Thursday, april 9, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

NERC empowers 11 Discos to set electricity tariff

National Mirror www.nationalmir roronline .net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

TrafÀc gridl ock on Mari na. PHOTO:

ADEMOLA

AKINLABI

Broad Street in the ’50s

…consumers to be consulted before approval CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Nebo

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1087 657

midst lamentation by electricity consumers over increased tariff without any commensurate power

supply, the 11 privatised Distribution Companies (Discos) are now set to operate separate tariffs to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

INSIDE

Broa Broadd Street turning to Oshodi of old

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Post-election Traders smile sales: again > >47

Broad Street Prison, now Freedom Park

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Thursday, April July 4, 9, 2015 2013

One year after:

Search for Chibok girls continues –FG ...says reclaiming captured territories top priority

N150 JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

ederal Government, yesterday said search for 219 Chilbok schoolgirls the abducted nearly a year ago, was continuing. Coordinator of the National Information Centre, NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri, who stated this in Abuja during a briefing on security situation in the country, insisted that hope of rescuing the girls was not lost. He admonished Nigerians to be hopeful, as recovery of the captured towns and villages from Boko Haram by Nigerian troops

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Ladoja slams N10bn libel suit on Ajimobi

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INSIGHT

Chairman, Mandate Group of Nigeria (MGN), Rev. Olumuyiwa Adesina (left); former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kofoworola Akerele (5th right); a politician, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi (4th right); Lagos PDP Chairman, Capt. Tunji Shelle (3rd right); party chieftain, Chief Olabode George (2nd right) and former Minister for Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, during the formal declaration by MGN to join PDP in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Govt shuts borders till Sunday

Death row convicts lament miscarriage of justice P.38

Defectors are saboteurs, says PDP …as more members join APC

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Abba Moro

Impeachment: Normalcy returns to Ekiti

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News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Defectors are saboteurs, says PDP GEORGE OJI, OBIORA IFOH AND WOLE ADEDEJI

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday described those defecting from its fold to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as political Trojans, who from within have ceaselessly worked against the interest of the party and now fear that they would face sanctions for their actions. This is even as more members of the party, including a former governor, serving lawmakers, among others have continued to defect to APC, which won the March 28 presidential poll. PDP, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said it would not miss such fair weather members. The party commended the courage and steadfastness of its supporters and members who have remained committed to the course and urged them to go a step further by emulating Senate President, David Mark and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in speaking out publicity in favour of the party, its ideals and visions of the founding fathers. The statement said adequate machinery is already in motion to reorganise and to reposition the party to regain power in the next four years since it is obvious that APC lacks what it takes to effectively lead the nation. It called on Nigerians

to use Saturday’s election to demonstrate their commitment to democracy by voting enmasse for its candidates, bearing in mind that a vote for the party is a vote for the unity and stability of the country. Speaking in the same vein, said those defecting to APC are fair weather party members. Mark, who was elected to the Senate for an unprecedented five times and is rumoured to be contemplating to defect to APC affirmed his unshaken loyalty to the PDP. “I have no reason to jump ship. I will not leave the PDP. I will be the last man standing for the PDP. The party gave me the platform to be where I am today. “I will stay in PDP to contribute my quota to the rebuilding and restructuring of the party. This is democracy. Winners emerge and the losers goes back to the drawing board and rejuvenate,” he said. The Senate President spoke at a special church service to mark his 67th birthday at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy Apo in Abuja, yesterday. “The outcome of the presidential election in favour of APC is the will of God and majority of Nigerians. We, in the PDP have accepted the result in good faith. “Those drifting to the APC now are fair weather friends of the PDP. They are seeking new green areas. When the PDP bounces back, they will seek another return to the party. “I believe in PDP mani-

festos. I will work hard to bring the party back on track. What is important is that we have established democracy in Nigeria,” he added. Meanwhile, more members of the ruling party have been defecting to APC in their thousands. In Kwara State, hundreds of supporters of Senator Gbemisola Saraki defected to APC yesterday. Gbemisola had, just a day before the March 28 polls asked her supporters to vote for APC. Leading the defection at a press conference yesterday, Hon. Benjamen Issa Ezekiel said they were leaving PDP after every efforts made to let the party leadership see and correct certain wrongs were not heeded. He pointed out that de-

spite series of unexpected disparages against Gbemisola Saraki and her late father; Dr. Olusola Saraki, out of share pettiness which they endured since last year, the chieftains of the party consistently refused to know that human endurance had a limit. Also speaking, the trio of the PDP Secretary; Mr. Mahmud Razaq, Women Leader: Alhaja Nimota Oba Suleiman and Youth Leader, Mr. Olawoyin said they dumped PDP because of certain individuals who had constituted themselves into a cabal to bring misfortune to the party. In Edo, a former Governor of the state, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor led other notable members of the PDP, including former Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representa-

tives and one-time governorship aspirant, Hon Emma Arigbe-Osula to APC. Osunbor said he decided to dump PDP because the ruling party does not have the interest of the people at heart. Also, a factional President of the Edo State Drivers Welfare Association, Comrade Adams Ehigiamusoe (Shaba) led his supporters to dump PDP for APC. A serving and former member of the House of Representatives on the platform of PDP, a gubernatorial aspirant, a Women leader, former local government chairmen and thousands of their supporters in Oyo State yesterday joined APC, claiming that their future political destinies would

be better served under the party. Also among the defectors was a former House of Representatives members under Accord Party. They are Honourable Afeez Jimoh, Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, Tayo Sarumi, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Chief (Mrs) Ayoka Lawani, Mr. Waheed Adeleke, former Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, among other party leaders from the Accord, Labour Party and PDP who joined the APC. They joined the party at an event held at the Mapo Hall in Ibadan. The decfectors were received by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his counterpart from Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who represented the presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Mr Bola Onadele Koko; Group CEO, United Capital Plc, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni; and Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza during the official listing of N30.5bn UBA Bond; the first corporate bond to be admitted on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, in Lagos yesterday.

Search for Chibok girls continues –FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

were still ongoing. Omeri said: “The search for the Chibok girls continues and that is why even with the capture of Bama and the rest, security and the military have not relented, and until it is concluded, we cannot begin to believe speculation. “I think the one year anniversary is next week, and we hope to give a comprehensive report on what we know so far, and how far the searching has gone. “So, the assurance I will

give you is that everywhere is being combed and whatever element we find will be revealed to the appropriate authority and nobody is going to keep anything secret.” Omeri also said reclaiming territories held by insurgents and establishment of an atmosphere of peace and safety in them remained top priority of the Federal Government. He said the successes recorded by troops in regaining control of Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State were testimony of the un-

wavering commitment in defeating the insurgents. According to him, the recapture of Alagarno in Borno, a well-known strategic stronghold of Boko Haram, had dealt a severe blow on their capacity to carry out surprise attacks on communities in the state. “In a situation such as presently exists in the area, there is a high tendency for the insurgent group to suddenly aim at soft targets to destabilise communities which are regaining normalcy. “However, the Nigerian

military has continued to bring the situation under control and also safeguard the lives and property of citizens, while humanitarian assistance is being provided by appropriate authorities. “The centre, therefore, calls on Nigerians, particularly those living in the affected communities, to continue to support the efforts of our military and security forces at restoring normalcy in the area,” he said. On the forthcoming gubernatorial and states House of Assembly election, Omeri

called on the public to be vigilant and conduct themselves well to ensure peaceful poll, promising adequate security of lives and properties. He said: “In respect of the forthcoming governorship and state Assembly elections, we remind the citizens to maintain a similar level of vigilance and caution to ensure a peaceful and incident–free exercise. “We also wish to use this platform to remind Nigerians of the imperative of their participation in the next leg of the general elec-

tions scheduled to hold on April 11, 2015. “Efforts are being made to ensure a hitch – free exercise, the NIC wishes to reassure Nigerians, especially those living in communities that recently experienced some security challenges arising from the activities of Boko Haram resurgence, that our military and security forces are, more than ever, very ready to ensure the protection of lives and property, while securing the country’s territorial integrity.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

NEWS

Thursday, April 9, 2015

L-R: Director of Procurement, FCDA, Alhaji Adewale Dambta; Deputy Director, Architecture, Public Building Department, Mr Adebowale Ademo; Director, Satellite Town Development, Mr Soso Mohammed and Director, Public Building, Mr Bernard Lot, admiring the Master Plan Concept of the winning entry of the Architectural Design Competition for the Model NYSC Orientation Camp in Kwali, Abuja, Yesterday.

L-R: District Governor, Lagos and Ogun Rotary Club, Dr. Bamidele Balogun; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, when the Rotary Club presented a torch of flame to the deputy governor to commence the campaign for polio eradication in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Alhaji Buhari Yusuf Sabo; Chairman, House Committee of Finance, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin; Director Management, House of Rep. Alh. Abdulkadir Adamu, and Chief Chukwu Aygieness during a press conference on Abdulmumin Jibrin’s intention to contest for Speaker of the House of Representatives at the 8th National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi; Executive Vice Chairman, North-South Power Company Limited (Shiroro), Mr. Olubunmi Peters and Head of NERC Media, Mr. Michael Faloseyi, during a news conference after the monthly meeting of NERC chief executive officers in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Igbo in Lagos forgive Oba Akiolu, pledge support for Ambode FRANCIS SUBERU

eaders of the Igbo ethnic group in Lagos yesterday said they have forgiven Oba Rilwan Akiolu and moved on with their lives. Oba Akiolu had made a controversial statement against the ethnic group over their perceived support for the opposition in the state. The Igbo leaders, after a meeting with traditional rulers in Amuwo Odofin, said they have also unanimously endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of Ndi Eze, Lagos, Eze Dr. Gordian Dim, refuted the hatred comments being circulated in the social media with regards to the Oba’s comment, saying

it was meant to cause disaffection between the Igbo and the monarch. He said, “What transpired at the Oba’s palace was not what was painted by some media organisations. I engineered the whole process, and I can say confidently to you that the Oba’s statement was misconstrued and should be discarded. “His statement was a joke and we all laughed over it, we even promised him a wife.” He noted that the needed transformation from the centre of excellence would be achieved if the ambition of Ambode was supported. The Igbo leaders said that Lagos State has been their home and they will always support the progressives as enshrined in the APC. He enjoined all Igbo to come out en mass and vote for Mr. Ambode on Saturday. Responding, Onilado of

Ilado and Inagbe Island, Oba Mobadenle Oyekan, thanked the Igbo for the visit and assured them that Lagos State was home to all and the government would never deny any citizen his or her right, or against discriminate anybody irrespective of religion or ethnic background. Oyekan restrated the good relationship with the Igbo since the creation of Lagos State and appealed to them to continue with it in order for more synergy and development to continue in the state. Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged the electorate in the state to vote for their well being, security, prosperity and protection of their future. The governor, who said this yesterday, noted that in casting their votes on Saturday, Lagosians should know that they are voting for the

future of their children. He said: “You will be choosing candidates and a party that you will entrust your lives to. Think hard, think clearly, think deeply. Ask yourselves a few questions. “Who has shown a better record and example of protecting and securing you between the political parties? “Which of the parties cares more when disasters happen? What is the record of the parties as it relates to the promises they have made to you in the past? Which of the parties do you see regularly and which one do you see once in a while? “Which of the parties do you see when your life or property is threatened by epidemics like Ebola or by unfortunate accidents like plane crashes? Which of the parties is showing that you

can become home-owners without knowing anybody? “Which party has responsibility for providing electricity for you, and which one is taking up the responsibility to light up your streets and communities at night? Which of them cares more about your children and their safety? “Indeed ask yourself, which of the parties threatened you with thugs on that sad Monday of March 16 and which is seeking to protect you by supporting the police with patrol vehicles, fuel and other equipment?” According to him, the choice of who to vote for will be easy for the electorate if they can provide answers to the questions raised above. He added: “Indeed, you have clear choices to make between parties that use your resources to develop your

society and community on the one hand, and the party that chooses to bring money to you for distribution when election beckons. “So, you can choose between schools for your children, hospitals for your community, roads for your transportation or in the alternative, you can choose to have these services monetised once in four years.” Fashola lamented that out of 5.8 million registered voters and 3.8 million PVC collections, only about 1.5 million turned out to vote on the 28th March, 2015. “Think of all the pain, the effort, the sleepless nights it took to get the PVCs to you. Think of the best way to show that the effort was not wasted or in vain. It seems to me that the best way is to have all these 3.8 million voters come out to vote.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

NERC empowers 11 Discos to set electricity tariff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

approved by the regulator. Speaking for the Discos yesterday shortly after the monthly CEOs meeting of power sector operators in Abuja, Managing Director of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, said it was better since they have better knowledge of their respective Discos. Recall that non-residential consumers recently pressed and got a 50 per cent average cut in tariff by removing the collection losses across the Discos from the reviewed Multi Year Tariff Order, MYTO 2.1, implemented on January 1 this year. Ajifowobaje said: “The good thing about the tariff regime now is that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory

Commission, NERC, the regulator has given us the power to go and prepare our own tariff and submit, that they will review it and approve as necessary. “But one of the key issues now is that, even before we submit the tariff, we must pass it through the consumers and say this is the tariff we want to charge you and we have to convince you that this is the cost-reflective tariff that will keep us in business. “So immediately we are able to do that, we will bring it to NERC and the process will go on and if they approve it, we will now implement as appropriate.” Reacting, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi said the new step was taken because only the Discos can put cost on they supply to

their customers. He said: “We have been having public hearings but the difference there is that the responsibility for tariff setting, for generating the data and the cost will be squarely that of the Discos for three benefits. “They are the ones who know the actual cost of serving their customers; they better know their customer profile and know how the costs can better be distributed, and thirdly, we will help them now to interface more with their consumers because they are the people who will pay the tariff.” Amadi however acknowledged that expectations in the electricity market have

not been fully met. This, he said, is “because of low supply of power which now created sheer reactions in terms of lack of financing to upgrade facilities and of course low supply hours.” Although newsmen questioned the new responsibilities of the Discos fearing they may increase tariff with no inputs from their consumers, but NERC however explained that the methodology is such that the Discos will prepare their revenue requirement and will consult with consumer groups about the rate of increase they are proposing. Justifying this Amadi said: “Our job will be to at-

tend those forums and observe what is going on and they will send us a report showing they have done consultation. It puts a restraint for unreasonable tariff reviews and consumers will now need to be enlightened on the process.” On metering, the Discos said they have been carrying out study on the type of meters that is suitable for a particular area and the distribution system, and then come out with a robust metering plan. “Most of us have concluded this and probably before the end of May, most of us will start rolling out these meters in large numbers and when they

are completed, estimated billing will not be an issue again,” he said. Representing the Generation companies (Gencos), Shiroro Genco’s Managing Director, Mr. Peter Olubunmi said evolution of generation networks is still low in the country. Speaking on complaints about poor power supply Olubunmi said: “Gas-fired Gencos are struggling hard on how to evolve with the growing nature of gas delivery to their plants. For the hydro plants that are available, this is a season that the water is low and generation has become low compared to what you will get from August.”

Petrol crisis worsens in Abuja as commuters get stranded

he fuel scarcity that resurfaced in Abuja on Monday is biting harder as motorists in the city queue for hours at filling stations in search of petrol. Fuel queue had disappeared from the stations immediately after the March 28 elections. The queue, which resurfaced on Monday in some of the stations, has spread across the city by Tuesday night. It was observed that most of the filling stations that were having fuel before the Easter break had become dried. Many commuters were stranded at different bus stops due to lack of commercial vehicles while the few ones that were plying the road jerked up their fare by 50 per cent. Hawkers of petrol in jerry cans cashed in on the scarcity and sold the product between N150 and N200 per litre, depending on bargain power. Many obscure filling stations, especially in Suleja and on Zuba-Gwagwalada Road, sold the product between N110 and N120 per litre, which is far above the regulated rate. Only petrol stations within the city and those belonging to major marketers in other areas dispensed at the stipulated N87 per litre.

At the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, mega station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Area, long queues of vehicles were on three lanes, blocking the entire road and forcing motorists to drive against traffic. The situation was also the same at the Forte Oil, adjacent the NNPC mega station, where the queue stretched to the UAC fence early in the morning but later stopped selling. The ConOil and Total filling stations opposite NNPC Headquarters were also selling with long queues. The queue formed a circle round through the Bureau of Statistics Complex to the Unity Bank building back to NNPC Towers. ConOil station, NNPC franchised station and another private filling station on Olusegun Obasanjo way were not selling. Most of the filling stations on Obafemi Awolowo Way did not sell, except Oando at the junction of Wuse Zone 6, Mobil at Arab Junction and Eterna Oil filling station. The situation was not different with most filling stations on Airport Road, AYA, Maraba, Kubwa , Suleja and other neighbouring towns. Most motorists said they were having difficult time before they could get fuel to buy.

President Goodluck Jonathan (l) with the former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma during the president’s visit to the general’s house in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:STATE HOUSE

Defectors are saboteurs, says PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Buhari and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In their separate remarks, the defectors said they were leaving their respective parties for APC because they discovered it is the only party that held hope for the country and the state in particular. In her own remark, Hon Olunloyo-Osinowo said all members of the PDP in Ibadan South West and Ibadan North West constituency had decamped to APC, stating that they identified with progressive ideology and believed the party would take the country to the promised land. “God has deserted PDP and Nigerians have re-

jected it. That was why we left the party. The APC remains the only party that can take Nigeria to her land of destiny,” she said. Another former PDP member of the House of Representatives and now a chieftain of the Accord Party, Hon. Sarumi said that his former party had become a sinking ship that would meet its final waterloo at the governorship polls on Saturday, urging other members of the party to leave the Accord before it is too late. Receiving the defectors, Governor Aregbesola, who said the Presidentelect and other leaders of the party could not attend the event due to other engagements, said that they sent their appreciation of

the massive votes that the people of the state gave the APC in the presidential/National Assembly elections. He congratulated the defectors for heeding the clarion call to move with the tide of progressive politics, stating that it was the path to Nigeria’s greatness. Aregbesola called on the state electorate not to identify with the people he called “emergency progressives” whom he said wanted to reap where they did not sow, saying that it had shown that they were fake. In his own remarks, Governor Ajimobi congratulated the defectors, stating that by their action, what he called “the

sore thumb of Oyo politics” had been decapitated. Ajimobi used the opportunity to debunk what he called “the sinister rumour” going round that immediately he is re-elected, he would increase hotel tariffs and taxes generally in the state, stating that it was not only wicked but untrue. Others who attended the ceremony were the Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Mrs. Abiola Ajimobi, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, all Senators-elect, House of Representatives-elect and many others.

News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Polls: 30,000 security operatives deployed in Oyo …Special Force Squad also

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor John Jonah; Governor Seriake Dickson, and acting State Chairman of PDP, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, during a meeting with political appointees at the banquet hall, Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

Danjuma in private meeting with Jonathan ...says Ojukwu would have avoided bloodshed if…

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

ormer Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, yesterday said if Biafra war leader, the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, had conceded victory to the federal troops, he would have saved the nation 30 months of bloodshed. Danjuma, following a

private meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja, commended the President for conceding victory to General Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 election. According to him, the manner in which Jonathan conceded victory to Buhari was totally un-African, stressing that it was very important in the history of Africa.

Danjuma said, “The outcome of the election and the manner in which President Jonathan conceded victory to Buhari is totally un-African, it is very important in the history of Africa. “If Ojukwu did the same after the fall of Enugu; if he had conceded victory to the federal troops, he would have saved the nation one full year of bloodshed. “President Jonathan has set a record, and it is some-

thing to be emulated by the rest of Africa and indeed the whole world. It is an excellent thing he did,” he added. Jonathan thanked Danjuma for his fatherly support during the election. The private meeting between Jonathan and Danjuma yesterday is coming ahead of Saturday’s Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections in the country.

INEC assures of better preparation Francis Suberu

merging from the technical glitches recorded in the last presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos yesterday assured of improved readiness for the governorship and House of Assembly elections this Saturday. The body, at a stakeholders’ forum yesterday, said it had restrategised to ensure that Card Readers work at every polling unit, timely distribution of materials and conduct of election in all units without exception; maintaining that it is illegal to site polling units in front of a house, palace and religious centres. Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Akin Orebiyi, at a meeting with can-

didates, party agents and concerned stakeholders in Lagos, said the body had reviewed logistic issues encountered a fortnight ago to ensure that the coming election was satisfactory. Orebiyi said while there was no going back on the use of Card Readers, special provision had been made to ensure all machines deployed for the exercise were in good condition, adding that each ward now has three extra Card Readers as back-up. He regretted instances of late arrival of electoral materials in some centres and situation where election didn’t hold in some areas. While appealing to party agents to cooperate with polling officials, Orebiyi added that series of enlightenment meetings were on to prepare officials for a seamless exercise. Reacting to concerns

raised by the running mate of the All Progressives Congress, APC guber candidate, Dr. Idiat Adebule, that elections didn’t hold in some places in Ojo, Agege among others, the Lagos REC said it was due to conflicting figures sent by Electoral Officers, EOs, on the actual number of affected polling units as at March 28. He said while they were busy preparing that election holds in 90 polling units on Sunday, EOs were still coming up with additional polling units. “The response I gave them was that the INEC chairman had only approved the original 90 polling units and we have to hold elections there. In fact, the Chairman was not comfortable with Lagos because voting took place nationwide on Sunday in 350 polling units and Lagos alone had 90, over one-quarter.”

Orebiyi further said it is incumbent on parties to educate the public on the proper way to cast their vote to prevent void votes, of which Lagos alone recorded 52,000 void votes, the highest in the country. Lagos Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle, raised concern that some polling units were still located close to residential apartments in the state, contrary to the directive of INEC. Responding, the REC said on no condition should polling booths be sited in residential apartments, urging the public to inform INEC wherever such is noticed. He said logistics funds are due to be given to EOs to ensure that canopies, chairs and tables are provided for polling units that are in open spaces.

bout 48 hours to the governorship and House of Assembly elections, a contingent of Special Force Squad of the Nigeria Police from the headquarters is already in Oyo State to reinforce officers and men of the State Command in providing security at the various polling units. Police Commissioner, Muhammadu Katsina, disclosed this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists on the state of preparedness of the state police command for the polls. He further said about 30,000 security operatives, including personnel from other sister agencies have been detailed across the state. According to the CP, the Police Command has improved on its intelligence just as the security personnel have been dispatched to communities to conduct on-the-spot assessment of all areas marked as flash points to help the police to

be pro-active in their engagement. He also paraded 49 suspects arrested in connection with the April 1 dastardly murder of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Agugu, Ibadan, CSP Ikeokwu Nworgu, following a false ritual alarm that threw Adekile area of Ibadan, the state capital, into commotion. While noting that no stone would be left unturned to unravel the mystery behind the false ritual alarm, the CP said the team of crack detectives including the Ambush squad which carried a painstaking and aggressive manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime had recovered the matchetes, guns, charms and other lethal weapons used in committing the crime. He added that some properties looted from the scene had also been recovered while investigations were ongoing.

Ladoja slams N10b libel suit on Ajimobi Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ormer governor of Oyo State and governorship candidate of Accord Party, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, has slammed a N10 billion libel suit against Governor Abiola Ajimobi for what he described as ‘a false and malicious publication.’ Ladoja in suit number I/14/2005 filed by his lawyer, Biodun Abdu-Raheem, at the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan yesterday, is asking the court to declare a publication entitled “N500m Refund by Ladoja: Face of Ladoja, the Serial Liar” in

two newspapers in January this year as libelous. And contrary to a statement credited to the state government that Ladoja chickened out of suing Ajimobi, he blamed the delay in filing the suit to the closure of the court since January 2015. Ladoka, who spoke through Director General of his campaign organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, said the closure was as a result of an industrial dispute between Ajimobi and the judiciary workers over unpaid salaries and allowances, a development he believed has become the hallmark of the Ajimobi-led government.

Again, FG shuts borders till Sunday Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

head of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of all land borders from midnight of Thursday to midnight of

Sunday. A statement from the Ministry of Interior explained that the closure was to prevent foreigners from taking part in the elections as well as guard against any other infractions. However, the nation’s airspace would remain open for transportation.

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News

Thursday, April 9 , 2015

NSE tasks Buhari on local content policy O LUFEMI A DEOSUN ABUJA

igerian Society of Engineers, NSE, has tasked President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on implementation of the local content policy.

NSE in a congratulatory message signed by its president, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi, and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, also promised to work with the incoming government for infrastructural development

of the country. Olorunfemi said by staying faithful to the implementation of the content law, local industry would thrive and the nation’s economy would also witness a boom. According to him, “the NSE pledges its tra-

ditional partnership to the President-elect, an Honorary Fellow of our esteemed society. We enjoin the President-elect and his government to engage the NSE as partner-in-progress, to deepen the sustainable development of Nigeria.

L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Adel Abu; Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and Managing Director, ABC Transport, Mr. Frank Nneji, during a one day technical committee forum on road speed limiter implementation and enforcement in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

“We urge him to provide the necessary political will for implementation of the Nigerian content policy of government; a precursor to human capital and sustainable development by deliberate patronage of the services of Nigerian engineers and made-inNigeria goods. He also extended the appreciation of NSE to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, and his entire team for steering the electioneering process in the right direction. Olorunfemi praised the INEC boss for standing firm on integrity in the face of avalanche of intimidation, cool and calm under unbridled last minute provocation. He said: “We demand that moving forward, INEC should embrace e-voting in future elections. NSE has in the last three years partnered NigComSat and deployed e-voting in conducting

elections into its executive committee. “The use of e-voting will bring about transparency and considerably reduce post-election petitions and conflicts. The time for us to discard the old- fashioned voting system characterised by multiple voting encouraged by desperate political office seekers is now. “With the e-voting system, results are available real-time via the internet. Observers and voters can also view the election results real time from their homes, offices or anywhere in the world using webenabled devices such as PC, laptops, phones or IPad by simply logging onto the designated website. “Another benefit of the e-voting system is the speed at which results can be obtained because results are accurately tabulated. It reduces the risk of human and mechanical error and movement restriction.

Impeachment: Normalcy returns to Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

eace, which had eluded Ekiti State in the last two days over plot by 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, members of the House of Assembly to impeach Governor Ayodele Fayose, returned yesterday as commercial and other activities resumed. Civil servants in the state resumed at their desks while long queues of customers returned to the banks and ATM points in the state capital. However, some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyalists stationed themselves at the gate of the Government House to ensure all was well while security personnel kept vigil at strategic locations in the state to forestall breakdown of law and order. The House of Assembly remained sealed by security agencies that stationed an Armoured Personnel Carrier there. But Mrs Abeke Olaya and Mrs Yinka Olaiya,

mother and wife respectively, of the 32-year-old man, Mr Modupe Olaiya, who died following gunshot injury received during the protest against the impeachment plan at Itawure, Efon Local Government Council Area on Tuesday, alleged the victim was shot dead by one of the 19 lawmakers in their bid to go to Ado Ekiti on their way from Osun State. The grieving mother said in Ado Ekiti yesterday that her son, a driver, who was responsible for the upkeep of the family, left home for work about 7:30am that day only to suffer the fate while going to eat that fateful Tuesday. She lamented what would be the fate of the family, especially the pregnant wife and two children of the deceased. But the 19 APC members in a sudden u-turn, said the victim died allegedly from soldiers’ bullets. Mr Wole Olujobi, media aide to APC Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, accused Fayose of inviting the mother and other fam-

ily members of the victim to Government House to implicate one of the APC lawmakers. Olujobi said in a statement yesterday: “In reality, the deceased, Modupe Olaiya, was actually killed by security agents while thugs armed with guns and other dangerous weapons massed up at the Itawure security check-point violently protesting to block the route through which the 19 APC lawmakers were coming to Ado-Ekiti. He had earlier on Tuesday described as untrue reports that the convoy of the APC lawmakers killed an individual at Efon Alaaye-Ekiti, saying it was targetted so as to mislead the people to get sympathy. Olujobi had on Tuesday stated: “The truth is that no one was killed. Nobody saw a dead body on the way up to Itawure junction where the soldiers disallowed us to pass. Itawure junction is not the same as Efon-Alaaye. “However, we heard that Fayose removed a dead body from the mor-

tuary and presented it to Efon people”, Olujobi said, adding that the claim that a member of the House of Assembly shot dead an Efon Alaaye indigene was a ploy to instigate violence in the town against the APC lawmaker. Meanwhile, students in Ekiti State have advised the APC lawmakers to toe the line of peace and stop heating up the polity. The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, said the 19 APC lawmakers’ plot to remove Fayose from office was not only wicked, but self-serving. At a press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the NANS/JCC Chairman, Ekiti axis, Adetunji Bankole, advised Omirin and other APC lawmakers to wait for the outcome of the suit they instituted against the removal of their leader from office. The students from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti; Federal University, Oye Ekiti; Federal Polytechnic, Oye Ekiti and College

of Education, Ikere Ekiti said “the alleged plot by APC to remove Fayose is tantamount to contempt of court in view of the pendency of the suit filed to challenge Omirin’s removal as Speaker and the subsequent replacement with Dele Olugbemi. The Accord Party in the state yesterday also condemned the recent attempt by APC legislators to impeach Fayose, saying it was unproductive for the development of the state. The party, in a statement by its Assistant Public Relations Officer, Mr Bolu Aduloju, said after its emergency meeting in Ado-Ekiti attended by Accord Party chieftains including the Acting State Chairman, Mrs Funmi Aina; and Governorship Candidate, Mr Kole Ajayi; that the state had witnessed more than enough troubles in recent times, hence all hands should be on deck to enhance development, other than unwarranted political ventures.

Accord, according to the statement, also believes that all politicians should come together to facilitate development for Ekiti State downtrodden masses to reap the dividends of democracy. The statement stated that since APC is now going to control the Federal Government, our brothers in Ekiti APC should be more involved in positioning themselves at Abuja for Ekiti’s fair share of amenities under the Muhammadu Buhari controlled government. Meanwhile, Fayose has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, demanding investigation into the murder of Modupe Olaiya allegedly by one of the 19 APC lawmakers in the State Assembly. In the petition dated April 8, 2015, Fayose alleged that the APC lawmakers were escorted by five fully armed mobile policemen, whom he later discovered to have been brought from MOPOL 20 in Lagos State.

South West

APC’ll guarantee quality education, health, housing —Osinbajo Francis Suberu

igeria’s Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has assured teachers in the country of quality tertiary education when the All Progressives Congress, APC, government takes charge of government come May 29, 2015. Osinbajo, who said this during a consultative meeting with members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, in Lagos yesterday, said continuous education for teachers was one of the core programmes of APC, adding that the administration would guarantee regular teacher training. Osinbajo, who was elected alongside General Muhamadu Buhari under the platform of APC, noted that education and health would receive priority attention in Buhari’s administration. Speaking further, he said as part of efforts at improving the welfare of teachers and other workers in critical sectors of the nation’s economy, the Federal Government would be embarking on housing scheme nationwide. In his address at the interactive section, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said Lagos State has made a lot of progress in education, having moved from 10 per cent performance to 50 per cent. He said the state was able to record achievements it has made in the sector due to his effective implementation of EKO Project. He appealed to Lagosians to turnout in large number on Saturday, April 11, to cast their votes for APC candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, and other candidates of the party, saying the election was not about ethnicity or religion, but performance and continuity. Earlier, Chairman of the NUT in the state, Mr. Adesegun Raheem, praised Governor Fashola for fulfilling all his promises to teacher in Lagos State. Adesegun who pleaded

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Group asks Buhari to retire service chiefs Dare Akogun

N Osinbajo

with the Federal Government to invest more in teachers to guarantee development, noted that one of the ways to invest in teachers is making teaching profession very attractive.

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ational Coordinator of Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria, NOPRIN, a civil society group, has called on President-elect, General Muhammad Buhari, to retire all service chiefs that were politically exposed immediately he takes over government. Chairman of the group, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated this on Wednesday in Lagos while briefing newsmen on their police

reform agenda for Buhari. Nwanguma said this measure was just a short term reform of the national security agencies, stressing that weeding them from the system would protect the security profession and democracy in Nigeria. According to him, “there is urgent need for the president-elect to immediately, and in short term, overhaul the entire security agencies in Nigeria to insulate our military, police and SSS from partisan political control and enhance professionalism.

“The Inspector-General of Police and all heads of similarly compromised security services, as well as all senior officers who had been politically exposed, should be retired compulsorily to restore integrity in the service. “The current IG lacks the will, professionalism, leadership qualification and competence to lead a police in a modern democracy. “He has allowed corruption, torture, brutality and killings to remain the order of the day in the Force by

failing to punish and deter misconduct and abuses when they occur,” he said. On long term reform, Nwanguma said Buhari should visit the Police Reform Committee Reports submitted to President Jonathan by the civil society panel on September 2012, stressing that the report would help for a better security in Nigeria. He urged the incoming president to fund the police adequately and pay attention to the welfare of officers and men, not forgetting their family members.

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Traffic gridlock on Marina. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

INSIDE

Post-election sales: Broad Street Prison, Broad Street turning Traders smile again>47 now Freedom Park to Oshodi of old > >48 >

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Broad Street Diary

hroughout its period of use from 1885 till when it was closed in the 1960s the Broad Street Prisons, in Lagos Island (now Freedom Park) held some of the nation’s foremost activists and nationalists. Personalities such as Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Micheal Imodu (a foremost labour leader), Sir Adeyemo Alakija, and many others, all served times there, at one period or the other, due to their political beliefs and activism.

Herbert Macaulay (1864-1946) A civil engineer and journalist by profession, was one of the nation’s political leaders, reputed as being one of the fathers of Nigerian nationalism who fought some of the obnoxious policies of the British colonialist. Coming from a distinguished pedigree of educationists and public figures, he was the grand son of Bishop Ajayi Crowther. He studied civil engineering in England and was subsequently appointed as Surveyor of the Land for the Colony of Lagos from 1893 till 1898 when he resigned due to what he called the racial discrimination of the Europeans in the civil service. He rose to become a determined opponent of the rule of the colonial regime and fought against the expansion of the British administration as this was detrimental to the interests of Nigerians who usually bore the tax burdens of such decisions. Macaulay’s activism included agitations against the payment of water rates in 1915 and the British attempt to reform the land tenure arrangements in Lagos and Yoruba land. He also exposed the significant aspect of the corruption of the colonial government in running the affairs of the colony which greatly embarrassed the colonialists. For this numerous activities and campaigns against the British colonial government, he was incarcerated twice, and later sentenced to six months imprisonment in 1928 at the Broad Street Prisons, for claiming in the Daily Times newspapers that the British were planning to kill the Eleko (the king of Lagos) in a car explosion.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909 -1987) one of Nigeria’ foremost political leaders, anti-colonial heroes and statesmen, was held at the Broad Street prison in 1963 while undergoing trial in a treasonable felony case for conspiring to overthrow the Federal Government along with some other members of his Action Group party. In his book, Adventures in power Book One: My March through prison, Chief Awolowo recounts the nature of the gaol when he and his colleagues had to stay there: the cells, in which we were, were a set of rooms oppo-

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Broad Street Prison, now Freedom Park

…its prominent inmates site one another with a long corridor between them. There were two doors to the corridor, they were both of solid iron with huge iron bars to reinforce them from inside and from outside. Only one of them, the one, which led to the prison compound, was in use when my colleagues were brought there. The other one had not been use since about 1870, after the abolition of slave trade in Lagos. The latter door was very close to the Record Office and to the annex to the Superintendent’s Office, which was set aside to receive vistors ” Chief Awolowo also wrote that while he was remanded at the prison pending his trial, the Federal Government of the time did not take the risk of allowing him to pass through the usual door, either on his way to court or to attend to a visitor, due to his huge popularity in the country, which could lead to his wide acclamation by his inmates. Also Chief Awolowo observed that of the three prisons in Lagos at that time including the Ikoyi Prison and Kirikiri ,it was only on Broad Street Prison that uniforms were sown for inmates in all the prisons ;hence, that was where a uniform was ordered for him whence he was subsequently jailed at the Ikoyi Prison.

Chief Anthony Enahoro Also amongst the renowned people who were incarcerated at the Broad Street Prisons, Chief Enahoro was held in the gaol for his political activities and activism.

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captured people’s imagination at the time and spawned public myth-making, with a prominent account pointing that Esther Johnson had caught Mark Hall with another Nigerian woman in the residence that they jointly shared and she had stabbed him with a pair of her work scissors (being a seamstress) when he showed no remorse and had proceeded to taunt her. According to account, Esther Johnson was tried, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death through execution. She was taken from Tinubu Square location of the judgement to the Broad Street Prisons.

Culled from Freedom Park, the journey of liberation

Esther Johnson (nee Ada Ocha Ntu) She was one of the most famous inmates of the Broad Street Prison. She was jailed for killing her British lover, Mark Hall, in the early 1950s.The 22 year-old Igbo lady had killed Hall, a middle-aged worker of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, who had returned from a visit to England to inform her that he had taken a bride at home and had used the 400 British pounds she (Esther) had lent him, to set his bride up in a taxi business in the UK. The attention that this murder generated was said to have

Broad Street in the ’50s

agos Island especially Broad Street according to a resident, Mrs. Folashade Carew was full of fun and was peaceful in the fifties. Carew who had her education and got married on the Island was full of life at sixty when Broad Street Diary visited her in her home. She told Broad Street Diary that security on the Island especially on Cole Street where she was born and Oke Olowogbowo street where she lived when she got married was very good. “Yes, then when we are growing up we can easily sign out strange faces around and immediately there is a case of robbery, we could easily bring out the people behind it,” she told BSD. She revealed that strangers are the ones that turned the once peaceful Lagos Island

to where today people steal and get away with it. She also said education on the Island was good then that people outside Lagos Island bring their children here. The best school according to her was Olowogbowo Primary School followed by Ansarudeen, St Joseph and Almaddiyah schools among others. Education at that time was very good on the Island, if you see anyone that grew up then, you can hear them speak good English not like now that half of the indigene are not ready to go to school, she disclosed. On the different market on the Island, Madam Carew said Oke -Arin was the best and traders do business four times a week. “Oke-Arin was the best then, as a trader I was able to send my children to private

school and live comfortably.” But now she said things have changed, the rent for shop is high and the turnover is very low. “That was why I left the shop I was using and came back home to sell. She also recounts with smiles on her face that as a child she was able to play with her mates in different recreation centres around. “But it is sad that all those places have now turned to commercial areas that children growing up on the Island don’t have such opportunity anymore. Carew called on the government especially local government to do something about this, she said children around needs recreation centres where they can play and have fun especially during festive period.

Saidat Alausa

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South West

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Court to DStv: You can’t increase subscription fees Olajide Omojolomoju

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; Vice-President-Elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos State, Comrade Adesegun Raheem and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, at a town hall meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

Why Jonathan lost —Fadahunshi Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Prince Francis Fadahunshi, yesterday, shed light on why the party’s presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, was defeated at the poll. Fadahunshi, who was senatorial candidate of PDP for Osun East in the March 28 National Assembly poll, said he and other prominent Nigerians appealed to the president to drop Vice-President Namadi Sambo and replace him with former Kebbi State governor, Adamu Aliero. But against “wise counsel” President Jonathan

stuck to Arch Sambo, even when it was obvious the likes of Aliero, having been empowered during Yar’Adua’s presidency, were in control of the major political blocs in the North. Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo yesterday, Fadahunshi said: “I went to Aso Rock Villa in March last year to confer with Mr. President on how to move PDP forward. That day he was locked in a meeting with the seven aggrieved PDP governors, but I told the first lady that they may end up being the first executive couple to be booted out of power and also go to jail. “But the first lady said I was cursing them. I told her that Mr. President must immediately call Adamu Aliero and seek his help. I

also warned her that Mr. President must act fast because Aliero, whom I served in the Customs with, Dahiru, Manga and the likes would be key to his re-election. The kind of resources at their disposal was huge.” He added: “I also called Aliero immediately to secure his consent and he agreed to help, but more than three months after, Jonathan did not call the man and refused all warnings not to allow the governors in new PDP leave the party. “Mr. President’s nonchalant attitude to the party that made him president has also led him to destroy that same party.” Fadahunshi queried the decision of Jonathan to congratulate Gen. Buhari when

voting was still being collated. “Why was he in a hurry? The same way he congratulated the hawk that carried away his baby in Edo, Ondo and others during their governorship polls? That is the more reason I believe Baba Obasanjo is angry with Mr. President. “Why would PDP not challenge 1.9 million votes from Kano at the tribunal? Jonathan, I believe, is clearly working to kill PDP.” The retired Customs boss also warned those leaving PDP without consultation, stressing that the reality will soon dawn on them that the party could not accommodate everybody, urging loyalists to work towards repositioning PDP to serve as effective opposition.

Court clears Ambode to contest guber poll Wale Igbintade

ttempt to stop governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, from contesting the April 11 election failed yesterday as a Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a suit challenging his eligibility. Justice Mohammed Yunusa declared that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to institute the action. Besides, the judge held that the plaintiffs failed to establish any reasonable course of action to sustain their prayers and held that

“none of the plaintiffs in the instant suit is an aspirant to be conferred with locus standi,” Yunusa said as he dismissed the suit. Justice Yunusa, while dismissing the suit, upheld APC’s submission that the subject matter of the case was an intra-party affair and the plaintiffs failed to show that they had sufficient interest to warrant the reliefs sought. He, however, did not award any cost against the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs, Olorunfemi Oluwatosin and Dada Joseph, who are members of APC, had approached the court seeking an order to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from allowing

APC to field any candidate for Saturday’s governorship election in Lagos. In the originating summons filed through their lawyer, Samuel Adeniyi, the plaintiffs were challenging their alleged disenfranchisement in the party primary that produced Ambode in December last year. They claimed that the primary was fraught with and predicated on irregularities. They alleged that the party’s ward congresses, which were supposed to be conducted only in the 20 recognised local government areas of Lagos State, were also extended to the 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

They also alleged that secret ballot rather than open ballot system was used during the congresses, arguing that same had rendered the process illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. The defendants in the suit were APC, the INEC and Ambode. Also joined as defendants were other aspirants, who vied for the party’s governorship ticket with Ambode: Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Dr. Leke Pitan, Tayo Ayinde, Olasupo Shasore, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Mrs. Tokunbo Agbesanwa, Dr. Tola Kasali, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Lanre Ope, Tokunbo Wahab, Adekunle Disu and Abayomi Sutton.

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, operators of Digital Satellite Television, popularly known as DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs payable by its subscribers across board. The restraining order was given by Justice C.J. Aneke, sequel to a suit filed by two Lagos-based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji. In the class action suit, with number FHC/L/ CS/404/2015, Aneke granted the interim orders till the hearing of the Motion on Notice for injunction on April 16. He also ordered for the suit and the interim injunction to be published in national newspapers. Adebayo and Adeniji are challenging the arbitrary increase in tariffs.

The legal practitioners urged the court to order the second defendant, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to also implement Pay Per View, PPV, where subscribers choose the programmes they want and pay as they watch, which is being implemented in other parts of the world. In the order given yesterday, Aneke ruled: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (MultiChoice/DStv) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending hearing and determination of the motion on notice. “That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services.

Buhari tasked on Boko Haram insurgency Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ith Boko Haram insurgency yet to abate in Northeastern Nigeria, a cleric, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin, has urged Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure he flushes them out as soon as he is sworn in on May 29. He also called on security agencies to redouble their efforts in securing the country and its peoples, especially in the coming governorship and House of Assembly election. Abegunrin, who is Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Diocese, made the call yesterday during an international pro-life and pro-family press conference at the Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of Ibadan, UI. He said the future is bright for Nigeria only if the people play their roles effectively, urging the people to shun violence as they elect new leaders across the country on Saturday. He further urged the president-elect not to betray the trust of Nigerians, warning that the country was at a dangerous zone at the moment.

He said, “Many times we met with the party leaders and they talked like peaceful people, which makes us to wonder where the problems are coming from. The fact is that in our society, there are many jobless people. “I want to challenge our security agencies to be more effective in their dealings with Nigerians. If they are doing their jobs properly without politics, they will catch the miscreants and mischievous people in the society.” He also called on Buhari not to consider any as sacred cows, but diligently prosecute any guilty offender. “If the people behind terrorism in Nigeria are the blood brothers of the president-elect, he should bring them to book because we are all subject to the law. General Buhari knows better when it comes to the issue of security and he should use his wealth of experience to rescue us. “Let him play low on ethnicity and tribalism as soon as he gets to the office. In God’s name, we call for an end to all forms of terrorism, ritual and political killings. As Pope Saint John Paul II of blessed memory exhorted us.”

South East

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Implement National Confab report, Umeh urges Buhari

ational Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Victor Umeh, has urged President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to implement the report of last year’s National Conference. Umeh said this yesterday in Umuahia while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly polls in the South East. He said the implementation of the report, especially the recommendation for creation of additional state for the zone, would give the people a sense of belonging in the country. He assured Buhari that Igbo people do not hate him, but voted

President Goodluck Jonathan “because he assured us he would implement the report of the national conference. “Buhari should not see Ndigbo as his enemies. The Igbo are looking for somebody who will address the problem of marginalisation since the end of the war.” He said the zone had suffered neglect for a long time and needed a president “who will help to rehabilitate the Igbo people after what they suffered during the war. “We pray that God will use Buhari to address our plight,” he said, promising that Ndigbo would support his administration if he addresses their plight. He further urged Jon-

athan to reward Ndigbo for their support for his administration by ensuring the people were allowed to elect leaders of their choice. The APGA national chairman alleged that the people’s vote in the March 28 election did not count because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, used the military and other security operatives to subvert the wishes of the people expressed through the ballot. ”The only way Jonathan can reciprocate the support of Igbo people is to allow them to elect governors and lawmakers of their choice.” He further urged him not to support the incumbent PDP governors

to foist their surrogates on the people as their successors. He said results from polling units in the last election showed that the people voted massively for APGA, and expressed regret that the votes did not count due to “high powered conspiracy to manipulate the results by PDP, along with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security operatives. “What we saw during the March 28 poll was total militarisation of the entire electoral process in the South East, which provided a safe ground for PDP-government to rig the results in their favour,” he said. Umeh also spoke on

Imo State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha (middle) releasing a dove as symbol of peace during a peace accord signed by all Imo gubernatorial candidates in Owerri, recently. PHOTO: NAN

A liuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State yesterday warned Governor Martin Elechi against making inciting statement capable of generating crisis in the state ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial and House of Assembly election. Leaders of the party said this in Abakaliki while reacting to a radio broadcast in which Elechi allegedly threatened staff of the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, to either declare election results

the quality of the party’s flag-bearer in Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, describing him as “the best candidate the party can offer the state.” He said with the de-

feat of PDP at the national level, it was time Ndigbo form a formidable support for the emergence of APGA governors, who could help to rebuild the area.

Anambra youths protest, demand credible polls Charles Okeke AWKA

gbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of Igbo Youth Groups for the Defence of Igboland, CIYGDI, yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct credible House of Assembly election on Saturday in Anambra State. The Anambra-based youths maintained that they were battle ready to defend and protect the people’s votes on Saturday, as well as protect their father land from the people they jointly described as political criminals and thieves without regard for the welfare of the people. The youths, who staged a protest yesterday in Awka, warned that they would never tolerate any agenda or gang-up to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state created by Governor Willie Obiano. The coalition, which comprises Igbo Gadi Nma, United Igbo Peoples Congress, Anambra Youth Forum, Anambra Youth for Peace, Anambra Traders

Club, Igbo Youth Initiative, Igbo Students Forum and Good Governance Progressive Forum, disclosed this to National Mirror in a press statement signed respectively by their leaders, namely: Comrades Sylvester Emeka, Uche Madugadi, Emmanuel Oliseh, Emeka Okolo, Aloy Obi, Ositadimma Echefuna, Okechukwu Okonkwo and Kingsley John. The coalition members, who came in large numbers to demonstrate in Awka and other key cities in Anambra over the manner the Senate and House of Representatives elections were conducted in the state on March 28, demanded that the second stanza of the vote on Saturday, unlike the previous one, must be free and fair, and that the peoples wish and votes must count. While also carpeting INEC over conduct of penultimate Saturday’s polls, the youth groups called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC and field returning officers who they alleged did not perform creditably so far in the state.

Elechi warned against incitement at polling units or face his wrath. They said the governor should be careful of the kind of statement he makes. The party leaders, who spoke through the Media Director of Divine Mandate Organisation, Abia Onyike, stated that Ebonyi PDP will win the governorship position and all the 24 seats in the House of Assembly despite the inability of President Goodluck Jonathan to win the presidential contest. Onyike said PDP is prepared and would work harder to ensure it retains power in Ebonyi,

Elechi

stressing that the broadcast by the governor ran short of expectations, to the extent that it was full of subtle threats. He noted that “We in the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation

believe that the presidential and national assembly elections were properly conducted and the results were true reflection of balance of force on the ground between the contending political parties. “The victory obtained by PDP in the Senatorial and House of Reps elections was a testimony that PDP had become a mass movement in the state. “We regret that the governor’s speech did not address the workers strike that has paralysed both public and private services in the state be-

cause the workers have not been paid salaries. “We appeal to the electorate and our supporters to remain calm and ignore such provocative statements and go to the polls and elect candidate of their choice.” It would be recalled that the governor had in a broadcast announced that Ebonyi people had been badly provoked by electoral irregularities during the last polls, noting that “never before have we been close as we are today to mass selfdestruction.” The governor had failed to secure the Eb-

onyi central senatorial ticket of PDP and the inability to present the party’s governorship candidate and failure to secure senatorial seat for his son (Elechi Elechi) who contested under Labour Party, LP, did not go well with him. He therefore warned that any further attempt to inflict undeserved injuries on his people would trigger “consequences of unpredictable dimensions.” Elechi added: “Any INEC staff that refuses to declare results as he is mandated to do by law on the spot is incurring the wrath of voters.”

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Politics

Igbos have benefitted from APC govt in Lagos –Eze Dimgba

Nasarawa: Four-horse race to Govt House

PRISCILLA DENNIS writes that the battle for the Niger State Government House is between sons of retired military personnel.

t’s no longer a secret that the gubernatorial candidates of the two major political parties in the governorship contest in Niger State; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, are ‘barrack boys’, offsprings of retired army Generals that are set to slug it in the April 11 election. The die is cast, and all is now set for the great fight ahead. While, Umar Nasko of the PDP, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu is the son of General Gado Nasko, Abubakar Sani Bello, also known as ‘Abu Lolo’ the APC candidate, is the son of retired Colonel Sanni Bello, now a business mogul. There is no doubt, it is also going to be the clash of the Generals in the two major rival parties. It is worthy to note that since 1999, Niger State has always been a stronghold of the ruling PDP, firmly rooted in all the grassroots areas of the state. A close look at the politics of the state from 1999 to date will provide one with a clear picture of what to expect on Saturday in Niger State. It has never played politics of opposition, especially at the state level. Though, at the presidential level, the state usually gives bulk of its votes to the opposition party, especially one with General Muhammadu Buhari as its standard bearer. With the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election held on Saturday, March 28, which the former head of state emerged the President-elected and the APC on top and winning all three senatorial and 11 House of Representatives seats, political analysts said the ruling party is in for a battle of wit to remain in power against the building political storm in the Saturday election. There is no doubt that the APC is the biggest opposition political party in Niger State and its acceptability and popularity is attributed largely to the presence of General Buhari in the party. Therefore, political pundits believe that it is clear that if there is any election now with the Buhari sentiment played up so high, the state APC might take advantage of the situation and turn the tide to its favour in its desire to capture the state from the PDP, unless the party quickly rise up to the occasion by restrategising properly and mend up its broken fences among members. Early, in the year, the deputy governor of the state, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who is presently leader of the opposition in the state, dumped the PDP

Niger: Battle royale between sons of retired Generals

Nasko

Bello

for the APC, along with some notable chieftains and his supporters over various unresolved grievances. Although, the PDP has ruled the state for the past 16 years, the influence of Buhari, during this period has made the opposition to have a major in-road into the politics of the state. Due to the Buhari factor in the 2011 election, when he contested as the standard bearer of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the party in the state gave the ruling PDP a hard fight, though it won the governorship then, eventually, the opposition won one of the three senatorial seats and six out of the 11 House of Representatives seats in the polls. Though the PDP in the state is yet to

make any comment on the massive defeat it suffered in the last election, the APC, basking in the euphoria of the election at a press conference in Minna, through the party leader, Ibeto, noted the need for the party to ensure a resounding victory for APC in the gubernatorial and state Assembly elections, as what the state needed now in the imminent national political equation so as to stand proud to be counted in the vanguard of progress at this historic moment in Nigeria. He warned that any desperate attempt by any party, especially the PDP to scuttle the electoral process will be detrimental to peace and stability and would therefore be resisted by the collective will of all the people of the state. Ibeto also attributed the defeat suffered by ruling PDP to injustices, oppression and many other sins of its administration over the years, which would not be allowed in the APC, having learnt from the mistakes of the ruling party. It would recalled even before the election, he had three days after defecting, boasted that his new party would sweep all the senatorial and House of Representatives seats as well as the governorship during the election. However, while conceding defeat in his Niger East senatorial district elec-

THE ‘POLITICAL TSUNAMI’ THAT SWEPT OFF THE PDP IN THE LAST ELECTION HAS GIVEN THE

APC AN

IN-ROAD NOW INTO THE STATE

tion to Barr David Umar of APC, the state governor, Dr. Aliyu told journalist after the state exco meeting that the defeat suffered by the PDP in the state would give it a chance to reorganise and put its house in order to ensure success in the next election. He also said he has no qualms about his defeat, saying: “I did not see my defeat as an insult to my person but as God’s will.” Political pundits said the ‘political tsunami’ that swept off the PDP in the last election has given the APC an inroad now into the state, hence the ruling party would need to do a lot of serious hard work to woo the electorate to its side to forestall a reoccurrence of what happened on March 28, if it must emerge victorious, even though, it fielded a popular, sellable candidate in the person of Hon. Nasko. They claimed the hand writing signalling that all is not well with the PDP was glaringly evident before the election, but the party failed to look into how to address its challenges. Particularly, it was learnt that some aggrieved members of the party allegedly worked against it in the election. Political watchers in the state said there were many reasons that culminated in what has been described as the most awful performance of the ruling PDP in Niger State in the Maech 28 election, among which were: the Buhari factor, disenchantment of members, failure to mobilise foot soldiers, and recognise grassroot politicians, among others. Though, a chieftain of the party in the state that would not want his name mentioned in a chat with National Mirror only hinged the turn of political tides against the party to what he described as the Buhari ‘band wagon effect’. He stated that the PDP prepared adequately for the last election and expressed optimistic of his party winning the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections this Saturday. With the dice now cast, the fate of the gladiators is now in the hands of the electorate, in whom power resides and whose confidence is buoyed by the fact that their votes would not only count, but will be counted,. It is the electorate to decide which of the two parties and their candidates they will entrust their mandate as the May 29 handover date beckons. Is it going to be complete change in Niger State or is it going to be continuity? Time and the electorate will say.

Politics

IGBAWASE UKUMBA examines the chances of the major four political parties contending for the Nasarawa State Government House and the chances of their candidates.

Al-Makura

s the race to Nasarawa State Government House gathers momentum, it is a straight contest among four political parties: the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Labour Party, LP and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the quest to emerge victorious has culminated in the parties’ standard bearers employing all the tricks in the book to woo the electorate to their sides. On the other hand, the electorate is no doubt at the crossroads in making their final decision on who occupies the number one seat of the state come April 11. This painstaking exercise of choosing an competent candidate among the four candidates has put a burden on the shoulders of the Nasarawa electorate, who are now treading with utmost care and caution to avoid somersaulting into a valley of death. Nevertheless, political observers and some school of thoughts opined that it will only become a field day to a standard bearer whose antecedents are widely accepted by the generality of the Nasarawa electorate, considering the unprecedented political awareness that has stormed the state since 2011 when the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, was voted out of the Lafia Government House despite his incumbency factor. Be that as it may, political pundits have began an overall x-ray of antecedents of the four governorship candidates in the state in a way to weigh their profile as who may likely be chosen by the electorate to govern the state.

Barrister Innocent Lagi Lagi is the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the incumbent Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura and had represented his Wamba state constituency on the platform of the LP in the state House of Assembly, where he was elected as the Minority Leader. He is contesting the governorship race of Nasarawa State on the platform of the LP. He enjoys a relative acceptability, espe-

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Nasarawa: Four-horse race to Govt House

Maku

THE OTHER HAND, THE ELECTORATE IS NO DOUBT AT THE CROSSROADS IN MAKING THEIR FINAL DECISION ON WHO OCCUPIES THE NUMBER ONE SEAT

cially among the youths, because of his youthful age; whereas the average person in Nasarawa is said to be sympathetic to his political ambition considering his doggedness to issues that concerned the generality of people of the state, with particular emphasis on the Alakyo massacre, where about 100 security operatives on lawful duty were killed. His doggedness is pulling to his side a good number of supporters across the state, especially with his resistance to the intimidation posed to him by the majority PDP lawmakers in the state Assembly when he scaled the fence of the Assembly complex, after been barred from entering the complex, to serve a court injunction to the assemblymen to stay action on their planned impeachment of his then principal, Governor Al-Makura. Consequent upon that, Lagi is being worshiped by many as the brain behind the non-impeachment of Governor AlMakura. However, some analysts saw his venture into the governorship race as a mere flash in the pan, because he has no godfathers to pursue his course to the conclusion. This is even as they view his role in the Alakyo commission of inquiry that probe the massacre of the about 100 security operatives at Alakyo village as a major stumbling block to his success in

Agabi

Lagi

Eggon nation, who constitute about 45 percent of the total population of Nasarawa State, and who were penciled down by the commission of inquiry’s report for prosecution.

that Maku has not helped tit in the state by way of harnessing or protection of federal appointment opportunities allotted to the state. This is not withstanding the bitter relationship the former minister and journalists, his immediate constituency in the state. Moreover, his desperation to become the governor of the state was alleged to have already put him at logger head with his kinsman, Mr. Mathew Ombugaku, who was said to be the legitimate gubernatorial candidate of APGA before Maku was imposed on the party, a situation that is already causing ripples within the party, leading to the suspension of the state APGA legal adviser, Barr Baba Ayiwulu. Maku’s and Auiwulu’s suspension have been viewed by analysts as beginning of the former minister’s rejection by his Eggon kinsmen supposedly to give him a bloc vote.

Hon Labaran Maku Maku his information ministerial portfolio with the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the governorship seat of Nasarawa State on the platform of PDP, but which he lost out; however still adamant to pursue his gubernatorial ambition, he defected to APGA, where he picked the ticket to contest. Political analysts see him to be enjoying the sympathy of some handful of youths in the state,considering his eloquence and versatility in the historical perspective of the state which is convincing some of those youths that care to listen to him. Analysts also observed that, all things being equal, Maku could spring a surprise at the gubernatorial polls considering his religious faith as the only serious minded Christian candidate in the race that would capture the votes of all Christians in the state, as they believe that Maku’s archrivals, Mohamed Agabi of the PDP and AlMakura of the APC, who are both muslims, would hitherto stand at the risk of dividing the Muslim votes.Another factor in his favour is the numerical strength of his Eggon ethnic nationality, regarded as the majority tribe in Nasarawa State. But, some school of thoughts lined that Maku’s journey to the Lafia Government House would end up in doom, considering his sour relationship with the people of the state, when he was a minister. Notable among these people are the Christian community that he neglected by way of not redeeming all of his financial pledges made to some churches. The immediate past Information Minister’s sour relationship was not only to the church alone as even PDP, the party which provided him the platform to graduate from commissioner to deputy governor and eventually peaking as a minister of the Federal Republic once complained

Dr. Yusuf Mohammed Agabi Agabi is a retired director in the federal civil service, who beat Maku, former Governor Doma and six others at the PDP gubernatorial primary election to clinch the party’s ticket. He is being favoured to win the gubernatorial race due to his track records in the area of wealth creation in the state. Analysts opined that Agabi would find it easy to sail through to the Government House because of the arrays of political juggeranuts he parades in his campaign team, including Senator Solomon Ewuga, Doma among many others. Like in 2011, when the incumbent governor of the state, Al-Makura, defeated the then incumbent governor, Doma, over matters alleged to be unconnected to bad governance, political pundits are of the opinion that history will repeat itself next Saturday, when Agabi would defeat incumbent Governor Al-Makura roundly on similar alleged offences; even as they are of the view that the PDP is capitalising mostly on the deplorable security situCONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Politics

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Chief Uche Dimgba, Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja and Vice President, Ndi Eze Igbo in the Diaspora in this interview with EBERE NDUKWU, talks about how Igbos can key into the in-coming administration for the benefit of Ndigbo in Lagos and Nigeria. Excerpts:

Igbos have benefitted from APC govt in Lagos –Eze Dimgba when they were told that Buhari is a Muslim and that he was going to Islamise Nigeria. That he would close down their businesses which really scared them. But now, we the Ezes have been able to sensitise them and the Ezes leaving in the areas we lost have been in meetings. Areas like Ojo, Amuwo, Surulere and so on, we know them; they are being told that those things they said about Buhari were lies. We are also addressing the angle of tribal sentiment accompanying voting pattern. For instance, they thought that Jonathan was their brother but now that they have seen the man they called brother has lost, there is no reason again to vote against the government in town. Come April 11, the whole story will change; our people will come out en mass and vote. After all, we live in Lagos and we have to support the government because, where you live is where you are going to defend.

What is your impression of the last presidential and National Assembly elections? As everybody knows, we supported the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win the election because we found out that APC is not just a political party, but a movement for change. And Nigerians have been clamouring for this change all the while; not only change of baton but change in the way things are done in Nigeria; change for positivity. We decided to do that because we want tribalism and religious bigotry expunged and killed in Nigeria. These are the things that have held us down in Nigeria. We are living in Lagos and have benefited from the government of APC. And having seen what the government has done in Lagos, we came out openly to adopt APC because we wanted this good work started by Bola Ahmed Tinubu and continued by Governor Fashola to be transmitted to the central level so that everybody will benefit from what those of us in Lagos have been benefiting. Lagos State government is a model second to none in Nigeria. When Ndi Eze Ndigbo and I came on air to adopt Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates, people called me names, some said I am a betrayer of Igbos, some said I did not know what I was doing and others even called me an outcast. As a traditional ruler who caters for the grassroot people, what should the ordinary man expect from the APC government? They should expect good governance. In Nigeria today, nobody has a better pedigree than Buhari, the President-elect. He has shown he is detribalised. He is a fighter and he does not stomach corruption. We expect him to come out now and show the way for all because the victory is for Nigeria irrespective of whoever was for or against him. He should make sure that all the promises made by APC will be fulfilled. We expect him to tackle the power problem such that before two years, everybody in Nigeria will be happy about steady power supply. The grassroots people will benefit from steady energy supply. He should address the issue of unemployment; in fact he should work assiduously to ensure that all the campaign promises are kept. We have found

You were a member of PDP before and now that you are in APC, what do you want the in-coming president to do for the Igbos? We want him to carry the Igbos along because Nigeria has multiple tribes. Having won the election, he should no longer look at it in terms of those who voted or did not vote for him. He should look at Nigeria because what happened in Igboland also happened in the North. Northerners voted massively for Buhari and Igbos for Jonathan therefore, you cannot single out any group as not liking you; they are just expressing their mind. I want Buhari to carry everybody along. Let him promote excellence and not mediocrity.

Dimgba

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT IS A MODEL SECOND TO NONE IN

NIGERIA

out now that our votes can count, so anybody that does not do well, we will also vote him out. But I don’t pray for it to happen in Buhari’s time. He is the only man better prepared to lead Nigeria. What is your advice to Igbos in Lagos concerning the coming gubernatorial and state Assembly polls? You see, our people were deceived in the last election

You have talked about supporting the government and party in town. What is the Igbo man’s place in the Lagos State government in terms of appointment? We have tabled this in a recent meeting with the representative of our national leader, Tinubu, where we said clearly that this time around we will not want to see use-and-dump attitude, which our leaders complained against vehemently. It is like we are only needed during elections. That’s why the Igbos got angry and started voting against APC. We want to be part of what is going on including our children, everybody. If you are going to employ in Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, let us have our people. They should consider us in the governance of the state.

Nasarawa: Four-horse race to Govt House CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 ation in the state that has claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira under AlMakura’s watch. Nevertheless, as Agabi’s chances to occupy the Lafia Government House are envisaged to be bright, a school of thought said so also are the chances of his failure to even approach the gates of the number one house in the state are even brighter than the chances to occupy the house. They are of the opinion that Nasarawa State people are no longer ready to mortgage their votes as attested during the 2011 elections, when all the monies that former Governor Doma pumped into the state in order to be re-elected for second term did not save him from defeat. The school of thought was even of the view that the emergence of Agabi as PDP candidate at the parties primary election in Nasarawa town was not the true reflection of the people’s wish as according to them, “huge amount of money was used by Agabi to buy up the delegates”. The worry of that school of thought is that if eventually Agabi becomes the governor of the state, he would first and foremost be looking at how to reclaim his money invested and as well as the profits that would accrued to it thereby neglecting the development of the state; hence

they opined that Nasarawa people would not hesitate to take such into consideration when casting their lots.

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura The incumbent governor of Nasarawa State on the platform of the APC is contesting for a second term. Analysts believe that his chance of returning for a second term are very bright, based on his developmental strides in the less than four years as the third executive governor of the state, which surpass what his predecessors did in 12 years. They are basing their believe on his provision of infrastructure across the state, free education in public educational institutions, free medical services in public health institutions for children and the aged, regular payment of workers’ salaries as well as pension and gratuity for retired civil servants and having being the among the first governors in Nigeria to implement the N18,000 minimum wage to all categories of public servants in the state. But political observers opined that it will be as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle for AlMakura to return to the Lafia Government House come April 11. They base this argument on his administration’s inability to employ a single person out of thousands of

jobless youths roaming the streets as well as his retrenchment of hundreds of local government staff in the state service and the prolonged communal crises that has characterised his regime. Just as the discovery by the state Assembly of alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office with matters related to financial mismanagement running into billions of naira is also seen by pundits as the last straw that has broken his second term ambition despite being cleared by a probe panel which investigated him. They also argued that Al-Makura’s envisaged the exit from the Government House is a done deal due to the impoverishing level which APC has subjected the average Nasarawa man to, saying that only the governor’s kinsmen and in-laws are the only beneficiaries of government patronage, going their appointments into juicy ministries, boards and agencies in the state. Even as the four gubernatorial candidates mop up their campaigns across the state preparatory to the April 11 polls, analysts are tasking the Nasarawa electorate to crosscheck sach candidate’s antecedents and profiles in order to elect a true liberalist that would entrench the long awaited egalitarian society Nasarawa people are yearning for.

Politics

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Ehinlanwo urges prayers for Buhari OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

efunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, candidate in the 2012 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, has urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari. He said there was a myriad of problems and challenges confronting the nation and the huge expectations that trailed Buhari’s endorsement across the country. Ehinlanwo, however, assured Nigerians that Buhari would perform based on his antecedents, character, experience, pronouncements, strong patriotic fervour and disposition. In a statement issued in Akure yesterday Ehinlanwo said that the Presidentelect seems well set on an historic reshaping of the country that would alter its social, political and economic landscapes. He said: “There cannot be much argument over the fact that weak, ineffectual and morally defi-

cient leadership has left the country tottering on many fronts. “Corruption remains deep rooted and endemic in our national life manifesting itself across several institutions of state and stifling the growth of our nation in many ways with dire consequences. “In a manner reminiscent of the civil war period, our country is faced with grave security challenges – most important of which are the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, the ever present threat of violence and militancy in the Niger Delta and to a lesser extent a dangerous wave of kidnapping and armed robbery – all conspiring to undermine our national aspiration of building a secure, free and prosperous nation. “Notwithstanding the challenges aforementioned, I am very well convinced that the incoming President is well equipped, prepared and able to deploy available resources in a way that is bound to make remarkable difference over his next four year term. But he needs our prayers.”

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Oba Akiolu: Intolerance not our character trait in Lagos –Obanikoro OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

inister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday condemned in very strong terms, the death threat reportedly issued by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Igbos living in Lagos, saying such habitual intolerance is not a character trait of the quintessential Lagos people. Appealing to Igbos not to generalise an average Lagosian with Akiolu’s deliberate intolerance for obvious political reasons, a bewildered Obanikoro contended that the monarch has shown unambiguous

biases despite his place as custodian of Lagos traditional institution. Particularly worrisome, Obanikoro noted that particularly worrisome was that “such premeditated and needless hostility could pit the non-indigenes against the Lagos indigenes”, a situation he claimed has never been so in the state but “designed for a failed political reason.” Urging Igbos to ignore such threat that tampers with their right to choice as Nigerians and stakeholders in the state’s body polity, Obanikoro said what happened at the Oba’s palace was an eyeopener for the Igbos to make an ideal choice on

Saturday during the governorship poll. He said: “These people have not only become arrogant with power, they are gradually becoming despots. This is who they are. If an individual lays claim to not only handpicking a governorship candidate but alluded to also owning Lagos as it were, Igbos should know what such a statement portends for them as a people sinisterly regarded as strangers. “This was the same manner some Igbos were packed like spare parts and dumped somewhere in Anambra State about a year ago by the All Progressives Congress, APC, government, regardless

of where each person came from. They constantly shutdown their stalls at the slightest provocation; levy heavy taxes on them and subject them to all manners of molestation because they think they own Lagos.” Calling on every patriotic Nigerian to condemn the statement, Obanikoro noted that similar threats were issued by the APC-led government to civil servants in Alausa through the Head of Service in the presence of one of his predecessors, Hon Yakubu Balogun, representing Lagos Island II in the House of Representatives, but noted that “all these intimidations and harassments will fail.”

Middle Belt indigenes back Akume for Senate Presidency ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

iddle Belt indigenes under the umbrella of the Middle Belt Progressive Forum, MBPF, yesterday threw its weight behind Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, as the preferred candidate for the position of Senate President. MBPF National President, Alhaji Hamid Usman told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that his group welcomed the decision by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to zone the position of the Senate President to the North Central. He said the Forum welcomes the decision particularly when the region has a healthy mix of Christians, Muslims and other faiths, which opens up the space for the APC to still be able to strike a

balance in the event that religion becomes a factor, adding that the North Central, also has ranking senators, which is requisite for deciding who will be the first among equals in the Senate. He said: “We urge the APC to look at a candidate that will move the change mantra and domesticate it across the minority ethnic nationalities in NorthCentral states of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau to create a Senate that genuinely unite the nation. “While the final decision rest with the party and its caucus, we advise that APC settles for Senator Akume on the basis of the goodwill he enjoys across the country, his large support base nationwide and his Tiv ancestry that incidentally placed him in the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria.”

Sensitive materials being off-loaded at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Dutse, Jigawa State, in preparation for governorship and House of Assembly elections, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

AD adopts Agbaje as gubernatorial candidate AYO ESAN

head of Saturday’s guber natorial election in Lagos State, the state chapter of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, said it has adopted Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje for the poll, stating that it is time for change in the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos yesterday, AD state chairman, Mr. Kola Ajayi, stated that the party arrived at the decision during its state executive council meeting, noting that it is joining force with the PDP in the interest of the state, saying the track record and personality of Agbaje is the panache for a better Lagos being envisioned.

It said: “We have understudied the whole political environment and we came to the conclusion as a party that only Agbaje can deliver Lagos from the shackles of the emperor and give better life to Lagosians. “Thus, at our meeting, we decided to roll our party’s machinery behind Agbaje in the interest of a better Lagos. “To this end, we called

on all our members and all Lagosians to come out on Saturday and queue behind Agbaje for governor because it is crystal clear that he is the only one that has plans for the people of the state.” Ajayi further said that “this is an endorsement in the interest of our state. We are tired of the way Lagos is governed and that is our motivation.”

Nigerians not interested in violence election anymore –NCP chair DARE AKOGUN

ational Conscience Party, NCP, National Chairman,Dr. Yunusa Tanko has revealed that Nigerians are no longer interested in violence before, during and

after the elections. He made this remarks at a rally organised by the party in Lagos to shore up support for its candidates in Saturday gubernatorial and House of Assembly election. He said: “We all hope this election ends at the

various polling units in the country where the winner will be magnanimous in victory and the looser accepting its fate. “Whoever wins election from the top to the bottom should ensure that he carries everybody along, because the Nigerian re-

sources and economy is not meant for the party alone, rather it is for the whole nation, and once that is done and poverty is abolished from the land you will see that the country will be peaceful and every country in the world will want to emulate us.”

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Views

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Towards Nigeria’s democratic consolidation EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

NDUBUISI Professor Ndubuisi is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

he fear over 2015 presidential election has turned out to be misplaced. All the soothsayers, star gazers and doomsday prophets have been shamed and now look for something else to do. The March 28 elections, in the eyes of international observers and many Nigerians, were free and fair. The outcome of the election jolted people’s imaginations. It is no secret that the winner of the presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari, was considered a strong candidate in the North, especially in the North West and North East. Political analysts didn’t reckon with the reality of his strength in the North Central. In recent history the North Central has been known to be a stronghold of the ruling party. All the calculations of the ruling party that the zone would be a walkover given that its governors are in charge of five of the six states turned out to be verge projection. The results zone stunned many pundits. The uncommon statesmanship conduct of President Goodluck Jonathan was a shocker

and a surprise to many, especially those that did not know him intimately. Nigerians and the international community were expecting a big post-election backlash given the outburst of former minister of Niger Delta and chieftain of PDP, Mr. Godsday Orubebe at the Abuja Collation Centre for the presidential election, where he pointedly accused Professor Attahiru Jega of ethnic bias. Interestingly, he has, after proper reflection, asked Nigerians for forgiveness. It was a rare show of humility and statesmanship for Mr. President to accept the result of the election and congratulate General Buhari as winner of the contest. The entire world was elated and excited by this show of reason and courage. President Jonathan has been receiving accolades for this, locally and internationally. Alhaji Maitama Sule, Nigeria’s former permanent representative to the United Nations and General Abdusalami Abubaker, for example, described Jonathan as a “great statesman”. The accolades are well deserved in a country where politics is approached as a “do or die” affair. General Buhari and his party have similarly applauded President Jonathan’s rare gesture. The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, while commending Nigerians, described both the outgoing President and his successor as great men for setting new standards for democracy in the country. But why should we actually have so much tension in the land because of elections? Why should we see elections as a ‘do’ or

WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONSOLIDATE THE GAINS OF OUR DEMOCRACY ‘die’ affair? Politics in Nigeria over the years has become a big merchandize, in which everybody wants to have a taste of it. This is contrary to the trend in advanced democracies where public offices are seen as platforms to promote public good and contribute to the annals of great human history. This explains the ascendancy in its cost, both human and materials resources. We must reverse this trend if we are serious about advancing the cause of democracy in our country. It is interesting that international observers see the March 28 elections as free and fair. While there might not be data to dispute that now, it suffices to say that the exercise calls for deep soul searching, especially by INEC that has been on its preparation for years. The permanent voter’s cards were a big innovation in our electoral system, and this is commendable. But this novelty was characterised by shoddy management. While it is a fact that the technological innovation was on the drawing

board since 2011, its implementation took too long a time in actualization. Not less than 20 percent of registered voters were disenfranchised during the March 28 polls. The greatest disappointment was the smart card reader. The deployment of technology is no doubt a great and commendable innovation that would substantially checkmate electoral fraud and rigging, it would be better appreciated if INEC up its game. The Commission had insisted on its use even after its large scale malfunctioning was noted during ‘test run’. In spite of this, we went into the election with these machines. It was a big embarrassment to the entire nation. The First Family was a victim. The incident was enough to ruin the elections. Thank goodness the nation weathered the storm, and had an exercise adjudged to be free and fair. We need to move forward and consolidate the gains of our democracy. The card reader is a great idea and needed to be perfected. We must not find ourselves in a situation where we have to apply multiple standards for one exercise or change the rules midway. They are creation of muddy preparations and arrangements. INEC should start early enough to prepare for the next elections. It needs to perfect whatever technological innovations it is contemplating long enough before the election time. It must fix also the problem of underage voting.

2015 polls and prospects of Nigeria’s greatness

“A

day will come when Nigerian masses from the North and South, Christians, Muslims and animists will merge as a force for progress and unity, and kick against rigging, corruption and tyranny”. These were the prophetic words of one of Nigeria’s greatest politicians of all times, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. If the happenings of March 28, 2015, when Nigerians went to the poll to elect a new president are anything to go by Nigeria might be said to be in the early hours of the day prognosticated by the late sage. The result of this year presidential election was a valid testimony that democracy is taking its roots and deepening in Nigeria. Never before in our political history has a sitting president been unseated through electoral process. Going by the facts that the election on that day, (baring few isolated cases of breach of peace) was largely peaceful; that cutting-edge technology was employed to aid the credibility of the process; that local and international observers adjudged the election to be free and fair and the encouraging fact that the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan graciously conceded defeat and congratulated his opponents, we can surely get things right in this country. President Jonathan has by his stately conducts earned himself a great place in history; he would forever have a respected voice in national and global affairs as elder statesman. He has become a hero in the political drama that had turned fellow African leaders like Laurent Gbagbo of Cote D’ Ivoire into an international villain. If the last presidential election were to

WE EXPECT THE INCOMING

MUHAMMADU

BUHARI GOVERNMENT TO UNLOCK THE GREATNESS IN

NIGERIA

FOR FURTHER GREATER ATTAINMENTS be a football match, Buhari would take the victor’s Cup while President Jonathan would bag a Fair Play Award! The election, which had been preceded by such a high degree of tension and uncertainty that some citizens even ran outside the country, has now culminated into a benign anti-climax. This certainly is a pointer to an overarching truism that Nigerians can do things in a great way if we muster the will. It is remarkable to note that this positive episode on election and democracy is the latest among three successive developments that unequivocally point to the potential of Nigeria as a great nation and a true giant of Africa. All the three happened within the timeframe of one year. The first manifested last year when the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala famously announced that “Nigeria has moved to be the largest economy by GDP size in Africa and has moved to be the 26th largest economy in the world”. The announcement was later validated by independent empirical research with the growth being chiefly attributed to devel-

opments in other sectors of the economy like the Nollywood industry. When one considers the fact that the nation emerges largest economy on the continent, while millions of qualified youths are still unemployed, hundreds of firms either closed down or operating at suboptimal level, and most infrastructure at under-developed level, only God know where we would be if we have had good leadership that harnesses the resources of the nation most effectively. Wedge in-between the first (largest economy status) and the last (triumph of democracy) is an equally significant achievement. This is the victory registered over the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Ebola virus was imported into Nigeria on July 20, 2014 by a Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, whose death of July 25, became the first Ebola death in Nigeria. In the twinkling of any eye, the virus started to spread in Lagos (of all places) and then Port Harcourt. Many nations of the world were vicariously afraid for Nigeria with some experts predicting tragedy of “horrendous proportions”. Depressing news about the havoc and waste the disease was causing in neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone kept filtering in and there was panic about imminent human disaster of massive scale. But in an uncommon act of courage, dedication and total commitment, Nigeria unleashes her ingenuity by attacking the virus on all fronts. In this fight, the nation lost couples of citizens, (including Dr. Stella Ameyo

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

Adadevoh who sacrificed her live to save others); but Nigeria succeeded in routing the virus and kicking it out of the country. This is an achievement that earned the nation accolades all over the world. Thus, within a short period of time, Nigeria emerged the largest economy, overpowered a killer disease which send chills down the spine of even greater nations and then conducted a relatively free and fair election where the defeated incumbent magnanimously concede defeat even before the last ballots were counted. Nigeria are capable of great things, we expect the incoming Muhammadu Buhari government to unlock the greatness in Nigeria for further greater attainments. Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday April 9, 2015

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Lingering political violence in Rivers State

ivers State, since 2013 till date, has been simmering with politics of hate and violence, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading recriminations on who is culpable. In what many have linked with scheming ahead of the 2015 general elections, the problem appears partly rooted in the stripping, by the courts, of the state of oil producing acreages to the benefit of Abia, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states, a development Governor Rotimi Amaechi believed was made possible by President Goodluck Jonathan. Then came the speculation that Amaechi had plans to team up with a northern presidential aspirant for the 2015 polls as a vice presidential hopeful, despite Mr. President’s body language that he was interested in the race. Reports were subsequently bandied about of soured relationship between the President backed by his wife, Patience and Amaechi. Part of the fallout was the factionalisation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), which Amaechi once headed as chairman. It also engendered other series of violent political confrontations in Rivers State, to the point that early last year, the National Executive Commit-

tee of the APC, Amaechi’s new political party after he exited the PDP, directed its members in the National Assembly to block the passing of that year’s Appropriation Bill and the confirmation of President Jonathan’s new cabinet nominees and other strategic appointments “until the Federal Government halts the escalating violence in Rivers State”. The major reason for the step taken by the APC hierarchy was that the President was allegedly using the leadership of the Rivers State Police Command to hound his political opponents in the state, led of course by Governor Amaechi. Indeed, another bizarre fallout was the reported shooting of Senator Magnus Abe at a campaign rally allegedly by the police. Violent crisis rocked the state House of Assembly, following which the Majority Leader, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of his colleague, Mr. Michael Chinda (PDP- Obio/Akpor 11). Lloyd, it was alleged, smashed Chinda’s head with a mace during a fight between pro-Governor Amaechi lawmakers and those against the governor. He (Lloyd) was later discharged and acquitted by a Port Harcourt High Court. While campaigns for the 2015 elections were ongoing, rallies of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, were

THE APOLOGETIC, PASSING-GLANCE AND PERCEIVABLY PARTISAN HANDLING OF THE IMPUNITY IN

RIVERS

STATE BY THE POLICE IS UNACCEPTABLE disrupted by gunmen; and the party claimed scores of its supporters were killed in separate attacks. Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate, also alleged plots by the APC to harm his supporters. Reports a few days to the March 28 election indicated that suspected political thugs fired live bullets at Governor Amaechi’s convoy in the Rumuolumeni area of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of the state. Just last weekend, it was reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) office located in Emohua Local Government Council headquarters was razed by unknown political thugs. The latest report is that at least 11 people, including a former local council chairman and six members of his family, were killed by unidentified gunmen at two different locations in the state. The former council boss of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, whose first name was given as

ON THIS DAY

April 9, 2003

April 9, 2005

The 2003 invasion of Iraq: Baghdad, the capital of Iraq fell to American forces. The statue of the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was pulled down and destroyed. The 2003 invasion of Iraq lasted from March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003, and signalled the start of the conflict that later came to be known as the Iraq War, which was dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom by the United States. The invasion consisted of 21 days of major combat operations.

The wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles took place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. The ceremony conducted in the presence of the couples’ families was followed by a Church of England service of blessing at St George’s Chapel. The groom’s parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, did not attend the civil wedding ceremony.

Christopher and members of his family were killed in Obrikom/ Obor communities in Obio/ Akpor LGA. Recall that in November last year, between 10 and 15 people, including an unnamed chieftain of the APC, were also killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in a late night clash purportedly between two ‘rival cult groups’ in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA in the same state. It may, therefore, be rightly argued that Rivers State has witnessed more political violence and related deaths than any state in the country so far, and that all warnings against political violence and the need for credible polls in 2015 are falling on deaf ears in the state. The situation may even degenerate during next Saturday governorship and state legislatures’ polls. It is quite disappointing that the nation’s security agencies, especially the police, have failed woefully in arresting the lingering political violence and killings in Rivers State. No known culprit has been diligently prosecuted or brought to book. The apologetic, passing-glance and perceivably partisan handling of the impunity in Rivers State by the police is unacceptable. If the trend must be reined in, the police should act firmly, impartially and fast.

April 9, 2009 In Tbilisi, Georgia, up to 60,000 people protested against the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili, demanding his resignation. Opposition activists had expected some 100,000 – 150,000 participants. Protests continued for over three months, although fewer people participated as time passed than during the first days. The daily rallies gradually dwindled and ended, without achieving any tangible results.

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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Education Today Thursday, April 9, 2015

“The setting of this University is ‘Superlative’ and ‘Impressive’, with nothing of its kind that I have seen so far in the country or anywhere else” (Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR,)

Adebiyi

Oni

Adewole

Ekpo

Ajienka

Abdulrahamon

Efeotor

Orumwense

Ambali

t was like a joke to Nigerians when the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega began to call high profile scholars from the country’s ivory towers forward one after the other at the collation centre of the commission during the 2011 Presidential poll to present their final election result from each of the 36 states and Abuja, the Federal capital territory. The development was indeed, surprising to political watchers as Prof. Jega who was until his appointment to head the commission the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano didn’t blow the trumpet of the stuff he paraded around him for the crucial assignment and it was also kept out of the public knowledge. Though, their appointments were said to have been ratified by the National Assembly. The development actually gave credence to the election results of

INEC:

Jega

Again, academics bring credibility to presidential poll Why we accepted offer –VCs

Collation of election results is usually the most delicate assignment in the electoral process anywhere around the world. It is a stage where all eyes focus on one direction, to know the outcome of the voting exercise. However, the engagement of the high profile academics at this stage in the last presidential poll in the country just like that of 2011 has continued to receive applause from different quarters. TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE and SAIDAT ALAUSA trace the event that informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage them. that year. Both Nigerians and foreigners adjudged it free, fair and very credible. Just as it recorded

Stakeholders should support WAEC to fight malpractice —Minister 20

a huge success aided by the academicians at the exercise, the commission again adopted the same

system at this year’s poll held 13 days ago. National Mirror recalls that

‘Education, crucial to women’s participation in politics’ 21

Jega, a professor of political science had repeatedly saying that he CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

History can never be compulsory subject —NERDC

Education Today

Be focused, FUNAAB students urged Stories by Saidat Alausa

hief Executive Officer and founder of a US-based organisation, Service Africa Fundamentals (SAF), Mr. Adeyemi Ariyo has advised students of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State to be focused, flexible and proactive, in whatever they are engaged in. He said this during a seminar organised by the school in collaboration with the company held in the institution, recently. He added that the aim of the seminar was to share his experience, as a professional, having worked locally and globally with the intended students that are seeking employment, effective global leadership, graduate school admission process, entrepreneurship and networking, among others. Ariyo also advised the students to be hardworking and create networks in a bid to getting a good job in the nation’s competitive labour market. He described an ideal candidate for a job as being agile, great listener and goalgetter. He therefore implored the students to demonstrate leadership qualities, set out plans for success and creates effective communication links to friends and family. He further advised them to look for foreign scholarships in countries like Canada and the United States of America, where they can secure employment after graduation. Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, represented by the Dean, College of Engineering (COLENG), Prof. Johnson Adewumi, appreciated the efforts by the Student Affairs Division, headed by Prof. Yemi Akegbejo-Samsons and other stakeholders for organising the programme. He, however, called on the students to interact with the guest speaker and tap from his wealth of experience. Also speaking at the seminar, Mr. Damola Morenikeji, a 500-level student from the Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Protection of the university, inspired the students to be ready to take responsibilities in life.

LASPOTECH graduates 7, 022 today

agos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu will today turn out new sets of graduates at its 23rd convocation ceremony. The activities for the event started on Tuesday with the convocation lecture delivered by Prof. Olalekan Askia of Business School, Babcock University, IlishanRemo, Ogun State and a convocation variety show yesterday. Speaking at a press conference to announce the activities last weekend, the Polytechnic Rector, Dr. Abdulazeez Lawal said the institution would be graduating 7,022 students at the convocation ceremony which cut across all schools. He said he was confident of all the graduating students in any area of their endeavours because of the special entrepreneurial skills and computer education they have acquired at the polytechnic.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Tunbosun Ogundare

he Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has called on stakeholders in the education sector to join hands together with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to wipe out examination malpractices in Nigeria and other member countries of the council. He said the examination body could not be able to do so all alone. Shekarau made the appeal recently while declaring open the council’s 63rd annual meeting held in Lagos with delegates from all the five member countries in attendance. Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of his ministry, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, the minister pointed out that based on the importance of WAEC’s certificates to secure admission into tertiary institutions, employment or other valuable positions, desperate candidates go on the path of dubious way to pass its exams. He however praised the council for standing against malprac-

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Stakeholders should support WAEC to fight malpractice —Minister

L-R: Head of National Office, West African Examinations Council, Mr. Charles Eguridu; Immediate past Chairman to the council, Prof. Pius Obanya and the Federal Government nominee to the council, Princess Ebunoluwa Ilori at the inauguration of the council’s Customer Service Centre in Yaba, Lagos, recently.

tice in its exams, saying the effort is in agreement with the anti-corruption policy of President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. He said he believed so much that those who cheat in examinations are most likely to end up as charlatans in whatever profession or field of endeavour they find themselves. If they are in medical field,

according to him, they will be butchers instead of surgeons. If in academia, they will plagiarise and misguide the youths and as builders, they will build bridges and houses that will collapse on innocent citizens. “That is why I am using this opportunity to call on other examining bodies and stakeholders to support and cooperate with WAEC to ensure total

eradication of this evil in our public exams while government on its part will intensify effort in that direction,” Shekarua said. Noting that WAEC has edge over other examining bodies in Nigeria based on its strategic role in human capital production process, the minister urged the body to sustain it hard earned integrity enjoying since establishment 63 years ago.

FUTA students for exchange programmes in UK university Tunbosun Ogundare

o further strengthen the internationalisation drive and placement of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in the global arena, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kick start collaboration with De Montfort University, (DMU), Leicester, United Kingdom. The Pro Vice-Chancellor for international, DMU, James Gardner, signed for his institution. The MoU will allow FUTA and DMU to collaborate on academic and other related matters. The university’s spokesman, Mr. Adebanjo Adegbenro in a press release made available to National Mirror, said under the terms of the agreements, FUTA staff and students would have opportunities to undertake knowledge sharing and skill development that would engender creativity, connections, cultural integration, leadership traits and team work. He named Departments of Architecture and Industrial Design as beneficiary departments at FUTA. According to him, the MoU will give the undergraduate students of the institution possibility of transferring from their third year to complete their programmes at the UK-based

Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola(left) and Pro- Vice Chancellor(International), De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom, Professor James Gardner during the signing of the MoU on collaboration between both institutions in Akure.

university. He explained further that there would be provision for six months industrial training, 10 days short workshops/courses in summer, winter or Easter break to cover design and theory in architecture,

with a field trip to a continental European city. “Staff members will also have opportunity of undergoing PhD in full time, split size 6 months and by distance learning, co-hosting conference on Tropical Ar-

chitecture, Adjunct lecturing via Skype and visiting fellowships,” he added. Adegbenro noted that the collaboration, which was an initiative of Dr. Dorcas Ayeni, an alumnae of DMU School of Architecture who is a lecturer in FUTA’s Department of Architecture had inputs from the Head, School of Architecture, DMU, Professor Raymond Quek, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola and the Director of the International Office, FUTA, Professor Afolabi Akindahunsi. He noted that FUTA was already collaborating with many leading universities from across the world, including the Fort Valley University, Georgia, USA where the first set of FUTA students are expected for their one year complementary studies in August 2015 and the Florida

Dakar University named after ex-UNESCO boss

enegal’s President Macky Sall has chosen to name Unidak-2, the second public university in the capital Dakar, after Professor Amadou Mahtar M’bow, former director-general of UNESCO and government minister. Construction started in January on the new university, which has a budget of FCFA65 billion (US$107.5 million) partly financed by the World Bank. Due to open in October 2016 it will specialise in disciplines to fit the needs of the employment market, reported the Agence de Presse Sénégalaise, or APS. Sall was motivated to honour M’Bow, now aged 94, for his “historic combat” in defence of a new, more equitable world order of information, for

his “patriotic commitment” and his “permanent activism for peace and democracy”, reported APS. M’Bow was appointed assistant director-general of UNESCO for education in 1970, then took over as director-general from 1974 to 1980. Under his direction a commission led by the Irish Nobel laureate Seán MacBride produced the report Many Voices, One World, which recommended establishing a ‘new world order of information and communication’. In 2008 he presided over Senegal’s Assises Nationales, a debate that resulted in the country’s Charter of Democratic Governance. He currently chairs the National Commission of Reform of Institutions. Culled: University World News

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Education Today

Thursday, April 9, 2015

z Govt should include nutritional education in curriculum —Don Saidat Alausa

Professor of Nutritional Education at the School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state, Prof. Yetunde Makinde has called on the government to modify the instructional curriculum of schools from primary to tertiary level to include adequate nutritional education. She said this would help the students cultivate healthy lifestyle and good food habits. She made the call recently while delivering the 3rd inaugural lecture of Babcock University, titled: “Food for thought, thought for food: Conceptual genius of local ingredients in global diets and food habits of African populations.” She noted that good nutrition and food habits impact positively on the intelligence and academy performance of pupils and students. She said that based on the comparative analysis of the data collected from Babcock University Registry on academic performance and food intake of on-campus and off-campus students between 2012 and 2014 showed that Babcock students that were on-campus had higher CGPA than off-campus students. According to her, Babcock on-campus students

had access to enough adequate meals than Off-campus students. She pointed out that the feeding programme of the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O-meals) is one of the few surviving school meal programme in the country. This, according to her, has now been restructured and enhanced by the administration of the Osun state government to reach a larger number of students numbering 254,000 and to empower over 3,000 community caterers in 2004. She said that O-meals aim to reverse the very low academic performance of pupils noting that good nutrition is necessary for development of cognitive skills. She explained that having full stomach also helps the pupils to concentrate better on their studies, boosts pupils enrolment and increase regular school attendance and this, according to her also motivates parents to send their children to school. Speaking on her contribution to knowledge through research, Prof. Makinde said that the research programmes she carried out included; Reduction of Cholesterol in Egg yolk with Garlic which was presented at the third Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) held at the University of Lagos in 2008.

INEC: Use of VCs symbolic —Kila

Professor of Strategy and Development at the Oxford University, United Kingdom, Anthony Kila has described the continuous use of high profile academicians by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as returning officers at the presidential polls as a welcome development. He is particularly concerned about the vice-chancellors among them used last during this year’s election, saying the development was not only symbolic and functional but also showed and reminded the society the roles of intellectuals as custodians of knowledge and depository of independence. Their independence according to him puts them above sectional and partisan influence and we must commend the INEC

Chairman for such a choice, which “equally reveals the man’s mindset.” Prof. Kila, who is also the Director of Studies at the Lagos-based Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), said “It is hoped that such positioning will also remind the same professors of their role in the society.” He however not satisfied with the way some of them conducted themselves during the exercise, saying it raised some questions on the person and personality of those who become professors and VCs in Nigeria. According to him, “Some of the learned people that mounted the podium to announce results “did not exhibit the kind of confidence and carriage that will inspire prospective students and parents to choose their universities.”

L-R: Chairman, Young Men’s Christian Association of Lagos, Mr. Mike Onilude; Representative of Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vincent Ogunlela and Dean, School of Health Sciences, NOUN, Prof. Mba Okoronkwo at a talk shop organised by both institutions on food safety to commemorate the 2015 World Health Day in Lagos...on Tuesday. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

How Nigeria can rebuild education sector, by ex-UNILAG VC Tunbosun Ogundare

he former ViceChancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Tolu Odugbemi has suggested a way out to the challenges confronting the country’s education system, saying all is to rebuild the sector and place it in the path of glory. He made the observation in a press release made available to National Mirror while expressing his view on the current political process that saw to the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) as the incoming president of the country. Prof. Odugbemi, who is currently the Vice-Chancel-

lor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa said since education is a veritable tool for development, it is important that the country gives the sector from primary to tertiary level a deserve priority. According to him, there is need as a country to formulate and implement policies and ideas useful for positive change in the country. He said: “We must re-assure ourselves that rebuilding our education system and society at large is possible by refocusing our values on positive and virtuous traits as well as character formation that will accompany learning in any form for products of our institu-

tions to be relevant to global development.” Decrying the poor state of the sector, the vice-chancellor said it was a pity that many Nigerian graduates nowadays including those in the field of agriculture are looking for non existing white collar jobs unlike the practice in those old days. “What is the value of education if products of the system cannot impact positively on its society and environment?” he asked rhetorically. “Rather than for us to move forward, we now have a conflict of culture degrading our nice traditional values of respect, integrity, honesty, fair-play and justice as well as importation of behaviour rejected elsewhere in the

world into our schools at all level running our youths.” Prof Odugbemi said enough of deceit from both policy makers and implementers as well as the rest of the society, saying many public office holders in particular pursue personal interest rather than that of the society, which is the reason for putting them there. He also lamented that the decay in the sector in form of poor infrastructures and facilities, inadequate funding, ineptitude and sheer irresponsibility, among other problems has taken huge toll of the system. “But all these can still be addressed if there is political will and the support and cooperation of all other stakeholders,” he concluded.

Obiano reiterates commitment to quality education Emeka Chukwuemeka ULI

he Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to lay a solid foundation for the children at basic and secondary school levels so that they would be able to fit into the type of university education the country desires. He stated this at the convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu

Ojukwu University, (COOU) formerly known as Anambra State University, Uli, Anambra State, recently. According to him, “I am impressed with the giant strides this administration has made in the education sector so far, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, students and teachers welfare, training and retraining of teachers. “These have been the priority of my administration since assumed office,” he stressed.

L-R: Deputy Rector (Academics), Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Mr. Tajudeen Sonayon; Rector, Mr. Abdulazeez Lawal and Deputy Rector (General Admin), Mr. Olayinka Sogunro, during a press conference to kick-start the institution’s 23rd convocation ceremony in Ikorodu, recently.

Obiano however promised that a blue print for the development of higher education would soon be implemented in the state. Speaking earlier at the event, a guest and former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) said the Nigeria’s Civil War of 1967-1970 was not out of hatred for the late Igbo leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu or the Igbos in general, but was based on the principle of a commitment to a robust Nigeria. He spoke on “No Victor, No Vanquished: Healing the Nigerian nation,” which was the topic of the convocation lecture. According to him, “It was a reluctant war waged to unite the country. I would like to state categorically from the outset, it was never out of hatred for the Igbos (Ndigbos) or animosity against my old comrade and colleague; Emeka, but on principle of commitment to one Nigeria”. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Fedelis Okafor, in his address of welcome said the university had continued to advance in all frontiers of learning and that the programmes of the university are accredited and some are now due for re-accreditation.

Education Today

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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Why we sponsored visually impaired in school —MTNF

Tunbosun ogundare

o fewer than 52 visually impaired students who benefitted from the MTN Foundation Scholarship scheme at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State have been through with their studies. They were selected across the country based on academic consideration. But while some enjoyed the scholarship which covered tuition and book allowances for two academic sessions based on their ability to sustain their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at 2.50, others who could not meet up with the points benefitted for only one year. Speaking at their graduation ceremony recently, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma commended them for their resilience in the face of their peculiar challenge. Represented by the company’s Regional Trade Marketing Manager, South-West, Akinolu Oludiran, Ugboma charged them to take advantage of the knowledge and skills gained in the college to make a difference as they go into the world. He however pointed out that the foundation enhanced the Phase Three of the scheme by including an employability training programme to really prepare the beneficiaries well for the labour market on graduation. He listed the contents of the exercise to include ICT

skills, JAWS Software training, motivational talks and other things that could be of immense benefit to them. He said the foundation believed that this group of individuals should not be denied quality education for any reason not even their peculiarity. He added that the foundation would continue to assist students with special needs and their able body counterparts across the country Also speaking, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, commended the beneficiaries for the zeal they exhibited while their studies lasted. According to him, education is pivotal to the growth and development of any nation and everyone deserves equal access to it. “But the challenges against qualitative education in the country have taken huge toll on categories of students from primary to tertiary level,” Goodluck said. “And that is why the MTN Foundation expanded its scholarship scheme to accommodate one more category of students: the visually impaired.” He noted that foundation included employability and digital trainings to really empower them to contribute meaningfully to the socioeconomic development of the country. Expressing appreciation to the foundation for the gesture, Oluwatoyosi Lawal on behalf of himself and others said the scholarship gave them the opportunity to move up in life.

Don calls for improved technology Saidat Alausa

he Education Secretary, Living Faith Church, World Wide, Prof. Bridget Sokan has said that the country need to improve on technology in order to keep pace with other countries of the world. According to her, technology is the language of the 21st Century, therefore the need for Nigeria to improve on it significantly. She said this at the Covenant University 41st public lecture held at the institution recently. Prof. Sokan who was speaking on behalf of the chancellor of the university, Dr. David Oyedepo emphasised the need for an “I can”

mentality in the country as well as commitment in the area of research in order to deliver on the demands of technology in this century. The lecture which was titled, “Technology Convergence and The Promise of Internet of Things: Prospects for Developing Economies” and was delivered by Prof. Tokunbo Ogunfunmi a visiting professor to the university. In his remark, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, said the topic of the lecture was apt, timely and would largely affect the process of things in the nearest future. He urged the audience to make adequate use of the lecture to improve their lives and to move the world forward.

L-R:Guest lecturer and former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon; Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano; HRH Felix Mujakperuo; Vice-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, University, Anambra State, Prof. Fidelis Okafor and Registrar of the institution, Mr. Okechukwu during the university’s 6th convocation ceremony, recently.

Children who spend more time with fathers have higher IQ —Study

hildren who spend large amounts of time with their fathers have higher intelligent quotients ( IQs), according to a new study. Strong fatherly involvement in their early life can also improve a child’s future career prospects, the research shows. Academics at the University of Newcastle, who carried out the study, also found

that men tended to pay more attention to their sons than their daughters. The researchers warned that it was not enough for parents to live together, but that a father should be actively involved in a child’s life to benefit their development. The study looked at more than 11,000 British men and women, born in 1958. The scientists asked their

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 accepted to be INEC chairman with a clear mission of restoring the lost glory of the nation’s electoral processes. This, he seemed to have achieved for the second time with electorates, politicians, local and international observers and community pouring encomium on him. However, the assemble of these eggheads who consist of serving and retired Vice- chancellors and senior lecturers of the nation’s universities, each of whom has contributed significantly to their chosen fields, the country and international’s economy have further confirmed his determination to leave good legacy when leaving office. The list includes the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who collated Lagos State result; Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, who collated Ogun State result; the Vice-Chancellor of University of Petroleum Resources, Uffurum, Prof. Etu Efeotor, who collated Rivers State result; the Vice-Chancellor of University of Uyo, Cross River, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, who collated Cross River State result; ViceChancellor of Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Prof. Sani Abdulrahman, who collated Gombe State result; ViceChancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, who collated Ekiti State result and the Vice-Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajeneka, who collated Bayelsa State result. Also included are Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyyu Ambali; Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, Prof. Ah-

mothers how often the father of their child took part in activities with them, including reading, organising outings and general “quality time”. The findings, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, show that those children whose fathers spent more time with them had a higher IQ and were more socially mobile than those who had received

little attention. The differences were still detectable by the age of 42. Dr Daniel Nettle, who led the research, said: “What was surprising about this research was the real sizeable difference in the progress of children who benefited from paternal interest and how thirty years later, people whose dads were involved are more upwardly mobile. Culled: The Telegraph

Why we accepted offer –VCs aneku, who collated Ebonyi State; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Service,), University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, who collated Ogun State; ViceChancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Osasere Orunwense who collated Edo; Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Ndufu-Ike, Ebonyi, Prof. Oye Ibidapoobe, among others. Their involvement in the process to a large extent reassured many Nigerians of a better future for the country’s electoral process, while they on their part saw the assignment as a rare national honour. “I want to use this medium to sincerely thank Mr. Chairman and the commission for giving me this opportunity to serve our dear country in this capacity,” each of them said in appreciation after announcing respective result, which they had guided and protected jealously. Each of them attested to the fact that the result was the exact and true minds of people of their respective state and many described the feat as another great history in the country’s electoral and political processes. For instance, the Vice-Chancellor, FUNNAB, Prof. Olusola Oyewole told National Mirror that the INEC made use of them-being men and women of integrity in the society- to ensure the whole exercise reflect transparency. “Every patriotic citizen is expected to be part of the credible democratic process in the country and that is why we all saw the assignment as a call to serve our fatherland and I am happy to be part of it,” he stressed. Similarly, Prof. Duro Oni of

UNILAG, Akoka, who said he stood in for his boss, Prof. Rahamon Bello, equally described the assignment as a call to national service. “And all is because INEC has confidence in us, that we wouldn’t compromise but deliver the job in transparent manner which we were able to do by the grace of God,” he said. Confirming this, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu told National Mirror that the commission truly had confidence in the academicians to assist in coming up with credible poll. He said since the INEC ultimate goal was to conduct elections that would be generally acceptable, it deemed fit to explore all avenues and resources to achieve the vision. According to him, “Nigerians know credible people in the society. They know men of integrity and they also know those who can be entrusted with important assignment and delivered irrespective of challenges. So, the choice of those gentlemen is simply to give credibility to the election. Because INEC leadership knows they would not engage in electoral fraud. They are people at the peak of their careers. They are not hungry and therefore will be extremely difficult to buy them over,” Kayode further explained. Even at that, some Nigerians caution on the age of those to be involved in future elections. They said some of these professors not suffer bad sight which made it difficult for them to reconcile figures easily.

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Education Today

Thursday, April 9, 2015

ongratulations Sir on your election as the President of Nigeria on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Sir, in your manifesto to the people of Nigeria during the campaign, you invited us to read and share your message with all those who genuinely care about Nigeria. The manifesto is hereby reproduced to remind you Sir of the commitment you made to the people of Nigeria on education. It is hoped that this will also provide a platform on which to discuss and fine tune it for it to serve Nigeria better. The Manifesto on Education The Challenge Nigeria’s education system is a scandal. There are now 10 million school age children out of school. Of those actually receiving an education half leave primary school still unable to read and write. Such students generally do not make it to secondary school. Even worse, too many of our girls are denied access to even these most basic levels of education. The objective of our education plan is to first eradicate illiteracy and simultaneously develop a skilled and talented workforce that can get Nigeria back to work, produce quality goods and services, employ the larger population and thus reduce unemployment drastically. With just 8.6% of government spending dedicated to education, Nigeria is still falling further behind our competitors. Millions of our youth are being consigned to a life of unemployment and poverty. Without an effective universal school system, that provides relevant education and equips our youth for the challenges of the global economy, Nigeria will never reach its full potential. We must ensure that we provide quality education in our schools in order to prepare our youth for the competitive knowledge economy of the 21st century. Nigeria urgently needs to expand access to education and raise the standards of teaching, so that our young people enter the workforce equipped for the challenges of this everglobalizing world. The APC will seek to increase the proportion of students moving from primary to secondary education and then into the tertiary and university sectors. The APC’s Commonsense Solutions; We will • Triple education spending over next 10 years, from the current 8.5% to 24.5%.

APC’s manifesto on education

• Commit to the eventual eradication of illiteracy by guaranteeing and enforcing nine (9) years of compulsory basic education to every Nigerian child, as the minimum level of formal education. This commitment includes, “Tsangaya”, Nomadic and other special education. • Reinvigorate technical and vocational education nationwide by giving adequate material support to schools. This implies the review of the 9-3-4 system. • Introduce a National core curriculum for all public schools, setting out the minimum standards. • Prioritize the improvement in quality and quantity of teachers and healthcare professionals with improved infrastructural facilities, enhanced working environment, better conditions of service and merit-based reward systems in recognition of their foundational and critical nation building responsibilities. Primary Education • Introduce free daily school meals for all primary school children • Decentralize management of primary schools to parents and communities. Secondary Schools • Undertake a major national programme of secondary school construction and repair funded through Public Private Partnerships. Tax incentives will be provided to businesses who participate in this programme. • Phase-in a free school meals programme after it has been established in primary schools. • Raise the transition rate from primary to secondary

History can never be compulsory subject —NERDC Tunbosun Ogundare

he Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Godswill Obioma has explained why History could never be a compulsory subject for secondary school students in the country. According to him, history has been a selective course from immemorial and for only those who have preference for the subject

and may want to study it at the tertiary level. He made this observation at the 4th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) held in Lagos recently while fielding questions from journalists. Obioma explained that history had been incorporated in social studies at the primary school level to teach students basic elements of humanities such as government, geography, economics and current affairs and that was based

on curriculum adjustment to suit the global economic trend. He noted that History is still being taught at the secondary school level for students who have interest just like every other subjects. “But that a fewer students are now offering the subject at the senior level is another issue entirely,” he stressed. While disclosing that NERC will continue to review curriculum to meet world economic changes, Obioma explained that the

teaching of national values at basic school such as security was to enable the students abreast of security situation and be conscious of it right from their level. “We have also reintroduced vocational subjects where students now engage in activities like agriculture and ICT,” he said, adding that these innovations are to help our children go along with agricultural and technological trends as applicable to their peers around the world.

Faculty members and students of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, during a voter education campaign on the 2015 general election for its host communities orgarnised by the department in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission, held at Ikenne, Iperu and Ilishan, all in Ijebuland, Ogun State, recently.

schools to at least 75% by 2019 • Restore teaching of Nigerian languages in secondary schools • Establish six centres of excellence to address the needs of special education • Phase-in the provision of communal internet-ready desktops at all secondary schools in the nation by 2019. Tertiary • Launch a programme for the redevelopment of teacher training colleges. • Establish no less than 2 Local Technology Institutes (LTIs) in every state in the nation. • Ensure the full optimization of the capacity of existing technical, vocational centres and tertiary institutions, and expand where necessary or establish new ones. • Focus the new (LTIs) on providing free training courses to our youth and unemployed in the basic skills necessary to sign up to the infrastructure public works programmes that we are proposing. • Establish a standing committee of pertinent government ministries and agencies and representatives of the private sector in order to shape educational curricula to our needs and realities of the global economy. • Embark on vocational training, entrepreneurial and skills acquisition schemes for graduates along with the creation of a Small Business Loans Guarantee Scheme to create at least 1 million new jobs every year, for the foreseeable future. • Ensure a greater proportion of expenditure on university education is devoted to Science and Technology with more spaces allocated to science and technology-oriented courses. • Emphasise and encourage closer relationship between town and gown. Universities to relate with local industries and focus research on advancing and promoting local technology. The expectations are huge and Nigerians are holding you to your words.

UNILORIN ex-VC sues for peace Saidat Alausa

he Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) last Thursday organised a special prayer to thank Allah for the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country. The prayer was also to beseech Him to guide the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the onerous task of piloting the affairs of the nation. The prayer session, which was convened by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, and held at his Ilorin residence, was also for the continued peace and progress of the country. At the prayer session, which was led by a renowned Muslim cleric, Shaykh Muhammed Toliat Ayegbami, Prof. Oloyede, who is also the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State enjoined the Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence of all ethnic and religious

groups in the country. Prof. Oloyede urged the President-elect, Gen. Buhari, to be a statesman and ensure that he fulfills his promises to the Nigerian people. He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship. In his own remarks, the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Oladosu, enjoined Muslims to be grateful from the bottom of their hearts towards Allah on all matters, urging them to imbibe the spirit of oneness as preached by Prophet Muhammad. The Chief Imam of Auchi, Edo State and Professor of Arabic at the University of Ilorin, Zakariyyah Oseni, enjoined the audience to fear Allah and pray for the restoration of peace and harmony in the country.

Ambali

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

z Election: NANS congratulates Buhari, hails INEC Yakubu Temitope FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

he Senate arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has congratulated the President elect and candidate of the All Progressive Congress, General Mohammadu Buhari (retd) on his victory at the just concluded presidential election. In a statement jointly signed by the Senate President, Royce Odoh Ochai and Deputy Senate President, Oluwasegun Famuyibo in Ado Ekiti, the association also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and fair election. The statement states that “in as much as we see this election as the beginning of a true democracy in our beloved country Nigeria, we also implore the president elect to imbibe the spirit of President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for given room for total democracy in Nigeria and to sustain the freedom of speech enjoyed by Nigerians.” NANS also salute the good heart of President Goodluck Jonathan for putting Nigeria above his personal interest and implore the students to continue their peaceful conduct in the next election

…Also NAUS, NiMSA Eddy Uwoghiren

300L MED & SURGERY, UNIBEN

he National Association of University Student (NAUS) has congratulated the president elect General Muhammed Buhari for his victory and triumph at the recently concluded Presidential elections. The National president Jonathan Adekunle while addressing pressmen at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti recently stated that the keenly contested elections though gone will forever be remembered in Nigeria as there are lots of lessons to learn from it. Adekunle also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat and congratulating his rival even before the official announcement by the electoral body and fulfilment of his commitment in assuring free, fair and credible polls in a peaceful atmosphere. NAUS commended all university students and teeming Nigerians for their peaceful conducts and attitude before, during and after the elections.

‘Every student must key into entrepreneurial studies’ Mujib Imran, a 500 level Law student and President of Law Students’ Society, University of Ilorin spoke with ALI TOYIN ABDUL (300L Law) on how he combines academics with leadership role on campus. Excerpts:

What have been the achievements of your administration so far? This administration can pride itself for being people oriented. We have brought the society closer to the members. We have equally put several other significant projects which would be appealing to every law student. With the support of the faculty management, our administration has successfully staged series of programmes, which include Ankara Nite, freshers orientation, debate and oratory contests among others and I believe all these programme would help in grooming great lawyers for the future. It is of paramount importance that the welfare of law students remains our major concern. How do you combine your studies with activism? God has been my help; it is a matter of scheduling your time. Though my priority on campus is my academics, but there is still time to do many other great

things. Aside engaging in political activities, I create time for my studies especially during weekends when I’m less busy. So, one do not affects the other. What are the major challenges confronting the Law Students’ Society? We have many challenges ranging from low access to funds and lack of support from institutions. We don’t really have sponsors for our projects especially those that are money consuming. Though, the faculty management is trying her best to cater for the welfare of the students. How can you rate the performance of the Vice- Chancellor in relations to infrastructural development? It is really impressive! There is hardly a year that we don’t have new projects for commission. He has really made a mark in terms of infrastructural development, staff and students’ welfare, technology advancement and some

Imran

other laudable projects. No wonder the university has remained a reckon force among its contemporaries. Youth unemployment remains a major problem in the country, how do you think this can be tackled? Our leaders have a huge role to play. If we have credible leaders who care about the welfare of citizens, unemployment will be history. The resources we have in Nigeria are enough to go around for everybody. But the dearth of accountability, corruption and

democratic inefficiency remain the cankerworm inhibiting the development of the Nation. I believe the youth should resort to entrepreneurship; embracing entrepreneurship will definitely reduce the long queue for white collar job. What is your advice to the students? I urge students to set their priorities right, academic before any other extra-curricular activities. As this will continue to guide us right, and make our stay on campus fulfilling and fruitful.

NAU students optimistic on performance of new leader Emeka Chukwuemeka NAU, ULI

tudents of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State have continued to extol the sterling leadership qualities of the President of the Students Union Government of the institution. Noble Eyisi, a 300 level Political Science student and the 23rd substantive president of the union has not only brought back smiles to the faces of students, but also hope to make the unionism in the institution more vibrant. However, the students took to various media outlets to praise the leadership qualities of Eyisi and commemorate with him as he celebrates his 100 days in office. According to the students, it shall remain in the anal of the history of the institution as one of the ‘best’ SUG presidents. Prior to the elections, he was regarded as an inexperienced unionist, who knew little or nothing about unionism. But the young political science student proved political pundits wrong after he emerged winner at the polls; an election that was regarded as the toughest in the history of the school. During a walk organised to celebrate his 100 days in office on campus, the students said

“Eyisi began the fulfillment of his campaign promises and to everybody’s surprise, he reduced transport fare within the school axis; a feat that has been a strong bone of contention owing to the fact that the transport sector was

the union’s major source of revenue. Also, a former President of the union, Nelson Omenugha in an open letter commended the president for re-awakening the servant leadership virtue in the union.

Freshers cutting the cake at a programme organised by the National Fellowship of the Christian Pharmacy Students, University of Benin to welcome them into the institution, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

OAU students elect leaders Afees Lasisi

200L, POL. SCI. OAU, ILE-IFE

AU, Ile-Ife Amid fear and tension, Omotayo Akande, a part four student of the department of Chemical Engineering has finally emerged the President of Students’ Union (SU) of Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State after two days of rigorous elections. Omotayo Akande pulled 2, 650 against his opponent Seun Fakorede who pulled 1,520 to emerge the winner of elections in 13 polling units. Out of 13 polling units, 10 polling units conducted elections on Tuesday while the remaining 3 faculties were conducted on Wednesday. National Mirror gathered that the elections created panic among students when rumors were being peddled on campus that it has been hijacked by the school’s Management.

When Akande was announced on Wednesday evening, jubilations rented the air as students started chanting ‘Aluta’ songs. A student who identifies himself as Sola said he salute the tenacity of ‘Great Ife’ students to elect someone who will awake the Unionism. “Our Union is no more vibrant as it was before. It has been hijacked by those who are used by politicians to achieve their end. “It is a challenge to President-elect, Omotayo Akande to steer the affairs of ‘Great Ife’ Union back to where it was back in the heydays, he added.

300L LAW, UNILORIN

former Dean, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. Ademola Popoola has said education was crucial to whatever plan of action put in place to address the problem of low level of women participation in democratic process. He said this while delivering a lecture titled: “Women, Law and Gender justice, The Rhetoric, The Realities and The African Perspective” in honour of Justice Mustapha Akanbi, a former President of Court of Appeal and Pioneer Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. He noted that on the average, the female illiteracy rate in Africa is 60 percent compared to 40 percent for males. This he said was a serious obstacle to the integration of women into the political system. “Knowledge is power and a crucial factor in the quest for political ascendancy. While canvassing for

Again, Philosophy student wins UNIBEN marathon race Eddy Uwoghiren & Ezekiel Efeobhokhan

300L, MED & SURG. & 400L, PHARMACY

A Akande

Education, crucial to women’s participation in politics —Don Ali Abdul,

Dean of Students Affairs, UNIBEN, Prof. Francis Osagiede flanked by winners of the marathon: Victor Yimlang (left) and Pamela Oyekpen after the race.

women empowerment and a non-gender based democratic system, Prof. popoola called for the decentralisation of political authority where it does not exist and intensify action for women participation. He pointed out that women’s issue had become an important and integral part of contemporary discourse worldwide. This according to him makes for some comfort when it is realised that the study of women and the contributions to the development of their society is just gaining recognition as a genuine and significant area of study. But he said today the study has turned full cycle. “One of the most topical issues in the current debate on development worldwide has been that of the role of women in their society.” In his remarks, the chairman on the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali noted that the time had come for to create a system that will stem the tide of injustice and inhumanity as in other to protect the rights of the less priviledge, disabled and the poor.

300 level student of philosophy, victor Yimlang has again emerged the winner of University of Benin cross country race season 3. Though, more than 300 students participated in the race but Yimlang came first to defend the title as he was the winner of last year race. The race started from the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia sports complex of the university through UNIBEN main gate to the Ugbowo Lagos road and the Federal Government Girl’s College FGGC road. It continued from FGGC through the University Teaching Hospital (UBTH). The participants ran from UBTH to the

hall five to the Vice- Chancellors lodge through the Ethiope river road and back to the sports complex. While the race lasted the officials of the University Health Services were on ground with ambulances which followed the students. Victor Yimlang returned few minutes before others started returning. At about 11:32 am all the participants had returned to the main bowl for their prizes. Winners in the male category were Victor Yimlang 300 level philosophy who came out first, Prior Chibuzor 300 level Linguistics and Odole Oladipupo 200 level human Kinetics, came out second and third respectively. In the female category, Pamela Oyekpen 200 level human kinetics came out first, Bello-Ososo peace 200 level Economics and Glory Origho 300 level

computer science came out second and third respectively. Prizes were N20, 000, N15, 000 and N10, 000 for first, second and third position, respectively. Director Sports Centre, UNIBEN, Mrs. Felicia Igbafe told the participants that the essence of the race was to develop the students physically and officially welcome the 100 level students to the university. She revealed that the event had provided an opportunity for the university to beam her search light on students to prepare for the next Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) holding at the University of Agriculture Markurdi in Benue State. In his remark, Dean of students Affairs Prof. Francis Osagiede, commended the students for trooping out to participate in the race.

UNILAG Mass Comm Dept deserves upgrading —Akinfeleye Miftaudeen Raji, 200L UNILAG, AKOKA

senior lecturer and Professor of Mass Communications at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Ralph Akinfeyele has called on the management of the university to upgrade the Department of Mass Communications in the institution to the School of Journalism and Communication Studies. He made the call while speaking at the maiden edition of the Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) convened by the alumni of the department last week. Prof. Akinfeleye who spoke on “The mass media: Setting the Nigerian agenda,” said the need for a standard and all-inclusive school of journalism was imperative, “because of the

broad nature of communication.” He noted that the proposed School of Journalism and Communication Studies would help students to secure Bachelors of Science. in Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting and Multi-Media studies.

In his remark, the Chairman on the occasion and former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife, Osun State, Prof. Wale Omole, said media agenda setting should be able to promote national development in the country. He added that the UMCAA lecture series was a

platform that was capable of regulating the activities of media across the country. On his part, UMCAA President, Chief Lawson Omokhodion said part of what informed the lecture was the need for the media to begin to set agenda for valued orientation for the masses.

Cross section of guests and students during a two-day annual colloquium organised by the Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, recently.

“N

Thursday, April 9, 2015

ew revenue sharing (revenue-sharing) formula out in December” “In the first quarter of this year, that is between January to (and) March 2013….” (Or from January to March) But, hold on: who does not know that the first quarter of any year refers to January, February and March? Does the publication think that its readers are daft? This is too clumsy, loose and uneducated for an editorial! “Local refineries are also springing up with all the pollution that come (comes) with the activities.” “…to serve as a deterrent to other people who plan to stealing (steal) our oil.” “…no other parts (part) of the country is completely safe.” “For long, Nigeria and U.S. have shared strong partnership in security cooperation except for period (the period) during the regime of late (the late) Gen. Sani Abacha when the ties were strained.” “There should be no preferential treatment for foreign trained (foreign-trained) graduates as what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Did you know that ‘big brother’—usually misapplied in Nigeria—means a sinister organisation, a bully or dictator? “…whose looks belly (belie) her age.” “When they do well, we praise them but if they ere (err), we march against them.” Wrong: “If I was you”; Right: If I were you…. This is the subjunctive aspect of grammar. Wrong: “I wrote him”; Right: I wrote to him Avoid circumlocutions: “despite the fact” (although); “owing to the fact” and “for the reason that” (as/because); “in addition to which” (and); (Source: Correct English by J. E. Metcalfe & C. Astle)

Parent-Teacher Association

“…the amnesty deal has run into murky water (the murky waters)….” “Pre-schoolers (Pre-scholars, you mean?) handling hi-tech with kids’ gloves” Education Today: kid gloves “Delta swears-in electoral commission for LG polls” Is it the commission or its members that were sworn in (take note of the phrasal verb)? Also note that ‘swearingin’ is correct as a noun. “Federation polls: Elected members walk out in protest” An example of half-literacy: ‘walk out’ demonstrates ‘protest,’ among other meanings. So, why the redundancy? “Back to the second subject matter, white elephant projects dot the construction landscape of the nation.” This way: white elephants dot…away with ‘projects’! “He described him as an examplary (exemplary) politician and enjoined others to emulate him.” “Inspection at (on) the premises of the owners will go a long way in decongesting the ports.” “Man arrested over wife’s death” The man was arrested for his wife’s death. “Recently, the chairman of Parents/ Teachers Association of Federal Government College....” Education: parent-teacher association. “Remember the police are under the control of the Lord of Aso Rock who received no less than thirty million naira, unsolicited, from the Anambra-born moneybag (moneybags) when he contested the presidential election in 1999.” “If the university authorities are in-

terested in standards, what have they done about standards in (on) the main campuses? “I’ve seen too many progressives turn cold turkey in the end in spite of their honest efforts at the onset (outset, in this context) to change the system.” “…he had to abandon the bicycle that we borrowed (lent) him for that purpose and made a hasty retreat to Jos.” “Niger threatens to hands-off (hands off) sponsorship of pilgrims” “A senator who muted (mooted) this idea had this do say…” “…in their heydays (heyday) they never imagined the time would ever come….” “The day after the panel’s first meeting with the un-amused president (a comma, please) one of the commission’s counsels....” ‘Counsel’ is unchanged even in plural applications. “From the foregoing, Japan seems to have learnt it’s (its) lessons from the atomic bomb episode.” “...it did happen, leaving immense tragedy and loss of lives in (on) its trail.” “And I am not just talking about the siege armed robbers have laid on (to) the home of virtually every Nigerian, high or low, rich or poor.” “That was what I had at the back of my mind when I almost stopped my junior (younger) brother.” “It took a de Gaul to end the senseless killings and France acquiescing to the self-rule agitation of Algerians.” Away from anarchy: acquiescing in (not to). “There will be lots of entertainment, music, a special buffet and the show will be

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rounded up with a Grand Ball”. The revelry will be rounded off with a grand ball. “In a bid to escape with their booties with (in—not with) a helicopter gunship….” I am opposed to misadventures in grammar: ‘booty’ is uncountable. “We’d noticed the professor was not too comfortable standing under the blazing sun, but we thought she would nerve it through.” Get it right: standing/sitting in the blazing sun. ‘Under the sun’ means ‘anywhere in the world.’ “…the two countries have since been understudying one another’s political system.” Two countries: each other; three or more countries: one another. “The Nigeria Police has also assisted in the training of Sierra Leone (sic) police and detectives. “ Always: police (collective noun) have. “When a dupe in the regalia of politics tickles himself and laughs hilariously to fool his un-bemused electorate….” The person who is duped is the dupe, while the perpetrator is the duper and the act referred to as dupery. The English language abhors un-educated familiarity with words, their meanings and applications. Persistent use of wrong expressions cannot confer acceptability on them. “Nobody can at this stage doubt the ability of the administration to take serious and atimes painful decisions.” Leadership in Nigeria at times (not atimes) smacks of non-seriousness. “People subject themselves to flogging and beating, and all manners of dehumanization in the name of healing.” Thoughts on grammar: all manner of. “There have been indications for sometime that….“ Time for distinction between ‘some time’ (which applies here) and ‘sometime’.

Terrorists: Kenyans in diaspora mourn students

cores of Kenyans living in the US and UK assembled in Los Angeles, California last Saturday and observed a minute’s silence in honour of the Garissa University students who were massacred by Al-Shabaab terrorists. The Kenyans who gathered at Courtyard Marriot in Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles Friday evening for the inaugural Face of Kenya USA (FoKUSA) said they were individually and collectively disturbed by the reports of the senseless attack that were being broadcast around the world. “We are very devastated. We are very sad and deeply traumatised by what we have been seeing in the media since Thursday concerning the slaughter of our brothers and sisters. “We would like our government and compatriots back at home to know that we stand with them during these very

trying moments. “As a country, we have had such trials but we have emerged much stronger and united,” said Wacu Ndirangu, the manager of FoKUSA. Heavily armed attackers stormed Garissa University early on Thursday, killing two security guards then shooting indiscriminately at students. The death toll now stands at more than 150 with many others nursing gunshot wounds. Four of the gunman were eventually surrounded in a hostel and killed by Kenya security forces. It is the deadliest attack yet by Al-Shabaab on Kenyan soil. The militants singled out Christians and shot them, witnesses said. In a statement to the Nation in Los Angeles, Janet Wainaina, the founder of Face of Kenya pageant said the organisers and contestants joined their Kenyan

compatriots in condemning the cowardly act of terrorism against the nation at Garissa University. “As we pray for the souls of those innocent youth whose lives were cut short by those cowardly murderers, we would like to remind Kenyans that it is important to stand united as a country during this period of mourning.” She said. Mrs Wainaina said the group assembled in Los Angeles, expected to be around 300, would take a moment to light candles, pray and observe a minute’s silence in honour of the students who lost their lives. “Most of our contestants in this competition are college students and I can tell you that they are very affected by the news of the attack. “We shall therefore let each one them light a candle in honour of our fallen brothers and sisters,” said Wacu Ndirangu. Culled: Daily Nation

Some of the survivors of the attack

he Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba has urged new Student Union Government executives of the institution to be diligent in the discharge of their duties. Speaking when the newly elected SUG Officials paid him a courtesy visit, he encouraged the Student Leader to show measures of responsibility in the discharge

Be diligent, UNN students told of their duties. He assured them of the management support saying they should always make positive decision that will help the university positively. The President of the Students Union Government, Mr. Oji Ekene thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his support to the union.

He assured him of the union commitment to make a difference in the institution. The Dean, Student Affairs, Prof Peter Akah thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the warm reception and promised to work with the new Students Union Government in order to move the university forward.

Business Thursday, April 9, 2015

Cargo under-declaration: FG to sanction shipping firms, terminal 28 operators

Stakeholders support pricing, costing model for transmission cables 31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mobile advertising: Implications for marketers, advertisers

Only 2.6m Nigerians operate MFB accounts –Investigation ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

espite the huge numbers of Microfinance Banks, MFBs, operating in the country and regulatory authorities’ efforts to use them as channels for financial inclusion, investigations have confirmed that only 2.6 million of the adult population had MFB accounts. According to the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) target for MFBs, by 2020 there should be five branches of MFBs per 100,000 adults. However, latest study by Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access, EFInA, a financial sector development organisation that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria, indicated that apart from the low patronage of MFBs by the adult population, the most commonly used micro finance product remained the savings account. The study titled ‘The Landscape of Financial Inclusion and Microfinance In Nigeria’ is based on a total adult population of 93.5 million out of whom 80.6 per cent of those who have a MFB product, owning a savings account. The survey, which was conducted in 2014 and released at the end of March this year, stated that of the 2.6 million adults, 2.8 per

cent of total adults, that have a MFB account, 53.9 per cent were male and 46.1 per cent were female. On the criteria for choosing a MFB by the 2.6 million adults, the top three criteria were proximity of the micro finance branch to their home/workplace, 29.9 per cent, getting a loan, 25.2 per cent, and word of mouth, 19.7 per cent. Other reasons given are the stability of the MFB, 13.3 per cent, reputation of the MFB, 7.9 per cent, attitude of the staff, 8.4

per cent and helpful staff, 7.8 per cent. Unfortunately, the survey showed that less than one per cent of the adult that openedMFB account were able to access loan stating that 0.8 million adults got loans from a micro finance bank, 26.5 per cent of micro finance loan recipients have group loans, while 0.6 million adults, 70.0 per cent of micro finance loan recipients have individual loans with only a meagre 3.5 per cent of micro finance loan recipients hav-

ing a combination of group and individual loans. In terms of loyalty towards MFBs, the EFInA survey showed that 33.9 per cent of those who have MFB account have been with their MFB for more than 5 years, which includes the period when MFBs were called community banks, whilst 16.9 per cent of those who have a MFB account have been with their MFBs for more than 3 years but less than 5 years.

il producing countries have expressed their willingness to improve commodity pricing at the global market as futures rallied on Tuesday, erasing losses on strong jobs data. This is just as an Energy Information Administration (EIA) monthly report raised forecasts for U.S. and global demand growth and lowering forecasts for crude oil production growth in the United States. The industry’s global trend in-

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Dana Air Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 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

L-R. Group Managing Director, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; Managing Director, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide; Executive Director, Corporate Services, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joe Dada, and Chief Finance Officer, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr Abdul Bello at the unveiling of the 2015 Dulux Colour of the Year in Lagos, recently.

Producers rally to stabilise global oil market TOLA AKINMUTIMI

formation sourced from Reuters indicated that U.S. May crude rose $1.84 to settle at $53.98 a barrel after dropping to $51.17. The $54.13 peak was the highest since reaching $54.15 on Feb. 17. Brent May crude rose 98 cents to settle at $59.10, having swung from $57.02 to $59.27, highest since March 26. According to Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi, the kingdom was ready to help stabilize oil markets with participation of other producer countries, adding support to prices. Naimi was quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia is ready to

act if other producers cooperate on the task of stabilizing the oil market which, over the past eight months, have been characterized by worrisome prices headwinds. According to Reuters, prices also got a lift from news that Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota, who made a case for waiting until the second half of 2016 to raise interest rates, and to then raise them gradually to just 2 percent by the end of 2017. “Crude futures recovered after slipping on signs of growing oversupply as Iranian officials visited China to seek more oil sales following the framework

nuclear deal that could lead to lifting sanctions on Tehran. “Prices also felt pressure from a Goldman Sachs report saying prices needed to remain low for months to slow U.S. oil output growth. “The American Petroleum Institute’s (API) weekly report on U.S. oil inventories is due Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT), with the EIA’s report following on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT” Reuters reported. A Reuters survey on Monday showed U.S. commercial stocks extending their record build for a 13th consecutive week.

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

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. Abuja-Yola: 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

Business News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cargo under-declaration: FG to sanction shipping firms, terminal operators FRANCIS EZEM

trong indications have emerged that the Federal Government was concluding plans to issue fresh guidelines against under-declaration of cargo imported into the country. The proposed guidelines would make shipping companies, terminal operators and the consignees of the said imports more liable in all proven cases of under-declaration. Under-declaration in international trade parlance is the deliberate reduction or lowering of volumes or value with a view to paying less duty and other charges that accrue to the government from the said imports Prior to this, only consignees have been made to face punitive measures over cases of underdeclaration of the volume and value of goods in which the Federal Government has lost huge

sums of money. Competent industry sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, hinted that the Government has directed the Nigerian Shippers Council in its capacity as the port economic regulator for the port industry to issue guidelines that are designed to checkmate the increasing cases of under-declaration of imported cargo, through which government loses hundred of billions of naira annually. According to the source, the government is relying on the provisions of section 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA 2004, which provides that the consignee or the importer should be made to pay the undeclared value in addition to two year jail term or both in some cases. Under the new guidelines, the government through the NSC would liaise with the marine risk underwriters, who insured the consignment based on the true

Nestle trains 56,000 farmers on grain production SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

estlé’s factories globally, including Tema in Ghana and Agbara in Nigeria have trained over 56, 000 farmers to produce grains. Between 2008 and 2009, the company trained more than 10,000 farmers were trained and in 2014, the number increased to 56,000 farmers. Head, Technical for Nestlé in the Central and West Africa region, Jean-Luc De Vuyst, who dropped the hint, said the decision to train the farmers was based on the fact that food safety is vital to Nestlé. He also said, Nestlé worldwide uses advanced technology to test for harmful microorganisms and substances, stressing that over 100 million tests are done annually on its products, including 1.5 million for salmonella. “Thanks to this initiative, local crops now meet these strict specifications and are being used in the production of our infant cereals like Cerelac and family cereals like Golden Morn. As the world’s leading nutrition, health and Wellness Company, we aim to ensure that our food and beverages are as safe as possible for our consumers, at all stages of our supply chain’’, he stated.

According to him, people may not realise the rigorous controls and checks that products go through before they are safe to buy and consume, saying whether they produce simple or sophisticated products, the challenge is still the same, especially when it comes to food safety. Food safety, he listed includes ways and actions to handle, prepare and store food to prevent contamination and food-borne illnesses, disclosing that food borne infections are often caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances that can enter people’s bodies through contaminated food or water. ‘’Food borne bacteria or pathogens like salmonella or listeria often affect vulnerable people such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.’’

value of the goods. It was also gathered that the government would also make reference to the value contained in the bill of lading, which is also represents the true value of the consignment, which is usually lowered by the consignee in other to cut corners. The source also said that the decision of the government to include the shipping companies and terminal operators is because the consignee or the

importer of the goods pays for the shipping services including freight based on the true value of the goods being imported. “In this case, both the provider of the services and the users, which cover the consignee on the one part and the shipping firm and terminal operators on the other are liable because the providers of the services were paid based on the true volume and value of the consignment, which makes them accomplices in the

matter”, the source argued. He also said: “It is not possible that a shipping line would lift a certain consignment from abroad; say China or United States without knowing the true volume and value of the consignment, which is the basis upon which is is paid for its services, which is also applicable to the terminal operator, a development that makes the three parties culpable in the present manner”.

L-R: BATNF Technical Committee Member Fatai Afolabi; General Manager, BATNF Abimbola Okoya, and Facilitator of the Workshop, Prof. Femi Ajibola, at the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation’s Implementing Partners’ Workshop held in Ibadan, Oyo State,recently.

AfDB partners on Africa Carbon Forum SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE WITH AGENCY REPORT

n its bid to promote access to low-carbon developments in Africa, the African Development Bank, AfDB, has rallied governments across the continent to increase momentum on a new universal climate change agreement. Africa’s Carbon Forum, ACF, scheduled to hold from April 13 to 15 in Marrakesh, Morocco will also highlight the region’s readiness and requirements for accelerated private and public financing of low-carbon development. With countries set to approve a

new climate change agreement in Paris in December this year, different countries are expected to consult on their contributions to the agreement through Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs, while exploring and encouraging greater opportunities for low-carbon developments. Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, noted that a visionary agreement in Paris could in concert with sustainable development goals, assist in unlocking Africa’s inordinate potential for clean, green and lowcarbon developments.

Africa’s Carbon Forum is an ideal venue for ministers and experts from different countries to weigh options, policies and pathways that could fast-track the finance, mechanisms and markets needed to realize the objectives. ‘’ACF will support Africa’s participation in global carbon markets and its access to green investment with a range of conference sessions, side events and networking opportunities’’, he stated. AfDB also said, “The Africa Carbon Forum avails us an ideal platform as stakeholders to share knowledge and solutions to climate change impacts that impede Africa’s development.

UK political parties flesh out tax proposals

UK Labour Government would not raise value-added tax, national insurance rates, or the basic or higher rates of income tax, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has said. Balls made the pledge in a pre-election speech in Leeds. He said that the choice on May 7 is between a Conservative Party that has “broken its promises on VAT” and a Labour Party “which

has never raised VAT and will not raise VAT.” “Another five years of the Tories will mean deeper spending cuts, another VAT rise for millions, and another tax cut for millionaires,” Balls said. He said that all of Labour’s promises are “fully funded and paid for.” The party favors the introduction of a “mansion tax” on properties worth over GBP2m

(USD2.97m), an additional levy on tobacco companies, a one-off tax on bank bonuses, and the closure of tax loopholes. It would not cut corporation income tax rates to an equal 20 percent, as scheduled for 2016, but would instead lower and then freeze business rates for small firms, he said. Balls said that a Labour Government would also reduce the amount of pension tax relief

available to the highest earners and reverse the cut in the top rate of income tax. It would scrap the new marriage tax allowance and use the money to fund the reintroduction of a ten percent starting rate of personal income tax. The Conservative Party has said that it is “backing aspiration” with its plan for above-inflation increases to the 40 percent income tax threshold.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

CSOs task National Assembly on budget lines for nutrition TOLA AKINMUTIMI

coalition of the Civil Society Scaling – up Nutrition in Nigeria and the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria has called on the National assembly and State assemblies to ensure that

….classify 37% Nigerian children ‘stunted’ budget lines for nutrition is created, as they are also expected to ensure that such funds are released and utilized for nutrition services. This call was made in Abuja, at a press conference organised

in Abuja by Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS - SUNN), in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), as part of activities to mark the 2015 World Health day, with the

TUC tasks in-coming govt on dubious wealth MESHACK IDEHEN

rganised labour said the President- Elect; General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) must be dogged in the fight against corruption and the elimination of waste in governance through strengthening the institutions that fight corruption in the country. According to labour, the incoming president must adopt a truly zero tolerance approach to corruption and waste of public funds; and more importantly, pass into law the offence of unexplained wealth in Nigeria and ensure that offenders are properly dealt with in accordance with the nation’s laws. The Chairman of Trade

Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State, Mr Chika Onuegbu, told National Mirror on Tuesday, that the offence of unexplained wealth, which can also be called office of possession of unexplained wealth will penalize people for possessing wealth disproportionate to their known lawful sources of income if they cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for this. Onuegbu said this development has been recognised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe as one of the best practices for combating corruption, and also in Hong Kong, where the offence has existed for nearly 40 years. The TUC chairman explained

the truth is that corruption remains the greatest problem of the Nigerian nation, adding those who perpetuate it must be treated as enemies of the state and they do not deserve any form of mercy whatsoever. “We therefore recommend that the offence of unexplained wealth in Nigeria should be established and be able to punish with imprisonment of at least 20years, those convicted, plus forfeiture of the unexplained wealth to serve as an effective deterrent to others. “We want to assure the president -elect that our congress and indeed the good people of Rivers state and Nigeria will stand by him in this divine fight against corruption in Nigeria”, the labour leader added.

theme; “safe and nutritious food, a panacea to fighting malnutrition and diseases among infants, young children and women of reproductive age”. The coalition at the occasion also stated that, 37% of children under age five in Nigeria are classified as stunted. Even though nutrition in Nigeria has in recent years made progress in local food production, the poor nutritional status of Nigerian children still remains a major concern to coalition of civil society organizations and health workers. The rate which has been observed to be the highest in sub Saharan Africa and second in the world, is being addressed through the 2014 - 2018 National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (NSPAN), a costed plan that is expected to reduce stunning rate by 20%, a 15% reduction in low birth weight, and 50% increase in exclusive breast feeding in the first six months of life by 2018. The NSPAN according to the coalition was designed to address the dire nutrition situation in Nigeria by identifying a set of priority areas that are keys to

improving nutritional status in Nigeria. In its call to action, CS - SUNN and APHPN urged governments at all levels in the country to improve food safety through public awareness campaigns and highlight their ongoing actions in this area. “We also call on the National Assembly and State Assemblies to ensure that budget lines for nutrition were created. “The Federal Government should be realistic in the implementation of the NSPAN by raising the allocated for nutrition in 2014 budget in line with the costed NSPAN and state government should as a matter of urgency adopt and create budget lines to operationalize this plan in all states of the federation”. In his paper presentation at the event, Dr Terfa Kene, Chairman of the APHPN, FCT branch noted that food is at the centre of human existence, thus making the theme relevant to everybody including government, civil societies, the private sector and intergovernmental agencies. According to him, unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances cause over 200 diseases ranging from diarrhea to cancers.

….as NLC, NUPENG canvass workplace safety, non-casualisation MESHACK IDEHEN

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari, as President Elect is a lesson in perseverance and commitment to a cause. In the same vein, the members of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said the president-elect must to tackle outsourcing and casualisation of workforce in the nation’s oil and gas sector. In separate statements on Tuesday, President of the NLC Mr Ayuba Wabba said the election was significant for the fact that votes do count after all, noting politicians will learn to keep their promises to the electorate. Expressing the congress’s readiness to work with and engage the incoming government, Wabba said the NLC stands ready to work with the president-elect in defining a new agenda for our nation. “We strongly believe that the election of Major General General Buhari has undoubtedly opened a new and important chapter in the socio-political development

of our nation as we have finally broken the jinx of transiting from one democratically elected civilian government controlled by a ruling party to one controlled by an opposition party.” “We also commend the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for not only organising an election adjudged to be credible and fair but also for promptly accepting its outcome even though he lost. This is statesmanship and is in keeping with his oft-quoted phrase that his election into the office of president is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.” On his part, NUPENG;s President Mr Igwe Achese,said nipping the unfortunate development of casualisation in the bud would open decent job opportunities in the sector for Nigerians as stipulated by the country’s labour laws. Achese, who made the call in a congratulatory message to Buhari, also urged him to address the challenges of quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries and building of new ones in order to reduce massive importation of petroleum products that has bedeviled the sector.

Customers on queue to enter a cormercial Bank on Broad Street as work resumed after Easter break.

Fayemi to chair National Marketing Summit

ormer Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will be the Chairman of the 2015 National Stakeholders Marketing Summit slated for Lagos next month. The Marketing Summit is being organized by Marketing Edge magazine, a leading brands and marketing publication in Nigeria. Giving an update on the summit, by Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the publication, Mr. Wole David, said that the former governor, who commended the magazine for the initiative, had accepted to chair the event. The editorial board of Marketing Edge had at its meeting nomi-

nated the highly cerebral Fayemi to chair the morning session of the industry summit while Chief Olu Falomo, former chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON would preside over the Brands Excellence Award in the evening. In the morning session, brand and marketing experts including former APCON Registrar, Dr. Josef Molokwu and Managing Director, Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa will be exploring ‘Roadmap to Marketing in the Age of Global Oil Glut’ and ‘Nigerian Advertising in a Generational Shift’. The evening event will be rewarding as accomplished ad-

vertising practitioners and best performing agencies, brands and other outstanding players in the Nigerian Integrated Marketing Communications sector will be rewarded in different awards categories. The decision was based on the reputation of both personalities as highly respected and intellectual power house across relevant sectors home and abroad; and the fact that the event will expand the frontiers of knowledge, explore innovative ideas and ways of managing brand business and the business of brand management while thinking global and acting local.

Business News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Islamic finance tool for financial UK introduces new fuel duty marker inclusion, stability –IMF H

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

eputy Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, MCM, of International Monetary Funds, IMF, Christopher Towe, has said that Islamic finance could help many economies to leverage their competitiveness if its offering is properly utilised. Towe, who disclosed that the Fund had provided significant contributions to the theory and empirical analysis of Islamic finance over the years, argued that the Fund saw Islamic finance as offering considerable promise with the potential to foster more inclusive growth by increasing access to banking services, especially to Muslim populations that may not be willing to use conventional banks. He said that the Fund had also provided training and technical assistance to its members in such areas as regulation and supervision of Islamic banks, the monetary policy implementation in the presence of Islamic finance

and the development of Sukuk markets. “We have worked closely with key Islamic finance standard setters and other important stakeholders to assist them in the development of international standards for Islamic institutions’’, he stated. He said the interest of the Fund had grown in recent years, reflecting the rapid growth of the industry. Such growth, according to Towe is documented in staff discussion note, which inspired the growing reach of the industry not only in Middle East, but in Asia and Africa as well as considerable interest in Sukuk issuance by financial centres such as the U.K., Luxembourg and Hong Kong. The growth has put greater premium on the Fund’s ability to provide consistent policy advice to its member in the context of regular surveillance, financial stability assessments and technical assistance. “So, the second purpose in issuing the staff discussion note is to crystallize the work and policy

messages that we have developed in recent years in response to the rapid growth of Islamic finance and provide a platform for our continued work in this area’’, he stated. According to him, Islamic finance also has the capacity to improve financial stability because it is asset-backed, reduces leverage and requires risk sharing between borrowers and lenders. “There is a need to tailor regulations to specifics of Islamic banks and for greater consistency of regulation and supervision. Islamic standard setters, including the IFSB, have done an impressive job in establishing the rules of the road’’. “In summary, the message is that we see enormous potential for Islamic finance to foster inclusive growth and to help support financial stability. But for it to achieve these potential policies need to be in place that take full account of the specificities of the industry, so as not to unduly handicap its growth, but also to ensure that the potential risks it poses are properly addressed’’, Towe added.

UBA car park at Marina Central Business District, as workers resume after Easter Holidays in Lagos.

Dufil promises N20m airtime in Indomie promo SAIDAT ALAUSA

ufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has unveiled plans to give out airtime worth N20 million to its customers in its latest nationwide promo tagged “Indomie In-Carton Promo.” The company projected that the promo would benefit at least 300,000 winners who will win recharge cards. Its Brand Manager, Mr. Amber Yadav, said that the promo will afford loyal consumers of its Indomie Pepper Chicken and Indomie Oriental Fried Noodle brands the

opportunity to win up to N1,000 instant recharge cards in each carton. “We are excited by the opportunity to excite our consumers and we believe that they will appreciate and take advantage of the opportunity. We consider it an obligation and commitments of our company to constantly reward, connect with our numerous consumers while building excitement in appreciation for their patronage and loyalty towards the brand.” He explained that the plan was to ensure that almost everyone gets the chance to win as the company strives towards ensuring

customer’s satisfaction. The Public Relations Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, explained that to participate, consumers must buy a carton of the affected brands, then check the inside for a recharge card. He thanked the company’s loyal customers for their continuous patronage and making indomie their number one noodles choice over the years. “Indomie is the category’s leading brand of noodles in Nigeria so it is fitting that as a caring brand, we wish to use this promo to reward our loyal customers for their patronage and commitment over the past years”, Ashiwaju said.

M Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published guidance on a new chemical marker for UK rebated fuel, aimed at tackling fuel duty evasion. The UK Government announced in February 2014 that a new marker would be added to rebated fuel from April 1, 2015. The product, developed in conjunction with the Irish Government, is designed to help crack down on the illegal fuel laundering of offroad diesel. This diesel has been marked with a red dye in the UK and a green dye in Ireland. HMRC set up an Implementation Working Group shortly after the February announcement. This group, which includes representatives from the oil industry and sectors that may be affected by the change, has worked with

HMRC to talk through implementation and prepare guidance for the industry. As HMRC’s brief explains, producers and suppliers of rebated fuel must ensure that, from April 1, 2015, any supply of rebated fuel removed from warehouses for home use contains the new mix of markers. Off-road diesel will remain red and fuel containing the new mix can be added to existing stocks of rebated fuel. Rebated fuel can only be used in limited circumstances, primarily in the agricultural and construction sectors and for domestic heating. Excise duty on rebated diesel is charged at a lower rate. In the UK, red diesel is subject to excise duty of 11.14 pence per liter (ppl) instead of the full rate of 57.95ppl.

Samsung Q1 profit hits $5.44bn

amsung Electronics expects January to March profit to be its highest in three quarters, beating expectations and suggesting the tech giant is on track for an earnings recovery ahead of the launch of new flagship smartphones. Operating profit likely reached $5.44 billion in the first quarter, the South Korean manufacturer said on Tuesday, versus the 5.3 trillion won average estimate of 41 analysts in a Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S survey. This was also better than 5.3 trillion won reported for October to December even though the first quarter tends to be a seasonally weaker period as the industry comes off the year-end peak. Samsung typically releases final first-quarter figures towards the end of April. “These results are meaningful and will lead to very strong earnings expectations for the second

quarter,” said HMC Investment analyst Greg Roh. Shares of Samsung were up 0.4 per cent as of 0100 GMT today, following the earnings guidance, versus a 0.3 per cent gain in the broader market. Investors and analysts expected the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge models to revive handset sales and propel profits in coming quarters. Researcher Counterpoint expects Samsung to sell more than 50 million units of the new devices to consumers this year – a new record for the company. The mean estimate from a Thomson Reuters survey of 40 analysts tips a 6.7 trillion won April to June profit, improving sequentially for the third consecutive quarter. The contribution from Samsung’s chip-making division is also tipped to be just as significant as smartphone-related income.

Italian tax burden rising , says statistics agency

ecent figures issued by Istat, the Italian National Statistical Office, show an increase in the Government’s fiscal deficit in 2014, despite a further significant rise in the tax burden relative to the size of the economy. In 2014, the Italian budget deficit was three percent of gross domestic product (GDP), some 0.1 percent more than in 2013, while the overall tax ratio also rose by 0.1 percent over the year to 43.5 percent of GDP. In the fourth quarter, the taxto-GDP ratio reached 50.3 percent, up 0.1 percent against the same period of last year, while the ratio of total government revenue-toGDP reached 55.3 percent, up 0.5

percent. Italy’s Ministry of the Economy and Finance has issued a response to the statistics, preempting criticism that the Government has not reduced tax burdens as it had promised. It pointed out that last year’s EUR80 (USD88) monthly individual income tax bonus has been classified by Istat as a tax expenditure, rather than as “less tax and more money in pay checks.” “If it had been classified as what it is: a reduction of tax on employees,” effective tax burdens in 2014 “would have been estimated at 43.1 percent of GDP, a fall from the 43.4 percent seen in 2013 and 43.5 percent in 2012,” it said.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders support pricing, costing model for transmission cables Contrary to expectations that the telecoms service providers may not easily key into the idea of a pricing and costing prevailing in the transmission line sub-segment of the telecoms market, reactions from the stakeholders indicate clearly that the move is desirable for sustainable growth of the telecoms sector. ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN reports.

bout two years ago, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, awarded the contract of designing a pricing and costing model to address the issues of arbitrary, predatory and discriminatory pricing inherent in the transmission line market segment of the telecoms sector to the renowned consulting firm, KPMG. Having completed its assignment, the internationally acclaimed consultancy submitted the report to the Commission which subsequently invited stakeholders in the sector to appraise and make inputs into before decisions on its implementation should be taken. For every issue of pricing in the industry, the consumers have often been on the receiving end while operators have often complained of the increasing cost of providing services to its consumers without a commensurate return on their cost of providing such services. According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, it is like wielding the big stick by bringing a costing and pricing model to the operators for endorsement. Juwa pointed out that before embarking on the move, the Commission was aware that in the journey from monopoly to full market competition, there would be period of transition when competitive market forces may be inadequate to bring about efficient market conduct and pricing regime that are close to cost. The trio of Joseph Tegbe, Satya Gupta and Mohit Mittal who represented the Project consultants, KPMG at the technical presentations of the study, said that the model was in accordance with international best practices in the telecommunications industry. The consulting outfit representatives observed that the biggest challenge their company encountered in the study, which took it two years to translate into a model, was the gathering of data. Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Ms. Josephine Amuwa said that the model became necessary as a result of the increasing demand for fast and reliable broadband access for consumers in Nigeria, and the growing importance of data services saying that it wants to ensure that there is a level-playing field for all the players in the market. She said the 2012 NCC commissioned a study to assess the level of competition in the market revealed that excessive prices, discriminatory prices, refusal to share

Fibre cable installation

THE PRICING AND COSTING MODEL FOR THE OPERATORS IS TO AVOID A SITUATION WHERE HUGE COST OF LEASING OR LAYING OF TRANSMISSION CABLE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FINAL CONSUMER ducts and certain infrastructure, onerous contractual terms whereby somebody wants 10 kilometers and he has to buy 100 kilometers saying that there was also refusal to supply certain types of infrastructure resulting to high cost and duplication of infrastructure as well as unsatisfactory quality of service. According to her, what the NCC wanted to achieve by introducing the pricing and costing model for the operators is to avoid a situation where huge cost of leasing or laying of transmission cable will be transferred to the final consumer. The NCC Director explained further that the drop would be more visible in the data service sector since the transmission

Rudman

cables were basically meant for carrying of data traffic. Amuwa pointed out that this is based on the fact that the NCC did not want to see a situation where an operator wants to buy a 10 kilometer transmission cable and for no reason it is made to buy a 100 kilometer cable whose cost will be later transferred to the consumer. A cross section of stakeholders who spoke with National Mirror said that the decision to develop a model for the industry

was a welcomed development, thus giving an indication that the operators may have key into the idea of the model. The Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigerian, IXPN, Mohammed Rudman, said that the model promised to benefit both operators and consumers, noting that its effective implementation will eventually translate not just to efficient broadband services in the country but also cost effective pricing in the industry. He said that the introduction of the model means that there will be a price cap in the sector that consumers will not be arbitrarily changed and operators will be encourage to roll out more telecoms infrastructure that ensure that there is enough broadband internet access in the country. While lauding the initiative of the proposed pricing and costing model from the NCC, he said that when implemented by the operators, it will lower the cost of internet access across the country. Describing the model as very good, Chief Marketing Officer, Broadbased Communications Limited, Chidi Ibisi, said that what the NCC had done through the model is to assist the operators to lower the cost of rolling out infrastructure across the country. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the end it will lower the cost of provision of services for the operators, and this will translate to lower prices for the consumers. It gives us certainty with regard to pricing. It is a very similar thing to what was done in the voice services.â&#x20AC;? In his reaction, the Group Chief Technical Officer of Smile Communications Limited, Sudhir Chopra, expressed the hope that the model would have positive impact on the industry saying that by addressing these issues in the marketplace, it will encourage investment, drive innovation and encourage quality of service. Director, Wholesale and Carrier Relations at Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Bouhelal expressed hope that the model will be of benefit to the industry describing it as essential for further growth of the industry. He said that beyond the issue of cost of data traffic which the NCC is hoping to achieve by ensuring that the consumer is not over-billed, the model would ensure that broadband access is easily available to Nigerians. But the drop in the cost of telecoms services, which the model is expected to, bring to the consumer is not going to be immediate, Amuwa said in an interview.

Info Tech

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Tech Box

ARCHOS 80b Xenon premium 3G tablet that delights

he very best of Android tablet may have just arrived the country from France, and that is the statement that the ARCHOS 80b Xenon seems to be making with the features it displays. for instance, it’s widescreen HD IPS screen (1280 x 800) gives excellent colours and viewing angles for apps, games and internet that you can use anywhere with the integrated 3G connection. And then the sleek and stylish in its brushed aluminium casing, the ARCHOS 80b Xenon runs Android 4.4 KitKat on a powerful quad-core processor gives this tablet the power you need for your apps. An outstanding IPS Screen technology also accompanied the tablet to market displaying a 1280 x 800 resolution of the ARCHOS 80b Xenon meaning you will see every detail of your pictures and videos. The ARCHOS 80b Xenon includes an integrated 3G HSPA modem. Un-Sim-locked, it can accept SIM cards from any operator, even pay-as-you-go SIM cards, so you can stay connected wherever

you are for your apps, internet and email. The powerful processor features a powerful Quad Core processor - bringing the speed and power you’ll need for your apps, games and web browsing even as the dual cameras make the ARCHOS 80b Xenon great for not only video calling but also for capturing those can’t-be-missed moments with your tablet. For the voice calls and text messages quality, you need to thank the integrated phone function on the ARCHOS 80b Xenon that enables your tablet for voice calls1 as well as SMS and MMS messages paired with a Bluetooth headset2 or hands free kit3 your ARCHOS 80b Xenon can be the large-screen replacement your smartphone. GPS functions The ARCHOS 80b Xenon runs pure Android 4.4 KitKat in all its chocolaty goodness with all the Google Mobile apps, like the Google Now voice assistant, Gmail, Chrome, Maps and more. With the ARCHOS 80b Xenon you also have access to the complete Google Play Store with over 1 million apps, games.

IDC lauds Nigeria’s ICT policies STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

he world’s leading ICT research firm, International Data Corporation, IDC, has attributed the strides achieved so far in Nigeria’s technology drive to the national ICT policies. IDC in its latest report on emerging African economies on how technology is been embraced said that the Federal Government is implementing polices that are driving the adoption of technology saying that the government is increasingly embracing IT services solutions in a bid to support growth initiatives. According to the latest insights from the global advisory services firm, growing public and private sector IT spending, together with maturing and increasingly competitive business environments, are also driving IT services demand. The studies, which also include countries like Kenya, Ghana, Botswana revealed that governments are using ICT to enable ser-

vice delivery, while eGovernment and mGovernment initiatives are high on the agenda for driving etransformation and addressing issues around rapid urbanisation noting that the continent’s telecom, banking and finance, oil and gas, and mining verticals also present major ICT opportunities. Research Manager for Software and IT Services at IDC, South Africa, Lise Hagen said that while each country has different requirements, there are common themes supporting the adoption of IT services in Africa. She explained that as lastmile connectivity continues to improve, Internet services are becoming more easily available over wider geographic areas at lower costs, leading to improved IT services adoption. According to her, the demand remains primarily focused on basic implementation and support services, but that larger organisations across the continent are increasingly seeking advanced solutions such as implementation and systems integration services.

She added: ‘‘Early-adopter organisations are also assessing cloud technologies specifically software as a service, SaaS, and Big Data analytics, which is creating significant opportunities for service providers.” IDC noted that the government vertical in Africa is becoming one of the biggest investors in ICT in general, and IT services in particular. The IDC Insight ‘IT Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: Who’s Doing What and Why, and Opportunities for Growth’ includes a brief qualitative assessment of selected Sub-Saharan IT services markets. Since South Africa is the dominant ICT market on the continent, it has been excluded in order to focus on the region’s emerging economies. The analysis includes a general market assessment and refers to 12 African countries, namely Nigeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

L-R: His Royal Majesty Celestine Udia, Paramount Ruler, Ikpa Nung Asang Clan, Rev Sister Anthonia Essien, Executive Director, Human Empowerment and Development Project, HEMADEP, Paul Ilona, Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, Engineer Peter Ekpenyong, Project Manager, HEMADEP, during the dissemination of improved Vitamin A Cassava tuber in Akwa Ibom.

Access to better technology hits 58%

Toshiba’s luxury

oshiba’s luxury Kirabook gets an Intel Broadwell CPU, but nothing else new While most PC makers went into CES with guns blazing on new product announcements, Toshiba unveiled but three. The company was apparently just waiting for the noise of CES to settle down before announcing that its underrated luxury Kirabook is getting an update. The update is predictably Intel’s latest Broadwell U CPU, specifically, a Core i7-5500U. Broadwell U was designed as a drop-in replacement, so nothing else really changes and not all of that is a good thing. In the good column: The Ki-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

rabook’s panel is still 13.3 inches diagonally and touch-enabled, with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. Also unchanged is the networking, with a 2x2 Intel 802.11ac /Bluetooth 4.0 radio and 8GB of DDR3/1600 memory. The weight remains the same at 2.91 pounds, and the frame is still a gracefully shaped AZ91 magnesium chassis.

ccess to better technology is increasing at a 58 per cent speed while faster deployment rate of additional IT resources is currently 53 per cent making both the top two drivers for Software as a Service,SaaS, adoption. According to an Oracle study into Software as a Service adoption highlighted that along with cost savings, process efficiencies and productivity were the key benefits to businesses implementing the cloud technology. The study was the result of in-depth interviews were with Chief Information Officers, CIOs, and decision makers from 160 organisations with 500 employees or more, in Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

The study outlined how Oracle SaaS customers overcame concerns and inhibitions with regard to cloud adoption. The research showed that many companies in the region have a “SaaS also” attitude, meaning that when they need new or replacement applications for capability, capacity and functionality, they look at SaaS-solutions at the same time as looking at other on-premise software. The investigation found that more than 60 per cent of all companies across major verticals have adopted or are in the process of implementing cloud solutions. While 69 per cent of respondents felt that cloud offered significant tangible benefits, 55 per

cent believed that it offered value, but cost and availability of bandwidth inhibited adoption locally. The study illustrated that 48 per cent of companies are currently using SaaS technology with another 31 per cent planning to use in the next one or two years. 22 per cent currently used Platform as a Service, PaaS with a further 36 per cent planning on using it in the next 12 to 24 months. The study also focused on particular sectors including the banking industry. The results showed that 59 per cent of all banks surveyed believed that cloud offered significant tangible benefits, with 52 per cent of those surveyed currently using SaaS within their organisations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Government Technology

Infrastructure investment to top Africa CEO summit ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

nvestment opportunity for infrastructure project developers is expected to be on the top agenda at as African pension and sovereign wealth fund leaders meet this month. The Africa investor, Ai, a leading international investment and communications group, organisers of the event has confirmed that there will be discussion on co-investment opportunities and will receive presentations from a series at the Ai CEO Infrastructure Investment Summit to be held in Cape Town, South Africa before the official opening of the World Economic Forum on Africa. Public and private sector developers and sponsors from across Africa are confirmed to participate in the Summit, which will see an unprecedented facilitation of infrastructure investments and commercial and technical partnerships. The Summit will bring together Africa’s leading project developers and government sponsors to engage institutional

infrastructure investors, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds on both listed and unlisted infrastructure investment opportunities. Vetted investment-ready projects worth over US $10 billion in the energy, rail, ports, airports and social infrastructure investment sectors will be presented to this exclusive audience. The Summit will also host a Heads of State Infrastructure Investment Working Lunch, which will also discuss opportunities for the private sector in the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development, PIDA. Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Africa investor Hubert Danso, stated; “This long-running invitation-only Ai Infrastructure Summit continues to provide a unique platform for infrastructure investors to engage project developers, financiers and government leaders on transformative infrastructure investment transactions.” The first day’s invitation-only CEO-level Summit, the Ai CEO Infrastructure Project Developers Summit, will be dedicated

to project developers and will address a range of project codevelopment opportunities and industry-related issues. The second day, the Ai CEO Infrastructure Investment Summit, will convene African pen-

sion and sovereign wealth funds to discuss co-investment opportunities and receive presentations from a series of project developers. Summit partners include: Africa investor; the African

Union; the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency; Rand Merchant Bank; World Pensions Council; European Development Finance Institute; All Africa; Africa PLC; Quadrant PR.

Director of UNICEF’s Innovation Centre, Sharad Sapara and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,Airtel Africa, Christian de Faria, during the signing of partnership agreement on the provision of access to health and education for Africans using Airtel network.

Financial Technology

Semiconductor revenue up by 7.9% globally STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

orldwide semiconductor revenue went up $315.4 billion in 2013 to $340.3 billion in 2014 resulting to a 7.9 percent increase final results by Gartner, Incorporated has revealed. Semiconductors are key component of PC, mobile devices and electrical appliances. Result indicated that the top 25 semiconductor vendors’ com-

bined revenue increased by 11.7 percent, which was more than the overall industry’s growth adding that the top 25 vendors accounted for 72.4 percent of total market revenue, up from 69.9 percent in 2013. Research Vice President at Gartner, Andrew Norwood said that 2014 saw all device categories post positive growth, unlike in 2013, when application-specific integrated circuits discrete and micro-components all declined saying that the memory

market was the best performer for the second year in a row, growing 16.6 percent, meaning the rest of the market only achieved 4.9 percent growth. He said, “As a group, DRAM vendors performed best, lifted by the booming DRAM market, which saw revenue increase 32 percent to $46.1 billion, surpassing the all-time high of $41.8 billion set in 1995.” The result showed Intel witnessed a return to growth after two years of revenue decline,

as PC production recovered, with sales up 7.7 percent while the company retained the No. 1 market share position for the 23rd consecutive year by capturing 15.4 percent of the market, which was down slightly on the previous year. The year 2014 also saw significantly merger and acquisition activity among the major semiconductor vendors than the previous year, with some announced deals still to close in 2015.

Among the most significant deals was Avago Technologies’ acquisition of LSI, propelling the company into the top 25 semiconductor vendors for the first time. MStar Semiconductor was merged with MediaTek after a prolonged merger, and ON Semiconductor acquired Aptina Imaging. After adjusting for closed merger and acquisition activity, the top 25 semiconductor vendors grew at 9.1 percent.

Telecoms engineering students for internship at Etisalat

Wilsher

tisalat Nigeria, has announced that the second group of 18 students from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria is set for internship at the company. This is a pre-requisite for the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Program. Launched in 2013, the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Program is the first MSc in Telecommunications Engineering programme in

West Africa. The 18 students are the second set of intakes in the programme and they are expected to commence their 4 weeks internship on the 20th of April, 2015. The Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, disclosed that the goal of the internship is to further broaden the students’ practical understanding of telecommu-

nications engineering as well as part of the long term plan of creating a critical mass of highly skilled telecommunications specialists in Nigeria. During the internship, the students will have full access to insights that have made Etisalat the most reliable network in Nigeria. “At Etisalat, we believe that the right education has the potential to impact every aspect of life, so education remains

central to our CSR interventions. With this four-week internship, we want to build local manpower with regards to telecommunications technology skills”, Dikko said. The first set of intakes to ETEP at ABU concluded their programme in 2014 and the three best graduating students of the postgraduate programme were sponsored to Etisalat Academy, Dubai for training.

Global News

Thursday, April 9, 2015

FedEx to buy TNT for $4.8bn to take on rivals in Europe

edEx Corp (FDX.N) is to buy Dutch package delivery firm TNT Express (TNTE.AS) for an agreed 4.4 billion euros ($4.8 billion), stepping up the challenge to rivals United Parcel Service (UPS.N) and Deutsche Post (DPWGn.DE) in Europe. European regulators blocked a 2013 takeover of TNT by UPS due to concerns it would stifle competition, but analysts and executives said on Tuesday FedEx, with its strong air fleet, would complement TNT’s size- Smith able European road network. “Europe, despite the fact that pult FedEx to second place. there has been low growth, is still an FedEx will offer eight euros in enormous market both for import cash per ordinary TNT share -- a and export,” FedEx Corp. (FDX.N) 33 per cent premium on last week’s Chief Executive Fred Smith told close, though below UPS’s 2013 offer analysts. of 9.5 euros. TNT gives FedEx access to panMemphis, Tennessee-based FeEuropean service and the domes- dEx is financing the deal with debt, tic UK and French markets, areas the latest company to take advanwhere it is not yet a big player, Smith tage of low interest rates. said, while TNT customers will get TNT shares were up nearly 30 per access to FedEx’s global distribution cent on Tuesday, close to FedEx’s bid platform. price, while FedEx stock rose 3.6 per ING analysts estimate Deutsche cent. Post’s DHL currently has a 19 per “FedEx has laid on the table an atcent market share in Europe, fol- tractive offer price,” said ABN Amro lowed by UPS with 16 per cent, TNT analyst Maarten Bakker, who has a with 12 per cent and FedEx at 5 per- “hold” rating on TNT shares. cent -- meaning the deal could cata“With FedEx having always been

the most logical predator of TNT Express, we see the chances of a competing offer as slim.” FedEx finance chief Alan Graf said the company would “be very aggressive on spending on integration in the first year,” and the deal would create unspecified cost synergies. The deal has been unanimously recommended by TNT’s supervisory board. TNT’s largest shareholder, PostNL (PTNL.AS), also said it would tender its 14.7 per cent stake to FedEx. PostNL shares rose 17 per cent. European regulators’ decision to block UPS’s bid for TNT dealt a blow to the Dutch firm, which had been counting on adopting much of UPS’s logistics backbone. TNT, whose European market share has slumped by as much as 5 percentage points since that deal fell apart, has cut costs, sold operations and invested in its road network in an effort to hold on to customers in a weak European market for business package deliveries. “There is no regulatory risk whatsoever,” said Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Andre Mulder of the proposed FedEx deal, calling the offer fair in view of TNT’s weaker market position.

Once over $12trn, the world’s currency reserves now shrinking

he decade-long surge in foreign-currency reserves held by the world’s central banks is coming to an end. Global reserves declined to $11.6 trillion in March from a record $12.03 trillion in August 2014, halting a five-fold increase that began in 2004, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While the drop may be overstated because the strengthening dollar reduced the value of other reserve currencies such as the euro, it still underlines a shift after central banks -- with most of them located in developing nations like China and Russia -added an average $824 billion to reserves each year over the past decade.

Stephen Jen

Beyond being emblematic of the dollar’s return to its role as the world’s undisputed dominant currency, the drop in reserves has several potential implications for global markets. It could make it harder for emerging-market countries to boost their money supply and shore up faltering economic growth; it could add to declines in the euro; and it could damp demand for U.S. Treasury bonds. “It’s a big challenge for emerging markets,” Stephen Jen, a former International Monetary Fund economist who’s co-founder of SLJ Macro Partners LLP in London, said by phone. They “now need more stimulus. The seed has been sowed for future volatility,” he said. Stripping out the effect from foreign-exchange fluctuations, Credit Suisse Group AG estimates that developing countries, which hold about two-thirds of global reserves, spent a net $54 billion of this stash in the fourth quarter, the most since the global financial crisis in 2008. China, the world’s largest reserve holder, together with commodity producers contributed to most of the declines, as central banks sold dollars to offset capital outflows and shore up their cur-

rencies. A Bloomberg gauge of emerging-market currencies has lost 15 percent against the dollar over the past year. China cut its stockpile to $3.8 trillion in December from a peak of $4 trillion in June, central bank data show. Russia’s supply tumbled 25 percent over the past year to $361 billion in March, while Saudi Arabia, the thirdlargest holder after China and Japan, has burned through $10 billion in reserves since August to $721 billion. The trend is likely to continue as oil prices stay low and growth in emerging markets remains weak, reducing the dollar inflows that central banks used to build reserves, according to Deutsche Bank AG. Such a development is detrimental to the euro, which had benefited from purchases in recent years by central banks seeking to diversify their reserves, according to George Saravelos, co-head of foreign-exchange research at Deutsche Bank. The euro’s share of global reserves dropped to 22 percent in 2014, the lowest since 2002, while the dollar’s rose to a five-year high of 63 percent, the International Monetary Fund reported March 31.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UK service sector growth picks up speed

ctivity in the UK’s services sector accelerated in March at its fastest pace since August last year, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 58.9 from February’s reading of 56.7. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, while below 50 suggests contraction. Markit said its three surveys - of the construction, manufacturing and service sectors - tak- Cameron en together implied first quarter Employment activity reeconomic growth of 0.7 per cent. mained high within the sector It comes as the Confedera- while companies had also lowtion of British Industry (CBI) ered their costs, Markit added. also forecast UK economic of 0.7 Chris Williamson, chief econper cent in the three months to omist at Markit, said the survey March, up from 0.6% in the pre- results “bode well for the upturn vious quarter. to retain strong momentum as Last month, the Office for we move through the spring”. National Statistics (ONS) re“While the data support the vised economic growth for the view that the next move interest last three months of 2014 up to rates will be upward, the lack of 0.6 per cent from an earlier esti- inflationary pressures suggests mate of 0.5 per cent. the first hike remains some way The UK services sector is by off, and probably not this year far the largest part of the econ- unless we see some significant omy, accounting for about three upturn in wage growth.” quarters of economic activity. The first official estimate of Markit said the increase in the UK’s economic growth in the activity was the result of the first quarter of 2015 is due to be wider economic recovery and released by the ONS one week beimproved confidence. fore the general election.

Wall St. up on deals, biotech boost

Obama

.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, extending two sessions of gains for the S&P 500, with deals including a bid from FedEx for a Dutch peer indicating companies still see value in the market. Shares of FedEx (FDX.N) rose 3.3 percent to $172.14 as it seeks to buy Dutch package delivery company TNT Express (TNTE.AS) for $4.8 billion. Two years ago, competition regulators blocked United Parcel Service’s (UPS.N) bid for TNT because, unlike FedEx, that suitor already had a strong European network. Deals are “the rational outcome of this environment” of low interest rates, said Kim Forrest, senior equity research analyst at Fort Pitt

Capital Group in Pittsburgh. “When you have money in the bank and you either have to return it to shareholders or do something with it … the next thing is you buy a competitor. You put that cash to work.” Healthcare stocks led the advance on the S&P 500 with biotech shares up after four days of losses. The Nasdaq Biotech index .NBI added 2.3 percent, its largest gain since mid-March. Energy shares also gave the market support, with the sector .SPNY up 0.8 percent as crude futures CLc1 added to gains. At 10:48 a.m. EDT the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 98.9 points, or 0.55 percent, to 17,979.75, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 8.84 points, or 0.42 percent, to 2,089.46 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 30.79 points, or 0.63 percent, to 4,948.10. General Motors (GM.N) shares fell 2 percent to $67.25 after Canada agreed to sell nearly 73.4 million shares of the automaker to Goldman Sachs (GS.N). Informatica Corp (INFA.O) jumped 4.3 percent to $47.78 after the enterprise software provider said it would be taken private by Permira Advisers and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for about $5.3 billion.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Mobile advertising: Implications for marketers, advertisers

A recent survey by Emarketer, a marketing research agency, projected that by 2019 mobile ad spend will hit $195.55 billion, doubling current spend. DAVID AUDU reports on this trend and its implication for mobile marketing and advertisers.

lobal digital advertising market has, in recent times, been witnessing phenomenal growth. This is more pronounced in the mobile phone sector of the industry. Analysts attribute the growth to more people having access to mobile phones and also being able to have access to the internet via these phones. In Nigeria, the volume of mobile access is estimated to be in the region of 140 million, while Smartphone users is put at roughly over eight million. Traditional internet accessibility is around 48 million, according to National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), with over 30 million accessing internet on their mobile. While there are no immediate data on the level of mobile ad spend utilising this platform, globally, it is a harvest of opportunities. According to new figures on mobile ads spend by a marketing research agency made public recently, Global mobile advertising market is expected to hit two significant milestones in 2016. One, that global mobile ad is expected to surpass the $100 billion in spending and two; it will account for more than 50 per cent of all digital ad expenditure for the first time. Gladding as the growth is expected to be to mobile ad sites and perhaps, advertisers, because of the reality that product are getting the desired exposure, some are worried that this growth is at the expense of some digital and traditional advertising media. Some interest groups are already raising alarm over what they described as the cannibalizing tendencies inherent in such growth. This is the issue at the heart of another study, this time, the Interactive Advertising Bureau, IAB, which found that as mobile marketing continues its rapid growth, spending on other channels is being cannibalized to support that growth. The IAB’s report, titled “Marketer Perceptions of Mobile Advertising,” which was conducted between December and January is based on the responses of over 200 top-level brands and marketing executives. The study found that 65 percent of marketers have spent more on mobile the past two years, with nine percent increasing their mobile budget by more than 50 percent. While much of that spending represents new ad spent, the report says about one-third was shifted from other channels to mobile advertising.

THE PROLIFERATION OF THESE MOBILE DEVICES ACROSS THE WORLD IS DRIVING THE SHIFT IN ADVERTISING FROM THE DESKTOP TO REACH THESE ALWAYS-ON CONSUMERS The report said that “print was the channel most affected, with 58 percent of respondents saying they had shifted funds from this area to mobile advertising. Other budgets affected by mobile ad substitution include PC and desktop; digital TV; outdoor and radio.” The implication, according to analyst, is that the projected $101.37 billion to be spent on ads earmarked for mobile phones and tablets worldwide next year, will represents a staggering increase of about 430 per cent over the 2013 spend. This will also mean that between 2016 and 2019 mobile ad spending will nearly double, hitting $195.55 billion and will account for 70.1 per cent of digital ad spends as well as over one-quarter of total media ad spending globally. The question then is where does this leave the rest of the ad platform? A top decision maker in a leading digital marketing agency in Nigeria offered an insight. He said the growing trend of more adspend in the mobile phone is a global issue affects every region, but the shift to the mobile phone platform by advertisers is more pronounced in developed societies where phone users access internet at relatively cheaper price than in developing country such as Nigeria. “But that is not to say, we are not catching on. In fact, targeted ad on mobile phone is a decision most marketing boardroom grapple with on the daily basis, and gradually resources are be-

ing allocated to this new ad media more that the traditional platform. I must at the same time admit, however, that due to literacy level in Nigeria, most advertisers still prefer the traditional platforms such as the newspapers, radio, tv, and outdoor billboard. But in reality the shift is something serious marketing executives should worry about”, he said. Looking closely at the factors fueling this growth? The emarketer report says growth in mobile ad spending is largely being driven by consumer rising adoption of mobile devices. Projected estimates on the use of Smartphone for next year show that there will be more than two billion Smartphone users worldwide. It says “in many emerging and developing markets, many consumers are accessing the internet mobile-first and mobileonly, so leading advertisers allocate their digital expenditure to mobile accordingly. “The number of tablet users worldwide, while growing more slowly than the Smartphone audience, is still expected to eclipse one billion in 2015. The proliferation of these mobile devices across the world is driving the shift in advertising from the desktop to reach these alwayson consumers.” “In the short term, the leading global markets, particularly the US and China, will drive mobile ad spending growth. In 2016, US advertisers will spend $40.24 billion to reach consumers on tablets and mobile phones, more than doubling the

total from 2014, while those in China willinvest $22.14 billion—nearly triple the amount they spent in 2014. Both of these countries will see mobile become a majority of digital ad spending next year. However, while traditional media owners are grumbling, according to the IAB report, majority of advertisers say that they are pleased with their mobile ads’ performance. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they are satisfied with their mobile ads, and eight percent said they were completely satisfied. Consequently, marketers are bullish on their future mobile expenditures, with 14 percent of respondents indicating that they expect their companies’ mobile advertising budgets to increase by over half in the next two years and 57 percent saying they expect them to rise by under half. As mobile continues its strong growth, analysts however expressed concern that privacy was going to be the major issue. This year, 37 percent of respondents cited privacy as a very important issue compared to 22 percent who said the same in 2013. “With mobile taking a more prominent role in consumers’ lives each year, an uptick in marketers’ potential concerns surrounding mobile privacy is no surprise,” said Mike Zaneis, executive VP, public policy, and general counsel, at IAB, in a statement. In spite of the growth there are serious challenges in mobile device advertising. These include device operating system fragmentation; lack of standardized metrics to measure mobile advertising; lack of agency expertise in mobile advertising; and too many different ways to source or buy mobile inventory.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian Idol V: Three contestants Trust, integrity critical in make top 12 business success – EO President P P DAVID AUDU

resident of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Nigeria, EON, Mr Anthony Okoye, has identified trust and integrity as critical success factors in businesses, especially, in an environment where corruption and fraud seem pervasive. Okoye, the Managing Director of the Design Centre who made this remark at the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Global Student Entrepreneurs Award (GSEA) in Lagos, stressed that once an entity lost integrity everything is lost. He said one of the key goals of GSEA is to reward and encourage the enterprise spirit of undergraduate entrepreneurs all over the world. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a global network of more than 10,200 business owners in 42 countries with a combined US$565 billion in annual revenue, converged in Nigeria as its local chapter organized

the EO’s prized learning session and Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) national finals in a two-day seminar that featured Mr. Tonye Cole, Managing Director, Sahara Group and Tony Elumelu with the theme ‘Business Leadership Values in Nigeria’. He said that the primary focus of the EO Leadership Academy was sustained transformational growth, which is achievable when one’s purpose is aligned with action and the human spirit is peaking physically, emotionally and mentally” The GSEA national final in Nigeria produced Prince Joshua Oyeniyi, a student entrepreneur and radio producer/ presenter of the “Ambassador radio show” on the Unilag FM who emerged as the Nigeria representative to the 2015 EO GSEA which comes up in Washington DC later this month. EO GSEA is a premier global competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students who own

and operate businesses. Nominees compete against their peers from around the world for the chance to win capital and in-kind prizes from sponsor organizations. EO GSEA supports student entrepreneurs through mentorship, recognition and connections to take their businesses to the next level of success explained the EO Nigeria President Mr. Anthony Okoye. EO Nigeria GSEA 2015 featured 50 candidates from across the nation. 15 contestants emerged and contested at the national finals where they presented their business models and plans to a 16-man panel of judges made up of global EO officials, Lagos and Abuja Chapters officials as well as respected entrepreneurs. Prince Oyeniyi’s “Ambassadors Radio Show” concept which currently runs on Unilag FM emerged the most exciting of the 15 different presentations by some of the brilliant Nigerian student entrepreneurs.

reye, Prime and Dolu have become the first three contestants to move to the top-12 stage of the on-going Etisalat- sponsored Nigerian Idol season 5. The three contestants, drawn from the first group of 10 of the top-30 contestants, were not only the choices of the voters, but also that of the Judges, who had predicted victory for the contestants before the result was announced by the host of the show, IllRymz. Commenting on the exit of the other seven contestants, Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani said, “It is obvious that Preye, Prime and Dolu stood out among the first group of 10 contestants and the voters and Judges confirmed it.” ‘‘I am also happy with the number of votes we amassed from the audience so far and I am sure that, the voters will make the right decisions this season and crown the best contestant as winner of the Nigerian Idol season 5”. Thani added Reacting to the voting pattern, Dede Mabiaku said the audience was becoming more knowledgeable in music and also rooting for the best talents.

“I am impressed with the outcome of today’s eviction show. It has shown that, our task as Judges on this show is paying off, because the viewers are making the right choices through their votes.” Mabiaku added. Excited over making it to the top- 12, Preye, Prime, and Dolu collectively thanked the viewers and Judges for their votes of confidence, pledging to prove that, they deserve their spots in the show. The first runner-up of the Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol season 2, Joe Anthony Ekpo popularly known as Joe Blue ended the eviction show with the breath-taking performance of Shadrack Nosakhare’s hit song “Always on My Mind”, to the delight of everyone present. The other two groups of 10 contestants will be battling for 6 spots in the top-12, leaving the Judges to decide on three contestants to make it to the wild card show. This season’s winner will go home with N7.5 million cash, a brand new car and a recording deal with Universal Music Company worth N7.5 million, amongst other prizes.

Mercedes, Nissan expand cooperation to build pickup

Oyinkepreye Debora Toun (Preye); Host of the Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol show, Olowu Bardia Adebola (IllRymz); Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu (Dolu); and Ekeoma Victor Chibuzor (Prime) at the first eviction show of the Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol season V at the Dream Studios, Ojodu-Omole, Lagos.

Maltina ‘ll build community happy consumers – Brand Manager DAVID AUDU

ponsor of the 2015 edition of A.Y Live, Maltina, said the ingredients of happiness is key to the success of the brand, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Wole Adedeji, stated during the Special Easter edition of the show which held in Lagos during the Easter period. Adedeji explained that the renewed sponsorship of the show resulted from the dire need to build a larger community of happy consumers. “We are a brand that’s very keen on sharing happiness, just as our brand message emphasizes. For us, a happy consumer base is the real proceed of all our hard work. When

we identify a cause that upholds this, we give it our best support, which is one the reasons we decided to renew our partnership with A.Y Live and we are extremely glad we were able to trigger that innate happiness in every guest present”, he said. The event hosted by Freeze of Cool FM, featured the best of comedy and musical performances from popular entertainers such as Onyeka Onwenu, Awilo, Phyno, I Go Dye, Seyi Law, Ushbebe, Acapella, Shakara, Gordons, Helen Paul, Laffup, Lilkesh, Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello and MC Galaxy among others. Among the major highlights of the event was Maltina’s surprise give away of ten iPhone 6 mobile phones to guests, half way into the show.

Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu-Johnson, one of the lucky winners couldn’t mask her joy when the quote on her Happiness card which was distributed to all guests at the event, was announced as the winning quote. “This is just awesome. I am still very amazed. I had no idea this was going to happen. When it was announced that Maltina will be surprising 10 guests with Iphone 6, you could practically here the mumbling in the crowd. And all of a sudden I hear the quote on my card announced as the winning quote. I’ve had so many wonderful surprises this year and this is certainly one of them. Well done Maltina, this is really remarkable”, she said.

aimler AG on Tuesday said it would expand its cooperation with partner Nissan Motor Co Ltd to develop a mid-sized pickup truck for Mercedes-Benz as the German premium automaker seeks to narrow its sales gap with rival BMW. The new Mercedes-Benz pickup targets commercial and private clients in Europe, Latin America, Australia and South Africa, and will share some of the underpinnings with an all-new Nissan NP300 truck, Daimler and Nissan said in a joint statement. “Entering the rapidly growing

segment of midsize pickups is an important step in continuing our global growth path,” Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said. “Thanks to our well-established partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, we are able to drastically reduce the time and cost to enter this key segment.” Late last month Mercedes announced it will build a mediumsized pickup truck for customers outside North America, entering a new vehicle category which has been dominated by lower-priced brands.

Heineken redefines Party Life of Nigerians

eineken, a stable beer Nigerian Breweries Plc, has said it will continue its mission to redefine the party life of Nigerians with the kick off of the 2015 edition of the ‘Heineken Green Light Party’. The party, a series of premium gig held at different clubs within Lagos, is an offshoot of Heineken’s ‘Dance More Drink Slow’ campaign aimed at encouraging clubbers to drink moderately while still having premium fun. Heineken Green Light party series debuted last year with three international DJs, Benny D, Babey Drew and Tim Westwood teaming up with indigenous DJs, Spinall, Xclusive and Neptune to deliver three nights amazing club experience spiced up with an exciting mix of local and international songs to which guests danced to all

night. The 2015 edition has since kicked off with four-time Grammy winning DJs, Black Chiney. The American-Jamaican DJs played alongside DJ superstar Snoop da Damaja on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Club Quilox, Lagos. Senior Brand Manager, Heineken Ngozi Nkwoji, confirmed that the brand’s decision to start a campaign to advocate for moderate drinking is based on the value placed on the lives of consumers. ‘In this part of the world, it is very unusual to find beer brands advocating for moderation but for a brand like Heineken, it is the right thing to do. We are concerned about responsible living as much as we advise our consumers to have fun. This was what influenced the DMDS campaign’, she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, April 9, 2015

StarTimes enhances digital TV with new channels DAVID AUDU

igital television service provider, Star Times said further enriching its content, enhancing access for viewers, and pushing the boundaries to delight viewers and attract more households. This direction was highlighted as the company made some new strategic announcements on its digital TV offerings recently. StarTimes announced plans to launch five new sought-after channels on its platform and fresh additions across its four bouquets. It also stressed its entry-level TV bouquet called Nova with over 26 channels and a new special offer for all customers. The new channels include, Iroko Play, Iroko Plus, AMC Series, Star Zone and Star Sport Focus. While Star Sport Focus came live in March, other channels will be viewed by customers from May 1.

The company also announced that from May 1, customers across all bouquets will enjoy some fresh additions and improvements with the new and old channels. AMC movies and Wap TV formerly on a higher bouquet called Classic bouquet will now be available and enjoyed by customers on Basic bouquet; the Classic bouquet will now have the new Iroko Play and AMC series; Iroko Plus will also be introduced into Unique bouquet while Star Zone and Star Sport Focus will be available on all four bouquets. Public Relations Manager, Startimes, NTA Star-TV Network, Mr. Israel Bolaji, said the developments and direction are borne out of the company’s desire and commitment to offer value by enhancing access, improving content, further breaking barriers between the people and the platform and deepening digital TV penetration in Nigeria. Our efforts are also geared to-

Sony Mobile to increase global ad campaign DAVID AUDU

wards closing the huge gap between the people and Digital TV switch campaign, by creating a robust and improved digital television experience that is constantly refreshed. Increasingly, more Nigerians can also gain access to an impactful and explosive digital television experience. The spokesperson explains that the company introduces new channels to break the barrier and offer more affordable and efficient services to both existing and potential subscribers, adding that digital TV is not meant for the high and mighty in the society but for all; and as such, affordable service should not be a barrier for all Nigerians. “The increase in the number of relevant channels on our Bouquets was done in a bid to continue to satisfy Nigerians. We work smart to improve the quality and quantity of our services and also whet the appetites of Nigerians towards digital migration with our priceless bundle.

ony Mobile has defiantly declared it is “here to stay” and the company is making a huge outward sign of confidence this month with a global brand campaign, which will have an equivalent marketing spend to the launch of its Z3 handset. That’s significant because it comes just weeks after Sony’s chief executive Kazuo Hirai told the BBC there was “no guarantee” for its mobile or other divisions. In February Sony announced a new corporate strategy that will see it cut spend on mobile devices as part of its efforts to return to profitability. The company posted a full-year net loss of 128.4 billion yen ($1.1 billion) for the year to March 31 2014. But in its most recent quarter, operating profit was 182 billion yen ($1.5 billion), up 2.2 per cent on its previous forecast, as it was boosted by its PlayStation division and its cost-cutting exercise. Speaking with journalists in London last week, Sony Mobile’s marketing director for UK, Ireland, and Benelux Catherine Cherry insisted that “Sony Mobile is here to say, we are absolutely going to focus on delivering profitable growth.” To help achieve that growth, a new global marketing campaign created by advertising agency Adam&EveDDB was launched last week. Cherry said the Z3 is fast becoming its “best selling smartphone ever” but that is not enough to achieve its goals. Internally, Sony Mobile has a new, long-term brand promise and positioning: “We enable you to make

Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Wole Adedeji, Comedian A Y, and Assistant Brand Manager, Maltina during the A Y show sponsored by Maltina during the Easter festities in Lagos.

your every day more extraordinary.” Externally, the company is launching a major campaign that runs across TV, billboards, and digital, which plays around the wording “I can” to show how its smartphones enable consumers to achieve something in their lives. “I can see in the dark,” “I can survive underwater,” “I can see through walls,” “I can shape tomorrow,” “I can silence crowds,” and “I can stay awake for days,” are some of the sentences used by the “real-life Sony fans” that star in the outdoor and TV ads. The wording and imagery is more “exciting and provocative” than previous campaigns, Cherry said, adding that there is an “intentional sense of ambiguity” that will make people read beyond the headlines like “I can stay awake for days” to read on to discover that it means the smartphone has a longer battery life than some competitors. Or that “I can see through walls” refers to its gaming capabilities with PlayStation 4 Remote Play. Cherry said Sony Mobile never reveals media spend, but that it would be “similar to campaigns in the past” and similar to its Z3 launch campaign spend. Sony Mobile still has some way to go to really start competing in the global mobile market in terms of share. It had just a two per cent share of global mobile phone sales in 2014, according to Gartner, and that’s despite the Z3 being on to its way to becoming its best-selling smartphone ever. When looking at worldwide smartphone sales, Sony doesn’t even figure in the top 5 that Gartner provides, and simply falls into the “others” category.

Building a sustainable brand

brand should have some basic attributes that will make it stand out in the market place. The brand needs to be properly defined for the consumers to know what its stands for and what makes it different from the others. It is only a brand that has a significant edge that will stand out in market place. The brand has to be properly defined to remain in business despite intense competition. Some key questions need to be focused on such as what does your brand stand for? What is different about your brand in comparison with others? What is that distinctive value in your brand offerings? When all these questions are answered genuinely, a brand will not only outflank competition but it will also remain formidable in the market. There are several values I have seen in the offerings of Akinwunmi Ambode brand. Regardless of the negative campaigns, I see a brand that is dynamic and vibrant.

Through his record of service, one can see vividly a brand that has remained focused and forward looking. One major platform for any brand to stand out is through customer service. Customer service should move from the realm of the ordinary. Customers need quality attention as they do not want to purchase a product or patronize a service, but are rather moved into buying action because of benefits. Ambode has been able to push service a pedestal upon which his communication campaign is anchored on. I was impressed when I saw a communication campaign board that says ”I am ready to serve you”. The pictures depicted Ambode rolling his sleeves which communicates succinctly to the target audience that he is determined to serve them and serve them well. To remain vibrant and dynamic in the market place, it is important for a brand to leverage its competencies to gain significant advantage.

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com Every brand has its own unique selling proposition and this should be leveraged for impact. For Akinwunmi Ambode, his track records and cerebral endowments stand him out. This is a brand that has put his professional experience and innate potentials into profitable use over the years. Consumers utilize word of mouth as a positive marketing message as a form of interpersonal communication. A positive word of mouth usually translates to a good brand experience for the consumers. The messages are spread by consumers who have made themselves

“brand ambassadors” in order to positively promote the brands. This has also yielded positive results for the Ambode brand. There have been endorsers who spread the +”gospel” of competence and capability on the part of the brand. The slogan now is “Ambo o..’ This to a large extent shows the acceptance of the candidature of Akinwunmi Ambode across the length and breadth of Lagos landscape. Iconic brands inspire an enduring form of affection that the audience would prefer as the Ambode brand has warmed himself into the hearts of the identified audience.

Iconic brands are also instantly recognizable as they have become part of a popular culture. Such brands are easily identified anywhere and this is the case of Akinwunmi Ambode who is a first class scholar and highly rated individual. The vision behind his foundation, La Roche is a strategic blueprint to empower and equip youths to occupy their place in the society. Akinwunmi Ambode has also remained an iconic brand due to the dynamism and vibrancy that he has brought to bear on political communication. He is very proficient in addressing issues at several fora in order to sell his manifesto effectively. Iconic brands exude strong traits that are very impactful. They inspire trust and credibility. Such brands also resonate in very compelling and novel ways such as Akinwunmi Ambode does. It is to his credit that he is building a strong and enduring brand beyond the mundane.

Insight

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Death row convicts lament Save for the trial and conviction of the ‘kid robbers’ by the military regime in the late 1980s, teenagers are not known to be given death sentences in the country until three young men recounted their ordeal recently after they regained their freedom from the hangman’s noose after 17 years on death row. FRANCIS FAMOROTI reports that death sentence remains a divided issue even among lawyers.

National Co-ordinator, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), Mr. Chino Obiagwu and the Executive Programme Director, Mrs. Adaobi Egboka

he case of Nasiru Bello who was wrongfully killed in the 1980s while his appeal was still pending before the Court of Appeal presents one of the many dark sides of the use of death penalty in the country. In criticising Bello’s execution by the Oyo State Government while his appeal was pending, the country’s apex court declared: ‘’The premature killing of Nasiru Bello in the surrounding circumstances of this case was both unlawful and illegal. It was also wrongful in the sense that it was injurious to the rights primarily of Bello to life and secondarily of his dependants who by his death lost their bread-winner.’’ Shortly after Bello’s wrongful killing, there was also the case of 12 under-aged boys who were arrested and convicted for armed robbery by the Lagos Robbery and Firearms Robbery Tribunal in 1990 during the military regime. They were quickly placed on death row but for the intervention of the then State Governor, Sir. Michael Otedola of blessed memory, who pardoned them in 1993. While Bello was unlucky to have been wrongly executed, the ‘12 kid robbers’ were lucky to have been set free by the state government. Similar to the story of the 12 kid robbers is the pathetic accounts of three young lads, Williams Owodo, Christopher Tobi Okoli and Sopuchi Obed, who were teenagers at the time of their arrest and trial. Death sentences were slammed on them but today, they are full of praises to have been freed from condemned cells.

While Bello was unlucky to have been wrongly executed, the ‘12 kid robbers’ were lucky to have been set free by the state government Their release was facilitated through the intervention of a non-government organisation, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) otherwise they might also be possibly executed while their appeals were pending in the higher court. Thus, Owodo, Okoli and Obed are young men who shared a common fate. They were clamped into prison as teenagers; Owodo was 16 years old at the time of his arrest in 1995, Obed was barely 17 years when men of the Igando Police Station apprehended him on September 30, 2004 while Okoli was arrested in June 2000. After being tried for offences such as armed robbery, murder, they were sentenced to death by the trial courts. The young men were again bound in fate when the Court of Appeal adjudged them victims of wrongful convictions. Luckily for them, their sentences were quashed by the appellate court, which made it possible for them to regain their freedom after spending between 11 and 17 years behind the bars. Indeed, the young men escaped the hangman’s noose after LEDAP prosecuted their appeals while in custody. When LEDAP recently launched its ‘Stop Death Penalty Now ‘ campaign, at its new national office in Lagos, it afforded the

group an opportunity to bring to the fore that hundreds of youths are being wrongly jailed on trumped-up charges allegedly made by the police in the country. As the National Coordinator of LEDAP, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, puts it, “Hundreds of prisoners on death rows did not have fair trial and may be innocent.” Pathetic as their plights were, Owodo, said that he regained his freedom recently after spending 17 years, eight months and four days in condemned prisoners’ cell, maintaining that he was wrongly convicted. The case against Owodo was that he was part of a group of young boys who fought and stabbed somebody, who died later. The prosecution contended that he was among eight other boys who were playing cards in Ajegunle neighbourhood but spread dried cassava flour on the nearby street as bait to rob people. The prosecution said these boys had a common intention that anyone who stepped on the cassava would be challenged, providing them the opportunity to rob such a person of his or her property. It was alleged that this scenario made them to rob and kill the deceased. However, Owodo vehemently denied the claim that he was not part of any

robbery gang at the scene. According to the Isoko-born Delta State indigene, ‘’ My problem started in 1995. As a footballer, I went to the field to play football in Ajegunle. In fact, on that day, some of my age mates were gambling within the area and there was a fight between some people and in the process someone died. ‘’The policemen arrived the scene when some of us were leaving the area for our homes and we were arrested. I was taken to Ajeromi Police Station and some our my co-detainees were released on bail, my parents had no money to get me out on bail and the police eventually accused me and some other suspects including my friends of robbing the deceased.‘’ Owodo said he was first taken to Panti Police Station, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, adding, ‘’I was put in German Cell 1. Some of my friends who had earlier been granted bail by the police were re-arrested and brought to the same cell. He said, “The Police tortured me and that made me to have a scare on my forehead. A policeman wrote a statement and asked me to sign, I refused and two policemen hit my head with gun butts. I was made to sign the statement after being beaten with a rod. Owodo was eventually charged with murder at a Lagos High Court and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death on December 5, 2003. But Owodo through LEDAP appealed against the verdict, contending among others, that the trial court erred in law to have relied on the age of the accused Owodo, as at the time of the trial instead of his age as at the time the incident occurred. Having heard the appeal, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, unanimously allowed his appeal, discharged and acquitted him of his conviction and death sentence. Owodo, now 33 was full of praises to God Almighty for using LEDAP to make him escape from the death row. Reliving his experience, he said, “I remember that one prison warder used to call us fowls because we could be executed anytime. The man will say, see these fowls. We in the condemned cell did not like this man until he was transferred from Kirikiri Prison. ‘’The experience there was so terrible that one of our inmates put fumigant used in killing rat into his own food, he ate it and died. I really suffered in condemned cell but I thank God that I am alive to tell you what I went through for a crime I did not commit.” For 26 year-old Sopuchi Obed, his ordeal began at the age of 16 when he was arrested on September 30, 2004 by policemen during a visit to a cyber café’ at Agbara, Badagry Expressway, Lagos , where he went to do internet job. He was later taken to Morogbo Police Station, Badagry expressway. Obed was spending his holidays at his uncle’s house in Lagos when he was arrested. Narrating his story, Obed, who was born on May 23, 1988, said he was a victim of injustice because he was wrongfully tried and convicted. He said after his arrest, he was severely tortured and shot by policemen while in police custody. According to him, ‘’The Police asked me to write a statement on a robbery incident

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, April 9, 2015

miscarriage of justice

The convicts who regained their freedom recently, Owodo, Okoli and Obed.

in the area that I know nothing about. They shot me on my legs because I refused to accept and sign the statement they wrote against me. When my dad came from Abuja and he saw my legs he wept that I could not have been involved in any crime. ‘’The Police kept demanding money from my dad and when he could no longer meet their demand, they transferred my case to the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and for the first time, Oto-Obong Sunday became my case mate. I saw him for the first time in my life at the Police CID. My experience there was horrible; the police killed seven persons in my presence.‘’ Obed, now a Law undergraduate at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said he was later taken to court and remanded in Ikoyi Prisons. He said, ‘’When the torture became harrowing, I started admitting what I did not do in my life. It was then that I agreed to sign their statement and my trial started before Justice Phil Nwaka of the Lagos High Court and later Justice Mojisola Dada.’’ Obed was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery along with Oto-Obong, who he saw for the first time in police custody. At the trial, the state did not call any witness except an Investigating Police Officer (IPO). It was also observed that the faceless complainant that Obed and Oto-Obong allegedly robbed never appeared in court and did not testify at the trial. Despite this, the trial court convicted and sentenced Obed and his co-accused to death. ‘’The judgment was delivered on May 28, 2009 by Justice Mojisola Dada who sentenced me to death for an offence I did not commit. I was taken to Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos and the condition under which I lived there was dehumanising and traumatic. When LEDAP came into my aid and filed an appeal on my behalf, the Court of Appeal set aside my conviction and I was released from prison custody in 2014. ‘’ Obed was convicted on May 28, 2009 and

It was also observed that the faceless complainant that

Obed and Oto-Obong allegedly robbed never appeared in court and did not testify at the trial sentenced to death by a Lagos High Court. But due to LEDAP’s intervention, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, set aside his conviction and sentence. The appellate court found that the evidence of the prosecution witness was mere hearsay and that the vital evidence required to prove the charges was not provided by the prosecution. More so, the Appeal Court held that at the time of the incident, Obed and his co-accused, OtoObong Sunday Edet, were under-aged persons, who ought to have been taken to Juvenile Court rather than a High Court. The appellate court frowned at the failure of the trial court for not making detailed inquiry into the ages of the appellants. Narrating his ordeal, he said, “I don’t pray people I know should undergo what I went through in cell. Each time, the warders opened my cell I used to be afraid that they have come to pick me for execution.” Obed said he spent five years as an awaiting trial inmate and five years after his conviction, totaling 10 years. He added that after the order directing his release in June last year, he spent additional 20 days in prison custody. He however concluded, ‘’I thank God for my release, at present I am a 300 level law student in Open University and I pray I will realise my ambition.’’ Obed’s father, Okpoko, in his reaction maintained that his son was innocent and he had no reason to doubt him, adding that he never got a fair trial.

Christopher Okoli, a former student of Federal Technical College, Ilesha was on death row for eight years before he regained his freedom. In his words, “There was a fight between a guy and me in Ikotun and both of us fell in the gutter. Both of us came out but the other was seriously injured. My brother and I went to the hospital to see the injured guy but when we got there I was not too comfortable so I ran away to my sister’s house. The police came and arrested my parents and later the police arrested me at my sister’s house and I was taken to Shasha Police Station. ‘’ Okoli said he was subsequently moved to State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS and then remanded in Ikoyi Prison.‘’ Okoli was charged with the murder of one Femi Osidele on June 9, 2000 at Ikotun, Lagos State under section 319 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State. At the end of the trial, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji of the Lagos High Court found him guilty as charged on March 31, 2006. He appealed against his conviction and sentence and the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division in its judgment of February 8, 2011 found merit in his appeal, but however, ordered a retrial of the case before another judge of the state high court. His lawyer, Mr. Obiagwu of LEDAP wrote a series of letters to the Attorney-General of Lagos State for his re-trial to commence as ordered by the court without any success. Aggrieved by this unhealthy development after 11 years of imprisonment, Okoli appealed to the Supreme Court on September 9, 2011 and prayed it for a declaration that his continuous detention at Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri, Lagos from February 8, 2011 after the appellate court order constituted a violation of his constitutional rights. He therefore urged the apex court to release him unconditionally from prison custody pending when the state would be ready for his re-trial. The Supreme Court granted his prayer pending his re-trial. Okoli in a chat with National Mirror said, “Death row is a hard place; it’s by grace

Insight

of God that one was able to survive there. I must confess that I am very sacred. It is very traumatic to be on death row alone not to talk of when an execution is mentioned. I really thank God because I used to say he would see me out of the prison one day.” Pastor Ariyo Popoola who runs a Prison Ministry Outreach also confirmed that the young men went through ‘hell’ in prison custody. Obiagwu stated that there were series of convictions based on wrong confessional statements. He said this accounted for why death penalty was being wrongly applied in the country. He renewed LEDAP’s call that death penalty should be abolished in the country. But Chief Yemi Okualaja, SAN, advocated the retention of death penalty in the country’s statute books. He said, “I believe death penalty should still be part of our law. Justice is not a one way traffic. If a man kills and human rights activists are saying he should not be killed. We should look at justice to the victims too.’’ Interestingly, National Mirror sought the views of two other lawyers on the possible remedies available to victims of wrongful convictions. Mr. Ayoola Orobowale said, “It is constitutional for the wrongfully convicted persons to sue the prosecutors, to enforce their fundamental human rights, be it a teenager or an adult who was wrongly convicted.’’ Orobowale added that the convicts should be able to establish their rights against unlawful detention, conviction and even imprisonment. “If any wrong is committed there should be a remedy for it. In a situation where such has never occurred before, since it has been found to be wrong then the court must find one way or the other to redress the wrong,” he added. Mr. Tobi Adeyemi said the conviction of any person wrongfully amounted to a gross breach of the person’s fundamental right to liberty, adding that the law of the country respects the law of liberty which should not be tampered with at any point in time. The attorney said where the person’s liberty is being trampled upon it is expected that such person should fight back by filling necessary papers to challenge his wrongful prosecution and seek for damages. According to him, “When a person is being wrongfully prosecuted and is sentenced to prison, automatically such person has been denied of his liberty and achievement he would have made when he was not in prison.” When asked the implications of wrongful conviction of suspects in the society, Adeyemi, said the person’s image would have been tampered with both locally and internationally. “The conviction may have been reported by the media and with the help of social media the report would have been spread all over the world. So the image of such person has been tampered with, again his liberty has been restricted, above all where such person might want to be in the future has been cut short because his desire has been short lived. ‘’

Cocktail

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Helicopter finds lost cyclist in woods

uthorities in Florida said a cyclist who became lost in the woods was located and rescued with the help of a police helicopter. The Seminole County Sheriff ’s Office said the woman’s husband called 911 when she did not return at the expected time Friday and the SCSO Alert 1 helicopter was dispatched to search for her in the area surrounding the Seminole State Forest bicycle trail near Chul-

uota. The helicopter crew used the vehicle’s loudspeaker to tell the woman to try to shine a light toward the sky so she could be located, and the woman was able to light some brush on fire and wave it toward the chopper, which then spotted the cyclist. The crew was able to direct a ground crew to the woman and she was escorted out of the woods and returned to her family.

Turkish religious body: Toilet paper allowed by Islam

urkey’s top religious authority announced toilet paper use is permissible in Islam, but water is the preferred method of cleansing. The Directorate of Religious Affairs, or Diyanet, issued a fatwa stating water is the preferred method of cleaning oneself after using the commode, but toilet

paper is an acceptable substitute if a water source is unavailable. “If water cannot be found for cleansing, other cleaning materials can be used. Even though some sources deem paper to be unsuitable as a cleaning material, as it is an apparatus for writing, there is no problem in using toilet paper,” Diyanet said in the statement.

Police order suspects to the ground, dog follows suit

razilian police busting an alleged drug dealing ring said they ordered the suspects to the ground and a suspect’s dog laid down to surrender with its owner. Military and civil police raided a home April 2 in Florianopolis and ordered suspected gang members to get down on the ground. Authorities said a dog accompanying the suspects initially barked at police, but laid down on its back when its human accomplices complied with the police’s orders. “The officers had been observing the gang for some time and when they arrested them they recovered a substantial quantity of marijuana and cocaine, as well as weighing scales, guns and ammunition,” police spokesman Filippo Valdez told Central European News. “There was a male dog that was barking

when officers burst onto the scene but when it saw its owners obeying the command to lie down, it ran over and laid down as well.” Two men were arrested in the operation, but the dog was later released from police custody. Police said

money and weapons were seized from the home. Dog trainer Barnie Rico said laying on its back was the dog’s way of showing submission. “By exposing its soft underbelly to any potential attacker it is showing that it doesn’t mean any trouble,”

The dog lying down while copying it’s owner

Rico said. “The dog is also turning its head away as looking at the potential enemy can also be seen as a sign of aggression to another dog. It is clearly a very clever animal because it saw the rest of its pack give in, and decided to copy them.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Index rises 2.2%, AG Leventis leads gainers

rading in equities recorded the second consecutive loss for the week, as some investors took profit from the previous gains. The All Share Index dropped 2.10 per cent to close at 31,744.82 points, compared to the decline of 1.73 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34,941.79 points. Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited attributed the current

bearish trend to profittaking on stocks which recorded major gains during the period of market upturn, earnings releases and dividend declarations. “ We envisage a persistence in this trend for the rest of the week until stocks become relatively cheaper and attractive for position-taking,” the firm said. AG Leventis Plc led the gainers’ table with 12 kobo or 9.68 per cent to

close at N1.36 per share, followed by Costain Plc with six kobo or 7.89 per cent to close at 82kobo per share. Neimeth Plc gained five kobo or 6.41 per cent to close at 83 kobo per share, while Learn Africa Plc rose six kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at N1.44 per share. RT Briscoe Plc appreciated three kobo or 3.80 per cent to close at N82 kobo per share. On the flip side, Oando

Plc shed N1.70 or 9.73 per cent to close at N15.78 per share, while UAC Properties Plc declined 85 kobo or 7.46 per cent to close at N10.55 per share. Wapic Plc lost four kobo or 7.02 per cent to close at 53 kobo per share, while UB Capital Plc fell 10 kobo or 6.85 per cent to close at N1.36 per share. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc was down N1.64 or 5.70 per cent to close at N27.15 per share.

Africa Prudential Registrars asset hits N18bn

frica Prudential Registrars has declared a profit before tax of N1.3bn fro the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of seven per cent from N1.2bn posted in 2013. The company’s profit after tax stood at N1.2bn, from N9m recorded in the corresponding period of 2013, while capital expenditure for the year stood at N25m. According to the result presented to the Nigeri-

an Stock Exchange, total assets stood at N18.9bn, having increased by 15 per cent per cent from N16.4bn in 2013. A statement from the company attributed the increase in revenue by 14% to selective restructuring of core functions, investments and product developments to offer a wider range of products at different prices. The statement quoted the Chairman of the company, Mrs. Eniola

Fadayomi, who spoke at the Annual General Meeting, as saying that the dividend policy aims at rewarding shareholders by increasing their wealth, consistently. She explained that a total dividend of N700m would be paid to shareholders. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ashade, reassured that the company remains true to her goal of becoming the leading and

FBN Holdings post N83bn profit in 2014 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

BN Holdings yesterday announced a profit after tax of N82.8bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 17.3 per cent when compared to N70.6bn recorded in the same period of 2013. The group gross earnings stood at N480.6bn, up 21.3 per cent when compared to N396.2bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the group declared a non-interest income of N111.8bn, up 66.1 per cent from N67.3bn recorded in 2013, 2hile net interest income added 6.0 per cent to N243.9bn in the review period from N230.1bn in 2013. Further analysis showed that other key indices appreciated in value, as impairement charge for credit losses and operating expenses

rose 27.7 per cent and 27.5 per cent to N25.9bn and N236.8bn respectively. On the group balance sheet, total assets appreciated 12.2 per cent to N4.3trn, from N3.9trn in 2013, while customer deposits increased to N3.1trn, up 4.2 per cent from N2.9trn recorded in 2013. Also, customer loans and advances was up 23.2 per cent to N2.2trn, from N1.8trn in 2013, while non-performing ration dropped to 2.9 per cent from 3.0 per cent. Speaking on the result, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Bello Maccido, said that the group recorded a strong financial performance in 2014, in spite of the highly challenging operating environment. He noted that the performance by the banking group is a testament to the underlying strength of commercial banking business which is built on an extensive retail

network and a robust information technology platform. Notwithstanding, he added, the tough operating environment, the Group showed commendable growth across all the key performance indicators buoyed by the complementary performance of non-bank subsidiaries with gross earnings growing by 21.3 per cent to N480.6bn and Profit before tax at N92.9bn. “We remain focused on diversifying our revenue streams through the extraction of value from our recent bank acquisitions, consolidating our position in the investment banking space, especially with the acquisition of Kakawa, and expanding our insurance business scope. “Our investment in technology, human capital and portfolio expansion are beginning to shape the long-term fun-

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,175.24points

dominant provider of share registration services in Africa. “As a result, our focus for the year will be to continue to profitably grow our businesses while providing our clients and stakeholders with appropriate alternative solutions. “We will strive to manage our operating costs by optimizing our processes while concurrently improving the level of service delivery to our clients,” he added.

damentals of the group and will deliver a positive return on investment over the longer term. However, in the short to mediumterm we continue to ensure our business remains as resilient as can be to the shifts in the regulatory and macro-economic environment; shore up our risk management processes; and, drive efficiencies across the group,” he said. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Market capitalisation 11.61trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

AGLEVENT

1.24

1.36

0.12

9.68

COSTAIN

0.76

0.82

0.06

7.89

NEIMETH

0.78

0.83

0.05

6.41

LEARNAFRCA

1.38

1.44

0.06

4.35

RTBRISCOE

0.79

0.82

0.03

3.80

NESTLE

980.00

1,000.03

20.03

2.04

NASCON

7.80

7.90

0.10

1.28

CHAMPION

8.11

8.21

0.10

1.23

VITAFOAM

4.12

4.14

0.02

0.49

DANGFLOUR

4.48

4.50

0.02

0.45

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

OANDO

17.48

CLOSING 15.78

-1.70

-9.73

UAC-PROP

11.40

10.55

-0.85

-7.46

WAPIC

0.57

0.53

-0.04

-7.02

UBCAP

1.46

1.36

-0.10

-6.85

GUARANTY

28.79

27.15

-1.64

-5.70

INTBREW

22.80

21.66

-1.14

-5.00

WAPCO

93.00

88.35

-4.65

-5.00

MOBIL

170.00

161.50

-8.50

-5.00

160.00

152.00

-8.00

-5.00

ZENITHBANK

23.80

22.61

-1.19

-5.00

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.36

98.20

14.52

98.35

14.39

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.05

101.09

14.45

101.24

14.37

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.23

105.09

14.33

105.39

14.24

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.81

108.07

14.47

108.37

14.40

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.93

98.90

14.42

99.20

14.36

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.29 66.50

15.88

66.80

15.81

Closing Market Prices of April 8, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

02-Jul-15

13.58

14.03

WAUA

270

USD

197

01-Oct-15

14.31

15.37

EURO

214

24-Mar-16

13.60

15.64

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

14.1417

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.4987

16.0144

SDR

273

16.8556

NIBOR

The Fixings of April 8, 2015

Capital Market

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at April 8, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Group solicits youth involvement in agriculture Stories : LEONARD OKACHIE

oordinator, Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN), an NGO, Ms Nnaemego Nkiruka, has urged youths to engage in agricultural activities to address the nation’s unemployment challenges. Nkiruka,who stated in Abuja, said the youth would do well in the production of food and livestock for local consumption and export. The coordinator said that most Nigerian farmers were ageing and needed to be replaced with young and vibrant farming groups. She explained that Nigerian youths were energetic, creative and strong enough to tap into the huge job opportunities in the agriculture sector. She said: “Available statistics show that the average age of the Nigerian farmer is from 47 years with an average life expectancy of 50 years. “Although no precise figures are available, there can be no doubt that unemployment among young men and women in Nigeria has reached alarming levels. “The agriculture finance strategy of government needs to be reinvigorated and made more effective and youth-friendly. “The ever growing number of jobless youth, and the desperation that accompanies it, undermines development in the country.” She revealed that the main goal of the NGO was to involve youths in ``a higher path of economic growth and entrepreneurship development. “The NGO is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development and Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) to see that this dream become a reality. “The project plans to establish and promote at least 10,000 youthled farms and agribusinesses across Africa by 2020, as well as highlight the benefits of farming for youth development and sustainable livelihoods.`` She said that the NGO intended to eliminate hunger, create employment, and reduce poverty, food and nutrition insecurity to enable expansion of exports of agricultural commodities. While explaining the benefits of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), Nkiruka said that opportunities were available in the various crop value chains. She added that before ATA, the country had low productivity and was a net importer of food but its agriculture sector was now changing for the better. ``The entry of a large number

Youths at Immigration recruitment exercise in 2014

of young entrepreneurs into the sector will accelerate the pace while a youth-friendly environment is needed to attract them into the sector, `` she said. She urged the government to redouble its effort through the ATA with special focus on removing constraints related to access to credit, land, fertiliser and other inputs. In a related development, the Bauchi State Government said the revival of artifacts and other cultural activities would boost employment among the teeming youths and women across the state. The Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Alhaji Adamu Lassi, who stated this said that the state had lots of cultural en-

dowments and crafts, if harnessed could empower women and youths for economic development. The commissioner said that the ministry officials recently embarked on a tour of the state to meet with tradition leaders. He explained that the meeting was to ensure that cultural heritage as well as arts and crafts was preserved for the future generation. Lassi said that youth participation would also be encouraged to reduce unemployment among the teeming youths and women in the state. “Recently, we went to the various emirate councils in the state to discuss on how to ensure that our youths are engaged in cultural

arts and crafts activities so that they will not fade out,’’ he said. He expressed gratitude to Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi for his support for the ongoing BAFEST in spite of the tight financial situation of the state. The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Mohammed Gamawa, said that BAFEST

would continue to drive marketing of the state’s cultural resources through the use of Information and Communication Technology. He said that the state would explore the various competitive and non-competitive events among children to transmit the cultural heritage of the state.

Entertainers delight guests at AY Live

Guests at AY Live

enowned entertainers, Onyeka Onwenu, Awilo, Phyno, Mc Galaxy, Lilkesh, Sexy Steel, Vector, Korede Bello, I Go Dye, Seyi Law, Akpororo, Gordons, Acapella, Laffup, Mc Shakara, Helen Paul and others joined comedian A.Y and Nigeria’s No 1 malt drink, Maltina to deliver a remarkably exciting special Easter edition of A.Y Live at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event sponsored by Maltina,

was hosted by Freeze of Cool FM and featured the best of comedy and musical performances. According to A.Y, the outing remains one of the best since the history of the event, “When we began planning for this edition we had so much we wanted to achieve and we put in a lot to bring to reality all our ideas. I’m so glad our efforts paid off well and I’m very convinced everyone who came out had a great time. This is just the beginning as

the other editions for the year will even be better” he said. One of the major highlights of the event was Maltina’s surprise give away of 10 iPhone 6 mobile phones to guests, half way into the show. Toyin Aimakhu-Johnson one of the lucky winners was more than excited when the quote on her Happiness card which was distributed to all guests at the event, was announced as the winning quote. “This is just awesome. I am still very amazed. I had no idea this was going to happen. When they came up to say Maltina will be surprising 10 guests with Iphone 6, you could practically hear the mumbling in the crowd. And all of a sudden I hear the quote on my card announced as the winning quote. I’ve had so many wonderful surprises this year and this is certainly one of them. Well done Maltina, this is really remarkable”, she

said. Speaking on the reason behind the surprise gifts, the senior brand manager, Adewole Adedeji said the brand wanted to share happiness with guests in a way that will trigger real excitement they won’t forget in a while and we felt this was the best ways to do that. “We love to see our consumers happy, that’s the core message of the Maltina brand, “Sharing Happiness”, which is one of the reasons we decided to renew our partnership with AY Live. Happiness and pure excitement is the real proceed for all the hard work we put into the brand and we are glad we did this during the show”, he said. The AY Live series will continue with the Port Harcourt and Abuja legs billed to hold later in the year and Maltina promises nothing short of an experience as memorable as the Lagos edition.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youths advised to regard cooking as business Stories : LEONARD OKACHIE

ouths have been advised to regard cooking as a lucrative business that should not be done just for pleasure. Mr. Daniel Okiodike of Dechef ’s Kitchen who gave this advice in Abuja said that irrespective of gender, youths seeking employment and had very good culinary skills could be self employed. He said this at the third edition of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), FCT 1 Cooking Competition. Okiodike, three-time winner of the national cooking competition, added that culinary skills were a form of youth empowerment. He said it was important especially for the young ladies about to be married to know the right blends of food to feed their families with. He said: “This has become necessary in order to give them a balanced diet for healthier living. Food is very important to

human existence and it is something we cannot do without, so you must know how to cook. “Once you know how to cook very good delicacies, you’ll see that you can even turn it into a very good business and be self employed.’’ Organiser of the competition, Pastor Godwin Idoje of Offspring of David Parish of the church, said it was worrisome that many youths in this modern age especially young women don’t know how to cook. He said the competition was born out of a need to ensure that upon marriage, families were given properly cooked and balanced meals. Idoje said: “We believe that the ability to cook well will contribute to the well being of the family. More so, good meals at home would prevent people from eating bad or contaminated meals outside and children would be well nourished. “This competition was born out of concern based on the trends of events noticed

Cooking competition

among our youths. “We had a programme once and youths were asked to prepare food for themselves and one extra person but lo and behold we discovered that some of the foods prepared by our singles were not palatable.

“So instead of just telling them that their meals were not delicious, we decided to make them know the importance of knowing how to cook quality homemade meals for their families before going into marriage.’’

Mothers’ education significant to children’s academic success –Study

andra Tang, a U-M psychology research fellow and the study’s lead author, said children of mothers 19 and older usually enter kindergarten with higher levels of achievement. These kids continue to excel in math and reading at higher levels through eighth grade when compared to children of mothers 18 and younger. “These results provide compelling evidence that having a child during adolescence has enduring negative consequences for the achievement of the next generation,” Tang said. The negative consequences of teen mothers not only affect the child born when the mother was an adolescent, but they affect the mother’s subsequent children as well.

Pamela Davis-Kean, associate professor of psychology and a research associate professor at the Institute for Social Research and Center for Human Growth and Development, said the findings present good news and bad news. The good news is that the children of teen mothers who continue their education after having children do better academically than children of teen moms who did not continue, she said. “However, these children--and other children born to the mother when she wasn’t an adolescent--never catch up in achievement across time to children whose mothers had them after completing their education,” Davis-Kean said. “This group continues to carry a risk for lower achievement.”

The study’s data was taken from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, a nationally representative sample of children who were first assessed upon entering kindergarten in 1998 and were interviewed through spring 2007. In 14,279 cases, the children’s math and reading scores were collected in third, fifth and eighth grades. Researchers used this data to compare achievement trajectories (kindergarten through eighth grade) of children born either to teen moms (18 or younger) or to adult mothers (19 and older) at the birth of their first child. The analyses took into account mothers’ educational expectations for their children, the home environment and other characteristics, such as household income, that may influence children’s

achievement. Trends indicate that mothers who give birth during adolescence have much lower rates of high school completion and college enrollment in comparison to their counterparts who delay pregnancy. Given that growth in achievement generally stays the same across time for math and reading for all children in the sample, these patterns highlight the importance of investing in early interventions that target adolescent mothers and provide them with the skills needed to promote their children’s learning, Tang said. The findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Research on Adolescence. Source: University of Michigan

Science for Kids

What causes bedwetting and how is it treated?

children

hat is Enuresis (bedwetting)?

Alex falls into an extremely deep sleep almost every night. He sleeps so soundly that you could set off a fire alarm next to his bed and he probably wouldn’t hear it. Even having to pee doesn’t wake him up, so Alex sometimes wets the bed. He feels embarrassed, but isn’t alone — this problem affects about 1-2 out of every 100 teens. The medical name for not being able to control your pee is enuresis (pronounced: en-yuh-ree-sis). Sometimes enuresis is also called involuntary urination. Nocturnal enuresis is involuntary urination that occurs

at night. (Involuntary urination that happens during the day is known as diurnal enuresis.) There are two kinds of enuresis: primary and secondary. Someone with primary nocturnal enuresis has wet the bed since he or she was a baby. Secondary enuresis is a condition that develops at least 6 months — or even several years — after a person has learned to control his or her bladder. The bladder is a muscular receptacle, or holding container, for pee (urine). It expands (gets bigger) as urine enters and then contracts (gets smaller) to push the urine out. In a person with normal bladder control, nerves in the bladder wall send a message to the brain when the bladder is full; the brain then sends a message back to the bladder to keep it from automatically emptying until the person is ready to go to the bathroom. But people with nocturnal enuresis have a problem that causes them to pee involuntarily at night What causes Enuresis? Doctors don’t always know the exact cause of nocturnal enuresis. They do have some theories, though, on what may contribute to someone developing the condition: •Hormonal problems. A hormone called

antidiuretic hormone, or ADH, causes the body to produce less urine at night. But some people’s bodies don’t make enough ADH, which means their bodies may produce too much urine while they’re sleeping. •Bladder problems. In some people with enuresis, too many muscle spasms can prevent the bladder from holding a normal amount of urine. Some teens and adults also have relatively small bladders that can’t hold a large volume of urine. •Genetics. Teens with enuresis often have a parent who had the same problem at about the same age. Scientists have identified specific genes that cause enuresis. •Sleep problems. Some teens may sleep so deeply that they don’t wake up when they need to pee •Medical conditions. Medical conditions that can trigger secondary enuresis include diabetes, constipation, and urinary tract infections. Spinal cord trauma, such as severe stretching of the spinal cord resulting from a fall, sports injury, auto accident, or other event may also play a role in enuresis, although this is rare. •Psychological problems. Some experts believe that stress can be associated with en-

uresis. It’s not uncommon to feel stressed out during the teenage years, and things such as divorce, the death of a friend or family member, a move to a new town and adapting to a new school and social environment, or family tension can all feel overwhelming. Doctors don’t know exactly why, but more than twice as many guys as girls have enuresis. It is frequently seen in combination with ADHD. How is Enuresis diagnosed? If you’re having trouble controlling your urine at night, talk to your doctor to learn more about nocturnal enuresis and to rule out the possibility of a medical problem. In addition to doing a physical examination, the doctor will ask you about any concerns and symptoms you have, your past health, your family’s health, any medications you’re taking, any allergies you may have, and other issues. This is called the medical history. He or she may ask about sleep patterns, bowel habits, and urinary symptoms (such as an urge to pee a lot or pain or burning when you pee). Your doctor may also discuss any stressful situations that could be contributing to the problem. - Kidshealth

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Journalists urged to observe safety tips on Election Day

...collaborate with electoral officers Stories: LEONARD OKACHIE

head of the Governorship and State Assembly elections on April 11, 2015, journalists reporting elections have been urged to build cordial relationship with electoral officers and security agencies and observe safety rules cum tips on Election Day. The media has also been charged to ensure fair and balanced reporting of the elections and adhere strictly to the media code of election coverage. These were part of the recommendations at one-day multi-stakeholders’ parley on ensuring credible and violence free state-level election in Lagos State, which was held recently at Women Development Centre, near Pen Cinema, Agege. The multi-stakeholders’ parley was organized by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria under an election and democratic governance project tagged: Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement in Electoral Processes (SCEEP) being implemented across ten (10) States by ACTIONAID Nigeria, funded by UKAID through The Department for International Development (DFID). About 140 persons including representatives of the Media, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Disability groups, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Religious groups, Youth associations, Women groups, Security Agencies, Student groups and other institutional stakeholders were in attendance. Welcome remarks and goodwill messages were delivered by Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade ; Governance Advisor, ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Kenneth Okoinneme, and representative of DFID Mr. Damilare Babalola . Institutional stakeholders that addressed the parley on issues relating to achieving credible and violence free elections at the event were Director, National Orientation Agency – Lagos, Mr. Waheed Ishola; Area Commander, Ogba representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, ACP Edward Egbuka; Coordinator, Democracy Vanguard, Mr. Adeola Soetan and, a legal practitioner and member of African Women Lawyers Association, Mrs. Nihinlola Aluko-olokun. The core objectives of the parley was to build consensus amongst the various stakeholders; the electoral management body, the security forces, the political parties and representatives of the media, civil society, youth groups, religious groups and the electorate in ensuring that the April 11, 2015 state level elections in Lagos is credible and violence free. The parley observed that the introduction of Permanent Voter Card and the Card Reader by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) helped to curb

multiple voting and ensured that the Presidential and National Assembly Polls were free, fair and credible. Following the presentations by the institutional stakeholders, there was a plenary session where other stakeholders from representatives of the civil society platforms at the parley engaged in robust interactive discussions as well as questions and answers on varying perspectives around the objectives of the parley. It however recommended that INEC should investigate alleged cases of underage voters and prosecute all electoral offenders found culpable as well as ensure that voting materials get to polling units on time and resolve cases of inadequacies ahead the April 11 state-level elections. It also observed that some journalists were hindered by the Police from carrying out their duties on Election Day and some were assaulted and detained by security agencies in some parts of the country. Disturbed by this development, the parley urged the Police to accord regard to journalists on Election Day and work with them as partners even as it asked them to

Participants at a multi-satakeholders’ parley in Lagos, recently

investigate allegations of electoral offence levelled against their members and sanction erring officers. The immediate concession of defeat by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, the parley equally observed helped in dousing tension and curbing possible break out of violence following the announcement of results by INEC. It urged CSOs step up voter education campaigns among the electorate as well

as encourage international development agencies to give more support to programmes that will consolidate democratic governance and build citizen participation in governance and electoral process. The parley advised the electorate to conduct themselves in an orderly manner at the polling unit and adhere to all rules and processes related to voting, even as it cautioned them to safeguard their PVCs, vote on Election Day and ensure their votes are counted.

TW Magazine hosts bank CEO

eading women from diverse spheres of life ranging from banking, fashion, media, and hospitality gathered to inspire and celebrate one another, as lifestyle publication tailored for the African woman – Todays Woman Magazine, hosted the Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola . Held at the serene ambience of the Clear Essence Spa, Ikoyi, the event tagged “TW Presents-Brunch Series with Bola Adesola” was an avenue for women to not only network and inspire one another but also to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of the guest of the day. Adesola is woman who has been described as an “Amazon in the Banking Sector” with the strides she has achieved in positioning the bank as a major player in the banking industry. The dialogue styled interview session conducted by the host, Adesuwa Onyenokwe witnessed the guest of honour Bola Adesola embark on a no hold barred interaction with the audience. Discussing on topics ranging from career choices, parenting, financial independence, how the issue of feminism is being misconstrued among other topical issues facing women. On the way forward for the nation she said, “I hope and look forward to a country that will be devoid of the scarcity mentality.”

On success tips for the audience she stated that, “Purposefulness, Planning, making bold decisions ,one’s ability to say NO and the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate one another were the keys to living a successful and inspiring life.” It was not just a remarkable session of knowledge sharing and networking, but also one of music and loads of fun as Ebele the Flutist and Steve the Saxophonist provided some smooth tunes to the listening pleasure of guests in attendance. There was also a brief fashion show of ladies clad in Vlisco fabric. The “TW presents Brunch Series” is an inspirational quarterly brunch event celebrating female icons, whom with

honesty, dedication, hard work and consistency have established a standard for others to follow in their different endeavours. The Brunch series has over time hosted the likes of Forbes Richest Black Woman; Folorunsho Alakija, Commissioner for Information, Rivers State Ibim Semenitari, former member House of Representative and Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senator Florence Ita Giwa(OON) . Hosted by Tobi Olanihun the event was put together by TW Magazine in partnership with WOWConnect, Vlisco, Standard Chartered and sponsored by Etisalat.

L-R:CEO, WOWConnect, Tobi Olanihun;MD, Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola and TW Publisher, Adesuwa Oyenokwe

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Elders beg Chime for Daily Star ... as Spotter Magazine debuts

Dennis Agbo ENUGU

ome concerned elders in Enugu State have made passionate appeal to Governor Sullivan Chime to salvage eastern Nigeria media flagship, Daily Star newspapers and its employees. In a letter to Governor Chime, the elders said they were deeply touched by the plight of the Daily Star workers and the close to zero funding of the newspaper and urged Chime’s urgent intervention. Coordinator of the concerned elders forum, Chief E.A. Akubue, pleaded with Governor Chime that sufficient funds be approved to settle the workers arrears of salaries, promotions, allowances and also to equip the establishment with modern facilities, gadgets, operational vehicles to encourage regular newspa-

per production and projection of government policies and programmes. Akubue said: “We gathered that the media workers do not enjoy their full salaries for many years now, their promotions have not attracted value since 2007 due to poor subvention. The arrears of salaries allegedly owed these staff are unbelievable; workers are yet to benefit from the minimum wage since 2011. “The affected staff have not received any leave allowance since 1996, while retirees of the establishment do not receive more than N13,000.00 as pension monthly including a former Managing Director who retired at grade level 17. “Equally worrisome is that the Chief Executive of the newspaper has been sighted on many occasions jumping into taxi cabs or keke to coordinate his official functions due to lack of functional vehicles. This in our view does not give government that is working hard any

Media Abroad

It’s okay to serve divorce papers via Facebook –Judge

t’s unlikely divorce papers are what CEO Mark Zuckerberg had in mind when he wanted Facebook to connect the world.— Associated PressDefriending apparently isn’t the harshest blow that can be dealt on Facebook. A New York judge ruled that divorce papers can be served through a Facebook message. The ruling by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper allows a lawyer for 26-year-old nurse Ellanora Baidoo to serve the divorce summons to Victor Sena BloodDzraku through a private message from her Facebook account, the New York Daily News reported Monday. Blood-Dzraku is apparently hard to get a hold of. When he spoke to his wife, it was through a phone call or on Facebook, the Daily News said. A private investigator apparently couldn’t deliver the paperwork. An attempt was made, but Blood-Dzraku hasn’t respond, Baidoo’s lawyer said. NPR tracked down the March 27 decision, which says an in-person delivery is still the option of first resort. But electronic communication isn’t off the table. Here’s some rationale: “The past decade has also seen the advent and ascendancy of social media, with websites such as Facebook and Twitter occupying a central place in the lives of so many people. Thus, it would appear that the next frontier in the developing law of the service of process over the internet is the use of social media sites as forums through which a summons can be delivered,” the judge wrote in his decision. The judge conceded in the ruling that delivering via Facebook is novel and nontraditional, but that in the end it achieves its purpose: The defendant has a right to know he is being sued, and it gets the job done in delivering the summons. The decision is “revolutionary,” said Sey-

mour J. Reisman, who practices matrimonial law at Reisman, Peirez, Reisman and Capobinco in Garden City, N.Y. “Once you stop and think about it, it’s really the right thing.” Previously, if you couldn’t find a defendant, you had to leave the notice at a last-known address or publish it in a newspaper, and there was no guarantee the defendant would know about it, Reisman said. He said he isn’t aware of any case previously in which a defendant had been served papers in email. According to the Slate, serving legal documents through Facebook isn’t new. A New York family court in September said a man could send his ex-wife a child-support notice using the social network, the website said Wall Street Journal -

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg

positive image.” The elders noted that despite the unfavourable condition, the workers have been struggling to ensure that the Daily Star newspaper appear on the newsstand periodic a l l y, in a bid t o highlight activities of the governSpotter Magazine cover ment. Meanwhile, newsstands across the globe were last weekend enriched with Spotter magazine, a spotter of events in a mosaic of colours and savoury journalistic etiquette. It was endorsed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, represented by the national vice president of the union in the South East, Mr. Chris Isiguzo. The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Globe Link Group, publishers of magazine, Mr. Stan Ani, said the magazine

tion to society and pledged to maintain the stable. The magazine spots events and celebrations, promising to bring to the fore peoples impact and contributions to humanity. Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Festus Nwatu, said the focus of the medium is in-depth discourse of issues in the society, people, life styles, business, technology and gadgets, showbiz and celebrities as well as politics. The editor also said there will be lots of tit-bits and snippets on health and fitness, fashion, gossips and sports. “With a copy of SPOTTER MAGAZINE in your hands, you’ve transversed the networks,” said Nwatu.

Military told to be media-friendly

etired army officer, Brig.-Gen. Godwin Ugbo, has advised the Nigerian Army to be media-friendly so as to foster national peace and security for development. Ugbo gave the advice while speaking at the 3rd Media Workshop for officers of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Commanding Officers and Defence Correspondents in Lagos. The four-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and information (NASPRI) has the theme, “Military/Media Relations: A Panacea for National Peace and Security’’. Ugbo, a former Director of Defence Information at NASPRI, spoke on “Handling Press Conferences and Interviews in Theatre of Operations’’. He said that being media-friendly would also help to portray the good image of the military. “Granting press interviews and organising press conferences help in portraying the good image of the army. The aims of press conferences and talking to journalists is to clear any doubts on issues. This

ISIS launches English Language radio bulletins

he Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group has launched Englishlanguage radio news bulletins on its al-Bayan radio network. The militant group’s English bulletin, launched Tuesday and promoted via Twitter, accompanies Arabic and Russian bulletins already airing on the network. The first bulletin, which provided an overview of their activities in Iraq, Syria and Libya, discussed a range of topics in-

was born out of 37 years of quest for contrib u -

cluding the alleged death of an ISIS commander in the Yarmouk refugee camp in the Syrian capital, Damascus, a suicide bombing in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk and mortar attacks on militias in Sirte, Libya. The ISIS militants hold territory in a third of Iraq and Syria and are becoming increasingly active in Libya. The group also publishes a monthly online Englishlanguage magazine, Dabiq, with religious lessons, plus news about its activities. - Al Arabiya News

is to make sure journalists don’t publish stories that are false,’’ he said. He continued: “The tools for public relations are so many. So, study them and make sure you use the ones you are to use and don’t use the ones you are not supposed to use.’’ He also advised the Army to be accurate and polite in responding to questions, urging them to avoid ``critical or multiple bad questions’’. ``Be simple in answering questions and also give straight answers to questions. You also have to be sure of what you are saying and have a copy of your press briefing in case of doubts,’’ he said. Ugbo warned the officers against talking carelessly and to be mindful of what they post online, even as he added that press conferences could be organised both at peace and war times. To the journalists, he said that a formal invitation should be made to the interviewee, whenever an interview was to be conducted. “A journalist must send a questionnaire to the interviewee and also must send a formal invitation for an interview,’’ he added. Contributing, retired Brig.-Gen. Ganiyu Adewale, advised the military to be proactive in dealing with the media with the aim of portraying the good image of the Nigerian Army. He commended the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) for the workshop. Adewale, also a retired Director of Defence Information at NASPRI, said the workshop would educate the participants and the journalists on how to carry on with their duties.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S Shoppers’ D Guide

here has been increase in commercial activities on Broad Street as marketers have started recording improved sales after the presidential election, which had earlier kept buying and selling activities at low ebb in the market. Prior to the March 28 presidential elections, marketers including shop owners and the street hawkers, had complained bitterly about low patronage of their products. The situation no doubt, affected trade and commercial activities, it also affected the livelihood of most people especially the street hawkers, who depended on their daily sales for their livings. Most of the marketers had associated the unfavourable commercial lull to the uncertainty surrounding political situation, whereby everybody is afraid of what may becomes of the country in the post-election period. Others attributed it to the persistent naira devaluation, which has led to the increase in prices of major goods while consumers’ incomes remain stagnant, thereby limiting their purchasing power. However, business activities in the market seem to have picked up after the election as traders are now experiencing the usual hustling and bursting of the market due to improved sales. Meanwhile, not all prod-

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Post-election sales: Traders smile again

Easter shopper in Lagos.

ucts in the market are experiencing boom in sales. Some traders who specialised in products like foods and soft drinks told BSD that the sales have remained stagnant. According to them, the political activities might not have been responsible for

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

the low sales, but reducing consumers’ purchasing powers. On the other hand, wine dealers at Apogbon markets told our correspondent yesterday, that they had started making more sales unlike pre- election period. One of the deal-

ers, Mrs. Bose Adeeko said the Easter festival has aided their sales as liquor sellers recorded more patronage during the period. She said although the sales had not been momentous as they had wished, they were optimistic that the situation would improved

more after the gubernatorial elections. She therefore appealed to the electorate to make the elections as peaceful as that of presidential. Likewise, the designer clothes dealers along Broad Street, Lagos, relayed the same positive sales story. Mrs. Victoria Lencarl, Man-

Making your choice at Breadfruit perfume market

ere on Broad Street at Lagos Island, National Mirror discovered perfume shops where the big supermarkets and ,major shops and other cities in the country buy their designer perfumes at a very low price. The shop owners, import directly from the manufacturers in Europe and sell at whole sale prices to retailers. For this edition, we have M.Buchy Perfume Limited, located at Breadfruit Street, Apongbon, Lagos Island. The CEO, Mr. Marcel Onyebuchi, has been in the business for 13 years. His shops are stocked with only the best from US and France such as Armani, Paco Rabbane, Terre D’harmes, 212 NYC, 212 VIP, Amouage , Creed Aventus, Polo, Ara-

bian night, Christian Dior, Tom Ford, Gabrielle Chanel, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, YSL, Ferragamo, Escada, Moschino, Givenchy and Hugo Boss. Naturally, Mr. Onyebuchi has become an authority on perfumes, offering his customers useful tips not only on the use of perfumes and the business in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. “These days, people go to Dubai and China and

buy fake perfumes and you can hardly tell the difference because the packages look alike. The only way to tell if it’s original is to open it and splash on your skin. If it’s original, you will see the oil on your skin. “Any original perfume contains more of oil, unlike the fake which has more of water base. Another way to know the original perfumes is through the seal. Every original perfume has a back code and here at M.Buchy, we

have a computer that we use to check and confirm all the codes.” Onyebuchi says people no longer have to travel abroad in search of exclusive perfumes. They only need to visit Broad Street to discover this. “Time has passed when people wear identifiable fragrances. These days’ people go for exclusive perfumes with fragrances that are exceptionally unique. The exclusives are very expensive but they last for days. “Some of the ones we have are Oscent, Montale, Tiziana Terenzi, Alexandre J, Armani/prive, Amounge, Opius VII, Journey. Aside from exclusive we have designers such as 1Million, Paco Rabbane, Terre D’harmes, 212 NYC and others. Again, any

‘Oud’ cologne is in vogue because it stays all days and has an extra strength.” So, how do you know the right perfume to wear for an occasion? Onyebuchi has the answer: “It depends on the time of the day. For the day time, perfumes with harsh fragrance such as 212, D’Harmes, are preferable because of the heat and the weather. For the night, mild perfumes like Calvein Klien, Ferragamo, is preferable. We also have perfumes that are good for both day and night such as Ralph Laurens. What is exclusive about M.Buchy Perfume is the fact that we stock 100% original perfume and we have exclusive gift sets,’ he says.

– Franka Osakwe

aging Director of Lencarl Fashion, affirmed that their market had recorded more sales after the presidential election. She also said that the increament in the sales was insignificant compared to what they normally recorded before the electioneering campaign started. To her, the election activities were responsible for the low patronage of most products in the market as commercial activities were put on hold due to the anxiety on the part of the consumers. She added that naira devaluation had also been a contributing factor to the dormant commercial activities experienced in major Nigerian markets. She explained that most of the goods traded in Nigerian markets are imported. Their prices have gone up beyond the purchasing powers of most consumers. She also canvassed for hitch-free gubernatorial elections as she was of high expectation that commercial activities would once again peak if the elections are conducted peacefully.

–Abolaji Adebayo

Broad Street Diary

s a Central Business District, CBD, Broad Street was meant to serve as the financial hub of Nigeria’s commercial capital as obtained in other business-oriented countries around the world that uses such centres to showcase their economies to others. Other centres in the world that share the same nature and character with Broad Street, Lagos are Broadway, a thoroughfare in New York City, which has become the entertainment capital of the United States. In London, there exist other Broad Streets in Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Reading, all in Britain. Reports have it that the Broad Street in Philadelphia, USA serve as a major arterial street and enhances the tourism strength of the United States, where despite having been in existence for many decades, still serves as the home to its cultural landmarks, and hence is called Avenue of the Arts. However, today, unlike other economies which major business districts have grown in leaps and bounds as what obtains in Dubai in the United Arab Emirate, Wall Street in the New York City, and even the CBD in neighbouring Benin Republic. Sadly, the same cannot be said of Broad Street, Lagos as it seems to have changed dramatically from original plan. Aside the dearth of major business transactions on the street, the thriving businesses on Broad Street these days are petty trading, which has taken over the nooks and crannies of the street, notwithstanding the determination of Governor Babatunde Fashola administration to rid the CBD of hawkers and sellers of all kinds of wares and commercial bus drivers that have turned most parts of the area to motor parks. More worrisome is the fact that adjourning streets like Martins Street, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Apongbon Street, Idumagbo Avenue, Campbell Street, Breadfruit Street, Tinubu Street, Abibu Oki Street, Oke Olowogbowo Street , Davis Street, Adeniji Street, Church Street, Docemo Street, Odunlami Street, Iga Idungaran Street, Ereko Street, Kakawa Street, Balogun Street, Campos Street and places like Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge which ordinary would have

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Broad Street turning to Oshodi of old

given Broad Street the needed impetus of being a world- class business district has been turned into residential enclave for all kinds of shady characters. The irony of it all is that, to a new comer, there may not be anything unique to him, other than the daily hustling and bustling which has become part of life in Lagos and for an average passer-by, the street does not make much difference than other streets he is familiar with in Lagos, especially on the island. However, in an effort to bring sanity back to this business district, the state government established the Lagos Central Business District, CBD, Task Force to regulate the dayto- day activities of the traders and motorists, aimed at creating an enabling environment for corporate businesses to thrive. The task force saddled with the responsibility of checking the activities of touts and other hoodlums in the CBD, however, has jettisoned the purpose for which it was established. The task force personnel have become law unto themselves by brazenly demanding bribes from commercial vehicle drivers and itinerant traders. It is this lack of focus that has emboldens all manner of motorists and petty traders who block Broad Street daily and cause interminable traffic gridlock. Chisom Amadi, a fruit seller on the street for about 15 years, said Broad Street had since lost its glory as it used to be, due to lack of organisation and control of traders and the complete takeover of the road by commercial buses drivers who have turned most part of it to motor parks. He said that in the good old days of Broad Street, there was always government special monitoring group that keep close watch on every business activities going on there unlike now when artisan has take over every place in the vicinity. According to him, street traders were constantly harassed, victimised and arrested by the state law enforcement agents particularly, the Central Business District, CBD, enforcement agents for selling or displaying their goods on the road. “One day, a driver packed his vehicle, obstructing other motorists and this attracted the attention of an officer, and in trying to

arrest the driver, immediately deflated the bus tyres. “I was surprised at this because I was at lost trying to know how the vehicle would be taken off the road when the tyres have been deflated. In fact, long traffic was already building due to this act. After about an hour, the driver ended up giving the CBD personnel N3, 000 before he was allowed to go. I never expected an official working for a government agency would brazenly demand for a bribe in full public glare, she narrated. Another jeans trader in Balogun, who gave his name simply as Austin, said the officials of the task force had become a torn in the flesh of all the traders in the market. He alleged that the task force officials seem to derive pleasure in harassing and arresting people indiscriminately based on the gratification they seek. “Apart from the shop owners, the CBD task forces, on daily basis harass and extort money from the traders and motorists alike. As a matter of fact, their target in the market is to make money and not to do anything contrary to this,” he alleged. Emeka a man who sells Nigerian and Foreign films in his own submission said: “Here, each of us contributes N500 every week to the CBD people”. He said the money is given as bribes to the officials monitoring the area, as they are assigned to different spots in the market. “Once you have paid, they will not harass you but would tell you to be on the lookout for their patrol teams as they could swoop on the place any time to

confiscate wares and carry them to their office, but when you do not comply they won’t allow you to display your wares,” he added. Segun Tella, a commercial bus driver plying CMS- Orile route, claimed that without bribing the CBD task force officials, they always get arrested on flimsy excuses, while their vehicles are impounded and taken to their office where a bigger bribe would be demanded. “It is better to settle them on Broad Street than for them to take you to their office. When you pay some bribes, you save yourself much pains and hassles of being detained for hours on end”, he said.

Dare Akogun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, April 9, 2015

South South PFN assures Buhari of support Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

ational Vice Chairman, South South Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Simon Okah, has assured Nigeria’s president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, of Christians’ support from the region. Bishop Okah in a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State, congratulated

Nigerians for a peaceful exercise, urging everyone to accept the result as the will of God for the country and work towards moving the country forward. The cleric, who is founder and Senior Pastor of Flock of Christ Mission, with headquarters in Warri, congratulated Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the outcome of the poll. The statement reads: “We thank God that the

presidential election has been held successfully, the result is out and the nation is at peace. Let’s congratulate ourselves and give glory to God. We congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari, president-elect, and President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the result in good faith. “My appeal to all Nigerians now, particularly the people of Niger Delta, is to maintain peace. Let’s follow the good example

of President Goodluck Jonathan. Let’s accept and co-operate with the new administration and accept the will of God as Christians and law-abiding citizens of our country.” On governorship and House of Assembly election on Saturday, Bishop Okah called on the people of the region to eschew violence and vote for credible candidates that would build on the achievements already on ground in the South-South states.

Rivers PDP protests plot to rig polls Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

undred of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members and supporters in Rivers State on Wednesday took to the streets, alleging that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was plotting to manipulate the April 11 election in the state. The protesters further alleged that Governor Rotimi Amaechi in collaboration with national leadership of the APC intends to carry out this plot at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The protesters, who marched through several streets of Port Harcourt, terminated their peaceful march at the INEC office on Aba Road. The protesters, including politicians, who displayed placards that read: “Rivers State is not for sale, ‘Rivers is for PDP’, Jega don’t

be deceived by Amaechi’s tricks, we need free and fair election’, and ‘Jega don’t send Amaechi’s stooge to conduct election in Rivers State’. Among the protesters were Senators-elect, members of the House of Representatives, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, youth groups, market women, student bodies, non-indigenes and leaders of PDP in Rivers State. Addressing the gathering at INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Betty Apiafi, said the future of Rivers State cannot be determined by people who have seized the revenue of the state. Addressing the protesters, Rivers State INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr R. Obiju, assured that the election would be free and fair, even as he commended their peaceful conduct during the protest.

Land grab: Akwa Ibom community petitions Jonathan Eno-Obong Michael UYO

L-R: Air Cmdr. O R Philip; APC Rivers State Governorship Candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside; State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hassan Karma; PDP Governorship Candidate, Mr. Nyesom Wike; his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo; Brig. Gen. Koko Essien and Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, during a peace accord meeting, at State Police Command, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Delta poll: Ijaw want Assembly Speakership … rally support for APC Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

head of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly election, the Ijaw in Delta State have declared support for the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor. According to them, an APC government would afford the people of Ijaw control of the legislature by grabbing the speakership slot in the next administration. Prince Collins Eselemo, a former governorship candidate and grand patron of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, said this when he led a delegation of Ijaw leaders on a

courtesy visit to Chief Tuesday Onoge’s Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, in Ekpan, Uvwie Council Area of the state. Eselemo asserted that the wind of change blowing across the country through the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as President-elect demanded that the state should not

be left out in the country’s mainstream politics. He said the Ijaw were fully mobilised to vote enmass for Emerhor and all APC assembly candidates come Saturday, charging the Urhobo, where Emerhor hails from, not to let other zones down by mending fences and ensuring that Urhobo with their

majority votes present and support only Emerhor for the governorship election on Saturday. The Ijaw leader described Emerhor as the most qualified and accomplished candidate to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan among the crop of candidates for the governorship election in the state.

Delta PRP backs PDP governorship candidate Amour Udemude ASABA

arely 48 hours to the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly election, Delta State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, has adopted the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen-

ator Ifeanyi Okowa. Rising from its enlarged emergency meeting yesterday in Asaba, the party, in a press statement signed by its state chairman, Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, and made available to National Mirror, noted that the party endorsed the PDP Okowa because of PRP’s full support of Delta North Sena-

torial District to produce the next governor of Delta State and having carefully and critically examined issues raised by the electorates, the candidates and the political parties in the state leading to the April 11, 2015, governorship election. According to PRP, the issues include the need

community in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to call Governor Godswill Apabio to order, following a forceful seizure of the community’s land without due process. The community, Ikot Obong Edong, through its solicitors, Kanu Agabi (SAN) & Associate, said their client represented by the village head, Chief Elijah Ituen, village chairman, Mr. Nseabasi Inyang, and principal member, Chief Nathaniel Ekure, by inheritance are statutory owners and occupiers of the land

for continuity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to sustain the policies and actions of PDP in the past 16 years in Delta State, the need to sustain an alleged existing zoning and rotation agreement for the office of governor of Delta State among the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

that housed the relocated Federal Prisons. Speaking in Uyo yesterday, a representative of the solicitors, Mr. Kingsley Kalu, stated that by Deeds of Lease made variously in 1928, 1940, and 1948, etc., between their clients and the colonial governments, the different lands were released for public interest, but with a clause. According to him, the clause stated that; ‘government would lease the land in Perpetual i.e. for as long as it requires it, but if and when it no longer requires it, it would deliver up possession of the land to the native landlords’. Kingsley stated that the various governments in the area since after the civil war had breached and reneged on the said agreements, as the last rent was paid in 1952 by the colonial government, and their clients had petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan because the Federal Prisons that was situated on their land had for some years been relocated to another site, adding that they had expected their land to be returned to them by the Federal Government in the spirit of the agreement.

North

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NLC to embark on mass protest over defections • Asks Buhari to end textile smuggling A za Msue KADUNA

eneral Secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGWN, and deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, yesterday de-

clared that workers will stage a mass protest to demand good governance following defections of politicians to All Progressives Congress, APC. Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, Aremu said such defections, if not checked, would make Nigeria a one-party state where the aim of change for good

would be defeated. He also called on President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to urgently end smuggling and counterfeit products from China and other countries, saying this would be the real acid test for the in-coming administration’s anti-corruption song. While demanding for-

mal apology from Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, over his alleged threat to the Igbo if they fail to vote his preferred governorship candidate in Saturday’s poll, Aremu urged traditional rulers to shun partisan politics. His words: “We are embarking on mass protest to demand good governance

from our elected politicians. Nigerians voted them to work for them not to abandon their responsibilities for positions. The danger is that Nigeria is heading towards one party system. “The major threat to the realisation of great potential of Nigeria in textile production is high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods. Over 90% of Nigeria’s huge market size is dominated by smuggled and counterfeit goods, killing local companies in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Gusau, Aba and Port Harcourt and millions of direct and indirect associated local jobs.” Aremu added: “Recently, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment launched a compre-

hensive national cotton, textile and garment policy within the overall new Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP. We urge the new administration to adopt this policy and ensure its prompt implementation.” Aremu however called on security agencies to redouble their efforts in the coming polls, saying: “Our security agencies must protect all Nigerians. We strongly condemn the Oba of Lagos for allegedly threatening some people to vote for his candidate. We demand formal apology from the Oba of Lagos. We commend APC for disowning the Oba of Lagos. Our royal fathers should stay away from politics.”

Maku demands Nasarawa REC’s redeployment Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

L-R: Primate, Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma and Bishop of Udi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chijioke Aneke, during the dedication of Cathedral Church of Emmanuel Umuabi in Enugu State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

I’d rather resign from politics than dump PDP —Aliyu Priscilla Dennis MINNA

overnor Mu’azu Aliyu of Niger State has said he would rather resign from politics than defect from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to any other party in the country. He described politicians dumping PDP due to outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as “stomach politicians” who lack integrity and morality. “I’d rather resign from politics instead of defecting from PDP. Those defecting from PDP based on the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election lack integrity and morality; they are indeed stomach politicians. For those of us principled, we have chosen to remain in PDP.” Aliyu, who stated this in Minna during a visit by former local council chairmen in the state, urged the electorate not to be discouraged by the wave of defections from PDP, adding, “Those

who should be disturbed are members of APC, who will soon have problems of political profiteers on their hands.” He also debunked claim that he had dumped the PDP governorship candidate, Umar Nasko, for the APC candidate, Abubakar Sani. “I heard people insinuating that I have dumped my party’s candidate for the APC candidate. It is a lie; I will never do such a thing,” he said. On this Saturday elections, he stated that PDP will abide by the rule of law to ensure nobody or party is cheated, thus ensuring the polls reflect the wishes of people of the state. On APC’s accusation that PDP plans to rig the April 11 gubernatorial election, the governor said, “They are indeed the very ones trying to rig and cause civil unrest.” Earlier, Seidu Abubakar, former chairman of Wushishi local council, who led the ex-chairmen’s visit, told the governor that they had decided to remain in PDP based on principles and conviction, despite the af-

tereffect of the presidential election. Meanwhile, the governor has demanded an unreserved apology from APC, alongside those the party accused of planning to disrupt and rig the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in favour of his anointed governorship candidate for PDP. He described the accusation as laughable and a clear indication that the party has realised it is fielding a less popular candidate. Aliyu, in a press statement signed by his Chief

Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, said APC by its accusations is already frustrated that the ‘Buhari Tsunami’ is no more feasible in the coming polls, adding that the popularity of PDP candidate, Umar Nasko, has also overwhelmed the party. The governor therefore called on Nigerlites to hold APC members and supporters responsible for any election violence, claiming they had perfected plot with their hired thugs to unleash mayhem on the state once they lose the gubernatorial election.

former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, yesterday called for the immediate redeployment of Nasarawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, to give room for a free and fair governorship polls. He said the call had become imperative, alleging that plans to rig the April 11 elections were hatched in collaboration with some top staff of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state. Maku, who is contesting governorship of the state on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, spoke at a press conference in La-

fia, the state capital. He also accused the state government of having bribed all Returning Officers to the tune of N100,000 per head to return Governor Umaru Al-Makura. Consequently, he urged heads of national security agencies in the country to, as a matter of urgency, stop their men in Nasarawa from engaging in the intended electoral fraud and malpractices orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress, APC. “We are calling on the Nigerian Army to remain vigilant as APC intends to use fake soldiers for Saturday’s election in all APGA strongholds, even as election supervisors have been detailed to delay release of election materials in APGA-dominated local government areas,” he said.

FRSC, stakeholders brainstorm on harmonisation of speed limiters Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

ederal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, yesterday held technical committee meeting comprising all road transport stakeholders to brainstorm on harmonisation of speed limiters in the country. Addressing the stakeholders, which comprised National of Union of Road Transport Workers,

NURTW; Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON; Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, among other operators, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, said the technical session became necessary to allow for thorough assessment of the competitiveness of various speed limiters types in the country. “There is no doubt that following the introduction and earlier deliberations,

coupled with sensitisation of members of the public, different grades and types of the speed limiters have been introduced to the corps by various organisations for acceptance and eventual adoption in Nigeria. Indeed, all over the world, different types of speed limiters are in widespread use. It is therefore in the interest of the nation that we carry out competitiveness assessment of the various speed limiters types and come out

with an acceptance model that would not only serve the envisioned purpose but also durable and easily accessible by all vehicle operators.” Oyeyemi, who reiterated that the speed limiters will be able to cut down on the speed induced crashes, noted that the June 1 date to enforce speed limiters was tentative pending the outcome of the technical committee meeting’ recommendations.

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North

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Abuja natives at loggerheads over land swap policy OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

L-R: Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, during a courtesy call to the Lamido in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday.

Buhari holds rally in Katsina, as defection hits PDP JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

head of Saturday’s election, president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), is to hold a mass rally in Katsina State capital this afternoon. The rally is to help boost chances of the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate, Aminu Bello Masari, and other party members contesting for the 34 House of Assembly seats. This is even as defec-

tion of prominent politicians has hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as several members of the party have ditched it for the APC. Those who defected early this week include eight House of Assembly members, and former deputy governor to the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Tukur Jikamshi. The defected PDP lawmakers include Babangida Nasamu (Katsina), Halilu Ibrahim Kurfi (Dutsinma), Bello Isyaku (Charanchi), Rabiu

Ahmed (Kaita), Abdullahi Shuaibu (Danja), Barau Dankanjiba (Kafur), Audu Danshehu (Matazu), and Mudashiru Mahdi (Kusada). Others include the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Nasidi Baure, Ambassador Saidu Adamu Daura, Haruna Dogo Namaraye, Kabir Royal, and Haruna Gyarta. APC’s publicity secretary, Shitu Shitu, who confirmed the defection, said already the party has welcomed them and plans

a massive reception for them today when Buhari would be in the state. He said more PDP members have “indicated willingness to join the APC given its popularity and acceptability,” adding that the party was “always ready to accommodate new members”. After the rally, General Buhari is expected to travel to his hometown in Daura Local Government Council Area in preparation for the April 11 governorship and state assembly polls.

to work for the success of all the APC candidates in the House of Assembly election in the state. The group added that the wind of change blowing across the country would only be completed in the state by winning the House of Assembly election.

They however, commended the Nigeria people for the historic decision to elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari to change the country for the better, calling on Nigeria to brace up for the task ahead in building a society where there would be equal opportunities for all.

Kogi gets new REC WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has posted a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, to Kogi State to conduct Saturday’s governorship and House Assembly elections. The new REC is Professor Jacob Shekwanudu Jatau, who is formerly Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Federal Capital Territory. Jatau replaced the immediate past REC, who has been transferred to Kano State following the untimely demise of the former Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner at his residence in a fire incident. In a statement signed by Public Relations Officer of INEC in Kogi,

Mathew Ameh, a copy of which was made available to journalists yesterday in Lokoja, the new REC has resumed duty, and is seeking cooperation of the media and stakeholders. Meanwhile, Kogi State chapter of the Buhari Support Group has called on people of the state to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11 polls to complete the wind of change currently blowing across the country for the development of the state. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Lokoja and signed by the group’s President and Coordinator, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo, respectively. The statement said the group has resolved

buja Original Inhabitants Coalition yesterday kicked against recent call by its sister association to scrap the Land Swap programme initiated by the outgoing FCT administration, saying such calls were retrogressive. Although the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, under Senator Bala Mohammed, had said the policy was aimed at infrastructural development of the territory, the OIDA has called on the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to scrap the Land Swap policy as soon as he is sworn in, even as they described it as a conduit pipe for allocation of massive land to cronies of the outgoing PDP-led Federal Government. However, in a swift reaction, the Abuja Original Inhabitants Coalition Group has described the call as myopic and not a true reflection of all origi-

nal inhabitants of Abuja, stressing that such call was aimed at misleading the incoming administration. Addressing journalists in Abuja, coordinator of the group, Engr Danjuma Bussa, said before implementation of the Land Swap policy, the FCT administration convoked a Town Hall meeting to engage all stakeholders on the viability of the programme, adding that the OIDA was duly represented at the stakeholders meeting and subsequent committees. “To be candid, we are taking aback by the recent call by OIDA to scrap the Land Swap policy. We want to state in clear terms that it is not the true position of all the original inhabitants of Abuja. We want to equally state in unequivocal terms that few people cannot stay in their comfort zone and impose their selfish and myopic position on the rest of us. Such action and decision is anti-democratic, bias, selfish and unproductive.

60 CSOs to monitor April 11 elections GLORIA USMAN ABUJA

ore than 60 civil society organisations across the country will reconvene to observe the governorship and House of Assembly elections holding on April 11. A statement released by the CSOs yesterday stated that the Situation Room had observed the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which held on March 28, 2015, and issued statements with its recommendations for improvements ahead of the gov-

ernorship and House of Assembly election. “Some Situation Room’s recommendations include the full use of the card reader and PVCs to be implemented in a more effective manner in order to ensure credible state level election on April 11.” The Situation Room said it will deploy observers, receive and analyse reports obtained from the field to issue reports based on its findings. The Situation Room will also coordinate with INEC to track and report on incidents during the elections, and seek corrective measures as may be needed.

We support Buhari, says Gombe PDP chairman DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

hairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Gombe State, Shuaibu Baba Sabulu, has congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the polls on March 28. According to him, “we are in support of him, we need peace in this coun-

try and we are praying that God should grant him the wisdom to handle the country in a way that peace will prevail. This is what Nigerians want.” He requested the president-elect to embrace all and sundry as his own irrespective of political party, religion or tribe differences. He also urged the presi-

dent-elect to prevail on all political parties to refrain from fomenting trouble, as well as prevail on Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence so that his leadership would be peaceful as well. The party chairman said he was looking forward to a new Nigeria where there would be no uprising, no religious discrimination, no party dif-

ferences, no tribalism and no nepotism. “We are looking forward to a situation where Nigerians should feel free and conveniently go about their lawful activities without any form of fear. This is the task before Buhari because it won’t sound good to hear that the country is falling to pieces in his time,” said Sabulu.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News I hope today’s verdict (on Boston Bomber Tsarnaev) provides a small amount of closure. The incidents of those days have forever left a mark on our city. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh

Pressure mounts on Kenyatta after Kenya’s university massacre

olitical pressure mounted on Kenya’s president yesterday with scathing editorials and growing anger at a seven hour delay in the deployment of a special forces unit that eventually ended the bloody siege at Garissa University last week. The al Qaeda-aligned al Shabaab group has now killed more than 400 people in Kenya since President Uhuru Kenyatta took office in April 2013, denting the east African nation’s image abroad and severely damaging its vital tourism industry. The pre-dawn attack on the college, 200 km (120 miles) from the Somali border, came a day after Kenyatta berated Britain and Australia for issuing travel advisories, saying their security warnings were “not genuine”. However, Kenyan media, some of them owned by Kenyatta’s family, are becoming increasingly critical of the president and government efforts to stop future attacks, drawing comparisons to al Shabaab’s assault on Nairobi’s Westgate mall, where the Islamists killed 67 people during a four day

siege in 2013. In a front page editorial entitled “If Westgate was a disaster, what do you call Garissa?” Kenya’s biggest-selling Daily Nation newspaper singled out Kenyatta for not meeting the grieving families. “In Kenya, your child ... is slaughtered, but a little time can’t be found in busy diaries for the

leader you elected to come and look you in your teary eyes and assure you that he did his best, that the death of your son or daughter has not been in vain, that he feels your pain,” it said. The Standard newspaper rounded on the government for its staunch defence of the security response to the deadliest attack in Kenya since 1998, when al

Qaeda bombed the U.S. embassy, killing more than 200 people. “It is ... morally irresponsible for the government’s PR machine to go into overdrive after what everyone acknowledges was a lamentable response,” it said. Even after the editorial, the government once again defended its handling of the atrocity, in which 148 people were killed.

Greek PM gets support, not money from Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras moral support and long-term cooperation but no financial aid yesterday, leaving Athens to fend for itself in resolving urgent debt problems with Western creditors. The leftist-led Greek government, at loggerheads with its euro zone and International Monetary Fund creditors, risks running out of money within weeks unless it can reach a new cash-for-reform deal. “The Greek side has not addressed us with any requests for aid,” Putin told a joint news conference after Kremlin talks. “We discussed cooperation in various sectors of the economy, including the possibility of developing major energy projects.” Tsipras added: “Greece is not a beggar going around to countries asking them to solve its economic problem, an economic crisis that doesn’t only concern Greece but is a European crisis.”

Kenya shuts Somali-linked money transfer firms

University students join a demonstration condemning gunmen attack at the Garissa University campus in the Kenyan coastal port city of Mombasa, yesterday.

South African whites rally at colonial-era statues

hite South Africans have chained themselves to the statues of colonial-era leaders to protest against them being vandalised or removed. Black protesters have been

WORLD BULLETIN

defacing colonial-era statues, describing them as racist symbols. White minority rule ended in South Africa in 1994. The spate of attacks on statues began last month at the University of Cape Town, where

A protester holding a placard with an image of Jan van Riebeeck

excrement was poured over a monument to 19th Century British colonialist Cecil Rhodes. Kruger, a contemporary of Rhodes, was an Afrikaner leader known for his opposition to the British in South Africa.

Van Riebeeck was a Dutch coloniser who arrived in South Africa on 5 April 1652. A white protester at his statue held a placard which read: “Hands off our heritage. This is genocide.” South Africa’s leftwing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has backed the campaign to remove the statues. “All these statues must go down,” its spokesman Mbuyseni Ndlozi said earlier this week. “We need to craft a new symbolism to remember and commemorate the colonial and apartheid past that is not based only on icons of white supremacy like Jan van Riebeeck and Paul Kruger but shows freedom fighters, black and white, who opposed it.” Government officials have condemned the attacks on statues, and say a decision on their future will be taken only after consulting all groups.

Kenya’s government has ordered the closure of 13 money transfer firms to prevent militant Islamists from using them to finance attacks, the interior minister has told the BBC. The bank accounts of 85 individuals and “entities” had also been frozen, Joseph Nkaissery added. Those targeted include a Somalilinked bus company and hotel. An assault by the Somaliaheadquartered al-Shabab group killed 148 people at Kenya’s Garissa University last week. For the latest news, views and analysis see the BBC Africa Live page.

ISIS releases more than 200 captive Yazidis in Iraq More than 200 elderly and infirm Yazidis were freed on Wednesday by Islamic State militants who had been holding them captive since overruning their villages in northwestern Iraq last summer. A Reuters reporter saw the group of 216 people, which included two Christians, handed over to Kurdish forces near the city of Kirkuk. Some were too exhausted and disoriented to speak. One elderly woman said she had been captured by the insurgents last August when they overpowered Kurdish forces in the Sinjar area and proceeded to purge its Yazidi population, killing hundreds and taking thousands captive.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

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Sport

Quitting the Black Stars is out of the question. As long as I am still relevant to the team, I am there!”

Ex-Eagle, Sule, appointed Kogi clubs’ boss

–Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan

: 7 1 0 2 N O C F A aw

Super Eagles Captain, Vincent Enyeama

s r r d a t s e S l a g f i a E aohs, Ta r a h P ...CAF names Gabon as host EVEREST ONYEWUCHI WITH AGENCY REPORT

igeria’s Super Eagles are pooled in Group G of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers to face the Pharaohs of Egypt. The Eagles, who were seeded during yesterday’s draw, also have Taifa Stars of Tanzania and Chad to contend with for the sole ticket of the group. The 2013 AFCON champions are ranked sixth by CAF owing to their co-efficient gathered between 2012 and 2015 editions of the African tournament including qualification series.

CAF also included points for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which notched up Nigeria’s total to 33.5, which is 18.5 below number ranked nation on the continent, Cote d’Ivoire. Ghana, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and Mali are the other nations ahead of Nigeria in the CAF ranking released before yesterday’s draw. Interestingly Nigeria and Egypt, who are favourites in this group, failed to qualify for the last edition of the AFCON in Equatorial Guinea earlier this year. The group winners and the two best second-placed teams will join hosts Gabon at the 2017 AFCON finals. CAF named Gabon as the

hosts, beating rival bids from Algeria and Ghana in a vote by its executive committee at the end of the General Assembly in Cairo. Gabon replaces war-torn Libya, who withdrew last year as 2017 hosts because of the civil conflict raging in the country. It will be the second time that the country will stage the finals after co-hosting the 2012 edition with neighbours, Equatorial Guinea. CAF has already designated the hosts of the 2019 (Cameroun), 2021 (Cote d’Ivoire) and 2023 finals (Guinea). The qualifiers for the 2017 AFCON starts in June this year.

GroupA

Tunisia

Togo

Liberia

Djibouti

Group B

DR Congo

Angola

CAR

Madagascar

Group C

Mali

Equatorial Guinea

Benin

South Sudan

Group D

Burkina Faso

Uganda

Botswana

Comoros

Group E

Zambia

Congo

Kenya

Guinea Bissau

Group F

Cape Verde

Morocco

Libya

Sao Tome

Group G

Nigeria

Egypt

Tanzania

Chad

Group H

Ghana

Mozambique

Rwanda

Mauritius

Group I

Cote d’Ivoire

Sudan

Sierra Leone

Gabon

Group J

Algeria

Ethiopia

Lesotho

Seychelles

Group K

Senegal

Niger

Namibia

Burundi

Group L

Guinea

Malawi

Zimbabwe

Swaziland

Group M

Cameroun

South Africa

Gambia

Mauritania

AAG: Ghanaian refs for Falcons, Mali clash …team gets psychologist MERCY JACOB

uper Falcons’ All Africa Games (AAG) qualifying match against Mali women senior team in Abuja tomorrow will be officiated by Ghanaian referee, Joyce Obenewa Appiah. Appiah will be assisted by compatriots Emmanuella Aglago, Beatrice Thaud and Theresa Bremansu, who are Assistant Referee 1, Assistant Referee 2 and Reserve Referee respectively. According to CAF, the Match Commissioner is Pedro Alogo Ondo Abeku, from Equatorial Guinea. Both teams tied 1-1 in the first leg played in Bamako on March 21. Meanwhile, Falcons have been boosted with the appointment of a sports psychologist by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure the ladies qualify for the AAG in Congo and make an impact at the upcoming World Cup in Canada. The psychologist is Nigerian-born Kasia Muoto (Ka-sha), who is a mental conditioning

and performance coach and a leader in the United States of America healthcare industry. Muoto went to the United States in 1991 and was recruited through the American Collegiate System. In Nigeria, she was a standout, having been invited (and attended) both the Kano State and Plateau State camps in 1990 and 1991. Former Olympian, Kadiri Ikhana (MON), took Kasia under his wings in 1990 and as a protégé of his, Muoto excelled, ultimately being scouted for the inaugural China 1991 Women’s World Cup camp. Muoto received several scholarship offers from universities in the United States and opted to go to college over a potential chance at the World Cup. Subsequently transferring from her base of Miami to Philadelphia, she found an academic haven and home at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, and refocused her energies on academics, career, while staying heavily involved in sports in various capacities.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Glo to Dream Team, Falcons: Confed Cup: Owumi Win All Africa Games tickets makes funds appeal N C igeria’s total telecommunications solutions provider and biggest corporate supporter of football in the country, Globacom, has tasked the national U-23 team not to spare any effort at clinching victory when the team meets its Zambia counterpart for the second leg of the All Africa Games (AAG) final qualifier billed for Lusaka on Saturday. Zambia forced Nigeria to a goalless draw in the first leg played in Abuja last month and the Samson Siasia-coached team will now need a clear win to secure the ticket to the AAG billed for Congo Brazzaville in September.

“We believe the task of winning in Lusaka and sealing the AAG ticket is possible given the quality of the players in the Dream Team,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos yesterday. “We also believe in the capacity of Coach Samson Siasia to fashion out a winning formula, especially as he has strengthened his squad with some of the Flying Eagles team players who recently featured at the 2015 AYC in Senegal where Nigeria won the gold medal,” the statement added. The company also urged the Super Falcons to surmount all odds to win the AAG ticket at the expense of the Malian ladies

after both sides drew 1-1 in the first leg of the final qualifier in Bamako last month. Falcons will host the Mali Women National team in Abuja for the second leg scheduled for April 10 in Abuja. “We have utmost confidence in the Super Falcons to beat Mali,” Globacom further said, even as the company urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerians to support both teams in their quest to fly Nigerian flag at the All African Games. Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of the Nigeria’s national football teams.

PAUL EREWUBA

hairman of Warri Wolves FC, Davidson Owumi, has called on the Delta State Government to provide the team with the necessary funds with a view to motivating the players, even as he said the team’s technical crew will ensure that Wolves get to the final of this year’s Confederation Cup competition. The Paul Aigbogun-coached side will later this month confront MK Entancheite of DR Congo in a bid to secure a place in the lucrative group stage of the competition. To reach this round, the Nigeria’s only hope for continental silverware this season beat Dedebit of Ethiopia 2-0 on aggregate. Owumi, however called on the Delta State Government to motivate the players, while urging their fans to get behind the team and help them achieve all they can in the competition. “We need funds now to move straight into a close camp because the next match is around

Owumi

the corner,” Owumi said. “I believe these players can go far from what I saw in Ethiopia but they must be well motivated to achieve the desired goals. “We are the only hope of the nation now with all other clubs eliminated and we cannot afford to let the nation down now. “At this time, we need the fans more now than before and they must come out in thousands to support the team.”

Ex-Eagle, Sule, appointed Kogi clubs’ boss AFOLABI GAMBARI

Flying Eagles captain Musa Mohammed was drafted to theU-23 team last week

Supporters Club greets Buhari IFEANYI EDUZOR

embers of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, NFSC, have congratulated President-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari, on his victory at the polls, even as the body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his spir-

Buhari

it of sportsmanship after conceding defeat to his opponent, describing him as the “hero of our time”. President General of NFSC, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, told National Mirror in Lagos yesterday that members of the club believed Buhari’s reign would give Nigerian sports a new lease while pledging the club’s readiness to partner

with the new administration. “It is on record that it was when Buhari was Head of State, we won the U-16 World Cup in China and he showed his love to the team,” Ladipo recalled. “We believe that his second coming as a democratically elected president will give sports all attention needed to succeed,” he added. Meanwhile, the NFSC has disassociated itself from some faceless people who have been exploiting the club’s goodwill to fleece unsuspecting Nigerians with a promise to secure them visa for the Women World Cup in Canada later in the year. “We do not admit members at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos as claimed by the fraudsters,” Ladipo further said, stressing, “Our offices in Surulere are open to intending members to collect the club’s form.”

ormer Super Eagles defender, Abdul Sule, has been appointed Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens of Lokoja. Sule was until his new appointment, technical adviser of Kogi United. Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, who made the announcement in Lokoja at the official unveiling at Confluence Stadium in the capital, said Sule’s appointment would improve on the effort of his predecessor, Abdul Adama. Wada, who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Sule Unekwojo, pledged govern-

ment’s continued support for the state-owned clubs towards winning laurels for the state. “Sule’s track records speak volume and we are confident he will continue to add more value to both teams,” the governor said. Team Manager of Kogi United, Ameh Henry, commended the government on Sule’s appointment while expressing hope that the latter’s vast experience would rub off on the teams. Sule, who also thanked the governor for the new challenge, called on members of the clubs’ managements for total support and cooperation, even as he pledged transparency in his administration.

Sule

WORLD RECORD

Loudest scream by a crowd

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1087 Thursday, April 9, 2015

A scream by a group of Scouts (all Finland) was measured to reach a level of 127.2 dBA, in the grounds of Toivala’s Metsäkoulu, Siilinjärvi, Finland on 16 April 2005

Between June 12 and March 28 presidential polls

n the socio-political history of Nigeria, June 12, 1993 and March 28, 2015 will for long remain very crucial, defining and epochal dates. Except for some fundamental variations, the story of June 12, 1993 and March 28, 2015 is almost a similar tale. It is a story of the strong resolve of the Nigerian people to chart a new course for their beloved country; it is a story of the determination of the Nigerian people to redefine and reshape the nation’s political scenery. On both dates, Nigerians, who usually display profound apathy towards the electoral process, defied all odds by trooping out in their millions to elect a president of their choice. There were reports of unprecedented popular participation in the electoral course on both periods. On the two occasions, Nigerians who are usually renowned for their impatience patiently surmounted all technical and natural hur-

IFA President, Sepp Blatter, has called for tougher punishment for teams and associations found guilty of racism. The 79-year-old Swiss feels monetary sanctions are increasingly ineffective. “We have to use our rules to suspend teams, to take away their points

Guest Columnist

TTayo

Ogunbiyi

dles to participate in the polls. On March 28, for instance, despite reported cases of failure of the Independent National Election Commission’s (INEC), newly introduced card reader across the country, Nigerians exercised unbelievable tolerance. In some instances, it was reported that some public-spirited Nigerians put their generating sets, vehicles and other resources to general use in order to make the system work. It is equally instructive to stress that on both occasions, the Nigerian political scene was dominated by two colossal political parties. In 1993, the context was between Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In same manner, on March 28, 2015, though 14 political parties took part in the presidential election, the real contest was actually between Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling PDP and General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition APC. It should be placed on record that on these two occasions, with the two vibrant political parties, the political scene was quite exciting and lively. The two presidential elections were equally supervised by two eminent Nigerian scholars. Professor Humphrey Nwosu was the head of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the body that conducted the June 12, 1993 presidential election, while Professor Attahiru Jega, as chairman of INEC conducted the March 28 presidential poll. To give the 2015 some academic colouration, Jega deployed some professors into the electoral fray to act as State Collation Officers. To what extent these two eminent professors succeeded in their respective as-

IT WAS REPORTED THAT SOME

PUBLIC-SPIRITED

NIGERIANS PUT

THEIR GENERATING SETS, VEHICLES…

TO GENERAL USE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK signments would continue to be subject of intense discourse among journalists, historians, political scientists and other interested stakeholders. One other distinct feature of the two elections is that ethnic and tribal considerations were not too prevalent, as it used to be the case, in the voting pattern. On June 12, 1993, the late Chief Abiola had more votes in the northern part of the country than Alhaji Tofa, his northern challenger. Similarly, during this year’s presidential election, Dr. Jonathan had more votes than General Buhari in northern states such as Taraba, Plateau and Nasarawa; he equally posted relatively impressive performances in northern states such as Benue, Zamfara, Kaduna and Sokoto. This is a clear departure from the usual trend where electorates vote along chiefly ethnic lines. Though it should be stressed that Dr. Jonathan got the bulk of his votes from his native Niger Delta zone, this is quite logical as it is only natural for his kinsmen to be at the fore-

front of his reelection bid. However, in spite of the obvious fact that the June 12, 1993 and March 28, 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria share a lot in common, there are some fundamental differences between the two elections. The most obvious one, of course, is that one recorded a stillbirth, while the other had a live birth. Despite being adjudged the fairest and freest poll ever in the annals of the country’s political history, the General Ibrahim Babangida-led junta annulled the result of the election, thereby ensuring that the acclaimed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, was unable to claim his mandate. In contrast, the March 28, 2015 presidential poll was conclusive and Professor Jega came out of the whole processes a hero of sort. One other remarkable dissimilarity of the two polls is the varied disposition of the political parties to religious sentiments and concerns. In 1993, the defunct SDP was bold and daring in its conviction that fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket (Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe) would not jeopardise its electoral success. The party went ahead with its conviction and recorded a resounding success at the polls. But for the annulment of the poll’s result, such audacity could have effectively checkmated religious contemplations in our political scene. Prior to the emergence of Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) as the running mate to General Buhari, speculation was rife that APC was toiling with the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. However, that conjecture was later sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. What could have happened if the APC had displayed the same ‘political effrontery’ as the defunct SDP by going ahead to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket remains a mere academic conjecture. One other major difference between the two polls is that while June 12, 1993, election threw the country into inconceivable chaos, the March 28, 2015 election surprisingly ended on a most undreamed of nonviolent note. Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Sport Extra

Racism: Blatter calls for ‘tougher sanctions’ or even to relegate them if racism continues,” Blatter said. Blatter, who spoke in Cairo yesterday, is expected to get extensive support for his candidacy from the continent’s 54 countries attending the CAF Congress in Cairo on Tuesday. “We should maybe spend more to

prepare a better future for the children,” the Swiss added, mirroring the promises of his three rivals in the May 2015 FIFA election for more financial assistance for member countries. Blatter was met with a warm ovation from the African delegates as

against the hostile reception at the UEFA Congress in Vienna last month. The Cairo congress was also attended Blatters’s challengers Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch Football Association President Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo.

Blatter

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