Thursday, august 13, 2015 (new)

Boko Haram has new leader –Derby

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Thursday, August 13,

2015

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...as Chadian president sets machinery for dialogue UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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had’s President, Idris Derby, has again set machinery in motion to facilitate

Derby

Vol. 5 N0. 1177

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Night life on

Lagos Island . PHOTO: SAMUEL

dialogue with the Boko Haram group, announcing the emergence of the group’s new leadership, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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CBD and the burden of 21st century mega city

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Auditor-General raises alarm over missing N183bn Reps probe alleged N4trn local debts

GEORGE OJI AND TORDUE SALEM

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uditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, has raised the alarm over the missing of about N183bn belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The nation’s auditor

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Finally, Osun govt, family announce Oooni’s passage

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INSIGHT

I id the Inside th world of human traffickers and their victims Remains of four victims of the Helicopter crash at Alonge, Oworonsoki, Lagos, being taken to the morgue, yesterday.

Buhari working independently to assemble ministers –Oyegun

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4 feared dead as helicopter plunges into Lagos lagoon 6 survivors receiving treatment at hospitals

Insurgents kill 6, abduct 4 women in Borno

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4 feared dead as helicopter plunges into Lagos lagoon OLUSEGUN KOIKI, FRANCIS SUBERU AND DARE AKOGUN

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nother tragedy yesterday hit the Nigerian aviation industry as a Bristow Helicopter crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge, killing at least four people with two still missing.

The crashed helicopter with registration number 5N - BDG – 760540 was heading to Lagos Island from Escravos in the Niger Delta with 12 passengers onboard.

The accident reportedly occurred at 3pm.

A source close to the helicopter company said the accident occurred within the tower jurisdiction and not within the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON, jurisdiction.

As at the time of filing in this report, the cause of the crash could not be ascertained, but a source close to the helicopter company said the accident might have occurred due to engine failure.

The Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, said that it had been notified of the accident and its investigators were on their way to the accident site.

Our correspondent gathered that four bodies have been recovered from the aircraft An official of the Lagos State Management Agency, LASEMA, told our correspondent that four occupants of the ill-fated aircraft in critical condition have been rushed to the hospital.

He said: “Four bodies have so far been recovered and four persons too seriously wounded have been rushed to Gbagada General Hospital for treatment.

Rescue operation is still on; we are working with other agencies trying to comb the lagoon water body for more bodies and survivors.

“From the manifest, 12 people were on board. So we are hunting for four more people dead or alive.”

Witnesses said they heard a deafening noise before it nose-dived into the lagoon at the back of Oworonsoki police station.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule ande the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni were seen at the

scene of the crash trying.

Adebule said six people survived the crash.

The deputy governor stated this when she visited four of the victims at the burns and trauma unit of the Gbagada General Hospital.

Adebule came in company of the Secretary to the

State Government, Tunji Bello and other officials from the federal and state emergency management agencies.

After visiting with the victims at the trauma ward, Adebule told journalists that the four of them were in stable condition.

She stated that two other

survivors were receiving treatment at the Afolabi Hospital in Oworonsoki.

Adebule said: “Six people survived and we are still searching for others. We took two of them to a private hospital that is close to the crash site and we brought the others to the trauma centre so that they

can receive care as soon as possible.

“I just spoke to the victims and they are responding well. We will also transfer the other two at the private hospital here. We can’t give you the accurate figure of those affected yet because rescue efforts are still ongoing.

“We are still searching the site and we hope to get more people rescued.”

Police officers have been deployed to the burns unit of the hospital to restrict movement.

No relatives had come to the hospital in search of the victims as of 7.30pm yesterCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle), Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (5th left); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali (4th left) and directors in the Ministry of Power, after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram has new leader –Derby CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

replacing Abubakar Shekau.

Deby was said to have declared that the new terrorists leader, Mahamat Daoud, who has not been heard of before, was willing to ceasefire and seek the path of peace.

He however, failed to say what had happened to Abubakar Shekau, even as the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, tactically refused to comment on the development.

Shekau had not featured in the terrorists’ recent videos, leading to speculation that he had been killed by Nigerian troops.

Last year, the Chadian President championed a peace talk between the Federal Government under former President Goodluck Jonathan and Boko Haram, a negotiation which never happened and was widely seen as a sham.

After the insurgents were crippled by the Nigerian military be-

fore the 2015 election in March, Deby also came out to announce that he knew where Shekau was, asking him to surrender or face death, but when he visited Nigeria, and was confronted by journalists, he said he could not reveal where Shekau was.

These developments have attracted serious integrity question on how much credence to give to Deby’s latest comments about the insurgency group.

The name, Shekau, came to the fore when the real Boko Haram leader and founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in July 2009.

Succeeding Boko Haram leaders, who came by the same name, Abubakar Shekau, have been reported killed by the Nigerian troops, who announced their deaths before another member of the group emerged to claim that he was Shekau and that he was alive.

The last Boko Haram video, which was re-

leased earlier this month, showed an unidentified young man that spoke in the name of the Islamic State in West Africa, in Hausa language, with an accent from the Kanuri ethnic group, calling on people to be patient that, “We are still present everywhere we had been before.”

Shekau was last heard from in March, when he released an audio message pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group.

Las week, a non-governmental organisation, Centre for Crises Communications, CCC, announced that some Boko Haram elements had approached it for mediation with government.

President Muhammadu Buhari, after visiting Chad’s President, had indicated that he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram leadership only from the point of strength.

However, all efforts

to get the military to react to the development were unsuccessful as the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, and the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, could not be reached.

Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters yesterday condemned the suicide bomb attack in Borno State and the recurring bombing in the North East, given the latest ones on Sabon Gari market.

In a statement through Abubakar, the DHQ vowed to do everything possible to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

“Those perpetrating these heinous crimes are callous, barbaric and monsters whose activities will soon become a thing of the past.

“The military is intensifying efforts to continue to break the bones of the terrorists and wish to re-state and re-assure Nigerians that it is not re-

lenting in its efforts to rid the country of terrorism and any act of criminalities.

“Every step is being taken to neutralise the capability of terrorists whose activities still continue to constitute danger to civil populace as they are in disarray while running away from their former safe haven and no longer capable of confronting the troops.

“Defence Headquarters is therefore appealing to the general public to be extra vigilant and be wary of strange faces and objects in their localities.

“Asymmetric warfare calls for collective effort of both the general public and the security agencies in information gathering and sharing”, the DHQ said.

It advised the public to always give timely information to the security agencies in order to avert the occurrences of the ugly incidence.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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L-R: Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Nebolisa Emordi; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi; President Muhammadu Buhari and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Rabe Jimeta, during the 2015 International Youth Day Celebration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R:National President, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria [NUTGTWN], Comrade Oladele Hunsu; General Secretary and Deputy President of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu and Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Sylvester Chimeze, at a press briefing on 27th Annual Education Conference/State of the Nation in Kaduna, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Wife of incoming President, Rotary Club of Naraguta, Mrs. Esther Enwerem; outgoing President, Mr. Mazi Nwosu and incoming President, Mr. Julius Enwerem, during installation of the new President of Rotary Club of Naraguta in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Acting US Consul-General to Nigeria, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab; Board Chair, Enactus Nigeria, Mrs. Bernardine Okeke; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle; Acting Country Director, Enactus Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ajayi; Consul-General, South African Consulate, Amb. Mokgethi Monaisa and former Country Director, Enactus Nigeria, Mrs. Adesewa Ifedi, during Enactus Nigeria National Competition 2015 in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

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Family, Ife chiefs announce Ooni’s passage •Banks, schools shut, residents stay indoors

Omeiza Ajayi and Boladale Bamigbola

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fter 16 days of denials, the passage of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was yesterday announced by his eldest son, Prince Adetokunbo Sijaude.

Led by the Obalufe, Oba Solomon Omisakin, members of Ife Royal Traditional Council, who accompanied Prince Sijuade during a visit to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at Government House, Osogbo, informed him that the monarch has joined his ancestors.

Oba Sijuade, it would be recalled, died at Saint Mary’s Hospital, London, on Tuesday, July 28, after a brief illness.

Omisakin in his remarks said the delay in announcing the Ooni’s death was due to strict adherence to Yoruba tradition of announcing the death of a monarch.

He solicited for the governor’s support in the sustenance of peace and progress

of Ife kingdom and Yorubaland in general.

“We, the Ife Traditional Council, have come here to brief you, the governor, and the government of Osun State about the passing on of our royal majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife. The breaking of the news of the demise of the king must follow traditional ways and rites, which is why it is coming at this time.

“The news of the transition to glory of any Yoruba monarch is not pedestrian news that one can just announce at a market place or a social gathering.

“The announcement of the death of a great man like our royal monarch is great news that must be announced in a grand style.

“On behalf of the entire Sijuade family, the Ife Traditional Council and the entire Ife indigenes, we hereby announce the passing on to glory of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuade,

Olubuse the II”, Obalufe stressed.

Governor Aregbesola, while responding, recalled the last message he received from the monarch on the 23rd day of July when he briefed him of his medical trip abroad.

Aregbesola described Oba Sijuade as a person who during his life time did everything humanly possible to uplift the Yoruba tradition the world over, stressing that it should be on record that during his life time, he showcased and left the traces of Yoruba tradition any where he visited across the globe.

According to him, the message the late Ooni sent to him when he was going for medical trip abroad read; “I am still not feeling good, so I am travelling abroad for further medical treatment this week. I place you and your government in the hand of God and under His continuous guidance.

“This was the last con-

versation I had with the late monarch; we dearly miss his charisma, demonstration of loyalty and his position as a rallying point for all Yoruba people and a bridge builder across all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“Indeed, he was a great man and he left an indelible mark on the sand of history, not only in Yorubaland, Nigeria but across the world,” the governor said.

As earlier announced, first open traditional rites of passage for Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, was yesterday held in Ile Ife, even as residents stayed in door in compliance with the restriction order.

Head of Oro Cult in the town, Oba Layi Adereti, had on Monday announced that Oro procession will move round the town from 9am to 4pm as part of rites of passage for Ooni Sijuade, calling on residents to stay indoors during the duration of the rites.

His position was however countered by the Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who on

behalf of Royal Traditional Council of Ife, told residents to go about their normal business activities.

Residents of the town, however, stayed indoors, as the Oro procession, which commenced few minutes to 10am, moved round the town.

Banks, schools and other public institutions were under lock and keys and streets in the town were deserted.

At Ooni’s palace, procession of Oro, which had nine people all dressed in white robe, comprising mainly members of Isoro Cult left for other parts of the town about 9:45am.

Just as the procession was leaving Ile Oodua, trees within the palace premises were being cut as traditions demand before formal announcement of Ooni’s passage.

Newsmen, who had gathered at the entrance of the Ooni’s palace, were chased away before Oro procession began the rites and moved towards Enuwa Square.

Family of the late Ooni Sijuade in a letter dated 12th

August, 2015, a copy of which was obtained by National Mirror in Osogbo, announced an interdenominational service in his honour on Friday,14th August, at 10am prompt in the palace.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of the Ooni as saddening, describing the late king as one of Nigeria’s foremost traditional rulers.

The president extended “sincere condolences to the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State on the departure of the first class monarch”.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president said Oba Sijuade will be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service, over more than three decades, as the chief custodian of the traditions of the Yoruba and his invaluable contributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people within and outside Nigeria.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Auditor-General raises alarm over missing N183bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

who was at the National Assembly yesterday to submit three separate audit reports to the Clerk of the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, explained that the missing funds were appropriated for the development of the Niger Delta but allegedly diverted for other purposes.

According to Ukura, the missing funds were discovered in the periodic checks carried out by his office on the activities and programmes of NDDC between 2008 and 2012.

He explained that out of the sum, N70.4bn was paid as mobilisation to various contractors who never reported to site, while N90.4 was the extra-budgetary expenditure for Head and Sub-heads without approval by the legal authorities.

Ukura also said that N10bn was tax deductions without evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; N5.8bn was payment to contractors for projects not executed, stalled or abandoned, while N1.2bn was undeducted taxes from contractors.

The Auditor-General added that N3.1bn was transfers made to unauthorised accounts; N1.7bn was outstanding staff ad-

vances which were never accounted for and that N785m out of N1.1bn meant for the supply of furniture to various schools in Delta State was diverted.

He explained that the funds for furniture supply was certified paid whereas inspection carried out by the Auditor-General’s office revealed that no single chair was distributed during the period under review.

The Auditor-General noted that there would be the desired peace, progress and development required in the Niger Delta if all activities and programmes of the NDDC are well implemented.

Ukura, who also submitted two special audit reports on the environmental activities in the Lake Chad region, raised the alarm that the water was fast drying up and asked relevant government agencies to address it before the situation would degenerate.

He said: “The key message of the National Audit Report of Nigeria is that Lake Chad is drying up very fast from 250, 000 square kilometers in 1960 to just 1, 500 square kilometers at the moment. We must save Lake Chad from extinction.”

According to the Auditor-General, the special

audit reports he submitted yesterday was different from the Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which is usually submitted at the end of every financial year.

He further explained that the annual report of the Auditor-General had been submitted up to 2013 while that of 2014 was in progress.

He said the insurgency in the North East and the militancy in Niger Delta would be curtailed effectively if necessary attention was drawn to the environmen-

tal challenges in Lake Chad and the Niger Delta.

In another development, the House of Representatives has commenced inquiries into allegations that the Executive owes its contractors for various projects a cumulated debt of N4trn.

The motion to investigate the allegation was sponsored yesterday by Hon. Chike Okafor (ImoAPC).

The House, while considering the motion, noted with dismay “the cases of failure by the federal gov-

ernment and its agencies to pay for contracts duly executed with certificates of completion issued to the contractors.”

The House adopted the argument that “contracts were duly awarded after passing through budgetary process and monies for their execution appropriated for the fiscal years in question”.

The House also adopted the motion’s argument that the debt profile of the federal government and its agencies to contractors is over N4trn.

The House said it was concerned “about the untold hardships the contractors are faced with as a result of the failure of the federal government and its agencies to pay them after they had borrowed money from banks to execute the contracts”.

The House in passing the motion, mandated its Committees on Works, Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Finance and Appropriations to investigate the allegations and report to the House in three weeks.

Members of Rivers State All Progressives Congress being blocked by policemen during a protest at INEC headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

We’re addressing power sector challenges –Buhari OMEIZA AJAYI

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration is fully-aware of the inherent challenges that beset Nigeria’s power sector,

saying his administration will give the fullest possible attention to boosting power supply in Nigeria.

He expressed conviction that steady electricity will launch the country into faster socio-economic development.

The president spoke in

Abuja after he received operational briefing from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali.

President Buhari said that his administration had already identified the critical problems in Nigeria’s power

sector and was taking appropriate actions to address them.

“The problems besetting our power sector are not difficult to identify. Therefore, priorities can be easily set in order to tackle them.

“The problems are more with transmission than gen-

eration, and we equally need to secure the power infrastructure round the country.

“We will address all these issues,” the president assured.

Igali had earlier told the president that power generation in Nigeria which was 1,750 MW in 1999, has now

peaked at 4,600 MW. According to him, Nigeria has enough gas to take generation to 5,500 MW in a short time, but that the country needed to expand its electricity infrastructure to accommodate additional power generation.

WAEC bows to pressure, to release results of debtor states in 24hrs

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est African Examination Council, WAEC said it will upload the results of candidates of indebted states in its website in the next 24 hours.

Head, Nigerian National Office, WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

He explained that the council’s decision was as a result of intervention from stakeholders.

He said that WAEC’s decision was informed by its determination not to impede on the educational progress

of any Nigerian child.

According to him, the continued withholding of the results will adversely affect the educational prospects of the affected candidates who require them for admission purposes.

“Our decision is sequel to appeals from our stakeholders, including parents, the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, notable Nigerians, and other wellmeaning citizens and most importantly, the intervention of the Secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF. “The intervention is on

the directive of the Chairman, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara who directed that NGF will resolve the matter as soon as possible.

“We have decided to hearken to the appeals and re-

view our earlier position; the results are therefore to be uploaded on our results website in the next 24 hours,” he said.

Eguridu urged the affected states to reciprocate the gesture by paying up so as to

enable the council to meet its own obligations to supervisors, examiners, service providers and creditors.

On his part, Alhaji Abdulatif Shitu, the Director, strategies, NGF, said the fo-

rum had given its assurances that it would live up to its commitment.

He said that most of the affected states were making efforts to pay as they had issued bank guarantees.

4 feared dead as helicopter plunges into Lagos lagoon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

day.

However, doctors and nurses at the trauma unit were seen running around to save the victims.

One of the doctors told our correspondent everything is being done to ensure

that the victims survive.

“With what we are seeing, they should all survive.

Two have injuries to the bones and all have minor to major degrees of burns,” he said.

General Manager, Public Affairs, Accident In-

vestigation Bureau, AIB, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, in a statement said the helicopter was scheduled to arrive Lagos at 15.35 pm.

Yesterday’s crash was the third the helicopter company would have in the last eight years.

The first was in august 2007 when the company’s line training captains boarded and crashed a Bell-412 EP helicopter with registration number 5N-BIQ and the manufacturer’s serial number.

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Insurgents kill 6, abduct 4 women •Suspected suicide bombers arrested in Maiduguri Inusa Ndahi, MAIDUGURI

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t least, six people were killed on Tuesday evening, while four women were abducted when Boko Haram insurgents invaded Bale Mamman village near Maiduguri, Borno State capital, reliable sources said.

Bale Mamman is Shuwa Arab and a herdsmen community.

Although there was no official confirmation from Police Commissioner Aderemi Opadokun, as his phone lines were not reachable, many Maiduguri residents reported their inability to sleep soundly on Tuesday evening following sounds of gunshots in the area.

A reliable security source, who is not authorised to speak to the press,

told National Mirror: “The notorious and acclaimed Islamic militants (Boko Haram) stormed a remote village of Bale Mamman, which is on the outskirts of Maiduguri, last night in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, killing six civilians and abducting four women.”

A resident of the area, who fled to Maiduguri but did not want his name mentioned for security reason, confirmed to our correspondent that the terrorists carried out the heinous act around 6:30pm.

Another resident, Ali Modu Bale said: ‘’We fled into the bush last night when we heard sporadic gunshots targeting anybody on sight. Unfortunately, when we came back this morning we discovered that all our cattle, ram and foodstuff had been looted by the attackers.’’

A local vigilante, Abba

Kolomi, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the terrorists killed four men and two children in the Bale evening attack and abducted some women before carting away many cattle and foodstuff.

Meanwhile, six suspected suicide bombers were arrested yesterday by members of the civilian Joint Task Force, JTF and paraded at Sector 4 located at Milk Shop in Maiduguri.

Our correspondent reports that the arrest came barely 12 hours after local vigilante in Damboa reported threat letters warning of more attacks found at the scene of the blasts in Sabon Gari market.

The latest arrest of the suspects, according to sources, took place in the evening when traders and buyers were returning home after closing for the day.

Speaking to Umar Hassan, a member of Civilian JTF at the milk shop in Maiduguri, he revealed that the suspects hide improvised explosive devices, IEDs under the basket they used in hawking medicine.

“They pretended to be medicine vendors selling paracetamol, panadol and other tablets. When we arrested them, one of them who confessed said they were supposed to target Maiduguri Monday Market. We beat them before handing them over to soldiers.”

Many buyers, who visited the milk-shop which is near the Government House and residence of the Brigade Commander of the 21 Armoured Brigade (Giwa Barracks), were shocked by the news and called on government and security operatives to rise to their responsibilities and defend the innocent.

Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (left), and Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Abayomi Shogunle, during a news conference on the forthcoming 2015 National Security Summit, in Abuja, yesterday.

CeBIH clarifies limits on ATM withdrawals Udo Onyeka

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ommittee of eBanking Industry Heads, CeBIH, has said the confusion created in public domain as regards imposition of limits on cash withdrawals from ATM terminals across the country was needless, as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s directive on the issue was explicit.

A press statement signed by CeBIH Chairman, Tunde Kuponiyi said: “This is to confirm that the newly introduced limit by Central Bank of Nigeria is applicable only to holders of naira-denom-

inated cards, who use their cards for cash withdrawals abroad. For such customers, the CBN has imposed a limit of $300 per day and an annual limit of $50,000 on such customers.

“It should be noted that this limit does not apply to the withdrawal of naira from ATMs within the country. The limit for withdrawal of naira is set by the individual banks in line with the bank’s corporate operative procedure,” he said.

The CeBIH chairman also noted that the limits were not applicable to Point of Sale, PoS, and online purchases. He said customers are hereby enjoined to confirm what the

limits are in their various banks.

Also, CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Muazu, said the apex bank policy was just on ATM cash withdrawal limit of $300 per day and PoS/online purchases abroad which has a limit of $50,000 per annum.

He stated that the apex bank’s policy does not affect or stipulate any limit for domestic (naira).

He added that the $10,000 single transaction limit even if it stays within the $50,000 annual limit stipulated by CBN is in violation of the rule.

Muazu also explained that the basic thrust of

the policy on withdrawal limits in foreign transactions was to curb abuse of the exchange system while preventing people from trading with their ATMs abroad which, according to him, eat into the country’s foreign reserve.

Some banks had early this week imposed N60,000 per day limit on ATM withdrawals while also limiting foreign currency withdrawal per day to $300.

Also some of the banks have indicated that they can allow $10,000 withdrawal in a single transaction that would cover for one month maximum limit while others have imposed $300 daily limit on PoS/online spending.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari working independently to assemble ministers –Oyegun Obiora Ifoh, ABUJA

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ational Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, has said President Muhammadu Buhari was working hard independently without any interferences to assemble the best hands as ministers in the next few weeks.

Oyegun revealed that President Buhari has spent the last two months understanding the situation he inherited from the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government.

Oyegun at the national Secretariat of APC yesterday, during a visit by the Association of Northern Students on the occasion of his 76th birthday and one year in office as national chairman of APC, said the President will appoint his ministers in a few weeks.

“What some of us in the progressive movement that has now transformed into governance of this country cannot accept is that the nation needed to be as bad as it is today. Yes, the circumstances of last 15 years ago are different, the nature of economy is different, people have evolved but the basic fact remains the same and that is for any nation, for any government to have any legitimacy, its key emphasis and the whole justification for its existence must be the welfare of the people, who have entrusted that party or that leader with the governance of their common affairs.

That is the key thing.

“Fortunately, we have a blueprint which makes your welfare and everybody’s welfare the core of his attention. Yes, things have turned out to be worse in the economy than we expected when we were campaigning. Every known indicator of good

conduct has been violated and our institutions have factually been destroyed, even to the extent of tampering with security institution.

“So, we have major reconstruction efforts ahead of us. We can only at this time plead to Nigerians to be patient with us and with the pace at which the changes we envisage start occurring because things are much worse than we expected.

“Make no mistake about it, President Buhari is committed. In fact, that is the core of his life and he has spent the last two months understanding the situation that he has taken over without interference and distractions.

He has been able to hear, sit and interact with the core operators without third party intermediaries.”

On the ministerial appointment, the chairman revealed: “In the next few weeks he will now assemble the team who he can now give confidently direct instructions as to what he expects to be done. Which means he is in a better position to measure whether anybody entrusted with any function is performing or meeting target or not.

“So, we have a totally new situation, a new reality and a new approach to governance which is emphasising target and deliverables in the lives of the people that he has been entrusted to govern.”

Earlier, chairman of the Northern Nigerian Students, Comrade Mike Omoba, said they came from different campuses to celebrate Oyegun on his birthday because of his landmark achievements over the years.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke Rosemary Odunola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rosemary Odunola Olusanya. All former documents remain valid.

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We can’t defend Ilaje Assembly polls —INEC Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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cting Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Amina Zakari, has said the commission could not defend the outcome of the last House of Assembly election in Ilaje constituencies 1and 2 of Ondo State.

Zakari admitted that the election was not credible despite that winners were declared by the commission.

Zakari spoke yesterday in Akure at the commis-

sioning of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner’s official quarters.

She said the electoral umpire was not satisfied with the conduct of the election because its officials were seriously compromised.

According to her, the commission would be willing to prove in court that the election was not credible, adding that gone were the days INEC had to defend any action by the commission’s staff.

Zakari was represented by former National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Ogun, Oyo and

Ekiti states, Professor Lai Olurode.

The INEC boss, however, explained that since the matter was already in court, the commission was ready to accept what comes out of the litigation.

She said: “Once a return has been made, the commission cannot do otherwise. It is only a court of law that can reverse it. I was part of that decision.

I think the decision was taken in the context of a certain development that we are aware of. We are helpless.

“We were not satisfied

with the conduct of that election. I think the matter is in court and I don’t want to sound prejudicial. But I can tell you that there was an election similar to that of Ondo in Kano and the commission took a stand.

“A return was made, but the commission took a stand that if the loser went to court, the commission would support him. We issued a statement that the election was not credible. The commission would be willing to do the same for Ondo election.

“The days when elec-

tions had to be defended

by INEC have gone. We don’t need to be defending any action done by staff of the commission at all cost.

“If any election lacks credibility, I think it will be difficult for any commission put in place by the present government not to toe the line of Jega in terms of not being able to defend what is indefensible.”

Zakari warned members of staff of the commission against having unnecessary romance with politicians in the

LASEPA alleges spiritual attack on staff Francis Suberu

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L-R: Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor of Conakry, Mr. Soriba Sorel Camara and Minister for Interior, Republic of Guinea-Conakry, General Bourama Conde, during the Ambode’s arrival at Guinea Airport, Conakry, on Tuesday.

Ejigbo torture: My wife, two daughters were stripped naked —Witness Matthew Irinoye

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rosecution witness in the ongoing trial of 10 persons alleged to be involved in the torture of Ajoke Agomo and her children over alleged theft of pepper in Ejigbo market three years ago, Mr. Freeman Agomo, yesterday told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, that the defendants stripped his wife and daughters naked.

While being led in evidence by the state’s counsel, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the witness, who is the father and husband of the victims, said he left

home by 5am to tap palm wine when his wife came to tell him that his daughters, Nike and Juliana, were accused to have stolen pepper in the market and were taken away by members of Odua People’s Congress, OPC. The witness further explained that (Baba Oja) one of the defendants, ordered that his wife (Ajoke Agomo) be stripped naked alongside his daughters, who were already being tortured by OPC members and others before their arrival.

The witness also confirmed that two people, who were involved in the torture of his wife and daughters, were not part of the 10 sus-

pects present in court.

He added that (Baba Oja) asked him to pay N50,000, of which he managed to raise N20,000 on agreement that he must pay up the balance or his family would be killed.

Agomo told the court that his wife and two daughters were stripped naked and pepper was applied on their faces and private parts.

According to him, after his landlord had quit them from their apartment, his daughter, Juliana, took ill three days later as a result of the torture, defied all medical efforts and died later.

The presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, how-

ever, adjourned the matter to October 14 for continuation of trial.

It would be recalled that Lagos State government had charged Ahmed Adisa, Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun to court for their involvement in the torture and molestation of the women.

They were accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, and sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

state, urging them to be transparent and fair to all during next year’s governorship election.

She noted that building quarters for INEC officials was imperative since it would enable them concentrate fully on the conduct of elections.

She disclosed that such official residences had been built for Resident Electoral Commissioners in 19 states of the federation, assuring that the remaining 17 would soon be built in states that are yet to enjoy the facilities.

eneral Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Mr Adebola Shabi, has alleged spiritual attack on some of his staffers following the sealing off of some religious places last week.

LASEPA had in last week sealed off at least 40 centres included churches, mosques and hotels for environmental offences ranging from noise and smoking pollution.

In an interview with journalists yesterday, Shabi said the massive clampdown on perpetrators of environmental pollution had started yielding positive results, but added that it did not come without a price.

He said as a scientist, he would not be deterred in his resolve to ensure a safe and serene environment for Nigerians and other residents of the state.

According to him, “some of these places that call themselves religious houses; to me, only God knows who is worshipping Him. Like the one we did last week, I tell you, it affected some of my staff, one of them now has eye problem, but for me as a scientist, I don’t believe in all those things even though they exist.

“I have to do my job, my job is to see that Lagosians live in peace and show love to the environment, you can be a herbalist; you can

be anything, that is your fundamental right,” he said.

The LASEPA boss, however, said many of the affected places have been reopened after reaching agreements with owners on the terms and conditions of the agency. He also confirmed the re-opening of Kanu Nwankwo’s hotel.

He said management of the hotel had paid the penalty imposed on it and had signed an undertaking to comply with the environmental laws of the state.

Shabi said since the agency’s action against the religious places, the rate at which citizens lodged complaints had increased as many citizens who had been tolerating the menace of noise pollution have started reporting.

He noted that people are now more interested in the issue of noise pollution because when we had that sealing last week, it was highly publicised, but since then, we have received about 500 complaints on our website as at yesterday.

Shabi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

9

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Night life on Lagos Island. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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Broad Street Diary

he CBD, in its creation among other things is to contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of the mega city structure desired for the state by the state government. It also meant to serve as a financial hub of the country as obtained in other business-oriented countries.

The aim of the Lagos Business District is also to showcase to other economies, what Nigeria has to offer in terms of goods and financial services.

The agency mission statement was deeply rooted in providing a stressfree and a favourable business environment for the benefit of traders, customers and business owners through efficient and effective traffic and environmental management to make the business districts accessible.

As a pilot project of the four proposed Business Districts which include, Alimosho, Ikeja and Surulere, Lagos Island remains for now the vocal point and the state government has committed enormous resources and energy into making a success of the policy for CBD, starting with that of the Lagos Island.

Since inception in 2007, the state government has put all machineries in motion to realise the stated objectives, while the pioneering CBD personnel had worked tirelessly and relentlessly to transform the policy into reality. Without doubt, the Central Business District on the Lagos Island had spreads its tentacles to areas like; outer and inner marina, Balogun, NnamdiAzikwe street, Carter Bridge, Idumagbo, Breadfruit, Abibu-Oki, Davies, Church, Odunlami, Ereko, Campus, Alli Balogun and King George. Other areas include Martins, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Campbel,Tinubu, Adeniji Adele, Dosumu, Kakawa, Bamgbose, Eyingbeti, Ebute-Ero, Force Road, Broad Street and Apongbon.

Suffice to note, that just as much as the agency is deeply concerned in ensuring free-flow of traffic and keeping the walkways free of traders who usually display their wares in the open, officers of the agency are visibly seen in and around this area and the popular Balogun market in conjunction with the police in ensuring free-flow of traffic.

However, in spite of the efforts by the agency at checkmating the excesses of traders and ensure free-flow traffic, many traders are still in the habit of obstructing the walkways by displaying their wares, while commercial buses park indiscriminately on the main road to pick passengers, thereby obstructing human and vehicular movement which is one of the primary objective of creating the agency.

Although, goods of erring traders are always seized when caught to serve as deterrent, while vehicles obstructing movement are towed away to the Onikan office of the agency or to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, office where appropriate fines and penalties are imposed to serve as deterrent to others.

But many are of the view that offi-

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CBD and the burden of 21st century mega city

When the Lagos State Government created the Central Business Districts (CBD) Agency in 2007, the idea was to transform Lagos into a 21st century business precinct. DARE AKOGUN writes on the efforts of the agency in realising this objective.

Trading at Balogun market

cers of the agency and LASTAMA are in the habit of abusing their roles.

For instance, in the process of maintaining law and order in the market, CBD officers were said to be in the habit of taking advantage of the hapless traders by demanding for exorbitant amount of money before their seized goods could be released to them.

According to Rafiu Alabi, a trader who sells phone accessories displayed on wheel barrow, he alleged that his goods had been confiscated on several occasions by the CDB officers along Broad Street, saying: “They mix up the goods when taking them in their vehicles to their Onikan office. When you get there, they will ask you identify your wares among several goods seized from other traders.

“Most of the goods are usually misplaced or stolen in the process. At times, you come only to discover that some of your goods are missing and the officials will not do anything about it.”

“Some touts around the market take advantage of this by going to the CBD office, immediately the patrol team seized goods in the market to lay claims to some of the seized goods. And since the goods were seized randomly and without proper tags to identify the real owners, some of the items are always released to wrong hands in the process,” he added.

There are also allegations of bad eggs or highly corrupt officials whose actions are defeating the essence of the agency, as traders alleged that some officers of the agency are in the habit of singling out for victimisation traders who refused to grease their palm by confiscating their wares when on patrol while those who ‘cooperate’ are allowed to display their wares in unauthorised places unmolested because they have ‘’settled’’.

Chucks Nse, who sells women weaveon popularly and cosmetics said he make sure, he sets aside special amount of money for the officials whenever his goods are seized for being displayed on the walkway because he couldn’t afford to get a shop.

He said: “I gather money like ‘esusu’ to bail my wares whenever the CBD officials come to raid the market, for me, it’s always better to settle them on the Broad Street than for them to take your wares to their office, because I have lost my entire wares to their previous raiding and the officers couldn’t do anything about it.”

However, a senior CBD official who doesn’t want his name on prints revealed to Broad Street Diary that many officers found wanting in the line of duty in the past have been penalised accordingly, this lend credence to the fact that constant monitoring has placed

the officers in the eye of the storm.

“This condemnable action needs to be frequent and sometimes carried out on Saturdays, which is the peak of business transaction in the market to ensure that complaints of extortion, molestation and assault by members of the public against CBD officials were promptly attended to,” he opined.

Only last year, the Lagos State Government went a step further towards fast-tracking the realisation of CBD policy by setting up a Special Task Force for the agency. Their main objective is patrolling the CBD areas everyday to compliments the activities of the regular enforcement officers.

The Public Relations Officer of CBD, Mr. Moses Ogunleye, in a release made available to our reporter, advised traders and vehicle owners not to give or offer bribe to CBD officers, and to ensure that any officer that demand bribe in his line of duty is reported since all officers operating in the market are as a matter of policy must display the tags bearing their names on the chest.

“Sanitizing the system and restoring lost glory back to Lagos Island should be upper most in the minds of all stake holders. Government will continue to do its best to make Lagos the continued Centre of Excellence as well as the perceived and true business hub of the country,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, August 13, 2015

11

Ekiti monarchs lead protests over blackout Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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rotests erupted in Aramoko Ekiti and Erio-Ekiti in Ekiti West council area of Ekiti State yesterday over six months blackout in the two communities.

The protests were led by traditional rulers in the two communities - the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Olu Ad-

eyemi, and Regent of ErioEkiti, Princess Adejoke Adetoyinbo Ojo. Adeyemi led his subjects in Aramoko Ekiti over what he called unjust treatment from Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, which he said had adversely affected economic and social activities in the town.

In Erio-Ekiti, Ojo also led the people on street protest over six months blackout,

Firm invests N300bn in Badagry dockyard project

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adagry Ship Repair and Maritime Engineering Company, BSMEC, yesterday said it had invested $1.5 billion (about N300 billion) on the Dockyard project in Badagry, Lagos State.

This is contained in a statement to newsmen in Lagos by Public Relations Officer of SIFAX Group, Mr Oluwuyiwa Akande.

The statement noted that Dr Taiwo Afolabi, chairman of BSMEC and Sifax Logistics and Marine Services Ltd., denied a rumour that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company, NLNG, was funding the project.

“BSMEC is the sole owner of the Badagry Dry Dock Project and no one else.

“The company is made up of five different successful Nigerian companies who came together as core investors to form the Badagry Ship Repair and Maritime Engineering Company.

“BSMEC is a joint venture between Sifax Logistics and Marine Services Ltd, Energy Nature Ltd, GMT Energy Services Ltd, Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc and

SIVC Infrastructure DMCC (Sahara Group Ltd).

“The Nigeria LNG is not part of the consortium and is not an investor in the construction of the dry dock project.

“To be clear, the Badagry Dry Dock will be used for the maintenance of a wide range of oil and gas related vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers, VLCCs. “It will also maintain Offshore drilling rigs, Offshore support vessels, in addition to large LNG carriers,” the statement said.

It said that BSMEC was also planned to be a hub to be used for dry docking vessels from other West Africa countries.

According to the statement, Afolabi said the choice of the location of the shipyard was made on a purely business interest basis, taking into account several factors considered important to investors.

It added that the project was in line with government’s drive for local content and would create capacity for Nigerians, as well as stem capital flight.

Fire guts Christ Embassy building Francis Suberu

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roperty worth millions of naira was yesterday destroyed in an early morning fire that razed an extension of the Christ Embassy Church, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

The fire, which lasted several hours, started from the refuse being burnt near some containers used as storage facility within the church premises.

Lagos Director of Safety and Fire Services, Rasaq Fadipe, said there was a dis-

tress call at about 5am, adding that two fire trucks were immediately deployed from Alausa station to the scene.

He said four containers that later caught fire had various electrical appliances, including pumping machines and furniture.

Fadipe, who warned residents against careless handling of naked fire, said no life was lost in the incident.

It would be recalled that part of the generator house of the church headquarters at Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, was gutted by fire in 2014, causing extensive damage.

which she said had made life unbearable.

Aramoko protesters blocked the busy ErioAramoko-Ijero-Ado Ekiti roads in the morning, causing heavy build-up of vehicles travelling from Ado and Ijero through Aramoko, as well as those coming into Ekiti from Osun State.

There was also traffic build-up at Erio-Ekiti following the protest.

The situation prompted the Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola to quickly visit the two communities and appeal to the protesters to clear the barricades.

Adeyemi told the deputy governor at one of the barricades near the entrance to the town that the people of Aramoko were particularly unhappy with BEDC, which he said had disconnected them from the national grid without the knowledge of the community.

The monarch said his people were angry because they were among communities that paid their bills.

“The BEDC has not done well by disconnecting us without our knowledge.

This unjust treatment is part of the insult and injury we are suffering in the

hands of the company.

“BEDC is cheating us.

When they give us electricity for five minutes, they would have five hours in their record. We found that they haven’t got measuring rod in this area, but they said they have a pool where they take the records from where they distribute the bills. How can we pay for services not rendered? That is one of the problems we have with them,” Adeyemi said.

Ojo, who thanked the governor for prompt intervention, said the communities had been making

efforts over the matter for three months within which “we were meeting and debating what to do because our people are agitated.”

While explaining that “Erio, Aramoko and Ido were linked together but to our surprise, we found they had solved the Ido problem,” adding that “we want to be removed from BEDC.” The deputy governor said Erio and Aramoko were not alone in the problem, adding that the state had devised a mechanism to resolve the issues.

Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin and his wife, Lami, during the Pulling-Out Parade at Western Naval Command in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

$8.8m fraud: British accountant asks court to quash charge Matthew Irinoye

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British chartered accountant, Deepak Khilnani, yesterday asked a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, to quash the $8.8 million fraud charge preferred against him for want of jurisdiction.

Khilnani made the request in a preliminary notice of objection filed by his counsel, Kayode Ajekigbe, before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

It would be recalled that Khilnani and Dr Sushil Chandra were charged to court by the Lagos Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, on a four-count charge

bordering on conspiracy, cheating, stealing and false representation.

The DPP had charged them for allegedly duping his Nigerian partner, Green Fuels Limited, to the tune of $8.8 million in 2008.

The prosecution alleged that they “fraudulently tricked Green Fuels Limited to pay greater sum for machinery purchased from Gentec Limited than it would have paid for such machinery.”

They were also accused of making false statement to Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, in order to facilitate the fraud.

The presiding judge, Oluwatoyin Ipaye, had fixed Wednesday for their ar-

raignment following failure of their counsel to produce them in court on July 31.

However, during yesterday’s proceedings, DPP Director, Mrs Idowu Alakija, told the court of the prosecution’s intention to amend the proof of evidence by substitution.

Alakija further informed the court that the prosecution had received information from the police that they had carried out further investigation on the matter, which might be useful to the case.

She also confirmed that the preliminary notice of objection was served on the prosecution on August 11.

The DPP therefore asked the court for an adjourn-

ment to respond to the application, hear from the police and also amend the proof of evidence.

Responding, Ajekigbe said the defence had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge.

According to him, the charge constitutes an abuse of the process of the court because it attempts to criminalise a matter bordering on contractual arrangement.

Ajekigbe further argued that the charge was fundamentally defective in the sense that the alleged offences contained therein were charged under a repealed and non-existent law.

12

News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebonyi Assembly summons EDDC over alleged fraud Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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bonyi State House of Assembly has summoned manager of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, over alleged fraud and extorting residents of Abakaliki, whereas it did

... amends LG law not supply electricity to the people.

The House disclosed this in a motion moved by Humphrey Nwuruku, member representing Ikwo North Constituency on a matter of urgent public importance, lamenting the overbilling

Buhari, Sultan, 400 others for National Security Summit Omeiza Ajayi

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o fewer than 400 participants will on Monday converge on the nation’s federal capital, Abuja, to attend a national security summit jointly organised by the Nigeria Police and The Sun Newspapers. The list cuts across all strata of the Nigerian society. Themed ‘Community Partnership Approach to Internal Security and Crime Management,’ the event is envisaged within the broader framework of dialogue with the communities.

While President Muhammadu Buhari will declare the event open, Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

At a pre-event press conference in Abuja yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the summit was designed to galvanise citizens’

support for the police and other law enforcement agencies in their renewed drive to urgently address security challenges.

He said the event aims at enlightening security stakeholders and citizens at the grassroots of their invaluable roles in national security architecture of the country. “This is with a view to engendering the spirit of security consciousness among all citizens, especially in the face of current national security challenges,” he said.

According to him, the over-riding motivation for the summit is the appreciation that there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between the police and communities in order to restore public trust. Such trust would motivate citizens to see crime and national security management as a joint obligation of the citizens, the community and the state, Ojukwu said.

Students protest colleague’s accident in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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ehicular movements on Odo-Ona to Apata road in Ibadan were yesterday disrupted as hundreds of students of Federal College of Agriculture, Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, took to the streets following an accident involving one of their colleagues.

National Mirror learnt that Aminu Adekola, a 200-level student of Agriculture Technology Department, was hit by a mini-cab, Micra, while attempting to cross the road.

According to some of the students, who preferred anonymity, the student was standing in front of the school’s gate when the taxi

hit him, leaving him seriously injured.

The incident occurred late in the afternoon.

It was gathered that the victim was taken to a nearby hospital, Hebron, and then transferred to Zone E hospital at Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.

While the victim, who they claimed went into coma as a result of the accident, was taken to the hospital, the students barricaded the road, denying motorists access and forcing commuters to trek.

The students, who were seen monitoring the situation of their colleagues at the hospital, apparently to know the next step, appealed to the Federal Government to help construct speed breakers, street light or pedestrian bridge in front of the school.

method on Ebonyi electricity consumers.

Nwuruku prayed the House to compel EEDC to provide Ebonyi consumers with prepaid meters.

He argued that electricity, including roads and water were social infrastructure that enhances development and advancement of the society. He said it was as a result of challenges in the power sector as a public corporation that the Federal Government decided to partner with the private sector in power distribution.

He lamented that despite several measures put in place to check abuse of the programme, key players in the industry had reprehensibly abused the measures, describing as outrageous and

inexplicable the inequality in billing method of EEDC on Ebonyi consumers.

He noted that consumers on conventional meters were billed without reading their meters to determine the level of their consumption, giving way to bills on estimation, adding that EEDC’s inability to provide prepaid meter, PPM, is considered as fraud against consumers, which negates the lofty goals of the Federal Government in privatising electricity distribution.

Nwuruku said a situation where a household is charged over N15,000 per month on a conventional meter, while another consumer on PPM spends less than N3,000 with similar facilities in a month is very

unacceptable.

The House also passed a law providing for one year tenure for caretaker committee chairman and their liaison officers.

The law came into force following report of an adhoc committee earlier set-up by the House to amend sections of law 004 of 2008.

The committee report was presented by chairman of the committee, Frank Onwe, and subsequently adopted by the house.

The amended law also stipulated the appointment of a coordinator and not more than eight management committee members for development centre.

Some of the amended sections of the law reads thus: “The governor of the state

shall subject to the confirmation of the simple majority of Ebonyi State House of Assembly appointments for development centre and its areas mentioned in section 7(2) of this law a development centre management committee made up of coordinator and not more than eight members.

Section 20(g) of law 004 of 2008 is hereby repealed and replaced with section 20(j) which provides for local government service commission on the recommendation of the commissioner for local government to appoint a voucher officer who shall be signatory to the withdrawals of money from the account of local government areas and development centres.”

FRSC officials certifying Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Cultism: Police arrest traditional ruler, 2 others …dismiss killer cop Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

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olice in Rivers State have announced the arrest of a traditional ruler and two community leaders for allegedly abetting cult activities in their area.

Ochoha of Okposi, HRH Gideon Nwokocha, of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state and two others were arrested on August 1 and 3, respectively.

Police Commissioner Chris Ezike disclosed this at a news briefing yesterday in Port Harcourt, while com-

menting on the successes recorded from July 27 till date.

Ezike said the community leaders organised and taxed members of the community N1 million, which was donated to a notorious cult leader called Don-Wali of the Icelander group.

He further said arrest of the three community leaders had “opened a new chapter in the involvement and sponsorship of community keepers in cultism.”

Also, the commissioner disclosed that within the period under review, 30 other persons, including three university students, were arrested for involvement in

robbery, kidnapping, cultism and drug-related activities in the state.

He said the police sergeant, who shot dead a commercial bus driver, Mr. David Legbaara, last Friday, in Port Harcourt, had been discharged from service and charged to court after he was found guilty of offences against discipline to wit, misuse of firearms, and discreditable conduct.

According to Ezike, “we are in touch with the family of the deceased driver, the NURTW and other stakeholders, who have helped calm the situation.

“The Force has taken ac-

tions pursuant to ensuring that justice is served. We know that these actions may not be enough to bring back their breadwinner, but it will serve as a deterrent.”

Also, the police boss reacted over the death of two police officers and a female cashier killed recently during a robbery operation at a filling station in Port Harcourt.

He stated that the two officers were attached to individuals and did not belong to the command, warning officers not to allow themselves to be used by individuals without following proper process in their deployment.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

I’ve no problem with Tony Anenih –Obasanjo

14,16 EZEKIEL TITUS examines how far the Governor Mohammed Abubakarled All Progresives Congress, APC, administration in Bauchi State has gone in implementing its promises of change to the electorate.

Bauchi APC and politics of change

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t’s a common phenomenon that Bauchi State has always being in the eyes of the storm since the emergence of the nation’s nascent democracy, especially in the politics of change from one political party to one another No doubt this political permutations reared since from 2007 when former Governor Isa Yuguda of the then All Nigeria peoples Party, ANPP, took over from his predecessor Adamu Mua’zu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, having defeated the tehn Mua’zu anointed candidate, Nadada Umar, who was highly expected to take over from his boss, as a gauge valve for the then outgoing administration.

What played out in 2007 again repeated itself in the April 11 gubernatorial election in Bauchi State, when again, aginst all permutation, the same Yuguda who upset the apple cart in 2007 was also given the same treatment he gave to his predecessor. His own anointed candidate also suffered defeat in the hands of Barr Mohammed Abubakar, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a grand style apparently with the wave of change slogan Even though, President Muhammadu Buhari and Northern politics were the major influences that paved way both for Yuguda in 2007 and Abubakar in 2015, as Bauchi State governors, their ascendancy were on different political platforms, ANPP and APC. Buhari is said to be the Northern choice against the backdrop of the clamour for the presidency to return to the North and as well as his stand to fight corruption, which has become the bane of the nation, to a standstill as well as his religious background as a devoted Moslem, whose ideology is to pursue justice, fairness and equity.

It is a well known fact that Abubakar had during the May 29 swearing-in event promised the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to effect all the necessary positive changes in tandem with the APC blueprint, regretting that the PDP had impoverished the electorate with endemic poor economic stability and abject poverty.

Abubakar had told Bauchi people that the victory of the APC should be seen as a good omen to restore and rekindle the past glory of the people devastated by misadministration of the PDP’s 16 years of bad governance.

Lamenting that the new administration inherited an entirely total decay and comatose system, attributed to colossal debt, Abubakar apparently ought stakeholders’ and investors’ support to help revamp the various sectors of the economy.

The governor regretted that his predecessor owed civil servants arreas of many months’ salaries, even when the treasury was empty.

It could be recalled that Abubakar had boasted that he would rescue the state from the misrule of PDP through various palliative measures, involving the youths as well as overhauling the civil service which he said remains the engine room of every successful administration, in line with recommended reform.

To begin with, Abubakar had doled out colossal amount of money for the purchase of drugs, counter-

Gov Abubakar

THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION ON THE LIPS OF POLITICAL PUNDITS IN THE STATE AND THE PEOPLE OF

BAUCHI STATE IS: WHEN WILL THE APC BRING ABOUT THE CHANGE IT PROMISED BEFORE THE ELECTION, ON WHICH

FULCRUM IT WAS MASSIVELY

VOTED FOR, TO BEAR ON THE LIVES AND WELL BEING OF THE CITIZENRY?

part funding to donor agencies for health reforms and recruited 400 youths to the main stream civil service, expressing profound worry over the danger of unemployment against societal development Another area that Abubakar received commendation was in the area of recovering government vehicles that were said to have been retained by the appointees of his predecessor, including those of Yuguda’s four wives, who sources confided were forced to releases more than 250 cars in their possessions. The administration has also launched the sales of fertilizer at a subsidized rate to farmers for improved food production in the state.

Several plots of land belonging to government, but

given out to cronies of the past administration have also been subsequently recovered from individuals by the administration in its determination to ensure fair dispensation of justice, though this development was said to have angered Yuguda, who described the move as vendetta, charging Abubakar to steer clear of the former administration policies with a view to maintain the status quo.

One other area, which the government of Abubakar deserves commendation was it capability to clear the backlog of salary areas of many months owed the state’s civil servants, which he inherited from the outgone Yuguda administration.

But apart from these few areas, People of Bauchi State are yet to be fully convinced of benefitting from the change the APC promised, as almost everything remains standstill in the administration of the state, which they see as a contradiction of the promise that soon things will take shape Governor Abubakar knew that no government can succeed without putting the required structures for the smooth running of government in place, but the administration appeared to remain in doldrums, as there is yet to be a cabinet in place to facilitate the implementation of the blueprints of the administration. Apart from the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and few political appointees, the governor is yet to make any prominent appointment; not even that of his would-be spokesman.

The governor, National Mirror learnt, is said to be under serious pressure to include some APC state executive members as part of his cabinet, having promised during his electioneering campaign to do same, but he is said to have allegedly made a u-turn and has gone in search technocrats to enable him implement the APC agenda and his blueprints. Observers believed that this was exactly what Yuguda, his predecessor did in 2007, but he however ended up appointing those who helped him to fail.

Expectedly, the PDP had since began attacking the APC-led administration, describing the administration as a ‘one man show,’ which has no plan and blueprint for Bauchi citizens, harping on its failure to constitute its cabinet and effectively put in place the machinery to run governance.

According to opposition in the state, no administration can succeed without putting in place the requisite machinery, they therefore challenged the APC and Governor Abubakar to effect the change it promised, especially the insecurity problems in the North-East and poverty, instead of resorting to blackmail and victimisation of its members just to divert people’s attention The million dollar question on the lips of political pundits in the state and the people of Bauchi State is: when will the APC bring about the change it promised before the election, on which fulcrum it was massively voted for, to bear on the lives and well being of the citizenry?

The earlier the part and Governor Abubakar proffer answer to this question, the earlier the better, as failure to quickly address the drift may have far reaching implications on the possible continuity of the party in government in Bauchi State beyond 2019.

14

Politics

In this concluding part of the interview, former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaks about the Boko Haram insurgency, his relationship with Tony Anenih, and his grouse with the Nigerian media. Excerpts:

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’ve no problem with Tony Anenih –Obasanjo

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY I don’t know if you saw the reports of the investigation that said Halliburton passed a lot of money to your party, the PDP, during that time….

(Cuts in) Well, I don’t know about that. …including using even bullion van to deliver money to the party through Gaius Obaseki.

I won’t know about that. I don’t deal with the money in the party. I don’t deal with that.

Let’s talk about your relationship with Tony Anenih, who is known as one of your closest political allies. In fact, he was said to be fixing a lot of things for you. We don’t know what he was fixing and they kept calling him Mr. Fix-it.

(Cuts in) Fix what for whom?

Well, we don’t know. They call him Mr. Fix-it, and you know you seemed to have underlined the perception that he was fixing things for you when you asked him to step down from his post as Minister of Works to go anchor your campaign for second term. It was as if he was the only one who could fix that election for you.

No, no, no. I took (Ahmadu) Ali as Chairman (of the PDP). Who is more important as far as the party is concerned?

And most of the money you gave him to build roads, people say he didn’t build the roads. And you didn’t get him to render account.

No, no. If he didn’t build roads and there is evidence that he didn’t build roads, I will deal with him. You see, you people just allow your imagination to run riot. You make up your mind. I don’t say Anenih is the best human being on earth. I will also not say he’s the worst.

He’s probably in between, like most of us. But I will not chastise anybody or condemn anybody unless I have evidence. People make allegation. Anybody can call you and say ‘hey, Mojeed, you are a rogue’. But for what reason should I join him to call you a rogue if he doesn’t show me evidence.

But how did you two fall apart? To the extent that you narrated in your book that he teamed up with Yar’Adua and Ibori to plot your downfall.

I wouldn’t have put it that way. Because my memory is not that short, I wouldn’t have put it that way.

When Yar’Adua wanted to move against you. That’s what the book says.

No. Show me where the book said that.

(Reaches for the book) I’m going to read the full paragraph: “There was also an attack on me from the party front. The amendment to the PDP Constitution which put a former president who is a product of PDP as the chairman of the party’s BoT was spearheaded by then Governors James Ibori, Ahmed Makarfi and Chief Tony Anenih. Whatever their reason for that constitutional amendment, I was the one available to occupy the post.

But when Umaru and members of his cabal, along with their associates, set about pulling down Obasanjo, they pursued it to the BoT. Chief Tony Anenih and James Ibori were fellow travellers.” That’s the point I was trying to make.

Yes. That’s true. They actually spearheaded the…

So how did it get to that?

(Cuts in) Well, you should ask them.

That’s what I’m asking you.

Obasanjo

IF HE DIDN’T BUILD ROADS AND THERE IS EVIDENCE

THAT HE DIDN’T BUILD ROADS,

I WILL DEAL WITH HIM. YOU SEE, YOU PEOPLE JUST ALLOW YOUR IMAGINATION

TO RUN RIOT...

BUT I WILL

NOT CHASTISE ANYBODY OR CONDEMN ANYBODY UNLESS

I HAVE EVIDENCE. PEOPLE MAKE ALLEGATION

I don’t know. What I saw is what I’ve told you. But why they did it, I don’t know.

Because you were pretty close, you gave him one of the biggest cabinet positions.

Come off it. You are behaving like a child and sounding like a broken bottle. You have friends today. You may not be friends tomorrow. I believe there are things that probably Tony Anenih wanted which he didn’t get.

What it is, I don’t know.

I remember that meeting in 2007 when Anenih and you were to meet at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, shortly before you took over as BoT chairman, after you stepped down as President. I was there when Anenih, stormed out. Is it in protest against you becoming BoT chairman and him stepping down or something?

Not at all. Because the constitution of the party is clear. I didn’t make the Constitution.

So why has it been difficult to make up with him since then?

Well, he comes here…. You see… Look, I will walk out on you. You see, these are not issues. You are making issues out of nothing. I go on principle, I don’t go on persons. And I will walk out on you. Look, Tony Anenih, whatever he has done he has done that. That’s not an issue to me. It’s not a personal issue…

(Cuts in) It’s just the way…

(Cuts in) No, no, no. You can see the way I put it. It’s not a personal issue. Tony Anenih has come here, and if he comes here tomorrow…. Jonathan has sent message to me and if he comes here tomorrow I will receive him.

It’s not anything personal. In the interest of Nigeria, and that’s all. So what is making up? Making up to do what? Because he will give me a wife or I will give him a wife? Making up for what? It’s not a personal issue. So you are not getting it right and that’s part of the problem of Nigeria. Look, I stood for what I believe is in the best interest of Nigeria; so whether you agree with me on that or not is your own issue. What is personal? What is making up about?

You wrote a full chapter about the media in your book…

(Cuts in) Yes. That’s part of you now.

You wrote extensively about bad journalism, although you also agreed that there are a few good journalists…

(Cuts in) And I mentioned some of them. I don’t know whether you will fall into that group. (Laughter).

But you said the media found you too cold, too unappetising, and not enamoured with dramatic and sensational news. You were very critical. And, you said sometimes they printed interviews they never had with you.

That was true. And I sent it to the Nigerian Press Council, NPC. Do you want to give us examples of those interviews?

That’s what I’m telling you now. I even reported it CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oyo tribunal admits 27 more exhibits from Ladoja KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

O

yo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday in Ibadan admitted 27 more additional documents as exhibits in a petition filed by Senator Rashidi Ladoja of the Accord Party.

It will be recalled that Ladoja is challenging the declaration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the April 11 gubernatorial election in the state.

The petitioner also joined the APC, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as corespondents.

At its sitting yesterday, the tribunal, headed by Justice Mohammed Mayaki, admitted additional 27 documents from three more local governments during the first session of the resumed hearing while during Tuesday’s hearing,

Politics

Thursday, August 13, 2015

the tribunal had admitted 62 documents tendered by counsel to Ladoja, Chief Richard Ogunwole, SAN, as exhibits.

As at the time of filing this report, a total number of 89 documents tendered by the petitioners’ counsel had been marked and admitted as exhibits by the tribunal.

The exhibits which were tendered by Ogunwole contained the reports of elections conducted in Itesiwaju, which was completed from Tuesday session, Oriire, Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South local government areas.

However, counsel to first and second respondents, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, respectively, said they would reserve their objections to the exhibits tendered till the stage of filing their final written addresses.

The reports tendered are chronological analysis of happenings during the election conducted by the lead witness in the petition, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju.

15

Borno stands still as PDP members defect to APC INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

P

olitical activities yesterday returned to life in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital when prominent names in the leadership of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with thousands of their supporters dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. APC National Secretariat, led by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Lawan Shaibu and APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, had to relocate to Maiduguri to receive the defecting politicians.

The state chairman of APC, Ali Bukar Dalori, said the defection of the PDP stalwarts marked a new beginning for the APC towards a greater political future.

APC National Secretary, Buni, described the event as a watershed in the annals of the political history of Borno and the NorthEast in general. He said: “Those who dumped the PDP for the APC have made the best decision, as the APC under President Muhammadu Buhari is a moving training that is ready to take Nigerians, especially those in the North-East to the Promised Land.”

The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Shuaibu, informed the defecting politicians, to whom he later presented APC flags, that they would be given fair treatment in the party as long as they were ready to work with President Buhari in rebuilding Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the defecting PDP politicians, Barr Muhammed Kumalia, one time Minority Leader in the House of Representatives between

1999 and 2003, said his decision to join the APC was more of a homecoming.

Kumalia, who was once the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress, AC, in the 2007 general elections, before he pitched tent with the PDP said he has led thousands of his supporters to join the APC “because it is the new thinking of our people, and as politicians, we must always strive to work and do what is in the prevailing interest of our people.”

Kumalia urged APC leaders in Borno State to live up to their promise of giving everyone a level playing field in the party, even as he emphasised that he has not joined the APC because of one personal or pecuniary interest, but for the overall interest towards moving the state forward.

Those that defected include former National Treasurer of the PDP, Al-

haji Lawan Kareto, former PDP House of Representatives’ member, Hajia Kaamuna Khadi, former PDP state chairman, Alhaji Kolo Bukar and PDP House of Representatives’ candidate in the last general elections, Hon Muhammed Adamu, amongst others.

National Mirror observed that following the demise of Senator Ahmed Zannah, the senator elected on March 28 to represent Borno Central, the ruling APC is now warming up to reclaim the seat in the forthcoming byeelection.

Sources confided in National Mirror that the APC has already picked a candidate, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Borno State, Hon Kaka Bashir Garbai, who sources said is a close associate of Governor Kashim Shettima.

Kogi guber: No automatic ticket for Wada –PDP •Primaries hold September 10 OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

A

head of the Kogi State gubernatorial election, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday declared that there is no automatic ticket for the governor, Captain Idris Wada.

The party stated this while declaring that the gubernatorial primary will hold on September 10, adding that sale and return of expression on interest form will begin August 17 and end on August 24. The election is billed in hold on November 21.

Addressing a press conference after the weekly National Working Committee, NWC, meeting, PDP National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, assured that there will be no imposition of candidate during their primaries.

He said: “We are ready to conduct credible, free and fair primaries to se-

lect credible candidate.

There will be no imposition of candidate. People will be put to man the system to see that it is free, fair and credible.”

Asked if the incumbent governor would be offered automatic ticket for the November 21 poll, Mustapha said an emphatic ‘no’.

He disclosed that screening of aspirants will be on August 27, and screening appeal will hold on August 29.

Ward congress for election of adhoc delegates will hold September 3, while ward congresses appeal will hold on September 5. Gubernatorial election appeal is scheduled for September 12.

He also disclosed that Edo state PDP has notified the national secretariat that the tenure of ward, local government and state executive of the party will expire on September 1.

He therefore revealed that ward, local government and state elections will hold on September 10, 17 and 24 respectively.

L-R: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjampur Ghanashyam and Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Francis Ailimikhena, after the envoy visited the Senate President at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

Kogi: Athletes back Baba-Ali for governorship OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

A

thletes from Kogi State are already salivating on having a sportsperson under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Suleiman Baba-Ali, as the next executive governor of the state.

Speaking to National Mirror, Ronke Olumudi, a marathoner, said BabaAli’s candidacy would give sports a lift in the state.

She said: “He is someone

that is sports inclined and I am sure he will bring it to bear on sports people in the state.

“Sports is a unifying factor in the country, for a government to invest in sports, surely a lot will work in the state.

“I am just hoping he can scale through the primary so that we can all work together in voting him in as the next executive governor of the state.”

Another Kogi-born long distance race runner, Abdulrahaman Abdulmalik,

said Baba-Ali’s administration, if voted in, would be a far departure from the current government in the state.

Abdulmalik said: “The current government has not been supporting sports at all. The little it is doing just for the footballers, even at that it is just like dropping a cup of water inside an ocean.

“It will be good to see Baba-Ali as the governor putting into consideration his background as a sportsperson.

“Sport is a big investment and I pray he succeeds so as to turn the fortune of sports in Kogi State.”

A footballer with the state sponsored club, Kogi United, who doesn’t want his name in print said someone of Baba-Ali’s caliber would be the best for the state.

He said: “I am not a politician and it is not my job to say who should become the governor of the state, but with what I have heard about Baba-Ali, I believe he can give sports a face lift in the state.”

16

Politics

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

My grouse with Nigerian media –Obasanjo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 to the NPC. Now what is your problem with that? But that’s true.

This is a critical assessment, which is good. We all need to read it and learn.

You ask Taye (his aide), Taye can fish it out. I wrote…

The man wrote interview… Look, you see what I hate about the media? Look, you don’t want any criticism about you. You are not perfect. No. As far as I’m concerned, the criticisms you offered are my own criticisms of the media.

Ok. So what is your problem? Now if a media… and I have a case against one. You can ask Tunji Abayomi.

A paper wrote a libel against me since 1983. I criticise the judiciary as well. And that case has been there since 1983. Since that time I have gone to prison and back. I’ve been president and out. Abayomi is the one who’s handling it, since 1983. When I mentioned it to (Muhammadu) Uwais, he said he would look into it. Look, we are not going to make progress unless we admit and accept what we are doing wrong, either individually or collectively.

I think your criticism of the media is something we should print and distribute to all…

(Cuts in) You saw what I wrote about…no, not Tola Adeniyi. I think I wrote about Tola Adeniyi in my book.

But in this one, it’s Segun Adeniyi. And he told somebody that what I wrote is true. Or Reuben Abati, the one who said “ehhnn, he too wants to build a house”. Can anybody say that to me and you then think I will have regard for him? Or for the profession he claims he belongs?

And you know it. You know it. That you can write anything in any paper and if the price is right, it will be published. Do you know that?

These issues you raised are part of the reforms we seek.

The point is you should accept these things. I won’t say the military is perfect. And today somebody told me “oh, what Badeh said.” I said what did Badeh say? So he sent it to me. I said Badeh is looking for excuses. Badeh must be looking for excuses. Anybody who is a trained officer knows that the military is trained to fight a war, not insurgency. You may have a course of training on insurgency or counter-insurgency and all of that. But when you have to deal with insurgency, that’s a different ball game altogether. You have to be trained for it, you have to be equipped for it. And then to say you don’t have… Look, the people you are dealing are among the people, that’s why they are insurgents. That’s why it’s not a set war.

Because in a set war, you know where the enemy is, you know how to approach it. This one, it might even be someone on a motorcycle who has a gun in his pocket. That’s a different thing. And they say there’s no motivation. How can there be motivation? When the upper echelon of the military was riddled with corruption. The political leadership, riddled with corruption. The soldiers are no fool.

Reading about internal conflict in the book, I think that’s in the Volume 2, you listed cases that were brought to your attention and efforts made by the Federal Government to resolve them. From the Ife-Modakeke crisis to the Sharia riot in Kaduna to Osama bin Laden protest in Kano, Miss World protest, Jos crisis, to Borno riots. But strikingly there is no mention, even in the index, of the budding activities of Boko Haram…

Because there was no Boko Haram then. Oh! Come off it. You are mad!. There was no Boko Haram then. No! Just let me finish.

Ok. Finish. There was no Boko Haram then. There was no Boko Haram when I was in office.

(Cuts in) The reason I’m asking you this is because there are suggestions that the sect started building up even before you left office.

No. What happened was this, they were part of… You

Obasanjo

know (Ahmad) Yerima went and started this thing. That was when they also became their own thing. I went to them. You heard the other day, they said they would have killed me but when I was there they were doing their Sharia and I was doing my own thing.

They said they had no problem with you?

They had no problem with me. And they said that after I left, they started killing their people and hunting them.

You wrote a letter to Jonathan advising him to form a committee of former Heads of State, to be coordinated

by General Gowon. If that were done at that time, do you think we’ll still be where we are today?

They were turning Boko Haram to a religious issue, it is not a religious issue. He was seeing it as a Northern plan, it wasn’t. It was a menace waiting to happen, and he didn’t see it that way, which was unfortunate…

You even pointed out that if Gowon were allowed to head the group, it would assuage the feelings of Christians who believed that Boko Haram was a religious issue…

I did everything I could to help him. Look, mine is to give what I believe is genuine advice from the position that I see things and I understand. Now any leader can then decide what to do. You see, the thing is that no leader can say he is short of advice in Nigeria; unless he doesn’t want to listen.

But then, when you get the advice, you do whatever you like with it.

Do you think that can still be done?

You know, there is always time for a thing. It was after the time that I went to Maiduguri. Actually, my advice to Jonathan, if he had acted then, I don’t believe that Boko Haram would have gone against him.

Jonathan had a problem. He believed that Boko Haram was a device of the North to prevent him from having a second term. That’s all…any other thing, forget it.

How is it that Jonathan was told by 8 o’clock in the morning after the night that Chibok girls were abduct-

YOU KNOW IT. THAT YOU CAN WRITE ANYTHING IN ANY PAPER AND IF THE

PRICE IS RIGHT, IT WILL BE

PUBLISHED.

DO YOU KNOW THAT?

ed, and there was no reaction? As I said in my book, I called one Philip Madu to come and brief me on what happened. And if there had been reaction within 72 hours, they would have got, if not all, most of those girls. At what stage did Jonathan and the governor of Borno speak about Chibok?

Let me tell you something that happened during my time. I heard on a Friday, I think we were to have an election on the Saturday. I can’t remember which election, and in Kano, one man was leading his sect in the mosque, 5:30 a.m., he was shot dead. IGP (Inspector General of Police) told me. I phoned the governor immediately, and said ‘what are you doing? Have you heard this?’ He said ‘yes, when the day breaks.’ I said ‘when day breaks? You? Out now.’

Now, on a Friday, a Muslim cleric leading his flock being shot? It’s incendiary for anything in Kano. And you know, they would have gone into Sabon Gari. That is the way reactions to incidents should take place. And because of that reaction, we didn’t have any incident.

There wasn’t Boko Haram as Boko Haram. It was after I left that Mohammed Yusuf actually called… and that’s how they got the name Boko Haram. He called some of his followers. Because he had following. Some of them graduates. And then he said: ‘Look, bring your certificates. When did you leave university?’ He himself he’s not an illiterate.

He had college education. ‘When did you finish university?

‘Three years ago.’ ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Nothing.’ ‘Your education is useless, tear your certificate.’ Some of them did, some didn’t. That’s how the name Boko Haram came; they don’t call themselves Boko Haram.

Is that not gullibility on the part of those he invited to tear their certificates?

Gullibility? Is it true that you left university for years?

Is it true that you don’t have a job? Is it true that you went to university so that you could have education, and have a job? And if that is what took you to university and four years after you had left university you haven’t got a job, what is gullibility?

It came out in your book that your leaked December 2013 letter was not your first letter to Jonathan. You wrote like three or four. You published the letters here…

(Cuts in) They are more.

How many letters did you write to President Jonathan?

I don’t know. I don’t count.

You published a few. So is that the way you write to Nigerian leaders before and after you?

If I think there is something I should point out to them, yes I do. I do.

Maybe your letters can even form a book at a point.

That’s entirely up to you. (Laughter). But did you read the letter I wrote to Margaret Thatcher?

No, I haven’t read that. Months back, you said bye bye to politics. Are you still maintaining that stance?

I said bye bye to partisan politics. Now if politics is welfare of the people, in a way, then you cannot say politics no way until you die. But partisan politics? No. So no more partisan politics for you?

Oh yes. I won’t belong to any political party. I won’t.

Even if they decide to woo you?

What nonsense? Any fool that comes here… behaves like a fool, I will walk him out.

As one of the fathers of our nation, what do you think of the direction our country is heading now?

Well, we are better than where we were. We are not where we should be, but we are better than where we were.

Thank you so much, Baba.

Thank you Culled from premiumtimesng.com CONCLUDED

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, August 13 2015

17

Anti-corruption war must be comprehensive EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

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

I

t is a brute fact that corruption is killing Nigeria. This scourge is the major drawback in all our struggles to make headway among the comity of nations.

Corruption is the reason why we move one step forward and two steps backward.

This cankerworm is the cause of all the abandoned projects you find all over the nation. Fraudsters, in collaboration with high ranking officers, deprived the nation of the most needed funds badly needed to execute critical state programmes that will not only create needed jobs for our teeming unemployed graduates, but also make lives bearable. That the Nigerian state watched helplessly while our crude oil was openly stolen by thieves is a sad commentary. Unthinkable things happen here under the watch of government officials because they are beneficiaries of the malfeasances.

Have we heard the true story of why the nation’s oil refineries have not optimally worked for decades until now? Yet, the na-

tion has been mindlessly spending trillions of naira in fuel importation. All kinds of reasons have been given on why the refineries could not work and we have paid dearly for this. It was reported that about 40 percent of last year’s budget was spent on fuel subsidy. If this amount is spent only on fuel subsidy how much is left for education, health, roads and other pressing state needs?

Suddenly the refineries have roared to life. We are even been promised that some of them will heat the maximum installed capacity in a short while. The truth of this miracle is yet to be told. It is suffice to say that we have been suffering as a result of the greed of wolves in our midst with the state as active collaborators. It is very worrying that this had to happen where there is active press and labour unions. Is this an indication that many people have been compromised?

The worst scenario is the looting of the nation’s treasury with the bulk of the loot stashed in foreign banks. That is why Nigerians are excited at the promise by the US President Barack Obama to assist our repatriation of the looted $500 billion stashed abroad. It could be much more than this.

Recently, a group, African Secretariat, declared that a whooping 400 billion pounds of our money is stashed in Europe, Asia and America. The coordinator of this United Kingdom-based group, Mr. Ben Oguntola revealed that his group has offered sugges-

THE WAR ON CORRUPTION MUST…BE DEVOID OF PARTISANSHIP, IF WE WISH TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS tion to the President Muhammadu Buhari on how to have this fund repatriated to the country.

One can imagine how robust our economy could be if this staggering amount of money is injected into our economy. The naira is in a free fall at the parallel foreign exchange market, banks are under financial stress, the level of unemployment is on the ascendancy, and yet our hard-earned monies are being moved abroad to already advanced economies. It was obviously in desperation that the CBN had to recently introduce some controversial foreign currency utilization measures.

While it is criminal and mindless to dollarise our economy, does it make economic sense to stopped legitimate lodging of funds into domiciliary accounts? It may have some utility in the short run, but its long term effect may be disastrous.

Many Nigerians are of the view that this administration can checkmate the monumental corruption in the coun-

try it would be celebrated. It is on record that the Buhari administration made a firm and unequivocal promise to tackle corruption in the country; Nigerians are anxiously waiting for actions in consonance with this promise. Unfortunately there are already accusations of bias and selective approach and witch hunting in the war against corruption.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has already cried out that the Buhari anti-graft war is essentially aimed at its members. Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State recently took a swipe at the entire thing, which he called noise making and witch hunting and a “diversionary tactic to hoodwink the public into overlooking the seeming failure of the current administration to deliver on its electoral promise ’’. He stated that if the President knew where all the looted funds are t he does not need the public display that he is making.

Aside, it seems the emphasis is only on oil theft and diversion of proceeds from oil money. While oil is our major source of revenue, the incidents of corruption are not restricted to the oil sector. There is corruption in all aspects of our public life. If this administration is anxious to achieve result there is need to beam the searchlight on all sectors of our nation where funds are generated and expended. The war on corruption must, therefore, be devoid of partisanship if we wish to achieve the desired results.

Interrogating the trend in WASSCE failure rate

T

he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the May/June 2015 Senior School Certificate Examination results with majority of the candidates still posting poor results.

The Council, which withheld the results of students in 13 states that are owing it examination fees, disclosed through its Head of Nigerian Office, Mr Charles Eguridu that “out of 1,593,442 candidates who sat for the examinations, only 616,370 candidates, representing 38.68 percent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.” He further said that in 2014, 529,425 representing 31.28 percent obtained five credits in English Language and Mathematics, while in 2013, 639,760 candidates, representing 38.30 percent, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

Although this year’s results, show marginal improvement in the pass rate (on the face value) compared to last year, it is also obvious that the trend of mass failure in requisite subjects, which had been on since 2011, still continues. This mass failure is a succinct metaphor of the rot bedeviling our education system; it mirrors the dreadful reality of a sector whose stakeholders carry a varying degree of culpability and guilt.

Today, the whole Nigerian landscape is brimming with countless educational institutions, ranging from the primary to the tertiary and comprising both private and public establishments. But there is paradoxically growing illiteracy in the country amidst growing number of these institutions. Several factors are responsible for this, the first being government’s neglect of education sector both in terms of inad-

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY CULTISM PERSISTS IN OUR SCHOOLS IS THE DESPAIR OF JOBLESSNESS WHICH HAUNTS UNDERGRADUATES equate funding and dearth of strategic policies to keep the system afloat and thriving in consonance with the international and modern standards.

How many of the said unsuccessful WASSCE candidates have the habit of surfing the internet to download usable materials on their basic, core subjects? Many would rather download the latest songs, videos, computer games and pornographic materials, while the “boring” academic websites are shunned indifferently. If the several hours being spent on facebook, twitter, yahoo messengers, instagram and YouTube by these students had been poured in self-drilling on mathematical exercises and engaging assignments on basic English grammar, the result, obviously, would not have been so dismal. In addition to the lures of modern times, the peculiarities of our society which keep producing battalions of unemployed youths has also contributed to morbid apathy for education among the youths.

The attitude of some parents/guardians encouraging the children/wards to cheat in public examinations instead of seeking success through hard work is also contributory. Our educational system has never been in want of novel idea on how to refurbish it; the 6-3-3-4 scheme, which was replaced with Universal Basic Education

initiative, is one example. The projection that students who do not have aptitude for further educational pursuits would, after the first three years of secondary education, be redirected into some vocational training programmes of their choices and capability ought not to fail, but it did. All the machines for vocational training then imported were left to rot in many schools in the face of morbid cluelessness of the policy makers on how to carry on with the implementation of the project.

The idea, though nobly conceived, it crumbled under the sledgehammer of bad implementation. After the fiasco called 6-3-3-4, its replacement with the 9-3-4 system of education under the UBE, which was designed in conformity with the so-called Millennium Development Goals, did not also succeed in improving the standards of our education and the lots of its beneficiaries.

There are other problems, in many of our tertiary institutions, for instance, scholastic integrity has been so compromised that academic awards are freely bargained for monetary motivation, cultic camaraderie or other mundane consideration like sexual gratifications.

Secret cultism has replaced the rigorous discipline of academic tradition. One of the reasons why cultism persists in our schools is the despair of joblessness which haunts undergraduates as graduation year approaches.

Sadism is, strangely, also thriving even among those who are supposed to be above frivolities and pettiness. Established powerful dons do deny the upcoming scholars their rightful academic

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

entitlements, for example, by deliberately refusing to approve their doctoral theses.

We need to re-evaluate our education system with a view to removing all the identified loopholes and defects; we need to effect a paradigm shift from placing undue emphasis on theoretical education and empty paper certification to the one that pragmatically equips a child with a brand of training best suited and tailored made for him. All the stakeholders, including the governments, private school owners, parents, teachers and students themselves must not only desist from all misdeeds that had up till now collectively combined to endanger our educational system, they must also collaborate to evolve a working paradigm for the ailing sector.

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.

18

Editorial

Thursday August 13, 2015

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

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

Buhari and UNEP report on Ogoni

S

ome days have gone past the 4th anniversary of the release by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on August 4, 2011, of its independent assessment of the environment and public health impacts of oil contamination in Ogoniland, Rivers State. The UN agency undertook the job on the request of the Nigerian government, ostensibly as a first step in the country’s search for remediation of the grave damages done to Ogoniland by decades of oil exploration. Former President Goodluck Jonathan was barely two months and some days in office as the country’s elected president when the report was turned in, but it was obvious his government gave UNEP the nod for the job.

Unfortunately, however, the cleanup exercise which was to take off from Bodo-Ogoni, in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, is yet to commence over four years after.

Sometime last year, reports indicated that two reputable international firms had been contracted for the work. The necessary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between representatives of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), the major oil multinational operating in Ogoniland; and Bodo community/other stakeholders was said to have been signed, too. Financial

support was expected from the Embassy of Netherlands in Nigeria, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and UNEP, with the Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) providing support and guidance.

Quite disappointing, however, is the fact that since August 2011, the UNEP report has remained a paper tiger. The Director-General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor, in February 2014, claimed the Federal Government had commenced the implementation of the report by addressing some emergency measures, such as the provision of a Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HPRP) to provide alternative facilities for Ogoni communities. However, a halfmeasure approach to the environmental remediation challenge in Ogoniland is unacceptable.

The report produced by UNEP was sufficiently broad and penetrating. It projects, for example, that restoring Ogoniland to its old environmental glory might take as much as 30 years because of over 50 years of oil spillage. Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP’s Director, when he presented the report to ex-President Jonathan in 2011, did say that the assessment jointly carried out by his agency and a ‘Presidential

ANYTIME SOON, PRESIDENT BUHARI WOULD INAUGURATE

HYPREP GOVERNING COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE TRUST FUND THE

Implementation Committee’ for 14 months involved the examination of more than 200 locations, survey of 122 kilometres of pipeline rights of way, review of more than 5,000 medical records and the engagement of over 23,000 people at local community meetings. Thiaw said detailed investigation on soil and groundwater contamination in 69 sites spanning hectares of land across local government areas in Ogoniland was equally undertaken. In all, over 4,000 samples were analysed, including water taken from 142 groundwater monitoring wells drilled specifically for the study; and soil extracted from 780 boreholes. A proposed Ogoniland Environmental Restoration Authority (OGERA) was to oversee the implementation of the recommendations; while the Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland was to raise an initial $1 billion, to be contributed by the oil industry and the government,

with which to kick-start the work.

However, no tangible implementation steps were taken to translate word to action between 2011 and 2014. It must have, therefore, stricken a pleasant surprise, particularly to Ogoniland and environmental rights’ groups, when President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved some actions for the implementation of the UNEP report. They included the amendment of the Official Gazette establishing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) to reflect a new governance framework comprising a Governing Council, a Board of Trustees and Project Management; a directive that stakeholders of the HYPREP Board of Trustees Trust Fund should raise at least $10 million within 30 days of appointment of members of the board; and approval of membership of the HYPREP Governing Council and the Board of Trustees for its Trust Fund, among others.

Public expectation is that anytime soon, President Buhari would inaugurate the HYPREP Governing Council and the Board of Trustees for the Trust Fund to herald full commencement of clean-up work in Ogoniland. We commend the Buhari-led FG for these bold steps and implore it not to relent until Ogoni environment is confirmed free from its degraded past.

ON THIS DAY

August 13, 1964

August 13, 2004

Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans were hanged in England for the murder of John Alan West. They were the last people executed in the United Kingdom. West was a 53-year-old laundry van driver from Seaton, Cumberland, England. He was murdered on April 7, 1964. Fortyeight hours after West’s murder, Allen (21) and Evans (24) were arrested and charged with the crime and were eventually executed.

About 156 Congolese Tutsi refugees were massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi. The Tutsi or Abatutsi constitute an ethnic group in East Africa.

Historically, they are often referred to as the Watutsi, or the Wahuma. They are the second largest population division among the three largest groups in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu (largest) and the Twa (smallest).

August 13, 2010 ‘MV Sun Sea’, a Thai cargo ship tracked by multiple countries from June 2010, docked in CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada, carrying 492 Sri Lankan Tamils. It was intercepted off the coast of British Columbia on August 12, 2010. Escorted by Canadian authorities, it docked at CFB Esquimalt on August 13 with 492 Sri Lankan refugee seekers on board, some with possible links to the violent group, Tamil Tigers.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Education Today

Why Ambode shouldn’t handover Aunty Ayo Girls to investor —Parents 22

Tunbosun Ogundare

T

wo weeks after the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, threatened to withhold results of states’ government-sponsored candidates who are yet to pay for their 2015 May\June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees, the examination body eventually carried out the threat.

Reaffirming the threat on Monday in Lagos while announcing the release of results of the remaining candidates, the Head of Nigeria’s Office of WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu told journalists that although the affected states were originally 19, it had reduced to 13 as of that day.

He explained that their candidates’ results wouldn’t be released until their states either make full payment of the amount owed or present verifiable collateral from reputable banks to pay up at a reasonable period.

Unfortunately, only 38.68 per cent of the total 1, 593,442 candidates who sat for the exam obtained credit passes and above in five subjects including English language and Mathematics, which is the requisite grades to gain admission into tertiary institutions anywhere in the world.

Refusing to name the affected states for obvious reason of not making the matter political, the council’s boss however argued that it was only when the over N4 billion debt is paid that WAEC would be able not only to meet its own financial obligations to its various clients in connection to the exam such as supervisors and examiners but to also has smooth operations.

“That is why we won’t release the results until their sponsors pay for them more so that some of these states have not even shown willingness to pay despite our various pleads to them,” Eguridu said.

But because of the importance attached to WAEC results as a condition for further studies in the country, the matter has raised some dust in some quarters as people viewing it in different perspectives.

While some after blaming WAEC for registering candidates on credit, they equally hail the body for taking the bold step since it is not a charitable organisation.

Those in this category however asked the states concerned to take up their bills without further delay, especially in the interest of students who may want to further their education this year while at the same time warn all the states that are not economi-

WAEC: Divergent views trail withheld results in 13 states

... as JAMB insists on October deadline for admission

Students in exam hall cally viable to stop forthwith the footing of students’ exam bills. To them, such responsibility should be passed on to parents and guardians.

One of them, who is the immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State chapter, Mr. Kayode Samson argued that for governments to continue paying exam fees for students in public schools who also enjoy free education from primary to secondary schools is not only uncalled for especially in view of the economic reality of most of these states but also making many parents irresponsible.

What makes the matter worse according to him is the fact that most states cannot even pay salaries of their workers who directly fall under their purview.

Samson, who is also a parent, said it was important that parents or guardians feel the pains of sending their children to school by

ICPC, NUC collaborate on integrity ranking for tertiary institutions 20

We won’t release the results until their sponsors pay for them more so that some of these states have not even shown willingness to pay despite our various pleads to them shouldering at least the payment of their terminal exams.

“The money can serve as their own inputs into the education of their children and this will encourage them to put in more emphasis and value on their children performance in academic and character as well as other areas of life.

The Chairman of South-West Coordinator of Parent\Teacher Association, Deacon Olusoji Adams shares Kayode’s view, saying it was not out of point if parents could live up to their responsibility to their children rath-

Admission: Poly Idah mgt in fear over NBTE’s ban 22

er than looking up to government to provide almost every need.

While appealing to debtor states to pay up the current bill, he asked parents to wake up from their slumber and begin to contribute meaningfully to their children’s education.

Speaking in the same vein, the Deputy National President, League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP), Alhaji Fatai Raheem recalled that the issue of state governments owing WAEC exam fees of their sponsored candidates was not new.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 23

Post-graduate education a plus to Nigeria’s economy —Dean, PG school, UI 24

20

Education Today

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Post-graduate education a plus to Nigeria’s economy —Dean, PG school, UI Post-graduate education has become a must sought after by many Nigerians.

Why some attribute this trend to lack of employment opportunities, Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto, Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan, in this exclusive interview with PATIENCE OGBO explains the challenges that the prospective candidates for post-graduate programmes are facing.

There are complaints by some candidates that accessing UI PG school website outside the University of Ibadan is difficult, why is this so?

The Internet we use is not different from others. Internet is everywhere, but they (students) need to go to where the internet is fast so that they don’t have to come to UI. I had to call the officers in-charge of our cyber café so they can assist the applicants when they come to UI, but it was not true when they say they cannot access our website outside the school.

We have received over 10,000 applications and they did not come to UI. We have phone numbers of our officers on the website and they can call for assistance. Maybe they love coming down to use our cyber café because it is faster and our officers assist them.

Applicants also complain of difficulty in uploading their credentials and photographs on the website, what is your reaction to this?

If there are any such problems with uploading credentials and photographs, we will stop processing the applications.

We usually get in touch with them and ask them to re-upload.

Some of them upload photographs that are not accepted.

Some upload their wedding photographs, some their certificates are not clear. It is not a perfect system, but we try to meet up with the challenges.

Why the need for graduates of UI to write proficiency test for admission for PG programmes?

We have applicants from many other universities and they have passed the English test and the oral test. If you have seen a sample of our test, you will observe that they are simple and anybody that claimed that he or she passed WASSCE should not have problems with our examinations. We should not have any student failing these exams under any circumstance, but they do fail. What I am saying is that anybody that got a credit in English in WASSC should score 40. It is that easy that Chinese took the exams and they passed. One of them scored 45. Then Nigerians should not have any problem passing the exams. For UI graduates, we do not intend to give anybody preferential treatment. It is an open system and we emphasise merit. We have people who graduated with 2.1 (Upper Credit) but if they take our proficiency examination and they fail, they will not be admitted. We say if you make first class in UI, then you should not have problems with passing the exams.

How is the PG school coping in view of high demand for its programmes?

We admit roughly about 5000 applicants across the departments. Some departments are oversubscribed, but we are coping well. We also have a limit to the number of students we can admit so that our lecturers are not overwhelmed. We try to control the number of in-takes. From about10, 000 that applied we have a little over 5000 that scored the required marks.

How attractive are your programmes to foreign students?

Foreign students are not coming as much as we like. It is not a UI problem alone, but there is need to improve our infrastructure, and learning environment.

What are the challenges facing the school?

Our system is not fully automated, but we are working hard on this to have our system automated and in a matter of time that will be resolved. We are making progress. We have

Aderinto

problems with backlog of transcripts. We are trying to institute a process where the students can get their transcripts online. In another one month this will be possible. We are integrating our process and partnering with banks so students can use their cards to access their transcripts anywhere. It is not easy to work in the PG school as a lot of people come for different things and we have to attend to them.

On general note sir, what do you think is responsible for increasing number of Nigerians seeking post-graduate education?

Post-graduate education should be a plus not a disadvantage because we need that level of education to propel development. I feel it will work in favour of the country as it will boost the economy because we are dealing will highly educated people.

ICPC, NUC collaborate on integrity ranking for tertiary institutions Tunbosun Ogundare

P

articipants at a three-week integrity workshop organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), a training arm of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), rose with a resolution to introduce integrity ranking for tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The proposed integrity ranking is targeted at rating tertiary institutions in accordance with the levels of integrity found in their systems.

The participants who are not fewer than 514 and drawn from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide, in a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, felt strongly that the introduction of integrity ranking in tertiary institutions would deal with all their corruptionrelated cases.

They were worried that corruption was taking centre stage in tertiary schools due to alleged lack of integrity on the part of management and the students. They believed that the integrity ranking would curb vices such as abuse of procurement process, frauds and examination malpractice, among others.

Part of the communiqué made available to journalists reads, “ACAN should work with the regulatory authorities (NUC for

Nta

Okogie

universities, NBTE for polytechnics, monotechnics and allied institutions, and NCCE for colleges of education), and with the committees of chief executives of tertiary institutions (Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Committee of Heads of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, Committee of Provosts of Nigerian Colleges of Education), to introduce Integrity Ranking for Nigerian tertiary institutions.”

In the communiqué read by the Provost of ACAN, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, the participants resolved that “Nigerian tertiary institutions should develop and sustain a culture of integrity. A first step should be the development and implementation of contextually-relevant institutional policy

or code of academic integrity.

“The policy should include institutional definition of academic integrity and clear descriptions of issues which fall under the label. The institutional policy should be widely disseminated and institutions should conduct workshops to familiarise staff and students with its provisions.”

The resolution also includes the requirement that tertiary institutions should employ technology to tackle corrupt activities such as examination fraud, plagiarism among students and other fraudulent activities in tertiary schools.

The communiqué further reads, “Where appropriate, institutions should deploy technology to tackle corruption in academic processes. Specifically, institutions

should procure and periodically update anti-plagiarism software to routinely check students’ projects, dissertations, postgraduate thesis, and staff research work.”

They also agreed that institutions should work with the Anti-Corruption Academy to facilitate the introduction of anti-corruption modules into their General Studies curriculum which students would be required to pass before graduation.

Furthermore, the communiqué stated, “in many instances, enforcement is critical to the successful implementation of a regime of integrity in academic and procurement processes. Institutions should ensure the impartial enforcement of sanctions for erring staff in line with the guidelines and the provisions of their enabling law whenever infractions are detected.”

Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu in his vote of thanks at the end of the programme, advocated for a mandatory leadership training on integrity at ACAN for people seeking leadership positions in Nigeria.

He said the integrity training would equip the leaders with skills to avoid administrative mistakes that would result in corruption upon assumption of office.

He said, “It should be made possible that anybody seeking position of leadership in Nigeria, not just politicians but everybody, should undergo integrity training at ACAN.)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NBTE harps on entrepreneurship programmes for economic devt Saidat Alausa

E

xecutive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Dr. Masa’udu Kazaure has said that in its effort to reform the technical and vocational education sector the board has embarked in a comprehensive planning and implementation of entrepreneurship programmes in polytechnics and similar technology institutions.

He said this is necessary so as to empower youths technically for economic advancement.

The executive secretary disclosed this at the opening of a four-day mandatory training workshop on entrepreneurship for polytechnics and similar institutions held in Yaba College of Technology, on Tuesday.

Kazaure who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Ekpenyong Ekpenyong also said that it was due to the relevance and important of Technical and Vocational Education to the economy that the board as far back as 2006 made entrepreneurship compulsory for every course in the polytechnics.

“The key to the future, we believe will be found in the radical change in the field of technical and vocational ed-

ucation towards industrially relevant skills development as well as general education training.”

He however said that the technical and vocational education in the country is facing critical challenges which include, low access, low motivation, low social esteem and discrimination, inadequacy of facilities and resources among others.

Earlier in her welcome address, Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Margaret Ladipo said the workshop which was for rectors, provosts and coordinators of entrepreneurship development centres is informed by the collective resolve in ensuring effective management of entrepreneurship education in all TVET institutions.

She added that the essence of entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions is to promote dignity of labour and drastically reducing the legion of unemployed in the society.

“It is therefore imperative that entrepreneurship education should be vigorously pursued in the polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology through the establishment of centres for entrepreneurship development to stimulate the drive for entrepreneurship culture among our staff and students.”

MAUTEC honours Chiroma Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

T

he Governing Council of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTEC), Yola has conferred Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on the former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ali Chiroma.

Chiroma was the first northerner to be elected as NLC president between 1984 and 1988.

He will clocked age of 83 next February and is still comrade, indefatigable, humble and caring leader, who started his trade union career in 1950, and rose to be President of the Rural Health Workers Union.

In a letter signed by the Vice- Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kyari Mohammed and addressed to the Chiroma in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital,

a copy which was made available to our correspondent said, the conferment of the award was in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the nation and humanity.

The formal ceremony which is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the university Convocation Square on the main campus seeks Chiroma’s consent to enable the institution proceed with necessary preparations for the award.

Chiroma

Education Today

Thursday, August 13, 2015

21

Govt urged to make mathematics more attractive to students Tunbosun Ogundare

G

overnments at all levels have been advised to give adequate attention to the teaching and study of Mathematics so as to make the subject more attractive to students.

The Chairman of Ogun State Mathematics Association, Mr. Kayode Adesina gave the advice during the grand finale of the 4th edition of Mathematics is simple competition organ-

ised by a non for profit making Christian organisation, Our Generation Foundation (OGF) for secondary school students in Yewa senatorial district of the state held in Ilaro.

Master Olatunde Semilore of the Ambassador College, Ota emerged the overall winner in the competition, while Master Anyaegbunam Obinna and Miss Ogbu Deborah, both from Scholars Universal Secondary school, Ota came second and third respectively. A total of 995

students took part at the preliminary stage.

Speaking further, Adesina said studying mathematics should be a paramount thing in the mind of every child hence the need for government to encourage them by making the subject more attractive.

Also advising the government to always employ good mathematics teachers and give them adequate training, he urged organiser of the competition to sustain the tempo and broaden the scope

to cover other two senatorial districts of the state.

On her own, the foundation’s Director, Mrs. Gbonjubola Odumusi urged students to be more committed to the studies of mathematics with an assurance that the foundation is fully ready at giving them necessary support and exposure.

She reaffirmed that the essence of the contest was to encourage healthy competition that would spur more students to like the study of mathematics.

L-R: Senior Media Officer, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abiodun Akanmu; Asst. Director, Monitoring, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mrs. Ijeoma Theo-Obodo;, Director, NBC, Lagos, Mrs. Bunmi Cole; Director, Media & Information, NOUN, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin; Chief Librarian, NBC, Mrs. Dorothy Chuka-Odom and Senior Technical Officer, NOUN, Mr. Noah Oduntan during a visit by the officials of NBC to NOUN Radio 105.9FM in Lagos, recently.

Don campaigns for indigenous languages Saidat Alausa

A

senior lecturer at the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr. Oye Taiwo, has disclosed that the continued disregard for culture and indigenous languages remains a big setback for the country.

He made this known while delivering a lecture titled, “The Role of Indigenous Languages in Educational Development”, at the 10th Speech and Prize giving ceremony of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, International School (FUNIS), Ogun State.

According to him, most people learn and comprehend best in their mother tongue, adding that the rapidly growing and developing countries such as China, Japan and Taiwan, teach science and technology-related classes in their indigenous languages.

Taiwo added that “until we incorporate the indig-

enous language component into our science and technology, including agriculture, there will be no meaningful development in our nation.

He also recommended that parents should start speaking local languages to their children while he called on schools to devote more time to the teaching and learning of indigenous languages.

The lecturer also called on the government in the South-West geopolitical zone

to make it mandatory for all state houses of assembly to adopt Yoruba as the official language.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Toyin Juba, said the occasion which is also the school’s valedictory ceremony is an avenue for celebrating excellence and integrity by honouring students, who were outstanding in their various academic pursuits.

She disclosed that the school was continually re-

cording successes as its students topped the list in external competitions as 99 percent of them scored above 200 in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, commended the Principal and staff for their commitments and dedication by making the university proud through the maintenance of good academic standards.

. L-R: Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Emfield International School, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, Mrs. Stella Akaigwe; Chairman of the board, Mr. Raphael Ujubuonu and Proprietress, Mrs. Uche Ujubuonu at the school’s 7th graduation and prize-giving day ceremony, recently.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Admission: Poly Idah mgt in fear over NBTE’s ban Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

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arely four weeks after the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) suspended the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State from admitting students into its School of Engineering, the management of the institution is still struggling hard to resolve the crisis.

When visited the school within the week, our correspondent observed that the management has become more apprehensive, especially for the fact that the regulatory body is yet to lift the ban despite the school readiness to conduct its Post UTME for candidates seeking admission into the school of engineering and other schools in the Polytechnic.

It would be recalled that NBTE banned the institution from admitting students into its engineering programmes based on the allegation by its students on SIWES programmes that they were not being taught practical works and the board’s claimed subsequent undercover investigation and findings.

National Mirror gathered that the management was still very worried about the development and working towards resolving the matter to allay fear from students seeking admission into the school and those studying engineering courses.

A senior officer in the institution who craved for anonymity told our correspondent that the management had now decided to present all the records of practical works of all the National Diploma students to NBTE for verification and possible lifting of the ban immediately.

ICT enhances teaching delivery —Principal Saidat Alausa

T

he Principal of Babcock University Schools, Lagos, Elder Gabriel Fasanu has said the adoption of information and communication technology in teaching and learning will enable Nigerian schools and their students at all levels to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

He stated this during the 2nd graduation and prize giving ceremony of the school held recently.

The principal noted that Nigeria as a nation cannot afford to lag behind in the deployment of ICT in schools at all levels.

Congratulating the graduands, Fasanu said graduation at each level of education was to prepare graduands for greater achievements.

While disclosing that Babcock University Schools at junior and senior level are government-approved, Elder Fasanu added that senior arm was already been approved to present candidates for both WAEC and NECO examinations.

He noted that management, staff and students are working hard to ensure that the school records 100 percent success in both examinations.

Also speaking at the event, Auditor, Parent- Teacher Association of the school, Mrs. Eunice Daramola said the schools have met the expectations of parents based on excellence performance of the students.

She noted that the students had improved academically, socially and spiritually, therefore “we are getting value for their money.”

L-R: Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Niforija-Epe, Prof. Olu Akeusola; Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education(AOCOED), Otto\Ijanikin, Lagos State, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun; best graduating student, 2013\2014 set, Mr. Oluwaseun Okegade, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and AOCOED’s Registrar, Mr. Olumuyiwa Coker during the college graduation ceremony, recently.

Education: Don worries over prevalence of quacks Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

A

school proprietor, Prof. Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke has raised an alarm on the increasing prevalence of quacks in the nation’s education sector, saying all stakeholders must come together to put a stop to it.

He also appealed to state governments which are yet to settle the registration fee of students who wrote the last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations conducted by West African Examination Council (WAEC) to do the needful in order to save the students from avoidable frustrations.

Olagoke, who is the proprietor of Shafaudeen Group of Schools in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described quackery as a cancer in the education industry, warning that it should be removed before it pollutes the sector.

He said this while delivering a lecture titled “Avoid quackery in education,” during

the graduation ceremony and end- of-year programme of his schools.

He said with the quacks having the erroneous impression of making quick money from the education sector, they have succeeded in making things difficult for genuine stakeholders who have invested highly in the sector.

He said government had a bigger role by formulating necessary policies which would help in sifting the fake from the original, adding that with adequate funding on the part of the major stakeholders, the quacks would have no place to hide.

Olagoke who is also the Dean, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, said “however, all these depend on adequate funding from government or proprietors while parents’ cooperation in the areas of monitoring and checks of their children’ seriousness with assignment and learning, discipline and timely payment of school fees are important.

“The falling standard of education as reflected in WAEC, NECO and poor performance in tertiary institutions of many students could be improved if our implementation strategy is re-defined with the objective and goal of accreditation exercises that should ensure that schools - private or public, have adequate facilities in place,” he stated.

Speaking with journalists, Olagoke said he was optimistic that the Federal Government would effect a radical and enviable change in the sector, stating that nothing stops members of the National Assembly from looking into the budgetary allocation to education with a view to making amends in tandem with UNESCO suggestion.

He also urged the society to drop the conservative and archaic policy of discrimination on girl-child education, especially among the ill-informed parents who see nothing good in giving quality education to female children in contrast with their male counterparts.

Why Ambode shouldn’t handover Aunty Ayo Girls to investor —Parents Tunbosun Ogundare

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he parents’ forum of Aunty Ayo Girl’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos has called on the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to rescind the decision of immediate past administration in the state to hand over the school to private operators.

They said transferring of own-

ership of the 51-year-old school from government to private hands was not in public interest at all.

National Mirror gathered that the school was donated to the state government by its original owner, Mrs. Ayo Manuwa, who is now late in the early 1980s and has since being run by the government.

It was further gathered that the school, which is for girls only remains the biggest public

secondary school in terms of students’ population and land mass in Ikoyi-Obalande axis and is consequently serving people of the area very well.

However, the parents made the call through their chairman, Mr. Saheed Olalere during the send-off ceremony in honour of the former school’s principal, Mrs. Janet Adebo, who was recently retired from government service.

He told National Mirror at

Students of Babcock University School, Ogba Lagos performing during the 2nd graduation and prize giving ceremony of the school, recently.

the forum that parents were still been disturbed and uncomfortable since government had decided to handover the school to private operators.

He noted that the school had stopped admitting new students since three years ago as it only has students from SS1 to SS3 as a way of finally transiting from public to private hands.

He wondered who exactly the government wants to handover the school to since the original owner of the school, Mrs. Ayo Manuwa is no more and likewise her only daughter who married to a white man.

“To us, the plan is designed to favour an individual who is close to the corridors of power and that will be very unfair as it will deny many who cannot afford high tuition fee access to quality education which Aunty Ayo Girl’s is known for over the years. And that is why Governor Ambode should come in by investigating thoroughly what informed the decision to handover the school and to who in particular and then reverse it,” Olalere said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Of carry-overs, make-up, re-sits exams

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headline on page 36 of “The Nation” News paper titled “Students call for make-up exams,” has drawn my attentions to the lack of information or misunderstanding of some of the crucial requirements for graduation in the Nigerian university system. In the following write up, students of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) allegedly asked the management of their institution “to organize an urgent examination to enable graduating students who failed three courses to re-sit before mobilizing successful students for National Youth Service in November.”

In a letter allegedly written by aggrieved students to the chief executive of the institution Professor John Owan Eno, the students stated that the lack of provision for such an examination in the school calendar has dealt a heavy blow on the affected students. They went on further to allege that only CRUTECH that does not organize such summer examinations among higher institutions in the South-South geopolitical zone. They concluded by saying that they are no longer comfortable with the policy of spending an extra year for one or two carryover courses.

I would like to congratulate the students for their maturity in adopting the dialogue option in settling grievances and perceived injustice in the system. While I am sure that the management of the Cross River University of Technology has all it takes to resolve queries as these that do arise from time to time in the course of administration, I believe that the happenings in CRUTECH are not peculiar to that institution, but common to every tertiary institution.

The Nigerian university system currently operates a Course-Credit system which does not give room for re-sit examinations. Hence no university in the South-South or anywhere else in Nigeria organizes re-sit examinations as alleged by the students. Instead, a candidate is given opportunity to remedy failed courses within the duration of the programme as long as long as the total number of credit units for the semester does not exceed 24.

If a candidate is unable to pass all the courses required

Though students may not be comfortable with the policy of spending an extra year to remedy carryover courses, there is no alternative to this rule for graduation in the regulation time of four or five years as specified for the department, the National Universities Commission (NUC) allows a maximum of two extra years within which to remedy the failed courses. The onus therefore lies squarely with the students to put in the necessary quantum of work to ensure that they meet the requirements for graduation as specified in their departmental and faculty handbooks.

Though students may not be comfortable with the policy of spending an extra year to remedy carryover courses, there is no alternative to this rule! It must be pointed out here that CRUTECH, like any other university operates under strict guidelines provided by the National Universities Commission. The policy that is considered repugnant by the students is a direct offshoot of the NUC regulations that regulate the operation of all Nigerian universities. Compliance by all uni-

versities is required to maintain their good standing with the regulatory body.

The old British educational system inherited by the newly independent Nigerian nation in 1960 did not accommodate the course system. Instead, final examinations were conducted at the end of the session. Candidates were however given opportunity to repeat failed papers before the commencement of the next session. The re-sit examinations were normally conducted three months after the final examinations in a gathering that came to be known as the October conference.

A failure in the re-sit examination means that the candidate automatically repeats the entire session, including previously passed courses. This system had no room for carry-overs!

Vestiges of this old British educational system are still retained by professional programmes like dentistry, medicine and surgery as well as pharmacy in virtually all the nation’s universities which do not permit the course system per se.

Make-up examinations are another feature of the coursecredit system. The purpose of makeup exams is to give students who miss the scheduled examinations for legitimate reasons another opportunity to write the examination. Legitimate reasons may include illness on or immediately before the examination, the illness or death of a close relation of the candidate, unavoidable interviews or court appearances. The Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for undergraduate programmes produced by NUC however does not make provision for make-up examinations.

Though there are ample provisions for students to repeat failed courses until they obtain a pass mark, there are consequences. The NUC guideline on failed courses states that all grades (including “F” grades) obtained in multiple sittings of a course shall count towards the computation of the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the candidate and therefore negatively affect the class of degree obtained.

My best advice to students is to be focused, and work hard to pass each course at the first sitting in order to maximise their efforts.

WAEC: Divergent views trail withheld results in 13 states

L-R: Media aide to the late President Musa Yar’adua, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi; Founder/CEO, Centre for Values in Leadership and Chairman, Panel of Judges for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative, Prof. Pat Utomi; Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Victor Famuyibo, and Corporate Affairs Adviser of the company, Mr. Kufre Ekanem at the inauguration of the panel of judges for Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund at the headquarters of the company, last weekend.

Aregbesola calls for establishment of private libraries Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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he Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has charged communities and well meaning individuals to establish libraries and make the facilities available to whoever needs them at no cost.

He said setting up libraries as community or an individual’s responsibility would help promote culture of reading and preserve peoples’ history.

Aregbesola gave the charge, while delivering a paper titled “Bring Back the Library”, at the 53rd National Conference of the Nigeria Library Association, held at WOCDIF Events centre, Osogbo.

Describing libraries as the heart of

every institution, the governor advised that every society must see establishment and maintenance of library as necessity.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the state of many public libraries in Nigeria, saying: “only few schools have functional libraries, while we can hardly find newspapers or magazines in some universities libraries”.

According to him, “library is the heart of every institution. During my battle to reclaim my mandate, library served as bail out for me and that is why library has a special place in my heart. Apart from personal information that I benefited in library, I used library for intellectual development.”

Earlier in his address, President, Nigeria Library Association, Rilwanu Ab-

dulsalami, lauded Governor Aregbesola for his library inclusive education programme, saying the introduction of Opon Imo, showed the love of Mr. Governor for education.

He said, “The educational programme of Osun government which includes development of libraries is worth mentioning and a welcome development which is also commendable.

Speaking on the theme: “Sustainable Nigerian Libraries: Agents of Access to Information and Development,” Abdulsalami, said information was now the focus in service delivery through several platforms.

“The new government of President Muhammadu Buhari came with

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 He added that the situation might recur now and then if governments continue with the practice.

He noted that after all students in private schools pay for everything from elementary to secondary school including WAEC’s fees likewise their peers in the federal government colleges.

“So, it wouldn’t be too much for parents of students in public schools to also pay for at least their children’s WAEC fees like the practice before 1999 when politicians started using it as political campaigns.

But holding contrary view, Education Rights Campaign, ERC, a civil society group considers WAEC’s decision holding on to some candidates’ results on the as very insensitive and unacceptable.

The National Coordinator and Secretary of the group, Messrs Hassan Soweto and Michael Ogundele asked WAEC to immediately reverse the decision on the premise that it would threaten the future of the affected candidates.

They argued that children should not be used by WAEC as means to compel defaulting state governments to pay up their debts.

Meanwhile, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the body that conducts entrance exam for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions in the country has insisted to end this year’s admission by October.

The organisation’s spokesman, Mr. Benjamin Fabian told National Mirror on Monday that every government-approved tertiary institutions from college of education to the university level was expected to have concluded it undergraduates admission for the next academic year.

Eguridu

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Group donates books to NOUN

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Tunbosun Ogundare

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n its effort to improve literacy level and revive dwindling reading culture in Nigeria, the Lions Club International, Region 10, District 404 A1 of Asaba, Delta State has donated 48 cartons of textbooks in different fields of endeavors to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The books which cut across such disciplines as Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Literature in English, Engineering, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, were donated to the university to further enrich the quality of teaching, learning and research materials available in the institution.

The Chairman of the club in the region, Sir Monday Onyeme while speaking during the official presentation of the books in Lagos recently stated that Lions Club in collaboration with Books for Africa USA deemed it important to partner with NOUN being the largest university in Nigeria in terms of students’ enrolment and spread, adding that the gesture will help in boosting reading culture nationwide.

Onyeme, in a press release by the university’s spokesman, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin, noted that apart from the fact that the club had donated textbooks to many educational institutions at all levels in the country, it had also built and equipped a community library in Asaba with state-ofthe-art facilities.

Appreciating the club, the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe lauded the gesture, saying the books would greatly enhance learning and teaching in the institution and by extension raising the nation’s education standard.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Patrick Eya, the VC said educational delivery would not be effective without adequate reading materials available, adding that the books are mostly in the choice areas of courses offered by the university.

He explained that the books would be distributed according to needs across the institution’s study centres nationwide.

The Lions Club International with about 1.4 million members worldwide is for humanity.

Miftaudeen Raji,

100L MASS COMM. UNILAG

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eye Asiwaju of Lagos, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has expressed worry over low involvement of the Nigerian students in nation building.

She said this has led to what she described as a decadence that has led to a “dance on the precipice” for Nigeria.

The senator submitted that Nigerian students today have not lived up to the expectations of the nation let alone become positive participants in the business of nation building.

She made this assertion last week while speaking at an inaugural lecture titled: “Students as panacea in the emerging new Nigeria” marking the inauguration of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS), held at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

She lamented that citizens are now in difficult times, an era where all the ideals that give meaning to life are being gradually eroded adding that the Nigerian students have not been insulated from the societal rot that may be responsible for the sorry state of students’ unionism.

“Things that were done with fear and trepidation in those days because they are regarded evil and anti-social are now being done with impunity by our youth and students.

“The incidents of cultism, prostitution, armed robbery, drug addiction and other heinous crimes now seem to be the hallmark of students in our campus-

Tinubu decries students’ low participation in nation building

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) receiving award from the Director of Students’ Affairs, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof.

Tunde Babawale after the lecture marking the inauguration of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS), held at the institution, last week.

es,” she said.

The accomplished teacher however, emphasised that to stem this tide, there is need for a societal reorientation where hard work is rewarded and crime is punished.

She said the Nigerian students must be actively involved in the

process of developing the country starting with their immediate communities.

Pointing out how students can have impact on their society, she said that they can organise programmes such as debates, intellectual public discourse, environmen-

Quadri Babatunde

Kwarapoly gets new Deputy Rector

400L, MASS COMM KWASU

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wara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has appointed a new Deputy Rector who is going to be in charge of academics.

Mrs. Olubunmi Ajibade until her appointment was the Director of Consultancy Services for the institution for some numbers of

years.

The appointment which took effect from 3rd August, 2015 is for a non-renewable term of 3 years.

In a statement issued and signed by the Deputy Registrar, Mr. Abdulrasak Amuda on behalf of the Registrar stated that the Permanent Secretary, Min-

tal sanitation and education on the harmful efforts of drug use, prostitution, online fraud and rubbery among others.”

Mrs. Tinubu also advised them to rededicate themselves to nation building in order to transform the country into a new Nigeria.

istry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Aruna gave the approval sequel to the recommendation of her election by the management to him.

The appointment however has paved way for the elevation of Mr. Ahmed Aminu from Deputy Rector (Academic) to Deputy Rector (Administration).

UNIBEN medical college holds prayer session

Eddy Uwoghiren

300L, MED AND SURG, UNIBEN

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cademic activities were put on hold for over two hours recently at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin as staff and students trooped to the venue of the annual prayer session of the college.

Provost of the college, Prof. Vincent Iyawe said the annual programme was an opportu-

nity for staffers and students to thank God for development in the college and commune with Him. “We are gathered here today to return all the praises to God for new employments, infrastructural development, examination success, high ethical standard of staff and students.”

While the prayer session was on, he enjoined the congregation to use the opportunity to ask God for directions in their personal lives and pour their heart desire before Him.

Candidates writing the 2015 Post-UTME at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, last week

In a short exhortation titled: “Bearers of His Name” Prof. Joseph, a professor of Medicine, called on the audience to be mindful of their lifestyle in the college and elsewhere they find themselves.

According to her, bearers of God’s name must live according to the dictates of Bible.

“If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior, I want you to know that you now bear the name of Christ. Do not soil that name. Remember that your life might just be the only Bible some persons will read all through their life,” she said.

The audience prayed for the administration of the college, university and the teaching hospital. They also called on God to prevail on the rate of terrorism and corruption going on in the country and better lecturerstudent relationship.

Prayers were later rendered for the health, dedication to duty, ethical conducts in research for staff and academic excellence for students.

Highlights of the prayer programme were hymn rendition, praise and worship session.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Ado poly christian fellowship set for 25th anniversary Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

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he Gospel Students Fellowship, Federal Polytechnic, AdoEkiti is set for its silver jubilee and re-union anniversary for old members.

According to the Chairman of the ceremony, Temitope Ajosanmi of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources while addressing campus journalists in Aba-Erifun said the event which will hold from August 21st to August 23rd, 2015 is tagged, “A great

achievement.”

Ajosanmi said the 3- day event would feature awareness round the school community, inauguration of alumni executives, drama, dinner night, choir ministrations, presentations from other fellowships in the school, seminars, among others.

Also a lecture, titled: “Think big, Start small” will be delivered by a renowned pastor.

He used the opportunity to invite members that passed through the fellowship from 1990 till date to kindly attend the anniversary.

UNILORIN campus to get CCTV surveillance coverage Wole Adedeji ILORIN

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he University of Ilorin, Kwara State is to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras that will cover all nooks and corners of its campus as a way to strengthen the security of lives and properties of staff and students of the institution.

In the university’s latest published edition of its inhouse Bulletin, the Director of Computer Services and Information Technology COMSIT, Prof. Musa Ahmed, dropped the hint while speaking at an occasion in the institution.

He said; “We intend to cover the entire campus with

the CCTV surveillance equipment to prevent crime and promptly track down criminal elements on the University campus”.

The COMSIT Director disclosed that already, the senate building of the university had been covered by the CCTV surveillance camera pointing out that however, there was still needs to be upgraded.

“We have started with some strategic places like the senate building. There is an existing CCTV in the Vice-Chancellor’s office but it is analogue version and it doesn’t record. But with what we are planning to install soon, you can play back what had taken place six months ago,” he revealed.

Obiano for PAU’s distinguished lecture series Tunbosun Ogundare

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he governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano will today deliver a distinguished guest lecture series of the School of Media and Communication of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

The lecture will take place at Honeywell Group Auditorium of the Lagos Business School of the university at Ajah by 10.30am.

The Internship and Alumni Relations Manager

of the school, Mr. Anthony Okoeguale said in a statement that Obiano will be speaking on “Sustaining the legacy of growth and development in Anambra State,” noting that many alumni members are expected to be in attendance.

Obiano

Freshers, at the University of Benin cutting the celebration cake at a welcome programme organised by the Federation of Colleges Ex-Students Christian Association (FECA) Benin chapter, Edo State, recently.

Campus reporter wins essay competition Richard Enake

200L INTER STUD & DIPLOMACY UNIBEN

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ampus reporter, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan of the University of Benin, Edo State has emerged winner of the 2015 edition of the Sir Ifeanyi Ateuyi National Essay Competition.

The event which took place at the banquet hall of the university had in attendance, Messrs Theodora Ewah and Omozuwa Increase, Dr. Patrick Igbinaduwa and the chairman of

Saidat Alausa

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ll is now set for the 2015/2016 screening exercise for interested applicants seeking admission into 100, 200 and 300 levels at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

According to the Registrar, Mr. Mathew Ayoola, the exercise would hold on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18, 2015.

Interested applicants are advised to register on-line, as the screening exercise is computer-based and a mandatory requirement for both Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry admissions into the university.

Expressing delight that JAMB had seen the flaws in its initial plans to select universities for candidates by reverting to the old method whereby universities picked their own students, the Chairperson, Admissions Committee of the university, Prof. Oluyemisi Eromosele, said the new policy would

the competition, Sir Ifeanyi Ateuyi.

Announcing the results, Kinglsey Isibor explained that all the entries received went through series of judges in order to ensure that the winners were rightly chosen.

Addressing the winners, Sir Ateuyi encouraged the students to continue developing themselves when opportunities like this presents itself.

He disclosed that he was a pharmacy student when he gave himself into the writing art and now reaping the rewards.

Speaking with Campus News at the event, the winner, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan said he gave absolute thanks to the almighty God as the feat was a divine impact and not as a result of any literary skill he possesses.

“I have enrolled in many essay competitions but this is the first time I emerged a winner.

Most times, the judge scores with different methods, hence this victory today is by divine providence and nothing else.”

10,200 candidates for FUNAAB post-UTME have been very challenging.

She said students, their parents and guardians saw this and that was why they insisted that students should be allowed the right to make their preferred choice.

Professor Eromosele disclosed that initially, over 22,000 students chose FUNAAB while another 3,000 changed from other universities to FUNAAB as their preferred choice. However, with the cut-off mark released by JAMB, only about 10,200 will qualify to write the examina-

tions, since the university’s cut-off mark is 180 and above for only agricultural programmes, while other courses are fixed for 200 and above.

Speaking on plans to ensure a hitch-free exercise, Professor Eromosele said the committee had been working with the Information and Communication Resource Centre (ICTREC) of the university.

She assured candidates of uninterrupted power supply, transportation and adequate security during the exercise.

She added that results would be out within 24 hours after the examination and that results would be sent directly to the candidate’s phone and could also be accessed on the university website.

The Acting Head, Information Communication Technology and Resource Centre of the university, Dr. Olutayo Ajayi, reiterated that all was set for the examination and that the institution was working on introducing a practice session on its website.

L-R: Public Relations Officer, West African Students’ Union(WASU), Oyejobi Olakunle; President Oluwafemi Williams; Award recipient and Chief Medical Director, St. Raphael Hospital, Dr Anthony Omolola; ; Secretary-General, WASU, Mensah Kweku and WASU Deputy Senate President, Joel Edem during conferment of WASU Golden Award of Excellence on the medical doctor in Lagos, recently.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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ATIONAL MIRROR Front Page of August 6 welcomes us this week: “This is because the government said it is (was) looking for ways to depopulate the scheme.

From Broad Street Diary comes this headline blunder: “Traders lament closure of market to mourn dead leader” Do we mourn the living?

“Buhari reads riot act (the riot act) to public officials” “Fake policeman bags nine months (months’) imprisonment” “List of loan defaulting (loan-defaulting) customers of Enterprise Bank” (Full-page advertisement by the bank)!

“AAG: Wrestling Federation rounds up (off) trials” Wrong: in Victoria Island; right: on Victoria Island THISDAY of July 31 comes in now: “Customs threaten to shutdown (shut down) Intercontinental Hotel over unpaid duties by rice importers” “Nigeria (Nigerian) Breweries flags off (inaugurates) 7th Golden Pens Award” “Dr. Okezie, in his speech, said the group has (had) a vital role to play in….” (National Mirror, July 23) “Osinbajo defends bail outs (bailouts), lauds Kano on IDPs” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, August 2) “And tell him they are from his children and love (loved) ones.”

“And hold him in your bossom (bosom) forever till we meet again.”

The next contribution today is from the back page of DAILY Sun of July 31: “Last week Thursday….” Either: Last Thursday or Thursday, last week “OonI of Ife is dead” was the Front Page news headline of THE NATION of July 29, 2015. It is an abomination. In Yoruba land, an Oba does not die. When it is officially announced by the relevant institutions and authorities, it is “Oba waja” meaning literally, “His Royal Majesty has entered the rafters”! When Mahatma Gandhi, Indian nationalist statesman and spiritual leader died in 1948, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first

Fixed expression: The riot act

Prime Minister of independent India, in a radio broadcast said “our leader, the father of the nation. Mahatma Gandhi expired last night”.

In Yorubaland, when an Oba dies, you use euphemisms and idioms such as: His Royal Majesty/Highness has passed away/passed on/passed over or has kicked the bucket/has expired. An imaginative, creative and foresighted editor or sub – editor could have used the Germanism: “His Royal Majesty is kaput”! Whoa! That would have been the topic of discourse for decades to come!

In May 1965, a creative and an imaginative editor or sub – editor of Daily Times came out with the memorable headline: Akintola taku (He remains adamant)! No headline has surpassed that in Nigeria’s journalism history, or is there any?

Another note on usage: Instead of “the king who has just died”, we correctly say or write: “the late king”. – The OXFORD Primary School Thesaurus, page 102. Men (and women too) will never ever stop arguing about correct usage.

Cheers! (BAYO OGUNTUNASE/08056180046) THE PUNCH of July 25 takes over the hot seat: “So for him to wake up one day and become an overnight whistle blower when he was redeployed to a different directorate because of his incompetence and corrupt tendencies speaks volume (volumes).”

“Group to sensitise women on (to) Da Vinci surgery” From The PUNCH we move to THE NATION ON SUNDAY of July 26: “Our grouses with (about) Dickson, by PDP leaders” “In response to the suggestion that the siege on (of) the house lasted longer than necessary….”

“People under suchh circumstances deserve access to their lawyers as and (or) when they might deem it fit….”

Still on THE NATION ON SUNDAY: “Former governor

FUTA to admit only 2,834 students as 11,000 write post-UTME Tunbosun Ogundare

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he Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) will admit only 2,534 students across its 39 departments for the 2015\2016 academic session.

This is even as the university has conducted a postUTM examination for 11,000 applicants who scored the minimum 180 marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as stipulated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), which conducted the exam early this year. It was an electronic based test which candidates adjudged to be fair and credible.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics and Chairman, Admissions Committee, Pro. Tunde Arayela explained that the candidates were screened based on merit and the standard regulations provided by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He disclosed in a press release that the admission of 2,834 students this year was based on the university’s current capacity in form of human and material facilities available.

Expressing satisfaction of the exercise, the Registrar, Dr. Modupe Ajayi said he was particularly happy that the exam was not only hitchedfree but also the best so far in the history of the university.

Also, the Dean, Student Affairs Division and the Coor-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

dinator of the exercise, Dr. Kayode Alese said the exam was free of malpractice.

According to him, candidates were screened even in the exam halls as their passport photographs were displayed at the top right corner of their computers in addition to biometric capturing conducted on them.

In their contributions, the candidates also adjudged the exercise fair, orderly and highly functional.

One of them, Bright Ad-

efoyegun expressed deep appreciation to the university management for the stateof-the-art facilities which he said provided candidates a huge opportunity to be tested on merit.

Gbademosi Oluwatobi, another candidate who was positive about his admission said that the questions were sufficiently simple for candidates who had prepared properly for the examination, stressing that only hard work could yield success.

L-R: Director, Good Shepherd Schools, Dr. Bayo Oyeyemi; Head, Arts and Social Sciences Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Adejoke Jibowo and Prof. Sunday Oyediran of the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka during the valedictory service of Good Shepherd Schools in Ogun State, recently.

Sule Lamido and his two sons, who have being (been) under investigation by the EFCC….” “…Buhari’s anti-corruption stand notwithstanding, only holistic action plans, not mere rhetorics (rhetoric) can help to address endemic corruption in the system.”

“Reps raise alarm (the alarm) over EFCC’s invitation of Saraki’s wife” “Police rescue kidnapped (kidnap) victim within 2 hours” “We are in the business to provide service per (par) excellence and to grow with our customers.”

“Nigeria’s gas reserves rises (rise) to 188trn scf” “Q1: Consumer goods coys’ profit shrink (shrinks)” “How Obi (Obi’s) appointment as Acting DG was reversed” “…was mistakingly (mistakenly) referred to as ex-commissioner for Finance in Abia State.”

Next is The PUNCH of July 24 which circulated a few diseased entries: “Lagos arrest (arrests) 132 hemp smokers” The back page of the PUNCH under focus disseminated three infractions: “…observing that the situation in (on) our educational landscape had gone from bad to worse.” “…which would have made it necessary for them to pay through their noses to educate their wards and children outside of the country.” Friday Musings: pay through the nose irrespective of the number. “…in which the half-baked products of yesteryears are dropped into the system as instructors.” Reversing the rot in our schools: ‘yesteryear’ is uncountable.

From The Guardian Editorial of July 21 comes this error: “To underscore the growing concern, a report released few (a few) years ago by a presidential cancer panel….” There is a distinct difference between ‘few’ and ‘a few’.

“Japaul Oil, Agip Exploration restrained from transfering (transferring) funds on hired vessels”

EKSU warns lecturers, students against plagiarism Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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eachers and students of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU), AdoEkiti, have been urged to be original in their researches with a view to contributing to knowledge.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Oladipo Aina, advised them to stay away from intellectual misdemeanour bordering on plagiarism in the academic world.

He gave the warning while inaugurating a workshop on Research Methodology and Scholarship Grants organized by the Institute of Peace, Security and Governance of the university.

The VC said the students and the lecturers must be original in all research to be able to prove themselves in the academic world.

He further noted that the mission and vision of the institute was to bring positive change and solution to the

current security and peace challenges facing the nation, through research methodologies of modern standards.

In his address, the director of the institute, Prof Kunle Ajayi, said the workshop was meant to expose the students to sources of scholarship and grants and how they could access them and as well gain knowledge on academic honesty, ethics in research and on issues of plagiarism.

Ajayi said the students would also be exposed to a unified research methodology in peace and security research, public administration and corporate management.

In the first plenary session, the Dean, EKSU School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof Dipo Ogunleye, who spoke on Research Methodologies in Peace, Security and Governance, added that the idea was to teach how to write thesis in social science, looking at the importance of research, the structure.

Business

Thursday, August 13,, 2015

P&G to empower 5bn entreprenuers

Lenovo’s Thinkpad: A graphics workstations

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Subscribers set new performance criteria for new NCC’s 31 helmsman

NAICOM boss cautions practitioners against unethical practices SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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ommissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, Mohammed Kari has warned insurance practitioners to desist from unethical practises, urging them to embrace professionalism and ethical behaviour.

Kari, who gave the advice during the investiture of the 47th President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, in Lagos said, the advice has become necessary to regain the confidence of the profession.

The NAICOM boss, who said the Commission places more emphasises on professionalism, said the regulator will continue to support the Institute, espec1ally in the areas of curriculum for adequate capacity building for insurance practitioners.

“As we are aware, this is an era of change and insurance industry cannot be left behind in the scheme of things. I urge the CIIN to uphold and encourage its members to adhere strictly to the observance “of the industry’s codes of conduct as well as ethics for a healthy practice of insurance profession’’, Kari added.

He, however, reiterated the need to increase insurance contribution

to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, in order to win public apathy to insurance business.

Kari said: “We must’ desist from unwholesome practices in the discharge of our responsibilities to the insured by playing as true professionals.

“We should not be unmindful of the perception of the insurance profession by the public. The apathy towards insurance and the way and manner the profession is being addressed need a rethink

from all of us. We all know the whys, let’s us discuss dispassionately and agree on how to correct the wrong perceptions’’, he added.

Meanwhile, the new President of the Institute, Lady Isioma Chukwuma, at the ceremony unveiled an 11 point agenda to move forward the industry in Nigeria.

In her speech titled ‘Consolidating The Gains Of The Industry For National Growth’, Chukwuma said that the promotion of the ideals and gains of the

27

‘Insurance Industry Consultative Council, IICC, especially the sustenance of the Industry Mega conference, of which the just concluded Maiden edition would be a reference point, would be priority.

She explained that the the huge potential of the Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies shall be given prominence through sustained publicity geared at tapping fully into the opportunity for human capital development for the insur-

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L-R: President, Pharmacists Society of Nigeria, Pharm, Olumide Akintayo; Commercial Development Manager, Africa/ Development Countries in Asia, Mr. Jide Adeosun; Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mr. Lekan Asuni and National Treasurer, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Duru Emeka, during the signing of memorandum at the media launch of GSK’s innovative training program, Scientific Course for Pharmacist Education, in partnership with

CHAMP to train women on entrepreneurship, other skills Abolaji Adebayo CHAMP Limited, is set to train women in entrepreneurship, training them on managing work and family as well as women leadership in other sectors during its coming 2015 International Women Conference.

Telecoms sector contributes N1.34trn to Nigeria’s GDP in Q1

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he telecommunications sector contribution to the nation’s total economic output for the first quarter of this year slumped by eight percent.

Latest statistics made available to the National Mirror by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS showed that the sector contributed N1, 344,489.25 million, or 8.38 percent, a marginal decline from the 2014 average contribution of 8.46 percent.

The NBS said that the opening quarter of 2015 recorded a real growth rate of 5.36 percent, a rise of 0.61 percent points from the 2014 average growth rate, which was 4.75 percent saying that the only negative yearly growth rates were

recorded in 2011, with the lowest rate reaching 6.45 percent in the third quarter.

However, the report said that the following quarter saw the highest rate recorded, of 8.67 percent, which has not been matched to date noting that the share of telecommunications in real GDP has fluctuated between a relatively narrow margin between 2010 and first quarter of 2015, peaking at 9.32 percent in first quarter of 2010, and reaching a low of 7.68 percent in third quarter of 2012.

According to the report, the annual averages have shown steady marginal declines; from 9.03 percent of real GDP in 2010, declining to 8.68 percent in 2011, with margin-

al declines of 0.04 percent points in 2012, 0.07 percent points in 2013 and 0.11 percent points in 2014.

The NBS study indicated that the total number of subscribers had been increasing rapidly over the period of review moving from 2.27 million registered lines in 2002, to 127.61 million in 2014 while the annual growth averaged 46.29 percent between 2002-2014, with the highest rate recorded in 2004 at 153.65 percent, whilst 2011 saw the lowest rise, of 8.53 percent. NBS reported further that the 8.97 percent growth recorded in 2014 represented an additional 11.44 million subscribers during the year.

On the sector’s teledensity, which is measured as the number

of subscriptions as a ratio of the total population, the report indicated this also grew roughly equally to that of subscription rates, adding that “this would imply that subscription has grown at a similar rate to population growth?”

The Bureau stated that the figures appeared to have been inflated because some individuals or even businesses may have two or more lines as a larger portion of the population has access to mobile phones.

Statistics of mobile subscribers for GSM totalled 143,057,324 subscribers registered in the four networks of MTN, Etisalat, Globacom and Airtel as of April 2015 with MTN dominating the number of

subscriptions, with 61,218,803 subscribers or 42.84 percent of the total.

Globacom followed with 21 per cent. while Airtel was third most dominant at 20.48 percent and Etisalat was fourth with 15.69 percent.

The report showed that since May of 2014, monthly growth in GSM subscribers has averaged 0.95 percent, with the greatest increase being recorded in December of 2014 at 1.97 percent and the lowest in July of the same year at -0.43 percent.

NBS disclosed further that the growth in subscribers showed that Globacom recorded an average rate of 1.45 percent over the period, followed by Etisalat with 1.37 per cent and Airtel with 1.29 percent, whilst MTN recorded the lowest average monthly growth in subscribers at 0.44 percent.

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Business News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Revival of cocoa key to Nigeria’s economic growth - stakeholders Richard Ndoma, Calabar

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articipants at the international cocoa conference held on Tuesday in Calabar, Cross River State, agreed that if properly developed cocoa has the capacity to bolster Nigeria’s economy, or even displace petroleum products as Nigeria`s primary foreign exchange earner.

The conference, which was organized by the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) in collaboration with World Cocoa Producers Organisation, has the theme ‘Capacity Building on Risk Management For Cocoa Small Holder Farmers’ was kick-started without the Governor of Cross River state to declare the conference open.

President of CAN, Sayina Riman, explained that the conference was convened to help critical stakeholders in the industry discuss Price Risk Management Project which had over the years critically impacted against smallholder farmers in the country and other developing economies globally.

Executive Director of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Prof. Malachy Akoroda, in his keynote address said that cocoa had great economic potential for the country given the high demand for it around the world.

“Cocoa is number one non-oil export earner for Nigeria even when it is not enjoying desired state support, push and encourage-

ment for local farmers. The product has great hope. There are great demands for cocoa bye products in Western and Eastern countries but capacity to supply is limited”, he said.

Akoroda pointed out that the quality of cocoa produced in Nigeria was about the best globally because of the high breed species that are now made available to farmers.

He said that it had become possible for farmers these days to plant, nurture and have a high yield specie produce in six months adding that even within 18 months there could be unimaginable and bounty harvest against what was obtain-

able with the old species.

“Anyone can plan this specie and make real good profit, so that, say, in 5 years it is possible for the farmer to make as much as N15 million in profit”, the industry expert said.

He, however, lamented that pricing had been the major challenge because of factors like fertilizer, transportation and politics in the world cocoa market.

Corroborating the position of the CAN President on economic benefits of cocoa to the nation’s economy, Riman said cocoa business could change the economic

fortunes of Nigeria, adding that it is more sustainable than oil because there is possibility that oil can dry but cocoa will not.

With the intensive cocoa activities, he was happy that much younger people are getting entrenched in the trade in Cross River State thereby ensuring the future growth.

Dr Jean-Marc Anga, who is the Executive Director of International Cocoa Organisation, London, however said that “cocoa farmers, producer organisations and exporters are constantly exposed to potential financial losses as the cocoa prices move against them.

L-R: Executive Director, Large Scale Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Mallam Mohammed Goni Alkali; Founder\CRO, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi; Managing Director\CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa; President, Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria (FIDAN), Mrs Funmi Ajila Ladipo and Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Waheed Olagunju during BOI-Fashion Fund in Lagos.

Katsina lawmakers approve Masari’s N2bn loan request

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he Katsina House of Assembly has approved the request of Gov. Aminu Masari to secure N2 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to develop Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in the state.

The approval followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Alhaji Lawal Isa, which was seconded by Abubakar Yahaya.

Hon. Isa said the state gov-

ernment and the CBN had earlier explained to the House the importance of the loan to the state, adding that “we were convinced by the explanations because the loan would assist to boost socio-economic activities and eradicate poverty in the state.’’

He explained further that 60 per cent of the loan would be disbursed to women, while 40 per cent would be for males and therefore appealed to members

to approve the loan request.

Another member, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman urged the House to approve the request because it would help to improve the welfare of the people, especially the poor and the socially vulnerable, if properly utilised.

According to him, the request is timely considering the way people are suffering He expressed optimism that the loan if secured would go a

long way to alleviate their hardships and boost business activities in the state After contributions from members on the loan request were accomodated, the House unanimously approved the request.

The Speaker, Alhaji Aliyu Sabiu, subsequently ordered the Clerk of the House to forward the resolution to the governor.

Symantec to sell Veritas for $8bn to focus on security software

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orton antivirus software maker Symantec Corp (SYMC.O) has agreed to sell its data storage unit, Veritas, for $8 billion to a group led

by Carlyle Group LP (CG.O) as it seeks cash to turn around its core security software business.

The deal, the biggest U.S. leveraged buyout this year, will give Symantec much-needed funds to compete in the cyber security market with companies such as Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Intel Corp (INTC.O)

and Kaspersky Labs.

Shares of Symantec, which also reported weak quarterly results on Tuesday, fell as much as 6 percent.

Symantec has been facing headwinds as weak PC sales hurt demand for its security software, which comes bundled with computers. Demand for antivirus software has also fallen as users turn to advanced products for protection against sophisticated cyber attacks.

“Now they really get a new

lease on life in terms of focusing on their core security DNA as the Veritas storage piece has been a massive black cloud on the Symantec story for a decade,” FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives said.

Symantec is expected to use the proceeds to make inexpensive acquisitions as lofty valuations leave few security companies within its reach.

“If you think about potential acquisition candidates, those will be names like Proofpoint,

Qualis, FortiNet Inc (FTNT.O) as well as a host of private companies,” Ives said.

Symantec has long stayed away from network security products, which protect large amounts of data from online threats.

The fast-growing market is dominated by companies such as Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW.N), FireEye Inc (FEYE.O) and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd (CHKP.O).

Buffett’s biggest deal casts light on pension burden

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rowing pension obligations at Precision Castparts Corp (PCP.N), which Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to buy for $32 billion, highlight an issue that large U.S. corporations still face, almost a decade into a low-interest rate environment.

Berkshire’s boss, Warren Buffett, has himself highlighted rising pension cost as an area of concern for the American economy. Back in 2007, Buffett said in a letter to shareholders that S&P 500 companies should not expect above-average returns on their pension investments, as many companies publicly assumed at the time.

Obligations to retired workers pose an increasing risk to corporate bottom lines as investment returns in recent years have not consistently kept up with cost increases at most U.S. pension plans.

The industrial company Berkshire bought on Monday has been no exception, but the pension issue is not enough to raise alarm for Berkshire investors.

“It could raise its costs a bit, but for a company of this size, it’s not significant,” said Brian Reynolds, chief market strategist at New Albion Partners in New York.

Precision Castparts’ pension promises to pay $2.84 billion to its more than 10,300 participants, but was underfunded by $615 million of as of March 29, the end of its most recent fiscal year. That level of underfunding was up 61.8 percent from the prior year.

If Precision Castparts’ pension costs continue to rise quickly, they could limit the new business’s ability to contribute to Berkshire’s operatßing profit in coming years, but no one is predicting a major headwind.

Still, its recent history shows how hard it can be for pension plans to meet their stated goals.

Over the past five years, Precision Castparts’ return on pensions came close to its projections but never quite met them, according to company filings. Its return on plan assets averaged 7.46 percent, but that performance has been uneven. It earned 10.2 percent for fiscal 2015, but just 4.5 percent the prior year.

According to Precision’s most recent 10K filing, it assumed a long-term return of 7.75 percent for its U.S. retirement plans and 7.25 percent for its non-U.S. plans in fiscal 2015. It expected to assume the same returns for fiscal 2016.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

29

Shire steps up drive to get Baxalta talking after $30 billion bid

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hire (SHP.L) Chief Executive Flemming Ornskov is stepping up his campaign to get Baxalta (BXLT.N) to the negotiating table as he pushes the benefits a $30 billion takeover offer to the U.S. biotech company’s shareholders.

He has a fight on his hands, with investors in newly listed Baxalta arguing he must pay

more, although one person close to the Dublin-based drugmaker said there had been “encouraging feedback” from shareholders on the logic of the tie-up.

Ornskov and Shire’s chairwoman Susan Kilsby, a former mergers and acquisition banker, met Baxalta investors on both sides of the Atlantic at the end of last week and

will continue the charm offensive this week.

Baxalta CEO Ludwig Hantson, meanwhile, reiterated his belief that the value of Shire’s offer was “wholly inadequate”.

Shares in Shire and Baxalta both rose on Monday, helped by a bullish note from Cowen analyst Ken Cacciatore, who said a takeover did not pre-

clude an eventual acquisition of the enlarged group by a potential suitor like Pfizer (PFE.N).

Shire, which took the market by surprise with its move to forge the world’s leading rare diseases company by buying Baxalta, also needs to reassure its own investors.

Joe Walters, senior portfolio manager at Royal London

Buffett’s biggest deal casts light on pension burden

G

rowing pension obligations at Precision Castparts Corp (PCP.N), which Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to buy for $32 billion, highlight an issue that large U.S. corporations still face, almost a decade into a low-interest rate environment.

Berkshire’s boss, Warren Buffett, has himself highlighted rising pension cost as an area of concern for the American economy. Back in 2007, Buffett said in a letter to shareholders that S&P 500 companies should not expect above-average returns on their pension investments, as many companies publicly assumed at the time.

Obligations to retired workers pose an increasing risk to corporate bottom lines as investment returns in recent years have not consistently kept up with cost increases at most U.S. pension plans.

The industrial company Berkshire bought on Monday has been no exception, but the pension issue is not enough to raise alarm for Berkshire investors.

“It could raise its costs a bit, but for a compßany of this size, it’s not significant,” said Brian Reynolds, chief market strategist at New Albion Partners in New York.

Precision Castparts’ pension promises to pay $2.84 billion to

its more than 10,300 participants, but was underfunded by $615 million of as of March 29, the end of its most recent fiscal year. That level of underfunding was up 61.8 percent from the prior year.

If Precision Castparts’ pension costs continue to rise quickly, they could limit the new business’s ability to contribute to Berkshire’s operating profit in coming years, but no one is predicting a major headwind.

Still, its recent history shows how hard it can be for pension plans to meet their stated goals.

Over the past five years, Precision Castparts’ return on pensions came close to its projections but never quite met them, accord-

ing to company filings. Its return on plan assets averaged 7.46 percent, but that performance has been uneven. It earned 10.2 percent for fiscal 2015, but just 4.5 percent the prior year.

According to Precision’s most recent 10K filing, it assumed a long-term return of 7.75 percent for its U.S. retirement plans and 7.25 percent for its non-U.S. plans in fiscal 2015. It expected to assume the same returns for fiscal 2016.

Since Precision Castparts’ fiscal 2015 returns were solid but did not keep up with obligations, its funding deficit jumped.

(Source – Reuters.com)

Asset Management, a top 20 investor in Shire, said buying Baxalta was riskier than its previous smaller deals but he was ready to see a bump in the all-share offer, which was worth $45.23 a share at Aug. 3 market prices.

“Around the $50 mark is what it seems management would have to up their offer to, and I think shareholders would be comfortable, or at least mildly comfortable, at that level,” he told Reuters.

“But I think they would start to get a little nervous if the offer went much above that price.”

Rudi Van den Eynde, head of thematic global equity at European investment firm Candriam, which has exposure to both companies, was more cautious and described the proposed transaction as “somewhat negative”.

“We would have preferred a deal around a new, promising investigational drug instead of this major deal that comes close to empire building,” he said. “Flemming Ornskov is a hard-driving and well-respected CEO and he could make this deal work, however.”

P&G to empower 5bn entreprenuers globally SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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rocter & Gamble, P&G, said it plans to empower over five billion entrepreneurs across the global through its growing range of products.

P&G, makers of Ariel and other range of home brands, said its mission is to assist women as well as their families to achieve their full potential, disclosing that its brands of products are manufactured to international quality standards.

Commercial and Brand Director of the Company, Ehinomen Enekabor said one of its brands, Ariel believes that ‘’innovation starts with consumers, saying the brand would first gain insights into peoples’ daily lives, before combining the needed with possibility through latest technology and innovation.

“Ariel Automatic is the perfect match for your washing machine to deliver brilliant cleaning results. With Ariel’s “One Wash” promise, you can be certain you made a smart choice.

We also launched the New Ariel Automatic Detergent, created specifically to be used in full automatic washing machines. Ar-

iel Automatic contains up to 2X more specialized stain fighting ingredients than normal hand wash detergents, allowing your machine to give optimal performance with less inconveniences while providing brilliant stain removal’’, Enekabor stated.

According to the Brand Director, with more Nigerians investing in automatic washing machines, Ariel would be ready to offer a world-class product, specifically designed to suit their purpose.

Recently, some winners in Ariel’s Selfie Perfect Match Competition were empowered with different gift items, including washing machines.

Other gift items include LG automatic washing machine, Vlisco fabrics, Ariel hamper, Gift vouchers as well as grand prize of an outfit from Tiffany Amber.

Grand prize winner, Louisa Ejenavbo said Ariel Automatic is the perfect match for your washing machine to deliver brilliant cleaning results.

Ejenavbo said ‘’ Ariel contains a unique formulation that removes even tough food greasy stains faster in just one wash’’.

P&G community includes operations in approximately 70

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Austin Avuru; Chairman/Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr. Nolan O’Neal and Chief Operating Officer, Seven Energy, Mr. Jeff Corey, during the 2015 National Annual International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos, recently.

McDonald’s plans to close 59 locations in U.S.

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cDonald’s Corp. plans to shrink by 59 locations this year in the U.S. as the company cuts costs and tries to revive sales.

The chain is closing 184 restaurants and opening 125 new ones in 2015, according to a franchise operations document filed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce last month. The company said in June that it was closing more U.S. restaurants than it was opening this year but didn’t give an exact

figure.

The world’s biggest restaurant chain, which had about 14,350 domestic locations at the end of last year, is shuttering stores across the country as it struggles to reverse its worst sales slump in more than decade. In the U.S., where it gets about 32 percent of revenue, samestore sales have dropped for seven straight quarters.

“In the U.S., we will have a net reduction in restaurants, but the impact is minimal in comparison

to the 14,000 restaurants we operate across the country,” said Becca Hary, a company spokeswoman.

“We consistently review our restaurant portfolio and make strategic decisions to better position our business for the future.”

Americans are increasingly flocking to fast-casual restaurants, such as Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., that allow customers to build their own meals. McDonald’s is testing its own version of customizable sandwiches with TasteCrafted.

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Taxation

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Value added tax (VAT) and voluntary compliance

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he operation of the tax law is universally administered. Every person (corporate or individual) is a taxable entity no matter how, when and what method is used to conduct the business.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has adequate mechanisms to assess and bring all taxable entities into the tax net. Among these methods is cordial dialogues with stakeholders during enlightenment drives to achieve mutual understanding and promote voluntary compliance.

Registration by Taxable Persons Section 8(q) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2007, directs the Service to issue a taxpayer identification number to every taxable person in Nigeria in collaboration with State Boards of Internal Revenue and the Local Government Revenue Boards. Section 8(1) of the Value Added Tax Act (VATA) Cap V1 LFN, 2004 as amended in 2007 also requires taxpayers (individuals, enterprises or corporates) to register for VAT. However, when the tax identification number (TIN) is generated, it suffices and covers all the tax types as no other registration number for any tax type will be required.

Reference to Section 8(1) of the VATA as amended, it is specifically stated that “A taxable person shall, within six months of the commencement of the Act or within six months of the commencement of business, whichever is earlier, register with the Board for the purpose of the tax (VAT).”

The phrase whichever is earlier, that specifies the time for registration, has caused a lot of pain for taxpayers in VAT administration. It is not practical to expect that a business just recently incorporated (say in 2011) to have registered in 1994 for the purpose of the tax. Hence, a business incorporated after 1994 is expected to register within six months of the commencement of business.

Therefore, penalties (and other sanctions) for late registration for VAT would start counting immediately after the six months of commencement of business if the taxpayer fails to register for VAT and not six months from the commencement of the VAT Act when the business was probably not in existence.

Historical Antecedents of VAT • VAT was first introduced as consumption tax in 1919 in Germany, France (1954), UK 1973 etc.

• Introduction was occasioned by the impacts of 1st and 2nd World Wars.

• The adverse effects of direct taxation on the economy, individuals and businesses.

• The introduction of consumption tax was later modernized into VAT. • The high point of VAT is that it has no noticeable impact on the taxpayer because of its indirect nature.

VATable Income In arriving at what constitutes a VATable income, all income from sales, rentals, charges and fees relating to activities enjoyed by customers are VATable and should

Mr. Samuel

be charged with VAT. The law did not make provision for any activities or services that is non-VATable in the industry.

First Schedule of the Act stated Goods and Services Exempt from VAT in Nigeria.

The implication of the schedule is that any other business activity in the form of buying and selling or rendering of services or enjoying any rights which are not stated in the schedule are liable to VAT. Duration of Remittance All VAT charges should be remitted to an FIRS office within 21 days in arrears on a prescribed form 002. This is supported by Section 15 of the Act. Meanwhile, a taxable person who does not remit the tax within the time specified above, will be liable to 5% penalty and interest at commercial rate, added to the tax and the provision relating to collection and recovery of the unremitted tax, penalty and interest shall be employed.

Similarly, a taxable person who fails to collect tax is to pay 150% of the amount not collected plus 5% interest above the Central Bank of Nigeria rediscount rate.

Concept of Voluntary Compliance FIRS encourages voluntary compliance instead of the use of coercion. Tax compliance relates to the degree to which a taxpayer complies (or fails to comply) with the tax rules of a country, for instance, by declaring income, filing returns and paying the tax due on or before the due date.

Voluntary tax compliance is a situation where a taxable person or entity files returns without the tax authority resorting to using the instruments of the law and force to ensure compliance.

It is voluntary when a taxable person discharges the statutory obligation of tax payment on self-conviction and as a call to duty without notice or reminder within the time line allowed by law.

FIRS’ Means of Enhancing Voluntary Compliance • Through education and sensitization of operators.

• Business owners should have open anmind and seek clearance from FIRS when in doubt and seek further legal advice

when not satisfied.

• Regular monitoring/audit visitations to check compliance and enlighten taxable entities on their roles and responsibilities.

• FIRS ensures that the principle of know your tax payer (KYTP) is adhered to, so that it would be easy for taxpayers to reach schedule officers for information and guidance/assistance.

• Regular provision of VAT forms 002 for monthly rendition of returns.

• Encourage voluntary compliance to avoid infraction of the law.

• Consistency and civil enforcement of the provisions of the tax law • Imposition of interest and penalties and enforce compliance where default occurs.

• Improvement in the work process of the tax office to make compliance easier.

• Compliance with the Taxpayer IdentificationNumber requirements by business owners.

• Monthly rendition of returns and payments on or before 21st of each month in arrears, to the nearest FIRS office.

• Proper documentation and record keeping of VAT charges taken at source, returns and payments vi-a-vis correct profiling of income sources.

• Businesses should note that they are not the party suffering the VAT, but a mere agent of collection and remittance.

• It is better to charge wrongly and remit to FIRS, than not to charge at all, because when the actual liability is established, it is owner of the business that would bear the entire burden.

Consequences of Non-Compliance • Out of the entire VAT Act, of 47 sections, about one third of the provisions are on offences and penalties.

• Statute based consequences are highlighted from section 25 to 37 of VAT Act Cap VI, 2004 as amended in 2007. Some

examples of offences and penalties are: failure to submit returns attract a fine of N5,000 for each month the failure continues.

• Failure to collect tax attracts penalties of 150% of the amount not collected plus 5% interest above CBN rate.

• VAT evasion attracts N30,000 or twice the amount of tax evaded whichever is greater or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3years.

• Failure to keep proper records of accounts would attract N2,000 fine for every month the failure continues.

• Failure to issue tax invoice attracts fine of 50% of the cost of goods and services for which an invoice was not issued.

• Offences by body corporate: Every officer, manager, secretary and other similar officer including partner in partnership shall be severely guilty of an offence under the act, etc.

Reputational Implication • Second categories of consequences of non-compliance are reputational and reporting risks. Apart from reputational damage arising from actions by FIRS to enforce compliance via distrain, search and seizure, and litigation, amongst others.

• Reporting risk involves the imposition of interest and penalties.

• All the interest and penalties imposed on any of the aforementioned offences would be enforced.

FIRS tries to avoid enforcing compliance because of the Service’s slogan,“Taxpayers are King” except on recalcitrant taxpayers.

It is necessary to once again emphasize that nightclub and event center activities are not exempted from VAT. Consequently, taxpayers are encouraged to embrace voluntary compliance since the consequences of non-compliance are enormous; ranging from statute based sanctions to reputational damage/reporting risk.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Subscribers set new performance criteria for new NCC’s helmsman The newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, is coming into office amid high expectations of subscribers on telecom operators’ service quality. Guided by the bitter experiences of the past, the subscribers are looking at a regulatory regime that not only sanctions operators but also ensure adequate compensation when the rights of users are abused or violated by the telcos. Writes Isaiah Erhiawarien

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fter years of unending quest by telecoms subscribers in the country for quality of service, there appears to be some respite for the subscribers as the newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umaru Danbatta, has pledged to tackle quality of service, a bold step, which the consumers said is in their interest.

But then, investigations by National Mirror showed that beyond the promise, users of telecoms services are looking forward to a more commitment of the Commission to enforcement matters such that they do not only get value on their money spent for such services from the mobile network operators, MNOs, but also that whenever their rights are abridged appropriate compensation is paid.

A cross section of the consumers interviewed said that they want to be able to make and receive calls with easy, and as well as experience fast and reliable internet speed and access on their hand held devices, since that is the global trend.

A subscriber, Gloria Ndidi, a student of the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos said that what was paramount to her is the quality of services from the MNOs, pointing out that free airtime or bonuses from the operators cannot be exchanged for quality services.

According to her, what is the essence of free airtime, when such free airtime cannot be used to make calls noting that from her experience most of those free airtime turned out not be of any value because of the quality of service.

Ndidi said that despite the inability of the MNOs are to provider quality services for the subscribers, they are still made to reel in the pains of high tariff stressing that she considers the current tariff to be very high since it does not equate the quality services that provide year out.

She said that what she expects from the new leadership of the NCC is exclusive focus on the quality of service as well a customer care noting that her experience with the use of the data service of her mobile operator was not a friendly one.

For instance, Ndidi recalled that most times her data plan did not reach the expiry date before she was cut off and that several times she had to recharge her data plan twice in a month, which is not supposed to be so.

Another subscriber, Juliet Akpoesiri, founder of Jawani Dress Down clothiers said that the issue of quality of service prompted her to buy three mobile lines saying that she cannot avoid to be cut off from her custom-

NCC Headquarter

I want to pledge that I will bring to bear, my wealth of experience in tackling the issue of quality of service in order to meet the expectations of the public that we are servicing

Prof. Dambata

ers for a second.

According to Akpoesiri, communication with ones customers is very important because the current trend requires that anyone that does not want to lost his customers must be accessible 24/7 stressing that the present level of quality of service is making that a challenge for business executives like her.

She expressed excitement over the news that the new NCC boss has promised to tackle the problem adding beyond that the problems of the MNOs should be looked into.

The problem of electricity power supply in the country, according to her is a challenge to MNOs who must keep their base station running all year round stressing that the new NCC should look for ways to introduce palliatives that measures that will re-

duce the task of MNO generating their own electricity power.

She urged the new industry regulator to prevail on the Federal Government to accord priority to the operating environment of the telecoms sector, noting that based on what she heard and read from the news media, each time subscribers complain of poor quality services, the blame is always on the operating environment.

President of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers, NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo said that the new helmsman of the NCC should also look beyond just ensuring that there is quality of services in the industry.

According to him, the new NCC boss should as a matter of policy ensure that subscribers who have issues of poor quality services such as drop calls and undelivered text messages for which subscribers are often billed are adequately rewarded by the MNOs

that is concerned.

He also said that the Commission should compel the MNOs to give free airtime to the subscribers anytime that the MNOs perform below the Key Performance Indicators, KPI, as agreed by the Commission and the MNOs saying that every calls that goes out from the mobile phone of the subscriber is an income for government.

Ogunbanjo disclosed that subscribers spend N212 billion every month on telecoms services saying that “if we are now spending that much and you are fining the MNOs who are losing nothing, that is not proper since it is the customers of the MNOs that are suffering financial lost, and not the government.”

While calling on the new EVC to take drastic action against the lingering issue of unsolicited text message, he said that what the subscriber wants is for the MNOs to give the subscriber a code to unsubscribe out of whatever text messages that comes through their network.

He called on Danbatta-led management to make it easy for subscribers to assist in tracking fraudsters who use the mobile phones to deliver fraudulent messages that most people have fallen victim of.

He said that the present process whereby a police report is obtained by NATCOMS only for the MNOs to turn down the request is not helping the association to assist the police in tracking fraudsters.

The newly appointed NCC boss, who resumed duty in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Senate last week, promised to tackle the quality of service issues in the industry very seriously.

Danbatta told a cross section of top management and Staff of the NCC at the headquarters in Abuja that he will bring his experience to bear in confronting the challenges of the telecom industry in Nigeria.

“I want to pledge that I will bring to bear, my wealth of experience in tackling the issue of quality of service in order to meet the expectations of the public that we are servicing”, he said.

The industry expert said he would focus on those internationally acceptable ideals in telecom regulation, as stipulated by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU that makes quality of service a compelling attraction for the achievement of universal service.

He said: “The concept of universal access is premised on three ‘A’s, as the hallmarks of universal access and they include Availability of service, Accessibility of Service, and Affordability of service. Those will dictate at all times what we do, and I am sure those were the dictating parameters for improvement in the quality of service.”

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Info Tech

Thursday, August 13, 2015

IHS Towers, Etisalat finalise lease agreement Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

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HS Towers, a mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, has signed and completed the second tranche of the Etisalat Nigeria transaction.

A statement by the company indicated that the completed portion of the transaction includes, the transfer of 555 towers which is in addition to the 2,136 sites transferred to IHS saying that the transaction is part of the broader strategy to drive improvements in the quality of Etisalat’s network performance and to accelerate the roll out of 2G, 3G and 4G coverage through-

out Nigeria.

HIS Towers stated that this second tranche contained many of Etisalat’s strategically important sites, requiring the special care and dedication to customer service for which IHS has become synonymous.

Following the completion of this transaction, IHS will manage over 15,500 towers in Nigeria and over 23,100 towers throughout Africa. All acquired towers will be connected to IHS’ Network Operations Centres which ensures operations are optimised and IHS’ market leading network uptimes of over 99 percent are maintained.

Etisalat Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher, explained that this transaction

will enable the company to increase its network coverage and capacity while providing its over 23 million customers with more innovative solutions.

Executive Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of IHS, Issam Darwish, said: “We are delighted to continue to be trusted by Etisalat Nigeria to manage their passive infrastructure.

“Etisalat already has one of the highest quality networks in Nigeria and our partnership is designed to further promote network sharing, and deliver higher quality and reliable mobile services. For Etisalat, the partnership lowers operational costs and supports a cleaner environment through reduced diesel usage.”

Lenovo’s Thinkpad: A graphics workstations

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L-R: Group Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc, Mr. James Agada, Chief Information Officer, EMP, Mr. Hany Fawzy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, and Data Centre Manager, CWG Plc, Mr. Adetoyese Oyerinde during a visit by EMP to CWG corporate head office of in Lagos.

Nokia plans return after ending Microsoft deal

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nce mobile phone giant, Finnish company Nokia is planning a come back to an industry it once led, but that will have to wait till late 2016 after a non-compete deal with Microsoft expires, although preparations are under way.

Nokia is hiring software experts, testing new products and seeking sales partners as it plots its return to the mobile phone and consumer tech arena it abandoned with the sale of its handset business, Reuters reported.

Once the world’s biggest maker of mobile phones, the Finnish firm was wrong-footed by the rise of smartphones and eclipsed by Apple and Samsung. It sold its handset business to Microsoft in

late 2013 and has since focused squarely on making telecoms network equipment.

Now Nokia boss, Rajeev Suri is planning a comeback. He must wait until late 2016 before he can consider re-entering the handset business – after a non-compete deal with Microsoft expires – but preparations are under way.

The company has already dipped its toe into the consumer market; it launched an Android tablet, the N1, which went on sale in January in China and days ago unveiled a “virtual-reality camera” heralding it as the “rebirth of Nokia”.

It has also launched an Android app called Z Launcher, which organises content on smartphones.

Meanwhile, its technologies division has advertised on LinkedIn for dozens of jobs in California, many in product development, including Android engineers specialising in the operating software Nokia mobile devices will use.

Nokia had also planned to lay off about 70 people at the division, according to a May announcement, but a company source told Reuters that the figure had since been halved.

Nokia is not giving much away about its preparations, beyond saying some staff at the 600-strong technologies division are working on designs for new consumer products, including phones, as well as in digital video and health.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

our chance to get a laptop with Intel’s newest Skylake CPU is almost here, and Lenovo is making it possible and also created with mobile workstations stocked with the 6th-gen mobile chip and a dream checklist of advanced features.

It has up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, true PCIe SSD performance, Thunderbolt 3 and true USB 3.1 too. There’s even a new Nvidia GPU. Of course, the new ThinkPad P50 and ThinkPad P70 both pack Intel’s Xeon E3-1500M v5 CPUs, based on the Skylake microarchitecture. For mobile users, beyond saying unlocked, overclockable versions would be available, Intel has been mum. The new ThinkPad P50 is the smaller sibling of the giant P70.

Lenovo’s 17-inch P70 is the latest in a line of big old ThinkPads aimed at workstation users.

The first was the giant ThinkPad W700, as well as the over-the-top ThinkPad W700ds with two monitors. Yes, a laptop with two monitors.

The 7.6-pound P70 doesn’t get that crazy, but its specs will make its predecessors green with envy.

Besides the quad-core Skylake Xeon, the P70 and P50 feature a new Nvidia Quadro GPU too.

The pair of USB-C ports in Lenovo’s new ThinkPad P70 support 10Gbps USB 3.1 speeds as well as Thunderbolt 3.0 Of the two, the giant 17-inch P70 stuffs in the most hardware.

Besides the Skylake Xeon and Quadro chip, Lenovo also used Intel’s new Alpine Ridge controller.

Alpine Ridge supports the fastest Thunderbolt 3 spec as well as full-speed USB 3.1 across its USB-C ports. By full speed, I mean up to 10Gbps transfer speeds using USB 3.1.

The first laptop with USB-C, Apple’s 12-inch MacBook, is a bit of a sleight of hand. It has USBC, but its ports run standard USB 3.0 speeds. Google’s updated Pixel Chromebook also is limited to USB 3.0 speeds on its USB-C ports.

Running Thunderbolt 3 mode, Lenovo’s ports should crank it all way up to 40Gbps speeds.

Lenovo said the big P70 will also support up to four storage devices and up to 1TB of SSD storage. That means one M.2 slot and two SATA trays, along with the option to remove the optical drive and install a drive caddy for a fourth drive. Even better, the storage options now support booting to PCIe-based M.2 devices, which offers a huge improvement in performance. In fact, Lenovo claims up to five times the performance of an M.2 SATA or standard SATAbased device.

Most people know Intel’s new Skylake chip supports DDR4, but there’s also the capability to run DDR3L. Lenovo skips the older memory standard in favor of DDR4, which lets the P70 run up to 64GB in its four SO-DIMM slots.

The P70 can run up to 64GB of ECC DDR4.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, August 13, 2015

33

Government Technology

NIMC plans National Identification Number service link to MDAs Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

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he National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said it had completed all plans to deploy the National Identification Number (NIN) authentication and verification service link to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) and banks.

The General Manager, Information Technology and Identity Database (IT/IDD), Mr. Chuks Onyepunuka, who disclosed this during a media interaction in Abuja, said that the deployment was part of the Commission’s strategy to ensure the proposed September commencement of the mandatory use of NIN. According to him, all government institutions and agencies who require the biometrics of individuals to offer functional services or for security reasons are required by law to key into the NIMC National Identity Database for the purpose of identity management and verification.

He noted that NIMC has

before now, deployed the authentication and verification service link to the office of one of the security agencies and would soon after extend to other security agencies adding that NIMC is now set to deploy a pilot phase to MDA’s and Banks.

Onyepunuka further noted that NIMC is discussing with the MDA’s and banks to enable them ascertain the infrastructure to achieve the deployment of the NIN authentication and verification service link to their various offices nationwide.

He said that the institutions include the banks, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ministry of Aviation, Joint Tax Board (JTB), State House, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Pension Commission (PenCom), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

According to him, the veri-

fication and authentication of the NIN can be done online and the offline.

He said: “The online version has the web portal approach used for NIN verification alone; while the desk top is a robust windows based approach that allows an individual or organisation to

conduct the NIN, Fingerprint, demographics and document number verification.

“For the offline platform, on presentation of the National Electronic Identity Card, the individual or organisation requesting such identity, shall authenticate the identity by conductinga Match on Card

verification (MoC), an irrefutable offline confirmation by requesting the person to provide his finger prints on a card reading device to enable the matching of the finger print provided with the finger prints stored in the chip of the National eID Card”, noted Onyepunuka

L-R: FCT Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANT), Mr Edozie Ugwu; Representative, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Dr Alhassan Maji; Representative, Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Dr Friday Opara and NANTS, Secretary General, Mr Nick Alumona, at the opening of SMEDAN two days Training and capacity building for. Farmers in FCT in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Financial Technology

Cisco cautions Nigerian eterprise Intel rates Nigeria’s software industry high on security investment I E saiah

Isaiah Erhiawarien

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igerian companies have been advised to invest in integrated technologies to reduce detection and remediation significantly.

The advice, which was contained in the Cisco 2015 Midyear Security Report , and analyzes threat intelligence and cyber security trends, revealed the critical need for organisations to reduce time to detection (TTD) in order to remediate against sophisticated attacks by highly motivated threat actors.

General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone Mr. Dare Ogunlade said organisations in the country cannot just accept that compromise is inevitable, even if it feels like it today, noting that the technology industry must provide reliable and resilient products and services, and the security industry must provide vastly improved, yet meaningfully simplified, capabilities for detecting, preventing, and recovering from attacks.

He explained that the company was regularly advise on business strategy and security strategy, and that its partnerships can be trusted because “trust is tightly linked to security, and transparency is key so industry-leading technology is only half the battle.”

Ogunlade said that the company committed to providing industrydefining security capabilities and trustworthy solutions across all product lines saying that the report findings also underscore the need for businesses to deploy integrated solutions vs. point products, work with trustworthy vendors, and enlist security services providers for guidance and assessment.

The report covered intelligence threat that gives an overview of the latest threat research from Cisco and discusses criminals’ increasing use of macros involving Microsoft Office as well as new tactics from malware authors to evade detection, risk of malware encounters for specific industry verticals, time to detection of threats, updates on spam, threat alerts, Java exploits, and malvertising.

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rhiawarien

ntel Corporation has rated the software in Nigeria to be of very high potentials, saying that the world is expecting the best of software practitioners to come from the nation.

Regional Director, South and Sub-Saharan Africa, Intel Corporation, Sven Beckmann who made the remark during the has flagged off the Intel Developer Zone (IDZ) program in Lagos for Nigerian developers said Intel wants to see the next Einstein coming from Africa.

He said that Intel is students need to be mentored and we want to help guide them, so that they can better tap into their innovative ideas saying that “It is good to come to Nigeria and see how interested these young developers are in our programs, and we are open to partnering with them.”

Software and Services Lead, East Africa, at Intel, Agatha Gikunda said that the launch of the Intel Student Partnership

Program confers the status of on-campus ambassadors on the student partners and also help the budding developers acquire knowledge about Intel technologies.

Software and Services Lead, East Africa, Agatha Gikunda thereafter introduced Intel’s developer offerings to the participants, and offered them advice on how to monetise their software applications.

According to her, the programme would run in three Nigerian universities namely, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The event provided a platform for software developers to interact with Intel software experts and enjoy live training on how to use various Intel software tools on the Intel Developer Zone (IDZ) platform which supports Independent Software Vendors (ISV), app developers and maker communities with information and

tools.

Country Manager, Intel Corporation, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare said that Intel was trying to help local developers achieve their best saying that, “We want to create the right type of technology and also provide appropriate training to get the best out of this technology.”

During the event, participants were asked to propose their software app ideas to a panel of Judges, and 30-year old software engineer, Adetunji Adelakun, emerged as the first prize winner and was awarded with $5, 000 worth of marketing from Intel with his software idea; ‘Scantranx POS, an Android Cloud based POS system that supports multi-sale channels.’

The second place winner won a Samsung Galaxy Tab, while the third prize winner received encouraging remarks.

Intel Developer Zone is expected to offer Nigerian developers a place in the ecosystem of global technologies, tools, developers and partners.

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Global News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Germany government gained from Greek crisis – IWH study

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he Greek debt crisis has saved the German government some 100 billion euro (£70bn; $109bn) in lower borrowing costs because investors have sought safety in German bonds, a study has found.

Even if Greece defaults on all its debt, Germany would still benefit, says the German IWH institute.

Greece is hoping to reach a third bailout agreement, worth up to 86 billion euro, with its creditors this week.

Germany has funded 90billion euro so far and wants tough conditions for a new deal.

Greece missed two key payments to the International Monetary Fund in June and July, before a deal on a bridging loan was thrashed out by EU leaders.

The terms of the third bailout need to be reached by 20 August, when Greece’s next debt repayment to the European Central Bank becomes due.

Greek officials said negotiations were in the “final stretch”, prompting shares in Athens to jump more than two per cent.

But leading figures in Berlin were cautious that a final deal

was close.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said “thoroughness comes before speed” and Christian Democrat MP Ralph Brinkhaus suggested that interim bridging finance would be better than “rushing into a bad agreement”.

German officials are keen for Greece to sign up to credible pension reforms and privatisation plans, while the Athens government is looking for urgent funding to recapitalise the country’s ailing banks.

Any deal will have to be ratified by German MPs, many of whom object to handing more funding to the left-wing Syriza government of Alexis Tsipras.

However, the study by Halle Institute for Economic Research said Germany had made interest savings of more than three per cent of GDP between 2010 and 2015, and much of that was down to the Greek debt crisis.

Greece sought its first EUIMF bailout in 2010 and Germany provided funding over the past five years either directly or through the IMF or the European Stability Mechanism.

Merkel

The IWH study says every time this year there was a spike in the Greek debt crisis, which made Greece’s exit from the euro appear more likely, German government bond yields fell. Whenever the news looked better, Germany’s bond yields increased.

Even if the situation were to calm down suddenly, Germany would still be expected to profit from the situation, the IWH argues, because mediumand long-term bonds issued in recent years are still far away from maturing.

Greece, lenders clinch bailout deal after marathon talks

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reece and its international lenders reached a multi-billion euro bailout agreement on Tuesday after talking through the night, officials said, potentially saving the country from financial ruin.

The agreement, reached after a 23-hour session of talks, must still be adopted by Greece’s parliament and euro zone countries. The single currency bloc’s finance ministers are due to meet on Friday, giving time to finalize the deal before a major debt repayment next week.

The negotiations appeared to have resolved all the main outstanding issues, after Greece’s leftist government effectively capitulated last month to creditors’ demands for deep austerity measures in order to receive loans.

“Finally, we have white smoke,” a Greek Finance Ministry official said after exhausted Greek officials emerged in a central Athens hotel to

Juncker

announce the two sides had agreed on terms. “An agreement has been reached.”

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos confirmed only “two or three small issues” were pending. Greek shares rose, with the banking index surging 6 percent, while two-year bond yields fell more than 4 percentage points.

“The institutions and the Greek authorities achieved an agreement in principle on a technical basis. Now as a next step, a political assessment will be made,” European commission spokeswoman Annika Breidhardt said in Brussels.

Still, officials in skeptical northern European countries remained cautious, pending final approval of the deal.

“There remains work to be done with details,” said Finland’s Finance Minister Alexander Stubb. “We must take one step at a time. Agreement is a big word.”

Commission President JeanClaude Juncker was due to hold talks later on Tuesday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

Approving the agreement would close a painful chapter of aid talks for Greece, which fought against austerity terms demanded by creditors for much of the year before relenting under the threat of being bounced out of the euro zone.

After a deal in principle last month, the latest round of talks be-

gan in Athens three weeks ago to craft an agreement covering details of reform measures, the timeline for their implementation and the amount of aid needed.

A Greek Finance Ministry official said the pact would be worth up to 85 billion euros ($94 billion) in fresh loans over three years. Greek banks would get 10 billion euros immediately and would be recapitalized by the end of the year.

An EU diplomat said the agreement was worth between 82 billion and 85 billion euros.

Greek officials have said they expect the accord to be ratified by parliament on Wednesday or Thursday and then vetted by euro zone finance ministers on Friday. This would pave the way for aid disbursements by Aug. 20, when a 3.2 billion euro debt payment is due to the European Central Bank.

Facing a revolt from the far-left of his leftist Syriza party, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to once again rely on opposition support to push the package through parliament. Once the deal is ratified, Tsipras is expected to tighten his grip over the party by facing down rebels at a party congress next month before considering early elections.

Even then, doubts remain about whether a leftist government elected on a pledge to reverse austerity can implement the punishing terms of an agreement that critics say compromises the government’s basic principles.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

China devalues yuan currency to three-year low

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he lender said the move was a “one-off depreciation” of 1.9 per cent in a move to make the exchange rate more market-oriented.

It comes in the wake of a string of weak economic data from the world’s second largest economy.

At the weekend, China reported a sharp fall in exports and a slide in producer prices to a near six-year low in July.

Exports fell by 8.3 per cent in July, far worse than expected and the producer price index was down 5.4 per cent from a year earlier.

The midpoint for the yuan is now set at 6.2298 to $1, up from 6.1162 yuan on Monday.

The People’s Bank of China (POBC) manages the rate through the official midpoint, from which trade can rise or fall 2% on any given day.

Until now, it had been determined solely by the central bank itself.

Making the rate more marketbased will mean the midpoint will now be based on overnight global market developments and how the currency finished the previous trading day.

China wants to be included in the IMF’s reserve currencies basket The POBC’s move comes amid speculation that China is preparing to widen the trading band for

the currency from the current two percent range.

China has long kept tight control of the yuan value on concerns over financial volatility and losing its policy control.

Yet it is also under pressure to reform its currency policy as it pushes to become one of the International Monetary Fund’s “special drawing rights” (SDR) reserve currencies.

These are currencies which IMF members can use to make payments between themselves or to the Fund.

Analysts ask, though, whether this really is a one-time move from China.

“The question on everyone’s mind is whether this is the awakening of the dragon - ushering in a new global currency war?” Angus Nicholson, market analyst with trading firm IG wrote in a note.

Chinese PM, Li Keqiang

Ford targets emerging markets with frugal India engineering

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ord Motor Co (F.N) plans to use the low-cost techniques it learned in India to develop compact models for other emerging markets, executives said, copying a strategy used by the Asian rivals that outsell it in the world’s fifth largest auto market.

The U.S. automaker has struggled to compete in India, a market where small, inexpensive yet powerful cars are popular and which is dominated by carmakers such as Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MRTI.NS) and Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS).

Last fiscal year, Ford sold just 75,000 cars - a figure dwarfed by top selling brand Maruti Suzuki - and its three per cent share of the overall passenger vehicle market is one of the small-

Ford car

est among foreign automakers.

Ford aims to expand its market share by launching its first Indiaspecific small car, the Figo Aspire, on Wednesday. The car’s powerful and fuel-efficient engine will also be fitted into other vehicles Ford plans to export to Africa and Southeast Asia, executives say.

“We are being challenged to find engineering solutions at lower costs than we have traditionally been able to do,” John Lonsdale, head of Ford’s B-car program in Asia Pacific, told Reuters in a recent interview in the western city of Udaipur.

“This market, probably even more than Brazil, is demanding cost strategies and cost structures that are lower than anywhere else,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 13 2015

Brands & Marketing

35

Goldberg: Leveraging on culture to deepen brand equity The Osun Oshogbo yearly festival commenced this week and has continued to showcase the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Yoruba race in South West Nigeria, but activities toward it started earlier. DAVID AUDU was at the stakeholders meeting before the commencement of the event and filed this note.

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he festival is as ancient as the mystical tales around it, and in modern day Oshogbo histriology, it occupies a special place in the wellbeing and development of the average Osun indigene. Every year, people gather Oshogbo, the Osun State capital, to witness what has become one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural festival, and indeed, cultural tourist attraction in the South Western part of the country.

History have it that the Osun Osogbo festival started within the grove, in about 1370 AD, when Oba Olarooye and his subjects settled at Ojubo, a place that is now called Osun temple. It is said that Oba Larooye set up the first palace at Osun Shrine. There are three shrines: Osun, Obatala at the Osun groove and Osun shrine at the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo.

The Osun River goddess is credited with the founding and establishment of Oshogbo town.

Some accounts describe her as Oso-Igbo, the queen and original founder of Oshogbo town.

Thus, the Osun Oshogbo festival, which has been celebrated for about six hundred centuries, was built around a relationship between the river goddess, Osun, and the first monarch of Oshogbo kingdom, Oba Gbadewolu Larooye Few years ago, in recognition of the extensive work of restoration by Suzanne Wenger, the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, recognized it as one of the world cultural heritage. “UNESCO recognition is basically a licensed outlet to produce and market highly valued and internationally recognized local culture, which can be converted into global presence and recognition, which in turn can be converted into economic capital, money, which those states that are endowed leverage economically.

Speaking to brand journalists late last year, the Osun State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture & Tourism, Adetona Sikiru Ayedun noted that the state targets N15 bilion revenue from tourism by 2015. It is believed that the government no doubt was having in mind the great tourism potential presented by the annual Osun Oshogbo festival among others attractions in the state.

With the expected influx of local and interna-

Past Osun-Osogbo Olori Olawale

Goldberg has endeavoured to position itself in the minds of the people as those who celebrate their culture tional tourists to the state during the festival, brands have aligned themselves and are leveraging the ancient festival to promote and deepen their brand equity among consumers. At the last count over a dozen local and international brands have presence in the ongoing festival, promoting their goods and services.

However, the presence of the Nigerian Breweries Plc at the event did not go unnoticed.

Apart from the mast of the Goldberg bottle dwarfing every other objects within the palace of the Ataoja of Oshogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, the company equally built a Goldberg beer village named after its brand, where residents, visitors and tourist would visit, eat, drink and relax listening to live music supplied by popular Nigerian artists.

According to the company, its involvement goes beyond marketing but helping to elevate cultural festival to world tourism standards.

During a stakeholder’s forum, a prelude to the commencement of the festival, where Nigerian Breweries communicated its renewed commitment to the Atoaja, Corporate Affairs

L-R: Mr. Mfon Bassey, Brand Manager Goldberg, Mr. Joseph Bodurin Regional Business Manager Ibadan, His Royal Majesty the Ataoja of Osogboland Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, Mr. Tayo Adelaja, Public Affairs Manager West and Mr. Fredrick Van Os, Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc during a stakeholders’ forum held at Osogbo recently.

Adviser, Nigerian Breweries plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, described the Osun Osogbo festival as one of the flagships of Nigeria’s cultural festival and urged the stakeholders to work to sustain it.

While paying homage to those who have sacrificed and worked to ensure the preservation of the Osun-Oshogbo cultural institution, Ekanem, who was represented by the Corporate Communications/Employee Engagement Manager, Mr. Patrick Olowokere, said Nigerian Breweries would continue to partner with them to further unlock the Oshogbo cultural heritage and others cultural landmarks and heritages across the country.

He said though Nigerian breweries has been involved with the festival for the past 27 years, it was For three years ago that Goldberg as a brand has become a significant face of the festival pledging that NB would continue to partner with the organisers of the age long festival to put Nigeria on the world tourism map, a commitment he said they are proud to associate with”.

Ekanem said the company through its brand, Goldberg, would create memorable experience of rewarding loyal consumers and indigenes of Osun state during the event.

He said the partnership will not only enhance commercial activities in the town but will also increase trade transactions as thousands of visitors who will be visiting daily during the event will be entertained by Godberg beer.

Responding, Oba Oyetunji commended Nigerian Breweries and the Goldberg brand for identifying with the culture of Osun people. He said the Osun traditional institution will continue to preserve and sustain the over 200 years old festival.

Speaking also, the Osun Osogbo festival consultant, Mr. Ayo Olumoko commended NB Plc

for its support for the festival in the last 27 years.

He said such support has helped in beaming the spotlight on the festival which he said is taking an international dimension.

The occasion was also used to declare open the Goldberg beer village located in the heart of Oshogbo town.

On the brand’s exploit during the Oshogbo festival for the past three years, Goldberg Brand Manager, Nfom Bassey remarked that the brand has been able to endear itself to the people of Oshogbo because it has been able to galvanize followership through the appeal of quality and pricing.

“The crowd you are seeing is a result of consistent identification with the expectations of the people. We have prepared for the people of Oshogbo to be entertained for the next two weeks, and besides, they will go home with something new. We are not just selling products to them; we are selling experience that will remain with them for a long time.

Assessing this year’s event with that of last year, Johnson, said every year the brand strives to improve on its delivery of experience to consumers. “Goldberg has endeavoured to position itself in the minds of the people as those who celebrate their culture. As I am speaking to you the brand has doubled its volume, the awareness of Goldberg beer has increased and the brand preference has doubled since we started to identify with the people of Oshogbo through the festival.

A consumer, who identified herself as Omowunmi Bankole, said she came from Ibadan to attend the festival and to have a first,hand experience of the Goldberg beer village.

“I am happy with the level of support the festival is receiving and I hope it will be sustained.

I have been attending the festival before, but I think this year is different, especially, with the opening of this beer village. Nigerians and foreigners will be grateful to Nigerian Breweries.

You can get anything you want here, it is good for us who love to catch fun” Bankole enthused.

The opening night of the beer village was grace by a fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi, aka, Pasuma. According to Nigerian Breweries regional manager, Ibadan, Mr. Joseph Bodurin, the beer village will have live entertainers each evening. Besides, he said there would be raffle draws where consumers will gift items as part of the company’s appreciation for loyal consumers.

In attendance were high ranking chiefs in Osogboland among whom were Chief Moshood Adeyemo, Chief Fashanu Tunde and Olori Jelilat Oyetunji. The event, compered by Yemi Shodimu an actor and a television host was spiced up by spectacular performances by the Aje Cultural group, a Lagos-based cultural group.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Pumoh.com debuts in Nigeria’s online shopping space David Audu

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he scramble for Nigerian consumers’ slim pockets deepened recently as new entrant to the online retail market, Pumoh Group, announced it presence in Lagos on Tuesday in Lagos.

The media launch also included the unveiling of Mr. Sam Uche Anyamele, a Nollywood actor and director as the brand ambassador responsible for the integration of the brand name amongst relevant publics.

Speaking during the media launch, Executive Director and Legal Adviser, Barrister Umoh Adingwupu, said “Pumoh online shopping mall will focus on best practices while offering clients and visitors the best of local and international goods.

Our aim is to foster continued e-commerce growth in Nigeria, bridging the gap between physically visiting the shop to a truly viable, stress free and sustainable endeavour.”

Adingwupu says Pumoh.com is

a one-stop shop with many unique features. According to her “Apart from offering a wide range of products for all categories of buyers with rock bottom prizes, Pumoh.com allows customers get instant shopping vouchers by playing an online quiz game. Winners will then receive a shopping voucher equivalent to the amount won which can be used to shop on Pumoh.com without additional charges.”

She added that “Nigerians cannot continue to live in isolation of current realities. With the digital age comes new opportunities. The exigencies of time and the need to reduce the cost of shopping while bridging the gap between manufacturers/merchants and buyers present Pumoh.com with a bright opportunity in this unique market.”

The Managing Director, Mr. Francis Osuagwu, said that Pumoh. com is out to fill a gap in e- commerce business in Nigeria. He said the offering is to prioritize services

for merchants and customers. He hinted that Pumoh.com is providing a unique offering for students and aspiring authors through the Virtual Academy; a platform where students can engage and study to improve their knowledge and aspiring authors can also achieve the fulfillment of their creative works.

Osuagwu explained that “The relatively functional infrastructure and change in life style of the populace, including crave for internet services, online payments and point of sale facilities via various bank platforms gives impetus for the development of the nation’s e-commerce values.”

Underscoring the challenges of online payment, the management has taken a step further to partner with local and international payment gateways and logistics providers offering diverse range of online payment solutions to ensure a well secured and easier online payment for its customers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ad blocking revenue loss hits £14bn David Audu

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he number of people using ad blocking software has grown by 82 per cent in the UK over the past year and worldwide usage is expected to hit ad revenues by more than £14 billion in 2015.

A report from PageFair and Adobe found there were 12 million average monthly active users of ad blocking software in the second quarter of 2015 in the UK. The use of ad blockers globally grew by 41 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of the year. The Cost of Ad Blocking study said there were 198 million monthly active users for the major browser extensions that block ads.

The research also said £14.1 billion ($21.8 billion) of ad revenue would be lost through use of the software and predicted that ad blocking will cost £26.8 billion ($41.4 billion) globally by 2016.

The study added that sites aimed at “young, technically savvy, or more

Facebook, Google, Twitter block ‘hash list’ of child porn images

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L-R: Mr. Bolaji Alausa, Executive Creative Director, Noahs Ark Communications; Mr. Lanre Adisa, Managing Director, Noahs Ark Communications; Mr. Kareem Taiwo, Media Director, Noahs Ark Communications at the media parley in Noahs Ark Commuincations Limited... recently.

Future Awards Africa hosts Africa-wide town, seeks nominations David Audu

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he Future Awards Africa (TFAA), will be touring 10 African cities to host town hall meetings as part of run up to the 10th edition of TFAA set to take place in December.

The town hall meetings, designed to gather leading young people within communities to host meaningful dialogue aimed at tackling important issues facing the continent with a focus on their community, will also spur nominations of young Africans creating change.

Scheduled for this month and September, these meetings will cut across the continent, taking place in cities including Durban, South Africa; Dakar, Senegal; Accra, Ghana; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Young people across the continent are becoming increasingly aware that tackling the issues and collaborating on unique solutions can generate powerful multipliers effect that create wide-ranging impact—not only in their local communities and countries, but also in the rest of Africa,” said Mfon Ekpo, Executive Director, The Future Project (TFP). “We need to ensure these voices are heard and recognised as a rich source of inspiration and ideas that will transform our continent, and TFP is excited to help take these first steps.”

The theme for TFAA’s 10th anniversary is ‘Imagine Africa!’ chosen to highlight young Africans who are fulfilling the promise of the continent by conquering the unlimited frontiers of imagination. TFAA is

proud to demonstrate the richness and variety of positive change catalysed by these young ideas.

Nominations are open to the general public for individuals or teams above the age of 18 and no older than 31, who have been able to create incredible impact and well-documented accomplishments within their community and/or globally in the last year.

These achievements should revolve around their results, potential for growth plus the ability to inspire other young people in Africa.

The award categories for 2015 are in the following categories: Education, Agriculture, Advocacy, Technology, Public Service; Community Action; The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business; Entertainment; Enterprise Support and the Young Person of the Year.

male audiences” are the most affected by ad blockers.

Gaming sites took a 26.5 per cent share of the global ad blocking market in the second quarter of 2015, whereas government and legal sites only had a 2.5 per cent share.

Sean Blanchfield, the co-founder and chief executive at PageFair, said: “It is tragic that ad block users are inadvertently inflicting multi-billion dollar losses on the very websites they most enjoy.

“With ad blocking going mobile, there’s an eminent threat that the business model that has supported the open web for two decades is going to collapse.”

In June a YouGov survey revealed that one in seven UK internet users are using ad blocking software with 34 per cent of those users aged between 18- to 34-years-old. The majority (80 per cent) are using the software on laptops, with fewer than one in five people using them on mobile devices.

But in June Apple revealed that ad blocking software could be available in the next major operating software upgrade of the iPhone.

nternet giants including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo are stepping up the fight against paedophiles, with a new system that automatically blocks images of child sexual abuse.

The companies have started using a database of thousands of known child sex abuse images compiled by the Internet Watch Foundation, IWF, known as a “hash list”, to identify and block these images.

Each of the images has been assessed by a highly-trained analyst and assigned a “digital fingerprint” (also known as a hash value) – a unique code created by running the image through an algorithm.

Any copies of the file that are made will produce the same hash

value when analyzed, so if anyone tries to share the image on Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Twitter or Yahoo, these companies will automatically detect the hash value and block the image.

The hashing technology that the tech companies will use to identify known child abuse images has been developed by Google, and is now being shared with the wider industry. The IWF said that all eligible members will soon be offered access to the hash list.

A similar system is already used by Dropbox, Google and other to prevent users from sharing copyright-protected files with other users.

Red Media Africa holds summit David Audu

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ed Media Africa in partnership with Troyka Holdings and the School of Media and Communication will host West Africa’s omni-media summit in October, this year.

Called ‘The RED Summit’, this event will bring together companies and individuals from across Africa with vested interests in media as they explore new trends in a rapidly changing landscape.

International and local experts, alongside investors and fellow participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas about the future of media in Africa.

Director of Content at Red Media Africa and Head, Organising Committee of The RED Summit, Isime Esene, said, “Nigeria, and

Africa as a whole, is making giant strides in media and there’s no better time to seize the narrative, tell our stories, and establish ourselves as an integral part of a fast evolving global media landscape.”

The RED Summit is part of events celebrating 10 years of Red Media Africa’s impact on Nigeria’s media space. The event will feature several invited speakers including Ije Nwokorie, Global CEO of Wolff Olins, an internationally renowned brand consultancy; Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings; Mo Abudu, CEO EbonyLife TV, and others.

The event will also feature a dinner and an awards night where a select group of media icons and thought leaders will be honoured for their contribution to the growing media industry in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, August 13, 2015

MTN Business, SMEDAN partner to deepen economic growth David Audu

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TN Business has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to work towards moving Nigeria’s SMEs to the next level in their business operation.

One of the key objectives of the collaboration is to provide Nigeria’s SMEs, via SMEDAN, an online platform that offers access to market and visibility for their business offerings, as well as avail them of MTN’s broad range of SME-specific technology solutions.

In addition to free listing on their online platform, MTN Y’ello Directory, the MoU will afford SMEs access to discounts on select MTN SME services.

General Manger, Enterprise Marketing, MTN Nigeria Mrs.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, the initiative was in line with their Next Level initiative. “We continue to seek credible partners in the public and private sector that share our vision of enabling and inspiring growth amongst SMEs. SMEDAN will allow us reach more SMEs across the country, giving them access to technology as well as other SME-relevant services.”

She added that because they understand what it takes to grow and sustain a business, MTN provide growing businesses solutions designed to meet their unique requirements, helping them to become bigger and better.”

Director General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, confirmed the collaboration, saying that they are happy to collaborate with MTN Business on the shared objective of helping small

businesses move forward via technology.

“This harmonizes with the purpose for which we were established in 2003. It is SMEDAN’s vision to achieve a structured and efficient Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector that will enhance sustainable economic development of Nigeria.”

As part of its Next Level initiative launched earlier this year, MTN Business is creating a community of SMEs in Nigeria by getting them listed for free on MTN Y’ello Directory. Besides the visibility that this provides, SMEs on MTN Y’ello Directory equally have an opportunity to enjoy a bundle of solutions specially designed for today’s SME. This initiative is open to the 35 million SMEDAN-recognized SMEs.

L-R: Superior Games Sales Manager, Tosin Bankole; Head, Marketing, Feyisayo Tuyo; Chief Operating Officer, Ernest Akinola and Head, Admin & HR, Superior Games unveiling SuperiorBet betting games held the company’s Head Office, Maryland, Lagos yesterday.

Harpic excites consumers with Mystery Home Visits David Audu

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arpic, manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser, recently engaged streets and markets in Lagos to connect and reward consumers for their loyalty.

The initiative is in line with the company’s new campaign, hygiene and home care brand.

Reinforcing its triple-powered impact for toilet solution via the new campaign tagged “Harpic All in One Toilet Solution”, the brand led by her brand ambassador, Helen Paul engaged consumers with Mystery Home visits and rewards across various markets and neighborhoods in Lagos and its environs.

During the Home Mystery visits, a total of twenty five consumers were rewarded with varieties of home appliances at Abesan Estate Ipaja,

Ogba/Ijaye Estate, Jakande Estate, Isolo; Amuwo-Odofin Estate, Mile 2 and Dolphin Estate.

The market reward also saw three wholesalers and two retailers at each location rewarded. The markets located at Oke-Arin, Mushin, Agege, Trade Fair and Ikotun areas of the state welcomed the Harpic team enthusiastically.

“I was so surprised when I saw Helen Paul knocking at my door. Getting a gift from her is something Iwill never forget and I am still surprised this happened for real. I’m a user of Harpic and I want to thank the company for the gift”, said Ojo Faith, a resident of Amuwo-Odofin who was one of the lucky winners.

Another lucky winner, Ajibade Oluwafunke, thanked Harpic for the exciting moment she had to spend with

the brand ambassador. She also commended the brand for their consistency and frequent awareness on hygiene.

“When it comes to issues of toilet cleanliness and hygiene, Harpic has been so educative and informative about this and I so much appreciate them.

That is why I now use their product”, she revealed.

Consumers from other neighbourhood like Abesan Estate Ipaja, Jakande Estate Isolo, Ogba-Ijaiye EstateAgege, Dolphin Estate Obalende andAmuwo-Odofin Housing Estate expressed similar sentiments. They commended the brand for the creative way it has brought issues regarding toilet to the frontburner.

“Nobody likes to talk about toilet, but Harpic has made it so easy now that we can talk about it openly. That to me is the way to go because we have

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Fanta thrills 6,000 teens at RCCG camp David Audu

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anta soft drink revved up play and fun at the just concluded 63rd annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG thrilling over 6,000 teens who attended the summer camp programme.

Assistant Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Jumoke Oyewole said, Fanta’s outing at the RCCG annual convention form part of theongoing mission to create more play and fun moments in the world.

“We are leveraging this opportunity to show Nigerian Tweens and

Teens just how much we care about and appreciate them, and to reiterate to them that we are committed to helping them express their youthful passions.”

Oyewole also added that Fanta believes in providing a platform for its consumers to express themselves through the play elements that matter to them, social and physical play.

Commending Fanta for its various initiatives at the camp, one of the parents of the children present at the event, Mrs. Franca Akinsanya, remarked that Fanta did a good job by bringing excitement to the summer camp as her children were thrilled and excited throughout the week.

Staple to sell crowd funded product

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taples now features an entrepreneurial e-commerce store for the winners of its first Crowd2Shelf contest. Staples.com fundable displays the results of the contest that drew thousands of start-ups from around the country, competing for a chance to crowd fund their way to Staples.

During the contest, contestants gathered votes and crowd funding pledges for their innovative products. Then, a panel of experts, including Fundable and Staples representatives, chose the winners based on votes, success of crowdfunding campaigns, and the potential for success.

The debut of the online stores marks the first time a retailer has used crowd funding to determine market demand and social support when choosing products to sell.

“We’re proud to showcase our Crowd2Shelf entrepreneurs through our new online store and help them launch their ideas,” said

Daniel Reilly, director of product design and innovation at Staples.

“We were incredibly impressed with the caliber of start-up product companies that participated and are thrilled to offer our customers these innovative new products to help them make more happen.”

Winning products range from a secure tablet holder to remote-controlled, recessed LED lighting.

Staples has made a push to further expand its services for business customers. Last month the retailer relaunched its business to business website. Staples Advantage, to better serve mid to largesized businesses. The new site has an online tool for managing customer accounts, content is better optimized for mobile and desktop, and browsing and checkout is faster.

The chain also introduced a business loan service to help smallbusiness owners by giving quick and easy access to capital.

to take hygiene serious. The government was able to contain Ebola because the citizens were properly educated about hygiene which is top most in Harpic’s campaign,” says Mrs Esther Tella at Abesan Estate, Ipaja.

Osinaga Adedolapo, on her part also commended the brand, especially its choice of brand ambassador whom she described as being down to earth. She said she has been a regular user of Harpic over the years because “the company is serious about hygiene and takes public enlightenment serious.”

According to the Marketing Director of Reckitt Benckiser, West Africa, OguzhanSilivrili the main goal of the new campaign was to enlighten consumers on the superiority of Harpic over traditional toilet cleaning methods.

“We know that consumers

want products that can remove tough stains, kill germs and freshen their toilets. This is why you see some people buying detergent, bleach and toilet fresheners for their toilet.

This campaign is good news to such consumers. They will now realize they can conserve their cash for other things since they do not need to buy three different products for their toilets. Now, they can get all they need in one productHarpic”, he said.

Silivrili explained further that the rationale behind the choice of Helen Paul as Brand Ambassador. His words: “we place strong premium on the importance of educating and informing our consumers so we had to dig deep and based on consumer preferences through research to identify a special celebrity whose character is congruent with our brand.

Insight

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside the world of human

Young girls and boys genuinely running away from unemployment and poverty, among others, who have a warped sense of success and riches, are increasingly becoming victims of human trafficking. SAM EFERARO writes that this modern form of slavery is not abating, despite the efforts of NAPTIP and other similar global agencies.

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he sounded somewhat impassive as she narrated her story. Yet, you could hear a pin drop as her audience, mainly journalists, listened with rapt attention. Many were moved to tears. Hannah (not real name) was one of the victims of human trafficking rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), who have resolved to tell their stories on the inglorious, but booming trade of human trafficking in various parts of the world.

Hannah told how a minor disagreement with her parents in Cross River State led her to Benin in Edo State where she planned to stay with a friend who had once promised her a job. But her friend, as she found out, was not really in a position to help out, as she was just a house help in Benin.

Hannah, however landed a “better offer.” A young man, Chinedu, told her of a lady in Bamako, Mali who required a young house help and promised to take her. She was ecstatic. Soon, she took off with Chinedu. Surprised but not suspicious, she discovered there were other girls also being “helped” by Chinedu as they made their way to Lagos and from there, immediately headed for Bamako

through Cotonou, Benin Republic. From Bamako, Chinedu herded them off to a little town of Kayes (pronounced “Kai”) in the western part of Mali.

The real story began to unfold when Chinedu promptly handed the girls to a matronly Edo woman. Hannah and her co-travellers never saw him again. That was when their new madam told them they had been sold to her and they would have to work for her until they could buy their freedom. Their new job, madam informed, would be to sleep with as many men that came their way everyday until they could earn enough money to settle their prices and then start their own life.

Hannah was livid.

But like it or not, she had to be initiated. Every plot to escape or not to indulge in prostitution was thwarted by madam’s ubiquitous security boys. The woman, she said, even had some Malian policemen working for her. Many times, the girls were made to face some horrendous punishment each time they tried to escape. Hannah told how some of them were brutally raped to the extent that one of the girls had her womb gouged out. A few also died in the process.

After several attempts, Hannah was linked with the Nigerian Embassy in

His benefactor had assured him of a better life in South Africa as a soccer player and he did not hesitate to sell off his spare parts business to pay for his visa and ticket.

Sensitisation boards

A Nigerian, Odosa Usiobaifo, being led to jail in Britain after being convicted of trafficking of young women for the purposes of sexual exploitation

Mali with the help of one of the boys working with the madam who also plotted her escape along with two other girls.

She is indeed lucky. Many other victims caught in the vicious web of human trafficking worldwide are either not alive to tell their stories or will never get out.

According to NAPTIP, many more Nigerians are even still falling victims almost on a daily basis.

National Mirror is in possession of a report by the Media Network Against Human Trafficking (MeCAHT) a nongovernmental organisation based in South

Africa involved in the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in South Africa. The organisation is currently monitoring many victims and trying to work out ways of helping them recover their freedom and have them return to normal life.

The stories of Nigerians among them are similar to Hannah’s.

Take Uche for instance. He is one of the many Nigerian victims of migrants smuggling now parading the streets of South African cities. They work mainly as pimps and drug dealers. They are lured by the traffickers from Nigeria with promises of either a good job in South Africa or a lucrative football career.

Uche arrived in South Africa over a year ago full of excitement. Then, the world appeared to be his oyster as he dreamt of the good life he had been promised before leaving Nigeria. His benefactor had assured him of a better life in South Africa as a soccer player and he did not hesitate to sell off his spare parts business to pay for his visa and ticket. To him, South Africa was going to be just the beginning. The ultimate would be his eventual transfer to one of the elite football clubs in Europe.

Today, his dreams have evaporated into thin air as he has realised that the rosy pictures painted to him in Nigeria were mere empty promises. Uche now fears for his life. He has ended up as a pimp and he lives in constant fear that he might end up in jail if he’s lucky or he could have his life terminated like a cockroach – just like a fellow Nigerian pimp and drug dealer who was arrested by the police recently and was promptly sen-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, August 13, 2015

39

traffickers and their victims tenced to 15 years in prison or his Camerounian friend who was shot dead, also not too long ago, by an irate client whose money was stolen by the girl he (the Camerounian pimp) had supplied.

Uche doesn’t smoke but he has to live with people who smoke and do drugs.

Now he has realised the only job available for him is not soccer as he had been promised back home but to take charge of some girls, trading them out for sex to willing clients, monitoring their activities and remitting huge sums of money to his senior pimp. And he cannot escape.

Every move he makes is watched by his so called benefactor.

According to MeCAHT, the number of young people arriving from Nigeria Nigerian couple Lizzy Idahosa, 24, and Jackson Omoruyi, 41, were sentenced to prison in UK last is growing by the day. There’s hardly any year for human trafficking landed her into a slave camp. But her expemonth that such young men and women back to Nigeria. Since he was flown in rience is even more instructive. seeking the proverbial good life do not to South Africa by Francis purportedly She had, before her US trip, been enarrive from Nigeria. Many of them are to work for him and he discovered that gaged to the man, who later became her young footballers seeking better career his brother’s business is all about prosabductor, at an elaborate traditional cerprospect. Sometimes, there’s even a titution and drugs, Tony’s one desire emony organised by family members inpromise of a very good job. has been to quit life on the streets and cluding both parents.

She was actually National Mirror also got the story of go back home. Within the short time he expecting the man to travel down to NigeTony who was invited by his own younger has spent in South Africa, he has been ria for the wedding proper before her US brother, Francis, known back in Nigeria in and out of police trouble several assignment came up.

The trip was thus an as a very wealthy business man in South times. The last time, he had some drugs opportunity to spend some time with her Africa and highly respected. It was not but was quick in throwing it out of the fiancé and come back home to fully preuntil Tony’s arrival in South Africa that window just as the police arrived in his pare for the wedding. But that was not to he discovered that his brother, though flat. He told MeCAHT officials how they be. wealthy, is actually a dreaded kingpin. put a gun to his head and made him lie What was supposed to be a lovers’ reAccording to the report, Francis also down flat on the ground. union soon turned to a slave encampment went to South Africa about 14 years ago Although none is less criminal in for Bose.

First the man seized her passport to play football but he developed a probnature, these cases of smuggling of miunder the guise that he was going to uplem with his groin and could no longer grants (SOM) seem milder compared to grade her status so she could stay longer play. This shattered his dream and left the story of a US based female journalin the US. Then he turned her to a real him with nothing to do. Soon, he joined ist, Bukola, who spoke to journalists at slave to labour for him. Often he would a gang of drug peddlers and prostitution the Media Roundtable on Trafficking in threaten to report her to the law enforceracket. Today, he owns about four posh Persons, organised by UNODC recently ment agents since she no longer had valid cars, a restaurant and also a club in Cape in Calabar. documents for her stay .

Town. He has over 200 girls under him Bose now runs a nongovernmental Even while pregnant, Bose was made to that he assigned to the junior pimps unorganisation in the US to help victims of plait hair, standing for hours, sometimes der him including his elder brother, Tony. human trafficking. She has also written with nothing to eat and she was never alEach pimp is expected to remit certain a book on her very painful experience. lowed to touch the money she made. She amount to him on a daily basis.

She narrated to the journalists at the worked and the man took the money. She The girls who work at a popular Park roundtable via teleconferencing how a was to have a baby under this inhuman “Park Sig” in Cape Town for instance, are trip to the US to cover a UN assignment condition, sometimes staying in the very expected to pay the sum of 300 South African Rands (about N4,700) per day, makhat was supposed to be a lovers reunion ing between R50 -100 per client. After deducting their fees, the pimps would remit soon turned to a slave encampment for ose the balance to Francis. The driving force here is simply money.

Says MeCAHT in one of its reports: “One thing they would never compromise though is their strong desire to make money at all cost. They see their work as traffickers in drugs and women as them working so hard to not just have a better life, but to also improve the lives of people around them. And with this they expect blessings from God. They seem to have lost anything called conscience. Francis believes he is a believer and that God has revealed to him in a dream that the reason he doesn’t answer prayers immediately is because there are so many people, including pastors, on the queue waiting with their petition. So he told Tony his brother to stop praying for instant miracles as God has to first answer those on the queue before getting to Tony.”

But Tony still prays and longs to go A victim is arrested by Spanish police for prostitution

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cold weather of Minnesota without appropriate clothing.

“I lost my self esteem and even tried to commit suicide,” she recalled.

Fortunately, while pregnant, Bose’s pathetic state was discovered by a health worker who alerted some civil rights organisation. Help soon came and after some legal tussles, she regained her freedom and also lived to tell her story.

Now, she has joined the fight against human trafficking, using her media experience to draw attention to the ugly scourge.

Bose further told the journalists at the roundtable that the number of Nigerian victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants is quite bigger than ever imagined.

“There are so many people in America today who cannot return home,“ she said, adding that even some Nigerian Visa Lottery beneficiaries have ended up being victims.

And anyone could become a victim, she said. “You may not know you are about to become a victim. It is not only women who fall victim, either. Men can also fall into the trap, Bose further told the journalists.

In a paper presented at the media roundtable, the National Programme Officer, Outreach and Communication, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Sylvester Atere, described human trafficking as a complex problem which is linked to several other fields such as labour, migration, organised crime, prostitution, human rights, violence against women, among others.

“The crime thrives mostly underground and sometimes spans over several States’ jurisdictions, making direction and enforcements difficult,” he said.

This modern form of slavery, Atere said, is also as old as civilization. According to him, all countries, whether trafficking is taking place through, from, into or within their borders are directly or indirectly affected. In the case of Nigeria, the situation is worsened by massive unemployment and increasing rate of poverty resulting from the nation’s dwindling economy.

“The crime of trafficking in persons is clandestine and complex. Where the elements of the crime, as defined in the (UN) Protocol to prevent suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children. (Trafficking in persons protocol) are misunderstood, criminal justice responses may be inappropriate and ineffective. The crime thrives mostly underground and sometimes spans over several jurisdictions, making detection and enforcement difficult.” he further said.

For now, both UNODC and NAPTIP are working relentlessly towards reducing to a minimal level, the incidence of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, using appropriate laws and protocols signed by all nations.

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Cocktail

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Oddities

‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’ recorded swimming BP Global team captured footage of an underwater “Flying Spaghetti Monster” swimming off the coast of Angola.

The video, which the BP Global team recorded near an oil well off the coast of Angola, was shown to experts with Britain’s National Oceanography Centre and the creature was identified as a Siphonophore.

The Siphonophore, a cousin of coral and jellyfish, has been nicknamed “The Flying

Spaghetti Monster” due to its resemblance to the deity of the tongue-in-cheek Pastafarian religion.

The NOC said Siphonophores are among the longest animals in the world, growing to a length of up to 131 feet.

Nipple-biting sunfish caught on camera A Utah man taking video of himself at Lake Powell recorded the moment a fish jumped out of the water to bite him on the nipple.

The video, posted to YouTube by Boater’s Outlet, features Boater’s Outlet employee Wyatt Green pointing his camera at himself in the water at Lake Powell last week while sunfish swim around him.

The video goes into slow motion as one of the fish

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

locks its eyes on Green’s chest and jumps out of the water to latch onto the man’s nipple.

Green quickly swats the fish away and holds his injured chest.

“Boater’s Outlet employee Wyatt Green gets bit on the teet while trying to relax with the fish down at Lake Powell. Make sure to pack some pasties on your next visit,” the company said in the video’s description.

Daredevil walks 210 feet between cliffs

A

daredevil British rope walker walked across 210 feet of slackline suspended between a pair of Canadian cliffs to beat the world record.

Spencer Seabrooke, whose feat was recorded on video and posted to YouTube by videographer Zachary Moxley, walked from one cliff to another on 210 feet of slackline in Squamish, British Columbia, without a “leash” or other safety equipment to beat the free soloing record of 180 feet, set in 2011 by Andy Lewis.

The video of the Aug. 2 stunt shows Seabrooke repeatedly lose his footing and catch the line with his arms to avoid falling to his death.

Moxley said the feat was difficult to watch.

“This had to have been one of the most gut wrenching things I’ve experienced in my whole life, between operating the drone and watching him walk 290 meters [951

feet] above the earths floor, it was definitely

something I have never wrote in the video’s deexperienced,” Moxley scription.

Spencer Seabrooke walks 210 feet of slackline suspended between two cliffs in Squamish, British Columbia.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, August 13, 2015

41

NSE, other bourses shares’ cross-listing project for launch Johnson Okanlawon

D

iscussions are currently ongoing between market participants in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa to launch the cross listing of Exchange Traded Funds, ETFs. ETFs are a collection of equities, commodities or bonds bundled together in a fund to ensure that investor risks are evenly spread across this range of securities.

The listing will to improve liquidity on Africa’s exchanges and will see increased cross listings of ETF’s on the larger exchanges on the continent.

A statement from the Exchanges yesterday said there is a concerted effort from ETF issuers in various markets to cross list new and existing ETF’s on to other exchanges, and the exchanges themselves are working to ensure that the right frameworks are in place to enable this.

It explained that ETFs

are only written off specific index-related securities that are listed on a stock exchange, and this makes it possible to invest in a diverse range of securities through a single exchange traded product.

“The concept of cross listing an ETF is the same as cross listing a share, or listing it on more than one exchange.

It provides domestic investors with access to opportunities from another market, in the convenient and cost effective form of an ETF. “By cross listing ETFs on African exchanges, investors will be given access to liquid company shares tracked by indices such as the FTSE/ JSE Top 40; the FTSE/ NSE Kenya 15 Index; and the MSCI/Nigeria. “ETFs are one of the fastest growing asset-class categories in the world,” the statement said.

The Director for Capital Markets at the JSE, Donna Oosthuyse noted that by collaborating with Africa’s larg-

est stock exchanges, the cross listing of ETFs will expose investors to a diverse range of top performing Nigerian, Kenyan and South African companies in a convenient and cost effective way.

He said that the crosslistings of ETFs will also improve the liquidity of Africa’s largest stock exchanges.

Oosthuyse explains that the advantages for companies included in the ETF indices, and for the exchanges from whence they come, are that ETFs need to be ‘fully covered’.

“This means that the asset manager that is managing the ETF portfolio has to buy and sell the underlying shares on the home exchange, depending on the activity of buying and selling of the ETF. “If an ETF from Kenya or Nigeria for instance is listed on the JSE, then the asset manager in Kenya or Nigeria has to buy and sell the constituent shares on the home

market, as units in the ETF are bought and sold. This drives liquidity in the home market. In addition to this, it provides extra visibility on the shares on that exchange to new investors who in all likelihood don’t yet trade on that market,” he said.

The Executive Director, Business Development, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, said the collaboration underscores commitment to providing investors with a wide range of investment products to help them realize their financial goals.

According to him, ETFs are becoming attractive to many investors offering them portfolio diversification and reduce cost of investing. We are proud once again to be collaborating with reputable exchanges in Africa to bring this new and exciting investment opportunity to bolster trade across multiple markets.

Naira firms on black market as CBN sells dollars …equities shed 0.5% value

Johnson Okanlawon

C

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday sold $80 million to bureaux de change operators at N197, helping the local currency strengthen on the parallel market, president of the association of forex dealers said.

The naira was quoted at N221 on the parallel market, up 1.36 per cent, after dollar liquidity rose, traders said.

On the interbank market, the naira ended at the bank’s pegged rate of N197 to the dollar.

The President of Nigeria’s bureaux de change association, Aminu Gwadabe, told Reuters that the CBN has started to sell dollars twice weekly to BDCs since last week.

Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings.

The All Share Index depreciated 0.52 per cent to close at 31,107.11 points, compared to the decline of 0.50 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 31,269.71 points.

Market capitalisation shed

N55 billion to close at N10.66 trilion, compared to the decrease of N54 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.71 trillion.

Evans Medicals led the gainers’ table with eight kobo or 8.99 per cent to close at 97 kobo per share, followed by Portland Cement Plc with 18 kobo or 4.77 per cent to close at N3.95 per share.

Wema Bank Plc added four kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at 90 kobo per share, while Academy Press Plc added three kobo or 3.90 per cent to close at 80 kobo per share.

Forte Oil Plc rose N7.02 or 3.42 per cent to close at N212.00 per share.

Amazon lures investors back from Alibaba

C

hina is no longer in vogue with e-commerce investors, as money returns to the U.S. and Amazon.com Inc. following a brief fling with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and its 367 million customers.

With a market value of more than $240 billion, Amazon is once again the world’s most valuable ecommerce company, a spot it lost after Alibaba’s record-setting $25 billion initial public offering in September. Alibaba’s current

market capitalization is at about $180 billion, down more than 30 percent from its peak in November.

Alibaba reported earnings yesterday showing that quarterly sales grew at their slowest pace in three years, with transaction volume falling short of estimates.

Investors viewed Alibaba as a profitable alternative to the free-spending ways of Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s chief executive officer. Now, concerns are focused on China’s cooling economy and slower consumer spend-

ing, as well as Alibaba’s reluctance to aggressively pursue business in the U.S. Meanwhile, Amazon impressed investors last month when it reported a surprise second-quarter profit, thanks to its fastgrowing cloud-computing business and spending discipline.

“You can’t overlook the China slowdown,” said RJ Hottovy, an analyst at Morningstar Inc. in Chicago. “Chinese consumer spending trends are in a slowdown.”

On the flip side, Skye Bank Plc dropped 12 kobo or 5.80 per cent to close at N1.95 per share, while Stanbic IBTC Plc depreciated N1.05 or five per cent to close at N19.95 per share.

NPF Microfinance Bank Plc dipped five kobo or five per cent to close at 95 kobo per share, while Flour Mills Plc shed N1.47 or 4.98 per cent to close at N28.03 per share.

Dangote Flour Plc declined 16 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N3.06 per share.

A total of 434.2 million shares valued at N1.69 billion were exchanged in 3,015 deals.

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

$1

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,107.11 points Market capitalisation 10.66trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

EVANSMED

0.89

0.97

0.08

8.99

PORTPAINT

3.77

3.95

0.18

4.77

WEMABANK

0.86

0.90

0.04

4.65

ACADEMY

0.77

0.80

0.03

3.90

FO

204.98

212.00

7.02

3.42

CUSTODYINS

4.10

4.20

0.10

2.44

ETERNA

2.02

2.06

0.04

1.98

TRANSCORP

2.43

2.44

0.01

0.41

NB

126.00

126.50

0.50

0.40

DANGCEM

184.00

184.15

0.15

0.08

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

SKYEBANK

2.07

1.95

-0.12

-5.80

STANBIC

21.00

19.95

-1.05

-5.00

NPFMCRFBK

1.00

0.95

-0.05

-5.00

FLOURMILL

29.50

28.03

-1.47

-4.98

DANGFLOUR

3.22

3.06

-0.16

-4.97

MOBIL

165.00

156.80

-8.20

-4.97

MAYBAKER

1.43

1.36

-0.07

-4.90

UNITYBNK

2.05

1.95

-0.10

-4.88

REDSTAREX

4.16

3.96

-0.20

-4.81

RTBRISCOE

0.65

0.62

-0.03

-4.62

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.01

97.99

15.27

98.14

15.10

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.71

99.51

15.39

99.66

15.29

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.88

101.39

15.49

101.69

15.39

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.51

100.41

15.41

100.71

15.32

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.46

104.46

15.27

104.76

15.20

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.59

94.91

15.27

95.21

15.21

Closing Market Prices of August 5, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

12-Nov-15

14.25

14.78

WAUA

270

USD

197

11-Feb-16

14.13

15.21

EURO

214

04-Aug-16

13.70

15.82

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

43.4583

POUNDS STERLING

293

1M

16.3642

3M

17.3582

SDR

273

6M

17.9825

NIBOR

The Fixings of August 5, 2015

Capital Market

42

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015

Equities as at August 12, 2015

Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 17 5 22

Current Price 24.83 32.00

Quantity Traded 64,771 7,000 71,771

Value Traded 1,648,316.73 225,025.00 1,873,341.73

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 1.84

Quantity Traded 254,500 254,500

Value Traded 473,042.95 473,042.95

326,271

2,346,384.68

Quantity Traded 30,783 50 1,720 5,747,634 276,354 6,056,541

Value Traded 33,861.30 188.00 7,258.40 13,852,711.07 10,230,798.40 24,124,817.17

6,056,541

24,124,817.17

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015

Diversified Industries Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (WStock A) PLC. Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

41

Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM SCOA Daily Summary TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 4 1 2 (Equities) 95 37 139

Current Price 1.10 3.95 4.44 2.44 37.00

139 Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.68

Quantity Traded Page 217,000

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 45.58

Quantity Traded 26,000 26,000

Value Traded 1,126,060.00 1,126,060.00

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 8.60

Quantity Traded 108,210 108,210

Value Traded 970,575.60 970,575.60

351,210

2,241,047.64

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic

Activity Summary on COMP. Board PLC. EQTY 7-UP BOTTLING Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE REFINERY Published by The NigerianSUGAR Stock Exchange © PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables Daily Summary as ofNIG 12/08/2015 VITAFOAM PLC. Printed 12/08/2015 VONO14:32:42.042 PRODUCTS PLC.

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK Published by The Nigerian StockPLC Exchange © ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Printed 12/08/2015 SKYE 14:32:42.042 BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Totals Activity SummaryBanks on Board EQTY Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES AFRICA Carriers, PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Insurance Brokers and Services CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED AIICO INSURANCE PLC. PLC DEAP CAPITALREINSURANCE MANAGEMENT PLC & TRUST PLC CONTINENTAL FBN HOLDINGS PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC.

217,000

30

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Current Price 4.96 127.00 18.45 126.50

Quantity Traded 123,028 50,014 53,053 418,273 644,368

Value Traded 601,229.16 6,348,992.53 958,191.10 53,249,356.61 61,157,769.40

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 195.00

Quantity Traded 8,482 8,482

Value Traded 1,620,338.05 1,620,338.05

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM

No. of Deals 24 22 39 15 11 3 114

Current Price 3.06 6.01 28.03 2.56 6.26 13.50

Quantity Traded 302,048 Page 167,915

Value Traded 925,456.28 21,011,687.96 of 11 6,204,132.17 288,147.03 912,584.28 22,611.50 9,364,619.22

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 6 48 54

Current Price 33.30 860.00

Quantity Traded 12,055 260,855 272,910

Value Traded 381,420.20 224,585,999.56 224,967,419.76

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 18 13 31

Current Price 5.70 1.08

Quantity Traded 580,411 1,714,117 2,294,528

Value Traded 3,262,788.34 1,772,505.51 5,035,293.85

No. of Deals 2 21 23

Current Price 33.05 37.81

Quantity Traded 458 41,370 41,828

Value Traded 14,381.20 1,638,124.91 1,652,506.11

4,208,028

303,797,946.39

Current Price 4.58 3.50 19.80 1.48 23.76 1.95 2.15 3.85 7.29 1.95 0.90 16.40

Quantity Traded 72,209,821 Page 1,326,875

No. No. of of Deals Deals Current CurrentPrice Price 19 0.84 14 0.90 2 0.50 1 0.50 1 0.50 4 2.80 61 0.50 7 0.62 2 0.50 6 0.50 1 0.50 6 0.50 10 0.50 134

Quantity QuantityTraded Traded 436,769 4,690,471 350 23,359 1,000 52,000 11,349,674 210,613 1,376,000 700 1,000 Page 250,000,200 3,019,545 271,161,681

Daily Summary

Symbol

Daily PZ Summary (Equities) UNILEVER

374 Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN Daily Summary UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Symbol Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE HMARKINS LAWUNION LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM REGALINS SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 236 28 25 48 244 96 25 98 28 (Equities) 18 48 250 1,144

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

Symbol

49,855 7,341,648 15,292,130 2,812,655 1,234,297 11,555,310 309,772 537,731 3,193,505 6,685,509 122,549,108

Quantity Traded 1,472,360 Quantity Traded 1,121,644 436,769 100 4,690,471 12,269,946 350 1,890,909 23,359

Value Traded 4,228,665.22 Value Traded 4,701,772.20 370,410.21 61.00 4,226,580.90 83,161,412.14 175.00 4,792,217.89 11,679.50

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 0.95

Quantity Traded 1,298,607 1,298,607

Symbol

No. of Deals 57 14 1 358 46 No. of Deals 1 22 72 571

Current Price 2.85 4.20 0.64 6.72 2.52 Current Price 0.50 19.95 1.32

Quantity Traded 1,472,360 1,121,644 100 12,269,946 1,890,909 Quantity Traded Page 150 288,512 2,605,394 19,649,015

Daily Summary (Equities) AFRIPRUD

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC.

Value ValueTraded Traded 370,410.21 4,226,580.90 175.00 11,679.50 500.00 145,740.00 5,674,837.00 130,618.16 688,000.00 350.00 4 of500.0011 125,000,100.00 1,509,772.50 137,759,263.27

No. of Deals Current Price 57 Current Price 2.85 No. of Deals 14 4.20 19 0.84 0.64 141 0.90 358 6.72 2 0.50 46 2.52 1 0.50 1 0.50 4 2.80 61 0.50 7 0.62 2 0.50 6 0.50 1 0.50 6 0.50 10 0.50 134

0.95

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 Micro-Finance Banks Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FBNH FCMB Symbol ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

963,678.15 10,919,163.76 365,805,512.59 5,555,174.25 2,623,458.69 45,700,842.39 2,229,555.20 1,072,675.84 2,682,498.78 110,558,301.90 886,486,066.38

Value Traded 1,240,785.72 1,240,785.72

15 15

LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM REGALINS SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE WAPIC

Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Value Traded 333,708,559.68 3 4,666,645.15 of 11

Quantity Traded 1,298,607 1,298,607

NPFMCRFBK

AFRIPRUD Symbol CUSTODYINS AIICO DEAPCAP CONTINSURE FBNH HMARKINS FCMB LAWUNION

221,339 109,808 143,103 1,699 945,912

LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL Activity Summary onMANAGEMENT Board EQTY & TRUST PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FINANCIAL FCMB SERVICES GROUP PLC. Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Value Traded 1 144,412.04 of 11 144,412.04

No. of Deals 6 27 13 95 141 (Equities)

Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Sector

Symbol ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No Of Deals

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded 1 0.50 150 75.00 22 19.95 288,512 5,757,061.14 72 1.32 2,605,394 3,466,309.83 Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Shares(N) 571 19,649,015Value of 106,107,574.42

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Company name Totals Other Financial Institutions

1,864

1,000 Page 52,000 11,349,674 210,613 1,376,000 700 1,000 250,000,200 3,019,545 271,161,681

500.00 of 11 145,740.00 5,674,837.00 130,618.16 688,000.00 350.00 500.00 125,000,100.00 1,509,772.50 137,759,263.27 5

Value Traded 1,240,785.72 1,240,785.72 Value Traded 4,228,665.22 4,701,772.20 61.00 83,161,412.14 4,792,217.89 Value Traded 5 of75.00 11 5,757,061.14 3,466,309.83 106,107,574.42

414,658,411

1,131,593,689.79

Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 650 650

Value Traded 325.00 325.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH

No. of Deals 32 5 8

Current Price 0.97 3.21 40.00

Quantity Traded 1,589,872 85,000 5,875

Value Traded 1,541,775.84 285,950.00 245,312.24

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

1,864

Symbol UNIONDAC

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH Daily Summary NIG-GERMAN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Published by Nigerian Stock Exchange © IT The Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

1,131,593,689.79

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 650 650

Value Traded 325.00 325.00

No. of Deals 32 5 8 16 8 (Equities) 4 73

Current Price 0.97 3.21 40.00 1.36 1.35 5.71

Quantity Traded 1,589,872 85,000 5,875 472,437 93,209 60,735 2,307,128

Value Traded 1,541,775.84 285,950.00 245,312.24 649,912.32 120,907.68 329,791.05 3,173,649.13

2,307,778

3,173,974.13

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

74 Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 24,429 24,429

Value Traded 12,214.50 12,214.50

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 2.95 1.69

Page Quantity Traded 50 550 600

11 6Value Traded of 140.50 885.50 1,026.00

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 10,150 10,150

Value Traded 34,713.00 34,713.00

35,179

47,953.50

ICT Totals Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Activity on Board EQTY DNSummary MEYER PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

414,658,411

5

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Daily Summary CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT

No. of Deals 12 5 9 (Equities) 7 58 2 6

Current Price 23.00 10.45 36.06 8.75 184.15 0.73 3.95

Quantity Traded 15,909 9,587 6,030 5,850 502,930 2,666 456,000

Value Traded 358,423.77 95,879.39 216,338.60 51,657.90 92,340,652.47 1,946.18 1,746,753.00

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 24,429 24,429 Page

Value Traded 12,214.50 12,214.50 11 7 of

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 2.95 1.69

Quantity Traded 50 550 600

Value Traded 140.50 885.50 1,026.00

Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 10,150 10,150

Value Traded 34,713.00 34,713.00

35,179

47,953.50

Quantity Traded 15,909 9,587 6,030 5,850 502,930 2,666 456,000

Value Traded 358,423.77 95,879.39 216,338.60 51,657.90 92,340,652.47 1,946.18 1,746,753.00

2,913,348

110,682,763.53

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 Building Materials Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP Daily Summary as PLC of 12/08/2015 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PORTLAND & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Activity SummaryPAINTS on Board EQTY OIL AND GAS OIL AND GAS Totals

5

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN Daily Summary DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT

No. of Deals 12 5 9 7 (Equities) 58 2 6

Daily Summary (Equities)

271

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES OIL AND GAS Advertising OIL AND GAS Totals AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals SERVICES

Current Price 23.00 10.45 36.06 8.75 184.15 0.73 3.95

Page Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 271 2 2

7

of

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,913,348 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 110,682,763.53 500.00 500.00

11

Advertising Automobile/Auto Part Retailers AFROMEDIA PLC R T BRISCOE PLC. Advertising Totals Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Symbol Symbol AFROMEDIA RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 2 0.50 5 0.62 2 5

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 1,000 116,040 1,000 116,040

Value Traded Value Traded 500.00 71,944.80 500.00 71,944.80

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Courier/Freight/Delivery R T BRISCOE PLC. RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery

Symbol Symbol RTBRISCOE REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 5 0.62 6 3.96 5 9 0.98 15 Current Price No. of Deals 6 3.96 No. of Deals Current Price 9 0.98 5 0.50 15 5

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 116,040 91,837 116,040 167,141 258,978 Quantity Traded

Value Traded Value Traded 71,944.80 369,340.52 71,944.80 169,008.23 538,348.75 Value Traded

91,837 Quantity Traded 167,141 353,000 258,978 353,000

369,340.52 Value Traded 169,008.23 176,500.00 538,348.75 176,500.00

Symbol Symbol CILEASING DAARCOMM

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 5 0.50 2 0.50 5 2

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 353,000 25,000 353,000 25,000

Value Traded Value Traded 176,500.00 12,500.00 176,500.00 12,500.00

Symbol Symbol DAARCOMM ACADEMY

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 2 0.50 8 0.80 2 1 1.04

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 25,000 146,600 25,000 1,347

Value Traded Value Traded 12,500.00 117,280.00 12,500.00 1,454.76

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 8 1

Quantity Traded Page 146,600 1,347

Value Traded 9 of 11 117,280.00 1,454.76 Traded11 9Value of 8,022.00 126,756.76

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Employment Solutions TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. C & I LEASING PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions Totals Employment Solutions Media/Entertainment C & as I LEASING PLC. Daily Summary of 12/08/2015 DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Employment Solutions Totals Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042 Media/Entertainment Totals Media/Entertainment Printing/Publishing DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Media/Entertainment Totals LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Published

by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity on Board ACADEMY PRESS PLC. EQTY LEARN AFRICA PLC SERVICES Published byPrinting/Publishing The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX Symbol TRANSEXPR CILEASING

Daily Summary (Equities) LEARNAFRCA

Current Price 0.80 1.04

Symbol UPL

No. of Deals 2 11

Current Price 6.03

Quantity Traded Page 1,400 149,347

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 250,050 250,050

Value Traded 132,526.50 132,526.50

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 8 19 27

Current Price 2.00 4.50

Quantity Traded 361,800 591,262 953,062

Value Traded 724,747.40 2,708,262.66 3,433,010.06

70

2,106,477

4,492,086.87

3,014

434,165,095

1,696,926,343.28

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 835.00 835.00

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2015 Printed 12/08/2015 14:32:42.042

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM SERVICES Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers JULI PLC. Activity Summary on Board ASeM Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JULI

No. of Deals 1 1

SERVICES SERVICES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 1.75

1

500 Page

10

835.00 of 11

ASeM Board Totals

1

500

835.00

Equity Activity Totals

3,015

434,165,595

1,696,927,178.28

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 2 2 1 5

Current Price 10.37 2,116.00 14.10

Quantity Traded 102 313 3 418

Value Traded 1,064.74 662,168.00 42.30 663,275.04

ETF Board Totals

5

418

663,275.04

ETP Activity Totals

5

418

663,275.04

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, August 13, 2015

43

Youths go crazy at music trek in Sapele Leonard Okachie

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ustling city of Sapele recorded a record breaking attendance for a Star Music Trek concert at last weekend’s #SapeleRocks! 2015 Trek concert.

The Sapele stadium recorded a capacity crowd of more than 11,000 eager fans. As early as 8pm, the crowd was charged up and ready for a night of premium entertainment and they were not disappointed.

First came a number of warm-up performances from the local Sapele talents who got the chance to thrill the mammoth crowd as part of Star’s commitment to giving young Nigerians a platform to shine.

The evening kicked off in earnest when Black Magic hit the stage with his characteristic energetic style, performing hits like Rainbow, Repete and Pass You By. Up next was Runtown fresh from his bare-chested antics in Makurdi. The crowd came to life as he performed ‘Gallardo’, ‘Successful’, ‘The Latest’, ‘Bend Down Pause’ and the crowd favourite ‘The Banger’.

Then came Mr Raw who quickened the pace of the evening, delighting the crowd with his onstage antics. Clearly in a playful mood, his theatrics while performing ‘Obodo’ endeared him to the lively Sapele crowd.

Without warning he further increased the pace of the evening and got the crowd going wild when he performed “Gyration”. Apparently, this particu-

lar song is popular in Sapele and they could not contain themselves.

Other songs performed by the Abia State-born rapper include, “I’m In Love With An Angel”, “Spiritual Konji” and his latest track “Blow my trumpet” with Fanzy Papaya.

Then came the only lady on the Sapele Trek. A visibly excited Cynthia Morgan, with her trademark red hair stormed the stage. Quickly she got down to business, moving the crowd with her catalogue of hits such as ‘Popori’, ‘Don’t Break my heart’, ‘Lead Me On’, ‘German Juice’ and ‘I’m Taken’.

The night’s big surprise was an appearance by Sound Sultan, who came out of the crowd and took the stage with his throwback song ‘Jagbanjantis’. ‘Mercies of the Lord’ came through the speakers as he interacted with the crowd, signaling the turn of Oritsefemi to make his appearance.

The crowd pleaser soon ramped up the tempo with ‘Redi’, ‘Sexy Lady’, and ‘Double Wahala’. Amidst all these, he found time for a dance contest onstage where the winner was rewarded with N10, 000.

Dancehall star Patoranking was the next to hit the stage and

The Trek massive turn out in Sapele

the noise level went up a few notches as the hit songs came out: ‘Daniella Whine’, ‘My Woman, My Everything’, ‘Alubarika’, ‘Murder’ ‘Girlie O’, ‘Emergency’.

He then invited Young Grey C on stage and together they performed ‘Chukwuma Remix’. He ended his performance by shar-

Egwim launches The Tiny Seed Leonard Okachie

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Book cover

etermined to help young people discover their talents, Founder and President of Alot-Lyrics Edutainment (ALE), Darlington Dofe Egwim has launched a book entitled “The Tiny Seed”.

Alot-Lyrics Edutainment is a non-profit, highly motivated youth entertainment and educational organization that is committed in helping the youths discover their innate potentials/ talents for positive development towards excellence.

The official presentation/ lunch, which held recently at the Hotel De Ville, in Aba, Abia State, had many guests in attendance.

‘The Tiny Seed’ is a six chap-

ing the story of his musical career with the spellbound Sapele audience.

Then came the moment of the night – pop giant 2Face finally made his appearance on stage. At this stage the crowd got uncontrollably excited as a woman ran onstage and stripped off her clothes in front of him while a man in the audience was reduced to tears at the sight of the superstar.

Quickly he launched into his bulging hit catalogue with songs like ‘Rainbow’, ‘Implication’, ‘One love’, ‘African Queen’, ‘I Hate What You Did To Me’ and several others. The crying fan’s night was made when he was granted a chance to take photos

ter inspirational book that has been recommended for all and sundry who desire to see their little seed/vision becomes a fruitful tree with branches.

Speaking at presentation, the Chairman of the occasion and Executive Director, Hidesafrica, Ambassador Stanley Ezeabasirim stated the need for young people to take a bold step in actualizing their dreams.

Similalry, the elated author, Egwim, thanked God for helping to bring his ideas to fruition, even as he advised the audience to develop studying culture because it takes opening a book to discover one’s rightful place in destiny.

The book presentation is also a Study to Lead Child Initiative under the auspices of ALE where every child is trained on how to lead through study.

with 2Face onstage.

Finally he ended his performance with hit song ‘Ihe Neme’.

Speaking after his performance, 2Face commented, “I have to keep thanking Star for giving both myself and the fans the opportunity to interact like this. I have performed all over the world for many different audiences, but I have never felt the kind of love I have felt on the Trek. These are the fans – the people who make it worthwhile to get up in the morning and do what I do. Entertaining them on this platform is a wonderful experience for me.”

Following the action packed all-nighter, Corporate Media & Brand PR Manager, NB Plc. Edem Vindah remarked, “The essence of organising this platform is to connect young Nigerians to their dreams. We want to demonstrate to young people that anything is achievable once they work hard and show dedication.

“Tonight’s turnout shows just how many people are listening to this message. We are very proud to bring this platform to youths around the country and it is gratifying to know that we are having a positive impact.”

The nationwide concert tour which has thrilled Nigerian music fans for nearly two decades has a tradition of bringing the country’s biggest artists together to thrill fans around the country and this year’s theme, “My Superstar Story” aims to inspire the youth to view their situations as a work in progress and to always keep their goals in mind.

2015 Star Music Trek continues with #BeninRocks this weekend at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youths to converge on Enugu for ICOYIEN Leonard Okachie

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rrangements have been concluded for the inaugural edition of the International Conference of Young Innovative Entrepreneurs (ICOYIEN), which is billed to hold on September 25, 2015 at Bridgewaters Conference Centre, GRA Enugu.

The conference, which an initiative of Pheldoraz Global Resources (PGR), an international consulting firm based in Enugu, is borne out of myriads of problems and harsh realities faced by people in most developing countries including Nigeria.

These problems of unemployment, poverty and conflicts pose great challenges to the very existence of individuals especially the youths in the developing countries.

The ICOYIEN 2015 with theme: ‘Untapped Pool of Talents’ is an integrated training and networking event aimed at exploring wide range of topics of key interest to students, fresh graduates and individuals with entrepreneurship ambition.

It is also aimed at socialising with successful innovators; an excellent op-

Science for Kids

portunity for entrepreneurship and innovation minds to collaborate for mutual benefit.

Delegates will include university professors, office managers, executive officers, project officers, personal assistants, executive assistants and administrators across a wide range of industries.

A statement by the Principal Consultant/Director, Pheldoraz Global Resources (PGR), Ogoamaka Dunu said ICOYIEN initiative is established to serve as a community hub for supporting, sharing, learning and developing of ideas, promoting strategic visions and networking among the general public including students, employed and unemployed youths, government and corporate organisations.

It is also aimed at socialising with successful innovators; an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurship and innovation minds to collaborate for mutual benefit.

Delegates will include university professors, office managers, executive officers, project officers, personal assistants, executive assistants and administrators across a wide range of industries.

The one-day conference will provide a platform for unrehearsed conversations and knowledge sharing in diverse per-

A cross section of particiapants at a youth empowerment workshop

spectives on how business can thrive in the nearest future.

Discussions will revolve around current research on entrepreneurship and innovation policies, innovative enterprise growth and sustainability, and accessibility of pertinent knowledge, resources and skills by entrepreneurs. The event will feature discussions, debate, presentations, exhibitions, keynote addresses by professionals.

Topic of discussion includes: ‘Discovering yourself in the innovation and en-

What causes thunder and lightning?

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hunder and lightning occur naturally as part of a thunderstorm.

Whenever you hear thunder there is the danger of a lightning strike.

Thunderstorms form in cumulonimbus clouds. In this type of cloud there are drops of water, hailstones and specks of ice. As the water drops and the ice particles rub and bump against each other, they become charged with electricity. There are positive charges (called protons) and negative charges (called electrons) in electricity and during the storm these charges separate. The positive charges form at the top of the cloud and negative charges form at the bottom of the cloud.

Positive and negative charges are attracted to each other and as they travel through the air the electric current causes a spark, which is lightning. So lightning happens inside a

Lightning

Children’s maths abilities hindered by anxious parents –Study

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aths-anxious parents are breeding a generation of innumerate children, new research has

shown.

The study showed children learned less math over the school year and are more likely to be math-anxious if parents, who are anxious about maths themselves, provided frequent help on the child’s math homework.

This follows previous research that has shown that when teachers are anxious about math, their students learn less math during the school year.

The study, undertaken at the University of Chicago, claims to show for the first time a link between parents’ and children’s math anxiety.

terprise development world’ by George Eki; ‘Practical training; practical earning in performing arts entrepreneurship’ by Sarah Boulos and ‘Best practices on business start up and development’ by Ibironke Michaels.

The highlight of the event is the ‘LET’S GET CREATIVE’ session, a platform for innovative young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and a price will be given to the winner(s). The event will also be graced with an interactive tea/ coffee session and a special lunch.

These findings suggest that adults’ attitudes toward math can play an important role in children’s math achievement.

Children are picking up their parent’s anxious habits when it comes to learning math. Photo: Getty Images Sian Beilock, one of the researchers, said: “We often don’t think about how important parents’ own attitudes are in determining their children’s academic achievement. But our work suggests that if a parent is walking around saying ‘Oh, I don’t like math’ or ‘This stuff makes me nervous,’ kids pick up on this messaging and it affects their success.”

Separately, Susan Levine, a second academic involved in the research,

said: “Math-anxious parents may be less effective in explaining math concepts to children, and may not respond well when children make a mistake or solve a problem in a novel way.”

A total of 438 first- and second-grade students and their primary caregivers took part in the study. Children were assessed in math achievement and math anxiety at both the beginning and end of the school year. As a control, the team also assessed reading achievement, which they found was not related to parents’ math anxiety.

Parents completed a questionnaire about their own nervousness and anxiety around math and how often they helped their children with math homework.

cloud and between clouds.

As the storm builds the negative electrical charge at the bottom of a cloud creates a positive charge in the ground below. As the negative charge get stronger, the air cannot stop it from jumping from the cloud towards the positive charge on the ground. The giant spark of electricity is the lightning that we see.

As the lightning heats the air around it, the air expands outwards at great speed, and there is a hole left in the air, called a channel.

When the lightning is gone, the air collapses back in, creating the sound that we hear as thunder.

The temperature of lightning can be six times hotter than the temperature on the surface of the sun. Lightning is very dangerous and will strike anything that stands high above the ground; mountains, people, and buildings. Trees are often struck by lightning causing them to fall, or catch fire. Every year hundreds of people are killed by lightning but the chances of being struck by lightning are very low.

During a thunderstorm, the safest place to be is indoors or in a hardtop car with the window up. Inside the house, stay away from windows, don’t use the telephone unless it is a cordless phone, and turn off computers and other electrical appliances. Keep away from water too.

If you are caught outdoors, don’t open an umbrella and avoid standing in open spaces.

Keep away from a tree that is standing on its own; this is not a safe place to shelter. You will be safer if you find shelter in a clump of shrubs or in a group of small trees on low ground. Stay away from all water, even just puddles, as it can be dangerous during an electrical storm. Wait for 30 minutes after the last lightning before leaving your shelter.

Source: www.kidcyber.com.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, August 13, 2015

45

Journalists tasked on objective reporting

... Cleric urges enhanced welfare Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri, Leonard Okachie

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orno Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Jidda has advised journalists in the state to be objective in their reportage of activities of the state.

He also assured the journalists of full support and cooperation of the state government while appealing for more cordial working relationship between the journalists and government.

The SSG made the call on Tuesday when members of the State Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Maiduguri paid him a courtesy call at his office to congratulate him on his recent appointment as the new SSG. He however commended the state Correspondents’ for their role in the society as Fourth Estate of the Realm.

The SSG noted that the media has played a significant role in the democratic process of the

country, especially being stakeholders in the peace process in Borno State that is still battling with the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

He appealed to the journalists to maintain the cordial working relationship during and after the post Boko Haram insurgency, pointing out that no meaningful government can survive without the media.

Earlier, Chairman of the Chapel, Alhaji Abdulkareem Haruna urged the SSG to ensure that the usual and occasional ministerial press briefing which never see the light of the day be reintroduced.

The Chairman also emphasized the importance of adverts to the state Correspondents and their respective media houses as every media house survives and largely depends on advertorial to sustain itself.

Abdulkareem further assured that the chapel members will continue to positively relate and cooperate with the state government especially

DAME invites entries in 26 categories Leonard Okachie

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iamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), Africa’s independent and longest running media awards programme, has invited entries for the 24th edition for works produced and published in Nigeria in 2014.

DAME, in a statement, asks for “entries that are lucid, well researched and are engaging enough to influence and advance public debate’’ in 26 categories.

Twenty of the categories are for print and online journalism whilst broadcast media attracts six.

The journalism entries cover 12 reporting categories, two commentary prizes, one photography category, one cartooning prize and four overall prizes for outstanding individual and corporate performance.

The reporting categories are: Agriculture Reporting, Development Reporting, Health Reporting, Political Reporting, Business Reporting, Sports Reporting, Child Friendly Reporting, Insurance Reporting, Judicial Reporting,Telecoms Reporting, Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and Investigative Reporter of the year.

Informed Commentary and Editorial Writing cover the commentary prize categories, while Editorial Cartooning and Action Photography cover the cartooning and photography prize categories respectively.

Also, prizes in the overall corporate categories entries are : Editor of the Year, Newspaper of the Year and Child Friendly Media, whilst the Editorial Integrity prize rewards uncommon devo-

tion to ethical fidelity.

For the broadcast media, entries cover works in: Radio Drama, Radio Reporting, Radio Presenting, Television Drama, Television Documentary and Television Reporting.

The deadline for entries covering works in the 2014 calendar year is August 21, 2014.

According to the statement, works in journalism should be submitted both digitally and in hard copy, while entries in the broadcast category should be produced on CDs and marked 24th DAME. All entries are to be submitted to the DAME’ Secretariat (9, James Robertson Street, Surulere).For more details on the submission of entries; please visit DAME’s website: www.dameawards.com DAME, for the past 24 years, has bestowed annual recognition on individuals and institutions for outstanding works in the field of mass communication.

Trustee of DAME, Mr. Lanre Idowu addressing particpants at the DAME event.

Photojournalists

in its fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Catholic Dioceses of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor has called for better working environment and enhanced remuneration for journalists in the country.

Ezeokafor made the call on Tuesday at the inauguration of a new building for top management of Fides Communications, owned by the Diocese in Awka.

He said the provision of basic working environment would go a long way to boost the effectiveness of media practitioners given the taxing and risky nature of their job The cleric said: “I believe that if they have a very comfortable place to rest after their day’s work it will make for more productivity; we know very well that having this facility makes it more comfortable to work.

“I have always believed that these people are really working hard and many a times they risk their lives because of the nature of their work.

“So they need to be taken good care of by way of what they receive as their pay package and

also by way of facilities they are provided with.”

Also speaking, the Director of Fides, Rev. Fr. Jerome Madueke, urged journalists to strive for excellence in their duty to shape the society and not trade it for financial gains.

Madueke said the building cost N25 million building and that the communication outfit was expanding.

According to him, a theological institute which will train Nigerians on various vocations including media production will soon come on stream.

Rev. Fr. Obinna Dike, who has served in the outfit for seven years, said he was glad to see that the communication outfit had become a leading light in the newspaper industry.

He, therefore, urged the staff of the organisation to redouble their efforts toward increasing productivity in view of the improved working environment that had been created.

He expressed appreciation to Ezeokafor for sustaining the outfit and taking it to a greater height.

Govs Ambode, Udom to co-host media awards

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agos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his counterpart in Akwa Ibom State, Mr.Udom Emmanuel will co- host 2015 edition of the Nigeria Media Nite Out Awards.

According to organisers, the prestigious Awards ceremony – the 9th edition will hold on September 20th at Time Square Entertainment and Events Center, Ikeja, Lagos.

This year’s awards will no doubt mark the 9th consecutive year of rewarding excellence and good efforts of performing media personalities, corporate bodies and supporting individuals.

Many hardworking journalists and Corporate Organisation have been rewarded in the past and we are still working to ensure the media industry is getting the necessary accolades deserved.

Listed as the chairman board of trustee Nigeria Media Nite Out Award is Hon. Dr. Bello Mohammed ( Mon), former chairman House Committee on Security and Intelligence. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Director of Publicity, APC has been listed as guest speaker for the day.

Hard working journalists from various categories listed for award are Political Writer of the year, Society Writer of the year, Editor of the year, Crime Writer of the year, Entertainment writer of the year and many more.

A keynote address would be delivered on “Corruption and National Development, the role of media, by Mr Jim Obazee Executive Secretary/CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. Nigeria Media Nite Out Awards is powered by SOLKEM Entertainment And Media Limited.

46

Media

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Orogun leads Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

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new set of leaders have been elected by the Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association, ANDA. The leaders, under the chairmanship of Joshua Orogun, will steer the affairs of the organization for the next two years.

Orogun of the South-West Constituency of the group defeated his main rival, Benjamin Obute of Igbo Constituency in a re-run poll that took place in Abuja recently.

Initial poll held by the group on July 11 this year had been cancelled, following alleged irregularity and voided votes. In the annulled election, Orogun won 138, while Obute got 140 votes.

Nine of the votes were voided and the number of votes cast increased by two more than 285 accredited voters; which prompted the re-run.

In the re-run, Orogun defeated Obute by one vote, with each contestant getting 156 and 155 votes apiece.

Five delegates from the seven constituencies making up the association participated in the exercise. The constituencies are Yoruba, Arewa, Igbo, Akwa/Ibom, Calabar, Middle Belt and Edo/Delta.

Only 35 delegates, five each from the seven constituencies, participated in the election against the 285 accredited delegates in the earlier election.

The association said the decision was taken

to help reduce costs and minimize security threat during rerun.

Chairman and Secretary of the Election Committee, Anieka James and Amos Glad respectively announced the election which was conducted at the Area One newspaper distribution centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, amidst heavy presence of police officials.

In his inaugural address, Orogun said his immediate priority was to reposition the association and make it occupy its pride of place.

“We will leave no stone unturned to achieve this greatness,” he pledged.

He added: “In the days ahead, those of us who have been elected to serve must show that we are men and women with passion to match hopes and aspirations of the masses.

We must demonstrate the leadership vision and sacrifice to transform our association. We will develop new areas of understanding and collaboration, seek fresh ideas that will enrich our association.”

Earlier, outgone president of the union, Com. Otu Eno, said he inherited divided association and broken-down structures, but that he did not only ensure harmony among hitherto divided members, but also rebuilt the structures.

He urged members to support the new leadership as the only way the group could succeed.

Media Abroad

Sweden, Ecuador edge closer to end of Assange standoff

S

weden has offered to negotiate an agreement with Ecuador to enable Swedish prosecutors to interview Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, potentially ending the standoff between the two countries but almost certainly too late to prevent some allegations against the WikiLeaks founder from expiring.

Sweden’s government had agreed to open direct talks with Ecuador to explore the possibility of “a general agreement” on legal assistance in criminal matters, the Swedish justice ministry said.

“The coming discussions will show if this is a way forward,” said Cecilia Riddselius, the senior justice ministry official responsible for the case.

The move marks an apparent concession

by Sweden after sharp official exchanges between the two countries in which each accused the other of blocking progress. On Friday, Riddselius said demands by Ecuador were “in complete violation of our principles of justice”.

Meanwhile, the British government has grown increasingly irked by the stalemate, which has cost the Metropolitan police more than £10m in policing the embassy in Kensington.

“We are frustrated that the interview has not yet taken place,” the Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire said. “This remains a deeply unsatisfactory and costly situation.”

Sweden’s justice ministry said it welcomed Ecuador’s acceptance of its offer of negotiations, but the Guardian understands the ministry rejected a proposal by Quito to meet this week because officials were on holiday, and because it would take more than a few days to prepare the negotiations.

Assange is wanted for questioning over allegations of sex crimes in Stockholm in Au-

gust 2010, but has resisted extradition to Sweden citing fears that he could be transferred to the US to face espionage charges. He has repeatedly requested that he be questioned in London. He has not been charged with any offence.

Sweden’s prosecutor has faced pressure to interview Assange in London to make progress in the case, which has been deadlocked since Assange sought political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in June 2012. In March she dropped her objections, citing the impending expiry of the statute of limitations on most of the allegations as a reason for renewed urgency.

In April, Assange consented to the prosecutor’s conditions for an interview. But as this month’s deadline under the statute of limitations drew closer, progress towards a London interview was slow. Sweden formally requested permission from Ecuador to enter the embassy only two months later, and an agreed date of 17 June to begin the questioning had to be cancelled at the last minute amid mutual accusations of blame for the delay.

The statute of limitations on allegations of unlawful coercion and one count of sexual molestation, made against Assange by two Swedish women, expires on Thursday, and on one count of sexual molestation next Tuesday.

- The Guardian (UK)

Assange

Newspapers in Nigeria

Red Media, SMC to hold omni-media summit in October Leonard Okachie

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ed Media Africa in partnership with Troyka Holdings and the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University is set to host West Africa’s biggest omni-media summit on October 15 and 18 in Lagos.

Called ‘The RED Summit’, this event will bring together companies and individuals from across Africa with vested interests in media as they explore new trends in a rapidly changing landscape.

International and local experts, alongside investors and fellow participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas about the future of media in Africa.

Director of Content at Red Media Africa and Head, Organising Committee of The RED Summit, Isime Esene said, “Nigeria, and Africa as a whole, is making giant strides in media and there’s no better time to seize the narrative, tell our stories, and establish ourselves as an integral part of a fast evolving global media landscape.”

The RED Summit is part of events cel-

ebrating 10 years of Red Media Africa’s impact on Nigeria’s media space.

The event will feature several invited speakers including Ije Nwokorie, Global CEO of Wolff Olins, an internationally renowned brand consultancy; Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings; Mo Abudu, CEO EbonyLife TV, and others.

The event will also feature a dinner and an awards night where a select group of media icons and thought leaders will be honoured for their contribution to the growing media industry in Nigeria.

Red Communication is a PR & Communication firm under the parent company, RED. An innovative media group focused on Africa, RED’s vision is to excite and empower an evolving generation through the media’s limitless possibilities.

Built across tools and platforms, its Communication Division holds Red Communication, Red Marketing and Small & Medium, and YouthConnect; and its Content Division holds the Y! brands, including Y! TV, Y! Magazine, YNaija. com, Teen Y!, Y! 2015, the Y! Tech 100 among others.

80 Burundi journalists flee to Kenya

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ighty journalists have fled Burundi since the attempted coup early this year.

Kenya Correspondents Association chairman William Oloo Janak said some journalists have also sought asylum in Kenya.

He said there is increased threats and intimidation of reporters in Burundi.

“Many are being threatened with death while most have been arrested and prosecuted with different claims of treason,” Janak said.

He spoke on Saturday at the Kisumu Media Hub during the launch of the mentorship programme for investigative journalists from East Africa.

Prosper Nzisabira, a radio journalist, fled after threats to his life by security agencies.

“Many of my friends have been arrested and detained by the police for several months now. It becomes hard to serve the public interest when the government demands you write what it wants and not the real truth,” he said.

Albert Nasangwa urged the International Federation of Journalists to help the report-

ers.

“If the situation continues we might have cases of death and the high rates of intimidation of journalists will continue,” he said.

- The Star

Janak

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, August 13, 2015

47

Lagos markets where porters earn more than traders

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t would interest you to hear that porters in markets on the Lagos Business District sometimes earn more that even some traders.

Some traders told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recently, that porters had become an integral micro-business in markets in spite of its stressful nature.

Mrs Salimot Ajao, a wholesale trader in household wares at Idumota market, said that the porters on a good or bad day, earn about N1,200 daily.

“We traders sometimes fold our arms in some days and watch them make money, while some of us who are traders barely sell anything following the economic downturn in the nation. ‘’But you know, your neighbour can sell, while you may not, so they get to off load goods from vehicles, warehouses and assist customers to move their goods to the bus stops and get paid immediately for their services. ‘’On a good day, they make between N2,000 and N3,200 daily without paying shop rent, maintenance or accumulating debts,’’ Ajao said.

Mr Shekoni Lawal, another trader said that porters who

Saidat Alausa

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raders in Lagos Island markets and its environs have called on the authority of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, to increase the number of vehicles on the Lagos Island route.

The traders made the request while commending the state Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, initiative which they said had in no small measures alleviates the problems confronting traders and shoppers to the different markets within the business district.

Some of the traders, who spoke to Broad Street Diary, BSD, during the week, were unanimous in their views that the bus service has made going in and out of the Lagos Island markets more convenient.

A trader, Mr. Emmanuel Egbon, said before the introduction of the BRT scheme, traders and shoppers pay huge amount of money to and from the markets even when they only need handful of items.

Egbon, who deals in men wares and accessories, stated that it is not every day that they, traders, made huge sales, but still have to pay huge amount to and from the market as transport fee.

However, he said with the BRT initiative, this has changed.

“Lagos State Government has made it easier for us. Transportation from Oshodi which commercial buses usually charge between N200 to N250 is now N100 with BRT buses, which is why you see most of us coming to queue here for the bus immediately we close for the day.”

Commending other private companies which partners the

Beehive of activies at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos largely assisted in the movement of goods were making shopping easier. ‘’This is a market where people buy things in bulk, hotel suppliers and restaurant owners all come here and the porters are highly needed and are always at

hand. ``Their job is stressful, but unless they fall sick, they make money every day unlike us, shop owners, they sometimes make money than some traders, especially the small-scale traders.

“They can make up to N2,000

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

in a day, and even more, that is at least N60,000 monthly, which is more than the salaries of some graduates in Nigeria,’’ Lawal said.

Mr Yusuf Abdul, a market leader in Ebute-Ero market, Lagos Island, observed that most of the porters in the markets on the

Island are women.

He said young women have taken over the business in their quest to earn decent income. ‘’Although these people make money, I can never allow my wife to be involved in carrying heavy loads for money.

“We noticed that most of the people doing this job are women, but they are not to be blamed because some of them are widows or single mothers or those with jobless husbands. ‘’Each time I see them, I always wish there was a machine that can do the job, but I don’t think that is possible for now. ‘’I only wish women could be discouraged from the business, they should do less stressful work’’ he said.

One of the lady porters at Balogun market, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she made about N1,500 daily on a bad day and N2,000 on a good day.

She said that in spite of the stressful nature of the carrying heavy loads the job is lucrative. ‘’Without us, activities will not move well in the market and no matter how stressful this job is, it is better than stealing or remaining idle,’’ she said.

We need more BRT buses on Lagos Island route –Traders government on the initiative, Egbon revealed that it has indeed assisted in reducing the monopoly of commercial bus drivers particularly the Danfo drivers.

Giving credence to the position of Egbon, another trader, Alhaja Rukayat Ahmed, told BSD that

the initiative has also helped in boosting the number of shoppers that comes to the markets.

“Many shoppers are now always eager to come to markets in the Island regardless of the quantity of items they wanted to buy because they won’t have to pay

much on transportation before they could shop.’’ ‘’Apart from this, shoppers don’t have to bother about how to transport what they bought from the market because the BRT buses are readily available to render such services at affordable price.

“It is just for you to obtain tickets for the goods.”

Another trader who simply identifies herself as Ngozi used the opportunity to call on the government to increase the fleet so that it will continue to serve the people better.

over.’’ Many of the street traders and hawkers that spoke with Broad Street Diary, BSD, said they wish the rainy season never come.

A street trader who simply identifies himself as Sanni, who deals in electronic items on Broad Street said any time it rains; street traders and hawkers will have to cover or pack their wares until the rain stops. “Once it starts raining, we have to stop

selling until the rain stops. We have to cover our wares with nylon and wait for the rain to stop, if it doesn’t stop on time, then we pack our wares and close for the day,” Sanni said.

But the street hawkers are not the only ones that distaste the rainy season, shops owners say business also gets dull when it rains.

A shop owner who sells

clothes on Broad Street, Mr. John told BSD that rain prevents customers from coming into the market as much as they should. “If it rains, sales are dull, as movement is restricted, so customers do not come as they should. But rain is a good thing and one cannot wish it away,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs. Kate, who sells fabrics says rain do not really affect her market except that it makes her shop crowded. “Some people who come in to shop will not leave after doing their shopping because it is raining. Others will come in to take shelter and pretended to be interested in the market,” she said.

But despite the challenges posed by the rain, traders said they are happy to be doing business at Broad Street. “I have been selling wares at Broad Street for four years now and I have been able to make money to take care of my children. The business district is peaceful except for the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Task Force with their occasional disturbances,” says Amaka, a street trader who hawk foot wares and other leather materials.

Balogun traders apprehensive of rainy season

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ollowing warning by relevant government agencies about the likelihood of the devastating effects of the rain this year, traders at the adjoining markets on the Lagos Business District are worried that this would be a very difficult period for businesses as the rain would disturb both sellers and shoppers.

Apart from drenching wouldbe shoppers traders at Balogun, Apongbon, and Broad Street, Lagos are apprehensive that the rain may be accompanied by flood which will definitely hampers movement in and out of the markets as people always find it difficult to wade through the flooded streets and market during the yearly rain season.

The rain season is also accompanied by traffic jam on major roads within the state while vehicles on inter-state roads are prone to accident due to the slippery nature of the roads during the period.

Street traders in particular said they were the most hit by the rainy season as to them ‘’it means no more sales until the rain is

Price index for frozen foods

As at 2014 As at 2015 Chicken per carton Full chicken 8,000 10,500 Gizzard 6,500 7,800 Chicken parts 7,000 7,500 Turkey 8,500 9,500 Blanket 6,700 7,000 Fish per carton Titus 10,000 11,500 Kote 9,000 11,000 Crocker 10,600 11,800 Sharwa 7,800 8,200 Meanwhile, traders in the Lagos Island markets have attributed the sharp increase in prices of the products to many factors such as, the devaluation of the naira which has affected the exchange rate and the renewed anti- smuggling war by men of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and high import duties at the port of entry among others.

•Compiled by Darasimi Ayeni

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News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Pharmaceutical firm backs exclusive breastfeeding

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idson Healthcare Plc has called on Nigerian women to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of their babies for the first six months of birth.

The company made the call during commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week recently.

The advice came as a result of the company’s concern for the health and well-being of Nigerian mother and child, following World Health Organisation, WHO’s, report, which tied increasing child mortality rate to lack of adequate breastfeeding.

Fidson Marketing Manager, Mr Friday Enaholo, said there exists a bond between the mother and her child while breastfeeding.

He noted that breastfeeding was a natural interaction between a mother and her baby.

“World Breastfeeding Week is intended to draw attention and

raise awareness of this natural responsibility of a mother.

“There is the need to drum support for the working class mothers nursing babies; and to call on employers and policy makers to spare a thought for the hard-working, lactating mothers when developing labour-related policies at workplace. A happy mother is a productive employee,” he said.

While describing benefits of breastfeeding, Enaholo said the best way to give a new born child the nutrients they need was through breastfeeding.

“Breast milk is highly nutritious with easy-to-digest proteins and natural immunities that protect babies against diseases and infection. Breastfeeding is also cost effective and ideal for child nutrition, it is an important step in reducing under-nutrition in children,” he said.

Okada operators rally for free fuel in Ekiti Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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ommercial motorcycle operators in Ado Ekiti otherwise known as ‘Okada riders’, gathered during the week at Reference Point petrol station in Adebayo area of Ekiti State capital to benefit from the monthly “free fuel for okada operator’s scheme”.

However, not all of them were fortunate as only the first 200 had free fuel for their okada.

While the fortunate operators sang praises of the organiser, former Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Femi Bamisile, whose gesture they described as a lift, those who could not benefit were hopeful they would smile home next time.

Bamisile, who spoke of the possibility of increasing the figure of beneficiaries to expand the scope, said at the flag-off of the scheme in Ado Ekiti at the weekend that the programme, which would hold every first Friday of the month, was targeted at 200 commercial motorcycle operators in

the state capital monthly, for now.

According to him, the scheme would soon be extended to other Ekiti communities.

Bamisile, an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain eyeing the governorship seat in the forthcoming 2018 election in the state, said the free fuel scheme was part of efforts to bail okada operators out of the present economic hardship.

The former speaker appealed to the commercial motorcycle operators to resist attempt by anybody or group to sabotage the programme.

Bamisile said the programme, which would be continuous, was part of the series of programmes lined up to shore up the party’s popularity in the state and to cushion the effects of the hardbiting economic recession on the populace.

He assured that the APC would unveil and begin to implement series of programmes and schemes for other groups like market men and women, widows, people with disabilities, unemployed youths, among others.

Inner Wheel asks to support the less privileged Priscilla Dennis MINNA

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ife of Niger State Governor, Dr Amina Bello, has called on non-governmental organisations, NGOs, in the country to assist the less privileged in the society.

Mrs Bello made the called during inauguration ceremony of the 29th district chairman and executive of Inner Wheel District 913, Nigeria, in Bida Local Government Area of the state. She commended the association for the assistance rendered to the less privileged in the society.

Bello, who spoke through a Director in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Mary Yisa, said the government was prepared to partner with the district in all gender-related projects and programmes to improve the standard of living of citizens of the state.

“I commend the humanitarian gestures of the Inner Wheel for embarking on meaningful projects that touch and affect the lives of the people.

“I also encourage you to continue on the humanitarian and philanthropic path espoused in the discharge of your activities irrespective of religion and ethic differences,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community tasks Ajimobi on coronation of new monarch Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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yo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been urged to approve without further delay the nomination and coronation of Prince Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla as Aare of Ago-Are in Atisbo Local Government Area of the state.

Head of the town’s Edu ruling house, Prince Lawal Oyebisi Olaniyonu, who made the appeal while addressing journalists in Ibadan, said: “Doing so will enable the community embark on the much needed development of the town as the monarch will galvanise the rest of the people on the path of development.’’

According to him, the appeal became necessary in view of rumour making the rounds that some elements in and outside the town were making moves to upturn decision of the kingmakers.

It would be recalled that after the interment of the late Aare, Oba Jubrila Oladoke Oyesiji last

May, authorities of the local government through a letter referenced ALG/782T/48 dated June 23, 2015, to the Edu family, which is the only ruling house in the town, urged them to nominate a replacement for the throne.

According to him, “about five meetings were held at different times, after which the family forwarded a letter to the kingmakers with the list of all aspirants.

In line with Section 4 (2) of the Chieftaincy Declarations Chiefs Law, 1957, and the tradition of Ago-Are, the kingmakers informed authorities of the local government of their intention to carry out the selection exercise on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

He added that in the presence of officers of the council, the six kingmakers cast their votes openly and Prince Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola had four votes, while Prince Rasheed Oyewole Alimi Asiru Olakanla had two votes.

Olaniyonu stated further that the local government authority

Policemen arresting a street urchin over alleged disobedience in Shomolu, Lagos, recently.

did not waste time in forwarding the name to the governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters as is the procedure, while a copy of the exercise was also sent to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. However, two Princes, Olalekan Olaniyonu and Salam Kazeem, according to him, protested the nomination of Oyetunji Kofoworola, accusing the kingmakers of the choice of voting rather than relying on ‘Ifa’ divination.

The two princes, he said, called for cancellation of the exercise even though none of them was among the contestants, but their position was that the person who got two votes out of six should be crowned Oba. Head of the Edu family, however, insisted that they were satisfied with the decision of the kingmakers, urging Governor Ajimobi and the Alaafin of Oyo to promptly approve the nomination of Kofoworola and “enthrone him as Aare of Ago-Are land”.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Buhari and our slave girls in Dubai (1) CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE When Vivian arrived Dubai with Lady Rose, however, she discovered that she had been conned.

There was indeed a job for her, but the job was beyond her wildest imagination. She had been recruited into a prostitution ring with hundreds of young Nigerian and other African women in its employ. Vivian must sell her body to sundry men, plying the streets of Dubai in order to make ends meet and pay her N3 million debt to Lady Rose.

The situation truly revolted Vivian’s spirit. Her soul resisted this travesty, but she was helpless.

First, her passport had been seized on arrival by Lady Rose’s collaborators. So, there is no way to go back home unless she would risk the terrible wrath of UAE laws. Second, she is scared by the

sad deadly spectre of the oath she was sworn into should she default. Thirdly, she is wary of returning to Nigeria empty handed and back to the poverty that drove her into this quagmire.

After many months she had only been able to pay Lady Rose N300, 000.

“What am I going to do if not this?” Vivian asked my friend in torrential tears. “How am I going to escape this prison? Will I be thinking of love, when I have this heavy burden on my neck in a Dubai where I hardly make 50 Dirhams (about N2500) daily?”

Next week, we will continue the sad tale of Vivian, one of the throng of hapless Nigeria prostitutes languishing on the streets of Dubai.

•Oyewusi wrote via solaoyewusi@yahoo.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, August 13, 2015

49

Police teargas Peterside, Abe, others at INEC HQ Omeiza Ajayi

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n what appears a worsening of the security situation in Rivers State, men of the Nigeria Police attached to headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday fired teargas canisters at some politicians of Rivers State, who had besieged the commission to submit a petition.

Those tear-gassed inclued governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last election in the state, Dakuku Peterside, and a former senator, Magnus Abe. The duo had led fellow politicians comprising sen-

atorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates as well as State Assembly candidates in the last elections in Rivers to lodge a formal complaint over what they said was willful disobedience of court order by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs. Gesila Khan.

Trouble started when the policemen tried to no avail to stop the protesting politicians from getting close to the gate of the commission.

The operatives consequently fired tear-gas canisters to disperse the crowd, which they feared could become unruly.

The written petition, which was addressed to INEC Acting Chairman,

Dickson tasks parties on issue-based campaign Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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head of December 5 Bayelsa gubernatorial election, Governor Seriake Dickson has called on all political parties in the state to engage in issue-based and peaceful campaigns rather than incite people against the government.

Dickson, who made the plea yesterday on live television and radio interview programme, urged the parties to play according to the rules, as only one candidate will emerge at the end of the contest.

Speaking on a wide range of issues, the governor said he was aware of all the political meetings taking place in the state, yet there had been no incident of harassment or violence on account of such meetings, unlike in previous administration.

While calling on the political class not to disrupt the peace, which the ‘Restoration Government’ has worked hard to achieve in the last three years, he noted that Bayelsa was ranked among the most peaceful states in the country.

His words: “People inciting you to violence do not love you and the state. A leader worth his salt attracts peace and development to the state. It is a free world; anybody in any election is free to aspire, but in doing so, you campaign on issues when the time comes. But, the situation where people

stay afar, who should be supporting the cause of development and security, because government is a collective task, put their personal interest and agenda over and above the interest of the state (is bad).”

“And so you the young people, guard against incitement by some of these people. You have the right to support and vote for any candidate of your choice when elections come, anybody interested should be talking to you about his dreams for development inour state.

“I look forward to a very robust issue-based and intellectual campaign, matching ideas for ideas; projects for projects when the campaigns finally kick off by next month.”

As a proponent of political tolerance, Dickson charged other contestants to equally demonstrate high sense of decorum and civility in the pursuit of their political ambitions.

On the recent defections of members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to other parties, he condemned their action being PDP himself, describing it as immoral given that such members had aspired to various elective and appointive positions on PDP platform.

Dickson, however, pointed out that he was open to personal interactions with people who have left the party, stressing that the governorship election is not only about his personality, but also about dignity.

Mrs. Amina Zakari, was titled ‘Consistent Disobedience to Tribunal Orders for Inspection of Election Materials by Port Harcourt office of INEC’ and was counter-signed by 48 people who contested elections for various posts in the state.

An angry Peterside told journalists that they decided to approach INEC headquarters as a last resort, having tried in vain to get the REC to do the needful.

“Before our various petitions were filed, we had through our respective counsels applied to the REC in Rivers State for the release of certified true copy of materials used in the conduct of the said elections to enable us prosecute our respective petitions.

The law stipulates that we

have 180 days within which the petition should be determined, but we are being frustrated by the same INEC that caused the problem,” he said.

However, Deputy Director in charge of Security at INEC, Mr. Victor Egbun, told the protesters to submit their petition to him for onward delivery to his boss, but the protesters declined.

“Under the law, we have 180 days to prosecute these cases but already more than 90 days of that time is already lost, every day we are writing, demanding for these documents. We have written over 20 letters but it is not working. So, we just want to protest to INEC to say please help us tell Gesila Khan to give the materials out. She conducted

the elections, why is she having problems releasing the documents even when the tribunal has asked her to do so?

“We are here as citizens to exercise our democratic right in our country, to get these matters resolved by law. But it is now being frustrated by the same persons who frustrated the elections. Tomorrow, if there is a breach of peace in Rivers State, who do you hold accountable?

“The only way to ensure that there is peace is to be allowed as given by law to have our cases to be determined solely by law and we will accept the outcome of the cases by law but a situation where the same person who created this situation is allowed to frustrate the

case, I don’t know how our people will take that, and Nigerian people should be aware that Rivers State is still a flash point if these issues are not dealt with expeditiously,” Abe said.

The tense situation was however doused when a Chief Superintendent of Police CSP, Ngozi Ubani, led a team of anti-riot policemen to the scene and engaged in close consultations with leaders of the protesters.

However, in a swift reaction, the Director of Security at INEC, Shettima Ngelare said the situation degenerated because the commission was not informed of the visit.

He later collected the petition alongside CSP Ubani for delivery to Zakari.

Newly promoted officers of Nigeria Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command, after their decoration in Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

Bayelsa threatens Agip over explosion victims’ delayed burial Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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ayelsa State government has threatened to sanction the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, management for unnecessary delay in releasing documents and remains of victims of the July 9 pipeline explosion at its oil field in Azuzuama.

Fourteen people, including two regulatory officials of the Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, died in the ex-

plosion at Agip’s oil fields in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, in an interview yesterday accused the NOAC management of withholding autopsy reports and death certificates of the victims.

Wills, who berated the stance of the oil firm, said Bayelsa government frowned at the development, which had frustrated burial plans by families of the deceased.

He said the state government would wield

the big stick and give appropriate sanctions if the documents were not released immediately to allow the families bury their dead.

“Managing Director of Agip has refused or has been foot-dragging to release the autopsy report, death certificate and collection card for our staff ’s remains several weeks on.

We find this to be grossly indecent and an aggravation of the Azuzuama tragedy that we and the families are still grappling with.

“The family continues to be in suspense and

has had to change burial plans because of this. We would treat it as a provocation and respond with appropriate governmental sanctions if we don’t receive these papers immediately,” Wills said.

Officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of a recent oil spill in the area when the explosion occurred.

Public Affairs Manager of NAOC, Mr Dan Jumbo, declined comments when contacted for reactions on the developments.

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North

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angry youths burn vehicles in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS.

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Capt. Sadiq Ibrahim-Gana and his wife, Aisha Usman-Aliyu, inspecting the sword-crossing at their wedding reception in Minna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Ortom vows to recover N169bn from former govt officials •Assembly grants his request to obtain N5bn loan HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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enue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday pledged to recover looted funds by officials of past government into the state’s coffers.

The governor said he would deploy all arsenals at his disposal in recovering the looted funds meant for development and well being of people of the state.

Ortom stated this at Benue People’s House in Makurdi after receiving copies of reports of the Verification of Assets Committee set up to ascertain the handover notes from former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The 16-man committee was headed by former Head of Service, Mr. Mike Iordye, while Mr. Boniface Nyaakor was secretary.

Giving breakdown financial profile of the state, Mr. Iordye on behalf of other members of the committee gave a total debit balance of N130,866,491,426.74, which were owed from arrears of salary, pensions and gratuity, contractual obligations and judgement debt.

Others are CBN loans, commercial bank loans, foreign loans as well as state revenue bonds.

The committee, however, gave the figure as preliminary findings, while local government debts and pensions presented

by the Local Government Pensions Board stood at N10bn.

He recommended immediate refund to the state’s coffers over N10bn, which former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, allegedly paid to various accounts of unknown beneficiaries as well as monies spent under the guise of military retreat and Government House expenditure.

In his response, Ortom maintained that those who stole government funds or properties must be compelled under the law to return such.

He further expressed optimism that he knows where the funds were kept, adding that the perpetrators must return the money in record time.

He promised amnesty to those that heeds the warning by returning such stolen fund.

“Just like the amnesty granted to those in possession of arms and if you bring the money back you have no case, the matter will lie low, but failure to adhere to instruction, the culprits have themselves to blame.

“With the N130bn submitted by the committee, if you remember when I came on board, while taking stock of handover notes, I told you that N93bn was uncovered during the preliminary investigation.

With what has emerged in the staggering revelation, if you add up the figure of local government councils emoluments, the total indebtedness will gulp N169bn,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly, yesterday, gave approval to the state government to obtain a loan of over N5bn to settle accumulated counterpart fund contributions.

The request, contained in a letter by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Targema Takema on behalf Governor Ortom, was read on the floor of the assembly by the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange.

In the letter, the government explained that it would use the money to settle its funding contributions for some major programmes.

It stated that the programmes included the Millennium Development Goals, FADAMA III, Water and Sanitation Programmes, Community and Social Development Projects, Control of HIV/AIDS among others.

The Speaker told the members that past administrations had not paid the state’s counterpart fund contribution to the programmes since 2014.

Ikyange explained that the loan was necessary, as it would enable the government access funds

earmarked under the programmes for critical projects that would greatly benefit the people of the state.

According to him, the money coming to the state from the Federation Account is inadequate to finance the programmes due to the huge debt profile left behind by the past administration.

rate youths yesterday set ablaze two vehicles conveying travellers and a delivery van after attacking the drivers at Laite village through Shen in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that the incident was not unconnected with the rising wave of insecurity within the locality, especially in the past two weeks.

Our correspondent gathered from Bisichi, which is close to the scene of attack that a bus was intercepted in the early hours as the driver was heading towards Jos. It was learnt that some youths barricaded the road and set the bus on fire. The driver and passengers were said to have escaped.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned, said another bus was also intercepted, while a third at-

Police arrest 280 cattle rustlers in Katsina

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atsina State Police Command said yesterday that it arrested no fewer than 280 suspected cattle rustlers since May.

Kano confirms new anti-corruption boss ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

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ano State House of Assembly yesterday confirmed the appointment of Hon Muhuydeen Magaji as Chairman, Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The government had in its bid to curb corruption and other vices forwarded the name of Hon Magaji for confirmation as chairman of the new body.

Chairman, House Committee on AntiCorruption, Hon Abdullahi Illiyasu, in his submission to the House, said his committee had screened the appointee and found him fit to occupy the position.

He said the committee took into account educational background and wealth of experience

tack occurred later in the day when a delivery vehicle belonging to a Bakery company was intercepted at Kara village along the same road.

The vehicle was said to have been vandalised, but the driver escaped into Bisichi community.

Our correspondent gathered that the driver was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Jos by the Special Task Force, STF. STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha while confirming the incidents, said the passengers were rescued.

Iweha said a man had been killed on Sunday by youths alleged to be from Bisichi adding that, “since then, the Youths have been carrying out attacks.”

However, recent attacks in the area had prompted the STF Commander, Major General Tagbo Ude to visit the communities where he cautioned the Berom, Hausa and Fulani communities to live in peace.

of the appointee before opting to confirm his appointment as the antigraft boss.

Meanwhile, the joint Committees of the House on Local Government and State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, also confirmed the appointment of two Local Government Secretaries, Alhaji Salisu Al-hassan Sarina, (Garko), and Alhassan Shehu Rimin Gado (Rimin Gado).

Presenting his report, the Chairman, House Committee on SUBEB, Hon Mohammed Gurjiya, said the duo appeared for screening, adding that the Committee on Local Governments conceded to their suitability to serve as Education Secretaries after duly complying with the laid down rules regulating the assumption of such position.

Police Commissioner, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, stated this in Katsina while briefing Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, in charge of Logistics and Supply, Alhaji Mamman Tsafe, on the successes so far recorded by the command.

He said 182 persons were prosecuted and are currently serving various jail terms, while others were awaiting trial.

Abdullahi said the police recovered 102 cows, 586 sheep, 56 goats, two camels and one donkey during the period under review.

According to him, the animals were returned to their owners.

The police boss said the Force also recovered five rifles, several ammunition and other dangerous weapons from the suspects.

“To forestall further cattle theft, the command has established 19 anticattle rustling camps in the state and deployed 290 policemen to manage their operations,” he said.

The commissioner, however, cautioned police officers against acts of corruption.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Kano to relocate central prison ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

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Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr. Charles Iliya (middle), inaugurating the state Secretariat of Nigeria Medical Association in Gombe State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps urge Buhari to establish North-East Devt Commission TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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ouse of Representatives yesterday considered and passed a motion, urging the Presidency to establish a NorthEast Development Commission to rebuild the Boko Haram-devastated region.

The motion was sponsored by Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

That would be the first time since 1999 that a Speaker would leave his exalted seat to sponsor a motion on the floor.

The Speaker considered it worthy to move the motion himself because of its

importance, as regards the plight of North East people.

The motion was overwhelmingly considered by the House after a very short debate.

The House through the motion said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria should map out a development agenda for the North East zone comprising six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe that would be implemented in phases.”

“This agenda must have specific targets, funding and deliverables that are guided by reconstruction (of homes, villages, towns and infrastructure), repatriation (of people to their

homes and villages) and rehabilitation (of people, communities and livelihoods) and economic and social development.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria should give priority attention to the rebuilding of all schools destroyed by the Boko Haram terrorists and to facilitate scholarships up to university level – funded and supported by the Federal Government and its agencies, the Victims of Terror Trust Fund and other funding initiatives to students from the North East states.

“In addition, hospitals, markets, border posts, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed by

the insurgents should be rebuilt and new ones constructed.

“The House also requested the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider building a North-East highway linking the capitals and major cities of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states and reviving agriculture in the zone through completion of the South Chad Irrigation Project – which is one of the largest irrigation projects in Africa, 22 million people depending on it, and other agricultural projects, in order to open up the economies and fast-track the socio-economic development of the zone.”

Buhari vows to tackle Nigerian youths’ problems OMEIZA AJAYI

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to tackle headlong, all youth-related challenges in the country, praising them for their special contributions to his emergence as president.

Speaking yesterday at the commendation of the 2015 International Youth Day at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the president said the youths need to be provided with opportunities to excel.

According to him, reports from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that unemployment re-

mains a major concern in the country, with rates rising from 6.4 per cent in 2006 to 24.20 per cent in the first quarter of 2015.

“Unsuitable qualifications limit our young people’s employment prospects and potential to contribute to national development,” he said, adding that his administration was poised to providing enabling environment for the private sector to thrive so as to ensure greater opportunities for jobs to be created for young people.

“This we believe will assist in reducing criminal activities and terrorism.

We have resolved to provide adequate infrastructure

and strengthen our job creation institutions in order to increase opportunities for our young people.

“For Nigeria to sustainably create jobs and ensure growth, we will pay special attention to the growth of our Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. This can be achieved through boosting the intervention funds as guaranteed by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he added.

The president acknowledged the contribution of youths in the March 28 general election.

He said: “As we commemorate this year’s International Youth Day, let me use this moment to once

again pay tribute to all the young people who played significant roles in making the 2015 General Elections a model for democratic governance in Africa.

“The role you played, individually and collectively, in not only being peaceful members of the electorate but also galvanising the social media platform and mobilising your peers to make the right choice, contributed in no small measure to having a credible election in an atmosphere that was hitherto tense and volatile.

“The outcome is today being celebrated worldwide. Your role is greatly appreciated.

lans have been concluded by Kano State government to relocate the Central Prison in Kurmawa quarters to Janguza, in the outskirt of the city for maximum security.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje disclosed this yesterday at Government House during a courtesy visit by Comptroller of Nigeria Prisons Service, NPS, Kano command, Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar.

The governor said his administration would translate the Kurmawa prison facility to a Girls’ Secondary School to boost girl-child education in the state.

Ganduje disclosed that the state government has

set up a committee that would pursue decongestion of prisons, adding that the committee would work towards setting free, inmates who committed pardonable offences.

He said the executive arm of government would liaise with the chief judge to encourage frequent visits to prisons to create room for the release of inmates worthy of such gesture, adding that a Committee on Prerogative of Mercy would sooner be constituted.

Abubakar had earlier informed the governor that the major prison facilities in the state are in pitiable conditions.

He urged the state government to intervene in addressing the state of disrepair, even as he said about 4,000 inmates are in custody in the state.

NEMA distributes free kits to 410 pregnant women INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

N

ational Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday distributed free delivery kits to 410 pregnant women in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps in Borno State.

The gesture was part of efforts of the agency to prevent child mortality among displaced persons in the country.

There are about 2,000 pregnant women in various IDPs in the state.

NEMA Director General, Alhaji Sani Sidi, presented the items to the women at a brief ceremony at Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital.

Sani Sidi said the gesture was to cushion the suffering of pregnant women at the 23 designated IDPs in the state.

He said Boko Haram insurgency has remained the most challenging issue in the country, with millions of people displaced and thousands of lives lost, while properties and other infrastructures have been destroyed.

He said Borno, as the worst hit by insurgency, has the highest number of IDPs in the country.

He said: “Boko Haram insurgency has become

the most challenging humanitarian crisis in the history of Nigeria.

“The insurgency has resulted in mass destruction of lives, public and private structures with the resultant negative consequences.”

The director general noted that the 23 IDPs in the state habours more than 60 per cent of women and children, who are the most vulnerable groups.

“The state has 23 IDP camps, with a large chunk of the displaced persons comprising of women and children who are most vulnerable.

“We are here to support the vulnerable as part of our duty to provide care for the less privileged in the society,” he said.

According to him, about 1,980 displaced persons at the IDPs were pregnant women.

He said the 410 pregnant women were selected as the first beneficiaries of the gesture.

“We decided to select 410 pregnant women from 13 out of the 23 IDP camps for the pilot stage of the programme.

“Most of the IDPs were those with advanced stage of pregnancy needing urgent attention,” he added.

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News

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Ogun sacks six officials over ‘offensive’ exams question Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

O

gun State government has relieved six officials of the state’s Ministry of Education over their alleged roles in setting “offensive” questions for the just concluded Unified Examination in Public Secondary Schools, UEPSS, in the state.

The six ministry officials, which included Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Folashade Oresegun, three direc-

tors and two desk officers, were said to be directly in charge of the UEPSS examination.

National Mirror gathered that the government had engaged the services of an examiner, Adegbenro Joel, for the UEPSS, who then prepared the English Language summary passage exam questions for the third term academic session in the state.

The said ‘offensive’ UEPSS examination summary passage allegedly chronicled and critically x-rayed the state govern-

ment’s alleged negligence of the education sector in the state.

The development allegedly infuriated Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who considered it as undermining all efforts of his administration in the education sector since inception in April 2011.

Those affected included Director of Curriculum, Mr. Ganiu Odunsi, a deputy director of Curriculum and Evaluation, who was simply identified as Mr. Majekodunmi, the examiner himself, who also

teaches at MayFlower Secondary School, Ikenne, as well as two desk officers whose identity could not be ascertained at press time.

Our correspondent gathered that Amosun allegedly ordered the immediate sack of all officials of the ministry involved.

National Mirror gathered that Acting Permanent Secretary, Oresegun and Director of Curriculum, Odunsi, later had their sack converted to compulsory retirement, while four others were summarily dismissed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Owo FMC doctors commence warning strike Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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esident doctors with Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, yesterday began a three-day warning strike to protest alleged victimisation by Interim Administrator of the hospital, Dr. Adediran Kolajo.

The doctors said they decided to embark on the industrial action following expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given management of the hospital to respond to allegations levelled against the administrator.

A statement by Asso-

ciation of Resident Doctors, Federal Medical Centre, Owo chapter, said allegations had earlier been raised against the management.

It alleged that rather than respond to the allegations, the management issued queries to members of the Executive Committee of the association.

The allegations, according to the statement are, “unjust letter of relocation of 16 resident doctors, including one that was employed as Senior Registrar, to only offer services and not training and stoppage of deduction of capitation of ARD welfare Scheme.

We lost 45 drivers in 8 months –NUPENG Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

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L-R: MD, Niger Delta Power Project, Engr. James Olotu; Chairman, Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, during the presidential briefing at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Illegal charges: Firm sues Diamond Bank … alleges contravention of CBN guidelines Gbenga Ogunbufnmi

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n engineering company, New Engineering Nigeria Limited, has dragged Diamond Bank Plc before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged imposition of illegal charges, and arbitrary penalties on its account in contravention of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, monetary policy and regulations According to a statement of claim filed before the court by Barrister Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN), New Engineering Nigeria Limited said it won the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, 132/contract for the construction of substations and transmission lines in Awka, Alausa, and Oke-Aro in Lagos State.

The plaintiff said to finance the contract, it transferred financing of the project to the bank when the company was asked to

establish a standby dollar facility to finance the backto-back letters of credit for foreign suppliers of the off-shore component of the projects, adding that the said standby letters of credit was initially established for $6.5 million and later upgraded to $9 million The plaintiff further averred that it and the bank also entered into other facilities in Naira denomination for the execution of rural electrification projects awarded to the company in Ebonyi and Sokoto states with repayment to be made from the proceeds of contracts.

New Engineering Nigeria Limited said that despite executing the letters of offer of credit, the bank deliberately delayed disbursement of the funds for execution of the projects for which the facilities were sought and thereby causing the company to incur additional costs and loses.

It further averred that despite deliberate failure

of the bank to promptly release funds after fulfillment of condition precedent to disbursement, the company still fulfilled its obligation by repaying the facilities until when it discovered that the bank was frustrating the process by computing illegal charges and debiting its account.

The company said it consistently repayed the loan to the point when the illegal charges and repayment eroded its working capital, while the outstanding payment on the account as alleged by the bank never got reduced, but instead kept increasing.

The company said the bank deliberately refused to provide it with periodic statement of its account in order to ensure that the company did not immediately become aware of the illegal charges and interests debited into its account.

The company added that it held several meetings with officials of the

bank, requesting reversal of the spurious charges after a reconciliation of the account by a team of auditors to be appointed by both parties, but the request was rebuffed by the bank.

“Rather, the bank has been putting serious pressure on the company, asking it to pay the disputed spurious and illegal charges put at N1,876,810393.75.”

The company also alleged that in an effort to resolve the dispute, it appointed a company Panafrican Capital Plc, as its financial consultant to mediate between it and the bank, but effort by the said Panafrican Capital Plc to get the bank to reverse the interests illegally debited by the bank was also frustrated.

The plaintiff alleged that instead of performing its fiduciary duty to the company, Diamond Bank is now making plans to appoint Receiver/Manager in an attempt to take over the company’s assets.

ational Union of Petroleum Employees of Nigeria, NUPENG, has disclosed that no fewer than 45 members of the union, mostly tanker drivers died in road crashes within the last eight months.

National President of NUPENG, Aches Igwe, disclosed this during a one-day tanker and trailer drivers’ annual road safety for petroleum tanker drivers tagged, ‘Driver Certification for Safety

on Wheels’ held in Eleme, near Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

The event was a nationwide programme organised by NUPENG in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), aimed at checking the rate of carnage on the roads.

Represented by Bassey Harry, Secretary of the Executive Council of the Union, Igwe explained that the poor state of the roads across the country was responsible for frequent road crashes involving tankers.

Robbery: Court orders student to produce principal as surety

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n Ikeja Magistrate’s Court yesterday told a student, Damilola Adeleke, 19, accused of attempted robbery, to produce his school principal as surety for his bail.

Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must be a relative and his school principal, whose addresses must be verified,” Osunsanmi said.

Adeleke is standing trial on a one-count charge of attempted robbery.

The prosecutor, Insp.

Simeon Imhonwa, had told the court that the offence was committed on July 14.

According to him, the offence was committed at the home of one Mr Fun-

sho Aderonmu, at No. 4, Agboke St., Ajegunle, Alakuko.

“Adeleke was armed with a cutlass and stainless steel knife with which he intimidated and harassed the complainant while attempting to rob him of his belongings,” Imhonwa said, adding that the accused was apprehended when the complainant raised an alarm, which alerted residents in the area.

He said the offence contravenes Section 296 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 296 stipulates 14 years imprisonment if found guilty.

The accused pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned till August 27 for trial.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Kanu, my role model –Troost-Ekong

I think Petr Cech will come good. He is a vastly experienced keep that can help the club reach their goal

54

–Arsenal legend, David Seaman

Men S/final Lobi

vs

Enugu Rangers

Nasarawa

vs

Akwa United

(Women)

Abe Sunday of Sunshine Stars (in front) shielding the ball from Augustin Oladapo of FC IfeanyiUbah during their league match last weekend

Confluence Queens

vs

Bayelsa Queens

Nasarawa Amazons

vs

Sunshine Queens

Fed Cup: Rangers in semi, Ifeanyi Ubah out

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AAG: NSC set to send 250 athletes home Joel Ajayi ABUJA

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ess than three weeks to the 11th All Africa Games (AAG) in Brazzaville, Congo, the National Sports Commission (NSC) is set to decamp about 250 athletes presently undergoing trials at the various federations’ training facilities.

National Mirror was informed

Yakmut

...as NBF selects 12 boxers

that the athletes would be sent home at the end of this week.

No fewer than 750 athletes had been invited to camps by the 19 sports federations that will feature athletes at the Brazzaville AAG, but only 450 will make the cut for the games beginning on September 4, 2015.

Director-General of the NSC, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, told National Mirror exclusively that the Commission would send the 250 home to allow the coaches concentrate on the 450 athletes that will travel to Congo.

“We have about 750 athletes in camp and only 80 of them are in the stadium hostel. We pay about N7,000 daily for each bed space of others lodged in hotels.

“I want you to calculate that amount for 30 days. It’s not small

money. They have to bear with us because we have to manage the little available funds to ensure that we do well at the games,” Yakmut said.

The NSC decision to prune the number of athletes in the camps is also coming on the heels of agitation of the athletes for increase of their daily allowance from N1,000 to N2,000 The NSC DG added, “But I want to assure you that by the time we prune them to 450 that will represent us at the forthcoming AAG, we will surely increase the allowance.

“The camp allowance is not an investment; it is a motivation because if you put together the cost of accommodation and feeding, it is four times more than what the allowance is.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) yesterday unveiled a 12-man boxing team to represent the country at the games.

The amateur boxers are made up of 10 males and two females.

The team that would be accompanied by four coaches are: Muyideen Oyakojo (49kg), Taiwo Abiodun (52kg), Sanusi Abiodun (56kg), Rilwan Oladosu (60kg), Shogbanmu Waheed (64kg), Korede Adeniyi (75kg) and Ademuyiwa Kehinde (79kg).

Others are: Danuloko Ekele (81kg), Efetobor Apochi (91kg) and Efe Ajagba (+ 91kg).

The female boxers are Caroline Linus (51 kg) and Ogoke Agu (75kg).

NBF Assistant Coach, Adura Olalehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that two foreign-based boxers would later join the team.

igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, FC IfeanyiUbah, have been thrown out of this year’s Federation Cup competition after a tough duel with Nasarawa United at the Ilorin stadium yesterday.

The Lafia kings reached the semi-finals with a 1-0 win, and will now play fellow Glo League side, Akwa United, in the last four games.

Akwa United were stretched to extra time by surprise packet, Niger Tornadoes Feeders before winning 4-3 on penalties after a battling 2-2 draw at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

In Lokoja, Lobi Stars also shoved out another surprise package, BJ Foundation of Benin 2-1. A tantalising semi- final is on the cards as Lobi gets set to battle Enugu Rangers.

In Abuja, Enugu Rangers’ march to a sixth title was sustained with a 3-0 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors.

In the women’s event, champions Rivers Angels were eliminated by Confluence Queens in an interesting contest. The Kogi Queens edged the game 2-1, and will now tackle Bayelsa Queens, 2-0 winners over Edo Queens in the semi finals.

Also through to the semi finals are Nasarawa Amazons, who whipped Osun Babes 3-1, and Sunshine Queens, who defeated FC Robo 2-0 in Oleh.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kanu, my role model –Troost-Ekong

One-cap Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong, says he has done enough to earn a recall under new Coach Sunday Oliseh. He spoke to AfricanFootball.com on his hopes and aspirations in the new season

Salah

Salah eyes Roma glory

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gyptian winger Mohamed Salah says his experience with Fiorentina has helped him in choosing Roma abover other suitors.

The 23-year-old completed his move to Roma after a controversial battle with Fiorentina claiming to have secured a move with the Pharaohs stars.

“I spent six months at my best in Florence with my family, but that period is over,” he said.

“I had the right to choose and that’s why I’m at Roma now. Montella was a good coach but I’m a professional and I give my best with him and with other coaches alike.

Salah made a huge contribution with Viola as he scored six goals in 16 top flight appearances, while setting up three goals for his teammates.

He contributed a further two goals in cup matches.

Where did you start your football career and how?

I started off in the Netherlands before being spotted by Fulham when I was 13. I moved to Tottenham Hotspur when I was 15 where I played until the summer of 2013, when I decided to return back to the Netherlands in order to play first-team football at FC Groningen.

What made you decide to be a footballer right from such a tender age?

I was always very passionate about it and fell in love with the game like most young boys do.

When I realised I had the talent, I wanted to go to the top and made it my goal to do so.

Who inspired you as a footballer?

Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu were the players I looked up to when I was a young boy.

Your role models are strikers, while you are a defender. What’s the connection?

I actually started as a striker.

My pace is one of my qualities, I then moved to midfield and eventually as I progressed, I became a

central defender. After that transformation to a defender in England, I enjoy watching Vincent Kompany, I like his style.

Is there any difference in both Belgian and Dutch leagues?

Yes, this was a big summer for me. I signed for Belgian champions Gent, but continuing to play weekly was most important to me as I did last season in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands and so the choice to be loaned out to Norwegian top league was a good step for me now. It is a different type of football, but I think I’m suited for both and both are of a high standard.

Which coach or at what club were you turned to a defender?

At Fulham I started the transition, but at Tottenham Hotspur, I learned how to play as a central defender. That’s where I got my style from.

What informed your decision to play for Nigeria at full international level after your stints in Holland’s U-19 and U-20?

It was a boyhood dream for me to play for the Super Eagles.

Troost-Ekong Vidal

UCL glory attracts Vidal

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ew Bayern Munich signing, Arturo Vidal, says he made the move to win the UEFA Champions League.

The Chilean striker was on the losing side last season when his former club Juventus lost to Barcelona in Berlin.

“My national team coach Jorge Sampaoli immediately said it was a great option

for me,” especially in terms of my desire to finally win the Champions League,” the Chile international said yesterday.

“Every player wants to hold the Champions League trophy in their hands at some point, so the decision to move to Bayern was easy,” he added.

Bayern will start its Bundesliga defence tomorrow at home to Hamburg.

I have travelled to Nigeria countless times because my father lives there still. The opportunity to play for Nigeria before just hadn’t come up until now. So, when I heard about the call-up I didn’t have to think twice! I want to build on my debut.

How would you describe the debut?

It was very special and a good team performance to start the new AFCON campaign with a win, and I hope we can build on that.

How much do you know about Coach Sunday Oliseh?

I have spoken with him. He was a very big player who I remember from his days at Ajax.

Which league or club do you dream to play for at some point in future?

I would love to play in the English Premier League one day. By God’s grace and hard work, that will happen in the future.

How has the Belgium been so far?

It has been a worthwhile experience. Two wins in two games is great.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Team Nigeria departs August 18 N

igeria team to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships will be off to Beijing on August 18, Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Omatseye Nesiama, said yesterday.

The championship will take place from August 22 to August 30 in Beijing and Nigeria’s team 14 women and three men would jostle for laurels on behalf of the

Afolabi Gambari

T Blessing

country at the event.

On why only 17 athletes would be representing Nigeria, Nesiama said: “We decided to send a more compact team in order not to just go for a jamboree.

“In addition, we wanted the athletes that have more potential to win laurels mainly at the AAG to avoid distraction of the World Championships and concentrate more on the Games.

“We also paid serious consideration to the athletes’ current form especially in the individual events.”

he Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the FCT Principals Cup yesterday announced that the competition meant for all the senior secondary schools in FCT would begin on October 12.

Chairman of the committee, Mr. Patrick Ngwaogu, who is also First Vice Chairman of the FCT FA, said the committee weighed all options before fixing the date.

“All schools in FCT will resume on September 7 and the students will have the whole of September to prepare for the competition,” Nwaogu said.

“About 54 senior secondary schools in FCT have expressed their interest to participate and many private schools have also shown interest,” the MOC boss added, stressing, “We will give the exact number of participat-

ing schools after the committee has collated and forwarded the list to us.”

Nwaogu said the competition would be played on zonal basis, with Government Secondary Kwali, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, Government Secondary School Karshi, Government Secondary School Kuje and Government Secondary, Tundunwada Wuse Zone 4 serving as centres.

“Three teams will qualify from each of the zones with Wuse Zone 4 group which would have large number of schools producing four teams to make 16 teams for the state finals,” he further said.

The MOC head, however, said the organisers relied on corporate sponsorship to ensure success.

“We are depending on them to get all our funds plans actualized,” he submitted.

Gumel, Choue condole Nnaji

P

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Principals Cup gets October date

Beijing 2015:

Mercy Jacob

Sports

Thursday, August 13, 2015

resident of World Taekwondo Federation, Chungwon Choue, and President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Gumel, yesterday sent messages of condolence to the Vice President, African Taekwondo Union, Dr. Jonathan Nnaji, on the death of his mother.

Chief (Mrs.) Mercy Mgbankwo Nnaji (Ezinne) died on July 21, aged 91. ‘’On behalf of the entire global taekwondo families, let me offer my deepest condolences to you, the families and relatives. I can only hope

that they will be given strengths to bear these difficult times,’’ Choue wrote.

In another message to the former first vice president of the NOC and president of Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Gumel said: “We deeply mourn with Nnaji at this trying time and pray that God will give him the fortitude to bear the great loss. ‘’I know Nnaji to be quite close to the mother and the NOC identify with him in this moment of sorrow and pray that God will give the departed eternal rest.”

Principals Cup match action

WORLD RECORD

Most baked beans eaten in five minutes The most baked beans eaten with a cocktail stick in five minutes is 271 and was achieved by Ashrita Furman (USA) in Jamaica, New York, USA, on 11 August 2014.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1176 Thursday, August 13, 2015

Buhari and our slave girls in Dubai (I) W ell, if you are a frequent traveler to Dubai, or even a casual one, there is indeed one mindboggling phenomenon that cannot but strike your attention. It is the growing trend of Nigerian slave-prostitutes in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the United Arab Emirates.

I dare say that unless the Federal Government stems the tide of this clear and present danger, many of our able-bodied, surprisingly well educated young women are on the brink of destruction, lost to self-inflicted servitude in the Middle Eastern nation.

For you to properly grasp this issue, I will use the sad story of Vivian (not real name). Vivian is a 2010 graduate of one of the universities in Eastern Nigeria with a Second Class (Upper) degree in Statistics. She graduated, brimming with dreams of a brighter future and a

B

ayern Munich has again insisted that Coach Pep Guardiola will not join Manchester City next season as has been widely speculated.

Guardiola is in the last year of his contract with the Bundesliga champion, and so far he has not committed to talks on a new

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

cosy marital life but with what is happening to her in Dubai, that dream has become a horrible nightmare and unless she gets help fast she may soon become one of the sad statistics of wasted souls.

How did I come across Vivian’s tragic tale? Well, as a frequent traveller to Dubai, I’ve always heard about young Nigerians who were tricked into going to Dubai with promises of lucrative jobs by unscrupulous matrons and patrons or counterfeit employment agents. Once they arrived in Dubai, they discover that the promise of good jobs is nothing but a huge tissue of deceit, and to make ends meet and fulfill certain convoluted obligations, they have no choice but to sell their bodies for the hard-to-get UAE Dirham. I never fully grasped the gravity of this tragic phenomenon until I came across Vivian.

A younger friend of mine, who runs a chauffeur service business in Dubai, came to the airport to pick me up when I arrived for the last trip. As we drove back into town something obviously jolted his memory suddenly. “Ah Egbon,” he began. “The last time you came I told you that most of the girls in Dubai came here for prostitution, but you didn’t believe me.”

Still in my fool’s paradise, I promptly responded: “As far as I’m concerned most of these women came to buy goods for profitable re-sale back home.” My friend replied, “Well I have a very good evidence to prove you wrong”. Then he went on to tell me how he met Vivian in one of the Nigerian restaurants in Deira-Dubai

YOU THINK I’M IN DUBAI TO COUNT SKYSCRAPERS? I CAN’T LOVE YOU one evening and fell in love with her at first sight. And truly, when I eventually saw her, I could not but understand my friend’s love-at-first-sight tale. Vivian is a truly endowed young woman - beautiful, courteous and well mannered. Any man would want to marry her on first impression. To my friend’s sorrow, however, nothing he did to convince Vivian of his love would make her change the NO answer she gave him ab initio.

Thinking she was in Dubai on a short visit, he was very insistent, doing everything to convince her of his true love and make sure they struck something positive before she returned to Nigeria.

One evening however, he received the shock of his life when one of his rich customers visiting from Nigeria called and asked him to help chauffeur a call girl to his hotel for an all night paid romp. To my friend’s shock, the girl he went to pick turned out to be none other than, wait, Vivian!

He could not get himself to take a woman he loved to an all-night with some rich buffoon. So, he resisted, confronting her. Her response indeed gave him the shocker punch he would carry to his grave. “Yes, I’m a prostitute! So fu...ing what?! You think I’m in Dubai to count skyscrapers? I can’t love you. If

you want my body, I’d give it to you but you’d have to pay for it! QED!” My friend simply stared at her in slack-jawed stupefaction. Sadly, he drove away without taking Vivian and he spent several days hence ruing this sad experience.

A week later, he received a call in the dead of night and it was Vivian. She was crying hysterically and she asked to see him as she would like to explain what got her into this pass. Moved with pity, my friend went to see her in her hostel, where many other Nigerian girls of her ilk also reside. And at the hostel’s lobby, she told him the shocking tale of her life.

After her NYSC in 2011, she looked for job in vain and as an orphan living with an aged grandmother in Umuahia, Abia State, she lived in utter squalor for months. That was when he met a woman known as Lady Rose at a hair salon. One chat led to the other and seeing Vivian was jobless, she offered to “help”. She told Vivian she was a recruiting agent for a firm that secured employment for graduates in Dubai and she asked if Vivian would be interested in working in Dubai. To a starry eyed jobless girl, it was a dream come true. She quickly grasped the “miracle”.

The miracle however came with a caveat: Vivian would have to sign an agreement to pay Lady Rose the sum of N3 million on a monthly installment of N200, 000 with a two-month moratorium to enable her settle into the job. Blinded by ambition and dream of a new lease of life, Vivian agreed. After all, Dubai, she had learnt, was flowing with milk and honey and it would be easy to fulfill her obligation. Lady Rose was not done. She told Vivian she had been betrayed before by other girls and to be sure, Vivian must follow her to a shrine to swear an oath of compliance at the risk of dire consequences. Still inveigled by the dream of financial grandeur in Dubai, Vivian agreed.

Continues on page 48

Sport Extra

‘Guardiola not moving to Manchester City’ deal, leading to speculations that a move to England is on the cards, despite the fact that City boss Manuel Pellegrini last week signed a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.

“I get the impression that people are trying to outdo each other

with the speculation about Pep’s future,” Bayern Munich’s Sporting Director, Matthias Sammer, said yesterday.

“There have been so many rumours over the past few weeks.

“But I guess Manuel Pelle g rini’s renewal with City

is bad news for those who said Pe p would move there in 2016.

“I can only say that we are not taking all the rumours and speculation too seriously. But that does not mean we are underestimating the situation.”

Guardiola

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