Thursday, july 30, 2015 (new) by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

$13.7bn oil money stolen in three years –NEITI

National Mirror www.nationalmirro ronline.net

Thursday, July 30,

2015

…hands over corruption dossier of NNPC to El-Rufai SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN AND A ZA MSUE El-Rufai

Vol. 5 N0. 1167

bout 160 million barrels of oil valued at $13.7bn was stolen between 2009 and 2012, Executive Secretary

Thursday, July 30, 2015

of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Persistent nair affecting our a devaluation Turning Lagos business –Tra beach to revenue ders spinner >47 >10

Traders, shoppers commend Lagos BRT scheme P.47

N150

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Controversy C trails Ooni’s death

BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

He’s alive, says Ife Traditional Council Chiefs trying to respect tradition –Source

ontroversy yesterday trailed the reported death of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II, in a London hospital on Tuesday. While the Royal Traditional Council, RTC, of Ife, said the Royal father is alive and in good state of health, a source close to the family told National Mirror that “there is no controversy” over the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Power transmission hits new peak of 4,662mw P..2 N4bn debt: Reps urge affected govs to pay WAEC P.7 INSIGHT

Main entrance to the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, besieged by people following alleged announcement of his death in Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

D t ti Devastating effect of drugs in entertainment industry P.38

ABUAD: Pace-setter in Quality and Functional Education –Justice Yinka Ayoola AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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Power transmission attains new peak of 4,662mw CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

anagement of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has declared that the National Grid Transmission has recorded another peak of 4,662mw. In a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Seun Olagunju, the new peak was attained at 08.00 p.m. on Tuesday. It would be recalled that TCN Management had announced the attainment of the previous peak transmission of 4,656mw on Wednesday, 15th July, 2015. Power generation and transmission have been recording new peaks above 4,500mw following improvements in gas supply to the generating stations as well as equipment/infrastructure upgrade and enhanced human capacity of system operators. TCN assures that it would continue to work at enhancing the capacity to transmit more quality power to the electricity distribution companies. It is recalled that the Federal Government upgraded Nigeria’s electricity transmission capacity within the last couple of years. During the runoff to the privatisation of successor generation and distribution companies created from the unbundling of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, the country’s transmission network was described as the weakest link in the value chain with a meager wheeling capacity of about 6,000mw and unable to convey all the generated electricity to distribution points. At the earliest periods of government’s reform of the sector, frequent collapse of the transmission network and subsequent power blackout were recorded as a result of such weakness in the system and that prompted the government to muscle up huge funding outlay for its upgrade. Funding has come in forms of grants, loans and investments from international and regional finance agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and French Development Bank amongst others to the tune of $2.7bn for network ex-

pansion. Loans such as the World Bank’s $700m, JICA’s $200m, AfDB’s $370m, $1.65m proceeds from the sale of National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, EXIM China’s $500m and contractor financed turnkey projects worth $1bn, all make up the funding outlay within TCN’s disposal. Meanwhile, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has announced that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have been successfully re-streamed after a nine-month phased rehabilitation exercise conducted by its in-house engineers and technicians. NNPC in a statement revealed that both plants have commenced preliminary production of petroleum products after successful test-runs noting that while

PHRC is ramping up its operation to about 60 percent of its 210, 000 barrels per day name plate capacity, WRPC production is projected to hit 80 percent of its installed 125, 000 bpd capacity. The corporation said the Port Harcourt refinery is projected to boost the nation’s local refining capacity with a product yield of 5million litres of petrol per day, while Warri refinery would contribute 3.5 million litres. Providing insight into the rehabilitation exercise, NNPC noted that it had to adopt the phased rehabilitation strategy after the Original Refinery Builders, ORB, who were initially contacted for the project came up with unfavourable terms. NNPC stated that the nominated partners, as

sole-bidders came up with humongous price offers after two years of thorough and exhaustive scope of work definition and price negotiations. The proxies were also unwilling to provide post rehabilitation performance guarantees. The corporation added that the phased rehabilitation programme which started in October 2014 after the required funding stream was established created a 70 per cent reduction in costs, which helped in mitigating the financing challenges of refinery rehabilitation. It said following the successful rehabilitation, attention has now moved to the 110, 000 barrels per day Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, which is billed to come on stream soon.

NNPC also disclosed that it has successfully recovered the System 2B Pipeline, which was breached last week at Arepo, Ogun State. The corporation stated that its team of engineers, who were deployed to the scene of the incident, was able to access the pipeline after the fire was put out and commenced repair work immediately. “We wish to announce that the vital System 2B Pipeline, which was breached at Arepo last week, has been fixed and brought back on stream. “Pumping of products through the system commenced on Monday upon successful completion of repair work over the weekend. “We also wish to call on all those engaged in the

criminal acts of pipeline sabotage and oil theft to desist in order to avoid such horrendous deaths as was witnessed in the recent incident,” it said. Also, the Department of Petroleum Resources, Abuja, has shut 22 filling stations for undue profiteering. Nineteen were sealed for selling above N87.00 per liter. According to DPR, two of the affected stations were shut for diversion of petroleum products, while the remaining one was grossly under-dispensing and selling products massively in jerry cans. The agency said the stations are to remain sealed for at least one month in addition to forfeiting their bridging claims as directed by the Federal Government.

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and President Paul Biya of Cameroon, during President Buhari’s visit in Yaounde, Cameroun, yesterday.

$13.7bn oil money stolen in three years –NEITI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Ahmed, has disclosed. Ahmed made this known yesterday when she was handing over the dossier of corrupt practices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai is one of the four governors appointed by the National Economic Council, NEC, to scrutinise the accounts of NNPC and the Excess

Crude Account, ECA, managed by the last administration. The committee is to unravel the whereabouts of the N3.8trn not remitted to the Federation Account by NNPC between 2012 and May 2015 as well as $2.1bn said to have been deducted from the ECA. In her presentation on how billions of dollars oil revenue was not remitted to the Federation Account by NNPC, during a courtesy call on Governor

El-Rufai at Government House, Kaduna, the NEITI boss revealed that between 2009 and 2012 alone, about 160 million barrels of oil valued at $13.7bn was stolen. Shamsuna, while calling on the Federal Government to privatise the nation’s refineries, said although subsidy payment from 2005 to 2012 captured that $11.631bn had been paid to NNPC, there was no evidence of the money being remit-

ted to the Federation Account. “Crude Product Swap worth $866m was lost from 2009 - 2011 and $82.43m in 2012. Total amount expended in subsidy payment from 2005 to 2012 as captured totaling $11.631bn have been paid to NNPC. However, there is no evidence these amounts were remitted to the Federation Account,” she disclosed. Responding, El-Rufai said since he called for

the scrapping of NNPC, the corporation had been sponsoring articles in the media to attack him. He however said he would continue to fight on till NNPC is dead. El-Rufai added that corporation would pay all the monies owning before its final death. His words: “NNPC has become a monster and too powerful. I will continue to fight NNPC till it dies for Nigeria to survive. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

NEWS

L-R: Chairman, University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba chapter, Sir Patrick Origho; Guest Speaker, Prof. Olu Akinkugbe and National President, UIAA, Dr. Kemi Emina, during the 90th birthday anniversary lecture in honour of the Asagba of Asaba.

L-R: Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission, Sa’adatu Bello; Director-General, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Mr. Zakawanu Garuba and Executive Director, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Ade Bajomo, during a news conference on the second quarter post Capital Market Committee meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

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L-R: Vice Chairman, Lagos Island Club, Asiwaju Adeyinka Sogunle; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Chairman, Lagos Island Club, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi and Deputy Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, during the visit of club members to Obasa in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Free medical screening to mark 2015 Lagos SWAN Week in Lagos, yesterday.

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Subsidy removal key to naira stability Tola Akinmutimi and Udo Onyeka

urrent efforts to stabilise the naira exchange rate and strengthen the macro economy would yield tangible results if the Federal Government takes the desired step to end fuel subsidy payments, a financial analyst, Bismark Rewane, has advised.

Giving the fiscal panacea at the Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors in Calabar, Cross River State, Rewane noted that the distortions in the foreign exchange market could largely be attributed to the highly discredit subsidy regime, among other structural defects of the economy. Rewane, who is Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, took

a cursory appraisal of the country’s foreign exchange regimes over the decades, submitting that there was increasing need to adopt the floating exchange rate option in view of its implications for real value of the national currency. He noted that whereas the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had done well in managing the forex market over the years, there was the

need to encourage the floating exchange rate option as this would help in getting the true value for the naira, attract investments and ensure macroeconomic stability. According to him, the less monetary authorities intervene in the forex market, the more the disparities in the naira exchange rate at the official foreign exchange market, RDAS and the parallel market, WDAS, could be

bridged and investors would find the economy more attractive for investments. Rewane said the current situation where the CBN is being compelled to intervene in the market was a proof of the apex bank’s effort to correct the inefficiencies of the forex market. On the fuel subsidy issue, the seasoned financial and management consultant, explained that since the fiscal

fronting us, the future of our country is very bright. “You all know very well that your fellow Nigerians are resilient, hardworking and patriotic. These qualities have always seen us through our most difficult national challenges and they will do so now. “However, this government’s job is to see that we unite and work together for the common good of our country. “The recent economic

downturn occasioned by the fall in oil prices at the global market, which drastically affects our national revenue, is a serious cause of concern to us,” he said. Speaking earlier, one of the representatives of Nigerians residing in Cameroun, Paul Okocha said Nigerian companies are playing major roles in the Camerounian economy. He urged the President to give priority attention to completion of motorable road between Cameroun and Nigeria to boost trade between them.

ICJ’s ruling on Bakassi final, says Buhari

Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has announced his resolve to abide by the ruling of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun. He said the ruling of the court was not a matter for debate, but one that Nigeria must live with, especially as a law-abiding nation.

The president stated this yesterday in Yaoundé at an interactive session with Nigerians residing in Cameroun. Many of the Bakassi inhabitants had complained that they were still being treated as aliens in Cameroun since the ICJ’s ruling. However, Buhari said: “Since Nigeria allowed the case to go to court and we lost, we have to abide by it.” Assuring the over four million Nigerians residing

in Cameroon of the country’s commitment to continue to boost their welfare and safety, the president maintained that Nigeria’s future is very bright despite the economic down turn. “Fellow compatriots, permit me to say, as I have done during my inauguration on 29th May 2015, I am committed towards bringing positive change to Nigeria and I will do everything possible to achieve that. Despite the numerous challenges con-

measure remained one of the most distorting factors in foreign exchange management, its removal would invariably help the country to correct the abuses of the market and minimise the intervention of the monetary authorities in the forex market. He also warned on the need for the country to bridge the yawning gap in export-import trade by ensuring improved productivity of all key non-oil sectors and by implication, boosts the export trade. According to him, currency adjustment would take place, depending on when they take away the subsidies, the adjustment required will be minimal and become the equilibrium. He noted that subsidy fuels corruption, adding that the 40 million liters of fuel, allegedly being consumed in Nigeria could not be right. According to him, fuel, on which subsidy is paid, is either imported and re-exported to neighbouring countries or not imported at all.

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Controversy trails Ooni’s death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

death. Media was awash with the death of the monarch yesterday at the age of 85 years. However, RTC, which comprises all traditional chiefs and title holders in Ile-Ife, said Oba Sijuade is not only in sound state of health, but the royal father is preparing for his son’s wedding holding next week Sunday. Addressing newsmen in the House of Chiefs, located within the premises of Ile-Oodua, palace of Ooni, Lowa of Ife, who is next to the monarch, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, said the report in the media that the monarch died in a London hospital of an undisclosed ailment, was untrue. Lowa, who called for calm over the matter, said nothing of such will happen and the chiefs would only learnt about it on the pages of newspaper. He averred that members of RTC are in contact with Oba Sijuade, but declined answering further questions on the issue. Also speaking, secretary of RTC and the Ladin of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, said Ooni is hale and hearty and even spoke to the chiefs on phone few hours earlier. He added that those behind the death story are enemies of Ife. “As I speak with you, the chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such rumour will be carried about our father. “They did it in 1984 and also in 2004. And now, these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in sound state of health. As a great man, I believe it is one thing Oba Sijuade has to bear,” he said. Chairman, Ife Development Board, Prof. Muib Opeloye, said Ife as a town with rich tradition has its ways of managing its affairs. Opeloye maintained that the royal father is preparing for his son’s wedding, urging people not to panic about the rumoured death. Efforts to confirm where the wedding would hold proved futile, as there were conflicting in-

formation. A source within the palace said it would hold in Victoria Island, Lagos, while another source said the venue is in Ile-Ife. The entrance of the Ooni’s palace was shut to visitors, as only newsmen, chiefs and relations of the Oba were allowed into the premises. Many indigenes and residents had converged at the entrance of the palace, but were prevented by guards from entering. Many traditional rulers in Osun State contacted by National Mirror declined to comment on the matter and referred our correspondent to the Ooni’s palace for all enquiries. A close associate of Oba Sijuade, who preferred not to be mentioned, in an exclusive chat said: “In handling an issue that has to do with Ooni, tradition demands (that) certain things must be done. You guys (pressmen) should await further announcement from Ooni’s palace.” While the controversy rages, our reporter made a call to the St Marys Hospital Paddington, London, United Kingdom, where the Royal father was reported to have died on +4420 3312 6666 to know the state of health of the paramount ruler. But a lady, who picked our call politely declined to offer any information. She said: “We are sorry we can’t tell you anything here.” Even our effort to persuade her to link us up to where we could get the true picture was turned down. “Nobody in the hospital can talk on that. Sorry,” she added. But a reliable source in the royal lineage who spoke with National Mirror from the UK simply said: “It is true. There is no confusion. The Chiefs are only trying to provide a formal platform to make an announcement.” It was also learnt that the state government is already aware of the passage of the monarch and is only waiting for necessary traditional rites to be performed. In Yoruba community, breaking the news of the death of a traditional ruler must be done in compli-

ance with the demands of the traditions of the land. Usually, whenever a monarch passes on, markets and shops are closed to business, while necessary traditional rites are commenced. In the case of Ife, a high chief, who preferred not to be named, said only the appearance of a title

holder, called Isogun at the palace, (Ile Oodua) can confirm the death of Ooni. According to him, Isogun comes to the palace only once and his visit must be at the death of Ooni, to announce the passage of the monarch. He said in 1979, when Oba Adesoji Aderemi

passed on, then governor of Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, in hurry broke the news on the floor of the state House of Assembly. The development, he said drew the ire of Ife Traditional Council. He added that whenever Isogun appears at Ooni’s palace, no one can take anything out of the

premises again and necessary traditional rites must be initiated in line with the dictates of the customs and traditions of Ife. The question agitating the minds of many Ife indigenes at the moment is; will the dreaded Isogun appear at Ile-Oodua any moment from now?

Members of Civil Society Movement Against Terrorism, during a protest to condemn the report of Amnesty International on human rights abuses and war crimes against Nigeria’s military in the fight against terrorism at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

$13.7bn oil money stolen in three years –NEITI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

It’s either Nigerians kill NNPC or NNPC kills Nigeria? “Since I called for the death of NNPC, the corporation has sponsored articles attacking me but I am telling them my skin is thicker than an elephant’s. The NNPC can’t bribe us the four governors.” Meanwhile, Edo State Government has said it is planning to seek legal redress to compel a refund of all monies due to it from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. Governor Adams Oshiomhole made this known yesterday at a Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, post-mortem sub-committee national seminar on the role of gas in Nigeria’s economy, which held in Benin City. At the seminar, it was disclosed that Nigeria was still endowed with abundant gas resources and potential for unprecedented growth that leaves the nation with about 188 trillion cubic feet in gas

reserve as at January 2015. Oshiomhole who maintained that Nigeria could not continue with “business as usual,” said, “We all know that the DPR is not a revenue-collecting agency, the DPR is a regulator. “Assuming without conceding that the DPR is a revenue collecting agency, which section of the Constitution empowers the DPR like any other institution to deduct money from source? That is clearly a criminal breach of the letter and spirit of the Constitution. I am sure that President Muhammadu Buhari will not tolerate further breach of the Constitution.” He stated further. “If President Buhari talks of impunity, it is not just about President and Ministers, it is also about small players like NIMASA and DPR. “It is a public secret that the total budget for DPR, assuming that budget was a fair budget in the first place, is about N4bn and in one month,

they deducted 4 per cent of certain accruals from royalties and others amounting to over N2bn. “If your annual budget is about N4bn and you collect N2bn in one month, that means in a year, you are going to collect N24 to N30bn when your total expenditure is not more than N4bn. “This is not only illegal, it is unjust and it is unacceptable and I dare say that we must compel DPR to refund the money. “Edo State Government will pursue its share of the money because we have not authorised the DPR to take it. We have a right to go to court. We cannot all keep quiet even in the face of everyone abusing power. “As part of today’s postmortem, we want to know how much NIMASA has earned over the years under President Jonathan, that was never transferred into the Federation’s Account and how much is the money. “We would like to know how much NPA (Nigerian Port Authority) trans-

ferred into the Federation Account, if they did not, how much did they earn and how much is the money. The good thing is that in matters of this nature, time does not run against the state, particularly when the breach is criminal in nature. “As part of your recommendations, the NNPC and NLNG must give a realistic time-frame within which Nigeria will stop flaring gas.” In an address, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC, Mr. Elias Mbam said the seminar was organised to explore ways of harnessing the nation’s gas resources so as to enhance the revenue accruing to the Federation Account for the benefits of all the tiers of government. Mbam concluded that Nigeria was endowed with abundant gas resources that hold great potentials for unprecedented growth. “As at January 2015, Nigeria has 188 trillion cubic feet in gas reserve,” he said.

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Senate asks FG to establish N’East rehabilitation committee •Saraki leads senators to IDP camps in Borno GEORGE OJI ABUJA

enate yesterday passed a resolution mandating its President, Bukola Saraki, to lead a special delegation of senators to visit Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. The visit is to serve as morale booster and solidarity to the IDPs, as well as to have a firsthand experience of the situation

in the area. The lawmakers also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a Presidential Intervention Committee to be charged with rehabilitation of the North East geopolitical zone currently being ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency. This was also as the Senate directed its Committee on Special Duties to monitor the wellbeing of all internally displaced persons in the country af-

fected by the insurgency in the North East. These resolutions were part of the outcome of a motion sponsored by Senator George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East) and co-sponsored by 35 other senators, entitled, “Establishment of Presidential Intervention Committee on the Rehabilitation of North East Zone.” Also yesterday, the Senate President announced the composition of three senate committees and

their memberships. The committees are Senate House Services committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto North), Ethics and Privileges committee, chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) and Senate committee on Rules and Business, chaired by Senator Babajide Omowurare (Osun North). Saraki also announced a fourth committee, which for now would function

as ad-hoc committee, and that is the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, chaired by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West). There was a consensus of opinion among the senators who contributed to the motion on insecurity in the north to commend the efforts of the security agencies who have been

ensuring that they end the activities of the insurgents in the region. This was as the lawmakers noted that ending insurgency in the country was paramount because security and welfare of the people remains the primary purpose of government as provided in Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

DSS boss is APC member, PDP alleges OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday alleged that DirectorGeneral of Directorate of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura, is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Abuja, acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said Daura was head of intelligence committee of APC in the last general elections. Secondus has, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to review his appointment and that of the

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, acting National Chairman, Amina Zakari, as they would not be fair in their actions, especially now that Kogi and Bayelsa states were preparing for governorship elections. According to him, the party said it is bringing to the attention of President Buhari some disturbing development in the polity, which, if not nipped in the bud, might significantly affect the nation’s democracy and stability as a nation negatively, and that is the growing and unwarranted intrusion of some over-zealous security operatives on issues bordering purely on politics.

Reps want telecoms, oil coys listed on stock exchange L-R: Assistant Senior Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr. Gbenga Bamidele; President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile; former President, Mallam Muhammed Garuba and Secretary, Shuábu Lema, during hand over to the new president in Abuja, yesterday.

Contract scam: EFCC to arraign Saraki’s wife next week

ollowing conclusion of investigation into the alleged contract scam involving embattled wife of the Senate President, Mrs Bukola Saraki, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, may arraign her next week. Mrs Saraki, who served as first lady of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011 has been a regular guest of the nation’s apex anti-graft agency, the EFCC, since Tuesday. The petition, which allegedly indicted the onetime Kwara State first lady, provided in details how she in collusion with other state officials like former Special Adviser to the Governor on MDGS, Mr. Ope, Personal Assis-

tant to the erstwhile Governor Bukola Saraki, Mr. Abdul Adama from Kogi State, a former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tunji Morounfoye, allegedly conspired to steal billions of naira from state coffers between 2003 and 2011. A reliable source at the EFCC in Abuja told our correspondent that Mrs. Saraki may be arraigned next week. The source, however, failed to disclose the actual date of the week wife of the senate president would have a date with the court. He said: “Even before her invitation to the EFCC office for interrogation, the commission had already compiled

some charges against her in court. Investigations have already been concluded. Her invitation was just to give her a fair hearing in the interest of justice. “However, I can tell you that she will be arraigned in court next week, unless there is a last minute change. The commission top lawyers are already gearing up to ensure that nothing is left to chance.” The spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed that Mrs. Saraki was again drilled by the operatives of the anti-graft agency for several hours yesterday. Mrs. Saraki stormed the commission headquarter office on Tuesday

with a large crowed who came to show solidarity for her. Uwujaren told our correspondent that she came to the commission for the concluding part of the investigation into the alleged official graft. According to him, the suspect arrived the commission office at about 10am and was quizzed for about 8hours. He, however, declined to confirm whether her international passport was confiscated. Various stories have attained the impending arrest of the one-time first lady of Kwara State since the news of her alleged involvement in the contract scam broke out some days ago.

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, may push for a legislation to compel oil companies and telecommunication companies to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The Speaker in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, lamented the refusal of these companies to list on the NSE. Dogara spoke when he received in audience members of the NigeriaUnited Kingdom Capital Market Project in his office on Wednesday, where he also commended the Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, between the stock exchanges of both countries. “There was no justification for failure of

multinational oil and gas and telecommunication companies not to list on the stock exchange. Big companies in these two major sectors must have to list on the capital market in order to deepen the market and make capital available for investors, and create employment,” he said. “The House may consider passing a law that would compel multinationals in oil, gas and telecommunication sectors to list certain percentage of their value on the stock exchange. “Apart from capital inflow, the market needs to be deepened, as most of the big international companies in Nigeria are not participating in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This is sad because these companies account for a huge percentage of revenues in oil, communication, energy, etc,” he said.

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N4bn debt: Reps urge affected govs to pay WAEC UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

ouse of Representatives in a resolution yesterday urged affected state governments to pay the N4 billion registration fees owed the West African Examination Council, WAEC, for governmentsponsored candidates in

the 2014/2015 examinations. The resolution, it said, was based on the fact that the said fees were the precondition for the students to sit for the examinations. It followed a motion brought under matter of urgent public importance by Linus Okorie, Ebonyi-

PDP, which was unanimously adopted by members. Okorie had expressed concern that over 600,000 candidates risked their West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, results being withheld by the council. WAEC had earlier

threatened to withhold the results of candidates of unnamed 19 states over N4 billion debt to the council. According to Okorie, “the threat, if implemented, would affect more than half of the 1.2 million innocent young candidates that sat for the examination, disrupt their academic pursuit and disori-

L-R: Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, NICON, Mr. Ade Adesokan; Assistant General Manager,Account, Mr. Simeon Abah; Head, Group A, Technical Operations, Nigeria Reinsurance, Mr. Dennis Udeh; Head, Research and Development, Mr. Julius Elusakin; Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NICON Insurance, Mr. Stephen Ojo; Head, Group B, Technical Operations, Nigeria Reinsurance, Mrs. Amaka Nzewi; Executive Director, Marketing and Customer Loyalty, Nigeria Reinsurance, Dr. Yele Akinrolabu; General Manager, Marketing, NICON, Mr. Akinsola Ale and Assistant General Manager, Technical, NICON Insurance, Mr. Sola Solesi, during the visit of a team from Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation to NICON Insurance Ltd Head Office in Abuja, yesterday.

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

anagement of Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has declared readiness to establish a National Coordination Centre for Research and Development on Biofuels and other alternative energy sources to be domiciled at the National Institute of Petroleum Policy and Strategy, NIPPS, in Kaduna. The fund said the decision was part of efforts to intensify the production of biofuel and other alternative energy sources on a commercial scale. Executive Secretary, Femi Ajayi, who stated this yesterday at the opening of a two-day seminar of the 2012/2013 Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant competition in Abuja, said the move was in response to the global drive for environmental-friendly source of energy. He used the occasion to also reaffirm the Fund’s commitment on the sponsorship of more research efforts in the production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible fruits adding that results of re-

PTDF to establish alternative energy centre search work in the above mentioned area has been worthwhile. Ajayi in his address noted with delight that the results on the production of Fuel Briquettes and Biogas from Water Hyacinth Cow-Dung Mixture and that of Software Development for Wellbore Stability Management as well as research outcomes of Control Fine Migrations in Reservoir Using NanoParticles have earned intellectual property rights and patent certificates. He, however, added that the fund has put in place actions to file for intellectual property rights and patency at the federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, commending the researchers for displaying what it termed high sense of duty and professionalism in the midst of various challenges experienced in the course of the projects The five research works as well as their researchers according to PTDF include Hydrocarbon Source Rock Evaluation in the Cretaceous to Neogene Basins of Southern Nigeria and

ent them psychologically.’’ He further said the inability of the affected states to settle the alleged debt had led the council to bankruptcy. “This alleged financial constraint is said to be negatively affecting the capacity of the council to meet its financial obligations, particularly its supervisors, examiners and service providers,’’ Okorie added. The House therefore, resolved to constitute an adhoc committee to urgently intervene in the alleged debt crisis and report back within one week. Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the education sector have criticised WAEC’s decision to withhold the 2015 results due to debts owed by some states. The stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews in Abuja yesterday, described the decision as insensitive and irrational. A stakeholder, Mrs Perpetua Okorie, said WAEC had not considered the interest of the children in taking that hasty decision. Okorie, a parent, said that students should not be held to ransom for any inaction on the part of government. She advised the council to seek legal means to recover its debt rather than hold back the results of innocent students. “WAEC should reconsider its decision; students

shouldn’t be the ones to pay the price for the crimes of the state governments. “WAEC should release the results and face the states for their money; they should take the states owing them to court,’’ Okorie said. Another parent resident in Abuja, Mr Emmanuel Bawa, said such action by WAEC would jeopardise the future of the students. Bawa said if the results of candidates were withheld, parents would bear the brunt more. According to him, they would be forced to bear the cost of another registration for WAEC, possibly JAMB as well as taking responsibility for kids who would be left idle at home. He also said rewriting such examinations often destabilised the student psychologically and could also affect their performance. Prof. Alice Ochenie also told NAN that WAEC as an institution should find legal ways of resolving this issue with government without making the innocent students suffer. “WAEC should not visit the sin of the government on innocent students since education is the window to national and individual development. “If you withhold these results, the future of the students will be truncated. It will further have adverse effect on the nation’s development.

Implications for the Niger Delta Petroleum Systems by Prof. Samuel Akande of the University of Ilorin. Others are Development of Novel Technology for Diagnosing and Remediating Problems Associated with Oil Field, Reservoir Souring and Corrosion in

the Petroleum Industry by Dr. Chuma Okoro located at the Federal University of Nigeria, Ebonyi, and Development of Biofuel Technology from Locally Source Cellulosic Materials by Prof. Ayoade Kuye at the University of Port Harcourt.

CHRIS NJOKU

Mother, 3 children die after meal in Imo

OWERRI

muoma Umuorji village, Mgbidi, in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, was thrown into mourning when four members of a family died in their sleep under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night after a relative’s wedding. The deceased were Mrs. Rachel Igbokwe and her three children: Daniel, Chioma and Baby Igbokwe. Until their death, the deceased lived in Lagos, but only returned recently to attend the wedding of a close relative. As at press time, it could not be ascertained what led to their deaths as members of the community were too shocked to talk about the

incident. When our correspondent visited the family of the deceased in Mgbidi late yesterday afternoon, father of the deceased, Mr. Igbokwe, was in a pensive mood to speak. “As you see me now, I cannot compose myself to speak. Please, bear with me. Policemen have taken them to the mortuary. Anyone who loses somebody like these (pointing at the pictures of the deceased) in this manner cannot talk.” However, his wife, Mrs. Georgiana Igbokwe, narrated how the incident occurred. She said, “On Tuesday after finishing our supper

around 6pm, I decided to visit my neighbour to collect cell phone charger. As I was coming back, I saw my daughter (Rachel) and she told me she was going to the same place I was returning from. Then I went to my room. By then my husband had slept. “Shortly, I heard my daughter knocking on my door to ask for a charger. I told her it was late and that she should go and sleep. “When I woke up around 10 pm, I discovered that the generator had been turned off. In the morning, I went to wake them up because one of my daughters would be going back to school that morning. But on knocking on their door, there was

no response. We forced the window open and discovered that my daughter’s son, Daniel, was foaming and bleeding from the mouth, while his mother, Rachel, was covered with the mattress with which she slept. “We had to force the door to their room open and tried in vain to wake his mother. We also entered the other room where my other children slept and discovered that it was the same situation.” On whether it could be food poisoning, she expressed doubt, saying “We ate the same food from the same pot before we all slept. That same rice was what we ate this morning.”

South West

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Avoid political vendetta, Amosun warns LG committee

Femi oyeweso ABEOKUTA

overnor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday warned chairmen of the newly inaugurated Transition Committees for all 20 local government councils in the state against using their position for political vendetta against perceived enemies. The governor, who gave the warning during inauguration of the Transition Committee yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, also warned the new council

executive committees not to contemplate printing individual receipt or ticket under the guise of generating revenue for their respective local councils. Amosun disclosed that he had been inundated with several phone calls as well as text messages (sms) against personalities of some of those selected to administer the affairs of the council areas pending the conduct of local government elections. While emphasising that the people of the state must not be subjected to unnecessary hardship under the guise of generating revenue,

Amosun explained that his administration was already working on how to harmonise revenue collection for both the state and all the 20 local council areas in the state, stressing that the cashlite policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, earlier introduced must be sustained. The governor noted that continuous dwindling revenue from the federal purse made it imperative for the new council chairmen to think out of the box and devise means of generating revenue. “Please, I don’t want anyone of you to use this posi-

tion to settle scores. Remember that you are not the local government chairmen of APC alone, but that of all other political parties in the state”. Commenting on the delay in the constitution of members of his cabinet, the governor explained that he would soon announce names of his commissioners Amosun also reiterated his commitment to the development of the state, saying his administration would continue to put in place projects that will last for generations.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga and APC State Chairman, Chief Roqeeb Adeniji, with newly sworn-in transition chairmen after the ceremony.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NLC charges NASS on national issues Olusegun Koiki

actional President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has charged National Assembly members to resolve its lingering leadership crisis and focus more attention on national development. Ajaero in a statement warned that the persistent crisis in the National Assembly would work against the change the populace expected from President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. He insisted that one of the best services the Nigerian lawmakers could offer Nigerians was to close ranks and cooperate with the president in ensuring the financial bailouts availed the salary-owing governors were used judiciously for paying workers’ salaries, while other national issues were addressed. He lamented that since the eighth Assembly was inaugurated, the leadership tussle in its rank had stagnated the economy, saying that the electorate were waiting for the change promised them during electioneering campaign. He further implored the lawmakers to join forces with Buhari in recovering the nation’s funds

Nigerian bags Russian varsity’s highest grade ...recommended for national honour

Marcus Fatunmole and Regina Otokpa

fresh Nigerian medical graduate, Doctor Victor Olalusi, has clinched the highest grade in a Russian university, the National Research Medical University. He was yesterday recommended for national honour by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala. Olalusi, who had been on scholarship, was rounding off his medical studies at the university. Making the recommendation at a recognition cer-

emony held in his honour in Abuja, Nwaobiala disclosed that Olalusi scored the maximum points of 5.0, the highest score set by the institution. Making reference to the scholar’s educational background, he stressed that even in the face of challenges, the nation’s education system was not doing badly in churning out great potentials both home and abroad. “He went to community school, went through all that process. His achievement and his distinction is a pointer and an indication that given the way we criticise the Nigerian education system, by the time you evaluate it properly,

you will discover it is not as people think. “Our educational system has its own challenges, but I believe these challenges are challenges we can surmount and we continue to work hard to ensure that we provide quality education for our children. “A lot of our students, who have gone to Russia, particularly those that have read medicine, have distinguished themselves. We have made a recommendation that he should receive national honours. “These are the people that are our future, these are the building blocks of this nation, and we believe he is in the position

now to contribute to national development in so many ways,” he added. Commending the Russian Federation for granting Olalusi scholarship to have been able to study medicine in their country, Nwaobiala urged Nigerian youths to imbibe a culture of hard work, commitment and also strive to remain focused, even if they have the potential to excel. Speaking with journalists, Victor Olalusi attributed his academic excellence to complete trust in God, hard work and dedication to his dreams. Speaking on his ability to adapt to the Russian environment and language

barrier, he maintained that “Language was an initial barrier, but I got around it. I got used to the system, and it became a springboard to be able to do better, much better than what I used to do before. “I was able to learn medicine in Russian language and English language in two different unique ways. To me, it wasn’t a challenge, but a spring board to excel. Olalusi noted that he was back home to carry out his residency after which he would devote his time in the academia with focus on research, especially cardiovascular medicine.

running into $150 billion stashed away in foreign banks by past governors, ministers, and other government functionaries. He said: “Now that the politicians have been voted in, they should get to work to strengthen our internal democracy and achieve a better Nigeria through legislations that would bring about constant electricity generation and distribution, employment generation, improved primary, secondary and tertiary education, healthcare, security, legislating against corruption, entrenching industrialisation and reforms in the oil and gas industry, among others. “We need not search further for any other reason for the perennial decay in the country and the sorry state of critical infrastructure. Our anticorruption agencies must be repositioned and our justice system must be critically reviewed, while international support is also sought to bring an end to corruption in Nigeria. “All the outrageous remuneration structure for the Senators and members of the House of Representative and the profligacy of state governors must stop if we want to be reckoned with as a serious entity among the comity of nations.” He also challenged the lawmakers to address the issue of income inequality and poverty among Nigerian workers so as to put in proper perspectives the intricate connection between income, consumption and production. He re-affirmed the commitment of the NLC to a new minimum wage deal for Nigerian workers, stressing that the congress would not accept the blackmail of economic crisis to justify the continued labour abuses through the denial of basic rights and priviledges as being currently perpetrated by state governors and other agencies of government to delay or deny immediate negotiation of a new minimum wage as the five year tenure of the national minimum wage has ended.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 30, 2015

INSIDE

Turning Lagos beach to revenue Persistent naira devaluation affecting our business â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Traders spinner >47

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, July 30, 2015

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Turning Lagos beach to revenue spinner A

ll over the world countries leverage on the existence of their natural water front and beaches as source of huge revenue. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not tapped into this area of money spinning venture, thereby leaving the country’s beaches undeveloped. The Gbara-Maiyegun beach, popularly known as Lekki Beach is one of Nigeria’s famous nature site for beach exploration and tourism in Nigeria. It is usually a place with beehives of activities from music concerts, to parties and relaxation centres for nature lovers who often stand by the beach to look at the sea body and the panoramic view of the environment. The beach used to be a place of elegant coconut trees typical of beach environment all over the world which are arranged on a row, with chalets, entertainment arenas being land marks at the beach. The Lekki beach is a beautiful place to reside with different tourist activities going on especially on weekends. Though the beach is nothing but beautiful, its present look are nothing to be compared to its formal glory where the coco-nut trees are giant prices won naturally by the beach from the Creator. Apart from the beauty endowed by nature on the Lekki beach, the warm crispy sand of the area is being eroded and encroached upon by the unrestricted water and waves, with filth, various criminal activities and vices corrupting the tourist activities of the beach. A sixty two old beach crawler, Emmanuel Tunde, told Broad Street that though, Lekki beach still retains some of its glamour, its current status irritates him. “I have been coming to this beach at least every month for the past fifteen years, this beach is a very significant place for me because this is where I proposed to my late wife. I usually come here to enliven my memories for her. But I discovered that the place is deteriorating, these coco-nut trees where more than these but the water is washing them away with the help of strong winds. Nobody is taking care of this place even with all the money they collect” Others complain about the criminal activities going on at the place especially with the red tiny light of cigarettes and strong smell of Indian hemp, not to talk of the prostitutes that harass onlookers especially at night.

A couple that came to the Lekki beach for picnic said they came here to relax their nerves. A first timer at the beach would know that the beach which is being got rid of its beauty, is gradually becoming a shadow of itself. No doubt, the elegant coconut trees are still erect as though arranged on a row along the beach’s stretch. But a year ago, there were more trees. As at the time of coverage, the shoreline had advanced by at least 900 metres landward and the ocean keeps advancing with an unrestrained vehemence as it’s every roar slaps the motionless ships on its shore. The beach chairman, Moses Enebeli, who was in office a year ago, when three ship wrecked, simultaneously reported that tents, chalets, entertainment spots dotting the beach, have been washed away by the Atlantic Ocean’s turbulent waves, and the ones seen presently, are newly built. Economic costs Lekki Beach, one of the most valuable stretches of Nigeria’s coastline, is the beehive of fun and activity during festive seasons and a source of income generation to many Nigerians “If there is a disaster, Lagos being the financial hub, accounting for over 55 percent of industrial activities and for 70 percent of imported goods which comes through the ports, may be adversely affected. To render this place a horrible scene of unimaginable disaster is damaging to the Nigerian economy,” Philip Asiodu president of Nigeria Conservation Foundation says. In summary, analysts’ estimates put the amount of land lost to erosion on this prime real estate at over a billion Naira. Already millions of naira that could be made from tourism is lost due to the wreckage of the alpha beach in October 2010. The erosion may also threaten food security in terms of fish production believes Jide Ayinla, the executive director of the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR). “It is bound to affect the marine life because it affects the breeding ground of the fishes, by so doing, it creates obstruction to fishing. It can restrict movement of fishermen and if the normal marine habitat is disrupted they will get less fish.” He says the supply of fish production in Nigeria now is 0.65 million metric per annum yet the requirement is 2.0 million metric per annum.

Lekki beach

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NIWA insists on jetties’ shutdown by 7pm

ational Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, yesterday said plans were on to ensure that boat operators in Lagos close shop by 7pm in compliance with stipulated operational hours nationwide. Area Manager of NIWA in Lagos, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the measure would engender a pro-active approach to its risk assessment efforts toward ensuring safety of passengers travelling on the country’s waterways. Sambo also said that a number of people, who serve as beach masters, had been selected for merchant Navy training. “You know as a matter of law in Lagos, watercrafts carrying passengers are not supposed to ply the waterways from 7pm. “Now, what we do is that we ensure that this regulation is complied with by making sure that all jetties are shut down at 7 pm. “Now, what we are in the process of doing - we have not concluded, because it is a tremendous task which

South West

Thursday, July 30, 2015

has just started not long ago - is in collaboration with the association of tourist boat operators and water transporters of Nigeria, that is, AGBOATON. We have nominated people from their association for each jetty; there will be designated beach masters. “They will be given merchant Navy training, after which they will be deployed to each jetty. “One of their primary responsibilities will be to ensure the compliance of all regulations concerning water transportation, including the one on banning transportation at night.” According to Sambo, water transportation in the country is regulated by laws to ensure the safety of passengers contrary to reports that the business has no guidelines. NAN reports that some stakeholders had attributed the recent increase in the incidence of boat mishaps in the country to night travel. It would be recalled that two women recently lost their lives in a boat accident while travelling at night.

Absenteeism: APC leadership advised to call Ajimobi to order Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ational Working Committee NWC, of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and national leaders of the party have been charged to call Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to order over his penchant for abandoning his duty post. A non-governmental organisation, Change Agent Movement, CAM, made the call in a statement to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday, and signed by its chairman and secretary, Messrs Abolaji Adeosun and Malik Adehun, respectively. According to the group, Ajimobi left the state on July 9 for no clear reason

and did not hand over governance of the state to anyone, adding that government activities had since been grounded as a result. The statement reads in part, “It is a pity that Oyo people put their trust in his hands. The governor left the state on July 9 and up till now he has not returned. All other governors who joined the President on his official visit to the US on July 20 for three days have returned, but Governor Ajimobi is yet to return. “If he is going on vacation, he should have transferred the mantle of leadership to his deputy. Governor Amosun, who travelled for about 10 days, wrote a letter to Ogun State House of Assembly nominating his deputy as acting

governor. All other governors have toed similar line in the past. “It is only in Oyo State under Ajimobi that absurdity is seen as a norm. The leadership of NLC also lent credence to how the non-availability of the governor has been affecting workers’ salaries and negotiations about the outstanding arrears. The NLC claimed there was no Secretary to the State Government, SSG, or commissioner to negotiate with on modalities for the payment of outstanding salaries since the governor was not around. “We call on the National Working Committee, NWC, of APC and the National leaders of the party, especially Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande

to call Governor Ajimobi to order because his lackluster attitude is a negation to governmental activities. “Governor Ajimobi should be reminded that the people voted for APC because of the belief that the change at the federal level will positively affect the development of the state. The governor should be told to stop running the state like a Sole Administrator and jettison his ‘Mr Know All Attitude’. “If Governor Ajimobi had contested using another party, he would have lost the election. We urge them to appeal to the governor not to destroy the fortunes of the party for future elections and call him to order to stop running the state like a family business.”

Unclaimed driver’s licences now 46,404 Francis Suberu

t least, 46,404 driver’s licences ready for collection are yet to be claimed by their owners, Lagos State government disclosed yesterday. This was revealed in a statement by Head of the state’s Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, MVAA, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Ibironke Famakinwa. The state government equally warned against touting, which it said now characterises processing of driver’s licence in the state, and urged applicants, who had been captured, to collect their licences. According to the state government, in order to check the menace of touting, it had introduced cashless operational policy to fast-track the process and eliminate all forms of malpractices in the process. Of the 116,689 driver’s licences issued between January and July, the statement said about 70,285 had been collected, while 46,404 were yet to be claimed,

noting that the process of obtaining the licences has now been made easy and less stressful. According to the statement, “Currently, the agency is saddled with huge number of unclaimed permanent driver’s licences, which now runs to about 50,000. Applicants are therefore, requested to collect them from the stations where they were processed without further delay. The MVAA management is committed to continually providing quality service to the general public.” The statement also condemned all forms of malpractice in the issuance of the Unified Driver’s License in the processing points, though cashless operational policy has been introduced in all the processing points across the state. The statement urged that all applicants for driver’s licenses “to make all their payments through any of its participating banks including First Bank Plc, UBA Plc, EcoBank International and Sterling bank among others.

L-R: Convener, Role of Women in Emerging African Democracies (ROWEAD), Mrs. Adaobi Alex-Oni; Iyalode of Egbaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Experience Centre Manager, Heritage Bank, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Mrs. Nkiru Chigbo and Guest Speaker, Barr. Margaret Onyema Orakwusi, during the ROWEAD 2015, in Lagos.

Matthew Irinoye

agos State government has dragged an IndianBriton chartered accountant, Deepak Khilnani, before an Ikeja High Court for alleged $8.8 million fraud. The state’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, had in its advice indicted Khilnani as having duped his Nigerian partner, Green Fuels Limited, along with one Dr. Sushil Chandra, to the tune of $8.8m in 2008. The prosecution alleged that the suspects “fraudu-

Briton sued over $8.8m fraud lently tricked Green Fuels Limited to pay greater sum for machinery purchased from Gentec Limited than it would have paid for such machinery.” The suspects were also accused of making false statement to the Corporate Affairs Commission “knowing same to be false, with intent to defraud the shareholders and members of Green Fuels Limited.” While addressing the court, prosecution counsel, Mr. Akin George, said the

offences contravened sections 390(6), 421, 422 and 436 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State, 2003. Khilnani was supposed to be arraigned on a fourcount charge bordering on conspiracy, cheating, stealing and false representation before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, yesterday but was absent in court. His lawyer, Kayode Ajekiigbe, told the court that his client’s absence was because he was yet to be served for-

mally, adding that he (Ajekiigbe) was in court as a result of a publication he read in the Punch newspaper. But the prosecution counsel faulted Ajekiigbe’s submission, arguing that the mere fact that the suspect was represented in court proved that they were aware of the charge against them. The judge however, adjourned the matter to August 12 for arraignment of the suspects and possible hearing.

South East

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari not Tinubu is APC leader –Okorocha …says gay marriage never discussed during US trip

Chris njoku OWERRI

ontrary to belief that the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, rests on the shoulder of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has debunked such notion, saying President Muhammadu Buhari is de facto leader of the party. Okorocha made this

known during a parley with newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday; he said the APC cannot have two leaders in a party. The governor, who is also Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, said it was high time people stopped having the wrong impression that leadership of the party resides outside the presidency. “It is not true; the president is in charge of the party.” According to him, “as soon as a president emerges,

Umahi swears in former deputy speaker as commissioner Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, has sworn-in former deputy speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Sabinus Nwankwegu, as Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation, playing down controversies surrounding his appointment. It would be recalled that Nwankwegu’s swearing-in was put on hold on July1, 2015 when his fellow commissioners were sworn-in by Umahi following what the governor said was political and security reasons against him. The governor congratulated the new commissioner for his patience, noting that the circumstances that caused the delay were best known to God. “You know, when you were first nominated, there were objections raised and the objections were coming from members of the same family, we needed to step it down and to do our own as human beings and we have done our own as human beings. We set up a number of committees that did a wonderful job. He noted that his administration did not come to divide the people, but to unite them, just as he advised Nwankwegu to put behind him whatever was the situation, no matter how he was wrongly accused, saying he should show love to his accusers. Umahi charged the new commissioner to use his office to create job for the teeming jobless youths of the state

In his acceptance speech, Nwankwegu promised to put in his best and serve with utmost sincerity just as he pledged his undiluted loyalty to the administration Meanwhile, Ebonyi State House of Assembly has put on hold the screening and confirmation of nominees appointed into boards and commissions of the state by Umahi for failure to produce evidence of tax clearance. They include nominees of the Universal Basic Education Board, UBEB, State Civil Service Commission, Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, and Local Government Service Commission. The Speaker, Ogbonna Nwifuru who earlier observed that none of the nominees could provide evidence of tax clearance, emphatically declared that any nominee who fails to provide evidence of tax clearance would not pass the screening of the house. He maintained that for any nominee to pass the screening, such person must have presented his or her upto-date evidence of tax clearance. Meanwhile, the screen has been deferred till today and Tuesday next week.

ewly constituted second panel of the State and National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Enugu State has solicited for cooperation to meet the 180 days deadline to dispense with petitions. Tribunal Chairman, Justice M.O. Adewara, made the appeal at the inaugural sitting in Enugu on Wednesday. Adewara said the second panel became necessary be-

he becomes leader of the party, just as the governors are leaders of the party in the states, the president is leader of the party in the nation, we cannot have two leaders; we must correct such impression,” he stated. He also debunked as untrue the rumour that the president collected $2.2 billion dollar loan for the rehabilitation of North East states ravaged by Boko Haram menace. “We never discussed the issue of loan, even the World Bank offer which was given to us was 20

years without payment.” Okorocha said the American President, Barak Obama, had described President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of honour and integrity and expressed the willingness of American government to partner with Nigeria in the fight against insurgency in the country. He said that same sex marriage discussion never came up in the United States, adding that it was mentioned in passing as it was alien to the culture of Nigeria. “We have a law that

recognises marriage as a union between a man and a woman, our legal system has taken care of that.” Describing the president’s trip as one of the best outings any Nigerian government will make to the US, Okorocha said the visit offered President Buhari an opportunity to meet with different groups such as Bill Gate, the Madeline Albright group, the NPI, etc. On the issues of strike embarked on by workers in the state, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with

the workers; adding that before his trip to USA, he reached an agreement with workers in Imo State and wondered why they should renege on such agreement. The governor, who described the strike as politically motivated, urged the workers to resume work without delay. The governor also restated the need for parastatals to be independent and more productive to generate income to the state as government is not willing to subvent them again.

Tipper operators (sand dealers) in a motorised protest against alleged government’s increased levy on each trip of sand in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Christian leaders tasked on Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade Chris Njoku OWERRI

hristian leaders in the country have been urged to throw their weight behind the anti-corruption crusade and policies of President Muhammadu Buhari. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who made the appeal when national

leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, led by its national President, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, visited him at Government House, Owerri, added that church leaders and leaders of religious groups like the PFN should play a leading role in the fight against corruption in the country and should therefore back

Mr. President in his effort to fight the monster called corruption head-long. The governor also called on the visiting PFN leaders to build Pentecostal University of Nigeria in the state and promised to give them a piece of land and N100 million when they are ready to embark on the project, adding that his love for

education does not have any limit. Responding, Reverend Dr. Felix Omobude said the body would work closely with the government at all levels for the good of the nation and Nigerians as a people, advising the Federal Government to begin to address some of the excesses that have held this country down.

Tribunal: Second panel in Enugu solicits for cooperation

cause of the high number of petitions received after the 2015 elections in the state. “Time is of essence and by virtue of the letters of Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, we implore all parties to cooperate with us to meet the deadline. “We shall not tolerate frivolous applications in the

course of our duty and all motions shall be moved during pre-trial. “Our decisions shall be based on evidence and law,” he said, adding that the panel had already lost more than two months from the 180 days it had to conclude its assignment. “If need be we shall come on weekends and public holi-

days for our assignment,” he said, adding that it was imperative to dispense with all the cases within the 180 days required by law. He said the panel had been assigned seven cases, including three Senatorial, three House of Representatives and two House of Assembly cases. The News Agency of Ni-

geria, NAN, reports that 20 petitions were filed in the State and National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Enugu State. Six of the petitions had been struck out by the first tribunal leaving it with 14 petitions which was shared between the two panels to dispense within the remaining 90 days.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

he National Assembly which has been in crises over leadership tussle finally last Tuesday resolved all differences and gets ready for legislative business for which it was in place to conduct.

How Saraki stemmed Senate crisis Since the event of June 9, which marked the election of the former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and former governor of Kwara State, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as President of the eighth Senate, that arm of the National Assembly has hardly known any peace. The same also goes for the election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, DSP. Indeed, if the election of Saraki could be tolerated in any way, that of Ekweremadu is seen by the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, as complete abomination. The circumstances leading to Saraki’s emergence as Senate President on that eventful June 9 are still fresh in the minds of most Nigerians. However, Saraki’s emergence is against the wishes of the leadership of the APC, under which platform the Kwara-born politician got to the Senate. APC leadership’s favored candidate is no doubt, Senator Ahmed Lawan, a four-time senator from the NorthEast geo political zone of the country. Unfortunately, the party’s support was Lawan’s greatest undoing. Thus, while Saraki was busy building bridges of friendship and understanding among members of his APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Lawan was relying and counting on APC leaders’ support alone. The final death knell on Lawan’s political ambition of becoming the Senate President was however delivered on June 9, when, instead of mobilising his supporters to face Saraki in an election on the floor of the Senate, he rather, led his team to attend an illegal meeting purportedly with President Muhammadu Buhari and some other supposedly party chieftains at the International Conference Center, ICC, Abuja, on a day that the Senate was to be inaugurated by the President, which also had as the only business of the day, the election of its presiding officers. Also more worrisome to APC leadership, and indeed Lawan’s supporters, was the emergence of Senator Ekweremadu as the DSP. Although there is nowhere in the nation’s constitution or indeed any other statute in the country that the party with the majority of elected senators that must constitute or produce the presiding officers of the Senate, APC as a party, felt that it was their right to appropriate those two prime offices as the PDP did in the 16 years that it was the ruling party in the country. Thus, this situation set the stage for ceaseless crisis for Saraki as the Senate President, right from that very day he emerged. To get him out of the way, all manners of plots and traps were laid against him. First, there was the argument by Senator Kabiru Marafa from Zamfara State that his privilege as a senator was breached on June 9, when he could not participate in the election of Senate’s presiding officers, as an elected member of the Senate. When Marafa could not explain convincingly who prevented him and some of his co-travelers from participating in the election process, he was forced to abandon that line of action. Again, Marafa was also the arrowhead of those who rose in opposition to the 2015 Senate Standing Orders, the rule book through which Saraki emerged. On three separate occasions on the floor of the Senate, he unsuccessfully attempted to impress it upon his colleagues that the 2015 Senate rule book, which gave birth to the saraki Senate Presidency, was forged. The basis upon

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NASS crises: Finally, after the storm, comes calm •Lawmakers settle down for business

For more than 50 days after its inauguration, the eighth National Assembly had been under conflagration over leadership tussle. However, last Tuesday, the crisis came to an end with each arm of legislature agreeing to sheath the sword for greater interest of the nation. OBIORA IFOH, GEORGE OJI and TORDUE SALEM bring the undercurrents that led to the resolution of the crises.

Buhari

Saraki

which he wanted Saraki and Ekweremadu’s election nullified. Marafa’s major argument was that the Senate Standing Order 2011, made provision for open ballot system as the mode for the election of the presiding officers of the Senate, whereas the 2015 version of the document conversely provided for secret ballot. If Marafa had successfully sustained his arguments, the implication was that the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu as the Senate President and the DSP would have been nullity. Ekweremadu’s counter argument to Marafa’s was that by virtue of section 64 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, every new Senate must come with a fresh rule book to govern its activities and proceedings. Not satisfied with Ekweremadu’s explanations, Marafa and his group petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking a probe of the alleged forgery of the

Senate rule book. In the said petition, which was signed by the Secretary of the Senate Unity Forum, SUF, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, the group implored the police to unravel those behind the alleged forgery with a view to bringing them to justice. SUF comprises senators who were pushing for Lawan’s candidacy for Senate President. This was also as the same members of the SUF took another step to initiate legal action to, again, press for the probe of the 2015 Senate Rules, with a view also to nullifying Saraki and Ekweremadu’s elections. Even though there are conflicting reports as to the outcome of police investigations, the truth of the matter, according to political pundits, is that nothing concrete will come from the said investigations. This is because the issue of Senate Standing Rules is purely an internal affair of the Senate, which results from the constitutional rights of section 60 of the 1999 constitution for the senators to design the rules to govern their procedures or activities. The same goes for the legal action on the same matter. The truth of the matter is that at the end of the day, the senate will very likely move against Marafa and his colleagues for externalizing what constitutionally ought to be a purely an internal matter of the Senate. While all these were going on, Saraki maintained his cool, and again continued to consolidate on his election as Senate President by winning more supporters to his side, even as he masterminded some high profile visits to his office as part of efforts to legitimise his election. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

the issue of Senate Standing

Rules is purely an internal affair of the Senate, which

results from the constitutional rights of section 60 of the 1999 constitution for the senators to design the rules to govern

their procedures or activities.

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Saraki also ensured that he got his foot soldiers to be appointed into the remaining positions of the principal offices of the Senate. For instance, he successfully ensured that Senator Ali Ndume emerged as the new Senate Leader as opposed to APC leadership’s choice of Lawan from the same North-East zone. He also successfully ensured that Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Kebbi, North-West, emerged Deputy Leader while France Alimikhena, Edo, South-South was the new Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate. By last Tuesday, the composition of the principal officials of the Senate was completed with the successful appointment of the minority officials by the opposition PDP. In a letter written by Ekweremadu on behalf of the PDP Senate caucus to the Senate President, and read on the floor by Saraki, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, emerged as the Minority Leader and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. Taraba South, the Deputy Minority leader. In the same vein, Senator Philip Aduda, FCT is now the Minority Chief Whip, while Senator Biodun Olujimi, Ekiti South, emerged Deputy Minority Whip. What ended the crisis and finally brought respite to Saraki was the vote of confidence passed on him on Tuesday by 81 senators, who cut across all the two political parties in the Senate, as well as across the two warring factions of the Senate. The number, more than two third members of the 109-member Senate, was made up of 46 PDP and 35 APC senators. Incidentally, some of the most vocal antagonists of Saraki, like Senators Marafa, Abdullahi Adamu and Shehu Sani were among those who supported the vote of confidence motion. In addition, the senators also resolved to call on the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used by any person or persons to harass, intimidate or blackmail the Senate, senators and or their spouses. Entitled, “Vote of Confidence on Principal Officers of the Senate,” the motion was sponsored by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Imo East. Anyanwu noted Senate’s dismay at the continued harassment of the Senate and senators, the National Assembly management and spouses of senators by security agencies, expressing the Senate’s determination to continue to perform its constitutional duties and responsibilities without fear or favour, as well as focusing on matters of interest and importance to the ordinary people of Nigeria in view of the enormous challenges facing the nation.

Dogara bows to pressure for peace to reign In the Greek Legend of Hercules, we see a great warrior in a gruelling battle to take a throne designed for him. Though anointed for the apex seat by circumstance, he will have to exhaust the skills of negotiation and his battle prowess to assume the crown. A week before the June 9 election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was seen by many, as the most suitable for the position of the helmsman of the green chamber. But things started falling apart, and on the day of political reckoning, he was thrown overboard for Hon.

What ended the crisis and finally brought respite

to Saraki was the vote of confidence passed on him

on Tuesday by 81 senators, who cut across all the two political parties in the

Senate

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NASS crises: Finally, after

Dogara

Lawan

Yakubu Dogara, in one of the most keenly contested Speakership polls in the political history of Nigeria. ‘Gbaja’, as he is fondly called by his supporters, literally kissed and made up with his tough opponent, but his camp sneered at what they thought Dogara got by sheer subterfuge and foul play. Gbajabiamila’s backers closed ranks with the formidable Bola Tinubu machine to hit the trenches afresh and insist that the APC anointed for House Leader must take it, notwithstanding the fact that Hon. Yusuf Lasun, Osun-APC, from the same South-West as Gbajabiamila had taken the number two slot. The Gbajabiamila camp later settled for the position of Leader, but the Dogara camp said even that won’t be available, citing the equity principle that says one zone could not take more than a slot in a power-sharing equation. The battle dragged on for several weeks, with the Speaker sticking to his guns, but with the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC leadership, the Speaker on Tuesday, conceded the position to Hon. Gbajabiamila. In a post-plenary press briefing, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Sani Zorro, Jigawa-APC, said despite initial hitches, the crisis was resolved with the intervention of the President. Zorro said: “Because today, we have resolved all the problems that brought that circumstance. What transpired today is the triumph of the internal democracy of the House of Representatives and this triumph is also anchored on four factors.” Zorro said the resolution of the crisis was a demonstration of reason over blind ambition, adding: “It is anchored on patriotism, constitutionalism, reason and rationality, this is what guided the steps taken by the entire House of Representatives led by its leadership and all the contending groups that were party to the various negotiations.” He also attributed the resolution of the tiff to the intervention of President Buhari, saying: “We want to use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for a 20 minute meeting, it was very very crucial, what Mr. President did was a fatherly engagement, what he did has clearly shown that he is not the so called dictator that our opponents wanted to paint him as. He said let the National Assembly follow its own democratic processes and its leaders will emerge and that is what happened.” The former House Leader-designate, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa had earlier on Monday, declared that in line with the Federal Character principle, former Minority Leader; Hon. Gbajabiamila could not be the Leader of the House.

Doguwa who spoke during a television programme, said it will be lopsided for one zone to take more positions than any other zone in the country. He said: “At a point, precisely on July 3, the party held a NEC meeting, the highest decision making body of the party,

Conflict is an inte political environm

A national Leader of the All Progressives Congre the end of the National Assembly crisis paid a Presidential Villa where he reflected on the crisis

ow would you react to the leadership crisis in the National Assembly? That is an area where I am very very cautious of my position and my utterances; I still want to keep my side of interpretation and analysis to myself to be able to achieve a resolution of the matter as quickly as possible. I am backing what the President has carefully enumerated and articulated to the party, the party is supreme. The party must have disciplined leadership and followers, the party’s process must be respected because that is the confidence and the trust of the people. However, in every political environment, you expect conflict, that is politics and conflict resolution mechanism will be applied to resolve all problems, we are there, there is honour in every struggle, in every competition, there must be honour in victory too. I will stop there for now. How prepared is APC to ensure that it would not make the mistakes of PDP in this administration? We are different, we cannot be PDP, we are APC, we will not repeat their mistakes, we know their mistakes, we know their errors and we understand what Nigerians wanted; Nigerians gave this party a mandate because of our manifesto. We are pro-people, we are progressives, we have had a conservative government in the last 16 years, this is a progressive party just coming barely 30 days, we understand the hope of Nigerians and we respect that hope, we understand the expectations of Nigerians. We believe in that expectation and in our promise, with prosperity to God, we will not change that. There is already this fear that you have a soiled relationship with the President because some of your demands are not being met by the party, how true is that?

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

the storm, comes calm

Gbajabiamila

where Mr President attended. What is more important to me is that the party has conceded to Dogara and accepted him as a legitimate son of the party. On that day when Dogara was recognised by the party, I should have no problem with Dogara, because my own political party has accepted and

egral part of any ment –Tinubu

ess, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu had days before a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the s. ROTIMI FADEYI brings excerpts: I have no demand on the party, if you understand what party politics is all about, what leadership is all about, it is about loyalty and commitment to the values that leadership believes in. I believes in what President believes, I respect him and I stand firmly loyal to his cause. So you can go to any length of speculation that you might want, I have not responded to all of that, I understand the President and the President understands me clearly.

Tinubu

pardoned him. I have no cause to fight him. “The formula is with equity, fairness and justice, and it has not contradicted the provision of our rules neither does it contradict the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “It will only amount to marginalization if one zone takes more than one position like what is being contemplated by the letter purportedly signed by the chairman of our political party.” Hon. Doguwa who has been a member of the House since 2003, and was also Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, said Hon. Gbajabiamila was still his friend, despite his decision to take sides with Dogara. On his decision to dump the APC loyalists group for the position of the Leader, he said politics was about interests and not permanent allegiance to certain groups. On the issue of the supremacy of the party, he said: “When you’re talking of party supremacy, as far as I’m concerned, it is a subjective thing. What you may think is the supremacy of the party may not be the same to me. I want to believe no matter how supreme the party is, the provision of our rules and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be more supreme.” He advised that the struggle he and Gbajabiamila undertook against Dogara was not for a particular individual, but for the involvement of some members of their group in the leadership of the House. He said: “What we are doing may sound funny and selfish but it also forms the fundamental of our operations in the House. You cannot continue to face your legislative business until you have your principal officers. Those principal officers must be elected on the basis of the rule of law to be in tandem with justice and reflect fairness.” But the group loyal to Gbajabiamila for the position of the House Majority Leader, had earlier kicked against the Principle of Federal Character stance adopted by the Speaker Dogara for the allocations of posts in the green chamber. The group in a lengthy statement issued to the media last week and signed by Hon. Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, APC-Katsina,said the Federal Character principle adopted by the pro-Speaker group only applied to appointive positions and not elective ones. He claimed that should the principle be applied, it will mean that one of the Chambers of the National Assembly would be headed by a lawmaker from the South. He said: “We stand on our earlier position that whilst we accept and agree with the principle of Federal Character, the constitutional provisions in that regard are strictly in reference to the appointment to the Federal Executive and its agencies. “The principle of Federal Character is not intended to be given such elasticity to the extent that it would extend to the running and internal workings of the House which is not a government agency and whose members are not appointed but elected. “Furthermore to accept the Speaker’s arrangement would mean the two most powerful positions in the Senate and House after the presiding officers would be occupied by the North.” He, on behalf of his group, warned that the “Change Principle” should not be ditched on the altar of zoning positions. Dogara’s opponents insisted that “subject to the provisions of this constitution, the Senate or the House shall have power to regulate its own procedure.” They dismissed the Speaker’s letter to the party asserting his position, saying that “in copiously quoting our House Rules, the Speaker’s letter did not address the most important Rule of all as it relates to appointment of principal officers. Order 7 Rule 37 of the House Rules states: “Only members with cognate legislative experience as members of the National Assembly shall be eli-

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gible for appointment as principal officers”.

How Buhari achieved peace in 20 minutes APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun was mandated by the President to ensure that peace reigns in the National Assembly, particularly, the House of Representatives. The fate of Gbajabiamila, Tinubu’s alter ego was the only issue. He must be accommodated as a principal officer, at all cost. So, who would be sacrificed? The Speaker has refused to entertain any other position short of equity. To him, all the six geo-political zones must be accommodated in the sharing of the House principal offices which coincidentally are six in number. Deputy Speaker Lasum also vowed not to relinquish his position freely given to him by the entire members of the House, arguing that his position was not a party affair but lawmakers’. Faced with these challenges, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, who was already running out of time and desperate as well had to involve some notable political leaders from the South-West, including the governors to plead with TInubu to prevail on Gbajabiamila and his supporters to accept the political situation as it were. That strategy also fell on deaf ears. He had last week summoned the Deputy Speaker alongside his state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to the party secretariat to persuade him to step down for Gbajabiamila, a plea that was also flatly rejected. However, a weekend call by the President to Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha did the magic. South -East has only two APC members from Imo State who are loyal to the governor. It was agreed that the South-East, with the least representation in the lower chamber give up their claim to the principal office for the South=- West so that peace can reign both in the House and the party. With the development, Speaker Dogara had to succumb to the new arrangement, as the South-East representatives who had already being briefed by the governor did not object to the new position of the party. Having achieved the needed peace; President Buhari had to convene the Monday meeting with the elected lawmakers to appreciate them for their ‘efforts’ and pledge to work with them to ensure that APC regains needed stability. President Buhari, according to sources had warned of the dangers of allowing PDP room enough to manipulate the system to the collective interest of the party. Shortly after his emergence, Gbajabiamila paid a surprise visit to APC national secretariat, where sources close to the National Chairman believed was a “thank you visit” Odigie-Oyegun had commended the Speaker and entire House for their sense of patriotism, adding: “It is my hope and expectation that the wounds will now be totally healed that the APC family will now reunite fully as one. To Nigerians, Oyegun said: “ I have already offered our regrets. This is part of growing, we are new to government and we are democratic and above all, progressive movement. We are in the process of welding all the various tendencies into one and today we have scored one major victory and I can assure the country that the party has begun the process of healing all the wounds and becoming one strong force. We are moving from being a movement into a one strong political party that will back the President for the good of the entire country.” Regarding the crisis in the Senate, he said: “Senate is a different level and different situation. It is totally different if only we have sore thumb in the form of a PDP Deputy Senate President. So I think it is totally different and the approach and the way we are going to handle the situation will be totally different. But at the end of the day, even the Senate issue will be sorted out too.” Though, peace may have returned to the National Assembly, however there are several unresolved issues which may still hunt the National Assembly, including the promotion of inequity in the lower chamber as a zone was left out in the sharing of principal offices while another zone got two offices.

Politics

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Faction fronting for opposition to destabilize PDP –Elders

•Pass confidence vote on state chair

Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

kiti State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, elders and local council chairmen have accused the Tunde Olatunde-led faction of the party of being sponsored by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, to destabilise PDP in the state. The PDP elders and leaders, who passed confidence vote on Chief Idowu Faleye as the party’s state chairman described the suspension allegedly slammed on him by the Olatunde faction as unconstitutional and barbaric. The PDP elders and leaders said the faction “does not have the power to remove Chief Faleye, a National Executive Committee, NEC, member of the party”. In a communique jointly signed by Ekiti PDP Elders Forum chairman, Chief Clement Awoyelu; chairman of PDP local council party chairmen, Hon Kola Lawal; and four other leaders of the party at the end of a meeting in Ado Ekiti yesterday, they viewed the recent actions of the Olatunde faction “as affront to party authority, very treacherous and barbaric.” They said the faction members’ action suggested “that they are being financed by the APC and other external forces purposely to destabilise our party. The party will apply the necessary sanction against them very soon.” They described as unfortunate, the turning down of the elders’ entreaties by Olatunde’s faction in a bid to broker peace and resolve the crisis. On the eviction order issued to the party by the owner of its secretariat and former chairman of the party, Chief Ropo Ad-

esanya, who had defected to APC, the party leaders said the inability to pay was caused by change of signatories. Insisting that the cheque issued for the payment of one year rent was forged, the leaders maintained that the cheque, which the owner described as ‘dud,’ was issued by unauthorized executive council members, making the bank to reject same upon presentation.

Ex-lawmaker’s disappearance worries family members Olajide Omojolomoju

amily members of a former legislator, Kolawole Olonade, have expressed shock over his disappearance, couple of months ago. They are worried that the legislator, who represented Ward 4 in the legislature of Abeokuta North Local Government Area

of Ogun State, between 2004 and 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may have gone into hiding following political manoeuvering and dispute. Olonade was also the Liaison Officer to the local government and a member of the Revenue Mobilization Committee, the other two political appointments he held after the comple-

tion of his tenure as councillor. The former councillor’s elder sister, Mrs. Adedoyin Olonade, said she was shocked that up till now they were yet to know the whereabouts of the former lawmaker who was eyeing Abeokuta North state constituency in the state House of Assembly. She said: “We are indeed worried that we don’t

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (left) receiving an award for outstanding leadership on his role in the victory of APC at the 2015 general elections and his consistent support for the APC USA, from representative of APC USA, Mr. Felix Emeka Molokwu, in Abuja, yesterday.

Stop disparaging Buhari’s govt, Shaahu tells critics

econd Republic Minister of Communications and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Chief Isaac Shaahu has lampooned critics of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, who are casting aspersions on the government for being slowly in its administration of the nation. Chief Shaahu said this yesterday in a telephone interview with National Mirror in Makurdi, the state capital, noting that those

criticising the Buhari government for being slow in its approach forgot so soon that the rot inflicted on the nation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last 16 years requires careful planning to be cleansed. He argued that instead of eulogising the Federal Government in it efforts towards repairing the damage cause by the former administration, some unscrupulous people, who sees nothing good in others, are bent on running down the genuine initiatives of the present administration to improve the lots of Nigerians. The elder statesman fur-

sustain the respect and cooperation of the international community. Addressing newsmen on the benefits of the President’s recent trip to the United States, AlMakura said that the visit has changed the negative perception about Nigeria. He explained that the visit will open a new vista for the country in the

areas of commerce, foreign direct investment and security, especially in the areas of intelligent sharing. The governor said that a committee would be set up to handle the issues discussed in the US to articulate the areas of interest and create enabling environment for policy implementation. Al-Makura continued

Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

ther reminded that barely two months of the present administration, we have started enjoying constant supply of power, among several others which were hitherto not visible, yet some persons are not satisfied with the tremendous efforts by the new regime. he pointed out that the fabric of decay ravaging the country requires collectively efforts of every Nigerians if we are to succeed in rebuilding a virile nation anchored on truth and oneness devoid of corruption, nepotism as well as terrorism, adding that “all hands must be on deck to realise the much cherished peace

we are longing for in the country.” Emphasising the need for Nigerians with useful ideas that could facilitate reviving the dilated structures met by the present administration to come forward and submit their suggestions with view to inculcate such programmes towards boosting and also enhancing the condition of Nigerians, Shaau said: “If you have constructive ideas that could pave the way towards effecting new changes in the well being of the citizens, better come forward instead of staying aloof and vilifying government at all the times.”

Al-Makura urges counterparts to emulate President Buhari Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

asarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has urged governors and other political office holders across the country to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari’s style of leadership, crafted on the doctrine of change in order to

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that Nasarawa State had also tabled three areas of concern which includes agriculture, solid minerals development and power. He further said that the state is conducive for commercial agricultural activities; hence discussion is underway on how to reduce bottle necks and bureaucracies hindering the success of

investment in the solid minerals sector. The Nasarawa governor concluded that “as part of the gains of the visit, I had discussion with two conglomerates, which specialised in solid minerals sector, to visit the country soon and fine tune ways of collaboration in harnessing the abundant solid minerals in the state.”

know my brother’s whereabouts. I know Maliki (his Muslim name) has expressed fear sometimes ago about dispute over political issues among the elders of his party, PDP, and some fellow members, but we advised him to take it cool. “In fact, I recall another family member, a brother, Taofiki Olonade, telling me that some thugs came to look for the councillor in his house, but fortunately he wasn’t there. In fact, a friend of Maliki too said the same thing that his house was visited by the hoodlums.” She added that these developments may have led the councillor to run into hiding to ensure safety, as his life could be in danger due to political antagonisms over some political differences. Saying that the police could not help matter when the disappearance was reported, Mrs Olonode said: “My brother is a gentleman; though a politician. And you know the kind of politics we play in this country. You are aware that often when politicians are in the contest for the same political offices or positions, they see themselves as enemies,” She explained that the family had set in motion other search efforts to locate the lawmaker besides the ‘little’ the police could offer them. Her words: “We are not folding our arms at all; we are doing all within our limits to know my brother’s whereabouts. And with Allah on our side, we are hoping all shall be well. “For now, I expected to see less tension in the political field as there are not much contests presently, but you can’t trust politicians in Nigeria with the way they see opposing aspirants who show interest in the same political offices they are also eyeing. “But then, we are hoping and praying that Maliki is safe wherever he may be for now. The family members had embarked on prayers and fasting as our contributions to finding the former councillor.”

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Thursday, July 30 2015

NASS crisis and the supremacy of self interest O LALEK AN WAHEED A DIGUN

ecently, Comrade Jiti Ogunye wrote and published a piece reflecting his thoughts on the controversial June 9, 2015 National Assembly leadership election, under the title: ‘Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu’s elections are a nullity’. I must say that I am still impressed by this man’s dexterity in his calling, but whether I agree with him on his opinion is another matter altogether. Before I proceed, let me make some germane clarifications. First, being not a lawyer, I must be quick to admit my limited knowledge of law. Unlike Jiti, I will look at the issues purely from political standpoints. Secondly, I do not support thuggery, hooliganism and utter recklessness as witnessed on the day of the election. On these two points, I guess I am still on the same page with Jiti. In the said article, he raised several points steaming from morality to legality and to criminality. On the issue of morality, I noticed he mentioned more of “should” and “ought to” in the articles which connotes normative interpretations. I have learnt to avoid such phrase like a plague! He made the following point: “… the APC, correctly and responsibly… conducted a straw poll among its legislators to deter mine the popularity

and acceptability of the aspirant and adopt consensus of the party for the position.” I agree it was act of betrayal and gross indiscipline for Bukola Saraki and Yakub Dogara to proceed to contest the positions against the interest of their party. But if we agree with the Ger man statesman, Otto van Bismarck, that “politics is the art of the possible, the attainable -the art of the next best”, then we will see that interests have roles to play in politics. As far as this writer is concerned, even though we were thought in political theory classes that “what is morally wrong cannot be politically right”, I know for a truth that this only ended just as it came -a theory. The morality in the issue is purely relative, while ambition is the key word. Politics is about negotiation and compromise, in some cases with the devil! If the APC missed out on this, then it’s too late to cry. It is not just enough for the APC to conduct a straw poll, it behooves the party to set up the mechanism to ensure its members toe the party line. All before then, the PDP has been in crises; it suddenly found its lost unity and embraced its lost sheep in Saraki and Dogara, and braced up for a new challenge - the control of the national legislature. I see nothing unusual in this! In the Senate, the APC had 59 members as against PDP’s 49. On the sur-

POLITICS IS ABOUT NEGOTIATION AND

COMPROMISE, IN SOME

CASES WITH THE DEVIL! face, it looks good for the former to “control” the upper house. But what the party fails to realise is its own underestimation of the desperation of its rival on the one hand and the facts of precedence on the other hand. Someone with 49 “standing” votes out of possible 109 votes can only be underestimated at one’s own peril. Saraki only needed a minimum of six votes from the flesh of APC’s 59 to clinch the seat. Politics, again, is a game of numbers. How often have we heard this told? There is also a question of precedence. In 2011, Aminu Tambuwal of the PDP came up against his party’s candidate, Alhaja Mulikat Akande for the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives. With the PDP’s votes largely divided, Tambuwal sort the support of the then Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), which had about 71 members, the All Nigerian People’s Party(ANPP) and the Congress for Progressives Change(CPC). In addition to the votes he could get from PDP’s flesh, he won the elec-

tion. It is instructive to note here that Tambuwal later joined the APC in the eve of the 2015 election. Can we say that Saraki played the same game the APC once won? While not holding brief for any party or faction in the crises, my take is that if there is a presidential proclamation declaring the National Assembly open, then 51 APC senators’ absence when such an important function was going in the Senate is discomforting if not suspicious. As Jiti himself noted, the House will not wait for anyone who absent himself or herself from the session! Again, even if the 51 APC senators were on the floor of the Senate, they would have come against 49 PDP reunited with their former eight colleagues now in APC. As far as my knowledge of the 1999 Constitution can serve me, only a simple majority (of senators voting) is required to win the election as Senate President. That also reminds me, in the case of the House of Representatives, where all the members voted, did that still prevented Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the APC candidate from losing the Speakership? Adigun, a Lagos-based political risk analyst and strategist, wrote via olalekan@olalekanadigun. com and could be followed on twitter @adgorwell

Reminding Mr. President of his campaign promises OLUDAYO TADE

he postponement of the 2015 general elections by former President Goodluck Jonathan was predicated on the need to ensure that the exercise was conducted even in the terror infested zone of Northeast Nigeria. And just within that six-week period, what seemed impossible against Boko Haram since 2009 was achieved. The terrorists were pummeled and territories held by them recaptured and it was congratulations galore to the gallant Nigerian Army. But to my utter dismay, the structure that chased and invaded the Boko Haram in the Sambisa forest at the twilight of Jonathan government seemed to have vanished with the sect now making more victims of innocent Nigerians. From the time All Progressive Congress (APC) took government at the centre, no fewer than 600 innocent Nigerians have been forced to join their ancestors. Several others are being displaced daily and poorly catered for. The sect now operates more brazenly almost daily. The effects of this on the psyche of Nigerians are better imagined than analysed. Whatever has gone wrong with the security infrastructure of the Nigeria Army battling against Bokoharam fighters in the Northeast of the country deserves explanation by President Mohammed Buhari, whom Nigerians reposed so much confidence

THE PRESIDENT MUST

LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISE OF ACTING ON TIME ON THE FESTERING TERRORISM in as a retired army general ‘to smoke the insurgents out’. I am shocked at the defence of the APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed that the Boko haram terrorists are becoming weaker with the daily killing of ‘soft targets’. Lai Mohammed must be finding it difficult to defend failures having been a major critic of the Jonathan administration. It is difficult to paint black white. Rather than admitting that the APC government lied to Nigerians or that it lacked knowledge of the magnitude of the problem, people like Lai Mohammed should learn to keep mute so as not to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians. APC and President Buhari must prove to Nigerians that all they said during campaigns were either lies or promises which they have not started to keep. Let me remind President Buhari in case he has forgotten his speech at the Chattam House: “Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention

to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels, we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas… I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism” Not only is the world worried about Nigeria, Nigerians are more worried than before. If the truth must be told, Mr President is yet to live up to these promises. For now those words appear to be campaign lies. A promise is a debt. President Buhari owes Nigerians to justify that Nigerians voted for him wisely. In the same Chattam house Buhari had said: “On March 28, Nigeria has a decision to make: To vote for the continuity of failure, or to elect progressive change. I believe the people will choose wisely.” Mr President, under the present sociopolitical and economic milieu which you supervise nothing has changed progressively. What we have seen is a party that fights over juicy positions, wardrobe allowances, and a National Assembly that proceeds on holiday

less than a month after its inauguration and yet, they will be paid! While Nigeria continues to be vulnerable to the expansionist campaign of Boko Haram fighters, the economy is in chaos due to the continuous sliding of naira against the dollar. The problem of fuel has not abated too. Unfortunately, the presidency and APC take offence in constructive criticism and abuse whoever chooses to remind them of what they fails to do. The civil society groups, labour unions, activists and others must keep this government on its toes lest it drifts. Nigerians are not interested if the president will use Lai Mohammed’s recommended “synergistic use of military, political and economic elements” to end this carnage of soft targets. All we want is result! The president must live up to his promise of acting on time on the festering terrorism. For now, unless a multidimensional approach is employed to check mindless killing of ‘ordinary Nigerians’, while ‘real Nigerians (politicians)’ look on and fight over allowances and positions, no economic development plan by the present government will work. Dr Tade, a sociologist wrote this piece from Ibadan via dotad2003@yahoo.com 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 July 30, 2015

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 ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Buhari and the unmasking of oil thieves

t happened just early last September. The former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, had in an obviously powdered sabre-rattling on oil theft, threatened to visit the full wrath of the law on any officer of the navy caught conniving with multinational oil companies to defraud the nation through the stealing of crude. Jibrin had, among others, accused oil firms of being neckdeep in the economic crime of oil theft in the Niger Delta. Not ready to suffer fools gladly with Jibrin’s grandstanding, however, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), in response, accused the Federal Government of handling the fight against oil theft with kid gloves. An enraged IYC accused the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan-led FG of shying away from arresting and prosecuting high profile crooks thriving on oil theft. The group’s spokesman, Eric Omare, said no one should take the FG seriously until it mustered the guts to arrest complicit retired and serving military officers, politicians, oil companies’ top shots and their collaborators in the business of illegal oil bunkering. Not only did IYC dismiss Jibrin’s threat as “nothing other than the usual rhetoric of government and security agencies to the problem of oil theft”,

the group went ahead to say in addition that “the involvement of these high-profile persons in the business of oil theft is the reason why the government and security agencies have not been able to summon the courage and political will to bring oil theft to a stop…” Incidentally, those who cried out loudest about the damage oil theft was doing to the nation’s economy, with purported fact and figures, were government officials and multinational oil company executives. At various times, Nigerians were told that the country was losing 180,000 barrels of oil per day valued at $7 billion annually to crude oil thieves. Between 2011 and 2012, Nigeria spent $5 billion on the repair of pipelines vandalised by oil thieves, which when added to oil theft within the period, reflected a cumulative annual loss of $12 billion. The country was said to be losing N155 billion monthly to the faceless thieves in 2013, among other claims. It is a piece of news most cheering, therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent indication that he would soon fish out the ‘ghosts’ behind the huge theft of the nation’s oil, particularly since the last four years; and in spite of oil facilities’ and pipeline protection contracts running into billions

NIGERIANS CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE UNVEILING OF THE MYSTERIOUS OIL THIEVES AND THE RECOVERING OF THEIR OBSCENE LOOT of naira awarded to ex-militant leaders that properly understood the Niger Delta terrain and were, therefore, in a better position to have access to intelligence and the wherewithal to scale down the theft to the barest minimum, if it is so intractable and beyond total elimination. During his recent official visit to the United States, President Buhari, at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, declared that he was in position of some documents on how former ministers and government officials looted oil funds. More expansively, the president was saying that he had concrete evidence on how officials entrusted with Nigerian crude oil made crude theft and illegal sale their pastime and diverted the monies realised therefrom to their individual accounts. His exact words: “We are now looking for evidences of shipping some of our crude, their destinations and where and

ON THIS DAY

July 30, 2003

July 30, 2006

In Mexico, a federal constitutional republic in North America, the last ‘old style’ Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line. The Volkswagen Beetle, officially called the Volkswagen Type 1 (or informally the Volkswagen Bug), is an economy car produced by the German auto maker, Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003. The Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car.

At least 28 civilians, including 16 children, were killed by the Israeli Air Force in what Lebanese called the Second Qana massacre; and what Israel considered to be an attempt to stop rockets being fired from Lebanon at Israeli civilian targets. The air strike was carried out by the Israel Air Force (IAF) on a three-story building in the small community of al-Khuraybah, near the South Lebanese village of Qana.

which accounts they were paid into; and in which country. When we get as much as we can get, as soon as possible, we will approach those countries to freeze those accounts and go to court, prosecute those people and let the accounts be taken to Nigeria. The United States and other developed countries are helping us to trace such accounts now… The amount involved is mindboggling. Some former ministers were selling about one million barrels per day…A lot of damage has been done to the integrity of Nigeria; with individuals and institutions already compromised. I assure you that whichever documents we are able to get and subsequently trace the sale of the crude or transfer of money from Ministries, Departments, Central Bank, we will ask the cooperation of those countries to return those monies to (the Nigerian) Federation Account...” There is no interrogating the fact that, indeed, a monstrous collateral damage has been done to the Nigerian economy, the infrastructural and social amenities’ of the nation and the welfare and condition of living of the majority of Nigerians. Therefore, the people of this country cannot wait to see the unveiling of the mysterious oil thieves and the recovering of their obscene loot.

July 30, 2012 A power grid failure left seven states in northern India without power, affecting 620 million people. The blackout was the largest power outage in the country’s history, occurring as two separate events on July 30 and 31, respectively. The outage affected over nine percent of the world’s population, or half of India’s population, spread across 22 states in Northern, Eastern, and Northeast India.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

AAU students want trucks banned on highways 24 Tunbosun Ogundare

igerians have started expressing concern on the inability of 19 out of the 36 states of the federation to pay the examination fees of their sponsored candidates for this year’s May\June West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), two months after the exam. The 19 undisclosed affected states spread across the six-geopolitical zones of the country according to the Head of National Office of WAEC in Nigeria, Mr. Charles Eguridu, owe the council over N4 billion in connection with the exam and the one before it, the condition which he claimed had seriously hampered the smooth operations of the organisation. The WAEC boss at a press conference in Lagos where he made the disclosure however lamented that the development had specifically prevented the council from meeting its financial obligations to its clients in connection with the exam, especially the examiners, supervisors and service providers, who he said were ought to have been paid of their allowances. While noting that the council had severally pleaded with the affected states to pay up with no success, he pointed out that the organisation registered their candidates on credit based on their promise to pay later and in view of their long standing as customers. But many who spoke to National Mirror on the issue while blaming WAEC for registering candidates on credit, they equally asked the various state governments to stop footing the exam bills of students and this to begin from next year. They said the affected states would only need to pay the current debt no matter how hard it is since it is an agreement between them and for the fact that the students concerned have also graduated. Their belief is that many state governments know full-well that their economies are not viable enough to accommodate such payment but just to use the policy to score a cheap political goal. To them, it is not only disheartening and uncalled for that many parents want almost everything and if possible their personal feeding, shoes, accommodation and so on to be borne by government, but the consistent mass failure of candidates in WASSCE makes the cost- free exams nonsensical. The immediate past Chairman, Nigeria

N4bn debt: Why states should stop paying WAEC fees for students —Stakeholders

Students in exam hall Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State chapter, Mr. Kayode Samson told National Mirror that for governments to be paying exam fees of final year students in public schools who also enjoy free education from primary to secondary schools is just uncalled for especially in view of the economic reality of most of these states. What makes the matter worse according to him is the fact that most of the states cannot even pay salaries of their workers which he said was their primary responsibility. Samson, who is also a parent, said it was important that parents or guardians feel the pains of sending their children to school by shouldering at least the payment of their terminal exams. “The money can serve as their own inputs into the education of their children and this will encourage them to put in more emphasizes and value on their children performance not only in academic but also in character. They will give adequate attention to what their teachers are teaching them; monitor their assignments and other activities just to ensure they get all round-knowl-

JAMB admission crisis: One blunder too many! 23

edge. So, parents should be able to contribute minimally to education of their children and not having the attitude that government will pay for everything. Even the air we receive in is not free and that is why we always try to keep our environment healthy,” he said. He explained that seeing a government promising free education when it cannot pay the salary of its workers is deceptive and anti-development and should therefore be discouraged to prevent further damage to the sector. Corroborating him, the Deputy National President, League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP), Alhaji Fatai Raheem recalled that the issue of state governments owing WAEC fees of their sponsored candidates was not new but a repeat of past experiences which he said might likely recur if governments hook on to the practice. He said since WAEC’s leadership knows full-well the economic conditions of most of these states as unviable, it shouldn’t have offered them credit. While noting that students in private schools aside from paying for everything con-

6-3-3-4: Implementation, not policy is problem —Akeusola

cerning their education throughout elementary to secondary schools including WAEC’s fees likewise their peers in federal government colleges, it would not be too much for students in the state-owned schools to pay for at least their WAEC fees like the practice before 1999 when democracy crept in. Even though he didn’t make a position, the Chairman of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPSS), Lagos chapter, Otunba Yomi Otubela described the non-payment of the fees on record time as sadden; reaffirming that it was condemnable and uncalled for. While arguing that the development was tantamount to a breach of agreement between parties involved, it is capable of eroding public trust on part of the political leaders who he accused of making unfulfilled promises. Otubela, who is a proprietor of Lagooz Schools, Iyana-Ipaja while believing that the development would equally retard economic progress and lower the credibility of WAEC’s certificates, he urged all the affected states to pay up their bills.

Ambode sues for peace on campuses 23

Education Today

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

6-3-3-4: Implementation, not policy is problem —Akeusola How would you explain the performance of the 6-3-3-4 policy on education sector? It is not encouraging and government is largely responsible for this. This is because we don’t know how to interpret policies correctly in the country. The 6-3-3-4 is supposed to be interpreted as six years in primary school, three years in technical-oriented junior SS, 3 years SSS and 4 year tertiary education and not university. We hurriedly interpreted it as 6 years primary school, 3 years JSS that has been haphazardly done now because ‘technical’ has been taken out of it which shouldn’t have been. Then the three year secondary school supposed to be divided into three-the grade 2, shouldn’t have been abolished. If Grade 2 is not to be used as certificate for teaching, it should be for prolongation of educational achievement. So, it should have been three year secondary teacher education, three year senior technical education and three year general education because those are the feeders. The person that finishes three years teacher education goes to college of education to pursue NCE or a degree in teacher education. The one in three year technical education would have gone to polytechnics to pursue either degree or diploma in technical education, while the three year general education would have gone to university. I think Grade 2 should be re-introduced. It may be given another name that could be feeder to colleges of education. Grade 2 and technical colleges must be at par with SS. Let colleges of education and polytechnics be degree awarding in their areas of specialisations. Let colleges be awarding NCE and B.Ed, while universities to award from first degree to PhD. Sir, you were just been reappointed for second term as the provost, how did you think you merit the appointment? Let me tell you the genesis of the entire thing. I was expecting and was not also expecting. That’s the truth. The truth of the matters is that as a normal human being, I was growing bigger than MOCPED. I came to MOCPED with the sole ambition of turning the place around, and that if my achievements could speak for me, it could lead me into a greater appointment either at the state or national level. If you could recollect, MOCPED was a jungle when I came in, and I decided to use my influence within and outside the country to make the place better. I was looking forward to see what Lagos State Government or Federal Government could offer me. I also had the ambition of going back to NOUN to do something better. But the thinking of the college and the state happened to be in consonance with the proposal that we wrote that we want to take the college to the next level. What did you meet on ground when you assumed this position four years ago? I was welcomed into a glorified secondary school. MOCPED was a replica of that old teacher training college with only one auditorium, one storey- building and where almost everything was in shambles. The college was like a jungle. I then decided that for MOCPED to compete favourably with other colleges of education in and outside Nigeria, I must take a

Prof. Olu Akeusola, the fourth Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, NoforijaEpe, Lagos State, is a multiple –award winning scholar. He is a professor of comparative grammar and Secretary General of Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education in Nigeria. Until his appointment in 2011 for his first term as a provost, he was the Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences at the National Open University of Nigeria. In this interview with SAIDAT ALAUSA, Akeusola speaks about how he transformed MOCPED from jungle to a bustling city in four years, the country’s 6-3-3-4 education policy, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, among other issues. Excerpts: We have made a proposal to the state government and it is for government to take our proposal. We want to start a university of Open and Distance Learning, ODL, with at least six to eight faculties that will be human and per capital development institution. I loved that the college becomes an ODL institution. At least, that will serve as a pace setter at the state level in the country. Sir, with all these, what could you point to as the achievements of your administration? Without exaggeration and by the grace of God, we are able to record some successes. I won’t ascribe them to myself alone but to all of us in MOCPED, the management, other workers, the students and other stakeholders. I got to the college in 2011, and the college had only one convocation ceremony since establishment. But by the grace of God, we have conducted two already and planning for the third one coming up before the end of this year. My administration brought in the first digital e-library, digital language and laboratory in the college. Most of the buildings including administrative block are to our credit. We now have 750-seater capacity ICT hall.

Akeusola holistic approach. That was how I began to approach both national and international donors that would be instrumental to developing our infrastructures. Among them is the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The agency has been very magnanimous towards the college. Majority of the things we have in the college were provided with TETFund intervention. Another agency is the National Communication Commission which gave us many computers to develop our ICT laboratory. Some of our international partners from Saudi Arabia where I happen to be a visiting professor also gave us some other things. I am using this medium to expresses my gratitude to them all. But many institutions often complain of their inability to access money from TETFUND, what paved way for MOCPED? Let me explain in this simple way. There is nothing in a post than the person that occupies it. A position dictates how the position would be run. But many of our leaders and chief executives are not well- prepared for the position they are occupying. I’m sorry but that’s the truth. Majority of them are simply armchair chief executives. I have spent 21 years as a lecturer and director in a college of education. I’ve been into the university system, risen to a position of a professor, been a dean of a faculty before becoming a provost of this college. That was why I was able to pursue my goals and objectives. Majority of our CEO especially those in universities simply because state or federal government are extremely generous to them, they have the tendency of tapping only one source

without thinking of elsewhere. TETFund grant happens to be very fine and solid but it has rules. If you are not ready to follow the procedures, you may not be able to get what you want from the agency. Let me say this. In spite the fact that MOCPED is a state-owned institution and in a state controlled by the opposition party then, we were able to get what we wanted from TETFUND simply because there is no discrimination in academics. TETFund is purely academic and I have to give kudos to those managing it because they have no bias about political parties. MOCPED was known to be a crisesridden college before you assumed office, how were you able to enjoy steady and relatively peaceful administration? With this question, I will have to go into history. The college was established in 1994 and none of the three provosts before me was able to complete their first term let alone having the second term before they were stampeded out of office. So, by the grace of God, I am not only the first provost who completed one term but also reappointed for the second term. But honestly I was faced with similar challenge like my predecessors in the beginning. But God helped me to succumb it. I only capitalise on my background and experiences. How do you want people to remember you by the time you are through as a provost of this college? I want people to know that I came and saw and conquered. I saw a jungle and I turned it into a bustling city. Go to MOCPED at night, if you do not see small London, call me a liar.

Sometime last year, the college was accused by Ekiti State University of not remitting money meant for the award of certificates to students who were on degree programmes in the college, what exactly happened and how was it resolved? The truth is that EKSU programme is a compounded one, when I came into the system they have already entered into affiliation agreement with EKSU. In consonance with the agreement, EKSU is to moderate everything they do upon payment of necessary money. The programme started in 2007. When I came in 2011, I realised they had never taken any results to EKSU and they had been indebted to the university because they were not paying regularly. It is not as a result of the college collecting money and not remitting but students have been defrauding the college. The students operate several fraudulent accounts whereby they pay the money that would have accrued into the college account into their own accounts. So when I came, I did forensic auditing and discovered this fraudulent practice. That was when they started calling me ‘Kowope’ (i.e., let the money complete). I told them to pay the money back and complete their programmes or to go away if chose otherwise. So, some complied while others left. But all that I can say now is that EKSU was not patient with us. Because when you are running this kind of programme, you don’t rush to press to allege your partners. Although, we have paid the money and now working on their portal, it is not a debt owed by my administration. But the truth is, when you inherit asset, you also inherit liabilities.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Kogi completes Nigeria/Korea Friendship Institute of Technology

Lifetrees Schools hold end of session party A cross section of students at the event.

Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

ogi State government has completed the multimillion naira Nigeria -Korea Friendship Institute of Technology for skill acquisition. The institute is located within the premises of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, the state capital. While conducting Journalists round the institute, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Special Project, Hon. Alfa Ibn Mohammed stated that the project which started in 2013 was ready for official opening. He explained that the facility was vocational centre, adding that the facility was a deliberate attempt to give succor to unemployed masses in the state as a joint venture by both parties. He pointed out that the project was jointly financed by the Korea and Kogi State government. He stated that the centre would be the first of its kind in West Africa with state- of-art facilities. According to him, the centre is meant for both the educated and non- educated individuals to acquire skills capable of making them economically independent.

Ogun SUBEB lauds unified exam Quadri Babatunde

L L-R: Counselor, Mrs. Ayodeji Ajayi; Administrator, Victor Adegbite; Mr. Pius Sodje and Vice Principal Academics, Mr. Koyode Olujobi at the event.

A member of staff, Mrs. Adewale Temidayo with KG 2 students at the ceremony.

gun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), recently monitors the third term Unified Exam Examination in all public primary schools across the state to ensure adequate examination conduct. The Coordinator of the team and the Chairman of SUBEB, Hon. Mufutau Ajibola said the motive behind the examination exercise was to ensure simultaneous participation of all schools. While inspecting schools in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of the State, the SUBEB chair expressed satisfaction with adequate preparation put in place as well as sitting arrangements of schools visited, disclosing that both schools and pupils adhered to examination instructions. But during the monitoring exercise, he however, discovered that some unscrupulous people were encroaching into the landed property of public primary schools, stating that people were taking undue advantage of government’s kind gesture. Hon Ajibola disclosed that this as become rampant, he therefore called on all illegal occupants to vacate with immediate effect as necessary steps have been put in place to evict them.

Gov’s wife blames poor students’ performance on worm infestation Priscilla Dennis MINNA

he wife of the Niger State Governor Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello has blamed poor performance of school children on worn infestation. Hence, she urged parents to ensure constant de-worm of their children for better academic performance. Speaking after declaring open the sensitisation of de-worming of school children organised by the Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists (NAHAP) in Minna, she said worm infestation makes children ill and slow down their level of participation in school activities. According to her, most infestations are chronic causing anemia, malnourishment, impairment of mental and physical development. While stressing the need to de-worm children in schools, she commended NAHAP for organizing the programme while appealing to parents to allow their children benefit from it.

ifetrees Schools, Ebute Metta, Lagos, was a beehive of activities last week when the school held its graduation and valedictory ceremony. The school which is managed by Standford Edutrust according to the Vice Principal Academics, Mr. Koyode Olujobi made use of British and Montessori philosophy anchored by dedicated team of excellent teachers who give the best to the children to bring out the hidden potentials in them. Samuel Adetimehin captured the graduation of another set of well groomed students of the school.

Fanfare as Longford International Schools celebrate graduands

ongford Inter national School, a private-owned primary and secondary school based in Ebute-Metta, Lagos has held its end of the academic session and graduation ceremony last week amid pomp and ceremony. The 53-year old institution founded by Chief B.O.B. Alonge, a renowned educationist according to the Administrator, Mr. Victor Adegbite is known for giving all-round education to its students. Yinka Adeparusi captured the event in images.

Basic 5 and 6 students performing.

L-R: School Counselor, Mrs. Ayodeji Ajayi; Head Mistress, Primary School, Mrs. Funmilayo Enitan; Administrator, Mr. Victor Adegbite and Vice-Principal, Academics, Mr. Olujobi Kayode at the ceremony.

A cross section of graduands, secondary arm.

Education Today

Thursday, July 30, 2015

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Quacks have no place in God’s Royal Child International Schools —Proprietress Mrs. Modupe Kingmate, the Proprietress of God’s Royal Child International Schools, Ebute-Metta, Lagos had been a classroom teacher for many years before she ventured into private practice. She studied at Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State where she obtained National Certificate in Education in 1980 before she proceeded to the University of Ibadan where she graduated with bachelor of education in Language Arts, Guidance & Counselling. In this interview with LOLADE AKINMURELE, Kingmate, who also has a Masters degree in Educational Administration from the University of Lagos, Akoka speaks about her experience in the industry. Excerpts: Ma, what informed your decision to establish a school? I have been on the education line for many years. I schooled at Federal College of Education, Okene and was recruited by the Lagos State government as a classroom teacher. I started from St. Finbarrs College, Akoka in 1982. I also taught at Akoka High School and Jibowu High School both in Yaba, Ijero Girls High school on Apapa Road, Marywood High school as well as Government College, Eric Moore where I retired as a Vice Principal. So, my passion for teaching informed my decision to set up God’s Royal Child School in 2006. How has it been so far and what are the challenges confronting school owners? It has been interesting and my background has been helping me. There are challenges confronting school owners. These range from the delay in payment of school fees by parents, accommodation issues as we are yet to be on permanent site to scarcity of standard teachers who can be trusted to contribute in the moulding of the children’s future. The challenge posed by getting quality teachers is probably the most pressing. The non-commitment and non-challant disposition of the teachers is quite alarming. The youth of these days are only motivated by money and not necessarily the passion to impact knowledge on the children. Teaching is spiritual, for I believe teaching children at this level require a unique deposit bestowed in you by God. It takes patience and tolerance to teach and some teachers lack those virtues as well as methodology of teaching. Although, they have been taught the ideal methodology of teaching, they fail to apply it in classrooms. Many of them merely count days to when their salaries will be paid. They are constantly seeking immediate riches rather than focusing on impacting knowledge on the children.

There is a general complaint that many Nigerian fresh graduates are unemployable due to the poor background they have had at the primary and secondary school levels, what is your view on this? It is a correct assertion as I have come to realise that majority of our graduates today cannot defend their certificates in terms of outputs at work places because they obtain them through fraudulent means. As for my students, I am proud to say that they are getting a very solid background because as a veteran in the field, I scrutinise what they are being taught by their teachers. I never employ sub-standard teachers as all my teachers are graduates in relevant fields and are seasoned professionals when it comes to the disposition of their duties as teachers and work endlessly to ensure the students become good ambassadors of the school. The quality of education the students receive should be treated sensitively and this goes beyond standard teachers to school owners with a solid background in school administration. Some school owners have no solid educational background and this reflects in the quality of teaching obtainable in their schools. Most of them flaunt exotic buildings and state-of-the-art structures yet they can only offer substandard education to their students. The mediocrity of these school owners make them unable to set a high educational standard in their schools, hence damaging the educational background of their students and that of the country at large. It is rather sad that these people are not driven by the passion to add substantially to the educational standard obtainable in Nigeria, rather they see the school business as a very lucrative venture thereby soiling the educational background of innocent children and giving private schools a bad image within and outside Nigeria.

Office time for the proprietress, Mrs Modupe Kingmate.

The proprietress with students during cooking practical

L-R(sitting): Principal of secondary school, Mr. Moses Akindipe; proprietress, Mrs Modupe Kingmate and the Year Tutor, Mr. Babatunde Balogun with other members of staff.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 30, 2015

JAMB admission crisis: One blunder too many! D uring the combined policy meeting held in the Idris abdulkadir auditorium of the National |Universities Commission on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) fixed the cut-off marks at 150 and 180 for admission into the nation’s diploma and degree awarding institutions respectively. Candidates therefore expected individual universities to advertise the dates for their Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to set in motion the final lap of the admission process. Apparently, the body had also decided to limit the number of students who could sit for the Post-UTME examinations in their choice institutions by arbitrarily pegging a cut-off mark, and posting the remaining to some other institutions. By so doing, JAMB has usurped the powers of the universities to set the cut-off marks for the Post-UTME and of candidates to pick a second choice university. This is just one in a chain of blunders so far committed by JAMB in the last five years of policy flip-flops, and it is one blunder too many! Universities are chosen by students in consultation with their parents or guardians based on many crucial criteria. Financial considerations are of overwhelming importance for the majority of candidates who seek admission into public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Components may include the amount of fees charged, the cost of transportation and the cost of living in the institution. Some universities that increased their fees arbitrarily in recent years have experienced drastic reduction in the level of patronage. In a country where poverty is as real as death for the majority, the factor of cost cannot be over looked! Even the few candidates, who are free from the shackles of poverty and select certain public tertiary institutions for more noble reasons like the quality of their programmes and cultural integration, would not like to see their family visions or pet dreams shattered through the incompetence of others. The power to choose is a universal right of every one in a democratic dispensation; the Nigerian government must guarantee this right at all times. Reputation is another important criterion in selecting

Universities are chosen by students in consultation with their parents or guardians based on many criteria which include the amount of fees charged. or avoiding some universities. The University of Ilorin has emerged as the most sought after institution in Nigeria because of her reputation of running uninterrupted programmes. Others are avoided like plague because of rampant tales of cultism. Some parents and guardians would rather their children and wards stay at home than confront the risk posed by cult activities on some university campuses! In retrospect, it was two sessions ago precisely that UTME candidates were stripped of the right to a second choice of university/course by JAMB under the current leadership on the excuse that many universities already have more than enough candidates from the first choice list alone. I reasoned then as I still do now, that there are many candidates and institutions that would benefit greatly from the opportunity of a second choice university or course. It appears that the chickens have come home to roost!

Ambode sues for peace on campuses Tunbosun Ogundare

have shown that such situations have been adversely affecting academic programmes as well as products of the system in various institutions. “That is why as government we will continue to take the issue of workers welfare as priority and at the same time open our doors wide for dialogue and constructive engagement with various academic and non-academic unions in our tertiary institutions when and where necessary,” he said. While congratulating the new graduates on the successful completion of their studies, Ambode restated his administration’s commitment to provide quality and quantitative

teacher education and other levels of education. Speaking earlier, the provost of the college, Mr. Olawale Bashorun asked the government to increase its monthly subvention to the college to enable it meet up with cogent financial responsibilities to the workers as well as the retirees as regards payment of their pension. The provost asked the graduands to remain focused and committed to whatever assignments they choose to do next, adding that the college had done it part by imparting right knowledge and skills needed to attain greatness in them.

he Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on staff and student unions in various tertiary institutions in the state to always embrace dialogue rather than being confrontational in resolving their grievances with the authorities. He made the appeal recently at the 35th convocation ceremony of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto\ Ijanikin, Lagos where over 5,000 students were awarded National Certificate in Education in various programmes. A 30-year-old Isiah Okegade who studied Physics and Maths and obtained cumulative gradient point average of 4.28 from 5.0 obtainable points is the overall best of the set. The governor, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, said it was only in atmosphere of peace and unity that meaningful progress can take place not only in academic communities but also in other establishments and organisations. He condemned a situation whereby workers ignore dialogues and constructive engagements and instead resort to protest and industrial actions to achieve their goals. L-R: Director of Finance, West African Examinations Council, Mrs. Bolanle Ojeleye; Head of National Office, Nigeria, Mr. Charles Eguridu and Acting Director, Computer Services, He noted that experiences so far Mr. Magnus Omoregie at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday.

Five years ago, the merger of the Monotechnics, polytechnics and colleges of education matriculation examination (MPCEME) with the University Matriculation Examination (UME) that produced the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2010 was hailed as a landmark achievement by the JAMB registrar. It was hoped then that it would improve access to and the quality of candidates admitted into the tertiary institutions, and iron out the dichotomy between the universities and the polytechnics. But alas, there has been no improvement in the quality of candidates admitted into the tertiary institutions. As at the last edition of the MPCEME conducted in 2009, a total of 342,499 candidates applied to the polytechnics and colleges of education. Five years later, the number of candidates selecting the colleges of education and polytechnics as most preferred institution in the UTME has dwindled to less than 40,000. To further aggravate the situation, less than 20 percent of applicants to the polytechnics are interested in technology based courses: the merger had failed to achieve the intended objective and actually aggravated the situation in these institutions! Beyond these, the reliability of JAMB’s UTME remains in doubt. In the past, the performance of candidates in the UTME has been found to be at variance with the Post-UTME. In fact, candidates with lower scores in the UTME have frequently posted better performance in the Post-UTME than candidates with higher scores. There is no proof that the situation has changed yet! Imposing the high scoring UTME candidates on the universities may actual deny them the opportunity to select the best candidates for admission. The confusion brought upon the nation at large by the arbitrary decisions of the JAMB leadership, and the untold emotional trauma to candidates that have worked hard to attain known cut-off marks of universities is most unwarranted and highly regrettable. A swift reversal of this obnoxious decision would be necessary to assuage the frayed emotions of a nation.

Deputy rector makes case for entrepreneurship education Saidat Alausa

hief lecturer, at the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr. Innocent Akhuemonkhan has called on government at all levels to break away from bogus educational policies which always exclude experts during implementation. He made the call while delivering the college’s 9th inaugural lecture, titled: “Bread sustainability in Nigeria: A quintessence journey, last week. Akhuemonkhan who is the college’s Deputy Rector, Academics also said that there was urgent need to redefine the purpose of Food Technology, Technical Vocational Educational and Training and Entrepreneurship Education to be more practical-oriented in order to make learners self-reliant after graduation. He also added that all levels of governments need to demonstrate strong political will to support polytechnics

in the implementation of educational policies. The lecturer also suggested that government and private sector should also support practical training and capacity building of the lecturers in food technology, TVET and centre for entrepreneurship. For TVET to stimulate employability and national development, Akhuemonkhan said there was need for proper sensitisation and education of the general public including policy makers on the real essence of TVET. This, according to him, will fast track attitudinal change. “At the government level, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should lobby the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to earmark adequate funding for polytechnics. “In the same vein, the organised private sector should be sensitised to support technology based courses, TVET and entrepreneurship education with their corporate responsibility investment as done in developed nations.”

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

zGovernor appoints

NANS member as aide

Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, ADO-EKITI

he National Association of Nigerian students (NANS), Zone B has congratulated one of its own, Mr. Jerry Ehiwario on his emergence as the Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Student’s Affairs. This was contained in a statement issued at the Delta State University, Abraka by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Pedro Obi. Pedro in the statement said Jerry Ehiwario’s appointment truly exemplifies reward for handwork and loyalty to a worthy cause. “To the average Nigerian students in Delta state, Jerry is synonymous to handwork, a grass root oriented student leader. “We have unshaken believe in Jerry’s capacity and ability being a former student leader to deliver on set goals, his appointment is truly a round peg in a round hole. While thanking the Governor for the appointment, Pedro also called on him to equally in his magnanimous nature, look at the status of the office and upgrade same to Senior Special Assistant for a better coverage.

NGO enlightens students on life after school Richard Enake

200L, INT’L STUD&DIP,UNIBEN

non for profit organisation, ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ recently held enlightenment programme for students of University of Benin, Edo State. Speaking at the forum, President, ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ and founder, Centre for Statistics and Research, South Africa, Braimah Bello said the programme was aimed at enlightening the students on what it takes to be excellent and exceptional in their various fields of study and life in general. The seminar was themed, “Black excellence and exceptionalism.” According to him, the seminar was to ignite the minds and lifting the veils off the eyes of the students, so as to ensure that the illusions at to what the life after school hold for them would be properly put in perspective. Speaking on the topic, Purpose driven student, Consultant, Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital(UBTH), Dr. Adeleye Omokhua who is also a facilitator of the seminar said that the Purpose driven student is like a moving vehicle with the driver and the driven.

AAU students want trucks banned on highways ‘Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUSINESS ADMIN AAUA

tudents of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State have called on government to ban trucks and trailers from plying the highways in daytimes in the country. They said they made the call to checkmate the excesses of drivers of articulated vehicles who

drive recklessly on highways killing many people. Speaking on their behalf, the institution’s Union President, Mr. Olukayode Ogunade while commiserating with families of the students of the university who died of motor accident at Ilara-Mokin along Akure-Ilesha express road recently. The accident which involved eight students which included a 400-level student of Chemical

Science department and alsothe President of the Student Chemical Society of Nigeria, AAUA chapter Tolulope Omojola according to him was caused by a truck driver. “It is disheartening, pathetic and appalling that ghastly auto accidents are occurring every day in this nation. The situation is unbearable and we can’t cope with it any longer. “Some students of University of

Benin were killed by these trailer drivers, also on June, 12 Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, students were also sent away from mother earth.” The AAUA student leader however demands for lasting regulations for the companies who own trucks. He said there should be regulations on their movement in Nigeria high ways, which should be restricted to late in the night.

Students of School of Engineering, Federal Polytechic Ado Ekiti, during the election of new leaders, recently.

Enactus: Race to S’Africa begins among undergraduates

Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Ahmadu Bello Among others are Federal Polytechnic Oko; University (ABU), Zaria; Babcock University, Ota; Federal University of Technology, Akure; FedBaze University, Abuja; Bayero University, Kano; eral University of Technology, Owerri; Kaduna he Entrepreneurship Action Benue State University, Makurdi; Ekiti State Polytechnic, Kogi State University, Anyigba; Us(ENATUS) is set for this year’s edition University, Ado-Ekiti; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; University of Ibadan; University of Jos; Uniof its annual competition among under- Federal Polytechnic, Mubi; Federal Polytechnic versity of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nekede; Federal Polytechnic Offa; and so on. graduates nationwide. No fewer than 40 institutions comprising public and private universities and polytech- Saidat Alausa nics will have representatives participating in dards Organisation of Nigeria lic Relations of the university. the edition, which is scheduled to hold in Lagos The Dean, who is the immeederal University of (SON), Mrs. Margaret Eshiett, between 11th and 12th of August. ENACTUS is diate past President, Nigerian disclosed that Nigeria was recAgriculture, Abeokuta a global charity organisation biased in youth Institute of Food Science and ognised as one of the coun(FUNAAB),Ogun State entrepreneurship development among stuTechnology (NIFST), said his tries that celebrated the World has received another accodents of higher learning. dream was for the college to be Health Day . As usual, during the competition, participat- lade in Geneva, Switzerland, in the forefront of innovations, She revealed that in the ing schools will in turn showcase their various during the 38th session of the global relevance, excellence course of reviewing the news innovative projects carried out in one year and Codex Alimentarius Commisand productivity . publications of the various how they positively impacting lives of their sion (CAC), as part of activities On how the country intends countries that celebrated the beneficiaries with an independent panel of marking the World Health Day to mitigate the challenges of last World Health Day , CAC apjudges evaluate the works for rewarding pur- celebration. food security, Prof. Sanni who preciated FUNAAB’S College The Codex Alimentarius poses. Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti is also the Chairman of NIFST of Food Science and Human Commission is a joint interwon the last year’s edition. Foundation, suggested that NiEcology (COLFHEC), as reFor this year with the theme: “Enabling governmental body of the gerians should embrace and ported in the weekly FUNAAB progress,” the acting country’s director, Mi- World Health Organisation support the implementation of Bulletin. chael Ajayi, in a press release said the competi- (WHO) and the Food and Agthe current government’s polThe Dean of COLFHEC, tion would go in three stages with the winning ricultural Organisation (FAO) Prof. Lateef Sanni, described icy on the expansion of the loteam to represent Nigeria at the global version of the United Nations, which the feat as “a very good land- cal production of agricultural slated for Johannesburg in South Africa be- meets annually to compile the standards, codes of practice, mark and a leveraging opportu- products. tween 14 and 16th October. “For us to be able to be food nity for the university. He noted that the edition would also feature guidelines and recommendasecured, food must be availHe however said that it was various teams showcasing their projects under tions that protect consumer able, it must be affordable and a combination of collective efhealth and ensure fair pracSahara Light up Nigeria Challenge, Season II. it must be accessible and if we forts, not only by the technical He listed participating schools to include tices in food trade. do not have that, then we are far team in the College, but also Commending the univerObafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Adekunle from the point.” that of the Directorate of Pubsity, the Deputy Director, Stan-

Tunbosun Ogundare

FUNAAB shines in Geneva

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Association calls for improved vocational, technical education Emeka Chukwuemeka FCET, UMUNZE

igerian Association of Vocational and Technical Educators (NAVTED) have called on the government at all levels and general public to pay maximum support to vocational and technical education in the country. They identified vocational and technical education as critical to genuine national growth and development. This was disclosed at the association’s conference held at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra state. Speaking at the conference which was the 13th edition, the National President,

Alh. Bamidele Rotimi, said that the conference with the theme “The Role of Vocational and Technical Education in Nigeria Democratic Dispensation” is not only timely but relevant to the present Nigerian Democratic change. He observed that the economic competitiveness of a country depended on the skills of its workforce. Earlier in his welcome address, Provost of the college, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu called on the Federal Government to stop paying lip service to vocational and technical education in the country, saying if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen the sector, Nigeria will, in the near future, import most of its manpower from neigbouring countries of West Africa.

ADOPOLY students elect new exco Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, ADO-EKITI

tudents of the Federal polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, last week, finally had the opportunity to go to the polls to elect new Students’ Union executives. This was three months after the last Students’ Union executives led by Ajibola Oladapo handed over to the management. The election which ought to have been conducted last semester was postponed due to unstable academic calendar and failure of the last Students’ Senatorial Council to constitute the electoral committee on time. A visit to all the four faculties which served as polling units showed peaceful atmosphere during and after the election as security agents were on patrols. Also the turnout of students was high and they displayed commendable level of patience and discipline. The result which was announced by the Ado Poly electoral Commission(APECO) at the School Multipurpose Hall has Jacob Oluwatuyi of Building Technology Department emerged as the President with a victory polling 824 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alao Olalekan of Science Technology

Akande department who had 409 votes. Aborisade Pelumi from Business Management department came third with 371 votes while Lawal Taofeek of Computer Science had 172 votes to come fourth. Other winners are Grace Emupene, General Secretary; Sunshine Tunde as the Financial Secretary; Olayinka Johnson, Treasurer elect; Owoyemi Akinwale Desmond also emerged as the Social Director and Adeboboye Kunle emerged as the Welfare Director. Others are Oluwafemi Arowosafe Public Relations Officer, Lubi Judge also won the Sport Director. Following the announcement of the results, some students who could not hide their feelings expressed their excitement, reactions to the conduct of the election.

A cross section of students, University of Benin during an enlightenment programme organised by ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ held in the institution, recently.

Eddy Uwoghiren

300L, MED & SURG, UNIBEN

rofessor of Hematology and consultant hematologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Prof. Halim Daye has advised Nigerians to undergo regular blood screenings if they want to live long. He gave the advice while delivering the University of Benin 159TH inaugural lecture, titled, “We should pay more attention to our blood, else”, last Thursday. Prof. Daye bemoaned what he called “I don’t care attitude of most Nigerians. Many Nigerians are so concerned about their outward appearance. They don’t care about what flows in their system. Many persons do not even know their blood group. “Some persons even go ahead to get married these days without blood testing thereby endangering the lives of their children.” Halim reiterated that Health is

Regular blood screenings, key to long life —UNIBEN don

wealth therefore people should not play with what matters so much. “Many blood diseases can be managed if detected early. This is one reason we should ensure we undergo a full blood screening at least once in six months.” The professor of Hematology said there is the need for government to immediately declare a state of emergency on Hepatitis B Virus which he said is 40 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS and affects one in every four Nigerians. Halim recommended that government should immediately provide infrastructure necessary to run blood test in health centers nationwide. He also pleaded with relevant authorities to invest in the training of Hematologist and also research grant for persons specialising in hematology. While stressing the need for the Senate to immediately pass a law which

would make Pre-employment screening a must for both private and public sector of the economy, he cautioned workers at health centres to take precautions against HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis when handling patient’s blood and proper use of sterilizers and disinfectants. He further called on medical personnel to ensure that blood for transfusion is properly screened to avoid blood transfusion diseases. Observing that there is need for the government to develop a health policy frame work that would ensure a mandatory periodical blood checks for all citizens especially school children and workers, he called on the media and Non-Governmental agencies to do more of enlightenment campaign to educate people on the need to undergo regular blood screening.

Pomp as UNILAG female muslim students’ leader weds Miftaudeen Raji UNILAG

t was excitement galore last weekend when a female leader popularly known as Amirah of Muslim Students’ Society of Ni-

geria (MSSN) University of Lagos chapter, Hajia Tawakalitu Sarumi wedded. The colourful wedding ceremony was held in Ketu area of Lagos. The bride, a 400-level final year student of Adult Edu-

cation got married to Alhaji Hassan Taiwo Adesina, who is a Lagos-based engineer and National Secretary of the Muslim congress. The couples expressed gratitude to Allah for His mercy with much thanks to

their parents and well wishers. In her appreciation, the elated Hajia Tawakalitu glorified Allah and adores Him for making the day a reality. “I also give kudos to my parents and all well wishers who have come to grace this occasion.” The couple, Hajia Tawakalitu Sarumi and Alh. Hassan Adesina (middle) with members of the association at the wedding ceremony.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

HISDAY Style welcomes us today: “Assistant Style Editor FUNKE BABS-KUFEJE and AYODEJI ROTINWA profiles (profile) the man, his plan and his chances….” “THE Nigerian Army, conscious of its commitment to its constitutional duties especially as regards to the defence of the territorial integrity of our dear nation….” Get it right: either as regards the defence or with regard to the defence— not ‘as regards to’. THE NATION, SATURDAY, and THE NATION ON SUNDAY of July 4 and July 5 respectively take over from THE GUARDIAN: “JTF alerts public on (to) new antics of kidnappers” In addition: for headline purposes, why not eliminate ‘of’ this way: JTF alerts public to kidnappers’ new antics “Most of those who have worked with Idris said his unique characteristic is (was) his daily ability to ‘clear his table of any issue before closing at work.” “He must put his foot down to arrest indiscipline in his party and clean up the Augean stable (stables) of corruption in our nation and the economy.” “…in the rain or under (in) the scorching sun for a rigour that is totally avoidable.” “…challenges up and coming (up-and-coming) actors” “Wada’s hide-and-seek game” Ripples: delete ‘game’ as it is encompassed.in the idiomatic expression. “Bank related (Bank-related) frauds and forgeries have been on the rise in recent times with over N23billion losses recorded in the last one year.” “NFF sacks Super Eagles (Eagles’) coach, Keshi” Finally from THE NATION family: “Agent: Alampasu not club less (clubless)”

FEEDBACK

First come first serve, Practice makes perfection. Beaten once shy twice. By P.M AKUJOBI (08028308118) from his pamphlet entitled “Corrected 420 COMMON MISTAKES (page 21).Corrected by me: First come, first served. Practice makes perfect. Once bitten, twice shy. WRONG: Practice makes perfect.

As regards/with regard to… CORRECT: Practice makes perfection. By PRINCE DR. K. JOLAYEMI, from his pamphlet entitled EDUCATE YOUR MIND WITH 525 COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (page 9) 08033357825. These pamphleteers and others wrote all the rubbish, which I’ve highlighted over the years in another column. I’ve books on English proverbs and Idioms. How can any reasonable person attribute the errors to me? It is carrying eccentricity too far. It is insanity – the very height of madness to even do that. I don’t assert what I don’t know. Thanks! For writing last Sunday. “The next grammatical crises are from The Guardian Editorial and Opinion Page of the edition of July 7, 2015”, Ebere has been under the Grammar Hammer charged with “the crime of logorrhea”! The background story, CRISIS: “Crisis” is widely used by journalists, working for such employers as the B.B.C., Daily Express and New York Times, for any kind of difficult situation – e.g. “the oil crisis”; “the water crisis”; “the coal crisis”. It is also the normal Communist word for the political and economic situation in any non – socialist country. “The crisis of the capitalist world in its economic aspects” (Comment, 29.11.75). the difference between Communist and non – Communist journalists is simply that for the first the capitalist world, everywhere and in all its activities, is in crisis all the time, but for the second only about half the times”, so asserts Kenneth Hudson in his book, THE DICTIONARY OF DISEASED ENGLISH (page 52). Nigeria was crisis–free between 1960 and 1963. Since 1964, Nigeria has been in crises. The crisis could have come to a head this year but for divine providence. Yet still, a crisis was manufactured in the National Assembly (NASS) by people who want to reap where they did not sew! In the instant context, Ebere could have used “grammatical infractions/infringements or breches”. Period! (BAYO

Ex-ICPC boss, Falana task students on diligence Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ormer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola and Lagos based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, have charged students at all levels to be diligent with their studies. The duo who spoke at the 13th edition of valedictory service and price giving-day of Crown Heights College, Ojoo, Ibadan, said diligence in studies is an evidence of hard work and the secret of success. According to them, students today are fortunate because there are research facilities for them which were not available during their time. Justice Ayoola said he could remember when he was punished for putting on a pair of shoe to school because it was not allowed but today the graduating

students could wear shoes to school not only because their parents could afford it but because they want the best for them. He therefore urged the students to reciprocate their parents’ gesture by being diligent with their studies. I was also graduating like you but I never knew what future holds. Thank God it led me to a great destination. I know as I did not know where to start, some of you are also doubtful of the future but let

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me tell you, all of you are going to bring blessing to your family, your school, your state, Nigeria, Africa continent and the whole world in general. “When we were in secondary school, we were not allowed to put on shoe and some of our parents could not afford it but your case is not like that. The only time we wear shoe was during festive period but today, you can wear shoe to school because your parents go extra

miles to care for you and you have to pay them back by giving your best at school. Your parents have invested on you and you have to pay them back by studying hard. “You need courage, integrity, commitment and diligence to be great. With these ordeals, 10 years ago, the same person that goes to school bare footed, was able to brief the Security Council of the United Nation because he was diligent. I want you to learn from this.”

L-R: Director, Applied Research and Technology Innovation, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr. Abiodun Adeleke; Deputy Rector (Admin), Dr. Moruf Adebakin; Lecturer and Deputy Rector(Academics), Mr. Innocent Ayemere Akhuemonkhan; Deputy Registrar (Personnel), Dr. Emmanuel Akinwale and Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs. Vivian Eniola, during the ninth Inaugural lecture of the institution, held in the institution, last week.

OGUNTUNASE 08056180046)

COLUMNIST’S RESPONSE: According to one of my dictionaries, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, there is nothing wrong with the usage of “crises” as faulted above. From the reference book comes this elucidation: “A situation in which there are a lot of (sic) problems that must be dealt with quickly so that the situation does not get worse or more dangerous Emergency: The country now faces an economic crisis. / The Prime Minister was criticised for the way in which he handled the crisis. / The current debt crisis / a major political crisis / I was relieved that we had averted yet another financial crisis. / Oil companies were heavily criticised when they made large profits during the oil crisis of the 1970s. / The car industry is now in crisis. / He doesn’t seem to be very good at crisis management.” It may interest Baba Oguntuanse to note that the abuse/misuse of the English language in Nigeria has reached a crisis point that must be addressed without resort to semantics and noun restrictions because of our peculiar sociolinguistic environment where we talk of “beer parlour” instead of “pub”! IN the late 80’s I wrote an article in The Guardian and National Concord titled “Grammatical Flaws” stressing inter alia the distinction between “its” and “it’s” stating that the former is a possessive adjective/pronoun based on the role. Mr. Oguntunase tøok me up on this claiming he had.consulted this and that textbook on this simple elementary grammar and would not agree with me. Other writers soon took up the gauntlet supporting my claim but he stood his ground becoming cantankerous. Amazing, a simple three-letter word causing him to embark on such an extensive research! Three decades after history is repeating itself.incöntrovertibly. Oguntunase is some character. Regards. (Komolafe G. O., Ilesa)

Don’t keep bad friends, proprietor counsels graduands

he graduating students of Dartforte International School, Lagos have been advised to avoid bad company when they get to tertiary institution. The proprietoress Princess Titilade Ijiwole gave the advice while speaking during the graduation ceremony of the college last week. She observed that the graduating students would discover that there is greater freedom at the tertiary level where there will be nobody to tell them when to read or sleep. She added that unless they learn to keep good company they run the risk of mismanaging their time. According to the proprietoress, the type of friends a person keeps can affect the behaviour of the person. Princess Ijiwole also urged the graduands to make hard work their way of life. ‘’You will discover t that at

the tertiary level you have more work but little time, unless you learn to work hard you may find it easy to cope.’’, she said. The guest speaker Mrs. Grace Sam said that it was important for the graduating students to use their time well as time and tide waits for nobody. She also advocated creativity among the graduands, adding that the journey of life demands creativity and integrity. The ceremony featured music and drama presentations, prize- giving to the brilliant and well behaved students.

Ijiwole

Business Thursday, July 30, 2015

Agriculture, key to rural development –Stakeholders 28

New electronic fraud uncovered

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing health concerns dim diet soda drinks’ market visibility

Payment of contractors will boost economy, says NECA SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE WITH AGENCY REPORT

irector General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Mr Segun Oshinowo, has said, payment of contractors handling capital projects would boost economic development in the country Urging the Federal and State governments to pay contractors, Oshinowo added that contractors’ expenditure was crucial to the economy. Oshinowo, who was reacting to non-execution of an estimated N4.2 trillion federal and state capital projects for 2015 fiscal due to uncertainty in revenue flow, said the Federal and state governments are yet to implement their capital budgets due to uncertainty in funds. According to the NECA’s DG, the issue was likely to have an adverse effect on the economy because it would affect the welfare of workers and slow down growth rate of the economy. He said that the failure to complete these projects showed that the government owed the contractors that have been mobilised to execute the jobs. ‘’When you owe contractors, it has ripple effect down the line because the contractors have employees that have to be paid salaries. ‘’When the contractors honour their obligation to the

employees, it translates into income into the pocket of the workers who is a consumer and he is able to patronise products and services in the economy,’’ he stated. He said that because of the deprived purchasing power of the consumer who has not been paid, the economy could experience slow down. Oshinowo said that the consumer expenditure was crucial to the growth of the economy since a person was one of the

key variables that drive growth. He said that if the projects remained uncompleted, government would be unable to deliver on good governance and the objectives of lifting Nigerians out of poverty would be defeated. In his contribution, Mr Peter Adeyemi, Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) advised all tiers of government to guard against engaging in too many projects at the same time that would be abandoned half way.

``You cannot open up between 20 roads at the same time when you do not have the capacity to finish them’’, Adeyemi said. He said that some states have gone into borrowing, taking bonds for projects that are grounded all over the places. He urged the governments to invest only in projects that would positively impact on the people and also ensure that they have enough resources to finish any project they started. (NAN)

ritish Airways, BA, has announced discounted fares for Nigerian passengers in its First Class Cabin from Lagos and Abuja to London and North America. The airline stated that the executive passengers could purchase tickets to travel from any of the two airports to London

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

L-R: Managing Director, FAAN Engr. Saleh Dunoma; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, and Director, Planning, Research/Statistics, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, during the inspection of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recently.

BA slashes fares for Nigerian First Class passengers OLUSEGUN KOIKI

starting from $6668 and from Abuja or Lagos to North America from $6747 up till the first week in August. Disclosing the fare packages in a statement, the airline’s media consultant in Nigeria stated that the offer was open to its existing and potential customers, covering outbound travel from August 1 to September 30, 2015. Speaking on the offer, the Regional Commercial Manager of

the British Airways, for West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka said the latest offer was in line with the company’s desire to offer greater deals to its executive customers travelling for business or celebrating with their families and friends abroad during this summer. Olayinka emphasised that the airline’s First Class customers have been supporting its operations in the country over

the years, stressing that the discounted fares was part of appreciating them for their loyalty to British Airways over the years. He said, “We will continuously support them with our wonderful service in our First Class cabin and those flying on First Class this summer whether for business or personal reasons, can enjoy the same world-class luxury from British Airways for less.”

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, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Agriculture, key to rural development –Stakeholders DAVID AUDU

griculture has been described as critical to driving employment and economic developments, especially in developing countries. This was the submission of various speakers at a ceremony held to distribute agricultural support materials to smallholder farmers and officially flag off the Cassava Enterprise Value-chain Development Project in Oke-Shopen and Ijebu-Igbo communities in Ijebu-Igbo North and Ijebu-Igbo North-East of Ogun state. Organised by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, in collaboration with Ogun State Agricultural Development Project, OGADEP, the event was another component of BATNF’s integrated programme, aimed at empowering rural farmers for sustainable development. General Manager, BATNF, Ms Abimbola Okoya, said that BATNF’s support was aimed at strengthening the capacity of community-based farmers, cooperatives as well as agro-enterprise associations to participate

in innovative economic activities, adopt renewable and energy-efficient technology while implementing climate adaptive and protective of soil health.” She expressed confidence that the inputs given to farmers to cultivate one hectare of cassava farm per farmer and trainings on best agronomic practices provided by OGADEP would yield increased production and income for farmers, which would ultimately boost job creation for youths and women along the value chain. Earlier, the Project Manager, BATNF, Mr Olusegun Adewole had noted that BATNF has had a long and fruitful relationship with Ogun state. “The Foundation’s years of interaction and its commitment to socio-economic development of the state have led to the establishment of several projects in Ogun state.” He specifically identified cassava processing cottage industry at Okelemo Community, training of 60 unemployed youths in 2014 as well as training of 200 poultry farmers in poultry enterprise development. Adewole described the Cas-

NAMA conducts site test for Kano tower project OLUSEGUN KOIKI

igerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, said it has successfully conducted a Site Acceptance Test, SAT, on installed Safe Tower Project equipment at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano. The SAT, according to NAMA was in preparatory for the commissioning of the project at the airport. Spokesman of NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona in a press statement, said the SAT, which was conducted using a Test Procedure Book, was intended to ascertain conformance with all the specified functions of the equipment within environmental tolerance. Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam said the project is strategic for the transformation of air traffic management services in the country. Abdulsalam listed the benefits of the tower project to include use of electronic or paperless flight progress strips by air traffic controllers; effective and efficient flight planning and reduction in Air Traffic Controller, ATC workload. Others are availability of a Radar Monitoring System for enhanced air traffic situation aware-

ness; automated data storage for effective billing; availability of meteorological information online and real time as well as vertical wind shear alerting system among others. Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Limited, the Project Contractors, Mr. Georg Eder, expressed confidence that Nigerian airspace would experience needed transformation in its flight operations with quality of equipment deployed by his company, which he described as “world class.” It would be recalled that the Safe Tower Project, which was conceived since 2006 was aimed at automating air traffic management services at four major airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano.

sava Enterprise Development Project as a fulfilment of the foundation’s objective of supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities to upgrade from subsistence farming to commercial farming. The Project Manager, OGA-

DEP, Reverend Ibikunle Onasanya said expressed optimism in the present administration to sustain it, saying the “intervention in agriculture is key in driving employment and development in the state, just as BATNF’s intervention with Ogun state is well

thought out.” Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Lanre Bisiriyu, who represented the Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said that the state chief executive holds agriculture in high esteem.

L-R: Founder, The Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe; Director, Corporate Communication and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, and International trainer and specialist in Digital media, Dan Mason, at the launch of the Airtel Multimedia Journalism Training, in Lagos, recently.

Firm sues Navy over vessel detention FRANCIS EZEM

n indigenous oil and gas firm, Mercury Oil Limited has dragged the Nigerian Navy before a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos over alleged detention of its 5, 000 metric tonnecapacity tanker vessel, MT Sapphire 1, since February 18, 2014. The case filed by its Counsel, Norrison Quakers Law firm is asking the Court to declare the detention of the vessel as illegal. The company is also praying the court to compel the Nigerian Navy, which is the first defendant in the matter, to release the vessel detained for over 18 months. It was however gathered that the Navy has neither made an appearance in court nor sent its legal team to represent it, a development that has stalled hearing on the matter. Investigations shows that Mercury Oil Limited in February

sought a received naval clearance to perform an offshore Ship To Ship STS operation for 3, 000 tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil AGO, also called diesel with its vessel MT Sapphira 1. It was further gathered that in the course of the STS operation, there was a piracy attack, and with the aid of the Automated Information Service AIS fitted on the ship, operatives of the Navy were able to rescue the vessel from the pirates. The Nigerian Navy, it was further gathered detained the vessel and crew on board, who were released after seven months during which the 3, 000 metric tonnes of AGO laden on the vessel disappeared. Managing Director of the company, Mr. Osita Onumonu, who confirmed the development, said efforts to secure the release of the vessel failed, as the Nigerian Navy has since handed the matter over to the Nigerian Civil Defence

Corps NCDC for investigation and possible prosecution while still detaining the vessel till date. He also said that the NCDC has since issued a letter to the company in which it admitted that the company did nothing wrong, adding that the vessel was not on an illegal mission, adding that it was through the AIS installed on the vessel that the Nigerian Navy was alerted, which led to the salvaging and recovering of the vessel from the pirates, as the attack was aborted. The NCDC had in its report, insisted that vessels on illegal or criminal missions do not activate their AIS for fear of being dictated and arrested. Onumonu, who decried the harsh and unfriendly treatment meted to Nigerian firms by government’s regulatory agencies including the Nigerian Navy, alleged that he has lost over N3 billion due to the arrest and detention of the vessel, which kept her out of job.

Schneider Electric, Cisco partner on advance networking solution ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

chneider Electric, energy management and automation, has announced a partnership with networking company, Cisco, to bring advanced networking and control system technologies to its customers. While Cisco will be focused

on helping transform industrial customers by connecting people, processes, data and things, Schneider Electric will leverage the proven technologies from Cisco to help deliver its enhanced industrial automation solutions. According to a press statement from both firms, the duo share the philosophy of driving technological solutions to address specific customer chal-

lenges saying that both companies welcome the benefits of this partnership. Commenting on the partnership, Schneider Electric CAP Program Deployment Director, Loic Regnier, said “Superlative technology partner companies like Cisco, recognised in the industry by analysts and customers alike, bring advanced capabilities to our customers and

contribute to helping us build complete and robust solutions for those customers.” According to him, many Schneider Electric customers already use Cisco technology adding that some IT departments require the implementation of Cisco technology as a standard across the enterprise, including the industrial network.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, July 30, 2015

NEWMAP earmarks $500m for erosion projects nationwide RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

igeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, has earmarked about $500 million to address erosion menace in 21 gully erosion sites across the country. The National Project Coordinator for NEWMAP, Salisu Dahiru disclosed this while fielding ques-

tions from newsmen at the opening ceremony of a five-day orientation workshop, organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in conjunction with World Bank and their partners in implementation of NEWMAP Project for Non-governmental organization, communication as well as Livelihood officers in Calabar, Cross River state. Dahiru said, out of the amount,

$480 million would be committed to remediation work at the gully sites. He explained that other activities set aside for the climate would come from another source, adding that there is also going to be funding from the grant. Dahiru maintained that sometimes a particular erosion sites may require more than N2 billion to tackle in a particular site with

other sites requiring more than N200 million to solve the problem as the sites may not be the same. “The fund is going to be awarded by the states and not the federal government because it is a state implemented project. “Nigeria seems to be experiencing land degradation in South-south states, leading to development of gullies. Various attempts have been made by the

government but the remediation seems not to be achieving result”, Dahiru added. Earlier, the spokesperson for Aries Concept, Dr.Andrew Onwuemele charged contractors executing NEWMAP projects to ensure that youths of host communities must be carried along in the implementation process of the projects, if the project is to be successfully implemented.

Traders link pests menace to hike in food prices ROBERT AWOKUSE

inancial Secretary, Mile 12 market in Lagos, Alhaji Shehu Usman has revealed the cause of hike in food items, currently being experienced in the country. Usman attributed the problems to ‘strange insects’ which have ravaged most of the crops, especially perishable items in the north. While dismissing claims that the hike was due to the Ramadan

season as widely speculated, he toldNational Mirror, that invasion by insects has not only cost a huge loss of money to stakeholders, but has left them devastated so much so that they claimed their lives as a result of hypertension, occasioned by insect atta cks. He said, “We have in the north, problem of a strange insect that is ravaging our plantations. This is a kind of disaster that has cost us huge amount of money and some have even lost their lives as a result of hypertension due to the invasion of the weird insect. You

go to the farm and you just find out that insects have invaded your crops, having little or nothing to harvest; it can be very devastating because farming in the north is our major source of livelihood.” Usman also posited that the lingering fuel scarcity has contributed to the hike in the prices of food items as movement of products is challenging; stating that the season for most perishable items is gradually coming to an end, hence the shortage, which necessitated the hike. “This is the worst period.

Things are relatively high, particularly the perishable items. This is because the shortage of fuel is slowing down massive movement of goods from the north to the south as the fuel scarcity is taking its toll on our transporters. And of course the season is off. The season of northern tomato reduces once you are approaching August, but when approaching November, December it becomes surplus.” Asked if the market enjoys government support or not, Usman said Lagos state government has been supportive, recalling that

since inception of the market about 35 years ago, Mile 12 has been having smooth relationship with government, being optimistic that the present government would consolidate on the cooperation. “The market enjoys government cooperation and support than any other markets. Recently governor Ambode visited the market and was impressed to see environmental sanitation in the market, the neatness of roads and surrounding.’’

CIS boss lectures students, others on investment strategy

he Registrar and Chief Executive of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Mr Adedeji Ajadi has advised students, staff and parents of SOFUNIX International schools to cultivate the habit of creating wealth by investing through capital market. Ajadi, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony of the schools at the weekend, urged the parents to demonstrate culture of savings for their children as a potent strategy for investment in medium and long terms. He enjoined the young ones to imbibe the culture of wealth creation in order to develop an entrepreneurship habit in order to prepare them for purposeful adulthood. According to him, saving is a necessary condition for investments, urging parents to encourage their children by buying shares for them as a reward for good academic performance and a gift for Christmas or Salah celebration. Ajadi however noted that CIS has always encouraged students at all levels to visit its headquarters on an excursion for interactive session with its officials on the concept of capital market, regulators and operators. Instruments traded and benefits of investment in the instruments, he said are importance of

a stockbroker in the process of capital formation, mobilization and some elementary methods of risk management. He disclosed that the Institute had put in place Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment to attract a large number of secondary school certificate holders to penetrate the market and make a career in medium and short terms. He therefore commended the schools’ management for creating an attractive environment, where future leaders are nurtured. Ajadi, who expressed satisfaction at the standard of the schools, instituted an award for the overall best student in English Language in final year in the College as a way of promoting scholarship.

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Actress, Ivie Okundaye; Marketing Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Chioma Afe; and Musician, Banky W and General Manager, Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Akinola Saliu, during the re-launch of DStv Compact bouquet in Lagos, yesterday.

Expert identifies women as agents of economic devt ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

anaging Director of WHolistic Business solution, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, has noted that empowering women in social and economic spheres of life would sustain nation’s development. She also said creating opportunities for women to participate in the nation’s economy would improve their earning potential while assisting families to fight

poverty. Oniyitan disclosed this while addressing a group of women during a business seminar, organised by her company in Lagos state recently, where women were trained on small scale business. “The participation of women in formal economy is under-used and under-valued, they are not adequately empowered even by their family let alone by government.” she said. She expressed concern at few women in senior management

positions, referring to the latest World Bank Enterprise Survey, which shows that one in 26 salaried African women hold senior positions, compared to one in every six men. According to her, several African countries have introduced laws that implement quota systems to increase representation of women in legislatures and government. However, in countries, where no such intervention has been done, the disparity is blinding.

She said to sustain the Nigeria’s economic growth, government needs to promote women to senior positions and ensure they increase their economic participation, while reiterating the maximisation of growth opportunities in the country, adding that both men and women must be able to reach their full potential. ‘’In every society, women play a crucial role and that it is irreplaceable in society as they face different challenges and struggle to survive’’, she stated.

Taxation

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What constitutes ‘Trade’ for Tax Purposes T

his article clarifies the FIRS’ position on what constitutes ‘trade’ or business for tax purposes. In accordance with the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), and the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), any trade is subject to tax under CITA and PITA, even if that trade is carried out by friendly societies, co-operative societies, charitable and ecclesiastical organizations, or trade unions. . CITA states that “any trade or business for whatever period of time such trade or business may have been carried on” shall be subject to Companies Income Tax (Sec 9(1)(a)). The profits of certain institutions are exempt from tax under CITA, but only in so far as such profits are not derived from ‘trade or business’ (Sec. 19(1) (a, b, c, e)). This means that the profits of any organization that are derived from ‘trade’ shall be subject to Companies Income Tax. This raises the question, what exactly constitutes ‘trade’? A definition of the word ‘trade’ cannot be found in Nigerian tax legislation although an attempt was made in PITA. The interpretation Section of the Fifth Schedule of PITA defines “trade or business” to mean “trade or business or that part of a trade or business the profits of which are assessable under this Act”. However, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word (see Section 2). In line with these rulings, ‘trade’ can be regarded as “the business of buying and selling or bartering goods or services”. Furthermore, the one-off nature of an activity in no way invalidates that activity as constituting trade. This interpretation matches the approach in other jurisdictions, namely the UK and USA (see Section 3).

Case Law in Nigeria Although no explicit definition of ‘trade’ exists in the law, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word. The most important case is that of Arbico Ltd v. FBIR, {1996} 2 All NLR 303. The plaintiff in the dispute, Arbico, had acquired a plot of land, erected a building, and sold the property at a profit. The company was subsequently assessed for tax on the proceeds of the sale of property The Company objected to the assessment on the basis that the transaction was a one-off and therefore did not constitute ‘trade’. The case was ultimately settled in the Supreme Court. In the ruling the Court laid down two important axioms: • Firstly, that the word ‘trade’ should be interpreted in its widest sense, in accordance with its common everyday meaning; • Secondly, that an isolated one-

of similar activities that may, or may not, be related to the exempt purposes of the organizations. In other words, a single organisation can undertake both exempt activities and trading activities. This implies that an organisation cannot argue that none of its activities constitute ‘trade’ just because it undertakes some exempt activities.

Badges of Trade

Ogungbesan

off transaction can still constitute a “trade”. In line with the ruling of the Supreme Court, the following definition seems to capture the common meaning of the word ‘trade’. Trade is “the business of buying and selling or barter in goods or services”(taken from Black’s Law Dictionary, Eighth Ed. (2004)).

Treatment in Other Tax Jurisdictions In considering what constitutes ‘trade’ for tax purposes it is useful to consider how the issue is addressed in other jurisdictions. In the UK, as in Nigeria, there is no statutory definition of the word ‘trade’. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) relies on case law to formulate a working definition. HMRC states that “Usually, trading involves the provision of goods or services to customers on a commercial basis”. As in Nigerian case law, “Simply because a venture is a oneoff or occasional does not mean that it will not be treated as trading for tax purposes”. It is interesting to note that although the HMRC definition employs the notion of ‘commercial basis’, HMRC explicitly states that whether or not the profits of an activity are ultimately used for charitable purposes is not relevant for the determination of whether or not that activity constitutes a trade. In the USA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employs a similar approach to HMRC. IRS regards ‘trade’ as including “any activity carried on for the production of income from selling goods or performing services”. It is interesting to note how IRS treats the trading activities of an organisation that also carries out tax exempt activities. IRS states that “an activity does not lose its identity as a trade or business merely because it is carried on within a larger group

In 1955 in England, the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income in reaction to whether a statutory definition of trade was necessary, said that “each case must be decided to its own circumstance (1955 Cmnd.9474 para.116) and suggested badges of trade” which they considered to be the major relevant considerations that will facilitate in determining whether any profit is a taxable trading profit or not. Badges of trade refer to certain indicators that may be used in determining the factual question as whether an activity is trade or not. Case law has expanded it to 9. The badges of trade are: • Profit seeking motive. An intention to make a profit supports trading, but by itself is not conclusive. • The number of transaction. Systematic and repeated transactions will support ‘trade’. An isolated transaction may also constitute a trade. • Existence of similar trading transactions or interests. Transactions that are similar to those of an existing trade may themselves be trading. • Changes to the asset. Was the asset repaired, modified or improved to make it more easily saleable or saleable at a greater profit? • The way the sale was carried out. Was the asset sold in a way that was typical of trading organizations? Alternatively, did it have to be sold to raise cash for an emergency? • The source of finance. Was money borrowed to buy the asset? Could the funds only be repaid by selling the asset? • Interval of time between purchase and sale. Assets that are the subject of trade will normally, but not always, be sold quickly. Therefore, an intention to resell an asset shortly after purchase will support trading. However, an asset, which is to be held indefinitely, is much less likely to be a subject of trade. • Method of acquisition. An asset that is acquired by inheritance, or as gift, is less likely to be the subject of trade. These ‘badges’ will not be present in every case and of those that are, some

may point one way and some the other. The presence or absence of a particular badge is unlikely, by itself, to provide a conclusive answer to the question of whether or not there is a trade. The weight to be attached to each badge will depend on the precise circumstances.

FIRS Position A definition of the word ‘trade’ cannot be found in Nigerian tax law. However, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word. In line with these rulings, ‘trade’ can be regarded as “the business of buying and selling or bartering goods or services”. Where one or more of the criteria on the badges of trade apply, FIRS will treat such transaction as trade. Furthermore, the one-off nature of an activity in no way invalidates that activity as constituting a trade. This interpretation matches the approach in other jurisdictions, namely the UK and USA. The following decided cases are relevant in this regard: i In the case of Marlin Vs Lowry (1955)3 All ER 48; 11 TC 297), a person without previous knowledge of linen trade bought a surplus stock of aeroplane linen from government which he sold to the public in small lots. He engaged employees for the re-packaging and embarked on sales” promotion through extensive adverts and campaigns. It was held that he was trading. ii In Murray Vs I.R. Comrs (1951, 32 TC 238), where a timber merchant who bought standing timbers in two plantations and could not cut them due to labour cost, sold the rights to cut the timbers to meet his indebtedness. He was assessed to tax on the profit from the transaction. He contended that the sale was a capital transaction since it was not in the normal course of his business but it was held that the transaction was part of his normal trading as a timber merchant. iii In Burge Vs Pyne (1969, All ER 467), a club proprietor providing facilities for bar, dancing, cabaret, fruit machines and gambling, appealed against the inclusion of his winnings in his assessment. The appeal was dismissed on the ground that the winnings formed part of his regular income from the trade of running the club. From the foregoing and in accordance with the provisions of CITA, any friendly society, cooperative societies, charitable and ecclesiastical organizations or trade unions that carry out trade as defined and described above would be liable to tax on income derived from such trade.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

New electronic fraud uncovered Emerging financial technology, resulting in the use of card money across the globe has led to electronic fraud, as experts have designed more solutions to protect such transactions. ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN reports.

lectronic fraud impeding financial transactions in the country have assumed a new dimension as investigations revealed that card holders must look beyond information provided by commercial banks at the point of collection. National Mirror investigations also revealed a prevalence of electronic fraud, relating to compromising Personal Identification Number, PIN, by dubious elements, who defraud cardholders of their hard earner money. In an attempt to secure electronic transactions, the banks had begun a campaign, warning cardholders of the need to protect their card from an authorised third party as well as their PIN. As the campaign to protect cardholders was gaining ground, the electronic fraudsters have device a new trend. Card experts at Visa, told National Mirror that electronic fraudsters have not given up in their crimes against electronic transaction. Business Development Leader, Visa West Africa, Mr. Emezino Afiegbe said that the fraudsters now plant special device that looks like a camera at card hole of ATM through which the PIN and cardholder information are copied, embedded in the chip of the card and extracted to clone a another card. According to him, the security threat to electronic transaction has assumed hitech dimension such that it requires cardholders to be extra-careful, noting that the invention of a camera to steal PIN directly from the chip in the card is giving Visa great concern, prompting it to declare a one week security campaign in Nigeria. Afiegbe also revealed that the device may be installed in the ATM at night, saying that even though banks do routine checks on machines, it takes a keen observer to discover that the machine has been tampered with. For instance, he said that those in the trade use the slightest opportunity to install such device, explaining that a recent occurrence whereby an elderly man requested the assistance young people to operate the ATM was an opportunity for such device to be planted details stolen. According to him, the introduction of the PIN and chip technology, which Visa introduced with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria has helped to reduce card related frauds in Nigeria has dropped by 90 percent. He however observed that the trend has shifted to other markets, where the pin chip technology is not use, stressing that camera device planted in ATM is in vogue A new trend, Afiegbe noted is the compromising of PIN at most POS and at the desk of cashers when making purchase stating that most users erroneously think

Users at ATM

Afiegbe

Omanga

THOSE IN THE TRADE USE THE SLIGHTEST OPPORTUNITY TO INSTALL SUCH DEVICE that because the POS machine is in their hand their PIN protected. He explained that that at point it is easy for the PIN to be compromised because the casher can easily seen what PIN he or she inputting into the machine, even in the full view of others around. He urged cardholders to always take time to read through the information letter that comes with card when it was issued saying that Visa has discovered that

most users do not read the information, and that banks can go ahead to make it bolder for users to see. Risk Services Director, Sub-Sahara, Visa International, Nita Omanga, described the current threat to electronic transaction to be very complex noting that that is why it is possible for a transaction to occur even when the card is with the own. She revealed that there are situations where a person will be in Lagos and transaction will be taking place on his card in Dubai noting that Visa has seen situation where someone is Dubai and the compromise is taking place in Dubai and the fraudster is in Dubai. She noted in such cases the card may

have been cloned from the ATM adding that in such case the card will continue to be used by the fraudster and that the only solution is to cancelled the card, otherwise the criminal will continue to make withdrawal from the account. Notwithstanding the new threat, Omanga said that card users must still continue to enforce the old security measures of not allowing anyone access to the card information, particularly not seeking assistance at the ATM or POS stating that most card information have be stolen during such careless period. For instance, she said that there are situation whereby people who are not literate write their PIN under back of the card, and that once that card gets into the wrong hand the account of the holder will be easily accessed. While offering further solutions on how card users can battle the menace, she said that cardholders should do a regular check on their bank statement as well as text message so as to early detect any compromise on their card data. She however assured that the square microchip embedded in chip-enabled type of cards is one of the most powerful weapons against fraud saying that the microchip is virtually impossible to duplicate and powerful encryption prevents unauthorised access to information stored on it, making electronic payments safer than ever before. Omanga revealed that Visa performs real-time fraud monitoring onbehalf of banks and users of its card saying that the signature panel on the back of the Visa card has a tamper-proof design so that if someone tries to erase the existing signature, the word “VOID” will appear. She added that “the Visa dove hologram found on the back the card also protects consumers from fraud. Many counterfeit cards contain a one-dimensional image printed on a foil sticker. However, the true dove hologram should appear three dimensional and moves when the card is tilted back and forth.” Chief Executive Officer, E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, Mrs Onajite Regha advised that users never let the card out off their sight when making payments saying that they report any suspicious behaviour by the person to whom they have handed their card when making payments immediately to your Bank. She urged users to know what their ATM looks like, so that they are able to notice any foreign objects attached to it stating that “never use an ATM that is tampered with or visibly damaged; this may be a ploy to force you to use another ATM in close proximity on which a device may be mounted.”

Info Tech

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Tech Box 10 simple tips to get out of Periscope

Entrepreneurial innovation, key to Nigeria’s unemployment STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

Periscopeco is an intuitive, live-streaming app that allows its users to get a glimpse into the lives of the people they follow. While there are many ways to enjoy Periscope’s myriad benefits, here are some tips that are guaranteed to make your experience with Periscope as enjoyable as possible: 1. Get the title right. Choose the perfect title for your live stream, as this will also be the text of the Tweet that you can share on Twitter. If you are broadcasting with another person, remember to mention them using @theotherperson. Also if you are broadcasting from a particular event, find out if the event has its own official hashtag, and include it in the title. 2. Share your location. For a simple way to boost your exposure, share your location so that your broadcast is included in the world map tab in the app. This way, a user searching for live streaming from the UAE will find you right away. 3. Create your own trademark. Make yourself stand out by developing a signature style and thinking about the background when you film. Your followers will recognize you immediately. Also, remember that a little bit of humour goes a long way. 4. Wait a few seconds before saying anything. Before you begin to introduce your broadcast, wait for a few people to connect. By doing so, you will make sure they access the broadcast right from the beginning, and don’t miss anything. 5. Learn from your mistakes. Make the most of Replays. At the end of the broadcast, replay your

video to read the comments you have missed and understand which moment was liked the most, which will be clear from the number of hearts. Your viewers’ feedback will help you understand what does and doesn’t work. 6. Don’t ignore comments. Engagement is one of the best things about Periscope. While you are broadcasting, read comments out loud and reply to your viewers as much as you can. Building relationships with your viewers will help you grow a loyal audience. 7. Make use of the ‘block’ button. Default settings allow everyone connected to your broadcast to comment on your live stream and send hearts. Any unwelcome users can easily be blocked during the broadcast or the Replay by selecting their message and clicking “Block”. Before you start the broadcast, you can also decide if you want to enable everyone to chat or just the people you follow. 8. Say thank you. Before you end your broadcast, remember to thank viewers for their comments and hearts. 9. Broadcast on a regular basis. Make your followers’ lives easier by broadcasting during specific times of the day or week. Remind your viewers to tune in during the broadcast and on Twitter. 10. Post original content. Periscope has allowed people from various walks of life to share their experiences, from established musicians and upcoming singers playing mini live sessions, teachers teaching lessons and showing useful study tips, actors attending awards, geeks and bloggers showing live how tech gadgets work and much more.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

or Nigeria to stern the growing figure of its unemployment rate, entrepreneurs in the country must be committed to deploying innovative technologies that will drive the economy into the digital age. The reason is that the success of enterprise cannot be separated from innovative technology, a renowned American technology expert and co-founder of Square, Jim McKelvey, has said. Presenting a paper titled: “The Shark Instinct: How Entrepreneurs Smell Opportunities” at the just concluded two-day TECH+ Conference and Exhibitions in Lagos McKelvey called on Nigerian entrepreneurs to commit to deployment of innovative technologies in achieving business enterprise successes. McKelvey, who is credited with some technological innova-

tions, said that entrepreneurs owe themselves the duty to move with current technological trends and avoid the pitfalls of overlooking the importance of technology in driving business growth. According to him, following the fast-paced advancement in technology which has heightened the threat posed by competition, visionary entrepreneurs should embrace, and keep up the pace to remain relevant in business and challenge market equity. “As you find opportunity, use it to solve problems. As you think about technology think about the problems and the many things you can solve with technology”, he said. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to painstakingly study what experts in related fields have done with a view to positioning their businesses in good stead. He however cautioned against unbridled copying of existing business models of some entre-

preneurs, while stressing that such does not guarantee a repeat of success as conditions under which a model succeeded may vary from place to place. In his words, “you don’t have to start everything by yourself; there are others who have done such things before, so learn from them. Figure out yourself what they have done, but be cautious not seek to copy everything they did. The reason is that there are factors that enabled them to succeed some of which may not be available to you. No leader is going to be able to tell you how absolutely everything works.” Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Nike Animashaun in her remark reiterated the commitment of the state government to deploying technology in managing its complexities occasioned by the high volume of economic activities as the nation’s commercial capital.

L- R: Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria receiving the award for Africa’s Telecommunications Company of the Year from Ms. Carol Abel, Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles at the 6th African Business Leadership Forum & Awards 2015, which held at the Hilton London Metropole, United Kingdom.

ICT infrastructure gets $200m bailout

n ICT infrastructure fund worth $200 million that will provide bailout for ICT firms in Africa has been setup by a Convergence Partners, made up of an investment management firm focused on the African telecommunications, media and technology sector. Known as the Convergence Partners Communication Infrastructure Fund, (CPCIF), the bailout is the largest fund dedicated solely to ICT infrastructure in Africa. A statement released by the investment management firm said that the CPCIF reached its final close with capital commitments from the Public Investment Corpora-

tion (PIC), acting on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), and an Africafocused fund of funds saying that additional investors in the Fund include Convergence Partners (as sponsors), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the CDC Group (CDC). The statement said that “It is anticipated that CPCIF will deploy capital to portfolio investments across the African ICT infrastructure spectrum, improving access to technology as well as communication and broadband services.” The Fund, which is said to have a strong pipeline, notably in West

Africa will be opening the company’s office in Nigerian. Chairman of Convergence Partners, Andile Ngcaba, said that group believe the current fund size is well suited to the scale of infrastructure investment opportunities across the continent, including fibre, data centres, wireless/spectrum, fintech and ICT platforms that enable e-learning and broadcast and media. He said that “Access to quality ICT infrastructure is a catalyst for more competitive and efficient business operations and provides new business models for traditional industries such as financial services, healthcare, education and retail; driving sustainable growth and socio-economic development.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Government Technology

Evolving financial services spurred by technology STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

he rapidly evolving Nigerian financial services industry has been attributed to the advancing technology which is fueling innovation and growth in the sector. However, it is also observed that the sector is less saturated unlike in the developed countries where the sector is mature. Vice President of Sales for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, Sumesh Rahavendra who made the observation while addressing players in the SMEs industry from Africa said that the rapidly evolving financial services in the region is offering many opportunities for new market entrants to challenge the status quo of how business has traditionally been conducted. He disclosed that the burgeoning middle class and abundance of SMEs in Africa present great opportunities for financial services companies to provide retail banking services to individuals, as well as trade finance to SMEs. According to him, SMEs is seen as the engine for growth in Africa adding that “the lack of access to finance can often hinder their development. With one of the fastest growing middle classes in the world, there is a wave of consumerism for all types of goods and services such as FMCG, electronics and pharmaceuticals.”

Quoting a 2015 report by PwC he stated that the future shape of financial services in Africa is a marketplace without boundaries compared to global markets where the outlook for financial services is more solid adding that the risk of disruption in traditional African financial services market has triggered the need for entities to reassess their strategies. “While most international banks are moving towards e-commerce, in Africa, a number of local banks still share information and conduct business with hard copy documentation,” added Rahavendra. The DHL Express leader, while also making reference to an Accenture report titled African financial services come of age, said the report suggests a promising future for the region’s banking sector. He said it reveals that the development of consumer payment networks took years to become fully functional in mature economies, while many countries in Africa are now beginning to expand their traditional payments infrastructure to adapt to new international standards. He explained that the local retail banking sector is increasingly making use of new technology such as ‘Mobile Money’ platforms. Consumers have started to move away from physical cards, instead relying on their mobile phones to conduct day-to-

day banking transactions. He disclosed that most African countries have made a concerted effort to improve their transactional security by moving from the traditional ‘swipe card’ form of retail banking to chip and pin saying that from a logistics point of view, while banking sector documents continue to present significant shipment volumes intra-Africa, with the new technologies available, there is an increased need for equipment such as servers,

ATMs and supplies to be moved into and around the continent, as banks expand into new countries and rural areas. “As technology and requirements change, so do our supply chains and we work very closely with our customers to ensure that we offer them the best possible solutions,” he said. While paying tribute to the role of DHL in Africa since 1978, Rahavendra said that DHL fueled financial sector at a time when global banks needed to get docu-

mentation to Africa saying that it continues to help shape service offerings on the continent as the sector matures. He described DHL as the only logistics company present in every country and territory in Africa, stating “we not only have front row seats to witness the impressive growth of the sector, but are fortunate enough to work with some of the largest and emerging financial institutions on the continent and play our part in their growth story.”

L-R: Head, Dispute Resolution, KONGA, Ruby Chuka; Senior Manager, Traumacare International Foundation Ena Tobor; Vice President, Trust/Safety, KONGA, Emeka Ajene; Head of PR/Brand Management Olatomiwa Akande and Head of General Merchandise, Ore Odusanya, at the presentation of N20,000 free shopping voucher/cheque to Tobor, as part of KONGA’s Customer Appreciation Programme to mark its 3rd anniversary in Lagos.

Financial Technology

Entrepreneurs need financial resources, says Mobilesurvey

ntrepreneurs in Nigeria have said that they need financial resources among other things to grow their businesses. A mobile survey conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the U.S. State Department on Nigeria and Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa revealed that funding was cited as the resource most needed to help youth and women entrepreneurs. According to the survey, which covered 1,000 business owners throughout sub-Saharan Africa on entrepreneurship in their countries, 41 percent cited funding followed by government support 22 percent, access to market information 18 percent

and access to high-skilled workers 16 percent. The survey, conducted through text message covered 200 entrepreneurs per country asking them what resources are most needed to encourage entrepreneurship, what programs they have participated in to improve their businesses, and what are the biggest challenges facing new businesses. Respondents gave insightful answers on the need for financial resources, better facilities and services, and government support to alleviate the challenges new businesses face. They were also asked about programs or activities they had participated in that helped improve their businesses, with

many citing business seminars, ICT training, and trade-specific workshops they had attended. The poll showed that 44 percent of respondents participated in a program or activity in the past year aimed at improving their business adding that of these open-ended responses, several key categories were identified, including business development and management training or courses, agricultural activities, entrepreneurship programs, and financial training. When asked what would most help increase the number of entrepreneurs in their country, the responses were quite divided. While 36 percent said “more financial resources”, 24 percent said “better facilities/services”

and 23 percent replied “government support”. The survey further revealed that there is a strong desire for more training resources, with training programs and entrepreneurship courses in school being the most popular responses to a question on how government could help people start businesses. Commenting on the survey, President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, Jonathan Ortmans said that as policymakers explore smart and sophisticated steps to develop healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems across the African continent, the voice of the entrepreneur must remain in the foreground. He said that being able to hear

Ortmans

directly from the entrepreneurs helps guide our conversations at the Summit and beyond. The findings, which will be used at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit to highlight common needs of entrepreneurs across Africa and around the world, also observed that the social media was found to be the most popular online tool for supporting business growth.

Global News

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

to buy Melrose UK economic growth picks in Honeywell for $5.1bn second quarter H U K economic growth accelerated in the second quarter of the year, helped by a big jump in oil and gas production, official figures have shown. The UK’s economy grew by an estimated 0.7 per cent in the April to June period, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. That compared with growth of 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of the year. Output in the economy during the second quarter was 2.6 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier, the ONS said. “After a slowdown in the first quarter of 2015, overall GDP growth has returned to that typical of the previous two years,” said ONS chief economist Joe Grice.

David Cameron

He added, however, that Tuesday’s economic growth figure showed GDP per capita - economic growth as shared out among each member of the population - was back to “broadly level with its preeconomic downturn peak in 2008”. The economy has now seen 10 quarters of sustained economic growth. The ONS said manufacturing output experienced its first fall in two years with output dropping 0.3 per cent in the quarter. However, a surge in North Sea oil and gas production lifted overall industrial output by one per cent - the biggest increase since late 2010. The “mining and quarrying” component of the industrial output figures, which includes oil and gas extraction, rose by 7.8 per cent in the quarter, the biggest increase since 1989. The ONS said the increase, which came despite falling oil prices, was driven by tax cuts in March designed to support the sector. Construction was flat in the period, the ONS said, recovering from a slight fall the previous quarter. The UK’s dominant services sector recorded growth of 0.7 per cent, following a rise of 0.4 per cent in the previous three months.

Domestic demand is expected to remain strong, as wages rise and with the temporary effects of low inflation boosting consumer spending. The ONS said there were also signs that businesses were finally increasing investment. The first estimate of GDP is based on about 40 per cent of the economic data used in the final output estimate and is subject to revision. The second estimate is due in about a month’s time. Chancellor George Osborne told the BBC the figures showed that the UK was “motoring ahead”. “Our economy (is) producing as much per person as ever before. But there are clear risks out there in the world economy from the eurozone to what’s happening in the world’s stock markets, and so its vital that we stay on the road that we’ve set out on,” he added. But Labour’s shadow chancellor, Chris Leslie, told the BBC that Mr Osborne was “being very complacent”. “Our economic growth really should be much stronger than this, especially with some of the mounting instability in the European economies, China, worldwide. We haven’t seen the rebalancing of the recovery that we should have seen by now,” he said.

Volkswagen overtakes Toyota in sales

ermany’s Volkswagen became the world’s biggestselling vehicle maker in the first half of the year, overtaking Toyota for the first time. VW sold 5.04 million cars between January and June - slightly more than the 5.02 million sold by Toyota. The Japanese company said on Tuesday its sales fell 1.5 per cent compared with 2014, as growth in emerging markets slowed. VW has long aimed to beat Toyota and has done so three years ahead of its 2018 target. Toyota will announce firsthalf results on Tuesday next week, while VW releases its figures for the period on Wednes-

Volkswagen car

day. Stefan Bratzel, head of Germany’s Center of Automotive Management, said: “VW is snatching the sales crown in difficult times with major car markets in decline. They will need to withstand the slowdown in China if they want to keep the top spot.” VW’s success has been propelled by soaring sales in China, a market that now accounts for a third of its total, as well as a recovery in Europe. The company, which also owns Audi and Porsche, this year aims to “moderately” exceed the 10.1 million cars it sold in 2014. Toyota sold 10.23 million vehicles in 2014, but expects the total to slip to 10.15 million this year.

General Motors held the global sales crown for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. GM regained the top spot in 2011, when Toyota’s production was hurt by the earthquake and tsunami in north-eastern Japan. Toyota became number one again the following year and has held the title since. In another development, Ford has announced that it sold 3.26 million vehicles globally in the first half of the year. The US company reported a 10 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to $2.9bn for the three months to June 30, with revenue coming in about $2bn higher than expected at $37.3bn. Wholesale sales in North America rose by 56,000 to 816,000 vehicles, where Ford generated the bulk - $2.6bn - of its profits. In Europe, losses were halved to $14m as sales rose by 13,000 to 389,000. Mark Fields, Ford’s chief executive, said: “We delivered an outstanding second quarter, a great first half of 2015, and we are confident the second half of the year will be even stronger.”

oneywell International Inc (HON.N) has made its largest purchase in more than a decade, agreeing to buy the utility consumption metering business of Britain’s Melrose Industries Plc (MRON.L) for about $5.1 billion. The move, announced on Tuesday, is the first major deal for Honeywell, the U.S. diversified industrial manufacturer, since it laid out a five-year plan in March 2014 to target at least $10 billion in acquisitions. Investors have been eager to see how industrial companies use their capital as many of their markets struggle for growth. The acquisition will give Honeywell access to Elster Group’s metering technology and customers in the highly regulated heating, controls and metering industries, including smart meters and data analytics. “It’s a very good strategic deal,”

Sterne Agee CRT analyst Peter Arment said. “You’ve seen growth of smart-metering technologies for the last ten years and I think there’s a long way to go.” Honeywell shares rose nearly two per cent at $103.61 in mid-day trading, while Melrose was up nearly 10 per cent. The acquisition is Honeywell’s largest since its merger with Allied Signal in 1999 and the biggest under David Cote, who became chief executive officer in 2002. But the company, whose products range from aircraft systems to climate control, is still on the prowl. Asked on a conference call with analysts if the company was done striking deals this year, Chief Financial Officer Tom Szlosek said: “I don’t think we’re done ... We’re going to keep going.”

Meter

BP profit dips in 3 months

P has reported a sharp fall in profits for the three months to the end of June as lower oil prices continue to hurt. Underlying replacement cost profit (RCP) was $1.31bn (£841m) compared with $3.63bn a year ago. However, after setting aside $7.5bn for further costs relating to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, BP recorded a loss of $6.26bn. On 2 July, BP reached an $18.7bn settlement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) over the oil spill. BP said that in all, it was setting aside $9.8bn in the quarter for costs related to settlements with the DoJ and 400 local governments in relation to the oil spill, which became one of the worst environmental disasters in US history and claimed the lives of 11 people. The results come at a time of

Gas flaring

continuing uncertainty for oil companies, with oil prices more than 50 per cent lower than last year. Brent crude oil stood at $52.93 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with roughly $115 a year ago. The lower oil price is not only hurting the profits of the major oil firms, but also means they have cut back on investment in exploration in areas where they consider it makes little economic sense to drill. BP chief executive Bob Dudley said: “The external environment remains challenging, but BP moved quickly in response and we continue to do so. “Our work to increase efficiency and reduce costs is embedding sustainable benefits throughout the group and we continue with capital discipline and divestments.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Growing health concerns dim diet soda drinks’ market visibility

Against the growing concerns about health implications of diet sodas and its dwindling fortune, DAVID AUDU in this report takes a look at the various issues confronting manufacturers and consumers in the Sodas drink category.

he reality of slow death seems to be the deciding factor in consumers growing distaste for diet sodas as recent plummeting of sales of the product across board has shown. This is in spite of huge amounts spent in promoting the products to consumers hyping on the benefits of using sweeteners in place of sugar. Before now, millions of people who drink diet sodas think they are doing something good for their health, with the believe that if sodas have zero calories it must help lose weight. But that has been proved wrong as over the years the awareness that ingredients in sweeteners used in diet sodas have caused more harm and health related problems than sugar have increased. In developed countries, especially, the United States of America, different class actions have been instituted to compel manufacturers of these products from misleading people and to come out with the details and effects of the chemical compositions of the sweeteners; and in some cases, the law suits have also sought compensation for victims. Interestingly, consumption of diet soda did not start yesterday. The beginning of the diet drink or refreshment era, according to online resource, Wikipedia, was in 1952, when Kirsch Bottling in Brookln, New York launched a sugar-free Ginger Ale called No Cal. It was designed for diabetics, not dieters, and distribution remained local. Then, Royal Crown Cola placed an announcement in an Atlanta newspaper in 1958 announcing a diet product, Diet Rite. In 1962, Dr Pepper released a diet version of its soft drink, although it sold slowly due to the misconception that it was meant solely for diabetic consumption. In 1963, the Coca Cola Company joined the diet soft drink market with Tab, which proved to be a huge success. Tab was originally sweetened with cyclamates and saccharin. Tab, Diet Rite, and Fresca, a grapefruit-flavored drink introduced by Coca-Cola, were the only brandname diet refreshments on the market until Pepsi released Patio Diet Cola in 1963 and renamed Diet Pepsi the following year. Diet 7 Up was released in 1963 under the name Like. It was discontinued in 1969 due to the U.S. government ban of cyclamate sweetener. After reformulation, it was reintroduced as Diet 7 Up in 1970. It was renamed Sugar Free 7 Up in 1973 then back to Diet 7 Up in 1979. Coca-Cola countered by releasing Diet Coke in 1982. After the release of Diet Coke, Tab took a backseat on the Coca-Cola production lines; Diet Coke could be more easily identified by consumers as associated with Coca-Cola than Tab. Today, diet sodas are booming business, as all the leading soft drink manufacturers have one brand or the other. These include, Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi One, Pepsi Max, Diet Dr Pepper, Sprite Zero, Fresca, and

MARKET INDICATOR, INCLUDING CHARTS USING DATA FROM EUROMONITOR ON QUARTZ, SHOWS THAT THE DECLINE OF DIET COKE IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM, AND ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE DIET SODAS MAY BE ON ITS WAY OFF THE SHELF IF HEALTH CAMPAIGNERS AGAINST IT MAINTAIN MOMENTUM many more. Now, as a result of the awareness among consumers on the harmful effects sales of sodas have dropped by as much as seven per cent for Coke Diet, according to the company’s second quarter results. It quoted CocaCola North America president, Sandy Douglas, as admitting that the company’s “diet and frozen” parts of the food and beverage industry have been struggling for “a number of years now” as the US consumer strongly moves into the fresh segment. Though he said, “it is a good dietary change for the country but noted that the impact on the category and particularly, the categories appealing to the diet-oriented positioning is pretty negative.” While Douglas said its Diet Coke consumer base have stabilized, he was also concerned that its largest competitor, Diet Pepsi was changing its formula, removing the man-made aspartame sweetener that has been linked with cancer causing agents. Already, Coca-Cola CEO and chairman Muhtar Kent have admitted there is a “challenge” with Diet Coke, though he said it was broadly a US-centric issue. But other market indicator, including charts using data from Euromonitor on Quartz, shows that the decline of Diet Coke is a global problem, and analysts believe the diet sodas may be on its way off the shelf if health campaigners against maintain momentum. At the core of the decline is the suspicion that artificial sweeteners pose more health

risks than even sugar that is being substituted. It is believed that with awareness and campaigns by NGOs which sometimes result to law suits more consumers will be swayed from soda consumption. Coca-Cola was at various times targeted by class action lawsuits. In one of the celebrated cases, Plaintiffs George Engurasoff and Joshua Ogden alleged in the class action lawsuit that Coca-Cola has been deceiving consumers by failing to mention that the beverage contains artificial ingredients. In some cases, they argue, the company falsely promises that the soft drink is free of artificial flavors and preservatives. Specifically, the plaintiffs are concerned about phosphoric acid, an artificial and man-made chemical that is used as both a flavoring and preservative. “Such false statements and omissions violate the law and render these products legally misbranded and illegal to manufacture, distribute or sell to consumers,” lawyers say. Medically, doctors and health researchers have been in discomfort over the calorie free label of diet sodas, which they say misleads people. “People don’t lose weight by drinking diet soda,” said Chauncey Crandall, Medical. Doctor. “On the contrary, diet soda increases your risk of a number of deadly diseases, including heart attack, diabetes, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and more.” The problem is that diet soft drinks seem

to spur people to eat more, says Crandall who heads the cardiac transplant program at the world-renowned Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic. Again, a new study confirms this paradox. Writing in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, Susan E. Swithers, a Purdue professor of psychological sciences and a behavioral neuroscientist, says that the high-intensity artificial sweeteners used to flavor diet soda, saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, and others, may signal the body to eat more. She suggests that diet soda interferes with the body’s learned responses, driving it to eat more calories when it doesn’t get them from the sweet drinks. Research also shows that as little as one diet soda a day can cause weight gain and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of medical conditions that sharply hikes heart disease risk. “It’s a vicious cycle,” says Dr. Crandall. “On one hand, the brain recognizes the taste of something sweet, but there aren’t any corresponding calories to go with it, so the body becomes confused. As a result, the brain directs the body to seek increased calories, which results in overeating, weight gain, and the increased risk of deadly disease.” Diet soda poses yet another risk. A new study in the journal Dentistry found the acidity in no calorie soft drinks can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine. “The bottom line is that diet soda can rot your teeth and it can rot your brain as well,” said Dr. Crandall. These are issues health and marketing experts say cannot be wished away. However, food and beverage administrations and control across national boundaries have dithered on firm pronouncements to protect consumers against the overwhelming evidence that diet sodas do indeed have their draw backs and inplications on consumer health.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Nigeria to save 40bn in new mobile ID services DAVID AUDU

obile telephone services provider, MTN Nigeria has introduce a new mobile ID services, MTN Token, expected to reduce incidences of electronic fraud and save Nigerians over 40 billion naira annually. The Mobile ID initiative being promoted by GSMA is a SIM-based authentication service that enables immediate and secure verification of subscribers’ digital identity and transactions via their mobile devices. General Manager, Products and Innovation, MTN Nigeria, Aisha Umar-Mumuni, said “the product provides security authentication as it does not transmit the user’s authentication details on the Internet. The service which was launched

at the just concluded Tech+ Conference and Exhibition is expected to meet the needs of customers who want a fool-proof validation and authentication platform for performing services such as cash-less payment on e-commerce websites, financial transactions on e-banking portals, card-less transactions on ATM Terminals, customer digital identity on websites hosting confidential information like insurance, pension and taxation web portals and staff identity on workforce mobile service. Umar-Mumuni, explained that with MTN Token, the user’s safety is always guaranteed because their password is not exposed anywhere online and only the user or identity owner knows the password. Even service providers, Banks, e-Commerce, MTN amongst others, would not have access to the password as it

is stored only in the SIM. “The service also provides the convenience of having a Single SignOn password for all different service providers. This means that users of MTN Token will be required only one password for their various online requirements. According to her, “, users will not be exposed in the event of fraudulent SIM Swaps as the MTN Token service will be automatically deactivated whenever a SIM Swap is done on the user’s MTN Token SIM.” The launch of MTN Token is in line with the company’s vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to Nigerians. This service is part of efforts to bring this vision to reality and it is a better way as it provides a fool-proof identity authentication platform that Nigerians can trust when performing electronic transactions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BA offers summer discounts

ritish mega carrier, British Airways has announced discounts for this summer in its First Class cabin, from Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. According to British Airways, the airline’s Executives can purchase tickets to travel from Abuja or Lagos to London starting from $6668 and from Abuja or Lagos to North America from $6747 between July and August The mega carrier said that the offer is open to all existing and potential customers of British Airways and it covers outbound travel from 1 August to September 30, 2015. Commenting on the amazing offer, British Airways, Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, said the latest

Konga excites customers with free shopping vouchers DAVID AUDU

L-R: Principal Dentist, SS Dental Clinic, Dr. Iyabo Sofoluwe-Sadare; Managing Director, PAL Pension, Mr. Dave Uduanu and Oral Consultant Colgate Palmolive, Dr. Oge MacJohnson at a business seminar tagged “My Business Nigeria 2015” in Lagos on Thursday.

Peak unveils promo to mark anniversary DAVID AUDU

s part of Peak’s 60th anniversary celebration, Friesland Campina WAMCO, makers Peak Milk is set to reward its consumers for 60 years of patronage and loyalty, hence sixty millionaires will be made in 60 days. The promo will run from July to September 2015. Tarang Gupta, the company’s Marketing Director, explained the reason for the promotion. He stated that with the Peak 60th anniversary ‘Peak Reach for Millions’ promo, FrieslandCampina WAMCO wants to deepen brand love with its teeming and loyal consumers who have been with the iconic brand ‘from generation to generation.’ He said, “This 60th anniversary celebration and consumer promotion seeks to reward consumers for their loyalty towards Peak by creat-

ing winners and millionaires everyday for 60 days. We are partnering with First Monie and First Bank, our financial partner to disburse cash rewards to all winners and issue surprise cash to early entrants. “At the end of this promotion, we want brand love to be reinforced as Peak keeps its promise of being with them all the way, especially in the pursuit of their dreams, by rewarding them with money to make their dreams become reality,” he said. Gupta further explained modalities for the promo, saying that it is open to all from any part of the country, except staff and consultants of FrieslandCampina WAMCO. “To participate in the promo, consumers must buy any Peak milk range. On every pack purchased, there is a ‘unique code’ starting with ‘BN’ (BN & code). Participants should text the code found on each

pack to 55331; e.g. text BNRF205159 to 55331. An immediate engagement reply follows to guide the consumers on their millionaire journey. Successful entries by the first 500,000 consumers will be instantly rewarded with 100 naira credited into their e-wallet courtesy of First Monie, the financial partner. “Winners will be selected daily through secured random draws. Every lucky winner gets a claim code that will be sent directly to their mobile phone number. Every winner will be directed to selected First Bank branch in their location to redeem his or her cash winning. “For redemption, consumers will be required to present used packs of Peak Milk range as proof of purchase at selected First Bank Branches with a confirmed winning code to redeem their cash prizes after a thorough verification for the codes and empty packs,” Gupta said.

offer was in line with the company’s desire to offer great deals to its Executive customers planning on travelling for business or spending and celebrating with their family members and friends abroad this summer. Olayinka noted, “Our First Class customers have been a solid support to us over the years, as they experience our First class servicer service, this is our way of saying thank you for their loyalty to us’ “We will continuously support them with our wonderful service in our First Class cabin and those flying on First Class this summer whether for business or personal reasons, can enjoy the same worldclass luxury from British Airways for less.’’

s part of activities to celebrate its third anniversary, Konga.com, has rewarded about 70 loyal customers across the country with free shopping vouchers through its customer appreciation programme. The programme celebrates individuals that have been loyal shoppers on Konga since it began operations in 2012. According to Konga’s, director leading the customer experience team, Mayowa Adebayo, “we know that our customers are a key contributor to our many successes as a business; we are truly grateful to all Nigerians that have embraced Konga and chosen us as their preferred online shopping mall. To show our appreciation, 70 customers received free shopping vouchers from N5,000 to N20, 000 as part of the initiative.” “The customer is at the heart of

everything we do. All our continued innovations, rapid expansion, qualittative service delivery, our 24/7 customer support, manned by highly trained and capable staff are all aimed at delighting our customers,” she added. Speaking on the customers’ response to the kind gesture, Adebayo said: “some of the vouchers were personally delivered to customers across Lagos by department heads and vice presidents from Konga.com on July 22, 2015. At these presentations, the customers were thrilled to receive the delegates and lauded Konga on the quality of its merchandise, excellent customer service and timely delivery of purchased goods.” One of the winners, Sonia Nwakanma, commented: “Konga is my best online mall for shopping; their customer service and delivery time are the best when compared to other online malls. I adore Konga and would keep shopping from them.

Unilever introduces new 100g Omo pack

buja was burstled with excitement when Unilever Nigeria Plc came to formally introduce the new 100 gram pack of its Omo Fast Action detergent to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Omo entourage led by popular actor and Omo brand ambassador, Ali Nuhu made door to door stops at the Nyanya, Mararaba, Lugbe, Kubwa, Kuje and Gwagwalada areas of the city where he handed out complimentary packs to families while informing them of the improved qualities. Speaking on the reason for the visit, Ali Nuhu stated “Omo has been a leading brand for decades and people have come to trust it for the effective cleaning power and

ability to handle tough stains on laundry. The new 100 gram pack is being launched to make the product more affordable and accessible to a larger section of the consuming public.” “It is the same Omo with superior stain removing power in more affordable pack and it only costs N50! There is no better proposition in the market today and the response from the good people of Abuja has been enthusiastic”, he added. Mrs. Abibatu Jimoh, one of the spectators, who also took part in the demo wash, expressed her abundant happiness with the OMO Fast Action detergent. “My experience today with Omo has further strengthened my resolve to remain loyal to the brand,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 30, 2015

ACTV launches multi-room viewership on cable TV DAVID AUDU

frican Cable Television, ACTV, has launched first multi-room and independent viewership solution in the country. Before now, the only available option was the dual view decoder with viewership of channels dependent on the person holding the decoder’s remote control. In a statement by the Director of Content, ACTV, Mr. Jide Lawrence, “the ACTV Multi-room TV solution gives subscribers the expanded comfort and experience of viewing television contents in as much as four different rooms simultaneously and independently of each other.” He explained that this is made

possible with the use of one satellite dish in the home, hotel or office and a much better four-way signal connector that feeds four rooms simultaneously and allows the use of four independent remote control units. But with the ACTV multi-room channel offering, subscribers can now enjoy their favorite TV shows without stress anywhere in their home. Lawrence stated further that with the ACTV Multi-room television bouquet, subscribers can do everything they wish in any of the rooms with TV without disturbing anyone else watching in other rooms. The kids can watch their cartoons, mummies can watch their soaps and daddies can watch their

news or movies without the usual struggles for the remote control. “Ours is a multi-independent view, meaning freedom for everyone to choose and enjoy TV content anywhere in their home.” According to Lawrence, ACTV has carved a niche in providing cutting edge technology, innovative content and top quality entertainment at affordable prices to every and all its subscribers. “We are committed to bringing Nigerians the best and nothing else irrespective of their social class” noting that “it is in the spirit of providing the best that the company earlier introduced the PVR functions to all levels of subscribers at an unbelievably affordable price.”

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Connect Marketing Services, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka; winners of cash prizes, Mr. Selasie Brown, Mr. Deji Owopola, Mr. Yinka Aregbesola and Senior Manager, Master Brand, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Saidat Lawal – Mohammed, during the cheque presentation of the FIFA PlayStation game duel powered by MTN at the MTN TECH+ Exhibition Conference in Lagos recently.

Airtel rewards winner in ‘hit a million promo’

irtel Nigeria has proved the authenticity of its Recharge & Hit A million promo, as it presented one million Naira to its first millionaire winner. The prize presentation ceremony was held in Lagos recently. One of the winners, a lift operator, Ambrose Ogidi said it came as a surprise to him, while expressing joy over the prize. “I was aware of the promo and participated in it, but I never thought I will win one million Naira”. Mr. Ogidi said he was busy performing his official duties, when he was greeted by TuFace Idibia, one of Airtel Nigeria’s Smart Icons who told him he had emerged a millionaire from the Recharge & Hit A Million promo. Ambrose Ogidi said “We always hear about different promos but I never thought I will be a winner. I am still in shock. Airtel Nigeria has touched my life and I will forever remain grateful to them”. “I am a living testimony that the Recharge & Hit a Million promo is real. As you can see this is my office, Airtel Nigeria came to present my gift to me here. I advise all Nigerians to pick up their phones and participate in this promo that has changed my life”. Mr. Ogidi added. Speaking on the promo,

Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, explained that the promo symbolizes Airtel’s brand promise of enriching Nigerians to realize their potentials. He said: “Everyone is a winner in the Recharge & Hit A Million promo, which is our own way of saying thank you to our customers and rewarding them for being on our network. Airtel Recharge & Hit A Million promo which was launched in June will produce 60 millionaires during the duration of the promo when the Telco will reward millions of its customers with cash prizes worth over N200 million; ranging from N1m daily prizes, N100,000 hourly prizes and N5,000 cash prizes as well as lots of free airtime and SMS. The promo which is opened to both prepaid and postpaid customers is anchored on a point-based system where customers will accumulate points to increase their chances of winning by performing any network based mobile telephony activity ranging from a recharge, voice call, data browsing session, SMS, or VAS deductions. Over five lucky winners have also been rewarded with N100,000.00 each since the commencement of the promo and more prizes are yet to be won.

Fayrouz scores high in L’original New marketers body decries dwindling fortunes competition DAVID AUDU

he newly elected executive council of Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria, EXMAN, led by the president, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan has resolved to confront the several challenges facing their operations, which include dwindling revenue, reduced margin, and slow growth amongst others. The new leadership made this known after its 2ndannual general meeting in Abeokuta recently where the Kayode Olagesin’s led exco was replaced by Olaniyan’s. Apart from Olaniyan, others in the new executives are Vice PresidentWole Olagundoye, General Secretary- Kehinde Salami, Financial Secretary-Kayode Idowu and Publicity Secretary- Abiodun Oshinibosi. The newly elected president stressed that the agenda that the new exco would work towards is straightforward and that is to grow profitability and market size. He

believed that the 25 per cent growth rate is realizable given the six critical goal areas set up to drive the process. An optimistic Olaniyan said this would be achieved in the next one year and to achieve these, he said the body would only worry itself about six critical goal areas. “First is revering the industry and basically protecting the industry from non-professionals, and secondly, is about thought leadership. This is putting in place initiatives that would ensure that we maintain cutting edge as a practice and professional service industry.” Other areas, Olaniyan believed could spur the intended growth rate include improving the internal training capacity and focus on client engagement.. “We will focus on client engagement as a critical issue. It is time for to set up a proper forum to be able to engage with clients and bring them up to speed with the challenges that we all faced.” According to him, “Everybody in the experiential marketing in-

dustry is complaining, we have reduced margin, we have payment compensation terms that we don’t feel is adequate to cover our operational cost not to talk about the little profit at the end of the day, which we can use to reinvest, so there is a need for us to do some work in that area,” he said He however promised that in the next 30 days the new exco would be coming out with a working document that would show a clear calendar of activity and clear measurable output that would be used to measure their performance in office. Assessing his tenure, EXMAN’s immediate past president, Kayode Olagesin said his two years as foundational president has been fantastic. According to him “it is never easy to take up the responsibility of leading a new association and starting from scratch. It has been very interesting, challenging as well as enjoyable because laying the foundation and structure that would guide us going forward was never going to be an easy task.”

ayrouz from the stable of Nigerian Breweries PLC has for the second year in a row, scored big with the L’Original competition; a platform with which the brand seeks to advocate for originality and reward creativity. The competition, which is open to young Nigerians between the ages of 18-24 who must be Youth Corps members, fresh graduates or undergraduates of Nigerian universities, has since its debut last year, grown to become one of the most credible contests. Worthy of mention is that the competition’s popularity isn’t based solely on its uniqueness nor the millions of naira participants stand to win, rather on its sincere commitment to encouraging talented youths. Kufre Ekanem, Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Adviser, emphasized this during a press conference held recently to announce the finale of this year’s edition, ‘We are very delighted that Fayrouz is supporting a laudable project like the L’Original competition. We understand the

importance of giving wings to the talents of young Nigerians and we are committed to it’ he said and continued, citing examples of the many exploits Team Elan, winners of the maiden edition have done since their victory last year. The Fayrouz L’Original competition sponsored by Natural Premium drink, Fayrouz has a rather interesting concept, promoting the ideals of teamwork and responsibility. It involves several teams battling each other to become the most original team of the year. Each team consisting of a make up artiste, model, photographer and fashion designer are expected to come up with creative designs according to themes given by the board. Upon completion, the pieces are presented to the jury, made up of celebrated photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, make up expert, Rhema Akabuogu and the duo of creative fashion designers, Kunbi Oyelese and Ohimai Atafo who then choose qualifying teams based on the creativity, confidence and originality displayed.

Insight

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The cry for drugs in entertainment NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

he music world may never get over the death of Whitney Houston, whose only daughter, Kristina died earlier in the week. A few years ago, the industry had mourned the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, who passed on at 50 and Amy Winehouse, who died at the age of 28. Before then, there had been the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Charles Dickens and Beethoven, creative minds, who ‘abused’ various kinds of substance at certain stages of their notable careers. Locally, it is also an endemic scourge. Aside Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, notable artistes like Majek Fashek, Tuface Idibia and Gabriel Amanyi (Terry G) have admitted the use of marijuana, fuelling speculations amongst fans and upcoming acts that substance abuse may well be part of the success package in the creative industry. The type of substances usually abused varies according to status and location; and ranges from drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide,( LSD), ecstasy, opium, alcohol and marijuana, amongst many other mixtures of these drugs fondly referred to as ‘cocktail’ amongst users. The glowing description often availed in the songs of a good number of artistes about escaping from reality can give an insight into why some of the artistes indulge in drug use. In his highly successful track, Easy Skanking, Bob Marley sang: “Excuse me while I light my spliff; Good God I gotta take a lift; From reality I just can’t drift; That’s why I’m staying with this riff ”. For reggae star, Dillinger, whose album, CB 200, topped record charts worldwide, it ran thus: “But every time I walk in the rain, Man, o Man, I feel a pain, I feel a burning pain; Keep on burning in my bloody brain. I’ve got cocaine running around my brain; I’ve got cocaine running around my brain; I want to dig me soul brothers and sisters; I want you to hold me tight, because I’m a dynamite; I got cocaine running around my brain. No matter where I treat my guests; You see they always like my kitchen best; ‘Cause I’ve cocaine running around my brain; Cocaine running around my brain”. 50 Cent in his said: “Cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana, I’m new on that greyhound from NY to the Carolina, paper chase different name, same face don’t catch a case, my road dogs on parole his baby girl’s 4 years old, we play the block pistol cop, you could shoot or get shot kill you for your crack spot take everything your ass got, semi-automatics spray, bust back or run away” While in Morphine, Michael Jackson wrote: “Relax; This won’t hurt you; Before I put it in, close your eyes and count to ten; Don’t cry, I won’t convert you; There’s no need to dismay; Close your eyes and drift away; Demerol… Demerol, Oh God he’s taking Demerol… Demerol… Demerol, Oh God he’s taking Demerol”. For local acts, it is not a different tune. From Olamide to Terry G, lyrics have been ut out there to idolize the use of sub-

Many creative minds are known to have found solace in stimulants ranging from alcohol to harder drugs like cocaine and heroin, forcing fans to believe that drug could be part of the creative enterprise. What is it about the creative industry that makes the abuse of substances appealing?

Fela

Bob Marley

I HAVE NEVER TRIED COCAINE OR HEROIN BUT I’VE DONE MARIJUANA BEFORE. BUT I NEVER TOOK IT TO GO ON STAGE. IT WAS PURPOSE.

JUST FOR RELAXATION

EVENTUALLY, I KNEW MARIJUANA WASN’T FOR ME, SO I STOPPED. BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM IN ANOTHER WORLD

stances. Terry G, in his song titled Free Madness, sang: “Because I dey smoke igbo, e no mean. I’m a singer give me the ginja.” Establishing the fact that drug use is rampant in the creative industry will not be difficult when one listens to some notable acts on the reasons behind the fad. Notable American actor, Johnny Depp says, “Drug use has less to do with recreation and more to do with the fact that we need to escape from our brains. We need to escape from everyday life. It’s self-medication.” While drug use is associated with peer pressure, a sociologist at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nduka Agbo, in a

chat for this article noted that drug use amongst creative people is a combination of peer pressure, drive to excel and the environment under which they operate. According to Agbo, the environment under which shows take place fuels the use of drugs. “Several factors could make a typical artiste want to go into drugs. Of course, they are vulnerable because of the environment under which they operate. While trying to make it in the industry, they must have come in contact with the bigger artistes adorning the posters with Indian hemp burning in between their fingers. Aspiring young artistes usually take up the career wanting to be like someone bigger. Seeing a Bob Marley

or Fela Kuti with marijuana in posters is enough to make a child who likes their songs take up smoking of marijuana. He would inadvertently associate success with that kind of lifestyle. It begins from there to the time he is established in the industry and begins to host shows. The ambience during shows is likely going to drive the use of drugs. Music fuels emotions. Studies have shown that some genres of music fuel the use of drugs. Songs in genres like hip-hop, reggae and especially rock can fuel the use of drugs. The ballads fuel the emotion of love. That is what you get, depending on what is coming”. 2Face Idibia, agrees with this. Acknowledging the use of marijuana in an earlier interview, he attributed his influence on some songs he used to listen to while growing up. “I have never tried cocaine or heroin but I’ve done marijuana before. But I never took it to go on stage. It was just for relaxation purpose. Eventually, I knew marijuana wasn’t for me, so I stopped. Because it makes me feel like I am in another world. I stopped using it a couple of years ago. It wasn’t difficult stopping. It was just craziness that introduced me to marijuana. You know how youth energy used to push one into things like that. In those days I used to listen to songs like ‘Rolling down the street smoking’. All those songs can influence, if you want to be influenced. It is not for me to advise musicians not to write or sing about drugs.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, July 30, 2015

industry

Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA Chairman

Majek Fashek

ALTHOUGH THE STUDIES DO NOT

LINK ADDICTION WITH CREATIVITY, THE HIGH CORRELATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PRESENTS AN

INDIRECT CONNECTION.

FOR

CREATIVE TYPES WHO ARE MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND

TEND TO OVER-ANALYSE, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL CAN BE A FORM OF

SELF-MEDICATION, A WAY TO QUIET THE RESTLESS MIND Michael Jackson

However people in the reggae genre of music attribute the use of substances like marijuana to spiritualism in line with Rastafarianism, noting that the use of marijuana amongst followers is akin to the use of Holy Communion amongst Catholics. Bob Marley in an interview about marijuana regarded it as a herb. “Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction,” he had said. Majek Fashek, who is presently believed to be in a battle withsubstance abuse, noted that, “I don’t do drugs. I use spiritualism. I’m spiritually-filled. I smoke Igbo and I drink. But I’m cutting it down.” Several arguments have however plagued the role of stimulants in the creative energy of artistes, but the most notable seems to be the school of thought supporting the idea that while drugs do not cause creativity, they can help the user to better utilize their own creativity, essentially by acting as a catalyst for creativity, rather than the fuel itself. A psychologist, Edith Ayeni interviewed for this article examined the relationship between creativity and drug in the light of the motor engine and the oil. According to her, “Drugs were an important part of the creative process for these

artistes and performers, but they were not the engine, they were the oil. Without the influence of drugs the engine may not have run simply due to internal friction. With oil present, the engine ran smoothly, allowing creativity to do its job and create true art. It seems true that the creativity is still a process that only the brain can perform, despite the occasional need for a confidence boost from some extra chemicals. The artiste is still the essential part of a creative work of art. Although the studies do not link addiction with creativity, the high correlation between depression and substance abuse presents an indirect connection. For creative types who are mentally unstable and tend to overanalyze, drugs and alcohol can be a form of self-medication, a way to quiet the restless mind. Many singers, who’ve experienced addiction, incorporate the dramatic highs and lows of their mental states into performances, pouring their emotionality”. With the artistes serving as role models in the society, what is being done in Nigeria to get this class of personalities desist from the abuse of substances? Former National President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, PMAN, Murphy Vans Anthony said that

the association is scheduling series of seminars to educate the young members on the dangers of depending on drug abuse for performance. “An artiste does not need drugs because the likes of Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Okosun were successful without the use of drugs. I personally look at the issue of drugs in music from the angle of Satan and its power to destroy an artiste. At the moment PMAN will embark on an enlightenment to teach the younger ones this”. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA is however not directing its campaign only to the artistes. According to its spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, their periodical enlightenment campaigns are directed at everyone who is susceptible to the use of drugs. “We do not direct our programme to one section of the society. They are for everyone vulnerable to the use of drugs- the motor park workers, the artistes, the street kids and the school boys.” Perhaps it is in this vein that face off between the agency and hip-hop act, Davido is degenerating. Presently, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has set up a panel to

investigate a music video released by Nigerian artiste, Davido, in which he displayed a substance suspected to be hard drugs. The video of his track, ‘Fans mi’, in which he featured an American rapper and member of the Maybach Group, Meek Mill, showed Davido with a briefcase filled with dollars and another bag filled with parcels of a substance suspected to be hard drugs. To forestall the influence of this effort, the agency has set up a panel as confirmed by Mitchell Ofoyeju. “I am aware that a panel is working on it (the video). The panel was set up soon after the video was released few weeks ago. When our attention was drawn to it, we viewed it and we discovered that it was improper. There is no moral lesson in it and he was just advertising drug trafficking. In the video, he exchanged a brief case supposedly containing narcotics for dollars. He was displaying affluence in the video. If it (the plot) had climaxed in an arrest and possible detention, we would have congratulated him for partnering with us. But the way he portrayed drug trafficking in the video was a means to an end, which the end is a life of affluence which we disagree with. We are looking at the issue holistically. We believe that there should be a body that was supposed to censor videos before they go out. Those are the things we want to investigate and verify. Was the video submitted for approval? If it was submitted, why was it approved, with such content?” Interestingly, the National Broadcasting Commission, under whose purview this falls, has not reacted nor deemed it fit to confront this act, which could of course, fuel more efforts in this regard the moment the video becomes a commercial success. Contacts as well as checks on their portal proved that nothing has been done in this regards. While it would be difficult to make financial estimates about the losses encountered in the creative industry due to drug use, there are strong indications that it may run into tens of billions of naira. For instance the brief efforts made in 2012 to resuscitate the career of Majek Fashek after he signed on to a new company, A Plus Entertainment owned by Hajia Amina Dangaji gulped about N35m without any commensurate returns on that investments. According to Amina Dangaji, “ I can’t really say the exact amount for now. But I know I have spent over N35 million. I have been able to get him a house and a car. His wife even came to me and spent almost a week in my house before they moved to Majek’s house” In some dire cases, promoters have run into problems, attracting litigations for the odd conduct of their artistes, who may have drug issues, due to cancellation of show. The 2009 incident involving King of Pop, Michael Jackson is a classic example. Themed, ‘This is It’ concert, the sudden death of Michael from drug-related issues brought a litigation of $29 billion to the promoters after tickets and television rights of the show had been sold worldwide. Whichever one looks at it, growing campaigns need to be mounted to sensitise the general public aside new artistes about the dangers of that attempt that may spawn many more attempts and death at the end.

Cocktail

Thursday, July 30, 2015

xxxx

Cyclist lifts car to clear bike path

video going viral online purports to show a Stockholm cyclist lifting the rear end of a car to move it out of a bicycle lane, where it had been parked. The clip, believed to have been shot in the Swedish capital and shared on YouTube by Joe Loreto, shows a burly cyclist who came across a car parked in a bi-

cycle lane lifting the rear end of the car to turn it sideways and get it out of the biking area. The man lifts and sets the car down a couple of times during his attempt, but his efforts are successful in only a few seconds. An assembled crowd cheers for the man as he gets back on his bicycle and rides off down the cleared path.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Wedding guest drops baby to catch bouquet A

young wedding guest desperate to catch the bride’s bouquet was caught on camera dropping a baby to dive for the flowers. The video, filmed at a wedding in New Zealand and uploaded to YouTube by LivTheGinjaNinja, features a young girl holding

the baby among a group of women waiting to catch the bouquet. The bride throws the bouquet, and the young girl quickly drops the baby in favor of diving backward in an attempt to

snatch the flowers out of the air. The young girl is unsuccessful, having lost out to a much taller wedding guest, and picks up the seemingly uninjured infant.

The video’s description says the baby is the young girl’s sister and was not harmed in the filming. “Note: the baby was not harmed in the video,” the uploader wrote.

Woman pinned to her bed by 5,000-pound tree

New York state fire department said it took about two hours to rescue a woman who was pinned down by a 5,000-pound tree that crashed into her bedroom. The Vigilant Fire Company of Great Neck said the 5,000-pound tree crashed into the 20-year-old woman’s second-story bedroom while she was sleeping just after

midnight early Monday. Fire officials said they used hydraulic lifts to free the woman in a 2-hour operation that involved responders from Vigilant, Alert Fire Company, the Nassau County Police Emergency Service Unit, the Emergency Ambulance Bureau, the Nassau County Tactical Rescue Team and the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s HazMat Team.

“It was a great example of how five different entities can work closely together and get one job accomplished,” Vigilant Chief Josh Forst said. The woman was hospitalized in stable condition. Police said the woman may have incurred more serious injuries if she hadn’t been sleeping on her side when the tree fell.

A New Zealand bride prepares to throw her bouquet while a young guest prepares to drop her baby sister.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, July 30, 2015

SEC launches e-dividend portal, closes three offices Johnson Okanlawon

ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday launched e-dividend portal in Lagos as part of its regulatory initiatives to further enhance efficiency of capital market transactions and information management between listed companies and investors. E-dividend, which is the direct payment of dividends into investors’ accounts, was introduced by the SEC as part of efforts to tackle unclaimed dividends, which is currently stands between N75 billion and N80 billion.

Speaking at the forum, the Director General of the Commission, Mounir Gwarzo said the era of travelling to a far distance to collect dividend claim from banks is over, as it will be paid directly into the account of investor. He said: “The starting point is to collect mandate form at your bank, fill the account number, the bank verification number, Central Securities and Clearing number and registration number and submit to the bank.” According to him, bank officials as well as registrars

have commenced trainings on the use of the e-dividend portal. ”This portal will ensure that no investor would be charged for mandate validation, it will also enable payment of dividends not only to current accounts as previously done but also to savings accounts held by investors. “Dormant accounts would also be able to receive dividends but would require reactivation in other to enable withdrawals,” he added. Gwarzo assured investors in Diaspora that access to an online mandate form would be provided by registrars to

ensure verification of identity and payment of earnings. Meanwhile, the SEC’s boss also disclosed that Kaduna, Onitsha and Ibadan branches of the commission had been closed. He attributed the closure of the offices to the fact that their continued operations were not necessary considering the recent implementation of the SEC Master Plan, which includes use of mass media for investors’ education instead of individuals. He stressed that the remaining offices will be fortified to be more responsive in terms of functions.

FG to raise N195bn in Treasury bills

…as equities shed 0.3% Johnson Okanlawon

he Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday said the Federal Government plans to sell N195.17 billion worth of three months, six months and one-year Treasury bills next week. The bank said it would sell N45.17 billion worth of three months paper, N30 billion of six months bill and N120 billion in the one year debt using the Dutch auction System.

Meanwhile, trading in equities declined further for the sixth consecutive session on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors’ confidence remain weak. The All Share Index depreciated 0.34 per cent to close at 30,510.95 points, compared to the drop of 0.63 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,614.81 points. Market capitalization shed N36 billion to close at N10.45 trillion, compared to the decrease of N66 billion recorded the preceding day

to close at N10.49 trillion. Research analysts at DLM Securities noted that current valuations should be attractive to both growth and value investors with a medium-tolong term view of the Nigerian growth story regardless of the current headwinds, which will dissipate in due course. African Prudence Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with 22 kobo or 7.94 per cent to close at N2.99 per share, followed by Transnational Express Plc with five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share. Beta Glass Plc gained N1.97 or 4.99 per cent to close at N41.47 per share, while

banking and wealth management, provided some cushion as earnings from non-banking activities proved more resilient. The bank was also reported to be validating its increased drive into retail as its retail group contributed 21 per cent (N1.7bn) of its PBT. The retail group also grew deposits 21 per cent year on year to N431.2bn, or 54 per cent of total deposits. “The bank acquired 260,000 customers in the first half of this year. The bank continued its drive of inclusive lending, granting just over 9,100 new loans to micro-enterprises. FCMB’s credit card offering saw increased patronage, with over 17,000 cards issued in the first

half of this year. “Corporate banking activities were constrained by scarcity of foreign exchange and tight monetary policy, which affected trade finance, foreign exchange trading and lending activities. In the first half of 2015, the bank’s UK wholesale banking subsidiary, FCMB Bank (UK) Ltd, broke even after 14 months of operations as a deposit-taking institution. FCMB Bank (UK) Ltd’s profit contribution is expected to continue improving. “The investment banking group of FCMB Group Plc - comprising of financial advisory (FCMB Capital Markets Ltd (FCMBCM)) and stockbroking

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,510.95 points Market capitalisation 10.46trn

Stock Updates GAINERS

Champion Breweries Plc appreciated 25 kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N5.36 per share. E Tranzact Plc was up 15 kobo or 4.72 per cent to close at N2.34 per share. On the flip side, Portland Paints Plc shed 44 kobo or 9.57 per cent to close at N4.16 per share, while UAC Properties Plc depreciated 50 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N9.55 per share. NASCON Plc fell 33 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N6.37 per share. A total of 222.7 million shares valued at N75.5 billion were traded in 3,601 deals.

FCMB Group records N9.6bn PBT in half year 2015

CMB Group Plc presented its halfyear 2015 results, which showed revenue increased 11 per cent year on year to N77.4 billion, while Profit Before Tax, PBT, dropped 14 per cent year on year to N9.6 billion. The period also saw increased business momentum, with total assets growing 15 per cent to N1.22 trillion and up five per cent year-to-date (YTD). The board and management stated that customers’ confidence in the bank remained strong, as deposits grew four per cent during the period to N785.8 billion. The diversification of FCMB across commercial banking, investment

Source: NSE

(CSL Stockbrokers Ltd (CSLS)) – delivered”, the bank stated. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

AFRIPRUD

2.77

2.99

0.22

7.94

TRANSEXPR

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

BETAGLAS

39.50

41.47

1.97

4.99

CHAMPION

5.11

5.36

0.25

4.89

ETRANZACT

3.18

3.33

0.15

4.72

ETERNA

2.24

2.34

0.10

4.46

MOBIL

150.00

155.98

5.98

3.99

FCMB

2.70

2.80

0.10

3.70

FLOURMILL

28.00

28.98

0.98

3.50

FIDSON

3.21

3.30

0.09

2.80

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

PORTPAINT

4.60

4.16

-0.44

-9.57

UAC-PROP

10.05

9.55

-0.50

-4.98

UNITYBNK

2.21

2.10

-0.11

-4.98

BERGER

10.31

9.80

-0.51

-4.95

NASCON

6.70

6.37

-0.33

-4.93

MANSARD

2.66

2.53

-0.13

-4.89

CAP

39.90

37.95

-1.95

-4.89

VONO

1.24

1.18

-0.06

-4.84

GLAXOSMITH

42.00

40.00

-2.00

-4.76

AIRSERVICE

1.98

1.89

-0.09

-4.55

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.05

98.03

15.12

98.18

14.96

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.75

100.32

14.84

100.47

14.74

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.92

103.28

14.85

103.58

14.75

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.54

102.43

14.78

102.73

14.69

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.50

106.44

14.81

106.74

14.74

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.63

97.05

14.81

97.35

14.74

Closing Market Prices of July 29, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

29-Oct-15

13.34

13.81

WAUA

270

USD

197

28-Jan-16

13.71

14.72

EURO

214

02-Jun-16

12.91

14.49

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

8.1667

POUNDS STERLING

293

13.9404

16.0890

SDR

273

17.3238

NIBOR

The Fixings of July 29, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019

Equities as at July 29, 2015 Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 13 10 23

Current Price 26.00 31.19

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 1.85

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015

Quantity Traded 54,201 12,068 66,269

Value Traded 1,413,640.32 378,477.27 1,792,117.59

Quantity Traded 262,751 262,751

Value Traded 489,556.75 489,556.75

329,020

2,281,674.34

Quantity Traded 4,000 600 4,520,735 178,175 4,703,510

Value Traded 4,560.00 540.00 9,582,252.40 7,139,924.54 16,727,276.94

4,703,510 Quantity Traded 115,589 115,589 Page

16,727,276.94 Value Traded 79,584.30 79,584.30 1 of 12

Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Diversified Industries Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONGLOMERATES Totals Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT Daily Summary TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities) 103 40 145 145 No. of Deals 7 7

Symbol COSTAIN

Current Price 1.10 0.94 2.13 41.50

Current Price 0.68

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 47.97 6.29

Quantity Traded 4 1,042 1,046

Value Traded 182.32 6,877.20 7,059.52

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 9.55

Quantity Traded 202,430 202,430

Value Traded 1,945,764.88 1,945,764.88

319,065

2,032,408.70

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Activity Summary on Board EQTY 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE MILLS PLC Published by The NigerianFLOUR Stock Exchange © DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Personal/Household Products Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSUMER GOODS Totals Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DIAMOND BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 ActivityUNITY Summary Board EQTY BANKon PLC WEMA BANK PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services FINANCIAL SERVICES PLC. AIICO INSURANCE AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC Banking MUTUALINTERNATIONAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. ZENITH BANK PLC N.E.M Totals INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Banking NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. Insurance Carriers, BrokersCO. andPLC. Services PRESTIGE ASSURANCE AIICO INSURANCE PLC.INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC MUTUALCarriers, BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. Totals Insurance Brokers and Services Published byN.E.M The Nigerian Stock CO Exchange © INSURANCE (NIG) PLC. Micro-Finance Banks CO. PLC. NIGER INSURANCE NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO.PLC PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. Micro-Finance Banks Totals WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Mortgage Carriers, Carriers, Brokers Brokers and and Services Services Totals Insurance RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Micro-Finance Banks Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICACarriers, PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Mortgage Brokers and Services RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL AFRICASERVICES PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Other Financial Institutions CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 11 31 14 192 (Equities) 248

Current Price 5.36 134.00 18.24 122.00

Quantity Traded 279,025 76,926 161,165 5,636,700 6,153,816

Value Traded 1,445,175.00 10,329,247.87 2,907,215.89 687,815,349.26 702,496,988.02

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 182.00

Quantity Traded 11,966 11,966

Value Traded 2,169,628.25 2,169,628.25

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 35 20 101 9 32 1 1 199

Current Price 3.20 6.00 28.98 3.10 6.37 16.30 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,149,205 Page 236,880 890,233 52,304 557,495 1,000 700 3,887,817

12 2 6,743,007.38 of 1,421,473.88 25,442,672.27 154,378.80 3,557,706.00 16,400.00 350.00 37,335,988.33

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 3 58 61

Current Price 35.05 850.02

Quantity Traded 470 1,283,993 1,284,463

Value Traded 15,651.00 1,091,417,160.21 1,091,432,811.21

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 1 12 13

Current Price 5.65 1.18

Quantity Traded 41,000 302,000 343,000

Value Traded 220,170.00 356,360.00 576,530.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 36 32 68

Current Price 28.71 37.00

Quantity Traded 130,230 319,222 449,452

Value Traded 3,584,105.62 11,749,144.66 15,333,250.28

Daily Summary

Daily Summary (Equities)

600 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 163 DIAMONDBNK 34 ETI 34 FIDELITYBK 53 GUARANTY 322 SKYEBANK 54 STERLNBANK 185 Daily Summary (Equities) UBA 158 UBN 42 UNITYBNK 13 WEMABANK 24

Symbol

Symbol AFRIPRUD Symbol RESORTSAL Daily Summary UNHOMES

Symbol AFRIPRUD Symbol CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 59,963,284 130,899,561

No. of Deals 11 26 No. of Deals 3552 30 1,437 1 No. of Deals1 111 263 2 75 30 No. of Deals 1 13 13 3 No. of Deals 75 1 No. of Deals1 32 3 No. of Deals 96 No. of Deals 1 (Equities) 1 2

Current Price 0.89 2.53 Current Price 0.50 16.50 0.60 0.50 Current Price 0.50 0.89 0.50 2.53 0.50 0.50 0.60 Current Price 0.50 1.10 0.50 0.50 0.50 Current Price 0.50 5.50 Current Price 1.10

Quantity Traded Value Traded 153,953 139,733.89 1,175,010 2,977,396.70 Quantity Traded Value Traded 2,250 1,125.00 59,963,284 994,045,531.56 10,884,823 6,760,840.70 130,899,561 1,986,986,274.76 500 250.00 Quantity Traded Value Traded 100 50.00 153,953 139,733.89 1,700 850.00 1,175,010 2,977,396.70 100,533 50,266.50 2,250 1,125.00 12,318,869 9,930,512.79 12 46,760,840.70 of 10,884,823Page Quantity Traded Value Traded 500 250.00 30,300 31,815.00 100 50.00 1,700 850.00 30,300 31,815.00 100,533 50,266.50 Quantity Traded Value Traded 12,318,869 9,930,512.79 46,000 23,000.00 265 Quantity Traded Value1,385.95 Traded 30,300 31,815.00 46,265 24,385.95 30,300 31,815.00 Quantity Traded Value Traded 8,678,210 25,001,263.95 Quantity Traded Value Traded 46,000 23,000.00 265 1,385.95 Page 5 of 12 46,265 24,385.95

No. of Deals 96 No. of Deals 8 367 45 1 35 55 607

Current Price 2.99 Current Price 0.50 5.50

Current Price 2.99 Current Price 4.05 7.50 2.80 0.50 22.50 1.38

No. of Deals 34 6 29 13 1 83

Current Price 0.56 3.30 40.00 1.27 2.25

Symbol COURTVILLE

1,849,345,196.09 Value Traded 12 360,698,983.55 of 5,616,365.12 29,852,128.01 5,199,866.26 839,686,586.62 4,490,417.78 15,258,077.26 29,483,025.65 970,261.00 1,183,488.50 501,543.45

Current Price 16.50

2,124

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER PHARMDEKO

12,130,514 Quantity Traded 12,338,956 Page 1,458,623 1,531,094 3,538,758 34,516,578 2,201,716 7,183,560 6,905,577 124,672 563,565 573,178

No. of Deals 355 1,437

Daily Summary (Equities) ZENITHBANK Symbol AIICO MANSARD Symbol MBENEFIT ZENITHBANK NEM NIGERINS Symbol PRESTIGE AIICO STDINSURE MANSARD WAPIC MBENEFIT NEM Symbol NIGERINS NPFMCRFBK PRESTIGE STDINSURE WAPIC Symbol RESORTSAL UNHOMES Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Current Price 4.91 3.80 19.50 1.55 24.20 2.02 2.14 4.29 7.79 2.10 0.90

Value Traded

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,678,210 Quantity Traded 127,279 Page 18,127,473 3,018,112 3,000 1,209,843 1,840,249 33,004,166

Value Traded 994,045,531.56 1,986,986,274.76

Value Traded 25,001,263.95 Value Traded 5 510,105.50 of 12 136,186,977.28 8,429,247.66 1,500.00 27,223,189.28 2,512,523.62 199,864,807.29

176,299,161

2,196,837,795.79

Quantity Traded 11,521,873 349,150 2,071,771 383,440 30,766 14,357,000

Value Traded 6,068,130.40 1,152,387.00 82,862,969.27 490,958.59 65,839.24 90,640,284.50

14,357,000

90,640,284.50

Quantity Traded 3,686,939 3,686,939

Value Traded 1,892,205.24 1,892,205.24

Page

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Sector

Company name

ICT Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals Symbol ETRANZACT

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 2 2

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL OIL AND GASGOODS Totals Energy Equipment and Services OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Published by JAPAUL The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Daily Summary as Equipment of 29/07/2015 Energy and Services Totals Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL AND GASOIL PLC.

Quantity Traded

Current Price 3.33

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 98,000 98,000

Value Traded 314,740.00 314,740.00

3,784,939

2,206,945.24

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 12 6 14 15 21 3 52 123

Current Price 21.01 9.80 37.95 8.77 170.52 4.16 99.00

Quantity Traded 142,340 114,359 99,625 270,115 92,128 130,000 553,268 1,401,835

Value Traded 2,990,563.40 1,120,718.20 3,779,135.29 2,367,632.75 15,715,160.73 545,000.00 54,771,471.09 81,289,681.46

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 95,299 95,299

Value Traded 143,648.50 143,648.50

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

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 2,073,500.00 2,073,500.00

BETAGLAS

1 1

41.47

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 531,080 Page 531,080

Value Traded 12 7 265,540.00 of 265,540.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 202 202

Current Price 12.42

Quantity Traded 6,355,287 6,355,287

Value Traded 79,558,439.56 79,558,439.56

No. of Deals 3 7 47

Current Price 40.85 2.34 184.50

Quantity Traded 3,106 131,052 112,806

Value Traded 120,543.86 299,440.76 20,530,381.13

126

1,547,134

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO

83,506,829.96

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 20 2 5 84

Current Price 155.98 49.66 163.00

Quantity Traded 171,565 110 10,758 429,397

Value Traded 26,123,798.95 5,189.80 1,680,048.00 48,759,402.50

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 315.00

Quantity Traded 36,669 36,669

Value Traded 11,375,213.95 11,375,213.95

7,352,433

139,958,596.01

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Advertising Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Media/Entertainment Totals Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC Road Transportation Totals SERVICES Transport-Related Services Employment Solutions SERVICES CAIRLINE & I LEASING PLC. AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Employment Solutions Totals Transport-Related Services Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Hotels/Lodging Totals Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019 Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES SERVICES Totals

313

Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 10 10Page

Value Traded 5.00 8 of 5.00 12

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.71

Quantity Traded 13,000 13,000

Value Traded 8,840.00 8,840.00

No. of Deals 43 16 59 No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 4.94 1.05

Quantity Traded 499,697 595,858 1,095,555 Quantity Traded 55,140 55,140 Page

Value Traded 2,500,265.44 594,249.37 3,094,514.81 Value Traded 27,571.40 27,571.40 12 9 of

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR Symbol CILEASING

Current Price 0.50

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 3 1 4

Current Price 3.75 7.86

Quantity Traded 73,322 1,000 74,322

Value Traded 268,139.20 7,470.00 275,609.20

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.14

Quantity Traded 27,530 27,530

Value Traded 30,007.70 30,007.70

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 86,710 86,710

Value Traded 45,132.20 45,132.20

Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE CILEASING NAHCO

No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price No. 1.89 34 0.50 18 4.76 3 22 No. of Deals Current Price 3 3.75 1 7.86 4

Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 222,209 55,140 216,095 55,140 438,304 Quantity Traded 73,322 1,000 Page 74,322

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.14

Quantity Traded 27,530 27,530

Value Traded 30,007.70 30,007.70

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 86,710 86,710

Value Traded 45,132.20 45,132.20

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

Quantity Traded 222,209 216,095 438,304

Value Traded 419,985.01 1,024,336.00 1,444,321.01

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

AIRSERVICE NAHCO

4 18 22

1.89 4.76

1,810,571 Page

EQTY Board Totals

Value Traded Traded Value 419,985.01 27,571.40 1,024,336.00 27,571.40 1,444,321.01 Value Traded 268,139.20 7,470.00 12 10 of 275,609.20

4,936,001.32 10

222,633,347

4,388,473,008.89

Quantity Traded 57,218 57,218

Value Traded 75,527.76 75,527.76 75,527.76

3,600

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.32

57,218

ASeM Board Totals

57,218

75,527.76

Equity Activity Totals

3,601

222,690,565

4,388,548,536.65

Daily Summary as of 29/07/2015 Printed 29/07/2015 14:32:19.019

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

Exchange Fund NEWGOLDTraded EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Name Published by The Nigerian Exchange © STANBIC IBTC Stock ETF 30 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD Symbol STANBICETF30 VETGRIF30

Daily Summary (ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 1 3 6

Current Price 10.10 2,112.00 Current Price 93.00 13.85

Quantity Traded 10 47 Quantity Traded Page 10,000

Value Traded 101.00 99,264.00 Value Traded 11 930,000.00 of 12

2,133 12,190

29,691.51 1,059,056.51

ETF Board Totals

12,190

1,059,056.51

ETP Activity Totals

12,190

1,059,056.51

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Paediatrician advocates inclusion of sex education in curriculum Leonard Okachie

isturbed by the incessant cases of child sexual abuse in the society, a consultant paediatrician, Dr. Opeyemi Oluwabiyi has advocated an age-grouped sexuality for every child in the home, which should include the meaning of incest and its consequences.

She said that home is the first solution centre and mothers especially are at the helm of affairs in abuse-proofing the home. Oluwabiyi, who is a Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Department, Paediatrics at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos made at event organised by Leo District 404 A1 Nigeria, which held at Ikorodu, Lagos. In her presentation entitled, “Child sexual abuse (CSA): a silent epidemic in Nigeria,” Oluwabiyi, who was the Guest Speaker, urged mothers to sensitise their children on the reality of sexual abuse and teach them to be assertive. She advised mothers to be vigilant, even around spouses and close relatives, as well as shun carelessness. In her thought-provoking lecture, she defined child sexual abuse as any interaction between a child and an adult (or another child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or an observer. She stated that the central characteristic is domination of the child through deception, force or coercion into sexual activity, adding that children (due to their age) cannot give meaningful consent to sexual activity. According to her, things that constitute CSA include: inappropriate touching or fondling of the child’s genitals, breasts or buttocks, masturbation, oral – genital contact, sexual/ digital penetration, pornography, child prostitution, exposure/ flashing of body parts to the child, voyeurism, and verbal pressure for sex. Giving the epidemiology of CSA to the guests made of children, youths and adults, Oluwabiyi said: “Worldwide, one in three girls, one in five boys will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18 years. “In the U.K., 18,915 sexual crimes against children < 16years was committed in 2012/13. In the U.S, the rate of child sexual abuse is 1.2 per thousand children. “The Lagos State Police handled 678 cases of rape between March 2012 and March 2013 with an increasing percentage of child crimes. Office of the public defender Lagos State handled 427 cases of child defilement. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Sexual crimes usually go unreported.” The paediatrician disclosed that 90 per cent of the perpetrators are

known to the child/parents, 30 per cent are family members and are usually male, regardless of the victim’s gender are sometimes are less than 18 years. Others include: pain in genital area/ pain while urinating, difficulty in walking, sitting or lying down; sore, red, bleeding, itching and burning genital areas, including the anal area; discharge and unusual odour, masturbation, secretiveness, sudden fearfulness among others. She maintained that the perpetrator is usually very nice and extremely helpful, l likes to be alone with children and prefers their company to that of peers, offer to bathe, dress or keep them overnight or occupied, offers them money for no reason, or makes them feel special as well as shows unhealthy interest in their sexual development. Some of the signs and symptoms of the victim according to her included: history of report, sudden changes in behaviour(aggressive behaviour, sleeping problems, not wanting to go to school/ unwilling to come home, not looking after themselves, frequent bathing, drop in academic performance), avoiding particular adults/children , sexually inappropriate behaviour/ pre-occupation with sexual matters, torn, stained and bloody underwear. She gave some of the reasons why people children to include: intrinsic character of men to be attracted to ‘youthfulness’, lust and a bizarre immoral disposition/ moral decadence, convenience, evil family tradition, evil cult and cultural practices and inferiority complex as a result of rejection by adults and shyness to approach adults. Proffering more solutions to the

Cross section of secondary school students at a seminar

scourge, the paediatrician said: “Don’t expose your children to sexual situations. Lock the door when “busy”. Presents are no perfect substitute for presence. Spend quality time and develop close positive communication with your kids. Set boundaries. Affirm them regularly and help your kids to develop a good self-esteem, and pray for their protection.” Oluwabiyi also tasked the government on the establishment of an active and well-funded child welfare unit in each state secretariat to educate the public and to develop programmes to protect the children in society from the scourge. “This unit should be run by competent professionals”, she said. While advocating that sex education be included in the curricu-

lum in schools, she stated that the police should be trained to handle child sexual abuse cases in their training schools, adding that at least one police station in each state should be assigned to the child welfare unit to arrest abusers. Observing that children spend a lot of time in school which makes

it another important solution centre, called for an active counselling department, stressing “The staff handbook should clearly spell out the stand of the school on CSA. Male teachers especially should be cautioned. A background check should be conducted on prospective employees.”

Fayrouz L’Original competition excites youths ...Team Meddlelane wins LEONARD OKACHIE

econd edition of Fayrouz L’Original competition ended last Satruday, but not without the glamour, thrills and excitement, which made the youths to yearn for another season. The competition, which is open to young Nigerians between the ages of 18-24 who must be youth corps members, fresh graduates or undergraduates of Nigerian universities, has since its debut last year, grown to become one of the most credible contests. Worthy of mention is that the competition’s popularity isn’t based

solely on its uniqueness nor the millions of naira participants stand to win, rather on its sincere commitment to encouraging talented youths. Natural Premium drink, Fayrouz from the stable of Nigerian Breweries PLC has for the second year in a row, scored big with the L’Original competition; a platform with which the brand seeks to advocate for originality and reward creativity. Kufre Ekanem, Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Adviser, emphasized this during a press conference held recently to announce the finale of this year’s edition, ‘We are very delighted that Fayrouz is

supporting a laudable project like the L’Original competition. We understand the importance of giving wings to the talents of young Nigerians and we are committed to it’ he said and continued, citing examples of the many exploits Team Elan, winners of the maiden edition have done since their victory last year. The Fayrouz L’Original competition sponsored by Natural Premium drink, Fayrouz has a rather interesting concept, promoting the ideals of teamwork and responsibility. It involves several teams battling each other to become the most original team of the year. Each team consisting of a make up artiste, model, photographer and fashion designer are expected to come up with creative designs

according to themes given by the board. Upon completion, the pieces are presented to the jury, made up of celebrated photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, make up expert, Rhema Akabuogu and the duo of creative fashion designers, Kunbi Oyelese and Ohimai Atafo who then choose qualifying teams based on the creativity, confidence and originality displayed. Fayrouz Senior Brand Manager, Nnenna Ifebigh-Hemeson explained what inspired the competition, ‘We came up with L’Original out of our interest in meeting the innate desires of our consumers. We realized that most of them have very rare talents and seek for a platform that believes in them. The Continue on page 44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

More mothers on Facebook to seek parenting, family advice – Study S ocial media is becoming an important parenting tool, especially for mothers, a new study has revealed. A mom spending hours on Facebook may be asking for parenting advice, as that’s what many mothers do, says a study. (Photo : Getty Images) America’s moms may be obsessed with Facebook, but there’s a reason why they are so active on social media, a study has revealed. Researchers from the Pew Research Center have discovered that social media use by mothers is increasing because it’s where they go to get parenting advice and support from other parents in their network. Generally, both moms and dads have increasingly become active on social media, but at least 81 percent of mothers use Facebook more than fathers (66 percent). They post parenting questions or reply to other parents’ questions. They also just don’t share baby photos, but post bad news and other updates about family members. Eight out of 10 moms said that the social site is helpful for gathering tips on child-rearing, while four out of 10 moms said they get support

from other parents in their network, according to PBS. Many of those who were surveyed also said that they have posted parenting questions on their accounts within the last month and only 12 percent admitted that they felt uncomfortable doing so. “We found that social media is just one tool in the parenting toolkit,” said Maeve Duggan, one of the researchers, via PBS. “Three-quarters of parents who use social media agree that they get useful information from social media in general but not exclusively.” Aside from Facebook, mothers are also active on Pinterest and Instagram, while fathers are more active on Twitter and Linked In. “Women have historically been more likely to use social media, but that gap is beginning to close. Social media is becoming more ubiquitous,” explained Duggan. Duggan’s team partnered with the University Of Michigan School Of Information and asked 2,000 respondents with an average Facebook friend count of 150 for the survey. Half of the respondents are friends with their kids and their own parents

Mother on Facebook

on the social media site, according to KMOV. In a related development, a recent paper published in the Journal of Communication found that between 30%-40% of parents were taught how to use the computer and Internet from their children. Teresa Correa, University Diego Portales (in Santiago, Chile), conduct-

competition excites youths

Team Hai

Continue from page 43 Fayrouz brand not only believe s in them but is also committed to helping become the best which is why we are happy to be a part of their growth process and encourage their creativity.’ But should there be doubts about the relevance of the competition, the success story of the winners of the maiden edition readily suffices. The Team Elan have continued to soar on different fashion platforms across the continent and in the UK since they were discovered by Fayrouz L’Original.

In one of the many fashion opportunities catalyzed by Fayrouz, Temitayo Nathan under the trade name TI Nathan was featured at the prestigious Lagos Fashion & Design Week where he exhibited designs on the same runway with fashion titans like Lanre Da Silva, Maki Oh and the Okunoren Twins. He also went on to feature at the International Fashion Showcase at the London Fashion Week in February 2015. The make up artiste, Leylarh Cadne on her part has worked with a host of celebrities including Aphrodija, Fade

Ogunro, Stephanie Coker, DJ Cuppy and Toyin Jalapomo of Ndani TV. She also partnered recently with ThisDay Style for her January edition. Yitschaq Adore, the photographer, has become a skillful photographer and runs ‘VISIONS’ photography studio in Benin Republic with two of his friends Meanwhile, Team Meddlelane has emerged winners of the 2015 edition of Fayrouz L’Original competition, winning the coveted N4m grand prize. The jury comprising ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, make up expert, Rhema Akabuogu from House of Tara and creative fashion designers, Mai Atafo and Kunbi Oyelese announced Team Meddlelane winner after a keenly contested competition against their opponent team Hai Team Meddlelane will now enjoy fashion opportunities including an automatic entry to showcase their designs at the Lagos Design Fashion Week while contending team Hai who came second place went home with 1.5Million Naira. Notable faces at the event include Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Walter Drenth, Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries, Edem Vindah, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Zaaki, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Toke Makinwa, Dotun, Adunni Ade, Gbenro Ajibade, Reekado banks, Dare Art Alade, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Lamide Akintobi, Omalicha, Moet Abebe, VJ Adams, Tunde Demuren, DJ Sose among many others.

ed in-depth interviews with 14 parent/ child sets and surveyed 242 parent/ child sets. She found that youth influence their parents in all technologies studied (computer, mobile Internet, social networking) up to 40% of the time. The children’s scores were higher compared to parents, showing that parents don’t necessarily recognize the influence. Parent’s also learned how to use technologies by self-experimentation. This bottom-up influence process was more likely to occur with mothers and lower socioeconomic families. Similar to what happens among low-income immigrant families, where the children act as language and culture links between the family and the new environment. Digital media represents a new environment for lower socioeconomic families, and the children from poorer families were more likely to receive input about technology from school and friends. This spills over and, in turn, the children teach their parents. Past studies have connected younger family members’ influence of older family members with the computer and Internet. Those used qualitative methods and have not explored the extent to which this process occurs and what factors play a role, like Correa’s study. “The fact that this bottom-up technology transmission occurs more frequently among women and lowerSES families has important implications,” said Correa. “Women and poor people usually lag behind in the adoption and usage of technology. Many times, they do not have the means to acquire new technologies but, most importantly, they are less likely to have the knowledge, skills, perceived competence, and positive attitudes toward digital media. These results suggest that schools in lower-income areas should be especially considered in government or foundation-led intervention programs that promote usage of digital media.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Social media screening worries job seekers –Report Leonard Okachie

n Nigeria and other parts of the world, the importance social media in today’s society cannot be over-emphasised and its growth as influencing factor in people’s lives is breathtaking. It has not only enhanced great ways to protect and build digital reputation, but has also helped to connect with families and friends. However, job seekers have long been warned of their social media posts as an increasing number of organizations are using Facebook and Twitter to screen candidates. But a new study suggests that practice may be a double-edged sword. Research from North Carolina State University shows that companies could potentially alienate job candidates by using their Facebook pages as part of the review process -making it more difficult for organisations to attract top candidates. “The recruiting and selection process is your first indication of how you’ll be treated by a prospective employer,” said Will Stoughton, a Ph.D. student and lead author, in a statement. “If elite job prospects feel their privacy has been compromised, it puts the hiring company at a competitive

Saidat Alausa

igerian Breweries Plc has announced plans for the 7th edition of its Golden Pen Awards. The company made the announcement on Tuesday at a press briefing held at the company’s headquarters in Lagos. Informing the media of the plans for the 7th edition of the award, the company’s Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem said this year’s award would retain the same mechanisms used last year where journalists and media houses are expected to send in entries based on selected themes to encourage media focus on critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. Mr. Ekanem said that Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent De-

disadvantage.” In the first study, 175 participants who had applied for a job online were told that their Facebook pages were screened for “professionalism.” Two-thirds of participants said they found a prospective employer less attractive after learning of the Facebook screening. In a second study, 208 participants were asked of a hypothetical situation where employers reviewed their Facebook profile. Researchers found that 60 per cent of participants held a negative view of the potential employer, regardless of whether or not they got the job, because they felt their privacy was violated. The study, published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, also showed that social medial screening increases the likelihood of job candidates taking legal action against a company. “This research tells us that companies need to carefully weigh whatever advantage they believe they get from social media screening against the increased likelihood of alienating potential employees,” said Lori Foster Thompson, a psychology professor at NC State and co-author of the paper. “Elite job prospects have options, and are more likely to steer clear of po-

Social media icons

tential employers they don’t trust.” But commenting on the study, Mr. Peter Okoro and IT expert told National Mirror that it is for such reason that he did not attach his name to his twitter account on a side note, while his Facebook is so locked down that nobody else can see it. “First thing to do with your social

network account is restrict access to friends only. Another thing is to remove any damaging or bad comments,” he added.

Entries open for 7th Golden Pen Awards velopment have been chosen as the focus areas for this year’s award and journalists and their media houses can send in reports covering this subject area published between January 1 and December 31 2014. According to the Corporate Affairs Adviser, collection of entries for this year’s award commenced July 28, 2015 and close on September 21, 2015. All entries are to be sent to the independent coordinating agency, Mediacraft Associates via goldenpen2015@mediacraft.ng or at its corporate office, at 7 Okunola Aina Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos. Mediacraft Associates will collate all entries submitted for assessment by a jury. The jury will analyse the reports and photographs for their

Originality, News Value, Use of Resources, Credibility and factuality. Other areas of interest would include Info-graphics, Lay out/Headline, Clarity and Social impact. Speaking further, the Corporate Affairs Adviser detailed the categories of the award and the prizes to be won to include: The Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (Special statuette + N1, 000, 000.00); first runner up for the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (Special statuette + N300, 000.00) and second runner up for the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (Special statuette + N200, 000.00). Others are: The Golden Pen Nigerian Breweries Report of the Year (Special statuette + N500, 000.00);

The Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Photojournalist of the Year (Special statuette + N300, 000.00); first runner up for the Nigerian Breweries Photojournalist of the Year (Special statuette + N250, 000.00) and second runner up for the Nigerian Breweries Photojournalist of the Year (Special statuette + N200, 000.00). Winners will be announced and awarded their prizes at the 7th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award ceremony in October 2015. The Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award was inaugurated in 2008 to celebrate Nigerian journalists and to promote professionalism and objective reportage of events in corporate Nigeria. It is also meant to reward journalists who abide by the fine ethics of the profession.

Media

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCF trains journalists on cricket reporting Joel Ajayi ABUJA

igeria Cricket Federation, NCF, has taken a giant step towards improving cricket game in the country by stagging a one-day media orientation seminar for sports writers in Abuja, to teach and educate them the basics as well as rudiment of cricket reporting. Speaking at weekend inside the Media Center National Stadium Abuja, the NCF Board Kayode Adeniyi, who represented NCF President, Onyeama expressed their readiness to continuously engage journalist to project its events with a view to sensitizing the teaming public better. He said, “Sometimes when cricket is discussed on the news, people do not understand it and the journalist as well may not have understood it. “So, we saw it necessary to organise this seminar, which is also a way of making the game popular because we cannot

do without the media. “Since we came in almost two years ago, it has been why they should have Kayode Adeniyi on this board because every time I speak, I talk about the press. My concern is how we are going to use the media to propagate cricket in Nigeria. “Also, our concerns also go to the way and manner journalists have been reporting cricket without anything to show for their effort. While some people are crying over reporting football, somebody somewhere is dying because of cricket.” On his part, a resource person and Public Relations Officer of NCF, Ehizoje Musa affirmed, “The essence of this seminar is to introduce ourselves to the rudiment of cricket, how to report it. Because we discovered that many people did not understand some terminologies in cricket. And if we are saying cricket is not popular, cricket has never reached where it is supposed to be and you want to develop cricket in Nigeria then the me-

dia must be involved; we need media. “This is the first time in the history of Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF that this kind of seminar is being held. It is very important when you see cricket on the news and the right terms are used.” The 30 participants, drawn from media organisations all over the country, were lectured on both the theoretical and practical aspects of the sport.

One of the participants, Ikenna Okonkwo told National Mirror that the seminar was a step in right direction as well an eye opener,even as he urged other federations to follow the good step that cricket federation had laid down for the good of the sport in the country. “With today’s training I can now report the game as an expert,” he boasted.

Media Abroad

Two journalists killed in Somalia Buhari seeks collaboration suicide attack Journalists in a training workshop.

wo journalists were killed and third seriously wounded in a suicide car bomb attack on a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in which 13 people died. Abdihakin Mohamed Omar, producer for the Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), and Mohamed Abdikarim Moallim Adam, a reporter for Universal TV, were killed in the explosion on 26 July. Another Universal TV reporter, Salman Jamal, was seriously injured. The Jazeera Palace hotel is the home of the diplomatic missions of China, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The jihadist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), the three journalists were passing in the front of the hotel, after leaving the nearby airport, when the attack happened.

NUSOJ and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) both issued statements following the attack. “We condemn this barbaric act which has claimed so many innocent lives, including that of two working journalists,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ’s secretary general. And IFJ president Jim Boumelha said: “We are shocked by this tragic loss that affects the journalists community in Somalia. We send our condolences to our killed colleagues’ family and friends and condemn this cruel attack on civilians.” The attack was the latest in a string of bomb blasts and murders in Somalia by Al-Shabaab, which is attempting to overthrow Somalia’s western-backed government. Sources: AFP

New satellite TV launched in Sierra Leone

ew satellite television provider called iCan Tv has been launched in Sierra Leone thus promoting competition in the satellite TV industry in the country. The pre-launching and unveiling was done on July at the company’s headquarters on 143 Wilkinson Road in Freetown. In his keynote address, Minister of Information and Communications, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, described the launching as an achievement for both the country and government of Sierra Leone. He said private sector development is key on the government agenda, noting that the sector drives the economy to grow. Mr. Kanu said “with this develop-

ment more people can be employed, especially young people who continue to struggle in search of jobs”, adding that supporting the private sector in Sierra Leone will help close the gap between the rich and the poor, while calling for more investment in this direction. “We now have the fibre optic project that is geared towards improving internet connectivity,” the minister noted, adding that businesses of this nature depend so much on the internet to thrive. “The country is now on the verge of transforming from analog to digital migration. The fibre runs from France through the Atlantic Ocean to Lumley Beach. We are proud of you and we appreciate you for being part of the country’s development process.”

with media

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday congratulated Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile of the Nation Newspapers on his election as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina. According to Buhari, with Odusile’s worthy credentials, long experience and antecedents as a highly respected and reputable professional, the NUJ boss can be expected to discharge his new responsibility of leading the union to greater heights of accomplishment with distinction. The President assured Odusile and the newly elected executive officers of the NUJ of the fullest support and cooperation of the Federal Government. He, therefore, enjoined them to reposition and revitalise the journalism profession in Nigeria for present and future challenges, including the revolutionary impact

Buhari

of new technologies on communications and information dissemination. Buhari further assured the new NUJ president and all journalists in Nigeria that his administration would consistently uphold their right to perform their constitutionally assigned roles in the society without hindrance. ``I look forward to working in a harmonious partnership with Odusile, the new NUJ executive and media practitioners in Nigeria as the Federal Government strives to end the scourge of Boko Haram and improve national security, ``I also look forward to working with media practitioners to rebuild and expand national infrastructure, accelerate the pace of economic development across the country and create more employment opportunities for Nigerian youth,’’ the statement quoted the President as saying. Buhari wished Odusile and other newlyelected executive officers of the NUJ a very successful tenure in the service of their profession and country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

B Shoppers’ S

Guide

arketers of various goods in Lagos State have said the persistent devaluation of naira against other foreign currencies has been affecting commercial activities in the country particularly in markets at the Lagos Island as traders continued to experience low patronage as a result of increase in the prices of major goods. The situation is being compounded with the ban on the importation of some products and the exclusion of some others from accessing foreign exchange, which has also made it difficult for such products to be imported into the Nigerian market. This trend has no doubt affected trade and commercial activities and may worsen if it is not urgently addressed. Traders on Broad Street in Lagos told BDS that the unfavourable commercial situation caused by the persistent naira devaluation, which has led to high cost of major goods with consumers’ income remaining stagnant, thereby limiting their purchasing power, was a big hit to the traders.

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Persistent naira devaluation affecting our business –Traders The traders added that they are mostly affected as they do not have other sources of income unlike the civil servants who get their pay no matter the situation. The Managing Director of Lencarl Fashion, a dealer in designer clothes along Broad Street, Mrs. Victoria Lencarl, said the naira devaluation syndrome has been the major factors affecting both consumers and the traders. She said as for her, the complaints have always been hinged on the exchange rates, adding that most of the goods traded in the Nigerian markets are imported. Their prices have gone up beyond the purchasing powers of most consumers. To her, the main challenge facing the traders is the persistent devaluation of Nigerian currency against dollars and other foreign currencies, which she would want the government to tackle as a matter of urgency. Not only the traders with big shops are affected by these phenomena, many street traders and hawkers cutting across various

A trader on Broad street product lines interviewed by BDS around Idumota market in Lagos also complained of low sales as they were all sensitive to the situation. A frozen food seller told our correspondent that some of those who patronised him have reduced since the issue of naira devaluation started coupled with the restriction importation on frozen chicken, Turkey among others. Meanwhile, the Chairman, Mosalasi Marketers Association at Idumota

market, Mr. Emmanuel Adeola, said the current challenges posed by both naira devaluation and importation restriction affecting commercial activities would create more unemployment as many employers of labour as well as many traders would be forced out of the business. According to him, the high exchange rate has continued to resort in increase in the prices of every item in the market, while the salaries of the consumers

remain the same. He added that while consumers are no more buying, many marketers too have been constrained from stocking their store due to the fair of low sales and or expectation that the prices of the products may drop. He added that before, Nigerians preferred imported products to locally made ones due to low prices of the imported ones, but the situation has turned the other way round, adding that even the locally made

ones are not getting patronage. Meanwhile, Adeola noted that Nigeria has insufficient production capacity of most of the products banned from being imported, thereby lacking the power to substitute for those products. As he said, if the situation continues and those goods are ceased from coming in, the entire economy of the country would grossly be affected.

–Abolaji Adebayo

Traders, shoppers commend Lagos BRT scheme

raders in Lagos Island and its environs have commended the Lagos State Government for the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, initiative. The traders told Broad Street Diary yesterday, that the bus has been making going and coming to the market very easy. A trader, Mr. Emmanuel Egbon, said before the introduction of BRT, traders pay huge amount on transport fees to and from the market. Egbon, who trade in men clothes and accessories, explained that it is not every time they make much sales, but that they still have to pay huge amount on transport fee daily to and from the market, adding that ‘’but with the introduction of the BRT scheme, BRT that has changed. “Lagos State Government has made it easy for

us, transportation from Oshodi which commercial buses charge N200 or N250 is N100 with BRT, that is why you see that most of the people coming to queue here immediately we close for the day. “ Commending other private companies which partners the government on the initiative, Egbon revealed that it has indeed helped to reduce the monopoly of commercial buses. Reiterating what Egbon said, another trader, Alhaja Rukayat Ahmed told BSD that the initiative has also helped in increasing the number of shoppers that comes to the market. “Many shoppers are always eager to come to the market because they don’t have to pay much to come and shop here.” She added that they don’t really need to bother about how to transport

what they bought because BRT also make provisions for goods.” It is just for them to obtain tickets for the goods.”

BRT buses

But, a trader who simply wants to be identify as Ngozi, used the opportunity to implored government to add to the bus

fleet so that they will continue to serve the people. “The truth is that the ones plying Lagos route is not only for traders alone, but

workers on the island are benefiting from it too, so we need more of the buses,” she said.

–Saidat Alausa

Thursday, July 30, 2015

World News

Afghan confirms Taliban leader’s death

I oppose the creation of an international tribunal to prosecute those who shot down a Malaysian airliner over eastern Ukraine.

Paul Arhewe,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

wo Zimbabweans who were paid $50,000 by an American hunter who killed ‘Cecil’, the southern African country’s best-known lion, arrived in court on Wednesday to face poaching charges, in a case that has triggered widespread revulsion at trophy hunting. Walter James Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, has also been accused by wildlife officials of killing the animal without a permit on July 1. Palmer, who has left Zimbabwe, says he killed the lion but believed it was a legal hunt. Local hunter Theo Bronkhorst and private game park owner Honest Ndlovu, who assisted Palmer, were escorted into the courthouse in Hwange, 800 km (500 miles) west of Harare, by plain-clothes detectives. They did not speak to reporters. Since it emerged this week that he killed Cecil with a bow and arrow, Palmer has been pilloried on the Internet, with many people wishing him dead. “This is disgusting. I hope you get thrown in a cage with hungry lions,” Julie Lu wrote on the Facebook page of his dental practice. Palmer said on Tuesday he had hired professional guides who secured hunting permits

–RUSSIAN PRESIDENT , VLADIMIR PUTIN

Two Zimbabweans in court for helping American kill famous lion

Zimbabwean safari operator Honest Ndlovu (R) and fellow countryman and hunter Theo Bronkhorst waiting to appear in Hwange magistrate’s court, yesterday.

and deeply regretted taking the lion. He added that he had not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or the United States and would assist in any inquiries. The Zimbabwe police and government have not commented. If found guilty, the two Zimbabweans could be fined $20,000 and possibly jailed for up to 10 years.

Cecil was fitted with a GPS collar for a research project by scientists from Oxford University and was one of the oldest and most famous in Zimbabwe. The university’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit said it had been tracking Cecil since 2008 and was “deeply saddened” by his death. “Insofar as this happened ille-

gally we consider it deeply reprehensible,” it said in a statement. It was working closely with Zimbabwe’s National Parks authorities to support their “meticulous work” in prosecuting the case. The unit also said Cecil’s death would be likely to trigger a power struggle in the pride, resulting in the death of other male lions as well as Cecil’s offspring.

Kenyan auditor uncovers massive govt misspending

nly one percent of Kenyan government spending can be properly accounted for, according to a report by the country’s auditorgeneral released just days after US President Barack Obama warned corruption was holding the country back. Auditor-General Edward Ouko’s annual report, presented to parliament on Tuesday, said that just 1.2 percent of Kenya’s one trillion shilling (8.9 billion euro) budget for 2013-14 “was incurred lawfully and in an effective way”. The 361-page report is a litany of mismanagement, incompetence, wastage, misspending and possible corruption on a huge scale. Ouko found that 60 percent of government spending -- roughly 600 billion shillings (5.3 billion euros) -- “had issues” while he “was unable to confirm” whether a further 390 billion shillings

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of affairs,” said Obama. The auditor-general’s report exposes the everyday nature of malpractice and possible corruption in Kenya’s government. The ministry of health and ministry of transport and infrastructure were among 17 government departments singled out for failing to provide documents to support spending totalling 67 billion shillings (600 million euros). “These public funds may not have been utilised lawfully and in an effective manner,” said Ouko. Former transport minister Michael Kamau, was among four ministers suspended in March, and has been charged with abuse of office. Ten government departments -- including the ministry of agriculture and the judiciary -- failed to pay bills totalling 17 billion shillings (147 million euA man shouting at police during a demonstration to highlight corruption in ros). government, in Nairobi, recently. (3.5 billion euros) “was incurred effectively and lawfully”. The report was published two days after Obama left Kenya where he had addressed “the cancer of corruption”, calling endemic graft “the single big-

gest impediment to Kenya growing even faster”. “Too often, here in Kenya corruption is tolerated because that’s how things have always been done. People just think that that is sort of the normal state

WORLD BULLETIN

‘Security checkpoint extortion costs Ivory Coast millions’ Extortion at security checkpoints is costing Ivory Coast millions each year despite government steps to eradicate the practice, a rights group said yesterday. Four years after Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara’s government said it would stop security forces from demanding money at roadblocks from travelers, including merchants transporting goods and immigrants, it is still costing the economy $340 million CFA ($567 million), Human Rights Watch said in a new report citing World Bank figures. “While there has been some progress over the last few years, President Ouattara’s government hasn’t done enough to end checkpoint extortion,” said Jim Wormington, West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Gunmen in Egypt kill guard outside Niger embassy Unidentified gunmen shot dead a security guard outside the embassy of Niger in Cairo early on Wednesday morning, the Egyptian interior ministry said in a statement. Gunmen in a car opened fire on guards outside the embassy of the Western African republic at around 1:00 a.m., the ministry said. Security services were searching for the perpetrators, it added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack in Giza, which is part of the greater Cairo metro area. Egypt is facing an insurgency mainly based in North Sinai that has killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since mid-2013, when then-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi after protests against his rule.

Poland’s richest businessman dies at 65 Jan Kulczyk, Poland’s richest man and the founder and president of investment empire Kulczyk Holding, who made his fortune during Poland’s economic transformations, has died from complications following surgery, the company said Wednesday. He was 65. TVN24 said he died in Vienna. Poland’s former president, Lech Walesa, said that Kulczyk was irreplaceable. “It will be hard to organize some things without him.” For years, Kulczyk, a lawyer and manager by education, led lists of the richest Poles and was reputed for his courage and imagination in business decisions. He invested in the energy and natural resources sectors in Europe and in Africa, and also developed the car and infrastructure sectors in Poland. Poland’s edition of the Forbes Magazine estimated his wealth at some 15 billion zlotys ($4 billion.)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Again, Wike fails to stop petitioner at tribunal Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday failed at the state’s Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to stop the petition of governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,

APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, challenging his election. The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, refused to strike out petition of the APC candidate, as prayed by Wike, who claimed in a motion challenging the eligibility of Peterside that he was incompetent to have contested the election because his par-

ty failed to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of his candidacy in due time. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga, in a ruling on Wike’s motion, also held that the tribunal was duly constituted by President of the Court of Appeal.

The tribunal held that its sitting in Abuja for security reason has not rendered it incompetent to hear the matter. The governor had in a motion asked the tribunal to disqualify itself on the grounds that it was not duly constituted by law. This is the second time

the tribunal would be ruling against the application of the Rivers State governor. The tribunal also adjourned till Friday, July 31, for another ruling on the constitutionality of a pretrial hearing. The APC in Rivers State and its candidate in the April 11 governorship elec-

tion, Dakuku Peterside, had dragged INEC, PDP and Wike before the tribunal to challenge his victory at the election. The APC candidate claimed that the election was marred with irregularities, fraud, malpractices and violence and called for its cancelation.

N25bn loan: Ex-PDP chair faults Dickson’s critics Osahon Julius YENAGOA

ioneer Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, Engr. Charles Dorgu, has faulted critics of Governor Seriake Dickson over the decision to seek N25 billion loan approval from the House of Assembly to complete ongoing projects in the state. He said critics of the state government has shown lack of understanding on good governance and need for infrastructural projects, adding that the decision to procure the proposed N25 billion loan was done after due consultation with stakeholders on the need to complete ongoing projects in the state. Opposition leaders, including a former aide to the governor, Alex Okiotenne, had last week claimed to have been vindicated over allegation of mismanagement against the governor over the recent attempt to shop for N25 billion loan to complete ongoing projects in the state. But a one-time gover-

Richard Ndoma CALABAR

even persons were killed yesterday in a ghastly motor accident when a diesel truck with marked EFE 13 AFA, carrying granite, crashed into a 14-seater commercial bus marked LSR-813xS (Lagos) owned by Calculux Transport Company. The accident occurred early morning at New-Netim community, Akamkpa Local Government Area close to Odukpani local council, also in Cross River

norship aspirant in the state, Dorgu, while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, dismissed the claim as baseless. “I am among those who advised him to seek funds to complete the ongoing projects in the state. At the beginning, we knew we would come to this stage because we took on so many projects. Besides executing projects, we plan for general development and need to shore up internally generated revenue of the state. “Yes, our challenge is the Bayelsa project. What we should be asking is whether the environment is right for business development and infrastructural growth. If it is right, we should rise up to it. All of us should not be going into the Government House to collect stipends. “We should rise up and engage in different business activities. Bayelsa business men are waiting for the state to get involved in oil business. Why can’t they go into it? The state government has provided it with provision of needed incentives,” he said.

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyesigha (left) inaugurating executive members of Governor Dickson’s Support Movement in Yenagoa, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ex-militant leaders, IYC laud Boroh’s appointment Osahon Julius YENAGOA

rstwhile leaders of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, and Ijaw youths from nine states of the Niger Delta yesterday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Major-General Paul Boroh (rtd) as substantive chairman, Presidential Amnesty Implementation Committee.

The ex-MEND leaders described the appointment as apt, responsive and guaranteed to address hitches in the Amnesty programme, payment of outstanding allowances and scholarship fees, and other concerns of people of the region. Ijaw youths under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, commended Buhari and described the appointment of a coordinator for the amnesty programme, who also doubles as Special Adviser on Niger Delta Af-

fairs to the President in the person of Gen. Boroh, as a responsive action of the current administration. The former MEND leaders in a statement issued under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, LPCDI, and signed by National President, Pastor Reuben Wilson, stated that though the delayed appointment caused tension among beneficiaries of the programme, the choice of Boroh was welcome and commendable.

Auto crash claims 7 lives in Cross River

State. The State’s Sector Commander for Road Safety, Ikechukwu Igwe, who confirmed the accident while addressing journalists on the mishap, stated that the bus, which was travelling from Calabar to Port Harcourt, had 14 passengers on board. He said reckless attempt by the truck to overtake the bus at a sharp bend caused the incident. According to him, the bus driver in trying to avert an

accident, swerved into the bush with the truck following and eventually crushing the bus and killing seven of the 14 passengers on board. The sector commander maintained that the truck driver was now at large. “The 14-seater Hiace bus belonging to Calculux Company marked LSR-813XS (Lagos), was heading for Port Harcourt from Calabar and was carrying 14 passengers, including the

driver. “The bus driver drove on the right side of the road, while the truck driver was overtaking dangerously and carelessly. “The Calculux bus tried to avoid the truck and ran into the bush, but the truck lost control and followed the bus into the bush, crushing the bus and seven people. “Seven other persons are currently receiving treatment at Calabar General Hospital and a few of them

are in critical condition. “From every indication, the driver of the truck is at fault because he was overtaking dangerously and lost control,” he said. According to the Sector commander, the driver of the truck ran away shortly after the accident. “We are working with the police to arrest the truck driver; we will get him and he will face the law. “We have the manifest of the bus with us and are

The IYC in a separate statement issued by spokesperson Eric Omare said Ijaw youths commend Buhari for responding to the agitation of the Niger Delta people by appointing Boroh as coordinator, Amnesty programme and Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to the President. “In our opinion, this is the first step towards resolving pressing and pending issues relating to the Niger Delta amnesty programme,” it stated.

working hard to contact the loved ones of those that lost their lives,’’ he added.

Ben Ayade

North

Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Remove abandoned vehicles from roadsides, Reps tell FRSC UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

Officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps parading job racketeers into the service, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Lalong appoints caretaker committees for Plateau LGAs JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

overnor Sımon Lalong of Plateau State has constituted members of caretaker committees for the 17 local government areas in the state. A statement signed by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, said their appointment followed dissolution of the 15 local government executives, legislative

councils and management committees of Wase and Jos-North Local Councils by the governor in the exercise of powers conferred on him as the governor. Members of the committee, which comprises a chairman and secretary for each of the council areas, has Mr Andrew Yenkwo and Langpak Danıel as chairman and secretary respectively, Quanpan; Ezekıel Pabuet and Mrs. Magdalene Bagudu, Mıkang; Mıskoom

Alexander Naantuam and Kenneth Dolbag Yılmıap, Shendam LGA; Dr Ado Buba and Yako Sımon, Wase LGA; Dan Dull and Paul P Ramnap, Langtang North; Mr Nıcholas Vongsın and Nanyok Joshua, Langtang South; Tıtus Bıse and John Tamba Tagwaı, Mangu; Luka Makut Bwoı and Musa Akulam, Bokkos; Stephen Abednego Jıngs and Mbohok John Mark, Pankshın; Other council chairmen and their secretar-

ies are Panshak Tıtus Yohanna and Bıtrus Gorıp, Kanke; Bıtrus Doro and Joshua Adamu, Barkin Ladı; Sanda Agwom Daura and Azı Musa ,Jos East; Thereza Azı and Shehu Usman,Jos North; Sarah Balı and Joseph Agunadı, Bassa; Sir Augustıne Pwakım Chojı and Nyango B.Yakubu, Jos South; Mafeng Gwallson and Kurt Deme, Rıyom. The statement further added that the new council executives would be inaugurated on today.

El-Rufai nominates 13 commissioners A ZA MSUE KADUNA

overnor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State has nominated 13 commissioners as members of the state executive council. In a letter to Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Aminu Shagali, el-Rufai requested the legislators to consider and ap-

ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

wing to economic crunch in the country, Kano State Government is opting for Public-Private-Partnership for the execution of its multibillion naira Kano city light rail project, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said.

Ganduje made the disclosure during an interactive session between

prove his nominees. The governor also attached indicative portfolios of the nominees in the interest of a transparent screening process. In a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, the nominees were Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, Health and Human Servic-

es; Hajiya Rabi M.G. Abdulsalam, Women Affairs and Social Development; Engr Suleiman Aliyu Lere, Water Resources; Muhammed Sani Abdullahi, Budget and Planning; Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari, Agriculture and Forestry; Muhammad Bashir Saidu, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Others are Suleiman Abdu Kwari, Finance; Dr.

Shehu Usman Adamu, Education, Science and Technology; Dr. Ya’u Usman Idris, Environment and Natural Resources; Daniel Auta, Youth, Sport and Culture; Shehu Balarabe, Commerce, Industry and Tourism; Amina Ruth Dyeris-Sijuwade, Justice; while Usman Mahmud Hassan is for Works, Housing and Transport.

ouse of Representatives yesterday mandated the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Ministry of Environment to urgently remove all abandoned vehicles from the roads and take them to designated centres. The House also directed its Committees on Commence and Industry (when constituted) to probe the seemingly abandoned project for recycling of abandoned vehicles littering Nigerian roads. The resolution followed a motion of ‘urgent need to investigate the seemingly abandoned project for recycling of abandoned vehicles littering Nigerian roads’ sponsored

by Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta). In his lead debate, Ossai noted with dismay the rising number of broken down vehicles and those involved in accident that had been abandoned on the roads. The lawmaker said notable roads that have large numbers of such abandoned vehicles include Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos-IbadanOgbomosho-IIorin-JebbaMinna Expressway and Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu Expressway. Ossai expressed concerned that this large number of abandoned vehicles on the roads constitute nuisance and danger to more than seven million vehicles that operate on Nigerian roads.

Police arrest 31 cattle rustlers in Kano A BDULGAFAR O LADIMEJI KANO

ano State Police Command has arrested a 31-man gang that specialised in cattle rustling in various parts of the state. The police disclosed that leader of the cattle rustling syndicate and members of his gang that had terrorised herdsmen in the state, Yahya Saleh, were in police net. Spokesman of the command, ASP Magaji Musa Majiya, stated that the bandits had in the past carried out cattle rustling and kidnapping of women of their choice in areas they carried out criminal activities. According to him, the smashed gang was responsible for rustling of over 30,000 cows, adding

that so far 178 cows have been recovered from them. Majiya said the successful operation was launched by a combined team of security personnel drawn from various security agencies with the aim of ridding the state of the menace. He disclosed that leader of the gang and some of his henchmen were apprehended in Sumaila Local Government Area of the state following a tip-off and well-conducted surveillance on the alleged cattle thieves. Leader of the cattle rustling gang, Yahya Saleh said: “All that was said is true, but we hardly have killed anyone, but our big boss has shot at least two people dead throughout the period we have been operating.”

Kano settles for PPP on light rail project members of the State Executive Council and the company engaged to handle the project, CCECC Nigeria Limited, at Government House Council Chambers in Kano. Governor Ganduje said the project was a necessity owing to the high population of Kano, as it is gradually assuming the status of a mega city,

explaining that the rail project will provide a high speed, convenient, ecofriendly and safe mode of transportation for the teeming commuters. “Kano has come of age. We cannot move in the direction of large shanty city. Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna and even Ogun are using the mass rail. Kano must

join the league because we have a bigger city and larger population,” the governor said. He recalled that the state government had signed a MoU with CCECC Nigeria Limited for the implementation of the city rail project. He appealed for the support of the people of Kano to make the project a reali-

ty and move the state to the next level of development. Shedding light on the technical details of the work, the Managing Director, CCECC, Mr. Li Qing Yong explained that the project, which would be executed in four lots, covers 76.4 km consisting of 35 stations, 36.4 km of railway bridges, 25 pedestrian overpasses and 10 road

bridges among others. “During the period of construction, 3,000 direct job opportunities and another 4, 000 to 6,000 indirect job opportunities would be created. After completion, training, operation, maintenance and management of the Kano rail will provide more than 1, 00 permanent jobs as well,” he added.

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North

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Flood wreaks havoc in Adamawa

Representative of Kaduna State Governor, Malam Tijani Musa (left) conducting participants round 1st Kaduna International Print Expo, in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps order IG to stop Katsina killings TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday called on Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to order his men in Katsina and neighbouring states to arrest the massacre and destruction of property within Safana/Batsari/ Dan-Musa federal constituency of Katsina State. The House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to assist with relief items to affected communities, lamenting that people of the area were under siege by hoodlums, who reportedly engage in daily killing of persons, looting and destruction of property. The motion against bloodletting in the area was sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Dayyabu, a member representing the af-

fected areas. Dayyabu decried the extent of violence inflicted by criminals on the natives, saying it has assumed a dangerous dimension, as the hoodlums not only kill and dispossess victims of their property, but also maim their wives and daughters, who are forced to watch helplessly. He said: “Across the various wards in Safana/Batsari/Dan-Musa federal constituency of Katsina State, enormous casualties have been recorded, with over 283 lives lost, 10,000 cows, 30,000 sheep/rams and 20,000 goats killed, while over 9,000 persons have been adversely affected.” The lawmaker said that due to incessant attacks, residents of the areas have resorted to taking refuge in the bush. He added that despite repeated cries of the natives for

help, “nothing has been done by the Federal Government to contain these heinous crimes against the people.” In another development, the House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the labour sector to address the growing menace of unemployment in the country. Adopting the prayers of a motion entitled ‘Urgent Need To Check High Rate of Unemployment in the Country’ introduced by Kingsley Chinda (PDPRivers), the House also mandated the committee of Labour and Productivity (when constituted) to request the review of the Federal Government’s blueprint on generation of three million jobs per annum and report back to parliament within four weeks. While lamenting the

prevailing unemployment in the country, Chinda noted: “The National Bureau of Statistics had in 2011 estimated the number of unemployed persons in Nigeria to be around 24 per cent of the population, and the figure is likely to increase to around 70 per cent by the end of 2015.” He said the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, was set up to tackle unemployment, but that the directorate has been largely ineffective and was unable to fulfill its core objective. The lawmaker commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to provide at least three million jobs per annum as well as the Legislative Agenda of the 8th House, which he said is also committed to tackling the high unemployment rate in the country.

Ahmed to pay workers’ arrears ‘next month’ WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday told workers in the state-owned tertiary institutions, who are owed salaries, to be patient with him for another two months when the issue would be resolved. The governor disclosed this during a meeting with heads of tertiary institutions at Government House, Ilorin, while

expressing optimism that a combined effort of both state and federal governments would end the hardship of workers. According to him, the efforts would begin to bear fruit “by next month.” The thousands of workers were said to be owed between four and five months salary. They are in Kwara State University, Malatet; College of Education, Ilorin; College of Education, Oro; College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, School

of Nursing, Ilorin; College of Health Technology, Offa and College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, CAILS, Ilorin. While addressing newsmen last week, the staff unions (both academic and non-academic) of CAILS had said that aside being owed arrears, they were equally owed seven months half salaries for 2014 as well as promotion arrears. At the meeting, Governor Ahmed called on staff of the affected institutions as well

as other agencies to exercise patience as the state government was doing everything possible to resolve the situation, which he said was caused by the drop in allocation to all tiers of government for the past one year. Ahmed based his optimism on the expected bailout fund from the Federal Government which he said will restructure loans owed by the states and free up additional funds for payment of salaries and other government obligations to the people.

damawa State government yesterday confirmed heavy flooding in Lamurde Local Government Area, which resulted in the death of hundreds of domestic animals, destruction of several homes and farmlands. Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Haruna Furo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Yola. Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had earlier issued a warning that some local government areas in the state were prone to flooding this year. According to the agency’s prediction, nine local councils of the state situated near the bank of River Benue were likely to be affected. Furo, who is also Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, told NAN that the flood had affected many communities in the area. He said it destroyed the major bridge on federal highway linking the state and parts of Taraba State. According to him, the devastating flood had submerged several

houses and farmlands, while hundreds of domestic animals, including cattle have been lost. “Besides, the flood had cut off the entire Karim Lamido council area in Taraba and about 200 communities mostly farmers in Adamawa from other parts of the country,” Furo said. He explained that a team from the state emergency management agency, SEMA, had visited some affected areas to assess the extent of damage. He said that so far, no human life was lost, but property worth millions of naira was destroyed. He, however, called on the Federal Government to hasten intervention to the victims and rescue the affected communities. District Head of Lamurde, Oliver Agabus, confirmed the devastation. Agabus said in the past three years, the area had been experiencing recurrent floods. The monarch appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about lasting solution to the yearly flooding in the area.

‘Over 75,000 students graduate from UniJos’ JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

xecutive Director of Jos Business School, Ezekiel Gomos, yesterday said the University of Jos, UniJos, graduated over 75,000 students in the past 40 years since it was created. He stated this while delivering a lecture titled, ‘40 years of University of Jos’ Global Human Capital contributions,’ in celebration of 40 years of the institution’s existence. He said: “The University of Jos is one of the universities that is truly Nigerian, having graduated people of every tribe and tongue across the country. “The university has produced graduates that can interact with people from all walks of life.” He added: “Just recently, the National University Commission, NUC, approved take-off of 10 new

departments in the University of Jos, Plateau State. “The university is growing from strength to strength, with the creation of more departments and faculties. “The NUC Resource Verification teams after several visits to the university to assess human and material resources available for establishment of the new programmes, were impressed by what they saw on ground and immediately granted approval for take-off in fulltime mode.” Gomos, a one-time Secretary to Plateau State Government, justified establishment of the programmes. He said: “The University of Jos needed to introduce programmes in areas that would maximally impact on the nation’s natural resources and ensure food security and technological development, given that weather on the Plateau is unique and beneficial to the growth of certain exotic crop varieties.”

World News WORLD BULLETIN

Greece wont implement austere measures beyond EU deal –Tsipras Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, struggling to contain a revolt in his left-wing Syriza party, said on Wednesday that his government would not implement reform measures beyond those agreed with lenders at a euro zone summit this month. Tsipras faces a tough Syriza central committee session on Thursday with many activists angered by his acceptance of bailout terms more stringent than those voters rejected in a July 5 referendum. In a clear warning to Syriza rebels, Tsipras said he could be forced to call early elections if he no longer had a parliamentary majority, and suggested an emergency party congress could be held in early September. At the same time, he is under pressure from Greece’s creditors to go beyond the two packages of so-called prior actions passed by parliament and include unpopular steps to curb early retirement and tax breaks for farmers, EU sources say.

Turkey launches heaviest air strikes on Kurdish group Turkish jets launched their heaviest assault on Kurdish militants in northern Iraq overnight since air strikes began last week, hours after President Tayyip Erdogan said a peace process had become impossible. The strikes hit Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets including shelters, depots and caves in six areas, a statement from Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s office said. A senior official told Reuters it was the biggest assault since the campaign started. Iraq condemned the air strikes as a “dangerous escalation and an assault on Iraqi sovereignty”, saying it was committed to ensuring militant attacks on Turkey were not carried out from within its territory. Turkey launched near-simultaneous strikes against PKK camps in Iraq and Islamic State fighters in Syria last Friday, in what Davutoglu has called a “synchronized fight against terror”.

Deal keeps Iran from atomic weapon -US military chief America’s top military leader said Wednesday that the recently signed nuclear deal works to keep Iran from having an atomic weapon, but does not address other concerns about Tehran’s malign activities in the region. “These run the gamut from ballistic missile technology to weapons trafficking, to the use of surrogates and proxies to naval mines and undersea activity — and last but not least to malicious activity in cyberspace,” Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Ultimately, time and Iranian behavior will determine if the nuclear agreement is effective and sustainable,” he said, adding that he will continue to provide President Barack Obama with military options and will advise against reducing U.S. military force presence in the Middle East.

Thursday, July 30, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afghan confirms Taliban leader’s death T aliban leader Mullah Omar died two years ago in Pakistan, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s security services said. Abdul Hassib Seddiqi told the BBC’s Afghan Service that Mullah Omar had died of health problems at a hospital in Pakistan. Afghanistan’s government says information on his death is “credible”. The latest reports of Mullah Omar’s death are being taken more seriously than previous such reports. The Taliban is expected to issue a statement soon. Sources at the Taliban’s two main councils in Quetta and Peshawar in Pakistan told the BBC they were in intensive talks to agree on a replacement for Mullah Omar. A statement from the office of Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said that it believed, “based on credible information”, that Mullah Omar died in April 2013 in Pakistan. The Afghan government, elected last year, has embarked on a peace process with the Taliban. In its statement, the government called on “all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process”. A security official in Pakistan, the country hosting the talks, told AP that the claims of Mullah Omar’s death were mere “speculation”, designed to destabilise the negotiations. Pakistan’s government and security services have not formally commented on the claims so far. They have always denied that Mullah Omar was in their country. Mullah Omar has not been seen in public since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001. The absence of confirmed contacts for several years fuelled speculation. His ill-health and even death have regularly been rumoured in the past. Over the past two years, even some high-ranking Taliban started asking questions, both privately and within the Taliban circles, about their leader’s health, life and ability to run the insurgency. Despite his long absence from the public view, the mystique of the man has been overwhelming. He had become a symbol and a unifying figure within the Taliban. While the day-to-day affairs have been managed by his deputies, everything else revolved around his name. Questions about his life and whereabouts will only increase, putting pressure on the Taliban to produce credible evidence - if

Taliban militia won a series of victories under Mullah Omar’s leadership

he is alive. Mullah Omar led the Taliban to victory over rival Afghan militias in the civil war that followed the withdrawal of Soviet troops. His alliance with al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. Mullah Omar has since been

in hiding, with a $10m (£6.4m) US state department bounty on his head. Over the years, the Taliban have released several messages purported to be from the fugitive leader. The latest of these statements, from mid-July, expressed support for the peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. However, the message was in

the form of a text published on a Taliban website, rather than an audio or video recording - fuelling rumours that the leader was dead or incapacitated. The failure to prove that Mullah Omar was alive was a major factor behind the defection of several senior Taliban commanders to the so-called Islamic State group, according to the BBC’s former Kabul correspondent, David Loyn.

Sudanese dies in UK Channel Tunnel as migrant crisis deepens

Sudanese man died yesterday as migrants desperate to enter Britain from France stormed the channel tunnel entrance, prompting governments in both countries to promise to beef up security there. Freight and passenger traffic through the rail tunnel has been severely disrupted as migrants camped out in shanty towns in the Calais area have repeatedly tried to board trucks and trains traveling from France to Britain. France said it was sending 120 more police officers to the site while Britain said it was pressing ahead with erecting a nine-foot (three-meter) fence to protect the terminal. “One of the things we’re doing is pressing to ensure we can get the security fencing up as quickly as possible to reduce this prob-

lem,” British Home Secretary Theresa May said. The situation has turned into a blame game with Eurotunnel asking French and British governments to reimburse it for the 10 million euros ($11 million) it has spent to increase security to cope with the latest migrant crisis at Calais. The scale of the crisis has been highlighted by the sight of migrants lining roads and scrambling to jump into moving vehicles in recent weeks. Rocks have been thrown at trucks and migrants have in some cases clashed with drivers and police. Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s anti-EU UKIP party, said he was surprised no lorry drivers or tourists had been killed. “I’m amazed that the French authorities have not done more. Whenever I’m there they appear

to be standing by and watching what’s going on,” he told BBC radio. The man who died on Wednesday was probably hit by a truck leaving one of the shuttles that transport vehicles through the tunnel, French police said. French media said he was the ninth migrant to be killed in the crisis since early June. There were about 1,500 attempts by migrants to enter the tunnel on Tuesday night, a Eurotunnel spokesman said, after 2,000 attempts the previous night. Some were probably repeat attempts by the same people. Hours after the tunnel death, a man believed to be a migrant was electrocuted after trying to jump on board a Eurostar train being prepared for departure from Paris to London, police and

Migrants sitting near the A16 highway as they try to access the Channel Tunnel , recently in Calais, northern France.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Battle of Bata: NFF banks on Falcons

I have only one hope as the new season beckons: to do much better than I did in the past season

–Chelsea midfielder, Eden Hazard

Yakmut, Pinnick woo media to rebrand sports Paul Erewuba

he dwindling fortunes of Nigerian football and sports in general despite the huge and talented athletes in the country, is as a result of wrong packaging, and the media’s inability to adequately project the country positively. These are the views submitted by the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Al-Hassan Yakmut, and President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, at the Annual Lagos Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week seminar held yesterday. Delivering a paper entitled “Funding Sports in Nigeria,” inside the Auditorium of the SWAN Secretariat, Yakmut stated that the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) still remains unattractive to major sponsors because clubs have failed to seriously package themselves to attract the needed funds. According to him, “Nigeria produces the best players more than Algeria, South Africa etc, but annually, these players are hardly retained in the country. This is because other leagues are well managed and packaged.” The NSC DG explained that sport is not only about funding, but ability to package everything in terms of

players’ welfare, security and educating the fans, adding that If these things are missing, sponsors will find it difficult to identify with clubs. “The ambience of the operative environment should attract sponsors and there is need to maintain high integrity, if sports must be retained and sustained. “Funding sports in Nigeria is a serious issue. Sports have the capacity to inject into the economy more money than oil, but why run about 20 premiership clubs that are funded by government. Definitely this cannot attract the desired sponsorship. “There is need to change this policy and it can only be done if there is a central sports calendar, the quality of the event and the event manager must be proportional,” he stated. Speaking in the same vein, NFF president, Pinnick, in his paper etitled “Globalising Nigerian Sports: A Challenge for the Nigerian Media”, said sport remains the only tool that brings about peace and reconciliation all over the world, and should be reported objectively. “Nigerian sports stands to gain more globally if the Nigerian media dwell less on sensation. The media should ensure that reports are objectively reported and not destructive or negative, by so doing Nigerian sport will thrive and sponsors attracted,” Pinnick posited.

Everest Onyewuchi WITH AGENCY REPORT

uper Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has been asked to invite good defenders and adopt a winning formula to cage Tanzania’s danger man, Mbwana Aly Samatta, when the Super Eagles confront the Taifa Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match. Tanzania hosts Nigeria on the weekend of September 4-6 in Dares Salam in a match Super Eagles must win well to assume commanding height of the Gabon

Head-to-head 06 Jul 1972 Tanzania v Nigeria D 0-0 International 12 Jan 1973 Nigeria v Tanzania W 2-1 African Games 08 Mar 1980 Nigeria v Tanzania W 3-1 African Nations Cup 06 Dec 1980 Nigeria v Tanzania D 1-1 FIFA World Cup 20 Dec 1980 Tanzania v Nigeria W 0-2 FIFA World Cup 11 Sep 2002 Nigeria v Tanzania W 2-0 International

Siasia

Super Eagles players in aerial ball contest against Chadian opponents in Kaduna. Inset: Tanzania striker, Mbwana Aly Samatta

h e s i l ‘mOust plan for Tanzania

AFCON 2017:

’ n a m r e g n a d

2017 AFCON Group G that also has Chad and Egypt. Samatta, who plies his trade at DR Congo champions, TP Mazembe, scores goals freely. The enigmatic striker who stands at a mere 1.79 m, takes up much more space and knows how to make goalkeepers retrieve balls from inside their goal post nets. In recent times, donning the No.10 jersey of his club, Samatta hit the ball behind Al Ahly, Zamalek, Berekum Chelsea, Power Dynamos, and Al-Merrikh keepers, despite each of their opponents having a top notch defense. “In as much as the Crocodiles (TP Mazembe) play in group A of Linafoot, the top division of the Fédération

Congolaise de Football-Association, Samatta is known in both Groups for his tireless work ethic and amazing dribbling skills. It was something everyone had become accustomed to when he played for Simba in Dar es Salaam where he helped resurrect the sputtering rivalry with the Young Africans,” reports supersport.com. Oliseh’s headache for the AFCON qualifier would be increased by the fact that even by match time on September 4 the ex-Dortmund player will still be in the process of moulding his own Super Eagles team. Nigeria under erstwhile coach, Stephen Keshi, struggled to beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna in June.

Sports

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Battle of Pointe-Noire:

Dream Team

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abdullahi Shehu

gets Shehu boost

niao da Madeira of Portugal midfielder, Abdullahi Shehu, is now in the national U-23 camp as the team prepares to depart for Brazzaville today ahead of the crunch second leg final round of the Olympics 2006 Champi-

onship scheduled for Senegal in November. Reports said Shehu, who is a utility player comfortable on the right back as in the centre half, was certified fit by the Madeira team doctor, although he had initially ruled himself out of the Olympics qualifier after suffering what looked like a hamstring injury while playing for

‘Shaw ‘ll come good’

Shaw

anchester United Manager, Louis van Gaal, is confident defender Luke Shaw will raise his game in his second season at the club. The England international made a big-money move to Old Trafford last year, yet a number of fitness and injury concerns restricted him to just 15 League appearances for the Red Devils last season.

“I think that it shall be the season of Luke Shaw, that I believe,” Van Gaal said yesterday. “He is a big talent, only 20 years old and not many players of that age are playing in the Premier League,” the Dutchman added. Shaw will hope to be included in Van Gaal’s starting line-up when United take on Tottenham Hotspur in their season-opener next weekend.

Hammers mull Song’s replacement

est Ham United is reportedly intensifying interest in SM Caen midfielder, N’Golo Kante, as Alex Song’s deal stand-off continues around length of contract. The Barcelona midfielder, who just enjoyed a successful seasonlong loan at Upton Park, is seeking

a three-year contract to make his move to East London permanent. But the Hammers are only prepared to hand the 27-year-old a oneyear deal as the Cameroon international is suffering an ankle injury that requires surgery and should keep him sidelined for up to four months.

his team in a pre-season game against Boavista on Sunday. “I am happy to be back in the national team once again,” the former Pillars fC of Kano ace said yesterday as he arrived in the team’s camp. “I really would have loved to partake in the first leg in Port Harcourt but I couldn’t secure my release from the pre-

Community Shield:

Afolabi Gambari

season programme,” he added. Asked to comment on Nigeria’s chances of consolidating on the 2-1 win ahead of the second leg, Shehu said: “By all standards it was a good result and we just need to remain focused and play to our advantage to get into the Senegal finals. “I am very positive that the Congolese will not stop our march forward.”

Fabregas

Fabregas plays mind game

helsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, says he will always have love for former Premier League club Arsenal. The Spanish international left the Gunners after eight years to join Barcelona in 2011, before returning to England last year to join their London rivals at Stamford Bridge. Fabregas was booed by some Arsenal supporters last season on his return to the Emirates, yet the 28-yearold has revealed he still has love for his former team.

“The love I have for that club will never change whatever happens and what is the most important is what I have with me from my time there,” he said yesterday as he looked ahead of Sunday’s Charity Shield match against Arsenal. “It’s not the most important game but we want to win and compete. “We are not worried that they might be fresher than us. They started pre-season 10 days before us but we are competitors, we will want to win and will probably be a great game.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Battle of Bata:

NFF banks on Falcons

Desire Oparanozie will spearhead Super Falcons attack on Sunday

Kano Pillar Coach, Ganaru

Mercy Jacob, Joel Ajayi

igeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, says the Super Falcons will overcome their Equatorial Guinea counterparts when both sides clash in a crucial second leg second round Olympics 2006 qualifier in Bata on Sunday.

Pinnick said the Falcons had pedigree to defeat the Guineans at their home, insisting that Nigeriam had nothing to panic. “We have the materials and I think the Falcons will raise their game to prevail,” the NFF boss said yesterday. The Falcons was held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea last week to walk tight rope ahead of the second leg. Many Nigerians are pessi-

mistic of the Falcons’ chances, hinging their fears on the steady rise of Equatorial Guinea in female football in Africa. Meanwhile, Coach Christopher Danjuma has assured of his team’s success in the encounter. “I have no doubt that we will win and advance,” Danjuma told National Mirror yesterday. The Falcons will depart today for Malabo enroute the

match venue of Bata to continue preparation for the Sunday’s game. They will arrive in Malabo at about 3am tomorrow before proceeding to Bata four hours later. According to FIFA, Angola Marximina Luzia Bernardo will be center referee while Ivorian Agathe Athacou is the referee assessor as South Africa’s Nomsa Mahlangu will be

Olympic qualifier:

IOC hammers Zimbabwe over withdrawal T

ZIFA boss, Dude

he qualifying match for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 that was scheduled for July 19 between Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe has been declared a 3-0 forfeit victory for the Ivorians. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings after Zimbabwe failed to travel to Cote d’Ivoire for the match, which was the first leg of the third round of Olympic qualifiers for the African zone. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided that the match should be forfeited, in accordance with art. 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and ordered the Zimbabwe Football Association to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 after being found to be liable for the violation of art. 6 par. 1, art. 6 par. 3 e), art. 7 par. 1, and art. 7 par. 10 of

the Regulations for the Olympic Football Tournaments. The relevant parties were notified of the decision yesterday. Lack of organization has dogged football administration in Zimbabwe, although the economic downturn of the southern African nation has contributed to the instability that pervades the country. With 48 hours to Zimbabwe’s U-23 Olympics 2018 African Championship qualifier wagainst South Africa on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) was still looking for cash at press time yesterday to fly the Young Warriors to neighbouring South Africa for the second leg final round game with the Young Bafana.

Jonathan to receive GOtv largesse Ifeanyi Eduzor

iling former Commonwealth lightweight boxing champion, Dele Jonathan, is to receive financial assistance from GOtv, title sponsor of the GOtv Boxing Night. Promoter of the fight and Managing Director of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona, told National Mirror that the 68-yearold Jonathan, who is suffering from bladder and prostate enlargement and requires sur-

gery, will be given 25 per cent of gate takings from the well- attended event. “Dele Jonathan brought great honour to Nigeria through boxing and there is need to ensure that he regains his health,” Alumona said, adding, “We will give him 25 per cent of the gate takings as our contribution to his upkeep and we look forward to also helping others like him.” Meanwhile heavyweight boxer, Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme who knocked out Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in the second round of their six round challenge contest

at the event has announced his readiness to take on National Heavyweight champion, Adewale Abbey “Tiger”, who he boasted to dethrone. “Abbey has been avoiding me for a long time but he needs to know that his reign as the heavyweight champion will soon be history because I am ready to dethrone him, if he accepts to fight me. GOtv Boxing Night is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

Ganaru returns as Pillars coach Abdulgafar Oladimeji KANO

anagement of Pillars FC of Kano yesterday unveiled former coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru as the replacement for Okey Emordi who was sacked early last week. Chairman of the club, Kabiru Baita, who presented the coach to the public in Kano, charged the gaffer to return Pillars to winning ways. “Anyone on the payroll of the club should brace up to render quality service in this new dispensation,” Baita, who was represented by a board member of the club, Abba Dambazau, said. Baba Ganaru told National Mirror that his return to Pillars would not place any burden on him. “Kano is my home, Pillars made me what and who I am, I came at a time people think it is critical, but it is not critical because with five unbeaten matches, we will be there at the top,” the former Nasarawa United coach said. He however played down on his financial status at Pillars, saying, “What I am offered by Pillars is far less than what I was getting at Nasarawa. But I am glad to be back in Kano to serve Pillars, once again.”

Dele Jonathan

WORLD RECORD

Fastest-selling PC videogame Diablo III (Blizzard, 2012) sold 3.5 million copies in its first 24 hours after launch.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1168 Thursday, July 30, 2015

Still on eavesdropping at Aso Woods D ear compatriots, let me continue where I stopped last week, my heart-bursting eavesdropping on the conversation of our two sparrows, Swift Wings and Comely Plumes as they perched in the woods around the Rock of Power in Abuja. SWIFT WINGS: Dear Comely Plumes, have you heard the latest from the band of jesters at that human House of Jaw Jaw? The last time we tweeted about their hilarious boxing bouts over the very buttocks to fit into those high chairs atop their houses, I thought my beaks had been robbed of further tweets, but these humans are an endless flood of surprises. COMELY PLUMES: For where! Surprises can never run dry in those two human Houses of Commotion. In fact I’ve also got plenty to tweet about, Swift Wings. But first let me in on your own

NIGERIANS

EFA President, Michel Platini, has promised to restore dignity at world football’s governing body after he announced his intention to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. In a letter on Wednesday, obtained in full by Sky Sports News HQ, Platini has.

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

experience. SWIFT WINGS: Gbankogbi! That’s what you’d hear, dear friend. You’d not believe it but the latest update on their buttocks-on-high-seats battle is the noise about the leaves on which the laws that guided the choice of those high chair buttocks were written. Rumours have it that the law leaves were counterfeit; that the adarihunrun in charge of the lots cast to produce the buttocks actually went to Sokoti, the blacksmith of heaven to counterfeit the leaves. COMELY PLUMES: Agbedo! To borrow their common word, that’s arrant rigging! Do they also forge the leaves upon which the laws that guide their lot casting are scribbled? Isn’t that some sort of jaw jaw sacrilege, ojoro lot casting? SWIFT WINGS: My friend, among those humans, where power and money are concerned, there is no sacrilege. What is sacrilege among these other animals who kill not for survival like us but for money and more money and for power and more power? Imagine those goons north of this wood who have been killing thousands to prove the supremacy of the powers of one God over another! These wanton souls who kill not for food but for their worldly sport care not about sacrilege! COMELY PLUMES: So they are even worse than us animals and birds! We kill for survival but they murder for power and money! Plus, how petty and mean can they be, descending as low as using counterfeit law leaves to choose their

MY FRIEND, AMONG THOSE HUMANS, WHERE POWER AND MONEY ARE

CONCERNED, THERE IS NO SACRILEGE High Seat Buttocks! SWIFT WINGS: Well, in fairness to the Buttocks on the High Seats, they’ve refuted the accusation of forgery. To them, it was a case of giving a vulture, igun angulu a bad name in order to hang it. They believe their adversaries are only using the Lion of the Rock of Power to get his police to start digging out dregs where none exist! And, given what we’ve seen past occupiers of that Highest Chair of Chairs in the Rock of Power do with their police, nothing is impossible for these adarihunrun. COMELY PLUMES: No, no, no, Swift Wings, don’t tell me their New Lion is like the Lions of the past. Remember he descended on the Rock in that mammy wagon called Change! Everybody thinks he was nurtured with the Medicine, Oogun Magani of Change and will roll around their land in the Whirlwind of True Change. SWIFT WINGS: That one? Is he ever going to bite? His own lion has just been roaring but we’ve seen no blood! He’s fast becoming like that bulldog that

joined our wood last week. Totally toothless. COMELY PLUMES: No, no, no, this, lion, this bulldog has started baring his teeth o! And, you know what, his teeth are strange, most unlike the ones we used to see. Like sabre teeth, they are already dripping with blood. SWIFT WINGS: Haven’t you learnt from our own lions? They don’t announce their lionness with words. They pounce on preys without warning and the ensuing gore is the true mark of their ferocity. And those awesome eagles, have you ever heard them announce to hens the hour of their preying? I don’t understand this new Change Lion o. Too profuse words against too little pouncing! COMELY PLUMES: Hm, Hm! Let us be fair to this Lion. In the twinkle of an eye, he has caged one former cat of Jigsaw and two of his kittens; former cats of Adawa, Hymo et cetera. The latest gbankogbi act of the Rock Lion is the dragging of the wife of the Principal Buttocks in the House of Jaw Jaw to the lair of his No-to-Corruption Hyenas. SWIFT WINGS: Come on, Comely Plumes! On that last one, there is this cry that the fire that produced that smoke was manufactured in some cozy Manor house in Bourdillon Avenue, down south! COMELY PLUMES: Ah! Ah, Swift Wings! Don’t be so naughty! Do you also believe that fake cackle? The tiger of the Bourdillon manor has come out with many of his well fed town criers to refute it as mere bunkum. It is even an insult to the Mighty Lion on the Rock to insinuate that some mere manor tiger of the south will dictate to a lion overseeing the entire land! Dear compatriots, someday soon, I will return with another of this hilarious banter of Swift Wings and Comely Plumes, ever gossiping birds in the woods surrounding the Rock of Power, Apata Agbara. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Election: I’ll restore FIFA’s dignity –Platini “Recent events force the supreme governing body of world football to turn over a new leaf and rethink its governance,” Platini wrote yesterday in a letter he sent to all 209 UEFA associations where called for urgent reform as FIFA faces two criminal investiga-

tions into alleged corruption. Reports said France football legend telephoned Blatter and other football leaders before his declaration was made public. “In the last few months, I have defended my ideas and proposals to give FIFA back the dignity and the

position it deserves,” Platini said. “I will not shy away from doing so. During this last half-century or so, FIFA has only had two presidents,” he added. The FIFA presidential election will hold on 26 February 26 next year.

Platini

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