Thursday, May 28, 2015 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Nigeria’s import/export trade drops by N110.2bn TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

alue of Nigeria’s merchandise trade declined by N110.2bn

Aganga

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1122 657

or 2.2 per cent on quarter-onquarter basis at the end of the first quarter of this year. It went down from about N4.99trn recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 to

about N4.88trn as at the end of March this year. The Merchandise Trade Report published by the National Bureau of Statistics, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

We want strong Naira, traders cry out Why we don’t take bank loans –Traders

Thursday, May July 4, 28,2013 2015

P.44,45

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Don’t probe my govt alone, Jonathan tells Buhari P ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

...seeks extension to IBB, Abubakar, others’ regimes

Signs six bills into law

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dared the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to probe his government. He however said such probe should also be extend-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Children’s Day tragedy:

Thunderbolt kills four kids in Kwara

...woman stabs 3-year-old son to death in Ogun P.4

President Goodluck Jonathan (8th left), Vice President Namadi Sambo (7th left) with Federal Executive Council members after the valedictory council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Abuja shut down for May 29 inauguration

Insurgency: Over 3,000 Nigerian refugees traumatised ...as FRSC deploys 23,000 men nationwide in Cameroun P.49

S’Court clears FG, NASS to amend 1999 Constitution

Presidency sends Confab resolutions to NASS for enactment into law P.8 INSIGHT

FFuell shortage: h t P.2 P.7

Need to curb fraud and build private refineries

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News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abuja shut down for May 29 inauguration OMEIZA AJAYI AND CHIDI UGWU

buja, the nation’s capital territory is currently under heavy security lock down ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. Eagle-eyed and heavily armed defence and security forces have taken over several strategic points within the Federal Capital City, FCC, frisking motorists. At the Obafemi Awolowo Road in Utako/Jabi axis, defence forces from the Brigade of Guards, Nigerian Army, as well as Naval Ratings cordoned off two of the three-lane road, leaving only one for motorists going towards Jabi-Gwagwa-Karmo. The development has led to heavy traffic gridlock in the area. Although the operatives did not stop most vehicles, they watch the faces of occupants of each vehicle and flagged some down for further checks. At the AYA Roundabout, men of the Nigeria Police

Force and soldiers are also keeping vigil. At the Lebanese-owned Wonderland Amusement Park, which has been a subject of terror investigations by the Department of State Services, DSS, operatives of the service and some policemen were also sighted monitoring movement in and out of the area. The situation around the National Stadium was not different. Also, as part of preparations for a hitch-free presidential inauguration, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, has ordered the diversion of traffic on all roads around Eagle Square on Friday. The square is the venue of the inauguration. Arase has also ordered tight security within the Eagle Square, hotels, key and vulnerable places within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as well as the mounting of Tactical Operation Points on all roads leading to and out of the FCT. The IGP however apologised for the inconveniences the arrangements may

cause motorists and members of the public. In a related development, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said it has deployed 23,000 personnel along designated routes to mitigate road crashes during the presidential inauguration and swearing-in of governorselect in various states of the federation. Specifically, the corps has deployed 2,000 person-

nel, 150 patrol vehicles, 15 ambulances, 35 motor bikes and seven tow trucks along designated routes of the FCT as part of measures to ensure seamless traffic flow in Abuja during the presidential inauguration ceremony. Corps Marshal and chief executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed this in Abuja, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting.

He said FRSC personnel have been fully mobilised for the inauguration ceremony across the country. Question on the enforcement of the speed limiters also came up at the forum as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, asked for a shift in the date of commencement, which was slated for

June 1, 2015. Deputy chairman, NUPENG, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, said the demand for a shift was to allow for proper sensitisation of members. He noted that proper awareness of the importance of the device would allow for easy implementation, stressing that wider acceptance of seat belt laws was achieved because CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Minister of Aviation, Mr. Chidoka Osita leading cyclists to the last Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Don’t probe my govt alone, Jonathan tells Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ed to past governments in the country. Jonathan spoke during a special valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at the Presidential Villa. According to him, if such probe was not extended to past government, it would be witch-hunting. Jonathan said: “Some people are even calling for probe of the government; but I think in Nigeria, there are lots of things that should be probed, very many things, even debts owed by states and those owed by this country from 1960 up to this time. “They say it is Jonathan’s administration that owes the debts. “I believe that anybody that is coming for probe must also ensure that this probe is extended beyond the Jonathan administration; otherwise, it will be witch-hunting. If we are very sincere, it is not only

the Jonathan administration that should be probed.” Specifically, Jonathan said judgement debts and allocation of oil wells are issues that should be probed in order to put the records straight for the benefit of the country. He explained that a number of things had gone wrong and his administration had worked hard to fix them. He said his administration performed well to ensure the development and progress of the country. “A number of things had gone wrong and we have done our best to fix them. The Attorney General is aware of the massive judgement debts. If we aggregate all of them, it is almost $1bn. How did we come to this kind of huge judgement debts? These issues should be probed. “How do you allocate our oil wells, oil fields, marginal wells and all that; do we follow our laws? All these

should be probed. And I believe all these and many more areas should be looked into as well,” he added. Jonathan explained that the fuel scarcity being experienced in the country was clearly an act of sabotage, saying that it was not the time for oil marketers and unions to embark on strike in order to bring the government to its knees despite the fact that his government had few days to leave. “Even this last fuel scarcity, to me, one can clearly say that it was an act of sabotage. This government has few days to go. It is definitely not the time you expect massive strikes, using marketers and unions. The unions are asking for increase in salaries at a time oil price has dropped and volume also dropped. “None of the international oil companies, IOCs, is increasing salaries but our unions wanted 11 per cent increase in allowances and

so on and so forth and went on strike,” he said. Jonathan explained that there was 21-day fuel reserve in the country, saying there were enough petroleum products but that the oil marketers just refused to lift. He said: “There was 21 days’ reserve in this country; it is not as if we had no products but they just refused to lift. Diesel was deregulated long ago; so the issue was not the product but people who felt they must bring this government to its knees even when they know that we had few days to leave. But we thank God we are getting over it and God will see us through.” The President boasted that his administration had performed well even under very difficult situations. “Even though we operated under an extremely difficult situation, maybe because politics in Nigeria is just maturing, we witnessed the longest ASUU

strike. I don’t think we have ever witnessed a strike that lasted six months and we believe that strike was partially politically-motivated; otherwise lecturers cannot troop out for six months. “There were the terror attacks. We know Boko Haram predates this administration; but immediately after the elections, I believe because of local and external factors, they became very vicious, extremely destructive, killing people and destroying properties,” he alleged. He challenged those who criticised his performance to compare what his government had achieved in various sectors with what past administrations had achieved, saying that the criticisms are political. “As a cabinet, we have tried our best; I believe we have done well under very difficult situations. There are a lot of criticisms; people say different things at different times. Some of

those who make some statements know they are purely political. “I always insist that we have been here for five years and some months, including the time I was an Acting President. “I have always thrown the challenge that those who criticise us should compare what we have done in the various sectors with what others were able to do.” The President thanked the ministers for working with him to ensure the progress and development of the country. He, however, stressed that the cabinet would be dissolved when the ministers present their handover notes to the incoming government at a dinner today Earlier, the ministers had taken turn to shower encomium on Jonathan while expressing gratitude for allowing them to serve in his government. However, some ministers CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

NEWS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Maijidda Modibbo of Corporate Communication, Dangote Group; recipient of a cheque of N500,000 Adamu Nahuta and Nike Sanmi Adebayo of Customer Care, Dangote Cement, during the cash presentation to Modibbo for helping to arrest a Dangote truck driver involved in illegal haulage in the ongoing campaign by the Group against the use of its truck for illegal haulage.

L-R: GOtv ambassador Mr. Ibu; Deputy General Manager Africa, DStv Media Sales, Kholeka Maringa and Marketing Manager, GOtv, Oludare Kafar, during DStv Media Sales Showcase in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Infrastructure Bank, Abdulrazak Oyinloye; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutahu Gbadamosi and Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, during the official commissioning of Gbose Automobile Ltd. In Ilorin, yesterday.

Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo (left) and Chairman, Mr. Peter Obi (right), after their first board meeting at the commission’s head office in Abuja, yesterday.

National News

Children’s Day tragedy: Thunderbolt kills 4 kids ...Woman stabs 3-year-old son to death in Ogun

WOLE ADEDEJI, FEMI OYEWESO ALIUNA GODWIN FRANCIS SUBERU CHARLES OKEKE

he 2015 Children’s Day celebration in Kwara State turned tragic yesterday when thunderbolt struck and killed four children, all girls, in Gure, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. The thunderbolt struck during a downpour between midnight and 1am, rendering several villagers homeless. A source in Gure told our correspondent that three of the children were of the same parents, while the fourth came to pass the night with her friends. According to the source, the thunderbolt broke the wall of the house where the children were sleeping. Two others were injured, but

survived. The remains of the deceased have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. Chairman of Baruten Local Government, Mallam Mohammed OmarBio, who confirmed the incident, described it as a devastating and pathetic experience. Omar-Bio appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other disaster management agencies to provide succour for victims of the disaster. In Ogun State, tragedy struck in Ogunso area of Otta in the AdoOdo/Otta Local Government Area when a woman, identified as Adeyanju Funmilayo, allegedly stabbed her 3-year-old son to death. Funmilayo was said to have inflicted multiple injuries on her son

identified as Emmanuel by stabbing him in the head and other parts of the body with a knife about 4pm yesterday. National Mirror gathered that the boy died as a result of the multiple injuries he sustained after writhing in pain and rolling in his blood for a short while. National Mirror gathered that the late Emmanuel was a product of an alleged incestuous relationship between Funmilayo and her biological father, which occurred about three years ago. When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident said policemen from Ota Division had visited the scene of the crime and taken the corpse of the child to the mortuary.

Adejobi also disclosed that the woman, who was immediately arrested by the police, put up some strange behaviours when questioned about the alleged crime. “The police have been to the scene to recover the body of the child. The woman has been acting strangely like a person who is of unsound mind. The police would carry out proper investigation. “The police will work on the state of mind of the woman and we’ll have to seek the help of an expert to know her mental state,” he said. The celebration of the Children’s Day in Ebonyi State was marred by the strike embarked upon by workers. The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Radio Television and Theater Art Workers Union, RATTAWU, Nigeria Union of Local Government

Employees, NULGE, and Medical and Health Workers Union, MHWU, embarked on an indefinite strike over the failure of the outgoing administration of Governor Martin Elechi to pay the April salaries of workers in the state. The state NUT, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki ahead of the celebration directed all teachers in public schools not to participate in the Children’s Day celebration, adding that a high powered task force has been put in place to ensure full compliance. In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola urged the children to stay away from drug abuse, violence and other vices that can destroy their future and progress in life. Fashola, who spoke on the occasion of the Children’s Day celebration, noted that it was important for Nigerian children to desist from

drug abuse, bad friends and sundry crimes that would be inimical to nation building. Governor, Chief Willie Obiano of Anambra State used the occasion of the celebration to restate the commitment of his administration to the welfare of children. Speaking at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Obiano said one of the cardinal policy of his government was to ensure that the welfare and interest of children are adequately protected. Obiano, who read the address of President Goodluck Jonathan on the occasion, said it is the wish of the president that the administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari due to be inaugurated on Friday, should intensify the efforts towards rescuing the abducted Chibok girls. He assured that his administration would continue to protect the right of children.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s import/export trade drops by N110.2bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

NBS, yesterday indicated that the drop in the exportimport trade occurred despite improvement in the nation’s export trade by N275.6bn, representing 9.3 per cent increase over the recorded value of exports in the preceding quarter, while import dropped by N385.8bn. The bureau reported however that the rise in export and decline in import improved the country’s trade balance, which increased by 71.6 per cent from the preceding quarter, to about N1.59trn during the quarter under review It stated further that in comparison with the corresponding quarter of 2014, the value of total merchandise trade decreased by N639.5bn or 11.6 per cent, while the trade balance decreased by N839.1bn or 34.6 per cent. A further analysis of the merchandise trade figures showed that during the quarter under review, the value of Nigeria’s imports stood at N1.65trn, representing a decrease of N385.8bn or 19.0 per cent from the N2.03trn recorded in the preceding quarter. Year-on-year import value increased by N99.8bn or 6.5 per cent, from the value of N1.55trn recorded in the

corresponding quarter of last year. Classification of the import by sections indicates that “boilers, machinery and appliances” dominated it, accounting for 27.7 per cent of the total value of import in the quarter under review. The NBS clarified further: “Other commodities which contributed considerably to the value of import in the review period were mineral products (13.1 per cent), base metals and articles of base metals (10.2 per cent), vehicles, aircraft and associated parts (9.6 per cent), and products of the chemical and allied industries (8.7 per cent). “The key drivers of the year-on-year growth were boilers, machinery and appliances and vegetable products, which increased by N88.7bn or 24.2 per cent and N33.8bn or 47.6 per cent from Q1 of 2014 values respectively. “Imports classified by broad economic category revealed that industrial supplies not elsewhere classified, ranked first with N491.4bn or 29.9 per cent of total Q1, 2015.” According to the agency, the product with the greatest import value was motor spirit, which stood at N181.3bn or 11.0 per cent of

the total, while the country’s major import sources are China, United States, Belgium, Netherlands and India, which respectively accounted for N387.5bn or 23.6 per cent, N133.8bn or 8.1 per cent, N118.7bn or 7.2 per cent, N108.7bn or 6.6 per cent and N96.6bn or 5.9 per cent of the total value of goods imported during the quarter. The bureau reported that when analysed by continent, the country consumed goods largely imported from Asia, with an import value of N708.2bn or 43.0 per cent of the quarterly total, compared with Europe’s value of N458.4bn or 27.9 per cent and Africa’s N252.2bn or 15.3 per cent. Import from the ECOWAS region amounted to N9.6b or 3.8 per cent of the

total value of import from Africa. Comparatively, the value of exports totalled N3.23trn in the first quarter of this year, indicating an increase of N275.6bn or 9.3 per cent over the value recorded in the preceding quarter. The bureau stated that relative to the opening quarter of 2014, the value of exports declined by N739.3bn or 18.6 per cent, with crude oil contributing N2.25trn or 69.7 per cent to the value of total of export, thus dominating the structure. It explained that when classified by section, the export trade trend showed that Nigeria exported mainly mineral products, which accounted for N2,880.3bn or 89.2 per cent

of total export. Other products exported by Nigeria include vehicles, aircraft and parts thereof; vessels etc at N185.8bn or 5.8 per cent of the total; prepared foodstuff; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco at N53.8bn or 1.7 per cent of the total, and vegetable products at N36.7bn or 1.1 per cent of total export. NBS stated: “Natural Liquefied Gas was the product with the second greatest export value, after crude oil, with a value of N306.2bn or 9.5 per cent of the total export value during the period of review. “Nigeria exported goods mainly to India, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Brazil, which values

stood at N436.6bn or 13.5 per cent, N319.6bn or 9.9 per cent, N263.4bn or 8.2 per cent, N260.0bn or 8.0 per cent and N257.0bn or 8.0 per cent of the Q1, 2015, totals respectively. “Exports by continent of destination revealed that Nigeria mainly exported goods to Europe and Asia, which accounted for N1,152bn or 35.7 per cent, and N909.1bn or 28.1 per cent respectively of total export during Q1 2015. “Nigeria exported goods valued at N601bn or 18.6 per cent of total exports to the continent of Africa, while exports to the ECOWAS region totaled N277.3bn or 46.1 per cent of the total goods exported to Africa,” the Bureau added.

Don’t probe my govt alone, Jonathan tells Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

were absent at the valedictory session. They include Akinwumi Adesina (Agriculture); Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Health); Diezani Alison-Madueke (Petroleum) and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide. Meanwhile, President Jonathan yesterday signed six bills passed by the National Assembly into laws. The bills include the Tobacco Control Bill 2015; the Electricity Management Services Agency Act 2015 as well as he Equipment and Leasing Bill 2015. Others include the AMCON (Amendment) Bill 2015; Standards Organisation of Nigeria Bill 2015 and the National Sugar Development (Amendment) Bill 2015. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed that Jonathan had signed the bills and

have now become laws in the country. Specifically, the Tobacco Control Act 2015 repeals the Tobacco Smoking (Control) Act, CAP.T6, LFN 2004 enacted in 1990 and amended years later. The bill will ensure effective regulation and control of production, manufacture, sale, labelling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products in the country. In addition, it will also ensure balance between economic consideration and health implications of tobacco manufacture, use and exposure to the environment, among other things. The Equipment Leasing Act regulates the business of equipment leasing in Nigeria which proposes to bring sanity and certainty to the practice of leasing as well as protect the lessees (users) and the lessors (owners).

Children at Agodi Garden to mark Children’s Day in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Abuja shut down for May 29 inauguration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

of the level of enlightenment given to it before implementation. Also, the head, Department of Heavy and Lightweight Truck of the NURTW, Suleiman Dansaki, said extensive enlightenment is needed to further achieve nationwide awareness, hence the need to shift the date. After extensive deliberations, the stakeholders agreed that the implementation of the maximum road speed limiter device for vehicles should commence with subtle enforcement with no booking from June 1 and full compliance to commence

on September 1. Oyeyemi commended the leadership of the different transport unions for their cooperation, stressing that there have been no road blockage since the journey for the introduction of the speed limiters began. He said the enforcement of the speed limiter law would not focus on paying fines but that offenders’ vehicles would be impounded until they are made to install the device. “It is going to be like the driving license case. Instead of paying fines, we impound your vehicle, you install it and then you go. Whatever we can do to get

everybody install this we will do, so that you cannot accelerate more than 90 kilometers,” he explained. Oyeyemi noted that already, the National Automotive Council, NAC, has written all vehicle assembly plant in the country to ensure that all vehicles produced by them are equipped with speed limiters. In a communiqué issued after the one-day meeting, participants observed that speeding portends danger to the lives and properties of road users, and that the rate of road fatalities arising from speeding is alarming and requires drastic

measures to tame, among other things. Apart from the resolution to shift full compliance to Se ptember 1, the forum also resolved that transporters and fleet operators should cooperate with the FRSC in the implementation of the new law, by duly installing the device in all vehicles in their fleet. They also agreed that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, should consider setting up deadline for all imported vehicles, while NAC should ensure that vehicles manufactured in Nigeria are installed with the speed limiter.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, May 28, 2015

S’Court clears FG, NASS to amend 1999 Constitution ...Immunity clause, life pension for lawmakers retained

ISE-OLUWA IGE

full panel of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmoud Mohammed, yesterday gave the nod to Federal Government and the National Assembly to proceed with enacting the law of the Fourth Alteration Act, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution. That was after both parties had reported back to the apex court yesterday that they had resolved amicably the legal dispute between them over constitution amendment. The court, in a unanimous decision read by the CJN yesterday struck out the entire suit filed by the Federal Government to

stop the National Assembly from passing the bill into law, even as it commended counsel representing the two arms of government for prevailing on their clients to shelve their pride in the interest of the nation. The court, however, said it would have awarded a heavy cost against the Federal Government for bringing the suit, which it said, was incurably defective to the court, but it overlooked it in the spirit of reconciliation. The National Assembly had attempted to alter 65 sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) but the Federal Government was not comfortable with 10 of the proposed alterations. The Federal Government had said the purport-

ed Fourth Alteration Act 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths majority of members of the National Assembly and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. In an originating summons, the Federal Government sought for an order to nullify and set aside the offensive sections. The sections are 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015. The government claimed that the sections were purportedly passed by the National Assembly without following due procedure.

Chief Justice Mohammed, who presided over the panel of the Supreme Court in the matter, though had prepared ground for striking out of the suit by the Federal Government for want of competence, yet decided to grant rare indulgence to the government by giving it another 72 hours to urgently meet with the federal legislature for amicable resolution of the dispute and report back to the court on Wednesday morning. The apex court said it had to take the step because it was unable to get the undertaking of the National Assembly that it would not pass the bill into law in the form it was if the case was struck out yesterday. When the Federal Government and the National

L-R: Branch leader, VGC branch, Fidelity Bank Plc. Isaac Usanga; Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ikemefuna Mbagwu and representative of Education Secretary, Eti-Osa LGA, T.O. Lawal, during the commissioning of Classroom block for Home Economics, Arts and Crafts Centre of Ikota Primary School, Lagos.

Don’t stifle legislature, Tambuwal warns incoming govt TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

lhaji Aminu Tambuwal, who yesterday quit his office as Speaker, House of Representatives, warned President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, not to attempt making the National Assembly a rubber stamp of the executive. He stressed that such attempt from the party and the president would backfire and destabilise the country. Tambuwal, who regretted the frosty relationship between the House and the executive arm of government in the outgoing government,

gave the warning in a speech titled ‘The Power of Unity’ yesterday during a valedictory session of the 7th Assembly, at the National Assembly complex. At the session, which was attended by former Speakers, principal officers and exmembers of the National Assembly, Tambuwal harped on Legislature-Executive harmony in resolving the myriad of problems besetting the nation. He said in maintaining democracy and accountability to the people, all arms of government need to be independent. Tambuwal, who is also Sokoto State governor-elect,

regretted that he would be leaving the House. He however congratulated Nigerian children on their day yesterday, and called on Nigerians to honour the memory of a dead colleague. He gave the House kudos for its cordial relationship with the Senate and its sense of purpose. “The Seventh Assembly, House of Representatives, can be generally assessed as substantially stable. There were no cases of internally generated crisis while all machinations of externally induced crises were stoutly resisted by members. It is evidence of the power of unity of purpose that with the gale

of defections and counter-defections and the multiplicity of litigations, the House still maintained focus and came out stronger than ever. “Again, the Seventh House enjoyed a very robust relationship of mutual respect and sense of common purpose with the Senate throughout this four year period. I take this opportunity to most highly commend President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator David Mark, for this show of leadership. I equally commend all distinguished senators of the Seventh Senate for the spirit of common purpose exhibited all through the years.”

Assembly came back yesterday for report of settlement in the case, they announced that they had resolved the matter amicably. But counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) said he had filed a fresh suit in the case in the name of President Jonathan Goodluck in the event the peace deal would not work. He however said that having struck a deal, he promised to withdraw the suit and file a notice of discontinuance later in the day. He consequently asked for a stand down of the case to file the notice of discontinuance which the court agreed to and fixed 4pm to reconvene. In a brief proceeding yesterday evening, the court struck out the suit on the strength of the terms of settlement entered into by the two parties. After the proceedings, counsel to both the Federal Government and the National Assembly refused to disclose the terms of settlement. All efforts to get information on the details of the agreement failed yesterday. It was however gathered that both sides however conceded to each other in the new deal. Out of the 10 major issues reportedly objected to by the federal government,

four were said to have been resolved in its favour, while the remaining reportedly went in favour of the National Assembly. The withdrawal of the suit is said to be one of the resolved issues. Both parties also agreed that the provisions on Free Basic Education and Maternal Health Care Services should be expunged since other laws had provided for these. It was one of the amendments challenged by the executive arm. The issue of spending before the passage of budget was said to have gone the way of the National Assembly, among others. The resolution of the controversy over splitting office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was said to be evenly split between the two feuding parties. While the federal government reportedly got one office to remain organic, the other was conceded to the lawmakers for a split. On whether the provision on immunity against criminal prosecution for lawmakers and life pension for principal officers of the National Assembly would still be retained, the Federal Government said it was not part of the sections they were aggrieved with.

Truck rams into fuel queue, kills 1 JOEL A JAYI ABUJA

truck, which was believed to have had a brake failure, yesterday ran into a fuel queue at Dutse, Abuja, killing one, while many others sustained injuries. The incident, which occurred about 9am at AYM Shafa petrol station, left many residents and other commuters confused. When National Mirror visited the scene, it gathered that the incident affected motorcyclists (okada) who were on queue to purchase

fuel. It was also gathered that due to the recent fuel scarcity, the okada riders’ queue extended to the express road linking Dutse with Bwari in Abuja, which made them vulnerable to the accident. An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity told National Mirror that three okada men who were involved in the accident were critically injured but were receiving treatment. All efforts to reach the manager of the petrol station proved abortive as his mobile phone was switched off.

News

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kidnappers of Kogi judge demand N150m ransom WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

uspected kidnappers of Kogi State High Court judge are demanding N150 million ransom. National Mirror gathered that the kidnappers contacted family of the judge yesterday and demanded for N150 million ransom to effect the release of Justice Samuel Obayomi Olatimehin. Justice Olatimehin, who is resident judge of Ebogogo High Court in Adavi Local

L-R: Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; President, NARTO, Dr. Kassim Bataiyo and Acting Head of Department, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu, during stakeholders consultative meeting on speed limiting device in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

EU, UNODC partner CCB on asset declaration law

Bayelsa plans elaborate reception A for Jonathan OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

ayelsa State government yesterday released plan for elaborate state reception to honour outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the state. Jonathan is expected to hand over state affairs to incoming President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29 at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Briefing newsmen yesterday, Information Com-

missioner, Osueme Bikile, said the state government was doing this because Governor Seriake Dickson wants to demonstrate the love of the people of Bayelsa for the outgoing president. Activities for the threeday event, according to the commissioner, will begin at 3pm when the president would be received at t Government House Helipad by the governor and other eminent Bayelsans. He said the president would then proceed to the Gabriel Okara Cultural

Centre for a civic reception by the state government and thereafter proceed to his home town, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area, where he will also be received by traditional rulers in yet another civic reception. Another reception will be hosted by the state government at the Banquet Hall later in the evening; the President will attend an interdenominational church service at St. Peters Anglican Church in Yenagoa the following day, Saturday.

The commissioner, while thanking people of the state for the support they have given the president in his six years in the Presidency, said there will be restriction on some roads in the metropolis and apologised to the people for the inconveniences such arrangement might cause them. He, however, said all programmes were strictly by invitation as those without invitation would not be allowed into venue of any of the events for security reasons.

s part of efforts to bolster accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public service, the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, is organising a one-day roundtable to consider a draft “Access to Asset Declarations Bill”. The European Union funded “Support to Anticorruption in Nigeria” project implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, is providing technical support for this process. The one-day event comes up on Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Abuja. The draft bill, when passed into law, according to Mr. Tunde Atere, Out-

Jonathan sends Confab report to NASS for enactment into law GEORGE OJI ABUJA

ess than 48 hours to the end of his administration, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded the recommendations and resolutions of the 2014 National Conference to the National Assembly for enactment into law. The resolutions of the National Conference was transmitted to the lawmakers by the President in form of a draft bill. In an accompanying letter to the Senate President, David Mark, the president urged the lawmakers to expedite action in enacting the outcome of the conference into law. It is doubtful what time the current seventh Na-

tional Assembly, which has barely three days sitting period before it winds up on June 4, has to deliberate on the document. The National Conference was inaugurated on the 17th of March, 2014, with the mandate to, among other things, discuss any issue about Nigeria with particular emphasis on finding solutions to the problems of national unity and development. The 492-member delegates was also asked to come up with strategies to strengthen rather than weaken Nigeria’s unity and enhance a participatory and inclusive democratic system of government, even as they recognised the need to move the country forward and de-emphasise the narrow interest that de-

fine our fault lines. Government further tasked the conference to spell out the modalities for the implementation of these recommendations and resolutions, as well as suggest any constitutional arrangement they consider best for Nigeria. After three months and spending a whooping N27 billion on the conference, the conference turned in its report to the Federal Government in June last year. The report contained recommendations and resolutions covering the following areas: agriculture and water resources, citizenship, immigration and related matters, civil society organisations, labour, sports, devolution of power, economy, trade and investment, energy, en-

vironment, foreign policy and diaspora matters, law, judiciary, human rights and legal reform. Land tenure matters and national boundaries, national security, political restructuring, and forms of government, political parties and electoral matters, policies and governance, public finance, public service, social sector, religion, science technology and development and transportation. President Jonathan during his campaign period, particularly in the South West zone of the country, consistently assured that if re-elected, his administration would implement the outcome of the conference. Jonathan in the covering memo to Mark yesterday, explained that the decision to forward the outcome of

Government Area of Kogi State, was kidnapped at gunpoint on Monday while on his way to office. His police orderly, Corporal Usman Musa, was shot dead during the operation. Meanwhile, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah, said he was not aware of any ransom demand. However, efforts to confirm the demand for ransom from the police proved abortive as phone calls put across to Police Public Relations Officer, Collins Adebayo, did not yield any fruit at the time of filing the report.

the conference to the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for consideration and necessary legislative actions followed the deliberation and adoption of the contents of the report by the Federal Executive Council. According to the president, “at the meeting of FEC on March 8, 2015, council considered and approved the reports of the conference and resolved as fellows: “That the draft bills be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment into law. “That the recommendations, resolutions that are outside the purview of the Federal Government be forwarded to the relevant tiers of government for implementations.

reach and Communications Officer, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, UNODC, Nigeria, will enhance the constitutional mandate of CCB to promote the culture of accountability by public officers by allowing members of the public to access the wealth declarations of public officers and thereby call for accountability. “The proposed legislation will also further bring Nigeria’s legal framework into compliance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNCAC. When passed, the law will aid compliance with Article 20 of UNCAC, which is aimed at deterring public officers from acquiring wealth which they cannot account for from their legitimate income. “The objectives of the draft bill are to promote an efficient administration and good governance; create a culture of accountability, openness and transparency in the public administration; and or in the exercise of a public power or the performance of a public function, give effect to the right to inspect asset declarations of public officers, as provided. “A procedure for members of the public to access asset declarations of public officers is a requirement of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). However, no such procedure for accessing assets declarations of public officers has previously been made by the legislature.

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Bye bye Jonathan, welcome Buhari EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

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

omorrow, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will exit from the theatre of national power as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in that process making history as the first incumbent civilian leader to hand over power peacefully to an opposition successor. The story of Jonathan’s ascension to political relevance will continue to be topical in the political history of Nigeria. His acceptance of defeat after the March 28, 2015 hotly contested poll is most perplexing to many, given all the energy and resources he invested into his re election bid. The incident reminds one of the story of David in the Holy Bible, how he went into prayer and fasting in sack cloth when the illicit baby he had from Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife was ill. When eventually the baby gave up the ghost, David took his bathe and brightened up to the amazement of members of his family. It was difficult to believe that President

Jonathan had to give in easily to his defeat in the last presidential contest. This act has been variously seen as heroic and virtuous and a great impetus to our deepening our nascent democracy. A close scrutiny of President Jonathan gives him away as a priest that is weary of inflicting harm on anybody. His sojourn in politics could be seen as part of the irony of fate and destiny. His exit is commendable for various reasons. His party, the PDP, had been in power for the past 16 years; and within this period the consensus of opinion is that it had not done enough for the country, given the quantum of resources and good will that availed it. The misery in the land and concomitant outcry has been most excruciating. The level of infrastructural decay and neglect is alarming and palpable, aside from the scandalous unemployment situation in the country. This has pushed our restive youths to heinous crimes that have wreaked havoc on the country. Amidst all this, the members of the ruling elite are swimming in unbelievable luxury. There was fear that if a peaceful change was impossible, a catastrophic one was inevitable. Aside, the level of insecurity in the land has become intolerable. The Jonathan administration had been accused of foot dragging on issues that deserved prompt attention. This vice had been a great impetus to the criminals and criminally minded people in the land to con-

THE PRIVATISATION OF THE POWER SECTOR TOOK A LOT OF GUT IN SPITE OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS tinue their nefarious acts. It was this lack lustre attitude that has turned kidnapping into organised crime, which is now a big headache for the nation. It was this same lassitude that gave impetus to the Islamic militants, Boko Haram to grow into a big monster in the country. In contemporary political history of Nigeria, I have not seen a leader that had faced so much opposition as President Jonathan. Beside the headache from the Islamic fundamentalists, crude oil thieves, pipe lines and electricity facilities vandals, he was faced with strong opposition from the vocal North that was hell bent that power must return to the region. All fair and unfair measures were applied by northern power mongers, who were backed in their aspiration by the majority of the people of the region. In spite of the legitimacy of that aspiration, what many failed to recognise was the fact that the sudden death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua created this lacuna.

Thus, it could be safely stated that the fierce contest fight for the centre’s political power made many blind to the landmark progress of the administration in the agricultural sector, road construction and rehabilitation, especially the resuscitation of the railway sector. This sector has been moribund for decades. The privatisation of the power sector took a lot of gut in spite of its shortcomings. It is yet one project, if properly sanitized and reengineered, would serve this nation a great deal. It is hoped that this will not be sacrificed on the altar of politics. The other reason many are happy at the exit of Dr. Jonathan is the belief that he is soft. Many have exploited this weakness at the expense of the common man. It is in this wise that questions are asked on why the nation refineries are not working; and why the nation has been spending so much on the importation of fuel. The nation, in addition to all the inconveniences being created by this mindless negligence, lost the opportunity of taming the unemployment menace in the land. The President-elect has the onerous challenge to live up to expectation. His electoral success was made possible by his perceived personal integrity and no nonsense attitude. Nigerians are waiting to see how his approach will enhance the unity and accelerated development of the nation.

Buhari: The dawn of a new era?

s the stage is set for tomorrow’s inauguration of the Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari administration, the breeze of a new era is already making the forces of corruption in Nigeria jittery, while the hopes and expectations of upright Nigerians have sky-rocketed. Not even the sad scarcity of petroleum products, a development that has crippled all sectors of the economy, can overshadow the great expectations of a morally and ethically renascent Nigeria. The new hope is anchored on the now proverbial mantra of the in-coming administration that it would remove corruption from our national life. However, when a friend asked me to suggest a single most potent way to fight corruption in Nigeria, a number of suggestions, ranging from enhanced and severe punishment for corrupt people; comprehensive institutionalisation of foolproof check and control system, to divestment of the executives of the power to directly award contracts, flooded my mind. Upon deeper reflection, I realised that for a start, the single most potent way to begin the battle against corruption is “stop the unconscionable enrichment of a section at the expense of the masses!” The best way to begin this is to ensure that the salaries and emoluments of all public office holders reflect the state of the country’s socio-economic development. It will be foolhardy for a government to be preaching austerity on the grounds that the country has no money, while all its officers are living in stupendous opulence. Our previous governments had shouted to high heavens their resolve to fight corrup-

THE SOCIETY SEEMS TO HAVE SETTLED INTO SOME SORT OF NEGATIVE

EQUILIBRIUM, THRIVING ON MORAL BANKRUPTCY tion, but there is ostensible want of synch between what had been preached and what was practised. The theatrics of fighting corruption in the face of the unmitigated poverty of the masses and profligacy of the ruling class pop up in the mind the risible burlesque of the comedians. How can a system that claims it cannot afford basic things of life to its impoverished masses still be able to produce the highest-paid legislators in the world? Our leaders are the ones giving unwitting sanctioning to the spread, growth and consolidation of corruption through the neglect of the masses, whom they still love to stun with their stupendous wealth. The link between poverty, deprivation and dysfunctional systems has been well documented by the sociologists and political scientists. Elitist profligacy in the full glare of famished populace breeds distrust, apathy and anger. Why should Nigerian graduates be dying in stampede to get the jobs that pay remuneration on the basis N18, 000 monthly minimum wages when every legislator (even those without a degree) counts monthly remunerations and allowances in hundreds of millions of naira?

That has been the reason corruption has percolated every facet of our national life. In sport, politics, social life, and even religious circles, no matter where you look, fat maggots of corruption are wriggling in the putrefying rot of the respective smelly maelstrom we call the polity. All the facets intertwined to form one steadfast fabric of stinking, graft civilization. Many people do not trust the police and even police officers do not trust one another. You go to the markets, you are shortchanged by conmen in the name of merchants. Many religious leaders are simply spiritual highway men, who artfully and “piously” milk their followers and dispossess them of earthly resources upon the promises of heavenly ones, while enjoying the same ‘holy loots’ right here on earth. Many people have accepted this state of affairs as a way of life and would simply resort to ripping off others to offset their own exploitation! The society seems to have settled into some sort of negative equilibrium, thriving on moral bankruptcy. Yet, there are many Nigerians, who are honest, hardworking, upright and lovers of virtues; but these are daily being disenchanted by the system; they have become endangered species in the reality of the prevailing culture. Even moral enthusiasts who have managed to be aloof from the bug of corruption are still daily in great danger of contagion. So, the best way incoming President Buhari can begin the fight against corruption is for him to review the emolu-

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

ments and allowances of all public office holders. Their pay should reflect the actual reality of our socio-economic state. If we state that our national minimum wage is just N18, 000, then our political representatives in all offices must not be given pay that is a million times out of alignment with that calculation! If they manage the country well and the nation is buoyant, then nobody would begrudge them any fat or even obese remunerations, but until then, the political office holders must be reminded they are Nigerians, and not from Mars, and therefore not entitled to callously fantastic remunerations Nigeria can ill-afford. Ketefe may be followed on twitter @Ketesco Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday May 28, 2015

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

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

CBN and CRR harmonisation

he Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said a few days ago in Abuja that it had uniformly harmonised the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public and private sector deposits to 31 per cent. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, at a media briefing told reporters that the MPC “considered that the current discriminatory CRR on public and private sector deposits has not only constrained the policy space, but could inspire moral hazard by private market participants”. Before now, the apex bank clamped 20 per cent as CRR on private sector deposits; and 75 percent on deposits from the public sector. The CRR represents the minimum fraction of individual customer’s (private depositor) or government’s (public depositor) deposits that every legitimate commercial bank must hold as reserves not subject to lending out. However, not all countries operate the CRR system. About January last year, the CRR on public sector deposit was raised from 50 per cent to 75 per cent, while that of private sector was much less. But late last year, the MPC, at its 98th meeting in Abuja, devalued the naira from N155 to N168 against the American dollar, increased Monetary Policy Rate from 12 to 13 percent

and hiked private sector CRR from 15 to 20 per cent. When the CRR on public sector deposits was increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent early last year, the organised private sector, led by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), was probably the first to cry out. Alhaji Remi Bello, the LCCI president, drew attention to the fact that the review of the CRR on public sector deposit with commercial banks from 50 percent to 75 percent would adversely affect interest rates, financial system stability, the real economy and financial inter-mediation. “Current monetary policy regime is inadvertently reinforcing the import dependence of the economy, while penalizing domestic production. It is becoming increasingly difficult to produce domestically due to a combination of structural and monetary factors. The incentive to import is increasing while the motivation for domestic production is diminishing. It is impossible to build an inclusive and job creating economy with this scenario”, Bello had stated. All he cried about could be summed up as the persisting high cost of fund for businesses in the real sector. “Financial intermediation is a major function of banks in any economy, which makes it possible for resources

NIGERIAN BANKS ARE AMONG THE

MOST UNPATRIOTIC,

WORLDWIDE.

THEIR

LOANABLE FUNDS ARE FOR THE FAST-LANE

to be channelled from the surplus segment of the economy to the deficit sectors at any point in time. It is important, at this time, for the CBN to maintain a balance between its pursuit of low inflation and exchange rate stability on the one hand, and the need to stimulate the economy on the other. This is crucial in the light of the worsening unemployment and poverty situation in the country”, Bello added. We also recall that in defence of the increase in private sector CRR from 15 to 20 percent last November, CBN’s Deputy Governor (Corporate Services), Mr. Bayo Adelabu, stated: “The decision of the MPC was the best we could do under the circumstance the economy is presently…, a lot of things contributed to the pressure on the naira. Firstly is the declining revenue from oil. Our source of revenue in this country is just oil, and when oil price declined by about 25 percent in the last one month, we expected that there would be pressure on the

ON THIS DAY

May 28, 1975

May 28, 2011

Fifteen West African countries signed the Treaty of Lagos, creating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Its mission is to promote regional economic integration. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve “collective self-sufficiency” for member states.

Malta voted on the introduction of divorce. The divorce referendum was held to consult the electorate on the introduction of divorce. During the referendum, a majority of the voters gave their approval for the legalisation of divorce. At that time, Malta was one of only three countries in the world, along with the Philippines and the Vatican City, in which divorce was not permitted.

foreign reserves…What the CBN is saying is that we need to become more patriotic. We should patronise locally-made goods and services. We do not need to be importing everything. This is part of the reasons for the pressure on the naira”. Adelabu said instead of lending to the productive sectors of the economy, banks were busy advancing loans to mainly importers of consumable items. Ordinarily, pegging the CRR at 31 percent for both private and public sector deposits appears industry-friendly. But the fact remains that whether the CRR is adjusted upwards or downwards, it will scarcely make any positive impact on the Nigerian economy for as long as it mainly benefits importers to the detriment of genuine local entrepreneurs. Nigerian banks are among the most unpatriotic, worldwide. Their loanable funds are for the fast-lane. They are for quick-return-importers. They don’t even mind making funds available for round-tripping or arbitrage. Why would any reasonable adjustment of the CRR pay off, and why would the naira not crash the more, when no tangible sum is invested to grow locally made products and services; and when loans sourced from supposedly friendly CRR end up being used to import all manner of rubbish into the country?

May 28, 2012 The discovery of ‘Flame’, a complex malware programme targeting computers in Middle Eastern countries, was announced by the Iranian National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), Kaspersky Lab and CrySyS Lab of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Flame is a modular computer malware that attacks computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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Education Today Thursday, MAY 28, 2015

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

Democracy:

16 years on, education still in doldrums TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE examines the pitiable state of the country’s education sector as the nation transit to another democratically elected government tomorrow and suggests possible ways to bail out the system from degeneration.

omorrow, Nigeria will usher in a new government to be headed by General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state, following his victory in the last presidential poll where he defeated the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. By virtue of this development, he is expected to steer the affairs of this country for the next four years when another general election is expected to hold to produce a set of new leaders. However, expectations from Nigerians at home and in Diaspora from his government on education is very high just like it is for every other sector of the economy. But as pitiable as Nigerians education system seems today, quite a number of stakeholders believe it can still get better under the new administration. Using the early years of political independence when the country relied so much on the sector in producing well-rounded manpower because of the effectiveness of the system, most stakeholders believe that the country’s public school system is far from what it should be in terms of adequate funding, conducive work and learning environment, well equipped science laboratories and libraries, non interrupted academic calendar, among others. They said the sector is marred by policy inconsistency and disregard for intellectualism by the successive regimes, especially during the military era which has largely led to such ills as brain drain, decaying infrastructures, bastardisation of the teaching profession, destruction of the public school system, workers’ strikes, frequent closures of schools, students’ laziness, cultism, among others. No wonder why UNESCO just last month

Buhari came up with an embarrassing report showing Nigeria as one of the countries with worst education crisis in the world. The world agency through its Education for All (EFA) project reported that Nigeria just like other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and some others elsewhere failed to hit the 15 years span deadline which ended this year. Apparently this might be why the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau recently described the state of the sector, especially at the secondary level, as appalling. The situation, he said, Nigerians were worried about.

NGO moves to fight illiteracy, poverty in North East 20

Even at that, the minister said there had been a recorded slow progress in the sector, thus showing that the country is moving away from the dark clouds that had engulfed the education system over years. On his part, the former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, said the sector, in its 16 years of democracy, had been a variegated story of success and failure. “While noteworthy gains are recorded in quantity, quality at all levels of the system remains largely depressed. When viewed with a global lens, Nigeria does not present

It’s illogical raising teaching qualification now! 23

the worst case scenario in the quality of the education delivery system. “But the response rate to improvement by government is still low. It is one of the lowest in Africa,” he said. Interestingly, each of them stressed the importance of quality education to a country believing that no country can grow beyond its literacy level. The current national literacy rate, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is 57 per cent. The problem on this is more pronounced in the northern part and some eastern states of the country, where fewer school-age girls and boys enrol in schools, which is due to social-cultural beliefs and economic limitation as well as economic consideration, respectively. Similarly, school-age children still flood the streets, especially in the cities, during school hours engaging in one petty trade or another. UNESCO puts their current figure at about 10.5 million while the government and relevant stakeholders behave as if such a situation is nothing to worry about. To worsen this, school enrolment and drop-out of school syndrome is the emergence of Boko Haram insurgents who daily kill people including students and destroy property indiscriminately, especially in the north eastern part of the country. This development and most especially with the abduction of school girls at Chibok community in Borno State with their whereabouts still unknown has continued to threaten the development of the sector. Another problem is the quality of teachers in our schools. The quality of teachers determines the quality of students they produce. A good teacher must be able to simplify every aspect of the language for his students to perform excellently, but this is lacking in most schools. The outgoing President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan publicly at a function sometime ago, stated that more than half of all the lecturers in the public and private universities in the country were not qualified to be there. According to him, a university lecturer should be a doctorate degree holder, but many of them are with lower degrees and these reflect in the quality of graduates produced year-in and out. This situation is similar at the lower levCONTINUED ON PAGE 21

FG should include Abacus in curriculum, says proprietress 21

Education Today

Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Buhari tasked over education budget

NGO moves to fight illiteracy, poverty in North East

Kemi Olaitan

BAUCHI

IBADAN

he incoming administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has been enjoined to provide new budgetary allocation for education and also make psychological counseling a compulsory course in all schools in the country. Veteran educationist and former President, Counseling Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Dr. Depo Fakunle, gave the advice in Ibadan, during the formal opening of the Annual Olagoke Educational Foundation which took place at Lead City University, Ibadan. According to him, the army of unemployed graduates in the country today did not acquire counseling knowledge before proceeding on their courses thereby making many of them unemployable. He then insisted that the trend should not be limited to secondary schools but cut across all levels of education in the country. Fakunle faulted the present government policy on education which he said did not give any guideline on psychological counseling as expected. Speaking on “National Policy on Education; Challenges of Implementation and impact on the society,” Dean, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Prof. Sabit Olagoke revealed that successive governments in the country did not meet the 25 percent budgetary allocation for education as laid down by the United National Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) standard. He said there must be political will by all stakeholders in the education sector if the desired plan for functional education could be achieved.

Saidat Alausa

‘B

eyond the School,’ a career and guidance counseling initiative of Nigeria Breweries Plc and Felix Ohwerei Education Trust Fund is already generating some excitment among secondary school students in Lagos State. The initiative is put together for students in the senior secondary school categories in public schools to expose them to career options and factors they need to consider before making a career choice. It is also to help students to improve their reading habit and underpin the importance of reading in career goal achievement. Beneficiaries include students and teachers from Oregun Senior Secondary School, Oregun; Vetland Senior Secondary School, Agege; Government Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi; Baptist Senior High School, Obanikoro and Eric Moore Senior High School, Surulere. The students told National Mirror at the event held last week at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island that the programme would help them shape their career as they proceed

Ezekiel Titus

auchi base, non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as FACE PAM has vowed to fight the alarming rate of illiteracy in the North-East. The Founder and Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro made the disclosure while presenting awards of honour to 11 members of Board of Trustees of the NGO in Bauchi State. He also said that the NGO is determined to tackles poverty and malnutrition in the region following years of killings by Boko Haram which has crippled the socio-economic development of the

region. Bogoro reiterated that the barbaric attacks on innocent souls by the insurgency have badly ravage the North East subregion and that inform the NGO decision to place a palliative measure in the fight against, illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, and advocate for the need on children enrollment in schools. Disclosing the achievement of the NGO so far, the founder said that with the support of Japan embassy it has renovated six primary schools in Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa LGAs in the state as well as undertook completion and renovation of two primary schools in Funtua and Faskari local government areas of Katsina state.

“We implemented N7.5m project funded by Northern Education Initiative on enhancing community participation in providing basic education to orphans and vulnerable children,” he also revealed. In his remark, former Head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon rtd commended the founder of FACE PAM and his team for the initiative particularly in the education and health sector, saying “sound education and character will close the gate of illiteracy poverty and malnutrition.” FACE PAM was established 20 years ago and has accessed N10m through the World Bank to mitigate the impact of HIV/ AIDS through peer education and counseling among students in Bauchi and Gombe states.

L-R: Dean College of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Osun State, Prof. Timothy Bamiduro; inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Gabriel Adeyemi, ViceChancellor, Prof. Debo Adeyewa and Registrar, Mrs. Bolatito Oloketuyi , during the institution’s 2nd inaugural lecture held at the university, recently.

Students recount NB career counseling experience in their education pursuit. Ikechukwu Jonathan of EricMoore Senior High School, Surulere said the programme has taught him how to make right decisions which he said is very important in reaching his goals. The SS1 student also said that he was in a dilemma in choosing his career before coming to the programme “but with what I have learnt here I will be bold to tell my parents that I no longer want to be a medical doctor who they want me to be but an astronaut.” For Miss Elizabeth Godwin of Government Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi who love to be an accountant said her daddy wants her to be a medical doctor because he is a doctor “but now I will be able to convince him that this is what I want and that is what I will go for.” The Project Champion, Mrs. Clementine Vervelde who addressed the students advised them to discover their abilities, talents and areas of interest, and be ready to take advantage of their chosen career opportunities in future. She noted that the students must believe in themselves and

stand up boldly to challenges they might encounter in their career path. Speaking earlier, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem noted that the initiative has been introduced to complement other initiatives of the company targeted at the education sector. He counseled students to work hard at their academics in spite of the economic challenges confront-

ing them and the nation at large. Mr. Abiodun Adegbola, Regional Programme Coordinator, Junior Achievement Nigeria educated the students on financial discipline. The event also saw representatives from the schools present compete in a monopoly game where Alabi Samod of Government Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi won the first prize and went home with an educational fund of N500, 000 and a cash prize of N100,

000. Emmanuel Peter of Oregun Senior Secondary School won the second prize and he got an educational fund of N250, 000 and N50, 000.00 cash prize. There were five winners each in the third, fourth and fifth positions with each receiving N60, 000, N50, 000 and N20, 000 respectively. Winners in the third position got N10, 000 of their educational fund in cash. L-R: Project Champion, ‘Beyond the School’ and wife of the MD/CEO Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Clementine Vervelde; First Prize Winner of Monopoly Competition, Alabi Samod of Government Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi; and Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, at the 2015 edition of ‘Beyond the School’ held for Public Senior Secondary School students at Terra Kulture, Lagos, last week.

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Education Today

Thursday, May 28, 2015

16 years on, education still in doldrums

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

els. Some primary and secondary school teachers, especially in schools owned by individuals, employ people that have never trained as teachers. The sector is also known for poor funding. Over the years, government’s investment on education is below the one that can drive the system to appreciable heights. While the Federal Government’s yearly allocation is below 18 per cent of the total budget against the international standard, which requires higher percentage, it is lower for many state governments, the situation that has been pitching the various school workers’ unions against governments. Another serious challenge confronting the sector across levels is the poor infrastructural facilities in terms of physical structure and instructional materials. There are situations where students, especially in the north, still have their lessons under trees just because of inadequacy of classrooms. Where there are classrooms, they are overcrowded and stuffy and this prevents free movement of teachers and students when necessary. The UNESCO’s standard on the ratio of a teacher to students for effective teaching is 1: 40 maximum. But there are many public schools even in Lagos, which prides itself as a model for others, including the Federal Government, that have over 80 students in a classroom. A student of Stadium High School, Surulere, Lagos, confirmed this to National Mirror last week. The problems in the sector are not limited to these. Nevertheless, something can be done to revamp the system. This has to take holistic approach. It will also involve strong commitment and sincerity of the people concerned. The first and major step is for the administration to improve on the budgetary allocation to the sector. This, to a large extent, will arrest the decaying infrastructures and poor teaching aids at all levels. There is also a need for government to set up a mechanism whereby school administrators are held accountable for their activities. By that, they will be prudent especially in their spending. Teachers should be well remunerated and provided with good conditions of service, not only to make them more committed and be retained on the job, but also to attract best brains into the system. The coming administration should also honour all the existing agreements with various school workers from primary to the university level. Incessant strikes by school workers in the last 16 years have done nothing than incalculable damage to the system. For instance, teachers in the federal government colleges and their senior colleagues in public polytechnic and colleges of education nationwide are still not being answered concerning their demands, which also hinge on salaries and allowances from the government. There should also be adequate security provided in and around the schools to prevent intruders and their nefarious activities. The students, parents and other stakeholders also have significant roles to play in this respect. They should also ensure they contribute their own quota, all for the development of the sector and make it globally competitive.

Tunbosun Ogundare

he proprietress of Divine Children Place (DCP) International School, Surulere, Lagos, Mrs. Adekunbi Osisami has called on the Federal Government to include Abacus learning solution in the school curriculum, saying the process would enhance students’ knowledge and performance in mathematics and other calculation works. She gave the advice while pupils of her school, a nursery and primary institution were making presentation of Abacus at the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting of the school held recently. According to her, the introduction of Abacus as part of her school’s curriculum has significantly boosted interest of pupils of the school in the study of mathematics and their performance in the subject. Abacus is a simple calculating tool that consists of beads or disks that can be moved up and down on a series of sticks or strings within a usually wooden frame and it had been in use centuries before the adoption of the written modern numeral system and is still

FG should include Abacus in curriculum, says proprietress

Pupils of Divine Children Place International School, Surulere, Lagos during presentation of abacus, recently.

widely much in used today. She however lamented that despite the significant impact of abacus in learning; only a few private schools in the country have so far introduced it in their schools while government schools are left out entirely. “That is why I am using this medium to call on the Federal Government to make abacus learning solution a policy, especially at the basic education level,” she stressed.

Saidat Alausa

he adage that teachers reward is in heaven does not apply to today teachers anymore as they now get their reward right here on earth. This was why the Education District 1 in Lagos State rewarded some of its principals, vice-principals and teachers who distinguished themselves at work in the last one year. The award ceremony, which was the ninth edition in the series, took place last week at the Government College, Agege. The Principal of Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege, Mr. Olatunde Adetolu won the junior school category of the award while Mr. Emmanuel Adebiyi of Lagos State Baptist Senior College, Obanikoro won the senior category and Mrs. Kafilat Salawudeen of Sasa Senior High School, Akowonjo emerged the best teacher. While the two principals got a plaque and a freezer each, the best teacher went home with a refrigerator and plague. Speaking with National Mirror at the event, the elated Adetolu said he was not really surprised that he won the category because he had put in a lot of experience as a teacher and now as a principal. ”I am committed to my job, focused and always have a vision anywhere I find myself. I always create strategies to achieve my vision and am a goal getter. “I always want to be the best in everything I do and as a result of that I equip myself personally, I attend a lot of professional courses and seminars,” he said. The 56-year-old principal who is just being transferred to Model College, Meiran as a principal has served for over 30 years. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye in her remark at the

Speaking on her vision for her school, Osisami said it was to produce well-rounded graduates in knowledge and character for secondary education who would be able to compete favourably with their peers elsewhere around the world. She explained that was why the school paraded competent and dedicated staff as well as state-of-the art facilities that would make learn-

ing and teaching friendly. Speaking also, the Chief Executive Officer of Edutrend Services Nigeria Limited, an education service provider, Mr. Napoleon Omiunu reaffirmed that “Abacus makes mathematical operations physical and not abstract as users of the device have the opportunity of touching and play with them since figures which serve as numbers are represented in beads.

Principal rewarded for hard work

L-R: Tutor General and Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Florence Ogunfidodo; winner, best principal, Junior School, Mr. Olatunde Adetolu of Vetland Junior School, Agege and the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka oladunjoye presenting an award to the winner at the Annual Education Merit Award organised by the District, recently. PHOTO: SAIDAT ALAUSA

occasion, thanked the teachers for their supports to the outgoing administration and urged them to support the incoming governor who she said would continue to invest in education. Earlier in her welcome address, the Tu-

Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

s part of efforts to improve academic excellence, Salem University, Lokoja concluded plan to collaborate with Regent University, United States of America. The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Ocholi Ikani made this known in a press release made available to newsmen in Lokoja, reaf-

tor -General and Permanent Secretary of the district, Mrs. Florence Ogunfidodo thanked Governor Babatunde Fashola who she said in the last eight years had initiated and sustained various reforms in the education sector.

Salem University partners US varsity firming that the institution would not leave any stone unturned to provide quality and qualitative education. He listed areas of partnership to include the assistance of Regent University in the establishment of the Mass Communication programme in the university. He pointed out that the representative of partnering university, Dr. Mitch Land

had assured that the students of Salem University could now have access to the online programmes of the US-based university and first graduates could as well complete their post graduate studies in Regent University. He added the arrangement was concluded during a working visit of the Vice-chancellor of Salem University, Professor Joseph Fuwape.

Education Today

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Celebrating Yoruba culture at King Ado Senior High School King Ado High School, Lagos Island marked its Annual Yoruba Day May 26, 2015. The event which was with fanfare gave the students of the school the opportunity to showcase their talents. National Mirrorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photojournalist, ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED captured the event.

Christian Religion Teacher, Mrs. Banjo Olayinka and Senior Secondary Principal, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi, at the event.

Oladiti Ridwoone as (Orunmila) and Olubode Sherifat as (Oyeku) during the Orumila drama play.

Junior Secondary School Principal, Mrs. Taibat Pereira and Vice Principal Junior Secondary, Mr. Ganiu Alatise.

L-R: Opaleye Rachel, Cole Remilekun and Lawal Rukayat during the drama play of Efunsetan Aniwura.

L-R: Adebowale Radiat,Sanyaolu Bolanle and Olumo Temitope, during the Yemoja Performance.

Student of the school peforming Eyo traditional dancce.

Student having fun at the programme.

Yruba Teacher, Mr. Muritala Balogun and the drumer, Mr. Wasiu Isa.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, May 28, 2015

It’s illogical raising teaching qualification now!

he federal government has concluded plans to make the university first degree the minimum teaching qualification in Nigeria. This statement which was credited to the minister of education Malam Ibrahim Shekarau on Thursday February 19, 2015 during a courtesy call on him by the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria Pirjo SuomelaChowdhury has generated a lot of discussions. The minister was reacting to the Ambassador’s claim that all teachers in his country have a minimum of the master’s degree stressing that teaching is highly competitive. In my humble opinion, the educational system in Nigeria is plagued by so many problems that require very urgent attention. Focusing attention on a new minimum academic teaching qualification at this time would constitute a significant distraction rather than a solution. As acknowledged by the Minister Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the minimum teaching qualification has been raised many times before. Once upon a time, standard six certificate holders held teaching appointments in Nigeria; now the minimum teaching qualification is the National Certificate of Education (NCE). But surprisingly, the standard of education has continued to plummet even as the minimum teaching qualification is raised. To suggest that the minimum teaching qualification in Nigerian schools be upgraded to a first university degree when the goals set seventeen years earlier has not been achieved is simply irrational. Though the Teachers Grade II certificate was purportedly phased out in 1998 thus ushering the Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) as the new minimum teaching qualification in Nigeria, more than half of all the teachers in most of the northern states still parade the TCII. According to governor Yero of Kaduna State, “though the Federal Ministry of Education stipulates that the minimum teaching qualification in our schools is the National Certificate for Education, the majority of teachers we have today in the system do not have NCE certificates”! The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Ahmed Modibbo, recently dis-

Focusing attention on a new minimum academic teaching qualification at this time would constitute a significant distraction rather than a solution. closed that more than 80 percent of teachers in Sokoto State do not possess this basic qualification. Just last year, Alhaji Wada Zakari, the Chairmain of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) indicated that over 50 percent of primary school teachers in the state are not qualified. In a more sweeping statement, the Director General of the National Teachers Institute Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu said that less than 20 percent of teachers in the north are qualified. The facts on ground show that no state has been able to comply fully with the directive to elevate the minimum teaching qualification in the primary school and junior secondary schools to NCE. It is pertinent at this juncture to ask whether it is really necessary to phase out the TCII certificate especially in the primary schools. Do the holders of the NCE make better teachers than the TCII teachers? Does the curriculum of the university graduate impart more knowledge of the subjects offered at the primary and junior sec-

Lagos tasks school owners on education policies Tunbosun Ogundare

he Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye has advised stakeholders in the sector to adhere strictly to the state’s education policies, saying all was for the betterment of the sector. She also solicited the cooperation and support of stakeholders, especially the private school operators for the incoming administration in the state and her successor in particular. She gave the advice at a stakeholders’ forum with the proprietors of private schools in the state on education quality assurance held last week at the state secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja. It was organised by the Office of State Education Quality Assurance. The commissioner restated the state’s government commitment to provide sound and total education to the people of

the state, noting that the incoming administration would sustain the already established template in the sector. Speaking on the importance of private schools securing operational license from government, Oladunjoye said the whole idea was not necessarily about revenue generation but to have accurate data for proper planning. Earlier in her speech, the Director-General, Of-

fice of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo explained that her office was established to raise standard of education and sanitise the guidelines guiding the operation of education below tertiary level in the state. Recalling the achievements of the office in less than three months of its operation, Soyombo said that it had organised a review of instruments and held sensitisation and

training programmes for senior officers in the office to acquaint them of the great tasks ahead. She added that her mandate was to among others enthrone a formidable educational structure that would be the envy of other states in the country and elsewhere around the world. “But the task to get to that level required the concerted efforts of all the stakeholders in the sector,” she concluded.

L-R: Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun; guest lecturer and former Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku, and honoree and immediate past registrar, AOCOED, Mr. Bola Disu during AOCOED’s Registry lecture series on “Effective administration of tertiary educational institutions in the 21st Century” organised by AOCOED in honour of Disu, last week. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

ondary levels respectively? Professor Adamu Baikie was of the opinion that the scrapping of Teachers’ Colleges was a mistake because the training of NCE holders is not compatible with what is expected of them at primary schools. We all agree that the quality of education was better in yesteryears and the students more self reliant when the teachers on the average possessed lower nominal qualifications than now. Ironically, now that most teachers higher academic qualifications, the students have lost their self reliance and have to depend on examination malpractice to pass their examinations! Obviously the quality of our diplomas has depreciated remarkably. Current findings suggest that many teachers that possess the National Certificate of Education totally lack an understanding of the core subjects of basic science, mathematics and English language than the TCII teachers. Even many of the graduate teachers that the minister hopes would redeem the sector have fared woefully in competency tests designed to assess the proficiency of primary four pupils in literacy and numeracy. The phenomenon of graduates who cannot read and write is currently on the rise. High level malpractice at virtually every level of our education has made the qualifications awarded by the majority of our educational institutions literarily worthless. To make matters worse, many of the teachers employed in the sector have been found to be in possession of bogus certificates. If the minister of education decrees that all teachers in the primary school in Nigeria should possess a doctoral degree, many will produce it but the quality of teaching will still not improve. The ultimate solution is to improve the quality of training our teachers are exposed to before they are employed to teach. We must at this stage of our development seek to achieve our national goals at the lowest possible cost. It will obviously cost a lot more to produce a graduate teacher than an NCE or TCII holder, but his output will definitely not be better! Our teachers training colleges must be strengthened to produce the quality of teachers we need.

University administrators, critical to development —FUNAAB VC Saidat Alausa

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said that administrators play pivotal roles in policy formulation, analysis and implementation in the university system. He stated this during the lecture series, organised by the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), FUNAAB Chapter. The vice-chancellor noted that the extent to which an organisation could achieve its set goals was a direct function of the premium placed on staff training. He stressed that staff training constituted a salient aspect of the achievements of goals by such institutions. Represented by the Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development, Prof. Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale, the VC reiterated the commitment of the present administration

at making the university attain a world-class status, stating that the lofty vision may not be achieved without wellequipped staff. Also speaking at the forum, the university Registrar, Mr. Mathew Ayoola said the complexities and dynamism in university administration required that career administrators were trained and re-trained periodically to cope with the ever increasing demands of university administration. Earlier, the Chairperson of ANUPA, Mrs. Toyin Dawodu said that the lecture series was resuscitated, to equip administrators better in enhancing their work in the university. In her captivating lecture, titled: “Communicative Competence/Use of English”, the Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mrs. Emi Alawode said an administrator should possess good interpersonal communication, presentation, writing and listening skills as well as good command of pragmatics to be able to perform creditably well.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

UNILORIN: Faculty of science wins inter-faculty dance contest

L-R: President, University of Benin, Student Union Government, Raymond Omorogbe; Campus Journalist, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan and the Public Relation Officer of the union, Divine Oguche during a visit by campus journalist to the SUG secretariat, recently.

Zainab Yussuf 400L, UNLORIN

tudents of faculty of science, university of Ilorin, Kwara State has emerged the winner of the university annual inter faculty dance contest. The contest which was organised by strictly street dance company is a weeklong contest which place between April 22nd and 16th May with the participating faculties performing different kind of dances. At the finals and closing ceremony of the contest, the qualifying faculties were asked to perform a dance to represent their faculty and what they do. After the presentation faculty of science was adjudged the best based on their creativity, task, costume, attitude, precision, crowd response and stage management. The Faculty of Engineering and that of education came second and third respectively. The winning faculty was given a cash prize of N50,000 and the second and third were given N30,000 and N20,000 respectively. While speaking to newsmen, one of the judges of the contest Mr. Omotesho Olakunle said that SSDC is set out to change people’s opinion about dancers because dance is a tool that can be used to create change in the society and that is the reason why this year’s edition was tagged war against child abuse. Olakunle, who is also a dance director at SSDC added that the company has been enjoying a high level of support from the university. While presenting the awards to the winning faculties, the organising secretary of the contest Mr. Tunde said that apart from the cash prizes some of these talents will be selected to work for SSDC, so that they can showcase their talent to the world. Apart from the performance from upcoming artists on war against child abuse the audience was also thrilled with jokes from comedians.

Ambali

Ezekiel Efeobhokhan UNIBEN

he Students’ Union Government (SUG), University of Benin, Edo State has assured students living on campus of a better hostel conditions from the second semester. This assurance was made when campus journalists paid the president, Raymond Omorogbe a visit to know the level of progress the newly inaugurated executives have made. Reacting to some questions, the President assured the students staying in the hostel for a better water system in the hostel which would lead to a neater and more comfortable state of the hostel. He noted that the rot in the hostel was a result

UNIBEN SUG promises students better accommodation

of erratic water supply in all the hostels. The president however showed Campus News documents which showed the approval given by principal officers of the University and the hostel management to begin such project as to enhance water flow in all the hostels. Meanwhile, responding on the security situation on campus, the SUG PRO, Divine Oguche stated that the government is up to date with the security challenges on campus

and they are in constant talk with the school security on how they can improve the state of security on campus. According to him the school security are mapping out strategy to end the plague of armed robbery on campus. The president thanked the students for given the mandate to control the affairs of the student for the next session. He stressed that his administration would carve a new path to move the union forward.

ABSU VC advises new doctors on ethics Uchechukwu Amanze and Favour Nnadi

100L, MED & SURG & 300L, MED LAB SC. ABSU

ice- Chancellor, Abia State University, Prof. Chibuzo Ogbuagu has advised newly inducted doctors of the institution not to engage in practices that could tarnish the image of the university and the medical profession. He gave the advice during the induction ceremony by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria

for the 50 graduates of Medicine and Surgery department of the institution. He added that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria would be forced to withdraw license of anyone found wanting in compromising standard of the profession. Congratulating the new doctors, the VC who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ifeanyi Elekwa, commended the lecturers of the faculty of Basic health sciences for nurturing the young doctors.

In his address, the provost college of Medicine ABSU, Prof. Christian Aluka congratulates the inductees for the great achievement and enjoined them to good character morals. He urged them to keep abreast of new development in medical practice. Dean Faculty of clinical Medicine, Prof. Paul feyi-wabaso, while giving professional advice to the new doctors, admonished them to dress well always. He also taught the doctors medical Ethics.

L-R: Inaugural lecturer, Prof. Lateef Sanni; Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Oyewole and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe during the institution’s 49th inaugural lecture held last week.

EKSU shines at taekwondo championship

kiti State University (EKSU), Ekiti State has again recorded an outstanding performance in sport as the institution emerged winner in the just concluded first National Collegiate Taekwondo Championship hosted by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State between Thursday, 30th April, and Sunday, May 3, 2015. The championship which was organised for all tertiary institutions in the country had thirty institutions participated in the championship. The institutions include University of Benin; Bayero University, Kano; University of Lagos; Cross Rivers State University; Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Ondo State; Nuhu Bomali Polytechnic, Zaria; Kwara State Polytechnic, Benue State University, Obafemi Awolowo University; Iree Polytechnic, Osun State and others. Ekiti State University presented 12 athletes comprising 10 men and two women and at the end of the competition, Omobola Ajayi of Economics Department won a gold medal for EKSU in the light heavy weight category.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

ABUAD hosts nursing accreditation team

he much awaited Nursing Accreditation Team for the accreditation of the Nursing Programme of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) berthed at the fiveyear old university last week with words of commendation for the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and his ever supportive wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola. Speaking at the commencement of the accreditation exercise over the weekend, the Leader of the Accreditation Team, Dr. Eunice Ogbonna Osuala said she was impressed with what she saw adding that the facilities in the campus can be compared to any university in Europe or United States of America. Osuala, a teacher in Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State wondered how a single individual could put up such a monumental university. She commended Babalola for his vision and selflessness and his wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, for her unflinching and unwavering support for her husband

in the establishment and running of the technologydriven 21st Century model university. The team leader promised to work objectively during the exercise saying the university is known for high standard both nationally and internationally. In his remarks, Babalola who heartily welcome the 36th team to the university said the university has put in place more resources and personnel than was recommended by the Resource Verification Team that visited the university earlier, adding that the university is always ready to comply with all prescribed laws stipulated for accreditation in the interest of quality education in the country. He said, “When the Resource Accreditation Team came here, they told us what we needed to do to scale the hurdle of accreditation, but I can assure you that we have done more than what they recommended, Am sure with this you will not hesitate to give us 100 percent accreditation for the programme.

Registrar charges new teachers on professionalism Emeka Chukwuemeka ULI

he Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Prof. Addison Wokocha has charged fresh graduating teachers of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State to take their induction into the council with the highest level of seriousness and commitment to professionalism. He gave the charge at the maiden registration and induction ceremony for graduates of the institution. According to him the induction was in honour of the clarion call for the teaching profession in Nigeria. While commending the inductees, he disclosed that the induction during graduation was part of the measures put in place to check quack in the teaching pro-

fession. He said TRCN directed its vision to regulate teacher education, training and practice at all levels of education system in order to match teachers’ quality, discipline, professionalism reward and dignity with international standards. He said the council was out to achieve that by promoting excellence in education through effective registration, certification and licensing of teachers, and promoting professionalism through accreditation, monitoring and supervision of teacher education programmes. In his address, Provost of the college, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu urged the graduates being inducted as fullfledged teachers to take advantage of the opportunity that has exempted them from the rigours of the processes of registration.

Be servant leaders, FUTA Vc tells new students exco Tunbosun Ogundare

he newly inaugurated Students Union Executive of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, have been advised to be servant leaders in their comportment and service delivery. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola and Dean, Students’ Affairs of the institution, Dr. Kayode Alese gave this advice at their swearing in ceremony recently. Prof. Daramola, who was represented by his deputy in charge of development, Prof. Tolulope Akinbogun admonished the new set of leaders to see leadership as

a process by which a person influences others to accomplish set objectives and direct an organisation in a way that makes it cohesive and coherent. “The underlying principles here are service, character and teamwork. Do not let your position get into your heads. You must be humble and approach every situation with maturity. The character you display during your tenure will show the kind of persons you are. So, strive to serve others, even as you lead,” he counseled. Prof. Daramola promised them that they would benefit from local and international trainings according to the practice in the univer-

sity. “We have consistently been sponsoring student leaders to attend leadership training programmes for the past six years in and outside the country and I believe your administration won’t be an exception. This is part of our resolve to take FUTA and its products to a higher level of internationalisation,” he said. Also speaking, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Alese advised the leaders to make the interest of generality of students their utmost priority, saying “You must represent them well and put personal gains aside. You must be responsible and exhibit leadership qualities at all

times. You must be able to take decisions in the overall interest of not only the students’ populace but the entire university community.” Reaffirming his open door policy, Alese urged them to always intimate the university management with their observations and challenges through his office. While promising them of prompt response to their issues, he warned them against confrontational in resolving issues as doing so may disrupt academic activities and elongate their stay on campus. The President of the union, Fowobaje Oluwaseun said he and his colleagues would ensure their tenure is crisis-free. Cross section of Students Union executives, Federal University of Technology, Akure during their swearing in ceremony, recently.

NOUN inaugurates study centre in Bauchi

he National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has inaugurated a study centre at Bogoro community in Bogoro Local Government area of Bauchi State. This ceremony brought to eight the total number of such community study centres so far inaugurated by the university in various states of the federation. Speaking at the event, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), who chaired the occasion, commended the management of the university for following to the letter the mandate of taking education to the door step of the common man. Gowon said in spite of the remote nature of Bogoro Local Government area, it was heart-warming to note that the people of Bogoro community would access education without hindrances often associated with the admission process in the country. The former leader in a statement by the university’s spokesperson, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin urged the in-coming ad-

ministration of Mohammadu Buhari to step up the campaign on education for all by making it possible for Nigerians to access education irrespective of their circumstances. Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe said the institution, which had been positioned to provide access to education for all Nigerians, would continue to locate and identify communities in

search of knowledge until the entire 774 local government areas in the country was covered. Prof. Tenebe commended the Management of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, led by the Executive Secretary, Prof. SulaimanBogoro and the entire members of the community, for being worthy partners in the efforts to spread the gospel of Open and Distance Learning in the country.

L-R: Vice- Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe; Chairman on the occasion, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and Director, NOUN’s Study Centre, Bokogoro community, Bauchi State, Dr. James Landi at the inauguration of the centre, recently.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

eps (Reps’) speaker: South East coalition lobbies Buhari” NATIONAL Mirror of April 27 comes up with copious grammatical crises: “We’ll restore peace in (to) APGA— Ufomba” Next is its Views Page: “Parents have thus out of greed or fear of discharging their responsibilities to the (their) children, (needless comma) give (given) them out….” “Both the federal and states (sic) government (federal and state governments) must take steps to ensure that….” “There is thus the need to separate politicking from electioneering campaign.” (Editorial) ‘Electioneering’ encompasses ‘campaign.’ “…and the ousted leadership of the school’s parents/ teachers’ association.” Education Today: parent-teacher association “St. Saviour’s school commissions (inaugurates) N200m classrooms” “Forex reserves drops (drop) 0.17% to three month (threemonth) low” Because of its grouping role, the hyphen forms adjectives. Otherwise, some lexical combinations will become awkward and ambiguous. Please note that ‘but’ and ‘however’ cannot co-function. And this: ‘at’ applies to a definite time; while ‘about’ refers to an approximate time. Therefore, to use both in the same environment is contradictory and confusing. But you can say ‘at or about’…in an informal setting that allows such escapist latitude! Lastly: ‘likes’ take ‘compare with’ and unlike terms ‘compare to.’ An example, talking football: You can compare FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi with Real Madrid playmaker Christiano Ronaldo, but Messi to Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man. However, at a classical level, some likes are incomparable with one another: Nigerian local league players cannot be compared with, but to, either Messi or Ronaldo! Still on National Mirror: “…activities of unlicensed designers is (are) shrinking its market in Nigeria.” “Air-purifying, energy saving (why omit the second hyphen?) AC unveiled as Panasonic stirs competition”

Saidat Alausa

Intellectualism in the media “Police counsel Ogun monarchs on grassroot (grassroots) policing” “Unlawful possession of firearms: Vigilante boss exonerated” Community Mirror: vigilance boss or vigilantes’ boss “Ota DPO calls for concerted efforts (effort) in traffic management” Finally from the Back Page of NATIONAL MIRROR which circulated three blunders: “In this critical area, this government has failed woefully (abysmally)….” “Another job creating (job-creating) initiative like the….” “…functional national infrastructure which are still lacking in our oil dependent (oil-dependent) economy.” “Mama, tens of decades of exemplary contributions to the upliftment (uplift) of common people….” There is no such word known as ‘upliftment’ in the English language lexicon. THISDAY of April 22 did not practise robust journalism, as it advocates, on nine occasions: “Enjoy round the clock banking!” (Full-page advertisement by GT Bank) At your service adjectivally: round-the-clock banking! “HICC pledge (pledges) to support FG’s war against corruption.” “Our daddy, on this auspicious occasion of your birthday anniversary….” ‘Birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-function in the same environment. “I am not an advocate for albinos to marry themselves (one another)….” “It was a beehive of activities…as the celebrant’s (celebrator’s) parents….” Fairground: a hive of activity (not a beehive of activities)! “Your fight for the less privilege (less-privileged) and down trodden (downtrodden) has (had) indeed changed lives for the better, (a full stop) you are (were) indeed a rare gem.” (Fullpage advertisement) National Mirror Views Page of April 20 takes over the baton with this error: “…the interest of the common man in the street.” The man in the street is basically common! Do not ag-

Expert tasks librarians on self development

ibrarian, National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Lagos State, Dr. Ukoha Igwe has told members of the Nigerian Library Association that they need to improve their knowledge and skill so as to remain relevant in the 21st Century challenge. He stated this while delivering a lecture titled: “Role of Library and Information Professionals in African Youth Empowerment,” at the Librarian Day held during this year’s International Book Fair held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, recently. He said librarians should empower youths through basic assess of information especially to the marginalised, promotion of mass information, education and communication that enables young people to express their needs and participate in making decisions affecting them at all levels.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

gravate his circumstance by adding ‘common’! “Glo’s Move to Greener Pastures (Move-to-Greener-Pastures) campaign hits over 50, 000 views (sic)” “Man charged for (with) tossing wife off cruise ship” The last slipshod entry from National Mirror just before its editorial: “Italy’s first back (black) minister gets death threat” Now the Editorial: “…which are interpreted to include the right for (to) sexual preferences.” “FG says its (it’s) suffering (suffering from) cash crunch” “Ex-dep Senate President, Legogie (another comma) dies at 65” (Front Page) The Guardian of April 18 goofed: “…work at Baro Port (Niger State), Oguta (Imo State) and Jamata (Lokoja, Kogi State) (a comma) according to the government (another comma) has reached an advanced stage.” What is ‘an advanced stage’? How is the reader expected to know the extent of work carried out with this kind of ambiguous phrase (journalese)? This is loose thinking and speculative writing! Let reporters and their editors express their findings in graphical or statistical terms (percentage)—this way, the reader develops a fair idea and perception of the scope of work done. This makes sense in the absence of exactitude! “…the set-up that has proved to be every inch a drain of (on) public purse…” From The Guardian of April 2 comes the next set of gaffes starting from its Front Page: “The Federal High Court, Abuja division (another comma) yesterday ruled that the President of the Federal Republic on (of) Nigeria….” “The meeting, which took place behind closed-doors (closed doors—no hyphen) or the closed-door meeting….” “The university teachers said yesterday that they declared the strike to register their displeasure over (at) Federal Government’s alleged refusal to pay their ‘earn allowance’.” Also, displeasure with someone…. “…on the ground (grounds) that….”

EKSU lecture theatre named after Jonathan Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

L-R: University Librarian, National Open University of Nigeria, Dr. Ukoha Igwe; President Nigerian Library Association, Alh. Rilwanu Abdusalami and Chairman NLA Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Ibiyemi Onasanya at the Library Day during the Nigeria Book Fair at the University of Lagos, Akoka, recently.

Earlier in his speech, the President, Nigerian Library Association, Alhaji Rilwanu Abdulsalami urged members to embrace new trends, especially ICT as the world has turned to a global village. He said this is the only way they can empower youth who are the major set

of people that frequent the library. “I look forward to the situation whereby most of our libraries adopt new trends to be able to have the services required in this modern age.” On libraries that are not well stocked he urged government and institutions to

make it a priority as this is important for the intellectual development of the youth. The chairperson, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Ibiyemi Onasanya said the day is set aside every year during the fair to deliberate on the challenges facing the association and how to move the association forward.

resident Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, inaugurated the 500-seater capacity lecture theatre built by the Alumni Association of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. The President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, on the occasion, lauded the association for the project, named Goodluck Jonathan Lecture Theatre. Kuku, who expressed appreciation to the Alumni for honouring Jonathan with the project, said the President had really impacted on the country through his various projects, policies and reforms in education and other sectors. The National President of the association, Dr. Matthew Ayeni, said the theatre was named after President Jonathan in view of his

achievements in education including establishment of nine federal universities and approval of several private universities to take care of teeming Nigerian youths seeking admission into Nigerian universities yearly. He said the President’s strides in the areas of road construction, agriculture and transformation agenda justified the honour bestowed on him by the association. Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, also an EKSU Alumnus, who represented the governor, said the project is significant in the history of the alumni association. In his address, EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, who said products of the 33-year-old university have been exceedingly excelling, lamented that the institution was being confronted with underfunding which could undermine its goals.

Business

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Fuel crisis renews quest for hybrid energy among telcos, others 31

Informal operators count losses as fuel scarcity lingers

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dangote Foundation commits N4.2bn to projects in Kano

ATA attracted $8bn private investments in five years –FG DAVID AUDU

ermanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono has disclosed that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, has attracted over Eight billion dollars private investments commitments to the national economy since its inception in 2011. He made the disclosure at a stakeholder’s validation workshop on the draft Food and Agricultural Policy of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday. He said the programme has also facilitated a dedicated development finance window of N200 billion funds for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria, FAFIN, to provide credits for agricultural value chain actors. Echono further disclosed that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda during the period captured 14.5 million farmers in the National Farmers Data Base with a target of registering at least 20 million farmers by 2015. According to him, the programme, while creating over 3.5 million jobs, also increased food production by 21 million tonnes of agricultural commodities which overshot the 2015 targets. Similarly, the ATA programme has eliminated rent seeking and removed government monopoly

by engaging the private sector in the administration of agricultural inputs, thereby raising usage of fertilizer from 13 kg per hectare to 80kg hectare, as well as enabled the growth of seed companies from 11 to 34 between 2011-2014, according to a release from the ministry In the area of policy direction, Echono noted that the ATA programme has at present the following components among others; Growth Enhancement Scheme to provide private sector managed incentives on agro-inputs and

mechanization and processing. Other areas of focus include Nigerian incentive based risk sharing on agricultural lending to guarantee credit facility on agro inputs to farmers, Commodity Trade and Market Development Corporation to entrench market access for commodity value chain operators. Besides, he also mentioned Staple Crop Processing Zones as dedicated infrastructural facilities for adding value to agricultural commodities as well as a national agricultural climate

change adaptation as components of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government. The stakeholders validation workshop was organized by the ministry to consider, fine-tune and endorse the draft Food and Agricultural Policy of Nigeria document produced by the economic policy working group of agricultural experts inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in September last year.

ank of Industry, BoI, has said its N5 billion Cottage Agro Processing, CAP, Fund will finance about 1, 000 projects while creating over 20, 000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians. The Fund was launched last year by BoI as part of its efforts to support commodity-based industrialisation and encourage the establishment of cottage agro-pro-

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: Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Olor’ogun Sonny Kuku; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria and Awardee Zik Prize Award 2014 for Professional Leadership, Jibril Aku; Chairman, Honeywell Group Dr. Oba Otudeko; Chairman, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Emmanuel Ikazoboh and Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, during the Zik Prize Award in Lagos at the weekend.

BoI’s N5bn Cap Fund to create 20, 000 jobs SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

cessing plants that will produce food products as well as raw materials for industries. Chairman, Board of Directors, BoI, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, who disclosed this in Lagos said, the CAP Fund will also provide agro-processors with access to finance and technology to process agricultural products. According to him, the product target is the small and medium scale enterprises; SMEs while the bank intends to deploy a second phase, after full utilization of the fund.

The bank, he said, would use the product to leapfrog value for Nigerian agricultural products ahead of countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, already controlling significant measure of the international leather and nuts markets. On intervention funds, he said the bank had continued to accord priority to the promotion of projects that have great multiplier effects and possibilities for developmental impacts such as wealth creation and consistent employment channel for Nigerians.

“We signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development towards on-lending the sum of N3.44 billion to cassava bread producers’’, he stated. Rabiu pointed out that the fund was aimed at achieving the inclusion of 20 percent cassava flour into wheat flour for baking of cassava bread as well as other confectionary as part of agricultural agenda of the outgoing government.

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

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

Business News

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dangote Foundation commits N4.2bn to projects in Kano SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

angote Foundation has initiated philanthropic projects worth over N4.2 billion in Kano state. Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, who made the disclosure during her meeting with Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, said out of the amount, about N1.2 billion is being spent on feeding annually to reduce hunger and poverty among the less-privileged in the society. Youssoufou explained that her team was in Kano state to monitor various on-going projects being undertaken by the Foundation, saying she was there to assess the level of works, the conformity with designs as well as people’s expectations of the projects. She however told the governor that since Dangote Foundation is a global institution; its projects must conform to international standards, adding that some of the projects are being re-designed in line with the new realities on ground. According to her, the Foundation’s Micro-Grant pogramme for women empowerment and other vulnerable groups, has gulped about N880 million with 88,000 women benefitting from it, just as Animal Traction Programme, executed through a revolving loan to farmers costs N160 million. On pipe-borne water, she explained that the Foundation has contracted out, the construction of Borehole facilities for 220 communities across the 44 local government areas of the state at the cost of N110 million. So far, the first set of 66 boreholes across six LGAs has been completed She therefore expressed delights that the collaboration between Dangote Founda-

tion and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on routine immunization and Polio eradication has turned out to be successful. On the partnership, Youssoufou disclosed that Dangote Foundation contributed over N600 million to strengthen the immunization and primary

health care over in the last three years. In addition, about N72 million contracts have been awarded for the construction of eleven units of Primary HealthCare centres across eleven local government areas of Kano state. She explained also that the

Foundation had spent N55 million in the on-going construction of hostels in Kano University of Technology, Wudil while disclosing that the ongoing construction of Business School in Bayero University, Kano also gulped N524 million.

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Obinnia Abajue; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; General Manager, Metrofile Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Glenton Swift; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Dr. Demola Sogunle, during the Stanbic IBTC Corporate Golf Day 2015 at the Lakowe Golf Course in Lagos at the weekend.

CRR harmonisation may not improve banks’ earnings –Analyst JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ith the harmonized Cash Reserve Ratio for banks, there may not be increase in bank’s earnings considering the rising cost of fund. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN-led Monetary Policy Committees, MPC’s, harmonized CRR on public and private sector deposits at 31 per cent. Though the policy shift is expected to add over N2.7 trillion to banks’ available deposit and enhance ready-cash for lending. But research analysts at GTI Securities Limited, an investment firm, said that given the

present condition of the Nigerian economy, there may not be any upswing in gross earnings for the banks on account of the harmonized CRR. “We expect that most banks will continue to bear the brunt of rising cost of fund and its effect on bottom line until after the successful hand over to a new administration. However, with some fiscal responsibility, we expect the effect of the harmonized CRR will provide a soft landing especially for tier one banks in the future,” the firm said. On the implications of harmonized CRR, the firm said that the banks have more access to public sector deposit at their disposal to

deploy to asset and lesser private sector deposit to deploy to assets. For most banks, the analysts said, the larger percentage of their total deposit (averagely about 55 per cent) is sourced from the private sector and consequently, the squeezing of private sector deposit CRR (from 20 per cent to 31 per cent) worsens their position as it concerns creating risk assets and growing interest income. The firm stated that “the banks (especially tier 1 banks) that have a higher exposure to public sector deposit can leverage on the huge boost in the liquidity provided by the steep reduction in public sector CRR (from 75 per

World Bank puts global Carbon instruments at $50bn SYLVA EMEKA- OKEREKE

lobal value of carbon pricing instruments is estimated at $50 billion, according to Carbon Pricing Watch 2015, a new publication from the World Bank Group. Emissions trading systems have grown in value from $32 billion in 2014 to $34 billion this year. The rise is due to South Korea emissions trading scheme

While reiterating the Foundation’s commitment to the development of Kano state, she said Dangote Foundation has been partnering with Kano on several other development projects, not captured in the catalogue of projects being reeled out.

and the expansion of California and Quebec cap-and-trade programmes. Existing carbon tax systems are valued at around $14 billion, according to the report released at Carbon Expo. World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change, Rachel Kyte said “Carbon pricing is clearly gaining traction. In the last year, we have seen Chile and Mexico join the ranks of countries, cities and states putting a price

on carbon. So, it is no longer a matter of if or when to price carbon”. According to his statement, “With the focus now on action in the run-up to the Paris climate summit in December, business and governments have walked across the battle lines and are now working together on how fast to get prices right. There is a growing sense of inevitability to put a price on carbon.” Carbon taxes were implemented in France, Portugal and

Mexico, and tax legislation was passed in Chile. South Korea launched its emissions trading system as China puts in place two new capand-trade pilots in Hubei and Chongqing while gearing up for a national emissions trading system in 2016. California and Quebec linked their cap-and-trade programmes, and Ontario announced that it would implement carbon pricing and link to the California and Quebec systems.

cent to 31 per cent). “Considering that the cost of fund for public sector deposit is comparatively lower than that the private sector deposit and considering the steepness of the reduction, the tier 1 banks are better placed to benefit from the harmonized CRR.”, it added. The hike in the CRR for public sector deposit to 75 per cent from 50 per cent in the third quarter of 2013 took a major toll on the gross earnings performance of most of the banks in Nigeria. On a quarter on quarter analysis, the gross earnings and net income performance of most banks recorded steep declines in the isolated third quarter 2013, clearly indicative that the reprieve gotten by most of them on account of their exposure to public sector deposit was in-fact real. As a reaction to the declining interest income, some banks flooded the retail deposit market to source for the much needed liabilities to create risk assets and other asset classes to boost pressured interest income. Expectedly, these deposits came at huge costs and the banks bore the burden of a surge in the interest expenses for most of fiscal year 2014.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Oil workers shut Halliburton over job cuts UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

L–R: Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo; Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Martin Uden; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Economist, Middle East, Africa & Energy Team, Economics Unit , Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, Mr. Simon Murphy, during a courtesy visit to the NSE, yesterday.

Maritime stakeholders rally to end Apapa gridlock FRANCIS EZEM

head of the expected coming on board of a new administration in the country, maritime stakeholders have called for a concerted action against the worsening traffic jam that characterize the Apapa area of Lagos State, which houses the nation’s two biggest and busiest seaports, the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Ports Complex. Managing Director of Port Passages, a freight forwarding firm, Mr. Michael Nwokafor, who assessed the outgoing government, said that though the industry has not had in this good in many decades, as it has suffered neglect in the hands of other governments, he said efforts should be made towards sustaining the human capacity building efforts of the past government. In addition to this, he said that the problem of gridlocks on most port approaches and other parts of Apapa, which cripple economic activities in the areas, should be one of the issues that would occupy the attention of the incoming government. President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (MDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, one of the stakeholders, who also set agenda for the incoming government believes that the issue of Apapa gridlock and carriage of Nigeria’s imports and exports should form a major point of fo-

cus for the new government. “It is not possible that one administration will address all the challenges of the industry in four years. The new administration should concentrate on the areas that were not touched while also consolidating on the gains already achieved”, he also argued. Another stakeholder and Managing Director of KAMANY Nigeria Limited, an indigenous oil and gas and freight forwarding firm, Mr. Charles Okereafor, who also spoke in a telephone interview, noted that the last four years have been eventful, but insisted that apart from consolidating on the gains made by the outgoing government, the new government should not tamper with the human capacity development training, especially the training of seafarers. Okereafor, who is a lecturer at the Chartered Institute of Shipping CIS said: “Two areas the new government must not fail to address are the issue of the imbalance in the carriage of Nigeria’s imports and exports and building indigenous fleet to curtail foreign domination in the maritime industry”. Records show that Nigeria’s crude oil is lifted on the basis of free on board FOB, which is a trade term requiring the seller to deliver goods on board a vessel designated by the buyer. On the other hand, goods imported by Nigerians into the country are shipped on the basis of Cost, Insurance and Freight CIF.

Unlike the FOB, the CIF is a trade term in which the seller determines the vessel for the shipment of the consignment even though it is the duty of the buyer to pay for the shipment. Both trade terms are skewed in favour of the foreign liners and foreign manufacturers, from where Nigerians import and either way the country loses revenue. Meanwhile, president of the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders NIFF, Dr. Zeb Ikokide, who also spoke in a telephone, charged the incoming government to concentrate on the areas the outgoing government did not do much. “What the maritime industry requires now is breaking new grounds and also consolidating gains of the past because in the final analysis, the interest of the nation should remain paramount at all times”, he said. He however warned that the new government should resist the temptation of tampering with the port concession programme as being suggested in some quarters, arguing that that would amount to taking the industry back by over 20 years. Overall, the stakeholders believe that sustenance of human capital development, enhancement of fleet expansion for indigenous shipping companies, addressing the gridlock in Apapa and reversing the imbalance in the carriage of Nigeria’s imports and exports should be the major focus of the new government.

il workers yesterday shut down the operations of Halliburton, an oil servicing company over the disengagement of 46 staff. The Lagos chairman for the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Tokunbo Korodo, told Reuters the group halted operations because it is opposed to the job cut. The union accused Halliburton of not following due process, maintaining that the company would remain shut because of the sack of the workers. Halliburton, which offers drilling services to Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron in Africa’s top oil producer, was not immediately available to comment. The U.S. oil services company said in February that it expected to potentially cut more than 6,000 jobs across the globe because of a “challenging market environment” resulting from low oil prices. Halliburton expected to let go 6.5 percent to 8 percent of its 80,000-strong workforce, amounting to between 5,200 and 6,400 jobs in a growing list of major oil industry companies laying off workers because of a worldwide glut of crude oil. The shutdown was confirmed by another oil industry trade union - Petroleum and Natural Gas Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) - which said the company sacked trade union executives in an attempt to weaken the bodies representing workers’ rights, Emmanuel Ojugbana spokesman for PENGASSAN said.

The company, known for specializing in deep water activities maintained that the area was the most challenging and expensive play in the world today. “To help address the high costs of exploration and development, Halliburton is bringing new efficiencies to deepwater with reliable equipment, resourceful people and innovative technologies. Halliburton is known for our equipment and systems have proven themselves in the field many times over.” Halliburton companies have participated in the vast majority of all producing deepwater wells and contributed to most of the world’s deepwater completions. Our software has been used to help unlock more than 80 per cent of the world’s deepwater discoveries,” it maintained. “Our people have also proven themselves, working in the most challenging environments on earth. Halliburton has set many world records, often by integrating our knowledge and experience from different segments of the business that help reduce operators’ uncertainty. We have also developed many innovative new technologies that safely save hours, days and even weeks of expensive rig time.” It also added that, “efficiency also requires safe operations at all times. Without safety, there can be no efficiency. Therefore, a critical component of the Halliburton deepwater solution is a high, consistent level of HSE performance. Reliable equipment, resourceful people and innovative technologies are helping Halliburton bring new efficiencies to deep water. To learn more about our deepwater solutions, visit the pages in this section.”

Global investors to explore opportunities of Africa Energy

ith global investors clearly looking closer at the opportunities on the continent, it’s exciting that already 456 unique companies have registered to date from 63 countries worldwide, spanning the value chain of Africa’s power sector - 28 of those are African countries; the largest number to date in the Forum’s 17 year history. The Forum has 11 Ministers confirmed; among those are Ministers of Energy, Infrastructure and Finance from Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia, as well as heads of utilities and regulators across Africa. This year’s Forum introduces the ‘Power In Africa Awards’ &

Black Tie Gala Dinner – an ‘Emirati Banquet’ honouring people and businesses with actual projects in operation on the continent. Other highlights of the event scheduled to hold in Dubai from 8th June are, 12 Ministerial and Utility-led country specific project briefings will shine the spotlight onto unique countries in Africa to provide detailed industry insights and in-country knowledge, presentation of the Africa Energy Yearbook- the official publication of the Forum and the launch of the ‘ESEI Innovation Hub,’ showcasing creative exciting and scalable renewable technology destined to impact Africa’s access to alternative energy solutions.

Business News

Thursday, May 28, 2015

CPS: Contributors can own homes-PenCom DG MESHACK IDEHEN

he pension industry will continue to play a vital role in alleviating the suffering that Nigerians experience, says Director General of the National Pensions Commission, (PenCom), Mrs Anohu Amazu. She gave this hint in a statement issued on Tuesday, adding that contributors under the scheme can be assured that they would soon be given the opportunity to use part of their pension savings as equity contribution towards building their own homes. Anohu-Amazu stated this following a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation conference on the Pension Reform Act, 2014,saying the pension industry had pooled significant funds locally that could be deployed to relevant sectors of the economy, particularly for the development of infrastructure and provision of houses for contributors in line with relevant provisions of the pension law.

The PenCom director general said the pension law allows the fund assets to be invested in infrastructure across the country and that many jobs would be created in the course of infrastructural development and housing which would go a long way in alleviating the pains of austerity measures. According to Anohu-Amazu, the Pension Reform Act, 2014 allows contributors seeking to own their primary homes to apply for part of their Retirement Savings Account balances as equity contributions for residential mortgage subject to guidelines issued by the commission. “The process of issuing these guidelines is already at advanced stages and it is our expectation that as soon as implemented, this development would assist in bridging the housing deficit in Nigeria”. The Director- General said the application of the Contributory Pension Scheme by states and local governments received a boost under the new pension law, adding that the 2014 Act also made provi-

sions for voluntary participation in the CPS, thereby paving the way for the coverage of the informal sector. This move she added was aimed at extending the benefits of the scheme to a wider horizon of labour in the Nigerian economy. On the Pension Reform Act, 2014, she said the responsibilities of other government institutions in the implementation of the scheme and the administration of the defunct Defined Benefits Scheme were clearly spelt out. According to her, public sector challenges under the CPS which were encountered during the last 10 years were being addressed by relevant government agencies by virtue of the new law. she said some of the challenges had to do with the remittance of pension contributions, funding of the retirement benefits bond redemption fund account, duration and adequacy of monthly pension for public servants, periodic pension review, funding of pension entitlements for professors and political office holders.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Deutsche Bank penalised over mis-stated accounts

eutsche Bank is paying $55m (£35.7m) to settle civil charges for allegedly mis-stating financial reports. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigated the German bank for the way it accounted for certain assets in reports filed during the financial crisis. The SEC said it over-valued some of these and did not have sufficient collateral to cover potential losses. Deutsche is settling without admitting or denying the charges. The bank said there was no reliable model at the time to value those trades, which were made in the aftermath of the credit crisis and the subsequent collapse of Lehman Brothers.

The SEC said the risk for potential losses ran into billions of dollars - a risk which the SEC says was not properly reported to investors. Its investigation found that Deutsche overvalued the value of certain transactions designed to protect against losses on securities in the then highly volatile credit markets. The collateral covering the portfolio was only a fraction, approximately 9%, of the $98bn total in purchased protection. “At the height of the financial crisis, Deutsche Bank’s financial statements did not reflect the significant risk in these large, complex illiquid positions,” said Andrew Ceresney, director of the SEC’s enforcement division.

China’s yuan no longer undervalued, says IMF

hina’s currency “is no longer undervalued”, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The US has long suggested that China has manipulated the value of the yuan to boost its exports. Undervaluation has been a problem in the past, says the IMF in a statement, but this is no longer the case. Substantial “appreciation over the past year has brought the exchange rate to a level that is no longer undervalued”, it says. The IMF says China should focus on creating full exchange rate flexibility so that the value of the yuan adjusts as the

country grows. “We urge the authorities to make rapid progress toward greater exchange rate flexibility, a key requirement for a large economy like China’s that strives for market-based pricing and is integrating rapidly in global financial markets.” The IMF believes that China should aim to achieve a floating exchange rate within the next two or three years. “Greater flexibility, with intervention limited to avoiding disorderly market conditions or excessive volatility, will also be key to prevent the exchange rate from moving away from equilibrium in the future.”

Nicola Sturgeon attacks Westminster spending cuts

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Oguntade; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Adeleke Yussuff, during the 2014 annual report and financial statements of the company in Lagos, yesterday.

Nigerian children can compete globally –Globacom

elecoms service provider, Globacom has said that Nigerian children can compete with their peers in other parts of the world, going by recent evidence of their outstanding performances in European and American schools. Globacom said that all Nigerian children needed was the right environment and good facilities to develop their potentials. Against this backdrop, the company called on the Nigerian Government to deepen development plans that will take care of the basic needs of the young-

er generation and secure their welfare. In a goodwill message to Nigerian children and their parents on the occasion of the World Children’s Day, which is celebrated globally on May 27 every year, the company noted that children in this economy are getting more and more disadvantaged because birth rate has outstripped the pace of social facilities required for their welfare and development. Globacom therefore urged all stakeholders in public and private sectors including government, parents, guardians,

educationists and religious leaders to pay more attention to the all-round development of children so that they would be empowered, not only to thrive as children but also find opportunities for greatness in adulthood. The message enjoined all Nigerian children to shun bad habits such as lying, cheating, laziness and disobedience to parents, and cultivate the habits of hard work and honesty. The company said these qualities would make them great and empower them to add value to the society.

irst Minister Nicola Sturgeon has used a speech in Edinburgh to attack the “scale and speed” of spending cuts planned by the UK government. Speaking ahead of the Queen’s Speech, the SNP leader also reiterated her party’s support for Britain’s continued membership of the European Union. She made the speech on a visit to Heart of Midlothian FC’s Tynecastle Stadium. She was joined by the Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney. The pair also unveiled the Scottish Business Pledge which aims to promote “fairness, equality and sustainable economic growth”.

An “alternative to austerity” was the centrepiece of the Scottish National Party’s successful general election campaign. In her first major economic speech since the election, Ms Sturgeon argued that the prime minister cannot ignore the democratic will of the Scottish people. She said: “The result of the general election provides an opportunity and a challenge for the Scottish government. There is clearly an opportunity to ensure that Scotland’s priorities are better understood. “But there is also a significant challenge in working with a majority government at Westminster - many of whose policies we disagree with.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech Fuel crisis renews quest for hybrid energy among telcos, others The last few weeks have been horrendous experience for businesses, particularly the telecoms sector which require uninterrupted power to sustain their services. In the light of the ugly electricity situation in the country, analysts are advocating alternative source of energy for the critical sectors. ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN reports.

he fuel crisis in the nation’s economy in the last few weeks, took a different dimension on Monday as most organisations that rely on other sources of electricity power closed offices earlier than expected. The mobile network operators had at the week send messages to their subscribers warning them of possible shut down of base stations or epileptic voice and data services. The reason is that there are no base stations in the country that depend on power supply from the national grid implying that all of them had alternative electricity power source, which is power supply from generating set that run on diesel. And so when the oil marketers refused to lift fuel from the depot, suppliers of the product to the telecoms companies’ base stations could not meet their obligations. Investigations revealed that diesel is a major drain on the purse of the mobile network operators, MNP. It was also gathered that most MNP installed two electricity power generators at base stations depending on how regular power supply is from the national grid. It was also gathered that beside the cost procuring the product, the use of diesel generators to power base-stations require regular maintenance, were expensive to run, notwithstanding the noise and air pollution that had at several occasion put the MNP at loggerheads with their host community. According to latest statistics released by the Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya indicated that operators were spending about N10 billion yearly to provide diesels for base stations, and that is besides other cost of maintenance and the replacement of generating set that are regularly stolen by miscreants. He disclosed that such costs account for about 60 per cent of operators’ network costs adding that average network costs in Nigeria are twice to thrice higher than in a number of other African markets. MTN recently said that it was spending $5.5million (about N660 million) on diesel fuel monthly in Nigeria saying that it is for fueling spent on fuelling the company’s 6,000 generators at its base stations across the country, which runs for about 19 hours daily. A source in one of the companies that manages telecoms towers for mobile operators disclosed that the total cost of running a base station in Nigeria was about $2500 saying that that exclude other expenditure that are primarily not accounted for such securing the tolerance of host communities where such base stations are cited. The President, Association of Telecom-

Solar powered base station in India

munications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi linked the ability of the MNP to provide quality services to the huge investment on diesel saying that it has impacted negatively on the operational capacities and increase in operational and capital expenditure of telecom firms in the country. He gave the amount spend monthly on diesel to be about N5 billion and that there is an average of 50,000 at 2 generators per base station noting that the cost of the diesel is not inclusive of the cost of logistics incurred in procuring and transporting the diesel as well as the cost of servicing the generators. He added that there are places which are not connected to the National Grid, the operations are 100 percent powered by generators, in those locations. Chairman of Programos Software Limited, Emmanuel Amos stated that the present fuel crisis in the country calls for strategic focus on alternative energy sources that are cost effective. He said that the present trend of events in the power sector is a quest for the businesses to focus on energy sources that are also clean, and such the solar or inverter technology should be the next option as power source for the MNP. He however noted that the choice of solar as alternative energy source to run a business in Nigeria has never been accepted saying that most investors consider it as a bad business concept right from the beginning of starting a business. The ATCON President also think that the adoption of solar and hybrid power in some base stations have not resulted into

HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT TREND OF EVENTS IN THE POWER SECTOR IS A QUEST FOR THE BUSINESSES TO FOCUS ON ENERGY SOURCES THAT ARE ALSO CLEAN, AND SUCH THE SOLAR OR INVERTER TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE THE NEXT OPTION AS POWER SOURCE FOR THE

MNP

any significant savings stressing that the monthly money spend by operators on power generation could be reinvested in further coverage expansion to address the congestion on the network which resulted to poor quality of service. But a report published by the International Journal of Science and Technology Volume 3 stated that by utilising solar power to run the base-stations, operators will be able to reduce their operational cost and thus allows for deeper penetration of mobile networks. The study conducted in emerging in economies stated that the telecoms sector has shown an increased interest in the

adoption of solar technology to generate power for cellular base stations. It added that solar power is being utilised in more remote cellular base stations, particularly in developing countries where base stations are often off-grid and reliant on their own power sources. So far about 60 per cent of Bharti Airtel’s telecom sites in Africa are powered using the hybrid model resulting in major reduction in emissions and also operating costs for the company. The company, it was gathered targeting over 70 per cent of all its sites to be powered by the hybrid model and it is also working on the use of solar and wind power to power its telecom sites. It was also learnt that MTN Nigeria has a project to accelerate the conversion of its towers to renewable energy, known as evaluation programme for Diesel/ Solar hybrid standalone power plants. The project is a joint venture with the Nigeria Energy Company AO Demarg, Phaesun has taken part in this implementation programme. Phaesun has designed, supplied, deployed, commissioned and monitored the diesel/solar power solution under real conditions to feed BTS telecom loads previously powered by diesel generating sets. But the source in one of the telecoms tower company who spoke told our correspondent that “the cost of such hybrid does not actually translate to reduced cost because the battery solutions last for a whole day, and so you will still need a generating set to power the battery of the inverter or if you are using solar, it comes with its own maintenance cost.”

Info Tech

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Tech Box

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Experts chart ways to improved mobile banking ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

he Managing Director of Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Segun Agbaje has said that the absence of the right collaboration between the right bank and the right mobile network operator was responsible for the slow take-off of mobile banking in Nigeria. Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher noted that mobile banking needs the right customer friendly mobile operator to succeed. The two top executives from both leading brands made the remark at a press conference on Tuesday to launch the GTEasySavers account into the Nigerian business environment. According to Agbaje, there has never been any collaboration on mobile banking like the one between GTB and Etisalat that

works like the mobile banking in Kenya noting that the partnership between GTB and Etisalat initiated to give the kind boost that mobile banking needs to grow in Nigeria. Willsher on the other hand described the partnership as a breakthrough for both brands, and that it is a partnership that will bring real-time mobile banking to Nigerians noting that Etisalat is relying on its position in the telecoms industry as customer friendly brand like GTB to make mobile banking to work. He stated that the GTEasySavers account is innovation meeting creativity stressing that both brands want to bring over 40 million unbanked Nigerians into the banking population sphere. Agbaje while answering questions from the media said that it took both brands long hours of strategic thinking to bring the GTEasySavers account to Nige-

rians who are in the unbanked area. He said that it is the first mobile banking product in the country that can be operated without visiting the banking hall of a commercial bank. He said that GTB is passionate about driving the CBN’s financial inclusion strategy in ensuring the under banked and the unbanked, begin to find the propositions of banking services more attractive and convenient and then take the bold step of patronising bank products and offerings. His counterpart, Willsher said that enabling account opening via an Etisalat phone line make it more convenient for individuals to carry out transactions using the transformative power of the banking system saying that “the partnership will also begin the journey for unbanked customers from our 22 million subscribers base.”

L-R Deputy Chairman, Smile Telecoms Holdings, Sheikh Mohammed Sharbatly, Director, Smile Telecoms Holdings, Ms. Beth Mandel and Chairman, Smile Communications Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, during the Smile Telecoms board meeting in Lagos.

Acer unveils two new budget-friendly Android tablets

cer debuted two Android tablets as part of its press event in New York Thursday, targeting education and budget-conscious buyers. The Iconia Tab 10 is a designed for schools and kids, with a more durable build and a Gorilla Glass 4 display. It has a 10.1-inch screen, runs Android Lollipop, and will be available in May for $299. It features an Intel Atom processor an 2GB of RAM—Acer claims the battery will last all day. The Iconia Tab 10 is targeted at the education market. The Iconia One 8 B1-820 has an 8-inch screen and includes

Acer Precision Touch technology, which the company says will give a “highly accurate” touch experience. It starts at $150 and will be available in July. Why this matters: While the 8-inch tablet is likely to get lost in a crowded field of inexpensive tablets, the Iconia Tab 10 is interesting in that it could be an ally in Google’s efforts to get a strong foothold in schools with its Google for Education program. The company has also been building up its Google Classroom app and recently launched a portal designed for family-friendly apps and games.

New digital solution targets SMEs in hospitality ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

midyar Network has announced a new digital technology solution that targets small hotels in the country. It is an investment in Hotels.ng, the largest hotel-booking platform in Nigeria. The company provides an online marketplace to connect consumers to more than 14,000 small and medium hotels in the country, most with no prior digital presence. The Series A round investment is part of Omidyar Network’s Consumer Internet & Mobile initiative, which focuses on supporting new digital solutions to connect people, enabling them to share ideas and do business more efficiently and at scale. “Omidyar Network knows firsthand the power of e-commerce

to drive social and economic development”, said Ory Okolloh, investments director at Omidyar Network. He said: “Hotels.ng hits all the marks of an investment with positive impact by leveraging online technology to connect buyers and sellers, supporting local small and medium businesses, and boosting consumer’s confidence in digital channels.” Omidyar Network’s investment will be used to expand the reach of the Hotels.ng platform to 90 percent of Nigerian hotels in the next three years, as well as finance the company’s coverage expansion to 50 percent of hotels across Africa. Hotels.ng currently covers 21 regions in Nigeria. “As Nigeria emerges as a travel destination and attracts investment of the big international hotel chains, Hotels.ng offers small,

family-owned properties an easy and cost-effective way to compete for new clients and expand their business,” said Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Hotels. ng Mark Essien, said: “Omidyar Network was a logical partner for us, as their social mission is very aligned with our own and e-commerce is in their DNA.” Nigeria is looking to diversify an economy that is highly dependent on oil revenues and travel and tourism is gaining status as a strategic sector. In 2013, it represented 3.2 percent of the country’s GDP in 2013, and it’s poised to nearly double that number by 2024. In recent years, the Nigerian government has made strides to supporting this growing industry by launching a new tourism campaign and a tourist card focused on facilitating commerce with international visitors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Government Technology

Vodacom showcases kids e-Learning opportunities STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

or the first time in their some Nigeria kinds have been given the opportunits to experience what e-learning is about. The kids who are from S.S. Peter & Paul Nursery and Primary School, Ikate Elegushi had the experience during a tour of the facility, Vodacom Business Nigeria. The fifty-six students were on a special tour of the company’s facilities to learn about the cloud computing and the technology behind e-learning. The students of the S.S. Peter & Paul Nursery and Primary School run by Loving Gaze, an independent non-profit organisation, that serves the unprivileged communities in Lagos State, were given the opportunity to learn about new communication technologies and their importance to education. As a practical demonstration of e-learning, the primary five students aged between nine and eleven were introduced to virtual classroom and also communicated with their classmates placed in separate conference rooms located on different floors of the building.

Senior Manager, Product Portfolio, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Abu Etu, said, “We promote the education and training for students at primary level of education, empowering them at a much earlier stage of their lives. It is part of our responsibility to prepare these young

ones for the post - digital age which will demand technical knowledge and skills.” The General Manager of Loving Gaze, Barbara Pepoli, who was present at the field trip said; “We are excited that our students had the opportunity and learn new things beyond

the walls of the classroom. Getting children interested in technology has been very important for our school and this field trip is a great way to make technology come to life for our students”. Vodacom Business Nigeria, through its Power to you proj-

ect, uses industrial tours and field trips to educate students from primary, secondary and tertiary schools on new telecommunications technologies that are driving the economy. The program is aimed at empowering Nigerian youths through ICT.

From Left: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, Managing Director, Guarantee Trust Bank, Segun Agbaje and Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Angelone Francesco at the launch of “GTEasySavers” powered by Etisalat and GTBank in Lagos.

Financial Technology

Digital economy in Nigeria to spur national devt’ T he Nigeria’s digital economy has been described as one of the leading sector in the world that has a huge capacity that will impact all segments of the economy. Managing Director, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar who made the remark during a panel discussion at the sixth Annual Pan-African 1:1 Investor Conference organised by Renaissance Capital in Lagos said that leveraging digital economy should be regarded as a sine qua non in sustaining the economy by the incoming administration led by Muhammed Buhari. According to him, the quest for an economy that is digitally enable is crucial particularly in the face of dwindling oil revenue with increasingly pressure on the economy evident in budgets deficit, infrastructural deficit, high unemployment rate, harsh business environment and corruption. Buitelaar identified infrastructural advancement as overriding factor for the immediate expansion of sectors such as agricul-

ture, transportation, banking and finance, health-care/medicine, and education. He said that Smile Communications aligns itself with the key statistics expected for the Nigerian Digital Economy by 2018 as released by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, especially for the emergence of an industry that is less fragmented. According to the country’s target, the industry expects to attain 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018 from the present less than 10 per cent. The Smile MD said, “There are various advantages the digital economic providers have over the traditional. However, to make this happen faster, there are catalysts required for it to even drive other sectors outside the ICT.” He stated that the digital economy will be the driver of the agricultural, transport, health-care/ medicine, education, banking and finance adding that “In our company, for instance, we are talking to companies in those sectors and one recently said that ‘the software is eating the world.” He said

that Smile believes the new digital ICT will influence other sectors saying that he has seen in other countries, the efficiency and productivity is very likely to explode once all the digital economy has entered into their arena. He added: “It is also our expectation that the impact will become more pronounced within the next ten years. For emphasis sake, sectors like agricultural, transport, health-care/medicine, education,

commerce, in fact, the whole move of digitisation will have impact on the emerging economy and Nigeria’s economy is well positioned to make their journey better than many others.” While extolling the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for approving the National Broadband Plan, NBP, Buitelaar expressed confidence in the Buhari government’s compelling posture for firm implementation of the plans

saying that he expects broadband impact on digital economy. “I think the Federal Government is doing a quite well, especially, by releasing a National Broadband Plan, NBP, but I will urge that the next Government continues with the plan in an even ‘forceful’ manner. Similarly, spectrum allocations should be looked at too; it is more of technical, but very important in the nation’s quest for more ubiquitous broadband. There are sub-sectors that the broadband availability will immediately impact their operations such as the delivery viz a viz ecommerce, e-payment, education and other clusters of business. These are crucial reasons the digital economy should be allowed to blossom.” On infrastructure, he said the whole country will benefit in smart investments in infrastructure saying that there are issues in transport, power and payment systems; if these issues can be addressed, with a couple of other commitments, I believe in the next few years the country will be reaping large chunk of benefits from them.

Taxation

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria (II) A

ll goods and services are ‘VATable’, except those that are exempted under schedule 1 of the Act. These are:

Goods Exempted • All medical and pharmaceutical products • Basic food items • Books and educational materials • Baby products • Fertilizer, locally produced agricultural and veterinary medicine, farming machinery, • and farming transportation equipment • All exports • Plant and machinery imported for use in the Export Processing Zone • Plant, machinery and equipment purchased for utilisation of gas in downstream • petroleum operations. • Tractors, ploughs,and agricultural equipment and implements purchased for • agricultural purposes Services Exempted • Medical services • Services rendered by community banks, People’s Bank and mortgage institutions • Plays and performances conducted by educational institutions as part of learning. • All export services. Note also: • Exports are zero rated. • VAT is leviable at the time of supply of goods and services. • VAT paid on inputs are creditable against output tax. • Tax returns are to be submitted on monthly basis. Administration of VAT • The tax shall be administered and

Fed Min of Fin house

managed by the Federal Board of Inland Revenue (in this Act, referred to as “the Board”) Registration • A taxable person shall within six (6) monthsof commencement of this Act or within six (6) months of commencement of business, whichever is earlier register with the Board for the purpose of this Act Registration by government ministries, etc as agents of the Board • Every government ministry statutory body and other agency of government shall register as agent of the Board for purpose of collection of tax under this Act. • Every contractor transacting business with a government ministry, statutory body and other agency of federal state or local government shall produce evidence of registration with the Board as a condition for obtaining a contract. Registration by non-resident companies • A non-resident company that carries on business in Nigeria shall register for the tax with the Board using the address of the person with whom it has a subsisting contract as its address for purposes of correspondence relating to the tax. Records and Accounts • A registered person under shall keep such records and books of all transactions, operations imports and other activities relating to taxable goods and services as are sufficient to determine the correct amount of tax due under the Act. Offences by law • Furnishing false documents • Evasion of tax • Failure to make attribution • Failure to notify change of address • Failure to issue tax invoice • Resisting authorised officers • Issuing tax invoice by unauthorized person

Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan presenting an FIRS Tax information pack to Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, President Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) during his visit to FIRS recently in Abuja.

• Failure to register • Failure to keep proper books and accounts • Failure to collect tax • Failure to submit returns • Aiding and abetting commission of offence • Offences by body corporate. Explanation of Some Terms in VAT Taxable Goods and Services The Act says the tax shall be charged and payable on the supply of all goods and services (in this Act referred to as “taxable goods and services”) other than those goods and services listed in the First schedule to this Act. Allowable Input Tax The input tax to be allowed as deductions from the output tax shall be limited to the tax on goods purchased or imported directly for resale and good which form the stock-in trade used for direct production of any new prod-

uct on which the output tax is charged. This means input tax on: • Any overhead, service and general administration cannot be charged as input tax but expended through the profit and loss account • On capital item and asset too should be capitalized along with the cost of the item and asset. Distribution of Revenue • 15% Federal Government. • 50% States Government & FCT, Abuja. • 35% Local Governments. Input Tax Tax charged on purchases made Output Tax Tax charged on sales made Taxable Person Means a person who independently carries out in any place any economic activity as a producer, wholesale trader, supplier of goods, supplier of services or person exploiting tangible or intangible property for the purpose of obtaining income therefrom by way of trade or business and includes a person and an agency of government acting in that capacity. Zero rated goods If you sell zero-rated goods or services, they count as taxable supplies, but you don’t add any VAT to your selling price because the VAT rate is 0 per cent.Thus while no VAT is charged on providing goods and services taxable at zero-rate of VAT, you are still able to deduct VAT on costs and expenses you incur in making zero-rated supplies. Examples are (1) all non-oil exports (2) goods and services purchased by diplomats (3) goods and services purchased for use in humanitarian donor funded projects Exempted Goods/Services If you sell goods or services that are exempt, you don’t charge any VAT and they are not taxable supplies. This means that you won’t normally be able to reclaim any of the VAT on your expenses. Generally, you don’t register for VAT or reclaim the VAT on your purchases if you sell only exempt goods or services. In this case you may not be able to reclaim the VAT on all your purchases.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Informal operators count losses as fuel scarcity lingers In the wake of the crippling fuel scarcity that have grounded economic and social life in Nigeria in the last one month, DAVID AUDU examines the effects informal sector of the economy.

t is no longer news that the organised private and the public services sectors are hard hit by the crippling fuel scarcity, as banks, telecos, manufacturing and service delivery sectors are counting their loses. One sector which has remained dexterous until this week, but now facing the harsh reality of prolonged fuel supply, is the informal sector of the economy. This sector, though the last to withdraw into its shelve is unarguably the worst hit. They are made up of the productive, services and financial sub sectors whose active participants comprised the market women, artisans, food sellers, woodwork, furniture makers, garment makers, welders and iron workers. Economic analysts estimate that the informal economy around the world is worth about $10 trillion a year and that if the informal economy was combined in one country, it would be the secondlargest economy on Earth, rivaling the United States economy. In Lagos, about 80 per cent of the workforce is part of the informal economy, that s combining those that sell vegetables at the side of the road to phone kiosks stands at the side of the road. The same goes for Kano, Port Harcourt, Aba, Ibadan, Kaduna, Sokoto and all of Nigeria’s major cities. While the OPS have issued threat of partial withdrawal of services, what was the response of the informal sector? Individually, they are left to count their losses. A yam seller at Mile 12, a popular food market in Lagos, Mallam Ahmed Kasawu, revealed that though Yam is usually expensive at this period of the year, the cost of transporting them and

Retails shops on Broad Street in Lagos Island

NIGERIA IS THE SHIP AND THE SEA IS THE CRUDE OIL WE HAVE BUT FOR LACK OF GOOD LEADERSHIP, THE COUNTRY IS DRIFTING IN THE MIDST OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE OIL coupled with the fuel scarcity have made the price of yam to become very expensive. He said while they want to sell they will not sell at a loss, but noted added that if the price is too high people will not buy, thus leaving them in a dilemma. Yam he said is a perishable produce and the quicker they sell the better. The bottom line he said is that since the fuel crisis started business has not been moving well leaving them to hope that it will be over for their business to bounce back. Across the road from the yam seller was a shop filled with rice and kegs of vegetable oil. Chinaka Nnamdi manned the shop for her madam she said has travelled. How was the market I greeted her. She replied in the affirmative. Has she been selling well for her madam? “Oga you know that we just de open shop, people are not buying things like before again. Asked why, she replied, “Well, the economy is bad, transportation is too costly, people are not coming to the market. On Broad Street in central Lagos

A road side shop

Island, shop owners display wares as usual but complained of law patronage. A retailer who simply gave his name as Chudi would not be drawn into any argument, but tritely pointed to the road and asked, how many vehicles do you see, and how many customers did you see around. “We just come to open our shop because this is where we earn our daily bread. There is no money and transport is very expensive. We are suffering. We pray that government do something quickly”, he told this correspondent. A call to a friend who retail provision I n Kano, Gadriel Faruna, an indigene of Kogi State living in Kano echoes the same thing. For him, the euphoria of the new government holds some kind of hope, that after surviving the Boko Harm onslaught that made him move his family to the village, the fuel scarcity has brought another harrowing experience. Prayers, he said, is what is giving them hope. From artisans to Okada riders down to restaurant food sellers, the story has been the same. The economy is shamble with tales of family survival. A marketing communications practitioner, Mr. John Owolabi, told National Mirror that the irony of it all is that they bear the brunt of the kind of economic crises such as the country is going through at the moment. He said while the ops have shock absorbers in form of reserves and saving, what is the fall back of these other category of the work force. “Their savings and earning can easily be eroded because they pay so much to commute

to their various places of work, and to cap it all, there is usually a low turn in their business because people who will want to patronize them will first of all count their gains before going out to buy or repair things. Who then are the people gaining under this excruciating environment? Perhaps, the fuel merchants, filling station attendants and their errand boys who sell fuel in jerry cans along major roads in the metropolis, while petrol stations remained locked. The sight of kegs of jerry cans, according to a marketing analyst portrays a ship at drift in the middle of the sea. Asked why did he say so and he respondent: “Nigeria is the ship and the sea is the crude oil we have but for lack of good leadership, the country is drifting in the midst of the abundance of the oil. For organized retailer outlets such as Jumai, according to its managing Director, Mr. Jeremy Duatte, foresight of what to expect paid off as he said his company was able to have some reserve which ensured his customers across Nigeria enjoy the usual free delivery services they have all along promised. But did other organized private sector envisage the effect of the prolonged shortage? Perhaps not, as the major telecommunications providers, the banks, which rendered half day services last week Monday, issued warning of total closure should the situation persist. But Nigerians are praying the situation is brought to an end and soon.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 28, 2015

OAAN urges ad agencies on boldness in poster awards DAVID AUDU

utdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, has dared creatives in this year’s Exhibition and Posters Awards to dare to be bold. OAAN President, Charles Chijide, made the call at the unveiling of the ninth edition of the awards in Lagos, recently. With the theme ‘Be Bold’ Chijide said “it is our own way of challenging advertising agencies to come out and express themselves with OOH posters. He challenged creative directors to craft genuine outdoor advertisements rather than runs of the mill, adding that outdoor advertising requires fewer words but in some cases you see over 100 words on boards. A transit consumer can’t wait to read that. So, we are urging creative directors to create advertisements meant for the industry,” he stressed.

The managing director of ZZ said OOAN aims to stage a bigger and better award this year. We will hold this year with 13 awards categories, come June 25. The awards category include Diary Food & Beverages, Alcoholic drinks, Non-Alcoholic drinks, Financial services, Public services/Real Estate, Electronics/ Electricals. Others are Automobile/Accessories, Household products, Pharmaceuticals/cosmetics, Telecomms, ICT, Legend of Out- of- Home and Grand Poster. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, Mr. Charles Chijide, President of OAAN, said the award is a way by which the Association is helping to promote and rewarding creative excellence in the Out-of-Home, OOH, sub-sector of the Nigerian economy. He stated that the award was also designed to as a platform for advertisers, our suppliers and partners to

exhibit their products and services. The Awards Committee has Mr. Kole Ademulegun, Chairman while other activities include visits to corporate allies and supporters, a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting/ interactive forum, and exhibition of OOH suppliers and partners. He expressed optimism that this edition will be highly competitive based on exciting creative prowess observed on billboards in cities across the nation. The panel of judges will be drawn from OAAN, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (AAN), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), and the academia.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inglorious Fruits & Vegetables – best ad in the world

he ‘Inglorious Fruits & Vegetables’ campaign, produced by Marcel Paris for client Intermarché, the commercial French supermarket, was awarded ‘Best of Show’ at the 2015 New York Festivals International Advertising Awards late last week in New York. The award-winning integrated campaign celebrated imperfect fruits and vegetables while demonstrating the company’s motto ‘united against expensive life’. Consumers were urged to buy ugly looking produce that is not only good for their wallets but also good for the entire planet. The campaign also earned a spectacular three Grand Prize Awards, two First Prize Awards, two Second Prize Awards, one Third Prize Award and a single Finalist Award. BBDO was recognised with the title of 2015 Network of the Year for the third year in a row. The award is presented to the agency network that achieves the most awards and produces

the finest calibre of work. In total, 24 global offices earned two Grand Prize Awards, five First Prize Awards, eight Second Prize Awards, 29 Third Prize Awards and 110 Finalist Awards. In addition, the network was honoured with four UNDPI Finalist Awards. Revolver/Will O’Rourke, Australia was honoured with the title of 2015 Production Company of the Year. The Film Production Company of the Year Award is based on total points scored, irrespective of whether these have been entered by the production company, advertising agency or another third party. Entries produced by Revolver/Will O’Rourke earned one Grand Prize Award, three First Prize Awards, two Second Prize Awards, two Third Prize Awards and nine Finalist Awards The Regional Agency of the Year Award is awarded to an advertising agency that earns the highest score for entries in all competitions across all mediums.

Pimm’s launches weather activated OOH campaign

From Left: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Managing Director, Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Segun Agbaje; and Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Angelone Francesco at the launch of “GTEasySavers” powered by Etisalat and GTBank which held at Guarantee Trust Bank Headquarters on Tuesday.

Etisalat, GTBank partner on retail banking service

tisalat and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, have partnered to introduce GTEasySavers, a savings account designed to enable underbanked and unbanked individuals achieve their financial goals while operating a regular bank account via their mobile phones. Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said, it is a new chapter in the continuing growth of the banking industry made possible through GTEasySavers by GTBank and Etisalat Nigeria. “ We will continue to offer innovative products and services

in fulfillment of the promise we made to Nigeria over six years ago when we commenced operations in the country. The partnership will also begin a journey for unbanked customers from our over 22 million subscriber base,” Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said the bank is passionate about driving the CBN’s financial inclusion strategy in ensuring the under-banked and unbanked, begin to find the propositions of banking services more attractive and convenient and then take the bold step of patronizing our numerous bank

products and offerings, a passion which we fully share with Etisalat Nigeria”. The GTEasySavers account operates like a regular bank account and is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy for the country. Transaction limits on the account is pegged at CBN’s Tier 1 KYC status limits of N20,000 for single deposits and maximum cumulative of N200,000 account balance at any point in time. Benefits for account holders include free airtime, higher interest rates on savings and quarterly rewards.

iageo, the drinks giant, has launched a digital out-of-home campaign for Pimm’s, which will activate when the weather reaches a temperature of 21 degrees. The campaign features a bottle of Pimm’s along with a jug of the drink ready to be served, alongside the caption, “Best served with sunglasses.” The local temperature is also shown, which will be variations either side of 21 degrees. The ad will run for ten days across 12 Ocean Outdoor screens in London and Birmingham between Thursdays and Fridays dur-

ing peak commuter times. It was planned by Carat and Posterscope. A senior brand manager for Pimm’s at Diageo, Joanna Segesser, said: “Pimm’s is known by consumers as being the iconic drink of the Great British summer and consumer research has shown us that our media is not only more effective but also more efficient if it is linked to sunny weather. “We are therefore really excited that for the first time digital out of home technology is allowing us to target consumers at just the right temperature when we know they are most responsive to our messaging.”

EMC to buy Virtustream for $1.2bn

ata storage products maker EMC Corp said it would buy privately held Virtustream for about $1.2 billion in cash to expand its cloud offerings. EMC has been looking to strengthen its cloud services offerings as it struggles with slowing sales growth in its main data storage products business. The company said on Tuesday that Virtustream would operate as its new managed cloud services business after the transaction closes. Virtustream was founded in 2009 by Chief Executive Rodney Rogers and Chief Technology Officer Kevin Reid. The company’s customers include the Coca-Cola Co Intel Corp, Heinz and Hess Corp “With the addition of Virtus-

tream, EMC will enable customers to move their entire application portfolio into a cloud environment,” EMC said. The company said the deal, expected to close in the third quarter, was expected to add to its revenue and profit in 2016. The deal will have no material impact on EMC’s 2015 results, the company said. EMC, which reported slowing sales growth for the past two quarters, slashed its full-year revenue and profit forecasts in April. Virtualization software maker VMware Inc in which EMC holds an 80 percent stake, reported its slowest revenue growth in seven quarters in April, hurt by sluggish technology spending and a stronger dollar.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 28, 2015

FrieslandCampina WAMCO marks 60 years of ‘Peak Milk’

rieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, at the weekend celebrated its top brand, Peak milk at 60 at an event attended by consumers and personalities from the media, children and notable celebrities led by former Nigeria international and Olympic Gold medalist, Kanu Nwankwo in Lagos. The Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. Rahul Colaco described Peak as a truly Nigerian iconic brand and expressed appreciation for Nigerian’s loyalty to Peak milk particularly, those who have come from far and near for the celebration. He said: “Since the presence of Peak in the Nigerian market, the brand has continued to grow despite several changes in the market. Peak’s success is attributed to two things: First, a singular focus, which is to nourish Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition in order to reach their Peak. “Second, continually exploring ways to stand out of the crowded

Cable operator, Charter to buy Time Warner Cable for $56bn

shelf and touch our consumers through every stage of their lives. Peak has won industry recognition as an innovative and trendsetting brand that delivers superior dairy nutrition across life-stages. “The Brand’s positive results and success is about connecting with our Consumers, supporting our Business Partners and communities to pursuing their aspirations and reach for their Peak!”, Colaco added. The Marketing Director, Mr. Tarang Gupta, emphasized that the introduction of Peak 60 years ago gave the people “an experienced of a new beginning with sharper minds, stronger body and matchless opportunities to bring out the best in them and reach for their peak. This is the inspiring story of Peak in Nigeria.” He added that the story of the Peak brand is about Nigeria and the Nigerian people. “It’s your story, the story of the generations before you and the generations that will come after you. This is the celebration of

our great past, happy present and brighter future.’’ “To Peak, there’s greatness in everyone. It lives in us. All we have to do is believe in it, work hard at it and we will surely achieve it. Peak at 60 is a celebration of your story, my story, our story and the story of our great nation, Nigeria.” He concluded. There were also the inspiring stories of those who came, saw and conquered with Peak. The story of Madam Ajoke Okusanya, who rose from a petty trader to a Keu Business Partner Peak; the amazing story of popular female artiste, Yemi Alade, was also a key highlight. Yemi Alade, the “Johnny” crooner, won the first edition of Peak Talent Show in 2009 and told the world she would never have become a musician without the Peak Talent Show platform. ‘’I actually wanted to get my B.Sc, get a job, settle down and live a private life until the Peak Talent Show came up and the rest as you can see is history”, she said.

harter Communications Inc, controlled by cable industry pioneer John Malone, offered to buy Time Warner Cable Inc for $56 billion, seeking to combine the No. 3 and No. 2 U.S. cable operators to compete against market leader Comcast Corp. The partners, who said on Tuesday the deal would mean better access to broadband Internet for many consumers, immediately faced questions about likely regulatory obstacles that helped sink Comcast’s earlier bid for Time Warner Cable. The Federal Communications Commission was unusually quick to comment, saying it would closely review the deal’s merits. The agency determines whether mergers are in the public interest. “The Commission will look to see how American consumers would benefit if the deal were to be approved,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement early Tuesday. “In applying the public interest test, an absence of harm is not sufficient.” Charter, in which Liberty Broadband Corp owns about 26 percent, offered about $195.71 in cash and stock for each Time Warner Cable share, based on Charter’s closing price on May 20.Including debt, the deal values Time Warner Cable at $78.7 billion. The deal, the latest in a rapidly consolidating U.S. cable industry facing competition from satellite TV and Webbased services, could re-energize critics who helped keep Comcast from acquiring TWC in a year-long saga. A key area

would have `Evolution’ as its theme and would award musicians and achievers who had made the most impact on African youth culture over the last 12 months. The organizers also said the award would feature performances from African and international artists along with unique collaborations. MAMA 2015 will celebrate African talent across 17 award categories such as Best Male, Best Female, Best Song and Best New Act Transformed by Absolute. The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. “In line with the MAMA 2015 `Evolution’ theme and VIMN Africa’s tenth-year anniversary, this year’s show will also feature a spe-

cial edition `Artist of the Decade’ category to recognise artists whose careers have flourished throughout the last ten years, ” they said. Additional categories include the `MAMA Leadership Award’ and `Personality of the Year’. Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex Okosi, said they are thrilled the MTV Africa Music Awards will be returning to Durban and KwaZuluNatal on July 18, date famous for being the birthday of Nelson Mandela. “What better day could there be for staging this inspirational celebration of African achievement and creativity that showcases Africa’s best talent on the world stage,’’ he said. Head of Department of Eco-

nomic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, KwaZuluNatal Province Desmond Golding, said: “In 2014, the world saw how Durban and KwaZulu-Natal leveraged global events such as the MTV Africa Music Awards to realise our tourism goals. “By attracting ground-breaking events like the MAMA to KwaZuluNatal and Durban, we continue to make a significant contribution to economic growth and tourism in the region.’’ Head of Durban Tourism, Phillip Sithole, said: “It is a tremendous honour for the city of Durban to be host city once again for the much anticipated MTV Africa Music Awards. “We look forward to an unforgettable event in Durban and may

Public Affairs Manager, East and Central , Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Mr. Ekuma Eze receiving the outstanding contribution award on behalf of NBC from the Founder, Rainbow Book Club and Project Director, UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, Mrs. Koko Kalango, during the closing ceremony of Port Harcourt as the 2014 World Book Capital at the weekend.

of regulatory concern would be competition in broadband Internet. A merger of Charter and Time Warner Cable, with other deals, would create a company that controls more than 20 percent of the U.S. broadband market, according to research firm MoffettNathanson. The merged company would still be smaller than Comcast, which serves about one-third of U.S. broadband users, said analyst Craig Moffett in a note to clients. He added that “one has to be sober about genuine risks that this deal could still be rejected.” Time Warner Cable’s shares shot up 3.7 percent to $177.51 on Tuesday, well below Charter’s offer, suggesting concerns on Wall Street about regulatory hurdles. Charter’s current bid is much higher than its first offer of $37 billion, which Time Warner Cable rejected last year. Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Officer Rob Marcus said he was confident the deal would get done. “This is a very different transaction” from the Comcast-TWC deal, he told analysts on a conference call. Growth has slowed at payTV companies such as Time Warner Cable and Charter in recent years as consumers watch TV shows and movies over the Internet through services provided by companies such as Netflix Inc and Hulu. Among other strategies, cable companies are beefing up their higher-margin Internet businesses through consolidation and partnerships.

MAMA 2015 awards to capture African youth culture – Organisers DAVID AUDU

rganisers of the 2015 edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) said the event would celebrate the development of the continent’s talent and creativity over the last 10 years, This was disclosed at a news conference held simultaneously in Lagos and Durban last week by representatives of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) and officials of the government of Kwazulu- Natal According to the organisers, the awards ceremony, which is in its 5th season will also be used to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of VIMN and its channel MTV Base in Africa. They said that MAMA 2015

the MAMA continue to be the best platform to bring Africa together on our shores and allow our continent to enjoy the unique flavours of Destination Durban.” Mr. Sithole, who spoke via satellite from Durban also reacted to a question by NAN about the feelings of the government of Kwazulu-Natal on the xenophobic attacks in his province. He said that those who participated in the act were not representatives of the people of KwazuluNatal or their feelings toward other Africans. He said that perpetrators of the act were being arrested and would all be brought to book and promised that his province would be a safe and welcoming city to Africa during the awards.

Insight

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel shortage: Need to curb

As corrupt fuel importers hold the nation to ransom and Nigerians groan over multiple hardships caused by acute petroleum products shortage, UDEME AKPAN reports that the solution lies in the government and private investors building new refineries.

igeria as an oil producing nation presents a picture of a thoughtless and naughty giant whose clueless inanities and political indiscretion have continued to deny it the opportunities to talk great and big in the midst of other peers that have used their God-given resources as a transformational tool for socio-economic emancipation of their peoples and societies. With four refineries that have the capacity to refine 450,000 barrels per day, many observers thought Nigeria should be in a position to meet its domestic fuel needs as well as maintain a domineering stance and well respected voice at the international oil market. Apart from the refining capacities in the olden days, the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are not only connected through a network of pipelines that guarantee the movement of both crude oil and petroleum products, but the Federal Government has always declared its intention to ensure the facilities were properly maintained. After the about 20 years post-construction operations of the refineries, the past two decades of Nigeria’s crude oil refining operations have been characterised by inefficiency, lawlessness and corruption which have made products availability at the domestic market difficult and compels the government to engage in the archaic method of bartering crude oil at huge losses to the country in order to guarantee refined products into the domestic market. But meeting domestic demand remains a dream for many reasons. First, probably because of their relatively old age, many components of the four refineries have broken down at various times. Second, the facilities, especially pipelines have also been vandalised. Moreover, domestic supply is often hampered by internal disruptions, especially protests and strikes. For instance, a few days ago, tanker drivers, involved in moving petroleum products from one place to another embarked on strike to support their demand for payment of N20billion. The oil marketers also protested, demanding the Federal Government to settle their then huge N350bn outstanding. While the protest lasted, many filing stations were shut against motorists and other users of fuel, thus leading to the emergence of long queues nationwide. It took the intervention of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to end the protest as well as get oil marketers and other stakeholders back to work. Despite the intervention, the long fuel queues did not disappear, thus constituting a source of worry to many parties. Specifically, the questions Nigerians are asking are: How did the nation’s four refineries come into existence? What steps have the Federal Government taken to construct new plants? Why did such efforts fail to yield dividends, barely after the new Port Harcourt-based

Moribund Kaduna refinery

SPECIFICALLY, THE QUESTIONS

NIGERIANS ARE ASKING ARE: HOW DID THE NATION’S FOUR REFINERIES COME INTO EXISTENCE?

WHAT STEPS HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKEN TO CONSTRUCT NEW PLANTS?

WHY DID

SUCH EFFORTS FAIL

TO YIELD DIVIDENDS, BARELY AFTER

PORT HARCOURT-BASED THE NEW

PLANT WAS BUILT IN

1984?

plant was built in 1984? What can be done to achieve such desirable feat? National Mirror investigations showed that the idea of establishing the refineries

Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke

started in the 1950s when the nation was able to hit 500,000 bpd production target, thereby justifying the need for domestic refining of crude oil. The government took a bold step to commission a study which culminated in the construction of the nation’s first refinery in 1963 with initial 35,000 bpd capacity. The refinery, which was commissioned in 1965, produced fuel oil, gas oil, petrol and dual purpose kerosene, both for local consumption and for export. The rising demand between 1967 and 1970, it was learnt necessitated the increase in installed capacity of the plant to 60,000 bpd. The fuel shortages of the 1970s further prompted the government to set up the Oputa Commission of Inquiry to proffer solutions to the problem. It was the Commission that recommended the establishment of one new refinery in Kaduna and Warri respec-

tively. The refineries which had 35,000 bpd capacity each was later increased to 110,000 bpd for Kaduna and 125,000 bpd for Warri. The increase which brought installed capacity of the nation’s three refineries to 295,000 bpd did little to meet demand. The phenomenon made it imperative for the country to resort to offshore refining of its crude oil. Still, demand outstripped supply by as much as 260,000 bpd. The government had no option than to embark on the construction of the fourth refinery, in Port Harcourt. The new refinery had installed capacity for 150,000 bpd, bringing total installed capacity of the four refineries to 445,000 bpd. These initiatives were not the last as the Federal Government had several times granted licenses to private investors to construct new refineries. For instance, in 2002, the government issued licenses to 18 investors to build new plants. These included Akwa Ibom Refinery and Petrochemicals, Tonwei Refinery, Badagry Petroleum Refinery, Clean Water Refinery, IIaje Refinery and Petrochemicals and Niger Delta Refinery and Petrochemicals. Others include, the NSP Refinery and Oil Services and Ode Ade Refinery, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited, Owena Oil and Gas, Rivgas Petroleum and Energy, Sapele Petroleum, Southland Associates, Southwest Refineries and Petrochemicals Company, Starex Petroleum Refinery Ltd, The Chasewood Consortium, Total Support Refineries and Union Atlantic Petroleum. The move was considered important for many reasons. First, it attracted much atten-

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Insight

Thursday, May 28, 2015

fraud and build private refineries

Fitful Warri refinery

THE GOVERNMENT CAN INVEST PART OF ITS HUGE FUNDS CURRENTLY USED IN PAYING FUEL SUBSIDY TO ESTABLISH NEW REFINERIES IN SELECTED PARTS OF THE NATION AND LATER SELL THEM TO PRIVATE INVESTORS tion, especially as promoters of the plants had expressed much optimism in meeting set targets and eventually completing works within four years. Second, the refineries were targeted at meeting rising demand for petroleum products. Third, they were aimed at assisting the nation to conserve scarce foreign exchange being spent to import products. More than that, the proposed refineries were further expected to assist in generating additional foreign exchange as well as boost local content and capacity building in the nation. Sadly, these were not to be. Almost 13 years after, the nation continues to depend on imported petroleum products apparently because it lacks the capacity to meet its domestic needs. Investigations further showed that the trend would likely continue in the short and medium term as the government has not done much to stimulate the building of new plants in the country. Specifically, the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe, maintains that the nation’s environment has not been made attractive to investors as local and foreign investors can only invest in environments that can guarantee adequate returns on their investments. In other words, Fawibe said investors would not invest in new refineries because the Federal Government still regulates the

prices of many products, including petrol, a fiscal regime that is considered risky to long term investments in the sector Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside, identified other constraints. “The other one is even the funding environment, it is stifled. In terms of security, you know the challenges we are having everyday. Pipelines are being destroyed and so even when you bring in a vessel, piracy is still on. So many things are going on in terms of security. We are not getting it right yet. Not very many persons will want to invest in the real downstream assets in this kind of environment. “The environment is heavily regulated. It is not like deregulation will solve all our problems, but it is very critical. The regulatory environment will stifle any investment and so I don’t see anybody investing to build refineries until we address those fundamental issues,” Peterside said. He added, “Are we happy that we are importing almost all our petroleum products? The answer is outright no. That is not where we desire to be. That is not where we want to be. We are concerned as other Nigerians. But the reality is that most of our refineries are in a dilapidated state. And in the shortterm, we must import. Are we providing that environment? “We are making effort, but we have not

provided the environment yet. In terms of power, you know we are not getting power right. In terms of regulation, we are still grappling with the Petroleum Industry Bill. In terms of funding, most Nigerian banks do not like to invest in long-term projects.” Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, Mr. Bala Zaka, stressed that a lot could be done to change the situation. The energy analyst maintains that the government can invest part of its huge funds currently used in paying fuel subsidy to establish new refineries in selected parts of the nation and later sell them to private investors. Zaka feels that this strategy should be adopted because it is a very fast approach to ensuring that huge funds are staked in the sector for the overall benefit of the nation. He stressed that it would be better to sell such plants later as government officials have not yet demonstrated their competence to manage state assets, adding that the involvement of government officials should not be prolonged to prevent them from running down such investments. The energy analyst canvassed the need for government to deregulate the downstream sector so as to allow market forces to determine prices. “It is imperative that the government should deregulate the sector in order to attract local investors with adequate resources and technology to invest in Nigeria. We need to attract investors with deep pockets to stake huge funds in the sector through deregulation. These investors, including oil and other companies cannot invest in refineries because they are not sure of recovering their investments,” he said. The National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi, who aligned his views to other analysts’ on the need to deregulate

the industry said deregulation of the sector would encourage investors. Even as stakeholders’ concern for urgent deregulation of the downstream sector remains in the public discourse, the recent bold initiative by the Dangote Group to invest in the sector is seen as a healthy development that could be used by government as a bait to attract more investors to product refining business of the hydrocarbon resources industry. Dangote Group has started preliminary work on refinery construction with a projected $8billion to build 400,000 bpd plant by late 2016. The Group stated: “This will really help not only Nigeria but sub-Saharan Africa. There has not been a new refinery for a long time in sub-Saharan Africa. In five years, when our population is over 200 million, we won’t have the infrastructure to receive the amount of fuel we use. It has to be done.” Investigation showed that the timely intervention of the Group is already raising confidence of Nigerians and other nationals as the founder of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has led his team to record great accomplishments in other sectors of the nation’s economy. He also assured that the project would succeed as his group has already conducted studies to ascertain its feasibility and viability. Despite the assurances, close watchers of the economy believe that there is an urgent need for the government to review fiscal and other policies guiding operations of the sector with a view to eliminating all constraints which have over the years discouraged investors. They also stressed the need to provide new legislative template, through the instrumentality of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has been at the National Assembly for close to a decade, in order to attract and retain serious investors, including the new entrant, Dangote Group. It is believed that the completion of new plants would assist to conserve scarce foreign exchange currently being expended on imported products while the nation can also export to generate additional revenue for overall benefit of the economy. Indeed, as most industry analysts and investors have projected, increased investments in the sector would also create several multiplier effects on the economy such employment, technology spread and capacity building in the important sector of the oil and gas industry. With just a day to the end of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration which could not achieve much despite its promises to build green refineries in some coastal regions, the onus of translating the expectations of Nigerians to reality on uninterrupted fuel supply to the domestic market will invariably rest upon the incoming Muhammadu Buhari Administration. But then, as analysts have noted, how soon this dream comes true will depend largely on the political will of the Buhari government to remove all human constraints to moving the sector forward.

Cocktail

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Jailed burglars offer prevention tips

n Ohio police department seeking tips on preventing burglaries turned to a trio of experts -- convicted burglars serving prison sentences for the crime. The two-part “From the Big House to Your House” video, produced by the Columbus Police Department,

features three burglars serving prison sentences offering tips on how to secure homes from thieves. The video was created with the assistance of the Ohio prison system and the men featured were compensated only with letters to the parole board detailing their cooperation.

Nine animal brains found near railroad tracks

ine animal brains were found near a railroad track in upstate New York last week, according to witnesses and police. Clover Forsythe, a resident of Gouverneur, New York, told North Country Now that a neighbour found the organs while walking her dogs. Forsythe posted a picture of the brains on her Facebook page, describing each as “the size of an apple.” Police took one of the brains to local veterinarian Dr. Tim Monroe, who said it looked as if it had been pro-

fessionally removed from a dog, and that it had been preserved in formaldehyde. Monroe told WNYF the brain weighed about 70 grams, “which would be consistent with a dog-sized brain.” “You have to appreciate when you remove a brain from a skull, which is made of bone, you have to cut the bone all the way around. This had not been damaged, or nicked, or cut in its removal,” he told North County Now. “I supposed it was somebody’s collection that had outlived its usefulness and been disposed of.”

Bus powered by cow dung sets land speed record

he same bus model that typically transports residents of Reading, England, around the city recently set a land speed record. The bus topped out at 76.785 mph as it rounded the track at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The kicker is -- the bus is powered by cow poo or, more accurately, bovine manurederived biomethane. In honour of its fecal fuel source, the bus is painted in black and white spots (like a cow). Bus Hound was built by Reading Buses, a transportation company in Southern England. The company’s fleet features vehicles that normally don’t break 56 mph. “The code name for the bus itself is Bus Hound,” the company explains on its website, “which is a homage to the Bloodhound SSC team who are attempting to go slightly faster than us in breaking the actual land

speed record -- at 1000 mph.” Those who were at the track when the record was set were struck by the sights and sounds. “It was an impressive sight as it swept by on the track,” John Bickerton, chief engineer for Reading Buses, told the BBC. “It sounded like a Vulcan bomber -- the aerodynamics aren’t designed for going 80 mph.” The record-setting feat was part of an attempt to

shine a positive light on bus transportation and the use of methane fuels. Methane is heralded by some in the energy and transportation industry as an ideal alternative fuel source. Its use, supporters argue, prevents the burning of fossil fuels and burns methane (a greenhouse gas) that would have otherwise made its way into the atmosphere. “Most importantly, we wanted to get the image of bus

transport away from being dirty, smelly, and slow,” Bickerton said. “We’re modern, fast, and at the cutting edge of innovation.” Liquid methane -- which with just a few tweaks can be used in most any combustible engine -- doesn’t have to be derived from cow dung. Another bus in England runs on biomethane captured from treated human and food waste (human poo).

The Bus Hound recently set a land speed record. It is powered by biomethane derived from cow manure.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Extradition: Court declines to restrain Obasanjo …says ex-president not colluding to abduct Kashamu

Wale Igbintade

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday declined to grant the request to restrain former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his alleged involvement in the plan to arrest Ogun East Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu, for extradition to the United States of America for alleged drug-related offences. Delivering judgement in a fundamental human rights suit filed by Kashamu to prevent his extradition, Justice Okon Abang noted that the al-

leged role of Obasanjo was mentioned in several places in the applicant’s motion and so it is compelling that the court should hear from Obasanjo. He said, “Obasanjo ought to have been joined and this would have helped the court in deciding whether or not to grant the reliefs. The court cannot agree with the applicant that Chief Obasanjo colluded with others to abduct him.” The court also turned down Kashamu’s request for a perpetual injunction against the respondents from assuming his position as a Senator of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. The court said the respondents cannot be restrained perpetually from arresting the applicant. They were only restrained from arresting the applicant without a warrant of arrest and from forcefully extraditing the applicant without due recourse to the extradition acts. However, Justice Abang restrained the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and nine others from arresting the Ogun East Senator-elect for extradition to USA over alleged drug-related offences. The court also restrained

all the respondents from arresting Kashamu for a possible extradition to USA for drug-related offence based on an existing judgement of the court that was delivered on January 6, 2014. Respondents in the human rights enforcement suit filed by him included chairmen of Nigerian Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Director-General, Department of State Security, DSS; Interpol National Central Bureau, NCB, and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF. Others are Clerk of the National Assembly, Na-

tional Security Adviser to the President, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Justice Abang also dismissed the preliminary objections of NDLEA, AGF, NSA and NSCDC. He held that the purpose of determining whether or not a reasonable cause of action has been disclosed, adding that the NDLEA chairman is a natural person that can sue and be sued. The court held that Kashamu’s claims were in line with the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution. “The claims of the applicant are fundamental rights claims and the court has the jurisdiction to them,” said the judge. Abang said the order subsists since no order has stayed its execution. The court held that the respondent “cannot in the exercise of their statutory powers, without appealing

the earlier judgement, act on any application seeking the extradition of the applicant.” In the suit, Kashamu is seeking nine declarative orders from the court among which are: An order restraining the defendants and their agents from arresting, detaining or otherwise effecting his abduction upon spurious allegation; An order directing the clerk of the National Assembly to accord him every facility and privileges due to him as a Senator-elect. Kashamu’s request for an order asking the IGP to provide him with six policemen to protect him was also found to be incompetent. The court however ordered the IGP to protect him as other Nigerians. The court further restrained the police boss from withdrawing the security detail currently attached to the applicant. The court equally directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to accord the applicant all he deserves as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Osun guber: S’Court upholds Aregbesola’s victory Ise-Oluwa Ige L-R: National President, St Patrick College Alumni Uyo, Calabar, Chief Charles Ifeanyi; National Trustee, Obong E.C.D Abia; National Secretary, Barr. John Bassey and Principal, Rev. Fr. Christopher Okon, during national executive council meeting of the alumni and hand over of the association’s banner to the next host in Lagos, recently.

Buhari condoles with Obasanjo over sister’s death

igeria’s Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, has extended his condolences to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the re-

cent death of his younger sister, Madam Aduni Eweje-Obasanjo. In a statement issued in Abuja by Buhari’s Head of Media Team, Garba

Shehu, he expressed sadness that Madam Obasanjo died when her wisdom would be sorely missed. He asked Obasanjo to take heart and bear the

loss with equanimity and faith, and that God who knows all things will strengthen and comfort him and other relatives.

Unions shut Ekiti varsity over unpaid salaries Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

abour unions in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday paralysed academic and other activities in the institution. The unions, under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU and National Association of Academic Technolo-

gists, NAAT, locked the two gates of the institution to prevent students and staff accessing it. The workers, who said they were being owed three months’salaries, said they would not return to their desks until they were paid. SSANU chairman, Kolawole Falade, said the unions met under the Joint Action Committee on Tuesday and decided to embark on the protest to

demand payment of their unpaid salaries. According to him, among their other demands necessary for the development of the institution is the need for the state government to increase the monthly subventions to the university from N260 million because of the College of Medicine. He said: “We have also not received our earned allowances from 2012 up till date. We also need a

Governing Council for the university.” Although the academic staff-members of the institution were not part of the strike, their chairman, Prof Olufayo Olu-Olu, said they were on the same page with the protesting workers. Olu-Olu said ASUU in EKSU could not take a lead role in the protest because it was yet to obtain approval from the congress.

n a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court yesterday upheld the electoral victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun State. The apex court entered the verdict yesterday after dismissing two separate appeals filed by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and his party, PDP. The court held that the appeals were unmeritorious, unnecessary and an overkill, saying Omisore and his party ought not to have brought them to the apex court. The court, however, upheld the cross-appeal filed by Governor Aregbesola to the effect that the appeal filed by Omisore was in itself incompetent since it was not filed within seven days after

the election results were announced. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, an academic and jurist, delivered the lead judgment of the court yesterday. He addressed all the seven issues distilled from the appeal by Omisore in a 71-page judgment, resolving only one of the issues in favour of Omisore, while the remaining six were resolved in Aregbesola’s favour. According to him, “Although issue one was resolved in favour of Omisore, that did not alter the substance of the concurrent judgment of the tribunal and the Akure division of the Court of Appeal as there is no merit in issues two, three, four, five, six and seven of the appeal.” All other justices of the court took turns to agree with the judgment even as they held that the appeal was a waste of the court’s time and that such case ought not to have been brought before them.

South East

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inaccurate data, bane of MDGs —FUTO VC Chris Njoku OWERRI

L-R: Comrade Ignatius Okafor; Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra State, Comrade Jerry Nnubia and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Joe Asike, during courtesy visit by the congress to the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, on Tuesday.

Again, Anambra bans Okada operators …on key roads

Charles Okeke AWKA

arely three years after Anambra State government restricted riding of motorcycles between 7pm and 7am, Governor Willie Obiano’s administration yesterday, gave further restriction orders to motorcyclists popularly known as Okada. He directed that from Monday, June 1, all motorcycle operators in Anambra are barred from plying Enugu-Onitsha and Onitsha-Owerri Expressways, as well as other designated roads in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha. The state government

announced the ban on all motorcycles running on key roads in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi via a statement issued jointly by Commissioners for Information, Culture, Tourism, Dr Uju Nwogu, and Transport, Chuma Mbonu. The two commissioners had said yesterday that it would be illegal for all motorcycles either private or commercial to ply the designated roads in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi. In Awka, the roads are Enugu to Onitsha Expressway, Arthur Eze Avenue and Zik’s Avenue, and in Onitsha the roads are Onitsha to Owerri Expressway, Awka Road, Borromew

to Upper Iweka to Head Bridge Road, Old and New Market Roads, as well as Oguta Road, while in Nnewi, the affected roads are Nnewi to Nnobi road and Nnewi to Oba road. Also, the state government advised all commuters who must ply the listed roads to use tricycles, taxis and buses, including those provided by government and other commercial vehicle owners. Thus, government’s new policy bars all private and commercial motorcycles and tricycle operators from major expressways in the state. The government directed law enforcement agen-

cies to ensure strict compliance with this directive, adding that any motorcycle or tricycle operator that violates the directive would have his/her motorcycle or tricycle impounded, until payment of a fine of N5,000 for motorcycles and N10,000 for tricycles is paid for first offenders. The state government also said subsequent arrest for second violation of this directive will attract outright confiscation of the motorcycle or tricycle. It also stated that with effect from next Monday, all motorcycle operators in the state were restricted from carrying more than one passenger on a trip.

NEMA laments rise in fire incidents …flays use of substandard electrical materials

Chris Njoku OWERRI

ational Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday cautioned Nigerians against the use of substandard electrical materials in houses, saying they cause most of the fire disasters recorded in the country. The agency said any house with substandard electrical materials and built by non-professionals were highly vulnerable to fire disaster. NEMA Coordinator, Owerri operations office, Dr. Innocent Ezeaku, disclosed

this to newsmen in Owerri, Imo State. Ezeaku, who was reacting to incessant fire incidents across the country, said NEMA identified this as a national emergency requiring urgent national attention. He said agencies responsible for regulation and enforcement must begin to give closer monitoring to those erecting buildings to ensure they comply with laid-down standards, failing for which they should be prosecuted. Ezeaku argued that resources that would have been used to develop some vital sectors of the economy were being channeled

towards providing relief materials, rebuilding and reconstruction of damaged assets due to fire. It would be recalled that NEMA recently flagged off distribution of relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of fire disaster in Imo. Ezeaku advocated for non-storage of inflammable substances in public places, vehicles and homes, adding that it would go a long way to prevent fire disaster. He also advised relevant agencies to equip major markets with functional fire stations to enable fire fighters give prompt response during emergency.

“People must cultivate the habit of switching off all electrical appliances after the day’s work, especially in markets and offices. Distributors of gas cylinder should educate buyers on the associated safety measures in its use while houses should be installed with smoke detectors and fire alarm. “Those who are found guilty of deliberately indulging in act that could lead to fire outbreak should be prosecuted,” he said. He frowned at approval allowing filling stations to be sited in residential areas and urged government to relocate all such stations.

ice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, said despite appreciable progress in achieving the target of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, absence of accurate data still pose a challenge towards realising objectives of the programme. Making the observation at the 4th International Conference on ‘Gender and the Millennium Development Goals beyond 2015,’ organised by Centre for Women, Gender and Development Studies, CWGDS, yesterday in Owerri, Imo State capital, the vice chancellor said despite some achievements recorded, the issues of poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare and maternal/infant mortality rate remained greater problems in the country. According to him, for Nigeria to achieve only three of eight MDGs target implies that a lot needs to be done, adding that the two days conference should fo-

cus on detailing the way out of the many challenges facing the country as the deadline for MDGs realisation draws near. In her address, Director of CWGDS, FUTO, Prof. Ihuoma Asiabaka, said the conference was organised to provide opportunity for robust intellectual exchange, exploration of cross-cultural experiences and resources as they concern gender and MDGs. She stated that the centre would continue to provide avenue for knowledge sharing pursuant to its vision of being the foremost centre of excellence for women, gender and development studies. The director, while thanking the vice chancellor, keynote speaker, Dr. Atsuko, IFAD Country Programme manager for Nigeria, lead paper presenter, Prof. Eric Eboh of the Department of Agricultural Economics, UNN for their various contributions to the success of the conference, said although there were cultural variations, gender inequalities still exist in all cultures and men are generally favoured.

11 die in Ilorin/Mokwa auto crash Wole Adedeji ILORIN

ot less than 11 people died yesterday along Ilorin/ Mokwa/Jebba Road when a Toyota Hiace bus collided with a Turbo branded truck. The accident occurred at Oko Olowo village, near the farm of late General Abdulkareem Adisa, with 11 people confirmed dead, a source said when National Mirror visited yesterday. This reporter saw the wreckage of the bus marked GA 52 XA, and eight people writhing in pain as a result of injuries sustained. The ever busy single-lane Ilorin/Mokwa road remains the north-south link road connecting mainly North West to the South-West as well as the North Central zones of the country. The government of President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, however, reduced travellers’ burdens on the road by partially dualising its Ilorin/Ibadan end. Despite the dualisation,

the road still records heavy traffic of trailers and trucks as well as buses of different sizes every day. Besides, the road also has an uncountable number of dangerous bends, which for decades made it one of the accidentprone roads in the country. Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC in Kwara State, Mrs Mary Wakawa, while confirming the crash, said the incident occurred at about 2am. Sources at the scene told National Mirror that the bus coming from the southern part of the country was heading to the northern part of the country while the trailer was coming from Kebbi going to Oyo State before the unfortunate crash. An eye-witness said: “We heard a big bang around 2am inside our hut, which was followed by wailings of occupants of the vehicles involved, but none of us could immediately come out because of fears which past experiences had taught us. We, however, came out early this morning to see the gory scene.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Index rises 0.2% as Vono Products leads gainers JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rading in equities continued on a positive note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors took position on stocks. Specifically, the All Share Index appreciated 0.17 per cent to close at 34,355.31 points, compared to the increase of 0.43 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34,298.64 points. Market capitalisation gained N21 billion to close at N11.67 trillion, compared to the rise of N50 billion recorded the preceding day to close at

N11.65 trillion. On the sectorial indices, the NSE 30-Index appreciated 0.2 per cent to close at 1,573.42 points, but the Banking Index dropped 0.08 per cent to close at 394.31 points. The Insurance Index gained 0.28 per cent to close at 148.82 points, but the Consumer Goods Index depreciated 0.24 per cent to close at 846.69 points. The Oil and Gas Index rose 0.49 per cent to close at 378.41 points, but the Lotus Islamic Index lost 0.08 per cent to close at 2,205.56 points. The Industrial Index appreciated 0.56 per cent

to close at 2,215.73 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed flat at 1,215.52 points. Vono Products Plc led the gainers’ table with 14 kobo or 9.52 per cent to close at N1.61 per share, followed by Unity Bank Plc with 22 kobo or 8.70 per cent to close at N2.75 per share. NPF Microfiance Bank Plc added nine kobo or 7.26 per cent to close at N1.33 per share, while Red Star Express Plc appreciated 35 kobo or seven per cent to close at N5.35 per share. Beta Glass Plc rose N1.87 or4.91 per cent to close at N39.97 per share. Conversely, May and

Baker Plc depreciated nine kobo or 5.08 per cent to close at N1.68 per share, while Premier Breweries Plc lost two kobo or 3.51 per cent to close at N3.26 per share. Interlink Plc fell 23 kobo or 4.94 per cent to close at N4.43 per share, while CI Leasing Plc declined three kobo or 4.23 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share. ABC Transport Plc was down two kobo or 3.51 per cent to close at 55 kobo per share. A total of 309.7 million shares valued at N3.72 billion were traded in 5,386 deals.

Skye Bank to raise N30bn Tier 1 capital JOHNSON OKANLAWON

kye Bank yesterday said it will raise additional tier one capital of N30 billion during the third quarter of 2015 to bolster its capacity to explore business and maintain efficient capital adequacy ratio. The Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, stated this at a breakfast meeting with stockbrokers in Lagos. Oguntayo said the bank would intensify its customer acquisition drive

across retail segments as well as optimize deposit mix through mobilization of low cost funding to bring down its cost of doing business. Speaking on the business focus of the bank, he said retail banking, with particular emphasis on individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will be accorded top priority. He said the bank had gone into strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation to strengthen its retail banking capacity and framework to under-

score the importance attached to the new business focus. The Skye Bank boss also spoke of plans to ensure that the bank’s customers imbibe the electronic banking culture to enjoy a pleasant banking experience at all times and across all channels. On the acquisition of Mainstreet Bank Limited, Oguntayo said the acquisition makes the bank’s 4th largest bank by branch network, with the total branch network standing at 469 and 887 automated teller machines. According to Oguntayo

CBN plans financial literacy in schools

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday said financial literacy education will be introduced fully in school curriculum in the next two years. Speaking at a symposium orgainsed by the Ajapa World in Lagos, the Head, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, Hajia Khadijah Kassim, noted that financial literacy has become a major subject to be taught in Nigerian schools. She said, “We have started the development of financial literacy into the school curriculum and we are believing that in the next two years, we are going to have financial literacy being taught in the school system, the basic and the senior sec-

ondary school levels.” She explained the need for Nigeria to latch on to the drive of financial literacy overtaking the world as this ultimately leads to the secure wellbeing of each financially literate individual, society and nation. According to her, the CBN has developed a financial literacy framework which is going to give the direction as to how financial literacy is going to be taught across Nigeria. “That document is the blue print for how the Ajapa World’s, the media, the teachers, the institutions would become a stakeholder in ensuring that every Nigerian including the children are financially literate” she stated “In the world over, there is

a new drive for everybody to be financially literate, unless you are financially literate you cannot take decisions that will ultimately lead to your financial wellbeing, every child that goes to school will have the opportunity to become financially literate,” she added. Kassim stressed that unless you teach a child how to save, then you would not want him to be included, because a child should know why he should save and then you can bring the children into the formal financial system. Meanwhile, Ajapa world has initiated plans to establish the teaching of children and youths the fundamental financial habits, through

the combination of the two banks was expected to deliver significant operational synergies resulting in resource optimization and enhancement of shareholder value; as well as create opportunities to deploy e-channels products and capabilities to clients of Mainstreet Bank. “Increased balance sheet size of the combined entity will provide an enhanced capacity to provide credit to a larger corporate and retail clients”, he said, adding that full integration of Mainstreet would be achieved in June this year.

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,355.31 points Market capitalisation 11.67trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

VONO

1.47

1.61

0.14

9.52

UNITYBNK

2.53

2.75

0.22

8.70

NPFMCRFBK

1.24

1.33

0.09

7.26

REDSTAREX

5.00

5.35

0.35

7.00

BETAGLAS

38.10

39.97

1.87

4.91

VITAFOAM

5.00

5.24

0.24

4.80

NASCON

7.40

7.75

0.35

4.73

COSTAIN

0.86

0.90

0.04

4.65

TOTAL

152.60

159.00

6.40

4.19

DANGFLOUR

3.85

4.01

0.16

4.16

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

MAYBAKER

1.77

1.68

-0.09

-5.08

PREMBREW

3.43

3.26

-0.17

-4.96

INTERLINK

4.66

4.43

-0.23

-4.94

CILEASING

0.71

0.68

-0.03

-4.23

ABCTRANS

0.57

0.55

-0.02

-3.51

UBA

5.35

5.23

-0.12

-2.24

FIDELITYBK

1.88

1.84

-0.04

-2.13

UBN

10.51

10.35

-0.16

-1.52

NESTLE

871.00

860.00

-11.00

-1.26

CAP

41.50

41.00

-0.50

-1.20

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

CLOSING

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description mentoring on financial awareness, knowledge of entrepreneurship skills and encouraging a saving culture.

US Dollar

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.22

99.03

13.89

99.18

13.76

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.92

101.99

13.86

102.14

13.77

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.09

105.81

14.07

106.11

13.98

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.67

110.28

13.96

110.58

13.89

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.80

101.44

13.90

101.74

13.84

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.16 68.00

15.54

68.30

15.47

Closing Market Prices of May 27, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

27-Aug-15

11.44

11.77

WAUA

270

USD

197

03-Dec-15

12.89

13.82

EURO

214

05-May-16

12.81

14.57

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

9.6433

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.0824

16.2018

SDR

273

17.4152

NIBOR

The Fixings of May 27, 2015

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We want strong Naira, traders tell Buhari, Ambode

s the new administration resumes in the country both at the federal and state levels tomorrow, traders at the popular Balogun market, Lagos, has started to set agenda for the incoming president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the Lagos State Governorelect, Mr Akinwumi Ambode. Speaking on the expectation of traders from the incoming government, a trader, Mrs. Veronica Emmanuel told BSD that the new government should help build shops that are affordable to traders. She said most of the people that sell on road or road sides don’t really like to do so, but were forced into the practice due to the high cost of renting shops which she said is beyond the reach of the ordinary traders with less capital to do business. “We are appealing to the government to make life more comfortable for us in Nigeria so that people will always want to come to the market.” As part of her own expectation from the incoming government, Madam Jumoke Williams urged Buhari administration

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI to look into how to improve the economy. She said this is the only way traders and companies operating in the country can grow. “The new government should make economic stability their priority, so that naira will have more value. This will help traders that travel to get goods abroad a lot. “ Another trader, Alhaja Omolabake Oguns, urged the Buhari government to help reduce levies paid by traders as this is one of the problems face by traders. She also appealed to the government to work on electricity because this is very important to every business and household. “For example my shop need to be well illuminated so that customers will see what I have on display, but there is no electricity and petrol is scarce.” For Mrs. Esther Adeyanju, traders should be included in government both at the federal, state and local government levels, so that they can have avenue to present their problems to those in authority. “They feel all traders are illiterate, but the truth is that nowa-

days, we havemany literate ones among us who have the knowledge and are ready to contribute positively to the growth of our nation.”

She also urged the new Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode to put measures in place to stop the incessant fire outbreak in the market.

Adeyanju however, commended the outgoing governor, Babatunde Fashola for bringing sanity into the Balogun and other market in Lagos Island.

Rainy season not friendly with us –street traders FRANKA OSAKWE

he rain season is fast approaching, but traders at Balogun, Aponbon, and Broad Street, Lagos are worried that their businesses will as usual be negatively affected by the by the coming wet season. This is because the rain season is always accompanied by flood which hampers movement in and out of the market as people always find it difficult to wade through the flooded streets and market. The season is also accompanied by traffic jam on major roads within the state thereby restricting movement in and out of the market. Street traders in particular said they were the most hit by the rainy season as to them ‘’it means no more sales until the rain is over.’’ Many of the street traders and

hawkers that spoke with Broad Street Diary BSD said they wish the rain season will not come. Sanni, a street trader who deals in electronic items on Broad Street told BSD that any time it rains, street hawkers will have to cover or pack their wares until the rain stops. “Once it starts raining, we have to stop selling market until the rain stops. We have to cover our wares with nylon and wait for the rain to stop, if it doesn’t stop on time, then we pack up and go home,” Sanni said.wBut the street hawkers are not the only ones distaste the rain season, shops owners say business also gets dull when it rains. A shop owner who sells clothes on Broad Street, Mr. John told BSD that rain prevents customers from coming into the market as much as they should. “If it rains, sales are dull, as movement is restricted, so customers do not come as they

should. But rain is a good thing and one cannot wish it away,” he said. Another trader, Mrs. Kate who sells Fabrics says rain do not really affect her market except that it makes her shop crowded. “Some people who come in to shop will not leave after doing their shopping because it is raining. Others will come in to get shelter and pretended to be interested in the market,” she said. But despite the challenges posed by the rain season, traders said they are happy to be doing business at Broad Street. “I have been selling wares at Broad Street for four years now and I have been able to make money to take care of my children. The business district is peaceful except for the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Task Force with their occasional disturbances,” says Amaka, a street trader who who hawk foot wares.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

B Shoppers’ S

Guide

raders on Broad Street in Lagos have declared the reason for not taking loans from banks to support their businesses. Some of the reasons included high interest rates charged by commercial banks, unattainable collateral as well as stringent conditions attached. They also rated the banks’ community development services within the markets very low despite the fact that majority of the banks have their headquarters around the Broad Street market. According to the Managing Director of Cheras Textile at Apongbon market, who dealt in local and foreign fabrics, Mr. Adeola Busari, so many of the traders have abstained from getting loans from the banks since the interest rate, which stands between 19 and 23 per cent is on the high side that can hardly support any business. He said that despite the proximity of the major commercial banks to the

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Why we don’t take bank loans –Traders …rate banks, companies’ CRS low within the market

Lagos business district, most big business owners still find it difficult to access loan from them. Busari told BSD that bank loans had not been good tools for the growth of their businesses since the interest rate is too high. On the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR plank, he said he had not seen any tangible project done by any bank or any other company within the market for the development of the market. Also speaking, a trader along Broad Street, who deals in consumables, Mrs. Adetutu Odumosu said the small scale traders were cut off the commercial bank loans as none of them could access loan from the banks. She told BSD that some of them patronised the Micro Finance banks, which gave some amount of money as loans to the traders based on the size of their businesses. Odumosu said even before they could get the loans from the microfinance banks, they must

Displaying goods for sale at Broad Street, Lagos. have got good patronage records with the banks despite operating within the same market vicinity. On her own, apart from the Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, the producer of CocaCola soft drink, which hired some street sweepers to clean the market area and UBA that normally render fire fighting services during fire outbreak in the

market none of the other banks and companies rendered such Community Relations Services, CRS. She said the banks failed in their CRS to the market community. Meanwhile, the management of Cash ‘N’ Carry, marketer of electronics, clothing and household appliances, who told BSD that they had no reason dealing with any bank, said every-

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN body, were on their own within the market. They said that their business outfit rendered community services based on individual needs, times and conditions on their request. According to them, if anybody is having an issue on which their company’s support is needed, such a person has to write the company’s management who would then deliber-

ate on it and execute it as required. However, some street traders who spoke with BSD highlighted some projects, which could be provided within the market by the banks and other big business owners to include public toilet on each street, securities, street lights among others.

-Abolaji Adebayo

12MW IPP to boost Lekki economy –Govt

earing in mind one of the major factors that has worked against business growth in the country, the

Electricity transformer

Lagos State Government is taking the bull by the horn to ensure that both big and small businesses in Lagos Island were not

constrained by such factors. To this end the state government on Tuesday commissioned a new In-

dependent Power Plant, IPP, which will generate 12 megawatts of electricity that will supply uninterrupted power to the

Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ, Lagos. The 12MW Independent Power Project which was built by the Chinese Railway Construction Company, CRCC, will be the sixth to be commissioned by the Babatunde Fashola-led administration in the state. The project which was executed under the Build, Operate and Transfer, BOT, in partnership with state government will allows the state to take possession of the project after the construction firm must have recoup its investment over a period of time. Fashola commended the stakeholders and investors for keeping faith with the state government since 2006 when the journey towards developing the zone started, adding that the zone will outlive this generation He urged the host community to continue to support the trade zone,

adding that the power plant will also supply power to residential homes in the area and boost its economy. The governor added that irrespective of languages differences among the people, business and development speak one language, which is that of prosperity for all. He emphasised that the road to prosperity in the Nigeria is in three words: “Made in Nigeria.” China has shown that example and that is why they are the largest economy in the world today. We can replicate that achievement here and that is why they are our formidable partner.” While he did not overlook the inherent challenges attendant of such mega facilities, Fashola assured that all possible problems would be addressed to keep the station running.

-Francis Suberu

Wole Oladimeji ABUJA

ndications emerged yesterday that there was a grand plan to make Hon Lasun Yussuf as the deputy speaker to Hon Yakubu Dogara in the 8th Assembly when the National Assembly is inaugurated in June. The 8th Assembly Consolidated Group has been campaigning for the candidature of Hon Dogara from the North East geopolitical zone for the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 8th

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Politics

Speakership: Doghara picks Lasun as deputy Assembly. Recall that the two major contenders to the race are Hon Dogara, who is a third timer in the House and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, a forth timer and presently the Minority Leader in the House. Feelers from the secretariat of the group revealed that the candidature of the Hon Lasun for the deputy speaker was to balance the equation and to give room for federal

character principle since he comes from the SouthWest. The group also believed that the competence of Hon Lasun, who is equally an APC member from Osun State, would go a long way in helping to stabilise the 8th Assembly. The group was said to have seen honesty and transparency in the character of Hon Lasun, which also a plus to the aspiration of the group.

Hon Lasun who joined the race last week was said to have conceded to step down for Hon Dogara and in view of this development, the group decided to pick him to be the deputy of Hon Dogara A devout Muslim, Lasun commands a lot of followership among members from the South-West and may split votes from the region. Born on October 4, 1960, the alumnus of Obafemi

Awolowo University, Ile Ife holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was chairman of Osun State Capital Territory Development Authority and was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011. Lasun attended Lo-

Priscilla Dennis

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (left), congratulating new state Grand Khadi, Khadi Dahiru Ningi, during his swearing-in as the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PDP jinxed with Bello, Secondus as leaders –Oyelese IBADAN

founding member and one of the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State, prior to last general elections, Elder Wole Oyelese, yesterday said the emergence of Dr. Haliru Bello as the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, chairman and retention of Uche Secondus as the party’s acting National Chairman is not the solution to the myriads of problems confronting the party. Oyelese who contested Oyo Central senatorial seat election under the Social Democratic Party, SDP, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, said he felt very bad with the developments in the party, he alongside others, laboured for its

entrenchment and success in Oyo state. He said: “One feels very sad to see how the party had been allowed to flounder and go the way it has now gone to this point of disintegration. It is equally sad and a complete disgrace that as the party in power at the centre long before and at the time of preparation for the elections and with all the resources at its disposal to weld all the elements together, the party could still be allowed to suffer the needless humiliating electoral defeat of the just concluded elections. Saddest of all is the fact that it is now obvious that the party has learnt nothing from its past mistakes. “It is indeed true as has been enunciated by both party members and commentators alike that the

greatest thing responsible for the electoral disaster of 2015 for the PDP was the absence of internal party democracy in the selection of its flag bearers. “Unfortunately, the major causative factors for that situation which were the triplet of unparalleled arrogance, insultive indiscipline and unbridled corruption have not been addressed and same have now begun to show up their ugly heads as evidenced in the actions currently being taken in the selection of acting leaders. “If the truth must be said, PDP dug its own grave during the corruption - ridden party congresses of 2012 long before Adamu Mu’azu came on board. The Organising Secretary of the party at that time virtually and completely disorganised the party. Out

of arrogance, corruption and complicity, all the complaints filed by committed party members about the conduct of the congresses and the fraudulent manipulation of results by inordinately ambitious individuals were ignored. The situation soon became a running battle among members and this greatly unsettled several chapters of the party throughout the country. “Alhaji Mohammed Bello, the then acting Chairman abetted the scheme and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who later came on board as chairman could do little to correct the already bad situation. By the time Mu’azu came in, the situation in the party had festered so much that it was clear that only a major surgical operation could save it.”

cal Authority Primary School, Ilobu from January 1970 to December 1972. He proceeded to Ansar-Un-Deen Secondary School Erin Osun from January 1973 to June 1975 He attended Ifon/Erin Community High School Ifon-Osun from September 1975 to June 1979.

Aliyu leaving behind over N57bn debt –APC Transition C’ttee

MINNA

Kemi Olaitan

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

iger State All Porg re g ressives Congress, APC, Transition Committee has disclosed that the incoming APC administration is inheriting a debt profile of over N57 billion from the outgoing government of Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu. Presenting the committees’ report earlier to the governor elect, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, the committee chair, the Deputy Governor-elect, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso, said the committee reviewed the debt profile of the outgoing government and noticed debt to the tune of over N56 billion. Responding, the governor elect Alhaji Bello stated that presently, everyone is worried about the situation of the state, hence the need for sacrifice by all and sourcing for new measures to generate funds. He said: “I believe each and every one of us is concerned about the situation of Niger State as it is today. It is not about what we will get as individuals but it’s about how we position ourselves for the future. There is the need to establish new means of generating funds, new ways of managing resources. “We do not have too much money to spend for the committees because like you said, we are in-

heriting over N56 billion already as a government. “You may not get what we want today or what you aspire for, but if we are able to move the state and to a larger extent a motion forward, at some point you will meet your destiny.” Bello assured the committee that he would engage some people to go through the report thoroughly and come up with further solutions. Ketso explained that after inauguration, the committee met and verified the report it got from the government committee and came up with five sub-sectors, namely; political and governance, finance, economics, social and infrastructure. He stated that it made observations and consolidated the report submitted by the sub-committees and made it a single report that was sent to the PDP transition committee, for them to go through and then give us a clean copy. He stated that when the government committee failed to give them the updated copy, “we decided on our own to go through the report we have and make the necessary recommendations to serve as a template for the incoming administration.” Top on the list of the recommendation for the new administration was on how to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Etiebet, others mourn death of APC chieftain Eno-Obong Michael UYO

ormer Petroleum Minister, Atuekong Don Etiebet, has described the death of Dr. Ime Umanah, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a great loss to the people of Akwa Ibom State. Etiebet yesterday in a telephone conversation said the news of the frontline businessman and politician was devastating, hurtful and incomprehensible as it was not expected that the deceased could die in an auto crash. He said: “The news that Dr. Umanah is dead hit me so severely that I lost my senses. I embarked on a verification investigation till midnight when finally Hon Akanimoh Edet, his very close ally, said he had actually seen the corpse at an Owerri hospital and was arranging to take it home. “It is very devastating, hurtful and incomprehensible that Umana should die in a motor accident. “He is one of the too many of our revered lead-

Politics

Thursday, May 28, 2015

ers and frontline outspoken politicians, particularly from Abak -5 that has died in recent times within a year.” A former Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ita Awak, describeded the death of Dr. Umanah as murder. According to him, it was an organised accident which was similar to that which claimed the life of former Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Oyong Asuquo on April 13, 2012, adding that every death in Akwa Ibom, which is politically motivated, will be investigated. APC Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Etim Etim, said Umanah was in the court on Monday for the case he had against the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio since 2011. He stated that after the court session, he wanted to travel to Lagos by air but because of unavailability of aviation fuel, he decided to go to Lagos by land, where his vehicle was involved in an accident between Port Harcourt and Owerri.

Why I’ll not settle with Wike –Amaechi •Bishop insists on reconciliation

Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

here seems to be no end in sight to the feud between the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and his successor, Barr Nyesom Wike as the former said except justice is done, he will not settle with the latter. Amaechi stated this at a special thanksgiving service to mark his 50th birthday organised by his friends at Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Amaechi was responding to an appeal from the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Etukudor that he and Wike settle their political differences in the interest of Rivers State. The Catholic Bishop had congratulated the gov-

ernor- elect, Wike, for his electoral victory and urged both former politicians to settle their differences. He said: “ As for the outgoing governor and the in-coming governor, I urge them to work together so that there will be peace. We need peace in Rivers State. “There can be no reconciliation without forgiveness. There will be no peace without reconciliation. So, it is time for the out-going governor and the in-coming governor to reconcile so that peace will return to Rivers State. “No matter their differences they should reconcile in the interest of peace.” But Amaechi insisted that justice must be seen to have been done before he can think of forgiving and settling with Wike, who was his former Chief of Staff, Government House, from 2007 to 2011.

Wike, who Governor Amaechi recommended for a ministerial appointment was later appointed Minister of State for Education, a position from which he resigned to contest for the governorship of the state. Amaechi said: “My Lordship talked about forgiveness. In the Catholic Church, you don’t oppose the views of your bishop. His words represent an order. If you oppose him you may be barred from taking Holy Communion. “You are not a true Catholic if you don’t receive the Holy Communion. But Your Lordship, the same Catholic doctrine also states that justice comes before forgiveness.” He added: “All those that were killed during the last general elections must get justice. Their families must get justice. Our party, the All Progressives Congress,

APC, must get justice first at the petition election tribunal. Our mandate must be retrieved at the tribunal. “I am surprised that My Lordship congratulated Wike here today. I am using this opportunity to call on the Church to join the APC in praying to God so that we can reclaim our mandate. Reclaiming our mandate at the petition election tribunal will represent a measure of justice. We must seek justice before reconciliation. In attendance at the event were APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State; former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former governor of Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada-George; Alabo Graham-Douglas; retired Adolphous Justice KaribiWhyte, Senator Ararume, among others.

Kogi APC condemns appointment of caretaker c’ttee for LGs Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

ogi State All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemn in strong terms the appointment of caretaker committees to oversee the affairs of the 21 local government areas of the state by the state government, despite an earlier judgment that constitution of council executives through any mean other than electoral process is illegal. Addressing journalists yesterday in Lokoja, APC state chairman, Mr Haddy Ametuo, said the act is a total violation of the country’s laws. Ametuo explained that the chief judge of the state, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah had in 2013 passed a judgment sequel to the suit filed by the opposition parties complaining on the plan by the state government to constitute caretaker committees to run the affairs of the local councils.

He added that upon the ruling on the matter by the Chief Judge, the state government went ahead to constitute liaison officers 1 and 2 for the 21 councils in the state. He said: “Despite this laudable judgment, the state government committed contempt of the court by constituting caretaker committees for the councils under the cover name of liaison officers. “Just few days ago, the same government constituted caretaker committees for the councils under a strange name of Special Adviser to the governor on local government comprises of chairman, secretary and a member for each of the council in the state.”. The APC chairman, who urged the judiciary and the bar to rise up against this perpetual illegality and impurity, said the opposition parties in the state have given the state government 48 hours to dissolve this committee or face legal action.

New chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Mr. Alhassan Mohammed (left) and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, after taking his oath of office recently.

Expulsion from PDP, Jonathan’s aide warns of consequences Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

enior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has warned of dire consequences, if the expulsion order slammed on him is not reversed. Dudafa also called on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat to call Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, to order before he destroys the party in the state. In a statement, the presidential aide said he was allegedly expelled along with

eight others, for anti-party activities, adding: “Ordinarily, I would have ignored it just as I have been ignoring such unwarranted provocations in the past, but I have realised that my continuous silence seems to embolden Governor Dickson to further acts of impunity. “It is no secret that Governor Dickson has brought the PDP to its lowest ebb in the history of democracy in Bayelsa State due to his bad governance, corruption, poor human relations, acts of impunity, injustice and nepotism. “He is acting like he has conquered the people of Bayelsa and has turned

the state to a private estate belonging to him and his family members alone, as the only thing he does is to buy up all available land and build houses all over Yenagoa.” Saying that Dickson does not have respect for constituted authority or his elders, which was why he willfully attacked and destroyed a whole Federal High Court in Yenagoa, just because he feared the court was going to deliver a judgment that was likely not to favour him, Dadufa added: “Governor Dickson’s disrespect for both President Jonathan and the First Lady is very well known. That is the reason he could

not even be patient to allow the President peacefully leave office before embarking on the current disruptive actions. “I wish to draw the attention of the national secretariat of our great party to the antics of Dickson, part of which is to weaken the PDP so that when he eventually he crosses to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as we know he plans to, the PDP in Bayelsa will die. He said if Dickson remains in the PDP and gets the PDP ticket by hook or crook, then Bayelsa voters will massively vote Dickson and the PDP out of power, adding:

South South

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Bayelsa PDP expels 9, tasks members on discipline

ayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday expelled nine of its members over antiparty activities in the last general elections. Details of the expulsion were contained in a statement presented to media men by the state’s acting chairman of the party, Chief Serena Dokubo Spiff, at its secretariat in Yenagoa, the capital. Affected members include Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Mr. Nestor Binabo, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa and Mr. Chamberlain Kren Ikidi. Others are Mr. Osomkime Blankson, Mr. Em-

manuel Okponipre, Mr. Ebikapade Dibiya and Joyce Fouyowei. According to the statement, the decision to expel the members followed a unanimous voice vote by members of the state’s executive committee after deliberations on the report submitted by chairman of PDP disciplinary committee set up on April 19 to investigate the conduct of members of the party in the last electoral outing. It, however, noted that some of the members, who are in the National Assembly or holding appointments at the national level, would be referred to the national body of the PDP for further disciplin-

ary measures in line with provisions of the party’s constitution. Such members include Colonel Sam Inokoba (rtd), and Senator Emmanuel Paulker, while Fiebai Gbeinbo has been suspended for three months. Chief Dokubo-Spiff said Mr. Leghemo Kaiser and Mr. Denyabofa Dimaro were to render apology to the leadership of PDP, while Dr. Godson OmuboDede and Mr. Dan OmuboDede were reprimanded. The statement, however, said a contact and reconciliation committee has been set up to look into the grievances of members and reconcile them back to the PDP fold.

In his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson said if indiscipline and disloyalty were not checked among party members, they would affect the party’s survival, pointing out that a situation where PDP members campaigned openly for candidates of other political platforms while still benefitting from the PDP would no longer be condoned. Governor Dickson berated members, who worked against the party’s interest with impunity in the last general elections and called for unity among members while lauding the acting chairman and the party for their efforts at instilling discipline and respect for constituted authority.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court rejects bid to stop Wike’s swearing-in Wale Igbintade

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused an ex parte application seeking to stop the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, from swearing-in Rivers State governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, on May 29, 2015. Rejecting the application, Justice Ibrahim Buba held that granting such is tantamount to “adding insult upon injury” for the people of Rivers State, who currently “have no judiciary.” The suit was filed by three Lagos-based lawyers, Monday Ubani, John Nwokwu and Gabriel Okoro. Joined as respondents in the suit marked FHC/L/ CS/769/2015 are Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Abiru and Chief Wike. The plaintiffs had contended that Justice Abiru could not swear in Wike because the Constitution only allows the chief judge of the state or the president of the Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State to do so. Justice Buba held that though the applicants had a meritorious cause of action

because the issues bordered on the sanctity of the Constitution, granting their ex parte application may occasion a state of anarchy in Rivers State. “I am of the firm view that no court should make the order ex parte to further compound the problems in Rivers State,” Buba held. The Attorney General of the Federation had, in a press statement on May 19, requested Abiru to swear in Wike on May 29, because Rivers State currently has no substantive chief judge. But Nwokwu, who deposed to a 25-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex parte application, claimed that Adoke’s directive “is already causing public confusion and uncertainty in the country.” The applicants therefore sought an order “restraining the 2nd defendant from administering the oath of office on the 3rd respondent on the basis of the directive of the 1st respondent and to stay all actions pending the determination of the substantive suit.” In the alternative, they wanted the court to make an order “restraining the defendants whether by themselves, agents, servants and privies from taking any further steps in connection with the matter pending determination.”

Amaechi warns against division in governors’ forum

L-R: Governor-elect and his wife, Mr and Mrs. Udom Emmanuel, Governor Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Unoma, during a special thank-you service at Ibom Hall by women of Akwa Ibom State, recently.

S’South PFN tasks Buhari on ministerial appointments Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

head of May 29 handover date, the South South zone of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has asked the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to appoint Nigerians with credible records into his cabinet to salvage the country from its present socio-economic woes. PFN also urged the incoming administration to ensure that the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, was passed into law in its first 100 days in office so as to revamp the dying petroleum

sector in the country. Addressing a press conference in Warri after inauguration of South South Women, youth wings and the Legal Aid Council of PFN at the Flock of Christ Mission headquarters, national vice president (South South zone) of PFN, Bishop (Dr.) Simeon Okah, pledged the association’s support for the incoming government. Okah, flanked by top Christian leaders from the zone, observed that subsequent administrations in the country failed because of the caliber of persons appointed as ministers, adding that for the Buhari government to succeed it should appoint professionals with credible track record.

The cleric, who is also founder and senior pastor of Flock of Christ Mission, urged the President-elect to ensure that the National Assembly passes the PIB so as to deregulate the oil industry as well as give greater stake to oil-bearing communities in the country. He posited that the incoming administration should revamp the ailing refineries and build new ones so as to make petroleum products available to the masses who voted it into power. On the issue of refinery, the PFN national vice president said: “We, who travel out of this country are ashamed. How can we be top producer of crude oil in the world and yet we can’t build

refineries? Those who don’t have oil in their states are the people working against the PIB that is before the National Assembly. In his first 100 days, the President-elect should ensure the bill is signed into law. If this bill is passed fuel will be available to everybody in this country at a cheap rate.” Bishop Okah assured Buhari that PFN would continue to pray for him to enable him have the courage to deliver on his election promises to the people of Nigeria. He reminded the Presidentelect that the task ahead is enormous but that he is constitutionally bound to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

ivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday urged the incoming governors not to allow anybody to divide the Nigeria Governors Forum. Amaechi made the call at a church service to mark his 50th birthday at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt. The governor said the country began having problems with the Federation account when the governors’ forum became divided. “May God bless all the governors! For the new ones, please, do not let anybody break the Nigeria Governors Forum. “It was after the Nigeria Governors Forum became divided that money began to miss in the country. “When we were there, we would go and meet the Pres-

ident and let him know that money was missing and we would not agree until the money was returned,” he said. Amaechi also urged the incoming governors to assist the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to transform the country. He commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State for standing by him during the crisis that rocked the Nigeria Governors Forum. “Let me thank the Governor of Edo State for standing by me at the heat of the moment when my friends from the South South left me. “Oshiomhole told me: ‘I am not standing by you on party lines, but on principles,’” he said. Amaechi said he became governor through hard work and God’s blessing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Contractors stop Aliyu from commissioning hospital PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (middle) and Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn-Umar Ibrahim Elkanemi, addressing some internally displaced persons in Bama town, near Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO: INUSA NDAHI

Insurgency: Over 3,000 Nigerian refugees traumatised in Cameroun …Shettima, Shehu visit Bama, commend military INUSA NDAHI AND EZEKIEL TITUS

o fewer than 3,000 Nigerian refugees currently in Cameroun are willing to return home, but for fear of uncertainties, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR.

UNHCR Representative for West Africa, Liz Ahua, revealed this while speaking with journalists in Bauchi yesterday. She said over five million people were traumatised in the North East region due to activities of insurgency. She said the Com-

mission was concerned over traumatised state of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and refugees in the neighbouring countries. She pointed out that UNHCR was finding it difficult handling such cases as it was difficult to treat such persons. Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn-Umar Ibrahim Elkanemi, yesterday visited Bama Local Government Area for the first time after it was captured on September 1 last year by insurgents.

Our correspondent observed that the whole town was deserted as almost 90 per cent of houses and other structures were virtually destroyed by insurgents. Addressing troops at the destroyed palace of the Shehu including the historical artifacts, governor Shettima, commended the gallantry exhibited by troops to recapture and liberated most of the communities in the state, and urged them to continue to flush out terrorists from their hideouts. He noted that the purpose of the visit together with the

Shehu and other members of his entourage, is to condole with the troops and the people of Bama over the unfortunate incident that have claimed several lives with property worth billions of naira destroyed. Shettima also made a brief stopover and addressed some groups of old people and children who were displaced from surrounding villages, but now are taking refuge in Bama. The governor promised that government will immediately send vehicles to evacuate them to Maiduguri.

Support northern Christian as Speaker, cleric tells Buhari AZA MSUE KADUNA

Borno State-born pastor, Kallamu Musa Ali-Dikwa, has advised President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to support the emergence of a Northern Christian as next Speaker of the House of Representatives, for fairness and equity. Pastor Dikwa, who had revealed that outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan had bribed officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, with billions of naira in the build-up to

the presidential elections for support, said it would be in the interest of the incoming administration to have somebody from the North East head the House of Representatives. Dikwa reminded the President-elect that some of them were called names and even persecuted for canvassing votes for him. Dikwa, who was detained by State Security Services, SSS, to back down on his statement against President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged bribe to CAN, in a three-page letter told the President-elect that the

Christian community in the North East were watching with keen interest the plots by the leadership of All Progressives Congress to scheme out and marginalise Northern Christians in a yet-to-be announced power sharing arrangement of the party. The cleric added that the letter was necessary in view of the fact that some people within APC were insensitive in the distribution of positions “by consciously trying to deny Northern Christians representation in the National Assembly.”

“We have trust and confidence that with you as the president, Northern Christians will be adequately compensated with at least the position of the Speaker. “We know you to be honest, and just leader and we all look up to you to intervene and save Nigeria from the imminent danger that lies ahead if the APC leaders continue on this part of perdition” He said, there was no justification in denying Northern Christians position for their greatest effort and sacrifice to the emergence of the president-elect.

rotesting contractors of Niger State Neo-natal maternity, an extension of Minna General Hospital, barred Niger State Governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, from commissioning the project over alleged unsettled N41 million owed them. As early as 7am yesterday, the over 40 contractors and workers stormed and barricaded the main entrance of the hospital, even with the presence of armed security operatives. Some of the contractors told our correspondent that they decided to embark on such measure as the only way to get their money paid and should government fail, they would be forced to go to court. Shuiabu Ibrahim, one of the contractors, told our reporter that he supplied the chippings and gravels used and is be-

ing owed outstanding balance of N1.8, adding, “They kept telling lies that someone was at the bank sorting things out. All we know is that they must pay us before they commission this place.” Mrs Mary Joseph said when it became clear that the state government was not prepared to settle their outstanding balance of N41 million, they decided to protest. According to her, she is being owed N1.5 million for the supply of stonebase for road construction for the hospital since last year and has not been paid despite promises. Adebayo Bello, another supplier who supplied all the woods use for the construction of the Neo-natal maternity, explained that he is currently being owed the sum of N11,291,000. He stated that the total sum of the contract for the woods was N39, 921, 000 out of which, he was paid N28 million, leaving a balance of N11, 921, 000.

‘Fulani herdsmen kill 202 Berom natives in 6 months’ JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

o fewer than 202 Berom natives in Plateau State have been killed by Fulani herdsmen in the last sıx months. National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders Association, BYM, Samsom Tsok, disclosed this yesterday during a press conference in Jos on the violence bedeviling the northern zone of the state. Tsok said: Between October 5, 2014, and May 24, 2015, a total of 202 human lives, mostly women and children, have been lost. This is aside the destruction of homes, farm produce, mowing of crops and looting of other properties and valuables worth over N5 billion.” He lamented that already, Fulani have forcibly expelled and dislodged the Berom from the boundary areas of Bachı, Gashısh and Mahanga in Barkı Ladı/Rıyom LGAs, as well as Jos East and Mangu Local Government Areas. He added that over five other communities includ-

ing Rıyom, Foron, Ropp in Gashısh districts of Barkı Ladı and Rıyom Local Government Area are currently under siege by the Fulanis. The chairman said that what is worrisome is that apart from the reign of terror in the Berom land, many of the affected communities have been taken over by the militants who he said, now have standing army of fighters terrorising the natives on daily. “The question we are asking is whether the Beroms have lost their natural and customary rights over their land? Why are the authorities so reluctant in stemming or even cautioning the Fulani attackers and aggressors? Why has the STF personnel failed to apprehend the attackers when they are known and identified by the locals”. He called on the government to take steps to dismantle the terrorists camps and training ground in Gashısh, Bachı and Rıyom districts so as to save further shedding of innocent blood by the ‘’terrorists’’ in the state.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Day Awka stood still for Music Trek

Leonard Okachie

usic lovers and enthusiasts in Awka, Anambra State penultimate Saturday must have wished for the day to last more than 24 hours when the Star Music Trek rocked their city. The annual concert tour sponsored by Star, the premium lager beer from the stable of Nigerian Breweries had brought Timaya, MI, Yemi Alade, Naeto C, Raw, 2Face Idibia and many others to the bustling Eastern city and even after the last performer on the night had left the stage, the mammoth crowd at the De Geogold Hotel stayed hoping for an encore performance by 2Face. Instead, DJ Snoop Damaja took it to another level with his trademark head-bopping tunes from the wheels of steel. Who would blame them for their hesitation? It is not very often that they get to have premium entertainment at such a low cost. Earlier in the day, people had been arguing over the show’s ticket price as they passed by the concert venue. They found it unbelievable that they could get to watch the biggest Nigerian music superstars perform without paying an arm and a leg. Surely it was too good to be true. Skepticism notwithstanding, perhaps out of curiosity, a long queue was seen outside the venue long before the show kicked off. The city came alive the moment the concert started. It seemed as if the entire youth population of Awka crammed itself into the venue to be part of the show which was tagged Awka Rocks! With OAP/Hype Man Do2dtun stirring the crowd as host on the night, two females got to compete in a dancing competition and the winner carted away a cash prize of N10, 000. Lending his support from the wheels of steel, DJ Snoop Damaja increased the momentum to a staggering tempo with his revelling mix of old skool, hip-hop, dancehall and afro-pop. He was later joined by DJ Switch. The crowd was literarily begging for more as Do2dtun walked into the crowd, took selfies with them and shared drinks. They just could not have enough. Even when their local artistes came on stage, they didn’t frown or hiss but likewise encourage them. In the spirit of the 2015 Star Trek Theme “My Superstar Story” which serves to inspire youths to become successful, STAR gave budding local talents in Awka the opportunity to showcase themselves on the night and they did not disappoint. Awka rocked to the sounds of budding talents like Rubicon, Starule and Thiotee

- who dazzled the crowd with his prowess on the Harmonica. There were also performances from Immaculate, Joe-El and others. By the time Raw got on stage to perform, the audience were already in the mood to have a very good time. His theatrics on stage endeared him more to the people like a tidal wave. For instance, his rendition of his popular hit ‘Obodo’ was accompanied by a traditional ensemble comprising of a chief priest and two female servants who also doubled as dancers. He also got the crowd going wild when he performed one of his hit songs “Gyration”. Apparently, this particular song is a crowd favourite in Awka as they could not contain themselves. As if on cue, they raised their hands in unison, gyrating to the rhythm of the song and when he beckoned them to clap, they didn’t hesitate to indulge him. Being her debut at the Star Music Trek, Yemi Alade stole the night away with her performance. First, a stunt double waltzed on stage with two dancers. Immediately, they started dancing to ‘Baby Hello’ by Wande Coal which featured her. The crowd almost believed that the lead dancer was Yemi Alade for she was stunningly, a spitting image of the feisty singer. Not until Yemi Alade regally walked into the stage to interrupt their performance, did the crowd realise that the lady in the singer’s signature African print hooded jacket was not the singer. They screamed in surprise and excitement at the singer’s stage trick. Rocking a short flair dress and a blue fishtail braid, she sets about doing what she knew how to do best-entertain. She danced with the dancers before performing her hit songs like “Taking over you”, “Temperature” and “Tangerine”. Expectedly, she was feisty on stage and a delight for the crowd to watch. Although they didn’t know all her songs by heart, they were willing to be taught. They were intrigued by the energy she brought on stage. Her performances were a delicate balance of vocal chords and dance prowess. The ‘Ten over Ten’ crooner Naeto C’s performance was preceded by a surprise performance from Tony One Week. He performed his hit songs “5&6, “Gentle oh” and his latest hit featuring Flavour “Helele”. Like an actor in the action film, MI waltzed on stage in a slow motion walk as his DJ, Lamborghini announce his arrival. Unable to contain their excitement, they screamed their lungs out, waved their hands and swayed their bodies at the sight of Mr Incredible. They were seemingly incredibly excited to have him in their town.

The Crowd in Awka

Right on cue, he kicked off his performance with “Action Film”. He took the crowd back memory lane with his classics ‘Anoti’ ‘Nobody test me’, ‘Overkilling’ and others. MI made a good impression on the crowd when he gave a fast rap freestyle. He received a resounding cheers and screams. Known for his tradition of proposing to girls on stage, he was however beaten to his game when Do2dtun brought on stage a young lady Ngozi who couldn’t dry her tears for MI. Her profound admiration for the artiste was too deep and she just could not stop spilling tears for MI ever since he got on stage. Touched by this loving gesture, he serenaded the lady with his hit song “One Naira”. Before leaving the stage, he prayed for his fans, another tradition of the music concert. In previous editions, artistes on the music tour made it a habit to rain prayers on their artistes. Naeto C and MI continued in this fashion, so also would Timaya and 2face in their performances. The Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya received a resounding cheer when he came on stage. In his signature, he kicked off his shoes and walked into the crowd bare-footed. He kicked off with “Bow Down” and moved on to other songs like “Ukwu”, “My Body” among others. But the crowd yearned for him to perform his newest rave “Sanko”. For this particular performance, he sang a medley of old ghetto songs like “New Dance” by Marvellous Benji, Africa China “Crisis” among others. He also seized the opportunity to advocate for good leadership from the in-coming administration. Earlier, Raw dedicated a rendition of Bob Marley’s “One love” hit to victims of terrorism

and advocated for unity in the country. 2face would later toe in this line during his performance. There are no words to capture the ecstatic state of the crowd when 2face came on stage. They screamed, they cried, they stretched forth their hands just to touch a hem of his cloth. The ambience was too electrifying and the temperature exceeded the allowed party limit. Cheering the crowd, he kicked with a fast-paced rendition of “Nothing dey happen”, then moved to “For Instance” . While performing this hit, he thanked the crowd for voting and not fighting in the recently held election. It can be recalled that the artiste embarked on a rigorous campaign “Vote Not fight” before, during and after the election to promote peace and free and fair elections. Unable to restrain himself anymore, an overexcited fan meandered his way to the stage and hugged 2face fiercely. 2face’s performance was a seamless transition as he took the crowd back and forth with his songs, infusing reggae, ballads and high tempos when necessary. At a point, he elicited a nostalgic ambience, particularly when he serenaded a female fan, MaryJane with his love ballads like “Let somebody Love You”, “African Queen”, “If Love is a Crime” among others. His gestures during these performances excited the crowd that

they kept begging for more. Joe-El couldn’t have had a better night when 2face, his mentor, called him on stage to perform alongside with him. He prostrated in respect to 2face in which the latter humbly asked him to stand. Together they performed “Hold On”. Another lucky fan also got the chance to be on stage with the superstar. To show how much he appreciated his fans, he took a selfie with the crowd before singing “Something dey Happen” in appreciation of their love for him. He closed the curtain with “Implication”, bringing an end to an eventful night. Speaking on the huge turnout for the event, the Nigerian Breweries Plc Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem promised that the second phase will be better. In his words, “This first phase is just a tip of the iceberg. Star lager, Nigeria’s biggest supporter of entertainment, through the Music Trek is committed to give every music lover and fan in any of the selected cities and beyond premium entertainment. We want these youths to be empowered by the superstars we will be bringing to their cities and encourage them to pursue their passion in music.” The next phase of the Trek will kick off in August when Sapele, Ibadan, Lagos, Makurdi and Auchi will have the time of their life with their favourite superstars.

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Young & Next Generation

Thursday, May 28, 2015

ADM hosts summit on dynamic leadership Leonard Okachie

frican Development Magazine, the pioneer development focused media in Africa is holding the ‘1st ADM DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT’ to take the urgent leadership & development deficits to the forefront of national discourse. The theme of the conference is ‘Harnessing the Youthful Energy for African Development’, this is geared towards re-orientating Nigeria’ massive youth population towards becoming responsible and proactive managers in all spheres of knowledge and endeavour. This is crucial to the quest of Nigeria to revamp her infrastructure and reenergize the economy towards fully absorbing the huge potentials that await in taking the great leap to harness their

multiple talents for development. African Development Magazine and its media development partners have assembled the best knowledge bearers who will give deeper insights on how the youthful energy can be used as a catalyst to bring about change through purposeful and focused leadership. The keynote speaker for the summit is Dr. Samuel Korateng Pipim, a Michigan Scholar who is also a specialist and a trainer on youth development, he will be speaking on the topic; ‘Unleashing a New Paradigm on Youth Development in Africa.’ The other sub themes speakers are : Steve Babaeko, Managing Director/ Chief Executive , X3M Ideas Ltd, who will be speaking on ‘Talents Development in Marketing Communications; Starting out Early for Leadership Position’; Samuel Ukpong, Executive Direc-

tor, 1004 Estates Ltd, will be speaking on ‘Real Estate Role in Youth Empowerment; Expanding the Value Chain”. The Chairman of the event is Prof. Idowu Sobowale, a renowned communication expert/consultant to UNESCO, while Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, registrar of APCON will be the special guest of honour. On the sideline of the conference, awards of excellence will be given to deserving organisations/individuals that have showed exemplary leadership in their different sectors of the economy. Among the institutions to be honoured are Access Bank Plc, MRS, TINO Electronics, Lagos HOMS, AGIS, Creazioni, Colonades/Charles Ndukwe, Luxol media, Knight Frank, Arewa Cotton, A & Shine Ltd, and others. The summit will hold at the Shera-

ton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja , Lagos on June 5,2015 . The event is expected to be attended by captains of industry, senior government officials, and civil societies and media partners. The guests will be taken through the evening affair by the irrepressible Gbenga Adeyinka 1st who is the compeer for the event. Entertainment will be provided by OZEE, a budding hip-hop artist signed to Playhorse Communications, to be supported by other artistes. Ayo Ilesanmi, Publisher/CEO of Playhorse Communications, the organisers of the event opined that the evening will be a night to remember for a long time, considering the tight package put in place to reawaken us to our role of leading responsibly to give the youth the chance to take the mantle with focus and confidence.

Oguche foundation gives scholarship to youths Joel Ajayi ABUJA

n his quest to take youth basketball to the next level for mer Nigeria’s basketball player now based in US, Samuel Oguche has given five Nigerians youth five years educational scholarship to study in abroad. The Oguche foundation is fast becoming the toast of nation’s basketball through his basketball youth programme. However, the initiatives are living up to expectation, as lads can combine basketball with their education. Five talented basketball players have been selected among the pool of over 300 youth who attend this year’s Oguche basketball open camp to enjoy five years of educational scholarship in US, in partnership with Bullet Energy Drink. Speaking with National Mirror in Abuja, Benue State bor n Oguche explained youth are the future of Nigeria’s basketball He said: “The main reason l chose between age 12 to 17 was that, we believe young people are the future of Nigeria basketball. Anytime we call for camp, what we nor mally see is overage players and they come and overshadow the players. “ I feel like if we want to have a better future in basketball just like Angola and Egypt, we need to start from grassroots and that is the reason why you see this tur n out. “I just want to give back to my country and the only way I can do it is to go to youth, because I never had opportunity to this kind of camp when I was playing in the country. I feel like this is where future is.” “This is going to be continuous exercise. I am in partnership with Bullet Energy Drink company, and is going to be an annual event. We have decided to at least give education scholarship to five youth to study abroad.”

Pupils of Fruitful Field Montessori School, Isheri Olofin Omole, Ogun State during the maiden edition of their mini Inter-House Sport/Children’s Day celebration yesterday.

Why do trees live so long?

rees can grow and live for number of years. It can even live longer than humans. The oldest living tree, the bristlecone pine, is even 4,600 years old. Imagine how many generations it had lived. It already witnessed thousands of events and ancient histories of the world. Trees can be compared to people because it has a life cycle. It grows, grows older, and will die it suffers from insect manifestation or environmental dreadful conditions. The trees are considered as the longest living things in the earth. Although some trees have no exact life span, they still exist according to their condition. Some trees may live longer while others could not survive longer years. Trees can live long because of a special tissue called meristems., In plant anatomy, meristems are tissues composed of cells which are capable of growth and division in plant. The meristem is the reason why trees can grow indefinitely. To know how many years the tree has

lived, an indication is the growth rings. The number of growth rings is equal to the number of years of the trees. Trees can live longer in forests because that is their habitat. They can get enough supply of water, sunlight, and air. However, trees may also die if they don’t get enough nutrients such as sufficient water, carbon dioxide, and air. If trees can live so long, they can also die at a very young age. The causes of their death are human environmental

A tree

impacts such as erosion, illegal logging, and deforestation. Trees also die younger because of urbanization. Some forests are converted to subdivisions and urban housing. The life span of the trees is also influenced by natural calamities such as storms, tsunamis, fires, and earthquakes. Events such as insect infestations and diseases can be prevented to further improve the life span of the trees. -Knwowswhy.com

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News We need to take a serious stand against sectarian tensions plaguing and dividing our nations... It is the most serious (threat) against the very existence of Muslim countries. –Kuwaiti Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Number of hungry people drops, as UN targets zero figure Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

he number of hungry people around the world has dropped below 800 million for the first time since the UN started counting, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said in an annual report yesterday. The Rome-based agency said there are 795 million people around the world suffering from hunger, 216 million fewer than in 1990-92, and that the world was on track to potentially eradicate the problem within the lifetime of today’s young people. “The near-achievement of the MDG hunger targets shows us that we can indeed eliminate the scourge of hunger in our lifetime,” said FAO director general Jose Graziano da Silva. “We must be the zero hunger generation.” In the developing world, the prevalence of undernourishment has declined to 12.9 percent of the population from 23.3 percent a quarter of a century ago, the report found. A total of 72 out of 129 countries monitored by the FAO have achieved the Millennium Development Goal target of halving the prevalence of undernourishment by this year and developing regions as a whole only missed the

A malnourished child at Malkohi refugee camp in Yola, Adamawa State.

objective by a narrow margin. The improvement in food security was all the more striking given the world’s population has grown by 1.9 billion since 1990, meaning many more mouths to feed, the FAO noted. But while the situation had significantly improved over the past two decades, progress in recent years had been hampered by natural disasters, extreme weather events, political instability and civil conflicts, the report said. The longevity of crises had also evolved over the years, morphing from “catastrophic,

short-term, acute and highly visible events” to “protracted situations” fuelled by conflicts, climate change and financial turmoil. In geographical terms, the gains on the global nutrition front were clouded by what the FAO called “darker shadows” in some regions. In Africa, 24 countries currently face food crises, twice as many as in 1990. With nearly one in four people affected by undernourishment, sub-Saharan Africa was the region worst-affected by hunger,

the report showed. East Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and southeast and central Asia all posted strong reductions in hunger by contrast. The UN agency pointed to three factors as being critical in combatting food shortages: improving agricultural productivity, promoting inclusive growth and expanding social protection. Those African countries that had achieved their UN food targets -- mainly in West Africa -- had done so by boosting the productivity of their farmers, it said.

Ethiopia’s ruling coalition in landslide win, partial results show

thiopia’s ruling coalition won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, according to partial results released yesterday. Western countries said the vote was peaceful but criticized what they described as restrictions on civil liberties. Early results from the vote Sunday showed the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front winning at least 442 seats in the 547-seat federal parliament. The ruling coalition won all 23 parliamentary seats from the capital, Addis Ababa, according to the tally by Ethiopia’s election commission.

Final results are expected on June 22. The European Union said the elections were orderly but unfair. “Arrests of journalists and opposition politicians, closure of a number of media outlets and obstacles faced by the opposition in conducting its campaign have limited the space for open debate and had a negative impact on the overall electoral environment,” the European Union said in a statement. Similar concerns were raised by the United States. The State Department said the U.S. “remains deeply concerned by continued restrictions on civil

society, media, opposition parties, and independent voices and views.” It also said U.S. diplomats were denied accreditation as election observers.

In 2010, Ethiopia’s ruling coalition won 99.6 percent of all parliamentary seats in a sweeping victory that human rights groups said was the result of a state campaign to quell dissent.

National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) Chairman, Prof. Merga Bekana, announces preliminary results in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday.

WORLD BULLETIN

Saudi-led air strikes kill 80 in Yemen Saudi-led air strikes killed at least 80 people near Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia and in the capital Sanaa yesterday, residents said, the deadliest day of bombing in over two months of war in Yemen. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized Sanaa last September and then thrust into central and south Yemen. Seeing the Houthi advance as a bridgehead for Iranian influence in the region, a Saudi-led coalition began air strikes on March 26 in a campaign to restore Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. Wednesday’s air raids on the Bakeel al-Meer area in Hajjah province across Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen killed at least 40 people, most of them civilians, local inhabitants said. Tribesmen aligned with the Houthis have been fighting Saudi ground forces in the area, and border clashes have escalated the conflict between the Shi’ite Muslim rebels and the coalition of Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states.

AU holds belated ceremony for dead migrants The African Union on Wednesday held a small ceremony to pay homage to hundreds of migrants who have perished attempting to flee the continent and reach Europe. Although there were few in attendance at the event, held in AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, diplomats did pledge more action against human traffickers. “Human trafficking is a low risk business. It is quite attractive. The risk of arrest and prosecution is low. We must make it an higher risk for the organised criminal groups,” said Olawale Maiyegun, the AU’s director of social affairs.

Israel launches air strikes in Gaza after rocket attack The Israeli air force carried out four strikes on militant targets in the Gaza Strip early yesterday, eyewitnesses said, hours after a cross-border rocket attack on the Jewish state. The planes targeted training camps belonging to militant group Islamic Jihad in Rafah, Khan Yunis and Gaza City, the witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alleged corruption: Police arrest FIFA officials

It’s not altogether a bad season for us. Nonetheless, I admit we could have done much better than this

Sport

–Inter Milan Coach, Roberto Mancini

Abia Warriors explain Onuoha’s sacking

T xxxxx

Nkwocha leads Oshoala,

21 other Falcons to Canada Mercy Jacob

oach Edwin Okon has released his list of 23 players for the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals starting in Canada next week, including BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, team captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku, and veteran goalkeeper, Precious Dede. Top Scorer at the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) Desire Oparanozie, defenders Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye and Ngozi Ebere, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde, veteran striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, and England-based Ini-Abasi Umotong are also included, as well as US –based forward Francisca Ordega. There was no place for goalkeeper Sandra Chiichi

and 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer Chinwendu Ihezuo. Nigeria play Sweden, Australia and USA in Group D at the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup, with their first match against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, 8th June. Meanwhile, NFF President Amaju Pinnick has stated that Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala’s BBC Women’s Player of the Year award will help boost the game of women’s football in Nigeria. “This award has come at the right time, with the Falcons about to start their World Cup campaign, and with an administration that is committed to growing the women’s game in place at the NFF,” said Pinnick. “The present NFF wants to do so much to develop the women’s game. The Super Falcons, Falconets and Flamingos

are our special daughters. The Falcons, for instance, have won seven out of nine editions of the African Women Championship and have qualified for every edition of the Women’s World Cup. “The Falconets and Flamingos have also played at every edition of their own World Cups. So, we have absolutely no reason to treat the women’s game with disdain. We will come up with policies that will grow the women’s game in a powerful way and make the Women’s League very strong.”

The squad: Goalkeepers: Precious Dede (Ibom Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Rivers Angels); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels) Defenders: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Onome

Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons) Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels) Strikers: Perpetua Nkwocha (Clemensnas IF, Sweden); Esther Sunday (FC Minsk, Belarus); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies, England); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, England).

he management of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has given reason for sacking one of its goalkeepers, Joseph Onuoha. In a statement by its Media Officer, Igwe Onuoha, the club recalled that the goalkeeper had been a serial camp breaker and was warned several times in the past to desist from such acts, all to no avail. According to the statement, Abia Warriors have a code of conduct guiding the players and officials which attracts sanctions if broken, pointing out that the said Joseph Onuoha had been found guilty of breaching camp rules in the past. “Last season, he was suspended for some months for acts of indiscipline and unseriousness and from all indications he is yet to repent from his sins. His suspension has nothing to do with his performance on the pitch, after all, our other goalkeepers have even conceded more goals without being sanctioned,” the statement said. The club on Monday announced the sacking of Onuoha with immediate effect, adding that his indefinite suspension was conveyed in a letter signed by the secretary, Mr. Oliver Ndife, in which the management said the sacking was as a result of “gross insubordination and dereliction of duty.” Goalkeeper Onuoha was ordered to vacate the club’s camp immediately and also to submit any club’s property in his possession to management. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U-23 team Captain, Ehrun Obanor, has disclosed that he joined Abia Warriors to win trophies and raise his personal profile. Obanor, who joined the Ochendo Babes from Bendel Insurance of Benin at the beginning of this season, said that “bigger” clubs like Enyimba International of Aba and Kano Pillars after watching him played in the All Africa Games qualifiers, wanted him, but he decided to pitch his tent with the Umuahia based outfit for personal reasons.

Sports

Thursday, May 28, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alleged corruption:

Police arrest FIFA officials

IFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb from the CONCACAF region and his counterpart from Uruguay, Eugenio Figueredo, were yesterday arrested alongside Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, who is reportedly a UK citizen, Rafael Esquivel and Jose Maria Marin. In addition, two former FIFA officials, Jack Warner, a former president of CONCACAF, who has denied any wrongdoing, and Nicolas Leoz have been indicted. All nine are or were representatives from South America, North America, Central America or the Caribbean while five corporate executives have also been indicted.

Authorities in Zurich launched dawn raids to detain the officials on corruption charges- connected to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies involving up to $150m-and extradite them to the United States where a search warrant was executed at CONCACAF headquarters in Miami on Wednesday morning. US authorities have also revealed that four individuals have pleaded guilty. They are Charles Blazer, the long-serving CONCACAF general secretary and former US representative on the FIFA executive committee, Warner’s two sons, Daryll and Daryan, and Jose Hawilla, an executive of the Brazil-based sports

marketing firm Traffic. The accused are potentially facing prison sentences of up to 20 years. As a result of the arrests, five European football federations have demanded that the FIFA presidential elections, due to take place on Friday, should be delayed. FBI Director James B Comey said: “As charged in the indictment, the defendants fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created an uneven playing field for the biggest sport in the world. “Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks and bribes became a way of doing business at FIFA.”

Former CONCACAF President Jack Warner was among those arrested yesterday

UEFA, adidas, others react

U Blatter

‘Election won’t be moved’

he FIFA presidential election will take place tomorrow as planned, despite the arrest of seven FIFA officials on charges they received more than $150m (£100m) in bribes. A separate criminal investigation into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated has also begun. But FIFA has already ruled

out a revote, insisting Russia and Qatar will remain the respective hosts. President Sepp Blatter faces Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in the election as the former seeks a fifth term as FIFA helmsman. Meanwhile, Prince Ali has described yesterday’s developments as “a sad day for football” but declined to comment further.

EFA said yesterday that it was “astonished and saddened” by the events that led to arrests of FIFA officials in Zurich on Wednesday. German Football Association President, Wolfgang Niersbach, said developments were “shocking and harmful for the world of football”. England’s Football Association Chiarman, Greg Dyke, said he events are “very serious for FIFA and its current leadership.” A British member of parlia-

ment, Damian Collins, who called for FIFA reform, said Blatter had failed to live up to his promises to stamp out corruption. Former England striker, Gary Lineker, tweeted: “There can’t be a more corrupt, deplorable organisation on earth than FIFA. The house of cards is falling. Time for change!” FIFA sponsor, Adidas, also reacted to developments: “Following today’s news, we can only encourage FIFA to continue to establish and follow transparent compliance standards.”

De Gregorio

Platini

Sports editors congratulate Memuletiwon

igerian Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of managers of sports of the country’s media outfits, has congratulated one of its members, Ben Memuletiwon, who was recently named Editor of the National Mirror. The Sports Editors Guild describes Memuletiwon’s appointment as a demonstration of the fact that hard work and perseverance pays, adding that the pioneer editor of national sports newspaper, SportsDay, is the

right man to take National Mirror to a new height in this age of technology-driven journalism. In a statement signed by its president, Tony Ubani, the Guild said: “We want to congratulate our eminent member, Ben Memuletiwon, on his new appointment, which is a manifestation of the maxim that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.” According to the statement, “Mr. Memuletiwon, who has gone through the mills and worked

with some of the brightest minds in journalism from the defunct National Concord to The Sun newspapers, is an apostle of developmental journalism, who has left his marks in the profession. “Trained by the apostles of investigative journalism, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa and the Late Dimgba Igwe, we have no doubt in the ability of the new editor to reposition Daily Mirror and place it among the best newspapers not only in Nigeria, but also in the African continent.

“His appointment follows the path toed by some eminent former sports editors, including Mr. Mitchel Obi, who became the editor of the defunct Guardian Express, Chuks Ugwoke, a former editor of the Saturday Vanguard and Onochie Anibeze, who is the current editor of the same newspaper. “We pledge our willingness to help Mr. Memuletiwon to succeed in his new appointment, as Nigeria enters a new phase in its political development.”

Arrests, welcome development –FIFA

IFA Director of Communications, Walter De Gregorio, says the latest arrests wil do world football lot of good. “This is good for FIFA,” De Gregorio told a hastily arranged news conference yesterday. “It hurts, it is not easy, but it confirms we are on the right track,” the spokesman added. “We are fully cooperating with actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Mali team posing before a recent friendly match

Countdown to New Zealand 2015...

Mali banks on ‘dark horse’ force Paul Erewuba

roup D of the FIFA U-2World Cup starting in New Zealand on Saturday promises to be one of the most tightly contested groups in the competition. Indeed, one of the key matches comes on Day 1 of the group and it will decide early on who will have the advantage going forward in the tournament. The group features two mainstays of U-20 soccer, Mexico and Uruguay, and two rising powers that could easily be contenders as well, Mali and Serbia. The Malian squad will come to play with a high pressure defense and the Serbian squad, making their first appearance as an independent nation, will try to

make their first visit to the U-20 World Cup a memorable one. Mexico has appeared 14 times, Uruguay (13th appearance), Serbia (3rd appearance, 1st as independent nation), and Mali (6th appearance). Two players to watch in Group D are Hirving Lozano (Mexico) and Gaston Pereiro (Uruguay). Lozano and Pereiro can provide an offensive edge to their teams in this tournament. Lozano plays for Mexican side Pachuca, where he has scored eight goals in 34 appearances in the 2014-15 Liga MX season and is already receiving offers to play overseas. For the national side, Lozano won the Golden Boot in the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 championship (along with USA’s Romain Gall) scoring five

goals in the tournament. Bookmakers have predicted Mexico and Uruguay as star match of the group. The Malians will be opening their campaign on May 31 against Mexico in Dunedin. The West Africans finished third in 1999, the only time they have managed to escape the group phase, and their last victory at the finals dates back to 2003 when they beat Uzbekistan in their opening group game. But since then, they have lost six matches, drawing two. But Mali defender, Youssouf Kone, is already singing war song ahead of their epic encounter with Mexico. “We will not be going to New Zealand as tourists. We are going there with the honour and pride of representing our conti-

Journalist hails Oshoala on BBC Award Afolabi Gambari

op-notch Nigerian female journalist, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, has congratulated Super Falcons and Liverpool FC striker, Asisat Oshoala, on the latter’s winning the BBC Women Footballer of the Year award on Tuesday. “I feel so happy for Oshoala and I think she deserved the award,” Ogunleye-Bello said. “She is in a class of her own and will go places in no distant future,” the Abuja-based

women football development advocate and multiple awardwinning investigative journalist and Change Agent said. “I want to thank those who voted for Asisat in Africa and every part of the world for believing in her talent. “This is the time for her to work hard and not get carried away with all the accolade. She must be ready at all times to defend the latest award.” Oshoala, who is the reigning African Women Footballer of the Year as well as the Youth Football Players of the Year,

beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kessler and Scotland’s Kim Little and Brazilian forward Marta to the BBC Award. Oshoala

nent. We want to do well,” Kone warned. Mali’s strength and style are built on their strong back-line, in which goalkeeper Sory Ibrahim Traore is particularly impressive. The 19-year-old, who like his idol Manuel Neuer, interprets the goalkeeping role to include playing like a libero when needed, leaked just one goal in the three group games during their runs at the AYC in Senegal. He was superbly assisted by Aboubacar Doumbia and Youssouf Kone, who occupied the two defensive flanks. But Coach Fagnery Diarra will be somewhat concerned about the goal-scoring abilities of his team though, as the six goals from five matches in Senegal was the lowest tally of the African qualifiers for New Zea-

land. However, Diarra is optimistic that his wards have what it takes to make an impressive impact at New Zealand 2015. The gaffer will rely on the highly promising Lille midfielder, Adama Traore, who already has a handful of full international caps to his name. “We’re banking on Adama after Lille promised to release him for the World Cup,” Diarra said. But he concedes that his players will need to be at their best in New Zealand. “The U-20 World Cup is an elite tournament. All the teams taking part in it have a lot of quality,” he said, pondering the challenge awaiting his side as they face Mexico, Serbia and Uruguay.

Glo League: How LMC can attract crowd –Multichoice Paul Erewuba

able network provider, Multichoice Nigeria, has advised the League Management Company (LMC) to seek for ways of creating brands that would attract more fans to the league venues, reminiscent of the past. General Manager, Strategy, Supersport West Africa, Felix Awogu, who gave the advice in Lagos Tuesday, said it became necessary to emphasise football as business. “I’m excited at seeing our clubs win away matches as this means

our league is growing. But we need to do more in terms of attracting huge crowd to the venues as the league should be an investment “We want to see our clubs being quoted at the Stock Exchange and one of the ways the LMC can do this is to raise the standard and attract funds to clubs and the fans should be allowed to owe a larger per cent of the shares in clubs. “When Sunday Mba became a hit in the local league, I expected the LMC to keep him in the league by encouraging him through incentives, but he was allowed to go to a lower division league in France.”

WORLD RECORD

Largest trick roping loop by a male

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1122 Thursday, May 28, 2015

The largest trick roping male was achieved by Charlie Keyes (USA), who spun loop around him fed to 107 ft 2 in, at Will Rogers International Wild West Expo in Claremore, Oklahoma, USA; 22 April 2006.

Nigeria and the pangs of nation building

ation building is a concept that gained prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s when President Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania strongly advocated it for fragile postcolonial African states. The fragility of these states soon became manifest soon after independence: Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi declared himself President-for-Life; in Lesotho, Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan voided the 1970 election which he had lost; and King Sobhuza of Swaziland abolished the Parliament and the Constitution and reinstituted a monarchy. This was also the period when Zambia and Malawi were dissolving the Central African Federation coinciding with the merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form present-day Tanzania. Large number of African states soon fell into military dictatorships. In Nigeria, series of events led to collapse of democratic rule

EFA President, Michel Platini, believes FIFA will lack credibility as long as incumbent Sepp Blatter remains at the helm. Blatter, 79, is seeking a fifth term in the presidential election scheduled for tomorrow, with Prince Ali bin Al Hussein

Guest Columnist

Olalekan Ol l k W Waheed

Adigun

in 1966 and subsequently, a bitter civil war. The price to pay for not building a nation can be very costly! There is the usual temptation to reduce the meaning (albeit incorrectly) to national integration, national development, political development, or national consciousness. The term includes all these but to reduce it to any of them is to commit the reductionist fallacy. Simply put, nation building can mean the systematic process of making a people, who hitherto are from different cultural, ethnic, religious, racial, or national backgrounds, to feel they bonded into a nation. Karl Deutch, in his book, ‘Nation Building’ identifies five stages of achieving this “systematic process”. First, the group exists as a tribe, with its distinct language and proud culture, and will resist any attempt to integrate it with other groups. The next stage is to incorporate them forcefully with the use of naked force. The third stage is for them to minimally accept, often with the use of force or threat of it, the new arrangement by cooperating minimally. At the fourth stage, their level of resistance is reduced to the minimum and their cooperation and obedience have risen astronomically, though they still keep their cultural identities intact. The fifth is when the group becomes almost indistinguishable from other groups within the state. This is when total assimilation is achieved. The last two stages have proven difficult for Nigeria either due to deliberate colonial policy or shameless neglect by subsequent Nigerian leaders after independence. It was after the bitter experience of

THE PRICE TO PAY FOR NOT BUILDING A NATION CAN BE VERY COSTLY!

the civil war (1967-70) that Nigeria made any serious efforts at nation building. This period saw the promulgation of the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (3Rs); introduction of the new currency(Naira); establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme; “deregionalisation” of university education with the takeover of University of Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - all regional iniversities – by the Federal Government; introduction of Unity Colleges; introduction of the Federal Character Principle; introduction of National Sports Festival; introduction of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) etc, are all immediate responses to the question of nation building after the civil war. However, all these emphases were only placed on just one aspect of nation building: national integration. Why is nation building appearing so difficult for us a a people? In a pluralist society like Nigeria, challenges of nation building are enormous. We take just a few for constraints of time and space. Firstly and perhaps most importantly, is the scourge of tribalism. Tribal sentiments and loyalty place emphasis on where you come from other than your core capacities, competencies, potentials

and abilities, as a prerequisite for getting appointments. This kills productivity, excellence and merit. The fact that it is even enshrined in our Constitution under the socalled Federal Character principle makes it even more susceptible to impunity. The next is the lack of strong, patriotic and clear-headed leadership. Tanzania had Nyerere; China had Mao tse-Tung who provided the ideological focus for them; South Africa had Nelson Mandela who is still revered even in death; Singapore will never forget Lee Kwan Yew; Ghana had Kwame Nkurumah; India holds Jawaharlal Nehru in a position of near saint. In the case of Nigeria, she has had regional lords, whose contributions are only revered by their ethnic groups. Well, some may say we have Murtala Muhammed as an embodiment of discipline, prudence, patriotism, and leadership. Could we maintain him in power? Do we even celebrate him even in death? The divisive tendency, planted by the colonial masters under the so-called “divide and rule” strategy, has deeply filtered through into the ranks of the masses from a deeply divide political leadership. Unfortunately, the political leaders benefiting from a divided populace, did (and doing) nothing to avert this malignant, ugly trend. The next is the absence of core national values and ideology. That Nigeria has no official working ideology is an open secret and that should be a source of worry to every lovers of Nigeria. The absence of national values is another bizarre note. Though the constitution states our core values to be “unity in diversity enshrined in justice and fair play”, it is at best on paper just for the records. What is working in the country is the prevalence of regional and ethnic values. This is a major obstacle to nation building. It is like trying to build a house without an architectural design. To be continued Adigun, a Lagos-based writer, philosopher and politician, wrote via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com

Sport Extra

Election: Blatter must step down –Platini of Jordan his sole challenger following the late withdrawals of Portuguese Luis Figo and Dutch Michael van Praag. The world governing body has courted negative headlines in recent years, including claims of corruption relating to the bidding

process for the 2018 World Cup. Platini, who has declared support for Prince Ali, feels Blatter should give others a chance. “I like Sepp as a person and I respect him and nothing and no one can take that away,” the French legend said.

“I understand the fear of that emptiness that he must have, it’s natural. But if he really loves FIFA, he should have put FIFA’s interests ahead of his own. “But if he refuses to step aside, FIFA will have its image tarnished.”

Platini

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