Thursday, may 14, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Constitutional Amendment: Senate drops move to veto Jonathan

National Mirror www.nationalmirr oronline.net

Thursday, May 14,

2015

...says we are lawmakers, not law breakers GEORGE OJI ABUJA

t turned out to be anti-climax at the Senate yesterday, as

Mark

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1112 657

the lawmakers who had previously threatened to commence the veto of President Goodluck Jonathan on the Constitution Amendment Act, 2015,

suddenly made a u-turn on the matter. The senators commenced yesterday’s session with a closed-door CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Royal Exc building athange Assurance Marina, Lag os in 1930

INSIDE

Early days’ companies on Broad Street

Showcasing Lag os diversity through carniva Why we don’t buy l ins insu >47

ura rannce ce policy –Trader s

P.10

>48

Thursday, May July 4, 14,2013 2015

Buhari plans special S court for corruption

N150

GEORGE OJI AND TORDUE SALEM

National Assembly probes alleged N2trn tax fraud

pecial courts to prosecute sundry tax evasion cases and official graft are to be set up by President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), it was gathered yesterday. The courts, which will be in the Federal Capital Territory, would deal strictly with corruption and tax evasion

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Lead poison kills 28 kids in Niger

Again, Ogogoro claims three in Ondo P.4

Nigeria’s GDP up by 3.86% in first quarter

P.7

Traffic standstill on Funsho Williams-Apapa-Eko Bridge links in Lagos as result of continuous parking of fuel tankers waiting to lift oil, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Multiple explosions, gunshots rock Maiduguri P.51

Lagos gives tanker drivers 48 hours to vacate

P.2 No end to fuel scarcity, say oil marketers ABUAD, template for engineering education –NSE boss P.22

INSIGHT

El t i it Electricity: Discussing power generation in total darkness P.38

News

Thursday, May 14, 2015

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Lagos gives tanker drivers 48 hours to vacate ADEJUWON OSUNNUYI AND FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to tanker drivers who parked their trucks 300 meters to fuel depots to leave Lagos, pending availability of product for loading. Speaking at the end of the stakeholders’ forum, Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa said all the stakeholders have agreed that 48 hours should be given to tanker drivers queuing between 200 and 300 meters to the fuel depots to leave pending availability of the product. “They asked us to give them about a week for them to leave, but we turned it down and we all agreed that 48 hours should be given,” he said. He said information available from the marketers revealed that there was no fuel in the depots to be lifted by the tankers. The commissioner also said no tanker should be seen on Eko Bridge down to Liverpool or from Coco-

nut on the Apapa Expressway, adding that before tomorrow, the tanker owners must make one lane available for motorists to ply pending the expiration of the ultimatum for enforcement to begin. According to him, the enforcement would be done by the various unions in the axis with the support of the state government, police and Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, adding that any tanker driver who fails to comply would be fined and the vehicle confiscated until such fines have been paid. The commissioner decried the untold hardship residents of Apapa and those working in the area were made to pass through on daily basis as a result of the blockage of the expressway by tanker drivers. He appealed to NUPENG, PTD and NARTO to ensure that the agreement reached was not breached, saying that by Friday afternoon, government would move in to the axis to begin enforcement. Opeifa added that the marketers and major operators in the area have

agreed to come out with a programme and ticketing method that would allow only tankers meant to lift fuel at a particular point in time come into Lagos. He said with this development, traffic gridlock in Apapa, Ijora and neighbouring areas would ease. Also speaking at the

meeting, the General Manager of Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, lamented the disorderliness and the chaotic traffic situation on Eko Bridge/Funsho Williams Avenue, saying it has become necessary to checkmate the excesses of

tanker drivers in order to cushion the hardship on innocent Lagosians. Edu noted that the axis is gradually becoming an eye sore, and if not properly managed could aggravate to the level of lawlessness and indiscipline witnessed daily at the Apapa area of the state.

He further maintained that tankers should make use of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, which is primarily designed for heavy duty vehicles. Meanwhile, major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, yesterday foreclosed further fuel CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during Blair’s visit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Buhari plans special court for corruption CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

offences by companies, individuals and government officials. The courts are expected to lift the burden of excruciating and delayed trials of offenders by regular courts so that the next government can get fast results in its avowed war against corruption. Chairman of the AntiMoney Laundering and Cyber Security Coalition at the National Assembly, Senator Aloysius Etok, disclosed yesterday that the coalition of senators and members of the House of Representatives had already got the nod of the President-elect to set up the courts. Etok expressed optimism that the courts, when established, will take off the burden of such cases from the regular courts and give them accelerated hearing. “We are confident that these courts will give accelerated hearing to tax evasion cases and other cases

bothering on corruption,” he said. Senator Etok disclosed that the National Assembly is probing about 115 tax offenders. Besides, the lawmaker also revealed that senators in the course of investigations found that about 50 contracting firms working with the Federal Ministry of Works operate with forged tax certificates. Among the companies that may come under the hammer of the National Assembly for tax evasion amounting to billions of Naira, according to the committee and the ICPC, are Arab Contractors, Septa Energy, Tower Aluminum, B. Stabilini and 112 others. Etok also disclosed that the legislature was pushing for the prosecution of companies with high rate of casualised workers and fraudulent expatriate quota practices. The lawmaker warned that with sustained evasion

of taxes by companies, agencies like the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, would fold up, as according to him, the agencies depend on taxes for survival. The ICPC, in a document submitted to the Senate, stated that: “In view of the Financial Intelligence analysis carried out by the commission on the plethora of petitions received on issues bothering on Tax Clearance Certificates scam, investigation led to the uncovering of tax evasion, nonpayment of Capital Gains Taxes, nonremittance of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax, VAT.” The commission regretted the serial breach of the procurement process with the collaboration of procurement officers. “Procurement is an area that has long been recognised as being particularly

vulnerable to corruption because public procurement through government contracting represents a substantial percentage of the economy,” the document stated. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, yesterday visited General Buhari and assured him of the support and cooperation of the international community. He stated that the entire world was excited with the outcome of the March 28, 2015 presidential election in the country. Blair explained that the global support was predicated on the belief that the President-elect and his vice are determined to do their best for the country. According to him, Nigeria has earned the respect of the international community because of the way the elections were conducted without rancour. In an opening speech before the duo retired into a

closed-door meeting, Blair said: “In the last few weeks, Nigeria has earned respect throughout the whole world. There is enormous support for Nigeria now in the international community. The support takes into consideration the challenges that lie ahead and there is great confidence in the country. “This is an election which took place in a way which the country showed the majority of democracies the spirit and character of its people and in the President-elect and Vice President-elect; it is a leadership that I know is determined to do its best for the country. “Obviously, the future and destiny of Nigeria lie in the hands of its people. I just want to say to the President-elect that there is tremendous support for you and the country at this moment and all of us, in whatever way we can, stand ready to support you and help you. “It is a moment of great

challenges which bothers on the life of the people as well as their security and so on. “If the same spirit and character that defined the election can be taken through these coming years to address the challenges, I think we can all have great confidence in the times ahead.” Buhari who later briefed the press on the outcome of the parley said: “We had a meeting and discussed how Britain and the United States were helping us in making sure that we conducted ourselves according to our constitution. “The fact that it (election) has been so successful is a major relief for us and to all people of conscience throughout the world. “I thank the former British Prime Minister for his concern for Nigeria and Nigerians, in what he is prepared to do by continuing to help us as a country and as a people.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Photo

Thursday, May 14, 2015

NEWS

L-R: Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Jasper Akinola; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, during the funeral service of Archbishop Ademowo’s mother, Chief Caroline Ademowo, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: Redeemer’s University lecturer, Dr. Omowale Adelabu; Managing Director, Synthesis Communications Ltd., Mr. Desmond Ekeh and Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Agbo Agbo, during Redeemer’s University BrandiQ Campus Club visit to Synthesis in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chairman, Pay Attitude, Mr. Victor Etuokwu; former Deputy Governor, CBN/Guest of Honour Mr. Tunde Lemo; Executive Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, and MD/ CEO, Unified Payments, Mr. Agada Apoche, at the official launch of Pay Attitude in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Computer System and Network Engineer, Covenant University (CU), Prof. Samuel John; Adviser, Ivory Banking, Heritage Banking Company Ltd., Titilayo Babaoye; Chairman, Planning Committee, Prof. Olawale Daramola and Dean, College of Science and Technology, CU, Prof. Chinedu Shalom, during Covenant University’s International Conference on African Development Issues in Ota, Ogun State, yesterday.

National News

Lead poisoning kills 28 kids in Niger State ...Ogogoro claims three in Ondo again

OJO OYEWAMIDE AND MARCUS FATUNMOLE

ederal Government yesterday confirmed the death of 28 children in a fresh lead poisoning from illegal mining in Niger State. Minister of State for Health, Mr. Fidelis Okonkwo, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja. He said 63 cases had been confirmed by government and many animals in affected communities had died. According to him, there is palpable fear in neighbouring Kaduna State over the incident. He, however, said there was no cause for alarm, urging the public not to entertain any fear over the deaths, but to take all precautionary measures against its spread. The minister noted

that his ministry received report of the outbreak on the 7th of this month and immediately swung into action. According to Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Director, Port Health in the Ministry, who led Federal Government’s team, communities affected include Shikira, Magiro Ward, Kawo, all in Rafi Local Government. Gwarzo stressed that the current outbreak was deadlier than the one that broke out in Zamfara State in 2011. Over 400 people were killed at the time. Okonkwo said: “The lead poisoning was confirmed and most of the people affected are children below the age of five made up of 17 females and 11 males. The affected children were found to have high serum lead levels of be-

tween 171.5 – 224ug Pb/ dl (normal is less than < 10ug Pb/dl) That means, 17-22 times higher than the acceptable limits as established by the World Health Organisation, WHO. “The rapid assessment by the NCDC/ FMOH/MMSD revealed that as atMay 12, 2015, 65 cases and 28 deaths had occurred, giving a case fatality rate of 43 per cent. “Additionally, the finding revealed a serious impact on our livestock with cows, goats and chickens most affected. “The devastating impact of this outbreak is associated with new mining sites, which were found to contain more leaded ores, which were often brought home for crushing and processing.” He listed efforts made by government to in-

clude advocacy meeting with community leaders in the state, including sensitisation of communities. He explained further that the government had commenced the process of establishing incident command structure to enhance routine coordination of the outbreak response. The minister has ordered that all laws affecting mining in the country should be respected, while illegal mining should stop in the state. In another development, three persons have died in Ondo town in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State after consuming herbal drink made of local gin called ogogoro. The victims were said to have taken the concoction at Oka Motor Park in the town to treat dysentery and fever. The incident happened less than a month

after methanol poison reportedly killed 23 people at Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area of the state. Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, had declared at the weekend that the ban on consumption of local gin was still subsisting in the state. The ban followed the Ode Irele deaths, which was ascribed to methanol poison. It was gathered that the deceased included a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, an electrician and a worker at the motor park. An eyewitness said the victims complained of severe stomach pain and later became unconscious after drinking the concoction on Saturday. He added that efforts to revive the deceased failed as they died in the evening of the same day. An NURTW leader at the park, who did not want

his name mentioned, attributed the deaths to the herbal concoction that the deceased took. The seller of the herbal drink was said to have escaped immediately after the incident for fear of being arrested by security agents. It was also gathered that the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites without undergoing any autopsy. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wole Ogodo, said the matter, which came as a rumour, had not been formally reported to the police. Ogodo said: “When I called the DPO of Enuowa Police Division in Ondo, he said nobody had reported the case and that they too heard it as rumour. “But we have commenced investigation and after that we shall let the whole world know what actually happened.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Constitutional Amendment: Senate drops move to veto Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

meeting. Rising from the one hour executive session, Senate president, David Mark, said they resolved at the meeting to tread cautiously on the issue of the planned veto. Mark explained that the decision to back down on the matter was borne out of the fact that as senior citizens and the highest arm of the parliament, the Senate would not want to take actions that will cause political crisis. Mark said: “As we finished our discussion, I think it is proper for me because of the importance of the issue to make a very simple, straightforward unambiguous statement. “We are lawmakers and we will not be lawbreakers. We are not just lawmakers; we are very senior responsible citizens and very senior lawmakers and this is the apex of law making in this country. “Therefore on the issue of the current constitutional review that is before the Supreme Court, we want to assure Nigerians that we will not break any law in this country. “We will take appropriate action that will ensure that democracy survives.” The Senate president, however, cautioned the executive not to take the legislature for granted, as the legislature is an arm of government with constitutional powers. “But I will also want to warn that we should not be taken for granted by the executive, but once more, let me assure Nigerians that as lawmakers, we will not be law breakers,” he added. National Mirror learnt that the senators had no option than to back out on the threatened veto because of fear of being able to form the required 4/5 quorum to veto the President on the matter. For instance, despite the appeal by the Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday for senators to turn up for yesterday’s crucial meeting, only about 48 attended the session. Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, also briefed

Senate correspondents on the outcome of the executive session. He said: “Senate commenced today’s (yesterday) proceedings with an executive session. We had to defer the constitution amendment yesterday (Tuesday) and today for one simple reason. “At the level of the committee on constitutional amendment, we had reviewed the developments concerning the amendment but we did not have the opportunity of briefing Senate in plenary. “That opportunity we had this morning of briefing the Senate in plenary about the developments and circumstances surrounding the bill so that the Senate will be in the full picture. “That is what we did today in the executive session.” Ndoma-Egba also said the Senate would likely pursue the legal option in order to resolve the impasse. “We have legal options and the legal options are to vigorously challenge the order of the court which was made ex parte; it was made without us being put on notice. I believe we can get the court to quickly determine that and we intend to pursue that option,” he said. On the issue of claim by the President that the National Assembly did not meet the constitutional quorum, the leader said: “It is not correct, our records are very clear; the votes and proceedings are there and we have gone through the records again and we certainly met the constitutional requirement of four-fifth. “The Attorney General who is alleging that we did not meet that constitutional requirement has not exhibited any document to show that we did not, but from our records we clearly did.” The lawmakers have been threatening to veto President Jonathan’s refusal to assent to the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution, which was passed by the National Assembly earlier this year. The lawmakers on Monday gazetted the Constitution of the Fed-

eral Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 as the first step to overriding the President’s veto on the bill. Jonathan had last month written the National Assembly, stating his decision not to sign the bill, citing among other reasons that the lawmakers did not comply with

the constitutional procedure for the amendment with regards to the constitutional requirement of 4/5 quorum of all the elected members. The President alleged that the Hansard showed that the lawmakers relied on voice vote, instead of the constitutionally required absolute majority

to pass the amendment. He also alleged that the amendment was geared towards whittling down the powers of the President as guaranteed by the Constitution. In addition, President Jonathan faulted 45 out of the 70 proposed amendments. In a letter to the Sen-

ate president signifying his veto, Jonathan said he would be returning the document to the lawmakers. Incidentally, he did not fulfill that promise. This prompted the lawmakers to write the President, insisting that he lives up to his promise on the matter.

L-R: Director, African Studies, Georgetown University, Scott Taylor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Ade Adefuye, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu and Dean, Georgetown Business School, David Thomas, when Elumelu delivered the lecture on Entrepreneurled Development; A new model for Africa’ at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Lagos gives tanker drivers 48 hours to vacate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

import into the country until the Federal Government settles the outstanding N200bn debt owed the association. The association also said that if the government is unable to pay the outstanding liability immediately, it must give a firm commitment as to when the money would be paid. Executive secretary of MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore, stated this yesterday while speaking with newsmen at the end of an emergency stakeholders’ forum organised by the Lagos State government at the state secretariat, Alausa, Lagos. The meeting, which involved stakeholders such as the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, MOMAN and other unions, was called to bring an end to the ugly situation in

which over 6,000 tanker drivers have been seen converting major highways as well as bridges into parking lots in anticipation of loading fuel, thereby worsening the traffic situation in Lagos metropolis. Olawore said: “It is either they pay us all our money or they give us a guarantee that they owe us and they are going to pay. “For me and other major marketers, and for other oil importers like DAPPMA, first pay us our money. With that, we would be able to pay the banks and secure more credit lines. With that, we would be able to pump more fuel, bring them into Lagos and other locations and distribute. “If we have more fuel, tankers would not have any business waiting for too long. Those that don’t have tickets would not bother to come. They would wait till it gets to their turn before they start rushing to Lagos.” Olawore said the congestion caused by tankers

on Lagos roads was due to the unavailability of fuel for them to load. He said: “For us, we see it as a situation of tanker drivers coming to pick products that are not available. Products are not available. We are unable to import because the Federal Government still owes us, and we are even surprised that nobody is talking to us now. “They owe us as the last point which was March 31, about N200bn. With this, we are unable to service our debt with the banks. We are unable to gain the confidence of our suppliers; hence, nobody is giving us fuel to bring in. “Without fuel, there’s nothing we can give to the drivers. “Incidentally, Lagos is the only place products seem to be available; so all trucks are heading to Lagos; those that have tickets to load and those that don’t have. Those that don’t have are hoping that when they get to Lagos, one way or the other,

they could get the tickets to load. That’s why we are seeing the mess. “There are more than 6,000 tankers on Lagos roads. So they are overstretching the facilities in Lagos. As a matter of fact, the Federal Government should assist Lagos with special funds to be able to cope with the situation in cases of emergency like this.” The secretary also corrected the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on what was paid to the fuel marketers. According to him, as at the time N154bn was paid to them, government owed them N354bn. “So just do the small mathematics. Remove N154bn from N354bn, you have N200bn as at March. April has gone and now we are in May. So by now, it’s over N200bn. They only paid a small part which is just about 40 per cent,” he said.

News

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEC approves N31b for road projects Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

President Jonathan (7th left) with leader of a delegation of Support Our Troops Foundation, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue (7th right) and other members of the group during a visit to Presidential Villa, sAbuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

AIB to publish report on four air crashes Olusegun Koiki

here are strong indications that the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, might any moment from now release the report of at least four air crashes that occurred in the country in recent times. Information gathered from a source close to the Ministry of Aviation yesterday revealed that the impending reports were those that occurred between 2006 and 2010. The source, who doesn’t want to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, confided in our correspondent that among reports that would be released to the public in the next few days by the bureau are those of Odengene Air Shuttle, AOS, helicopter crash in Warri on November 10, 2006. Also, the Bristow Helicopter crash of August 3, 2007, would be released by the agency, while the accident involving Wings Aviation aircraft of March 15, 2008, would also be released to the public by the accident investigator. Another report expected to be made public is the one involving Aero Contractors on August 21, 2010. However, AIB had at different times released interim reports on some of the accidents, but the final impending reports would be the last that would be released on the accidents by the bureau. The source told our correspondent that Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, had mandated the acci-

dent investigator to publish the reports before May 29, 2015, handover date. The source explained that with the release, some of the crashes, which had claimed hundreds of lives in recent time, would be in the public domain while their causes and prevention would be worked upon by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and operating carriers in the sector. Spokesman for AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent confirmed that the agency was planning to release some accident reports, but declined to speak further when questioned by our correspondent. He said: “It is true that we are planning to release some accident reports, but we are still finalising arrangements. This is a continuous exercise in AIB.” It would be recalled that the AOS Helicopter carrying four people crashed on November 10 on the outskirts of Warri in southern Nigeria, killing one person while others were seriously injured. Military officials on the scene had said the owner of OAS was on board when the helicopter went down and while the names of passengers were not released, officials did say two of the passengers were foreigners. On Bristow Helicopters crash, the helicopter, a Bell 412 EP with the registration 5N-BIQ, had crashed into an Exxon Mobil oil export terminal at Qua Iboe Terminal Akwa Ibom state. The Bristow Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer, CEO, Bill Chiles had announced the death during a morning conference call with analysts to discuss the company’s earnings. The only soul onboard was the pilot, Cleighton Brown, 44, a resident of Spain who carried a British passport. On the Wings Aviation, the aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900D with registration marks 5N-JAH was declared missing for over six months before it was later found on August 30 of the same year by hunters at Bushi Village in Obanlinku Local Government Area of Cross River state. AIB in its interim report had revealed that the aircraft had filed flight plan from Lagos – POTGO – Enugu direct to Bebi airstrip. AIB emphasised that the aircraft departed Lagos at 0636 hrs and it was expected to arrive at Bebi airstrip at 0825hrs, but the crew deviated from their initial flight plan estimating IKROP 0806 hrs. The aircraft contacted Port Harcourt, Enugu and Bebi control tower before contact was finally lost. AIB in its investigation had said that the crew experienced navigation problem en-route Bebi, received several terrain warnings from the Ground Proximity Warning System, EGPWS, and subsequently crashed with the three persons on board fatally injured. Several attempts to locate the aircraft wreckage proved abortive until 30th August, 2008 when hunters found the wreckage in a mountainous valley of Bushi village in

Obanlinku Local Government area of Cross River State. The interim report added, “The wreckage was contained within a sizeable area in a wooded valley with several trees typical of a thick forest. The main parts of the aircraft i.e fuselage, engines, landing gears, tail section were found. The main fuselage and wings suffered severe fire damage. The trees served as breakers and helped in confining the break - ups though it was a high speed impact. “The fuselage and wings were severely burnt and charred. Most of the trees around the main wreckage had their branches broken and effects of fire damage were seen extensively on many trees. Shortly before the aircraft crashed, it had a fuel endurance of three and half hours signifying there were several gallons of fuel on board the aircraft before the accident.

ederal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved N30.8 billion for the Niger Delta Ministry for road projects in Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo states. Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of FEC meeting, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Steve Oru, disclosed that the council approved the road projects, which were earlier given anticipatory approval by Mr. President last year. The road projects include the construction of Zarama-Okodia-Iseni road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, awarded at a cost of N5.923 billion and Agadagba-Akotokpo-Isaya-Ovia river and bridge in Irele Local Government of Ondo State awarded at a cost of N15.628bn. The other road projects are the construction of Ofagbe Udeze-Ozoro road with a spur from Ovwie to Aba road in Isoko North, Isoko South local government areas of Delta State awarded at N6.675 billion and the construction of Amasoma-Egbedi road in Okolouma Okpokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, awarded at N2.767bn. Also at the briefing, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Kenneth Kobani, disclosed that Council approved a revised National Policy on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME. According to Kobani, the revised policy was

part of efforts by government to ensure the sector contributes to the national economy in the area of job creation and poverty alleviation. Also at the briefing, Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, said Council approved first Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Warri, Delta State. She also disclosed that the council ratified the approval of a provisional licence for the establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State. The Information Minister also disclosed that the council approved report of the ministerial implementation committee on harmonisation of taxes and levies across the federation which was set up because of the issue of service providers, who when they move from one state into another they are also levied by the new state and also by the local government. The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, disclosed that the council ratified the anticipatory approval of the president for the renewal of the contract for the production of the passport booklets by Irish Smart Technologies Nigeria Limited for the production of ten million epassport booklets Moro explained that the renewal of the contract became imperative so that it does not become a crisis situation when passports are exhausted and Nigerians clamour for acquisition of passports and they are not available.

Man arrested over duping clergymen in Ebonyi A liuna G odwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State police command yesterday said it has arrested one Dr. Sabestine Udeh, who hails from Ozizza community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state for allegedly duping no fewer than four clergymen of millions of naira. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Chris Anyanwu,

made this known while speaking with National Mirror in Abakaliki, adding that the arrest was made possible following a tip-off from the victims. He said some amount of money obtained by the suspect from his victims was recovered when he was arrested. “This suspect operates in a syndicate and he is the kingpin. “In the course of our investigation, he took us to Delta State where

he committed some part of the money he defrauded from one of the victims, Pastor Kinsley Nnachi. “After full investigation, he would be charged to court for prosecution,” he said. Pastor Nnachi of the Assemblies of God Church, Abakaliki, who was one of the clerics the suspect duped, said Udeh usually operated on the pretense that he was a minister of a church based in Lagos.

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Fuel tanker hijackers arrested in Ibadan KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ICAN President, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, FCA, performing the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of Accountancy Lecture Theatre at the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. recently.

Senate confirms Gwarzo as SEC DG TOLA AKINMUTIMI

enate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Mounir Gwarzo as Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. A statement by management of the commission indicated that Gwarzo’s confirmation by unanimous decision during the plenary followed consideration of the screening report of the Senate Committee on Capital Market headed by Senator Ayo Adeseun, which affirmed Gwarzo

as the best candidate for the position. It added that the committee had earlier screened the nominee and expressed its satisfaction with his nomination and therefore, called on the entire House to confirm his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan. Thereafter, some members, including the three senators from Kano State (Gwarzo’s state of origin), Bello Dalhatu Gwarzo, Kabiru Gaya and Bashir Garba Lado, also spoke in favour of confirmation of the new SEC boss.

Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Ganiyu Solomon, also supported Gwarzo’s nomination before Senate president David Mark put the motion for his confirmation before his colleagues. According to SEC management, the motion was then unanimously supported. In his comments, the Senate President described Gwarzo as “a round peg in a round hole” and expressed optimism that he would bring

his experience to bear on the job. Gwarzo is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, and attended Bayero University, Kano, graduating with Bachelors Degree in Economics in 1987. He later attended University of Birmingham in United Kingdom where he did his post-graduate course in Development Finance in 1991. The new SEC boss is a trained stockbroker and qualified as an Associate member of CIS and in 2005, became a Fellow of the Institute.

Osun govt denies arrest of Aregbesola’s son BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State government yesterday dismissed claim by those it regarded as “misguided elements” that Kabiru Aregbesola, son of the governor, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 12, with huge amount of foreign currencies. According to a statement issued by Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communication & Strategy, Office of the Governor, Osogbo, authors of the “wicked and malicious lie” were doggedly pursuing their

agenda by engaging in an aggressive push for the falsehood to reach a larger population, using the social media. The statement reads: “The younger Aregbesola neither travelled anywhere nor had any encounter with any security personnel today. It is obvious the evil minds at work are out to drag an innocent young man’s name into this dirt in order to get at his father. “Aregbesola has maintained the life of a moderate family man with a set of highly disciplined children, who cannot be found wanting on issues of morals and societal values. “Members of the public are therefore urged

to dismiss the falsehood because it is just another handiwork of mischievous minds.” But the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a statement signed by its chairman, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, alleged that Kabiru was arrested at the departure wing of the airport with an uncleared lump sum stocked in his luggage, at a time his father was owing workers over six months salaries. It therefore urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to sweep the allegation under the carpet, but to conduct thorough investigation into the matter. The statement reads:

“We are charging the EFCC and other security agencies to ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet. Kabiru should be made to face the music because he had been serving as a conduit pipe for the governor to siphon Osun State’s resources. “The world will recall that Kabiru got the contract for the failed Opon Imo, among others. We wonder how a governor can be so insensitive to the plight of his workers while his son is busy with money laundering business. Is this the change the All Progressives Congress has been shouting about

emesis caught up with five people that specialised in hijacking fuel tanker on the highways. The five persons, who wore fake military uniform to carry out their nefarious assignments, however, met their waterloo when they hijacked a tanker filled with 31,000 litres of engine oil at Agbowo Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. After a successful snatch of the tanker and its product, they were, however, caught and arrested by men of the Oyo State Police Command while offloading the consignment at a fuel station at Ogungbade, Ibadan-Ife Expressway. Driver of the hijacked truck marked Kwara FUF162XA, Yusuf Lukman, while speaking with journalists, said he loaded the tanker at Flour Mills depot in Lagos and was taking the consignment to Ilorin in Kwara State before he was attacked at Agbowo Expresways in Ibadan, adding that he works with Mannabis Ventures, Ilorin. He said, “At Agbowo Express, a car was parked in the middle of the road. They

were six and four among them wore military uniform. They stopped me and asked me to park. They were angry, asking if I wanted to crush them with the truck. I apologised. “Before I knew what was happening, they bundled me into their car and drove me to Oyo town. Some of them also drove the tanker away from the scene. “I escaped when we go to Oyo town and came to Ibadan immediately, where I reported the matter to the police. “I loaded at the Flour Mills in Lagos and was going to Ilorin. The Way Bill was in the truck and they hijacked it with the bill.” Manager of the fuel station where the tanker and the 31,000 engine oil were recovered, Tunde Oyebamiji, said he and his assistant at the station handled the transaction, adding that the transaction started last Thursday. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, told journalists, “This is a case of highway robbers. It has been a very big problem for us and we thank God that the change in strategy has now led to this very important achievement.

Nigeria’s GDP up by 3.86% in first quarter TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he nation’s economy when measured by Real Gross Domestic Product, GDP, on an aggregate basis grew by 3.86 per cent (year-on-year) in the first quarter of this year. The growth. however. represented a decline of 2.25 percentage points from the level of growth recorded in fourth quarter of last year (Q4) and 1.98 per cent lower than the growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year. According to the GDP report released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the nominal GDP at basic prices for the quarter was estimated at N21.04 trillion, up by 4.32 per cent from the about N21.17 trillion estimated for the corresponding quarter of 2014. However, the growth recorded in the first quarter

of this year represented about N3.16 trillion or 13.07 per cent lower than the rate recorded in Q4, 2014 A further analysis of the GDP estimates for the quarter under review on sector-by-sector basis indicated that declining oil prices at the international market as well as supply constraints led to -8.15 per cent drop in real growth of the oil sector, indicating a further decline of 1.55 per cent points drop from the rate of -6.60 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year. The Bureau reported that as a share of the economy, the oil sector represented 10.45 per cent of total real GDP, down 1.38 per cent points from the 11.83 per cent recorded a year earlier, but marginally up 1.49 per cent from the 8.97 per cent recorded in the preceding quarter.

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Power tussle: Aero Contractors fire MD, CFO Olusegun Koiki

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan, Prof. Gbemisola Oke; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during a news conference over the recent death of a student in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ekiti, APC lawmakers feud over search order Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

he 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, members of Ekiti State House of Assembly and the state government yesterday had a row over the ‘stop and search’ operation ordered by the state’s Security Council following spate of kidnappings recently. While the APC lawmakers alleged that the new security measure was a ploy to hold them for kidnap in order to stall the impeachment of Governor Ayodele Fayose, the state government said the lawmakers were wicked and displaying insensitivity to the plight of

Ekiti people. In a statement by Wole Olujobi, media aide to embattled APC Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, APC lawmakers alleged that they had uncovered plot by the governor to engage Government House security men on major roads in the state to conduct the search operation. The lawmakers condemned the operation, describing it as “unwarranted” assault, particularly as vehicles targeted for ‘stop and search’ operation would be mainly dark grey Toyota Camry cars, which is the brand and colour of the lawmakers’ official cars. “We are in possession of

a report that the governor is exploiting cases of kidnap in the state to break the nationwide ban on roadblock ordered by the Inspector General of Police to raise teams of security men working in the Government House to be on our trail to take us out of circulation,” Olujobi stated. But the governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, said such unwarranted allegation coming from APC lawmakers was a clear exposure of the culpability of the party in the kidnapping of residents of the state. Olayinka stated that APC lawmakers had “betrayed their guilt by simply telling

Nigerians that they want the kidnapping of Ekiti residents to continue.” He, however, promised that “the Fayose government will do everything humanly possible to protect lives and properties of Ekiti people and what is expected from genuine lovers of the state is to cooperate with security agencies, and not politicise every effort of the government by the APC.” Olayinka, who said APC in Ekiti State was living up to its real identity as a congregation of evil-minded people, said it was interesting that two individuals standing trial for murder were among the lawmakers.

NJC advised to prosecute corrupt judges Matthew Irinoye

ational Judicial Council, NJC, has been advised to prosecute corrupt judges before they retire. A judge from Benue State division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, stated this while delivering a lecture titled, ‘The role of the bar in exterminating the termite of impunity from Nigeria,’ at the Alao Aka-Bashorun annual memorial lecture, as part of activities marking 2015 law week of the Nigerian Bar

Association, NBA, Ikeja branch. The judge said lawyers in the country encouraged impunity in the administration of justice through filing frivolous applications in courts. He added, “Impunity is a pattern of behaviour that challenges the very fabric of any organised society, done out of a consciousness that the particular society lacks the institutions or is too weak to prevent or punish deviance. It is conduct without (fear of) consequence or repercussion; crime without (fear of) punishment.” He expressed sadness

that electoral offenders go freely without being punished. The judge further decried the spate of human rights abuses in the country, arguing that “when courts impose penalties for human rights abuses by law enforcement agencies and tax payers are made to compensate the victims via damages paid by the agencies and not the offenders, who in most cases even continue their careers as if nothing went wrong, impunity is enthroned. “It will be interesting to compute how much actually goes into settling dam-

ages imposed by courts against the Federal Government for human rights abuses annually,” he said. The judge, however, called on the Bar to play a major role in exterminating impunity from the polity. Earlier, in his opening remark, Chairman on the occasion, Emeka Iwerebon, a barrister, condemned corruption at all levels, saying if not tackled, impunity will continue unabated. He also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to be committed in handling the menace of corruption.

Nigerian airline, Aero Contractors, has allegedly fired its Managing Director, Hughes Fraser, and Chief Finance Officer, CFO, Tunde Pampam, over interests between two major parties in the airline. A source close to the airline told journalists in Lagos yesterday that the airline sacked the two officers last week as a result of the battle between its legacy owners, Ibru family, and the government-owned Asset Management company, AMCON. It was reliably gathered that Hughes was often taking some decisions against the wishes of AMCON, which is overseeing the running of the airline at the moment over alleged debt of N20 to 30 billion owed by the airline, a situation our correspondent learnt did not go down well with AMCON. Besides, it was learnt that the Ibru family, on the other hand, was also frustrated by the inaction of AMCON and the confusion associated with the board. It was alleged that

Hughes, who was appointed by AMCON about two years ago, was accused of embarking on leave without the board’s approval, while there are allegations of questionable decisions and allegiance against him. A source close to the airline told our correspondent that Hughes was not a suitable candidate to run the airline, as Aero needed a turnaround specialist not a commercially driven expert. The source however said that the workers were taken aback by the abrupt sack of Pampam who was appointed by AMCON and was described as very strict personnel in maintaining financial discipline in the airline’s finances. Before its troubles, Aero had a solid foundation, but financial mismanagement purportedly led to its takeover by AMCON. Although AMCON is currently managing the airline, there are fears that its problems are far from over, especially due to unstable management, and heavy staff influence and the unwillingness of the management to bite the bullet on staff issues.

Contempt: Court summons DMO’s DG, claims officer Wale Igbintade

ustice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Lagos has summoned DirectorGeneral of Debt Management Office, DMO, Abraham Nwankwo, for contempt of court. The court also summoned the DMO’s officer in charge of processing fuel subsidy claims by oil marketers, Umaru Abubakar. Ecobank Nigeria Limited had in an application before the court accused the duo of frustrating its effort to recover an alleged debt of about N12 billion from an oil marketing firm, First Deepwater Discovery Limited. The judge said for any private legal practitioner to represent an official of a public parastatal like the DMO, the fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, must first be obtained. Yunusa, consequently, ordered that an officer from the

office of the AGF must also appear in court on May 18. The bank, which claimed that Deepwater Discovery Limited had about N1.8bn subsidy claim with the DMO, had asked the court to order DMO to transfer the money into Deepwater’s account with Ecobank in order to liquidate the company’s indebtedness. The bank, however, cited Nwankwo and Abubakar for contempt on the claim that DMO refused to comply with the court’s order to transfer N845 million, which according to the bank, was the subsidy claim ripe for payment to Deepwater by DMO. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Ecobank’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba, observed that DMO was not represented in court, not unlike the previous hearing. While raising questions about the representation of Nwankwo and Abubakar by a private lawyer, Ogunba said it would be needful for the AGF to be represented in contempt proceedings against officers of the state.

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Royal Exchange Assurance building at Marina, Lagos in 1930

INSIDE

Showcasing Lagos diversity Why we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy insurance policy â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Traders through carnival >47

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Early days’ companies on Broad Street

Royal Exchange Assurance building at Marina, Lagos now

n the pre-independence era, Marina and Broad Street in Central Lagos served as the nerve centre of the major foreign firms and several multi-national companies in the country. It was also learnt that a number of Lebanese and Syrian traders established their shops and supply sale outlets on Balogun and Nnamdi Azikwe, within Idumota axis. Some of them were said to have rented most of the buildings in Idumota area; the ground floors were used as their shops while the first floor or upper floor buildings served as their residence. These traders were also customers of the early days’ banks in Marina, Broad Street and their environs. Marina, Broad Street, Nnamdi Azikwe Street and Idumota also played host to a number of foreign companies, Royal Exchange Group, Niger House housing UAC group, Kingsway Stores, a division of UAC; UTC, SCOA, Leventis Stores, CFAO, G.B Ollivant, Gottschalk, John Holt, A.J Seward, Bata, Lennards and Bhojsons.

UTC UTC Nigeria Plc commenced

business in 1932 in Nigeria. The company became a private limited liability company on August 8, 1969 and a public company on 26 November 1971. It is owned by UTC Africa and other individuals. The company principal activity is manufacturing and processing of food items.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN One of the most significant developments in the company’s history was the setting up of the Royal Niger Company, which was chartered between 1672 and 1750 to administer the territory that later become Nigeria. In 1879, the United African

Company was founded following the merger of four Companies trading up the River Niger: Alexander Miller Brother & Company, Central African Trading Company Limited; West African Company Limited and James Pinnock. Following the revocation of the charter, Royal Niger Company changed its Company name to The Niger Company Limited in 1900. UAC was first incorporated in Lagos, Nigeria under the name Nigerian Motors Ltd on April 22, 1931 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the United Africa Company Limited. (a subsidiary of Unilever), which later became UAC International. The company’s name was changed to United Africa Company (Nigeria) Limited on 23rd July 1943. It became the United Africa Company of Nigeria Limited on 1st February, 1955 and started acquiring, over a period of five years, a large part of the business of UACI. In 1960 C.W.A. Holdings Limited, England also a subsidiary of Unilever, acquired UACI’s interest in the company. The name was changed to UAC of Nigeria Limited on March 1, 1973. In compliance with the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Act 1972, 40 percent of the company’s share capital was acquired in 1974 by Nigerian citizens and associations and in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Act 1977, an additional 20 percent of theuac’s share capital was publicly offered in 1977, increasing Nigerian equity participation to 60 percent.

Royal Exchange Group The Royal Exchange Assurance, founded in 1720, was a Brit-

Kingsway Stores Kingsway Stores is a department store owned by the United African Company. It was established in the Nigeria in 1948, incoporated with an equity capital of about 4,000,000 pounds. The store brought in a mixture of general consumer goods and fabrics and goods mostly common to western consumers. It aslo created coffee outlet which evolved into quick service restaurants.

UAC UAC of Nigeria Plc has a rich and varied history of successful enterprise that pre-dates the geographical entity called Nigeria. The rumps of the company’s early days can be traced to the activities of European traders and commercial activities.

Royal Exchange Assurance building at Marina, Lagos in 1930

ish insurance company. It took its name from the location of its offices at the Royal Exchange, London. The Royal Exchange Assurance emerged from a joint stock insurance enterprise known as Onslow’s insurance or Onslow’s Bubble. This had been begun as the Mercer’s Hall Marine Company, or undertaking kept at the Royal Exchange for insuring ships and merchandise at sea. A similar enterprise sought incorporation in 1718, but the Attorney-General reported against this. Lord Onslow then sought a means of avoiding the difficulty by his company acquiring the charters of Society of Mines Royal and Company of Mineral and Battery Works, which declared itself open for assuring ships and merchandise in March 1719. The company received its royal charter under the Royal Exchange and London Assurance Corporation Act 1719, popularly known as the Bubble Act. Under the terms of this legislation, the Royal Exchange and the London Assurance Company were the only incorporated bodies chartered to write marine insurance. Although this eliminated competition from other corporations, private underwriters, such as those at Lloyd’s of London would remain in business. This arrangement continued until the repeal of the Act, in 1824. The office of a subsidiary of the company in Nigeria known as Royal Exchange Assurance (Nigeria) was located at 31 Marina, Lagos. Royal Exchange Assurance (Nigeria) Plc is a legacy company having the enviable position of being the first insurance company to commence business in Nigeria. The company, which is now a PLC has consistently contributed to the economic development of Nigeria while also setting standards in the insurance sector since 1918.

–Francis Famoroti

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LASU reopens Monday Tunbosun Ogundare

agos State University, LASU, Ojo, is set to resume academic and other activities. This is coming barely two months after its indefinite closure on March 5. The university’s Governing Council, management staff and students have all agreed to open the gate of the institution latest next Monday for both students and workers, as well as other service providers in the institution to return to their duty posts. The agreement was reached at a joint meeting convened at the instance of the Governing Council at the university’s College of Medicine, LASUCOM, Ikeja, on Tuesday. Those present at the meeting were 20, with Mr. Jide Adesoye, acting chairman of the Governing Council; Prof. John Oba-

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

funwa, vice-chancellor, and Wasiu Suleiman, students’ union president, leading each team of three, five and 12-member representatives, respectively. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Messrs. Adesoye and G. A. Sulaiman Ajayi and made available to journalists yesterday, the meeting observed that the prolonged closure of the university was having negative impact on the students and the scheduled accreditation by the National Universities Commission, NUC, as well as related regulatory bodies. They therefore, resolved to open the university and provide adequate security on campus, while the management continues to dialogue with various staff unions on pending issues as well as facilitate the process of school fee refunds to affected students.

Lagos to incorporate road safety in school curriculum Francis Suberu

overnor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, of Lagos State has emphasised the importance of safety on Lagos roads, adding that the state government was working on how to inculcate road safety consciousness in schools’ curriculum. Governor Fashola, who was represented by Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, said this yesterday at the 2015 finals of ‘Be-Road Friendly’ competition organised under Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme of the Ministry of Transporta-

tion. According to Fashola, the state government is working on inculcating safety policy in schools’ curriculum so that pupils could become safety agents. The outgoing governor said the state has an advocacy committee that is continuously working on ensuring that students know what it takes to be safety conscious. He commended students who participated in this year’s competition, saying “it’s a wonderful thing because you can see the enthusiasm in the children that they will go out there and tell their parents, communities and peers that

there is need for them to be safety conscious when they use the roads.” Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr. Mariam Masha, expressed hope that the competition would be sustained by the incoming administration of Governorelect Akinwunmi Ambode. Dr. Masha expressed happiness that primary and secondary school pupils, who are the main beneficiaries of the initiative, have shown great interest and embraced it with open arms, adding that the programme has been improved upon over the years and the children have assumed ownership

of it. This year’s competition has three overall winners from three different categories - the primary school category, junior secondary school category and senior secondary school category. Jimoh Fatimoh won the primary school category; Odusote Lateef won the junior secondary school category; while Omolaja Olamilekan won the senior secondary school category. The winners were presented with Arik Air winning ticket by the Public Relations Manager of Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola. The ticket will enable the winners embark on transport education tour to the United Kingdom.

Ekiti PDP erupts in crisis as factional chairman emerges Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

risis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State with the emergence of a factional chairman. The new acting factional chairman, Mr. Olatunde Olatunde, who was until the development vice chairman (North) of the party, said Chief Idowu Faleye was mandated to vacate his position as the party’s chairman in view of his alleged ineptitude and error in his selection. Olatunde, who said Faleye stepped down on Tuesday at a meeting of the state’s Executive Council, added that he was elected at the council as replacement in acting capacity pending ratification by the party’s National Executive Council, NEC. The factional chairman, who said Governor Ayodele Fayose, leader of the party in the state, had not been officially informed about the change of guard, said: “We are making the change for the betterment of PDP in the state. “The support we have got since the change of leadership shows it is a welcome development. Some of our party members, who had not been participating, are now coming back. We are

going to unite and strengthen the party,” the factional chairman said. But embattled PDP state chairman, Faleye, who said he remains the constitutionally recognised chairman of the party in the state, described as laughable allegation of incompetence levelled against him. Faleye said: “As a member of the NEC of the party, nobody can remove me without following due process. I have never been queried. The only problem we had was payment of honorarium, which I said they could not stampede me on.” A PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Chief Clement Awoyelu, who dismissed the claim of the faction, said: “Faleye as a NEC member of the party cannot be punished at the state level. “The party, under the leadership of Faleye won everything in the last elections and he cannot be compensated with punishment.” Also speaking, a PDP chieftain and former deputy governor of the state, Chief Paul Alabi, described the action of the faction as indiscipline. “The development is strange. Whatever we do to strengthen this democratic experience must follow due process,” he said.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) presenting a plaque to District Governor, District 9110, Rotary International, Dr. Dele Balogun, when members of the organisation paid a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, yesterday.

UI to conduct annual medical screening for students Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

anagement of the University of Ibadan, UI, yesterday said it has concluded plans to conduct an annual medical screening for students of the institution in order to know their health status. Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made the disclosure while addressing a press conference to give an update on investigation into the death of a 200 level student, Mayowa Alaran, who died last week.

Adewole, who said the university was in grief over the unfortunate death of the student of the Department of Health Education and Human Kinetic, explained that the annual screening was in continuation of a similar exercise introduced for staff of the institution four years ago. It would be recalled that the student had last Wednesday lost his life after slumping while watching a European Championship League match in one of the halls in the university and was rushed to Jaja Clinic, but was not attended to by staff of the clinic.

His death led to students’ protest the following day, which affected academic and other activities in the university. The vice chancellor said the university, in order to prevent future recurrence, has intensified efforts in reforming health services in the institution. He said: “We will continue to decentralise health services; we are aware as management, of the feelings of our students concerning the Jaja Clinic, and more so, perception is very important. We are going to inject new staff into the clinic.” He added that the univer-

sity in its bid to provide good and qualitative heath service for both staff and students was planning to establish students’ health service that would be different from the normal health service. According to him, part of the reform in the institution’s health service would ensure that all ambulances were at alert every night, adding that training would also be provided for students on how to handle first aid. Adewole, who was accompanied by other principal officers of the university, said the school has also introduced plans to train students on how to handle grief.

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

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3,000 apply for NDDC foreign scholarship test Sam Oluwalana

Nigerian Army engineers constructing a standard drainage system at Ajasa Street, near Osa Market in Onitsha, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria records N214bn revenue decline in February —CBN

….estimates fiscal deficit at N138.79bn Tola Akinmutimi

ndications that the lingering drop in price of international oil market is taking its toll on Nigeria’s economy were reflected in about N213.68bn decline in federal revenue in February, representing 38.1 per cent drop from collected revenue in the preceding month. The just-published Central Bank of Nigeria’s Economic Report for the month under review showed that the collections also dipped by 21.1 per cent when compared with the revenue collected in the corresponding period of 2014. The CBN reported that with just N359.73bn earned from oil receipts, accounting for 64.1 per cent of the federal revenue, the figures indicated a sharp decline of 39.8 per cent from the January accruals or 26 per cent dip from the collections in February 2014. Also, non-oil revenue dropped in February to N201.12bn or 35.9 per cent. Total accruals to the Federation Account in the month also showed 35 per cent dip from the collections in the preceding month and 10.4 per cent lower than the revenue that accrued to the account in the corresponding period of 2014. According to the CBN, the fall in oil receipts relative to the level in the preceding month, was at-

bout 3,000 graduates from the nine Niger Delta states have taken part in preliminary selection process for the Foreign Scholarship Scheme of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. They sat for a computer-based aptitude test held by the interventionist agency on May 11 and 12, 2015, at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, ICT Centre. Giving details of the foreign scholarship scheme, NDDC’s Deputy Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Solomon Ita, said 4,000 candidates applied online out of which 3,000 were invited for the test. He explained that about 2,000 successful candidates would be invited for oral interview where the final selection would be made. Dr. Ita said the NDDC scholarship scheme, which started four years ago, has so far sponsored 1,021 graduates for Masters and Doctorate degrees in Engineering and Sciences, including Medicine, in the best universities across the world. “We have ensured the selection process is as transparent as possible to give all qualified candidates a fair chance to compete. From the online application to the computer test, the candidates were given opportunity to be part of the process. At the end of the computer test, each candidate saw his or her re-

sult before signing out,” Dr. Ita said. He said emphasis was placed on science disciplines because of a noticeable deficiency in this area in the oil industry, which made it difficult to employ young graduates from the region in that critical sector. His words: “You know we have a lot of gaps in our oil and gas sector, and that is what we desire in the Niger Delta region.” According to him, the oil and gas industry had hitherto discriminated against fresh graduates from the region due to their inability to possess requisite qualifications. “We also need to encourage our youths to show interest in engineering for the sake of our projects. We need qualified engineers that can manage our projects just as in agriculture, environmental science and other science-related courses,” he said. A representative of the NDDC’s consultant on the scholarship scheme, Mr. Nnamdi Munonye, said there was no room for cheating in the computer-based aptitude test as the electronicbased test was fool-proof. “The electronic test is fool proof and nobody can change your score since your picture and details are in the system; after writing the examination your score is shown immediately.” One of the candidates, Miss Ataman Kabiamaowei, confirmed to National Mirror that the computer test was fair and transparent.

tributed to the decline in revenue from crude oil and gas exports, occasioned by the drop in price of crude oil in the international market, while the decline in non-oil sources was linked to the significant decline in export earnings from the industrial sector. The CBN noted that the revenue trend showed huge fall in receipts from the National Information Technology Development Fund, NITDEF, and independent revenue of the Federal Government. It clarified further: “Federal Government’s estimated retained revenue in February 2015 was N224.89 billion, while total estimated expenditure was N363.68 billion. Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N138.79 billion.” In addition, it stated that

foreign exchange inflow and outflow in the month through the CBN stood at $1.90bn and $4.30bn, respectively, thereby resulting in a net outflow of $2.40bn. “Foreign exchange sales by the CBN to authorised dealers amounted to $3.58bn, showing an increase of 5.2 per cent above the level in the preceding month. “Relative to the level in the preceding month, the average naira exchange rate vis-à-vis the US dollar remained the same at the rDAS segment, but depreciated at both the bureau-dechange and interbank segments of the market. “Non-oil export receipts declined by 33.1 per cent below the level in the preceding month. The development was attributed, largely, to the significant decline in export earnings from the industrial sector. World crude oil output in February, 2015

Chris Njoku

FG distributes relief materials to fire victims in Imo

OWERRI

ational Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday in Owerri distributed relief materials worth over N3 million to fire victims in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state in January 2015. NEMA Owerri Operation Office, Dr. Innocent Ezeaku, while performing the flag-off ceremony, yes-

terday in Owerri, advised Imo people to embrace early warning measures as a way of preventing disaster. It would be recalled that in January 2015, a major fire outbreak occurred in Hausa Quarters in Obinze autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, where several properties worth millions of naira were lost. Ezeaku said since most of the disasters were

was estimated at an average of 93.57 million barrels per day (mbd), while demand was at 91.35 million barrels mbd, compared with 93.15 and 91.21 mbd supplied and demanded, respectively, in the preceding month. “There were no other major international economic developments and meetings of importance to the domestic economy during the review period,” the bank added.

Emefiele

caused by human factor, there was need for people to integrate themselves with NEMA sensitisation programmes. According to him, the agency had embarked on serious sensitisation programme to prevent disaster, but regretted that Nigerians lack the culture to follow up media publicity. “We have a responsible government that always wants to identify with

people in time of sorrow; we have put several programmes in place to avert many of the incidents that had occurred, but our people lack the culture to follow up. “The relief materials are for the victims to have a new beginning, but it should be noted that prevention is better than cure; so we should always work to prevent disasters than to allow it happen,” he said.

In her contribution, the Executive Secretary of Imo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Uche Ezeonyeasi, thanked NEMA for its quick intervention in providing the relief materials for the victims. “When I got the information on the fire outbreak, I quickly wrote a report to NEMA and I am very happy that the request was grant

Thursday, May 14, 2015

he advent of Godswill Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom State on May 29, 2007 marked the beginning of good thing for the state and life abundant for its citizenry. Perhaps, many never gave the man who has come to be known as one with a ‘mids’ touch’ any chance of making the difference, but determined to go down in history as one of the best things to happen to the state, Akpabio set to work as if tomorrow will never come and as he bows out on May 29, for another man to continue from where he would stop, the man popularly referred to in Akwa Ibom State as the ‘Uncommon Transformer’, will be leaving behind a legacy that may be difficult to surpass by coming generations of leaders in the state. Governmnt policies and programmes in virtually all sectors of Akwa Ibom State have impacted positively on the lives of the people since Akpabio’s inauguration as the third democratically elected governor of the state, eight years ago, making a turn around for good in the story of the state. So phenomenal was the pace of infrastructural and socio-economic development witnessed in the state, which has also baffled the most ardent critics of the Akpabio administration, that his achievements have not only taken Akwa Ibom State to the global map but also earned the governor national and international accolades, including one from the global whistleblower, Wikileaks, which cited Akwa Ibom State under Governor Akpabio as ‘a state to watch in terms of development. It said: “Governor Akpabio’s giant strides in the state have redefined governance and given the people a sense of pride, hereby defined as Uncommon Transformation, now being televised”. It is therefore no magic, but through hard work, tenacity of purpose and policy consistency, that the multi-faceted development agenda of the Akpabio administration has brought unparalleled development to the state and repositioned Akwa Ibom as a choice destination in Nigeria, in the last eight years. This process, referred to as Uncommon Transformation, is now being televised by the syndication of a well reported, scripted, narrated and edited TV content showing on international and local TV stations. From across the country and all over the globe, testimonies abound about Akpabio’s uncommon transformation strides. From the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, former Presidents and former military heads of state, federal lawmakers, heads of financial institutions, military and churches have all testified to Akpabio’s uncommon transformation strides. Foreign missions and countries are not left out. Former acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, once congratulated Governor Akpabio for his numerous achievements at the state and at the national levels, describing him as a performing man and a man who brings new ideas to PDP and Nigeria as a whole. He said the governor has deep knowledge and wisdom about the state and national issues, saying: “We love to consult him on thorny national issues. Many of the decisions taken by PDP, Akpabio is the originator. Nigeria won’t be tired of you. PDP won’t be ashamed coming to consult him. What you have done in your state, I am afraid, we need you at the national level.” Even the opposition APC confirmed Akpabio’s uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom State, when Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at The

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Politics

A’Ibom: Theatre of Akpabio’s uncommon transformation OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU writes on the uncommon transformation witnessed by Akwa Ibom State under Governor Godswill Akpabio in the last eight years, bringing the state and the governor national and international recognition and accolades.

Akpabio

Sun Newspapers annual award, described “The Sun Man of the Year Award” 2011, bestowed on his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Akpabio, by the management of The Sun Newspaper as an “honour well deserved.”. He said then: “The Sun Man of the Year 2011 that you are being honoured with today is not a fluke. It is based on what you have been able to put in place in your state as their leader since you took over the reign of leadership. I have been to Akwa Ibom State and I know what I saw was amazing. This award is a confirmation of your achievements in office and I can say without any apology that you deserve this.” Former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, urged other states in the country to imitate Akpabio’s approach of significant development to achieve the desired tranquility., saying that this would restrain grievances among the people and check terror

From across the country and all over

the globe, testimonies abound about

Akpabio’s uncommon

transformation strides.

campaign. Abubakar said that with the class of development he saw in Akwa Ibom State, unity and peace will be realised in Nigeria, wishing that other states in Nigeria would emulate the developmental strides that had set Akwa Ibom State apart from other states, to create peace so that there would be no need for grievances and this type of terrorism we are facing in the country. Lauding Akpabio for what he described as “incredible transformation in development,” the former Head of State urged people of the state to be grateful for all the projects executed by the Akpabio and guard them jealously while exercising their public tasks, including paying their taxes regularly. Former Head of State and elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon, on a visit to the state, said: “I am shocked to my marrow, what magic is this. Akpabio, you have changed the history of your people, the infrastructure I have seen here are breathtaking.” President Jonathan described Akpabio as a man of proven integrity, who has made Nigeria and the entire Africa proud, saluting the governor and named him as one of those who have exhibited love and selfless service to the people. He said: “What I see today has marvelled me, the infrastructures are incomparable and the finishing is a world class touch.” Today, Akwa Ibom has the best infrastructures. The only city in Nigeria, comparable to Akwa Ibom State is the Federal Capital Territoty, FCT, Abuja, the nation’s seat of power. This was as a result of the people-oriented and transformative leadership of Akpabio, who is unarguably one of the most sought after leaders in Nigeria at the national level. To yield to this call the governor has decided to represent his people in the Senate, a decision many in Nigeria believe is not adequate to what they want him to be in the leadership of the country. Former President and former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, BOT, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, advocated for an amendment to the constitution to allow for transfer of state governors from one state to the other to boost development. Speaking at a dinner in his honour when he visited Akwa Ibom State at the Government House, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the former President said: “Governor Akpabio has turned Akwa Ibom into a paradise, using the flyovers, roads, airport, Independent Power Plant and gas processing industry, among others. Railway will soon come. “The truth is that the governor is not only doing things that benefit the state alone but other states. I feel proud with what you have done in the last four years. If you have not landed in Uyo, you have not been anywhere in Nigeria.” Obasanjo said the projects executed in Akwa Ibom were beneficial to the state and to its CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Politics

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A’Ibom: Theatre of Akpabio’s uncommon transformation CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 neighbours. Perhaps, one of the projects of the Akpabio administration, which is beneficial to everybody resident in the state is its free education, which everybody benefits from, unlike in Rivers State and other states where only indigenes enjoy free education policy of the states. In Akwa Ibom State, as long as you reside in the state and attend the state’s public school, you are automatically a beneficiary. This is also applicable to its free healthcare delivery policy and programme. Highlights of the “uncommon transformation” agenda of the Akpabio administration in the last eight years include: free, compulsory and qualitative education; free health care for children, expectant mothers and the elderly; 28 new bridges linking communities; completed phase 1 of Ibom International Airport, construction of new International terminal building and second runway; over 320 new roads constructed; five new flyovers; an ultra-modern Governor’s Lodge; West Africa’s first e-library; first in Africa underground drainage system; five new general hospitals; brand new specialist hospital and referral centre; completed 191 megawatt Ibom Power Plant; gas processing plant with 69 kilometre of gas pipeline; comprehensive rural electrification scheme which has linked over 1,600 communities to the national grid, making the state to achieve 87 per cent electricity coverage and world class Tropicana Business and Entertainment centre, comprising 250-bedroom 5-star hotel; shopping mall, cineplex, conference centre, wet and dry Parks. Others include: training and empowerment of over 4,000 youths with N500,000 each under the Integrated Farmers’ Scheme; improved workers’ welfare and payment of N21,000 minimum wage; effective security cov-

Akpabio obviously would have his own share of shortcomings like every other human being,

but he deserved to be accorded recognition

Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

sun State government yesterday dismissed rumours being peddled around by those it called “misguided elements” that a son of the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Kabir, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday May 12 with a huge sum of money in foreign currencies. A statement issued by Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Governor’s Office, Osogbo, Semiu Okanlawon, said authors of the “wicked and malicious lie” are doggedly pursuing their agenda by engaging in an aggressive push for the falsehood to

Uyo International Stadium, one of Akpabio’s achievements

erage and the launching of Operation Thunder and the Quick Response Squad; state-of-the-art banquet hall at the Government House; brand new federal prison and correctional centre; over 4,000 rural development projects in the 31 local government areas of the state; engagement of 2,060 women and youths under the newly launched Green Brigade programme; training and empowerment of 4,500 women with the sum of N250,000 each for commercial agriculture under the Women Agro-Empowerment Development Programme, WAEDEP; construction of 30,000 capacity ultra-modern Olympic size stadium in Uyo; construction of the third ring road with flyovers in Uyo; 2,000 units housing estates in the three senatorial districts and 31 number security estates comprising 412 units each in the 31 local government areas. To say Akwa Ibom has never had it this good would probably be an understatement. Akpabio has benchmarked performance and set the bar so high that it would take so much effort for his successor to surpass his administration. In the course of achieving all of these for the common people of Akwa Ibom State, many have said Akpabio is ‘over-bearing and brooks no criticism, but then, any leader aspiring to achieve success and push through his vision of an Utopian state for his people cannot but

be over-bearing, or else he would not achieve success at the end of the day. His over-bearing attitude, his close aides would confirm, was unlike that of some other leaders and occupiers of plum and top political offices, like his counterparts in other states, who simply employ intimidation and brute force as instruments to subdue critics and opponents. National Mirror gleaned that one of the factors that helped Akpabio to achieve this much success was his uncanny ability to recognise talents and hardworking professionals that he can leverage on their expertise to achieve a desired end. This explains why many aides and cabinet members of his administration have remained with him this long. For instance, he created the Bureau of Technical Matters, which in collaboration with the state Ministry of Works, and other relevant government agencies, churned out the unprecedented transformation Akwa Ibom State has witnessed and brought a competent engineer from the private sector as its head. No man is a saint and Governor Akpabio obviously would have his own share of shortcomings like every other human being, but he deserved to be accorded recognition and can be aptly described as one of the very few governors in Nigeria, who ‘came, saw and conquered.’

Osun denies Kabiru Aregbesola’s alleged arrest reach a larger population especially using the social media. The statement reads: “The younger Aregbesola neither traveled anywhere nor had any encounter with any security personnel today. It is obvious the evil minds at

work are out to drag an innocent young man’s name into this dirt in order to get at his father. “Aregbesola has maintained a life of a moderate family man with a set of highly disciplined children who cannot be found wanting on issues of mor-

als and societal values “Members of the public are therefore urged to dismiss the falsehood because it is just another handiwork of mischievous minds.” But Osun State Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, in a statement signed by its

chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, alleged that Kabir Aregbesola was arrested at the departure wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport with the lump sum of money that was not cleared but stocked in his luggage, at a time, his father was

owing workers over six months’ salaries. It then urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to sweep the allegation under the carpet and conduct thorough investigation into the matter.

Kwara Guber/NASS Tribunal Receives Five Petitions Wole Adedeji ILORIN

wara State Governorship and National Assembly Electoral Petitions Tribunal has received five petitions.

Tribunal secretary, Mr. Ejike Nwana, told the National Mirror that one petition was received on

the gubernatorial election, while two petitions were received on the senatorial and House of Repsentatives elections respectively. Acoording to Nwana, African Democratic Congress, ADC is challenging the exlclusion of its gubernatorial candidate; Comrade Abdulraheem Abubakar, from the list

for election on April 11 by the National Independent Electional Commission, INEC. The ADC joined the All Progressives Congress, APC; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was returned in the election as well as the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, as respondents to the petition.

Also, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and Arch Lola Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, filed petitions challenging the outcome of both the Kwara Central and South senatorial seats election declared by INEC. Similarly, Tajudeen Abioye of PDP is challenging the election of

Olayonu Olanrewaju of the APC while Richard Bamidele of PDP equally took Princess Olufunke Adedoyin to the tribunal as the House of Representatives members-elect for Irepodun/sin/Ekiti/ Oke-Ero and Oyun/ Offa/Ifelodun federal constituencies respectively.

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Joe Iniodu

Politics

Thursday, May 14, 2015

he blues of defeat suffered by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the gubernatorial election of April 11, in the hands of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State still rankles almost a month after. Principal players of the defeated party in the state, alongside some pretending members have recently embarked on futile missions aimed at swaying public perception with the intent to tamper with the will of the people. Like every dubious mission, the journey is replete with moral pitfalls, warped logic and role reversals. It is an inchoate delegation in a duplicitous journey driven by the adrenalin of hate and self interest. A few days ago, some self-styled elders of Akwa Ibom Sate were received in audience by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. Led by the APC candidate in the last gubernatorial election, they told the President-elect that election did not hold in Akwa Ibom State. They posited that electoral brigandage marred the process, thus impigning on the outcome which, of course, was the irredeemable failure of the party in the state. In their spurious report, they represented Akwa Ibom State as a reference in electoral heist and undesirable example for any democratic study. In whatever way we look at it, this is an unkind way to represent the state. And if this is done by the so called elders, one wonders what kind of state and image they intend to bequeath to succeeding generations. The grouse is not about the fact that they visited General Buhari. It is the reason for the visit that has generated concerns. The unbridled quest by APC to have elections cancelled in Akwa Ibom State and truncate the will of the people has driven those seeking this action into desperation. Sometimes their actions are so despicable that one is constrained to ask if some of the people who are touted to be part of this sham action are still the people of honour we knew some years ago and some till some months ago. Time and hate have indeed done so much change and damage to our people. It is public knowledge that APC in the state has disputed the result of the April 11 gubernatorial election. It has, as prescribed by law gone to the tribunal. Going to General Buhari therefore to report same is superfluous and can only be interpreted as hectoring the President-elect to use the apparatus of his office when he assumes it, to achieve a predetermined result for them. I pray the man does not fall into such grisly temptation, as that would put his tenure, his government and nay the APC on a delicate balance. APC in the state should be content that it has gone to the tribunal and not to go around shopping for influence with the intendment to use it to alter the truth that April 11 produced in Akwa Ibom State. The delegation to Buhari indeed spawned some curious thoughts. On that delegation were people who claimed to be APC and who were in Abuja to complain that an election that APC was set to win did not hold. But almost all of them on that delegation were PDP faithful, including two members of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT. The real APC stalwarts, like Senator John Akpan-Udoedeghe, Group Captain

Akwa Ibom APC should be contented with case at tribunal

Umana

Attah

Sam Enwang (rtd), who are notable members of that party, were not on the delegation. There was hardly anybody on that delegation that has been in APC for more than six months. In their characteristic manner of hijacking any process, they forcibly usurped the reins of the party, using the influence of money and alienated all those who fought and kept the party for many years. As a matter of fact, some of them are still yet to resign from PDP. The APC should be wary of these fair-weather and fickle-minded politicians who operate without principle. One other feature of that delegation that has agitated watchers is why a former governor, a former petroleum minister should be in a delegation led by a man who once served the former governor as a commissioner and is still yet to inspire national clout as a politician. Many think that it would have been the former whose standing is more prominent that should have led the delegation. The illogical reversal of roles therefore smacks of desperation on

the part of the APC candidate, who seems not to wish to trade off prominence on that delegation for certain personal reasons. And to sustain his interest above and over every other persons, he must hug the klieglights with others swarming around him like used items. With that action, our state was portrayed as a decadent society that is bereft of values and unfamiliar with hierarchy and respect. Watchers believe that APC in the state has already been turned in to the highest bidder. Prominence, for them, is not determined by longevity in the party, experience, age or previous office held within the society, but by how deep the pocket is. Even procuring the ticket was based on financial war chest and running the affairs of the party still seems to tow the same trend. Otherwise if there was hierarchy and respect for party protocol, there is no way Obong Umana Okon Umana would have been the leader of the delegation, the spokesman of the delegation and the APC candidate. Such trinity would have been discouraged. But he who

Many believe that the hullabaloo made by the APC is a distraction. It is said that the party planned for electoral brigandage but failed, because of the vigilance of

PDP.

pays the piper dictates the tune. It is unfortunate that the gubernatorial election in the state is still mired in needless controversy. Anybody who followed that election keenly would admit that there was no way PDP would have been defeated in the state. The party had so much accomplishment to point to, alongside a strong leader to boast of. It presented a candidate that stood shoulders above all others. It conducted vigorous and widespread campaigns across the state with the candidate demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the issues of governance. It had committed party faithful that were ready to vote and protect the votes. The minor skirmishes that attended that election were normal and not sufficient to taint the outcome. And strangely, even the recorded infractions were perpetrated by APC as evidenced in the arrest of perpetrators including a General who is a card carrying member of the party. Many believe that the hullabaloo made by the APC is a distraction. It is said that the party planned for electoral brigandage but failed, because of the vigilance of PDP. It is also said that APC even sought and procured the assistance of the police hierarchy to perpetrate the brigandage and was sent an AIG and two Commissioners to help consummate the planned heist. It is further submitted that the AIG on arrival held a meeting with all the heads of units and briefed them on the need to work for the new centre to assure their promotion and continuation in the Police Force. With the riot act read, many say, the police went out of their way to prevent PDP from winning the election, but the will of the people prevailed. From what has been gleaned, APC lost the election to PDP as a natural order and if that election is conducted again and again, PDP would win again and again. The propaganda that Governor Godswill Akpabio used private army to perpetrate mayhem and rig the election is a ruse as it is unfounded. Political players should learn the fine art of sports which is accepting defeat with grace. We enjoin those on the delegation not to further go astray. May God lead them back to the family and take away anger from their hearts. •Iniodu is a public affairs commentator.

C’River tribunal chairman tasks counsel on deligence Richard Ndoma CALABAR

hairman of Cross River State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Aliyu Mayaki, yesterday charged counsel to both the plaintiffs and respondents to discharge their duties without any fear or favour in a manner that their conscience would be satisfied. Mayaki gave the charge in Calabar at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal at the Federal High Court, Calabar, adding that the tribunal was set up to adjudicate on

the petitions fairly and justly without any form of favouritism or victimisation within the time limit given it. He said: “The tribunal appeals to the parties and their counsel from both the private and official bar to live up to the expectations of the general public, especially their clients and the tribunal. “The tribunal assures parties and their counsel of a friendly environment for litigation and due observance of the rules which is expected to be in order to achieve justice at the end of the day in each petition.” Mayaki maintained that the tribunal

comprises of three justices to hear and determine petitions that have been filed for the gubernatorial poll, giving the names of the two other justices to include, Muniyu Olagunju and Khadi Babbaojo. Labour Party, LP, candidate, Mr Fidelis Ugbo and All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Mr Sylvester Nsa filed their petitions on April 30 and May 3 respectively, challenging the victory of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Senator Ben Ayade and his declaration as governor-elect on grounds of malpractices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

Politics

Abiodun Nejo ADO-EKITI

lder statesman and member of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, Chief Ojo Falegan, has urged parties in the political instability in the state to, as a matter of necessity, see reason why they must all embrace peace. Falegan said peace and unity of purpose which were expected of political leaders in the state, were necessary for sustainable economic transformation and political development. The octogenarian said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that “peace is no doubt a great catalyst that cannot be swept under the carpet in any society that is striving to attain greatness. “Since two wrongs can never make a right, both the governor and the state legislators should come together now and stop any further action or inactions

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Parties in Ekiti crisis tasked on peace that can put the future of the state in jeopardy and backwardness. “There is no other time to allow permanent peace to reign in Ekiti State than now because, the state had witnessed what can be bestdescribed as undeserved and needless political crisis in recent times as a result of actions or inactions of certain individuals in andoutside the state”. He lamented that the action of politicians had “greatly affected the state and made it look like we do not know what we really want in the comity of states in the country, hence people should learn how to make sacrifices in the overall interest of the state and its people”. Falegan appealed to the

19 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers to sheath their swords and see the move as a way of making sacrifice to move the state forward especially in this critical stage. He said: “Since Governor Ayodele Fayose has expressed readiness to embrace a peace deal as a sacrifice to ensure a stable society, the other party must also listen to him and come for a round table discussion to resolve the struggle amicably without further delay”. He expressed worry over the non-participation of the APC lawmakers in the stakeholders meeting convoked by elders of the state under the leadership of Chief Afe Babalola a fortnight ago.

The elder statesman said: “What the average Ekiti people want is a decent and ideal society they can be proud of, therefore the amicable resolution of the crisis would not be seen as cowardice on the part of anybody but rather a state of no victor, no vanquish”. The octogenarian appealed to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and APC in the state to always caution their supporters against using vulgar and provocative words capable of causing breakdown of peace and harmony in the state. According to him, “Ekiti State is one and we must remain as such in all situations”.

Senator-elect for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani (left) addressing executive council members of Shiekh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Central market during their visit in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

‘Stop and search,’ ploy for our kidnap –Ekiti APC lawmakers Olajide Omojolomoju

he ’stop and search’ operation launched by the Ekiti State government, ostensibly to stem the spate of kidnappings in the state, has been described as an orchestrated plot by the state governor, Ayo Fayose, to kidnap the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers of the state House of Assembly, in order to stall the impending impeachment of the governor. The 19 APC members of the state House of Assembly, in a statement through the media aide to the em-

battled Speaker, Adewale Omirin, Wale Olujobi, said they uncovered the alleged plot by the governor to engage Government House security men on major roads in the state to conduct ‘stop and search’ operation in what they described as ‘frantic search to track them for kidnap. Thanking those they described as “the good people in government” who leaked the plot, the lawmakers condemned such operation as unwarranted assault, particularly as the cars targeted for the ‘stop and search’ operation would be mainly dark grey Toyota Camry cars, the brand and colour of the

lawmakers’ official cars. They said: “We are in possession of a report that the governor is exploiting cases of kidnap in the state to break the nationwide ban on roadblock ordered by the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to raise some teams of security men working in the Government House to be on our trail to take us out of circulation. “The officers, who worked for him for similar operations between 2003 and 2006 and who were indicted by the security panel set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 to investigate political killings in Ekiti State,

are the ones specially requested by Fayose for reposting to Ekiti State after he was declared winner in the June 21 governorship poll and they are the ones leading this dastardly operation in conjunction with some criminals and thugs lodged in the Government House after their election duties. “As we speak, the security men and thugs are in possession of our photographs to identify us after stopping us. They have been told to specifically be on the look-out for dark grey Toyota Camry cars, which are our official cars, to identify us for kidnap to stall his impeachment.

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House Speaker: Rep cautions APC on zoning Wole Oladimeji ABUJA

n outgoing member of the House of Representatives, Hon Olarotimi Makinde, yesterday warned leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to thread carefully on the zoning arrangement for the leadership of National Assembly to avoid a repeat of the mistake of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Makinde who represents Ife Central federal constituency of Osun State said the appeal becomes necessary because issue of zoning could make or mar the party if caution is not taken. Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday, Makinde explained that issue of speakership or leadership of National Assembly is a very important and requires tact so as to avoid needless crisis. He said: “First and foremost we should not be talking about who gets what, we should be concerned about how whoever occupy those offices would affect the nation, the APC and the House. “The party must put a lot of things into consideration and the general expectations from the party, because Nigerians expected much from this party and they can’t af-

ford to get less.” Advising that this is the time for APC to remain united, having navigated to this level without any major crisis, he said: “If we recall very well, the journey to the speakership was what affect PDP then, so we must be seen to be doing things differently in a sensible manner and with the fear of God. On his choice of Speaker, Makinde said: “I have worked closely with majority of those angling for the seat, if I have my way ordinarily and morally, I see no reason why Hon Femi Gbajabiamila should not be considered greatly.” He said that he has seen it all and know those would be able to pilot the affairs of the House well, adding: “Those who have come out for the race, like Hons Gbajabiamila, Yakubu Dogara and Isreal Famurewa are eminently qualified for the position.” He added that Gbajabiamila stands a better chance, not necessarily because of his experience, but ordinarily because he is one of the pillars that held the office for the progressives when “we were in the opposition and he should be one of the facilitators for this change we are talking about and the transformation we about to enjoy.”

Tribunal: Fadahunshi, PDP begin inspection of poll materials Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

ounsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the March 28, National Assembly election for Osun East senatorial district, Prince Francis Fadahunshi, yesterday began inspection of materials used for the poll. The exercise witnessed by statisticians, APC and PDP counsel and officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was largely hitch free. The inspection was sequel to the order of the Justice B.B Kanyip-led panel on April 28, grant-

ing the plaintiff ’s application, seeking the relief of the panel to inspect materials used for the election. The exercise commenced around 11 am at INEC headquarters, Gbongan road, Osogbo, with the inspection of ballot papers used for the poll in Oriade Local Government Area. Counterfoil of ballot papers, used and unused and card readers used for polls in the council were also checked. Barrister Edmund Biriomoni, who led Fadahunshi’s team, said the inspection would last for five days, adding that the petitioner would be inspecting two council areas daily.

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Freedom of Information Act: Four years after CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

t is precisely four years this month that Nigeria joined the comity of nations with a statutory freedom of information instrument. This was achieved when President Goodluk Jonathan signed the FOI Bill into law on May 28, 2011. It is a law that bestows on every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records, and documents held by government bodies and private bodies carrying out public functions. The law applies to all arms of government. The expectation when this law passed was that that it would boost transparency in the public sector and promotes good governance. However, scores of public interest litigations spawned by bids to enforce this law have shown that those in possession of public information are still unwilling to voluntarily embrace the provisions of the Act. There are many cases one can point to in this regard. It will be recalled that a High Court of Oyo State, in Ibadan made a landmark pronouncement in a judgement that will continue to be

a reference point, not only for a FoI Act, but for all federal legislations, until overruled, if at all, by a superior court. In the said judgement delivered by Justice S.A Akinteye, the court expands the scope of applicability of the FoI Act by holding that the Act applies throughout Nigeria irrespective of whether it has been passed by the House of Assembly of any particular state. The kernel of the court’s pronouncement, which has resounded throughout Nigeria since then, is “it is unnecessary for state governments to adopt FoI Act in their respective states before been applicable there”. The case was been instituted by an Ibadan-based human rights lawyer, Mr Yomi Ogunlola, after the Oyo State House of Assembly had deliberately withheld vital information he had asked for under the FoI Act. Ogunlola had written a letter to the Clerk of Oyo State House of Assembly seeking information relating to the foreign trip of the wives of members of the House of Assembly. The Clerk of the House, however, refused to supply the sought information on the grounds that the FoI Act was (and is still) yet to be domesticated by the Oyo State lawmakers. In his judgement, Justice Akinteye had said: “I wish to say that there is no section in the 1999 constitution which prescribes that a law enacted by the National Assembly has to be adopted by the state House of Assembly to make the law applicable to the state. FoI Act is not the only law enacted by the National Assembly that covers the whole Federation

THE EXPECTATION WHEN THIS LAW PASSED WAS THAT THAT IT WOULD BOOST TRANSPARENCY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND PROMOTES GOOD GOVERNANCE of Nigeria.” In another case filed by the Nigerian Contract Monitoring Coalition against the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at an Abuja Federal High Court, it was contended that PHCN refused to release details of a World Bank funded PHCN contract for the supply and installation of high voltage distribution systems in its facilities in Abuja, Lagos, and Ibadan. After the request was turned down, the coalition of civil society group applied to the court to compel PHCN provide it with details of the contract. In a judgment delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, the court granted the coalition’s application. The PHCN behaved responsibly by immediately releasing the requested information there after. One may also recall the case filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the late Lagos lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu,

who had sought certain information from the agency concerning allegations it made against the leadership of a nongovernmental organisation, Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and had been refused. The late lawyer, however, successfully got a court order made by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which compelled the agency to make available the information. From the above, it can be seen that some Nigerians have not been sleeping when it comes to invocation of the FoI Act. The Nigerian court has also been helpful in protecting the sacred rationale and principles behind the Act. However, not much gain could be said to have been recorded as a lot of people still showing apathy concerning the rights guaranteed by the Act. After four years of having this important law as our ally in the fight against corruption, one should have expected that we would by now have numerous scandals that were exposed as a result of this law. The bottom line is that the FOI Act is still being poorly deployed as a veritable tool against opacity, illegality and corruption in Nigerian public life. One way to correct this is for the civil society groups to embark on mission to educate large members of the society on the usefulness and importance of the Act. Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

Chukwumerije and Igbo leadership question LAW MEFOR

n one of my books, ‘The Igbo Leadership Question’, I had cause to refer to Comrade Uche Chukwumerije as ‘an exasperated tiger’. That was how the comrade’s thoughts fill my mind each time I consider the Igbo leadership question. I saw him as one of the very few who genuinely cared for Ndi Igbo, after Emeka Ojukwu. Since the loss of the Biafra war, Ndi Igbo have remained essentially without a rallying point, and this is a big issue. Ojukwu continued in that role when he returned from exile in Ivory Coast though, but it was just to some degree, for so much water had already passed under the bridge and the people he met on return were in very poor shape. It was expected though, since one of the major psychological consequences of losing a war is emergence of a splinter group and Ndi Igbo were no exception. In locating properly who truly led Ndi Igbo in history and in contemporary times not even the Great Zik truly fits in. In the Second Republic politics when Ojukwu returned from exile, Nnamdi Azikiwe had only reemerged from his cocoon and sought presidential nomination under the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP). Throughout history, Zik had his eyes set too high on Pan Africanism to bother much about organizing Ndi Igbo for a place of pride in the Nigeria power equation, as Ojukwu and Chukwumerije would. He preferred to be seen as Zik of

I SEE OJUKWU AND CHUKWUMERIJE AS BOTH AUTHENTIC

IGBO LEADERS, YET NATIONALISTS. I SEE THE DUO AS TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN Africa than be seen as an ethnic champion. But Chukwumerije combined both Igbo championship and nationalism so admirably. I see Ojukwu and Chukwumerije as both authentic Igbo leaders, yet nationalists. I see the duo as two sides of the same coin. While Ojukwu represented the zenith of Igbo possibility, Chukwumerije the philosopher, to me, represented the Igbo spirit. Throughout his life, Chukwumerije proved that indeed only the deep can call to the deep and it easily showed any time he spoke, both in formal and informal settings, in his trademark armed words. He was deep, ponderous, calm, collected. A no-nonsense fellow, there was one thing most men had which the comrade didn’t have – time to waste. I had had cause to discuss with him, one on one, about why Ndigbo come under the hammer every now and then, and for all the wrong and right reasons -why there has often been an intense feel-

ing about the race by fellow Nigerians and the world at large, and why they receive all the bashing from people. His answers were instructive and shaped my Igbocentric life ever since. He brought refreshing insights into what he called ‘atomization of Ndi Igbo’ and traced all their travails to that. Chukwumerije also made some of us to see that the enterprising and highly successful nature of many Ndi Igbo have made them very visible and objects of envy. Comrade was concerned about the deliberate, despicable and desperate attempts by people to provoke anti-Igbo sentiments reminiscent of the experience of the Jews in the Arab world. He believed that the length some can go to malign and crush the otherwise virile race into the mire of inferiority requires anti-Semitism kind of social intervention. He believed that the real danger beyond all the polemics is that a cowed Igbo race, which is not in anybody’s interest, is the target, and, worse still, Ndigbo, unlike the Jews, are not bonding to raise a formidable defence against such common, exterminating enemies. I asked Chukwumerije if Ndigbo were totally blameless for the outrage others have visited on them, and he told me, believably that we have a share of the blame but must resist the pressure to assume a docile identity, just to appease our neighbours or even the world. He believed that part of the Igbo man’s problem is that he is more catholic than the pope for not

approaching the Nigeria project from selfpreservation perspective in an organizaed fashion. For a fact, while other ethnic groups are busy positioning their people and securing their future, Ndigbo have carried on till this day as if only they can make the country stand. Others see this as chauvinism and have remained hostile to them as a response and feeling of rivalry as a result. No doubt, Ndigbo suffer unjust prejudice, but Chukwumerije did not believe that they were hated as canvassed by some Ndigbo. He asked if indeed the Igbos were that hated, why were they found in the remotest parts of Nigeria and the world? Prejudices can also stem from passions of the heart just as from the biases of the mind. Comrade said that when things went wrong like the Nigerian project appears to have repeatedly suffered, finding someone in the Igbo man to blame (scapegoat), can provide an outlet for anger and frustration. Comrade Uche Chukwumerije believed Ndigbo should not accept this as their fate. He told me the way out was for the Ndigbo to remain firm, fair and united. Mefor, Abuja-based author, forensic psychologist and journalist wrote via lawmefor@yahoo.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday May 14, 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

Wanton killings in Taraba, Plateau

anton destruction of lives and property struck Taraba and Plateau states penultimate week, with casualty figures put at between 70 and 100. In Taraba alone, over 70 people were reportedly killed in crises that pitted the Tiv against their Kutep neighbours. Suspected Fulani gunmen had earlier attacked and killed six soldiers on routine patrol between Amar and Kambari villages in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, according to reports. The mayhem later spread to Takum, the council area of former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); the Taraba Governor-elect, Darius D. Ishaku; and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mark Useni. The killings witnessed in Takum were said to be carried out by irate youths on a revenge mission occasioned by the killing of 13 of their kinsmen by assailants from a rival tribe. The southern part of the state, where Takum is located, is said to be experiencing a rising wave of violence. In April 2014, about 25 persons were reportedly killed in Ndo-Yaku village in Wukari LGA of the state, also in the same axis, despite the presence of security operatives drafted from some neigbouring states in the North

East part of the country to help halt the attacks. During the latest violence in Takum, security operatives posted to the area were accused of nonchalance too, while the rampaging youths seized the law by the throat without qualms. A 24-hour curfew imposed on Takum could not rein in the excesses of the youths, it was said. In Plateau State, Fulani herdsmen also killed 30 people in four villages identified as Vat, Pandadi, Zakukpang and Dorong. The attackers reportedly penetrated the villages through Jos East LGA. The security agencies, particularly the Special Task Force on Jos Crisis, were also fingered for their failure to protect life and property in the affected areas. In July 2012, a senator from Plateau State, Gyang Dantong and the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Gyang Fulani were killed, while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of the state. The killing came shortly after the discovery of the remains of over 50 persons, mostly women and children, burnt inside the residence of a local pastor where they took refuge following the attack on about 14 villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Dantong and Fulani

NO COUNTRY WHERE IMPUNITY RULES CAN PRIDE ITSELF AS A CIVILIZED OR VIABLE HUMAN SPACE were shot dead at Maseh village in Riyom LGA, while the over 50 victims of the herdsmen’s attack were being buried. Just three months ago, Fulani herdsmen also sacked Egba village in Agatu LGA of Benue State, killing over 90 persons, including women and children, in the early hours of Sunday, March 15. The entire community was razed; alongside economic trees, food barns and farmland. Such incidents have come to stay in most parts of the country, especially up North. But whenever such tragedy strikes, whether in Taraba, Plateau, Ebonyi, Osun, AkwaIbom or elsewhere, the authorities vow to track down the culprits and bring them to justice. But in the end, none of such is achieved. The root cause of the violence is also glossed over; and what follows oftentimes is the escalation of violence. Repeated complaints about the cavalier attitude of security operatives manning the strife-torn parts of Taraba and Plateau states, for example,

ON THIS DAY

May 14, 1948

May 14, 2004

Israel became an independent state with a provisional government. Immediately after the declaration, the country was attacked by neighboring Arab states, triggering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel is located in the Middle East, on the south-eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It has borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, West Bank, Egypt, Gaza Strip, and the Gulf of Aqaba.

The Constitutional Court of South Korea overturned the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun. Moohyun (1946 – 2009) was the 9th President of the Republic of Korea (2003–2008). His pre-presidential political career focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics.

speak volumes on the scant confidence individuals and communities repose in the security agencies concerning the protection of life and property, as well as their ability to facilitate the apprehension, diligent investigation and prosecution of the purveyors of this evil. Of what relevance are security operatives that are docile and are in no way better than mere ornaments, even when their duly assigned beats are burning? In all of the cases cited, impunity is evident. And what feeds the audacity is the fact that the attackers are conscious of not just the nation’s weak security system, but its largely impotent and compromised criminal justice system. Ours has for several decades been a criminal justice institution that flaunts miserably scant testimonial on satisfactory investigation, prosecution and conviction of even known criminals. This will help explain why individuals and groups resort to self help that, more often than not, lead to atrocities. No country where impunity rules can pride itself as a civilized or viable human space. Let the perpetrators of the evils in Taraba, Plateau and other states be fished out and punished.

May 14, 2013 Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan declared state of emergency in the northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa due to the terrorist activities of the Islamist Boko Haram sect. The Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad, known by its Hausa name ‘Boko Haram’, is a group and militant organization based in the northeast of Nigeria, north Cameroon and Niger Republic.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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Education Today Thursday, MAY 14, 2015

No Engineering College in any Institutin in Nigeria come close to what obtains in ABUAD —NSE BOSS

Tunbosun Ogundare

s a way of catching them young in Information and Communication Technology like their peers in the developed countries, the Lagos State Government has started conducting its common entrance examination online. The state began the exercise, which is popularly known as Computer-Based Test (CBT) with this year’s edition held last Saturday across the state. However, only 18 out of the total 8,900 candidates opted for the CBT mode at the only CBT centre located within the State’s Examination Board at Iyana-Ipaja. The rest chose the conventional paper and pencil format (PPT) at the remaining 15 centres across the state. The Common Entrance exam also known as placement test is a mandatory examination conducted by the state’s Examination Board for primary six pupils from both public and private schools in the state who are seeking admission into any of the state’s model and upgraded schools. National Mirror monitored the exercise at the centre as well as some PPT centres including Government College, Agege and Vetland High School, Ifako–Ijaiye, where the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and her team, also visited. It was observed that candidates sat confidently before the computer, which were attached to a UPS each reading their questions and ticking their choice answers online. The pupils were tested alongside their counterparts in three subjects, namely: English language, mathematics and General Studies and their questions were randomised to prevent malpractice. National Mirror further observed that each candidate’s answer scripts were also embossed with their passport photograph as a way of preventing impersonation, according to the officials.

Exam in progress at a CBT centre. INSET Candidates for PPT at Government Junior College, Agege.

Model colleges’ exam:

Lagos begins computer-based test for primary six pupils

... guarantees admission for candidates with at least 70% score The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye told journalists during the exercise that the CBT mode was voluntary for willing candidates, adding that the state had to limit their number to only 20 to enable the examiners manage them well. “But we eventually registered 18 candidates for the mode and this is quite high because of the level of students involved,” she

Count us out of crisis, LASU students tell govt 21

said. Expressing her satisfaction with the exercise, Olayinka said she was impressed with the manner the candidates, particularly at the CBT centre, conducted themselves during the exercise. “Everywhere is calm. The question papers are sufficient, likewise the customised answer sheets. The children are focused on their papers and I can also see enthusiasm

in them. Now with this good outing, I can say that CBT has come to stay for this particular exam in the state while we hope to have more candidates and centres for the mode in subsequent years.” Interestingly, while those who sat for PPT were still waiting for their results, the CBT candidates got theirs through the short messaging service (SMS) shortly after the exam.

ABUAD, template for engineering education in Nigeria —NSE boss 22

Asked about the number of pupils that are likely to be offered provisional admission out of the total candidates, the commissioner refused to disclose a specific number but said admission would be based on merit. While noting that it is the general performance of candidates that would determine the cut CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Okebukola tasks Buhari on quality teachers 20

Education Today

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian graduates not inferior —NUC Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

he Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, has expressed confidence in the quality of graduates being produced by the nation’s universities. He stated this in Abuja recently at the signing of the Africa Centres of Excellence, ACEs, Project Performance Contract with the World Bank. Okojie who described Nigerian graduates as the world best emphasised that the products of the nation’s universities are being engaged by the celebrated institutions around the world. He noted that over 100 universities from the West and Central African countries which participated in the competition in 2013 with 10 out of 19 finalists from subSaharan are from Nigeria. The ACEs is designed to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in agriculture, health, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Okojie decried the perception among Nigerians that both graduates and universities in the country are inferior to their contemporaries. He explained that ACE project had the capacity to transform the economic

landscape of the sub-region, only if the country can look inward and come up with innovations that can address the common problems. “As we make this commitment today, I urge all the 10 Centres of Excellence in Nigeria to relentlessly pursue the goals and objectives of the project,” he stressed. He further directed the ACEs to focus more on goals of the project “which aims at meeting the demand for skills required for the development of the sub-region and strengthening the capacities of the best African universities within science related education to enable them deliver high quality training and applied research. I therefore call on all the centres to judiciously utilise their funds by using them for the purpose for which they are provided.” In his remark, the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the ACEs had been given the responsibility of meeting the demand for skills required for the development of the nation and the sub-region, and to also strengthen their capacity to deliver high quality training and applied research. “Let me warn that it is important that the management of these 10 universities allow the project team to concentrate on the objectives of the project.

L-R (front row): Former Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Taiwo Abioye, Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo; keynote speaker, Prof. Alvin Roth, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, Dean, African Leadership Development Centre, Covenant University, Prof. Aize Obayan and other participants at the institution’s 2nd International conference on African Development Issues held in the university on Monday.

Okebukola tasks Buhari on quality teachers Saidat Alausa

ormer Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola has urged the incoming president, General Mohammadu Buhari (retd) to dismantle the current model of teacher preparation and install one that will lead to the production of quality teachers. According to him, this is the only way the new administration can improve quality of education in the country. He said this while delivering the 2013/2014 convocation lecture of University of Lagos, Akoka, recently. Prof. Okebukola who is also the Pro-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State disclosed that a study has shown that teacher quality accounts for about 22 per cent of the variance of scores on overall quality of the education system, hence the

Provost assures students of conducive learning environment Williams Attah GOMBE

rovost, Federal College of Horticulture Technology, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, Prof. Fatima Sawa has assured the 465 newly registered students of the college of a 21st Century learning environment. She stated this during the 8th matriculation ceremony of the college where she said it was impossible to make 21st century citizens out of those who live and study in a 20th century environment. She said the students have come into the college at a very remarkable time of the school’s history when there is ongoing construction projects aimed at providing additional classrooms, laboratories, studios, and office

Dankwambo

spaces needed to enhance learning and research in the college. She said they are part of a properly articulated programme of improving the institution.

She therefore warned the students against expressing their feelings or anger through destruction of the college property saying “as civilized people, we must find legitimate and rational ways to express our feelings without undue recourse to violence and wanton destruction of public property.” Prof. Sawa also used the occasion to call on the students to shun all forms of social vices especially cultism, stressing that the college has zero tolerance policy on cultism. She warned that anyone caught will be expelled and thereafter prosecuted. The college provost stated that out of the over 1,000 candidates that sought to be admitted into the college, about 717 were offered a place but only 465 candidates registered as a the time of the matriculation ceremony.

need to improve teacher quality at all levels of education. “There are too many roadside teachers in Nigeria today and every day they are in the classroom sets the nation back by two years. “We cannot hope for a top quality education system if we staff our schools with such second-rated teachers. We need profession teachers who are inspiring, knowledgeable and full of creativity. On curriculum delivery, he said that the quality of delivery of the curriculum should include teaching methods, opportunity for practical work and engagement of students. He also advocated for the improvement of the quality and quantity of facilities for teaching and learning at the basic, post-basic and higher education levels. The professor added that over 80 percent of public basic schools have facilities that are grossly sub-standard and about 65 percent of the nation tertiary institutions are ag-

grieved with this poor facilities blight. “Having found through our research that facilities account for about 18 percent of the variance in quality scores, paying attention to this variable should be of great interest to the Buhari administration,” he stated. Prof. Okebukola however added that there is continue yawning gap between the expected profile of graduate teachers from the Nigerian University System and the kind of graduates that universities spew out from year to year. To correct this, he said, more time should be dedicated to teaching practice for undergraduate studying education. Others according to him, is reduction in the load of education courses, avoid early specialisation, limiting the number of Sandwich/Part-time students, periodic training in modern methods of teaching, increase teacher quantity and improvement in teacher licensing.

Lagos begins computer-based test for primary six pupils CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 off marks for individual school, she however assured any candidate who scores 70 per cent and above of admission into one of the colleges. But this, according to her would depend on the cut off marks for the candidate’s choice of school. “If a candidate chooses Vetland Grammar School for instance, as his or her first choice and scored 70 per cent in the exam but could still not meet up with the cut off marks for Vetland, such candidate will have to be taken to any other school with lesser cut off marks irrespective of location. “I am not rating any of the model colleges better than the other. They are all good but some parents chose particular schools for their children based on proximity and should their children score says 70 per cent and above without meeting the cut off mark, they may be taken elsewhere.

But I am giving my words that the admission will be transparent,” she emphasised. There are a total of 15 model colleges and upgraded schools in the state. Although, they offer the same curriculum with other public and private secondary schools in the state and other parts of the country, they are believed to offer better quality education just like the Federal Government colleges popularly known as unity schools. This is why admission to the schools is usually competitive as almost every average parent always prefers them for their children. With the exemption of Vetland Grammar School in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government area which is run as a day school, others, including Model College, Meiran; Model College, Igbokuta; Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo; Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu; Government College, Ikorodu; Badagry Grammar School and Epe Grammar, among others have boarding facilities.

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University to raise N800m from fish farming

ice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Prof. Hillary Edeoga, said the institution has set a target of N800 million annually from catfish production. He stated this recently while speaking to journalist in Umuahia. According to him, a substantial part of the revenue generated internally by the institution so far, was from fish farming. He noted that the Fishery, Aquaculture and Poultry departments have been rehabilitated to ensure their viability and productivity. Edeoga said when he assumed office as VC, the university poultry buildings had no birds, but they now have thousands of birds. The vice-chancellor said that in recognition of the university’s efforts in fish farming, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture donated two vehicles to the institution.

Algeria sets new framework for research

new framework research and technological development law for Algeria includes a review of the National Evaluation Council and strengthening and widening the scope of activities of thematic research agencies, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Mohamed Mebarki has told members of parliament. Presenting the bill to the commission for education, higher education, research and religious affairs of the Assemblée Populaire Nationale, the lower house of parliament, Mebarki said the new law aimed to “develop the functions of the national research system… regarding the programming, evaluation and promotion of the results of scientific research and technological development”, reported the Algérie Presse Service. He said the legislation was intended to “review the composition of the National Evaluation Council, which should be principally composed of independent scientific members. It must also strengthen the services of the thematic research agencies, and expand the programming of their research activities and evaluation of their results through cross-sector commissions.” On programming, the new law proposed “mechanisms for selecting national research programmes according to priorities, and granting all ministerial departments the opportunity to propose areas and approaches they regard as priority”, said Mebarki. Concerning internal and external evaluation, he underlined the importance of “drawing up laws to determine this process, which would be applicable to all research and scientific areas and compulsory for all sectors”, reported APS. On promoting results of research, innovation and technological development, Mebarki stressed the need for the authorities to support innovation-based society at all stages, adding that businesses investing in the research sector would benefit from financial subsidies from the national research budget. Culled from World UniversityNews

Education Today

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Count us out of crisis, LASU students tell govt say Olukoga is deceptive

Tunbosun Ogundare

he students of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo have exonerated themselves from crisis rocking the institution, saying they are not in any way contributing to the prolonged closure of the school. They made this observation in their reaction to the allegation leveled against them by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga that they are part of the problems confronting the university. National Mirror recalls that Olukoga at a ministerial press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, last week to commemorate the eighth anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration attributed the crisis in the institution to not only the insistence of workers’ unions on dictating to their employers but also to the students body going on protest. According to him, the lecturers, students and management would all need to caution themselves in their manner of approaching issues so as to enjoy stable and peaceful academic activities on campus.

The union’s spokesman, Mr. Fatai Adebanjo in a press release described Olukoga’s claim as erroneous and reckless capable of inciting the students against their leaders. He asked if there is anything wrong for them being at the receiving ends of the crisis to protest the prolonged closure of their school since keeping them away continuously from classroom when their counterparts elsewhere are in school is dangerous to their future and economy. Fatai explained that the union leaders before and after the closure of the university met with Olukoga in his office and appealed to him to intervene in the crisis so as to prevent it from degeneration. “He told us that the school would be closed down for election recess to forestall students and workers from falling as victims of perceived election violence. “We were surprised when the school declared the recess as indefinite and we went back to him after the election to prevail on the management to reopen our school since there was no crisis anywhere. But we were shocked to hear him changing tune, saying the government had decided to complete the payment of pending refund of school fees before reopening. But we told him that

our resumption could not in any way affect the payment process and right in our presence on that day, April 20 to be precise, he called the Chairman of the Governing Council on phone telling him to find out modality to reopen LASU because the students indicated willingness to resume.” He assured us right there that the school would be reopened latest April 27. “Based on that, we went on social media to ask our members to start preparing for resumption without knowing that the man didn’t mean what he told us. Because instead of seeing announcement for resumption, what the school posted on its website was information that the recess was still in force. That was why we staged a peaceful protest to Governor Babatunde Fashola as the visitor of the school to submit our position letter to him believing that he would do something positive on the matter. “So, what is our fault in this matter for the SA to label us as trouble makers? All we want is for our school to be reopened for us to continue with our studies. The so-called recess is taking toll on us and especially our various final year students who suppose to go for either NYSC programme or law school as appropriate.

L-R: Inaugural Lecturer and Dean, School of Law, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Justus Sokefun; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe and Registrar, Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi during the 7th inaugural lecture of the institution on “Towards a legal regimen for the transplantation of human organs in Nigeria” at the university’s headquarters in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Computer Society commends UNILORIN on research Saidat Alausa

he President, Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, Prof. David Adewunmi, has commended University of Ilorin, Kwara State for promoting high quality research that is relevant to the needs of the community and industries in Nigeria. He gave this commendation recently at a Research and Development Workshop organised by the society at the university. The NCS President, who was represented at the occasion by his Vice-President, Prof. Aderounmu, listed the objectives of the society to include, promotion of Information Technology education and training; encouragement of Infor-

mation Technology research and development. Others are to foster integrity and professionalism in the practice of computing; promotion and protection of members’ professional interests and advising members, governments and other authorities as well as the general public on national and international policy matters affecting the computer industry and its professionals. Welcoming participants to the workshop, the Vice-Chancellor of university, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali , who was represented by the Director, Computer Services and Information Technology Directorate, Prof. Musa Ahmed, noted that there cannot be true development without Information

and Information Technology. He said, it is impossible to witness social and economic growth in the emerging information age without discovering relevant technology that can be used to derive economic value from the abundant information. Noting that the pursuit of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is to achieve an all-inclusive information society on the platform of ICT as a means of achieving major global development goals, the Vice-Chancellor said, it has been globally revealed that highly developed ICT is a sinequa-non for attainment and sustenance of global relevance of every nation”. He commended the leadership initiative of the NCS in creating

an enabling environment for researchers and experts in ICT to be more productive and therefore urged participants to make good use of the opportunity. In his address, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sadiku, recalled the rapid changes computer has brought to all spheres of lives, stressing that nobody can do any meaningful research without the use of Information Technology tools. He said it was in realisation of this that the university, in 2012, formulated a research policy to ensure that an agreed framework exists for researches in the university.

Education Today

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ABUAD, template for engineering education in Nigeria —NSE boss

Front view of College of Engineering of the university.

Tunbosun Ogundare

he President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Isaac Olorunfemi has expressed gladness over the College of Engineering of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD’s), saying the college is capable of serving as a template for engineering education in the country. He made the observation shortly after he was conducted round the facilities in the college, saying he is very much impressed by the state-of-the-art facility, first grade equipment and high calibre of personnel paraded by the college. According tom him, “they are all world class- standard.” National Mirror recalls that the college, built on 2.5 hectares of land, was officially declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 19, 2013 to run seven courses namely: Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Civil Engineering with all the programmes fully accredited by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN in January this year. Olurunfemi, a COREN registered engineer declared that the kind of facilities and equipment he met on ground were far more in excess of what contained in the report submitted by the combined team of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and NSE who came for accreditation of the engineering programmes of the university in January. NSE boss however wondered that despite the large number of sophisticated equipment of which about 50 per cent of them

Babalola

are exclusive to ABUAD, the Founder of the university, Aare Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, keeps on adding more now and then. In a statement made available to National Mirror by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Olofintila, Aare Babalola was said to have paid a sum of $4,000 to ship into the country additional engineering equipment worth more than $250,000. Speaking further, Olurunfemi, a SupareAkoko born engineer said he would ensure he revisits the university often and spread the good news about ABUAD particularly its engineering college to other people. “It is not only amazing, it sounds incredible until you are here for the first hand information about ABUAD’s Engineering

The inner part of the college.

College,” he added. He used the opportunity to encourage the university to take maximum advantage of the pool of the facility to partner with some industries nationally and internationally, adding that “With all these, there is no reason the income of the university should not be more than that of a state for a period of 10 years.” While also calling on institutions, parents and students to avail themselves of the facilities which he said had no equal anywhere in Africa, Olorunfemi said there are lots to gain by any company, group or institution that partner with ABUAD in this

regard. Responding, the founder of the university, Aare Babalola said the NSE endorsement was a further confirmation of the unanimous national and international recognition that ABUAD is not only a template, it is a model, benchmark and reference point in quality and functional education. He noted that he had committed a lot of his hard-earned resources and his goodwill to the college and indeed the whole university because of his avowed determination to produce engineers and other professionals that will be able to be relevant in the contemporary competitive job market.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Centres of excellence for Nigerian universities

mpowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) assessment of Nigerian Public Universities presented to the Federal Executive Council a report on the state of publicly funded universities in Nigeria. The report revealed many disturbing facts about the state of university education in Nigeria. These included unplanned expansion of programmes, poor infrastructural development, poor quality of academic staff, ineffective and over bloated administrative staff, absence basic utilities including water and power, low carrying capacity and poor access. The report further highlighted the derelict state of laboratories and teaching facilities and actually recommended a ten year embargo on the establishment of new universities. This recommendation, and virtually every other recommendation of the committee was ignored by the government of the day who went ahead and established ten more universities thus sacrificing quality for access; embracing mediocrity, and rejecting excellence. This has left the Nigerian university system and in fact, the entire education system in a perilous trajectory, with serious implications for the economy, health, and the general quality of life for most Nigerian. It is imperative that steps are taken to reverse the situation in the universities in conformity with the recommendations of the NEEDS assessment committee in order to improve on the quality of university graduates and prevent the potential domino effect on the rest of the educational system. The establishment of a limited number of “Centres of Excellence” as dictated by availability of core manpower would allow a systematic and purposeful upgrade of the existing facilities in the shortest possible time. A “Centre of Excellence” as recommended here is an institution, a college, school, faculty or department where the manpower and facilities required for the production of high quality graduates in the discipline or closely related disciplines are housed under one roof. As envisaged here, it would incorporate competent instructors, adequate teaching facilities, qualified candidates, modern pieces of equipment, and accessories required for research.

The most critical components for the proposed centres of excellence are competent instructors whose training may require several years. The most critical components for the proposed centres of excellence are competent instructors whose training may require several years. Hence their availability in a particular institution should be regarded as crucial in selection for upgrading to the status of “Centre of Excellence”. According to the report of the committee on NEEDS assessment of Nigerian public universities, only seven publicly funded universities in Nigeria can boast of 60% of academic staff with PhD degrees. Even then, many of them are substandard! Included among the seven are Unical, Uniport, Unilorin and Uniuyo among the Federal institutions. Ironically none of the first generation universities including Unilag, UI, UNN, ABU, OAU and Uniben were listed among these more endowed institutions, underlining the degree of decay in the university system. Some of the universities that have an appreciable proportion of qualified academic staff do not have sufficient

Alumni counsel school girls on sexual violence Saidat Alausa

Zimbabwe to fund graduates setting up businesses

xecutive Director, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Lagos, Mrs. Josephine Effah- Chukwumah has said that schools should be able to respond promptly and in a positive manner to any sexual violence report brought by their students. This she said would send a powerful message to the school community and the public about its commitment to sexual violence and would in turn protect the children from the act. She stated this at an interactive session between the old girls association of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba and the senior students in the school. Effah-Chukwumah who is also an alumnus of the school said schools should have sexual abuse policies in place in addressing teachers and student abuse, and students and students’ abuse. She explained that the object of Project Alert which is a nonprofit organisation is

number. For example Ondo State University of Science and Technology is numbered among the seven but had only 29 lecturers at the time of the NEEDS report! In other instances, the few available academic staff are permanent employees of other universities and not always available for teaching and research. For example Kaduna State University with 174 PhD degree holders had only 24 on fulltime appointments in 2012. An independent assessment of the quality, number and relevance of academic staff in publicly funded universities will permit a guided selection of institutions for upgrading to “Centres of Excellence”. Power is the next most problematic shortcoming of Nigerian universities. A solar power system with a diesel generator as backup would be considered as the most reliable and cost effective solution to the unreliable national grid. The solar power option would provide a stable, good quality power supply which will prolong the life of the very sensitive research equipment and provide opportunity for round the clock research activities at the centre. With a stable power supply, the perennial problem of water supply will also be solved once and for all. An uninterrupted power supply is the most important catalyst for research activity and should be regarded as a basic requirement of every tertiary institution in Nigeria, especially the university. Other components of the proposed “Centres of Excellence” including physical infrastructure such as lecture halls, class rooms, library and laboratory space, equipment and consumables could be put in place within one calendar year. Properly designed and functional Centres of Excellence should be funded collaboratively by both the federal and state governments. For best results, political considerations must be set aside in the establishment of these centres. The administrative machinery of these institutions would of necessity be overhauled and streamlined to remove the administrative bottlenecks that could militate against the smooth operation of the centres. It is our belief that the products of these centres will provide the needed manpower for the takeoff of other centres of excellence subsequently.

.L-R: CEO, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwumah, An alumnus, Mrs. Yeside Pam-Pam, 1956 set, CEO, Edumark Consult, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde and Administrator, Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, Rev Sis Patricia Oguejiofor at the mentoring session for students of the school organised by the alumni association, recently.

to create awareness among youths in schools of sexual violence and to educate female youths on how to reduce sexual violence risk. The child right activist disclosed at the forum that contrary to the myth that perpetrators are strangers, the majority of perpetrators are known to victims who include family members, friends, neighbours, teachers, classmate and colleagues. Telling the children on what to do if they fall victim, Effah-Chukwumah said they should disclose abuse to a

trusted person and to report immediately to the relevant authority. Educating the girls on how they can reduce sexual violence, she said they should be aware of their surroundings, avoid isolated areas, walk in purpose, they should always trust their instincts, and try not to load themselves down with bags. The Chief Executive Officer of Edumark Consult, Lagos and alumnus of the school, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde told the girls to have purpose and choose their own path as they proceed in life as this

is the only way they will not walk in any one shadow. Mrs. Funke Oyin of National Health Care Board, Oyo State in her paper titled: “I am special,” told the girls not to run after money, learn to work hard, not to trust anybody that wants them to keep secrets from their mother, “and above all, be always ready to say no and stand by it whenever advances comes.” The school Administrator, Rev. Sis Patricia Oguejiofor told National Mirror that the mentoring programme would go a long way in shaping the lives of the girls.

imbabwe has established a fund for university graduates to start businesses to help stem the country’s high employment rate, currently pegged at 90%. Most graduates end up on the streets, with some even resorting to vending as Zimbabwe’s economic crisis deepens. Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Oppah Muchinguri announced that the government has set up a Graduate Entrepreneurship and Employment Promotion Programme – or GEEPP – with seed funding of US$670,000 to support the creation of business ventures by graduates. Addressing students in Bulawayo last month, Muchinguri said university students were also being encouraged to take an entrepreneurial skills development course designed to help them set up businesses. The setting fund is a fulfilment of one of President Robert Mugabe’s election

promises. On the campaign trail he said students, such as those studying geology and mining, would receive support to set up their own companies and should not wait to be given jobs. “This programme targets graduates only and is meant to reduce unsustainable levels of graduate unemployment. This is to be achieved through equipping graduates with appropriate entrepreneurial aptitudes and competencies to become job creators. “Come up with innovations which we can sponsor through GEEPP to help you develop, and for you to produce for your country,” said Muchinguri. “GEEPP recognises the need to reach out to as many unemployed graduates as possible and in order to do so, the Graduate Entrepreneurship and Employment Promotion Programme will scale up from one province one project to one district one project. Culled: University World News

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

NAUS congratulates Amosun on re-election

ational Association of University Students, NAUS, have congratulate the winner of the April 11 gubernatorial election and All progressive Congress, APC candidate in Ogun State Sen. Ibikunle Amosun on his victory at the just concluded elections. In a statement signed by the NAUS National President, Jonathan Adekunle, urged the governor to pay more attention to the educational sector, regular payment of bursary and scholarship award for Ogun state students across the federation. NAUS further charge the citizens of the state on the need to join hands with the governor most importantly in his second term in order to make the state move forward.

AOCOED to honour ex-registrar

he Registry Department of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos State has concluded plans to hold a public lecture in honour of its immediate past Registrar, Mr. Bola Disu. The lecture, which is the second edition, will hold next Thursday in the college by 10.00am. The college’s spokesman, Mr. Odunayo Adebowale in a press release said a former Registrar of Obafemi Awolowo, University, IleIfe, Osun State, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku, is billed as a guest speaker. He will deliver a lecture, titled: “Effective Administration of tertiary institutions in the 21st Century.” The department will also use the occasion to honour four officers in the department who have distinguished themselves over the years in the service of the college. Dignitaries expected to grace the event include former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Chairman, Governing Council of the College,Prince AbiodunOgunleye and the college Provost,Mr. BashorunOlalekanWasiu, among others.

Disu

L-R (front row): Director General, Nigerian French Village, Badagry, Lagos, Prof. Raufu Adebisi; a guest, Prof. Raymond Elaho; Head of Foreign Languages Department, University of Benin, (UNIBEN), Dr. Ngozi Iloh; Ambassador to Cote d Ivore Mrs. Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba and Dean, Postgraduate School, UNIBEN Prof. Efosa Omozuwa during the 2nd Biennial International Conference of French hosted by the Department of Foreign Languages, UNIBEN, recently.

FG urged to invest more in French Language teaching Eddy Uwoghiren

300L,MED AND SURGERY, UNIBEN

he Director General, Nigerian French Village, Badagry Lagos, Prof. RaufuAdebisi has called on government to increase funding towards teaching of French language in the country. He made the call recently at the University of Benin, Edo State while delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Biennial International Conference of French host by the Department of Foreign Languages of the institution. It was themed “Challenges of French Studies in Nigeria.” The DG who frowned at continuous lackadaisical attitude of government towards the learning of French language said that the

Emeka Chukwuemeka ULI

tudents and members of staff of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State has commended the provost of the institution, Prof. JosephatOgbuagu for the progress recorded so far in his administration. Ogbuagu, the third substantive provost of the college, since his assumption of office in 2010 was described as a wind of change that has been blowing through the college. According to the workers and students, the wind is moving with accelerated velocity which has brought about necessary changes in all sections of the college. Campus News gathered that the provost inherited dilapidated infrastructures, academic indiscipline, and poor workers’ motivation. But within his first tenure, he has changedthe face of the institution making its environment conducive for learning and teaching. Attesting to the development,

enormous challenges facing the language has made the language to be relegated. He listed poor enumeration, inadequate teachers, lack of employment opportunities for those who studied French, materials for learning and poor representation of French language in places of authority as challenges facing the language in the country. He therefore called for effective legislation of laws to promote learning of the language, investment in teaching the language and recruitment of more teachers. He revealed that an investment in French language which will lead to Nigerians’ ability to communicate effectively in the language will lead to astronomical increase in Nigeria Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through creation of employment and foreign invest-

ment in the nation. Earlier in her speech, Head of the Department of Foreign Language, Dr. Ngozi Iloh, said the conference which has over the years been hosted by UNIBEN provides an avenue for scholars and students in the field to rub minds and form a synergy to push forward advocacy for the language. The four-day conference witnessed lead paper presentation, excursion around Benin City, cocktail party, parallel session, musical presentation and song by students of UNIBEN staff School. The Nigerian Ambassador to Cote d Ivore, Amb. IfeomaAkabogu-Chinwuba in a chat with Campus News at the event promised to do all within her office to ensure the language is well promoted at the federal level.

Students, workers commend provost on college development Head, Quality Assurance Unit, National Commission for College of Education,NCCE, Dr.Abdulkareen, who led other principal officers of the commission on a 3-day capacity building workshop to the college, said the new infrastructure and quality of works initiated by the management has transformed the institution.

He described Prof. Ogbuagu as a visionary leader, whose passion for the transformation of the institution has never been hidden since he assumed office. Some of the students who spoke with Campus News disclosed that Ogbuagu administration has changed the college to a citadel of learning and elevated the quality

of learning and research to higher pedestal. According to the students, the relative peace enjoyed on campus has made uninterrupted academic programme possible. Above all, the issue of cultism in the school has become a thing of the past, giving way to robust relationship among staff and students.

L-R: Deputy Rector (Admin),Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr. Moruf Adebakin; Inaugural Lecturer, Mrs. Idiat Amusu; Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Innocent Akhenmokhan and Acting Bursar, Mr. Akinlabi Afolabi, during the 8th inaugural lecture of the institution, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

FUNAAB alumnus bags international award Saidat Alausa

former student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNNAB), Mr. AyodeleMesele has emerged tops in the Science of Forest Island in Africa (SOFIIA) scholarship, funded through the United Kingdom Government’s Royal Society as a DFID Africa capacity building initiative. Mesele holds a First Class Honours degree from the Department of Soil Science and Land Management in 2011 and a distinction in his Master of Science Degree (Soil Science option) in 2014 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He was also an Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) scholar for his Master’s Degree and currently works with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as a Research Support Officer/ Soil Scientist.

The scholarship won by Mesele covers research cost, travel cost, equipment, training cost, PhD studentship and management cost. The parameters used in selecting the awardees include the evaluation of the relevant Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates, candidate’s motivation, academic publications, personal interaction, appearance, as well as composure. Similarly, Allied Energy Plc, a subsidiary of the Cameroun - American Company (CAMAC), has awarded scholarships of N100, 000 each to two students of the university, they are, Ahmed Sanusi of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and OpeyemiMatti of the Department of Electrical/ Electronic Engineering. The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. YemiAkegbejoSamsons, while welcoming the donors, recalled that in 2013, CAMAC had requested for the names of two students from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering

…also EKSU students

ameroon – American Company (CAMAC) a Nigerian-based Allied Energy Company has awarded scholarship to two EKSU students in Geology Department and Mechanical Engineering. The recipients are Samuel Adebayo who is currently on top of his class in the 400 level Geology class with a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) of 4.08; Adebayo has maintained a consistent academic progress since his 100 level days. The second scholarship recipient, Aderemi Adebayo Ayobami is the best 200 level student in Mechanical Engineering Department. Presenting the two students to the Vice-Chancellor, the Head of Department, Geology, and Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Ademilua and Dr. Oluwaleye respectively described the students as focused and brilliant who gave extraordinary attention to their studies. The Executive Director, Corporate services of

CAMAC, Mr. OlayideOlufemi said Ekiti State University was among selected universities in Nigeria chosen for their Academic track record across all fields especially in Geology and Mechanical Engineering. He said the petroleum company has awarded similar scholarship to University of Ibadan, ObafemiAwolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with Ekiti State University as the fourth institution in the hierarchy of benefitting Universities. The Assistant General Manager, Legal services of the company, Miss GbemiBamigboye presented each of the recipients a cheque of one hundred thousand naira each. The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic), Prof. IbiyinkaOgunlade thanked the company for its benevolence, adding that students of the university have distinguished themselves recently in various international and national competitions.

Cross section of Mass Communication students, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, shortly after the launch of the department’s dress code, recently.

Guinness World Record excites AUN community

alpable excitement swept through the American University of Nigeria community recently as an unprecedented 485 people ended 20 minutes of simultaneous crocheting. The group needlework was an event sponsored by the institution’s student union, the Student Government Association, to sensitise residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital and seat of AUN, about the hazards of non-biodegradable litter. It was also aimed at surpassing the current Guinness World Record by Americans. The GWR attempt was held inside AUN’s Commencement Hall acknowledged as the largest indoor venue in Nigeria’s northeast. The crocheters used plastic yarn made from used shopping bags, since every nylon bag is reusable. The “most people crocheting simultaneously” record, 426 people crocheting for 15 minutes, was achieved five years ago in New York City. “We have yet to receive official notice from the Guinness World Record administrators who are based in the USA,” confirmed JelenaZivkovic, the Director of the AUN Learning Resource Center. She coordinated the GWR committee. Zivkovic read out the rules of the competition, urging the participants to adhere strictly to them to avoid disqualification. The activity ended at exactly 20 minutes. There were external observers as witnesses.

An ecological twist to the event is the crocheters’ use of “plarn”, the yarn developed from used shopping bags. Community women making up Yola EcoSentials, a group of social entrepreneurs promoted by AUN walked the participants through the process before the kickoff of the simultaneous crocheting. The event served to enlighten the community about the University’s ‘waste to wealth’ initiative. “You can make money from it,” says Jennifer Che, Coordinator of Sustainability Outreach Programs& Laboratories. Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius AyukTabe, representing the AUN President Margee Ensign at the

kickoff, told participants, “In the light of negative news coming from the northeast, whenever the story of tenacity and togetherness is told, your achievement today will be a reference. This is what your sense of togetherness, teamwork, and can-do-it spirit has made possible today.” The GWR attempt was an illustration of AUN’s sustainability programmes and demonstrates commitment to challenge the status quo- getting AUN students involve in world events by promoting recycling and sustainability. In Yola, the lack of a conventional waste collection system and bins/dumpsites is one of the main reasons residents dump their waste

(including grocery bags), and then burn it, causing a major health hazard for humans and animals, including respiratory illnesses, gastric problems, and shortened life expectancy. The University began a programme some years ago to address local unemployment and this environmental hazard. As a result, Yola women, under the auspices of YES, have made waste plastic (plarn) into colorful, eco-friendly accessories. “It is our hope,” says Ms. Che, “that this event will raise awareness on how recycling our products, in this case, plarn, can keep the environment clean and healthy, but as well provide an income for the needy in the community.”

Fun as UNIZIK celebrates Women’s Day Emeka Chukwuemeka AAU, ULI

n a bid to appreciate them for their contributions to the development of the society, NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka, recently celebrated women’s Day in grand style. The project which was a pet project of the wife of the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Gladys Ahaneku was organised for the academic and non academic female staff of the university. The occasion was graced by the principal officers of the institution led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku. In his address, the Vice- Chancellor described the association as a step in the right direction. He urged the women to lead an exemplary life, modeling and shaping the characters of the students especially the female ones. Prof. Ahaneku while urging women to constantly demonstrate their capacities and

competences in their various offices and not feel inferior or intimidated compelled his fellow men to always adore women, showing them respect at every opportunity. The guest lecturer at the event and senior lecturer from the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Dr.EdithNwosu called on women to make genuine efforts towards the growth and development of the society by exploring the potentials within them. She further enjoined women to walk in the footprints of various women who have positive impact on humanity. Earlier in her address, Dr. Ahaneku said the dream of organising the event came as a vision to awaken the women in the university community to their potentials of holding the ace of making the university the greatest and best in Nigeria if not Africa. She said the forum would mobilize the potentials that God graciously deposited in them to move the university forward in a positive direction.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

T must be made clear that the first part of this compendium, Media Gaffes & Essays, is not a comprehensive textbook on the English language. In other words, the reader will not be exposed to the principles of the language or other didactic technicalities. The essence of the language section of this book is to point out blatant errors that stalk and leap at you in the dayto-day usage of this medium of communication by the mass media. Familiarity with the practical methodology adopted in addressing the flaws will, undoubtedly, foreclose the reader’s probability of committing common, everyday, blunders. Compiling this conspectus of saucy howlers over the years obviously provoked salient questions in the author: why are these egregious flaws committed? Is it a function of ignorance, carelessness or sheer mistakes? Could it be tactlessness or just inexperience arising from slothfulness? Should it all be attributed to the evolution of what has come to be known (and locally accepted?) as ‘Nigerian English’. Staggered answers to these posers are contained in this book. The author has the conviction that the enterprising contents of this book will enrich your knowledge. If they do, his career has been made. Otherwise, his calling would have been a fiasco! From the columnist’s practical experiences, it is not the deep-structured mechanics of any language that matter most, but the cultivation of critical self-consciousness which profoundly provokes you to identify or interrogate an impercetible flaw immediately you come across one without recourse to any literary basics—the nudge becomes internalized and spontaneous the moment you encounter any faux pas. This may have marginal limitations, but it does not confer any edge on the theorist. At the risk of immodesty, you will learn more from this book than all the English language textbooks put together because of its unprecedented and compelling practicality that distinguishes it from all other books. For many reasons, it is good to know the fundamentals of any language. However, I have equally found out that most of the schoolboy howlers extracted and corrected in this book are a function of my intuition—not necessarily a case of English language mastery. And, interestingly, it has scarcely failed the author in the past 32 years! You, too, can develop that innate competency to grasp such linguistic mysteries. We must not rule out human frailty, proclivity and predilection for committing mistakes. This notwithstanding, always strive after perfection and you will not be

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media gaffes & essays The scholastic methodologies,

intellectualization of language and

individuals’ abilities to codify inaccuracies do not guarantee usage quintessence.

far from usage excellence. If you are able to attain this lofty height, this intervention would have been worth the effort. In a nutshell, knowledge and carefulness are the two main antidotes to committing faux pas in speaking or writing, according to Wabara. Do not ever forget that one of the few illuminating things that will enhance your respectability in the society and profile ascent is a mastery of the English language and a cornucopia of misapprehensions by any way you can---one of which is this book! What we learn outside the classroom is deeper and more enduring than the teaching-and-learning process that has systemically been vanishing since the 1980s! It is so bad nowadays that most graduates—including English language products!—cannot write or speak confidently for fear of being publicly embarrassed. Do you totally blame them when most textbooks, including those on English language, are replete with solecisms, some imperceptible. When a collective noun is acting in unison—an entity—it uses a singular verb, but when not in disunity, it uses plural verbs. Examples: The committee is agreed on rotational presidency. The committee are disagreed on rotational presidency. The electorate is made up of different groups. On Election Day, the electorate voted according to their preferences/choices. Overall, all the scholastic methodologies, intellectualization of language and individuals’ abilities to codify inaccuracies do not guarantee usage quintessence. The summit of

it all is voracious reading with emphasis on the three pillars of the English language namely grammar, logic and rhetoric and a conspectus of self-development irrespective of your academic background or professional pedigree. Part one of this book is a summation of lapses exclusively gathered by the author in the past 31 years from the mass media, largely, other books, public speakers and nondescript publications/sources. Part two is a selection of a few of my published essays, while part three is a series of tributes to some distinguished Nigerians that the author has come to respect and esteem, as they say, for reasons best known to him! Part four rounds off the segmentation with detailed accounts of Wabara’s abduction last year and the global umbrage the barbarity drew to the country and the police particularly. The author welcomes constructive criticisms of all the sections of this book for his personal edification and futuristic utility, hopefully, by way of correctional elucidation in subsequent editions if need be. Of course, he takes full responsibility for any misprint or informational lacunae not just because of his tangential editorship of the interventions but on grounds of authorship of virtually all the entries. Over the years, this columnist had been critical of American English, insisting on the British version only. Having reflected on the hotchpotch miasma and collectivization of languages and events that culminated in the evolution of what is today known as British English, he now accepts the American variant, equally, which he expects Britons to be proud that their ‘mother-tongue’, so to speak, has been massively and widely adapted, modified and accepted by other countries. After all, should it not be a source of pride to Britain, as he mentioned earlier, that Americans borrowed their language and retooled it to supranational reckoning? The critical point that needs to be underscored is that there should not be any admixture of the two in a particular environment to avoid confusion because of differences in spelling, pronunciation, usage, phraseology, idiom and meanings. Just like the author, please rethink your emotive hysteria over this issue if you have a similar perception. This enthralling book was publicly presented on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, 13/15, KofoAbayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Oyedepo asks African researchers to develop continent with findings Saidat Alausa

hancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. David Oyedepo has urged African countries to always make use of findings and facts emanated from conferences, researches to develop Africa. He said this is the only way the continent can solve issues facing African countries. The Bishop disclosed this at the 2nd Covenant University International Conference on African Development Issues held at the institution on Monday. The conference was themed, “Biotechnology, ICT, Materials and Renewable Energy, Potential Catalyst for African Development.” On the conference, Oyedepo said

the university remains committed to maintaining its niche as a leading global centre for knowledge generation hence the annual conference which attracts best brains in proffering viable solutions to the diverse issues relating to Africa’ development. Keynote speaker, Prof. Alvin Roth in his speech titled, Kidney Disease in Nigeria, USA, Possibilities of Cooperation and Mutual Aids urged Nigeria government to divert some of the healthcare funds to renal diseases which is today rampant not only in Africa but in the world. The Nobel Prize winner in Economic Sciences also said that with more investment in treatment of the disease patients will not have to leave the country for treatment abroad and this will also help im-

prove the country’s economy. Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Ayo, said the

conference is unique as Nigeria is about to have a change government whose slogan is change. But he said for true change to

evolve, attention must be paid to the outcome of the 3-day conference that proffer solutions to issues affecting Nigeria and Africa.

L-R: Principal, Grace High School, Mr. Ronald Cilliers; Director, Oxbridge Tutorial College GRA Ikeja Dr Femi Ogunsanya; Administrator Grace Schools, Mrs. Olatokunbo Edun and Professor Kayode Amund from the University of Lagos, Akoka during Grace High School 20th prize giving / founders’ day celebration, recently

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Experts chart course for Almajiri digital education system

Galvanizing banking sector’s corporate responsibility for national devt

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

German manufacturing sector records 0.8% decline

NBTI boosts economy with over N8.5bn, 4,456 jobs REGINA OTOKPA

ABUJA

he National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) said it had contributed about over eight billion, five hundren million naira and created no fewer than 4, 456 jobs across the country through the combined efforts of different entrepreneurs operating within the 29 technology incubation centres and six extensions established by it across country within the last four years. The Director General of the Board, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin, explained that there were about 466 additional incubation units spread within the over the 29 incubation centres, with 17 multipurpose workshops and 17 quality assurance laboratories for enhanced product delivery. Based on its principal mandate to pursue job creation through commercialization of technologies, and technical innovations for the economic development of the nation, the NBTI boss said they had identified knowledge, and converted same to a start up at the centres, which were presently becoming successful enterprises and serving as key players in the economy. Jibrin clraified: “We are trying to establish a packaging centre, so that the packaging of our prod-

ucts can improve the quality of the products and also bring down the fabrication cost. We have so far 15 e-libraries. ‘‘We have awards from institutions like CBN, YOUWIN, Presidential Standing Committee on Invention and Innovation. We have about 86 publications that are all literary works associated with the incubation activities,’’, he added. The NBTI boss emphasized that in addition to existing part-

nership with the Federal Government and organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, other international organizations had a role to play since the overall aim of the Programme is to accelerate the industrial development of the country through the creation of value-added goods and services. He noted that the board could boost of 879 products in the market, out of which 308 of them are

innovative products while adding that ‘‘We have a total of 401 entrepreneurs that are within our technology incubation centres, this figure excludes our preincubatees that are yet to be accommodated in the centres, and our post- incubatees, that are the Programme graduates, as well as the extended incubatees that are operating outside the centre. So far we have a total of 44 registered patents rights and 36 patents that are pending’’

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the congress would meet the leadership of the incoming Buhari-led government over its pending demands with a view to finding agreeing on how they could be met. The demands include, an upward review of the new minimum wage and the immediate payment of workers’ salaries owed by some state governments and private sector employers. President of NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this while ad-

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) Benin-Abj:09.55,13.30

Aero Contractors

L-R: M.D Bank of Industry; Mr. Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa; Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, and company Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Onoji, during the Bank’s 2014 Annual General Meeting in Abuja, recently.

NLC to engage Buhari-led govt on new minimum wage MESHACK IDEHEN

dressing labour reporters in Lagos, saying the incoming government should be prepared to be engaged by the labour movement as it settles down to work. He said that the Congress believed it was time to review the N18,000 minimum wage agreed during late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration. Wabba said current economic realities had made the N18,000 minimum wage agreed upon years ago very unrealistic and unsustainable, pointing out the congress would engage the incoming government on the matter until the wishes of Nigerian workers are granted. According to Wabba, social part-

ners of the NLC and its in-house economists are working, including many senior economists from the academia to make a presentation on the new minimum wage that all Nigerians would be proud of using empirical data to arrive at any conclusion. The NLC President said in essence that the law had made a provision that every five years the minimum wage should be reviewed and increased, pointing out with the economic challenges the country was grappling with, that the value of the nation’s currency and the purchasing power of workers have dwindled considerably. “I think we have every reason to

try to advance for a new minimum wage because at the time N18, 000 was canvassed and negotiated, exchange rate was hovering around N150 but today, it is hovering over N200. “We have a lot of reasons to justify our demand for a new minimum wage. But we don’t want to actually jump the gun and start mentioning figures until we are able to be through with what our committee of experts is doing to be able to present an exact figure that we think we can be able to fight for with government. But it is an issue on the table. It is an issue we are talking about and it is an issue that we will start”, Wabba added.

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

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Master mariners back FG on vessel regulation FRANCIS EZEM

aritime stakeholders under the aegis of Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, NAMM, have expressed their support for Federal Government’s decision to grant a five – year extension of the enforcement on the deployment of single hull vessels. The International Maritime Organisation IMO, the global apex maritime regulatory organ, had set 2015 deadline for the phasing out of single hull tanker vessels, which is part of efforts to checkmate the increasing cases of oil spill, which had over the years caused a lot of pollution on the marine environment. President of the association, which is the umbrella body for retired Ship Captains, Chief Engineers and Engineers of Nigerian origin, Captain Ade Olopoenia, , noted that the decision was a right step in the right direction. According to him, the extension granted by the Nigerian authorities is in tandem with the regulation of the IMO, which allows member nations to grant such extension especially for tanker vessels sailing within the coastal regions of their country. “The extension is quite good because it will give the indigenous shipping firms ample time to get themselves together to work towards complying with the regulation in 2020 when the extension is expected to elapse”, the president argued. He traced the inability of most Nigerian shipping firms to comply with the regulation to the inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC with the connivance with some International Oil Companies IOCs to allocate products to lift. “You know that owners of these shipping companies are investors and have invested so much but in a situation whereby the NNPC and the IOCs do not give them cargo, there is little or nothing they can do and that is partly why many of them cannot acquire double hull

vessels, which are very expensive and one cannot acquire such equipment and allow it to waste away”, he insisted. He argued that as soon as there is solid arrangement towards the allocation of cargo to the indigenous shipping companies, perhaps with the full implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping CABOTAGE, regime, the Nigerian firms will go ahead to acquire double hull tankers.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, had said penultimate week while announcing the extension that the decision of the Federal Government to extend the deadline was in line with the regulation of the IMO. The regulation empowers maritime administration of member nations to grant such extension but with a caveat that such single hull

new entrant into scheduled flight operations in Nigeria, Air Peace, has decorated one of its First Officers, Ademulegun Adebayo Jonathan, as a Captain-In-Command of Boeing 737 aircraft The new captain is type-rated in flying Boeing 737 aircraft ranging from 300 to 900 series. The Chairman of the airline, Mr. Allen Onyema told journal-

vessels do not engage in international trade”, the DG said. It was gathered that over 80 per cent of Nigerian owned tankers are still single hull and so the decision of the agency to extend the deadline was in recognition of the constraint faced by the Nigerian ship owners, including funding, a development that makes it almost impossible for them to replace all existing single hull tanker fleet by 2015.

L-R: GM, Finance and Admin. Continental Durable Goods Ltd, Akan Ekong; Branding and Marketing Manager Inyang Ekere; CEO, Isaac Fumis, and Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Methodist Church Nigeria, Bishop Edoka Amuta, during the commissioning of the new Beko showroom in Lagos.

German manufacturing sector records 0.8% decline TOLA AKINMUTIMI

n what appears one of the negative fallouts of the current weakening global economic order, the German manufacturing fell 0.8 percent in March compared to the preceding month, while output amended at seasonal and inflationary levels amounted to a 0.5-percent decline in the month under review According to a report by Germany’s Economy Ministry monitored online on Monday, analysts believe the fall is attributable to

weakness in the world economy, including the current fallout between Greece and European lenders. Germany has been one of the few nations in Europe that has remained above economic turmoil, but the interconnectedness of the global economy has continued to expose national economies to shocks from other climes. Experts also noted that Germany’s manufacturing sector was crucial to sustaining the socio-economic trajectories of the economy, being the major reason why Germans have lived under a thriving economy.

Air Peace decorates First Officer as Captain OLUSEGUN KOIKI

vessels would not sail into the international waters after 2015 when the double hull vessels regulation is expected to have taken effect. “In extending the phase-out date, the Agency ‘s decision was taken in line with the provision of the IMO regulation, which allows member states who do not have the capacity to replace their existing single hull tanker fleet to extend the phase out date of certain categories of tankers in their countries, provided the

ists that Ademulegun took command as a pilot on one of the airline’s Boeing 737-500 series aircraft that operated last Sunday. The decoration of the new captain was carried out by Onyema and the Chief Operating Officer, COO, of the airline, Engr. Toyin Olajide. The pilot was decorated with four bars epaulets. Onyema said the decoration was demonstration by Air Peace that it was ready to create room for the growth of young pilots to explore opportunities where

competence and excellence are the guiding criteria. He explained that the captain within the last few months he had flown with the airline had demonstrated capacity as a young professional the airline was committed to groom for the development of the aviation sector. Onyema said very soon other First Officers that qualified would be decorated as Captains in command as evidence that Air Peace is committed to the de-

The ministry reported however that industrial production declined due to lower demand from other Eurozone nations affected by slow growth while factory orders increased in March after two months of stagnation. Overall orders fell 1.5 percent in the first quarter, stemming from weak demand within Europe. The Ministry stated: “Outside of Europe, Germans worry about China’s growth potential and whether the U.S. economy will continue to expand. Russia is another nation crucial to Germany’s growth rate, and even though the two nations are at geopolitical

velopment of professional capacity for young professionals. He urged the young captain to continue to exhibit those attributes that set him out, even as he urged other pilots to consider Air Peace as an airline that was committed to the development of its personnel. He assured that the airline would create opportunity for professionals to grow and contribute their best to the airline irrespective of their ethnic extraction, which he pointed out was not a factor in recruitment into the airline.

odds over the Ukraine situation, both countries share strong economic ties. “Internally, Germany is also undergoing an investment decline that contributes to the stagnation in manufacturing growth. Investment goods dropped 1.4 percent in March, and analysts indicate that factory output in April could follow a similar decline. Two of Germany’s most important sectors, auto manufacturing and engineering suffered a dip in output. Further, imports rose by 2.4 percent in March, while German exports only went up 1.2 percent. “Germany may be going through a rough patch, but the overall state of the economy looks good in the near future. First, construction rose by 2.3 percent, boosting Germany’s overall economy. Consumer spending remains strong and consumer confidence is at its highest levels since 2001”, it added. The ministry pointed out further that even though investor interest waned somewhat, Germany’s investment levels continued to surge in the past year while business confidence remained at an all-time high.

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Group urges Nigerians to explore NITDA services BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.

L-R: Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Olubayo Adekanmbi; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Ikpoki, and Chief Executive Officer, Nestle Plc Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, at the 2015 MTN Golf Championship Dinner in Lagos, recently.

Expert cautions Nigeria on food import dependency KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

n agricultural expert, Dr Joseph Shevel, has raised the alarm over the country’s food import dependency, warning that it is hurting the economy and will spell doom for the people. Shevel, who is also the President, Galilee International Management Institute, Israel, while delivering the 64th Interdisciplinary Discourse of the Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan, titled “Higher Education and National Development: Lessons for Nigeria”, said the country could be a global superpower in agriculture if it invested in research and development, agriculture, water and environmental management and make deforestation a criminal act. While maintaining that Nigeria cannot become a global power with near-zero investment in education, he lamented that despite the country’s enormous potential in agriculture, only 40 per cent of the existing 84million hectares of arable land are currently cultivated. According to him, without oil, water, land, Israel is a global high-tech country competing globally with 67 years investment in quality research and development, saying it takes a visionary leader to think ahead of time. He disclosed that the country spends 11b dollars yearly importing wheat, rice, sugar

and fish, making Nigeria the largest importer of wheat and second largest importer of rice globally. Shevel explained further that Nigeria wasted a lot of water which would have been used in irrigation farming to develop agro-based industries which would produce most of the foods being imported by the country, stating that politicians are deliberately killing education in the country with no investment in education and wasting resources on what yields results before another election, He also revealed that currently Nigeria ranks 182th in research and development in the world with 0.2 percent investment in higher education while Israel is ranked third, insisting that the less desired education being offered by Nigeria was responsible for the mass exodus of 46,000 Nigerian students yearly in search of quality education abroad and paying huge amount. He said: “At present agriculture contributes about 20 per cent to the Nigerian GDP. However, the potential is enormous. There are 279 billion cubic meters of surface water and untapped irrigation potential for 3 of the 8 major river systems in Africa. There are 84 million hectares of arable land and only 40 per cent is utilized. “On the other hand, Nigeria is importing agriculture products. Food import dependency

is hurting Nigeria’s economy. Yearly, Nigeria imports over US$11 billion of wheat, rice, sugar and fish. In fact, Nigeria is the largest importer of wheat in the world and 2nd largest importer of rice. “More importantly, the yield per hectare grew during the last 50 years at a lower rate compared to other agricultural countries in the world. This is a main driver of agricultural competitiveness. For example, Malaysia’s yield of crops grew by about three per cent per year whereas Nigerian crops grew only by 1.2 per cent during this period. Moreover, it is estimated that the youth in Nigeria is with an unemployment rate that is over 50 per cent. “As a result, the segment of extremely poor in the Nigerian society grew from 5 per cent to 30 per cent between 1980 to 2010. At the same time, 4 million young people are entering the workforce every year”, agricultural expert added The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the institution is set to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Galilee Institute to advance research in agriculture, technology and health, noting that the successes recorded in Israel is a pointer to the fact that only Nigerians can turn around positively the fortunes of the country with determination and commitment.

igerians have been urged to avail themselves of the opportunities availed by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, to improve their socio-economic and other productive engagements. Giving the advice while reviewing the partnership of the Civil Society Union of Nigeria, CSUN, an assemblage of autonomous civil society organizations and the NITDA, Secretary General of Civil Society UN, Comrade Femi Osabinu said it had since discovered that many Nigerians are yet to fully tap into the opportunities availed by the agency. Osabinu also commended the Director General of NITDA, Peter Jack, for being pragmatic in policy formulation and programmes implementation in the agency jus as he appealed to the Federal Government on the need for improved funding of the agency to expand its capacity and speedily bridge the manpower gap in the area of Information Technology. He said: “It is on the basis that we unequivocally pass a vote of confidence on the National Information Technology Development Agency and its leadership. We call on all stake-

holders to partner with this agency so that we can together propel information technology in Nigeria to the pinnacle of success”. The civil activists pointed out that CSUN had undertaken a critical analysis of the activities NITDA in order to ascertain the development of the Information Technology sector with emphasis on the mandates of the agency. These include, formulation and implementation of National Information Technology policy, Research, human capacity and infrastructural development. “The Civil Society Union of Nigeria upon meticulous review of the operations of NITDA is pleased to pass a vote of confidence on the agency that has contributed in no small measure to the development of Information Technology in the country. “The role of the NITDA in building capacity both locally and internationally is commendable owing to thousands of Nigerians who have been trained in order to make them globally competitive. “The scholarship scheme for both graduates and undergraduates coupled with free distribution of laptops to Nigerians is highly commendable”, Osabinu said.

Women Gender Professionals honour Agric Minister

he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, on Tuesday was honoured by Women Gender Professional Multi- Purpose Cooperative Society for outstanding performance. Receiving the members of the association, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Jide Olumeko, Director Food and Strategic Department thanked the visitors for the recognizing the Honorable minister’s positive achievements in transforming the Agriculture Sector in Nigeria. He highlighted some of the achievements of the Minister as decentralization of the ministry to zones and states’ offices in the federation, the introduction of Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA), the GES programme (Growth Enhancement Support Scheme) which has its component as e’ wallet where farmers receive massages through their mobile phones

for redemption of farm inputs and the introduction of value chains, amongst others. Presenting the award to the Minister, the head of the delegation, Mrs. Mary Ewa, stressed that the award was in recognition of his achievements recorded in agriculture transformation in Nigeria and urged him to do more, especially in the area of women in agriculture.

Akinwunmi

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Operators task BoI on working Verizon to buy AOL for $4.4bn U capital in loans S YLVA E MEKA-O KEREKE

perators in the Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, have urged the Bank of Industry, BoI, to include working capital in its loan packages to small business owners in the country. Decrying non-inclusion of working capitals in loan packages, operators noted with dismay that loans are obtained from the BoI through the provision of machineries without any working capital to kickstart the business. Deputy President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson had prior to now, decried the

situation, where BoI only provide machineries for the SMEs without financial back-ups, urging the apex enterprise bank to factor such capital in its loan packages. An operator, Mr Femi Ojodun told National Mirror that inclusion of the working capital would make it possible for the machineries to work optimally to be able to generate the money for the repayment of the loans. He urged the BoI to involve loan structure that would take into consideration, the working capital for the SMEs in single digit interest rate. According to him, government should carry along, operators of the SMEs in the designing and implementation of policies affecting them,

saying it is the only way positive impacts would be made in the sector. Ojudun however noted that the loans may not be beneficial, if the operators are not carried along in the processes. ‘We appeal to the federal government to include the SMEs operators in the planning and implementation of the loans to ensure effective and efficient implementations as this is the only way, the loans can get to the targeted operators’, he stated. Government had identified the need for the development of the SMEs through concessionary financing to encourage the strengthening of the growth of the SMEs in the country.

S telecommunications giant Verizon has agreed to buy AOL in a deal worth $4.4bn (£2.8bn). Buying AOL will broaden the amount of advertising Verizon can sell and will increase video production. AOL owns websites such as the Huffington Post, Techcrunch, Engadget, Makers and AOL.com. Verizon, like UK peers BT and Vodafone, is trying to become more of a one-stop shop for internet services and entertainment. AOL, famous for posting compact discs for its services through thousands of letterboxes in the 1990s, still has two million customers for its slower dial-up internet service. It also became memorable for its messaging service, which would greet users with an audio clip that would cheerfully announce “you’ve got mail!”.

In 2001, during the dotcom stock market bubble, AOL merged with Time Warner in a deal valued at more than $160bn when it was announced. The deal was unwound in 2009 when AOL was split off into a separate company. In 2014, AOL had only 0.74 per cent of the $145bn global digital advertising market, according to marketing data firm eMarketer. Market leader Google had 31.4 per cent market share last year, followed by Facebook with 7.9 per cent As well as automated advertising, Verizon said the deal would give impetus to its 4G wireless video and internet video ambitions, and feed into its plans for capitalising on the so-called “internet of things”. AOL chief executive Tim Armstrong will continue to lead the firm if the deal goes through - the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Australia’s budget offers small businesses boost

L-R: Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Oladimeji Oduyebo; Executive Director, Children Emergency Relief Foundation (CERF), Mrs Abosede Oyeleye, and Head Human Resource, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs Adejoke Alli, during the cheque presentation to CERF, as part of Fidson’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) program for Scholarship.

Liberia’s GDP drops to 0.7% due to Ebola crisis –IMF SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE WITH AGENCY REPORTS

nternational Monetary Fund, IMF, has declared that the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, of Liberia dropped from 8.9 to 0.7 due to the Ebola crisis that affected the economy last year. The economic impact of the outbreak was compounded by the steep decline in iron ore prices, which affected planned investments in the mining sector. Consumer price inflation also declined to 7.3 percent in March 2015, after peaking at 13.5 percent in September 2014 as lower international oil prices offset the higher domestic food prices. Its gross international reserves stood at about 2.7 percent of imports as at April 2015 IMF official, Corinne Deléchat,

who led delegation to Monrovia to conduct the fourth review of the government’s economic programme under an Extended Credit Facility, ECF),+ arrangement said, “Liberia’s economy in 2014 was greatly affected by the Ebola crisis. Real GDP growth for 2014 was estimated at about 0.7 percent, compared to 8.9 percent in 2013. According to his statement, “The medium-term economic outlook remains challenging as the GDP growth was projected to remain weak in 2015, with a gradual recovery taking hold in 2016, buoyed by a rebound in agriculture and services. Risks to the outlook stem mainly from a prolonged period of low commodity prices, which would significantly curtail tax and export revenues, and could dampen medium term growth prospects.”, he stated.

The programme performance as at the end of June 2014 was mixed as most quantitative performance targets were met, while only 3 out of 7 structural benchmarks were implemented. Although implementation of the structural reform agenda was hampered by the Ebola outbreak, the IMF official listed some notable achievements to include the merger of the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning as well as the establishment of Liberia Revenue Authority “The monetary policy will aim at containing inflation while maintaining an adequate reserves buffer. The authorities are stepping up coordination between the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Central Bank of Liberia, CBL, to enhance Liberian dollar liquidity management.

ustralian Treasurer Joe Hockey has delivered the country’s budget, promising to help small businesses and ensure parents can join the workforce. The budget also included a boost in national security spending. It has largely been seen as attempt to win back public support in the lead-up to the 2016 election. Last year’s budget was criticised for being too severe in its public spending cuts as the government tried “to end the days of borrow and spend”. Several of those measures, such as pension cuts and fees to visit the doctor, have since been dropped or have been blocked in the Senate. Australia’s economy has been slowing amid a downturn in the

mining industry. Mr Hockey described the country’s transition away from mining to one of “broader-based growth” as difficult. The latest budget papers showed Australia’s deficit for the 2015-16 financial year is estimated to reach 35.1bn Australian dollars ($27.96bn; £17.82bn). The market had expected a deficit of some A$41bn for the period. The country was nevertheless still on “a credible path to surplus”, despite the price of iron ore almost halving since the previous budget and an A$52bn write-down in tax receipts. The budget papers also showed the deficit was projected to fall to A$7bn by the end of the 2018-19 financial year.

IFAD, NDDC joint projects hit $30m SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

he Natural Resource Management Programme, CBNRMP, jointly sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has hit about $30 million in the country. Disclosing this at the opening of the 17th Supervision Mission of CBNRMP in Port Harcourt, River state, Mr Oyesola Oyebanji, who represented the Director of Rural Development Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development urged other donors support the programme based on its importance, noting that the programme succeeded, despite its challenges. The programme is being implemented in Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom. Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers and Ondo. Oyebanji, a Consultant to the National Programme for Food Security, said the mission was important as it was the last before the closure of the programme. He said, the closure became necessary because of the implied withdrawal of IFAD and NDDC funding.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Experts chart course for Almajiri digital education system The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, has introduced a new device that will help impact knowledge on Almajiri children in the northern part of Nigeria, however experts while lauding the initiative, also spotted some defects in the device, writes REGINA OTOKPa.

he Almajiri education system was initiated by the present administration to deal with the social pandemic among children of productive age in the Northern geo-political zone by reforming the educational sector in order to promote development through productive engagement. With just over a year into the implementation of the Almajiri educational system, there are tell-tale signs that the government’s initiative may not have been misplaced after all. For instance, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, has continued to pursue the agenda of providing formal education to the usually peripatetic youths in the North with uncommon zeal by creating a technological base to leapfrog the Almajiris into the information technologydriven age According to the Director General of NOTAP, Engr. Umar Bindir, only digitisation of the almajiri education system will promote a dynamic Almajiri education model noting that it would integrate an effective Islamic discipline and conventional school subjects to cultivate a culture of excellence. He stated that Science, Technology and Innovation would be harnessed to develop a critical mass of skilled manpower that would be a catalyst for job creation and expose the children to the intricacies of Information Communication Technology from a tender age. The digitised Almajiri system consists of the introduction of the digital Aloha, a modernised form of the local wooden slate used by Islamic scholars, otherwise known as mallams, to impact Islamic knowledge on the children with the use of charcoal inks and sharpened sticks. The new version would incorporate the use of a digital tablet infused into a plastic slate, with downloadable interactive videos of Arabic, Islamic and general teachings, while maintaining the traditional structure of the slate to preserve the original image of the Aloha. With the Aloha, Bindir noted that the over 30 million almajiri children in the north would have access to a participatory method of learning new sets of teachings and general information, which would be made available in various indigenous languages to aid fast process of learning at a relatively low and affordable rate. With it learning can be done hi-tech under a tree and with housewives par-

Almajiris

ticipating in the education of their children through videos. NOTAP explained that the video of the mallam will be chapters, with an interactive video using the power of ICT adding that by the software which can downloaded from the internet is also in the Yoruba language as well as its traditional knowledge. Bindir added that the gadget is targeted at enhancing children living within the northern part of the country, and would be a platform for them children to participate effectively and meaningfully in the socio-economic and political life of the nation through the power of information technology. He stated that it would further bridge the existing gap between literate and illiterate children in the country for at cost of about N10, 000 . FCT Coordinator, National Quaran Competition, Yakubu Magaji, however observed that considering the worth of the device, N10, 000 was too small a price for the digital aloha which could help propagate the teachings of Allah, and contemporary teachings to the almajiri children. While commending the initiative, he doused the fear of acceptability by the intended users, and drew attention to the undeniable role of Islamic scholars, relevant Islamic organisations and personalities who needed to ensure the digital aloha was widely accepted by the Muslim community especially the almajiri children. He urged the Director General NOTAP to ensure that a good system is put in place that will give the almajiri children

MODALITIES BE PUT IN PLACE TO CHECKMATE ACTIVITIES EVOLVING ROUND THE PRODUCTION OF THE ALOHA DOWN TO DISTRIBUTION AND DOWNLOAD OF APPLICATIONS INTO THE DIGITAL DEVICE access to the devices saying that there should be a guide who will introduce and who will stand and supervise the method of operation and application. Magaji noted that the focus of the digital aloha should not be limited to the Almajiri schools in the north, but also to other standard Islamia schools across the country where such gadgets would also serve a meaningful purpose. Information technology experts described the digital aloha as a device that has the propensity to capture the attention of the almajiri children due to the audio visual component capacity of the device, which awakens curiosity and invoke pictorial memory that boost fast learning. However, an IT consultant, Constantine Kelvin commenting on the technical challenges of the device, faulted the size and price of the digital aloha. He suggested a said that a customised iron tab stand because we are talking about space rather than the same slate

structure, saying that “you must put into consideration the innovation of the technology which actually involves minimising space.” He added: “If you are getting a tablet at N10, 000, to the best of my knowledge I would say it is a low leveltablet because I would not expect tablets like apple, galaxy tablets even at subsidised rate to get to that level. I would advise instead of going for that low level system, go for a high level system and make your money off the web services.” A Programmer, Designer and Front Web Developer, Bunmi Adekunle expressed fears over the possible hijack of the aloha project by the Chinese company in charge, and infiltration of insurgents to distort original teachings through the device. He advised that modalities be put in place to checkmate activities evolving round the production of the aloha down to distribution and download of applications into the digital device including download of immoral information such as pornographic materials. He explained the issue was not in the job opportunities the digital aloha project would create, but the structures in place by “government to create jobs for these 30 million almajiri children. It is a laudable project, it will reduce crisis when you engage the kids but by the time they graduate, what will they be doing afterwards.” He called on NOTAP to ensure the usability and sophistication of the product was put in due consideration rather than flood the country with an innovation that would not stand the test of time.

Info Tech

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Tech Box

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25% Nigerian browsers use Opera software STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

he Opera software web browser common in most mobile devices seems to have taken a substantially share of the market as latest statistics revealed that 25 personal of the 21 million active users of mobile internet are using Opera browser. A statement credited to the Vice President, Africa, Opera Software, Richard Monday said that the figure is bigger that the average penetration of Android phones in Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria is the company’s third largest market in the world and the biggest market for everything in Africa, saying that Nigeria is also the company’s most important market on the continent. He stated that while the average Android penetration in Nigeria is 20 percent, on Opera Mini it is 25 percent, the Opera is ahead of the curve compared to Android. Crafted in Scandinavia, Opera

browsers are for users that appreciate choice while its web browsers are designed to optimise performance on a range of devices, from simple phones to the latestgeneration smart phones and tablets. Opera computer browsers run on a variety of operating systems thus making web browsers for Smart TVs and other connected devices smart. Whether on a small screen or large one, all Opera browsers are designed to help people around the world find information, enjoy entertainment and connect with others. Recent Ericsson’s ConsumerLab the report revealed 82 percent of consumers using their devices to access the internet daily adding that Nigerian consumers are replacing their devices, such as mobile phones and desktops with smartphones and laptops, affording them higher internet connectivity in more locations. According to the Ericsson report, mobile phones remain the most popular means of accessing

the internet and using content services, highlighting that the desire to remain updated and connected is a strong motivator for Nigerian consumers while opting for internet services. It added that the pursuit of better access often persuades consumers to switch connections, for instance, from fixed broadband (Wi-Fi) to Mobile broadband MBB, or vice-versa. Vice President and Head of Strategy, Marketing and Communications for sub-Saharan Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune, said, the Ericsson ConsumerLab report indicates that Nigerian consumers are interested in a connected future and leading a more networked life. Sekhukhune explained further that with 66 percent of the working population studied rating the need to remain constantly updated as important, forward thinking operators need to ensure that customers remain satisfied, especially around factors related to internet services and network quality.

Samsung offers double delight on Galaxy S6 Duos

successor to the Galaxy S5 that is what the S6 Duos, a dual-SIM variant of the S6 Edge, which offers two nano sim card slots is meant to be. It has similar features as the S6 Edge; it is only differentiated by its flat surface. The smartphone is imbued with incredibly intelligent cameras and has set a new industry standard for design, craftsmanship and performance, redefining the company’s signature Galaxy series, popularly dubbed THE ALL NEW GALAXY. With the Galaxy S6 Duos, users will always stay connected as they can switch from one service provider to another with ease as well as optimize data deals. The Galaxy S6 Duos is imbued with Samsung’s renowned highperformance camera system that generates bright and clear images. The device’s 16-megapixel rear-facing camera and the 5-megapixel front-facing camera are equipped with F1.9 lenses and high resolution sensors that enable users capture every precious moment with friends, even in the dark. The camera snaps in about 0.7 seconds, which is super-fast by current standards. Users can easily launch the camera app by double clicking the home button, while the volume keys can be used as a shutter button. Combining that speed with the quickness of launching the camera delivers an

all-around great experience. Furthermore, the S6 Duos comes with an impressive set of charging features that support the built-in Qi wireless charging capability, using a wireless charging pad with ease. With the super-fast charging feature, the device can run for four hours on just 10 minutes of charging, and charges to full capacity in about 80 minutes. The home button also doubles as a fingerprint reader, meaning that users no longer need to swipe, to open the phone. Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 Duos particularly shows unique and outstanding beauty while also providing great grip and an immersive viewing experience. Its glass body, made out of a fusion of Corning Gorilla 4 (which is 50 percent stronger, tougher and more durable than any other Gorilla Glass) protects against sharp contact damage. The device, which is comparable to a piece of fine jewellery, is available in an array of colourful jewel tones, including white pearl, black sapphire and gold platinum. Head, Business Development, Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo described the device as a brand promise of inspiring the world and creating the future by bringing new and outstanding innovations to the reach of consumers.

Head Human Resources, Sub-Saharan Africa, Blair Mackenzie, Public Relations Manager Region sub-Saharan Africa, Toju Egbebi, and President & CEO Sub-Saharan Africa all of Ericsson Fredrik Jejdling, at the launch of the Network Operation Centre in Lagos.

Schneider introduces device to tackle power challenges

he electricity supply power challenge in the country has continued to receive more attention as a Germany company, Schneider Electric, introduced a new mobile device that could help Nigerians solve some of their power supply problems. The new device, which the company recently launched the device in Lagos, is a mobile power pack designed to provide mobile charging for all smart phones and tablets or any device which can be charged using a USB cable. Vice President, IT Business, Schneider Electric, Mr. Ayo Adegboye, said that the introduction of the device into Nigeria was meant to reduce the effect of prevalent power sup-

ply challenges on daily business and personal activities. Adegboye described the arrival of the device in the country as timely, saying that it comes at a time when Nigerians need genuine, long lasting mobile power solutions to stay connected digitally, while using the different mobile applications available for business and other personal activities. According to him, the new product is another set of solutions from Schneider Electric saying, “we all need more battery life at some time or other, either at home, on our travels or at work. APC by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Pack has been designed to ensure that we can utilise the apps we need when we need them.”

He explained that it will offer users easy access to power to download email and documents, tweet, access gaming accounts or upload pictures and videos at festivals adding that with the device you don’t have to always keep a wary eye on your battery indicator. “The move towards expanding our product portfolio to include the Mobile Power Pack is aimed at offering the consumer the choice of having technologically superior mobile accessories. Smart phones and smart devices technologies are years ahead of battery technology, hence the need for mobile power pack so as not to miss any moment either in business or pleasure,” Adegboye said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Government Technology

Digital communities to provide solar-powered Internet STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

he digital community located at Oban community in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, will provider solar powered internet for the residents. The solar powered internet is meant for a school in the community where about 24 learners will be accommodated as well as solar powered tele-medical centre to cater for the health and well-being of the residents. A Solar Power Generator that powers up the Admin Centre which can be used as office space for local entrepreneurs and any other nearby school or community centre personnel with limited electricity supply is also installed in the centre. The digital community was built by Samsung Electronics West Africa in partnership with UNESCO to provide access to the world’s most advanced information and communication technologies, education and health services to underresourced areas, thereby

bridging the digital divide and serving as a catalyst for local business development and government service delivery. Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim said during the launch of the facilities that a sizeable proportion of rural areas across the continent do not have access to electricity,

resulting in isolated communities with limited access to education, healthcare and connectivity, which are necessary components of socio-economic development. “We are not only bridging the digital divide but also providing a facility that meets the most critical health and education needs of the rural community,” Kim

added. In addition to providing the appropriate technologies, Samsung is also working to ensure that people of the Oban community take ownership of the Digital Village and receive adequate training to optimise use of the facilities. According to a recent UNESCO report, there are still 58 million children out of school

globally and around 100 million children who do not complete primary education, while healthcare in remote areas is non-existent due to shortage of facilities and urban-rural gap. Samsung said that technology is a powerful tool to change these circumstances, improve people’s lives and create a better society.

L-R: Manager, VAS and Data Propositions, Ademuyiwa Ashiru, Chief Marketing Officer, Olubayo Adekanmbi, General Manager,Consumer Marketing Richard Iweanoge, and Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing, Emeka Anasiudu, all from MTN at the launch of MTN APPtitude in Lagos.

Financial Technology

Global data lost cost is $1.7trn –EMC

MC Corporation has said that the global cost incurred over data lost as at 2014 stood at $1.7 trillion urging for more data security. The company made the remark on Tuesday while announcing a major updates to its data protection portfolio that extend its leadership in traditional purpose-built backup appliances and deliver powerful new software solutions that disrupt the data protection status quo.

According to EMC, global data protection study revealed that data loss and downtime cost enterprises $1.7 trillion globally in 2014 saying that as businesses accelerate their use and development of next-gen, cloud-enabled applications, they have struggled to protect data across what has become the hyper-extended enterprise. President, Core Technologies at EMC, Guy Churchward said that as part of EMCs ongoing

strategy to protect data wherever it resides, it is introducing a variety of new data protection products and product enhancements that provide data protection in the cloud, to the cloud and in the data center. He added that EMC is enabling customers to radically reduce cost and complexity while protecting their data wherever it resides. According to him, EMC is redefining the way that data pro-

tection infrastructures are architected no matter where data exists, adding that “we can find it, protect it, and make it available back to our customers.” He said: “Our solutions for primary storage are becoming smarter, more capable and better able to rapidly manage growing workloads. We’ve designed our data protection solutions not only to keep pace but also to integrate simply and automatically, making the entire process

Labour union seeks improved welfare for NIMC Staff

he two labour unions, the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations, SSACTAC, an Affiliate of Trade Union Congress, TUC, representing workers in the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has pledged to defend the rights and privileges of all staff NIMC. The labour unions who made the call in solidarity of the last celebrated Workers Day said it is working tirelessly to ensure better welfare for the staff of NIMC

expressing concern of the delay of the anticipated pay rise for staff of the Commission. While assuring that the issue will be sorted out the Unions challenged the federal government to keep to their promises, demanding for a swift pay rise and better staff welfare package. The Union noted that members of staff of NIMC are the list paid among all the statutory Commissions of its category in the country despite the importance of the project and called

on the all the relevant authorities including the Board of NIMC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who directly oversees the National Identity Management System to handle the issue without delaying the improved pay. Asst. General Manager, Human Capital Management, NIMC, Comrade Olorunfemi Ayo , thanked the workers for maturity and commitment to their job saying, “I applaud each and every one of you for your

contributions towards putting the Commission in the world radar as far as Identity Management is concerned.” He added:“It is not negative that we have some challenges. I know that to whom much is given, much is expected and very much is clearly expected from the management. Let me assure you that the management is working tirelessly to ensure that the staff welfare is better. Also, the union is also working to ensure better welfare for the staff of NIMC.”

smoother for our customers.” Powered by the latest Data Domain software, DDOS 5.6, the DD9500 delivers unparalleled performance, scalability, and application support. Specifically, the DD9500 delivers 58.7 TB/hour performances, more than 1.5x faster performance than the nearest competitor, ensuring Data Domain can handle even the most demanding data protection requirements. The 1,728 TB usable capacity is four times greater than the nearest competitor, enabling organisations to gain greater consolidation for data protection workloads and lower TCO. EMC also said it will continue to disrupt the data protection market with a host of new nontraditional, software-powered data protection solutions noting that key highlights include Storage Integrated Data Protection – ProtectPoint Software Enhancements. First announced in late 2014, the EMC ProtectPoint software offers enterprises a radical new approach to backup, eliminating the need for dedicated back-up infrastructure.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Taxation

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Distinguishing Withholding Tax from Value Added Tax T here is a need to draw attention to the fundamental difference between Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) so as to facilitate clear understanding of the mechanics of the tax concepts. WHT is an advance payment of income tax and the purpose is to bring the prospective taxpayer into the taxnet, thereby widening the income tax base. In other words, the WHT system is aimed at tracking down taxpayers and the incomes which may otherwise not be reported by them. When the income on which WHT is deducted at source is finally brought to the notice of the tax authority and the appropriate tax computed, due credit is given for the WHT deducted at source on the presentation of the original WHT receipts through the issuance of credit notes. The taxpayer will be required to pay only the balance due after matching the actual tax liability against the credit for the WHT suffered at source. WHT is therefore nothing more than a collection machinery to curb tax evasion. It is not a separate tax on its own. It is a part of the income tax - whether personal or corporate income tax. In contrast, VAT is a different type of tax. VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and services consumed by any person, whether government agencies, business organisations or individuals. The target of VAT is the final consumer of goods and services and unless an item is specifically exempted by law, the consumer is liable to the tax. Exemption from this is not aimed at agencies, companies or individuals but rather at the goods and services. Therefore, all agencies of government, religious and other organisations and similar persons that are normally exempted from income tax are expected to pay VAT on the goods and services consumed by them except where the goods and services are

Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja

specifically exempted by law. The Primary Market (a) How to Impose WHT It is usual for issuing companies to pay fees to issuing houses, stock brokerage firms, reporting accountants and solicitors in respect of new and rights issues, as well as debenture stocks. Such fees should be subject to withholding tax at source in accordance with Section 63 of the Companies Income Tax Cap 60 LFN 1990, and the relevant extra-ordinary Gazette. The issuing companies are hereby mandated to deduct the WHT tax there-from and pay over to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) within 30 days as stipulated in the tax law. The net is then paid over to the issuing house that handled the issue. The applicable rate for commissions/fees is ten percent (10%) for limited liability companies, and five percent (5%) for individuals and partnerships. (b) How to Impose VAT Every consumer pays VAT on services rendered to it. As consumers of the services rendered by both the issuing houses and other parties to the issue, the issuing companies are liable to the payment of VAT for the services rendered. The issuing houses and other parties to the issue should charge VAT at 5% on their invoices for services rendered. Since the issuing houses handle the transactions connected with new and rights issues, they are to act as agents for the collection and remission of VAT to FIRS. (c) Listing by the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) As a pre-requisite for listing new securities by the NSE, the evidence of settlement of WHT and VAT on the new and rights issues must be attached. The listing fees are themselves liable to WHT and VAT. (d) Renewal of Operators’ Licences Before an operator’s licence is renewed by a regulatory authority, evidence of WHT and VAT on issues

Okonjo-Iweala

handled in the previous year must be produced. The Secondary Market (a) How to Impose WHT • In the case of a purchase, the stockbroker is expected to charge the investor for the following:* The cost of the shares purchased, * Commission based on gross value of shares purchased on behalf of that investor, - the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fee (which is currently 1% of total consideration and is not subject to WHT and VAT being part of gross income earned by SEC) * Deduct WHT on the commission at 10% and pay over to the relevant tax authority, i.e. State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR) or FIRS. • In the case of a sale, the stockbroker is expected to deduct from the investor’s gross consideration the following:* his commission, * the other fees payable to other third parties, as approved by the SEC. • Thereafter, the net sale should be paid over to the investor. • Both the Nstockbroker’s commission and other fees paid to other third parties are subject to WHT. The stockbroker is to pay over tax withheld from the commission and other fees to the relevant tax authority. (b) How to Impose VAT In both purchase and sale transactions, the consumer of the services rendered is the investor. It is therefore the investor that is subject to this tax. The VAT on these transactions should be paid over to FIRS. Collection Arrangement In respect of the collection of the taxes herewith discussed, the usual collection arrangement will prevail. Reference to the relevant FIRS information circular (9502 of 20th February 1995, 9501 of 13th January 1995) may be advisable. However, in summary, the following collection arrangement should be ob-

Ag. Executive Chairman FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

served:(a) WHT • The rate at which tax is to be withheld on commission and fees is 10% when these payments are made to limited liability companies; and 5% for individuals and partnerships. • The currency in which the tax is to be paid is the currency the transaction was carried out and in which the tax was deducted. • payments of wht should be made in bank drafts and payable to: • ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria- FIRS – Withholding Tax Account’’ • Payments should be accompanied by the relevant forms (CMF1, CMF2, CMF3, CMF4, or CMF5). • Any default in the implementation of the tax carries heavy penalties. • Failure to deduct WHT and failure to remit taxes withheld are punishable on conviction by a fine of 200% of the tax not withheld or remitted. (b) VAT • The rate for VAT is 5%. • Payments of VAT should be made in bank draft and payable to: • ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria – FIRS – VAT Account’’ • The payments should be accompanied by the VAT FORM 022 which is readily available online and all FIRS offices throughout Nigeria. Dual Role of Issuing Houses It is necessary to clarify that the new policy of government imposes dual roles on the issuing houses as agencies which handle new and rights issues: ibas agent of government for the deduction and remittance of WHT and as agent of government for the collection and remittance of VAT even in respect of their own respective transactions which ordinarily should have been paid over to the operator who charged the VAT on his invoice. (For more details see pare. 4 of Information Circular no. 9502 of 29th February, 1995).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Galvanising banking sector’s corporate responsibility for national devt Few years ago Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, was seen as the developed economies firms’ concept being foisted, willynilly, on domestic enterprises to embrace. Today, almost every corporate entity in the country has adorned the CSR toga with remarkable results to show for their commitments to impacting positively on the society. DAVID AUDU examines the financial sector’s CSR contributions to the nation’s socio-economic growth in recent years.

n modern brand communications, corporate organisation’s reputations are as important as the goods and services they offer. For companies, maintaining good public perception entails a combination of factors. These include the vision of the leadership, the quality of products and services, financial performance, treatment of workers, social and environmental responsibility, and of cause, emotional appeal. In order to command better public perception, some companies step out of their routine corporate services portfolio to engage in public initiatives that will benefit not only their immediate consumers and clients, but also, the general goods of the society. Generally speaking, any of such corporate gesture is seen as corporate social responsibility. Wikipedia, the free online dictionary, defines “corporate social responsibility, csr as a form of corporate self integrated into a business model”. It clarifies further that csr policy functions as a self-regulatory mechanism whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with ethical standards and international norms. A firm’s implementation of CSR goes beyond legal compliance to engaging in actions that appear to further some social good, beyond the interests of the firm and legal requirements. CSR therefore embraces any responsible corporate actions which encourages making positive impact on the environment and on the stakeholders, including consumers, employees, investors, communities, and others. Globally, CSR has become an integral part of the overall company objective and policies. In recent times, many companies are now ranked on the basis of their CSR, objectives. In 2014, Google ranked first in CSR, followed by Microsoft and Walt Disney in the third place, while BMW and Apple came fourth and fifth respectively. Indeed, in developed countries, brand patronage is now linked to their CSR, performance. Today, Nigeria’s economy is faced with multiplicity of challenges ranging from unemployment, poverty, corruption, youth restiveness, political crises and security challenges.These problems are generally seen as social issues, thus the more companies relate to solve these social anomalies to bring improvements in the course of doing business, the more it leads to economic benefits as well and the rating these corporate receive. Analysts believe the role of financial institutions is to enhance economic growth and therefore the need for Nigerian banks to refocus on both where and how they go about their CSR since no business can thrive

Onasanya

Egbas

THERE IS NEED FOR THE NIGERIAN BANKS TO RETHINK THEIR CSR IN ALL THE KEY SECTORS SUCH AS EDUCATION, POWER, HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, AND SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES OF THE ECONOMY in chaos environment. An article published in the International Journal of Finance and Accounting by a financial expert last year, Iorpev Luper, observed that “since banks provide linkages to all sectors of the economy, there is need for the Nigerian banks to rethink their CSR in all the key sectors such as education, power, health, agriculture, and small and mediumsized enterprises of the economy. But are Nigerian banks living up to this task? Though there are indications that quite a few banks have gone beyond just compliance with the law to demonstrate the spirit to positively impact on the society; though it may not be the same by all. Speaking to National Mirror on one of Nigerian banks CSR, direction in recent times, Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank Plc, Folake Ani-Mumuney, revealed that FirstBank has, for over a century, engaged in corporate responsibility and sustainability interventions to promote community and national development, long before the corporate responsibility concept became common place. “Our position as a national icon and the nation’s foremost financial services group demands that we provide leadership by embracing the fundamental principles of corporate responsibility and operating our business in a sustainable fashion, while we ensure that our footprints

engender growth and development to uphold our long-standing pedigree and heritage. “To facilitate our commitment to sustainable social, economic and environmental transformation, FirstBank’s corporate responsibility and sustainability framework is anchored on four strategic pillars namely Sustainable Finance& Investment, People Empowerment; Community Support and Environmental Sustainability. She said First Bank recognise the environmental and social impacts of its operations and therefore as one of the financial institutions in Nigeria the bank lead the change in adopting policies, systems and lending practices that minimise the environmental and social impacts of doing business. “We believe that adopting sustainable financial practices makes business sense, not only because it adds value to loan portfolio by enhancing economic development, but also it ensures the sustainability of our ecosystem and future generations. Therefore, we have put in place an environmental, social, and governance management system (ESGMS) as well as provided investment opportunities for over 480,000 small and medium enterprises SMEs and building capacity for womenled SMEs. Speaking on commitment to further integrate sustainability as well as instill sustainability values in Nigerians life, Mumuney

stated that the bank have recently instituted its sustainability centre. “The FirstBank Sustainability Centre, located within the Lagos Business School of the Pan-Atlantic University is one of the programmes designed to help drive sustainability in line with the Bank’s corporate responsibility & sustainability strategy and the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles. “At FirstBank, our aim is to maintain our thought leadership position in every sphere and by so doing we have helped to create a specialized sustainability and related centre that focuses on empowering individuals through relevant applied research in specified areas of interest such as seminars, workshops, international and local conferences for the cross fertilization and exchange of ideas on sustainability. She also highlighted the banks other csr efforts to include infrastructure development programme, hope rising programme, future first, seminars for women in SMEs called “The New Growth Strategy for Women-Owned SMEs, and educational endowment programme. On infrastructural development programme, she explained that they are aimed at promoting and supporting infrastructure development under identified areas of support such as providing infrastructure facilities in schools, hospitals and environmental infrastructure projects. “This is in recognition of the place of infrastructure in facilitating economic performance and its role in improving the quality of life. Some of the support projects under this purview include Faculty of Arts building in University of Port-Harcourt; the Entrepreneur Centre in University of Abuja; sports pavilion for Queens College and Squash Court for Kings College; Administrative Block for Jesuit Memorial College, a Red Cross Clinic in Ibadan and the Bank’s Ivory Park in Banana Island”, she outlined. For the hope rising initiative, she said, it was designed to empower people living with disabilities. “Its key objective is engendering inclusivity and diversity through education, advocacy and enlightenment; skills acquisition through training; as well as inclusive events. Our main focus is creating awareness on Down syndrome and how to live with Down syndrome. “This is enhanced by the Hope Rising drama series which focuses on highlighting the challenges of Down syndrome and exploring efforts at combating the disorder and also providing the platform for advocacy and public enlightenment.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Magic Mirror OOH debuts in Nigeria DAVID AUDU

new vista has been opened in the Nigerian out-of-home advertising industry with the introduction of Magic Mirror advertising option by Soundz & Meknitz Limited. Magic Mirror is one of the world’s latest OOH advertising technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Classed under the emerging media and below the line/indoor advertising category, it works by interfacing a specially designed mirror with an inbuilt LCD video and audio programme that also doubles as a viewing mirror. The TVC is seen playing on the mirror, with an inbuilt sensor that squeezes the advert message to a corner on approach of a user to present a full mirror and returns after use. Speaking on the new innovation, Managing Director of Soundz & Meknitz Limited, Mr Felix Ugbechie said already his company has been granted exclusive permit to install the next generation advertising technology in all the rest rooms on all the airport lounges in Nigeria, a factor he is sure will give maximum value to Nigerian advertisers.

Ugbechie said the advertising medium is unique because it offers the advertiser the opportunity to have something close to personal conversations with individuals who come in contact with it. “The mirror, as simple as it is, is a very important tool for managing personal relationships. We must always go to the mirror to appreciate ourselves and determine if we are looking good enough for that all important meeting. It is a personal tool that enables us to have a conversation with ourselves before we go out to meet other people. What we are doing is take this conversation even further by enabling brands to talk to their targets in their most intimate periods. This is a period when conversations are best appreciated and ensure long lasting retention,” he stated. Ugbechie explained that the Magic Mirror advertising has the distinguishing capability to pass the message to the personally and without interruptions and also overcomes the challenges of no tune out, trashing or flipping pages that have been the disadvantages of electronic and print media advertising in recent time. “The Magic Mirror is like a wel-

come companion to the often disconcerting privacy of the rest rooms. That is why we say it holds personal conversations because advertisers have the privilege of talking to individuals in this secluded privacy and be able to arrest their attention throughout their stay. This is an advantage no other form and medium of advertising can offer. And it can offer access to a specific gender pin downs of messaging with 100% accuracy. For instance, female toilets can be loaded with messages speaking to the female market and vice versa thereby giving accurate traffic and exposure measurement.” He added that the new medium is capable of also offers high brand visibility, with an estimated average 5,000,000 to 5,500,000 views per month, a coverage no other medium can match at same cost. “The Magic Mirror is the best channel to help you reach your marketing priority areas or audience. It offers a high definition video and audio resonance in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. It offers a welcome alternative to looking at a blank wall.

L-R; Director, DGl Beverages, Texas,USA, Dr. Solomon Olatoye; President /Founder, DGl Beverages USA, Mr. Earl Castor, and Director, DGI Beverages, Africa, Mr. Lanre Okupe at the media launch of black iguana margarita cocktails wine in Lagos, recently.

Promasidor Quill Awards nominees emerge DAVID AUDU

he judges for the 2015 Promasidor Quill Awards, led by its Chairman, Mr. Patrick Dele Cole have selected 17 nominees for the seven categories of this year’s edition of the prestigious awards. The panel of judges which include veteran journalist and television personality Kadaria Ahmed; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR, Lagos Chapter Joseph Okonmah,; Reze Bonna, a trained Architect and celebrated photographer; and a British Chevening Scholar and a seasoned financial journalist, Ray Echebiri, converged at Eko Hotel Lagos last Thursday, to assess and score all the entries received from journalists across the nation. The final phase of the exercise,

which lasted for over 10 hours, saw the judges concluding work on and discussing the high volume of entries received for the different categories. The categories are: Brand Advocate of the Year; CSR Report of the Year; Best Photo Story of the Year; Best Report on Nutrition; Best Report on Children; Education Reporter of the Year and Future Writer of the Year. Ambassador Cole, who chaired the session, said the exercise was challenging due to the high quality of entries assessed by the judges. He however disclosed that the judges had taken their time to attend to details contained in each of the entries as they were determined to be fair to all contestants. He commended the journalists who submitted entries for the professionalism exhibited in their entries noting that the quality of work was much higher this year

than in previous editions. Meanwhile, Head of Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, said selection of the judges was hinged on their high profile bordering on their wealth of experience and integrity. He also disclosed that winners in all the categories will be announced at a ceremony slated for Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, May 22, 2015. He also assured that Promasidor will not relent in contributing to development of journalism practice in Nigeria. His words: “Promasidor Quill Awards is committed to setting the pace in rewarding journalists based on merit for their work and not a selfseeking approach to get accolades, but a professional platform of assessment, recognition and reward for outstanding journalistic work.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Verizon to buy AOL in $4.4bn deal

erizon Communications Inc said it would buy AOL Inc in a $4.4 billion deal that gives the biggest U.S. wireless carrier access to AOL’s successful digital advertising service and content including the Huffington Post news website. The offer of $50 per share represents a premium of 17.4 percent to AOL’s Monday close of $42.59. AOL shares traded as high as $50.70 before the opening bell on Tuesday. Verizon shares were down about 1 percent at $49.32. The deal, which includes about $300 million of AOL debt, will take the form of a tender offer followed by a merger, with AOL becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon. Verizon said it expects to fund the transaction from cash on hand and debt. Tim Armstrong, who has

spearheaded AOL’s transformation into one of the most successful advertising technology companies, will continue to lead the company after the sale. “When you look at where we are today and where we are going, we have made AOL as big as it can possibly be in today’s landscape,” Armstrong told CNBC. “..There is no better partner for us to go forward with than Verizon,” he said. Activist-investor Starboard Value LP had urged Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O) to consider a merger with AOL, whose businesses include the TechCrunch blog. AOL reported a 7.2 per cent rise in first-quarter revenue to $625.1 million, boosted by demand for its real-time bidding platform that helps advertisers place video and display ads on other digital properties.

Retail traffic up by 12 % in April

raffic grew year-over-year for the first time in months, up 12 per cent, and in-store engagement improved as well, according to Euclid’s monthly retail benchmarks report for the month of April. However, despite ostensible growth in shopping activity, the extra traffic failed to create sales growth. The year-over-year traffic increase can be largely attributed to warmer weather and the Easter holiday. The duration of shopping trips increased as well, by 18 percent, again due to weather and promotions. The shopping turnout is a big change from just a few months back, when harsh winter weather was responsible for an 8 percent decline in sales for January and a 10 per cent decline in sales for February. However, storefront conversion

increased less than one per cent as more targeted trips occurred in promotional environments, and it seems a decrease in tax refund volume may have affected consumers’ willingness to spend. Sales for general merchandise, apparel and furniture was down 1.1 per cent in April, with a 2.1 per cent decrease in clothing and apparel sales. The best day for shopping was Monday, April 6, with a higher traffic and conversion rate than last year. In addition, the bounce rate hit its low for the month that day as well. Conversely, April 19, a Sunday, was the worst shopping day of the month, reporting lower than expected traffic and a low average duration. Last year Sundays were strong shopping days overall, but this year Mondays seem to be more popular.

Skye Bank organizes essay competition for children DAVID AUDU

s a way of promoting the savings culture among children, Skye Bank Plc has instituted the Skye Rainow Essay competition for children who own and operate the bank’s Rainbow Account specially designed for them. According to a statement issued by the bank, the topic of the essay competition is “The Importance of an early savings habit”, and is organized to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day. The statement quoted the bank’s Head of Retail Banking Group, Nkoli Okoli, as saying that the bank chose to stand out from the others this year by putting a place a special programme for the children to celebrate them. She said five winners will each receive the sum of N200,000, while other consolation prizes would also be

presented. Okoli further explained that the competition would act as a customer reward programme as well as promote savings among children very early in their lives to enable them imbibe the culture of financial discipline. She said the competition was open to both new and existing Rainbow account holders whose age ranges between seven and twelve years. In addition, she said the length of each entry must not be more than 200 words. However, any entry which shows parental input would be disqualified. According to the statement, the essay must show the child’s good understanding and good presentation of the topic, the child’s personal savings experience and creative ideas for savings. The essay competition which started on in April will have shortlisted winners announced in June.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 14, 2015

BD Consult wins Nigeria PR Young Lions competition DAVID AUDU

n preparation for this year’s Young Lions Competition, BD Consult Limited, Nigeria, young and creative PR professionals Priscilla Adeboye and Ebun Owoyele Amusan have emerged winners of the PR Category of the award which climaxed at the PRCAN Secretariat, Maryland, Lagos, recently The young winners will be representing Nigeria at the Cannes Lions Festival holding in Cannes, France, in June, 2015. The PR team joining the competition was given 24 hours to create a PR Plan for the South Africa’s National tourism Promotion that would recover South Africa’s negative perception by promoting the country’s tourism endowment as a reason to invest

in South Africa. The idea of BD Consult Limited becoming the winner of the PR category of the Young Lions was premised on the fact that the organisation through their PR Plan demonstrating how PR can be effectively used for recovering the perception of South Africa internally and among relevant stakeholders in respect to the adverse impact that xenophobia has on the billions of tax payers’ money spent to win investments to the country. The creative entries, adjudged outstanding by the jury and regulators, attest to the fact that the Nigeria PR industry are breeding a new crop of highly creative professional minds giving hope of a future ensured for the PR and advertising industry. In his remarks, PRCAN Presi-

dent and a member of the jury, Mr. John Ehiguese said that the various juries were encouraged as the quality of materials received which is a great sign that the industry is making progress. He revealed that it was a close call as all the young professionals’ demonstrated good understanding and grasp of the brief and came up with exciting ideas. Speaking on the award, Mr. Tola Bademosi, Managing Director, BD Consult, said his team through their plan had demonstrated high level of creativity, Manner of presentation, team spirit, confidence and in-depth insight to the brief. He noted that this plan need to be applauded and adopted globally as it might be the best plan to revamp South Africa’s Tourism industry.

Etisalat fosters SME growth at market access forum

ver 100 entrepreneurs in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector attended the 12th edition of Etisalat’s business networking seminar, Market Access, which held in Port Harcourt, recently. Themed ‘‘Enhancing SME Growth through Access to Market’’, the one-day business networking and knowledge sharing session was described as part of Etisalat’s contribution towards developing the SME sector of the Nigerian economy. Speaking at the event the Head, Regional Sales, South-South, Etisalat Nigeria, Enekwachi Aja said the telecommunications company believed that the SME sector has abundant growth opportunities and it would continue to support the sector in order for it to sustain the economy. Aja added, ‘‘At Etisalat, Market Access offers us the opportunity to educate and empower our business partners in the SME sector

with information and networking opportunities needed to succeed in their businesses.’’ He revealed that ‘‘10 entrepreneurs received a grant of N2 million each and 6-month mentorship program at Enterprise Development Center (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, in the first edition of Etisalat’s Easy business Millionaires Hunt – another platform through which Etisalat Nigeria empowers SMEs.’’ Aja emphasized that Small and Medium enterprises are important to all economies in the world, especially in developing countries like Nigeria with major employment and income distribution challenges and that sector should never be neglected. Since inception, the seminar has taken place in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos with a combined audience of over 2,000 entrepreneurs. The next editions of the Etisalat SME Market Access takes place in Abuja and Lagos.

Picasso’s $179.4m painting sets world auction record

L-R: Innovation Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Dorcas Mashingil; Ace Rapper, M.I. Abaga; and Assistant Brand Manager, Spirit, Mr Toluwalase Ogunyemi, at the Smirnoff Double Side Party to launch Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana in Lagos, yesterday.

ablo Picasso’s dynamic 1955 painting, “Les Femmes d’Alger fetched $179.4 million, the highest price paid for any artwork at auction. The canvas, depicting a group of semi-naked courtesans, was the star of Christie’s special evening auction “Looking Forward to the Past.” It offered works spanning the entire 20th century and tallied $705.9 million, surpassing its presale target of $500 million. Amid surging art prices, Christie’s expects to sell as much as $1.3 billion worth of art this week in New York as part of semi-annual

auctions of Impressionist, modern, postwar and contemporary art. Sellers included billionaire money manager Steven A. Cohen, casino mogul Steve Wynn and New York real estate tycoon Sheldon Solow. Bidders came from 35 countries and many entered the market in the past five years, Christie’s said. A second work also surpassed the $100 million mark. Alberto Giacometti’s 5-foot-10-inch-tall, bronze sculpture of a stick-thin man pointing with his right arm, fetched $141.3 million, setting an auction record for the Swiss artist and for a sculpture.

Coca-Cola extends ‘Share A Coke’ campaign to Enugu, Abuja DAVID AUDU

he Share A Coke campaign train recently berthed at the Shoprite grounds in Enugu as well as some hot spots in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where thousands of friends and family members opened up to happiness, courtesy the Share A Coke campaign of beverage giant, Coca-Cola. The nation-wide activation, which commenced in February, has gone through several cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Ilorin and Benin with throngs of consumers queuing for their packs in various quantities. In the coal city, Enugu, most of the people who stormed the grounds to get their personalised Coke cans and the excitement

saw teenagers dragging their parents and loved ones to the brightly coloured red Coca-Cola banners, to get their own personalised cans. Most of the beneficiaries of the Share A Coke campaign had kinds words for Coca-Cola Nigeria, commending it for its innovation and especially, for bringing the campaign to the Coal City. A young couple, doting over each other, Emeka and Chioma Okafor, who got a personalised can abbreviating their names ‘Chiemeka’, gave a thumbs-up to Coca- Cola for its ingenuity. According to the husband, Emeka, ‘’ I would not have minded, if had gotten a coke can with the inscription, ‘Will you marry me?’ when I wanted to get married six months ago. However, the ‘Chiemeka’ can is beauti-

ful. We could name our child Chiemeka. ’ The beverage giant, Coca-Cola took the Share A Coke campaign several notches higher in Abuja, where fun seekers had a good time savouring happiness at different hot spots, including FCT College of Education, Zuba, University of Abuja and Shoprite Abuja. One of such consumers, Mariam Isah, a 100 level student of FCT College of Education, Zuba, was brimming with joy when she got her cans with her names on them. Isah who revealed that she first heard about the campaign sometime in January through her colleague, said she was excited to have gotten her cans, adding that, she would continue to treasure the cans.

She said: “It is a great idea. It makes Nigerians understand that, whether you are from the North, South or East, we are all one. We still drink the same Coke and share the same love and happiness.’’ Like most of the beneficiaries of the Share A Coke campaign, she took a ‘selfie’ with her cans featuring prominently in the shot. This has been the trend with consumers after they get their packs – a photo of their personalized cans to share on their social media pages. Another consumer and Head of Department, Fine and Applied Arts of the institution, Nuhu Dada described the campaign as, ‘interesting and exciting’. According to him, “This campaign shows that Coca-Cola has a good concern for its consumers”

For the Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, is the company strengthening its interaction between its brand and consumers, therefore enabling consumers experience Coca-Cola in a personal way. Jemibewon SAID: “The whole idea is to give back to our consumers and celebrate them. We knew that, we could not capture the diversity of the Nigerian landscape with the names we put on our packs, so we have made them available through these experiential activations and the responses have been great!” On his part, Senior Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Gbolahan Sanni, described the Share ACoke campaign, as Coca-Cola’s way of integrating happiness into the lives of Nigerians nationwide.

Insight

Thursday, May 14, 2015

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Electricity: Discussing power The Power Sector Roadmap, as an integral component of the Transformation Agenda of the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, was seen initially, as a bold step toward rapid development of the economy. But CHIDI UGWU reports that after reaping $2.525bn from the unbundling and sale of the PHCN assets, current realities show that the government lacks the political will to guide the investors to implement the roadmap and supply electricity to Nigerians.

od said let there be light and there was light. But in Nigeria the three administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Musa Yar’ Adua and Goodluck Jonathan have shouted on the Aso Rock for light in Nigeria but the more they shout and spend more money the farther the country is to light – electricity. The effect of this lacuna is crippling the growth of productive and commercial industries, stifling the creation of jobs so urgently needed for the substantial youthful and ever growing population, and the generally deleterious impact on the social psyche of a people literally living in darkness in the 21st century. To address this trend, the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan embarked on Roadmap for Power Sector Reform which aims to set the nation on a steady course to produce efficient electricity for the citizens at competitive rates. Retrospectively, in 1999, when the nation returned to democratic rule the government embarked on various development programmes, especially rehabilitation, installation and expansion of critical infrastructure. It is within these activities that the reforms in the power sector are anchored. The power sector as at that time was characterized by myriads of problems including limited access to infrastructure, low connection rates, inadequate generation and usage of power capacity, ineffective regulation, high technical losses and vandalism, insufficient transmission and distribution facilities etc. In response to this alarming situation of power generation between 1999 and 2000, the Federal Government undertook aggressive rehabilitation of power infrastructure between 1999 and 2004 which is referred to as the infrastructure rehabilitation phase of the reform. A major part of this phase is the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) initiated in 2004 to boost electricity generation capacity by the opening of gas power stations across the country. This was followed by the decentralisation and the granting of licenses to different Independent Power Producers (IPPs) tagged the Infrastructure Expansion

Afam power plant

Phase. These IPPs generate and sell electricity privately to utilities or the general public. The Federal Government began a holistic process of reform with the enactment of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005. Initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the reform seeking to privatise the power sector, had dragged on until Obasanjo handed over to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on May 29, 2007. After a brief interruption, President Goodluck Jonathan resumed the implementation of the EPSR Act of 2005 which led to the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets. Successively, according to the roadmap, privatisation commenced in December 2010 with the submission of bids in July 2012, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) approval of bids in October 2012, the completion of negotiations in January 2013, the completion of Industry Agreements in February 2013, the payment of 25% Share Sale Purchase in March 2013 and finally the payment of 75% Share Sale Purchase in August 2013. Having completed the first phase of the power sector privatisation process, the Federal Government on November 1, 2013, handed over to private investors the 11 distribution companies (Discos) and five generation companies (Gencos) formerly owned by the defunct PHCN. Five generation companies (Gencos) and 10 distribution

companies (Discos) won the bidding. The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) put the total sale figures of both the Gencos and Discos at $2.525billion (about N404billion). The Gencos went for $1.269bn while the Discos were sold for $1.256bn. Acclaimed to be transparent, some analysts still argue that the Federal Government and others may have compromised on standard processes of the privatisation of the national power utilities which was planned and executed by the BPE, working with the NCP chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo. They argued that the expectations of incremental quality and quantity in electricity supply are dependent on the satisfaction of certain key conditions, which they said include respect for established electricity market rules; adherence to agreed key performance indicators (KPIs) and indeed sustained financial commitments to capacities expansion of privatised power generation and distribution assets by their new core owners. They said with the overall objective of the Federal Government’s power sector privatisation as contained in the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005, it is expected that the sale of successor generation and distribution companies created from the unbundling of defunct PHCN should put Nigeria’s power sector on the pathway to efficiency. Two industry players who spoke to Na-

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEGAN A HOLISTIC PROCESS OF REFORM WITH THE

ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR REFORM ACT (EPSRA) 2005

ENACTMENT OF THE

tional Mirror on the condition of anonymity posited that while the government had successfully selected preferred bidders and handed over the generation and distribution assets to the new investors, it cannot be said to have done that with absolute competitiveness and may have from this instance initiated patchiness that could in turn affect the progress of the sector. They said the decision of the government through the NCP to lower the standard processes and accommodate certain interests in the exercise meant that it had first of all compromised and allowed the acquisition of mostly PHCN distribution companies by investors that may be finding it difficult to now operate their assets. One of the experts specifically stated that almost all the new owners of the various distribution assets have so far shown serious concerns as to how the new electricity market will evolve, vis-à-vis the efficient workings of the market operational rules and procedures. “The reason government actually sold the assets incredibly cheap to them is to have them revamp and sustain the operations of these companies without serious challenges par say. “Government wanted them to start off on a clean slate without any labour issues and all that clogging their operations from day one, that is why all liabilities had to be wiped out and transferred to NELMCO to give them a fresh balance sheet; with that, they were expected to raise funding such that their equity will be higher than their borrowings from the banks,” one of the stakeholders said. Despite the privatisation of PHCN in 2013, Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity has declined from the peak level of about 4,517.6 megawatts (mw) recorded in December, 2012 to about as low as 2,921MW in April 2015 with government citing vandalism,

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Insight

Thursday, May 14, 2015

generation in total darkness sabotage and poor funding as hiccups in the growth of the sector. Nigeria’s electricity consumption on a per capita basis is among the lowest in the world when compared with the average per capita electricity usage in Libya, 4,270KWH; India, 616KWH; China, 2,944KWH; South Africa, 4,803 KWH; Singapore, 8,307KWH; and the United States of America, 13,394KWH. By comparison, South Africa, with a population of just 50 million, has an installed electricity generation capacity of over 52,000 MW. On a per capita consumption basis, Nigeria is ranked a distant 178th with 106.21 KWh per head, – well behind Gabon (900.00); Ghana (283.65); Cameroun (176.01); and Kenya (124.68). The current worsening situation has set off crisis in the manufacturing sector with the Steel Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) threatening to shut down their factories over exorbitant electricity tariffs and poor supply. Chairman of the MAN steel manufacturing group, Sunil Goel, on behalf of his members, tasked the NERC to go back to the old MYTO which was initially scheduled to run from 2012- 2017. He said, “As steel manufacturers and other consumers on tariff D3 are DISCOs most prominent consumers/ customers, and electricity being the most critical input to our production process, we want to reiterate the following obvious facts and the impacts of the new hike on electricity tariff on our production and its adverse effects on our planned long term projections which were actually based on MYTO 20122017 tariff order. “The MYTO 2012-2017 which was meant to run for five years, formed the basis of our members’ long term planning which your sudden increase has now seriously interrupted. As we are not informed of the revocation of the MYTO order, we consider your sudden action unfair to our members,” Goel noted, adding that the new 45% hike was too astronomical. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its report said the manufacturing sector contributed 6.81 per cent to the new GDP, which is equivalent to N5.47trillion ($34.8 billion) out of the total 2013 GDP rebased estimate of N80.22trn ($510bn). This is a quantum leap, when compared with N4.74trn ($30.2bn) recorded in the 2012 GDP figures. This sector’s contribution is relatively low when compared with those of Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia, not to talk of USA, South Africa, and some other countries. The World Bank data show that contribution of manufacturing sector to the GDP in Austria is 19 per cent, while that of Thailand remains 34 per cent. For South Africa, it is 12 per cent, while it is 13 per cent for Iran. United States of America contribution to its GDP hovers around 73 per cent. The contributions from these countries are convincingly enhanced by the existence of viable infrastructure, particularly in the area of efficient power supply unlike what is obtained in Nigeria. The sector that is worst hit is the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which is the highest job-creating sector in any economy.

Minister of Power, Prof Nebo

NERC boss, Dr. Sam Amadi

The poor showing of the sector in its overall contribution to the rebased GDP is attributed to epileptic electricity supply over the decades which are the major cause of unemployment now hovering at about 23.9 per cent. The outgoing Senate President, David Mark, also recently decried the epileptic power supply in the country in spite of promises made by investors in the wake of the privatisation of the sector. Mark, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, stated this while hosting the management team of the Electricity Management Services Limited in Abuja. He said, “In spite of the high expectations and promises on account of the privatisation of the power sector, Nigerians have yet to feel the positive impact of the sector.” Also, a former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji and some of the new owners of the distribution companies, recently declared that Nigeria’s power generating facilities were obsolete and unreliable. They however, suggested embedded gen-

eration as short-term solution to the current energy challenges in the country. Speaking at the seventh Lagos Economic Summit, Nnaji disclosed that there was a wide gap between electricity supply and demand, while the transmission infrastructure is weak and inadequate. He further stated that the distribution network was overloaded, while the rates of technical and commercial losses are very high. When he came on board, the outgoing Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, created synergy among the stakeholders, resulting in a unified power sector with the same agenda. He empowered the contracted managers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to resume work by presenting the required Schedule of Delegated Authority (SODA) to them, which was followed swiftly by the inauguration of the Supervisory Board of the company. Massive fund-raising efforts by the minister yielded substantial results in view of the urgent need to rehabilitate, upgrade and expand transmission infrastructure across the country. External funding was sourced for the cash-strapped TCN for its decayed infrastructure. These included funding from the African Development Bank (AFDB) and the Eurobond among others. Mid-January 2014, the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

DESPITE THE PRIVATISATION

PHCN IN 2013, NIGERIA’S OF

ELECTRICITY GENERATION CAPACITY HAS DECLINED FROM THE PEAK LEVEL OF ABOUT

4,517.6 MEGAWATTS (MW) RECORDED IN DECEMBER, 2012 TO ABOUT AS LOW AS

2,921MW IN APRIL 2015

Generators to the rescue

approved N1.9billion for the supply of 746kilometres of aluminum conductor composite core reinforced (ACCR) for the re-conduction of the Onitsha-New Haven 330kv transmission line that runs up to Makurdi in Benue State. The FEC also secured a loan of $170million USD From the French Development Agency to boost power transmission in the Federal Capital Territory. A tour of some generation, transmission and distribution facilities by Prof. Nebo revealed various degrees of dilapidation and state of financial crisis that was worsened by the total lack of budgetary provision for generation and distribution companies in the 2013 budget. However, in spite of these efforts the electricity situation remain a sore point to Nigeria’s development. According to a poll by NOIPolls Limited, electricity supply in Nigeria worsened in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014. According to the report, although power supply to households worsened in Q4, nevertheless, majority of Nigerians (70 percent) were hopeful about the reform in the power sector. The report indicated that an average of 46 percent of Nigerians received between 1-4 hours of continuous power supply daily, while 17 percent said they had received absolutely “No Light” in their households. The poll however, noted that in Q4, the Nigerian power sector saw an achievement of a milestone as the privatisation process, initiated to reform the power sector was taken to the next level. Speaking on the way forward, stakeholders are in agreement that embedded generation and diversification of the power sources to renewable energy are the solutions. Also speaking, the Chairman of West Power and Gas, owner of the Eko Distribution Company, Mr. Charles Momoh, emphasised the need for the revamping of the power infrastructure, saying that the country is still using power infrastructure that it started using since 1896. Analysts say the improvement of the nation’s power sector to the desired level may take quite some time as the projected investment by the owners, as well as the requirements in transmission and gas infrastructure, are estimated to gulp over $40 billion in the next seven years.

Cocktail

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Daredevils scale world’s second tallest skyscraper

pair of Eastern European daredevils strapped on GoPro cameras and climbed to the top of the world’s secondtallest skyscraper in China. Vitaliy Raskalov, 21, of Russia, and Vadim Makhorov, 25, of Ukraine, climbed the scaffolding of the under-construction Ping An International Finance Center in Shenzhen. The 2,165-foot-tall tower will be the second-largest skycraper in the world when it officially opens next month.

The climbers made their way to the top of the construction crane perched on the building and used a selfie stick to take a vertigo-inducing shot of the men with the city far below them. Raskalov and Makhorov, who posted the video to their On The Roofs YouTube channel, said a popular video from last year showing the duo climbing the Shanghai Tower inspired them to attempt similar stunts on other skyscrapers.

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Oddities

Oldest working nurse turns 90 with hospital surprise party

he oldest working nurse in the United States celebrated her 90th birthday with a surprise party during her shift at a Washington state hospital. Florence “SeeSee” Rigney, who started her career as a registered nurse 69 years ago, was treated to a surprise party Thursday, the day before her 90th birthday, by

coworkers at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. The surprise, which was captured on video and posted to YouTube, featured Rigney being serenaded with a birthday song and presented with gifts including flowers, a tiara and a letter of congratulations from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who recognized her

as the oldest working nurse in the country. “You are all wonderful,” Rigney said through tears of joy. “I know I’m a pain in the you-knowwhat!” Rigney temporarily left the profession at the age of 67, but her retirement was short-lived. “I stayed retired for about five months, then I came back, and here I

Pro-pot activist lights joint during live news broadcast

South African marijuana legalization activist became fed up with a debate he was having on broadcaster SABC and sparked a joint on live TV. Andre du Plessis, a vocal proponent of marijuana legalization in South Africa, was participating in a live debate with David Bayever, deputy chair of the Central Drug Authority, when he became noticeably annoyed by Bayever’s statement that

“xenophobia” was delaying the agency’s position paper on legalizing recreational use of cannabis. Du Plessis, who was being filmed in a separate location from Bayever and the SABC anchor, then lit a marijuana cigarette and started smoking. When prompted for closing comments, du Pessis blew a plume of smoke at the camera. “I think that’s all I’ve got to say,” he said.

The campaigner, who is head of the Cannabis Working Group, later confirmed he was smoking cannabis, or “dagga,” as it is sometimes called in South Africa. “The reality is that people smoke it, and I did,” he told eNCA. “This is the reality of cannabis while this man continues to blah blah blah.” SABC, which posted video of the incident to YouTube, said it does not support du Plessis’ actions.

90-year-old has been a nurse for 70 years and she is still going strong

am,” she told KING-TV in a 2014 interview. Sheri Morris, assistant nurse manager, said Rigney is a valuable asset to the hospital. “She runs circles around all of us,” Morris told Today.com. “She’s a wealth of wisdom and knowledge, and we absolutely love her.”

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Capital Market

Thursday, May 14, 2015

FGN Bonds hit 84% in first quarter – Analysts JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he fixed income market may continue to enjoy good patronage from both local and foreign investors as real return on investment has remained positive with inflation trending lower than yields across various tenors. The Federal Government Bonds still constitute the largest volume at 84 per cent whilst state and corporate issuance contribute about 11 per cent. In a report by investment analysts at DLM Securities Limited said that a total of N239.50 billion

of FGN bonds had been issued in the first quarter of 2015, which is 132 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2014 figure, which stood at N182.11billion. The report explained that the FGN bond market witnessed renewed patronage from investors, especially domestic portfolio managers on the back of attractive yields as global crude oil prices began a gradual upward trend. According to it, a total turnover in the Over The Counter, OTC, market for the first quarter 2015 stood N1.96 trillion as against N2.90 trillion and N1.41trillion recorded in

the fourth quarter of 2014 and corresponding period in 2014. The report said that yields of trading FGN bonds rose higher in the first quarter of 2015 due to sell-offs by local and offshore investors on the back of heightened economic and political risk, weak economic fundamentals. These include foreign reserve depletion and Naira depreciation as well as political instability associated with the election period. “Market has however since corrected itself with the yield curve climbing towards longer tenors. We

project that yields on fixed income securities may decrease slightly in second quarter of 2015 on the back of anticipated increase in system liquidity, renewed interests in the government securities by the institutional investors (domestic and foreign) as well as the prevailing political stability in the country. “Against these backdrops, participation at the auctions is expected to be higher than preceding quarter and between N155.00 billion and N245.00billion is expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2015,” the report added.

Index up 0.3% on bullish trend JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ains recorded mostly in the financial sector of equities halted bearish trends on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday. The Banking Index appreciated 1.26 per cent to close at 394.07 points, followed by the NSE 30-Index with 0.49 points to close at 1,571.10 points. The Insurance Index lost 1.14 per cent to close at 146.91 points, while the Consumer Goods Index rose 0.29 per cent to close at 860.46 points. The Oil and Gas Index

dropped 0.08 per cent to close at 366.69 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index fell 0.05 per cent to close at 2,247.46 points. The Industrial Index added 0.07 per cent to close at 2,216.04 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed flat at 1,213.52 points. On the whole, the All Share Index appreciated 0.27 per cent to close at 34,208.30 points, compared to the decline of 0.66 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34, 115.49 points. Market capitalization gained N32 billion to close at N11.62 trillion, compared to

the depreciation of N77 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N11.59trillion. Beta Glass Plc led the gainers’ table with N3.00 or 10 per cent to close at N33.00 per share, followed by 7UP Plc with N8.10 or five per cent to close at N170.10 per share. Neimeth International Plc added five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share, while GNI Plc rose two kobo or four per cent to close at 52 kobo per share. Costain West Africa was up three kobo or 3.85 per cent to close at 81 kobo per share. On the flip side, Honeywell

Flour Mills Plc dropped 20 kobo or five per cent to close at N3.80 per share, while Premier Breweries Plc depreciated 18 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N3.43 per share. Jos Breweries Plc was down 10 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N1.92 per share, while Champion Breweries Plc shed 35 kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N6.79 per share. Fidson Healthcare Plc lost 15 kobo or 4.60 per cent to close at N3.11 per share. A total of 350.8 million shares valued at N3.35 billion were traded in 4,154 deals.

European shares gain as bond sell off slows down

uropean shares steadied yesterday, helped by some clam returning to bond markets and by strong results from France’s Vivendi and Britain’s SABMiller. Drinks group SABMiller rose two per cent after reporting full-year profit above analyst expectations as performance picked up in the latter half of the year, but saying trading would continue to be tough in its new financial year. Media company Vivendi also rose two per cent after posting a rise in first-quarter profit and saying it planned to buy the rest of pay-TV operator Canal Plus’ SECP unit. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was up 0.2 per cent at 1,578.41 points, mirroring a fall in yields

across the main euro zone government bonds. The FTSEurofirst shed 1.3 per cent in the previous session and is down 4.5 per cent from a 14-1/2 year high hit last month. Investors were also digesting mixed economic data from the euro zone’s two largest economy, with France growing faster than expected in the first quarter while Germany suffered a bigger-thanforecast slowdown. Brent crude oil rose above $67 a barrel towards fivemonth highs on Wednesday after US crude stockpiles fell for a second straight week, suggesting the world’s biggest oil market is rebalancing. US crude oil stocks fell by 2.2 million barrels to 484.84 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Admin-

istration said. Stocks at the key delivery hub of Cushing, Oklahoma fell by 990,000 barrels to 60.68 million barrels. “The report is clear cut in its bullish message to the market,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC. Brent for June LCOc1 was up 41 cents at $67.27 a barrel. Brent hit a high of $69.63 on May 6, its strongest since December. US crude CLc1 was up 17 cents at $60.92 a barrel after reaching an earlier high of $61.83. Prices also gained some lift after the dollar index plunged to a three-month low, following weak retail sales data for April. Dollar-traded commodities such as oil benefit from a weaker US unit as it makes them cheaper for holders of

other currencies. “Any recent dollar weakness is very supportive for the market,” said Myrto Sokou, senior analyst at Sucden Financial. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,427.12 points Market capitalisation 11.7trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

BETAGLAS

30.00

33.00

3.00

10.00

7UP

162.00

170.10

8.10

5.00

NEIMETH

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

GNI

0.50

0.52

0.02

4.00

COSTAIN

0.78

0.81

0.03

3.85

GUINNESS

155.00

160.00

5.00

3.23

ZENITHBANK

20.98

21.50

0.52

2.48

ETI

21.01

21.50

0.49

2.33

UNILEVER

44.00

45.00

1.00

2.27

GUARANTY

29.12

29.70

0.58

1.99

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

HONYFLOUR

4.00

CLOSING 3.80

-0.20

-5.00

PREMBREW

3.61

3.43

-0.18

-4.99

JOSBREW

2.02

1.92

-0.10

-4.95

CHAMPION

7.14

6.79

-0.35

-4.90

FIDSON

3.26

3.11

-0.15

-4.60

UBN

11.00

10.50

-0.50

-4.55

MAYBAKER

1.78

1.70

-0.08

-4.49

MANSARD

3.13

3.00

-0.13

-4.15

INTENEGINS

0.55

0.53

-0.02

-3.64

28.98

28.01

-0.97

-3.35

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.26

99.36

13.57

99.51

13.44

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.96

102.33

13.69

102.48

13.60

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.13

107.39

13.59

107.69

13.49

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.71

112.14

13.56

112.44

13.50

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.84

103.97

13.41

104.27

13.35

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.20 68.06

15.52

68.36

15.45

Closing Market Prices of May 13, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

13-Aug-15

10.55

10.83

WAUA

270

USD

197

29-Oct-15

13.93

14.88

EURO

214

05-May-16

13.20

15.17

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

11.8750

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.1230

15.4964

SDR

273

16.6006

NIBOR

The Fixings of May 13, 201

Capital Market

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at May 13, 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, May 14, 2015

Cleric tasks youths on big difference ...YCW celebrates Workers Day

STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

orried by various crises rocking the world today a Catholic priest, Reverend Monsignor Linus Ukah has challenged youths to make a big difference so that peace and justice will reign. Monsignor Uka, who is the Regional Chaplain of the Young Christian Workers Movement (YCW), Lagos Region said this on the occasion of the YCW 2015 Workers Day celebration with the Archbishop. Annually, the YCW Lagos joins her counterpart around the world to celebrate the day. It is a fulfilled day to members who are young professionals as they engage in all forms of exacting activities to make it a memorable one. This celebration with theme “Making the Difference in a Christian Way” began with the Holy Mass at SS Mulumba and David Catholic Church, Lawanson, Lagos. After the Mass, the YCW members who were highly excited engaged in a Peace Trek from the church to St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba for the grand reception. It was quite ecstatic as the members sang and danced to the delight of bystanders. Speaking on the topic, “The Difference is You” Monsignor Ukah stated that the difference is in the youth, adding that they are to be models of excellence. “When the Young Christian Workers, YCW meet each other, the response is “The difference is you”. When we reflect deeply on the answer, we find out the state-

xxx

Monsignor Livinus Ukah being accompanied to the high table by YCW members during the Workers Day celebration at St.Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, recently.

ment is very challenging. It challenges us as a member of YCW that we have to make a difference in our families, cities, in our countries and in any person we meet,” the priest said. He maintained that the education they get today should serve for

a good purpose and not for destruction, stressing : “Education should make one a better person and good citizens of the global world and not destructive citizen.

“Over reaction to what is happening is not the answer, burning of houses and killing people to show our anger of what is happening is not a civilized way of solving

social problems.” The cleric also enjoined politicians to make a difference, making their citizens live decent lives instead of receiving humiliation - travel out for a better world. In his address YCW Regional President, Mr. Andrew Esan Akins hinted that one godly man or woman can make a dramatic difference, even in the darkest of circumstances. He said: “ God is looking for that one man or woman who can make his or her mark.Making a difference in a Christian way requires a lot sacrifices and the special grace of God with personal discipline and courageousness.” Akins highlighted some hard but achievable mindsets that can guide one to attain the goal such as : “Write a list of social issues you are passionate about.Become a crticial thinker. Have both passion and a positive attitude. Use your time wisely. Know your values and practise them. Be educated in world events. Believe in hope and dreams, in the goodness of people, take pride in youth and respect your elders.” The Chairman of the Planning Committee May Day 2015, Mr. Chinedu Odika urged youths to strive to make a difference anywhere they found themselves, adding that they have a lot of opportunities to become great . He thanked God for the success of the programme, stressing that he and committee members worked tirelessly towards it. Highlight of the event was the investiture/badging of members that have obtained the International Standard Trainings of the movement and the presentation of certificates to others.

SPAN elevates culture with 10th anniversary

s part of its contribution to the development of arts and culture, the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) recently showcased the rich legacy depicted in songs, mu-

Performers at SPAN gala night in Lagos

sic and dance amidst spectacular performances. The anniversary which took place at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, marked a decade of performance perfection weaved into

strong traditions, beliefs, value system and lifestyles. In attendance were notable personalities ranging from captains of industries to top celebrities, business icons, members of

the diplomatic community, and art enthusiasts like Pastor Wale Adeferasin, Pastor OlufunmiOlajoyegbe, Dr. Yemi Johnson (SAN), Mrs. Muna Iyanam, Mr. Adithya Chellarams, Mr. Patrick Koshoni, and Mrs. Evita Moussalli among others. The celebrations started with a beautiful dance story from the humble beginnings in a small garage to10 years of outstanding performance and impact which has resulted in development and changed the life of over hundred artists. SPAN has transformed and deepened the act of creativity with the performing arts playing a significant role in the economy and serves as catalyst for stimulating learnings, discoveries and achievements in society which in turn has assisted students develop their performing arts gifts to real-

ize their dreams. The founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos said: “The last decade has been such an exciting and thrilling journey, and I am very proud to see that SPAN has inspired the creation of healthy communities throughout Lagos and has changed lives. Now SPAN members and affiliate are starting their own vibrant performing art studios and businesses, with access to employments in major performing arts productions and events.” Boulos, added that in the next 10 years, SPAN plans to deliver a vibrant and sustainable community centre, a state of the art performing centre with training academy of excellence and a theatre right in the heart of the new Eko Atlantic City which will bring the nation to forefront of the entertainment industry in West Africa.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Audition begins for Fayrouz L’Original Season 2

T Shuga audition

Shuga: Mr Nigeria, Sharon others excite Abuja fans STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

igeria’s capital, Abuja was brought to a standstill last weekend for the second leg of MTV Base’ “On Tour With Shuga” festival featuring celebrity appearances by MTV Shuga 4 cast including Mr Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese, MTV VJ Ehiz, Sharon Ezeamaka and Timini Egbuson. The event, which held at popular nightclub, The Bank in Wusa 2, Abuja, featured a variety of interesting activities including auditions for a presenter of the MTV Shuga 4 premiere red carpet, meet and greet sessions with the cast, HIV testing and counseling, Q&A sessions, music, dance and many more. Expressing his delight on the success of the mini festival, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, MTV Shuga, Mr Emmanuel Uduma remarked, “This has been a really fantastic outing. There was a great turnout for the auditions and participants also got counselled and tested. We can’t wait for the Lagos edition, which holds next week as we believe it would

... Lagos hosts grand finale be an even bigger experience” Out of the many candidates that auditioned, five came out tops and will battle it out with the selected five from the Calabar edition and the Lagos edition. Meanwhile, On Tour with Shuga finale will hold in Lagos this weekend, as Award winning TV series, MTV Shuga, takes over Indoor Sports Complex, Unversity of Lagos for an exclusive mini festival. The event will combine hot beats from DJ Neptune and DJ Humility, alongside live performances from Patoranking and Ice Prince, plus the opportunity to meet and interact with the stars from the MTV Shuga TV series, including “Mr Nigeria” Emmanuel Ikubese (‘Femi’), Timini Egbuson (‘Toby’) and Sharon Ezeamaka (‘Princess’) Hosted by MTV Base VJ Ehiz and Sharon Ezeamaka, On Tour with MTV Shuga is an exciting new part of the outreach campaign for MTV Shuga, and is designed to motivate young people to ‘know their status’. HIV testing and counselling

will also be available on site, confidential and free of charge, while attendees will also be able to participate in auditions for the #MTVShuga competition to be a red carpet reporter at the premiere of series 4 later this year. Doors open at 4pm

he second edition of the Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show is about to get more exciting as the organizers kick off the auditions phase of the competition, starting with University of Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 2015. The oldest and most prestigious university in Nigeria which boasts of over 30,000 students is all set to host Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show designed to give young undergraduates, fresh graduates and corp members with unique creative abilities a platform to showcase their original works for a chance to win amazing prizes and opportunities. According to the organizers, the Ibadan auditions is open to thousands of registered participants from within and around the ancient city. Expected to be on the jury are the trio of fashion experts Mai Atafo, Kunbi Oyelese, Kechi Ama-

di-Obi and House of Tara who will be judging the participating teams based on originality, creativity and confidence. Qualified teams will then move on to the next stage and compete with winner from other regions during the semi-finals holding in Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross Rivers State, later in the year. The audition train will make its next stop at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State on May 22nd and 23rd, University of Nigeria Enugu on the 29th and 30th before stopping at University of Lagos on the 5th and 6th of June 2015. Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show is sponsored by Fayrouz natural premium soft drink. Fayrouz L’Original places emphasis on creativity and originality as expressed in the art of modelling, fashion designing, make up artistry and photography in the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Scholes, Uloma out of Nigerian Idol N7.5m race

wo more contestants in the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show have lost the chance to win

Uloma

the coveted multi-million naira show after they were evicted at the weekend. They are P.Scholes and Uloma Show anchor, Illrhymz announced their names during the weekly eviction show held at the OMG Dream Studios, OmoleOjodu, Lagos at the weekend. The eviction of the contestants has now swelled the number of evictees to five after three others namely Prime, Modele and Ayoka were evicted last weekend. The duo, alongside Sther, polled the least number of votes and were accordingly expected to exit the Show, but the judges threw at Sther a lifeline to stage a come-

back to the show and escape the inevitable fate that befell the other two. Sther’s journey on the Show appears to correspond with the proverbial cat with nine lives. From a raw, tomboy living in Port Harcourt, she has emerged to be the face of the Show’s themed transformation after putting up a host of energetic performances to the admiration of the judges and fans alike. In this process, she has also survived two eviction scares, requiring in each instance a lastminute breather from the Judges. Beside Sther, six other contestants remain in contention for the top prize.

thing. Tails that are too big or too flashy may be burdensome for these ground-dwelling birds, and once a peacock’s plumage crosses

a certain threshold, it can drive potential mates toward more modest males.

Science for Kids

Why do peacocks spread their feathers?

eacocks are male peafowl, a type of pheasant that also includes the female peahen. No matter the species of peacock, these colourful creatures boast impressively sized and patterned plumage that they fan out for display purposes. It isn’t an act of vanity, though -- peacocks fan out their feathers as part of a courtship ritual to attract a mate. Every peacock has a look all his own, made of distinct colour patterns and “eyespots” scattered across the plumage. When a male courts a female, he spreads out

his tail feathers to display his colours and eyespots fully for her to see. Completely fanned out, the tail spreads behind the peacock in a full semicircle, though some peacocks have tails that are bigger than others. Ultimately, the size and the patterns of the tail help her choose whether or not she’ll mate with him. When the peahen observes a peacock spreading his feathers, she chooses whether he’s a suitable mate for her. Generally, the more eyespots and the bigger the tail, the better his chances are for

procuring one or many mates. Particularly “attractive” males may collect several loyal mates, all of which find the qualities of his tail irresistible. Like much of nature, though, there are no sure things in peacock mating rituals, and even boasting too much of a tail can scare off potential mates. Bigger isn’t always better, as far as peahens are concerned. While females typically choose males that have bigger, healthier plumage with an abundance of eyespots, they also may reject males with too much of a good

Peacock

pawnation.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Stakeholders demand legal backing for switchover deadline ...1st int’l summit on digital broadcasting holds

Digital broadcast studio

AZA MSUE AND LEONARD OKACHIE

takeholders at the just concluded World Press Freedom Day have demanded a strong legal backing, with a view to enforcing the June 2015 deadline for digital broadcasting. The position of participants which contained in a communiqué signed by Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, said there is urgent need for the in-coming administration to know that good governance and the fight against corruption can only succeed in Nigeria, if the press is given unfettered access to the process of governance and those in government. The NUJ, Abuja, led by National President, Comrade Mohammed Garba, in partnership with UNESCO and the Nigerian Press Council, held the 2015 World Press Freedom Day, in Kaduna on the theme: “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality and Media Safety in Digital Age.” The communiqué also said there was need for capacity building for journalists, so as to make them better prepared for the digitisation of the broadcast media. The communiqué reads in parts: “Media houses should con-

tinue to remain fair and balance to all segments of the society in the reportage of issues and events. “Nigerian journalists must be alive to their responsibilities at all times, by ensuring that they are responsive and responsible in carrying out their duties, through the strict adherence to the ethics of the profession. “Media houses and media owners should endeavour to provide more and better space for women journalists to reach the peak of their career in the noble profession. “Government should make deliberate attempt to encourage schools to resuscitate their Guidance and Counselling Unit, so as to guide secondary school students in choosing a career.” Meanwhile, the 1st International Summit on Digital Broadcasting was held recently in Abuja with the theme “Digital Broadcasting in Nigeria – Promoting our values and enriching our lives.” According to a statement posted on the official website of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) the event was organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) in conjunction with BSP media International of the United Kingdom, NBC and the sponsors. Welcoming participants to the summit, the Chairman of BON

and Director General, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Sola Omole stated that the summit was an indication of positive development in the organisation. He added that BON was repositioning and keeping itself in touch with the developments in the broadcasting industry. Omole reiterated that the summit was to update broadcasters on the state of the digital process, where they were going and the need to meet the deadline of the Digital switch over. He enjoined participants to pay attention as they would be educated on the DSO process to enable them continue to play their roles in the economic and social aspect of the society. In her opening address, the Hon. Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki pointed out that it was a great pleasure for her to witness the effort made by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) at developing broadcasting in Nigeria. She added that a vibrant broadcast industry was essential to the people for the overall development of the country. Sen. Akwashiki stated that as Nigeria and broadcasters prepared to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting, it was important for the duo to do what the

DSO entails, equip themselves to deepen and broaden their knowledge on the digital ecosystem for easy transition and how they could extract the maximum benefits that come with digitisation. According to the Hon. Minster, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was successfully achieving the DSO in collaboration with the Radio Television and theatre art workers union (Rattawu), Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other stakeholders. She stressed that the Federal Government was making all efforts to ensure that the challenges of funding was adequately addressed and the act establishing the NBC was being amended towards enhancing a successful digital switch over. She, thereafter, declared the 2-day summit open. In a Keynote address, the Director General National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Mr. Emeka Mba, spoke on the future of broadcasting in Nigeria. He said in the process of Digitisation, broadcasting was in the middle of an incredible technology vortex. The NBC boss also stated that determining the future of broadcasting should not be left for the Commission alone, but rather, it was for all broadcasters and stakeholders in the industry.

Dokpesi predicts hard times for journalists REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA

edia giant and owner of multiple media platforms, Raymond Dokpesi has predicted hard times for Nigerian Journalists in the coming years ahead He made the assertion at his residence in Abuja, during a meeting of media professionals under the aegis of South- South Pen Pushers (SSPP). Dokpesi had noted that there were signs that journalists may be compelled to difficult working condition except practitioners rise in defence of the values and tenets of the profession. The media chief, who called for a strong media partnership involving the Southern states, believed that journalists in the discharge of their duties must be resolute, determined and united; adding that injustice to onejournalist was injustice to all journalists. He said: “The years and days ahead are going to be more challenging for all journalists and I think we must defend this pen pushing profession. “It is usual to take people for granted, Decree 4 was promulgated and like joke, almost 31 years ago, everybody thought they cannot implement it, until they started grabbing journalists here and there, may God not let them grab any of our own but unless we are united, unless we all work together, we will not be able to defend those values.” Dokpesi, called for a formidable alliance of media practitioners from the Southern region as well as the Middle Belt to guide against any form of oppression and injustice against the media by the government.

Dokpesi

Media

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mirror Maritime editor shines at Citibank Awards LEONARD OKACHIE

aritime Editor of National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Francis Ezem, has emerged one of the winners in the seventh edition of the prestigious Citi Journalistic Ex-

cellence Awards, an annual competition for business journalists organised by Citibank Nigeria Limited. The award is coming about six months after he published a book entitled: Maritime Capacity Development in Nigeria, which was presented to the public in Lagos on December 9, 2014.

The annual competition is open to business journalists in all forms of media including the internet, print, electronic and wire services. He emerged the first runner- up in the keenly contested event involving over 28 business journalists drawn from both print and electronic media in Nigeria comprising The

Guardian, Punch, Thisday, Vanguard, Businessday, New Telegraph, TVC, the Nation, Leadership, Daily Independent and National Mirror. The Maritime Editor was selected the first runner-up for his report entitled: “Shipswrecks compound Lagos ecological problems” published on June 5, 2015. The report took a

L-R: Managing Director, Citibank Nigeria, Mr. Omar Hafeez; runner-up in the 2015 Citi Journalistic Excellence Award and Maritime Editor of National Mirror, Mr. Francis Ezem and Country Finance Officer of the Bank, Mr. Bayo Ajayi during the official presentation of the award recently in Lagos.

DAME holds second media workshop

iamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME will today hold the second edition of its annual “Widening the Pools of Excellence Workshop”

Kogi NUJ reads riot act for fake journalists WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

orried by the crude operations of fake journalists in Kogi East Senatorial District, the state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has warned the perpetrators to desist or face full wrath of law. This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Council, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh Jimoh and copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja, stated fake journalists are causing a lot of damage to the image of journalism profession and NUJ. The statement further stated that Kogi State council of NUJ has been drawn to the existence of fake press corps in Kogi East Senatorial District. The state stressed: ‘‘According to information, some group of persons who are journalists and not employed in any media organisations have constituted themselves into a cartel and go around Igalaland extorting morning from unsuspecting members of the public in the name of being journalists.’’

at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. The initiative is anchored on the need to strengthen the capacity of journalists to perform better their watchdog role functions through continuous retraining. It is also an occasion to call attention to those reporting categories or beats that are underreported or in need of a shot in the arm as determined annually by DAME judges. As explained by DAME coordinator and trustee, Mr. Lanre Idowu, DAME’s aim of enhancing professionalism in the media by honouring outstanding journalistic works and their producers annually in the con-

viction that such recognition of talent and enterprise would spur winners to greater productivity has been achieved. “However, there is a recurring awareness especially in recent years that even as the awards are available, winners are lacking in some categories. This is a painful realisation of the dearth of appropriate professional skills that should earn these prizes. It is also a sobering reminder that these sectors will continuously be underreported if urgent redress is not found” he said.

Poju-Oyemade, Oyegun join leadership at Red Media LEONARD OKACHIE

s part of the Red Media Africa (RED) restructure and expansion, the omni-media group has announced the appointments of Toyin Poju-

Poju-Oyemade

Oyemade and Nosa Oyegun into its leadership team, while IsimeEsene has now joined the Management Board. They lead a series of new hires and acquisition across the line just before the group celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. ToyinPoju-Oyemade will be leading Y! Productions as Senior Manager, and joins RED with over 10 years experience in television and radio production. She has worked as Producer on Inspire Africa’s Moments with Mo, and also Producer/Operations Manager at Ndani TV. She has worked with Multichoice Nigeria, Storm 360 and others. Oyegun joins RED as Online Content Lead, with a portfolio includingYNaija. com,YNaija2015.com, YAfri.ca, Enterprise54 as well as online TV and radio.

look at the prevalence of abandoned and disused ships and crafts numbering over 100, which constitute both economic and security threats to coastal dwellers in the state. With journalism experience spanning one and half decades, Ezem, who is happily married with children, has covered business beats such as Money and Capital Markets, Manufacturing, Marketing Communication, Commercial Law and currently Maritime and Shipping. Managing director of the bank, Mr. Omar Hafeez, while presenting the award had indicated that the 2015 award was the most competitive with a total of 28 entries as against the 16 entries received in the previous year. He noted that this is an indication that the competition was expanding, becoming more keen and robust. While also commenting on the annual training for business journalists organised by the bank as part of its corporate social responsible, he pledged that the bank has concluded plans to further expand the scope of the training, insisting that training journalists, especially in the area of good governance was critical to the development of any nation. Mr. Peter Olowa of Business Day was named winner of the 2015 competition while Mrs. Omobola Tolu-Kusimo of the Nation emerged as second runner up.

NUJ presidential aspirant vows to woo investors ALIUNA GODWIN ABAKALIKI

residential aspirant and Deputy National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Rotimi Obamunagun has vowed to partner with various investors in the country to develop the union secretariat and enhance the welfare of all journalists in Nigeria. The presidential aspirant who made this known in Abakaliki during his campaign tour in the state stated that he would ensure that there is free insurance scheme for all practising journalists in the country if elected. Obamunagun noted that he will make sure that all journalists are on the payroll of their places of work just as he frowned on the manner in which journalists are treated by media owners by not paying their workers salary despite their input to the success and development of their various media organisations. “Many media outfits generate enough revenues through adverts and placements yet they don’t pay their workers regularly, some don’t even pay and I am saying that if I am elected I will meet with owners of these media outfits to see how these will stop” he promised. “Go to other countries journalists are treated with care and compassion, they are paid well including allowances but here in this country the situation is different” he noted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Showcasing Lagos diversity through carnival

agos State has a long history of holding Carnivals, particularly on Lagos Island, as a result of historical links with the returnees and their descendants from Brazil, West Indies and Sierra Leone in the late 19th century. Traditionally, these have been in the form of street parades within various locales but the new Lagos Carnival conceptualized 2011 where all the parades and floats will culminate at the Tafewa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island. Through the effort of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in changing the way carnival are held and streamlining many cultural ceremonies in Lagos State, it is also educating the populace on how the ceremonies originated. Governor Fashola is not only intent on making huge leaps in the renewal of infrastructure in Lagos State but also in the knowledge of culture, tradition and history of its people. Lagos State administration has involved older Lagosians in activities or projects that require knowledge of the history of Lagos with the hope of bringing the formal and oral history of Lagos to the

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 14, 2015

people and encouraging their sense of pride and belonging. Origin of Lagos Festival During the 1850’s there was a large influx into Lagos of educated Africans who had earlier been sold as slaves, from Sierra Leone, Brazil and Cuba. The Sierra Leoneans were known as Akus or Saros, the Brazilians and Cubans as Agudas. In the 1880s there were four distinct groups in Lagos – the Europeans, the educated Africans (Saros), the Brazilians and the indigenes. The town was physically divided into four quarters corresponding to these groups. The Europeans lived on the Marina, the Saros mainly west of the Europeans in an area called Olowogbowo, the Brazilians behind the Europeans – their quarter was known as Portuguese Town or Popo Aguda or Popo Maro – and the indigenes on the rest of the island – behind all three. By 1888 there were 3,221 Brazilians in Lagos. A prominent member of the Brazilian group was Placido Adeyemo Assumpçao who later changed his name to Adeyemo Alakija. Fanti Carnival (also known as Caretta) was brought to Lagos Is-

land by these Brazilians who settled around Campos area in Lagos State and on Lagos Island to be specific. It was introduced by the Da Souza and Kanaku families. The masked rider and the horse are aspects of Brazillian ranch life. Some of the men dress like cowboys and they are known as FASUTINI and they ride bicycles while their leader rides a horse. It is important to stress that, in the early days women did not partake in the dressing up in masks and different clothing, but they were allowed to go around with the different actors. The carnival comes up three times in a year, Boxing Day, Easter Monday (the first celebration after Lent and Easter Sunday) and on New Year’s Day. As time went on, the people living in Lafiaji area, also on Lagos Island, started participating in the carnival. Later still, other areas of Lagos, like Obalende, Surulere, Yaba, etc caught the carnival bug. Until recently, Lagos was the only part of Nigeria that hosted the carnival. A new innovation was added to the celebration of carnival with the introduction of the junior carnival. Primary and secondary schools on Lagos Island are invited to send students to represent their schools at the junior carnival. The procession usually kicks off at the Giwa Barracks, Falomo. Some floats then proceed along Awolowo Road to Tafawa Balewa Square. Another kick off point is Campos Square on Lagos Island. Celebrants parade down Igbosere Road, Broad Street, Catholic Mission Street, Marina Street and on to Tafawa Balewa Square. Some floats go through Ozumba Mbadiwe Road and Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island on their way to the Tafawa Balewa Square. The junior carnival kicks off at the National Museum Onikan. The floats then proceed to Campos Square and then to the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Participants at the Lagos Carnival on Lewis Street in Lagos Island at the weekend. PHOTOS: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Broad Street Diary

raders in and around popular markets in Lagos, particularly in the business hubs of Broad Streets and Balogun markets, Lagos Island said they will continue to leave their fates in the hands of God, rather than with insurance companies. Many of the traders told Inside Broad Street that most insurance companies are not only practicing and selling false claims, but that experiences of fellow traders that took the risks of buying insurance policies were enough for them to back out from any dealing with insurance firms. This apathy by traders towards obtaining insurance policies aimed at protecting and safeguarding their businesses from the uncertainties of incessant fire disasters and collapsed building in Lagos Island and Broad Street notwithstanding is growing, despite concerted efforts from different quarters to get Nigerians traders to appreciate the numerous benefits inherent in obtaining insurance policies seem not to have achieved much. Recounting his experiences, the Leader of D- Line inside Balogun Market, Mr Ifeanyi Obi, told our correspondent, many traders, including those from the South West have lost considerable amount of goods and cash to numerous fire and collapsed building incidences. However, he explained that the problem of apathy by traders towards insurance companies and their offerings should not be considered or viewed as a problem of Igbo traders alone, saying many traders from Ilorin, Ibadan and Abeokuta, just like their Igbo counterparts, have at one time or the other, lost money and goods to disasters and disappointing insurance firms. He noted also that most insurance companies during times of crisis and disasters usually find one clause or excuse to insist on not rendering the promised assistance, when the policies were being sold and purchased. Insurance expert,Mr Basil Ngwuta,told Inside Broad Street insurance business even for the educated in the country remains a hard sell, pointing out such realities are definitely not music in the ears of insurance companies and allied stakeholders, given the fact that the industry has been in existence in the country close to a century. “Although the desirability of insurance or otherwise particularly for the low income earners like traders and artisans has always been a hotly debated issue. Recent studies does appear to have driven the message home that more Nigerians won’t and don’t intend to take up any form of insurance cover if given the choice”. Giving plausible explanations as to why many Nigerians, including traders and artisans don’t consider acquiring an insurance cover as a priority, the Group Executive Director, Royal Exchange Plc, Mr Auwalu-Muktari, said a number of factors were responsible for the growing apathy towards insurance, particularly by traders. “The major hiccup responsible for the growing apathy for insurance is the low level of disposable income. The only problem we see in the Nigerian

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why we don’t buy insurance policy –Traders

Bags and foot wares’ shop

THE MAJOR HICCUP RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWING APATHY FOR INSURANCE IS TH THE LOW LEVEL OF DISPOSABLE INCOME.

PROBLEM WE SEE IN THE

THE O ONLY

NIGERIAN MA MARKET

IS THAT PER CAPITA INCOME OF THE PE PEOPLE IS VERY LOW AND PEOPLE TEND NOT TO TAKE INSURANCE AS A PRIORITY AGAINST OT OTHER THINGS RELATED TO THEM market is that per capita income of the people is very low and people tend not to take insurance as a priority against other things related to them,” he said. Nonetheless, insurance managers said that they are very much on ground to bear the risks of incessant fire out brakes in various markets in the country if only the market men and women who trade in such markets would run under their sheds. President of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Ayodapo Shoderu, told Inside Broad Street, that insurance companies are there to carry the risks

of marketers and return them to their former business positions any time they suffer losses from fire outbreaks. “This is where the insurance industry comes in to carry the risks of the marketers, even before any form of losses occur; and when they occur, insurance returns them to the position they were prior to the loss’’, he assured. Shoderu the council is working with the Iyalojas, and that a positive collaboration between market men and women association and the NCRIB would be initiated to help relieve the burden of providing help or succor to the nu-

merous members in the event of such highlighted losses. He said in addition that marketers could also take advantage of such insurances like burglary, consequential losses, goods and money in transit; house holders; all risks insurance and motor insurances among others. He cited examples of fire outbreaks in different markets in the country as Odo Ogbe Market fire in Ile Ife; Ilubirin Market fire in Ebute Metta, Alade Market fire in Ikeja, Kuje Market fire in Abuja, Mile 1 Market fire in Port Harcourt as well as the Sawmill Market fire in Pako Market Ipaja in Lagos. The NCRIB president also recalled other major fires in the past as the Tejuoso Market fires; the Kano Main Market fires and the Idumota Market fires which claimed properties running to billions of naira. “it is an understatement to say that these fires had left gory tales for the victims and completely drove many market women and men out of business, increasing the severity of poverty in the land, considering the fact that many of the traders were the bread winners of their respective families.”

–Meshack Idehen

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Poverty: NYSC disburses N778m to corps members

ational Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said on Tuesday it disbursed N778,350 million to 3,056 corps members under its War Against Poverty, WAP, programme. Chief Gordon Bozimo, chairman, NYSC Governing Board, disclosed this while addressing new Batch ‘A’ Corps members at Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State. He said the board also recently signed an agreement with the Bank of Industry to raise funds for its ‘start-up’ and skills acquisition programmes. “This understanding seeks to offer more corps members the opportunity for easy access to loan facilities to finance small and medium scale enterprises. “Similarly, the NYSC management has provided the acquisition/entrepreneurship scheme with a lifeline that would reduce unemployment and promote post-service self-reli-

South South

Thursday, May 14, 2015

ance,” he said. Bizimo added that several centres have been set-up in 17 state secretariats in the country to accommodate more corps members, adding that the board was on an agreement with the private sector to establish a bakery and water production factories at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja. “We desire to replicate similar efforts in all the six geopolitical zones in the country,” he said. According to Bizimo, the NYSC scheme is currently faced with infrastructure challenges; government failure to respond to statutory obligations and rejection of corps members. Also speaking, Rivers NYSC coordinator, Mrs. Nwatarali Dorothy, said 2,675 corps members were currently receiving training at the NYSC Batch ‘A’ Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam. According to her, out of the figure, 1,226 are males, while 1,449 are females.

Cultism: IGP deploys crack squad in Edo Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

nspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has deployed a special crack squad to stem the spate of cultism, kidnapping, robbery and related vices in Edo State. Arase, a native of Edo State, expressed serious concern about activities of cultists and other violent criminals in the state. A statement issued by Force Public Relations Of-

ficer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the squad was headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and comprises units from Police Mobile Force, Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID). According to Ojukwu, members of the squad were charged to employ professionalism, discipline and

courage in carrying out the assignment. The statement added that deployment of the team was in line with the IGP’s thrust and commitment to ensure protection of life and property, and build a people-oriented police force. The IGP admonished members of the public to remain steadfast in collaborating with the police, by reporting any suspicious person at the nearest police station for prompt action. Arase had only few days

ago ordered immediate clamp down on cult groups across the country. He specifically expressed serious concern about activities of cult groups in Benue, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states. He consequently directed all Command Commissioners of Police and Divisional Police Officers of the affected states to arrest and prosecute any youth engaging in cult activities in order to forestall the menace of the evil.

Rivers: Tribunal orders substituted service on Wike Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA

ivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, yesterday granted a request by Dr. Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to serve the state’s Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, processes of the petition he filed at the tribunal through substituted service. The order followed an allegation by Peterside that the governor-elect appeared to be evading service in the matter in order to frustrate the trial. National Mirror reports that Peterside had filed a petition at the tribunal chal-

lenging the outcome of the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State. He anchored the petition on purported massive electoral irregularities allegedly committed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Wike, during the last gubernatorial election in the state. Defendants in the petition included the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the PDP. At the inaugural sitting of the tribunal in Abuja yesterday, Peterside alleged before the three-man panel that he had to bring the application for substituted service when it was evident that Wike was making himself inaccessible to bailiffs to be served court processes.

L-R: Chairman, Imo NUJ, Mr. Innocent Igwe; Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna and Director of Communication, Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu, after a media briefing to mark 2015 World Communication Day in Owerri, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ocio-economic activities were paralysed in Port Harcourt yesterday, following a combined protest by civil servants and pensioners over non-payment of salaries and gratuities. Numbering over 500, the protesters marched from Azikiwe Road, near Government House to the state Secretariat complex, singing songs of dissatisfaction. The protest, which started about 9am, saw the workers marching from one section of the secretariat to the

Civil servants, pensioners protest in Rivers other, singing and carrying placards. Addressing journalists during the protest, one of the leaders of the civil servants, Comrade Tony Ochiagha, said the protest was necessitated by two months’ salaries owed them by Rivers State government. Ochiagha said they were being taken for granted, adding that despite several complaints their welfare and other issues were not being addressed. Comrade Ochiagha said for the first time in the history of civil service in Riv-

ers State they were owed for such number of months and that a third month was already running. He said aside the civil servants, pensioners were also being owed for five months, noting with dismay that the state government was not saying anything about the situation. Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Rivers State branch, Comrade Joseph Agbo, corroborated the views of Ochiagha, stressing that they have not been paid for five months and called on Governor Chi-

Hit and run driver kills man, car owner absconds with corpse Osahon Julius YENAGOA

here was pandemonium at OgbogoroFamgbe road in Ogbogoro community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as a motorist allegedly absconded with the corpse of

a man killed by his driver. It was gathered that the 34-year-old victim was taking a walk at Ogbogoro road when a speeding car crushed him from behind. While police immediately apprehended the driver, owner of the vehicle saw that the car key was in the ignition and drove away

with the corpse of the victim. According to eyewitness, a team of ‘Police Special Ops’ on patrol in the area arrested the driver of the vehicle, but owner of the vehicle drove it away watched by a crowd of sympathisers. At the time of filing

this report, operatives of the state Police Command had launched a manhunt for the unidentified man that drove away the Nissan jeep. The police manhunt, it was gathered, was being led by Azikoro Divisional Command, which arrested the driver.

It was further learnt that the police team went to the home of the car owner with the arrested driver, but he was not there. A member of the police team, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, stated that the killer Jeep was coming from the Famgbe

buike Amaechi to pay them before leaving office. Agbo also said letters have been written to the government to consider the plight of the workers without response. He added: “What the state government is doing is bad. Imagine when somebody has not been paid for five months. This pension is a right and not a privilege,” adding that before the governor came on board salaries of civil servants and pensioners were regular, but regretted that the situation has changed.

end in high speed and ran into a curve close to Azikel Company and killed the man instantly. Contacted on the development, Police Public Relations Officer, Asimin Butswat, said he was in Abuja for a seminar and would brief our correspondent on his return.

North

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘I’m not aware of German reporter’s de-accreditation’ ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

Officials of National Emergency Management Agency with recently rescued women and children from Sambisa Forest, after they were presented new dresses at the rehabilitation camp at Malkohi in Adamawa State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Benue stakeholders commend freezing of govt account HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

ivergent views by stakeholders in Benue State have continued to trail the freezing of the state government account, as some insisted it was a step in the right direction meant at restoring sanity and accountability in the system. Reacting to the development while speaking with National Mirror in Makurdi, former Minister of Communication in the Second Republic,

Chief Isaac Shaahu, observed that the steps taken were for the overall interest of all well-meaning citizens in the state. He queried the rationale of why the outgoing administration had been fond of managing resources and squandering it on their personal needs as if the money was meant for them and their households, eulogizing the decision and stressing that it was long overdue. The elder statesman further lamented that the outgoing administra-

tion have been spending money recklessly and accumulating bills without due recourse for accountability, buttressing allegation that the treasury of the state has been in comatose, leading to indebtedness of several months of unpaid arrears to civil servants in the state. He, however, noted with dismay that the salary bills of the state civil service was running over N2 billion, yet government finds it explicit to spend its scarce resources on self-aggran-

dizement while workers continue to suffer and die in penury. State coordinator of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Silas Ikpa, argued that freezing the account was to further curtail the excesses of the state government despite the fact that workers salaries were not being paid. Meanwhile, efforts to get the comments of Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, on the issue were futile as several calls to his mobile line was not returned.

Niger Assembly reconvenes PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

embers of the Niger State House of Assembly reconvened yesterday under the leadership of new Speaker, Isah Kawu. This followed a truce reached between the Speaker and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Amore, which led to the withdrawal of armed policemen that barred members from the complex since last week Tuesday. As early as 10am yesterday, members of the assembly drove into the Legislative Quarters to hold their sitting in a makeshift arrangement in a typical assembly setting, due to continued refusal by police to allow them entry into the complex.

But, by 12:05pm, the Speaker, Kawu, directed legislative staff to move to the assembly complex due to the truce reached. Eventually, at 1:35pm the House commenced sitting and had to wait for 45 minutes to enable them form the mandatory quorum required for sitting. During the sitting, the Speaker told the house of two letters sent from the governor that included bills for establishment of Niger State Council of Arts and Culture as well as the establishment of Niger State Investments Promotion Agency. He informed members of an invitation by the governor to them to attend the commissioning of Shiroro bridge built on River Kaduna, urging them to support the governor on the occa-

sion, among other matters that came up. The House then adjourned sitting to today. After the plenary, Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Committee on Me-

dia, Bello Ahmed, told journalists that the House had planned to sit at the Legislative Quarters before the police vacated the complex, giving way for them to sit.

inister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, yesterday said she was not aware of the withdrawal of accreditation tag of German Radio Deutsche Welle’s Correspondent, Ubale Musa. Musa’s accreditation was withdrawn on Monday by President Goodluck Jonathan’s security aides shortly after the visit of Chadian President, Idris Derby. Ubale had asked Derby about the relationship be-

Why we redeployed Perm Sec –FG OMEIZA AJAYI

ederal Government has again restated its earlier decision banning permanent secretaries in federal ministries from going on leave. Government was reacting to speculations on why it redeployed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas, to the Economic Affairs Office in the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to a statement signed by Director of Communications in the office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Haruna Rasheed Imrana, the redeployment of the permanent secretary was due to the fact that he proceeded on leave without due authorisation. The statement explained that permanent

NIMC refutes embezzling N30bn CHIDI UGWU AND ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

irector General of National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Mr Chris Onyemenam, has debunked claims of embezzling N30 billion meant for production of the National Identity Card.

He further said 406 disengaged staff would be facing criminal charges as required by the constitution, stressing that their case has been handed over to

the appropriate authority. The DG explained this yesterday in Abuja at a press conference, where he clarified issues on the alleged misappropriation of funds and the reason behind delay of the 400 sacked staff. According to him, the allegations and claims were false and an unfortunate misrepresentation of facts, stressing that they were malicious and calculated to discredit the board, top management and his person over handling of disci-

tween the multinational task force fighting in Lake Chad and the South African mercenaries fighting with them. When asked about the incident yesterday at the post-FEC briefing, Akwashiki said: “I am not aware of it; I was in Jos on official assignment. I read about it like you did. “You know everything about security is controlled by the Chief Security Officer to the President.” “He has his reasons, but I don’t know the reason why he should do that. I will ask him when I see him,” Akwashiki said.

plinary cases of some staff found to have falsified their service records. Onyemenam stated: “Embezzlement of N30 billion again is misunderstanding of the facts that has been interpreted to suit the presenter’s purpose. In September 2011 government approved N30.066 billion for the procurement of cards and accelerated expansion of the back end. And within budgetary constraints, we are very proud of the support we have received.”

secretaries were aware that the procedure for being granted leave involved having both the consent of the minister in charge of their ministries as well as the approval of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. “It was unfortunate that Alhaji Abbas did not follow this process before commencing his leave,” the statement added. The statement disclosed that all top public servants are aware of the need to be on their seats during the course of the transition programme. “It was therefore, not expected that a permanent secretary, who oversees such a strategic sector in the public service, would choose to be on leave at this sensitive period. The statement emphasised that discipline in the service was of utmost importance and civil servants, no matter how highly placed, must adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the service. It would be recalled that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had last weekend issued directives stopping leave for top government officials during the transition period. In the ‘Order Note’, government had directed the suspension of leave for permanent secretaries, chief executives of government agencies and directorate level officers in the federal public service.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Plateau killings: Reps panel assures victims of justice JAMES A BRAHAM JOS

Inscriptions by workers at the entrance of Abubakar Umar Secretariat over non-payment of their salaries and allowances in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NPC conducts education survey in Taraba JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

ational Population Commission, NPC, yesterday said it was conducting education data survey in about 700 households in 13 selected local government areas of Taraba State. Director of NPC in Taraba, Hussein Mafindi, stated this in Jalingo at the flag-off of 2015 Nigeria Education Data Survey, NEDS.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at generating relevant education data to aid government in planning. Mafindi noted that the survey, which is to last 100 days, was aimed at interviewing over 30,000 parents and guardians to generate relevant educational information about their children and wards. According to him, the commission seeks to collect data of over 45,000 children between ages 4

and 16 to ascertain why they are not in school; reasons for absenteeism, frequency of pupil’s absenteeism, cost of schooling, among others. The director urged the respondents to be patient with the interviewers and provide truthful answers to questions asked, as the information provided would be treated with absolute confidentiality. He explained that the survey was another major step by NPC to respond to

the national imperative of providing adequate and relevant education data for national planning, adding that information gathered would provide insight into the behaviour and attitude of parents and guardians in the country. Mafindi assured that adequate logistics and security arrangements have been made by the commission to ensure the interviewers carry out a hitchfree survey in the state.

Senate: Kwankwaso, Garba shift battle to courtroom ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

enator-elect on the platform of All Progressives Party, APC, and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the contending Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kano Central senatorial candidate, Bashir Garba, yesterday shifted their tussle over who won the senatorial seat to the courtroom. The duo yesterday appeared before the Kano National and State House of Assembly tribunal sitting at Miller Road High Court complex for pre-trial session.

The petitioner, Garba, and the respondent, Kwankwaso, both blatantly refused to consent to documents filed by either party in connection with the suit. Counsel to PDP, Yunus Abdullahi, fired the first salvo by refusing to consent to documents filed by the respondents. Governor Kwankwaso and APC in their response through the counsel, Festus Adesiyan, likewise vehemently refused to consent to the documents filed by PDP. According to Adesiyan, the documents filed by PDP were either photocop-

ies or were not duly certified as stipulated by law. He argued that the petitioner failed to lay proper foundation before tendering the documents to the tribunal. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice C. I. Akintayo, who called for a ceasefire, however, explained that the pre-trial session was to clear grey areas and possibly agree on no-go areas when proper hearing begins. He pleaded with the parties to concentrate on relevant issues so as to ease the burden on the tribunal during proper hearing, explaining that the pre-trial session was not for legal

fireworks. The contending parties, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, inclusive, informed the tribunal of their resolve not to consent to documents filed from opposing camps. The matter is adjourned to May 25 and 26 for proper hearing. Meanwhile, the tribunal will also preside over three other cases, including the petition filed by PDP’s Abdullahi Muhammad who is contending the election of Hayatu Musa Salau of APC as member representing Kura/Garum in the state House of Assembly.

Kogi’s N1.5bn diagnostic centre ready soon

ogi State government has said its N1.5 billion diagnostic and imaging centre, currently under construction in Lokoja, will be ready in July. A statement issued in Lokoja yesterday said the dep-

uty governor, Yomi Awoniyi, stated this while on inspection tour of the project site within the premises of the specialist hospital. It said that Awoniyi, who was accompanied by Commissioner for Health, Dr Omede Idris, observed

that the project, which was started by the previous administration, would be provided with quality furniture and state-of-the-art equipment. It said when completed, the centre would minimise medical tourism and en-

hance the quality of health services to the people. The statement signed by the Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr Mike Abu, quoted the governor as expressing satisfaction with the quality of job done by the contractor.

hairman, House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, Beni Lar, yesterday assured that her committee will help communities attacked by alleged soldiers in Wase local council of Plateau State explore all legal means with regards to obtaining justice and compensation. She said the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, would soon receive petition from the committee so as to commence full-scale investigation and ensure those involved face the full wrath of the law. She also promised that her committee would conduct thorough investigation into the killings of over 50 people and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira in the five Taroh communities, allegedly by soldiers. Lar spoke when her committee visited a displaced peoples’ camp in Kadarko village to present relief materials and assess the level of destruction they suffered. While presenting the items to hundreds of displaced families at Kadarko Primary School, she said the National As-

sembly had mandated the House committee on Human Rights, Defence and Army to conduct a full-scale investigation into the killings. She stated that the barbaric act would not be condoned and that the committee will do everything within the ambit of the law to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice. The committee was accompanied to the event by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, where it distributed bags of rice, maize, sugar, cartons of indomie, clothing and mattresses among others to the displaced people. A displaced person, Yakman Useni, whose house and food items were destroyed, commended the federal lawmaker for helping them with the relief materials. Another victim, Simput Saleh, also appreciated the lawmaker and called on the federal government to take drastic action against the perpetrators of the act to serve as deterrent to others. Our correspondent reports that several houses, places of worship, police station and home of Kadarko village head, Ponzhi Kadarko, were torched.

Multiple explosions, gunshots rock Maiduguri INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

xplosions and sporadic gunshots yesterday rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The attack was suspected to have been launched by Boko Haram insurgents, who invaded the city last year, targeting military formations, including the 21 Armoured Brigade. The attack, which started at about 5p.m forced many residents at the outskirts of the city, including Giwa Barracks, University of Maiduguri, 202 and 303 Housing Estates, Dalori Quarters,

Molai axis to scampered for safety. Many of the fleeing residents could not gain access into the main city because of the roadblocks mounted by the military and men of the Civilian JTF. There was pandemonium in Maiduguri itself as many residents in their confusion flee in different direction, not helped by the 7pm-6am curfew. A student at the University of Maiduguri told our correspondent that stray bullets injured many students. Effort to confirm the attack from security operatives failed.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News “This is a very important recognition as the Vatican has a very important political status that stems from its spiritual status” –Palestine’s President Senior Aide, Nabil

‘Burundian army general deposes president’, crowds cheer Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

Burundian general said yesterday he had deposed President Pierre Nkurunziza for seeking an unconstitutional third term in office and was forming a transitional government, after more than two weeks of protests against the election bid. But as cheering crowds streamed onto the streets of Bujumbura, sporadic gunfire was heard in the centre of the capital, and it was not immediately clear how much support Major General Godefroid Niyombare had. With Nkurunziza abroad at an African summit to discuss the crisis, the presidency rubbished the declaration by Niyombare, who had been fired as Nkurunziza’s intelligence chief in February, saying on Facebook that the coup had been “foiled”. “We consider it as a joke, not as a military coup,” presidential aide Willy Niyamitwe told Reuters East African leaders in Tanzania condemned the bid to oust the president and called for a return to “constitutional order”. The U.S. State Department urged “all parties to immediately end the violence and exer-

People celebrating in a street in Bujumbura, yesterday

cise restraint”. But spokesman Jeff Rathke said he could not confirm that a coup had taken place. A Tanzanian official said Nkurunziza had not attended the summit meetings in Dar es Salaam, and had left to return to Burundi. But Niyombare said the capital’s airport and all border crossings were closed. Activists say more than 20 people have been killed in weeks of protest against Nkurunziza’s re-election bid, plunging Burundi into its worst crisis since an ethnically fuelled civil

war ended in 2005. More than 50,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring states in a region with a history of ethnic fighting. “The region will not accept, nor will the region stand by, if violence does not stop or escalates in Burundi,” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said after the summit in Dar es Salaam. It was not immediately clear who was in control in Burundi. The state broadcaster, often a primary target in state takeovers in Africa, was surround-

ed by troops. An employee inside told Reuters some soldiers had tried to enter while others resisted. That did not deter crowds dancing and singing in the streets. Some sat on top of cars. A Reuters correspondent saw little sign of the police, hated by protesters for breaking up demonstrations by force and widely considered loyal to Nkurunziza’s party. Niyombare had made his declaration that Nkurunziza was overthrown to reporters at a barracks in Bujumbura.

ISIS deputy leader killed in Iraqi air strike

he second-in-command of Islamic State (IS) has been killed in a US-led coalition air strike in northern Iraq, the Iraqi ministry of defence said. Abdul Rahman Mustafa Mohammed, also known as Abu Alaa al-Afari, was at a mosque near Tal Afar that was targeted, spokesman Brig-Gen Tahsin Ibrahim said. There was no immediate confirmation from the US military or on IS media. In recent weeks, there were unconfirmed reports that Afari had taken temporary charge of IS operations. Iraqi sources claimed IS lead-

er Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been incapacitated as a result of an air strike in Iraq in March. Gen Ibrahim told the BBC that Afari was killed alongside dozens of militants who he had been meeting at the al-Shuhada (Martyrs) mosque in the village of al-Iyadhiya, near Tal Afar, where he was reportedly a wellknown preacher. Tal Afar, in the northern province of Nineveh, was seized by IS in June 2014. The general did not specify which country had carried out the air strike, but the US has been responsible for the vast majority since the coalition campaign began last August.

The ministry of defence separately published video purportedly showing the strike. It did

not say when it took place, but one official told the Associated Press it was on Tuesday.

WORLD BULLETIN

Obama holds talks with leaders from Saudi Arabia President Barack Obama welcomed Saudi Arabian leaders to the White House yesterday amid strains with the kingdom over his pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran. As he opened their Oval Office meeting, Obama said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were building their relationship “during a very challenging time.” Beyond the Gulf nation’s worries about Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries are deeply concerned about the rise of the Islamic State and instability in Yemen. Obama made no mention of the nuclear negotiations, which will be at the forefront of discussions with regional leaders at Camp David yesterday. The president also was hosting a dinner Wednesday for representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

Death toll climbs to seven in Philadelphia train wreck The engineer at the controls of an Amtrak train that hurtled off the tracks while rounding a sharp curve refused to talk to police yesterday as the death toll climbed to seven with the discovery of another body in the wreckage, authorities said. More than 200 people were injured in the derailment that plunged screaming passengers into darkness and chaos Tuesday night. Investigators recovered the locomotive’s data recorder and said they expected it to yield crucial information, including how fast the train was going when it jumped the tracks in an old industrial neighbourhood not far from the Delaware River shortly after 9 p.m.

Vatican recognises Palestinian state in new treaty The Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty finalized yesterday, immediately sparking Israeli ire and accusations that the move hurt peace prospects. The treaty, which concerns the activities of the Catholic Church in Palestinian territory, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic recognition from the Palestine Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine.

L-R: Abdul Rahman al-Qaduli and Tariq al-Harzi both wanted ISIS leaders

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

I can’t wait for the AFCON qualifiers to start in June. It’s going to be an interesting run this time

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Tennis: CBN Senior Open serves off

–Ghana midfielder, Andre Ayew

Manu Garba

Ahead W/Cups:

Falcons, F/Eagles to sign Code of Conduct ...as Pinnick returns from medical trip

Everest Onyewuchi SPORTS EDITOR

igeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, who on Tuesday, returned from a fourweek medical trip to the United Kingdom, yesterday, presided over an Executive Committee Meeting of the federation at which the proposal for national team players and coaches to henceforth sign a Code of Con-

duct was endorsed. A communiqué of the sixth meeting of the NFF Executive Committee held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and made available to our correspondent said the Flying Eagles currently training in Germany for the FIFA U-20 World Cup kicking-off in New Zealand on May 30 and the Super Falcons going for the Women’s World Cup in Canada next month, would be the first to sign the

conduct code. “In the interest of the nation and as a means of regulating the conduct of players and officials representing the country at any point in time, Committee endorsed a proposal for all players and officials of the National Teams to sign a Code of Conduct, starting with the contingent to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada,” the communiqué signed by

the Chairman, NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, said. The meeting also resolved that elections into the boards of the various Leagues (Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women League and the Nigeria Nation-Wide League) should be conducted in November 2015, with the process to commence in August this year. Also, going by the communiqué, the NFF will soon enact a

regulation for the protection of players of the age-grade national teams and the establishment of NFF Youth Players Development Fund. Finally, the NFF Board commended the untiring efforts of its President, Pinnick, in promoting Nigeria football at home and abroad, most recently in having very useful meetings with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter and Chairman of The English FA, Mr. Greg Dyke.

Ex-3Sc defender advises Manu Garba

ormer Shooting Stars defender and now Hoffenheim U-15 Nigerianborn coach, Benjamin James, has advised Coach Manu Garba to work and ensure that the Flying Eagles make most of their chances at the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand.

James gave the advise after Tuesday’s warm-up game in which the Nigerians created a rash of openings against Hoffenheim U-23s only to put away five of them. James was in the stands to watch the Eagles demolish Hoffenheim 5-2 in a test

match. “It was not a bad game, but the Flying Eagles must work on their quick recovery because it is very important to work as a team. I hope the coach will correct what I noticed,” said the former Shooting Stars defender, who has been in Germany

for about 18 years. “Also, they created so many chances but for a good team you don’t need so many chances to make a goal. You need one, two chances to score. They therefore have to utilise all their chances because at the World Cup chances will be

a lot fewer.” He said he expects the Flying Eagles to go all the way in New Zealand. “If they could work on some of the flaws we saw today, they can really reach the final and finally win it for Nigeria,” he predicted.

Sports

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Messi

like Brazilian Pele

Messi

–Guardiola

ayern Munich Coach, Pep Guardiola, has compared Lionel Messi to Brazil legend Pele as the gaffer backs former club Barcelona to win the Champions League. Messi inspired Barca to a 3-0 first-leg victory that Bayern could not overturn, despite a 3-2 win in the return game on Tuesday. “He is the best player of all time, comparable only to Pele,” Guardiola said yesterday. Brazil forward Neymar scored twice in the Allianz Arena to give the Spanish league leader a 5-1 aggregate lead before Bayern fought

Brahimi

nears Bayern switch R

eports yesterday claimed that Bayern Munich is aiming to sign Porto playmaker Yacine Brahimi in the summer. According to the reports, Bayern Technical Director, Michael Reschke, has been in contact with Brahimi’s representatives. However, third-party investors in Brahimi’s career could make any potential move away from the Portuguese team very complex. Brahimi completed a 6.5 million euro move to Porto from Spanish side Granada on July 22 2014. The transfer featured a

contract until June 30 2019 and a minimum release clause of 50 million euro. However, just two days later, Porto announced a deal with third-party investment group, Doyen Sports, having agreed to sell to it 80 per cent of Brahimi’s economic rights, for a fee of 5 million euro. Although it appears Bayern is inquiring about a move at this point, it remains to be seen who will have the final say in any potential transfer. It is speculated that Doyen Sports will ultimately be the decision makers in any move.

back to win on the night. But Guardiola reserved his praise for Argentina captain Messi, who turned the semi-final in Barca’s favour with a late brace at the Nou Camp last week. Messi has scored 53 goals so far this season after admitting his previous campaign, where he netted 44 times despite injuries and allegations of tax fraud, was difficult. “Leo is back at his best and is there where I had the privilege to train him,” Guardiola, who along with Messi won 14 trophies in his four seasons in charge at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, added.

Brahimi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cosafa 2015:

Chipolopolo no-show for Kalaba

ambia Coach, Honour Janza, has ruled out Chipolopolo captain, Rainford Kalaba, for selection ahead of the 2015 Cosafa Castle Cup. Kalaba is omitted alongside his TP Mazembe team mates Kabaso Chongo and Given Singuluma who all featured in Zambia’s 2-0 friendly win over Malawi on May 10 in Lusaka due to Mazembe’s engagement in the CAF Champions League. The Zambians are due in South Africa next week for the Cosafa Cup. “The only player we think maybe released is Switzerlandbased Nathan Sinkala,” Janza said yesterday. “It is obvious we can’t have the the Mazembe lads and we just have to trudge on without them,” the coach added. Sinkala has only returned to full fitness recently after recovering from an injury he sustained on January 18 at the 2015 Africa Cup and only returned to action against Malawi. Janza is also hoping that his invitees from South Africa, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, midfielder Mukuka Mulenga and striker Bornwell Mwape will be available. “We are also trying to see if they are any possibilities that the Israel-based players can join us in South Africa,” he said. Defender Emmanuel Mbola and striker Evans Kangwa of Israeli club Hapoel Ra’anana play their last game of the season tomorrow when they travel to Hapoel Petah Tikva.

Kalaba

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Tennis: CBN Senior Open serves off Paul Erewuba

he 37th Annual Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship serves off today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, LLTC, Onikan with the final slated for May 23. This year’s tournament will also see youngsters compete in the Wheelchair tennis for both men and women in the weeklong event.

Atseye

Amokachi nears Taraba job

eports yesterday suggested that out-of-favour Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, will be appointed as head coach of Nigeria Premier League outfit FC Taraba. The 42-year-old former Nigeria international has previously coached Nasarawa United, Enyimba as well as the home-based Super Eagles and U-23 national team.

Amokachi was in Jalingo on Sunday to watch Taraba draw 3-3 at home with Gabros, amidst speculations that he was set to take charge of the team. “I think he will take over as the new technical adviser,” a camp source told AfricanFootball.com Last season, Ndubuisi Nduka was sacked as the club’s coach and his assistant, Tony Ogharanduku, has since been in charge of the team.

igeria’s point guard, Ben Uzoh, is confident that the D’ Tigers will emerge victorious at the AfroBasket 2015 scheduled for the Tunisian cities of Nabeul and Tunis from August 19 to 30. The 27-year-old playmaker, who first played for Nigeria at

AfroBasket 2013 in Cote d’Ivoire, said that Nigeria was blessed with talented players in big leagues across the world. Uzoh, who is a native of Houston, USA urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to plan for adequate preparations and invite the country’s best players around the world. “We have the team to claim this year’s continental title,”

Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Engineer Sani Ndanusa, has said that major key players in the tourney will sign a code of conduct before they are admitted. “We appreciate CBN’s continued sponsorship of both the senior and junior tennis championship and we are happy to announce that major players will be entitled to N8, 000 subsidy aside the prize money,” Ndanusa said.

Okpekpe 2015: Ethiopians chase star prize Afolabi Gambari

T Amokachi

‘D’Tigers ‘ll win Afrobasket’ Paul Erewuba

According to the sponsor, the tournament, which has become a selection ground for the country in preparation for major competitions, has enhanced athletes’ performances at the competitions. A total prize money of N14million will be at stake with N700, 000 for winners in the men’s and women’s, while the runners-up will get N500, 000. In the Wheelchair category, winners will get N250, 000 while the runners up will cart away N200, 000.

the 1.91 guard said, adding that he was confident of making the Nigerian team. D’ Tigers will compete in Group A along with host Tunisia and Uganda who are making their debut in the tournament. “I think AfroBasket is growing in terms of competitiveness but Nigeria has what it takes to win it and get the Rio 2016 Olympics ticket,” Uzor submitted.

he two most successful athletes at the annual Obudu international mountain race, Ethiopian duo of Abebe Dinkesa and Yalew Genet, will lead the chase for the $25, 000 top prize at the 3rd Okpekpe 10km Road Race in Okpekpe, Auchi, Edo State on Saturday. Dinkesa, winner of three Obudu titles (2008, 2010 and 2012 and first runner-up behind Kenya’s Kemboi Hilary Kipkorir last year) will be returning to Nigeria much earlier than the traditional November to see if he could establish another dominance of the slightly shorter distance. Yalew, who also holds three Obudu titles (2011, 2013 and 2014) is also coming for the first time to extend her reign from Obudu Ranch Resort to Okpekpe. Meanwhile, the best Edo State athlete in the race in the last two editions, Lawrence Osheku, says he hopes to win the best Edo athlete prize for the third time as well as challenge

the Ethiopians and the Kenyans for the ultimate title and cash price. “My target is to break 31 minutes at least and I am sure that will put me in the top 10 bracket,” the younger brother of the best Nigeria’s local coach, Tony Osheku, said yesterday. Male and female winners will get N500, 000 each, an increase of N400, 000, while the first and second runner-up will get N300, 000 and N250, 000 respectively as the ninth-placed runner gets N50, 000 while the eighth, seventh, sixth, fifth and fourthplaced finishers get N75, 000, N100, 000, N150, 000 and N200, 000 respectively.

Oshiohmole

FA boss wants teams scrapped Richard Ndoma CALABAR

C Uzoh

hairman of Cross River State Football Association (CRFA), Mr. Ayi Essien, has charged the state government to disband all football teams in the state if the government can no longer fund them. The FA boss said football was dead in Cross River State, arguing that the state of the sport was irredeemable.

“I don’t think it’s my duty to fund football in Cross River State,” he said. Essien’s outburst came after the state-owned female football club Pelican Stars were walked over at home by Rivers Angels on Saturday, even as he disclosed that FA was to receive its allocation from the 2014 budget. Essien recently won election to represent Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakasssi Constituency in the House of Representatives.

WORLD RECORD

Most successful sports movie franchise The Rocky franchise, running from Rocky (21 November 1976) to Rocky Balboa (20 December 2006),

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1112 Thursday, May 14, 2015

A castle in the air

do State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, must have spoken the mind of many at the 19th Convocation Ceremony of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, a fortnight ago when he said the long-term challenge of funding university education in Nigeria should not depend on mere goodwill alone, but on deliberate planning and looking inward. He pointedly advocated a revisit of the national education policy to make it possible for the children of the poor to have the best quality education. To drive his point home, he advised Nigeria’s education managers to take a cue from the famous and up-beat Oxford University, which at some point in its otherwise luxuriant history, had to reverse its decision to admit only the children of the elite by creating a quota to ensure a worker with basic intellect had admis-

anchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure, has called on FIFA to clamp down hard on racists as the world governing body launches a new antidiscrimination campaign. Toure, who spoke at the launch of FIFA’s Anti-Discrimination Monitoring System at Wembley

Guest Columnist

TTunde d

Olofintila

sion into the university. In a veiled condemnation of the ever dwindling revenue allocation to education by all tiers of government, Oshiomhole wondered whether the $200 or its naira equivalent being paid by an undergraduate per annum could deliver quality university education in the same clime where a child’s parent pays as much as N200,000 per year for secondary school education but pays N50,000 a year in a tertiary institution for another child of his. To drive his point home, Oshiomhole attributed the same malady as being responsible for the propensity of an average Nigerian man to squander one million naira to serve the best culinary repast and choicest wines at his warped birthday bash but finds it extremely difficult if not entirely impossible to support his child’s education. No wonder then that the Nigerian society appeared to have been strewn with what Dr. Adetolu Ademujimi described as education without character, warped and twisted morality as a result of which the Nigerian state is bedeviled with a high spate of armed robbery, drug peddling, kidnapping, different shades and shapes of terrorism, corruption as well as insecurity in the face of the multitude of its educated elite. It is only a country with an unpardonably high dosage of education without character that could produce societal reprobates like religious extremists, internet scammers, accounting professionals who cook books, pharmaceutical firms that revel in fake and counterfeit drugs, legal practitioners that cut corners, judges that

IT IS A WELL-KNOWN FACT EDUCATION INVOLVES A BLEND OF THREE ELEMENTS OF THE

HEAD, THE

HEART AND THE HAND (THE THREE H’S)

sell judgments to the highest bidders to become what the late Hon. Justice Kayode Eso tagged ‘billionaire judges’ and doctors who forget surgical blades in the bowels of their patients, journalists and musicians who praise-sing the worst in the society and deify them as heroes and models as well as teachers who spend more time outside the classrooms pursuing unholy pastimes, leaving their students unattended to. Sometimes in the immediate past, The Nation’s Hardball painted a rather gruesome picture of the injustice education without character has visited on Nigeria. Just look at the unpalatably irritating list: the most corrupt country in the world, one of the worst places to be born, a place of high infant and maternal mortality, one of the leading countries with the least school enrolment and a member of the countries with the most impoverished population as well as one of the countries with the highest polio virus prevalence. There are some other seemingly el-

egant, but derogatory indicators like Nigeria being among the leading private jet owners, a country with the highest importation of rice and wheat despite its vast arable land, a country least conducive for setting up business and a country with the highest crude oil theft as well as being the country running the most expensive democracy in the world. Traditionally, university degrees are awarded after graduating students must have fulfilled two paramount parameters/ conditions: learning and character, with character coming before learning. In those days, if a student made a First Class in learning but scored low in character, the university would not award such a student its First Class because the university would not want to send a bad ambassador out to the world. But today, how many of our universities can boldly say they award their certificates only to students who have been adjudged worthy in learning and character? It is a well-known fact education involves a blend of three elements of the Head, the Heart and the Hand (the three H’s) and any society that fails to achieve this blend will end up producing halfbaked graduates with certificates in learning, who will be roaming the streets perpetrating all forms of crimes because they are bereft of character. If we are not to become mere splendid slaves and reasoning savages, we must appreciate the place and the import of education, garnished with learning and character, as a tool to developing a person into a total man. For any parent to think he could pay $20 or its Naira equivalent to procure quality university education when some other parents are spending millions of Naira on their children at secondary school level is nothing but building a castle in the air! May we have the courage to plug into that which is just and profitable and may the wind of change blow in all directions, including our educational landscape. Tunde Olofintila wrote from Lagos.

Sport Extra

Racism: Toure seeks severe punishment for offenders Stadium in London, remarked that the sport deserved stern action against racism to remain relevant. “I think FIFA needs to complement UEFA by working with the campaigners, the players and the media to make headway about this,” the Ivorian international

said. “As an African, you can imagine how difficult it is to deal with this. In the past I’ve played in Russia, and I have encountered racism in its nakedness. My resolve is that offenders must be handed the worst of punishments.”

Toure has famously declared in the past that black players could boycott games in racist territories to drive the point home. FIFA says offenders will now be asked to play behind closed doors or have their associations banned from World Cup qualification.

Toure

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