man identified as Korede Odubela for allegedly conniving with another person to kill his 16 years-old stepdaughter, Amudat Oshimodi, and sold her parts to suspected ritualists for the sum of N300, 000. The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded the suspect Tuesday at the command headquarters in Eleweeran, Abeokuta, the state capital said Odubela con-

...sells head, hands to ritualists for N.3m

nived with one Lekan Lawal to kill Amudat for ritual purposes at Imosan area of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of the state. The duo of Odubela and Lawal were however, among the 12 other suspects paraded at the Eleweran Police Command headquarters Tuesday for various offences ranging from armed robbery, burglary and stealing among others. The CP told journalists that Odubela was the leader of the ritual gang whose hideouts was raided by men

of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) last week Monday November 7, 2016 after a tip-off about their activities. Speaking with journalists after the parade, Odubela, who confessed to committing the crime however, explained that he decided to kill Amudat out of frustration as she was always stealing her mother’s money.

Odubela further stated that his wife and mother of the girl, Fausat also consented to killing the girl just to serve as a sacrifice that would improve the luck and destiny of the other children she had. “The mother said we should kill her as a sacrifice for the other children she had. She normally sleep at the

door post outside. So, on the fateful night around 12 midnight, I invited Lekan Lawal, and he held the girl by the neck and strangled her while I held her legs”. The suspect also disclosed that he sold Amudat’s head to his son, Seun, who was paid the sum of N3,000 by a herbalist as first installment. Iliyasu however, maintained that the case was still under investigation, while the corpse of Amudat has been deposited at the

morgue of General Hospital, Ijebu Ode. Three other suspected highway robbers: Tochukwu Njikonye, Abdulahi Abdulamid and Obinna Mbam were equally paraded. The trio of Njikonye, Abdulamid and Obinna were said to have been arrested on Monday 3th October, 2016 at Ogbere area along Ijebu OdeBenin Expressway, while they were robbing motorists of their exotic cars and other valuable.

Man in court over alleged murder of concubine Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

n Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court has adjourned further hearing till December 15 in a case involving a 45-yearold security man, Oluwatuyi Alake, over alleged murder of his concubine. The woman was said to have died after an alleged sexual intercourse with the accused, following which he allegedly dumped the body in the bush to cover the deed. Magistrate Omolola Akosile, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody till the advice from Directorate for Public Prosecution (DPP). Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Monica Ikebuilo, told the court that the accused committed the crime on October 30 at Ojuoro Street, Stadium Road at Ijero-Ekiti. She added that the accused, on the said date, had sexual intercourse with the deceased which made her unconscious and led to her death. According to her, the accused later backed and dumped the body of the deceased in the bush to cover up his deed. The police prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State. 2012. Ikebuilo said she had duplicated his case file and sent to the office of the DPP for legal advice. Counsel to the accused,

Busuyi Ayorinde, had sought for a short date of adjournment pending the outcome of DPP legal advice. Similarly, two alleged cattle rustlers, Gambo Ibrahim (41) and Isah Abdullahi (27) were yesterday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court over alleged stealing of cows. Police prosecutor, Sgt Ikebuilo told the court that the accused committed the crime on November 7 at Ado-Ekiti. Ikebuilo alleged that the accused persons, on the said date, armed with offensive weapons such as guns and cutlasses robbed one Alhaji Amodun Mahamadu of three cows. According to her, with that, the accused had committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provision) Act, LFN 2004. Police prosecutor said the case files has been sent to the office of the DPP for legal advice.

Customs Area Controller, Mr Tolutope Ogunkua showing a bullion van used in smuggling rice during a briefing in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA BODE-ARE/ICE/NAN

You cannot probe state finances, Ekiti tells Senate George Opara ABUJA

kiti State Government has declared as unconstitutional the power of the Senate to probe the expenditure of the bailout fund it received from the Federal Government. The State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, made the position of the state public while speaking with newsmen Tuesday in Abuja. This reaction from the

state was in response to the letter dated November 11, which Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration wrote to the state demanding to carry out oversight function in the state on the bailout fund. Further, the Commissioner stated that the action was contrary to sections 121,122,123, 124, 125 and 128 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and that the

Constitution placed the powers of oversight functions in relation to states finances exclusively on the state Houses of Assembly. He said,”section 125 (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended provides for the submission of financial statements and annual accounts of a state to the House of Assembly of the state and the House shall cause the report to be considered by a committee of the House responsible for public accounts’. Also, section 128 of the

1999 Constitution specifically confers on the state House of Assembly the powers to conduct investigations into the accounts of the state government. Based on these legal positions, the state has declared that the request of the senate committee was usurpation of the constitution vested on the state House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker Kola Oluwawole and declined the senate proposed inquiry to probe the state disbursement of the bailout funds.

Customs impounds bullion van, 10 ‘tokunbo’ vehicles loaded with rice Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

yo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has impounded a bullion van and ten fairly used vehicles loaded with smuggled rice. Customs Area Controller of the Command, Mr. Tolu-

tope Ogunkua, who made the disclosure yesterday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, said the bullion van was intercepted at Saki axis of the astate. He said the command also within the last one month impounded 16 fairly used exotic cars, two brand new Land Rover Discovery cars, one fairly used Man

Diesel Truck and a truck carrying a smuggled brand new Honda Accord car. The customs boss while lamenting the activities of smugglers, said it was worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. According to him, the arrest of the bullion van meant for conveying cash

now used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice send a serious signal on the devices adopted by the smugglers. While appealing to well meaning Nigerians to engage in legitimate businesses and shun smuggling, Ogunkua maintained that anyone arrested with smuggled items would be charge

to court. He insisted that the command would continue to make its area unsafe for smugglers, stating that this has led the command to initiate new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits evidenced in the seizures made.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Five deputy governors refute Primate Elijah Ayodele’s prophesy

eputy governors of Abia, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto and Taraba states Tuesday rejected a prophecy purportedly released by Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, the spiritual head of INRI Evangelistic Spiritual Church. The self-acclaimed prophet had in the prophecy said that the five deputy governors will have issues with their principals (governors) before the end of their tenure. An online news platform had at the weekend

published the prophecy in which the cleric made certain wild assertions concerning the future of the four politicians. But in a swift reaction, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Kelechi Igwe, described the publication as outright falsehood designed to create rancour and disaffection in the polity. In a statement he issued on behalf of his colleagues, Igwe faulted the cleric on his prediction and accused him of concocting prophecies that had no foundation

in reality. “Ordinarily, we would have ignored this so called prophecy but doing so could create the impression that we believe him or that that he should be taken seriously. “We make bold to state that this prophecy like the ones before it are fallacies meant to create tension, rancour and unnecessary friction in the polity. “We vehemently reject this so called prophesy

which in our own estimation is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the man who released it. “We all have had and still have very good working relationship with our bosses in our various states and do not see any reason for the predicted crisis. “We urge the government and the good people in our various states to ignore Primate Elijah Ayodele for he knows not what he is saying or doing.

“Primate Ayodele could not have heard from God because he has been in the business of releasing false prophecies at every turn in the politics of Nigeria and the world. “It was he who predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 presidential election; it was he who predicted that Governor Ahmed El-Rufai will not win the governorship election in Kaduna State last year and it was

the same man who recently predicted victory for Hilary Clinton, the Democratic Party candidate in the just concluded elections in the United States,” he said. Igwe said that with the series of failed prophecies emanating from Ayodele, he should be hiding his face from God and the general public, adding that he lacked the credibility to utter any further “gibberish” in the name of prophesy.

Enugu legislature approves demolition of houses used for kidnapping

nugu State House of Assembly has amended the Criminal Code Law, cap 30 to allow for demolition of property used for kidnapping in the State. Leader of the assembly, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezugwu while presenting the Bill in Enugu Tuesday, said it became necessary because kidnapping which had been alien was fast becoming a culture in the state. He said the assembly suspended the Standing Order of the House to enable the bill pass through first, second and third reading immediately. “We used to hear about kidnapping of expatriates in the Niger Delta, but when expatriates ran away, they started kidnapping our people. “The law has to be stringent so that before anybody thinks of kidnapping, he has to think twice. “The question is that we adopt the amendment that buildings used for kidnap-

ping be forfeited or demolished to deter people from engaging in the crime,” he said. The assembly also passed the bill seeking to amend the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu to be upgraded to a degree awarding institution. The member representing Igbo-Eze South Constituency, Mr. Mathew Ugwueze, while presenting the amendment bill said it is to create job opportunities in the state. The lawmaker said the state governor in his inaugural speech promised to make IMT a degree awarding institution. Ugwueze said IMT was liaising with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to achieve the aim. “If this is achieved, a good number of Enugu people will get admission into the institution,” he said. He stressed that there was a growing demand to upgrade IMT to a degree awarding institution.

L-R: Managing Director of Rojenny Games Village and Tourist Centre, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (in red cap); Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Anambra State, Mr Yusuf Isyaku; Chairman, Association of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Products Dealers, Onitsha, Mr Uche Eze, during the visit of the Director of DSS to Rojenny Games Village and Tourist Centre in Onitsha, yesterday. PHOTO: PATRICK ANASO/BJO/NAN

EFCC arraigns wonder bank MD, wife over N6bn fraud Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

anaging Director of Lets’ Partner with You, a wonder bank based in Enugu, Mr. Patrick Nwokike, was Tuesday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He was charged before a

Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, alongside his wife and Director, Rosemary Nwokike. The two accused persons were said to have been running an unlicensed savings and loans agency, through which they collected over N6bn from their customers on agreement of paying them 30 per cent interest every

We won’t tolerate cattle grazing, communities warn herdsmen Gloria Anaeze ONITSHA

ome communities in Anambra East said they will not tolerate cattle grazing on their land during the dry season. They feared that as the dry season approaches, ushering in limited amount of pasture for cattle grazing, Fulani herdsmen may fall

back on their lands which are located on the bank of Anambra River. The communities namely; Aguleri Otu, Mkpunando and Eziagulu Otu, said they are still recuperating from the hardship, incessant threat to lives and colossal damage to crops suffered during last dry season when the herdsmen invaded the area. In a communiqué issued after a meeting by leaders

of the communities, chaired by the traditional ruler of Mkpunando, Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno and his deputy, Igwe Udorji Ikegbunam of Eziagulu Otu, the people resolved never to allow the herdsmen to return to their land. Part of the communiqué read: “We agreed that we are no longer ready to live in perpetual fear of the herdsmen or condone unwarranted destruction of our crops hence

the decision not to allow the Fulani herdsmen graze in our lands as from this season. “The Igwes and the entire communities in EnugwuOtu, Eziagulu-Otu and Mkpunando, therefore, for the interest of peace, call on the Anambra state government and all relevant security agencies to warn the Fulani herdsmen to stay clear of our lands from this dry season.

month. However, few months down, they were unable to pay the interest, let alone refund the deposited fund, prompting the EFCC to wade in. Prior to the arraignment, EFCC had disclosed that hundreds of petitions had flooded its Enugu office over the mater. The couple, who were earlier detained, has now been arraigned on a four count charge of conspiracy, stealing, conversion and illegal operation of a bank without license. The prosecutor, Mr. Harrison Ibekwute told court that the accused persons had in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 issued advertisement inviting the public to deposit money with the bank without authorisation. He also said that the bank had been operating

without a valid license. Ibekwute said the offences committed by the accused contravened Bank and Other Financial Institution Act, Law of the Federation. The defense counsel, Mr. Orji Nwafor-Orizu pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail as the charges against them were bailable, which the prosecutor did not oppose. The presiding judge, Justice Dugbo Oghoghorie granted the accused persons N2m bail each and two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the surety must be civil servants of not less than grade level 12, reside and own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. Oghoghorie adjourned the matter till March 6, 2017 for trial.

South South

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wike declares war on cultists Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Government on Tuesday concluded the first phase of the State Amnesty Programme, with Governor Nyesom Wike disbanding all vigilante committees in all communities of the state. Also, the governor directed security agencies to henceforth go after all cultists and kidnappers who refused to voluntarily accept the amnesty offer of the state government. He pointed out that his administration has zero tolerance for crime and criminality. Wike spoke in Govern-

...disbands armed vigilante groups

ment House, Port Harcourt, during the submission of the report of the Rivers State Amnesty Programme. The State Amnesty Committee had its membership drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services, DSS. The governor described the State Amnesty Programme as ‘very successful’, noting that the fact that 22, 430 cultists accepted amnesty and surrendered 911 assorted arms with 7,661 assorted ammunitions and 147 explosives has made the state relatively peaceful.

He said: “But to show that government is serious, I hereby disband all vigilante committees in the various communities. I direct the security agencies to make sure that we don’t have such committees except they profile their

members to prove that they don’t belong to any cult groups. “Initially, people felt it was a political game. I thank God almighty that we have proved our critics wrong that we are serious to ensure the security of

lives and property in the state. “We cannot say that we can totally eliminate crime, but that you and I can sleep very well today, unlike in the past when cultists and kidnappers had a field day.” He explained that the

state government resolved not to monetise the programme because it wanted the cultists and kidnappers to sincerely embrace the programme. He assured all the repentant cultists and kidnappers that they will be duly rehabilitated and made to become useful to the society.

61 UNIBEN students bag first class honours Isesele Ezekiel BENIN

total number of sixty 61 graduating students of the University of Benin bagged first class honours degree from the institution Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Faraday Friday Orumwense, who disclosed this to newsmen Tuesday, said 12,808 graduands are to be awarded various diplomas and degrees at the 42nd convocation ceremony scheduled to hold November 26th, 2016 He said of the total number of granduands, 154 are to be conferred with Doctorate Degree, 2,531 Master Degree, Post graduate diploma 233, undergraduate degree 9,281, undergraduate diploma 95 while 514 are unclassified According to him, Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and the former Minister of State for Works, Dr Chris Ogiewonyi are expected to deliver this year’s convocation lecture as distinguished alumnus Unfolding the program of events, he said the university would confer honorary degree and Professor Emeritus on Professor Raymond Elaho, a onetime Provost of the College of Education Ekiadolor, Dr Godwin Eseiwi Ehigiamuso, Man-

aging/Chief Executive, Live Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), Professor Eghosa Osagie respectively and other deserving Nigerians for their outstanding contribution, He reeled out some of the laudable achievement recorded in the university under his watch in the last one year to include amongst others; Regularization of the university academic calender, development of Information Communication Technology(ICT) infrastructure including Academic/Research Strides and 15 newly completed projects He said the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the embedded electricity generation license to the institution to operate a 7.5 MW within the premises of the institution, adding that it has also been given license to distribute same within the premises. The Vice Chancellor said on the recommendation of the institution Senate, the university has equally concluded arrangement to confer the keenly contested award of Hall of Fame 2016, initiated by his administration on the former Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Godwin Oshodi for his outstanding hard work, leadership quality, diligence, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Mr Victor Muruako (R) and his team during Project Verification of Ogoja-Abuochichie road in Cross River, yesterday. PHOTO: DIANABASI EFFIONG/BJO/NAN

EFCC doesn’t conduct media trial on suspects —Magu Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Tuesday said that contrary to allegations against it by some Nigerians, the body does not conduct media trial on suspects. Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while declaring open oneday training on investigative reporting for journalists in the South-South geopolitical zone on Tuesday. Magu, who was represented by the Commission’s

Zonal Director, (SouthSouth), Isiaku Salihu, said while the media has its own responsibility cut out, the commission has its own responsibility and has continued to cherish a formidable relationship with the media. “The EFCC cherishes its formidable relationship with the media. EFCC was weaned by the media, it was brought up by the media and it is being sustained by the media. “Often we have been told that the EFCC conducts media trial. What people miss is that the media has come to stay. It has a duty to report and nobody can muzzle the

media. “The job of the media is well cut out and that of the EFCC is also well cut out. We don’t do media trial. We must understand that we have a media that cannot be muzzled. “The media has a duty to report the truth,” the EFCC boss explained. In a paper titled, “Role of Journalists In The Fight Against Corruption: Lessons From Abroad”, Editorin-Chief of Premium Times Newspaper, Musikilu Mojeed, expressed the hope that the EFCC will have a little job to do in the fight against corruption if the media does

its job well. Mojeed stated that the media must not only report about corruption, but should push for action and mount pressure on government to take action. In another paper titled, “Law, Journalists and Fight Against Corruption”, the Provost, Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Gbemiga Ogunleye, called for the creation of anti-corruption desks in the news rooms of all media houses across the country to constantly remind media practitioners of their responsibility as watchdogs of society.

Obaseki re-affirms resolve to deliver on campaign promises Isesele Ezekiel BENIN

do State Governor, Godwin Obaseki Tuesday re-affirmed his administration resolve to deliver on campaign promises to create jobs and industrialise the state Obaseki disclosed this when he led a high profile

delegation of the executive arm of government on an on- the- spot assessment of facilities at the Benin Technical College. “He said his administration will rebuild the Technical College for the training of skilled technical manpower to boost industrial revolution in the state “Look at what we have, it’s unacceptable. We will take

very drastic measures in the next few weeks. We have to rebuild this institution and we have to bring it up so that it becomes the basis for training technical manpower, we need to drive our industrial revolution in the state.” “In our election promise, you will recall, we said emphasis was going to be on jobs. And to create jobs, you have to have facilities and

institutions where you train people on practical knowledge on how to create work and create things and that is why we felt that the first point of call should be to find out what happened to our technical college which is supposed to be the institution to train skilled technical man-power and I’m sure, you will agree with me, that this is pitiable.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Gbemi, siblings absent at remembrance prayers for Sola Saraki 16

KWHA Speaker warns against neutralising legislature’s power T he Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad has said that for the nation’s hard-won democracy to move forward, the practice of neutralizing constitutional powers of the legislature must stop. The Speaker gave the suggestion in Abuja on Monday while delivering a lecture at the maiden annual birthday lecture series in honour of Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN. Dr. Ahmad whose lecture was titled “ The Legislature in Emerging Democracies: Challenges and Prospects “, expressed displeasure that Nigerian courts hysterically issue interim injunctions against the legislature. “Undoubtedly, the

courts have unfettered right to declare null and void the result of any investigation or any proceedings or any manner of voting or result thereof, what courts in developed democracies do not do is attempt to stop the action of a whole arm of government, in this case the legislature, from exercising its constitutional powers.” He wondered why since independence no Nigerian court has ever issued an injunctive order against the executive arm from performing its constitutional duty. In contrast, he said, no interim order has ever been issued against the US Congress, much less the British Parliament. He advised our courts to imbibe the democratic cul-

ture of separation of powers and realise that the military era was gone forever. He cited numerous examples where the courts, undemocratically, issued injunctive orders preventing the National assembly from summoning allegedly corrupt officials, or from voting to change its leaders, or from investigating former EFCC officials accused of withholding recovered loots from the Federation Account. He explained that to put an end to this, “ the only way is to recommend a legislation to the effect that no interim orders from a court shall issue to prevent any legislature from exercising its constitutional power”. The former Chairman of the House of Representa-

tives Committee on Justice explained that though “ to many Nigerian lawyers , the suggestion is a sacrilege, but to lawyers and democrats in developed nations around the world, this recommended legislation to ban interim orders against the legislature is the democratic norm.” The former Attorney General of Kwara State who described the legislature as the cynosure of democracy said in Nigeria it had been gleefully subjected to ridicule and condemnation on a daily basis, to the delight and amusement of the executive arm of government, noting that irrespective of the system of government, a weak legislature will expose democratic discontent “ especially when it lacks

the institutional capacity to be influential in oversight and in protecting collective liberty and freedom. The Associate Professor of Law while expressing delight that the use of an autonomous legislature in Kenya , some degree in South Africa , Uganda and Nigeria had exposed corruption within the executive, compelling in some occasions, the executive termination of such fraudulent or unpopular activities, said this has helped the executive to deliver on good governance. Another speaker, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun who is also the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, said the nation’s democracy would be strengthened when the legislative arm exhibits

vigorous activism in terms of checking the executive, contributing to the processes of policy making and indeed as a monitor of the policy implementation. The Chairman of the occasion and former President of the NBA, Mr. Austin Alege, also identified poor public perception, lack of capacity and experience as big challenges confronting the legislature. Another speaker, Chief Awomolo, SAN agreed that if the courts can unilaterally ban issue of interim injunction against the EFCC, they should do the same for an arm of government that is the most visible institution of our democracy .

Ahmed inaugurated transition committees for LGs Wole Adedeji ILORIN

L-R: Permanent Secretary, State House Abuja, Mr Jalal Arabi; Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen Tijani Kaura and Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter- Governmental Affairs, Sen Suleiman Hunkuyi during an oversight visit o the State House by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs in Abuja on Monday. PHOTO: CALLISTUS EWELIKE/NAN

embers of Transitional Implementation Committees, TIC to replace the dissolved 16 Local Government Councils in Kwara State were sworn- in yesterday by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. At the ceremony, Ahmed said the new arrangement would make it possible for the payment of what had since become a contentious salary arrears of Local Government workers. He directed the committees to make financial prudence their watchword and advised them to prioritize on infrastructure that would bring swift relief to

the people. “In this regard, you are to avoid making unnecessary appointments, shun ostentation and avoid any conduct capable of calling your integrity into question”, he said. The governor promised the state government’s support to the local government councils within available resources and guidance to see them through the difficult times. According to the governor, when the report of the State Committee on Personnel Database Development is submitted, monthly recurrent expenditure at the local and state levels will reduce, thus freeing funds for infrastructural development.

Mimiko’s faction of PDP destroys our campaign materials —AD Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

he Alliance for Democracy, AD, in Ondo state yesterday raised alarm over the renewed onslaught by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in destroying the billboards, posters and banners of its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. The AD state chairman, Seriki Adebobola, said in a statement that it was the height of desperation by agents of a sitting government to descend so low and destroy election campaign posters and banners of an opposition party. Seriki, however, said the AD members would not

dignify them by retaliating despite the obvious provocation. He said: “We want the whole world to see through their evil plot to get INEC to postpone this election by creating a semblance of insecurity in Ondo state. “This they have started with series of sponsored mayhem in the guise of protests all over the state, ostensibly showing solidarity with their candidate whose name was replaced from the INEC ballot paper on the order of a court. “When this failed, they resorted to destroying our billboards, banners and posters shortly after our highly successful flag off which witnessed an unprecedented crowd at the Democracy Park in Akure

on Monday. “Agents of the Mimiko faction of the PDP went out in government vehicles destroying our billboards, banners and posters all

over Akure in the full glare of all as if our candidate is contesting on the platform of the PDP or is in anyway responsible for their travails.

“This provocative action, is albeit, uncalled for and the height of political intolerance. The AD, therefore, enjoined Governor Olusegun Mimiko, as the chief

security officer of the state, to immediately call those behind this act to order and put an end to further acts of infraction by his supporters.

Lagos Assembly passes employment trust fund law Robert Awokuse

embers of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday passed the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund bill 2016. Chairman Committee on Wealth Creation, Hon. Sola Giwa presented the report on the floor of the House following the receipt of the proposed regulations of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund for the

consideration of the House. The Committee had earlier had series of meetings with the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund in order to harmonize the proposal in accordance with the provision of the Trust Fund. According to the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, beneficiaries of the Trust Fund include among others

micro-enterprises, small and medium enterprises, technology start-ups, employability and market stimulation business. He further stated that the loan shall be disbursed bi-annually with percentage of allocation of the Trust Fund to each beneficiary. The commissioner categorized the beneficiaries of the loan to include businesses operating within the state, sourced from micro-businesses across

the various Local Government/Local Council Development Areas, trade associations and other related business associations, registered cooperative groups or societies and referral from local governments and LCDAs. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa further mandated the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to send a clean copy of the bill to the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his assent.

Politics

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate and Budget Calendar

he National Assembly last week once again demonstrated leadership when it provided a road map to help the country navigate out of its recurring budget delays. The lawmakers came up with a document to guide and fast-track budget formulation and implementation in the country. This development can best be appreciated against the fact that barely six weeks to the end of the year, Government is yet to forward to the National Assembly, the 2017 budget estimate bill for consideration. Last week, the lawmakers came up with 15 - key strategies to reform the nation’s budgeting system. Some of the strategies include the adoption of a budget calendar, which will begin with the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the second week in July and end with the President signing the Appropriation Bill into law by the third week of December every year. The strategies, which also include provision of laws on development plans by the Federal Government are aimed at easy and timely preparation of the budget and its efficient implementation. The measures were contained in a report submitted to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki by the Senator Ali Ndume-led technical committee on the reforming the budget process in Nigeria. The lawmakers proposed a budget calendar that will ensure that the President assents to the appropriations law by the third week of December while the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is submitted in the second week of July as the first step in the budget process. The report to be discussed at plenary by the Senate also include amendments of the relevant sections of the Constitution and extant laws as well as enactment of new laws to improve the country’s budgetary process and align it to international best practices. Other key recommendations in the report submitted a fortnight ago include the proposed provision of a legal backing for national development plans, and enactment of organic budget law to fix a realistic budget calendar. According to the report, the broad strategies aimed at improving the budget process “revolve around reforming laws and frameworks for budget formulation, enactment, and implementation, aligning the budget process to international best practices, strengthening capacities, and institutions for budget formulation and implementation, and strengthening the revenue base for budget implementation.” The rest other key reform strategies for budget preparation as contained in the report were: * Alter Section 81(1) of the 1999 Constitution and amend Sections 11 and 14 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) to provide for a fixed and realistic budget calendar by which the President will present the budget to the National Assembly by the first week of September, considered and passed by 30th November and assented to by the President by the second week of December. * Provide legal backing for development plans to serve as basis for the annual budget and ensure continuity of development plans. In this regard, complete the legislative actions initiated for the enactment of laws: “Development Planning Act” and “Project Implementation and Continuity Act”, pending in NASS. * Amend Sections 13-18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to link MTEF with a development plan, as well as have a long term (10-15 years) development plan to be implemented with three year MTEF and Medium-term Sector Strategy (MTSS), while urging the National Assembly to support the development plan with a resolution and ensure that the annual budget is linked to it. * Amend the FRA to enlarge the list of stakeholders to be consulted during the budget preparation process. Then, there should be pre-budget consultation between the legislature and the executive as well as between the executive and the public. And during the budget defense by the MDAs before the Committees, relevant stakeholders should be invited.

Ndume

Saraki * Enact an organic budget law that puts together all laws relating to the budget, including a fixed and realistic budget calendar and a pre-Budget Statement. * Alter Section 162 of the Constitution recognize saving by the three tiers of government through the Federation Account and provide legal backing for excess revenue savings to enable the country save revenue windfalls and stabilize government expenditure during fiscal crisis. * Develop a budget manual. The budget manual should include the procedure for public participation in the budget process and public access to budget information during the budget preparation process. * Amend Section 19 of FRA to include project documents in the list of budget documentation; amend Part III of the FRA to provide for reporting standards and information sharing arrangements. * Provide effective timelines for monthly and quarterly financial and non-financial reports. Enact a law to compel all MDAs to upload their budget-related information on a dedicated website. * Develop and publish criteria or methodology for determining the aggregate expenditure estimate and its allocation to sectors and line items. Expand the information content of the Budget Call Circular to include the modalities for public participation in the budget preparation process. * Develop the capacity of MDAs and other relevant stakeholders to effectively apply the zero-based budgeting technique or any other performance-based technique that may be adopted. The committee also urged the National Assembly to strengthen the capacity of its committees in the area of budget scrutiny and appraisal through helping members and the staff to undergo training and

The report to be discussed at plenary by the Senate also include amendments of the relevant sections of the

Constitution and

extant laws as well as enactment of new laws to improve the country’s budgetary process and align it to international best practices.

enlightenment programme on the economy and budget appraisal. Institutions of the National Assembly like the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) and National Assembly Budget Office (NABRO) are also to be equipped to effectively assist committees with sound budget analysis. This proposal by the National Assembly no doubt, is quite commendable because it accords with global best practices. However, as already observed by the lawmakers, before the recommendation for budget calendar could be operational, one key provision of the Constitution that must be amended is section 81(1), which gives the President, unrestricted timeline in any financial year, within which to get the budget ready. Section 84(1) of the constitution says that, “The President shall cause to be prepared and laid before each House of the National Assembly at any time in each financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the federation for the next following financial year. Now that the lawmakers have come up with these laudable proposals, it behooves on them to immediately commence the processes that would eventually lead to the promulgation of the laws for the implementation of the recommendations. It is not enough for the legislators to throw in these proposals and let it end there as had been some of the cases in the past. The only way the lawmakers can fully appropriate the benefits of their recommendations is to ensure that proper machineries are put in place to translate the recommendations into implementable action plans. It is along this line that the need for the lawmakers to quickly revisit the constitution amendment process has become more expedient. So far, the constitution amendment committees of both the senate and the House of Representatives appear to have gone to sleep after their inauguration in February this year by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon, Yakubu Dogara respectively. The two committees were given June 30th deadline for the submission of their drafts, but unfortunately as we write, that deadline had not been met and there are no indications as to the time the drafts would be submitted. The National Assembly should quickly prepare a draft bill to incorporate all the 15- point strategies for transforming the budget process as already enunciated by the Senator Ali Ndume-led joint committees for commencement of legislative action, which will ultimately lead to the promulgation of law for its implementation. Since the proposed draft bill is going to emanate from the lawmakers, no doubt, it would enjoy speedy treatment. The leadership of the National Assembly should be the driving force for this process in order that it would achieve the expected speedy treatment and attention.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Economic Recession: Paradigm shift as remedial mechanism C arl U megboro

igeria’s economic downturn is no longer strange with many economic activities grounded and unprecedented job losses in banks, multinationals and other key sectors. To combat the predicament, the federal government since inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration prioritized anti-corruption and diversification of the economy to agriculture and mines. No doubt, the actions are long overdue; however, a paradigm shift from export of crude oil to that of its by-products and finished products as preliminary policy against the anomaly is indomitable. The reason is not far-fetched; the global crash in the price of crude oil did not affect the prices of its by-products and finished products. From OPEC’s chart on Thursday 22nd September, 2016, daily basket price of crude stood at $43.27 per barrel against a benchmark grudgingly proposed by the Nigerian gover nment. Deductively, since the price of crude oil, the nation’s major source of revenue crashed and remains on decline, meanwhile the country is endowed with crude oil in huge magni-

tude, strategically, the focus should have been to divert to export of its by-products and finished products like petroleum, kerosene, naphtha, gasoline, diesel, asphalt base, heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by setting up refineries and processing-plants which apart from keeping the economy buoyant will overwhelmingly boost employment rather than the insufferable downsizing in all sectors and even absolute winding up of multinationals who couldn’t cope with the adverse condition. Gover nment’s directive mandating banks to shun retrenchment of workers amidst economic crisis but overlooked cutting down expenditures especially remunerations of the legislators and executive excesses, particularly PresidentialAir-Fleets is awkward. Besides, employers only maintain a workforce vis-à-vis resources at its disposal. Imperatively, the colossal element; imbalance of trade has not been measured. To continue to export crude-oil which the country solely depends on at low prices only to import on high demand, its finished and by-products at exorbitant prices is illogical and a gaffe, and naturally will lead to economic depression in any country,

T he

present

challenges should generate sustainable opportunities instead of more calamities or the blame mantra going on even if a developed nation. Interestingly, despite the global crash on crude, all its by-products and finished products have remained vendible with stable rise in prices. This ought to invoke a state of emergency on oil sector to fix the existing refineries and set up new ones across the nation, and above all, a comparative advantage since the country has crude oil; the major raw materials it needed. The present hullabaloo in the midst of plenty is uncalled for. Admitted, the previous administrations failed woefully in taking sen-

When we live for others S tephen L awani

ome weeks ago, I watched in utter amazement, the grieving people of Thailand. They wore black clothes and openly cried and wept. They had lost their king and mourners in their thousands, lined the streets to watch the royal convoy carrying the body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. I also read the moving tributes of mourners and that got me thinking. It was a practical devotion, appreciation and love for a leader and monarch who meant a lot to his people. I decided to leave out other condolences from European and Asian royals, world leaders and the UN General Assembly and Security Council that stood in silent tribute because I am concerned with the honour at home. It is important for me to state at the onset that King Adulyadej was neither faultless nor blameless. As a king, he must have stepped on toes but what is incontestable is that he lived for the common good. His reign, no doubt, positively affected the lives of many of his people and their generous public and private show of emotion validates this thinking. The people of Thailand may not have the kind of problems Africans have but they are human beings like us. They are perceptive and discerning, so when they are treated well by their leaders, they react spontaneously. I have read and witnessed wild jubilations that erupted in many African

A life of service to others is the life which makes a difference countries at the death or overthrow of an elected leader or a despot. This contrasts sharply with the Thailand experience where citizens showed genuine love to a departed leader even at the ripe age of 88 years. What this means is that in most countries in our continent, including Nigeria, those in public office hardly earn the support and love of those they lead. They are, for the large part, disconnected from the people. Our experience in Nigeria is not different even though I know that we are not in short supply of true heroes and leaders. Many people may have forgotten but some of us in politics today cannot easily forget the heroic and patriotic roles of Nigerians and even foreigners in the build-up to Nigeria’s return to democratic government in 1999. At that moment of grave national crisis, these characters played great roles. I still remember some of them in the independent media and civil society groups but sadly, nobody remembers or celebrates them today. But we are still a country with a rich history. Like King Adulyadej of Thailand, many Nigerians remember our founding fathers with fond memories and reverence for their vision and devotion to the struggle for freedom. I am afraid no Nigerian leader

today can inspire that near cult followership, devotion and popularity of political actors of the First Republic. In my Independence anniversary reflections two months ago, I expressed hope. Nigeria is workable and I know that with commitment and the right leadership, Nigeria will take its rightful place. This commitment is not in short supply among our people. Some Nigerians in their small corners are volunteering and working very hard for our country, even without government support. Many heroic feats by patriots in various spheres of life occur daily but are largely unrecorded. These exploits is the foundation for my hope. I am happy that this national bravery is going places. One of such acts of heroism takes place every day here in Abuja. We are all witnesses to the laudable activism of Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaigners in the last two years or so. These activists have remained resolute and true to their commitment to the return of over two hundred school girls who were abducted from their school in Chibok by Boko Haram. We have all seen in the group, a steady progress in strength, dedication and purpose even in the face of unwarranted insults, abuse and namecalling. Nigeria has enormous challenges no doubt. We have earned more revenue than most African countries but this did not trans-

sible actions in the midst of plenty, nevertheless, the change mantra should imply the present administration taking the bull by the horns by doing things rightly and differently for desirable results. On meeting the refineries mostly in coma and inadequate, the rightful action prior to diversification or perhaps alongside ought to be diverting to export of crude oil-finished and byproducts. Conclusively, government should straightaway put actions in place to suspend its export of crude and work towards a diversion to export of crude finished and by-products. If not, the continued exportation of crude at this agonizing state is wasteful and devoid of economic know-how and foresightedness. The present challenges should generate sustainable opportunities instead of more calamities or the blame mantra going on. To solely diversify the economy to agriculture and others but persistent export of our crude oil at pitiable prices is not far from what the previous administrations did, hence untenable, inefficient and may remain counterproductive. Umegboro, Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Igboekulie

late in better living conditions for the generality of our people. Unlike some countries in our continent, we are daily confronted with a myriad of manmade problems like nepotism, ineptitude, bigotry and religious particularity. In our country today, people do not generally think highly of their political leaders like the Thai. So if we all agree that our leaders nowadays cannot inspire as much hope and devotion like our heroes past, then we must quickly get to work. Leaders must study and apply the principles of balance in leadership and followership which centres on the concept of power and responsibilities. In addition, our country has to evolve a leadership selection process for occupiers of public offices. This is the only way to prepare and sustain those who are qualified and ready to serve. This is the challenge. And we must begin to live for others if we hope to make sense of our existence. In the words of Gina Marie Warswick, an American school teacher, “a life of service to others is the life which makes a difference, not a self-serving life of materialism, fanciful travel and fun”. Lawani, former Deputy Governor of Benue State is an industrialist and philanthropist. 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.

Politics

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Friday, January 17, 2014

NationalMirror Mirror National www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politicians’ conduct, our greatest challenge —INEC Lagos lawmaker decries abandoned projects Community Mirror Robert Awokuse

he Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (State), Hon. Moshood Lanre Oshun, representing Mainland Constituency II, has expressed dissatisfaction of the State Assembly over abandoned projects spread across hospitals and health institutions in the state. Hon. Oshun, made the remarks at a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Health, led by the Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris and Special Adviser to the Governor, on Public health, Dr. Onanuga, as well as official from Ministry of Justice, Works, and Health Service Commission alongside contractors handling projects for the agency. It would be recalled that the Public Account Committee (state) recently considered the Y2015 Audit report, where is-

sues relating to abandonment of projects by some contractors were keenly observed. Hon. Moshood Oshun, at the meeting expressed the displeasure of the Assembly over the neglect of projects by some contractors having collected substantial amount from government. He therefore admonish all the contractors handling various projects for government in the State to re-dictate themselves and deliver their projects according to specification and time frame, explaining that the Public Account Committee (State) as mandated by the leadership of the Assembly would ensure proper accountability probity and transparency to bring the ugly trend under permanent check. In a related development, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts Committee (State), Hon. Moshood Oshun recently led other members of the Committee on inspection

Cleric urges Nigerians to give Buhari a chance

n the wake of Nigeria economic challenges and current hardship in the land, the General Overseer and Senior Pastor of Wonderful Apostolic Gospel Church Worldwide, Prophet E. Oke has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari. He urged Nigerians to see the present situation in Nigeria as a temporary challenge which will soon be removed by God. Oke who gave this assertion ahead of his church 13th Annual Convention 2016 with the theme : Loose Them said God has sent light

to Nigeria and its citizens saying President Muhammadu Buhari is sent by God to repair all the damages done to the country by previous administrations. He however noted that myriad of problems facing the country including the economy down-turn is of God’s knowledge assuring all Nigerians that in three months’ time, Almighty God will bring positive change to bear in Nigeria and that normalcy will return. He urged everyone to be patient and pray for a good nation.

of the on-going Adiyan ity at the water project port on MDA’s. ect; despite huge amount water project. site to ensure that tax Receiving the Com- committed to the projThe visit is in fur- payer’s money is judi- mittee the come project, site, Whenat the come ect. to come therance to unraveling ciously spent and ac- the Project Manager, Mr. He frowned at the exeverybody will sit up in exthis Ministry. Rev. Chris Okotie, speaking issue emanating from counted for. Paolo Campanella cuse on the delay in the on consideration the state of the nation It would be recalled plained that the water release of fund put forthe of the HON MINISTER PETROLEUM RESOURCES,ALIISON MADUEKE Y2015 Audit report. that, Hon. Moshood Os-FORtreatment plant would ward by the contractor, According to the hun had assured Lago- bring succor to Lago- but asked whether the Chairman, his Commit- sians that his Committee sians in the provision of level of work tally with tee was enthusiastic to would be very stringent potable water. the funds collected by ascertain the level of and thorough with obThe Chairman, Hon. the contractor. The conwork and conformity servation raised by the Moshood Oshun how- tractor is expected to apwith the principle of office of the Auditor- ever questioned the slow pear before the commitprobity and accountabil- General in the Y2015 re- pace of work on the proj- tee for further briefing.

Members of “Occupy Unlimited Group” protesting at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: OTU ALBERT/BJO/NAN

Gbemi, siblings absent at remembrance prayers for Sola Saraki Wole Adedeji ILORIN

remembrance prayer session to mark four years of the death of Dr. Olusola Saraki organised by his wife, Florence and children has been held in Ilorin, Kwara State. However, only the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, one the late politician’s children was in attendance. His siblings; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Laoku and Tope were conspicuously absent. At the prayer session,

the Chief Imam of ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Bashir prayed for the repose of the soul of the late politician known to be the scion of Kwara politics and kingmaker for several decades. He said Nigeria and indeed Kwara State were lucky to have late Saraki whose political legacy he said could not be surpassed. Also, an Islamic cleric who preached at the event. Sheik Ibrahim Danboronu enjoined Nigerian politicians to see themselves as representatives

of the people who owe them services. Earlier, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki had on Sunday flagged off a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme where he promised to provide 40,000 direct jobs for the youths in various vocations. He said; “It is also my hope that from today as well different leaders from all parts of the country will emulate what we are doing and play their roles by creating opportunities for our youths. “I also urge the state

government to continue to play special programmes to all the youths . I want to also appeal to the Kwara state House of Assembly Speaker to look at laws that we can do that can help to create opportunities for a lot of youths .This is the reason the 8th Senate passed the law that has become the talk of the town ‘made in Nigeria’ products. “It is our belief that made in Nigeria products will create opportunities for Nigerians who have products and services to be able to find market”, he added.

CACOL holds 3rd Lagos open parliament validation confab

he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL will today hold its third Lagos Open Parliament, LOP validation conference. The LOP is a programme of CACOL focused on the periodic analysis of government’s general performance in

Lagos state. The programme utilizes public and media assessments’ of governance performance including field work (empirical and practical assessments). The research strategy deploy different tools to carry out self-assigned patriotic task of moni-

toring government activities with the goal of ensuring transparency and accountability; including questionnaires, interviews, news analysis, visual investigations involving usage of videos and photographs. As part of one of the main events in the process of the LOP3, CACOL

will today be holding a validation conference to verify the data, information and findings from the research and field work carried out thus far in the process of the LOP3. The representatives of Lagos state government, Civil Society organizations, the media and

members of the public shall be part of the conference. The Conference shall avail Lagosians and the general public the opportunity to cross-check and verify the data and other findings gathered during the research processes of LOP3 which will culminate into the publication

to be tagged ‘Lagos Open Parliament: The change we see’. CACOL is an aggregate of human rights, community based, and civil society organisations with an anti-corruption agenda across Nigeria. It is a non-political, nonreligious, non-sectarian, non-profit Coalition.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Why we launched ‘Save One Million Lives Program For Results’ —Health Minister 18

LifeBlood Nigeria, others provide free health service in Lagos

Nigeria marks World Diabetes Day • Cases may rise to 642 million by 2040 • More Nigerians down with foot complication • Patients lament rising cost of treatment • Expert advocates structured self monitoring of blood glucose for patients

SAM EFERARO HEALTH EDITOR

he 2016 World Diabetes Day was marked worldwide on Monday amidst statistics showing that that one in eleven adult around the world, or about 415 million people, are currently living with the disease. And it is spreading fast. The international Diabetes Federation says the figure of adults with diabetes will rise to 642 million by 2040 even as one in two adults (46%) with diabetes remain undiagnosed. With the theme “Eyes on Diabetes” this year’s edition of WDD focuses on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes an treatment to reduce he risk of serious complications. In a presentation at a Media Roundtable organised by Nigeria Health Online, an online health newspaper, in collaboration with Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Roche Products Limited Diabetes Care and Eli Lilly, Dr Afokoghene Isiavwe, Consultant Endocrinologist & Medical Director, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre Lagos and Project Coordinator, Diabetes Podiatry Initiative Nigeria, emphasised the importance of screening as highlighted by the 2016 WDD theme, saying screening of people with diabetes ensures early detection of complications and the avoidance of poor outcomes. She noted that diabetes is often picked up late among Nigerians and many people would have developed complications at diagnosis. She disclosed that 50% of newly presenting patients with Type 2 diabetes would have developed one or more complications at diagnosis such as intermittent claudication (3%), retinopathy (21%) and ischemic skin changes to feet (6%). Also, about 35% o such patients would have developed hypertension, 18% would have developed abnormal ECH, 1% for stroke or TIA while 20% would have developed erectile dysfunction among

others. Dr. Isiavwe described diabetes foot complications as a pivotal event in the life of a person with diabetes and a marker of serious disease and comorbidities. According to her, 85% of diabetic related foot amputations are preceded by foot ulcer, 75% of which are preventable. She however told the participants that up to 25% of persons living with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. “Without early and optimal intervention, the wound can rapidly deteriorate, leading to amputation of the affected limb, sometimes death,” she further said.”50% of patients will have their other limb amputated within two years of a major amputation. The relative five-year mortality rate after limb amputation is at least 50% (compared mortality rates of lung cancer (86%), colorectal cancer (39%), breast cancer (23%), Hodgkins disease (18%) and prostate cancer (8%) “A history of Diabetes Foot Ulcer gives a 40% greater 10-year mortality rate than in people with diabetes alone,” She further said. Dr. Isiavwe also said that the current prevalence of DM in Nigeria is not known. What is known however is that amputation rate is 42%-53% in various centers with mortality rate as high as 50% in some centers. She gave some tips to people living with diabetes and members of the Lagos Chapter of Diabetes As-

sociation of Nigeria (DAN) at the forum, urging them to take proper care of their diabetes to avoid serious complications. • Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help. Be more active. • Ask your doctor if you need special shoes. • Keep your feet clean with daily washing in clean water. • After washing make sure you dry your feet , especially in-between the toes. In another presentation, the Accu-Check Strategic Account Manager, Roche Products Limited Diabetes Care, Mrs Folashade Olufemi Ajayi urged Nigerians living with diabetes to embrace the structured self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in the control of their diabetes. Mrs Olufemi-Ajayi told the participants that the Haemoglobin Ab1c (often abbreviated as HbA1c) blood test which is routinely performed in people with diabetes to know how well the disease is controlled, as important as it is in diabetes management, is not enough to fully determine how an individual’s diabetes is controlled. “Structured SMBG and systematic data analysis can help people with diabetes make lifestyle changes and inform therapeutic decision-making,” she submitted. She listed some of the advan-

tages of SMBG, most of which a patient will not get by relying on HbA1c alone. These include the fact that SMBG helps to Identify hypoglycemic event, Identify postprandial blood glucose excursion, has dynamic relationship between insulin and resulting glucose level; has effects of different meals and snack and effects of physical activity “Patients have immediate access to the information; it encourages patients to become more involved in their own management and reduces dependence on health care professionals. It increases patient motivation to keep blood glucose within target, helps ID and correlate symptoms of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia with blood glucose values. It supports and guides decision making with regards to changes to meals, activity and medication. “Self-monitoring enables patients to achieve appropriate metabolic control, avoiding hypoglycemia and reducing the likelihood of developing long-term complications of hyperglycemia such as blindness or renal failure,” Mrs Olufemi-Ajayi said. Meanwhile, some Nigerians living with diabetes lamented, at the roundtable , the high cost of antidiabetes drugs in the country saying this is impeding their ability to control the disease. They urged the government to take necessary steps to urgently address the situation and save Nigerians from

avoidable death from the disease which is increasing rapidly worldwide, especially in the country. In his message, Alhaji Muibi Adeniran, the DAN Publicity Secretary who is also an amputee, told the gathering that the cost of test strips and medications, both oral and injectables (insulin) have gone so high in the country that many diabetics are now at the risk of losing their lives due to poor diabetes control. According to him, strips which used to cost about N3,000 per 50 now cost between N6,000 and N7,000. “And that is the least of expenses a person living with diabetes has to incur in a month. Costs of oral drugs and insulin have now gone beyond the reach of many patients. Patients are encouraged to own glucometers so they can monitor their blood sugar by themselves. But hospitals will not accept the results so they still have to pay about N250 in some General Hospitals while the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) charges as high as N750 to have their blood sugar level tested. “I was diagnosed as diabetic in 1987 and I’ve been managing the disease since then. I don’t have a job. Yet I have to pay school fees. It’s hard for me as I have to rely on people’s assistance,” he said as he called on government to intervene and save Nigerians living with diabetes. Another amputee, Mr. Tunde Famoye narrated how he lost his leg to the disease as a result of his inability to recognise the early signs of diabetes and poor management by the health centre where his condition was first detected. Now with the escalating cost of drugs Famoye said life has become very difficult for Nigerians living with diabetes. “Being an amputee is not easy,” he declared saying he now has to depend on goodwill of family members and friend to live as he has not been able to get another job since he was amputated in 2013. While participants at the Roundtable decried government’s seeming insensitivity towards the plight of people living with diabetes, the Chairman, Lagos Chapter of Diabetes Association of Nigeria, (DAN), Alhaji H.A. Afinowi praised the efforts of Nigeria Health Online and sponsors like Roche Products Nigeria and Eli Lilly for making a difference.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LifeBlood Nigeria, others provide free health service in Lagos

Non Governmental Organisation, LifeBlood Nigeria, in collaboration with High Life Church, International Missions Opportunities (IMO), and Bethel Ministries, recently in Ajah and Victoria Island areas of Lagos conducted a free medical mission targeted at those who cannot afford to obtain medical assistance with their meagre resources. During the medical outreach, over 3,000 people were reached and they were provided with free medical services that included Dental Treatment, Eye Treatment with the provision of glasses, surgeries and medical counseling among others. LifeBlood Nigeria which was launched last June to address the current gap in the quantity of blood being supplied in the country also used the opportunity that the outreach offered to organize a blood drive.

Abiola Okubanjo of LifeBlood Nigeria said that the medical outreach was embarked on in order to help safe lives on Nigerians who ordinarily not afford the cost of medicare. He added that his organization would continue to explore many more ways of adding value to the lives of the less privileged in the society. He said: “Many people due to lack of affordable medicare have died or suffered permanent injury in the country. As an organization, we are saddened by this and have decided to contribute our own quota to help safe precious lives by embarking on this outreach. We are therefore looking for partners who can sponsor blood drives and provide project funding for our objectives to be achied. Current sponsors of our programmes for now include, Australian High Commission and High Life Church”.

‘Veterinarians, medical doctors must cooperate to resolve public health issues’ SEKINAH LAWAL

eterinarians and medical doctors have been called upon to cooperate towards resolving public health issues. The advice was given by the National President of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Mike Ogirima at the Congress of African Veterinary Association, held in Enugu recently. While acknowledging the principles of OneHealth that allows a valuable cooperation between the Veterinarians and the Medical doctors, Dr. Ogirima said that it is the new global orientation and the only way for improved healthcare in the overall interest of the general public. According to the Vice President, African Veterinary Association, Dr, Gani Enahoro, the 6th Congress of African Veterinary Association (AVA) was hosted by Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) at its 53rd Annual Congress in Enugu. There were plenary and specialty based scientific sessions, product introduction and exhibitions. The congress featured

several dignitaries in and outside the academia, experts across professions, serving and former political office holders. The Chairman, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said the theme; “Towards Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development in Africa”, is not merely some technical veterinary matter. “It also speaks to your sense of professional social responsibility; you obviously care about Africa and your various countries. It is indeed commendable that you are getting involved in these wider socio-economic development issues which provide the context, within which your own professional practices, your own professional contributions take place.” There were many other papers directed at the subthemes from AVA Vice Presidents, namely Prof. Maria Antonietta Baptista (Angola), Dr. Louis Gnaho (Benin Republic) and Dr. Gani Enahoro (Nigeria). The renewed calls for a return to agriculture by African countries should not mean a descent to the ancient agriculture that is not technology-driven, nor the following of cattle and sheep through bushes destroying crop farms.

L-R Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, Medical Director Rainbow Specialist Hospital, Alhaji Hammed Afinowi, Chairman Diabetes Association of Nigeria Lagos Chapter, Folasade Olufemi-Ajayi, Accu-chek Strategic Account Manager and Adenike Dosunmu, Diabetes Care Educator both of Roche Products Limited Diabetes Care at the 2016 Media Roundtable on diabetes organised by Nigeria Health Online (NHO).

Why we launched ‘Save One Million Lives Program For Results’ —Health Minister SAM EFERARO

he Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole says the government’s ‘Save One Million Lives Program For Results’ (SOML-P for R) is designed to restructure the nation’s health care delivery system and improve maternal and child health through a result-based partnership with states’ ministries of health. In an address at the SOML-P for R operationalisation workshop for the South West Zone held in Lagos at the weekend, the minister said the programme which is also designed to change the way health business is done by focussing on results and governance, is being funded from a $500 million (N140 billion) credit negotiated by Federal government with World Bank

out of which $1.5million had been disbursed to states and FCT. He disclosed that the project would focus on six important ‘pillars’ of maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) namely:• Improving Maternal, newborn and child health • Improving routine immunisation coverage and achieving polio eradication • Elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV • Scaling up access to essential medicines and commodities • Malaria control; • Improving child nutrition; Prof. Adewole decried the nation’s maternal and child health status, which, according to him, necessitated the Federal Government’s current intervention. “Our indicators look like what you find in war-torn countries. Child health indicators are poor; mother-to-

child transmission of HIV... we are the largest contributor in the world. We contribute about 30%. Immunisation coverage, we have a serious dilemma. We are not delivering vaccines to those who require them, that’s why we still continue to have cholera, we still continue to have measles, meningitis and polio. “Malnutrition is a bigger problem – worse in the North-West than in the South and worse in the North West than in the North East. And what insurgency has brought about is the introduction of acute malnutrition to the people. Almost 40% of children in the North are malnourished. So, we have a serious problem. We are not delivering contraception. For so many years, contraceptive use has remained about 10% for modern contraceptives.” The Minister said the states are being expected to play a major role in bringing

about a positive change in the lives of the people through result-oriented delivery of health services, especially in the six focus areas. He told the states, represented by their respective Commissioners of Health –Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo States that the SOML-P for R fund is a loan only to the Federal Government but a grant to the states. “What we have done is to give you an appetiser $1.5million. We will come back to find out what you did with it. What result did you generate? We have indicators and we have independent verification agents. What we will do after one year, will be to come back, to ask what has happened to your maternal mortality, contraceptive prevalence, malnutrition and immunisation. If you have recorded improvement over the last on year, then we give you extra,” he said.

Drug abuse: Prison inmates advocate pro-youth health agenda Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner ABUJA

nmates at the Kuje Prison in Abuja have called for a national health policy that adequately makes provision for adolescents and the youths to address the challenges of illicit drugs, sexually-transmitted diseases, unplanned births, among others in the country. About 80 inmates of the prison were assembled recently by a group of eight organizations that intend to move round the six geo-political zones of the country and engage the youths in areas of the nation’s health system they want government to im-

prove upon for not only their benefits, but for national growth. The project, tagged “Youth Matters” took off recently at the Kuje prison, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health. Organizations making up the group include Silver Lining Initiative (SLI), KVS International, Mike Omotosho Foundation (MOF), Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Rotary Club Nigeria and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ummah Support Initiative (USI) and the Federal Ministry of Health. Inmates at the prison suggested to government to embark on more enlightenment campaigns on dangers in-

herent in drug abuse. A brief survey conducted among the prisoners showed that majority of them had taken illicit substances which had spurred them to misbehave at one point or the other before getting into the prison. In addition to calls for increased financing of the nation’s health systems, effective community health insurance programme, improved mental health care, sex education, the inmates urged government to block all avenues through which hard substances get to the public for illicit consumption. Some of the drugs/substances identified by the inmates to be constituting

threat to the nation’s youths are narcotic, tramadol, cocaine, ammagadol, marijuana, diazepam, Exxon 5, valium, heroin, Indian hemp, ethanol, nicotine, glue, retinol, codeine, D-5, D-4. They also named products such as cannabis, “monkey-tail” alcohol, cigarettes as harmful to human health. Leader of the group, Auwa Abbas, said the inmates are considered to be very important to the society, despite their conditions. She said the importance the group attaches to the inmates necessitated the kick-off of the nation-wide programme from the Kuje prison.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Thursday, October 3, 2013 Wednesday , November 16, 2016

NNPC’s JV cash calls Winning the war against corruption requires everybody’s commitment default rises to $2.5bn – ICAN President 20 22

Page PAGE

FG signs coastal rail contract to enhance cargo movement 25

Again, Supreme Court sacks UC RUSAL from ALSCON …... orders BPE to handover firm to BFIG TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Supreme Court has again re-validated its earlier order contained in its July 6, 2012 judgement which annulled the handing over of the multi-million dollar Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State, to United Company RUSAL, an aluminium manufacturing and processing company based in Russia. National Mirror gathered that in its latest unanimous ruling by a five-man panel headed by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, given on July 11 this year, the apex court dismissed the application by UC RUSAL against BFI Group Corporation (BFIG) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for lack of merit. A company, Dayson Holdings Limited, had filed the application seeking a review of the July 6, 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court annulling the controversial handing over of ALSCON to UC RUSAL by Bureau of Public Enterprises in 2006. It would be recalled that following the privatization process, which culminated in the final bid held on June 14, 2004, BFIG had emerged as the preferred bidder, after US RUSAL was disqualified by the National Council on Privatization (NCP) for violating the bid guidelines.

Despite the Russian company’s disqualification by the supervising Council for the privatization programme, the Bureau of Public Enterprises proceeded to disqualify BFIG, allegedly for failing to meet the deadline for the payment of $41 million, being 10 per cent of the $410 million bid offered for the plant. The Bureau subsequently reinvited UC RUSAL, earlier disqualified by the NCP, and opened negotiations on how to hand over ALSCON to it.

In addition to the earlier ruling by the apex court, the House of Representatives Committee on Privatization and Commercialization, at the end of a public hearing on the non-implementation of the Supreme Court ruling, urged BPE to comply with the rule of law and take steps to take control of ALSCON from UC RUSAL. Prior to the latest ruling of the Supreme Court, the House of Representatives Committee on Privatization and Commercialization on May 2016 again reaffirmed its previous resolu-

tion urging BPE to respect and enforce the Supreme Court ruling. Consequently, on May 2016 the Bureau convened a meeting with the Chairman/Chief Executive of BFIG, Reuben Jaja, to discuss the implementation of the ruling. During the meeting, both parties agreed that BFIG would pay $41 million, being 10 per cent of the offer price of $410 million for ALSCON with 15 working days after the execution of the May 20, 2004 mutually agreed share purchase agreement (SPA).

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: Biomass Fuels Project Manager, Geocycle, Lafarge Africa Plc, Greg Salami; Head, Branding, Sterling Bank Plc, Peju Ibekwe; Head, Sub Sahara Africa for Geocycle (Waste and Common Management for Lafarge, Holian Group), Olivier Doyen and Chief Executive Officer, Globetech Remedial, Ola Oresanya, during the National Waste Management Conference in Lagos…on Friday.

Registered domain names in Nigeria hit 3,483 ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES

omain Name Registrations and Renewals at the registry, Nigeria Internet Registration Association, NiRA, continued to be on the increase standing currently at 3,483 at the end of October. The latest statistics, which was released in the third quarter report of the association showed that on a monthly basis and yearly there was an increase in registration on a yearly basis. According to the association, the domain names registered and renewed in October 2016 was 5,306, which is more than the registration in October 2015 of 3,450 and that it almost double the registration in October

2014 of 2,717. A further analysis of the report showed that registration in the month of September rose from 1,531 in 2014 to 1,975 in 2015 and then to 3,236 while renewals increased from 839 in 2014 to 1,347 in 2015 and then to 1,679 in 2016. The trend, which is also reflected in October, showed that registration increased from 1,581 in 2014 to 2,101 in 2015 and then to 3,483 while for renewal, the trend was the same showed that in 2014 it went from 1,136 to 1,349 in 2015 and then to 1,823 in 2016. President of NiRA, Mr. Sunday Folayan while commenting on the report said that the Internet works because of the cooperation and ingenuity of many people in a loosely

defined management structure called the Internet Governance. He said that there was the need for more active participation of Nigerians in Internet Governance stressing that the Internet is governed by a multi-stakeholder group in a conscious based bottom up process. He noted that it is private sector led while the government supports the initiative with a sound policies and guidelines saying that it has been reported severally that there are over 92Million Nigerians online. “This is bigger than the population of a number of countries. It is important that people should not be gagged but free to express themselves openly on the Internet but responsibly”, he said.

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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Winning anti-corruption war requires The newly elected 52nd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Deacon Titus Soetan believes that tackling Nigeria’s corruption requires everybody’s commitment. In this interview with NIYI JACOBS, the well-groomed professional speaks about his plans for ICAN, Nigeria’s foreign exchange regime and other sundry issues on the state of the nation’s economy and remedial options that could be explored to reverse the recessionary trend of the economy. Sir, looking back to the days you first became a chartered accountant and now, what are the specific areas you have noticed changes? Of course the profession is not static. Many things have changed. With technology which has affected all areas of our lives, the processes have changed. The institute has incorporated the changes as much as possible into our programs, especially into our syllabus so that the members we are churning out are not deficient when they get to the market place. But our values have not changed. Our integrity which we hold dearly has not changed. Our disciplinary process has been the same. If a member is reported, he goes through a system of adjudication whereby he goes through an investigating panel. If the panel found no case against him, they will dismiss it at that level. But if prima facie a case is found against him, they send him to accountancy disciplinary tribunal. The judgment of that body is equivalent to the judgment of a high court so that anybody who wants to appeal against the judgment will go to the appeal court. Our findings and judgments are published in our professional journals. We may not make them sensational by going to the traditional media but we want to achieve a maximum result with that method. So, our members are well aware that they cannot behave anyhow. As the 52nd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), what are your major plans for the Institute? My plans for ICAN are to make sure we sustain and improve the brand. It is a good brand that we have inherited over the years. Having the brand is not where it stops. We must ensure that the brand continue to make meaning and remain relevant. I will leverage on all our strength built over the years. I plan to do a lot of advocacy programme and we are going to do that more vigorously beginning from this year. We have to let the public know our stand on certain burning issues of public interest that are begging for answers. We are not a trade union no doubt but our voice is respected by many people in, and outside the country. We have programmes for our members that will improve their skills and make them render the kind of service they should render to the public. We want those of them in practice to practice their profession

with ethics and professionalism in mind so that they don’t go against any legislation because if they do anything wrong, it impacts on all us. We will be holding more talks and training programmes for them. Those who want to specialize in certain areas other than Audit, like Forensic Accounting, we have our certification programmes for them. We encourage them to get certified as Forensic Accountants which is an aspect of accountancy that is relevant in our clime. How can ICAN help in the current antigraft war being championed by the present administration? It is not only ICAN. Everybody should be involved. But for the institute as a body, it is helping in several ways. We believe and hold tenaciously to our motor: accuracy and integrity. That means that even though we are no saints, we must act above board in all given circumstances. Members should not be unnecessarily tempted to betray the trust bestowed on them. When they are in position of trust and authority, it is first to benefit their organization and the general public not themselves. These values are imbibed all through our training programs and processes such that when they become qualified, they would have imbibed the value of accuracy , integrity and ability to manage people’s money entrusted in their hands. Not that those members don’t need money, but they must manage it. Whatever you earn as a result of your employment or your service that is what belongs to you. You don’t dig into your employers’ money for your own benefit. That does not belong to you. If you do, it becomes professional misconduct and under our processes, the penalties are heavy. If anybody is found guilty, he or she can be expelled from the institute and the person has no right to answer as chartered

Soetan accountant again. That sounds severe enough. Yes. Why corruption has thrived very well in our clime is because we don’t have that moral courage to take the right step. In other climes like China, there is corruption but once you are caught, you become a public example. They may even go to the extent of killing people but we are not even talking of that. If people that are caught are given the right

I AM NOT SAYING THAT YOU CRUCIFY A PERSON FOR THE SAKE OF CRUCIFYING HIM. WHEN A CASE LINGERS FOR TOO LONG, ITS ESSENCE IS LOST BECAUSE JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED AS THEY SAY. SO, THE JUDICIARY SHOULD HELP IN SPEEDING UP JUSTICE SO THAT WE GET RESULT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE PROCEDURE

sentence, everyone will sit up because nobody wants to be made a public show. But that is what we are lacking in this jurisdiction. Remember the President said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us. He went further to say that everybody’s hand must be on deck including the Judiciary. I am not saying that you crucify a person for the sake of crucifying him. When a case lingers for too long, its essence is lost because justice delayed is justice denied as they say. So, the Judiciary should help in speeding up justice so that we get result as fast as possible without compromising the procedure. Are you saying that when Judiciary speeds up cases and with more professional accountants in various sectors of the economy, corruption will reduce? It will be reduced. But then we need a national orientation. What are our values as a people? We need to develop that, right from the family level. In the past we talked about old

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Executive Discourse

everybody’s commitment – ICAN President politicians as being corrupt but are we having them today? No. We have young men as politicians today. They are our brothers and sisters. Some are even our children. What values did they get from home before getting to the public? It matters a lot. Everybody must espouse good moral values to their children because they are going to be the rulers of tomorrow. If good values are imbibed at the family level, when you become a leader or get to the position of authority you will not forget. On the part of the government, it needs to promote accountability by its body language. A government cannot say it is fighting corruption whereas its body language does not show it. People will know that such government is paying lip service to the matter. So, people in government should also live above board so that when the issue of corruption is being discussed, they will have a mouth to talk. Sir, are you satisfied with the level of enrolment into the institute’s professional examinations? Yes. But there could always be improvements. Some people are scared may be because of misgiving that the profession and its examination is too hard. I say misgiving because people will always find excuses for their failure. What I can say to such people is, if some people are passing the exam, why can’t you do the same. I believe that our enrolment is okay though there is competition out there from local and foreign and bodies. Despite that, we have our good share of the market. When you talk about a chartered accountant, people know what you are talking about and we want to sustain that brand. So, we are not afraid of competition. It only challenges us to make the institute more relevant by ensuring that our members are good ambassadors. Once we achieve that, the sky is so wide that all manners of birds can fly. In the light of what you just said, where do you see the institute in the next five years? Today we have about forty thousand members of the institute. In the next five years I would like to see that number increasing to forty five to fifty thousand members. That is not a small achievement. But most importantly, I want to see people empowered. I want to see more chattered accountants going into businesses because by our training we are not just book keepers for people. We are trained in all aspects of businesses: Entrepreneurship and many more. I know there are a lot of challenges, if we have the courage and what it takes, we can still set up thriving businesses. That way, the rampant unemployment will be reduced. In many jurisdictions, it is the entrepreneurs that provide most of the jobs. You start your small scale business and employ twenty people, I do the same. Twenty people

CONCERNING THE NEWLY INTRODUCED FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE REGIME, IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. MANY PEOPLE HAVE EVEN SAID IT SHOULD HAVE COME A YEAR AGO. BUT THE PRESIDENT HAD INSISTED ON NON-DEVALUATION OF THE NAIRA BECAUSE OF ITS IMPLICATION ON NIGERIANS. I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE CONSIDERED THE FACT THAT DEFENDING THE NAIRA WITH DOLLARS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE, IS AN EFFORT IN FUTILITY employed are like a hundred people employed. If many people do this, rising unemployment will be a thing of the past. We all have to join hands. Our members in particular are well positioned to be entrepreneurs. Now that we have talked about entrepreneurship and job creation, can you assess the impact of ICAN on the Nigerian economy? We have made impact but may be not as much as one would have expected, because many people think that once they get a job, they are okay. They may be okay but who says an accountant can’t combine the profession with agriculture. You can be an educationist or anything whatsoever. For instance, I and my wife have a school we run together. I realized that I might not be a teacher, but I am a manager of men and resources. With that realization, you found out that there is no area of business that you cannot function. The richest man in Africa today, has his hand in so many areas: trading, manufacturing, oil and gas he is there. How much of those has he gone for training? With his idea, he puts the right people there, have the right control and monitoring. That’s what I want our members to strive to do. Meanwhile, we have forty thousand members working in different sectors of the economy. Some are bankers; some are working in manufacturing and even ICT sectors and so on. It is our joy to see that our members are thriving and contributing their quota in the economy. But government has to create the enabling environment. There should be power supply, road and other infrastructure. These things are achievable with sincerity of purpose. So, if a government that promised to provide all these things begins to give excuses, people will begin to doubt its ability to meet the aspirations of the people. What are your views on the new CBN foreign exchange policy and the much talked about 41 items excluded from

the official foreign exchange market? The Central Bank of Nigeria has reasons for its actions. Whether or not we agree with their reasons is a different thing entirely. Concerning the 41 items, I think we should have capacity to produce them in this country. Why do we have to import toothpick when we have wood and everything here? Why do we keep creating employment for others and remained consumers. Why can’t we give local manufacturers some protection to produce some of these things? If we get it from the perspective of protecting infant industries, we will not see it as

Soetan

punishing anybody. My only concern is that many times we have policies but we don’t sustain those policies. We should avoid policy summersault. Concerning the newly introduced floating exchange rate regime, it is a step in the right direction. Many people have even said it should have come a year ago. But the president had insisted on nondevaluation of the naira because of its implication on Nigerians. I believe that they have considered the fact that defending the naira with dollars that you don’t have, is an effort in futility. One thing I think it is going to do is that it will boost the earnings of both federal and state levels of government. This is because the money that was being given to states in the federation account allocation used to be at the exchange rate of about N197 to the dollar. But now, if the exchange rate settles at N280 and above, the naira content will be more. They will have the quantum of money higher than what they used to have, and so, many of them will be able to pay salaries. But there is a corollary to it. That is the fact that many of the states are indebted overseas. They borrowed money in dollar terms. When they want to pay back in dollar terms, they need bigger quantity of naira to pay. So, it is a double-edged surd. However, I believe that the policy will stop rent-seeking and round tripping. Having said that, I think it is a good policy from the CBN.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyNews

Wednesday , November Thursday, October 3, 201316, 2016

Senate Committee lauds BEDC on innovative initiatives 23

NCF reports resurgence of Chimpanzees in Nigeria’s forest

22 33

PAGE

FG plans N95bn bond auction today 26

NNPC’s JV cash calls default rises to $2.5bn

Baru

Oil vessel UDEME AKPAN

he underfunding of Joint ventures cash calls with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s has risen to $2.5 billion. The group managing director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this at the 34th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Exploration (NAPE) said that the joint ventures would relieve government of the cash call burden by sourcing for its operational funds estimated at $7-9 billion annually. He disclosed that this was aside the inherited arrears estimated at $6 billion. “The Joint Venture (JV) cash call exit model we are pursuing guarantees government most of the revenue that normally accrues to it from the joint venture operations by lifting the royalty and tax oil upfront. “This contributes 75 per cent to 85 per cent of the accruable revenues to government. Consequently, the effect on government take will be minimised. We are working assiduously to kick start this from 1st January, 2017,’’ he said. The Corporation’s boss pointed out that it was difficult to deliver the volumes without adequate funding and with an average JV cash call requirement of about $600 million a month coupled with flat low budget levels over the past years. He pointed out that this had led to under-funding of the industry by government which has become a challenge to

production growth. Baru said that consequently, managing these funding issues was part of the management’s most immediate challenge. He pleaded with those behind the indiscriminate acts of infrastructure vandalism to put an end forthwith to “these despicable acts of sabotage.’’ He said that the destruction of critical energy infrastructure was a great threat to the environment, the economy and energy security, adding that the outage of these key infrastructure is undermining the growth of the oil industry in particular and the country at large. According to him, it also has a negative effect on the level of funds to be distributed to the various tiers of government resulting in the ripple effect on the economy.

Ambode “We have faced challenges relating to low oil prices, production challenges due to infrastructure vandalism, inadequate joint venture funding. Others are low reserves replacement, adequacy gap in technology and shortage of skilled manpower among a host of other issues. Most critical of all these challenges is the fact that they are all intertwined in a viral fashion,’’ he said. In his remarks, Lagos State Governor. Akinwunmi Ambode, disclosed that the state would generate more than 3,000 megawatts in the next seven years. Ambode, who was represented by Wale Oluwo, the Commissioner for Minerals and Energy Resources, said gas supply was their major challenge. The governor said that due to lack of gas to power the existing power plants, they were spending thrice the amount

being used to get gas. He said the discovery of oil in the state would increase employment opportunities of young graduates, provide gas supply and improve make electricity supply. The Governor said that if the Federal Government fulfilled its promise of paying 13 per cent derivation for oil, the state would have more money to execute meaning projects. The president of NAPE, Mr. Nosa Omorodion, said the story of the oil and gas industry patch in recent times had remained one that can be told by the bold and the brave. He noted that the global industry had lost more than 600,000 jobs, with the oilfield services and exploration and production sector contributing almost 70 per cent of the loss.

Power distribution averages 3000MW in 4 months BEN UMUTEME Abuja

new report by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has shown that power distribution across the country fell to as low as 2,472.00 MW on the 28th of October, 2016. Despite the low figure recorded in the month, Power sent out between July and October still averaged 3,000MW. According to the Bureau, NBS, Daily Energy report Produced and Sent Out from July to October, 3,803.07MW of energy was sent out on the 17th October, 2016. This contradicts earlier figures that put energy gen-

eration at well over 4,000MW. This is in spite of 60,546MW and 92,511 MW of energy generated on the 28th and the 17th of October respectively by the various generating companies. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had on November, 2013, handed over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN to private sector operators. However, there seem not to be any significant improvement in power situation nationwide with many saying rather than improve, the situation has worsened. In the period under review, the highest form of energy generated and sent out

was recorded in September. According to available data, 89,455MW of energy was generated while 3,635.25MW of energy was sent out on the 29th of September. In the same month, 62,526MW was generated by the Generating Companies, GENCOs, while 2,557MW of energy was sent out by the Distribution Companies, DISCOs on the 16th of September, representing the lowest in energy generated and sent out by the various power companies. Even in August and July, 2016, data showed that energy sent out stood at 3,648.93MW and 3,019.38MW on 18 August and 11 July respectively, being the highest for both months.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Senate Committee lauds BEDC on innovative initiatives

…plans public hearing on power sector issues

s the Senate Committee on Privatization and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) continued the power sector to assess the industry and get acquainted with its numerous problems, the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Plc, BEDC, has been commended for being innovative and well-run in spite of industry challenges. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ben Murray Bruce gave the commendation when he led members of the committee and a team from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on a fact-finding visit to BEDC last Thursday. Senator Bruce who acknowledged the myriad of challenges facing the power sector observed that BEDC under the leadership of Mrs. Funke Osibodu, BEDC had done well since it came on board especially in the areas of community relations, payment platforms and customer services. “We have seen the excitement of staff at the training programmes of BEDC, an enabling environment and air of camaraderie among management staff, which we have not seen in other places, which goes to show that the company is well-run, and we had expected no less a good environment given the pedigree and antecedents of your CEO”, Senator Bruce remarked. “During our visits so far we have seen privatized companies that are well-run, some average, while some are badly run, but with what we’ve seen so far about BEDC I congratulate your management for being one of the well-run companies” he said. The Chairman Senate Committee said he was familiar with some of the problems

of the industry but pointed out that he was surprised about how the industry was being owed about N900billion even when power generation was very low, saying that he was also in the know that federal government was yet to fully honour its obligations to Discos and that they could not collect tariff at prevailing market rate due to high foreign exchange rate and the recession, but was more interested in what could be done to solve the problems. The Senate Committee Chairman said he was not in favour of outright cancellation of power sector privatization but was interested in assessing how it has fared as a tool of government either in terms of failure or success in its entirety. “We are not in favour of cancelling the process. If a bad deal was done in some areas

let us fix it and move on. The committee’s intention is to look at how to fix problems of privatization. In other words, what can be done to solve the problems “he asserted. According to him, the Committee will soon organize a Public Hearing at the National assembly featuring Distribution Companies (Discos), their regulators, customers, and other arms of the value chain to review the privatization process of the power sector with a view to fixing emerging problems and make the exercise work better in the interest of all Nigerians. He explained that some of the problems confronting Discos were unforeseen saying” nobody knew there was going to be economic recession, or forex devaluation of this magnitude, stressing that the committee’s intention of embarking on the fact finding tour was to assess how far the process was performing.

L-R - Corporate Affairs Manager, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mabayaku Albert receiving a Global Quality Excellence Award from Barrister Peter Nworie during the awards ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend.

Kachikwu expresses concern over oil installations attacks CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has expressed his grave concern and disappointment about the recent pipeline attacks by militants in the Niger Delta region. Three attacks have taken place over the last two weeks even whilst efforts were ongoing to prepare the grounds for dialogue. According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, in the ministry Mr. Idang Alibi, Kachikwu is saddened , that the attacks have continued despite months of intensive personal and collective efforts to engage all stakeholders in the region and the recent success in convening a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to begin exploring the opportunities for deepening the dialogue. He condemns the attacks and reiterates that the path to providing lasting

solutions for the Niger Delta challenges remains dialogue, even as he appealed to stakeholders in the region to embrace the path of peace and dialogue and shun acts that further create difficulties for the country, impoverish the region and worsen the ecological problems of the region.

Kachikwu urged all militants to stop and give the ensuing dialogue a chance to birth peace while calling to all leaders and stakeholders in and outside the region to join hands with the government to find a lasting solution to this problem.

Total Nigeria wins ‘Most Trusted Quality Oil & Gas Company’ Award

otal Nigeria Plc has, once more, been recognized for quality-driven operations and global best practice standards in its products and services with the latest ‘Most Trusted Quality Oil & Gas Company’ Award it received at the special edition of the African Quality Institute’s commemoration events of the World Quality Day held at the weekend in Lagos. The company outshone other companies in the nation’s oil and gas marketing sub-sector’s awards’ category due to

what the organizers termed “Total Nigeria Plc’s consistency in placing high premium on quality in all areas of its operations”. In his welcome address at the occasion, the Chairman, Professor Stanley Ohenhen, said that the World Quality Day was being celebrated globally on yearly basis to increase worldwide awareness of the important contribution that quality makes towards both organisational and national growth, and prosperity. Specifically, he explained that to mark

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

45.24

+1.92

+4.43%

12:31 PM

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

46.24

+1.81

+4.07%

12:32 PM

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

31,040.00

+790.00

+2.61%

12:27 PM

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.77

+0.02

+0.76%

12:32 PM

Source: Bloomberg as at November 15, 2016

the day, businesses across the world take part in a variety of activities such as business-wide seminars, presentations, quizzes and competitions at their workplace. Events are usually organised by quality professionals both within organisations and independent bodies, and are designed to spread the ‘importance of quality’ message to non-quality professionals. The university don explained that the theme of this year’s World Quality Day ‘Making Operational Governance Count’ was quite instructive given the fact that Operational Governance is a collection of the activities that see to it that formulated corporate visions, mission, goals, objectives and policies are implemented with thoroughly guided continuous improvement processes in place. He pointed out that making it count however, must be through an unrepentant commitment to quality consciousness in every thought, every word and every action and decision of the individual and collective executives across the world.

Environment & Wildlife

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCF reports resurgence of Chimpanzees in Nigeria’s forest SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

igerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, as well as other conservationists in the country said they have discovered images of Chimpanzees in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa, OSO, forest traversing Ogun and Ondo states. According to NCF, the cameratrap photos are the first firm evidence of chimpanzees in South West Nigeria for over a decade, saying the discovery has been greeted with a lot of enthusiasm by conservationists. The finding, according to a statement from the Foundation, has been described as a surprise

by experts on the project. Commenting on the issue at the Foundation’s headquarters in Lagos over the weekend, the Director General of NCF, Mr. Adeniyi Karunwi, said that the deployment of camera traps and the positive results coming out are signs of NCF’s commitment to conserving the nation’s forest habitats with particular attention on the OSO Forest. “This is part of NCF’s efforts to ensure the survival of species in the OSO Forest Reserve,” he declared. This is as Dr. Andrew Bowkett from the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which also funds conservation work as a partner in

the OSO Forest Initiative, said it was tremendous news. “It seemed likely that this population had gone extinct due to the dramatic increases in logging and hunting over the years. It has come as something of a surprise, as all previous reports indicated that the closest chimps were in a hilly area in a remote corner of the reserve far from where the camera-trap was set up”, Bowkett added. He said further that the survival of chimpanzees and other large mammals in such a threatened forest so close to Lagos, considering the level of urbanization and deforestation, “gives us hope for the Initiative.”

Town Planners task govt on Environmental Laws’ enforcement WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

he National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Mr.Dan Sani, has called on government at all levels to enforce environmental planning laws to enhance the health and well-being of citizens. Sanni who made the call at a press conference to mark the 2016 World Planners Day themed: “Planning around the World You Live” in Lokoja said it was not enough to have laws that are not kept or enforced. “We are appealing to governments to make the laws operational to ensure that our cities,

towns and villages are well planned because the health and lifespan of a people is determined by their particular environment. “There is interplay between us and the environment we live. Even our lifespan is tied to the environment we live. So, how our environment is planned is the engine that determines the functionality of our body organs. “A well-planned environment that is pollution free, traffic free, congestion free and stress free tend to guarantee long life and there is need for government to ensure compliance with laws that gurantee these’’, he added. Sani explained that while mistakes of other professions are

forgotten and pass away with time, every mistake made in planning the environment lives with the people and usually have adverse effects on our existence”, he said. Also speaking, Mr. Dan Alonge, state chairman of Nigeria Institute of Town Planners urge Nigerians to allow professional planners to plan their environment saying that often times people resist planners when they want to do their job. Alonge urged government to exhibit the political will to allow planners plan the environment and also called on planners to take the profession to higher heights by upholding the professional ethics.

Stakeholders laud Powergas over clean environment policies SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

owergas has been commended over its commitment towards cleaner and safe environment in its operations. Some stakeholders, who lauded the gas firm, said this may not be unconnected with

Environmental degradation

its recent recognition as the “Best Compressed & Liquefied Natural Gas Production Company” of the Year by the Institute for Government Research Leadership Technology, IGRLT. Plagued with environmentally-polluting diesel standby power generation as well as other issues, the company has

clean and competitive ‘virtual pipeline offering, providing natural gas to clients, who are not connected to the pipeline. Priding itself as Africa’s largest Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, producer and distributor, it received such a prestigious award, following an intensive selection process. The award was bestowed to an internationally recognized organization over its performance driven, innovative and contributes positively to the economic growth and prosperity of the country.. Chairman of the Clean Energy Group and Chief Executive Officer of Powergas, Deepak Khilnani, said that the company had “an exciting phase of growth over the next two years with plans to produce enough CNG and LNG to generate 500 MW of electricity at power plants across Nigeria where the pipeline does not reach.”

Chimpanzees

NCF, which employed most of the team members, is on the steering committee for the project with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which runs Paignton Zoo. The Initiative was set up in response to the massive deforestation that has occurred in this region and the threats to the remaining wildlife through habitat loss and hunting. The cameratraps were set by the OSO Forest Initiative’s field team as part of their biodiversity monitoring programme. Conservationists have not seen chimps in the area since the early 2000s. There are very few populations of chimpanzees in

South West Nigeria. Although they are considered part of the Cameroon-Nigerian subspecies more commonly found near the border between those countries, little is known about them genetically. This is the rarest subspecies of chimp, with an estimated 3,500 - 9,000 left in the wild, but only about 100 in the South West. The OSO Forest Initiative is a partnership between the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) with the support of the Leventis Foundation and Environmental Resource Management, UK.

FCF plans rural sanitation with Conservation Fund SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

espite it being an obligation to an organization or individual to act for the benefit of society, social responsibility rarely practiced by the majority, has remained a core factor to Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) towards the conservation of the country’s natural resources. Coupled with anti-poaching efforts, FCF proactively assists Tanzanian Wildlife Division by providing anti-poaching teams that consist of highly motivated and professionally trained rangers. The Fund operates in Moyowosi, Makere and Uvinza protected areas in northwestern Tanzania, Ugalla Game Reserve, Maswa Game Reserve, Lake Natron Game Reserve, Mwiba Wildlife Reserve. “Since it is imperative that community development programmes are coordinated with anti-poaching efforts, the FCF also addresses issues of poverty and human pressure on natural resources at a community level,” says the Fund’s Director General Mr Patric Patel. A report on the fund’s (FCF) Community Development 20132015 indicates that the conservation fund has since put up several community development projects towards containing poverty that remains a threat in most remote

areas of the country. A total amount of 2.04b/- has been spent on Community Development Projects by FCF from 2013 to 2015. The conservation fund offers education support to children to obtain good education, enabling the future generation of Tanzania to better lives. The fund also offers village members to start up projects income generating projects that provide them with sustainable income, becoming self-reliant and sufficient. For many isolated communities, access to vital health services is limited. FCF works to improve healthcare by supporting and addressing the immediate needs of rural medical clinics. “Many Tanzanians from neighboring areas now have shorter distances to travel to receive basic medical treatment,” says Mr. Patel. According to Mr Patel, FCF provides a reliable and safe water source for inhabitants near the wildlife areas. The Projects are being implemented in all the Fund’s working areas (conservation areas). “Many areas are very dry for much of the year and villagers are forced to travel long distances to access fresh water,” he says and adds that FCF’s fully equipped borehole rig allows the drilling of wells at cost in suitable areas and support of generous donors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Business News

FG signs coastal rail contract to enhance cargo movement FRANCIS EZEM

he Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi, has said that the decision of the Federal Government to sign a commercial coastal rail project contract agreement with the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, CCECC, was aimed at improving movement of persons and cargo across the nation’s seaports. The project is expected to run through the Calabar and Port Harcourt links and also extend to Onne Ports Complex in Rivers State. The Minister made this disclosure in Lagos while speaking at the formal inauguration of the executive committee of the African Maritime Journalists Association AMJA. Amaechi, who was represented by an official in the Ministry; Mrs. Ijeoma Adindu, restated Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the challeng-

es that hinder seamless movement of cargo and by so doing, check port congestion. He said: “In line with current effort at improving the efficiency of the nation’s seaports by ensuring a seamless movement of cargo within the country, the Federal Government has signed commercial contract agreements for the Calabar-Port Harcourt segment 1 extending to the Onne Seaports Complex for the coastal rail project with CCECC, the Chinese construction giant”. According to him, it is the desire of the government to build a dynamic and virile platform through the implementation of the right policies and programmes that will advance the contribution of the maritime industry to the development of the national economy. He also restated the commitment of the Federal Govern-

Dana Air airlifts over 4m passengers in 8 years OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ana Air has flown over 4million passengers in its eight years of flight operations in Nigeria. As the airline marks eighth anniversary of its commercial flight operations in the country, it has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, reliable and customer–centric air transport services to its teeming guests. The Accountable Manager of the airline, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, in a statement hinted that in spite of the visible operational challenges in the industry, the airline remained strong. He attributed the airlines’ consistency to its innovative managerial style, passion and commitment of its staff and the unending support of its customers. He stated: “We are indeed proud to have flown over 4 million passengers in the last eight years and we are very grateful for the support and patronage we have enjoyed since commencing operations. “We would like to assure our loyal guests and the travelling public that we will not relent in our efforts to deliver worldclass air transport services that all Nigerians can be proud of.”, Mbanuzuo added. On safety and security, he assured that the airline would continue to adhere strictly to the maintenance schedule of its

aircraft, as prescribed by the manufacturers and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. He reiterated that for the airline to have successfully undergone an operational audit conducted by NCAA, and its foreign partners, the Flight Safety Group; the airline was on a sound footing. Mbanuzuo restated that Dana Air’s vision was to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline while its mission was to earn the loyalty and respect of its customers by consistently demonstrating commitment to service and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence.

ment towards the enforcement of the provision of Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, which he believes is an important pillar for homegrown capacity for the sustainable development of the Nigerian maritime industry. The minister pointed out that strict enforcement of the Cabotage policy had become more imperative now that the government is paying atten-

tion to promoting the local content not only in the maritime industry but also in the oil and gas sector by developing indigenous potential to grow the nation’s economy, create jobs and wealth for the nation’s teeming youths for sustainable development. Amaechi said: “We are also working towards providing opportunities for infrastructural development, harnessing potential for consolidation and other

L-R: Chairman House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State, Mr. Sola Giwa; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode; Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; and Press Secretary to Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Habib Aruna, at the press conference on Employment Trust Fund in Lagos, recently.

MFBs task CBN, others on rural dwellers’ financial inclusion BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.

sun State branch of the National Association of Microfinance Banks, NAMB, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and other financial regulatory agencies in the country to ensure that rural dwellers are more actively involved in banking system. The association said when more banking activities were being done among the rural dwellers, cash being kept in inappro-

priate places would be properly kept while the depositors would be encouraged to use available schemes to access money to setup Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises scheme. Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, the chairman of the association, Prince Yemi Adeoye, also disclosed that, 750 jobless people had been gainfully employed by the microfinance banks in the state. He commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the payment of the interest on the first tranche

First Bank to promote savings culture among youths NIYI JACOBS

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to drive financial literacy among the youth and the unbanked segment of the economy. Speaking at the World Savings Day event in Epe , the bank’s Head Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Ismail Omamegbe, said the Bank was totally committed to deepening financial inclusion in the country. He also stressed that the bank would continue to work towards

numerous economic benefits that abound in the maritime industry. “Let me state here that the Federal Government is also committed to building a virile platform through the implementation of policies and programmes that will advance the contribution of the maritime industry to the development of the economy”, the Minister added.

this aspiration by extending banking services to the under-banked businesses, communities and individuals across the country with our extensive network of over 750 branches. “FirstBank would continue to assist the Nigerian child and young adult to build a prosperous future by extending financial education and services to them early in life”, he said. Omamegbe took over 400 students of Government College, Ketu Epe through the basic concepts of savings, making money, and investments while letting them know that their capacity to make in-

formed decisions will make them better adults in the future. FirstBank under its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability scheme initiated the FutureFirst Programme to impart financial independence into young people through the acquisition of the right financial knowledge early in life. The programme is designed to empower secondary school students between 12 to 17 years to build fulfilling careers and be better equipped with tools and knowledge for long term financial independence.

of N610 million loan disbursed to various beneficiaries by the state micro finance banks, adding that the association has reasonably worked on financial inclusion of the active poor who he said have imbibed saving and banking culture. “Those of them who do not have opportunity to save, after encouraging and educating them on importance of saving, would be exposed to how it would benefit them”, he said. Adeoye assured that the association would do its best to see that, rural dwellers were adequately carried along in the saving of their monies, saying members of the association have disbursed over N2billion loan to various beneficiaries in the state to enhance their business transactions. He expressed readiness of the bank to pursue the Rural Business plan for its teeming rural populace in the state. “As part of our meaningful and indelible contributions to the growth and development of the state, the association is in harmonious relationship and collaboration with the state micro credit agency (OMCA) to disburse the N2 billion loan to the beneficiaries,” Adeoye said.

Capital Market

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG plans N95bn bond auction today Johnson Okanlawon

he Federal Government plans to sell N95 billion of bonds today, the Debt Management Office, DMO, has said. Data obtained from the DMO said it would sell N35 billion of a bond maturing in 2036, N25 billion of paper maturing in 2026 and N35 billion of debt maturing in 2021, using the Dutch auction system. Results of the auction are expected to be released Thursday. All the bonds on offer are reopenings of pre-

vious issues. Yields in the secondary market in the last one week have slightly inched upward. Analysts at Capital Bancorp noted that due to current market conditions, yields at the primary auction may close around the current yields in the market. “Following the above, the yields at which Capital Bancorp will bid at this auction through a licenced Primary Dealer and Market Maker, PDMM, are 14.5 per cent, 15 per cent and 15

per cent respectively. The country issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The government plans to borrow about N900 billion locally to finance part of the N2.2 trillion deficit in its 2016 budget. It is also seeking advisers and bookrunners to manage a planned $1 billion Eurobond sale this year. However, the overnight lending rate rose to 22 per

cent on Friday from 13 per cent last week due to tight liquidity worsened by banks inability to get access to their balances with the regulator. The banks were demanding as high as 25 per cent to place funds on the market overnight and that a technical glitch at the central bank’s system which started last month had not been resolved. “There was no cash flow to the system this Market indicators Gainers Gainersand andLosers Losers week because of no Start treathrough End Date 15/11/2016 15/11/2016 StartDate Date14/11/2016 14/11/2016 through All-Share Index 25,857.06 points PrintDate Date15/11/2016 15/11/2016 sury maturity,” one Print tradMarket capitalisation 8.90trn er said.

Investors lose N44bn on large cap stocks’ slump Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities continued bearish trend on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as market closed in red zone. The All Share Index shed 0.5 per cent to close at 25,857.06 points, compared to the decline of 0.6 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 25,986.81 points. Market capitalization shed N44billion to close at N8.901trillion, compared to the depreciation of N63billion recorded the preceding day to close at

N8.945trillionj. Volume of trades increased from 160million shares traded in the previous session to 189million shares traded, while value recorded 905million naira as against 1.11billion The depreciation recorded in the share prices Lafarge Africa, Zenith Bank, Oando, Transcorp and Dangote Cement were responsible for the loss. The total value of stocks traded was N905million, down by 18.9 per cent from N1.12billion recorded the preceding day. The total volume of stocks traded was

189.72million in 2,417 deals, while the three most actively traded stocks were Standard Alliance Insurance, United Capital and FBN Holdings. Custodian Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with 18 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N3.81 per share, followed by Air Service Plc with 15 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N3.19 per share. NAHCO Plc was up 11 kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N2.36 per share, while NASCON Plc appreciated 35 kobo or 4.87 per cent to close at N7.53 per share. Guaranty Trust Bank

Plc added 90 kobo or 2.61 per cent to close at N21.90 per share. On the flip side, WAPCO Plc depreciated N4.00 or 8.33 per cent to close at N44.00 per share, while Con Oil Plc lost N1.79 or 4.99 per cent to close at N34.11 per share. Oando Plc was down 20 kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N3.89 per share, while Transcorp Plc declined four kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at 79 kobo per share. International Breweries Plc dropped 89 kobo or 4.47 per cent to close at N19.00 per share.

S&P, Nasdaq gain as tech stocks’ demand rises

he S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose yesterday as tech stocks were back in demand after a post-election drubbing, while the Dow took a breather following a six-day rally. The S&P technology sector, which had fallen about three percent since Donald Trump’s shock victory, rose 1.29 percent. Microsoft’s 1.62 percent rise gave the biggest boost to the S&P and the Dow, followed by Amazon and Alphabet. “The underlying fundamentals of the economy hasn’t really changed and if the economy is strong that will lead to more capital spending which should benefit tech stocks,” said Mark Watkins, regional investment manager at the Private Client Group at U.S. Bank in Park City, Utah. Both the S&P and the Dow had rallied in the past

week since Trump’s victory on expectations of higher fiscal spending and lower regulations in the financial and environmental sectors. However, investors remain uncertain about the details of Trump’s policies and are also keeping an eye on key appointments in his administration. “Last week’s rally was basically a digestion of Trump’s win and now that we’re past the digestion phase, the market is taking a bit of a breather and is waiting to see what lies ahead under a Republican government,” said Watkins. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 33.83 points, or 0.18 percent, at 18,834.86, the S&P 500 was up 6.34 points, or 0.29 percent, at 2,170.54 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 40.32 points, or 0.77 percent, at 5,258.72. Seven of the 11 major S&P sectors were higher,

with the energy index’s 2.14 percent rise leading the advancers. The financial index, which rose more than 10 percent since the election, fell 1.18 percent as traders cashed in on profits. Oil prices jumped more than 4 percent, bouncing back from multi-month lows on expectations that OPEC will agree later this month to cut production to reduce a supply glut. Oil majors Exxon and Chevron were up about 1.8 percent. US retail sales rose more than expected in October as households bought motor vehicles and a range of other goods. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday retail sales increased 0.8 percent last month, above the 0.6 percent increase forecast by economists. Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said on Tuesday only “significant negative

Source: NSE

Gainers for for Equities Equities S/N S/N 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 8 8 9 9

Symbol Symbol CUSTODYINS CUSTODYINS AIRSERVICE AIRSERVICE NAHCO NAHCO NASCON NASCON GUARANTY GUARANTY MOBIL MOBIL ACCESS ACCESS DANGSUGAR DANGSUGAR NB NB

2016-11-15 2016-11-14 2016-11-15 Closing Price(N) Price(N) Closing Closing Closing Price(N) Price(N) 3.63 3.81 3.63 3.81 3.04 3.19 3.04 3.19 2.25 2.36 2.25 2.36 7.18 7.53 7.18 7.53 21.00 21.90 21.00 21.90 190.00 195.00 190.00 195.00 5.36 5.50 5.36 5.50 6.25 6.30 6.25 6.30 142.00 142.31 142.00 142.31

Gain(N) Gain(N) 0.18 0.18

%%Change Change 4.96 4.96

0.35 0.35 0.90 0.90

4.87 4.87 4.29 4.29

0.15 0.15 0.11 0.11

4.93 4.93 4.89 4.89

5.00 5.00 0.14 0.14

2.63 2.63 2.61 2.61

0.05 0.05 0.31 0.31

0.80 0.80 0.22 0.22

Losers for Equities Losers for Equities

S/N S/N 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 89 910 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19

Symbol Symbol WAPCO WAPCO CONOIL CONOIL OANDO OANDO TRANSCORP TRANSCORP INTBREW INTBREW HONYFLOUR HONYFLOUR DIAMONDBNK DIAMONDBNK WAPIC WAPIC MANSARD MANSARD FIDELITYBK FIDELITYBK SKYEBANK SKYEBANK STERLNBANK STERLNBANK LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK FIDSON FIDSON DANGCEM DANGCEM ETI ETI ZENITHBANK ZENITHBANK FO FO DANGFLOUR DANGFLOUR

2016-11-14 2016-11-15 2016-11-14 2016-11-15 Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) 48.00 44.00 48.00 44.00 35.90 34.11 35.90 34.11 4.09 3.89 4.09 3.89 0.83 0.79 0.83 0.79 19.89 19.00 19.89 19.00 1.14 1.09 1.14 1.09 0.98 0.94 0.98 0.94 0.52 0.50 0.52 0.50 1.87 1.80 1.87 1.80 0.82 0.79 0.82 0.79 0.55 0.53

0.55 0.77 0.77 0.82

Loss(N) Loss(N) -4.00 -4.00 -1.79 -1.79 -0.20 -0.20 -0.04 -0.04 -0.89 -0.89 -0.05 -0.05 -0.04 -0.04 -0.02 -0.02 -0.07

% Change % Change -8.33 -8.33 -4.99 -4.99 -4.89 -4.89 -4.82 -4.82 -4.47 -4.47 -4.39 -4.39 -4.08 -4.08 -3.85 -3.85 -3.74

-0.02 -0.02 -0.02 -0.02

-3.64 -2.60 -2.60 -2.44

-0.07 -0.03 -0.03 -0.02

0.53 0.75 0.75 0.80

-3.74 -3.66 -3.66 -3.64

0.82 1.25 1.25 164.00 164.00 9.60

0.80 1.23 1.23 161.50 161.50 9.52 9.52 14.38 14.38 94.00

-2.50 -0.08 -0.08 -0.12 -0.12 -0.32

-1.52 -0.83 -0.83 -0.83 -0.83 -0.34

94.32 3.76 3.76

94.00 3.75 3.75

-0.32 -0.01 -0.01

-0.34 -0.27 -0.27

9.60 14.50 14.50 94.32

-0.02 -0.02 -0.02 -2.50

-2.44 -1.60 -1.60 -1.52

OTC FX FUTURES OPEN CONTRACTS AS AT NOVEMBER 15, 2016 (4:30PM)

news” could derail the Fed’s Contract Tenor Contract high expectations for rais(Month) 1 NGUS NOV 23 2016 ing U.S. interest rates next 2 NGUS DEC 21 2016 3 NGUS JAN 25 2017 month. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FEB 22 2017 4 NGUS The central bank is 5 Exchange NGUS Published by The Nigerian Stock © MAR 22 2017 6 NGUS APR 26 2017 widely expected to raise in7 NGUS MAY 24 2017 8 NGUS JUN 21 2017 terest rates at its next meet9 NGUS JUL 19 2017 ing in December. Traders 10 NGUS AUG 16 2017 11 NGUS SEP 20 2017 have priced in an 86 percent 12 NGUS OCT 25 2017 chance, according to CME Total Group’s FedWatch tool. Termination of Trading

Settlement Date 23-Nov-2016 21-Dec-2016 25-Jan-2017 22-Feb-2017 22-Mar-2017 26-Apr-2017 24-May-2017 21-Jun-2017 19-Jul-2017 16-Aug-2017

Value of Open Current Rate Contracts ($’mm) ($/₦) 421.72 300.50 443.01 295.50 162.40 290.50 Page 1 of 180.79 285.50 207.42 Page281.50 1 of 796.67 276.50 142.90 273.50 498.93 270.50 466.09 267.50 191.00 264.50

20-Sep-2017 25-Oct-2017

190.33 68.70

3769.96

255.50 258.50

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.

Rate (%) Inflation

17.61

MPR

Crude oil price

$44.43

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

415.6644

USD

304.75

EURO

328.0329

CFA

0.5055

YEN

2.8116

SWISS FRANC

305.3913

POUNDS STERLING

378.7433

SDR

416.3495

NITTY Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

16.6787

2.48

16.7607

1.56

17.3895

0.92

NITTY as @ November 7, 2016

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

25.0883

19.2804

20.8361

22.8478 NIBOR as @ November 14, 2016NIBOR FAQs

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Experience Lagos 11: Moen, Edwards, Alabi on parade 28

As Nollywood awaits Oruh’s ‘Strangers Web’

Creating harmony among Nigerian bands The quest for money and fame has been revealed as the cause of most breakups amongst musical groups and bands in Nigeria. WALE BUSAYO

ow can one really explain the bane of confronting the breakup of musical groups in Nigeria? For the past two decades, the music groups that have split in Nigeria have taken a toll of up to fifteen. In the 90s, The Remedies, Eddy Montana, Tony Tetuila and Eedris Abdulkareem, blew minds with hits like Shako Mo and Omode Meta Shere such that at that time, there were very few artistes who could compete with them, considering their novelty and vigour. Plantashun Boyz, due to their unique and emotional vocal deliveries, was likened to other successful groups abroad such as West Life and Back Street Boyz. Comprising the trio of Innocent Ujah Idibia (2Face), Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo (Blackface) and Chibuzor Oji, better known as Faze, Plantashun Boyz was arguably the most successful musical group in Nigeria at that time. The most shocking and unexpected break-up in the history of Nigerian new generation music is that of the Mo’Hits crew which is still a subject of major debates is the Mo hits. The group has since split due to irreconcilable differences. The president (Don Jazzy) and vice president (D’banj) have since formed their separate labels; Mavins and DB records respectively. Another split almost reared its ugly head between one of the most revered Nigerian groups, P Square, which was later settled, the ‘fruit’ of which is the ‘Double Trouble’ album. Resonance of the Chinwe Ike fame, Zule Zoo, X-Appeal comprising Lexzy Doo and Jazzman Olofin, the all feminine inspiring quartet, KUSH, Styl Plus of the ‘Olufunmi’ fame, the multi-

P Square

Plantashun Boiz

ple award winning gospel group, Infinity, and others are groups that have hit the rocks in the last two decades. Seun Salami, an entertainment journalist and essayist gave speculations why there is massive split of music groups in Nigeria, using the gospel group, Infinity as an example. He states that Money and fame are never a very easy couple to manage among musical groups. “Money and fame are never a very easy couple to manage, and so it was with Infinity. With the success of their Olori-oko album came increased pressure and desire for more. At the time, we began to notice a few differences within the group and decided to do a cover story on the group that would be called – Break Up Scare: Will Infinity Survive? We however decided against the story because it would seem like we were wishing the group ill, but then, the handwriting was already all over the wall. Kenny was the first to take the plunge, jumping at the lure of a solo career and the possible returns it could bring to one, instead of five. Infinity claimed he left the group as a result of a bitter fight over leadership and who owns what song. But according to Kenny, he was simply no longer comfortable with the lifestyle of the other group members. Kenny also told us in an interview that, ‘I wrote Olori-oko even before Infinity was formed…that song is older than Infinity, maybe like two or three years older than Infinity.” Again, the group refuted the claim. They say their style of writing, is in bits and pieces with contributions from members of the group until

Remedies group they achieve a final result. “It’s a simple case of one person coming up with an idea for a song and then we call a meeting to fix the bits and pieces of the song together.” Also, the quest for money, fame and self-recognition further reiterates the claim by the African Queen hit-maker, Tuface on reasons why he left Plantashun Boiz. “I was the first person that went solo. I just woke up one day and told them straight off that I wanted to go out there and do my own thing. As to be expected they didn’t take it lightly but in the end everybody saw reason and we had to part. We were all talented bunch and we felt we could survive individually. All of a sudden, I was on my own, a couple of labels were talking to me and I was also negotiating with a couple of labels” Tunde of Styl Plus also agrees with 2face on this. “I see things happening around me, I see people around me who need help and look up to

me and I can’t even do enough. Then I look at myself and wonder ‘is this where I should be?’ And my answer is ‘no!’ So I asked myself this question: ‘What is life made of ?’ and I got an answer. I believe strongly that life is made up of time and when time is up, you know the rest. So, I thought it was time to pursue my dreams and live my days to the fullest doing things that really matter like spending time with family, loved ones and making music the way I want to without necessarily limiting myself within the bounds of sentimental and negative hopelessness. In other words, I needed to grow out of the ‘boy band image’ and be more of myself ” While some groups present the reason for their break up as the quest for money and fame, the lack of financial back up is the reason why many others such as KUSH split. The Dansaki crooner, Lara George of the defunct KUSH gave the reasons that there was more against them than for them, especially

While some groups present the reason for their break up as the

quest for money and fame, the lack of financial back up is the reason why many others such as

KUSH split…

financially. She explains the reason behind the group’s split up saying they grew apart because at the time, “there was more against us than for us”. She further illustrated with a concert where the group was paid N70, 000 but ended up with less than N10, 000 net profit. She said they were getting more church gigs at the time but the church feels music should be done for free. While this might be the story of other groups, it is interesting to know that Gospel group, Midnight crew is over their thirteenth year. While there were speculations that they split because one of the members, Mike Abdul, released a debut album, he clears the air with the affirmation that he sees the group as being in a marriage “I see us as being in a marriage. It takes a lot of understanding and harmonising your vision. Everybody should know what we are doing here is that everyone sees the group as a platform of expression. On why he produced an album, the Morire crooner revealed that its part of their future plans. “We have commenced the execution of our plans, which is why you will see our individual expressions. We believe it will make the Midnight crew brand exotic and take it away from the regular. Midnight crew is now a force of four different platforms. “For Midnight Crew, we have been around since 2001 and we are still together. Money is not the focus. It does not matter whether you are a group of artistes or a solo artiste, once the focus is money, you won’t last. Even as secular artistes, if all your drive is money, you will soon be frustrated.”

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

Experience Lagos 11: Moen, Edwards, Alabi on parade NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

ouse on the Rock Church has announced the 11th edition of its annual gospel concert “The Experience” scheduled to hold on the 2nd of December 2016 at the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos, Nigeria. The Experience Lagos, as it is popularly known, has been home to thousands of worshippers every December as it heralds the festive vibes of Christmas. With over 750,000 worshippers gathered at the Tafawa Balewa Square yearly, there’s little wonder, gospel ministers across the world see this one- of- a- kind concert as a glowing platform for them to express worship. Last year, The Experience celebrated in awesome style, the decade landmark and this year’s edition shows that, there is no stopping the move. The theme of the Experience 11 is Re-

vealing Jesus. According to the Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin “the purpose of this year’s edition is to further reach the world with the message of the Gospel of Christ, in a fashion so simple, yet effective”. He further emphasised that it is high time Christians stopped sitting in their corners and took centre stage to spread the Gospel of JeDon Moen sus by truly Re-

vealing Jesus. The Experience Lagos always sets itself apart with its soul stirring mix of

Tope Alabi

ministers, giving worshippers an incredible reason to look forward to the day. This year is no different as the line-up of both international and indigenous gospel artistes is already fueling anticipation. Ministering are: Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Travis Greene, Tope Alabi, Micah Stampley, Cece Winans, Donnie Mcclurkin! Also ministering are Gabriel Eziaschi, Eno Michaels, Chioma Jesus, Nwando, Tim Godfrey, Midnight Crew, Smokey Norful and Samsong. The Experience Lagos, which is a free concert, has grown to become the most anticipated gospel music event in Africa among Christians and non-Christians alike. It is reckoned as the largest gathering of people in a gospel music concert. Pastor Paul Adefarasin has also reemphasised that everybody regardless of race, culture, religions or works of life, is invited to experience God at The Experience.

As Nollywood awaits Oruh’s ‘Strangers Web’ ISIGUZO DESTINY

manda Oru, one of Nigeria’s fastrising actresses is set to release a movie “Strangers Web” which will be starring herself, as well as Tina Mba, Ujams Cbriel, Ebere Okaro and other notable Nollywood acts. The movie was directed by Edward Uka. Amanda who was a top executive in one of Nigeria’s leading banks dumped a prospective banking career to embrace her passion for acting and has featured in the movies: “Frenemy”, “Hotel Choco”; “Broken mirror”, “Hidden Parcel”; and also in TV series like “Tinsel” TV and “Hustle”. The movie “Strangers Web” is a story

of a young girl faced with sour twists of life, confronted by life’s most unfortunate situations, and was sexually assaulted and rejected; leaving an indelible mark that haunts her. The film is also a story of survival and how the lead character survived by picking up her broken pieces together, but with every mend, life breaks her even more, dealing her painful blows. But destiny comes to the rescue by using her worst situation to mark a turning point in her life. Speaking, Amanda said the movie is one that encourages and preaches forgiveness. She revealed she felt a strong desire to tell this incredible story and act it out. According to her, “what I have done is to recreate some of the challenges of humankind in a

lywood. I want to say first, acting has been my major talent and I have always made it known anywhere I am given a role. I want to use my God-given talent to support hucompelling story and bring talentmankind and build a better world. I ed actors and actresses to reknow I still have a very long way alise and interpret the story. to go and trust me I am not lookI am new in Nollywood ing back, I am really grateful and still desire to make for the much I have done. the kind of marks some “Strangers Web” will be of the great names distributed mostly in Aflike Genevieve Nnaji, rica and promises to be a Omotola and Stephablockbuster with the level nie Okereke-Linus of hard work that is being have made. These put into the film. Some of women and so many the actors declared they others too numerous Amanda Oru, have great enthusiasm over producer to mention are doing Strangers Web their roles and are ready very incredible jobs to make the efforts put into and I pray that proviproduction count. Nigerians dence will help me conshould expect an extraordinary tribute my own quota to Nolfilm in “Strangers Web”, they said.

Culture at its peak as ‘Ime Agwu’ holds GLORIA ANAEZE

ll roads recently led to Umuaku village, Ebenesii Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state when Chief Benedict Ebele Emeonwu Aguocha, celebrated in a grand style the efficacy of his spirituality known as Ime Agwu in igbo traditional setting. The event, which took place in his palace at Umuafor village, Ebenesii Nnobi, attracted dignitaries including the close allies of the chief priest and celebrant within and outside the state. In his speech, the chief priest, Chief Benedict Ebele Emeonwu Aguocha, popularly known as Obelechukwu Nnobi who expressed joy over the success of the event described Ime Agwu as the traditional thanksgiving. Chief Emeonwu said that Ime Agwu was a day set aside for him and his clients to come together and say a big thank you to the spirit and magic power of his

performance, adding that traditionally, thanksgiving was one of the ways to encourage people and spirit to do more. Obelechukwu Nnobi while praying God to sustain his family and all his clients, advised youths to imbibe in the tradition of their ancestors, adding that with such practice, long live and enduring riches would be theirs. In a brief chat with newsmen, at the event, Chief. Damian Olisadebe Okafor who said that he came to pay homage to his

Masquarade at Ime Agwu festival

friend- Chief Ebele Emeonwu, noted that what his friend did was a tradition, which must never die in Igbo land. He however, said any man who believed in the tradition and would never live a deceptive life style. He prayed God for long life and substances to enjoy while serving humanity Also speaking, Mr. Anthony Mbaoma Chukwuemeka, who is nicknamed Tokas appreciate said the chief celebrant-Chief Benedict Aguocha knows the important of culture and tradition in the attainment of joy and happiness in life. He enjoins other sons and daughters of Igbo extract across the globe to imbibe on the practice of their ancestors which made them to live longer. Earlier in a brief chat with newsmen during the event, one of the wives of the Chief celebrant, Lolo Njideka Aguocha popularly address by her husband as angel, disclosed that she

was solidly behind her husband’s eagerness to reverend the culture and tradition of his forefathers. Angel while praying for long life and prosperity of her husband and entire family member, further noted that she derives joy seeing her husband’s client problems been solved through traditional means. In his goodwill message, Chief Barwin Azubuike Oraka from ubahu Nnobi hinted that Chief Aguocha was celebrating his success as a traditional Doctor. He advised people of Igbo who originally believes in gods to strive for exploit, noting that before the Christianity, there was a mode of worship in Igbo land, wonders why people was not having interest in the activities of their forefather but were ready to call and follow the footsteps of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac as forefather. Highpoint of the event was the display of various masquerades of different shape and sizes from across the Nnobi community and exchange of gifts with the chief celebrant and People were seen engulfed with lavish entertainment.

CivilService FG to recover unremitted N450bn National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

From The

PAGE

surpluses from MDAs T

he Federal Ministry of Finance has announced the constitution of a committee to recover unremitted operating surpluses of agencies of government running into N450 billion. A statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday said that the committee, headed by the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, would reconcile operating surpluses of 31 revenue-generating agencies of government for the period 2010-2015. It said that the findings of the committee so far had shown under-remittance of over N450 billion that accrued within the period. The ministry said that staff of the Office of Accountant General of the Federation had critically reviewed the accounting statements of these agencies which included the CBN, PTDF, NAFDAC, NTA and SEC, among others.

“The committee will therefore be inviting the management of these agencies to explain why their operating surpluses have not been remitted as mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. “Some of these agencies have incurred huge expenses on overseas training and medicals, and huge expenses on behalf of supervisory ministries and/other organs of government involved in oversight or regulatory functions without appropriate approval. “Other infractions include payment of salaries and allowances to staff and board members, governing councils, and commissions which are outside or above the amount approved by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

“The list also includes unacceptable expenses incurred on donations, sponsorships, unfavourable contract signed for revenue collection by a third party; granting of staff loans that have not been repaid as well as sale and transfer of assets to board members, among others,” it said. According to the ministry, the overall effect of these practices is that operating surpluses of these agencies are lower than should be. “As a result of this, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has directed the Accountant General of the Federation to issue a circular that will limit allowable expenses that can be spent as part of measures to ensure these agencies face strict monitoring. “This development is part of the resolve of the Honourable Minister to ensure that leakages are tackled,” the statement said.

Slow legal process, cause of corruption in oil and gas –CISLAC Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has attributed corruption in the oil and gas industry to federal government ‘s slow legal framework . The Senior Programme Officer, CISLAC, Kolawole Bawo, noted this at the interface session on legal reforms, contracts transparency, beneficial ownership in the extractive sector held in Abuja recently. According to him, the extractive sector had been very slow adding that it was like a motion without process. He further added that the

civil society groups were willing to comply with federal government and they hope that in the next one year they would see faster process and greater changes in curbing corruption in the oil and gas industry. Also, the Country Director, National Resources Governance Institute, Dauda Garuba, explained that Nigeria was experiencing a falling in the oil prices. He added that the country needed to mop up all the resources they could gather in order to power the economy. “The country has a mono product in oil and gas and it is the only way forward even when we are talking of diversification on which we have

TUC calls for living wages for workers P.30

mounted for too long. “The reality is that we still need resources and money to diversify. It is what is required to diversify the economy and also what we need to power the economy. “There are also some missing links which is obviously in the paper implementation which doesn’t transform into realities. “We need to be up and doing at the level of the government to ensure that we deliver what is necessary,” he said. Earlier, Stanley Ochonu from the Budget Operations Lead Open Alliance, explained that CISLAC had called all the civil societies to play in the reformation that was taking place in the oil and gas sector.

Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Paul Lehmann (L), with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas, during a workshop on Policy and Capacity Building for a Successful Sustainable Mining Sector, in Abuja.

NACA unveils national HIV/AIDS stigma reduction strategy

he National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has unveiled a National HIV/AIDS stigma reduction strategy. The agency has also simplified the version of Antidiscrimination Act 2014 to address stigma and discrimination in HIV/AIDS services. The Acting Director-General of NACA, Dr. Kayode Ogungbemi, unveils the two documents on Tuesday in Abuja. The acting director-general, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Alhassan, Director Partnership Coordination and Support, said the documents were launched in collaboration with the Christian Aid International, UNAIDS and other partners. Ogungbemi said that HIV/ AIDS response in Nigeria is still encumbered by stigma which may constitute a major

UBEB recruits 5,000 teachers for liberated LGs in Borno P.30

threat to the gains and outstanding opportunities to end the epidemic by 2030. He added that the yearning to expand willingness to access various HIV/AIDS services underscored the importance of the stigma reduction strategy. “The aim of the strategy is to align the efforts of various stakeholders especially in the area of prevention intervention in addressing HIV related stigma and discrimination in their settings and to bring synergy. “The strategy also aims at guiding all HIV/AIDS stakeholders in addressing stigma and discrimination within their ranks and based on inbuilt comparative advantages in their core functions, ’’ he said. The Programme Director, Christian Aid Nigeria International, Ms. Nanlop Ogbureke, said it supported the Association of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+) to provide faith-based interpretation of the Anti-discrimination Act, 2014. She said that the signing of

the Act was considered a giant stride in the National HIV response. “Yet, there have been reactions that the act has not been communicated appropriately. “Religious understanding of situations and interpretations are important in the life of Nigerians and it defines their behavioral dispositions. “With this in mind, Christian Aid Nigeria International, brought together religious scholars, Muslim and Christians to provide the faithbased interpretation of the act with relevant verses from the holy books,’’ she said. Mr. Victor Omoshehin, National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS, said that many people did not know the content, messages and spirit of the Antidiscrimination Act 2014. “Since Nov. 28, 2014, the former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the HIV AntiDiscrimination Act into law, significant Nigerians are not aware of the law. “In 2016, two years after the law was signed into law, many people living with HIV/AIDS suffers various forms of discrimination.

Civil Service

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TUC calls for living wages for workers

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to come up with a living wage for workers. The TUC gave the advice in a statement signed by its President, Mr Bobboi Kaigama and its Gen-

eral Secretary, Simeso Amachree respectively in Lagos. According to the statement, it is insensitive to spend N3.6 billion on the purchase of exotic cars by lawmakers when the country is in economic recession.

“The delivery of 28 units of Peugeot 508 being part of the 360 exotic cars ordered by members of the House of Representatives in the midst of economic downturn is a misplaced priority. “This is a bane of the nation’s development. It

is sad that the system favours some group of people at the expense of the impoverished masses,’’ the statement said. It said that lawmakers should justify the constituency allowance collected monthly by making laws that would positively af-

fect the lives of the people. The TUC said the hope of the masses was being dampened by some unfavourable policies at a time the country was strug-

FG hails Australian partnership in mining Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

L-R: Executive Director, Access Bank, Mrs Titi Osuntoki; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Dr Anikwe Ferdinand, at the Opening Ceremony of African International Film Festival in Lagos.

UBEB recruits 5,000 teachers for liberated LGs in Borno

he Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) said it recruited about 5, 000 teachers in Borno to provide education to children in five local government areas liberated from Boko Haram insurgents. Mr. Dalhatu Suleiman, the Deputy Director of Education, Crises Response Project of SUBEB, made this known during the launch of the 2016 state enrolment Drive Back to School in Maiduguri on Tuesday. Suleiman said that teachers were deployed to provide basic education to 15, 000 children across 301 learning centres in five local government areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Konduga and Benishaik, Dikwa. Suleiman said that the programme was aimed at ensuring that all children, especially the girl-child, have access to free and compulsory basic quality

education. “This programme was supported by the USAID Basic Education Programme in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Board, with a view to providing greater access and ensuring quality education among Nigerians. “Within a period of nine months, children who don’t know how to read and write were able to do so. They can now read and write. “We have visiting lecturers from UNIMAID, state polytechnic and college of education, who are translating our curriculum from English language to Kanuri to enable the pupils to learn faster. “Our approach to education in Borno is therefore known as providing education in emergency,” said Suleiman. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of SUBEB in Borno, Alhaji

Shettima Kullima, said the campaign would go a long way in revolutionising the education sector in the state. Kullima said that Gov. Shettima had accorded topmost priority to education in spite of the strangulating insurgency. “Contracts for the construction of nine model

schools have been awarded; works are in a tremendous progress. “The school feeding programmes would also commence very soon. “Directives have been issued for the release of teachers’ pending promotion to enable to them perform their duties diligently,” Kullima said.

gling with recession. It called on the government to take up the issue as a challenge as part of its anti-corruption crusade.

he Federal Government has commended the Australian government for its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in developing the Nigerian mining sector. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, gave the commendation Tuesday, at the opening session of a twoday capacity building workshop organised by the Australian High Commission in collaboration with the ministry in Abuja. Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Abbas, the minister noted that Nigeria and Australia had enjoyed a long history of commercial, cultural and diplomatic links built up over the years. He noted that the two countries, had in 2002 signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering political economic, commercial, scientific and cultural cooperation, adding that both countries were active members of the Commonwealth and had numerous instances of high-level cooperation on issues of regional, global and geostrategic significance. Fayemi appreciated the tremendous support received from the High Commission during the last African Down Under (ADU)

International Mining Conference in Perth, early in September, 2016. The minister stated that the significance of the workshop with the theme “Policy and Capacity Building Workshop for a Successful and Sustainable Mining Sector” is to provide information on leading practice from Australia on building a sustainable mining sector for Nigeria. He enjoined participants to take advantage of the workshop to share ideas and exchange experiences to develop their areas of expertise in enhancing the mineral exploration and mining sector in the country. In an opening remark the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Lehmann said the capacity building workshop in the mining sector was a demonstration of cooperation between Nigeria and Australia. Mr. Lehmann said two experts from the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum were in Nigeria to conduct a workshop for Nigerian mining officials on building a sustainable mining sector for the country. The workshop, he said, was an avenue for sharing experiences, ideas and knowledge in the industry between the two countries and a tangible and practical demonstration of what Nigeria and Australia could do together.

FMC resident doctors on strike over salary irregularities

esident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, on Tuesday began an indefinite strike to protest irregularities in the payment of their salaries. Dr. Chukwunonso Okoye, the President, Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Yenagoa. Okoye said that doctors at the medical centre had

been receiving only 48 per cent of their salaries for the past four months. The president said information at their disposal indicated that it was only at FMC Yenagoa that resident doctors were being owed 52 per cent of their salaries since January 2016. “We have been having the challenge of being paid only 48 per cent and being owed 52 per cent of our salaries for the past four months.

“We have tried to be patient with the present government, and also shown understanding but up till this moment, we have not received our pay; therefore, we are withdrawing all our services. “The fact is that it is affecting our members and we do not see how we can continue to show this understanding with present administration.” Okoye said the strike would continue indefinitely, if their salaries were not in full.

“We have written to various authorities ranging from the senators representing Bayelsa to the Accountant General of the Federation, Budget and National Planning and the Minister of Health concerning the short payment but none has shown concern about our plight. “We made personal contacts with these people but nothing was done. We cannot work on an empty stomach,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ATUANYA HELEN UGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EBOGHA HELEN UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That on some of my documents, my name appears as SALAAM YETUNDE OMOTOYOSI, while on other documents, it appears as SALAMI AMINAT MODUPE TOYOSI and SALAAM OLUWATOYOSI AMINAT. That I am one and the same person bearing all the names mentioned above. That henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as SALAAM OLUWATOYOSI AMINAT. All former documents bearing those names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS TIJANI SALIMOT ABIDEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADEYEMI SALIMOT ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JOSHUA EDORE, now wish to be known and addressed as EDORE JOSHUA AINOJE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as ANDREW ELIKIAN instead of ANDREW ELIKIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SADIQ ARIYO AKEEM, now wish to be known and addressed as SADIQ HAKEEM ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IDRIS GARBA, now wish to be known and addressed as IDRIS ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGBENNA IFEOMA DYPHNA, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHE IFEOMA PHILOMENA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY ASUQWO NKUDA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADIBE JACOB NKUDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALIU ABDULHAMEED OLAMIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ALIU HAMMED OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, February 14, 2014

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABIOLA AHMED, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABIOLA OGUNDIPE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWACHUKWU DANIEL TANSI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWACHUKWU UGOCHUKWU DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUNONSO ANDREW EMENTA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EMMANUEL CHUKWUNONSO DESTINY. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SALAWU FATIMA IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as OLALEYE FATIMO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JOHN KEMI SHOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BELLO KEMI SHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as SAMIAT OYEYEMI GBAJUMO now wish to be known and addressed as SAMIAT OYEYEMI GBAJUMO-AKARIGIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BANIRE MUTIAT OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNTAYO MUTIAT OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SULE LAWAL, now wish to be known and addressed as AMINU UMAR BAMARAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public and banks take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOHORO FAITH AJIRI, now wish to be known and addressed as EGBAMUNO FAITH AJIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly know and addressed as BABARINSA TAIWO EMILIA, now wish to be known and address as ADELAKUN TAIWO EMILIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as KATE AGBEBAKU, now wish to be known and addressed as KATE AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IGWEANUBA OGONNA CHIENENAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EWIM OGONNA CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GLORY ALEXADE UDO, now wish to be known and addressed as GLORY ALEXADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONYENAGOROM ONYINYE LINDA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADIEGWU ONYINYE LINDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as DAGWAZA M ABBA, now wish to be known and addressed as DAGWAZA MALAM ABBA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AYODO OLUWATOSIN OYINDAMOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OLASUPO OLUWATOSIN OYINDAMOLA. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities Please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

Formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE RUKAYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLAYIOYE MICHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIOYE MICHEAL KUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGUCHE GLORIA FAITH, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUCHE GLORIA REKIYA. And that my date of birth was mistakenly written on as 9th May 1996 instead of 30th January 1980. That my correct date of birth is 30th January 1980. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SANGORANTI AYOOLA ADEDIRAN, now to be known as ADEYEMO AYOOLA ADEDIRAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AIYEZUMA GLADYS OMOROVBIYE, now wish to be known and addressed as JOLAOLUWA GLADYS OMOROVBIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known andaddressed as OKOTETE REGINAL AGOFURE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGOFURE REGINA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DURUOMA CHUKWUMA DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as DURUIHEOMA CHUKWUMA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MONSURAT FOLASHADE GARUBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MONSURAT FOLASHADE UADIALE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as GODWIN ALEX, now wish to be known and addressed as ALEX PHILEMON NIMFAK. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR ONYEKA MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKONKWO AMAKA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DAUDA OLALEKAN AKANNI, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO SUNDAY FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL CLARA ODIRI and CLARA ODIRI IDOGHO, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBAMEBOR CLARA ODIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EMORDI: Formerly known and addressed as RACHEL EMORDI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. RACHEL MICHAEL- OLADELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as JIBOLA TOYIN MODUPE, now wish to be known and addressed as OJUOLAPE TOYIN DUPE. All former documents remain valid, general public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as DAUDA ABDULLAHI BRIGHT now wish to be known and addressed as DAUD ABDULLAH BRIGHT. All former documents remain valid, general public to take note.

ADEGBITE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEGBITE ADEKEMI FATIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KASALI ADEKEMI FATIMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLABIYI YEMISI IYABO, now wish to be called and addressed as UKUTA YEMISI IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General Public Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MR. SHORUNKE OLAONIPEKUN ADEOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR.SHORUNKE ADEOYE MUDASHIR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS FADELE AYOBAMI PEACE now wish to be called and known as MRS SANNI AYOBAMI PEACE(NEE FADELE). All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OJO OLUMUYIWA OYEDEPO, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEJUMO MONDAY OLANREWAJU OJO. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as ENIOLA NAJEEM YEMISI now wish to be addressed and called as FOLARANMI ENIOLA YEMISI. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as YUSSUFF KAFILAT ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as KELANI KAFILAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as ARIYO ADEDAPO SEUN now wish to be called and addressed as ARIYO ADEDAPO ISRAL. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLA INNOCENT now wish to be known and addressed as OLAH INNOCENT ADAKOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AJEWOLE OLUWASOLA ABAKE now wish to be known, addressed and called as DARAMOLA OLUWASOLA ABAKE. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CORRECTION OF NAME

That my name was wrongly written as OGOR OBECHA on my BVN instead of OBECHI BLESSING OGOR which is on my Bank Account opening documents. That my correct name is OBECHI BLESSING OGOR. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That my name was wrongly written as ZALIHA TEMITOPE USMAN instead of AGBAJE FUNMILAYO MUINA on my UBA documents. That my correct name is AGBAJE FUNMILAYO MUINA. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OTUNLA OLAWUMI ELIZABETH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AKEREDOLU OLAWUMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KOLADE ENDURANCE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as KOLADE GODPOWER EDDY. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

That on my BVN, my name was wrongly written as NWEKE ANNE OLAYINKA instead of NWEKE ANNE PERPETUA. That my correct name is NWEKE ANNE PERPETUA. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UDOLIE CHINENYE JENNIFER, now wish to be known and addressed as UDOLIE CHINENYE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, OYENIYI OLUSEGUN OYEWUMI is one and same person bearing OYENIYI OLUSEGUN MATTHEW am also known and addressed as OYENIYI OLUSEGUN OYEWUMI MATTHEW. All documents bearing the above names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as BAIYEWUNMI ABEKE RALIATU, now wish to be known and addressed as BAYEWUNMI, JUMOKE ABEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLUWAKEMI MOTUNRAYO OWOEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWAKEMI MOTUNRAYO NWAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOHN MABEL IGELLE, now wish to be known and addressed as IKU MABEL IGELLE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as HONAWONDE ABIDEMI JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMUEL ABIDEMI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ENO AMOS, now wish to be known and addressed as NSEABASI UDOFOT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE TIWENIOLUWA ONATOTE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE TIWENIOLUWA ONATOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SULAIMON EBEDI MONSURU, now wish to be known and addressed as EBEDI MONSURU OYEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JOY AJU IKPO, now wish to be known and addressed as JOY GABRIEL EKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MUSILIAT DAJU ALHASSAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MERCY .M. BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AJAYI YEKINI OGUNDARE, now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI YEKINI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as PATIENCE AWE ISAAC, now wish to be known and addressed as AWE PATIENCE CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I former MISS YISAU KHAFILAT FOLAKEMI, now wishes to be called and addressed as MRS. KAHAFILAT FOLAKEMI YISAU - ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please note.

MOBOLARIN: Formerly known and addressed as SHOAGA OLADAPO MOBOLARIN, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOAGA OLADAPO AHMED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE KHAZAB EASY LIFE LIVING ORGANISATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the company and Allied Matters Act. 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BELLO HASSAN HAMMED 2. BELLO KAFILAT OLUWASEUN 3. ADIGUN SAHEED ADEBAYO 4. HASSAN SODIQ OLAWALE.

CHAIRMAN SECRETAY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION ARE: 1. Provide credit to the less privileged ones who do not have collateral securities aimed at reducing poverty. 2. Provide livelihood vocational skills and other empowerment opportunities aimed at promoting self reliance and employment opportunities. 3. Promote environmental sustainability and development through capacity building and empowerment. Any objection to the application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GOODLUCK FERANMI now wish to be known and addressed as DANIEL GOODLUCK FERANMI. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, OGUNDOWO OLORUNYOMI MICHAEL is the same person known and addressed as OGUNDOWO ABAYOMI MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. First bank and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AINAN TOBI DEJI NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AINA AYODEJI OLUWATOBILOBA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. C.D.K INTEGRATED INDUSTRIES L T D, DIAMOND BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

AYANLADE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS AYANLADE OLUWADAMILOLA RACHAEL ABOSEDE OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. IBIDAPO OLUWADAMILOLA ENITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, February 14, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as IBIKUNLE OLUYEMI MOSES MICHEAL now wish to be addressed, called and known as IBIKUNLE OLUYEMI MICHEAL. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid; Skye Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS AFOLABI ISLAMIAT LARA( NEE MAJEKODUNMI) now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SOFELA ISLAMIAT LARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS LAWAL OMOYEMI CELINE MOJISOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ODUSANYA MOJISOLA BEATRICE OMOYEMI. All former documents remain valid General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that same person bears OJO GBENGA and ADEBAYO GBENGA, but now wish to be called and addressed as OJO GBENGA. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, INEC and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS OLOYEDE KAFAYAT ABIMBOLA Now MRS ALAO KAFAYAT ABIMBOLA. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MR BABATUNDE WILLIAMS Now which to be known and addressed as MR BABATUNDE OWOYELE WILLIAMS. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as GODWIN OKORO AMARACHI GRACIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OKORIE AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JAMES MANJI GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as JONATHAN MANJI MATTEW. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLORUNTOBA VICTORIA BOSE, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNBO OLUWAFUNMILAYO VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ARUM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ARUM CLEMENTINA CHINELO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUDE CLEMENTINA CHINELO (NEE ARUM). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SHITU: I, formerly known and addressed as SHITU GADDAFI MOHD, now wish to be known and addressed as SHITU GADDAFI MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OBUKOHWO DORIS, now wish to be known and addressed as OBUKOHWO SAMSON DORIS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL ADETAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as ADETAYO JAIYEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS BOSEDE-INUKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BOSEDE OSANEMO INUKAN OMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGU AMARACHI GINA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ONANIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as NNENNA BENITA ONANIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as NNENNA BENITA ILEDIAGU .O. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OGRA PATRICIA ODIRIVERE Tina now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZIEGBE TINA ODIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLOWOYO OLUSEYE OYE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AYO-AREOLA OLUSEYE OYE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, OGUNBANWO ADEYEMI COMFORT am the same person bearing OGUNBANWO COMFORT. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OGUNBANWO ADEYEMI COMFORT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS SHAROMI MORYAM ADEFOWORA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLOKO MORYAM ADEFOWORA. All former document remain valid general public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that ONYENE .O. SUNDAY and OLIVER SUNDAY CHINASA ONYENE and Wrong Date of Birth is 6-6-1969 and the correct Date of Birth is 6-6-1968. Refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

formerly known and addressed as MICHEAL MMANDU ENIEMA, now wish to be known and addressed as USENIDEH MMANDU ENIEMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ENEH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENEH DEBORAH EKWITOSINAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUMSINACHI DEBORAH EKWITOSINAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EZEJA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEJA VICTORIA NKECHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IDOKO VICTORIA NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. ESCTE and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as LASISI OLUWABUKOLA SHALEWA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWOLE REBECCA OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MAJEED SALAMI, ABDULMAJEED OMINISI MUHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULMAJEED MUHAMMAD ABDULSALAM. All former documents remain valid. GTB, JAIZ BANK and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. JOHN ABIODUN CATHERINE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AYEDE ABIODUN CATHERINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, LASISI YEKINI ABDUL am the same person bearing YEKINI ABDUL.Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LASISI YEKINI ABDUL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OKWANDU ENDURANCE BLESSING is one and same person as OKWANDU NDUBUISI BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as Okwandu endurance blessing all former document remain valid general public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that MODINAT SAMBO and MODINAT MOJIROLA NOSIRU. Refer to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as MALAOLU OLUWADAMILARE DREY. instead of MALAOLU OLUWADAMILARE SAMUEL. and my Date of Birth was wrongly written as 4-11-1984 instead of 11-4-1984. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

IDOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IDOKO FRANSISCA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZE FRANSISCA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGOCHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as OGOCHUKWU STANLEY NNAM, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAM STANLEY OBIEKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKARE ISMAIL OLADELE now wish to be known and addressed as BAKARE ISMAIL OLADELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AFOLABI TAIWO OLAMIDE now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. Access bank plc, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. DELPHINE NKOLIKA MUOKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DELPHINE NKOLIKA EZEKWESIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MUHAMMED FATIMA BINTA Now wish to be known and addressed as PATIENCE OKHANI OSHOWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY known and addressed as NANA ISHQA NOW wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF GRACE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.WEMA BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ONUKA OSONWA ONUKA now wish to be known and addressed as OSONWA KALU ONUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name is ARIJE AWAWU ATINUKE and my correct Date of Birth is 23-2-1941. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNMOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNMOLA HANNAH OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLALEKAN HANNAH OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU EMEKA MADUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as JOHNSON MADUKA UGWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGWELE: I, formerly known and addressed as OGWELE CLEMENTINA NWEZUO, OGWALE CLEMENTINA NWEZUO NNACHEBEM and OGWALE CLEMENTINA NWEZUO now wish to be known and addressed as OGWALE CLEMENTINA NWEZUO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

This is to confirm and certify that CHUKWU PRECIOUS OKWUDIRI, CHUKWU OKWUDIRI OKWUDIRI and CHUKWU OKWUDIRI refer to one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU OKWUDIRI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as BELLO FADEKEMI OLAITAN, now wish to be known and addressed as TIAMIYU SUKURAT OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

REMOVAL OF NAME That in my sky bank account I bear the name MAMAH HELEN EBI while in my BVN I use the name MAMAH HELEN. That I now wish to remove EBI from my Skye Bank account. That I now wish to be known and addressed as MAMAH HELEN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned please take note.

REMOVAL OF NAME That in my BVN I used the name OTUBURU TEJIRI DEBORAH while in my GTBank account I bear the name OTUBURU TEJIRI DEBORAH DAVID. That I now wish to remove the name DAVID from my GTBank account. That I now wish to be known and addressed as OTUBURU TEJIRI DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned please take note.

This is to confirm that YOUNG GODDEY ODIAKA and MATTHEW GODDEY belong to me, one and the same person. But now wish to be known and addressed as YOUNG GODDEY MATTHEW ODIAKA. All former documents remain valid.

OBIORU: I formerly known and addressed as OBIORU EMUS JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as FULUDU JULIUS EMUS JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LOSS OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certified that BOLANLE SOLA OLAOYE is the same one person as BOLANLE MARIA OLAOYE, that henceforth wish to be called, known and addressed as BOLANLE MARIA OLAOYE. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid; Diamond Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OKOROEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKOROEKE JEROME ANIJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEREKE JEROME ANIJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to notify the general public that the Original Deed of Conveyance with Registered No.47 at Page 47 in Volume 587 dated on 29th day of June., 1962 at Land Registry Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos of property at Debari Ijebu - Tedo Village off Ikorodu Road ,Shomolu , Lagos State, belonging to MRS. LETITIA ADEWEMIMO OLUDIMU is LOST. The general public and Lands Bureau, Alausa please take note. ADEBAYO: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEBAYO ABIODUN STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO DAMILOLA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

ATIM: I, formerly known and addressed as ATIM OFFONG AMBAH, now wish to be known and addressed as DAISY ADEWALE ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KAREEM: I, formerly known and addressed as KAREEM SUAHEEB OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as KAREEM SHUAHEEB OLUWASEHUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DIKIBUJIRI: I, formerly known and addressed as SEYI TUNDE DIKIBUJIRI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWASEYI SUNDAY ONABANJO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CORRECTIONS OF DATE OF BIRTH I OFFOR UGOCHUKWU JOSEPH was born on 25th day of September, 1989. But my age was erroneously inserted in my West African Examination Council Certificate no. 6656867 and candidate no. 4132007137. That my correct birth date is 25th September, 1989 and not 12th September, 1978. General public and authority concern should please take note.

I MR UMARU MAGANWE name was mistakenly written as UMAR MAGA instead of MR UMARU MAGANWE and my date of birth is 31st December 1985. All former document remain valid.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IDRIS: I, formerly known and addressed as IDRIS LADIDI BILIKIS, now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU LADIDI BIRIKISU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMINAT BASARU DASOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMINAT AYOFE DASOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS BELLO TOPE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ORETIMEHIN TOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADESEGUN ADENIKE ADEOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PHILLIPS ADENIKE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB OGUN STATE, general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AZEEZ ABIODUN ABOLORE, now wish to be known and addressed asAbdulazeez RASHEED ABIODUN ABOLORE. All former documents remain valid. Financial Institutions and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UMEH DORATHY IFEBUCHECHUKWU same person as UMEH DORATHY IFEBUCHE now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH DORATHY IFEBUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OPE KHADIJAT ADEGOROYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ELESHINMEJI OPE KHADIJAT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ODO JUDE OBINNA 17-7-1988, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI BENJAMIN OKWUDILI 14-2-1985. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as OLABISI REBECCA ADUKE now wish to be addressed as OLABISI RASIDAT ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OCHUBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OCHUBA CHIOMA A. and NWABUGWU CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEAKUJI CHIOMA ANASTECIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ANI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANI NKEIRUKA and MISS ONUOHA ANGEL NKIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOLIE NKEIRUKA ANGEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OSENI: I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED OSENI, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED HUSSENI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

UKAHA: I, formerly known and addressed as UKAHA MERCY, now wish to be known and addressed as UKAHA MERCY ULU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNSANYA: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE ADEDAYO OGUNSANYA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE ADEDAYO ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, PATRICK PATIENCE AFORNIME am the same person as GEORGE LIZZY PATRICK and PATIENCE PATRICK. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as PATRICK PATIENCE AFORNIME. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

North 33 Shettima resumes construction of abandoned roads, drainages Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

Wife of the Governor of Plateau, Mrs Regina Lalong (R) celebrating her birthday with some children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: Sunday Adah/JAU/BJO/NAN

Senate summons IGP over Southern Kaduna killings George Oji ABUJA

ollowing incessant killings in some parts of Southern Kaduna, the Senate Tuesday, summoned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to brief it on plans to end the killings in the area. The IGP is expected to meet with the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, after which a report will be submitted to the Senate for further consideration and legislative action. The summons followed a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma La’ah (PDP), Kaduna South), which called for the declaration of state of emergency over the situation in his Senatorial district.

This was also as the Senate rejected the pleas by Senator La’ah to include Southern Kaduna in the just passed North East Development Commission (NEDC). While pleading that the inclusion of the senatorial district will help in rebuilding the place, the lawmaker said it will be impossible for state government to take on the task alone. La’ah, while drawing the attention of lawmakers to the under-reported killings, said there has been regular attacks by armed herdsmen, the latest being the 16th of October, 2016, which resulted in several deaths, injuries and wanton destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

He said the armed herdsmen have occupied the displaced communities and are grazing their livestock freely. According to him, there is a general atmosphere of insecurity in Southern Kaduna senatorial district and that local inhabitants cannot access their farm holdings and crops which he said are ripe for harvest. He lamented that efforts by the Kaduna State Government, as well as the Federal Government to restore peace in the area are inadequate to prevent more attacks. Also yesterday, the Senate condemned the act of hawking, selling and otherwise illegally trading in new naira notes, coins or any notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN). Adopting a motion sponsored by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP, Abia North) titled “Urgent need to end the illicit trade in freshly minted naira notes”, the Senate urged the Central Bank of Nigeria as a matter of urgency, to enforce compliance with the provisions of section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007. It also mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen its system that audits the process of collation, processing and disposing of defaced and mutilated notes. The upper chamber urged the CBN to investigate the allegation that commercial bank officials do in fact sell new naira notes to illegal peddlers.

Atiku haunted by his past -El-Rufai Aza Msue KADUNA

aduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Tuesday declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is being haunted by his past. In a terse statement personally signed and released by El-Rufai to our correspondent in Kaduna, he said Atiku is in the dark art of damaging other people through a campaign of lies and his media machine. El-Rufai said: “This statement is issued in response to the latest falsehoods to emerge from Alhaji Atiku Abubukar. He has a record of spewing outright lies and

innuendo against my person. “As we struggle to build a law-abiding society and secure progressive outcomes for our people, we cannot allow the triumph on these shores of those who will have us move to a post-factual world. Not even from a man as practiced as Alhaji Atiku is in the dark arts of damaging other people through a campaign of lies from him and his media machine” “Therefore, I am constrained to provide a response to the fake news and revision of recent history by Alhaji Atiku. “I never had anything to do with the incorporation of Transcorp. Those that established that company

and fronted it like Festus Odimegwu, Tony Elumelu, Otunba Lawal Solarin and Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke are still around and alive. As such, I could not have and did not offer Alhaji Atiku any shares in Transcorp. I declined the shares that were offered to me. “Having done that, how could I have offered anyone shares? In fact, I advised President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku and then Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala not to accept the shares that were then being offered by the promoters of Transcorp. “My counsel to them was based on the grounds that they would face con-

flicts of interest when Transcorp bids for privatisation assets” “At the time Alhaji Atiku and Ngozi were chair and vice-chair of the National Council on Privatization, and were particularly directly involved in approving the sales of state-owned enterprises and assets. “It is too late in the day to try to pretend that the fiasco concerning the attempt by then Senators Ibrahim Mantu and Jonathan Zwingina to extort money from me for Senate clearance never happened. All Alhaji Atiku has just done is confirm that he paid the Senators, as I revealed in page 139 of my book”

orno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has said that with relative peace and the degrading of remnants of the Boko Haram sect by the military, his administration has resumed work for the construction of abandoned roads and drainage networks in Biu Local Government Area and other communities in Southern senatorial district of the state. He specifically mentioned that the ongoing projects for rehabilitation of township road in Biu and the construction of 40 kilometre MiringaGunda road and bridges that was abandoned due to insecurity will be completed before the end of first quarter of next year. The governor stated this when he paid courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu at his palace, Alhaji Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu. Represented by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Adamu Lawan, he said the weeklong official engagement in the area, is to inspect

the commencement of ongoing roads and drainage projects to ensure that quality work is not compromised. While thanking Governor Shettima and the commissioner for the visit and resumption of work on abandoned projects in his domain, the Emir, Mai Aliyu, said Biu Emirate deserve full attention of the present administration in providing dividends of democracy and infrastructural development, in view of its economic potentials. The Emir, however, called on the state government to quickly intensify efforts in controlling the increasing cases of gully erosion and other ecological hazards threatening settlements, infrastructures and other sources of livelihood in his domain. He insisted that unless urgent measures are taken, the natural hazards would jeopardise the current effort of government in the zone, adding that, there is need for careful soil analysis before execution of any meaningful projects.

Your sacrifices won’t be in vain, Buhari assures military Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner

resident Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, launched the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance emblem, saying the sacrifices of the military would not be in vain. At the event which held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, the President launched the emblem and the appeal fund with N10 million. Buhari, who spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Appreciating the resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces” was apt. According to him, it speaks to the perseverance and dedication of serving and departed men in the uniform. He noted that those great attributes are par-

ticularly on display in the present trying times in national life as men and women of the armed forces make genuine efforts to end the insurgents. According to him, the administration would continue to honour the military in their ongoing arduous fight against terrorists He assured that the government would do all it could to remember their sacrifices and appreciate their families who bear the brunt at different levels of pains and loss. Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali said the event was unique as it came at a time when the nation achieved a milestone in its anti-insurgency war with territories recovered despite economic hardship. He urged all Nigerians to wear the emblem with pride to honour those who paid the supreme price.

WorldNews

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 -

Page 34

US poll fallout: I could’ve won popular votes–Trump Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

resident-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, says he could have won the popular vote against Hillary Clinton if he had campaigned differently. With one state left to count, Clinton has nearly a million more votes than him but lost last week’s election due to the Electoral College system. Trump, who said early yesterday that the system was unfair and he had preferred a simple vote, insisted he would have still won a straight vote because he would have focused more on the big states won by Clinton. “I would have campaigned in N.Y. Florida and California and won even bigger and more easily” the president-elect, who

US President-elect Donald Trump

lost in New York and California, said on Twitter. “I have respect for the electoral college system but I would rather see it where you went

with simple votes. “You know, you get 100 million votes and somebody else gets 90 million votes and you win.”

NATO chief wants ‘joint action’

ATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned US Presidentelect Donald Trump that going it alone is not an option for Europe or the United States. He said the West faced its greatest security challenge in a generation. During his election campaign, Trump described Western military alliance NATO as obsolete. He suggested that the US would think twice about coming to the aid of any NATO ally under attack if it had not paid its dues. Stoltenberg conceded that Trump had a point about the need for some members to make a bigger financial contribution, as the US currently accounted for almost 70 per cent of NATO spending. But he added that American leaders had always recognised that they had a profound strategic interest in a stable and secure Europe. “It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and prosperity we enjoy for granted. In these

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

uncertain times we need strong American leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden,” the former Norwegian prime minister said. “Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States. We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States,” he added. “The 9/11 attack on the US was the only time that NATO had invoked its self-defence clause, which

requires all members to come to the aid of one that is attacked. “This was more than just a symbol. NATO went on to take charge of the operation in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of European soldiers have served in Afghanistan since. “And more than 1, 000 have paid the ultimate price in an operation that is a direct response to an attack against the United States.” Stoltenberg said Trump’s apparent admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin sharpened that concern.

Aussie gays bar PM

ustralia’s Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has been told he will not be welcome at next year’s Mardi Gras parade because of his handling of the gay marriage issue. Organisers passed a motion not to invite Turnbull, who was the first sitting prime minister to attend the last gay pride event. Turnbull, a supporter of marriage equality, backed his party’s calls to allow a national vote on the issue. But the stance has angered some who fear a vote would be divisive. Currently, same-sex couples can have civil unions or registered relationships in most Australian states but they are not considered married under national law. Cat Rose, who put forward

the motion at the Mardi Gras parade’s annual general meeting, accused Turnbull of using last year’s event as a media opportunity. “Since then, he has been nothing but a conduit for homophobes wanting to derail marriage equality through a vindictive plebiscite,” she added. “We wanted to express our disgust at his prime ministership as a community and to say that we don’t need his phony friendship,” Rose said in a statement released on Facebook. “For this reason we are not extending an invitation for him to attend the parade while we wait for equality.” Despite opinion polls indicating that most Australians support same-sex marriage, some believe a plebiscite, which would be expensive, could unleash a homophobic campaign.

On election night 2012, Trump had incorrectly tweeted that Mitt Romney had won the popular vote but lost to Barack Obama: “He lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country!” In a subsequent post from that night, he added: “The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy and the phoney electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation.” Bernie Sanders, the populist candidate who ran against Clinton in the Democratic primary, has also questioned the electoral college system. When asked if the electoral college should be changed, he responded: “I think you ought to think about this. I think we want to rethink that.”

However, a former head of Britain’s armed forces, Lord Richards, said Trump had already begun modifying his tone with respect to his policies, and he cautioned against taking campaign statements at face value. “The reality of becoming president, of inheriting this great mantle of the defender of the Western world and of leading NATO, will curb and impinge and direct much of what he has got to do. He is inheriting a long history here, and I think he will do the right thing by us all,” Richards said.

A survey of 5, 500 LGBTI Australians conducted in July by advocacy group Just Equal found that 85 per cent opposed holding the referendum. Instead, they want Turnbull to allow parliament to vote on the issue. Opponents of the referendum were backed last week by Australia’s Upper House, which blocked the government’s proposal for the national vote.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

“I have received too many complaints. Israel is committed to protect anyone who suffers from the excessively loud calls”-Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

WORLD BULLETIN Colombia: Rebels, govt embrace peace The Colombian government and the Farc rebel group have announced a new peace agreement, six weeks after the original deal was rejected in a popular vote. The two sides, which have been holding talks in Cuba for four years, said the revised plan incorporated proposals from the opposition and others groups. The initial deal had been deemed to be too favourable to the left-wing rebels. The new agreement is not expected to be put to another popular vote, but rather submitted to Congress. “We have reached a new final agreement to end the armed conflict, which incorporates changes, clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups,” the two sides said in a statement read by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the mediating countries, in the Cuban capital, Havana.

Hurricane fallout: Haiti faces food shortage

The international community is falling short in its commitment to Haiti’s recovery, the country’s Interim President Jocelerme Privert said yesterday. Privert said devastating losses from last month’s Hurricane Matthew were equal to the country’s entire national budget. “We are facing a major food crisis and worsening levels of malnutrition,” he said, as he urged governments around the world to do more to help. The Category 4 storm, the strongest to hit the Caribbean in a decade, devastated large parts of the country and affected 2.1 million people. The Haitian government estimates 1.5 million people are in need of immediate assistance, including more than 140, 000 people who are living in temporary shelters. “I don’t want to see Haitian people die because of the unavailability of international assistance,” Privert further said.

Venice residents flay ‘depopulation’ Hundreds of residents of Venice have staged a protest against the rapid depopulation of the Italian city. Protesters hung a sign over the city’s famous Rialto Bridge and some carried suitcases to symbolise having to leave. Locals said they were being forced out by high rents, housing shortages and a surge in the number of apartments being rented to visitors at inflated prices. The population of Venice has dropped to under 55, 000, from about 175, 000 in 1951. The number of people in the picturesque and car-free lagoon-side city swells in the daytime, especially in peak season when as many as 60, 000 tourists can visit. Earlier this year, people on small boats tried to stop a cruise ship from docking.

National Mirror Business & Finance www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MARIAM TEMITOPE OLUWAKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as MARIAM TEMITOPE ONAKOYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OTENAIKE BOSUN, Now wish to be known and addressed as OTENAIKE BOSUN OWOLABI. All former documents remains valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known called as OKOROAFOR JOSHUA UZOMA. I now wish to be known called and address as OKERE GODSON ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ADIO OLUWASHINA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADIO OYESHINA TAOREED. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR. OLAYINKA ADEGBITE ROTIMI now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OJO ADEGBITE ROTIMI. All former documents remain valid. and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that i AGBOLLA SAHEED AND AGBOOLA TOSIN SAHEED refer to the same person BUT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS, AGBOOLA TOSIN SAHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EBIH: Formerly known and addressed as EBIH EVAN CHIDINMA now wish to be known and addressed as UKWUEZE EVAN CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

IKECHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU EMEKA FRANK now wish to be known and addressed as OBIA EMEKA FRANK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

BANA: Formerly known and addressed as ABANA GODWIN YAMA now wish to be known and addressed as HALILU ABANA MBITAHSON . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OLAOLO: Formerly known and addressed as OLAOLO MAYOWA MARIAN now wish to be known and addressed as IGE MAYOWA MARIAN All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. BADEJO FUNMILAYO VICTORIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEWOLE FUNMILAYO VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN TAJUDEEN DAVID, Now wish to be known and addressed as AJAO TAJUDEEN BALOGUN. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OFIAELI CHINEMEREM CHUKWUEMEKA now wish to be known and addressed as OFIAELI CHUKWUEMEKA DAVID. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, Wednesday, November 16, 2016 February 14, 2014 CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI JELILI now wish to be known and addressed as RAFIU JELILI OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as SAMIAT ADEDIGBA OKULAJA, Now wish to be known and addressed as SAMIAT ADEDIGBA OKULAJA-BELLO. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as BOGUNBOLU AYOBAMI now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEAGBO OPEYEMI, Born on 30th April 1992. All former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was mistakenly written as MR ADEBAMIRO ABAYOMI instead of BAMIRO ABAYOMI. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MR. BAMIRO ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OYEYEMI TEMITOPE RUKAYAT, Now wish to be known and addressed as TEMITOPE RUKAYAT OYEYEMI-ADEWUNMI. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as GEORGINA OSEI now wish to be known, called and addressed as DWUMAH GEORGINA ADAOBI. Former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as DEDEIGBO OLUWATOBI JOSHUA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI OLUWATOBI JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS.OKE ABIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS.TAIWO ABIOLA ABEO. All former documents remain valid. And general public take note.

I formerly known as IYIOLA AKINBORODE JACOB now wish to be addressed as AKINBORODE IYIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Union bank General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I ADEBAYO FUMILAYO ADEOLA, SANGONIYI FUNMILAYO ADEBAYO, ADEBAYO FUMILAYO, FUNMILAYO ADEOLA ADEBAYO.REFER TO SAME AND ONE PERSON.ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING EITHER OF THE NAMES REMAIN VALID.HENFORTH I WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ADEBAYO FUNMILAYO ADEOLA.N.Y.S.C, STANBIC BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

1, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIBU TAIBAT TOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FAKOREDE TAIBAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

I formerly known as ALIMI AKANMU now wish to be addressed as ABDULWAHAB AKANMU ALIMI All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ARISEKOLA: Formerly known and addressed as ARISEKOLA OLUWASIKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as OJENGBEDE OLUWASIKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

ECHEME: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ECHEME JANET NDUKWE/ MRS JANET AKANDE BABARINDE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JANET NGOZI BABARINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ITABOR: Formerly known and addressed as ITABOR CATHERINE OBIAGELI now wish to be known and addressed as OBA CATHERINE OBIAGELI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

BAMELI: Formerly known and addressed as BAMELI IBRAHIM OSHIORENOYA now wish to be known and addressed as BAMELI ABRAHAM YESHUA OSHIORENOYA All former documents remain valid General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AGBOMOJO: Formerly known and addressed as AGBOMOJO SHAKIRU KOLA now wish to be known and addressed as RAMON SHAKIRU KOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

SIYANBOLA: Formerly known and addressed as SIYANBOLA RAFIAT ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as ALARAPE RAFIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

OKOGHO: Formerly known and addressed as OKOGHO GRACE OCHWNA now wish to be known and addressed as NWABUEZE GRACE OCHWNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME & DOB

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as STEVE DOMPREH KWAME instead of DOMPREH KWAME. Hencforth I wish to be known and addressed as DOMPREH KWAME. My correct date of birth is 6/6/ 1987. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EHIWE: Formerly known and addressed as EHIWE PAUL ENIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as EHIWE- ENIOLA PAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AKINKUOWO: Formerly known and addressed as AKINKUOWO BAYO now wish to be known and addressed as AKINKUOWO ILEMOBAYO SHEDRAK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

JOAQUIM: Formerly known and addressed as AKINBOLAJO OLUWATOSIN now wish to be known and addressed as JOAQUIM OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

RUKAYAT: Formerly known and addressed as RUKAYAT ABIODUN FASSASI now wish to be known and addressed as RUKAYAT ABIODUN LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

JOSHUA: Formerly known and addressed as JOSHUA ISAIAH UDOFIA now wish to be known and addressed as ISAIAH JOSHUA UDOFIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

JUSTINE: Formerly known and addressed as JUSTINE ONYESON now wish to be known and addressed as JUSTINE INAH OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ORUKPE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ORUKPE EKATA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AILELE EKATA ORUKPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

GLORY: Formerly known and addressed as MISS GLORY ABRAHAM now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMADE GLORY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EHIWE: Formerly known and addressed as EHIWE PAUL ENIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ENIOLA PAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLADIPO: Formerly known and addressed as OLADIPO-FAGBEWESA FESTUS ADEDOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPO FESTUS ADEDOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DIKE: Formerly known and addressed as DIKE IFEANYI STANLEY now wish to be known and addressed as CHARLES IFEANYI STANLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

OYAYINKA: Formerly known and addressed as OYAYINKA MARIAM now wish to be known and addressed as GBAMILA TITILAYO MARIAM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as AKINYEMI OLUWAKEMISOLA now wish to be known and addressed as AKINSOLA OLUWAKEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as OLUKOWI SAHEED instead of OLUKOWI SAHEED OLASUNKANMI AND MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 5/3/1979 NOT 7/3/1977. Hencforth I wish to be known and addressed as OLUKOMI SAHEED OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI LEMBOYE FOLASHADE now wish to add ANUOLUWAPO to my former and existing names. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LEMBOYE FOLASHADE ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

SAMIAT: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SAMIAT SOLABOMI BAKARE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SAMIAT SOLABOMI BAKAREOGUNDAIRO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SILAS OBI OBADAYA now wish to be known and addressed as SILAS OBIDAH OBADIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as SUNDAY MATTHEW OGUNNAIYA instead of SUNDAY MATHEW OGUNNAIYA. Hencforth I wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY MATHEW OGUNNNAIYA All former documents remain valid. general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY ROSEMARY now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH AND CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as OLAWALE KEHINDE ODUNAYO and my correct Date of Birth is 25th December 1995. I wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE KEHINDE ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OKORO RITA, Now wish to be known and addressed as RITA EGUONO EJETEH, Born on 7th January 1987. All former documents remains valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known addressed and called MRS. FELICIA OSAYI IDEMUDIA; now wish to be known addressed and called MISS FELICIA EKAETE UDOEWAH. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Federal Airports Authority Pensioners and General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR.QIUDRI GASALI, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. QUADRI GASALI SHEU. All former documents remain valid. First bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY MISS ADEWOLE FOLASADE OLAMIDE NOW MRS AJADI FOLASADE OLAMIDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, ALL BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

MAMOWORA: Formerly known and addressed as MAMOWORA DAVID now wish to be known and addressed as MAMOWORA DAVID OLUWAPONLE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

INNOCENT: Formerly known and addressed as INNOCENT COMFORT NDIDI now wish to be known and addressed as OKORO NDIDI COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWANI: Formerly known and addressed as NWANI IGBOKE OBIOMA now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN OBIOMA NNENWOGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

OYENIRAN: Formerly known and addressed as OYENIRAN OLUJIDE BASHIRU now wish to be known and addressed as MICHAEL OLUJIDE OYENIRAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDARE: Formerly known and addressed as OGUNDARE MURAINA OLALEKAN AND YUSUFU OGUNDARE now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDARE YUSUFU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADETUTU ADEBOLA AKINLABI-GBADEBO, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKINLABI ADETUTU ADEBOLA. All former documents remains valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMER MISS SOBOWALE, GANIYAT OLOLADE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. SALU, GANIYAT OLOLADE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKANBI OLUWASEYI FRANCES now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OTINNIYI OLUWASEYI FRANCES. Former documents remain valid. General Public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as RISIKATU AINA GBAMIGBALA now wish to be addressed as RISIKATU ADEBISI ADEREMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY ADEGBOYEGA FOLASHADE NOW ADEWOLE FOLASADE JULIANA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, ALL BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

EMOJORHO: Formerly known and addressed as EMOJORHO FRIDAY now wish to be known and addressed as EMOJORHO FRIDAY TIVE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

HUNGBO: Formerly known and addressed as HUNGBO MORIAM SESANJI now wish to be known and addressed as HUNDEYIN MARIAMO SETONJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

ABIGAIL: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ABIGAIL SATURDAY ABRAHAM now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ABIGAIL JUMBO UDOFIA. All former documents remain valid. Heritage Polytechnic, NYSC and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ANIMASAHUN: Formerly known and addressed as ANIMASAHUN ADEBAYO now wish to be known and addressed as ANIMASAHUN ADEBAYO OGUNBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

TAJUDEEN: Formerly known and addressed as TAJUDEEN NIYI TAIWO now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO SIKIRU TAJUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DEEP-SOWER ENLIGHTENMENT OUTREACH This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization have applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Emmanuel Moses Nwabueze 2. Ezekiel Ademola Dairo 3. Ronald Ordwen Atsewe 4. Rifuntse Andezetso Daniel 5. Victor Chizobeam AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To render humanitarian and charity service 2. To empower the family and youth through education and capacity building 3. To promote the welfare of aged, widows and orphans Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja, Nigeria within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: E.O. Jimoh Esq.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Gerrard confirms La Galaxy departure

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

FIFA has no reason to suspect there has been misuse of funds that FIFA has provided to the Sierra Leone Football Association – FIFA

Women U-20 W/ Cup: Dedevbo to ring changes against Canada

Super Falcons can win AWCON –Rohr S

uper Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr believes that the Nigerian senior women national team, Super Falcons can retain the Women Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon. The Falcons will travel to Cameroon on Wednesday to defend the title they won in Namibia in 2014, after a 2-0 defeat of Cameroon’s Lionesses in Windhoek. Nigeria will begin their campaign in the championship on November 20 with a match against fellow West Africans, Mali at the Stade Municipal de Limbe, Limbe, face Ghana n November 23 at the same venue before meeting Kenya three days later in their final Group B match of the competition. Rohr, who had earlier been at the Falcons’ training session some weeks ago, said in Abuja that he saw a lot of improvement in the team. According to the Franco- German tactician, what he saw in their training convinced him that the team is ready to once more conquer the con-

tinent and expressed hope that they will rise to the occasion when hostilities begins this weekend in Cameroon. “I have seen a good training match against the boys and I can see the team is better than the last time I saw them. I could see that everyone invited are here both homed –based and overseas –based professionals. And I can see that they work very well with the coach. “I also noticed good organization in the team as well as a good spirit. I gave the coach some advise, some of them being that she should play simple, to always have the movement and to play together. I believe they can do it and they will turn out better in the tournament in Cameroon. I think they can win this tournament. Mali is their first game; it is very important to win this game and Ghana won’t be so easy. Kenya, I think normally we will defeat them. According to the Franco- German tactician, what he saw in their training convinced him that the team is

ready to once more conquer the continent and expressed hope that they will rise to the occasion when hostilities begins this weekend in Cameroon. “The Super Falcons are fit and will fight well for the green and white colors in Cameroon,” concluded the

former Niger and Burkina Faso handler. The Super Falcons have won the African Championship a record seven times since its first win in 1998 when Nigeria hosted. They won it again in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014.

ead Coach of the Nigeria female U-20 team, Peter Dedevbo is expected to make three key changes in the starting line -up of his team in tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Canada in Port Moresby. Nigeria got off on a worrying note after succumbing to a 6-0 bashing from Asian giants, Japan. The line-up will look different as Sweden based Christy Ohiaeriaku takes up the gloves in place of first choice keeper and Captain, Sandra Chichi, who is being rested for the game. Midfielder Ihuoma Onyebuchi, who came in for Patience Kalu against Japan, will get a starting role, while midfielder Joy Bokiri who sat out the opening match, completes the changes expected in the squad. Other players including Ugochi Emenayo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Yetunde Adeboyejo and Chinaza Uchendu retained their starting places in the team. Meanwhile, Dedevbo has reassured that the changes will pay off positively, insisting that the adjustment is geared towards getting the points to keep hope alive in the tournament. “The focus right now is on how to pick the maximum points against Canada. The line-up for tomorrow will change and most of the mistakes of the first game have been corrected. I remain optimistic that we will do a good job.” The team took time off from training Tuesday evening to study the video clips of the game between Canada and Spain, which ended in a 5-0 win for the Spaniards. Meanwhile, Players of the U20 Women National Team, Falconets yesterday evening in Papua New Guinea, joined millions of sportsmen and women around the globe in issuing red card to violence through the #ENDviolence campaign.

Pele asked to refund $300,000 by Akwa Ibom Govt.

ootball legend, Pele has been asked by the Akwa Ibom State Government to refund a $300,000 appearance fee paid to him after he failed to grace the opening of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo two years ago. The 30,000-capacity stadium, which at the weekend played host to Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, was opened by then Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on November 7, 2014, with King of Football Pele billed to appear at the elaborate event. However, the legendary Pele did

not grace the occasion even after his agents received a $300,000 payment because there was a shift in dates for the opening of the multimillion dollar sporting edifice nicknamed ‘The Nest of Champions’. A top source disclosed that oilrich Akwa Ibom State Government has since been demanding that the appearance fee be refunded and so far their efforts have come to naught. “The Akwa Ibom Government wants their cash back, but so far all their efforts have proved abortive,” the source said. “They want all the $300,000, but

some experts in the business have advised they should angle for a part of this sum. “Pele’s agents have continued to insist they were not the ones who breached the agreement and so they could not be liable. “And that by the time a new date for the opening of the stadium was fixed; their client was committed to another engagement.” Many years after he retired from the game, three-time world champion Pele has cashed in on his charisma to rake in millions of dollars through special guest appearances around the globe.

Sports

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Yaya should consider Marseille move, says brother

aya Toure should consider a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille to help revive his career, according to his brother Kolo. The Manchester City midfielder has made just one appearance under Pep Guardiola after comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk angered the Spaniard. Yaya has since apologised and committed his future to the club although Seluk is yet to do the same but remains an outcast at City after not being named in their Champions League squad earlier this season. And older brother and Celtic defender Kolo has now had his say on his sibling’s situation, and believes the Ivory Coast international should consider a move back to France, having played for Monaco earlier in his career. “Yes, why not? He still has talent and some things to prove. It’s certain that it’s difficult at City right now,” he told French outlet RMC Sport when asked about the possibility of a Marseille move.

Gerrard confirms La Galaxy departure

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard says he has “options on and off the pitch” after announcing he will leave MLS club LA Galaxy. Gerrard, 36, joined in Galaxy in 2015 and scored five goals in 34 appearances during two seasons in America. His contract expires next month. “It’s certainly not the end of me in football terms,” said Gerrard, who has been linked with Newcastle and Celtic. “I’m going home to spend time with family and decide the best challenge.” “I’ve got options on the pitch, off the pitch and I’ve got a bit of thinking to do over the next two, three weeks.” Galaxy were beaten on penalties by Colorado Rapids in the MLS Cup play-offs on 6 November and Gerrard admitted he was disappointed at not fulfilling his “objective” of helping Bruce Arena’s side win the trophy. Gerrard is the only player to score in an FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Uefa Cup final But he said he was “proud” of his accomplishments in the US, adding his time there was an “incredible experience”. His move away from MLS comes a day after former England team-mate Frank Lampard, 38, announced he would leave New York City FC. Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool between 1998 and 2015 and trained at their Melwood base during the MLS offseason.

Asoju- Oba tennis tourney serves off Nov 21 Ifeanyi Eduzor Toure

Vidal keen on Sevilla return

leix Vidal appears destined to be on his way out of Barcelona during the winter transfer window, with a return to Sevilla considered to be one possibility for the defender. It is understood that a loan switch is the most likely option for the 27-year-old, with a lack of playing time at Camp Nou making it difficult to generate interest in a permanent transfer. Barca is eager to recoup as much of the 18 million they paid Sevilla for Vidal in 2015 as possible, but are aware that they may fall a little short. In order to boost his valuation, though, the Catalan outfit needs the defender to get games. He has not featured under Luis Enrique since September; one of only two outings this season with much of his time having been spent on the bench. A loan move could now be beneficial to all concerned , allowing the player to get important minutes under his belt, while putting himself in the shop window for a summer switch in 2017. Vidal

The 48th edition of the annual Asoju Oba Okoya-Thomas table tennis championship will serve off from Monday November 21- 25 at the Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun, Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Disclosing this to the media during a press conference to herald the take off of the oldest table tennis championship in the country, son of the initiator of the championship, Ayodeji Okoya- Thomas noted that the family would continue to water the seed sown by their late father just as he announced that this year’s women singles title would be renamed and known as Lady Olivet Okoya-Thomas Women’s trophy after their departed mother. “This will be the second time after 46 years that this gathering is not

being addressed by the initiator and sole sponsor of the tournament, Sir Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas. One of his greatest wishes while alive was that the family should continue the sponsorship of the tournament after his demise; we would therefore like to give God all the glory for giving us the enablement to continue this noble legacy for the second year running since he was called to glory.” He noted that a total of 22 titles will be at stake and the competition will be in three categories; cadet, intermediate and senior even as he stated that the prize money has been increased. In his speech at the occasion, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu promised that the state will continue to nurture nurture the tournament which has produced stars for the state and the country. “I must say that this is the fore-

Ozil is Arsenal’s new Bergkamp –Pires

esut Ozil has inherited Dennis Bergkamp’s role as Arsenal’s “maestro”, according to club great Robert Pires. Ozil topped Arsenal’s assist chart last season and has added goals this time around, scoring seven in 17 appearances including a first senior hat-trick. Arsene Wenger this month said Ozil could not be considered in the same bracket as Bergkamp unless he signs a new contract with the club. But Pires, who twice played alongside the Dutchman in Premier League title-winning sides and is still a regular at the Arsenal training ground, says Ozil is the current side’s equivalent of the man Gunners sup-

porters call ‘God’. “Something has clicked,” Pires told the club website as Ozil and Arsenal prepare for Saturday’s live Sky Sports game at Manchester United. “What’s happened in the head is like a click because he’s scored a lot of goals.

Ozil

most sporting competition in this country and seeing some of the champions still connected to the championships showed the good organization that the competition has continued to enjoy. I am pledging the

support of the state to the tournament and we hope more top players can come through again like other top stars like Olufunke Oshonaike, Atanda Musa and a host of others,” Tinubu said.

From Left President Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Waheed Enitan Oshodi, Director General, Lagos-State Sports Commission, Dewunmi Ogunsanya, Son of the Late Molade Okoya-Thomas, Deji Okoya-Thomas, Chairman Lagos-State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, Mrs. Tosin Alobo-Bakare(Nee Molade Okoya-Thomas)and her Sister Mrs. Yinka Taiwo at the press conference on 48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Championship in Lagos yesterday.

Klopp gets Coutinho praise

anager Jurgen Klopp has given Liverpool’s players a winning mentality while boosting their self-belief, according to Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool have surged to the top of the Premier League with 26 points from 11 matches and return to action after the international break with a trip to 10th-placed Southampton on Saturday. “The winning mentality, the coach has brought this. He emphasizes it a lot,” Coutinho told the club’s website. “He gives confidence to the players. I think today we believe more in our own potential and that has made us better on the field.” Former Borussia Dortmund coach Klopp took over at Anfield in October 2015 after Brendan Rodgers was sacked.

The fiery German was twice a Bundesliga winner with Dortmund and steered the club to the 2013 Champions League final. Ozil

Klopp

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Robust Women league possible, says Falode

isha Falode has said time is quite apt and right to halt the drift in the fortune of women football league in the land. The ace sports broadcaster and Caf media committee member was named the chairman of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) board on Monday by the football house, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Falode admitted that there are whole lot of work to be done to get the women’s game up and running once again but insisted that with the cooperation of the stakeholders the task of rebuilding the league will be easy and successfully. “I think the NFF has got it right to constitute the board to oversee the affair of the women league. “I believe it was long overdue but as it’s aptly and commonly said in the land better late than never. “We must admit outright that there are whole lot of work to be done to actually chance reviving the fortune of the sector. “The women league has suffered years of neglect and deprivation but we strongly believe the task of rebuilding is not insurmountable. “I call on the stakeholders to close-rank and come together so that in unity we will uplift the league and make the sector vibrant. “The task is quite daunting but together and sincerest of purpose we will achieve a lot within the time frame,” said Falode to supersport. com. The on-going 2015/16 NWFL has ran into several hitches leading to clubs withdrawal due to no cash to fund honouring of matches and is yet to be concluded. The board has two-year tenure till September 29, 2018 and comprises Aisha Falode as independent chairman while the immediate past chairperson, Dilichukwu Onyedinma is the independent vice chairman and Joe Amene as independent director. Others directors on the league board are Kemi Adesanya, Matilda Otuene, Henrietta Ukaigwe, Hussaina Suleiman, Mustapha Tahir, Usman Mustapha while Nkechi Obi is the chief executive officer (CEO).

Union Bank targets clean sweep at tennis competition

s the National Table Tennis Championship hots up at the knock up hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, head coach of Union Bank Table tennis team, Samson Ajayi has predicted a clean medal sweep by his players at the end of proceedings on Saturday, November 19. The coach whose male and female players won several opening fixtures is emphatic that Union Bank will emerge overall champions at the end of hostilities. Ajayi was apparently elated that virtually all his players like Hassan Nurudeen, Bello Ahmed, Akande Rilwan, Wale Onanuga, Fatai Bello, Aregbesola Fatima progressed to the next stage and was confident that Union Bank stars will ultimately win men’s and women’s singles as well as the mixed doubles at the end of the championship.

Sports

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

300 players jostle for honours at NTTF National Championships

…as Odebeatu tasks players on medal haul

Abayomi Animashaun in action during a recent table tennis tournament

Ifeanyi Eduzor

ver 300 players from across the country are jostling for honours at the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships holding at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos. With players taking part in five categories; senior, junior, cadet, para and veteran, the competitors will be aiming to have a share of the N2.8m prize money at stake at the five-day championship. Cross River Coach, Richard Edem could not hide his satisfaction for the turn-out, saying, “I must sincerely commend NTTF for putting this kind of competition together because it has been long we had such assemblage of players from all over the the country. For the Referee of the competition, Olufemi George, the large turn-out would also keep the um-

pires busy as this is the biggest tournament in the last two years. “Players and teams cut across the country and this is indeed a good development for the sport and I hope we can get more Aruna Quadris and Segun Toriolas from this competition because there are talents in this country,” George said. Among the old players rubbing shoulders with the young ones in the competition is Taofeek Maya, a former African champion in the 1990s. Maya, who recently won a tournament in Gabon, said he is excited with the quality of play coupled with the huge turnout of teams and players. Meanwhile, proprietor of Ojez Table Tennis Club, Chief Joseph Odebeatu has tasked his players to do well in the tournament. Six male and four female players of Ojez are among several players from different states of the federation featuring in the weeklong

national championship which will be rounded up on Saturday. Odebeatu, who is also a board member of the Aquatic Federation of Nigeria, is of the opinion that the NTTF National championship would also toughen the cadet and junior players ahead of future competitions. He particularly reminded the players to enact their success story at the last Asoju Oba Table Tennis tournament in Lagos. In the same vein, national table tennis coach, Nasiru Bello has applauded Ojez’s management for supporting table tennis in the country. “It’s encouraging that Chief Odebeatu is giving young players quality exposure besides camping and feeding them throughout the duration of the tournament. Other individuals and corporate groups need to emulate such gesture for the overall develment of our sport,” concluded Bello.

Bello clears Kogi United, Confluence Queens Sign-OnFees

Afolabi Gambari

ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has paid the sign-onfees and allowances for players and officials of Kogi United and Confluence Queens for the 2015/2016 football season. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the chairman of the state owned clubs, Abdul Sule in Lokoja. Sule said the sports loving governor has again displayed his commitment and love for sports, especially football with the prompt payment of players and officials season dues. The former Stationery Stores striker thanked Governor Bello for his support just as promised that the state clubs would reciprocate the gesture with an improved performance in the coming football season.

FIFA TMS workshop begins in Abuja

three –day workshop aimed at further education of officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, League Management Company and Nigeria National League on the workings of the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS) began in Abuja yesterday. The workshop, being coordinated by NFF TMS/Club Licensing Manager, Nasiru Jibril and NFF Assistant Director (Legal), Barrister Okey Obi, will also focus on how the trained officials will subsequently take on the responsibility of educating the 20 Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the 32 Clubs in the Nigeria National League on the Domestic Transfer Matching System. NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who was in company with NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, LMC chief operating officer Salihu Abubakar and NFF Acting Director of Communications Ademola Olajire, expressed appreciation to world football –governing body, FIFA for the workshop.

Commissioner for Local Govt, Conference 57 endorse Wrestle Force challenge IFEANYI EDUZOR

agos State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs; Wasiu Anifowoshe, and the body of Sole Administrators of local councils in Lagos state otherwise known as Conference 57 have endorsed the Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship which holds from 4-18 December, 2016. The endorsement came after the Local Organising Committee headed by Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe paid a visit to the executives of Conference 57 while they were having a meeting with the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs in his office at Alausa, Ikeja. Anifowoshe commended the vision behind the international wrestling competition which is being staged to celebrate the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

in Lagos State, saying that the Governor has done so much since assumption of office and organising a tournament of international repute in his honour is not too much. “This is a laudable event that we must join hands to ensure its success. I want to assure the LOC of the support of my ministry and myself. It is good to celebrate our Governor who is an achiever and somebody who is committed to serve humanity with passion, “the Commissioner said. The Chairman of Conference 57, Sanya Osijo, who is also the Sole Administrator of Bariga Local Council Development Area said Sole Administrators in Lagos State would support the competition both morally and financially even with the dwindling resources at their disposal. Earlier in his speech, Chairman of the LOC, Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe called for the support of the Commissioner for Local Government and Conference 57 to enable

his committee organise a successful championship. He said that Governor Ambode has won the heart of many Lagosians with laudable achievements within a short period of time he assumed office. He disclosed that Lagos will be

the focus of the world during the two weeks when world professional wrestlers will be in the state for the competition, adding that the Governor himself has graciously given his approval to what the LOC is doing.

Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Wasiu Anifowoshe (M ) with two belts of Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship on his shoulder with some members of Conference 57 Executive Committee during the visit of the LOC of the competition at the Commissioner’s office at Alausa, Ikeja recently.

WORLD RECORD

Biggest bubblegum bubble Vol. 06

No. 1483

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.

N150

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

As Ogun declares war on land-grabbers

n Monday, 14th of November, 2015, a law against landgrabbing became operative throughout the length and breadth of Ogun State. The sentences imposed against violators of the law range between 25 years of imprisonment and death sentence. Sometime in 2014, I got a distress call from a colleague about the activities of land-grabbers called omo ‘nile or ajagungbale in local parlance. These gangsters wield dangerous weapons and demand obedience or capitulation from their victims. They operate like a mafia, “by fire, by force”. They are found in virtually every developing communities or new towns, where construction

arles Puyol has labelled his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi “the best in history” and also hailed Pep Guardiola as the world’s top coach. Puyol, 38, retired in 2014 after a glittering career with Barca and Spain, capturing six La Liga titles and lifting the Champions League three times, as well

Guest Columnist

Daniel

Olakunle

work is a defining feature. Their leaders live big. Sometimes they operate as rivals groups where there is a conflict of interest but their ultimate goal is the same - fleece their victims! Sometimes there is mutual collaboration. What you observe from one community to the other is only a variation in their degree of bestiality. Some of them come with documents, pasting them all over your new building or ongoing construction work with the same authority you could only have expected from gover nment officials. The usual claim is that the land belongs to their family and that you had paid the wrong person or party. And for any resolution, you will have to repurchase the land! Any attempt to argue with them may leave you battered, maimed or butchered, in the worst scenario. And once there is construction work going on, they or another insatiate gang still reserves the right to be “settled” so they could allow workmen to continue else they seize all the tools in sight after some thorough beating. You have to abide by their ter ms willy nilly. The gover nment of Ogun State has done all within its power to tame these monsters. And some of them,

It is, however, their responsibility to report any breach of the new law to the police, who must act with deliberate speed to prosecute offenders.

Security of life and property is the responsibility of all we must acknowledge, have been tamed. But the position of the state gover nor is not to condone illegality in any for m. It does not matter their largely restricted locations, reduction in the degree of their violent conducts or numbers. Any for m or degree of illegality must be extirpated from the polity. This position of the gover nor is quite commendable and in line with the constitution. One is not really surprised because since assumption of office in

2011, Amosun has made security of life and welfare of all residents top priorities. In Gover nor Ibikunle Amosun’s words: “We want to let people know that Ogun State will not be comfort zone for any criminal or so-called omo oniles (land grabbers). They have engaged in maiming, killing and lawlessness. But now, the law will go after them. We are now having an enabling law to prosecute and anybody that runs foul of this law will have himself or herself to blame. ” To th e kidn appe rs, th e y kn ow th at th is is th e ir e n d. A nybody th at invol ve s h imse l f in kidn ap pin g , ar me d robbe ry an d al l th e se social vice s w il l n ot be al l owe d in Og u n State. I w an t to be l ieve th at w ith th e ope ration of th is l aw, crimin al s w il l r u n aw ay from th e state.” The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, equally has a word for the violent syndicates: “This is a clarion call to all criminals, ar med robbers, kidnappers, cultists and so on that there is no place for them in Ogun State. They should relocate because there is no room for them. We are ready to enforce the law.” We commend the Ogun State House of Assembly and the state gover nor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for the new law and congratulate the people of the state for the further reprieve the new legislation will provide. It is, however, their responsibility to report any breach of the new law to the police, who must act with deliberate speed to prosecute offenders. Security of life and property is the responsibility of all. Daniel Olakunle writes from Akute, Ogun State

Sport Extra

Messi is ‘best in history’- Puyol as winning the World Cup and European Championship. The former captain was already an established regular when Messi made his first-team debut in 2003 and witnessed the Argentinian’s meteoric rise to the top of the sport first hand.

“Messi does things with the ball that nobody can,” Puyol told I am Naples. “He has been playing at an incredible level for 10 years, which has led him to be the best in history.” Of Barca’s fearsome attacking trident, he added: “Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar

are wonderful. It’s difficult to find three players of the same caliber in the same club.” The most successful period of Puyol’s club career came between 2008 and 2012, during the tenure of his former teammate Guardiola, who is now in charge at Manchester City.

NICON LUXURY ABUJA

Messi xxxx

...its about giving you the very best

reservations@niconluxury.com (09)4619000, 08095556005 Printed and published by Global Media Mirror Limited: Head Office, Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street Lagos; Abuja Office: NICON House, Central Business District Area, Abuja. Email:mail@ nationalmirroronline.net. MD/CEO: Sunday Olajide: 08060852080; Acting Editor Daily: Ben Memuletiwon 08050498541; Adverts Hotline: 07066178740. ISSN 0794-232X.