Thursday, february 11, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Court remands 189 Shi’ite members in prison A zA Msue, KADUNA

A Zakzaky

Kaduna Magistrate Court yesterday remanded 189 members of Shi’ite

Islamic Movement of Nigeria arrested during the sect’s clash with the army in Zaria. The court however granted bail to four minors in the sum of N100,000

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Jonathan’s govt spent N825bn on travel, allowance in 3 years –FG

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Lagos Islan d from Isale PHOTO: -Eko ADEM OLA AKIN

LABI

each and two reliable sureties, who will deposit valid means of identification. The prosecutor, Bayero Dari, told the court that the Shi’ite members

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Reps uncover N180m double allocation in NIMET budget Vol. 5 N0. 1305

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•Senate frowns at N4bn mobilisation for contractors by Works ministry GeorGe oji And ubonG ukponG

ouse of Representatives Committee on Aviation, yesterday, uncovered N180 million double allocation to Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, in the 2016 budget The committee also queried the agency for earning dollars and remitting in naira to the Federal Government. It was discovered during budget defence that the agency made double capital allocations to the tune Continued on Page 2>>

L-R: Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi; wife of the late Beko Ransome Kuti, Bose; President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Odumakin; NADECO chairman, Ndubuisi Kanu and other activists during the10th year remembrance rally of Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

ISIS recruiter weak, unserious student, says varsity authority ...as troops kill scores of Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

Soyinka, Gbadamosi head Lagos at 50 committee

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of N180 million. The committee said while the agency was generating revenues in dollars, it was remitting to government in naira, without actually disclosing how much of the dollar it earned and at what exchange rate it remitted to government. A member of the committee, Magaji Dau-Aliyu, had raised the question as to why the agency would propose a capital allocation of N85 million in Federal Government budget and then N95 million in Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, under the same sub-head in the 2016 budget. Responding on behalf of the agency, Director of Finance and Admin, Rueben Jiya said: “If we make allocation for capital in Federal Government budget and it doesn’t come, the double provision in IGR would have taken care of it without letting it suffer.” Asked what happens when the Federal Government approves and releases the sum allocated, he said there would be reconciliation. However, how such reconciliation is done and what happens to the surplus, the agency couldn’t explain. The committee therefore insisted that the projects must be fully situated, costed and sent back with appropriate figures assigned to the Federal Government budget with the remainder taken to IGR for funding, otherwise, the proposal would be rejected. Chairman of the Committee, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, told the agency that the committee would not entertain a situation where projects initiated and started by the past administration would be discontinued and abandoned. She also queried the agency’s decision to make provision for new projects in 2016 when there were still ongoing and uncompleted projects needing attention. She said the committee desired a functional and efficient aviation sector that would be the envy of all around the world. As to what denomination the agency was paid it’s IGR, Director General, Dr. Anthony Anofurum, said some part of the payment were made in naira

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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Reps uncover N180m double allocation in NIMET budget while others were in dollars. Also asked why all the submissions made were in naira, Jiya said it was converted at the official rate. When the lawmakers further asked how much, he said: “There are different official exchange rates.” This made the committee to demand the rate at which the dollars were exchanged and what the difference was, given insinuations that agencies hid their dollar revenues from government. Consequently, the agency asked for time to do the reconciliation, as the director general and his team were directed to effect the necessary corrections and return the document by Friday. In another development, members of the Senate Committee on Works yesterday expressed shock, following revelation by Works, Power and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, that the ministry spent N4 billion to mobilise 11contractors to site last year without an inch of road construction done. Fashola stated that while some of the contractors received mobilisation sums of N500 million, one in particular received as much as N1billion. The minister made the revelation when he appeared before the Senate committee to explain the performance of the 2015 budget of the ministry, as well as to defend the 2016 appropriation. Reacting to the revelations, chairman of committee, Kabir Gaya, insisted that the minister must provide explanations as to why the contractors were allowed to escape with the said mobilisation sums. Gaya also directed the minister to feed the committee with details of the contracts awarded in 2015 and their status at a later date. Gaya said: “Eleven contractors have collected mobilisation fees and there is zero implementation. Some collected N500 million, some collected less than that based on records available before us and one of the contractors collected N1billion. “For instance in the

case of dualisation of Otukpo township road, N1billion was paid to the contractors. “Minister, you need to check that and give us details in the next meeting. There is no point giving a contractor mobilisation fee when he cannot perform.” Responding, Fashola said not all the contractors who were mobilised had zero performance. He said: “In my document, contract performance is not zero. It is important to take the assessment that the committee has made on mobilisation into context. In my document, contract perfor-

mance is not zero. “My understanding here is that going by the entire contract sum of N9.9 billion, by law, the contractors should get at least 15 per cent to move to site. “The part where we have zero performance in the document; if a contractor was supposed to get N1.5 billion and he got N500 million, he cannot be mobilised. We will check and get back to you.” Fashola said that though it was not in his nature to complain about taking responsibilities for something that did not happen under his watch, as a minister of less than 100 days in office, he nonetheless

dissociated himself from the N4 billion used for the mobilisation of the 11 contracts. He said: “Things have been done in a manner that we have to just take them as we met them for the country to move forward.” On the 2016 budget proposal, the lawmakers asked the minister to rejig the list of roads he presented to them for construction this year with the N268 billion budgeted, such as to reflect all the zones of the country. The lawmakers noted that aside from the ones listed, there were some others, that were vital for urgent construction that were not in the list but

which they said, would be injected into it when drafting the final document. “I appreciate your effort and concern, Hon. Minister, but we have to know what you are spending every year on the road and how to generate funds and see how we can achieve success,” the chairman said. Roads listed for construction under the N268 billion budget are Lagos -Ibadan (N50 billion), Abuja- Lokoja (N10 billion), Kano- Maiduguri (N16 billion), Ilorin/Jebba/Mokwa (N6 billion), and concession of 2nd Niger Bridge (N17 billion).

Rev. Sisters applying ash on Catholic faithful at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gwagwalada to mark the beginning of Lent in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Court remands 189 Shi’ite members in prison CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

should be remanded in prison custody pending the outcome of the report on the arms and ammunitions recovered from the suspects. According to him, the weapons have been sent to Lagos for expert analysis and test, which is almost completed. Dari maintained that the delay of the experts report was due to the large quantity of weapons recovered from the suspects, which would be used as evidence when the trial begins.

The prosecutor said: “The large arms and ammunitions recovered from the suspects caused the delay of expert report which will be used as evidence against them during trial. “Our investigations are almost completed. Police has already granted administrative bail to women and young offenders. Police handed them over to credible sureties who will at anytime provide them in court. We are for justice and we will not object granting bail to young offenders.” On his part, lead de-

fence counsel, Useni Ibrahim, who applied for bail for the young offenders, urged the court to begin trial of the suspects. In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Auwal Musa Aliyu, while granting bail to the minors said other suspects should be remanded in prison custody till 29 March, 2016 for further mentioning. “The young offender is hereby granted bail with the sum of N100,000. He must provide two sureties and one must be his blood relations. Each surety must deposit two size passports and one of the

following; staff identity card, driver’s license, international identity card or voters’ card. The surety must give his or her genuine house address and GSM number,” Aliyu said. Those granted bail were Ibrahim Suleiman, Aliyu Yusuf, Mahadi Munkaila and Aliyu Ibrahim, all below 18 years of age. It would be recalled that, the arrest of some Shi’ite members followed the sect’s clash with the army over assassination attempt on Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, which the Islamic movement denied.

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Thursday, February 11, 2016

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Thursday, February 11, 2016

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L-R: Surveyor-General of Imo State and Council member, Mr Casimir Anele; Managing Director, Datum Surveyors Ltd., Mr Afam Ogbechie, welcoming the Surveyr-General of Katsina State/ Chairman, Forum of Surveyors-General of Nigeria, Mr Kabir Mansur, during the 2016 Pre-Induction Lecture of Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: DIG, Finance and Administrations, Dan’azumi Doma; retired Force Medical Officer, AIG Grace Okudo; her husband, Sonny, and Force Public Relations, ACP Kolawole Olabisi, during a dinner in honour of AIG Grace Okudo and her family in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: South African President Jacob Zuma; Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Head of Nigerian delegation to Investing in African Mining INDABA Conference, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Principal Partner, Anyiam-Osigwe and Co., Mr Kennedy Anyiam-Osigwe, during a meeting with Zuma in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday.

L-R: Director, Highways, Federal Ministry of Works, Bala Danshehu; Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Permanent Secretary (Works and Housing), Abubakar Magaji, during the Ministry’s Budget Defence before the Senate Committee at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

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PDP crisis: Secondus, others seek tenure elongation ObiOra ifOh AbujA

midst the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, there are indications that members of the National Working Committee, NWC, are lobbying party leaders for extension of their tenure. The meeting of key statutory organs of the party that would have ratified the timetable for the congresses and national convention where new officers will be elected to replace the present NWC was unceremoniously shifted to next week by the NWC. In the new schedule, the meeting of the National Caucus has been shifted to Monday, February 15, while that of the Board of Trustees (BoT) will now hold on the morning of Tuesday, February 16. National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting will hold the same day. Findings at the PDP na-

tional secretariat revealed that the NWC is proposing a six-month extension, which will expire in September. According to several sources, the postponement of the meetings of the statutory organs till next week is to give the NWC members adequate time to lobby leaders of the party for the tenure elongation. Already, the NWC has secured the support of elected PDP deputies for the tenure elongation plot and has paid almost all their outstanding allowances to “buy them over.” The crisis in the party is compounded by the battle for the national chairmanship, following the judgment of a Federal Capital Territory High Court which last December ordered Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus to vacate the seat for the North East zone. The court order has been ignored by Prince Sec-

ondus, who has appealed the ruling. Secondus has been running the affairs of the party, with the tacit support of some state governors. The PDP Governors Forum is divided over the removal of Secondus as some of them have continued to express support for his chairmanship, despite the resolution of the forum directing National Secretary, Prof. Olawale Oladipo to take over, pending when a new chairman is elected from the North East. It was further gathered that Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo of Gombe State is one of the major forces pushing for the extension of the tenure of NWC and continued stay in office of Prince Secondus over his ambition to clinch the PDP presidential ticket in 2019. According to sources, the governor is backing Prince Secondus to continue in acting capacity to pave way for the emergence of a substan-

tive national chairman from the South South, who will be in office till 2019 when the party would pick its presidential candidate. Our source said: “In the build-up to the proposed 2016 national convention of the party to elect officers at the Wards, States and National levels, Governor Dankwambo began negotiation with the Acting National Chairman, to skew the zoning formula for the chairmanship in favour of South South Zone.” To shore up his chances of picking the PDP ticket, Dankwanbo is also said to be scheming to relocate the North East zonal headquarters of the party from Bauchi to Gombe state. Bauchi has been the headquarters of the zone since 1999. Meanwhile, the party’s BoT said as a special organ it cannot be regulated by any other organ. The party’s NWC had in a statement on Monday, post-

poned the meetings of the National Caucus, BoT and NEC, which earlier scheduled for this week for the adoption of a new national chairman. But despite the rescheduling, the BoT still met yesterday and appointed Senator Walid Jubrin as acting chairman to replace Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed. Walid also doubles as Secre-

tary to the board. The acting chairman, who briefed journalists after the meeting said: “BoT is a special organ and cannot be regulated. We will still hold the meeting next week.” He explained that the decision to replace Bello Mohammed was in accordance with the constitution of the party.

Police arrest 326 suspected criminals

iger State Police Command has arrested 326 armed robbery suspects, and kidnappers involved in various major crimes in the state. Police Commissioner, Abubakar Marafa, who made the disclosure during a press briefing in Minna, said the arrests were made between January and early February. He explained that 100 of the suspects were arrested for electoral offences, while the remaining 226 were for various crimes, out of which 202

have already been prosecuted. According to him, among the 226 suspects, nine were notorious armed robbery suspects that terrorised the Minna-Suleja highway from whom two AK-47 rifles with 21 rounds of live ammunition, one single barrel, one dane gun, 40 arrows, 2 vehicles and 2 motorcycles were recovered. He also revealed the arrest of two bandits terrorising Gauraka-Zuba axis, whose case has been transferred to Force Headquarters in Abuja as directed.

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ISIS recruiter weak, unserious student, says varsity authority Ubong Ukpong and priscilla dennis

ederal University of Technology, FUT, Minna has described ISIS recruiter arrested by the Department of States Security, DSS, in Kano, Abdussalam Enesi Yunusa as a weak and unserious student of the institution. Chief Information Officer of the University, Mrs. Lydia Legbo, said Yunusa was a 300 level student, admitted into FUT in 2010/2011 academic session, but absconded after the first semester of the 2014/2015 academic session. She said currently, his course mates had graduated in 2014/2015 and are currently being mobilised for National Youth Service. She said: “The said Abdussalam Yunusa was admitted into FUT Minna in 2010/2011 academic session. He was a weak student who last registered in the 2014/2015 academic session but absconded after the first semester. “From our records, he is in 300 level and did not register for the current academic session. His course mates graduated in 2014/2015 and are currently being mobilized for National Youth Service.” Legbo commended the security agencies in their efforts to rid the society of deviants. Yunusa was arrested by DSS in Kano having being suspected to be a recruiter for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army in an ambush yesterday, killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, even as 58 people were killed and 78 injured after suicide bombers detonated explosive devices at Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Dikwa. An operational update by Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, said that weapons and other logistics were also recovered from the insurgents. Usman said the Boko Haram elements were rounded off at a major cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok general area in early hours of yesterday. “The ambush party supported by a Quick Response Group, QRG, captured a Hilux vehicle containing 8 jerry cans of petroleum, oil and lubricants, large quantity of 7.62mm ammunitions, 127mm ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifles, as well as 5 hand grenades,” he stated. The DAPR added that

some of the terrorists were killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds. He said more operational strategies were being employed to further flush out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding in the North East. Meanwhile, officials of emergency and response agencies have confirmed that 58 people were killed and 78 viothers injured after suicide bombers detonated explosive devices yesterday at Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Dikwa, Borno State. The incidents occurred when the IDPs queued up to collect their morning food in the camp which accommodates over 50, 000 people displaced by Boko Haram terrorism.

L-R: President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck; President of VDMA (German Engineering Federation) Dr. Reinhold Festge; Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Halima Dangote and President/ CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, at the signing of MoU between Dangote Industries Ltd. and VDMA in Lagos, yesterday.

Jonathan’s govt spent N825bn on travel, allowance in 3 years –FG Tola akinmUTimi

he Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance yesterday disclosed that N828bn was spent as overhead expenditure on travel allowances, stationery and other expenditure items by top government functionaries and institutions from 2012 to 2014. This is even as the Unit hinted that in furtherance of its efforts to re-prioritise spending and cut cost on recurrent expenditure, it was also planning to introduce detailed price guidelines to ensure value for money in procurement by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). A statement by Special Assistant to the Finance Minister, Festus Akanbi, quoted the Head of the Efficiency Unit, Ms Patience Oniha, as making these disclosures at a Lagos event, adding that in order to reduce the incidence of cash, the deployment of Ministerial Debit Cards is being piloted. She stated that findings by the Unit of huge overhead expenditures by political and public office holders in the MDAs were based on extensive and detailed review of the Overhead Expenditure data of government for the period 2012 to 2014. According to her, another finding from the review

was the large expenditure on honoraria and sitting allowances, refreshment and meals, books, fuel, publicity and adverts, thereby making overheads expenditures to surpass capital allocations during the three-year period. She said: “The Cumulative Expenditure on these five items was N825bn, representing 61 per cent of the Cumulative Total Overhead Expenditure of N1,353bn for 2012 to 2014. “This means that the average amount expended annually on these five items during this period was N275bn. The estimate for 2015 shows a continuation of this trend.” Oniha disclosed further than in relation to procurement, which has been identified as a major

source of potential savings for government, the Efficiency Unit had prepared a list of goods and services which are regularly procured by MDAs. She pointed out that by pooling the demand of MDAs, there would be opportunities to leverage the resultant bargaining power and secure price discounts and other benefits from suppliers. This strategy will deliver savings and reduce the administrative costs inherent in the current procurement process, which is rather fragmented. “Developed countries such as the USA, UK, Canada and Hong Kong have used this strategy successfully to manage their expenditure. Within Nigeria, large and diver-

sified private sector organisations manage their procurement in a similar manner. “As a country, Nigeria should be no exception, more so when resources need to be managed tightly to promote spending on capital projects such as infrastructure,” she said. Oniha also disclosed that the Unit had initiated discussions with suppliers of air travel services for the purpose of price negotiation, adding that this expenditure item was prioritised because local and international travels represented the single largest overhead expenditure item in the period under review, with an average of N83bn spent annually. This presents a poten-

tial savings opportunity of N4.14bn annually at an estimated price discount of five per cent. The Unit Head explained that honoraria and sitting allowances was another expenditure item where the Unit has identified potential for cost savings, representing one of the top eight expenditure areas with an average of almost N13bn spent yearly She assured that, with the support of the Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, she was confident that the Unit will pursue the implementation of its recommendations to deliver cost savings to government, while it continues its engagement with stakeholders in order to achieve its objectives.

N24bn police pension scam: No vouchers for N9.7bn withdrawals –Witness

rial of the seven persons accused of complicity in the over N24bn scam in the police pension office resumed yesterday before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, leading the fourth prosecution witness, Mustapha Gadanya, in evidence. Gadanya a former staff of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recalled the evidence he gave in court in December 2014, where he revealed that the Police Pension Office could not provide vouchers to authenticate payments

amounting to N9.7bn made to Veronica Onyegbula , the 4th accused person in the case, between 2007 and 2008. On the first defendant, Esai Dangaba, Gadanya told the court that a search warrant executed on his company, AMT Global Concept at Jabi Abuja yielded several incriminating evidence. The value of some of the recovered documents and financial instrument ran into billions of naira, he said. These includes; copies of cheques drawn from the account of Esai Dangaba, a draft of FCMB issued to AMSAR Int’l, Fixed deposit

slips of N198m for AMD Global Concept, Company papers of Damule Nigeria Limited, Future Logistics Technology, Marine Logistics and Leisure Integrated Limited, document of N1bn worth investment from Skye Bank among others. These were tendered by prosecution and admitted in evidence by the judge as Exhibits P11, P11A to P11J, P11E-J, P11F, P11G, P11H, P11I, and P11J. The witness further testified that a letter was written to FCMB to furnish the team with bank statements and instruments used in crediting and debiting the account and other relevant

documents of Damule Nigeria limited. From the bank’s response it was discovered that the directors of the company were no other than the wife and two sons of Esai Dangaba, the first accused, using the names Milly Lamura, Yila Lamura (deceased) and Mela Lamura. “While reviewing the driver’s license and account mandate card, we discovered the picture of Mela Lamura turned out to be Mela Esai Dangaba, Yila Lamura is actually his late son and Milly Lamura is the first accused wife,” Gadanya said.

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ubong ukpong ABUJA

ouse of Representatives Committee on Army, yesterday, asked for urgent review of the procurement of arms and ammunition for the Nigerian Army and all security agencies in the country. This is even as Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant- General Tukur Buratai, absolved himself and other service chiefs in the ongoing arms purchase scam, saying those involved had retired. The call for arms and ammunition purchase review, which came at the budget defence of the Army, the committee said, was to prevent future recurrences of the lingering controversies over purchase of arms and

Wednessday, February 11, 2016

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Reps seek review of arms purchases for security agencies ammunition and the alleged purchase of substandard arms involving some top military officers. The sum of $15 million allegedly seized by the South African government from some Nigerians over arms deal was yet to be repatriated to the country seven months after. Some top military personnel, including former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), are currently facing corruption charges before Federal High Court and

Abuja High Court, respectively, over this. While addressing the COAS and top Army officers during the 2016 budget defence, the committee chairman, Rima Shawulu, and members of the House Committee on Army, expressed concern over the sorry state of the facilities in the 30 military formations and barracks visited recently during familiarisation tour conducted by the committee. Meanwhile, Buratai told the committee that “all the service chiefs and those in-

volved in the procurement are retired, so we are limited on the extent we can investigate them.” In a swift response, Shawulu told him that the House had the constitutional powers to probe the arms scandal. The committee also queried delay in the release of the Supplementary budget N3,196,089,405 for salaries of Nigerian Army, including N1,987,056,478 for 72 recruits, N768,637,124 for 62 regular combatant and N440,395,803 for 22 direct short service.

“In all, we visited and related with officers in about 30 formations in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The findings are sobering and a rethinking of the way we do things. “It is sobering that the officers and men, who have dedicated their lives to fighting to keep us safe, live in such scandalous accommodation. It is also shocking that the decay and rot in the system has been left unchecked and our soldiers fighting without required equipment. “The controversies over the purchase of arms and ammunitions or alleged purchase of inferior or substandard arms call for an urgent review of our processes.

Indeed as several scholars, leaders and generals have repeatedly affirmed, war is too important to be left in the hands of generals. “The world has moved on and in most democratic countries, representatives of the people, the parliament is involved in the details of implementation of budgets and procurement processes,” Shawulu said. The lawmakers also queried the sum of N6 billion paid out of the N7 billion for the construction of Vice President’s residence without commensurate result last year, stressing the need for adequate budgetary provision for the 117 barracks rehabilitation across the country.

School management, students disagree on student’s death Saidat alauSa

A L-R: Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman, Committee for Lagos at 50, Prof. Wole Soyinka; members of the Committee, Dr. Michael Olawole-Cole and Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peters, during the inauguration of the Committee in Lagos, yesterday.

ctivities at the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, were yesterday paralysed following protest by students of the institution over the death of one of their colleagues, which led to the closure of the school. The students were unhappy with the attention given to a female student, who fell ill some days ago and died yesterday morning.

NBA condemns disparaging remark against judiciary dooSuur iwambe ABUJA

resident of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Augustine Alegeh, yesterday condemned those disparaging the image of the judiciary. He said it was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of judges and the judiciary. Speaking during the valedictory session held in honour of retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Muhammad Muntaka-Coomassie, yesterday in Abuja, the NBA boss said it was unfortunate that politicians commend the Supreme Court only when decisions favour them.

“It is sad to note that some persons who commend the Supreme Court when the decisions favour them deride the same court when the decisions go against them. “The NBA will continue to defend the Supreme Court, which remains the highest court of our land, as the court has always dispensed justice in accordance with law,” he said. While pointing out that it was the duty of the Federal Government to provide a secure environment for judicial workers, the NBA boss stressed the need for the courts to be adequately fortified and made safe for both judicial officers and litigants. According to him; ‘’in-

stances where judicial officers are threatened in open courts by litigants or counsel are highly regrettable and condemnable. “The NBA will not hesitate to take disciplinary steps against counsel who engage in this show of shame.” While admitting that there may be few bad eggs in the system, the NBA boss urged members of the public to stop generalising the whole judiciary as being corrupt; stressing that people with such allegations should come out with facts. He said, “the NBA restate unequivocally that the categorisation of the entire judiciary as corrupt is a misconception and will stand

solidly behind the judiciary in any attempt to intimidate or harass its personnel. “The NBA however, wishes to sound a note of warning to the few bad eggs in the system to desist from further causing untold embarrassment to the judicial arm of government and will henceforth petition any judicial officer involved in or suspected to be involved in any corrupt or fraudulent transaction to the appropriate quarters for action.” Earlier, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmud Mohammed, referred to those calling the judicial officers corrupt as being inconsiderate and ignorant of how the judiciary oper-

ates. The CJN said, such criticisms are made without due considerations of the law and the system of government in the country, adding that the judiciary is duty bound to act and would continue to act in accordance with the dictates of the law as it stands and not as its critics would want it to be. On his part, Justice Muhammad Muntaka-Coomassie in his valedictory speech solicited for a mutual respect and relationship between the legislative arm of government and the judiciary and pointed out that the constitution provides for separation of power and independence of the three arms of government.

The deceased, Miss Comfort Dazan, was a second year Higher National Diploma, HND, student of the Department of Office Technology Management. Dazan, according to a student, who spoke with National Mirror on phone, was said to have complained of fever on Tuesday, February 9, and reported to the institution’s health centre, but was allegedly rejected. According to the source, management of the health centre demanded that the deceased pay a fee before she was treated and the lady was already weak with no money on her, thus she was denied treatment. “It was while she was returning to the hostel that she slumped and died,” the student said. But contrary to the information, management of the institution in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar in charge of information, Mr. Charles Oni, said the deceased developed a crisis in the afternoon of Tuesday, February 9, 2016, and was temporarily on admission at the College Medical Centre under close watch. But she was discharged when her condition became stable so that she could get prepared for her examination yesterday as practical examinations began in the college on Monday.

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Thursday, February 11, 2016

Crashed Bristow chopper first operated in US, UK – Investigation Olusegun KOiKi

nvestigation has revealed that last week’s crashed helicopter, Sikorsky S – 76C++, belonging to Bristow Helicopters was first flown in the United States of America, USA, and the United Kingdom, UK, before it was acquired by the company in Nigeria. The helicopter, before it crashed last week, was operated by Bristow Helicopters Nigeria for less than three years. Investigations by our correspondent indicated that the chopper marked 5N-BQJ in Nigeria, operated in US for over three years and flown in the UK for another three years before its acquisition by Bristow Helicopters Nigeria. In the US, the chopper was marked N76TZ with Bristow US and flew from May 2007 to November 2010. Also in the UK, the helicopter was marked GCGRU and used by Bristow United Kingdom between November 2010 to April 2013. Investigations also revealed that the aircraft was acquired by Bristow Nigeria in April 2013 and had been in their fleet ever since. The chopper was first sighted on duty in Nigeria

on September 28, 2013, at an oil rig and had subsequently been on duty for the company. Meanwhile, Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters, Mr. Duncan Moore, has said it was too premature to conclude on why the Sikorsky S - 76c chopper ditched in the Atlantic Ocean. Duncan who disclosed this when the national members of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, led by its President Benjamin Okewu, paid him condolence visit said, it would take weeks or months of investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, to determine the cause of the accident. Duncan warned against speculation on the possible causes of the accident, saying that the aircraft was certified to carry a total of 12 passengers and two crewmembers. Duncan insisted that the comprehensive risk assessment prior to releasing other aircraft type to service was completed. According to the Bristow boss, both the captain and the first officer were Nigerians who exceeded minimum customer and regulatory requirements being graduates of Bristow Academy with several

Our projects guided by best practices –Aregbesola BOladale BamigBOla OsOgbO

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday signed into law, Osun Public Procurement Law 2015. The Public Procurement Law provides for public dissemination of information on government procurement, which will guarantee citizens, particularly small and medium scale enterprises, opportunities to participate in public procurement processes, among others. Signing the bill into law at the Executive Chamber Lounge of the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, Aregbesola said that procurement was one way in which government interfaces with the people and re-inflates its domestic economy. The governor said considering the volume of government procurement, it was important that the resources

of government be managed judiciously and procurement process seen to be transparent and equitable. He pointed out that Osun State Public Procurement Law 2015 in all consists of 81 sections, which will ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks. Earlier, former Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties in Osun, Dr. Ajibola Bashiru, stated that the Public Procurement Law, 2015 is a wellresearched law in line with the demand for transparency, accountability and effectiveness that the procurement process demands. He added that the passage of the law will guarantee Osun State citizens’ opportunities to participate in the economic opportunities and benefits embedded in public procurement, among others.

years of experience. Duncan explained that names of passengers on board during the accident had been released to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and AIB, stressing that the airline as a matter of practice does not disclose names of clients onboard. He stated that Bristow

had 16 Sikorsky S-76c aircraft operating in Africa and assured of its commitment to safety with its target zero safety programme being the airlines culture. He added that Bristow had been operating in the country since 1969, supporting oil and gas industry and assured of cooperation with the AIB and NCAA in

carrying out their investigations into the accident. Duncan said the incident had nothing to do with the redundancy carried out last year as a result of loss of contracts as being peddled by some people in the industry. He announced that the female pilot who flew the plane had been penciled

down for an award at the International Women’s Day scheduled for March 15 this year. Okewu in his comment said it was a trying moment for the company and promised to partner with the management to correct the various erroneous speculations about the company.

Hilux vehicle containing 8 jerry cans of petroleum, oil and lubricants with large quantity of 7.62mm ammunitions, 127mm ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifles, captured from Boko Haram by North East, troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade in Gwai Mainari around Mainok, yesterday.

Seriki chiefs file fresh suit against new Olubadan Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

ith a determination to ensure ascendancy to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan after the demise of Oba Daniel Odulana Odugade I, Seriki chiefs of Ibadanland have filed fresh suit against installation of the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as successor to the late monarch. It would be recalled that Oba Odulana died on January 19, 2016, at 101 years and his remains will be interred tomorrow after burial service at St. Peter Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan. The suit was filed by four chiefs in the Seriki chieftaincy line, namely: Adebayo Oyediji, Olalekan Fakunle, Rashidi Abinupagun and Gabriel Amoo, through their legal counsel, Mr. Abideen Adeniran. The defendants are Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Attorney General of the state and nine

members of the present Olubadan-in-Council, including the Olubadandesignate, Chief Adetunji; the Otun Olubadan, Chief Lekan Balogun; the Osi Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja; Ashipa Olubadan, Chief Eddy Oyewole; the Ekerin Olubadan, Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Otun Balogun, Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Balogun, Chief Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; and Ekerin Balogun, Chief Solomon Adabale. The plaintiffs said there is already in force an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Governor Ajimobi, the Attorney General of the state and Chief Adetunji, who are the first to third defendants, from filling any vacancy in the Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy. The Seriki chiefs in a suit with number I/149/16 and dated February 8, 2016, dragged the 11 defendants to the High Court of Oyo State seeking two reliefs; a declaration that

first claimant, Oyediji, is the person entitled to be appointed as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland after the death of Oba Odulana. The second relief being sought before the court is for an order directing the first defendant, Governor Ajimobi, to set the machinery in motion to appoint Oyediji as the next Olubadan and the third relief is a declaration that at present there is “no Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Otun Olubadan, Ekerin Balogun, Ashipa Balogun, Osi Balogun, Otun Balogun and Balogun chieftains in Ibadan.” The applicants said: “If this interim order of injunction is not made before the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, the respondents would fill the vacancy in the Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy immediately on the 12th of February, 2016 and present this honourable court with a ‘fait

accompli.’ “There is real urgency in this case because the ‘res’ to be preserved is the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy and the respondents have concluded their plans to install the defendant as the next Olubadan of Ibadan in spite of the pendency of the order of interlocutory injunction and in spite of this suit and the claimant learnt of this plan only on the 1st of February, 2016. “If this situation should be allowed to occur, the applicants would suffer irreparable harm and injury as an irretrievable damage would have been done to them as the appointment of the third defendant (Chief Adetunji) as the next Olubadan would be irreversible and this would be a very grave injustice to the applicants, who had already obtained an order of the High Court against the defendants to restrain them from filling the vacancy in the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy.”

South West

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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Soyinka, Gbadamosi head Lagos @ 50 Committee

ABUAD protest: Court remands students in prison

Francis suberu

Ado Ekiti

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday appointed Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi as Chairman and Cochairman of Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee, just as he expressed optimism that the celebration will go a long way to showcase Lagos in its full splendor. Other members of the committee include Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Professor (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Ba-

logun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Professor Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peters and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary. While inaugurating the committee at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Ambode, expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a world-class celebration, adding that the opportunity of Lagos @ 50 will afford the state to not only celebrate its past achievements, but also to showcase to the world its immense potentials for future growth and development. He said Lagos, despite being the smallest and oldest state in Nigeria, re-

mains the only state that has not been divided to create more states since its inception on May 27, 1967. The governor said Lagos State has maintained its status as the commercial capital of Nigeria and the most cosmopolitan state in the country, where peoples of every tribe, race and creed reside peacefully with an excellent record of religious tolerance. The governor further said with the distinguished men and women that formed the committee, he was rest assured that Lagos would be excellently celebrated and the

world would see Lagos in its full splendour. The terms of reference of the committee, according to governor, include to develop a comprehensive programme for the celebrations; identify series of events that will take place as part of the celebrations; establish the logistics requirements to ensure a hitch- free celebration; identify areas of possible collaboration with corporate organisations and individuals for support; as well as consider and make appropriate recommendations on any other matter that will ensure a successful and memorable celebration.

…seeks DPP’s advice abiodun nejo

n Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday adjourned further hearing till tomorrow in the case of 17 students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) standing trial for alleged involvement in the violent protest and arson in the institution on Sunday night. Adegboye, who had on Tuesday ordered the students remanded in police custody till yesterday, granted them bail in the sum of N300,000 and one surety each in the like sum. But upon fresh charges preferred against the students yesterday, Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody till the outcome of the advice of the Office of State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). Police prosecutor, Mr Samuel Osobu, who told

the court that the accused committed the offence on Sunday at ABUAD campus, alleged that the accused unlawfully committed the offence of arson by burning houses belonging to ABUAD University security staff and burglary of boutique belonging to wife of the founder, Mrs Modupe Babalola. The police prosecutor, who added that the students also attempted to rob the branch of Wema Bank situated at the campus, said their offense contravened Section 443(a), 411(2)and 403 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16,Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria. 2016. He said he had forwarded the case file to the office of the DPP for legal advice. The plea of the accused were not taken as their counsels, Mr Peter Ogunkile, Chris Omokhafe and eight others sought for a date of adjournment pending the advice of DPP office.

Sacked lecturers may be recalled – Osun Assembly boladale bamigbola osogbo

O Students of Yaba College of Technology protesting the death of their colleague, Dazan Charity Olubukola Mautin, due to lack of medical attention. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Court remands gangster in prison over murder Wale igbintade

n Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered a notorious hoodlum, Mutiu Fadipe (aka Asotuntun) to be remanded in prison custody. Fadipe, 34, was alleged to be the brain behind most crimes in Oshodi area of Lagos. The trial Magistrate, M. A. Ariyo (Miss), ordered remand of the accused after he was charged before the court on alleged offences of conspiracy and murder. In the charge, detectives from State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti-

Yaba, of Lagos State Police Command, alleged that the accused and others now at large, had on September 30, 2015, at about 8:30pm, at No. 45, Mosaku Street, Oshodi, Lagos, conspired among themselves and killed one Adekunle Olayinka Mamora, 46, by shooting him on the head with a gun. According to the prosecutor, Matthew Akhalowede, the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria. However, the court did not take his plea. Consequently, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody to enable

Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, issue an advice on the matter. Akhalowede informed the court that the remand application was brought pursuant to section 264(1) (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice, ACJ, of Lagos State 2011. Ruling on the remand application, Magistrate Ariyo ordered that the accused be remanded at Ikoyi Prison for the first 30 days. She also ordered the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward it to DPP for advice. The matter has been adjourned till April 7. Prior to the murder charge against the accused,

he had been arraigned before a court in the same magisterial district on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, arson, willful and unlawful damage. He was alleged to have committed the offences on December 5, 2015, at No. 92, Mafoluku Street, Oshodi. In the earlier charge against the accused, he was alleged to have set fire to shops belonging to Alhaji Wasiu Aregbe, Olayinka Sowunmi, Ikechukwu Oranta, Sarah Alamu, John Idulagbe, and Jerome Bernard. The goods allegedly destroyed by the accused, according to the police, were over N8 million.

sun State House of Assembly yesterday said sacked lecturers of the four stateowned tertiary institutions with genuine cases will be recalled. Giving the assurance after receiving Save Our Soul (SOS) message from the leadership of Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Council of Academic Staff Unions of Osun Tertiary Institutions, CASUOSTI, Speaker, Hon Najeem Salaam, said intervention of the assembly was beginning to yield positive results. According to a statement issued by Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, he quoted the Speaker as saying that due to the call for the files of sacked lecturers, the number of affected lecturers in the College of Education, Ila-Orangun, has reduced from 72 to 36. The statement further reads: “We can assure you

that we will look into the files of the affected staff, ensure that justice is done and make sure that nobody is unjustifiably sacked. “What we cannot assure you is that all the affected staff would be recalled, because, we all know that we will definitely have some that have committed one disciplinary offence or the other.” Salaam further noted that the decision to sack the lecturers was not the making of the Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, stressing that the governor meant well for the state. He further averred that after the review of the cases of the affected staff, appropriate recommendation would be made to ensure justice and advised the affected lecturers to stay off the campuses until their cases are reviewed and resolved to avoid embarrassment. Earlier, the NLC Chairman, Jacob Adekomi and the CASUOSTI Chairman, Jimoh Lasisi, urged the Assembly to review the cases of the affected lecturers and ensure that they are recalled.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Lagos Island from Isale-Eko PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Broad Street Diary

hitta-Bey mosque, Martins street, Lagos, is the oldest mosque on Broad Street, Lagos. The 121 years old mosque has been named one of the nine national monuments in Lagos State; it also stands in the rich history of Nigeria and Broad Street in particular. Construction of the mosque started in 1892 and was completed and opened on July 4, 1894. According to the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Habeebullah Tawfeeq Muazu, who assumed the duty of Chief Imam of Shitta-Bey mosque on May 3, 2012, the mosque was solely financed by Mohammed ShittaBey, the first Seriki Musulumi of Lagos, Nigeria, after whom it was named. “I learnt that he built the mosque with (£ 5, 000).” Being the first of its kind on Broad Street, Alhaji Muazu narrated with enthusiasm the opening of the mosque. Although he was not born then, but said he learnt from history, how the whole thing went and had since allowed the image of the opening ceremony to remain in his mind till date. He said: “I learnt it was a great day. The opening ceremony was an important social and religious event in Lagos. It was witnessed by sheiks, kings, chiefs and Imams from all the Muslim communities in the west coast, some parts of Western Sudan as well as Muslims, Christians and other well wishers within and outside Yoruba land.” He continued; “Thousands of Muslims on horsebacks, in carriages and on foot lined the Marina Front from one end to the other. The torrential rain which greeted the day was not a hindrance, as many jubilant men, women and children were parading the streets singing various songs.” On whether there was any account of foreigners who witnessed the opening ceremony of the mosque, Muazu said representative of Abdul Hamid, the Sultan of Turkey (Mr Quilliam) was to arrive for the opening ceremony, but he was unable to make it and his failure to arrive that day kept the crowd waiting till the next day. He added that since then, Imams of Shitta-Bey mosque has since been chosen from his lineage. “Long before my turn was my father, who reigned as imam for twenty years. After his demise was my uncle’s turn who also reigned for eighteen years, then my turn to reign. ‘’Like I said, it is close to three years now that i became the imam of this mosque. A foreigner cannot be made imam. It is also the tradition

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shitta-Bey mosque, standing in the rich history of Lagos Island that a new imam can only be chosen after the demise of a reigning imam,” he said. Shedding more light on why the Friday Prayer is not said in Shitta-Bey mosque, Muazu said: “Shitta-Bey mosque being the oldest mosque here used to conduct the Friday congregational prayer long before the new Central Mosque was built. But since the new Central Mosque was built, we have moved there for the Friday prayers. It is bigger and can accommodate more people. The normal daily Salat still hold here, we only go to LCM for

Jumu’ah prayers. Also, Muazu revealed that Shitta-Bey had been named a National Museum. “On December 10th, 2013, the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and monuments notified the family that Shitta-Bey mosque is one of the nine national monuments. The remaining being Kings College, Lagos Island, Christ Church Cathedral (CMS), Marina, Independence Building, Lagos Island, First storey building in Nigeria, Badagry, Brazilian Slave Baracoon Museum, Badagry, Iddo railway termi-

nal building, Lagos mainland, National theatre, Iganmu, Nigeria first flag raising memorial, TBS, Lagos Island,” he explained. Reminiscing on how he was born and brought up on the Lagos Island, he simply described it as very sweet. Muazu said his family house, which used to be 25, Oluwole Street, was demolished and a shopping mall was built on the land. “ I attended Lagos Secondary Commercial Academy before I later went to an Islamic school in Ilorin and al-Azhar university, Cairo, Egypt.”

Shitta-Bey mosque

“There was enough space to play, we would play and eat in other houses. We were taught good things. We would go out in the afternoon, plucking fruits and mangoes at Marina. Everywhere was safe, there was peace. Our parents had time for us, unlike most of today’s parents who do not have enough time to nurture their children” He added that they would gather at the mosque early in the morning to learn, go to school from there and go to Madrasah (Quranic school) in the evening. Speaking about the general belief that the Lagos Island is not a safe place to live, Muazu said: “It is still secure, there is no fight or stealing, Oluwole especially. We all sit and play together; we don’t fight or engage in violence because we all have names to protect.” Reacting to issue of scarce and expensive accommodation on the Island, he said it is the same everywhere. “A room can go for five thousand in Surulere whereas you can get it for three thousand here on the Island. Only new buildings are somehow expensive because they used to be old buildings that are demolished and rebuilt; that accounts for their high cost.” Speaking about the rich cultures on the island, especially those passed down by the Portuguese and Brazilians, Muazu said some of them still remain as people on the Island still celebrate carnivals in remembrance of those old days.

Lekki-Ajah residents lament gridlock

esidents of Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos Island have lamented the incessant traffic gridlock on the Lekki –Ajah express way, adding that the gridlock is causing residents and commuters plying the road untold hardship They therefore called on the Akinwumi Ambode administration in the state to find a lasting solution to the mace. Residents who spoke with Broad Street Diary, BSD, said that apart from the prolong period spent on needless traffic on the road which amounted to waste of time and resources, the bottle –neck according to them, has being the major cause of stress which has been taking tolls on the health of residents. Although, some of the resi-

dents and commuters that pass through the road daily told BSD that Lekki-Ajah traffic gridlock has become a normal way of life to them, as it has become a recurrent decimal, they however, attributed the constant traffic bottle –neck to the huge numbers of vehicles plying the road daily. Speaking to Broad Street Diary on the situation, a commercial driver on the Obalende - Ajah route, who simply identifies himself as Mr Biafra, alleged that private car owners were the greatest culprits. ‘’Private car owners are the major cause of the traffic on this road, as several cars are put on the road daily from the same house instead of one or two cars. ‘’ The husband will leave the

house in the morning with a car or sometimes with a convoy, the wife will take another car, while the driver will still use another car to take the children to school with another car still waiting to take the house help to the market this leads to human and vehicular pressure on the road,’’ said Biafra. Another resident who is a civil servant, Mr Oladapo, said precious hours are wasted on what can be described as a devilish traffic in the Lekki-Ajah express way. According to Oladapo; ‘’the traffic gridlock is a terrible stuff in this area. I have to wake up around 4am daily just like most people living in this area so that I can beat the traffic. ‘’ I always spend like two hours daily in the traffic go-

ing to and coming back from work.’’ Also, most residents agreed that the frequent road crashes on the road are most times as a result of lack of pedestrian bridges on the road, thereby forcing people to cross the express way at unauthorised places and inter-sections. Residents of the area plead with the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, to expedite actions on the construction of pedestrian bridges and the proper marking of roads signs to forestall unnecessary death on the road, while also calling on traffic enforcement officers to apply strict enforcement of traffic rules on the road to ensure free-flow of traffic. –Mercy Ajoku and Vivian Akude

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South South

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Police arrest man for killing step-mother’s lover RichaRd Ndoma, Calabar

ross River State Police Command has arrested a 41-year old man, Mr. King Akpanke for killing his stepmother’s lover boy. Speaking with jour-

nalists at the state police headquarters yesterday, the suspect, who confessed to committing the crime, stated that before venting his anger on the deceased, he severally warned him to desist from having an affair with his late father’s

wife. Akpanke said when the fight broke out between him and the deceased, he had no intention of killing him, stressing that he acted to defend himself. “On that fateful day, when we fought, he came

to my house around 9 o’clock, he abused me and nobody was there in the house. The house belongs to my late father and I am the third son of my father. I was the only person in the house so when he started abusing me we

fought, he brought a stick to hit me but I went inside and brought a knife and stabbed him on the head. “So it was later discovered that he died. I am very sorry because it was a mistake. The young man was having constant sexual intercourse with my late father’s wife. I warned him several times to stay off the house which belongs to my father, but he refused. He always come there to have sex with her. He

has been calling me all sorts of names like armed robber. He had always planned to kill me,” he said. State Police Commissioner, Mr. Henry Fadairo, his men also recently arrested 14 cultists belonging to the Skylo confraternity. Fadairo also added that several vehicles, arms and ammunition and assorted handsets had been recovered from men of the underworld.

Dickson promises greater service to Bayelsans

A L-R : Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel; his wife, Martha; Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo and Deputy Governor Mosses Ekpo during a Special Thanksgiving Service to Celebrate the Affirmation of Governor Udom Emmanuel ‘s Mandate as Governor by the Supreme Court, yesterday.

Economy under Buhari in shambles –Secondus Julius oNwuma

cting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said Nigeria’s economy under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led All Progressives Congress, APC, has been severely destroyed. The PDP chairman, who

made the statement yesterday, during an interdenominational thanksgiving service, organised by the Akwa Ibom State Government in celebration of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Supreme Court victory, said the economy has nose-dived and that the value of the naira has depreciated since the APC took over the reins of power.

He said: “Nigeria is in the dire need of PDP because you can see the difference. It is very clear; eight months ago, exchange rate was N160 to $1 but today it is N313 to $1. Eight onths ago, vessels of goods and services were competing on how to enter our harbour and seaports but today none. “Our economy is sliding, is getting to a point of

Amaechi had described the project as redundant, lacking structures and a waste of resources given the siting of other maritime institutions in Oron and Zaria. But a cross-section of stakeholders, who spoke on the issue, believes the minister got it all wrong, insisting that Niger Deltans deserve the project to improve their lot. In a chat with our correspondent, Chairman of Lagos chapter of Ijaw National Congress, INC, the umbrella governing body of all Ijaw groups and associations, High Chief Patrick Keku, described the government

action as erroneous and dangerous, stressing that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is giving a wrong impression of itself to the people. “The Federal Government should not give wrong impression of itself to the (Niger Delta) people. They should also not witch-hunt the people...Otherwise they will see the anger of youths of the area who are ready to fight it with their last blood,” Keku cautioned. He also faulted the minister for ordering that the contractor handing the project at the permanent site return its mobilisation.

Rescind decision on NMU, stakeholders urge FG

takeholders have called on the Federal Government to rescind the decision to scrap the Maritime University project in Okerenkoko, Delta State. They also warned that the action, which is baseless, would be an aggravation of the neglect of the Niger Delta people, who they said have suffered so much despite the profound contributions through oil to the nation. It would be recalled that Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had recently before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport said government would no longer build the proposed Maritime University project.

collapse. The political situation in the country is in coma. I will challenge the APC government that it is time to realise that they need the people and not the guns because we are not in the military. They need the people more than the military.” In his remark, Governor Emmanuel lambasted APC for defaming the character of the judiciary, following judgments that were delivered by the Supreme Court in favour of the PDP. The governor recalled with displeasure that the opposition had embarked on campaigns of calumny, blackmail and propaganda to polarise and divide the state on the altar of partisan politics. While thanking God, the leadership of the PDP and his legal team for the Supreme Court victory, Governor Emmanuel commended security agencies in the state for containing the provocations of the opposition. He also hailed President Buhari for respecting the principle of separation of powers by not interfering with the judiciary.

head of his inauguration for a second term in office on Sunday, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has said his re-election would be for greater service and consolidation in the area of security, stability, development and prosperity across the state. Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, he thanked Bayelsa voters, especially the youths and women for their belief and firm devotion to his aspiration during the election. According to him, his second coming would be about their future as he repeatedly claimed during the electioneering campaign. The governor said despite the dwindling revenue accruing to the state, government would still make efforts to serve the basic interest of the people by touching lives in what he described as “government of consolidation” in the next four years. He stressed that his first term was used to lay the foundation for accelerated development of the state, adding that now even with the low level of resources, government would still be able to drive development by building on the efforts already recorded in his first term. The governor stated that such improvement would be in the area of education, health and road construction as he

noted that most of the boarding schools have been completed and will take off this year, the diagnostic centre ready as well as the senatorial roads which he said were also completed. Dickson was optimistic that when the hospitals in all the local governments are completed, the state health insurance scheme would begin to make health care affordable to the people. The governor said as a way of redeeming his electoral pledge, the youths and women would be targeted in the next four years by emphasising community-driven agricultural initiatives at building entrepreneurship. He disabused the minds of those who think his second coming would lead to cutting down staff strength in the civil service, saying he did not believe in that just as he called for understanding and greater productivity among the people. The governor added that in the next four years, entrepreneurship would be enhanced through micro financing by making funds readily available to the people to be gainfully employed in businesses of their own. The governor further emphasized his administration’s determination to industrialize the state and diversify the economic base of Bayelsa State.

South East

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Council polls: APC wins first round in court EMMANUEL EZEH ENUGU

L-R: APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Chief Segun Oni; National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Buni; Enugu State Chairman of the party, Dr Ben Nwoye and a member, Chief Gbazueagu Gbazueagu, during the induction of Gbazueagu into the party in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Labour suspends strike as Okorocha recalls 4,000 sacked workers …Oyegun’s plane diverted to Port Harcourt CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

t was a victorious ending for organised labour as Imo State Government yesterday finally agreed to recall all suspended workers in 19 parastatals and agencies concessioned two weeks ago. In a joint agreement signed by representatives of the government and labour leaders, government agreed to also concede to run its affairs with not more than 30 per cent of the verified revenue for the month, while committee on joint government/ labour negotiation in the state would apply the balance of 70 per cent in the settlement of salaries of public servants and pensioners.

The statement signed on behalf of government by Special Adviser (Technical) to the Governor, Mr. Emeh Ikenna; PS to Deputy Governor, C.O. Aharanwa; Solicitor-General, Princess A.N. Eluwa and Eze Imo, HRM Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri and Chairman of CAN, Imo State, Bishop Stanford Nwaogu, while state chairmen of TUC, NLC, NMA and JOHESU signed on behalf of labour with the NLC and TUC presidents, Mr Ayuba Waba and Bala Kaigama, respectively, signing as witnesses. Both parties agreed that while negotiations would continue with a view to fully access the wage bill of every ministry, department and agencies, funding modalities of parastatals would be

determined within the agreed percentage sharing framework. Also, both parties agreed that at quarterly interval the position in the state on these critical areas shall be reviewed to ensure compliance. They agreed also that all revenue subheads for the month shall be fully disclosed by the office of the Accountant General to select committee of labour. The parties said that no public servant would be victimised in any way as a result of the actions or in-action leading up to this dispute and these resolutions. Before the agreement was reached, socio-economic activities in the state had been paralysed as labour shut down of-

fices, including Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, thereby forcing aircraft carrying members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to be diverted to t Port Harcourt Airport. Chief Oyegun, former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, and some chieftains of the party were in the state to mediate in the labour crisis. The workers led by Wabba barricaded Okigwe roundabout, preventing human and vehicular movements from going and coming out of Government House. However, armed policemen provided adequate security by cordoning off Government House, while preventing workers from being violent.

pany and Ubah, the applicant had stated that the way it would resolve the matter would be for them to obey the judgment of 2012 part of which allows an injection of N16 billion into the company to enhance its liquidity. Ubah and Capital Oil further stated that after they had met their terms of the judgment, which saw Ubah handing assets valued at N78bn to the defendant (AMCON), the company failed to meet its terms of the judgment and was allegedly plotting to appoint a Receiver Manag-

er for Capital Oil with the intention of winding it up. “In spite of the return of Capital Oil to Ubah as Managing Director pursuant to the consent judgment in suit No: FHC/L/ CS/891/14, AMCON has continued to fail and or neglected to provide trading finance in the sum of N16 billion to Capital Oil, which had the effect of practically incapacitating the company’s (Capital Oil) ability to trade in petroleum products. “AMCON has also not paid off the Capital Oil obligations to most of it

trade creditors, who have resorted to various legal proceedings to recover their funds and who are likely to take further steps against the assets of the company if they are not paid. “Despite the consent judgment of this court and the pendency of suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/514/2015 and FHC/ABJ/ CS/420/2015,AMCON, has concluded plans to take steps to interfered with the management and business of the 1st applicant including by appointing

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, yesterday recorded its first legal victory in the case challenging the appointment of caretaker committees by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to run the affairs of 17 local government areas in the state. At the last hearing of the suit on February 4, 2016, attention of the court was drawn to a motion of withdrawal as well as affidavits filed by one F.G. Ani, on behalf of some of the claimants. Consequently, the court adjourned the matter with an order for hearing notice to be served on the said Ani. But when the matter came up on Wednesday, the now referred to as “ghost lawyer,” was nowhere to be found. Addressing the court on the development, counsel to the claimants (APC members), Mr Tab Ogara, asked the court to strike out the notice of withdrawal, having discovered that the lawyer does not exist. Ogara added that, “all I am saying is that a process based on fraud cannot be where this court should base its decision; a process based on deceit should not be allowed to stand; more so when his identity is in dispute. If his identity is in dispute, therefore, all he filed are in dispute. In a counter argument, the Attorney General of Enugu State, Meletus Eze,

who is appearing in the matter on behalf of himself, Governor Ugwuanyi, the Enugu State House of Assembly and the 17 council chairmen, urged the court to treat the notice of withdrawal separately from the affidavits, which were filed by the same F.G. Ani on behalf of the APC members. He said the APC members had in the affidavit maintained that they were not party to the suit and that as such the notice of withdrawal should be treated differently from the affidavit. Citing order 23 Rule 1 of the court, the Attorney General prayed the court to treat the notice of withdrawal and the affidavits differently. Similarly, Mr. Anthony Ani (SAN), counsel for the 7th and 8th respondent, (Enugu State PDP and the Chairman, Ikeje Asogwa) aligned himself with the arguments of the Attorney General. He maintained that the notice of withdrawal should be divorced from the affidavits and that if that was done, the affidavits should be heard one after the other. Ani, however, stated that the conduct of the said F.G Ani should be condemned; stressing that such was capable of having his name removed from the bar roll. In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Romanus Odugu, condemned in strong terms the conduct of F.G Ani, stating that he never filed any motion for change of counsel.

N81bn debt: Ubah, Capital Oil want AMCON committed to prison DOOSUUR IWAMBE ABUJA

apital Oil and Gas Industries Limited and its owner, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, and its Managing Director, Ahmed Lawan Kuru, over their alleged violation of terms of a consent judgment they all entered in 2013 over Capital Oil’s N81billion debt. In the motion filed before the court by the com-

or proceeding to apply to court for the purpose of appointment of a Receiver Manager for the company, dealing in or taking possession of the company’s property, attaching and freezing it’s bank accounts and or commencing winding up proceedings against it. “One Mr. Maxwell, an employee of AMCON, via a telephone conversation on Monday 28th September, 2015 at the hour of 12 noon informed an Executive Director of the 1st applicant that the alleged corporation will soon com-

mence steps to appoint a Receiver to Manager for the 1st applicant, take over its properties/assets, freeze its accounts or wind up the 1st applicant. “The alleged action of the corporation amount to a criminal contempt of court as they are calculated to flout the purpose of the afore stated judgment of this court, hold the court in odium, trample upon the dignity and majesty of this court and outfox the court in suit Nos: FHC/ ABJ/CS/514/2015 and FHC/ABJ/CS/430/2015,” Ubah said.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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Politics

INEC goofed on Kogi guber election as Faleke was robbed —Opadokun There was no

Chief Ayo Opadokun is a legal practitioner and Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, CODER. In this interview with AYO ESAN, he speaks on the conduct of recent elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states scoring INEC very low. He also speaks on the revelations from the $2.1bn arms scam among other issues of national importance. Excerpts The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC recently conducted governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. What is your assessment of INEC in the conduct of the two elections? I must confess to you the conduct of election in Kogi and Bayelsa were drawback to a little step forward we thought we have made. Legally, I know that the electoral management body, INEC was wrong, very, very wrong in its proclamation. Looking at the content of the Electoral Act, the governorship election in Kogi was on smoothly and for all intent and purposes in compliance with the electoral act. The results of those elections from the different wards and from the different local governments have already been known because by law, those election results were to be counted in the front view of everybody and then the results will be signed by the presiding officer or the returning officer and the police or whichever security group were around that place. And then copies of such results were mandatorily to be given to agents of the contesting political parties. So from those results gathered, it was clear that Abubakar Audu had won. There was no basis for the so called rerun election, which was on the basis of a fraudulent assumption. A fraudulent assumption that was not backed by law, that the registered voters in the 91 wards where election could not be conducted had 49,000 voters cards. And that because Audu was just leading with just 35, 000-36,000 votes, so it will be wrong to declare such results. That is what I am saying that both in logic and in law it was wrong. Audu had already secured the highest votes statewide and he had succeeded in securing two - third majority votes in the entire state . So all that INEC needed to do that day was to declare APC as winner . If in consequence of the death of Audu , then James Faleke by the Grace of God fit the ball envisaged by the law to have taken over . He was supposed to be promoted and he will then decide who his running mate would be . And he needed to submit the name to the assembly for it to be passed. That was not what

basis for The so called rerun elecTion, which was on The basis of a fraudulenT assumpTion. a fraudulenT assumpTion ThaT was noT backed by law, ThaT The regisTered voTers in The 91 wards where elecTion could noT be conducTed had 49,000 voTers cards.

Opadokun the electoral management body did for reason best known to them. They were not right and they are sending us backward to what we thought we have experienced as a confused scenario of our past elections. If you then go to Bayelsa , you find out that the electoral commission at first honestly did not sufficiently planned to have a valid credible election in that regard. No one should tell them that the stake were too high in Bayelsa, that is the home state of the immediate past president. What it amounted to was like taking his state from him again so they will want to give the election the totality of what they were capable of doing. Yes, it was said that a contingent of almost 6,000 policemen

were drafted to that area . All other members of the armed forces were equally involved in one way or the other . But the terrain in Bayelsa is not the type that could easily be choreographed dicto senso because many of these characters in the police uniforms can’t deal with the creeks and water. Quite a number of people and indigenes of that state are living their life on water . How do you get to go and deal with their matters. So the fact that some people were capable of hijacking electoral materials and run back on to the sea, that suggested that the electoral management body need to do more than they did. And I was extremely unhappy that even at the rescheduled one, they couldn’t manage

the situation well. Somebody can say that the electoral management body is not a security organisation. But the Electoral Act endorses the presiding officer in any given ward to have the authority to beckon on the security operatives around there to say do this and that. So if they were there and they did not perform or the electoral management representatives did not invite them to come and do their work, you know something was wrong. We should be allowed to move forward in the conduct of our elections. Election need not become theatre of war where you have instrument of violence in your hands, I have in my hands. The collision like it happened in Bayelsa was a very poor replica of participatory democracy . There was no freedom, no liberty. Finally on that, I believe somebody need to tell the electoral management body and the Nigerian state that when every two groups are appropriating violence to themselves, when they have all instruments of coercion , if they met, it will results in a mutual self destruction as it had happened in this last one. This is because when iron met iron one must bend and that was why even the PDP that had been declared to have won , I have CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

Ayo EsAn & RobERt AwokusE

ational Democratic Coalition , NADECO leader, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, the President of Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and the Convener Beko Rights Klub, Comrade Debo Adeniran among other activists yesterday marked the 10th year memorial anniversary of the late human right crusader, Dr Bekololari Ransome-Kuti in Lagos . Two events were specifically organised to mark the anniversary by the CD/Women Arise and the Beko Rights Klub. At the two events, praises were showered on the

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CD, NADECO, BRK mark Beko’s 10th year anniversary

• Call for his son, Enitan’s release from prison late human right activist who was described as a dogged fighter and crusader while alive. Speaking at the event organised by CD/Women Arise, the NADECO Leader , Ndubuisi Kanu said the best way to remember Beko is for Nigerians to uphold the ideals for which he lived and died for. He specifically urged Nigerians to work for the sustainability of the current democracy and ensure that democracy which Beko fought for is

allowed to have firm root. Also speaking at the occasion, the President for Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin said Beko devoted most of his adult life to the struggle for a better Nigeria based on equity , justice, fairness and rule of law. “For his non-conformity with evil, he was hounded , detained and imprisoned on false charges by both military and civilian authorities’ Yet, his defiant spirit

was not subdued as he kept on the banner of freedom, liberty and a just and democratic order. 10 years after the exit of this giant, the Nigerian political landscape still remains far from the ideals he lived and died for. Our polity still remains largely unsettled , while greed and all kinds of vices make progress a mirage”, she said. She called on the Federal Government to use the occasion of Beko’s 10th anniversary to release

L-R: Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and former Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Dr. Ajibola Bashir, during the signing of Osun Public Procurement Law 2015, at the State Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, yesterday.

his son, Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti who is in prison over military charges during confrontations with the infamous terror group, Boko Haram . She said after Enitan’s release he should be reinstated into the Army. Speaking in the same vein, the Convener of Beko Rights Klub, Comrade Debo Adeniran used the occasion of the commemoration of Beko’s passage to call on the Nigerian government to grant Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome Kuti national pardon. He explained that since the decision of the Military to Court martial him after the Baga massacre carried out by Boko Haram insurgents in January 2015, Brigadier General Enitan remains in imprisonment till date, even though history has absolved him. “We are strongly convinced that the revelations reeled out from the arms procurement scandal and the DasukiGate confirm his innocence and patriotism. In fact, we believe, with those expositions, the actions of BrigadierGeneral Enitan and others are justiciable, reasonable and dialectical”, Adeniran said. He said the struggles of Beko and his co-travel-

lers were not in vain, as Nigeria today is under a democratic order with a democratization process in progression. “Unfortunately, Nigeria, politically and economically remain within the tenacious grip of a ruling class that have maintained and displayed the same ineptitude, maladministration, corruption, impunity and insensitiveness for decades resulting in the painful situation of existence of majority of Nigerians; a situation where the 1% rollick in affluence and control the commonwealth of the country while the 99% wallow in abject poverty and despair, in addition to unemployment, a health sector in doldrums, a neglected education sector topped with insecurity of lives and property”, he said. Among human right activists that attended the event to mark Beko’s 10th year memorial anniversary in Lagos include his widow, Mrs Abosede Ransome-Kuti, daughter, Barrister Nike Nedum, Comrade Ayodele Akele, former President Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO, Mrs Ayo Obe; ED, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi and his mother, Mrs Ganiyat Fawehinmi as well as Comrade Femi Aborisade .

Ekiti ex-PDP scribe urges court to vacate arrest warrant on him Abiodun nEjo ADO EKITI

he former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ekiti State, Dr Tope Aluko has urged the court to vacate the Warrant of Arrest issued against him by a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti last week. Aluko in a motion on notice MAD/10cm/2016 dated February 10, 2016 filed before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court sought an order vacating or setting aside the order of the same court dated February 3, 2016 issuing warrant of arrest

against him. Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye, had on February 3, 2016 following a motion exparte by the State Director of Public Prosecution, Gbemiga Daramola, granted an order compelling the police to bring Aluko to court to answer to charges of perjury slammed against him by the state government. Aluko was alleged to have recounted the statement earlier made on oath during the trial of the election of the state governor at the Election Petition Tribunal, where he served as a principal Witness to the PDP in a case instituted by the All Progressives Con-

gress, APC. The PDP secretary had on January 31, 2016 revealed in media interview that the June 21, 2014 governorship election that produced the incumbent governor was allegedly rigged by the PDP in cahoots with the military. Aluko, in the motion supported by two-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Barrister Ayodeji Daramola, predicated his plea on the ground that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the application. He also averred that the DPP application was defective and incompetent; a flagrant abuse of court

process; and that there is no prima facie case of perjury against him before the order was handed down. Principal counsels to Aluko, Barristers Niran Owoseeni and Wale Abimbola of Niran Owoseeni and Co, described the Warrant of Arrest issued by a Chief Magistrate Court against their client as a serious judicial error that needed to be reversed to preserve the integrity of the judiciary. They said it was rather curious that the court could go ahead and issued a warrant of arrest when there was no valid and existing charge against Aluko, say-

ing the court must have been misled under this circumstance. The lawyers said Aluko did not swear to any affidavit to counter the statement alleged to have been made during the election petition trial in Abuja, where he purportedly said in an affidavit he deposed to that the said 2014 governorship election was free, fair and credible. According to them, the evidence presented before the court last week by the complainants were misrepresentation of facts as they were evidences taken from newspaper reports and not evidences of sworn affida-

vit. “We are in a new era. This jackboot or catch him approach won’t work. Things must be done properly in accordance to the law. The Ex-parte order brought by the state government was filed on February 3 and the order was granted by court the same day. This is curious. “The perjury allegation against Aluko was still at the realm of speculation. So, the order doesn’t comply with the provision of the law and this makes the court incompetent in the first instance, or may be the DPP had read the law upside down”, the lawyers said.

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Politics

Thursday, February 11, 2016

INEC goofed on Kogi guber election as Faleke was robbed —Opadokun must be willing, they must endure, and they must be patient to ensure that they vote so that the rightly headed people will be in government on their behalf. And if they don’t perform, they could be recalled in accordance with our constitution.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

not seen them really rejoicing because they knew the wining was through blood and violence. Like former President Jonathan said his victory in any election does not worth the blood of any person. That didn’t happen in Bayelsa . It was a violence situation, everyone was running helter and skelter , many people lost their limbs , many people lost their lives in the process. So I am not comfortable with what is happening. As the Convener of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, CODER, we deplored what happened . It was a bad show, it was a show of unmitigated disaster that we would have to return to those old days where might was right and where the opinion , the feelings, the rights , the fundamental human rights of the people were not allowed to reign . The popular will of the people did not happen in those two elections. And I am sorry for Nigeria that we have gone this way again. I got through the media that one Bello was sworn-in in Kogi as governor. What is wrong in our people? This Bello contested the primaries and supposedly lost and he had nothing to do with the party any longer. There was even information to the effect that he was a strong pillar of the PDP to be able to win his constituency which it never did. So after Audu died, how can you brings in that fellow to come in as your candidate for the 93 wards election that remained? How did you do that? And the electoral management body knew very well that only 25,000 permanent voter cards, PVCs were accepted. So if the 25,000 people voted for the PDP that was not enough to counter the victory of Audu .So I know that something is wrong and I hope that James Faleke will get justice ultimately . There are two governorship elections coming up this year in Edo and Ondo State, what will be your advice to INEC concerning the two elections? Look what they have done in the last two elections like I have said is a poor show of what electoral management body ought to do. I will advise that one little gain that I found during the last elections was during the rerun and it was that they did not repeat again the first procedure of asking you to come and get accreditation , then you can go back to your home, and come back by 12 o’clock to come and vote . What they did In that election was that as soon as you are accredited you vote . That will make people to have enough time to stay at the election venue to do what they would needed to do one time and then go back home. And those who want to stay as a way of protecting their votes would be ready to be around. So I would suggest that they should maintain that one. But what is extremely worrisome all the time is about how the electoral management body would be able to get their logistic in place, where the election would hold up till today they don’t have any clue. For example in this last one, Professor Attahiru Jega revealed that they made some arrangement and that even the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW because there was change in the date , said they (INEC) must pay new fees because they had surrendered their vehicles, kept them in waiting for them to use them before they postponed the elections . I am going to say that they may need to work the arithmetic out in such a manner that they will not failed again by

Opadokun

You know Metuh’s partY colleagues and confederates, theY have stopped their large Mouths. and i supposed theY are alreadY silenced bY the revelation that caMe in court. the third party that will have something to do that would have consequential bearing on their own conduct on the way they are assessed. They need to find a foolproof method over the distribution of the logistics and this logistic can only be moved by vehicles, on air , by road, or by sea and until they succeeded in that , we will not be able to conduct a reasonably acceptable, fair and credible election. Look, a day before the elections , all the electoral staff ought to by that night be taking to their various venues where they will conduct the exercise. They should no more be waiting till the day of the election before they distribute the materials . That night, before day breaks they should be able to have finished distribution, so that the farthest places from the INEC headquarters ought to be dispatched first and the other people could be attended to before day breaks so that the 8 o’clock appointed time, the electoral officers will be ready . They could have got themselves adequately empowered, unencumbered so that they can start the work on time and finish up on time. That will be my advice to them. Look some characters don’t feel the pain and the anguish that we faced in this circumstance. We know it is not a free gift that we returned to democracy, some of us lost our sweat, some people lost their blood , some people lost their lives , some people lost their freedom, some people lost their possession. And some people, they were dispatched out of the country until the end of Abacha . So we paid to have this so called nascent civilian

regime that we are in to now . So they should work seriously to defend the myth , positive myth around the ballot box because voting is the most important right of any adult suffrage Nigerian. This is because if you succeeded in casting your votes, you were in doing so in order to install a kind of people into governance . It makes you the master of the elected, they are your representatives . And so therefore if they do not perform , the constitution has the provision for recall . When a lawmaker is misperforming, all you need to do as men and women of goodwill in that constituency who know their rights is to proceed on the business of recall of such a representative and sent him out of the house or if he is an appointive, for the person to be withdrawn . But the electorate are not as active as you are saying it in Nigeria No, they are not. Let me tell you just before presidential election in 1993, the situation was very wild and you can catch it in the atmosphere of Nigeria that our people were ready for that elect ion because they were interested in the gospel of change. They were prepared to give it anything. It was not for fun that Chief M.K.O. Abiola won that election. They wanted the soldiers to go back to their barracks. So all the funny things that have happened were packaged together to tell the NADECO story. The Nigeria man and woman of adult life were just determined to go and use their votes to oust the military and determined the tone of the next election. That is what our electorate should do. They

Revelation from the $2.1bn arm scam gave those involved as including personalities like Chief Olu Falae . Are you surprised with such revelation? Certainly. Extremely painful. I don’t know the truth or otherwise of the story. It is extremely painful having regard to my relationship with Chief Olu Falae and what I thought I knew . I am not in a position to say this thing happened this way or that way . Because from the story from the media, I learnt there was discussion between SDP and the PDP . As for me I am not a party man but I feel pained that they could mention an otherwise credible, reliable, trustworthy Nigerian leader in this their show of shame . And when the society has gone so decadent to the extent that you will deplete public money to that level that the PDP publicity secretary will give $2m cash to somebody to go and exchange for naira, it is very worrisome. It is a pain, very great pain. You know Metuh’s party colleagues and confederates, they have stopped their large mouths. And I supposed they are already silenced by the revelation that came in court. Two witnesses, one version was so dramatic.” In his house he gave me $2m to go and exchange to naira and then put them together in a fixed account”. That is a shame. But the complaint from the PDP was that only its members were being investigated and prosecuted ? That is arrant nonsense. Most of them are shameless. Look, who were the people in power before? It is those in power that would ordinarily have access to such thing. Those who were outside in the opposition who will invite them for the share in the booty . And in any case my question each time they made such funny, shameless view is, did those people committed the offence or not ? When a government of this nature has finished with the so called opponent they know that they have a duty not to be hypocritical and not to present themselves to the public as hypocritical political leadership . Those of their own members too who could have been found wanton one way or the other would have their days in court . Look, people don’t know General Buhari , most Nigerians don’t. I hope you read his declaration and the totality of what he has in his life. This man has been governor of two or five states , he did not bring a bicycle out of North Eastern region . This man has been Minister of Petroleum, can they point to any house that he build . This man has been Nigeria Head of State, let them gossip and tell Nigerians that he has this or that property, that he has fixed some money abroad that is yielding dividends for him. This man has been a chairman of an organisation that is like a parallel government . Because when Obasanjo came and they brought the idea of Petroleum Trust Fund to him, he said he would not allow a parallel government to hold . Buhari was in that office, Buhari did not take away ordinary Volkswagen from there. That is not the kind of person you want to CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Retract your claims against Justice Odili, Peterside urged

he South-South Pen Pushers, SSPP, has dismissed reports credited to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Mr. Dakuku Peterside accusing Justice Mary Odili of facilitating Governor Nyesom Wike’s victory at the Supreme Court. SSPP through a statement signed by its Director of Media, Mr. Ambrose Sule called on Peterside to withdraw his statement, stating that failure to do so would attract legal action.

The statement reads: ‘’Our attention has been drawn to the text of a press conference by the defeated candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Rivers State governorship election, Mr. Dakuku Peterside. ‘’ Dakuku Peterside should feel redeemed by the fact that Governor Nyesom Wike has ‘adopted’ him as a son given his capitulation on the altar of justice. For him to drag the Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the Supreme Court as an institution into his woeful lamentation is to say the

least, appalling, crass and dangerous to the sanctity of the judicial system in Nigeria. ‘’For him to regurgitate second hand information as statements of fact is to demonstrate how badly the judgment of the apex court has dealt with his psyche. “ For the avoidance of doubt, Justice Odili has earned her place on the Bench through the ranks and not a single malfeasance has been adduced to her except that which exists in the jaundiced minds of people like Peterisde.’’

‘’To suggest that the Hon. Justice Mary Odili ‘compromised’ the legal process at the Supreme Court for Wike to be justifiably returned as governor is to suggest that all along, Peterside and his pay masters had compromised all the legal processes but the apex court. “We however do not hold that to be true. Justice Odili was never near the panel that sat over the matter; Peterside cannot in all honesty say he believes the lie which delusion has compelled him to dish out’’, SSPP said.

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Senate expresses support for RMAFC olubunmi omoogun

he Senator representing Ondo south senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Yele Omogunwa has expressed mild reservation about the ongoing budget proposals occasioned by the dwindling oil price in the country. The Senator expressed this at the budget defence meeting of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs held with top officials of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC led by Shettima Umar Abba Gana, its Acting Chair-

man at the Senate building. The key determinant of Nigeria’s buoyant economy has always been the production of crude oil and its marketing potentials. The Senator said “Every Ministries, Departments and Agencies have come up with their budget proposals, but one question people have not asked is, is their budget realisable judging by the downturn in oil price?” In responding, Abba Gana said “we plan to block leakages and monitor the agencies under our purview; it is going to be difficult. However, crude oil price will improve by end of this year and early next year”.

INEC goofed on Kogi guber election as Faleke was robbed —Opadokun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

L-R: Member, Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Ben Bruce; Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Sen. Barnabas Gemade and Chairman, Committee on Works, Sen. Kabir Gaya, during the Budget Defence of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development at National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday.

Justin tyopuusu JALINGO

arely 12 hours after she was abducted by unknown gunmen, Hajiya Beli Manu, mother of the Taraba state Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu was released by her abductors. A family source who preferred anonymity told National Mirror in a telephone interview that the abductors who initially demanded N300 million as ransom later reviewed it backward, but could not say the exact amount the family gave to the abductors before the release of Hajiya Beli. The source explained that the abductors who whisked away Hajiya Beli at their family residence in Mutum Biyu on Mon-

Abducted mother of Taraba Dep. Gov regains freedom day night abandoned her in Mayo-Kam in Bali Local Government Area of the state. Confirming the release of Hajiya Beli, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Kwaji said the mother of the deputy governor was released at about 11:40pm on Tuesday without any ransom paid to the abductors. Kwaji who said no arrest was made urged the people of the state to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to the police and other security agents. He noted that inves-

tigation into the matter was ongoing with a view to arresting the culprits. Chairman of Gassol Local Government, Hon. Tukura Bashir in a reaction condemned the abduction of the 80 year old Mama Beli. Tukura informed that he has strengthened security apparatus of the local government since the abduction of the octogenarian mother of the deputy governor. Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Jerry Tyolanga who hails from the local government blamed the abduction on the influx of people into

the state particularly in Bali and Gassol local governments. “This is the fifth case of abduction in recent times since the state started playing host to influx of people from unknown destinations into the state. “These people are occupying people’s land and have being terrorising residents of the area, killing, maiming and now they have introduce abduction of innocent persons. Security agencies should quickly flush out these people before the situation gets out of hand. We are no longer safe,” he said.

assuage or you want to do funny things to make him to bow. That man is unlikely to bow. The day I made the presentation of CODER before the House live, public hearing , Chief Olu Falae followed me and told all Nigerian people that he endorsed what CODER presented . It was the turn of General Buhari that day I much more admired him. These Nigerians are not operating from the same perspective with Buhari . The man sees what is happening much more deeper than what most Nigerians think about. That is a kind of person until he became president –elect, most times I was told and I have found out if he visited Abuja he used to be in an hotel. Who is the second of that person now who had been head of state of Nigeria and behave like that ; let them point to one of them? This man is not an hypocrite, he genuinely believe that this Nigeria ought to be restored . So anyone in their usual manner who wants to paint what he is doing as witchhunting, some of them need to reexamine their heads. This is because the thing is quite clear, if you had not done anything wrong who would call you . If you have not appended your signature for money that you knew very much or you ought to know was illegally given to you , how can you come back now to claim witch-hunting . Very funny characters, like people imagine him to be too hard on political exposed persons, how will he not . For example in the national assembly, a group of people decided to doctor the House Rule for them to get themselves so called elected . And now claim through an aged Yoruba guy saying that perjury is a matter of national assembly. That was what Chief Richard Akinjide said. I thought he ought to have restrained himself. He ought to not have making such funny careless statement, a senior advocate of Nigeria. He ought to know that perjury is beyond the national assembly commission management matter . It is already a criminal offence . And the police have gone into the place; they have established the truth of that matter. Are you saying Buhari would now say whoever needed to prosecute those involved should not do his constitutional job? That is not Buhari. I remembered what happened when he was military head of state, those three guys that were executed for cocaine. The truth of the matter is that, that man is about law and order. Once there is an order in accordance with the law of the nation, Buhari has sworn to execute it and that is what he will do, no matter your relationship with him. Your relationship will not be a stumbling block to making Buhari turn his face the other side. Business of corruption in Nigeria fully has eaten Nigeria up , we are just virtually before the undertakers .

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Thursday, February 11, 2016

Weaning Nigeria from crude oil dependency CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

he crude oil has been Nigeria’s curse! Why should a God-given resource be a curse that has impoverished the masses and undermined the moral and ethical integrity of a people? Well, the problem is not crude oil per se, it is our turning the economy to a mono-product one that caused and still causing the problem. Since the time oil was discovered in Oloibiri on Sunday 15 January 1956 by Shell Darcy, Nigeria joined the comity of oil-producing countries. The discovery brought to an end 50 years of unfruitful search for oil. But that era also marked the beginning of a new economic orientation as we began systemic relegation of all other sectors of the economy like agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing and small-scale industries. Matter came to a head during the oil-boom of the 1970s, when intoxicated with the bountiful harvest from oil, we neglected to plan for the future, forgetting that oil is an exhaustible resource. In the ensuing collective inebriation of our leaders, began the feeling of grandeur. At

this time, one of our leaders was heard to say that Nigeria’s problem was not money, but how to spend it. There are three things we should have got right immediately the oil boom started: We should have solved the problem of electricity; we should have got right our steel mill industry development template, the backbone of industrialization; and we should have put in place basic infrastructure to ease the burden of life and ignite entrepreneurial initiatives possessed by millions of Nigerians. Unfortunately, we did none of this! The government could afford to pay the public worker their salaries and wages endlessly without the need to carry out the needed value-for-money assessment of their works, leading to entrenchment of attitude of sloth, negligence, laxity and reduced productivity among public workers. But eventually the bubble burst in the early 1980s and then began the era of serious economic crisis. Before that the General Olusegun Obasanjo administration (19761979) had introduced series of austerity measures, the indication that all was not well with our economy. This did not stop further wastage and extravagance in the succeeding civilian government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Miffed by the profligacy of the Shagari government and coupled with its inept handling of the economy, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an opposition figure in the Second Republic, who foresaw the looming disaster with his characteristic insight, warned that the ship of state was moving towards peril-

EVEN TILL THIS VERY MOMENT, THE CULTURE OF WASTE

AND PROFLIGACY IN THE COUNTRY HAS CONTINUED UNABATED ous icebergs. Unfortunately the sage was described as a prophet of doom, who saw nothing wrong with the then ruling National Party of Nigeria. But not quite long after Awo’s warning, Shagari government was swept away in a military coup. The incoming military government and other successive governments after that failed to use our oil money to lay the foundation of a sustainable economic development in the country. The summary of my story is that till this day Nigeria’s economy remained rent economy, essentially anchored to a mono product (crude oil) with no genuine and strategic impetus given to it over the years to convert it to a profitoriented economy that places emphasis on human efforts at assembling raw materials in aid of production, and reaping profits from the enterprises. Although the recent rebasement of the Nigerian economy, which made our country the largest economy in Africa, has given some positive signals of the nation’s potential, the fact that the econ-

Buhar’s battle against the venal crowd CHRIS OKOTIE

hese, certainly are not the best of times for the grex venalium (the venal crowd), popularly known by ordinary Nigerians as treasury looters. The ongoing battle by President Muhammadu Buhari against this corrupt cabal, who have held this nation hostage for years leaves, no one in doubt that it is no longer business as usual for politicians of fortune. It is a mistake to assume that this is President Buhari’s private battle to clean the nation’s Augean stable. Rather, it should be seen as a determined effort to right the wrongs of bad leadership, the bane of Nigeria’s development for decades. Previous attempts to fight corruption were somehow symptomatic, but the present government has adopted a strong, pathological approach that aims to get to the root of the matter, which is why every Nigerian should give the president total support. What is being done now, if carried to the logical conclusion, would free the country from the labyrinth of a deeply entrenched tribe of Machiavellian politicians, whose sole purpose for seeking power is to loot our common patrimony. When former President Goodluck Jonathan emerged on the scene, he came across as a power-shy, harmless politician on whose shoulders providence placed the leadership of this great nation at a critical period in our political evolution. His moving story of grass to grace, with the

LEADERSHIP IS THE TERRAFIRMA UPON WHICH THE CITADEL OF PROGRESS CAN BE ERECTED memorable line that he went to school like many Nigerians without shoes, caught the attention of the electorate, who gave him the mandate in his first-ever quest to seek elective office in 2011. Once on the presidential seat in Aso Rock, we saw a different Jonathan altogether. Never has a president in this country come to power with such level of goodwill and blow it just as fast as Dr. Jonathan. Perhaps, overwhelmed by the demands of office, or ill-prepared for its challenges, the first president from a southern minority exhibited poor governing capacity and inherent weakness unbecoming of the leader of a huge country like ours. He had to be goaded to act with firmness when occasion demanded, which was why he virtually lost control of his presidency to his cronies. His appointees and associates went about looting the public treasury with unprecedented impunity; not even the intermittent public outrage moved President Jonathan to sanction them. And when he did, it was either too little or too late. Corrupt ministers were relieved of their posts with slaps on the wrist, while nothing was done about their loot. With the current anti-corruption saga, we can now understand why Jonathan and his PDP cohorts spared no ex-

penses to buy themselves back to power. This time however, the fairy tale run of goodluck failed them. The hapless President was sent packing. Serendipity was out of kilter! That era of impunity ended suddenly, but we cannot just sweep what happened during the PDP government under the carpet. Regardless of who is involved, justice must be done to send a clear message that leaders must be accountable even after they leave office. I perceive that this is what President Buhari is trying to prove, that is why I support him. The charge of selective prosecution and the ethnic or religious card being played by some to discredit this anti-corruption war is nothing but a mischievous charade. Those arrested for suspected corrupt practices cut across the party, ethnic and religious divide. Nigerians must, therefore, not fall for the antics of the venal rich, who are fighting back, using media propaganda to win sympathy. One is however, constrained to raise this point because of a public statement credited to Anthony Cardinal Okogie in which the Catholic prelate expressed reservations about the government’s philosophy in prosecuting the anti-corruption war vis-a-vis the rule of law and his perceived thinking that other governance issues are not being addressed as should. The Cardinal is entitled to his opinion, but there is no factual evidence to support this claim. The venerable Cardinal is unappre-

omy still revolves precariously around a mono-product is easily established by the recent fears concerning the reduction in prices of crude oil. In precise terms, Nigeria’s revenues are over heavily-dependent on oil. Even till this very moment, the culture of waste and profligacy in the country has continued unabated. We keep shifting the day we will stop the economic hara-kiri of gas flaring. There is still proliferation of agencies, parastatals, including the needed and unnecessary ones. Nigerian government at every level has become one big behemoth with so many personnel performing duplicated functions. Perhaps until very recently, there is an entrenched culture of having advisers, aides, special aides and special assistant to every paramount executive ranging from the president to the governor and local government chairman. In the same vein, many of the states in the country today are not viable by themselves, having no self-sustaining economy to meet the exigencies of their own existence. Yet, they maintain huge civil service institution. These states go cap in hand to Abuja every month to collect federal allocations. Many such states have been collecting money for decades, and if the one for the next month is not paid they would simply be insolvent! As a matter of fact, many of them are now insolvent and can no longer pay workers salary! To be continued Ketefe may be followed @Ketesco

ciative of the dialectics of change within the Nigerian context. The Nigerian scenario is indicative of an aberration embedded in our political genes. Whereas politics and economics are sociological kinsmen, yet politics maintains an ascendancy over economics in practical realities. The hoi polloi determines the political leadership but economic superintendence is the prerogative of the elite. Nigeria’s existential bane is not lack of professors in mantled academia, nor is it a paucity of economic knowledge in the geopolitical arena. Rather, it is leadership, leadership and yet leadership. Ad nauseam! Leadership is the terra-firma upon which the citadel of progress can be erected. If the foundation be destroyed by corruption what can the righteous do? It is my founded expectation that the respected Cardinal would urge the government to probe the leadership of CAN, PFN and other pseudo religious organizations, who acquired their fabricated titles under spurious Christian nomenclature. Corruption is a hydra headed monstrosity that must be confronted by the gladiators of righteousness. Rev. Okotie wrote from Lagos via Okotie@revchrisokotie.com and can be reached on 08078421451 (SMS only) Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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 OBIORA IFOH ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

On the NCC-MTN fine palaver

lot of drama has been dogging the cold relationship currently existing between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/cellular phone technology giant, MTN. The icy relationship was ignited by the $5.2 billion (over N1.4 trillion) penalty NCC slammed on MTN last October for the latter’s failure to disconnect about 5.1 million subscribers with unregistered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards bought before the scheduled August 2015 disconnection deadline. One of the foremost steps taken by the panic-stricken communication behemoth was the sack (some said forced resignation) of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki. Another fallout was the top management reshuffle in MTN’s office in South Africa, which the telecom multinational’s Group Executive Chairman, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, said was meant to strengthen leadership, increase management capacity and improve operational oversight. MTN followed this with official apology to NCC for its failure to keep to the disconnection deadline, and pleaded for a review of the crippling penalty. The NCC reciprocated this gesture by slashing the fine by 25 percent to $3.9 billion (N780 billion). Unfortunately, instead of the MTN paying the reduced

penalty, it played the Oliver Twist by pontificating on how outrageous the new $3.9 billion still was and pressing for a further downward trimming of the bill. The telecom company also resorted to subjecting the fine to comparisons and canvassing other payment options. This infuriated NCC, leading to its insistence on enforcing the sanction in line with Section 20 (1) of the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulation (2011), which prescribes a penalty of N200,000 for each unregistered but activated SIM card and against the fact that the Nigerian public had been at the receiving end of security challenges, like kidnap for ransom, financial scams and other heinous crimes facilitated by GSM phones. Consequently, NCC warned that MTN should pay up latest by last December 31 or be prepared for whatever consequences that would follow. From then, the drama has been revolving around efforts by Nigerian authorities to freeze MTN’s account in the country; the GSM operator’s resort to litigation to quash the fine; and unimpressive out-of-court settlement. When the case came up before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, last January 22, counsel to MTN (applicant/plaintiff), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the court that the parties in dispute were already discussing how to amicably resolve the matter.

THE FG AND NCC

government and NCC. Curious analysts are also constructing a SHOULD INSIST ON problem of conscience for the naUSING ALL LEGITIMATE tion by exaggerating how outrageous the penalty on MTN is. MEANS TO MAKE Our position on matters bordering on the impunities of multiMULTINATIONAL national companies operating COMPLY WITH in Nigeria, whether in the oil or NIGERIAN LAWS. other sectors, however, remains the Nigerian government BEST INTERNATIONAL that should desist from playing the fool BUSINESS PRACTICE or the ostrich game while multiRECOMMENDS NO LESS nationals rip off the country, ride roughshod on the nation and its laws; and perpetrate crimes in NiJustice Idris then adjourned the geria they dare not contemplate in matter to March 18, 2016 for report their home countries, except they of settlement or hearing. were ready to pay dearly in return. The kernel of MTN’s argument in court is that NCC cannot assume MTN’s seeming contempt for the nation and its laws would better be all the functions of the state – makappreciated with NCC’s claim last ing laws, prescribing penalties and November that it fined Globacom imposing fines. It further claimed being denied its constitutional right N7.4 million; Etisalat N7 million; Airtel N3.8 million and MTN of fair hearing before a court of N102.2 million in August 2015 for competent jurisdiction; and that it was not found guilty of any offence their non-compliance with its SIM deactivation directive; and that all that would warrant the hefty fine the telecoms operators, apart from imposed on it by NCC. The last MTN, paid the ‘small’ fines. This is joker MTN pulled some days ago unacceptable. was its hiring of a former United We stand against any suggesStates Attorney General, Mr. Eric tion that will make such impunity Holder, now with a private law firm in the US, to help challenge the $3.9 fester the more. The FG and NCC should insist on using all legitimate billion fine or accelerate negotiations, a move widely interpreted as means to make multinational firms buttressing the flaunt of American comply with Nigerian laws. Best international business practice vested interest in the case with a recommends no less. view to intimidating the Nigerian

ON THIS DAY February 11, 1990

February 11, 2011

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison outside Cape Town, South Africa after 27 years as a political prisoner. Born Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013), he was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black democratically elected chief executive.

The first wave of the Egyptian revolution culminated in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 18 days of protests. The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 began on January 25, 2011 and was all over Egypt. It consisted of demonstrations, marches, strikes, riots, non-violent civil resistance, acts of civil disobedience, etc., and attracted millions of protesters.

February 11, 2015 A university student was murdered as she resisted an attempted rape on a minibus in Mersin, Turkey, sparking nationwide protests and public outcry against harassment and violence against women. The murder was committed by the minibus driver, Ahmet Suphi Altındoken, his father Necmettin Altındoken and his friend, Fatih Gokce. All perpetrators were handed aggravated life sentences.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) In ABUAD, You Get It All —Dr Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

Naira devaluation not hindering studies abroad

…as Nigerians storm Canadian Education Fair

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

espite the fact that the value of Naira has continued to go down against the major currencies in the world, especially the US Dollar and Pound Sterling, many Nigerian youths are still preferred to study abroad, especially in Europe and America not minding the financial implications. This position was further confirmed at the Canadian Education Fair held in Lagos last week. Just as it happened during the previous editions, students and parents in their hundreds stormed the twoday event held at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island. Some even were there with their academic credentials to find out if they were suitable for admission in any of the 41 schools whose representatives were around. They expressed belief that not only is the standard of education in Canada far better than that of Nigeria, those who study in Europe and Canada in particular, would have better knowledge, skills and exposures that would make them globally competitive at graduation. Funsho Ajayi, who left secondary school two years ago, was at the fair. He was with his West African Senior School Certificate Examination result which showed credit passes in seven subjects including English Language and Mathematics. He told National Mirror that his dream since he was in secondary school had been to travel abroad to study Medicine. And that has been why he does not bother, according to him, to seek admission at home. “I just want to leave this country to further my education,” he emphasised. Although, he didn’t have a particular school in mind to go as he moved from one stand to another for enquiry, he is quite sure that he would be “a hot cake” anywhere in the world as a Canadian degree holder. Based on what he described as reliable information, Funsho explained that international students in Canada have the opportunities to work while studying and a better chance to secure resident permit and employment after graduation than any other country in the world. He noted that his father was very passionate about him studying abroad and in

A visitor (right) making an enquiry at one of the stands at the fair.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

MOST THINGS WE STILL CONSIDER TO BE BIG ISSUES IN NIGERIA LIKE EPILEPTIC POWER AND WATER

SUPPLY AND POOR ENVIRONMENT, AMONG OTHERS ARE NON-ISSUES IN CANADA.

Canada in particular and because of that, had assured of sponsoring him. Like Ajayi, Agbeyigbe Anire, an SS2 student of King’s College, Lagos, wants to further his education abroad after completing his studies at the nation’s premier unity college hopefully next year. He was at the fair with some of his classmates and seniors. He also wants to study Medicine and specialise

as a neuro-surgeon back home in Nigeria. Although, he could not explain in-to-to what he knows about Canadian education, Agbeyigbe has made to believe like many of his contemporaries that schools in country like Canada would offer high-quality education and give better exposure to students than those in Nigeria. “So, I am here to know the requirements

to study Medicine in Canada. And this will also aid me to study very hard and pass my WASSCE in flying colours,” he said, noting that money wouldn’t be a problem once he is able to have good result as his parents had promised to take the bill. But unlike Ajayi, Agbeyigbe and many of their mates from schools like Chrisland, Jextoban at the fair, Mr. Raymon Ogbu came to there on behalf of his son who is preparing for the forthcoming WASSCE scheduled for between May and June. He believes so much in his children having higher education abroad. “I have two children and unfortunately the older one didn’t have the opportuniCONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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NCCE shuts illegal college of education in Gombe 20

FG is committed to improved teaching —Minister 22

JAMB kicks against fee charging for change of institutions 22

Education Today

NDLEA sets up drug free clubs in Katsina schools James DanJuma KATSINA

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, is to set up drug free clubs in secondary and tertiary schools in Katsina State to sensitise the youths and drawing them away from use, consumption and sale of illicit drugs. The state Commandant of the agency, Mrs. Maryam Sani who stated this in an interview with newsmen, said the clubs would be set up in collaboration with the state ministry of education. She lamented that the state was among those leading in high consumption of illicit drugs, especially among young girls and married women in the country. She said the agency would soon organise workshops for

principals and lecturers of schools starting with few of them to start off the clubs. The commandant said after the sensitisation, trainees would be allowed to manage the clubs in their various schools. She said the agency would intensify public enlightenment in schools and market places to educate people on the dangers in sales and consumption of illicit drugs so as to put both users and sellers of the items out of business. While noting that the agency recently arrested six hawkers of drugs on the street for prosecution appealed to the state government to construct additional detention cells at the headquarters of the agency, as well as provide it with vehicles to enable it carry out its responsibilities more effectively.

Lagos vocational education yielding results —Director, Mass Education

Amore

Tunbosun ogunDare

irector, Agency for Mass Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Fola Amore has said the vocational training scheme of the state government was yielding significant results. She made this observation during the 10th graduation ceremony organised for the last set of graduands from the scheme held penultimate week. They were totaling 1, 960 from across 10 local government and development council areas of the state, including Surulere, Agege, Lagos Island, Yaba, Ikorodu, Apapa and Ifako-Ijaiye, among others. The director listed vocational areas the graduands were trained for between 12 and 20 months to include tailoring, hair-

dressing, catering, barbing, shoe and soap making, tie and dye, among others. She said she was happy that the gradaunds went home fully-baked and therefore optimistic that they would make a great difference in their various professions. “We have competent hands that always take our students through the programme with the aim of preparing them not only to be self-reliant but also employers of labour. That is why we run real practical training for our students. Vocational jobs are in-thing to easily make people come out of poverty and wants not only in Nigeria but also in other developing economies,” she noted. Amore, who disclosed that the training programme was free irrespective of learners’ age, sex and state of origin added that trainees who are illiterates were also being taught how to read and write to enable them perform more effectively at work and other endeavours. While asking more people to key into the programme, the director promised that her led agency would not compromise standard.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

regina oTokpa

he National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has closed down Lakwanjang College of Education and Entrepreneurship, Kaltungo in Gombe State, following allegations of illegal operations for over two years. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Monday Joshua, who led a crack team to raid the institution, said the college was operating from a ramshackle primary school in Gombe State and has warned that any certificate obtained from illegal programmes would not be recognised in Nigeria. According to him, information got to the commission that an institution located in Kaltungo was running a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) illegally and had advertised for and admitted unsuspecting students for two academic sessions without any involvement of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCCE shuts illegal college of education in Gombe

Board (JAMB). A statement released in Abuja by the NCCE Public Relations Officer, Mallam Garba Sulieman, said the college conducts classes only in the evenings inside the said primary school,

claiming to be running courses such as Primary Education Studies, Biology, Islamic Religion studies, Christian Religion Studies, Hausa Language, Mathematics, Computer studies, Business Education,

Economics, Social Studies, Arabic Medium and NCE in English. He explained that the operator of the college would be handed over to appropriate authority for prosecu-

L-R: Director, Quality Assurance, National Universities Commission, Dr. Biodun Saliu; Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun; Former Registrar, University of Ibadan, Chief Mojisola Ladipo; former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe and former Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola, during the two-day quality assurance retreat, tagged: ‘Fostering Community-Wide Quality Assurance in Lagos State University for Efficient Service Delivery and Academy Excellence’, in Lagos, yesterday.

Don decries low women participation in agric research saiDaT alausa

2014 Fellow of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), Dr. Catherine Oladoyinbo of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State has decried low participation of African women in agricultural research and development. Speaking at a role-modeling programme organised by her at the Federal College of Education Model Secondary School, Osiele, Abeokuta, which was attended by over 140 senior secondary school students, Dr. Oladoyinbo stated that the programme was aimed at mentoring young girls on how and why they should choose careers in agriculture-related disciplines, saying hunger and poverty would be difficult to defeat in Africa without women’s participation in decision making process. She said agriculture was as a source of livelihood, contributor to national revenue and for providing employment opportunities,

raw material, foreign exchange earnings, food security and economic development. She reeled out the agriculture-related disciplines that students might be interested in studying to include Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agroforestry, Agronomy, Animal and Livestock Sciences, Aquatic Resources and Fisheries, among others. In her lecture, titled: “Should Girls Study Agricultural Sciences?” the Acting Head, Department of Hospitality and Tourism, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC) of FUNAAB, Dr. Adebukunola Omemu, stated that agriculture was once thought to be about the ancient practice

of farming, but in today’s world, it is now regarded as cutting-edge technology. She said women played significant role in agriculture, the world-over, as they constituted according to her about 70 per cent of the agricultural workforce, adding that 80 per cent of food producers were women, while 10 per cent of those who process basic foodstuffs were also women. “But despite these great role, women rarely play any major role political decision making processes”, she pointed out. Omemu however called on parents to desist from encouraging their children to study professions that would lead to white-collar jobs, adding that in primary and

secondary schools, cultivation of crops on the school garden were used as a punishment for students who commit offence rather than to use as part of their studies. She said such situation had made many young girls to hate the subject let alone study it to make a living. Earlier, Dr. Olubukola Issah of the Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) of FUNAAB, stressed the need for women to be involved in research and laboratory analysis of agricultural produce and products since a higher percentage of them were involved in the land clearing, preparation, planting, harvesting, fishing and processing.

Participants from Chrisland Pre-Degree College, Lekki, at a career day programme organised by Chrisland High School, VGC, Ajah, Lagos, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, February 11, 2016

FG, Pakistan seek closer ties on education Regina OtOkpa ABUJA

he Federal Government and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have agreed to scale-up relations in the area of education. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah speaking during a meeting with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Agha Mohammad Umar Farooq in Abuja maintained that the existing relationship between both countries especially in the area of education, needed to be strengthened. The minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said the cordial relationship had led to the development of a Memorandum of Under-

standing (MoU) which he disclosed would undergo a speedy process from the ministry to ensure it was signed. While requesting for more scholarship award slots under the Bilateral Scholarship Award Agreement, he said the desire to intervene in the secondary education level, particularly in technical and vocation education would be desirable. Speaking, the High Commissioner expressed his country’s readiness to assist Nigeria in the area of capacity building of teachers at the tertiary level of the education system and intervention in the Basic and Secondary levels. This is even as he accented to the request of expanding scholarship award slots to Nigeria under the Bilateral Scholarship Award Agreement (BEA).

College gives scholarship to indigent students

race High School Gbagada, Lagos has concluded plans to offer two indigent students scholarship that would cover their tuition and hostel accommodation from Senior Secondary School 1 to 3, the administrator of the school, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun, has said. She noted that students from public schools were eligible to compete for the award through an exam for the purpose, adding that the award would enter its 13th edition this year. The initiative according to her is designed to help brilliant but indigent students obtaining quality education which their parents could not afford in the school. The administrator disclosed that about 5, 00 candidates were expected to take part in this year’s entrance

examination because as she put it “Grace High School has become one the leading brands in secondary education in the country.” Also speaking, Mr. Ronald Cilliers, the principal of the school said the excellent facilities available in the school and the well motivated professional teachers had enhanced the performance of the children in public examinations thereby making the school the preferred choice of enlightened parents. The principal also said “the management has set aside a day in a session to extend its appreciation to esteem parents who have kept faith with the school over the years. He added that Grace School students were the first in Africa to attend lessons in Singapore in 2014 and likewise in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Head Teacher, Hallmark School, Mrs. Uju Ifeakor (right), with some pupils, during the school’s Cultural Day Celebration in Lagos…on Saturday.

Admission: JAMB kicks against fee charging for change of institutions tunbOsun OgundaRe

he Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said it was illegal for any tertiary institution from the university to polytechnic and college of education in the country to charge any student who sit for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME any fee as change of institution fee either such an applicant chose their schools originally or not. The Head of Media and Information of the board, Dr. Fabian Benjamin

disclosed this in a chat with National Mirror, saying every UTME candidate automatically becomes an applicant in all the over 300 tertiary institutions in the country. He explained that was why JAMB usually asks its candidates to fill one preferred university, one polytechnic and one college of education in their application forms so as to broaden their chances of securing admission at any level. “And that is why we also treat their applications separately at each level after the release of results,” he added. Speaking about the readiness of

JAMB for this year’s UTME, the spokesman said the board would not leave any stone unturned to conduct a hitch-free exam far better than the last edition. The exam just like that of last year according to him would be e-exam popularly known as Computer-Based Test and to be held across over 400 centres nationwide. While imploring managements of various exam centres to put all that are required to conduct hitch-free exam including standby generators into place, Fabian urged the candidates to study very well as there would be no room for cheating

Dogara, school administrators bag education awards Wale ibRahim LOKOJA

he speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara is among other nine eminent personalities to receive the 2015 Education Award from The Nigerian Education Times Newspapers. This was contained in a statement signed by the Publisher of the tabloid, Mr. Oladipo Masekese Bayode,

a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja. Bayode said all the award recipients were chosen based on their track records in education development in the country. He listed the Director General of National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna, Dr. Ladan Sharehu as one the awardees and to bag Education Administrator Award. Others according to him

include Prof. Michael Umale, Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja as the Best VC; Mr. Olanrewaju Olusegun Aluko, Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State; and Prof. Josephat Okechukwu Ogbuagu, Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State for federal institutions. Prof. Williams Barnabas Qurix, Vice-Chancellor, Kaduna State University; Alhaji Mas’ud Elellu Rector, Kwara

State Polytechnic, Ilorin; Dr. Mojisola Oyarekua, Provost, College of Education IkereEkiti, Ekiti State for the state institutions’ category. Archbishop Sam Amaga, the founder of Salem University would also receive Integrity Leadership Award in recognition of his support for mentorship and scholarship. He noted that the award conferment ceremony would be held in March at Salem University.

Chrisland School holds Career Day

hrisland High School, Victoria Garden City, Lagos held the second edition of its Career Day, themed: “My profession, my passion,” at the school premises, recently. The event which started in 2015 was aimed at enlightening the students on the career options available to them and to guide them towards making the right career choice. The keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Fakorede Olajide urged them to give their studies a deserved attention

and be obedient to constituted authorities; focused and hardworking, saying that was the only route to the top in whatever career they choose in life. Other guest speakers include Mrs. Promise Nosiri, Engr. Sikuade, Dr. Ifeoma Ezeoma, Mr. Ogunyakin Omoniyi, Mrs. Georgina Azike, and Damilola Bolarin. Vice-Principal (Academics), Mr. Olaleye Francis and his administration’s counterpart, Mrs. Blessing Oham were both on hand at the forum.

N-mates reunion: Member, Political Science graduates from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1993 set) and Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nojeem Salaam (5th right) with some other members of the alumni association during their reunion in Osogbo, last Saturday.

Education Today

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shehu of Borno assures UNILAG of cooperation Saidat alauSa

head of his official installation next month, the new Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, who is also the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Min El-Kanemi has assured management of the university of his readiness to participate in all activities that will lead to the growth and development of the institution. He gave the assurance while the university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello led a delegation to his palace on a courtesy visit, recently. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Management Services), Professor Duro Oni; Acting Registrar, Mr. Toyin Adebule; Bursar, Dr. Lateef Odekunle and the Chairman, Ceremonies Committee, Professor Timothy Nubi were part of the team. The chancellor expressed his sincere appreciation to his guests for their visit and thanked the President for confirming his appointment as the chancellor of the university, lamenting the incessant attacks of Boko Haram members on peace loving people of Borno. He however assured that the sect would never defeat the Borno Empire just as Maitasine group and the rest did not in the past.

Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the monarch for receiving them warmly to his palace, noting that their visit was to pay homage and show happiness for his appointment as the new chancellor of the university. The vice-chancellor told their host that the university was ready to join hands with him and the emirate to suggest possible ways of ending security challenge in the North Eastern part of the country. He however explained that UNILAG had become the first university of choice to many admission seekers in the country due to its quality education, research and community services provided. “But it unfortunate that we cannot admit even one tenth of our applicants yearly due to limited space,” he added. The vice-chancellor also recalled that Professor Umaru Shehu who is onetime Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the university is from the state. While informing the monarch that the 2016 Convocation ceremony of the university had been scheduled for between March 1 and 3, he also told him he would be officially installed at the occasion as the Chancellor of the university by President Muhamadu Buhari.

NGO tasks Oyo govt on education devt kemi Olaitan IBADAN

non-political, nonreligious organisation, Oke Ogun Development Council (ODC), has called on the Federal and Oyo State governments, to brace up on the state of the education in the country. The group in a release signed by acting President and General Secretary respectfully, Mr. Oladoja Oladele and Mr. Jare Ajayi, over the data just released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), observed that a situation where only 21.3 per cent of Oyo State candidates that sat for the School Certificate examination last year had five credits including English and Mathematics is very pa-

thetic. It will be recalled that details of the May/June, 2015 WASCE released on Thursday, February 4, 2016 by WAEC mentioned Abia as the state that has the highest number of successful candidates while Yobe was the last on the list that contained the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while Oyo State occupies the 26th position. Details released by WAEC indicated that of the 78,896 candidates presented by Oyo State, only 16,588 obtained five credits and above in subjects that included Mathematics and English Language. The organisation argued that “the situation we are now was as a result of years of neglect of what goes on in our educational sector.

L-R: Nollywood actor, Victor Olaotan; former Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Ondo State, Mr. Tola Wewe; Deputy Managing Director, Caroline Anyanwu; Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, both of Diamond Bank; Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Prof. Wole Soyinka; Chief Executive Officer, Nike Arts Gallery, Chief Nike Okundaye; Consul, Republic of Germany, Ingo Herbert and some pupils at the launch of 2016 Vision of the Child (VOTC) initiative in Lagos, recently.

Regina OtOkpa ABUJA

he Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to retool teaching and learning processes in basic education with a view to bringing the profession at par with other professional bodies in the country. Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah noted that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to restructure the education sector. According to a statement CONTINUE FROM PAGE 19

ties to go abroad to study because I couldn’t afford it then. But by the grace of God, I want my second born to study abroad and I prefer Canada not only because it is cheaper than the UK or America, he would come back home fully-baked as a pharmacist,” he said. Ogbu however decried Nigerian education system, saying it was characterised by unstable academic calendar due to avoidable strikes, poor infrastructures, lack of teaching aids, dearth of competent teachers and overcrowded classrooms to mention a few. “And that is why most of our fresh graduates cannot speak or write simple grammar correctly. So, I want my son to study in a better environment and I won’t mind the cost,” he added. Another thing, he argued further, is that most things we still consider to be big issues in Nigeria like epileptic power and water supply and poor environment, among others are non-issues in Canada and

FG is committed to improved teaching —Minister released by his Special Assistant on Media, Tony Akuneme, the minister made this commitment in London during his meeting with the British Undersecretary of State at the Department for International Department, Mr. Nicholas Hurd, during the just ended World Education Forum. Prof Anwukah maintained the renewed target of the Nigerian government to

make significant improvements in teacher quality through the re-certification of teachers and improvement of the teacher training curriculum with more emphasis on pedagogy. Seeking a way forward, the two ministers discussed Nigeria’s education priorities, including access to education in situations of crises, quality of teachers’ training and developing research ca-

pacity and had agreed on the importance of donor agencies coordinating their activities under the ministry’s supervision. The minister, who also engaged with a number of high level ministerial exchange sessions, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government towards supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the insurgency in the country.

Naira devaluation ... that is why no sacrifice is too much in this regard. This position was however corroborated by a Nigerian lady, Charity Oisamoje from Benin City who studied MBA at Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, Canada. He told National Mirror that she had better exposure and knowledge about general life than when she was doing her Accounting degree programme at Igbinedion University between 2004 and 2009. “You also enjoy in Canadian schools best of facilities and also have opportunity to work even as students and earn income to support yourself, the practice that is rare in Nigeria,” she added. Oisamoje’s claim had earlier been emphasised by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry John Calderwood while declaring the fair open. He told journalists that the essence of the fair was to inform as well as educate

Nigerians about educational opportunities available to them in his country. He however disclosed that figures from Canada’s immigration authorities showed that well over 8,600 Nigerians were studying in Canada in 2014 while the figure was just over 800 in 2002. According to Calderwood, “Nigerians represent the 8th largest source of foreign students in Canada and their presence enriches Canadian educational institutions and society.” Average tuition fees in Canada for international undergraduate students, for instance, start at about CA$14,000 (US$10,730, which is equivalent of N3. 27m at parallel market as at yesterday) per year. Arts and humanities courses tend to be cheaper, while subjects such as engineering and medicine are among the more expensive. And for executive MBA programme which is generally the most expen-

sive postgraduate course anywhere in the world will cost international student in Canada around CA$42,000 (US$32,000 or N9.76m). This amount excludes cost of feeding, accommodation, health insurance, clothing and other expenses plus cost of visa and air ticket, which can only be afforded by the rich. But Calderwood stressed that on the general note, Nigerian students in his country were worthy ambassadors of Nigeria as they represent a new link between the two countries that help in uniting them more. He however promised not to deny Nigerians with genuine interest and requisite credentials study permit in Canada. And for the representatives of Canadian colleges and universities, the turnout at the event was encouraging. They said they were in the country to woo more Nigerians to come to their country to study.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Wanted urgently: Action plan on exam malpractice A t the commencement of the registration exercise for the Senior School Certificate Examination each year, very disturbing news emanating from the schools reveal new dimensions of examination malpractice in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination. It has become a dominant factor in the perpetually poor results posted by candidates who sit for the examination yearly. We had hoped that following the inauguration of the ministers early in November 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Education would take urgent steps to checkmate this unbridled monster. Three months later, nothing has happened and nothing appears to be in the offing; and examination malpractice seems to be waxing stronger and stronger. May be the minister is waiting patiently for the time the when the examinations would be conducted to take appropriate measures; but by then, as experience has shown, it would have been too late! All the plans would have been concluded long before then and the actual acts are mere formalities. But as the common English saying goes, prevention is better than cure! The core activities of examination malpractice actually begin at the time of registration for the May/June Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by both the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council of Nigeria (NECO). Most of the illiterate candidates, including many who may never have seen the four walls of a Senior Secondary School facility and many who had dropped out of school over a decade earlier would have been registered at the end. The first category of candidates consists of those who had sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination multiple times without the necessary credits especially in English language and mathematics. The rest may consist of a motley group of government workers, teachers in active service in some of the nation’s secondary schools, students of

polytechnics and some state universities who do not possess the appropriate credits in SSCE. It is for this motley group of candidates who could be more appropriately classified as external candidates that the November/December examination originally created. It is difficult to believe that the major examination bodies are not aware of these illegal acts. These candidates prefer the May/June examination because they believe that it is more amenable to examination malpractice masterminded by the principals who administer the examinations. The principals collect huge amount of money from the hapless candidates for registration and a further N18, 000 to N20, 000 for examination malpractice for arts and science students respectively. Additional levies may be collected during the Mathematics and English language examinations to settle officials that may threaten to torpedo their well articulated plan to cheat. Those who do not want to appear at all must pay more still to allow their mercenaries to sit for them throughout the duration of the examination. The process has become so lucrative and competitive that online advertisements are placed by unscrupulous proprietors to lure clients. One such advertisement specified fees for logistics, uniforms, Identification Cards and accommodation among other things and even provide house and street addresses, bank accounts and phone numbers for ease of payment of the necessary fees and registration. The total amount

of monies to be paid is often in excess of N50,000 with a differential of about N10,000 between WAEC and NECO examinations. And what do they offer; instalmental payment of the examination malpractice fees to lessen the otherwise excruciating financial burden, and a guarantee of a minimum of six credit passes at one seating! Where do these institutions obtain the continuous assessment scores from? Simple of course; it is simply concocted and constitutes the first major step towards passing the examination at hand. Apart from the miracle centres that attract very large number of candidates from both far and near because of their past reputation, most public and private schools also generate fake course assessment score to boost the chances of their candidate passing the examination. A major fallout of this practice is the refusal of students to take their study seriously because of the perception that their success do not depend on their efforts. In order to maximize profits, the supervising teachers usually engage low grade mules to supply the answers during the examination. An unexpected twist was the discovery during the course of this investigation that a large number of the mercenaries engaged to write the examinations are actually SSI and SSII students who are just out to make money from the gullible candidates. This may explain why the SSCE results are still so poor notwithstanding the high level of examination malpractice. With the high level of investment, the perpetrators could do anything to protect their investment. Our educational system would continue to deteriorate unless an effective comprehensive plan is urgently put in place to checkmate examination malpractice. Sir, we believe that as the Minister of Education, the lot has fallen on you to lead this battle against examination malpractice and set the sector on the path of recovery. We are waiting for leadership Sir!

Use your time wisely, Covenant University students told Saidat alauSa

urgently concentrate on finishing them on time. Don’t spend your time doing petty things. Procrastination is the thief of time; meet those who have gone ahead of you for guidance and counsel. This will help prepare you through the semester or session,” she explained. In her own presentation, titled: “Productive Reading and Academic Study Culture: Using the Centre for Learning Resources,” Mrs. Julie Ilogho, a librarian asked participants to develop a good reading and study culture that would help them to improve their knowledgebase on various subjects as well as equip them for leadership role. She however urged them to make good use of the university library to enhance their studies.

he students of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State were recently enlightened on the best way to make use of their times. It was tagged “Maximizing my stay on campus.” Presenting a paper at the forum, Mrs. Kale Orodu from the Department of Petroleum Engineering, of the institution said time management was about designing a schedule for optimum performance in a day-to-day engagement. She spoke on “Time Management Skills.” She said managing one’s time efficiently would not just benefit an individual’s career as an undergraduate but also impact greatly on personal life. She added that for students to manage time effectively, they must set specific and clear goals that are realistic and achievable. “Avoid procrastination, organise your time and seek advice and mentorship. “To achieve this, you must first examine your present situation and set possible targets. Make decisions on tasks Charles Ayo, VC Convenant that are most important and University

L-R: Registrar, Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, , Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Bandele at a press conference on the recent development in the university, recently.

Saidat alauSa

ro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado Ekiti, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has said that the university would soon become a force to reckon with among universities in Nigeria and beyond. He disclosed this at a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti to highlight positive developments in the university. Adeyeye stressed that the revolution going on in the university began with the appointment of the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Bandele who is an international scholar who had been tested

EKSU will become best soon —Pro-chancellor

in all fronts. According to him, the EKSU vice-chancellor, was appointed based on his performance and credibility. Prince Dayo Adeyeye who supervised the smooth transition stressed that the two summits held in the past would make the university great and be the first choice of parents and guardians during admissions and patronages. He noted that the revolution going on in the university as initiated by the Vice-Chancellor was being supported by the Govern-

ing Council of the university and would lead to national and international recognition of the institution and in extension, Ekiti State. Prince Adeyeye further advised that the staff, students and alumni of the university to key into the rebranding. According to him, Alumni Associations of Nigerian universities should brace up to the challenges of funding by supporting their various institutions, particularly, in the face of dwindling economy in the nation.

PAU’s SMC alumni elect leaders

he School of Media and Communication Alumni Association, Pan-Atlantic University, PAU, Lagos would this Saturday elect a set of new leaders to steer the affairs of the group. The Internship and Alumni Relations Manager of the school, Anthony Okoeguale said the election would hold at the level of the governing council which comprises all officers of the association, zonal council heads and class presidents and not the general house. He noted that the election would be held at the former location of the school on Victoria Island Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

FUTA student for internship at Boeing in America

Cross section of degree students, School of Technical Education, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, in affiliation with UNN during their matriculation ceremony held at the college, recently.

TUnBosUn ogUndare

final year student of Transport Management Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, Oladunni Ogunnubi has been selected by the Boeing Company International, manufacturers of the Boeing range of Aircrafts, to participate in its 2016 Internship programme in the United States. She will spend between six and 12 months at the company’s headquarters in Seattle Washington for the programme. Her selection according to FUTA’s spokesman, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo in a press release, was based on the strength of her academic results and her sterling performance during the electronically conducted oral interview with the Selection Board of the company. Ogunnubi who will be entitled to a return ticket, hourly stipend, health insurance and be equally attached to a manager while the programme lasted will join other interns from Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Togo, Trinidad and Morocco for the programme which is to commence in May. The training is designed by the foremost aircraft manufacturers to offer opportunities to emerging leaders in the commercial aviation industry and position them for greater responsibilities in the future. Selected undergraduates are exposed to the field of transport engineering and management through an all-round experience in Boeing Aircraft Industry. It is also meant to serve as a veritable source of providing international job engagement for most brilliant ones among trainees. The Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adebiyi Daramola said Ogunubi’s selection had once again shown that FUTA is producing outstanding students due to the high quality of its programmes. He said FUTA students could compete favourably with their counterparts from other parts of the world. While congratulating him, the vice-chancellor also commended the Head of Department of Transport Management Technology of the university, Dr Kolawole Gbadamosi for producing Ogunubi, asking him not to rst on his oars.

Beware of fake camps, NYSC warns prospective corps members BilikisU Bello

HND 2, MASS COMM, FEDPOLY, BIDA

ssistant Director of Data Control, National Youth Service Corps, Mr. John Sagai has disclosed that the organisation was set to rid the country of fake NYSC camps. He said this during the NYSC pre-mobilization workshop held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, recently. Sagai stated that, the most important way to prevent NYSC data from been hack by fake NYSC officials include upgrading the security panel control of the ICT and monitoring of all corps members data. The Assistant Director, Relocation and Deployment NYSC Secretariat, Niger State, Mrs. Hannah Aladuge added that, the NYSC management had taken some legal actions against fake NYSC camps discovered in the past. She further stressed the need for prospective corps members to follow the pre mobilization orientation in order to take measures on how to start the online registration and how to identify fake camps.

Fedpoly Bida security guards strengthen service to combat crime Uzoma Chima

HND 2, MASS COMM FEDPOLY, BIDA

he Chief Security Officer, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Alhaji Hussain Suleiman has said the security unit of the university was working on series of crime prevention and strategies that would enable it identify criminal activities within the polytechnic community. He disclosed this in an interactive session with the reporters in his office recently.

According to him, the security unit has left no stone unturned in order to ensure the safety of the students even though there are insufficient security personnel at the moment. Hussaini added that one of the strategies used to curtail criminal activities was the publication of names of offenders on the school’s notice boards whenever they are found noting that “it is a way of sounding warning to people involved in dirty acts or those who might want to venture into such acts.” He advised students to be vigilant and security conscious because most

crimes are perpetrated by few individuals from outside in collaboration with insiders. He then called on students to feel free to report any criminal activity to the school security station which, according to him, is open for twenty four hours. He advised students to shun all forms of social ills, avoid bad friends and to abide by the polytechnic’s rules and regulations. The CSO further advised students, especially the female ones, to stop indecent dressing within and outside the campus.

Provost tasks corps members on diligence emeka ChUkwUemeka

rovost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu has charged corps members on the need to take their service more serious and impact positively on the organisations and host communities while culture and norms of the people should also be respected. Ogbuagu stated this during the visit of the State’s Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anambra state, Mrs. Robbinca Odigwe to the college. He also encouraged corps members posted to the college to make the best out of their stay by improving the lives of the people of the college community, noting that the security of corps members was paramount to the College and government of the state. “Your security, wel-

fare is our priority, Umunze is a secured and peaceful place but be security conscious, always follow the security tips we have given to you.” He also urged corps members to be careful in their mode of dressing. The Provost, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct and cooperation of the past NYSC members, also urged them to toe the

footsteps and work hard for more progress on the college. “We have retained many of you who served here in the past, the college is ready to retain more of you, most especially those from the northern and southern part of the country as we are to justify the Federal character and the promise we made to the ministry of education.” Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator NYSC, Anam-

bra State, Mrs. Rebbinca Odigwe commended the effort of the Provost in making the welfare of the corps members serving in the college a priority. She emphasised the need for the spirit of oneness, irrespective of their different states of origin, and to establish cordial relationships with the college communities and in their places of primary assignments.

L-R: Deputy, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, UI, Prof. Emilolorun Ambros; Manager, Corporate and Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Oyetola Oduyemi; Prof. Abel Olayinka; Territory Manager, Retail and Sales (South West), Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Mobolaji Fadeyibi and Librarian, Dr. Benedict Oladele during the Etisalat Merit Awards Scheme 2015 cheque presentation ceremony held at university, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Rector educates staff on healthy living adEsOyE EmmanuE

HND2, MASCOM FEDPOLY, BIDA

he Rector, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi has urged staffs of the institution to always go for medical check up for a healthy living. He gave the advice in a message to a one-day health talk and lecture on script marking and delivery organised by Academic Staff Union, Bida Chapter in collaboration with the school medical centre. The Rector who was rep-

resented by the Deputy Rector, Mr Augustine said the Call became imperative on the need to check the state of their health at regular interval. He maintained that most people care less about their health and don’t go for medical check up, which according to him has resulted to the prevalent rate of hypertension, diabetes and other ailments. The rector however commended the organisers of the programme and described it as a right step in right direction.

EmEka ChukwuEmEka, Franklin OnwubikO and dimsOn ChukwuEmEka

ice- Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku has reiterated the institution’s commitment to harnessing all resources, human and material, from within and outside the university in the pursuit of the actualization of the dream of transforming the institution to world class status. He disclosed this during the matriculation ceremony for new students admitted for the 2015/2016 academic session. According to him, the dream of our administration, which came on board in

UNIZIK VC reiterates commitment to excellence

June, 2014, is to so transform the university “that by the end of our five year tenure, it would have become one of the best five hundred universities in the world, one of the best one hundred universities in Africa and the best university in Nigeria.” He assured the new students that all the academic programmes of the university are accredited with the National Universities Commission (NUC). The VC advised the students to ensure that they fulfill all their financial obligations, attend at least 75 percent of all lectures and practical, shun exam

misconduct, deviant from behaviors such like robbery, rape and cultism which he described an anathema in the university. He congratulated the matriculating students for being among the less than seven 7000 thousand candidates offered admission by the institution out of the more than fifty thousand that had applied. Addressing the students, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Ken Nwogu charged the newly admitted students to shun examination malpractice and avoid associating with any secret cults.

Be inspired, PANS president tells students

EzEkiEl EFEObhOkhan 500L PHARMACY UNIBEN

ndergraduates have been encouraged to do their best in achieving good grades and then prepare for a positive impact on the society. President of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Student (PANS), Benjamin Idiakhoa made the call during his recent visit with CAMPUS Journalist, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan to the Operations Base Manager of PAN OCEAN, Engr. Monday Ikureigbe. Responding to questions from the duo the manager gave them various scenario how students in the past overcame their difficulties especially finance and other related academic challenges. He said in the past, students partook in extra work. Students worked during the holidays to get money for the next academic session. But presently, for one reason or the other it is not so. Instead of being busy trying to salvage whatever they can get from any situation, we find students paying unnecessary visits to their friends during their free times. “I am not condemning that. But when you plan ahead and know what you are about to face in the nearest future, you should know as a student what your priority should be”. The president PANS saw the visit necessary because of the recent lackadaisical

attitude towards learning displayed by students. According to Benjamin, he said; “many blame their inadequacies on their parents and guardian for poor performance in school, hence I saw it necessary as part of activities during my tenure as president of PANS to seek to address this issue.” Commending Benjamin, Engr. Monday stated that many young persons have overlooked the importance of mentorship programs to help prepare them for the future. He however encouraged the few students who engage in entrepreneurial activities while in school, stating that people like that are the ones who graduate to contribute to the society instead of waiting for the government.

‘yOmi ayElEsO

400L, BUS ADMIN, AAU

ampus Journalists in Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State have been charged to work within the principles and tenets of Journalism. They were also urged to contribute their quota in the development of the institution through their reportage of events. Former editor, ECHO Newspaper, Seyi Oluwalade gave the charge at the hand over and inauguration ceremony of ECHO Newspaper, an inter campus newspaper published in the university

Cross section of students, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa during their matriculation, recently.

Eddy uwOghirEn

400L MED AND SURG,UNIBEN

o fewer than 5,000 students took the matriculation oath during the matriculation ceremony for the 2015/2016 academic session at the University of Benin, Edo State. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Faraday Orumwense congratulated them on successful scaling the admission

Make your parents proud —UNIBEN VC tells freshers hurdles of the university. He charged them to make their parents proud by graduating in record time with a good class of degree. While admonishing the students to shun every form of indiscipline, Orumwense stated that the university has zero tolerance for examination malpractice. He called on them to

AAU campus reporters tasked on professional conduct held at the Student Union conference room. Seyi, who now works with the Information, Protocol and Public Relations unit of the university recalled how he took some risk for the media outfit when he held sway as the Editor-in-Chief. He said he gave his academics less priority, adding that he used his school fees for his first publication. While urging the new editorial team of the Newspaper to show high level of commitment, He revealed that he was the editor, report-

er, advert manger, typist and that he single handedly sold 100 copies of his first publication.

make use of the facilities available in the institution for their optimum learning. “My administration as always will continue to institute students’ friendly policies. My new students, I encourage you to promote the good image of UNIBEN and support this administration as we move on to making our university a great one.

Whenever you have issues, always sue for dialogue because we are willing to listen to you.” The University registrar Mrs. Oshodin administered the matriculation oath on the new students and thereafter congratulated them. The ceremony was attended by top management staff of the university.

He said commitment is not about writing stories alone or when you bring the whole money in this world, it is about making sacrifice for the progress of the medium. “What sacrifice could

be bigger than using ones school fees for publication, even when it was not certain how I was going to get back the money; I did this and I never regretted doing it. I am who I am today because of my commitment to the medium and the profession.” In his valedictory speech, the outgoing Editorin-Chief, Richard AduraIlesanmi described his two years experience as the newspaper’s helmsman as a mixed grill of the good and the bad. He said the Newspaper under his watch was known for credibility, balance, fairness, accuracy and balance.

Cross section of outgoing and the new editorial team ECHO Newspaper, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko during the handover ceremony to new team.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

HE AUTHORITY of January 26 goofed right from its front page to inside departments: “…said that (sic) only the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can (could) determine Jonathan’s fate on alleged corrupt practices.” “Police arrest suspects over (for) Adamawa killings” Now to the EDITORIAL: “The PDP scribe pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC.” Get it right: seven-count charge or seven charges “Nigerians are all living witnesses to when even….” Truth and justice: delete ‘living’ as we could not have been ‘dead witnesses’! “…a country where different rules and laws apply for same (the same) offence….” “Dockworkers raise alarm (the alarm) over lull in vessels at PH ports” Finally from THE AUTHORITY: “I want to suggest to Mr. President that the first step toward reducing corruption is to ensure strict adherence to assets declaration by every aspiring public office holders (holder or all aspiring public office holders)….” Let us welcome THISDAY front and inside pages of January 30: “The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday refused to grant bail to the proprietor of Radio Biafra and Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu and two orders (others).” “…were arraigned by the federal government on a sixcount charge bothering (bordering) on treasonable felony.” “…even when it was noted that he was the most criticised president in the world, he still allow (allowed) freedom of expression to flourish.” “After that episode came series (a series) of questioning about my name and activities in my ministry.” THE GUARDIAN of February 2 takes its turn: “For close

Bull in china shop, not hall

to five years, he raced through the banking sector like a bull in a china hall.” Get it right: a bull in a china shop. “Singapore jails senior civil servants over (for) corruption” “ANA postponements (sic) (postpones) February reading” “Peugeot plans to inject $7.26b on (into) research, development” “South African Airways celebrates 80 years (years’ or 80th year) anniversary” “LASU Management re-opens (reopens) the university” (Half-page advertisement) “You lived well and you have gone to (preferably for) a well deserved (well-deserved) rest. Rest in perfect peace.” (Full-page advertorial) Except for graveyard peace, ‘peace’ is an absolute and does not need inflection, intensification or adumbration. So, rest in peace (R.I.P—not R.I.P.P)! Finally from the Back Page of THE GUARDIAN under review: “One has witnessed at different occasions dissenting opinions of doctors as regards prescriptions for patient’s (a patient’s) ailment.” The Guardian youth speak: on different occasions. Next is DAILY TRUST of February 2: “Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar spoke at his palace in Sokoto….” Does the Sultan of Sokoto have another palace elsewhere? Let us think as we report. “Heritage Bank plans listing in (on) capital market” “Pact with China conducive for peace, says Taiwan (Taiwan’s or Taiwanese) president” “Otherwise, there is no point we engage in importing that much on yearly (a yearly) basis.” “…he said though the institute has (had) developed 62 rice

Benefits of ergonomics and need for related policy

ost people have heard of ergonomics and think it is something to do with seating or with the design of car controls and instruments – and it is… but it is so much more; It is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Ergonomics derives from two Greek words; ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning natural laws, to create a word that means the science of work and a person’s relationship to that work. Safety is embedded in every aspect of human activities, domestic or industrial and that is why every engineering design must consider nature’s biological and environmental factors; nature considered

safety and ergonomics in all aspects of biological systems looking at the anatomy and physiology of humans and animals. Have you ever considered the reasons for our rib cage, the skull, the knee cap, the balls and sockets of joints, follicles of nostrils? Etc,. Every design and product must consider the user and environment. Have you tried to wear a left hand glove on the right hand? Or wear a thick woollen jacket in a hot tropical environment? Or be in a landed aircraft without a means of disembarkation. Sometimes referred to as “human factors”, ergonomics applies to the design of anything that involves people – workspaces, sports and leisure, health and safety. It is a branch of science that

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aims to learn about human abilities and limitations, and then apply this learning to improve people’s interaction with products, systems and environments. The International Ergonomics Association has adopted this technical definition: ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. The aims of ergonomics are to create safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of a workspace, in-

cluding the individual’s body size, strength, skill, speed, sensory abilities (vision, hearing), and even attitudes; to improve workspaces and environments to minimise risk of injury or harm. It is the attempt to make work easier and safer that makes ergonomics so important. And that is also where making things comfortable and efficient comes into play. As technologies change, so too does the need to ensure that the tools we access for work, rest and play are designed for our body’s requirements. Recent research has shown that lower back pain is the world’s most common work-related disability – affecting employees from offices, building sites and in the highest risk category, agriculture.

varieties for farmers, five most prominent varieties are (were) in circulation and are (were) doing very good (well).” “NEMA, stakeholders meets over displaced persons” You can readily identify the boyish slip-up. “With the LG polls now fixed for next week Tuesday….” Either next Tuesday or Tuesday, next week—no jumbo-mumbo! Lastly from DAILY TRUST: “Replicate your performance to (in) your constituents (constituencies)” “Security at airports: Police deploys (sic) sniffer dogs at (in) Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, 5 others” (AIT News, 4 p.m., February 2) “PIB: Senate to re-open probe” (Source: as above) My comment: already treated. From DAILY TRUST we move to THISDAY of February 1 for the next four entries: “I am not in FCT for politics, says Mbu” It categorically means you were in Rivers State for presidential wife’s politics! That is the latent power of words. “Absence of interpreter stalls trial of Portuguese woman charged for (with) drug trafficking” “Thumb (Thumbs) up for Nigerian refs in Mali” “Obasanjo : Amaechi’s k-leg (knocked leg) has been straightened” “Failure of Oduah to handover (hand over) stalls….” The following five solecisms are from DAILY INDEPENDENT of February 18 starting from its front page: “DHQ assures of continued offensive” Who did it assure? “Battle for soul of Ecobank intensifies” So the battle intensifies itself? “Harnessing potentials of local software industry in Nigeria” ‘Potential’ is uncountable, but we have ‘potentialities’,

ccording to Safe Work Australia, the total economic cost of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be $60 billion dollars. The number of people in Australia aged 75 and over is forecast to double over the next 50 years. With this, equipment, services and systems will need to be designed to accommodate the increasing needs of the ageing population, applying to public transport, building facilities, and living spaces. In Africa, the absence of reliable statistical data, non application of demographic age distribution and inadequate inclusion of professionals in national planning and public infrastructural development have greatly affected ergonomic considerations. In the light of ergonomics, we need appreciable con-

Learn the elements of correct posture, and practise it!

sideration for fall protection inputs in architectural designs of high rise buildings; to protect construction workers working at height. The utility of an item is the only true measure of the quality of its design. The job of any designer is to find innovative ways to increase the utility of a product. Making an item intuitive and comfortable to use will ensure its success in the marketplace. Physical comfort while using an item increases its utility. Also design specifications and mandatory constructional provisions for buildings and public transport vehicles; should be ergonomic policy issue regarding safety of disabled and physically challenged persons in society.

Business Thursday, February 11, 2016

Consortium earmarks N1bn for tech infrastructure startups28

Mixed reactions trail NCC’s 8-Point Agenda amid infrastructure gap 31

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Etisalat sustains leadership in number porting 32

Ship owners seek involvement in N80bn CVFF disbursement … no disbursement from fund so far, says NIMASA

FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Shipowners Association NISA, has said that the indigenous ship owners must be actively involved in the processes leading to the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF, created under the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act to enable Nigerian operators acquire vessels. It was gathered that a total of over $255 million (N77.8billion) has already accrued to the fund as at the end of December 2015. The ship owners’ demand is against the backdrop of recent confirmation by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, the custodian of the fund, Mr. Haruna Jauro that the money is intact. This is contrary to earlier speculations that the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan may have spent the money on the 2015 political campaigns. President of NISA, Captain Niyi Labinjo, who spoke in an exclusive interview, said it was heartwarming to hear that the fund is intact despite speculations to the contrary. He however said that urgent measures should be put in place to resume the process of disbursement of the fund already commenced by the former management of the agency, which could not be completed as a result of the 2015 general elections and the economic distortions that came with them. According him, this time around, the indigenous ship owners should be made to actively participate in the processes that would culminate in the eventual disbursement of the fund. “We should be involved in the processes leading to determining those that would benefit from the fund because all of us joined hands to contribute the money in the first place”, he said. He argued that part of the objectives for the creation of the fund, which was derived from two per cent levy on every contract awarded under the Cabotage regime was not to leave it in the bank endlessly rather to put it into effective use.

Many stakeholders have also raised concerns over the inability of the agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transport to disburse the fund more than 10 years after its creation, a development many believed has hindered the realisation of the core objectives of the Cabotage policy, one of which is to

enhance indigenous participation in shipping activities in the country. It was probably in line with this feeling that the former management, which engaged the services of three Primary Lending Institutions PLIs to mid-wife the disbursement process, which in turn shortlisted six indigenous shipping firms, who were pre-

sented by the agency to the ministry but regrettably never gave its nod, thus leading to all forms of speculations. The NIMASA boss had while putting paid to these speculations, told members of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport who were on an oversight visit that the fund was still intact.

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

Acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr Victor Muruako (L), presenting the Commission’s Guidelines to the Group Managing Director of Accounts, NNPC, Mr Mike Balami, during Stakeholders meeting between FRC and NNPC, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Aviation stakeholders caution FG on national carrier project

OluSEguN KOIKI

takeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry have cautioned the Federal Government against hasty reestablishment of national carrier for the country, 13 years after the liquidation of the former, Nigeria Airways. Some of the analysts spoken with by our correspondent wanted the government to address some salient issues that led to the collapsed of the former before commencing another national carrier project. The Managing Consultant, PTD Consulting, Mr. Taiwo Adenekan said that it was necessary all the outstanding issues relating the former national carrier was settled before the government comes up with another carrier, warning that if not, the proposed carrier would die like the former. For instance, Adenekan said all the outstanding benefits of the workers of the defunct carrier must first be settled. He noted that any attempt not to pay off the former workers before the reestablishment of a new one would lead to labour crisis, which might not augur well for the country. Adenekan however proposed that for the airline to succeed, the government should not hold more than 20 per cent equity shares in the carrier, emphasising that any attempt to hold a dominating share in the airline would lead to the failure of the past. Also, advised that reputable foreign carriers should

be encouraged by the government to partner the proposed carrier and opined that the government should utilise the over 102 Bilateral Air Services Agreements, BASA, it had with countries for the sector to grow and contribute meaningfully to the Gross Domestic Products, GDP. He decried that the absence of a national carrier for Nigeria had led to the carting away of $1.4bn annually from the country by foreign carriers while the county’s carriers are just observes in the system. He said, “Do they still want to be giving the new carrier subsidies, subventions and start appointing Managing Directors that are not competent? Do they still want an airline that they can fly free as Federal Government officials? “My suggestion is that the government should not hold more than 20 per cent equity and they should allow formidable airlines like Singapore that have expressed interest in the years past to partner. They should close their eyes to it and not do more than 20 per cent or lower and allow reputable airlines to emerge.” Also, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Finum Aviation Services, Engr. Sheri Kyari said Nigeria required a national carrier that all stakeholders and professionals must put in their efforts to ensure its success.

Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Business News

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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Consortium earmarks N1bn for tech infrastructure startups isaiah erhiawarien

consortium of companies has raised N1 billion to boost the growth of startups of companies engaging in technology infrastructure business in Nigeria. The fund, which is provided for a period of two years, is the initiative Co-creation Hub (Cchub) and has as its partners the Bank of Industry, Venture Garden Group (VGG) and Omidyar Network . A Director at Cchub , Tunji Eleso said at a press conference that the initiative, which was launched last month had already raised N200 million from Cchub, saying that the fund is a loan to technology startups some of which have been involved in business relationship with Cchub, a Lagos based investment company. According to him, each technology startup could get up to N30 million in the first instance depending on its existing track record in its ongoing business noting that an invested company can access the loan by visiting www.

gc.fund. He said it was clear that technology business would play crucial roles in the future of the Nigerian economy, but that they need a special type of financial assistance because of the existing low level of popularity of technology products and services. Eleso listed the criteria to be met to access the loan as including, ability by an applicant to show clear proof of a company’s revenue over the past twelve months and being able to show that you are providing services that people really need. Elesho disclosed that Cchub has received 20 applications even as it hopes to get about 50 applications in each quarter of the year and probably fund not less than five depending on the quality of the funding proposals submitted by loan applicants. He explained that Cchub and its partners will go beyond seed funding so as to turn the startups into viable and durable companies stressing that “the company will also mentor the loan benefi-

Valentine: BA partners Airtel, offer 30 % discount on flight tickets Olusegun KOiKi

ne of the foreign carriers operating into Nigeria, British Airways has announced a partnership with Airtel to offer huge discount on any of its flights to their joint customers. The British carrier said that the offer, which commenced last week, is for joint customers of both organisations travelling in the ‘love month’ of February. The carrier said it would offer up to 30 per cent off flight fares to London, the United States and Canada. British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka in a statement issued in Lagos said that the discount was applicable on all return flights and also available for bookings on British Airways World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World classes between Feb 1st and Feb 29, 2016. Olayinka declared that passengers who bought the tickets had the unique opportunity of returning at their chosen time up to the end of 2016. He added that to partake in this offer, customers are to book their flights on the British Airways website and enter the promotion code obtained into the marked box on the Price Quote page of the booking form. He noted that payment for such bookings could only be made at the time of booking using visa card,

master Card or any other internationally accepted credit cards. He added, “This is the month of love, this offer is to enable our customers spend very valuable quality time with their loved ones during valentine, travelling to any wonderful destination in Europe, US or Canada will be a very good idea at this time.

“At BA, our customers are at the centre of everything we do and we hope they have a really wonderful time during Valentine this year.” He further advised customers to book their seats early to avoid the usual last minute rush that may be associated to such generous offer.

ciaries, provide advisory services for them and assist them get market access. There is also an investor committee to determine who gets the loan in accordance with laid down criteria.” Expatiating further, the finance expert disclosed that the duration for full payment of the loan can be

up to seven years as Cchub and the funding partners are not in a hurry to stampede the beneficiaries to pay back noting that the generous loan terms are also traceable to the peculiarities of technology businesses in an economic environment characterized by numerous challenges.

L-R: Executive Vice President Sales Power and Gas (Africa), Siemens AG, Mr. Andreas Pistauer; Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Nigeria, Mrs. Onyeche Tifase and Chief Executive Officer, Azura Power, Dr. David Ladipo, at the Inaugural Siemens Customer Forum, yesterday.

NITDA launches Smart City Initiative’s first phase regina OtOKpa

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA,) has launched the first phase of a multi-year National Smart Cities Initiative in collaboration with eight states drawn from the six geopolitical zones in addition to Lagos and Abuja.

The initiative would kickstart the drive towards using smart, scalable solutions replicable to address the challenges of transportation, disaster response, energy, healthcare, education and the environment. Speaking at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting held in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications,

Arch. Sunday Echono, noted that research has confirmed a positive correlation between egovernment development and rapid national GDP growth. Represented by the Director, e-Government at the Ministry, Mr. Tope Fashedemi, the Permanent Secretary disclosed that the National E-Government Master Plan, which was awaiting rectification of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), was a clear demonstration of the nation’s commitment towards diversification of the national economy through e-government strategies and programs. He said: “Leveraging on the importance of e-government would boost the economy because there is a huge relation-

Rolls-Royce Power System seeks to expand in Africa

olls-Royce Power Systems plants to replicate is recently commissioned gas power station in Mozambique in other African countries, as it seek to expand its presence across the continent. Rising power demand in southern Africa and low electrification levels make it a prime market for small-scale gas engineor turbine-driven power solutions.

Andrea Nono, head of MTU South Africa said that Royce Power Systems was working with partners such as the Norwegian government, World Bank and commercial banks that were willing to help finance such de-

According to him, some of the challenges confronting technology startups include poor power supply, strong infrastructural deficit, for example poor internet availability saying that another clear challenge is poor technological awareness in a country where illiteracy is still up to 45 per cent.

centralized projects. “Such projects can easily be spread to other African countries,” she told reporters without specifying where future projects will take place. Newbuilds as well as retrofits are on the cards. The new-built 117-MW gas power plant in Mozambique is owned and operated by the independent power producer Gigawatt Mozambique. The plant has been recently commissioned and is powered by 13 gas-driven 20-cylinder B35:40 generating sets, delivered by Rolls-Royce and TKS.

RR Power Systems can set up small portable units of around 10-20 MW within a few months – alleviating immediate power shortages. Nono stressed that “Africa for us is a very important growing market and that is why we have subsidiaries here, particularly in South Africa.” Zambia was singled out by her as a country were gas and diesel-fired generators as well as solar power could be a “ great part of the energy mix”, complementing the country’s dominant hydropower which has been severely affected by drought in recent years.

ship between a country GDP and e-government adding that the creation of Smart City alone would ensure transparency and accountability in revenue generation”. Echono urged the selected state government under the pilot phase to support the initiative of the Federal Government and come up with peculiar challenges affecting their states and using Smart city initiative to solve such challenges. “State governments must be carried along in e-government. This is a national agenda which every state must cue into and it gladdens our hearts that NITDA is driving the e-government initiative”, he added. Expressing optimism with the programme, the Acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji , said the meeting was timely following the nation’s need to shift attention from running a mono economy depending solely on crude oil. Olatunji, who was represented by Director of Infrastructure and Technical Support Services, Dr. Collins Agu, stressed that ICT had a lot to offer in ensuring a smooth run of the economy saying “It is pertinent on us now to diversify our economy and only through ICT we can achieve a lot. There are many benefits of running a smart city which is only achievable through proper e-government”.

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Global News

Thursday, February 11, 2016

UK goods trade gap biggest on record

he Office for National Statistics also warned the latest figures would have a negative impact on its second estimate of fourth-quarter economic growth. But 2015 also saw a record surplus in the UK’s dominant services sector of £90bn. That meant the UK’s total trade gap widened by just £300m last year. The overall deficit - the difference between the amount the UK imports and what it exports - stood at £34.7bn in 2015, the ONS said. It will publish its second estimate of fourth-quarter economic growth on 25 February. Britain is very good at exporting services - financial, tourism, creative and legal - where the UK’s trade surplus hit a record £90.3bn. And is notoriously bad at increasing the exports of goods as the UK struggles to rebalance its economy away from consumer consumption towards manufacturing. The strength of the pound for most of last year is only exacerbating Britain’s difficulty selling things abroad. This has been George Osborne’s headache ever since becoming Chancellor in 2010. Most worrying, trade with Germany and China - the two significant powerhouses of Europe and Asia - weakened in the final quarter of 2015.

David Cameron

There is also an increasing division between the UK’s performance in the European Union, where the country’s goods trade deficit is widening, and Britain’s trade with the rest of the world, where the situation is rosier. Between 2014 and 2015 exports of goods to countries outside the EU increased by £3.5bn. Businesses finally seem to be looking beyond the EU’s borders for opportunities for growth. Today’s figures also contained December’s trade data, which showed the deficit narrowed by £1.3bn to £2,7bn overall in the month. The goods deficit fell to £9.9bn from £11.5bn in November, but that was thanks to a fall in imports of £1.7bn in December rather than an increase in exports. A large part of the fall was however accounted for by depressed oil prices, which meant the cost of oil

imports fell in value terms to their lowest level since February 2009. In the three months to the end of December, the UK’s trade deficit stood at £10.4bn, compared with £8.6bn in the three months to the end of September. The UK also suffered a record traded goods deficit of £23.2bn with the rest of the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2015, as exports to other EU countries fell 0.5 per cent and imports from the EU rose 2.7 per cent The trade deficit is one of the factors cited by analysts as a drag on UK economic growth, which has been exacerbated by the strengthening pound over the past few years. A stronger pound makes UK exports more expensive for overseas customers. The UK’s overall trade deficit took its toll on growth in the third quarter of 2015, contributing to disappointing economic growth of 0.4 per cent. Chancellor George Osborne has warned that the economy is facing a “dangerous cocktail” of risks in 2016, ranging from slowing global economic growth to volatile stock markets and the continuing slump in oil prices. Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said the latest trade figures pointed to net trade subtracting 0.2 percentage points from quarter-on-quarter GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2015.

EU sees no issues with Italy, Hungary’s NPL plans

uropean Union regulators said Wednesday they saw no state-aid problems with Italy’s badbank deal, which will allow lenders to offload soured loans after buying a state guarantee. The European Commission also said it had no issues with Hungarian plans for its MARK asset-management company to buy non-performing loans at market prices. Neither program involves state aid that

EU President, Jean-Claude

requires review, the EU said in an e-mailed statement. The announcement on Italy “formalizes an understanding reached” between EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan last month, the EU said. Since Italy “intervenes as a private investor would do” and receives repayment for the risk it assumes, the program isn’t a state subsidy that would require approval. “EU rules offer member states different tools to kickstart the clean-up of bank balance sheets, either with or without the use of state aid,” Vestager said in a statement. “The commission’s role is simply to ensure that the choice made by the national government does not unduly burden the public purse or distort the level playing field in the EU.” Italy’s bad-bank plan stops short of the cleanups orga-

nized in Spain and Ireland during the financial crisis. Emanuele Vizzini, who manages 3.5 billion euros ($3.9 billion) as chief investment officer at Investitori Sgr in Milan, said last month that uncertainty in the Italian financial system will persist and that weaker banks may still need more capital even after they start to clean up their balance sheets. Banks will be able to bundle their bad loans into securities for sale, while purchasing a state guarantee for the leastrisky portion to make the debt more appealing to investors, the Italian Treasury said last month. The pricing of the state guarantee on senior notes will be on market terms, to ensure the scheme is aid-free, the Treasury said. Pricing will vary depending on the risks taken on by the state and the maturity of the notes. (Source – Bloomberg. com)

U.S. wholesale inventories, sales fall in December

ashington - U.S. wholesale inventories slipped in December for a third straight month as businesses continued to reduce unsold merchandise, suggesting the advance fourthquarter economic growth estimate could be revised slightly lower. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday wholesale inventories dipped 0.1 per cent. November inventories were revised down to show a 0.4 per cent drop instead of the previously reported 0.3 per cent decline. Economists had forecast inventories falling 0.2 per cent in December. Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product changes. The component of wholesale inventories that goes into the calculation of GDP - wholesale stocks excluding autos - fell 0.2 per cent in December. The December inventory data is a bit weaker than the government had assumed in its advance fourthquarter GDP estimate published last month. That report had estimated that inventories subtracted 0.45 percentage point from GDP growth, helping to restrict expansion in output to a 0.7 per cent annual rate. In the wake of weak data last week on December construction spending, economists said they expected fourth-quarter GDP growth would be lowered by at least twotenths of a percentage point to a 0.5

Obama

per cent rate when the government publishes its second estimate later this month. A record inventory accumulation in the first half of 2015, which outpaced demand, left businesses saddled with unsold merchandise and little incentive to order more goods. That has weighed heavily on manufacturing. However, there are signs that the worst of the so-called inventory correction is over. A report last week showed factory inventories increased in December after five straight months of declines. In December, sales at wholesalers fell 0.3 per cent after declining 1.3 per cent in November. At December’s sales pace it would take 1.32 months to clear shelves, unchanged from November. That high ratio suggests the inventory liquidation at wholesalers could persist for a while.

Greek central bank chief worried over bailout review delay

reece’s central bank governor warned on Wednesday that further delay in completing a first review of the country’s bailout reforms could imperil a projected economic recovery in the second half of this year. Bank of Greece Chief Yannis Stournaras has repeatedly underlined the need to implement reforms the leftist-led government agreed with official lenders under a third bailout clinched last July, saying any backtracking entailed risks. Reforming Greece’s ailing pension system is a prerequisite for the conclusion of the review, which is expected to open the way

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras

for debt relief talks, but the government is facing protests from farmers and other groups of workers. “Every hour that we fail to complete the review weighs on confidence,” Stournaras told the Greek parliament’s economic affairs committee. “It (completion) should have been done before the end of last year.” “Social and political consensus is very important, Cyprus is the closest example. It exited the bailout faster than us,” he added, stressing the need to persuade Greeks of the need for further sacrifice to get the economy back on an even keel. Eurogroup head Djisselbloem said last month the conclusion of the first review of Greek reforms could take months rather than weeks. There are also concerns in Europe that the review might be derailed by domestic politics. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has a parliamentary majority of just three. A positive assessment of Greece’s reforms by its official lenders would boost confidence, improve the banking system’s liquidity through the return of deposits and pave the way for a further loosening of capital controls. (Source – Reuters.com)

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016

Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

Equities as at February 10, 2016 No. of Deals 1 1

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 597,352.70 597,352.70

500

597,352.70

500

597,352.70

Daily Summary (Equities) No Of Deals Quotation(N)

Current Price 118.75

Quantity Traded

Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034

1st Tier Securities

Value of Shares(N)

Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. Fishing/Hunting/Trapping Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties Activity SummaryFEEDS on Board LIVESTOCK PLC.EQTY Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

Symbol ELLAHLAKES

Daily Summary Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 2 20 6 28

Current Price 0.50 29.40 34.00

Quantity Traded 8,200 188,882 11,000 208,082

Value Traded 4,100.00 5,546,125.80 391,000.00 5,941,225.80

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities)

Current Price 4.26

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 81.00 81.00

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 1.31

Quantity Traded 1,128,850 1,128,850

Value Traded 1,478,374.00 1,478,374.00

1,336,952

7,419,680.80

Page Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 1 71 32 107

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO Daily Summary asPLC. of 10/02/2016 Building14:36:34.034 Construction Totals Printed 10/02/2016 Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. G CAPPA PLC Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Development Totals Published by TheEstate Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

Activity Summary on Board Totals EQTY Beverages--Non-Alcoholic CONSUMER GOODS Food Products Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016

Household Durables Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 Products Personal/Household Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC.

Activity Summary on Board UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.EQTY

Personal/Household Products Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking GOODS Totals CONSUMER ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Banking

SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GREAT Daily Summary as ofNIGERIAN 10/02/2016INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Published byN.E.M The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity Summary on Board EQTY NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES WAPIC INSURANCE PLC and Services Insurance Carriers, Brokers

Symbol ARBICO

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA Daily Summary

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 581 50 200 9,414,121 112,709 9,527,661

Value Traded 434.13 170.50 168.00 10,811,168.84 2,194,333.79 13,006,275.26

9,527,661

13,006,275.26

Current Price 5.04

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 95.80 95.80

No. of Deals 2 1 (Equities) 3

Current Price 0.50 14.46

Quantity Traded 6,200 10 6,210

Value Traded 3,100.00 137.40 3,237.40

No. of Deals 6 6 No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 41.50

Quantity Traded 85,278 85,278 Quantity Traded 26,768 Page 26,768

Value Traded 3,709,593.00 3,709,593.00 Value Traded 145,218.05 2 145,218.05 of 17

Symbol UAC-PROP

Current Price 5.40

118,276

3,858,144.25

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

No. of Deals 4 1 38 6 1 131 181

Current Price 3.15 0.97 119.50 20.45 1.51 97.01

Quantity Traded 11,051 200 63,187 8,852 100 768,469 851,859

Value Traded 33,153.00 186.00 7,453,457.13 188,619.60 144.00 74,628,113.55 82,303,673.28

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 174.79

Quantity Traded 54,991 54,991

Value Traded 9,612,142.61 9,612,142.61

Symbol Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON TIGERBRANDS

No. of Deals No. of Deals 37 81 6 1 9 7 141

Current Price Current Price 5.78 19.60 1.50 0.50 7.00 1.20

Quantity Traded Quantity707,635 Traded 1,315,119 72,440 Page 200 138,100 94,183 2,327,677

Value Traded Value Traded 4,114,037.85 25,830,592.32 109,374.90 17 3 of 100.00 968,890.80 112,083.60 31,135,079.47

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 8 65 73

Current Price 17.80 700.00

Quantity Traded 25,822 661,290 687,112

Value Traded 472,592.14 462,384,375.92 462,856,968.06

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 1 37 38

Current Price 29.78 4.54

Quantity Traded 10 999,066 999,076

Value Traded 283.00 4,354,119.69 4,354,402.69

Quantity Traded 79,356 280,776 360,132

Value Traded 1,764,426.60 8,927,606.26 10,692,032.86

PZ UNILEVER

16 23 39

21.90 31.76

Symbol No. of Deals 490 Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY Symbol

SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

Symbol AFRINSURE AIICO CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR GNI GUINEAINS HMARKINS LASACO LAWUNION Daily Summary MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS UNIVINSURE WAPIC Symbol

124 4.17 49 1.70 39 15.00 35 1.25 292 Current Price 16.90 No. of Deals 43 1.16 6 1.76 125 2.85 26 5.30 9 0.68 27 1.00 775

No. of Deals 1 10 7 3 1 1 1 1 1 (Equities) 19 1 10 1 1 18 No. of Deals

Current Price 0.50 0.86 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.67 2.26 0.50 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 Current Price

76 No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.99

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.25 0.50

No. of Deals 22 19 1 170 8 23 243

Current Price 2.40 3.96 0.58 0.97 14.00 1.35

1,099

Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 1

4,288,400 89,100 8,090,384 1,294,419 582,775 2,738,908 48,156,370 Quantity Traded 200 168,318 39,511,369 37,763,465 200 200 200 200 200 568,050 2,000 7,155,650 Page 200 16,510 5,169,690 Quantity Traded 90,356,452

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FCMB STANBIC UCAP

Quantity Traded 5,281,047 6,361,187 8,015,488 1,168,647 2,302,300 Page 13,224,762 Quantity Traded

Current Price 3.72

Quantity Traded 100 200 300

Value Traded 119.00 100.00 219.00

Quantity Traded 50

Value Traded 177.00

Page

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.73

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 165.00 165.00

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 3 2 21 15 41

Current Price 0.50 2.79 22.01 0.84

Quantity Traded 500,200 2,050 227,076 1,354,940 2,084,266

Value Traded 250,100.00 5,719.00 5,046,340.78 1,145,729.60 6,447,889.38

2,084,416

6,448,231.38

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,200 6,200

Value Traded 3,100.00 3,100.00

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

Quantity Traded 50 Quantity Traded 10 Page 60 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 127.00 Value Traded 104.70 17 8 of 231.70 Value Traded

Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 ICT Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 Computer Based Systems Totals Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY IT Services ICT IT Services NCRNigerian (NIGERIA) PLC. ICT Published by The Stock Exchange © IT Services Totals Processing Systems

Activity SummaryWAREHOUSE on Board EQTY COMPUTER GROUP PLC

CHAMS PLC Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 2 2

OMATEK

1 1

0.50

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 2 No. of Deals

Current Price 2.67 Current Price 11.02

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CWG Symbol NCR Symbol CHAMS Symbol ETRANZACT

1 No. of Deals 1 2

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016NIGERIA PLC IPWA 14:36:34.034 PLC Printed 10/02/2016 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 Chemicals Totals Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. ALUMINIUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Metals Totals

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. Daily Summary as ofOIL 10/02/2016 FORTE PLC. Printed 10/02/2016 MOBIL14:36:34.034 OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Activity Summary on Board EQTY Exploration and Production Totals

66,618,593.43

495,087,550.48

Symbol MORISON

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

6 of 17 Value Traded 49,311.91 49,311.91

243,934,360

Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Stockand Exchange © Energy Equipment Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Page Quantity Traded 49,809 49,809

Value Traded 325,612.02 6,721,256.28 112.00 100,486,707.23 218,515.07 1,162,906.36 108,915,108.96

Value Traded 177.00

MULTIVERSE MINING AND EXPLORATION PLC NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Value Traded 100.00 146,532.43 38,722,761.50 18,881,732.50 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 128.00 1,221,307.50 1,000.00 55,051,431.50 of 17 100.00 8,255.00 2,584,845.00 Value Traded

SERVICES OIL AND GAS Totals Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 Advertising Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034 AFROMEDIA PLC

Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. Apparel Retailers Totals

Activity Summary onPart Board PREMIUM Automobile/Auto Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Banking TotalsEXPRESS PLC RED STAR TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Other Financial Institutions Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Media/Entertainment DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Daily Summary as of 10/02/2016 DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Building14:36:34.034 Materials Totals Printed 10/02/2016 Media/Entertainment Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Printing/Publishing

Symbol AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN FIRSTALUM IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF Exchange Traded VETIVA GRIFFIN 30Fund ETF Name VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Published byBoard The Nigerian ETF TotalsStock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

200 Quantity Traded 50 250

100.00 Value Traded 155.00 255.00

6,710

3,686.70

Value Traded 123.50 83,758.28 39,571.62 1,696,926.01 831,533.20 100.00 100.00 102.00 36,977.00 9,970,660.55 12,659,852.16

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 1 6 3 15 6 1 1 1 2 29 (Equities) 65

Current Price 2.59 25.00 9.30 37.20 9.11 0.50 0.50 1.04 3.77 80.05

Quantity Traded 50 3,489 4,382 46,119 96,020 200 200 100 10,300 127,721 288,581

No. of Deals 1 1 2 No. of Deals

Current Price 2.09 1.44

Quantity Traded 50 100 150 Quantity Traded Page 613 1,202 Page 120 1,935

Symbol AUSTINLAZ CUTIX Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS VANLEER

2 3 2 7

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.45 50.00 9.83

Current Price 7.46

Symbol BOCGAS

Value Traded 108.50 151.00 259.50 Value Traded 17 9 of 845.94 58,916.88 17 10 of 1,224.00 60,986.82

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 141.80 141.80

290,686

12,721,240.28

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.79

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 3,970.00 3,970.00

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities) 2

Current Price 9.84 7.75

Quantity Traded 20 20 40

Value Traded 187.00 147.40 334.40

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200 1,240

Value Traded 100.00 100.00 4,404.40

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 134 134

Current Price 3.80

Quantity Traded 4,275,484 4,275,484

Value Traded 16,232,379.60 16,232,379.60

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 15 7 64 24 2 24 137

Current Price 0.50 19.24 1.82 300.00 159.60 49.66 140.00

Quantity Traded 200 85,588 116,740 127,533 82,633 52 31,570 444,316

Value Traded 100.00 1,646,818.15 201,966.20 38,171,138.18 12,417,408.67 2,453.36 4,299,663.63 56,739,548.19

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 260.00

Quantity Traded 69,755 69,755

Value Traded 17,801,549.13 17,801,549.13

Symbol ALEX ALUMACO

Daily Summary

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol SEPLAT

Symbol AFROMEDIA

299 No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Page Quantity Traded 200 200

4,789,755 Quantity Traded 200 Page 200

17 11 of Value Traded 100.00 100.00

90,773,576.92 Value Traded 100.00 of 100.00 17

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.00

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 142.50 142.50

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals Current Price 3 0.50 3 No. of Deals Current Price 560 12.30 No. of Deals Current Price 5601 3.80 1 1.21 No. of Deals Current Price 2 298 3.91 298 Current Price No. of Deals

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000 Quantity Traded 30,834,782 Quantity Traded 30,834,782 10,000

Value Traded 3,000.00 3,000.00 Value Traded 381,675,616.80 Value Traded 381,675,616.80 39,100.00

11,000 Quantity Traded 21,000 21,360,101

13,310.00 Value Traded 52,410.00 83,280,968.75 83,280,968.75 Value Traded

LENNARDS Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol ZENITHBANK Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR Symbol FBNH Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL Symbol Symbol DANGCEM DAARCOMM

Symbol

3.87 2.88

21,360,101 Quantity Traded 50 52,194,883 60 110

190.00 464,956,585.55 179.60 369.60

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 87 135.99 1 0.50 87 1

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 946,438 200 946,438 200

Value Traded Value Traded 126,841,686.30 100.00 126,841,686.30 100.00

87 No. of Deals

946,438 Quantity Traded

126,841,686.30 Value Traded

1 858 2 3

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded Fund

Equity Activity Totals

Current Price 0.50 Current Price 3.10

Advertising Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PREMIUM Board Totals

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 50

Mining Serviceson Board EQTY Activity Summary

4,959,042.06 156,816.00 22,886,291.51 6,817,792.20 395,321.50 2,689,541.86 319,504,317.18

Quantity Traded

Current Price

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Value Traded 600,954,398.97 26,102,790.99 13,949,509.30 17,518,225.50 17 4 2,866,076.00 of 221,162,910.26 Value Traded

Quantity Traded 134,932 1,695,044 200 102,669,819 15,071 856,363 105,371,429

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 1

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals

No. of Deals 17 17

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

No Of Deals Symbol

Electronic and Electrical Products Activity Summary on Board EQTY AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC CUTIX PLC. INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol 7UP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC.

Company name

HEALTHCARE Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Symbol JBERGER

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Micro-Finance BanksExchange ©

Current Price 0.75 3.58 0.88 1.13 19.86

107

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers Healthcare Providers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO Daily Summary as PLC of 10/02/2016 Crop Production Totals Printed 10/02/2016 14:36:34.034

Sector

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol NEWGOLD VETBANK Daily Summary VETGOODS VETGRIF30 Symbol VETINDETF LOTUSHAL15

Current Price

13 of 17 53,141,321Page 591,798,271.85

945 3,178

(ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 1 2 No. of Deals1 28

Current Price 2,226.00 2.37 6.03 10.93 Current Price 17.67 7.97

320,754,846

Quantity Traded 10 10 10 100,010 Quantity Traded 10 20 100,070 Page

100,070

1,822,727,135.22

Value Traded 22,260.00 23.70 60.30 1,074,109.30 Value Traded 176.70 158.90 1,096,788.90

1,096,788.90 1,096,788.90

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Info Tech

Mixed reactions trail NCC’s 8-Point Agenda amid infrastructure gap After months of postponement, the new helmsman of the Nigerian Communications Commision, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, final engaged journalists and key stakeholders in Lagos and unveiled an eight-point agenda that is expected to drive the sector to a new level during his tenure. As laudable as the agenda are, some stakeholders who are not new to hearing such lofty promises reeled out by successive helmsmen in the Commission appear to be adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude as Dambatta remains convinced in the feasibility of his agenda, writes Isaiah Erhiawarien.

he quest to finally quash the ending challenges inhibiting the sporadic growth of the telecoms industry in Nigeria was a major reason, why the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta to adopt eight point agenda. But latest development and investigation revealed that tackling the challenges in the sector will aptly require the application of the eight point agenda with all vigour notwithstanding the highhandedness of players in the sector. Some close watchers of the sector while reacting to the new agenda, described it as a worthy development saying that it is different from what happened in the past. They described it as a tool that could straighten things in the industry particularly when it has to do with interest of mobile telephone subscribers, whose complain about some actions of mobile network operators have not yielded any result. The agenda, which Danbatta hopes to use to transform the telecoms sector are, Facilitation of Broadband Penetration, Improvement of Quality of Service, Optimization of Usage and Benefits of Spectrum, Promotion of ICT Innovation and Investment Opportunities, Facilitation of Strategic Collaboration and Partnership, Protection and Empowerment of Consumers, Promotion of Fair Competition and Inclusive growth. Dambatta explained that the agenda was set based on the policy goals of the NCC, which recognizes the immense socio-economic importance of ICTs to national development noting that it seeks to ensure that the infrastructure necessary to provide ubiquitous broadband

Shittu

services is available and accessible to all citizens at affordable rates. He said that wealth creation through application of human knowledge and creativity is steadily outpacing wealth creation through extraction and processing of natural resources adding that knowledge has increasingly become an important means for value creation. Hence, with globalization and the technological revolution of the last few decades, knowledge has clearly become the key driver of competitiveness and is now profoundly reshaping the patterns of the world’s economic growth and activity. According to Tolu Akinluyi, a Communications, Media and Technology Executive, with Accenture, most of the issues that the eight agenda will attempt to address dates back to the inception of GSM mobile telephony in Nigeria about 14 years ago. He disclosed that the most commonly expressed complaint of the subscribers are frequently dropped calls, network unavailability, undelivered messages, as well as poor call quality adding that the situation is saddened by the fact that these problems have been exacerbated by the fact that there are no widely available alternatives to mobile telephony in the country, due to a limited number of fixed line connections.

Dambatta

Another issue, which is most likely to confront the eight point agenda, is the regular complaints from the mobile operators, and often being spearheaded by organisations like the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON and Association of License Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ALTON. However, he said that beyond the agenda, the Critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Bill which has been sponsored by the Federal Government will give more impetus to the NCC to implement the agenda adding that this bill is expected to put mechanisms in place to ensure that Telecoms Infrastructure all around the country are identified as an important national asset and protected. He advised that in addition to passing the critical ICT infrastructure bill, “it is also important to put in place adequate business continuity arrangements for all critical infrastructures to ensure adequate resilience, recovery capabilities and contingencies.” Akinluyi said further that the protection of critical infrastructure alone is insufficient and important to create a national ICT business continuity plan, which will examine all critical infrastructure, determine our recovery capabilities and put in place the neces-

He said beyond tHe agenda, tHe CritiCal information and CommuniCations teCHnology (iCt) infrastruCture bill wHiCH Has been sponsored by tHe federal government will give more impetus to tHe nCC to implement tHe agenda

sary contingencies to assure recovery within required timelines. A critical factor, which is critical to the success of the agenda, is according to him the need to put the mobile operators on network upgrading saying that in order to provide additional coverage and capacity, operators and tower companies need to deploy additional base stations quickly. He however said that that is been threatened by other challenges in the sector noting that “this is a cost intensive and time consuming process, which is complicated by the fact that operators currently face multiple regulatory hurdles and taxes. These include national regulations such as Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, as well as state and local government regulations.”

President of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo expressed delight about the eight point agenda, which he said is in line with the policy thrust of ALTON saying that its members have often been in support of every measures to improve quality of services. He said that the quality of services across the various networks has continued to record significant improvement since 2015 due to the investment in network elements that enhance good quality of services across the national network. President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ogunbanjo, sees the eight point agenda of the NCC as panacea for the over 14 year’s trouble that operators have taken subscribers through saying that subscribers are waiting to see the impact of the agenda on the industry.

Info Tech

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Etisalat sustains leadership in number porting StorieS by iSaiah erhiawarien

tisalat for the eleven month consecutively have continued to lead porting activities across all network in the country. Porting refers to the transfer of subscribers to a different network carrier. Latest statistics from the National Bureau Statistics, NBS, revealed that as September 2105, 20,349 subscribers joined a different provider, which represents only 0.01 per cent of all GSM subscribers saying that Etisalat continued to be the biggest ben-

eficiary accounting for 12,898 or 63.38 per cent of incoming porting activities. Airtel and Globacom received 26.28 per cent, and 7.40 per cent of subscribers respectively, and MTN received the fewest, accounting for only 599, or 2.94 per cent. This was the eleventh consecutive month that Etisalat accounted for more than 60 per cent. In total, Etisalat have gained 63.34 per cent of all incoming porting activity since September 2014. According to the NBS, incoming porting activities grew by 3.39

per cent over the past 12 months, equivalent to growing at 0.28 per cent every month 20,370 subscribers left their provider in September 2015, marginally more than the number to join new ones. The report however indicated that for every month since April 2014, MTN lose the most subscribers, losing 12,259, or 60.18 per cent of the total lost while Etisalat lose the fewest subscribers, as well as benefiting the most

from porting activities. They lost only 1,264 subscribers, which comprises 6.21 per cent of the total amount of outgoing porting activity, significantly less than the share of 16.07 per cent of the total number of subscribers that Etisalat accounts for. The NBS report showed that Airtel and Globacom were more or less balanced in September 2015 although Airtel gained slightly more subscribers than

they lost which is a net gain of 1,712, and Globacom the reverse, a net loss of 1,707. However, Etisalat lost a smallest number of subscribers, and gained the largest number, meaning that the net gain was considerable, at 11,634 and for MTN, the reverse was true as in net terms they lost 11,660 subscribers to porting activities, a very similar to the amount that Etisalat gained.

South African mobile phones producing firm enters Nigeria

he first South African mobile technology brand to enter Nigeria, AG Mobile has introduced its range of mobile device into the Nigerian market. The company, is one of the continent’s first ODM, original design manufacturer, is also the first South African brand to release its own mobile device in 2007. The arrival of the brand in Lagos makes Nigeria, the ninth African country where AG Mobile phones and tablets are available and the first where it’s launched independently of a retail partner. According to AG Mobile Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Goodman this development forms part of the brand’s expansion strategy to provide more Africans with affordable, quality products while investing in markets that offer mutually beneficial opportunities. “As a proudly African brand we believe that we will bring great value to Nigeria. We’ve started by building relationships with wellrespected brands such as MTN, Etisalat, Ringo and Jumia, creating employment opportunities, and supporting the networks’ objectives to advance Nigeria’s connectivity from 2G to 3G.” Goodman said that its initial marketing roll-out covers Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano adding that , “Our Android, feature-rich devices are available online via Jumia, from MTN and Ringo outlets, as well as independent dealers across the country. We’re also completing the installation of our first retail space at the Ringo Arena in the Computer Village in Lagos and will be rolling-out similar outlets where customers can experiment with live devices before they purchase them. Any repair issues will be administered at an in-country repair centre.” Goodman disclosed that the

brand meets the needs of its customers saying that today’s phone users want devices with advanced specifications and features that are supported by exceptional customer service. He said that AG Mobile offers this and more free value added elements, pre-loaded social networking apps and a one-year warranty saying that the highlevel functionality of AG Mobile devices is largely due to an established strategic partnership with MediaTek Inc., a global leader in fabless semiconductor design. “MediaTek’s smartphone chipset platforms equip our devices with multi-core processors, excellent power efficiency and comprehensive network technologies support. Our relationship is based on shared goals to drive innovation and make technology more affordable and accessible for more people”, he said. Goodman added that with good initial sales and a growing following on social media “we’re confident that AG Mobile will find its way into the hearts of Nigerians, just as it has across the African continent.”

L-R: Chairman, Jibwis,Sheikh Yakubu Hassan; Vice Chancellor, Al-Qalam University, Katsina, Prof.Shehu Ado; Minister of Communications,Alh. Adebayo Shittu and Trustee of the University, Alh. Sulaiman Isa at a reception for the Minister in Katsina, at the weekend.

Zinox Group expands business scope to software devt

he Zinox Group has expanded its scope of business into software development by investing in an Ibadan base software development company, Xputer. Founder of the Zinox Group, Mr. Leo Stan Eke, manages the investment, the deal of which was sealed in September last year as part of the company’s strategies and vision of becoming the single largest 360 degrees ICT Group in Africa. Chief Executive Officer, Xputer Technologies, Abimbola

Omotoso while confirming the development said the investment will take Xputer to the next level saying, “Our core specialty is in providing and delivering custom-built software solutions that have powered a number of businesses in various sectors.” He said that Xputer Technologies has been able to accumulate a large repertoire of technical skill, experience and a retinue of satisfied clients that has placed it in a strong position to succeed noting that with Zinox Group’s investment, “we

The Lenovo National Promo was launched in December 2015 with the aim of rewarding the tech giant’s customers for their loyalty as well as making the past yuletide season more exciting. According to the company, to participate in the promo, customers were expected to buy any Lenovo smartphone from accredited dealers nationwide to win any of the star prizes of 10 Educational grants worth N200,000 each and a brand new Kia Rio Car. The third promo draw marks the last event for the award of Lenovo’s educational grants

to winners and brings the total number of grant winners to 10. A final draw for the presentation of the Kia Rio grand prize is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Slot Limited’s retail outlet in Ajah, Lagos. Customers also stand the chance of winning consolation prizes at the event. Expressing his delight at the high level of participation in the promo, Shashank Sharma,Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo Middle East and Africa (MEA) described the initiative as a platform for Lenovo to connect with its Nigerian consumers.

New winners emerge in Lenovo National Promo S ix more Nigerians have emerged as winners of educational grants worth N200, 000 each in the Lenovo National Promo, designed to give back to lovers of the Lenovo brand. The new winners, who were unveiled at draw in Lagos are Kehinde Jinadu from Abuja, Emmanuel from Benin as well as Magdalene Okwuwe, Bode Afolayan, Ikekwuku and Morismo Harry from Lagos. Other winners got consolation prizes including blenders, deep freezer, Lenovo smartphones, refrigerators and much more were also announced at the event.

have now relocated our Head Office to Lagos since last year and still maintain our core Research and Development unit in Ibadan because of the serenity.” Omotoso disclosed that his company has an ambitious team that is conscious of the future needs of this generation and generations unborn on simplifying operations both at personal and corporate levels adding that we are also looking at simplification of digital lifestyle of this restless generation. Zinox Group Executive Director and Company Secretary, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims disclosed that the investment in Xputer, has taken Zinox a step closer towards its long-term vision of becoming the undisputed leader in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Africa. He said that the Zinox Group remains the only ICT Group with core experience and proven proficiency in all areas of the industry saying “Our motivation is to continue to innovate, diversify and respond proactively to the dynamic nature of the market in fulfilling and surpassing our customers’ expectations.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Brands & Marketing

Tomato paste brands’ war heightens as local manufacturers caution Though the tomato paste industry in Nigeria has witnessed steady growth in spite of influx of foreign imports, a situation some experts linked to government incentives to encourage local production. However, local manufacturers believe the market competition may soon be scuttled as a result of the restriction placed on importation of concentrates. In this report, DAVID AUDU takes a look at the determination of local manufacturers to remain relevant in spite challenging competitive environment.

visit to any market or shop in Nigeria will reveal dozens of tomato paste brands, some produced locally while majority are imported. Analysts simply described the paste market as lucrative and healthy with enough room for local and foreign products to compete. But, when the government of President Mohammadu Buhari early into the administration decided to restrict the importation oftriple concentrate, a major raw material in the production of tomato paste, stakeholders though welcomed the policy, which they described as good effort to encourage backward integration by indigenous tomato producer, they are however of the opinion that the decision will tilt the competition in favour of imported products. They based their argument on the facts that though Nigeria produces large quantities of tomatoes, the quality is low and therefore local manufactures still need the imported input to enable them competes with imported tomato pastes. One of the major issues which local manufacturers highlighted and want government to look into borders on the need to allow them to continue to import concentrates at minimum interest rate pending when the local industries will develop full capacity to manufacture the concentrates locally, which some say are already doing. For members of the Union of Tomato Manufacturers of Nigeria, government still needs to protect local tomato industries in order to encourage backward integration, saying that there are specific sectors that will need time and incentives to develop. The restriction policy as it affect concentrates they say will adversely affect local manufacturers as they might not have the capacity to manufacture triple concentrate and compete favourably with imported ones. According to analysts, the policy when viewed from the side of the federal government and the dilemma of indigenous tomato paste manufacturers dates back to the previous gov-

Sonia tomato pastes

Tomato-plant

AS AT THAT TIME, THE DEMAND FOR TOMATO WAS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED AT 2.3 MILLION METRIC TONS PER ANNUM, WHILE THE OUTPUT WAS 1.8 MILLION METRIC TONS DUE TO LACK OF GOOD STORAGE FACILITIES AND POOR DEVELOPED MARKETING CHANNELS, RESULTING IN UP TO 50 PER CENT OF THE TOMATO PRODUCE BEING LOST ernment when the then Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi wanted to address the issue of continued importation of tomato pastes. Specifically, when it was discovered in 2014, that about N16 billion was being spent annually on the importation of tomato paste into the country, Sanusi reasoned that something needed to be done. This led to the setting up of the National Tomato Technical Working Group, NTTWG, and while addressing the inauguration of the group then, Sanusi, said there was a huge deficit in the supply of tomato required in the country, leading to a huge annual import bill on tomato paste to the tune of about N16 billion. The report then noted that the development was due to high demand for tomato in the country, which unfortunately, the farmers could not meet as a result of poor storage methods. As at that time, “the

demand for tomato was currently estimated at 2.3 million metric tons per annum, while the output was 1.8 million metric tons due to lack of good storage facilities and poor developed marketing channels, resulting in up to 50 per cent of the tomato produce being lost”. However, with a desire to plug financial loop holes and also to create enabling environment for local production of some food items Nigeria perceived as having a competitive edge, the present government decided to withdraw foreign exchange on some items, and unfortunately triple concentrate falls within the category. Analysts however believe that though the policy was not totally bad in itself, but that an inclusive stakeholder input would have helped government better understand the adverse effect of the policy on local tomato manufactures. National Mirror investigation indicate that differences in climate, soil composition and species of tomato is against Nigerian manufacturers getting the required output of concentrate if manufactured locally, noting that Nigerian soil does not support high yielding tomato species. Experts in tomato production also explained that it will cost more to process the concentrate locally than importing them, more so, when they are in competition with imported products. Speaking to National Mirror recently, the

Managing Director of Sonia Foods Industries Limited, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodebe, said the new policy is a disincentive to local manufacturers of tomato pastes. Nnodebe, who claimed he had invested over N8 billion with over 224 direct workers and several indirect ones in his tomato paste factory at Asese, Ogun State, said the present situation in the economy demands that governments at all levels assist local manufacturers by ensuring they have easy access to forex and single-digit loans. Nnodebe, who also spoke on behalf of the Union of Tomato Paste Manufacturers in Nigeria in Lagos recently, appealed for more time to further invest in backward integration in the country. “As a group we are committed to the growth of the Nigerian economy and also wish to boost the GDP of the nation through the production and exportation of tomato paste. We will be pleased if the government can avail us more to time to allow for backward integration just like it applies to some other sectors of the country. He said members of the tomato union have begun the process of backward integration in some parts of the country but support for the process is critical to its success, and pleaded with the government to provide adequate support in terms of easy access to arable land, low interest loans, irrigation facility, technical and also infrastructural support. “In the long run, we intend to establish a triple concentrate factory using locally harvested product, which would fill up the huge shortage of about 150,000 MT in the Nigeria tomato concentrate paste market,” He said in line with his own company’s expansion drive and commitment to value, they intend to vertically integrate backwards. “We are in the process of building an ultra-modern factory and farms in Zamfara state that would have the capacity of producing the tomato concentrate. Our estimate is that the said production would commence and be completed within 36 months from February 2016”, Nnodebe said. Also, another factory owner, Sanjeev Kapoor, also lamented that the new policy restricting the import of goods including tomato concentrate means running out of raw materials in few months. “I will have to shut the factory when my concentrate runs out and put 440 people out of a job,” says Mr Kapoor. Also, the local vendors who supply him with cartons, labels, salt and chemicals will also lose out. “For years now we have been begging the government to ban tomato pastes in retail packs. This will help the economy, because if I cannot compete with those imported products, I may not survive,” he also said.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, February 11, 2016

AIG, AXA partner on insurance services provision for customers DAVID AUDU

frica Internet Group, AIG, an e-commerce group in Africa, and AXA, an insurance and asset management firm have partnered whereby AXA will become the exclusive provider of insurance products and services through Jumia and other AIG online and mobile platforms in Africa. The terms of the partnership will see AXA’s African insurance companies propose custom-made insurance products to Jumia and AIG’s e-commerce client base through its ecosystem of marketplaces and classifieds services, noting that as part of the partnership, AXA will also become a shareholder of AIG, along with MTN, Rocket Internet and Millicom. AXA and Jumia view Africa as a fast developing market for financial services and insurance products, benefitting from strong fundamentals such as low penetration rates, rise in middle class, urbanization as well as the youth of its population. Founders and co-CEOs of Jumia and AIG, Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara, explained that internet

is creating unparalleled opportunities for consumers and businesses in Africa to connect and do business in a new way. “We continue to be excited about the growth prospects of Jumia and this new partnership will enable us to capture them. “We expect Africa’s e-commerce and online businesses to develop rapidly as a result of the strong growth of the middle class coupled with the increasing mobile phone and internet penetration. “With Rocket Internet’s extensive background in online business models, MTN as leading mobile carrier with its broad African presence, and now the partnership with AXA in insurance products and services, we are in a great position to continue to innovate and connect businesses to the fast growing consumer demand.” The duo explained further that the transaction confirms AXA’s longterm commitment towards the African markets and represents another step in development on the continent. “Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and promising insurance markets in the world and our partnership with Africa Internet

Group will enable us to accelerate materially our development by having access to their rich customer base and to their state-of-the-art e-commerce technology. “Going forward, we aim to enable African consumers to better access insurance solutions to create sustainable financial well-being throughout their lives and those of their dependants”, added Deputy CEO of AXA, Denis Duverne. As a result of the transaction, AXA will invest Euro 75 million and own approximately eight per cent of the capital of AIG. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the closing of the previous investment round, and is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2016 The additional capital contributed by AXA will further strengthen the balance sheet and support AIG’s continued growth. Jumia, AIG’s main subsidiary, is currently present in 11 African markets and grew its transaction volume by 265 per cent during first nine months of 2015 to reach Euro 206 million.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BRAND talk with Michael Umogun

Tel: 08023117969/08031100462 Email: michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

Marketing, technology and the evolving media mix

uccessful marketing is about delivering the right content to the right person in the right context. There is a growing importance for brands to manage context and content, and marketers should adopt a planning approach that recognises media channels as a way of distributing content, as opposed to a device or a technology, to be successful. While the evolution of new platforms and technologies present brands with many opportunities, the adoption of these brings a responsibility for advertisers, agencies and media owners to ensure brand building will thrive. In their 2016 Digital & Media Predictions, Millward Brown anticipates important changes in the world’s media landscape. The predictions outline the need to optimise video and mobile advertising, evaluate connected TV opportunities and develop inspiring branded content. Let’s take a closer look to see how marketers can #getmediaright. In Nigeria, despite TV being the

dominant screen, Millward Brown’s AdReaction report (that analyses multiscreen use and behavior) notes that around 50 per cent of screen time is spent on other devices, especially mobile. Since this proportion is only likely to grow, marketers need to learn how to follow their audiences’ changing behavior. Those who do it successfully will gain a significant competitive advantage. However the recent rise of ad blocking software means that consumer receptivity will be a big issue. Brands that fail to target consumers appropriately, adapt content across formats or rely solely on paid advertising content are unlikely to build engagement and drive sales. The ability to connect in digital platforms at a time when consumers are willing to do so, and with great content in a format that is not intrusive, will separate the successful marketers from those that simply annoy. Please share your thoughts on this subject. michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

Etisalat’s GTeasySavers bags FIPA award DAVID AUDU

elecommunications operator, Etisalat, has won the Kalahari Financial Inclusion Product of the Year Award in recognition of its contribution to the growth of the financial sector of the economy through its mobile money product, GTeasysavers. The company was presented with the award in Lagos, recently. Receiving the award on behalf of Etisalat Nigeria, the company’s Manager for Mobile Financial Services, Oluwaseun Omotosho, expressed his L-R:- Executive Director of Commercial, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Ogufure, Managing Director, delight at the feat and said the award Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Guy Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher and was an endorsement that the comChief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Francesco Angelone during the announcement of a partnership by the companies in Lagos on Tuesday. pany was going in the right direction. He said GTeasysavers is a joint effort of Etisalat and Guaranty Trust Bank that seeks to make saving and Speaking at the renewal of the tial goodness offered by the brand financial inclusion easier for everyDAVID AUDU deal, the Category Marketing Man- including vitality, fitness and health, ollowing its successful one year ager, Olympic, Mr. Raphael Agbaje, which the Olympic brand offers to enior managers at Cannes Lions partnership with Hip-Hop star, said thatthe choice to renew the con- youths, adults and families in Nigeria. tract of Peter Okoye was based on the owner Ascential are in line for Peter Okoye of PSquare musiAccording to Bandyopadhyay , Pesuccess recorded in the first year of multi-million pound share windcal group, Olympic, the health milk his ambassadorship citing the dance ter Okoye’s persona perfectly fits into falls after it confirmed the pricing of brand has announced the renewal of show, Dance with Peter, Blue Santa the brand’s proposition as the Healthy its £800 million stock market debut. its ambassadorial contract with Peter amongst others as some of the amaz- Choice and the brand that keeps conAscential’s chief executive, DunOkoye. ing feats achieved. According to him, sumers active for longer. “We are very can Painter, who has been in the job The announcement which was “the brand has grown in equity and delighted about this partnership be- since 2011, will have 3.5 million shares made shortly after the official signing sales in the last one year, hence the cause of the success both parties have worth over £7 million at the float price held on Monday at the company’s Ilurecorded since we started in 2015. of 200p a share. decision to renew.” peju office signifies the continuation Marketing Director, Nutricima, Again, this renewal comes at a time Philip Thomas, who heads Cannes of Peter’s activities as ambassador Mr. Kalyan Bandyopadhyay but- we are launching the brand’s new Lions division Lions Festivals, will get for the brand, a position which will tressed Agbaje’s point adding that its proposition as the ‘Active for Longer’ 975,000 shares worth almost £2 milamongst other things see the 36-year- choice of the award-winning Hip-hop brand and who better represents this lion. old represent the brand at different Star is premised on the fact that his than Peter Okoye who is a fit dancer Natasha Christie-Miller, boss of levels and occasions. qualities perfectly portray the essen- and accomplished musician.”

Olympic renews Peter Okoye’s Ambassadorial deal

one. “We are glad to have achieved our objective and hope to expand this across more institutions, thus empowering more people to have access to easy and safe banking.” Also speaking at the event, Principal Associate, MobileMoneyAfrica, Emmanuel Okoegwale revealed that GTeasysavers beat other 21 entries to the award. “Twenty-two entries were submitted for the best financial inclusion product, and based on specific criteria applied, it was clear that Etisalat and GTBank with GTeasysaver met all the requirements and surpassed expectations in terms of usage, adoption and consideration of customers in product design. We believe it is a great product and it has compelling value for customers. That is why it was selected above other entries,” he said.

Cannes Lions owner launches £800m IPO

publishing arm Plexus, formerly known as Emap, who oversees brands including Retail Week and Nursing Times, will get 683,000 shares worth nearly £1.4 million. Thomas is selling 20 per cent of his stake and Christie-Miller is offloading 10 per cent of her holding. The IPO comprises 139,950,000 shares, representing 35 per cent of Ascential’s issued share capital on admission. The company is raising about £183.2 million of net proceeds in the offer, after deducting underwriting costs and other expenses.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Communication Festival, hope for academics –Don AbolAji AdebAyo

ead of Mass Communication Department of Ibarapa Polytechnic, Oyo State, Elder Solomon Adedokun, has described the newly launched Communication Festival, CommFest, as the only hope for those in academics in Nigeria as the festival set to recognise and celebrate them. At the launching of the festival in the school recently, Adedokun, who noted that the lecturers of Mass Communication have not been encouraged and appreciated by the society, said there was need for such festival through which those in academics could also be given incentives in term of awards and special recognition in the society as the source through which those big names in the field rose. He specifically commended those who initiated the festival, while calling on the government and other bigwigs in the society to support the initiative. According to him, Communication Festival, like Arts Festival, is a good initiative among media practitioners as well as all other practitioners in any field across Mass Communication. CommFest, which was launched recently, was an initiative conceived by the 2003/04 set of Mass Communication students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Eruwa Campus, who are experts in their various fields under the group appellate ‘Great Minds’. According to the group, the aim of the festival is to celebrate professionals in the field of communication cutting across all the branches of Mass Communication such as journalism, public relation, advertising, book publishing and the like as well as recognising those in academics. The National Coordinator of the group, Lawrence Oladotun, explained that the group, having noticed that the practitioners in the Mass Communication fields, especially those in academics were rarely celebrated, took it upon itself to launch the festival whereby the activities of those experts would be appreciated and celebrated. He said that the CommFest would be an annual event that would gather people in various fields under Mass Communication as well as students of Mass Communication across the country. According to him, those who have excelled would be awarded during the festival each year. Oladotun, who noted that the CommFest was the first of its kind in Nigeria, said that the CommFest, apart from awarding the deserved ones, would also serve as an avenue where the practitioners in the field and in the academics would gather to brainstorm on some issues while the students would also be opportune to meet those whose works they have been reading or listening to. The coordinator explained that the rea-

Members of Great Minds with Mass Communication lecturers at the launch of Communication Festival at Ibara Poly, recently.

son for launching it in Ibarapa Polytechnic was to give the lecturers the sense of relevance in the festival and sensitise the academic community about it. He added that the group also used the avenue to give back to its root while it presented gift to the school. Earlier, in its inaugural lecture, the representative of the group, Kunle Azeez, identified digitisation and digitalisation as a challenge to the newspaper publication in the modern technology society. He said that the advent digitalisation may force the newspapers out of the market if proper care is not taken. He said: “Suffice it to say that dramatic technological advances in the production, manipulation, and dissemination of images have transformed the practices of journalism, entertainment, and advertising as well as the visual environment itself. In an age of ubiquitous information, news

junkies have never had it so good. At the touch of a button, online news is available everywhere from the Premium Times, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and a host of other online-only news media to online versions of such other traditional newspapers in Nigeria such as The Punch, The Guardian, ThisDay, National Mirror, New Telegraph, Business Day, among others. “With massive changes in the media environment and its technologies, interrogating the nature of news journalism is one of the most urgent tasks we face in defining the public interest today. The implications are serious, not just for the future of the news, but also for the practice of democracy. “The essential notion is that journalism traditionally has been very effective at shining a spotlight on the problems and developments of the day. But, traditional journalism, for a variety of reasons, has of-

ten failed to place those stories in enough contexts to understanding them fully. One of the most significant reasons has been technological. Moreover, the traditional, analogue media have been largely one-way in their information flow, from the journalist to the public. This passive audience model, as Kaul (2013) puts it, has limited the involvement or engagement of the public in journalism and public affairs. “Hence, the arrival of the digital revolution—the evolution of the internet, the emergence of new forms of media, and the rise of online social networks—has reshaped the media landscape and made “the press” of 2011 something that many could not have imagined. From digital retouching to wholesale deception, the media world is now beset by an unprecedented range of professional challenges, not only because of the different media that arise, but the new dynamics of work.”

NAWOJ urges holistic approach to end domestic violence SekinAh l AwAl

igeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter, has called for calling for holistic approach to end domestic violence in many marriages. This advice was contained in a communique signed by Chairman of the association, Mrs. Dupe Olaoye- Osinkolu, at the end of its February Congress, following the rising cases of domestic violence in the country. The group also condemned the rising wave of kidnappings in the country and

frowned at the extension of the dastardly act to monarchs, which already claimed the life of a royal father. Calling for improved handling of kidnap cases and domestic violence issues by the police, the group urged women not to take laws into their hands under any circumstances, in reaction to alleged husband stabbing to death by a woman in Ibadan recently. NAWOJ however suggested a walk out of an abusive and turbulent relationship instead of being violent. Women were also enjoined to empower themselves to be able to take decisive deci-

sions that will save their lives. “Non-Governmental Organizations handling cases of domestic violence are also requested to include counselling,” the group said. NAWOJ stressed the need for parents to stop encouraging their married daughters to continually stay in abusive relationship because of culture and tradition. Furthermore, NAWOJ urged the electorate to always bear in mind that their electoral duties continue after the elections, as they are expected to recall any lawmaker who is not representing his/her constituency well.

Media

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Sunlight’s ‘Alarambara’ radio drama returns StorieS By Leoanrd okachie

larambara’, the Yoruba drama series from Unilever Nigeria, makers of Sunlight detergent, returns to radio stations across SouthWest Nigeria for its second season, this month. The highly-entertaining programme is scheduled to run for 13 episodes of 5 minutes each and will feature entertaining storylines centred around the lives of the lead character, Sisi Oge and her four friends, as they balance work, relationships, family life and social commitments in their everyday lives. Speaking on the drama series, Brand Manager, Sunlight, Ojeabuo Akhiojemi said that ‘Alarambara’ would continue to provide entertainment and invaluable tips and advice on home management and relationships. “Sisi Oge and her close-knit circle of

friends are young, fun-loving modern women who are always looking for some balance between their business and private lives. They share their tears, joys and relationship issues in a realistic, down-to-earth style that listeners can readily identify with,” Akhiojemi said. He added that, “The first season of ‘Alarambara’ was a success and we expect that this edition will be even better. The storylines are not only entertaining, they reflect everyday situations that every woman can relate to, and of course, our listeners have a chance to win prizes when they call in to answer the trivia questions at the end of each episode of the show.” ‘Alarambara’ which features notable Nollywood figure Mosun Filani as the lead role of Sisi Oge, will air on Positive FM, Akure, Ondo State; Bond FM, Lagos; Unique FM, Osun State and OGBC 2, Ogun State. Other stations include Voice of Ekiti; Splash FM, Oyo State and Midland FM, Kwara.

The weekly show which will be recorded in Johannesburg will go live in April 2015, with the first season comprising 13 half

hour episodes featuring vocal showdowns between top celebrities and entertainment figures, complete with dancers, wigs, costumes, props and tons of swag. Each battle will consist of two celebrities “syncing” or miming to popular music tracks of their choice. Each contestant must sync to two songs – one of which will be by an African artist. The winner is chosen by the live studio audience. Lip Sync Battle Africa will be hosted by two celebrities following in the footsteps

Lip Sync Battle episode

Pakistan dangerous place for media persons - Report

akistan is notorious for increasing incidents of killings of journalists and is considered one of the most dangerous places for media persons in the world, said a Pakistani daily on Wednesday.

Alarambara

MTV Base premieres ‘Lip Sync Battle’ Africa

iacom-owned youth entertainment channel MTV (DStv channel 130) has announced the premiere of a local version of its global hit entertainment show, Lip Sync Battle Africa. International superstar rapper, LL Cool J made this big announcement on MTV’s social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

of the US series, version starring LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen. Names of the local hosts will be announced at a later date. Lip Sync Battle is officially one of the most infectious TV programmes ever to come out of the Viacom stable with nine signed local production deals in the UK, China, Chile, Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Norway, Poland and Vietnam. To date, Lip Sync Battle has been watched by more than 55 million viewers in the USA, amassing over half a billion crossplatform video streams. A-list stars and pop culture stars who have gone head-to-head in Lip Sync Battle include Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Common, John Legend, Queen Latifah, Marlon Wayans, Jimmy Fallon, Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Kevin Hart and Olivia Munn. Among the most memorable performances are Will Arnett’s rendition of “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie, Joseph-Gordon Levitt channelling Janet Jackson in “Rhythm Nation”, and John Legend getting in touch with his inner MC Hammer. Other celebrities featuring on the show have included Mike Tyson, Anna Kendrick, Justin Bieber, Taraji P Henson and Malin Ackerman.

An editorial “Media under siege” in the Daily Times said that an attack on City 42 television channel’s office in Lahore by unidentified armed men has “further panicked journalists, who are already living under the shadow of fear due to constant threats from the terrorists”. So far the police are clueless about the perpetrators of the attack. “In the wake of similar attacks on media offices and personnel in Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi, this emerging onslaught on the media is becoming more common, with the obvious aim of further stifling its freedom. “It seems part of a broader agenda to put the mainstream media under siege. The journalist community and political parties’ leaders have condemned the attack and demanded the arrest of the culprits as soon as possible,” the daily said. The editorial observed that the “attack prompted the lawmakers of the Punjab Assembly to move a joint resolution while the journalist community staged a protest demonstration to press for their demands to be provided security”. Noting that the profession of journalism has always been a challenging job in Pakistan, the daily said: “Nowadays, media houses are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. It is the state’s responsibility to provide protection to journalists inside and outside their workplaces.” It went on to say that Pakistan has “already become notorious for increasing incidents of killings of journalists and is considered one of the most dangerous places for media persons in the world”. “Not only the government but media managements should also take stringent measures as the scale of the threat is very large and the personnel of the law enforcement agencies by themselves cannot ensure the security of all media outlets.” It said that coordinated efforts by the authorities and managements may be the best way forward for the security of media offices and journalists. “Stronger preventive measures and protection must be undertaken while reviewing existing security protocols for possible loopholes. In an environment of fear, the media cannot play its due role, which is critical in countering the terrorists’ narrative,” the daily added. Source: Times of India

Media Abroad Newstands bare in Guinea to honour slain journalist

en sit in front of a closed newspaper stand in Conakry on February 9, 2016, on a “press-free day” in honour of a journalist who was shot dead last week (AFP Photo/Cellou Binani)Conakry (AFP) – Bare newstands and silent radios marked an unprecedented “press-free day” in Guinea on Tuesday in honour of journalist El Hadj Mohamed Diallo who was killed last week in political clashes. The refusal to publish or broadcast by public and private media came as a coalition of press groups backed the halt to draw attention to the risks journalists take working in the west African nation of nearly 12 million people.

Diallo, who worked for the private Guinee7 news website and the weekly L’Independant, died after being shot in the chest on Friday in clashes outside the offices of an opposition party in the capital Conakry. His smiling face appeared on news websites’ homepages and various TV stations, with the message “Press-free day in Guinea. Justice for El Hadj Mohamed Diallo”. “We hope to draw the attention of Guinean authorities to the working conditions of journalists in this country,” said Nouhou Balde, administrator of the news site Guinee-Matin. “On several occasions I have had my journalists beaten by police while in the line of duty,” he added. The clashes in which Diallo was killed broke out over the recent removal of the op-

Protest in Guinea over slain journalist position party’s vice president. Both he and the party blamed the other for the subsequent unrest. Some 300 journalists, civil representatives and ordinary citizens marched to the justice

ministry in Diallo’s memory on Monday. He was married with a young daughter, relatives said. Source: Yahoo News

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Young & Next Generation

Kaduna: Taking children off streets through school feeding scheme A zA Msue Kadunna

ducation which is supposed to be one of the top priorities of every government for decades has suffered lack of adequate attention despite efforts to reposition the sector. However, different narrations were given by observers on why educational system is weak and backward. Some identified inadequate funding and massive corruption as some of the factors responsible, while others blamed the failing standard on lack of quality and professional teachers. After16 years of democratic governance, the sector is still begging for attention as dilapidated structures, poor manpower among other issues remain the hallmark in the system though billions of naira were yearly budgeted to tackle the solemn state of education. In Kaduna, Governor Nasir El-rufai sensing the poor state of education had first declared state of emergency to fix the sector. El-rufai took the decision amidst challenge of scale resources due to declining oil revenue. Analysists opined that,El-rufai’s free primary and junior secondary school education coupled with the recently launched free feeding programme, have encouraged streets begging children to abandon their risky daily business on roads to massively enrol in public schools. National Mirror investigations revealed that the school free feeding scheme in the state has attracted many out of school children to rush for admission as many schools have filled to capacity. Whlie launching the free school Feeding Programme for pupils of primary schools held at the Aliyu Makama Road Primary School, Barnawa, Kaduna, Governor El-rufai said the Kaduna State Government will be providing a meal for 1.5m pupils in fulfilling his campaign promises and implementing one of his party, All Progressives Congress,APC, manifestos. El-rufai said the school feeding programme directly created 17,000 jobs for catering vendors, each of whom will need to employ workers to help them deliver. The governor urged stakeholders involved in the programme to discharge their responsibilities with the utmost sense of commitment, transparency and accountability, adding that monitoring mechanism must be rigorous: “ we invite the school-based management committees and Parent-Teacher- Associations to review and provide us their observations on the implementation of the programme at the school level.” El-rufai said:”Today is a special day in the unfolding of the change agenda the APC was elected to implement. I am moved by the responsibility to implement the school feeding programme for primary school pupils. It marks the beginning of a different phase of the Kaduna State Government’s project to expand access to education” “We launch the programme today as a direct intervention in the health of our children, situating our schools as places to promote education and nutrition. Every school day from today, the Kaduna State Government will be providing a meal for 1.5m pupils. It is an unprecedented undertaking in this state, but one that we solemnly pledged to do when we were campaigning. It is a challenge in terms of its scale, cost and the logistics required to deliver the meals every day. “But our children deserve this and more. We are conscious that it would save parents

Cross Section of puipils feeding at the LGEA Primary School, Aliyu Makama Barnawa, Kaduna. break-time money, empower the women within the community who have been selected as the catering vendors and expand the market for farm products. Thus there is something for everyone in the School Feeding Programme. In seeking to take care of our children, we are creating jobs, boosting demand and exposing our people to new skills and hygiene standards and providing extra income. We will not be surprised to hear about teething problems, but we expect these problems to be swiftly addressed within a governing ethos of continuous improvement” El-rufai stressed: “As pragmatic people, we understand that in executing policy we must not let the perfect be a restraint on the doable. It is in the process of actually feeding our school children that we can refine and perfect the programme. As I noted earlier, school feeding is a separate plank of our initiative to expand access to education, to ensure that every child can have nine years of free, decent basic education, no matter the income level of their parents. “Parents have responded with enthusiasm, and at the beginning of this session enrollment in public schools rose by 64%. We began our education programme with the recruitment of teachers for core subject areas, conducted a needs-assessment to identify how we can strengthen the capacity of current teachers and then announced the removal of all bureaucratic impediments to the career advancement and sense of fulfilment of pro-

Children begging before El-rufai’s ban

fessional teachers in the public school system. We made it clear that a professional teacher can rise to Grade Level 17, without having to stop being a teacher.” “There is still so much work ahead. I assure you that we shall never be lacking in the commitment, determination and courage to do as we promised. We will appreciate your feedback and suggestions so that we can do better in serving you, the citizens of Kaduna State”El-rufai said. On his part,Kaduna state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, called on the parents and school authorities to assist in the satisfactory delivery of the programme. He said: “The past few months have been a busy time for the Kaduna State Ministry of

Education. During this time, the government has begun a programme of school rehabilitation, teacher recruitment and training needs assessment for current teachers. Each of these initiatives has recorded tremendous progress, and these priority areas will continue to command the attention of the government in the current session and beyond” “As you are aware, the 2016 Budget makes ample provision for this government’s School Feeding programme. This intervention in improving the nutrition of our young pupils commences this term, from the very first day that school resumes. This intervention reinforces our thrust to expand access to education” Adamu added: “The school feeding programme is a major undertaking. Through this initiative, the government is enhancing the health of our children while investing in their future by providing decent education. The programme is designed to boost the economy at the grassroots by involving people at the community level as the vendors. It will also expand the market for our farmers even as it brings more of our people into the formal economy” “It is an initiative for which we must have the flexibility for continuous improvement. We expect that every day will surpass the preceding day in terms of delivery. For this reason, we will be announcing more feedback channels to enable our people to provide comments and suggestions, and expose shortcomings or wrongdoing. For us every effort strained for our children is justified. Join us to make it a success,” Adamu noted.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club donates desks, others to public library Leonard okachie

n its quest to render service to humanity, Ikorodu Diamonds Lions Club recently commissioned a project tagged Lions Corner which consists of a circulation table and chair, fan and stationery. The project which was commissioned by the District Governor, Lion Patricia Udeme, was donated to Ikorodu Divisional Library, located at Beach Road, Ikorodu, Lagos. The District Governor in her brief remark appreciated the Club for embarking on such laudable project and encouraged to do more. “This is a remarkable project worthy of recognition. It is a project that is in line with Lions Club’s activity tagged Reading Action Programme, #Lions100. I use this medium to commend the effort of members of this club for their unflinching dedication to our relentless course of service to humanity and the community,” she said Also, 25 graduands of Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club Adult Literacy Class have received the certificate of completion of

Ikorodu Diomnond Club donates desks, chairs to a public library in Ikorodu.

their course, issued by the Lagos State Agency for Adult & Mass Literacy. The certificate was presented to them during the visit of the District Governor 404-A1 Nigeria at the Palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi ( Who is an Honourary member of the association ). The Club President in his remarks, Lion Prince Adewale Michael expressed

his happiness in delivering yet another project, even as he commended all those who donated at his installation which ensured the Club keep carrying out projects. He appealed for more supports, adding that the Club has and will continuously spend such funds judiciously to enhance and improve the lot of the less privileged and down trodden in the society.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Science for Kids Why are sunsets red?

ake a look at light through a prism and notice all the different colours that you can see. Light that looks white to our eyes actually is made up of many different colours. Each colour can be thought of as a light wave with a different wavelength (or size). Within the small range of wavelengths (or colours) that we can see with our eyes, the shorter waves are blue and the longer ones are red. Colors such as green, yellow, and orange lie in between the blue and red ends of the visible spectrum. When light comes from the sun, all these light waves of different wavelengths travel through empty space. When they reach Earth’s atmosphere, the light waves can interact with particles in the air like dust, water droplets, and ice crystals.

Sun set

Aisha Buhari urges campaign against female circumcision

ife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has called on relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the health implications of female genital mutilation in the country.

Mrs. Buhari was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, at the launch of joint UNFPA/UNICEF to support programme to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country. Aisha said that FGM was a harmful practice that had negative, social and economic consequences in the lives of the effected women and girls. “It is disheartening to note that Nigeria has the highest prevalence of FGM in the continent.It is a cultural practice which does not have help or social benefit to women, girls and to the society at large,” she said. She said it had not been promoted by any religion as no instrument of the two religions had supported FGM. She called on Nigerians to work toward an action that would end FGM and any tradition harmful to women and children. ``Some actions of the Federal Government and development partners have led to abandonment of the FGM practice. ‘’These efforts are being guarded by concert evidence and data from research effort by the government and partners.” She commended the effort of development partners, international organisations for their continued support to end FGM and harmful traditional practice. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged journalists to increase coverage of FMG to end the harmful practice in the country. “In the campaign to end FGM/cutting, the journalist has multiplicity of roles to play, including the link between government, policy makers and the people.

“In other words, the journalist is at the core of the kind of two-day communication that can lead to the effective abandonment of the practice. “The media is a veritable tool for information dissemination, and the journalist is key to interpreting and relating information in a manner that produces the expected reaction or behaviour from audience.” He said the key to changing behaviour in order to end FGM/cutting is adequate information dissemination about the prevalence, the root causes and attitude that put women at risk of being cut. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, expressed regret that in spite of all the declaration by international agencies to eliminate all harm practice, FGM still persisted

Girls in a serminar on FGM

in Africa. She said that Nigeria as a country would put all the necessary measures in place to end the practice. The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that almost 20 million women aged between 15 to 49 years were estimated to have undergone FGM in the country. He said that National Demographic Health Survey data had indicated that the trend of the practice in the South-West, South-East and South-South zones was higher than any part of the country. ``Osun reported the highest FGM prevalence rate of 77 per cent in 2013, followed by 74 per cent in Ebonyi and 72 per cent in Ekiti. He said that punishment for offenders had been outlined in the Violence Against

Persons Prohibition Act, 2015, making FGM now punishable by law. The UNFPA Country Resident Representative, Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, urged the Federal Government, state governments, private sector, development partners and individuals to support programmes that would end the practice. “It has become increasingly critical to consider adopting proactive actions to end FGM as the practice seems to be on steady increase in some part of the country,’’ she said. The UNICEF Country Representative, Mrs. Jean Gough, says one in every four women in many communities across the country experienced FGM. She commended Mrs Buhari for leading the campaign for zero tolerance against the practice in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community files N10bn suit against Lafarge, Onafowokan, others

L-R: Chairman, National Executive Council, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Chief Ede Dafinone; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; NCF Council member, Chief Akin Odunsi and Director General, NCF, Mr. Adeniyi Karunwi, during the commissioner’s inspection of Lekki Conservation Family Park and Canopy Walkway project, in Lagos. to be for private commercial use. He stated that the purported acquisition of their land was fraudulent in that Lafarge Africa Plc is extracting limestone resources of the land for private profit. According to the deponent, the adverse effects of mining of limestone and persistent industrial fumes and dust emitted into the air on their economic trees, cash crops has resulted in degradation of the nutrients in the soil and dwindling harvest. He stated that quite a number of members of the claimants are now very old and have no other means of livelihood apart from farming which they were forced to abandon. He added that many of the claimants can no longer train their children and many have died as a result treatable ailments, starvation, and malnutrition. The deponent stated that during the course negotiation between the claimant and the 1st

defendant, the 1st defendant admitted liability and consented to the proposal that the community should prepare a land owners’ community project budget to be funded yearly by the 1st defendant. He said that after a repeated protest and agitations for recognition and compensation for the takeover of their land, the 2nd defendant interposed itself as an agent for the claimants. The deponent added that in 2007, the claimants prepared a Project Proposal of N5, 090,000.00 which was approved and paid the 1st defendant. He further stated that claimant processed separate budget proposals for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011 for the sums of N11.5 million, N11.5 million and 12.5 million respectively. He added that the budgets were forwarded to the 1st defendant by the intermediate agency (2nd defendant) and that the money was paid through the 5th defendant. The claimant stated while 2nd

defendant paid in full its budgetary proposal for the year 2009 and 2010,but only part of the 2011 budgetary allocation was remitted to the claimants for no just reason. He further alleged that the 2nd defendant paid only N7.5 million out of the N11.5 million approved and paid by the 1st defendant adding that the 2nd defendant kept the balance of N5 million for no justifiable reason. But, the 4th and 5th defendants in their Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by their lawyer, Michael Lana challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit on the grounds that there is no reasonable cause of action against the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants. They argued that Sagamu Community Development Committee (2nd defendant) is not a juristic person and that proper parties are not before the court. Besides, they stated that Eso-E Micro-Finance Bank limited (5th defendant) is not a juristic person hence cannot be sued.

NAFDAC adopts WHAO format for drug registration

n its efforts at ensuring access to quality regulated products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has adopted the West African Health Organisation, WHAO, Common Technical Document, CTD, format for its use for submission of all technical information to support applications for registration effective 1st February 2016. This was disclosed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, at commencement of two days CTD, workshop on Monday in Lagos.

Gombe to resucitate tomatoes processing industry Gombe

dare akogun

WIllIams attah,

Wale IgbIntade embers of WAPCO Sagamu Works Land Owners’ Association have instituted a N10.5 billion suit against Lafarge Africa Plc, Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan and three others over alleged acquisition of over 2380 acres of their land. The claimants, Abibu Sotunminu, Lasisi Adunmo, Ganiyu Sunmola, Alhaji Yekeen Oyeyemi and 35 others have in suit Number HCS241/2015 urged the court for a declaration that the transfer or takeover of about 2380 acres of their land situated between Sagamu-Lagos Road and SagamuOde Remo Road is invalid null and void. The claimants through their lawyer, Babatunde Oshilaja also demanded for additional N50 million being annual tributary/rent for the occupation and use of the claimants’ limestone extracted from the land. Joined along with Lafarge as defendants are; Sagamu Community Development Committee (2nd defendant), Olotu-Omoba Michael Oyedele (3rd defendant), Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, (4th defendant) and Eso-E MicroFinance Bank limited (5th defendant) respectively. The claimants who are suing for themselves and on behalf of over 2000 members of WAPCO Sagamu Works Land Owners’ Association are seeking for an order of court that its yearly budgetary financial allocations from the Lafarge (1st defendant) should be paid directly to them and not through Sagamu Community Development Committee (2nd defendant). In a 36-paragrapgh statement on oath deposed to by Alhaji Yekeen Oyeyemi, he stated that the purported acquisition of their land on the pretext that it would be used for public use turned out

News

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Orhii pointed that the agency has been using a Dossier format which was not organised as the CTD modular structure and does not give clear picture of how quality has been built into the production of medicines. According to him; “In the spirit of convergence and harmonisation within the West African Sub-region, the WAHO with its Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine counterpart and the pharmaceutical industry in the Sub region worked and came up with a common document that would be used in the sub-region for medicines regulatory submissions. “NAFDAC joined the West African Medicines Regulatory

harmonisation initiative and has adopted the Common Technical Document format for the region. We believe that it will significantly reduce time and resources needed by the industry to complete applications and increase access to safe medicines,” he added. The CTD is one of the international conference recommendations for Harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use. “The ICH-CTD represents one of the most ambitious and successful international harmonisation activities undertaken. It will significantly reduce time and resources needed by industry to complete applica-

tions and increase access to safe and efficacious medicines. He reiterated the benefits of CTD saying that it is complete organised submissions open to more consistent reviews, more predictable format, easier analysis across applications, faster review times for applications and facilitation of electronic submission and so on. “We have actively encouraged the local pharmaceutical industries to work towards attaining WHO pre-qualification which will facilitate access to medicines that meet unified standards of quality, safety and efficacy for HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis,” he added.

ombe State Government has inaugurated a seven man committee to look into ways of resuscitating the abandoned state owned Manto Processing Company, Kumo, in Akko Local Government Area of the state. According to the Acting Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. James Pisagih, who inaugurated the committee on behalf of the state Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the action is sequel to the dwindling federal allocation accruing to the state government and the directive of the Vice-President, YemiOsinbajo, for states to look inwards and generate more revenue. The company which was commissioned and test-run in the year 2, 000, has never been put into use since then. As such, the state government had constituted the committee to chart a way forward for the company and possibly generate more revenue for the state. The committee which has a former Commissioner of Agriculture in the state, Alhaji Dahiru Buba Biri, as chairman, was mandated to look at opportunities for employment, empowerment of tomato’ growers as well as yield more revenue source for the state. The committee was given four weeks to come up with a report. Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Dahiru Buba Biri, described the occasion as very important for the state due to the current financial situation in the country. He promised to assiduously bring out a workable and implementable report for the increase in revenue and other opportunities from the company. He said the government effort is a right step towards achieving peace in the North East due to the opportunities it will create for the employment of many youths who will be meaningfully engaged rather than idling away, engaging in social vices or being used for violent activities.

40 Features

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Handsome pay-off of NDIC’s good governance practice Bashir iBrahim hassan

n a report in Business Insider of India, Amy Cuddy, a professor at Harvard Business School has published a report based on first impressions. In the study she conducted over 15 years with two colleagues, she discovered patterns in interpersonal interactions. In her new book Presence, published last December, Cuddy says people quickly answer two questions when they first meet you: Can I trust this person? Can I respect this person? Psychologists refer to these dimensions as warmth and competence, and ideally we all want to be perceived as having both. Interestingly, Cuddy observed that most people, especially in a professional context, believe that competence is the more important factor because they want to prove that they are talented enough to handle your business. But, in fact, she says, warmth or trustworthiness is the most important factor in how people evaluate you. Cuddy gives her reason: “it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust.” For example, she says, it makes sense when you consider that in cavemen days it was more important to figure out if your fellow man was going to murder you and steal all your possessions than if he was competent enough to build a good fire. Apply this to corporate organizations and it matches perfectly. When Stakeholders deal with corporate organizations they are looking for answers to those two questions about trust and competence. And in the corporate world this realization —that corporations need to comply to set of codes and framework that will guarantee trustworthiness and competence — came in the hard way. It came in the wake of the collapse of corporations like Enron and WorldCom in the early 2000s and the global financial meltdown of the 2008, which were all attributed to enforceable frameworks that guide how corporations are governed. And since then measures in the form of codes have been issued to corporations by the regulators all in an efforts to address the quest for trust and competence in the way corporate organizations are governed. Those measures are today enshrined in the mantra called good Corporate Governance not only in Nigeria but across the world. So what is corporate governance? It is variously defined as both the processes and structures by which the business and affairs of an organization are directed and managed in order to improve long-term shareholder values by enhancing corporate performance and accountability, while taking into account the interests of other stakeholders. Good corporate governance seeks to address several issues all dealing with the governance of an organization from the responsibilities of its board to its composition and from the board’s structure to issues to do with risk man-

Manging Director, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim agement, financial disclosure and audit committees, etc. In Nigeria, the foremost formal corporate governance code could be traced to the Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria which was issued by the Bankers’ Committee in August 2003. This Code was the outcome of the work of the Bankers’ Committee’s SubCommittee on Corporate Governance. It was initiated in response to the financial crises in Nigeria in the early 1990s and in the realization that poor corporate governance was one of the major factors in virtually all known instances of financial sector distress in the country. But because it was not issued by a regulator -- having been issued by a voluntary association of the Chief Executives of the banks in Nigeria, otherwise known as Bankers’ Committee -- not much is known about the Code. However, today there a number of regulatory bodies issuing corporate governance codes to organizations in the sphere of influence. They include: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). It is the mandate of these regulatory bodies not only to issue the codes but

to ensure compliance. In line with this oversight function, we saw how recently Fiscal Responsibility Commission had cause to commend the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for its compliance with good corporate governance. Following the submission of its 2014 External Audit report of its financial statements and annual report to the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), the Commission reviewed the report and gave the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) high commendation for prompt remittance of sum due to the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation in line with the provision of the extant law applicable in Section 21 - 23 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 especially the submission of Audited Financial Statements and payment of 80% of its operating surplus to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Remarkably, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) had examined the NDIC’s 2014 Annual submission of Audited Financial Statements and Report where it was declared that the Corporation was managed in line with sound corporate governance with its complete and well above average compliance with the sections of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007. It further commended the Corporation for

Good corporate Governance seeks to address several issues all dealinG with the Governance of an orGanization from the responsibilities of its board to its

composition and from the board’s structure to issues to do with risk manaGement,

financial disclosure and audit committees

compliance with all applicable guidelines on the establishment of a General Reserve Fund (GRF) wherein 20% of its operating surplus is retained in accordance with the provisions of section 21(1) of FRA 2007. Part of the commendation read as follows: “It is quite commendable that NDIC is one of the few Corporations that have fully adopted IFRS which has greatly improved financial reporting of the activities of the agency.” It went further to reiterate that “The accounts were generally of high standard and depict compliance with the international best practice. The Corporation’s record keeping is commendable while the integrity of its Financial Reporting is enhanced with the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)” The report also declared that the NDIC has also been consistent with the payment of 25% of Gross Revenue to Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation in line with the Federal Minister of Finance circular to all affected agency of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). The FRC reported noted with satisfaction that the contribution of the NDIC has undoubtedly increased the revenue base of the FGN. The FRC report also enjoined the Management to continue to consolidate on its laudable achievements in compliance with section 23(3) of FRA 2007 and in pursuit of high standard in terms of financial discipline, governance. Such exemplary compliance with good corporate governance by bodies like NDIC that also regulate deposit taking banks will go a long way in assuring its stakeholders that Corporation is both trustworthy and respectful or, to borrow Cuddy’s terms, it is evidence of both warmth and competence. Every stakeholder will feel safe dealing with NDIC. Needless to say that the banking business, which NDIC regulates to large extent, is based on trust and public confidence and, as such, it is important to enthrone good corporate governance practices in the industry; for, as the saying goes, charity always begins at home. Thus, effective corporate governance practices are essential in achieving and maintaining public trust and confidence in the banking sector. This is even more so because of its role in the mobilization of funds, the advancing of credits to the various sectors of the economy, the payment and settlement system, and the implementation of monetary and insurance policies. Ensuring compliance with corporate governance is the surest way to winning the war on corruption, which the federal government has embarked upon, as a matter of national priority, to attract foreign direct investment. If we are to meet the challenge of diversification of our foreign exchange earning sources, there couldn’t be a more urgent imperative. •Hassan is a business and financial analyst based in Abuja

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, February 11, 2016

UI workers protest unpaid salary Kemi Olaitan, Ibadan

on-teaching staff unions of the University of Ibadan yesterday protested shortfall in their salaries and unpaid arrears of allowances, paralysing business and administrative activities on campus. The unions include Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, Senior Staff Union of Universities, SSANU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT. Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, was however, not part of the protest. The protesters locked the entrance gates into the

institution, creating traffic snarl for workers going to resume at the state secretariat. The protest, led by Segun Arojo of NASU and Wale Akinremi of SSANU, shut down internal transport system in the institution, forcing newly admitted students and lecturers going for examinations to trek. It would be recalled that the school was expected to resume formally next week but postgraduate examinations are still ongoing in some departments. Our correspondent learnt that the grievances of the protesters also include non-payment of workers of the staff school, non-payment of arrears and non-remittance

of deductions to their cooperative societies and unions since December 2015 by the authorities. Speaking with reporters on the protest, a top management staff of the institution, who did not want his name mentioned, said the university had since November 2015 been receiving shortfall from the Federal Government sometimes to the tune of N301m. The source, which put the wage bill of the university at N932m per month, said N632m was received in December and N782m in January with a shortfall of about N500m, which made remittance of deductions to unions and payment of arrears of al-

lowances impossible. Akinremi, while speaking with journalists, said the unions were also protesting the undemocratic nature of the university administration over the situation of things on campus. According to him, the authorities of the university had met with unions and agreements were reached, regretting that this have not been attended to. He insisted that as representatives of the people, all unions must be carried along on issues affecting their welfare, calling on the Federal Government to increase allocation to the university so as not to plunge it into crisis.

Mobile court’ll reduce traffic, environment offences –Falana Francis suberu

agos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has lauded Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for setting up Special Offences (Mobile) Court, saying this will help reduce traffic gridlocks and environmental offences in the state. Speaking to reporters shortly after inauguration of the Mobile Courts by Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, yesterday, Falana said the action of the governor was a progressive development, which would enforce discipline and sanity on Lagos roads, as well as the environment. He said, “It is a progressive development. I have just advised the Attorney General that we would not allow the police and the traffic officials to detain people illegally, but I have been assured that the penalty for most of the traffic offences shall be community service, which I think is a very progressive development. That is going to enforce discipline on our roads and sanity to the system.” Also speaking, Chairman of Lagos State House of Assembly Com-

mittee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petition, Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, commended Governor Ambode for the move, saying such would go a long way in positively impacting on the drive of government to decongest the prisons. She said: “This is a welcome development. You know Lagos State is definitely the centre of excellence; we put things in motion and other states follow. We have to appreciate Governor Ambode; the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and also the House of Assembly for cooperation because to move the state forward, we have to work together as a unit. “It is good that at the point of the incidence when somebody commits traffic offence, it can be handled immediately. You know a lot of times they say that a lot of awaiting trials are in the prisons detained and we are trying to decongest those areas and this is a good way of doing that and getting justice at the same time. The lawmaker, who represents Mushin Constituency 1, added that the establishment of the Mobile Court would make the people to be more careful and obey the laws of the land.

Obasanjo commiserates with Mirror correspondent over father’s death An official of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) distributing leaflets during an e-Dividend Sensitisation Programme in Lagos, yesterday.

N3.5bn loan: Appeal Court hears Honeywell/ Ecobank appeals Feb 22 Wale igbintade

ourt of Appeal, Lagos Division, has fixed February 22 to hear all pending applications in various appeals filed by Ecobank Nigeria Ltd and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, over an alleged N3.5bn unpaid loan. Justice C.E. Iyizoba (presiding) fixed the date after counsel to Ecobank, Mr. Kunle Ogunba, SAN, and that of Honeywell, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, highlighted all the pending applications and urged the

court to set them down for hearing. Ecobank had on November 18, 2015, filed an ex parte application before a Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking an order freezing the account of the respondent. Justice Mohammed Yunusa had on the said date issued an interim order freezing the respondent’s account, but subsequently varied the order on December 4, 2015, and held that Honeywell could withdraw a minimum of N15m weekly. Dissatisfied with the decision, Honeywell through

its lawyer appealed against the ruling and prayed the appellate court for an order suspending the ex parte orders made by the lower court. The respondent also sought in the alternative, an order, varying the orders of the Federal High Court delivered on December 4, 2015. When the matter was called yesterday, Olanipekun informed the court of pending applications before it, and sought to proceed with moving same. He urged the court to allow him proceed with the application on the ground

that it was a “Save Our Soul” issue, stressing that the matter concerns thousands of people in the employment of Honeywell. In the same vein, Mr. Ogunba informed the court of his notice of cross appeal number CA/L/1261/2016 against Honeywell’s appeal. Justice Iyizoba, however informed counsel that the applications were not ripe for hearing. The judge then fixed February 22 to hear Ecobank’s cross appeal alongside Honeywell’s and two other suits involving the same parties.

Femi OyeWesO, abeokuta

ormer president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has commiserated with Ogun State correspondent for National Mirror, Femi Oyeweso, over the death of his father, Pa Samuel Mobolade Oyeweso. Pa Oyeweso died on December 14, 2015, at the age of 80. In a letter of condolence he personally signed, the former president expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the entire members of Aresa Emiolu dynasty of Iresa’du, in Surulere Local Government of Oyo State. In the letter dated February 2, 2016, Obasanjo said his heart also shared in the agony and “deep sorrow” of losing one’s father, which the corre-

spondent and the entire members of Aresa Emiolu family could be passing through while “mourning this distinguished leader of his people. “The death of a father entails such personal and singular loss that is difficult to find adequate words of comfort. I urge you, however, to seek solace in your faith in God and memories of the years of mutual devotion and care you shared with Pa S.M. Oyeweso. “Above all, we must thank God for the sterling qualities, which he exhibited in his life,” Obasanjo said. The former president however, enjoined the entire members of the Aresa Emiolu dynasty to take solace in the fact that their beloved father has gone to rest with God his creator.

North

Wednessday, February 11, 2016

Rights abuse: Group slams N3bn suit against police, NASENI Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSO, has slammed a N3 billion suit against the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, and the Nigeria Police Force for alleged false allegation, harassment and administrative intimidation. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday before Justice Chike of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, counsel to the plaintiff’s, Mr. Emmanuel Simon, told the court that his client was challenging the agency for breach of his fundamental human rights and administrative intimidation. Citing the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, he said when the citizens asked to know what their money is being used for, it behooves on the institution responsible in managing such money to provide them with the information. Simon said instead of NASENI to honour its own side of the law, management of the agency went ahead to assault the plaintiff. “In this case, when they

went to follow up their inquiries at the agencies, they were accosted, assaulted, dragged from one police station to another, trying to incarcerate them. It is in view of this that we deemed it necessary to be in court to challenge the actions of NASENI. “We have done our part as diligent lawyers and we are optimistic that the court will grant our prayers at the end of the matter. The plaintiff, Mr Etuk William Bassey, said: “We wrote to NASENI requesting for clarification on alleged corrupt practices going on in the agency under the Freedom of Information law. It was shocking to us when we received a 92-page petition from different sources against the Executive Vice Chairman of the agency, Haruna, which bothers on mismanagement of public funds, over bloated procurement procedure among others. We were also surprised to see the police and NASENI harassing, intimidating and infringing on our fundamental human rights upon our legitimate right to request for information under FoI Act.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reps, ministry differ on police intervention fund GeorGe opara ABUJA

ouse of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs and the Ministry of Interior could not arrive at a decision on where the Special Intervention Fund of the police would be domiciled. This disagreement arose yesterday when Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Bassey Eyong, explained that the funds will not be used for routine

expenses, but for interventions that would enable the police work adequately. He said the ministry will work closely with the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to identify the infrastructural needs to bring back law and order to the North East, as well as some parts of the South South and South East noted for kidnapping. “We should not forget the need for checks and balances, the police can liaise with the ministry for that, somebody needs to oversight

these monies,” he said. The committee led by Haliru Jika queried why the intervention should be domiciled with the Ministry of Interior. Members of the committee, Jonathan Gaza, Prestige Ozi, speaking differently said, “We want to know the idea behind the intervention fund because the police know what they need, there is no need for such fund because of the economic situation of the country. “That fund should be

scrapped. “The police know the hot spots; the money should be appropriated to the police appropriation bill. “I think the appropriation should be to the police, if the Ministry of Interior is undertaking infrastructure for the police, it is another dimension, the Ministry of Interior can only have oversight role,” the lawmakers said. The chairman ruled that at an executive session the matter will be looked into and addressed.

Saraki’s trial, a credit to Buhari —Group wole aDeDejI ILORIN

group in Kwara State known as Kwara Leadership Caucus, KLC, has lauded the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for alleged false declaration of assets. The group in a statement signed by its state Coordinator, Mohammed Kudu, and his Secretary, Lanre Yusuf, in Ilorin on Wednesday commended last week’s judgment of the Supreme Court, which directed Senator Saraki to face his trial at the tribunal. The KLC also applauded the current anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari as shown in the spate of revelations and trials of big people in the society, particularly that of Senator Saraki, who is their own brother from Kwara State. According to the group,

“the decision of the court has further demonstrated the readiness, ability and capacity of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to do justice according to the law and facts without fear, favour, ill will or affection.”

L-R: Members of National Logistics Committee on Donation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) Are Alhaji Bello Diram (RED CROSS); Corps Commander Ismaila Kugu (FRSC); Group Captain Muhammad Sulaiman (Nigerian Air Force); ACG Aminu Kofarsoro (NSDC) and Col. Francis Ekoyo (Nigerian Army), at the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

2019: ‘Anti-graft war won’t have negative effect on APC’ obIora Ifoh ABUJA

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the ongoing antigraft war in the country might have negative impact on the fortunes of the party in future elections. The party’s National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, told journalists in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday that as corruption is being fought, other aspects of governance is also being addressed. He said, “I want to disagree with such insinua-

tion. We are not going to use the four years in fighting corruption. As you know, corruption is being fought and it is fighting back, in the same vein, other aspect of government is being addressed. Governance has not stopped in every sector because Mr. President and his government are confronting corruption frontally. “Governance is running side by side with the fight against corruption. Infrastructure is being addressed, issues of the power sector are being addressed, agriculture, science and technology are being addressed, as they

go along while at the same time fighting corruption frontally because it is one of the cardinal promises by the government during the campaign.” When asked to comment on the past eight month in power of APC government, Morghalu blamed the slow speed of the Buhari-led government on the decay inherited from the past administration. “We are very much on course. You see, when we talk about these eight months, we must also consider the level of decay, the level of rots that the APC government is confronted with and it will be most un-

fair for anybody to expect that the rots and damage to the economy, the damage to the Nigerian state, damage to infrastructure and everything will be repaired in eight months. It is not fair to the government.” “We all know from what we are seeing and hearing, the quantum of damage is unimaginable. So, we need to give the government all the support, encourage government, pray for the leaders so that they will continue in the part they are following. If you look at it, there is a methodical commitment to actual using a set objective and that

objective which I know, is to implement the APC manifesto which is well written and a collection of the reaction and expectations of the people and once that is implemented, I guarantee you that Nigeria will get back on course.” While appealing to Nigerians to exercise patience with government, he assured that in no distance time Nigerians will have no choice than to praise Buhari-led administration. “My appeal is that we should be patient. We are almost there, it can’t be worse,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS FAUSAT ADEDOTUN ADEKUNLE, HENCEFORTH, WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. FAUSAT ADEDOTUN ADEKUNLEFAMUYON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Osunteye Yetunde Bukola now to be addressed as Mrs. Abiodun Yetunde Bukola. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Ibukun Fisayo now to be addressed as Mrs. Ibitoye Ibukun Oluwafisayo Treasure. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as IWEREBOR JOSEPHINE now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUYEM JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note

I formerly known as FELICIA ADESANYA now wish to be known and addressed as FELICIA ALA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BLESSING : FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS ANUKWUOCHA BLESSING CHIKA NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS APER BLESSING CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC, ASCO STEEL COMPANY AJAOKUTA and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Olalere=I formerly Miss Olalere Racheal Bolanle now wished to be known and addressed as mrs kehinde Racheal Bolanle,all former document remain valid,the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Ojo=I formerly Miss Ojo Folasade Busayo now wished to be known and addressed as mrs Osunleye Folasade Busayo,all former document remain valid,the general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Daniel Ogar, now wish to be known and addressed as Ikum Mbang Ogar. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Nwagwu Chinelo Onyekachi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinelo Onyekachi Achum. Former documents remain valid. ECO Bank and General Public note.

OKORIE: I, formerly known and addressed as GOODLUCKY OKORIE and OKOCHA OKORIE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKOCHA SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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HESIABA: I, FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS IHESIABA ANTHONY CHINONSO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS IHESIABA CHINONSO CHIDI SIMONI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

AYOMIDE: I, formerly known and addressed as AYOMIDE TOLUWANI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AYOMIDE TOLUWANI ONI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adejorin Oluwatoyin Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shodiya Oluwatoyin Mercy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OKHEMUKHOKHO MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as OHUEGBE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF KWARI MARKETERS

The general is hereby notified that the above name association has applied for alteration of her constitution at the Corporation Affairs Commission for a change in the trustees under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

3. IBRAHIM MUSA ALARAMMA 5. NASIDI ABDULLAHI 7. DANBABA IBRAHIM TALLE 9. YARO BALARABE

CHANGE OF NAME

DON : Formerly known and addressed as AMANDIANEZE EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as AMANDIANEZE DON EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as MIKEL UBU, now wish to be known and addressed as MIKE UBU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TRUSTEES :1. MUHAMED HABEEB YASSAR

NIGIDE : This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt as Nigide Bona Chukwuhola instead of Ezezo Bona Chukwulo .All former documents reflecting any of the names above remain valid. . Banks and the general public take note.

ABU : Formerly known and addressed as ABU AYODELE JUMOKE now wish to be known and addressed as OYEWOLE JUMOKE DELE All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Awalu Joy Stella Iwasen, now wish to be known and addressed as Onoja Joy Stella Iwasen. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

2. MUHAMMAD GAMBO DANPASS ABDULLAHI 4. ABDULLAHI ADAMU SHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;AIBU 6. HARUNA ISAH MAKODA 8. UMAR SALISU 10. SAIDU TIJJANI AMINU

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To promote peaceful co-existence among member. 2. To organize seminal, conference, workshops and other capacity building programs in order to achieve the goal and objectives of the association. 3.To provide adequate security and welfare for the people or members of the association. Any objection to the change should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commision, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Animashaun Alice Tope now wish to be known and addressed as Akinola Alice Tope all former document remain valid general public take note

JOEL: I, formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH TEMITAYO JOEL (MISS), now wish to be known, called and addressed as ELIZABETH TEMITAYO EGBAMUNO (MRS). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKA: I, formerly known and addressed as NWOKA JEENNIFER AMARACHUKWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IWUCHUKWU JENNIFER AMARACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss. Olabinjo Olaitan Olaide now Mrs. Olagunju Olaitan Olaide. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly Miss Omoyeni Aderonke Opeyemi now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Opeseitan Aderonke Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ZAINAB: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Zainab Oritoke Showande now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Zainab Stephen Nkpoku. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEWALE: Formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE KEHINDE BOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEWALE KEHINDE BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and the general public please take note.

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Formerly known as NGOZI OKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as NGOZI GREATER OKOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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MOMOH=I formerly MOMOH Fatimoh now wished to be known and addressed as Samuel Fatimoh Esther,all former document remain valid,the general public take note

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AGANDE: FORMERLY known and addressed as AGANDE ITYOAKURA NOW wish to be known and addressed as YONGOIGBA TERSEER. All former documents remain valid. UNITY BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

I formerly known as ABODUNRIN FAUSAT FADEKE now wish to be known and addressed as ORESANYA FAUSAT FADEKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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OKOLIE: FORMERLY known and addressed as OKOLIE CHIKA FRANCIS NOW wish to be known and addressed as CHIJINDU IFEABUCHI. All former documents remain valid. DIAMOND BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Imam Ligali Taofeek Olaseni, now wish to be known and addressed as Ligali Taofeek Olaseni. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

AHMED: I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED TIJANI MUAZU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MUAZU AHMED. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS EDUNJOBI AMINAT SHOLA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OLAWOYIN OLUSHOLA AMINAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHUKWU Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU EJIKE now wish to be known and addressed as JAMES IRUKA CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Rukayat Olanike Mustapha now to be addressed as Rukayat Olanike Mustapha Balogun. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

ODAKELA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JAMES MARYAN ODAKELA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS ANKELI MARYAN ODAKELA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NURUDEEN: I, formerly known and addressed as NURUDEEN OMOLAJA MOLIKI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NURUDEEN OMOLAJA MALIK. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

SALIU: Formerly known and addressed as SALIU KAFAYAT TOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as OLADOJA KAFAYAT OLUWATOYIN All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Formerly known and addressed as Ironkwe Tochukwu Michael, now wish to be known and addressed as Idinmachi Tochukwu Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EBOWUSI: Formerly known and addressed as EBOWUSI BLESSING OBIANAUJU now wish to be known and addressed as NZEGWU BLESSiNG OBIANAUJU,. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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Formerly known and addresded as Morufat ayinke Abubakar now wish to be known and addressed as morufat ayinke Bakare,all former document remain valid general public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Augusta Agwai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Augusta Nkemdilim Ezenweani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as AKINDE FUNMILOLA ELIZABETH. now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO FUNMILOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. GTBank, Fidelity Bank and general public please take note.

I hereby notify the general public that my and date of birth were wrongly documented as PAUL MUSA TUMBA with 20TH day of August 1986 instead of the correct name and date of birth as PAUL MUSA CHIROMA, 20th day of August 1981. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss. Igboghalu Ogoochukwu Anne now Mrs. Sofumade Ogoochukwu Anne. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known and addressed as Adedotun Aminat Oluwatomisin, now wish to be known and addressed as Olawale Aminat Oluwatomisin, all former document remain valid, general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BELONWU: I, formerly now and addressed as MISS BELONWU EBELE KENECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKEAGWUONU EBELE KENECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital, banks and general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME OFONERE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OFONERE BLESSING NGOZIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MADUEKE BLESSING NGOZIKA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALAGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ALAGWU IJEOMA LUCY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKECHUKWU-OBI IJEOMA LUCY. All former documents remain valid. UNIZIK, NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWANKWO PHYLLIS CHIAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIEKWE PHYLLIS CHIAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed Sakoto Nimota Remilekun, now wish to be known and addressed as Allison Nimotalai Adetutu. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

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HAWAU: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS YUNUSA HAWAU NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS YAKUBU HAWAU IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as COSMOS OKECHUKWU OKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as COSMOS GREATER OKOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWUMEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUMEZE TITUS CHILOTA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKOYE TITUS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

UMEUNEGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UMEUNEGBU NODEBECHI PRISCILIA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OKONGWU NODEBECHI PRISCILIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GANI Formerly known and addressed as GANI GANIYAT BOLANLE now wish to be known and addressed as AGUNBIADE GANIYAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ABOLAKALE:: Formerly known and addressed as ABOLAKALE JAMIU MUHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOYE JAMIU ABOLAKALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

LAWAL: Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL OLUWATOSIN AFUSA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBULE OLUWATOSIN AFUSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Animashaun Alice Tope now wish to be known and addressed as Akinola Alice Tope all former document remain valid general public take note

This is to confirm that the bearer John Emmanuel Olusegun is the same bearer as Shegun Ekwe John , all former document remain valid general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I am the same person bearing EJEM NDUBUISI Ruben as well as REUBEN NDUBUISI EJEM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adegbami Adegoke Elijah, now wish to be known and addressed as Adegbami Akinola Elijah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, hereby confirm that UTOM OKON EKPETI and SAMUEL UTOMABASI EKPETY refer to one and the same person. All former documents bearing the above names are mine and valid. Stanbic IBTC Plc and general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Saka Kafilat Adelayo now wish to be known and addressed as Olasupo Kafilat Adelayo.. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as JACK MARGARET DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UMOH MARGARET WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

MBAM:I, formerly known and addressed as MBAM IFUNANYA now wish to be known and addressed as MBAM NKECHI LOVE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGUDE: I, formerly known and addressed as AGUDE IFEANYI HENRY, now wish to be known and addressed as AGU IFEANYI HENRY . All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

This is to confirm and certify that I IJEOMA UCHECHI EZENEKWE, BENEZENEKWE IJEOMA UCHECHI and MRS IJEOMA UCHECHI AGU refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IJEOMA UCHECHI AGU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU : I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU GERALDINE IFUNAYA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EBUKA-ONAGA GERALDINE IFUNAYA . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UGWUANYI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWUANYI EDITH CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUOKE EDITH CHINYERE . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EFCC seeks NBA’s collaboration in fight against corruption

cting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, has called on members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to join hands with the Commission in the fight against corruption. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren. Magu made the call when the national executive of the NBA paid him a courtesy visit. Magu said that some members of the association had given it a bad name as a result of their unprofessional conducts. He said some lawyers were aiding some individuals and corporate bodies to perpetrate economic and financial crimes. “Society is not served when prominent members of the Bar not only take clearly tainted briefs, but even facilitate the commission of crimes by knowingly supplying the technical know-how and later helping in the dispersal of the proceeds of crime. CHANGE OF NAME

OKOLO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOLO EUCHARIA NWAFOR now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNAJI EUCHARIA CHIDIMMA NWAFOR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

“There are lawyers within the fold of the NBA who ought not to be among your noble ranks. “Those people are not fit to be called ministers; rather, they are vandals of the temple of justice,” the statement said. He, however, said that to effectively fight the

war against corruption, the input of lawyers was needed. “Law enforcement, just as the judiciary, encompassing the Bar and the Bench, is a critical link in the justice delivery system of any society. “I dare say that even when opinions and tactics

Olusegun KOiKi

enue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has said that governments at all levels are finding it difficult to fulfill their electioneering campaigns to the electorate due to sharp drop in the price of crude oil. He, however, opined that for the country to be out of the mess, states and Federal Government should diversify the economy and take agriculture as a priority, warning that without this, the country would not witness the projected growth. The governor stated these yesterday in Lagos CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKEBELU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOKEBELU CHINENYE JANE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDEMBA CHINENYE JANE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

in an interview with airport correspondents. Ortom insisted that the country must return to agriculture with emphasis on processing and the entire value chain as a way of boosting the economy, stressing that in Benue State, government had put in place ingenious initiatives to boost agricultural production as listed in the 2016 budget. In order to boost Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Ortom disclosed that the state government had given another portfolio to the Ministry of Works and Transport. According to him, the ministry had been added with power and energy as a way of refocusing CHANGE OF NAME

FOLORUNSHO: Formerly known and addressed as KUDIRAT ABIOLA ARALAYO FOLORUNSHO now wish to be known anf addressed as KUDIRAT ABIOLA BAMGBOYE All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOLI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOLI EBERE SCHOLASTICA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JIDEONWU EBERE SCHOLASTICA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKONKWO :I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO VIRGINIA CHINAZA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUOKE VIRGINIA CHINAZA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME MBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MBA RITA NNENNA now wish to be known and addressed as EGBO RITA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS LUCY NWAKAEGO EZE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LUCY NWAKAEGO ILO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME UWADIAE: I, formerly known and addressed as UWADIAE AMINAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MOKAKE VICTORY ROBERTS. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

OBASIDIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OBASIDIKE NGOZI OKWUDIRI now wish to be known and addressed as OBASIDIKE NGOZI JANE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as DANIEL CHIDIEBELE TREASURE that I now wish to add COLLINS to my former name that I now wish to be known, called and addressed as DANIEL CHIDIEBELE TREASURE COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

SHIBI: Formerly known and addressed as SHIBI CLETUS TERSEE now wish to be known and addressed as BABA RICHARD TANKO. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank PLC, First Bank PLC and General public take note.

MAKINDE : Formerly known and addressed as MRS MAKINDE OLABISI JUMOKE now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OMOTOSO OLABISI OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank PLC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHUKS: Formerly known and addressed as Chuks Emmanuel Francis now wish to be known anfd addressed as Kingsley Chukwuemeka Chiekwe All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Describing ordinary Nigerians as the victims of fraud, diversion of funds and embezzlement, he urged the Bar to share in the vision of the present administration to eradicate corruption. NBA President, Mr. Augustin Alegeh, SAN, stressed the need for

EFCC and the NBA to synergise in the fight against corruption. Alegeh said the Bar’s anti-corruption Commission had developed a Know-Your-Customer (KYC) template for lawyers to address the issue of members accepting questionable briefs.

Agriculture, way out of economic doldrums –Ortom

ANIUGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIUGBO HAPPINESS SANDRA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNAJI HAPPINESS SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. BERTO:I, formerly known and addressed as BERTO STANLEY CHUKWUDI now wish to be known and addressed as ALBERT STANLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

differ, the interest of the two blocs cannot but converge on the overriding interest of the people,” he added. Magu noted that no other anti-graft agency had beaten the record of EFCC in the areas of prosecutions and convictions.

This is to confirm that BABATUNDE IDRIS KASALI AND BABATUNDE IDRIS ISMAIL refer to one and the same person, Now wish to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE IDRIS KASALI. All document reflecting any of the stated names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, OLUFEMI RICHARD AFOLABI is one and the same person known, called and addressed as OLUFEMI GABRIEL AFOLABI. That all documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UBOH CAROLINE CHINASA, now wish to be known and addressed as UKAEGBU CAROLINE CHINASA. . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

on needed power supply for economic development and emancipation. The governor explained further that on resumption of office last May, his government met a deficit of over N169bn, stressing that as a result of the debts, the state had been borrowing to pay its workforce and clear salary arrears of workers at local

government level. He noted that the state’s amnesty programme has been yielding positive results with the surrender of over 700 youths, 500 assorted arms and thousands of ammunition, declaring that beneficiaries who had undergone a retreat already, were being sorted out into various aspects of the pro-

gramme, which included a return to school, skills acquisition and integration into the information gathering system of the security apparatus. According to him, there has been increased security of lives and property in the state, even as engagement with herders and farmers had minimised their clashes.

7 die in canoe mishap in Jigawa

o fewer than seven people died yesterday in Darei village of Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State when two canoes capsized. An eyewitness in the village, Malam Idris Shuaibu, said seven bodies had been recovered by some fishermen and local farmers in the area. Shuaibu said a canoe from Darei heading to Girma first capsized and anCHANGE OF NAME

other one that was trying to drop some passengers at the other side of the river bank turned back to rescue the drowned canoe. He added that in the process, the girls in a canoe that wanted to rescue the others who were mostly teenagers, jumped into the water due to fear and got drowned too. Although no one could ascertain the number of passengers in the two canoes, a parent in the village had CHANGE OF NAME

been crying that he had not seen his two daughters who boarded one of the canoes. Police Public Relation Officer in the state, Mr Abdul Jinjiri, confirmed the incident. Jinjiri, however, said the unfortunate incident only involved a canoe that carried 12 passengers and that six had died. He added that their corpses had been recovered with the help of some fishermen and locals in the area. CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR JULIET IFEOMA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NGENE JULIET IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE PERPETUA NGOZI now wish to be known and addressed as EZE PERPETUA ONYINYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

STEVE: I, formerly known and addressed as STEVE MAXWELL now wish to be known and addressed as AGOHA ENYINNAYA MAXWELL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME UKACHI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UKACHI MARY CHIKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWU MARY CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OZOMMADU: I, formerly known and addressed as OZOMMADU CHRISTIAN now wish to be known and addressed as OKOLO CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NNAJIOFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as NNAJIOFOR DANIEL CHIGOZIE now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJI CHIGOZIE MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. BANKS ,NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONYIA : I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYIA MARY EBERE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNAM MARY EBERE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Onwubiko Udechukwu Chioma Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as EDWARD FAVOUR CHIOMA. All formal documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEOGUN: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEOGUN KUBURAT ADEPEJU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as YUSUF KUBURAT ADEPEJU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKORIE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKORIE OGBONNAYA TORTY now wish to be known and addressed as OKORIE TORTY ROBERT. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADENUSI TITILOPE SAIDAT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUWATUNMISE TITILOPE SAIDAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

RASSAQ: Formerly known and addressed as RASSAQ KEHINDE now wish to be known anf addressed as SULEIMAN KEHINDE All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

NOH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NOH BENEDETH OKWUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODIO BENEDETH OKWUCHI CHINELO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ARIBO : Formerly known and addressed as MISS ARIBO OLUWASEYI OROWOLE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OWOEYE OLUWASEYI OROWOLE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALIU: Formerly known and addressed as ALIU SHEKUBE AFEEZ now wish to be known and addressed as ALIU OLAYIWOLA AFEEZ.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Support means getting behind the team through thick and thin. newcastle fans have, in the last few years, been through thin and thin –Kevin Keegan (1992)

N8.2m up for grabs as 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup begins

FLASHBACK: League Management Committee officials receiving the last sponsorship fee cheque from Globacom executives in 2013

Dalung blames media for Oliseh, NFF feud

...‘coach will be fined $30,000’ Joel AJAyi AbujA

inister of Youth and Sports, Barr Solomon Dalung, has blamed social media hype for the blowing out of proportion the video rant of Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, against his Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) employers, former national team mates and sports journalists recently. He equally disclosed that 78 athletes with high hopes of winning medals for the country have already qualified for RIO so far Dalung stated this in Abuja yesterday, when he appeared before the Hon. Goni Bukar-led House of Representatives Committee on Sports to defend the Ministry’s budget for 2016 at the National Assembly complex According to him, the trending altercation between Oliseh and the

NFF since after Nigeria crashed out at the group stage at the 2016 CHAN held in Rwanda is fuelled by the social media. The Minister said, “Coach confided in me that he did not run away from Nigeria, but had to travel out of the country to take care of his health.” He, therefore, appealed to football loving Nigerians not to relent in their support for their darling national teams and handlers and also to bear in mind that the country cannot be winning all the time. Dalung said calling for the head of the coach every time is not the way forward for Nigeria football. But even as the Minister spoke, BBC Sport reported yesterday, that the NFF will fine Coach Oliseh US$30,000 (about N9.3million) for his extraordinary eight-minute

video rant last weekend. Meanwhile, speaking on the Rio 2016 Games, the sports minister announced that 78 athletes with high hopes of winning medals for the country have already qualified for the Summer Olympics and assured that the Federal Government will do the needful to ensure the country attains a fruitful outing in Brazil.

Dalung

nFF shops for new pro-league title sponsors

he Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is shopping for new title sponsors following the expiration of a three-year deal with telecommunications company, Globacom. “The contract with Globacom has duly ended at the conclusion of the 2016 Super 4 on February 5, 2016,and therefore Globacom is no longer associating with the NPFL,” according to a communiqué after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the League Management Company (LMC) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The league, which will start on February 21, is therefore open to interested sponsors. Globacom’s last three-year sponsorship was worth one billion, eight hundred and ninety-six million, seven hundred and thirty naira (N1,896,730,000. In the meantime, new club representatives on the LMC board have been announced. They are Kano Pillars chairman, Kabiru Baita; Nse Ubeh (Akwa United); Rasheed Balogun (Shooting Stars); Mohammed Zanna (El Kanemi) and Paul Uzor Chibuzor (Enugu Rangers).

Sports

Thursday, February 11, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunderland’s Johnson admits child sex charge S

underland footballer, Adam Johnson, has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one charge of grooming. According to BBC Sport, appearing at Bradford Crown Court, the Sunderland winger also denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16. The 28-year-old from Castle Eden, County Durham, who has 12 England caps, was arrested in March 2015.

His case is due to be formally opened tomorrow. Kate Blackwell QC for the prosecution said the alleged incidents had taken place in or about the area of Castle Eden and Wingate. Judge Jonathan Rose told the jury of six men and six women: “You may see reference to this in the press but it’s the evidence in court that you will gather. “This defendant has already pleaded guilty to two offences,

you will hear more about them in detail when Miss Blackwell opens the case to you on Friday.” He said they must come to a decision on the remaining two charges. “It will be for you and only you to determine if he is guilty or not guilty.” Mr. Johnson, who was born in Sunderland, began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then on to Sunderland for £10m in 2012.

Mourinho tells friends United’s job is his

acked Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, has told friends and associates that he will replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager come end of the season, say reports in several British newspapers yesterday. The Daily Mail, Daily Star, Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph all quoted an unnamed source close to the 53-year-old Portuguese as saying his installation at Old Trafford was a “done deal”. The former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Porto coach was sacked by Chelsea last December. He said in an interview last week that he would soon be back in management, preferably in England. Van Gaal, with another year left on his contract, has had to deal with constant speculation about his position after United made average start to the season. The Dutchman said last Sunday he thought reports of negotiations between United and Mourinho were an invention of the media.

Mourinho

Johnson

Confed Cup: ‘Akwa Utd won’t disappoint in Congo’

kwa United goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan has said his side will not disappoint against the Congolese opponents, Vita Club Mokanda. The Promise Keepers will be the guests of the Central African side in Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary round clash at the Stade Municipal de Pointe-Noire. Akpan said his side are determined to achieve a decent result in Congo that will make the reverse fixture clash in Nigeria a lot easier. “We have been waiting for this opportunity to play in the continent and here we are deep into it we will not disappoint Nigerians. “I think we are ready for the weekend clash against the Congolese side, Vita Club Mokanda in Congo. “We played the NPFL Super 4 tournament in Kaduna and Uyo as preparations for

the continental clash,” he said. The goalkeeper added, “We performed very well in the tournament so we hope to recreate the sterling performance starting with the clash on Saturday. “I know the encounter will not be an easy one, the opponents are quite a good side but I know we just have to be strong to achieve our dream. “Continental assignment is quite different from what obtains in the domestic scene but once we show character and strength we will certainly conquer even the most difficult task.” Akwa United departed the nation’s shores yesterday to the match venue in PointeNoire, Republic of Congo. The reverse fixture is hopefully to hold in fortnight at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (Nest of Champions) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Leopards get Kabila’s Prado Jeeps CHAN reward

R Congo President, Joseph Kabila, caused a stir on Tuesday when he rewarded the African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners, the Leopards players and the entire technical bench. The players who had made

a courtesy call to the White House to present the trophy to the President were shocked beyond belief when each one of them was rewarded with a brand new Toyota Prado four wheel drive cars. Speaking to supersport. com exclusively in a telephone

interview team captain, Joel Kimwaki, said they were thrilled by the great gesture from the president “It’s unbelievable what the President has done for the team; it was indeed a sweet surprise to the entire team for the recognition of our good

work in Rwanda. We thank him as a team for rewarding us with great gifts that have shocked everyone in the team,” he said. DR Congo beat Mali 3-0 to win their second CHAN tournament since last winning the inaugural 2009 tournament.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, February 11, 2016

N8.2m up for grabs as 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup begins IfeanyI eduzor

rganisers of the annual NNPC/Shell Secondary Schools football tournament has announced that N8.2million will be up for grabs in this year’s edition slated to kick-off with state preliminary matches tomorrow. External Relations Communications Manager of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mrs. Sola Abulu, told National Mirror that winners of the 18th edition of the flagship grassroots football competition for secondary schools in the country will go home with N3.5m while the first runner-up will win N2.3m with the third and fourth best teams going home with N1.3m and N1.1m respectively. According to her, the competition which was conceptualised to lay the foundation of academic and football success for youths in the country has sustained the founding vision of promoting education and football simultaneously among secondary school students even as she stated that talent discovery will start from the first match of the tournament thereby giving opportunity to highly talented players whose schools might not make it to the finals. “In our efforts to ensure a quality competition that meets its

Kids like these are warming up for the Shell Cup tournament

purpose, we are giving opportunity to every secondary school in each state and the Federal Capital Territory to register for the competition. “Talent discovery is also going to start from the first match of the tournament thereby giving opportunity to talented payers whose schools may not make it to the finals to stand the chance of

being discovered y scouts,” Abulu said. President of Nigeria School Sports Federation of Nigeria, Malam Ibrahim Muhammad, explained that the competition will kick-off with the state preliminaries from February 12 – 22 with the state finals coming up between 2 February - 2nd March. Winners from various states will meet in

the zonal series to be played in Katsina, Minna, Jalingo, Ilorin, Uyo, Owerri, Ugheli, Oshogbo and Akure between 11March- 15 March with the quarter-finals coming up at Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State on between 25 April – 27 April while the semi finals and finals will be decided at Teslim Baloguin Stadium, Lagos on April 29th and May 5th respectively.

Wrestling: NWF upbeat ahead Olympics qualifiers

he Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) yesterday, said its wrestlers currently in camp have improved “tremendously” ahead of the upcoming tournaments in March and April. President of the NWF, Daniel Igali, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the wrestlers have moved from their poor start to agility. The wrestlers would be participating in the African Championships in Alexandria from March 2 to March 7, which are Olympics qualifiers. They will also participate at the Africa-Oceania in Algeria from March 30 to April 4. Igali said, “The training is going on well. The wresters have been in camp for 16 days and I am impressed with how far they have gone. “They are doing well but there are rooms for improvement. We won’t relent until our good become best and they are fully prepared to achieve

that.” The NWF boss added, “They usually resume camp rusty but they have adjusted. Camping is a good way of let-

ting wrestlers get the best training. “I train with them too because I was once like them. I share my experiences and

skills with them.” The Olympian said that the wrestlers have been in good form and have not witnessed any form of injury.

IfeanyI eduzor

er players opportunity to play the game. “As a player who has transversed most of the leading clubs in the country without any major

injury and won the CAF Champions League with Enyimba and won the doubles with Dolphins, I believe this is the best time to quit to enable me contribute my quota towards the development of the game through other sources. Ezeji who emerged as joint highest goal scorer in the domestic league in 2002 as well as a member of the Super eagles Nation’s Cup qualifier against Angola while commending NFF Technical Committee Chairman Chris Green and Adokie Amiesimaka for believing in him in 1996 when they registered him as a player with Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt however expressed regrets that he was not able to fulfill his dreams of playing professional football in Europe when Enyimba FC frustrated his moves to Viborg Fc of Denmark.

Why I hanged my boots –Ezeji

igeria’s most decorated player in the domestic league, Victor Ezeji, has announced his retirement from football after 20 years of active service. Announcing his decision to hang his boots yesterday, Ezeji who at various times played at Sharks of Port Harcourt, Eagle Cement, Dolphins, Enyimba, Heartland and Sunshine Stars before playing for Club Africain of Tunisia, said his decision to quit was not because of old age but to give young players opportunity to excel in the round leather game. “I am very happy to announce that I am quitting football after more than two decades of play and my decision is to give young-

Ezeji

Hotsports will be live in Rio –Ige

s the build up to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil gathers momentum, Hotsports Nigeria Ltd has finalised plans to storm the global sports fiesta in a big way with an exclusive coverage of the major events that will involve Team Nigeria’s participation at the Games. The Chief Executive Officer of Hotsports, Taye Ige, stated in an interview at the company’s HS Media Group headquarters in Oregun that the newly acquired studio facilities and ultra-modern equipment by Hotsports will enhance quality coverage of the Games with its production crew firmly on ground at various venues where events will be staged in Rio. “Let me state categorically that Hotsports will be live in Rio. Our production crew will be in Brazil for daily highlights of events of the Games, especially beaming a searchlight on the Team Nigeria camp from an exclusive angle. This will form the basis of special television and radio programmes that will preview and run through the duration of the Olympics,” Ige said. It would be recalled that Hotports over the years has developed competence in producing television programmes of countdown and daily highlights of big sports events like the France ‘98 World Cup Summit, KoreaJapan 2002 Special, Germany 2006 Guinness Action Diary, South Africa 2010 Super Eagles Peak Moments and a host of other special tournament programmes. In the last Olympic Games in London, Hotsports produced a special countdown television series titled: Highway To London 2012.

Ige

WORLD RECORD

Fastest time to burst three balloons with the back The fastest time to burst three balloons with the back is 12 seconds, set by Julia Gunthel, aka ‘Zlata’ (Germany), on 23 November 2007.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1305 Thursday, February 11, 2016

Fashola’s dilemma, Buhari’s London faux pas

y friends all, this past week, two events truly shook the nation. One was the President’s purported denigration of Nigerians abroad. The other is the nationwide antielectricity tariff increase protest led by organized labour. First the power tariff increase conundrum. Even Minister Babatunde Fashola knows the magnitude of this measure in Nigerian homes and he had to come out as power minister, to beg Nigerians to accept what he termed “a painful pill” that must of necessity be “swallowed”. I agree that an action like this in a season of want must be courageous indeed and Fashola appears determined to bear the brunt of the backlashes, which are legion. Many already believe that little had changed in the lives of the people to warrant such sacrifice. The onus is on

uventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri, has again distanced himself from the Chelsea manager’s job, amid claims he will replace interim boss, Guus Hiddink, at the end of the season. Allegri, who steered the Turin giants to the Champions League final last year, has a contract un-

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

government to immediately institute mitigating measures to help cushion the effect and blast yield of this blow to the pockets of the plebeians. Methinks having identified the problems of the sector such as, as he confessed, gas, transmission and the privatization exercise that birthed the generation and disco companies, Fashola should have sorted out these problems first before agreeing to tariff increase. To the people, the real sufferers are the consumers, while the new policies would only bulge the pockets of the industry players and government. This is a huge challenge to Fashola, a man noted for his sincerity of purpose and unalloyed commitment to service. It is the dilemma of a man grappling with an albatross of decades, and I hope he finds proper direction, traction and support in this arduous task. I am happy with Fashola’s forward looking position on the issues. According to him, “I am not going to lament what has happened in the past. I am going to move on with it.” It is really better to pursue solutions than keep lamenting the omissions or commissions of a bygone era. Very soon, Jonathan bashing as a diversionary tactics will fizzle away and the on-your-own status of the new dispensation will be glaring. While we are ready to swallow Fashola’s bitter power “quinine”, he and his team must put up real good or simply quit. Due to the ensuing outrage, Buhari’s faux pas And in President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent interview with the Telegraph of London, whose thrust is “Nigeri-

OLISEH MUST… REMEMBER THAT EVERY NATIONAL ASSIGNMENT IS A PRIVILEGE THAT COMES WITH

HUGE, HUMBLE RESPONSIBILITY ans’ reputation for crime has made them unwelcome in Britain,” I opine that, if he truly said this, our leader has gone too far in stereotyping his own people. In the ensued outrage at home and abroad, a special rebuttal hashtag “#IAmANigerianNotACriminal” was created to counter this alleged faux pas. Successful, decent Nigerians here and abroad are boldly beating the chest to proclaim their true worth as responsible, lawabiding and hardworking citizens. While the great interest from the Diaspora is a pointer to the fact that events at home are no longer viewed with indifference by Nigerians abroad, it is better still an assertion of the fact that Nigerians will no longer take the tendency of their leaders to demean them before the world lightly. Guilty or not guilty, the President must by now know the necessity of decorum and political correctness even in his passionate effort to say it as it is while striving to change our national mindset. At home and abroad, a greater major-

ity of Nigerians are conscientious, hard working, brilliant and honest people. For too long the foreign press has used a tiny criminally minded few to derogate the majority. It is the duty of our leaders to correct these wrong notions and situate their people in their proper, respectful place in the world of opinion. This error, if true, is simply appalling and must be corrected. And a ranting coach I am also irked by Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh’s insolent diatribes on his TV channel in response to his team’s ouster from CHAN in Rwanda. Mark me, I love Oliseh for his great passion about Nigeria. I will not forget that day in 2000, when he cried profusely on world TV after Nigeria lost the AFCON final to Cameroon in Lagos. His love for Nigeria is never in doubt. But as coach, he must learn to draw the line positively. It’s time Oliseh understood the passion of Nigerians about soccer. Rather than call his critics insane, he should learn to take criticisms maturely. Having been there as a professional, who played at the highest levels, he should by now have mastered the temperament and equanimity that made great coaches. That is what still keeps the van Gaals, the Hiddinks, the Ranieris, the Fergusons and our own Onigbindes as relevant forces in the coaching world, which had almost consigned them to the backyard of football history. Oliseh must mind his language and remember that every national assignment is a privilege that comes with huge, humble responsibility. What would it have cost Oliseh if he had just apologized and moved on? I believe he should be given a chance and not expected to perform overnight miracles. But that support is not easily won. I demand that our coach conform to the decorum required of his position. With a do-or-die Egyptian battle around the corner, what are Oliseh and his NFF bosses up to? Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Juve coach denies Chelsea manager rumours til June 2017 but is reported to be the Blues’ number one choice to replace former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho. Reports in England yesterday claimed Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, had ruled Diego Simeone out of contention for the

job because he does not like the Atletico Madrid coach’s playing style. Although former Juventus coach, Antonio Conte, has also been linked to the club, the spotlight is firmly on Allegri due to his success with the club last sea-

son. But ahead of Juve’s top-of-thetable clash against Napoli on Saturday, Allegri said, “There’s no truth in it. I can’t deny or confirm something that doesn’t exist. Once and for all, let’s end this discussion.”

Allegri

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