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ICPC witness reveals how N805m was shared in N’Delta Ministry

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Reps probe AMCON’s N5trn debt profile

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ndependent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission, ICPC, that arraigned Yusuf Agabi and some directors

Thursday, October 8, 2015

in the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has revealed through its principal witness, Kabiru Kaloma,

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Petitions against Amaechi flood Senate Okorocha fights dirty to ensure victory for candidate Buhari meets Saraki, NASS leadership behind closed door

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GEORGE OJI, KEMI OLAITAN AND CHRIS NJOKU

arely 24 hours after Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the names of 21 ministerial nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari, a formal petition was received by the Senate yesterday opposing the nomination of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The petition, which was written by a Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based nongovernmental organisa-

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Lawmakers to probe former minister over Abuja land swap policy P.6

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter suspended

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L-R: An expert on Global Economy, Financial Markets and Policy, Dr Gerald Lyons; Governors of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Udom and Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu on the Governors Panel during the Africa Pension Awards in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

18 killed, 25 injured in Yobe bomb blasts

Boko Haram pledges allegiance to ISIS in new video P.5

Again, Fulani herdsmen destroy Falae’s farm

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Petitions against Amaechi flood Senate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion called “The Integrity Group”, was submitted to the Senate through Senator George Sekibo (Rivers East). Besides addressing the letter to the Senate President, the group also copied the Deputy Senate President as well as the three senators representing Rivers State. Rising under Order 41 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, Sekibo explained that he was obliged to transmit the petition by virtue of the fact that he represents the group in the Senate. After Sekibo laid the petition before the Senate, the Senate President directed that it should be transmitted to the Committee on Petition, Ethics and Privileges for necessary action. The petition was entitled, “Chibuike Amaechi: Demand to Withdraw and Reject his Nomination and Appointment on the Grounds of Corruption, Criminal Breach of Trust, Unlawful Enrichment and Conversion of over N70bn Rivers People’s Monies by the former Governor of Rivers State.” In the petition, the group expressed disappointment and displeasure that despite the pendency of its petition against Amaechi before both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, which are yet to be disposed off, the president went ahead to nominate the former governor as a ministerial candidate. The group listed alleged corruption cases against Amaechi to include the fraudulent sale of Rivers State power projects and conversion of the proceeds amounting to N60.480bn, unlawful payment to and fraudulent conversion of N4.6bn Clinoriv Specialist Hospital and Leisure Limited and the unlawful enrichment of Messrs Collect Nigeria Limited with public funds to the tune of N1.5bn. It wondered whether it did not amount to accommodating, as well as re-enacting corruption as acceptable in view of the incriminating allegations against Amaechi if the Senate went ahead to confirm him as a minister of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria. In another development, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, is fighting a fierce political battle to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari nominates his candidate, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, as minister to take the slot of the state in the next list that would be submitted to the Senate for

screening soon. It was learnt that pressure mounted by Governor Okorocha was responsible for the last minute decision to drop the former Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Limited, NBL, Chief Festus Odimegwu, from the list submitted by the president last week. Although Chief Odimeg-

wu is still in contention, our correspondent gathered that the former National Population Commission, NPC, chairman, being the favourite of many politicians, was picked by the president because of his track record as a technocrat. However, Okorocha, who wanted to have a strong influence and relevance in

APC for his 2019 ambition, felt that appointing Eze Odimegwu from the same Orlu sensational district would thwart the ambition as he would not have absolute control over the former NPC chairman. According to a source close to Government House, the governor who had contacted several top politicians

from the north, including Emirs and Imams serving in Aso Rock to assist him plead with the president to appoint his candidate, has been fighting tooth and nail to ensure that Prof. Anwukah, who was his former Secretary to the Government and in-law occupies the ministerial position. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Abdullahi Al Zufairi; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Leader of the Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah al – Saud and Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, during the visit of Saudi delegation to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday.

ICPC witness reveals how N805m was shared in N’Delta ministry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

how the sum of N805m was serially shared. Paloma who was personal assistant to Agabi and one Ayinla Abibu, a former Director Finance and Accounts, DFA, informed the court yesterday, at the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice Husseini Baba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT, in Abuja, that the mopping up ‘was pure stealing’. During his cross examination by counsel to the ICPC, Paul Bassi, Paloma told the court how he suddenly discovered that his personal accounts were frozen by the anti-graft agency sometime in 2014. The witness who was used as a conduit pipe for illicit transfer of funds said he informed Agabi, his former boss, of how his accounts were being used by the ministry in 2013 to remit funds. He claimed that Agabi shunned all his calls and never responded to his text messages hence he decided

to “spill the beans.” Paloma told the court how Ayinla who became Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) in 2014 instructed that a balance of N100m be left of the balance of 2013 constituency project that was being ‘mopped up’ . Paloma alleged that the DFA, Ayinla, ordered a transfer of N60m to his account while the remaining N40million was to be shared amongst staff of the accounts department namely: one Mr. Dickson, Kabiru Paloma, James Ihenacho and Daniel Oba, while a portion of the money was shared to staffs of the Central Pay Office (CPO) of the ministry. Furthermore, the witness also alleged that Ayinla directed the ‘mopping up’ of another balance of N11m so that it won’t reflect in 2014. Instead of mopping up N11m, Paloma admitted transferring N10 m which was shared among three people including Ayinla. When asked to elaborate on the ‘mopping up’ scheme,

Paloma noted that “it was stealing”. He said that the mopping up was done through his five companies namely: Kapola Nig Ltd; Sindabab Nig. Ltd; KP Energy solution; Balang Construction Nig Ltd; Nadia Collections Nig. Ltd and my personal account with EcoBank”. “The DFA insisted that the remaining N1m should be mopped up, making the balance N503m which had been there for two months without anyone knowing,” he said. Trouble started when Ayinla, having been briefed directed that N333m should be taken out of the money, of which Ayinla, out of greed alleged to have demanded that the sum of N233m should be paid to him. On checking with the CBN on the remaining N100m, Paloma said he discovered an addition of N192m and decided to transfer the whole funds into his company accounts without the consent of Ayinla. The bubble bust when

Ayinla requested to pay a contractor N150m and realised there was no money there. Paloma told the court that it was during his arrest, detention, interrogation and investigation by the ICPC operatives into the misappropriated N805m that other stolen money in the ministry surfaced in which Yusuf Agabi’s name surfaced. Yusuf Agabi and four others are facing prosecution of fraudulently obtaining money from the bank account of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Justice Baba adjourned further hearing of the case to 27 November and 4 December 2015. In another development, House of Representatives said it would commence probe into the alleged fraudulent sales of banks and debt profile of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. The House, presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, yesterday, resolved to set

up an ad-hoc committee for this purpose and to examine whether the acquisition and sale of assets, banks, shares and landed properties by AMCON, was consistent with the process and extant laws devoid of fraudulent activities. The committee would also determine the losses if any, suffered by Nigeria as a result, and report to the House within six weeks. Hon. Gabriel Onyenweife, had approached the House with a motion titled, “undue accumulation of debts and alleged fraudulent sale of Banks by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON”, brought under the House Order of the Day. He pointed out to the House that AMCON was established by AMCON Act 2010, to strengthen the Bank of Industry in response to the global economic downturn and weak corporate practice that was prevalent in the Nigerian banking industry at that time. He noted also that AMCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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L-R: Chief Client Officer, Group Executive, Axa Mansard Group, Mr. Tosin Runsewe; Head, Partnerships, Axa Lcas International, Mr. Paul Kuhn; Chief Executive Officer, Axa Mansard Health Ltd, Mr. Tope Adeniyi; Chairman, Mr. Olusola Adeeyo and International Field Manager, Axa PPP International, Mr. Paul Hawke, during Axa Mansard HR Leaders Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri (right), presenting an award for excellence to Mrs. Faith Aguga, who represented the Sports Person of the Year’, Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria U-20 female team, during the Leadership 2014 Annual Conference and Awards, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank System Plc, Mr. Ade Shonubi; representative of the grand winner, Mr. Bayonle Ogunlana; Director, Banking and Payment System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Fatokun and Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi, during the presentation of CBN e-Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) raffle cash reward, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: CEO, NSE, Oscar Onyema; President of Movement for the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), Pierre Gattaz; French Ambassador, Denis Guaer and UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday.

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Nigeria averages N1.5bn worth of transactions on POS daily, says CBN

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said Nigeria averages about N1.5bn worth of transactions on Point of Sales, POS, terminal daily. Director, Banking and Payment System Department, BPSD, Mr Dipo Fatokun, said this at the bank’s e-Payment Incentive Scheme, EPIS, in Abuja yesterday. The incentive scheme is to reward users of electronic payment platforms in Nigeria and to further encourage greater patronage of government’s cashless policy by members of the public. The scheme is also aimed at promoting financial inclusion. Fatokun said the use of POS terminals had increased from 5,000 in 2011 prior to inauguration of

the cashless policy, to about 120, 000 desktop terminals in 2015. He, however, said the ratio was negligible compared to the population of Nigeria. “Some days we have it more than that and some days we have it lower than that; but on average its N1.5b transactions that are done on the Point Of Sales terminal alone for which this award is being given today. “So the number is growing and in addition to the number of the POS, we should talk of the successful transactions also increasing. “That shows that we are making a lot of progress on POS until we expand others; but of course there will always be room for more

improvement as we go on the cashless journey,” he said. Fatokun said CBN was on the verge of introducing the Mobile POS terminal that would thrive on network connectivity and make transactions easier for both card holders and merchants. He also said discussions were on with telecommunication service providers to ensure better connectivity for the electronic payment systems. Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, NIBSS, Mr Ade Shonubi, said that the reward scheme was introduced to encourage people to use their cards at places other than the Automated Teller Ma-

chines, ATMs. “The scheme was put in place to encourage people to use their cards at merchants. “People are more used to using their cards at ATMs and we need to encourage them to use it in places other than ATMs. “There are two ways to drive it, either the merchants are tracked or the card users themselves want to use it. “And we are trying to make sure both of them are incentivised to want to get cards being used so that we have less cash; all of it is toward the cashless (policy thrust),” he said. According to him, MPOS is a device that can be connected to a Smartphone and used on an existing network. He said: “You can car-

ry it easily; it’s cheaper; it comes with a whole bundle of things; it’s like a small computer within a computer.” Second runner up of the EPIS, Mr Solomon Jephtah, a medical student, expressed gratitude for the cash award but said he almost missed it because he initially thought it was fraudulent exercise. He advised other card holders to use POS as it was a better way to make transactions. “Its better, it’s easier, though of course it might make you spend more; but it’s easier and it’s safer, it’s better than carrying lots of cash around you. “So I’ll advise every customer to use their cards. All over the world that’s what happens right

now; there’s no need carrying cash around to pay for stuff,” he said. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the raffle draw is divided into three winning categories monthly with the cash prizes as: Grand Prize Winner -N100,000, 1st Runner Up -N50,000 and 2nd Runner Up, N35,000.

CBN Gov, Emefiele

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18 killed, 25 injured in Yobe bomb blasts INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

obe State Police Commissioner, Mr. Markus Danladi, yesterday confirmed that 18 people have been confirmed dead, while 25 others were injured in a series of bomb explosions in Damaturu, the state capital. Danladi said four suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers attacked the Buhari Housing Estate and a village on the outskirts of Damaturu. The multiple blasts, according to the police chief, were coordinated, as the housing estate had a twin blasts at a shop and vegetable market along Gashua Road. “The third bomb blast occurred in one of the Fulani villages, nine kilometres from the state capital, where eight villagers were feared killed. Five people were also injured and brought to the Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital for treatment,” said Toyin Gbadegesin, the spokesman of the police command in a telephone interview with our correspondent. He added: “The first attack was launched at a Fulani village, before the three other blasts were heard around the Gashua road that killed over a dozen people, including three suspected bombers. “The 18 bodies had been evacuated by rescue teams of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Nigerian Red Cross and the police to the hospital on Gujba Road by 9am today (yesterday) for identifications and treatments.” Mohammed Damagum, a resident of Buhari housing estates, also said: “I’m terrified with this morning’s bomb blast here that killed one of the children in Yobe State University. My son was supposed to do his registration, when his life was taken away by these insurgents. What have we done to these mad boys maiming and destroying our lives and property in the last five years here in Damaturu?” At the Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital yesterday, the 18 bodies were yet to be claimed by relations, while the rescue teams continue to save the lives of 25 injured victims at the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&EU).

In a related development, the military said yesterday that troops of the Army 120 Task Force Battalion in Yobe, have killed more than 100 fleeing terrorists at Goniri area of the state. Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. The statement said seven soldiers died while nine others were wounded when the terrorists attempted to invade the military base at Goniri, early on Wednesday. “The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, early today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops at Goniri, Yobe State. “During the encounter, our gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invaders, as all of them were killed. “More than 100 terrorists died but unfortunately however, seven of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our father land, one officer and eight soldiers were also wounded.’’ According to the statement, the troops recovered arms, ammunitions and other equipment from the terrorists. The arms and ammunition recovered include, one general purpose machine gun; two rocket propelled grenades, nine AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunitions. It said that various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 7 Primed IEDs, different types of spanners and a torch light were also recovered. It said the troops had consolidated on the encounter and would continue blocking any fleeing terrorist using the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardment and other troops artillery fire. The statement stated that troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye, had destroyed Boko Haram terrorists camps along that axis. It stated that soldiers on patrol came across some of the terrorists’ hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and the terrorists’ training area along

Bama-Kawuri axis. The statement said the Nigeria Army with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies would not relent in the determined effort of defeating Boko Haram insurgents. Meanwhile, Boko Haram militants have released a

video, with a person who spoke without identifying himself re-affirming their allegiance to the Islamic State group and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He asserted that Boko Haram, also known as IS West Africa Province, was still under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, who

hasn’t appeared in a video since February. The man, who spoke in both Arabic and heavily accented Hausa, denied recent claims by the military that some members of the sect had surrendered to the army. He also denied that the military had rescued

a number of women and children abducted by Boko Haram, saying the security forces had failed on the battled front and were now resorting to a media campaign to rubbish the insurgents. “The violent campaign by the group would not be derailed,” he said.

L-R: NYSC Coordinator, FCT, Mr. Olanipekun Alao; representative of Director-General of NYSC, Obong Paul Attah; Executive Director, Investment, Stanbic IBTC Pensions Manager Ltd, Eric Fajemsin and Head of Business Development, Nike Bajomo, tasting the water from borehole commissioned at the NYSC orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ICPC witness reveals how N805m was shared in N’Delta ministry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

CON had accumulated a debt profile of over N5trn as against the mandate of a debt profile of N800bn as a ceiling, noting that it had exceeded its debt ceiling by N4.2trn. He said that AMCON balance sheet had a short fall of N3.8trillion and that its geometric accumulation of debts would no doubt endanger the dwindling national reserves put at USD 30billion since the federal government was the guarantor of AMCON bonds as enshrined in Section 27 of

the AMCON Act 2010. The lawmaker further said that he was aware that the accumulated debts of AMCON in five years were more than the debts owed by the federal government to Paris Club of creditors in 50 years. He said that he was also aware that over N2 trillion was lost in the not too transparent process adopted in the sale of some banks, including Oceanic Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Enterprise Bank, and Mainstream Bank. He worried that if the practices of AMCON were not urgently addressed,

the negative impact on the banking sector, which was the soul of Nigeria’s economy, would not only impact negatively but also jeopardize its financial health. He expressed concern also that the disposal of assets such as shares, landed properties, plants and equipment acquired by AMCON was shrouded in secrecy. He said most of the assets disposed of were alleged to have been sold to cronies and close associates of the officials of the Corporation without recourse to due process and extant laws.

Onyenweife said that he was conscious of the need to save AMCON from destroying the objectives and the core needs which propelled the establishment of the Corporation. He said that he was convinced that a healthy economy was a function of a stable banking industry and there was the need for AMCON to be freed from doubtful and non-transparent activities as the country could not afford to toy with its economy at a time when it was facing dwindling revenues from the fail of oil price.

Petitions against Amaechi flood Senate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

This, it was learnt, became imperative as attempt to lobby the president to appoint Anwukah as Secretary to the Government of Federation failed. The governor had earlier presented three nomineesDr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Chief Chris Ngige and Prof. Anwukah to President Buhari for the position of SGF but the request was turned down as the post was zoned to North Central. The source said that tension in the government cir-

cle however eased yesterday when the Senate president announced the ministerial nominees without the name of Chief Odimegwu mentioned. It was also gathered that in Chief Odimegwu’s camp, friends were crestfallen when the announcement was made without the industrialist being named. Meanwhile, ministerial nominee from Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, on yesterday criticised the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, for allegedly

rejecting his nomination by President Buhari. His media office, in a statement issued in Ibadan, said Buhari’s choice of Shittu is a divine gift to Oyo State, noting with dismay the claim in the report that the nomination was not acceptable to the party. While wondering the power and authority under which the said individuals were acting to believe they were in the best position to select the cabinet for Mr. President, it enjoined members of the public to

disregard the entire report as lacking in content and purpose, stressing that only those masquerading as agents of the devil would come out to say Shittu was not a legitimate member of the APC in the state. The statement reminded the anti-Shittu elements in the APC to face the reality and embrace the man to assist the President in his quest to remove the country from the quagmire into which the long years of misrule had plunged the country.

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Reps to investigate ex-minister over Abuja Land Swap Policy C

CBN insists on Oct 31 as deadline for BVN

Ubong Ukpong Abuja

ouse of Representatives yesterday ordered an investigation into implementation of the Land Swap Policy initiated by former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Bala Mohammed, with a view to ascertaining alleged infringements in the policy. The policy, a land-based financing of infrastructure development, involves the granting of land to competent real estate developers, who will in turn provide infrastructure such as roads, electricity, portable water, storm water drainage, sewer lines and communication dots to residents, without

any financial or technical demand to the government. Proceeds from the investment are to be shared in a ratio of 60 to 40 per cent between the investor and the administration, respectively. At its plenary session, presided by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, the House mandated its Committee on FCT, expected to be in place soon, to carry out the investigation. The committee would also unravel the causes of frequent contracts variation and abandonment of capital projects by FCT Administration. The resolution to investigate the implementation of the policy was the fallout of a motion, brought by Abubakar Yunusa Ahmed, who ex-

pressed dismay that most infrastructural based projects in the FCT have been abandoned, even after the administration initiated them and made adequate provisions for such in its budgets. According to him, the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan allegedly approved variation in the contract values of some of the projects without due process, and that in a bid to source funds as additional revenue, FCTA “embarked on a land swap policy in which green lands were granted to estate developers to build roads, install electricity, potable water, drainages and sewage lines.” He argued further that the investigation was needed, as there were widespread

allegations that selection of investors was tainted with fraudulent practices and undue favoritism. “The beneficiaries of the land swap policy have resorted to selling the lands to the public at exorbitant prices in utter disregard for the principles of the land swap policy,” he said. It would be recalled that in August 2013, indigenes of the FCT sought the intervention of the 7th National Assembly over alleged usurpation of their ancestral homes under the land swap policy. The protesting indigenes had threatened to petition the United Nations and other world bodies if 30 per cent of the scheme is not ceded them.

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said October 31 remains the deadline for bank customers to obtain their Bank Verification Numbers, BVN. Director, Banking and Payment System Department, BPSD, of CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, re-affirmed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday. Fatokun said at the deadline, bank customers that had not enrolled for BVN would not be able to access their accounts. “Last week Friday the bankers communicated that there is no extension on the BVN. “If you have not registered go and register and of course submit your BVN to your bank, no extension on

FG fixes N160/dollar rate for 2015 Christian pilgrimage Tola Akinmutimi

A Cross-section of dignitaries at the Africa Pension Awards in Abuja on Tuesday night.

PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia to co-operate on terrorism

enate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday said since Nigeria and Saudi Arabia shared similar challenges, especially terrorism and economic problems, there should be cooperation between the two countries at the highest levels. Speaking when he received the Advisory Council of Saudi Arabia Royal Kingdom led by Prince Khalid Abdullahi Al Saud in his office, Senator Saraki said both countries should exchange ideas, intelligence and technical expertise directed at solving identified problems. On the peace mission of

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Syria, Palestine and other parts of the world, the Senate president commended the efforts made so far. He, however, reminded his guests of Nigeria’s quest for support and commitment to end insurgency and other social vices militating against the peace and progress of the country. He said the visit by the Advisory Council was timely considering the loss suffered by Nigeria during the last Hajj exercise. The Senate President further urged the govern-

ment of Saudi Arabia to improve on the traveling procedures between the two countries, particularly for those who embark on holy pilgrimage for the lesser hajj and the Hajj. He said Nigeria should be able to fly directly to Saudi Arabia without unnecessary impediments. Earlier, Dr. Al Saud said Saudi Arabia regretted the loss of lives recorded during the last Hajj exercise and the recent bomb blasts in some parts of the country. He condemned the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and observed that both countries are

faced with a similar challenge of terrorism while also pledging the readiness of his country to collaborate with Nigeria in curbing the menace of insurgency. He promised that Saudi Arabia would work relentlessly to avoid any future occurrence of such an ugly incident that claimed hundreds of lives in this year’s pilgrimage exercise. Dr. Al Saud commended the role Nigeria is playing at the continental level while assuring the Nigerian government of unrelenting commitment of the Kingdom towards a greater Nigeria.

the deadline of October 31. “By November 1, if you don’t have a BVN you won’t be able to operate your account, but that does not mean your money will be confiscated as some people have said. “No, what it means is that you should go and do your BVN, once you do your BVN and you link it to your account, you continue to operate your account,” he said. BVN is a unique identity number that can be verified across the Nigerian banking industry. It was inaugurated in February 2014 with the aim of protecting customers’ accounts from unauthorised access to reduce the incidence of theft and exposure to fraud.

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday confirmed that the Federal Government had approved an exchange rate of N160 per dollar as Personal Travel Allowance, PTA, for each intending pilgrim for this year’s pilgrimage to Israel, Rome or Greece. The apex bank, in a circular with Ref no TEM/FEM/ EPC/GEN01/019 titled: ‘Year 2015 Christian Pilgrimage: Purchase of Pilgrims Travel Allowance’ issued to all authorised dealers and general public, disclosed that government approved a maximum of $1,000 travel allowance per pilgrim.

It noted, however, that any pilgrim travelling to Israel would be entitled to a maximum of $750 while pilgrims travelling to Israel/ Rome or Greece are entitled to $1,000 allowance each. According to CBN, no pilgrim should be denied the travel allowance as approved by the government on the ground that an intending pilgrim lacks Tax Clearance Certificate, TCC. It added that in view of the time constraint, the Secretary of each State’s Pilgrim Board may be allowed to sign for and collect the PTA on behalf of intending pilgrims in his or her state, upon the presentation of the approved list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.

Buhari meets Saraki, NASS leaders behind closed door Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and leaders of both the Senate and House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa behind closed door. Others present at the meeting, which took place at the First Lady Conference room, were Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn N’Allah; Senate

Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senate Minority Whip, Phillip Aduda Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, led other members of the House, including his Deputy, Yusuf Lasun, and House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila. Saraki arrived at the Villa with other lawmakers at about 8:45p.m. However, journalists were not allowed to cover the event, which was said to be a private meeting.

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Military re-strategising to meet Dec deadline –Olonisakin Dennis Naku, PORT HARCOURT

hief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, yesterday said the military was re-strategising to meet December deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari to end insurgency in the North-East. Olonisakin said this

to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while on tour of military formations and units in Rivers State. According to him, “we are currently working on the December deadline by re-addressing our strategies to ensure that we meet the target.” Olonisakin said his visit to the state was to

ascertain readiness and preparedness of troops to combat terrorism and insecurity in the nation. He said efforts were currently on to enhance efficiency and tactics of the military to enable troops perform better during operations. The defence chief sympathised with families of seven soldiers who died

on Tuesday during exchange of gunfire with members of Boko Haram in Damaturu, Yobe State. “I must say that we commiserate with families of those who lost dear ones in that incident and the military is on top of it to ensure we checkmate such recurrence,” he said.

L-R: Former President of South Africa, Dr. Thabo Mbeki; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs, during the 43rd annual general meeting of MAN in Lagos, yesterday.

Lagos to sanction owners of abandoned buildings Francis Suberu

agos State government has warned owners of uncompleted and abandoned buildings in the state to ensure their immediate completion or face sanctions if such buildings were occupied by miscreants or used for unlawful acts. Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni stated this after a State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He said the meeting, which was more interested in finding lasting solution to the problems, also examined the security implication of uncompleted and abandoned buildings and increased illegal residents of many uncompleted properties around estates in the state. The CP, while warning owners of abandoned buildings, said government has resolved to en-

force existing laws to the letter, and ensure that miscreants who use such uncompleted buildings to perpetrate unlawful activities were brought to book. He said some of such buildings which are usually residential were often converted into lounges and clubs across the state.

The commissioner reiterated the determination of the police to continue to arrest miscreants while conscious efforts will be made to engage and educate owners of such properties that employ some of them as security guards and who are not conscious of the security risk they pose.

He added that some of the owners of such abandoned properties were not aware that their properties were often used as haven after the illegal occupants must have committed crimes since they only employ one security guard who within a month may bring many others into the premises.

Omeiza Ajayi

MEND, had attempted suicide inside an Abuja courtroom. He had sought permission of the judge on Tuesday to speak on what he termed “endless trial” as his counsel was absent in court. The judge granted the oral application and permitted Mr. Okah to speak for about five minutes. He said, “I have been incarcerated for about five years now and I have a family to cater for. “My children would grow up without feeling the warmth of their father and

I am tired of this endless trial. “I really do not know what I have done to be treated this way. “Is it not better to die than to wait and be messed up this way?” he asked. Thereafter he took a chair and made for the window ostensibly to jump down the multi-storey building. He was consequently rumoured to have died yesterday in prison. However, the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, has stated that Okah is alive and in good health. A statement issued by

Okah not dead –FG

ederal Government yesterday dismissed as untrue reports in the social media of the death of terror suspect, Charles Okah, in custody. Speculations were rife yesterday that Okah, alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombing, had died in Abuja. On Tuesday, Okah, a brother to Henry Okah, leader of the outlawed Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta,

Gambari decries Nigeria’s under-development Obiora Ifoh, ABUJA

ormer Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, has lamented that 100 years after the amalgamation of Nigeria, the country still grapples with challenges, even as he also recommended the use of overwhelming force to cut down the military capacity of terrorist groups. He disclosed this yesterday in his keynote address at the Leadership annual conference/awards titled, “Reclaiming Nigeria: A pathway.” The Leadership awards/ conference is held every year to honour Nigerians in different fields of endeavors. Gambari, who is chairman and founder of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, SCDDD, said it was worrisome and traumatic that after a centenary of amalgamation of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria with the colony and protectorate of Southern Nigeria to establish modern-day Nigeria and 55 years after independence, the country was still beset with tremendous challenges. According to him, these constraints among others, consist of political fragility, political volatility, ethnic and religious mistrusts, intolerance and violent extremism. He said the miscellaneous legacies of the 30 months of bloody civil war, organised militancy and kidnapping in the Niger Delta and neigbouring states of the South East, organised terrorism and insurgency threats and trends in the North East

the Service spokesman, DCP Enobore Francis, yesterday in Abuja said the report was a figment of the imagination of the authors. The short statement reads: “I wish to react to the numerous calls from media correspondents seeking clarifications into the rumoured death of Mr. Charles Okah in prison custody and state that the information is not true. “Okah is hale and hearty and going about his normal daily routine in safe custody. The rumour has no iota of truth and should therefore be disregarded.”

corner and the surrounding states and threats of Nigeria’s impeding implosion after the 2015 general elections following unprecedented level of religious and politically motivated divisiveness. He said: “As if these were not enough, recently the international market prices of the crude oil dominated mono-economy of the beleaguered federation nosedived, thereby further compounding the fate of a country evidently at the crossroads.” He further explained that of all the vices which have reared their ugly heads in enmity against the Nigerian state, ethnicity or rather the wrong use of ethnicity ranks as one of the most dangerous. “In my view, no measure can blunt ethnic jingoism and advance the cause of national unity more than a determined, honest and manifestly fair effort to treat all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic origin, equally before the law as well as the promotion of and respect for the human rights of all Nigerians.” He noted that the menace of Boko Haram that represents one of the greatest threats to the Nigerian state and national security is because it represents the ill use of religion and uses sectarian violence to undermine the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity of the country. In reclaiming Nigeria, he recommended the use of overwhelming force to reduce the military capacity of the terrorist group, the mobilisation of neigbouring countries and the West African sub region to collectively act to fight the scourge and to drain the swamp or Sambisa forest where they hide. He also recommended embarking on massive relief of insurgency victims, socioeconomic recovery and reconstruction of areas devastated by the activities of the terrorist group. Also at the event, Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, said if Nigerians give the necessary support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, he has the “pedigree and antecedent” to take the country to greater heights. Al-Makura said this yesterday after he was conferred with the Leadership Politician of the Year Award 2014 at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards ceremony in Abuja.

South West

Nigeria’s egg market injects N220bn annually into economy —PAN Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

oultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to abandon his promise of including an-egg-a-day per Nigerian child in the proposed school feeding programme of his administration. At a press conference heralding the 2015 World Egg Day held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, PAN also called for the inclusion of egg as part of prisons feeding programme. State chairman of the association, Dr. Lekan Odunsi, in his address at the event stated that the Buhari-led Federal Government would be effectively tackling problem of unemployment if it could implement the proposed one-egg-a-day school feeding programme. Speaking against the

backdrop of diversification of the nation’s economy from oil, Odunsi implored the Federal Government to consider investing more in the egg market to guarantee more revenue. He disclosed that the annual egg production across the country generates about N220bn revenue, stressing that the sector has the potential to boost the economy in the non-oil sector. Odunsi noted that consumption of one egg per day by 50 per cent of the country’s population would inject about N1.7b revenue daily into the economy. He however stated that an increase in the per capital consumption of eggs per person per year would equally raise the annual revenue to about N340bn. He also appealed to state and federal governments to provide support to poultry farmers to enable them produce more eggs.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Ojo Oyewamide Akure

group of Fulani herdsmen has again invaded and destroyed the farm of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, at Ilado, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The incident occurred barely two weeks after the former Minister of Finance was kidnapped and later released. The farm Manager, Bruno Akhigbodemen, said over one kilometre plantation of maize was destroyed

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Again, Fulani herdsmen destroy Falae’s farm by a large number of cows belonging to the herdsmen. Akhigbodemen, who conducted journalists round the farmland yesterday, disclosed that the herdsmen invaded the farm at about 2am. According to him, the herdsmen threatened workers at the farm, frustrating their efforts to prevent the havoc wreaked by the animals. He said some detectives

from Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, were deployed in the farm following Falae’s report to the state’s police command. The detectives were said to have combed the neighbouring villages for the suspects but were unable to make any arrest. Akhigbodemen described destruction of the farm as devastating, appealing to government and security operatives to ad-

dress the menace of herdsmen. Falae, who is National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has been having issues with Fulani herdsmen whose cows have on several occasions destroyed his farmland. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Olufemi Joseph, said he had not been briefed on the incident when contacted on phone.

Assembly charges Amosun’s nominees on improved service delivery Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

gun State House of Assembly yesterday screened 18 commissioner-nominees whose names had earlier been sent for approval by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The 18 commissionernominees, which included a former Editor of Daily Independent Newspapers, Rotimi Durojaiye, were, however, charged to evolve creative means of consolidating on the Rebuilding Mission of Ibikunle Amosun’s administration, which is aimed at improving the living standard of people of the state. Addressing the nominees, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, charged them to strive towards promoting mutual interdependence of the legislative and executive arms of government in the state. Adekunbi explained that the essence of the screening was to promote quality assurance so that people of the state could benefit greatly from the second term of the Amosun administration. According to him, there was need for the commissioner nominees to device

strategic means of revenue generation for the funding of government policies and programmes for improved service delivery. He implored them to always synergise with the lawmakers in the delivery of democratic dividends to the people. The Speaker charged them to complement the governor’s efforts at their various ministries when confirmed and appointed in order to consolidate on the achievements recorded in the first term. Those screened are, Mrs. Yewande Amusan (Abeokuta North), Mr. Leke Adewolu (Ifo), Olamilekan Adegbite (Abeokuta North), Muyiwa Oladipo (Sagamu), Mrs. Ronke Sokefun (Yewa North), Bimbo Ashiru (Ijebu Ode), Gbenga Ademosun (Ewekoro), Dr. Tunde Ipaye (Ijebu North), Segun Abiodun (Ijebu East) and Sunday Bamiwola (Ipokia). Others are: Jide Ojuko (Ado-Odo/Ota), Bolaji Oyeleye (Yewa North), Afolabi Afuape (Abeokuta South), Ms. Adenike Osoba (Obafemi Owode), Gabriel Adeife (Abeokuta North), Chief Kolawole Lawal (Yewa South), Dr. Olumide Ayeni (Ijebu Ode) and Rotimi Durojaiye (Abeokuta North).

L-R: Partner, Kohniberg Kravis Roberts and Co., Mr. Dominique Lafont; France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during a courtesy visit to the governor by the Movement of the Enterprises of France, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday

Lagos to deal with owners of abandoned buildings

agos State Government on Tuesday warned owners of uncompleted and abandoned buildings in the State to ensure that they expedite action towards the completion of such buildings or face sanctions in the eventuality that such buildings are occupied by miscreants or used for unlawful acts. Briefing Government House Correspondents after the State Security Council meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting discussed various issues regarding security situation, crime management, law enforcement and traffic management within the Stateand some other issues, with a way of finding lasting solution. He said the meeting ex-

amined the security implication of uncompleted and abandoned buildings and the increase in the number of people that are illegally residing in so many of the uncompleted properties around estates in Lagos. “We’ve looked at areas where we are winning, areas where we need to make more efforts and especially at the security implication of the security implication of the influx of people into Lagos State in large numbers, the security implication of so many houses, uncompleted and abandoned buildings and the increase in the number of people that are getting into so many estates in Lagos”, Owoseni said. While warning owners of abandoned buildings, he said Government has resolved to enforce existing laws to the letter, and ensure

that miscreants who utilise such uncompleted buildings to perpetrate unlawful activities are brought to book. He said some of such buildings which are usually residential are often converted into lounges and clubs across the State. “Of course, decision has been taken that the owners of abandoned uncompleted buildings that does not have anything to do with them and that are not securing them, that have allowed people who have been infiltrating into Lagos to occupy and for miscreants to be used for illegal activities that we are going to now address the situation to see how we can make owners of such properties to be accountable. The Commissioner reiterated the determination of the Police to continue to arrest miscreants while con-

scious efforts will be made to engage and educate owners of such properties that employ some of them as security guards and who are not conscious of the security risk they constitute. He also said that some of the owners of such abandoned properties are not aware of that their properties are often used as safe haven after the illegal occupants must have committed crimes since they only employ one security guard who within a month may bring many others into the premises. “Using those approaches, we should be able to reduce the unmitigated influx of miscreants in numbers as much as possible and get rid of them and also to make sure that they don’t cause any untoward incident for us in Lagos” he said.

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Thursday, October 8, 2015

Trading on Broad street. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Broad Street Diary

ational Museum located in the heartbeat of Lagos, has been in existence since 1957.It was by Kenneth Murray, the museum is located at Onikan, Lagos Island. The Museum welcomes visitors and tourists from all parts of the world who came to admire some of the historical Arts decorated for attractions. The museum has lots of notable collection of Nigerian art, pieces of statuary, carvings, archaeological, ethnographic and traditional Art exhibits. The museum is 150m southeast of Tafawa Balewa Square, a huge site adorned by statues of gargantuan horses. In the square is Remembrance Arcade, also with memorials of some notable Nigeria’s dead from the two world wars and the Biafran conflict. The museum was founded in the 1950s following the period of colonial rule which saw the country haemorrhaging traditional works of art. The National Museum is no doubt a worth seeing tourists’ centre in Nigeria. One of the don’ts of the museum is that cameras must not be used, no visitors is allowed to take contemporary pictures in the museum, one of the most notable art includes the terracotta human head from Jemaa (circa 900 to 200 BC) which is part of the Nok culture. The site contains contemporary arts and historical monuments; it has some major star attractions like the bronze carvings from Benin City which is conveyed in their own gallery. Also are the Nok Terracotta that are also well represented in its own gallery. The National Museum houses the bullet-riddled car in which the late former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated in 1976, some of the other galleries includes; the gallery dedicated to traditional symbols of power containing carved ivory and a host of royal crowns. Since the commissioning of National Museum, the outlet has been a place for collecting, preserving and presenting a cultural history of Nigeria, having various collections of pots, bronze and Terracotta statutes from Benin, Igbo Ukwu, the Central regions of Nigeria, from

Thursday, October 8, 2015

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National Museum preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage

National Museum, Lagos

Ife the major centers of classical Nigerian art and also has large collection of twin statues fondly known as ‘Ere Ibeji’. National museum also operates a non profit crafts centre that stocks a good range of batik cloth, woodcarvings, textiles, fine range of intricately decorated calabashes,

small crafts village with wood carvings and other handicrafts for sale at fixed prices. Also, there is a demonstration of adire - cloth-making from Abeokuta and from different states in Nigeria. Before the commencement of activities in the museum, the government purchased some art works taken from

Nigeria and sold abroad including some sold at Sotheby’s to showcase at the new museum. The Museum today, is a relatively vibrant branch of the National Commission of Museums and Monuments. The construction of a shopping complex called ‘Galleria’ and located close to the Museum

commence in 2002 as a result of the intention of the city of Lagos to view the mall later called City Mall as a way to rejuvenate the Onikan street environ of Lagos state. Some of the contemporary exhibitions include the Ben Enwonwu 1991, Gabriel Awusa 1993 and Urhobo Art 2005. –Imoleayo Fatunase

along the axis as the traders were asked to relocate to other places pending the completion of work on the road. Speaking with Broad Street Diary, BSD, on the project, Mr. Aro Rasak, a tailor on Olowogbowo street, said they are happy about the reconstruction of the road as the inconveniency they are sswho own a shop at the area said, what their local government embark on is what makes people happy and they are working toward the development of their area and

to make their environment look tidy Mr. Rasaq continue in his word said, despite the fact that their shop was tear down they still support the local government to move on to make their local area look spick and span. He disclose that “the LG came to us and inform us about their plan to modernize the environment and they said we will move back immediately after their renovation and we cooperate with them”. According to another trad-

er on the street who did not want his name in print said Olowogbowo will soon become small London after the crucial renovation by their local government. The anonymity said, their plan was good but the main problem is that those shop which was demolished will not be rebuild again by the LG if the trader on the street move back after renovation, “ we need to use our money for the rebuilding of the shop after the renovation” –James Egbeyemi

Olowogbowo Street to ware new look

he Olowogbowo Street street on Lagos Island is soon to get a face-lift, this is sequel to the intervention of the Lagos Island Local Government authority which has embark on the reconstruction of the street. The reconstruction of the road which started at the middle of this year, was aimed at modernizing the area which stands at the heart of the Lagos Business District However, the reconstruction of the road is not without some challenges to traders

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Alleged N5.6bn fraud: EFCC seeks forfeiture of ex-Oyo HoS, 11 others’ property

conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday asked an Oyo State High Court to order the forfeiture of properties belonging to a former Head of Service, HoS, of the state, Alhaja Kudirat Adeleke, and 11 others. The defendants are facing a 213-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, fraud and forgery. Adeleke and 11 others were dragged before the court for allegedly defrauding Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board of N5.6billion. Other accused persons are Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Musenbiq, Muili Adedamola, Adeduntan Johnson, Bosede Johnson, Kareem Rasheed, Olujimi Adebayo and Adewale Kehinde. At the resumed hearing yesterday, the case was, how-

South West

Thursday, October 8, 2015

ever, stalled when counsel to the defendants said they were not served with the counter- affidavit by the EFCC. Mr. Richard Ogunwole (SAN), counsel to Adeleke; Mr. Ayoade Okunade, counsel to Aderemi and other counsels for the defendants, informed the court that they had not been served by the EFCC. In his reaction, Mr. Kayode Oni, the EFCC’s counsel, told the court that he had just taken over the case from the former counsel handling the matter. Oni countered that based on the briefing he had all the defendants’ counsel had been served with the counter-affidavit. He, however, prayed for an adjournment so as to serve the defendants since they insisted that they were not served. Justice Muktar Abimbola adjourned the case till November 4 for hearing.

Egbin power station shuts operation

gbin Power Plant in Ikorodu, Lagos, the biggest generating power station in Nigeria, has stopped operations, leading to a drop from 1,100 megawatts to zero. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that its generation dropped since Saturday. A senior management staff of the station told NAN anonymously that the cause was an alleged sabotage by a former employee of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The source told NAN that

the former staff threw an object into the power plant and it tripped off. Management of Egbin Power Plc had said in a statement on Tuesday that operations of the plant were being threatened by activities of illegal occupants. The statement said the huge investments and continuing upgrade following the plant’s privatisation on November 1, 2013, had since shored its generation capacity to over 1,100 megawatts. According to the statement, the illegal occupants, who have refused to leave

the plant’s Housing Estate since November 1, 2013, are set to make good their threat to sabotage Egbin’s operations. The management therefore, appealed to the employees to remain calm as they go about their normal activities without any inhibition. However, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, Head, Media Communications Strategies of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, told NAN that the non-generation of power by Egbin since Saturday has affected its operations.

Idemudia disclosed that only 40 megawatts had so far been received through Ikeja West transmission station, which was distributed accordingly to consumers at Alagbon, Ajah and Lekki axis. He said the drop seriously affected the operations and revenue generation of the Disco. Idemudia appealed to customers in the company’s network to bear with it pending when the energy it receives from Egbin and the national grid improves to serve them better.

Don’t merge Ila College of Education, old students warn Osun govt Boladale Bamigbola Osogbo

ld students of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, OSSCE, yesterday warned the state government against changing the status of the institution under whatever guise. Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, national president, Alumni Association of Osun State College of Education, Mr. Ayobami Fakeye, said the merger would plunge the state’s tertiary education into crisis. Describing the move as “retrogressive and totally anti-peace,” Fakeye said: “We do not want to assume that the purported move by Osun State government to merge the College of Education, Ila Orangun, with Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, is a mere rumour.” He said the institution has been one good legacy inherited by the present administration in Osun State, adding that if the government could not add to it, it should not destroy the one in existence.

He further posited that the college has continued to contribute in no small way to the internally generated revenue drive of the state, added that the college has turned out professionals in various fields. Stating government’s position on the matter, director of the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, in a statement earlier issued, said: “there is no plan to relocate or merge any tertiary institution.

L-R: Professor of Peadratics and Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Elizabeth Sote; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe; Director, Informa Service, Dr. Jamie Hill; Olori Onigbema Ekiti, Funke Daramola and Head of Dental Nursing, LUTH, Mrs. Akpan Grace, during Dental Africa Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

NYSC’ll continue to make meaningful impact —DG

irector General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, has said the scheme would not relent in ensuring that its mandate is vigorously pursued to better the lot of Nigerians. Gen. Olawumi made this

assertion during the flag-off ceremony of a health week under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dweller, HIRD, held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan. According to the director general, who was represented by Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, the

goal of HIRD programme is to mobilise corps medical volunteers for the provision of health intervention through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and proper prevention mechanism. This, according to the chief executive officer of the scheme, is to enhance

Fish farmers petition Presidency over project diversion in Ogun Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

gun State chapter of the Association of Fish Farmers and Aquaculture of Nigeria, AFFAN, has petitioned the presidency over allegation of project diversion by officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Ogun State. According to the petition, AFFAN called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to set up a pan-

el to investigate allegation of how two Federal Government-assisted cooperative projects for its members in the state were diverted to a private organisation. In a petition to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, which was signed by AFFAN’s state chairman, Adeleke Onakoya, the state’s secretary, Jide Aseniyi and 11 others, the Ogun fish farmers alleged that an organisation named Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduc-

tion, IDIPR, in collaboration with some officials at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture have perfected plans to hijack and usurp the project meant for the use of all fish farmers in Ogun State to the advantage of a few individuals. AFFAN also alleged that some Federal Government officials led by the permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Sunday Echono, and the director of fisheries in

the same ministry, Aderemi Abioye, are already diverting equipment meant for a model market and a fish feed mill to IDIPR which is allegedly owned by some private individuals. In the petition, copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the association said it was the original owner of the project which it started processing since year 2009 and for which the farmers have spent over N50 million before the Ogun State

the general well-being of rural dwellers in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria. General Olawumi informed the gathering that the volunteer corps medical personnel who would form the core of the team would work as health agents in driving the wheel of the health initiative. One of the guest speakers, Prof. Adeyinka Falusi, who is the president/CEO of Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, SCHAF, said she has been expecting this kind of programme for long. Prof. Falusi wondered why other neighboring countries such as Ghana should be packaging important activities which centered around the betterment of the lives of the ordinary citizen, and Nigeria, with all its resources and endowments still finds it difficult to do such.

South East

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Retired teachers lament 27-month pension arrears in Enugu Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

etired primary school teachers in Enugu State yesterday cried out over non-payment of their pension arrears for 27 months. They also lamented that some of them were yet to receive their gratuities after retirement since 2002. The teachers from the three senatorial zones disclosed their plight during a courtesy visit to the House of Assembly Speaker, Edward Ubosi, in his office. A delegation of the retired teachers led by their Chairman, Matthias Onovo, and Secretary, Ben Nwachi, said they had written to relevant authorities in the past without result. They said some of their colleagues had died, while many were bed-ridden for lack of fund for medical care. “Having exhausted every avenue possible to see that the past administration paid us, we are now calling on you, distinguished Speaker,

to help us out,” they pleaded. They listed other grievances to include harmonisation arrears, 33 percent pension increases, irregularities in payment of monthly pensions, and non-implementation of promotion received after retirement. Responding, Ubosi assured the retired teachers that something would be done to alleviate their sufferings: “Your labours will never go in vain. You have laboured and you deserve to be paid.” The Speaker said they came at the right time when the government had set up an audit committee of the local government, of which he is the chairman, noting that the issue of teachers, as well as pensioners was part of the terms of reference given by the governor. He thanked them for making the submission that would serve as guide to the audit committee set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to look into the rot in the councils.

Police arrest man over child theft Gloria Anaeze Onitsha

olice in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday arrested one Mr John Ene for allegedly stealing a six-month-old male child at Ose Okwudu market. The suspect, who hails from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, reportedly stole the child from a young girl carrying the baby when the mother was busy trading in the market. Confirming the incident when contacted, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Central Police Station, Onitsha, Isah Abubakar, a Superintendent of Police, said the suspect was arrested at Abuja Park when a vigilance outfit intercepted him with the baby. He said the police arrested the suspect, who was on his way out of the town with the child as the child’s cries attracted sympathizers, who alerted the vigilance outfit. He said the suspect was making calls to someone that he was coming with the child and money when he was arrested. The DPO called on resi-

dents to always be at alert and report to police any suspected element around their surroundings. He equally blamed the child stealing on the mother who left the child with a small girl in search of money in the market. He said the suspect would be arraigned in court immediately court resumes and warned criminals in the state to vacate or face their waterloo. In his defence, the suspect denied the allegation, saying he is an interior decorator based in Abuja but visited his brother in Onitsha. He added that he came to the market to buy yam, but decided to cuddle the child who was crying.

Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

igeria Association of Psychiatric Nurses, Enugu State chapter, has called on the National Assembly to immediately pass the Mental Health Act in the interest of the health sector. Chairman of the union, Afam Ndu, who addressed journalists yesterday in Enugu ahead of the 2015 World Mental Health Day, described as unfortunate “a situation

Relief materials distributed by NEMA to over 2,000 displaced persons in Ochienyim-Amagu community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State on Tuesday. PHOTO:NAN

JUSUN begins strike in Imo over financial autonomy

udiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Imo State branch, has begun indefinite strike over what it called non-implementation of financial autonomy for the state’s judiciary. Secretary of JUSUN, Kelechi Nlemedim, said in a statement in Owerri that the strike began on Monday. He said all offices, including the state’s Judicial Ser-

vice Commission had been shut. “Following the state government’s inability to respond to the demands of JUSUN as it concerns implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary, the union hereby declares an indefinite strike from October 5. “All offices of the courts and Judicial Service Com-

mission will remain under lock and key until further notice,’’ he said. The action, he said, was sequel to the directive of the national executive committee of JUSUN. “Members should stay away from their duty posts until otherwise directed.’’ Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, who monitored the

situation, said members of the union had adhered to the directive as courts were shut down. At the state judiciary headquarters, only the tribunals were sitting as JUSUN officials shut the gate. Security men allowed only lawyers and people who had business with the tribunal to enter the complex.

Ugwuanyi tasks NASS on emolument Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday urged the National Assembly to increase public confidence by shedding light on the salaries and allowances of lawmakers. The governor made the recommendation while delivering the 55th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN.

He said such transparency was necessary considering that “there is still the nagging question on lack of transparency and accountability in the operations of the National Assembly.” Ugwuanyi, who spoke on the theme: “Legislation as an Instrument for Social Justice in a Growing Democracy”, said the dominant view was that there is an urgent need for the National Assembly to open up its legislative process and

financial transactions, particularly the salaries and allowances of members to the scrutiny and input of the public. He said “this will go a long way in correcting the pervading and largely false impression that the Assembly is a compromised institution, whose membership earns much and does so little.” He identified the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, 2011, TETFund, as the

Union demands passage of Mental Health Act

where the country still operates a mental health act inherited from Britain in 1959.” According to him, activities for the programme are being packaged in Enugu by the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu; Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria, Enugu chapter, in collaboration with Faculty of Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing of West African College of Nursing.

Ndu, who said the need for passage of the Act had become expedient in view of emerging health challenges, noted that “we need the Act because rights of mental patients are very fundamental. It is very shameful that Nigeria does not have mental health law.” While calling for more community-based psychiatric programmes and clinics, the union equally urged rel-

evant authorities to review issues of allowances for nurses. Giving insight into the activities for this year’s World Mental Health Day, Mr. Ndu, who is also the regional chairman, faculty of psychiatric and mental health nursing, West African College of Nursing, disclosed that there would be “medical outreach programme on Friday October 10, road walk.”

most empowering legislation that had, from its coming into force, propelled the development of infrastructural and human material resources in tertiary institutions across the country. “This singular legislation has more than anything else in this decade facilitated the achievement or the fulfillment of the second or third generation rights to education, which in turn provides the superstructure for socioeconomic development. “Reports of oversight visit to tertiary institutions from respective House committees on education over the years show that more than 60% of physical infrastructure was and is still being driven by the funds accessed from TETFund,” he stated. The governor equally noted that the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria, in the areas of security, poverty, unemployment, among others.

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Politics

Buhari’s ministers as change agents: Issues and the intrigues

After four months of anxiously waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to announce members of his cabinet, the list of ministerial nominees was finally submitted to the Senate last week’s Wednesday. OBIORA IFOH, GEORGE OJI, ROTIMI FADEYI, TORDUE SALEM, UBONG UKPONG and DOORSUUR IWAMBE examine the issues involved in the nomination and the profile of those that would form the cabinet of the APC-led government.

efore he forwarded the ministerial list to the Senate, President Muhammadu Buhari had said that he was not in a hurry to appoint ministers who would constitute members of his cabinet as he was still carefully studying the report of the Ahmed Joda – led Transition Committee. Many Nigerians had expected the desired change promised by the government of the All Progressives Congress, APC during its electioneering campaign soon after Buhari took over power from former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29. On the evening of May 31, just two days after his inauguration, Buhari had announced the first set of appointments into his administration. The President named former President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina and former Director, Media and Publicity of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Garba Shehu as his spokesmen while he also approved the appointment of Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure, a career Foreign Service official as the State Chief of Protocol, SCOP. After the appointments, Buhari did not make any key appointments until August 27 when he announced Abba Kyari as his Chief of Staff; Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, two Senior Special Assistants and other few appointments into government agencies. However, when Buhari said he would not announce his ministers until the end of September, Nigerians referred to the President as “baba go slow” meaning that he was too slow in taking crucial decisions concerning governance and appointment of key members of his cabinet. Despite the impression of Nigerians about him, the President remained resolute in his decision to do things at his own pace when he declared that though many people have labelled him as “baba go slow”, he would go slow and steady and focus on his vision for the nation. “I am being asked when I am going to form my cabinet and in some quarters they are now calling me ``baba go slow’’. I am going to go slow and steady.’’, Buhari had said, when he met Nigerians resident in the United States during his visit to the country on the invitation of President Barack Obama. The list of ministerial nominees submitted by Buhari to the Senate include ex-governors and those that had held one position or the other in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s government and others who had distinguished themselves in their different professions.

Senate Screening of the Ministers Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, provides that any appointments to the office of the minister of the federation must be confirmed by the senate. In fulfillment of this constitutional provision, the Senate usually invites the ministerial nominees, screen and confirm them in their committee of the whole. However, the senate has been criticized in the past on the confirmation processes. For instance, some nominees are

the insistence of President Buhari that he would only appoint people of impeccable character or saints into his cabinet. According to Buhari, he would not work with “sinners” or corrupt people in the federal cabinet that he would preside over as President. After many criticisms, that he was a sole administrator, Buhari publicly declared that ministers were noise makers, insisting that they were irrelevant as Permanent Secretaries were doing the job. However, many Nigerians believed that the long period of waiting was not worth it considering the fact that the number of ministers in the federal cabinet can never be less than 37, as the constitution provided for representation from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Ministerial nominees are key players in past governments

Buhari

Searching for saints in the country for any job is an effort in futility as it would be very unconvincing for anyone to claim to be spotless or without any blemish in view of the level of rot in the system hardly subjected to the required painstaking scrutiny but are simply asked to bow and go. It is perhaps based on this public criticism that the senate has decided that this time around, it would no longer be business as usual and therefore would do the needful by ensuring that the nominees are subjected to thorough screening before final confirmation.

Buhari’s ministers as saints or sinners that Nigerians expect For many Nigerians and indeed international watchers of Nigeria’s political developments, searching for saints in the country for any job is an effort in futility as it would be very unconvincing for anyone to claim to be spotless or without any blemish in view of the level of rot in the system. However, what we have witnessed in the past four months was the delay in the appointment of ministers because of

Considering that those whose names appeared on the ministerial list are the same people that had featured prominently in government at one time or the other, there was no point for Buhari to keep Nigerians waiting for four months to have ministers. It is evident that some people who still emerged on the ministerial list are the same old players in the system who have one question or the other to answer. Considering the fact that corruption is so endemic in the country, many people believe that even those who pride themselves as not corrupt, including President Buhari, whom some people say is not corrupt, could not sustain their claims, because one way or the other, they have benefited from the proceeds of corruption. For many Nigerians, if the integrity test conducted for the ministerial nominees was anything to go by, there is possibility that many of them, if not all the ministerial nominees would not be completely fit or clean enough to occupy public offices. It is the belief of many that, rather than spending four months searching in vain for saints, capable people without criminal records or glaring evidences of corruption should have been invited to clear grey areas of their lives, show remorse, opt for change and be nominated to serve under the present administration.

The kind of Ministers Nigerians want No doubt, there were very high expectations and hopes from Nigerians on President Buhari over the personality of his cabinet, expectations which are hinged on the high moral standards that the President has paraded around himself. However, given the very deplorable state of the Nigerian economy and the pervading corruption in the country, Nigerians expect that the ministerial team should support the President in transforming the country and returning it on the part of greatness. Nigerians expected hard working, knowledgeable, experienced, committed Nigerians to be in charge of the minisCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Buhari’s ministers as change agents: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 tries. Besides, Nigerians expected ministers who must, like the Caesar’s wife, be above board. Nigerians expected ministers who must not have records of corruption or abuse of political office in their resume. If the President is truly and ready to fight corruption, it then goes without saying that the ministers Nigerians were expecting must be those who would be clean enough to serve as agents against corruption. The 21 nominees in the first batch put together by the President fell below the expectation. However, like Yinka Odumakin said, “Buhari is not expected to clone Nigerians who have the clean sheet as expected, as there is none on the offer.” Not all Nigerians are comfortable with the quality, character and public records of the 21 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate by Buhari for screening. Very few of them could pass the integrity test of the public. They include:

Babatunde Fashola He was two-term governor of Lagos State having succeeded Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2007. He served under the administration of Tinubu as Chief of Staff. While at the helms of affairs of Lagos, regarded as the commercial nerve centre of the country, Fashola was adjudged to have brought improvement in infrastructure and ensured progress and development to the state. Fashola is a legal practitioner with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and had made contributions to the legal profession. However, shortly after he left office, there were allegations of him spending the sum of N78 million of Lagos tax payers money for the upgrade of his personal website. He was also accused of getting himself involved in extra marital paternity. Fashola, however, denied the allegations saying contract for the upgrade of the website followed due process and that he was never involved in any extra marital paternity.

Rotimi Amaechi Amaechi was the immediate past Governor of Rivers state and was born on May 27, 1965. Amaechi is a politician just like every other one we have in the country, pursuing permanent interest not permanent enemies as he was a member of PDP before defecting to the APC. As Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, relationship between him and Odili translated into a harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government. However, Amaechi launched campaign against the State government, and verbally attacked the image of the State Governor, in an effort to succeed Odili as Governor in 2007. He later became Governor of Rivers State following the pronouncement of the Supreme Court that he was the rightful candidate of the PDP and winner of the April 2007 Governorship election in Rivers State. Amaechi was appointed the DirectorGeneral of the APC Presidential Campaign in which Buhari was the Presidential candidate. However, Amaechi could pass as one

Fashola

Ameachi

Fayemi

nominee whose image has been badly hurt by allegation of corruption by his political opponents. Mr Nyesom Wike, the current governor of the oil rich state has alleged that Amaechi and his administration had not only breached the public trust on him but also unlawfully converted over N70billion of the state resources as well as the sale of the state’s power asset, allegations the former governor has denied.

Adebayo Shittu

she was admitted to the Fijian Bar and enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Fiji in 1991. While she was in Fiji, her services were transferred from Kaduna State Judiciary to FCT judiciary in 1991 as Magistrate Grade I. Upon return to the country, she assumed duty at FCT, where she was the only female Magistrate in the FCT. She rose through the ranks and became the first female Chief Magistrate in the FCT in 1996, wherein, she was moved to Judicial Administration as the first female Deputy Chief Registrar and Director Litigation, High Court of the FCT Abuja in 1997. She was appointed the first female Attorney General of Taraba State in 1997, she later returned to the FCT Judiciary after the handing over to a Democratically elected Government in May 1999 and continued in office as Director Litigation. She joined the PDP in 2005 and contested for the Taraba Central Senatorial district in 2011 under the platform of PDP and won. She was one of the senators who defected to the APC when the party came on board. Last year, she emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Taraba State but lost to the PDP candidate, Dairus Dickson Isaku and she is presently contesting the outcome of that election before the Taraba State election petition tribunal.

Kayode Fayemi Fayemi was former governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014. He lost his reelection bid to Ayodele Fayose in the June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. He is a Doctorate degree holder in War Studies and also former Director of the Centre for Democracy & Development, a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa. When he became Ekiti governor, Fayemi openly declared his assets and he is said to be the first governor in Nigeria to sign into law the Freedom of Information Act on July 4, 2011. He was also known for his frugality, a virtue that positively impacted in the state. Fayemi was the Chairman of APC National Convention Committee that organised the primary which produced Buhari as Presidential candidate of the party in the March 28 Presidential election.

Kemi Adeosun Adeosun was former Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State and she is said to be close to the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun , who is believed to have nominated her for the ministerial position. An Economics graduate, Adeosun is a member of the Institutes of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales, as well as Nigeria. A group known as the Organization of Financial Probity of financial had alleged financial impropriety against the former commissioner. Specifically, the group had accused Adeosun of dual citizenship, fraud, awarding contracts to her husband, manipulation of government records, and living above her income. Adeosun denied all the allegations, saying there was no truth in all the issues raised. She challenged the group to provide evidence of their claims.

Shittu, a legal practitioner and former Attorney General in Oyo state came from the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC wing of the APC. He was noted to have stood by his party and refused to defect even when he contested and lost the gubernatorial primary against Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Shittu hails from Saki which is said to be one of the politically maligned areas of Oyo State but regarded as the area that determined the outcome of the 2015 elections in the state. He had gathered a lot of experience in politics having been actively involved in political activities since 1979 and was also a gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo state.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu A first class chemical engineer from the university of Lagos, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, born on December 1, 1951, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, later proceeded to the University of California, UC Berkeley, California, USA, where he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemical Engineering in 1980. On his return to Nigeria, he started lecturing as the pioneer Head, Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, Acting Dean, Faculty of Engineering in 1985 and was also elected by Senate into the Governing Council of the University. In 1989, Dr. Onu served as a Director of the Nigeria Cement Company, Nigercem, Nkalagu; Visitor of Abia State University, Uturu. He was the pioneer National President of the Raw Materials Society of Nigeria; Member, Pioneer Board of Governors of the Federal Government Raw Materials Research and Development Council. In 1991, he was elected the first Governor of old Abia State. He commenced work on the establishment of a Technology Village and the introduction of computers into public schools. Onu was the National Chairman of ANPP before the party merged with three other parties to form the APC.

Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan Born September 16, 1959 in Jalingo, Taraba State, Aisha Jummai Alhassan graduated as a lawyer from the Ahmadu Bello University in 1985. She worked as a Magistrate Grade II in April 1988 in the Kaduna State Judiciary and later went for the Technical Aid Corps Programme of the Federal Ministry Of Foreign Affairs (on Secondment) to the Republic of Fiji from 1990 – 1992, where

Udoma Udo Udoma A recipient of the national Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Udoma Udo Udoma is a Senior Partner of Udo-Udoma & Belo-Osagie. Udoma and was a two-term member of the Nigerian Senate from 1999-2007 where he served variously as Chief Whip, Chairman of the Committee on National Planning, Revenue Mobilisation and Poverty Alleviation and Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He has been Chairman of UAC of Nigeria Plc since January 2, 2010. He served as the first Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission in 1991-1992 and is the part time Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He has served the nation in other roles such as Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1993 to March 1994. Udoma has been Chairman of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc since February 2013 and its Director since November 27, 2012. He served as Vice Chairman of Linkage Assurance Plc and serves as its Director. He has been a Director of Unilever Nigeria

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Issues and the intrigues

ing into private legal practice. Malami also served as the National Legal Adviser for the CPC and he is believed to be one of the closest advisers of Buhari. He has been one of the consistent members of the opposition right from 2003 till the victory of the APC in the March 28 Presidential election

Amina Mohammed

Onu

Ngige

Kachikwu

Plc since January 1, 2008 and UAC of Nigeria Plc since 1995. He serves as a Director of First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited. He served as Director of First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited. He holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Jurisprudence in 1976, a Bachelors of Civil Laws Degree and a Masters of Arts in 1977 from St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University.

Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige Born August 8, 1952, Ngige was governor of Anambra State from 29 May 2003 to 17 March 2006 under the PDP.. He was elected Senator for Anambra Central Constituency in April 2011. A medical doctor by profession, Ngige graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1979. He immediately went into the civil service, serving at the National Assembly and State House clinics at different times. He retired in 1998 as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry. Ngige was a founding member of the PDP and in 1999, he became the Assistant National Secretary and zonal secretary of PDP in the South East region of the country. In 2003, he was elected governor of Anambra State in controversial circumstances. He was later to break ranks with his political godfather, Chris Uba after unsuccessful attempt on July 10, 2003 to have him removed from office, through a fabricated letter of resignation, which the State House of Assembly surprisingly accepted. However, in August 2005, an election tribunal led by Justice Nabarum nullified Ngige’s 2003 victory. Ngige appealed against that judgment, but the annulment was confirmed on March 15, 2006 in a judgement awarding victory to Peter Obi. On February 6, 2010, Ngige again contested for the governorship of Anambra State, but lost. In April 2011, Ngige contested for the senatorial seat of Anambra Central, on the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN platform and won. Ngige’s tenure as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came to an end following his defeat in the 2015 election by Uche Ekwunife who replaced him as Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the senate.

General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) Born on March 14, 1954, Dambazau, is a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant General who served as Chief of Army Staff, COAS, between 2008 and 2010. Dambazau’s was in the Nigerian Defence

Alhassan

Academy Kaduna as a member of the 17 Regular Combatant Course. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in June 1977. He served as a military police officer, Aide De Camp to the Chief of Army Staff (1979), commanded military police units and served as a Special Investigator (1984-1985). He was Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy Sent from my iPad

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu Kachikwu, a man of multiple parts, came to his assignment as the Group Managing Director, GMD of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC blazing like a meteor. He graduated with honours from the Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and received seven of the available nine prizes in 1999. He holds the LLM Harvard Distinction and was best graduate in 1980 with specialization in Energy, Petroleum Law and Investment. Kachikwu set a record with a Ph.D/SJD Harvard Distinction, specializing in Petroleum and Investment Law Strategy after completing his doctoral thesis in a record time. With a H.Dip.T.L from Georgetown, the United States of America (USA), the new NNPC chief executive is a Fellow, Society for Corporate Governance (FSCG); Chartered Institute of Arbitration (FCIArb); Chartered Institute for Petroleum Policy, FCIPP and a Visiting professorship in various universities in the world including Harvard Law, his alma matter.

Mohammed

His appointment in July as new helmsman at the NNPC, has brought a lot of changes including resuscitation of the Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries that are working at appreciable capacity.

Hadi Sikirra Sikira is a trained pilot of several years experience. He was a member of the House from 2003-2007. While in the Green Chamber, he served as one of its most outspoken and brilliant. His legislative specialty was aviation and related matters, and he sponsored a number of legislations in that sector. Sikira won Senatorial election in 2011 to represent Katsina North Senatorial District under the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. While in the Senate from 2011-2015, he was Vice-Chairman of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Committee. As a member of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Sikira contributed immensely to the development of the aviation sector. Sirika, a strong supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, fought hard along the ex-General to oust ex-president Goodluck Jonathan from power. As a leader of the CPC, Sirika was the first to disclose last year that leaders of the party with its members from the legacy parties would endorse Buhari as Presidential candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

Abubakar Malami Milami, a lawyer with the enviable rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, was born in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 and has served in various capacities as State Counsel, Magistrate and Lecturer before go-

She was Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. Mohammed has been working in the field of development for more than 30 years both in the public sector and the private sector. She had also served as Senior Adviser to President of Nigeria on Millennium Development Goals for six years where she was in charge of designing and developing government projects to reduce poverty around the country. Between 2002 and 2005, she worked in the United Nations Millennium Project as a Coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and Education. In 1991, Mohammed founded Afri-Projects Consortium, a multi disciplinary firm of Engineers and Quantity Surveyors. She also worked with Archcon Nigeria in association with Norman and Dawbarn United Kingdom. Mohammed had served on many international advisory boards and panels such as the Gates Foundation and the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Sustainability Panel.

Lai Mohammed Alhaji Mohammed, a lawyer , business man and politician, is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC. He was born in 1952 and has a bachelor’s degree in French from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1975 and Law degrees from the University of Lagos and the Nigeria Law School in 1986. He co-founded the legal firm of Edu & Mohammed as a Senior Partner in 1989. He worked as Public Relations Officer for almost 10 years with the Nigerian Airport Authority, now Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria,FAAN. In October 2002, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was a candidate for governorship in the April 2003 Kwara State elections on the Alliance for Democracy, AD platform against the incumbent Senate President, Bukola Saraki who was then the governor of the state. Mohammed as the spokesperson of the opposition ACN and now the ruling APC remained the tormentor in chief against the PDP and his mastery use of propaganda earned him though pejoratively the title of Lai, the Liar by the PDP. He earned some popularity and his elevation as a minister will definitely afford him the opportunity to serve the nation in at a higher dimension.

Audu Ogbe Ogbeh was born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpe Benue State, of Idoma background. He attended Kings College Lagos (1967 - 1968), then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (1969 - 1972) and the University of Toulose, France (1973 - 1974). He lectured at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Group commends Buhari over Shittu’s appointment Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

resident Muhammadu Buhari has been lauded for including the name of Barrister Adebayo Shittu from Oyo State among the ministerial nominees sent to the National Assembly. The commendation was contained in a release signed by Mr. Doja Oladele and Mr. Jare Ajayi, Acting President and General Secretary respectively of Oke Ogun Development Council, ODC, and made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday. The Council is the umbrella organization for the people of Oke Ogun

area of Oyo State. “It is a known fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is a stickler for excellence. To enable him realize his noble objectives for a Nigeria of our dream, he needs people of equal mien as his lieutenants. Adebayo Shittu is a man of sterling qualities – integrity, finesse, incorruptibility, dedication to causes he believes in, hardwork, honesty, piety and of course, unquestionable patriotism – qualities he shares with Mr. President. This is why we believe that Shittu will be an asset to the present administration. He will be an asset to the Nigeria nation and certainly add immense

value”, the group said. While quoting the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the grassroots, non-religious and nonpolitical organization added that “since it takes the deep to call on the deep, it is not surprising that President Buhari nominated Bayo Shittu to come and contribute to the service of the nation at the national level.” It went further to observe that “going by the list of nominees as read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, 6th October, it was clear that President Buhari certainly took his time in choosing the Minister-designates. The nominees are people of sterling qualities who

will certainly assist Mr President in bringing the much desired and much vaunted change”. On the alleged reservation of some elements against Shittu’s nomination, the ODC said there is no basis whatsoever for opposing his planned appointment, saying “we have gone through issues raised and found no substance whatsoever in their allegations.” “How, for instance, is an attempt to contest in a primary election that was thrown open tantamount to having no sense of team-playing? And in what way could that be a reason to disqualify a person to serve as Minister?”, it added.

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Buhari’s ministers as change agents; Issues and the intrigues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

University, Zaria (1972 - 1976) and headed the Department of Humanities, Murtala Muhammed College of Arts, Science and Technology (1977 - 1979). In 1979, he ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, becoming deputy speaker of the house. In 1982 he was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office ended in December 1983 when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power. In 2001 he was appointed National Chairman of the PDP, replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade. He held this position until January 2005, when he was forced to resign. He later joined APC and becomes one of his leaders. If his nomination sails through, he would be making a record as one politician privileged to be screened in 1982 by Dr. Olusola Saraki, then leader of the senate as well as his son, Bukola Saraki, the present senate president.

Ahmed Musa Ibeto

L-R: National President NULGE Comrade Khaleel Ibrahim; Delta State Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Bright Edejeghro; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and President, NULGE, Delta State, Comrade David Ofoeyeno, at the Commissioning of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Secretariat, Delta State Chapter in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday.

... Ekiti APC praises him over Fayemi’s nomination Ayo Esan

he All Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti State has commended and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating former Governor Kayode Fayemi as a member of the Federal Executive Council. It said by that gesture, the President was sending a signal that hard work and vision to faithfully serve the nation would not be overlooked in the reward system of his administration. The party through its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti,

that Buhari’s gesture was also a testimony to the life of honour and devotion to duty which marked out Fayemi as a dependable and forthright compatriot always eager to lend himself to patriotic service of the nation. The APC spokesman assured the President that he had made a right choice and could always count on Fayemi as a dependable lieutenant, always eager to advance the course of democracy and good governance, which hallmarked the President’s change agenda to lift the country out of poverty and restore hope among Nigerians. “Fayemi fits into the

change agenda espoused by President Buhari. In the four years as the governor of Ekiti State, he raised the bar of good governance and posted benefits of democratic representative governance to the level never witnessed in the state since its creation. “We are rest assured that he will bring the same spirit to bare in steering the wheel of the change agenda to the satisfaction of the President and to the applause of Nigerians,” Olatunbosun said. He urged those allegedly nursing scheme to scuttle his screening to have a change of heart, as Fayemi was a rare breed who

had set an international benchmark that could not be rubbished by local discontent fueled by political prejudices. “Fayemi is an international scholar whose services are needed in all four corners of the world. His pedigree and practical demonstration of his abilities had been tested in his many life-lifting programmes and infrastructure development schemes in Ekiti State. “Besides, this is his record of transparency and accountability in Ekiti State, which we believe is what propelled President Buhari to pick him as the minister.

Former Niger State Deputy Governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto could be considered as one politician who is very lucky with the present leadership which informs why less than 10 months after he dumped the PDP, for the APC, he is now being rewarded with the ministerial position. Before his decamping, Ibeto was seen as a favorite to occupy the Niger state government house but for the refusal of the then chief servant, Babangida Aliyu to throw the race open as he publicly sided with his former chief of staff, Ahmed Nasko who eventually clinched the PDP ticket. The source stated that Ibeto sought a private audience with Aliyu to find out why he has refused to endorse him. “I have served you for eight years and I have been very loyal to you, why have you refused to endorse me?” Ibeto asked Aliyu. Unable to get this answer, Ibeto had no alternative than to move to APC and was personally received by General Buhari who was in the state for the presidential campaign rally. His collaboration with the APC governorship candidate brought the electoral vic-

tory, hence the reward.

Solomon Dalung Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung was born on the 26th of September 1964 in the town of Sabon Gida in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau state. He had his primary school education at Local Education Authority Primary School Sabon Gida town in Langtang South Local Government Area from 1971 to 1977. He then proceeded to Government College Keffi, currently in Nassarawa State, for his secondary school education. Dalung chose to join the Nigerian Prisons Service in the early eighties. In 1991 while still in the Prisons Service, he enrolled to study Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Jos. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, in Abuja, graduated in 2000 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001 and later LLM. He was appointed Personal Assistant to Chief Solomon Lar, CON, when Lar was appointed as Adviser Emeritus to President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area. As Chairman of Langtang South, he also served as the Plateau State Deputy Chairman and later Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, ALGON up till May 2008. He made an attempt at representing Langtang North and South at the National Assembly but lost. He is one nominee who has very little political background but could also be a surprise addition who could be of immense value to the government.

Dr Osagie E. Ehanire Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire is an outstanding surgeon and holds an (MD) of college of Medicine, Ludwig Maximillians University, Munich. He also holds post graduate Diplomas from the Teaching Hospital of the University of Düsseldorf and Essen, Germany in the areas of Anaesthesiology, General Surgery, and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery. Dr. Osagie has served on various medical Boards both within and outside Nigeria. He was also Edo State Coordinator of General Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation.

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Deziani’s arrest and Nigeria’s anti-corruption battle CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

oth Nigerian and foreign media recently sparkled with the electrifying news of the arrest in London of Mrs. Deziani Alison-Maduekwe, immediate past Minister of Petroleum, over allegations of money-laundering. Accordinåg to the Sun of London, the former minister allegedly attempted to launder a whopping £13 billion (about N3.9 trillion)! The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is said to have obtained court permission to temporarily seize £27,000 of the funds. Now, while not pre-judging the merit or otherwise of this allegation - caution should be exercised to allow the law to take its cause - nonetheless, on the face of it, there could be no denying something very sinister must have taken place. Top class public officials of foreign nations, whether present or former, are not just arrested in the developed world just for the fun of it. It should be taken for granted that authorities over there would have done their homework and there must be some kind of prima facie evidence suggesting financial impropriety or aberration

of the law before the UK law enforcement agents act. This development constitutes yet another devastating embarrassment to Nigeria with its image taking yet another bashing. Nigeria is seen as a land where corruption thrives and nothing else works! Many potential investors have by-passed her for countries that have far less potential for high return on investment, but where corruption is less severe. Back home, the responses to the Deziani saga have ranged from incredulity, especially in relation to the amount allegedly involved, to outrage and with many people angrily demanding her immediate prosecution, and to sheer sarcasm. A friend upon hearing the news reacted sarcastically thus: “Whatever a man can do, a woman can do better” Be that as it may, it is an unfortunate fact that anytime there is a widely reported case of monumental fraud, bribery or money laundering involving a public figure, whether or not the allegation is true, the embers of corruption glowing all over the land would be further fanned as people become more disillusioned. Corruption has percolated every strand of our national life. In sport, politics, social life, and even religious circles, no matter where you look, fat maggots of corruption are wriggling with euphoria in the putrefying rot that is the Nigerian system. Officials of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), through creative billing system, slammed bills on electricity consumers that are not reflective of their actual electic-

ELITIST PROFLIGACY OR CORRUPTION IN THE FULL GLARE OF FAMISHED POPULACE BREEDS

DISTRUST, APATHY, ANGER AND ITS CONCOMITANT SOCIAL TENSION ity consumption; the same bills may be re-doctored if you are ready to “settle” the officials. Many traffic wardens on the streets shamelessly sell the “right” to ply one-way roads to impatient motorists and thus contribute to traffic anarchy. You go to the markets, you are shortchanged by conmen in the name of merchants. Many religious leaders are simply spiritual highway men who artfully and “piously” milk their followers and dispossess them of earthly resources upon the promises of heavenly ones. And not a few members of the executive and legislative arms of government are neck deep in corruption, while the sacred judiciary is not totally immune. Many people have accepted this state of affairs as a way of life, and would simply resort to ripping off others to offset their own exploitation! The society seems to have settled into some sort of negative equilibrium. Yet, there are many good Nigerians, who are honest, hardworking, and lovers of virtues, but these are daily being

disenchanted by the system. They have become endangered species in the reality of the prevailing culture. Even moral enthusiasts, who have managed to be aloof from the corruption bug, are still daily in great danger of contagion. A number of anti-corruption suggestions have been offered over the years. They range from enhanced and severe punishment for corrupt people; comprehensive institutionalisation of foolproof checks and control system, to divestment of the executives of the power to directly award contracts. Many past governments had shouted to high heavens on their resolve to fight corruption and emancipate the nation, but there had always been ostensible want of synch between what is preached and what is practised. The link between poverty, deprivation and dysfunctional systems has been well documented by the sociologists and political scientists. Each time certain fund is announced to be missing from the nation’s coffers to the consternation of the suffering masses, corruption seed once again sprouts and blossoms into a vegetation of magnificent foliage. To me, the best way for us to start the fight against graft is to get things right from the top. Nigerian leaders must lead by example for the country to work. Elitist profligacy or corruption in the full glare of famished populace breeds distrust, apathy, anger and its concomitant social tension. Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

Buhari and the Treasury Single Account MICHAEL JEGEDE

ince his assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari has not left anyone in doubt of his resolve to fight corruption as part of the change he promised Nigerians during his electioneering. Most of his actions so far have clearly shown that we are certainly in an era of change, geared towards achieving a better Nigeria where it would no longer be business as usual. The recent directive by him that all revenues due to the Federal Government must be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or designated accounts maintained and operated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been described by many as a welcome development. It is seen as one of the best measures adopted by the current administration in its fight against corruption, a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the nation’s fabrics, and kept us in a terribly precarious situation, despite the huge human and natural resources we are blessed with. According to Eze Onyekpere, the Lead Director of Centre for Social Justice, an Abuja-based civil society group, “The TSA is a process and tool for effective management of government’s finances, banking and cash position. In accordance with the name, it pools and unifies all government accounts through a single treasury account… The consolidation into a TSA paves way for the timely capture and payment of all due revenues into government coffers without

THE NATION’S BANKS WOULD BE LOSING ABOUT

N2 TRILLION DEPOSITS TO THE CBN, WITH THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

TSA

the intermediation of multiple banking arrangements...” However, some fears have been raised about the policy. One of such major concerns as noted by Peter Agada, a Lagos-based financial analyst, is that the implementation of the policy will have a spiral effect on the entire Nigerian banking industry. The commercial banks, observed Salihu Mohammed, a Benin-based financial pundit, may be left with no option than to downsize. It has even been reported that since the announcement, some of the banks have commenced the layoff of some of their staff on the excuse that they would no longer be able to maintain them given the massive withdrawals of funds by the MDAs from their existing accounts in compliance with the directive. According to reports, the nation’s banks would be losing about N2 trillion deposits to the CBN, with the implementation of the TSA. This may have been the reason why bank treasurers, in countering the policy, have argued that the implementation would adversely affect liquidity in the banking system and end up putting pressure on interest rates and availability of credit to the

economy. Notwithstanding some of the worries raised against the TSA concept, most Nigerians seem to be pleased with its implementation. It is believed, as pointed out by John Ocheni, a Lokojabased business entrepreneur, that scattering government funds in different commercial banks serve as conduits for the perpetration of fraud by government officials in the MDAs. This new method is expected to block such leakages, thus enhancing openness and accountability in the running of government businesses. Justifying the new TSA order, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia had this to say: “The position of the constitution is that all revenues are supposed to go into the Federation Account. Before now all agencies were allowed to generate revenue, use part of it to fund their operations and then remit the operating surplus to the Federation Account. But this act is a further confirmation of the Federal Government’s resolve that the provision of the constitution must be adhered to. And with all revenues going into a single treasury account, government will have an overview of the money it has in its account and better plan its expenditure…So, there is a better control and management of government revenue.” In his own reaction, Odilim Enwegbara, a development economist, commended the efforts of Buhari, saying “with

TSA leading to the closure of about 10,000 multiple bank accounts operated by MDAs in commercial banks, banks will have to wake up from their slumber. This is because the era when government’s money is either lent back to government or invested in forex speculations is over… With TSA, government can easily quarantine its revenues, with intended consequences including forcing interest rates to naturally nose-dive, since no serious business should be ready to borrow at such double digit rates when the economy is struggling at between four and five per cent…” The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, has repeatedly said there was nothing to fear about the movement of Federal Government funds from the banks to the CBN, insisting that it would not have any major The Federal Government had set a deadline of September 15, 2015 for all MDAs to comply with the new policy. The Accountant General of Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, recently said that in spite of the teething challenges, the exercise has recorded huge success. This development, to me, is a clear indication that change has actually come. Michael Jegede, a journalist and public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja and can be reached on 07065574368 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 October 8, 2015

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

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

Reprieve for Nigeria on polio scourge

hile the just ended 70th General Assembly of the United Nations was ongoing in New York, United States late September, reports credited to the World Health Organization said Nigeria had successfully arrested the transmission of polio in the country. Nigeria, before accomplishing the milestone, counted among three countries, the rest being Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the transmission of wild polio virus responsible for most cases of polio was prevalent. Still left in the lurch, however, were Pakistan and Afghanistan. We recall that sometime in July, this year, reports projected Nigeria as the latest country to finally rid itself of polio infestation. The country, it was also said, had been declared polio-free for a year. Ellyn Ogden of the USAID, who had been working on Polio eradication in Nigeria for 17 years, reportedly told the VOA that national pride was what motivated the Nigerian government to push its efforts to end the transmission of the virus. She said it was barely a few years ago that things started coming together; particularly when the government started working on closing the gaps and partnering for support with the United Nations and

other organizations, NGOs, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, as well as the masses to solve intervening problems and reach every Nigerian child with polio immunization. Some of the challenges Nigeria in partnership with USAID had to overcome in the process, according to Ellyn, included educating the general populace about polio, tracking nomadic people and making sure their children were immunized; and immunizing in the northern region of the country during the lulls of civil unrest. Indeed, earlier reports say roughly three years ago, the elimination of polio from Nigeria appeared a mission impossible. In the 1980s, the highly infectious and potentially destructive ailment that cripples the nervous system reportedly paralyzed 1,000 children per day; and by 2012, the country recorded more than half of all of the polio cases globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had, in 1988, launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), setting the year 2000 as the target for subduing the killerdisease worldwide. But the new date set lately targets 2017 for the certification of Nigeria as poliofree, an indication that the country has a lot more work to do to curb the disease. The projection

IN THE 1980S, THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DESTRUCTIVE AILMENT THAT CRIPPLES THE NERVOUS SYSTEM REPORTEDLY PARALYZED

1,000

CHILDREN PER DAY is that if Nigeria can stay poliofree for two more years (2016 and 2017), the virus would no longer exist in Africa; and WHO would be more confident to certify the entire African continent poliofree. The need to meet the new target, most probably, drove the recent meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with governors of polio-prone states and some prominent advocacy groups in Abuja; as well as the President’s charge that all hands should be on deck to ensure the certification of Nigeria as poliofree by 2017. Buhari had on that occasion vigorously canvassed the need for children and wards to be presented for immunisation; and that state governments should closely supervise polio eradication programmes in their domains. We view the presidential

ON THIS DAY

October 8, 1982

October 8, 2001

Poland banned ‘Solidarity’ and all trade unions. Solidarity, full name: Independent Self-governing Trade Union Solidarity, is a Polish trade union federation that emerged on August 31, 1980 at the Gdansk Shipyard under the leadership of Lech Walesa. It was the first non–communist party-controlled trade union in a Warsaw Pact country. Solidarity had 9.5 million members before its September 1981 Congress.

United States’ President George W. Bush announced the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security. The cabinet department was created in response to the September 11 terror attacks; and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the US, its territories (including protectorates) from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters.

intervention as timely, considering the formidable obstacles the anti-polio drive encountered in some parts of the North in the 1990s, when parents in the affected areas resisted the immunization of their children for reasons associated with morbid fear of the unknown, cultural or religious inclinations. Luckily, that era of darkness is over, with massive public confidence in the project, the cooperation of traditional and religious leaders, as well as rural dwellers up North. With the commendable progress the country has posted so far in controlling the affliction, the government should spare no effort to ensure that polio is completely kicked out of the country even before the 2017 date set for formal certification. Like experts say, with a safe and effective vaccine (which has been made available since 1955), the world can now look forward to a future that is polio-free. For Nigeria, however, Carol Pandek, head of Rotary International’s polio programme, has this advice: “Now they need to continue to do high quality immunization campaigns for the next several years, as well as a strong surveillance system so, should there be any new cases, they can be identified as soon as possible”.

October 8, 2005 Thousands of people were killed by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The earthquake centered in the Pakistan administered Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad. As of November 8, the government of Pakistan’s official death toll was 75,000. The severity of the damage caused by the earthquake is attributed to severe up-thrust, coupled with poor construction works.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today 6-3-3-4 system hasn’t achieved desired result, says ex-minister 20

Our rewards not commensurate with work —Teachers …want retirement age at 65

Tunbosun Ogundare

t is unarguable that teachers are not only a means to implement educational goals, they are also key to sustainability and national capacity in achieving learning and creating societies based on knowledge, values and ethics. But as salient as their contributions are, their rewards are not the same across the nations of the world. While developed countries like the United Kingdom, US, Canada and China, among others make the profession attractive as other fields of endeavours by giving their teachers competitive salaries and welfare packages, among other benefits, the story is not the same in some countries like Nigeria Here, teaching is not only unattractive as it has become a last resort for job seekers, teachers are poorly remunerated and equally confronted with lots of other challenges. However, every October 5 has been set aside as a special day by the United Nation Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) for teachers. On such occasion, they have the opportunity of highlighting their challenges and make demand on government and other relevant stakeholders to make the system better. They equally mark the day with march past and other activities. And this year’s edition with a slogan: “Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies” was held on Monday worldwide. In Nigeria, the occasion was marked almost in the same way and with usual complains against the unfavorable state of the system under which they operate. At the centre, the President of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Michael Olukoya on behalf of members identified many challenges confronting

Class in session (below) Lagos techers from Ikeja Local Government during this year’s World Teacher’s Day on Monday

Every graduate should be able to get to grade level 17 before retirement irrespective of level of education under which they work.

them. He spoke about salary irregularity apart from not enough, lack of working tools, poor and inadequate facilities, policy inconsistency, corruption, and lack of political will. Olukoga particularly frowned at some states which received

My joy as a teacher, by ex-vice principal 26

bailout funds from the Federal Government to settle their workers including the teachers who are being owed several months salaries and yet divert the money to something else. According to him, apart from the fact that non-payment of salaries to workers is a criminal

offence, it is inhuman for any employer to deny his workers of their emolument for a month let alone for several months. He also expressed concern over what he termed discrimination in the terminal salary grade levels between graduates who teach in the primary and those in the secondary schools in various states. He argued that remuneration and career structures ought to be based according to qualification and not necessarily the level where one teaches.

‘Sales of handouts remain banned at AAU’ 21

‘‘

According to him, while university graduates in primary schools cannot go beyond grade level 14 before retirement, their counterparts in the secondary get to 15 or at times 16 before retirement while those in the mainstream ministry even gets to the peak which is level 17. To him, such treatment is not only condemnable, but totally unacceptable and therefore demanding justice, equity and fairplay from government and its CONTINUE ON PAGE 23

‘Why govt must declare state of emergency on education’ 22

Education Today

Thursday, October 8, 2015

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FUNAAB VC advocates fusion of academic with vocation education Saidat Alausa

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Prof. Olusola Oyewole has stressed the need to incorporate academic and vocational programmes in institutions of higher learning in the country in order to produce sound graduates. He said this at the 3-day workshop on “Enterprise ‘Start Up’ Initiatives for Job and Wealth Creation among FUNAAB Youth Entrepreneurs,” organised by the Gender Issues and Youth Development (GIYD) Programme of the University. According to the vicechancellor, for the country to overcome the high rate of youth unemployment, increased rate of enterprise failure and abject poverty, especially among Nigerian graduates, academic education must be complemented with skill acquisition, entrepreneurship and vocational education. Professor Oye-

wole, who is also the President of the Association of African Universities (AAU), lamented the fact that millions of Nigerian youths acquire education without knowing what the future holds for them, due to high unemployment in the country. The VC, who was represented by Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya, the Director, Community-based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), called for the institution of vocational training and skills acquisition in Agribusiness for youths in tertiary institutions as a panacea to unemployment and job creation. “It should be noted that the technical, vocational and entrepreneurship education has been an integral part of national development strategies in many societies because of its impact on productivity and economic development. Vocational education is another means of empowering people in order to better their lives, and holds the key to national development and also makes for youth self-reliance”.

Students welfare, solution to cultism —Kwara Poly Rector Dare Akogun

ector Kwara State Polytechnic Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu ascribed the seemingly peaceful atmosphere and reduction of vices in the institution to the inclusion of students in the scheme of things that affects them in the institution Elelu disclosed it is a common phenomenon in Nigerian higher institutions that Students Union Election is usually brutal because of vested interest from certain quarters, but since the assumption in 2009, about five SUG elections had been held under peaceful atmosphere because the management gave them free hands to choose their leaders. He pointed that the institution always take part in the election of union leaders by supervision the whole process from beginning to the end, where elections were held in auditorium, ballot boxes were placed in front of the Rector and the counting done in the full glare of the students. According to him, “After the process the losers will openly congratulate the winners of the elections which are keenly contested.

“The Management did not only give them free hand but went a little bit beyond that, especially in the area of managing their funds and instilled the sense of responsibility in every SUG government in such a way that the SUG levy is put as part of school fees. “The leadership of the Polytechnic do ask for the SUG budget to know what they want to do after the approval of the parliament, they are then advised to do something for the Polytechnic from the budget thereby teaching them the value of social responsibility. “Management handover the money but always task them to present a proposal on how the money will be spent, and they have been forthcoming embarking on numerous projects within the school for the usage and benefits of the students,” he stated. Elelu also added that as part of the institution’s effort to improve students’ welfare and ensure they had a conducive environment for learning, all full-time students of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, now have access to quality healthcare services through registration in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.

L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Muhammed Uwais; Deputy Governor, Plateau State, Datong Longjan and ViceChancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vincent Tenebe during the launch of “Nigeria, The Way Through Corruption to the Well-being of a Purpose” authored by Dr. Abdullahi Shehu in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Henry Iyorkase Makurdi

he Second Republic Minister for Education, Mrs. Lucy Aluor has said the 6-3-3-4 education system had not achieved it purpose several years after introduction. She made the observation during an exclusive chat with National Mirror in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Tuesday, saying the policy was good but for poor implementation. The former minister who also blamed parents and teachers for aiding children to cheat in examinations pointed out that the consequence of such attitude is the production of half-baked graduates who in turn reproduce themselves into the system. She also decried the prevailing moral decadence,

6-3-3-4 system hasn’t achieved desired result, says ex-minister especially among children as well as the inability of many graduates to communicate effectively in simple grammar, saying all that ose nowhereby parents teachers also threw away morales to the dustbin leading to the introduction of ‘understanding fee’ for those who intend to pass exams by hook or crook with good grades . She also stressed that unlike during the pre colonial era pupils in public schools from standard three and above can efficiently communicate both in written and vocal brilliance was an asset among peers. The former Principal of Government College Makurdi stressed that all the core values of education has been

thrown to the dustbin including their wards were after where they can secure good grades in exchange for monetization instead of learning to assimilate what has been taught. When I look at the declining state of education these days it beats my imagination because people are lazy while many students have often complained of technological distractions which have further heighten the declining value of education in the country. The “iron lady” as nick named by her admirers further buttressed that Some of the factors militating against the decay in education includes over indulgence in the social media, entertainment

No fire outbreak in King’s College —Mgt Tunbosun Ogundare

he management of King’s College, Lagos has debunked a media report claiming that a section of the school was gutted by fire recently. It will be recalled that a national daily and broadcast media had reported of case of fire incidence at King’s College without ascertaining a particular section and the period of the incident. However, the Principal of the college, Otunba Dele

Olapeju Olapeju in a press release debunked the report, saying it was not true. He pointed out that the report which he described

he winner of the maiden edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year award will be announced on Monday, 12th October, 2015, at a grand ceremony in Lagos. The award which is strictly for now for teachers in public secondary schools nationwide was instituted by the Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives to restore the pride of teachers and the dignity of teaching profession in the country. However, the overall winner will

as unfounded and imagination of the college’s detractors threw the parents and guardians of the students of the school as well as other members of the public into panicking as those among them who could not rush to the college made phone calls not only to sympathise but also to ask for their children safety. Otunba cautioned journalists to always investigate and confirm the truth about information giving to them by would-be their sources before going to press, saying that was the only way to help

as well as the copy and paste attitude which computer and phones Internet connectivity has afforded this generation of youngsters. The Proprietress of Our lady of Perpetual Help College maintained that drastic measures should be taken against people who cheat in examinations by outrightly dismissing such facilitators and also sanctioning the institution that perpetuates the act. She decried the 6-3-3-4 system of education adding that the system has not achieved the desired purpose and called on the Federal government to revive the grade two teachers training colleges to revive the structure in the country.

the society. In view of this, he said,”The King’s College management is using this medium to challenge those reporters behind the negative and distorted information about our school to proof their reports by showing the portion the fire gutted and if indeed there was any fire outbreak in the college,” Otunba argued that while there was nothing to hide, the management would not be distracted from carrying on with its transformation agenda.

Maltina to present Teacher of the Year emerge from the 10 finalists screened by the panel of judges from hundreds of competitors that entered for the award at the preliminary stage. The national winner will get N1m and additional N1m every year for the next five years, a plague and certificate and with his or her school becomes a beneficiary of infrastructural development and projects worth N25m. The first runner-up will go home with N750, 000 while the 2nd runner-

up will get N500, 000. The Panel of Judges which comprises eminent Nigerian academics and professionals has Prof. Pat Utomi, Founder/CEO of Centre for Values in Leadership at its chairman. Others are Mrs. Mopelola Omoegun, Professor of Education at the University of Lagos; Prof. Thomas Ofuya, Vice Chancellor, Wellspring University as well as Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, ThisDay Newspapers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

YABATECH rector commends staff school teachers Saidat Alausa

he Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo has commended teachers all over the world, especially those working in staff school of the college. She said the teachers were commendable mostly in view of their crucial role of mentoring the nation’s youngsters for a better tomorrow. Ladipo, in a message to mark this year’s 2015 World Teachers’ Day and made available to National Mirror commended the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for celebrating teachers, whom she called the “unsung heroes and heroines of nation building,” and for highlighting their contributions towards the education and development of children and young adults around the world. “The coming of the 2015 edition of the celebration shortly after the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an indication that teachers have a pivotal role to play in empowering the populace for a

Olawaseun Bolaji

o fewer than five public secondary schools in Lagos will represent Nigeria at this year’s world Robot Olympiad (WRO) event in Doha, Qatar later in the year following their performances at the 2015 Robotics Competition organized by Arc Lights Limited. Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo who disclosed in this Lagos today noted that the Schools are Ojota Senior High School, Ojota; Apapa Senior High School, Apapa; Army Cantonment Girls Senior High School, Ojo; Oke-Afa Junior College, Oke-Afa, Isolo; and Lagos State Junior Model College, Badore. Ariyo noted that the robotics competition is aimed at making students to learn how to build and program robots while applying their knowledge of Mathematics, Sciences, Creative Art, Communication skills and

Education Today

Thursday, October 8, 2015

world that provides impetus for global development and fulfillment,” she said. The rector called for concerted efforts to further motivate teachers to do their jobs without fear or favour, and to effectively discharge their duties to a world that is technologically driven. “On our part at Yabatech, we will continue to encourage scholars who want to embark on further studies, encourage research and supply equipment, as well as provide necessary wherewithal for the delivery of knowhow which is the sine qua non for technological breakthrough and growth.” Ladipo noted that her six-year administration had vastly expanded the College space stock and built on its carrying capacity for improved access to education as well as reduced the number of willing and brilliant students roaming the streets. The College has also been able to provide furniture and equipment across all departments to aid the teaching and learning process, while new programmes are being introduced. The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) is held every October 5 to commemorate the signing in 1966 of the UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.

Lagos to represent Nigeria in World Robotic Olympiad all other things they have learned in the classroom to solve real life problems. According to her, no fewer than 130 public and private schools nationwide participated in the Competition comprising of 31 senior secondary schools, 42 junior secondary schools and 57 primary schools. She pointed out that the competition was contested in two categories namely open category involving primary, junior and senior secondary schools and the regular category involving junior and senior secondary schools. In the open category competition, she averred that each school were asked to build a robot that performed certain tasks in accordance with the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2015 theme, Robots Explorers while in the regular category, two different tasks, treasure hunt and mountaineering, were given to the students.

Sales of handouts remain banned at AAU —VC

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun speaks with some journalists about his vision and plans for the institution.YOMI AYELESO, a 300-level Business Administration student of the university brings the excerpt.

Ajibefun You have spent nine months as the vice-chancellor of this university, how has it been so far? We thank God for everything. The journey, though challenging, has been a smooth one. We are working according to plan. What are the challenges you are referring to? The major one which is not peculiar to us in Nigeria let alone this institution is that of paucity of funds. We don’t have enough funds to work with. You should note that we don’t receive regular subvention from the government. But God has been helping us to cope. To keep on taking care of several needs that require finances. But honestly speaking, it has not been that easy. But I believe every other vice-chancellor in the country will have similar story. Then, what are your plans for the university? My vision for the university has mentioned it everywhere, and I will repeat it here. It is to sustain the enviable height the university has reached and also build on it and take the institution to higher level in terms of academic standards, infrastructural development that will make the environment more conducive for learning and teaching. The university is highly recognised as one of the best in Nigeria in terms of academic standards and infrastructural facilities. By the grace of God, we are going to sustain these and take the university to higher level than that. That is one area I will focus on. But how do you want to achieve all these in view of the financial crisis confronting the state? Well, this is a condition that is beyond us. Therefore, it is what is available that will be allocated to us. Naturally, there are financial crisis. Many states owed their workers several months’ salaries.

But we want to thank God that AAU has been able to pay its workers up to date. We owe no worker salary. And we shall continue to improve on our internally generated revenues to enable us raise more money to meet our needs. What are your expectations from members of staff and the students? This is simple. Every person in the university is a stakeholder. So, all members of staff as well as the students have respective key role to play to move this university forward. Students must continue to remain peaceful as the university wants to sustain the peace currently enjoying. They must go about their studies in a way that will enhance good results. They should support every move of the university to continue to maintain our stable academic calendar. Students with brilliant ideas- the ideas that can improve our academic programmes and the image of the university as well as boosting our IGR- will be encouraged to come up with such ideas. The university is ready to support them. For members of staff, we want them to give our students that best training that can make them globally competitive. Academic staffers are expected to also come up with fantastic research ideas that can promote the image of the university and enhance their capability.

hands on any handout to send it across to me as a proof. But I haven’t seeing anyone done that. You know at times, we need to samples as proof. So, I have asked both members of staff and the students who have access to any handout on sales to send it to my office. They don’t need to make themselves known to me. They can do that secretly. All they need to do is to envelop such handout and drop it in my office in a confidential manner. The university will then wait for my action. So, as far as AAU is concerned, we have zero tolerance for corruption. Selling of handouts will water down our quality and image as a university. So, I want to reassure anybody with such information of full protection. In Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo(RUGIPO) where I was before as a Rector, the sale of handouts was seen as an aberration and it was totally banned till I left there. What is the school doing in fixing the Solar Powered systems destroyed by wild wind sometime ago and which has caused serious setback and challenges to students at night on campus? All that I knew was that the rainstorm destroyed some electric poles and we have since fixed them. I was not aware that some solar powered systems were also destroyed. Now after this interview, I will ask the Director of Works to give me a report on that. Electricity is important. We have to put on electricity particularly at night so that hoodlums will not take advantage of darkness to do their evil.

Successive student leaders in this university have always been alleged of inflating capital projects they embarked upon during their tenure, how do you want to prevent such recurrence? You know Student Union Government is for the students. You put people in position of authority to be your student leaders in various capacities, you can also ask them questions about the way they spend such money that is meant for Sir, we observed that sale of particular projects. If you suspect any handouts which was banned by the dubious practices, you can report such previous administration is gradual- through the Office of the Dean of Stuly returning, what is your position dents. The university will then take it up in this regard? and act appropriately. The ban on sales of handouts remains as far as this administration is How do you want to leave AAU? concerned. What I am saying is that By the grace of God, my plan is to leave the sale of handouts by any lecturer in this university far better that I met it. CurAAU is illegal. It is an abnormal situa- rently, AAU is one of the best universition for a university to encourage lec- ties in the country. As a matter of fact, it turers selling handouts to students or is currently ranked the best among state extorting money from them. Some peo- universities nationwide. Even at that, we ple had mentioned the issue to me and are not comfortable. We want it go higher I asked whoever that can lay his or her the more.

Education Today

Etisalat boosts FG College Kano Justina Kingsley

s part of its Adopt—A-School Initiative efforts, a telecommunication network provider in the country, Etisalat Nigeria has renovated some facilities at Girls’ Government College, Dala, Kano State and handed them over to the school for use. The company also donated some items to aid learning in the school. The state’s Deputy Governor, who doubles as Commissioner for Education, Professor Hafiz Abubakar inaugurated the facilities, which cost the company millions of naira. The facilities include the ICT centre equipped with computers, a library which was fitted with furniture and books, Kwankwaso Hostel Block, a modern science laboratory, solar-powered potable water facility and seven classrooms with chairs and tables. Speaking about the intervention programme, the Vice-President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs of the company, Ibrahim Dikko said the gesture was part of the company’s contributions to boost education in the state and by extension the entire “So, what we have done in this regard as a company is to create an enabling environment for conducive learning teaching which in turn will drive improvement in the country’s education development, “he said. Represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, Dikko reiterated the company’s commitment to partnering with the Kano State Government in achieving its developmental goals in critical areas particularly education. In his remark, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar thanked the Etisalat for the intenvion, saying it would in no small measure help the Abdullahi Gandujeled administration in achieving its objective of providing education for all including the girl-child. According to him, Kano State needs about 15,000 classrooms in its secondary schools to enable them admit more primary school levers. He however called for more support from the company and other corporate body and well-to-do individuals for education and other sectors, noting that government could not do it all alone.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tunbosun Ogundare

Professor of Strategy and Development at Oxford University, United Kingdom, Mr. Anthony Kila has urged Nigerian government at all levels to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, saying it was only through such radical step that the country could overcome its major challenges, especially unemployment, poverty, criminal activities and corruption. He gave the advice in an exclusive interview with National Mirror in Lagos, arguing that it would be impossible for any country to grow economically and in other areas of life without providing sound education for citizenry. Prof Kila who is also the Director of Studies at the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, CIAPS in Lagos noted that sound education started with the types of curricula in operation from primary to tertiary education. According to him, curricular at each level of education anywhere in the world ought to be tailored along the economic needs of such country with ref-

5th (L-R:) Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Taiwo Abioye; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo; Registrar, Pastor Olusegun Olamide; Dean Post Graduate School, Prof. Shalom Chinedu; Dean, College of Leadership Studies, Prof. Charles Ogbulogu and other deans at the orientation programme for new students of the Post Graduate School, last weekend.

Why govt must declare state of emergency on education —Kila erence to global market by extension. “But it is frightening that most times in Nigeria, we go after what type of educational certificates somebody acquired and not what the person can offer before hiring their services and that kind of thing cannot help us grow as a nation ,” he stressed. Prof. Kila, who bemoaned the

Abiodun Nejo Ado Ekiti

s part of efforts to motivate teachers to ensure qualitative output in primary and secondary schools, outstanding teachers in Ekiti State have been rewarded with brand new cars. It was on the occasion of the 2015 World Teachers Day in the state where a headmistress, Mrs. Rachel Talabi, also emerged the headmaster-general, and got a brand new Kia Soul car gift as well. The state governor also on the occasion appointed three tutors-general, one from each senatorial district, with the promise of more goodies for teachers. The lucky teachers, Mrs. Olayinka Akindele of St John Primary School, Emure Ekiti(Best Primary School Teacher 2015) and Mr Ife Adeola of Ijaloke

poor state of Nigeria education 55 years after attaining political freedom however said all hands must have to be on deck to be able to move the sector the a desirable level. Teachers according to him would need to be regularly upgraded with skills and knowledge that would make them impart meaningfully on their

students while the government on their part to commit substantial resources and provide enabling environment in the sector. While urging the students not only to improve on their reading habit but to read materials that would make their lives better, he said parents must not take a back seat in the development process.

Ekiti doles out cars to teachers Grammar School, Emure Ekiti (Best Secondary School Teacher 2015) rode home in brand new Kia Soul cars each courtesy of the state government. Adeola, who emerged the best teacher in the secondary schools category, who promised that he would continue to put in his best in the interest of advancing education in the state and the nation, advised his colleagues that “hard work pays” as he thanked the governor for the gesture. NUT State Chairman, Mr. Kayode Akosile, who appreciated the present administration in the state for according teachers recognition, however, requested “harmonisation for teachers’ promotion to take care of backlog of promotions.” Akosile appealed for employment of more teachers in the state to fill conse-

quential vacancies and integration of teachers deployed from local governments. The teachers also want primary school teachers to be able to reach grade level 16 and promotion of principals to grade level 17. Speaking at the occasion, the governor said he would always celebrate teachers in view of their role in moulding humanity. The governor assured the teachers: “All your demands are being looked into. We are taking them one by one because of the poor financial status of the state. “But be sure that all your demands will be met. I will continue to encourage you, to make our education a force to reckon with in Nigeria,” the governor clarified.

NDIC solicits public participation in education Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar (m) with his team sampling some materials inside the laboratory renovated at Girls’ Government College, Dala, Kano State by Etisalat Nigeria. With him is Mohammed Suley-Yusuf (l), Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria.

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for increased Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the nation’s educational sector in order to enhance learning. With the specific mentioning of the near complete infrastructural comatose, NDIC called on public spirited individuals and corporate organisations to partner government and intervene at improving infrastructure

in educational institutions, stressing that education should not be left in the hands of governments alone. NDIC Executive Director, Corporate Services of Corporation, Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor made the call while inaugurating the corporation’s educational intervention projects which led to the reconstruction of four blocks of six classrooms at the Unity High School located in Ago Ika area of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Explaining the ratio-

nale behind the NDIC’s intervention in the nation’s education sector, Abiola-Edewor explained that the intervention was part of the strategic measure towards inculcating the thrift and saving habits in the lives of the secondary school students and make them grow with such. She noted that part of the reason for going to secondary schools was to inculcate in them the practice of saving in banks stressing that ‘Nigerian banks are safer now’.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Nigerian universities: Between dreams and reality T he great disparity in the quality of products of the Nigerian university system can be summed up as the astronomical difference in the aspirations of the founding fathers and the realities of the operational environment of the individual establishments. It is the difference between the lofty ideals of what a university could or should be, and the stack inescapable realities on ground. These realities may be defined by any, or the combination of intellectual capabilities, perceptions, managerial aptitude, moral inclinations, and financial stability of the proprietors and the operators. The potential interplay between these factors and the realization of the dreams of a new or established institution was brought to the fore by the seemingly conflicting stories in The Nation newspaper of October 1st, 2015, on the Ondo State University of Science and Technology. According to the foundation Vice Chancellor of the University, the goal of the administration was to fulfil the dreams of the founding fathers of the university, to make OSUSTECH one of the best universities of technology in the world. To this end, he declared that he had worked assiduously to ensure that OSUSTECH be ranked among the best universities of technology five years from now and to be named among the foremost in the world within a decade! These are indeed noble and lofty dreams which are worthy of emulation. The students, the supposed beneficiaries of this noble act, however, appeared to have a different opinion. Coincidentally, in the same national daily and in the same edition, they described OSUSTECH as “a university only in name” citing the absence of a governing council, the large number of uncompleted structures, the generally depressing environment and the inability of the foundation to students to graduate after seven years, among others as reasons for their pessimism! Not unexpectedly, the university has not been able to attract the high calibre students required to translate the dreams of the founding fathers into reality. Statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board shows that patronage has been very poor with only 304 candidates sub-

universities in the world within 10 years thus remains a figment of the imagination of the founding fathers as there is no movement towards its actualization. But OSUSTECH is not the only university that has been caught thus day dreaming. Many much older universities that rank among the first ten in the country have poor academic performance indices. To date, many universities are plagued by acute shortages of classrooms and lecture theatres as a result of unplanned increase in admission quotas many universities are and establishment of new programmes. Existing classrooms are congested and overflowing with students while plagued by acute shortages many lectures are conducted in convocation arenas, sporting complexes, and occasionally under trees in the absence of classrooms and lecture of vacant class rooms and lecture theatres. No Nigerian theatres as a result of university is among the top 10 in Africa! Even a self acclaimed Entrepreneurial University in the unplanned increase in South-South geopolitical region has absolutely no tradition admission quotas and of entrepreneurial excellence. With few exceptions, the teaching of entrepreneurial courses is mainly a ritual of establishment of new textbook marketing by the teachers, a lot of personal study by the students followed by examination thereafter without programmes the privilege of formal classroom, laboratory or industry scribing to OSUSTECH as first choice university, and only based instructions. It is obvious that there is a huge chasm 38 securing 50% score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation between the dreams of becoming a world class university Examination conducted in 2015. Obviously, OSUSTECH does and actually achieving the status. not have what it takes to attract the high calibre candidates The hurried establishment of new universities withrequired to transform the institution into a world class univerout adequate planning and infrastructural development sity. would continue to create dysfunctional institutions. Apart Not surprising, the National Universities Commission from the infrastructural deficit, such institutions are often ranked OSUSTECH in the 63rd position among Nigerian unilacking in other important indices of academic excellence versities in January 2015 while the July 2015 edition of WEnamely, qualified teachers, functional laboratories and BOMETRICS world universities ranking placed it in the 84th equipment and even qualified students! These deficiencies position. Though, the outgoing Vice Chancellor spoke in gloware the main reasons why the products of our institutions ing terms about providing modern laboratories equipped with remain unsuitable for nation building. state-of-the-art equipment, the students alleged that there were A moratorium on the establishment of new universionly three laboratories serving the ten departments in the Facties would be necessary while efforts are geared towards ulty of Science, the only surviving faculty of the university. strengthening existing institution. Parochial political conWith only 29 academic staff (according to the NEEDS Assideration must be laid aside in favour of academic excelsessment Report of 2012) serving 10 departments, it is obvious lence which should be nurtured in the overall interest of that the institution also had a problem recruiting qualified national goals. academic staff. The dream of becoming one of the foremost

Bauchi College gets early childhood centre Titus Ezekiel Bauchi

s part of efforts to maintain standard set by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) in the country, the College of Education, Azare, Bauchi State has in collaboration with TETFUND built and inaugurated an Early Childhood Education Care (ECCE) Centre within the college. The centre will cater for

students of the college who will master in the teaching of kindergarten up to nursery school pupils, who are required special attention. This revelation was contained in a press statement made available to National Mirror by the Information Officer of the college, Mr. Suleiman Shehu. Suleiman said that the centre would offer the opportunity of training the required specialized student-teachers in the ECCE

programme. Suleiman added that the centre was also an essential part for the accreditation of ECCE courses and the college in line with NCCE criteria. In his opening speech at the occasion according to the press release, the Dean, School of Early Childhood Care and Education, Dr. Tunde Ibinola appreciated the college management for making the centre a reality, saying it would be

of immense benefit to also physiological and social development of the pupils. He however pleaded with the management for the sustenance of the centre in terms of funding, staffing and other basic needs. Also speaking, the Provost of the College, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Isyaku applauded the zeal of the dean and staff of the school for the successes recorded so far. H e Former t h a n k e d Director, National the former Commission Chair man for Women of TETFund, Affairs, Dr. Doyin Dr. Musa BaAbiola(left) bayo and the with the E x e c u t ive Special Adviser to the S e c r e t a r y President on of the fund, Media and Professor SuPublicity, Mr. Femi Adesina leiman Boat the launch goro for proof Nigerian the Media Leaders: viding Voices Beyond college with Newsroom (Vol all facilities 1 & 2) in Lagos, required for recently. the successPHOTO: TUNBOSUN ful take off OGUNDARE of the centre.

…want retirement age at 65 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 relevant agencies. “Every graduate,” he said, “should be able to get to grade level 17 before retirement irrespective of level of education under which they work.” The NUT boss also used the occasion to call on government to raise the retirement age of teachers by five years from the current 60 years, saying such increment would help retaining more experienced hands on the job. “It is common knowledge that the more years a teacher spends on the job, the better in service delivery based on experience and age,” he stressed. It is also important that teachers just like other professionals are retrained on the job to make them more effective. But many of them in Nigeria do not have such opportunity several years after employment. Even UNESCO pointed to this fact during this year’s World Education Forum (WEF) in Islo in May, encouraging countries to “ensure that teachers and educators are empowered, well-trained, professionally qualified, motivated and supported within wellresourced, efficient and effectively governed systems.” Just like Olukoga, some other teachers spoke to by National Mirror at the University of Lagos Sport Complex where the Lagos branch of NUT converged for the celebration also believe that their profession should be given due attention especially by government so as to attract more willing and competent hands. Messrs Biodun Omotosho and Alli Babatunde of Reri Senior Secondary School, Oreta-Ikorodu and Surulere Community Junior School, Alimosho, respectively were both called for more funds from government and other stakeholders’ intervention. They also asked from the society due respect based on the importance of their services by producing every other professional. They said apart from the fact teachers deserve to work in friendlier environment, they equally deserve rewards that will be commensurable to their efforts.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 8, 2015

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

EKSU Faculty of Science gets new lecture rooms Saidat Alausa

he Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina has taken delivery of Faculty of Science multi million naira lecture rooms recently completed. At the handing over ceremony, the contractor thanked the management for the patronage adding that the building was done to specification. The newly constructed edifice was the second infrastructure handed within one week following the completion of the e-exam centre five days earlier. The Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Kayode Olofintoye thanked the VC for erecting modern lecture rooms and offices for the Faculty noting that the completion of the Faculty building will enable the members of staff to increase productivity. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina attributed his success in the past three years to God coupled with his determination to succeed in office. He thanked the members of staff for their cooperation adding that the vision to make EKSU a world class institution is ongoing and very fast too.

Borno spends N1bn on scholarship —Commissioner

he Commissioner of Higher Education in Borno State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Jaha has said that government has not lost sight of “human and manpower development,” despite the ongoing security challenges thevstate contends and grapples with since the last four years of Governor Shettima’s administration. The manpower development cuts across various disciplines and professions, including health and agricultural sectors that could raise the living standards of people living in rural and urban centres of Borno state. Jaha disclosed this at a news conference in Maiduguri on the state’s manpower requirements and development, saying the state government was conscious of the fact that development encompasses “interdependent components and variables of tangible and nontangible requirements” by awarding scholarships across all facets of resource and manpower developments.

How OAU students marked Independence anniversary Afees Lasisi

300L, Pol.Sc.,OAU, Ile-Ife

n their usual manner, the students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife on October 1st celebrated the Nigeria’s 55th independence on a glamorous and hilarious ways. Dressed in pure white to symbolize peace, the students paraded all over six halls of residence starting from Awolowo Hall to Adekunle Fajuyi Hall. They were marching, singing as well as danc-

ing all over the campus. During their display of what they referred to as “aroism” (that is, rascality) at Akintola Hall, some of the female students who live in the hall did not want them to leave their hostel again as they expressed their pleasures laughing and begging them not to go. “Please don’t go,” they were chorusing. “We won’t mind serving you foods and drink that will be enough if you want. We are really enjoying your performance.” But because they had to con-

tinue, they left after spending more than the scheduled time. One of the participants, Segun Ayodele said they came up with the programme as a way of replicating the live military parade taking place at the Presidential Aso Rock Villa Abuja at OAU campus. He said it was a tradition for students of the institution to celebrate nation’s independence in their own style. “That is what we met on ground and we believe incoming

ones will carry on with the tradition,” he stressed. On his own, another participant, Biodun Tayo said the programme was also used to ease them of the stress of sleepless nights that had during their examinations. According to him, “everywhere is boring since we started our examination and with this programme, the campus comes alive again. Apart from fun and ecstasy that surround it, we also use the occasion to par for Nigeria.”

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife marking 55th Independence Anniversary on October 1, in the campus

FCET Umunze mourns as school’s PRO is buried Emeka Chukwuemeka

FCE (Technical) Umunze, Akwa

an astute administrator, prolific writer, quintessential public relations practitioner and counselor whom according to him was dedicated to his work and discharged his responsibilities with unequalled forthrightness, loyalty and commitment to the service of the college. “We will greatly miss him. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family as we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss. He radiated intelligence, exemplary conduct in both public and private life. He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work. He was focused and determined to make positive difference. We shall miss him. No doubt he left

a vacuum that would be too hard to fill.” Ogbuagu stated. He however prayed for the repose of his soul. In an interview, a staff attached to the Information and Public Relations Unit of the college, Miss Lovelyn Ojimba described the late spokesman as a role model whom according to her, taught them diligence in labour, love, humility, resilience and never to be daunted with by any challenges. “We mourn a man who fashioned his life to upholding justice, a man of tremendous integrity and principles. We pray God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss, Amen”

he management, staff and students of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State has been thrown into mourning as they buried the institution’s spokesman, Mr Humphrey Sunday Ike who died on Sunday, 5th July, 2015 as a result of an injury inflicted on him by gunmen who stormed his residence at Amaokwu-Umunze in Orumba South Local Government area of Anambra State. The burial which started with a high mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Umunze saw dignitaries from all walks of life, notable among whom were top government officials, members of academia, Rev. Fathers/Sisters, among others. In his homily, the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Jonas-Benson Okoye described death as a necessary end, charged Christians to get prepared at all times by always seeking the face of God and explained that death was a source of liberation for man from total damnation. He described the late PRO as rare gem and veritable tools which God used to further the propagation of the doctrine and message of Jesus Christ. On his part, the Provost of the college, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu described the deceased as Candidates waiting to write CBT post graduate entrance examinations into the University of Lagos, Akoka, last Saturday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 8, 2015

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

Oyedepo’s birthday: Covenant University donates to less privileged Saidat Alausa

n the spirit of service to humanity, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State has donated food, as well as educational and household materials to Stephen’s Children Home, Abeokuta. The university also provided free medical services to the people of Ishaga Onilado Village in Ado-Odo/Ota of Ogun State. The university through its Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CDIIC) and David Oyedepo Day of Service (DODOS) extended its humanitarian gesture to the Home and the Community respectively as part of the activities marking the 61st birthday of its Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo. The David Oyedepo Day of Service was instituted by Covenant University Alumni Association on September 27, 2012 during the 58th birthday of Dr. Oyedepo to recognise his selfless service to the welfare of others. Over the weekend, the Covenant University’s team, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Taiwo Abioye, and the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Humphrey Adebayo donated science laboratory equipment to the Stephen’s Children Home, Abeokuta. Among the materials donated were microscopes, galvanometers, venire calipers, books, calculators and other instructional materials. The university also donated food items, clothing, toiletries and money. In her remark, Prof. Abioye, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, noted that the educational materials were donated in line with the passion of the chancellor for education. She noted that Dr. Oyedepo’s passion for education led to the establishment of Kingdom Heritage Model Schools (KHMS) and Faith Academy around the country, as well as Covenant University and Landmark University. Professor Abioye enjoined the children to be focused on the Lord who never disappoints. “Don’t think your situation is bad, there are people who are worse off out there and God still cares for them,” she advised. Responding, the Head of the home, Reverend Isaac Wusu appreciated the good gesture from the university. He gave a brief history of the 15-year-old home, which he said started with eight children but now has over 400 children, most of whose parents were victims of religious uproar in the northern part of Nigeria. Also at Ishaga Onilado Village, the university gave free medical services to 183 adults and children. The medical services focused on vaccination and immunization, blood pressure measurement, blood sugar screening, body mass index, deworming, dietary counselling, dental consultations, free eye checks and glasses. In his response, the representative of the village head, Elder Ebenezer Ogunnibi appreciated the university for the kind gesture, saying it would go a long way in meeting their needs.

Oyedepo

Corp member serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Bolanle Moses (in uniform) with participants shortly after a lecture organized by the Ibadan North Local Government Office of the National Youth Service Corps on youth development and mentorship, recently.

Anambra lawmakers harp on technical, vocational education

Emeka Chukwuemeka

FCE (Technical), Umunze, Akwa

he Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Education led by its Chairman, Vivian Okadigbo, has expressed satisfaction on the rapid positive development going on at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State. The team which visited the college as part of their tour to higher institutions in the state in order to assess how they are faring in terms of developmental projects and capacity development for service delivery to the students, commended the provost on what they described as a rapid development in infrastructure. Speaking shortly after their tour of the ongoing projects in the college, Okadigbo reiterated the place of technical and vocational education in the country. He laid it clear that it is the most employing sector and perhaps one of the most critical for the technological devel-

opment of the country. According to her, their visit was to help in voicing the need for adequate funding of technological institutions in the state and country at large for them to deliver optimally. On his part, the Chairman, Works Committee, Umeh Ikechukwu noted that they were impressed with the development going on in the college and promised a cordial relationship with the college for further evolution. Earlier in his address of welcome, the Provost, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu appealed to the committee to assist the college in its other areas of needs. According him, the non-release of take-off grant to the college by the Federal Government has hindered the college from providing the necessary facilities and infrastructures needed for teaching and learning in the college. His words “the access road to the permanent site of the college is terribly in bad condition; to the extent that it has become impassable due to the increased student’s population resulting from the recent degree awarding status of the col-

lege. It’s equally increased the risk and danger of its usage. The college needs an administrative block at the permanent site to ensure adequate accommodation of the administrative staff in the college. The college management and entire administration still operate from the temporary site irrespective of the fact that most academic activities have moved to the permanent site. We need assistance in the construction of an administrative building for the college at the permanent site.” On the issue of lack of students’ hostel, the provost appealed for the assistance of the committee to review the policy of not having hostels in the institutions. “The students’ hostels are grossly inadequate and students continue to suffer from this inadequacy. Presently, the college has hired three off campus hostels to complement the few hostels on campus.” However, he called on government at all levels to come to the aid of the college by intervening to the needs of the college raised above.

Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka cutting the tape to officially declare open a multi-million naira resource centre built by the Students’ Union Government of the institution, recently.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

HIS week’s conspectus of errors is just to whet your appetite ahead of syntactic surgeries (a la Prof. Adidi Uyo of Unilag) next week, provided advertisements do not displace this column! Most of the mistakes in the print and electronic media are the manifestations of carelessness, loose thinking and ignorance. We must be consistent in the use of either British or American English—mixing up both variants in any lexical environment shows slipshoddiness. Also, note that most media audiences are sticklers for purism. For those in this finicky and fastidious class, any egregious slip counts. Unfortunately, most people who commit these facile and fallacious blunders are persons who should know but because incorrigibility has affected them, they have become ignoramuses! Why, for instance, should some journalists describe themselves as ‘media practitioners’ instead of ‘media professionals’ or ‘mass communication practitioners’? Doctors and lawyers practice medicine and law, respectively, clearly unlike the fourth estate. I am not a linguistic diagnostician, but I can perform lexical and structural surgeries and make efficacious pharmacological/therapeutic recommendations based on knowledgeable familiarity with errors (and some of their typologies) that border on grammar, logic and rhetoric, which I had referred to elsewhere in this column as the pillars of the English language—get them right and you are on course. Do you still recollect these basics below—please note that the entries on the right column are the correct versions? More reminders next week. Pool resources together Pool resources A/the majority of us Majority of us Media professional Media practitioner Counsel Counsels Opportune/Opportunity Opportuned Offspring Offsprings Invest in something Invest on something At a/the crossroads At a/the crossroad On the continent In the continent Junks Junk Conspicuously absent Absent Secret ballot Ballot Test run (noun) (as verb) Test

Saidat Alausa

Multi-media syntactic surgeries Don’t pull my legs Don’t pull my leg The faithful The faithfuls Strike action Strike Congratulations on/upon Congratulations for Potentials Potential/Potentialities Log of wood Log Cutleries Cutlery Finally, I am more concerned here with the practical aspect of the English language than its critical theoretical underpinnings, which are available in all standard textbooks and easily accessible. This work is a stopgap exercise for quick resolutions of daily grammatical challenges. From my own personal experiences and encounters with people, most exonormative language users prefer easy-to-read-and-follow summaries to usually massive, boring and complex theoretical methodicalness! This is hoping that I am not inadvertently encouraging intellectual slothfulness by this remedial quick-fix intervention! For now, let us savour the following exchanges from two distinguished very senior colleagues of mine.

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THE versatile Eddy Grant’s mastery, dexterity, craftsmanship, wizardry and artistry are never in doubt. He is the composer, arranger, producer, director and multi-instrumentalist, all alone. So, what do you get from his music? Sheer monotony and nauseating channel noise! Mr Bayo Oguntunase has continued to abuse and curse his critics, using Mr Ebere Wabara’s laudable platform. Words such as mad, eccentric and depraved drop from his lips with ease. I am sure the wise and sane counsel by Wordsworth contributors such as Mr. Charles Iyoha will, like some of the biblical Grower’s Seeds, fall on the rock, no doubt. Years ago, he failed to publish two lengthy rejoinders which I sent to him at The Daily Sun, opposing his papal stance on some words. I pray God not to give me a caustic tongue, or allow me to succumb to unrestrained belligerence, or swim in misguided arrogance.

My joy as a teacher, by ex-vice principal

ob fulfillment means different things to different people. To some, it is a situation whereby one is able to make lot of money, build many houses, travel wide and well connected. To many others, it is the ability to impact meaningfully in the lives of other people and the society at large. Mr. Idowu Akinbile who just retired from the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission under which he worked as a classroom teacher for three decades is among those in this latter school of thought. He demonstrated this during a send forth party and 55 years anniversary organised in his honour in Lagos last week. There, he was happy to announce to the audience, many of whom are teachers, other government functionaries and families and friends that what gives al-

Akinbile ways him joy as a teacher is that he has been able to produce so many professionals who are today doing well in their chosen fields contribut-

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ing to the nation’s economy. Having spent 35 years in the state government employment, Akinbile bowed out of service at the post

of Vice- Principal (Academics) of Oregun Senior High School, Ikeja. He started his career at the ministry of Economic Planning and Land Matters in 1980 but sought transfer of service to the Teaching Service Commission in 1987 because of his passion for teaching. Akinbile worked in many schools in Lagos and that include Okota High School, Okota Grammar School, Isolo and Igbo Owu Senior High Secondary School, Mushin. His commitment and relentless effort in the teaching service earned him a promotion in 2014 to be a vice-principal. He was transferred to Oregun Senior High School in July 2014 where he served as vice-principal Academics till retirement on the 1st of September 2015. Speaking with National Mirror at the pen down ceremony held in the school, the

The Sunday Vanguard on Sept. 17 reported Boko Haram’s invasion of the DSS office in Lokoja during which the gunmen used “dangerous weapons”. Editors and reporters need to realise that any “weapon” used by an attacker is indeed dangerous. The word “weapon” means “something used to fight or attack someone, such as a knife, bomb, or gun”. So, which weapon is not dangerous or harmless? The word “dangerous” should not precede “weapon” because it is obvious. (KOLA DANISA/07068074257/kdktayo@gmail.com) ONE can always justify prescriptive rules, in the last resort, by appeal to authority. We are inclined to obey the Highway Code, for instance, because it is backed by the authority of law. But the strange thing about prescriptive rules (including the principles and conventions) of English grammar is that they are NOT upheld by any official authority. In this respect, English differs from French; the Academie Francaise is regarded as the official arbiter of usage in French. The tradition of the English-speaking world is to rely on the judgment of unofficial lawgivers, whose authority is derived simply from their reputations as scholars and writers. Among this Priesthood, we should place many grammarians and famous lexicographers of the past whose authorities on matters of word usage and grammar are final. These High Priests of Usage had prescribed the rules we must all follow. Wrong: The reason is because I do not want the Egyptians to retain it. (THISDAY, September 12, 2015). Right: The reason is that I do not want the Egyptians to retain it. Special note on usage: “reason”, like “because” (a conjunction, which means “for the reason that”), is always followed by “is that”. Examples: The reason editors make grammatical mistakes is that they do not read current books. The importance of Science is that it broadens the mind. Another note: “Because” usually has no place in sentence involving the word “reason”. The reason is that it is redundant. “That” is the word. I submit, as a progressive intellectual, you are fantastic. (BAYO OGUNTUNASE/08056180046, soloade12@gmail.com). veteran said he is fulfilled because he had been able to produce graduates in different professions in the last 35 years. “I really thank God for being with me for the past 35 years, I give him honour, glory and adoration, to the principal and the entire management and staff that celebrate me today, I am grateful, to my wife and children for their support. “It is a thing of joy to work, to be dedicated and be effective, I thank God for what he has done through me because apart from my four children who were graduates, I have been able to produce doctors, lawyers, engineers and the likes.” Encouraging teachers who are still in the service, Akinbile said they should be more dedicated to their work and change their orientation that teachers rewards are in heaven, “our reward are indeed on earth.” “They should see the profession as a noble work and

should continue to thank God for the children He has put in their care.” To government, he urged them to continue to put in their best in providing infrastructures that will enhance standard education in the state and the country as a whole. He also told parents not to relent in their efforts in giving their children best education because that is the only thing they can rely on in future. Earlier in her welcome address, the principal of the school, Mrs. Kuti described the celebrator as a quintessential professional, a hard core perfectionist and a dedicated team player. “Indeed his commitment to excellence knows no bound and his loyalty is not only exemplary but worthy of emulation,” she stressed. She however asked him to remain focus as she wished him fruitful retirement.

Business

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 8, 2015

World Bank foresees growth hurdles for African economies

Steel industry operating below 30% –MAN

SAP links Nigeria’s digital literacy to youths33

NERC, MAN inaugurate micro grid team for industrial clusters CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday inaugurated a task team for development of micro grid for industrial clusters. Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said the committee arise from the need to effectively support industrialization by increasing energy supply to industries. According to him, energy costs accounts for 40 per cent of cost of production in Nigeria and such move would have a far-reaching effect on reducing the cost of doing business in the country. He recalled that NERC has in past established critical regulations which aim at encouraging off-grid for rural clusters in the country, adding that the collaboration with MAN will help in innovating the regulations with a view to developing social and regulatory framework that would boost industrialization. He said: “Few months we thought about how to support industrialization by increasing energy supply to industries thereby reducing the cost of doing business. I do know that energy cost accounts for 40% of cost production which is a huge drag on profitability, industrial capacity as well as global competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers. “So NERC has always thought about how we could unleash the industrial potentials by solve the power supply needs of the industries. We established the embedded generation regulation, the independent distribution network regulation and the independent transmission network regulation. These three critical regulations were aimed at helping to deal with providing some kind of modular power both for off-grid and for rural clusters. And towards the end of last year we started thinking of how we can innovate in these regulations to help industrial clus-

ters. And we found very ready and willing partner in MAN so we have been collaborating thinking through how we can drive this process”, Amadi added In his remarks, the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs charged the task team to ensure they complete their within one week. He described the initiative as a

welcome development, stressing that the major problem of industrialization in the country has always been lack of electricity. “Power constitutes 40 per cent of our cost of production and therefore any initiative or innovation that will assist us in reducing this amount will be highly welcomed. That is why we are highly excited about this development. The idea of micro grid for indus-

trial cluster initiative is a very good one. We have a number of industrial clusters in the country. Our major challenge is electricity. I am sure that if can come up with legal framework and policy framework on how to utilize micro grid to generate power for these clusters our cost of production will surely go down and become more competitive in the international market

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: Lord Mayor of the City of London, Mr. Alderman Alan Yarrow; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Zakawanu Garuba and Managing Director, Jaiz Bank, Mr. Muhammed Islam, during a roundtable with Nigerian regulators on focus on non interest finance, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

GLO’s reward system extraordinary –Dealers

lobacom’s reward scheme for its business partners has been described as extraordinary and unparalleled in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. The company’s top business partners disclosed this at the 2015 Glo Business Associates Dinner held in Lagos during which it appreciated their efforts at marketing the company’s products and services with generous car and monetary gifts. Globacom gave out state of the art cars including Range Rover Sports, Range Rover Autobiography, Toyota Land Cruiser Lexus and Prado SUVs, multi-million naira credit notes, plaques and other gifts at the event to make history as the most rewarding telecom network for dealers. One of the recipients and Man-

aging Director of Office Devices, Mr. James Odogwu, said, “Globacom is a great company. Doing business with Glo is good business. Glo knows how to reward their partners and when the reward would come it is always big”. Another awardee, the Bajulaye of Ijebuland, and Managing Director of Demus Mayors, Otunba Ademola Adenuga, thanked the company for appreciating its partners in such an extraordinary way, adding that they were now sufficiently mobilized to improve their performance this year. “Glo is a strong brand which rewards its partners in a very big way”. Another star partner, Alhaji Mohammed Mutiu Anthony, Managing Director of Easy & Quiet, also stated that “every time Globacom comes on board, it is always big. I promise to con-

tinue to support Globacom with all the strength I have. I am going to use 95 per cent of my abilities to work for the company.” Similarly, Prince Ubong DImoh of Idems Ultimate Limited said Glo had set the pace in the industry. “The company has beaten our imagination in their reward system. Kudos to Globacom for this appreciative gesture which will definitely spur us to do more”, he said. Before the prizes were presented, the National Commercial Coordinator, Globacom, Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo, in an address delivered on behalf of the company’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., said the company was proud to celebrate its business partners who worked hard to promote the brand in the last one year.

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, October 8, 2015

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World Bank foresees growth hurdles for African economies Udo Onyeka

ub-Saharan Africa countries have continued to grow at a slower pace, due to a more challenging economic environment according to World Bank. The Bank’s new projections indicated that growth will slow in 2015 to 3.7 percent from 4.6 percent in 2014, reaching the lowest growth rate since 2009. “These latest figures are outlined in the World Bank’s new Africa’s Pulse, the twice-yearly analysis of economic trends and the latest data on the continent. The 2015 forecast remains below the robust 6.5 percent growth in GDP which the region sustained in 2003-2008, and drags below the 4.5 percent growth following the global financial crisis in 2009-2014. Overall, growth in the region is projected to pick up to 4.4percent in 2016, and further strengthen to 4.8percent in 2017”, it said. Sharp drops in the price of oil and other commodities have brought on the recent weakness in growth. Other external factors such as China’s economic slowdown and tightening global financial conditions weigh on Africa’s economic performance, according to Africa’s Pulse. Compounding these factors, bottlenecks in supplying electricity in many African countries hampered economic growth in 2015. “The end of the commodity super-cycle poses an opportunity for African countries to reinvigorate their reform efforts and thereby transform their economies and diversify sources of growth. Implementing the right policies to

boost agricultural productivity, and reduce electricity costs while expanding access, will improve competitiveness and support the growth of light manufacturing,” says Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice President for Africa. According to Africa’s Pulse, several countries are continuing to post robust growth. Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania are expected to sustain growth at around 7 percent or more per year in 201517, spurred by investments in energy and transport, consumer spending and investment in the natural resources sector. Africa’s Pulse found that progress in reducing income poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa has been occurring faster than previously thought. According to World Bank estimates poverty in Africa declined from 56 percent in 1990 to 43 percent in 2012. At the same time, Africa’s population saw progress in all dimensions of well-being, particularly in health (maternal mortality, under-5 mortality) and primary school enrollment, where the gender gap shrank. Yet African countries continue to face a stubbornly high birth rate, which has limited the impact of the past two decades of sustained economic growth on reducing the overall number of poor. Countries still lag behind those in other regions in making progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). For example, Africa will not meet the MDG of halving the share of population living in poverty between 1990 and 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rich natural resources have made it

Dana Air to partner NESG on summit Olusegun Koiki

ana Airlines has said it would be partnering the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, on the forthcoming NESG 21st Summit to be opened in Abuja on Tuesday. The three days summit has the theme, ‘Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability.’ A statement issued by the Assistant Manager, Dana Air, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa, indicated that the Summit, which is jointly organised with the National Planning Commission, NPC, would have would be attended by global private sector leaders, captains of industries, policy mak-

ers as well as top government representatives in attendance. He stated that issues relating to creating jobs, dismantling pillars of corruption, macro-economic stability and growth, small and medium scale growth, institutional reforms, competitiveness, and alignment of home-grown longterm development agenda with the United Nations, UN, Sustainable Development Goals, SDG’s, that would take effect in from January 2016 would be discussed by all participants. As the official carrier for the event, Dana Air is offering complementary tickets and a special discount to all delegates upon presentation of their Summit invite at any of its offices and or point of sale nationwide.

a net exporter of fuel, minerals and metals, and agricultural commodities. These commodities account for nearly three-fourths of the region’s goods exports. Robust supplies and lower global demand have accounted for the decline of commodity prices across the board. For instance, the drop in

the prices of natural gas, iron ore, and coffee exceeded 25percent since June 2014, according to the report. Africa’s Pulse notes that overall decline in growth in the region is nuanced and the factors hampering growth vary among countries.

The report stated: “In the region’s commodity exporters— especially oil-producers such as Angola, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria, as well as producers of minerals and metals such as Botswana and Mauritania, the drop in prices is negatively affecting growth.

Globacom’s Retail and Consumer Sales Chief, Mr. David Maji (extreme left) and Glo Ambassador, Mrs Patience Ozokwo (Mama G), celebrating with the Managing Director, Demus Mayor Limited, Chief Ademola Adenuga who won a glitzy Range Rover Sports at the 2015 Glo Business Associates Awards and Dinner held in Lagos on Saturday. With them are Glo Ambassador, Mr Chiwetalu Agu and Regional Marketing Director, Mr Ashok Israni (extreme right).

Mortein LED’s launch excites consumers in Rivers ADEJUWON OSUNNUYI

B Nigeria Limited has re-launched Mortein Liquid Electric Device (Mortein LED) Port Harcourt, Rivers State as part of its efforts to expand the market for product in the South-south geopolitical zone of the country. Speaking at the event, the Marketing Director, West Africa, Mr. Silivrili Oguzhan, said the product re-launch further demonstrated the company’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that make life easier and healthier for the Nigerian people at all times. Oguzhan described Mortein LED as a revolutionary product which works with electricity and lasts up to 30 nights, and capable of killing 100 per cent mosquitoes. Represented by the product’s Brand Manager, Iku Ejiroghene, he pointed out that the development of Mortein LED, which was first launched in 2009, was informed by the need to stem the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria and Africa generally. Oguzhan further revealed that there are estimated 300 million acute cases of malaria every year around the world, resulting in more than one million deaths while approximately 90 percent of these deaths occur in Africa, mostly in young children. He decried the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria as ‘‘un-

acceptable’’, saying ‘‘malaria is responsible for 60 percent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 percent of childhood deaths, 25 percent of deaths in children under one year and 11 percent of maternal deaths.’’ While expressing optimism that malaria could be eliminated in Nigeria, he said this is the reason RB Nigeria has entered into strategic partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and other relevant government bodies. He said the partnerships had enabled its Mortein Anti-Malaria Campaign to reach over one mil-

lion moms during engagement, sensitisation and education outreaches at primary health centres, churches, mosques and community centres. “This is the philosophy behind the re-launch of Mortein LED which provides 30 nights of all round continuous protection for a peaceful night sleep,’’ he added. The product’s Area Sales Manager, Chris Nwanah said that the company was concerned about the consumers and that this informed the reason why innovative products are developed to meet their needs.

South Africa retains Ibrahim Index of African Governance ranking

outh Africa has retained its position in the 2015 Ibrahim Index on Africa Governance. In the 2015 Index, South Africa has retained its rank of 4 of 54 countries assessed in the Index.   This follows South Africa’s improved performance in the 2015/16 World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Index which saw South Africa rise seven places from 56 to 49 of 140 countries.   The Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) measures the quality of governance in 54 African countries on an annual basis by looking at four areas: Safety and Rule of Law, Participation and Human Rights, Sustainable Economic Opportu-

nity and Human Development. South Africa’s performance in each of these areas earns it the position of 7 (up from position 8 in 2014), 4, 2 and 6 respectively on the continent.   Countries in the SADC region have also performed well in the 2015 Index.  Brand South Africa CEO Kingsley Makhubela said: “We welcome South Africa’s performance in the 2015 Ibrahim Index of African Governance particularly in areas where improvements have been noted. The National Development Plan (NDP), together with various other instruments, will guide South Africa’s interventions to address other areas of concern.

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Business News

Thursday, October 8, 2015

NIMET harps on weather forecast benefits to economy, lives Olusegun Koiki

he Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, has said that early warning and accurate information of severe weather is a major step towards curbing disaster worldwide. Anuforom made this declaration earlier in the week in Enugu State during a keynote address on ‘Reducing Climate Change Vulnerability in Africa: the Role of Science, Engineering Technology and Innovation.’ The event was the sixth Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Deans of Science, Engineering & Technology, COVIDSET, 2015. The NIMET boss identified Africa as the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change, but emphasised that early warning was an essential part of emergency pre-

paredness. He hinted further that climate change ranked among the greatest challenges facing contemporary human society, as hydro meteorological hazards contribute the largest proportion to worldwide natural disasters that threaten human lives and wellbeing. Anuforom stressed that such disaster undermined development efforts of governments not only in the continent, but in the world over, adding that climate change was a global challenge, but emphasized Africa remained the most vulnerable continent in the world to its impact as human systems are highly exposed to extreme weather. He clarified: “Early warning is an essential part of emergency preparedness. It enables relevant agencies, communities and individuals at risk to plan and execute necessary precautionary measures such as evacuation of people at risk before the

Egypt’s chemicals, plastic industry prospects high –Report

gypt’s chemicals and plastics sector is becoming an increasingly important contributor to industrial output and exports. With demand being driven by agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), the sector is likely to become an industrial heavyweight in the coming years. The petrochemicals sector currently accounts for around 3% of the country’s GDP and 12% of the industrial sector, according to industry press, with the Egyptian Industrial Development Authority placing the plastics and petrochemical industry’s value at around $7.5bn last year. While domestic use of plastics is already relatively high, there is further room for growth. Plastic consumption stood at 25 kg per capita in 2012, with demand growing by 6% per year since 2006. Although this ranks above the Middle Eastern average of 16 kg per capita, the European average is much higher, at around 136 kg, suggesting that demand could increase in line with economic growth. Data also suggests potential for local production. Imported plastics currently account for 72% of domestic consumption, according to Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals (SIDPEC), a leading local producer. With imports increasingly constrained by foreign exchange shortages, local plastics manufacturers could

see their market share rise. Agro-chemicals are also expected to see a sharp uptick in domestic demand, as the government works to prepare more land for cultivation across the country. In August the government expanded a land reclamation project for agriculture in the Western Desert from 1m to 1.5m feddans. These moves should ensure a large domestic market for a wide range of petrochemicals and finished products. Beyond the domestic market, Egypt’s plastics industry has posted substantial export growth. While the broader industrial sector has faced headwinds and declining exports, the total value of Egyptian plastic exports rose 21% year-on-year in 2014 to reach LE10.6bn ($1.4bn), according to the Egyptian Chemical and Fertilisers Export Council. The Egyptian Indian Polyester Company was the largest exporter, with LE1.5bn ($191.6m) worth of overseas sales, followed by the Egyptian Propylene & Polypropylene Company, with export revenues of LE1.3bn ($166m) over the year. While issues related to the supply of power, gas and hard currency persist, last year’s export figures suggest that the sector is continuing to flourish, thanks in large part to Egypt’s proximity to many high-consuming markets.

occurrence of a severe weather event, thereby reducing exposure to hazards. “Other sociological issues such as local traditional and religious beliefs may also be contributory factors. The weak

economy of most African countries also slows down the speed of recovery after the occurrence of weather disaster and makes the process of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction more difficult.”, he added.

He listed agriculture as among the most vulnerable sectors to climate change in the world and lamented the implication of this to the overall economic development of the continent.

A view of participants at the opening of the World Pension Submit – Africa Special in Abuja.

Heritage Bank marks 2015 Customer Service Week

s a way of appreciating her teaming customers for their loyal patronage over the period, Heritage Bank Limited joined the rest of the world to mark the annual Customer Service Week themed ‘Everyday Heroes.” The event, which is celebrated in the first week of October every year, is a unique period when service organisations like Heritage Bank Limited and global agencies extol the patronage and loyalty virtues of their esteemed customers by introducing several unique and special activities to appreciate the customers. As a way of making this year’s edition a memorable one for customers of the new Heritage Bank, the financial institution, which is now bigger and better, having emerged from a merger exercise of the former Heritage Banking Com-

pany Limited and former Enterprise Bank Limited, has lined up a number of activities to celebrate and appreciate them. Some of the activities, which will be implemented during the period, include elaborate decoration of all Experience Centres of the bank and complimentary candies, sweets and chocolates as well as branded corporate gifts for customers amongst during the period. A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the bank, which highlighted the message of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, said that the Customer Service Week has again provided a good opportunity for every staff, units, groups and regions in the bank to delight all stakeholders at all Heritage

Bank touch points. The statement added that this objective will be achieved during the week because every staff is involved, ready and in tune with the fact that customers of the bigger and better Heritage Bank Limited will this period enjoy the best of service delivery during the Customer Service Week and always, a tradition that will continue afterwards. For Heritage Bank Limited, this year’s edition of the Customer Service Week is very unique because it is the first for the new bank which is now better positioned to offer unparalleled banking services across over 165 Experience Centres and counting, 33 Automated Banking Centres, 365 ATMs and over 4800 POS terminals across the country.

Glo rewards system is extraordinary –Dealers, Arinze

gifts. Globacom gave out state of the art cars including Range Rover Sports, Range Rover Autobiography , Toyota Land Cruiser Lexus and Prado SUVs, multi-million naira credit notes, plaques and other gifts at the event to make history as the most rewarding telecom network for dealers. One of the recipients and Managing Director of Office Devices, Mr. James Odogwu, said, “Globacom is a great company.

Doing business with Glo is good business. Glo knows how to reward their partners and when the reward would come it is always big”. Another awardee, the Bajulaye of Ijebuland, and Managing Director of Demus Mayors, Otunba Ademola Adenuga, thanked the company for appreciating its partners in such an extraordinary way, adding that they were now sufficiently mobilized to improve their performance this year..

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Steel & Mining Industry

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Steel industry operating below 30% –MAN CHIDI UGWU, with agency report

any steel plants in the country are currently operating below 30 per cent of their production capacity, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has said. The association’s Director-General, Mr. Remi Ogunmefun, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting conveyed by steel manufacturing group, African Industries, in Lagos, said four steel companies had already shut down in the last few years while many more were on the verge of closing shop. “The steel industry has a future in the country because globally, it has a role to play in development but we are currently faced with problems in the local industry. Four companies have shut down and some others are threatening closure. Patronage is low,” he said. The Group Executive Director, African Industries, Mr. Uche Iwuamadi, said the industry which had invested over N100bn into the nation’s economy was currently at the verge of collapse. “Most of the steel companies in the country are now operating two weeks per month and are closed for the remaining two weeks due to lack of demand. Already, four companies have closed down and more will follow, like what happened in the textile industry if the government does not act urgently,” he said. He said the industry needed intervention fund of about N50bn with single-digit interest rate to revive it, and that the government should champion local content policy to increase demand. He said, “The major area of rescue from collapse is for the Federal Government to make a definite policy of patronising madein-Nigeria steel products such as iron rods for all government projects. “After agriculture, the steel sector is the

highest employer of labour in Nigeria and consumption is largely driven by government initiative on infrastructure project. There is a complete neglect of the involvement of the players in the steel sector in the formulation of the Nigeria industrial policy.” The Chief Executive Officer, African Foundries, the flagship company of African Industries Group, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, said the industry would employ more than 100, 000 people directly and more than 500, 000 others indirectly, if revived. He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria under the present leadership can reverse the trend for the survival and resuscitation of the steel industry, which is currently facing serious challenges with measures such as creating of a local content policy of using made-in-Nigeria iron rods in all small and big government projects and prevention of dumping of steel products in the country. “Government should also create a special power tariff for the steel industry and make available an intervention fund at lower interest costs to prevent the immediate collapse of this private steel industry where many are operating below 30 per cent capacity and overburdened with high interest costs, while waivers/concession may not stop completely for certain infrastructural development, the portion of iron rod importation in any waiver should be expunged.”, Kumar added. In his remarks, the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Mr. Bide Obayi, said steel products manufactured in the country could compete with any other in the world as the organisation had embarked on a standardisation process with the manufacturers from 2011. Ogunmefun called on the government to create processes that would encourage the country to diversify from crude oil to other sectors.

Miners

Operator bemoans forex losses to steel importation

he Nigerian Gas and Steel (NGSL) Limited has lamented the increasingly worrisome foreign exchange losses associated with importation of steel pipes into the country, saying it will strive to reverse the ugly economic situation. The company’s Managing Director, Ha-

Mining, oil threaten natural world heritage sites –Report

early one in three natural world heritage sites are at risk of exploration for fossil fuel and mining, a report from the conservative charity WWF has found. The record high of 31% at risk is up from 24% last year. Natural world heritage sites are selected as the most important globally to conserve for reasons of natural beauty or significance, including game reserves, and unique natural features such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Some are home to species near extinction in the wild, including mountain gorillas, snow leopards and whales. Among those listed at risk are Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Malawi national park, Tanzania’s Selous reserve, Canada’s Wood Buffalo national park and the Danube delta in Romania.

Together, world heritage sites currently cover less than 1% of the planet, but the number of designated sites is on the rise. However, more sites are now in areas that could be opened up to the extraction of oil, gas and mining for minerals and ores, according to the report published on Wednesday called Safeguarding Outstanding Natural Value, and written by WWF, Aviva Investors and Investec Asset Management. Of natural world heritage sites in Africa, more than six in ten are threatened with development. Not all of the sites judged to be at risk are likely to be subject to exploration from fossil fuel or mining companies - many may be nearby to concessions for extraction, or at risk from the transport and infrastructure needed for such development.

The investment companies that co-wrote the report said that companies involved in developments that could have an impact on natural world heritage sites should be aware of the potential risks they are running. These risks include both potential financial implications, and more nebulous risks to their reputation, such as the threat that conservation groups will target them in future for their activities and any damage resulting from them. Earlier this week, the oil giant Shell pulled out of long term operations to drill for oil in the Arctic despite having sunk billions in the projects. The company found that the extraction was not economic, given the expenses involved with the technology required, but was also believed to have been stung by strong criticism from environmental groups.

sib Moukarim, in a statement issued last weekend pointed out that if the enabling is provided, the company had the capacity to produce high quality steel materials that match international standards to meet the needs of the domestic market. While urging steel users in the country to patronise locally manufactured products as a strategic option of halting the massive capital flight on steel importation, he noted that such a step would also boost local capacity with the attendant positive implications for job creation in the country.  He specifically appealed to professionals in the construction industry such as architects, structural engineers, fabricators and consultants to promote the use of Hollow Structural Sections (HSS), a steel pipe for its cost saving and durability for constructions. According to him, HSS is a type of steel tube produced by NGSL and have greater strength to weight ratios than wide flange beams saying HSS has been described by the Steel Tube Institute of North America as The Design Material of the 21st Century Moukarim said: “By soliciting for the right steel which is HSS, a steel pipe and tubes for construction of warehouses and buildings, the clients gets the cost saving and the professionals get the credit.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Experts allay fears over data centres’ lapses Data centres are core aspects of ICT infrastructure and play key roles in the warehousing of vital social and economic data that drive the economy. But analysts are concerned about the nation’s data centres management lapses that have the potential of marring the facilities’ operational efficiency. But then, they are confident that the lapses can be fixed. Isaiah Erhiawarien reports.

ollowing the telecoms industry innovation that ushered in the era of the Global System for Mobile, GSM, technology into the country in 2000, several data centres were built by mobile network operators, government agencies and other institutions, the demand for more data centres has never abated in view of their roles in data production, security and efficient management.

Specifically, National Mirror investigations showed that analyst were worried about the security and power data centre together with the cooling system that drives data centres considering the type of climate. The worry is based on the premise that the nation is increasingly becoming more digitally literate and the citizens have comfortably accepted the cashless police as well as the adoption of electronic voting system, which saw the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC build a data base of the electorate. Fears of data compromise of data of millions of housed at the serves of immigration, and more recently that of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC still trouble analyst. But expert advice suggested that the Nigerians have no need to worry about the issues surrounding data centre security and power supply reliability. Regional Manager, West Africa, Eaton, a data centre construction company, Mr. Charles Iyo assured that if there is high power data is always availability and never compromised noting that high maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnosis and services will help to keep data centre up and running reliably. Iyo at a one-day Eaton Data Centre infrastructure workshop‎ for IT journalists in Lagos said that there can be increased efficiency without sacrific-

ing uptime saying that there are power products designed for data centres which offers an unprecedented level of power performance and numerous technological advancements that create an optimal level of reliability while emphasising serviceability. He explained that products offer 99 per cent efficiency with the Energy Saver System, ESS, adding that Eaton power product provides stronger power performance with double-conversion design and Eaton’s exclusive easy capacity test. He added that Eaton power products offers superior battery management, inherent redundancy and a scalable architecture that adapts to increasing power requirements. Iyo disclosed however, that about 90 per cent of data centre infrastructure operating in Nigeria, both at the public and the private sectors, need optimisation stressing that reliability of data

centres and ‎security ‎are top priorities for organisations. He explained that data centres in the country are well secured to hold sensitive data stressing that one of the data centres in Orile- Iganmu, Lagos has a wall with 20 inch block and a sensors on the roof top of the data centre. He added however, that the growing population of the country requires that more awareness be created for more data centres in the country due to the need to warehouse data such as marriage, birth, death and sundry data. According to Iyo there is guarantee on Return on Investment, RoI, as promising savings of $50,000 to $75,000 per UPS modules via lower contracting costs and materials adding that the presence of Eaton in Nigeria organisations with data centre infrastructure are guaranteed 100 per cent safety and security. Also speaking at the workshop, Data

Another thing the industry needs to worry about is the growing demand of data centres occasioned by Nigeria’s growing digital

economy, a situation which can be remedied by building more data centres

Centre and Building Segment Manager, Eaton Electrical South Africa, Deon Ferreira described ‎a data centre as all important facility that centralises an organisation’s IT operations and equipment, and where it stores, manages, and disseminates its data. He explained that data centres house a network’s most critical systems that are vital to the continuity of daily operations. For instance, MTN Nigeria data centre hosted at Ojota not only house subscriber’s data used in seamless communications within its network and across other network. Peculiar to data centres in the country, according to Ferreira is the fact that the country now stands as a destination of most pre-fabricating or prepackaging data centre infrastructure assembled at remote factories in some parts of the world. To dispel some of the fears exercised by analyst over data centres in the country, he suggested that storage network infrastructure in financial institutions could be improved upon to meet the volume of data they generate. According to him, there are big data in the telecommunication industry, Oil and Gas and other sectors of country’s economy that are critical to the sustenance of the economy as well as its growth. Ferreira was however quick to note that the volume of data being generated in the country is far beyond the essential or superior data centre infrastructure in use in some companies. Another thing the industry needs to worry about is the growing demand of data centres occasioned by Nigeria’s growing digital economy, a situation which can be remedied by building more data centres, safe for the cost. But Ferreira said that co-location comes easy as a solution but that financial institutions are concerned in controlling their data centres adding that Eaton has worked with Facebook in the USA to address cost by driving down the cost data centre hosting. He added that most data centres in the country are either in the Tier 2 or Tier 3 level noting that the ultimate, which is Tier 4. He said Nigeria needs more premium data centres, which Eaton expertise provides noting that the volume of data that is being generated in this country is increasing on daily basis. “A handful of vendors have packaged a whole data centre in a pre-fabricated module or container. Some have done so just with the electrical equipment or with cooling gear – systems that would otherwise take longer to ship to the site and assemble piece by piece”, he said.

Info Tech

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Blue chips telecos are losing Canon unveils a 250-Megapixel revenue says, report CMOS Camera Sensor

Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

hink 4K is not enough? Camera maker Canon announced on Monday that it has developed a 250-megapixel image sensor. Touting the abilities of the new sensor, the Japanese technology conglomerate noted that the new APS-H CMOS sensor could distinguish an airplane flying at a distance of approximately 18km from the shooting location. Despite being the densest sensor in its size range, the company claims the new APS-H CMOS sensor is extremely fast. The company noted in a blog post that the new sensor has a readout speed of 1.25 billion pixels per second. “With CMOS sensors, increases in pixel counts result in increased signal volume, which can cause such problems as signal delays and slight discrepancies in timing,” the company said. “The new Canon-developed CMOS sensor, however, despite

its exceptionally high pixel count, achieves an ultra-high signal readout speed of 1.25 billion pixels per second, made possible through such advancements as circuit miniaturisation and enhanced signal-processing technology,” it added. As for its other capabilities, the new APS-H CMOS sensor could capture great videos too, the company added. You could record videos in the resolution that is roughly 30 times better than 4K, and 125 times better than 1080p. But don’t expect this technology to arrive on your smartphone, at least for a very long time. Canon said that it is likely to use this sensor in specialised surveillance and crime prevention tools. But don’t get disheartened; the good news is that camera makers continue to make great advancements in the sensor technologies. This would eventually become readily available to the public.

Samsung, Oculus announce consumer version of Gear VR

Samsung Gear VR headgear powered by Oculus software is already on the market. An improved version will debut in the United States in November, according to Peter Koo, a Senior Vice President in the Mobile Communications Division of the South Korean consumer electronics titan. “It is really virtual reality on the go,” Oculus Chief Executive Brian Iribe said of Gear VR. Koo said the price was intended to be affordable enough to make virtual reality “mainstream.” People are already sharing 360-degree video and playing immersive games using Gear VR headsets, which let the company’s smartphones serve as display screens.

The new Gear VR model s 22 percent lighter than its predecessor, more comfortable to wear and has improve controls, according to Koo. The hardware works with the current year’s line-up of Galaxy smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6, and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. “Together with Samsung, we’ve redefined virtual reality and created the best mobile VR experience available today,” said Iribe. “On Gear VR, people are playing immersive VR games with friends, sharing 360 video experiences, and teleporting around the world with photos and videos - and it’s only the beginning for what’s possible with mobile VR.”

atest ranking from International Data Corporation, IDC, financial insights on Financial Technology, FinTech has revealed that the largest global technology companies are experiencing revenue declines while smaller vendors gain significant market share. The 12th annual rankings, which measure the health of the global technology market for all financial services sectors looks into the details of the FinTech Rankings analysis and proposes explanations for some major shifts happening in FinTech revenues. According to IDC, technology buyers can use this information to direct and support their own investment strategies, while IT providers will gain insight into the world’s technology markets and how those markets are moving today adding that the 2015 IDC

Financial Insights FinTech Rankings are based primarily on calendar year 2014. The report said that IT revenues is derived from the banking, insurance, and capital markets sectors of financial services noting that those organisations that receive more than a third of their calendar year revenue from financial services are tracked in the FinTech Top 100. The further said that companies who gain significant revenues from financial services, yet do not meet the one third criteria, were tracked in the FinTech Enterprise 25. “For 2014, the 125 global companies that comprise the FinTech Rankings index brought in almost $172 billion in revenues essentially flat over 2013”, said IDC. Meanwhile, IDC has estimated that total addressable spending in financial services that is, spending on hardware, software, and services – actually rose by 3.9 per cent from 2013 to 2014.

The IDC’s analysis showed that a gap has emerged in the growth of spending versus the revenues experienced by the top IT vendors worldwide as measured in the FinTech Rankings. In addition, the analysis indicated that revenues at the larger firms that appear on the FinTech Enterprise Top 25 index are actually in decline, again, despite the continued growth in spending by the institutions. Also the revenue growth experienced by the vendors tracked in the FinTech Top 100, with a greater focus on financial institutions, actually grew more than overall spending in the market. The global research body disclosed that there is a movement away from dependence on hardware and a definite focus on software solutions a trend that is in line with the virtualisation and convergence initiatives seen at many top tier institutions worldwide.

Oracle assures Nigeria firms of world class solution Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

rganisations operating in Nigerian that are seeking world class IT solutions need not look outside the shores of the nation, as Oracle, a global IT solution company have assured of regular availability of such solutions. Oracle Nigeria’s Country leader, Adebayo Sanni made the remark on the sideline of the official opening of its new office in Lagos, that house Oracle’s sales, human resources, and operational functions to service the West African region. According to Sanni Oracle’s revenue in the region has grown

over the years, along with its partner ecosystem that has increased in size by 30 per cent over the past three years noting that Oracle customers are rapidly adopting mobile, social and cloud technologies to transform their businesses. He explained that Oracle customers in the country are now delivering services that weren’t possible before adding ”they are finding very smart ways to bring their products to market. Throughout Africa we have seen remarkable innovation and transformation.” He said: “With cloud adoption rates accelerating, this ability becomes even more prevalent. Software as a Service (SaaS) is becoming ingrained in the sector’s

consciousness and Platform as a Service (PaaS) is also gaining traction.” Sanni disclosed that there was the need for IT systems have to be fast and simple to be able to be agile saying, “We’re very excited by the opening of Oracle’s latest stateof-the-art facility here in Nigeria and look forward to continuing to provide world-class solutions to help our customers and partners innovate and grow in the region.” For more than three and a half decades, Oracle has been the leader in database software. And as it has further developed technologies and acquired best-in-class companies over the years, that leadership has expanded to the entire technology stack.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Government Technology

SAP links Nigeria’s digital literacy to youths Stories Isaiah Erhiawarien

nterprise application software company, SAP, has envisaged that digital literacy in the country has possibility of growing fast among the young population. Speaking on the sideline of its plan to start campaign on the spread of digital literacy in Africa through the Africa Code Week, Executive Chairman, SAP Africa, Pfungwa Serima said that “Over the next decade, Africa’s youth will determine whether the continent wins or loses the game.” He disclosed that the Digital Economy is here and the opportunities it presents are manifold stressing that “If we equip young Africans with the best technology, give them skills that make them relevant to the job market and empower them to be bold and innovative, we’ll see them do amazing things.” According to him, Africa has the fastest growing digital consumer market and the largest working-age population in the world saying that the World Economic Forum expects the population of Africa to double to 1 billion by 2050, exceeding that of China and India. Serima said that the potential problem triggered by this boom in working-age youth is compounded by a lack of educational opportunities particularly in the area of technology training. He added that at the same time, African companies are scrambling to fill positions with employees who possess the

right digital skills saying, “Only one percent of African children leave school with basic coding skills.” He called on other companies and non-profit organizations to help place African youth on the path to successful digital careers by joining the growing team of Africa Code Week partners. The SAP executive said that in preparation for Africa Code Week, SAP has deployed its own IT experts as volunteers to train adults, parents, teachers and government staff, giving them the tools they need to bring coding knowledge to children and youth noting that till date, SAP has already trained 1,500 educators. From October 1-10, 2015, online sessions and hundreds of free coding workshops will be organised for children and youth aged 8 to 24 across 17 countries for Nigeria, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia and Uganda. The Africa Code Week is part of SAP’s effort to bridge this digital skills gap and drive sustainable growth in Africa. The company already invests in the SAP Skills for Africa program, which provides additional business and IT skills to recent university graduates. It reinforces that commitment to graduates while extending it to primary and secondary students, creating a full cycle of skills support for young people in Africa.

L-R: Alfonso Di Ianni, Oracle Senior Vice President, ECEMEA; Orla Nichorcora, Oracle Senior Director, Business Development, ECEMEA; Adebayo Sanni, Oracle Nigeria Country Director; and Janusz Naklicki, Oracle Vice President: Technology, AFTA Cluster at the Oracle office opening in Lagos. Founded and orchestrated by SAP in partnership with Simplon.co, AMPION, the Galway Education Centre, the Cape Town Science Centre and the King Baudouin Foundation, Africa Code Week is supported by a fast-growing network of local governments, international and local educational organizations, NGOs and software companies across the continent. Google Incorporated also joined Africa Code Week as a strategic partner to support local organisers of computer science and coding activities all over Africa. Workshops for the 8-11 and 12-17 age groups are based on Scratch, the famous system developed by the MIT Media Lab

to simplify the face of coding for the young generation. Provided free of charge, Scratch makes coding accessible to anyone and is being used by millions of kids and teens around the world to create and share interactive stories, animations and games. Via the openSAP platform, SAP also offers free massive open online courses (MOOCs) for those who cannot attend Africa Code Week events or who want to take their Scratch programming experience to the next level. Local organizers will be able to setup computer science clubs in schools and introduce students aged 9-14 to computer science using the free and easy-to-use Google CS First enrichment materials.

Students aged 18-24 will learn how to leverage Web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, as well as Meteor.js. to create their own WhatsApp clone, a simple messaging app that runs on mobile devices. Commenting on the initiative, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Rachid Belmokhtar said that “Trained, tech-savvy graduates are needed to improve Africa’s position in the globally competitive knowledge economy” noting that everyone from governments and educational institutions all the way to NGOs and corporations has a role to play to spread digital literacy across Africa.

Financial Technology

Dell precision mobile workstations arrives Nigeria Stories

by Isaiah

Erhiawarien

ell has introduced its new line-up of Dell Precision mobile workstations and updates to the fixed line of Dell Precision tower solutions. Redesigned inside and out, the new mobile workstations combine the beauty of thinner, lighter industrial designs and brilliant displays with the performance of the latest graphics technology with new processors and faster memory and storage.

This portfolio, according to the Executive Director for Dell Precision, Rahul Tikoo, makes huge leaps in performance with innovative new screen and configuration options. Tikoo said, “We listened to our customers in categories such as media and entertainment, engineering, manufacturing, finance and beyond, to deliver a high-performing system for their workload needs. This portfolio combines the great, new technology from our hardware partners, seamless functionality with the applications of our

software partners, and the amazing innovation from our Dell Precision engineers and product teams to deliver the most powerful and beautifully-balanced mobile workstations on the market.” He added that, “The new Dell Precision workstations also offer the best experience for professional users by adding certifications for various professional applications, hardware customisation to ensure systems are tailored to specific needs, and the industry-leading ProSupport Plus for PCs and Tablets offers complete support ser-

vice with priority access to expert support, accidental damage repair, and proactive, predictive monitoring for automatic issue prevention and resolution, so customers spend more time creating with Dell Precision Workstations.” Dell has also announced its new Dell UltraSharp 25 PremierColor monitor and Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor monitor with ultrathin bezels that enable customers enjoy a seamless viewing experience or utilise a stunning dual monitor setup.

Dell PremierColor range sets the standard for creative professionals, offering precise colours calibrated at factory, user-enabled colour adjustments and exceptional colour depth and colour gamut for colour-critical work. Dell is the number one monitor brand worldwide and its award winning suite of monitors allows creative professionals to revolutionise their viewing experience with uncompromising performance, unmatched reliability and innovative design.

Global News

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Big U.S. firms hold $2.1 trillion overseas to avoid taxes – Study

he 500 largest American companies hold more than $2.1 trillion in accumulated profits offshore to avoid U.S. taxes and would collectively owe an estimated $620 billion in U.S. taxes if they repatriated the funds, according to a study released on Tuesday. The study, by two left-leaning non-profit groups, found that nearly three-quarters of the firms on the Fortune 500 list of biggest American companies by gross revenue operate tax haven subsidiaries in countries like Bermuda, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The Citizens for Tax Justice and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund used the companies’ own financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to reach their conclusions. Technology firm Apple (AAPL.O) was holding $181.1 billion offshore, more than any other U.S. company, and would owe an estimated $59.2 billion in U.S. taxes if it tried to bring the money back to the United States from its three overseas tax havens, the study said. The conglomerate General Electric (GE.N) has booked $119 billion offshore in 18 tax ha-

Manufacturing company in U.S

vens, software firm Microsoft (MSFT.O) is holding $108.3 billion in five tax haven subsidiaries and drug company Pfizer (PFE.N) is holding $74 billion in 151 subsidiaries, the study said. “At least 358 companies, nearly 72 percent of the Fortune 500, operate subsidiaries in tax haven jurisdictions as of the end of 2014,” the study said. “All told these 358 companies maintain at least 7,622 tax haven subsidiaries.” Fortune 500 companies hold more than $2.1 trillion in accumulated profits offshore to avoid taxes, with just 30 of the firms accounting for $1.4 trillion of that amount, or 65 per-

cent, the study found. Fifty-seven of the companies disclosed that they would expect to pay a combined $184.4 billion in additional U.S. taxes if their profits were not held offshore. Their filings indicated they were paying about 6 percent in taxes overseas, compared to a 35 percent U.S. corporate tax rate, it said. “Congress can and should take strong action to prevent corporations from using offshore tax havens, which in turn would restore basic fairness to the tax system, reduce the deficit and improve the functioning of markets,” the study concluded.

IMF cuts global growth forecasts again, cites commodity and China worries

he International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for a second time this year on Tuesday, citing weak commodity prices and a slowdown in China and warned that policies aimed at increasing demand were needed. The Fund, whose annual meeting starts in Peru this week, forecast that the world economy would grow at 3.1 percent this year and by 3.6 percent in 2016. Both new forecasts are 0.2 percentage point below its July forecast and are 0.4 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point below its April outlook, respectively. The downgrades come after

IMF, MD, Lagarde

central banks in major industrial economies have cut rates to near zero and spent around $7 trillion in quantitative easing programs in the seven years since the global financial crisis. Despite these measures, investment, growth and productivity are stuck below pre-crisis levels and there is a lack of consumer demand. Among major economies, the United States is expected to grow by 2.6 percent in 2015 and by 2.8 percent in 2016, the Eurozone is forecast to grow by 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively, with Japan seen at 0.6 percent and 1.0 percent. The Fund sees growth in China slowing to 6.8 percent this year and 6.3 percent in 2016. The biggest hit to growth will come in emerging economies where the IMF cut its growth forecast to 4 percent in 2015, due to a sharp slide in commodity prices. “The distribution of risks to global growth remains tilted to the downside,” the Fund said in its World Economic Outlook publication. It said that “downside risks to growth for emerging market and developing economies have increased, given the risks to China’s growth transition, more protracted

commodity market rebalancing, increased foreign exposure of corporate balance sheets and capital flow reversals associated with disruptive asset price shifts.” The Fund expects the Federal Reserve to start raising rates this year, although it expects the central bank to stay its hand until it sees signs of inflation rising toward its two percent target. The Fed was criticized for failing to communicate effectively at its September rate meeting when comments prior to the event indicated that liftoff from zero rates was possible. Markets are now pricing in a first move in March 2016. Greater transparency by the Fed would ease possible disruptions to other economies, particularly emerging markets, which are more vulnerable to changes in U.S. policy. The Fund has also warned the Fed not to hike prematurely. “Regardless of the timing of the initial policy move, the data would suggest that the subsequent rate increases should be gradual,” the IMF said. Nonetheless inflation remains well below target, and market-based expectations show it is expected to remain below the Fed’s target for a considerable time.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Facebook plans satellite ‘in 2016’

acebook is to launch a satellite that will provide internet access to remote parts of Africa, the social network’s founder Mark Zuckerberg has announced. In partnership with Frenchbased provider Eutelsat, Facebook hope the first satellite will be launched in 2016. “We’re going to keep working to connect the entire world -- even if that means looking beyond our planet,” Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post. The project is part of Facebook’s Internet.org project, which has come under fierce criticism in some countries. In some areas, particularly India, businesses reacted angrily to the plans saying it gave Facebook, and its partners, an unfair advantage in developing internet markets. Internet.org is experimenting with different ways of providing internet to hard-to-reach places. Recently, the company told of how it was planning to use a custom-built drone to beam down connectivity. This latest initiative looks to use existing satellite technolo-

Zuckerberg

gy to provide affordable internet access. “Over the last year Facebook has been exploring ways to use aircraft and satellites to beam internet access down into communities from the sky,” Mr Zuckerberg wrote. “To connect people living in remote regions, traditional connectivity infrastructure is often difficult and inefficient, so we need to invent new technologies.” In a statement, Eutelsat said users on the ground would be able to use “off the shelf ” products to access the service when it launches in the second half of 2016.

Taiwan’s HTC smartphone maker in quarterly net loss

aiwan’s troubled smartphone maker HTC has reported a net loss of 4.48bn New Taiwan dollars ($137.63m; £90.8m) for the three months to September. The figure compares to a net profit of about 600m New Taiwan dollars for the same period a year earlier. The one-time market leader has struggled to compete against smartphones made by Samsung and Apple, among other firms. HTC has also been dropped from the index of Taiwan’s 50 largest firms. The move followed a 66 per cent slide in its share price this year and meant it could no longer trade on Taiwan’s benchmark TWSE 50 index. Foreign investors are usu-

Apple smartphones

ally reluctant to hold shares not listed on the main Taiwan index. The weak results for the three months to September came as no surprise as the company had earlier issued a profit warning. It has also said it is undergoing a massive restructuring program that will see some 15 per cent of its workforce slashed. In August the firm said its quarterly net loss for the three months to June was 8bn Taiwan new dollars. HTC, which was founded in the 1990s, made the world’s first Android smartphone. It started out manufacturing notebook computers and created some of the first touch screen, handheld devices.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Brands & Marketing

Why we’re conducting opinion polls – NIMN boss Recently, the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, decided to venture into opinion research in Nigeria. In this report DAVID AUDU examines the place of polls in national planning and development and specifically why the Institute is taking on the resource-demanding project.

pinion poll in recent times has become a veritable tool widely used to gauge public opinion on development issues and often, political candidate ratings in the society. According to online encyclopedia, an opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll, is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence intervals. Tracing the beginning of research polls, the same online dictionary notes that “the first known example of an opinion poll was a local straw poll conducted by The Aru Pennsylvanian in 1824, showing Andrew Jackson leading John Quincy Adam by 335 votes to 169 in the contest for the United States Presidency and other polls that correctly predicted election results. “And gradually such straw votes became more popular, but they remained local, usually city-wide phenomena. In 1916, the Litery Digest embarked on a national survey, partly as a circulation-raising exercise, and correctly predicted Woodrow Wilson’s election as president. Mailing out millions of Postcard and simply counting the returns, the Digest correctly predicted the victories of Warren Harding in 1920, Calving Cooling in 1924, Herbert Hoover in 1928, and Franklin Roosevelt in 1932” Opinion polls, according to research experts, helps make political parties more responsive to voters and assisting elected officials to improve services to citizens, believing that a well-informed citizenry is fundamental to democratic reform and therefore polling is an excellent means of determining public opinion. Investigation shows that qualitative and quantitative public opinion research is pivotal to modern societies. It also helps to demystify the process of research to ensure broader use and increased public trust in the results is a key goal of public survey research”, says a research analyst with one of global agencies in Nigeria . “Aggregate, anonymous data via pub-

Koledoye

Billboard

WE INTEND TO OFFER TO THE PUBLIC WHAT PROSPECTIVE VOTERS ARE THINKING AND COMMUNICATE THE SAME TO THE SOCIETY; WHICH CANDIDATE OR HOW THE VARIOUS CANDIDATE ARE PRERFORMING lic opinion research provides a legitimate means by which people can voice their thoughts and opinions without fear of reprisal, and by which they can hold their leaders accountable to constituent priorities and interests. “Comprehensive, nonpartisan public opinion research is the most effective method of determining the concerns and needs of voters. When done correctly, public opinion research plays an essential role in determining government’s, opposition’s and parties’ abilities to communicate with citizens. It is the only proven method of determining the level of public understanding of the roles and powers of institutions and newly implemented legislation”. It has been observed also that Public opinion research is a crucial instrument in the efforts to make political parties more responsive to voters, assist elected officials at all levels of government to improve their service to citizens, and foster greater participation of under-represented groups, and of citizens generally, in the political process. There are a variety of public opinion methods. These include public opinion polls (quantitative research), focus groups (qualitative research), and occasionally, more specialized techniques such as exit polling, oversampling, panels and tracking polls. Opinion research is mostly used to understand public sentiment, develop plans to contact citizens and prepare strategies for campaigns. Much time is spent on analyzing cross tabulations from the poll, so that people partners understand the demographic factors behind public opinion. All polls are essentially snapshots in time, and public opinion research, opin-

ions are continually evolving and developing. Public opinion research is done to help strengthen political and civic institutions, such as political parties and nongovernmental organizations It is this benefits in view that institutions such as the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, has waken up to seize the opportunity of its national spread to begin to tap into the potentials of conducting public opinion polls. For those not aware, NIMN is the body that certify marketing professionals in Nigeria. Speaking on the institutes foray into polls recently, its national president, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, said it was borne out of genuine intentioms to bridge the gap of credible polls in the country. “We intend to offer to the public what prospective voters are thinking and communicate the same to the society; which candidate or how the various candidate are prerforming. This will be the first step”. He said the poll will start with the Bayelsa State election, then move to Edo state. He said the essence is that marketing is all about customer satisfaction. “Before we have not been serious about our social responsibility, but now we are ready and willing to demonstrate our CSR, and the opinion poll is one aspect of it we want to start. “We have enough internal marketing competence because our members who are spread accross the country have vast experiences in the area of market research, polling and all the mechanism used in investigation and taking decision in the interest of consumers. This we hope that those who will benefit from our polls

will be able to take decision. He explained further that the polling structure will will eventually metamophosed to the national level and eventually accommodate all the needs of prospective clients, individuals and corporate organisation that will enable them take decision on trends, product, c onsumer trends, among others things. Already polster are being trained to corry this out. He assured on the credibility of any poll carried out by NIMN, without bias to any body. “We believe it is necessary for NIMN to begin to do this to enable people to know what is trending in a credible and unbiased manner.” Another reason for NIMN embarking on opinion polling, the NIMN president exained, was the need to engage the vast of majority of members spread across the country. “ We want to satisfy our member who feel they have something to offer the society but have not been given the opportunity, we want to give them the opportunity through this project and exercise. He said the institute is reving the training and consultancy unit in order to engage members for a productive venture that will not only benefit the institute but the society as a whole. He said the Bayelsa election will be the first testing ground for the NIMN polls. Reacting to the political nature of opinion polls, he said, it was for such reasons that an umpire like the NIMN will be venturing into polls, noting that as a marketing body with national spread they are in a position to offer such service. Marketing expert however hailed the bold move of NIMN, saying it has long been over due for a body such NIMN to stamp its feet on national issues such as conducting polls, noting that marketing bodies in Europe and American have long been into it, and therefore, it would be welcomed by all marketing professionals and individuals in Nigeria. Reacting to the development, a research analyst with Milward Brown Nigeria, Mr. Michael Umogun, noted that NIMN as marketing institute is established for national development and as such they can conduct polls to enrich the societal opinion making. But however raised issue on what the subject of such polls will be. He said if the issues are marketing oriented, then, they are competent, but advised that they should be cautious if the issues are not marketing oriented. He acknowledged that the members are well read but that not all of them are professional in the field of research. While praising the initiative, he also advised that they should work with established research agencies to ensure credible outcome.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Guinness flags off football consumer promo DAVID AUDU

n fulfillment of its promise to provide more exciting times to football fans, Guinness Nigeria Plc., has launched a marketing campaign tagged ‘Every Minute Made Of Black’. Activated across Nigeria, Every Minute Made of Black football consumer promotion has been conceived to reward loyal football fans and give them an intense experience that represents the bold, iconic beer. Speaking at the media launch, Senior Brand Manager, Guinness, Kunle Faloye said, “We have a great property with our broadcast sponsorship of the Barclays Premier League on DSTV and we want to leverage the opportunity to engage fans at home, bars and viewing centers, giving them a stake in the game and the chance to win great prizes. “This is truly an innovative promotion, and we hope that our consumers will find it to be fun and an interesting way to watch the BPL

games.” Commenting on how to participate in the promo, Faloye said that, “During the campaign period, consumers are expected to check under the crown cork of all Guinness promotional bottles for a minute between 1 and 90. Text the code, the minute and team name to 1759, if the minute under your crown matches the minute a goal is scored by the selected team, then you will win N1000 airtime instantly”. “The first 2,500 entries will win N250 airtime just for participating. There is also the big cash reward, every entry automatically qualifies for the weekend grand draw, where 20 people will share N2, 000,000 cash reward; that is N100, 000 cash per person, but you have to participate to win”, said Faloye. “This is not just an ordinary NCP; Guinness is set to reward Nigerians for their passion and give them an opportunity to make every match day an exciting experience. Now, consumers have one more reason

to enjoy their BPL games. If you believe that a goal could be scored during your minute of the match, then there’s nothing stopping that from happening – it’s all about your knowledge of the game,” he added. According to the Portfolio Marketing Manager, Guinness, Ms. Liz Ashdown, this promotion will give millions of Nigerians the chance to get more involved with their favourite team matches, look forward to some exciting moments, whilst also winning some incredible prizes. “Over the years, we have been in partnership with DSTV through its Supersport channel to broadcast all the excitement and fun that the BPL brings among football fans across Nigeria and we will be making the bars and viewing centers much more lively and fun-filled under the Every Minute Made of Black campaign. Consumers who are bold enough to take a chance on their minute can win loads of free instant airtime and also take home amazing cash rewards”.

L-R: Chairman, Committee on Education, Kano State House of Assembly Honourable Baffa Babba Dan-agundi ; Kano State Deputy Governor / Honorable Commissioner for Education, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar; Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, and Head, Regional, Mukadas Babangida Sales, North, at the commissioning of a solar power installation by Etisalat at Girls’ Government College, Dala, Kano State, an Etisalat-Adopted School , in Kano recently.

Capri-Sonne engages consumers on ‘Minions Promo’ DAVID AUDU

apri-Sonne has taken initiatives to further engage its consumers in the ongoing Capri-sonne Minions Promo through a 360 marketing communication strategy. The Capri-sonne Minions Promo has been deployed nationwide on regional and national television channels through a television commercial that is generated amongst consumers. According to managing director, Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, “the Capri-Sonne Minions promo consumer engagements offer us another platform to further reward our consumers. It is our belief that Capri-Sonne Minions Promo would continue to create an atmosphere of fun and adventure for millions of young fans across the

country” He said The Minions is a 2015 3D computer-animated comedy film and a presequel/spin off to the Despicable Mefranchise. Minions are small, yellow impulsive creatures with odd innocence that endears them to viewers and make them relatable. They have hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and have become a huge commercial success worldwide. He explained further that children across Nigeria can now look forward to a season of adventure and fun which the Capri-Sonne Minions Promo promises through various consumer engagements platforms. Explaining the modalities for the promo, he n social medis Capri-sonne Minions games can be played on the Capri-Sonne facebook page. Young fans can now par-

ticipate in the fun and adventure by simply finding exciting freebies in every carton of Capri-Sonne purchased within the promo period and then takes a selfie with the gift item. They can upload the images to the Capri-Sonne Facebook page and get as many of their friends to like the picture and stand a chance of winning exciting gift items like Playstations, Tablets and lots more. Also, consumer engagement platforms such as marketing activations in open markets and consumer activations like taste trials in schools and shopping malls has also commenced Pan Nigeria to create the excitement and buzz which Capri-Sonne is known for. Selected Primary schools across the country have been scheduled for the taste trials and exciting games which would afford the opportunity for children to win prizes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airtel backs Banana Island cultural festival SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

irtel Nigeria, along with other sponsors has disclosed its readiness to sponsor this year’s Banana Island cultural festival. Banana Island, a high-end, mixeduse Island in Ikoyi, Lagos came alive recently as one of the leading telecoms operators thrills the residents. At the colourful event, families, friends and guests of the area were treated to mellifluous music, greattasting intercontinental cuisines and beautiful works of art Banana Island cultural festival is a yearly occasion that avails residents opportunity to know one another while celebrating cultural diversity of the residents. Recently, residents of the estate from India, France, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South-Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Jamaica and Nigeria among others represented their individual countries as they showcased

their rich cultural heritage. This could be seen through their unique dressing, cuisine and different genres of music Each country represented at the event was assigned a booth to display their food, traditional attires, accessories, artwork and other items while Airtel Nigeria showcased its offerings at the event. The highpoint of the occasion was raffle draws conducted by Airtel’s Brand Ambassador, Ik Osakioduwa. Some participants won Airtel devices and other give-aways prizes such as bicycles, microwave, return ticket to United Kingdom and other gifts donated by other sponsors. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Chairman, Banana Island Property Owners/Residents’ Association, BIPORAL, Mr. Chudi Ubosi and the former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence ItaGiwa were also spotted at the event.

Apple remains world’s most valuable brand

pple has retained the number one spot in Interbrand’s annual ranking of the world’s most valuable brands, a position it has held onto since 2013, when it knocked CocaCola out of the top spot. Trailing behind the Cupertinobased company are brands like Google, Microsoft, and Samsung in second, fourth, and seventh place respectively. Since last year’s ranking, Apple has grown in brand value of 43 percent, earning it one of Interbrand’s “Top Riser” designations. Overall, the company increased from $118.9 billion last year to $170.3 billion in this year’s survey, up a total of about $51.4 billion in brand valuation from 2014 to 2015. Other companies like Amazon

and Facebook, which saw increased growth in 2015, also earned a “Top Riser” spot. A handful of big launches helped make Apple’s 2015 a notable one, including the Apple Watch’s release in April and the announcement and launch of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, just a few weeks ago in September. In their opening weekend alone, the new iPhones sold a record-breaking thirteen million units, beating out last year’s ten million units for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The company also announced the iPad Pro, all-new Apple TV, and a handful of new Apple Watch features and bands at its “Hey Siri” event on September 9.

Brands going personal in packaging

lobal marketers are taking a more personalized approach to reaching consumers. This year, several have tinkered with logos and packaging, adding names, words, teams or whatever the brand sees as a way to make a deeper connection with shoppers. “Consumers and more specifically millennial love customized, personalized experience and leveraging packaging is the best way to tap into” that, said Alex Lambrecht of Bud Light company. Younger generations embrace individuality, and these personalized efforts cater to that, added Brian Rafferty, global director of research insights for branding firm Siegel+Gale. “It makes people feel like the brand is more about them than about the brand,” he noted. It worked for Coca-Cola, which just wrapped up its “Share a Coke” campaign in September.

Coke attributed a 2.5 percent gain in sales, following a decade-long decline, to the customized cans. The campaign also helped Coke score over 1.14 billion impressions across social media. With that kind of impact, it makes sense other marketers would follow—Snickers replaced its logo with hunger triggers and Bud Light is rolling out NFL team-themed cans. For the past two years, Corona Extra, in partnership with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, has had boxing fans buzzing over limited edition, specially wrapped 18-packs of 12-ounce bottles. Now, the brewer is asking fans to vote on its site for the next six fighters to be featured this year. To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which ends Oct. 15, Coca-Cola whipped up a line of temporary tattoos of common Latino family names that consumers can peel off their cans and wear.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, October 8, 2015

MTN Foundation inaugurates #What Can we Do Together? Initiative DAVID AUDU

s part of efforts to reach out to more Nigerians, the MTN Foundation (MTNF) has launched a new initiative tagged “#WhatCanWeDoTogether? on its 10th anniversary celebration. With the #WhatCanWeDoTogether? intitiave the Foundation will implement 200 projects in 200 communities across 200 LGAs in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, The Executive Secretary, Nonny Ubgoma, said, “You can change your community for good with your. By partnering with the MTN Foundation, a community of your choice could be a beneficiary of any of 200 projects to be implemented in 200 communities across 200 LGAs in the country. These projects could be any of

the following: provision of school furniture, boreholes, transformers or household items for orphanages”. Speaking further, Nonny said that this is a demonstration of the Foundation’s commitment to continue to compliment government’s efforts in ways that can improve project development in various communities across the country. On his part the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, said that relationship is a core value at MTN as a business. “MTN and the MTN Foundation uphold the company’s core value of building and sustaining relationships. Looking at what the Foundation has achieved in a decade, relationship plays an integral part in the success story of impact on millions of Nigerians in the areas of Education, Health and Economic Empowerment.”

It is this value and the successes we have achieved so far that inspired us to say: let’s partner with Nigerians by asking them to nominate any of these four projects: school furniture, boreholes, transformers or household items for orphanages, for their communities. “Through this nomination a community of your choice could benefit from one of these projects and we are going to implement this in 200 communities.” He said. Entries for this initiative will end next week end. Nigerians are expected to register the community name and their preferred project, guided by the prompts that follow after dialling the specified code. MTNF has spent over N13 billion over the last decade on 344 project sites across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Peak Choco excites kids on Independence day celebrations DAVID AUDU

n commemoration of this year’s Independence Day Celebration, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Ltd, makers of Peak Choco delighted kids to a fun-filled gala at the Apapa Amusement Park, Lagos. Parents and teachers with their children and students thronged the newly renovated Apapa Amusement Park for four days for a family fun weekend with Peak Choco. According to Senior Brand Manager, Peak, Omolara Banjoko, the sole purpose of staging the funfilled independence day celebration with Nigerian children is to allow them have fun and also learn from it. “Everyday millions of Nigerian children are waiting to be excited, they want to have freedom and fun to explore new circles in life. We believe that when they have fun in such a place, they will have the freedom to express themselves and decide to be who they want to be.” “We know we have fantastic product that is nutritious, creamy and tasty but most importantly, we want children to have fun and as

they have fun and nourish themselves, they can be that branded child and chose whoever they want to be, like doctor, pilot, sailor and any other career they dream of.” She stated. The FrieslandCampina WAMCO senior manager also explained the choice of Apapa Amusement Park. “we see an opportunity with Apapa Amusement park, when we came here it was so fantastic, so many rides, we hardly have this kind of such a wonderful place here in Nigeria. I remember the last time we have this was when we were young children, so we see this as an opportunity to give back to children the experience we had as children that was why we partnered with Apapa Amusement Park to offer 4 days of amazing fun to the children. “It is an opportunity for children to just come in here and have fun. All they just needed to do is to buy a roll of peak choco and get fantastic gifts and of course they get a fun filled free ride.” The Peak Choco 4-Day independence Ride and Fun which kicked off on October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence Day is expected to be an annual event.

Firm identifies Nigeria as key to brand’s African market share DAVID AUDU

H L-R: Group Head Digital Banking, UBA Plc, Mr. Yinka Adedeji; Mrs. Kanwa Nwaghodoh and Group Chief Finance Officer, UBA Plc, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh, at the maiden edition of the CFO awards in Lagos, recently.

Professionals express support for women WEECman forum DAVID AUDU

s a show of support for the growth and development of women in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, professionals from different walks of life recently gathered for the WEECman 2015 Conference. The event which was a part of the Women Empowerment and Enlightenment Campaign, WEEC, created by On’y va Communications featured intellectual discuss and advocacy with Soni Irabor, Lanre Olusola, Owen Gee and social media expert, Japheth Omojuwa. The WEEC seminar tagged ‘Men Standing Up for Women’ was moderated by the duo - Tosyn Bucknor and Bolanle Olukanni of Top radio FM and Ebonylife TV respectively to discuss with men on matters bordering around

women and ways to eradicate the social and economic issues they go through in the society. It is an advocacy based campaign which gears to encourage several agents of socialization, groom men, support and give better cultural and social placement to women. According to the Head Coordinator, WEEC, Kayode Odukoya, “The WEECman strategy was to bring male role models into the public discussion to show support for women, this has had tremendous impact on the students male and female alike”. The young men in the society need to be groomed through multi channels and agents of socialization to respect and support women”: Kayode said. Harnessing the economic potentials with a new mindset is key amongst young women to increase the overall productivity in small units of the society. This can be achieved

effective when the women see that the men as active participants in the support of women in the society. The discussion was robust as each man spoke extensively on how women are treated in their varies industries and how men can best correct the ill treatment meted against women. The interactive platform also created an avenue for students (male and female) from different disciplines to air their views and share uncommon experiences with top industry players. WEEC is a product of On’y va Communications, a public relations and content development agency based in Lagos Nigeria. The WEECman initiative is an offspring of WEEC which is an advocacy based campaign geared towards encouraging agents of socialization to groom men for women support.

aving officially entered the Nigerian market in October 2013, the air conditioner manufacturing firm, Daikin Industries Limited has stated that Nigeria is the most important market to its brand in Africa. This was disclosed during the working visit of Mr. Sano Ryoji, Daikin’s President, Middle East & Africa in Lagos. The company said it would not take the company a long time to commence manufacturing activity in the country but the Japanese brand is looking at the completely knockdown units (CKU) as the first option. Ryoji who spoke glowingly about the Nigerian market said that “Nigeria energy consumption is very central in the choice of an air conditioner. Closely related to the inverter advantage, is the fact that Daikin air conditioners have built –in protection against unstable power supply and blackout. This completely eliminates the need for an AVS device or stabilizer. The built-in voltage protection makes it possible for Daikin to operate as low as 198V and as high as 264V, without compromising cooling comfort. (The standard voltage operating range is 220V-240V) The company, which also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians of the quality of Daikin air-conditioners stated that Daikin high reliability continues with its auto-restart function which essentially stores all operating settings in the event of a power

failure. At the onset of power, the unit restarts operation based on previously set mode, temperature, fan speed and swing. “Outdoor air has many atmospheric and corrosive pollutants such as dust, humidity, rain, etc., that damage the heat exchanger coils of air conditioners. To guard against damage to the heat exchanger coils, Daikin uses as standard, blue fin protection on the heat exchanger, with high anti-corrosion properties. This ensures optimal cooling performance in any location,” Mohamed Miraj Mohamed Abbas, Regional Director, Daikin Middle East & Africa added. He continued, “The heart of any air conditioner is the compressor. Daikin air conditioners come with highly durable compressors with operating range up to 54 degrees centigrade ambient. The combination of highly resilient compressor and blue fin protection, means the cooling performance remains intact irrespective of the operating environment.” According to Abbas the brand takes indoor comfort seriously in the operation of the air conditioner. Superior indoor air quality is guaranteed through the combination of filtration and mould proof operation. Do not be alarmed if you notice the indoor unit fan still working after the unit has been switched off. This is necessary for the unit to dry any residual condensation to avoid mould formation and subsequent odor. Additional features include turbo mode, sleep mode, all at super whisper operating level.

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NationalMirror Mirror National www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside Insidethe theworld worldofofhuman human Young girlsand and boys genuinely running away from unYoung girls boys genuinely running away from employment poverty,among among others, whoa have a unemployment and and poverty, others, who have warped sense of of success and and riches, are increasingly warped sense success riches, are increasingly becoming victims of human trafficking. SAM EFERARO becoming victims of human trafficking. SAM EFERARO writes that this modern form of slavery is not abating, despite writes that this modern form of slavery is not abating, the efforts of NAPTIP and other similar global agencies. despite the efforts of NAPTIP and other similar global agencies.

he sounded somewhat impassive as she narrated her story. Yet, you could hear a pin drop as her audience, mainly journalists, listened with rapt attention. Many were moved to tears. Hannah (not real name) was one of the victims of human trafficking rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), who have resolved to tell their stories on the inglorious, but booming trade of human trafficking in various parts of the world. Hannah told how a minor disagreement with her parents in Cross River State led her to Benin in Edo State where she planned to stay with a friend who had once promised her a job. But her friend, as she found out, was not really in a position to help out, as she was just a house help in Benin. Hannah, however landed a “better offer.” A young man, Chinedu, told her of a lady in Bamako, Mali who required a young house help and promised to take her. She was ecstatic. Soon, she took off with Chinedu. Surprised but not suspicious, she discovered there were other girls also being “helped” by Chinedu as they made their way to Lagos and from there, immediately headed for Bamako

through Cotonou, Benin Republic. From Bamako, Chinedu herded them off to a little town of Kayes (pronounced “Kai”) in the western part of Mali. The real story began to unfold when Chinedu promptly handed the girls to a matronly Edo woman. Hannah and her co-travellers never saw him again. That was when their new madam told them they had been sold to her and they would have to work for her until they could buy their freedom. Their new job, madam informed, would be to sleep with as many men that came their way everyday until they could earn enough money to settle their prices and then start their own life. Hannah was livid. But like it or not, she had to be initiated. Every plot to escape or not to indulge in prostitution was thwarted by madam’s ubiquitous security boys. The woman, she said, even had some Malian policemen working for her. Many times, the girls were made to face some horrendous punishment each time they tried to escape. Hannah told how some of them were brutally raped to the extent that one of the girls had her womb gouged out. A few also died in the process. After several attempts, Hannah was linked with the Nigerian Embassy in

HH is is benefactor Hadhad assured Him of a better benefactor assured him of a life in slife outHin aS frica asA africa soccer and better outh asplayer a soccer He did notand Hesitate tonot sellhesitate off His spare parts player he did to sell

toparts pay for His visa to and ticket offbusiness hsi spare business pay for. his

visa and ticket

Sensitisation boards

A Nigerian, Odosa Usiobaifo, being led to jail in Britain after being convicted of trafficking of young women for the purposes of sexual exploitation

Mali with the help of one of the boys working with the madam who also plotted her escape along with two other girls. She is indeed lucky. Many other victims caught in the vicious web of human trafficking worldwide are either not alive to tell their stories or will never get out. According to NAPTIP, many more Nigerians are even still falling victims almost on a daily basis. National Mirror is in possession of a report by the Media Network Against Human Trafficking (MeCAHT) a nongovernmental organisation based in South

Africa involved in the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in South Africa. The organisation is currently monitoring many victims and trying to work out ways of helping them recover their freedom and have them return to normal life. The stories of Nigerians among them are similar to Hannah’s. Take Uche for instance. He is one of the many Nigerian victims of migrants smuggling now parading the streets of South African cities. They work mainly as pimps and drug dealers. They are lured by the traffickers from Nigeria with promises of either a good job in South Africa or a lucrative football career. Uche arrived in South Africa over a year ago full of excitement. Then, the world appeared to be his oyster as he dreamt of the good life he had been promised before leaving Nigeria. His benefactor had assured him of a better life in South Africa as a soccer player and he did not hesitate to sell off his spare parts business to pay for his visa and ticket. To him, South Africa was going to be just the beginning. The ultimate would be his eventual transfer to one of the elite football clubs in Europe. Today, his dreams have evaporated into thin air as he has realised that the rosy pictures painted to him in Nigeria were mere empty promises. Uche now fears for his life. He has ended up as a pimp and he lives in constant fear that he might end up in jail if he’s lucky or he could have his life terminated like a cockroach – just like a fellow Nigerian pimp and drug dealer who was arrested by the police recently and was promptly sen-

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traffickers traffickersand andtheir theirvictims victims tenced to 15 years in prison or his Camerounian friend who was shot dead, also not too long ago, by an irate client whose money was stolen by the girl he (the Camerounian pimp) had supplied. Uche doesn’t smoke but he has to live with people who smoke and do drugs. Now he has realised the only job available for him is not soccer as he had been promised back home but to take charge of some girls, trading them out for sex to willing clients, monitoring their activities and remitting huge sums of money to his senior pimp. And he cannot escape. Every move he makes is watched by his so called benefactor. According to MeCAHT, the number of young people arriving from Nigeria Nigerian couple Lizzy Idahosa, 24, and Jackson Omoruyi, 41, were sentenced to prison in UK last is growing by the day. There’s hardly any year for human trafficking landed her into a slave camp. But her expemonth that such young men and women back to Nigeria. Since he was flown in rience is even more instructive. seeking the proverbial good life do not to South Africa by Francis purportedly She had, before her US trip, been enarrive from Nigeria. Many of them are to work for him and he discovered that gaged to the man, who later became her young footballers seeking better career his brother’s business is all about prosabductor, at an elaborate traditional cerprospect. Sometimes, there’s even a titution and drugs, Tony’s one desire emony organised by family members inpromise of a very good job. has been to quit life on the streets and cluding both parents. She was actually National Mirror also got the story of go back home. Within the short time he expecting the man to travel down to NigeTony who was invited by his own younger has spent in South Africa, he has been ria for the wedding proper before her US brother, Francis, known back in Nigeria in and out of police trouble several assignment came up. The trip was thus an as a very wealthy business man in South times. The last time, he had some drugs opportunity to spend some time with her Africa and highly respected. It was not but was quick in throwing it out of the fiancé and come back home to fully preuntil Tony’s arrival in South Africa that window just as the police arrived in his pare for the wedding. But that was not to he discovered that his brother, though flat. He told MeCAHT officials how they be. wealthy, is actually a dreaded kingpin. put a gun to his head and made him lie What was supposed to be a lovers’ reAccording to the report, Francis also down flat on the ground. union soon turned to a slave encampment went to South Africa about 14 years ago Although none is less criminal in for Bose. First the man seized her passport to play football but he developed a probnature, these cases of smuggling of miunder the guise that he was going to uplem with his groin and could no longer grants (SOM) seem milder compared to grade her status so she could stay longer play. This shattered his dream and left the story of a US based female journalin the US. Then he turned her to a real him with nothing to do. Soon, he joined ist, Bukola, who spoke to journalists at slave to labour for him. Often he would a gang of drug peddlers and prostitution the Media Roundtable on Trafficking in threaten to report her to the law enforceracket. Today, he owns about four posh Persons, organised by UNODC recently ment agents since she no longer had valid cars, a restaurant and also a club in Cape in Calabar. documents for her stay. Town. He has over 200 girls under him Bose now runs a nongovernmental Even while pregnant, Bose was made to that he assigned to the junior pimps unorganisation in the US to help victims of plait hair, standing for hours, sometimes der him including his elder brother, Tony. human trafficking. She has also written with nothing to eat and she was never alEach pimp is expected to remit certain a book on her very painful experience. lowed to touch the money she made. She amount to him on a daily basis. She narrated to the journalists at the worked and the man took the money. She The girls who work at a popular Park roundtable via teleconferencing how a was to have a baby under this inhuman “Park Sig” in Cape Town for instance, are trip to the US to cover a UN assignment condition, sometimes staying in the very expected to pay the sum of 300 South African Rands (about N4,700) per day, makhat hat Was was supposed to be to a lovers reunion supposed be lovers ing between R50 -100 per client. After deducting their fees, the pimps would remit soon turned tosoon a slave encampment for ose reunion turned to a slave the balance to Francis. The driving force encamptment for ose here is simply money. Says MeCAHT in one of its reports: “One thing they would never compromise though is their strong desire to make money at all cost. They see their work as traffickers in drugs and women as them working so hard to not just have a better life, but to also improve the lives of people around them. And with this they expect blessings from God. They seem to have lost anything called conscience. Francis believes he is a believer and that God has revealed to him in a dream that the reason he doesn’t answer prayers immediately is because there are so many people, including pastors, on the queue waiting with their petition. So he told Tony his brother to stop praying for instant miracles as God has to first answer those on the queue before getting to Tony.” But Tony still prays and longs to go A victim is arrested by Spanish police for prostitution

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’

’ b

cold weather of Minnesota without appropriate clothing. “I lost my self esteem and even tried to commit suicide,” she recalled. Fortunately, while pregnant, Bose’s pathetic state was discovered by a health worker who alerted some civil rights organisation. Help soon came and after some legal tussles, she regained her freedom and also lived to tell her story. Now, she has joined the fight against human trafficking, using her media experience to draw attention to the ugly scourge. Bose further told the journalists at the roundtable that the number of Nigerian victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants is quite bigger than ever imagined. “There are so many people in America today who cannot return home,“ she said, adding that even some Nigerian Visa Lottery beneficiaries have ended up being victims. And anyone could become a victim, she said. “You may not know you are about to become a victim. It is not only women who fall victim, either. Men can also fall into the trap, Bose further told the journalists. In a paper presented at the media roundtable, the National Programme Officer, Outreach and Communication, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Sylvester Atere, described human trafficking as a complex problem which is linked to several other fields such as labour, migration, organised crime, prostitution, human rights, violence against women, among others. “The crime thrives mostly underground and sometimes spans over several States’ jurisdictions, making direction and enforcements difficult,” he said. This modern form of slavery, Atere said, is also as old as civilization. According to him, all countries, whether trafficking is taking place through, from, into or within their borders are directly or indirectly affected. In the case of Nigeria, the situation is worsened by massive unemployment and increasing rate of poverty resulting from the nation’s dwindling economy. “The crime of trafficking in persons is clandestine and complex. Where the elements of the crime, as defined in the (UN) Protocol to prevent suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children. (Trafficking in persons protocol) are misunderstood, criminal justice responses may be inappropriate and ineffective. The crime thrives mostly underground and sometimes spans over several jurisdictions, making detection and enforcement difficult.” he further said. For now, both UNODC and NAPTIP are working relentlessly towards reducing to a minimal level, the incidence of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, using appropriate laws and protocols signed by all nations.

Cocktail

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Oddities

Woman found inside portable toilet gets arrested on warrants

woman wanted on identity theft charges has been arrested in Oregon after a construction worker lifted the lid of a portable toilet to find her hiding inside. 27-year-old Treasure Dawn Shockey, who had two warrants for her arrest, ran when police in Eugene tried to talk to her Saturday morning. Police say a witness told

them she saw the woman run through her yard and climb a fence onto the property of the Eugene Swim and Tennis Club. About 20 minutes later, a construction worker told police he had lifted the lid of a port-a-potty and been surprised to see her inside. Police say Shockey left the toilet and they arrested her.

Skeletons, skulls under Afghanistan’s presidential palace

fghanistan’s president palace says skulls and bones belonging to two bodies have been uncovered beneath a kitchen during renovation work on the palace grounds. The identity and cause of death of the skeletons are a mystery. Tuesday’s palace statement says the remains have been sent for forensic examination. It also says that a commission, including representatives of the Afghan Independent Hu-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

man Rights Commission and Physicians for Human Rights, has been set up to identify the bodies. Afghanistan has had a long history of unearthing mass graves of unidentified victims of war, many linked to former warlords. In 2002, around 2,000 bodies were found in a mass grave in northern Afghanistan, believed to be Taliban fighters killed after being taken prisoner during fighting that overturned their six-year regime.

Stolen giant pumpkin returned to South Dakota grower

100-pound pumpkin that was brazenly stolen from the yard of a South Dakota residence has been found and returned, after someone apparently tried but failed to turn it into a giant jack-o’-lantern. Matthew Murraine’s pumpkin was found in a rural area near Spearfish by another man who returned it to him last week. Whoever took it had tried to carve it, Murraine told the Black Hills Pioneer. On Sept. 18, someone backed a vehicle up to Murraine’s house and made off with one of the two large pumpkins he had been growing at his home all summer, after sawing through its stem. The bold theft drew national attention, which surprised Murraine. “I was a little overwhelmed,” he said. “I just wanted people in Spearfish to know.”

The pumpkin required 20 gallons of water every four days and a gallon of milk each week for calcium. Murraine said it was

xxx

worth about $200 but that the value wasn’t what he considered important. He followed his original plan and donated the pumpkin

to a family with four children. “It’s funny how God makes things work out,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, October 8, 2015

FG to raise N80bn in 2020, 2024 bonds …overnight rate dips

Stories: Johnson Okanlawon

ederal Government plans to issue N80 billion worth of local currency denominated bond with maturities ranging between 5-year and 10-year on October. Data obtained from the Debt Management Office, DMO, indicated that government will issue N40 billion each in the debt maturing in 2020 and 2024 respectively at yields to be determined through Dutch Auction System, DAS. All the bonds are re-openings of previous issues and

results for the auction are expected the following day. Meanwhile, overnight lending rate fell to record low two per cent yesterday, as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN refunded excess withdrawals from lenders before it loosened monetary policy last month to spur credit growth, traders said. The regulator has been injecting cash into the banking system in a bid to ease liquidity and stave off recession in the country, which has suffered as oil prices fell. It cut cash reserve re-

quirements for lenders to 25 per cent from 31 per cent two weeks ago and left interest rates on hold at 13 per cent. Liquidity had dried up as authorities ordered banks to move government deposits into a single account at the CBN, part of an anti-graft drive. “We expect rates to remain low until central bank issues new bills,” one dealer said. The overnight lending rate has hovered around a threemonth low of three per cent since last week after the CBN repaid matured open market bills and did not issue fresh ones to mop up funds, in a bid

to keep borrowing costs low. Banking system credit opened at N355 billion before the inflow hit the system, lifting the sector’s total cash balance with the central bank to N1.1 trillion, traders said. Before this, deposited money banks had lowered their loan growth guidance for this year, citing rising regulatory and economic uncertainty and a weaker output growth. Economic growth dropped to 2.35 per cent in the second quarter from 6.54 per cent a year earlier.

Index sheds 0.6%, as Access Bank eyes new markets

rading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. The All Share Index depreciated 0.62 per cent to close at 30,141.06 points, compared to the depreciation of 0.25 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,330.58 points. Market capitalisation lost N65 billion to close at N10.36 trillion, compared to the decline of N26 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.42 trillion. Unity Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with 12 kobo or 8.45 per cent to close at N1.54 per share,followed by Glaxosmith Plc with N1.76 or five per cent to close at N36.96 per

share. Continental Insurance Plc rose four kobo or 4.17 per cent to close at N1.00 per share, while AG Leventis Plc added four kobo or 4.04 per cent to close at N1.03 per share. Conversely, Vitafoam Plc dropped 37 kobo or 6.29 per cent to close at N5.51 per share, while BOC Gas Plc depreciated 23 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N4.39 per share. UACN Plc lost N1.52 or 4.97 per cent to close at N29.07 per share, while Flour Mills Plc shed N1.08 or 4.76 per cent to close at N21.60 per share. Meanwhile, Access Bank yesterday said it’s considering expanding into new markets in Europe and Asia as it targets achieving 20 per cent of revenue overseas by 2018.

To expand from its current 10 per cent of revenue in foreign markets, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the bank is looking at organic growth, rather than acquisitions. Wigwe, who spoke in Dubai, explained that global expansion is being done very carefully, taking into account our moderate risk appetite. He said, “We will not be expanding very quickly but most likely are looking at one or two countries a year.” The bank already has operations in 10 overseas markets, mainly in Africa, but is targeting countries outside the continent as a balance against Africa, said Wigwe. Its non-African markets include China and Britain, with its UK subsidiary on Wednes-

day announcing the opening a representative office in Dubai. The move is aimed at tapping into the United Arab Emirates’ status as a burgeoning centre for the flow of trade between Africa and Asia. UAE trade with Africa rose from $2.5 billion in 2000 to $22.8 billion in 2013, according to Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Access Bank hopes to eventually gain approval to offer trade finance and other services from its Dubai office in the future. The bank is aiming for higher profitability this year after it regained market share following the acquisition of rival lender Intercontinental Bank three years ago.

Europe stocks rally fizzles as oil shares slice gain

rally in European stocks ran out of steam after data showing an increase in U.S. crude stockpiles trimmed an intraday advance in oil producers. While a surge in energy shares propped up the Stoxx Europe 600 Index for most of the day, the broader benchmark gave up almost all of its gains in the final hour of trading as advances in Total SA and Royal Dutch Shell Plc diminished. The Stoxx 600 rose 0.1 percent at the close of trading, after climbing as much as 1.2 percent. Health-care shares fell the most among Stoxx 600 groups today. Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG, among stocks with the biggest weightings on the benchmark gauge, lost 2.4

percent or more. “This afternoon saw oil inventories rise by 3.1 million barrels, taking some of the wind out the sails of this recent rally,” said Joshua Mahony, a market analyst at IG in London. “There is a feeling that despite a possible spike in oil prices, the long term could see them move lower yet.” The Stoxx 600 jumped 4.1 percent in the past three sessions as investors speculated the Federal Reserve won’t rush to raise rates and Glencore Plc led a rally in miners. The gauge had tumbled as much as 18 percent from an April record through Sept. 29 amid worries about global growth and the Fed’s thinking. “The potential for a steep rebound is pretty

good,” said Teis Knuthsen, chief investment officer at Saxo Bank A/S’s private-banking unit in Hellerup, Denmark. “I think we may be quite surprised by the speed in which markets can recover.” A gauge of miners posted the best performance among European industry groups, capping its best seven-day gain since 2009. Anglo American Plc and Rio Tinto Group rose at least 7.5 percent after Morgan Stanley upgraded the shares. Volkswagen AG, the automaker that lost as much as $33 billion in market value after admitting to cheating on emission tests last month, jumped 7.1 percent for a third day of gains. The company may start recalling the rigged

diesel cars in January and plans to complete repairs by the end of 2016, Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller told Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung. (Source – Bloomberg) Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,141.06 points Market capitalisation 10.41trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

UNITYBNK

1.42

1.54

0.12

8.45

GLAXOSMITH

35.20

36.96

1.76

5.00

CONTINSURE

0.96

1.00

0.04

4.17

AGLEVENT

0.99

1.03

0.04

4.04

MBENEFIT

0.50

0.52

0.02

4.00

NPFMCRFBK

1.03

1.07

0.04

3.88

VONO

0.98

1.01

0.03

3.06

SEPLAT

225.54

230.00

4.46

1.98

UBCAP

1.38

1.40

0.02

1.45

NASCON

7.00

7.10

0.10

1.43

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

VITAFOAM

5.88

5.51

-0.37

-6.29

BOCGAS

4.62

4.39

-0.23

-4.98

UACN

30.59

29.07

-1.52

-4.97

FLOURMILL

22.68

21.60

-1.08

-4.76

ETERNA

1.93

1.84

-0.09

-4.66

AVONCROWN

1.59

1.52

-0.07

-4.40

CADBURY

22.90

21.90

-1.00

-4.37

GUARANTY

24.09

23.04

-1.05

-4.36

MANSARD

2.60

2.49

-0.11

-4.23

INTBREW

18.00

17.30

-0.70

-3.89

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

197

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

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015

Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005

Equities as at October 7, 2015 Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

1st Tier Securities Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 9 2 11

Current Price 27.50 30.55

Quantity Traded 37,650 13,000 50,650

Value Traded 1,006,183.00 390,350.00 1,396,533.00

Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. Fishing/Hunting/Trapping Totals

Symbol ELLAHLAKES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.26

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 81.00 81.00

Livestock/Animal Specialties

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.72

Quantity Traded 217,200 217,200

Value Traded 372,004.88 372,004.88

267,870

1,768,618.88

Quantity Traded 2,352,988 20 13,688,561 Quantity 984,330 Traded

Value Traded 2,423,577.64 75.20 31,247,471.16 28,700,219.14 Value Traded

LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015

Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC CONGLOMERATES U A C N Industries PLC. Diversified

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN Symbol

Diversified Industries Totals

No. of Deals Current Price 4 1.03 1 3.95 64 2.26 102 Current Price 29.07 No. of Deals 171

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. G CAPPA PLC Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

171

17,025,899 Page 17,025,899

62,371,343.14 14 1 of 62,371,343.14

Sector

Company name

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

ICT Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 IT Services Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 0.56 14.46

Quantity Traded 732,910 20 732,930

Value Traded 434,450.02 274.80 434,724.82

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 40.00

Quantity Traded 17,318 17,318

Value Traded 661,728.00 661,728.00

CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015

Real Estate Development Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 8.17

Quantity Traded 14,330 14,330

Value Traded 117,950.96 117,950.96

Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

764,578

1,214,403.78

CONSUMER GOODS Activity Summary on Parts Board EQTY Automobiles/Auto DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS PLC Published by The NigerianNIG Stock Exchange © INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products

DANGOTE MILLS PLC Daily Summary as ofFLOUR 07/10/2015

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. CONSUMER GOODS NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol DUNLOP Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

Symbol 7UP

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 FINANCIAL14:32:05.005 SERVICES Printed 07/10/2015 Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY BANK PLC. Activity SummaryTRUST on Board EQTY SKYE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES STERLING BANK PLC. Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC BANKStock PLC. Exchange © Published by WEMA The Nigerian Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. Printed 07/10/2015 N.E.M14:32:05.005 INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Micro-Finance Banks FINANCIAL SERVICES FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE Micro-Finance Banks Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 2 2 No. of Deals 7 1 105 16 130 1 260

Current Price 0.50 Current Price 4.50 0.97 149.50 17.30 141.00 2.95

Quantity Traded 2,053 2,053 Quantity Traded 11,920 1,000 412,296 Page 549,718 1,199,113 100 2,174,147

Value Traded 1,026.50 1,026.50 Value Traded 53,747.00 960.00 14 261,053,228.62 of 9,474,641.40 169,049,239.34 281.00 239,632,097.36

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 195.70

Quantity Traded 13,258 13,258

Value Traded 2,532,753.72 2,532,753.72

No. of Deals 17 26 76 8 19 (Equities) 1 147

Current Price 2.60 6.60 21.60 2.76 7.10 0.50

Quantity Traded 90,941 9,218,473 848,323 53,767 677,530 1,894 10,890,928

Value Traded 230,658.52 60,766,522.95 18,815,731.88 141,407.21 4,801,471.00 947.00 84,756,738.56

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Symbol

No. of Deals 16 43 No. of Deals

Current Price 21.90 Current830.00 Price

Quantity Traded 469,789 77,434 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 10,309,418.50 64,300,648.71 Value Traded

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 20 3 23

Current Price 5.51 1.01

Page Quantity Traded 901,500 102,020 1,003,520

14 3Value Traded of 4,974,255.00 102,939.20 5,077,194.20

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 29 27 56

Current Price 25.05 46.50

Quantity Traded 162,162 272,543 434,705

Value Traded 4,064,895.69 12,516,971.36 16,581,867.05

15,065,834

423,191,744.60

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON Daily Summary UTC

Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

547,223

567

No. of Deals 146 56 (Equities) 69 72 208 50 20 No. of Deals 169 41 58 37 926

Current Price 5.34 3.12 18.50 1.50 23.04 2.26 2.13 Current Price 4.32 5.89 1.54 1.00

Quantity Traded 40,060,591 3,860,575 3,000,155 5,831,687 75,817,902 1,109,619 29,635 Quantity Traded 23,883,018 831,507 7,530,210 903,566 Page 162,858,465

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GNI GUINEAINS HMARKINS LASACO LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS Daily Summary WAPIC

No. of Deals 20 8 1 1 1 1 2 6 12 18 2 1 1 (Equities) 5 79

Current Price 0.87 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.49 0.52 0.70 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,216,945 3,879,664 2,000 20 10,000 4,500 5,300 103,838 3,225,516 1,263,988 8,360 263 100 32,630 9,753,124

Value Traded 1,052,311.81 3,876,464.00 1,000.00 10.00 5,000.00 2,250.00 2,650.00 259,415.98 1,616,858.00 888,682.16 4,180.00 131.50 50.00 16,315.00 7,725,318.45

No. of Deals 4 2 6

Current Price 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 7,800 1,100 8,900

Value Traded 3,900.00 550.00 4,450.00

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 46 9 58 24 59 196

Current Price 2.68 4.02 2.26 22.80 1.40

Quantity Traded 888,303 25,343 2,398,183 630,733 2,045,285 5,987,847

Value Traded 2,384,650.48 102,922.54 5,425,828.99 14,380,347.20 2,826,643.21 25,120,392.42

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,256,813,090.61

Symbol EKOCORP UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 3.72 0.50

Quantity Traded 20 20,000 20,020

Value Traded 70.80 10,000.00 10,070.80

Symbol EVANSMED

No. of Deals 12

Current Price 0.61

Quantity Traded 325,300

Value Traded 198,331.47

Page

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 2.67 1.69

Quantity Traded 1,800 1,000 2,800

Value Traded 4,806.00 1,610.00 6,416.00

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) CHAMS 1 0.50 Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 1,424,000 1,624,000 3,048,000

Value Traded 712,000.00 4,872,015.00 5,584,015.00

11 No. of Deals Current Price 16 Current Price 22.00 No. of Deals 12 9.90 51 37.08 7 8.32 3 0.73 1 0.50 3 1.20 41 98.00 134

3,050,820 Quantity Traded 77,441 Quantity Traded Page 22,841

5,590,441.00 Value Traded 1,704,977.04 Value Traded 14 7 215,240.85 of

367,460 35,238 9,000 20 60,020 412,634 984,654

13,698,736.39 294,443.07 6,300.00 10.00 72,024.00 40,375,818.69 56,367,550.04

No. of Deals 8 8

Quantity Traded 101,476 101,476

Value Traded 183,707.80 183,707.80

Quantity Traded 567,082 10,430 577,512

Value Traded 861,964.64 423,145.10 1,285,109.74

1,663,642 Quantity Traded 800 800 Quantity Traded 1,625,733 1,626,533 1,625,733

57,836,367.58 Value Traded 7,480.00 7,480.00 Value Traded 7,136,967.87 7,144,447.87 7,136,967.87

ETRANZACT

7 8

Symbol ASHAKACEM Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM WAPCO

Symbol CUTIX

Current Price 1.82

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

Symbol ALEX Symbol BOCGAS

5 3 8

1.52 42.70

150 No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 5 6 5

Current Price 9.84 Current Price 4.39

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 100 100

Current Price 10.01

Quantity Traded 968,589 968,589

Value Traded 9,878,102.59 9,878,102.59

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 11 59 12 13 (Equities) 96

Current Price 27.41 1.84 253.65 145.07 154.90

Quantity Traded 20 222,280 295,124 600,422 5,505 1,123,351

Value Traded 520.80 410,495.20 75,206,439.63 87,146,936.32 812,190.45 163,576,582.40

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 230.00

Quantity Traded 836,905 836,905

Value Traded 191,748,130.80 191,748,130.80

2,929,245

365,203,015.79

Daily Summary

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

228

Page

14 8Value Traded of 200.00 14 of 200.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.56

Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Value Traded 1,620.00 1,620.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 10 4 14

Current Price 3.98 0.98

Quantity Traded 128,869 121,750 250,619

Value Traded 516,125.21 124,185.00 640,310.21

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 129,900 129,900

Value Traded 64,950.00 64,950.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 33,250 33,250

Value Traded 113,715.00 113,715.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 0.62 0.92

Quantity Traded 5,000 52,000 57,000

Value Traded 3,250.00 47,900.00 51,150.00

Symbol ABCTRANS Symbol

No. of Deals 3 No. of Deals

Current Price 0.53 Current Price

Quantity Traded Quantity107,000 Traded

Value Traded 56,710.00 Value Traded

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 10.00 10.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 4 17 21

Current Price 1.85 4.45

Quantity Traded 25,800 45,244 71,044

Value Traded 49,129.22 200,214.54 249,343.76

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 3.21

ZENITHBANK

234 53 234

Quantity Traded 1,000 Quantity Traded 1,000 30,516,022 652,833 30,516,022

Value Traded 3,050.00 Value Traded 3,050.00 501,905,364.55 1,180,858.97 501,905,364.55

Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 Hotels/Lodging Printed 07/10/2015 IKEJA14:32:05.005 HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals EQTY Activity Summary on Board Road Transportation SERVICES ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation

Daily Summary (Equities) ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

DailyAIRSERVICE Summary (Equities) NAHCO

Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Banking Other Financial Institutions Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Other Financial Institutions INDUSTRIAL GOODS FBN HOLDINGS PLC Building Materials Other Financial Institutions Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Totals FINANCIALMaterials SERVICES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE PREMIUM BoardCEMENT Totals PLC Building Materials Totals Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015

PREMIUM Board Totals

Exchange Traded Fund Exchange Traded Fund

Equity Activity Totals Name

LOTUS Name HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Exchange Traded Fund Totals Name ETFLOTUS Board HALAL TotalsEQUITY ETF Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

107,000 Page

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals 1 Current Price

Symbol FBNH Symbol ZENITHBANK

Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM

Symbol DANGCEM

Equity Activity Totals Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

3.00

FINANCIAL EQTY BoardSERVICES Totals

Symbol ASOSAVINGS RESORTSAL

178,715,036

Value Traded 10.00 10.00

Quantity Traded Page 400 Page 400

Support and Logistics FINANCIAL SERVICES CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Banking Support and Logistics Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC SERVICES Totals on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals Activity Summary

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

1,215

Quantity Traded 20 20

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Value Traded 1,251.80 Value Traded 113,565.86 114,817.66 5 of 14

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

Current Price 0.50

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 Transport-Related Services Totals

Quantity Traded 220 Quantity 106,480 Traded 106,700 Page

4,095,206.11

No. of Deals 1 1

Specialty Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015 SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 Specialty Totals

No. of Deals Current Price 2 5.42 No. of Deals6 Current Price 1.07 8

548,519

No. of Deals 1 1

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 208,974,266.48 11,656,715.91 55,502,477.31 8,744,474.18 1,815,604,669.86 2,509,049.52 61,082.71 Value Traded 103,619,989.81 4,901,320.48 11,394,219.37 14 4 879,846.45 of 2,223,848,112.08

Value Traded 72,102.90 3,713,759.84 91,678.60 5,640.00 3,622.50 4,085,135.31

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Exploration and Production Activity Summary on Board EQTY SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration OIL AND GAS and Production Totals

Symbol FORTISMFB Symbol NPFMCRFBK

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. NATURAL RESOURCES Metals Totals Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC.Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment Services Published by The Nigerian Stockand Exchange © JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Energy Equipment and Services Totals

CONOIL Daily Summary as of PLC 07/10/2015 ETERNA PLC. Printed 07/10/2015 14:32:05.005 FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

74,610,067.21

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK Daily ETISummary FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK Symbol UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS on CO Board PLC. EQTY Activity Summary Packaging/Containers Totals NATURAL RESOURCES INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Metals

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 22,466 100,518 72,465 6,000 1,750 528,499

Symbol OMATEK

Processing Systems Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS ICT Totals Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS ASHAKA CEM PLC Building Materials Published by BERGER The Nigerian StockPLC Exchange © PAINTS

Quantity Traded

Current Price 3.15 36.96 1.26 0.97 2.14

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No. of Deals 16 1 17

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 4 9 9 4 1 39

HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

Daily Summary as of 07/10/2015

No Of Deals Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

16.30

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 222,310,809 2,495 258 6.15 9,144,402 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 258 9,144,402 234 16.30 30,516,022 234 30,516,022 492 39,660,424

Current Price 167.00

3,027

262,226,560

Daily Summary (ETP) Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Symbol

Quantity Traded 255,327 39,915,751 255,327 255,327

56,710.00 of 14

Value Traded

3,186,409,538.33 56,328,434.09 Value Traded 56,328,434.09 501,905,364.55 501,905,364.55 558,233,798.64

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 258 6.15 9,144,402 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 258 9,144,402 40 167.00 255,327 40 255,327 492 39,660,424 Page 40 255,327 No. of Deals 40 532 40

Value Traded 56,328,434.09 Value Traded 56,328,434.09 42,573,728.66 42,573,728.66 558,233,798.64 12 of 14 42,573,728.66 Value Traded 42,573,728.66 600,807,527.30 42,573,728.66

3,787,217,065.63

42,573,728.66

532

39,915,751

600,807,527.30

3,027

262,226,560

3,787,217,065.63 Value Traded

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 1 9.65 10 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded NEWGOLD 1 2,183.00 256 Page Daily Summary (ETP) VETGRIF30 1 13.98 10 3 276 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 276 LOTUSHAL15 1 9.65 10

Page

276

96.50 Value Traded 558,848.00 of 14 139.80 559,084.30 Value Traded 559,084.30 96.50

559,084.30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, october 8, 2015

Independence Anniversary: Appraising creative ingenuity among children LEONARD OKACHIE

spectively. Drama presentation by pupils had parents and staff queuing up to take snapshot and video of their wards. A dance choreography showcasing the potentials and skills of the students of Vicmob College, co-ordinated by the Creative and Cultural Art Educator, Pacesetter Joshua Akapo also had everyone queuing up to take snapshots and videos of the performance.

ne of the many occasions for the commemoration of Nigeria’s 55th independent anniversary was an event created with the intent of appraising the cultural strength of the country and encouraging creativity among children. The event by Vicmob schools held on Wednesday September 30 in Shaha Akowonjo area of Lagos was another avenue for many young talents within the state to be encouraged in their various skills as well as understanding the uniqueness of Nigeria, a culturally endowed nation. With the theme, The Land is Green, a vivid picture of the enrichment of Nigeria was put to bear at the event when T.Y Bello’s “the land is green” was choreographed by the pry school pupils. It was held in the school’s ultra modern hall of grace, filled to capacity. A talk show on the theme of the event was anchored by the school’s college educator, Mr. Adeberu Babatunde. According to the educational instructor of the school, Mrs.

The college Principal Mr. D. K Nariwo spoke on the need for a quality educational foundation on leading a successful life in an emerging economy like

Children on stage. Folarin Modupe, the event was created to bring students, pupils of the school, parents and concerned educators together with the aim of discussing way forward in the education sector; encouraging creative ingenuity among children through the commemoration of Nigeria’s 55th Anniversary. A paper on “Taking personal responsibility; key to unlocking national growth and economy rise” was presented by an invited guest speaker, the CEO of O’ Michael Seeds International,

Mr. O’ Michael Olajuwon. His session which had every one glued to their seat addressed the parents, teachers and students on the need to be responsible to one another. He emphasised that a review of the academic system of the nation will also go a long way to fast track national development. It was another rendezvous for talent showcase as many creative performances were put up by pupils and students of the school. Exciting poetry perfor-

Nigeria. mances entitled “Happy Independence” and “In a beautiful Nigeria”, were done by Adeniyi Olalade and Ngozi Enebeli re-

He pointed out the reason behind the school’s taste for highly ventilated and children friendly learning environment.

Ice Prince, Evelle, others thrill youths in Jos for Cliqfest Leonard Okachie

t was home coming for hip hop master, Ice Prince (real name Panshak Zamani) as he delighted the students and staff of Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos with a thrilling performance when the Etisalat Cliqfest train berthed at the campus during the week. The polytechnic community also got frenzy with live performances by the Nigerian Idol Season 4 winner, Evelle (Evelyn Zibili), second runner-up of the Nigerian Idol Season 5, Nex2 (Ese-Amadasun Imuetiyan), and the GRIP Boiz. For several hours, the celebrity music acts kept the large community of students and staff of the polytechnic on their feet dancing and singing along popular lyrics as several of them thronged the school’s open field to catch fun and connect with their friends. The ‘Oleku’master was everywhere on the stage, and also momentarily surged towards the huge army of fans as he dished them ‘Superstar’, ‘Aboki, ‘Gimme Dat among other songs. Wild jubilation rented his popular songs as he took out time to encourage the students to believe in themselves and their dreams. ‘‘I came out of J town and went places”, he boomed. “I want to use my story to tell you that if

I can make it out of J town and sit with Jay Z, then you can make it. I don’t care about your background or what you have suffered, you too can make it’’, he added. Interlacing his words with Hausa, he urged them to embrace peace in the spirit of the Independence Day celebration saying “Jos is known for swag and carrying bombs or knives is not swag.” Crooned in his silky voice, Nex2 also put flame in the infectious excitement performing his tracks such as Ring the Alarm and Mofesterise. Evelle blew them away with her rich renditions of three of her songs - Kilmanjaro, I’m Naughty and Time to Shine. She also gave away her fez cap to one of the students. For the GRIP Boiz, it was just good being at home. The hip-hop and dance hall artistes comprising the trio of Endia, J-Milla and Yung El, who are all from the city of Jos, held the students in their grip singing irresistible tracks such as Dash Me da Ting, Mr. DJ, Holiday, Fire and Rude Gyal among several other numbers. As if what each set of musicians had given was not enough, Ice Prince later took to the dance floor with the students and he and GRIP Boiz also performed a stage collabo that sent their fans on wild excitement.

Evelle performing at Plateau Poly in Jos.

Commenting, the elated President of Plateau State Polytechnic Students’Union, Daniel Dashon thanked Etisalat for being the first telco to bring a rich mix of youth-centric initiative to the school. He said, “This is the first of kind in

this school because no telecoms company has deemed it fit to visit us except Etisalat. We are delighted at this gesture, and we are also inviting them to come again and again. We also want them to site their mast in our school as many students are in love with Etisalat.”

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, october 8, 2015

Nigeria youths set to dazzle at K-Pop world festival Joel Ajayi ABUJA

igerian youths are set to dazzle at the K-Pop world festival in Seoul on October 30, as they will showcase the country’s diverse cultures. Meanwhile, the euphoria of the Tuesday the 29th September, 2015 will continue to linger in the memories of over 400 Primary and Secondary students, across the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, as the second edition of Korea-Nigeria love fiesta was celebrated in grand style. Korea-Nigeria love day is an event for exciting activities and cultural performances from two countries all geared towards showcasing their diverse cultures through drama, fashion show, folk song, cultural dance, Taekwando, K-POP dance, music, language, and much more. Main Hall and gallery of Barcelona Hotel located at Wuse II Abuja, venue of this year’s edition was filled to the capacity with students of over 100 schools, is endured a vibration of different titillating sound of delight, as it was rocked by the energetic dances of several groups. Prize won at the competition includes micro-waves T-Shirt, Hanbok doll, character doll, pouch & mirror USB, others. In his welcome address the Republic of Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-Duk stated that Korea centre established four years ago, has secured a good foundation for the cultural exchange of both countries. According to him, I have been deeply impressed with the preeminent talents and enthusiasm of Nigerian citizens for arts and culture ever since I arrived here in Nigeria. He said: “It is wonderful to see more

Cultural display at the Korea-Nigeria Love Day

than 100 secondary school students in Abuja participating in different activities that has been distributing seeds of interest of Korea and open new channels of exchange between Korea and Nigeria and even Africa itself. “This is for fun, and every people whether in Korea or in Nigeria they need such opportunity. Nigeria has a diverse historical background and a colourful culture, with over 250 unique tribes, its literature and film industry has attracted international attention over the years.” Speaking on the 2015 World K-POP festival, Mr. Kyu-Duk, said Korea Embassy in Nigeria will do all it could within its best to support Nigerian team that will raise the flag of the country at the World Festival to be held in Seoul, come October 30, 2015 for the very first time.

“The main event of K-POP World festival will involve performances by the 14 teams that have been selected through rigorous competition held in over 80 countries around the world. “Pacific Star of Nigeria will be performing live in Seoul as the representatives of many passionate and talented Nigerian K-POP enthusiasts. I wish them all the best,” he said. In his remarks, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria KCCN, Mr. Kwon Yonk IK, explained that “Korean Cultural Centre has become a comfortable, familiar place to many Nigerians, a place to visit to enjoy cultural content and art. He however noted that, Korea-Nigeria love day will continue to develop and attract an increasing number of schools and students from around the country.

Science for Kids

Why does the moon change colours?

he moon never actually changes colours. Humans perceive it as being different colours due to atmospheric changes, the moon’s position in the sky, pollution or the seasonal tilt of the Earth. Scattered blue light

Harvest moon

When the moon is rising and setting, you view it through a thicker crosssection of atmosphere, which scatters blue light, so the reds and oranges of the light spectrum shine through the atmosphere more brightly. Harvest moon The “harvest moon” is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. At this time, the moon rides an astronomical line called the ecliptic in the early evening. This forces us to view the moon through a thickerthan-usual section of atmosphere, causing the moon to look both very large and reddish. Full lunar eclipse During a full lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow covers the face of the moon in two phases. The first is the penumbra, which casts a grayish shadow across the moon. The umbra,

however, scatters the blue light and leaves the moon looking fiery red or deep golden in its shadow. Particles The moon also appears to change colour based on the particles in the atmosphere that are between you and the moon. Each has a different effect on the shift in colour, and their effects are intensified based on the density of the particles in the atmosphere. Blue moon The term “blue moon” doesn’t actually refer to the colour of the moon. It is an old way of noting the second full moon in a calendar month. This doesn’t mean, though, that the moon is incapable of appearing bluish to us; dust particles in the Earth’s atmosphere can cause this colour effect. Source: eHow

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gowon launches NYSC healthcare initiative in Kanke LG

ormer military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has launched the NYSC rural healthcare initiative in his Kanke Local Government of Plateau, with a call for its sustenance to improve the lot of rural dwellers. Gowon, the founding father of the NYSC scheme, in a brief speech at the ceremony, described the programme as ``very laudable’’. ``Establishing the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD ) is a product of good thinking. It is one laudable initiative we must all support and strive to promote so that the rural dweller will not feel neglected in the Nigerian project,’’ he said. Represented by his younger brother, Dr. Dauda Gowon, the former military leader said that the scheme was particularly crucial in promoting a peaceful and healthy society, stressing that the free health services the initiative would provide, was a ``huge blessing’’ to the Nigerian society. In his speech, Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, said that the scheme would complement the state government’s efforts toward providing accessible healthcare delivery to the poor and the hapless, especially those in the rural dwellers. He promised to support the initiative, and appealed to the NYSC authorities to give the scheme the special attention it deserved. In his remarks, NYSC Director-General, who was represented by the Plateau Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Abdulrazak Salawu, said that the programme was aimed at providing healthcare intervention through partnership between NYSC medical corps and other health personnel. ``We expect that the partnership will boost healthcare delivery to the rural dwellers and improve their living standard,’’ he said

Kiss Daniel, Inyanya, Akpororo, others excite PH fans at AY Live

ome of Nigeria’s biggest entertainers, AY The Comedian, Iyanya, Kiss Daniel, Gordons, Akpororo, I Go Die among many others gathered yesterday, Sunday, October 4th for the biggest annual comedy concert in Nigeria, AY Live Sharing Happiness edition. Proudly sponsored by Nigeria’s most preferred malt drink, Maltina, the event which held at the Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt was the final leg in this year’s AY Live concert series after dates in Lagos and Abuja. Comedians who got guests doubled over in laughter all night included Ushbebe, Gordons, Acapella, Akpororo, Helen Paul, Funny Bone, Romeo, Dan D’Humorous, Ajebo and Hezekiah amongst many others. Some of Nigeria’s hottest artistes, Iyanya, Kiss Daniel, Yung 6 and PH’s favorite, Fortune were also on display to keep guests on their feet throughout the night. From dancing competitions, signing on the Maltina Wall of Happiness and winning exciting gifts including four iPhone 6 phones courtesy of Maltina, the Port Harcourt edition of AY Live 2015 has definitely left its mark on the Garden City with the insatiable crowd asking for more.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, october 8, 2015

OLX hosts media, car dealers to mark 3rd anniversary Stories By Leonard Okachie

ournalists from both print and electronic media, top performing car dealers and other numerous customers were hosted recently by one of Nigeria’s leading online classified, OLX on its platform, in celebration of three years of successful operation in Nigeria. Speaking to the media at the anniversary celebration which was held at the Rooftop Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Country Manager, OLX, Lola Masha reaffirmed OLX’s commitment to continuous innovation and improved quality of service delivery to its teeming users. Masha said, “When OLX commenced operations in Nigeria three years ago, we had our work clearly cut out. We started out with a determination to build an operation with excellence at its core”. She added, “Among the many segments of our business, the vehicle category is one of our most popular, and we have seized the occasion of our third anniversary to celebrate our top-performing dealers on our site who have played a major role in our on-going success story. We are doing all we can to boost this category and other ones by establishing operational relationships and forging partnerships with other credible brands.’’ While acknowledging that the business had experienced its fair share of challenges, Public Relations Manager of OLX, Uche Nwagboso said that each challenge has however presented a unique growth opportunity. Nwagboso added, “Each obstacle has actually driven us to do more, to innovate more and to achieve more. We believe that as we continue to innovate, to form new strategic alliances and to strengthen our twin pillars of safety and trust, we are contributing to the evolution and establishment of a vibrant e-commerce culture in Nigeria. Indeed, OLX is driven to become such a credible brand in the country that anytime, anyone has a product to buy or sell, the person automatically thinks OLX.” Sharing his OLX experience at the event, HenchardOmere, a car dealer based in Ikeja who has been on OLX since July 2013 and placed 322 ads till date, said, “As a car dealer, my dreams of expanding my reach had always seemed far-fetched until the day a col-

L-R : General Manager, Strategy and Implementation Mediacom, Ada Adheke ; Country Manager, OLX Lola Masha; and PR & Communication Manager, OLX, Uche Nwagboso presenting an Oriki Spa voucher to Nollywood actor and film director Kunle Afolayan.

league told me about OLX and since I signed on two years ago, my business has grown like never before.” Omere continued, “With the limited space in my shop, I had many cars parked at my house but thanks to OLX, I was able to sell 12 vehicles within a short period. I have also diversified to other profitable ventures because of

the OLX advantage of safety, trust and convenience, and I am so grateful to the OLX team and everyone who has helped make my dreams come true.” OLX is the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets and is available in more than 40 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy, sell or exchange

used goods and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post an ad through the mobile app. Every month, hundreds of millions of people in local markets around the world use OLX’s online marketplace to find and sell a wide range of products, including vehicles, electronics, phones and much more.

Uti, Monalisa, others attend Captive premiere

etropolitan Church, House on the Rock collaborated with the United States Embassy in Nigeria to screen for the first time in Nigeria, the highly anticipated Hollywood movie, Captive at The Rock Cathedral, Lagos, recently. The star-studded event had in attendance top government officials, traditional rulers, industry captains and celebrities from the media, music and movie industry. Former minister, Oby Ezekwesili, His Royal Highness, Oba Elegushi, Monalisa Chinda, Uti Nwachukwu, Seyi Shay and Timi Dakolo were some of the notable personalities that gathered to witness the first showing of the Paramount Pictures movie in Nigeria.

The movie premiere tagged #NigeriaOnPurpose, which coincided with the celebration of Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day anniversary, was aimed at further promoting peace, nation building and the development of minds and purpose towards achieving a purpose driven nation. Singer, Chee opened the event with an impeccable rendition of the Nigerian National anthem whilst Timi Dakolo’s rendition of his hit song, “Great Nation” got the audience emotional. “We must begin to build to a nation on purpose to secure the future for unborn Nigerians”, commented Pastor Paul Adefarasin, senior pastor, House on the Rock “We are partnering to send a strong

message that will change people’s lives. The movie shows how the struggle between hope and despair plays out”, added Dehab Gebreab, Acting Consul General, United States Embassy, Nigeria. “The highest office of the land is not the office of the presidency, senate or judiciary but the office of the citizenry”, enthused Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who was the keynote speaker at the event. Captive is a 2015 thriller based on the true-life story of Brian Nichols, cast by A-list Nigerian actor, David Oyelowo, who famously broke out of prison in 2005 and went on a killing spree. The film, however, is more about the relationship he developed with one of his kidnapped victims and the road to redemption

Media

Thursday, october 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Don tasks media on campaign Wainaina, Otieno lead pan-African speakers at RED Summit against maternal mortality

enior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Umaru Pate, has called on the media to focus on issues that caused maternal mortality to promote public awareness of the trend. Pate made the call at a presentation of a new film entitled: ``Unspoken’’ in Kano on Tuesday. The film which featured on youth sexuality and maternal mortality in Nigeria, was presented by Singing Tree Films with support from Ford Foundation. He said that there was urgent need for the media to enlighten the public on health related issues, particularly causes of maternal mortality. The lecturer said commercialisation in media houses had made the media outfits to run away from their basic social responsibilities to the society.

He said: “The issue of commercialisation has conveniently made media houses to shun away from their social responsibility to the society. ``We need to focus on the issue of maternal mortality and other health related issues because this is an unending campaign.’’ In his remark, Kano State Commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, said the state government would work out modalities to ensure effective grass root mobilisation and campaign on maternal mortality. Garba said the government was also committed toward sensitising the public to the issue with a view to reducing the rate of maternal mortality in the state. Earlier, the film producer, Mrs. Chichi Ikpeama, said the film it was produced to promote public awareness on social and health issues in the country.

enyan author, journalist and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, Binyavanga Wainaina is leading other pan-African speakers to participate at the inaugural edition of The RED Summit holding in Lagos at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. Other speakers at the summit are the Executive Producer of Coke Studio Africa, David Sanders; Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Corporation, Louis Otieno; award winning television host, Anita Erskine; former Managing Director of MNET Africa, Biola Alabi; Chief Executive Officer of leading lifestyle blog- BellaNaija, Uche Pedro; Chief Executive Officer, Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor. Others are General Manager of Beat FM, Deji Awokoya; former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr.KayodeFayemi, Communication and Public Affairs Manager of Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade; Corporate Communication Director of Africa Practice, Rimini Makama; award winning journalist, Tolu Ogunlesi; Senior Correspondent at New African Magazine, James Schneider; and many more. The RED Summit holds on 15-18 October, in Lagos, and will include a 2-day conference, West Africa’s largest interschool media town hall, and an evening to celebrate icons of the media in Nigeria. “This summit will be West Africa’s

biggest media JideonPartMedia o r e r s sum“We d r aw from in West m e d i a c a d e s

talk shop” said Chude wo, Managing ner of Red Africa, ganisof the m i t . w i l l lessons ve t e r a n s Africa’s over the deand chart t h e

RED SUMMIT IV - BIOLA ALABI

course, with other media stakeholders, for the future of the media in West Africa.” The summit which is in partnership with Troyka Holding and the School of Media & Communication, Pan-African University, will bring together media leaders, individuals and organisations in public relations, advertising, television, radio, print and online from across the globe to define the future of the media in a rapidly changing landscape. Participants will connect, network and anchor high-level conversations and solutions about the media in host country, Nigeria, and across African audiences.

Shortlist for Amnesty’s Media Awards 2015 announced

L-R : SA Media to Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, President, Dr. Grace Achum; President, Dr. Rotimi Oladele and Chief of Staff, NIPR President, Mr. Willy Ogbidi during the presidential press briefing on NIPR forthcoming activities, held in Ikeja, recently.

Media Abroad

Man loses job after Facebook post

man was fired from his job after posting a photo and raciallycharged comments to Facebook. WAGA-TV reports Gerod Roth posted a photo with his co-worker’s son to the social media site, and Roth’s Facebook friends made several racist comments on the photo that has since gone viral. Sydney Shelton, a single mother to 3-year-old Cayden Jenkins, says she brings her child to her job after he gets out of school, and that she was unaware that Roth took a picture with her son. Roth told WAGA he didn’t think Shelton would mind. Shelton tells WAGA she was heartbroken to read the comments on Roth’s Facebook post. People called her child “Kunta Kinte” and said they didn’t know Roth was a “slave owner.” While Roth’s post has been deleted, the social media response continues. Shelton created her own Facebook post

Photo from Sydney’s post

about her son with the hashtag #HisNameIsCayden, and the response on social media has been overwhelming. - Wgntv.com

mnesty International has today unveiled the shortlist for its prestigious annual Media Awards. According the press release by the Amnesty International (London), the 10 categories included in the 2015 Amnesty Media Awards cover print, broadcast, photo, and online journalism. There is also a special award for new journalists who have been reporting for less than five years (the Gaby Rado Memorial Award), and a Student Award for those even newer to human rights journalism. Amnesty’s Media Awards, now in its 24th year, recognises excellence in human rights reporting and acknowledges journalism’s significant contribution to the UK public’s awareness and understanding of human rights issues. The winners of this year’s Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Barbican in central London on Thursday 26th November. This year’s Awards were extremely competitive and Amnesty received well over 200 entries across the 10 categories; the documentary and feature categories each attracted over 40 entries. Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said: “This year’s news

agenda has been dominated by issues that hammer home the suffering that human rights abuses cause. Stories about conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and the consequent refugee crisis in Europe have filled our screens, airwaves and newspapers throughout 2015. “This year’s entries also shine a light on lesser known stories from across the globe including human trafficking, police killings and discrimination. “The pivotal role of the UK media industry in informing and shaping public opinion is something that Amnesty recognises and values. It is this vital, and often dangerous, work that we pay tribute to through our annual Media Awards.”

Kate Allen

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Gridlock: Lagos Island residents proffer ways out

riving on Lagos roads in recent times is not a cosy experience by all standards or how else does one describe a situation where somebody left Abeokuta around 5pm last week Friday and did not get back to Lagos until some minutes past 12 midnight. This is the lots of motorists and commuters in Lagos state lately particularly the Islanders who have to spend their productive hours on the roads losing so much economically to this obnoxious and harrowing experience. Broad Street Diary, BSD, went round some streets on Lagos Island to get a broad view of people’s opinion including that of LASTMA officials an agency of Lagos State government saddled with the responsibility of ensuring free- flow of traffic in the state on the issue and these are their reactions; Mr. Sanya Olu a senior traffic officer of LASTMA stated that the new government had not formulated a clear cut policy on how to tackle the issue as it was just inaugurated few months ago. ‘’The new administration does not have a clear blueprint on how to combat the raging traffic gridlock in Lagos, that is why there seems to be traffic chaos everywhere. “If you may recall, the former General Manager Mr. Babatunde Edu has just been relieved of his job about a month ago and the new General Manager, Mr. Bashir Braimah, on assumption of office, left on pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, so work has not really started in this sector as far as I am concerned”. On statement credited to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that LASTMA officials should stop harassing motorists and desist from impounding vehicles, but rather seize the valid particulars of motorists, he said; “That statement is yet to be backed by law, because former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola through the Lagos State House of Assembly had enacted a law called 59 Lagos traffic laws. “Under the law, we are empowered to arrest traffic offenders, impound their vehicles and impose fines on them and that is still sacrosanct as I am speaking to you because that law is what is still guiding our operation till date. The new General Manager, Mr. Bashir Braimah, corroborated this by saying that the existing laws had not been rescinded, but only the method of implementation had changed. Mr. Sanya Olu, however, con-

cluded that LASTMA officials were doing their best to ensure that the situation would be brought under control. A taxi cab operator under Apongbon bridge on Lagos Island also bared his mind on the development and said; “The reasons for the sudden emergence of traffic jam in Lagos metropolis, particularly on Lagos Island are, bad roads. For instance, there is a trouble spot at check point in Bonny Camp causing heavy traffic on Lagos Island. Also, another cause is the unavailability of parking spaces

for commercial drivers to conveniently pick and discharge passengers. “Look at the way commercial driver’s park arbitrarily under Apongbon bridge to pick passengers because there are few traffic enforcement agencies on ground to arrest the situation. For example, the commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders do park unlawfully by Tribune House and Apongbon bridge causing heavy traffic”. He, however, suggested that more task force officials be brought to clear the double park-

ing in the area particularly in the evening when people are returning home from work. He added that alternative means of transportation be provided to solve spending productive time needlessly on the highways “Let me advise that Lagos State and the Federal Government should collaborate to provide alternative transport services such as sea and rail transport for the teaming masses. “It may be recalled during former Lagos State Governor era, in the person of Alhaji Lateef

Jakande that a big ferry popularly known as “Baba kekere” was provided for the masses and could accommodate about 400 passengers per time from Lagos Island to other parts of Lagos with ease. “This was a huge relief to Lagosians on the Island then, who could connect their various abodes in matters of minutes. “This type of transport arrangement should be revisited alongside modern rail transport system that will undoubtedly decongest the roads to a great length he concluded”. –Omoju Busayo

Traffic gridlock on Lagos Island

Divergent views by street traders on rainy season

s flash rain continues to fall, traders on Broad Street, Lagos have lamented their plights whenever it rains. Speaking to BSD on their challenge when it rains, Mr. Obiora Ikenna, a road side traders, who sells textile materials said each time the rain start unaware or it starts falling suddenly, his wares would have become wet before he would be able to pack them. Apart from making the cloths to be wet, many customers don’t like coming to the market whenever it rains as shoppers would not like to be drenched by the rain water or walking on flooded market streets.

“The truth of the matter is that whenever it rains, l have to go home without making sales as i would have been soaked and apart from being soaked, there is no way l could display my wares for customers to see since I am a street trader. ‘’The rain do affect those of us that sell on the road side, but you know we all need rain however, it destroy sometimes,’’ said Ikenna. Another street trader who simply identify herself as Mrs Aduke, a snacks seller said nowadays rain are mostly non–stop, it rains from morning till evening and that does not help sales. Aduke who sells puff-puff, eggroll, fish roll among others,

said because snacks have to be served hot or warm, said whenever it rains, it makes snacks cold and shrink. ‘’Customers will start complaining that the snacks is cold and that they can’t eat it, it make my sales very dull after all, l know how l used to sell when it is not raining as people going to work very early would like to buy snacks on their way to work as breakfast, but when rains it makes it uncomfortable for them to eat cold things in cold weather,’’ Aduke said. Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Talabi, a food vendor along the along Olowogbowo road, beside Apongbon market, said; ‘’we thank God all the way ,we

can’t say rain should not fall or we should blame God for pouring down water l sells food here, no money for shop even here, this open space that l am using l still pay for it, just two tables and benches for customer to eat and whenever it rains, everywhere will be somehow, people can’t move freely in the rain, everybody will look for a hideout till it stops. As for me, the rain does not really stop me from selling because when is cold people will need something hot to eat and as we all know food is life and very compulsory, although the rain affect a little, but at the same time l make sales all the way. –Darasimi Ayeni

News

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State of the economy: Lagos Island traders lament poor sales

here has been steady decline in global economy since 2009 till date. This does not in any way exempt Nigeria as a nation, not even with the less attraction of the nation’s crude oil which is the major source of income. As a matter of fact, the Central Bank Of Nigeria had earlier in the year predicted in its last Monetary Policy Committee Communiqué that the nation might slide into another recession in 2016 if urgent and proactive steps are not quickly taken. If this is coming from the highest economic echelon of government in Nigeria, then, it calls for concern from all. This trendy and unabated global economic recession in the economy has affected virtually every facet of lives of the average Nigerians. For instance, organisations, states and even some Federal Government agencies owe members of their staff several months of salaries. Contractors have vacated various sites because mobilisation funds have been withheld by various government agencies. The least of this repulsive tales is indeed endless as aggregate of the aforementioned has permeated and affected every fabric of the nation’s economy. Broad Street Diary, BSD, went out to sample the views of some

hen the Lagos State Government created the State Central Business Districts Agency in 2007, the idea was to transform Lagos into a 21st century business district. The creation of the CBD among other things is to contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of the mega city structure desired for the state. It is also to serve as the financial hub of the country as obtained in other economic vibrant countries. It is also aimed at showcasing to other economies, what Nigeria can offer in terms of goods and financial services. The agency mission statement was deeply rooted in providing a stress-free and a favourable business environment for the benefit of traders, customers and business owners through efficient and effective traffic and environmental management to make the business districts accessible. As a pilot project of the four proposed Business Districts which include, Alimosho, Ikeja and Surulere, Lagos Island has remains the vocal point and the state government has committed enormous resources and energy into making a success of the policy starting with that of the Lagos Island. Since inception in 2007, the state government has put machineries in motion to realise the stated objectives, while the pioneering CBD personnel had worked tirelessly and relentless-

Street traders on Lagos Island business owners on Lagos Island regarding the issue coupled with their experience about the general market situation. This is what they have to say; Mr. Friday Barnabas who sells ladies wares stated that sales were no longer what it used to be.

His words: “The business climate is no longer encouraging due to economic downturn in the country. “For instance, staff salaries have not been paid for months, what happened to the abandoned Lagos Badagry express way? The

project is now moving at snail speed probably because the contractors are no longer mobilized appropriately hence, they now do skeletal work on the project site. “Do you know how many workers are on their pay rolls that have now been affected? Is it not when

ly to transform the policy into reality. Without doubt, the Central Business District on the Lagos Island had spreads its tentacles to areas like; outer and inner marina, Balogun, Nnamdi – Azikwe street, Carter Bridge, Idumagbo, Breadfruit, Abibu – Oki, Davies, Church, Odunlami, Ereko, Campus, Alli Balogun and King George. Other areas include Martins, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Campbel, Tinubu, Adeniji Adele, Dosumu, Kakawa, Bamgbose, Eyingbeti, Ebute-Ero, Force Road, Broad Street and Apongbon. It is important to note, that just as much as the agency is deeply concerned in ensuring free-flow of traffic and keeping the walkways free of traders who usually display their wares in the open, officers of the agency are visibly seen in around this area and the popular Balogun market in conjunction with the police in ensuring free flow of traffic. However, in spite of the efforts by the agency in checking traders excesses and ensuring freeflow of traffic, many traders are still in the habit of obstructing the walkways by displaying their wares, while commercial buses park indiscriminately on the road picking passengers, thereby hindering free-flow of human and vehicular movement which

is one of the primary objective for the creation of the agency. Although, goods of erring traders are always seized when caught, while vehicles obstructing movement are towed away to the Onikan office of the agency or to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, office where appropriate fines and penalties are imposed mainly to serve as deterrent to others. But there are insinuations that officers of the agency and LASTAMA are in the habit of abusing their roles. For instance, in the process of maintaining law and order in the market, CBD officers were said to be in the habit of taking advantage of the hapless traders by demanding for exorbitant amount of money before their seized goods could be released to them. According to Rafiu Alabi, a trader who sells phone accessories displayed on wheel barrow, he alleged that his goods had been confiscated on several occasions by the CDB officers on Broad Street, saying: “They mix up the goods when taking them in their vehicles to their Onikan office. When you get there, they will demand that you identify your wares among several identical goods seized from other traders. “Most of the goods are usually

misplaced or stolen in the process. At times, you come only to discover that some of your goods are missing and the officials will not do anything about it.” “Some touts around the market take advantage of this by going to the CBD office, immediately the patrol team seized goods in the market to lay claims to some of the seized goods. And since the goods were seized randomly and without proper tags to identify the real owners, some of the items are always released to wrong hands in the process,” he added. There are also allegations of bad eggs or highly corrupt officials whose actions are defeating the essence of the agency, as traders alleged that some officers of the agency are in the habit of singling out for victimisation traders who refused to grease their palm by sizing their wares when on patrol while those who ‘cooperate’ are allowed to display their wares in unauthorised places because they have ‘’settled’’. For instance, Chucks Nse, who sells women weave-on popularly and cosmetics, claimed that he make sure, he sets aside special amount of money for the officials whenever his goods are seized for being displayed on the walkway because he couldn’t afford to get a shop. He said: “I gather money like

people have regular sources of income that they remember to buy clothes or other things they needed? ‘’Government should as a matter of urgency, revamp the ailing economy so that, there will be enough money in circulation for our customers to spend,’’ said Barnabas. He, however, disagreed with the position of some of our respondents that sales were dull due to children’s resumption back to school. “Let me tell you that money is not in circulation as it ought to be, hence, this wrong notion among some people that, buying clothes will have to be scarified for payment of school fees. “When you have regular source of income, you can comfortably embark on payment of your children’s school fees at the same time buying clothes for them”. Another respondent, Mr. Peter Ogbonna, a transporter on Lagos Island corroborated this by saying; “The economic situation in the country is so bad that it has forced even many unemployed university graduates to the road as commercial motor transporters. He, however, called on the government to urgently put mechanism in place to rescue the nation’s economy. –Omoju Busayo

CBD, traders, motorists, the challenges of modern city ‘esusu’ to bail my wares whenever the CBD came to raid the market, for me, it’s always better to settle them on the sport than for them to take your wares to their office, because I have lost my entire wares to their previous raiding and the officers couldn’t do anything about it.” However, a senior CBD official who doesn’t want his name on prints revealed to Broad Street Diary that many officers found wanting in the line of duty have been penalised accordingly, this lend credence to the fact that constant monitoring has placed the officers in the eye of the storm. “This condemnable action needs to be frequent and sometimes carried out on Saturdays, which is the peak of business transaction in the market to ensure that complaints of extortion, molestation and assault by members of the public against some CBD officials were promptly attended to,” he opined. Sometimes ago, the state government went a step further towards fast-tracking the realisation of CBD policy by setting up a Special Task Force for the agency. Their main objective is patrolling the CBD areas everyday to compliments the activities of the regular enforcement officers. –Dare Akogun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-militant leader denies rift with Sylva Osahon Julius Yenagoa

x-militant leader, General Africa, said reports about a quarrel between him and the state’s leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, are fabricated. General Africa accused the rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate for the December 5 governorship election in the state, Governor Seriake Dickson, of sponsoring the “fictitious and malicious story.” An online report in Bayelsa State yesterday claimed that the crisis of confidence bedeviling the Bayelsa State chapter of APC deepened when General Africa purportedly gave Sylva a hot slap on his cheeks for what

South South

Thursday, October 8, 2015

was said to be a result of his (Sylva’s) “deception and betrayal.” But in a reaction yesterday, General Africa, through the spokesman of Sylva Campaign Organisation, Doifie Boukoribo, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, said the story was a futile attempt by the PDP to score cheap points ahead of the poll. The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to a story being circulated in the media by the Peoples Democratic Party to the effect that I was involved in an altercation or fracas with my party leader and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva. “The story is fictitious and malicious. At no time did such an incident happen between the APC leader and me or between him and any other member of the APC.”

Group urges Buhari to expedite action against corruption ...calls for new civil service reforms, pursuit of looted funds Elo Ogwara Warri

ederal Government has been urged to carry on with the fight against corruption in all spheres of governance, with due regard to the rule of law. Stating this in Warri yesterday, national coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, also called for reformation of the civil service where he said corrupt practice thrives most.

The activist, while recalling President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign promises to prosecute persons culpable of corrupt practices in order to bring sanity to the country, urged him to pressure foreign governments to return looted funds stashed in their countries for the development of Nigeria and prosecute those behind the heist. Commending the anticorruption agencies for the trials of some influential politicians over alleged malpractices, he

urged them to also investigate civil servants who, according to him, aids and abets politicians in their quest for corrupt activities. “Well-meaning Nigerians are solidly behind you because those who plundered the nation’s resources and brought it into disrepute should be made to pay for it dearly to serve as deterrent to others. “During his campaign, the President pledged to fight corruption and bring sanity to the country, and Nige-

rians voted massively for him based on this. So, he should not fail to deliver on the promises. We therefore implore him not to succumb to the whims and caprices of corrupt Nigerians who would employ every trick in the books to fight back,” the comrade said. Mulade added that President Buhari would etch his name in gold, if he is able to “walk the talk” by reducing the height of impunity and lawlessness in the country.

Rivers panel submits report to Wike Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

ivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the sale of some valued assets belonging to the state by the former administration of Rotimi Amaechi submitted its report yesterday. Chairman of the panel, Justice George Omereji said: “Anyone found culpable of misdirecting the state’s funds would be prosecuted according to the laws of the land.” Omereji added that if found culpable, such person or persons could be sent to jail. He stated that senior officials of the immediate past government would have to return billions of naira carted away from the state’s reserve fund. Omereji spoke with journalists after presenting his report to Governor Nyesom Wike in Government House. He said: “N53bn of the N55bn reserve fund were indiscriminately disbursed. From our findings, most of the N53bn were not properly disbursed. It is only proper that government officials who handled such funds account for them.” Presenting the report earlier, he said his panel visited the Justice Adolphus Karibi-

Whyte Specialist Hospital, at Igurrita, Greater Port Harcourt, but did not find anything on ground. While thanking Justice Omereji and his team for a job well-done, Governor Wike said the interest of the state would always determine the actions his administration takes. Meanwhile, the former governor in his reaction described the alleged missing N53bn by the panel’s chairman as mischievous. In a statement yesterday, Amaechi’s media office said the alleged missing fund was duly approved by the state’s House of Assembly and the expenditure captured and accounted for. The statement said: “Ordinarily, we might not have responded to the mischief of Mr. Wike, knowing that having failed with his various desperate tactics to stop the nomination of Chibuike Amaechi as a minister, he has embarked on this last ditch effort, which is his trump card in the hope that it will diminish the former governor’s towering stature as a statesman and honest Nigerian. “However, in keeping with Governor Amaechi’s ethos of transparent and accountable leadership we will again repeat the facts of the matter.

Commander, Operation Polo Shield in the Niger Delta, Maj.-Gen Alani Okunlola (left) and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, during his operational tour of military formations in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Itsekiri in Edo seek govt’s intervention over abandoned EDSOPADEC projects Elo Ogwara Warri

ommunities of Itsekiri extraction in Edo State have called on the state government to prevail on the Edo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, EDSOPADEC, to complete a number of abandoned projects in their localities. In a statement signed by Samuel Iraokane and others, the communities located in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state explained

that most of the projects awarded in the areas were left uncompleted owing to media claims by an unknown group that the communities had benefited much from the agency. Expressing bitterness over the development, the communities under the Leaders Forum of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing Communities called on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to compel the contractors concerned to move to site and complete all abandoned projects awarded by the EDSO-

PADEC in their localities. The Itsekiri communities added that it is morally wrong and unfair for them to suffer neglect by government, especially, in the exploitation of natural resources in their environment and again, be saddled with untruthful and conniving contractors. “We thank the Edo State government for creating EDSOPADEC and creating a position for Itsekiris in its management for the first time since its inception; but there is a cabal of dubious contrac-

tors which specialise in the collection of huge mobilisation fees for projects in our communities and then abandon same. “These abandoned projects included blocks of six classrooms with VIP toilets in Ajaoki, Ajamimogha and Kolokolo as well as boreholes in Ajatiton, and Ikara - all uncompleted and abandoned, yet the cabal spearheading the projects’ abandonment claimed we have benefited tremendously from Edo State and its agencies,” the statement read.

North

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abubakar tasks Nigerians on tackling insecurity PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) congratulating First Female Head of Service in the state, Hajia Zahra Omar, after swearing her in at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

INEC to give priority to elderly, disabled in Kogi poll WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed that elderly and disabled persons would be given consideration, accredited and allowed to vote first during the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State on November 21. State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Pai, who announced this at a sensitisation forum for stakeholders, said the decision was to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised during the election. Pai explained the read-

iness of the commission to conduct a free and fair election, adding that additional 47,389 new voters have been registered in the state, and that the newly-registered would receive their permanent voter cards, PVCs, before the election. He stated that the recent audit of PVCs carried out by his office indicated that 1.9 million PVCs have been distributed while 308,159 remain uncollected. The INEC boss assured that the commission would embark on voter education and enlightenment in due course, urging the stakeholders, including the media to be part of this.

While speaking, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, pointed out that hotspots and some elements considered to be security threats to the election have been identified. He noted that the force would soon move against the identified potential trouble makers, promising to provide security before, during and after the election in collaboration with other security agencies. Ojukwu added that seven policemen would be attached to each of the 4,548 polling units in the state, adding that more policemen would be deployed to the state for the election.

He posited that the police would ensure an aerial surveillance of the state to forestall violence while also providing tight security at collation centres. The state director of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Ibikunle Medupin, leaders of political parties, women groups and representatives of civil society organisations who spoke at the event applauded INEC for the arrangements being made. They, however, called on the commission and the police not to leave anything to chance as some entrenched interests in the election may want to play funny.

orried by the state of insecurity, former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has appealed to Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government in solving the myriad of insecurity challenges confronting the nation. Making the appeal at Maizube Farms, Minna, shortly after declaring open a Strategic Stakeholders Security meeting organised by the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, AAIPSDS, and Pan-African Strategic and Policy Group, PANAFSTRAG, to find solution to the various security challenges in the country, Abubakar said the solution to the issue could not be left for government or leaders alone. According to him, the desire to contribute his

Katsina directs SUBEB chair, headmasters to enroll children in schools

atsina State government has directed the chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Alhaji Lawal Buhari, to immediately withdraw his children from private schools and enrol them in public schools. Others affected by the directive are secretaries of education and head teachers, Buhari said yesterday in Daura, Katsina State.

Reps order Customs, CPC to enforce ban on poultry products import UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday asked the Nigeria Customs, and Consumers Protection Council, CPC, to ensure the enforcement of the ban on importation, smuggling, trading and consumption of foreign poultry products in Nigeria. This is even as it resolved to summon them before the Ad-Hoc Committee to be set up by the House to explain why they had refused to enforce the ban by the Federal Government. Hon. Abubakar AmudaKannike, had brought a

motion on the matter before the Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenary, noting that there exists a ban on the subject matter, and the consequent listing of live and dead birds, including frozen poultry on the prohibition list. The lawmaker said he was disturbed that these imported/smuggled poultry products constitute serious health hazards such as renal and liver failure as well as several other cases of digestive and intestinal health issues as a result of their process of preservation, which involve the use of high levels of formulin and heavy metals that are toxic to vital organs. He said he was concerned that the economic

impact on the local poultry industry is enormous, given that Nigerians lose about one million jobs and about 2.4 billion dollars, approximately, N399.4 billion annually to importation and smuggling of frozen birds - a figure, he felt is conservative, with the loss actually estimated to be in the region of over N600 billion annually. Amuda-Kannike said he is aware that the Nigerian poultry industry lacked the capacity to satisfy local consumption demand of slightly above two million metric tones, MT, annually, of which only a paltry 300,000MT is being produced locally, leaving a wide gap of about 1.7 mil-

lion MT. He expressed concern that while there was a proclaimed Federal Government ban on frozen poultry products, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s porous borders still create avenues for smuggling of these hazardous products into the country. He said he is desirous of ensuring that this issue is tackled with all sense of seriousness in a bid to nip it in the bud because of its inherent dangers to the health of the citizens as well as its adverse effect on the economy of the country. From his prayers which were amended by members on the floor of the House presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the House

quota was what informed his decision to gather retired and serving military leaders, traditional rulers, members of the academia and legal practitioners to brainstorm and find lasting solutions to the security challenges. Expressing hope that the nation would soon overcome the security challenges, he noted the need for all hands to be on deck. Top personalities at the event include ministerial designate, Gen. Abdulraham Danbazzau and Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd), Emir of Minna, Dr. Faruk Bahago and his counterpart from Bornu State, the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Umar El-Kanemi. Others from the academia are Prof. Nana Tanko, the Vice Chancellor of Niger State-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Prof. Nosiru Mohammed Maiturari and Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya of the University of Ibadan.

resolved to urge the Nigeria Customs to be more vigilant at the borders, to ensure that banned poultry products do not enter our country. It urged ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to come up with policies that would protect farmers from the +activities of middle men and provide funding, feeds, so as to optimise the production capacity of Nigerian poultry farmers to meet the demand for poultry products. It also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to increase the percentage lending to poultry farmers to encourage high local production of poultry products.

The chairman made the order shortly after withdrawing his children from a private school and enrolling them in Magaji Umaru Pilot Primary School, Daura. He said the decision would assist education administrators and government to address the challenges facing public primary school education in the state. Buhari directed all education secretaries, inspectors of education and headmasters in the 34 local government areas to immediately comply with the directive. The chairman said the government has designed a number of policies geared toward repositioning primary school education in the state. He listed the policies as the training and retraining of teachers, regular promotion and teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; welfare to boost their morale for effective service delivery. Buhari said government would soon begin the rehabilitation of primary schools and supply of instructional materials as part of efforts to create a conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in the schools.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Kogi poll: Wada meets Buhari, seeks level playing field ROTIMI FADEYI

Adamawa State Governor Muhammadu Bindo (left) and Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ishaya Banu, during the 2015/2016 Legal Year ceremony in Yola, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

We inherited N14.3bn pension liability in Kaduna –El-Rufai G overnor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State yesterday revealed that his administration inherited a pension liability of N14.3bn when he assumed office in May. El-Rufai made the disclosure at the maiden edition of African Pension Award organised by the World Pension Summit Africa in Abuja. “When we got swornin in May this year, we inherited pensions and gratuity deficit of 14.3bn unfunded; we are still grappling on how to resolve that,” he said. The governor also said his administration inherited a partly funded

defined pension contribution scheme of N4bn. El-Rufa’i said the government, under the guidance of the National Pensions Commission, NPC, had redrafted a new pension reform law for the state as part of efforts to strengthen pension administration. He said the state executive council had already approved the draft law, which would be forwarded to the assembly for assent. The governor expressed hope that in seven to eight years time, the pension scheme in the state would be fully funded to take care of retirees’ benefits.

On investment, the governor advocated a significant reduction in interest rate on lending by financial institutions in the country. He disclosed that the state government was investing in infrastructure to create an enabling environment for investment, and was also subsidising farmers to attract investment in the agriculture sector. Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said his state had been operating the defined benefit scheme over the years. Emmanuel said his administration had successfully cleared pension and

gratuity arrears of local government retirees. He announced that government was in the process of drafting a new pension law in line with the 2014 pension reform act. Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State told the participants that the administration inherited a pension liability of N5.7bn in the defined old scheme and currently has about N2bn in its contributory pension scheme. The governor said the state was also on the verge of passing a new law to strengthen pension administration.

N28bn bailout: Ortom debunks allegation of diversion HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday debunked the allegation that the N28bn bailout from the Federal Government to clear accumulated salary arrears of civil servants would be diverted to other sectors. The governor said he has directed officials of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, to be involved in council’s Joint Account meetings as well as payment of the bailout funds. Ortom, who spoke yes-

terday at the old Banquet Hall of Benue Peoples House shortly on arrival from the United States of America, stated that the initiative was in line with transparency and accountability policy of his administration. He said it was the right of workers and other Benue people to know how the finances of the state were being managed, stating that he had approved the commencement of payment of workers’ salaries for September, 2015. According to him, the state received only N2.6bn as last month’s allocation, while the wage bill for September was over N3.4bn without overheads.

He said since salaries were a priority, additional funds would be sourced to pay without the overheads. He lamented the persistent shortfall in statutory allocations to local governments, which he said has led to challenge of paying salaries at that level. He stressed that the biometric screening exercise and beefing up of internally generated revenue were measures being taken to salvage the situation. Governor Ortom disclosed that the state was yet to access the bailout package from the Federal Government, explaining

however, that documentation with the Central Bank has been completed. He stated that the final processes were taking place at the United Bank for Africa, UBA, for state workers and Fidelity Bank for local government staff maintaining that they would soon be completed and the funds accessed. The governor directed the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to always make public, information about funds allocated to councils from the federation account, emphasising that his administration will never deduct or divert local government funds.

ogi State Governor Idris Wada yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the November 21 gubernatorial election in the state. Speaking with State House Correspondents after the meeting, Wada said apart from ensuring adequate security, a level playing ground must be provided for all candidates in the election. The governor, who is candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said people should keep faith with the election,

stressing that Buhari is a President that would ensure transparency. Wada, who is seeking a second term in office, is in the race with former governor of the state, Abubakar Audu. Speaking on preparation for the election, the governor said he was working with security agencies to ensure safe environment for people in the course of the campaign and during the election. On whether Audu is a threat to his second term bid, Wada said that based on his performance, the people of the state would support his candidacy and vote for him.

FG loses over N2trn in non-oil revenue agencies –Reps UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

ouse of Representatives has expressed concern that well over N2trn was alleged to have been lost by the Federal Government as a result of fraudulent activities of officials of non-oil revenue earning agencies. This is even as it resolved to probe alleged fraudulent practices in the collection and management of non-oil revenue remittance. This followed a motion to this effect by Hon Namdas Abdulrazak. The legislator had noted to the House that as a result of the drop in oil

prices, revenues realised from the sector was no longer sufficient to cater for the budgetary needs of the country. He also noted that revenues from non-oil sources were not being properly accounted for and were usually spent without recourse to the enabling Acts that established non-oil revenue earning agencies. Abdulrazak expressed the concern that those revenues accruable from non-oil sector have been the subject of reckless expenditure through high operational costs, diversion of revenues, lack of transparency in revenue collection, lack of accountability, inflation of contracts and a host of other vices.

Kano govt approves N342m for procurement of chemicals

ano State Executive Council has approved N342 million for procurement of aluminium sulphate and polymer for water treatment to enhance potable water supply in the state. Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Ali Makoda, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting yesterday in Kano. He also said that Council had approved another N53.9m to cover upward review of feed-

ing cost of science and technical boarding secondary school students. He added that in line with government’s effort to improve sanitation, the council also approved N296m for the purchase of 16 trucks for waste evacuation. According to him, the trucks will be used by the state’s Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, REMASAB, to enhance refuse evacuation. “The council also approved N24m for the construction of filling stations,” he said.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News Germany, Austria and Hungary alone cannot cope with the migrants’ crisis. We need help from other EU nations.

–GERMANY’S VICE CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL

former president of the UN General Assembly, John Ashe, has been charged with taking $1.3m in bribes from Chinese businessmen. Ashe, who served as president for a year from September 2013, allegedly took bribes in exchange for backing a proposed UN conference centre in Macau promoted by Chinese developer Ng Lap Seng, according to court documents revealed on Tuesday. Ng, a wealthy real estate mogul, was arrested and jailed in New York last month for smuggling more than $4.5m in cash into the US over a two-year period. As UN ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, Ashe accepted bribes from Ng and four others from 2011 to December 2014, according to the documents. “Among other things, Ashe accepted over $500,000” from Ng, who was “seeking to build a multibillion-dollar, UN-sponsored conference centre in Macau,” the complaint said. Al Jazeera’s James Bays, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said more officials could get caught up in the investigation. “There are six people, including the former president of the General Assembly, one of the most important offices in the UN,” Bays said. “There is real shock at some of the allegations that were read out by the US attorney.” Ashe is accused of having spent the bribes allegedly given to him on Rolex watches, a

Ex-UN General Assembly chief charged in bribery case

L-R: John Ashe (with Ban Ki Moon and Hillary Clinton) is accused of accepting more than $1.3m in bribes

BMW, Bespoke suits, and a basketball court at his home. In exchange for the payments from Ng, Ashe submitted a request to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “which claimed that there was a purported need to build the UN Macau Conference Centre.” Ashe also received $800,000 in bribes from Chinese businessmen to advance their interests

at the UN and with the Antigua government, including with the prime minister who got a cut of the bribe money, the documents said. Ashe, who served as UN ambassador for Antigua until November 2014, also received payments to cover personal expenses, such as family vacations and the construction of a basketball court at his house in

ince. Russian forces carried out the air strikes on Wednesday morning, in addition to targeting antigovernment armed groups with surface-to-surface missiles, said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A video of the purported raids uploaded to YouTube by

activists said at least four people were killed and dozens injured, and that the death toll was expected to rise. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the reports of the air strikes. Meanwhile, Syrian army forces have launched a ground operation in the country’s west,

Digital dependence ‘eroding human memory

n over-reliance on using computers and search engines is weakening people’s memories, according to a study. It showed many people use computers instead of memorising information. Many adults who could still recall their phone numbers from childhood could not remember their current work number or numbers of family members. Maria Wimber from the University of Birmingham said the trend of looking up information “prevents the build-up of long-

Burkina Faso coup leader Gen Diendere charged The leader of last month’s shortlived coup in Burkina Faso has been charged with crimes including threatening state security and murder. Gen Gilbert Diendere is expected to face trial before a military tribunal. Interim President Michel Kafando was reinstated two weeks ago after intervention from the army and West African leaders. The presidential guards’ unit that carried out the coup is to be disbanded. BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says Gen Diendere has been formally charged with 11 crimes including threatening state security, murder, collusion with foreign forces, voluntary assault and wilful destruction of property.

France urges Israel and Palestine to resume talks

New York state, the AFP news agency reported. Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked and deeply troubled by the allegations targeting Ashe. Ban said the charges filed against Ashe “go to the heart of the integrity of the United Nations,” according to a statement from his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Russian air strikes in Syria cause ‘civilian deaths’

t least four dead and dozens injured in attacks in Hama province and in areas bordering Idlib province, activists say. Civilian deaths are being reported from apparent air strikes by Russian fighter jets in the Syrian province of Hama and in areas bordering the Idlib prov-

AFRICAN BULLETIN

term memories”. The study, examining the memory habits of 6,000 adults in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, found more than a third would turn first to computers to recall information. The UK had the highest level, with more than half “searching online for the answer first”. But the survey suggests relying on a computer in this way has a long-term impact on the development of memories, because such push-button information can often be immediate-

ly forgotten. “Our brain appears to strengthen a memory each time we recall it, and at the same time forget irrelevant memories that are distracting us,” said Dr Wimber. She says that the process of recalling information is a “very efficient way to create a permanent memory”. “In contrast, passively repeating information, such as repeatedly looking it up on the internet, does not create a solid, lasting memory trace in the same way.”

reports say. The offensive is targeting Khan Shaykhun, a town in Idlib strategically situated on a rebelcontrolled route that connects Aleppo and Damascus. The developments come at a time when Syrian fighters are targeting government forces and pro-regime units in Hama with Grad missiles, the Syrian Observatory said in a statement. It said it has “no information about casualties” yet. Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, started carrying out air strikes in areas across Syria last week. On Tuesday, Russian jets hit areas under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Palmyra and the northern outskirts of Aleppo. The attacks destroyed 20 vehicles and three weapons depots in ISIL-held Palmyra, Syrian state television said, quoting a military source.

French foreign minister warns both sides that the stalemate in the peace process risked setting the conflict “ablaze”. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has urged Israel and Palestine to return to the negotiating table quickly, warning that the stalemate in the peace process risked setting the conflict “ablaze”. US-led efforts to broker a socalled two-state solution collapsed in April 2014 and leaders on both sides have since been weakened politically. But with the region’s crises worsening and Washington reassessing its options on relations with Israel, France sees a narrow window to resume negotiations. “We have to do the maximum so that the two sides restart negotiations,” Fabius told reporters after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Somali president’s nephew killed in al-Shabab attack

The nephew of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been shot dead in the capital, Mogadishu. Gunmen opened fire on Dr Liban Osman’s vehicle as it was travelling through the city’s Wadajir neighbourhood early on Wednesday. Both Dr Osman, who reportedly worked as a doctor at the presidential palace, and another man, thought to be a lawyer, died in the attack. Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it was behind the killings. Attacks targeting professionals have been increasing in recent months in the capital, BBC Somali’s Kati Isse says. Incidents like these could discourage professionals from the diaspora from returning to work in their home countries, she adds.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Klopp to be announced new Liverpool manager today 54

I am enjoying a completely new lease of life in here and I can only look forward to greater days ahead –Monaco winger, Stephan El Shaarawy

FIFA suspends Blatter for 90 days

Super Eagles in training, Belgium

International friendly:

Super Eagles tackle Congo’s Leopards today

he Super Eagles will continue their journey towards redemption when they tackle the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in an International friendly in Belgium today’s night. Smarting from non-qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles are on the mend as Sunday Oliseh steps out for his third game in charge of the national team. Saddled with responsibility of get-

ting the Eagles back to their vertex seat among African nations after Stephen Keshi was shown the door, Oliseh has gone about trying to rebuild the Super Eagles and the test game against DR Congo will be an avenue for him to test how far his team has come. Both sides are trying to use the friendly game to prepare for World Cup qualifiers, but with an eye on when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations gets into the business end.

The Super Eagles are second in Group G of the Afcon qualifiers with 4 points from two matches behind Egypt who lead the group while DR Congo are second in Group B with three points after two matches. The Super Eagles will also meet the winner of the Djibouti/Swaziland in the preliminary round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers while the DR Congo will await the winners of the Burundi/Seychelles tie.

he FIFA president’s future was being determined by the governing body’s ethics committee at meetings in Zurich, with Blatter at risk of being suspended after a criminal case was opened against him. Blatter associate Klaus Stoehlker, who has no role at FIFA, told The Associated Press and other media outlets the ethics committee’s adjudicatory chamber recommended a 90-day suspension for the sport’s most powerful official. ‘’Blatter has heard that from several sources,’’ Stoehlker said. ‘’He has not got any message from the committee ... and he is perfectly under control. He is going to the office tomorrow.’’ Long-time Blatter aide Walter Gagg told the AP that Blatter has not yet received any information or a decision from the ethics committee. ‘’I was with Mr. Blatter 10 minutes ago and we know nothing about (a decision),’’ Gagg said just after 6:30 p.m. in Zurich. ‘’He left now. He had no news.’’ Abdoulaye Makhtar Diop, a Senegalese member of the executive committee’s adjudicatory chamber, said earlier in a statement that cases involving Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were being discussed in Zurich this week. Ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert will take the final decision on the fates of Blatter and Platini, who were questioned as part of a Swiss criminal investigation last month. Blatter is a suspect but Platini was questioned as something between a witness and an accused person over a payment he received from FIFA in 2011.

Oliseh confirms Musa as new Super Eagles’ captain

igeria head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has picked CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa, as captain of the Super Eagles. The 41-year-old Nigerian coach explained that he opted for Musa on the grounds that the former Kano Pillars’ man at 22 will have “several years” to feature for the country’s national team as a captain. He further pointed out that Musa “did a great job for us (as captain) in Tanzania.” Oliseh also believes he has named “a very responsible player” as leader of

the Super Eagles. Oliseh also played down the talk of a tussle for the team’s captaincy, which will see Lille OSC goalkeeper being stripped of the armband which he has wore since Joseph Yobo’s departure. “Well there is no captain tussle. When you have a new government like our honourable president just came in, he’s picked his ministers. And you have your philosophy and you have your way of working. “As a coach I have looked at the team and I have looked at Nigeria going for-

ward. We need a captain who will think of staying with Nigeria for several years to come, who is regularly in the front. And Ahmed Musa did a great job for us in Tanzania under very difficult circumstance. He is a very responsible player and he is the captain of the team. So he is the captain of the team, there is no question of a tussle. “The fact that I would like to have somebody (as captain) who is thinking of playing now and not somebody who is preparing for retirement or thinking of after-football.

Blatter

Thursday September 4, 2014

Klopp to be announced new Liverpool manager today 54

Friday, October 8, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

I am enjoying a completely new lease of life in here and I can only look forward to greater days ahead

–Monaco winger, Stephan El Shaarawy

FIFA suspends Blatter for 90 days

Super Eagles in training, Belgium

International friendly:

Super Eagles tackle Congo’s Leopards today

Oliseh confirms Musa as new Super Eagles’ captain

Blatter

Sports

Friday, October 8, 2015

Zagreb’s Ademi fails drugs test after Arsenal Champions League game D

inamo Zagrebs Arijan Ademi failed a drugs test after the Arsenal Champions League game, it has been reported. A huge story broke in Croatia yesterday night, as Dinamo Zagreb confirmed on their official website that 24-year-old midfielder Arijan Ademi failed a doping test after the Arsenal match in the Champions League. Dinamo Zagreb beat Arsenal 2-1 in the match, while Arijan Ademi played the full ninety minutes.

Dinamo Zagreb’s statement says that the club are aware of the results of Ademi’s test, and that the player gave a “positive” result in the doping control. There is now a UEFA investigation into the matter, and Dinamo have said they “cannot comment on the duration of the disciplinary proceedings”. Despite claiming that are bound to silence, Dinamo closed their statement with the following defence of their player: “Our players have been

Ademi challenges Alexes during there champions league match, recently

regularly subjected to doping controls for years after European and league games, and never has anything like this ever happened, so that we have to say that we are surprised by this result. Arijan Ademi was tested six times in the last year and each time the report was negative. How this affects the Arsenal result remains to be seen. Apparently Dinamo won’t lose points if Ademi is the only one tested positive. On the other hand, he could be facing a 2-year-old suspension.

Depay admits struggling with physical demands

Kloop

Klopp to be announced new Liverpool manager today

anchester United’s Dutch forward Memphis Depay had admitted he is still adjusting to the physical demands of the Premier League after moving to England this year. The former PSV Eindhoven winger has failed to light up English football after finding the back of the net just once in eight league appearance. The Netherlands international has, however, been impressive in the Champions League, scoring three goals in four appearances in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Depay

“There are a lot of games in Manchester. There are very few rest days and on training days you are mainly concerned with recovering,” the 21-yearold Dutchman told De Telegraaf ahead of the

Netherlands’ European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday. “It’s heavy, two games a week, always at a high level, and my body has to get used to that,” he added.

urgen Klopp will be announced as the new Liverpool manager today, the BBC has said. It is expected that the news will be received with great cheers at Anfield, as the club have moved swiftly to replace Brendan Rodgers, who was axed after the 1-1 draw with Everton. Klopp inherits a team which Rodgers himself has labelled “in transition’, and one suspects

that the German’s main aim this season will be to finish in the top four of the Premier League. Liverpool are currently 10th on the table, three points off the top four. Klopp’s first game with Liverpool will come after the international break at Tottenham. The German is expected to sign a three year deal with Liverpool, and he is set to arrive with coach Zeljko Buvac in tow.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, October 8, 2015

Boxers lament Nigeria’s absence at world championship IFEANYI EDUZOR

B Falconets in training

Women’s World Cup qualifier

Congo must fall –Dedevbo PAUL EREWUBA

he U-20 Women national team coach, Peter Dedevbo, yesterday said his wards would not spare their counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Saturday’s 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Abuja,

insisting they must bite the dust. The Falconets, who have played at every edition of the FIFA tournament since it was launched in Canada in 2002, won the first leg played in Kinshasa 2-1 and look destined for the final round of the African series. The Nigeria U-20 is also the

reigning world vice champion. “I have a philosophy, which is to respect every team and not to fear any, and in football, it is never over until it is over. We have won the first leg 2-1; there is still a second leg to play to determine the winner on aggregate. “We have 90 minutes to go in this fixture. There will be no re-

lief until after the final whistle on Saturday. We will approach the match as if we lost the first leg.” Early goals by Chinaza Uchendu and Chinwendu Ihezuo gave the Falconets a 2-1 win in Kinshasa, and the Congolese believe there is still much to play for at the National Stadium on Saturday.

oxers who represented the country at the last All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville came back to Lagos from Abuja yesterday lamenting the absence of “Team Nigeria’ at the World championship currently going on in Doha, Qatar. Two of the boxers, Efe Ajagba and Efe Apochi noted that the country’s participation in the games would have afforded Nigerian pugilists an opportunity to garner more experience ahead of next year’s Olympic qualifiers in Morocco. Ajagba who won a gold medal in the super heavyweight class in Congo told National Mirror that it is unfortunate that the country will not be represented at the AIBA championship which is the criteria used in ranking amateur boxers at the world level. “I am really disappointed that our pugilists are not part of the world championship in Qatar where the best boxers from all continents of the world will showcase their talent.

NSA 2015: Organisers unveil top nominees, voting phase begins AFOLABI GAMBARI

rganisers of the Nigeria Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited, yesterday unveiled the list of the top three nominees in each categories of the award. Chairman of the Award Panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, who spoke at the event in Lagos, explained that the nominees emerged after recording highest frequency of nominations by members of the public for their outstanding performances in their respective sports. “The shortlisted nominees for the 2015 edition of the award is a true reflection of the ma-

jority wish of the Nigerians as expressed through nominations for the different categories during the nomination phase,” Isiguzo, who is also a veteran journalist and Chairman of the Editorial Board of Vanguard Newspapers, said. “An athlete is only eligible to win the NSA prize if members of the public nominate him or her during the nomination phase for the award during the year of the award,” he stressed. Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, who also spoke at the event, noted that the nominations were scrutinized by the panel before the top nominees’ list was released.

Ogbu pledges support for Nollywood FC IFEANYI EDUZOR

board member of Nigeria Boxing Federation, Osondu Ogbu, has assured members of Nollywood Football Club that he will continue to support the club in its effort to create recreation among their members. He told National Mirror during his investiture as a patron

of the club that he is fully committed to ensuring that the team creates an avenue for members to relax and have a good working relationship among themselves. Ogbu who also doubles as the proprietor of “Old Skool’ Entertainment Limited, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos noted that his investiture is a confirmation of the cordial relationship existing between him and Nollywood stars.

Ex-Super Eagles player, Garba Lawal with Airtel Rajat Jain (r) presenting an award to Evo of Team Port Harcourt who emerged highest goal scorer

Airtel our dream come true, says ARS-5 highest goal scorer PAUL EREWUBA

ith a total of three goals scored in the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Season 5, striker for Port Harcourt male team, Christopher Evo, emerged the Highest Goal Scorer in the tournament. The 16-year-old player has described the ARS 5 football competition as a huge opportunity for the boys and

girls to experience another level of football competition. Speaking after qualifying for the finals Evo said: “We felt so happy and motivated after qualifying for the finals. “The encouragement we got from the ex-internationals, the spectators and Airtel Nigeria showed that they believe in us that is why they gave us such opportunity to display our talents.

“The ARS soccer clinic that followed it also allowed us to see our areas of weakness and how we can improve. Some of us used to play with right or left, but at the clinic the coaches gave us reason why we must be skilful using both legs. The clinic helped us to further develop our skills. They coaches also encouraged us to ask questions.” Evo recalled that he started playing football

at a very young age. “Right from age six, I knew I wanted football as a career. I played street soccer, but I had not played a big competition like this. My Mum really supports me and Dad was more particular about my studies than football. My mum could not eat for some time due to excitement when I told her that I emerged the Highest Goal Scorer in the competition. She was so happy for me.”

WORLD RECORD

Largest cooking vessel

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1216 Thursday, October 8, 2015

The largest cooking vessel has a volume of 23,616 litres (5,194.79 UK gal; 6,238.69 US gal) and was constructed by Union Energy Corporation Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), in Singapore, on 1 August 2015.

NSCDC, its duties, and its too many crooks

wo weeks ago, I made a passing reference to a disturbing trend in the battle against oil pipeline sabotage, PHCN transformer vandalism and oil theft in the country. I was worried by the gradual erosion of the statutory roles of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by the other arms of the nation’s security superstructure. Considering the nagging fact that the issue remains a fast festering sore, I resolved to devote this week piece to a comprehensive analysis of the problem. I must start by drawing the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to what to many discerning observers of the nation’s rather appalling security situation, is a clear and present danger to the anti-illegal-bunkering and sabotage battle that is so key to the economic recovery efforts of his government. Mr. President has shown leadership in his battle to curb

an Poulter hopes to win his first title in three years when the British Masters returns to the European Tour this week after a seven-year hiatus. Poulter, the official ‘host’ at his home club of Woburn, will tee off along with the likes of Lee Westwood and Luke Donald today.

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

wastage in the system. He should also look into the wasteful tendency to second external security outfits to the statutory duties of the NSCDC. When the counter terror battle still rages and the yawning personnel shortage gap is still daunting, what are the army and DSS guys doing with pipeline and transformer protection? An organization is being statutorily funded from our coffers to handle this job. The glaring lack of accurate intelligence gathering in the counter-insurgency battle cannot be divorced from the misplaced secondment of our intelligence experts to errant posts. According to the NSCDC’s website, it is commissioned to “provide measures against threat and any form of attack or disaster against the nation and its citizenry”. Act No. 2 of 2003 and amended by Act 6 of 2007 statutorily empowers the Corps. This is an incontrovertible fact. The NSCDC is the equivalent of the American National Guard. Its personnel are armed and specifically trained and with the mentality that is apt for the largely civilian and semi combatant environment they are dealing with. I have never heard of a situation where the US Army, Navy, Marines, SWAT, Homeland Security Unit and other agencies interfere in its duties. If we want the armed forces to be more coordinated and fight the insurgency more effectively, the roles of each security outfit should be rather complimentary and distinct rather than this square-pegsin-round-hole tendency. In spite of the funding challenges, the successes and competence of the NSCDC personnel are glaring. Here are some in-

THE ECONOMIC IMPORT OF RENDERING THE

NSCDC PERSONNEL REDUNDANT COULD BE FRIGHTENING stances. In Rivers State, where cases of oil pipeline vandalism are rampant, the NSCDC has been recording landmark breakthroughs in securing the nation’s pipelines and checkmating the activities of oil thieves. The Corps in recent times has secured 10 vandalism and illegal oil bunkering convictions. In Cross River State, the Corps has made tremendous impact in the battle against PHCN transformer vandalism, while Lagos has also witnessed remarkable successes despite the challenges. In spite of some untoward instances, the NSCDC has coordinated well with the civilian vigilantes in the various communities, where they were engaged with largely remarkable decline in bunkering and vandalism. In view of this, why don’t we rather fortify the NSCDC operatives for the challenges rather than second other agencies in an exercise that would bring more confusion? The NSCDC is also administratively well equipped to properly tackle its mandate. Its technical unit, the Directorate of Technical Services is there to handle any technical challenges its mandate may face, while the Directorate of Intelligence

and Investigation is manned by competent egg heads who can provide adequate intelligence as far as pipeline vandalism and theft of PHCN facilities are concerned. The Directorate of Operations can also handle all operational challenges without any recourse to another branch of our security network. Why not we properly fund this outfit and its units rather than this fire brigade tendency to second the DSS and the Army to usurp the statutory role of the NSCDC? What is the logic in this during this era of insurgency and limited resources? The economic import of rendering the NSCDC personnel redundant could be frightening. According to a recent PPMC report, some $10.6 billion has been lost to oil pipeline vandalism at a point. Imagine what that amount could contribute to our national development effort. The solution to this is NSCDC should be motivated to go all out against the vandals rather than the tendency to resort to the extravagance that the secondment of other branches of the security infrastructure entails. The security implication of distracting the armed forces personnel from their primary roles as combatants and the exigencies of the still raging acts of terror is another salient reason to leave transformers and pipeline security in the hands of the NSCDC. Don’t we think distractions of our armed forces’ engagement in extraneous missions are inimical to our battle against Boko Haram? Or has the personnel shortage that has stymied the battle against the insurgents suddenly been resolved and we now have an excess of personnel in the armed forces that we can afford to engage them in pipeline protection? With such immense responsibility on the shoulders of our soldiers and other branches of the combatant forces, can we really defend this rather misplaced engagement with pipeline monitoring? My take is allow the NSCDC to perform their statutory roles without unnecessary distractions. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra British Masters: Poulter seeks first win in three years Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo are among past Masters winners. “The names on the trophy are all of the great players that I’ve followed through the years,” said Poulter. “You can name one after an-

other after another. It’s good that we’ve got a good field and we can put another great name on that trophy.” Poulter, 39, has had four top-10 finishes this season but has not won a tournament since November 2012.

“It’s hurt a lot,” said the Englishman. “I’m not getting any younger and the guys are getting younger and better. “It’s been difficult and that’s hard to take as someone that has pride in himself, in winning a lot of consecutive years in a row.

Poulter

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