Thursday, may 21, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

PENGASSAN, NUPENG begin strike

National Mirror www.nationalmirro ronline.ne t

Thursday, May 21, 2015

...action compounds fuel scarcity crisis CHIDI UGWU, MESHACK IDEHEN AND GBENGA ODOGUN

opes of a timely end to the current fuel scarcity dimmed

Alison-Madueke

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1117 657

further yesterday as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, began an indefinite strike that

may completely cripple economic activities nationwide. In Abuja, the protesting labour union members barricaded the entrance of the headquarters of Nigerian National Petroleum Corpo-

Eyin Eyo Idumo trading cente ta, Lagos. PHOTOr of : ADEMOLA AKINLABI

INSIDE

Apapa road grid traders lament lock: Balogun low sales >47

Fuel scarcity, exch ange rate killin our business, trad g ers cry out

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‘Porters earn more money in Lagos markets than traders’ P.10

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Thursday, May July 4, 21,2013 2015

N150

Mu’azu quits as PDP chairman ...Secondus takes over in acting capacity

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU AND GEORGE OJI

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, yesterday threw in the towel as he resigned his position. The party’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, also resigned. Mu’azu, who is currently in the United Kingdom on medical mission, has been under intense pressure to resign in the aftermath of the party’s woeful outing in

Anenih resigns as BoT chairman

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Nigeria owes $60bn in foreign, local debts, says Osinbajo P4 P.4

L-R: Ministers, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe (Water Resources), Hajiya Zainab Maina (Women Affairs and Social Development), Prince Adedayo Adeyeye (State for Works), Mr. Mike Onolomemen (Works), Mr. Boni Haruna (Youth Development); Chief of Staff, Chief Jones Arogbofa; Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Pius Anyim; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the valedictory Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

FG upgrades 4 colleges of education to varsities P.6

Mutiny: Again, 579 soldiers face court martial Defence Intelligence goes after financier of terrorism

P.2

Senators eulogise late Chukwumerije, Zannah

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May 29: AGF lacks power to direct Bayelsa’s CJ –Sagay, others P.49

INSIGHT

Ajaokuta Steel: S An albatross Buhari must slay to diversify economy P.38

News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mutiny: Again, 579 soldiers face court martial UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

he Nigerian Army, yesterday, said that 579 soldiers were currently facing court martial over various offences. This is just as the failure of the Army Council to confirm the death sentence passed last year on 66 solders convicted for mutiny by a General Court Martial, GCM, has left the fate of the soldiers in the balance. Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, while briefing the press in Abuja, disclosed that there are two separate court martial going on in the Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja and the 81 Division, Lagos, with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism. Usman said that 473 of the soldiers were facing court martial in Army Headquarters, while 106 were standing trial in 81 Division. The soldiers’ alleged offences range from insubordination to disobedience, acts of cowardice, refusal to carry out military duties, indiscipline, amongst others. Usman said it was a com-

mon practice in the military that any personnel, who runs foul of the law and who could not be summarily dismissed, must go to the court martial. Earlier in 2014, 66 soldiers were sentenced to death for mutiny, but their lawyers were said to have difficulties appealing the death sentence because the processes have not been completed. According to military procedure, the Army Council would have to meet and confirm the sentences and if upheld, the lawyers would be at liberty to appeal to a conventional higher court. However, the DAPR, who confirmed that the Council has not sat, said this was in process. Considering that the court martial was also depleting the number of personnel prosecuting the war, Usman said the Army was already addressing the issue. Consequently, more personnel are being added to strengthen the force fighting in the North East. He said 481 Special Forces, which comprised personnel of the Army, Navy, Air force and the police, have completed their training

and inducted into the theatre of operations within the Z Division area of responsibility. Similarly, one battalion, the 151 battalion, has also completed its training and inducted into the theatre, while two battalions, the 152 and 153 battalions are currently undergoing training and would be inducted on completion. “Additionally, Army Headquarters Task Force

Group is currently in the last phase of their training, while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi, has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel. “Moreover, personnel training on Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, in the United Kingdom and United States is ongoing,” Usman said. He also disclosed that 2, 388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Nigerian

Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna State, would pass out on Friday, which would also boost the personnel strength. Usman attributed recent successes recorded in operations against terrorists and other operations within the country to the infusion of these specially trained personnel. The Army spokesman said Nigerian Army Administrative Policies and Procedures last reviewed in 2005,

has recently been reviewed to be in line with current and future realities. “To ease the problems associated with retiring Nigerian Army officers, a onestop documentation procedure was devised recently. “An office of the Deputy Director Retirement and Documentation was established at the Army Headquarters Department of Administration with a 90 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu; Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman and Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Army Headquarters Garrison, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, addressing newsmen on activities of the Nigerian Army in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Mu’azu quits as PDP chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the just concluded general elections. Following the resignation, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party quickly convened an emergency meeting to respond to the development. Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, National Secretary of the party, Prof. Adewale Oladipo announced that Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus would take over in acting capacity as the chairman. He said: “The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP at its 399th meeting today, Wednesday 20, May 2015 received and accepted the voluntary resignation of the National Chairman of our great party, His Excellency, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. “Consequently, and in line with the provisions of section 45(2) of the PDP constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, Prince

Uche Secondus acts in place of the national chairman, pending the replacement from the north-east zone of our great country. The NWC also announced the resignation of Anenih on personal grounds. “In accepting the resignation, the NWC noted the outstanding contributions of Chief Anenih in the party over the years especially in his capacity as the Board of Trustees Chairman. “As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the NWC appreciates Chief Anenih’s guiding role in the party in the last 16 years and wish him well in his future endeavours. Consequent upon the resignation, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin holds forth pending the election of a new BoT Chairman. Oladipo, before Anenih’s resignation had disclosed that NWC was to meet today to decide on what becomes his fate in the party.

It was speculated that President Goodluck Jonathan had asked Chief Anenih to step down. Oladipo had said: “On the correct position of the status of our revered leader, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, the NWC will make its position public tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, 2015 because our meeting continues tomorrow.” He also expressed confidence in the party’s national publicity secretary. “Furthermore, the NWC expressed complete confidence of the party in the National Publicity Secretary. “Meanwhile, the NWC has set up a 7-man disciplinary committee headed by Chief Michael Ado. The committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, May 28, 2015 at the national secretariat here. “Finally, the NWC calls for calm and understanding of all members and other

critical stakeholders, including the media at this time of re-engineering process of our great party, while directing any member with genuine grievances to channel such through the appropriate organs,” he added. Meanwhile, the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who has been in the forefront of the call for the resignation of the NWC members welcomed Mu’azu’s resignation and insisted that the rest other members of his team should emulate the former chairman and take the part of honour by throwing in the towels. Addressing newsmen shortly after Oladipo’s statement, Fani-Kayode said: “I am delighted in the fact that the national chairman of the party has resigned from his position, almost six or seven hours after we made the call for that, and I was not the only one that made a

call for that, many of us did. “So, it reflects the feeling of a large number of the people within the party. It was the overwhelming majority opinion of the people that he should have gone and we are glad that he has gone. So, that is one down. “But clearly there are many to go and we call for the resignation of the entire members of the NWC and we sincerely think that they would take a cue from that and do the honourable thing like the chairman and step down. “Secondly, it is the reflection of the desperation and the directorial tendencies of these people. Simply because a leading member of the party has stood up to say that they ought to resign their positions because they failed in the election and because, they started off a process of acrimony within the party by accusing the PCO of costing the president a defeat and casing him not to win an election.

“We reacted to that. Their reaction to us is that we should leave the party, are we members of the party? This is absolutely unacceptable. “In any democratic setting, in any seriously minded political party, people ought to be able to criticize and condemn leadership style of all those charged with leading the party, especially when they have failed at the polls. “Not only that, they have cheated their own party members, they have lied, they have collected money from various people in order for them to win the primaries, they have told the most heinous type of lies, and they have provided the most absurd type of leadership and most of us are fed up with this. “So, if their only reaction is that people should now come and ask whether or not I have the right to speak like that, well, I am a NigeriCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Photo

Thursday, May 21, 2015

NEWS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko; intern of the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Programme, Muhammad Ismaila and Chief Technical Officer, Stephane Beuvelet at the ETEP internship closing ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (left) and Director, Consolidated Accounts Department, OAGF, Mr. Salawu Zubairu, during the Stakeholders Conference on Pension Reform Act 2014 in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman of event, Mr. Moyo Akekigbe; Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Prof. Matthew Ojo and Guest Speaker/Incumbent President, Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, during the 2nd Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation Lecture in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Henry J. Semenitari; Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo; Chairman, Unity Bank, Mr. Thomas Etuh, and Executive Director, Unity Bank Plc, Aisha Abraham at the presentation of Facts Behind the Figures at The NSE yesterday.

National News

Nigeria owes $60bn foreign, local debts ...Blair wants Buhari administration to tackle impunity in governance

ice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), yesterday said the economy was in its worst moments in history as local and international debts stand at $60bn, while debt servicing has risen to N953.6bn. This is even as a former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, urged the incoming government to tackle impunity at all levels if it wishes to succeed. Speaking at an event organised by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Directorate for Policy, Research and Strategy, for all elected officials in the incoming government in Abuja, Osinbajo identified poverty and how to eradicate it as the major challenge of the incoming administration. Osinbajo said: “The figure of extreme poverty in our society - 110 million by current estimates - makes it clear that our biggest national problem is the extreme poverty of the majority. “Thus, no analysis is required to conclude that deal-

ing with poverty and its implications is a priority. We are concerned that our economy is currently in its worst moment in history. “Local and international debt stands at $60bn. Our debt servicing bill for 2015 is N953.6bn, 21 per cent of our budget. On account of severely dwindled resources, over two-thirds of the states in Nigeria owe salaries. Federal institutions are not in much better shape. Today, the nation borrows to fund recurrent expenditure. “This is also against the backdrop of a highly unequalled society in which, by some reckoning, the largest chunk of the benefits of our national wealth accrues to a small percentage of our population. Our manifesto offered a vision of shared prosperity and socio-economic inclusion for all Nigerians and that leaves no one behind in the pursuit of a prosperous and fulfilling life. “Our manifesto offered a vision of shared prosperity

and socio-economic inclusion for all Nigerians, one that leaves no one behind in the pursuit of a prosperous and fulfilling life. “Our goal this morning is to evaluate these positions and propositions before a wider audience and launch a robust public conversation on policy directions and priorities that will help form our administration’s approach in the next four years. “This forum exemplifies a sort of consultative and consensual approach to policy making that our party and the new administration intend to model in office.” Osinbajo said the incoming administration knows the ``what’’ and the ``why’’, but not adept as to the “how.” He said the sessions would explore a wide variety of policy priorities, including the diversification of the economy. Blair, represented by Mr. Peter Mandelson, a British Labour politician who was Blair’s campaign director who worked with him for

lieve in you and what you are doing.... people in politics now don’t believe in ideology but 13 years as adviser and min- People in this country seem to want change, jobs. ister, among other positions, be able to do things with impu“Thirdly, you cannot do in a keynote address at the nity. everything at once, you have event, cited the example of “You can crack the Nigeto be much more skilful and President Joko Widodo of In- rian National Petroleum Corapply a science of delivery, donesia. poration, NNPC nut, or at least priority... even amid ongoing He said the first thing make a start of it in the first crisis.’’ Widodo did on assuming of- 100 days and if you do so, you Blair said the incoming fice in October, 2014 was to will have built a very strong administration should set slash fuel subsidy, which had foundation for what you have its priorities right and have toppled previous administra- to do in the next four years and in mind that it was elected to tions. beyond. rule all and not just those that According to him, the Bu“That’s how important it voted. hari-led government would is,’’ Blair advised. The former prime minishave more goodwill dealing He said when the new La- ter further said the executive with difficult policies or is- bour Party emerged in Britain should treat the legislature sues at the beginning of its it gave the Bank of England and the people with respect tenure than at the end. independence to decide on its from inception so that things “What you do in the first interest rates without interfer- would not turn out ``as usual. 100 days in office is impor- ence from government. “You need to show the tant, symbolic, and can have He advised further that the people who didn’t vote for you tremendously positive reper- first rule of governance is: ``be that you represent their incussions throughout govern- true to your word and be true terests as much as those who ment and throughout the to your mandate. We kept the voted for you. country. trust of the British people for “Its very important that “You have a limited win- 13 years. the government shows that it dow of opportunities to make “Only when our offer be- is a government for the whole an impression; to make an came vague, to be frank, did we of the country and not for one impact as a new government. lose election; so look ahead to section.’’ When I look at Nigeria, I will your next election and subseIn his opening remarks, say your vulnerability is cor- quent ones. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a former ruption. “Secondly, government is governor of Ekiti State, said “It’s not new to you, par- a team effort; your job is to in- the time has come to deliver ticularly around the oil sector. spire people to make them be- on campaign promises.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

PENGASSAN, NUPENG begin strike CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ration, NNPC, thereby preventing the employees from resuming in their efforts to get its management attends to their demands. Specifically, PENGASSAN called for a declaration of emergency in the oil and gas sector and urged the incoming government to do everything possible to address the plethora of issues bedeviling the sector in order to ensure its efficiency. The association’s President, Mr. Francis Johnson, in a statement pointed out that there were many issues requiring urgent attention from the incoming government to reposition the industry for efficient and effective delivery of its benefits to Nigerians. For instance, he canvassed the need for the Muhammadu Buhariled government to call an all-inclusive stakeholders’ forum to critically examine and proffer workable and enduring solutions to all the problems in the larger interest of the country. “All the subsectors of the oil and gas industry have one challenge or the other and all these challenges are affecting the deliveries of the benefits of our God-given hydrocarbon resources to the country and the entire people of Nigeria. “These challenges are as result of past neglects, wrong policies and policy summersault in some areas of the sub-sectors. “All these are inflicting pains on Nigerians who ought to be enjoying the benefits of the natural resources that God bequeathed to the country,” Johnson said. He listed some of the challenges to include, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, state of the refineries, intractable and persistent scarcity of petroleum products, subsidy payment controversies, and divestment. Others are, illegal transfer or allocation of oil blocks, irregular Joint Venture, JV, funding with emphasis on delay in cash call payment, inadequate funding of government agencies in the sector and undue interference in the management of government agencies. The union leader said that the stakeholders’ forum will chart ways of attending to the critical challenges affecting the industry and evolve a framework that will facilitate its stability, adding

that machinery should be set in motion for periodic meetings to evaluate and review the success and workability of the framework. NUPENG on its own said it was time the Federal Government assess more critically how the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, was being managed with a view to ensuring that the guiding laws and rules relating to the operations of the company are subverted. Assistant General Secretary of NUPENG, Mr. Adamson Momoh, told National Mirror that the strike against NPDC, which is an arm of NNPC, would continue until the management sees reasons with the workers. In Lagos, the effects of the strike started manifesting as long queues, which had abated fairly since Monday, became more pronounced in filling stations as motorists renew their struggles to buy fuel. Independent and black marketers virtually took over sales of fuel, dispensing at between N120 and N150 per litre, depending on the station and bargaining power of customers. Most major marketers had no product to sell. At the Apapa axis, young men and women were seen openly hawking petrol in jerry cans right in front of filling stations and sometimes in full view of security operatives, who seemed helpless in enforcing law and order. At Onipan along Ikorodu road, black marketers operate in the vicinity of petrol stations, which were also selling at very high prices. As expected, commercial vehicle drivers had also latched on the crisis to hike transport fares across the city blaming their action on the scarcity of fuel. When contacted, Conoil spokesman Mike Oduniyi, said that all enquiries about the current fuel situation should be directed to the Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr Biodun Lawore, who has the mandate to speak on their behalf. However, efforts to get to Lawore on phone did not yield results. At the NNPC headquarters, it was rumoured that high level negotiation was

ongoing between the management and the union leaders to arrive at an amicable resolution of the issues at stake. It would be recalled that the industry labour unions had early last week threatened to shut down exploration activities in the country over the failure to reverse the alleged transfer of the operatorship of Oil Mining

Lease, OML 42. The unions had given a notice, which expired last weekend, urging the Federal Government to reverse the transfer of operatorship of the Joint Venture, JV, partnership in OMLs 40 and 42 to Neconde Energy Nigeria Limited and Elcrest Exploration and Production Limited. A statement from the JV

partners, said the shut-in has affected all NPDC operated assets in joint venture with indigenous companies that had applied for operatorship, except Neconde, who, prior to the crisis, had been awarded the operatorship of OML 42, and immediately got the Joint Task Force, JTF, to secure the assets. Elcrest (OML 40) which is next in line to be awarded

operatorship, Shoreline OML 30 and FHN/Afren (OML 26) have now been shut as oil evacuation is hampered from OML 34 which relies on the OML 30 pumping station. The unions had accused the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, of stripping the two oil blocks from NPDC.

Mutiny: Again, 579 soldiers face court martial day time line of documenting and processing retiring officers’ benefits. “Similarly, a system of annual update of Nigerian Army personnel next-of-kin has been devised. This is intended to eliminate the hardship hitherto experienced by families and in particular, the next-of-kin of our fallen colleagues. In April, 20 next-of-kin received cheques for payment of Group Life Insurance entitled to them while a total

of 235 next-of-kin benefitted from the special assistance by the office of the National Security Adviser. “Similarly, over 2000 children of deceased personnel were screened and passed for NA scholarship for 2014/2015 academic session. “Furthermore, up to 20 families have also benefitted from the official burial expenses within the last month in addition to the Chief of Army Staff’s token which was intended to pro-

vide immediate succour to the families,” he added. In a related development, Nigerian Defence Intelligence, DIA, yesterday, said that it was intensifying its collaboration with international counterparts and other related agencies, towards tracking those financing the activities of Boko Haram within and outside the country. Chief of Defence Intelligence, CDI, Rear Admiral Gabriel Okoi, made

the disclosure in Abuja, while speaking to journalists at the end of the Deputy Defence Advise r s / A t t a c h e s / L i b r a rians Training Conference 2015. Okoi noted that the banking sector has proved a challenge but the security agencies and Federal Government were determined to crack any loophole through which any funding of terrorists might be channeled.

L-R: Registrar, Landmark University, Dr. Daniel Rotimi; Guest Lecturer, Prof. James Olukosi; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Afolayan and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Enoch Oyawoye, during the 4th Public Lecture Series of the institution in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Mu’azu quits as PDP chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

an and I have a right to state my case and I am not the first to say that they should resign. “Did they ask Fayose to be disciplined for his comments? Did they ask the governor of Niger State, Aliyu Babangida to be reprimanded for his comments? Did they ask that Lamido should be reprimanded for his comments? “It is absurd but clearly, when I said it, somebody listened and the chairman stepped down. Now, I am say-

ing yet again, the most important thing for us to do as a party is to ensure that every single one of them goes.” Fani-Kayode had on Tuesday alleged that the NWC was responsible for PDP massive failure. Fani-Kayode had said: “We must throw out the bad eggs in the NWC and prepare for a long drawn out war of attrition with the new incoming government. “In order to survive over the next four years as a party, we must make the necessary changes at the

top otherwise we will be utterly decimated.” National Publicity of the party, Olisah Metu, who first briefed newsmen shortly after the NWC meeting, disclosed that Mu’azu’s letter of resignation was sent to the deputy national chairman. He said: “I can confirm that we have received the resignation of the party’s national chairman. “The national chairman, who had health challenges, stayed on for the party’s primaries, the cam-

paigns and the elections, after which he traveled abroad for medical treatment. “Upon his treatment and after consultations with his family and on personal interest, he has decided to resign as national chairman. “This party commended him for the sacrifice he made during the campaigns in spite of his health and commend him for the love and dedication and commitment he has for this party.”

News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Constitution amendment: Reps move to override Jonathan’s veto WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

ollowing President Goodluck Jonathan’s withholding of assent on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the House of Representatives yesterday commenced the process that could lead to overriding the presidential veto. The House at its ple-

nary yesterday, amended Order XIII to introduce new rules (10) - (13) seeking to override the veto powers of the president. In a motion titled, “Amendment of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives: Order XIII, Rule 98,” Sam Tsokwa, Chairman, Rules and Business and 22 others noted that Order XIII provides the

procedure for altering the 1999 Constitution. According to these new sub- rules of Order XIII, the chairman explained that where the president withholds assent to a bill, but passed by two - thirds majority of the House as required by Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, that Bill will become law. The amendment of this Order by the House

also said that when all requirements of sub rules (1) - (10) have been met and the president withholds his assent or fails to communicate why the assent was withheld probably at a close of an assembly, the succeeding assembly may commence the process of veto override under section 58 of the constitution. “Notwithstanding the

Corpse of the late Sen Uche Chukwumerije was brought to the National Assembly Complex for a befitting Valedictory Session in his honour at Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

FG upgrades 4 colleges of education to varsities ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday approved the conversion of four Colleges of Education and one School of Health Sciences to the status of universities. Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. Shekarau, who was in company of Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, listed the Colleges of Education covered as Adeyemi College of Education Ondo; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Alvan Ikoku College of Education,

Owerri and Federal College of Education, Kano. The minister explained that the four colleges of education are part of the 21 colleges that have been awarding Bachelors of Education and Bachelors of Science degrees in the last three decades. Shekarau also disclosed that FEC approved the upgrading of the School of Health Sciences Oturkpo, Benue State to function as a full fledged University of Health Sciences. He explained that the institutions had been running degree programmes for the last three decades under closer supervision of the affiliated universities, stressing that they are so mature enough now, to have their own

autonomy to award degrees of B.Ed., B.A. Ed) and B. Sc. Education. The minister noted that currently the minimum teaching qualification has been National Certification on Education, NCE, but as a result of improvement in the system and demand for further qualitative teaching service, government is making efforts to ensure that university graduates are recruited into the teaching profession. Shekarau also disclosed that FEC approved the upgrading of the School of Health Sciences Otukpo in Benue State to function as a full fledged University of Health Science He said the institution has been Medical Health Sciences College under the Federal University of Agriculture,

Makurdi. According to him, the institution was granted autonomy as part of the continuous efforts to ensure quality graduates into the various fields of the medicine and the sciences.

provisions in these rules, the process of passage of a constitution alteration bill shall continue from

one session to another and from one assembly to another,” Tsokwa said.

Senators eulogise late Chukwumerije, Zannah …seek specialist hospitals on cancer GEORGE OJI ABUJA

enators took turns to pay special tributes to two of their dead colleagues at yesterday’s special plenary session. The dead senators are Uche Chukwumerije (Abia North) and Ahmad Zannah (APC, Borno Central). Incidentally, both of them died from cancerrelated illnesses. While Senator Chukwumerije, who was Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, died on April 19, 2015, at the Turkish hospital, Abuja, Ahmad Zannah died last Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the National Hospital, also in Abuja. The two deaths brought to five the number of senators who have so far died in the seventh Senate. Disturbed by the escalating spate of cancer related deaths in Nigeria, some senators yesterday tasked the incoming 8th Senate to work towards facilitating the establishment of a specialist hospital that will help in early detection of cancer

and other terminal diseases to save Nigerians from further avoidable deaths. Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egab moved the motion for yesterday’s special session for their two dead colleagues. Presenting the motion, Ndoma-Egba said, “the Senate notes with heavy heart and deep sense of sorrow the demise of Comrade Uche Chukwumerije, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Sunday 19th April, 2015 at the age of 76, The Leader further stated that the death of the Abia-born politician was a monumental loss not only to Abia State, his constituents and family, but to the Senate and the country as a whole, in view of his immense contributions to debates at plenary and his robust representation to his constituents. While speaking on Zannah, he said Zannah’s death was a monumental loss not only to Borno State, his constituents and family, but to the Senate and the country as a whole, given his immense contributions to debate at plenary and his robust representation to his constituents”

NLC pickets NIPOST, locks out Postmaster General O LUFEMI A DEOSUN ABUJA

fficial activities were yesterday crippled at the headquarters of the Nigeria Postal Service, NIPOST, following a picketing exercise staged by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees, NUPTE. The picketing, which was led by NLC Presi-

dent, Ayuba Wabba, was anchored on disagreements between two sister unions in the communications sector, where the management of NIPOST was accused of transferring over 4,000 members of NUPTE to the Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport and Corporations, SSACTAC, through an executive fiat. The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions.

Some of th e pl acards re ads “ Re mit ch e ck of f du e s of l eve l 07,” “ Post Maste r Ge n e ral is n ot above Nig e rian Con stitu tion , Re mit ou r ch e ck-of f du e s to NU PTE,” “ Postmaste r Ge n e ral is viol atin g ou r rig h t to association ,” “ Ou r rig h t to u n ion ise is n ot n e g otiabl e, NU PTE is my u n ion ,” “ It is th e e xcl u sive rig h t of NIPOST worke rs to ch oose th e u n ion th e y w ish to be l on g ” .

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

South West

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Three feared dead in Ekiti violence

…soldiers deployed, police sue for peace

Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

hree persons were feared killed in the violence that broke out between drivers’ union and butchers in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, yesterday. Several others, who were injured in the fracas, were rushed to undisclosed hospitals in the state capital where they are receiving treatment. Hoodlums had a field day as they vandalised and looted offices, shops and market stalls while the violence lasted. Traders and residents scampered for safety as the opposing parties in the violence wielded guns, machetes, swords and other dangerous weapons. No fewer than five vehicles belonging to the drivers were vandalized, just as banks and other shops in the area could not open for business. Trouble started yesterday morning, when some com-

mercial drivers were said to have accused the butchers of harbouring fraudsters duping unsuspecting residents in the state capital. This followed the alleged refusal of the butchers to surrender a man alleged to have duped a woman said to be the wife of one of the drivers. Sources traced the genesis of the crisis to the activities of the fraudsters who duped a woman, who happened to be a driver’s wife, of N36,000 on Tuesday at the Old Garage area of the capital city. Unconfirmed sources said the woman was also raped by the culprits in the process. Following the incidence, members of the driver’s union were said to have gone to the spot noted as hideout of the fraudsters at the Old Garage area to demand for the person responsible. The refusal of the butchers to pinpoint the culprit led to hostilities between the

drivers and the butchers, as dangerous weapons were freely used by both sides. It took the intervention of the new Police Commissioner, who have just assumed duties in the state on Tuesday, Mr Etop John James, who led scores of both regular and mobile policemen to the trouble spots before the mob retreated. The police boss, while addressing the warring factions at Old Garage and Atikankan, expressed regrets over the incidence and vowed to restore normalcy in no time. James said he had just resumed in Ado-Ekiti on the orders of the IGP over the spate of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the state. However, the spokesman for the police in the state, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, said only four persons sustained injuries in the crisis and were being attended to at the Police Clinic at Okesa in Ado Ekiti.

Jafojo urges Buhari to create Lagos Affairs Ministry Francis Suberu

ormer Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Chief Rafiu Jafojo, has advised the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to look into the possibility of creating Lagos Affairs Ministry to complement the efforts of other ministries at reviving the decaying infrastructure in the state. Jafojo, who gave the advice yesterday in a statement he signed and made available to journalists; noted that the ministry would help in managing Federal Government properties in Lagos and put them to good use. According to him, now that Lagos has politically united with the Federal Government; the state government should make it count by overseeing the Federal Government agencies saddled with maintenance of her leftover infrastructure in the state. The statement read; “The creation of Lagos Affairs Ministry similar to the Niger Delta Ministry will complement the good work Lagos

State Government is doing. It will provide the most needed legal and financial framework to systematically address the infrastructure decay.” The former deputy governor noted that most of the Federal Government buildings in Lagos are in sorry state while others are obviously underutilised. He said most of the buildings; including Old Cen-

tral Bank building, Tinubu Square, Race Course, old Foreign Affairs buildings, old Secretariat building, National Theatre at Iganmu etc; which are in the category of national monuments have virtually been abandoned as they are in dilapidated state. “These abandoned buildings are littered everywhere in Lagos State. Most of them can be classified as monumental buildings.

Salaries: Osun govt, health workers bicker over pact Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

sun State Association of Medical and Dental Officers, OSAMDO, yesterday said it has not reached any agreement with Osun State Government on the issue of 7 months unpaid salaries of its members. This was, however, contrary to the position of Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of Osun State Governor, who claimed the last time statement was released on the

matter was when he disclosed that officials of government were meeting the doctors over the matter. In a telephone chat with National Mirror, Okanlawon said Governor Aregbesola was pained by the situation and has been looking for avenues to get all workers paid their entitlements. He added: “Whipping up unnecessary sentiments will not take care of the issues on ground. What we all need to do is to negotiate and that was the last thing we said regarding payment of salaries to OSAMDO members.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Eyin Eyo Idumota, trading center of Lagos. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

INSIDE

Apapa road gridlock: Balogun traders lament low sales >47

Fuel scarcity, exchange rate killing our business, traders cry out

>48

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Porters earn more money in Lagos markets than traders’

Porters in Lagos markets.

raders in some major markets in Lagos on Tuesday said that porters earn more income daily than hawking of goods generally. Some traders told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that porters had become an integral micro-business in markets in spite of its stressful nature. Mrs Salimot Ajao, a wholesale trader in household wares at Idumota market, said that the porters on a good or bad day, earn about N1,200 daily. “We sometimes fold our arms on some days and watch them make money, while some of us who are traders barely sell anything following the nation’s economic challenges. ‘’But you know, your neighbour can sell, while you may not, so they get to off load and

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI assist customers to move their goods to the bus and get paid immediately. ‘’On a good day, they make between N2,000 and N3,200 daily without paying shop rent, maintenance or accumulating debts,’’ Ajao said. Mr Shekoni Lawal, another trader at Oyingbo foodstuff market, said that porters who largely assisted in the movement of goods were making market activities easier. ‘’This is a market where people buy things in bulk, hotel suppliers and restaurant owners all come here and the porters are highly needed always. ``Their job is stressful, but unless they fall sick, they make money every day unlike those of us shop owners here, they sometimes make money than some

WE SOMETIMES FOLD OUR ARMS SOME DAYS AND WATCH THE THEM MAKE

MONEY, WHILE SOME OF US W WHO ARE TRADERS BARELY SELL ANY ANYTHING

FOLLOWING THE NATION’S EC ECONOMIC CHALLENGES traders, especially the smallscale traders. ``They can make up to N2,000 in a day, and even more, that is at least N60,000 monthly, which is more than the salaries of some graduates in Nigeria,’’ Lawal said. Mr Yusuf Abdul, a market leader in Ebute-Ero market, Lagos Island, observed that most of the porters in the markets on

the Island are women. He said young women have taken over the business in their quest to earn decent income. ``Although these people make money, I can never allow my wife to be involved in carrying heavy loads for money. ``We noticed that most of the people doing this job are women, but they are not to be blamed because some of them are wid-

ows or single mothers or those with jobless husbands. ``Each time I see them, I always wish there was a machine that can do the job, but I don’t think that is possible for now. ``I only wish women could be discouraged from the business, they should do less stressful work’’ he said. One of the lady porters at Balogun market, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she made about N1,500 daily on a bad day and N2,000 on a good day. She said that in spite of the stressful nature of the carrying heavy loads that job is lucrative. ``Without us, activities will not move well in the market and no matter how stressful this job is, it is better than stealing or remaining idle,’’ she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Kashamu tenders four exhibits to stop extradition F our exhibits supporting preliminary injunction to prevent the United States from abducting Chief Baruji Kashamu were filed yesterday at the U.S. District Court in Chicago, as his attorney mounted another round of arguments to halt his extradition to Chicago to answer his 1998 indictment on heroine importation and distribution. The exhibits presented in court include the January 10, 2003, 10-page Magistrate Tim Workman judgment in England that voided Kashamu’s extradition to the United States on mistaken identity, and full list of elected sena-

tors from Nigeria during the March 28, 2015, national elections. Kashamu’s name was listed as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, elected from Ogun East senatorial district in Ogun State. The 1931 Bilateral Extradition Treaties tagged Treaty Series 849 between Nigeria and the United States, which was signed by His Majesty King of Great Britain, Ireland and British Dominions beyond the Seas, was presented as exhibit three. Nigeria was one of the British colonies during the era and the treaty came into effect on January 24, 1935. Also presented as the

fourth exhibit is the January 31, 1967 Extradition Act between Nigeria and the United States. Unlike in the past when Kashamu faulted the 1998 grand jury indictment and wanted it dismissed under a four-point arguments of due process, mistaken identity, rights to a speedy trial and lack of nexus linking him to the Alhaji charged in the indictment, his lawyers wanted the U.S. to follow due process required in the extradition treaty between the two countries. Anything short of the due process would amount to lawlessness which negates public interest of orderly extradition of criminal defen-

dants, the lawyers said. “If the United States is allowed to abduct an elected Senator of a foreign nation, citizens, including elected officials of the United States would not be free from abduction from foreign governments that issued arrest warrants or indicted such officials,” the lawyers added. Kashamu through his attorney, Robert R. Cohen of the Arbitration Registration and Disciplinary Commission, ARDC, argued that the issuance of a temporary restraining order against Kashamu’s abduction is imperative to avoid the violation of federal and international law as well as the Mansfield Act.

It would also save Kashamu from been killed or harmed and suffer irreparable loss from his abductions, his attorneys argued adding “there is a strong risk that Kashamu could be killed or seriously injured if the United States attempts to abduct him from Nigeria.” Cohen pleaded with the District Court to prevail on the United States to follow procedures required for extradition in the extradition treaty between the two countries as well as the Nigerian Extradition Act which stipulated procedures for extradition. Citing several legal citations including the United States vs. Alvarez-Mach-

hain of Mexico abduction to the country, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld as legal because the two countries’ extradition treaty did not prohibit extradition, Cohen told the court that Nigeria and U.S. differed considerably because of some provisions in the extradition treaty between the two countries. Quoting articles eight of the treaty between the two countries, Cohen explained that abduction would be illegal without the United States abiding “with the laws regulating extradition for the time being in force in the territory from which the surrender of the fugitive criminal is claimed.”

Court remands Lebanese national for evading customs Wale Igbintade

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the remand in custody of a Lebanese, Mr. Fares Chawich, pending the time he is able to meet bail conditions granted him. The accused was charged before Justice Saliu Saidu by the Nigerian Customs Services, NCS, on five-count charge bordering on alleged attempt to evade Customs duty to the tune of N49 million. The accused, a resident of 27A, Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, and one Chief Emmanuel Ekong, of 17, Sobo Arobiodu, GRA, Ikeja, (now at large), were alleged to have on May 18, 2015, broke the seal of NCS placed on different vehicles in an attempt to evade payment of Customs duties on them. Some of the vehicles are; Brabus G800 jeep, 2013 model, with chassis number 212718; Aybach 625 2009 Model, chassis number 002513; McLaren SLR 2009 Model, chassis number 001960; Aston Martin 2009 Model, chassis number 815026 and Ferrari 458, 2013 Model, chassis number 195200. NCS prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaye, informed the court that the alleged offences are punishable under section 145 (5) of Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45, Laws of the Federation, 2004. When the charge was read, the accused pleaded

not guilty. Counsel to the accused, Mr. Chris Emeh, urged the court to admit his client in the most liberal terms. Ajakaye did not opposed the bail application, but urged the court to order the accused to submit his valid international passport with the court, pending the time the matter will be decided. Ruling on the bail application, Justice Saidu, admitted him to bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties. The sureties, according to the judge, must be residents of Lagos State, who owns landed properties within the state. The judge also ordered that the sureties’ landed properties must be verified by the prosecutor and the court registrar. He also ruled that the accused should deposit his international passport with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar. The matter has been adjourned till July 8, 2015, for trial.

Mayhem in Ekiti.

UCH performs mass burial of unclaimed corpses

niversity College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State, said it has carried out mass burial for many unclaimed corpses in its mortuary. Spokesman of the college, Mr. Deji Bobade, said in Ibadan yesterday that the management took the deci-

sion because the unclaimed corpses had congested the hospital’s mortuary. He said some corpses of dead persons between ages one and 50 years had been abandoned in the mortuary since 2012. The spokesman said that the management, however, contacted the relatives of the

died in a private hospital at Ilesha. It was learnt that the deceased was in good health before embarking on the excursion, which was organised by the Students Union Government, SUG, of the institution to round off its annual week celebration. Executive members of the student union and other students from various departments in the college were said to have participat-

ed in the exercise. A source said the students had arrived ErinIjesha waterfall at the early hours of the day and climbed the hill to catch fun, adding that the victim suddenly slumped while coming down. It was gathered that he was quickly rushed to the emergency unit of a private hospital in Ilesha, where he was confirmed dead by doctors.

Student dies on excursion in Ondo

Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

student of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Akinsiku Michael Timilehin, has been reported dead during an excursion to Erin-Ijesa Waterfall in Osun State. Timilehin, a 400-level student of the Department of English Language, was said to have slumped and later

deceased before carrying out the mass burial. He claimed the relatives might have refused to claim the corpses due to the culture that says that “parents should not bury their children.” Bobade explained that three adverts were placed in newspapers at three different occasions with deadlines for the bodies to be claimed. “But the adverts generated no response from the relatives either. “The decision of the management to perform the mass burial was within the purview of the law. “The exercise was carried out by a group from our forensic pathologists and it was supposed to be a top confidential issue. “If the public were aware of the time and date, threats could be posed to the community and this was one of

the reasons why we were silent on the issue. “We tried to take into consideration the cultural and the social effects of this action on the community. “Our being silent on the exercise was for security reasons,” Bobade said. Also, Dr Uwon Eze, a forensic pathologist in charge of the exercise, said that it was against the ethics of the profession to disclose such information to the public. Similarly, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of UCH, said the management had done the needful by performing the mass burial. “The law is clear on this matter. We invited families of the abandoned corpses on many occasions and even went to advertise the information in the newspapers, but to no avail,” he said.

South East

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Imo guber: APA candidate files suit against Okorocha Chris Njoku OWERRI

Fire incident involving a luxury bus and private car within the premises of Silver Oil Filling station, Borrowmeo roundabout, Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PDP stakeholders accuse Elechi of attempt to truncate hand-over ceremony Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

ounding fathers and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi State yesterday accused outgoing Governor, Martin Elechi of attempts to truncate handover of power to the incoming administration. The stakeholders comprising former deputy governor, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, former Speaker, Augustine Nwankwoagu, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, Senator Ngiji Ngele, Dr. Igwe Ajanwachukwu and Chief Innocent Ugo Chima, among other prominent personalities, expressed regret over alleged foul statements of the outgoing governor on the incoming administration and the last governorship election in which Engr.

Dave Umahi emerged victorious. The PDP, in a press statement signed by 28 of its stalwarts, who hail from the 13 local government areas of the state and read by deputy director general of Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation, Dr. Hygenous Nwokwu, noted the readiness of the stakeholders to boycott all programmes initiated by Chief Elechi for the ceremony. “The last general elections were not only adjudged to be fair, credible and free but also noted to be the most transparent and participatory. Ebonyians liberated themselves from the clutches of imposition and impunity. “It was not surprising when few weeks after the election, Chief Elechi, who was generally perceived to

have supported the opposition (Labour Party) at the elections, joined in the victory and liberation songs that echoed all over the state, and invited his deputy and now governor-elect, Engr. Umahi, and Barr. Kelechi Igwe, and he (Elechi) acknowledged that the election was free and fair, and congratulated the governor-elect for his victory.” They lamented that Elechi who earlier assured of his readiness to prevail on all political parties not to institute any petitions at the tribunal for the sake of peace in the state, has, barely 10 days to the inauguration of the new governor, went contrary to his promise, enjoining the other parties to file their petitions at the election tribunal sitting in Ebonyi State. They berated the outgo-

ing governor for commissioning an uncompleted secretariat, saying “it is on record that Governor Elechi is the only governor who commissioned uncompleted projects in the course of the last days of his administration even when such projects had consumed more than 10 times the original budget and he could not query the contractors for reasons best known to him. “The stakeholders have taken notice of the governor’s remarks and threats that are clear invitation to violence and bloodshed in a gathering of the founding fathers, and we urge the governor to take the few days remaining for his administration to seek the face of God and refrain from utterances capable of instigating avoidable crisis.”

Tragedy as girl, 20, stabs lover to death in Imo Chris Njoku OWERRI

ragedy struck yesterday in Ubomiri community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State as a 20-year-old secondary school girl allegedly stabbed her boyfriend to death with a kitchen knife. It was gathered that the girl identified as Chisom Anyanwu, who hails from Umuawumi Ubomiri, murdered her 28-year-old lover simply identified as Abio, an undergraduate, in cold

blood yesterday following an argument between the two. Abio, a native of Egbeada in the same Mbaitoli Local Government Area, was said to have visited Chisom’s house late on Tuesday, and she became very angry as she had earlier cautioned the boy not to visit her at home, as she would not like her elder brothers and sisters to see him. Abio, who was said to be the only son of his parents refused to go back when he was asked to do so, thus pro-

voking an argument which resulted in Chisom stabbing the boy in the chest. According to an eye witness, tmuch blood gushed out of Abio’s body and he gave up the ghost on his way to the Christian Medical Centre, Nworieubi, in the council area and doctors clinically confirmed him dead. Effort to meet the medical director of the centre, Dr, Obinna Ozims, for comment on the incident failed as he was said to be busy attending to patients. Meanwhile, the news of

Abio’s death which filtered into the neighbourhood caused revolt among some angry youths, friends and relations which resulted in the burning down the house of the parents of the accused. But the police intervened to stop them from further destruction. Imo state Police Command Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Andrew Enwerem (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying the suspect has already been arrested. “She is in police custody, while investigation is on,” he said.

ubernatorial candidate of the African People’s Alliance, APA, Mr. Charles Osita Nnadi, yesterday filed a suit at the election tribunal sitting in Owerri, challenging the declaration of Governor Rochas Okorocha, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the April governorship election in Imo State. Nnadi, while declaring the entire election as brazen malpractice, noted that the result of the election as contained in Form EC8 B did not represent the accurate results contained in Form EC8A from the various polling units in the following local government areas, namely: Ideato North, Ideato South, Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Oru East/ Oru West, Nkwerre, Njaba, Nwangele, Orlu, Orsu, Ikeduru, Obowo and Okigwe. In a suit No. EPT/IM/ GOV/2/2015 filed through his counsel, I.T. Onwuk-

we, the APA gubernatorial candidate is seeking among others, a declaration by the tribunal that the governorship election in the state was marred by corrupt practices, widespread and substantial irregularities and noncompliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2010 and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines for conduct of the election. He also sought a declaration of the tribunal that Governor Okorocha was not validly elected and returned by majority of valid votes cast at the election conducted on April 11 and the April 25 supplementary election, by reason of irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 as well as the violation of the guidelines for the conduct of the elections. The APA candidate prayed the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Governor Okorocha as governor-elect on grounds that the election was invalid.

Imo indigenes in Delta laud Okorocha on development Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

mo State indigenes under the umbrella of Ndi Imo-N’Uzoije (Imos in Diaspora), Delta State chapter, have lauded Governor Rochas Okorocha for his developmental strides in the three senatorial districts of the state. The group said Imo State under the administration of Governor Okorocha has witnessed what they described as ‘uncommon transformation’ in the area of infrastructure, free education and human capital development than in any previous administration in the state. While congratulating the governor on his reelection for a second term, the group, in a statement signed by its national coordinator and national secretary, Basil Akuwara and Ogbonna Okechukwu, noted that Governor Okorocha’s victory at the just-concluded poll was

as a result of his peopleoriented policies and programmes that projected the state beyond expectation. They stated that the group worked assiduously for the election of Governor Okorocha in 2011 and his re-election in 2015 without being noticed, urging Imo State indigenes in the Diaspora to support the governor. The forum also appealed to the governor to “create a special project with one of us as a supervisor as well as create an office for Imos in the Diaspora with one of us as special assistant.” They charged Governor Okorocha to sustain the pace of development currently going on in the state, adding that posterity would forever remember him as a man who came to power with the sole vision to impact positively on his people as against the past when leaders came to loot the treasury.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

There’s need to revisit cost of governance, not just lawmakers’ wages –Lawan 14 & 15

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Mu’azu: The travails of a National Chairman

any Nigerians did not receive with surprise the resignation of the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who yesterday succumbed to pressure from party leaders, stakeholders and supporters of the party, who insisted he must quit following the abysmal performance of PDP at the last general elections, where the party lost not only presidential position to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, but also some states and its majority in the National Assembly. Mu’azu in a letter to the Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, noted that due to the abysmal performance of the party in the 2015 general elections, it became imperative for him to leave and for peace to reign in the PDP. In that letter, he asked Secondus to step in as acting National Chairman in line with the party’s constitution.

The beginning of Mu’azu’s travails Mu’azu’s major troubles peaked following reports that President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to allow the bulk of senators elected under the platform of the party to be granted automatic tickets to contest in the 2015 elections. This situation made serving governors, who were not happy with the decision, decided to oppose it in their various states, most especially were governors with senatorial ambitions. The governors, it was reported, met Mu’azu few days after the report and wanted to know if the reports were genuine. The chairman told them the party is determined to mend all fences ahead of the 2015 general elections. He urged them to be ready to make sacrifices as party leaders in their various states. Angry governors Largely, the opposition to the deal was led by governors with senatorial ambitions and those interested in who become senators in their states, who vowed to oppose the deal in their various states if the national leadership of the party insisted on it. Then, a PDP governor, who pleaded anonymity described the development as worrisome, saying: “Most governors are unhappy over the move because it is worrisome. I am not interested in a Senate seat but I see the move as a way of sidetracking our colleagues who are interested in going to the Senate.” Ambition tears party in the seam In Benue State, Mu’azu got into trouble for throwing his weight behind a former National Chairman of the party, Barnabas Gemade, who sought re-election to the Senate. Convinced that Mu’azu is supportive of Gemade’s reelection bid, sources say Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who was unwilling to go into political retirement in 2015, frowned at Mu’azu’s interest. Similarly, Mu’azu lost the support of Governor Sullivan Chime, as a result of his alleged support to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu’s bid to return to the Senate in 2015 ahead of the governor. Although Chime amicably settled with Ekweremadu, it was not the same in some other states. Delegate lists Aside the allegation that he encouraged Jonathan to grant the senators automatic tickets, Mu’azu also was accused of tampering with the delegates’ lists submitted from the PDP congress elections held in some states last year. The governors, who were reported to have opposed Mu’azu handling their delegates’ lists include: Akwa Ibom State governor and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio, Benue State Governor Suswam,

after weeks of not being able to stomach the blames and name callings, Mu’azu

yesterday, threw in the towel

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu yesterday resigned from office. EBERE NDUKWU looks at his troubles and travails.

Mu’azu

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, Enugu State Governor Chime, Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke, and Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema. Tukur’s fight back Another trouble for Mu’azu was the fight back of immediate past National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who tried to regain his seat from Mu’azu. Tukur challenged his resignation as the National Chairman of the ruling PDP, claiming that he did not resign properly as the National Chairman of the party. Tukur declared that he was forced to resign his post in order for five governors of the party who defected to the opposition APC to return to the party. He however, said that following the defection of the five PDP governors to the APC in 2013, pressures were mounted on President Jonathan to remove him to enable the governors return to the party. In a counter-affidavit he filed to a suit instituted by an aspirant to the House of Representatives in Adamawa State, Aliyu Abuba Gurin, who sought to unseat the outgoing National Chairman of the party, Mu’azu, and also stop the party’s planned delegates convention, described Mu’azu’s appointment as a nullity. PDP stakeholders Before the 2015 general elections, PDP stakeholders from the North-West geo-political zone, advised President Jonathan to as a matter of urgency remove Mu’azu from office for what they called incompetent leadership that led to conflicts in the ruling party. Spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Suleiman Zango, gave the advice in a statement in Kaduna and stated that the current conflict between PDP senators and the Presidency was a result of Mu’azu’s inability to resolve amicably the issue as the chairman of the party. PDP loss, the last straw that broke the camel’s back The general election, where the PDP’s presidential candidate, President Jonathan eventually lost to the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, was in essence the straw that broke the camel’s back, in the bid to unseat Mu’azu. From the moment the party lost power, things continued to fall apart for the self-acclaimed most populous political party in black Africa and its National Chairman. The problems led to mass defection of members to the opposition party and most worrisome, was the accusations and counter accusations, among the top chieftains of the party, on who and who did and did not cause the failure of the party at the presidential poll. The buck of this accusation landed on the head and back of Mu’azu as many party chieftains, called for his resigna-

tion. Among the arrow heads in the PDP blame game is Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who unequivocally called without apology for the sacking of PDP’s NWC, challenging them to provide evidence of money released to him to prosecute the last elections, saying that “only N30 million was received for the last two elections and to the glory of the Almighty God and support of Ekiti people, we won all elections. I therefore demand for the mode with which money was released to me by the NWC.” He said: “How do we explain the PDP losing so scandalously in Bauchi State, despite the presence of the National Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Minister and the state governor?” Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, in a recent interview, explained that the road to PDP’s defeat in the polls was paved from the party’s December 2014 primaries, when the governors deliberately shut out “unwanted candidates” and imposed their own on the party, saying the failure was as a result of impunity and sycophancy of the leaders. To Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Femi Fani-Kayode and Governor Ayo Fayose were responsible for the fall of the PDP. He said: “Imagine the First Lady inciting people to be violent during the campaigns. She also brazenly insulted the people of the North and a former Head of State without due regard to the party chairman, who is from the North. Fayose and Fani-Kayode also engaged in the hate campaign against the opposition. The opposition was focused and never left the substance to pursue the shadow.” Recriminations about what went wrong, led party stakeholders to trading blames and calling for each other’s head. For instance, after a meeting of 19 PDP governors, who got together to do a post mortem on the election in Abuja, the resolution was that the national officers should resign to pave the way for a new leadership. Mu’azu and some members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were said to be part of the closed-door meeting, but Mu’azu and his team were later asked to excuse the governors. Blame games Numerous PDP chieftains and members continued to heap the blame for the loss of the party at the polls at the door of the party’s NWC, insisting that the Mu’azu-led NWC must resign their position or be sacked for failure to deliver the Presidency. And after weeks of not being able to stomach the blames and name callings, Mu’azu yesterday, threw in the towel and took the humble pie of accepting to relinquish his position as the party’s National Chairman, having failed to deliver the party at the general elections. Will Mu’azu’s exit be the panacea to the downward trend in the fortunes of the party that held sway in Nigeria’s democratic space for 16 years? Will the gladiators be contented with Mu’azu’s exit or insist on wholesome exit of the entire NWC? Only time will tell.

Politics

Thursday, May 21, 2015

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There’s need to revisit cost of governance,

hy do you want to contest as the President of the Senate? The North Eastern part of Nigeria as a political zone has been ravaged by insurgency. For so long, we have been marginalised and we believe that this Senate Presidency can be more practical and symbolic in terms of welcoming us coming back into Nigeria. I thought we were removed from Nigeria by the Boko Haram, when it declared a sultanate after it took over Mubi. Having said this, as someone who has been in the National Assemly in the last 16 years, being a member of the House of Representatives and a senator for eight years apiece and having chaired the Public Accounts Committee for the last eight years, I think I know what we need to do to turn around the economy and I want to provide a 21st century Senate leadership; a leadership that would work with all segments of senators in the chamber; that will have bi-partisan approach to issues, and will work with the executive arm of government such that we would ensure the independence of the Senate and make our independence possible. I also believe that I am bringing into the leadership incorruptibility and credibility. Nigeria needs an incorruptible administration, the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari was elected on the basis of three major issues – anti-corruption stance, resolve to fight insurgency and address the economy that has been comatose or stagnated. I believe that I can complement the anti-corruption fight of the President-elect. So, we can be sure that what we are presenting to you is what Nigeria needs. The Nigeria of today needs serious anti-corruption fight because for whatever resource we have, until we are able to curb corruption, we would never be able to get the kind of maximum impact of what we have. So, we need to identify those areas that we need to block leakages and ensure that there is minimum or no embezzlement of public funds. My public accounts administration will help me in doing that because I have worked to ensure that public funds are prudently utilised and those that were embezzled or mismanaged are reported to the Senate, and I believe that this is what the President-elect wants, this is what Nigeria needs, financial management of our resources. In specific terms, what are your agenda for the Senate? First of all, I believe that my experience as a legislator that has worked in the two chambers gives me an added advantage of knowing how the House of Representatives works, what the sentiments, tendencies and workings of the House are. Having been in the Senate for eight years, I know how the Senate works and I know all the tenets of the Senate. These 16 years of experience have enabled me to work with six presiding officers, three speakers in the House of Representatives; Salisu Buhari, Umar Na’Abba and Aminu Masari and my experience in the Senate that I moved to in 2007 has been remarkable up to date. I have watched these presiding officers conduct affairs in the two chambers. Secondly, I have been able to work across party lines with all my colleagues in the House and Senate. So, I believe that I have learnt to be a team player and I can work with all sorts of people regardless of their political affiliations. I always like to work on the basis of consensus, and what we need today is to ensure that we build and sustain consensus in the different political parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate. I have also learnt to work with the executive arm of government. I believe that today, we need a situation that good governance must be support-

We need a National Assembly that is led by incorruptible people so that within the system, the tendencies that go toward corruption would be minimised

As the 8th National Assembly debuts soon, one prominent figure that will dominate the stage is Senator Ahmad Lawan. Arguably, one of the most experienced lawmakers having first elected in the lower chambers in 1999, Senator Lawan from Yobe State, in the NorthEast, now eyeing the office of the Senate President in this interview said that the zone should be rewarded for being faithful to the cause of the All Progressives Congress, APC and for the underdevelopment it witnessed in the last eight years due to insurgency. He also speaks on his chances as well as the positive changes he hopes to engender if he becomes the next Senate President. ADEOLA TUKURU brings the excerpts:

Lawan

ed by the legislature and good governance means delivery of service to Nigerians. So, I believe that the National Assembly and the Senate that I would lead should be able to balance the budget even if it is in phases that we move from the overwhelming expenditure on recurrent to something more practical, something more pro-poor or pro-people by giving more fund for capital and I believe that we need a Senate or National Assembly, where oversight by members of the National Assembly and especially the Senate would be done in such a way that would keep the executive arm of government in check. I am thinking that we should have a statutory period, a mandatory period for oversight, even if it is twice in a year that every committee must go out to monitor what has been released in the budget to the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and must report to the Senate at the plenary. So, I want to bring into Senate, a leadership that is focused, a leadership that is pro-people and pro-poor. You talked about General Buhari’s incorruptible stance, but the two chambers you have represented from 1999 to date are known for corruption. So, how do you want to support the administration in fighting corruption? Talking about anti-corruption, I think the National Assembly has indeed public image crisis right from 1999, when the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, protested against our furniture allowances. Till today, we have not recovered from that. We have not done enough to make Nigerians, who voted for us understand what they should expect from us. I believe that we need to shed this toga of corruption

and one way of doing that is to keep ourselves on the line of integrity. There must be transparency in what we do, and Nigerians must know exactly what we do. Sometimes, the anticorruption charges are frivolous and you ought to allow these things to be investigated. We need a National Assembly that is led by incorruptible people so that within the system, the tendencies that go toward corruption would be minimised and I believe that I have that capacity and I believe that with the co-operation of everyone in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate, we will do what Nigerians expect from us, to be credible, to be pro-people, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that. What of the issue of zoning? Zoning is for our leaders to decide. We don’t have a say in it. What is expected of us is to show interest. I am from the North-East and there are about two or three people from the North-East who are vying for the same office. Two people from the North-Central are vying for the office and I believe that it is our duty to tell our leaders that we deserve to have the Senate Presidency in the North-East and not the North-Central. For a long time, the most marginalised areas in Nigeria are the South-South and the North-East. In the last three or four years, no capital project was undertaken in the North East, even when budgetary provisions were made, contractors would say they would not go there because of the insurgency. In fact, everything there has collapsed, public infrastructures burnt down by Boko Haram, our people dislocated, our businesses don’t exist anymore, and people even moved out of the place. We believe that when we are

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

not just lawmakers’ wages –Lawan able to have the office of the Senate President, we would be able to help the government, particularly the Presidentelect, to understand all our issues. Secondly, our votes for APC are second only to that of North-West. If your votes count and when you are rewarding such, we are next in ranking in the North, and if the North-West has the presidency, we should have the Senate Presidency. The North Central itself has produced three Senate Presidents from Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to Ameh Ebute to the current Senate President David Mark, and three deputy senate presidents from the late Wash Pam, Abubakar Haruna to Ibrahim Mantu. The North East never had any opportunity; we believe that our party can trust us and test us to lead the Senate this time.

How can the incoming Senate assist the in-coming government in reducing the cost of governance? We need to expand our revenue base, we have to go beyond waiting for oil funds. Today, the prices of oil have gone down. So, we need to expand our revenue base. We need to look at the leakages, what is happening at NIMASA, how is FIRS collecting funds, we need to know that. My experience about taxation and revenue generation counts here, I believe that we can interface with the executive, we can look at the taxation law, we can look at how FIRS is collecting funds from who and expand those areas that have not been exploited. Secondly, it is not only the collection of revenue that is critical, but how the revenue is being put into use. Here, the budgetary provisions would come in, so we would rework the way the budgetary provisions are done at the federal level. First of all, there must be increased communication between the executive arm of government and the legislature because we want a situation, where we must be able to sit on a round table and agree on fundamental areas of intervention I also believe that there is need for prudence on how we run our government, I would even suggest that our administration should consider reviewing Orasanye Report; here you have so many government establishments taking funds for doing nothing. From my public accounts experience, I discovered that we have about 650 parastatals, many of them don’t do anything or some of them do the same thing and I believe that we need to review the agencies that are not doing anything or collapsed them into practical number so that they don’t just take our funds and also provide the needed services. I believe that the National Assembly has a lot to do to work with the executive arm of government to reduce the cost of governance. The North East Senate caucus has said they would not endorse you. Why this? The North East Senate caucus did not say they would not endorse me. I was endorsed by the North-West recently, about 20 senators and the North-East Caucus felt I was hijacked by the North-West caucus, and there are about two or three other people that want to run for the Senate Presidency from my area. It was not like they did not endorse me, but they said they did not endorse anyone from the North-East caucus, and that is fair enough. I don’t think the North Central has endorsed anyone, I am still seeking that my brothers and sisters would endorse me just like two others from the area want to be endorsed, but thank God that I have been endorsed by two caucuses now; the North-West and the South-West. What of the South-East? I held a meeting with the South East caucus and I believe that the South-East has every reason to endorse me. I have worked with South-East senators and even members of the House before I entered the Senate, and those that we met in the Senate have been very good friends. I believe that at the appropriate time, the South-East would endorse me. I have been working with the PDP senators and I believe that at the appropriate time, they would support me. What is the assurance that under your leadership, the Senate would not be a rubber stamp of the executive? I believe in the independence of the legislature and in my first tenure we fought for the independence of the legislature, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power. At that time, what we wanted was a legislature that would not be taking orders from the executive. I am sure

For me, all the

aspirants are brothers; if any of us gets it,

would work with them, if

I get it, they need to

work with me and we belong to the same party APC is a different player in this, our party is a progressive party, our president believes in the rule of law. In fact that is the stand of our party and our leaders, and while we have independence of the legislature, we also have to collaborate, co-operate and partner with the executive to work for the benefit of Nigerians. What we need is good governance for the benefit of Nigerians, so I don’t see how we can become a rubber stamp. What would you say about the huge wages earned by lawmakers in Nigeria? When you say lawmakers earn huge wages, I think we need to put it in perspective. The budget of the National Assembly in the last four years has been N150 billion from a budget of N4.9 trillion. You can work out the percentage, and in that you have the National Assembly management as part of it, the National Assembly Service Commission and the aides of members of the National Assembly. I am entitled to five aides. You have the National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, and the capital budget of the National Assembly. When you look at the aggregate of the budget, what actually goes to the members of the National Assembly is not what we portray it to be. So, when we propose a reduction in the cost of governance, it is not going to be for the National Assembly alone, what does a minister gets in his office, what does the Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA or NPA gets, these are issues that would have to be considered in a holistic manner. I think that Nigerians don’t have enough information about what the members of the National Assembly get. This N150 billion does not go to the members of the National Assembly alone; it is just part of it. If there is need to revisit the cost of governance and I believe there is, so let there be a total overhaul of the entire system, all the ministries and all aspects of governance would be involved. Are you not worried that your emerging Senate President and another North-Easterner becoming Speaker of the

Politics

House may create problem in the polity? I don’t know, but the party is wise enough to take the right position at the right time. I believe that such a situation would not arise. It is unconstitutional to have a preponderance of people from a certain part of the country in such positions. There is no way you can have the President, Speaker of the House of Reps and the Senate President from the same geo-political zone. What about your relationship with PDP senators? My relationship with them has always been cordial. I have been a cosmopolitan legislator. I have been working together with my colleagues in the Senate, who are from PDP. We are doing fine with cordial relationship. Is President-elect Buhari or Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu behind your candidature? It is very practical and realistic that when you run for this kind of office, you go to every leader that you have access to and ask for their blessing and support and you remember that leaders of defunct ANPP, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, have very strong individuals before APC evolved. So, we must give them due respect, we must go to them and ask for their blessing. Where possible, if you can get the support of any, it would go a long way; no leader has come out to endorse anyone. I am not anybody’s candidate; I am seeking continuously for their support because they deserve that respect. In an open race, do you stand a chance of winning? The arithmetic is simple, out of the four zones that produced APC, I have got two, we are 60 senators in APC, North West has 20, South West has 13, which are 33, which is already a winner. Ask anyone what my relationship with PDP senators in the chamber is, and ask the same question about the other senators aspiring for the Senate Presidency. For me, all the aspirants are brothers; if any of us gets it, I would work with them, if I get it, they need to work with me and we belong to the same party and we don’t want to rock the boat. In the 7th Assembly, Aminu Tamuwal emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives against PDP’s choice. How do we avoid a repeat of that event? I believe that our party is wise enough to understand the implications of having unnecessary fragmentation of senators. I want to tell you very clearly that our party would not allow that to happen. The APC would sort this issue out. The PDP understands that we are supposed to constitute the leadership of the Senate because we are the majority just as we have allowed them to form the leadership of the Senate in the last 16 years. I believe that our leaders would do something before we reach such a situation; we would not fall into that trap, we will resolve it.

Speakership: We’ll not be influenced by party decision –Rep-elect Omeiza Ajayi and Joel Ajayi ABUJA

he caucus of newly elected House of Re p r e s e n t a t ive s members to the 8th National Assembly yesterday vowed never to kowtow to the decision of leaders of any of the political parties in picking parliamentary leaders, saying they would maintain their independence, equity, transparency and selflessness. The group which has about 75 per cent of new federal lawmakers drawn from across the six geopolitical zones told journalists in Abuja that the incoming National Assembly members are ready to

acquiesce to the demands of Nigerians for a better nation. Speaking on behalf of the members-elect, Hon. Mark Gbillah representing Gwer East/West federal constituency of Benue State, noted that members, who were elected on different party platforms are united and driven by passion to perform their legislative functions to ensure the delivery of tangible dividends of democracy to their various constituencies and the entire nation. He said since the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has promised not to interfere in the struggle, adding that members shall not be influenced by any godfather or party as the

selection will be based on competence, effectiveness and efficiency. He said: “The New House of Representatives Members’ Forum recognises and is emboldened by the fact that Nigerians have spoken; they want change and a new lease of life in the House of Representatives and indeed the 8th National Assembly. “The choice of presiding officers, the Speaker and his deputy for the House of Representatives is a cardinal responsibility of elected members of the House on inauguration day before oath taking and commencement of legislative functions of the house. “It consequently behooves on all members-

elect to observe the highest level of decorum, circumspection, patriotism, equity and selflessness in their choice of individuals for these positions.” Expressing displeasure at the current spate of unconfirmed endorsements and rebuttals by supporters of different aspirants to the office of the Speaker on the pages of newspapers and other media, the group said it “appreciates the invariable inclination of members to certain aspirants but will like to appeal to all honourable members-elect to show the highest level of decorum and sportsmanship in the hallowed process of election of the Speaker and his deputy.”

Politics

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Federal constituency seat: Judge voids CoR issued Benue reps-elect •Orders IGP to prosecute him ...Seeks NBA’s intervention to sanction his lawyer Ise-Oluwa Ige

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, nullified the Certificate of Return, CoR, issued to the representative-elect for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Christian Abah. The trial high court judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a judgment, held that Abah was not eligible to contest the election, a National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal having affirmed in 2011 that he presented a forged certificate to contest the National Assembly election, four years ago. Justice Ademola, who was ostensibly angry with both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission,

INEC, over their roles in the emergence of Abah, wondered why they failed to disqualify Abah upon the knowledge of the court’s judgment on him. The court also lambasted an Abuja-based member of the inner bar, Mr Sunday Ameh, SAN, over what it called deliberate use of delay tactics to frustrate and elongate trial in the matter. He ordered that his judgment must be served on the disciplinary arm of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to serve as basis to sanction him. The trial judge also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute Abah for forgery. Abah had indicated intention to vie for the Ado/ Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives. At the PDP primary poll, he won and was given the party’s ticket to contest the

election. No other political party in the state fielded any candidate to vie for the seat at the National Assembly. But one Mr. Hassan Saleh, who contested the primary poll with him in the PDP, however, approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja with a pre-election suit to challenge the eligibility of Abah for the seat. Saleh had alleged that Abah, in 2011, forged an Ordinary National Diploma, OND, certificate in Accountancy purportedly obtained from the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, in 1985 and presented same to both the PDP and INEC to contest for National Assembly election. He said the allegation of forgery became an issue at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Benue State in 2011. He argued that the reg-

istrar of the institution where Abah purportedly obtained his certificate had also written a letter affirming that the certificate was forged. He presented documentary evidence to buttress is allegations. But Abah denied the allegation, insisting that he never pleaded such certificate to contest the 2015 poll. In his judgment, Justice Ademola said his findings revealed that an earlier judgment of the National/ State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi delivered on September 6, 2011, and a letter by the registrar of the polytechnic, Mr. Suleiman Buba, indeed, affirmed that the certificate presented by Abah to INEC was forged. The court, consequently ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to immediately commence prosecution of Abah for, forgery and perjury.

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Put aside personal ambition now, Ekiti APC told Olajide Omojolomoju

embers of Ekiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, have been told to put aside muscle-flexing and self-seeking interests and come together to fight a common enemy. Ekiti APC Action Group, AG, which handed down this warning in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Segun Dipe, vowed to resist anyone promoting personal ambition at a period that calls for collective struggle and regard such as part of the setbacks dogging the state. APCAG said while it was the fundamental right of anyone to aspire to any position, it is selfish and an act of irresponsibility on the part of any party faithful who ignores the challenges at hand while pursuing a personal agenda. Dipe said: “Everyone should key into confronting the monster terrorising our landscape and dehumanising our people. It must be a collective struggle to fight the common enemy and bring peace and sanity back to our state. He said that while APCAG members were con-

cerned about the problems plaguing the party in Ekiti State and trying to find solution to it, some party members who should know better were busy positioning themselves for yet to be available positions. Dipe said: “Personal ambition should not come before collective goal. This is unacceptable to us and we will regard such people as part of the problems of the party and the state. You don’t reap where you have not sown. First participate in the collective struggle of reviving the fortune of the party before thinking of the benefits.” Restating the mission of APCAG as rebranding the party as peoples’ party, reawakening the spirit of progressivism in members, re-energising them to want to fight for their rights in the state and linking the state chapter back to the mainstream, Dipe said: “Some of us cannot be struggling to bring back the lost glory of the party in the state, resisting oppression and challenging the status quo, while others are lurking in the dark, positioning themselves for the benefits there from.

Kwara transition committee unfolds one-week inauguration ceremony Wole Adedeji ILORIN

T L-R: Leader, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Reps Caucus, Leo Ogor; Minority Leader and 8th Assembly Speakership aspirant, Femi Gbajabiamila, and a member of the caucus, Tajudeen Yusuf, during the aspirant’s meeting with the caucus in Abuja, yesterday

Kogi group directs members to defect to APC Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

group, Idera-De Political Movement, in Kogi State has directed its members to move into the All Progressives Congress, APC. The group made up majorly of members of Social Democratic Party, SDP, and other organisations also appointed SDP senatorial candidate in the last election,

Pastor Toyin Akanle, to champion the course of the association and their political movement into the APC. The spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Ayo Daudu, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday after the organisation’s meeting held at Isanlu Town Hall, in Yagba-East Local Government Area of the state. Daudu said: “There is an urgent need to overhaul the present political system, to

allow for the emergence of a new order in Kogi State. “In view of this, we have appointed in the interim, Pastor Akanle to play a pivotal role in all our political consideration. We also mandated him and other well meaning political leaders to serve as bridge builders across Yagbaland, Okunland and Kogi State at large. “Also the leadership of our political movement

should immediately initiate actions towards moving us to the APC, which has become the dominant political party in the country.” The meeting which has over five hundreds delegates in attendance was convened by the group’s visioner, Pastor Akanle; also have in attendance some politicians from other parties, youths, women and members of civil societies across the state.

he Inauguration Committee for the second term swearing-in ceremony of Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on May 29, has announced a one-week inauguration programme. Briefing newsmen yesterday, committee chairman, Alhaji Kola Yusuf, said the ceremony will be low-keyed to reflect the general paucity of fund across the country. He attributed the victory of Governor Ahmed at the April 11 poll to his achievements during his (the governor’s) first term, which he said included completing all inherited as well as abandoned projects by his predecessors Also, Alhaji Yusuf said the governor initiated his own projects that were done to the satisfaction of all. The areas the commit-

tee chairman said Ahmed recorded achievements included education, health, power, agriculture, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, adding that under the governor, Kwara emerged an industrial hub of the North-Central geopolitical zone. The theme of the inauguration ceremony, Yusuf said was “Making Our Good Better,” coined from the governor’s slogan of “it’s good here.” Other activities lined up for the inauguration included a Muslim prayer session this Friday, an inter-denominational church service, an athletics championship competition, the inauguration itself, a command performance and a banquet dinner. The governor had earlier last week sacked all members of his cabinet preparatory to what he described as an incoming low-sized governance but full of injected vibrant new bloods.

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

The paradox of free and fair elections EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

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

he 2015 general elections, to the surprise and joy of many, have come and gone without all the fears and predictions that trailed them. Against the drumbeats of war and touted disintegration of Nigeria, the conduct and outcome of the elections have been variously described in flowering terms. It is like saying let us celebrate our good fortunes before something else intervene to snatch it from us. It was for this unusual calm that outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has won the heart of many at home and abroad. The elections have been won and lost, and we are glad that the country is not hampered in any way because of their outcome. Thank goodness the agitations we are witnessing now are civil and are provided for by the law of the land. However, it is imperative we take note of the lessons from the elections and use them to plan for futures ones. There are times we need to be hard on ourselves, tell ourselves the bitter truth, no

matter how it hurts. A proper exegesis of the 2015 general elections shows that it is about the worst we have had since the return to civil rule in May 1999. A free and fair election must be free in the true sense of the word in the eyes and estimation of a reasonable man. A free and fair election must be free from intimidation of the electorate; there must not be any actions taken, overt and covert, to disenfranchise eligible voters and all the votes must count. In a free and fair election, political blackmail, using religious and ethnic biases, is an abnormality. We unfortunately witnessed in the last elections manifestations of all features that hamstrung credible elections. They came in different forms and colorations. There were open threats of reprisals and mayhem unless ‘anointed’ candidates were elected. Many Nigerians ran for their dear lives, thus willfully disenfranchising themselves. This was one election where some presidential and governorship candidates were chased away from campaign grounds. There was loss of lives in some instances. The traditional institution had in the past maintained respectable distance from politics as a mark of respect for their revered offices. But in the last general elections caution was thrown to the wind as our traditional rulers openly and violently canvassed support for their favoured candidates. In one of the South East states there was even the introduction fetishism to intimidate voters.

THANK GOODNESS, WE HAVE A LEVEL HEADED

PRESIDENT THAT IS NOT DESPERATE TO REMAIN IN POWER The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega has been enjoying praises for a job well done. This could be justified in the interim, which of course is due to the pre election mayhem hype that characterized the electioneering and the anticlimax of peaceful elections that followed. But is it not the same INEC that fumbled on fundamental issues that give credibility to the elections? This happens in spite of all the time that it had to prepare for the exercise. As far back as 2011, Jega reportedly informed European Union Election Observation Mission when it came to submit its final report on the 2011 elections that INEC was already preparing for the 2015 general elections. The permanent voter’s card (PVC) was part of the innovation for the elections. This was a great innovation in our electoral system. It was a key to the success of the 2015 exercise. But the management and distribution of the PVCs was scandalous, with accusations and counter accusations

flying about. The situation was so bad that President Jonathan had to advise INEC to ensure that all eligible voters had their PVCs before the elections. There was even the shameful allegation that non-indigenes were deliberately denied PVCs in some states. At the last count, even after the postponement of the dates for the elections, only about 81 percent of eligible voters got their PVCs; the others were denied for no fault of theirs. If the distribution of the PVCs was scandalous, the management of the smart card readers was embarrassing. Again the introduction of this biometric technology was a great and noble idea, but it turned out to be a big disappointment, especially during the presidential poll. At its trial stage, its observable level of failure should have raised the yellow flag to INEC to take steps for its improved performance; but that was not be. Its rate of failure could have warranted another postponement of the elections. Thank goodness, we have a level headed President that is not desperate to remain in power. The card reader is a wonderful idea, but we did not learn from the experiences of Cameroun, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’ Ivoire and Columbia that have used them before us. We deserve a viable and robust democracy; INEC must put everything in place to ensure that this objective is achieved.

On the police and debt recovery practice

hen a nation is troubled socioeconomically, there usually emerges a number of aberrations of norms that would require considerable efforts political will to correct. One of such recently forced itself once again into my consciousness when an acquaintance was arrested by the police. His offence was that he owed a welldocumented, undisputed debt that he had not finished paying. His creditor, becoming impatient, resorted to the now “usual” method: lodging a report against the debtor at a police station and, apparently after due tipping, got the officers mobilized! The debtor was promptly arrested and told to pay back the debt or face elongated incarceration. Debt recovery is a normal part of commercial transactions. It is settled that since modern business cannot thrive without borrowing and lending, the legal system of any nation should make adequate provisions to regulate this aspect of commerce. The phenomenon is regulated in Nigeria, like in other places with common law system - law of contract, banking law, negotiable instruments, credit sale law and so on. This implies that recourse must be made to the court of law by invoking the civil jurisdiction of the court if the parties cannot resolve their differences amicably. However, in Nigeria, a culture of debt recovery that is rampant is the employment of the coercive powers of the forces like the police or even the Nigerian Army for the purpose of debt recovery. Most Nigerians are aware of this entrenched culture of debt recovery

THIS IS ONE ILLICIT PRACTICE IN THE POLITY THE INCOMING GOVERNMENT MUST STRIVE TO STOP practice whereby the creditors, including, unfortunately “enlightened institutions” like banks, enlist the help of the police, or even the military to recover debts extra-judicially. When I was discussing this problem in the midst of some friends, a female banker told me that exigencies had necessitated involving the police in debt recovery and that the practice “is an efficient method”, adding: “We all know the problem of undue delay one invariably encounters in court; at times it may take years for a simple contractual case to be decided as a result of incessant adjournments. But with the police, the case is different as many people are afraid of being arrested or detained; many recalcitrant debtors would, therefore, pay up. In spite of this, it may be unequivocally stated that the practice is not supported by the Nigerian law! For instance, Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which created the Nigerian Police Force, states inter-alia “there shall be a police force for Nigeria, which shall be known as Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the federation or any part thereof ”

In specific terms, Section 4 of the Police Act, which stipulates the functions of the police, provides thus: “The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such duties within or without Nigeria as may be required by them by, or under the authority of, this or any other Act” It is, therefore, clear that from both the Police Act and the 1999 Constitution that nothing empowers our police to help individuals or institutions to collect debt despite the rampancy of the practice. A number of judicial pronouncements over the years have also underscored the fact that the police have no business in debt collection if the transaction does not involve fraud. In a recent case, a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Okon Abang, roundly condemned the police for helping a bank (name withheld) to collect debt from a customer extrajudicially. In the case, the plaintiff, who had taken a N900, 000 loan from the bank defaulted after making some payments. The bank enlisted the help of the police to recover the debt and later arrested and detained him. The police further collected a cheque of N100, 000 from him under duress and kept harassing him to pay the rest. Chukwuemeka then filed an

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action in court alleging that his right had been violated and prayed the court for an order of injunction restraining the police from further arresting and detaining him. In his judgement, Justice Abang berated the police, stressing they had no right to convert themselves into debt collection agency, adding that they had misused the coercive powers of the state. He awarded the plaintiff damages of N500, 0000 in addition to a N50, 000 costs. This is one illicit practice in the polity the incoming government must strive to stop. Nigerians must learn to do things in proper way and stop all morbid aberrations haunting our system. Ketefe may 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 21, 2015

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

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

Jonathan on persecution of ministers, aides

utgoing President Goodluck Jonathan recently told his ministers and other aides not to rule out persecution and hard times after handing over to his successor on May 29. He spoke at a thanksgiving and farewell service held in his honour at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Gwarinpa, Abuja. “…I know that worse treatment will come, if you take certain decision(s), even the people who are very close to you will abandon you at some points. I used to tell people that more of my so-called friends will disappear. So, (it) is the same thing with (the) decision you take, it may be good to the generality, but it will affect people differently. And for the ministers and aides that serve(d) with me, I sympathize with them, because they will be persecuted and they must be ready for that persecution”, the President had said. For a man who refused to be afflicted with African leaders’ sit-tight syndrome, but conceded defeat to an opposition in-coming president; for a man who seized every opportunity to express appreciation for how God and the country elevated him from a humble background to the position of leadership in his Bayelsa home state and Nigeria, Jonathan eminently qualifies,

based on his experiences on the blissful and pangs of defeat and loss, to know and understand what he is talking about. Perhaps, his loss has greater consequences for his aides, who are obviously more vulnerable than him in the new dispensation to be ushered in just a couple of days away. However, only Mr. President can rightly interpret what he meant by ‘persecution’ of those that worked closely with him. Many would have been more comfortable had Jonathan urged those that have any axe to grind with his administration to hold him squarely responsible and not go red-herring with his ministers or other aides, since all bucks concerning the administration end on his desk. Jonathan says “my interest and prayer point for this country is stability and (a) buoyant economy. That is when people will benefit, irrespective of who is the leader”. And the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, who officiated at the thanksgiving service where the issues we are examining were raised, described the President as “a man who wants the peace of the country”, adding that “Everybody has his own weakness, but definitely, he meant well for Nigeria and he

JONATHAN’S GOVERNMENT ATTRACTED MORE CRITICISMS ON ACCOUNT OF THE REPREHENSIBLE CONDUCT OF THOSE THAT WORK WITH HIM did his best under the circumstance he found himself ”. For the golden legacy he bequeathed by leaving office at a time when the ovation cannot be said to be loudest or lowest, a gesture some hawks and wolves lurking around him were not and are still not happy about; and for the promotion of peace and unity of the country, the outgoing President deserves all the commendations Nigerians and the international community can muster. If, however, by telling his ministers and aides to be prepared for hard times and persecution he implies the incoming administration will be so vengefully inclined as to apply the whip indiscriminately on his aides that performed well, we take exception to that, just as we cannot for any reason side the incoming administration if found to be on a gleeful mission of witch-hunting against Jona-

ON THIS DAY

May 21, 1996

May 21, 1998

A ferry, MV Bukoba, sank in Tanzanian waters on Lake Victoria, killing nearly 1,000 people. MV Bukoba was a Lake Victoria ferry carrying passengers and cargo between the Tanzanian ports of Bukoba and Mwanza. Built in 1979, the ferry had capacity for 850 tons of cargo and 430 passengers. The manifest for her final voyage showed 443 passengers in her first and second class cabins.

President Suharto of Indonesia resigned from office following the killing of students from Tri Sakti University earlier that week by security forces and growing mass protests in Jakarta against his ongoing corrupt rule. Suharto (1921 – 2008) was in office for 31 years from 1967, following Sukarno’s removal, until his resignation in 1998. The legacy of his 31-year rule is a subject of debate both in Indonesia and abroad.

than’s ministers and aides. The point to be made, like the Most Reverend Okoh rightly put it, is that “everybody has his own weakness”. Jonathan could really mean well for Nigeria and probably “did his best under the circumstance he found himself”, but can this same remark be generalised for all ministers and aides who worked with him? Certainly not! Not with the tips Nigerians now have about the conduct of some of the top men and women that work with the outgoing President. Jonathan’s government attracted more criticisms on account of the reprehensible conducts of those that work with him, and of course his slow or no response at all to such perceivable infractions, than on the President’s personal actions. Jonathan dismissed trust as a virtue in his administration when he said members of his cabinet and those he dined and wined with complicated Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He also compelled ministers to sign Performance Contract Agreements (PCA) in 2012. If a minister under him was eventually found to be frolicking all through instead of performing by incoming Buhari government, can such qualify for persecution? For us, this should be no time for preemptive judgements or witchhunts, but a time to confront realities.

May 21, 2011 Radio broadcaster, Harold Camping, predicted that the world would end on this date. Camping (1921 - 2013) was an American Christian radio broadcaster, author and evangelist. Beginning in 1958, he served as president of Family Radio, a California-based radio station group that broadcasts to more than 150 markets in the United States. In October 2011, he retired from active broadcasting following a stroke.

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Education Today Thursday, MAY 21, 2015

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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

Strike: CRUTECH students, mgt count losses …say, ‘Action has drawn us backward’

Richard Ndoma CALABAR

s the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar has reopened its gate last week for resumption of academic and other activities following the suspension of five months old strike by the various staff unions in the institution, students and management have started counting their losses and also that of the university due to the industrial action. It will be recalled that the combined staff unions of the institution comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), it non-academic staff counterpart, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) had, in January, jointly declared an indefinite strike over what they termed as unresolved matters with the management concerning their unpaid accumulated salaries and allowances and poor conditions of service. While the unions accused the management of not being sensitive to their plights, the management on their part also accused the workers of not being realistic in their demands. And since both parties failed to reach consensus the workers down tools, leaving academic and other activities on campus to have grounded since then. However, while students are happy on one hand that the strike was eventually suspended following a renew agreement between the aggrieved workers and the state government, they are on another hand, lamenting the untold hardship the strike had caused and will still cause them. The management and workers on their parts are also expressing displeasures that the strike was indeed dragged for too long before it was suspended on the basis that the government had agreed to start

The main entrance to the university paying them their salaries beginning with that of January and February. Mfam Etita Eyene, a 300-level student at the Faculty of Education for example, told National Mirror that although she did something meaningful during the period, they were done at the wrong time. According to her, “I used to go to farm with my parent to do some cultivation and read novels at times which I couldn’t have done ordinarily if there was no strike.” She explained that she and her mates were preparing for their industrial attachment and teaching practice, which ought to last for seven months when the workers

Gowon urges Buhari to prioritise education 21

Ochang down tools. “We thought the strike would not last for more than one month at most but here we are, it lasted for five and half months. If we remove that number of months from nine months we suppose to use for a session, what can we do within

Owan the remaining four months? That means, the government and the staffers have succeeded in wasting a whole five months from the period we suppose to spend in school and in life,” she lamented. Now, Eyene’s fear is that the school authorities may rush them

‘I wish Fashola fulfills his promise to my school’

with academic activities in order to cover up the missing period without considering quality. “Similarly, those of us who supposed to have gone for our industrial attachment and teaching practice as part of the degree awarding requirements may also be asked to forgo them or at best reduce the number of months to spend to one or two. We all know that the implications of these on the students, the school and the economy are huge,” she further lamented. Just like Eyene, Sally Ofuka, a final year student of Curriculum and Instructional Technology is CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

NAU’s management is after my life —SUG President 24

Education Today

Thursday, May 21, 2015

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Igbajo Poly to presents graduates for NYSC scheme Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

he management of Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, in Boluwaduro Local Government area of Osun State has secured approval to commence sending graduates from the school for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps Scheme. This was disclosed by the Rector of the institution, Mr. Tanimowo Oke, while addressing newsmen in his office recently. He stated that the approval was given by the NYSC headquarters in a letter with Ref. No.NYSC/ DHQ/CM/M/124/22 of 29th April, 2015 signed by one Mr. I.I. Fasanu on behalf of the Director General. The approval letter reads: “I am directed to inform you that after a careful consideration of your application viz-a-viz the records from National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, your

institution has been included in the list of corps producing institutions.” Meanwhile, securing NYSC approval by the management of the institution has been applauded by its Governing Board which commended it and described the achievements “as another milestone in the history of the institution.” Igbajo Polytechnic, the first community polytechnic to be approved by the NBTE in Nigeria, with student population of over 1,000, currently offered courses in Computer Science, Accountancy, Science Laboratory Technology and Business Administration. Others include; Computer Engineering, Statistics, Microbiology and Electrical Electronics. Approval process is ongoing for courses like Mechanical Engineering Tech, Agric. Engineering Tech, Estate Management, Mass Communication and Office Tech and Management.

Nigeria’s progress depends on sound education —Expert Saidat Alausa

he Managing Director of Edumark Consult, an education consulting firm, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde has observed that Nigeria can only attain socio-economic and political prosperity through sound education. She made the observation at a pre-event press conference for the seventh total school support seminar and exhibition programme, an annual event organised for her firm for all stakeholders in the sector. This year’s edition is scheduled for between 11th and 12th of June.

According to the educationist, it is only through sound education that children could be raised to cope with challenges of the rapidly changing world. Speaking on the forthcoming seminar, Ogunde said the focus was to help the education community in Africa to keep up with global trend in the sector, especially as regards communication and information technology and innovations. She added that the event would equally service as a good platform for cross fertilisation of ideas and networking for stakeholders such as school owners and administrators and teachers.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo; Director-General, Lagos Safety Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi; Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and Director-General, Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo unveiling the emblem for the approved schools in Lagos at Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday. Photo: Tunbosun Ogundare

I wish Fashola fulfills his promise to my school, says ex-Lagos One-Day Governor Tunbosun Ogundare

he immediate past ‘One-Day Governor’ in Lagos State is eager to see the outgoing governor of the state, Mr. Babatunde Fashola fulfills his promise to his school befor e leaving office next week. Master Olabanji Edun, now SS3 student of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja, who emerged winner of the last year’s Spelling Bee Competition among the public secondary school students in the state expressed this willingness. By virtue of his outstanding performance in the competition, he acted as the state’s One-Day governor alongside five other pseudo cabinet members, who queued immediately behind him according to their performance in the competition. He is the fourteenth person to occupy the seat since inception of the annual competition. Edun told National Mirror that aside the privilege of acting as a pseudo governor for one day; he had also enjoyed numerous other benefits as a result of his performance. Like his predecessors and the current winner, Master Sonoiki Idowu, Edun was rewarded with a sum of N200, 000, medal, trophy and gift items for his effort, many of which he received at the

L-R: Editor School Tips and More Magazine, Mrs. Flourish Ayowale-Ezekiel; Managing Director, Edumark Consult, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde; e-Learning Manager, Chips Bits and Bytes, Mr. Oluwaseun Ogunfeyitimi and Editorial Executive, Edumark, Mr. Daniel Iyam, at a press conference on the 7th Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition in Lagos, last week.

Edun grandfinale ceremony of the competition. He had also gone on all paid-expenses educational/cultural exchange programme together with the first and second runners-up to Helsinki, Finland last year. That is not all. Edun will also enjoy a scholarship in his choice course and university anywhere around the

world after his secondary education. “I so cherish all these and I thank the state government for providing the platform. I benefitted so much through the achievement. It has given me fame, especially among my peers as many of them are now seeing me as a role model,” Edun said joyfully. “All glory goes to God who made all these possible.” Now, Edun wants the largesse to extend to his school, which he said produced him. According to him, if the government is able to build a befitting hall and buy bus for his school as Governor Fashola had promised because of producing ‘One Day’ Governor, the facilities would benefit both the students and teachers now and in future. “But up till now those promises have not been fulfilled and I wish the governor started the process before leaving office,” Edun said.

CRUTECH students, mgt count losses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 also not happy about the strike. She said she was already looking forward to when she would finish her studies and mobilise for the one-year mandatory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) programme. “But now with the turn of event, as far as CRUTECH is concerned, our entire set is not likely to meet up for this year’s youth service and that means part of our valuable times have been wasted on strike,” she said. Another thing she considers to be painful is the fact that she would have to pay another five months rent to secure her accommodation near the campus. “And I don’t know how I will raise the money which is up to N70, 000 when there are many other necessary things to do with money that is not even available,” she lamented. National Mirror also gathered that some of the students may not return to school to continue with their studies even now that the strike had been

suspended. Why? It was gathered that some female students have already been put in a family way and relocated with their husbands outside Calabar. As usual, students are the most affected persons by any industrial action in academic circle, but some workers are equally recounted the experience in a negative way. While some noted that they were also faced with hardship as a result of their unpaid salaries and allowances, some said being idled for over five months was counter-productive. The Deputy Registrar, Mr. Victor Ndifon told National Mirror that many of them had to struggle hard to survive the strike. According to him, “majority of us could not feed our family members well let alone pay our children school fees or meet other commitments that are also necessary.” He however confirmed that the school would have to readjust the calender in order to cover the missing period occasioned by the strike.

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Go and impact society, AUN VC tells graduands Livinus Menedi YOLA

he Vice-Chancellor, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Dr. Margee Ensign has charged the newly graduated students from the institution to go into the world and make a difference. She gave the advice during their graduation ceremony held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital recently. It was the 7th edition and the graduands were 200 in all comprising 184 first degree holders and the rest postgraduate degree holders from different departments. A colourful occasion also has in attendance the founder of the institution who is also the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman All Progressive Congress, Chief John Oyegun and the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwhistle , among other high profile persons. Ensign, who is officially referred to by the university as President told the graduands that they should not forget to make good use of what she called sound knowledge and skill that the university had imparted on them. She said the society was waiting for their contributions to the progress of the country and therefore should make themselves change agents required for the development not only of Nigeria but also the African continent as a whole. Also in his remark, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the former Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Hamisu Abubakar congratulated the new graduates, urging them to always be positive in their thoughts as they move on in life. Giving kudos to the proprietor and the management of the university for giving sound training to youths, the president urged them not to rest on their oars. He noted that without doubt, the establishment of AUN had greatly increased access to quality university education in the country. The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to some of new set of graduates who distinguished themselves in their studies and other areas while in school. They include Miss Hephzber Obiorah, who went home with the best graduating student award with an undisclosed amount of money as a start-up capital for a business of her choice in line with the tradition in the university. In her valedictory address, Obiorah gave an account of how the vice-chancellor of the institution, Dr. Margee Ensign at a time assist her to pay a sum of N200, 000 as part of school fee when she was financially handicapped, saying that singular action gave her opportunity to write her exam during the semester. She thanked the woman and promised to make good use of the knowledge and skill gained during her schooling in the university to make positive impact in life.

Education Today

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Gowon urges Buhari to prioritise education Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

he former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) has advised the incoming president, Muhammadu Buhari to make education a top priority of his administration by committing enough resources to the sector. He gave the advice during the official opening of the National Open University of Nigeria’s study centre at Bogoro community in Bauchi State, recently. He was the chairman on the occasion. According to him, education is a vital means to attain development in any nation and Nigeria is no exception. While lamenting that the engagement of

non-professionals in the affairs of the sector and weak political will of successive administrations, Gowon urged the coming government to not only engage competent hands but also commit adequate resources capable of restoring the lost glory of the sector. He however lauded the outgoing administration on what he referred to as its various interventions in developing the sector, saying the efforts have yielded significant results. While commending the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro for initiating the opening of NOUN’s study centre at Bogoro community and ATBU School of Vocational Studies at Tafawa-Balewa, he said making such initiative showed that the

man loves education and development. Also speaking, the Vice-chancellor of NOUN, Professor Vincent Tenede said opening of the study centre was to take university education to the door steps of every qualified Nigerian irrespective of age, tribe and economic status He noted that the study centre at Bogoro brought the total number of centres established so far by the university to 63 spread across the country, adding that more are coming. Tenebe however called on the people of the area who are qualified that they have no excuse not to go to university now with NOUN’s study centre within their reach, saying NOUN’s programmes, which are run online are not only flexible but cost effective.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. suleiman Bogoro; Minister of Information, Mrs. Patricia Akwashi; General Yakubu Gowon and Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe during the official opening of NOUN’s study centre at Bogoro community in Bauchi State, last weekend

Educationist advocates teaching of culture in schools Saidat Alausa

xecutive Director, Amville School, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi has said that teaching children Nigeria different culture will go a long way to help the learning process of the students. She also said this will draw the children closer to their roots, to their country and again to appreciate the family culture available in the country. The educationist disclosed this at the school’s Grandparent Day, tagged, “Nourishing Our Roots” which took place at the weekend in the school. The programme according to her is to appreciate grandparents who are always there as the children grow older especially when their parents are at work or doing other things. “Through the programme the grandparent has been able to tell the children about their roots and the students in turn have been able to learn how to care for the elderly, respect and show compassion to those around them,” she said. Citing United States as an

example where children in the country imbibed from when they are young the country pride, Mrs. Owo-Odusi said its compulsory the children learn about their root right from when they are young so that they will always think positive of the country anywhere they find themselves. A grandparent at the event, Mrs. Abeni Aderemi told National Mirror at the event that the initiative by the school will help shape the lives of the young children because they are the future of the country.

Also, Prof. Michael Omoigui in his remark at the event said though the new generation has opportunities which was not available during their time especially ICT but however there is need for them to interact with the older generation because this will help them as they proceed in life. Head of the organising committee, Mr. Muyiwa Olubode said the programme is a yearly event by the school but this year is unique because the grandparents had the opportunity to interact with the students in

their classes and they had the opportunity to ask the older generation questions. A year six student, Oluwabukunmi Owo-Odusi told National Mirror that the programme allowed them to ask some questions which have been bothering them and it has helped them to know what education was like in the olden days. The children were dressed in different costume to show their culture at the event.

Executive Director, Amville School, Lagos, Mrs. Mosun Owo-odusi (5th right) with grandparents and students of the school at the Grandparent Day held last weekend.

Education Today

Tunde Olofintila

ust like the Holy Bible, in the Book of 1 Corinthians 15:45, referred to Jesus Christ as the second Adam, a Nigerian academic, Prof. Raimi Olaoye, has described the Elder statesman and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Are Afe Babalola, SAN as the second and modern day Obafemi Awolowo on account of his (Babalola’s) exploits in the realm of education through which he is putting the smiles on the faces of many and receiving accolades nationally and internationally. The setting was the personality lecture in honour of late sage and first Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN and Aare Emmanuel Afe Babalola, SAN, titled “Connecting the past with the present for a rewarding future of Nigeria education system”, organised by the University of Ilorin Chapter of the Nigerian University Education Students Association (NUESA) Even though Olaoye, Professor of History and International Relations at the University of Ilorin, laboured assiduously to convince his audience that it was an herculean task to deliver a personality lecture in honour of the duo of Awolowo and Babalola whom he described as fathers, role models, foremost educationists, courageous nationalists and great Nigerians, he held them in rapt attention for the duration of the lecture. His words: “To write in honour of these great Nigerians is a task uphill. These are great men whose shoes are too big for an ordinary person like me to unlace. I got to know our guests many years ago through their intellectual works and nationalist dispositions. The only time I physically came into contact with Chief Obafemi Awolowo was in the early ‘80s, during the political campaign of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). “My physical contact with Aare Afe Babalola in the ‘70s was through my uncle, Chief J.A. Aderibigbe, who was his contemporary in a college in Ibadan. But more importantly is the fact that I have the knowledge of these great personalities through their positions in the society, meritorious services to the humanity and invaluable contributions to national development.” After taking a cursory look at the past, Olaoye affirmed without any fear of contradiction, that every individual on planet earth is educated bearing in mind that all human beings, at one point or the other, must have benefitted from one or more of the three broad categories of education: traditional, oriental (Islamic/ Arabic) and Western education. According to him, in Nigeria, before the advent of colonialism, the precursor of other types of education was traditional education which was largely built on local customs and traditions as a result of which it emphasised the culture, value, norms and mores of the Nigerian communities. And because moral value was the epicentre of the traditional education then, the prevalence of anti-social vices such as robbery, rape, kidnapping, human and drug trafficking, gay marriage, sexual violence and other horrendous vices of today was minimal. This enabled the Nigerian communities to be relatively peaceful and stable, while the issues of economy and socio-political growth and development taking their course. This was the situation, when the British

Thursday, May 21, 2015

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Between Awolowo and Babalola

Babalola

Awolowo

Aare Afe Babalola, just like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo is passionate about how education system will be reformed in Nigeria. colonialists came to impose their values on the Nigerian societies. At some point later, the missionaries of different denominations such as the Church Missionary Society, the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and the Roman Catholic as well as the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) among others took over to provide Western education with emphasis on three ‘Rs’, that is, Reading, (W)Riting and ‘Rithmetic which emphasised the inculcation of moral value with the overriding philosophy of the missionary education based on European culture, value and orientation. This was the system of education inherited by the Nigerian nation at independence. But because Awolowo and Babalola, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) and alumni of the famous University of London and others in their mould who had been bitten by the bug of seeing their people beyond mere interpreters, cleaners, messengers and catechists among others in their mould rose up to the challenge to break the barrier in western education which was beyond the reach of the poor. Of particular importance in this respect was the introduction of Free Primary Education in the old Western Region by Awolowo way back in 1955 and the deployment of as much as 52% of the region’s resources on education to make total men and women out of the indigenes of the region then. This paid off with the monumental development of the region ahead of others, even till today.

He commended the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation for its cardinal philosophy of preserving and nurturing the legacy of education of the late sage to fruition, a development which gives verve and vigour to the hope of a rewarding education system in future. Governments at all levels must be awake to their responsibility as far as education is concerned. They must appreciate that sound education constitute a potent weapon to fight ignorance, lack, poverty and disease and so, they must accord education a prime of place in the scheme of things. It is a notorious fact that Awolowo has played his part and has gone to join the saints triumphantly, but his re-incarnate, Babalola, has stepped into his shoes by virtue of the gigantic strides he took by establishing ABUAD which commenced academic works on January 4, 2010 to change the face of education in Nigeria and bring back its lost glory for which he had been commended nationally and internationally by education stakeholders including UNESCO. According to Olaoye, “Aare Afe Babalola’s efforts are an indication that there will

be light at the end of the tunnel. Although, I have not been to the university, but what I have been seeing on the television and reading from the newspapers are symptomatic of “Renaissance” that promises a re-birth of glorious period of education in Nigeria. Based on Awolowo’s and Babalola’s vision for education and general development of Nigeria, they, in concert with a few others like them, have always been seeing as the mould of Nationalists and Pan- Africans like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikwe, Kwame Nkrumah, Leopold Cedar Senghor, Houphouet Boign, Dauda Jawara, Nassingbe Eyadema, Marcus Garvey, E.W. Blyden and W.B. Dubois. “In point of truth, Aare Afe Babalola, just like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo is passionate about how education system will be reformed in Nigeria. His popular column on Thursdays in the Nigerian Tribune has always addressed variety of issues on education such as the need for quality education, good remuneration for teachers, review of school curriculum and education which is responsive to the needs of the country. His strong passion for the future of education in Nigeria is not misguided, knowing him as foremost educationist, erudite lawyer (SAN) and someone who hails from home of professors, Ekiti-Kete”. The world is now a global village and new trends in education and other facets of life keep on emerging by the day. In the world of today, the emphasis is on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The world is also in the direction of knowledgebased economy. In all of these, the use of computer and other ICT facilities would rule the future world of education not only in Nigeria but elsewhere in the world. And so, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. Nigeria should therefore go back to the roots, pick up the pieces and review the policy for a rewarding system of education in Nigeria for the labour of our heroes, past and living, to endure and stand the test of times. .Olofintila is the spokesman for Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti

‘Buhari should reposition basic education’ Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

call has gone to the President– elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to make reposition of basic education his administration’ s priority so as to benefit parents who cannot afford to send their children to private schools. A politician, Hajia Bilkisu Onusagba made this call shortly after she was screened as a member of the Governing Board of Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) by the lawmakers. She noted that it had become imperative for governments at all levels to devote their time and energy towards the development of basic education in the country, stressing that though the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan did a lot for the sector, the incoming president should priotise the subsector. According to her, “many of our leaders today across sectors were products of public schools. Then public schools were fantastic

unlike nowadays that many parents don’t want to do anything with public schools because they don’t offer quality education again like before. “Even many of us who send our children to private schools are not finding things easy. We just have to strive very hard to be able to pay our children school fees. The challenge becomes compounded when you have up to two or three children to pay for. So, if the lost glory of the public schools can be restored, it will assist many parents and the level of girlchild enrollment in primary schools will also increase tremendously,” she explained . Onusagba pointed out that the two major problems that are affecting the basic education in the country is that of teachers welfare and infrastructures, adding that if the incoming administration can invest in these two key areas, the lost glory will be restored. She therefore appealed to Buhari to look towards this direction for positive improvement while spirited individuals and corporate organisations should also contribute their own quota to the development process in the sector.

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Education Today

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Solving north education problem

ll the Northern states and four Southern states including Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Ebonyi States have been branded as Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) for a very long time now. This branding which gives a few of the indigenes some advantage in access to higher education and job opportunities was purportedly introduced to improve their chances of catching up with the rest of the country but in reality does not appear to have changed their situation at all. It appears rather, that they have become entrenched in their predicament, content with the handouts of undeserved admission slots in the unity schools and universities, and being offered juicy positions in the federal parastatals ahead of their more qualified counterparts on the basis of the quota system, an offshoot of the ELDS branding. These ‘benefits’ to the few have apparently taken away from the majority the drive to excel. It appears that the Federal and state governments are satisfied with the situation and nothing needs to be done. However, the deteriorating security situation in the North East, a fallout of the academic backwardness, should begin to sound a loud warning to all. The economic situation is deteriorating further and quality of life fast eroding away. Poverty is grinding, knowledge is in short supply and self esteem low. The stage is set for further lawlessness, unbridled criminality and acts of desperation; it is only a matter of time. The perpetual status of educationally less developed state is a condemnation to perpetual misery for the masses. While a few benefit from the status-quo, the majority wallows in abject poverty. In addition to educational deprivation, the people are plagued by poor infrastructural development, poor job opportunities and high unemployment. A good educational attainment is the only panacea to these maladies. Hence we must not only advocate free education for all at the foundation levels, we must also diligently implement it. All hurdles that militate against the implementation must be

The greatest hurdles to successful implementation of the free education programme are the absence of clear vision, the will to do, and the means to prosecute it. removed. The greatest hurdles to successful implementation of the free education programme are the absence of clear vision, the will to do, and the means to prosecute it. The states and the federal governments hitherto seem to lack the critical vision of the immense benefits of educating the populace and hence have no motivation to act in that direction. The new administration must embrace the vision of peace, prosperity, enlightenment which education brings to the society. But the single most important hurdle to implementing the universal free education programme is the financial crunch which many of the educationally backward states are experiencing. The budgets of individual states are as varied in value as the states are diverse. Lagos state with a population similar to that of Kano state had an annual budget (N49-113 billion) approximately two to three times that of

Kano (N19-38 billion) between 2001 and 2005. Interestingly, Lagos state devoted a larger percentage of its budget to education (22-25%) in the same period. Very interestingly, Bauchi state with an annual budget of between N18-58 billion, devoted only 6-10 percent with a total value of N12.251 billion to education for the five year period. This may be compared to Enugu state with a much lower annual budget of N13-26 billion within the same period that devoted between 19 and 22 percent with a value of N21.434 to education. Poor funding is perhaps the most important reason for the backwardness of most, if not all of the educationally less developed states. It is obvious then that without the vision, it is impossible to muster the will, and hence, difficult to find the way out of the problem. The facts on ground literarily explain the observation. Rich states from the North devote a small proportion of their income to education while even richer states from the South devote a much larger proportion of their budget to education. Ironically, even poor states from the South devote higher percentages of their incomes to education than equivalently endowed states in the north. This is an indication of the value placed by the respective administrations on education. Kwara state which spent about 24 percent of its annual budget on education in 2005 has literarily redeemed itself from the clutches of educationally less developed state status and continued to make good strides in educational achievements through purposeful spending on education. If change must come to the educational deprived states in the North, then the leaders at both state and federal level must appreciate the benefits of sound basic education and devote a minimum of not less than 25 percent of the budget to education. In addition, the Federal government should as a matter of expediency set aside additional fund to supplement expenses on education by the affected states. This fund should ensure that the poorest quintile in the society has access to qualitative education which should give them the opportunity to aspire to the highest position of leadership within the polity.

Winner of ‘Spirit of Lagos’ School Challenge emerges Stories by Saidat Alausa

overnment College Ketu, Epe representing Education District 3 has emerged the overall winner of this year’s Spirit of Lagos’ School Challenge. The competition under the Lagos State Government is designed for competing schools to come up with developmental projects capable of impacting their schools and immediate environment. This year’s winning centered on the need for people to imbibe the maintenance culture as a habit in order to protect both private and public infrastructure around them. The winning school also developed the SOT (Save Our Treasure) and DIY (Do It Yourself) slogans to drive this maintenance culture among students. They told the panel and audience at the competition that if well harnessed the project will save the state a lot of money. Community Senior Grammar School, Gberigbe, representing education District 2, came second with their presentation tagged ‘Wipe Out Dirt and Litters from CSGS’ com-

Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; (middle) with students from Government College Epe, overall winner of the Spirit of Lagos Schools Challenge 2015 in Ikeja, Lagos, last week.

munity. Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School, Alimosho, representing education District 1, emerged third with their presentation which focused on ‘Converting Waste to Wealth’ through a device for heating up waste products such as plastics and cellophane to produce crude oil. In her speech, the state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the initiative, which is in tandem with the state government’s efforts in ensuring overall development of the various communities in the state, would reawaken in students the spirit of patriotism, which is the hallmark of

development in any community. She added that no society that neglects its leaders of tomorrow can truly be said to be heading towards a greater future, noting that the present administration in the state has invested much in the future of the children and youths in terms of infrastructure and education. The Deputy Governor, while extolling the teachers for assisting their students in the development of their proposals, noted that, “Lagos State Government is working assiduously to empower the teachers so that in return, they can bequeath the right knowledge and morals on the students”.

Earlier in her welcome address, General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, thanked the various schools for their continuous efforts in lifting the Spirit of Lagos higher by striving to complement the state government’s efforts towards making Lagos a better place for all. Also in his remark, the Project Director, Olaniyi Omotoso congratulated the competing schools for their excellent performance and described them all as winners for proposing projects that would help improve the development of their schools.

Librarians tasked on 21st Century challenge

he President, Nigerian Library Association, Alhaji Rilwanu Abdulsalami has urged members of the association to tilt towards new trends in order to meet up with the 21st Century challenges. He said this at the Librarian Day held at the Nigerian International Book Fair which took place at the University of Lagos, Akoka, last week. The librarian also said that embracing new trends, especially ICT was important as the world has turned to a global village. “The ICT has added a lot of impact on our libraries and it has improved services and information delivery. So I look forward to see our libraries and librarians to move on with the terend,” he said. Abdulsalami, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Book Fair Trust, said the association had not been having government attention which he said was needed for the association to be relevant. On book fair, he drew the attention of the government to the need to be part of the fair which he said if well harnessed could improve the economy. Identifying lack of power supply as the major impediment to the industry, he said this had made publishers to go outside the country to publish their work which made the cost of production very high. In his lecture titled, “Role of Library and Information Professionals in African Youth Empowerment,” University Librarian, National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Dr. Ukoha Igwe told members that they need to develop their capacity in order to have influence in their offices.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

AAU VC tasks govt on research ‘Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUS ADMIN AAUA

he Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun has urged governments at all levels to keep research and development on the front burner. The VC gave the advice while presenting a paper entitled, “Enhancing Research and Development in the Educational sector” to the participants of Senior Executive course 37 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Akure, Ondo State capital, last week, saying that was one of the potent ways to achieve national rebirth. Ajibefun, a professor of Agricultural Economics said that no country could attain meaningful progress without committing reasonable investment to research development, especially in education circle system. He said the challenges facing most countries of the world in the 21st Century are enormous and required prompt and adequate attention. These challenges according to him range from unemployment, poverty, security and health issues. “The global society is faced with myriads of challenges that require in-depth research that could lead to scientific and technological breakthrough that would address such challenges. “Investment in both basic and applied research and development seem to present options to tackling the challenges.” The vice-chancellor maintained that research and development were crucial to national development, urging African nations to undertake researches which are capable of providing solutions to challenges confronting the continent.

Mimiko

A cross section of principal officers of National Open University of Nigeria during the institution’s 7th inaugural lecture on “Towards a legal regimen for the transplantation of human organs in Nigeria” held in Lagos, last week.

NAU’s management is after my life —SUG President It is a lie —PRO

Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

he Students Union Government President of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Mr Noble Eyisi has accused the management of the institution of attempt to expel him from the institution for championing the cause of students. He also alleged the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku paid an undisclosed amount to some of his executive members to facilitate his impeachment. Eyisi in a press briefing with journalists on Monday said one of his aides Samuel Ewuama is currently being detained in a cell in the university, alleging that plans were on by the management of the institution to also arrest him. Eyisi had last week led a protest against the vice chancellor, claiming that the hike in the post UTME examination from N1,000 to N2,000 and the imposition of compulsory N7,500 for biometric data capture were all moves geared at extorting students. In Monday’s briefing, Eyisi said “My sin is that immediately after I was elected, I slashed transport fare around the campus to N20, and also championed a decrease in the price of food as sold by food vendors on campus. I am supposed to be getting N20, 000 daily from drivers in the school, but I forfeited that just to ensure that the fare is reduced. But when we slashed the price of a plate of food in the campus from N200 to N150, the management resisted, just because there is an amount of money which the food vendors pay to them. “We have told them that the people who buy the food are students and not management, and we know how we are suffering but they refused to listen. That was how they started fighting me.” Eyisi said. The SUG president insisted that he was not being sponsored by anyone as alleged by the management of the institution to destroy the vice chancellor, but he was only concerned about the well being of students of the institution which is his primary constituency.

He said the SUG bus had been confiscated, and the management had long stopped giving it subvention to the union, just as they now collect the Students Union dues and refuse to remit same to the union for running its affairs. It will be recalled that just last week, executives of the union had also addressed the press, disowning the president for circulating hate letters and organising protest against

the management of the school insisting that he has been bought over by unknown persons. But reacting to the allegation, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dr. Emma Ojukwu insisted that Eyisi and other members of the executives of the SUG were like their children and that despite the defamatory letters being circulated by the president against the vice chancellor, the school will not take action, but hopes he will change.

Excitement as FUNAAB students hold modeling show

n a bid to showcase the practical knowledge of its students, the Department of Home Science and Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, has organised a modeling show to display some of the outfits made by its 400-level students. Welcoming guests to the

show, the Acting Head of the department, Dr. Adetoun Amubode, said the modeling show was an initiative of the course lecturer for Textile and Clothing, in which student fashion designers were encouraged to display their products to potential customers. According to her, the show

Some of the participants at the show

could either be indoor or outdoor, which would enable the students to be trained in the skills of making dresses and the art of modeling that could attract high patronage. She said the modeling involved the use of corporate outfits that were creatively designed from traditional fabrics and outfits, while students were scored based on the style and fitting of the garment used, posture as well as the confidence displayed. Speaking at the occasion, the Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology, Prof. Lateef Sanni, congratulated the students for taking up the profession, adding that they could achieve anything they wanted to achieve using their outfits. According to him, this is an expertise that could make their brands known worldwide without leaving their base in Abeokuta. He advised the students to remain focus and continue to develop themselves through training and re-training and also be more creative in their designs.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Student association at AAU orientates freshers ‘Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUS ADMIN AAU

ational Association of Business A d m i n i s t r at i o n and Management Students, NABAMS, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State recently organised orientation programme for the newly admitted students of the department. Addressing the new students, the Head of Department, Dr. Gabriel Olorunleke congratulated them for their admission, urging them to take their studies with all seriousness. The don further advised them to shun all social vices that could truncate their studentship, describing their admission as a special and precious one that must not be joked with. Olorunleke, who lament-

ed lack of reading culture among students, told the new students to inculcate the habit of reading in order to be successful in their career, saying readers are the leaders. The HOD, who said the department has zero tolerance for examination malpractice and other unethical behaviours, warned them to desist from such act, otherwise they will be expelled and punished accordingly. Lecturers that spoke at the event also told them to set out objectives in order of their preference and worked towards the attainment of those stated objectives. Welcoming the new intake, the Vice President of the association, Adeola Adekuoroye, said the group would continue to organise programmes that would enhance their academic success.

UNILORIN Life Science wins 2015 inter-faculty quiz

he Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State has won the university’s 2015 inter-faculty quiz competition. Faculty of Life Sciences team had a total score of 610 points to beat the Faculty of Agriculture team, which only garnered 285 points to take the second position. The winning team comprised Oladele Olaide of the Department of Microbiology, Lawal Idris of the Department of Plant Biology and Adejumo Lukman of

the Department of Zoology. Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. AbdulGaniyu, Ambali, who was represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Kuranga, appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and advised students to always show interest in events such as quiz, debates and other intellectual competitions in order to develop their knowledge, widen their horizon and interact with their fellow students.

FUNAAB holds inaugural lecture

he Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, will today hold its 49th Inaugural Lecture. The title of the lecture is, “Drying for Wealth, Food Security and Nation Building” and will be delivered by Professor Lateef Sanni of the Department of Food, Science and Technology of the University. The event which is scheduled for 2.00pm will be chaired by the Vice-Chan-

cellor of the university and President, Association of African Universities (AAU), Professor Olusola Oyewole. Professor Sanni, who is also the Dean of COLFHEC, said the lecture would look into the problems of heavy post-harvest losses of agricultural commodities based on his over 20 years research experience in the provision of safe and abundant food for wealth creation and consumption by individuals and communities in Nigeria.

Cross section of Christian Medical and Dental Association Students, CMDAS of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Edo State and Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) during their visit to Oko prison, Benin City, recently.

UNIBEN, IUO students visit Oko Prison Eddy Uwoghiren,

300L, MEDICINE AND SURGERY

hristian Medical and Dental Association Students, CMDAS, of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) recently visited inmates at the Oko Prison, Benin City. The students, numbering over 70 were at the prison were conducted round the facilities, during which they were enlightened on the

rules guiding prison. The secretary of the association, Harry Ogodo, said the visit was part of the association‘s mission to reach out to the needy. He urged the inmates not to feel condemned because of their predicament, but to make good use of their stay and the lessons learnt in prison when back to the society. Delivering a talk, titled: “Free at last,” a 600-level student of UNIBEN, Aisosa

Guobadia told the inmates to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal saviour before leaving prison so as to be able to make heaven after death. He used the story of Joseph in the Bible who went to prison for offence he never committed, stating that God was working better plans for them. Some of the prisoners got born again during the outreach. During the health talk,

the students advised the inmates to wash their teeth daily and keep their environment neat in order to reduce the tendency of falling ill. The students later presented toiletries, knickers, sanitary pad and food stuffs to them. The Director of welfare services at the prison, Mr. Osemwengie praised the students for the gesture and encouraged them remain committed tto their studies as well as be law abiding.

Minister commends film institute

nformation Minister, Senator Patricia Akwashiki has commended the National Film Institute, NFI, Jos, Plateau State for helping to turn out graduates for the film industry. She said this at the institute’s 2014/2015 matriculation ceremony for their new intake. The minister also commended managements of the Nigerian Film Corporation and University of Jos for sustaining the needed partnership in training of Nigerians in film production. Akwashiki said the Nigerian Film Sector was set to maximise its full potentials as one of the world’s best film industry with it admission as the second African nation into the International Federation of Film Producers Association (FIAPF) since 2011. She noted that “Domestic and foreign windows of opportunity, partnerships and collaborations shall continue to receive appropriate endorsement by government.” Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Hayford Mafuyai, said the partnership between the UNIJOS and the National Film Institute has

increased the fortunes of both institutions and the opportunity for research and studies in film production. The university, he said, would continue to provide the enabling environment for a sustainable affiliation of the two institutions. Chairman, Governing Council of the National Film Institute, Dr. Danjuma Dadu, addressing the 162 new students, said the institute’s philosophy was to train job creators and not job seekers.

Danjuma who is also the Managing Director, Nigeria Film Corporation informed the minister that the land which measures 160.5 hectares was acquired from Plateau State Government and the corporation efforts in providing the approved designed infrastructure at the site has been hampered by funds. The Private Public Partnership (PPP) option, Dadu said was being explored to enable the corporation grapple with the problems of infrastructural development at the permanent site.

Chairman, Governing Council, National Film Institute Jos, Dr. Danjuma Dadu and Information Minister, Sen. Patricia Akwashiki (right) during the institute’s matriculation ceremony for new students, recently.

“B

Thursday, May 21, 2015

ishop to newly elected (newly-elected) legislators: Slash your outrageous allowances” This is an example of compound adjectives. “Reps (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” “Police counsel Ogun monarchs on grassroot (grassroots)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Compound adjectives 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.” (Full-page 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 aggravate 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) “Globacom to storm eight cities with Glo slide and bounce tour” Voice of The Nation: Glo slide-and-bounce tour. Does the telecommunications company have issues with hyphenation? “Encomium galore as Anambra council boss bags award” City SUN: Encomiums galore “The Lagos PDP, until recently, was bedevilled by intraparty crisis (an intra-party crisis) that has made….” “APC presidential shoes fits (how?) Okorocha” “Obituary announcement” Just obituary! “Corruption destroying the fabrics (fabric) of Nigeria” “Eagles (Eagles’) attack worries Keshi” “Aba IPP to be commissioned (inaugurated/launched…) in August—Prof. Nnaji” 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….”

Don wants FG to extend grants to private universities Saidat Alausa

senior lecturer at the Department of Chemical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State Prof. Olalere Adeyemi has urged the Federal Government to make its research grants for tertiary institutions extend to private institutions. This according to him will help researchers in such tertiary institutions to carry out their researches which he noted would have great benefit to students, universities and the nation. He stated this while delivering the 2nd inaugural lecture of university titled, “ORGANOMETALLICS: A Fruitful Amalgamation of Metal and Ligand” held at university recently Adeyemi, a Professor of chemistry, said despite the fact that the

objectives of STEP-B, a Nigerian project on Science and Technology Education at the Post Basic Level) are met by many Private universities in Nigeria, they are advised to collaborate with principal investigators from federal ministries. “We had this bitter experience in Redeemer’s University few years back, the time was short, with available research proposals at our disposal, we could not reach a suitable researcher that share our objectives, mission and vision and so we could not successfully apply”. He further suggested that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) should include private tertiary institutions in its fund disbursement. According to him, the aim of private schools is also to train youths for the economy, noting that research outputs both in quantity and quality qualified the

university for grants without any discrimination. He added that majority of tax payers also send their children to private universities. Describing basic science as a backbone of all applied sciences, the don said the study of science

must be encouraged in Nigerian universities. He lamented that despite the beauty and applications of Organometallics branch of Chemistry, it is difficult to successfully graduate PhD in this area of Chemistry because of paucity of

the state of the-art facilities. In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Debo Adeyewa said the aim of the inaugural lecture was to bring to the open research activities of the academic to the public domain in order to benefit mankind.

L-R: Chief Internal Auditor, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Mr. Nathaniel Eluwande; Deputy Provost, Mr. Wole Ajose ; Chairman, Committee of Head of Internal Audit Directorates in Colleges of Education( CHIADINCOE), Mr. Barnabas Abudu and AOCOED’s Librarian, Mrs. Omotayo Oluwole during the 16th AGM of CHIADINCOE at AOCOED recently.

Business

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Unsolicited SMS: NCC moves to end consumers’ plight, losses

Experts urge incoming govt on Information minister’s competence

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FCMB-financed waste recycling facility commissioned

Nigeria loses $2.7bn yearly to poultry smuggling …as PAN cautions consumers on imported poultry products

bolaji Adaebayo Nigeria has recorded an estimated $2.7 billion loss to unbridled poultry products smuggling activities on yearly basis, thereby posing serious challenge to the growth of the industry. Disclosing this during the 3rd PAN Summit on Tuesday in Lagos, the President of Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, estimated that the annual poultry products consumption of the country totaled 8.8 kilogrammes out of which only 2.2 kilogrammes were produced in the country.He explained that if just only 30 per cent of the smuggled products could be hindered and produced locally, it would go a long way in strengthening the poultry industry. Oduntan warned the consumers to desist from consuming imported poultry products, saying they are contaminated and out of their life span as most of them were embalmed for more than two years before been released to the market. He declared the readiness of the Association to embark on nationwide campaign to sensitise the consumers on the effects of the smuggled chickens and tur-

keys, why they should avoid consuming they and embrace the locally produced ones. He said, “Over 1.2 million metric tons of smuggled poultry products: frozen chicken and turkey enters into Nigeria on a yearly basis. Nigeria cannot continue to be a subtle dumping ground for all kinds of poultry and poultry products. It has been proved that

this chicken is stored with carcinogenic chemicals and is heavy with bacteria due to broken cold chain.” He added that the industry could be further threatened by the negative effects of the Economic Partnership Agreements, EPA, signed by ECOWAS leaders in July 2014 at Accra, Ghana and the coming into force of the Com-

mon External Tariffs, CET. The PAN boss also said the government must do all it can to reopen the closed farms, create employment, considering the level of unemployment in the country, and develop the industry rather than wasting valuable forex and causing human and financial losses from disease.

he Federal Government has said that the country will conserve a whopping N1.46 trillion if the new automotive policy is allowed to run its full course over a period of time. Director General of the National Automotive Council NAC, Mr. Aminu Jalal, who gave the revenue projection during a town hall meeting with maritime stakeholders using 2013 import statistics, said that Nigeria spent up to N1.2 trillion ($6.212billion)yearly on imported vehicles. According to him, the country in addition to this spends over N260 billion ($1.3 billion) on the importa-

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, Association of Master Bakers, Lagos State, Prince Jacob Adejorin; Director, Project Management and Design Department, Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi, Dr. Patrick Irabor, and Special Assistant to the DG, NAFDAC, Mrs. Elizabeth Awagu, at the flag off ceremony for the Annual Bread Monitoring Exercise and Seminar organized by NAFDAC, at FIIRO, Oshodi in Lagos, recently.

Auto policy implementation ‘ll save Nigeria N1.46trn yearly, says FG FRANCIS EZEM

tion of tyres and spare parts, thus making the sector the highest user of foreign exchange in the country after machinery and appliances. Jalal disclosed that given the growing middle class of over 40 million people and a potential vehicle market of 1, 000,000 vehicles annually, which brings about a demand of auto products of 400, 000 vehicles annually comprising both brand new and used ones. While enjoining Nigerians to support the new policy, said that the sector, which is a major component of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan NIRP, which is a five-year programme developed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to diversify the economy.

It was also gathered that apart from promoting industrialisation, the policy is also expected to enhance government revenue through industry and also increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the Gross Domestic Product GDP in 2015 and 13 per cent in 2017. Under the new policy, the government he council has developed an automotive industry development plan with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, and other stakeholders, through which it has adopted 106 vehicle safety standards in the last two years for the assembled vehicles. In addition to this, the NACboss, who was represented by the director in charge of Infrastruc-

ture department, Mr. Adetoro Kolapo, said that the council is also making provisions for appropriate tariff measures, patronage scheme, among others. The council has also as part of measures to ensure the success of the policy has developed a market development plan through which the indigenous auto market would be supported which include affordable vehicles acquisition programme, vehicle purchasing scheme and patronage by the government. While reviewing the 1980 Auto Policy, he said that the policy failed due to the economic meltdown that greeted the nation’s economy with the attendant low patronage.

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 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Non-oil sector accounts for 73% GDP -BoI boss SYLVA EMEKA-OKEKE

on-oil and agriculture sectors of the nation’s economy accounted for 73 percent of the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, in 2014. While non-oil services increased from 26 percent to 51 percent, agriculture contributed 22 percent, amounting to 73 percent. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bank of Industry, BoI, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, who disclosed this in Lagos lauded the impressive turnout of the two critical sectors. According to him, the performance of the sectors came on the heels of the rebased nation’s economy. According to him, other rebased sectors include manufacturing, which accounted for 6.7 percent and telecommunication 8.7 percent while entertainment accounted for 1.2 percent of the GDP. The BoI boss also noted that the weakening contribution of the oil sector since June 2014 was a major setback to the overall growth of the nation’s economy as oil prices dropped sharply to $52 per barrel while production remained on an average of 1.9m barrel per day, bpd. As a result of the drop in oil production, he said, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, took a decisive to devalue the Naira by 8 percent from N155 to N168 to a dollar, thus pushing the benchmark interest rate upwards by 1 percent to 13 percent in order to preserve the nation’s foreign reserve. Expectedly, the nation’s capital market was adversely affected by capital flight as a result of currency risk and economic recovery in some developed economies. Inflation rate dropped from 8.5 percent in August to 7.9 percent in November 2014, but closed the year at 8 percent,

which was within the range of 6-9% benchmark set by the CBN. External reserves, which stood at $42.85 billion as at December 2013, declined to $34.35

billion in 2014. Such decrease in reserve, he said, was due to increased funding of foreign exchange market interventions in order to stabilize the exchange rate.

According to him, the CBN took the decision to close the Retail Dutch Auction System Window, RDAS, due to the widening gap between the rates in the interbank and the RDAS.

L-R: Ajana of Ota land, High Chief Clement Akinyemi; Onikosi of Ota, High Chief Sikiru Anibire; Regional Business Manager Ibadan, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Joseph Bodunrin, and Balogun of Ota, High Chief Idowu Balogun receiving gifts on behalf of the Olota during Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam team’ visit to the Palace recently.

Union seeks professional as aviation minister OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he National Association of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, has called on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an aviation professional as the next Minister in the sector. NUATE believed that the appointment of aviation professional would help in curbing sharp practices by airlines and other practitioners in the industry, adding that this would also help tremendously in move the industry forward. In a congratulatory letter dated May 18, 2015 and signed by the Deputy General Secretary, NU-

ATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye stated that an internationally regulated and highly technical industry like aviation should not continually be left in the hands of political manipulators and job seekers, but for a principled, properly trained and experienced professional with a solid track record of integrity performance and strong character should be appointed. He explained that the choice of a core professional would also inspire other professionals in the sector to work hard and be counted. He added, “In the same vein, a professional would be better positioned to stop ‘cutting of corners,’ a term used to refer to malprac-

tices in the sector. A professional would also be well positioned and better equipped to address the critical issue of safety, security and development of the nation’s airports and airspace, which has been neglected over the years in favour of remodeling, which provides faster and cheaper money for the boys.” NUATE decried that since 1999, no aviation professional had been appointed as a minister in the sector, a situation, which he said had retarded growth in the sector and Nigeria as a nation. The union urged the Presidentelect to consider the role played by the aviation sector as the biggest promoter of international trade since the 20th century, noting

CALYPSO campus concert excites UI students

he much talked about Calypso coconut liqueur campus concert in collaboration with Skuki the Afro hip hop duo and their friends, kicked off last week at the University of Ibadan throwing the undergraduates into exciting moments of fun. The concert tagged “Skuki and Friends Campus Concert” is proudly supported by Calypso Coconut Liqueur a premium brand from the stable of Grand Oak Limited to give students the most memorable event of their academic session.

He noted that the gap provided the opportunities for unethical practices by market operators, thereby putting pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserve.

The Skuki and FriendsCampus Concert in University of Ibadan witnessed a large turnout of students who enjoyed yellow carpet selfie pictures, free makeover for ladies, Calypso Coconut Liqueur cocktails and lots of goodie bags. The high point of the event was the feel of the beach and Caribbean experience brought to the campus where students were made to enjoy Calypso mix in coconut. The show took place at Pope John Paul II Hall where Skuki, Olamide, Vector, May D, Lil Kesh, Black Magic

took to the stage to thrill the audience with their hit tracks. Spicing up the event was the very popular VJAdams of Soundcity. Commenting on the evening,the Brand Manager Grand Oak Limited, Miss Joy Alabata said that Calypso, a brand specially packaged for fun lovers saw the need to partner with the Entertainment Industry especially since their audience resonates with our core target. She said: “So we thought this campus tour will be a good plat-

form to engage as well as interact with the students to give them a good night out. We are moving to the next campus for which detailed information will be disclosed shortly and it promises to be exciting as well”. A 200 level Student Miss Daramola Mojoyinola described the event as “surely an evening that will remain in our memories for a long timeand I personally wish that this kind of event would be staged every semester on the campus to add colour, glamour and excitement to campus life”.

that Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth and one of the largest exporters of crude oil in the world had not attracted as much foreign direct investment as it should have done due to a number of factors, which had to do with safety and security of the nation’s airports and airspace. The union added, “As a responsible trade union concerned with the growth and development of the aviation sector of our national economy, we have found it extremely expedient to canvass a policy thrust that will galvanise the industry into providing a safe, secure and efficient air transport industry. “Taking cognisance of the significance of aviation as a global business with the challenges and complexities of managing airports, airlines and air navigation facilities as well as human traffic, it is our conviction that leadership of such an internationally regulated and highly technical industry should not be left in the hands of political manipulators.” NUATE however advised that in appointing a professional, care must be taken to avoid bringing onboard some of those who were responsible for the destruction and ultimate demise of the Nigeria Airways and the aviation sector as a whole.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

ARSO boss endorses home-grown goods, decries substandard SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

L-R: outgoing President of G-NEXID and CEO, Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex) Mr. Mr. Rubens V. Amaral Jr., and MD/CEO, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM)/new Honorary President of G-NEXID Mr. Roberts U. Orya, at the Palais des Nations, Geneva Switzerland, recently

FG unveils MSMEs Policy, as subsector creates 60m jobs OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

ABUJA

he Federal Government has unveiled the new National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) This is even as reported that the MSMEs created a total of 59.7 million jobs in 2013 based on the results of the 2013 National MSMEs survey. Speaking during a public presentation of the documents on Tuesday in Abuja, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, stated that they would help to improve the ability of Nigeria’s MSMEs to compete effectively in local, regional and global markets. He said, “The new MSMEs policy and the 2013 National MSMEs survey were conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in collaboration with National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to the minister, the policy envisions an MSME sub-sector that can deliver maximum benefits of employment generation, wealth creation, poverty reduction and growth to the Nigerian economy, adding that everywhere in the world, MSMEs are the biggest employers of labour. The Policy also outlined the general parameters, benchmarks and directions within which MSMEs’ programmes, interventions and initiatives

will be designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated Aganga noted that the federal government was surprised to find that a substantial number of all the businesses operating in the country under the SMEs umbrella were in fact, micro enterprises, stressing that the findings should influence the way policies driving the sector were being crafted and implemented. “MSMEs are globally regarded as the backbone of any economy. MSMEs contribute to improved living standards. They bring about substantial local capital formation and help in achieving high level of productivity and capability.” “They have also been identified as a vehicle for employment generation and providing opportunities for entrepreneurial sourcing, training, development and empowerment. Developing nations such as Nigeria characterised as low income earners by the World Bank, value SMEs for several reasons.” “SMEs have a significant role to play in economic development. They form the backbone of the private sector; they make up over 90 per cent of enterprises in the world and account for 50 to 60 per cent of employment. They also play an important role in generating employment and poverty alleviation,” he said. Aganga however, regretted that many MSME operators find

it very difficult to effectively play their role due to some challenges they face in the country. Some of the challenges he identified, include competition, infrastructure, taxes, technology, accounting, management, marketing, economic, planning and finance. In his speech, the Director- Director of Small and Medium Dnterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Alhaji Umar Masari states that the new policy on MSMEs would not only facilitate but sustain vibrant enterprises subsector. He added, “The National Policy on MSMEs and the results of the 2013 National MSMEs Survey will, no doubt, provide a veritable platform for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating development programmes within the MSMEs sub-sector in Nigeria”. According to him, the agency, in collaboration with the National Bureua Os Statistics conducted the first National MSME Survey in 2010 where it was discovered that there were 17.3million MSMEs in the country with the employment generation status of 32.2m, contributing about 46.54 % to GDP He also informed that 7,500 business plans had been so forwarded and many more were still being forwarded while 340,560 new jobs had been created through the platform of National Enterprises Development programme (NEDEP).

ontrary to speculations that home-grown products are substandard, the President, African Organisation for Standardisation, ARSO, Dr Joseph Odumodu yesterday said Made-in-African products are the best as they meet international standards. Describing the product standard in Africa as a deliberate one, caused by lack of competence and inability of some manufacturers to do the right thing, the ARSO boss said over 80 percent of substandard products in Africa are imported. The ARSO President, who is also the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, however noted that the level of substandard goods in Africa is between 30-40 percent, adding that it varies from one country to another. According to Odumodu, part of his agenda for ARSO, is to strengthen the competitiveness of Made-in-Africa products as well as engender regional and continental fusion into economic block. While unveiling the information manual for the President’s Forum, tagged ‘Africa Rises for Standards’, scheduled to hold in Abuja next month, he said part of his agenda, is to boost trade within the African continent by at least 25-30 percent.

‘’ARSO President’s forum for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of National Standards Bodies (NSBs) is meant to sensitize the World on the readiness of African standardisers to strengthen the continental integration by breaking inhibiting economic barriers through standardisation to enhance industrial and economic empowerment’’, he stated. Established by the Organisation for African Union, OAU, in 1977 with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, the African standards body, is expected to coordinate issues of standardization amongst all National Standards Bodies, NSBs, in order to harmonize African standards and conformity. Beyond this, he said ARCO will also promote competitiveness of African goods and services by removing all technical barriers to trade while providing a basis for value -addition on African-oriented raw materials to promote industrialization of Africa, just as it will promote self-sustainability for the continent through intraSome of the strategic objectives include establishment of standards, harmonization of systems that supports sound regulatory framework while also disseminate harmonized standards and guidelines to support intra and inter African as well as international trade and industrialization.

Adesina bags Purdue University’s Honorary Doctorate degree

he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, at the weekend was honoured with the honourary Doctor of Agriculture degree at the Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States. The award was conferred on him during spring commencement ceremonies in the West Lafayette campus’ Elliott Hall of Music. The minister was one of the two awardees during the ceremony, the second being William “Bill” Dudley Jr., President and CEO of the Bechtel Group, who bagged a Doctorate degree in Engineering. Both honourees are the university’s alumni. While conferring the award on Adesina, the President of Purdue University, Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. paid glowing tributes to Adesina for his exemplary performance as a minister, which earned him recognition as one of the honorees.

Earlier, the minister was honoured in the College of Agriculture, where he gave a lecture on lessons to learn from Nigerian agricultural transformation. Dean of the college, Dr. Jay T. Akridge, commended the Minister for deploy his intellect into transforming agriculture under his watch as a minister and was glad that an alumnus of Purdue lived up to their expectation.

Akinwunmi

Business News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

nanced waste recycling EU steps up bond purchases FCMB-fi facility commissioned T T he US dollar is broadly higher as yesterday’s gains are extended. The driving force is not so much a shift in perceptions of the US economy, though the San Francisco Fed that claimed seasonal adjustment quirks are behind the repeated weakness in Q1 GDP helped market sentiment yesterday in North America. Rather the euro has been weighed down by comments from the ECB’s Coeure who indicated that the bondbuying program would be stepped up this month and next month to allow for a slower purchases during the thin summer months. This in turn helped spur a European bond market rally. The German 10-year benchmark yield is off 9 bp to 54 bp, a one-week low. Spain, Italy, and Portuguese yields are off 13-14 bp. Not only are European bonds rallying, so are stocks. Major markets

are up 1.3%-2.0%. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is up 1.5%, led by consumer discretionary and staples, and telecoms. The euro had approached $1.15 before the weekend. Today it is flirting with the 100-day moving average near $1.1175. It held above the 20-day moving average near $1.1155. It has not closed below the 20-day moving average since April 23. Resistance is now in the $1.1280-$1.1300 area. The German ZEW was disappointing, but the euro did not make new lows in response. A softer report was expected, but the decline was more than anticipated by the consensus. The assessment of current conditions fell to 65.7 from 70.2, and the expectations component fell to 41.9 from 53.3. Despite the pullback, both readings remain new cyclical peaks. Sterling is lower for third day.

It peaked on May 14 after poking through the $1.58 level briefly. Today it is testing the $1.5540 retracement area of the leg up that began on May 5 below $1.5000. The next retracement objective is near $1.5450. Sterling was already coming under pressure, but the negative CPI print accelerated the push lower. April consumer prices rose 0.2% on the month, which was half as much as the consensus expected. This was sufficient to push the year-over-year rate into negative territory (-0.1%) for the first time since at least 1960. The core rate also was lower than expected at 0.8%. The consensus was for an unchanged reading of 1.0%. The implied yield of the short-sterling futures strip fell in response. Next year’s implied yields are off 4-5 bp, and 2017 yields are off 6 bp.

L-R; outgoing CEO,Royal friesland Campina Wamco nigeria plc, Mr Cees’t Hart; Chairman, Mr jacob moyo Ajekigbe, and Managing Director, Mr Rahul colaco, at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Company, in Lagos, recently.

Marketers petition Buhari on N200bn fuel subsidy UDEME AKPAN

il marketing companies have petitioned the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, over the payment of their outstanding N200 billion fuel subsidy claims. The marketers said the petition became necessary to enable the new government understand all the issues involved on fuel importation, amount paid and outstanding to be inherited from May 29, 2015. The petition was reportedly jointly signed by representatives of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria MOMAN, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and DAMPPA. The Executive Secretary of Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association DAMPPA, Mr. Femi Adewole

confirmed that the groups had “petitioned both the transitional Committee and President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on the N200 billion fuel subsidy, adding that both the transitional committee and the new President have the right to know and be carried along because of the importance of the issue,” Adewole said in a telephone interview that said they looked forward to having a formal engagement with them to further explain issues that have to do with the fuel subsidy in view of the urgent need to settle the outstanding as only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; NNPC is currently importing fuel into the nation. He lamented that MOMAN and IPMAN no longer had funds to import petroleum products as the banks are not willing to provide loans to them because of the fear of uncertainty over

payment. The Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore corroborated the DAMPPA scribe’s position that the groups had sent a delegation to solicit for a formal engagement with Buhari. He said the planned engagement is necessary to enable them know his commitment to ensuring that the outstanding subsidy is paid from May 29 when he takes over government. “We know he is very busy at this time. But if we can meet and have assurance that he will continue where Jonathan stopped, then the strike would be over. All we need is the commitment that the subsidy would be paid. “We would not have come to where we found ourselves if relevant Federal Government agencies had given this issue the priority it deserves,” he said.

he Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, has assured that the Bank will continue to support projects and other initiatives that would impact on the environment, people and the Nigerian economy. He stated this at the commissioning of the multi-billion naira Solous 1 Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Igando in Lagos. The bank acted as the Senior Lender to the project, while FCMB Capital Markets Limited (another subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc) acted as the Sole Financial Adviser and Arranger. The facility adopts low/mid technology with a wide range of waste recycling and materials recovery equipment. It recovers waste products at land fill sites and sorts same into re-useable materials which are then sold to various off-takers. Such recycled materials include textiles, metals, plastics, glass and paper. The project was undertaken by WestAfricaENRG Limited under the terms of a concession agreement with Lagos State Government. The waste management solution proffers environmental benefits including, Improved air quality, waste minimization and improved soil quality, Leachate prevention and protection of ground water resources and also aligns with Millennium Development Growth, MDG’s objectives of eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, pro-

motion of gender equality, women empowerment as well as environmental stability. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Balogun said that FCMB’s funding and support of the project was part of its contributions to the well-being of the society and the nation’s economy. The FCMB boss said: ‘’We are particularly proud to be associated with this waste-to-wealth project as it will go a long way to improve waste management in the state, therefore promoting a cleaner and safer environment, and a healthier populace, whilst creating employment and income opportunities’’, he said. “We believe that protecting the environment and conserving our shared scarce resources should be a collective effort. This is why we focus on Environmental Sustainability as a core CSR pillar and we continue to innovatively devise means of minimising or totally eliminating challenges posed by the environment. Additionally, we are committed to championing and supporting initiatives to make our planet a safe haven for us and the future generation’’, Balogun added. He pointed out that the Solous 1 Material Recovery Facility was not just another project but represented “an opportunity to transform our commitment into sustainable action. This innovative project, the first of its kind in West Africa, is a pride to us all. It is a testament to the enormous possibilities that can emanate from purposeful partnerships”

Russia braces economic storm amid recession prospects

ussian President Vladimir Putin remains cautiously hopeful about the economy as his country adapts to Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov believes the worst part of the economic turmoil is over amid low oil prices, shrinking wages and outside pressure. According to recent data, wages in Russia contracted to levels not seen since 1999, falling 9.9 percent in February. Retail sales fell by 7.7 percent, and this is the second month that retail sales have dipped. Analysts point to a weak ruble and low oil prices as primary reasons for the slump. Inflation has jumped to 16.7 percent, the highest since 2002, and consumption is falling as well. In fact, consumption may fall to its lowest level in over two decades. On top of that, the unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent to

5.8 percent. With so much going against Russia, economists predict that the nation will undergo a recession, the first since 2009. The ruble itself has plunged a whopping 40 percent since the Russian annexation of Crimea. Russia’s central bank has implemented easing strategies to give the economy an extra jolt. In addition, Russia’s economic output may surge to six percent, allowing the country to pay down its debt. Although the central bank predicts the economy will shrink anywhere from 3.5 to four percent this year, with additional contraction expected for next year, Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev is more optimistic, believing the economy will grow at least two percent in 2016. He also believes that inflation had reached its peak, and capital flight may be lower than anticipated, falling under $100 billion.

Thursday, May

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Unsolicited SMS: NCC moves to curb consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; plight, losses There are worries over the growing menace of unsolicited text messages and the subscribers have taken the heat on the mobile network operators at any opportunity, but recently, in quick response, the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, went on air to assure the consumers of plans to end years of short-changing subscribers by telecom operators through unsolicited sundry data and voices services . ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN writes.

he revolution of the telecoms industry, which began over a decade ago, came with its good and ugly aspect. One of the ugly aspects that subscribers find annoying is the unsolicited text messages coming from the mobile network operators. But there are already suggests that subscribers may soon get over the ugly impact of unsolicited text messages going by recent development that occur in the industry. National Mirror investigations revealed that text messages are no longer only just from the network operators but the banks and other business concerns have now joined the trend. Today, even the churches, political organisation, social groups as well as government agencies are now in the circle of the organisations that send unsolicited text messages to subscribers of all network, and that is beside the daily ones from the operators that drop on the mobile phones of subscribers. Text messages, are in themselves not bad but the interruptions it sometimes cause to the thought of the subscriber, who as it may sometimes be said could be expecting money deport alert. It was gathered that bulk of the text messages emanate from Value Added Services Providers, VAS, who have outsourcing jobs from other organisations to deliver such messages to their target audience that cut across mobile networks in the country. Investigation revealed that the text messages comes several times in a day and sometimes eating up the memory space of phones that are not of high-end value thereby denying subscribers space to store other useful text messages. While the operators seems unwilling to refuse the deployment of text messages through their networks by the VAS, there are indeed also some which may be of benefit to the subscribers, and they are such messages that were send to Nigerians during the period of the Ebola virus rage. It is also noticed that the operators use text messages to send network related information to their subscribers, however, it was gathered that what subscribers found annoying are the promo text messages, most which also comes from the operators. Sensing the growing menace of the problem in the industry, and the enormity of public outcry, the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC have stepped up its strategy in curbing the menace by educating the sub-

Subscribers fiddling with their phones-

scribers. It recently took the campaign to the airwaves across the country commencing with two radio stations in agos, Metro M . and NI A M . . According to the irector, Public Affairs of the NCC, Tony Ojobo who was on air at the weekend, the Commission has issued several directives to mobile network operators to minimise the rate of unsolicited text messages send to subscribers through their network stressing that the NCC has begun to fine them for that. e revealed that the NCC went as far as banning text messages that comes at night saying that the Commission is putting its foot down against the operators and monitoring their activities and giving them various regulations to ensure that this does not happen. Why urging subscribers not to hesitate to put the operators on their toes concerning the issue, he said that they can report cases of unsolicited at the customer care centers of operators stating that most of these things actually come from the Value Added Service Providers. Ojobo explained that VAS providers use the network to transmit their services noting that sometimes they get their services through the system without the operator or the NCC unable to detect it. It happens all over the world but we insist that they should be able to provide various types of systems that make it possible to detect these unsolicited text messages, especially those that are not wanted by the subscribers.

THE NCC WENT AS FAR AS BANNING TEXT MESSAGES THAT COMES AT NIGHT, SAYING THAT THE

COMMISSION IS

PUTTING ITS FOOT DOWN AGAINST THE OPERATORS AND MONITORING THEIR ACTIVITIES AND GIVING THEM VARIOUS REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN e said that the subscriber has the right to stop the messages saying that all the subscriber needs to do is to send STOP to the number that sent the message and it will stop but if that fails, the subscriber should visit the office of the NCC in any part of the country to lodge his complain or call the regulator s toll free number, . e however, observed that unsolicited text message is a global problem, and that in developed countries one can call a particular number and activities can be going on while the call wait but that the individual has the power to stop the network from sending text messages to him saying that the truth is that there are even those good ones that you would like to have in

your phone. e added that if the subscriber wants to opt out he could indicate and the message will stop coming to his phone line stating that If you now want some specific SMS to come to you, then you have to give them the authority to regularly check on your number to ensure that only the messages you desire comes to your phone line. Ojobo who also spoke on other pressing issues in the industry lashed at the subscribers for being responsible for the growing trend of fraudulent promos across the network stating that If you haven t invested or engaged in anything and somebody tells you, you have won N million you should be responsible enough to know that it is fraud and so delete it. e also took time to warn against the sale of pre-registration of SIM card by retailers and dealers saying that once a SIM card is pre-registered it can be used to commit crime. e explained that it is the activity of the persons that registered it that will be followed up adding that you are giving yourself unnecessary persecution that could have easily been avoided. The agos State onal Controller of the NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Aniweke revealed that between anuary and May , the NCC received complaints and about percent of them have been resolved. e said that whenever such cases are received by the NCC, the Consumer Affairs Bureau ensures that it is followed to its logical conclusion urging those who have complain to call .

Info Tech

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Tech Box

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Study lists growth strategies for telecoms operators STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

study by Ericsson has identified key strategies that mobile operators needed to adopt to drive their businesses to successful heights.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Ernst and Young, a mananegement consulting firm. Successful operators, known as Frontrunners in the study share a common strategy that focus on network performance and customer experience, differentiation, innovation and technology approaches, the report said. According to the report sourced by National Mirror the Frontrunner revenues grew at 9.6 percent CAGR, while that of their competitors was at 2.7 percent, even as average in markets with no Frontrunners is -1.4 percent for the year 2010 to 2014.

Ericsson noted that traditional revenues have been under pressure and mobile data use soaring, as a result, operators have been forced to evolve both their networks and their business models saying that some have been more successful than others. The company also stated that the Frontrunner strategies include quality-led progression stressing that they differentiate through highperforming networks and high brand preference Market-led adaptation was also indentifeid as a stratgey whereby the Frontrunners differentiate through quick adaptation to market conditions while the third strategy was offering-led transformation which refers to Frontrunners that differentiate by being first to market with uniquely designed offerings. The study also revealed a number of ways in which Frontrunners are similar in-

cluding their views on connectivity and services as differentiators rather than commodities, and their focus on innovating new revenue streams rather than maximising old ones. According to the company, the Frontrunners displayed greater interaction between marketing and technical roles, rather than the traditional silos, and they leverage network performance by either utilising superior network performance as a differentiator or by improving network performance to meet customer expectations. Executive Director of Nordic Advisory, Martin Sebelius, EY, said that EY clearly sees that despite different strategies, the Frontrunner operators share a common commitment to network quality adding that they constantly seek new ways of challenging industry conventions to make connectivity more relevant to people, business and society.

Basis adds style, upgrades with tracker

asis updated its Basis Peak activity-tracking wristband not Tuesday with wowing new features, but with a rather modest collection of incremental upgrades. There’s a snazzy new Titanium Edition case, a variety of colored leather wrist bands, and three quiet software enhancements. In sum total, the Basis is still moving forward, and now can pair its extremely sophisticated exercise and sleep tracking with betterlooking hardware. The updates aren’t revolutionary, but they’re just enough to put Basis’ name back in the conversation as Apple and Android Wear watch manufacturers release ever-more-stylish wearables. The story behind the story wearables takeaway for 2015 is style matters. Apple is playing up fashion with stainless steel link bracelets and Milanese loops. The Android Wear manufacturers are answering back with LG Watch Urbane and the eponymous Huawei Watch. And now Basis is stepping up to the catwalk as well. I’ve seen the new Titanium Edition and leather bands in person, and they do improve the essential Basis Peak package. Compared to the original Basis B1 activity tracker from 2013, which looked a bit like an original series Star Trek prop, the Titanium Edition is positively posh. But Basis really hasn’t done that much to improve its core

data-tracking experience which is fantastic, certainly, but could still use a boost now that everyone is talking about Apple Watch fitness features. Last year’s Basis Peak looked pretty good in its standard aluminum case. But now we have the $300 Titanium option specifically a “satin finish Grade II titanium case.” This new edition comes with a cognac (brown) leather band as well as a black silicone strap. That’s right: You get two straps in the box. If you simply want to improve the look of your existing Basis Peak, there’s a new assortment of $50 leather straps (which work with the Titanium Edition as well). All have precious color names, because fashion demands this: Noir (black), Fog (grey), Saddle (caramel), Khaki (light tan) and Blush (light pink). Of course, the Peak and Titanium Edition already work with standard 23 mm watch straps. But if you don’t have the imagination to personalize your fitness tracker all by yourself, Basis has you covered. There are also five colors for Basis’ basic $30 SportVent silicone strap. Basis already has some of the most advanced sleep-tracking in wrist wearables, using its heart rate monitor to provide data on REM sleep cycles. Basis also has extremely accurate heart-rate tracking during the heat of vigorous exercise, just like what you get with chest strap monitors.

: L-R : Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Guy Clark , Head IT Unilever Ghana,Kwame Manu-Antwi, General Manager, Vodafone Global Enterprise - West Africa, Leraoto Motsoeneng, and Regional IT Manager Nestle Central & West Africa, Derek Tengey, at the IDC West Africa CIO Summit held in Lagos.

CWG targets Francophone Africa with financial technology

omputer Warehouse Group Plc.,CWG, may soon replicate the success it has achieved in the nation’s financial sector in Cameroon and Francophone Africa. Founder and Chief Executive Officer,CWG, Austin Okere made the disclosure while receiving the Managing Director of Cameroon’s interbank agency, “GroupementInterbancaireMonétique de l’AfriqueCentrale,GIMAC, Mr. Valentin Mbozo and a delegation of the agency who were on a working visit to the corporate head office of the company in Lagos. He said:“Today, the visit by GIMAC bears the possibility of replicating this history in

Cameroon and Francophone Africa.” He said that CWG has rolled out a number of solutions that address the issue of financial inclusion in Nigeria noting that it designed FINEDGE, a finanicail solution to give Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) sustainability and mechanisms for control with which they can automate their services and serve the SMEs community effectively. He said further that CWG is the brain behind the Diamond Yello account that has brought banking to the door step of everyone capable of operating a mobile phone adding that it also introduced SMERP; an ERP solution that allows SMEs

keep their inventory and track sales. “Another is Openshopen, an e-commerce platform that will help them boost their visibility and improve sales. With these, not only will the SMEs be able tosecureloans and increase profitability but MFIs will feel safeto grant them these loans”, said Okere. The CWG boss expressed hope that GIMAC will leverage on the unique opportunities that his company is offering through these solutions to actualise their vision noting that CWG has created a technology platform in the cloud where the various players in the economy transact using technology.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Government Technology

MTN Foundation to train 2000 Nigerians on ICT skills STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

bout 2000 Nigerians will be trained by MTN Nigeria on several ICT skills through its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, platform, the MTN Foundation, in collaboration with Oracle.

The initiative is meant to give further ICT training to select MTNF scholars as well as bursary funded by Oracle for one student to attend the CERN openlab Summer School in Switzerland. The 2,000 MTNF scholars will study database design and SQL and Java programming skills. According to the Corporate Service Executive, MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, the gesture is hinged on MTN’s believe that education is pivotal to the growth of any nation, saying that MTN is delighted with this collaboration that will see Mufutau Akuruyejo, an MTN Foundation scholar, leave for Switzerland to participate in the nine-week CERN openlab programme. Akuruyejo will be the first Nigerian to participate in this intensive programme, which

would not have been possible without Oracle’s support. CERN openlab is a unique public-private partnership between CERN and leading ICT companies. Its mission is to accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to be used by the worldwide LHC (large hadron collider) community. “Our highly competitive student programme is a corner-

stone of CERN openlab, with the students bringing new ideas and invigorating our collaboration,” said Head of CERN Openlab, Alberto Di Meglio,. He said:“This year, we received over 1,500 applications from all over the globe and have selected students of the highest possible caliber. We’re very excited to be welcoming them to CERN very soon.” The MTNF Science and

Technology Scholarship Scheme have provided hundreds of brilliant but indigent students the opportunity to acquire qualitative tertiary education. The programme is expected to encourage Nigerian students to take interest in science and technology-related courses for the ultimate benefit of the country. The second initiative focuses on teaching database

design and SQL and Java programming skills to MTN Foundation Scholars, using Oracle Academy curriculum and hosted on-line learning materials. Students will be taught by two Oracle Academy trained faculty from the Ajayi Crowther University and Aived International who have attended and passed the formal Oracle Academy faculty training courses.

L-R: Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc., Mr. James Agada,Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc., Mr. Austin Okere, Managing Director, GIMAC, Mr. Valentin Mbozo’o, and Head Applications, GIMAC, Mr. Valentine Essimbi Jean Valentin during Groupement Interbancaire Monétique de l’Afrique Centrale, GIMAC, working visit to Computer Warehouse Group Plc., CWG’s corporate head office in Lagos.

Financial Technology

Operators’ investments on 3G up 80% STORIES BY ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

ore than 80 percent of mobile operators worldwide have continued to invest in 3G, with total 3G connections globally expected to exceed long-term evolution

(LTE) up until 2020. The Global Mobile Suppliers’ Association’s, GSA’s, latest update of the HSPA Operator Commitments report, which lists all HSPA and HSPA+ network commitments, deployments and launches worldwide revealed that there were more than 1.83

billion WCMDA-HSPA subscriptions globally by the fourth quarter of 2014. Latest key findings from the GSA’s HSPA report stated that there are 600 HSPA operator network commitments in 217 countries/territories and 582 commercially launched networks

in 216 countries while all of the world’s WCDMA operators have commercially launched HSPA services. The report also said that more than 69 percent of HSPA operators have commercially launched HSPA+ systems adding that 404 HSPA+ networks

Nigerian sells $1bn apps to Apple

igeria’s Chinedu Echeruo has sold his apps, HopStop.com, to Apple for $1 billion. The Wall Street Journal’s publication, AllThingsDigital reported that Echeruo. founded HopStop.com in 2005, and makes mobile applications for both iOS and Android that covers over 300 cities and that helps people get directions or find nearby subway stations and bus stops. Although the terms of the deal have not been disclosed as at the time of this report, Chinedu Echeruo, formerly an analyst

at investment banks and hedge funds is now Chairman of the Board for HopStop. HopStop has been compared to Israel’s Waze which was recently acquired by Google for $1 billion. The move is seen as Apple’s plan to bolster its map offering especially given Google’s recent acquisition of Waze. A serial entrepreneur, Chinedu Echeruo grew up in Eastern Nigeria and attended Kings College, Lagos. He attended Syracuse University and the Harvard Business School in the United States

and founded HopStop.com after working for several years in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance groups of J.P Morgan Chase where he was involved in a broad range of M&A, Financing and Private Equity transactions. He also worked at AM Investment Partners, a $500 million volatility-driven convertible bond arbitrage hedge fund. He founded and raised nearly $8 million for his two U.S based internet companies: Hopstop.com andTripology.com. Tripology.com was acquired in 2010 by American travel and

navigation information company, Rand McNally. True to form, Echeruo is working on yet another venture but this time, focused on small businesses in Africa. According to him, “there is no reason why every entrepreneur should have to reinvent the wheel every single time in all the countries in Africa. My idea is to essentially have one place where a budding entrepreneur can access a template for starting a business, and then customize it to suit their own situation; essentially, a business-in-a-box.”

have been commercially launched in 168 countries. So far, 182 DC-HSPA+ (dual channel) networks − more than 31 percent of all HSPA networks − have been commercially launched in 92 countries while most 3G/HSPA systems use 2.1GHz spectrum (3GPP band 1). However, the report said that UMTS900 is also mainstream: 96 operators in 60 countries commercially launched UMTS900 in either a single band or multiband network deployment. As defined by Webopedia, HSPA – or high speed packet access – is a set of mobile telephony protocols that includes two popular standards: HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) and HSUPA (high-speed uplink packet access). HSDPA is a packet-based data service feature of the WCDMA standard (wide-band codedivision multiple access, a 3G technology that increases data transmission rates). HSDPA provides a downlink with data transmission up to 8-10Mbps.

Global News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Wal-Mart sales miss expectations as shoppers pocket savings

al-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) on Tuesday became the latest U.S. retailer to report weaker-than-expected quarterly sales, saying consumers were pocketing tax refunds and savings from cheaper gasoline rather than buying unnecessary items. Shares of the world’s largest retailer, whose earnings just missed analysts’ estimates and whose forecast range for the current quarter was largely below expectations, were down 4.2 per cent at $76.56 in morning trading. Wal-Mart said sales at stores open more than a year increased by 1.1 per

cent in the 13 weeks ended on May 1 from a year earlier. Analysts polled by research firm Consensus Metrix had expected an increase of 1.5 per cent. The tepid growth underscores sluggish spending across the sector. U.S. retail sales have been flat or lower industrywide in four of the last five months, and department store chains Kohls Corp (KSS.N) and Macys Inc (M.N) also disappointed investors by reporting weaker-thanexpected results last week. “Many of our U.S. customers are using their tax refunds and the extra money from lower gas prices to pay

A store

down debt or put it into savings,” Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said on a prerecorded earnings call. Wal-Mart said it drew more customer visits in the United States for the second straight quarter, reflecting efforts to improve service. It also pointed to 7.9 per cent growth in comparable sales at smaller-format stores as sign of strength in its business. But sales of consumer electronics declined, in part because port disruptions on the West Coast delayed TV shipments, Chief Financial Officer Charles Holley told reporters on a call. Wal-Mart said net profit fell to $3.34 billion, or $1.03 per share, in the first quarter ended April 30 from $3.59 billion, or $1.11 per share, a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected $1.04 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Revenue fell slightly to $114.83 billion from $114.96 billion, reflecting a hit of about $3.3 billion from the stronger dollar. For the second quarter, Wal-Mart forecast earnings of $1.06 to $1.18 per share, with results hurt by four cents because of the firmer dollar and 4 cents from its move earlier this year to increase U.S. workers’ pay.

Robust U.S. housing data offers hope for second-quarter growth

.S. housing starts jumped to their highest level in nearly 7-1/2 years in April and permits soared, hopeful signs for an economy that is struggling to regain strong momentum after a dismal first quarter. The strength in housing is in stark contrast with weakness in consumption, business spending and manufacturing, which have prompted economists to lower their secondquarter growth estimates and raised doubts that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates before the end of the year. Groundbreaking surged 20.2 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.14 million units, the highest since November 2007, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. The percent increase was the biggest since February 1991. March’s starts were revised up to a 944,000 unit rate instead of the previously reported 926,000 unit pace. Starts for single-family homes, which accounts for the largest share of the market, hit their highest level since January 2008. Groundbreaking for the volatile multifamily segment also recorded hefty gains last month. Permits for future home construction jumped 10.1 per cent to a 1.14 million-unit rate, the highest since June 2008. Permits have been

above a 1 million-unit pace since July. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast groundbreaking increasing to a 1.02 million-unit pace and permits rising to a 1.06 million-unit rate last month. The dollar rose to a session high against the euro on the data, while prices for U.S. Treasuries turned negative. U.S. stocks index futures were trading higher, also after the European Central Bank suggested it would speed up its bond buying program. The firming housing market also buoyed profits at Home Depot Inc (HD.N). The world’s largest home improvement chain by sales reported better-than-expected quarterly profit

An estate in U.S

and sales, and raised its full-year sales and profit forecast on Tuesday. While the robust data probably overstates the health of the housing market, the signs of strength fit in with views that a housing rebound is under way. There is cautious optimism that housing, which has seen an acceleration in home sales and prices, will combine with a tightening labor market to lift the economy out of the soft patch hit at the start of the year. The government reported last month that gross domestic product grew at a 0.2 per cent annual pace in the first quarter. But weak March trade and inventories data suggested the economy actually contracted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

JPMorgan sees second-quarter slowdown in investment banking

nvestment banking revenues in the second quarter for eight of the top banks could fall 15 per cent from the previous quarter, as income from rates trading tumbles, JPMorgan analysts said on Tuesday. Trading revenue from the world’s biggest banks showed signs of recovery in the first quarter as market volatility boosted dealing room profits after years of attrition. However, after a normal April, May is proving to be relatively weak for revenue from fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) that could continue into June and see revenues in that division slump 25 per cent, JPMorgan analysts predict. “We are witnessing a slowdown in investment banking revenues in the second quarter 2015, potentially more than normal seasonality, driven by weakness in rates following a strong first quarter performance” the analysts wrote in a

JP Morgan CEO, Jamie Dimon

note to clients. The first quarter is typically the strongest period of the year for investment bank income. In the second quarter, equities divisions, though are outperforming normal seasonal trends and are expected to show only an eight per cent decline quarteron-quarter, similar to advisory and underwriting divisions. UBS is JPMorgan’s top pick followed by Deutsche Bank.

Judge certifies class action over JC Penney phantom discounts

federal judge has certified a class-action lawsuit that accuses J C Penney Co Inc (JCP.N) of marking up retail prices on apparel and accessories to trick shoppers into believing they were getting good deals when the items went on sale. In a decision on Monday, U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin in Los Angeles said it was possible “in one stroke” to determine whether J C Penney’s advertising practices caused shoppers in California to buy items at discounts that proved illusory. The J C Penney complaint accused the retailer of running a “massive, years-long, pervasive campaign” to deceive shoppers about its pricing for private-label brands and outside brands, such as Liz Claiborne, sold exclusively by the retailer. Lead plaintiff Cynthia Spann said she discovered this after buying three blouses for $17.99 each, a 40 percent discount from the “original” $30 price, only to learn the price was never above $17.99 in the prior three months. By letting shoppers sue as a group, the decision could help them obtain greater compensation at lower cost from the Plano, Texas-based retailer than if they sued individually. J C Penney did not immediately respond on Tuesday to requests for comment. Similar lawsuits have been filed against retailers such as Kohls Corp

(KSS.N) and Men’s Wearhouse Inc’s (MW.N) Jos. A. Bank unit. Olguin certified a class of plaintiffs who bought private-label or exclusive items from J C Penney in California from Nov. 5, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2012 at discounts of 30 percent or more. The plaintiffs accused J C Penney of violating state consumer protection laws. The Federal Trade Commission has said retailers are supposed to sell items at original prices for a “reasonable length of time” before marking them down, if they wish later to provide the original prices to consumers who compare prices. J C Penney moved away from discounts in 2012, when Chief Executive Officer Ron Johnson adopted a strategy of “fair and square” everyday low pricing. It resumed discounting after sales plunged, resulting in Johnson’s ouster the following year.

Ron Johnson

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Experts urge incoming govt on information minister’s competence As the incoming government headed by Muhammadu Buhari sets to take over governance in Nigeria comes May 29, players in the integrated marketing communications are unanimous in one thing, who becomes the next minister of Information. DAVID AUDU in this reports sought the views of practitioners on the issue.

or years ministerial appointment have not followed professional and educational competences. In fact, globally, political appointments have been subjects of intrigues and manourvers. In other words, they are often based on political considerations, affiliations and allegiances. Cases abounds where non professionals are appointed to head ministries that require high levels of professionalism. For instance, when the late Dora Akunyili was appointed minister of information by the late Yar Adua government, there were raised eye brows, because though she performed well as the director general of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, then, it was in line with her profession. But as information minister, many asked questions, especially, when there were competent professionals who also have the ruling party’s affiliations. Among reasons often given for appointing non professionals are that ministers perform mere supervisory functions, and therefore, the bulk of the jobs carried out in ministries are done by the permanent secretaries and directors. Other excuses therefore are that those party members who have shown loyalty should be rewarded with ministerial and other appointments such as chairmen, directors and boards members of parastatals and agencies. To some extent the argument seem valid in times past. But in modern democracies, where citizens look forward to dividend of democracies, the demand for good governance has placed elected leaders on their toes to deliver. Hence, the growing needs to appoint men and women of proven capabilities to man sensitive positions. Today, in line with the evolution of communication for development, C4D, which sought to transform ‘traditional’ societies into modern, Western societies through the transmission of attitudes, practices and technologies, communication initiatives are now adopted to carry out a transfer of information. This includes large-scale media campaigns and social marketing. This, to a large extent, require professional communicators to handle such offices with the expectations that they will use their professional expertise to deepen government policies and carry the citizens along.

President-elect, Buhari

Minister of Information, Patricia Akwashiki

WE EXPECT THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL APPOINT SOMEBODY WHO WILL KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THE MEDIA Experts believe gone are the days of dichotonous information dissemination and cover ups. The prevalence of the internet and the effective use of these cyberspaces by bloggers require that ministries of information are abreast with the most modern development and that they use them for the benefit of government. Such expectations is now more glaring following the victory of the All Progressives Party at the 2015 general elections, which has now placed heavy burden on the president elect, Mohammadu Buhari, to assemble crack team of technocrats to bail the country out of the present economic quagmire. Analysts believe that for the new government to succeed it must engage the populace in an open, honest and transparent information and communication policy, and to do that effectively, it should appoint as minister persons with professional tract record, and those who will be capable of carrying his primary constituency along in order to inform and sell government policies to the people. To members of the integrated marketing communications, IMC, comprising advertising, public relations and marketing, who becomes Nigeria’s next minister of information has been generating debates as members of this professional group believe the task of

informing and communications government policies should be elevated above partisan political considerations. To some of these professionals how well government programmes and actions are communicated goes a long way to engender confidence in the people to support the government in its day to day governance. According to the Managing Director of 21 century Limited, an advertising agency, Olufemi Ogala, the task of managing the media and the nature of information put forward is very important. “Sometimes if you say something and you do not say them well it could be misrepresented. It is important the way you put your information forward because it goes a long way to define the kind of government you have. “We expect that the new government will appoint somebody who will know how to manage the media. I look forward to see somebody who is in the marketing communications; somebody who is a professional in the industry. We do not want just anybody”, he added. The Vice President of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, and Managing Director, IKAD Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Lawal Danladi Yaro, said he has always been against professional politicians taking up such position because they do not know what information entails.

“So, it s always better to bring professionals who know the job, who know what to do at any given time to help the president elect do his job when he comes into office. As I said, I have always been against politicians, the best thing is for those strategizing now to pick from among the professionals to help them do the job”. He said, he expects whoever the person so appointed to go by the ethics of the profession, and it is only a professional who is guided by the ethics as stated in the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, code that can do the job professionally. Also speaking on APCON reforms, Yaro said, so far, it has achieved its purpose. APCON reforms are working, noted but it could be better. “I can tell you it has impacted positively in OAAN and I believe it is doing the same in other sectors of advertising. APCON code is impacting gradually”. Charles Chijide, OAAN president, is also confident that the new minister will be somebody that understands the industry. “It is our prayer that a professional will be appointed as information minister in the coming government. With the antecedent and with what we are hearing, we believe they are not going to appoint a non professional to handle the information ministry. “I want us to wait for the change we are expecting. I believe we will get a minister who understands the industry and the terrain. For John Ajayi, a communications expert and Managing Director of Marketing Edge Communications, the incoming government’s body language is enough to give the direction they are going. “I think without sounding unnecessarily partisan, if we listen to what the president elect has said so far and looking at his body language to give Nigerian a crack team that will hit the ground running, I want to believe that the president elect will put round pegs in round holes, and Nigerians will not be disappointed. The same thing goes with the office of the minister of information. The aggregate of the expert’s views are that for the incoming government to succeed, it must recognize the prime place of the information ministry and all related agencies, and most importantly, who heads this ministry.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Peak Milk attributes success to consumer satisfaction DAVID AUDU

rieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak and other milk brands is celebrating 60 years of operation in Nigeria with Managing Director, Rahul Colaco, has attributing success to consistent delivering of dairy products to Nigerian consumers. He said “Peak has continued to be strong despite the several changes in the market over the last 60 years, and has maintained presence in Nigeria’s East, West, North and South”. “We attribute our success to two things, first, our focus to nourish Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition in order to reach their Peak, and second, we continually explore ways of standing out of the crowded shelf and touching every part of the consumers’ lives.” He said peak has won industry recognition as an innovative and trendsetting brand that delivers

dairy nutrition across life-stages. “The brand succeeds because it always connects with its consumers, supports its key business partners and helps the general public to pursue their aspirations and reach for their Peak“. To further serve the consumers based on research and their expectation, Peak Evaporated Milk now comes in new packaging as well as a lid that opens and closes easily. It is called ‘Peak Easy Open’. According to Marketing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Tarang Gupta, “Several demographic and lifestyle influences are responsible for the drive for convenient solutions to food packaging. Peak Easy Open is specifically designed to meet the needs of consumers who consciously seek convenience and are looking for packaging solutions that fit their busy lifestyles.” He explained further that Peak’s success story at 60 will highlight

special moments in a new 360 degree integrated marketing communication campaign themed, “The Future is Bright; Reach for Your Peak”. It will focus on the emotional characteristics and values that consumers link to Peak. “The objective is to reinforce the love of the brand with our broad spectrum of consumers as well as reminisce the most important moments in its history and lives of consumers”, he said Peak’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated with lots of emotions. The message of Peak campaign, created by advertising agency Insight Communications, is to bring back good feelings of how the brand has been a good part of Nigerian lives and how in the pursuit of excellence, it has used cans of Peak to bring to life imagination and to fuel dreams. It also shows the brand’s commitment to feeding the aspirations of future consumers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The SERAs: Nigeria CSR Awards 2015 entry kicks off

ruContact CSR, organizers of the Nigeria CSR Awards otherwise known as The SERAs have released the call for entry for the 2015 edition of the annual awards. According to Ken Egbas, the founder and coordinator of the awards, “Nigeria Being the most populous nation in Africa with a greater number of her population affected, the world expects Nigeria to lead the African charge in making inroads against hunger, disease and end ending environmental degradation and climate change and helping to put in place infrastructure and processes that will sustain progress. The task ahead is how we rise to the challenge to provide apt and innovative public-private sector collaborations and partnerships that will set Nigeria on the path to attaining the SDG’s. This will require new levels of investments and accountability, as well as leadership and solidarity.” The award that is Nigeria’s top CSR and sustainability honour enters in ninth year. The awards

process is designed to integrate principles and frame work of the Global compact, global reporting Initiative and ISO 26000. The SERAs is reputed to be the major promoter and force behind galvanizing businesses across various sectors and industries in Nigeria to imbibe the ethos of CSR and sustainability in Nigeria. The adopted theme for 2015 is ‘Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Future: Business Leadership as a Catalyst for Development.’ This seeks to explore the vital role cooperation and partnerships have played in the efforts to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) and how such inclusive approach will enhance innovative mechanisms for financing and accountability as these factors remains crucial for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the post 2015 development agenda. To date the SERAs, which began in 2007, has registered more than 520 applications from 92 organisations from 13 different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Spirit of Lagos Citizen Awards website goes live

L-R:Vice President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; President, Mr Charles Chijide; and immediate past President and Chairman, 2015 Poster Awards Committee, Mr Kole Ademulegun during a press conference on the 2015 Poster Awards in Lagos... on Monday.

CHI launches “Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase” contest DAVID AUDU

n its continued effort to harness the power of social media to engage the consumer and build brand loyalty, Chi Happy Hour, a refreshing drink from the stable of Nigeria’s leading maker of fruit juices, CHI Limited, has launched the “Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase” contest. The campaign which is aimed at boosting the brand’s popularity among followers on social media platforms was unveiled on the recently. The Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase contest will see winners going home with prizes like Samsung Galaxy S5, digital cameras and cartons of Chi Happy Hour.

To participate in the talent showcase contest, the Chi Happy Hour consumer is expected to record a 30 - 60 seconds video of him or herself singing about Chi Happy Hour to the tune of any song of choice. The song, however, must be refreshing. In the chorus, the phrases ‘Chi Happy Hour’ and ‘Burst of Refreshment’ must be mentioned. The participant must also be seen drinking Chi Happy Hour in the video while taking an action that signifies how refreshed the participant is. The participant must then visit Chi Happy Hour’s page on Facebook, ‘Like’ the page and upload the Mp4 file video file as a private message. Shortlisted videos will then be posted on the Chi Happy Hour timeline.

Shortlisted participants are encouraged to get all their Facebook friends to ‘Like’ their videos as the videos with the highest numbers of likes will emerge as winners of the competition. Since the commencement of the Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase contest on Facebook in May, the promotion has recorded hundreds of entries and comments but only shortlisted entries can be seen on the timeline. With over 64,000 likes on Facebook and counting, the Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase is a great way to build awareness about the Chi Happy Hour page and by the time the competition is over, the number of likes would have crossed the 100,000 threshold.

luegrass Digital, in partnership with Lagos based Playhouse Communication, was recently tasked with creating an interactive website for the Spirit of Lagos Citizens’ Day Awards 2015. The Bluegrass team has a secure footprint in Nigeria, with offices in Lagos and a long standing relationship with both the Playhouse and Spirit of Lagos teams, having previously delivered the Spirit of Lagos website. Spirit of Lagos is an attitudinal change campaign (Similar to the Lead SA initiative in South Africa) which aims to restore and uphold a positive attitude towards the city and its neighbours. Citizens’ Day is an initiative aimed at rewarding those citi-

zens quietly doing extraordinary work in their communities. The website, that went live recently will allow users to vote for nominated citizens and share this interaction on social media platforms to encourage further votes towards the inaugural Citizens’ Day Awards to be held on 27 May 2015 “We are very proud of the steps that Spirit of Lagos is making as a movement and the Citizen’s Day Awards is a great example of this growing positivity. Bluegrass continues to satisfy our digital needs and we continue to be impressed by both their technical skills and their enthusiasm for our projects,” Says Tolu Onile-Ere, MD at Playhouse Communication.

SC Johnson awards $600M media buying to PHD

C Johnson has awarded its $600 million global mediabuying account to Omnicom Group’s PHD. The decision comes five months after the consumer packaged goods company shifted its media planning business to PHD from WPP’s Maxus. The media-buying account had previously been split between the two agencies, with Maxus taking the lead and PHD handling digital. The US claims about $300 million of SC Johnson’s annual global ad spending. Fisk Johnson, the chairman and chief executive, SC Johnson, said: “We are pleased to partner with PHD for global media buying. After an extensive assessment, we are confident that PHD has the capability

and global footprint to help us drive greater efficiencies and reduce complexity.” The reviews took place following the arrival of Salman Amin as chief operating officer, who had previously spent 17 years at Pepsi, most recently as chief marketing officer. There, Amin had worked closely with Omnicom shops including BBDO and OMD. The win marks the latest in a series of new-business coups for PHD since the autumn arrival of US chief executive, Nathan Brown, including Kohler and Converse. Maxus had worked for SC Johnson since 2011, the same year the company tapped Ogilvy and BBDO to handle creative. Both agencies remain in charge of that business.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Omo rewards winner of Imagine and Achieve competition with N1m

BRAND talk with Michael Umogun

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

Brands and the power of creating relevance in consumer lives

L-R: Brand Ambassador Omo, FunkeAkindele; Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Manager Fab Cleaning, Unilever, IbironkeUgbaja at the Omo Imagine and Achieve Competition grand finale in Lagos Mr David Okeme; Brand Ambassador Omo, ChiomaAkpotha; winner of 1 million naira, from Army Children School, AbuleEgba, Lagos, ImurangSalisu; Brand Ambassador Omo, Ali Nuhu and Category.

DAVID AUDU

welve-year-old Imurang Salisu of Army Children School, Abule Egba, Lagos emerged the grand prize winner of N1, 000,000 in bursaries in the Creative Arts category of the 2015 Omo Imagine and Achieve Creative Arts competition. First Runner-up, Clementina Emmanuel of De Brain Foundation School in Kaduna State smiled home with a bursary of N500, 000 while Sunday Daniel of Mafah Education Centre, Benin in Edo State rounded off the top three and was rewarded with a N200, 000 bursary. Omo, a brand on the stable of Unilever Nigeria wrapped up its creative initiative competition which commenced in February. The event featured winners from the various state finals along with their winning entries and was graced by par-

ents, teachers and dignitaries from the education sector, government and Industry. Speaking at the event, Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. David Okeme said that the competition had served as a platform for thousands of School children to express their talent. “Omo is very proud that many more children, their parents and schools are getting onboard the OmoImagine and Achieve Initiative and even several years after its inception, the level of creativity shown by the entrants has continued to amaze. Selecting the absolute best also wasn’t an easy feat as there were tons of great work and you could see the effort the kids put in.”, he said. The highlight of the Finale was the announcement the Lagos State winner in the Essay Writing category, Adedeji Ad-

esida of the Corona School in Gbagada. Meanwhile, Category Manager for Fabrics Cleaning, Unilever Nigeria, Ibironke Ugbaja declared that the initiative was a success and an affirmation that Unilever’s continued investment in empowering the Nigerian Child was already yielding brilliant results. “The growing popularity of the Omo Imagine and Achieve Initiative justifies all the energy the Brand puts into discovering and nurturing young talent in the country and from what I have seen and heard throughout the period of the competition, I feel confident that the nation’s future is burning brighter than ever”, she said. This year’s competition had been tagged “Unleash Your Potential” and its central theme was on the future careers of the school children.

Agencies crack down on unapproved ads

all it friendly fire. An agency art director posts an unsanctioned version of a TV ad for a client on his personal website to enhance his portfolio. It was the cut he worked on and fought for—even if that particular version didn’t make the cut. The problem is, he doesn’t own the work, and neither does his agency. The clip belongs to the client, making the art director guilty of copyright infringement. It’s a scenario that’s become all too familiar at agencies. Copyrighted content routinely finds its way online, as creatives aim to burnish their own brands as much as the brands for which they work. But too often, career aspirations clash with a marketer’s need to protect its intellectual property. Clients

pay agencies hefty fees and, naturally, expect loyalty rather than an art director going rogue. Creative chiefs attempt to prevent such digital dustups, though clearly they can’t police everyone all the time. So, they have taken to schooling employees on the importance of protecting the client’s property—stressing that their very job security is at stake. Posting work without permission can land not just employees but also their employers and even the client in hot water. Ford was forced to apologize in 2013 after a creative team at JWT India posted spec posters that never ran, including one that featured an illustration of the Kardashian sisters tied up and gagged in the trunk of a Ford Figo. The copy read: “Leave

your worries behind with Figo’s extra-large boot.” The piece ended up on the blog Ads of the World and sparked a public backlash. JWT now mandates that employees get permission from the client before posting work, according to worldwide CCO Matt Eastwood, who added that unauthorized postings can run afoul of talent agreements. “We’re super cautious about posting anything anywhere because if you don’t have the digital rights for talent in a TV spot, you can’t go posting it,” noted Eastwood, who joined JWT last year and faced the problem at prior agency DDB. Following a couple of incidents at Grey, creative chief Tor Myhren communicated to employees that altering ads was unacceptable

s your brand relevant to the consumer beyond the brand promise? Brands must step up and make a true positive impact on consumers’ lives. This is not a tutorial on Corporate Social Responsibilities. Brands can provide creative solutions to consumer’s unmet needs by transforming their marketing efforts from talking to doing. Marketers should not be dissuaded by thinking that all the winning ideas are taken. There is an ocean of unmet needs out there. Brand experts from Millward Brown say if you’re considering such a transformation for your brand, think of three things, captured in the acronym ACT: Assess people’s needs, Craft an innovative solution, and Test for credibility. First, assess people’s needs and desires. Think not only about your product or category, but also about people’s lives in general. Research what they care about and find solutions to problems that are not being addressed.Brands must recognize that any successful marketing initiative must be built on a foundation of deep consumer understanding. The next step is to craft solutions that address the needs you identified. Brainstorm how you can best serve consumers and improve their lives, even in ways outside of your traditional realm. Chosen initia-

tives should transcend product category and address pressing societal needs of customers and non customers. This is undoubtedly a powerful vehicle for creating relevance and value for the customers Finally any initiative that lies outside of a brand’s product category still needs to bolster and support the attributes the brand wants to convey within its category context. You must give your solution a credibility test. Ask yourself: Are we a reliable source to deliver this solution to consumers? Are we fit to provide this offering, or does it contradict with other aspects of our positioning? Will people be able to make a mental connection between this initiative and our brand? I would like to acknowledge some local brands that have driven this route and benefited; hats off for Promasidor Nigeria and the National Mathematics Competition, Nestlé and the unwavering support for football and basketball, and De Foods United support for education through the provision of free noodles , exercise books and pencils to kids in schools by the million. How will your brand start moving from communicating to demonstrating and participating? Your list could be longer than mine, let me know @ michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

and possibly grounds for firing. Myhren said he couldn’t recall the brands in question but noted that in each instance, the marketer itself found the offending ad online. “It is up to agencies to do everything in their power to make sure that does not happen,” Myhren said. “You’ve got to make sure that there are consequences for that type of thing, that people know that [brands] just shouldn’t be messed with.” At the extreme, bogus ads can even find their way into awards shows. A notable example:”Speed Dressing” for JCPenney, which won a bronze Lion at Cannes in 2008 after Epoch Films submitted it for consideration. When it was revealed that the ad was never approved by the client and never even ran, the award was rescinded. For BBDO’s David Lubars, the solution for that disgruntled art

director who posted his cut on his website would’ve been to fight for the ad he believed in and get it made. “Do the brilliant thing for the client, and then that’s what runs and that’s what you enter in shows. It’s that simple and that challenging,” said Lubars, global CCO. “Do the real shit. Make the real shit great.” To brand marketing execs, anything that threatens to tarnish a brand’s reputation is serious business. Considering that, Pete Krainik, founder of The CMO Club, believes marketing chiefs should educate agency employees just as they would their own rank and file. “I call it leading the brand beyond the marketing department. The best CMOs, I think, are doing that,” said Krainik, a former CMO at Avaya and Siebel Systems.

Insight

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ajaokuta Steel: An albatross Buhari The Ajaokuta Steel Company was built by the Federal Government of Nigeria 32 years ago, but since then, the company has remained moribund, with no production of iron. WALE IBRAHIM reports that the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) Administration led by Muhammadu Buhari must muster the political will to tackle the international politics and management corruption that have combined to ensure that Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation remains a pipe dream.

Side view of Ajaokuta Steel company

s Nigerians await the change of government at the federal level after 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expectations are high that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, would give the resuscitation of the ailing steel industry, particularly Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCL) and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, top priority after assuming office on May 29. The prioritisation of the sector is very important with a view to diversifying the nation’s monolithic oil based economy, in the face of dwindling fortunes from oil revenue occasioned by fall in crude oil price in the international market for several months now. This has impacted negatively on the economy and challenges Nigerians to start looking inwards to create other sources of generating income and revenue for the country. Informed Nigerians expect the incoming administration to hit the ground running, rise up to occasion and salvage the ailing Ajaokuta Steel Company, which is believed to be the bane of Nigeria’s industrialization in the last three decades. The 32-year-old steel plant which was conceived and built by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) administration led by the

former President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was aimed to serve as a hub of industrial revolution and industrialization of the most populous black nation in subsahara Africa. No doubt the Ajaokuta Steel Plant has suffered neglect from successive administrations as much attention has not been paid to the problems associated with its completion and optimal operation, as it was enmeshed in both local and external politics that further deepened the crisis of its inability to function maximally and achieve the aims and objectives of the founding fathers. However, National Mirror gathered that Jonathan’s outgoing administration inherited a lot of problems when the previous government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua terminated the concessional agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria

and Messrs Global Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (GINL) amidst the allegation of improper handling of the concession, with the concessionaire accused of exhausting up all the spare parts met on ground without replenishing the stock. This, it was gathered did not go down well with the GINL management which has led to legal tussle between It and the Federal government of Nigeria in a London Court, thus, stalling efforts of the outgoing Jonathan government to realise its promises to revive the plant. It was further gathered that during the period under review, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed for the commencement of operations of the steel plant, when in 2012 a sole administrator, Chief Joseph Isah Onobere was appointed to manage the plant as against earlier man-

IN BID A TO ASCERTAIN THE STATUS OF AJAOKUTA STEEL PLANT, A TECHNICAL AUDIT WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2010 WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN THE PLANT WERE NOT OBSOLETE AS BELIEVED IN SOME QUARTERS

agement committee set up by the Federal Government. National Mirror Investigations also revealed that in bid a to ascertain the status of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, a technical audit was carried out by the Federal Government in 2010 which indicated that the facilities and equipment installed in the plant were not obsolete as believed in some quarters. Following the technical audit carried out by a foreign company from Ukraine, the report estimated about $1.2billion USD to achieve total rehabilitation, completion and commissioning of the balance of infrastructure. This amount is made up of $513m for the plant and $687m for the external infrastructure. Outgoing President Jonathan once told a large crowd of his PDP supporters at a presidential campaign rally in Lokoja, Kogi State that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant would soon commence operation, stressing that his administration had done much to ensure the activation of the plant to boost the steel industry. The President further explained that the Federal Government had also resolved the hitherto legal tussle that had stalled the operation of the plant, noting that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, embarked on several trips to London to resolve the legal obstacles.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, May 21, 2015

must slay to diversify economy While corroborating the status of ASCL, the Sole Administrator, Engineer Joseph Onobere, told National Mirror that the steel plant was not dead after all, stressing that its facilities and equipment were not obsolete, even when it was established with aims of fast-tracking Nigeria’s Industrialisation and was commissioned in 1983, but yet to be utilised optimally. Onobere who quoted copiously from the report of the technical audit carried out by the Ukrainians, stated that the situation of the steel plant’s equipment was satisfactory and mechanically the equipment and facilities were generally in good condition. “There is need to educate good people of Nigeria that the Blast Furnace Technology of steel adopted in Ajaokuta is the best method through which large volumes of steel are produced in the world today. Based on this I had series of consultations with staff and sensitised them to brace up for task of starting up operational activities in some key selected areas of plant we can put into operation,” the sole administrator stated. He explained that the steel plant is not a rolling mill as many people believed, stressing that the plant has four major rolling mills such as, the Billet Mill, the Light section Mill, the Wire Rod Mill, Medium Section and Structural Mill which constitute only a part of the steel plant. Onobere also explained that it is a strategic Industry, implying that there is actually the need to do a cost-benefit analysis of the project, pointing out that this has been done several times over and shown to be more attractive and for this reason all the steel producing countries jealously and zealously guard and protect their plants both privately and publicly owned. He stressed further that after the termination of concession agreement by the Federal Government from the Indian Firms (GHIL/GINL Concessionaire) since 2008, ASCL has been on zero capital allocation and on overhead of less than N45million annually. “There are certain agents in our midst that have not been comfortable with modest achievements we have recorded in Ajaokuta so far and the course of action we are charting towards making liquid steel production a reality in the country. They all know that the day Nigeria begins liquid steel production there would be no going back for the country technologically,” Onobere stressed. However, the question agitating the minds of Nigerians is, when will the multimillion dollars project be finally completed and commence production of liquid steel to meet the dream of the founding fathers? Speaking in an interview with National Mirror, the former Kogi State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and ex-staff of ASCL, Comrade Ibrahim Obansa, explained that the plant had been 98 percent completed, noting that it was only for the blast furnace which is the hub of iron mills production to be connected. But this has not been done since 1994 when the late General Sani Abacha regime sent away the Russians and Ukranians who had played a major in the construction of the multi-million dollars steel plant.

THE QUESTION AGITATING THE MINDS OF

NIGERIANS IS,

WHEN WILL THE MULTI-MILLION

DOLLARS PROJECT BE FINALLY COMPLETED AND COMMENCE PRODUCTION OF LIQUID STEEL TO MEET President-elect, Buhari

Minister of Industry and Trade, Aganga

Obansa stated that if ASCL commenced full operation the situation would have not been the same again, adding that the plant would have accommodated no fewer than 15,000 workers for both direct and indirect employment opportunities. The ex-TUC boss lamented that all the original plans to relocate the indigenous people of Ajaokuta could not be met because of various policy somersaults, stressing that these people have since lost hope. Obansa who went down memory lane pointed out the non-functional of Ajaokuta had equally paralysed business activities of the people around the steel plant, stressing that many have left while a sizable number of them has returned to villages as farmers. A Lokoja-based public analyst and social critic, Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed Ladan, in a separate interview with our correspondent, stated that apart from corruption that has been institutionalised in the country, it will require a committed political will by any administration to move the Ajaokuta Steel Plant forward. Landan was of the opinion that the Federal Government must show concern about the ailing plant by quickly identifying the problems and the way forward, noting that

the government must also not shy away from the international politics involved so as to ensure the nation participates as a key player in production of Iron and steel industry. He argued that the incoming administration must as matter of urgency give a desired priority to Ajaokuta Steel Company, urging that the administration should set a fact-finding committee to highlight all the problems associated with the production of liquid iron and to recommend the way forward, while the government must be ready to explore all avenues to ensure the workability of ASCL. A resident of Ajaokuta, Alhaji Husseni Momoh Jimoh, said many things must have gone wrong and all original plans of the steel plant have not been met because of inability to commence operation in the last 32 years. “The successive governments have been coming to make promises which could not be fulfilled at the end of the day. If Ajaokuta Steel is perfectly working at least many of our children would have been employed at lower cadre and our area could as well be developed than this,” he stressed. The 75-year-old indigene of Ajaokuta

A unit at Ajaokuta Steel company

THE DREAM OF THE

FOUNDING FATHERS? lamented that plan to relocate all the villages around the moribund company could not be met up till now, stressing that it was hoped that one day the plant will work and attract more people to the locality like when the construction of the project began in the early 80s. While lending credence to a functional Ajaokuta Steel Plant, the Director of Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, stated that a functional steel plant would have employed more workers and reduced high rate of unemployment. Abdul explained that if the incoming administration of General Buhari really wants to improve the Nigerian economy, Ajaokuta Steel Company must be reactivated to start diversifying the monolithic oil economy. The rights activist, therefore, advised the incoming APC Administration to intensify efforts to tackle corruption which has become a clog in the wheel of progress of the company and ensure a functional Ajaokuta Steel Plant to kick-start Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Cocktail

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Lightning filmed in slow motion over Oklahoma

n Oklahoma videographer shared slowmotion footage of lightning st r i kes ove r N or m an dur i n g t h e weekend’s s eve re stor ms. M at t Skuta c ap ture d vi de o o f t h e stor m, wh i ch p a s s e d ove r O k l aho ma a n d nea r by st at e s S at u r-

d ay, a n d s lowe d down t h e fo o t a g e t o s how h ow the li g htning p a s s e s a c ro s s t h e s k y. The S at urday s t o r m , wh i ch Skuta f i lm e d ove r t h e c ity o f No r m a n , w a s par t o f a s eve re weathe r s y s t e m t h at als o i n clu d e d tornadoes touching down in the state.

Chinese man with 17 girlfriends arrested for fraud

Chinese man whose 17 girlfriends discovered each other while visiting him in the hospital last month has been arrested on fraud charges. Identified by the surname Yuan, the Changsha, China, native was injured

Man’s roar scares off charging bear

Swedish man out training his new hunting dog was caught on camera warding off a charging bear with a scream emulating a ferocious roar. Ralph Persson of Jamtland said his dog’s bark indicated there was danger nearby during a training session with the hunter and his wife, Lena, and the couple soon saw a large Scandinavian brown bear run out of the woods. The bear ran straight

toward Persson, who responded by trying to intimidate the predator. “I screamed as much as I could and made myself very big,” Persson told the Hela Halsingland newspaper. The bear, apparently startled by Persson’s actions, turned and ran back into the woods. The encounter was caught on video by Persson and from a distance by Lena Persson. Ralph Persson, who said he does not trust the

“lie down and play dead” defense, said he learned how to scare bears by watching birds. “I have seen in the past how even cranes have chased bears by folding up their wings,” he said. Persson said he takes responsibility for getting too close to one of the notoriously reclusive bears. “This time, I went over the limit. You have to have respect for the animals,” he said.

in a traffic accident in April. Medical personnel tried contacting who they thought were family members, but at least 17 women -- aged between 20 and 40 years old -- who each claimed to be his girlfriend showed up to his bedside and discovered each others’ existence, according to Chinese media. Yuan was recently put

Yuan

under criminal detention stemming from charges of fraud, the South China Morning Post reports. Setting up an online chat forum called “revenge alliance,” Yuan’s girlfriends shared details of their relationships to him and found he had asked some of them for large sums of money each month. In early April he was reported to be facing a fraud

charge for allegedly bilking his ex-wife for more than $40,000. Yuan reportedly had a child with one of the women and had planned to wed another. According to the SCMP, the scorned girlfriends changed their chat group’s name to “angels” and said they would move on with their lives.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, May 21, 2015

SEC bans BGL from market operations ...Index dips 0.05% in value

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday suspended BGL Group from all capital market activities. The commission had on April 19, appointed interim management for the group over various complaints received from investors against subsidiaries of BGL Group. A notice at the commission website said that following the Executive Management Committee of the SEC meeting held on May 19, 2015, BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities

Limited have been suspended from all capital market activities. According to the notice, all sponsored individuals of BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited whose particulars are contained in the commission’s record as at December 2014 be suspended from performing any capital market activity. “That Mr. Albert Okumagba, the Group Managing Director of BGL Group, should cease to be a registered sponsored individual with the commission following the withdrawal of the

registration of BGL Plc as a Capital Market Operator. He is therefore no longer entitled to carryout capital market activities; “That all suspicious transactions observed in the course of the investigation have been referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation; and “That BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited and all individuals involved in the management of the said companies have been referred to the SEC Administrative Proceedings Committee, which will give all parties to the cases a fair hearing,” the notice added.

Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on a bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.50 per cent to close at 34,533.40 points, compared ot the decline of 0.21 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34,706.93 points. Market capitalisation N58 billion to close at N11.73 trillion, compared to the decrease of N26 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N11.79trillion. A total of 1.88 million shares valued at N5.49 billion were exchanged 4,797 deals.

Fidelity Bank targets 10% loan growth

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ith an increase of 471,000 in retail customer base in 2014 and attainment of N100 billion in savings account, Fidelity Bank Plc has unveiled a strategy to continually reduce cost through aggressive growth in the retail space and continuity in the service of the retail market using product programmes. Presenting the bank’s Facts Behind the Figure on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the Managing Director, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that its savings account for the first time in the history hit N100 billion, in seven to nine months. According to him, savings rose to N25 billion and the bank is still growing at aver-

age of N7 billion a month, all these geared towards increased value for shareholders. He explained the bank’s growth strategy for the financial year 2014 were based on four major planks- improved balance sheet efficiency, increased growth pace in retail and SME space, increased migration of customers to electronic channels and taking customer service across all channels seriously, all geared towards reducing cost to serve and improving customer experience, led to significant improvement in profitability. The bank’s net interest income appreciated by 58.5 per cent to N48.8 billion from N30.8 billion recorded in the same period of 2013, while balance sheet also showed

that capital adequacy ratio stood at 23.2 per cent. He noted that the bank is targeting a deposit growth of 10 per cent for the financial year ending December 31, 2015, adding that this would achieved through branch expansion and aggressive growth in retail customer base. Okonkwo explained that the bank would open 25 branches in 2015 and would also use electronic channels to reach out to more customers, adding that the bank was targeting a non-performing loan ratio of 4.0 per cent against 4.4 per cent achieved in 2014 on a net interest margin of seven per cent compared with six per cent posted in 2014. On the successful N30 billion bond, he stressed that

Debt yield up on new cash reserves rule

ields on local bonds rose slightly yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigerian, CBN, harmonisation of the Cash Reserves Requirement, CRR, on public and private sector deposits triggered a selloff by some investors. At it’s rate-setting meeting on Tuesday, the CRR, the amount the central bank requires banks to set aside, was revised to 31 per cent for both public and private sector deposits. Previously the CRR on private sector deposits was 20 per cent and 75 per cent for public sector deposits.

Some banks that held more of the private sector deposits in CRR would be required to make an additional provision of 11 per cent due by Thursday, triggering the selling down of their investment in bonds to raise additional money. “Some banks that have their deposits skewed to private sector are selling down their bond holdings in order to make provision for the increase in the CRR on the deposit, driving up yields at the market,” one dealer said. The yield on the benchmark bond maturing in 2024 inched up to 13.63 per cent from 13.60

per cent the previous day, while that on the 2022 paper rose to 13.59 per cent from 13.51 percent. Interest rates on short borrowing among banks eased, following the injection of portion of the budgetary allocations to states and local government in the banking system on Tuesday. “Market liquidity increased to around N235 billion from deficit level the previous day,” a currency dealer said. Secured Open Buy Back, OBB, eased to seven per cent, while overnight placement fell to eight per cent from 15

the bond would enable the bank to be a dominate player in the small and medium enterprises sector of the economy. “The funds will be used to expand our support to the SMEs and retail segments of the market. It will count as tier II capital in line with the guidelines of Basel II of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,” he said. Okonkwo said that the bank was committed to its four growth strategies to ensure enhanced returns to all stakeholders. “The strategies are enhanced balanced sheet, growth in retail and SMEs growth, migration of customers to electronic channels and efficiency in customer service,” he said.

per cent the previous day, traders said. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,533.40 points Market capitalisation 11.73trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

SKYEBANK

2.61

2.87

0.26

9.96

NEM

0.77

0.84

0.07

9.09

TRANSEXPR

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

ACADEMY

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

ETERNA

2.65

2.78

0.13

4.91

AIRSERVICE

2.25

2.36

0.11

4.89

CAVERTON

3.35

3.51

0.16

4.78

PHARMDEKO

2.13

2.23

0.10

4.69

VONO

0.98

1.02

0.04

4.08

VITAFOAM

6.48

5.29

0.14

2.72

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NCR

12.19

CLOSING 11.02

-1.17

-5.00

PRESCO

32.30

30.69

-1.61

-9.60

BETAGLAS

36.38

34.67

-1.71

-4.98

NEIMETH

1.10

1.05

-0.05

-4.70

CILEASING

0.69

0.66

-0.03

-4.55

WAPIC

0.55

0.53

-0.02

-4.35

NESTLE

905.02

880.00

-25.02

-3.64

GUARANTY

29.99

29.30

-0.69

-2.76

FCMB

3.17

3.10

-0.07

-2.30

ACCESS

6.35

6.21

-0.14

-2.21

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.24

99.14

13.78

99.29

13.65

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.94

102.17

13.77

102.32

13.68

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.11

106.89

13.74

107.19

13.64

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.69

112.08

13.57

112.38

13.51

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.82

103.05

13.59

103.35

13.53

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.18 68.00

15.54

68.30

15.47

Closing Market Prices of May 20, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

13-Aug-15

12.79

13.18

WAUA

270

USD

197

12-Nov-15

13.74

14.72

EURO

214

05-May-16

13.14

15.04

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

8.9583

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.1760

15.3015

SDR

273

16.6552

NIBOR

The Fixings of May 20, 2015

Capital Market

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at May 20, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, 21, 2015

Summit advocates 35% youth participation in political, elective positions LEONARD OKACHIE

s Nigeria prepares for a new era in the incoming Muhammad Buhari presidency, a group of youths has called for inclusion of at least 35 per cent youth and 5 per cent Diaspora participation in political and elective positions. These were parts of the recommendations at a recent summit by the Nigerian Arise cum Nigerian Youth Think-Thank group, Western Region, which held at Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. The summit, which was organised in collaboration with the African Child Foundation, had as theme: “Generational change and transformation in government, Nigerian youths and young professional arise; re-write your history, take your destiny in your hands, looking beyond 2015.” The non-political group in a communiqué issued at the end the summit demanded nothing less than youth inclusion in appointments and elective positions, including award of contracts to Nigerian youth driven companies. It insisted on the appointment of youths and young professionals, home and in the Diaspora into federal, state and local government boards of parastatals according to their skills, education and training. Worried by the high level of corruption in governance, the group also recommended setting machinery in motion for the investigation of public office holders from Second Republic till date, even as it added that leaders should enrol children in public schools. The communiqué clamoured for appointment of Nigerian young professionals as second minister to understudy experienced and corrupt free elders. It also demanded exchange of crude oil for technology as well as establishment of institution for re-integration of Nigerian youths in Diaspora. Interestingly, the summit witnessed experienced resource persons, who made thought-provoking presentations on topical issues as they concern the youths. It had in attendance different youth representatives, including corps members, professional youths and members of the media. Speaking on the topic: “An analysis of youths and professionals involvement in governance from 1st Republic till date; the prospects in 2015 and beyond”

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Some particpants at the summit

Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji stated that the essence of his paper was to ignite action to bring all hands on deck to get the youths and young professionals of Nigeria to be autarkically involved in political leadership positions in Nigeria to the tune of at least 35 per cent. “The narrative is not necessarily to show that old people are less productive than young people or that the older you get, the less effective your brain cells. We are only setting out to show that in spite of the usefulness of young people, they are still not given adequate representation in political leadership,” Ikeji explained. Ikeji, who is a legal practitioner noted that Nigeria is presently at a threshold of a new era, a new hope, a new beginning, a new chapter and a new mindset, stressing that the new mindset would mean nothing if change is not achieved in critical areas of the socio-political outlay of the country. He insisted that the time has come for policy makers to accept the reality that the major human resources of a society lie with the youth and young people. Ikeji continued: “We must immediately make the point that there is a momentum for youth affirmative action in political and elective positions. We have been fighting the affirmative action for women participation. The battle is being won to a certain extent, at least the Jonathan administration gave women about 30% of its

appointive positions with women holding very key offices central to the very life of the administration. “While we hope that the incoming Buhari presidency will sustain the tempo and possibly go a step further, it is only natural to agree that it is now the time to expand the scope of this fight to include at least 35% youth participation in political and elective positions and at least 5% Diaspora participation. “This should not come as a shock because youth covers male and female and within this grouping, we shall insist on equal representation as between male and female. The implication is that women would have got a further inclusion in governance through the channel of youth participation in addition to the general advocacy for women participation.” While participants were ruminating on the Ikeji’s thoughtprovoking lecture, Mr. Alexander Omini made another inspiring presentation. In his presentation tagged “Leadership prerequisites: A must for leadership attainment by Nigerian youths” he stated that the youths of this nation must have the readiness in them for the future and a matter of urgency imbibe the proper leadership qualities through right trainings. “The question for the youths in Nigeria today is; what is standing between us and the Economic and Social development? The answer is Leadership. Everything

rises and falls on Leadership,” explained Omini. Omini, who is a legal practitioner and founder of Generational Intellect Shift Forum, enumerated those leadership prerequisites to include: character, charisma, commitment, competence, courage, focus, initiative, passion, positive attitude, relationship, selfdiscipline, security and vision. Speaking on the topic: “The wind of change – The now realities and the challenges beyond 2015” Mr. Samuel Sobayo told Nigerian youth that the struggle is for your their minds which corruption has and still is dealing with. He said: “Many youths are relaxed and expecting miracles of some sort. No,no,no ! It is time to clean up our minds and purge out from ourselves the leftovers of corruption. You have done so much on social media, and numerous networks. You all then made sure you voted or made others vote in the direction of change. “The reality is you have to take it beyond voting which does not count anymore to the level of sacrificial doing via self inclusion and selected inclusion. It is time to do the talk. And doing requires inclusion.” On the challenges beyond 2015, Sobayo insisted, “The greatest and only challenge I see is personal change. Inclusion of youth in governance in this dispensation is good but are the majority ready for attitudinal changes, sacrifices, training, tasks, assignments, missions, and ultimately humility required for productive leadership?” Similarly, Mrs. Adeyinka Emeka made a presentation on “An

overview of the plight of Nigerian youths at home and in Diaspora from Second Republic till date vis-avis the recurring state of the Nigerian nation.” She lamented that the Nigerian youths are the most unfortunate group in the society as the battle with myriad of problems. She charged them to wake from their slumber and assume their rightful places in the society. Earlier, the Director, Lagos Conference of the group, Mr. Derek Onoge gave a recap of the previous summit held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar and concluded that it was successful. Founder and Director-General of the group, Dr. Victor Offiong said the programme was important because they were taking advantage of the wind of change in the country , adding that without a generational change there can be no serious at nation building. Offiong, who teaches in the university stressed that there must be a purposeful plan to hand over to the next generation, insisting “Our country as a nation should think of the next generation and not recycling the same thing over and over again.” Also, the General Coordinator of Nigerian Youth Think-Thank Group, Mr. Ben Eni said the essence of the summit was to create more awareness as well as encourage Nigerian youths to take the role of authority. “We have so many qualified and competent Nigerian professional youths that can hold their own anywhere in the world. We have done a lot of awareness moves. We are very strong in the social media, “he boasted.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wizkid, Yemi Alade nominated for “BET Awards”

N Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club donated toilet block to Local Government Primary School, Ikpakodo, Ikorodu in Lagos State, recently.

Diamond Lions Club donates toilet block to school

STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

n her quest for humanitarian services, Ikorodu Diamond Club has donated a six-unit modern toilet facility to Local Government Primary School, Ikpakodo in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The block, which consists of four units for the pupils and two for the staff, was commissioned recently by the District Governor, District 404A1 Nigeria, Lions Club International, Engr. Olaitan Onolaja. The club also gave recommended glasses to three pupils of Ayangbure Primary School who had problems with their sights. Speaking at the ceremony which was graced by members of the club as well as those of Leo District 404A1 Nigeria, the District Governor who was impressed by the project, commended members of the club for the laudable achievement, adding that such is what Lions Club is known for. Onolaja noted that the club has actually adopted the school as their project and has carried out a considerable number of projects including reading action

programmes, rehabilitation of classrooms for the school among others. He explained that the project would enhance learning and hygienic conditions of the pupils, stressing that it would help them in knowing that there are people outside that care for them. “These are some of the things that Lions Club stands for: to provide facilities to the less privileged within the community in which the clubs are located. We lay more emphasis on children because they are our heritage; they are the leaders of tomorrow. If you do not bring them up in the right way, then the future of the country will be at risk,” the District Governor said. In her response, the Assistant Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Mojisola Olugbemi expressed gratitude to the club for the kind gesture, saying that it would uplift the healthy lifestyle of the children. “I feel very excited because the children had to go far before they could visit the toilet. But now you have given them one that is very close to their class and it is going to help them not to miss classes,” Olughemi remarked. She said that the school was

founded in 1920 and presently has a population of 1444 pupils that include children with special needs. Speaking to National Mirror, the President of Ikorodu Diomond Lions Club 2014/2015, Lion Funmi Alabi disclosed that it is one of the laudable projects her club is doing during this Lionistic year. “Apart from just giving them the toilet we also ensure that the toilet is running with water. Our expectation is to continue to maintain the toilet for them as long as Lions exists. What we know is that wherever there is need there is Lions and we will be there not only for children but also for adults within our community,” she assured. Similarly, the Project and Membership Director of the club, Lion Rotinwa Adeola explained that the club embarked on the project when it discovered during one of its visits that the school had no such facility. She appealed to the privileged to always give back to the society, adding “Most of these public schools are lacking. Let us not waste our money on ‘owambes’; let us look into where people need our services and provide for them so that we can make life better for the under privileged.”

igerian pop stars Wizkid and Yemi Alade have been named as nominees in this year’s BET awards. They have been nominated alongside Ghana’s Sarkodie and Stoneboy, South Africa’s AKA, DRC’s Fally Ipupa and Kenya’s Sauti Sol for the award of Best International Act Africa category. BET Networks recognises artistes, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the BET Awards 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts. “This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent

Wizkid

that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “We congratulate all of the talent on their remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment and look forward to them joining us in celebrating 15 years of the BET Awards.” Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa, Alex Okosi, added, “We are thrilled that African artistes and achievers have been given this global platform once again to highlight and celebrate their huge contribution to the totality of global Black culture through our BET Awards franchise.” The BET Awards 2015 premieres simultaneously on BET and BET2 (DStv channel 135) at 8:10PM on Tuesday June 30.

Yemi Alade

Fayrouz L’Original audition moves to UNIPORT

Ibadan audition of Fayrouz L’ Original Expression show

ollowing the success recorded at the University of Ibadan, Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show competition has moved its audition train to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The auditions, billed to hold this Saturday at International Student Centre Conference Hall, University of Port Harcourt, will have talented students from within the campus and other cities within the South Region, come out to showcase their artistic talents in the areas of fashion de-

signing, modelling, photography and make up artistry. Like the previous audition, the jury comprises grounded fashion experts like ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, National Retail Artiste House of Tara Rhema Akabuogu and renowned designers, Mai Atafo and Kunbi Oyelese of April by Kunbi. The winning team will be chosen to represent the region and contest with four other teams at the semi-final stage of the competition holding at the Obudu Cattle ranch, Calabar, in June.

The train will make its next stop at University of Nigeria, Enugu on Saturday, May 30, 2015 before stopping at University of Lagos, on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2015. Sponsored by the natural premium soft drink, Fayrouz, the Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show competition aims at rewarding young creative talents. It kicked off in 2014 and has since being credited as one of the most followed urban and lifestyle competitions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Digitisation: Nigeria risks cutting off 80% citizens –NBC

A digital TV studio

STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

s the June deadline for the migration from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting approaches, the Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba has warned that Nigeria would risk cutting off about 80 per cent of its citizens, which would automatically kill the content market, as well as the advertising industry in the country if things are not done properly. Mba, however, assured Nigerians of successful transition, declared that the Nigerian television industry is in the middle of a dramatic transformation, noting that digitisation cannot be forced. The NBC boss, who said this recently in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, gave an overview of some of the steps the Commission had taken to see through the process of transiting to digital broadcasting, the challenges being faced, and what the future of broadcasting in Nigeria would look like after the switchover. On the status of the Digital Switchover (DSO), the Director General acknowledged that, “based on the white paper to licence three signal distributors, we have effectively licensed two, even though we have challenges with one of them, we are working with the platform coming out of the NTA, called Independent Television Services Ltd (ITS), so that the terms and conditions of the licence is strictly adhered to.” Mba noted that in the digital broadcasting era, an entity would have to aggregate the various contents, which are required by best practice to be branded. He pointed out that the offer was made to the aggregates of the broadcasters which set up a vehicle called MITS for that purpose. He also stressed that “digital broadcasting was going to impact on how we redefine content, who a content creator is, and how

we distribute content, and so on.” He noted that, one of NBC’s principal roles as a Commission was to ensure that the existing licensees feel that they have a stake in this process. “Of course, we need to invite fresh investments into the business of broadcasting because we know the challenges, we need new money, and we need new ideas. So, that is how we are thinking.” The DG disclosed that over the last two weeks, each of the prospective set-top-boxes manufacturers paid 50 million Naira to the NBC to become a set-top-box approved manufacturer. He stated that if there was no faith in what the Commission was doing, no serious investor would commit such amount into the project. He explained the vision of the Commission and noted that “we are working with the manufacturers. They have made a commitment, which is fundamental proof that they believe in the system. The content is being worked out now and a lot of people are submitting bids to create digital channels.” Mba stated that the NBC, working with

Broadcast Regulators of all ECOWAS Member States have developed and harmonized a Common Transmission Standard for all ECOWAS Countries and a Common Standard for Set Top Boxes. “This will ensure that only type approved STBs and other Integrated Digital Television Sets (IDTV) that conform to government standards and specifications are able to receive DTT transmission.” The DG noted that the focus of the Commission is that within the next 18 months, tangible progress would have been made. He acknowledged the challenges of funding but pointed out that the Federal Government was addressing that challenge. He said that the President, recently, approved two community radio licenses for each of the six geopolitical zones in the country. He gave a slide presentation of the journey so far and set targets. He, again, assured that the migration from Analogue to Digital terrestrial Television Transmission was on course. Meanwhile, Mba has been decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour. The

decoration took place yesterday in Lagos at the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the approval of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings. According to the Chairman COSON, Mr. Tony Okoroji,. Mba was unanimously chosen by the COSON Board because of the historic role played by him and the Commission in resolving the over four decades of raging dispute between the music and broadcasting industries in Nigeria over the payment of music copyright royalties. The Copyright Medal of Honour is the highest recognition of the music industry for any individual in acknowledgement of that person’s significant contribution to the promotion and defence of the rights of creative people in Nigeria. Others honoured include Miliki King, Evangelist (Dr) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, one time Chairman of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and also Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Recording Industries (NARI).

Scribe urges posthumous awards for journalists

Channels TV reporter Enenche Akogwu killed in line of duty.

ournalists who die in the line of duty should be given posthumous awards, Alhaji Bello Yero, Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba, has suggested. Yero made the suggestion while interacting with newsmen in Jalingo. Extolling the virtues of journalists across the world that died in the line of duty, he said the slain journalists were heroes who deserved honour even in death. He said: “It is my considered view that such journalists should be given post humus awards. Journalists in Nigeria had the track record of covering violent conflicts

even thoughit had often put their lives in danger. ``When I was the Sole Administrator of Ibi in 2013, I remember, some of you travelled with me to Dampar during the heat of the violent crises in the area. Each time I remember that incident, I duff my hat for you for the memorable sacrifice.” Yero urged journalists to ensure they were always guided by the ethics of their profession, especially the principles of balance and objectivity. He called on journalists to focus more attention on reports that would promote peace and unity of the country

Media

Thursday, May 21, 2015

NCRC commends FG on Community Radio licences

Media Abroad

Burkina Faso suspends live political broadcasts

STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

igeria Community Radio Coalition (NCRC) has commended the President Goodluck Jonathan on his approval of Community Radio licenses in the country. The NCRC in statement by Mr. Akin Akingbulu congratulated the Federal Government, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), advocates in grassroots communities, civil society, academia, media and other development stakeholders, for this achievement. The statement said: “We recall that the advocacy for the licensing of Community Radio in the past twelve years, has recorded such milestones as the development of a National Policy Document on community radio development in 2006 and the 2010 pronouncement by President Jonathan that community radio should become a part of the Nigerian media landscape. The approval of licenses, now done, is a climax of milestones. “As it is happening in other parts of the world, the introduction of community radio will bring positives to our country. It will, among other things, expand the plural-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A radio

ism of the media sector, cater to the large underserved sections of the population, and help to address the country’s development challenges at the grassroots.” It said that the NCRC is available and ready to work with the regulatory body, the

NBC, to ensure the emergence of community radio stations which operate professionally, demonstrate global standards and help to achieve the development objectives of our great country.

ommittee to Protect Journalists has called on Burkina Faso authorities to lift its suspension of live political broadcasts in the country. The threemonth ban comes as Burkina Faso prepares to hold elections in October. The High Council for Communication, the media regulatory body known as le Conseil superieur de la communication, declared a three-month suspension on live political broadcasts aired by TV and radio stations, according to a statement on its website dated May 12. The statement said the order went into effect on May 7. The move comes after President Blaise Compaore was forced to step down from office in October 2014. Compaore had sought to alter the country’s constitution to allow him to seek re-election in 2015, but was met with a series of protests in October 2014, according to news reports. The country is being ruled by a transitional government until the elections. “This blanket suspension by Burkinabe authorities amounts to outright censorship,” said Peter Nkanga, CPJ’s West Africa representative. “If authorities care to hold a credible election this year, they must allow media outlets to resume broadcasting live political debate.”

Expert urges use of social media to boost news dissemination

ommunication specialist, Mr. Yinka Olaito has advised media organisations to encourage the use of social media, to boost news dissemination. Olaito, the Chief Executive Officer of the Michael Sage Consulting, Lagos, however, emphasised the need to regulate the use of social media, to avoid pitfalls. The specialist said that digital media could be used to gather information, break news and check facts, towards disseminating quality news, at all times. He said: “Media organisations must also formulate social media policies to regulate how their journalists access and use them in their reportage. “They must have regulation, which should be used as a tool to assist the profession, by promoting, creating and eval-

Social media icons

uating the individuals on the job. It will, however, be out of place to bar journalists from having social media platforms.’’ Olaito encouraged the use of platforms such as google, google plus, facebook, twitter, skype, flicker and linkedIn, for positive interactions and news data collection. He also advised that every social media in an organisation should be secured, to protect data and information. In a related development, the social media has been described as a major threat to the viability of the newspaper industry and the existence of journalism as a profession. Information, Media and Broadcasting Services principal director in Zimbabwe, Mr. Regis Chikowore who disclosed this, said newspaper circulation across the

country was taking a nosedive. Chikowore was speaking during belated World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Harare recently. He said the flow of information through multimedia platforms was unparalleled, but posed the question about the future of journalism in the traditional sense. “If anybody who can read and write can pass for a journalist, doesn’t this pose a threat to the existence of journalism as a profession?” Chikowore said with the advent of multimedia formats, many people were now reluctant to buy newspapers and subscribe to radio or television licences when news could be accessed through the social media. He urged journalists to look into the future of their profession, adding “As we celebrate Press freedom, journalists should start to reflect on the future of their profession.” Chikowore expressed concern over the dearth of quality reporting among newspapers. He said: “Also arising from the prevalence of multi-media platforms are questions that have arisen in respect of the quality of reporting that leaves a lot to be desired. “Consumers of news are beginning to feel the pinch of being short-changed through half-baked stories passed as news and information.”

Preident of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore

CPJ urges US to protect encryption for journalists

ommittee to Protect Journalists has joined a coalition of nearly 150 civil society organizations, companies, trade associations, security experts, and policy specialists in sending a joint letter to U.S. President Barack Obama. The letter urges the president to support the broad adoption of strong encryption and to reject any proposal that intentionally weakens the security of products made by U.S. companies. The letter is a response to statements made in recent months by officials in the U.S. and elsewhere that suggest companies may be compelled to subvert the security of their systems to allow access by Western law enforcement and intelligence agencies. As CPJ has reported, such technical backdoors are as unworkable as they are dangerous. Any vulnerability introduced for one purpose can be exploited by anyone with the technical capabilities, thus imperiling journalists, the free flow of news--even computing as we know it. Further, such demands give cover to oppressive regimes that may abuse anti-privacy rhetoric for their own ends.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

B Shoppers’ S

Guide

o you know that street traders make more money selling on the streets? Broad Street Diary found out how they get their goods and make sales. Anyone coming into Broad Street which comprises of Balogun market, Martins, Tinubu, Ebute Ero and Idumota among others, will definitely see these traders displayed their wares on the floor some that sells clothes sometimes hang it for people to see. BSD gathered that not all their goods are original some sell imitations while some get their wares from shops that are doing clearance sales, while some even helped to push out expired product from shops to unsuspecting publics. But the truth is that they make more sales because people get to them before

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 21, 2015

How street traders make sales they go into the market and their prices are lower compared to the goods inside the market. One of the traders, Mrs. Hannah Adejumo who spoke with BSD said they always make their sales in the morning and sometimes in the evening when workers closed for the day. She told BSD that some of the wares they sold are from the shops in Balogun or Idumota, “We usually get them from some the shops that do clearance sales.” She also revealed that they are not limited to a particular product, “we sell any good that is available ranging from weave-on, hair accessories, clothes, shoes, kitchen wares among others. “But I prefer clothes and weave-on because I have come to realise that they sells faster than other wares.” On whether in the future

Banana sellers at Broad Street, Lagos. she would get a shop, Adejumo, said if she gets a shop that is affordable she will get one because selling under the sun and rain is not the

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

best. A shopper, Miss Monsurat Oladele told BSD that she just got a necklace bead at the Leventis bus-stop and

if she wants to buy same from shop owners she would spend about N1,500 more. “Anytime I want to resume for a new session I al-

ways come here to shop and you will be surprised that you get nice tops from these people.” She said instead of buying second hand clothes she can get new ones at cheap rate. But she however said shoppers like herself are usually not lucky because they do buy inferior wares sometimes, “so you need to be smart when you come here.” A shopper, who claim to work in one of the private companies on Lagos Island, Mrs. Victoria Onigbale, told BSD that she sometimes patronise street traders because she realised that they sometimes have good wares. “I do buy my shoes from them and so far I have been lucky because the ones I got from them are of good quality.

-Saidat Alausa

Apapa road gridlock: Balogun traders lament low sales

he traffic jam on Apapa Port road, Lagos, in the last three weeks which was occasioned by fuel scarcity in the country and the rush by tankers’ driver to evacuate the scarce commodity from the port may have eased, but traders particularly those who carry out their activities within the axis and indeed Lagos Island are still counting their loss for the period. Some traders who spoke

with National Mirror on the impact of the two-week traffic gridlock, complain of low patronage throughout the period, as the heavy vehicular traffic which stretched from the mainland to Eko Bridge, one of the major roads linking the popular Balogun market, Ebute Ero market, and other business clusters within Lagos Island were virtually blocked during the period thereby preventing easy access to and from the market. Broad Street Diary gath-

ered that traffic on the bridge made many traders and shoppers to get to the market late, while some even stayed at home during the period. Mrs. Mary Johnson told BSD on Tuesday that the traffic had made sales to be low, as most shoppers and traders were discouraged to come to the market due to the heavy traffic. “As you can see am just getting to my shop now because I have wasted half of the day in the traffic,” she lamented. Johnson who sells

Traffic gridlock caused by fuel tankers at Ijora Road, Lagos.

lace clothing materials, call on government to find lasting solutions to the perennial vehicular traffic in Lagos which not only affect the state economically, but could also cause stress to commuters. Another trader, Alhaja Safiriyu Solanke, told BSD that apart from the traffic which blocked one of the major accesses to Lagos Island, fuel scarcity also contributed to the low patronage. “We are appealing to incoming government to find

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

a lasting solution to the issue of fuel scarcity. I have to join public transport this morning because I was unable to fuel my vehicle.”She urged the government to act fast before the situation get out of hands. In an interview with another shopper at the Ebute Ero market, Madam Alice Nwachukwu, she said the fuel scarcity is really making things difficult for traders. “We were trying to contend with the issue of fuel scarcity, and now it is the heavy traffic on Eko Bridge, in fact I was in that traffic for

three hours today,” she told BSD. She however, thanked the state government for the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, which she said had made it easy for traders and shoppers to come to markets on the Island at this difficult time. Nwachukwu said unlike before now when they had to pay heavily for transport, she said the BRT busses had made the journey to and from the Lagos Island market easy for traders and shopers.

-Saidat Alausa

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Fuel queue at Marina, Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Fuel scarcity, exchange rate killing our business, traders cry out J

ust as they were recovering from low sale brought about by political transition in the country, traders on Broad Street have started counting other losses due to fuel scarcity. Indeed, they have started experiencing low patronage since the fuel scarcity saga started, and as a result have cried out onto to the government to find lasting solution to the persistent fuel crisis for business to thrive. Speaking to BSD on the effect of the fuel scarcity on business within Lagos Island, a market leader on Broad Street, Mrs. Biola Bello, said since the scarcity started, the rate of commercial activities have drastically reduced. She said apart from affecting the prices of various goods, most of their customers have stopped coming to the Broad Street to buy because they could not get fuel to power their cars, instead, they preferred buying within their vicinity. She said although they still made sales; but not as expected in normal situation. She added that the lingering fuel scarcity situation in the country would affect lives of many Nigerians in terms of health and job loss. According to her, major traders on Broad Street and Idumota market, es-

THE ISSUE OF NAIRA DEVALUATION REMAINS THE MAJOR FACTOR AFFECTING BOTH CONSUMERS AND TRADERS, WHICH MUST ALSO BE

TACKLED PROMPTLY.

SHE SAID FOR

HER, THE COMPLAINTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HINGED ON EXCHANGE RATE pecially the textile dealers, have been reducing their workforces (their sales helps) due to low patronages of their markets. A textile dealer, who gave her as Mama Biliki, said that the non-consumable goods traders were mostly affected in this kind of situation, believing that no matter the situation, people would surely eat and therefore have to patronise the food sellers. During the last election, the traders witnessed the same situation, linking it to various factors such as persistent

naira devaluation, which led to the increment in prices of major goods while the incomes of the consumers remain stagnant, thereby limiting their purchasing power. Others attributed the situation to the gloomy political situation heralded by imminent elections in the country, whereby everybody was afraid of what becomes post-election period. They believed that the electioneering phobia and after-election uncertainty had grounded the commercial activities. However, the Managing Director of

Lencarl Fashion, a dealer in designer clothes along Broad Street in Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Lencarl, said there were many other factors, apart from the fuel scarcity, affecting the businesses in the country. According to her, the issue of naira devaluation remained the major factors affecting both consumers and the traders, which must also be tackled promptly. She said for her, the complaints have always been hinged on the exchange rates. She added that most of the goods traded in Nigerian markets are imported. Their prices have gone up beyond purchasing powers of most consumers. She added that the fuel scarcity issue only compounded the problems faced by the traders. She said she was disappointed in the Federal Government to have allowed the situation to be this long. Lencarl therefore appealed to the government to find solutions, as a matter of urgency, not only on the fuel scarcity, but also other factors such as exchange rate which she lamented is hurting businesses.

Abolaji Adebayo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Rivers Assembly, courts’ll be re-opened soon —Wike Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Governor-elect, Barrister Nyesom Wike, said yesterday that the House of Assembly and courts in the state would be reopened as soon as he is sworn-in as governor. It would be recalled that the House of Assembly and high courts in the state have been under lock and key for almost a year, following political crisis that rocked the state. But, briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, chairman, Inauguration Committee of Rivers State Governor-elect, Chief Austin Okpara, assured that the three arms of government in the state, including the executive would function effectively as soon as the government of Wike assumes office. Okpara lamented that the judiciary and legislature were muzzled under the outgoing administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, describing the development as the height of impunity. Chief Okpara disclosed this during a press briefing

in Port Harcourt yesterday. Okpara who was giving a line-up of activities ahead of the May 29 swearing- in of Chief Wike as governor of the state, said it is a shame that a state House of Assembly was on carrying legislative duties in the Government House. “One thing I must say is that the new Rivers State House of Assembly will no longer sit in the Government House. Between May 29 and June 1, the assembly will be re-opened and ready for use by the lawmakers. “The judiciary will also be functional so that lawyers can go back to the courts,” he said, adding that Wike and the deputy governor-elect, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Banigo, would be sworn-in, despite the wicked moves by the outgoing Governor Amaechi to frustrate the process. Okpara, a former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, listed some of the programmes preceding the inauguration as a lecture on democracy and good governance to be delivered by the Pro-Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Kimsi Okoko, as well as a thanksgiving service to rededicate the state to God.

Akpabio inaugurates projects in Akwa Ibom

overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State yesterday inaugurated the first phase of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road as part of activities to mark his exit from office. The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Mrs. Valarie Ebe, and the governor-elect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, also inaugurated the Aka-Etinan road which was adorned with street lights. He also inaugurated a modern drainage system. In his speech at the inauguration, Akpabio described his performance during his eight years in office as `uncommon and unparalleled.’ ``No matter what the people say, the evidences are all on ground and the difference is very clear; my performance is uncommon and unparalleled,” he said. He expressed fulfillment that he kept his promises to the people of the state, adding that his administration constructed and inaugurat-

ed numerous road projects with street lights, flyovers and bridges, among others. Akpabio said that the Federal Executive Council last week, gave approval for the commencement of the Ibom Deep Seaport project in the state. He added that with the approval, several companies had already indicated their interest to partner with the state on the project. Akpabio expressed optimism that the governorelect, would perform well and surpass his achievements in the last eight years. He thanked the various construction companies, especially Julius Berger, for delivering the projects on schedule, adding that the projects would stand the test of time. News Agency of Nigeria reports that a total of 165 projects were earmarked for inauguration as part of activities to commemorate the transition to the incoming elected government.

L-R: Country Manager, Franks International Oil Field Services Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Osyaldo Behr; Head of Finance and Accounts, Industrial Training Funds (ITF), Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Pomark Zaatpo and representative of Director-General, Mr. Benjamin Ogaji, during presentation of award in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

AGF lacks power to direct Bayelsa CJ to swear in Wike —Sagay, others • Rivers faults directive Wale Igbintade, Matthew Irinoye and Dennis Naku

ormer dean, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, and human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, have faulted the directive issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, asking the chief judge of Bayelsa State to administer the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the Rivers State Governorelect, Chief Nyesom Wike, on May 29, saying it is unconstitutional and invalid. Speaking with National Mirror, Professor Sagay stated that the AGF lacks the authority or power to direct any chief judge of any state. According to him, chief judges, being the head of courts in their respective states, are autonomous and not part of the federal judiciary. He said: ‘’The AttorneyGeneral of the Federation does not have any authority or power to direct any chief judge of a state. In fact, the chief judge of a state is the head of the courts in a state and he is no part of the federal judiciary. The attorneygeneral cannot even direct any federal high court or any other judge in the Nigeria.’ ‘’What the AG has done is to direct the chief judge of a state which is autonomous; it’s nonsense; it’s unconstitu-

tional; it’s invalid; it’s illegal. He has no power to do so. It is a different thing if he request or persuade or beg the chief judge of another state to please swear him in and that judge can do so on his own discretion in responding to the request. “In that case we will now have to interpret Section 185 (2) of the Constitution to find out whether if you cannot get the chief judge of a state or grand khadi of the Sharia Court Appeal of a state, or the president of a customary court of appeal of a state, then you can go to any other state. But, the provision did not say other states, but rather, the chief judge of a state.” In his view, Mr. Olu Daramola (SAN) said: “The request of the AGF is not proper. If there is a vacuum, the best way to address it is to ask a judge in Rivers State to perform the task of swearingin the new governor. Asking the Bayelsa State chief judge to perform the swearing-in is an assault on the hallowed principle of federalism and the constitution.’’ Also in a statement issued yesterday, Adegboruwa said the directive is nothing but a continuation of the impunity that has characterised the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. According to Adegboruwa, the directive is ‘’is unconstitutional for the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to issue directives to a sitting

chief judge of a state in a federation.’’ He argued that ‘’the swearing-in of a governor of a state is the internal affairs of that state that cannot be usurped or taken over by the AGF. Although it is true that section 185(2) of the 1999 Constitution permits the chief judge or the president of the Customary Court of Appeal of another state to swear in a governor in another state, such a function can only be performed at the behest of the particular state concerned - in this case, Rivers State - and not upon the directive of the AGF with due respect.”. But, in his view Lagosbased human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, stated that the directive, issued by the Mohammed Adoke (SAN) for the Rivers State governorelect to be sworn in by the chief judge of Bayelsa State is legal. The radical lawyer, in a statement dated May 20, 2015 and personally signed by him, argued that “following the protracted stalemate over the appointment of a substantive chief judge for Rivers State, there was apprehension as to who will administer the Oaths of Office and Allegiance on the Governor-elect, Wike on May 29, 2015. “This was laid to rest recently by the directive of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN),

that the function should be performed by the chief judge of the neighbouring Bayelsa State. Is he legally correct in giving this directive? “A close look at Section 185 (2) as analysed above will clearly show that whilst the drafters of the Constitution were very particular in using the phrase “the State” in reference to those officers who should administer the oaths, the last part of the section which allows other persons to perform the function (apart from those stated officers) uses the phrase “in any State. Meanwhile, Rivers State government has faulted the directive by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke to the Bayelsa State Chief Judge to swear-in Rivers State Governor-elect, Barrister Nyesom Wike on May 29. But in a telephone chat with our reporter yesterday, solicitor to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the ruling party in Rivers State, Achinike William Wobodo, describes Adoke’s directive as unconstitutional and void. Wobodo said Adoke was conferring upon himself authority that he does not have, pointing out that only a court of competent jurisdiction could interpret the constitution or any other law. According to him, “the order by the Attorney General of the Federation is void. He (Adoke) is not constitutionally empowered to do

North

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Kano primary school attack leaves one pupil dead Abdulgafar Oladimeji KANO

wo pupils of Fagge Special Primary School, Fagge Local Government Area, Kano State, were yesterday attacked by an unknown assailant. The attack left one of the pupils dead. According to eyewitness account, the victims, whose identity are yet to be ascertained were stabbed by their attacker, who was alleged to have found his way into the school premises by climbing the school’s fence from the

rear. Sources in the school told National Mirror that the incident occurred while classes were ongoing. The remains of the deceased female pupil and her male counterpart, who survived the attack, were dumped inside the school toilet. National Mirror reports that the surviving male victim was inflicted with wounds on his head. The watchman attached to the school, Mallam Ibrahim Dan Sariki, said: “At about 1 pm yesterday, Wednesday, some hoodlums

scaled over the school fence and promptly attacked the two pupils, a male and a female, who were dragged into the toilet and subsequently stabbed repeatedly. “But the female was unfortunate due to the severe injury she suffered on her head which resulted in her death, while the male survived the attack.” Spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident, noting that the police on receiving an alert moved into action. According to him, the school‘s assistant headmas-

ter brought news of the incident to the notice of the police, adding that, on arrival at the crime scene, the police met the victims in a pool of their blood, having suffered varying degrees of injury on their bodies. According to him, the police arranged for immediate transfer of the victims of the attack to the hospital for medical attentions, adding that all the required procedures in connections with investigation into the incidence have been put in place. Majiya disclosed that reasons behind the attack are yet to be established by the police.

L-R: Representative of Plateau State Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longjan; Chairman, board of directors, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Chief Patrick Ogbu and Director-General, Mr. Sola Omole, during inauguration of NTA Network Centre in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Health minister, Alhassan, deserts office —Investigation Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

inister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has been absent from his office and the entire ministry since President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid, National Mirror investigation has revealed. Our correspondent reliably gathered that the minister was last seen in office few days to the last presidential poll. Until his confirmation as substantive Minister of Health by President Jonathan on March 18 this year, he had headed the ministry in acting capacity between October 20, 2014, and March 17. He was appointed Minister of State on March 5, 2014, alongside eight others.

On March 18 this year, his current state counterpart, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo, was appointed as Minister of State by the President. Alhassan worked with the former Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who resigned to contest a gubernatorial election in his state, Ebonyi. Chukwu contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but failed at the primary level. Dr. Alhassan hails from Sokoto State, one of the strongholds of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the North. The party routed the PDP, which had led the Federal Government for 16 years. Since he deserted office, the minister has been represented by Fidelis at functions either carried out or

attended by the ministry. One of the sources who spoke with our correspondent but pleaded anonymity said: “We have not seen him (Alhassan) since the defeat of his principal. We learnt he went for Hajj shortly after the election, and since then we haven’t seen him. “You can see that he is being represented at all events, including the ongoing 68th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. We doubt if he will appear in his office or at the ministry before the May 29 inauguration date, because it is over a month now that we have seen him last.” Up till January this year, the minister was confronted with the strike embarked upon by health workers in the country. He battled to pacify the ag-

grieved workers over the action which lasted for about two months. Alhassan met with stakeholders in Lagos and the nation’s capital, Abuja, to ensure the action was put on hold, and he succeeded. The nation’s health sector has been engulfed by feuds among health professionals, necessitating calls for the sack of Prof Chukwu. But, Alhassan did not face such a demand. The performance of the sector has however received applause from international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, WHO. The peak of such praise was the prompt containment of the deadly Ebola virus disease in the country. Alhassan took part in the effort.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEMA harps on adherence to forecast predictions Gloria Usman ABUJA

ational Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday advised stakeholders in disaster management and Nigerians to adhere to the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET’s forecast predictions and be proactive in tackling disasters in the country. Coordinator, NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Mr. Ishaya Chonoko, who made the call at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, on the implications of NIMET’s 2015 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions, SRP, on floods and other disaster-related issues, said disasters usually affect the economy of a nation adversely and that it is important for all hands to be on deck to avert them. Chonoko said the forum was organised by NEMA in collaboration with the FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and that the objective falls within monitoring the state of preparedness of stakeholders as well as putting strategies in place to mitigate and prevent disasters. He stressed that information provided by NIMET is required to assist relevant stakeholders make informed decisions for effective preparedness and response at all levels. The coordinator urged stakeholders to adhere to the forecast and early warnings contained in the SRP and formulate plans and programmes for effective response at all levels. He said this year’s forecast would impact on the health, agriculture, water and sanitation sectors; “so,

we must all be alive to our roles.” He urged the forum to identify a more coordinated approach for the prevention and mitigation of disasters in the FCT based on the 2015 SRP. Speaking earlier, Director-General, FEMA, Mr. Abbas Idris, noted that disaster management is not a one man affair but a collective effort, commending the contributions of NEMA, Abuja operations office and the stakeholders. Idris called on the forum to come up with pragmatic, cost-effective and sustainable strategies to step up sensitisation in vulnerable communities in the territory. Also speaking was the General Manger, Climate Services, NIMET, Mr. Joseph Anozie, According to him, NIMET has the responsibility to inform Nigerians about the environment, including weather-related issues, because malaria can be created by weather conditions like rainfall and temperature. He advised the stakeholders to make proper use of information provided in the SRP as it would help planning in various sectors. Anozie stressed the need to strictly adhere to environmental cleanliness and avoid stagnant water which could lead to blockage of water ways and cause increase in diseases such as malaria. He said increase in malaria cases prompted NIMET to include malaria prediction in the 2015 SRP so that the health sector could make adequate plans on how to tackle the disease.

IGP firms up security around embassies Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

nspector General of the Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, has directed command commissioners of police to provide adequate security for all foreign nationals, especially missionaries living in their jurisdictions. He has also ordered that security be firmed up around embassies in the country. The directive was issued after the IGP received the

Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Mr. Sean Hoy, at the Force Headquarters yesterday. The IGP equally assured the ambassador that foreign missions in Nigeria would continue to receive adequate security. Mr. Hoy who said he was at the Force Headquarters on a working visit, used the occasion to congratulate the IGP on his appointment. He promised more collaboration between his country and the Nigerian police.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Gaidam signs Yobe’s N80.6bn 2015 budget into law INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

L-R: Former Bauchi State Military Administrator, retired Capt. Adisa Raji; Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Galadima of Sokoto, Alhaji Altahiru Abubakar, during the inauguration of Modern Girls Boarding Primary School in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kano drops charges against 14 year-old husband killer ABDULGAFAR OLAD IMEJI KANO

ano State Ministry of Justice have asked a Kano State High Court to set free Wosilat Tasiu, 14, arrested and charged with alleged murder of her 35 years old husband and three other persons, who ate a poisonous meal she allegedly prepared for them. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had filed a fourcount charge of culpable

homicide, seeking a death sentence to be passed on the accused. However, government yesterday reversed itself when the prosecution, represented by one Barrister Lamido Soron Dinki, brought an application on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, urging the court to quash the charge filed against Wosilat and set her free. The court, however, decline to delve into the request, but adjourned the case till June 9, stating that the application was brought orally.

The court said the application seeking to quash the charge against the accused person ought to have been brought in a written form. The Kano State Government had earlier filed a four count charge against 14 years-old Wosilat Tasiu, alleging that she murdered her 35 years old husband, Umar Sani and three others. The state Attorney General before the new request had told the court that the accused girl on April 5, 2014 at Yan Tsoro village in Gaya Local Gov-

ernment Area in Kano State poisoned a meal with a conceived intent to kill her late husband. The state further alleged that Umar Sani 35, Hassan Alhassan 25, Nasiru Mohammed 13, and Indo Ibrahim 12 all ate the poisoned meal and died. The accused person, Wosilat Tasiu, 14 yearsold had remain silent since the commencement of the trial, presided over by Justice Mohammed Yahya, prompting the presiding judge to enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf.

Gowon commissions new Sokoto NYSC camp JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

ew National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Permanent Orientation Camp built by Sokoto State Government at Wamakko Local Government Area has been formally commissioned. Performing the ceremony yesterday in Sokoto, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, praised Governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for the project, which he said would enhance the comfort of corps members. The former Head of State said the NYSC scheme was established by his administration to help keep Nigeria together, and went on to commend successive batches

of corps members for the sacrifices they had made in the service of their fatherland. He urged corps members that are currently serving to strive to excel in their various endeavours and to keep alive, the spirit of a united Nigeria. While praying for their success, he urged them to be good young men and women and to work hard for the progress of Nigeria and humanity in general. Also speaking at the event, NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, praised the efforts of the Federal Government towards funding the scheme to enable it discharge its mandate to the Nigerian nation. He expressed gratitude to Sokoto State Gov-

ernment for providing the new Permanent Orientation Camp despite limited resources at its disposal. While answering questions on the challenge of inadequate funding, the Director-General pointed out that the scheme was not unmindful of the present state of the nation’s economy, adding that despite the present economic crunch, the three tiers of government had been coming to the aid of the scheme in areas of urgent needs. Olawumi said: “The camp served as a source of motivation for corps members who, as he put it, were in high spirit; adding that the state government’s gesture would spur them to do their best for the state and by extension, the entire nation. He

assured that the facility would be judiciously utilised. The Director-General also acknowledged the efforts of some other state governments in discharging their statutory obligations to the scheme, especially through the provision of permanent orientation camps. Earlier, the Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, had said that the NYSC camp was built as part of his administration’s efforts to make corps members comfortable and have memorable stay in the state. He acknowledged the role of the NYSC in getting the participating youths to know the country better and appreciate its diversity just as he expressed hope in them as future leaders.

overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has assented to the Finance and Appropriation Bill of “consolidation and continuity” presented to the House of Assembly in March, with an increase of N815 million for capital expenditure of N37.91 billion and N42.69 billion recurrent expenditure for this financial year. Signing the 2015 budget into law on Wednesday at Government House, Damaturu, the governor said the N80.6 billion budget with a reduction in recurrent expenditure of N815 million, was however; the most realistic and peopleoriented budget, because of the present economic situation and challenges of financing the budget. His words: “It is clear that the present economic situation poses serious challenges to us. Despite these challenges, I wish to assure this gathering that government shall continue to be accountable, prudent, and transparent in spending public funds to meet its obligations of providing social services to the citizens. “In order to achieve this objective, we must

be ready to make some sacrifice and consider ourselves as stakeholders in the development of the state. Let me assure you that this occasion is not a mere signing of a document.” He said with this reduction, total capital expenditures stood at N37.91billion or 47 per cent of the budget of N80.6 billion. Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Dala Dogo, congratulated the governor for conceiving a budget that is balanced, realistic and people oriented aimed at achieving the state’s goals of rapid socio-economic transformation. Dogo however noted: “The contemporary issues confronting us today are many, but the dominant one is the urgent need for revitalisation of the socio-elegant activities in the state which this budget seeks to squarely address by giving priority to the enhancement of education, fostering unity, peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the people of the state, stimulating economic growth, creating employment opportunities and encouraging communities to embark on self-help projects.

Kogi election tribunal receives 28 petitions WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ollowing its inauguration few weeks ago, the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal has received 28 petitions for National and House of Assembly consideration. The election tribunal will be sitting at the Kogi State High Court complex in Lokoja The three-man panel appointed to handle the petitions submitted by the aggrieved candidates was inaugurated on April 29 this year. Candidates who were not satisfied with the outcome of the elections have approached the tribunal for redress. The extension of the deadline for the submission of the petitions was due to the re-scheduled

elections in the state. However out of the twenty eight petitions submitted, three are for the Senate as all the three Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidates in the state are contesting the result of the election won by their All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart. For the House of Representatives with 9 federal constituencies seats, at least seven candidates representing the following constituencies filed petitions; Ankpa/Omala/ Olamaboro constituency, Ajaokuta,Yagba,Kabba/ Bunu/ljumu,and Dekina/ Bassa Others are Idah and Okene/Ogori Magongo federal constituencies only Lokoja/Koto and Okehi Adavi federal constituencies did not filed petitions.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News Small minority of South Africans involved in the xenophobic violence. The Mozambicans are our brothers, our sisters, that’s like a family problem really. –South African President, Jacob Zuma

Burundian soldier killed in unrest, parliamentary, local votes delayed Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

urundi’s embattled president postponed parliamentary and local elections on Wednesday and a soldier was shot dead in the capital amid a power struggle that could unleash more ethnic bloodshed in Africa’s Great Lakes region. More than 20 people have been killed in nearly a month of unrest, including during a botched military coup a week ago, but the demonstrators demanding President Pierre Nkurunziza end his bid for a third term appear determined as ever. In one incident in the volatile Musaga neighborhood of Bujumbura, a Reuters photographer monitoring protests heard a loud explosion in an area from which a slightly injured policeman walked away soon afterwards. “The protesters have thrown a grenade,” an officer at the scene shouted. A soldier was also shot dead, with witnesses saying he had been hit in the chest by a round fired by police, an incident that could inflame tensions between different wings of the security forces in the ethnically divided nation of 10 million. Army spokesman Gasper

Soldiers on the streets of Burundi

Baratuza could not confirm details of the soldier’s death. Red Cross spokesman Alexis Manirakiza said another soldier and three protesters had also been wounded in clashes. There are few suggestions the struggle is being driven by ethnicity rather than the desire by urban Burundians to stop Nkurunziza seeking a third term, which they say violates the constitution and a peace deal that ended a long civil war in 2005. Nkurunziza argues that his presidential bid is legitimate since he was appointed to his

first term in office by parliament, rather than by a direct vote. But the longer the political crisis drags on and the higher the death toll, the greater the chance it reopens the 10-yearold wounds in the East African country with its long history of mass killing between Hutus and Tutsis. An estimated 300,000 people died in the civil war in Burundi, which has the same ethnic mix as neighbouring Rwanda, where 800,000 - most of them Tutsis and moderate Hutus - were killed in a 1994 genocide.

“The situation is so unstable and volatile that every day appears to be flashpoint,” said Carina Tertsakian, Human Rights Watch’s senior Burundi researcher. “The demonstrators are not backing down and the government is intensifying its crackdown.” Nkurunziza, a 51-year-old former sports lecturer, has so far yielded no ground to the protesters, whom his government has tried to associate with the failed military takeover, a tactic that has made no dent in the numbers on the streets.

Bin Laden bent on spectacular US attack until his demise –Report

unkered down in his Pakistani compound, Osama bin Laden pleaded with his followers to stay focused on attacking the United States instead of being dragged into Muslim infighting. Documents that were declassified on Wednesday shed new light on the mindset of Al-Qaeda’s founder, his debates over tactics, his anxiety over Western spying and his fixation with the group’s media image. “The focus should be on killing and fighting the American people and their representatives,” the late Al-Qaeda figurehead wrote. The letter was among thou-

sands of files found by US Navy SEALs on May 2, 2011 when they descended on Bin Laden’s hideout in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad and shot him dead. US intelligence agencies have now declassified more than 100 of these documents taken from Bin Laden’s archive, after lawmakers ordered the move and critics accused the CIA of withholding material. A news agency was given exclusive access to the documents ahead of their release, and they have since been posted online by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Jeff Anchukaitis, spokesman for the office, said the release

of “a sizeable tranche of documents” was in line with President Barack Obama’s call for “increased transparency.” It was also in accordance with a law obliging the spy agencies to review all the Bin Laden material for possible release, he said. The documents released are English translations of the originals, and a news agency had no way to independently verify the materials or the accuracy of the translation. The release came shortly after US journalist Seymour Hersh alleged that Washington’s official account of the hunt for Bin Laden and the raid that led to his death was a lie.

WORLD BULLETIN

France troop kills two Islamist chiefs in Sahel region French special forces operating in Africa’s Sahel region have killed two senior Islamist militant commanders, a defence ministry statement said yesterday. The statement described the two as “important terrorist chiefs” from the groups Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Ansar Eddine. It named them as Amada Ag Hama, also known as Abdelkrim the Touareg, or Abdelkrim al-Targui, and Ibrahim Ag Inawalen, alias “Bana”. Amada Ag Hama was the most senior member of the Malian Tuareg community to join AQIM, standing out in a group which was dominated by Algerians and leading a katiba fighting force that was primarily made up of Malian Tuaregs. He is also the cousin of Iyad Ag Ghaly, the commander of Ansar Eddine, and has been linked to a number of killings, including two RFI journalists in 2013.

US lawmakers vote to abolish death penalty Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval yesterday to a bill abolishing the death penalty that would make it the first conservative state to do so since 1973 if the measure becomes law. The vote margin in the unicameral Legislature was more than enough to override a promised veto from Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, a staunch supporter of capital punishment, who said that it was a “dark day” for public safety. “Nebraska has a chance to step into history — the right side of history — to take a step that will be beneficial toward the advancement of a civilized society,” said Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, an independent who has fought for four decades to the end the death penalty.

EU parliament votes to ban ‘conflict minerals’ European legislators on Wednesday unexpectedly voted in favour of a law requiring firms to ensure they do not use so-called conflict minerals from Africa and other areas that end up funding warlords. The legislation for compulsory regulation of the use of tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold, which are often used in computers and mobile phones, will however face a tough test to get past EU governments. Osama bin-Laden

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

W/Cup 2015: Nkwocha dropped from Canada train

Many factors will determine whether I am staying or leaving. But all I can say is that I want to stay

Sport

–Manchester United midfielder, Juan

Errant Eagles, Falcons to face sanctions –Pinnick Joel Ajayi ABUJA

Glo League results Flying Eagles Captain, Musa Mohammed

Sunshine

Kwara

Taraba

Dolphins

Lobi

Heartland

Sharks

Giwa

Pillars

Gabros

Bayelsa

Wikki

Akwa

3SC

Enyimba

El Kanemi

Rangers

Nasarawa

Tension in NIS as minister plans to impose new director Ifeanyi Eduzor

he relative peace being enjoyed by the National Institute For Sports (NIS) since the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Obajimi early last month as Acting Director may vanish following plans by the Ministry of Sports/National Sports Commission (NSC) to appoint a substantive director from outside the institution. National Mirror scooped that the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, is also heading for a collision with the Governing Council of the NIS over his decision to appoint a new director from outside without an input from the council, contrary to the enabling law establishing the school. It was learnt on good authority

that Danagogo had already concluded plans to visit the institute today, during which he would officially introduce one Professor Eke from Bayelsa State as the substantive director as well as approve the continued retention of the immediate past director, Dr. Sunny Ikhioya, as a Chief Lecturer in the institute. Crisis is brewing in the NIS as the Minister who has less than two weeks to the end of his tenure, has refused to take the advice of the various unions who are clamoring for the confirmation of Dr. Obajimi as the substantive director following the relative peace that has been witnessed in the school since her acting appointment. “It is unfortunate that with less than two weeks to the winding up of the present administration, the Minister of Sports is trying to im-

pose his kinsman as Director of NIS without due process which requires advertising the position, a good selection process and input from the Governing Council,” a source said. The source added, “We were also told that the Minister will be visiting the school tomorrow (today) where he plans to introduce the Director to us as well as approve the retaining of Ikhioya as chief lecturer not minding that the same man was at the helm of affairs in the school for nine years without conducting any convocation ceremony coupled with series of crises that trailed his tenure. “The present acting director has passed through the system and since her appointment, we have been having relative peace. It is also on record that she is the first woman to head the institute

and as such should be allowed to continue her good work.” Efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Patrick Omorodion, on the issue proved abortive as all his lines indicated that they were switched off.

Danagogo

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has warned all the national team players to be ready to adhere strictly to the code of conduct recently prepared by the federation or be ready to be blacklisted. Pinnick, who gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja in an interactive session with journalists, noted that the players are issued the code at the point of invitation to camp, adding that any player that is not ready to adhere to it can ignore the invitation He explained that the rule will apply to all the players for the national under-17, under-20, Super Falcons and Super Eagles teams. “We know A to Z of what is going on and we are putting all that measures in place to make sure there is discipline whenever they come to represent their father land. 100% of their commitment is not good for Nigeria; what we are expecting from them is 200 % of their commitment,” the NFF boss said. Meanwhile, in the wake of the about five weeks medical trip of Pinnick abroad and the anxiety it generated, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has explained that the president and board members are not executive officials. “It is stipulated in the NFF statute that NFF Board needs to meet three times in a year, but if there is important issues they can come to office to a hold an emergency meeting. The secretariat is responsible for day-to-day running of the office,” Sanusi clarified.

Sports

Thursday, May 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Moses Moses

makes fitness pledge R

ecuperating Super Eagles and Stoke City winger, Victor Moses, has expressed hope of coming back stronger from injury ahead of a better outing next season. The Chelsea player, who was on loan at Stoke, suffered a hamstring injury on April 11 in an EPL Week 6

game against West Ham United, which ended 1-1 draw. “My injury is healing fast and I will be back better and stronger next season,” Moses said yesterday on Twitter. Moses joined Chelsea for £9 million from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2012.

Toure

He was on loan at Liverpool last season (2013/2014), where he scored a goal in 19 games, and this season has played 19 games with three goals for Stoke City. He made 23 appearances for Chelsea in his first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring only one goal.

Toure nears Inter

‘capture’

Salah

Salah boost for Fiorentina

anagement of Serie club Fiorentina says the arrival of Chelsea’s Egyptian striker, Mohamed Salah, has raised the club’s profile. The 22-year-old became a Florence fan favourite after putting in a string of impressive displays with Fiorentina, whom he joined on a six-month loan deal from the English Premier League side last January. “We are pleased with the popularity we gained because of Salah’s arrival,” Fiorentina’s Business and Development Manager, Ser-

gi Bernadi, said yesterday. “When just rumours surfaced that we would sign Salah, our page jumped to 300,000 likes from Egyptian supporters. “We have been trying to reach one million likes for seven years until Salah’s arrival helped us exceed that!” The former Basel winger has been a revelation since joining Fiorentina, scoring nine goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, his typical solo runs and forays forward prompting many to lavish praise on him.

nter Milan Vice President, Javier Zanetti, yesterday said the Italian club is on the verge of finalising a deal with Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure. Speculation has been mounting in recent months of reuniting the Ivorian international with his former manager Roberto Mancini, now in charge at Inter, and a deal for the City star seems to be gaining momentum. “We are at the stage where we hope that we can finalise a deal as we know he would help us make a step up in quality,” Zanetti said. Inter is also looking to bring back Italian midfielder, Thiago Motta, who spent three years at the club from 2009-2012, from French champions Paris Saint-Germain. “Bringing in players like Yaya would mark a step up in quality,” Zanetti added. Toure, who joined the Premier League club from Barcelona in 2010, has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Football League Cup in his five years at the Etihad.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, May 21, 2015

W/Cup 2015:

Mercy Jacob

Nkwocha dropped from Canada train

Nkwocha

ormer African Player of the Year, Perpetua Nkwocha, may have tactically retired from international football after she was dropped from the list of players to represent Nigeria at the imminent Canada 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 39-year-old played in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 editions of the tournament. Although she was invited to camp for preparation towards the Canadian event, she eventually failed to make the 23 ladies squad which departed Abuja on Tuesday night. It was not clear why the veteran player was dropped but National Mirror learnt that it might not be unconnected with loss of form. Meanwhile Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has expressed confidence in the Super Falcons, even as he urged them to breaking the jinx of the quarter finals appearance at the tournament. “You have always done the nation proud and I see you doing even better in Canada,” Pinnick, who was represented at the departure ceremony for the team in Abuja by NFF Board member, Dilichukwu Onyedimma, said. “As African champions, I want you to go to the World Cup this time with a clear determination to do better than your predecessors did,” the NFF boss added.

AFCON qualifier:

Egypt cancels Rwanda friendly

eports yesterday said authorities in Egypt have called off the proposed friendly international between Pharaohs and Wasps of Rwanda. The match was scheduled to hold in Kigali before both sides engage in different AFCON 2017 qualifiers next month. But the Egyptian Football Association explained that its decision to withdraw was due to security concerns and political strife in the south-east African nation.

“After coordination with the EFA President, Gamal Allam, and Pharaohs Coach Hector Cuper, we have resolved to cancel the match,” a statement said. Seven-time AFCON winner Egypt has been drawn in Group G of the 2017 qualifiers along with Nigeria, Tanzania and Chad and the Pharaohs begin their campaign against Taifa Stars of Tanzania on June 14. Egypt has missed out of three consecutive finals since the 2010 edition hosted by Angola.

Polo action in Abuja

Polo: Max Air wins Unity tourney Joel Ajayi ABUJA

ax Air has won the National Peace and Unity Polo Tournament after defeating the defending champion, Keffi Ponys 7-2, creating the biggest upset of the competition. Tournament Manager, Aliyu

Cuper

Umar, said the tournament had come at the right time in apparent reference to the new political dispensation that will usher in the Buhari administration on May 29. “We are particularly indebted to our sponsors MTN, Sheraton, MRS, Berger Paints Nig. Plc, Nigerian Breweries, Dattaku, Caribbean and KSA Electric,

among others, for their support,” Umar said, even as he described the event as the most exciting and the most attended polo tournaments in Abuja in the last three years. “I salute all the players and the polo enthusiasts for making the competition a huge success,” he added.

CBN Tennis: Ifidzhen upsets Adegoke, enters q-finals Paul Erewuba

nseeded Russianborn Nigerian player, Melissa Ifidzhen, yesterday created a major upset at the CBN Open Men

and Women’s Senior Tennis Tournament when she defeated Women number two seed, , Sarah Adegoke 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the second round of the competition to send the latter out of the tournament and entered into the last eight.

Ifidzhen, who had earlier beaten Ebere Fortune in her game on Tuesday, expressed delight to have sent Adogoke packing. “I think my power play and consistent attack gave me victory,” she said.

Meanwhile, Women’s Singles defending champion and tournament top seed, Christy Agugbom also cruised into the quarter-final after beating younger Angel Mcleod 6-1, 6-4 while Beauty Mcleod de-

feated Beauty Oghenekevwe 6-2, 6-0. In the Men’s category, Men’s singles defending champion, Abdulmumuni Babalola, outclassed Michael Eludoyin 6-0, 6-2 to qualify for the quarter-final while

Clifford Enosoregbe defeated Christopher Edward 6-1, 6-4 as Candy Idoko beat Daniel Odeh 6-1, 6-2 to advance. The Otu brothers, John and Thomas, also won their games 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 respectively to advance.

WORLD RECORD

Smallest animal used in detecting land mines

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1117 Thursday, May 21, 2015

The smallest animal currently being trained to potentially detect land mines is the honeybee (Apis mellifera), which measures 12 mm (0.5 in) long.

Nigerian democracy needs robust opposition

n addition to its defeat in the recent presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also lost its dominance in the Senate and House of Representatives and control of some timehonored PDP states like Plateau, Niger and Benue to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the new ruling party. Following these losses, the party is in deep crisis. The decamping of it members, en masse, and the unremitting bickering and acrimony within the party are enervating and threatening it with something of an implosion. It is extremely important that PDP revives itself because Nigerian democracy needs a vigorous opposition, a role which a robust and vibrant PDP can successfully play. Understandably, PDP is writhing in the pains of electoral trouncing. With a touch of hyperbole, the Senate President, David Mark, said that the party was already in coma and hemorrhaging and “unless we

eports yesterday said police have arrested more than 50 people as part of an investigation into suspected match-fixing in Italian football. Those detained include players and directors from about 30 clubs from Italy’s third and fourth divisions.

Guest Columnist

TTochukwu h k

Ezukanma

halt the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial of the party”. It is hard to swallow the politician’s hemlock: rejection by the electorate. But to the PDP, the pains and sorrow of defeat are even more inconsolable because, due to the orientation of the party, electoral defeat was inconceivable to its members, and thus not in their political calculus. They believed, as a onetime PDP chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, once blustered, “the PDP will remain in power, (uninterrupted), for 60 years”. He expected the party to remain in power for that long, not because it will continue to command the people’s confidence and mandate, but because the amoral and do-or-die politicians that suffuse the party will continue to hold on to power through electoral fraud and political intrigues. As Nigerian politics changed, the PDP remained welded to this anachronistic mindset; but the opposition political parties coalesced into a formidable union. The social media became a powerful tool of political discourse and campaign. The Nigerian electorate became more politically savvy due to increased awakening of their political consciousness and aspirations. And as such, for the presidential election, they expected more than mere political sloganeering and verbal swiping of political opponents. They expected issue-based campaigns. They wanted the candidates to address the nation’s myriad of problems and proffer policies that will tackle them. Clinging to its outmoded modus operandi, the PDP remained oblivious of these political changes.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT

PDP REVIVES ITSELF BECAUSE NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY NEEDS A VIGOROUS OPPOSITION For the election, as an incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was to trumpet his accomplishments in the last six years and tell Nigerians what he planned to do, if re-elected. But, as his presidency was an unmitigated failure, he had no achievement to trumpet. With nothing to proclaim, and lacking credibility, as he did not fulfill his earlier election promises, the PDP could not campaign as a ruling party. It took to mudslinging. Relentlessly, it tried to defame the main opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. They accused him of not having the minimal constitutionally required educational qualification to run for the office of the president. Utterly exasperated by President Jonathan’s disastrous governance, Nigerians were unimpressed by these slanders and slurs. A lady on a radio programme summed up this mood, when she said, “even if Buhari brings his NEPA bill as his certificate, I will still vote him”. While education is a necessary pre-requisite for being the president of Nigeria, there is no direct correlation between the number of degrees one has and ability to lead the country. In addition to education, good leadership demands qualities like vision,

courage, discipline and incorruptibility. Education will enhance these qualities if you have them, but will not substitute for them if you lack them. Jonathan, despite his many degrees, lacks these qualities. Not surprisingly, he made a terrible president. Other members of his administration like Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Dr. Rueben Abati, etc, also have many certificates. Wow! These guys have tons of certificates. But then, it seemed they were out to irreparably damage Nigeria with their trailer-load of certificates. They took impunity and arrogance of power to hitherto unknown levels. They were contemptuously indifferent to the deepening economic woes of the generality of Nigerians; scornfully insensitive to the sensibilities of Nigerians, and totally unresponsive to public opinion. In exasperation of this governing team, Nigerians voted for change. They voted for a leader, Buhari, that can lead Nigeria out of its morass of official corruption, insecurity, government ineptitude and dysfunctional and crumbling institutions. And because the chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, maintained his neutrality as an election umpire, the people’s votes counted, and the PDP lost. Expectedly, PDP is in the agony of defeat. The frustrations and regrets of its members are all in order. The problem is their refusal to take responsibilities for their actions, and in looking for alibis and scapegoats. These have led to quarrels, blames and accusations that are debilitating and portend to cripple the biggest party in Africa. Appropriately, Senator Mark is counseling PDP members. He is asking them to learn from their electoral misfortune, come together and rebuild the party. He is urging them to embrace PDP’s new status of an opposition party with all honesty, sincerity of purpose and dedication to duty. The party members should heed this magnificent advice. Tochukwu Ezukanma wrote from Lagos via maciln@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Match-fixing: Italian police make sweeping arrests More than 70 people are also under investigation in the inquiry led by prosecutors in the southern town of Catanzaro. Police, however, said that some of those charged had links to mafia organisations. Catanzaro prosecutors said they

had uncovered an alleged network between club presidents, coaches, players, and some management members. Those arrested are suspected of conspiracy to commit sporting fraud, the reports said, even as Police said they were studying suspi-

cious results in dozens of matches. According to the reports, security agents said the Ndrangheta crime syndicate was believed to be behind some of the match-fixing. It was not yet clear whether the Police inquiry was linked to a previous anti-match-fixing operation.

Tavecchio

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