Thursday, november 19, 2015 new by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Petrol price soars as scarcity persists nationwide

National Mirror www.nationalmirro ronline.ne t

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Marketers pledge cooperation with NNPC to end fuel queues CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Vol. 5 N0. 1247

ump price of petrol has continued to increase in towns across the country as scarcity of the product

Thursday, November 19, 2015

persists yesterday. A survey by our correspondents in major cities nationwide shows that CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

National Mirror Online

1 144-year-old H Holy Cross C Cathedral sstill attracting C Catholic ffaithful P.10

@NationalMirror

N150

Buhari sends N465.63bn additional budget to NASS ...fuel subsidy gets N413bn

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sent a supplementary budget of

GEORGE OJI AND UBONG UKPONG

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Seed producers assure on food security

P.43

Court orders DSS to produce Biafra leader, Kanu P12 P.12

Scene of a ghastly multiple accident at Sango Toll Gate, Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State, yesterday. INSET: The trailer that caused the accident.

$2.9bn arms deal: Dasuki tackles presidency

...accuses panel of partiality

Bomb attacks leave 20 dead in Kano

P.5 P.43

Power firms owe NERC N3bn â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Amadi P.6

News

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari sends N465.63bn additional budget to NASS N465.63bn to the National Assembly for the remaining part of 2015. The President also seeks the lawmakers’ nod for additional borrowing of N1.2trn, an upward revision of the new borrowing from N882.1bn (in the 2015 appropriation) to N2.103trn. The request was contained in two separate letters to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.

Yakubu Dogara, and read on the floor of both chambers. Buhari explained that the supplementary budget was necessitated by significant revenue shortfalls due to continuous decline in the price of oil, crude production shortfalls and non-full realization of non oil revenue. The President also stated that the additional budget was to enable his administration sustain the current progress in

addressing security challenges and other important obligations of government. He noted that given the new level of expenditure and revenue constraint, the 2015 budget, which had a projected Fiscal Deficit of N1.041trn (or 1.09 per cent of GDP), with the deficit largely financed by domestic borrowing of N380bn (total borrowing amounting to N882.12 billion), calls for additional borrowing.

Buhari said the expected deficit arising from the above is projected at N2.103trn (or 2.19 per cent of GDP) to be financed by additional borrowing of N1.601trn, through the Debt Management Office. Subsequently, the President requested an upward review of the fiscal deficit from N1.09 per cent of GDP to N2.19 per cent, an upward revision of the new borrowing from N882.1bn to N2.103trn and new funding requirement

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (middle) and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, during his visit to the former president in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.

to address security challenges and other important obligations. A breakdown of the budget showed that N460.63bn represented recurrent expenditure while N5bn was proposed for capital expenditure. A further breakdown of the recurrent allocations showed that N413.36bn or 88 per cent was proposed for the payment of fuel subsidy and N3.19bn to cover the salaries of recent recruitments in the Nigerian Army. In addition, N29.95bn is for military on Operation Zaman Lafiya and the outstanding balance of the Nigerian army second quarter allocation. The budget also contained N10.61bn for the payment of the outstanding severance gratuity and allowances of former and in-coming legislators and legislative aides, N1.5bn for the All African Games qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The capital expenditure of N5bn is for the victims support funds in the north east. The Senate assured that it would accelerate hearing on budget in view of the lingering fuel scarcity in the country. Chairman, Senate

Petrol price soars as scarcity persists nationwide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

long queues have characterised the few fuel stations that are selling the product, while others remained closed. Some residents in Osun State expressed worry over the lingering scarcity, which according to them, has worsened the living conditions of the people. A commercial driver at Orita-Sabo in Osogbo, Mr. Sulaimon Ayoola, said the scarcity was adversely affecting businesses in the area. He said that a litre of petrol was being sold for between N120 and N140 per litre at few fuel stations with long queues. A trader in the Orisunbare Market in Osogbo, Mrs Tejumola Oso, said the high transport fares, caused by the scarcity,

had affected sales in the market. She urged the Federal Government to quickly intervene to ease the sufferings of the people. The situation was the same in Keffi in Nasarawa State as residents agreed that government should do something to end the lingering scarcity. Only three fuel stations were dispensing with long queues out of the 13 fuel stations in Keffi. A commuter, Mrs Cecilia Austin, said she paid N700 from Keffi to Lafia against the usual N500. She said scarcity of the petroleum products was causing untold hardship to her and many others in the area. She advised the Federal Government to take strong measures against petroleum dealers and

marketers who were hoarding petroleum products. Austin advised government and marketers to address the problem immediately for social and economic development of the country. Residents in Owerri and other communities in Imo State also urged the Federal Government to urgently address the scarcity to ease the sufferings of Nigerians. Our correspondent, who monitored petrol sales in Owerri and other towns across the state, report that petrol was being sold between N140 and N200 per litre. Many fuel stations on Port Harcourt Road, Orji Road, and Egbu Road in Owerri sold a litre of the product for between N150 and N165 per litre.

Fuel stations in other parts of the town sold the product for between N170 and N200 per litre. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, most filling stations were yet to commence sale of the product to motorists. Residents lamented the scarcity in spite of claims by NNPC on Monday that it had deployed 38.277 million litres of petrol to depots across the country. Many fuel stations in the area visited by NAN sold the product for between N200 to N215 per litre. Some petrol vendors took advantage of the situation as a 10-litre jerrycan of petrol now goes for N3,000, while 20-litre can costs N6,000. One NNPC filling station in the city sold the product at the official

pump price of N87 per litre, but with long queues of motorists and other users. Prices of other petroleum products such as kerosene and diesel have remained unchanged at government approved prices of N50 and N125 per litre, respectively. A manager of a major filling station in the city, who did not want his name mentioned, said petroleum depots and tank farms were hoarding products over subsidy arrears owed by the Federal Government. The source said that depot owners now sold petrol at high prices at night. “We load petrol at a very high rate at depots and as such we have to also sell at a higher price so as to make profit,” he said.

Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Aliyu Sabi, gave the assurance while briefing newsmen in Abuja. He said the upper chamber would do everything within its power to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, who had been going through hardship due to shortage of petrol in the country. “I want to assure you that with the committees on Appropriation and Finance being inaugurated today, we would commence hearing on it as soon as the committees conclude their work. “I want to assure you that they are willing to work all night if possible to ensure that it is approved, because they are not unmindful of the urgency it requires. “Whatever they arrive at, when they come back to plenary, we are ready to suspend any law, wave any condition to give expeditious treatment to the budget. “We are not going to be a stumbling block, we have never been and we will never be,’’ he said. On the timeliness of the budget, Sabi said “supplementary budget by nature comes in when the need arises and as such it is not late.”

According to him, if government does not intervene quickly, the product will be sold as high as N300 to N500 per litre in the next one to two weeks. On the reasons most stations’ metres still read N87 per litre whereas they sell above the official price, the source said the concealment was for fear of being sanctioned by the authorities. Meanwhile, oil marketers yesterday promised to support measures put in place by the Federal Government to restore sanity to fuel supply within days. According to a statement by Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division , Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ohi Alegbe, at the end of a strategy session convened CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Photo

Thursday, November 19, 2015

NEWS

L-R: Deputy Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Department, National Youth Service Corps, Mr Lanre Ologunro; Chief Executive Officer, FATE Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi; Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa and Programme Manager, LEAP AFRICA, Mrs. Ndifreke Ekwuegbunam, during the flag-off of NYSC-BoI Graduate Entrepreneurship FUND training programme at NYSC Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Sustainability Manager, OLAM Nigeria, Jennifer Abuah; Country Head, OLAM Nigeria Limited, Mukul Mathur and Prof Pat Utomi, at the presentation of Centre for Values and Leadership ‘Master Farmers’ award for Agriculture to OLAM in Lagos, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Head of Engineering, Med-View Airline, Engr. Lookman Animashaun; Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON), Capt. Noggie Megisson; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole and former Managing Director of defunct Nigeria Airways, Mr. Yomi Jones, at a dinner organised for Med-View Airline’s Agency in Lagos.

Former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr. Attah (right) handing over the Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Charter of SNEPCo to Mr. Bayo Ojulari in keeping with the tradition of environment-friendly operations by the deep-water subsidiary of Shell in Nigeria.

National News

Expenditure on GDP rises by 2.30% in Q2 – NBS

….reports 15.8% national income savings Tola Akinmutimi

igeria’s total expenditure on Gross Domestic Product, GDP, when measured in real terms increased by 2.30 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of this year. However, while year on year, nominal changes increased by 5.12 per cent in the quarter under review, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has reported. Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (Expenditure Approach) report published by the Bureau yesterday indicated that consumption expenditure of households accounted for the biggest chunk of the total expenditure, representing 74.04 per cent on GDP at nominal market prices. Specifically, the statistics agency reported that the final consumption expenditure of households recorded a

nominal growth quarter-onquarter of 8.78 per cent and strong year-on-year growth of 14.70 per cent. It stated further that in real terms, the final consumption expenditure of households recorded yearon-year and quarter-onquarter growth rate of 11.79 per cent and 0.96 per cent respectively. NBS reported further that General Government final expenditure, which represented 5.87 per cent of the total expenditure on nominal GDP, decreased yearon-year by 11.81 per cent. It added that in real terms, the decrease was more pronounced as the general government final expenditure fell by 14.83 percent relative to the corresponding quarter of last year and by 10.75 percent relative to its level in the previous quarter. NBS stated further: “Nominal expenditure on

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (Investment) increased on the year, but by a smaller degree than in the first quarter of 2015. Investment in non-residential buildings was the main driver in growth for the second quarter of 2015; other components such as transport equipment and machinery saw declines. These trends were mirrored in real terms. “Net exports of goods and services accounted for 2.85 percent of nominal GDP at market prices, a decline from 7.77 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. Exports declined by 37.61 percent over this period; a decline only partially counteracted by the 24.31 percent decline in imports.” It pointed out that accordingly, whereas the net export balance remained positive, the gap between the value of

exports and the value of imports narrowed. Compensation of Employees (COE) returned to growth of 0.11 per cent year on year in nominal terms, after the decline of 2.49 per cent in the first quarter of 2015. In real terms however, COE declined by of 8.11per cent.

The Bureau also stated that the national disposable income grew in nominal terms by 6.09 per cent yearon-year in the quarter under review (Q2, 2015), adding that during this period, household consumption accounted for 77.68 per cent of national disposable income.

The agency also disclosed that in Q2, while 77.68 per cent of national disposable income was on household consumption, 15.87 per cent of income was devoted to savings, which was higher than in the previous quarter but lower than the corresponding quarter of last year.

Reps urge FG to transfer cancer management to agency

ouse of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government to transfer cancer management programme to an agency. This followed a motion by Mohammed Usman (Kaduna-APC) brought under matters of urgent public importance. Moving the motion, Usman expressed concern at the inadequacy of cancer management centres across the nation, and stressed the need for the matter to be ur-

gently addressed to save lives. He noted that cancer patients in Nigeria were suffering as a result of inadequate treatment in hospitals. According to him, the only centre at the National Hospital, Abuja, is not working as expected. He insisted that the issue must be addressed, pointing out that 100 Nigerians per every 100,000 die from the disease. The motion was unani-

mously adopted by members, who called for urgent intervention through the provision of state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and treat the ailment. They urged the Federal Government to establish cancer treatment centres in the six geo-political zones. The house also asked the Federal Ministry of Health to immediately review the National Health Insurance Scheme to integrate cancer treatment and carry out cancer sensitisation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, November 19, 2015

$2.9bn arms deal: Dasuki tackles presidency UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

mbattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), yesterday accused the Presidency and the 13-man committee set up to probe procurement of arms and equipment in the armed forces of witchhaunting as well as feeding Nigerians with falsehood. The committee, which was inaugurated in August by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe arms procurement from 2007 to date, on Tuesday submitted a preliminary report, which accused Dasuki and others, whose names have not been mentioned of awarding fictitious contracts, which run to billions of naira. After receiving the report, President Buhari, had ordered the arrest of Dasuki and others for prosecution. But the embattled former NSA, in a personal letter made available to the media yesterday, said as a former public officer, he worked conscientiously in national interest and thus, did not deserve the kind of attacks and treatments he was getting from the government. Disputing the conclusion of the panel, Dasuki said he was never invited to give evidence of clarification, adding that if that had been done, he would have been in a better position to present documents, backing all contracts that were awarded during his time in office He said: “In a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet to be named former public officers. “To draw sympathy, the presidency quoted some absurd findings including extra-budgetary interventions; award of fictitious contracts; 53 failed contracts; payment for jobs without contractual agreements; non-execution of contracts for the purchase of 4 Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition. “For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former National Security Adviser guilty as charged. “To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM

Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings. At least, fairness demands that the panel ought to hear from Dasuki instead of its recourse to hasty conclusions. “If the panel had been more patient and painstaking, it would have been availed of all relevant documents on some of the jaundiced findings. “As if acting a script, the Presidency alleged that the panel accused Dasuki of awarding fictitious contracts between March 2012 and March 2015. Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name. The ex-NSA was appointed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on June 22, 2012.” According to him, all contracts awarded followed due process and were duly approved by former President, Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “All contracts and accruing payments were with the approval of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. Once the ex-President approved, the former NSA paid. So, there was due process for every purchase in line with regulations guiding arms procurement for the Armed Forces. “And Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced for suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment. “For sensitive sectors (military/security), there was no room for awarding fictitious contracts. The conclusions of the panel were presumptive, baseless and lacked diligence. “There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment. For all procurements, the Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Nigerian Navy have their contractors. “While awaiting judicial process on these allegations, it is proper to make some references to show that the presidency was just desperate to hang some former public and military officers,

who served this nation at the risk of their lives. “It is laughable for the panel to assume that 4 Alpha jets and 12 helicopters were undelivered. In a memo to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), referenced NAF/905/D/ CAS of November 28, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Adesola Amosu acknowledged the receipt of the 4x Alpha jets attack aircraft and the helicopters. “On 10/21/14, the Chief of Air Staff also confirmed the receipt of F-7 N1 aircraft combination of 250kg bombs and accessories at $2,894,000 with the cost of freight at $1,200,000. The same Air Force confirmed getting 2xTri Shield 36DG Tactical radars “In another letter of December 1, 2014 signed by L.S. Alao(on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff), the Air Force said it received five

containerized fuel storage and dispensing units with equipment. “The Nigerian Army wrote the ONSA to acknowledge the delivery of 14 armoured tanks. In a December 13, 2014 memo, the Brigade of Guards thanked ONSA for releasing N30m for RCA, Operation allowance for Troops on Op Urban Sweep II for third and fourth quarters of 2014. This is apart from the installation of CCT Cameras at the Brigade Headquarters, 2 backscatter bomb detection vans and other equipment. “On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform(in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to El-Jahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs. “These are some of the acknowledgment letters

submitted to me by the endusers(the services). It is not for me to go and find out whether the equipment were delivered or not. I am not the one keeping the inventories. “To show that I have nothing to hide, I submitted a comprehensive list of all requests for procurements by the services, the items bought and those equipment being awaited to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari long before I left office. “If there were issues, I should have been questioned. I was just the clearing house, I did not award contracts to my company or proxies. “There was no contract awarded or equipment bought without approval from the then President and Commander-In-Chief. I am not a thief or treasury looter as being portrayed. “In order not to endanger the nation’s security, there

are many salient issues and contracts which I cannot put in public domain. I am ready for trial on all these allegations in order to prove to Nigerians that I did nothing untoward in office. We will certainly meet in court. “I have a lot to tell Nigerians but in the interim, they should not believe some of the allegations as the gospel truths. The good thing is that some of the key actors in the present administration were parts of the past process being viciously challenged. “As for my tenure as the nation’s NSA, I acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God. I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda. “I occupied the Office of the National Security Adviser at a difficult moment in Nigerian history when terrorism was at its peak and I am leaving posterity to judge me accordingly.”

Former Governor of Lagos State/APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Consulate General of the United States of America, Mr John Bray, during a courtesy visit to Asiwaju in Lagos, yestarday.

Petrol price soars as scarcity persists nationwide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to address the fuel situation, members of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA, and the Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria, JEPTFON, pledged in unison to end fuel queues as soon as possible. Declaring the session open, the minister of

charged the marketers to pick up the gauntlet and activate all necessary machinery and mechanism to guarantee unimpeded distribution of petroleum products across the country. While pledging to eliminate all bottlenecks to fast track the process, Dr. Kachikwu urged the marketers to see the initiative as a national call to action. “We have gotten DPR, PEF and PPPRA to be a bit more flexible with the rules to allow for more movement of trucks and

products massively,” he said. Secretary General of MOMAN, Femi Olawore, who spoke on behalf of the association, was emphatic that major marketers were willing and ready to work with the government to restore normalcy to the fuel situation. He noted that MOMAN will never do anything that is against prevailing regulations on the supply and distribution of petroleum products. Leader of DAPPMA

delegation, Dapo Abiodun, pledged the commitment of his members to work towards the achievement of Federal Government’s objective in ensuring free flow of petroleum products. Chief Ifeanyi Uba, Chairman of JEPTFON, while pledging the readiness of the tank farm owners to support the initiative, called for government’s assistance in clearing the perennial traffic carnage at the Apapa loading gantries.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Power operators owe NERC N3bn –Amadi Chidi Ugwu Abuja

igerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sam Amadi, has revealed that those in the power market owe NERC N3bn. He said the debt was due to revenue shortfalls and other challenges confronting operators in the NESI, but noted that the commission was not in a haste to recover the fund. He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing organised by the commission to refute reports alleging that NERC board had plans to share N2.7bn as severance benefit when they retire from service at the agency. He said, “Today the market owes us N3bn. However, everybody in

this market is owed money including NERC and this is because of the obvious things like shortfall, issues around revenue collection and all that. “But we don’t want to be upfront asking to be paid because as a regulator we want to make sure that we fix some of those problems where the revenue shortfalls are coming from. So the fact is that

there is revenue shortfall everywhere.” On the hacked website and emails, Amadi said the act was sophisticatedly perpetuated, adding that his personal email was used by the hackers to request funds from the commission’s finance department. He said, “On Monday, a faceless group claiming to be a Vanguard of Un-

employed Youths printed tee-shirts, handbills and fez caps to protest against NERC commissioners stealing N2.7bn of taxpayers’ money and requesting the removal of NERC commissioners. The same Monday, NERC website was hacked. “This was a sophisticated operation to the extent that they generated an email from the chairman’s

official email account to the commissioner for finance and management services asking him to transfer funds immediately to the chairman who the hackers claimed was in the United Kingdom. The plan here is to generate an email trail to present to political authorities that the chairman and commissioners at NERC are plotting to

Reps probe NIGCOMSAT, seek improved communication networks

ouse of Representatives on yesterday mandated its Committee on Information Technology to commence investigation into activities of the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT 1). The lawmakers said the investigation was necessary to reactivate NIGCOMSAT 1 to enable it meet the country’s huge communications needs.

The house also mandated the committee to wade into the conflict between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA) and NIGCOMSAT 1. The resolutions were sequel to a motion entitled ``Need to Investigate the Status of Nigeria’s Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT 1) `` sponsored by Rep. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu- PDP).

er, Louis Edozien, noted that there are lots of works to be done in the sector. The official, who was represented at the expo by the Ministry’s Director of Renewable Energy, Aboyomi Adebisi, said the ministry plans the establishment and implementation of a renewable energy and conservation policy as well as coal to power policy and divestment by the Niger Delta Power Holding, NDPHC, Holdings in the generation assets in the National Integrated

Power Projects, NIPP. Edozien also disclosed that plans were underway to secure funding for TCN long-term expansion plan from a mix which will include the transmission Development Fund, International Development Bank and Multilateral Agencies among other things. According him, these initiatives are to ensure that transmission network system can conveniently wheel up to 10,000mw of generated power in the short to medium term.

to eight television stations can broadcast simultaneously on one transponder and can support over 168 television stations at the same time. ``If put to its optimum use, NIGCOMSAT 1 will enhance security intelligence reporting, particularly as Nigeria battles to end the problem of insurgency and terrorism in the North-East, among other benefits,`` he said. Similarly, the house called on Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to commence an audit of the quality of service provided by Internet Service Providers in the country. It also stressed the need for NCC to set up a framework through which internet service consumers can be compensated for poor services. It mandated its Committee on Telecommunications to monitor the adherence to the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the general public that i, ODEBODE FATIMAH OLAYINKA, is one and the same person as ODEBODE FATIMAH OJUOLAPE, now wish to be known and addressed as RAJI FATIMAH O. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank, Diamond Bank and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as IGWE VICTOR NNAMDI now wish to be kwon and addressed as ODO VITUS NMAMDI . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known as BONIFACE OVUBA now wish to be kwon and addressed as BONIFACE IKPETE . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Moving the motion, Okechukwu blamed high cost of internet data and the country’s inability to meet the June 17 international telecommunications union digital switch over deadline on interagency rivalry between NASDRA and NIGCOMSAT. ``In spite of the enormous communications potentials of the NIGCOMSAT 1 coupled with

its 28 active transponders (devices for receiving radio signals) and 12 redundant transponders as payloads, NIGCOMSAT 1 has not been put to optimum use since 2011 when it was re-launched,’’ he said. He stated that if put to use, each transponder was capable of carrying six to eight digital television programmes. According to him, six

TCN blames sector problems on unreliable data Chidi Ugwu Abuja

eputy Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Engr. Mohammed Atiku, yesterday attributed the nation’s power sector problems to lack of reliable data, saying Nigeria is yet to know the electricity load demand. Atiku disclosed this at the 5th Nigeria International Power Expo and Conference organised by CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss DURUOHA OLUCHUKWU DORATHY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKPARAUKEJE OLUCHUKWU DORATHY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olubunmi Ronke Awoyomi, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. Olubunmi Ronke Akingbehin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ucheka Ngozi Violet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyalebechi Ngozi Violet. All former documents remain on. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGIM: I, formerly known and addressed as AGIM OLUCHI NNANDI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AKIN SMITH SEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

embezzle public funds at the twilight of the tenure.” Commenting on the report against NERC board with respect to their severance benefits, Amadi described it as a “serious attack by an alliance of internal and external forces that aims at damaging the reputation and credibility of the present management.”

BKG Exhibition Limited in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja. He noted that demand and supply are two critical elements in the power sector which has to be understood, identified and quantified to help operators strategise on how to match them. He warned that failure to do so would put the sector in very bad shape, adding, “And I am sorry to say this; this is what is causing the situation we have CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I OLUFEMI –AREMU BAMIYOWA and ALAOOLUFEMI refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Maria Bassey Okon, now wish to be known and addressed as Maria Monday. All former documents remain on. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Duncan Joy Affiong, now wish to be known and addressed as Comfort Okon Affiong, All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Tina yaku lar, now wish to be known and addressed as Tina Domfa Lars. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

in Nigeria.” He, however, said that already TCN has gotten a grant to the tune of $30 million to carry out a study to get the actual demand of our electricity as well as the country’s proper energy mix. On transmission, Atiku said though the country does not have any authentic data of energy demand and supply, TCN was already doing its expansion planning. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of PowCONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I KINGSLEY IKECHUKWU EZE and IKECHUKW NZE refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUKA EMEKA DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as DANIEL GOODLUCK. All former documents remain on. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as IRENE CHIZURUM UBISI, now wish to be known and addressed as IRENE CHIZURUM EZE. All former documents remain on. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sonubi Oluwaseun Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Okeshoto Adeyemi Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Agbo Edache Ogolekwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Onoja Sunday Ogbu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NWOJO: I, formerly known and addressed as STANLEY KALU NWOJO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWOJO INYIRI KALU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DANJUMA: I, formerly known and addressed as ABOKI DANJUMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as YOKLE DANJUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Akanni waheed Olateju, now wish to be known and addressed as Waheed Olateju Nuhu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Jubril Attayi Mohammed, now wish to be known and addressed as Ibrahim Attah Isaiah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME I formerly miss Kareem Rukayat Abimbola now wish to be known and called MRS BELLO RUKAYAT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public should please note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Casmir Uzor, now wish to be known and addressed as Casmir Odira favour. All former documents remain on. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mohammed Galti Palmata, now wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Galti Ali. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MR SIKIRU SUNDAY OLANREWAJU, now wish to be known and addressed as MR SAHEED SUNDAY OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

PREMIER BREVERIES PLC Industrial Layout, Bridge Head, P.M.B. 1620, Onitsha. Mobile Phone: 08066760500, 08090840471, 08170001879 Cable & Telegrams: Prembrew Onistha. Email: Premierbrewiesplconitsha@yahoo.com NOTICE OF 18TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the 16th Annual general Meeting (AGM) Of shareholders of Premier Breweries Plc will be held at Premier Breweries Plc premises at Industrial Layout, Bridge-Head, Onitsha on Thursday, 10th December, 2015 at 2p.m. to transact the following business: AGENDA 1. 2. 3.

To receive the audited financial statement and Directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; report for the year ended 31st March, 2015. To re-elect Directors retiring by rotation. To transact any other business that can be transacted at Annual General Meeting. By order of the Board S. C. Ndibe Esq.

NOTE:

Company Secretary 10th November, 2015

A member of the company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her place and such proxy need not be a member of the company, Such executed proxy form should be deposited with the registrar of the company . Africa Prudential Registral Plc, 220B Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos not later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. CLOSING OF REGISTER: Register of member and transfer book will be closed to public from Tuesday 24th November, 2015 to Thursday 26th November 2015 both days inclusive.

South West

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Med-View Airline begins non-stop flight to London tomorrow OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (right), with Region Media Adviser to the Consulate General of France, Lagos, Mr. Pierre Cherruau, during a condolence visit to commiserate with the French Government over the terror attacks in Paris, France, at the French Embassy in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Osun targets job creation through IITA’s agric initiatives –Aregbesola BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has stated the readiness of his administration to create jobs for youths through some initiatives of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan. The governor disclosed this at the signing of a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with the institute at the Governor’s Lounge, Osogbo. As part of terms of the MoU, the governor said the state would release 204.39 hectares of land at Ago Owu to the IITA to conduct research and set

up demonstration farms for best farming practices. The governor stated that releasing the farmland to IITA would complement the state’s agricultural programme, extending robustly the agriculture value chain and creating jobs for farmers, especially the youth. He lauded the IITA and its director general, Dr. Nteranya Sanging, for being supportive of Osun State’s flagship agriculture programme, Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme, O’REAP, in many ways. Aregbesola stressed that agricultural development, especially food production, has been the

main thrust of his administration’s policies since his assumption of office in November, 2010. He attributed challenges facing farmers to lack of critical linkage between agricultural research and implementation, adding that with the MoU and partnership with IITA, Osun State stands to have direct-tofarm linkage of scientific innovations in farming with the best of agriculture scientists. In his remark, the director general’s Officer of Economic Development and Partnerships, OEDP, Dr. Charles Akinola, held that the MoU is an epochmaking event that would facilitate a working rela-

15 Osun royal fathers protest poor power supply BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

ome traditional rulers in Osun State yesterday protested at the Osun regional office of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, over epileptic electricity supply in their domains. The traditional rulers, who were from Ayedade, Irewole, Isokan and Ife North local government areas of the state, disclosed that their various communities had been in total darkness for several months. The monarchs claimed they resorted to the protest because the youths

in their domains have threatened to attack their palaces if they failed to find solution to blackout in the towns. According to them, for several months, Ikire, Apomu, Ikoyi, Odeyinka, Orile-Owu, Araromi-Owu, Gbongan, Akiriboto Oke, Akiriboto Isale, Oluwada, Wakajaye, Ogbaaga, OdeOmu, Oogi, Tonkere, Lasole, Edunabon, Maro, Yakoyo, Ipetumodu, Ashipa and Akinlalu have been in darkness. Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Odugbemi, said they came to intimate the company with their problem

when there was no improvement in their situation after the November 7 letter they wrote to the IBEDC. He stated that businesses of many residents in the communities, particularly the artisans, have suffered adversely due to lack of electricity. Responding, the IBEDC regional technical manager for Osogbo, Engr. Salami Waheed, pleaded with the monarchs to appeal to their subjects, saying the power outage in the areas was not deliberate. He attributed the problem to an explosion that occurred at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, at the Ife station.

tionship with O’REAP in carrying out crop multiplication and that all inputs of planting material would be adequately considered. Responding, Dr. Sanging stated that the time has come for Nigeria to diversify from its dependence on oil, adding that with the disappearance of the oil boom, the country must return to agriculture to survive.

anagement of Med-View Airline has concluded plans to commence non-stop flights from its base at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, to Gatwick International Airport, London. The airline would commence direct flight to the United Kingdom tomorrow with several dignitaries on board, including Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Osunolale Akiolu. The airline also disclosed that it would serve Nigerian dishes on board to air travellers, irrespective of classes, thus becoming the first carrier on the route to do so. Speaking yesterday at a meeting with travel agencies in the country, Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, assured that it would offer quality service to passengers with numerous unique selling points. He appealed to agencies and other organisations to encourage the airline by making sale of its tickets a priority and offered promotional

prizes of N100,000 and N1 million to agencies that sell the airline’s tickets most on the route. Also speaking on the occasion, Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison, commended management of the airline for taking the bold step to commence such flight at this time in spite of obvious challenges facing operators in the country. He tasked the Federal Government to assist indigenous airline operators in the area of single digit interest on loans, describing the current double digit interest as a huge setback for operators. He called on government to partner with the airline in order to achieve symbiotic aviation industry practices, while charging travel agencies to collaborate with the airline in its bid to attain greatness. Former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways, Mr. Yomi Jones, lauded Bankole for the steps taken so far to boost quality service in the industry and urged the management not to lose focus.

Customs nabs 3 rice smugglers K EMI O LAITAN IBADAN

yo and Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has arrested three suspected smugglers, who concealed scores of rice bags under live cows and planks. The suspects are Nurudeen Owoiya, Ade gboye ga Kehinde and Saidi Tenibe giloju, while two other suspects were said to have escaped through a nar row path into a forest. Also seized in the course of the arrest are three DAF trucks and one Mercedes truck marked SH 81 XA, APP 529 XD, LSR 856 XG and FST 96 XR. Items concealed under the four trucks, which were displayed before journalists at Bodija, Ibadan, head-

quarters of the command, yesterday. They include hundreds of bags of rice some of which were hidden under live cows and wooden planks. Acting Customs Area Controller, Mr. Abdulsalam Hassan, while addressing journalists on the arrest, said the command was able to arrest the suspects because of the watchful eyes of his men. While stating that the suspects were still in police custody, he added that the command generated about N12 billion between January and October 2015, adding that within the period, 154 seizures were made and duty paid value estimated at about N380 million was collected. According to him, one of the trucks was intercepted at IseyinIbadan road on No-

vember 2, adding that the impounded vehicle loaded 393 50kg and seven loosed bags of rice filled with tubers of yam. The customs boss stated further that 400 bags of 50kg of rice were also intercepted at Saki-Ago Are axis on November 6, saying another truck marked LSR 856 XG was arrested at Saki-Iseyin road loaded with bags of rice concealed with planks. He said the driver and passenger in the vehicle are at large, noting that the third truck was also traced by the command from the Ilesah-Baruba axis and was later arrested at Saki-Oyo road. He said the truck was loaded with rice and concealed in live cows, while the number of bags of rice involved was yet to be ascertained.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Broad Street Diary

f you think the only business that brings people to Lagos Island is economic activity you may be wrong. Although, the dominant factor or central of attraction to Lagos Island is buoyancy of the economic activities or opportunities there, but there are a number of people who still come to the Island just to worship and serve God. Example of these set of worshippers can be found in Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral located at Mission Street directly opposite Lagos City Hall, Camp Square area Lagos Island. According to Broad Street investigation, at least 2000 of these people many of who do not reside on Lagos Island, still attend this church from wherever they resides in Lagos State because of their inexplicable affinity with this historical worship centre since the ages past. There are some other worship centres on Lagos Island, but what makes Holy Cross Cathedral outstanding and central of attraction is the fact that, it is the Lagos Arch. Diocese and the seat of the Arch. Bishop, who until his retirement lately, the legendary Cardinal Olubunmi Okojie, but now, under the leadership of Archishop Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins. Incidentally and worthy of mention is the fact that, Lagos Arch. Diocese is the headquarters of all the Catholic Church Parishes in the whole of Lagos State. Broad Street Diary, BSD, during the week, met with the parish priest, Reverend Father Marcellinus Teko, who despite his busy schedule granted BSD an interview as he x-rayed the history of the church and other interesting facts about the church. On the age of the church, Father Marcellinus Teko, said the church dated back to 1853 during the era of the late Oba of Lagos, Oba Akintoye. “When there was a pronouncement on the abolition of the slave trade years back, the then Oba of Lagos, Oba Kosoko who was a strong beneficiary of the slave trade was relunctant to put an end to the repulsive slave trade, so, he did all he could to continue with the obnoxious business. “But because the British missionaries wanted to commence missionary activities in Lagos Island area and the Oba would not allow this, the British missionaries then, collaborated with Akintoye who was the sibling of Oba Kosoko and toppled his government. “After the dethronement of Oba Kosoko, the British missionaries made Akintoye who was the new king to sign a treaty with them for the official take off of missionary activities in the area, hence, the beginning of missionary activities and the birth of the Holy Cross Cathedral in the area. “After the demise of Oba Akintoye, he was succeeded by Oba Dosunmu who also continued to cooperate with the missionaries for the propagation of the gospel in the area. “However, Holy Cross Cathedral Church started on the 5th of January, 1861 by a team of three French missionaries from the Society of African Nations (SMA). They were Father Fracesco Borghero, Father Franchesco Fernandez and Father Louis Edde respectively. According to the parish priest, the initial members of the congregation were slaves that were set free and returned

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

144-year-old Holy Cross Cathedral still attracting Catholic faithful

144-year-old Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos from Brazil, South America. When asked who members of the congregation are in Lagos Island a place that is business dominated he said; “Although, migration of the people from Lagos Island due to urbanisation to other parts of the state and even to neighbouring Ogun State, has affected our membership over the years. “Even right now, sixty percent of the church members do come from outside Lagos Island territory. “Nevertheless, we still have two thousand regular members of the church as active members. “They are the staunch members whose predecessors were equally members of the Holy Cross Cathedral Church and because of their passion and bond with the church, they have remained members till date regardless of the inconveniences of having to come and worship in the church every week from far distance. On the tradition of celibacy being adopted in the Catholic Church, the Reverend father said, the celibacy tradition was one of the greatest treasures of the Church. “Celibacy is one of the greatest treasures of the Church which first and foremost has an eschatological significance. “This means the consciousness of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Celibacy is espoused in this kingdom to constantly remind mankind that there is more to this life than the pleasures of

life accompanied by sobriety and sub-consciousness that there is life after death. “It is a life of sacrifice and encouragement to other Catholic faithful to remind them of heaven which is the ultimate for the elect of God. “It also enables the priest to be spiritually focused and available for the service of the church and mankind and as a whole. Asked whether contemporary youths still find seminary and celibacy attractive today like before? He said; “Abroad the attraction is waning because they feel they are comfortable and do not really need to go through such rigour for anything, but in Africa we still have quite a number of interested youths in celibacy and seminary. Across Nigeria for example, we have many seminaries and in each seminary, we have nothing less than 300 students being prepared for the priesthood. However, celibacy is not an easy task as it takes heavy commitment, hence, it is nine years for the training during which you are expected to reflect deeply on your decision if you truly want to be celibate or not. “For example, we were forty in number during our own time but only eight of us were eventually ordained. “This is why at different times; you are under periodic check by the leadership of the seminary to determine your readiness for celibacy and priesthood. He further cleared the air on the mar-

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN riage of people in the church who are already cohabiting even with some children on ground out of church wedding. He responded that those people were only being given a second chance in order for them to rectify whatever mistakes they may have made and for them to be in true communion with the real members of the Catholic Church and for them to enjoy certain benefits within the church. “If they are not joined together as couples in the Catholic Church, they cannot even take the communion so, we only give them a second chance in order for them to be full Catholic Church members. The parish priest also debunked criticisms of the Catholic Church over time that they worship Mary rather than God and Jesus Christ. “This is a question that people have asked over and over again, but let me say this once again for purpose of clarification. “We worship God while we honour Mary for being a vessel of honour as described by God himself through angel Gabriel that was sent to her before the birth of Jesus Christ. We are only consolidating on the exalted position God has placed her because honouring her means we are only continuing what God had already done to her long ago. So on the contrary, we only pray through her to God, but we do not pray to her. –Omoju Busayo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Arase seeks bank MDs’ help over logistics • Obasanjo tasks him on reforms Kemi Olaitan and Femi Oyeweso

nspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, yesterday appealed to chief executive officers of banks to assist the Nigeria Police in the provision of logistics and patrol vehicles in order to curb crime in the society. He said by so doing, the problem faced by the police in the area of lack of operational and patrol vehicles to effectively police the land would be a thing of the past. The police boss made the call during a stakeholders meeting at the Oyo State police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan. He said the job of policing is not for government alone but a collective responsibility of all the stakeholders and “bank MDs should also see it as part of their corporate social responsibility.” A representative of banks among the stakeholders had raised the issue of incessant use of motor cycle (Okada) to trail and rob bank customers immediately after leaving the banking hall, urging the IGP to do something to arrest the ugly situation in the city. However, in his response, the police boss solicited the assistance of bank chiefs in the provision of police patrol vans and other logistics. He had praised the high level of police/community partnership in the state in the past three months and called for more support in information gathering to strengthen community policing, stating that no police officer no matter how knowledgeable would succeed in his job without partnering with the community. The IGP had earlier paid a courtesy call on Governor Abiola Ajimobi where he said six members of a kidnap gang operating in the state had been rounded up by the state police command. Arase, who did not give details of where the gang was smashed, however said the suspects would soon be arraigned in court. He said the state police command was working tirelessly towards provid-

ing adequate security and maintenance of peace. The police boss stressed the need for community partnership and internal security management, which he said was crucial to the provision of adequate security. He enjoined police officers and men to be human rights compliant, and to respect the sensitivity and cultural value and beliefs of the people. Ajimobi lauded the IGP for giving adequate support to the state police command, which he said complemented the strategies adopted by the state government to achieve the prevailing peace in the state. He charged the state police command not to rest on its laurels, in recognition of the crime wave across the country. In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, former president Olusegun Obasanjo tasked the Inspector General of Police to strive towards carrying out a genuine and thorough reformation of the force during the period he holds sway as the apex authority. Obasanjo gave the advice while receiving Arase who paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop mansion. Obasanjo, who noted that the Nigerian society is grossly under-policed, also emphasised that the force needs the cooperation of every member of the Nigerian society in the area of intelligence gathering to be able to effectively provide the needed security for the citizens. The elder statesman how-

ever, emphasised that the police must be sanitised by expunging all the bad eggs giving the force bad reputations, particularly those officers who are in the habit of ‘corporate begging’. Obasanjo, who frowned at the indiscriminate posting of police officers as orderlies to some Nigerians, also restated the call for community policing in the country. Obasanjo, however, lamented the un-appreciative attitude of Nigerians towards officers and men of the police notwithstanding that the force remained the first point of call for assistance when people experience security breaches. The former president

however, urged the nation’s Police boss to see the un-appreciative attitude of Nigerians to the force as a challenge and work towards addressing it by flushing out the “bad eggs” among them which often draw negative perception to the Police institution. Responding, the IG Arase appreciated the former president and promised that the highest authority of the force was already working towards sanitising it. Arase, who arrived Obasanjo’s Hilltop residence around 5:00pm, informed Obasanjo that President Mohammed Buhari has already called for the report of the Police Service

Reform Committee established by Obasanjo during his military administration to enable it fashion out the way out for the force. Arase, who lamented the non-disposition of successive administration in the country to implement the committee’s report, also explained that he was the secretary of that committee when it was then set up. He added that he was in the state to see his officers and inspect the level of preparations ahead of the burial of Mama HID Awolowo. The IG was later hosted by the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, where he solicited more assistance from the state to the police.

Arase told Amosun that the peace and security which his administration has enjoyed since coming on board wouldn’t have been possible without the total dedication of the men and officers of the force. Amosun in his response however promised that his administration would not relent at providing the needed assistance for the police in the state. The governor also disclosed that his administration has concluded plans to cede one of the 26 model schools to the police command in the state in order to enhance the welfare of the police officers serving in the state and their families.

L-R: GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar; Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Jibrilla Bindow and Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, during the launch of the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and flag-off of the dry season rice and wheat farming by President Muhammadu Buhari at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State on Tuesday

NOUN students demand sack of VC, others Sekinah L awal

tudents of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, under the aegis of Congress of NOUN Students (CONS), have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the institution’s Vice-Chancellor and four other management staff for alleged extortion. Claiming that the VC, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe; the Deputy VC (Academic), Prof. Patrick Eke Eya; the Deputy VC (Administra-

tion), Prof. Victor Adedipe; registrar, Mrs Josephine Akinyemi; and bursar, Mr. John Onyeme, have conspired to turn the institution into a money-draining organisation, the students, in an open letter, alleged that NOUN has become a “den for endemic corruption.” In a press statement signed by all its officers, including the president, Abdulrazaq Hamzat and General Secretary, Iyinkaye Alameen, CONS said the school which was “established to provide flexible, accessible and affordable education to Nigeri-

ans has now been turned to a place where certain cliques of academia extort helpless students, whose only crime is their quest for university education. “Furthermore, the sack of the above individuals is not all we are demanding; we also demand their immediate prosecution over the endemic corruption that currently takes place in the institution. “Let it be known that should the appropriate authorities not act swiftly on this call, students may be left with no option than to hit the

street in a peaceful protest to press home our demands. Our freedom to association, admission to law school and mobilisation for NYSC must be sacrosanct.” The students also alleged that the university has prevented students from having a formal students’ association because of fears that such association will “challenge corrupt practices taking place at the institution. “Other issues mentioned in the demand include students paying for course materials without receiving the course materials. The total

amount received for these course materials annually is over N14 billion. We asked why students should continue to pay since they don’t get the materials paid for. “It should be noted that the management of our institution has made every effort to make us half-baked graduates, but we refuse to be half-baked. Only halfbaked graduates conform to negativities and accept injustice to strive without questioning. We can’t be half-baked, we refuse to conform to the violation of our rights,” they said.

South East

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebonyi varsity expels 3,000 students Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State University, EBSU, yesterday said it has expelled 3,000 students enrolled under the Work and Study programme for allegedly staying above graduation period. The expulsion of the affected students was contained in a press release of the university signed by its registrar/ secretary, Mr. Sam Egwu, and issued to journalists. The statement reads in parts: “In keeping with our extant regulation on duration of undergraduate courses and by approval of WASP board and the senate of Ebonyi State University,

all the under-listed WASP students registered from 2000 to 2006 and who are yet to graduate as expected are due for withdrawal and hereby stand withdrawn with effect from the date of this publication.” Mr. Egwu further directed that any of the affected students who wish to continue should apply for extension. “All students on approved extension and others wishing to apply are graciously permitted to obtain the application form for programme extension,” he said. He warned that any of the affected students who fail to obtain the form on or before February 2016 shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the university.

Police arrest three suspects over poly student’s murder Chris Njoku OWERRI

mo State police command yesterday arrested three suspects over the killing of one Innocent Ndukwe (25), a final year student of civil engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. Ndukwe was said to have been slaughtered and found in a pool of his blood in a toilet at his residence at 18, Enuwa Street, Egbu, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. Speaking to newsmen in Owerri yesterday, Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, said the assailants after slaughtering their victim, made away with his Pathfinder SUV marked KRD 109 BP, two Plasma TV sets, one home theatre and other as-

sorted personal effects. According to him, the suspects, David Kwaguru (30), a native of Sirwo in Langtan North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Friday Ayuba (28), of Keyelda in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State and Francis Amos (23), a native of Pingali in Langtan South Local Government Area of Plateau State, were apprehended at the WestEnd of old Nekede road, Owerri, while trying to escape. “The police control room quickly alerted operatives of the command, who immediately cobwebbed the entire state. As a result, the assailants, who tried to escape the eagle-eyed operatives, were consequently apprehended,” he said. He attributed the feat to

Glo woos subscribers at Enugu Laffta Fest

oal City of Enugu came alive with effusive vibrations on Sunday, November 15, when the much- awaited Glo Laffta Fest train arrived the south eastern hub from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Golden Royal Hotel on Chime Avenue, Enugu, venue of the wave-making comedy show, witnessed an unprecedented crowd of Globacom subscribers, who had waited for their turn to share the comic experience. Globacom subscribers were full of praises for the company for bringing the show to Enugu. Gloria Obichukwu, a caterer, said Glo-

bacom has shown that it is truly a Nigerian company by organising the nationwide musical and comedy show to excite and reward its customers. Another subscriber, Obinna Chukwumere, said he had to subscribe to Globacom to watch his favourite comedians. “This is one of the things multi-national telecoms companies should be doing to give back to their subscribers. It is good that Globacom developed this initiative,” he said. Nkechi Ahunanya, a 200-level student of Business Administration in Enugu State University of Science and Technology,.

L-R: Leader, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu; Deputy Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Barrister Julius Nnaji; Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Keynote Speaker, Monsignor (Prof.) Obiora lke and HRH Igwe (Dr.) Titus Okolo, at a One-Day Forum on Citizens Conversation with Elected Public Officials organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and NOA, held in Enugu, on Tuesday.

Court orders DSS to produce Biafran leader Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

magistrate court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Department of Security Service, DSS, to produce the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, before the court on Monday, November 23, to answer criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Chief Magistrate Shauibu Usman gave the order yesterday following absence of the accused in court when the trial was to commence. The DSS had refused to bring Kanu to court yesterday despite an order made on October 23 to that effect. Magistrate Usman insisted that no trial could continue in a criminal case in the absence of the accused, adding that the only condition that could make a court

to excuse the absence of an accused had not come up. The decision of the magistrate followed a claim by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Moses Idakwo, that the accused person was not brought to court because an application challenging the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s court to continue the trial was slated for hearing. Idakwo told the court that as soon as the motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court is resolved, the DSS would produce the accused in court. However, the submission of Idakwo did not go down well with Magistrate Usman who reminded the prosecutor that on October 23, he made an order that the accused must at all time be brought to court throughout the trial. Apart from the absence of the accused in court that stalled the trial, two legal practitioners, Mr. Gabriel

Egbule and Vincent Ezechukwu Obete engaged in a war of words in the open court on the issue of which of them is the authentic lawyer for the accused person. Egbule who first announced his appearance for the accused person, informed the court that he represented the accused person on October 19 when he was first arraigned and that he was ready to continue to defend him. On his part, Obete produced a letter from the Indigenous People of Biafra, signed by its deputy director, Alphonsus Mefor, appointing him as lawyer. Magistrate Usman who intervened on the issue said that on October 19 when Kanu was brought before him, the accused told the court that he had no lawyer, prompting Mr. Egbule to fill the gap. He however told the two lawyers that the accused per-

son would on November 23, determine his own lawyer. Kanu is standing trial on criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society and criminal intimidation, contrary to Section 97, 97B and 397 of the penal code. The fact of the case, according to a DSS report, is that the accused formed an unlawful society with the purpose of bringing into being a Republic of Biafra. He was alleged to have proclaimed himself as the leader of the Republic of Biafra and established a Radio Biafra. Kanu was also alleged to have appointed himself Commander of the Loyal Forces of Biafra and was broadcasting to the whole world the dire consequences the government and people of Nigeria would surfer should they attempt to hinder the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

Umahi orders arrest of illegal tax collectors Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor Dave Umahi yesterday abolished the new taxes introduced in the state and ordered the arrest of illegal tax collectors. Umahi has reversed his decision on the new taxes and directed the abolishment of all taxes, including vehicle manifest fee charged travellers in the state.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said the state government in line with the governor’s resolve to better the lives of the people has decided to abolish all new taxes introduced in the state. He said Governor Umahi was determined to conduct the affairs of Ebonyi State in a manner consonant with the promotion of good governance,

welfare and security of the people in tandem with sister states in the federation. Senator Onwe said the governor’s action was “to alleviate the suffering of our citizens and demonstrate that he is in tune with the mood of the masses, and has directed that all increments in taxes payable in the state must be reversed immediately.” The commissioner warned that the state gov-

ernment has declared total war on some elements in the society who have constituted themselves as fake task forces, engaging in unauthorised revenue collection. He also said the state government condemns without reservation the activities of the fake tax collectors and directed all law-abiding citizens to report such elements to the police or the office of the attorney general of the state.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

The assignment of portfolios to the new ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari last week, has been generating divergent public reactions. In this report, GEORGE OJI, ROTIMI FADEYI, UKPONG UBONG AND IWAMBE DOOSUUR examine some of the ministers and their new portfolios, vis-Ă vis public expectations from Nigerians.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

New ministers: Round pegs in round holes?

ast weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministerial allotments by President Muhammadu Buhari has generated a potpourri of opinions from Nigerians. One of such popular views heavily criticizes the president for not taking into proper recognition, the special competences and experiences of some of the new office holders. Even though the President has received a good dose of public accolades for some of the new postings, some analysts have argued that even before the public screening of the ministerial nominees, the President appeared to have made up his mind on who would be posted where. For those who fall in this school of thought, the postings do not reflect the public performances of most of the ministerial nominees during the senate screening. For instance, some of the nominees who demonstrated exceptional brilliance and competences were at the end of the day assigned portfolios, which were unbefitting of such bright performances. Conversely, some of the nominees, whose performances during the public outing were anything but impressive ended up being assigned very serious and demanding portfolios.

Buhari

Fashola

Babatunde Fashola No doubt, one of the greatest surprises of the ministerial postings by President Buhari last week was that of the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN). The former governor was assigned three critical ministries to oversee. These are ministries of works, Housing and Power. For those who have followed the relationship of the president and Fashola closely recently, there would not be any surprise at the action of the President. Buhari is said to have been greatly impressed with the stewardship of Fashola when he was the Lagos State Governor, particularly in the area of infrastructural development. Indeed, it was alleged that the President had preferred to run the last Presidential election with Fashola as his vice, if not for the issue of religion. Even after he had worn the election, Buhari made sure he kept Fashola very close to him all the time, as he (Fashola) was constantly on all the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entourage during his overseas travels before and after he was eventually sworn-in to office. But analysts have picked holes in the decision to saddle Fashola with the three critical ministries. The argument here is that Fashola would be so overburdened with the responsibilities of the office that he would not have the time and concentration to give in his best in each of the key sectors.

James Ocholi Anybody who took the pains to follow the public screening, would not disagree that James Ocholi came out as one of the best candidates that demonstrated high intellect and brilliance all through the screening. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), from Kogi State, the learned counsel demonstrated that he was on top of issues in the legal profession. If we are talking about placing square pegs in square holes, many observers had expected that Ocholi would have been assigned the Attorney General

Indeed, it was alleged that the President had preferred to run

Presidential election with Fashola as his vice, if not for the the last

issue of religion portfolio, given that he already had a road map of how to return sanity in the legal profession. But in the wisdom of the President, Ocholi was posted to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity where he is to serve as the Minister of State.

Okechukwu Enelamah A medical doctor and financial and accounting expert, Okechukwu Enelamah from Abia State was posted to serve in the Ministry of Trade and Investment. Enelamah demonstrated exceptional brilliance during the screening. His understanding of the financial and economic world made many to believe that he would be a proper person to head the ministry of finance. From his curriculum vitae, the minster who graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka decided to abandoned his telescope to take up financial management and analysis. His first call was the famous Arthur Anderson, from where he launched out to the global financial world.

Chris Ngige

The former Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige during his days as governor performed very creditably, such that citizens of Anambra State credit him as the first governor that made the people of the state have a feeling of real governance for the first time. A medical doctor who has cut his teeth both in public and private service, the capability of Ngige to perform as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was never in doubt. Even though the rules of the senate which confers special privileges on former National Assembly members to bow and go without serious interrogations did not allow Ngige to showcase his competences, those who have followed his antecedents both as a lawmaker, a civil servant and former governor would attest that he was eminently qualified for any of the offices. In as much as many analysts had not expected that Ngige would be given the health ministry to oversee, particularly because of the avalanche of other more qualified and experienced medical nominees, public expectation was that somebody like Ngige should have been given either the power ministry or works ministry to supervise. This line of expectation is hinged on the track records of Ngige in the area of infrastructural development while he served briefly as the governor of Anambra State. However, in the wisdom of the President, Ngige was asked to oversee the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

Suleiman Adamu The assignment of Engineer Suleiman Adamu as the Minister of Water Resources, is deemed to be quite appropriate as he is trusted to be able to deliver in the sector. He was a Principal Consultant with Afri- Projects Consortium, Management Consultants to the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, where he was actively involved in the planning and preparation of several national infrastructural projects in the health, education, transportation, agriculture, water resources and energy sectors. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Politics

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Hadi Sirika Going by his training and professional experiences, Sen. Sirika Hadi as the new minister of state, aviation is one of the assignments that has been hailed by many Nigerians as very appropriate. Sirika is a pilot and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who represented Katsina North Senatorial District on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. He was Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). As a former pilot, Sirika was a member of the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

New ministers: Round

Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed The minister of state, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed is not a bad choice for the ministry. She was the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, and until her appointment, was a Member of the National Stakeholders Working Group, NSWG of NEITI and the former Managing Director, Kaduna Industrial and Finance Company.

Professor Claudius Omoleye Daramola Professor Claudius Omoleye Daramola’s choice in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is not misplaced, as he is qualified and equal to the task of heading the ministry. Daramola is also from a Niger Delta state of Ondo, who understands the problems of the region and how to go about them.

Senator Udoama Udo Udoma Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma has been assigned the portfolio as Minister of Budget and National Planning. He is not bad for the portfolio as a former two-term Senator and businessman. UdoUdoma, a legal luminary, businessman and politician, is from Akwa Ibom State. Between 1999 and 2007 when he was in the Senate, he was Chief Whip from 2004 to 2007.He worked as a lecturer at the University of Lagos before he went into business in 1980 and is currently Chairman and Director of flourishing companies.

Pastor Usani, Usani Uguru The assignment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to Pastor Usani Uguru is apt. It is so given that he hails from Cross River State in the oil rich region. He is closer to the centre of the affairs and knows the feelings of the people and is accepted by them. Although there are other people of the region that could do better in that area than him, but the fact is that they are very useful to the portfolios they were assigned, which makes Uguru also useful in this ministry.

Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali The assignment of the Defence ministry to Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali, as the substantive minister, is no doubt, the most appropriate decision taken by President Muhammadu Buhari. Dan-Ali is a retired Brigadier General. A career soldier, he rose through the ranks to hold several posts, including artillery

Kachikwu

Amaeachi

Danbazzau will interface with the paramilitary agencies: the police, Prisons, Immigration, Civil Defence, Fire Service and other civilian-based voluntary security organisations to pursue peace and sanity in the country commander in the Nigerian Army. Aged 56 as a retired personnel, he also commanded a Nigerian battalion as part of a UN mission in Sudan as well as being an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Abuja. He left military service just recently, in 2013, and was fully around when the Boko Haram insurgency war started and

reached its peak in the country. His posting to head the Defence is much desirable given that the minister of Defence should not come few days to the deadline for the war to be won, to start studying the scene. He would go straight to actions.

Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau

Ogbe

Abdulrahman Dambazau has been assigned the Minister of Interior. This is not bad but simply okay. As retired Lieutenant-General, Dambazau, 61, is heading a ministry that is responsible for internal security, which is very key to the survival and sustainability of Nigeria at a time like this, when the country is facing security challenges. Danbazzau will interface with the paramilitary agencies: the police, Prisons, Immigration, Civil Defence, Fire Service and other civilian-based voluntary security organisations to pursue peace and sanity in the country. As a Chief of Army Staff, COAS, under former President Umaru Yar’Adua, he really couldn’t have been the best for the Defence ministry because he did not really fight the Boko Haram. But as a General, he will no doubt coordinate security elements in the country, including the military where necessary to achieve this inter-

Buhari’s ministers will bring about An Abuja based law practitioner, John Ali in this interview with DOOSUUR IWAMBE expressed optimism that president Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers are capable of delivering the change agenda of the APC led- government. What is your assessment on the recent designate assigned to the newly swornin Ministers? Assessing the Ministers now may be difficult. “It’s the high quality of the Ministers’ efficiency that may justify their being fit for the portfolios assigned to them” However, looking at the antecedents of some of the Ministers with their allotted portfolio I would want to say that I have confidence that that they have the capability to ship their obligations. It is important to note here also that with the President personal supervision of the entire Ministers, they will be able to achieve the change agenda of this administration. I want to urge that a proper assessment will be made after some months in office. However, the

ministers are charged to rise as much as the demand of workplace. Do you think the Ministers will be able to deliver the change agenda of the APC led government? The Ministers will deliver the change agenda. The President took his time to select them after painstaking consultation and after going through screening by the senate, which is adjudged as the first of its kind, a retreat was held where the President railed out the thrust of the administration and also the dos and don’ts which the Ministers are expected to follow strictly to achieve the change agenda.

What is your take on the controversy that President Muhammadu Buhari placed Adamu Adamu who is a Journalist ahead of Professor Anthony Anwuka to oversee the ministry of education? On the face of it everybody would have expected Prof. Anthony Anwuka who was a lecturer and Vice Chancellor to be made the substantive Minister of Education as a result of his core competence as against Adamu Adamu. Please let me ask a question haven’t we had Professors’ heading the ministry without any meaningful impact? I think the running of the ministry goes beyond the academia but that administrative acumen is key You need to recall

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Thursday, November 19, 2015

pegs in round holes? governorship candidate in Taraba State and was recently declared winner of the election by the Taraba State Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Abuja. She garnered her weight of experience as the Chief Registrar of the High Court of the FCT. She is versatile coupled with her background as a lawyer and her stay as the Chief Registrar of the FCT High Court for over a decade. With all the experience, it is believed that she will be able to manage effectively the affairs of the Ministry as desired.

nal peace and stability.

Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu When Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu was appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, he was adjudged a good hand for the job given his background in the industry. Thus, finding him worthy to assist him as the minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Buhari as the substantive minister could not be faulted in this choice. He is a lawyer and former ExxonMobil executive, and has already brought dramatic changes to the corruption-ridden NNPC, ordering a forensic audit of its accounts and the publication of oil receipts for the first time. He has pledged to bring transparency and accountability to the state-run NNPC’s operations and trimmed senior management positions.

Rotimi Amaechi: Former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Rotimi Amaechi now Transportation Minister emerged as a minister over very controversial circumstances with several petitions against him. He governed the affairs of Rivers State for eight years; where he had a lot of issues with former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is no doubt that Amaechi is coming to the ministry at a time when the transportation sector has remained in a dilapidated state. At no time in the history of the country were Nigerians faced with the grim reality of the neglected transportation system. Apart from potholes and crater-riddled roads, Amaechi will also be inheriting an almost moribund National Inland Waterways whose impact have been felt more on the pages of memos than in real life. The bill presently before the National Assembly seeking to repeal the draconian

Solomon Dalong:

Al-hassan

Ngige

NRC Act is a good point on which the new minister may act to bring about the innovations he may have for the rail sector. Having tried to introduce a mono rail in Port Harcourt in the last dispensation, Nigerians look forward to the minister giving the necessary backing to the move to repeal the old law.

the challenges ahead of him are enormous following the rot in the nation’s judiciary. Whether he will be able to reposition the Judiciary to meet the hope of the common man only time will tell.

Abubakar Malami: The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN) at the swearing in ceremony said that he would hit the ground running to ensure that he truly brings justice to bear on all violators of the Nigerian law. Most Nigerians believed that his appointment was more of compensation as a result of his loyalty and steadfastness over the years and most especially, the role he played during the last presidential election. Even though he has been in the system for a long time, it is not in doubt that

Audu Ogbe: The appointment of this Benue - born Minister of Agriculture, Audu Innocent Ogbe came with a lot of accolades most especially from the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN Ogbeh is a renowned cashew farmer. Mr. Sotonye Anga, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, said that the sector needed a vibrant agriculturalist to oversee its affairs. He noted that Ogbeh’s was already “cashing cash in cashew’’ because his cashew farm covered a land area of more than 250 acres.

Aisha Al-Hassan: Aisha Alhassan is the immediate past

Aisha Abubakar:

change agenda –Ali also the jubilation at the ministry headquarters on resumption by Adamu Adamu that speaks volume. Don’t you think the former governor of Lagos State, Fashola is being over burdened by overseeing three key sectors? Fashola did a lot in Lagos State in terms of social and infrastructural transformation and the President knowing that antecedents and track records of BRF fused the ministries as one and assigned it to him. It’s a challenge but I see him (Fashola) rising up to it. Power, works and housing is strategic if the government must make impact. Do you think the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh will be able to take the sector to greater heights beyond what the past administration did?

The Ministry of Agriculture under the headship of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina in the last administration is a legacy because of some policies in the sector which was acknowledged by Chief Ogbeh on assumption of office. Chief Ogbeh is a core farmer who have a grasp of agricultural practice around the globe and he is also passionate about reviving the sector. His experience is not limited to the administration of agriculture but one who is in the business of agriculture with over 30 years experience running his farms at different location in Nigeria. He also showed a clear understanding of the sector and expectations of Nigerians at the Senate screening where he analyzed and proffer solutions to the problems of seedlings, equipment, cost and access to capital. I’m optimistic with his vast experience and passion he will perform above average.

The appointment of Barrister Solomon Dalong as the new Sports Minister came with a lot of mixed reactions from the sport sector. The President of the African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU), Mitchel Obi captured Buhari’s appointment of Dalong as Sport minister as ‘going forward in the reverse’. He said, “the president has made his choice of minister and we are only but spectators. If they allow us to watch fine and if they don’t allow us fine, but this game belongs to us . We will be watching to see whether they will be playing well or not. If they score we applaud them and if they fail we boo them or wait for another opportunity to make a change”. Barrister Solomon Dalong was born on the 26th of September 1964 in the town of Sabon Gida within the then Resettlement Area which was a creation of the colonial masters to resettle and rehabilitate war veterans of World War II. It is believed that the ministry of sport is very sensitive but with his training as a lawyer, lecturer and politicians, Nigerians are waiting to see if he will be able to stand what has been termed as a strong cabal in the ministry in moving the ministry forward.

Ali

Aisha Abubakar now the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment had her own share of the petitions. The petitioners claimed that Aisha Abubakar is not qualified to be a minister of the federal republic because, according to them, “due regard was not given to the intendment of the constitution which stipulates some conditions precedent as basic qualification for a nominee and also for not conforming with the principle of equality as envisaged by the constitution”. This first female minster from Sokoto State going by her resume possessed nearly all the potentials, the skills, professionalism, experience and the ultimate chance to go down in the annals of history as the best performing minister in this era of change. The path to make this history requires creating an enabling environment for the progress of the people and always protects their interest irrespective of any differences. It is a known fact that she has acquired a lot of experience but while it is said that experience is the best teacher, it is also believed that a wise man learns from the mistakes of others

Politics

Kogi: PDP warns Police, urges members to resist harassment Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has cautioned the All Progressive Congress, APC-led government and the police to note that there is a limit to which the people of Kogi state can stomach the unlawful harassment and detention of its members in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Wednesday said, “Our position is consequent upon the Save our Soul (SOS) message from our Kogi state chapter, informing the national leadership that the police, using men of a special squad, have been arresting, beating up and invading homes of key PDP members in the state. “Information available to us show that Police operatives, acting on the orders of the APC government have been hounding, beating-up and arresting PDP members and supporters in Igalamala, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa and Idah local governments and other areas in the state, ostensibly to intimidate and frighten the electorate and pave the way for some compromised INEC officials to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the APC.” PDP said it wants Nigerians and the international community to note that the attack is a clear fall-out from the secret meeting between the Presidency and security agencies and INEC, which we exposed earlier this week.

Wada

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

President urges Kogi residents to vote APC Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people of Kogi State to join the change train, by voting enmasse on Saturday for the All Progressive Congress, APC Candidate, Prince Abubarka Audu. President Buhari who made this call while speaking at grand finale of All Progressive Congress, APC governorship Campaign rally at Lokoja Confluence Stadium in Lokoja yesterday, stated that the time for change in Kogi is now. President Buhari who was represented by the Vice president, Professor

Yemi Osinbajo at the stated that Nigeria is already moving forward and Kogi state must join the train now. Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun officially received some PDP members who defected to APC at the rally. They include 15 elected council Chairmen , Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers to Governor Idris Wada. Odigie- Oyegun who welcomed the defectors to APC, assured them of equal opportunity in APC, appealing to them to work for the victory of APC in Saturday governorship election in the state.

He said it required the collective responsibility of all electorate to vote for change for the overall development of Kogi state, noting that the APC candidate, Prince Abubarka Audu is still the best option at this critical moment in Kogi state. The APC flagbearer, Prince Abubarka Audu called on the people to vote enmasse for him to enable him rescue the state from bad governance of PDP. He stated that since he left office in 2003 development has eluded kogi state, noting that a vote for APC is a vote for progress and development of the state. Among the dignitaries that attended rally are

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader, Chief Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Chairman of the Party, Chief john OdigieOyegun, Chief Segun Oni, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola , Governor of Niger state, Abubarka Sanni Bello, Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomle, Governor of Plateau state, Solomon Lalong and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, Senator Dino Melaye and a host of other APC stalwarts. Meanwhile, the Kogi state chapter of the People Democratic Party, PDP has said that the absence of President Muhammadu

Buhari at the governorship grand finale rally of the All Progressive Congress, APC has vindicated PDP on its earlier stance that the President rejected the candidature of the APC Prince Abubakar Audu. In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP , Hon. Bode Ogunmola , the party said it has always maintained that President Buhari would not want to be associated with Prince Audu given his tainted image. The statement further noted that PDP in Kogi state is now more reassured of the determination of the APC- led federal government to fight corruption to standstill.

Forum to celebrate Buhari, Osinbajo

F Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (left), presenting Symbol of Osun to the President, Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Alhaji Mahmud Lawal, during a dinner in Honour of AOPSHON, at the Government House, Osogbo on Tuesday

Appeal Court upholds Ortom’s election Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

he Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday upheld the verdict of the State Elections Tribunal which affirmed the election of Governor Samuel Ortom as duly elected governor of Benue State in the general elections held last April. The defeated candidate of the PDP, Mr Terhemen Tarzoor, who also contested in the gubernatorial elections had dragged Ortom of the APC to court on the grounds that he was not validly nominated on the platform of the APC. He, therefore, challenged the eligibility of Ortom as a candidate in the

race and prayed the court to order INEC to withdraw his certificate of return and declare him ( Tarzoor ) the winner of the elections. The APC had insisted that their candidate, Ortom, was validly nominated in compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act, 2010 and had urged the court to dismiss the petition. They further requested the PDP to prove that Ortom was not validly nominated by the party. The Tribunal, in its judgment , had dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioner failed to exercise the burden of proof rested on its shoulders in all the issues before the court and described the action as futile.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the tribunal, the PDP candidate, appealed against the verdict of the tribunal, praying the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment and uphold his arguments at the lower court and declare him winner of the elections. Parties in the appeal, the APC, PDP and the INEC filed cross appeals and cross appellant appeals challenging certain aspects of the judgment and grounds of appeal. However, in their unanimous judgment on both the main appeal and the cross appeals, the panel of jurists presided over by Justice Mohhammed Garba, dismissed the appeal in its entirety for lack of merit. Garba, while uphold-

ing the judgement of the lower court, said the appellant failed to discharge the burden of proof rested on their shoulders in the matter, stressing legal dictum that “he who alleges must prove.” The appellate court ruled that the lower court was right in dismissing the appeal for lacking in merit. In his reaction the counsel to the PDP, Mr. Donald Kertyo, said he was dissatisfied with the judgement and that he is to seek redress at Supreme Court. In his view, the Benue State Attorney General, Mr. Mike Gusah, commended the jurists for the erudite judgment and said it was a glaring testimony of Governor Ortom’s clear victory at the polls.

orum for the Patriotic Members of All Progressives Congress, FOPAMEC, has set up activities to inaugurate its Lagos state hemisphere and celebration of the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the last presidential election. According to a release issued by the Forum and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Remi Adeitan, the activities to mark the event would commence today. According to the publicity secretary activities lined to commemorate the occasion includes novelty match and a lecture with the theme, “Patriotism” which would be delivered by a former Minister of Petroleum, Professor Tam David West on Saturday November 21 in Lagos. The event will have in attendance APC national leaders including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other state executives.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, November 19, 2015

With France we stand CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

he world, once again, is in grief, as terrorists strikes in Paris France culminated in the death of 133 people and l352 wounded, 99 of who are in a very serious condition. Two of the seven terrorists have been have so far identified and named by the French authorities, while investigation to unravel the remaining culprits has been intensified. Sadly, terrorism has become a recurring decimal ravaging almost every part of the globe; it is the modern threat to our civilisation. As the entire civilised world sympathise with France and pledged their resolve to extirpate terrorism from the globe, the thread of our common humanity resonates, instilling in us the psychological awareness as co-sojourners on a planet where a fraction of misguided people is committed to a project of human extinction for reasons best known to them. As we collectively mourn this man-to-man tragedy, I humbly enjoin world leaders to reach to the uttermost ends of their knowledge and technology to liberate human race from self-inflicted ho-

locaust. Having stated that, I should be eager to discredit the attitude of some people who tend to confuse themselves and other impressionable minds by bringing incongruous perspectives to their analysis of issue on this tragedy. As the people across the world keep superimposing the famous vertical tricolour of blue, white, and red of France Flag on their pictures on the facebook as a mark of solidarity to the dead and the bereaved families in the French tragedy, some people have started nurturing embers of discord by condemning the practice. The critics opine that adoption of French flag by people on their facebook profiles amounts to cultural inferiorisation or national self-subjugation. They say that it is possible to emphatise with France without adopting her flag as a symbolic sign of associative mourning and vicarious bereavement. They would point to some tragedies, which have fallen Nigeria and other parts of Africa in the past that had, according to them, not procure global concern and bewailing. One writer in this regard, who took it upon himself to dissuade Nigerians from adopting France flag on their personal profile is a renowned author and TV host, Reno Omokri, who albeit condemned the Paris attacks, nonetheless urged Africans and Asians to set themselves free from what he called “mental slavery.” Omokri had been quoted as saying: “Terrorism is evil and condemnable. But we should not only cry when it happens

IT IS THIS KIND OF DIVISIVE PERCEPTION AND MISCONSTRUCTION OF WHAT PATRIOTISM

IS ALL ABOUT THAT… METAMORPHOSE INTO ACTS OF TERRORISM in rich nations. We should treat it the same wherever it occurs. I sympathize with France, but why are Africans and Asians putting French flags on their profile when they do not put their own nation’s flag on their profile when terrorists attack their own nations? Are French lives more precious than their own brothers and sisters who are killed daily by home grown terrorists like the satanic Boko Haram and Al Shabab.” Another writer, Jafaar Jafaar, who in the famous Premium Times, wrote an article entitled “Letter to Facebook’s Mark Zukerberg”, opined thus: “While my heart goes to the French over last night’s terrorist attacks that led to the death of at least 120 people, I couldn’t but lash at the folly of Facebook for failure to identify with Nigeria when an estimated 15,000 Nigerians were killed by terrorists in round-theclock attacks in eight years.” Now, it is true that flag of France has adorned Facebook profiles of

many across the world in solidarity with France over the Paris attacks, and many more will still switch their profiles to this mode in the days or even weeks to come. What I find objectionable in the above submission by Omokri and Jafaar and many who lash out at the purported differential treatment of peoples of different races and locales is that a condition of extreme human tragedy such as we have on our hands is not an appropriate platform to reel out messages of invidious patriotism. It never ceases to beat me how some people view issues! If the people making this kind of submission are the nitwitted, perhaps one needs not bother attempting to dispel the wrong, if not facile, assumption, however the balderdash is kept being bandied about even by those one thought should know better. Ironically, it is this kind of divisive perception and misconstruction of what patriotism is all about that, when fully blown, metamorphose into acts of terrorism! Any injury to any innocent people anywhere should be a cause for concern, not an opportunity to ascertain, weigh and assess the extent of sympathy we had received, when a similar thing happened to our own people. That to me is not patriotism but callousness! We are first of all human beings before we are Nigerians! Pray for Paris, those that love her shall prosper! Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

James Bond as metaphor for Nigerian politics ALEX OSONDU ATAWA-AKPODIETE

have always been a movie aficionado. And this is traceable to the days my father, the late Chief Dr. Ekuogbe Akpodiete, owned one of the two cinema houses in Ughelli in the 1970s/80s. I recall with fond memories, working at the cinema house, when I was home from boarding school. That was when films, especially old westerns, were films. This movie-watching habit followed me to America. There were days in Law School, when I will watch two to three films back to back to relax after reading thousands of pages of textbooks and writing briefs. A film can either make you relax or forget your problems, while you go off to fantasyland with the producer. However, some films make you think about your problems or the problems facing society. One of my favorite films is the James Bond series. Agent 007 has a way of doing things. Whether it is his ability to inexplicably get out of dangerous situation, or his fast cars. An average teenager is mesmerized by the fictitious British secret service agent with a licence to kill. Of course, men (especially the over 40 years group) appreciate his way with beautiful women, while consuming a martini that is shaken, not stirred. No one complains about the age difference between our hero and the heroine of the film. Alright, the moral majority (now minority) still rate the film as in-

IF OUR RECYCLED

POLITICIANS ARE TRUE STATESMEN, WE MAY

HAVE TO ACCEPT THEM.

OTHERWISE, WE NEED A TRUE CHANGE OF GUARDS appropriate. Most James Bond films are rated “R”, meaning restricted to those over 18 years old because of the violence and sex scenes. There is also the promotion of hard liquor and spirits, not beer, and objectification of women. Once you overcame the arguably moral implications of the film, you can actually see some life lessons. Ian Fleming, the originator of James Bond, started the series in 1953 by writing books and short stories. Although he has been dead since 1964, the series has outlived him with over 25 James Bond films in the past 51 years, with at least nine different actors. Alright, what does James Bond have to do with Nigeria? I realized that James Bond represents the current state of affairs in Nigeria. It is the same story with essentially the same players. You may have a few new supporting political appointees, but the main characters are still the same. Secret Agent 007 is still the President (sorry, main actor) of the film. The story has essentially the same directors and producers. The new James Bond film ‘Spectre’ had the same expected ending. Agent 007 won

and drove off into the sunset with the beautiful actress. Very predictable. Will the fate of Nigeria be the same predictable ending in 2019? The youths have complained that there seems to be no room for new blood. Most commissioners and ministers have been in the system since 1999 and the problems of underdevelopment and corruption have not been solved. Is it that we need only “experienced” politicians? What then is the “experience” needed? Pessimists will say that we don’t need the wrong experience of corruption, mismanagement and impunity. It has been postulated that “true statesmanship depends on a commitment to lead by principles and values.” If our recycled politicians are true statesmen, we may have to accept them. Otherwise, we need a true change of guards. Is it that we are doomed to have the same set of people in the story of Nigeria? In one of William Shakespeare’s plays entitled, ‘As You Like It’, the beginning monologue by the protagonist Jacques has become famous. He states, in Act II Scene VII, that “All the world is a stage.” To extrapolate, are the rest of Nigerians doomed to just watch while the same set actors play it, with essentially the same directors and producers? A significant portion of the Shakespeare’s quote (probably pirated from 16th Century English Poet Richard

Edwardes or first century Roman author/ senator Gaius Petronius Arbiter) is that “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.” This past week, a friend posted on my Facebook wall (#profatawa) an article by a writer named James King. The article goes through the list of those that have been in power since 1999 to buttress the point that majority of those in power today are the same people. He profiled former presidents, vice presidents, governors, ministerial nominees, party stalwarts and top government officials to point out that the current actors have only changed political platform to ascend into power again. In other words, it is not about Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or All Progressives Congress (APC). It seems like the same set of actors. Same story? I am a realistic optimist, and I hope the story ends differently and in a positive manner, come 2019. Atawa-Akpodiete, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Washington DC, USA via Profatawa@gmail.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Prodigal councils on the Plateau

t is pathetic that being in politics in Nigeria has become more of a means to ignoble ends, namely: profligacy and self-aggrandizement at public expense, than a rare opportunity to patriotically render public service. Indeed, altruism is scarcely part of the bargain. Governments at all levels, especially since the nation embraced democratic rule in 1999, prefer squandering public funds on sheer frivolities. It would appear that as the years roll by, those holding public offices are drawn farther away from the purpose and significance of their call to duty, which essentially is all about rendering services and giving value for money to better the embarrassing lot of Nigerians. But from 1999 up to when President Muhammadu Buhari government was inaugurated last May 29, governance was reduced to partying and merry-making by virtually all those entrusted with it. This probably buttressed why reports in 2011 that the Federal Government planned to spend N5 billion for the inauguration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan after the 2011 polls were not considered as bizarre; and why the leadership of the House of Assembly of one of the South West states could sponsor the wives of members of the state legislature and their aides to the United Kingdom on a frivolous jamboree veiled as husband-assistance training with N50 million drawn from pub-

lic treasury. Just last week, reports had it that a committee set up lately by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to probe the activities of past local government council chairmen in the state accused some of the LG leadership of misappropriating over N1 billion in council funds. According to the chairman of the committee, Mr. Daniel Fanto, when he turned in his committee’s report to the Governor penultimate Monday, Shendam LG alone wasted N195 million on entertainment between January and December 2014. In Pankshin LG, N39.8 million was spent in January 2015 alone on entertainment, hiring/fuelling of vehicles, assistance and security; while just N3.3 million was spent on projects. The committee said in Riyom LG, 27 capital projects amounting to N722.8 million were awarded in one day (February 25, 2015); and that the narrations on the payment vouchers were not only fraudulent, but also absurd, among others. “The councils completely abandoned their primary responsibility to their people”, the Fanto-led committee stated. It complained, in addition, about what it called “too many deductions – unnecessary deductions – made during Joint Account Allocation meetings, which negatively impacted on the finances of the LGs”; and implored Governor Lalong government

November 19, 1985 Pennzoil won a $10.53 billion judgement against Texaco in the largest civil verdict in the history of the United States, stemming from Texaco executing a contract to buy Getty Oil after Pennzoil had entered into an unsigned, yet still binding buy-out contract with Getty. Pennzoil is an American oil company founded in Los Angeles, California in 1913. In 1955, it was acquired by South Penn Oil, a former branch of Standard Oil.

IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SUCH WASTEFUL SPENDING AS HAD BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY THE

PLATEAU

STATE COMMITTEE COULD BE PASSED OFF AS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE to look into the activities of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. That the Plateau LG revellers constitute a disgrace and monumental disappointment to the lofty agitation for the fiscal autonomy of LGs, meant to bring governance and development closer to the people, would be putting the shame mildly if eventually confirmed. From the report the Fanto committee submitted to Governor Lalong, it is obvious that the leadership of the affected LGs busied themselves scrambling for and sharing funds meant for the development of their councils among themselves. Fanto disclosed, for instance, that whereas only LG chairmen were constitutionally recognised as chief security officers of their LGs, public funds were shared among other officials in the name of security votes. With such leaders as political heads of LGs, there is certainly

ON THIS DAY

November 19, 2010 The first of four explosions took place at the Pike River Mine in New Zealand, killing 29 people in the nation’s worst mining disaster since 1914. The incident began on November 19, 2010 in the Pike River Mine, 46 kilometres (29 mi) northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand’s South Island. A first explosion occurred in the mine at approximately 3:44 pm (NZDT, UTC+13).

no hope for the already embattled third tier of government. Indeed, many would prefer the scrapping of LGs; and their responsibilities executed by states through local area development centres. The president, governors and anti-graft agencies should not ignore odious reports like the ones now from the prodigal councils of Plateau State. The perpetrators should be diligently investigated, prosecuted and penalised if found culpable, to pass the message of zero tolerance to impunity to others. The nation deludes itself about economic progress and development if, despite the biting economic predicament orchestrated by dipping oil prices and the non-diversification of the economy, a LG found pleasure in squandering N39.8 million in one month on entertainment and other spurious bills, while its expenditure on tangible projects amounted to N3.3 million, which represents less than 10 percent of N39.8 million. The persisting pattern that permits government recurrent expenditure to outrageously weigh higher than capital expenditure is retrogressive. It is unacceptable and should be reversed. It is ridiculous that such wasteful spending as had been highlighted by the Plateau State committee could be passed off as recurrent expenditure, in a country where majority of the 36 states cannot afford N18,000 as minimum wage for workers.

November 19, 2014 A double suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in Beirut killed 23 people and injured 160 others. The bombings were seen as part of the spill-over of the Syrian Civil War, in which Hezbollah and Iran had supported the Syrian government, while the Abdullah Azzam Brigades fought against the Syrian government. Same day, Syrian government forces seized the town of Qarah from rebel fighters.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) In ABUAD, You Get It All —Dr Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

Stakeholders chart path for new minister

…as private schools advocate abolition of multiple taxes

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

EDUCATION IS AS

fter six months of waiting, President Muhammadu Buhari eventually inaugurated his cabinet members. Among them is the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, a columnist and public affairs analyst as well as the minister of state for the ministry, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, who is a former university’s vice-chancellor. With Adamu’s appointment as the 18th minister to occupy the seat since the country returned to democratically elected government in 1999, the ministry cannot be said to have witnessed any appreciable development. It is either each of the ministers solved the problems inherited halfway or they compounded them. Some of the problems include mass failure in public examinations; inadequate school-based data; poor funding; poor infrastructure; poor remuneration, welfare package and incentives for workers; poor management of the Annual School Census (ASC); overcrowded classrooms; policy somersaulting and poor implementation. Others are huge out-of-school children; insecurity; irregular school calender; poorlyequipped laboratories and libraries; poor attitude to work and to learn by workers and students, respectively; brain drain; incessant strikes; cultism, laziness; admission crisis; parental neglect of children; poor global ranking of schools, especially the universities; examination malpractice; sexual harassment; high tuition fees and so forth. For instance, it is difficult to know the exact figure of school enrolment both at the basic and tertiary levels as the country still relies on information provided by international organisations such as UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), among others, which could not also be said to be current and totally accurate. This situation has made it difficult to ascertain whether or not there has been significant increase in school enrolment as year passes by. Apart from that, less than 40 per cent of candidates who sit for the senior school certificate examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) usually obtained credit passes and above in five subjects that include English Language and mathematics, the minimum subjects’ com-

IMPORTANT AS ECONOMY ITSELF AND SHOULD THEREFORE NOT BE TAKEN FOR A RIDE BY SUBJECTING IT TO POLITICAL

CONSIDERATIONS.

Adamu bination required to secure admission into higher institutions in and outside the country. That has been the position in the last five years in the exams conducted by the council. Similarly, many who are qualified for admission by passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams and the post-UTME and posses other necessary requirements are oftentimes denied admission just because of lack of space in virtually all the public institutions while they could not afford the exorbitant fees charged by private schools. Also, hardly with one school calender passes by without workers embarking on industrial actions over one issue or the other that would not only result in forcing students to stay at home and engage in unprofitable activities but also prolong their days in school. Many of the classrooms especially in public schools apart from being poorly ventilated and at times with leaking roofs are congested, the condition that hampers effective communication between teachers and their

students. There are many other challenges confronting the sector. And just like in the previous administrations, expectations from stakeholders in the sector are also high from the new minister to solve these challenges. This is largely due to the sensitive nature of education as the bedrock for development. However, stakeholders’ opinions on the ability of the new minister to handle the sector and move it forward are uncertained. They believe that a professional who may not necessarily be a professor but vast in education and has been in the sector all along and very passionate about the sector should have been appointed to mount the ministerial seat so as to be able to tackle or at least reduce to a barest minimum the identified problems confronting the sector . One of the adherents of that view is Professor Olu Akeusola, the Secretary General of Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education in Nigeria. According to him, it would have been better if an experienced ed‘‘

Christopher University is about excellence —VC 21

‘I’ll still study Medicine’ 20

ucationist, who understands the nitty-gritty of the system and what obtainable at every level, is given the portfolio. “Education is as important as economy itself and should therefore not be taken for a ride by subjecting it to political considerations,” he stressed. However, Akeusola, a professor of comparative grammar and Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija-Epe, Lagos wants the minister to look specifically at the 1-6-3-3-4 system for proper implementation. He also canvassed for the reversal of grade two teachers’ training for the products of the system to feed colleges of education as the old practice. Another educationist, Mr. Sylvester Onoja, who is one-time Commissioner of Education in Kogi State and former Principal, King’s College, Lagos, while also faulting the appointment of Adamu as a minister of education not because of his personality but for the fact that he is not a professional argued that the sector deserves to be treated like that of health and justice ministries where professionals are appointed to oversee them. According to him, the ministry deserves a person, who knows the right language, who understands what the curriculum is all about and what obtainable at every level of education and who knows the right policy to formulate and see to their implementation. Sylvester further argued, saying “Ordinarily, Adamu is a fantastic gentleman who may probably perform very well as a minister of information considering his background as a columnist and public analyst but it would have been better if a professional is given the portfolio. This is because our general problems as a country can be better solved through quality education. We must therefore get it right this time around as a nation CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

ICPC targets students for anti-corruption crusade 25

Education Today

Thursday, November 19, 2015

NCCE’s hammer dangles on COEs over accreditation status Regina Otokpa ABUJA

he National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, has threatened to sanction erring teachers training institutions in the country that fail to regularise their accreditation status before the 2016-2017 academic year. Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Monday Joshua handing down the notice in Abuja during an interactive forum with the media, saying such measure becomes necessary considering complaints of declining teacher quality in the country. He said the commission would in no distant time liaise with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that from next academic year, accreditation and students’ result status would form the benchmark for admission of new NCE students into any of the colleges of education. Professor Joshua noted that beyond funding, which most of the institutions pose as challenges for not meeting their accreditation requirement, they were indeed flaunting the commission’s mandate as enshrined in the 1989 decree and amended in 1993, which stipulates that the systems or procedures, infrastructure, human resource capacity, the research outlay and quality of teacher education must conform to the Act. As the Commission marks its silver jubilee today, ,Joshua exonerated the commission for declining teacher quality, saying production of quality teachers does not happen in a vacuum, rather it responds to the intricacies of society. According to him, pre-1979 teaching work-force in the country were adjudged to be better and had higher quality of education because the society was then evolving as a nation, but that things started taking a turn for the worse post 1979. “The call for innovation, creativity and quality teacher education has never been as demanding as in the 21st century, with rapid socio-economic changes, more and more complex problems, associated with quality teacher preparation in the commission and her colleges of education across the country have become germane. “Central to these issues is the problem of accreditation, it is however unfortunate to say that some of the colleges are not up to date in terms of having current accreditation status. The reason is largely traceable to inadequate funding. We have already warned the Colleges that their accreditation and students’ result status will constitute the basis for admission of new NCE students from JAMB into the 2016/2017 school year, “he added. The executive secretary also noted that in the 25 years of the Commission’s existence, it has made positive history through significant achievements in relation to her core mandate on teacher education in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’ll still study Medicine —BELLSTECH best student Saidat Alausa

luwadamilola Soyinka had wanted to go abroad to study medicine preferably in one of the Ukrainian universities and return home after graduation to practice the profession. To bring this her dream into fruition, she passed very well her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and began her admission process in earnest. And when she was offered the admission in 2011 according to her, she was very happy and she thought nothing could stop her from going abroad. But she was denied visa by Ukrainian Embassy. “I wasn’t happy at the development as I was really a disappointment but then, I didn’t allow that to weigh me down unnecessary,” Soyinka, said. “That was how I picked the entrance form to study Biochemistry at Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.” Now five years down the line, Soyinka, 21, is not only a graduate of Biochemistry, she came out as the overall best among all the 338 graduating students in her set. This was unveiled at the university’s 7th convocation ceremony held last week amid pomp and ceremony. With a Cumulative Gradient Points Average of 4.88 out of the possible 5.0, Soyinka from Ogun State, has the best result among the 21 students

Oluwadamilola with her mother, Mrs. Olufunke Soyinka during her graduation “I just want to become a who made First Class in the set and for the achievement, medical doctor and I won’t she went home with vari- mind to start the process ous prizes. These include all over again,” she told Nathe Vice-Chancellor’s Prize; tional Mirror shortly after Pro-Chancellor’s Prize for the programme. “This may the best graduating female not be that easy, but with the student, best graduating stu- help of God and my mum dent in the College of Natu- support (for she has lost her ral and Applied Sciences, father last year) I will definitely achieve my aim.” among others. Explaining how she was Despite this rare achievement, Soyinka still wants to able to emerge the overall study medicine now either best, she said she had been working for it immediately at home or abroad.

she gained admission into the school. She however urged her fellow mates not to see their graduation as the end to their career, but a step to move ahead in life. Her mother, Mrs. Olufunke Soyinka who revealed that Damilola started to perform very well academically when she was about leaving primary school, thanked God for the success, saying she had done the family proud. She was optimistic that her daughter would excel anytime she starts studying medicine because she has indeed shown that she can be what she wants to be. Earlier in his convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi said the ceremony portrays yet another successful effort of the university at producing quality high level manpower to sustain the development of the country. To the graduating students, the VC charged them to maintain academic and moral integrity and professional expertise which the university had spent several sessions inculcating in them.

Stakeholders chart ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

to move forward.” But then, Sylvester, who is a member of Nigerian Academy of Education, still want to give Adamu a benefit of doubt on his performance. Surprisingly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities which is one of the big stakeholders in the sector refuses comment. The President of the union, Dr. Fagee

Nasir neither picked his call nor responded to the text message sent to his phone number and likewise the President of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Michael Olukoya. But an inside sources told National Mirror that the two bodies would not want to comment because they are also not comfortable with the appointment of non educationist as the minister CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Our investment in geoscience education yielding results —ExxonMobil

Tunbosun Ogundare

multinational oil exploration and production company, ExxonMobil Nigeria has disclosed that its intervention so far in geoscience education in Nigeria was yielding positive results. The company has since 2007 introduced, among others, the University Partnering Programme (UPP), as a way of boosting the study of geoscience in Nigerian universities, especially as regards the practical aspects of the course. The General Manager, Exploration, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Ejayeriese made this disclosure in Lagos last week during the lunch of seven new geological maps produced by geology students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Ibadan; University of Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Benin; Nnmandi Azikiwe University, Akwa and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. However, the launched maps which show

mineral deposits in their respective vicinity have brought the number of geological maps produced so far through the scheme and certified worthy by the relevant authorities including Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), to 17.

Ejayeriese disclosed that the programme started with six universities and now has 14 partnering institutions and had cost the company over N2 billion so far. He listed company’s areas of interventions to include donation of vehicles, equip-

General Manager, Exploration, ExxonMobil, Andrew Ejayeriese (middle) with geology students from universities participating in the University Partnering programme of ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production, at the launch of seven new geological maps published by the universities, in Lagos, last week.

ment, cash for field trips, as well research analysis. He pointed out that maps that did not meet the standards of NGSA were turned down for upgrading. This remarkable productivity of UPP according to Ejayeriese is not restricted to invaluable knowledge the participating students have gained in the course of the fieldwork, analysis and map producing process, but extend to the significant contributions of these maps to the provision of a quality and reliable national database for the country. “And the fact that these maps will be very useful for mineral exploration and other industry-relevant investigations makes them more relevance to our oil and mining industries,” he stressed. He, however, promised that based on the success recorded so far, the company had resolved to extend the programme to other public universities nationwide so as to ensure that Nigerian geoscience graduates can compete favourably with their peers from the world-class universities around the globe.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Education Today

Christopher University is about excellence —VC

Thank you for having us. Let’s start by asking what Christopher University is all about? Christopher University is among the last set of private universities that approved by the Federal Government to operate. Since then, we have put a number of things in place to ensure that the university takes off effectively this academic session. By the way, Christopher University is under the mentorship of the University of Lagos. It is located in Mowe, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, about a minute or two from the Redeemed Camp. We already have structures in place. We have the administrative block, classrooms, students’ hostels and playground. The university is also up-to-date in information technology. So, I can say the university is now fully on ground. As a matter of fact, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has given us students for take-off in the 2015/2016 session. In that light, I was appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor; a Registrar has also been appointed. We are in the process of recruiting academic and non-academic staff.

Prof. Friday N. Ndubuisi, currently a professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos, has been appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State, one of the new private universities recently approved by the Federal Government. In this interview with Editorial Page Editor, CALLISTUS OKE and Assistant Editor, Health and Education, SAM EFERARO, Professor Ndubuisi says the core value of the new university will be the promotion of excellence, which is geared towards producing first class graduates that will be counted among the best in the world. Excerpts: optimal and dressing must be right. There must be a healthy relationship among students, so we are creating an environment where students will have close interaction with the private sector through industrial attachment. We also want to have linkages with foreign universities. We will have interaction with known prominent universities around the world and in the country. We really want to create a university that is unique in several ways. How many faculties are you taking off with? We are starting with three faculties- the School of Business made up of accounting, banking and finance, business administration, marketing; School of Social Sciences made up of economics, psychology, political science; and we have the School of Humanities made up of history and diplomatic studies, philosophy and English Language.

How were you appointed VC? Was it by selection or through a competitive process? An advert was placed for the position of Vice Chancellor in the national dailies. Quite a number of people applied and I also applied. There was an interview by a recruitment panel. The panel had representatives from the NUC, members of the governing council and representatives of the University of Lagos, including the Deputy VC (Academics) and Registrar. People came from various places. In fact, somebody applied from a university in America. What is the vision of the founders of the University? The founder of the university is one of the captains of industry here, somebody that has been associated with education, academic professionalism for a very long time. His interest is to train and graduate first class graduates that will play a major role in Nigeria’s private and public sectors. Initially, the emphasis was on management sciences, but we have expanded our scope to include other areas. It’s a university that will merge practical and theory, so we really want to partner with the private sector to train people that are well equipped, graduates that that are sensitive not only to their environment but also to international community and are able to compete effectively with people from all over the world. So, the university has a vision of promotion of excellence. We want to train graduates that are not only intellectually sound, but also self confident.

Ndubuisi the fact that students will be interacting with the academic staff Yes. There’s an arrangement. There will be managers that will be on ground. There are dedicated managers, managers of the hostels and also academic staff that will be able to monitor the activities of the students. So you will say you are fully set to take off? Oh yes, we are set to take off from this session.

You talked about mentorship by the University of Lagos. Exactly what does this mentorship entail? The University of Lagos, for instance, has set up a committee that will mentor Christopher University. The Committee is headed by the Deputy VC (Academics), Prof. Jide Alo. The Registrar is also a member of the Committee. Others are the Deans, Faculty of Arts, Business Administration, Social Sciences etc. It’s a big committee. That Committee has visited the site to assess the facilities on ground and the members were convinced that we were good enough to start. That is in addition to NUC’s visit and assessment. At this level, what I know is that UNILAG is supposed to mentor Christopher University and nurture it to a reasonable level. This is why they were there during the selection of the VC and Registrar. And when it comes to the issue of recruitment of academic staff, the University of Lagos will also play a major role to guide the university.

The issue many people have with private universities really is the high fees charged. I believe this is why some of them are finding it difficult to meet their students quota. What are you going to do to attract students? The issue of fees; really education is a big venture. It is capital intensive. Most proprietors, including ours, will tell you their interest is not about profit. I’m not sure the university is the best investment you want to think about if you only want profit. Their preoccupation of proprietors is about service to humanity. The fee for Christopher University is about N600, 000 (per session) across the board, and this includes medicals, registration, accommodation etc. The fee is not too high. We know things are not easy, so we are introducing some incentives for students. There will be bursary awards and scholarships for students that are able to maintain very high grades. In the interim, we will have different incentives to cushion the effect of the fee for students who may not be able to afford it.

So if I get to the campus in Mowe now, what are the facilities I will see there? Oh, if you get there, you will see the administrative block that has the offices of the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other management and administrative staff; you will see the classroom blocks, offices for lecturers, sport centre and hostels that will accommodate a minimum of 500 students (males and females). You will see the security network, cafeteria, medical facilities for students, internet facilities, both in the classrooms and the hostels. When you talk about information technology, the place is fully compliant. Do you have anything on ground for lecturers? Are you going to have accommodation for them on or off campus, given

Have you been able to identify what other universities are not doing or not doing well which you will be doing differently? Number one, we will give students the opportunity to pay their fees by instalment. We also want to create employment opportunities on part time basis through which students can finance their education. There will be opportunities for those who can work on part time basis on campus – library or shop attendants etc. as it is done in some universities abroad. The students will be busy all through. If you are not reading, there will be something to occupy you. Discipline is also very paramount. We want to bring up graduates with very high moral standard. We want to ensure that class attendance is

Which of the courses is the prime focus of Christopher University? We want our graduates to be geniuses in management sciences - accounting, business administration, economics, information technology. We want our students to excel in ICT. That is why we even have interactive board and there’s internet in all parts of the university - hostels, classrooms, everywhere. You mentioned history and diplomatic studies as one of your courses. That brings me to a serious issue we have in this country. Students no longer study history in the secondary school. I just wonder how they will cope with history and diplomatic studies at the university without having a background of history from the secondary school. The point is there is no country that can survive without history. For whatever reason, they have decided to abolish history in our secondary schools. I’ve never seen a thing like that. It’s not done anywhere. Not teaching history is like saying we can no longer teach our local languages. A nation that does not have history or culture is heading towards extinction. Well, I think this is even the more reason the university has to offer it. I know people have been talking about it. Eventually, I believe the government will listen. What is the number of students you are taking off with? We have our quota from NUC and we have been given some students. We have started inviting them for screening, so, we will know how many students we are taking off with after the screening. There are some vices that many universities are now evolving ways to eliminate or reduce to the barest minimum. We hear of lecturers extorting money from students by selling handouts, sexual harassment, cultism among others. What are you doing to ensure that these vices do not surface in Christopher University? There will always be challenges wherever you have human beings, but we have measures in place to prevent some of the things you have mentioned. First, we will not allow sale of handouts. Secondly, we will not allow lecturers to sell their books directly to students. Thirdly, there will be a code of conduct both for students and lecturers. Most of the things you see in public universities will not be found in Christopher University. We are interested in protecting our image and students will be our selling point. As mentioned earlier, the school is founded on the premise of excellence. Lecturers are expected to have high moral standard. At the point of entry, every academic staff will be given a code of conduct which will be sacrosanct and violation will lead to dismissal. We will not give room for such vices.

Education Today

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fanfare as Lagos principal retires

Principal of King Ado Secondary School, Lagos Island, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi recently bowed out of service after spending the mandatory 35 years in government service. He marked the exit with a get-together with many families and friends in attendance. National Mirrorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photojournalist, SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN captured the event.

Tutor -General, District 3, Mr. Gbemiyinka (left) and former principal, Eko Akete High School, Lagos Island, Mrs. Ibrahim

Celebrant, and retiring Principal, King Ado High School, Lagos Island, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi (middle) flanked by the former Tutor-General, Lagos Education District 3, Mrs. Taiwo Adeyinka(left) and the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mr. Olawunmi Gasper at the event. Mrs. Akinleye Omolara Tawa, Vice Principal, King Adio High School at the event.

Students of King Ado Secondary School presenting gift to Principal/Director, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi (3rd right) during his Pen-Down ceremony in Lagos, recently.

Mrs. Sherifat Ogundipe, the first Head Girls of King Ado High School at the event

Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria (MUTAN), Lagos Island presenting gift to Principal/Director King Ado Secondary School, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi (3rd right) during the Pen-Down Ceremony of Mr. Alabi in Lagos, recently. Founding Principal, King Ado Secondary School, Mr. Adelana Ibrahim Akinsanya and wife, Omolara.

L-R: Mr. Olatunji Mubo; Mr. Lateef Alabi Olalere; Mr. Tajudeen Alabi Olalere; Mrs. Muibat Oribidesi-Salami; Ms. Kehinde Alabi and Kazeem Alabi Olalere. L-R: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mr. Olawunmi Gasper; Retiring Principal King Ado High School, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi; former Education Secretary, Lagos Island and Director, Education District IV,Yaba, Mrs. Abimbola Muyinat

Dignitaries at the event.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Expectations from Education Minister

he poor status of the Nigerian education system has been a cause of concern to many, the focus of discussions by various stakeholders, with all kinds of solutions being recommended. Despite the efforts by various agencies, the sector still remains in the wood. But the emergence of a minister of education after six long months of waiting has provided an opportunity to look beyond the present despair with hope for a better tomorrow. After the many disappointments of the past, where mediocrity and political exigencies were enthroned above excellence and common sense, we have summoned the courage to embrace the opportunity to hope once more, howbeit with caution. But the burden the minister is called upon to bear is indeed very heavy even as our expectation for change is high. With the mammoth decay in the infrastructure, the dearth of equipment, diminishing quality and output of manpower and the all embracing corruption at all levels of the educational ladder; it is indeed a gargantuan problem to unravel. The foundation of education in Nigeria is damaged irreparably. A large number of primary school graduates cannot read and write. The condition of their teachers is only marginally better. Political considerations do not permit the institution of effective sanctions against unqualified teachers. The inability to read and write after six years of primary education leave pupils in a state of perpetual mental and emotional incapacitation, predisposing them ultimately to enslavement to examination malpractice. The incalculable damage of a failed primary school system to the rest of the educational system is palpable in our daily life, manifesting in unprecedented examination malpractice, massive failure in the Senior School Certificate Examination and graduates who cannot read and write. The university system is in shambles. Laboratories are non functional. Sometimes I wonder where the numerous

scientific publications churned out in unprecedented numbers are crafted. Many lecturers in Nigerian universities are scarcely literate; but they secure appointments ahead of their more competent counterparts because of the rampart nepotism and corruption in the employment system. Admissions into universities is increasing in a geometric progression while the facilities remain static or actually shrinking. To make matters worse, the quality of the intake is in a free fall because constant downward revision of the admission cut-off mark, sometimes as low as 25% score, to meet the allocated quota. Our teachers training facilities are in a mess. Very oddly, teachers often know how to teach but hardly what to teach. The current teachers’ training curriculum contains more than sixty percent courses in teaching methodology and less than forty percent of teaching subject. To crown it all, only those who cannot secure admission into other programmes go on to read education. On the long run, teachers who are both unable and unwilling to teach are labelled “professionals” and given preference of place in the classrooms. Every segment of the sector cries for attention but not all can be given adequate attention. The most effective response would be to rebuild the basic education system and give the educational sector a solid foundation. With the enormous efforts the state governments have put into infrastructural development in the various states, it will be advisable for the federal government to concentrate on im-

proving the teachers training programmes nationwide. These efforts would include a review of the teachers training curriculum to enhance teachers’ capabilities in the primary and junior secondary schools. More Colleges of Education should be established to train teachers for the Basic Education programme. Furthermore, graduate teachers should be trained in a two stage programme which should include a standard bachelor’s degree in the teaching subject followed by a one year diploma in education to acquire the requisite teaching methodology. Teachers’ certification should be reviewed to embrace a two stage process including assessment of the knowledge of teaching subject and teaching methodology. A student can sit for the certification examination while still in training and hence be fully certified at the time of graduation from the training institution. Full registration should be given only after teachers are certified to be competent in knowledge and teaching methodology. This would greatly improve teachers’ performance and enhance the learning process. The inspectorate division is inefficient and laden with corruption. Most often, school visits are simply to collect their brown envelopes and arrange for their shares of the proceeds of examination malpractice which has become big business for many. Privatization of the school inspectorate division could rein in truant teachers and result in enhanced performance. But above all, remuneration should be enhanced to place the teaching profession among the five most sought after during admission to tertiary institutions. This should enhance the quality of candidates aspiring to make a career out of the teaching profession. We need not continue to cajole disgruntled dropouts to enrol in our teachers’ training programmes. Sir, we believe that a bottom up solution will provide the much needed elixir for the resuscitation of the entire education sector.

National College Lagos holds 60th anniversary, Founder’s Day in grand style

L-R: Bishop of Methodist Church, Diocese of Agodi, Bishop Amos Ajiboye; PTA Students performing traditional Igbo dance. Chairman, National College, Gbagada, Lagos, Rev. Ololade Olalere and representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Adekunle Salami.

Students of the school during the ceremony.

L-R: Very Rev. Adewuyi Oyeniran; Emeritus Chief Justice of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji; Chairman on the occasion, Sir Biyi Adesanya; Principal, National College, Gbagada, Lagos, Engr. Alfred Aina; Bishop of Methodist Church, Diocese of Agodi, Bishop Amos Ajiboye and PTA Chairman, National College, Rev. Ololade Olalere, during the cutting of the cake. PHOTOS: YINKA ADEPARUSI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Oluwaseun Bolaji

P Abdulrasheed

UNILORIN SUG organises leadership training Abdul Ganiy Shehu UNILORIN

he President of the Students’ Union, University of Ilorin, Mr. Alao Idris Ibrahim has canvassed for a change in the conventional cliché of Students’ leadership in the country otherwise known as Aluta. The union leader who stated this during the Leadership Training Programme organised by the union on Tuesday last week emphasised that in the 21st Century, students’ leadership should be hinged on the zeal to effect positive change and not necessarily be confrontational in their demands. He further stressed that leadership which is ordinarily an opportunity to serve is an art that must be learned. Ibrahim noted that the importance of the month of November for African youths and students alike informed his administration to organise capacity building for aspiring leaders on issues affecting them and the society. The leadership summit with the theme: “Redefining Student Leadership in the 21st Century” featured many panelists and discussants from within and outside the university community and touched such aspects as mentorship, youth leadership advocacy, strategies for effective conflict resolution in leadership and how to become a successful leader. Discussants include the Director of Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji; CEO D-Positive Image Consult, Mr. Nasir Abdul Qadir; CEO, Heroes World Foundation, Mr. Mike Oladipo, amomg others. Earlier in his address, the Dean of Students’ Affairs Unit, Prof. A. O Omotesho commended the students’ leadership for organising the training at what he termed a strategic period, especially as students are just resuming for the new session. He praised them for the innovation, saying the training was the first of such in the history of unionism in the university.

articipants from Nigeria at the President Obama’s Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) West Africa Regional Learning Centre in Accra, Ghana have called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration to embark on more youth-oriented developmental projects. They made the call at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra, the venue of the ongoing programme which would end in December 4. YALI is a signature programme of US President, Barack Obama aimed at investing in the next generation of African leaders by equipping and empowering them with the right leadership knowledge and skills that will help reposition the continent. Over 100 youths from across eight West African countries including 40 from Nigeria are currently undertaking the leadership training programme organized by YALI. One of Nigeria’s participants and founder of Global Entrepreneurship Platform (GEP), Kunle Ajayi urged government to initiate programmes that will enhance youth capacity and development as a way to the nation’s prosperity.

Nigerian delegates with the king of Akyem Abuakwa, His Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin (in traditional attire) at the forum.

Youths task Buhari on developmental programmes

He said such approach would also help greatly in solving unemployment and associated problems in the country. Another participant, Agho Blessing, who is an Edo based farmer and founder of EarthLab Service, also asked government to transform the agricultural sector and design frameworks that would attract and encourage more youths

‘Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUS ADM, AAU, AKUNGBA-AKOKO

n recognition of his steering and unflinching contributions in the education sector in the country, the alumni association of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, has conferred a merit award on the founder of Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti(ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola. The award ceremony was held at this year convention of the association held in Akure, Ondo State capital last week. Addressing the audience, the President of the association, Mr. Patrick Oluyide appreciated the awardee for accepting the award, which he said

to go into farming. According to him, more and viable opportunities abound in the agricultural sector as the country is blessed with a favourable climate and arable land for agricultural production. On her part, Jennifer Pearse, who is the convener of Give Back Nigeria urged the president to include youths in decision making,

policy formulation and governance, saying such would give them sense of belong and contribute more meaningfully to the economy. For a Ghanaian monarch, King of Akyem Abuakwa, His majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori, African leaders should consider education, youth and infrastructural development as priority to be able to better the continent.

AAU alumni honour Babalola was to recognize his numerous contributions to quality education in the country. He said the contributions could be noticed in the development of the university founded by him a few years ago, which he said had developed to becoming one of the leading higher institutions in the county. The president said the alumni association was mobilised towards promoting meaningful relationship among the graduates of AAU and strengthening the ties between the alumni, the university community, and the society at large. Responding, Aare Babalola appreciated the

Pro–Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba- Akoko, Ondo State, Amb. Oladele Akadiri presenting an award of excellence to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola while his wife, Yeye Aare Modupe and the Vice-Chancellor of AAU, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun look on.

association for the award, saying it would spur him to do more for the society. He however urged members of the association to give back to the university that produced them in terms of materials and service supports that would help its development.

Lead City University cleans-up streets

s part of activities to mark its 10th anniversary, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State has engaged its members of staff and students in cleaning-up the Ibadan end of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway. The sanitation exercise according to the Chairman of Planning Committee of the anniversary, Prof. Adetanwa Odebiyi who led the team to the site said the exercise was to inculcate the spirit of community services into the students and staffers of the university. She expressed her delight that many people in the neighborhood, especially the traders joined them to clean the area. She however noted that the institution would not shy in carrying out its corporate social responsibilities where necessary. The institution’s medical team also rendered free medical services to people in the neighborhood, especially the members of National Union of Road Transports Workers (NURTW) and officers of the Toll-gate Police Station where the free medical stands was located.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat.alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

AAU lecture: Afenifere seeks support for Buhari on corruption Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUS ADMIN AAU

he Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba Socio group, Afenifere and has urged Nigerians to support and cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to tackle corruption in our system. He made the call while delivering the 16th Founder’s Day lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State. It was tagged “Chief M.A Ajasin and his dream of an incorruptible society: The man and his mantra.” He said he was delighted at President Muhammadu Buhari that in his own change mantra, the crusade is against is corruption and “We must therefore support him because if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.” The Afenifere chieftain who is also the Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, described corruption as a dishonest or illegal behaviour especially of people in authority. The lecturer, who went Biblical in explaining the concept of corruption, said that poor parental approach to discipline at home arising from the weakness in their characters was responsible for the corruption that engulfed the family of Isaac and Rebecca in the Holy Bible. He explained the causes of corruption to include inability to control sensuous tastes and desires, insatiable desire and greed for wealth and power and denial of equal opportunities to the citizenry especially in the absence of a true Federal system of Government. “Corruption and nepotism will be reduced if we run a true federal system of Government that we have all along since independence been asking for.” Arogbofa urged top government functionaries, employers of labour, public servants and security services to start playing down corrupt practices.

FEDPOFFA trains insurance teachers in secondary schools

s a way of boosting the study of insurance in secondary schools, the Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA) recently organized, through its Insurance Department, a one-day workshop for some secondary school students in Offa Local Government council area and its environs. The workshop tagged: “Capacity building on insurance curriculum delivery in secondary schools in Nigeria,” took place at the Department’s ICT room. In a statement made available by the institution’s Head of Public Relations and Protocols, Mr. Ladi Badmus, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, while welcoming participants to the workshop urged them to make the best out of the training by passing the knowledge gained down to their students back home. He commended the Head of the Insurance Department of the institution for the initiative, saying it was in line with the mandate that established the polytechnic. He also thanked the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) for successfully convincing the Federal Government to include Insurance as a subject in secondary schools. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Dean of School of Business and Management Studies (SBMS), Pastor Akinjobi said the department had increased in leaps and bounds from three students to more than one thousand students as current population. In his welcome address, the Head of Insurance Department, Dr. Sarafadeen Raji said the workshop was part of the social responsibility initiatives of the current administration. He identified objectives of the workshop to include the blending of technical and theoretical concepts of the subject and creation of awareness for the newly introduced subject in the polytechnic’s surrounding. The department however donated some copies of Insurance Textbook published by CIIN to participating schools to enrich their libraries.

EKSU alumni laud school on e-results

Abiodun Nejo ADO-EKITI

kiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, is making significant progress in the computerisation and online processing of results of students. The National President of EKSU Alumni Association, Professor Adedeji Ayeni, who made the disclosure, added that bottlenecks in the issuance of certificates and transcripts were things of the past in the institution. The alumni praised the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, in removing the bottlenecks associated with issuance of certificates and tran-

scripts, adding that donation of sets of computers by the association to the institution’s Examinations and Records in June was a step in that direction. Ayeni spoke in a statement entitled: “EKSU is Rising, EKSU is Moving” in Ado-Ekiti in reaction to a publication whereby the EKSU alumni, UK Branch Chairman, Mr. Tunde Owoseni, alleged corruption and irregularities in the collection of certificates and transcripts in the institution. He urged members of the association in the Diaspora to desist from “staying away and shooting missiles to the school,” but rather come back home and contribute their quota to the growth and development of the univer-

sity. He stated: “The university is not inherently impervious to change. The truth is that computerisation of results and online processing of results is a gradual process unlike what is happening in the UK. Ayeni said that the VC, Aina, on assumption of office, signed over 95,000 outstanding certificates which would not take more than a day for the owners to collect on meeting necessary conditions. According to him, graduating students now collect their certificates on the convocation ground, courtesy of the efforts of the VC to move the university forward.

L-R: (front row):Registrar, Covenant University, Pastor Olamide Olusegun,(4th left); lecturer, Prof. Cecil Blake; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo; Deputy Vice-Chancellor,Prof. Taiwo Abioye; Dean, Post graduate School, Prof. Chinedu Shallom and Dean, College, African Development and Leadership Studies, Prof. Charles Ogulogu during the institution’s 44th public lecture, recently.

ICPC targets students for anti-corruption crusade Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, ADO-EKITI

he Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has resolved to enlist Nigerian students to rid the nation of corruption. This is to be achieved at a conference to be organised by the commission. The disclosure was made by the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo

Nta who was represented by an executive member in the commission, Prof. Olu Aina during a meeting with members of the National Association of Nigerian Students at the commission in Abuja. The conference, Nta disclosed, is tagged: “Mobilising Nigerian youth against corruption,” and is scheduled to hold between November 24 and 25, 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. About 700 partici-

pants from the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and others who are not in school are expected at the forum. The ICPC boss said the commission was strongly believe that the students should be a veritable partner in the anti-corruption war. This, he said, led ICPC to initiate a youth conference against corruption. The conference, he said, was the outcome of ICPC’s

Representative of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Prof. Olu Aina (2nd right)with members of National Association of Nigerian Students during a meeting at the commission in Abuja

just concluded Zonal Advisory Consultative Assembly on corruption, which took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, where various youth organisations, including the NANS spontaneously demanded to be involved in the fight against corruption. Nta said the conference was in conformity with Article 13 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which requires each state party “to promote the active participation of individuals and groups and to raise public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of, and threat posed by corruption.” Speaking at the meeting, the NANS National President, Tijani Usman Shehu lauded the initiative of the commission and informed the Planning Committee that the association was willing to partner with the commission in the fight to neutralise corruption in the country.

“A

Thursday, November 19, 2015

S at 2012, the university admission ratio has

(had) reflected the federal government’s directive of (on) 60:40 ratio in favour of postgraduate students” “NDIC, Polish bank enters (why?) into partnership” “Minister assures of improved services” Who did the minister assure—the object is very critical to the construction. Please note that ‘in the hot seat’ is British English, while ‘on the hot seat’ is American English.’ Which is your preference? The former is mine. Of course, the inside pages, naturally, were also not left out: “The Honourable Minister for (of) Power….” But, Commissioner for Power…Niger State Government, take note! “NDLEA arrests two over (for or in connection with) trafficking at Lagos Airport” “…has given a firm assurance that his government will stop at nothing to (at) reducing the menace to the barest minimum in the state.” “I misled Middle Belt to vote for Jonathan” Politics Today: I misled Middle Belt into voting for Jonathan “…he has been able to repay back N20 billion.” Delete ‘back’ and move forward! “ABUAD: It can stand with world class (world-class) universities” “ABUAD students on life in the campus” Special Report: ABUAD students on life on campus—or, simply, ABUAD students on campus life, especially for headline purposes “Buhari has no solution to Nigeria’s crisis” Definitely, Nigeria has more than one crisis: therefore crises. “…creative people to interact at (in) the corridors of power” “One military personnel was also killed in the encounter.” ‘Personnel’ (plural) is a collective noun that cannot be used for just an individual. “…Amaechi said that his purported suspension was an act of political witch-hunting.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: political witch-hunt “Time for leaders to close rank (ranks)…”

Saidat Alausa

he proprietress, Amville School, Lagos, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi has disclosed that sport activities are essential to children mental development. She said this during the school first inter-house sport event held at the weekend. According to her, sport helps children who are cognitively above board to showcase other talents which can help their growth.

First runner up and winner, match past event, Sapphire (blue house) during Amville inter-house sport, last weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Assure’ must take an object

“Okorocha seeks on leadership training” Yank off ‘on’! “…the military lobby intensively for deployment into (in) the zone.” “To bring this to the attention of the decerning (discerning) investors, the Jigawa State Government is organising the first Economic and Investment Summit.” (Full-page advertorial) “Courts are not permitted to suo motu raise issues, resolve same (the same) without hearing from parties” “The good news came few (a few) hours before President Buhari….” “…after overrunning three terrorists camps (terrorists’ camps) in the riotous….” “I duff (doff) my hart (hat) for (to) a brother that is more of value than gold.” Preferably, I take off my hat to…. “Your deligence (diligence) in business is wonderful….” “Many residents of the state have agreed to endure in order to enjoy a safe and secured (secure) tomorrow.” “Some parts of Maiduguri was (were) no go area (no-go areas) to any sane mind as people are (were) picked up for slaughter. The laws operating in those areas were different from any other parts (part) of the state (or other parts of the state).” “….the deployment of more troops to (in) states was belated.” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 15, 2015, displayed slothfulness and crankiness: “To stem this abuse by some judges, the CJN said that he has (had) directed that before any judge can (could) travel abroad, he or she (sic) must obtain permission from the head judge.” My comment: instead of ‘he or she,’ use ‘they’—which is the current form. “…Wike opened up on the crisis in Rivers State and his grouse with (about) Rotimi Amaechi….”

“If we have problems, probably there might be one reason or the other (one reason or another) the governor is not happy.” “As two-time Governor of Lagos, you shone like star (a star).” “To their dubious chicanery, your voice resonate (resonates) distinctly….” Also, note that the last word in the extract is otiose! “THISDAY checks reveal that every termination penalties goes from 500,000 US dollars to 2 million US dollars”. Check the discord as already discussed above. “Lack of funds cripple waste management activities” Another error of attraction: Lack of funds cripples. “Nevertheless, the donor country is also interested in this decision to ensure that the loan is repaid as at when due with its accrued interest.” Without any periscope: the loan is repaid when due (not as at when due which is pleonastic). “Government should consider the destructive effect that further delay in the sale of rescued banks would mete out on the banking system”. Stock phrase: mete out to (not on) the banking system. “If the family cannot truely relish at least a decent meat….” Spelling counts: truly. “A man does not have to be a money bag (sic) before he can dress well and look charming in his own little way.” Brighten up your English usage: A man does not have to be moneybags…. Moneybag is a sac! “…in addition, (sic) to dispensing drugs for immediate relief and giving counsel on the steps necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.” Good grammar: recurrence. “The arsonists usually escape with their loot as the embattled market lays in ashes, leaving many traders terminally ruined financially.” There should be no dilemma: ‘lays’ for ‘lies’?

Sport essential to mental devt —Proprietress “We know that in this century children have different ways they learn, some children are those that are called action students, some learn better even when they use sports skills which in other words sharpens their brains hence the need for sports activities.” Listing advantage of sports to the development of the children, Owo-Odusi said it helps in improving the children all round, it helps

to build them up physically, it helps to teach them team work, helps to make their school work better because they learn to be better coordinated. The proprietress also said the nine-year- old school decided to have the competition now in order to showcase what the children can do most especially to identify some good potentials for Nigeria and for the world to know that the

At the end of the competition, Topaz (Yellow house) with a total of 99 points came first while Sapphire (Blue) with country has children that have talent total of 72 points came second, Marieven from the little ones. gold (Orange) and Ruby (Red) with toEarlier in her opening remarks, the tal of 68 and 67 points came third and head teacher, Mrs. Ajiri Kono-Ugen fourth respectively. commended the parents’ body for Speaking with National Mirror their support for the event saying the shortly after the event, the elated Toschool organised the competition to paz house master, Mr. Michael Ofor encourage the children on sports and said he never believed his team can more importantly to keep them feat. win because they have a lot of comActivities at the competition in- petitors from other houses but the tug cluded, tracks and fields, tug of war of war which gave them more points and match past, among others. above others.

Stakeholders chart ... American Academy to boost leadership devt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 of education. But in her own contribution, the South West Coordinator of National Association of Private School Proprietors, (NAPSS), Alhaja Basirat Alimi pointed out that Adamu may eventually surprise his critics by turning-out as a performer. While advocating proper monitoring of both public and private schools, she urged the minister to ensure that multiple levies imposed on private schools in form of taxes be relaxed. According to her, government and agencies should not see private schools as veritable means to make money but as partners in progress.

Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

he American Academy Project Management is set to partner relevant institutions and organisations as a way of contributing to leadership development, especially among public office holders in the country. The collaboration according to the academy is to make democratic dividends more attainable in the country. The Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Dr Amos Shelly made the observation in Bauchi while presenting the academy’s certificate as a Chartered Fellow to Prince Noah Wadata.

Business Thursday, November 19, 2015

South African Airways to open Johannesburg-Abuja 28 route

$5.2bn fine: NCC opens up, unveils legal perspectives 31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group seeks to unlock $100bn Nigeria’s extractive industry’s potential 30

Ford, Coscharis Motors roll out Made-in-Nigeria Ford Ranger Tola Akinmutimi

ndications that the current auto policy would impact positively on the Nigerian economy if sustained emerged yesterday as Ford Motor Company and Coscharis Motors Limited rolled out the first locally manufactured Ford Ranger truck into Nigerian roads. The delivery of the vehicle by the partners is described as part of the American auto maker’s ambitious expansion in Africa. Speaking at the unveiling of the Ford Ranger truck yesterday in Lagos, President of Coscharis Motors, Dr Cosmas Maduka, explained that his company and Ford Motors’ decision to invest in auto manufacturing plant in the country was largely informed by a collective desire to add value to the nation’s economy, particularly in terms of local content development and job creation. According to him, the delivery of the vehicle into the market would also help in repositioning the Ford brand in the increasingly competitive automobile market given its quality which had been tested and trusted over the past two decades in the country. Maduka, who noted that the auto policy portended good omen for the country given the implementation experiences of similar policies in China, India and other countries, urged the Federal Government on the need to sustain policies that can help in building the country’s industrial base as a strategic option of attracting investments into critical sectors of the economy He said: “We have worked hard and moved quickly to turn this dream into a reality. Today marks an important milestone when the cogs in the wheel really start to turn, not only for Ford in Nigeria, but in general for the Nigerian industry, which is receiving a much needed boost towards industrialisation and the development of the automotive industry. “We are committed to setting the bar high, and establishing world-class, best practices in Nigeria that every other industrialist will have to be judged by. This is a major milestone for us and marks

another first in the evolution of our company”, Maduka added. The automobile investor, who described the Ford Ranger as affordable, said plans were underway to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity through new investments, adding that the overall goal of the partners is to make Ford vehicles the preferred choice for Nigerians in the near future. In his remarks at the event, President and CEO Ford Motor Company of Sub-Saharan Africa region, Jeff Nemeth, said that the Nigerian facility will accommo-

date one shift and will produce an initial 10 units per day for the Nigerian market, creating approximately 180 direct and indirect jobs with prospects of gradual expansion. According to him, the main driver behind Ford in Africa is affordability and in view of the fact that Africa is one of the youngest markets in the world and presents a huge opportunity in terms of consumption. Nemeth clarified: “The buying power of the African consumer is on the rise as the continent’s mid-

dle class increases exponentially. Despite infrastructure challenges, Africa has demonstrated impressive returns on foreign direct investment. “New assembly operations, even on a small scale, have positive knock-on effects in the local economy and workforce. In line with the operating procedures for Ford plants around the world, Ford will send experienced employees to Nigeria to assist with implementing the Global Ford Production System, which focuses on the highest standards for safety,.

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

Dana Air

L-R: Head, DCM, Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd, Kobby Bentsi-Enchill; Finance Director, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mark Rutten; Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Bola Onadele-Koko and Managing Director, FBN Capital Ltd, Kayode Akinkugbe, during the quotation of the N 17.7 Bn Nigerian Breweries Commercial Paper on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, in Lagos, yesterday.

NDIC cautions public over Wonder Banks’ menace Isaac Asabor

he Managing Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has warned members of the public against patronizing illegal fund managers, popularly called “Wonder Banks”. The managing director gave the warning during the corporation’s Special Day at the just concluded 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair. Represented by the Director, Assets Management, Mr. B.D. Umar, the Corporation’s boss said the so called “wonder banks” were not licensed by the Central

Bank of Nigeria and as such not covered by Corporation. He said the need educate the public on the risks posed by the managers of the illegal financial entities had become necessary in view of the fate that illegal fund managers under the guise of rendering banking services to the people by offering extra-ordinary interest rates on deposits or investments from unsuspecting members of the public still exists in the country. To this end, he urged members of the public to take advantage of the steps taken by the corporation to address depositors’ complaints through the establishment of a 24-hour NDIC help

desk. In addition, Ibrahim said that the corporation had redesigned its website by integrating it with major social media platforms such as facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and linkedin to further enhance public awareness on its mandate and mission to facilitate interaction with all stakeholders. He said: “The NDIC’s mission is to protect bank depositors and contribute to the stability of the financial system through deposit guarantee, effective banking supervision, prompt payment of guaranteed sums, failure resolution and orderly liquidatin of closed financial institutions”

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

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

Business News

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South African Airways to open Johannesburg-Abuja route Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

s part of its quest to give favourable flight option to its teeming passengers, Africa’s acclaimed foremost Carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has announced the introduction of direct flights from Abuja to Johannesburg and vice-versa. SAA in a briefing in Abuja yesterday through its Regional General Manager (Africa and Middle East), Aaron Munetsi, said as a leading carrier with about 56 destinations in its flight schedule, informed that SAA will operate three weekly non-stop flights between Johannesburg and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. According to Munetsi, “Abuja flights have been scheduled for seamless con-

nectivity into SAA’s Intercontinental route network to destinations such as Perth, Hong Kong and Sao Paulo. With Abuja, SAA will be serving eight destinations in Central and West Africa with flights from its Johannesburg hub to Lagos, Abidjan, Cotonou, Accra, Douala, Dakar in Senegal and Libreville. “The three weekly flights will operate non-stop between Johannesburg and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja aboard modern Airbus 330-200s,” he said. The Regional General Manager added that SAA as a Premier Carrier in the continent with over 80 years since its existence has as one of its core mandate to develop its footprint in the continent where he said SAA it takes Africa to the world and brings the world to Africa.

Priding itself as one of the best in the world, explained that its services to members of the public across the globe had earned a global leader in Airline business across board. In his words: “that is today, we are so proud to be announcing SAA operations to Abuja. We have been operating to Lagos since 1998 and we have been developing our business relationship in Nigeria. “One of the things we are

so proud of in SAA is that we have been awarded the best Airline for 14 consecutive years, because we have been voted by the travelling public 14 consecutive times.” He also explained that as an Airline with proven history and heritage, “we are going to be bringing the rest of the world into Abuja and taking Abuja to the rest of the world.” Delighted at the development, the South African High Commissioner, Lulu Louis

Mnguni said “with the coming of SAA to Abuja, it will help bridge the gap between Nigeria and South Africa.” Describing Nigeria as South Africa’s trusted friend, Mnguni explained that Africa is very paramount to its foreign policy while he said his country has been looking forward for take-off of the AbujaJohannesburg flight operations also hoped that the development will serve as a catalyst and accelerate trade relations between the two countries.

U.S manufacturing sector records growth after three months

actory output increased in October for the first time in three months as producers turned out more construction materials and motor vehicles. The 0.4 percent advance at manufacturers exceeded the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey and followed a 0.1 percent drop in September, figures from the Federal Reserve showed Tuesday. Total industrial production unexpectedly dropped 0.2 percent for a second month as warm weather reduced electricity demand and the oil industry continued to cut back. U.S. dollar appreciation and soft global growth mean manufacturers have largely depended on domestic consumers to help draw down bloated inventories. Demand for autos and other big-ticket items have been bright spots for factories, and additional evidence of wage growth may help households feel confident enough to boost spending even further. The figures show “pretty broad strength in manufacturing,” said Sam Coffin, an economist at UBS Securities LLC in New York, who is the top-ranked forecaster of factory output over the past two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “It’s too early to declare the inventory correction over, but it certainly hints there’s less of a drag at the start of Q4 than at

the start of Q3.” The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for manufacturing, which makes up about 75 percent of total production, to increase 0.2 percent in October. Compared with October of last year, factory output was up 1.9 percent, less than the 2.4 percent average since the start of 2014. The pace of factory output has slowed since the start of the year Total industrial production was projected to rise 0.1 percent, with estimates ranging from a drop of 0.5 percent to a 0.4 percent gain, according to the survey of 80 economists. Capacity utilization, which measures the amount of a plant that is in use, eased to 77.5 percent last month from 77.7 percent. Factory capacity picked up to 76.4 percent. Mining production, including oil drilling, dropped 1.5 percent last month after a 2.4 percent decrease in September. Oil and gas-well drilling declined 5 percent after a 4 percent retreat a month earlier. Utility output fell 2.5 percent last month, the most since April, after rising 1.2 percent. Last month was the warmest October since 1963, with 14 states experiencing temperatures much above average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Source – Bloomberg)

Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Alexis Vovk (right) during Total Top Service week in Lagos.

Cloud technology ‘ll re-define Nigeria’s business landscape –Oracle Isaiah Erhiawarien

he deployment of cloud technology in Nigeria will distinguish businesses in Nigeria and set some apart from their competitors. Managing Director for Oracle Nigeria, Adebayo Sanni, who made the projection at the yearly Oracle Nigeria in Lagos said that technologywas not new in powering business, but is evolving constantly and rapidly. He explained to business executives, government officials and industry stakeholders who assembled to discuss how Cloud is transforming business today that businesses use this transformative technology to set themselves apart from their competitors. The event sought to bring together private and public sector players, creating a platform for networking with experts and business peers, in the form of themed tracks/ sessions with unique agendas that focus on various aspects of cloud.

Sanni said that the focus of chief executive officers should remain on innovation and agility to remain ahead of the competition saying, “Our focus is to remove the complexity, to simplify IT and provide the most comprehensive cloud offering.” During this event, the participants had the opportunity to learn how to reduce risk and complexity in their businesses by using the most comprehensive, secure Software as a Service ( SaaS ) , Platform as a Service ( PaaS ) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud offerings on the market. They discovered ways to shorten the innovation cycle and accelerate time to market with boosted agility and increased reliability as well as how to transform their businesses with cloud computing. According to him, today, the cost of technology is no longer considered an issue for any company that wants to use IT to drive business innovation noting that ,”Chief Executive Officers need to strive for agility irrespective of the

size of their organisation; to remain progressive and forward-thinking, despite how they may perceive their company today in an ever-changing competitive landscape. He said further that to have a team that is really focused on using IT as an innovation driver in every part of their business stressing that the Enterprise Technology Challenge organised by the CoCreation Hub, and sponsored by Oracle as a platinum sponsor, was designed to mobilise Nigerian software developers and designers to build innovative, locally appealing and relevant web and mobile apps that enable & support small & growing businesses in Nigeria. He disclosed that the Oracle Cloud Day, formerly Oracle Day, which is now in its fourth year, has been a tremendous success in Nigeria and provided a “valuable opportunity for our customers, partners and prospects to gain insight into the technologies that ar e transforming business.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Thursday, November 19, 2015

UK inflation rate remains negative in October C

Market crash: China mulls single ‘super-regulator’ – Sources

he news will further dampen expectations of a rise in interest rates any time soon. The Bank of England said earlier this month that the global economy was weakening, depressing inflation risks. Following this report, many economists forecast that rates would not rise until well into next year. The ONS added that the Retail Prices Index, a separate measure that includes housing costs, fell to 0.7 per cent in October from 0.8 per cent in September. This is the lowest RPI rate since November 2009. October marked the first time the Consumer Prices Index has fallen on an annual basis for two months in a row since the index was created in 1997. The price of clothing rose last month, but this was offset by a fall in food, alcohol and tobacco. The ONS said fuel prices fell by 14 per cent on an annual basis, while food and drink prices fell by 2.7 per cent in October and energy costs were 4.1 per cent lower. “This is now the ninth month running that CPI has been at or very close to zero,” ONS statisti-

British Prime Minister, David Cameron

cian Richard Campbell said. In its latest quarterly Inflation Report, released earlier this month, the Bank said that inflation was unlikely to rise to one per cent until the second half of next year, while it would be two years before it reached its two per cent target. An ONS measure of core consumer price inflation, which strips out changes in the price of energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, rose to 1.1 per cent, compared with economists’ expectations for it to hold at one per cent. Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said: “The benefit of ongoing

low inflation is not only that interest rates will stay lower for longer but that real wage growth remains robust, which will in turn continue to boost consumer spending power and help sustain the economic upturn. “The deflationary picture supports the Bank of England’s dovish outlook, which envisages interest rates staying on hold until 2017. However, this outlook is dependent on oil prices and wage pressures remaining low, both of which remain something of an unknown.” Andrew Sentance, senior economic adviser at consultants PwC, said the latest ONS data did not point to “a more generalised deflation”. As fuel price falls drop out of the annual calculation over the next few months, he expected the inflation rate to move up to “about one per cent or higher”. He added: “Meanwhile, consumers continue to benefit from the combination of stronger wage increases and very slightly falling prices. The resulting increase in real wages and household disposable incomes should continue to be supportive of consumer spending and economic growth over the year ahead.”

Vale and BHP to pay $260m more for Brazilian dam burst

he mining giants had already been ordered to pay 250m reais after a dam burst at a mine run by Samarco, a firm they jointly own. Twelve people remain missing following the incident in southern Brazil that set off a deadly mudslide. The fine will provide aid to the victims and fund environmental repairs. The head of Brazil’s environmental agency, Ibama, has described it as the worst mining accident in the country’s history. Prosecutors in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais said the preliminary payment would cover the clean-up costs and compensation.

Vale mining sites

“We know that the amount of damages could be much greater, but the agreement establishes a firm legal guarantee,” prosecutor Carlos Eduardo Ferreira Pinto said in the statement. Brazilian miner Vale’s chief financial officer Luciano Siani earlier refused to speculate on the level the clean-up costs and penalties could ultimately reach. State prosecutors are also considering whether to pursue criminal charges. On Tuesday, BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie expressed his “sadness and concern” for the community affected by the dam burst. He added: “Our priority re-

mains the welfare of the workforce and the local community and I am encouraged by the support I saw Samarco providing. “Samarco continues to provide food, water and emergency supplies to local communities. “They also continue to work with the authorities’ efforts to supply clean water to the communities further downstream along the Doce River.” More than 600 people who lost their homes in the accident have been placed in hotel or B&B accommodation, he added. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said the country was “committed to blame those who are responsible”. The cause of the dam breach has not yet been determined, but one of the structures was being extended as part of an expansion project at the time. Mr Siani said he did not yet know when the mine would reopen. The incident is expected to affect Vale’s production next year, and the firm has said it will give a new forecast for 2016 production in December. Mining is Brazil’s third-largest industry.

hina is considering bringing together its banking, insurance and securities regulators into a single supercommission, sources told Reuters, following the summer’s stock market crash that was blamed in part on poor interagency coordination. China’s stock markets .CSI300 dropped by more than 40 per cent between mid-June and August, forcing Beijing to take unprecedented measures to prevent a wider panic, embarrassing the government and delaying planned improvements to nascent derivatives and futures markets. The uncoordinated policy response prompted senior leadership to begin internal discussions about merging the three main financial regulators, part of a broader goal to reform China’s markets, said a senior official at one of the regulators involved in the process. A financial services executive who is in frequent contact with regulators, and a source close to the senior leadership confirmed discussions were taking place. Industry insiders have expected a shake-up in the regulatory apparatus in the months following the crash, and sources told Reuters that Beijing had already begun exploring a replacement for China Securities Regulatory

China president Xi Jinping

Commission (CSRC) head Xiao Gang. The three regulatory agencies that may be merged are the CSRC, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). The three regulators did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Beijing is looking at Britain’s regulatory set-up as a model, among other options, the senior regulator source said. Britain reformed its regulation after the global financial crisis, handing the Bank of England more control over the financial system, partly in the hope of avoiding future bank failures. It’s not clear whether the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank, would be part of any new super-regulatory body, the sources said.

TJX same-store sales top estimates as shoppers hunt for deals

JX Cos Inc (TJX.N), the owner of off-price chains TJ Maxx and Marshalls, reported a bigger-than-expected rise in quarterly comparable store sales as more bargain-hungry shoppers visited its stores for apparel, accessories and home goods. TJX also raised its comparable sales growth forecast for the year ending January, indicating healthy demand for the holiday shopping season, in contrast with full-price department stores such as Macy’s Inc (M.N) and Nordstrom Inc (JWN.N), which cut their forecasts last week. The strong results and forecast sent TJX’s shares up 4.5 per cent on Tuesday and also boosted its rivals

TJX President, Ernie Herrman

Ross Stores Inc (ROST.O), Burlington Stores Inc (BURL.N) and Tuesday Morning Corp (TUES.O). Macy’s and Nordstrom fell. TJX and other off-price chains sell home furnishings and apparel brands such as Dolce and Gabbana and Juicy Couture priced 20-60 per cent lower than at most retailers, helping them draw price-conscious customers away from full-price retailers. “We believe this momentum will continue,” Guggenheim Securities analyst Howard Tubin wrote of TJX in a client note. Macy’s and Nordstrom last week reported disappointing same-store sales and cut their full-year forecasts, which analysts said may indicate consumers are increasingly expecting deeper discounts wherever they shop, online or offline. TJX’s comparable sales rose five per cent in the third quarter ended Oct. 31, more than the 3.9 per cent growth analysts on average were expecting, according to research firm Consensus Metrix. The retailer raised its comparable sales growth forecast to 4-5 per cent for the year ending Jan. 30 from the 3-4 per cent growth rate it forecast earlier.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, November 19, 2015

NSE targets 25m retail investors, introduces mobile App Johnson Okanlawon

igerian Stock Exchange yesterday introduced mobile trading application as part of its strategies to increase retail participation to 25 million. The NSE Trade Smart is the mobile application specially designed for easy and accessible transaction on the equities market. It is described as secure trading platforms that allow investors to execute various trading activities. Briefing Capital Market Correspondents, stockbrokers and other key market players in the industry in Lagos, the Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, explained that the development came against the backdrop of the need to make Capital Market more affordable to both the existing and potential investors.

He added that the NSE embarked on the e-trading activities with its target on retail investors hoping to increase to 20 million. With the smartphone app, Bajomo continued, investors can enjoy real-time mobile trading services such as the current value of trade, unit of share, volume of transaction, gainers among others that give you more information on a particular portfolio. He further explained that Trade Smart is a mobile app that the investors can download on their mobile phone, activate and transact on without having to visit the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The briefing on the mobile app also featured the support of some Head of Trading, Managing Directors at various stockbroking firms. The

Managing Director, Apt Securities and Funds Limited, Mr. Garba Kurfi, testified the efficiency of the innovation in the market. The Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr. Amos Aledare, who also confirmed efficiency of the platform while citing GTI, for instance noted that the platform has enhanced the firm’s activities since it was launched. In the same vein, the Managing Director, Investment One Stockbroking International Limited, Mr. Oluwole Awe, responding to the operation of the product testified that the product was not elitist. He added that an average Nigerian should be at least, be fairly educated enough to operate the technology. Other operators that supported and briefed journalists on the market development in-

clude the Managing Director, Meristem Securities Limited, Mr. Wale Abe, MD, CSL Securities Limited and Mr. Olugboyega Balogun. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), at the launch of the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) earlier said there were only five million investors in Nigeria out of about 170 million Nigerians. Thisreinforcedastatement earlier made by the former President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, while on a visit to the National Deposit Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NDIC), that among the estimated 170 million Nigerians, only about 5 million were investors, adding that this level of participation, represented only 2.9 percent of the citizenry investing in the capital market.

Equities drop 0.47% on high cap stocks

Johnson Okanlawon

earish sentiments extended dominance within the equities market on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings, particularly on blue chip companies. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.47 per cent to close at 28,219.44 points, compared to the decline of 0.64 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at Market capitalisation also

closed lower, shedding N46 million as sell-offs prevailed across the board. Declines in counters such as Stanbic IBTC Plc, Oando and Nigerian Breweries weighed heavily on market sentiments. The volume traded increased by 10.5 per cent to 143.7 while value traded decreased by 4.2 per cent to N2.5billion. Research analysts at United Capital noted that despite attractive valuations, bearish sentiments continue to dominate equities which still reflect investor skepticism about the

Mills Plc shed 12 kobo or 5.50 per cent to close at N2.06 per share, while Transcorp Plc lost 10 kobo or 5.32 per cent to close at N1.78 per share. Forte Oil Plc dipped N14.50 or five per cent to close at N275.509 per share, while Red Star Express Plc depreciated 21 kobo or 4.94 per cent to close at N4.40 per share. Okomu Oil Plc was down N1.42 or 4.91 per cent to close at N27.48 per share. A toital of 143.7 million shares valued at N1.45 billion were exchanged in 2,406 deals.

strength of domestic macro fundamentals. Berger Paints led the gainers’ table with 45 kobo or 4.93 per cent toclose at N9.58 per share, followed by Caverton Plc with 11 kobo or 4.62 per cent to close at N2.49 per share. Diamond Bank Plc rose nine kobo or 3.59 per cent to close at N2.60 while Cutix Plc appreciated five kobo or 3.45 per cent to close at N1.50 per share. NEM Insurance Plc added two kobo or 3.03 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share. Conversely, Dangote Flour

Apple, energy firms’ stocks top gainers in US

rading in stocks in United States was led higher by Apple and energy stocks, ahead of the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s October meeting which are likely to underpin expectations of an interest rate increase next month. Apple’s shares were up 3.2 per cent at $117.31 after Goldman Sachs added the iPhone maker to its conviction buy list, saying it sees potential for the stock gaining as much as 43 per cent from current levels. The stock provided the biggest boost to the three major indexes, accounting for nearly a fifth of the Dow’s gains. Investors, however, re-

mained cautious due to heightened security concerns after last week’s deadly attacks in Paris. “All eyes are on the Fed, while geopolitical concerns remains on the minds of the investors,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial in New York. “These external factors are going to keep the market on the edge, in spite of what the Fed may or may not indicate.” The minutes will give investors clues on the central bank’s reading of the economy. The Fed is widely expected to raise interest rates at its December meeting as data pointed to a

recovery in the US labour market and a modest rise in inflation last month. Data showed yesterday that US housing starts fell to a seven-month low, but a surge in building permits suggested the housing market remained on solid ground. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 86.25 points, or 0.49 per cent, at 17,575.75, the S&P 500 was up 10.26 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 2,060.7 and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 22.89 points, or 0.46 per cent, at 5,008.91. All 10 major S&P sectors were higher, led by a 1.55 per cent rise in the energy sector . Crude prices were up more than one per cent as

data showed inventories were falling in the United States. Exxon rose 0.8 per cent and Chevron nearly two per cent. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.98 Market indicators All-Share Index 28,219.44 points Market capitalisation 9.70trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

BERGER

9.13

9.58

0.45

4.93

CAVERTON

2.38

2.49

0.11

4.62

DIAMONDBNK

2.51

2.60

0.09

3.59

CUTIX

1.45

1.50

0.05

3.45

NEM

0.66

0.68

0.02

3.03

UBN

5.55

5.70

0.15

2.70

SEPLAT

226.00

230.00

4.00

1.77

ASHAKACEM

22.01

22.40

0.39

1.77

ZENITHBANK

16.24

16.49

0.25

1.54

NASCON

7.20

7.30

0.10

1.39

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

DANGFLOUR

2.18

2.06

-0.12

-5.50

TRANSCORP

1.88

1.78

-0.10

-5.32

290.00

275.50

-14.50

-5.00

REDSTAREX

4.25

4.04

-0.21

-4.94

OKOMUOIL

28.90

27.48

-1.42

-4.91

STANBIC

19.38

18.43

-0.95

-4.90

LIVESTOCK

1.47

1.40

-0.07

-4.76

IKEJAHOTEL

3.59

3.42

-0.17

-4.74

AGLEVENT

0.89

0.85

-0.04

-4.49

ABCTRANS

0.52

0.50

-0.02

-3.85

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.55

101.99

13.62

102.14

13.51

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.73

106.01

13.86

106.31

13.76

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.35

105.41

13.83

105.71

13.74

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.31

109.40

14.08

109.70

14.01

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.43

99.49

14.30

99.79

14.24

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.79 68.00

15.59

68.30

15.52

Closing Market Prices of October 7, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

07-Jan-16

8.93

9.13

WAUA

270

USD

196.98

07-Apr-16

11.05

11.69

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

11.63

13.00

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

2.0833

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.0654

15.3013

SDR

273

16.7049

NIBOR

The Fixings of October 7, 2015

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

$5.2bn fine: NCC opens up, unveils legal perspectives The lingering face-off between the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and MTN Nigeria took a new twist this week as the Commission, contrary to expectation, stood its ground on the justifiability of its sanctions even when the operator got temporary respite on payment of the imposed fine. However, some stakeholders think legal redress may ensue in the coming weeks, writes Isaiah Erhiawarien.

ince it was reported in the media last two weeks that MTN Nigeria was slammed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, with a fine of $5.2 billion, the regulator has remained silent but that silence was broken on Monday. The NCC revealed that the sanction was in the interest of the Nigerian public noting particularly the use of mobile phones by all elements of criminals in the society. However, at the weekend, a source close to the regulator gave the NCC side of the story, disclosed that there are legal perspective of the scenario that resulted to the imposition of the fine. According to our source, while Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat complied with directives that they disconnect defective Subscribers Identification Modules, SIM, MTN Nigeria refused to comply, and left 5.1 million unregistered SIM active on its network. Angered by the flagrant disregard by the South African company of the orders of the Nigerian regulator, the NCC went ahead slamming a N1.04 trillion ($5.2 billion) fine on the telecommunications firm for the defective SIMs at the cost of N200, 000 per SIM. It would recalled that National Mirror had on Monday broken the news that top management of the MTN Group were in Abuja to meet with the Commission over the issue, and the result of the meeting on Monday At a meeting held in Abuja, on Monday with government officials it was agreed that without prejudice the imposed fine will not be payable until the negotiations have been concluded. Giving insight to how the NCC arrived at the fine, the source made reference to the November 7, 2011, Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No 101 Vol on the SIM card registration regulation. Section 20 (1) of the Regulation states that: “any licensee who activates or fails to deactivate a subscription medium in violation of any provision of these Regulations is liable to a penalty of N200, 000

for each unregistered but activated subscription medium.” Section 20 (2) states further: “where the commission is satisfied that a body corporate is culpable, the Director, Chief Executive Officer, Manager or Secretary shall also be liable to pay fine of N200, 000 unless, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the surrounding circumstances, he proves that, (1) the offence was committed without his knowledge, consent or connivance; and (11) he took all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the breach. The source debunk speculations that the operator may not be aware of such huge sanction noting that given how regulations are made in regulated sectors, “it is inconceivable that MTN Nigeria was not aware of the regulation, the penalty for default, and the implication of default for its business.” The source further dispelled reports that MTN was fined so high because unregistered SIM cards pose a threat to national security saying that operators in regulated environments have enormous legal and other resources to shape the outcome of regulations and analyse the risk to their operations. According to a telecommunications expert, Kehinde Aluko, who is aware of the regulation on SIM card registration, there was no need to chide the NCC over the fine noting that no corporate body

Ikpoki within the telecoms sector should get sympathy for failing to abide by the rule. Aluko said that beyond the fine, there are subscribers of the MTN Nigeria that will gladly see the operator sanctioned for poor quality service delivery while thinks the fine to be unfair because it makes up 1/4 of MTN’s total asset and may as a result push them out of business. “But my question is: Should the fairness of the fine meted out be based on MTN’s profit margins and its ability to pay or the magnitude of the problem being addressed, which in this case is: ending terrorism and other criminal acts. I believe the latter should be the litmus test for fairness“, he said. Former President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chris Uwaje, said that if the fine is legal then the operator mush comply saying that “alternatively, they can go to court to test the interpretation of the law. There is always the risk potential in any

Should the fairness of the fine meted out be based on MTN’s profit margins and its ability to pay or the magnitude of the problem

being addressed, which in this case is: ending terrorism and other criminal acts?

business: a good example is the fine of over $8 billion to British Petroleum on the Oil Spill Saga and recently on Volkswagen of Germany for the technological (software) manipulation of the technical performance of VW Cars in the US market.” According to Uwaje, MTN is not a monopoly in the communication domain, saying that they saw the marketbenefits first before others came in and wrestled the challenges to a standstill. But a former employee of MTN Nigeria, Public Relations expert, who once manage the MTN Nigeria PR account, Calixthus Okoruwa, said the effects of the sanction will be with Nigeria for a long time if something concrete was not done about it. He said that investors are not likely to forget that this is one country where a regulator can summarily impose a fine to the tune of billions of dollars on a telecom operation. Okoruwa told an online publication, that the entire industry should be worried considering the fact that it could jeopardize investor confidence for a long time to come. “It is believed in NCC and state security circles that MTN’s database contained phone numbers of kidnappers, insurgents, miscreants, armed robbers and other criminals. Would you say MTN did enough to rid its database of security threats? A telecom company is not a security company. The role of determining security threats is that of government and its security organs”, he stressed.

Info Tech

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Phonejoy Gamepad, a Solid Upgrade

here’s no shortage of Android gamepads these days as most of the gamepads available online are either tiny controllers (which are really not the most comfortable to use), or - as is much more common now roughly the size (and shape) of an Xbox One controller, with a flip-out handle in the middle where you can attach your phone. It’s a good solution, for the most part, since you don’t need a separate stand to prop up the phone when playing, and the large size also means that the controller tends to be comfortable to use during long gaming sessions. The catch is that most of the controllers of this style tend to be a little bulky. A good compromise between portability and comfort is the Phonejoy Gamepad and an improved version of the gamepad is going to be available soon. The Phonejoy looks like a miniature controller - and can be used like one, if you’re gaming on a tablet or a smart TV - but it actually splits down the middle and can be stretched like an accordion to wrap around your phone. The result is something like a PlayStation Portable, and if you’re a fan of the idea, you can install a PSP emulator from the Play Store, assuming you have a stash of legal PSP games available, of course. The original Phonejoy gamepad, we’d noted that we really liked the little gamepad, and found it comfortable to use with (and without) a phone.

There were a few issues though the shoulder buttons were spongy, and the analogue sticks were too short to use comfortably, and worst of all, there were some pretty serious compatibility issues. The new version of the Phonejoy, which we’ve been using for a week now addresses all these issues, and the result is a controller that is a delight to use with a battery that is still going strong after 10 hours of gaming. Compatibility is also not as much of a problem as it was last year, though the credit for that lies with Android. The small, yet chunky Phonejoy Gamepad 2 is almost unchanged in terms of design, and while it’s a little too thick to just slip into your jeans, it’s small enough to put into a jacket pocket or cargo pants. The interlinked metal section in the middle is reassuringly solid looking, and springs back with a snap - this might change over time, but one year down the line, the Kickstarter edition of the original Phonejoy is still feeling pretty solid. The LG G3 just about fits into the Phonejoy Gamepad 2, though the ideal size is a little smaller around 5-inches. If your phone is bigger than six inches then it won’t fit in the controller - you’ll have to prop it up on a stand while gaming instead.

The buttons all feel very solid, and clicky. The D-pad is still a little spongy though - it’s better than last year, but this is one area where there is still room to improve.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ATCON seeks merger of NCC, NBC Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

he new Communications Minister, Mr. Adebayo Shittu has been asked to immediately merger the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC for the growth and development of the industry in the country. President of the Association Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi said the global trend of convergence in the ICT industry has made the merger of Commission urgently mandatory saying that is the agenda that ATCON is setting for him. Ajayi who made the call at the 7th West Africa Convergence Conference, said that the minister should be expecting stakeholders in the industry to set an agenda for him noting that top on the agenda

that the industry wants the minister to address is the merger. He explained that the industry has technically converged because today Nigerians can make phone calls on the mobile phone, surf the internet and stream video saying that that is the simplest occurrence of convergence. He said that the unresolved issue is the administrative aspect of the convergence, stressing that “ why is the NCC still regulating telecoms and the NBC broadcasting when in fact they are all regulating one single technology.” The ATCON leader called for urgent administrative convergence noting that if both Commissions are not merger immediately, the industry will continue to witness the same distortion that is currently experienced in the industry. He said further that any refusal to merge the NCC and the NBC will slow the down the growth of

the industry considerably saying that one of the mobile phone operator has already gone to the NBC to obtain a license that is a little bit ambiguous. He explained: “We have been expecting there will be migration from analogue to digital broadcasting and we expect that by the time that migration is done, there will be some spectrum that will be released. And it is belief that when those spectrums are released there will be digital dividend.” According to him when the spectrum are made available, they will be moved to the NCC for the purpose of broadband, it was initially agreed that the migration to digital be concluded by 2015 but the NBC was unable to meet that target. He urged that people should rise above personal interest and focus on national interest by paving way for both regulators to be merger.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Mamalette.com‎, Mrs. Anike Lawal; Chief Executive Officer, Pocketfinance International, Mrs. Omilola Oshikoya, Segment Manager, Women Led Business, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Alex Okonkwo; and Business Development Manager, Pal Pensions, Mabel George, during Mamalette Live 2005 in Lagos.

Nigeria takes over Chairmanship of ITU’s Radio Council

Nigerian has become the first African to head the World Radio Communications (WRC) Council an arm of the 150 year old International Telecommunications Union (ITU). He is Engr. Festus Daudu, Director Spectrum Administration at the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology. Daudu in his inaugural speech at the opening ceremony of the WRC 2015, at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, thanked the Almighty God as well as the Government and people of Nigeria for making it possible for him to be the first African to chair the WRC Council. The Chairman of the WRC further assured the that he will do his utmost best to fulfil the mandate

given to him promising to be fair and impartial in his dealings. He stressed that the conference was one of the most important conferences of the Union which will be examining a large number of important and sensitive issues ranging from mobile broadband communications, broadband satellite systems to emergency communications, disaster relief including issues relating to maritime and aeronautical communications, monitoring the environment and climate change, universal time and space amongst others. Daudu stressed that decisions which would be taken at the conference on Radio Regulations will be critical to the telecoms industry as well as promote connectiv-

ity which will directly affect the lives of citizens with important economic impacts on countries such as Nigeria. He urged all services to consider each other as complimentary and not as rivals and create atmosphere for consultations and negotiations that will lead to consensus and compromises without leaving anyone party feeling cheated. The World Radio Communication Conferences (WRC) are held every three to four years. It is the job of WRC to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and nongeostationary-satellite orbits.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Outdoor Advertising: Economic slump takes shine off fledgling sector DAVID AUDU

he popular understanding in marketing communication is that when the fortunes of companies are in the down, advertising and public relations budget is usually the first causality. A survey around Lagos metropolis recently revealed this startling reality as most LED billboards have gone dark and blank. LED billboards erected in strategic locations complement the aesthetics of city planning and designs. Their beauties come out mostly in the night where hitherto dark place are now being lit up with beautiful interactive video displays. However, these are now in danger as the most of the boards are without clients and viewers are losing the beauty of these mega billion naira enterprises. A situation expert ascribed to the slowing of economic activities. According to the former Managing Director of Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency, OYESSA, Mr. Yinka Adepoju, the industry in Nigeria as of 2014 is worth about N25 billion, and therefore the need for all stakeholders to pay attention to develop the industry. Detailing the evolution of billboard in Nigeria, he said, “Billboard advertising is a traditional OOH advertising format, but there has been significant growth in digital OOH, digital billboards and placebased networks. In recent years; for example, about 4,900 digital billboard displays have been installed in the United States and a few hundred digital boards around Nigeria with Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Port Harcourt taking greater shares. Adepoju was speaking in Lagos at the weekend during the Brand as King International award, with the theme: Out of Home- ‘A Veritable Tool for Aesthetics and Environmental Sustainability’. Going down memory lane, he said, in all of the years, the industry has had to cross so many hurdles before getting to where we are today. “The Abuja CleanUp Exercise carried out in 2005, the Lagos State Billboard Tsunami of 2007, the Plateau State Billboard Evolution of 2010 and Oyo State Billboard Restructuring of 2012 cannot but be mentioned as a painful but rewarding process to achieving a clean, conducive and aesthetically pleasing environment thus justifying our topic of today”. He noted that the world over, there have been revolutionary technological advancement in making out of home media structures more eco-friendly. “I personally think if we are serious about making out of home media a veritable

Digital billboard

A MAN WHO STOPS ADVERTISING TO SAVE MONEY, IS LIKE A MAN WHO STOPS A CLOCK TO SAVE TIME”. IT IS EXPECTED THAT MEDIA BUYERS AND ADVERTISERS WOULD CONSIDER OUT OF HOME AS A VERITABLE TOOL OF ADVERTISING THUS INCLUDE IT IN THEIR MEDIA PLANNING AT ALL TIMES tool for aesthetics and environmental sustainability, then we as practitioners need to collaborate with government and other stakeholders in order to achieve this unique goal. “Our major concern today is to ensure that the outdoor space around us is safe and conducive for business thus leading to rapid Economic growth of our Nation. The world over, there have been revolutionary technological advancement in making Out of Home Media structures more eco-friendly He urged practitioners and business owners on the need to take the lead in crafting and practicing outdoor innovatively in such a way that ooh media is established as a veritable tool for aesthetics and environmental sustainability. Outlining some of these innovations, he said it should include but not limited to ensuring the mandatory environmental impact assessment, EIA, is performed before erecting out of home structures. “Environmental impact assessment, EIA, is the formal process used to predict the environmental consequences

(positive or negative) of a plan, policy, program or project prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. This is usually done with a view of mitigating or totally eradicating the latter while promoting and enhancing the former. It is now a culture in almost all the regulatory agencies. He also advised in the use of biodegradable, recyclable textile materials for printing in place of the PVC flex material generally used in the advertising industry. “They are Eco-friendly alternatives for printing and production processes which must be adopted by practitioners as a mark of progress. He also advocate the use the use of solar and wind energy instead of electricity or generators to power illuminated billboard installations so as to be more energy efficient and cut down on air pollution While noting that sustainability of the environment is key to the economic growth, he advised that “if we want a great Nigeria, we as outdoor advertising practitioners must contribute meaningfully and pursue vigorously

environmental policies as laid down by government”. “As practitioners, we must ensure strict adherence to high ethical standards, global best practices especially in the area of health, safety and environment policies and regulations, specification, fulfilling safety and aesthetic objectives of the state. Also, fulfilling our financial obligation to the state by paying our taxes and bills as at when due. Adepoju also has some words for the government, advising that government has the responsibility of creating an enabling environment that supports investment growth. “No doubt the dwindling economy of our country is seriously affecting our infrastructural development. Hence government must put machinery into motion to correct this anomaly. This can be done by revitalizing the process of turning the country’s economy to a production rather than consumption economy. “Government needs to carry out huge reforms capable of boosting employment opportunities especially among the youths. Also, look into obnoxious policies that can create social problems i.e. unhealthy environmental issues, multiple taxation, security issue which in my opinion must be given top priority. On the roles of stakeholders, he acknowledged that no doubt the shrinking economy has affected the growth of outdoor advertising business like every other one. ‘In recent years, there have been a lot of advertising cuts especially in the ooh industry which have made many of our outdoor boards empty and ugly. Clients are whittling down their advertising spends with some out rightly cancelling their media purchase orders. This trend is not totally unrelated to the socio-economic state of the country which is not peculiar to Nigeria as a country as it is being experienced the world over. ‘Costs are rising fast while resources are dipping with commensurate speed. It almost feels like we are in a recession and we are all using our best survival tactics to make it to the other side but we can’t make the mistake of sabotaging our short and long term successes. He however stressed that by not advertising goods, products and services as in the words of great American Industrialist and Entrepreneur Henry Ford “A man who stops advertising to save money, is like a man who stops a clock to save time”. It is expected that media buyers and advertisers would consider out of home as a veritable tool of advertising thus include it in their media planning at all times.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Oracle’s creative maneuvers attract MWA, ADVAN awards STORIES: DAVID AUDU

racle Experience, a brand activation agency has again been reaffirmed as the most creative and best in interpreting clients’ briefs at the 2015 Marketing World Awards (MWA) by winning 2015 experiential agency of the year. The agency’s project for Nigerian Breweries- Star Bottle Tree and Gulder World Biggest Poster also won in brand activation of the year and excellence in marketing innovation category. For Star Bottle Tree, this makes it second time in 2 weeks to win a major prize after being confirmed as the best experiential marketing campaign with the year under review at the Advertisers Association of Nigeria Awards for Marketing Excellence. At the keenly contested category at the ADVAN awards, Star Bottle

Tree defeated Nescafe Get Started, Star Music Trek, MTN Project Fame, Fayrouz L’Original Expression, Jaguar Landover Ride & Drive, Heineken House, Ranger Odyssey and Orijin Drum unveil to emerge the best for the year. Oracle Experience, which was adjudged the best in its category at the 5th Marketing World Awards as result of its several groundbreaking activations between 2014 and 2015, competed against EXP and Brands Optima. In the Excellence in Marketing Innovation, Nigerian Breweries’ Gulder World Biggest Poster, which was unveiled in Enugu some months ago pitched against Coca-Cola’s Share-ACoke and MultiChoice’s DStv Explora Box office. Meanwhile Star Bottle Tree defeated Star Music Trek, Guinness’ Made of Black and Coca-Cola’s Coke Studio. The World’s biggest poster mea-

suring 5,367 square metres unveiled at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu State broke the record for the existing largest poster measuring 4,793.65 square metres, which was displayed in India on June 27, 2015. The size of the poster was attested to by a chartered quantity surveyor Nath Agu, while a lawyer, Onyekwuluje Ogochukwu, , legally affirmed the measurement and size. Oracle had won several awards in the past, including Nigeria Brand Awards 2015 as Best Experiential agency of the year Award, Marketing Edge’s 2014 Outstanding Experiential Agency, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria’s Brand Activation influencer with its Nescafe Hot Air Balloon campaign, 2013 Best Effort in Innovation, 2013 Polaris Excellence Awards, and 2011 Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria’s West Africa World Class Experiential Marketing Service Consultant.

Mrs. Kehind Olesin, Group Editor, Marketing World Magazine (left), Akin Naphtal, Group Publisher, Marketing World Magazine/organisers of MWA, Mrs. Aderonke King Eiremiokhae, wife and Felix King Eiremiokhae, CEO, Oracle Experience at the Marketing World Awards held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Da Viva endorses Canoe detergent for colour fabrics

t was a weekend of endorsements from stakeholders for PZ Cusson’s Canoe Detergent, a brand reputed for its leadership in the market segment for preserving the quality of coloured fabrics. The event at the Ojuwoye Market, Mushin, which witnessed the unveiling of a new logo for the brand, was also used to reward loyal consumers. Specifically, market women led by the Iyaloja General, Odi Olowo/ Ojuwoye Lagos, Alhaja (Chief) Mrs. Mufuliat Abimbola Adebunmi commended Canoe detergent, a leading brand in the detergent market for meeting the expectation of consumers by preserving the quality of coloured fabrics while washing cleaner and better. Speaking at the market activation, the women market leader who led several others at the relaunch encouraged the brand owners to constantly ensure that they strive towards satisfying their consumers. Her words: “We appreciate your efforts. We salute your innovation

especially your newly relaunched colourful Canoe detergent and we assure you of our endorsement and patronage”, Adebunmi said. Besides, she advised that “the brand should continue to maintain the standard it has set for itself before the consumers, noting that such will enhance continued patronage and support by the target audience.” Speaking in a similar vein, Public Relations Manager of Da Viva Fabrics, Mrs. Carol Arhere, said “the newly repackaged Canoe detergent is a delight to consumers who want to use a detergent that will not damage the colours and quality of their fabrics after wash”. According to her, “Da Viva fabrics is produced by Africa prints, and we have been in partnership with Canoe detergent for more than two years”, adding that Canoe has been tested on Da Viva fabrics and there has been no issues as regards preserving the colours and quality of the materials after use”. Da Viva make bold to endorse brand Canoe.

Commenting on the brand relaunch, Senior Brand Manager, Canoe Detergent, Aro Olalekan stated that the essence is to unveil the new colourful look of Canoe, reinforce the brand’s leadership status in the colour care segment, entrench colour care credentials; strengthen existing trade loyalty. This is also a platform for bonding with our trade partners and consumers. “Canoe detergent was reintroduced into the Nigerian market in 2013 and positioned as a good value branded detergent powder which protects and cares for coloured garments. We are unveiling a new colourful Canoe detergent and the choice of in-market relaunch is to strengthen the existing relationship with our trade partners and boost consumers’ confidence on the efficacy of brand Canoe. He added that the plan is to take the relaunch to other locations across the country, which will afford us practical interaction with the brand and the consumers.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pfizer awards outstanding Pharmacists at PSN conference

fizer Nigeria has further demonstrated its commitment to the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria by rewarding outstanding pharmacists at the just concluded 88th Annual Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, which held in Abuja. With this recognition of excellence, Pfizer once showed its willingness to work with relevant groups in the country to positively impact and promote the growth of the pharmaceutical sector. Explaining the rationale for the recognition, Marketing Director West & East Africa, Mr. Winston Ailemoh, said the award is to recognize excellence and positive contributions of outstanding pharmacists to sustain and further advance development within the sector. One of the pharmacists awarded at the event, the CEO of Healthplus Pharmacy, Bukola George, thanked

Pfizer for the recognition stating that the award is a mark of recognition and serves as a means of motivation to further help contribute to the profession and to develop healthcare practice in Nigeria. “Pfizer is proud to associate with individuals and groups who are committed to improving the lives of Nigerians such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). It is clear that the individuals recognised have made their mark, with the contributions of every other person in this audience, to advance the course of healthcare in Nigeria. Pfizer will continue to support the growth of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and health care industry while rewarding many more who distinguish themselves through positive contribution to creating better healthcare practices in the country” Mr. Winston Ailemoh said.

NBC website rated best among federal agencies

he website of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has won three major awards in the 2015 WebJurist awards. These were the Best Web Accessibility Award and the Best Web Aesthetics Award, which then qualified the website to win the Best Overall Website Award. In a short ceremony in Lagos, on Thursday, night, the Chairman of Phillip Consulting, Nigeria, the initiators of the web-jurist Award project, Mr Foluso Phillips, announced that the objective of the Web-Jurist’s Award was to critically and objectively evaluate the effectiveness of websites. Mr. Phillips said the process of evaluation was a critical analysis of each website, step-by-step using detailed criteria developed specifically for the evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of a website.

Explaining further, an Associate Partner at Phillip Consulting, Mr. Seun Ngonnase, explained that a critical exploration of the websites of Federal Government Parastatals in Nigeria showed that the NBC website had the best accessibility features, such as each of opening and ease of navigation between pages and links, which won it the Best Accessibility trophy. He added that the clarity of pictures and images, and the suitability and uniformity of fonts used in the website as well as the overall arrangement of the pages gave the NBC website the best outlook among the websites of Federal Government Parastatals. Presenting the trophies, the Chairman Phillips Consulting, Mr. Foluso Phillips said winning those two major categories also qualified the NBC website to win the best overall website award.

Nasco relaunches cornflakes, unveils new pack

n its determination to maintain its dominance of the local cornflakes market, NASCO Group, one of the foremost manufacturing concerns in the country has relaunched its flagship cereal brand, NASCO cornflakes brand. The new pack comes with a brand new exotic pack design. The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Honourable Simon Bako Lalong, who unveiled the new pack extolled the consistent and immense tax compliance contributions of NASCO Group to the socio-economic fortunes of Plateau State in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr Thomas Chollom, he commended NASCO Group for partnering with the state government in decongesting the labour market, seeing that NASCO

remains and continues to expand its profile as the largest private sector employer of labour in Plateau State and northern Nigeria. He encouraged NASCO management not to relent despite the odds, promising that the state government will also continue to work round the clock to provide job opportunities for its teeming youths. He urged small and medium scaled businesses in the state to model the success story of the NASCO Group. In his welcome address, Chief Marketing Officer, NASCO Marketing Department, Mr Nasir Khan explained that the drive behind the re-launch and unveiling of the new pack followed the recent endorsement of the NASCO range of Cornflakes by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, as a “ready-to-eat cereal meal, enriched with vitamins and minerals.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, November 19, 2015

TFAA unveils ambassadors for 10th anniversary Leonard Okachie

frica’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) has announced the ambassadors for the 10th anniversary – a stellar cast of past winners of the awards across business, development, governance and the creative industries. The 10 selected ambassadors are international recording artiste Bukonla ‘Asa’ Elemide (Nigeria), music producer Michel ‘Don Jazzy’ Ajere (Nigeria), beauty entrepreneur Tara Fela Durotoye (Nigeria), founder of LEAP Africa Ndidi Nwuneli (Nigeria), agriculture entrepreneur Nnaemeka Ikeguonu (Nigeria), activist Sangu Delle (Ghana), power entrepreneur Patrick Ngowi (Tanzania), singer Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania), change-maker Fogblanbenchi Lily Harity (Cameroon), and lawmaker Oramait Alengoil (Uganda). “These 10 African icons have been selected from across East, West and Southern Africa because they represent the es-

Participants at The Future Award symposium

sence of TFAA,” says Sean Obedih, a member of the awards Central Working Committee based in Ghana. “They speak to the best that Africa has, but more importantly their lives work have inspired millions to take charge of their destinies and to get involved in

rebuilding their communities and their countries. There are no better ambassadors than these to drive our #AfricaNeedsYou message as we celebrate 10 years of the awards and prepare for 10 more years of impact.” The ambassadors will drive

the 10th year anniversary campaign for the awards across TV, radio, online and through targeted events targeted at galvanizing the global TFAA brain trust to solve problems across Africa. “The question we are driving people to answer is very sim-

ple,” says singer Asa. “If Africa is rising and GDPs are growing then why are so many young Africans still desperately leaving Africa?” Added Alengoil: “There is plenty to celebrate in the incredible work TFAA has done over the past 10 years across 21 countries of Africa, but there is so much work left to be done, and #AfricaNeedsYou to join us and get it done.” As part of the 10th anniversary #AfricaNeedsYou campaign, TFAA launched a 100-city tour to build 100 hubs across the continent over the next one year. The hubs will partner with local non-gover nmental organisations to solve problems community by community. It will be launched officially at the awards this year on 6, December 2015. The Future Awards Africa 2015 is powered by RED and held in partnership with the Ford Foundation, Microsoft, the US Consulate, the Canadian High Commission Nigeria and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

2,000 children shine at Abuja athletics contest Joel Ajayi Abuja

o fewer than, 2,000 kids and youths drawned from over 300 primary and secondary schools across the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT excelled at the second edition of the Abuja City Kids and Youth athletics classic events held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja recently. FCT kids and youth classic athletics is an initiatives designed to cater for kids between the ages of 10 - 14 years, which is aimed at providing a platform for supplementary sporting and social interaction that offers children and youths the opportunity to be engaged in athletic activities. Also, it is kids and play after school initiative used in empowering and helping the youths create a brighter future and to stimulates kids/youths’ interest in enthusiastically taking up sports, particularly athletics for recreation and profession instead of crime. Speaking with National Mirror, at the closing ceremony of 3-day event, weekend in Abuja, the Chairman of Organising Committee, Mr. Mike Enahoro hailed the performance of the kids, saying that there is hope for in Nigeria. He said: “We are looking for children who love athletics and kids who are going to become elite athletes in the field of athletics and my joy today is seeing

old boys and girls running 200 meter in less than 30 seconds while other are doing 100 meters in less than 15 seconds. “We invited coaches to help identify kids with potentials who could be nurtured to go on to represent the country in any national and international competition in the near future.” Enahoro however, identified lack of sponsorship, inadequate funding as the only challenge confronting the completion.” Most of our sponsors have constraints because of the economic situation of the country. Because

Participants at FCT athletics competition

our training is IAAF standard which implies a lot of money”, he said He also stated that 2,000 kids participated in the event were drawn from 300 public and private primary, secondary schools in the FCT. Meanwhile, the children could not hide their excitement at the prospect of rubbing shoulders with their peers, while some of them were provided with a chance of learning the rudiments of the sport, such as the use of running spikes and starting block.

Unemployment: youths urged to explore OLX platform Leonard Okachie

ith the high unemployment rate in the country youths have been advised that they can comfortably earn a decent side-income as well as hone their entrepreneurial skills by exploring the platform of the leading online classified, OLX. A youth and business developer Mr. Femi Oriowo, who gave this advice recently in Lagos said that selling on OLX starting with little capital, is a good way to start-up the ladder to being self- employed and self-reliant. Oriowo, an avid OLX user, described how he was able to get his current job by using the platform and has been able to sell over 500 phones and electronics on the platform.

Speaking further on the opportunities that abound on the platform, Oriowo said: “OLX gives you the exposure you need to get your goods sold, provides excellent user support and what’s more, it’s free. You also get to develop and hone your entrepreneurial skills. “Earlier this year, I met someone who bought a laptop from me, we later became friends and now I am the Business Developer Manager in his company, the opportunities with OLX are endless.” He admitted that the online marketplace like others has had its share of invasion by scammers but noted that with the safety measures recently being implemented by the management of OLX such as physical verification, collaboration with the police, amongst others, scamming has become a thing of the past.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UNICEF launches report on state of children Leonard Okachie

nited Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will tomorrow launch its flagship report on the state of children around the world. The report - “State of the World’s Children” 2011 (SOWC) - will be launched alongside another report dubbed “For every child, a fair chance: the promise of equity” at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in

Banjul, Gambia. The SOWC, entitled “Reimagining the Future: innovation for every child”, will be launched by the Government of The Gambia, in collaboration with Child Fund, CPA and UNICEF. “Innovation has been the driving force for much of the progress made for children since the convention on the rights of the child (CRC) came into force in 1989, more than 25 years ago and more significantly, in reaching the children

and communities that have not yet been reached, a UNICEF press release stated. The SOWC report, according to the release, features stories of innovators of all ages from across the world who are helping to tackle some of the most intractable problems facing children, and especially the most vulnerable, through their creativity. It demonstrates that communities, entrepreneurs and young people themselves can push the boundaries of what

Parents high aim can harm child’s academic performance –Study

is possible and come up with local solutions that can have a global impact on the lives of children, the release added. “It is for these reasons and more that the 2015 SOWC report challenges governments, businesses, activists and communities to think differently and work synergistically to drive new ideas that could tackle pressing problems facing the world’s most disadvantaged children, and to scale up the best ideas from local innovators,” it said.

Science for Kids

Why do fish die if they are out of water?

ike all other living creatures, fish too need oxygen to breathe. Fish get their supply of oxygen from water. They take water into their mouths, which passes through their gills. A fish’s gills work only in water. This is why most fish die when they are out of water for long. When water passes through the fish’s gills, it absorbs oxygen from the water and replaces it with carbon dioxide from the fish’s bloodstream. The water flows out under the gill’s cover and this process is repeated.

Some fish can live even when they are not in water

Fish

Children playing at the National Theatre, Lagos

hen parents have high hopes for their children’s academic achievement, the children tend to do better in school, unless those hopes are unrealistic, in which case the children may not perform well in school, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. “Our research revealed both positive and negative aspects of parents’ aspiration for their children’s academic performance. Although parental aspiration can help improve children’s academic performance, excessive parental aspiration can be poisonous,” said lead author Kou Murayama, PhD, of the University of Reading. The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Murayama and his colleagues analyzed data from a longitudinal study from 2002 to 2007 of 3,530 secondary school students (49.7 percent female) and their parents in Bavaria, Germa-

ny. The study assessed student math achievement as well as parental aspiration (how much they want their child to earn a particular grade) and expectation (how much they believe their child can achieve a certain grade) on an annual basis. They found that high parental aspiration led to increased academic achievement, but only when it did not overly exceed realistic expectation. When aspiration exceeded expectation, the children’s achievement decreased proportionately. To reinforce the results, the researchers attempted to replicate the main findings of the study using data from a twoyear study of over 12,000 U.S. students and their parents. The results were similar to the German study and provided further evidence that parents’ overly high aspirations are associated with worse academic performance by their kids. Previous psychological research has found the association between aspira-

tion and academic achievement, but this study highlights a caveat, said Murayama. “Much of the previous literature conveyed a simple, straightforward message to parents -- aim high for your children and they will achieve more,” said Murayama. In fact, getting parents to have higher hopes for their children has often been a goal of programs designed to improve academic performance in schools. This study suggests that the focus of such educational programs should not be on blindly increasing parental aspiration but on giving parents the information they need to develop realistic expectations. “Unrealistically high aspiration may hinder academic performance. Simply raising aspiration cannot be an effective solution to improve success in education,” he said. Source: American Psychological Association

limbing Perch: This fish can breathe in water as well as in air. It uses its tail to help it walk on dry land for short periods of time. •Mudskipper: A mudskipper can take in oxygen from the air through its gills and skin, when not in water. •Lungfish: A lungfish digs a hole in the mud and enters it and breathes air using its lungs. This usually happens in the dry season when there is not enough water. •Snakehead: Is found in Africa and Asia, has chambers near its gills, meant for breathing. A snakehead can survive for long periods out of the water and also hibernates in mud during the summers. Most fish have four gills in a chamber on each side of their heads. Each gill contains numerous gill filaments that can take oxygen from the water into the bloodstream. In turn, they remove carbon dioxide from the blood and expel it into the water. The African and South African lungfish are unusual because they breathe through their lungs and do not have gills. If they are held underwater, they will drown. Source: mocomi.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Adibua, Yaw, Jahman, others feature at NECLive mini-series Leonard Okachie

igeria Entertainment Today recently had her inaugural NECLive Mini- Series, with several prominent personalities from the Nigerian creative industry in attendance, including Director General, National Council for Arts & Culture, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, Jahman Anikulapo, Wazobia FM OAP Steve “Yaw’ Onu, writer and publisher Toni Kan, and Programmes Director, Beat FM, Olisa Adibua. The event with theme “Bridging Pathways To The Creative Industry Of Our Dream”, held at Freedom Park, Lagos. Organised by NET in partnership with CORA and EKO AKETE Lagos Creative Industry Fair, the NECLive MiniSeries featured in-depth panel conversations on the topics “Protecting Intellectual Property” and“Bridging Pathways To The Creative Industry of Our Dream.” Celebrity photographer, Sola Animashaun, also facilitated a workshop at the Mini-series titled ‘Power of Photography - Pictures in A New Age’. Other personalities in attendance included Founder, Olori Supergal.com, Tosin Ajibade, Entertainment Editor, The Nation Newspaper Victor Akande, GM, Five Star Music, Soso Soberekon, Partner, L&A Legal Consultants, Seye Lawal, COO, ID Africa, Femi Falodun, Award winning Singer, Tosin Martins and Programmes Director, City

Cross section of guests at NEC LIVE in Lagos, recently

105.1 FM, Gbemileke “Oscar” Oyinsan amongst others. NET publisher and convener, Ayeni Adekunle remarked at the opening of discussions that; “The process of creating an organized and sustainable creative industry is an unavoidably long one. An industry, which has existed in chaos for such a long time, will not transform itself overnight and this is where the NECLive Mini-Series as part

of continuous engagement preceding the bigger conference is very important. Once a year we gather for the main conference, but these regular mini conferences give us the opportunity to bring more ideas to the table and discuss in a robust debate that cannot be had in just one day. The conversations we have had here today along with the many conversations we have had and will continue to

have, evidently will form the basis for the structure of the new Nigerian creative industry that we all want to build. I am very happy at the turnout and enjoin everyone present to take these discussions to heart and begin implementing the resolutions wherever we may have a chance to.” Delivering the key note address at the event, Director General, National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC), Mrs. Dayo Keshi said, “The entertainment industry is still exploring the possibilities that abound in Nigeria”. She observed that practitioners in the entertainment industry, which consist of vibrant sectors have not searched deep in the exploration of the industry’s advantages. “The country will gain a lot if the nation’s cultural image is well leveraged and utilised. Nigeria has a lot of cultural capital to work with such as festivals, arts expos and other aspects of our cultural reserves. If these are used correctly, there are several positive implications for Nigeria in terms of economics and tourism, as well as intangibles such as positive image and culture leadership.” she added. Convened annually since 2013 by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the industry’s leading content platform, NECLive serves as a platform for discussing challenges, exchanging ideas and setting the agenda for the entertainment industry in Nigeria. NECLive Mini-Series is a spin-off from the broader conference, which held in April 2015.

Basketmouth, Bovi, others for Naija FM Comedy Jam Leonard Okachie

ourth edition of the annual comedy concert, Naija FM Comedy Jam courtesy of indigenous radio station, Naija 102.7 FM, which holds on November 21 at Muson Centre in Lagos, will feature recognition and celebration of comedy acts and personalities as well as the most outstanding comedy shows for the period under review. Top shots in the Nigerian entertainment scene including 2Face Idibia, Wande Coal, Basketmouth, Bovi, Seyi Shay and many others have been announced as performers at the concert. Naija FM OAPs, Ushbebe, Sabina and Lady J will host the show. The awards segment will include various categories like; Upcoming Comedian of the year, Online Sensation of the year, Sitcom of the year, Comedy Actor of the year, Comedy Event of the year, Comedian of the year and Hall of Fame. From modest beginnings at the turn of the century, the Nigerian Comedy

industry has grown enormously over the past two decades to become Africa’s largest comedy market and an important global comedy hub with trailblazers like Basketmouth and Bovi taking Nigerian comedy and culture to a global audience. Giving his thoughts on the event, General Manager Megalectrics, Mr. Deji Awokoya said, “The Naija FM comedy jam has become a signature platform through which we appreciate our radio listeners and this fourth edition promises to be the best yet. It is a celebration for our listeners, for the performers and for us as the Nigerian comedy scene continues to grow and break records beyond our most optimistic projections when starting out.” The Radio station will also be giving one lucky winner a return ticket to Turkey. It will be recalled that last year, a lucky ticket holder emerged a winner of a government-approved plot of land in Lagos. Naija FM Comedy Jam is supported by Peak Milk, St Remy, Turkish Airlines, Birdie Technologies, Hip TV, Black House Media and Nigezie.

Naija FM Comedy Jam 2014

Media

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Media practitioners condemn report against Imo chief of staff Chris Njoku Owerri

social cultural Non-Governmental Organisation, South East Club of Media Practitioners, SECOMP, has condemned newspaper report allegedly linking the residential quarters of Imo Government Chief of Staff with theft of N5 billion Imo bailout fund, describing it as sensational and unprofessional. A newspaper not (National Mirror) last week published that a certain cook working for the Imo Government House Chief of Staff ran away with over N5billion Imo bailout fund kept in the bedroom of the Chief of Staff. In a statement signed by the National President of the club, Comrade Victor Ekpo, and made available to National Mirror, the association noted that since the story was published on the alleged stolen money, “it had brought tension and suspense in the state without leading facts from the said newspaper to douse

Journalists covering event

it.” Describing the report as mischievous, it observed that for a newspaper to publish such a seditious report without objectively balancing it with the reactions from the state Accountant General’s office was “the height of irresponsible

journalism.” It queried: “If really there was an alleged money theft linking the residential quarters of the Chief of Staff, what convinces the newspaper that the money is in billions and was tagged the Imo Bailout Fund?”

Adams launches Oodua Voice Radio, magazine in UK Ayo Esan

t was a gathering of who is who in the media world and Yoruba extraction on Tuesday in Britain during the inauguration of Oodua Voice Radio and Newsmagazine. The venue of the launching was the Durning Hall, Forest Gate, London. It was the first in the series of Yoruba radio stations to be launched across Europe. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the station, Otunba Gani Adams, described the event as historical. He also called for a minute silence in honour of Yeye Oodua Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo family who will be buried in Ikenne, Ogun State next Wednesday. At the Oodua Radio launch were the Managing Director of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo; Tourism Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Wale Ojo Lanre; Coordinator of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in Europe, Akogun Banji Ojo; OPU Coordinator in Britain, Chief Olawale Harrison; OPU Coordinator in Ireland, Coordinator of the radio station and President of Europe chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Lashley Ladigbolu; Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed; Other were Aare Shina Akanni, Barrister Bello Adeyemi, Alhaji Semiu Ayantola, Yeye Kikelomo Alexandra, Mrs. Lola Aliu, Mr. Don Troy Cole, Alhaji Semiu Ayantola, Mrs. Titi Aboyade Cole, Mr. Sunmonu Adio, and members of OPU in European countries. At the well-attended event, Adams, who is also the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU Convener, declared that the Yoruba must remember their past “to shape our present and prepare for the future through advocacy in the media. “The vision to plant these platforms of communication is not out of mere wishful thinking or brain wave. It is in continuation of the vision and graduation of the path-finding strides of Oodua Progressive Union, which was convened to protect, enhance, showcase cultural integrity, values, heritage and tradition of Yoruba outside the geographical contraption of Nigeria, apology to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa here in

London in 1947”. Drawing a distinction between the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC and OPU, Adams declared: “Yoruba is the fifth respectable race in the world. “Regrettably, this culture and tradition, which make the Yoruba why they are, who they are, is gradually being swept inside the ocean by the torrent wave of superlative indoctrination, systematic cultural imperialism via exposition to unbridled vogues, socio effect of globalisation and indecent social interaction”, he added. Declaring that OPU had been launched in 63 countries, Adams said the inauguration of the radio station was necessary to further propagate the cultural belief of the Yoruba. “You will agree with me that an organisation, which relies solely on patronage of communication platforms at this age of information super highway, may be defective in its stride to effectively pass messages and information to the public. Thus, the setting up of the Oodua Voice Radio and Magazine is a deliberate attempt to establish platforms of communication solely for the public and celebrate, enhance, promote, transmit and showcase Yoruba culture and ethics from here in London,” he stated. It was a gathering of who is who in the media world and Yoruba extraction on Tuesday in Britain during the inauguration of Oodua Voice Radio and Newsmagazine. The venue of the launching was the Durning Hall, Forest Gate, London. It was the first in the series of Yoruba radio stations to be launched across Europe. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the station, Otunba Gani Adams, described the event as historical. He also called for a minute silence in honour of Yeye Oodua Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo family who will be buried in Ikenne, Ogun State next Wednesday. At the Oodua Radio launch were the Managing Director of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo; Tourism Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Wale Ojo Lanre; Coordinator of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in Europe, Akogun Banji Ojo; OPU Coordinator in Britain, Chief Olawale Harrison; OPU Coordinator in Ireland, Coordinator of the radio station and President

of Europe chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Lashley Ladigbolu; Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed; Other were Aare Shina Akanni, Barrister Bello Adeyemi, Alhaji Semiu Ayantola, Yeye Kikelomo Alexandra, Mrs. Lola Aliu, Mr. Don Troy Cole, Alhaji Semiu Ayantola, Mrs. Titi Aboyade Cole, Mr. Sunmonu Adio, and members of OPU in European countries. At the well-attended event, Adams, who is also the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU Convener, declared that the Yoruba must remember their past “to shape our present and prepare for the future through advocacy in the media. “The vision to plant these platforms of communication is not out of mere wishful thinking or brain wave. It is in continuation of the vision and graduation of the path-finding strides of Oodua Progressive Union, which was convened to protect, enhance, showcase cultural integrity, values, heritage and tradition of Yoruba outside the geographical contraption of Nigeria, apology to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa here in London in 1947”. Drawing a distinction between the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC and OPU, Adams declared: “Yoruba is the fifth respectable race in the world. “Regrettably, this culture and tradition, which make the Yoruba why they are, who they are, is gradually being swept inside the ocean by the torrent wave of superlative indoctrination, systematic cultural imperialism via exposition to unbridled vogues, socio effect of globalisation and indecent social interaction”, he added. Declaring that OPU had been launched in 63 countries, Adams said the inauguration of the radio station was necessary to further propagate the cultural belief of the Yoruba. “You will agree with me that an organisation, which relies solely on patronage of communication platforms at this age of information super highway, may be defective in its stride to effectively pass messages and information to the public. Thus, the setting up of the Oodua Voice Radio and Magazine is a deliberate attempt to establish platforms of communication solely for the public and celebrate, enhance, promote, transmit and showcase Yoruba culture and ethics from here in London,” he stated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Babaeko, Afolayan, others for LAIF Leonard Okachie

nnual Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) is set to celebrate ideas and reward creative excellence by Nigeria’s most creative minds in advertising, media and marketing in a week-long programme of activities that will culminate in the award dinner this weekend at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The festival kicked off yesterday with the Young LAIFERs competition, a platform where young practitioners and budding creative talents showcase their creativity. The LAIF Awards seminar holds tomorrow and it is expected to pool about 500 participants from the marketing communications industry. It will be facilitated by the industry big weights including CEO X3M Marketing Ideas Limited, Steve Babaeko, Freelance Films/Commercial Director, The Association Publishing Group South Africa, Liam Cundill and others. Exhibitors include the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), ace Nollywood producer, Kunle Afolayan and O2 Academy. Founded in June 2006, LAIF is a brainchild of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) formerly known as Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN). The association is the umbrella body that coordinates and promotes the interest of Advertising Agencies in Nigeria. LAIF was established in line with AAAN’s mission to regulate the practice of advertising among member-agencies with the aim of improving standards and encouraging symbiotic relationships among practitioners and other related bodies, in order to enhance the business environment and move the industry forward. Speaking on the festival programme, Chairman LAIF Managing Board, Ikechi Odigbo remarked. “The committee has done excellently well in planning this unique landmark of LAIF. We are celebrating a decade of consistency and integrity and it is our delight that the creative industry is celebrated in this manner.” The award dinner will be preceded by a pre-award party where staff of various agencies will congregate in a relaxed environment to celebrate a harvest of ideas.

Steve Babaeko

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, November 19, 2015

he days of acquiring lands from the government for speculative purposes may soon be over, as the Lagos State Government on Tuesday issued a 27-day ultimatum to the government land allottees in the choice areas of Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki axis; directing that they should take full physical possession of the such lands within 27 days. The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, who gave the directive on behalf of the state government, stated that the directive is in line with the policy thrust of the government in allocating lands to citizens in residential schemes to assist them meet their desire of building houses of their own. Agoro, however, did not recommend any penalty in case of default, but affirmed that the terms and conditions as stated in the State Land Law, mandates allottees or holders of Right of Occupancy to fully develop their plots within two years of allocation, which he said, informed allocation of plots of lands on the schemes. He added that building approval for those that are ready to develop their plots or parcels of land in compliance with the directive would be treated with utmost dispatch urging affected persons to act without delay. Agoro decried the unwholesome activities of miscreants and hoodlums who constitute threats to lives and properties of residents in those areas, adding that government would not fold its arms and continue to watch innocent citizens suffer unduly. He counseled the public to verify the status of any landed property before consummating transaction and also obtain information from the Office of the Sur-

Take physical possession, Lagos directs land owners in Lekki, Ikoyi, VI

Osborn housing scheme veyor-General as well as ensure proper validation of Titles from the State Land Registry.

The Permanent Secretary stated that such steps would also guard against practice whereby some individuals, families

and communities engage in illegal sale of government acquired land. –Francis Suberu

Brisk business at Lagos Island parties

agos and money! Can one confidently say they are children from the same mother? Yes! Lagosians obviously know how to make money. They are notoriously known for their business oriented lifestyle; they have an insatiable penchant for making money anywhere, anytime, any day and of course parties, especially the Owambe types are not left out! Have you ever been to one? Apart from the organisers of the party, one can undoubtedly conclude that every other individual grace the event to make extra bucks for themselves. In the history of Nigeria, Lagos is known for the numerous and ridiculous ways they have devised in making money in the most unimaginable locations, including the most fatiguing traffics, churches, mosques, and under the long bridges. However, the most baffling is the means by which they make money in all kinds of parties. Indeed in Lagos every where Na market A typical Lagos party always have a colour chosen for the event, the colour chosen for the event is then used in decorating the hall or wherever is chosen for the event, women with high “gele” and “aso ebi”, men with their big “agbada” or Ankara shirt and trousers are also to be noticed. Round tables and chairs are arranged for the guests to sit, DJ stands or in some cases band stands are available. In a typical Lagos Island party, people find different ways to make their own money no matter how inappropriate it might be. Only in Lagos Island parties would you find people breaking high denomination

of money to lower ones with profits attached. The guests in their bid to find out who can spend the most basically bring “their banks” to the party. Then typical Lagosians with the hope of breaking high sums of money down for those interested in spraying started bringing low denominations of money to parties in other to break high denominations down. You could give them a one thousand naira note and in turn, they give you a smaller denomination. In an interview with a guest who refused to give her name at a party recently, she said that, “if you want the change in N100 naira note, you would be given N900 with N100 as their profit, but if you want the money in N50 denominations you would be given N800 with N200 as their profit”. If one is wondering how they come by these various notes, one may need to go knocking on the doors of any nearby bank. “The truth is that the banks make the crispy notes available to us, and we also buy at a margin to sell to the consumers at parties who like to make lasting impressions with their spraying of notes”, one of the currency note sellers averred. The money-making spree also continues with the boys who serve the various dishes. For a guest who needs a good ration there is a way to go about it. According to a woman who identified herself as Mama Modupe, one can get all she wants by making a tip. “It is not happenstance that you see some table more fortified with assorted kinds of dishes than others. It is the tip. If you give the boys serving food and drink a little money, they will make sure you have enough to eat and drink and possibly also take home.” Getting a pack to take home some of

these items like drinks and food packs become another business opportunity at most Lagos Island parties. And that is the sale of polythene bags. At the local shop it goes for N10, but at parties like this where one is bent on taking away bottles of wine aside food, be prepared to pay N50. Also in Lagos parties where people pick up empty plastic bottles, plastic spoons and plates to sell to companies that would recycle the plastic products, people also sell polythene bags for those who do not have bags to pack their souvenirs home. Take away packs are also sold at parties for people to put their food in, especially during the Islamic fasting period; the packs are sold at more expensive prices. Lagosians also do ridiculous things like practically bringing their shops to the party venue; they target children of the guests who love sweet things like biscuits, chewing gums, sweets, chocolates etc. these vendors pack themselves at the entrance of almost every part on the island in a bid to make extra cash on a busy Saturday. Another common business scheme Lagosians conduct is photography business, this is mostly done by photographers, they bring their cameras to the party venue and take people pictures, then they run to their office and print the picture out fast, so that they can give the picture to the guests and collect their money before the guests leave the party, it is commonly known as ‘wait and get pictures’ or ‘10 minute pictures’. Although there are complaints that such pictures do not last long, photographers make brisk business because the guests want to have a lasting memory of that attire they wore to such parties. And availing N250 per pictures will not be burdensome at

such instance. It has also gotten to the extent that people use parties as opportunities to sell their musical albums, body products etc. wannabe musicians, both Christian, reggae, hip hop and rap. They all struggle to produce one CD then try and get the MC of the party to publicise the CD. Writers also bring their books to the parties, especially story books for children; they give the young children the books and tell them to show their parents to buy the book for them. Depending on the class of the party, makeup artiste also come to tie gele and do quick makeup for women whose gele are not really authentic, women are known for their “gele competition” for the biggest and well tied gele, so some makeup artiste attend parties mostly high class parties though to add more money to their pocket, as the women enter the party, makeup artistes would waylay them and try to convince them to retie their gele and freshen their makeup so as to look better than other women in the party. Churches also use wedding ceremonies as opportunity to get money for fund raising in their churches, at a point during the ceremony, the pastor would stand up, start praising God and convincing the guest to raise certain amount for the growth of the church. Basically, not only churches do such, even party host try to raise money for donation of some sort (depending on the party type though), In Lagos nowhere is alien to business and money making. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why Lagos State is the sixty third largest economy in the world.

Cocktail

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Pocket dial to 911 leads to arrests

olice in Maine said yesterday that a teenager’s pocket dial to 911 led to three arrests for vandalism that included damage to a fleet of school buses on Halloween. Reports also said that the errant call in Lisbon led police to the teenagers, who were charged with illegally consuming alcohol and vandalizing school buses. Police said the teenager who accidentally called po-

lice had 911 on speed dial. Two 18-year-olds, one from Old Orchard Beach and one from Sanford, along with a younger boy from Old Orchard Beach were charged with criminal mischief. Police said damage to the buses was about $1, 500 But it was not immediately clear if the three had lawyers. Investigators did not however say which of the teens placed the pocket call.

Restaurant fires anti-autism patron

n Alaska restaurant is being overwhelmed with goodwill after its owner defended an autistic delivery driver who was berated by a customer. The customer called Little Italy Restaurante in Anchorage to loudly complain after the delivery employee mixed up an order, claiming the driver was using drugs. Owner P.J. Gialopsos’ daughter answered the phone, and assured the customer the driver was not impaired and was in-

stead autistic and has a speech impediment. Gialopsos said it was not the first time there had been complaints. “But once employees explain the driver has a disability, customers usually understand,” he said. The driver returned to the restaurant upset after the encounter. It was at that point Gialopsos decided to terminate the relationship with the customer. She instructed her staff to never again take an order from that person.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

‘Pastafarian’ wears strainer in license photo

Massachusetts agency says it is letting a woman who belongs to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster wear a colander on her head in her driver’s license photo after she cited her religious beliefs. Lowell resident Lindsay Miller said yesterday that she absolutely loved the history and the story of Pastafarians, whose website said had existed in secrecy for hundreds of years and entered the mainstream in 2005. Miller said wearing the spaghetti strainer allowed her to express her beliefs, like other religions were allowed to do. A spokesman for the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles said policy did not permit head coverings or hats on license photos, but exceptions were made for religious reasons. Lawyer Patty DeJuneas called Pastafarianism a “secular religion that uses parody to make its point.”

Lindsay Miller wearing a spaghetti strainer to reflect her religious beliefs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NDLEA arrests 72 drug suspects in Edo

do command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday said it had arrested 72 suspects for various drug-related offences in the state. Commander of the agency in the state, Mr Buba Wakawa, stated this at a news briefing in Benin. Wakawa said the suspects were nabbed at different spots across the state between September and Tuesday. He disclosed that the agency recovered 13, 498.6 kg of assorted illicit drugs, six vehicles and three motorbikes from the suspects. He said that cannabis sativa was the most prevalent of the seized drugs. Wakawa explained that “ember months’’ is associated with various criminal activities, adding that criminal elements were always desperate to raise funds to meet their expenses. “Arising from this, the

South South

Thursday, November 19, 2015

NDLEA re-strategised to play its role in eliminating trafficking, supply and consumption of illicit drug in the society,’’ he said. He assured people of the state that the command was committed to ensuring a peaceful and safe state during the yuletide. He warned that the command would not condone any form of lawlessness “as any drug trafficker apprehended will be brought to justice.’’ The commander, however, appealed to the Edo government to assist the command with operational vehicles to enable operatives effectively access remote areas in the fight against drug trafficking. He also appealed to government to establish a rehabilitation facility in the state in realisation of the agency’s four-year drug control masterplan aimed at control and reduction of illicit drug activities nationwide.

Ayade under attack over signature projects RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

ross River State governor, Ben Ayade’s administration came under criticism yesterday over identity of contractors and source of funding for his signature projects: the dual carriageway, super highway and deep seaport he initiated few months after taking the helm of the state. Briefing journalists in Calabar, founder of Calabarbased non-governmental organisation, Rainforest Resource and Development Centre, RRDC, Mr. Odey Oyama, stated that except

funders of Ayade’s projects are placed under public scrutiny, the risk may arise of letting in money launderers and other dubious people into the state. Oyama challenged the governor to disclose those funding the projects to allay fears of people of the state that the projects are not fraudulent. The environmentalist stressed that such information if properly divulged to the public, could become useful to the Federal Government, state House of Assembly, as well as the entire Cross Riverians. He argued that disclosing the projects’ funders was

of paramount importance, and urged the governor to be cautious in seeking funds for projects to avoid receiving money from terrorists or money launderers, which could disrupt the peace Calabar is noted for. He maintained that concealment of the true nature and source of funding for the super highway project amounts to a violation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004, the Freedom of Information Act 2011, among other relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Oyama said: “It is very curious that the blueprint

of the 260km six-lane super highway project running across the entire Cross River State was not made public before commencement of construction at the ground-breaking event. Significantly also, the blueprint of the said project has not been made public till this moment.” He added that failure to disclose the contractors and source of funding for the projects are “a contravention of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, as well as related legislations and in particular, the doctrine of transparency of the ruling APC Federal Government.”

Delta oil spill fire rages on ELO OGWARA WARRI

wenty four hours after oil spill fire around the Army Barracks took over a section of the 3 Battalion and its Mammy Market in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State, little seemed to have been done as the fire spread to other spill areas. National Mirror at the scene gathered that the fire may have been triggered by a resident’s attempt to burn refuse on a site already polluted by oil spill from a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC facility. While the fire fighters attempted to put out the fire that had spread beyond the spots of Tuesday, leaving the whole town covered in very thick smoke, hundreds of onlookers hovered around the scene. There was increasing panic as residents were already moving out of their houses. Although, most residents of the Mammy Market and its extension, had already been forced from their homes as a result of the intensity of the fire outbreak. Speaking with National Mirror, some residents described government’s

response to the situation as poor, noting that if the oil spill had been cleaned initially, the deadly inferno might not have occurred. A resident, Mrs. Ruth Gana, claimed that the fire was ignited by someone who was burning his refuse around the oil spill spot. “I came back from work last evening and saw flames of fire coming out of Mammy Market and decided to get information. Some people said somebody threw refuse around the spill and was trying to burn it. That’s how the fire ignited and started burning,” she said. However, people around Mammy Market have expressed their displeasure at the response of the officials of the NNPC and fire fighters to the development. One Adams Faseru said, “It’s been up to four weeks now that this pipeline had issue and we alerted the attention of NNPC. It’s like they gave it out as contract to be cleared. I was at work yesterday when they called me that my house was almost on fire. I learnt that the fire started from Mammy. Since that 9pm till this morning, nobody has slept, trying to help one another to ensure that fire doesn’t enter our houses.”

Commander of Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola (right), showing a cache of arms and ammunition recovered during a raid on pirates’ hide-out in Ekeremor, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday.

Oshiomhole pledges N30m for rebuilding of Dumez road market

overnor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday assured that Edo State government will give N30 million for the reconstruction of the burnt Dumez road market in Benin, the state capital. Oshiomhole made the pledge on visiting the burnt site, accompanied by some members of the State Executive Council. He said despite paucity of funds in the state arising from dwindling allocations

from the Federation Account, the Edo government would source funds to meet the obligation. He said, as governor, he was aware of the importance of commerce to the state, saying it is a means through which many homes and families are assisted. He, therefore, assured the traders that reconstruction work at the market would begin immediately, urging the traders to remain calm

and diligently carry out their responsibilities. The governor promised the traders that as a matter of urgency, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Anena Jemitola, would be directed to take the statistics of all those affected. He said government would provide financial assistance to the traders, to enable them start off their businesses once again. Earlier, Mrs Stella Ekoma, who spoke on behalf

of the traders, said only 30 out of the 370 shops prior to the fire incident were unaffected.

Oshiomhole

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Let me again repeat what I to have saying Goodluck hasthe no It seems mebeen the time hasthat come for us toJonathan re-examine personal agenda in convening thisfornational legal and constitutional framework policingconference. in Nigeria.

Dare Akogun

ggrieved members of nototrious cult group recently arrested and paraded by the Lagos State Police Command, have attacked one Mrs. Ola Williams popularly known as Iron Lady who allegedly supplied information that led to the arrest of their members. Iron lady a LAWMA contractor was attacked at her office located in Dosunmu market Lagos Island, by the cultists who claim they are going to kill her for daring to give police the information about their group. It would be recalled that officers of the Lagos State Police Command arrested seven members of the group after they alleg-

–SPEAKER HOUSEPRESIDENT OF REPS, HON. YAKUBUJONATHAN DOGARA GOODLUCK

Cult members attack woman for reporting activities to police edly broke into the shop of Iron Lady. While parading the suspects Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects were arrested in an effort to reduce cultism and street fights. While narrating her near death experience from the cultist Iron Lady stated that as a LAWMA contractor they are saddled with cleaning the market and work during the night. According to her “I was at work around 1:00 am on Saturday

November 14, 2015 when I saw a group of guys numbering about seven in white tee shirt and black beret passed my office, I can only recognise one of them simply called Paulo. “So by 3: 00 am they came back this time numbering about 20 with cutlasses and shooting sporadically in the air, everyone in my office and the night watch men scamper for safety and ran for their dear life. “I fell down in the process injuring my knees but managed to

get up and hid in between some stalls in the market, they were looking for me everywhere saying ‘Iron Lady we are going to kill you today, you took our boys to SARS’, when they couldn’t find me they descended on my car shattering the windows and windscreen. “Thereafter after about an hour when they have left, I came out of my hiding place and ran to Adeniji Police outpost where I saw my staff and police men mobilizing to come and look for

me, we went back to the scene together to recover the vandalised vehicle,” she narrated. Commenting on the incident a police officer attached to the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS, who proffered anonymity noted that five suspected cultist connected to the weekend attack have been arrested will be charged to court along with others after completion of investigation and efforts are on getting the other members of the gang disrupting public peace in the area.

Oke-Afa land tussle: Lawmaker sues for peace Ebere Ndukwu

ember representing Oshodi/Isolo state constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu, has appealed to factions in the Oke-Afa land dispute to embrace peace to avoid further destruction of property. The legislator made the plea while assessing the extent of damage over the invasion of the community by hundreds of thugs allegedly belonging to a faction in the matter to enforce a court judgement on the land tussle. The thugs had invaded the community in a bid to enforce a court judgement, which favoured one of the families in the tussle, destroying houses and properties worth millions of naira. But, Hon. Idimogu, who spoke to journalists after touring the af-

fected community, decried the level of destruction, saying: “I don’t think that it is right to destroy peoples’ property like this. We want peace to reign in this community, so I appeal to the various factions to sheath their swords.” He added: “Property worth millions of naira has already been destroyed; we don’t want more to be destroyed, so I appeal for calm to avoid further destruction. Despite the judgement of the court, there are more civil ways we can resolve this issue apart from resorting to violence.’ While promising to table the matter before the state House of Assembly, Idimogu commended members of the community for their peaceful conduct during the incident, saying that the story would have been different if youths in the community had fought back.

Cleric wants monthly sanitation moved to week days Oluwaseun Bolaji

resident, Lagos Mainland Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria, Pastor Emmanuel Adeniyi has appealed to the government to move programmes such as general elections, Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME), environmental Sanitation among others which presently hold on Saturdays to week days. He said this is to enable members of Seventh-day Adventist Church to worship on Saturday undisturbed and participate in

these important programmes during the week days. He made this appeal during the 2nd Annual Camp Meeting of the conference held at Gowon Estate, Ipaja Lagos recently. The cleric noted that in Lagos State for example, environmental sanitation for cleaning the markets in the state is carried out on Thursday and this has been working out well. Speaking on the purpose of the 2015 Annual Camp Meeting with Theme “Encountering God’s Grace,” Pastor Adeniyi said that it is an annual event that brings members from different churches in Lagos Mainland conference and guests together to participate in spirit filled programmes.

Members of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter in a group photograph with its patron Otunba Taiwo Joseph during the group’s congratulatory visit to him over his appointment as Commissioner for Environment and Tourism, in Ilorin recently.

CRISM calls for more awareness on risk/safety management Ebere Ndukwu

orporate Institute of Risk and Safety Management, CRISM, has called on both government and individuals to show more concern on risk and safety management, saying that the citizens of the country as well as Nigeria as a country needs to be secured against threats from within and outside the national boundaries. This is contained in the welcome address by the president/ chairman of council, CRISM, Senator Levi Nwokea represented by General A.O. Ogomudia, vice chairman of the institute during its 5th Public Lecture/Induction of New Members, held in Lagos recently. According to him, safety system is the total sum of efforts of

both the government and the people of a country to detect, prevent and where necessary eliminate all sources of danger and risk, either internal or external which threaten the collective interest of the citizenry or the nation. “On our part as institute, we have remained undaunted in pursuing safety, security and risk reduction administration by mounting workshops and professional training, for better performance in government, commerce and industry.” In his lecture note on the theme: Human factor perspective in safety management system – the Nigerian experience, Dr. Muyo Kasim represented by Dr. Femi Marcauly, blamed political class, who he said often frustrates efforts to safety management in the country. He added that employer and employee attitude also contribute

to poor safety management in the country, saying that the country must develop a system that will ensure that safety management is a concern for everybody. In her keynote address, Mrs Catherine Famuse, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, said that the theme of the lecture, Human factor perspective in safety management system: The Nigerian experience, is in line with the current issues facing the country. She listed lack of commitment from management or staff, level of prioritisation given to safety management by organisations, strain placed on personnel involved in safety management, problem in introducing or establishing change, knowing where to start and what to do next as some of the challenges facing safety management in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Local seed producers pledge support for FG agric revolution Tola Akinmutimi

ational President of the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria, SSEDAN, Mr. Richard Olafare, has restated the commitment of the association’s members to continue to support the Federal Government in its current drive towards boosting agriculture in the country. Olafare, who spoke in response to the flag-off of the anchor borrowers scheme in Kebbi State on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, assured that the association’s members were capable of producing seeds

to meet national needs, thereby guaranteeing food security in Nigeria. The seasoned farmer and seed expert recalled the numerical and capacity growth in seed industry in the past four years, expressing optimism that, with continued support and leadership from the government, seed producers in Nigeria would meet the seed requirements of farmers. According to him, some Nigerian seed producers are not only producing for the home market, but are already exporting to the West African sub-region. The SSEDAN boss pointed out that “the seed companies today were not

like they were in 2008,” adding that “that was what culminated into supplying seeds to the Ebola-affected countries in West Africa. “We have our capacity built up. Seeds not produced in this terrain should not be sold here,” he pleaded. According to him, 327 metric tons (MT) of rice and maize were supplied to Sierra Leone from Nigeria while 227 MT were supplied to Gambia. Olafare, who is a member of the board of African Seed Association, said that a significant progress had been made in the Nigerian seed industry, noting that based on the recent efforts to build capacity of seed

farmers, adoption rates for seeds moved from 10 to 25 per cent within three years while seed production grew from 4,000 MT in 2011 to 8,000 MT of maize and 12,000MT of rice in 2012. Generally, he hinted that a total of 25,000 MT of assorted seeds were produced within the first year while in the second year, rice seeds from local seed companies, redeemed under ATA, moved up to 46,000 MT, maize went up to 20,000 MT and sorghum increased to 18,000 MT. On the third year, Olafare said that 150,000 MT locally produced seeds were redeemed while “the production we did went up

to 200,000 MT as at 2014. He disclosed that his association had an MoU with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Federal Ministry of Finance and the NIRSAL of the Central Bank of Nigeria to guarantee investment into seed production while also pointing out that the association has “lifted the seed uptake and adoption rate.” Olafare said that that the number of indigenous seed companies has grown from 12 in 2011 to 150 now. In his remarks, Abraham Ogungbile, retired professor of Agricultural Economics and a former research scientist at the Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, said “we are genuine seed companies and members

of SEEDAN. I have well over 5,000 MT of quality seeds which have been inspected and certified by the National Agricultural Seed Council.” While confirming the SSEDAN President’s position, Ogungbile pointed out that, “before GES, about 12 active seed companies were operating. During GES, more companies came up, some of them have upgraded their capacities in terms of processing equipment.” “I am a retired professor. I cannot come down now and be cheating the farmers. Rather, we are working to bring up the small scale farmers. We produce seeds, not grains. We try as much as possible to practice as professionals. The process of seed production is laborious”, he added.

PPDC calls for transparency in contract awards, execution

P L-R: National President, Motormechs and Technicians Association of Nigeria, Engr. Suleiman Oseni; Managing Consultant, Spareparts and More Magazines, Julie Chi-Nwaoha; Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone Rs2HQ Lagos, ACM Nseobong Akpabio; Customer Satisfaction Manager, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Linda Oyebade and Head, Lagos Office Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Joshua Ngada, during 2015 Spareparts and More Conference in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Bomb attacks leave 20 dead in Kano

ublic and Private Development Centre, PPDC, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to be open with information on award and execution of government’s contracts, to curtail corruption. Chief Executive Officer, PPDC, Mrs Seember Nyager, made the call in Abuja at the launching of the Open Contracting Data Standards template

•Death toll in Adamawa blast hits 38

Abdulgafar Oladimeji and Livinus Menedi

wo young female suicide bombers yesterday launched attacks on the bustling GSM market located around Farm Centre, Kano culminating in the death of 20 persons including the suicide bombers eye witness revealed. According to eyewitness the suicide bombers arrived the market around 4pm, when Muslims were busy observing their evening Salat and suddenly twin loud explosion rocked the market. National Mirror gathered that the suicide bombers had arrived at the market and alighted from

a Sharon van before proceeding to execute the dastardly act. One of the perpetrators walked straight into the heart of the market, where she detonated her explosive belt, while the other bomber within five minutes interval, detonated the second explosive close to the generator located on the outer part of the market it was gathered. Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Musa Katsina, while addressing journalists at the scene of the blasts, said that six female suicide bombers arrived the scene in a Sharon vehicle; two of them were dropped at the market, while the remaining four took to their heels. Katsina confirmed that three persons lost their lives adding

that 8 others who suffered severe injuries have been conveyed to hospital for medical attention. He noted that, security operatives have swing into action in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators. At the time of filling this report, security operatives have cordoned off the area with motorists compelled to make use of alternative routes around the area. Meanwhile, death toll from the bomb blast that rocked Yola, Adamawa State capital, on Tuesday night, has reached 38 with over 80 others receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state. Governor Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, had to cut short his trip, as he was out of the state when the incidence hap-

pened. Sequel to a his visit to the scene of the blast, the governor has announced a ban on market activities from 6pm, in the state as part of measures reached at the security council meeting convened by the governor to improve security in the state. Other far reaching measures taken at the Security Council meeting includes call on the civil populace to increase their vigilance. The meeting also announced that security agency will also clamp down on some relaxation spot especially those that attract very large gathering in the state. Meanwhile, the state specialist hospital, the Federal Medical Centre Yola and Peace Hospital a

private clinic in the state capital, were full of people who besieged the hospitals, looking for their relatives who were at the Tipper Garage, Jambutu Bye- pass the scene of the blast, as most victims of the blast were rushed to these hospitals, by the emergency workers and security officials who rushed to scene of the blast yesterday. According to the state Commissioner for Information, Ahmad Sajoh, 38 persons were killed in Tuesday bomb blast while 80 others were injured and receiving treatment in FMC Yola, Specialists Hospital and Peace Hospital, a private hospital. Tuesday explosions marked the fourth explosion in the ancient town of Yola.

for Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Nyager explained that when adopted, the template would promote procurement monitoring and address issues of corruption plaguing the award and execution of contracts in the country. According to her, this will provide solutions to issues of inflated and duplicated contracts and ensure effective service delivery. Nyager said that the PPDC had come up with the template which would show at a glance relevant details concerning a specific project, to promote openness in procurement process. She added that the template would provide uniform data standards to enable anyone to compare data related to pricing or contract specifications. She said that this would form the basis for verifying the performance of public contracts. Nyager said that the template would also guide government on selecting contractors for its projects. She explained that it would enable a person to see at a glance, the stage of execution of a project by a contractor. Nyager added that if a contractor did not complete his projects, it would easily be discovered.

North

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

President applauds UNFPA for empowering women at IDP FRANKA OSAKWE

Relatives of victims of Tuesday Yola Bomb Explosion at Yola Specialist Hospital’s Mortuary to check and receive bodies of their loved ones, yesterday.

Boko Haram: Troops kill scores, destroy Matari camp ...repel attempt on Mada, rescue women in Firigi UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

roops of the Nigerian Army have killed scores of Boko Haram insurgents, and destroyed their Matari camp as they repel an attempt on Mada and rescued women in Firigi, all in Borno State. In an update yesterday, the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said that “advancing troops of 154 Task Force Battalion of 29 Task Force Brigade, on Tuesday, cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ camp at Matari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. “During the operation quite a number of terror-

ists were killed and some weapons and Improvised Explosive making Devices, IEDs, recovered.” He recalled that in the early hours of Monday, Boko Haram terrorists made a spirited attempt to attack troops’ location, using three VBIED at Mada but were successfully repelled. Usman said: “During the attack which was meant to thwart the troops’ advancement, 26 terrorists were killed while three soldiers sustained injury. In addition, the troops recovered one VBIED loaded with IED material, two AK-47, 111 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and two RPG bombs. “Similarly, troops of 21 Brigade had also on fight-

ing patrol at Firgi killed three Boko Haram terrorists, rescued three women and recovered a vehicle and other items while the rest fled deep into Sambisa forest.” In a related development, Nigerian Army Special Forces have destroyed Boko Haram terorists’ fabricated rockets. Col. Usman said in a statement yesterday that the success was recorded by troops of 111 Special Forces Battalion, 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army. He said: “During a special raid operation carried out on Tuesday, at Delwa general area, they discovered and knocked out Boko Haram terrorists’ rocket factory at Jamrari, Borno

State. “This unprecedented development has put paid to the much-touted ability of the terrorists to fabricate rockets and their launchers, using rudimentary materials. “This has further crippled the terrorists and greatly emboldened the troops in carrying out more offensive actions against the terrorists till they are defeated. “Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who is on constant communication with the troops, commended them for this singular act and other similar feats and encouraged them to do more so that the terrorists are on the verge of being defeated.”

We’ll roll out programmes, policies on change agenda –Lai Mohammed JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that his ministry would soon roll out programmes, policies and slogans on the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Mohammed, who made the disclosure in Abuja at an interactive session with directors and heads of units in the ministry, hinted that there would be no room for complacency. According to him, information is everything

because perception is more important than reality. He said: “The best way to make change come about is when people see that those at the top are also changing the way they behave. “And the fact here is that Mr President instructed his drivers to always obey traffic rules and that has gone down to all ministers. “Very soon, this ministry will be rolling out programmes, policies and slogans that would touch every Nigerians and will make change in the way we ought to be doing

things.” The minister described the ministry as the most strategic in driving the change agenda of Mr President. His words: “As minister

and ministry, our target is to turn the ministry into a veritable engine to disseminate news, enlighten Nigerians on programmes and activities that will torch the life of every Nigerian.”

resident Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the United Nations Population Fund Administration, UNFPA’s Safe Space Initiative, designed to empower and support vulnerable women and young girls, at the Malkohi IDP Camp in Yola, Adamawa State. The President who visited the camp, interacted with the beneficiaries of the programme, who also received skill acquisition training, and commended the products on display. Among the exhibited products were clothing items, soaps, knitted caps and ladies’ bags, among others. The President advised the women and girls to make good use of the skill they acquired when they re-

Killer squad after Ekweremadu, Secondus, Akpabio, others, PDP alleges OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday alleged that its key members, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, its acting national chairman, Uche Secondus; acting chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Dr. Bello Harilu Mohammed; national secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, among others, were being targeted by a killer squad. The party also said the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, should be held responsible for Tuesday’s alleged attack on the Deputy President of the Senate. PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa

Man kills his 4 children in Kaduna

middle-aged man yesterday, in Kaduna, slaughtered four of his children and attempted to kill himself after an alleged quarrel with his wife. Neighbours said the man had quarreled with his wife throughout the night, forcing her to leave the house located on Ah-

madu Bello Street in the Kawo area of Kaduna metropolis. Thereafter, the man allegedly locked the entrance to the house and used a knife to slaughter his four children aged between six and one year. One of his children, who was not in the house at the time, alerted the

turn to their communities, while at the same time encouraging UNFPA to scale up its activities in the host communities. In addition, director general of the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, and ES-ADSEMA Hamman Furo also commended the effort of UNFPA in empowering the women through skills acquisition. UNFPA, in a statement signed by its media associate, Kori Habib, said the Safe Space Initiatives were established in Malkohi and the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC IDP camps to provide an enabling environment for women and girls to interact and access sexual and reproductive health information as well as receive GBV services such as counselling, psychosocial support and referrals.

ward head of the area, when he found the door to the residence locked from inside in the afternoon. When the neighbours and some policemen forced the door to the house open, the children were already dead while their father was still alive but in dying condition.

Metuh, at a press conference yesterday, said the attempt at Ekweremadu brought to the fore the fears that the era of political assassination may have returned to the country. “We had also informed Nigerians that key PDP leaders were being trailed and that the government should be held responsible should any of them suddenly become victim of ‘terror attacks,’ unexplained accidents, kidnapped or suddenly killed by ‘armed robbers,’” Metuh added. He stated that APC leaders have not hidden their bitterness and resentment towards Senator Ekweremadu, for emerging as Deputy Senate President, “in line with the Standing Rules of the Senate and provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” According to him, “information that some desperate power-mongers close to President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly those privy to his interest to contest the 2019 presidential election, and who have been reading his body language against the opposition, have gone ahead to establish a killer squad to wipe off strong opposition.”

Thursday September 4, 2014

NFF to honour Yekini, Ogedegbe at Federation Cup final

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

It is ‘too late’ for me to make Premier League move before my career comes to an end

– Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Heartland player waving fans goodbye

he Task Force Committee on Sports Facilities yesterday sacked the management of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Heartland. This is coming three days after the management, headed by Okey Ibe, saw off the side’s campaign to a seventh spot finish in the 2014/15 NPFL season. The committee equally threatened to sack as many as 50 percent of the entire players’ work force. A source close to the club revealed that key players of the side are threatening mass exit due to the administrative style of the committee. “The Task Force Committee has sacked the management of Heartland and put in place an interim management committee to run the club. “The committee equally opted to keep only 16 players while others will

Tension as Committee sacks Heartland management … Players to leave en-mass … Only 50 per cent workforce to be retained

be shown the exit door. “The decision to downsize is being done without the technical input of the coaching crew. “Heartland key players are kicking against the decision to unilaterally reduce the players’ work force and are threatening to leave the club en masse.

Aftermath of 2018 World Cup qualification

NFF holds on to Eagles’ Swaziland match bonuses …As Players protest Paul Erewuba

espite beating Swaziland on 2-0 on Tuesday in Port Harcourt to book a ticket to the group round

of the 2918 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles are yet to be paid their camp allowances and match bonuses. Instead, the players have been ordered by the Nigeria Football Federation to open domiciliary accounts so that their money can be transfered to

“The Task Force committee and the players already had an issue over the decision of the task force to singlehandedly select Most Valuable Player (MVP) and other outstanding players for reward. “The party called for the purpose by the committee head, Hon Ugonna

Ozuruigbo ended abruptly as the chairman was later to walk out the dissenting players. “Another sour spot is the committee’s selective payment of September salaries to some players and officials,” said the source who pleaded for anonymity.

them. The players who were expected to get their outstanding bonuses after the win against Swaziland, it was gathered, were told by the NFF officials that their respective bank accounts would be credited afterwards the cashless policy in place. “We’ve not been paid our bonuses but we’ve been assured that they will credit our accounts,” a local player who craved for anonymity said. The source explained further that the NFF said they were checkmating the risk inherent in carrying cash around and

most importantly avoid some pitfalls in the past where money got missing in transit. NFF officials took time out on Tuesday night to explain to the aggrieved players this new policy. However, it was reliably gathered that players expressed their displeasure over the issue, saying they should have been carried along before the decision was made known to them. Some of the players it was further learnt begged that they be paid in cash, but the NFF insisted on the cashless policy.

Sports

Thursday, November 19, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FIFA rejects Blatter, Platini appeals against ban FIFA President Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini , yesterday, had their appeals against 90day bans rejected by world football governing body’s appeal committee. They were suspended in October while FIFA’s ethics committee investigates corruption claims against them. Blatter, 79, is accused of signing a contract “unfavourable” to FIFA and making a “disloyal payment” to Platini. Both deny wrongdoing and could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke was also suspended in October but there was no mention of him in yesterday’s FIFA statement. The adjudicatory panel of Fifa’s ethics committee is due to hold hearings into the misconduct charges before Christmas. UEFA chief Platini - who wants to succeed Blatter as Fifa president - has said the 2m Euros (£1.35m) payment was “valid compensation” from his time working under the Swiss more than nine years earlier. They insist there was an oral agreement for the payment in 1998, although it was not made until 2011. Blatter and former France captain Platini were suspended after the Swiss Attorney General opened criminal proceedings against Blatter, who has been Fifa president since 1998. Earlier this year, United States authorities indicted 14 Fifa officials and associates on bribery and racketeering charges. A simultaneous Swiss investigation was started into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Man Utd

mull over £10m move for Bournmouth winger

Ritchie

anchester United are reportedly closely looking at AFC Bournemouth ace Matt Ritchie. The 13-time Premier League champions, who currently sit two points behind joint-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal in the standings, are said to be considering a £10m bid for the Scotland international in the forthcoming January transfer window.

with the absence of star striker Callum Wilson through injury. However manager Howe said today, “Matt Ritchie on form and playing well is a threat to anybody. “Whenever any of our players gets linked, it’s not welcome by us. “We’re not a selling club and we certainly want to keep the squad together if we can in January and not the other way.”

Murray loses to Nadal in World Tour finals

Murray

A Blatter

The 26-year-old, who joined the Cherries from Swindon Town back in January 2013, has scored twice in 12 English topflight appearances for Bournemouth so far this season. Ritchie, who also boasts six international caps, has been Eddie Howe’s side’s most consistent and outstanding performer during their debut campaign in the Premier League this term, especially

ndy Murray suffered a collapse in form as a rejuvenated Rafael Nadal won their group match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Nadal edged a tight first set and then raced clear in the second to win 6-4 6-1 at the O2 Arena. The Spaniard could qualify for the semi-finals on Wednesday, depending on the result of the evening match between Stan

Wawrinka and David Ferrer. Murray plays Wawrinka in his last group match on Friday and can still progress. The 28-year-old Scot will travel to Belgium next week for Britain’s first Davis Cup. Murray practised on clay last week, with the Davis Cup in mind, before switching back to indoor hard courts and winning his opening match at the O2 against Ferrer on Sunday. Another win would have assured him of the year-end number two ranking, but that will have to wait after he was outplayed by an impressive Nadal. The Spaniard, seeded fifth, recovered an early break and began to dominate with his forehand, drawing errors from an increasingly frustrated Murray and punishing the Briton with some sharp finishing at the net.

Le roy

Le Roy resigns as Congo coach

eteran coach Claude Le Roy resigned as coach of Congo just hours after securing a place for the country in the final phase of African qualification for the next World Cup. The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) confirmed his departure yesterday. The 67-year-old Frenchman told officials directly after Congo beat Ethiopia 2-1 in Brazzaville on Tuesday, for a 6-4 aggregate triumph that he would be leaving.

“After two formidable years, I’ve decided to embark on another adventure,” he told local reporters, fuelling speculation he is to take over from Volker Finke as the new coach of Cameroon. Le Roy has been working on the continent for almost 30 years and in that time coached at a record eight African Nations Cup finals, including winning with Cameroon in 1988. The Frenchman has had a record 35 matches at the finals and only once failed to reach the quarter-finals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, November 19, 2015

NFF to honour Yekini, Ogedegbe at Federation Cup final T

he Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will on Sunday at the final of the 2015 Federation Cup, honour more of those who had contributed to making the Federation Cup the most glamorous football tournament in the country. The yearly honourary ceremony is part of the attempt to restore glory to a tournament that used to draw the biggest crowds. The Federation Cup is popular for its upsets and the 2015 edition is not left out in terms of upsets, as Akwa United and

Lobi Stars, two teams that finished in the bottom half of the Nigeria Premier League table, will battle it out in the final. The 2015 Federation’s Cup Honorary list include former Shooting Stars striker, Rashidi Yekinni, Baba Otu Mohammed of Mighty Jets, Best Ogedegbe, former Standard of Jos defender, Okey Isima, Friday Ekpo , Sam Opone, Amusa Adisa, Inua Rigogo, Dairu Sadi, and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi Onyedika of Enugu Rangers. Others are FIFA graded referee Linus MBA, and veteran

journalist, Segun Adenuga. The NFF and the Lagos State Sports Commission have also announced that gates will be free, while the sum of N200,000 will be won via a raffle draw. Fans coming to the arena have been told to expect a well-monitored situation with efficient crowd control, alert security officers, friendly protocol officers and well marshalled parking, all in a bid to make the Federation Cup experience worthwhile for all present.

Late Yekini

250 athletes for Korea Ambassador’s taekwondo tourney Ifeanyi Eduzor

O The Captain of Ikeja Golf Club, Jibola Awoseyi (left) presenting trophy to Evelyn Oyome (right), winner of the 2014 Ikeja Ladies Open Championship. 2nd left, Ruth Benamaisia Opia and Debbie Otabor,Vice President, LGAN (middle).

Ikoyi Golf Ladies Open: Action begins today Pius Anakali

he 41st Ikoyi Ladies Golf Open golf championship will tee off today with over 200 golfers drawn from across the country taking part in the competition, the lady captain, Edna Anukwuem has revealed. . Commenting on the tournament during the week, Anukwuem, said that over 28 different categories of prizes would be won at the event. Against this backdrop, the captain said that the defending champion, Evelyn Oyome, would have a run for the trophy she won last year. “Ikoyi Open is always a tournament golfers want to participate. So, we are expecting a very stiff competition from

the players and the defending champion Evelyn Oyome. “As at Tuesday we already have over a hundred golfers from across the country who have registered and more entries are still being expected before tee off today),” she said. Other lady star golfers expected to pose stiff opposition to Oyome include, Ikeja Ladies champion, Alaba Adetunji and Amina Wilfred of IBB Golf Club Abuja. The expected success of the tournament according to the captain is hinged on the rich faculty of sponsors as Amni International Petroleum, GT Bank, Eterna PLC, NNPC and Fredcap Nigeria Ltd. The Open will wrap up tomorrow with presentation of prizes to winners and a gala night.

ver 250 taekwondoists drawn from across the country are expected to participate in the forthcoming 6th Korean Ambassador’s championship holding from December 10 -12, 2015, at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation Grand Master George Ashiru told National Mirror yesterday that scores of Nigerian taekwondoists have since indicated their willingness to feature at this year’s edition of the annual Korean Ambassador’s Cup West Africa Taekwondo Championship which is a big boost.

Ashiru who also doubles as Common Wealth Taekwondo Union Vice President also revealed that dozens of states have called pleading to be allowed to register their full team for the tournament and that has since been approved, adding that both the armed forces including the Nigerian Police and other Para-military Forces will participate in accordance with the on-going registration exercise. He also revealed that a 16man Joint Taekwondo special team from the Nigeria police

Taekwondoists in action

and the Nigeria Black Belt College will provide two high performance demonstration at the event on December 12, 2015 while the Korean Government will use the opportunity provided to present the achievement awards to some individuals associated with the growth and promotion of sports in Nigeria with particular emphasis on Taekwondo.

Oba Durosinmi tourney kicks off today Ifeanyi Eduzor

ll is now set for the commencement of the maiden edition of Oba Abideen Durosinmi football tournament for Junior Secondary Schools in Ojo zone of Lagos State. The championship slated for November 19- December 3, 2015 will attract such schools as Ijedodo Junior Grammar School, Community Secondary School, Ojo, Army Cantonment Boys Junior Secondary School, Lagos State Model Junior College,

Awori College and Iba Estate Secondary School amongst others. Disclosing this to National Mirror during the presentation of football and jerseys to all the 16 secondary schools that will participate in the tournament, Oba Durosinmi who is the Osolu of Osolu Kingdom noted that his zeal to promote grassroots football in the zone motivated him to sponsor the U-15 championship even as he assured that transport fares will be provided for all the participating schools. According to Oba Durosinmi

who was a former player with defunct Stationery Stores of Lagos and NEPA Fc respectively, the championship apart from preparing schools in the zone for the prestigious Principal’s cup will also enable organizers select talents that will form part of his football academy. “ I played football at the highest level; starting from Awori College to St Gregory College before moving on to Stationery Stores and NEPA as a professional footballer and I think I must give back to the society what It has given to me.

WORLD RECORD

Most cosmetic procedures Cindy Jackson (USA) has spent $99,600 (£53,148) on 47 cosmetic procedures, including nine full-scale surgical operations since 1988.

Vol. 05 No. 1247 Thursday, November 19, 2015

N150

MTNsanction:Throwingoutthebabywiththebathwater? M y friends all, recently the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) slammed a whopping N1.04 trillion fine on MTN Nigeria for failing to fully de-activate 5.2 million subscribers with unregistered and incomplete SIM card details on its networks within the stipulated deadline. As far as I am concerned I think the authorities should be more circumspect in weighing the recompense against the crime and the capacity of the affected organization. I fervently believe in the saying: Do the crime, do the time. Any company that flouts the law of the land must be ready to face the consequences. And really, judging by the magnitude of the consequences of unregistered numbers and the kind of criminal spree and impunity they give to unscrupulous people, anything to forestall this is welcome. Many Nigerians have been ensnared physically and finan-

helsea are reportedly weighing up a fourth bid for England international John Stones. The defending Premier League champions, who currently sit just three points above the bottom three after their opening 12 games, failed to sign the Everton centre-half dur-

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

cially by scammers and hoodlums using mobile phone numbers that turned out untraceable. Crimes that should have been solved easily and redress that would have emanated from such got stalked because of the crude refusal of operators to follow regulatory rules. Nevertheless, sometimes, the consequence must serve to correct, but not to annihilate. To some, what the NCC has meted out for MTN’s crime smacks of hitting a mosquito with the sledgehammer. I understand that the fine is equivalent to wiping out an entire twenty-four month profit of a conglomerate! That is scary considering the chain reaction that would hurt many an innocent primary and secondary beneficiary of this corporate juggernaut. The large Nigerian shareholding is one immediate casualty. It is not as simple as some are trying to make it look. For those smugly expressing the serves-you-right opinion, the casualties are not only South Africans. Should the MTN superstructure collapse, it will be a great blow on the employment value chain. It is already a great blow to the innocent shareholders, who in the first two days after the hammer witnessed a heartbreaking plummeting of the company’s shares. According to a recent report in a national daily, “shares of MTN Group, fell for a second day on Tuesday, easing 4.2 percent to 159.98 rand on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), as investors scrambled to cut their losses following the news of the N1.04 trillion ($5.2 billion) fine imposed on the company’s Nigerian subsidiary.” The report stated further: “The decline

PUNITIVE MEASURES SHOULD SERVE TO CORRECT AND FORESTALL FUTURE OCCURRENCES, BUT

NOT TO ANNIHILATE saw MTN’s shares extend their losses to nearly 16 percent over the last two days, wiping about 50 billion rand ($3.66 billion) from the company’s market value.” It may also turn out to be a great blow to the Nigerians already taken off the poverty circus by the MTN distribution chain. Any cutback will surely affect the retail channels from where many Nigerians earn their livelihood. But foreign companies must learn to respect the laws of the land. The relative lawlessness and anything-goes tendencies of the recent past have rendered many a company complacent. MTN is paying the price of that complacency now, and I believe the many heads rolling, especially that of its CEO, is a real lesson for such corporate rascality. But for God’s sake, why must we introduce administrative overkill in the fray? Punitive measures should serve to correct and forestall future occurrences, but not to annihilate. I don’t know the extent of the purses of MTN, but a whopping $5.2billion as fine in one fell swoop may crumble even the most resilient of corporate structures. In this era of recession,

no corporate shock absorbers can sustain such earthquake punishment. It is like dipping corporate health in the epicenter of an earthquake and hope it would survive the top Richter scale intensity and the many aftershocks. Some South African analysts are not helping matters. Rather than compound an already bad situation, conciliatory tactics would suffice. Any tendency to threaten the government with retaliatory moves is not only asinine, it is fatally counter-productive when a corporate citizen is operating in a country where the bulk of its corporate fortunes is derived. Confronting a government determined to right many wrongs will only backfire and in an era when new national telcos are breathing down the neck of the so-called leaders, grandstanding is not only crude but a horrible fiscal error. MTN should be punished. But let us not throw away the baby with the bathwater.

Celebrating Prof Enoch Opeyemi

In the past week national and international media have been abuzz with the epochal feat of Dr Enoch Opeyemi of Federal University, Oye Ekiti. Again, through him, Ekiti has lived up to its name of the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’. For 150 years, the Riemann Hypothesis, a mathematical conundrum, had bested the best of world mathematicians. Not even the greats of the international ivory towers could solve the riddle. Then came Nigeria’s Dr Enoch and what had seemed invincible finally crumbled. In spite of the $1 million prize, I think this egg head deserves national honour for putting us once again in international limelight. His feat is a testimony to the capacity of the Nigerian intellectual for astonishing feats in the world of knowledge. At a time when Nigeria’s image has taken great bashing by the horror of insurgency, refreshing news like this and the people who made it possible should be elevated to the front burner of national interest, and accordingly rewarded. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra Chelsea prepare FOURTH bid for John Stone ing the summer transfer window after relentless speculation. The 21-year-old, who has now earned seven international caps, has made 13 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees so far this season. Blues boss Jose Mourinho is ea-

ger to bring highly-rated Stones to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window as a replacement for failed addition Papy Djilobodji. The 26-year-old fellow defender has made just one first-team appearance for the club since joining from French outfit Nantes during

the summer. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand had earlier this week warned Stones he would be a ‘lunatic’ to go to Chelsea this summer, believing that the player should join Louis van Gaal’s revolution at Old Trafford.

John Stone

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Office: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Acting Editor: BEN MEMULETIWON. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.