Thursday, march 26, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

NNPC supplies 1.9bn litres of PMS, as scarcity persists

National Mirror www.nationalmir roronline .net

Thursday , March 26,

2015

...queues in Lagos, environs

UDEME AKPAN AND CHIDI UGWU Alison-Madueke

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1077 657

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday urged motorists to stop panic buying of fuel

as the Petroleum Pipelines and Marketing Company, PPMC, had released a huge volume of the product into CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Car park ines s booms in bus Lagos

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Modern Broa kitchen ware d Street your kitchen as to give lift

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Freedom Par k

Where to shop for Easter P.47

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Thursday, March July 4, 26, 2013 2015

Polls: FG shuts T land, sea borders

N150 N150

OMEIZA AJAYI AND UBONG UKPONG

Army warns against violence DSS offers safety tips to voters

he Federal Government yesterday shut all land and sea borders ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections. The Ministry of Interior announced this in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Abubakar Magaji. The statement said: “All borders will effectively be closed from midnight

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‘Jonathan’s survey poll lead, a fluke’ P.5 P5 INSIGHT

2015 polls: How govt, INEC disenfranchise 17m Diaspora Nigerians Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, addressing a news conference on security to be provided by the Army during and after the general elections, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Abuja Court clears Buhari to contest

2 DAYS TO GO

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...fixes April 22 for hearing suit seeking to stop him March 28 poll’ll be decided by S’West –Ikokwu

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Synagogue: Witness faults agency’s report

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News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abuja Court clears Buhari to contest ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday fixed April 22, this year for hearing in a lawsuit by an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Chinwike Okafor, seeking to disqualify the presidential standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, from contesting Saturday’s presidential poll. Justice Adeniyi Ademola promised to hear the case 24 days after the election would have held. Yesterday’s decision to give the case a long adjournment not only doused the tension building up in the polity but also cleared the coast for Buhari to participate freely in the election. The development contradicted the rumour making the rounds that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had procured a judgment to stop Buhari. Justice Ademola who had assumed jurisdiction to hear the case, however, threw out applications by two individuals, including a pro-democracy activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, seeking to be joined as de-

fendants in the case. National Mirror reports that about five different plaintiffs had approached the court seeking to disqualify Buhari from participating in the poll over alleged certificate forgery and perjury. All the cases are before Justice Ademola, who had decided to use Okafor’s suit as a test case, which judgment will be binding on all parties in the remaining four similar cases. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the trial judge said the only business of the day was the ruling of the court on the joinder application, which he delivered, while adjourning the hearing of the substantive suit. The joinder applications were brought by Adegoruwa and another lawyer, Chukwuma Ochu. Delivering his ruling, the judge held that none of the parties seeking to be joined had shown enough interest that could warrant their joinder. The court said they had no business with the case, saying they were, at best, meddlesome interlopers and busy bodies. Okafor had dragged Buhari to court seeking to disqualify him from partici-

pating in the presidential election over alleged certificate forgery and perjury. APC had however joined the suit as a co-defendant. Buhari through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, had appeared in court in protest to challenge the mode of service of court papers on his client and also the order to abridge time. APC through its counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had also filed a preliminary ob-

jection as to entertaining the suit by the court. The court had earlier fixed Tuesday for the ruling on whether to roll both the substantive suit with the objections and hear both in one fell swoop. But at the resumed hearing, Adegoruwa had brought an application for joinder. He premised his application on the ground that he is a pro-democracy activist and wanted to ensure

that all the candidates were granted equal right. The other party seeking to be joined, Ochu premised his application on the grounds that Buhari is his candidate in the forthcoming election. He further submitted that if Buhari was disqualified, he would be disenfranchised. Counsel to the plaintiff, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, urged the court to reject the application for joinder on the grounds that the applicants

were meddlesome interlopers and busy bodies to which the court agreed yesterday. Speaking on the implication of the adjournment, Ozekhomoe told newsmen that the suit against Buhari would not translate to academic exercise because it is not time barred and that he (Buhari) could still be removed even if he wins the presidential election if the case is eventually decided against him.

L-R: Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, during the meeting of President Goodluck Jonathan with the National Peace Committee for 2015 Election at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Polls: FG shuts land, sea borders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

March 25, to midnight Saturday, March 28.” The closure of the borders, he said, is “to allow for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national elections.” Consequently, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has been directed to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in any part of the election process. The government had earlier ordered the restriction of movement on the two election days from 8am to 5pm. Announcing the restriction of movement order, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, had said the move was to ensure adequate security during the general elections across the federation on Saturday March 28 and April 11. “This total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for Ambulances, Fire service trucks and others on essential duties”, the IGP said.

Consequently, he advised travelers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours to plan alternative times for their traveling. In the same vein, the Nigerian Army yesterday warned that those planning to invoke or provoke violence, would meet an organised violence as the security forces were ready, and will stop at nothing to keep the peace and save the country. Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, who was guest at the maiden monthly press briefing of the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, yesterday, in Abuja, read the riot Act warning that the military would not take it kindly with any trouble maker. “If you win, you rule, if you lose, go to court,” he said. He said those peddling the rumour that President Goodluck Jonathan was contemplating to hand over

power to the military should he lose his re-election bid were uncharitable to the Armed Forces, which was ready to safeguard this democracy at all costs. Although there are court orders stopping the Federal Government from deploying soldiers for the purpose of the the elections, the Army Chief said that they were less concerned about what was happening at the polling booths, but very concerned about the general security of the country. He said the military had never been sighted before at the polling booths anywhere in the country, not to talk of intimidating voters or carrying ballot papers and boxes. “Regarding the question on provision of security before, during and after the elections, I think the armed forces, the police, other security organisations have made adequate arrangements for security during the general and local elections a few days and a few

weeks back. “I do not envisage any issues because this is just an election and it will come and go, though we know there are also elements within the political class that do not want the normal election process to come and be put behind them. “I will appeal to politicians and their followers and supporters to keep the peace, maintain the peace and ensure a violence-free election. “I will appeal to law abiding Nigerians to come out en mass, vote for candidates of their choice without fear and intimidation, without fear for their safety against their rights to vote. And whoever wants to invoke or provoke violence, will meet an organised violence waiting for him,” he said. Earlier, Col Usman had said that to test the state of preparedness of the Army for the elections, a show of force was conducted throughout the country, sending a straight message

to criminal elements that it would be fire for fire. Meanwhile, the Department of State Services, DSS, has restated its readiness for the polls. While it urged the voting public to complement the work of security agencies by being vigilant, the DSS said its commitment to deepening the nation’s democracy remains unwavering. Spokeswoman of the Service, Marilyn Ogar in a statement yesterday in Abuja advised all registered voters to go out and exercise their civic responsibility as their security is guaranteed. “It is imperative to remind all eligible voters to be law abiding and security conscious while exercising their franchise. “Equally, they should remain vigilant in crowded environments before, during and after the elections and abide by all stipulated guidelines emplaced to ensure peaceful conduct,” Ogar advised.

The Service urged voters to be weary of persons “in loose or bulky midriff clothing, which are inappropriate for the weather, look out for unattended bags, luggage, dustbins, strange containers and other suspicious items. “Similarly, all vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and bicycles must be parked far away from the polling stations. All forms of trading should be discouraged, suspicious persons, activities and movements should be promptly reported to security agents,” the Service added. Ogar reminded Nigerians that the task of nation building is a collective responsibility, and urged party supporters to play their parts and shun violence. “Once again, we restate our commitment to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for all Nigerians to contribute towards strengthening our democracy,” the Service stated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Photo News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL), Mr. Christophe Penninck; Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba and Chief Operating Officer, BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, during presentation of fully-equipped patrol vehicle and office equipment to the command in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd); author of book, Capt. George Alily (rtd); Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan and Chairman on the occasion, Rear Admiral Francis Dan Akpan (rtd), during public presentation of the book, Defining Persona: 6 Virtues that Transform Society, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: MSME Advisory Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Chiagozie Nwizu; CEO, Gate and Shield Global Concept Ltd, Austin Olu; CEO, ECCOH Trends Realty Company Ltd, Charles Ojo; Business Manager, Wuse Zone 4, Diamond Bank Plc, Uloma Jide-Afonja and Senior Consultant, CLM Consulting, John Ekpikhe, during the 49th BusinessXpress Seminar for MSMEs in Abuja recently.

L-R: Political analyst, Mr. Ambassador Onoja; National Coordinator, Coalition for Democracy and Credible Elections, Barr. Mohammed Atta and Lecturer, University of Lagos, Dr. Yemi Oke, during presentation of the National Survey Result on 2015 Presidential Election in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News

Boko Haram: Two Al Jazeera journalists under house arrest ...DHQ dismisses alleged abduction of 500 in Damasak UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

efence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday disclosed that two Al Jazeera journalists have been confined

to their hotel rooms for breaching security orders at the war theatre in North East Nigeria. The Nigerian Army also dismissed the report in foreign media that over 500 children have been abduct-

ed from Damasak, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents. In a post on its blog yesterday, the DHQ said the two journalists, who were allegedly loitering within operational areas, were

trailed by military intelligence personnel and finally confined to their hotel rooms in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. “Two journalists working for Aljazeera Television, who were found to

FG plans trouble in Lagos, Rivers, Kano, three other states –APC OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ll Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign, APCPCO, yesterday alleged that the Federal Government was planning to deliberately engineer trouble in six states to avert imminent defeat at the poll. A statement by Directorate of Media and Publicity of APCPCO, signed by Garba Shehu, listed the states to include Lagos, Kano, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Sokoto.

The statement said, “Credible information available to the campaign from deep inside the Federal Government have starkly put it to us that the PDP administration has hatched a plan by which the states of Lagos, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kano and Sokoto will be racked by trouble of a serious magnitude in order to sabotage the presidential election and democracy in the country in a sinister, wicked and selfish objective. “The crises to be fermented in these States are

clearly intended to generate a crisis of serious proportions that would lead to either the postponement or the outright cancellation of the election in order to exclude the states from the first round of voting. “By this plan, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be forced to cancel the elections and have these states conduct rescheduled elections a week later. “The whole idea, according to these credible sources is that the government wants to buy time

yet again, gain energy and pump resources into a renewed crackdown on popular will in those states. “They deploy the entire muscle and resources of the Federal Government to steal the election in the six states.” According to the statement “100 trained saboteurs had been deployed to each of the states to carry out these felonious acts.” It urged Nigerians to do all that is lawful to resist the attempts by the Jonathan administration to bring down the country’s nascent democracy.

have been loitering around areas where military operations were ongoing in the North East have been restrained in Maiduguri. “The journalists, Ahmed Idris and Mustafa Andy, who were noted to have been moving around various locations, including restricted areas in Yobe and Borno states, were also operating without any protection, accreditation or due clearance. “They were accordingly monitored by military intelligence operatives until they eventually had to be restrained to their hotel in Maiduguri. “This followed increasing suspicion that their activities were aimed at interfering with ongoing military operations in the area. “The motive, activities and some materials in possession of these individuals are now being investigated,” DHQ said, adding that the foreign journalists had been cautioned against

unauthorised and unprotected movements around military operations area. “This warning is hereby restated until formally reversed or lifted. Appropriate arrangements will, however, continue to be made to assist duly cleared journalists to cover activities in the mission area within the limits of adequate safety, security and necessary procedures,” it added. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, while fielding questions from journalists at his maiden press briefing in Abuja, also condemned the alleged abduction of more than 500 women and children from Damasak. “It is not true, it is a lie that 500 people were abducted in Damasak yesterday (Tuesday),” he said. Damasak was last week liberated by Chadian and Nigerien troops from the Boko Haram insurgents with soldiers currently in control of the area.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

NNPC supplies 1.9bn litres of PMS, as scarcity persists CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the market. The corporation put the current stock of petrol in its depots across the country at 1.9bn litres. This is even as another round of scarcity has resurfaced in Lagos and its environs, forcing motorists to scramble to buy product in some few stations still selling to the public, barely a month after a week-long shortage was witnessed in major cities in the country, NNPC, in a statement attributed the scarcity to panic buying, stock-piling and diversion of petrol to unknown outlets. It cautioned marketers to desist from capitalising on the situation to hoard and divert petroleum products thereby subjecting Nigerians to unnecessary hardship. The corporation also appealed to tanker drivers, who had stopped hauling fuel from depots in the coastal states to the northern part

of the country for fear of being caught in unfounded fears of post-election violence, to return to work, saying it is working closely with security agencies to ensure their safety. According to the statement, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, had directed the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and PPPRA to sanction any marketer found hoarding, diverting or selling products above regulated prices. A tanker driver, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that drivers had been lifting but not as fast as was the case in the past due to limited stocks. The spokesman of Tanker Drivers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Garuba Abdulkabar said in a telephone interview that his members were not responsible for the situation. “The duty of our members is to lift what is made avail-

able to them. The tanker drivers cannot manufacture fuel. We will continue to lift and deliver available petrol and other petroleum products to filling stations,” he said. In spite of the efforts by government to ensure adequate supply to the market, National Mirror investigations showed that supply to retail outlets had not been steady or consistent as many marketers appeared to be hamstrung financially to import refined petrol to the market, leaving only NNPC and a few major marketers struggling to meet demand. One of the factors linked to the problem had to do with reluctance of banks to extend loans to other

marketers as political uncertainties continue to take great toll on the economy. For instance, the Executive Director (Oil and Gas), Access Bank Plc, Mr. Elias Igbinakenzua said at the just concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja that the banks were not lending much to operators in the oil and gas industry because of problems. “If banks have not gotten their borrowers to hedge their risk, then they are exposed. Once a bank goes down, it affects the entire industry because there is what we call the ‘contagious effect’. “We have banks that are very important in the sys-

tem, if anyone is brought down because of oil and gas, then the whole industry will be contagious,” he said. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in February promised to pay about N264bn outstanding fuel subsidies between then and end of March, 2015. The sum included the 2014 outstanding debts of N164bn, in addition to the N100bn derived from foreign exchange and bank interest charges. Meanwhile, a market survey conducted yesterday within Lagos metropolis and Sango-Ota, Ogun State, showed that many filling stations, including those of some major marketers such as MRS and Total, were not

selling petrol. There were also long queues at many filling stations; including Acorn and Conoil, whose stocks may not last till the end of the week. For instance, investigations in Apapa loading points revealed that only few tanker drivers were lifting fuel for distribution to retail outlets. The actual cause of the shortage could not be ascertained and efforts to get the Executive Secretary of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore’s views on the issue did not yield result as he did not respond to telephone calls and text messages.

Jonathan survey poll lead, a fluke –Group EBERE NDUKWU

he Buhari Vanguard, a group supporting All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, has described as unfounded and a fluke the purported poll result released by the Nigeria Polls and Survey group, that puts the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of Buhari, with slight margin of 7.01 per cent. According to Buhari Vanguard, the survey is a sham, and must not be taken serious by Nigerians as it did not in any way reflect the current trend of wind of change. Maintaining that the survey was not original as it fails to reflect widespread opinion, the group said the so-called Nigeria Polls and Survey group must be one of those forums put up by the ruling party to deceive and distort facts. The Nigeria Polls and Survey group in its polls result released on Tuesday and signed by the group coordinator, Dr. Ayo Alao, had put President Jonathan ahead of Buhari, saying that the results from the poll were based on a five item questionnaire administered on a total

of 10,294 registered voters, selected from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, of which 6,592 were males and 3,702 were females. Alao explained that the questionnaire sought to elicit information on respondent’s knowledge of political parties, possession of PVCs, awareness of the election date, willingness to vote during the election and the respondents’ preferred president candidate in the 2015 presidential election. The statement revealed that a total of 5,508 respondents indicated their intention to vote for the president compared with 4,786 respondents who favored Buhari. The data analysis showed that the PDP candidate might have a better showing in Saturday’s presidential election in South-South, South-East and FCT, while the APC candidate, Buhari, may poll more votes in North-West and North-East, with South-West and NorthCentral being largely the battle grounds that may swing victory either way. But Buhari Vanguard, reacting to the result of the survey, described the result as misleading as it does not reflect the realities on ground.

L-R: APC vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; presidential candidate , Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Chief Bisi Akande; celebrant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; his wife, Sen. Oluremi and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, during the 7th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium, to celebrate his 63rd birthday in Lagos, yesterday.

CBN issues new guidelines on bancassurance products TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday issued a new set of guidelines for banks dealing in bancassurance products as part of its measures to effectively regulate transactions on General and Life Insurance among banks. In its letter with Reference No: BSD/DIR/GEN/ LAB/08/014 titled ‘Guidelines On Bancassurance Products- Referral Model’ dated March 16 and addressed to all banks, the apex bank stated that the guidelines were issued based on recent developments and the need to ensure synergy in the financial system in exercise of its power under Section 33(1)(b) of the CBN Act 2007 and the provision of Part 2, Section 3, Item (l) of the CBN Scope, Conditions & Minimum Standards for Commercial Banks Regulations No. 01, 2010.

The guidelines set out the regulatory framework for the offering of bancassurance products through the nonintegrated referral model. The choice of this model is premised on the fact that it does not preclude banks from focusing on their core banking businesses and does not undermine the essence of the CBN’s New Banking Model Bancassurance products, which are distinct from insurance covers that serve as mitigants for losses against credit and other risks, are insurance products which fall under the General and Life insurance business that are sold to banks’ customers by the insurance company under a bancassurance referral model agreement. Under the guidelines, the apex bank directed banks to enter into agreements with insurance companies shall not engage in any other model of bancassurance other than that permitted under these guidelines and for which approval has been obtained from

it and shall not offer banking products that incorporate insurance features. In addition, banks were also prohibited from offering free premium payments as a feature of any of their products as well as providing the bancassurance products in a manner that contravenes the new guidelines or any other statutory provision or law that applies to insurance products and services. On the required agreement between the banks and insurance companies, CBN directed that the referral model of bancassurance arrangement between a bank and an insurance company shall not be valid without an executed Bancassurance Agreement just as it restrained banks from undertaking any insurance marketing, underwriting or claim settlement. This must be clearly stated in the Bancassurance Agreement. Similarly, the guidelines provided that banks shall

ensure that no risks are transferred to it and shall not assume any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise, arising from the subscription to insurance policies by customers. Other conditions set by the apex bank for bancassurance product transactions are that Deposit Money Banks, DMBs shall conduct a thorough due diligence/periodic assessment for the selection of partner insurance companies, which would be restricted to two insurance companies; ensure that only bancassurance products approved by relevant regulatory authority are offered to their customers by the insurance companies; and shall not enter into bancassurance agreement with insurance companies who do not hold a valid operational license from National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC’s master key compromised, says Fani-Kayode ...allegation baseless –INEC OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

L-R: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Director, Admin/Human Resources, Mr. Ado Solomon; National Grand Patron, National Commercial Tricyle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS), Prof. Yusuf Ameh Abaje and National President, Mr. Hassan Abubakar, during the national conversation with NACTOMORAS organized by NOA in Abuja, yesterday.

Election fever: Travellers besiege Lagos Int’l Airport OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, has witnessed massive upsurge in travellers since the beginning of the week, as passengers leave the country in droves. International airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, South African Airways, Kenya Airlines and a few others have witnessed enormous increase in passengers’ traffic in the past four days. A close source to one of the airlines, who doesn’t want his name in print, attributed the increase in passengers travel to the forthcoming elections in

the country. But, the British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, who confirmed the upsurge in passengers’ traffic with our correspondent on phone, attributed the upsurge to the forthcoming Esther celebration and vacation in schools. However, the airline source explained that most of the airlines especially British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have overbooked their capacities in the past four days, a situation which led to some of the passengers being rescheduled by the airlines. The source said that since it was certain that the presidential and gubernatorial elections would be held on the stip-

ulated dates, some of the country’s citizens and foreigners are apprehensive that the election may lead to upheaval. The airline source however, said that most of the travellers don’t want to be caught in the web of election crisis, saying that politicians in recent time have caused the unnecessary tension. Our correspondent who went to the international wing of the terminal on Monday and Tuesday nights observed that international passengers were eager to leave the shores of the country. One of them who simply identified herself as Adebisi, a passenger with British Airways said she decided to travel out of the country because of perceived crisis in the post-election period.

Adebisi was seen in the company of her three children; two males and a female, but declined to speak further when pressed more by our correspondent. Confirming the upsurge in air travellers, Olayinka told our correspondent that surprisingly passengers’ volume had increased in the past three days despite the lull the airline business recorded in January and February due to devaluation of naira against the dollar. He dismissed the notion that the increase was due to the forthcoming elections in the country and said apart from British Airways, other international carriers too have experienced increase in passengers’ traffic.

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday alleged that the master encryption/ decryption key of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for reading of the Smart Card Readers, has been compromised. Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, at a press conference, also alleged that the company that supplied the card reader system and machines to be used in the election has, as a major shareholder and board member, one Sani Musa, who he said is an ardent supporter of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. “The company’s name is Act Technologies Limited, and chairman of the company is one Engr S.K. Danladi,” Fani-Kayode said. According to him, the master encryption/decryption key can “unlock” and simulate the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, data processed by the Smart Card Reader. “There is only one copy of the Master Key in Nigeria and it is in the possession of an individual, a known APC sympathiser/ supporter and also the contractor responsible for production of PVCs and manufacture of Smart Card Readers for INEC. “The Master Key should rightly be in the possession of INEC, as the neu-

tral umpire, under the most stringent access control protocol imaginable and not freely in the possession of a partisan actor,” he said. The PDPPCO spokesperson noted that INEC has already expressed concern over intelligence reports that APC has been purchasing Voter Identification Numbers, VINs, uniquely identifying each PVC, adding that this can only mean that the party is already in possession of the Master Key as the purchase of VINs would otherwise have been a fruitless exercise. He wondered how INEC would give the contract to supply the card readers to a fanatical APC supporter and to a man whose other company was officially blacklisted by INEC in 2011 for sharp practices. This, he said, constitutes a very serious breach of security and it is a criminal offence. He, however, said the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and its candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, were not worried about what the outcome of Saturday’s election would be. When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu dismissed the allegations as baseless. He said the commission is focused on delivering a free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians and would not be distracted. According to Idowu, “now is not the time to join issues with anyone” as the commission has more serious matters to attend to.

Abdusalami, Sultan, others meet Jonathan on free, fair polls R OTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

ational Peace Committee on 2015 general elections led by former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Saturday’s Presidential

and National Assembly polls. Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Reverend Matthew Kukah and some members of the committee also attended the meeting. Speaking with State House Correspondents

after the meeting, the former Head of State said the committee came to brief the president about discussion with all the stakeholders and the role he as the commander-in-chief has to play as well as what was expected of him as a contestant in the presidential election. He explained that the President had already given his assurance of

conducting free, fair and violence-free elections. Abdusalami stated that the committee would also meet with Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other stakeholders to ensure commitment to a free, fair and peaceful elections. He, however, said that

the electioneering campaign had been filled with campaign of calumny, stressing that the committee had talked with all the contestants, party leaders to try to get their supporters and campaign committee on the issue. “From what we have seen, this campaign has been filled with campaign of calumny and we have talked with all the contestants, party

leaders to try to get their supporters and campaign committee to please try to ensure for God’s sake let us not make these elections personal” “There shouldn’t be any insults let us not play politics of bitterness and I do hope they have listened to us and they are working as much as they can, so they told us,” Abdulsalami said.

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Thursday, March 26 , 2015

NLC raises panel to woo aggrieved members OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

Comptroller General of Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang (middle) with some embassy officials and leaders of ECOWAS communities resident in Nigeria, during a meeting over the 2015 general elections in Abuja, yesterday.

Mu’azu confident of president’s re-election OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

wo days to Saturday’s presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed confidence that its candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, will be re-elected for second term in office. PDP’s National Chair-

man, Adamu Mu’azu, at a press conference yesterday said the election was beyond propaganda and empty claims in the social media, but performance, sincerity of purpose and commitment. Mu’azu noted that the achievements recorded in the last four years were enough to secure President Jonathan victory at the poll.

He charged party members and supporters at all levels to remain focused and steadfast to the cause, as PDP moves towards victory on Saturday. Mu’azu further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the security agencies and other key stakeholders to give Nigerians free, fair and credible election on Sat-

urday. He noted that in keeping with the commitment to a peaceful electoral process, “the PDP has ran an orderly campaign based only on issues, devoid of unnecessary political mudslinging and acts of desperations, especially seeing the fact that a majority of the Nigerian voting population is solidly behind us.”

‘Era of hijack, diversion of election materials gone’ ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

kiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Sam Olumekun, has said the era of hijack and diversion of election materials in the state and other parts of the country had gone. According to Olumekun, this is because the commission has put in place mechanisms to forestall diversion or hijack of materials by hoodlums. The REC, who spoke at a sensitisation programme in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said the decision of the electoral body to allow members of political parties to monitor distribution of sensitive and nonsensitive materials would prevent diversion of electoral process. “The political parties are to prepare the list of representatives to witness

the delivery, distribution and dispatch of sensitive election materials like ballot papers and election result sheets to their respective local government areas under security escort,” he said. The INEC chief restated that the introduction of card readers would make the votes of Nigerians count, contrary to what was obtained in the past when results of polls were falsified. According to him, the test-run of the smart card readers in 12 states recently has confirmed the machines will help standardise the country’s electoral process and that its application would be a success. Olumekun said the machines would help in raising the bar of credibility of the election for wider acceptability and global recognition of the country’s elections in the eyes of the international com-

munity. The REC, who said the adhoc staff for the election in the state had been retrained, added that there would be resorting of ballot papers before counting, so that those misplaced in wrong ballot boxes could be counted

and not voided. Olumekun called on the security agencies to discharge their duties in most professional ways, for people to have confidence in them and to help the commission in achieving success in the conduct of the polls.

igeria Labour Congress, NLC, has constituted a reconciliatory committee to look into all issues arising from the 11th National Delegates’ Conference with a view to bringing the aggrieved members back to its fold. The rescheduled NLC election, which produced Ayuba Wabba as president, has factionalised the union as the major opponent, Joe Ajaero, of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, led other aggrieved members to form a parallel union. In order to give vent to their anger and disaffection about conduct of the election, Ajaero in conjunction with Issa Aremu of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN and Igwe Achese of National Union of Petroleum & National Gas, NUPENG, had on March 19 held a parallel delegate conference to elect a factional executive. However, after a brief meeting of the National Administrative Council in Abuja, NLC constituted an eight-member reconciliatory committee headed by a veteran Aliyu Dangiwa to woo back the aggrieved members. The committee, which has two weeks at the first instance to complete the reconciliatory mandate, is expected to look at all the contending issues arising from the election with a view to having a strong, united and impregnable

union that would serve the interest of the Nigerian workers. At the inauguration of the committee, NLC President, Comrade Wabba, stated that he was extending the hand of fellowship to his aggrieved colleagues because the interest of the Nigerian workers was far beyond individual interest. He said the socio-political and economic issues in the country now demanded a strong union to represent the voice of the voiceless, stressing that NLC would only be able to remain a formidable voice in national discourse when it remained united. Wabba, who said there was nothing strange in what was happening to the union, however maintained that congress has a time-tested internal dispute resolution mechanism to resolve any disagreement. He urged all NLC members, including aggrieved ones to imbibe the spirit of give-and-take, adding that the interest of the Nigerian workers must be protected especially at the crucial time of economic downturn. In his acceptance speech, the committee chairman, Aliyu Dangiwa, promised to deploy his wealth of experience, together with other members of the committee in addressing all the issues stated in the term of reference. Dangiwa, who launched into a long history of election disagreement in the union and the efforts made to achieve amicable resolution, expressed the belief that NLC would come out of its present predicament stronger.

UPN rejects Jonathan’s endorsement, backs Buhari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

faction of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, led by its National Secretary, Abubakar Sokoto, yesterday declared its support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, for Saturday polls. The faction distanced itself from the suspended National Chairman of the party, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, who had ear-

lier declared support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Sokoto said the party decided to support Buhari for presidency on the basis of the need for change in the governance of the country. He directed all leaders of the party to mobilise party supporters at the grassroots all over the country to vote for Buhari. He also said the part is supportive of the use of card reader and perma-

nent voter card, PVCs, for the election. Sokoto further said that party is against the advice of the Inspector General of Police urging voters to leave the polling centres after casting their votes, since it is not in line with the laws of the land. While appreciating the gesture by the UPN faction, the Deputy National Chairman of APC (North), Senator Lawan Shauib, assured the leadership that APC will reciprocate their support if it wins the elections. He said UPN leaders

have demonstrated their willingness to join APC to realise the quest for change, adding that the opposition party has never used monetary inducement to attract people to its rallies. He urged the supporters of UPN to stand by the polling units to ensure their votes count, stating: “We expect our supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and we do not expect anyone supporting Buhari to ignite or incite violence during and after the coming elections.”

South West

N50bn debt: AMCON loses appeal to take over Babalakin’s asset Wale Igbintade

ourt of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday dismissed the appeal filed by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, against the ruling of Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N50 billion debt owed by BiCourtney Group. Justice Buba had in a ruling vacated an order empowering AMCON to take over assets of companies belonging to the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin, including Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Terminal 2. Dissatisfied with the ruling, AMCON in a notice of appeal filed through its lawyer, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, contended that the orders of lower court setting aside Justice Okon Abang’s orders were made without jurisdiction, as it was trite in law that a court cannot grant prayers not sought by any of

the parties before it. But, the appellate court presided over by Justice Sidi Bage, in its judgement upheld the decision of the lower court, adding that the circumstances under which AMCON obtained the ex-parte order against BiCourtney Group amounted to an abuse of court process. Justice Bage held that the ex- parte order was obtained in the face of subsisting order of Justice AM Liman delivered on November 4, 2011 restraining the Federal Government and its agencies from taking any steps to takeover Bi-Courtney group. The appellate court in its unanimous decision held that the lower court judge did not raise any issue suo motu, as alleged by the appellant (AMCON). Other justices on the panel are Justice Samuel Oseji and Justice Yargata Nimpar respectively. The court observed that parties extensively addressed the lower court on the issue of abuse of court process.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

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Jonathan lied on Adiyan waterworks project —Fashola Francis Suberu

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of making falsehood the bases of his campaigns. Governor Fashola made the allegation during his address at the first year anniversary of Lagos Homes Mortgage Scheme, LagosHOMS, held at Ikeja on Wednesday. According to Governor

Fashola, the presidency falsely claimed that the ongoing Adiyan Phase 11 Water Works was part of his six years achievements, saying nothing could be farther to the truth. Fashola said: “I was reading The Guardian newspaper and on page 64, President Goodluck Jonathan listed as part of his achievement the ongoing construction of Adiyan Phase 11 Water Works. That advertorial is a lie. Lagos State government under my administra-

tion is the one building the waterworks. “Many may not know about the project because it is yet to be completed. That project is being built and funded by taxes paid by residents of Lagos State. And if the presidential campaign is based on lies, it shows how deeply corruption has entered and rooted in the leadership of this country today. “You can lie about the project that is not yours in order to deceive people

for vote. That is a very low presidential watermark. No amount of documentary will change what is going on. And we will continue to say the truth. Instead of governing, they have become filmmakers.” The Lagos State governor advised Lagosians to turnout in large numbers on Saturday to vote for General Muhammadu Buhari, saying posterity will not forgive anyone who refused to vote on the day of election.

APC, a party of propagandists —Patience Jonathan Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, yesterday in Ibadan described the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a party of propagandists and saboteurs whose principals were busy building prisons while Jonathan’s administration was building schools. She said this during a campaign rally in support of a second term for her husband at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, former Liberty Stadium, Oke Ado, organised by Women Mobilisation for Goodluck Jonathan. She was accompanied by women personalities, including National PDP Women Leader, Dr. (Mrs) Kema Chikwe; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide; Mrs Margaret Peter Obi, Mrs Betty Igwe, Director, Women Mobilisation, wife of Oyo State governorship candidate of the PDP, among others. Harping on the threat by APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, that the Ikoyi Prisons should be preparing

to accommodate many politicians if he should emerge winner in the March 28 election, she said, “they don’t have any quality material to sell. All they want is to send your fathers to prison. Some of your fathers died in prison. Alhaji Busari Adelakun was a victim of Buhari’s brutality. They are coming again to chain your fathers and mothers. They have nothing to offer. PDP has come to liberate you. Do you want same thing to happen to your fathers again?” she asked the crowd which chorused ‘No!’ Describing APC as an abandoned drug, she urged the people of Oyo State to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Teslim Folarin, whom he described as a good material for the governorship of the state, who will not disappoint you”. On the directive of Inspector General of Police, Mr Sulaiman Abba, that all voters must leave voting centres after they cast their votes, she said: “If they drive you away, stay somewhere and watch. If you vote APC, Buhari, it is for prison; but if you vote Jonathan, that is transformation.”

L-R: Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Rufus Akeju; Central Bank Assistant Director, Mr. Uche Nnubia and Oyo State Central Bank Branch Controller, Mr. Musbau Latunwo, during the handover of INEC electoral materials for the forthcoming presidential and National Assembly election to INEC in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

State creation: Stop deceiving Ibadan people, Oyo APC tells PDP Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

yo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday alerted citizens of the state to what it called the misleading and false promise by loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan that he would create Ibadan State if he wins the March 28 presidential election. The party, in a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Olawale Sadare, dismissed the promise as a joke taken too far by the foot soldiers of the president, contrary to the body language and declaration by the presi-

dent himself. According to him, with the benefit of hindsight, creation of Ibadan State has become an electioneering mantra prior to every general election, which the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had employed since 1999 till date to sway support in the direction of their candidates. He reminded the unwary citizens of the state that President Jonathan did not make any such promise during his campaign adventures to the state, not even during his visit to the revered Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.

He added that even when the Olubadan passionately demanded the upgrading of Ibadan Airport to international standard, all what the president told him was that he would “look into it,” much less the thorny issue of state creation. To rub salt on the injury of the people of Oyo State, he lamented that the PDPled Federal Government failed to mention any tangible thing that the state had benefited from the six-year tenure of Mr. President to merit the vote of the good people of the state in 2015. He then quoted the president as having said during his campaign, “The Olubadan has requested

that we change the Ibadan Airport to an international airport. Let us complete this one first and the next step will be taken. But, I assure you that Ibadan deserves an international airport. I have also promised that Ibadan dry port, meant to decongest Lagos port, will be looked into.’’ Sadare maintained that the president only repeated his generic campaign mantra across the states when he visited the palaces of foremost monarchs in Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso, without making any concrete promise or committing himself to any project in Oyo State, much less the creation of Ibadan State.

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

INSIDE

Car park business booms in Lagos

Modern Broad Street kitchen wares to give >48 your kitchen a lift >47

Freedom Park

>10

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, March 26, 2015

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Freedom Park Freedom Park is one of Nigeria’s historical monuments on Broad Street. This building rebuilt by Lagos-born architect Theo Lane was a colonial prison where prominent Nigerians were imprisoned during the colonial era. Many of Nigeria’s hero such as Herbert Macaulay, Chief Cbafemi Awolowo, Chief Michael Imodu, Sir Adeyemo Alakija served jail terms here for daring to oppose the British colonial masters. Today the prison has been transformed to a leisure park providing venues for events and recreational entertainment. But it stands in the rich history of Nigeria and Broad Street in particular.

Broad Street goes gay for Easter SAIDAT ALAUSA

olourful fabrics, designer wears and and a wide range of gift items are now on display im major streets of Lagos Island in readiness for the Easter celebration. A visit to the markets by Broad street diary revealed that many traders have taken delivery of new stocks of goods for special sales during the festival. BSD can reveal that the various markets are already becoming busier by the day as shoppers now troop to there for all they will need to celebrate Easter. Traders however see the current surge in the number of shoppers as a positive sign as many expect that sales will enter its peak after the elections. This is a period we expect parents to come to Balogun in their thousands to shop for the

...as more shoppers storm markets children and even themselves. You can see that many shops are full to the brim with new stocks of children wears. Of course, it will also be an opportunity for more sales in adult wears, a shop owner on Balogun street who pleaded anonymity told BSD. Mr. Isola Disu, Manager Stephanie Collections, Apogbon confirmed to that more shoppers now visit the markets everyday as Easter approaches to buy clothes. “Even when we don’t have all they want, most of them have placed orders and we hope to have them in stock by Monday when new goods will arrive. Stephanie collections sells office wears, children clothes, ball gowns, slippers and tops. On whether the increase in exchange rate affects sales, Disu admitted that prices have gone

up though his customer are still buying as they are sure of the quality of what they are buying and are also aware that the increase is not of the trader’s making but as a result of the fluctuation of the Naira value. “A pair of trousers we initially sold for N4500 now sells for N6,500, A female gown that was sold at N8,000 now costs N12,000 and this goes for all the goods we have in the shop.” For now, most shops are not embarking on any special promotion or discounted Easter sales. Disu told BSD that such promo is reserved till the end of the year during Christmas and New Year. “Sales are however a bit dull now, maybe because of the elections but we hope it will pick up by next week as Easter draws near,” Disu added.

Gabs World Nigeria Limited, Abibu Oki Street deals in Wrist watches, Sun glasses, Jewelry, Gift items, pens, and belt. The Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Ngwu told BSD that the shop had brought in new stock for the Easter celebration. “We have the best brands here and our goods are with guarantee. “Despite the price increase due to the exchange rate, we still give our customers good prices so that it will be convenient for them to buy anything they want,” Ngwu further said. BSD also discovered that hampers are now back on the streets and on display conspicuously around Apongbon. One of the traders, Mrs. Olufunke Daramola disclosed that the hamper business is still thriving as some people

use the Easter period to give their loved ones gifts. “Things have changed now. Hampers are not only meant for Christmas and New Year, we

now pack them for Easter and even Eid-Kabir. People have started coming to make enquiries and we hope they will come and buy.” The price is in various categories, depending on the items in the basket. It ranges from N8,000 to N15,000.

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South West

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Rights group warns against deployment of soldiers Francis Suberu

L-R: Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Special, Oyo Town, Dr. Emmanuel Adeniyi; beneficiary of MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship for the Blind, Lawal Tolulope; Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and another beneficiary of the scholarship, Oluwatoyosi Lawal, during the 16th convocation ceremony of FCE, Special, in Oyo State, yesterday.

Elections: NANS appeals against shutting schools in Ogun …says 85,000 students’ll be disenfranchised

Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

ational Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, yesterday appealed to Ogun State government not to shut tertiary institutions across the state in order not to disenfranchise students for the presidential and national assembly elections slated for Saturday. In a statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital and signed

by NANS state chairman, Comrade Ahmed Falola said several thousands of eligible students resident in the state would be disenfranchised if schools were shut for the general elections. Falola explained that over 85,000 students from 13 tertiary institutions in Ogun, who registered during the voters registration exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may be forced to travel out of the state if tertiary insti-

tutions were shut. Falola further said the students’ body got wind of government’s plan to shut higher institutions across the state for the elections, hence its appeal that the decision be reconsidered. Falola also urged the students to maintain peace and cast their votes for candidates of their choice. He, however, told his colleagues to “unanimously say no to closure of campuses by the state government,” adding: “We are educated and can’t be used as politi-

cal thugs by any politician nor can we be cajoled to lose our votes at the coming elections.”

Group tasks INEC on free, fair polls Odinaka Uruakpa

non-governmental organisation, Society for Empowerment Advancement and Development, SEAD, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure

Witness faults agency’s report on Synagogue’s collapsed building Matthew Irinoye

geo-technical expert engineer, Joseph Folayan, yesterday faulted the report of Lagos State Material Testing Agency, which claimed that the collapsed guest house within the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, was caused by defects in its foundation. Folayan was testifying before the Coroner’s Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe. It would be recalled that the inquest was set up by the Lagos State government to investigate the September 12, 2014, building collapse, which left about 116 people dead. The agency had claimed

that its Structural Integrity Test on the six-storey building showed that it collapsed as a result of a defective foundation. However, Folayan, who was led in evidence by counsel to SCOAN, Mr Olalekan Ojo, maintained that the soil under the foundation of the collapsed building did not fail, adding that the report was an assumption based on his 45 years experience as a geo-technical engineer. “As a practising geo-technical engineer with over 45 years’ experience, it is my view that the soil under those foundation did not fail. “The pad used in the construction did not constitute a failure,” the witness said. According to the witness, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria,

COREN, is the only body that is legally bound to regulate the activities of any engineering practitioner in Nigeria. He said: “Engineers in the country should sit up so as to forestall any further occurrence of building collapse. Meanwhile, the court admitted as exhibits some documents tendered by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoye Ayinde. The documents included the approval plan for the main auditorium of the church as well as a general survey of the entire complex. Ojo, however, objected to their admission arguing that they were not of the collapsed building thus ir-

ess than 48 hours to the 2015 presidential election, a rights organisation under the auspices of Vote for Service Initiative has advised the Federal Government against deployment of soldiers for the elections, saying it was against the constitution of the country. The rights group at a press briefing yesterday in Lagos noted that only police officers are constitutionally allowed to provide security during election period, even as it called on Nigerians to cooperate and support security operatives to ensure a hitch-free election. President of the group, Barr Adeola Samuel Ilori, at the briefing said security of lives and properties was a collective responsibility and as such, everybody should play their civic responsibility

by complementing the efforts of security agencies. “It’s an indisputable fact that security of lives and properties is everybody’s business in a society and it is in this light that we want to enjoin the citizenry to be prepared to play their civic responsibility of complementing the efforts of security agencies on election days. “We also want to admonish the federal government to respect the provisions of the constitution which has been reemphasised time and time again with regards to the deployment of security agencies for elections. “The pronouncements of the courts are very clear with regards to the unconstitutional deployment of the military for purely civilian matter and we urge the government to abide by the tenets of the rule of law for the sake of our democracy and national peace,” Adeola said.

relevant to the inquest. According to him, SCOAN’s position has always been that it was processing permit for the building when the unfortunate incident occurred. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Okonkwo Victoria Chika, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANIKE VICTORIA CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary School Services Commission (PPSSC), Akwa and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Reuben Ikegwu Chijioke Chris, now wish to be known and addressed as IKEGWU CHIJIOKE CHRIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Olisa Francess Adaora, now wish to be known as FRANCESS OLISAOGBONNAYA. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Anambra State University,-* Igbariam, National Youth Service Corps and the general public, take note.

the presidential election slated this Saturday was free, fair and credible. President of the organisation, Esther Ebiere Gbonkumor, made the call in Lagos. She said for Nigeria’s nascent democracy to remain intact, the March 28 and April 11 elections must be free and fair. Gbonkumor, who described SEAD as an organisation involved in empowerment of the less privileged and indigent students across the country, said the group resolved to throw its weight behind the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan because

he has demonstrated that he is a true democrat through his words and actions. She noted that under the administration of President Jonathan, Nigeria has not witnessed any high profile political killings as was the trend prior to the Yar’Adua/ Jonathan presidency. “We thank God for that. But we are calling on politicians to control their supporters and ensure there are no violence before, during and after the elections,” she said. She also praised the triumph of the Nigerian Military against the Boko Haram insurgents, saying it is better late than never.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Independent Motorcyclists Association of Nigeria (the group formerly known as ANACOWA, Ikorodu) has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration of its Incorporated Trustees. The Trustees are: (1) Mr. Murisiku Adejuwon, (2) Mr. Oluwashanu Awolesi, (3) Mr. Nosiru Akilo, (4) Bayo Ogunrinde, (5) Mr. Godwin Etim, (6) Mr. Olamilekan Obisanya, (7) Mr. Taiwo Ogunsanwo, (8) Mr. Durodola Alade, (9) Mr. Peter Nworie,

(10) Adeniyi Hassan, (11) Olajide Obayomi, (12) Mr. Ramon Olotu, (13) Mr. Mutairu Yekinni, (14) Mr. Dauda Raji, (15) Mr. Julius Akpoyinbo, (16) Mr. Shamusideen Lawal, (17) Mr. Waheed Odugbose, (18) Mr. Sikiru Olaonipekun.

Aims and Objectives 1. To secure and promote the individual and collective economic interests of voluntary members. 2. To ensure the upliftment of the welfare and well-being of voluntary member operators. 3. To foster and promote interdependence and spirit of “one for all, all for one” among member operators, amongst other aims and objectives. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: TRUSTEES

South East

Thursday, March 26, 2015

MASSOB vows to vote out political stooges in S’East • Group urges Igbo to vote without fear Chris Njoku and Chidi Ugwu

ovement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MOSSOB, has said it will no longer be business as usual for candidates who would be representing Ndigbo in both House of Representatives and the Senate, as the Igbo nation needs political leaders who will occupy the seats to protect, project and defend the interest of Ndigbo in the National Assembly. Speaking at a rally in Okigwe, Imo State, yesterday, factional leader of MOSSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said political leaders who will occupy Ndigbo seats henceforth in the National Assembly must be people whose characters are impeccable, sound and determined to

confront the problems facing Ndigbo head-long. He said the movement decided to endorse Chief Athan Achonu as a result of “our conviction that he would not only represent the interest of politically backward Okigwe zone, but also join hands with strong-willed and determined Igbo elected leaders in the National Assembly to put the cause of Ndigbo at the front burner to demand the rights of the zone. The factional leader regretted that Ndigbo had for long suffered marginalisation due to the selfishness of their leaders, who preferred to be political stooges rather than boldly facing such causes that would put their names on the path of honour. “With the current political backwardness of Ndigbo in Nigeria, Ndigbo need credible, selfless,

consistent and strongwilled Igbo senators that would no longer be stooges or political errand boys to our enemies in Abuja,” he stated. According to the group, the incoming Igbo senators would no longer be a jamboree of benchwarmers in the National Assembly, but would be eloquent and bold in leading the political emancipation and revival of the political consciousness of Ndigbo. He advised all members of the movement and people of Okigwe zone to massively vote for Chief Achonu for political and economic development of the zone and good representation of Ndigbo in Abuja. Meanwhile, Concerned Visionary Igbo for Truth and Change, CVITC, a panIgbo advocacy group, has urged people of the South East living in any part of

the country to exercise their voting right without fear in tomorrow’s general election. National Chairman of the group, Odegba Solomon Eze, who made the call in a statement in Abuja, however, decried the purported consensus endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, by few individuals, saying such people were not speaking for all the Igbo. According to Eze, political affiliations are diverse among the people of the South East, hence no one group or groups can announce the endorsement of a particular candidate for the rest of the people. The group said the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, will unite Nigeria if voted into power.

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N5bn fraud: Court grants separate trial for Nnamani Wale Igbintade

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, requesting separate trial of former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, from other defendants in a N5 billion money laundering suit filed against him. Other accused persons in the criminal matter are his former aide, Sunday Onyekazur Anyaogu, and his six companies, which are Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile (Nig) Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital (Renaissance University) and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School. In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Yunusa agreed that there was need for the separation of the trial to avoid further delay in determination of the matter.” EFCC had in the application urged the court to separate Nnamani from

other accused persons so that his frequent medical trips abroad would no longer stall the trial of other accused persons. The separation, according to Justice Yunusa, will also not run contrary to the spirit of the Practice Direction of the Federal High Court rules. Shortly after the ruling, EFCC’s lawyer, Kevin Uzozie, sought an adjournment to enable the commission regularise the processes to reflect the latest development. The matter was subsequently adjourned till May 11, for mention. The case against Nnamani, who is seeking a return to the Senate under the platform of the People for Democratic Change, PDC, as a Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, has been on since 2007. EFCC in the application brought pursuant to Section 155 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2004, had prayed the court to allow the trial of Nnamani and his former aide, Sunday Onyekazur Anyaogu, to be conducted separately from the six companies charged along with them.

Enugu guber candidates sign gender pact Dennis Agbo ENUGU

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; representative of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Kate Omenugha and Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, during the 6th convocation lecture of the institution in Igbariam, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Police ban Imo Security Network, others from monitoring election Chris Njoku OWERRI

mo State Commissioner of Police, Austin Evbakhavbokun, yesterday banned all security outfits set up by Governor Rochas Okorocha from monitoring elections in Imo State, beginning from the presidential election

on Saturday. Speaking with newsmen in Owerri during his maiden press briefing at the Command Headquarters, Owerri, he warned that unapproved security outfits seen during the election would be arrested. The state government set up many security out-

fits such as Security Network, Imo Community Watch, Imo Orientation, and Imo Civil Guard, among others, to arrest some of the security challenges in the state. He said the police were prepared and ready for the election; adding that in partnership with all approved security agencies

such as Army, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs, SSS, the state would witness free, fair and troublefree elections. “We are, however, prepared to confront trouble makers, we are prepared and ready for the election and anybody who wants to commit crime would be dealt with seriously.”

en of the 19 governorship candidates in Enugu State have signed an undertaking, committing to prioritise gender equality if elected into office on April 11, 2014. The candidates include the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the All Progressives Congress, APC, deputy governorship candidate Juliet Ibekaku, Charles Ibe of the Independent Democrats, John-Martins Okolie of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, and Ifeoma Ukwuegbu of UDP. Others are Ifeoma Udeeze of MPPP, Ken Onyekaonwu of UPP, Christiana Amuche of. KOWA party, V.C. Odumejemba of NCP and Albert Udegbo of Accord Party. They agreed to sustain strategic support to ameliorate the challenges of women, youths and Persons Living With Disabilities, PLWD. The gender equality pact was entered into after the 10 candidates participated

in a gender accountability forum organised by Women Aid Collective, WACOL, with support from DFID funded voice for change programme, which took place in Enugu, yesterday. Part of the agreement reads: “To increase the number of women, youths and PLWD in leadership positions at all levels in the state. Empowerment of women, youths and PLWD to partake in decision making roles at the household level, elimination of all forms of gender based violence, especially girls and women.” The candidates appreciated the facts that despite the numerical strength and huge contributions to national development, Nigerian women are grossly under-represented in politics. They also noted that the image of a helpless, oppressed and marginalised group has undermined women’s proper worth and little recognition has been granted to various integral functions that Nigeria women have performed throughout history.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Olajide Omojolomoju

ivers State governor and DirectorGeneral of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi has raised alarm over an alleged plot by President Goodluck Jonathan to assassinate him on March 28, as he goes out to vote in his home town. Speaking to journalists in Lagos yesterday, Amae-

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Politics

I’ve been marked for assassination this Saturday –Amaechi alleges chi said he has already petitioned the President on the assassination plot and therefore President Jonathan should be held responsible if the assassination succeeds. He said: “I have gotten information that I should be assassinated on March 28. They have approved 30 soldiers to come from

82 Division and yesterday (Tuesday), they had what they call ‘recce’ in my village. The assassination team is to be led by an Army Major in the 82 Division, who hails from Idoma in Benue State. The plan was hatched between the Director-General, Department of State Security, DSS and the army and

the DSS has asked for military cover when they will come to my village. “When I got the information initially, I was not bothered; I felt it was from one of these rumours politicians peddle, until people from my village reported back to me last night that strange people came to the community; drove round

Coordinators of the Goodluck Mandate Worldwide, GMW, the Ani twins, Chidiebere and Chijioke sharing out items from the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, to members at an event in Lagos.

the community and left. And the person who gave me the information called me back and said they have come for what they call ‘recce’ in military parlance and by Thursday, I should be careful. “The informant suggested that I leave the country and I felt it would be cowardly to leave the country. If the President wants me dead, the first thing to do is to let the public know, before I am shot to death by the President and his people. Amaechi also alleged that the “Chief of Army Staf, General Minimah, who is from Rivers State, and from the same Opobo community as APC gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Peterside, had as at this morning (Wednesday) taken over Opobo town, with soldiers. He wants to deliver Opobo to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. So, he has sent soldiers to take over the entire place and in the same manner they have deployed soldiers to Rivers State.” The governor also al-

I’ll emerge victorious on Saturday –Buhari Ebere Ndukwu

ll progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday said he’s confident of winning Saturday’s presidential election. Speaking at the 7th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium, themed “Change: How it will Work,” Buhari noted that though “there is desperation in the PDP already,” he will not end up at the Supreme Court like other contest he participated in, urging the electorate to reflect careful on the situation of things

today from when the ruling party took over in 1999 as they go to the polls on Saturday. He said: “We have been trying since 2003 and this time, a look at the PDP government at the centre showed us that merger would be worthwhile to save the country. Now we have the APC and the fear of the APC is the beginning of wisdom in Nigeria.” Commending APC national leader, Bola Tinubu for creating a formidable opposition movement, Buhari, said Tinubu among others had shown exemplary leadership and the success now credited to

the party today. He noted that Nigerians never thought the merger was possible and rightly so given the political history of the country, adding: “But this merger, if there are two people responsible for it, they are Tinubu and Bisi Akande. They did it because their constituencies believed in them. “Our success as a party can only be undermined by people that are not among us. How we have conducted ourselves according to the law, from the merger, to the convention and till date, is huge. “I know that a lot of money has changed hands ahead of the Saturday

elections, but if we continue to motivate ourselves and mobilise our constituencies, victory is ours.” He said Tinubu had remained committed to the course that he believed in, adding that his tireless work and dedication has made him what he is. Tinubu in his speech said he already perceived the party’s victory at the poll, saying: “We approach the eve of a moment where, if allowed the freedom to express their sovereign will, the people will cast off the yoke of misgovernance. They will vote for a change that will usher in a new day for a new Nigeria - right before

our very eyes. “I already see it. If you have compassion for this nation that gave birth to you, you surely see it too.” Noting that it is time for the people to take decision, or it will never be taken, he added: “We must decide if compassion should speak more than corruption. This is the time to belief in something more profound and in a government that is coming and that government is APC. Let us all have faith. I’m filled with expectations of a more just society. History is upon us to make the needed change, otherwise history will make an unfavorable verdict on us.”

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leged that the shooting at Okrika was targeted at him, “but unfortunately for them, they didn’t realise that I was going to be stopped from going to Port-Harcourt, because I had to brief the leaders of the party on activities of the campaign. That was what saved my life.” He said his security has been depleted deliberately by the Federal Government, adding that he didn’t know it was a deliberate attempt to pave the way for the assassination plot. Amaechi said: “The information about my assassination first came that it will happen on February 14 and when it didn’t take place on February 14, I thought it was over. Now, I have received it again. This is the second time I am getting the information. The first one was a credible security source but not the army, but this time, the source is from the military. All of them are pointing at the DSS. It is now that we are being told that DSS is asking for military cover in case they attack me. He said the source told him that those at the meeting where the plot to assassinate him was hatched were security chiefs, adding that the source actually told him to watch out today. Declaring that he would not flee the country for his life, despite pleas from his wife and children to leave the country, Amaechi said he will not leave the country, despite the threat of assassination against him, because he believes that it is better to stay in the country to effect the change he believes in.

Politics

Chief Patrick Akpobolokemi is the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. He speaks with THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN on President Goodluck Jonathan’s achievements and why he should be re-elected in Saturday’s presidential election, among other issues. Excerpts:

Thursday, March 26, 2015

The beauty of democracy is opposition –Akpobolokemi, NIMASA boss The beauty of democracy is opposition. Democracy without opposition is

no democracy, but what

What is the significance of this festival? This is one of the greatest festivals we have in the Ijaw land that unites the Ijaw people wherever they may be. It shows our culture, our heritage, who we are and it is intended to bring about unity and prosperity of the Ijaws. What’s the purpose of presenting President Goodluck Jonathan’s picture before Amaseikumor (Mother of all Ijaws)? Leadership is a tedious task, thus one requires prayers to succeed. Even to lead your village or family, you require the prayers and the support of your people. The job of the President is a very hectic one; he needs the prayer of everybody. Our President needs the prayer of those in the traditional system, those in the churches and those of the Muslims. So we should wish him well, pray for him to have the strength, the courage to do the things that are going to make God and Nigerians happy. Whether you are a Christian, or a Muslim or any other forms of religion you believe in, he still needs the support of everybody which minds are geared towards making progress for the country. I think this is what essentially the people are doing. Wishing him well that God should give him the strength, the courage to work hard enough and harder and harder for the good of the people of Nigeria. Why do you think that President Jonathan deserves another term? There is no President in the history of this country that can match the Jonathan administration in terms of performance in the last four years. The railway sector was comatose for over 20 years plus, it is being revived, the maritime sector was also comatose, it is being revived. This is the only President in this country that took the courage to sign the Freedom of Information Bill. This is the President that has aligned himself totally to democratic tenets. This is the President that understands the true meaning and value of democracy. This is the President who is humble, humane and compassionate, who do not treat one unequally on the basis of religion, political party or tribe one belongs. He is a unifying factor, model, young, courageous, dynamic, and enterprising. His heart is full of purity, as pure as a white cloth. And that is the kind of leader we need at this point in time. From our last population record, we are above 150 million. We are not saying out of this 150 million Nigerians that President Jonathan is the best, what we are saying is that for those who have come out to serve, we have not seen any record that can match his achievements and what he stands for. This is why he has to be supported so that those things that he has started should be consolidated and Nigeria should be on the path of progress. We do not want to go backward but forward. This is why Nigerians want him back. That is why the clamour for President Jonathan is growing by the day, and that is why majority of Nigerians are in support. He has a divine blessing; his ascendance to power is divine. You can trace how he became a deputy governor, from deputy governor to governor, from governor to vice president, from vice president to acting President, from acting President to President. This should tell you that this man has the blessing and support of God. And if God says yes, who can say no? I don’t have the capacity to say no nor people in this region or surroundings of Nigeria would say no because everyone would want to align with God.

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we want in opposition is constructive engagement

yam and a goat together, one cannot stop the goat from eating the yam. So, it is to separate the yam from the goat or the goat from the yam. That is what Mr. President is doing. He is causing digital revolutions in accounting systems across the country in ministries, agencies and in government. The Minister of Finance came out to say that “Mr. President has been able to reduce the level of corruption to the least minimum because of the computerisation system that is ongoing, because of the software application being used. Is that not better than allowing one to steal then one goes after them? That is what the President has done and will keep doing. The idea is to get to a zero corruption free society. That is the idea.

Akpobolokemi

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What do you think is responsible for the strong opposition against Jonathan’s re-election bid, unlike in 2011 when he enjoyed overwhelming support from Nigerians? The beauty of democracy is opposition. Democracy without opposition is no democracy, but what we want in opposition is constructive engagement, constructive criticism born out of patriotic desires to move Nigeria forward. If one is opposing because he or she has a selfish motive, then that opposition becomes questionable. Nigeria is a large country there are always rooms for divergent opinions. We know that the overwhelming opinion is that Nigerians asked Mr. President to come back to continue the good work he has started and complete them. Are you satisfied with the President’s approach in the fight against corruption? Mr. President has done wonderfully well almost in all the sectors. In the fight against corruption, he has taken the anti-corruption crusade to a different level. The thing is, stopping corruption is far better than taking people to prison, arresting people and detaining them, all we need do is to stop the corruption practices from happening. And that is exactly what Mr. President has done and continues to do. For instance, the fertilizer scam in decades, we all know that to get fertilizers to the men and women who need them was almost an impossible task. There was so much racketeering, but today as we speak, that is a thing of the past. The President has stopped it from happening. Instead, the concentration should be an approach that is going to solve the corruption, because if one should put

What are the major achievements you can point to as Director-General of NIMASA under the present administration? Whatever NIMASA has been able to achieve is because Mr. President is alive to fulfill his responsibilities. In fact, the person to give these credits is Mr. President. We have come up with the Maritime University. Never in the history of Nigeria can one come up with a university, and a federal university for that matter without Mr. President’s approval. NIMASA would not have been able to establish the Maritime University if Mr. President was aversed to it? It is practically impossible. The shipyard is being floated; roof construction works are ongoing as we speak. Over 2,500 Nigerian youths are in different parts of the world on scholarship courtesy of Mr. President through NIMASA in various fields in the maritime sector like Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Naval Architecture etc. This is unprecedented in the history of this country. Few years from now, Nigeria is going to be the shaker and mover of human capacity in the maritime industry all over the world. What is stopping the university from taking off? A university is a process. It is not a definition in terms of time. A university starts with the process of government approval and a process of appointment of required board’s management. A university has so many processes. The principle has been established, accepted and approved by Mr. President. We are now going into the actualisation phase because the President is passionate about this university. He decided to approve the takeoff of the university from a temporary centre which we are working towards. What should Nigerians expect from NIMASA in the years ahead? Nigerians should expect the local tonnage built, increased and improved. Also, Nigerians should see human capacity evolving and taking appropriate shapes in the maritime industry in the country. Nigerians should see the maritime sector free from piracy, sea robbery. Nigerians should see a sector that is promising, that can add to the GDP which could employ thousands of Nigerians to create good quality facilities and equipment for our people.

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Politics

Thursday, March 26, 2015

APGA women support Jonathan –Umeh Obiora Ifo ABUJA

head of the general elections,All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, women have called on Nigerians and women in particular, to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and APGA National

Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, who is running for the Anambra Central senatorial seat. APGA National Woman Leader, Ezinne Agbiogwu, who stated this in a press statement issued in Abuja yesterday said both President Jonathan and Umeh have championed the cause of women and deserve the support of the

women folk through their votes. She said: “The facts are there for all to see that no President before President Jonathan has given women so much visibility in government. “President Jonathan did not just give women visibility but ensured that the 35 per cent affirmative action given to women

was in key sensitive positions, which most of them have excelled.” Agbiogwu said she was convinced that President Jonathan can do better for women and Nigerians in general, if given the mandate again on March 28. Arguing that “having seen the intentions of this man, his patriotic zeal, passion to transform

Nigeria and what he has done across all sectors, APGA women have decided to appeal to Nigerians to vote for this gentleman once again,” she appealed to Anambrarians to also vote massively for Umeh for the Central senatorial seat. She added: “All APGA women wish we can leave our states of origin and

places of domicile to go to Anambra Central to vote for Umeh because he is an achiever in all ramifications. “Umeh transformed APGA from a regional party to a national party, and his support for women has been commendable and exemplary, and he can only do better.”

Polls: Yoruba urged to shun hate campaign Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

s Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Muraina Ajibola, has urged stakeholders in Yorubaland to refrain from desecrating the rich culture of the race. He gave the advice in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while speaking with journalists against the backdrop of politicians speaking vulgar languages against one another under the pretext of campaigning for votes. He said: “Though we are in political times, our rich culture enjoins us to respect and honour our elders and never abuse or disrespect them.” Observing that of all the numerous tribes in the country, Yoruba stand out as one of the three biggest, he said: “They are unique with regard to how they accord honour, dignity and respect to their elders.” The Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), also charged youths to do everything within their powers to protect and preserve the very rich culture of the race,

Wale Igbintade

econd republic politician and one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Guy Ike Ikokwu, has declared that the outcome of Saturday election would be decided by the South-West zone of the country. Speaking on the election, he said Lagos and the entire western region have significant role to play, because they have lots of educated people and people who are economically buoyant.

notwithstanding politics and politicking. Muraina charged all not to allow the influence of money, position and politics to make them conduct themselves in any manner that amounts to an abuse or ridicule to “our highly revered and cherished elders,” stating that since power is transient, the Yoruba race should not allow their elders to be rubbished under the guise of partisanship. The lawmaker representing Ibarapa Central/ North federal constituency then called for peaceful conduct by all stakeholders during the coming elections, saying: “There is no need shedding blood if truly we want to serve our people. Politics should not be a do or die game, let us maintain law and order throughout the exercise”. Muraina who is seeking re-election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while commending the Ibarapa people for their loyalty to him and commitment to the Federal Government, assured that they would not regret voting for the party in March and April this year.

Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kebbi State, Mr. Abdullahi Zarewa (middle), inspecting sensitive election materials being off-loaded in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PDP confident of sweeping S’West votes Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

outh-West Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday expressed confidence that it would emerge victorious in the region and Nigeria as a whole in Saturday’s elections. PDP National ViceChairman, South-West,

Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said the Yoruba nation would vote for President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure development of the country and implementation of the National Conference report where the people of the South-West among others have made known their needs.

March 28 poll’ll be decided by S’West –Ikokwu Describing the zone as a game changer, Ikokwu said: “I am happy that most people in the western zone have said the only condition they will support any of the presidential candidates is if they agree to implement the recommendations of the national conference within their first year in office. This means they have placed their demands on issues and not on personalities.” On the tension generated by the election, Ikokwu called on the political actors to con-

centrate on issues and not personalities, adding: “The present tension is generated because we have moved towards a two party system. In a situation where there is money play and there is no restriction to the amount of money used for campaigns. In a situation where you have lot of unemployed youths, when you give them money they do what you want them to do. We should appeal to the political actors that shedding of life is really not worth it’’. On the deployment of

soldiers during the election, Chief Ikokwu said that Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s sensitive materials, its officials as well as its ad-hoc staff needed special security during the general elections. He said: “There has to be a differentiation, military is just one of the security forces but we have other security agents that use weapons. Without security most of the ad-hoc staff of INEC, most of the sensitive materials of the commission cannot be protected.”

Ogundipe said in a chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti that “voting for PDP will make things happen for Yoruba people. It is about a change of the Nigerian constitution, to restructure the country, to re-distribute wealth, to re-organise the country and allow resources to go round.” The PDP chieftain said that last year’s National Conference and the implementation of it’s over 600 recommendations “are the pillars of unity of the country”. He said that Nigeria was lucky that despite the machinations of some people, the conference held and vital recommendations that could help in moving the nation forward were taken. While praising President Jonathan’s decision to implement the recom-

mendations of the conference, Ogundipe said: “We thank our leaders who ably represented the Yoruba nation at the confab. The current structure which destroyed the federating units is totally unacceptable. “Before 1966, the regions were allowed to develop at their own paces. The coup of 1966 changed all that. Regional development gave us the Cocoa House, Premier Hotel, first television station in Africa, first university in Nigeria, the Oodua conglomerate, free education, textile industry among others. “Those who love this country and are concerned about its progress and continued well-being know that real federalism is the antidote to our numerous challenges. A vote for President Jonathan will allow the good work to continue.”

Politics

Olajide Omojolomoju

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has said that two days to the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections, the Goodluck Jonathan administration is grasping at straws in its belated effort to avert the defeat staring it in the face. At a press conference addressed by the party’s National Publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, yesterday, APC said that three days to the presidential and National Assembly elections, and with electioneering campaign is due to end today, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Jonathan administration, since the commencement of campaigns has “dwelt less on issues and more on mudslinging.” It said: “In particular, it has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at our pres-

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Jonathan’s administration grasps at straws –APC

idential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. “They said he does not have a secondary school certificate, even when the school he attended publicly released his results. They said he is suffering from a terminal disease, even when it was clear that the medical report they used to back that claim was forged. They said he won’t be the one to rule, they said he will approve same-sex law, they said he will jail all Nigerians and they call him a religious bigot. “They commissioned and ran the most untruthful and irresponsible documentary ever made, just to demonise him.” Mohammed added that

when the muckraking failed, woefully, because the stock of Buhari rose in direct proportion to the mudslinging he was subjected to, the opposition commissioned an American media man, Richard Grenell, who they fraudulently called a former US envoy, to write an uninformed opinion piece that General Buhari would Islamise Nigeria if he is elected. He said that had Grenell not in a hurry to earn his pay, he would have engaged in a little logical thinking that a man who, as a military leader with little checks and balances, had every opportunity to take the country to the Organisation of Islamic Confer-

ence, OIC, or introduced the Sharia if he so wished, but did not, could not be characterised as a religious bigot. He said: “A man who rose to the lofty height of a General in the army could not have been a religious bigot, because no religious bigot will reach that height in the military. Of course, no religious bigot will have among his personal staff adherents of a different religion from his, and give them Sundays offso they can go to church!” Accusing the PDP of out of desperation resorting to lies and frittering away millions of Naira, APC said that after commissioning Grenell to write his misleading and unintelligent article, “PDP then went

ahead to advertise the trash on the front page of many newspapers for several days, at a huge cost of more than N400 million! “There is no better illustration of the idiomatic expression: Grasping at straws! Left with nothing more to use against Buhari, it held on tight and celebrated what is nothing but trash!” Muhammed said Grenell was never a US envoy, as claimed by PDP, but a

L-R: Wife of Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Mrs. Angela Folarin; Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe and First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, during the PDP women rally in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ome ethnic nationality groups in Nigeria, including the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, and the Ijaw Coalition Group, ICG, yesterday reiterated its conviction that President Goodluck Jonathan would be re-elected in Saturday’s presidential election. The groups made the declaration at a joint mega rally to seek more support for President Jonathan at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. The rally which kicked off with a walk from the Toll Gate area of Lagos metropolis saw the groups dancing through the popular Ikorodu Road/Western Avenue, leaving a heavy

Polls: OPC, Ijaw groups, others say Jonathan’s chances very bright traffic gridlock behind it. The various nationality groups, colourfully dressed in t-shirts embossed with pictures of Jonathan and Vice President namadi Sambo, were seen having a mild competition as each group rendered songs of praise for the Jonathan’s administration in their native languages. The groups also included some Igbo, Northern and Efik groups. Speaking at the rally on “Why Nigerians Want Jonathan Back,” OPC founder, Dr Frederick Fasehun said that people wanted Jonathan back because the President re-

mained the best fit for the job. He said: “Aside from his peaceful nature, Jonathan, has achieved so much for Nigeria and should be allowed to consolidate on it. “Like I always said, the Jonathan administration was under sold. Nigerians were not aware that of all the leaders that ruled this country, Jonathan is the best. “Not many people know that in four years, the Jonathan administration established 12 universities and built 120 Almajeri schools. “Travelling from Lagos to Benin which before the present administration

could take days is now without hassle.” Spokesman for Ijaw groups, Mr Fiyebo Eperetei said that they believe the President’s performance would lead him to victory, adding: “The President has made remarkable achievements by systematically curbing corruption in Nigeria and blocking drainpipes in his reforms of the various sectors of the nation’s economy. “There is need for the administration to consolidate on these achievements hence the need for continuity. “We have no doubt that the President will emerge victorious on Saturday.”

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spokesman for a US Ambassador to the UN, adding that Wikipedia listed his occupation as speechwriter and lobbyist, who also served briefly as Mitt Romney’s spokesman when he was a Republican presidential candidate, and was disgraced out of the job!

Ndigbo, Kwara indigenes in Lagos back APC Ayo Esan

Ayo Esan

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n Igbo group under the aegis of Association for the Defense of Igbo Interest in Lagos, ADIIL, has warned Igbo indigenes living in Lagos not to be deceived by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that Igbo interest will be protected if President Goodluck Jonathan is re-elected. He urged Igbos across the country to vote en-masse for the APC in the state and at the federal level in the forthcoming elections because it is the only party that can protect their interest. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Chairman of the group, Chief Chris Nwaokobia, said the PDP-led Federal Government is frantically inciting Ndigbo to fight their hosts, the Yoruba, for selfish interest of winning the election, noting that there was no significant federal investment in Igbo land since the Jonathan government came into power six years ago. He said: “And the state of infrastructures in Igboland remains horrible even with several unfulfilled promises by Jonathan government. “Our fate with the PDPled Federal Government, even in things that should be rightly ours in the Nigerian federation has been endless stories of lies, deceit and fraud played on the Igbo nation. “Igbo land is where fuel sells at the highest price and where supply of dwindling light is at its very worst.

“Our roads remains the worst in the federation as Igbos find it difficult to move from one state to the other especially during rainy seasons.” He called on Igbos across the country to vote enmasse for the APC in the states and at the federal level in the forthcoming elections. Nwaokobia said that Igbos had resolved to vote for the continuity in Lagos state and to vote for change at the federal level. Also Kwara State indigenes residing in Lagos has denied giving their support to the PDP in Lagos, countering that it was a mere rumour. Speaking in Lagos yesterday at a press briefing, Chief Coordinator of Kwara indigenes, Prince Ahmed Ajikobi, admitted constant visits from the PDP but said the group has always refuse the party’s persuasion, adding that Kwarans residents in Lagos are for the APC. He said: “We Kwara indigenes living and trading in Lagos have agreed to support APC in all the 2015 elections. We have seen and benefitted from the good governance APC is administering both in Lagos where we live and Kwara where we come from. “We have been part of the party and its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, is our leader no matter how frequent PDP parades our homes, shops and offices, we are casting our votes for all APC candidates.”

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Views

Thursday, March 26, 2015

The authentic change Nigeria needs EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

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

e have had about 16 years of uninterrupted democracy after decades of military interregnum. It was a big relief to Nigerians after what amounted to suffocating military dictatorship. Military regime, is by its nature unaccountable to anyone.The assumption is that it achieves legitimacy by brute force. The only opposition it could have is from another set of ambitious military officers in the barrack. The well established doctrine of Esprit de Corp in the military has prevented self probe. The civilians are too scared to do that knowing what the repercussion could be The emergence of democracy is, therefore, a great relief to both Nigeria and the international community, but things have not moved as fast as is expected. There has not been ascendancy in the promotion of public good since the nation returns to civil rule. Foremost, it was the Niger Delta militants that battled the government against the monumental injustice that the area had suffered for decades. It was a battle royale, but at the end of

the day the nation lost a lot in resources. However, peace was accomplished in the region at a high cost through the institution of the post amnesty programme of empowerment of the region’s youths. Shortly after the easing out of the malfeasance in the Niger Delta region, kidnappers went on rampage in the country, especially in the South East region, where people living outside the zone stopped coming homes. Those with aged parents had to relocate them as these merchants of evil men did not discriminate between the young and olds in executing their nefarious activities. Their consciences began and ended with their targeted ransoms. Then the biggest security challenge: Boko Haram insurgency. What started as an irritant gradually became a monster that threatened the cooperate existence of the country. The insurgency wreaked grave collateral havoc on the country – thousands of lives perished, economies of many states destroyed and social service delivery and infrastructures collapsed. It is surprising how the insurgents succeeded in amassed so much terror capacity in the North East region of the country. It was a real humiliation for the nation’s military. Thank God that our gallant soldiers were able to redeem their image with the arrival of heavy and sophisticated arsenals. But while Nigerians are celebrating the success of our gallant soldiers, hoping that the end has come for Boko Haram, others think otherwise. It is for this overwhelming challenge that

THERE HAS NOT BEEN ASCENDANCY IN THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC GOOD SINCE THE NATION RETURNS TO CIVIL RULE many Nigerians think that there is the need for urgent and permanent solution to the problem in the land. Whatever measures on ground, to me are a piecemeal approach that will soon evaporate. Eminent jurist and activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, sharing this sentiment, was quoted as saying that the 2015 general elections would not usher in the “desired orderly transition‘’. He made his view known at a forum entitled ‘Discussion on the state of Lagos’ organised by the Free Lagos group. He stressed that the potential of Nigeria could still not be achieved by just wrestling power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Believing that God will intervene to restructure Nigeria, he was unequivocal that neither the ruling People Democratic Party nor the All Progressives Congress had good fate about the future of Nigeria. He wondered how parties without discerning ideology could usher in any meaning change. I humbly concur with this submission. While there is the desire to sustain

our nascent democracy, there is also the strong urge that what can save this country from a great catastrophe is a complete restructuring of the polity in line with the recommendation of the 2014 National Constitutional Conference that was convened by President Goodluck Jonathan. That was the thrust of the gathering of the Yoruba nation recently both in Lagos and Ibadan. The meeting, given the seriousness of the matter at stake, set aside divergent political view and agenda. On the incoming election, while the Lagos Forum declared tacit support for the reelection bid of President Jonathan, the Ibadan meeting accused the president of marginalising the Southwest, a development it said would make it difficult for him to enjoy the support of the people of the zone. The Lagos Forum asserted that the Yoruba’s support for the reelection bid of Mr. President was hinged on his pledge to implement the recommendations of the National Conference.The Ibadan conference, while refusing to endorse the re-election bid of President Jonathan, however, favoured restructuring and devolution of power. It said that the centre “with many resources at its disposal than it has capacity to manage’’ is a burden on the nation. Most Nigerians share this sentiment. The restructuring of the polity is the imperative needed to guarantee a measure of stability, peace and the much needed economic progress the country requires.

Setting agenda for either Jonathan or Buhari

ithin the next 48 hours, Nigerian electorate, armed with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), will exercise their franchise and elect a “new” president. The Judgment Day is here! The people of Nigeria are ready to invoke their prerogative in deciding who leads them. Will it be incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan or challenging Gen. Muhammdu Buhari (rtd)? This is the era of “change” and “continuity, the mantra the two leading parties bandy about with passion. Ironically, both the said leading parties want the two oxymoronic terms simultaneously. The All Progressive Congress (APC) wants “continuity” in Lagos State and “change” at the presidential level. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants “change” in Lagos State and “continuity” of the presidency. Who said these are not interesting times? Both Jonathan and Buhari have their areas of strength which the nation can benefit from, and of course, each has its own respective Achilles’ heel. One interesting thing is that neither of them is new to Nigerians, one has ruled us before and the other is still doing so. This should, at least, guide us in the quest to exercise our votes wisely. The respective salability of these candidates is not, however, the primary concern of this piece, rather the intent here is to set agenda for our ‘newly elected’ President. The first thing we will expect our next president to address is the problem of terrorism and insecurity. The challenges we have traditionally braved on insecu-

WE WANT A SITUATION WHERE TERRORISM WILL

“NEVER AGAIN”

BE OUR PERENNIAL HEADACHE rity like armed robbery, ritual killing, extra-judicial murder etc paled considerably against virulent onslaught of mass killings and bombing as bombs and IEDs keep exploding all over the landscape. Thank goodness that signs are on the wall that the problem is receding with the unprecedented onslaught against the hitherto invincible Boko Haram insurgents. But we want a permanent end to this pernicious menace. We want a situation where terrorism will “never again” be our perennial headache. We believe the battle against terrorism can be won if the right strategies and inflexible will are combined. Next on the agenda is the imperative to implement our socio-economic rights, which the framers of our constitution had the good fortune to insert in Chapter Two of that sacred document. Many Nigerians may be surprised to know that we don’t have to add a single clause, even one jot to the constitution to realise the kind of fair, people-focused and just society we crave for. All provisions needed to realise this are already provided for under the heading tagged ‘Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’ in the 1999 Constitution. We will appeal to our next President to cast aside the apathetic attitude often

been displayed by our rulers towards the provision of the said chapter. If the provisions are implemented to the letter and spirit, Nigerians will have access to good and qualitative education, adequate means of livelihood, infinite opportunities for suitable employment and facilities for leisure. Many nations have done this and Nigeria has the means and resources and capacity to do same if the political willpower is there. Granted such a developmental state will not happen overnight, but we can be moving there gradually. Thirdly, democracy is said to be the best form of government, so when this so-called superior political system is entrenched in a socio-political clime, it is natural to expect realisations of some values reflecting the essence of human deepest cravings. These, ideally, should include civil freedoms and liberties, rule of law, social order and due process. Accordingly, we want our incoming President to place great premium on these time-honoured ideals. Due process should be followed in all operations of government. If the rule of law is entrenched where there is no sacred cow, it will be easy to fight corruption. This brings us to the last point, the issue of corruption itself. Since the return of the nation to democracy in 1999, successive governments have devised their own way to fight corruption, but the reports after of many credible and neutral international agencies have continued to show that corruption has not abated in the coun-

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

try. Not that Nigerians living at home need any report to know that corruption has become endemic; the realities we face daily are enough evidence. But we want president that will emerge in this Saturday presidential election to take up the gauntlet against corruption in an unprecedented ways because it is a battle that could be won. But before all these, the elections themselves, beginning from the presidential one this Saturday, must be free, fair, credible and peaceful. Professor Atahiru Jega and his cohorts must not fail to successfully ensure that genuine representatives of the people are installed in offices. Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday March 26, 2015

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

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

Snatching Budget 2015 from jaws of politics

udget, as a very important tool in governance, reflects the economic policies of nations. It is about the second most important document after the constitution of any nation, and signifies a major expression of the constitution and other statutes deployed in the operations of any legitimate government. In better organised democracies, the process of preparing annual budgets is considered as a crucial national assignment. In the United Kingdom and the United States, for instance, budget preparation commences almost 12 months ahead of the coming fiscal year to create ample opportunity for robust debate on the document in the parliament. In Nigeria, unfortunately, the reverse is the case. Budget implementation that ordinarily should commence from January 1 each year does not start until the end of the first quarter of every year, sometimes beyond. The implementation, which is often very disappointing, also spills over to the next year. We have had budget delays, but that of 2015 surpasses explanation. The N4.3 trillion 2015 Appropriation Bill, like many before it, has been stuck in the National Assembly since December 18, 2014, when the Minister of Finance and Coordinating

Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala forwarded it to the lawmakers. It does appear that the delay in passing it is most likely traceable mainly to the pre-occupation of the legislators with their re-election campaigns, a development that probably denied them ample time to penetratingly scrutinise the bill in view of the slump in global oil prices and the concomitant devaluation of the naira, especially. The House of Representatives, for example, through a unanimous vote on March 12, 2015, shifted the passing of the budget till March 31. But public expectation had been that the bill would be passed on that day (March 12). Deputy spokesman of the House, Victor Ogene, claimed the Reps deferred passing the Appropriation Bill to give room for the appropriation committees of the Senate and the House to meet with the Minister of Finance and agree on a little adjustment to the document. Ogene said the Senate okayed $52 per barrel as the oil revenue benchmark, while the House of Representatives settled for $54, warranting a harmonization conference by the two chambers that eventually agreed on $53 as consensus benchmark; and the need for them to put heads together with the Finance Minister.

WITH BUDGET DELAY IN A COUNTRY THAT SETS ASIDE LESS THAN

30 PER CENT OF ITS ANNUAL VOTE FOR

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, LITTLE OR NOTHING IS ACHIEVED AT THE END OF EVERY YEAR But for whatever reasons the passage of Appropriation Bills to laws in the country is routinely delayed, we consider the incorrigible habit a grave disservice to the nation. Experts have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the lag between the beginning of the year and the time budgets are passed and implemented encourages corruption and makes it difficult to track budget performance. This is notwithstanding the disputable position of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, that delay in passing budgets does not affect the economy because the Constitution of the country makes provisions to accommodate expenditures on government projects and payment of salaries. With budget delay in a country that sets aside less than 30 per

cent of its annual vote for capital expenditure, little or nothing is achieved at the end of every year by way of development of vital infrastructure, making the economy vibrant, creating jobs, et cetera. Indeed, ours has remained a country where less than 40 percent of the little capital expenditure is achieved yearin-year-out; where government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) scarcely return unspent budgetary allocation to the treasury at the end of each fiscal year as the law requires; and where technical core bureaucrats entrusted with budget implementation are suffused in corrupt and sharp practices. It is perplexing that the same National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, which called for the necks of President Goodluck Jonathan and OkonjoIweala two years ago because of poor capital budget performance has been tolerant of the long delay in the consideration and passage of the 2015 Appropriation Bill. The National Assembly should address the public impression that it is only when it has an axe to grind with the Presidency that it takes some of its responsibilities seriously. Its lackluster handling of budget matters is objectionable.

ON THIS DAY

March 26, 1997

March 26, 1999

Thirty-nine bodies were found in the Heaven’s Gate mass suicides. Heaven’s Gate was an American UFO religious Millenarian group based in San Diego, California, United States, founded in the early 1970s and led by Marshall Applewhite (1931–1997) and Bonnie Nettles (1927–1985). On March 26, 1997, police discovered the bodies of 39 members of the group who had committed mass suicide.

The ‘Melissa worm’ infected Microsoft word processing and e-mail systems around the world. Melissa virus is a mass-mailing macro virus. But it was not a stand-alone programme. The virus infected about 20 percent of computers worldwide. David L. Smith, who was linked with the virus, was jailed 10 years on his arrest and prosecution in the United States. He served 20 months, and was fined $5,000.

March 26, 2010 The ROKS Cheonan sank off the west coast of South Korea near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 seamen. ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772) was a South Korean Pohang-class corvette of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), commissioned in 1989. An investigation conducted by an international team of experts said it was sunk by a torpedo launched by a North Korean Yeono class miniature submarine.

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Education Today Thursday, March 26, 2015

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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

Tunbosun Ogundare

ontrary to their earlier position that they would not participate as members of adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the forthcoming general elections, many of the National Youth Service Corps members are now set for the job. Now, two days away to the commencement of the elections beginning with the presidential poll, the corps members believe that their contributions at this critical stage of the nation’s democratic journey will make the results of the election more credible. INEC put the number of those interested and had been trained so far for the exercise at about 134,000 nationwide. Toyosi Kolade, a graduate of Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife is one of them. A young promising lady who is serving in Enugu State is excited about her participation in the exercise notwithstanding the perceived risk. “The excitement is not because I am in the eastern part of the country which is less prone to political violence and not also because of the allowance which is between N1, 500 and N3, 000 daily. It is for my love for the country. I see my participation as a clarion call to serve my fatherland after all the allowance is not commensurable to the work involved. Apart from that, I will also gain a job experience through the exercise,” Kolade said. She however promised to discharge her responsibilities during the exercise faithfully. Similarly, Akujobi Kelechi, a Physics graduate from the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Kemi Busari, a graduate of OAU, are also warming up for the exercise. Busari in particular is happy about the national assignment, saying the offer is a great honour for him. He buttressed his point with the NYSC anthem which calls on

Why we accepted INEC job —Corps members ... claim love for country as parents plead caution

Corps members on duties as electoral officers youths to obey the clarion call for service, saying answering INEC call this time around will boost his credential. This is not the first time Busari who is doing his primary assignment as a classroom teacher in Kaduna State would be participating as a temporary electoral officer in the general elections. He participated in the 2011 elections even as an undergraduate. “Even though that was in Osun

WAEC to adopt computerbased exams –Registrar 21

State where there was no record of post-election violence, I am also optimistic that this year’s own will also be violence-free at least in Kaduna State. There has been intense awareness campaign against electoral violence in the state in the last three months,” he said. “But in case crisis happens at my voting booths, I will vacate the scene immediately and run to a safe place.” Unlike Busari and thousand

others who are only waiting for the D-days, several other corps members will not participate in the exercise. Their non participation according to investigations is hinged on fear of possible attack if there is break down of law and order during the exercise. Although, INEC has assured those who are participating that there is no cause for such fear, still many don’t take such promises serious. The Chairman of the com-

Plights of Nigerian graduates without certificates

mission, Prof Attahiru Jega has emphasised on the promise, saying INEC has liaised with the security operatives and traditional leaders to ensure the safety of corps members. He also advised the corps members themselves to be their own chief security officers. But that they should not move with election materials without security escort and should seek refuge in a nearest security formation-the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Religion, science can work together —Don 20

Education Today

Katsina pays highest salary for primary school teachers —SUBEB chair James Danjuma KATSINA

eachers in public primary schools in Katsina State receive the highest salary package above their counterparts in other states of the federation and the capital territory. The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Aminu Danbaba stated this in an interview with newsmen, saying the development was part of government’s resolve to ensure better package for primary school workers. He said government’s expectation for doing that was to use it as a good motivation for better performances, which is expected to translate to improved quality at that level of education. “The measure has equally made the teaching job more attractive to good hands,” he added. He however noted that the state under its in-house teachers’ training programme had trained about 1,360 teachers monthly on teaching techniques. He promised that the training would be sustained and covered all primary schools across the 34 council areas of the state. Apart from rehabilitating over 100 primary schools and providing them with learning materials, the government according to Dambaba has equally built some new classrooms.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

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Religion, science can work together —Don Tunbosun Ogundare

Professor of African Religion and Traditions at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, USA, Jacob Olupona has said that what Nigeria needs to develop appreciably was a social and cultural revolution that recognises the benefits of our native knowledge system. He made the assertion while delivering the 2015 Foundation Day lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) last week. He spoke on “God is in the laboratory: Religion, science and the search for knowledge in Nigeria.” Prof. Olupona said even though faith and reason complement each other, religious knowledge and practice without scientific reasoning is incomplete.

He said since there was significant relationship between faith and science, effort should be geared towards bringing the two together to fight ignorance and promote deep knowledge for the benefit of mankind. The guest lecturer noted that religion was not only about spirituality but also included some rational practices, including understanding of herbal knowledge and medical science. He pointed out that the development crisis Nigeria is facing today is due to the neglect of most of its cultural values and traditions, citing India, China, Brazil and Asian society in general as examples of countries that gained their economic strength from traditions. The don who called on government and people of Nigeria to value the strength of

primordial civilisation by reviving the dying cultural heritage of the country said archival material suggests that Europeans were deeply interested in African medicine. He however warned against the neglect of medical facilities by promoting faith alone. According to him, “If we limit our understanding of spirituality to prayers and charismatic expression alone and ignore science and engineering studies, we won’t get anywhere as a country hence the need to make use of the two elements to make the country attains greater heights.” In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola thanked the lecturer for what he called eyes opener and urged him to continue to shine in his chosen field. L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola EKITI State University overall best graduating student, Mr. Olamide Tawose and Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oladipo Aina during the institution’s convocation ceremony, recently.

Politician gives scholarship to 1,500 students Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

o fewer than 1,500 students drawn from across the tertiary institutions in the country have been offered scholarship awards to support their educational pursuits by the Oyo State governorship candidate of the Social Democracy Party (SDP), Mr. Oluseyi Makinde. They included physically challenged persons Makinde while speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State said “as leaders, we owe it a duty to support the youth to be the best they can be by encouraging them and to guide them in the right direction through our actions and inactions”. He recalled that as a student at the Bishop Philips Academy, Ibadan, he enjoyed free education which propelled him to greater height thus making him to rank among the best global expert in the field of oil fluid and metering anywhere. According to him, the policy of the then government that no child must be left behind at graduating class in the primary school level then made all of them to be promoted to higher school without going through the rigour of writing common entrance examination, a development he said made many people to be skeptical about their future. Makinde who graduated with the best result in the history of the school until 2001 when the record was broken, said he instituted a scholarship in year 2000 that whoever was able to break his academic records at WAEC level would be rewarded with free university education to pursue a course of his or her choice.

‘Why we accepted INEC job’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 police, military and paramilitary offices in case of distress. But to some, that INEC plans and promises are not convincing enough for their participation. For example, Mariam Afolabi, a computer science graduate from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa said her life was more important than the elections. “I would have participated if not for the security challenges facing the country particularly in the north,” she said. Experience has shown that Nigerian government cannot be trusted fully on their words not only in terms of securing lives and property but also in other areas of life. That is the only thing that discourages me.” She told National Mirror that two of her friends serving in Sokoto State were entertaining similar fear and had concluded to return to Ibadan today where they believe they will be secured even if crisis occurs. “So, it is better to stay alive and witness next administration than to die senseless death like those who lost their lives in 2011,” she stressed. “If not for that, I will as well participate.” Like Afolabi, Sikiru Akinola is another corps member who is entertaining similar fear. He said he had already registered with INEC and later withdrew his name from the list when he considered that his life would be in danger if he should serve as

an electoral officer. Amazingly, Akinola is serving in Oyo State which happens to be his state of origin. But his involvement in partisan politics right from his days in school is the major factor discouraging him from participating. According to him, “I am not comfortable to be an adhoc-staff of INEC in the same environment many people know me and my relations. They know the political party I belong and I don’t want to risk my life for any election. Families who lost their loved ones during the last elections would never have them back again. Many of them till today are still living with the horrible memory. I don’t want to die an avoidable death.” But for many parents including that of Busari and Kelechi, corps members who will be participating in the exercise should be extra careful so as not to fall prey to political thugs who may want to cause commotion at polling booths and collation centres. Deacon Olusoji Adams, south-west coordinator, Nigerian Parent\Teacher Association, told National Mirror that if he has the power no corps member would have participated in the exercise not for anything other than to avoid the repeat of 2011 episode. “But since many of them will be participating, my advice just like that of every other parent will be is for them to adhere strictly to all the security guidelines and measures put in place by INEC,” he said.

Collapse of value system affects education negatively —Administrator

dministrator of Grace High School, Gbagada, Lagos, Mrs. Tokunboh Edun has observed that the collapse of the value system has impacted education negatively. She made the comment while addressing the parents’ forum of the school recently. The administrator noted that there was desperation for wealth nowadays so much that some people do not give adequate attention to the needs of their children. The need to set good examples for the children in terms of high moral integrity is no longer the priority. There is a glaring collapse of the value system to the extent that some parents now buy leaked question papers in public examinations. Even teachers and school authorities in public and private schools no longer hesitate to aid and abet examination malpractice. She added that “we have got to a point where we need to review the educational system so as to incorporate values, morals, respect for the rule of law and obedience to constituted authorities.” Edun added that no nation can deemphasise the place of high moral values in the educational upbringing of the children and urged all parents to monitor their wards adequately. Edun

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Education Today

Thursday, March 26, 2015

VC donates computers to secondary school James Danjuma KATSINA

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, Prof. James Ayatse has donated some computers and a generating set to Community Day Secondary School in the council area. The items were donated at the weekend to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the school, Mamman Tsanni with the gesture being part of the university’s Community Social Responsibility. Prof. Ayatse said the donation was part of the “university management’s little way of saying thank you to the Dutsin-ma community for being partners in progress” and for being friendly to the staff that have come from other parts of the country to live among them. He said items were aimed at helping students to catch up with global trends, as the world had gone digital with entry examinations to higher institutions, like the Uni-

fied Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, now exclusively computer-based. He however called on benefiting students to take advantage of the federal university as it was an institution that prides itself in the use of ICT. Expressing appreciation to the donor, the chairman of Board of Trustees of the benefiting school, Mamman Tsanni said the computers would help improve academic excellence and facilitate production of brilliant students, who would compete favourably in the growing world of technological advancement. Also, the school Principal, Mallam Ibrahim Yusuf said people in the council area were lucky to have a federal university located at their door steps. He noted that the secondary school in the community was already enjoying the presence of students of the federal university as some of them are undergoing mandatory teaching practice in the school.

Educationist harps on children safety Saidat Alausa

n educationist and co-pastor, The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, Nomthi Odukoya has said children safety must be taken with all seriousness so as to stay alive and well to adulthood. She said this while reviewing her book titled: “Don’t touch me there” at a programme tagged “Child Protection Day organised by Amville School, Lagos, last week. The book which illustrates some things the pupil needs to know on sexual abuse was also used to enlighten the children on what they should do in case they fall victim. Pastor Odukoya also explained that parents, guardians and teachers need to create awareness on sexual deviance which she said it is real in Nigeria so that it does not take them off guard because most times children don’t know what is happening. “We need to protect them from this scourge because we all know what sexual abuse does to children, it leaves emotional scars forever which takes a very

long time to get healed,” she said. Encouraging parents to always communicate with their children, she said this is the only way they could build trust with their children. “Talk about anything with them, listen to them and always ask about their day in school.” Explaining that it is not only by educating the children alone but to also prevent them from the scourge, she said every adult must be part of the awareness. In an interactive session with the children, Pastor Odukoya told them to be wary of gifts from strangers and sometimes people that are close to their family and she encouraged them to talk to an adult especially their parents in case they notice any strange behaviour from anyone. In her remark, the Head teacher of the school, Mrs. Ajiri Kono-Ugen said Amville School organised the session in order to prepare the children for the future. According to her, they need to know some basic things so that they don’t fall victim as they move on in the world.

L-R: Minister of Education, Liberia, Hon. Etmonia Tapeh; Liberia Government Chief Nominee to West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Hon. Hawa Goll-Kortchi and Governor Babatunde Fashola’s representative and Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye during the WAEC’s 63rd annual meeting held in Lagos …on Tuesday. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

WAEC to adopt computer-based exams —Registrar Tunbosun Ogundare

he West African Examination Council (WEAC) is planning to deploy the computerbased testing mode otherwise known as CBT in the conduct of its examinations either theories or objectives. The Registrar of the council, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae disclosed this on Monday in an interview with journalists at the 20th Annual Endowment Fund Lecture by the international headquarters of the examination body in Lagos. He said the plan was part of the measures to permanently tackle examination fraud perpetrated by candidates sitting for the exam. This came even as the organisation condemned the

recent open cheating in India, involving parents and relatives of candidates of the entrance examinations conducted by the Indian Bihar School Examination Board, BSEB. Uwadiae told journalists that WAEC was interested in sustaining the honour and respect its examinations are known for over the years, saying it was already toeing the path of adopting the technology based mode in the conduct of its exams. According to him, the new international office in Lagos is equipped with internet enabled systems that could accommodate more than 350 candidates at once, which he said are meant for all the candidates writing its aptitude tests. He, however, said the challenge with the adoption of the CBT cannot be

Priscilla Dennis MINNA

the theoretical questions it sets, but the cooperation of the secondary schools in submitting genuine continuous practical assessment results of their candidates. He explained that even though WAEC would not rush into implementing the plan knowing full-well that such decision must take all the five member-countries into consideration concerning their capacity to move in the same direction before adopting the mode, he said soon or later the system would be adopted. Earlier, in his lecture, the guest speaker who is also the Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Augustine Ngafuan had spoken extensively on the danger inherent in engaging in examination malpractices, just as he likened examination results marred by ir-

regularities to fake medical test results. He challenged all stakeholders in Africa and the WAEC member countries in particular, to create atmosphere that would make it difficult for candidates to engage in examination malpractices by giving adequate welfare packages to teachers an instilling good moral values in the societies. The lecture, which was earlier scheduled to hold in Liberia but rescheduled to take place in Nigeria due to the Ebola scare, has several stakeholders in the examination body across the member-nations including the Liberian Education Minister, Hon. Etmonia Tapeh; Chairman of WAEC Council, Prof. Ike Obanya, among others in attendance.

FUTMINNA to set up 3 new departments session. The proposed departments are Oil and Gas, Welding and Material and Metrological Engineering. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Musbau Akanji disclosed this in Minna during the

inauguration of the Module ‘C’ Welders Training and Certification programme under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). He said two of the departments had already been approved by the Senate of the university. He explained that the decision to establish the departments was informed by the Federal Government’s desire to domesticate the activities in the country’s Oil and Gas and other two industries. Akanji noted that the university observed the growing demands of these areas in the country quest for achieving vision 20: 2020, stressing that today Nigeria is in dear need of qualified welders. He however commended the PTDF for the continued help given Co-Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Lagos and guest speaker at the Child Protection to the university, particularly in the Day organised by Amville School Lagos, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya (5th left second row); area of infrastructural and human the Head teacher of the School, Mrs. Ajiri Kono-Ugen (2nd left third row), parents and development. students of the school during the programme, last week.

he Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna has concluded plans to set up three new departments in the institution’s School of Engineering from the 2015/2016 academic

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

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Holy Child College parades colourful costumes at International Community Day Yinka Adeparusi

oly Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos held its annual International Community Day last weekend. This year’s edition was unique as the occasion formed part of activities to commemorate the school’s 70th anniversary. As usual, students paired themselves in groups representing different countries of the world. These included UK, USA, France, Scotland, India, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria, among others. And each group dressed in attires depicting the country

they represented. They recited their national anthems, talked about their histories, cultures, languages and foods peculiar to them. They also danced to their traditional music while the top three were praised for their efforts. For the students as well as their teachers, the occasion would remain immemorial in their mind. Ekwunife Chinonyelu of SS3, who was part of the South African contingent, emphasised the importance of the day in the school’s calendar, saying it is designed to prepare them to be global citizens. “The event gives us the opportunity

to showcase that we can blend into any other culture other than ours since we cannot tell where we can find ourselves in future,” she stressed. Commending the girls for putting up impressive performance, the school’s Administrator, Sis. Ify Atuegbu said the overall objective of the event was to make the students buying into the diverse cultures and traditions of countries around the world. “They could be anywhere tomorrow and they will remember they have a bit of knowledge of what is obtainable in those places,” she added.

On the school’s milestone achievements, especially for clocking 70 years, Sis, Atuegbu said “It is a great thing to remain vibrant at 70. Anybody who clocks 70 should be grateful to God so also Holy Child College as an institution. It is a season of great Joy and celebration to us. Continuing, she said “We pride ourselves in academics, morals. We value peoples’ culture and traditions and we are also not lag behind in sporting and social activities. Our vision is to build well-rounded students for global market.”

French contingent during their presentation L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Hon. Francisco Abosede; Rev Sr. Ann Schulte of the Society for the Holy Child Jesus and Chairman of the occasion, Nigerian Model United Nation Society, Abuja, Mr. Chika Nwaozuzu being served drink from calabash from a member of the South African contingent.

Ghanaian contingent. Nigerian contingent.

Administrator, Sis. Ify Atugbu (left) assessing works by students. Scottish contingent during a dance performance.

Overall winners of the International Community Day, the Brazilian continent jubilating.

L-R: Holy Child College foundation students (1945), Mary Oto Lijadu; former President of tge foundation set, Angela Branco Omolara and a former student, former Miss Western Nigeria and TV personality, Chief Julie Coker. PHOTOS:YINKA ADEPARUSI

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Education Today

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Plight of Nigerian graduates without certificates T he trigger for this episode was an unexpected call from a ex-student of mine who enrolled in the Department of Microbiology in the 2007/2008 academic year. She was an average but had working student who graduated from the department in record time with a second class lower degree. Though, she has attended an interview with her state civil service commission, and has been given a tentative appointment, she cannot take up the appointment until she presents her original degree certificate. And here lies the problem; she does not have a certificate because she has not been issued one since she graduated nearly three years ago. This is also the plight of many Nigerian graduates who cannot secure a job position because they don’t have certificates or admission to higher institutions because transcripts are not sent on time! A brief visit to the internet shows that the problem is even bigger than suggested by the brief discussion with my ex-student. The absurdity of the situation is highlighted by the reported admission by the Vice-Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye that up to 40,000 students of his university did not receive their certificates up to six years after graduation! Before graduating, student’s results are computed and approved at three levels of administration namely, the department, the faculty and the Senate. Checks are carried out to ensure that the candidate has met all the requirements for graduation including passing all relevant courses. A success letter may then be issued indicating that the student has successfully completed all the requirements stipulated for the degree programme and also indicating the class of degree obtained. What is left is for the administration to prepare the degree certificates pending the convocation ceremony during which they are presented to the graduands who are also congratulated by the vicechancellor or his representative. If all the requirements for graduation are met and the students have been released for the mandatory national youth

the nonchalant attitude of the National Universities

Commission (NUC)

allows these university administrators to get away

with a lot of gapping lapses. service scheme, why then are certificates not scripted as expected? There is an increasing indication that this is a problem of the individual universities and their administrators. According to an online commentary, while the school fees are increasing on a yearly basis, virtually all services rendered to the university community have been on the decline the last 10 years or more. All efforts of the administration appear to be focused on revenue generation rather than rendering services. If against all odds a student survives the uncertainties of the Nigerian university education including grinding poverty, elongated programmes occasioned by industrial disputes and students’ unrests, the escalating fee regime, extortions by the hordes of predators on campus, cult activities, armed robberies and petty thieves and excruciating pressure to compromise on values, it is only fair and just that he be promptly awarded the trophy for which he had sacrificed all. For many, a delay in granting this right amounts to a denial of the opportunity to a decent job, a condemnation to perpetual poverty, uncertainty and a perpetuation of stagna-

Akeusola Foundation lifts indigent students Saidat Alausa

Akeusola who is the Provost of Michael Otedola College for Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija, Epe, Lagos State said his father died while he was still in school and this pose a lot of challenge to him and when he had a turnaround he decided to give it back to the society. Saying that he hoped to expand the scholarship in the nearest future, he said “I know what these students are going through because I have gone through this before hence the need to help them.”

The Chairman of the foundation, Dr. Folashade Ojetunde said the aim of the foundation was to contribute to the academic base of the community and to help indigent students of the community. She told journalists at the event that unlike the previous awards that students had to write essay to enter for the award, this year winners are chosen according to their academic performance. She said a duly signed result by the Head of Department as in the case of students from tertiary insti-

tutions and principal and head teachers as in the case of secondary and primary schools respectively. She disclosed that the award which was initially for students in Epe division has been extended to Ogun state. The awardees include five students from Michael Otedola College for Primary Education, Epe, two students from their affiliate degree programme (Ekiti State University) and two students from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ogun State.

rof. Olu Akeusola Foundation has again this year lift 15 indigent students in the state with monetary award. The annual award which was in its fourth edition was organised by the foundation to mark the professor’s birthday which comes up every march 21st. The awardees include nine students from tertiary institutions and three each from primary and secondary school, respectively. Students in tertiary institution receives N40, 000 and a certificate each, the secondary category got N30, 000 and certificate while the primary pupils received N20, 000 and a certificate each. Speaking at the award presentation which was held at the weekend in Epe, the founder of the foundation and celebrant, Prof. Olu Akeusola said the scholarship is not to flush his ego but to improve more on humanity especially to help students from indigent and modest Celebrant and Founder, Prof. Olu Akeusola Foundation, Prof. Olu Akeusola (middle); Chairperson homes. of the foundation, Dr. Folashade Ojetunde (5th right) with the beneficiaries of the foundation’s Recalling his growing up, scholarship award cutting the founder’s birthday cake.

tion. In order to resolve this problem, it must be put in its proper perspective. In the first place, it has nothing to do with the course lecturers. All students graduating have had their scripts graded and results submitted to the responsible authorities by the lecturers, and the degree results computed. Thereafter, scripting of certificates is the sole responsibility of the registry; and the two signatures on the certificate are those of the VC and the Registrar. Thus the delay in the issuance of a certificate is a problem of administrative incompetence and negligence at the highest level of the administrative hierarchy. Secondly, the nonchalant attitude of the National Universities Commission (NUC) allows these university administrators to get away with a lot of gapping lapses. I regard the bill before the house of representative to amend the NUC Act making it mandatory for universities to release certificates promptly on graduation, a strong repudiation of the incompetence and negligence of the universities administrations at the highest national level, and sympathy towards the graduates who are the victims. However, I do not think that the NUC need any additional legal muscle to carry out this simple oversight function. If a sitting VC is promptly sanctioned with suspension or sack for incompetence and negligence, then the rest would sit up. The absence of consequences for incompetence, negligence and corruption is the major reason for unprecedented decay in our national establishments. As a rule, certificates should be handed over to the graduands on the day of convocation. That is the main essence of the convocation ceremony and this has been achieved by Vice Chancellors in some Nigeria before now. Certificates not released six months after convocation should attract an automatic sanction. The National Universities Commission should sit up and ensure that the products of her universities do not suffer unnecessary hardship as a result of dereliction of duty on the part of her appointed administrators.

AUN brightens graduates’ chance of employment Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

he possibility of graduates of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State to easily secure jobs received boost recently, as the institution said it would sustain and improve on a platform that has brought its products directly in contact with employers for eight years. AUN stated this in Abuja at its 8th Career and Graduate Fair in Abuja. The fair brings together major public and private institutions in the country to educate graduates of the school on what employers require from employees. They also recruit products of the institution. Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement at the Atiku Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Development, who spoke on behalf of the university at the forum, said the innovation had positively impacted on both students and graduates of the university. “This is a programme designed specially for AUN

students and its alumni and that is why we engaged many companies to educate them on career development,” he said. “There is no university in Nigeria doing anything like this. We hope that other universities in the country will come up with ideas to help their students so as to develop the nation’s economy. A graduate of the institution, Victor Igberasin, told National Mirror that the aim of the programme “is to help graduates of the school in particular to on how they can be economically engaged if yet to and how to add values to their employers. And on the results received so far, many participants have gotten employment in various sectors of the economy and doing well. One of the representatives of the organisations at the fair, Khaliru Audu, a Senior Consultant told our reporter: “We are here to meet with AUN alumni and students to see if we can recruit consultants for our consulting firm.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

z VC commends NUC on entrepreneurial programme Kelvin Igbineweka, Louis Uwoghiren, Igbinigie Eghosa,

UNILAG Law students, lecturers engage in marathon race

200L, BUS ADMIN, AAU EKPOMA

he Vice- Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku has commended the National Universities Commission (NUC) for introducing entrepreneur programme in Nigeria Universities. She said this at the public lecture and exhibition organised by the institution’s centre for entrepreneurial studies, recently. She noted that entrepreneurial development was introduced into the university curriculum by the National University Commission (NUC) due to its peculiar nature in helping to advance the cause of self training and development in the country. The VC also said that the introduction of the programme has helped in the creation of employment opportunities by Nigerian youths and others in the face of present mass unemployment in the country. Prof. Agbebaku who was delighted over the exhibition of products by the centre said with the exhibition and public lectures, it shows that the centre is living up to its mandate of graduating students that have been adequately empowered to be self sufficient and independent of the various levels of government in job creation. The Director of the centre, Prof. Agbebaku, also informed the gathering that there is an almost complete project for the centre of entrepreneurship saying he was glad that the paint produced by the students was used to paint a building in campus. Products manufactured by the students and was exhibited includes beads, shoes, belts, art works, flowers, tie and dye, paints, soups, body cream, bleach, perfume and lots more.

Agbebaku

Miftaudeen Raji,

100L, MASS COMM, UNILAG, AKOKA

he Law Students Society, (LSS), Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka has engaged lecturers and students of the faculty in competitive marathon race within the university premises last weekend. No fewer than 200 participated in the exercise. Speaking at the end of the competition, the President of the group, Mr. Cornel Gabriel said the marathon was aimed at raising awareness of the need to keep fit both as the students and lecturers. According to him, “lecturers go through a lot of stress while discharging their duties and so also the

One of the participants at the marathon race.

students thus, the reason for creating an avenue for them to exercise their bodies and remain fit.” He noted that contrary for participants to cover 10-round which is normal standard for marathon race, the male were made to cover only three rounds while their female counterparts covered two. Pearl Nwaezeigwe in 400 level won in the female group while Lawrence Idowu, who is in 100 level won the male category and they were given N10, 000 each as reward for their efforts, while the next 10 behind them also went home with consolation prizes.

NANS officer impeached on political ground Yakubu Temitope

ND 2 Q/S FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI.

he Senate arm of the National Association of Nigeria Students led by Roys Odoh Ochai had during its 70th Senate meeting in University of Makurdi Benue State impeached the National Vice President, External Affairs, Tosin Ogunkuade of the University of Ilorin and sworn in Musbau Esihinrogun from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State. The Senate arm of the Association had during the Senate meeting accused Ogunkuade of interfering in the politics of the country which according to them was against the objectives of the association. According to the senate, “there is need to remove the Vice President, External Affairs because of his role in the nation politics which bought about high level of indiscipline and insubordination, miss representation, neglecting his constitutional duties for another political job.” Reacting to the impeachment, Ogunkuade said he still remain the Vice President, External of the As-

sociation and can’t be impeached in a kangaroo Senate meeting. “All Senators were with me in Lagos State for an event that Saturday, also Zone A had issued a statement that they weren’t aware of any senate meeting, some people cannot just wake up one day and say I have been impeached”, he said. Ogunkuade said those against him are acting the script of their pay master saying his activities and agitations are undoubtedly in tune with the interests of Nigerian Students and his representation

have raised the hope of Nigerian Students, that the educational development of their dream is achievable. Speaking with National Mirror, the Association National President, Shehu Tijani said as far as his office is concerned, Ogunkuade was never impeachment anywhere. “NANS does not have any rancor and we are still one united entity as it is used to be. If there is any crisis we will discuss it at the senate where all the Students’ Union President will be in attendance.”

Speaking on the impeachment, Igwe Umanta, a student of the University of Abuja said the 70th Senate Meeting lacked publicity and was arranged for some sort of political vendetta. But a member of the Association who does want his name mentioned accused Ogunkuade of working against the constitution of the Association. He said, “NANS Charter of Demands which is the Association Constitution, did not give power to the Vice President External to act as the spokesman of the union, but his utterance this shows days shows this hence the need sanctioned hims.”

The impeached National Vice President, External Affairs, Tosin Ogunkuade reacting to the impeachment shortly after the announcement. INSET (NANS Senate President, Roys Ochai).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Student organises marketing challenge Afolabi Aminat,

400L CHEMISTRY, UNILORIN

Dean commends National Mirror, campus journalist 00L, MED & SURG UNIBEN

ow students can hone their entrepreneurial and digital marketing skills were the focus of Google Online Marketing Challenge, a global challenge that commenced at University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), kwara State, recently at the instance of school’s Google Students Ambassadors (GSAs), Patience Itodo-Ene and Abideen Olasupo. Google as well is a leading online search engine and Internet firm, which renders wide range of services to users, including personalised blog sites and advert interface. Each team comprising of six members would be given $250 (N52, 500) advertising budget by Google during the campaign, which they must use to advertise any business and non-profit organization of their choice for three weeks. The contestants would use Google products and features, such as Ad Words and Google+ to create online marketing interface with the aim to attract online traffic to the page and advertise its content to internet users. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, represented by his deputy in charge of academics, Prof. Nahimat Ijaiya, said that the university would support interested students to improve their knowledge during the course of training. She added that the participants should use the opportunity effectively noting that Information Technology (IT) is becoming a platform supporting the youth to be self-reliant after school; while encouraging them not to entertain laxity in their academic pursuits. The lead GSA of the university, Olasupo Abideen, said that the goal of the challenge is to target young people to improve their skills in advertising and helping clients who do not have experience in online marketing to advertise their products, help them build service database and make them self-reliant.” He added that the participants would benefit greatly from the challenge; this he said requires the spirit of dedication, interaction, co-operation and collaboration.

VC seeks stakeholders’ support for university

Emeka Chukwuemeka ULI

he Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Prof. Fidelis Okafor has calling on philanthropists as well as other public-spirited Nigerians to come and assist the institution in addressing her infrastructural needs. He said this during a pre-convocation news conference at the Igbariam campus of the university, last week. He said that it is common knowledge that Anambra indigenes are rich therefore rather than lavishing fortunes on ostentatious lifestyle, they should invest in the institution by building structures in their names for posterity sake stressing that such undertakings were worthwhile and epoch-making . The Vice Chancellor who explained that the state government’s subvention was not enough to execute building projects in the university , stressed the need for external assistance through collaborations to aid the university in realising its aspiration of being one of the most sought after universities in Nigeria. Stressing that the institution churned out graduates with comparative advantage over their counterparts from other higher institutions in the country, Prof. Okafor said apart from infrastructural needs, the menace of Hausa \ Fulani cattle rearers in Igbariam community need to be addressed with urgently.

The Dean of Students Affairs, University of Benin (UNIBEN); Prof. Francis Osagiede (middle) flanked by UNIBEN Campus Journalists Eddy Uwoghiren (left) and Ezekiel Efeobhokhan during a courtesy visit to the dean in his office.

Emmanuel Edigberhi ean of Students Affairs, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, Prof. Francis Osagiede, has commended National Mirror newspaper for giving students opportunity to practice journalism in school. He gave the commendation while receiving National Mirror campus journalists from the university who paid him a courtesy visit to congratulate him on his recent appointment as the DSA. Prof Osagiede said “I am an avid reader of National Mirror newspaper and I must hail them for giving students platform to develop themselves and make them channel their energy into productive venture. They should keep at it”. The journalists comprising Eddy Uwoghiren, 300level, Medicine and Surgery and Ezekiel Efeobhokhan , 400 level Pharmacy paid him a courtesy visit last

Thursday. Head of the delegation, Eddy Uwoghiren revealed that the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the DSA for his appointment and develop a cordial working relationship with the office in their practice as campus journalist. “Over the years, our practice has been hindered by setback as a result of our inability to gain access to top management staff. Whenever we cover news that require comment from

Saidat Alausa he Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has commended the Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Agbani, Enugu State for the ongoing tremendous and remarkable transformation of the university in the last five years. The governor made the commendation at the university’s I6th convocation ceremony held last weekend. The convocation ceremony was for the 2011/2012 and 2012/ 2013 academic sessions with a total of 11,456 graduates. The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rev. Ralph Nwonye explained that the commendation was for the achievements recorded in academic, physical infrastructural development and maintenance, rigorous drive for improve funding and staff development among others. The Governor described ESUT, as an embodiment of what a higher standard educational institution should be, adding that over the years the state government has always stressed strong emphasis on the citizens rights to quality education so as to be meaningful and responsible citizens first to themselves and then to the larger society.

at least a top management staff to make a comment or be interviewed, we are unable to see them as a result of the many administrative setbacks,” he said. Prof Osagiede commended Eddy and Ezekiel for their efforts in making public activities of university over the years. He encouraged them to be professional in that they do proper investigation before sending any news for publication and strive to portray the university in good light.

“You might not see the benefit of your practice now, I tell you, with time, you will begin to enjoy the benefit. It is good to know how both of you are combining professional courses with your practice as a journalist. Please keep developing yourselves.” Until his appointment as DSA, Prof. Osagiede was the past dean of the School of postgraduate studies. He is a professor of Mathematics from the Faculty of Physics sciences.

Chime lauds ESUT on development Earlier in his welcome address, the university Vice–Chancellor Prof. Cyprian Onyeji disclosed that on assumption of office he realised that if his administration must succeed, there was the need to motivate staff members to key into his vision and mission and make things to work. He said with this in mind a well thought out and articulated programme to tapping the strength, improving on the achievements and addressing the deficiencies in the university was designed. In finding solution to the challenges in the university, the ViceChancellor said the university is not yet close to where it ought to be

financially and government alone cannot efficiently and effectively fund tertiary education, therefore the need for stakeholders to support the university financially so that the set goals will be realised. Also validating the need for more funding for the university, the Chancellor of the university, Dr. Hassan Adamu explained that no university all over the world survives or depend only on government subvention hence the need for private organisations to support the institution. Highpoints of the ceremony was the award of degrees to graduating students spread across first degrees, Postgraduate Diploma, Master and Ph.D.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali; (4th right) Guest lecturer from University of Jos, Prof. Danny McCain (3rd right) and his wife, Mary McCain with other participants at a sensitisation lecture organised by the university’s Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies ahead of the general elections in Ilorin.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

WO Vanguard headline solecisms of March 20 introduce this week’s edition: “I’II set up Job Creation (Jobcreation) Ministry…” “Fayose commends military over (for/on) war against terror” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of March 14 continues the battle today: “They need to be part of their God given (God-given) wealth….” “2015: No gang up (gang-up) against Jega— Ondo REC” “Niger, Chad troops launch ground, air strike against Boko Haram” International news: Nigerien, Chadian troops… “Flying Eagles (by the way, are there eagles that do not fly?) start off on bright note, silences (why?) Junior Lions” National Mirror of February 16 comes next this week with four blunders: “…does the situation in Anambra State justify the huge resources that has (have) come into the state since then?” “Yero deploys security operatives to (in) Southern Kaduna.” “So it is high time Nigeria begins (began) to….” Put differently, it is time Nigeria begins to…. “Suarez: biting more than he can chew” This way: biting off more than he can chew. “Aregbesola’s phone thief bags 45 years jail” All the Facts, All the Sides: 45 years’ jail term ”Lawmakers pass vote of confidence on (in) Ikuforiji” Confidence in (not on) somebody— the ‘passing’ should not confuse anyone. For those who may not know, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji is the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. “Dearth of funding slow job creation efforts” Business & Finance: …slows down job-creation efforts

‘Commend’ takes ‘for’/’on’, not ‘over’

“Unknown gunmen raid bank, kill three policemen, two others” Yank off ‘unknown’! “The same pattern of foreign excesses and Nigerian laxity obtains when the operations of some foreign firms in Nigeria is (are) considered.” “Minister commissions (inaugurates) Kwali micro-finance bank” “Zonal election into sports federations hold (holds) today” “The NGF election has polarized the 36 states (state) governors into two (sic) camps….” Just camps! “…I had lot of contracts with many corporate organizations.” Global soccer: a lot of contracts or lots of contracts (depending on context). “But industrial relations experts are apprehensive that currently the rate of strikes are (is) undeniably alarming.” “Strike actions: Lawful but inexpedient” We certainly do not need ‘action’ here. Simply strike. All strikes are action-based. “I am looking forward to the next Igbo summit to comprise of all the Igbo-speaking fragments irrespective of where they are located.” In order not to abort the language dream, delete the first ‘of’ and move to the next two errors from the same medium (name withheld like Nigerian newspaper reportage!). “And in Nigeria, subsequent military regimes which held sway finally culminated into (in) the most dreaded era of military rule in the country–-the Sani Abacha years.” “No wonder therefore that every inaction of these elected leaders only seek (seeks) to further entrench and protect the many

he National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has declared that Kaduna Polytechnic students would embark on mass protest in Kaduna against Gbagyi natives for encroaching and selling of their Sabo-Romi bye pass campus land.

rious/strange/funny, etc business. Example: Leo considers keeping fit as a serious business. (Reactions are welcome). …Now a repeat of last week’s copy in question: “Taking care of Lagos is serious (a serious) business.” (Centrespread Advertorial by ‘#LAGOSFORYOU’, The PUNCH, March 4) STILL on homophones or words that sound alike but have different meanings, the Sport & Style Section of The Nation, January 11, Page 34, quoted Daniel Amokachi in the third column as saying: “Then the issue of jet became everyday discuss (did the interviewer mean DISCOURSE? Lord, have mercy!) in Nigeria when it was reported that I bought a private jet.” Second, a “senior staff” and “hard-working staff” (an employee, worker or staffer in American usage) died in a gas explosion with

Saidat Alausa

Land encroachment: Kadpoly students threaten mass protest KADUNA

years of brigandage on this nation.” his wife at UNIBEN, courtesy The Nation, “Its diverse composition reflected in (on) March 8, Page 8. The word “staff” is a collechow its….” tion of workers, not a singular noun. In its cover story on Marital Infidelity on FEEDBACK THE copy on Jimi Agbaje is in Pages 11-13, Saturday Vanguard, March 7, was not sure of the cororder.’Busines’ as an important matter to be dealt with is uncountable. Cheers. (Interven- rectness of “truly” as used on the Front Page or “truely” on Page 11. tion by CHARLES IYOHA, 09099879033) COLUMNIST’S COMMENT: Your obser- Please note: “truly” is right, no “e”. vation is supported by the Oxford Advanced INEC’s public service announcement on Learner’s Dictionary, International Student’s Edition. But, the Longman Dictionary radio states that “the general elections is of Contemporary English, New Edition for here again”. The verb “is” should read “are” Advanced Learners, describes ‘business’ as because “elections” is plural: Presidential, a MATTER (singular) means a situation or National Assembly, Governorship and State an activity, especially one that you have a par- Houses of Assembly polls. (Contributed by ticular opinion about or attitude towards: se- KOLA DANISA, 07068074257)

Artist or artiste?

“ARTIST” and “artiste” are liable to be confused. An artist refers to “a person who paints or draws. E.g. Twin Seven-Seven was a great artist. This word may also refer to “a person who is skilled in something”. The mechanic is a real artist with an engine. An “artiste” refers to “an entertainer, such as a singer or a dancer”, e.g. “a list of the artistes in the musical performances”. However, the word (artiste) is becoming a little old-fashioned, or obsolescent. In the 21st Century, anybody who has a musical talent is an artist (not an artiste)! E.g. for Donna Summer the best safeguard for the artist in her own somewhat shambolic world lies in a personal relationship with God, she says, “whatever kind of musical star she may be, an artist is not a spiritual superstar. Thank you. (From BAYO OGUNTUNASE, 08056180046)

Mentoring is vital to schools, says FUNAAB VC

ViceChancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji (right) welcoming the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Rev. Ralph Nwoye to the 16th convocation ceremony of the institution, last weekend.

A za Msue

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The students however accused Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Umar Shehu, of conniving with Gbagyi natives in selling the polytechnic land. Addressing a news conference in Kaduna after the expiration of 14-day ultimatum given to Gbagyi people to stop encroaching on the school land, National Public Relations Officer of the union, Mr. Abdulmojeed Oy-

eniyi alleged that the intruders sold the land indiscriminately to people. The students while calling on Inspector-General of police to urgently transfer Kaduna police commissioner said they would go on mass protest after the general elections to inform the world that Gbagyi people continue selling Kadpoly land as the school faces extinction.

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, has stressed the importance of a colloquium in an academic environment. He said it is capable of projecting the university’s core values of excellence, integrity, global relevance, innovation, service to humanity and providing a veritable avenue for students to attain greatness in life. He disclosed this during a two-day Annual Colloquium, organised by the Department of Computer Science of the university, recently. The theme of the colloquium was, “Harnessing Opportunities in Computer Science and Information Technology.” Appreciating participants

at the occasion, which included guest speakers, who were former students of the university, the VC said that the programme would help to eradicate joblessness in the country by instilling entrepreneurial skills in the participants after interacting with the resource persons. The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean, College of Physical Sciences, Prof. Catherine Eromosele, commended the organiser for organising the colloquium, especially now that the rate of unemployment of university graduates was severe in the country. Speaking on the topic, “Information Technology in Action”, The Keynote Speaker and Founder of Thecodec Systems Limited, Lagos, Mr. Kayode Akintunde, described information technology as a term

which encompassed all types of technology. Akintunde, an alumnus of FUNAAB, added that nowadays, the level of advancement of a country depended largely on how well the Internet was incorporated into their day-to-day activities. Giving some guidelines for the students to use so as to move forward in life he urged them to always start from somewhere not to think of money first “but apply your knowledge to solve any known problem”. The Head of Department, Computer Science, Dr. Adesina Sodiya said the programme was organised in a bid to harness opportunities in Computer Science and information technology by providing a platform for interaction among the present and past students of the department through networking, collaboration and sharing of practical experiences.

Business Thursday, March 26, 2015

FG sets for quality policy implementation

We have N300bn digital industry for Almajiri schools –NOTAP boss

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We want to have a voice in educating Nigerians on oral care –Colgate MD 35

Nigeria’s crude oil exports to hit 1.81m bpd in May UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he nation has concluded plans to export 1.81 million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensate in May, this year. Reuters which confirmed the development has it that the export level is slightly in excess of 1.795 million bpd April export target. “Crude oil exports from Nigeria were set to reach roughly 1.81 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, according to traders and provisional shipping lists, slightly above the initial April export plan that included around 1.795 million bpd,” it maintained. The agency quoted traders as remarking that more cargoes could be added to the programme, as there is no serious threat to export plan. “Exports of Bonny Light are set to hit just under 213,000 bpd, the highest level so far this year, according to provisional export programmes,” it stressed. The agency maintained that the Nembe Creek oil pipeline that carries Bonny Light crude to export terminals is currently closed for planned maintenance work. Despite the expected increase in export, the nation may not earn much foreign exchange as

crude oil prices remains low in the global market. Yesterday the price of Brent that is usually used to benchmark others hovered at $55.92 per barrel in the international oil market. While the price of WTI stood at $47.45 per barrel that of OPEC basket of 12 crudes hovered at $50.30 per barrel on Monday compared with $49.93 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). Meanwhile, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Coun-

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has assured stakeholders and professionals in the country’s aviation industry that it would scale the impending International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Security Audit scheduled to commence in June this year. The agency also said that all the processes to ensure success in the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP, in November of the same year are being followed to the letter.

tries, OPEC has put the 2015, global oil demand growth at 1.17 million barrels per day, mb/d. The cartel said almost half of 2015 oil demand growth is projected to come from China and the Middle East. It maintained that non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2014 is now expected at 2.04 mb/d, following an upward revision of 0.05 mb/d from the last report, mostly due to stronger-than-expected growth in 4Q14.

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

Aero Contractors

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON; Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Chinedu Nebo; Group Managing Director, Omatek Plc, Engr Florence Seriki, MFR, and Group Head, Commercial Banking, Lagos Mainland 3, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ogundipe at the tour of Omatek’s Energy Efficient LED Lightings installed at the Exchange in Lagos, yesterday.

We are ready for ICAO’s audit –NCAA OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Besides, the regulatory body disclosed that plans are underway to certify at least two of the country’s five international airports before the end of this year. The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman stated this during the week in an interactive session with aviation correspondents at the agency’s annex headquarters at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. According to Usman, NCAA was fully prepared towards for forthcoming ICAO safety audit, stressing that all the processes to be followed by the regulatory body are judiciously been followed to

ensure a successful outing. He mentioned some of the processes to include manpower, assigning of responsibilities and equipment within all the concerned airports. “Whatever we need would be made available and this time around, we want to make sure that we perform higher than how we have performed in the past.” The last ICAO audit in the industry was in November 2006 where the sector according to ICAO scored over 90 per cent in the audit. The objective of USOAP is to promote global aviation safety. ICAO does this by auditing the

contracting states on a regular basis. This is to determine the States’ capability for safety oversight. ICAO assesses the effectiveness of implementation of the critical elements of a safety oversight system and the status of States’ implementation of safety – related ICAO standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). He added, “The ICAO USOAP was established in accordance with strategic objective A3 to conduct aviation safety oversight audits to identify deficiencies and encourage their resolutions by contracting states. The programme is managed by ICAO Safety Audit Oversight Section.’’

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

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

Business News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG sets for quality policy implementation SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

ederal Government has expressed its intention to implement the Nigerian National Quality Policy, NNQP, aimed at providing a national quality promotion strategy, as well as assisting indigenous enterprises, to become globally competitive. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the draft policy from the Secretary of the National Steering Committee, NSC, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said that a National Qual-

ity Council, NQC, would soon be set up to fast-track and facilitate the process. Noting that the NNQP would complement the present administration’s efforts on rapid industrialisation under the National Industrial Revolution, NIR, master plan, Aganga said, it would also assist to build national quality infrastructure. “With this document today, Nigeria is on the path to greatness as a formidable tool has been set in motion through this document,” the Minister noted. Describing the NQP as a foun-

dation for self-regulatory framework, he said, it would also help Nigeria to achieve greatness in innovations, technology, industrialisation, quality services and orderliness. According to him, Nigeria will through the instrumentality of the policy, attain the goal of increasing inter-African trades in non-oil sector, from the current 5 per cent to 20 per cent by the year 2020. Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Odumodu, who served as the Secretary of the NSC, said the Council would take care of areas like

the quality infrastructure, standardization, metrology, accreditation service, calibration, testing laboratories, conformity assessment as well as certification. The NNQP report will be submitted to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for approval and subsequent legislation to facilitate its implementation. The Minister had inaugurated the Steering Committee on January, 27 2014, with the terms of reference to include strengthening of the national metrology system as a significant component in the nation’s overall activities, establish appropriate framework for

the development and publication of national standards as well as defining the role of the national standards organization. Others include expanding the use of accreditation into the entire national regulatory environment, providing a framework for the establishment of conformity assessment service providers in both public and private domain among others. Odumodu said, the Committee was divided into seven sub-committees, consisting of members from the public and private sectors, according to their areas of competence and experience.

FCMB declares N23.9bn pre-tax profit, dividend for investors JOHNSON OKANLAWON

CMB Group has announced a profit before tax of N23.9 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, up 32 per cent from N18.2 billion recorded in the same period of 2013. A statement from the group yesterday indicated that the results for the full-year 2014 reflect solid momentum in profitability, enabled by harnessing the synergies between its corporate and investment banking entities, as well as the successful execution of its retail strategy. The statement said that the banking group’s prioritisation of retail banking yielded positive results, as it contributed a profit before tax of N4.1bn or 18 per cent of the bank’s total profits, up from N1.8bn recorded in 2013. It said that the bank’s deposits received from individuals increased 14 per cent to N166bn in the review period, while loans issued to individuals increased 32 per cent to N126bn, representing 20 per cent of total bank credits. Speaking on the result, the Managing Director of FCMB Group,Mr Ladi Balogun, said the results for full year 2014 reflect solid momentum in businesses as key earning metrics grew at

double digits. He said, “Our return on average equity is trending upwards at 14.6 per cent compared to 11.6 per cent for full year 2013; the investment banking business saw a profit before tax growth of 126 per cent, mainly driven by debt structuring and financial advisory services. “Based on these, a dividend of 25 kobo per share is proposed, translating into a dividend yield of 10.04 per cent. The future outlook remains positive despite regulatory and macro-economic challenges, as our capital buffers remain strong, and we continue to intensify the contribution of non-banking businesses, especially in the wealth management space”. The Group Managing Director of FCMB Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, noted that the commercial and retail banking activities continue to be the key driver of group performance, with 26 per cent growth in profit before tax. Specifically, he added, the growth in retail banking activities enabled the bank to not only attain industry leading margins but also deliver 37 per cent loan growth. According to him, marketing and service excellence enabled the bank acquires 500,000 new retail customers in 2014.

L-R: Department of European Languages, University of Lagos, Prof. Timothy Asobele; Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, and Dean, Faculty of Law, Unilag, Prof. Akin Ibadapo-Obe, at a Public Lecture on ‘The State of Consumer Rights Protection in Nigeria,’ organised by the Centre For Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, yesterday..

ECOWAS sea link project to ease transportation

ederation of West African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FWACCI, has said the sea link project of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, would minimise the challenges of movement of goods and services in the region when fully operational. Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Mr Cherno Jallow, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. Jallow said that the operation of the maritime shipping project, which was an initiative of the

Chamber, was aimed at linking the ECOWAS states and Central Africa countries. He said the project was in line with the priority given to free movement of people and goods by the leadership of ECOWAS. He said the project would also contribute immensely in ECOWAS dream of enhancing economic growth through the strong participation of the private sector. He said, when fully operational, the project would ensure that vessels, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and passengers could be transported from

one country to another within the sub-region and beyond. “It will boost trade within the sub-region as well as help erase the difficulties faced by traders when crossing land borders of the ECOWAS countries. “This would enable us to grow economically and become competitive globally,’’ he said. Sea link project is a major step in deepening trade within ECOWAS sub-region and a significant step in enhancing the current trade flow among ECOWAS member states.

SEC donates relief materials to IDPs TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has donated various relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja. The donations were made at two different IDP camps of Ankoma District in Nasarawa State

and the New Kuchigoro camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The relief materials include, rice, sachet water, cartons of Indomie noodles, clothing, cooking Salt and beverages. The Acting Director General of the Commission, Mounir Gwarzo who was represented by the Divisional Head, Employee

Relations, Mrs. Tinuke Ogette, said that the SEC had over the years engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians. These groups include the recently dislocated Boko Haram insurgency-triggered IDPs seeking refuge at various locations in the country.

The Madaki of Ankoma District, Mallam Dantani Waya who received the items on behalf of the IDPs in his domain, said over 400 persons from Gwoza, Chibok and Mubi towns affected by insurgency were settled in his community. Chairman of the IDPs, Yusuf Tada, who was present at the occasion, further expressed appre-

ciation to the Commission for sympathizing with the IDPs, and noted that the relief materials will go a long way in alleviating the hardship of his people At the new Kuchigoro Camp, the chairman Mr. Isaac, also expressed his appreciation to the Commission for its empathy for putting smiles on their faces.

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Business News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Irrigation project ‘ll boost Kaduna industries’ operations –FG REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA

s part of effort to boost power generation and distribution nationwide, the Federal Government has said that the Gurara multi-purpose dam project would generate 30 mega-

watts of power when completed. This, it said, would help in revitalizing ailing industries in Kaduna and the adjoining states while also contributing to national drive towards job creation. The Vice President Namandi Sambo, gave this hint during the commissioning of the irriga-

tion component of the project at Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State the project would boost industrial activities. He explained that the project would also provide 30 megawatts of electricity to the state, which would include a substation and 120-kilometre transmission.

This power boost according to him was expected to improve economic activities in the area by reviving docile industries. “The purpose of the project was to supplement the raw water supply to Lower Usuma Dam for FCT Water Supply, generate 30MW of hydro-power to resusci-

‘Procedural abuses bane of Nigeria’s cargo clearing system’ FRANCIS EZEM

ort stakeholders under the aegis of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, have said that the flagrant abuse of processes and procedures as well as lopsided poor policy implementation have remained the bane of the nation’s maritime industry, especially the cargo delivery system. National President of the association, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who spoke against the background of massive diversion of Nigeria-bound cargo to neighbouring sub-regional seaports, noted that the flagrant abuse of processes and procedures had made the cost of cargo clearing very high.

While taking a swipe at the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, which focuses attention only on revenue collection to the detriment of trade facilitation and user-friendly port system, he noted that most importers and clearing agents have been compelled to divert their consignments to neighbouring African seaports. “One of the consequences of this is that the government is losing revenue because consignments that eventually ends up in Nigeria’s market are diverted to these neighbouring seaports where the importer pays duty, which is very minimal and later bring in the same consignment into Nigeria by road”, he lamented. According to him, Nigeria should ordinarily have been the biggest beneficiary of the Eco-

nomic Community of West African State Trade Liberalisation Scheme ETLS which is designed to facilitate free movement of goods within the sub-region because of the size of her market, but regretted that the reverse has become the case. He noted that most of the time, some dubious importers and agents would package finished products imported from China and other Asian counties as well as Europe and America as ETLS consignments and smuggle them across the borders with the connivance with corrupt officers of the Customs Service. “All these happen because of the official abuse of processes and procedures because the service can impose any amount of money on your consignment in

the name of import duty regardless that value of the said good or what the HS Code says as regards the duty payable on the said consignment”, he said. He also noted that the Federal Government has not helped the matter, as it still maintains a very long list of import duty, levy and fees that must be paid before a certain consignment is taken out of the ports, which makes the processes cumbersome and the cost very high. Several years after the port concession programme, importers, agents and other port users are still made to pay Port Development Levy even when port concessionaires have taken over the responsibility of developing the ports as enshrined in the concession agreement.

tate the industrial sector of Kaduna and rural electrification of the surrounding communities and provide irrigation infrastructure in line with the Millennium Development Goal on Food Security and Poverty alleviation.” The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe reiterated the revelation, saying the irrigation component of Gurara multi-purpose dam project covers about 5,000 hectares of irrigable land adding that the completion of this phase would further foster the agricultural transformation agenda. “The multipurpose nature of this gigantic project will provide food security and tackle the challenge of hydro-power generation for the region”, Ochekpe added. She stressed that the project was a milestone achievements of the present administration in ensuring sustainable development of the nation through the empowerment of the people. The minister maintained that the commissioning of the irrigation component of the multipurpose dam project would further strengthen and complement the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture in the implementation of the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA).

British Airways, consultants parley in US OLUSEGUN KOIKI

s part of measures to show appreciation for partners’ support in 2014, British Airways recently hosted its travel consultants based in Northern Nigeria to a strategic commercial meeting in Washington DC, United States. The airline stated that the meeting was aimed at rewarding the partners’ unflinching support to its Nigerian business operations. An online statement by the media consultant of the airline in Nigeria stated that the strategic commercial meeting, which is a direct interactive gathering with the British Airways Travel consultants, also serves as a platform to receive one-on-one feedback on the airline’s products and services. The meeting had the top six British Airways Travel Management Companies in Abuja and Kano in attendance. Commenting at the meeting British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka stated that year 2014 was a good year for the company in Nigeria. Olayinka emphasized that the

success of the airline in the country would not have been possible without the support of the partners who he said remained a critical factor in British Airways business success in Nigeria. He stated, “We are always out to delight our partners in a very special way. Our industry is a very engaging one hence every opportunity we have to mix business with pleasure is always highly welcome. At British Airways, we value the role of our partners in our business and this meeting is another opportunity to share experiences, thoughts and ideas that would be of mutual benefits.” He explained that the meeting was also aimed at addressing the challenges that could be an impediment to business operations so that both partners can help nip them in the bud to continuously ensure a seamless business relationship. Bsides, National Sales Manager, British Airways, Mr. Ademola Sanya noted that the airline was very much interested in offering assistance that would ensure profitability in the business of the partners. “We always bring out new things and new ways of forging ahead in our business.’’

L-R: Adesola Adebawo, Communications Manager, Chevron Nigeria Limited, (CNL), Hajija Aisha Mate Abdulranhman, Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment, NNPC; Dr. Joseph Dawha, NNPC Group Managing Director, Clay Neff, Chairman and Managing Director, CNL and Dr. Timothy Okon, Coordinator, Corporate Planning & Strategy, NNPC.

Africa to enact free trade law in 2017 SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

frican Union, AU, has said, it would promulgate the Continental Free Trade Area, CFTA, law by the year 2017. With the new law, Africa will become one common market, like the European Union markets. This will collapse all boundaries, depending on what the African Union Heads of State agree on. Disclosing this in Lagos, the Director General, Standards Or-

ganisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu said African countries need quality infrastructure to kick-start the Continental Free Trade Area, CFTA. ``In doing this, we may not apply any kind of tariff because we need to break down the tariffs that are barriers to trade seamlessly with each other. We must also ensure that we have all attained a comfortable level of development in terms of quality infrastructure,’’ he said. He made the declaration in an interview with journalists in La-

gos. According to him, without turning around the poor state of infrastructure in the continent, it will be difficult for the African Union, AU, to promulgate the CFTA law by 2017. Odumodu said that, if there were no infrastructure in a particular country, it means that the country had to accept others’ infrastructure for it to be able to trade with other countries. According o him, there is also a mutual agreement, which come with a free trade area.

Business News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

SON harps on benefits of energy conservation SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

mid consumers’ growing concern over erratic power supply accentuated by high tariffs, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has put in place an energy management system to assist the nation’s industrial sector. Designed as a key component of the organisation’s Nigerian Energy Support Programme, the SON hinted that the system will complement other similar efforts targeted at finding lasting solutions to power challenges in key sectors of the economy, particularly the real sector The Head, Electrical and Electronics, SON, Engr. Richard Adewunmi said, the agency decided to collaborate with an international donor agency, GIZ Holdings to implement bulbs, refrigerators and air-conditioners energy saving project in the country, saying the project would be in phases. “Energy saving will benefit the nation to the extent that, it will

reduce our cost of generation because demand will be reduced to some extent and that will save government and the users a lot of money as once they start using energy efficient equipment, the consumption will be reduced”, he said. Before now, stakeholders had conducted researches on how to effectively and efficiently manage the minimum energy available to consumers. The Deputy Director, Training Information Management System, SON, Dr. Justin Nickaf, said, the energy saving programme “is about energy efficiency and how we can sensitise Nigerians to be conscious of their energy usage and also ensure that in our domestic appliances, we go for energy-efficient appliances like air conditioners, light bulbs and refrigerators”. He said it was lamentable that consumers are still using 60 and 200 watts light bulbs for security reasons, which same illumination could be achieved with a more efficient bulb that could utilise as

little as four watts. The difference, according to him is much in view of the fact that the nation has limited energy generation, adding that the unused energy could be channelled into industries for the development and growth of the nation’s economy. “Actually, there are benefits derivable from using energy saving equipment like reduction in the rate of consumption, owing to the fact that demand on energy will equally reduce while greenhouse gas emissions, which are gases in the atmosphere that cause global warming, will decrease”, Adewunmi added. The participants however canvassed for legislation on energy efficiency and utilisation of energy-efficient appliance, which, if put in place, would make it mandatory for Nigerians to replace their lights and lightings with energy-efficient bulbs, which would save the nation a lot of resources and enable her manage the little power being generated.

L-R: GMD/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; CEO, StanbicIBTC Bank, Facilitator/Agent, Mr. Yinka Sanni, and, CEO, StanbicIBTC Capital, Adviser, Ms. Yewande Sadiku at the formal signing ceremony of 1st tranche of Commercial Paper programme of the planned N100billion for Skye Bank Plc at Skye Bank’s head office, in Lagos, yesterday.

Kobani, new junior Industry Minister assumes duty SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

he newly-appointed Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Kenneth Kobani has assumed duty in Abuja. On arrival, the Minister was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa as well as some directors in the Ministry. In his brief speech, the Minister said that, he has been appointed as Minister with a mandate to grow the nation’s economy, promote non-oil products and improve the nation’s industrial sector. “I am aware of the task at hand and the need to add value to this

(USD134m) each year in additional revenues, after a nominal increase of GBP25m during 2015-16. It is intended that this measure will have effect on and after August 1, 2015, but, where July 31, 2015, falls within the VAT longer period of accounting for a business, it will not have effect until the first day of the next longer period that applies to that business. HMRC anticipates that approximately 150 banks and insurers will need to amend their current partial exemption calculations. The Budget also included the introduction of a new VAT refund

scheme for palliative care charities, to enable these charities to reclaim VAT incurred on purchases made to support their nonbusiness activities. The scheme is being introduced as the provision of care by these charities is generally not a business activity for VAT purposes if the cost is met from voluntary donations and public funding, rather than from fees charged. There is no provision under normal VAT rules for palliative care charities to recover the VAT paid on purchases made to support their non-business activities.

Ministry as a stakeholder, having being involved in the activities of the Ministry, as a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry”, he said The Minister however promised to work and cooperate with the management and staff of the Ministry, adding that, all staff should be dedicated to work and ensure that they add value to the Ministry’s activities for effective service delivery to Nigerians. In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Musa, who welcomed the Minister, assured him that the management and staff of the Ministry would cooperate with him, to enable him achieve the federal government’s objectives.

Etisalat Nigeria appoints new CMO ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

new Chief Marketing Officer, CMO has been appointed by Etisalat Nigeria. He is Francesco Angeloneas. He was previously the Vice President-Commercial at Etisalat Group, where he led various programmes to develop and implement marketing strategies, expand sales and distribution channels, and drive efficiency. Francesco Angelone, a graduate of Economics from the University of Parma-Italy, started his career in the audit and finance disciplines before joining Telecom Italia as Customer Operations Manager, and later assuming other positions as Project Leader and Financial Controller. He joins Etisalat Nigeria with over 20 years experience in telecoms marketing having worked in different countries such as Italy,

Spain, UK, Brazil, and UAE in telecommunications. He also worked at Vodafone for 10 years as Product and Marketing Analysis Manager in Italy before moving to Spain where he held roles as Direct Marketing Manager and Senior Product Manager, and eventually rising to the position of Global Senior Pricing Manager at Vodafone Group. Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said, “I am pleased that Francesco has joined us here at Etisalat Nigeria. His extensive marketing experience and expertise will be of great value to our strategy as an innovation-driven, customerfocused telecoms business.” He added that Angelone brings with him the vision, passion and years of experience from diverse environments to improve and strengthen our marketing capabilities as well as enhance our customer experience.

USAID pledges to boost Nigeria’s cocoa industry

UK clarifies 2015 Budget VAT measures T he UK Government has released Tax Information and Impact Notices to further explain value-added tax (VAT) announcements in the 2015 Budget. In the Budget, the UK Government decided that supplies made by foreign branches can no longer be taken into account when calculating how much VAT incurred on overhead costs can be deducted by partly exempt businesses in the UK. According to HMRC, the change, which is intended to bring UK law into line with EU law, will generate about GBP90m

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

he United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has restated its commitment to support Nigerian farmer to boost cocoa production, aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy. USAID’s Director of Economic Growth and Environment, Mr Mathew Burton, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos that cocoa was Nigeria’s key export that urgently needed to be developed. Burton said that it was imperative for Nigeria to be encouraged to diversify her economy especially now that the prices of oil had fallen. According to him, increase in

the production of cocoa will also boost local and international consumption of the product. ``The U. S. Government, through the USAID, will continue to support Nigerian farmers in the development of the cocoa sector due to current fall in the prices of oil. ``We think the time is ripe for diversification in Nigeria’s economy. ``The USAID is very much interested in supporting Nigerian Government’s effort at diversifying her economy. ‘‘And cocoa as we all know is one of Nigeria’s key exports, with a high global demand and prices.’’

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We have N300bn digital industry for Almajiri schools –NOTAP boss

initial target for just the Alo project is to create one million jobs every year and between one to N10 billion wealth created per year. Even in the South East, they also have children that don’t have opportunity to go to school but they are not using this Alo., There you only need the tablet. This is a national project, it is about education, it is about knowledge we must lift ourselves to the next level.

Three years after the launch of the Almajiri School System by the Federal Government, the Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, an arm of the Science and Technology Ministry, Engineer Umar Binder, has undertaken an initiative to digitalise the Almajiri system with prospects that an estimated 30 million children will benefit from it. In this interview with REGINA OTOKPA, he speaks on the benefits of the project to the country. Excerpts: Could you throw light on the recent plans being undertaken by NOTAP to digitise the Almajiri school system? Almajiri in the Islamic tradition is actually a high calibre word that arose from almuhaajirun, meaning people who are moving from one part of the world to the other looking for Islamic or Arabic knowledge. But in our country almajiri is a stigma. In the North, there are over 30 million of these children but the government magnanimously has introduced the Almajiri School. Every student has a tablet, they write on it with inks made using charcoal and pen from sharpened sticks taught by a mallam. With the aloha we are introducing, a digital tablet would be affixed with downloadable software for all manner of teachings, including Arabic, Quranic or even how-to-do-it lectures through an interactive video using the power of ICT. We are changing the wood to plastic to make it environmentally friendly and along the coast of West Africa and Central Africa, it is a whole market for Nigeria to produce an international product. Presently, I am talking to a Chinese manufacturer, we want to make a finished product not above N10,000 and in Nigeria alone we have 30 million of these children, by implication we have a N300 billion naira industry in Nigeria alone. My hope is that a parent or guardian can go to a village with10,000 blank tablets and download numerous education software at whatever language he pleases for as low as N100 each to help digitize education in his constituency and aid in the birth of a new form of enterprise in Nigeria. Similarly, we are introducing solar trees in every village where the umbrella is solar panels, the trunk is the battery to enable entrepreneurs charge the tablet and other gadgets. Based on your negotiations with the Chinese firm, how soon should the affected Almajiri students expect this product to be ready? Right now we have the patented the aloha in Nigeria, the next level is to secure resources to make at least 18 different prototypes. We will change the size of the tablets, fix smaller ones and also have the normal size. We will practice with different materials for the board all in an attempt to make good strong materials but of lower cost so we have to do the engineering and technology based feasibility to produce within our target which is the N10, 000 mark or low. For that to happen, there is a lot of commercial experimentation and I have shortlisted a number of young people who practicing the designs and production of applications relevant for this. There are so many tools that can go with the Almajiri education, for example, we have a talking book where a

Several initiatives like this have been undertaken by government and failed. Sir, what challenges do you foresee that could undermine the success of this project? Most of the projects that fail do not have what I call a project mentor or a project leader who is committed and very passionate to see this through. This project is coming from the bottom of my heart and not like someone is asking me to do it. Rather, I am asking others to do things for me and therefore if I have gone this far, I don’t think I will be prepared to let go of it. It is not going to go because this is my specialty for over the last 30 years, I have helped others to make it. Therefore, making it myself should not be a big deal. I know there will be challenges, already there are challenges but with our know-how, skills and competence, we will know how to surmount them. Binder

Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba speaking person can learn English. The beauty is that we want to introduce technology from a tender age because we must reduce this localness and be able to introduce digital technology to children in the villages to raise their level of Inquisitiveness while we preserve tradition and create an opportunity for women to interact formerly with their children Sir, how does NOTAP intend to finance this project? We are doing NOTAP things but it is slow because we are putting too many things. The work we are demonstrating here is that we can think and we can also come up with an innovation that can win. The next level certainly is to enter the commercial aspect. There must be young people who are prepared to go commercial, discuss deals, borrow from banks and who can get grants from their parents. We can take this and give to a Chinese person and the next day you will see the product in the market, the idea is to show that we have thought of it. It may be slow but we can also get to the next level. People can see this talking book as just a book but there are marks of software attached. To make it talk you can get Nigerian software, buy the pen and speaker from the market but we have matured and just like the others, we can get the infrastructure and be able to build universal things. Given the increasing rate of employment in the country, how many jobs can the Alo project create? It is very difficult to estimate these things. The more you know the more it expands but as far as I am concerned, my

THE NEXT LEVEL CERTAINLY IS TO ENTER THE COMMERCIAL

ASPECT. THERE MUST BE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED TO

GO COMMERCIAL, DISCUSS DEALS, BORROW FROM BANKS AND WHO CAN GET GRANTS FROM THEIR PARENTS

What is the nature of the collaboration between your agency and the Ministry of Education to drive this? We have a national committee driving most of our initiatives, including the traditional storyboard made up of primary school teachers from all the geo political zones, representatives from the various ministries of education in the zones and also federal institutions like UBEC, Mathematical Centre, NUC and others. Presently, we are at the level of the prototype innovation and the next level is to rally young people who will drive this project. For the past five years, I get a minimum of 30 applications submitted to NOTAP and all of them are graduates in different fields, the minimum is OND. What is the role of NUC in all this? NUC is to give us the lending support for the ultimate at the highest level but also they control the research community within the university. These things are subject matter of high level research but when I do this I am thinking at teaching curriculum while the universities are looking at it from the angle of producing graduates that can ride on this project. It is very important for NUC to be with us at this infancy level, otherwise if we should hand it over to them when we complete the project, the value chain will not be smooth. Do you perceive this project to be a solution to the increasing rate of insecurity and poverty grappling the country? I think all problems can be solved by education, it is the key sector. I have not seen one child of an educated man doing almajiri. So, education is an antidote to almajiri. I have not seen a country where the people have a job occupying majority of their day and still have time to go and cause mayhem. Job creation is an antidote to all forms of problems and education is master to creating sustainable jobs. Should we be expecting the launch of the project this year? I am not sure but my target is to launch this in the last quarter of 2015 by then the politics have settled down. Whatever happens, we know our leaders and they are beginning to learn the ropes. This type of project when launched does not need to have a political sensitivity as there is no enemy in education.

Info Tech

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Tech Box Portable storage that paranoid

Operators study new business model for quality service STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

asically encrypted storage on a stick, these portable flash drives come with FIPS 140-2 level three validation, meaning the cryptographic module will be rendered inoperable if tampering is detected. It costs quite a bit to acquire validation, which is part of the reason for premium pricing of these drives. Most people administer and unlock secure USB drives using software apps, which run on the host machines to interact with the drive. That’s the approach taken by the Kingston Data Traveler 4000 G2 (second generation) USB 3.0 thumb drive that’s reviewed here. The other method is to put a numeric keypad on the drive itself that lets the user to unlock it with a PIN. Apricorn’s Aegis Secure Key 3.0 USB 3.0 thumb drive is a popular implementation of this less common method, and we’ve tested this device as well. The upside to software is that it’s cheaper to implement, and if done properly, extremely secure. But the vendor must also provide an app for every operating system the drive will encounter, and you’re pretty much limited to desktops or laptops. A keypad drive is hardwareagnostic. That is, once unlocked, you can use it with anything that recognizes USB mass storage car stereos, media players, and Smart TVs, for example, as well as PCs and tablets. Few people need to access their sensitive data on anything other than a computer, but if you do, a secure flash drive with a keypad is the way to go. The Kingston’s Data Traveler 4000 G2 needs to be unlocked from the computer it’s connected to. The key isn’t this long, that’s the cap attached on the back.

The Data Traveler 4000 G2 from a non-secure USB thumb drive. The drive is divvied up into a 16MB portion that emulates a CD containing the installer for Windows, OS X, and Linux, and the data partition, which becomes available after you create and enter a password. The software is simple, elegant and seems secure. However, I think it should have a secure virtual keyboard for entering data when you suspect or are worried that your keystrokes are being logged. The Aegis Secure Key 3.0 is a bit larger than your normal flash thumb drive. That’s to accommodate a usably sized keypad, which in this case consists of two columns of number keys (0-9), a lock button, an unlock button, and three status lights (red, green and blue). The keypad runs off of a rechargeable battery when the drive is out of the USB port. This is a must accessing the keypad when the drive is inserted into a USB port can be awkward or worse. By using a combination of the unlock/lock buttons and the keypad you can define admin and user passwords, reset the drive, and obviously—enter PIN codes (or 7 to 16 digits) to access the data partition. It’s fairly simple, but this time you do need to read the instructions first. The keyboard is alphanumeric, so you can spell rudimentary words—and you know, of course, not to use anything easily obtainable like your phone number or social security number. Also, it’s possible to spot wear and debris patterns on keys. The Aegis Secure Key minimises these vulnerabilities, but they do exist.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

obile network operators, MNO have met in Lagos to fine-tune a costing and pricing model report that was presented to them study and come up with recommendation that will assist the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC ensuring that there is a uniform wholesale costing and pricing as well as quality of services. The study, which was carried out by the management consulting firm, KPMG following a meeting that was held with representatives of the operators in February 2014 focused primarily on competitive dynamics, pricing and related matters. Although outcome of the two day meeting, which ended yesterday, Wednesday, was not yet known, it was however learnt that the operators were given free hand to make their input

and suggest but that the decision will finally be base on the interest of the consumers. Whatever the adjustment that the operators make on the model it will according to the Executive Commissioner at the NCC, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, give a fair deal to the consumer in terms of tariff and quality of service. Itanyi who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah said that the policy of government on communication is that appropriate prices should be determined by the market competition. He said that government also recognises that in the journey from monopoly to full market competition, there would be period of transition when competitive market forces may be inadequate to bring about efficient market conduct and prices that are close to costs. According to him, that necessitated the NCC to engage the

services of the KPMG study and produce a model on the determination of cost base transmission cable pricing for the telecommunications in Nigeria. The EVC assured that the NCC will discharge its regulatory and oversight functions to benefit of all saying that “we are committed to participatory regulation and shall continue to ensure wide consultation before major decisions affecting the industry are taken.” He assured that the inputs of the operators will be taken into consideration on such issues as discriminatory and arbitrary pricing, predatory pricing and denial of access to viable routes. Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Josephine Amuwa said that need for engaging the operators is driven by governments desire to improve the quality of service and ensure that cost is reduce.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, CWG Plc., Phillip Obioha,Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor R.A Bello, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor,Management Services, Professor Duro Oni during the presentation of prizes to best graduating students of University of Lagos.

Cisco predicts 10-fold mobile data increase in five years

atest study from Cisco has predicted that mobile data traffic will grow nearly 10fold over the next five years. It attributed the increase to the ongoing adoption of more powerful mobile devices and machineto-machine, M2M connections, combined with broader access to faster cellular networks. According to the latest annual update of the Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2014 to 2019 global Wi-Fi offload traffic will exceed global cellular traffic by 2019, which underscores the increasing importance of small cell technologies in many carriers’ mobile ser-

vice delivery strategies. Along with the report, Cisco introduced Mobility IQ, a breakthrough mobility software as a service, SaaS, analytics solution that unlocks the power of visual network knowledge and drives unparalleled business outcomes for service providers in Nigeria. The solution, which is hosted on Cisco Cloud Services, provides advanced insights and an unprecedented bird’s-eye view across Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE network activity in real-time. With the solution, service providers can identify and capitalise on new business opportunities and deliver exciting new

experiences to their customers using a flexible, as a service consumption model. General Manager, Cisco, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Dare Ogunlade said Mobility IQ is a great example of Cisco executing on its service provider strategy in Nigeria enabling its customers to drive profitable business outcomes through transformation. He said that the new solution helps service providers and their business customers understand their own networks better, optimise the delivery of their services, and ultimately increase revenue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Government Technology

More African countries adopt e-voting STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

s Nigeria prepares to deploy e-Voting for the first time in its electioneering process this week, the Zambian government is also following suit as it said it is plans to introduce electronic voting (e-voting)

system in next year’s presidential and general elections. Zambian president Edgar Lungu said, however, that there is need to educate people on the importance of e-voting system to avoid conflict with stakeholders as government considers upgrading its voting method. The Zambian president said

Data outsourcing ‘ll reduce cost, says MainOne

ainOne’s new subsidiary, MDX-I, has called on the major companies in the country to leverage outsourced data centre services to reduce costs and optimize operational efficiency. In view of this, MDX-I and its parent company, MainOne, held a seminar in Lagos targeted at senior-level Information Technology managers to discuss strategies for companies that require improved data centre capacity. The session revealed valuable global insights from leading IT research company, the International Data Corporation, and global Cloud specialist, EMC2 Corporation, in addition to specialists from MainOne. MainOne’s Head of Marketing, Jumoke Akande, said, “The recent macro-economic issues in the country and fluctuating global oil prices underlined the need

for companies to use the session to explore how they could utilise cloud and other data centre hosted-business applications to enhance productivity at reasonable costs.” With leading data experts from IDC and EMC2 Corporation as speakers, the session shed light on global trends in data centres, planning issues to consider, and the case for businesses to collocate in commercial data centres, which offer levels of performance, as against building inhouse data centre facilities from ground up. Akande stressed that high level of attendance at the seminar, themed, ‘Making the Business Case for Data Centre Migration’, showed the enlightened perspectives that IT managers in Nigeria were adopting to withstand economic pressures and reduce costs.

they are already in discussion with funding agencies regarding e-voting in the Southern African country, but added that stakeholders had to agree on the system before it is introduced. Lungu said Zambia wants to follow in the footsteps of Namibia, one of the first African countries to have successfully used the e-voting system in elections held last year. During Zambia’s January 2015 presidential by-election, the country’s stakeholders (including the largest opposition

political party the United Party for National Development) rejected the use of mobile phones in transmitting election results. They claimed the system would be hacked and results manipulated in favour of the ruling party. Unlike in Nigeria where there are opposition from several stakeholders on the use card readers, stakeholders in Zambia have, so far, welcomed Lungu’s plan to introduce e-voting during the 2016 general elections. The Foundation for Demo-

cratic Process, FODEP is believed to be happy with the plan but has voiced its concern over the system, particularly those who would be tasked with running it. FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi said, “the Electoral Commission of Zambia ought have competent people to manage the system so as not to raise serious issues against them”. Zambia will go to the polls next year to elect a new president and lawmakers.

L-R: Government Community Relation Officer, Abuja Region, MTN Mr. Micah Michael; Ohi of Adavi Dr. Bello Ibrahim; Chairman, Adavi Community, Mallam Siyaka Suberu, and Distributor Account executive, MTN, Mr. Rasheed Disu, at the commissioning of a borehole water project donated by MTNF to Nagazi-Ogaminana Community, Adavi Local Government, Kogi State, yesterday.

Financial Technology

Microsoft to empower 100 Nigerian youths

n initiative that will result in 100 Nigerian youths been out of the labour market through engagement in self-employment in the ICT industry will soon kick-off.

Kabelo

The initiative, which is from Microsoft Nigeria will train 100 Nigerian start-ups and provide 20 with mentorship to manage and sustain their Cloud-based businesses. Initiative comes under the Microsoft Cloud StartUp academy also known as the Cloudpreneur Project Launched in collaboration with Fate Foundation and Mara Mentor, the ‘Cloudpreneur Project’ will provide participating start-up with entrepreneurship, Cloud and ICT training. At the end of the project, the 20 best performing participants will receive mentorship to manage their own profitable businesses based on Cloud technology. Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane said the project is part of Microsoft’s commitment towards improving youth skills for both

entrepreneurship and employability across Africa saying that the it began in Nigeria in 2013. “Our efforts in Nigeria started with the launch of the Employability Portal in 2013, which provides a platform for youth to learn leadership skills and network with other leaders. Now through the Cloudpreneur Project, we hope to enable and empower young business owners, so that they can contribute to the social and economic growth of Nigeria”, said Makwane. The Project will be open to 1 000 applicants who have been in business for 1 – 3 years. From these applications, 100 successful participants will be chosen. These participants will receive a four-week long training on business management, including training on: sales, technology, entrepreneurship, marketing, communication and start-ups

management. Following this, 30 of these 100 participants will be provided with start-up models and, finally, the top 20 performers will be mentored on how to build their own Cloud-based business. According to him, Cloud technology has the potential to transform competitiveness amongst start-ups and it delivers easier access to IT, slashes costs, improves productivity and enables more agile, innovative business models, where everything start-ups need can be accessed and done on the web anywhere, anytime and off any device. Executive Director at Fate Foundation, Habiba Balogun said Fate Foundation is delighted to partner and support Microsoft in the initiative which aims to empower entrepreneurs in the Tech-related business to

not only improve and hone their skills and knowledge via an intensive training under the assured guidance of Microsoft but also to be equipped to run successful businesses and create employment via Fate Foundation’s proven Entrepreneurship Training. Technological Innovation translated into economic activity is the future for Nigeria and we commend Microsoft for being part of enabling wealth creation in Nigeria.” She said. While the Academy is open only to women – particularly young graduates and job seekers the Cloudpreneur Project is open to both male and female start-ups across Nigeria. Director of Operations at Mara Hetal Shah, said that “Mara Mentor is proud to bring our expertise in entrepreneurship support and mentorship to the Cloudpreneurs Project.”

Global News

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UK inflation rate drops to zero in February G

Greece to run out of cash by April 20 –Source

ower prices for food and computer goods helped to cut the rate to zero UK inflation rate fell to 0% in February, the lowest since records began, official figures show. Lower prices for food and computer goods helped to cut the rate from 0.3 per cent in January, official figures show. February’s figure is the lowest rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation since estimates of the measure began in 1988. The drop in the CPI measure was sharper than many analysts had expected, with most expecting a rate of 0.1 per cent. The February figure means that the cost of living is the same as it was a year earlier. Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown, said UK “took another step towards deflation” in February. “It looks likely the rate will drop below zero at some point in the coming months, and hover around zero for most of the year,” he said. For now at least, the fall in the price of food, games, petrol and energy, if it persists for a few months, is good news for most of us - because it increases our spending power and our pounds go further. In other words we feel and are a bit richer. But if stagnation in prices were to go on for longer, if it were to turn into

fully fledged deflation, that would be worrying. The point is that if we thought that the price of things we don’t normally have to buy at any particular moment - household goods like washing machines for example, or motor cars - was on a firmly downward path, we would probably defer purchases of those things, and that would depress economic activity. is unlikely to be prolonged, in part due to pressure from rising oil prices, said CBI director of economics Rain Newton-Smith Low inflation could support UK economic growth, business lobby group the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said. “We remain convinced that there is very little risk of a long period of deflation,” said David Kern, BCC chief economist. “Inflation in the service sector, which accounts for 80 per cent of the UK economy, remains firmly above the government’s two per cent target, and core CPI inflation in February was 1.2 per cent. “Together with higher earnings, lower inflation is boosting people’s spending power, and will contribute to economic growth in the year ahead,” he said. Rain Newton-Smith, director of economics at business lobby group the CBI, said: “Despite inflation dropping to zero, it is unlikely we will see falling prices for a prolonged

Cameron

period, particularly as the pressure from lower oil prices fades.” However, she added: “With the Monetary Policy Committee still alert to the risk of very low inflation becoming entrenched, a rise in interest rates anytime soon seems off the cards.” Last week, the Bank of England’s chief economist Andy Haldane said rates were as likely to need cutting as raising in the immediate future. Energy bill price cuts could help drive inflation lower in the short term, according to some economists In February, the Bank said that inflation could turn negative temporarily in the spring because of falling oil prices. Cuts in energy bills are among the factors likely to push inflation lower in March, according to economists.

ADB predicts 7.2% growth for China in 2015

he ADB expects China to grow faster this year than the target set by the country’s officials The forecast for the world’s second-largest economy from the ADB compares with the seven per cent target set by Beijing. China’s economy expanded 7.4 per cent last year, which marked its slowest pace of growth in 24 years. A cooling property market, slowing factory activity and weak investment have contributed to China’s slowdown. However, the Manila-based development bank has said that weaker investment, particu-

Juan Miranda

larly in property, will continue to “further curtail” China’s growth. It expects growth in the Asian giant to slow to seven per cent in 2016. “This is a much more moderate rate than the average growth of 8.5 per cent in the period since the global financial crisis,” the bank said in a statement on Tuesday. But while China’s economy is slowing, another economic powerhouse - India - is expected to pick up the slack to spur growth in the region. Asia’s third-largest economy is expected to grow at a faster rate than China by expanding by 7.8 per cent in the 2015 financial year, which ends in March 2016, according to the ADB. That compares with 7.4% growth in the 2014 financial year, and the bank expects India’s economic rise to continue. “This momentum is expected to build to 8.2 per cent growth in financial year 2016, aided by expected easing of monetary policy and a pickup in capital expenditure,” the ADB said. The Indian government’s ef-

forts to remove “structural bottlenecks” is boosting investors’ confidence, it added. The 2015 forecast is, however, below the government’s official target rate of up to 8.5 per cent. Ahead of the release of the ADB’s outlook for the region, the bank’s president said the ADB and the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) could “complement each other” rather than be rivals. Takehiko Nakao said the ADB had spoken to Chinese officials to share “knowledge and experience”. At the weekend, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said the IMF would be “delighted” to co-operate with the AIIB. The AIIB has more than 30 members and is envisaged as a development bank similar to the World Bank. However, the US has criticised the UK and other countries for supporting the bank. The US is concerned that the AIIB could be a rival to the World Bank, and be used as a lever for Beijing to extend its influence in the region.

reece will run out of money by April 20 unless it receives fresh aid from creditors, a source familiar with the familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. Athens is scrambling to send a list of planned reforms to its European lenders in the coming days in the hope of unlocking fresh aid and averting bankruptcy. It has lately relied on repo transactions - where it borrows money from state entities - to cover its cash crunch, but can continue to rely on that only for a few more weeks, the source said. “Although it will be hard, the

country can make it without help until about April 20, using the short-term borrowing from public entities,” the source said. Specifically, Athens is hoping that if euro zone finance ministers approve the country’s latest reforms list then that would allow for the return of about 1.9 billion euros ($2.07 billion) in profits made by the European Central Bank on Greek bonds, the source said. Athens also expects the return of about 1.2 billion euros in cash left in the Greek bank bailout fund that was taken back by the euro zone last month, the source said.

U.S. consumer inflation firming; new home sales at seven-year high

.S. consumer prices rebounded in February as gasoline prices rose for the first time since June, and there were also signs of an uptick in underlying inflation pressures, keeping the Federal Reserve on course to raise interest rates this year. The economy also received a boost from other data on Tuesday showing that new home sales surged to a seven-year high in February and manufacturing activity gained some momentum in March. The sturdy new home sales and factory data came despite harsh weather and a strong dollar, which have contributed to slowing activity early in the first quarter. “The disinflationary thrust that has gripped the U.S. economy for the better part of the past year may have abated in February,” said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD Securities in New York. The Labor Department said its Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent last month after declining 0.7 per cent in January. That ended three straight months of declines in the index. In the 12 months through February, the CPI was unchanged after slipping 0.1 per cent in January, as the impact of an earlier plunge in global crude oil prices lingers. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies, while U.S. stocks opened flat. Prices for U.S. Treasury debt were mixed. Fed officials have long viewed the energy-driven weakness in inflation

U.S consumer store

as transitory. Economists said February’s firmer inflation readings did little to shift the debate on the timing of the first interest rate hike. While a June move remains on the cards, many economists are leaning towards a September tightening, arguing that policymakers will need to be confident about inflation rising towards the central bank’s two per cent target. Economists expect both the effects of a strong dollar and weak energy prices to influence the inflation data through the first half of the year. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week policymakers could raise interest rates when they had “seen further improvement in the labor market” and were “reasonably confident that inflation will move back to its two per cent objective over the medium term.” “In the near-term, the stronger dollar will continue to put downward pressure on imported goods prices,” said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics in Toronto. “As the dampening effect from the stronger dollar fades in the second half of this year, we would expect to see core inflation gradually strengthen.” The so-called core CPI, which strips out food and energy costs, increased 0.2 per cent in February after a similar gain in January. In the 12 months through February, the core CPI rose 1.7 per cent, the largest increase since November.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Brands & Marketing

We want to have a voice in educating Nigerians on oral care –Colgate Marketing Director Colgate leading fast moving consumer goods, FMCG, with presence in about 156 countries globally.With its flagship brands, Colgate Toothpaste, Colgate controls substantial market share globally in the oral care segment. Though its products have been in the Nigerian market for years, the company’s decision to re-enter the market few months ago created some anxiety among industry watchers. DAVID AUDU captures the mind of the company’s marketing director, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanji on the company’s various marketing drives. Excerpts: What informed Colgate re-entry into Nigerian market having pulled away some years ago? Colgate was in Nigeria with certain partners about 15 years ago, and a decision was made to pull out. That has become history. But the truth is that for that 15 years Colgate products have never ceased to be in the Nigerian market even before the company came back as an enterprise in Nigeria less than a year ago. Even before the decision to come back was made you will find that Colgate product- toothbrushes and toothpaste were everywhere. This shows that Nigerians have come to accept the brand. Nigerians have come to reckon with the products and they have come to like the products. We have seen that many Nigerians who travel abroad come back home with Colgate products. Not just Colgate toothpaste, our other products such as Palmolive soaps, Irish Spring are like household name within certain segment in Nigeria. The business therefore saw the need for Colgate to make an official come back because, though Nigerians liked our products, there are other issues such as the scarcity of the products, the issues of distribution, and in terms of margins on the products, we need to map it, and previously it was not charted, so nobody was controlling it. Therefore, it is really premium for us to come back to take charge of what is happening in the Nigerian market. Colgate products are usually perceived to be expensive, how do you intend to capture the market that is essentially low income driven? The truth is that as a business, we do not intend that our products are unaffordable. Underlining what we are doing, yes, it is a business but there is also a social leg to it. To answer your question, the business was away and the business has to come back. In any case Nigerians are in love with the products, the company also loves Nigeria, and it was decided that why not come back and make the product available to Nigerian at an affordable price because it is coming from us directly.

that is why we decided to come back. Currently our prices are very much competitive. From the Colgate perspectives we have made this product available and affordable. We need to educate the consumers on these, for them to understand that it is affordable and available. What is your market share in Nigeria now? The answer will come some other time. As you know, we have just started business here and there is need for us to begin to track the data on the market and monitor trends in Nigeria for a while. But I can assure you we will soon begin to buy data and track our sales and distribution performane. However, we are very confident of gaining strong foothold, because we believe we have a great product and we are going to continue to gain market share in Nigeria.

Oyebanji

WE MAKE BOLD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE A VISION THAT BY 2026 CHILDREN THAT WILL BE BORN WILL NOT KNOW WHAT CAVITY IS On the issue of being perceived as a premium product and that it is expensive? Colgate is a quality product when it comes to what is put into it and the innovation that goes into it. Colgate leads innovation in oral care globally. What you find is that our prices are really competitive. As I said earlier, people who travel brings in the products and priced it very high, and

Etisalat sponsors Woman Rising 2015

igeria’s telecommunications company, Etisalat has demonstrated its commitment to the growth and empowerment of women in the country and beyond, by continuing its sponsorship of Woman Rising, an arts development and performance event designed to bolster community development and ca-

pacity building through music and craftsmanship, organised by The Life House. This is the second year Etisalat will be supporting the Life House in this initiative aimed at celebrating the Arts and creative works of outstanding women globally. Speaking at the event, Head, Sponsorship and events at Etisalat Nige-

ria, Modupe Thani said the company’s continued sponsorship of the initiative was to celebrate and promote creativity and innovation by women in the country. Ms Thani said: “We believe that women empowerment is integral to the development of any nation because they play a key role in preserving the nation’s cultural

heritage, either through music, literary works or fashion. Etisalat is therefore proud to support this initiative that celebrates the Arts through the creative works of remarkable women globally. The organisers of the initiative took the celebration a notch higher this year by holding the programme in three lo-

What are your company’s plans to educate people on the issue of oral care in Nigeria? I can tell you that even before we started selling in Nigeria, we have partnered with global initiative called Alliance for Cavity Free Future, ACFF. It is a global initiative supported by Colgate, and what they do entails we must have focused initiative to ensure that cavities are reduced. We make bold to say that we have a vision that by 2026 children that will be born will not know what cavity is. That I believe is a big social cause and Nigeria is one of the countries that we have launched ACFF chapter. And it may interest you to know that the president of dental association of Nigeria is also the president of ACFF in Nigeria. You may also want to know that there is another global initiative called Best Man Best Future that focuses on educating children on basic oral hygiene and care. We are in collaboration and relationship with the Ministry of Health, Nigeria Dental Association, dentists and those who are key pillars within the society to ensure that Colgate has a voice to educating Nigerians in oral and dental care.

cations, The Wheatbaker

(KIND) as well as notable

Hotel and The Metropoli-

actresses, Taiwo Ajai-Ly-

tan Club, both in Lagos

cett and Iretiola Doyle.

on Saturday, 21 March

Founder, Woman Ris-

as well as Federal Palace

ing and Curator for The

Hotel, Lagos on Sunday,

Life House, Ugoma Ad-

22 March 2015.

egoke, who was visibly

Notable among the

elated, thanked Etisalat

guests were Hon. Consul

Nigeria for its contin-

Chief

ued support of celebrat-

Execu-

ing women through the

Switzerland,

Marlies tive

Allan,

Director,

Kudirat

Initiative for Democracy

Woman Rising initiative.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ad experts seek improved govts’ patronage P&G marketing boss bemoans DAVID AUDU

iqued by the obvious sidelining of professional advertising agencies in Nigeria in the ongoing windfall from political advertising in 2015 election campaigns, Nanaging Director of TBWA Concepts and President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, MrKelechi Nwosu, has called on government and political parties to patronize the professional services of adverting agencies in the country. Nwosu who spoke to National Mirror in an exclusive interview recently lamented that in spite of the expertise advertising agencies and practitioners in Nigeria have exhibited, government still prefer to hire foreign consultants at the detriment of qualified Nigerians. He pointed out that from the economic point of view it is not good for the country as it leads to capital flight and loss of jobs. “We need to tell them that what they are doing is wrong. We are appealling to them to

“please work with professionals. “If you need consultants, go to Nigerian agencies, and if those agencies need support they will know where to get them. If we are not confident about ourselves nobody is going to grow us. We might as well firm out our government to people from abroad because they are better. Why is the federal government, the presidency, the governorship, the local government, why don’t they hire coaches to come and run them? Why is the national assembly not made up of legislative experts from the United Kingdom and the United States of America? Why? No county grows by importing labour from outside the country. It never happens. He stressed that itwould not be right for political parties to work without advertising agencies. “It is not right legally, and it is not right from the employment point of view. Very few countries in this tough economic weather will go out of their country to employ people from outside. It looks as if we in Nigeria love to export our money. As we are importing we are exporting our money. We like imported things to

the detriment,welfare, improvement and development of the various segment of our profession. He disclosed that his association is looking at how to unlock the values trapped in government to make it impact on advertising practice in the country. “What I mean by values trapped in government should be understood in terms of policies and in terms of execution of those policies. The duties of government at all levels are the welfare and improvement of lives of the people. “Therefore, government should follow the laws that have been made for the growth of advertising by making sure that all the people who work for them- in their communications and in their advertising jobs are people who are professionals; that they are people who are licensed to work for them. We want a situation where if the ministry of communications or whatever ministry should do any communication, they should work with professionals. That is what the APCON law says, which is the laws of the country.

lack of female creative

he lack of female creatives and creatives who are mothers is driving the dearth of great advertising targeted at mothers, according to P&G’s top marketer. Speaking at the Mumstock conference in London recently, Roisin Donnelly, brand director, northern Europe at P&G, said: “There aren’t enough female creatives and there aren’t enough creatives that are mums. If we changed this we would do a better job.” Margaret Jobling, director of brand marketing at British Gas, added that she had changed creative teams in the past because of this. The comments came as Mumsnet unveiled research, created in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi, which revealed brands are missing the mark when it comes

Lagos to show case aquatic culture in April DAVID AUDU

(L–R) Managing Director of Bayswater Industries Ltd, Mr Piyush Nair, presenting a Hyundai Accent car prize to Suleja-based Mr. Chef North Central Zone distributor, Alhaji Surajo Mai Yahi, in Suleja, Niger State recently.

Seasoning brand rewards distributors DAVID AUDU

ne of Nigeria’s food seasoning brands, Mr. Chef, has enhanced the life of three of its key distributors in the North Central Zone by rewarding them with brand new cars for the loyalty they have shown towards building the Mr. Chef seasoning cubes business. Two distributors, Alhaji Surajo Mai Yahi and Alhaji Abubakar Mahali from Suleja, and Minna respectively, both won a Hyundai Accent saloon car each whilst Alhaji IdrisSaleh based in Gwagwalada, took home a Hyundai i10 car. Managing Director of Bayswater Industries Ltd, Mr. Piyush Nair, who presented the cars to the winners at the Central Market, Suleja, Niger

State, said: “We are happy that these distributors have demonstrated commitment to the growth of Mr. Chef seasoning cubes in their regions. The car gifts affirm that every relationship with Mr. Chef is valuable because we believe in partnerships that are mutually rewarding.” Surajo Mai Yahi, who spoke on behalf of the winners, said: “We are happy to have won, we appreciate the gifts and we are encouraged that Mr. Chef has always fulfilled its promises to distributors and consumers.” Nair commended the distributors for their contribution to the success of the on-going Mr. Chef Awuf Now, Now sales promo. The promo offers high value gifts that

include Kia Rio cars, trips to Dubai, generators, LED TVs, and refrigerators, which are contained in Scratch Cards in cartons of Mr. Chef beef and chicken seasoning cubes. These are in addition to instant prizes that include Mobile Phones, Radios, Cutlery Sets, Trays, T-Shirts, Face caps, Towels, Aprons, Exercise Books and Biros to all customers who purchase a case of Mr. Chef beef and chicken-flavour seasoning cubes. Till date, over 50 winners across Nigeria have won high quality gifts that include Kia Rio cars, trips to Dubai, generators, LED TVs and refrigerators that are contained in Scratch Cards in cartons of Mr. Chef’s beef or chicken seasoning cubes.

to marketing to mothers. The research revealed that brands are failing to reflect the myriad emotional roles of motherhood, instead focusing on it as a job, or a series of chores which must be carried out. To break away from this tired formula Donnelly urged marketers to INVEST in creative work that really moves them. Explaining that consumers won’t remember the words but they will remember how the brand made them feel. Pointing to the emotional pull of Always’ genre-defining ‘Like a Girl’ campaign, she explains: “We had a candid debate with Always, asking should we have more product in it, but sometimes you have to take risks and trust your creative partners,” explains Donnelly.

he much awaited Lagos Water Regatta that bringstogether Lagosians home and abroad is billed to hold in April this yearwith the theme “Celebrating the Aquatic Splendor of Lagos”. The Regatta, which is in its sixth edition, will feature a parade of boats and yachts, including large fishing boats, ferries, barges and other marine vessels that are beautifully adorned. The fun filled water-based event depicts the socialcultural, traditional folklores and occupational aspects of the people of Lagos State. In a media chat with the Chairman, Organising Committee, Lagos Water Regatta, Engr. OlusegunJawando revealed that in addition to the colorful array of decorated floats, there will be a display of unique nature of Lagos State as the melting pot of Nigeria – a feature that has created a colorful and

radiant Mosaic reflected in our hospitality, creativity& innovation, commerce and optimistic nature. He added futherthat this edition is the valedictory version for its initiator, His Excellency Governor BabatundeRajiFashola SAN, and will be more electrifying than the last with performances and appearances of Alist musicians, comedians and entertainment acts. In addition, there will be a chorale group accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. The Regatta Village will feature a Children’s Fun Park and a general section. The parade of aquatic vessels will feature boat clubs, local communities, corporate organisations as well as various other enthusiasts of water sports and aquatic activities. The Regatta will also feature jet skis display, canoe races that will encompass all the local governments in Lagos and neighboring riverine states as well as international open water swimming races and kayak racing competitions, he added.

BA appreciates partners’ support

s part of measures to commend and show appreciation for partners’ support, British Airways recently hosted its travel consultants based in Northern Nigeria to a strategic commercial meeting in Washington DC. The meeting was aimed at rewarding the partners’ unflinching support to British Airways’ Nigerian business operations. The strategic commercial meeting, a direct interactive gathering with the British Airways Travel consultants also serves as a platform to receive one-on-one feedback on British Airways products and services. Speaking at the meeting which had the top six British Airways Travel Management Companies in Abuja and Kano in attendance, British Air-

ways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Kola Olayinka, noted that year 2014 was a good year for the company in Nigeria. According to him, the success would not have been possible without the support of the partners who remain a critical factor in British Airways business success in Nigeria. ‘We are always out to delight our partners in a very special way. Our industry is a very engaging one hence every opportunity we have to mix business with pleasure is always highly welcome. At British Airways, we value the role of our partners in our business and this meeting is another opportunity to share experiences, thoughts and ideas that would be of mutual benefits,” Olayinka said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, March 26, 2015

PEP stores support orphanages with N20m DAVID AUDU

n line with its Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, PEP Stores Nigeria, a leading multinational retail company specialized in clothing, Home wear, footwear, as well as other fast moving consumer goods has reached out to three orphanages in Nigeria; Beth Torry Home for the mentally handicapped, Little Saint Orphanage and Hearth of Gold Hospice by renovating some part of their buildings and donating items worth over 20 million Naira. The company spent about N1.5Million in fixing doors and furniture at Little Saint branches in Egbeda, Ogudu and Abole and Heart of Gold in Surulerewhile it donated items (Clothing & Foot

wear) valued at about N11.5 Million to Little Saints Orphanage, Lagos and another N6.8 Million worth of items to Beth Torry Home for the mentally handicapped. According to the General Manager, PEP Stores Nigeria, Mr. Deon Conradie, the donations of the items to the Orphanages and the renovations is in line with the company’s strong belief in giving back to the society in which it operates as a socially responsible corporate citizen. “This Corporate Social Responsibility initiative is part of our brand’s DNA. PEP believes in giving back to the communities it serves and each PEP region is empowered to give back to the communities at a local level’’, he said He also revealed that the renova-

Omo to flag-off Ultimate Showdown Challenge promo DAVID AUDU

ne of Nigeria’s top detergent brand for over fifty years, Omo will be embarking on a promo tagged the ultimate showdown challenge on streets across major cities in the country. At these “Wash Demos”, members of the public will be invited to participate in the challenge and also express their observations as Omo Fast Action detergent goes head to head with competition to settle once and for all which brand is the fastest tough stain remover. Brand Manager for Omo Sarah Adoki, said the challenge will provide a firsthand experience for the public and help obtain vital and

tion of the three orphanages which involves fixing of doors, furniture and painting was carried out at a value of about N1.5 million while PEP employees, known as Dynamos in the company’s parlance, also donated money that was used to help some needful organisations. “To achieve this, we worked in partnership with Cussun Generators to pool our limited resources together to fix the roofs of some of the homes and we have also started a vegetable growing programme and provide Physiotherapy visits to these homes’’, he added. He stressed further that PEP Stores would continue to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian community by embarking on special CSR projects during every financial year of the company.

immediate feedback on the cleaning power of Omo Fast Action. “Anyone can come out with a product and make all sorts of claims about its capabilities. At Omo, we know and believe in the product we have and by staging these challenges, we present the evidence of Omo Fast Action’s cleaning power to the public and let them pass their verdict.” Celebrity ambassadors and Nollywood stars such as FunkeAkindele, ChiomaChukwuka, and others are billed to act as emcees and help feel the pulse of the people at select locations. Beyond the thrill factor, these celebrities literally lay their reputation on the line when they tell their admiring public what products can best meet their needs.

Publicis opens global agency Blue 449

ublicis Groupe has launched a global media agency network called Blue 449, led by a restructured and rebranded Walker Media in the UK. Walker Media will take on the name and brand identity of Blue 449, and will be the founding office and driving force behind the network. Blue 449 will be part of ZenithOptimedia Group and the ambition is for the network to have a presence in 17 cities by the end of 2015. The name Blue 449 references the colour wavelength between the “purple” brand of Walker Media and “blue” of ZenithOptimedia. Blue 449 will be led by a team comprising staff from both Walker Media and ZenithOptimedia Group. Walker Media’s chairman, Phil

L:R: Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria, John O’Keeffe receiving the Nigerian Stock Exchange plaque at the Guinness Nigeria Plc. close of business Bell Ringing Ceremony yesterday.

Georgiadis, and chief executive, Simon Davis, will continue in their roles at Blue 449 in the UK. The network will be run by SébastienDanet, the president of ZenithOptimedia France and chair of VivaKi France. Blue 449’s global hubs will be formed by start-ups – drawing on ZenithOptimedia personnel – and acquisitions. The new network is positioning itself around the innovation and collaboration of today’s digital media environment, through the philosophy of “open source”. The core principle is that the source code of software programs can be made widely available for adaptation, modification and development. It is an approach described as “decentralised and people-focused”.

The power of internal audience in projecting brand image

ew days ago, a professional colleague told me of his recent visit to Maryland branch of Access Bank Plc. According to him, he was so impressed with the attitudinal disposition of Aggiah Christiana Juliet, a Customer Service Officer, who handled his transaction. In his estimation, Christiana represented the brand well and comported herself in a very good way, particularly with her speed which is one of the brand attributes of Access Bank. The way she attended to customers is commendable and she could use her notable attributes to win new customers for the organization. In the narrative of my colleague, Christiana, carried out all necessary search on what he wanted and not finding necessary clue never let go of the case even when my colleague had left the banking hall. She called him much later in the day to request that he should please furnish her with any past correspondence to

help her dig further on the case. Access Bank operates on the platform of customer centric services and one is not surprised with the exemplary way the lady projected the brand image. She exhibited good customer skills and handled complaints in a very pro-active manner. This Customer Service Officer demonstrated the fact that she had good understanding of the customers’ expectations and has imbibed values which the brand stands for as one of its internal audience. The Internal audience is important for any organization in order to communicate its culture and values to the employees. It is only through internal communication that employees can be enlisted to the company’s vision and goals. A functional internal communication mechanism enables the employees to live the brand well. Internal communication enables the employees to know what is required of them as they need to be thoroughly immersed in the vision

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com

of the organization. Most of the challenges that some organizations face are better addressed through internal communication before it creates image problems for the organization. When employees are not focused on, it creates huge perception challenge for the organization. Most employees are just employed without a proper induction which has serious adverse effects on the organization. How can employees live the brand when they do not have good idea of what the organization stands for? Every organization is expected to adopt a specific internal audience

engagement in order to achieve its goals. Employees need to be updated on a regular basis about the developments in the organization. This dismantles every culture that is strange to the organization. Employees should also be encouraged to voice out their feelings and opinion about the organization. There should be regular face to face meetings to gauge the perception of employees. It is also a step in the wrong direction when employees obtain information about their organizations through external sources. It is better to sell an idea to your employees first before you take it outside.

There should be a proper integration within the internal processes that will ensure that employees are properly immersed in the brand. Employees need to understand the brand promise and the customer deliverables. When they believe in the brand, they will help the company carry it out through interface with the customers. Internal branding campaign is desired to connect with the employees in order to boost their morale and create a workplace of fun to engage employees on their jobs. The whole essence is to explain the company’s strategic direction as well as its vision. It fills in the gap for the employees and as a result; they have a good grasp of the brand values which is ultimately delivered to the consumers. What internal branding does is to immerse the internal audience in the brand first and enlist their commitment to the brand vision.

Insight

ost Nigerians in the Diaspora have expressed their anger over their imminent disenfranchisement from the 2015 General Elections beginning on Saturday. While blaming the government, they also castigated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other government agencies charged with the task of orientating Nigerians on the polls over their failure to carry the foreign-based Nigerians along. The Diaspora Nigerians bemoan that while other countries make adequate preparations for their citizens at home and those outside the shores of their countries to exercise their civic rights, some of this group of Nigerians surveyed by National Mirror, lamented that the case is not the same with Nigeria. Advanced democracies that have attained repeated successes in the conduct of national elections have linked their achievements to the importance they place on making sure all their citizens both at home and outside their borders participate and are adequately orientated towards the exercise. Ensuring that no citizen is disenfranchised, these countries make provisions at their Embassies across the world for the exercise of civic rights. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation, the CEO of Global Village Consult, Collins Nweke, who spoke to National Mirror said, “There is no fancy way of saying that Nigerians in the Diaspora are bitterly unsatisfied with the way the 2015 polls are playing out. “For a start, everywhere President Goodluck Jonathan went soon after he was elected into office for his first term; he was happy to declare his support for Diaspora Voting and the Diaspora Commission and was confident in asserting that Nigerians resident abroad should be able to vote from their locations abroad in the elections of 2015.” Nweke, who is also the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Europe, added, “So, we are grossly unhappy that we are yet again spectators in a game where we should be active players. Some would put the blame squarely on the table of Mr. President, yet others will tell you that if the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs did its job well or that if the Diaspora as a lobbying force was fit for purpose, Diaspora Voting and Diaspora Commission would have been operational by now.” The need to increase participation of Nigerians abroad in future political activities is further tied to the important economic contributions they provide for the country. “This is important because if the Diaspora decides to withhold the over $30billion (USD) that they remit annually to Nigeria, the economy will feel the crack. So, no the Diaspora don’t perceive themselves as involved because the country has sat on their participation tool: their vote and that is not good!,” Nweke further said. To further buttress this point, the Director of Mobilisation and Diaspora Affairs of Gloway Youth International, Dunni Ericson-Aminu, told National Mirror “From what we have seen so far, there is nothing visible to suggest that there is a structure on ground to accom-

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015 polls: How govt, INEC Two days to the beginning of the 2015 General Elections, the fate of about 17million Nigerians living abroad to vote has been foreclosed. PAUL ARHEWE reports that the onus is on the executive and legislative arms of government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put the frameworks in place to ensure Diaspora Voting in future elections in Nigeria.

ENSURING THAT NO CITIZEN IS DISENFRANCHISED, THESE COUNTRIES MAKE PROVISIONS AT THEIR EMBASSIES ACROSS THE WORLD FOR THE EXERCISE OF CIVIC RIGHTS

modate Nigerians in the Diaspora during the forthcoming elections.” “The ineptitude of Nigerian government and the lack of willingness on the part of INEC have led to this inglorious development. To the chagrin of patriotic Nigerians, some Senators have the presence of mind to officially declare to the hearing of the whole world that after 16 years of democratic rule, Nigeria is still not ripe enough to allow Diaspora voting. “After consulting with some Nigerians in the Diaspora it dawned on me that at this moment, the feeling they are nursing are the ones of alienation, marginalisation and disenfranchisement. “It is pertinent to point out to Nigerians living at home that these Nigerians in the Diaspora regard the Nigerian system as an albatross. It is safe to say that the role of INEC in this matter remains limited by parties’ rivalry and internal inertia,” Aminu added.

However, both the Nigerian Senate and INEC have given reasons why Nigerians in foreign countries cannot vote in the 2015 polls starting on Saturday. Some of these reasons are linked to inadequate and inaccurate data of Nigerians in the Diaspora. In a report recently, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Andy Uba, said the reason Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot be accommodated in voting during the 2015 polls is the absence of a legal framework on how they will vote. In addition, he explained, “No accurate data of Nigerians living in any particular country can be obtained from any of the Nigerian Embassies.” Senator Uba is, however, optimistic that such voting could be possible in the future. In line with this view, the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, at a public function last year, supported the clamour that Nigerians abroad should be

Nweke, Chairman of Nigerians in diaspora

allowed to exercise their franchise, but explained that the impediment to this can be overcome until the amended Electoral Act was passed into law. Jega said denying Nigerians in the Diaspora the right to vote would be an infringement on their right, and added that the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act would enable them to carry out their civic responsibility. The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in Section 77 (2) makes provision for all Nigerians from 18 years to vote without

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, March 26, 2015

disenfranchise 17m Diaspora Nigerians

Nigerians waiting to cast their vote during a past general election

INEC Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega

CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS, SENATOR ANDY UBA, SAID THE REASON NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN VOTING DURING THE

2015 POLLS IS THE

ABSENCE OF A LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON HOW THEY WILL VOTE

discrimination on their location. The section of the Act states, “Every citizen of Nigeria who has attained the age of 18 at the time of the registration of voters for the purpose of election to a legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election.” Furthermore, there are concerns on the low level of awareness, apart from the disenfranchisement of Nigerians in the Diaspora, concerning the preparations and events surrounding the 2015 polls.

Some Nigerians in London, recently at the Chatham House, where the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, gave a speech, created an amusing scene during a march. Many of the protesters were clueless about what they were protesting and those interviewed on camera were fumbling and mumbling incoherent words that have nothing to do with what is happening back home. The interviewer, Rose Graham, who co-presents a political programme on

BEN-TV UK, subsequently expressed disappointment at their level of ignorance, and went on to allege that they might have been paid to attend the protest. On the feelings of Nigerians living abroad, Nweke is of the view that “the awareness that the Diaspora wants created is the removal of all obstacles standing in the way of their rights to vote and be voted for in elections in Nigeria.” He acknowledged the fact that whereas the INEC Chairman, Prof. Jega, is on records as supporting the Diaspora Voting, but of course he has no legislative powers. Only the National Assembly does have the powers to pass the needed legislation, which INEC simply has to execute. “I know that some will be quick to point out that if INEC is unable to comfortably manage the election processes in Nigeria with voter registration, issuance of Permanent Voter Cards and other matters how are they able to cope with Diaspora Voting? “Of course that’s a mischievous question because the two processes have different dynamics. Actually, in the proposal that was worked out under my chairmanship of Nigerians in Diaspora Europe, we have a watertight, time-sensitive and highly efficient voting system based on shared responsibility, accountability, monitoring and then evaluation,” he added. Some observers of the current disentrancement of Nigerians abroad are of the view that many of them are experts and should be co-opted to contribute to future successful polls in the country. “Some Nigerians in the Diaspora are election experts and officers in some of the top economies of the world and are instrumental in the design of the most advanced and complex election systems and processes. These patriots are willing but also able to place all of these skills, know-how and expertise at the disposal of Nigeria, not only to get the Diaspora Voting right but also the entire gamut of the election apparatus in Nigeria. Here is the question: will they get the chance to help the fatherland? Even right there in Nigeria, the best brains remain untapped while we settle for mediocrity that is obviously not doing us much good,” Nweke said. Even before going forward, the Gloway Youth International is of the view that INEC and all other relevant agencies should devise the means to accommodate Nigerians in the Diaspora in this upcoming elections. “If their excuse for their unwillingness to intensify efforts to correct this abnormality is premised on the lack of the wherewithal, the whole world will regard them as a bunch of pseudo-experts. “All concerned parties should not see this publication as a diatribe but as a challenge to spur them to action and discharge their responsibilities before the Nigerian people lose the remnants of their sanity”. Observers are of the opinion that INEC needs to do more by planning for future elections in order to avoid the late

hour rush and postponement of the 2015 polls earlier from February to March and April as witnessed recently. “I do not see how at least a 95% readiness rate for the election can be achieved if in the two weeks left (then) huge dedicated manpower is not deployed by INEC to clear up existing backlogs. Government and opposition need to grow up, be responsible and patriotic. You cannot play politics with everything. INEC being truly independent (I know some would declare me naïve for daring to suggest that INEC is independent), government and the opposition should be united in their quest to facilitate their work rather than this never-ending trading of blames and insults. “Government, but also opposition owes it to the good people of Nigeria during this last week to respect the principles of responsible politicking, call their minders to order and run to the finishing line of the race based on content and not personal insults. Let us not forget that the electorate and the media have their roles cut out for them too. “Penetrating questions should be raised over the economy, poverty alleviation strategy, the criminally high youth unemployment, the non-oil economic stimulation strategy, strengthening of democratic institutions, the energy sector, infrastructural development, et cetera. These are things that keep Nigerians awake at night and the goal of purposeful politics is to address these issues. It is still possible to get Nigerians to forgive the sins on both sides if they reapply themselves more credibly during this last couple of days. “That said, I guess I must add that by the time all of these are evaluated, we might come to the conclusion that INEC and the nation did learn useful lessons while trying to give Nigeria a free and fair election and that such lessons hopefully would be carried on to perfect the next elections. Let’s remember that ours is an evolving democracy and like all evolving things, it needs time to be nurtured,” Nweke, the Diaspora boss admonished. Nigerians abroad constitute one of the highest numbers of migrants from Africa, as reflected in the World Bank data published here. Reports have it that there are over 17 millions Nigerians in the Diaspora. It is therefore, paramount that Nigerian government takes a cue from countries that have been allowing their citizens to vote from abroad. For instance, the United States of America during their general polls send out ballot by email, fax, or through internet download and encourages all its citizens abroad who are eligible and of voting age, to partake in the elections. Even South Africa allows its citizens abroad to vote during national elections. In 2009, the 16,000 South Africans (out of the 1.2 million living abroad) who registered in advance were able to vote. Many other countries have started adopting this practice. Commentators are of the view that it is high time Nigeria followed this trend.

Cocktail

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Man arrested for missing jury duty 11 times

Pennsylvania man who skipped out on jury duty 11 times in the last two years has been arrested inside a courthouse while seeking relief from a child support ruling. Somerset County Judge D. Gregory Geary told 32-year-old Owen Fazenbaker III on Monday that he found it “ironic” that Fazenbak-

er could find his way to court for that but not for jury duty. Fazenbaker promised to serve on future juries if the judge would not impose a $500 fine and 10 days in jail for each time he has missed jury duty. The (Somerset) Daily American reports that the judge said the Stoystown man could avoid a seven-day jail term if he pays a $500 fine.

Police hunt thieves who stole 38 pythons

ritish police said they were hunting for thieves who broke into an apartment in northwest England and stole 38 Royal Python snakes. The non-venomous snakes, which included eight pregnant females,

were taken from a house in St Helens last week, police added. Two men were spotted leaving the scene carrying two sacks. “This is a large collection of snakes that the victim had been gathering

American stranded in Mexico by alleged identity theft

Los Angeles man said he has been stranded in Mexico for weeks after an identity thief apparently altered his personal information. Carlos Montoya, who said he had been in Mexico for the pat year to receive treatment for epilepsy, said he never got around to getting a U.S. passport because he was always allowed to cross the border by presenting his California ID, Social Security card and birth certificate. However, Montoya said

border agents at the San Ysidro crossing refused to allow him to cross March 1 when they checked his fingerprints and someone else’s information came up on the screen. “Then all of a sudden it became a nightmare. The agents of Customs and Border Patrol accused him of being an impostor and told him, ‘No this is not your ID,’” Montoya’s attorney, Luis Carrillo, said Monday. Carrillo said his client was jailed for three days

by border agents and they pressured him to sign a false document that said he was born in Mexico under the false name Jose Francisco Garcia-Garcia. “An agent tells him, ‘Look if you invent a false name and you agree with what we tell you, you can go free,’” Carrillo said. “Under those kinds of pressure, being locked up for three days, facing ten years [in prison]... then he signs and agrees to whatever they were telling him.”

A man carrying a python

for a while,” said Det. Con. Neil Henry of Merseyside Police. According to a website for Royal Python keepers, www.theroyalpython. co.uk, the snakes grow to an average length of 4-5

feet (1.2-1.5 meters) and make great pets, as they have good temperaments and are easy to tame. Police said the snakes were “extremely unlikely to pose any threat to the public”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Banking, oil and gas stocks lift index by 1% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

strong performance from heavyweights, specifically in the banking and oil and gas sectors, kept equities trading on uptrend on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday. Specifically, the All Share Index appreciated 1.03% per cent to close at 29,889.91 points, while market capitalisation gained N102bn to close at N9.97trn. Stock analysts attributed the increase to the

investors reaction to the corporate actionsof companies for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, all NSEsectoral indices closed higher with the exception of NSE-industrial goods which declined fractionally by 0.05 per cent . The volume and value of transactions also appreciated significantly by 105.20 per cent and 40.48 per cent respectively. Dangote Flour Plc led the gainers’ table with 30 kobo or 9.90 per cent to

close at N3.33 per share, followed by Transcorp Plc with 26 kobo or 9.89 per cent to close at N2.89 per share. African Prudence Insurance Plc appreciated 12 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.52 per share, while Forte Oil Plc gained N9.82 or five per cent to close at N206.34 per share. Union Bank Plc was up 46 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N9.68 per share. Conversely, Access Bank Plc lost 30 kobo or 5.08 per cent to close at

N5.60 per share, while Red Star Express Plc depreciated 19 kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at N3.75 per share. Sterling Bank Plc shed 11 kobo or 4.80 per cent to close at N2.18 per share, while FCMB Plc fell 13 kobo or 4.64 per cent to close at N2.67 per share. Cutix Plc dropped seven kobo or 4.61 per cent to close at N1.45 per share. A total of 433.9 million shares valued at N4.00bn were traded in 3,915 deals.

Sterling Bank earns N104bn in 2014

terling Bank yesterday announced a gross earning of N103.7bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 13 per cent when compared to N91.7bn recorded in the same period of 2013. The bank’s profit after tax increased to N9.005bn in 2014, up 8.8 per cent from N8.27bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013, while profit before tax stood at 10.7bn, up 9.3 per cent from N9.31bn in 2013. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, net interest income rose 20.1 per cent to N43.0bn in 2014, from N35.8bn recorded in 2013, driven mainly by 11.4 per cent growth in interest income to N77.9bn, which far outweighed the 2.2 per cent increase in funding costs to N34.9bn. This underlined the in-

creasing cost efficiency of the lender as cost of funds had dropped from 6.1 per cent in 2013 to 5.3 per cent in 2014. Similarly, non-interest income added 18.3 per cent increase, from N21.8bn in 2013 to N25.7bn in 2014. This was boosted by 82.2 per cent growth in net trading income to N6.8bn. Speaking on the result, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the bank’s performance shows the strengths of its resilient growth model and its ability to continue to deliver value for all stakeholders. According to him, 2014 was a difficult year in many respects for the Nigerian banking industry as the multiple challenges arising from a weaker macroeconomic environment and the various regulatory responses to them put significant pressure on the margins of banks.

“Despite these pressures, we achieved doubledigit earnings growth in line with our mediumterm strategic objectives. This performance underscores the commitment of the entire team to our corporate goals and the resilience of our business model,” Adeola said. He noted that during the year, the Bank initiated the upgrade of its technology infrastructure and the reengineering, centralization and automation of processes to improve the customer experience while in recognition of the critical role that human capital plays in successfully driving strategy and its execution, it also continued to invest substantially in employee training, talent retention, and the creation of an environment that fosters continuous learning and development. He assured that going forward; the bank would

Survey lifts euro, weighs on European shares

forecast-beating survey of German business morale helped push the euro higher against the dollar yesterday, pegging back European stock markets. Germany’s Ifo index rose for the fifth successive month to its highest since July 2014, suggesting growth in Europe’s largest economy rebounded again in the first quarter of 2015. The data, based on a survey of 7,000 firms, was stronger than forecast by economists in a Reuters poll and

helped push the euro back towards $1.10. The single currency was last at $1.0983, up 0.5 per cent on the day and rising towards Tuesday’s peak of $1.1029. Euro strength hit the exporter-heavy German DAX index, however, prompting some profit-taking, analysts said. This in turn weighed on the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index which fell 0.6 percent. Just last week it touched seven and half year highs. “The macro newsflow in Europe is quite positive, but

after such a rally the market needs to catch its breath,” IG France chief market analyst Alexandre Baradez said. “At this point a pause is needed, while the mediumterm trend remains very positive.” Asian shares had largely stalled earlier, with MSCI’s main gauge of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan edging up 0.1 per cent. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 0.2 per cent to 19,746.20 points, just below a 15-year high closing level of 19,754.36 hit on Monday.

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 29,434.46 points Market capitalisation 9.82trn

Stock Updates GAINERS

continue to deliver better values to all stakeholders given the steadiness of its strategic growth plan and its current strong balance sheet position. Besides, the Sterling Bank boss said the lender would further strengthen its capital base by raising new funds to support its business expansion and enhance its ability to undertake large-ticket transactions. “While the economic landscape may be challenging, I strongly believe that the bank is on a sound footing, given its stronger capital position, outstanding asset quality and a dedicated workforce to advance its growth plans. Our capital plan remains on track as we advance to the last phase of the capital raising programme, a multicurrency subordinated debt tranche of US$200 million,” Adeola said. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DANGFLOUR

3.03

3.33

0.30

9.90

TRANSCORP

2.63

2.89

0.26

9.89

AFRIPRUD

2.40

2.52

0.12

5.00

196.52

206.34

9.82

5.00

UBN

9.22

9.68

0.46

4.99

ZENITHBANK

16.70

17.53

0.83

4.97

FIDELITYBK

1.41

1.48

0.07

4.96

MAYBAKER

1.41

1.48

0.07

4.96

LIVESTOCK

2.02

2.12

0.10

4.95

UAC-PROP

9.15

9.60

0.45

4.92

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ACCESS

5.90

CLOSING 5.60

-0.30

-5.08

REDSTAREX

3.94

3.75

-0.19

-4.82

STERLNBANK

2.29

2.18

-0.11

-4.80

FCMB

2.80

2.67

-0.13

-4.64

CUTIX

1.52

1.45

-0.07

-4.61

NAHCO

4.80

4.61

-0.19

-3.96

MOBIL

145.00

140.00

-5.00

-3.45

AIRSERVICE

1.72

1.70

-0.02

-1.16

UBCAP

1.36

1.35

-0.01

-0.74

NESTLE

805.00

800.00

-5.00

-0.62

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.40

96.67

15.76

96.82

15.64

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.09

98.77

15.79

98.92

15.70

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.26

100.45

15.83

100.75

15.73

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.84

102.75

15.70

103.05

15.63

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.97

92.29

15.83

92.59

15.77

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.33 66.61

15.85

66.91

15.78

Closing Market Prices of March 25, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

25-Jun-15

14.15

14.67

WAUA

270

USD

197

24-Sep-15

14.82

16.01

EURO

214

17-Mar-16

13.74

15.88

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

14.3750

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.8940

16.7582

SDR

273

17.6973

NIBOR

The Fixings of March 25, 2015

Capital Market

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at March 25, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Institute trains 103 young people on agribusiness Stories: Leonard Okachie

nternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) says it has so far trained 103 young Nigerians in the IITA Youth Agripreneur programme. The institute’s Director-General, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, made the disclosure in Abuja recently said that the beneficiaries were trained on modern agricultural practices and entrepreneurial skills to make them self-reliant. He said the youth were trained in Abuja, Borno, Cross River and Oyo States in the first phase of the programme, launched in 2012. The director-general said that 15 of the beneficiaries were trained in Abuja, 20 in Borno; 33 in Calabar and 35 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He noted that the trainees comprised unemployed graduates and other young Nigerians who showed interest in agriculture. According to him, the training is being done by the institute in collaboration with State Governments. The director-general stated that the institute had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oyo State Government to train 250 additional youths on agriculture. Sanginga explained that the involvement of young Nigerians in agriculture was aimed at reducing youth unemployment. He said: “Young people need to be mentored so as to keep them on the path which they have chosen. They know what to do but need to be mentored and pushed by somebody to do it. “IITA Youth Agripreneurs is basically a group of young vibrant minds from different educational backgrounds who have embraced agriculture as a means of livelihood.We have a lot of graduates without jobs. “The IITA Agripreneurs is dedicated to encouraging and empowering youths of Nigeria and Africa, using agriculture as the major tool. “We went into rigorous selection of these youths to train from those who had shown interest in agriculture and this is done through testing to see their level of seriousness.’’ The IITA Youth Agripreneurs programme, according to Sanginga, uses teaching, mentoring and practical demonstrations of modern agriculture to attract youths into agribusiness. He said that its primary goals were to attract “young and vibrant human capital’’ to

the sector by making farming profitable. “We put them into the training for six months. We prepare and change their mindset towards agriculture. “The training focuses on promoting agriculture among youths by providing them with training and also to expose them to agricultural best practices in the value chain. “We are trying to see if we can change their mind-set and let the youth know they can run agriculture as a business not depending only on whitecollar jobs.’’ He, however, called for more support to sustain the zeal and enthusiasm displayed by the vibrant youths. The director-general further stated that IITA, with its headquarters in Ibadan, had carried out a number of researches which had yielded good results in the agricultural sector. “The first cassava bread was as a result of our research work almost 10 years ago. In 2012, we were all eating cassava bread in IITA. When the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi

A maize farm

Adesina, tasted it, he took it to the Federal Executive Council which was approved by the president,’’ he said. He disclosed that the institute had been supporting the government to monitor and train bakers on the production of cassava bread by giving them new varieties that would be more productive.

Nigerian Idol prunes contestants to 30

total of top 30 contestants have been selected to participate in the next phase of the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV music reality show. The contestants got the nod ahead of 70 others after putting up impressive showing during a technically gruelling three-day theatre audition sessions conducted by the show’s celebrity judges, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Darey ‘Art’ Alade at the OMG’s Dream Studios, Ojodu-Omole in Lagos. Among those who made the top 30 acts include Ogunmoyero Modolowamu, Iwuchukwu Franca, Oyinkepreye Deborah Toun, Edema Paradise Weyinmi, Aisosa Edeh-Nosa, Janet Ebiwari Ayoka, Anya Precious Chukusoro,Tama Nisa, Maurice Nandom Dagwa, Godson Goodluck, Annabel Paul Blacledge,

Nigerian Idol 5 top 30 contestants

Ogunrombi Kunle, Esther Aritheshoma Monday, Adigwe Brenda Ada and Okukusie Precious Ajiri. Others are Ekeoma Victor Chibuzor, Olowojoba Segun David, Clinton Oti, Paul Manuwa, Harry Etim , Efuetanu Tobore Ezekiel, Sopriye Opusunju, Orah Ojochenemi John, Kelvin Oluwaseyi Audu, Osayomore Joseph Ighonogie, Okemiri Uloma Margaret, Iheanacho Ogechi Nancy, Omodele Diana Fatoki, Obasi Oluchi Ojukwu and EseAmadasun Imuetiyan It was however a disappointing end to the aspirations of some of the contestants who failed to make the cut for the group stage. Among these are Emmanuel Bassey from the Ibadan auditions centre and golden ticket winners, 19 year –old Moneke Chisom Scholarstica and Ame Igiri, the 24 year-

old medical student who was rewarded with a flight ticket by the three celebrity judges at the Abuja zonal auditions. “I have learnt my lessons though in a hard way,” began a relaxed Ame. “This is my first time on this, so I did not quite understand what it would take to get to the next phase. I will go work on the things that went wrong.” The theatre auditions offer the platform for the emergence of 30 most impressive contestants who subsequently progress to the group stage of the multi-million naira reality show. The 30 contestants will perform before live audiences in three batches of 10 from which three most outstanding performers will emerge per batch through a public voting pro-

cess. The nine best performers pooled from the three batches through the voting process will be joined by three others through the judges’ wild cards to add up to the final 12. Meanwhile, the broadcast of the Nigerian Idol season 5 on both terrestrial and satellite stations continues weekend of March 28 and 29 across the country. It promises to offer real time fun and quality entertainment to the millions of viewers and fans of the family-oriented talent-hunt show Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The eventual winner goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million with Universal Records and some high-end devices. It is in its fifth season after a successful debut in 2010 won by Yeka Onka. In the following years which saw the emergence of Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zebili Evelyn (Evelle), it has grown in popularity and followership on the basis of the unique platforms it offers to young Nigerians with exceptional music talent. It is the only music TV reality show in Nigeria with a global appeal that currently cuts across 46 countries.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Middle Belt Youth declares support for Jonathan Stories: Leonard Okachie

group under the aegis of All Middle Belt Youth Forum, AMBFY, has thrown its weight behind the re-election bid of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in this Saturday’s presidential election. The group in the statement by its national leader, Comrade Moses Odeh said Jonathan has tried in his quest to deliver dividends of democracy and believes he will do more if re-elected. They further said: Mr. President, we understand the difficulties presently facing the nation and your government in terms of service delivery and security. “Therefore, we use this medium to inform Your Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan that we Middle Belters have a friend in you and as well lives and props to defend by the state. This problems has long been before you came to power and we can only help by joining forces with you to wrestle the forces of darkness in order to see our collective humanity rising. “We, the people of the Middle Belt especially the youths are here to communicate to Your Excellency that you should be rest assured that people of the Middle Belt stand with you and your government and disassociate ourselves from the ongoing bloodshed and evil destruction of lives and property by the so-called Islamists Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorists because no sensible mind or culture can support such undeserved attacks on humanity and cultures. “We also wish to make it known to all that good people of the Middle Belt are not part of the Islamist North and Arewa

born to rule political bad blood knowing not democratic alternatives and constitutionalism. We condemn the ongoing but needless war and campaign of calumny against the Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. We echo that Mr. President is not the cause of Nigeria’s yearlong problems but only offered to serve and that is why the electorate gave him the mandate to rule and deliver. He should be supported rather than being warred down.” The group commended the President for his effort in the empowerment of the

region, especially in the nomination of delegates to the recently concluded 2014 National Conference, adding, “We are happy for the good relationship you have with the National Assembly through the able leader of the Nigerian Senate, Rt. Hon David Mark, who happens to be one of the emblems of the Middle Belt. We cannot forget your genuine relationship with the Prof. Jerry Gana and Rt. Hon. Ameh Ebute’s respectively led Middle Belt Forum and Congress for the Equality and Change. We are watching!” Stating further on why it is supporting

Jonathan, the group said: “We believe in Equality of Status and your ability to move our Nigeria to a greater height where all Nigerians will feel sense of belonging wherever they live. We also believe that our quest for Middle Belt distinct identity in Nigeria will be actualized in your government come May 29, 2015. “We are proud to state categorically that no penny was given to us and hence on our own we work hard for your re-election at home (Middle Belt) and outside the region (Western Nigeria).”

Carmudi offers internship opportunity to UNILAG students

UNILAG students on stage.

igeria’s online vehicle market place, Carmudi.com.ng has partnered with the TEDxUnilag team bringing the renowned TED event to the University of Lagos while also offering internship opportunities to the students. This partnership is in conjunction with other AIG ventures Jovago and Kaymu. The TEDxUnilag event with theme ‘Breaking Through the Box’ which took

place recently at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos, had over 100 undergraduates in attendance as well as speakers who had distinguished themselves in areas such as technology, music, drama, spoken words, finance and management. Managing Director Carmudi Nigeria, Christian Keller, announced the internship opportunities available in Carmudi, Jovago and Kaymu.

He said: “This partnership with the TEDxUnilag event and the internship offer is part of Carmudi’s efforts to create a well balanced team of talented, dynamic and highly motivated leaders. This internship will provide the interns the opportunity to learn firsthand what it’s like to work with an online company startup company.” TEDxUnilag founder and organising committee member, Oluwatosin Adeshokan said, “We put together this event to offer the Unilag community an opportunity to share its passion and ideas with communities in Lagos and the world”. The independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, was organized by community volunteers and is aimed at creating dialogue as well as giving people a forum to share their passions, ideas and experiences. The event is sponsored by Jovago, Carmudi, and Kaymu among others. Partners include Young and Cerebral, College to Communities, Arts and Africa, and Stand to End Rape.

Science for Kids

Why do elderly people’s hands shake involuntarily?

An elderly woman being given support.

lderly individuals often face a multitude of health and proper care issues. While there’s not a clear-cut reason as to why an individual may be shakier than another, two major health conditions have shakes, tremors, and unsteadiness as symptoms. Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to various movement issues, among them shakiness, limited walking ability, and poor coordination. Parkinson’s is not limited to older individuals, but the majority of

cases seen do develop in people over the age of 50. This disease affects around two out of every 1,000 individuals and both males and females. In some cases, a family may have a history of Parkinson’s and in these situations, individuals can develop symptoms at a younger than normal. However, when older individuals experience the onset of Parkinson’s, the cause is usually not heredity and is otherwise unknown. The reason Parkinson’s causes shaking is because nerve cells that control movement are slowly destroyed. In the simplest terms, nerve cells rely on dopamine to send movement signals to muscles. As nerve cells are destroyed, so are the body’s dopamine stores and thus a person’s muscles receive fewer or no signals. Proper movement functions are lost and in an effort to control muscles, the body shakes. Sometimes only brain cells controlling one side of the body deteriorate, causing shakiness on one side of the body. But more often both sides of the

body are affected. Parkinson’s symptoms are managable if detected early, but there is no known cure for the disease. Symptom management is different for all individuals. Some patients respond well to treatments and others hardly at all. Much research and time is spent looking for a cure because in some cases, the disease will progress to complete physical and mental disability if not properly treated. Essential Tremor The Mayo Clinic reports that what causes shakiness in elderly people is often thought to be a common aging process. This is far from true. In fact, what many elderly experience is a movement disorder called Essential tremor. This problem affects so many individuals, approximately 0.3-5.6 percent of the general U.S. population, that when shakiness occurs, this is often what health care providers first diagnose as the problem. Essential tremor can appear in young people but is far more likely to affect older adults. For most people, the first sign is a tremor or shaki-

ness in the hands. Essential tremor can start very gradually and progress to other areas of the body. Most of the time these tremors only occur when someone is trying to complete a voluntary movement like writing or holding a cup. Very fine motor movements such as the ones used to thread a needle or hammer a nail are the hardest for people with essential tremor. During rest periods the tremors can vanish completely. An individual can have a mild case of essential tremor for their entire life and it may not affect them much. Some cases develop later in life and may progress to increased levels of disability over time. Essential tremor is a far less debilitating condition than Parkinson’s. This is because Parkinson’s is always negatively progressive, whereas essential tremor is not a disease that always leads to serious complications, and is far more manageable. Still, for the people experiencing essential tremor, the shakiness can be frustrating. -Seniors.lovetoknow

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, March 26, 2015

‘Media must contribute to peaceful elections‘ Stories: Leonard Okachie

edia Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on all actors in the upcoming elections in Nigeria, especially the media, to be professional and responsible in the discharge of their duties to help ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. According to a statement issued by AFEX Co-ordinator,Venancious Ngmenkom Tuor, the MFWA sees Nigeria’s general elections as a crucial milestone in the consolidation of democracy in Africa’s most populous country. The statement noted that as in the case of every election, the role of the media will be crucial in ensuring the elections are conducted fairly and peacefully. It therefore charged the media, both local and international to position themselves as neutral arbiters, provide relevant public education, and avoid hate and violence-inducing publications and broadcast. “The media have always been the vessels through which information, the lifeblood of democracy, is circulated. As a result, the media’s coverage and how they do that before, during and after the upcoming Nigerian elections will have major implications for the success of the polls,” said the Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah. “At this stage, it is critical that both local and international media covering the elections in Nigeria strictly adhere to their professional code of conduct, and provide unbiased and fair reportage of events,” Mr. Braimah added. The MFWA also called on the Nigerian Government, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to offer the necessary support, protection and safety guarantees to all journalists especially those covering the elections. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is a regional independent non-governmental organisation with a mandate to promote freedom of expression and media development in West Africa. Mean while, Maj.-Gen. Ti Dibi, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, has urged the media to sustain the relationship between it and the Army to promote national peace and security. Dibi made the call at the opening of a four-day workshop on the ``Impact of Military/Media relations in Promoting National Peace and Security’’ in Lagos. He said that for a good relationship to be fostered, the media needed to verify its information before disseminating it to the public. He added that both institutions were

in the vanguard of promoting peace and security in society. ``We should be patriotic; write stories that will foster synergy in the promotion of peace and security in Nigeria,’’ Dibi said. He said that security agencies did not hide under the nebulous concept of national security to starve the media of information, even when the matter at stake holds no such implication. He advised journalists to always balance their stories and not write about failures of the army and matters that were capable of thwarting military programmes and cause disaffection in society. He commended the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Col. John Agim for the workshop, expressing the hope that the participants would come out better for peace and security of the nation.

Nigerian newspapers

NET launches mobile TV network

head of its 5th anniversary next month, leading Nigerian media company, Nigerian Entertainment Today has announced the launch of its mobile TV platform. NET TV will deliver news and views on Nigerian celebrities with all the spice the brand has come to be known for. “Two shows ‘NET LIVE’ and ‘NET NEWS’ have already premiered, with more shows to come in the coming weeks” according to founder Ayeni Adekunle.

Ayeni Adekunle

NET LIVE is a witty discussion show, covering issues of interest – from sex to business, feuds, events and more. NET NEWS, is a rich daily show covering everything trending, and a powerful offering from the NET Newsroom – known for breaking the biggest stories and scoring huge celeb exclusives. NET was founded in 2009 to deliver accurate and up-to-the-minute news, entertainment and information to audiences wherever they are... “NET TV will cover the entertainment industry in Nigeria objectively and responsibly, celebrating the best of our stars, and condemning whatever might stand on the way to excellence. We will combine art reporting with celebrity reporting, hoping to enlighten, educate, inform and entertain our audience without nearing the corridors of the four letter word called ‘bore’,” Ayeni said. NET is a 360 degrees media company, relying on past, present and future platforms to deliver accurate and up-to-theminute news, entertainment and infor-

mation to audiences wherever they are. The website, Thenet.ng went live in November, 2009, while the newspaper hit newsstands in April 2010 and they have become Nigeria’s most authentic news source for happenings in the Nigerian entertainment scene. In April 2013, NET held its maiden edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, which is an umbrella summit of the country’s entertainment industry and is set for its third annual conference. With a focus on Nigeria’s most popular entertainment news, youth lifestyle, fashion, and urbane culture, the website recorded over a million page views within its first six months. Founded by respected entertainment writer-turned media entrepreneur, Ayeni Adekunle Samuel, Nigerian Entertainment Today combines reporting from an in-house team of well-trained writer-reporters, with contributions from some of the finest in Nigerian media and entertainment.

Ogunro, Ayoola, others join MTV Shuga auditions

eat FM On- Air-Personality, Fade Ogunro, 2013 MTN Project Fame winner, Ayoola and Nigeria’s rep at the 2014 BBA, Lilien Afegbai on Saturday, March 21, 2015 joined over 700 aspiring talents at MTV Shuga auditions held at the Protea Hotel, Maryland, Lagos. The auditions had the candidates, one after the other, display their talents in a bid to secure a role in the series.

The casting directors, filmmaker, Tope Oshin-Ogun, Oluyomi Ososanya and marketing and partnership manager, MTV SAF, Emmanuel Uduma were on standby to select deserving talents based on voice, acting skills, carriage, presence among other things criteria. Along with a number of major roles, four minor roles will be chosen by public voting via the website, www.shuga. tv starting from March 30, 2015. The

lucky candidates will now join Emmanuel Ikubese, Sharon Ezeamaka, Timini Egbuson and other cast members when the shooting begins in a few weeks. MTV Shuga since its debut in 2009 has been credited for kick starting the acting careers of successful acts including Oscar winning Lupita Nyong’O, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Maria Okanrande and others.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ezekwesili, Abike Dabiri, others celebrate Jideonwo at 30 Leonard Okachie

edia entrepreneur and Managing Partner of Red Media Africa, Chude Jideonwo celebrated his 30th birthday recently with a thanksgiving service at Terra Kulture in Lagos. Family, friends and colleagues who gathered at the ceremony to celebrate with him were; Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Pastor Wale Adenuga, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, represented by his son Jimi Odukoya, Osayi Alile, Pastor Ngozi Jideonwo (Chude’s mother) Mo Abudu, Tara Fela-Durotoye and Mfon Ekpo. Others are Adebola Williams, Tolu Ogunlesi, Noble Igwe, Toolz, Ebuka ObiUchendu, Mai Atafo, Makida Moka, Latasha Ngwube, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Seun Onigbinde, Bolanle Austen Peters, Eben, Tosin Martins, Tosin Ajibade, Somkele Iyamah, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, NkiruOlumide Ojo, Ayo Sogunro, Akintunde Oyebode, Denola Grey, Zina Anumudu, Isoken Ogiemwonyi, Mosunmola Umoru, Jideonwo’s uncle and aunt, Henrietta Olih and Medua Jideonwo, and a host of others. The celebrant acknowledged the impact of his children’s choir teacher when he was 6, Aunty Aisha before bringing her on stage: “Aunty Aisha played an important role in my life in validating me at a time when I was trying to build confidence: she made my life colourful andbeautiful, she taught me to believe in myself and that there is nothing I can’t achieve and that’s why I had to bring her in from London today.” Pastor Sam Adeyemi, who is one of the celebrant’s mentor said “With everything

I have witnessed here today, it is clear that God’s calling is upon Chude’s life because God calls people to function in different offices’. Former World Bank VP Obiageli Ezekwesili also spoke. “I am so delighted to celebrate Chude, ‘I refer to Chude as one of the children I carried in the womb of my heart,” she said, at what became a very emotional evening. “As we can see, from the words of my sister (Chude’s mother), parenting is the foundation of greatness, Chude’s life is defined by what his parents did, which does not happen accidentally.” Chude also invited the founder of the Hearts of Gold Hospice, Laja Adedoyin, which is his adopted charity he had not spoken about until now. “We began to get this donation from his account, but I kept looking for who it was,” Adedoyin, who takes care of children with terminal illnesses, said. “Until one day I found him, and we are very grateful to him. We are grateful to those like Governor Fashola, who I call the father of my kids - for taking us from a 2-bedroom bungalow to a massive building in Onilegogoro.” Chude also pleaded with the audience to donate on a sustained basis to the charity, to enable it’s crucial work. Pastor Wale Adenuga and Nathaniel Bassey performed singing worship songs while Eben closed the thanksgiving ceremony with more praise. Named by Forbes as one of Africa’s 30 best entrepreneurs under 30, Chude Jideonwo’s career is centred on using the media as an active tool to galvanise a generation of Africans to action. In 2010, he convened friends and colleagues to hold the historic EnoughisEnough protests and co-founded Enough-

Media Abroad

Minister’s newspaper closes, fails to pay workers

Mpofu

NE of President Robert Mugabe’s richest ministers, Obert Mpofu, has left more than 20 journalists high and dry after shutting down his Zimbabwe Mail newspaper. The reporters and support staff have been told there is no money for retrenchment packages and that the publication has no assets. Mpofu, through one of the paper’s

board members Dumisani Mtombeni, told staffers Friday that he “is tired of pouring money into a project with no return”. In a highly charged meeting, Mtombeni told stunned workers that the company owned nothing more than the computers they used in their day-day activities. “The company owns nothing really maybe only these computers that you were using but even if they are to be sold nothing much can be gained. So the route of liquidation will not benefit you,” said Mtombeni. “We therefore have decided that we will be able to pay you part of what you are owed if our debtors pay up. The company is owed about $116,000 by advertisers and if and when that is paid then we will be able to settle what we owed you.” Mtombeni was reportedly heckled by angry staff as he failed to provide satisfactory answers to their questions. “Mtombeni was very evasive,” said one journalist. - New Zimbabwe

L-R: Hon. Abike Dabiri, Oby Ezekwesili, Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams at the event.

isEnough Nigeria, which has become the country’s foremost good governance group for young Nigerians. A lawyer and award-winning journalist, he has a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication from the Pan-African University. He isa Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum, a member of the African Leadership Network and sits on

the boards of the Oando Foundation and Micosoft4Afrika. In October 2014, he emerged winner of the CNBC All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year. His latest book, ‘Are We the Turning Point Generation?’ was published by Farafina in May 2014 and has toured Lagos, Abuja, Jonannesburg, London, Paris and New York.

Egypt court adjourns trial of Al Jazeera journalists

court in Cairo has adjourned the retrial of Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed until April 22. Fahmy and Mohamed were jailed on charges of aiding a “terrorist organisation” and were freed on bail on February 12 after more than 400 days, but the court said the case against them was still pending. The pair appeared in court on Wednesday morning, after earlier sessions on March 8 and March 19 were also adjourned. The previous court had ordered a three member technical committee to review ‘incriminating’ evidence and videos. The committee had come to the conclusion that the videos were harmful to national security. After questioning the previous committee members, presiding Judge Hassan Farid asked to form a new technical committee to review evidence and videos. Egyptian Mohamed and Canadian Fahmy, along with Australian Peter Greste were sentenced last year to between seven and 10 years in jail on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organisation - a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Greste was freed on February 1 and deported after 400 days in a Cairo prison. Last Thursday’s hearing also directed

L-R: Mohamed and Fahmy

questions to the lead investigating police officer, but after claiming to not remember most events the judge asked him to step down from the witness stand. “Today the lead investigator, who is the reason why we are wrongly in this cage, has again failed to respond to questions that are very critical to this case. What are the criteria of being a Muslim Brotherhood? Why did he decide that I am a Muslim Brotherhood? On what basis? And more important than that, why did he even arrest us? The man has no answers,” said Fahmy. Mohamed believes that the court was a success after technical committee members failed to answer vital questions directed towards them. “So today I think it was a success they all said that they were not responsible and they did not write the statements. So then who wrote those statements against us. This is a very big question mark for us. Who wrote those typical copy paste statements. This is really important to us. How can somebody say that we published or we broadcasted materials against national security. But then the members are now saying that they didn’t say that,” said Mohamed. The new committee will attempt to prove that Jazeera broadcasted incorrect news to negatively affect national security.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S Shoppers’ D Guide SAIDAT ALAUSA

ave you just completed your house or moving to a new location and you desire to have a modern and tastefully equipped kitchen? You certainly will need to pay a visit to Broad street. You may not have to visit a supermarket or a factory here. Right on the street, in the open space or shops, whether on Broad Street itself or any of the surrounding markets. You can get the latest kitchen wares or accessories ranging from plates, pots, plate rack, glass cups, wardrobes, flasks, spoons, toasters, blenders, stoves – just name it. Amd they are selling fast. Ask Mrs. Oyindamola Amusa a dealer. She told BSD that many Nigerians have discovered the market and visit every day to equip their kitchen to taste. The reason, according to her, is not far fetched. Prices here are far lower than you can ever get in any of the shops or supermarkets outside the island. “Like the big shops, we have all the products here

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Modern Broad Street kitchen wares to give your kitchen a lift

and our customers are always happy because they can get anything they want anytime they visit our stand. “Because we get our

wares nearby and we are not paying huge amount on rent like the shop owners, our wares are cheap and affordable which is why people prefer to

come to us.” Another dealer, Mrs. Temitope Olaniyi told BSD that selling in an open space was not really not what she wanted

Where to shop for Easter

t’s Easter time again. As you head for Lagos Island for your shopping, we tell you where to get the best bargain for the

season:

Balogun Check out this market for all types of fabrics. From Lace, George, Ankara

among o t h e r s, t h i s is the place to get the best bargain. F o r those pre paring for w e d ding, there are bridal shops on Balogun to meet y o u r needs. Balogun market is also the place to visit for children wears and men’s clothing.

Breadfruit: This market is notable for the best bargain for assorted Jewelleries.

Jankara Check out this market for the latest and cheap electronics.

Martins street This is the home of fashion accessories. It is also a place to visit for sun glasses. Perfumes , belts. Wrist watches etc.

Tom Jones You may wish to check out this market for the latest fabrics in town.

Ebute Ero This is another big market for kitchen wares, electronics etc.

Dosunmu Here, you can get your desired fabrics, clothing and household items. Saidat Alausa

but because she could not afford a shop on Broad Street, she opted for the open space and business is booming for her all the same. On what she make daily, Olaniyi said when market booms she make between N40 to N50 thou-

sand naira. Now she won’t mind moving to a shop to expand her business. “I want government to build shops that are affordable for people like us because when they build shops and the rent is high, we cannot afford it,” she said.

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Car park business booms in Lagos

… operators rake in millions daily

SAM EFERARO

mart business men and women are smiling their way to the bank on a daily basis in a booming car park business now spreading fast in every part of Lagos Island. BSD can now reveal that the multi-million Naira car park business is now a major revenue earning venture both for the the three tiers of government and private individuals who control land spaces around the city’s business district. For instance, the Federal governmentowned parks along the Marina reportedly rake in millions of naira everyday both from parking and lease by corporate bodies. Each of the parks along the Marina, for instance, according to BSD sources habours between 3,000 and 5,000 cars at N200 per car. The parks are managed by agents which remit money to the appropriate ministry of the Federal government. Some other parks are also owned by the state and local government. Both the Federal and State government and the individuals running private parks must however pay appropriate tax to the local government. Parking is charged either on hourly basis or for a full day. Some parks also allow owners to park overnight or sometimes for days at an agreed fee.

IT LOOKS LIKE A CHIL CHILD’S PLAY SEEING CARS COMING IN AND OUT BUT THE MONEY YOU GET AT THE END OF THE DAY IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT,”

HE SAID, REFUSING TO DISCLOSE HIS DAIL DAILY EARNING Investigations by BSD reveal that many land owners have converted their property to car parks which seem to be attracting more money on a daily basis and therefore becoming more lucrative as car parks do not involve huge investment unlike buildings. A private car park owner who pleaded anonymity, told BSD that setting up a car park has become the best way to ensure that one’s undeveloped site yields enough money which could be used to put up a building within years. “It looks like a child’s play seeing cars coming in and out but the money you get at the end of the day is quite significant,” he said, refusing to disclose his daily earning.

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of their staff and customers.” Kehinde agreed that the business has become an all comer’s affair, especially during the Christmas period when cars were allowed to park indiscriminately, causing traffic jam all over the city. “Yes. People went a bit too far but we are now in the era of politics and government is hesitant to apply the big stick . So people just carry on as if there are no regulations but all that will stop soon after the elections. “But then, anyone can be licenced to run a pack as long as the individual has the space and personnel to run it and take care of people’s vehicles. Of course it is a very good avenue for youths to gain employment without having a god father or paper qualifications.

Another private car operator along Broad street, Mr. Olatunji Kehinde told BSD that car park business has become another avenue for providing jobs for the youth. “Our small car park here, for instance, takes just 30 cars. Yet, we have four youths working here. We have one who issues tickets, two drivers who help to park the cars and a security man. You can imagine the number of people that are employed in the big packs which takes in thousand of cars everyday. “The idea of using available spaces for car parks did not just start today. It started even before the Jakande administration which even provided meters. This was concentrated more under the bridge then but the situation has changed today. If you have a parcel of land that you cannot develop immediately, you turn it to a car park For Road shows, parties for a daily revenue. & Special events “The business has even DJ Kenny is at your service grown bigger now. You see companies like UBA and contact: 16, Lake street, Olowogbowo, Lagos several others leasing per08037952945, 08188166342 manent space for the use

DJ kenny Music

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South South

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Navy destroys 260 illegal refineries in Delta …Uncovers .5m tonnes of crude

Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

he fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta yesterday recorded huge success as no fewer than 260 illegal refineries containing over 500,000 metric tons of crude oil were destroyed by officers of the Nigerian Navy in the creeks of Warri South, Delta State. Commanding Officer of Nigerian Navy ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Musa

Gemu, who led a team of armed officers for the raid, told newsmen that the command was working hard to ensure the creeks were free of illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities inimical to the peace and security of lives and property in the riverine areas. The 260 illegal refineries were destroyed at Oteghelle in Agbarha kingdom, Bennet Island, and Jones Creek, all in Warri South local council of the state. Gemu said those involved in the act had de-

vised new means following the clamp down on their activities and had decided to site their base in remotest areas of the creeks, adding that his men would continue to hunt for them until they desist from such activities. According to him, the clamp down was in line with the commitment of the navy to combat illicit oil deals as well as the zero tolerance directive by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, to ensure that illegal oil bun-

kering activities and pipeline vandalism along the waterways were stopped in the state. At Oteghele community in Warri South, where two deep ditches dug by the oil thieves as storage for their crude oil were destroyed, one Mr. Joseph, a primary school teacher, told journalists that activities of the illegal bunkerers had been on for a while in the area. He added that the school’s management alerted the community leaders on the situation.

Jonathan has transformed military, says Nwuche Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ormer Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, yesterday stated that President Goodluck Jonathan has transformed the Nigerian military. He said the military has moved from one with moribund equipment to being well-equipped and capable of protecting the nation’s territorial boundaries and integrity. Nwuche, who spoke at a press conference in Port Harcourt, said past governments, especially military regimes, had underfunded the military, therefore making it difficult to procure modern equipment. The former federal lawmaker explained that the success being recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North East clearly shows that Jonathan deserves commendation for equipping the military. He said: “Past governments especially military regimes deliberately did not fund the military essentially

because they want to weaken the military to forestall staging of coups to abrogate their governments. “The delay some people accused President Jonathan off in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency is because he had to get funds approved by the National Assembly to enable him acquire modern military equipment. “From the successes being recorded in the North East, it is now established that Jonathan has transformed the military,” Nwuche added. The former deputy speaker however lamented that the problem with Nigeria is its faulty structure which he said needed to be restructured so that the economy can be free to create wealth for the collective growth and development of the nation. He called on Nigerians to turn out on March 28, and vote massively for Jonathan, saying he was supporting the president and Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, as well as all PDP candidates in the state.

My cabinet is intact —Amaechi L-R: Rivers State Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Ali; Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesilia Khan, and Deputy Controller of Immigration, Nimzing Sunday, at the Stakeholders Interactive Forum by INEC in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PDP plotting to clone my voice —Oshiomhole Sebastine Ebhuomhan BENIN

do State government yesterday said it had uncovered plan by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to clone the voice of All Progressives Congress, APC, governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the purpose of sending last minute messages to support PDP’s President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. In a statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser (Media Affairs), Kassim Afegbua, the state government urged people of the state and others across the country to ignore such message purportedly supporting Jonathan because Oshiomhole was fully behind the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, and indeed, all other APC candidates. The statement reads, “It

has come to the attention of the government and APC in Edo State that in a show of desperation, the PDP has concluded plans to clone the voice of the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, by telling people and members of the APC to vote for President Jonathan. “For the avoidance of

doubt, we wish to state categorically that Edo State is fully in support of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. “The Comrade Governor is unequivocal in his support for the candidature of Gen. Buhari and all APC candidates in Edo State and across the country. The governor believes very strongly that the

election of General Buhari on Saturday, March 28, will breathe a new air in the leadership of the country. “The general public is hereby informed to disregard and ignore any of such phony calls and text messages (received) to suggest that the Comrade Governor is supporting President Jonathan.”

S’Court set to deliver judgment in NUT-ASUSS case Sebastine Ebhuomhan BENIN

upreme Court is set to enter judgment in the case between the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT. A motion filed at the Supreme Court by the appellants that included Comrade Sam Idowu, Ogun State Chairman of NUT; Mr. Titus Oguntayo, acting state Secretary; and Ogun State wing

of the union, seeks to enter judgment against ASUSS, the main respondent/defendant, for not filing its brief of argument since it was served the appellant’s brief on August 2014. The other respondents include Mr. Tunde Folarin, president of Ogun State ASUSS; Bola Badejo, Secretary of ASUSS in Ogun; Ogun Teaching Service Commission and the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in that order. According to the motion

filed pursuant to Order 28, Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, and which was served on the respondents’ counsel in Benin City and, thereafter, made available to the press by the applicant’s counsel, Bukola Rotimi Omotosho of The Law Hub, the respondents were served through their counsel in August 2014. The counsel said since then, they did not file their brief, even as time to do so has since elapsed.

…says he is yet to receive deputy’s resignation letter Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has debunked allegation that some of his commissioners would soon defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying his cabinet was intact. He was reacting to recent claim by the State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, that only five members of his cabinet were left in his government. Obuah had during the formal defection of the deputy governor on Monday declared that most of the serving commissioners and members of the House of Assembly were talking with him on their plans to join the PDP. But Amaechi dismissed this, insisting that all his commissioners and 32 members of the State Executive Council were still members of APC and that they have no intention of defecting from the party.

The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, told newsmen after an emergency Executive Council meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday that the said exco members would remain loyal to him (Amaechi) and the people of the state. She further said that 32 members of the state executive, except the deputy governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, were present at the meeting, even as she said the latter was yet to tender his letter of resignation. She said: “The second emergency exco meeting today was chaired by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, where issues concerning the state were discussed. “The Exco remains intact. As at today, there is no formal resignation letter from the deputy governor, though it has been widely read in the media that he had defected and has been received by the PDP.

North

Thursday, March 26, 2015

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Southerners flee Kaduna over elections

ome residents of Kaduna State from the southern part of Nigeria are leaving the state in droves for fear of violence during and after the elections. A News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, survey of various motor parks in Kaduna revealed that the residents, some comprising entire families, said they were travelling in order not to fall victim of political violence. The travellers told NAN that they were just being cautious as a result of their experience during the 2011

presidential poll. A traveller and businessman, Mr Raphael Ioror, said he lost all his property during the 2011 post-election violence, adding that he would not want to take chances again. “Most people in my compound have gone to their villages out of fear; I am sending my family to the village for safety, while I stay back to safeguard my properties,’’ Ioror said. Another travelling resident, Mary Ivo, said: “My parents called me to come home before the elections, I don’t know why, because I

am not afraid.’. Malam Shehu Musa told NAN that he was travelling to Benue to bring his children back to Kaduna, so they could vote in the elections. Supervisor of New Nyanya motor park in Kaduna, simply known as Farouk, said there were fewer cars traveling out of

the state now than before the elections were postponed. “Before the former date for the elections in February, we used to put six buses on the road, and now it is four buses per day.” He said, however, there was no hike in transport fares except for those with excess luggage.

But the supervisor of Television motor park, Mohammed Shehu, expressed concern over the decision of some residents to travel. “Some passengers have told me they were travelling because they are afraid that something may happen during or after the polls. But it is madness

risking your life on the road,” Shehu said. According to him, most of the people leaving the state out of fear did so by road through the motor parks. The NAN survey further revealed that most of the travellers where heading towards the eastern and western parts of the country.

Youths rally for Jonathan

socio-political pressure group, Youths of All Nations, has called on all Nigerian youths to come out en masse and vote President Goodluck Jonathan in Saturday’s presidential election for a sustained national development. It also debunked contrary views that the Jonathan administration was underperforming and condones graft and impunity, saying individuals should bear their names. “Well, Jonathan does not condone evil, nor does he condone corruption. What most Nigerians do not know is that these corrupt Nigerians are very powerful people and that is why they get away with their corruption.”

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, National Youth Leader/Founder of the group, Comrade Echezona Joshua, stressed that a vote for Jonathan is a vote for true transformational change that cuts across all geo-political zones, adding that the president had shown commitment to national restructuring, development and renaissance, as his performance in every sector of the economy speaks for him and stands him out above other past presidents of the country. The youths therefore, called on all youths to vote Jonathan because “if we give him the opportunity, he will take Nigeria to her desired destination.”

Atiku sets agenda for Buhari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer Vice President and prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, has said that North East people are prepared to give Muhammadu Buhari 100 per cent victory at the coming presidential election, adding that there were tonnes of urgent needs he must address. He said the zone was the most backward in the country, needing its people to go to schools and such amenities as electricity, hospitals and roads, adding that Buhari’s emergence would help the suffering masses. Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters of the party during the North East zonal rally on Tuesday

night at Ibrahim Babangida Square in Bauchi, he said nothing would stop Buhari from replicating the electoral feat he achieved in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 polls this time around. Atiku, who spoke in his capacity as APC leader in the North East, said support for the APC on Saturday from the two geo-political zones with the highest number of registered voters would see Buhari coasting to victory after the poll. Atiku, who ushered Buhari to the rostrum amid chants of “Baba Oyoyo, Baba Oyoyo,” expressed concern over the backwardness of the northeast, adding that it was incumbent on the supporters to elect Buhari, who has the capacity to redress the multifaceted problems afflicting them.

L-R: Representative of Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammadu Tukur; Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; Director of Training, NEMA, Alhaji Iyiola Akande and Operation Officer, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ahmed Minini, during presentation of relief materials by NEMA to traders of Bauchi Central Market and internally displaced persons in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Court orders substitution of APC candidate in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

Minna Federal High Court has nullified the election of Mustapha Sam Mohammed as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Niger South Senatorial District and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to

replace him with General Mohammed Garba. It would be recalled that Garba came second at the party’s primaries. Mohammed, according to the presiding judge, Justice Chikere, was not validly nominated for the party primaries because he was not a member of the party. She stated that APC revealed that Mohammed,

the first respondent, was not a registered member of the party, while Garba, on the other hand, was validly nominated to contest the primaries. Against this backdrop, Chikere stated that Mohammed was not qualified to run in the primaries and declared Garba, with the second highest votes, as the party’s candidate.

She therefore, set aside the submission of Mohammed’s name to INEC by the party and ordered the electoral umpire to recognise Garba as APC candidate for Niger South. Counsel to Garba, Chris Osuagwu, commended the court for the judgement, saying justice was served in accordance with the rule of law.

IGP to arrest uniformed private guards OMEIZA AJAYI

nspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has expressed his resolve to arrest any uniformed private or government security guard seen within a 300-metre radius of any polling unit. Consequently, he has ordered that on no account should uniformed private or government security agencies and voluntary organisations such as Boys Scout, Vigilance Groups, Boys Brigade, Peace Ambassadors, Man’O War and others be seen in uniform within such radius.

Abba’s warning was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu. The IGP equally restated his earlier restriction of vehicular movement during the general elections on March 28 and April 11, respectively. The restriction will be from 8am to 5pm on election days. While warning politicians and VIPs not to go to polling units on the day of elections with armed orderlies, the IGP said the use of siren, revolving lights, tinted glasses by unauthorised citizens would not be

allowed. “The Inspector-General of Police wishes to reassure the public of the commitment of the Force to the provision of round-the-clock security before, during and after the general elections for the teeming citizens of the country. In the same vein, citizens are reminded of their civic responsibility of obedience to all laws of the state and thus advised to conduct themselves for free, fair and violence-free elections,” the statement added. Abba also warned all police officers and men detailed for election duties

to ensure they work in line with the Police Code of Ethics and international best practices, just as he called on them to display unflinching loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria at all times. The IGP warned all police officers to be firm, meticulous and ensure that nothing untoward happens within their areas of jurisdiction during the forthcoming general elections. He further cautioned policemen to shun any conduct capable of staining the image of the agency, as he assured of appropriate sanctions for erring personnel.

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North 51

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Tertiary institution workers carpet PDP, endorse Buhari ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

ertiary institution workers under the aegis of Progressive Intellectuals of Nigeria, PIN, yesterday asserted its support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, stating that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has failed to provide good governance and enviable national leadership. The group urged the electorate to vote out the ruling party by casting their votes for the APC in the 2015 elections. In a chat with journalists yesterday in Kano, chairman of PIN, Sani Lawal Malumfashi, disclosed that the body opted to declare its support for the oppositio, due to failure of the ruling PDP to address pressing national issues. In his words: “It is only APC and its candidates that have serious and sincere programmes for the betterment of the common man. It is only the APC and its candidates that are running issues-based campaign devoid of mud-slinging and other red-herrings. It is only the APC and its

candidates that display the level of maturity and dexterity needed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. “The dangerous insecurity threatening our people and our nation, we believe the PDP-led government is responsible for the massive unemployment and the growing destitution in our country. We believe that the PDP-led government is the most corrupt government in the history of Nigeria and that it is promoting corruption with reckless impunity. “We believe that the PDP-led government is championing the total destruction of our economy and the deliberate pauperisation of our people through unpopular and inhuman policies. We believe that PDP members do not sympathise with Nigeria and Nigerians. ‘’They do not love, or believe in our country. They do not wish Nigeria well. We must not give PDP any chance to hold any office in Nigeria, again. “A vote for the PDP is a vote for the continuation of the destruction of Nigeria’s economy and the continued distribution of poverty and squalor in the

Tor Tiv endorses Jonathan for second term HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

aramount ruler of the Tiv nation, His Royal Highness, Dr Afraid Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv (IV) has described President Goodluck Joanthan as having brought accelerated development to the Tiv nation and deserved to be retained in this Saturday’s presidential elections. Torkula made the declaration yesterday at his guest house in Makurdi while playing host to President Goodluck Jonathan represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo. He said as a title holder in the Tiv nation (Zege Ijende I Tiv) Jonathan has automatically became a Tiv indigene by tradition. “Jonathan is my title holder and as such he has

become one of us by tradition. He is more of Benue now than his own state of origin. “He has made us proud with his transformation agenda project. We here in Benue are praying for his victory in Saturday’s presidential election to enable him complete his transformation agenda project”. Torkula further commended the President for keeping a cordial relationship with Governor Gabriel Suswam and Senator David Mark and bring much development into the state. In his remark Sambo solicited the support of the royal father to enable him PDP win Saturaday’s presidential election. He regretted the inability of the President Jonathan to pay the courtesy call himself was as a result of other important engagements in the presidency.

land. A vote for the PDP is a vote for the people that have displayed massive and irresponsible neglect to the security of lives and properties of the people. The group which pa-

rades members from all tertiary institutions in Kano commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for what it described as its commitments to deliver on

it electoral mandate. The body appealed to the Nigerian electorate to cast their votes and ensure it counts. “We call on the electorate to stay behind, after casting their votes,

and ensure that their votes are counted and the correct results are displayed in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, before they leave the polling stations,” he said.

Cross section of Adamawa State “You Win Vanguard” in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election at their town hall meeting in Yola, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

FG distributes 590 tractors to farmers ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

ederal Government has procured and deployed no fewer than 590 tractors to farmers across the country to speed up ongoing mechanisation process. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, during a press briefing yesterday in Abuja said it was expected that the scheme would provide additional 800,000 employment to unemployed youths and ensure production expansion with an additional 3.5

million hectares of land. He explained that the tractors, which included harvest and post harvest equipment, were to be delivered to the various Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises, AEHEs, across the country. According to him, with the deployment of tractors, it was also expected that the national food reserve would be boosted with an additional 14,000 metric tonnes of food while enhancing no fewer than 10 million farmers’ access to mechanised farming. He said: “Through this programme, a total of 590

tractors have been provided and delivered to all our agricultural equipment hiring enterprises AEHEs, all over the country. “We plan to create 800,000 additional jobs for the sector, we want to bring 3.5 million hectares of additional land under cultivation, which means we want to expand production, 14, 000 metric tonnes of additional food will be added to the national food reserve and also 10 million additional Nigerian farmers will have access to mechanisation services,” he said. Echono further disclosed that out of the total target of 1230 units to be

achieved in three phases, the first phase recorded the establishment of about 80 agricultural centres in demand driven states in the country, with an additional 28 centres through interactions with various stakeholders bringing the total number of agricultural centres established to 118. He noted that with these efforts in place to modernise agriculture, in no time farmers would not have to pass through rigorous strain to have access to best agricultural practices as they would not need to go farther than 10 kilometers before accessing mechanisation.

Avoid repeat of 2011 violence, say N’East, N’Central stakeholders

takeholders Dialogue for North-East and North-Central organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolutions, IPCR, has appealed to Nigerians to prevent a repeat of the 2011 postelection violence. Director-General of IPCR, Professor Oshita Oshita, made the appeal in his remarks at the dialogue on Wednesday in Makurdi. He regretted that more than 800 Nigerians, including 11 NYSC members lost

their lives in the 2011 postelection violence, adding that the dialogue was to restrategise to prevent a recurrence in 2015. He said: “As the elections draw nearer, palpable fears about violence already exist, which may compromise the possibility of free, fair and credible elections. Alhaji Umaru Kurama, District Head of Dukku in Gombe State, said the traditional institution had no choice of candidate as it would always support ev-

ery government in power. In his remarks, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Makurdi, Bishop Nathan Inyom, regretted that the 2011 post-election violence had been a source of concern nationally and internationally. Inyom, however, warned Nigerians to be wary of politicians who may want to use youths to cause problems during the elections, stressing that; ‘’we must always remember that such politicians will never use their chil-

dren for such acts. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the dialogue was organised by IPCR in conjunction with the Democratic Governance for Development project of the UN Development Programme. It was attended by representatives of political parties, road transport unions, women and youth groups, traditional and religious leaders, media and civil society organisations from northern part of the country.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

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World News Iran has provided military and humanitarian help to Iraq from the first day... (But) they have no right to object to any Iraqi decision –Iraqi President, Fouad Massoum

Hollande, Merkel, Rajoy arrive in Alps for crash tribute PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

rench President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived together by helicopter yesterday in the remote Alpine region where an Airbus plane smashed into a mountain, ahead of an international tribute to the 150 victims. The two leaders were flown

Kenya shuts Chinese restaurant for discrimination against blacks

enya shuts Chinese restaurant for discrimination against blacks A Chinese restaurant in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has been shut down and its owners summoned by authorities after it emerged it was barring black patrons, reports said Wednesday. The restaurant became the focus of city authorities after furious residents took to social media to denounce an apparently racist policy of not allowing African patrons to eat there after 5pm -- pushing #RacistRestaurant, #NoBlacksHere and #TheChineseInvasion to be top trending topics. The owners of the restaurant said the measure had been put in place following a robbery in 2013, and have apologised for causing any offence, the Daily Nation reported. But it said the Chongquing Chinese restaurant, situated in Nairobi’s bustling commercial and residential district of Kilimani, had been shut down anyway for not having the proper licences. “We have established that the restaurant did not have the licences and I have ordered it closed until the management complies,” Nairobi governor Evans Kidero said in a statement. “The owners of the restaurant have no change of user from residential to commercial which is a requirement to operate a business in Nairobi,” he said, adding the restaurant did not have a valid liquor licence and had failed to comply public health requirements on food handling.

over the nearby ravine where the Germanwings airliner came down on Tuesday, Hollande’s office said. Spain’s Mariano Rajoy later joined them in the village of Seyne-les-Alpes, headquarters of search operations. Germanwings said 72 Germans were killed in Tuesday’s crash, the first major air passenger disaster on French soil since the 2000 Concorde accident just outside Paris. Spanish officials said 49 Spaniards were among the victims. Hollande, Rajoy and a visibly moved Merkel thanked search teams and were due to meet families of victims of the still-unexplained crash, which followed a sharp descent of the Airbus A320. A simple tribute was planned later in the day.

The ceremony will take place on a site with a view in the distance of the mountain against which the Airbus crashed. French officials arranged it to give the families a mental image of the area in which their loved ones died. Earlier Lufthansa said it could not explain why the Airbus run by its low-cost Germanwings unit crashed. Investigators said the remoteness of the crash site meant it could be days before a clear picture of the tragedy emerged. However they said the fact that debris was restricted to a small area showed the A320 was not likely to have exploded in mid-air, suggesting a terrorist attack was not to blame. “It is inexplicable this could happen to a plane free of techni-

cal problems and with an experienced, Lufthansa-trained pilot,” Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr told reporters in Frankfurt. Lufthansa said the 24-year-old plane had on Monday had repairs to the hatch through which the nose wheel descends for landing. A spokeswoman said that was not a safety issue but that repairs had been done to reduce noise. Police and forensic teams on foot and in helicopters investigated the site about 100 km (65 miles) north of Nice where the airliner came down en route to Duesseldorf from Barcelona. “When we go to a crash site we expect to find part of the fuselage. But here we see nothing at all,” said pilot Xavier Roy, coordinating air operations.

WORLD BULLETIN

Chadian court convicts security officials of war crimes, torture A court in Chad yesterday found 20 current and former security agents who served under ousted ruler Hissene Habre guilty of atrocities committed during his rule in the 1980s, including war crimes and torture. The trial was the first in Chad of any of Habre’s accomplices, and is being hailed by human rights campaigners as a victory for Habre’s victims. Defendants included the former head of the once much feared political police. Rights groups accuse Habre of killing up to 40,000 people in the eight years he ruled the oil-producing central African state. The 72-year-old Habre is also facing trial for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture, but his will be held at a special tribunal in Senegal, where he has lived in exile since his overthrow by current President Idriss Deby in 1990. Following a 19-month investigation, the tribunal said last month it had enough evidence to try Habre. His trial is expected to open in May or June. Some of the defendants were serving in senior government positions when they were arrested in 2013 and 2014 following an international campaign to finally hold Habre and his accomplices accountable for their crimes.

Yemeni militia close in on president’s base

France’s President Francois Hollande (C) walks with French Mayor of Le Vernet Francois Balique (L) and Bernard Bartolini (R), Mayor of Prads-Haute-Bleone, in Le Vernet, yesterday.

Charles Taylor to remain in UK prison

x-Liberian President Charles Taylor has been ordered to serve the rest of his jail term in the UK, after losing a request to be transferred to Rwanda.

Taylor

He had argued that he was being denied his rights to a family life, because his wife and children had not been granted UK visas. The judges rejected this argument, saying they had not properly applied. A UN-backed court convicted him of war crimes over his support for rebels who committed atrocities in Sierra Leone. The Special Court for Sierra Leone trial was held at The Hague on the agreement that he was jailed elsewhere. The overseas venue for the court case was chosen in case the trial sparked renewed unrest in

West Africa. An act of parliament was passed to allow for Taylor to serve his sentence in the UK, at the cost of the British government, following his conviction. Taylor was sentenced in 2012 and arrived in the UK last October, having unsuccessfully challenged the decision to be detained there. Charles Taylor: Preacher, warlord, president Taylor was convicted on 11 charges including terrorism, rape, murder and the use of child soldiers by rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war, in which some 50,000 people died.

Houthi militia forces in Yemen backed by allied army units seized an air base yesterday and appeared poised to capture the southern port of Aden from defenders loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, local residents said. After taking al-Anad air base, the Houthis and their military allies, supported by heavy armour, advanced to within 20 km (12 miles) of Aden, where Hadi has been holed up since fleeing the Houthi-controled capital Sanaa last month. Soldiers at Aden’s Jabal alHadeed barracks fired into the air to prevent residents from entering the base and arming themselves, witnesses said, suggesting that Hadi’s control over the city was fraying. Houthi fighters and allied military units had advanced to Dar Saad, a village a half-hour’s drive from central Aden, residents there said. Earlier, unidentified warplanes fired missiles at the Aden neighbourhood where Hadi’s compound is located, residents said. Anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on the planes.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, March 26, 2015

There is still a lot for me to achieve for this after the Champions League ouster. It’s a matter of time

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Lampard eyes EPL departure

–Khartoum FC Coach, Kwesi Appiah

Why I played uncapped players –Amokachi

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (right) and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, (m) presenting the 100 Cap Award to Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, yesterday.

Friendly:

Cranes humble Eagles, dent Enyeama’s day Everest Onyewuchi SPORTS EDITOR

t the ultra-modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, where the Bafana Bafana of South Africa last November stopped Nigeria from going to the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, Super Eagles were yesterday, also at the same venue defeated by the Ugandan cranes in an international friendly match. Uganda’s Faruku Miva scored the decisive goal

in the 81st minute that made nonsense of the halftime prediction of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, that Eagles would beat the Cranes 2-0, a result that was not to be because a hotchpotch of players called up by caretaker coach, Daniel Amokachi, did not blend and displayed no individual brilliance. The Uganda victory also dented the 100 cap celebration of goalkeeper and captain, Vincent Enyeama, who was honoured at the interval for wearing the green and white jersey for the national team in 100 competitive games.

aretaker coach of the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, has explained why he featured some uncapped Europe-based and home-based players in yesterday’s international friendly match against the Cranes of Uganda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Amokachi said Super Eagles are in a rebuilding process, and therefore need young Nigerian players at home and abroad. “You can see from the call up that it’s not only the home-based players but young players who are not exposed but playing in Europe and also some of our players who are not capped but making waves in Europe, asking them to come and play for their fatherland. “We are trying to inject new blood into the team. You know we have young players that are new to Nigerians. Hopefully with what we saw them show in Europe they will be able to show same here,” he told supersport.com. The assistant to Stephen Keshi also reiterated his commitment to including the local players as a way of continuing with the tradition of infusing the homebased players and their foreign-based colleagues. “If you remember when we qualified for the last one about eighty percent played in the qualifiers were the home-based and were immense as we won the AFCON. Some of them scored crucial goals that enabled us win the 2013 AFCON. It’s a step we have to revisit,” the former Everton striker said.

However, a sober Enyeama thanked Nigerians for their support all these years and came short of announcing his retirement from international career. “I say a big thank you to Nigerians even though today’s result is a huge disappointment. It’s part of life,” the Lille of France keeper said after the game. “Playing for 18 years in this colour is a huge experience, and I have to stop at some point and concentrate on my club career,” Enyeama added, saying, “I’ll sit with the coaches and sort things out. A whole lot of things need to be sorted out.”

Sports

Thursday, March 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ronaldo faces ‘celebration’ sanction Sofiane Feghouli

Cech

eal Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, may face disciplinary action for his equalizing goal celebration in his side’s 2-1 loss to Barcelona on Sunday. Madrid lost further ground on its perennial rival following the El Clasico defeat, leaving the side four points behind the Barcelona at the top. The current Ballon d’Or winner was seen appearing to urge Barcelona fans to calm down following his 31st minute leveller, an action which has not been welcomed by La Liga authorities. “We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators,” La Liga President, Javier Tebas, said yesterday. “The celebration must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. But we will look into it,” Tebas added. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has suspended a fan who was caught trying to punch and kick Gareth Bale’s car as the player left the club’s training complex after Sunday night’s defeat.

Lampard eyes EPL departure M anchester City veteran, Frank Lampard, says he is relishing the challenge of finally joining MLS side New York City, saying he has no regrets of his stop-over at Etihad. The former England international will see out the season with the reigning Premier League champions, having made 30 appearances and scoring seven goals, before beginning his new adventure in the USA. “I am very fortunate

C Ronaldo

about this part of my career, coming to City. It was something I never saw coming,” the 36-year-old midfielder said. “At my age, I am delighted about the future and the opportunity to go and play in New York.” The New York side has already played three matches since the League kicked off earlier this month, and tops the Eastern Conference with a win and two draws thus far. “I’ve watched their games and thought they looked fantastic, the home game particularly,” he said, adding, “I have had feedback from inside the club about what a buzz there is for it in the city and was delighted for the lads.”

helsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has dropped his biggest hint yet of an exit from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. Cech has played second fiddle to Belgian youngster Thibaut Courtois, who returned at the start of this season from Spanish club Atletico Madrid, having been a regular between the sticks for the last ten years. But after featuring in just five of the 29 League

nears Chelsea exit games Chelsea has played thus far this season, Cech says he cannot continue in the same vein in London. “It looks like it works well with me and Thibaut as a duo. But that can work for one season only. I don’t want another one like this,” he said yesterday. Cech has however refused to engage in talk over a possible exit, saying he will leave it until the end of the current campaign.

Senegal 2015:

Adepoju hails Flying Eagles Mercy Jacob

ormer Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has commended the Flying Eagles for their African Youth Championship (AYC) success last weekend in Dakar, Senegal, noting that the boys showed determination all through the tournament. “The players impressed me with their superlative performance,” Adepoju told National Mirror yesterday. “I think they gave a fresh hope for the future with regard to the national team,” he added. Adepoju, however, cautioned Nigerians on the need not to rush

Adepoju

the Manu Garba-led players into the senior team, insisting they have to be allowed to mature. “I want to urge them to remain focused to ensure the repeat of Senegal feat at the World Cup in New Zealand. “They need to start to prepare for the World Cup now and play good friendly matches to put them in shape.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fashola, Ambode for Ethnic Unity Cup Afolabi Gambari

Nigerian marathoners will compete at the Okpekpe Road Race in May

Okpekpe 2015: International athletes get arrival date

oordinator of the annual Okpekpe 10km Road Race, Yusuf Alli, says some of the international athletes billed to participate in the race will arrive at the venue on May 14 ahead of the flag off on May 16. Alli said all the athletes listed for the race had confirmed their

participation. “We will intensify preparation immediately after the national election and we have contacted some top long distance runners across the continent while some others have also signified their interest,” the former Nigerian athlete said. On the performance of some of

the country’s athletes at the Splash FM Integrity Race in Ibadan, Alli said: “The idea is to have enough major races before the competition so that our athletes can be in top shape for the race.” He, however, said organisers of the race, Padmodzi, were determined to see an indigene of Okpekpe community partici-

pate in the event with a view to representing Nigeria in long distance race at the Olympics. “We have athletes from Edo State at the Olympics and the neighbouring states, but we want someone from the town itself to represent Nigeria in long distance race at the Olympics,” Alli added.

AJTC: Ndanusa, Ubale hail Team Nigeria Paul Erewuba

P Ndanusa

resident of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Engineer Sani Ndanusa has commended Team Nigeria for an outstanding performance at the recent African Junior Tennis Championship in Tunisia. The team has since returned home after winning only a bronze medal at the two-legged

event held in the North African country. But Ndanusa, who was in Tunisia with the players, expressed delight at what he called the vast improvement in the youngsters. “The result has shown to everybody that we were not just in that country to make up the numbers,” Ndanusa said. “We shall have more developmental projects which will bring out the best in these youngsters

as well as new ones who will complement the already established junior teams,” he added. The Nigerian Boys’ U-14 star player, Michael Osewa, got to the semi final in the Singles’ event and eventually won bronze. “I was very happy particularly for the performance and improvement of Michael Osewa who won a bronze medal for us,” national junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale, stated.

overnor Babatunde Fashola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, are expected to attend the final of the 2nd Ethnic Unity Cup Championship scheduled to hold at the Navy Playground, Ajegunle, Apapa today. Team Isoko and Team Ijaw will square in the final match which will be preceded by the third place match involving Team Isale Eko and Team Ukwuani. Team Isoko had in the semi final match played on Tuesday beaten Team Isale Eko 1-0, while Team Ijaw defeated Team Ukwuani 2-0 to berth in the final. Tournament’s Chief Coordinator, Anthony Ikhator, said yesterday that the final would be colourful with side attractions from Ogele Band and a popular comedian to entertain the dignitaries. “Highlights of the final will see coaches of the finalists wearing attires of their ethnic groups, although the spirit of onness will still be there,” Ikhator added. Principal Coordinator, Enebeli Matthias, however awards would be given to the Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Highest Goal Scorer and Best Coach of the tournament, even as winner and runners-up would get different prizes. “We appreciate the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the players and their fans during this tournament,” Matthias said.

Ibile Games fallout: Lagos rewards schools, athletes

he Lagos State Government, through the Office of Sports, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, will reward best schools of the Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival tagged IBILE Games 2015 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos today. A statement from the Public Relations Officer, Office of

Sports, Olumide Filade, said the awards would be given to four overall outstanding athletes of the competition, in addition to the Alhaji K.A.B. Olowu (OON) Award for the best Long Jump athlete. Among the beneficiaries in the Junior Secondary Schools Category are Questland College, Iju Ishaga; Baptist Secondary School, Obanikoro and Herbert

Macaulay Junior High School, Ebute Metta from Education Districts 1, 2 and 4 respectively; while in the Senior Secondary Schools Category are Federal Government College, Ijanikin; Ilupeju Grammar School, Ilupeju and Angus Memorial Senior Grammar School, Ebute Metta in Education Districts 5, 6 and 4 respectively. Permanent Secretary, Office

of Sports, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu said the athletes had been promised the prizes before the Ibile Games 2015 commenced on January 26, 2015. “The administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola is committed to fulfilling promises made to our future leaders and the educational institutions that produced them,” Whenu said.

Fashola

WORLD RECORD

Greatest height climbed on a 5 m rope in one minute

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1077 Thursday, March 26, 2015

The greatest height climbed on a 5 m rope in one minute using just the hands from a seated position is 27.8 m (91 ft 2 in) and was achieved by Marcus Bondi (Australia)

On deployment of military for elections

ne of the hottest trending topics in the public domain is the proprietary or otherwise of Mr. President’s power to deploy the military for electoral duties. The cacophonous tunes reached an astonishing crescendo with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of All Progressives Congress v. Peoples Democratic Party & Ors delivered on Monday February 16, 2015. That ruling has become the launch pad for many Nigerians, who have opined that the President lacked the power to deploy military for security duties during elections without first resorting to the conditions stipulated by the National Assembly. To be sure, their argument seems valid if we consider the very foundation of it to be based on the judgment itself where the learned justices of the Court of Appeal dilated as follows:

lympic champion and world record holder, Usain Bolt, will make his first appearance in the United States in five years when he competes in the Adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meeting in New York on June 13.

Guest Columnist

Mike A Mik A. A.

Ozekhome

“Thus, even the president of Nigeria has no powers to call out the armed forces and unleash them on a peaceful citizenry who are exercising their franchise to elect their leaders. And even in the event of insurrection or insurgency, the call on the armed forces to aid civil authorities to restore order must be with the approval of the National Assembly, which must provide conditions as specified in sections 217 (2) and 218 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”. This statement follows a similar one in the case of Buhari vs. Obasanjo (2005), where Nsofor, JCA, made the following scathing remarks on the use of the military and armed mobile policemen to conduct election. He had considered the provisions of Section 218 of the 1999 Constitution and held: “Evidence is galore which I accepted that the 1st respondent [President Obasanjo] as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria called out the military and the mobile policemen armed…And there was no state of war in any of those states, no emergency declared therein. On the other hand there was peace and calm and tranquility. “And I ask this: Had he, 1st respondent, the constitutional authority so to do where there was peace and calm during the election? See section 217 and 218 of the Constitution, 1999. Based on the evidence on both sides, I am satisfied that the 1st respondent had no such constitutional authority so to do. The deployment of the military and police was therefore unconstitutional”. It is important to stress that in com-

THAT RULING HAS BECOME THE LAUNCH PAD FOR MANY

NIGERIANS, WHO HAVE OPINED THAT THE

PRESIDENT

LACKED THE POWER TO DEPLOY MILITARY FOR SECURITY DUTIES DURING ELECTIONS ing to that conclusion, the Honourable Justice of the Court of Appeal, expressly took the provisions of Section 218 of the Constitution into consideration. This should put an end to the deliberate confusion being injected into this debate by people who have “Ekiti” type of agenda in mind for the 2015 general elections. The said Section 218 of the 1999 Constitution provides as follows: I. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Nigerian Police Council may, with approval of the President and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, delegate any of the powers confer upon it by this Constitution to any of its members or to the Inspector-General of Police or any other member of the Nigerian Police Force. II. Before making appointment to the office of the Inspector-General of Police or removing him from the office the President shall consult the Nigerian Po-

lice Council. Interestingly, while those Nigerians in support of deployment of the military during election, especially given our present state of prevalent and precarious insecurity, have strenuously argued that apart from the fact that the justices of the Court of Appeal, in the APC vs PDP case, being Nigerians themselves and living in Nigeria with a glaring state of insecurity, ought not to make such pronouncements since the law is made and operative because of the society and not the other way round; they also argue that the provisions of Section 217 (2) (c) of the Constitution and Section 8 (1-2) of the Armed Forces Act give the President the fiat to deploy the military. The danger inherent in these well founded arguments in the light of the Court of Appeal judgment in APC vs PDP is that such may be dismissed as emotive, partisan, political, given to undue lachrymal effusion, being quintessentially ad populum and ultimately falling the basic tests of the principles of legal logic. Since the various arguments above indent on both law and legal, therefore, we shall examine the power of the President or otherwise to deploy troops during elections vis-à-vis the above judgment of the Court of Appeal in this case. From the arguments of those who are not amenable to the deployment of the military during elections, the provisions of Section 217 (2) (c) especially as pronounced on by the Court of Appeal in the case above, is sacrosanct and non-negotiable. The vehemence with which the above position is held necessitates a scrutiny of the judgment of the Court of Appeal itself to decipher if it was actually a decision of the Court against the President in the sense in which the anti-military sentiments are being planted, watered, tended and harvested. To be continued Chief Ozekhome (SAN, OFR) is a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist.

Sport Extra

Athletics: Bolt set to run in New York The Jamaican sprinter set his first 100m world record at the meeting in 2008 when he clocked 9.72 seconds. But his only other appearance in the USA since then was to anchor a Jamaican 4x100m team at the 2010 Penn Relays.

“No one could ever forget a first world record, and I will never forget the crowd in New York that night,” Bolt said yesterday. “They had to wait for an hour during a thunderstor m delay before our race and I’m

glad I was able to give it to them. I’m looking forward to running in New York again.” Organisers did not announce whether Bolt would run over 100m or 200m in the meeting at New York’s Icahn Stadium.

Bolt

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